Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

46, mum of two, tried everything, succeeded and then failed some more, fed up with carrying the equivalent of a sack or two of potatoes around with me everywhere I go. I lost 4 stone on lipotrim about 2 years ago and then put around 6 back on, it is so so disheartening. I have mustered up the willpower, put myself through major deprivation every few weeks, felt better almost immediately, no more backache after the first 3/4 stone, but then the seduction of food gets to me again and I can't withstand it. Then I go full throttle, gorging myself on everything I feel I lost, so silly but it is not in my control. When that phase ends, hunger sets in and I continue to eat, i…

I am just beginning my journey to WLS. I am required to have six months of dr visits before I can get surgery through my insurance company- I am having my second one this week. I am quite nervous, but even more excited! Can anyone tell me what to expect- pain wise, recoop time, eating after surgery, result speeds, etc. Thanks!!

I am looking into getting the lap band surgery. One of the questions that I forgot to ask at the seminar is this...I was just recently diagnosed with osteoarthritis. I am only 39 years old and my dr blames it on my weight. Has anyone that has had this surgery seen any improvement in their arthritis post surgery? That is really my only health problem (other than being overweight) and as I have a 3 year old, feeling better would be SO wonderful! Thanks in Advance! Tonya

Hi I am new to this site and I am very curious about lapband. I am from the Middle Georgia area and I was wondering if anyone could recomend a good Dr. for this procedure? I will be self pay. So if you could please tell me who you used and if you were self pay how much your surgery cost? Thanks for your help!

So, I have been battling my weight since I was 13. I have tried too many diets to count. In August I will be starting my last semester of Nursing School. I will be getting married June 26th of 2010. With all these life changes (and a 15 pound weight gain during nursing school) I decided in May to join a gym since I would have some time over the summer. I wanted to get in shape for my wedding and lose some of this weight that has came and gone my whole life. I spent $2,000 on a personal trainer and 1 year gym membership. I have been going 5 times a week for 1 hour each time. I food journal everything I eat and my goal is less than 1,800 per day. I have cut out sugars and a…

:smile2:Hello, I'm about 10 days pre-op right now. Have been visiting with someone from the surgeon's office on & off since 2007 trying to get insurance coverage. Finally have means to self pay. Saw Dr. Ken Hollis on July7, went for evalution on the 10th, and have surgery scheduled for the 24th! Funny thing is that I had scheduled to go to the seminar earlier on and it happens to be the day after my surgery. I know it isn't as fast as gastric bypass, but it is so much better because now I have the tool to help me consistently lose. I am so thrilled. What is exciting right now is the pre-op diet results. I'm down 13.5 lbs in seven days! It's even that time of the…

Posting from my blackberry, so this will be short. The surgery went well, and I had a surprise when I woke up...they repaired a hiatal hernia I didn't even know I had! So now I'm sipping some Water (finally) and waiting on some liquid breakfast! Just wanted to check in. Amanda

Hi, my name is Sarah and I am a beginner. I have done all the research and hopefully spoke to all the right people and now I am in the process of looking for a surgeon. As I live in Australia and do not have provate health insuance the operation is not covered by Medicare and I will trying to withdrawl from by superannuation funds early to pay for my surgery. I would be especially interested to hear from anyone who lives in Australia and can recommend someone or who has paid for the operation from thie super. Look forward to getting to know you all Sarah :thumbup:

Hi everyone my name is Asia and here is my story!!! I have been struggling with my weight since I was 14 years old. Being the fat kid was not easy. I was constantly teased by my classmates and even my own family. Throughout the years I have tried many ways to loose weight...Diets, Nutritionist, pills...everything but the weight is still here. I have chronic Asthma and being heavy does not help. Alot of people look at me and say "You are not that big...you just have big thighs" and my reply is always "Cloths hide alot"! I hurts to hear the remarks about my weight from my own mother and sisters. They say the reason for them is to motivate me to loose the weight but all it…

I'm trying to find info for my friend who has not yet had this procedure and would like to hear all the pros and cons to this surgery. I only know one person who has had the surgery, my mothers friend and she is not the person for advice. Anything will help. Thanks

Hello all. I have made a decision to have lap band done on August 17 in Mexicio. I have done a lot of research and decieded on LIMARP Surgical Unit. The cost is $5000 and I am self pay. Has anyone elso gone out of the country to have this peformed and if so what was your experience?

:unsure:Hi I am new to this website and looking for a good support group that can help me with the ups and downs of the journey. I have had almost no pain, I think I took pain medication 2 times since being released. Alot of you are talking about taking in protien the first 1 -5 days. I drink Special K protien water but nothing else, but broth, that water, sugar free jello and as much water as I can.. Should I be doing more? Does anyone have a MAJOR growling stomach. I am not hungry, but the sounds of my stomach you think I was dieing.

Hi all, I am new to this forum. I did silent background research before I made the decision to have this done. I honestly thought I could go this alone, but the support is needed. Normal eating people don't know and understand the struggles we have to go through. I had the sleeve on Monday, July 6, 2009. My doctor originally wanted me to the gastric by-pass surgery but the sleeve appealed to me better. His decision was based on the research. Anyway, I am home and trying my best to get in the Protein. 60-85 grams a day is hard. Its the sipping that irritates me more than anything. I do have a question: I am trying to distinguish the difference in hunger and g…

I have been researching lapband for the last couple of weeks and I really want to do it, but for some reason I just can't take the first step to begin the journey. I have so many questions and concerns. The main thing that keeps running through my mind is if I will have to diet and exercise after the surgery in order to lose the weitgh and I can't do it now, how will I be able to do it then? If anyone has any advice please share.

I started my journey back in 2007. I started looking into weight loss surgeries and really researching the best options for a women in her mid 30's. I had very good friend get her band that year. -She has not been able to make the lifestyle changes need to have a successful banding:(- My mother passed in June 2008, this was a big sign that I needed to get my self in better shape! She was a chubby child that turned into an obese woman, who then realized too late that she needed to make serious changes. I took a good long look in the mirror and realized , I need to make some changes too, NOW!!! After the holidays passed, I decided, would be the time to change. So, in Feb…

Hi everyone! My name is Ginger. I am a daughter/wife/mother in Northern Kentucky. I have just joined a lap-band program and am starting my journey. I currently stand at 5'8.5" and weight 267 pounds. I've always been this size, since high school believe it or not. I have some other issues stemming from my weight - PCOS, diabeties, fibromyalgia but I'm not letting them stop me. My husband and I have three VERY active daughters, 10, 9 and 7. One is a state ranked runner (has been since K) and my 10 year old is 5'9" (basketball player.) The youngest plays machine pitch baseball with the boys. I am a volunteer basketball coach for my kids school - and I love it! I never …

Hello all! I am very excited to find this site. I've been reading threads here and researching the sleeve for a while now. I actually had a consultation last week with a surgeon for the lap-band, and he asked if I was interested in the sleeve. At the time, I was not sure, but now I'm thinking I'd rather do the sleeve than the band. Since my appointment, I've spent most of my time online reading forums and researching, and to be honest, I have come very close to scaring myself out of the band. I'm having to self-pay anyway (and the band and sleeve are the same price where I'm going), so of course now I'm freaking out about band complications and where in the world …

Not sure how much sleep I will get I'm so excited!!

Here I am looking into WLS because I have been struggling with my weight my entire life. I am soon to be 23 and am realizing that I am not enjoying my life to the fullest because I am letting my weight affect every aspect of my life. I am a very social person, but I constantly have anxiety about people judging me for my weight. I have tried to diet and do the exercise thing in the past but when going back to college I found it very hard to stay with a plan. I think the lap band would be a good tool for me not to fall into bad habits. In February I started WW and lost 22lbs....i was exercising 4 times a week and making smart food choices. What brought me to a hault was kn…

I am so hungry....i am craving chinese food and kfc badly...I thought my cravings would go away. Now i feel like i am starving to death. the protein shakes are disgusting and i can only keep down popsicles at this moment. Do you think it would hurt if I tried to eat something chewable?

Hi, I am Stacey. I just wanted to introduce myself. I am 27 and 3 days post op. I am eager to start and continue life after the surgery. Just to give you a little background...I am a former athlete turned couch potato. I can't believe I let it happen either!:thumbdown: Coming out of high school about 9 years ago, I weighed approximately 90lbs less than my pre-op weight. I was a year-round, non-stop athlete who was always a little big, but my height and muscle accounted for most of it. The last 9 years has been a whirlwind of failed diets and additional pounds. I can no longer enjoy the sports I use to, or even just keeping up with my friends. My journey at this point has …

Hello anyone taking the time to read this :] So here's my deal, I'm almost 25 and I haven't been to a doctor since I was 18. I've been overweight since I was about 7 years old. I'm the only overweight person in my family, so there's no history there. Of course over the years I've dieted and exercised. I even had a personal trainer. During which I lost about .5 lbs per week, which isn't much when you're working your butt off and sticking to a strict diet. After so long she told me all she could think for me to do was see a doctor and pray, because God knows my body better than I do. So I'm wondering what it was like when you first spoke to your doctor? I've never had a…

HELLO IM NEW TO THIS I AM 10 DAY POST OPP WAS WANDERING IF THERE IS ANY ONE WHO IS MAYBE CLOSE IN THESE DAYS AND MY AGE OR FURTHER THEN ME IS COOL TO I JUST WOULD LIKE TO CHAT AND MEET PEOEPL GOINGTHREW THE SAME THING:biggrin:

I am struggling with how to inform my family and friends that I am going through the pre stages, let alone that I am going to be banded. Any suggestions? All of my appointments are a couple hours away so hard to keep it all to myself. I am not sure if I want to let them know before I have a date or not...

I have not been banded and don't know if my insurance (Medicare/Arkansas Medicaid) will cover it. I know they typically will not but I have special circumstances that I am hoping will make this an option. I am diabetic, have high blood pressure, asthma and also I have peripheral neuropathy which my cardiologist says that it will only worsen and that it is why I have so much trouble maintaining my electrolyte balance. Though I MUST drink Gatorade every day I also have to increase my salt intake of I am at risk for electrolyte deficiencies. I have heard the gastric bypass often causes Vitamin and mineral deficiencies and that could be a serious risk for me. This i…

After 3 years of my doctor encouraging me to talk to a gastric surgeon, I have finally been looking into weight loss surgery procedures and have almost decided that the lap band is the way for me to go. I find the various gastric bypass surgeries way too invasive. So now, I am information gathering. My cousin had what he called a "Realize" lap band procedure done a week ago and he's already raving about how glad he is that he had it done. I just thought I'd check it out and I'm almost convinced. I really would like to feel better which would be more important to me than even looking better. Can anyone tell me what it's like in 2 or 3 years when all the wei…

Anyone else see a Nurse Practitioner rather than MD for primary care?

Hi! My name is Pam. I was banded on June 8, 2009. I have a husband and a 8 year old daughter. I am 48 years old. I am looking forward to meeting others who are going through the same process.

Hey all, I'm new here to the forums, although I had my surgery 5 years ago. When I had my surgery, I didn't know there were online communities like this to go to for support, so it's nice to see now. I don't know anybody else with the band, so I've pretty much gone through this journey on my own. It's interesting reading the posts here and being able to relate to what everyone is going through. I decided to have surgery 5 years ago when I was 21. I was almost 450 lbs. I know, wow. I think most people at the size I was at choose the gastric bypass, but I felt like it was too extreme and invasive for me. I do not regret my decision at all. I feel like I have had…

Hello everyone, I am new to this site, it really seems to be helpful. I am getting banded on Tuesday , July 14th, I tried for 3 years to get approved and finally switched hospitals and doctors and was approved within a month. go figure! I have cheated like crazy on the pre-op diet the last couple of days but still managed to lose about 7 lbs. Is that about normal? I would appreciate any advice anyone could give me about the day of and couple of days post op. Have a blessed evening,

Hello. My name is Stacey and I was banded in January of 2005. I don't know if the surgery was too new or if I missed something but I never got a "set of rules" or anything like that. I understood that it was a tool and it wasn't magic and they did say that liquid calories (like milkshakes) would slip past the band and that red meat would be harder to eat but I had no idea that I couldn't drink carbonated beverages. I lost about 70lbs since the surgery but it's nowhere near where I thought I would be 4 years later. I want to start doing all the right things. Things are constantly getting "stuck" and when I went and expressed this to my doctor (again in 2005) he simply t…

I am kinda new to the site cause I don't understand how to use it. Well I really need support so I am going to try this. I have been banded for 1 yr and 1 month, but was not told about everything and how it all works. I had my first fill in April 2009 and the doctor missed. I didn't know how the fill thing felt since it was my forst one. I thought something was wrong with my band. I have to pay cash to get fills as I dont' have health insurance. My first fill was almost $500.00 and no results. I was so sad I was exersicing everyday and only lost 1lbs in the 2 1/2 months until I could afford another fill. The second one was a little cheaper at just under $300.00. This is w…

I just created a bio with all my issues but can't find it so here goes ... I had my sur. Nov,2004. I have had only one unfill in that whole time. I had a thyroidectomy May 27th, 2008. I am a cancer survivor and now cancer free but in the three months post op that surgery, I gained 30# and am having problems getting it off and I have abnormal CBC lab values low hemoglobin and hematocrit and elevated white count and more than doubled platelets. I have subsequently had an upper GI and lower last month resulting in (from biopsy) a lot of undigested food above the band, a bacterial infection of the stomach lining, and diverticulitis. I am on Tetracycline, Biaxin, and Prev…

I just finished my nutrition, exercise, and mental health evaluation today. I think I passed with flying colors! I'm hoping it won't take to long for my evaluators at the doctors office to finish their reports! I think that they are still looking at mid August for me if all goes well.:thumbup: Leah

Hello everyone! I just had surgery on friday, and i am having trouble trying to get lots of liquids in. (including water) I know i am suppose to be drinking 64oz..well sipping that much a day. But i am not close at all. I really cant drink more than a couple spoonfuls of broth before it feels...tight? Anyone else having this? Is this normal? ( i havent been able to get my proteins in either :frown: )

Hi fellow Bandsters! Thought i would join the site to share my experience. Im from Edmonton Alberta Canada, and have always been the fat kid.When I was 14 I weighed 245lbs and worked my way up to 265lbs by the time I was 17. I joined Weight Watchers and hit 210lbs by the time High school was over. Over the next ten years it was a roller coaster! When I went to college at 25 I got a little silly with the drinkin and by the time i graduated i was back up to 270lbs (have to admit it was alot of fun!).By the time I was 30 I hit the 300lbs mark. I keep tryin diets like Jenny Craig and am succefull, but i seem to drop 20 then a few months later gain 30.I now have a job in Sal…

Hello everyone! I am new to this board and to life with a band. I am 30 years old and a Mother on 1 energetic little boy. I have a concern though, ever since day one, I feel like something is lodged in my throat. Is this normal. I also have a hard time stomaching much Fluid. I think I am at about 30-40 oz per day and its been quite a struggle to get this far. Sadly my Doc is gone for the week on vacation and I dont know who is backing him up in the office. My diet consisted up until today of Boost, minimal broth, sugarfree popsicles (since I buy em for my son), and Water. I wasnt aware of the no sugar thing, so that has taken it toll and now I have Diarreah, any …

Hey everyone. I'm new to the board. I had my surgery on 6/30/09. I've been doing absolutely GREAT! I feel well, I've been doing my walking. A new symptom for me is I have what I feel are hives. My sides itch and I'm doing everything I can to avoid scratching. It started yesterday which is about 1-1/2 weeks out of surgery. I'm so nervous that I might be allergic to the band!! Has anyone at all had this itching and does it go away on its own? Of course, today is Friday night so I will have until Monday to fret over this and I'm really scared about it. Nothing hurts but my incisions are all really red, too. I WILL NOT SCRATCH! Help anyone? Trish banded 6/30/09

Hello, I was just banded 6/24/09. Looking to drop 100 pounds. Good luck everyone!!, Bill:cool:

anyone trying to get into the chat room tonight... log out at the top right... then don't log back on there.... click on chat... then it will ask you to log on there.... do that --- it takes a few mins but you can get in.... Don't know why we have to do it this way but it works... hope to see you guys in there....:confused:

I was approved and will have it done in Burlington Ma. I do not have a date yet. I just want to know if you were happy with the Lahey Burlington Ma.? The Doctor may be Napomashay sp? The more I read the more I do not want to wait any longer. :smile2: Thanks for any reply

Hi everyone: This is strange to me, as I have been on several car Forums for many years, but thought I would check this out. Just got banded on 7/7/09. Pretty sore today, and not sure how far to push it. I will search around and learn as much as possible.

My surgery is this Monday with Dr. Tashjian in Beverly Hills. I am so scared! My sister was banded yesterday and I was there to see everything. At least now I know exactly what to expect. She says the only thing that hurts are the incisions. The Co2 bloating does not hurt (what I was afraid of). She says she feels a slight pinch when she has to get up to go to the bathroom and some soreness. I think the effects of the anesthesia and sore throat from the breathing tube is more bothersome than the actual surgery. Her procedure lasted 40minutes and Dr. T says mine will last about 50. My sister is significantly less overweight than I am, so I hope my recovery goes as smoothly…

I am 2 days post op. I originally had my band placed by Dr. Aceves in Mexicali on March 1st 2005. It worked great for the first 2 years and then suddenly I had no restriction. I went and got a "fill" from a local doctor but it turns out he must have done something wrong because when I went back to Dr. A on June 1st 2008 there was no fill in place. At that point I had gained back about 30 pounds. Armed with a fill I went home but I struggled to lose the weight. It is such a mind game! My body refused to lose and I found out I was insulin resistant. I started thinking about getting the sleeve back in Oct 2008 I believe. I didn't think I could afford another self pay surg…

I was banded on 7/2/09 in Nacogdoches by Dr. Clifton Thomas. He uses the Realize Band. I am now feeling not much restriction and feeling hunger. I see him this Wed. 7/15 and hopefully get my first fill in another 2-3 weeks. The first couple of days were a little rough but now I am doing really well. I am tolerating very soft/mushy foods. He does not do any pre-op diet. I have lost about 6 lbs since surgery on 07/2.

My Banding surgery date is Aug 11, 2009. I have been unsure whether to go through with the band. One day I'm OK with it, the next I'm not... The other day I googled "lap band failures", big mistake. I read all these horror stories, vomiting, acid reflux etc... I have a real phobia about vomiting...haven't vomited in 25 yrs or more...long story that i won't go into. Now i don't know what to do! Sometimes too much info is not good.

Hi everybody and thanks for all the helpful information and encouragement from everybody. I'm new and this is my first post. I'm starting my 6 month diet this month, see my PCP on Mon. 7/13/09 for my first weigh in :ohmy:, and I can't wait as I'm scheduled to see my surgeon for the 1st time on 8/12/09 :confused:. My family is very supported especially my mom and sister as they know I've struggled with my weight most of my life. Like everyone else here have been on numerous diets and weight loss plans and you take it off but just end up putting the weight back on plus. The problem I having is that I work for my in-laws. Don't get me wrong I like my job but I'm having a har…

Amanda, are you getting nervous? I know you have to be because I am getting all nervous and excited for you!!! Let me know how your surgery turns out. Is Dr Cunningham who you are using? I know you said but I am too lazy this morning to look it upl I've been hearing good things about Dr Cunningham. Keep in touch! Penny :001_smile:

So I have a BMI of like 37 and I have not really been to the doctor's at all except to give birth to my kids. I am going to go have a physical to see if I have any co-mor and I am getting tested for Sleep Apnea ( my first appt is next week) Do you think if I find out I have Sleep Apnea or high blood pressure I could get approved by my insurance. My insurance does cover the Lapband and many people in my office have had it. They cover 35-40 with 1 co-mor or 40+ with none. Do I need a history of it or can I just get newly diagnosed?

Hello everyone, I was wondering if anyone goes through united healthcare and how long it took them to get approved? I have already called them twice to see if I had to do something and they said it is my surgeon/dr that needs to provide them with all the information. I started all of my tests this week...I am scared they will deny me but they did say the cover the surgery as long as the doctor deems its neccesary. Scared...:thumbup: