Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I have been phone-stalking these people for the past week and I finally got to talk to someone! I told her my situation (needed to be up and basically back to work by July 31), and since I'm self-pay and I've done the psych eval, she got me down for surgery on July 14!!! I have to start the liquid diet TOMORROW, which I'm not really prepared for, ack! Suggestions? I'm running to the store tonight to make sure I have something to get me through the day tomorrow. I go for the nutrition class Wednesday, so I'll get the official liquid diet shopping list then. So now I'm waiting for info on the time of the surgery and when I will have to do the other pre-op tests, …

Hi, everyone! I just joined this forum. I am scheduled for my VSG with Dr. Aceves on July 7. Everything is in order and I am excited, nervous, scared, happy...I am just ready to begin the rest of my life! :thumbup1: (Some of you may know me from OH as JSTN28) :wink1:

I've been fat my whole life. Can't ever remember a time when I wasn't. Like many, I've been picked on (taking orange kool-aid to school for 2nd grade snack in a gallon jug was a bad idea-"hey snowplow, brought your own gasoline?" Yeah, snowplow stuck for quite some time), ignored (I'm the fat girl in my group of friends-when we're out most men have a tendency to pretend I don't exist), belittled ("you have such a pretty face. Why don't you just lose weight?"), and just generally been made to feel like a second class citizen because of my weight-by strangers as well as family and "friends". NO MORE!!! I'm done with that person. Done with feeling like less of a woman be…

I am scheduled for surgery on Aug. 18th. I last seen my surgeon in April and weighed 239lbs. I was scheduled for surgery on 6/6/09 but was denied by insurance. We appelled and now i'm approved and almost there. Here's my problem...i got the i'll never eat again syndrom and ate EVERYthing in sight!!! I'm now at 250 and so nervous about my preop visit on Wed. with my surgeon. I'm scared he want think i'm serious about my commitment to this because of my weight gain. Did anyone else have this problem? I feel awful about this but am ready for my new life. I also was told origianaly i would have no preop diet.:cool:

I am scheduled for surgery on Aug. 18th. I last seen my surgeon in April and weighed 239lbs. I was scheduled for surgery on 6/6/09 but was denied by insurance. We appelled and now i'm approved and almost there. Here's my problem...i got the i'll never eat again syndrom and ate EVERYthing in sight!!! I'm now at 250 and so nervous about my preop visit on Wed. with my surgeon. I'm scared he want think i'm serious about my commitment to this because of my weight gain. Did anyone else have this problem? I feel awful about this but am ready for my new life. I also was told origianaly i would have no preop diet.:cool:

Hi all - Well here I am finally -- I've tried to get online since about 4; however, I wasn't able to stay awake long enough to read or type anything. Pre-testing was yesterday and all went well. Ernesto picked us up at 7 am this morning and we came to the hospital. We waited about 30 minutes as they were cleaning our rooms. Then they came and got Ruthi and tooker her to her room and I waited some more. Then the internest wanted to question me with regard to some of my allergies. Also informed me that my blood work showed a slight UTI. None of this prohibited my surgery, Thank God. So to my room I went. Disrobed and got in the lovely hospital gowns provided …

Hi everyone Today is my first day here, someone from OH invited me, but their profile was gone by the time I got the message, so I don't know who it was. But anyways, doesn't matter, I found you all. I had the sleeve almost 1 year ago, and have lost 80 lbs. That would be great, but I still have 70 to go and I've been stuck at this 80 lbs for a couple months. I have a real aversion to dieting, having done that all my life, but I can see that now if I want to continue to lose that I need to get over that and start being aware of what I am eating. So today I started tracking in the daily plate. I was wondering if anyone could tell me how many calories I should be eating…

Hi everyone! I have been contemplating WLS for the past 5 years. I have "decided" to go with LB. I have'nt called a surgeon yet, because I was thinking of going to Mexico for the sleeve. But my medicaid will cover the band so I'm going to go for it. I'm extremely afraid. I've been going back and forth for the past month or two. I keep thinking I can lose the weight on my own. I hear some good things and some horror stories and let it go...until I can't button my pants. I've come to the realization that I do need help and I believe that the LAPBAND is just the tool I need to put this behind me. Thanks for reading.:scared2:

Hi everyone. I was banded in February of this year. The only aftercare I have gotten is going for fills. I have had three fills and I do feel restriction but I feel like I am not losing any weight. I know everybody is different and some people lose weight slower than others, but I still feel very discouraged. I try to keep my calories under 1,000 a day and I try to get in enough Protein. Those were the only guidelines that I was given. I have lost about 30 pounds since surgery and most of that was from the liquid diet before and after surgery. I am wondering what kind of aftercare other band patients get. I have never seen a nutritionist and I am wondering if that would…

Hi everybody My name is Tanya i had my opp on the 28th July everything went ok, i too suffered with wind in my tummy, but by the 3rd day it had gone. Then i noticed the pain in my back, its in the middle behind my ribs on the left hand side. It eases when i put a hotwater bottle there. It feels like i have been winded or slapped on my back. But other than that i am fine my eating is good just starting to eat mashed veg and potatoes still having Soups, tried scrambled egg, although i think i ate that too quick as i got the feeling of being too full. As anybody got anything to say about the back pain can anybody help. Good luck everybody and take care Tanya x

I need help with my ticker. I can't figure out how to update it.I went to edit my signature and that didn't work.Can someone tell me how to maybe put a new ticker on my profile? Thanks :thumbup:

Hi everyone! I am new to this site and very excited and looking forward to having support with all the questions and worries. I had my first visit with my surgeon on wednesday and lost 15 pounds since my pre surgery visit. :thumbup:that was a week before the surgery. I am now on the puree foods and will have my first fill the 26th.

I currently have a surgery date for Sept. I am taking a leap of faith, but it feels right. My gut tells me this will be fine. I live 2hrs away from the border and am not really concerned about the travel. Can anyone give me any feedback? Most friends and family say "go for it". Then there are the few that say "Meixco---no way!" I am going to see Dr Ortiz, he appears top notch as well as the facility. Any recent patients out there who can give me more insite? Good Lord, I have so many butterflies in my hopefully soon to be gone tummy!!!:ohmy:

Hi everyone. I am new to the board, although I've browsed it a few times. I'm having my surgery tomorrow morning and I'm excited to have this board as a tool to help me out, especially in these first few weeks! Fortunately I had a super easy time with the whole process, including insurance (Health Net HMO). The whole process from start to finish took less than 3 months, including diagnosing me with a co-morbidity to have my insurance qualify me. Anyway...just wanted to introduce myself. Hopefully I'll get to know some of you better in the following days.

My name is Peggy and I am overweight. Now that my daughter is 21 I decided it was time to take care of me. I am a single 41 y/o female who weighs (BIG GULP) 240lbs. My lapband journey has begun. The other night I went to the consulation meeting where I was pointed in the right direction. On August 13th I will see Dr. Fred Buckley in Salem MA and he will be my compass in mapping out the rest of my journey. For all those who are starting out, like me, welcome to the Band-it journey!

Hi all I have had all my appointments and will be seeing the dr for follow up on all my test results next wk thursday. After that I see the surgeon and schedule my surgery. I am now confused, but I do want the band, but been thinking about gastric a lot lateley I even had a dream about it last night. I really don't want gastric becuase of the higher risks and the re routing of my insides. The physcologist and dietician both mad me a lilttle upset when I saw them they both had there comments saying that I should have the gastric and that the surgeon is going to tell me the same thing and blah blah blah. So now I am just confused and scared now that what if the band doesn't…

hi ev 1 my name is art i went too the bariatrics facility near my house and i attended one of there seminars i found out because of my many health problems that i would be a ok for medicare too pay im 6ft 1 and 300 lbs and my bmi is 39.6 during the seminar tho i also found out good old medicare makes you wait 3 - 6 months i guess thats for the approval not sure well anyway after the seminar the surgeon told me i could go up and make an appointment for one on one counceling which i was like so excited but nervouse in a way its a big step . so anyway i am gonna see the surgeon on aug 13th for my one on one and i surely dont know what happens after that but i guess i will…

Hello Everyone, I've been lurking around for a couple of weeks and finally decided to introduce myself. I am scheduled for surgery in less than two weeks and am starting to get bit nervous and at the same time really excited. My surgeon will be Dr. Kirshenbaum in Aurora, CO, and the process so far has been very quick and easy. I am self-pay so that may have something to do with it...:confused: I had my phone consultation with the nutritionist today and she was so very nice. She really eased my concerns and answered all my questions, even the silly ones:tongue2:. I cannot wait to start my new life with the band. I am hoping that with the weight loss I will be able to i…

I've been lurking on here for alittle while so it's probably time I introduced myself. My name is Brandy and I have struggled with weight most of my life. I was a chubby kid, but thinned out as a teen due to sports. I have never really been the thin girl, even when I was thinner- I was still a big built girl. At 20, I went on Fen/Phen and lost 40 lbs. I was livin life for awhile and then the weight came back on plus more. As an adult I have battled weight for years, trying one program after another. 3 years ago I was put on blood pressure meds, 2 years ago I was diagnosed with sleep apenea but never treated, one year ago they told me I was pre-diabetic. So I join…

Hi everyone! I am in the stages of waiting for insurance approval and all the tests I need to get done before surgery. I have my sleep study on the 22nd. I guess I am wondering if there is anyone here that has or is going back and forth between having the surgery and not having the surgery. What finally made you make up your mind to have the surgery? I have been overweight for the majority of my 20's and the weight keeps going up, but I wonder if I would have better results when I move out of my parent's house finally. That will be sometime next year if everything works out. But, then I think that the band will help me long term with keeping weight off and not getting to …

I was banded in 2005, lost some weight but not all I wanted to, and now have started gaining again. Banded in Mexico, so no support in the US, and I think that is part of my problem. Trying to get back on track before gaining back before I gain back ALL the weight, and start losing until I reach my goal. Will appreciate advice from anyone with same experience or anyone that can help. Thanks.

:wink2: I am wondering if anyone out here has United Healthcare. How long does it normally take the doctor to write the letter and forward to insurance. I am finished doing everything except get approved by the insurance. I called today Aug 7. and asked she said it will problay be about 1 month, so hopefully I will be banded before end of the year. Any Suggestion????

Hi Everyone! Just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Linda. I have been overweight off and on my whole life it seems. When I was younger, I swam competitively all summer long. Weight that I had gained from poor eating habits during the school year just melted off during the summer months. Unfortunately, the cycle continued year after year. Eventually, I became a "grown up" with real life responsibilities, stopped swimming, had two boys and then layered on the pounds. Like all of you, I have tried several diets, some very successfully but only learned how to "DIET", not eat. For the record, I am a really good dieter. However, eventually, something would ha…

Hello There, I was sleeved a couple of days ago July 29th 2009... So far I am doing good. I am a bit tired and my stomach is very tender. I'm not sure if thats normal. My doctor had to do a couple of other incisions due to a massive HERNIA (sounds gross!) I dont know if I am drinking enough fluids. My back is hurting along with my left shoulder. I'm hoping that this all goes away soon so that I can get back to life. :thumbup:

Good morning! I was banded a week ago tomorrow. My surgeon is Dr. Kirshenbaum from Aurora Colorado. I've lost about 20 pounds from the pre op diet and the week since my surgery. Over the last two years I developed serious chronic pain issues. Last year I had a spinal fusion done in my neck. I've tried a dozen solutions to the pain and other issues and nothing has helped so I decided that I simply had to get the weight off and I've never had much success with traditional dieting. Now I'm eagerly awaiting some weight loss to see if I will start to hurt less. I'm happy to find this group. After my surgery I was unexpectedly miserable and reading through all the mess…

Hello Friends..im so happy i was approved today. i had my last visit on the 17th of last month. I have been on the pre-op diet for about two weeks awaiting approval. I meet with my surgeon on Fri @ 1pm and I am having my surgery Wed Aug 12!!!!! Im so excited and happy. I can't wait to start my journey to sexiness:thumbup:

I am worried about my pre op diet. I have been fighting the National Health Service in the UK for 2 years trying to get them to band me. They have now agreed to this, but have "outsourced" the procedure to a private group of hospitals. This is all fine, because they have an excellent reputation; however, they have supplied me with a diet sheet for my 2 week pre op diet. This details daily menus that I have to follow to shrink my liver. This seems to differ a lot from the liquid diet most people seem to have to follow. For instance, a typical day’s menu is as follows: Breakfast: 2 eggs scrambled Lunch: 2 small slices of bread with 2 thin pieces of ham Evening meal: 4-…

So I thought I'd gather as many banding friends before surgery. I've educated myself a lot, but I'm sure I can always learn more. Next Tuesday I start the pre-op diet and then the 25th I have surgery. I'm both nervous and excited I'm sure that I'm totally normal. I am a bit nervous that I'll be hungry on the pre op diet. Protein doesn't sit well always with me and I'm hoping not to have stomach issues with that either. More a grumbly tummy and such. I'd love to have as much banding support as I can..and hope to be able to share the same with others in the future... Hugs, Michelle:smile:

Just wanted to say HI.... i had my first visit with the surgeon this morning.... i'm very excited!! i lost about 85 lbs 3 yrs ago using Phentermine and gained it all back PLUS some! i'm so tired of being overweight..... i want this to work for me and im willing to do what it takes to make it happen...

Checking in after joining the forum. My story: My PCP suggested the band last year, but at first I wasn't open to weight loss surgery. I had always felt that it was incredibly drastic, and a sign of defeat. I told him I'd give weight loss another go, but quickly began to realize that even with weight related health issues starting to creep up, I wasn't able to maintain the motivation to drop the weight. Finally in January I decided to start the process, and scheduled an appointment for the information seminar. The seminar was booked for 2 months, so the waiting began. It was horrible because I weighed more than I ever had, and wanted to START!!! Finally I ha…

I'm having it in Mexico as I have a great many friends in Texas and Mexico and feel very comfortable with the doctor. I gained 50 pounds in the past two years after a bad accident and two surgeries! I'm scared, but hopeful. I find that with this much weight, I can't do hard exercise without real pain to the joints (knee and thigh) that were operated on! This seems like a way to get healthy again. I'm much older than most of you ... 52. Mamalot007 (I have seven kids)

I was banded on july 17th 2009 and I am in my third week. At the first meeting before preop diet I weighted 396lbs and right now I am at 374lbs! So, I ve lost 22 pounds ( I am 6'2''). Right now, I am going to mushy foods and exercising a bit more on my bike. Loosing weight right now is hard, but I am confident to heal before thinking about weight loss! TY Phil

I just want to say thanks to everyone here. I spent quite a bit of time browsing LBTalk prior to my surgery and I'm glad that I did. I was banded on June 18, have the standard 10cc band but it's still empty. My first fill is tomorrow and I can't wait to start moving toward restriction. I'm down 30 lbs so far, but that's all due to will power. Nothing new for me, though. I can't count how many times I've dropped 30+ lbs before caving in and quickly putting it all back on - plus a few extra. My doc was Dr. Bengt Persson in Arcadia, CA. I haven't asked but I have a feeling he's going to be conservative when it comes to fills. I only hope that I can keep off what I've los…

I am new to this group, but I am excited to say that I had my pre-op tests done today and my surgery date is Aug. 17th. woo hoo yes I am excited, nervous, afraid, and anxious, all at the same time. Thanks for all your helpful suggestions, in advance, cause boy am I going to need them!!! I do have a very supportive husband, and I know his support along with all of yours will really help me on my new journey!:biggrin0:

I have been to a few seminars with several different doctors in nc. I want to make sure that the one that I choose is someone that is very well qualified. Is there any one that can give me some names of the doctors they chose in NC?? HELP!!:tongue2:

I AM SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW. THANK GOD IT WAS APPROVED. YAY:biggrin0::biggrin0::biggrin0::biggrin0::biggrin0::biggrin0::001_tt2::drool5::001_tt2::lol0::w00t:

Just about saved the money up, planning on going with CDB in October Thought I'd researched it all but just found out you need to inject yourself afterwards and they only give you half of the infections you need. Is that true? :cool2: CDB seems good, any comments or advice would be great Cheers :smile:

:tongue2: Well Friday 8/7/09 is the big day and I am super excited but also nervous. I have been trying to get this surgery since early February of this year with no success- I have Lupus and therefore I am a high risk candidate. I finally found a surgeon that will do the surgery and he has been closely working with my Rheumatologist and Hematologist to ensure a safe surgery. I have to take a previpac due to a small amount of bacteria in my stomach lining which can cause ulcers and Lovenox prior to the surgery and after the surgery for five days to prevent blood clots as I am at a higher risk of clotting. I have had a lot of support from my friends and family and am looki…

That is my surgery date. I am over the headaches from the clear liquid diet. I got a call this morning from the Docs office telling me I have a 10am "Tee time". I'm not nervous or scared I am excited and want to get the next chapter in my life started. Hurry up 10th!!

I have seen the "sweet spot" mentioned several times. What is it?

Just got a call from the surgeons office. After being denied by the insurance company, and appealing it, my surgery is back on for August 31st!!! When I was first denied, and the surgery cancelled, I had essentially begged them to put me back on the schedule while I sorted things out with the insurance comany who had obviously made a mistake. It's a good thing I did that because the next opening in the schedule would have been mid October.

Hey everyone, my name is Rachelle and I recently considered having WLS and have been nervous ever since then. I have always been the bigger one in the group, but the fashionista. I love fashion and as a Makeup Artist it's hard being in that industry my size especially being around models who are size 0. Believe my goal isn't to be a model, but being my size and unhealthy is scary to me. I rarely get my period, sick of failed diets and I'm scared to get diabetes which runs in my family. I'm currently working on my list of requirements (taking forever) and praying I could get a date date by September or October. Any words of encouragements, advice or what I should I expect…

:smile2::tt1: Hi everyone, for personal reason I chose the screen name LB Anonymous. I do not want friends or family to know about my surgery. I am 50 years old, have been worried about my health, and because each year I’ve gained another 10 pounds or more and have become more depressed about my life. I do not go out and I have isolated myself from friends and family. I miss wonderful opportunities to be with my husband because I am embarrassed. When I was 40 I was a personal trainer with body fat of 18%. :wink2: I have never felt so good, healthy and fit my entire life. I began taking care of myself when I was 32 through 42 and about 45 I lost control.:laugh: Since I wa…

I haven't loss as much as I have expected pre-operatively. I only lost like 3 lbs and it has been hard to say no to foods that I feel I wont have for a long time. My doctor did not give me a specific amount to lose, but I am worried about complications. My surgery is on August 8th--thats just two days away. Any suggestions or thoughts? TIA

Hello Sleevetalkers, I am scheduled to be sleeved on August 15th by Dr. Aceves in Mexicali. I am soooo excited (along with all of the other emotions that accompany such a lifechanging event). My story sounds similar to some of the others I have read here and completely uninteresting compared to others; however, it is mine. I have been slightly robust for my age and build since I was 8yrs old. Just a little "soft" or chubby. And, ofcourse, I fluctuated frequently. I felt comfort in being labeled "curvy" and men vying my affection. Ah, but those days are but a distant memory for me. Now I am a mother of three beautiful children who make my life more sweet than…

My name is Ashley and I am banded as of Friday. I am 20 years old and starting at 313 pounds. The site was referred to me by a friend and it's pretty good so far! Hope all is well for everyone else

Hello everyone. Miranda from Deland, FL. I am 26 years old and am hopefully going to have the Lapband by the end of the year. I have been researching this option for almost 2 years now. I am currently 245 lbs and at my heaviest have been almost 260lbs and I am only 5'3 so my BMI is around 43.4. My surgeon's assistant said that it looks hopeful that my insurance company will approve my surgery so I am keeping my fingers crossed. I have tried pretty much every diet I can think of and even changed my eating habits and started working out 2-3 times a week during my hour lunch instead of eating and to no avail have failed to lose and keep any weight off. I attended my seminar …

Hello everyone! I just joined this site to learn more about post op banding and to talk with others who have been through a similiar experience. I'm happily married to the most wonderful man in the world. He has been a great support to me in my decision to have the procedure done. I have 3 sons 2 of which are still in elementary school and my oldest graduated from high school. For most of my life I have had high blood pressure, and borderline diabetes never to the point of having to take medication for it though. However, had I not decided to do something about my weight, there is no doubt in my mind that I would have eventually been put on medication. As a …

Hi everyone! I am a Miller Lite girl and I understand that after getting the lap-band, you can no longer have beer because of the carbonation. I was just curious as to what previous beer drinkers have switched to instead of beer when they want a drink?

Has anyone been approved thru Cigna since they changed the requirements? They took out the 24 months of proof of BMI. Has that made a difference?