Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hello! First, I would like to say that this site has been VERY helpful to me in deciding a new life for myself. I was looking into the lapband surgery when I first started my research. I've known about it for several years and had finally decided that I was going to JUST DO IT . . . And then I read about the sleeve. I was convinced that the sleeve was for me. This site and it's members have provided me with so much information that I really felt so well prepared for the operation and still do in the early post op stages. That's right, I am now sleeved. Today is my first day back home. My surgery was on Thursday. Stayed in the clinic Thurs and Fri n…

Hello, All!! I had looked at this site back in March thinking that I wanted to get this lap-band. Well, after several months, and now failure again on my own attempts to loose weight and (BTW 20 lbs HEAVIER!!!!!) I am back!! I have been to my first consult with my surgeon - Dr. Zane Prewitt in Menonomee Falls, and have my psyc consult on 11/16 and dietary consult 11/17, and hopefully surgery before X-mas!! What a gift to me that will be. I am SOOOOO excited. I must admit, today I jumped back onto weight watchers with a real mission and real goal-to change my habits and my life. I have so much to live for and be healthy for. So here we.......look forward to talking with yo…

Hi Everyone I just had my band placed last Thursday, October 29th. I live in Kingwood, TX (NE Houston) and Dr. Collier (in Conroe) is my doctor. Now that I am 5 days out from surgery, I am starting to feel back to "normal". :thumbup: I am looking forward to this journey and will be looking for all kinds of support. This seems to be a very active board, so I am looking forward to getting to know everyone. I know a few people who have lap-bands, but now that I am going through this myself, I feel oddly isolated. :thumbup: I was trying to read through some of the posts on another site and it was all horror stories that just scared me and made me wonder if I had do…

I will not have surgery until my blood pressure is under control. Today, I went to the Dr. and had it checked again, it was still 170/110 so I have ways to go before I'll be ready for surgery. It may take a month to get it regulated. So I'm out for November. Maybe by Dec. 1st I'll be eligible. So I'll be cutting back on my salt, eating lean meat, veggies, and fruities. Avoiding anything white, and walking a mile a day. So, there it is in black & white. I have a weeks vacation, so I"m taking it now, and I'll be back at work Saturday. Although I'm disapointed, I'm better off knowing about my High BP now, and taking care of it. :mad:

I am getting banded Nov. 17. I have severe OA in the left knee so bad that I need a total knee replacement. I have mild non-obstructive CAD, high cholestrol and hypertension. Also with that my cardiologist has dxd me this Cardiac Syndrome X. He is hoping that the surgery with help with the angina and that the body will reset itself. Anyone else here have Cardiac Syndrome X and if yes did it help? I am super sensitive to the drugs that they use to treat Cardiac Syndrome X. I live with constant chest pain (angina). I am so excited about it. I started this journey at 321 lbs and currently weigh 278 lbs. I started this on 3/30/09 and finally got scheduled for surgery on 1…

Hi Everyone....just thought I would pop in and say HI! My name is Leanne and I am from Australia. I am getting my lap band in just a little less than 2 weeks now and am going through the pre-surgery meal replacers and its hard :scared2: Thought I needed some support so I thought i would join this forum and chat to other people that have been through and are going through this life changing surgery.....counting down the days and I cant wait (although I am very very nervous :cursing:) Hope to chat with you all soon Take care :cursing:

Is there anyone going through little company of mary hospital in evergreen park Il? I can use all the help I can get.

:laugh: New here. Just got myself registered and trying to figure out this site. I haven't been banded yet. Jumping thru insurance hoops, but hope to sit on the loser's bench soon. I'm 58 years old and g'ma to 4 girls and one lonely boy. Two grown children, Jason and Christa. Both are married. We are lucky to have a wonderful DIL Amy and SIL Skye. Today, Halloween, is our 39th anniversary. Yep, we got married 10/31/70. My DH is sick, so guess we won't be doing anything exciting, except answering the door to trick or treaters. As you can see by my signature, I have a sense of humor. Crazy old woman, I am! :Yawn: Happy Halloween! Wanda

I went and was weighed yesterday, and you were right, I did lose 8.7 lbs. I'm sure most of it was water weight, but I'll take it. I now have 7 lbs to lose in 3 weeks...I know I can do it. :sad: Thanks for all the encouragement and support, I have my running shoes on.

I was banded 9/8/09 and am new to this site! I am finding I need it since I am going through lots of changes and transitions with the band. Right now it feels like a love/hate relationship (mostly love). Just learning as I go...:Yawn:

Does anyone know why Lap Band is not recommended for someone with chronic pancreatitis? I have chronic pancreatitis which is causing my blood sugar to go hay-wire and my doctor suggested Lap Band as a solution. I am obese and my doctor thinks Lap Band would help with weight and blood sugar control. Thanks for any information.

Hello friends.....I am leaving for my surgery a week today. My husband and I fly out on Sunday, Nov 8, and my surgery will be done on the 10th. I tried to start the pre-opt diet longer than the recommended 7 days, but alas...did not happen. I officially start tomorrow. I am looking forward to new beginings. I am cannot wait until I can unload this extra person who has been hanging onto me. I will admit I do have my fears...but I would with any surgery...I will rejoice in the benefits to be a healthy person. I know that if I continue my way of life the path I was on...I would have much more to fear. So my friends thank you all for your stories...and advice...…

Hello! My name is Carol and I live in Illinois...I found this sight when I was searching for personal stories of people who had had the sleeve gastrectomy. I was originally scheduled for RNY on Nov. 3, but after my preop appointment with my surgeon he thinks the sleeve will work for me. I have followed the nutritionist's advice and lost 32 lbs prior to surgery. So, I am trying to find out all I can about the sleeve since I have done all my investigating on the RNY procedure!! I am currently on the all liquid phase...Some days I get darn hungry!!:laugh0: But, I am trudging along!! I am eager to talk to others that have had the surgery or are like me and preop. Any …

Hello everybody I am having my surgery next monday and I wanted some advice on what I should expect when I go in the hospital and what I should take. You know the things that nobody told you:biggrin0: also I want to know know how some of you were feeling the week b4 your surgery I have been looking forward to this all year and now that it is getting closer I find myself scared and nervous. Thanx

first one is i am disabled ,i have a back injury ,i have a bakers cyst in the back of my left leg ,i have arthritis in my back and in both knees ,i havent had anything done .i have asked my doctor and shed rather only help me very little . she said she will do the letter but because of my knees ,she wants me to do the physical therepy first. but i cant even walk thru the grocery store i sit in the carts and drive because my legs just dont work anymore .. im on lots of medication that i want to get off of .i am on medicaid and cant afford to pay for anything .i dont work and my husbands a security guard ..any suggestions please help me and on top of that …

I am new to this site but I need some help - I am almost thru the testing process - I am borderline eligible for surgery - but due to medical conditions (diabetes, fatty liver, cloestrol, high blood pressure) - have been accepted as a candidate. My Surgeon seems to think Gastric would be better but I am not sure I want to go that drastic. Can anyone tell me if they had similar difficulty making up their mind? Thanks:confused:

HI - I had my lap Band done just over a month ago. I am a self funded Candidate as I am new to the country where I Live and do not have medical Cover. I could have waited a year for it to be coivered but felt I needed it now. From my first Doc consultant to My op it was 5 weeks. It has been 21/2 weeks since I have had my op and I have lost ( including the pre op weight loss) 30 Pounds. I am going in 5 days to have my first filling and I am finding that the weight loss has slowed down - but have ready that this is normal - In fact I find my weight jumping up and down. I have been overweight ever since i can rember and it was about time that i did something proactive …

Just a nice success lead. Broke into the two-fers. Lost over 85 pounds now. Exercising more and eating is getting much better. Down into XL clothes and size 42-44 pants (from a 48-50). No more BP meds, and sleeping soundly with no more apnea. I am thrilled. My best to all on your journey.

Hi all! I have just started my Lap Band journey this month. I am self pay so things are going fast. As long as I can get financed and the note from my RA doctor, my surgery date is Monday, Nov. 16th. I am excited and nervous. I know that I won't be able to have my RA medication for awhile, but I don't know how long. Anyone experience lap band proceedures and have RA? Thanks! Looking forward to a New ME!:scared2:

I'm excited and a little scared :scared2:

Hi everyone! I was just banded on the 15th. Pre Surgery I weighed 478, at Sugery I was 452, and currently I'm 433. Overall doing well, I'm still a little sore, and finally am getting to soft foods, Yay for Mash Potatoes and Scrambled Eggs! LOL. Just a little about myself. I'm 28, married just over a year, and have been big since about 2nd Grade. I work for the USDA, and live on the IL side of the River. Overall I am extremely please with the LapBand Surgery and how I'm doing with it so far. I can't wait to hopefully see the new me.

My doctor is Barry Sanchez in Burlingame. My date of Surgery is Dec 30, what a time to start the new year. Does anyone else have Barry Sanchez or have had there surgery at El Camino hospital in Mountain View. What should I expect on the following Pre Op with doctor Pre Op with Hospital (it takes 2 1/2 hrs) Why is it so long? Day of Surgery Day after Surgery Thanks for all the advice in advance DG

Hey everyone. First and foremost let me just say all of you are wonderful and reading your post everyday keeps me going. Anywho im a 21 year old college student. Im currently 5'2 300 pounds. How did I gain so much weight? It all started when I was 4 years old. I was molested by my step uncle. Then when I was 6 I started being molested by my step father, then at 11 by my step cousin. Yes all these people in the same family. About the age of 10 I was tired of being molested and I felt if I made myself a fat & ugly person that it would turn them off. So I started gaining weight rapidly. So now at 21 years old looking in the mirror is a constant reminder of my past and wh…

Hello guys, my name is Carlos and i decided to create an account on this website because my boyfriend / partner of 2 years (who is also a member of this website) is getting lapband November 18 and since he is always talking about what he talks about here in the forums i decided to educate myself more about it and try to understand everything so i can be as supportive as i can be. My boyfriend has explained certain feelings that come with being overweight, both social and emotional. He has explained that a lot of his behavior is impacted and/or a result of these feelings. For example, he is very insecure, very needy at times and he has build a huge wall around him that …

Hi all I have been researching the lapband for quite sometime and now its finally in the works but I have so many mixed emotions I thought all questions were answered but there is still so much I am scared, confused , worried all and everything from comlplications to the diet to the smoking I just don't know pleeeezzzzz if anyone has any ANY advice I will embrace it with open arms.. Thank You in advance.:thumbup:

Hello everyone, I'm so glad to have found this site. I am hoping to get lap banded soon as I am beginning to have health issues caused by my weight - high blood pressure, pre-diabetic. I've been one of those yo-yo dieters - with the scales continuously creeping up. At 45 yrs old, 5'9", 300#, I've decided its time to get this under control. My medical insurance is changing from Anthem to United Healthcare at year end, so I'm looking to have the surgery in 2010. Gastic bybass (and presumably Lap band) was a covered surgery under the Anthem policy to I'm hopeful that it will be under the new one as well. Anyway, I've enjoyed reading the various threads & lea…

I am so confused... i was banded on the 15th of october. i thought i had done enough research on the band and the doc but i guess not enough. he is so confusing... i did good the first week and even lost 10 pds... the second week i was getting hungry all the time... i tried really hard not to drink too much or anything.. only lost 2 pds... i keep getting hungry all the time and he says no food until my first fill 6-8 weeks post... omg... i dont know if i can wait that long.. is that even healthy... i started cheese eggs on my own and that is good but now i am afraid to tell the doc... so not sure what i should i do.... he ignored my pain after surgery and my not being abl…

I'm 11 days post-op and I'm supposed to be on a canned food diet this week, but I cheated and had regular food and ate about the same amount as I usually did before I had the band. I haven't had my first fill yet, and I'm hoping that's the reason. I'm kind of nervous... since I don't have the fill for another week and a half. I'm healing really well, even my surgeon said it was "remarkable." :sad: Yay! For me :sad: Anyway, has anyone else been having this problem? Where it doesn't even feel like you have a band??? :scared2:

Hi I am Sandra and I am 46. I have been overweight all my life. I am now at 210 but it's not my weight that concerns me the most, it is my diabetes, high blood pressure and sluggish thyroid. I don't want to die like my mother did (stroke). I walk a couple of miles everyday and ride my bike everywhere but my eating habits aren't the best. I have researched over the past year gastric bypass and the Lap Band. I have decided to do the lap band. I was finally approved through Medicare (I am disabled) so I am just starting out. Anyway I hope that wasn't too long. It is really great to have this site here and Thank You.:Yawn:

Hello all, my Name is Carolina I am 29 years old and a mommy of two kids. Elisabeth 4 and Eddie 2. I already have a surgery date of November 30th. I'm looking forward to getting to know people!! :thumbup::thumbup:

I have an unusual question, has any body ever tried baby food as muchies? Will that work? I mean it is in small amounts, and pureed and not additives, am I off base here? :biggrin0:

I had surgery on July 14th. so it has been 3 1/2 mo. I have only lost 15 lbs. My calorie count if staying from 150, right after a fill to 800-900 before a fill. Anyone else going slow. I'm so discouraged and frustrated. Anyone have advice??:thumbup:

Hi there to all, I'm new to the site, and I am loving all the info i'm getting from every-one. I'm 37 and have been big all my life, I have a wonderful husband and together we have 6 kids (3 each from previous marriage). I have to say this is the first time in a long time that i'm doing something for me. I have been so blessed that my journey to this point has been a breeze, I have my date for banding on the 25th of November. I go this week to start my 1200 cal. diet and in two weeks I do the shakes.:w00t: I know it's going to be a long hard road, but it is worth every minute. I hope to get some advise and knowledge from who-ever would like to share some. :closedeyes…

Hello: I had Sleeve Gastrectomy in Ghent, Belgium because it was not covered by my insurance here in Florida. It cost me one quarter what it would have cost here in the United States. I had my surgery on April 30th and came back home a week later. I run everyday. I am up to 21 minutes non stop now. I have gone from 335 lbs on the day of my surgery to 274 lbs as of this morning. I am 6'3" and my goal is 200 lbs. I am not lifting any weight right now, as I want to concentrate on losing weight. I sometimes have this sharp pain along the length of my stomach. I knead my stomach a bit, then I feel better. I also notice heartburn. I take a proton pump inhibitor for relief. I …

I really thought I'd be doing this alone. I'm not one to prattle on about my problems and my thoughts. I give everything in my life adequate though, and I make decisions accordingly. I decided a month ago to have the banding surgery. My surgery date is ... well, in 2.5 hours. I've lost 20lbs pre-op (down from 356 to 336) in 3 weeks. I know I can do this. I'm certain of it. So why am I not sleeping? Why have I had nightmare after nightmare with the central theme of reluctantly having to kill the one thing I love the most (translation- FOOD!). I gave this a lot of thought, really. I considered a cost/benefit analysis and came up with this answer. But... last minute, I'm…

I went today for my pre-op apt. and did the taste test and placed my order for shakes and bars. Well at the end of the whole thing they told me I would be on a 1200 cal. diet until the week before my surgery, then I would be on the shakes. But they want me to lose 15 pounds in 3 1/2 weeks. :scared2: I have never lost that much in such a short amount of time, and if it's not lost I get re-scheduled. I could go on the shakes sooner if I choose...I guess my question is, has any-one else had to lose that much in such a short time and can it be done? I'm second guessing my-self and thinking maybe I should opt. to start the shakes sooner.

Hello everyone, I have been reading everything on this forum for about three weeks now. I thiught it was time for me to introduce myself. My name is Miguel (Mike). I'm almost 35, married, no kids yet. I live in Puebla, Mexico. My family owns a Truck Dealership (Navistar-International) and I work there. I also teach at a University. I had my surgery done on September 15th, 2009 in a private hospital here in Puebla. The hospital was brand new so everything went really well. I had to stay my first night post-op in the ICU but that was just a precaution, because the pain meds hadn't been passing correctly for the first 8 hrs and the Dr. wanted to keep me overnight…

I had my Lap Band surgery in May; everything is going well but I am thinking of joining Weight Watchers. Does anyone know about how many calories/day on the WW diet.:thumbdown:

Hi, my name is Donna, I've been married for 23 years, I'm a mother of 4 boys, 21, 20, 17, 13. I never had to worry about my weight growing up, never had to diet. When I got married at 21 I only weighed 105lbs. Then they babies started coming, and the weight started going up. I never went over 200lbs with any of my pregancies. Then the next thing you know I was creeping up on the 200lb mark. When I went over 200lbs, I just gave up. I figured I'm not that bad looking, just will buy bigger sizes and look my best. Then it hit, knee problems (4 surgeries), sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and had a cardiac ablation last year. After cardiac ablation, my heart was doing much be…

I am 9 days post op. I was 43 & weighed 410 pounds. I wanted my life back so I opted for the band after struggling with diet & excerrcise for two years (I had put on 200 punds since college!). So far I have lost 24 pounds. I also do not feel any hunger at all. I know this is a process but to date the procedure has provided me with imense hope. Anyway, I read some the forums & was amazed at the wealth of information. This site will be a place I visit often as I cantinue my journey back to the orignal me!

Hey Guys Well my day is right around the corner, NEXT Tuesday!!!!! I'm getting ready, making plans, and so happy and excited. Going for all my pre-op test and psych evaluation Thrusday. It's gonna be an all day thang !!! If any body has and last minute instructions or advice, now's the time :001_tongue: I'm all ears. BTW My Doctor is Dr. Drake Ballanger, of Gonzales, La. Weight Loss Surgery Center of Louisiana If any one is interested check out this site.:sad0:

Hello everyone! I am new to this forum and was hoping to gain some valuable information about the lap band. I am being banded either the end of February or the beginning of March. I should know by the end of next week. I am very excited about this new journey in my life, but also very scared. I am really worried about feeling horrible and getting depressed for the next few months after surgery. IF you have any comments or words of encouragement, please send them my way! Thanks Amanda

Hi all. Well, I have surgery scheduled for November the 5th with Dr Richard Benavides at the Richardson Surgery Center. My pre-op diet starts on the 30th (no candy for me I guess!). I'm a little nervous and a lot excited! A couple of questions: 1. I'm a big guy. Always have been. Played football in high school and still continue to eat like I did back then (I'm 35). My question: anyone else scared about not being able to eat big meals? I'm nervous I will not be "satisfied" with a small meal and fail. 2. I am finding that I'm eating like crazy right now. Anyone else "chow down" for the couple of weeks prior to the pre-diet and surgery? I keep telling myself that "…

I have just started my lap band journey in the past 2 weeks. I have been on the pre-surgery diet for 1.5 weeks and have lost 15.5 lbs already. My surgery is scheduled for 11/6 and I am so very excited. I know that there will be challenges, but I am very committed. I look forward to updating my profile and post my journey. Welcome any advice.:thumbup:

so I am so hopefull that I will be able to get banded in the next six months. My BMI is only 38, but my family Dr thinks I will qualify due to having back surgery this past July, enlarged thyroid, depression, and degenerative arthritis in my back. I have been on Phentermine for two full months at 15mg and have gained weight, so I have been increased to 30mg for two more months then on to the surgery consult. I have been working with a nutritionist and also see a therapist. Any feedback will be so awesome. Also anyone have MN State Medical insurance BCBS/Blue Plus? After reading some pre-surgical posts that I should call my insurance. So I will do that soon.

I really hate to whine but I feel like this might turn into a venting, so I apologize in advance. I just started my 3-month pre-op dr supervised diet as required by my insurance company and I'm not feeling so awesome. In the last month I've taken a lot of major steps towards getting the lap band surgery. I've attended the manditory seminar, had my consult with the surgeon, had my pyschological evaluation and started my 3-month pre-op and I was feeling really good about it. The last few days, however, I've not been feeling so awesome. I think the discouragement started last week when my PCP put me on the south beach diet for three months. I know about the South Beach …

:confused:I started with 3.4 cc's in the band. At the first adjustment, 3 cc's were added. NOTHING-everything went straight through. A month later, another 2 cc's were added. Immediately I had trouble eating nearly everything. The mornings were the worst. I couldn't even take my prescribed meds with Water. They took out 1 cc. Now I am back to gaining weight, with everything going right through again. It is obvious that I need about a 0.5 cc fill but I am afraid of this not working OR going too far. I don't know how I am supposed to feel when the fill is just right. Maybe the discomfort I felt the first time was the proper amount. Any suggestions??

Man, this site would have been nice at any point in my almost two year journey. But hey, found it now! I've been banded since mid May and I've lost about 45 pounds. According to my surgeon anyway :thumbup:. I started this she-bang at my highest weight ever, 290. I couldn't let myself reach 300 at 20 years old. I just couldn't. Getting the band was seriously the best thing I ever did for myself. I've been lurking and hesitatingly posting... you all seem like a very supportive kind group. Hopefully I'll get great advice and be able to give it also. A couple of questions. There's a lingo on this forum and I feel like there should be a guide! What does 'to pb' mean? Oth…

Hi hope everyone is have a great day. If anyone has any help for me that would be great. :thumbup:

This intro actually started out as a comment in another thread that I decided to post here instead, so bear with me if it's a bit convoluted. I just recently came to this decision, and it's been OK so far, but I'm not telling a bunch of people. My husband isn't thrilled, also thinks I am taking the 'easy' way out. I have been pretty anti-WLS in the past, I've seen too many gastric bypass friends with problems and regaining issues. I don't know anyone else who's done the band, so I don't have anyone to ask about that specifically. In my past, I have been heavily into the fat-acceptance/BBW movement, so I don't have many people I can talk to about this. I…