Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

My name is Stephanie, I am 20 years old married to a Navy Corpsman and I have two amazing little boys, one of which was born only 4 months ago. I am 5'3'' with a small frame and pushing 250 lbs! I am just sick of this weight, I know there is a skinnier, happier person inside of me just dying to get out! I would like to know what my chances are for getting approved for the surgery, how hard it is to get Tricare to comply, where I would go... just EVERYTHING! So if you guys could help me out I would be SO THANKFUL! I have scheduled my appointment with my doctor on Oct 26th to talk with him and try to get his OK for the surgery! Also, if you are a military spouse/retired wha…

So, I've got my paperwork off in the mail for the surgeon, so he can call and schedule my initial consult. I've already been to a seminar. Today, I applied online for a loan to cover the cost of the surgery. The initial offer that came in was for about 2/3 of the total cost. They are going to check with two other lendors and see if I can 1) get a higher amount, 2) get lower interest rates or 3) lower payments. Have I put the cart before the horse? Should I have had my consult first then applied for the loan? Your input is appreciated. By the way, as I was on the phone with the loan consultant, a little gnat flew by, and as I took a breath while talking, I sucke…

Can anyone who did this at my size comment on their results?

Hi, my name is Jennifer and I just had my surgery on Sept 14, 2009. I'm looking for friends that have recently had the surgery so that we can travel this journey together. I have so many questions and am needing answers to just everyday questions and I am need of support from people who are going through this with me. I will also be here to help support you. So together we will take one day at a time...Good Luck!

I am on my journy to have lap band surgery. I have picked Dr. Snyder in Denver CO. I am excited and nervous. I need to loose at least 100 lbs. I hope everything goes well. If I want my insurance to cover the surgery I have to have 6 months of doctor monitored weight loss plan or something like that. If my insurance says no, I will still get it done if I have to finance it. This is my life. I want to live it again! :thumbup:

My name is Heidi and I am getting banded on October 16th. I am so very happy to finally be getting this done. It has been a long process and there were a few times where I just about gave up. I am so very ready to take this new step in my life. I am in nursing school and my teachers are using me as a learning experience. It is nice to be able to pass things on. Just wondering what is going to happen in the future. I guess only time will tell.:thumbup:

Hi everyone! I'm new to this community - I was banded almost 2 wks ago on 10/1/09. I'm 31 and my highest weight was 297 - I'm down to 279 as of 10/9/09. Who knew a liquid diet would be that successful?! I'm struggling right now NOT to eat - I am craving a salad. I don't even care if it has salad dressing! I started a blog (the good, bad and ugly - all of it), so feel free to stop by and offer up ideas, support, etc. It can be found here: Following my Dreams, One by One I can't wait until my first fill - I haven't been hungry until today but holy cow, it's awful! Thanks in advance for all your support. I'm just having one of those rough days. xo, Adrienne …

Basically this band is a slow torture devise. I find I am just starving myself. I am allowed to eat soft foods, but find there is not much out there. I love soup but unless you make it yourself the salt content is high. Protein drinks are fine but how many can you drink. If I was on this diet without being banded I would of lost weight. I didn’t need the band for this. I have had no fills yet and am worried that when I do get a fill back to liquids again and start this all over. Sure the weight comes off when you on a liquid diet.

Ok, since I am still new at this whole banding thing, I have a somewhat stupid question. I was banded on 10/7 and am doing really well right now but how do I find out where my port is? I've kind of felt around but my tummy is still a little tender.

I`m new to the lap band community. I joined yesterday but thought I needed to express my gratitude for all your contributions on the site. I benefitted greatly from this reesource when I decided to go for the surgery. Reading the several forum discussios is part of the reason why I don`t have to bother you too much for info. Once again, THANK YOU. My op is on 10/20 so wish me luck, please. Good Luck also to all those having their ops done soon.

:thumbup:Hey guys, I am 25 and live in miami florida. I have been overweight all my life. I tried various diets and exercises. I went to a seminar in the area and then did my initial consult with my doc. My BMI is a 41 with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. i went for my initial consult on oct 9th and started doing the pre op testing. Had My EKG and pulmonary clearance etc. I am excited, scared, motivated, anxious all wrapped up in one. I am looking forward to meeting new board members and get all the support from you guys that i can handle

Hello all. I was banded last Wednesday, October 7, 2009. I just got to where I would drink more than a little sip and not feel like it was stuck. I am here to learn, get motivation and to motivate. I went through two weeks of "all liquid dieting" before the surgery and managed to lose 10 pounds during that time. I have managed to lose another three since the surgery. Today is my first day back to work since the surgery and I wish I would have taken a little bit longer. Not because I don't feel good but because my pants sit right along where a few of the entrances are and it hurts!! I read where someone else has gone through a long process of planning this and not …

Hi! Just a thread to introduce myself. Or welcome myself, as I've already done. :thumbup: I've been perusing the boards for about a week now - pretty much since I started seriously considering Lap-Band. What a great community! Let's see - the vitals. My name is Amy, I'm 34, married, two little kids (DD is 22 months, DS is 5 months), and extremely overweight. 5'10" and around 360. Like most of you, I've struggled with weight for many years. I was never overweight as a child, and even in high school, I was 'normal' - around 175 (wore an 8/10). I played lots of sports and was very active, which helped my weight stay where it needed to be. Once I hit college and gr…

:thumbup:Hey guys, I am 25 and live in miami florida. I have been overweight all my life. I tried various diets and exercises. I went to a seminar in the area and then did my initial consult with my doc. My BMI is a 41 with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. i went for my initial consult on oct 9th and started doing the pre op testing. Had My EKG and pulmonary clearance etc. I am excited, scared, motivated, anxious all wrapped up in one. I am looking forward to meeting new board members and get all the support from you guys that i can handle

Ok, I am Brendon. I am a police officer and I weight 300 pounds...I am not sure if I will qualify for lapband, but I did measure my BMI, which is 43. Can anyone tell me how I would qualify for the surgery or not. Thank you much!

**My story so far with getting the Lapband** (By no way am I trying to make any one feel sorry for me with telling my story but this is just a way to let out some of my feelings and possibly help someone else going through this journey:smile2:) I have Tricare Prime with Triwest and this is my process so far... I went in to my primary care giver and asked him about getting the lapband surgery in mid January 09, he told me to wait 3-4 months and exercise 5 days a week and eat lower calories. Which being overweight my whole life I would think he would understand I’ve tried everything and the reason I was asking him for this is because I have tried all of those things an…

I was banded on 9/22 and made it through the first three months of dieting, the preop liquid diet the first week of liquids, the second week of mushies, and now that the third week is here, I'm craving (and sometimes indulging in) some of the bad choices that landed me here!!! I haven't gained, but I haven't lost anything in a week! I'm just wondering if I have the willpower of a child in a candy shop or if this is in any way "normal"? Please give me any information leading up to my first fill (11/5) and what I can expect after that!Thanks for any input!

Hi all! I just wanted to introduced my self. My name is Jeni and I just got banded on Thursday, Oct. 8. I had no clue that the first few days would be painful, but I know it was worth it. Anyhow, here I am, day 5. I have taken out the trash, picked up dog poo, went to the store, and did laundry. Pretty darn good! I am thankful, however, that I am a teacher and get a week off this week for fall break. I ate some broth from my favorite chinese food place that must have been way to spicy or oily. Not sure, but stayed up til 3:30 trying to regulate my, until then, non-existent bowel movements. Anyone else have anything like this?:sad:

Tomorrow I meet with the Bariatric Nurse... the first step in the process (well, second if you count the seminar). Im very excited but very pukey at the same time. As a result of my nerves I want to make a list of questions to ask. Unfortnatly the same pukeiness is giving me a brain cramp and can't think of all the questions I have had in the past. What questions did everyone ask on thier 1st visit? Thanks for the help!

Hiya I found this site a few days ago is a fantastic resource I am not banded, however am following the diet plan ie liquid at the moment and very low cals- have taken the plan to my doctor I dropped from 70kg to 55kg last year and am trying to loose that last bit under supervision from my doctor Am 23 years old and live in london Anyway just wanted to say hello Thanks Rebekah

Hi everyone, My surgery will be 12.18. I've been looking into WLS for over 2 years now and now that its a reality, I'm suddenly TERRIFIED. I've been drinking Vita shakes for Breakfast and lunch, eating light meals for dinner so I'm used to the lifestyle change after the band. My surgeon and his staff seem great. I haven't got my bloodwork back yet but I suspect it will be fine. My ECHO is on friday and then I have two more nutrition classes before pre-op diet and surgery. Its jut that I've never had ANY kind of surgery before, in fact I've never really even had any medical sort of issues. Never broken a bone. I'm starting to freak out about going under the …

Hello, LBT I have finally submitted my documents to my insurance company. So the wait begins. I have been on this site for awhile and have read many many posts. I would like to thank you all for your honesty and success stories. I have started a blog and would love for you guys to join me on my journey. Thanks again and I promise to be more verbal from here on out.:thumbup: http://iknowicanwithband.blogspot.com/

Hi Im Fran and was banded Nov 08. Seems to be working pretty good so far. I feel stupid asking this question, but Ive asked he PA who does my fills and I still didnt get it. She says I should be able to eat about 4 oz of food, and Im not sure if that is 4 oz's like on a scale or 4 oz like in 1/4 a cup. I guess i get myself confused because for instance 4 oz's weighed on a scale, say of popcorn is alot more then if its 1/4 of a cup. Ive lost 42lbs since being banded, but seem to be at a stand still now. I go back Nov 10 for a checkup and another fill. But im trying to see if I need a fill or if Im at that sweet spot. Any advise would be really helpful Fran

Hi, my name is Linda and have been a member for some while, yet had never used this forum to introduce myself. So here we go........ :thumbup: I had my bariatric surgery on April 23, 2008. I have always been heavy, but didnt reach my worst until the end of 2007. I had put on over 50 pounds in that last year; taking my weight to 266 on a 5'1 frame. I was going thru some deep depression and I just stopped caring. I couldnt find steady employment, my bf was being very abusive, so we broke up, and the meds I was taking for my depression caused a desire for sweets! Just what I needed, huh?? Anyway, in the fall of 2007, my ankles started swelling up grotesquely and my…

Just want to say hi, I am from New Zealand and are going to be having my sleeve done on the 21st October and I cant wait, I am so pleased I have come across this site so much information. thanks Jade

Hi there everyone. I've thought about lap banding for quite a while. I originally considered gastric bypass but the side effects terrified me. I have two young daughters under seven and every day I worry that I'm going to have a heart attack and leave them. I remember hitting 200 lbs and thinking I would NEVER get any bigger and now here I am topping 300. I put up pictures of my girls picking apples today for friends and I refused to put up pics of myself. I don't know why I try to deny it to myself but I know I need to do something. Unfortunately my pcp is soooooo laid back about my weight issue. He asks if I work out and leaves it at that. Well I get muscle cra…

Hi there. I am headed to the WLS seminar tomorrow in Virginia Beach VA. I already know I need to gain like 5 more pounds to qualify at a 35 BMI. I just don't like that fact as eating to gain weight is very ironic. Anyone else in VA? Linda

What is BPing and what is the sweet spot? Thanks, am new here

Hi everyone-this posting thing is new to me :sad: I am 36 and have been working towards surgery all year, my date is set for Nov 25th, but I finally met with the dr. and he was really negative about the band. Where I work and with my insurance, I have to use him, but all he kept saying is how the band is a pain in the butt.. they really push the bypass surgery and that scares me. I was very disappointed and needed to find a good support group and this place looks good. I'm going to do this surgery for me...and am excited about all the good weight loss I've seen on here... I wish everyone the best of luck!!!

Hi, I'm new to this so I hope I am doing it right. I will have my surgery on 11/3/09 and my surgeon says I can go back to work (I'm a Hospice nurse) in 2 weeks. From what I'm hearing I will be very tired. What experiences have you had with returning to work?

Anyone had there banding in Louisville?

Hi, This is my second time trying to get banded. First time did not know my insurance had an exclusion clause. Looking to read stories good or bad about the process and journey

I'm new at this. I just signed up for this site tonight. I wish I did it earlier. I still haven't gone public with my LAP-BAND® procedure. Basically, only my family knows and maybe a handful of others. I'm still not comfortable talking openly about it with others. I'm too insecure. Anyway, I think it will just take some time. I had my surgery on August 14. I just had my second fill 3 days ago. I've lost about 20 pounds so far:thumbup:. I ate some chicken tonight for dinner and it got stuck and I started frothing a little bit:thumbdown:. I ate small bites and took my time, but I still had a really hard time for a good 20 minutes. But for lunch I had chili a…

Hello Everyone! I just created a blog about my weight loss journey! Click below - link is in my signature.

Here is just a brief overview of my story lol I have always battled my weight, ever since I can remember. When I was a little kid I was over weight and then once I went to middle school I lost it all due to getting super involved in sports. I was involved in track, volleyball, horseback riding, and various martial arts. Then I went to high school and became heavily involved in swimming and Water polo and also horseback riding and martial arts. I was working out at least 3 times a day and I was still having to battle keeping weight off. It was always frustrating to say the least. I then went to college and stopped working out all together and gain a lot of weight very…

I need to get a life! I watch food network all the time and I think I've seen every episode three or four times! I have come to view these stars as my "friends" - how sad is that? When I'm not watching, I'm looking at my supermarket circular online, or grocery shopping or cooking or, of course, Eating! It's a long way until I can get banded next year (January I hope) and I want to know what else I can do with myself that doesn't involve food. Any suggestions would be helpful - even my dog is getting fat!

Hi Guys! I am brand new to all this, so bear with me. I am just starting out and haven't even attended my seminar yet. But I went to see my PCP to get his opinion/recommendation and start a supervised diet just in case my insurance company requires it. He had some labs done and it turns out that I have low thyroid function. Will a hypothyroid diagnosis mess with insurance approval? :sad:

Just found and joined the Forum. Really glad I did and wish I had found it a year ago. I finally just got enough Fluid in my band and am finally loosing weight. I had a little problem after the last fill which led me to the web and finding you guys. I read up, figurend out what was going on, adjusted my eating habits and am FINALLY eating less, getting full quikly and staying full. The last 10 months I never had enough fluid in the band! I'm now at 6.5cc in a 10 cc band. Every doctor should make every one of their patients join a Forum because you really have to farmiliarize yourself with what feelings and reactions mean what. Your 5 mintues with the doctor …

Hi! My name's Ginger and I'm from Edinburg, TX! I've lost 30 pounds and hope to lose another 100 or so. My starting weight was 285 before the diet the PCP put me on and I lost the other 30 after surgery. Twenty lbs came off the first week and then during the next month I lost another ten. I'm getting my first fill sometime in the near future and look forward to getting back on the weight loss track. I have some difficulties with the diet though such as not being able to eat and drink seperately all the time. Plus, I haven't been able to quit drinking alcohol when I meet up with friends. I suppose this could be another reason I haven't lost more? Feel free to give…

As I stated before, I am just starting my journey. I called my insurance company and they said I will be covered, but only if I go to one of the listed docs.... okay, to make a long story short. I am soooooo afraid I will be denied because I have no real proof of being on a supervised weight loss program. I've taken karate when I was about 13, and I've been placed on diets by my pediatrician numerous amounts of times. But she's (the pediatrician) is in another state. Soooooo, im really lost. I really don't want to be denied because of that, because I really need this surgery. Does anyone else have, or has had this problem??? Please Help!!.... thnx :sad:

I can't believe the surgery is coming up in November. I am super excited to start this journey to a new me. I am a bit worried about the first month of liquid/mushies, but I know that I will get through it. My surgeon is Mary Estakhri, MD in Pleasanton, CA.

So today is my first day at lapbandtalk.com and I'm really excited to actually be able to talk to people that can relate with what I'm going through(hopefully). Heres my story, I'm only 16 years old. I actually got my lapband a day or two before my 16th birthday. I'm currently 6 months post op and I keep hearing oh well you should be down 50-60 pounds by now and yet I'm only down 10. I have a large band and so far I'm at 11 and they said it might not start kicking in until I get to 15. I go once every two weeks so I've been very annoying. I've been over weight for years and I told "oh my god! I'm finally going to be pretty and happy but most importantly healthy!" but so f…

Hi everyone, I got my band a week ago on 9-21-09. I'm just recently transitioning into just drinking liquids. Just today I'm starting to feel extremely depressed. I feel like nothing will make me happy.. things I used to love just don't motivate me anymore. I guess I feel alone.. I know there are support groups and this forum that will help.. but I need support from people that have had the band and who have had success. Please tell me I didn't make a mistake. I guess it's because I'm 21.. and all my friends and boyfriend like to go out to eat all the time (but they are ALL skinny) and I'm just at a hard point right now.. I was so excited for the band, but I cant b…

Hello all!!! I am 19 years old, and 282 lbs, 5'6, with a bmi of 46. At only 19, I suffer from high blood pressure issues, being a borderline diabetic and knee problems. I just called my insurance company on Thursday, and registered to take part in a seminar on Oct 29. I'm joining this site, because, it looks very informative, and I would like to hear others success stories. I am open to any tips, and suggestions. Please help me get through this process, I know it will be a long one. But I am up for the wait... (as long as I don't have to wait too long) I am extremely anxious to lose all of this weight. My goal weight is 155-160lbs. Hopefully everything goes smoothly wi…

Hi all, just thought I'd introduce myself. I'm going to be banded by Mr Leeder on October 21st in Derby, UK (my registration says I'm in Canada - bloody website wouldn't allow me to say that I'm in the UK for some reason). Am on day three of the pre-op liver shrinking diet. Would kill for some KFC, which is odd because I don't normally touch the stuff... I turn 40 on the 24th and so am not expecting to have a great birthday. But as they say... "life begins at 40".

My knees hurt, my back hurts, I am not going out if I have to wear these ugly clothes again. :thumbup: THink I need to make a change!:help: I have been lurking for months on these boards. :001_unsure:Posting some, but, could not get to the point of an actual date. :confused:Well finally I am on the schedual for Oct. 15.:w00t: When my husband finally said ok I called Sandy that next minute! He was my only obsticale for going ahead with this. I have 2 friends that are doctors. (peds & Path) I have asked both of them their medical opinion about this surgery.:laugh0: At first they were both "you do not need this, go back to weight watchers or--etc". :svengo:When one of…

4 days post-op with the Realize Band. Anyone have this band?

I got approved by my insurance Tricare Prime, found the doctor who runs a weight loss clinic but is not the surgeon, he coordinated all of the other doctors including the surgeon. Only to find out that the surgeon will not take my insurance wanted me to pay 3,200.00 like if I had no insurance to begin with. I have gone through all the necessary tests and have gotten all of the doctors approvals for surgery but no surgeon. Totally frustrated right now, so the doctor who runs the clinic found me another surgeon but now they want for me to attend another seminar, which I have already done. All I want is to have my surgery already!!!! I have done everything that was asked of …

I got my approvel from my insurance company today and I am thrilled. Looks like a tenative date of nov 9.. I wish it was a little bit sooner, but thats ok. I am sure I will have lots of question as the date gets closer. this site has been great to read about the pros and cons. I have been doing my research on different types of surgeries for the past year. I have even watched the surgeries on line. A little about my self.. I'm am 49 and will be 50 in december. I have been married for 30 years to my high school sweetheart. I was a beanpole in high school and active in sports. I have 3 grown children all out of the house, 2 married. 2 grandchildren and one due in october. I…

Helloo everybodyy!!!! My name is Ariana and I am new to lap band talk and i wanted to introduce myself...I havent gotten the band yet but I really want it...Im really friendly so if anybody has any good tips for me because this is my first time and im 18 years old...THANK YOU....