Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

HI, I am day one post-op I feel miserable but I know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I have slept most of the day and am looking forward to going back to bed soon ha, I am back at work tonight I hope I make it through its the worlds easiest job though I am just answering phones for the next 6 hours so I should be okay Its something I must do to get that christmas fund going. I have eaten a popsicle last night with water today I have had half a popsicle, some poweraid, and some jello I am going to have chicken broth before I lay down. I still feel miserable but things will be okay:redface:

I'm looking forward to my surgery on Nov. 23, but I'm nervous because I'm afraid I'll be one of the bandsters that doesn't lose much weight. (First time in my life I've worried about not being a loser instead of about being one!) I read about the success stories and they are talking about working out for several hours a week and I just can't figure out how to fit that into my schedule, let alone pay a gym membership. I'm a teacher with a 17 month old. Walking 3 times a week I can do... But heavy duty working out, I can't imagine it. Can I lose weight without doing the gym thing? If I start losing weight, will I have more energy/motivation to make time to exercise?…

Hi all, I'm so excited and but also nervous! I have been thinking about the band for about a year. I have been dieting since I was 13. About 2 years ago I just couldn't do it anymore and have just been steadily gaining with no end in site. For some reason I thought I would just taper of at some point, HA! Instead I have reached new heights. My first thought was the band. My insurance doesn't have WLS coverage so I went to see 2 local MDs hoping for some kind of cash discount. Both were asking for over $16,000. yea right. So after much research I decided to go to Mexico (cost $5,500 including everything but airfare). I set up the surgery appointment about…

I had my surgery October 14th and I get my 1st fill tomorrow what should I expect? Is it going to hurt? Is there any do's or don'ts I should know about?

Hello all. My name's Ashley, and I live in Alabama. I am 22 years old but have struggled with obesity most of my teen and adult life. I hit over 200 lbs my sophomore yr of high school. I was eventually able to get back down to 170, but in the past three years have gained 100 lbs. Weight has been so hard for me to control. And I've moved across the country twice, gotten married, and had a baby, so I've never made time to make my health a priority. But now that I am chasing around an 8 month old (who is well on her way to walking), I am reevaluating myself. I have been thinking about lap band for over a year and have just really researched it in the past six months after my…

Hello all! I have lurked around here for a long time but am getting closer to having the realize band put on. I am a self pay and relatively low BMI for banding (33). The Dr. here is very reasonable imo (about 7-8k) and will do lower BMIs for self pays. Anyhoo, I publish a local women's magazine and may have the chance to do an advertising trade for my surgery (which would totally rock!) but I'm just hoping that he doesn't want me to publicly announce it in the ads or anything. It's not really something that I'd really be embarrassed of or anything but I'm just wondering if it is something he would want to be part of the ads if I would regret it being so public. D…

I?ve struggled with maintaining a healthy weight since Iwas a teenager. I?ve probably lost (and regained!) 1,000 lbs. during my life. At 5?7? and my highest weight (282 lbs.), I had high blood pressure, asthma and frequent prolonged periods of excruciating osteoarthritis pain. I wasn?t able to hike or swim or do many of the recreational or social activities that I enjoy. I knew I could lose 100 lbs again. I?d done it so many times before! BUT I WASN?T CONFIDENT I COULD KEEP IT OFF. As a former RN, I knew the health risks of being morbidly obese, but even that wasn?t enough to get me to maintain my goal weight. I did some research and discovered that extremely o…

Hi all I am planning to have my surgery as soon as possible and I am in contact with few doctors trying to make the right decision. I wished that this forum doesnt have members who might be getting money referals and they only talk about their own experiences to help each other . Anyway thanks all for ur help my major question is was anyone here helped by a lady named Rita Coonrod, she sounds like a respectful nice lady and she is trying to help me to get my surgery by dr Mario Almanza, it's a package to go to san diago.....Gastric Bypass Weight Loss Surgery, Mexico - The Bariatric Group s the company she works for I guess th epayment should go to ISA in texas , has …

Got the call today the lady that takes care of ins for True Results in Houston sent in my file today she said it could take about 10 days I have bcbsil . A coworker just had the gastric sleeve done and didn't pay anything so we will see!

Hello Everyone!! I am a soon to be bandster!! Hopefully! Well, today was my last weight vist with true results. So now I'm just waiting to hear something from the insurance. Head is bowed and fingers are crossed!:sad:

I am a man ( 6 1'' and 360 lbs ) which puts me with 47.5 BMI, I recently contacted a dr. in Syria and he advised me to do the VSG surgery anytime soon . I a originally from Lebanon Beirut and living in vancouver BC. The surgery will cost me 4000$ inclusing everything. I am just wondering if anyone here had the surgery done in Lebanon or Syria ? how much did the surgery cost u guys in total mentioning the country? if everything went fine , I will be doing the surgery by the end of Novermber and I will keep you all posted. Thank you all in advance.

Happy Friday Everyone. Just a little back ground information. I am 5'5 and 213 pounds. Decided to get the surgery last month- did my pre-opp a few days ago. I am self paid, so the surgery date is Nov 17th. BUT am I really ready? I am suppose to be on a liquid diet and just have no desire to do so..I mean I have been restricting my eating my entire life and I HATE IT. With that said. It makes me think that I am not committed. After the surgery I HAVE to restrict myself or I will get sick. And not to mention I am paying for this myself and I am not a fan of wasting money. Although there are hundred of blogs describing others success, why do I seem to be focused on th…

Hi, I'm new to this website. I am very excited for my upcoming surgery scheduled for December 9. Lots of questions and hoping to find some support here!

Hello everyone, I am officially approved as of today but I need a pysc consult which i have been in therapy but guess that don't count and I also need a egd does anyone know what that is? does it hurt ? am i put to sleep? what the heck i thought approved and surgery that was it .... more testing geezzzz someone help me......any input would greatly be appriciated..... thanks again everyone for the support....

I'm trying to figure out how I'm gonna eat...... I have to work overnights for 3 or 4 days.....7pm to 8 am. :thumbup1: I don't want to eat prior to going to bed. And I'm sure I'm gonna be so tired the first night I will fall right to sleep. I start tonight....... so I got up really early this morning (like 3 am) so i can go lay down about 1pm and hopefully sleep til 5:30 I guess I can have my protein and coffee backwards, have it around 8 pm And was thinking just some broth the first nights, afraid to have anything Heavy, but know I have to eat....... suggestions!! Pleaseeeeeeee!:svengo:

Hi my name is mell Im 23 years old and i feel like im 40. I have all this weight ontop of me and i feel like a sack of poop everyday. I know that i have a pretty face but i dont want to be that girl with only a pretty face. I want to be a HOT girl. I love to go out with fam & friends. I came one here to see how this lapban works i think its my only hope.

*I originally posted this about 6 months ago, I recently got a request to repost it! Hope some of this helps! Welcome all newly banded, soon to be banded, or bandsters new to the site. I was thinking this morning, now that I am a little over 9 months out, I could share some information with those of you just beginning your journey. Some of this is kinda common sense, and some of it is info I wish I had understood better before the band. 1. before get very far into your journey, take some measurements. I forgot to do this and now I wish I had my beginning measurements. This is good, bc sometimes when the scale is not moving...you are still losing inches! SO MEASURE YO…

Hi everyone! I've lurked here for a while and thought I'd post my "story." About 2 years ago, I went through all of the pre-approval stuff for the LapBand and I didn't do it. I think it was a combination of being scared and the success I had on my pre-approval diet. I thought "Surely I can do this without surgery!" I lost about 25 pounds and regained about 35. This puts me at my highest weight EVER! :scared2: I keep thinking, what if I'd done it then? I might be at goal weight now!!! So, here I am, pursuing the LapBand again. The difference is, this time I'm doing it! I've done my seminar and my initial consultation with the Fairview Southdale Weight Loss …

I've decided to put my two cents in since I read that there are not many postings from older VSG patients. Although I didn't have as much as weight as most to lose I had a family history of diabetes, stroke, cancer, etc. I had my surgery in May of 2007. It was the best thing I ever did. I went from roughly 220 pounds to 146. I am 5'7" and went from a size 16 to a size 4-6. Two and 1/2 years later I have to use a little more discipline when it comes to eating but it has truly been a breeze. I can eat anything I want in moderation and when I misbehave, I gain a couple of pounds but it is fairly easy to lose. I had been overweight for about 20 or so years.

Just wondering how long it took some of you from the time you attended the seminar till your actual surgery? I attended my seminar on the 21st of October & got my folder filled out my paper work & sent it in on the 22nd got my acceptance letter the 30th & on the Nov. 2nd sent that paper work plus my $ 300.00 fee in & just waiting for my phone call to set up my first appointment. My $ 300 has done cleared the bank so hopefully I hear something by the end of this week.. Man I hate waiting lol:bored:

Hello, everyone! I'm Katie and I live in California. I was banded on August 24, and so far I've lost 32 pounds. I came to know about this website from my lovely cousin, and she hopes to be banded soon as well. We are band buddies! lol Anyways, it's great to be here, and I'm looking forward to getting to know you better. Katie

I'm looking for a support group on line as I can't attend the one offered by the hospital. I'm not too computer literate and have never blogged, chatted, etc. I'll be having my surgery in 3 weeks

Hey all!!!! I'm new to posting... I have been reading posts and getting to know the site while I waited for my consultation appointment. I just confirmed my first 4 hour appointment yesterday set for November 20th. I'm nervous and excited and scared all at once. So far I am loving this site and have found so many of my concerns eased. Everyone here seems so supportive and helpful. I look forward to getting to know more of you on my journey. If anyone has any suggestions or advice please please please by all means have at it! Many thanks!! ~Erin:rolleyes:

Well, Girls.... I went Thursday for my pre-op test. Blood work, chest x-ray, EKG, upper GI, and psych evaltuation. Pass all with flying colors. I had one last thing to do...see the Dr. that would approve me for surgery. While walking over to her office I got a hot flash, and a terrible head ache. I sat in her office and waited for about 45 minutes and it just got worse, My face was flushed, I was very hot, and felt nauseated. She looked over my chart, said everything looked great and was about to approve me. Then she took my blood pressure.....as you can guess it was OUT OF SIGHT..I have no idea why, but it was. I suppose just the stress of getting things done, the a…

I have been banded for one year and have lost 25 pounds. I have 45 to go. I have been filled and defilled several times. My biggest problem is emotional eating. I still choose the wrong foods to eat when I am under stress and I eat too much of them. Unfortunately, there are many forms of junk food, which easily can be binged upon, even with a tight band. I run 3-4 times a week and train for half marathons, so I am very active. I feel discouraged and disappointed in myself. I wish I could stop turning to food in times of high stress.:thumbup:

Hi, I am trying to decide which procedure I want to have. I don't know if I need a Lap-Band or a Gastric-Bypass, can anyone give me some help? Thanks.

Can't believe it's been 16 months since I was banded. I was still breastfeeding when I started my journey. The baby was 9 months old and I was gaining weight. At my heaviest I was 314 pounds. I weighed myself today and I'm now at 242lbs - yeah! The emotional breakthrough about my weight gain has been instrumental in keeping me going. I work with a psychotherapist at CIBO Clinic in Toronto where I was banded. I can now see why and how I became overweight and how my relationship with food is changing. Thank you Lap-Band, I feel so excited about life again. I pat myself on the back everyday because I invested in myself. It's a tool - you learn how to use it. :thumbup:

What do PB and PS stand for

:thumbup: Recently banded (10/20/09) looking for others in my area near Wilmington, OH (SW - North and East of Cincy, South and West of Dayton, and West of Columbus).

Hi All, I just got approval today from my insurance co. for the lapband. I am meeting with my Dr. tomorrow afternoon. I'm wondering how long it takes from this point to get a surgery date? I think I have to do some tests first, no? My Dr. is Dr. Oliak in Southern Cal. Any input would be appreciated! Thanks, Michelle

Hi Friends, Im new to the site, and appreciate all of the info. I was sleeved on October 20, 2009 in The Woodlands, TX. I wasnt terribly obese, (275 highest, 265 day of surgery, BSA 37) but was very symptomatic with co-morbidities, including HTN, HLD, and bad sleep apnea, and found no relief with a C-PAP. Luckily, my surgeon recommended the VSG, and got it approved through my insurance. I just assumed Id have the Gastric Bypass, but am happy there was no intestinal work involved. So far so good, almost 2 weeks post op and Im down 10 lbs. Im not sure if this is a good thing or not. Still on the liquids, and am anxious to start real food. Im very tired of drinking all f…

Day 5 and counting... whew, I wish I could of mentally prepared myself for the aftermath a little better but oh well, it's done and i'm dealing with it. They had to "blow up" my stomach and chest to be able to "work in there" -- that alone is terrible. Oh the pain! As George Lopez say's: I HABIT A PAINS IN MY CHESS!! Ohhh how i miss chewing my food. LOL

:thumbup: Has anyone here gotten an Approval for Lapband on Medicaid? If so, in what State? I would like to figure out what's ahead of me. I've already gathered its quite different than your average insurance.

Hi, New on the board, in Atlanta area. Gonna self pay (actually, my employer is paying). I went to the seminar two nights ago. Will knock out all my requirements by Nov 3. Hope to have banding near the end of Nov. Wish me luck, I will post back later.

I've been reading these threads for several weeks now. I finally made the decision to go ahead with the lap band surgery. I would love to hear from people who had their surgery with Dr. Kirshenbaum in CO. Also, I would love to hear from people who had lap band surgery several years ago to see how you are doing now. Wish me luck!

hi im new to this have lots of questions

Hi all, I am a November bandster! My surgery is set for the day before Thanksgiving...I am excited about my WLS and very anxious to learn from you all as well. :drool:

I am hoping someone may have some advice for me. I am with Cigna and completed all requirements - 6mo Dr supervised diet, psych evaluation, stress test, letter of medical necessity, etc. True Results advised that all paperwork was submitted to Cigna 10/20/09. I have spoken with Cigna and they have no record of paperwork. I spoke with several associates in pre-determination dept and they said it should take no more than 3-4 business days for paperwork to be scanned into their system and they do not consider it rec'd until it is in system. I called True Results and was told it was sent and could not get them to refax my paperwork to a # provided by Cigna. I was advised I wo…

Hi all! I'm new to this forum, figured I'd check in here at the gate before I go and read the rest :sad0: I just had my Sleeve done last monday, and am feeling pretty good so far! Oh, of course I should introduce myself, I'm Haley, almost 37 years, live in The Netherlands, Europe. Married without kids, but lots of animals such as Horses, Dogs, Chickens. Ik weighed 109 kilo's before surgery and have yet to weigh after. (so scared it will be dissapointing!! :001_tongue: ) Any questions? Just ask!

It's been quite a whirlwind. I can't believe that I am 2 weeks away from surgery. I'm worried and I'm excited. I keep most of my fears to myself because my husband has enough he is adding to me as it is. I know he just cares about me but sometimes I wish he'd keep his fears to himself. Saying things like, "Ever seen the movie Hostile? What if it's like that?". :scared0: He's very freaked out about me going to Mexico to have this done. I'm going to Dr. Almanza. I feel fine with my decision. The scariest part to me is traveling alone. Flying! I dont know. I almost worry something is wrong with me because right now, I feel calm and more excited then scared. Maybe the real…

Hello Everyone, I am really considering Lap Band Surgery in Mexico. I have narrowed down to a few Surgeons in Tijuana. TJ because it's so close to the US Border and just seemed easier to fly to San Diego and be transported direct across the border. My only reservation is after care here in Chicago. I have seen quite a few people mention places here that will see me, just afraid of price gouging. Outside of confirming that a Doctor here in Chicago (and the immediate surrounding area) will accept me as a patient....any additional advice? Thanks!!

Hello everyone, I just joined today and have had so much fun reading all of the posts on this site. It is so informative and so encouraging reading the words of fellow bandsters. I am 4 weeks post op and have lost 15lbs so far. My mind says I should be losing weight faster but the nurse in me knows that 15lbs a month is almost too much. I have found that the hardest part is getting my "fat chick" mind to get in sync with my "skinny chick" stomach. I wonder how much longer that will last. Anyhoo, just wanted to say hello and I look forward to chatting with you all. WR

Hi Everyone I am new to lapbandtalk.com. I use to be on Obesityhelp.com but my friend Sistergrl25 told me about this site and decided to join. I had surgery last April and since then have lost a total of 49pds. Some how I lost my way and slack off. I want to reconnect with my journey to losing weight and hope that this site will help me. I want to go back to being focus and motivated again.

Hello to all...my name is Nahyeera and I have not ben banded yet. I am seriously thinking about getting the surgery because I have been struggling with my weight for quite a while. I am here to read about experiences from others so that I can learn and be inspired to do what is right for my children and myself...I wish everyone success and longevity.

Hi All, I have one more nutritionist visit to go before submitting to BCBS for approval. I always sleep on my tummy and I was wondering if the port would be too pokey to do that after the band. Can anyone tell me that? Thanks, Abbe

I had the consultation today with the surgeon. It went well. I had lots of questions and he was able to answer them all. I've got the appointment with the dietician next Tuesday afternoon and tomorrow I'll set up an appointment with the psychologist. I'm really hoping I can have the surgery before the end of the year. I have a question for those of you whose insurance didn't pay. If your psychologist was in network, were you able to get that covered, or would it be billed as related to the lap band surgery and therefore not covered? Thanks for your input. ETA: When I weighed in at their office, the scales said 288. I used my weight from my GYN's office as my start…

Hi Everyone, I'm still pre-op / without a surgery date. After the seminar I tried to implement some of the tactics of "how to eat" in my life now - pre band. I ABSOLUTELY CANNOT CHEW MY food THOROUGHLY BEFORE I SWALLOW! Is this something that I will learn over time? I know once the band is in and filled - I physically CAN'T take big bites and not chew - is there any exercises to re-learn how to chew and eat slower? This is my BIGGEST fear - PB's and Slimes! Has anyone gotten hypnotized? Any suggestions? Thanks, Maria:help:

Hey y'all, I am a transplant Southern Belle that fell in love with all Southern food. I came here to the South when I was 10 and by the time I was 11 I was quite the round one with few friends. My parents divorced, my mother remarried, sexual abuse occured but I didn't mind because my friend was always there for me, whether it be deep fried, slather, and dripping in a creamy sauce. My friend pushed all the "bad" things away and in my bubble I had the perfect life. This behavior continued until I hit high school but by then it was too late. I was no longer the cute "chubby" girl but the fattest girl, I beter make that, the fattest person in the high school. Fast forward …

I think I've finally worked up enough courage to share my story. I have not been sleeved yet, but am looking forward to my new beginning soon. I don't think my story is special. We've all been there, done that. I was a chubby kid in an obese family. Growing up in "the fat family" is never easy. In high school, I became anorexic. Even as a skeleton, I still saw myself as a fatty. My period stopped, my hair fell out, and I fainted on several occassions. I eventually turned to Bulimia, but once my teeth started rotting and my voice was getting froggy, I stopped that real quick. I eventually settled into the over-eating thing I had done since childhood, and from then on it's …

Hello, let me introduce myself, Im Jill:rolleyes2: from Illinois, Im 48, and married with two wonderful sons, Justin 20, and Patrick 15 1/2, and a soon to be daughter in law(10-2010), Aubrie. We own our own Landscaping Company. I, however, am a Customer Service Representative at a bank in our town. I was banded on April 14, 2009, in St. Louis, MO at Barnes Hospital, my surgeon was Dr. J Christopher Eagon. Everything went fine, Im losing weight, I feel good and can't wait to start pitching the big clothes and jump into regular clothes:laugh: