Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

hi my name is rhian and i am from sunny scotland! i have made the major decision to get banded in january - i just have to get my date confirmed! my mum isn't being very supportive about the whole thing - in her eyes i should just lose the weight through diet and exercise alone...as if i havent tried that since before i can remember! she is obese herself so she should really know the struggle it is! i am 20years old and weigh about 240lbs. i want to be able to go into shops and pick the clothes i want to wear...not the ones i have to pick because there is nothing else in my size! well i hope to get to know you all a bit better! rhian xxx

Can anyone tell me how to get the thread with the salsa dancing exercise Videos ? I'd love watch that again. Judy

Hello! I'm so excited to have found this website! I got banded June 2009. I've had ups and downs in terms of weight. More down than up. I started at 334 and was put on a pre-op diet! Lost 10 pounds prior to surgery. Weighed in at 324 on the day of my surgery. Anyway I just weighed in this morning at 283. I'm on my way! Woohoo!:w00t:

I finally got my blood pressure where it needs to be !!!! I have a surgery date.....DECEMBER 1st !!!!!!! YES !!!! I'M SO HAPPY !!!!!!!! THANK YOU GOD!!!!!:mad::sad0:

Ok so I was approved for the lb but I have some preop testing to complete along with that I am trying to quit smoking which i am starting to think is impossible my nerves are shot everything and everyone is getting on my nerves.... my doc has talked to me about quiting someone at work told me I should so is it important to quit bfore the lb is there anyone here that smoke through the lb process if so how was ... i just want to know it all plezzzz help

I know this is weird, but I just wondered if I was the only one. The worst thing I think I've ever eaten was, fried chicken skin. Not on the chicken, but take off the chicken, egged, floured and fried, like pork skins, by it self. Yeah that is the lowest of the low...but it was GREAT! I did that at least 3 times, along with eating the chicken I fried without skin. Then I got a hold of myself and had to stop the insanity!!! that was MY WORST out of control moment. What's yours?

Hello Everyone! I am new to this site. I have Aetna insurance and had to follow a 3 month plan for approval. I've done everything they required and my doctor's office (True Results) submitted the paperwork on 11/17/09. My surgery is tentatively scheduled for 12/17/09. My questions are: - Has anyone had experience with True Results / Dr. Nirmul? - Has anyone had any issues with Aetna not approving the surgery after their requirements have been met? - What should I expect the first week to 10 days after surgery? Thanks for any feedback... have a good weekend! P

:confused: Insurance was submitted on 11/10/09 and they got the approval today! Surgery is set for 12/30/09!! :scared2:

i am 5'3 ish (give or take 1 inch either way) and weigh 210 as of today!! my husband's insurance kicks in jan 2010 and it covers wls! (yay) my bmi is around 36/37 now so to have it at 40 i will have to be 220-225! (ugh) so i suppose i have to pack on at least 10 more lbs...this is the most i have weighed EVER..and i gave birth to twins and weighed less...waaaaa does anyone have cigna greatwest and know how they work?? like 6 mo diet? thanks for any advice!

I talked about it in my blog,www.kickinfatsazz.blogspot.com, you can read about there. I got new Surgeons at Emory University's Bariartic Center. My seminar is Jan 14th. Im excited. :bored:

11.13.2009 WAS MY NEW BEGiNiNG. i HAD My P0ST 0P APP0iNTMENT THiS M0RNiNG. My PRE OP WEiGHT WAS 334. MY WEiGHT 0N T0DAy WAS 313. :-) 21 P0UNDs iN 7 DAyS. YAy ME! THE WEEK HAS BEEN KiNDA ROUGH. FROM GAS PAiNS TO UNCOMFORTABLE SLEEPiNG. EVERY DAy iT GETS BETTER, & iM HAPPy. My SURGEON SAiD iM HEALiNG FiNE & TO START MUSHiES 0N MONDAy. ANY 1 WiTH "MUSHy FOOD" iDEAS PLEASE HELP. LOL. K. THANKS AGAiN FOR EVERyONES SUPPORT.

Hello everyone, I'm new to the site and I'm patiently, well not so patiently, awaiting my insurance approval. I've been through the 6 months of medically supervised weight loss, had my psych evaluation, been to the nutritionist and all that jazz. My Dr has sent everything to the insurance and it's been about a week. Anyone know how long it takes for the review process?

New to the site.. no scheduled date yet. Still waiting for approval and for last pre op visit. Afraid a little... anyone in the 50's had this done?

Hello, my name is Angie. I am 28 years old and got the shock of a life time today when I went to the doctor and found out that I weigh about 282, I never thought that I would weigh this much, I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2005 and I have been struggling with that ever since then. My doc says that is part of the reason I am so heavy, I have tried dieting and exercising but nothing seems to work. I am all for getting the lap band but my fiance and I want to hear from people how they are liking it and if they think it is really worth it. Is it uncomfortable or anything like that? Please feel free to let me know anything you might want to know, I haven't made any appointments …

Hi, I just went to my first appointment and just as I had hoped, I do qualify and my insurance is going to pick up the tab for the surgery. And....I only have to lose 10lbs in advance of surgery! Whew!! I am from San Pedro in Southern California and anxious for the next few months to pass.

hi again! my seminar is this coming saturday and im extremely nervous...my main concern is "where there be a lot of people there"? i have anxiety issues and im not good in large crowds, i get severe panic attacks...also are people allowed to bring someone with them? ive already discussed my issue with the person who confirmed my seminar date...my grandma has alzeimers and i take care of her so she needs to come with me...but i dont wanna be the only one who brings someone, i will feel dumb...thanks to everyone who can help me get a better understanding of what the seminar will be like...oh and also, do they make you stand up and talk in front of everyone? thanks again, …

After 6 months, my insurance finally gave the OK for the surgery today ! It is scheduled for Dec 11... great.. just before all the Christmas goodies ... :thumbup: I guess it will all be for the best.. but now it's scheduled.. it's a lot more REAL ! it is gonna happen.. before it was just all the doc appointments. monthly weigh-ins...etc... oh well.. please wish me luck everyone !

Hi everyone! I have been lurking around for a couple weeks and decided to share my story! I am a 22 year old in my first year of law school. I have been overweight my whole life. I am 360 pounds and ready to finally change to a healthier lifestyle. I am getting sleeved on Dec 22 and am extremely nervous, but have found all of your information soo helpful! I'm especially nervous about having to do this through the holiday season/ my birthday, especially since I will probably be in the hospital while my family celebrates on christmas eve. I hope that this is the best decision I've made! I look forward to being part of this web community!

Hi, just wanted to post a quick introduction. My name is Mercy and I was just banded on February 9th, 2005. My banding BMI was 72. I'm single, don't have any children, and have a job that I truly enjoy. I'm blessed with wonderful family and friends, all who have been supportive of me since I began this journey over 2 years ago. I'm looking forward to spending some time here. Mercy

hi everyone, my name is Sara. I was banded last week, and it's been an interesting week, to say the least. I live in a house where there is always food, so its seems like something is always taunting me. I'm looking forward to making it to the soft foods. I'm tired of the broth, but i know that it's just a small step to a huge outcome. :thumbup:

I'm new to this site, and my surgery date is December 4th, yay! I had my initial consultation on October 16th, my paperwork was submitted to my insurance company (UHC) about a week ago, and I got a call yesterday that I was approved. my BMI is exactly 40 with no co-morbidities. I was shocked at how quickly it happened. I'd heard about the 6 month wait, etc. but there's no wait. I just wanted to share my experience with UHC, so others won't be discouraged. Good luck to you all.:thumbup:

Hi everyone. I have been looking at this site for a couple of weeks now and have been very encouraged by all of your posts. I am scheduled for my seminar on 12-14-09. I am so anxious to get the ball rolling. I have been on a diet program with my GYN for the last six months so I am hoping that will help with my insurance approval. I have a BMI of 42 and have sleep apnea, hypertension, and spinal arthritis. I just want to be healthy, have energy, and be able to play with my grandson more!:thumbup:

Do you know what is great about life? You have a choice everyday to make your life your own. To start new, to choose your path. And that is coincidently, what is great about the lapband! For those of you trying to decide, or for those of you who have committed to this journey...welcome! You are making a choice to change...and for the better! The band is certainly not the answer to all of our problems. It is not a band for the brain, but it is a tool to help us make better decisions. And it is awesome! Is it the easy way out? Uh....hell no. But it can make things easier. And that is what matters. Who cares what other people think! As one of my…

I'm on the eve of my surgery and very concerned if I'm doing the right thing. My family does not want me to get the sleeve, they just want me to get the band out. I'll have one last discussion with my surgeon in the morning and make my final decision. The band will come out at a minimum. Our plan is to do the band to sleeve in one surgery, however if there are any problems, then we'll do the sleeve in a later surgery. I've lost 9 pounds on the pre-op diet and went from 245 to 236 lbs. I'm happy about that, but I know if I don't get the sleeve and start eating normal foods and overeating again, the weight will come back on quickly. I have a beautiful 4 month old son tha…

My spouse is soon to be a lap banded patient. Are there any other people out there like me who would like to discuss their experiences as the spouse?

Hi everyone, I am new to this site and to the idea of getting a lap band surgery done. I'm just curious as to what peoples thoughts and feelings about the surgery are and also what the surgery entails. I don't like being in the hospital, but feel that this may be my only choice since I have tried just about everything else to lose weight.

My name is Heather, I just joined this site a few days ago and I have been reading posts here for a few days. (Even posted an insurance question, but thought I should probably formally introduce myself. LOL!) Last week I spoke to my primary care doctor about having Lapband surgery. She thinks that it is my only option to be able to loose weight since I can't exercise due to facet disease. I can't exercise because of the pain from the facet disease, yet the pain gets worse as I gain weight. It's a catch-22. I am going to a siminar next Tuesday, the 24th. I don't know what to expect, so if anyone has any advice, it is appreciated!

Hi all! I was banded 10/21/09 in Kansas. It has been a pretty easy process so far aside from the awful gas pains I had that first week. I'm excited about getting healthy and thin (well maybe not thin, but at least out of the obese categories). I turn 30 tomorrow, yikes! I'll treat myself by going to the gym :wink2: What else? Hummm... I started down this road in August when I made the very difficult decision to have weight loss surgery. It snowballed from there. I went to a meeting at my surgeon's office. A few weeks later I met with the surgeon. My insurance approval came a few weeks after that! Yeah, surprised me too. I got in my visits with the psychologis…

Well I've been preparing for this since July of this year and tomorrow is Da Day! I'm excited and nervous all at the same time. I've been doing the liquid diet now for about a week, man is it tuff. I know that after the surgery it will be easier as you really won't have a choice. My hardest thing to cope with has been the cravings. Has anyone been struggeling with cravings? If so, what have you done to overcome them? I just try to get my mind off and do something else. Boy is it tuff sometimes. Last night all I wanted was some chicken. I could have just pulled it off the bone and went to town. Instead I grabed my protein shake and did what I could to take my mind of…

Wow what a long day. I went to the doctors office @ 7am. You know they take forever to do things lol but it was okay I was jus happy my day had finally arrived. My surgeon was Dr. Tashjian. He asked me to get on the scale and smh I weighed in at 334 pounds. I can tell he was a little disappointed. He told me that if he goes in and see's a fatty liver he will not operate. He said if you wake up and have 1 patch instead of 5 I wasn't able to do the surgery. When I first woke up in recovery the first thing I felt for was those 5 patches. Lol and they where there. I was so happy but in so much pain, I wanted to cry but I thought it might hurt more if I did. I got dressed and…

Hello fellow lap banders. I am set for surgery in Tijuana Mexico with Dr. Ortiz on Dec. 2. I am trying to get as much information and support before the surgery and found this forum. I started my pre-op diet today and I am using the Premier chocolate protein shakes for breakfast and lunch and a lean cuisine for dinner. I can substitue another protein shake [i can see these getting difficult to get down] as long as it is under 250 cal. Any recommendations? Thanks

Hi my name is Reece and iam new here, considering going for lap-band surgery iam 23 years old and im 138 kg's and would love to get down to 90kg's, im just weighing up my options at the moment. I hope to gain alot of help and support from this forum. thanks and nice to meet everyone here.:biggrin:

So I have been trying to get the lapband for over 2 years now. The first time it didnt work out because my insurance changed, which was terrible. I now have an insurance that covers it, and am so happy. PS. Will I have to sit through another seminar, because I am in a different state with a different doctor?

Hey! I'm Halee from Alabama and I'm highly considering having LAP-BAND® surgery. I have joined this forum to get all the info I can...the good and the bad. Also if anyone knows a good surgeon in Alabama, please let me know. Thanks!!:wink2:

Hi there! I'm *very* new to this process and am in the early stages of meeting with my doctor, having consultations, etc. I was wondering if anyone here had their banding done in Northern Colorado? If so, who was your surgeon?

Hi all, I am officially in the surgery schedule for 01/07/2010 and for what ever reason I am really scarred. not so much doubts but yessssss alot of doubts and so many more what if's..... will I do it ? can i doit? what if i dont lose any weight! what if i die(lol) im sorry but i have thought that has anyone gone throught this? what did you do to cope? i feel like i am struggling so bad right now what is gonna happen after bein banded. I feel like i am going in differant directions I am tryin to quit smoking , tryin to eat better, tryin to workout every other day instead of everymonth to start off till i do it everyday , I have no positive role model in my life I feel l…

Hey everyone, I'm Lyndsey and I just joined the forum, i'm 25 days POST surgery and have already lost 27 lbs in 25 days. And just thought i'd say HI and introduce myself, i'm really glad I found this forum because sometimes I have a lot of questions that need answering! lol -Lyndsey

Hi! Been dreaming for years about how am I to afford WLS. Almost over forty, diabetic, hypertensive, sleep apnea, arthritis, and asthma, incontinent is not my idea of healthy. So now I am insured, I aim to take action!!! I decided on the sleeve after years of research. I can do this! I can loose weight! However loosing 10 lbs a year is not going to reverse my other diseases fast enough to possibly save my life. Maybe post surgery I will feel more confident in keeping it off with the sleeve! Have numbers for the Nutritionist, Cardiologist and Surgeon. Have appointments with the PCP, Pulminary, and Phsych. for this month. Just got insurance effective last week! …

New here and worried about Tuesday. I made the mistake of reading a website basically called "Everything that can go wrong with the lap band and people who want to share their stories." What a downer. I have been reading HERE about all the successes, so I hope that I am going to do well without any complications!:wink2:

Well its finally done. Im sleeved. Tue nov.10 first day of a new life. Since I started the pre op diet on oct 25 till today (sunday nov 15) I have lost 29lbs.:crying: I saw Dr.Alvarez in Mexico. I have had no pain and no problems so far. No acid problems that I hear others having. Im probaly not getting enough water but im trying. Im just full all the time. I think Dr. Alvarez is a super nice guy and very profesional. I would rate my experiance with the whole thing a 10 / 10

Hi eveyone! Im getting my band (hopefully) in February and I need all the advice I can get. My biggest fear is that I wont be able to give up Coca Cola. It has been a life long struggle. Also, when did everyone go back to work?

I have officially joined the "Losers Club" and I am so excited. I was sleeved on November 10 by Dr. Aceves. From the pre-opt diet to now I have lost 11lbs. Wow....Yah for me! Dr. Aceves and his team were wonderful. I still am experiencing some pain and lots and lots of gas. My only struggle is trying to ensure that I am getting all of my fluids in.

Hi all- I'm a newbie. I came here looking for inspiration and support. I have found a lot of inspiration. I need support because I am not telling my family about my surgery. They are loving but not supportive. They have noticed a little weight loss but haven't a clue what I'm up to. Whenever I get some courage to share details they say something like, "Let me take that _____ out of your way since you're finally staring to lose weight, and it's about time."Fill in the blank with any type of food. I will be sleeved on November 24th at South Bay Kaiser. So far I am a bit scared but excited to start my jouney. Thanks for letting me lurk around and gain inspiration from your s…

I got my lil' packet from my surgery on Tuesday for my pre-op appointment. Woo hoo! I've already gone through the process of tests, doctors appointments and insurance clearance. It began on September 9th with a consult and I'm finally getting my surgery on November 17th! I am so excited and nervous at the same time...since I've never had a major surgery. Can't wait to get know others on here going through the same thing or who have been there.

Hi everyone! And it is sooo awesome to see everyone losing so much weight!! You must feel great and very proud!:wink2: I am 49 and for most of my adult life i have been overweight. I am 5' tall and currently weigh 183. And that is up from 177 last month. Such is my life and weight loss and gain! At my largest, I weighed 225 and that was when i was hypothyroid after I had RAI done. I have been euthyroid for about 7 years now but recently had to switch from Armours Thyroid which is a natural hormone to a synthetic. It seems to make me hungrier and I am gaining despite eating Atkins. :lol2: I have been on Atkins for 3 years now, with my doctors good graces, and CAN…

I am 5'3 and I way 180 pounds. That puts my BMI at 31. Low for such drastic measures as surgery (or at least that what my mom has told me) but that's not the point. The point is that this is just the beginning. I was involved in a really bad car accident in 1989. I broke my legs, pelvis and shattered my hip socket. I was in traction for 3 months and when I left the hospital I weighed 115 pounds. Life quickly resumed to a normal pace and shockingly I had very little negative effects from the accident. As the years flew bye I very slowly gained little bits of poundage. When I decided to get married in 1991 I had to go on a diet to get from 130 pounds back down …

Hey people! I am so excited to find this forum. I've done my research and I'm convinced VSG is the right procedure for me. My problem.....NO INSURANCE! My job does not offer any benefits and I don't have the finances to cross the border. Also, my family would have a major fit if they knew I went Mexico to have surgery. They don't even know I've been looking into surgery. If I did have the courage and money to travel, I would definitely let Dr. Alvarez perform the surgery. The biggest motivation for me to lose the weight is my desire to have a family. I am not married and don't have any kids. I know that when at a healthy weight, pregnancy is easier and less risky for m…

hi, im new to this site...i live in arizona and have recently decided to get the LAP-BAND® surgery...i met with my doctor yesterday and he is all for it so today i signed up for the seminar, i signed up for this saturday but might have to change the date to wed dec. 2nd...im really hoping this process goes smoothly and quick for me...and that i get approved and everything...im excited but also nervous...i look forward to meeting everyone on here...and if there is anyone from arizona who is looking for a buddy who will be going through this send me an email twentytantoes@yahoo.com bye! beth :thumbup:

I am excited and a bit nervous , but I did it and booked my flight to middle east to have my surgery there. I booked a flight to Cairo to spend some days then to Lebanon then crossing the border by land to syria. It's all fun until here, then the surgery Dec 5th ,2009. will relax for 10 days in Lebanon then come back to Canada. I could have booked the flight str8 to syria but I wanted to make a vacation our of it as well. Some friends said it's very good there and the service is great. will keep you all updated and take pics for the facility and everthing as this might be helpful for some others who might consider middle east as well. :thumbup:

alright ... so I was contemplating today about when I was roaming all over the net 3 months ago, searching for answers about VSG...and as a male, it was really hard to find a story I could relate to.... as much as I love the ladies (and of course all the VSG ladies in here :crying:) but it was hard to relate to most of their feelings and emotions. Maybe it's just me, but we are afterall aliens to Venus...so I thought this little thread might help males searching for answers about vsg. The decision wasn't done in haste, but it also didn't take much time to get me convinced of vsg. As many many people would tell you, I also am one of the people who went in to do the ban…