Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

:w00t: I just got the pre-approval today directly from my insurance company! I am also excited, but nervous. How is everyone doing today pre/post surgery?

I am new to this site and would like some help with a couple of things. We live in Woodland Washington and I am having Surgery with Dr. Aceves in Mexicali Mexico so I need to take my Husband with me. First did anyone take their husbands with them and second what is there for him to do? I'm afraid mine will be bored.. so please help

Hello. My name is Michelle. I am 5'2 and weigh 190 lbs. I think I'm borderline on the BMI for the Lap Band surgery. I've tried everything diet/exercise wise. My primary insurance is Medicare because I'm on disability for bipolar disorder, I also have high B/P, and very low metabolism. Some of my meds make me gain weight and increase my risk for diabetes, which both my parents have and they are also obese. Do you all think I will qualify for this surgery? Thanks and blessings, Michelle

I'm 36 yrs old and had lap-band surgery on 6/11/03 at 242 and now weigh 230 -- I am taste those 220's. I'm married with 2 girls and have been wanting to lose weight for the last 15 years - well I have lost and gained and lost and gained...you know the routine. I love the NEW ME and can't wait to get my first fill on 8/13 as I have not much restriction now. GOOD LUCK to everyone that has been banded or thinking to be banded or about to be banded. I don't regret this for one moment Barbara S 6/11/03 Dr Carter

hi, i am seriously thinking about getting the lap band surgery. i might not get it done until the end of may. i want to know what i need to do so that i can start doing what it is i need to do and get used to it. I've been overweight my entire life and I'm sick of it. can someone help me with some advice?

I am sooo excited I finally got approved for the lapband, scheduled for 12/18. I start the optifast tomorrow, anyone have any tips for getting through the 2 week liquid diet?:w00t:

Getting my Realize lap band in 13days! Very excited. I cant wait until we go to the nutritional class so I can get an idea of what to expect food wise after the surgery. Cant wait to start my new life.:thumbup:

Hello, My name is Talitha and I just recently started my lap-band journey. I do not have a surgery date yet because my insurance require I see specialists and go to 6 months of classes before I can schedule. I just had my first appt with my surgeon Dr. Monk on Wednesday and my next class is 1/11. I am excited to start this and get healthy. But I am also scared. I saw what my mother went through with her GB and she still struggles. I have been overweight my whole life and have failed at every possible weight loss attempt. But I am a strong woman and I am ready!!!

I just return from Mexico where Dr. Alvarez completed my sleeve surgery. I could not have asked for a better group of people to care for me and my husband. The customer service was five stars. They anticipated my needs before I could ask. This group was very personable and took time to answer all my questions over and over again. The 1st 24 hours was my biggest challenge, but now I am ready to start my sleeve journey, and appreciate reading everyone?s support and suggestions. Slimsleeve

Well, Ive been approved for banding. I go the 14th of December. My doctor is Todd Foreman with Crestwood Hospital in Huntsville AL. Ive preregistered and had all the testing done, just waiting for the surgery and wondering what to REALLY expect. :wink2:

Hi my name is Karen and I just joined this site. I had my surgery 11/24/09, I thought I was ready for this the education I received from my Dr. and support group was amazing, but now that it's here I feel like I need to second guess everything I drink. I have been having some pain after I drink my broth, shakes or water not immediate but within a minute. I have been taking smaller sips but I noticed it is hard to tell when you've had enough I never have more than 4 ounces of fluid at a time and I am trying to go a lot slower it seems strange to take a half hour to drink a few ounces and it feels like I really need to train my self. If anyone has any advice I would greatly…

OK SO I am schedule do do my sleep study test here in a few days. My question is this say AFTER the results come back & say the dr say I do have sleep apnea will they postpone my Surgrey date?

Hi there- I'm considering the lapband but I was wondering if I were to get it, if I could still enjoy all foods in moderation or just certain foods? What happens if you eat the wrong food or eat too much? Have people had this surgery when on a lot of medications? Thanks aab

Hello, my name is Melissa and I live in Madison, Wisconsin. I am very interested in the Lap Band surgery. I have not found a surgeon, or even seen a doctor about it yet. I am looking for the very best place to have the surgery done, by the very best doctor, whether my insurance covers it or not. All I know is that I'm sad, I'm fat, and I know I can't live like this anymore. My life is just passing by and I'm miserable. My husband has said that we will do it - insurance or not. Now to find the best place/doctor. Hopefully this will be a good place for me to start. Nice to meet you all

:tongue2: JUST LOST MY JOB AND CANT AFFORD INSURANCE = NO MORE LAPBAND APP FOR A WHILE IM SCARED IM GOING TO GAIN.WHAT SHOULD I DO :w00t:

Hello Everyone I have been coming to this website for months now, reading everyones posts. I just had my VSG 2 weeks ago today. I decided I would finally register and log in and maybe say hello. HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE! I wont lie, I am struggling a little but here. I have been greiving food. There have been a couple days I have sat on the couch and just cried. I have thought a few times I made a mistake. I have heard this is normal, but really, is anything considered normal at this point? Well, I just wanted to say hello! Take care everyone!

I had my band surgery on 09/30/09 and feel that I am not losing like I thought I would, looking for support.:w00t:

Hi everyone, My name is Jodi (mutti). I had my surgery on August 31, 2009. I started at 214 lbs. and I am 4'11". My BMI was 41.8. My surgeon was/is Dr. Eric Wilson (Houston, TX). I am currently weigh 161 with a BMI of 33. I've been stick at this weight for about 2 1/2 weeks down. I know I'm losing inches but even that seems to have slowed down. I've been on the boards a lot lately looking for encouragement and decided it was time to put myself out there. thanks for letting me lurk and now join in the conversation.:w00t:

:thumbup:HELLO WELL IM 1 DAY POST-OP SO FAR , DOING GREAT ACTUALLY HASNT HURTED MUCH SO FAR (KNOCK ON WOOD) ALL TOGETHER IVE LOST14 POUNDS...THE ONLY PART FOR ME THATS SORE IS THE PORT SIDE BUT TO THE LAPBAND PART CANT EVEN TELL ITS IN ME LOL WELL IF YOU HAVE ANY MORE QUESTION PLZ FEEL FREE TO ASK:thumbup:

Hi, my name is Brandi. I am brand new to this site, 26 years old, 5' 8" and weigh 257lbs. I am lookin to talk to people who've had the surgery. My family is firmly against me proceding with the operation. Mostly becuase of the cost. Also becuase they don't want their daughter having surgery. (something which I completely understand) They also keep saying, "well, if you can eat less and lose weight WITH surgery... why can't you eat less and lose weight WITHOUT surgery?" -They keep quoting cost becuase I have to self pay. -They keep pointing out how new the procedure is. -They also want me to talk to people who've had the procedure. That's why I came here. I need …

Hi. My journey began about 2 months ago when my PC physician told me that I had to lose weight or I would lose 12 to 15 years of my life. He scaired me. Since then I have been looking for information on the internet and from friends that have had bypasses. My beginning weight was 284 lbs. I made another appointment with my doctor to discuss weight loss surgery options and he referred me to a weight management clinic to begin the process. I have already met with my new doctor and have met with a dietitian. At this point I still haven't decided for sure whether to have a bypass or VSG although I'm leaning towards the VSG, much less invasive. Next month I will follow…

Hello my name is tina and im 37 yrs old and i do have a surgery date of dec 3rd , and im gettin... IdK.... SECOND THOUGHTS!! its all theses (what if's) that are killing my desire for this procedure.. i never met anyone who has done it, i just know of people who has done it< i did go to a seminar met someone there and was in awwwww but no other time!! But i think i am gonna do it im just trying to make excuses not to.. you will see me on my page 'saying me" "what no i wasnt scared" lol!! but inside i was crying like a baby!! lol aNY NEW BaNdsters FoR dEc HIt Me Up!!! SOMEBODY MAKE ME LAUGH TELL ME A FUNNY JOKE....THANKS FOR TAKING YOUR TIME TO READ THIS!…

Hi I am two days post op.I am experiencing more pain then I expected but I think being an optimist I expected none. I think most of the pain is gas related and it will resolve in a few days. Generally I feel pretty good. I'm thinking this is going to work for me. After a lifetime of my weight going up and down I may have found the tool to finally maintain a healthy weight. I have looked around the site and read everything on here I could pre-op to prepare so now I just wanted to say hi and hope I can be supportive of others in my journey.

after the long six mont journey I finally got approved by aetna.. My first consult with my Dr is on December 15th .I am so excited.

I had the band put in about 2 years ago. I have lost 30 pounds...nothing too significant. I have been very disappointed ever since I got it. I have been throwing up, had it filled, and unfilled until the cows come home nothing works. So My surgeon decided to give me the sleeve. I am not too excited since the band did not work. I think that the sleeve will not work too. I have my band taken out on Nov 30th and I am sleeved on jan. 20th. Anyone else have these issues? How long was everyone off when they were sleeved? Does anyone think that the sleeve will work for me since I failed at the band? I feel like I am going through another surgery for nothing....but I ca…

I'm on board to get the sleeve, hopefully January...Here's my quick story...2 years ago, I had surgery to get the LapBand, and due to excessive scar tissue (from a gallbladder operation), the surgeon was unable to put in the band. He mentioned the sleeve would be an option, but all I wanted to do was run far away from wls. Fast forward 2 years later, I have met with 2 different surgeons and after a long weekend of excessive eating, drinking and extreme fun and partying, meeting with the surgeon, deep soul searching, discussion with mom and husband - I am doing it!!!! I have jumped on the weightloss sleeve train and am excited!!!!!! I am 42 and can't wait to be extremel…

I have a surgery date of January 6th. I am 62 and have fought this fight for over 50 years. I finally talked with my PCP about LAP-BAND®® and encouraged me, to go for it, she has a few patients who have had the surgery. I called my insurance carrier Blue Cross/Blue Sheild of Michigan (BCBSM). I was told I should start by getting 6 months of documented weightloss attempts. I went to my PCP in April and she started the documentation. As of today I have seen her for 7 months. In September I again called BCBSM and was told that the 6 months of documentation was no longer required, just a letter from the doctor! September 1st my husband and I went to a seminar at the U…

Hi there! I'm all geared up for my band in 3 weeks. Have done a TON of research and opted to go with Dr. Ponce at the Gastric Band Institute here in Chattanooga. He seems very knowledgable and I've read he was sort of a 'pioneer' with the band. Has anybody else out there used him as their surgeon? I'm SOOOO excited to get my life back!

Hello, I am considering Lapband surgery. Currently in the process of scheduling 1st consultation. I have selected John Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, MD. However, they have quite a few surgeons that perform the surgery. Does anyone have any experience with any of their surgeons? Also I am concerned about the amount of side effects that have been noted with lap band. Has anyone had damage done to their spleen? What about band slippage, how common is that, and are their any factors that influence band slippage or is it just one of those random things that happen? Thank you

My Name is Brianna, and I reside in SW FL with my family of five. I'm 17 and a junior, my current weight is 336lbs, My BMI (according to the weight over height calculator) is 54 and though I know and see myself as a fearfully and wonderfully made young woman who is everything and more in god's eyes, I know that I am unhealthy, and am aware that changes need to be made. I have never had the extreme "Yo-Yo" sydrome as many have had, I have tried dieting in the past, but they have not been successfull to the point that they should be. It is not eating healthy that I have an issue with, I enjoy good food that is good for me, but as with all things, too much of anything (eve…

I have my surgery next Tuesday and wouldnt you know it - every single person in my office is coughing up lungs and sneezing and probably running fevers. Good grief! I dont feel any symptoms yet but it would only be a miracle if I dont catch this virus. I am literally the only person out of 6 who isn's sick (yet). I anti-septic down about every 30 minutes. Do you think just a common cold would prevent the surgery?

I would really like to hear from anyone who is 30-ish with a beginning BMI of 40-ish. I'm 30 and have a bmi of 41. I'm 5'4 and weigh 240, nonsmoker, no kids. I'm trying to gauge what typical results might be for someone like me, so I can make an informed decision and maybe know what to expect. For instance, how much did you lose the very first month (I'm just darned curious about that), versus how much you lost in month 6? Month 12? Is your skin bouncing back? Can you do things like yoga, etc, without causing the band to slip? Has anyone used Dr. Ortiz in TJ? Thanks! Lindsay Oh, and does anyone know how I can change my birthdate so it says 1979 instead of 1997? I…

I'm new on here and have been reading a lot of posts from others about different things going on with bands. I did my band in June 05. i was overseas at the time. by June of 07 I had lost 106 pounds. That was a year after my last fill. I never bothered to find a Dr here in upstate NY to give me a fill because i felt i didn't need it. in july of 08 i started having problems with acid reflux and vomiting. i went to a bariatric surgeon here and he deflated my band. he wanted to do an endoscopy because he thought maybe i had some obstruction in my esophagus. test cam back normal and he told me there was no problem with my band. this dr would not fill my band because i had my …

Hello, I was recently banded 11/05/09. I have some questions and hope someone out there can provide some answers from their own experiences. My wife and I were banded the same day. She is doing great and does not complain about any pain or discomfort. I on the other hand am experiencing some unsettling sensations. I have a tightness in my chest, occasional pangs down my abdomon, a general soreness in my upper stomach area just below my rib cage. When I bend over it gets rather intense. Is this normal? The first week or so the only discomfort was from the gas. After that I have been having these issues. Any comments are greatly appreciated. Am I being over sensative, or sh…

So I have a date!!! I am so excited! Today has been a mixture of different emotions.. My husband is stationed at Fort Hood and the memorial service was today.. We went... it was so so so sad. Our leaders have great writers for all their speeches but today was so touching. It might have been because this is our home and our friends. After the service I walked home (post was a mad house and driving wasn't an option) I got the phone call... December 23!!! I am so excited. After something so tragic i felt guilty being happy on this day. We have amazing surgeons on post and it's not like going to a normal gastric surgeon.. we are filler surgeries.. when ever they have time the…

I am new here. Just got my call today to come for my consultation on 12/8/09. I have done my seminar, 6 mo. dr. diet and now for my consultation. Getting excited now. 1.What is your current and goal weight? 238/120 2.What is your surgery date? Not scheduled yet. 3.What is your age? 59 4.Where do you live? KY 5.Where are you having surgery?Norton in Louisville Ky 6.Who is your Doctor?? Dr. Rodriquez 7.Insurance or self-pay? Insurance 8.What was you "deciding factor" for having this surgery? I now have diabetes type2, high blood pressure, high cholestrol. If I want to be around awhile I have to get this under control. :sad::thumbup:

Hi there, Just wanted to introduce me and how I love my band. Still getting to know how my band works and having patience as I develop my new relationship with the gift I have been given. I was banded here in boise idaho on 9-8-09 by Dr. Bryan Anderson. I am going for my 3rd fill on the 7th losing 36lbs to date and may I share I am now under 200lbs. I am so excited!!! I attend live support groups and read as much as I can to be successful. I would love to offer what ever I can as support to others and develop wonderful band friends.... Thanks :sad:

:thumbup:Just got my approval from Aetna today. Surgery scheduled for 12/22/09 and I will be starting 2 weeks of Optifast next week. I'm so excited. If anyone else was/is on Optifast, does it make you feel full?

Any one have Dr. Hollis of Houston I found someone for Dec. 2 but lost her wont to keep in touch I have mine on the 4th:smile2:

I am 23 years old, with a BMI of over 50. I have an initial consultation with Dr. Geiss scheduled for January 12th - the earliest appointment available. I have been obsessed with this site for quite some time now, and I am so thankful for everyone who shares their experiences - I have learned so much from reading your stories. You are all so inspirational.

I am so happy that words cant explain. I am still waiting on the Lap Band Center to call me to give me my surgery day. I feel like this is a new beginning for me. I want to thank you all for giving me your words of encouragement and answering a lot of my question. Trust there are many more question to be answered LOL. Wow I taught Aetna was going to be trouble from the post I have been reading. I guess I gave them all the info they need the first time around, whatever it was I am so Happy. I will keep you all updated on what next. Talk to yall later.......:thumbup:

I have BCBS PPO Community Blue and I am curious to hear stories from people who have the same insurance and had the procedure done at Hurley. Thanks!

Hello everyone I am getting very discourage with this process, I guess I shouldn't say with the process it's more like I want to really hurt my PCP, getting the necessary information from her is like asking her money or something, not only did I have to pay $35.00 for my ltr of medical necessity and wait 7 days to get the ltr, now the people at True Results are having a hard time getting her to fax over my medical records, not only that my psych appt was for next friday (12/4), now I have to postpone that until 12/11 because I have to have surgery on my achilles on 12/03 and the Psych Dr doesn't think I'll be in a good enough mood to come in on the 4th to complete my eva…

I am scheduled to have my lap band surgery on December 7th, 2009. I am on the Optifast liquid diet now, in preparation for the surgery. My wife had the lap band operation on October 26th.

Well, I leave tomorrow for San Diego and yesterday I came home sick from work with intense nausea. I work in a pre school and two of the children had the stomach bug so... I went home and spent the day in bed, so close to vomiting. Nothing worse and I thought am I ready to do this drastic surgery and will I feel the same way post op. Today much better but have the (tmi) issues the other end. Surgery not until friday and feel I should be ready. All you "losers" please keep us in your prayers! Good luck all you December sleevers!

OK I went to my Sleep Study Consult today & he thinks I have Sleep Apnea. I go next Wednesday night for the testing.. My question is if they say I do have it will Postpone my surgery?

Hello! I am a new member of the forum but have been reading posts for a couple months now. I can honestly say that some of the things I have read on here helped me to make the decision to go forward. Initially I was embarrassed that I needed it and now I know that everyone is different and this is not the easy road. I am hoping to have surgery in January or February. So far I have started the process with my insurance company and have been on their program for a little over a month. With the diet my doctor put me on I lost 7 pounds already but the blood pressure medicine she put me on is giving me bad headaches so I want to get off of it but I'm affraid that will disqua…

I have always been a big girl all my life and after having 3 daughters found myself at 271 lbs at age 26. At one point in my life, in 2003, something happened and I worked as hard as I could and lost 100 lbs. 3 years later my husband was diagnosed with kidney failure and was put on dialysis immediately. Five months later we found out I was a match for him and I then donated my kidney to him. Life was going good, when I suddenly fell ill and was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation and Tethered Cord Syndrome in 2008. I put back on 30 pounds of what I had previously lost. I could no longer find that inner strength to lose the weight, much less maintain what I had alread…

Testing my signature.

I'll be headed out for surgery Monday evening. I'll go to Gonzales, La. stay at the Holiday in right by St. Elizabethes Hospital, and go in for my surgery Tuesday at 11:30 am. I should be home Wednesday night..so Ya'll won't hear from me for a few days. I've got everything I need, and I'm ready to roll. WISH ME LUCK, and I'll see you wonderful people soon. Have a great week!!! nervous...but GOOD Judy