Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I was banded June 11, 2009. Wish I would have known about this site a long time ago! Can't wait to meet people that are experiencing the same things as I am! :thumbup:

Hi my name is Becky and I had the lapband procedure done on September 2, 2009, it was the best decision I have made for my health. My surgeon's name is Dr. Kehdy, he is great, he doesn't treat me like a number, he gives me his full attention, and answers all my questions, no matter how many time he has heard them. The day before my surgery, I was supposed to stop eating at midnight and, my surgery was first thing in the morning. The surgery went very well, and I went home the next morning after the swallow test ( which was awful). I was on liquids for 2 weeks then soft foods for one week, then regular foods. I had my first fill 5 weeks after surgery, I am due back at…

Hello, I am being banded on Monday, November 23rd in Texas, Trophy Club hospital. Nice to meet everyone! Tracy

Ahn young ha sae yo!! or Hello everyone :biggrin: I'm new here and thought I'd introduce myself. I'm from the states but living abroad in South Korea. I've been overweight (with constant ups & downs) all my life and while this is not the first time I've thought of surgery, it is the first time I've seriously considered it. The past year I've spent my time in a country where most women consider anything over 115lbs to be obese, and plastic surgery is just the norm. Needless to say, my self-esteem has taken a big hit (not that it was that high to begin with). I feel hopeless most days, but I am trying my hardest to stay positive and more recently, focused on gettin…

I have not posted in a long time on this site. I had the lap band almost 2 years ago, and I am feeling and looking like a million dollars. I am down from a size 22W and into a size 12, 75lbs lost...still have maybe 30lbs to go. I LOVE MY BAND!!!!:tongue2: I do not eat as well as I should because I should probably be a size 10. However, the scale does not validate how I feel about me...which is through the roof. Anyway, I wanted to share with you all that I look smooth, and almost tiny in my clothes, due to this garment that I wear...it is like a corset and a girdle in one...but it has completely TRANSFORMED my appearance. When I wear it, I look at least one size…

Hi everyone. Here's my intro post! I am a 39 y/o artist, Mom and Wife and have been fussing over my weight since I was 13. A day hasn't gone by in that many years that I haven't thought about food or my weight from the time I wake up to the time I go to sleep. Some history: I was athletic as a child--tall and lean and often called "too skinny". Then, I had a little weight gain around puberty (size 7 to size 9) and then woved steadily upward through my teens to a 12. In my early 20s, I gained 100 lbs in one year (size 12 to size 16). Then, I stayed at a size 16/18 for 15 years before gaining 50 pounds more in the past year or two. I blame stress for this one. (two mil…

After months of thinking, researching, and planning, my time is finally here. My VSG is scheduled for 10/23. I can't believe I'm doing this, but I am very excited!

New to site, banded in So.Cal 8/25

:mad2:Hi all ok my story short and sweet had the surgury in 2008 lost 25 pounds can't seem to loose anymore joined the gym i work at UPS very physical work i am not a lazy person i don't over eat and yet i still can't move the scale and idears because i don't know what else to do !!!!!!!!!!!

I'm Ellen, and I've been lurking on the site for a while and thought I'd say hello. I know a good half-dozen people in "real life" who have gotten RNY, but no bandsters, so I am loving this site as a source for real stories from real people. I'm still pretty early in the process. The first step that I've accomplished is to have decided that yes, I do want to do this! My surgeon's office had me start by gathering a bunch of documentation from my doctors on my past weight loss efforts, which is taking longer than I'd thought. It always seems to when doctors are involved! Hopefully, we'll be done with that part by Tuesday, and can move on to labs and xrays and other such f…

Hi All, new to the board. Ran across it today when looking for ideas other than broth, Jello and Water. I had my surgery on Tuesday and came home yesterday. I am already so over this liquid diet. I have found it interesting to see different phases from different doctors. My doctor hasn't said anything at all about Protein for the first week. Just Clear liquids. I'm not supposed to start protein until Phase II when I move to pureed foods. My DH has made so many runs to the grocery store already trying to find different things that may suit my taste buds. SF popsicles leave a horrible aftertaste, SF apple cider was way too sweet. JELLO has been good, but there's …

Hi, I've just decided to have the surgery after mulling it over, on and off, for the last couple of years. I attended an excellent seminar last Saturday, have all my pre-op appointments on Wednesday, with my surgery scheduled for Dec. 2nd. I'm getting excited, now that I feel it's the right decision for me, and I just want to get going! I'll post a profile after my pre-op when I know more about my stats. Thanks to those who tried to welcome me earlier, for some reason the program wouldn't let me in to reply.:thumbup:

A new support group will be starting up the 3rd Friday of every month at 5:30pm. The meetings will be held in the Moon Tree Gentle Yoga studio (just inside the office of Dr. Vivian Moise) at 511 S Pine. St Ste D, Spokane WA:thumbup:

Hello everyone! I'm new.............I had my surgery on Tuesday. So far, I'm doing pretty good. Still have a little soreness/discomfort due to the gas and incisions. But otherwise, I'm alright. Just wanted to see if anyone out there had any suggestions for me. I'm on day 4 of the liquid diet (still have 10 more days to go), but none of the liquids seem to really satisfy my hunger. I'm having Water, broth, juice, yogurt, pudding, Protein shakes and Jello, but there are still times where I feel like my stomach is growling and I feel weak. Does anyone have any suggestions for me that will help keep my hunger down to a minimum. I'm a pretty finicky person and don't like …

Hello, I began this process a year and a half ago. Last January i began to lose weight and i have lost 111 lbs. My surgery is Monday. I think i am ready, i hope so. It's been a long journey. Wish me luck. WF

Hi my names cindy I'm new here and I haven't done anything yet. This is my first step. I'm reading everything I can at this point. I don't have a dr or even know if my ins will cover any of it. So Im learnin what I can and goin from there!

I am having lapband surgery on the 20th. I just went to my preop class today, and now am a little nervous of what to expect after surgery.

I had the sleeve in Florida on 10/15. I've already lost 26 pounds, so I'm thrilled with that. I'm off my blood pressure medication already (actually I was able to get off of it immediately - the pre-op diet seemed to do the trick). I'm advancing my diet and things are going very well except for a problem with belching. I'm very glad that I underwent the surgery and I'm hoping the one issue I have with burping will resolve on it's own. I am having a hard time getting in everything I'm supposed to. I often don't get all the protein in - but I keep trying.

Hello everyone, I was banded on 7/7/09 I have lost 30 lbs so far. I'm in need of some support and I think i'm in the right place:wink2:

Hello Everyone Well its been awhile since I have been on the site so here is a little history. I had the lap-band on 12/13/05. My weight at the time was 320 Lbs,However my highest weight was 362 lbs. I was doing great. Working out everyday and watching what I was eating. I got down to 268 at that on 4/17/06. I was working out in the morning, my diet was good. Then I had a schedule Change. My work hours now was 8x5..my work out was nothing and my bad habits came back. My doctors visit also decline so I have not had a fill for over a year. I balloon up to 344 lbs and I hate it. Well its time to get back to work. I e-mailed the PA today and hope to get a fill within two…

I want to thank the members of VST. Sharing your experience and info helped me decide on my surgery (had been planning lapband) and I know this board will continue to be my go to place after surgery. I feel oddly calm today, the only thing that I worry about sometimes is my 4 year old. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers, I know things will be fine. Thank you all! Mayflo

Hello all you wonderful people! I am half way through my pre-surgery steps. I go to see the nutritionist next. I went to a support group and heard from people that have had the surgery for 18 months and more. The "food getting stuck" thing kind of scares me. Is anyone doing the pre-surgery diet? What is it like and how's it going? Bobbijo:eek::drool::laugh::thumbup::tt2:

Finally got banded last week, Nov 4th after starting the process last October. Now I am just trying to get adjusted to my new life.

Hi, I am so happy to find this website! I currently have Kaiser and I know they don't support the lap band! I am looking for a PPO that will make it the least expensive overall. I really need some words of wisdom. Someone to light the path for me. Can someone recommend a ppo and a Dr I can look into? Greatly appreciated :biggrin:

Hi all. I just had banding 3 days ago. This was without much preparation as it was a snap decision made only 3-1/2 days before the surgery. Plus, I worked 3 very hectic shifts before I caught a plane (with no sleep) to go for the surgery. So..... I'm probably going to have a lot of questions. Thanks in advance for all your help!!:thumbup:

hello everyone my name is joe and i am hopefully getting the lapband. i am in the begining stages of the whole experience and hope to meet some people to share the experience with im 25 have two beautiful children and am tired of being obese and want to change my life and add some positive people in it, im nervous about the whole ordeal but as i said itll be alot easier knowing some great positive people that is going through or who has already got the lapband im also a great listener if you need a ear to listen

So now I am being banded on 11/20/2009 (the week before THANKSGIVING mind you) instead of 1/8/2010 OMG WTH did I just agree to :biggrin:

Hi everyone! I go by thatfatchick (I also blog at Protein diet today, and next Tuesday morning I switch to Water, Soup broths and Gelatin. I'm scheduled for surgery at 9:00am next Wednesday, though I need to be at the hospital at 7:00am for admissions and all that jazz. I am ridiculously excited and anxious. I wanted to post on the board (and a few others) before now (since I got my surgery date two weeks ago, actually!), but I forced myself to wait until the insurance authorization came through, "just in case". Well, Dawn at Hershey Medical Center called me this morning to let me know that Capital BlueCross approved the pre-auth, so I'm good to go!!! Anyway, I'll be …

Helllo, My name is Lettie and I'm 27 yrs old. I'm a single mom and have been struggling with my weight for my entire life. I want to make a change... a permanent change not only for myself but for my baby. I want him to have a healthy mama that is able to play with him and watch him grow. I'm currently in the works of getting the verticle sleeve. I went for my first consultation in mid-october. My head was set on getting the lap-band. My doctor advised that I should get the sleeve for various reason. I'm scared and nervous about it. The thought of part of my stomach being gone is freaky. I keep reading all of your blogs and seeing your pics and it been co…

Hello! I'm Cat from Estero, FL in the process of setting up banding surgery. I've had my required nutritional and psycological consults and am awaiting insurance approval and my date. :tongue2:

I started this process back in February with one surgeon and a nightmare later am on my 2nd surgeon. The 1st knowingly kept telling me that they were going to be In Network with my insurance by the time I finished my 6 month doctor evaluated diet in May. Didn't happen...Long story short I finally had to go to another surgeon at the end of October. After only 2 1/2 half weeks with the new surgeon I have done all the other requirements of the insurance company and they have submitted my paperwork to them. I see the surgeon today and hopefully will soon have a surgery date. I can't believe I wasted all that time! Now to calm the butterflies that have erupted in my stoma…

Just got a call from my surgeons office! I am approved!!!! Got a surgery date of November, 17. I am soooo excited!! Got a preop MD appointment and last nutrition visit 11/11. I am ready to join my fellow banders. Am so glad to be having surgery before Thanksgiving and Christmas because that would have been additional pounds to lose, I have enough now....lol:thumbup:

Hi I am vveca. I am new to the group. I am not new to being overweight. :tongue_smilie: I am seriously wanting to be banded or re-made in some shape form or fashion.

Having my band Jan 8, 2010 and can't wait anyone here from the Denver area that has already been banded? :tongue_smilie:

Hello All, My name is Tara, and I am having my surgery on 12/03/2009. I am very excited for the surgery, and have a great support group of family. My boyfriend got the Lap-Band surgery 4 months ago with Dr. Mario Almanza in Tijuana, Mexico. His experience went quite well, and the only thing I regret now is that I did not go with him and get it done at the same time. However, it may be a good thing in the end because I believe VSG will be the better choice. I am currently at 240 pounds and have always struggled with my weight. I am ready to no longer worry of future health problems because of obesity. As I am sure many of us can testify, my genetics is a major par…

Hey Girls I have researched and found lots of butterfly tattoos to represent the Transformation of our weight loss journey. Some are actual tattoos, so you can see what the look like on the skin. Others are just neat pictures of butterflies that i thought were fun, and unique. There are several styles and colors, so out of this collection there should be something for everyone. Hope you like, tell me what you think. Judy

Hello Everyone, Thought I'd pop in and introduce myself. I'm V:redface:, 25 living in Long Beach, CA. I was recently banded (super recent..within the week). Sx date was 08/28/09 by Dr. Tashjian out of Beverly Hills. My start weight was 265 but during the pre-op diet I managed ti lose 12 lbs. I was at 253 when I went in for my Sx. Now...6 days later consuming nothing but Clear liquids, my weight is down to 240. I begin the mushy food goodness on Friday:thumbup: I go in tomorrow for my post op check up and will be scheduling my first fill in a month from now. I have already taken pictures from my original 265 and will be recording my weight loss and measurements i…

I got my lap band 5 days ago. I wish I used this board a little more. I could have used some help during the prediet and during the whole ordeal! When I decided back in Jan that I wanted to have this done I weighed about 350. I did all the tests, had a few issues with insurance, but that is all past me now. When I was weighed before the surgery I weighed 340lbs. I cant wait to be weight again to see my progress from this week. I also havent had much problems with the hunger. I am strictly on the clear liquids. Broth, sf jello, water, protein shakes! On my one week anniversary I plan On trying thicker liquids. During my hospital stay, my roommate was also getting the…

I just had my band surgery 5 days ago, i'm wanting to start the mushy solids, is it too early? also whenever i have anything i'm getting a pain which I think is heartburn shooting up my left shoulder blade. Is anyone else experiencing anything like this?:tongue_smilie:

Hi everybody! I'm 22, work full time, and go to school part time. I've been overweight since 3rd grade. In 2nd grade I was skinny as can be, then all of a sudden...BAM! Overweight. In middle school I remember buying a pair of size 13 shorts at age 11. They didn't fit the next summer. Freshman year of high school I weighed about 170 pounds, but during softball season I lose about 30 pounds exercising 4 hours a day 5 times a week. That ended, and the next season I was out with a broken wrist. After that I was too out of shape to go out for varsity softball, so I didn't. I didn't feel like I could get back into softball shape. Freshman year of college was different fo…

I would like to say hello to everyone here, I have been doing my research and lurking o here for a while. I have gone to 2 of my 3 required supervised visits and have all of my psyc, blood work, and physical tomorrow. I have my last visit the 3rd of december and have no idea how long it takes to get the procedure done after that, the nurse did say that Aetna is extremely fast at approvals so that is great. So hello all!!!! Keep up the good work

Hi all Well as it says in the title, this is only my second post and Im just learning about this posting thing so if I do something wrong, please bear with me. :001_smile: Ive been registerd with this site for a while now but only really read other posts as I was waiting on my surgery and wanted to know as much info as possble. Well Im 29, from the Uk and had my surgery 21/10/09. I was supposed to have it a moth before this but it was cancelled as I am prone to clotting. Whcih meant they had to schedule me in for a IVC filter. Anyhoo, I had my op which went super, I think....the only pain I had was from the gas. So a few burps and bottoms burps later, all was w…

Got my date today Dr. 11-18-2009 and surgery date of 12-4-2009 . They told me I could go back to work on monday after. I told her I drive a bus and she said a lot of people drive buses and go back after 2 days.Well I am taking off a week just to be sure I wont be in pain.:smile2:

I am so excited. Had my first office visit today and found out my insurance BC/BS will pay for most of the procedure if they approve me. Need to do a 3 month diet first. This is also the first time I post here. Before making my decision to choose lapband I read a lot of ur threads here and it helped me tremendously. So thank you guys. I look forward to reading more posts and keeping u posted of my procedure here.:wink:

Hi Everyone. I am new to this site. My surgeon suggested that I try it out. I live in upstate NY in a very small town about 40 miles North of the Pennsylvania border. I have been traveling through this journey of WLS since July 2oo9. At this point, I do not have a surgery date. My surgeon's office is waiting on reports from some of the testing MDs. I am very optimistic and excited about this journey. I am in great hopes that I will have the surger by the end of Jan. 2010. Just looking to see what everyone else has to say about their journey and gather as much information as possible.

Hello Im dowhatitdo1 and Im 29 years old with 2 children. Im 5,2 and about 209lbs. I am waiting on my approval from my insurance so I dont know how long it takes or what I should expect. Im so nrevous and anxious at the same time because Im ready to start a new life and I have a lot of questions. Please feel free to share your journey, or any advice with me to help me. I have no clue on wht to expect so please help.....:tongue2::)

I've been looking for butterfly tattoos that I think will work for the "transformation" journey of weight lost. They are actual tattoos so you can see how they look on the skin. There are also some neat pictures of butterflies that are not tattoos that I liked. Something in this collection should for everyone. Hope you like! Tell me what you think. They are in my photo album, check em out! Judy

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone here has used Dr. Minkin in St. Louis? I have my first appt with him on the 23rd. I was wondering what does he usually do for that appointment? How long did it take from your appointment until your surgery? Are you happy you did it. Thanks for your help, Heidi

Hello Everyone! Thank you for making this great board where one can gain so much insight into the lives of others going through what each of us is going through. Happily, one of the best uses of internet technology. I am a 34 yr old psychotherapist living in SF. I am married and have a 5 yr old daughter who is the center of our lives. Our family is everything to us. We are most content when we are just with one another. Close second to my family is my work which I love and am whole heartedly dedicated to. All these aspects of my life are great, however, I have been experiencing depressed mood, anxiety, fear, and self image problems that casue me a great deal of dist…

To those of you concerned, and thank you very much for your concern!:thumbup: Here are my numbers so far. 10/30/09 184/111 pulse 83 11/02/09 170/102 pulse 85 11/06/09 140/88 pulse 89 I just might get the December date !!! :001_tt2: I AM taking meds.