Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

..and I feel awful! I am so tired of broth, I can't seem to swallow any more of it. I've tried all types of soups with clear broth, (draining out all the food) and I've about had it. This whole afternoon I have been crying off and on. I know I'm feeling sorry for myself....I don't regret the band... but only clear liquids is so HARD. :wink: My stomach is growling...my head hurts....and I'm always tired. I just feel like crawling into bed and not getting up until Tuesday when I see my Dr. for my first post-op appt. I still have tonight and 3 more days to get thru.. I don't know how I will do it. Please help me stick to my post op diet. I'm super frustrated. :w00t: I unders…

Hey all! My dh & I are going to a seminar about the lapband tomorrow. I CANNOT wait!!! The surgery is for me....he weighs 160 soaking wet! LOL My BMI is 41, I have stress incontinence and depression. I am hoping I will quailfy for the surgery. I am worried though because I don't have anything very serious like diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, etc. Has anyone qualified before without other health problems? Also, after the seminar, what's the next step? I have Aetna POS and am hoping I can get approved quickly. I am a very impatient person! LOL Thanks for any help you can offer! Pam Katy, TX

I continue to practice. Back to that in a minute. I got my approval to go to the Seminar. It's this Saturday and my surgeon is Dr. Oliak in Orange, CA. After that, they submit my paperwork to be approved for the surgery. That should take about two weeks. From that date it should be about one month till I'm banded. I continue to lose weight on a 1200 cal diet with very healthy choices. Some things that I'm having trouble with are: chewing...I try to chew everything 40 times but it's so darn hard!...I use a timer that sits in front of me and I MAKE my meal last 30 min. Of course, no liquids with meals and none for 1 hour after. That is hard too! I know I'm whining but isn't…

Hi everyone, I'm Rick. I was banded on September 23rd at CAMC Memorial in Charleston, WV by Dr. Robert Shin. I had a rough patch about a week after surgery in which I became depressed and thought I had made a horrible decision to have the band, but now a week later I am doing great. I have lost 15 lbs as of October 2, and will be weighing in again this Monday. I look forward to chatting with others on the same journey.

Overwieght my whole life Finally made up my mind to do something for MYSELF and get healthy. Date is Nov 18 in Northern VA with Bluepoint Surgical. Anyone with a close date? Anyone else in NOVA? Highest weight - 296 @ 18 (1995) "Lowest" weight - 207 @ 25 (2003) losing on WW and exercise Current weight - 292 - after birth of AMAZING son (he's 3 now!) and divorce of UNAMAZING husband!

Hi everyone! I am being banded on the 14th! That's next Wednesday. I can't wait! Today is day 1 of my pre-op diet. I had to start today because I just found out my date for surgery on Monday and didn't get the information for my pre-op diet until yesterday. So I'm doing my pre-op late in the process but I'm determined to stick to it!! I'm just ready for Wednesday to get here! Anyway just wanted to say hello and introduce myself. Everyone have a great weekend.

Hello All! My name is Colleen and I will (hopefully) be banded on the 20th of October. I was originally scheduled for the 6th, but had some complications. This has been somewhat frustrating because I was all pumped up and ready to go! But anyhoo, my time will come, right?! I am so anxious to get the surgery done, I am a little scared. I have never been in the hospital (for me) let alone had surgery, yikes :thumbup: I am not required to do a Pre-Op diet, just two days of liquids before surgery, which I did last week when I thought I was getting the procedure done on Tuesday. It was only two days, but I felt like I reeked of chicken broth by the end of it - that …

Hi everyone... I've been reading the boards for a couple weeks now and thought perhaps I should introduce myself. I'm a 53 year old wife and mom of 3 adult sons. Well almost, my last one is finishing high school this year. I am also the CEO of a company I started 15 years ago. During that time I finished my doctorate and, for the last 3 years also work part-time for the prison system as a consulting psychiatrist at a maximum security prison. I was not an overweight child, but at the age of 13 when puberty hit, I put on 50 pounds in one year. The doctor told my worried mom that she's being overprotective...it's 'just baby fat'. Looking back, I realize that's als…

Hi to everyone here.... This is my first post :frown: ...I just signed up for a seminar on Wednesday, Oct. 7th with Dr. Wilkenfeld in The Woodlands...I thought I would call and schedule my first consultation, and get this...He does the consultations right after the seminar...So cool! :wink3: ...Two birds with one stone, I guess...I hope I will like him... I am sooooo ready for this! Has anyone here had any experience with Dr Wilkenfeld they would like to share?... I love reading everyone's stories, good or bad... Hope everyone's day is a good day! :eek:

I have just started looking into the lap band procedure. I attended a seminar about a year ago but have not been sure about if I wanted to go this route. I have always felt like I was giving up on myself if I had the surgery. I have had some problems with my knees and am facing another arthoscopic surgery int he next month probably and my doctor has of course looked at the "weight" factor. I am considering the Lap Band now ....but worry about if my insurance (Aetna POS) will cover it and if this is the right decision. I hope this site will be helpful in making this decision and going through the process. Kimberly

I am at the very beginning of the whole process and I am just going nuts! Last Friday my PCP faxed my information over to my local lap-band surgeon, yesterday they signed me up for an informational seminar for Tuesday 10/13. I called my insurance company (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois) yesteday and found out that my company does NOT exclude bariatric surgery (YAY!!!) but there is a whole mess of criteria I have to meet (which is to be expected), however, one of the criterion has got me in a panic. While the BCBSIL rep was listing the requirements she mentioned documented weight loss attempts and results for the past 24 months. I've been severly overweight for t…

Anyone out there been banded and have Chronic Lyme Disease? How are you doing? Has the band made anything better or worse?

I've been lurking on this board for a couple of weeks while I was deciding on whether or not that lap banding would be right for me. You all have been so welcoming to others and I have found a plethora of knowledge so far from my reading of all the past and present posts. A friend of mine who has lost almost 100 lbs from being banded last year and has been extremely helpful and directed me to this site for further research. So... I decided to do this .... I go Wednesday to a Seminar in Birmingham where I will then directly after schedule my first appt with the surgeon. Since I am almost 4 hours from Birmingham, I decided to go with my GP here in town for my 6 month…

Hey everyone! I have recently found this site and am thrilled! I just had my lap band surgery on September 25th, and here I am! I have not had much for complications. I had my surgery on a Friday, and was back to work Monday. Things have gone flawlessly thus far. I did my liquid diet the first week, then because I had been doing so well, my surgeon upgraded me to purees. No problems yet. I am eating between 1/4 and 1/2 cup per meal and have lost about 10 lbs so far. I have heard so many horror stories about being sick all the time and such, but so far so good! I am really excited to begin my new life and meet people on the same journey. I am a generally very p…

Hello Fellow Bandsters.. My name is Marcos, all my friends call me Beezy, and my internet name is thedvsgneeus. I am a rookie bandster, as my surgery was this past Monday 9/28/2009. It was a long wait to get my band as my original date was back in May, however because of a new job, i had to postpone the surgery three months. The first week has been pretty rough, i am still experiencing gas pains but less each day and the worst each night.. I am following my liquid diet and can not wait for the next step. My Post-Op Appt is this Monday 10/5/2009. I am also looking forward to see if i have lost any weight. Everyone is telling me i am looking about 5-10lbs thinner.. Hopefull…

Hi there. I just made the first call to my insurance company to find out the rules to get pre-authorized for the lap-band surgery. I have BCBS for Federal Employees, and was told that the surgery is definitely covered if approved. I was told I need a letter from the provider detailing my name, age and member number, the provider info, the CPT code, a diagnosis code, and "supporting documentation and relevant info including any test results that support medical necessity". First of all, what does "supporting documentation" entail? I'm 5'5" and have a BMI of 40.7, so by regular medical standards, I qualify, right? I don't think I have any other qualifying things…

Hi - I had my band fitted in Belgium 12 months ago - I have lost in total 24lb but need to loose another 84lb- it has taken me 6 fills to get to feel any restriction and that was only sorted at the end of June this year - I had 5 fills in London and 1 fill at the hospital group in Bromsgrove - I need some help and support please as I seem to have lost my way :thumbup: I cannot seem to get my head together and fight the band in that I find ways around the band ie smoothies, chocolate, sweets - all go down without a problem and pasta, bread, beef, chicken get stuck - I feel like a real moaning Minnie and should be able to eat well and stop the bad habits but I am so disa…

Hi My Name is Myra I've been banded since 8/4/09. I am inviting you to visit my blog and become a follower. I need the support and encouragement. I would also like to help and answer any questions you may have. I was banded in Hollywood, Fl. with Dr. Cohen. I had a good experience and no regrets. I love my Band. My page is: As My World Turn Please leave comments:thumbup:

I called the surgeon I'm interested in using today to see about setting up the consultation. However, I must first mail in the packet of completed information then they will call to set up the appointment, which will be in about 2-3 weeks after I get them my packet. So, now I just need to mail in the packet.

Hello Everyone! I was banded in April of 2008. I lost 40lbs in about 5 months. It was fabulous!! But I got content there, yes I know, BAD! I maintained really well though for a year, which was something I had never done before. That in itself was great. Over Labor Day weekend something happened though. I ended up in the ER having my fill taken out. It was a horrible day. It took them a looong time to find the place in the port to unfill. They used x-ray and still couldn't get it. The called my doc and he got it right away... but that was at least a dozen pokes and pricks and HUGE bruise later. They told me to come back to get a fill once I was recovered from the unf…

Hi everyone, Well I am going to get the surgery in 2 days on Saturday in South Korea. Eating will be a challenge because it is very hard to come by Protein shakes etc that can be eaten after the surgery. Any advice would be great as there is somewhat of a language barrier here. I was not told to do any pre-surgery diet or anything. Hopefully everything goes well. I am not taking any ime off work so hope I can make it on Monday or there might be trouble. BTW I am 5 feet 6 inches tall with a starting weight of 93kg about 200lbs I believe. Wish me luck :wink2:

Hi everyone (with a special hello to all my fellow Aussies) My date for lap-banding is set for 23 April 2009. Will have the band inserted at the The Avenue in Melbourne. I am excited and scared all the same time. The success of many on this site inspire me and the prospect of future success is very exciting. Past failed attempts at maintaining weight loss haunt me (I've lost weight then put it back on [plus more] more times than I care to remember). Would love to hear from others of you that felt the same way at the start of your journeys and who have succeeded. My partner is having a lap-band inserted on 9 April. We both have fatty livers and have therefore been …

I'm new here and I have at least until January until I can get banded. I currently drink pretty heavily. I'm hoping that the band can help me curb the wine drinking as well as it does with foods. Is it possible that the band will restrict how much wine I can drink?

Hello, I am scheduled for surgery in Mexico, for 10/16, done and doing tons of research and just continuing to look for support. Heidi Portland, Oregon

I think about the hardest thing that I will have to get used to is no drinking. All of my life I have been drinking for all hours of the day. I rarely get dehydrated because of this - and growing up in the "semi-desert" of Southern California and now living in Houston, that is saying something. I've been dehdrated once, in the Persian Gulf while deployed there. It's darned hot there! But I could do that, not ever get dehydrated, because I ALWAYS have something to drink. It's not a meal thing, it's just what I do. It ranges from Water to iced tea to coffee to "the big no-no" - a soda. But there is always something within reach. My mom used to think it was prett…

I started to diet with the aid of a Bodybugg a week ago. I basically just cut down on the portions I was eating and stopped with the fried Snacks. I've lost about 10 pounds and my stomach is beginning to burn. It goes away for a while after eating or drinking. I've been on hundreds of diets and it has always been the same. Is that burn what hunger feels like? Is it a bad thing? It is the fat being burned?

Hi everyone~I, too, am anxiously awaiting the "day". It has been a long time coming. I realize I'm just coming to grips with what was eating me, and now I pray I'll be able to work with the realities of what is to come. Good luck to all of you.

Hi, I was banded Sept 25, 2009, by Dr. Ehrlich in Fairfield CT. I'm on week 2 "All Liquids" and doing good. I'm worried about next week "Pureyed Food". What are some suggestions on what to eat. I'm already tired of soup and pureying chicken sounds disgusting to me. Would appreciate any ideas. I was thinking maybe Low Fat Refried Beans and Hummus, but beans aren't till week 5 per the diet outline I was given. I'm really looking forward to being apart of this forum!!!!! Loopy618 Pre Diet Wt: 374 Pre-Op Wt: 337 Now: Will find out on Thursday :thumbup:

Hi all, I have been lurking for entirely too long and have enjoyed reading everyones stories and seeing the many pictures. I decided on lapband after several family members got them and so I had a support system waiting. My surgery date is November 3rd at Duke in Durham. I am nervous, excited, scared and can't wait to see what is in store.

Hey guys! Im new at this site and Im located in Sweden. Is it ok for me to peek in and say hi even tho Im not from the States? Does it count if I have a canadian boyfriend? Im scheduled for a sleeve surgery in Stockholm on the 26th of october and Im getting more nervous by the hour. I could use some assurance that I've made the right decision. Im an expert when it comes to losing weight. I've weighed everything between 130 pounds and 230 pounds, all within the last few years. My problem is I cant keep the weight off once I lose it. I've never been able to eat the recommended 2000 calories a day, if I do that, I gain 2 pounds a week. Even with a job where I constantly…

Hi, I've been interviewing doctors and am seriously considering LapBand. I'd be very grateful if any folks out there would be willing to speak with me by phone or maybe meet up for a cup of coffee to share your experiences? I'm a 38 y.o. male, live in West Hollywood, work in Marina del Rey. Thanks, Brad

Hey there. I'm planning on getting banded on October 8th at Strax (anyone else go there?) in South Florida. I have my pre-op tomorrow with the surgeon, and thanks to all you awesome people I have a list of questions for him. This board has been very helpful, so thank you. Anyways, the reason for the thread is to ask... Does anyone regret their decision to get banded? Is there anything you wish you had known before you went through with it? And anyone have any questions I should add to my list for the surgeon? Thanks again. I'm glad I found this place. -Summer

I had my surgery on September 3, 2009. My surgery was done by Dr. Alfons Pomp at NYP hospital. In one month I have lost 49 Pounds. I have gone down 6" around my waist. I have gone from a tight 4X shirt to a loose 3X. I am walking daily and hoping to be able to expand my workouts after I see the Dr. on Monday. I have been lucky enough to be out of work for the whole month as I really have used this time to heal and focus on myself. I have started talk therapy to try to circumvent the head hunger. Getting sleeved was the best decision I have made for myself. While I know I have a long way to go I really feel like I have the tools that I need to be successful. Thanks to …

Hi I am Jill, I am 32 years old with a BMI of about 31. I am heading to Mexico Friday for the band. I am nervous yet excited all at the same time. I would love any thoughts from the veterans out there. What tips do you have? What should I take with me to occupy my time or should I plan on sleeping a lot? Thanks!

of supervised exercise and diet - what kind of diet was it? Were you given a menu and then had to cook accordingly? What about exercise? I'm oh so curious about what happens next. When you went to your consult - was that the start of the six months? Or did you have to get in for another appt with someone else to get things started? I'd love to hear what things were like for you! Although, I know every doctor is different...

Has anyone been banded by Dr. Meilahn at Temple University Hospital in PA? I have my surgeon appt. on Oct. 21st and wanted to hear some experiences that people have had with this Dr. Thanks!!!!:thumbup:

anyone had surgery with Dr.Voellinger? im looking into getting banded and wondering how he is? im so nervous:sad: but excited :thumbup:I NEED THIS!:thumbup: im 29 275 diabetic and have fatty liver high blood pressure

hello there any i have heard lots of good or i should say positive feedback on this surgery... i just want to ask is this surgery suitable for me? i weigh around 260lbs with 5'8" height... i am only 23... what you think guys?

I just got approved yesterday 9-28-2009 , i have been getting the run around since july they say that my doctors report went to the wrong dept, this the first step in what i hope will a great journey to wellness.:tongue2:

I am totally sold on having VSG. I also have a guy in my area that had it done with great success. So it is nice to have someone to talk to. We met at a weightloss surgery support group. Man the bypass people attacked him, it got ugly. They got so mad because he did not have all the issues that they had etc.. I found out I can get it done at a military treatment facility and I have to live there for two months after for monitoring and have to go to all the follow up appts there for a year. No big deal for me. It is only about 7 hrs away. Right now they have approved me to do it. I am just jumping through all the hoops. Going to schedule all the appts coming up here soon t…

I had my surgery 5 days ago (9/24/09) and everything went really nice. I had several positive surprises: An excellent experience from Dr. Almanza. He has already done more than four hundred sleeves this year 2009. I met with two people who got the sleeve two days before me and five who had it done while in my recovery. He is also very calm and dedicated more than enough quality time to me, explaining everything. The clinic was nice. No frills, but nice. It's like a mini hospital, with one operating room and four of five patient rooms. The nurses there (Maggie & Veronica) were very professional and nice to me. I spent two days at the clinic, and those are t…

I got my lapband on 9/28 I am so very hungry!!!!! I have had nothing but crystal light since the surgery. So far beginning with my pre-op diet I have lost 30lbs. But on the down side I am very tired and have no energy. This is hard for me a normally very active person. I can barely stand for more than 10 minutes. I am hoping at my visit on Tuesday my doc will let me go to full liquids. I got my cream and tomato soups all ready!! It makes it harder having to cook 3 meals a day for my family, but it will be ok. This part cannot last too much longer.

I have made a few posts but wanted to update and say that I have made the decision to go forward with the surgery and I have a date! February 8th. I am excited and nervous. 2010 will be an exciting year for me. I feel very fortunate that I have insurance that will pay 100% of the costs, I know from what I have been reading not everyone is so lucky. Without that I don't think I would be able to do it. I will turn 50 in April, so what a great early birthday gift for myself! Thank you to everyone who posts - I have learned so much, and gotten so much useful information from reading through the posts. Diane:thumbup1:

Hi All, I'm new here. Both my husband and I are extremely obese and are thinking of doing the Gastric Sleeve bypass. I guess I'm just doing research to start off with. I am so tired of being overweight. I use to be stick thin but after having kids and getting older, it's extremely hard to loose the weight. I'm hoping I get support and know how here. Thanks for listening. Q.:frown:

As I am weighing this decision I have only told a handful of people. And the response has been varied. Five people to be exact, in addition to the only opinion that matters, my husband. Husband - very supportive, curious, almost as "excited" as me. Supervisor/friend - very supportive and encouraging. Colleague/friend #1 - judgemental...really? surgery? you think THAT is going to help? Colleague/friend #2 - supportive, understanding, all around just there for me no matter what decision I make. Friend #1 - judgemental - well you should, you are in bad shape and you HAVE to do something, I'm lucky that I don't have to go to that extreme, but you certainly shoul…

hi im jo, im 31 , and i have my first appointment tomorrow to see mr leeder at derby, i am very concerned about what happens im 24 stone and have a bmi of 54 , i was refered for the op because i need a hysterectomy urgently i have to be there for 8.30 and just wondered what happens next when will i find out if i can have the op. thanx jo xx:rolleyes2:

Hi everyone!! So I made the decision to have the LB procedure, which wasn't a very hard one for me. My surgery date is December 22, 2009. I'm sooo nervous!! I am currently in nursing school and I am having the surgery over my winter break. I only have 2 weeks until I need to go back to school after my surgery and I am nervous that I won't be ready. I know everybody heals differently so I am going to stay positive because the mind definatly has an effect on the body. I'm so excited to be a part of this "club"!!

I am on the well I am suppose to be on a pre-op diet, However I can not stomach the protein shakes. My surgery is scheduled for October 14th and I still can follow my diet. I tried the slim fast but I don't like milk so it taste gross to me. I tried another suppliment that my friend who recently had the surgery gave me and he said it taste good. I tried it this morning and it was worse then slim fast. I threw it right back up. What am I suppose to do. I need to do this diet for the next 10 days.

I will get my band in early Nov. Anybody from ENTERPRISE, DOTHAN or FT.RUCKER area?

Hi All, I am another newbie sleeved 6 days ago on September 21st. I only found the site yesterday and it looks like a great place to share experiences, get advice, support and encouragement. I must say it has been a really positive post surgery experience for me so far....hope it continues. :mad: