Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi there! I am new to this site, and am here upon recommendation from a new friend I've met thru a support group in our area. I am hoping someone reading this will have been in my shoes and can offer some promising advice. I was banded on May 21, 2007 - coming up on 1 year. I have lost 15 pounds - no, I haven't left out any numbers by mistake - FIFTEEN pounds in 1 year. I am VERY depressed about this. I admit that for many months I was hoping that the band would work by itself, and I didn't try real hard. I have now realized that what I was told during my pre-op consultation is TRUE - the band is a tool to help with weight loss, but it will not work on its own. I …

Hi everyone! I have decided to to lap band after 6 to 8 years of contemplating it. I go for a seminar on the 7th with my surgeon, to get to know him and to get more information on the surgery. I am really interested in knowing what kind of diet I will be on once I am able to eat solid foods after surgery. Now I'm off to browse the forum for more info! ~Lori :blushing:

I like how this surgeon discusses every move as he performs the LBS. LAP-BAND Procedure by Dr. Malley

I having been trying to get this approval from the insurance company since February. Thought it might not happen. Today I got my surgery date of July 6 with a visit to the nutritionist tomorrow. Was there anything you wish you had known that you didn't know during the pre-op? What was not what you expected?:thumbup:

My name is Maria and I am considering Lap-band surgery. I have been struggling for years with my weight and I have been researching the lap band procedure and it seems like a good fit for me. I need to do something before my knees get worse and I am starting to experience back problems. I have tried so many diets and I have gain every pound back plus more. I am going to attend an information session at a local hospital here in Sacramento and hopefully I will be a good match. I've been reading the many posts and I'm wondering but is meant by "fill?" Maria

Hi everyone. I'm glad I found this site. I was banded on 6/3/09 by DR. Craig Floch of Fairfield County Bariatrics in Norwalk, CT. It's been very hard to find people to talk to about banding. I'm open for any advise or comments. Things have been going very well the last three weeks except for today. My port area is starting to hurt. It feels like the port moves around and is not stationary. I went back to work today and all I do for 8 hours is sit at a computer. Sitting sometimes bothers the incision areas. Hope to get to meet some of you. Thanks for reading :blushing:

Hello, I am looking for support from people that have been banded for awhile. I was banded in Georgetown, Ky in September 2007. I can't seem to find anyone from our old websites/chats and I am so frustrated with my bandlife. "Is anybody out there?" After having many fills, a large unfill and fills again, I am feeling quite tight. My last fill was 12 days ago. :smile2: I've only lost 18 pounds since my 07 surgery. HELP!

I live in columbus,Ga and im looking for a support group around town.i was banded feb 25,2009

Hello all. I have had an obesity problem all my life - as does everyone in my family. Four members of my family have the band including myself. I also know several people with the band. I am the worst example out of them all. I was banded almost 3 years ago and have only lost 27lbs (267 to 240). I have struggled to work off every bit of that. I have been 240lbs for months now. I have a bowflex, free weights and an elliptical. I exercise 2-4 times a week. I feel as if I am cursed. I have had 3 fills. I went in for another fill today, but I could not get the white Fluid down (stuff you drink for x-ray). The Doctor had to take it out and said I had to …

My name is Kristi (byubell) and I am 35 years old. I have been overweight my whole life. At my hightes weight last December I was 321. I work at a major health insurance company and except for a few select groups, we don't cover the surgery. I wasn't able to afford it and my husband would never have agreed to pay the note if we financed it. I believe that I am a very good employee and learned everything I could about everything that came across my plate. As a result, when we went to a new computer system, I got a promotion to systems analyst and am making a LOT more money. I could afford the monthly payment without cutting into any of out other bills. It was a …

Hi my name is Irene. I currently have a Lap Band, but have found the Sleeve very interesting. I was at LapBandTalk since Sept of 2007 and got my band in that time. I don't think my band has turned out to be what I'd hoped, but only a few months of being banded in Feb. of 2008. I have been in that time looking into this procedure. I haven't made any conclusions yet on what I want to do, but first I need to get my head on straight. I need to learn how to eat properly again and get back on track. Just thought I'd give a hollar and say THANK YOU for creating this great website geared specifically for the Sleeve!

My name is Allison and I am a pediatric nurse, wife and mother of one daughter. I began the lab-band journey about a year ago and Just now have my surgery date set for July 15. I am soooo excited. I am also very scared. I start my liquid pre-diet next week and I know it's important but just the thought of it nausseates me and makes my head hurt. I know I will get used to it, it's just the idea of it right now makes my stomach do flipflops. My surgeon is Dr. David Voellinger in Charlote, NC. I have heard nothing but wonderful things about him and I am superexcited to get this part over with. Yay!:blushing:

I am just waiting to get my approval from my insurance. I am so excited:smile:about the surgery.

I had gastric bypass 30 years ago that went bad.I gained back the weight I was suppose to lose.With this surgery when they staple the stomach,back then.I was in the hospital for 2weeks.When I got release,I ask the doctor what can I get when I get home,He replied Anything you want.So my frav food was pork fried rice.It would not stay down,So it all game back up. And I gain my weight back.And time went on with diet after diets.There was one time.When my ex.Decided to end our relationship:001_smile: and went back to his old girl friend.My motivation, Was revenge I would lose this weight,and get back at him with slim me in sexy outfit.We got back togather.I did not get into …

Hello! I've been researching and researching this surgery since it first was introduced years ago. I've been overweight my whole life and have always been the cute fat girl (whether anyone said it or not). I'm in my late 20's and am sick of it. So I'm ready to have the surgery. I hit my highest weight, 210 at 5'3'' and wanted to throw up. I don't know of any other medical issues that I have because I've always been too scared to be tested for anything! Am I eligible? Also, I just started a new job and my insurance won't kick in until September- if it is even covered. I would like to at least try but honestly, at this point, I'll be self-pay if I need to. I've read what …

Hi..I am a 40 something married woman who has been dealing with weight issues all my life. I have finally made me my mind up about getting surgery and I am ready to change my life. I am at the very early stage but I am excited nonetheless. I look forward to hearing from other newbies and banders who have reached their goals.:tongue:

Hi Everyone, I'm so glad to have found this website. I have been thinking about and getting closer to making the decision for a while now. I am 58 yrs old, am a diabetic and have fibromyalgia. I have fought the weight battle all my life but age is making it much harder. Maybe some of you can help me with some questions or tell me where on the forum I can find the answers. My insurance will not cover anything to do with weight loss, though they would pay if I were a drug addict or alcoholic and needed help. So does anyone know of a good relatively low cost surgeon or clinic in the US to get this done: Has anyone been to Mexico or elsewhere and had it done? Good or bad ex…

I just started using this site yesterday and have found it very comforting. I was banded on March 20 and have only lost about 15 pounds, all of it during the first month. I have lost alot of inches though, through walking, yoga, the Pecor ,weights, walkiong my dog, etc. I exercise often and hard and have dropped several dress sizesand look much thinner. I have just started the 5 day pouch Test. Hopefully, that will help. I think I eat too much though. I'm hungry from all the activity.That's the real reason I am not losing weight!:smile2:

HELLO ALL! My Fiance VegasAngel (and she is) :001_wub:was sleeved 6/12. We traveled to Mexico, we met the GREAT Doctor and all the great staff. I can not say enough good things about the hospital the cleanliness of the whole place or the staff---the whole darn thing was just a great experiance. I hate hospitals and I am telling you this place was soooo friendly. THANK YOU TO ALL THAT WORK THERE AND TOOK SUCH GREAT CARE OF MY ANGEL!! I am going through it with her, the ups the downs, the fears, the tears. I just wanted to say hello and tell each of you that you are a brave bunch.....my opinion. I read alot but have never posted---so here ya go.:frown1:

Just got home from banding/ Dr. Mohammed Al Amadi at Al Amadi Hospital Doha, Qatar. I believe I was the only western woman they have done. I stood out:smile:. Beginning weight 288 target weight 150-160

Hi Everyone::confused: I am getting banded on August 11, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. I have met my doctor via my best friend whom is a cardiologist and whom know what I have gone through all my life with my overweight, the issues of been overweight, the depression, health issues and lately the lack of self esteme. My doctor will give me a letter resuming procedure done and follow up instructions when I return to the United States, my only concern is, Will there be any doctor in the area of North Jersey (Passaic County) whom can take care of my fills and post operation follow ups?, if any one can give me suggestions, I am open to them. On the other hand…

Hi everyone - I've been peeking around this forum for a few days now because I have been growing more and more curious about my decision to get the lap band. A few weeks ago I had my first appointment with my dr. about my weight loss issues and although she wants to work with me before we consider surgery...I'm beginning to think maybe electing for the lap band would be best...here's my story. I am 26 years old, 5'1, I weigh 241 and my BMI is about a 45 or 46. I do not have any "diagnosed" medical concerns, although I have dealt with chronic headaches, occasional backaches, and recently began having asthma-like symptoms. My doctor just had me do a number of blood tes…

Greetings! Long time lurker, first time poster... I currently reside in beautiful Anchorage, Alaska & have scheduled my Lap Band Surgery for 8-25-09. Was initially denied from TriWest and had to go through their LONG appeal process. Amazing how they take ALL 60 days of the appeal process to finally come through with their decision to reverse the denial (but I won't complain! It worked!).... Hope to glean a lot of information from this site as I am just about to begin my weight loss journey.... Tammy

I go in for my surgery Thursday but I still have concerns. Are any of you worried about how your lap band will hold up for 20 years etc? This is a new surgery and no one really knows what it will do to your body in so many years. I am paying out of pocket for the surgery. Has anyone had complications where they had to have it removed and did their insurance then cover that surgery? Thanks Everyone! P-

Well, the insurance thing is a no go. They want 6 months supervised diet, and then they can submit for coverage. No guarantees that they will even cover the sleeve when all is said and done, and our out of pocket costs would about $6000.00 + the costs of the diet, so for not much more I can go to Dr. Aceves and have it now. So I am currently scheduled for July 23! Hard to believe it can happen that fast.:ohmy: I am so excited!:tea: I need to get all my shopping done soon because I am going to do it at the end of my vacation in AZ, which saves an airfare! So, whoo hoo! This time next year I could be 150 lbs lighter! I can't wait! So I need to get some Protein…

Hiya. My name is Holly and I am meeting with my family Doc. on Tuesday to tell him I want to have the lap-band. I spoke to my Ins. Company and they say if my Doc says I need they pay. I know there will be hoops but here is the deal. I am 36 years old and weight 315 lbs (143kg), my BMI is 61.5 and I have been hovering between 295 and 315 for about 7 years. I have tried many of the book diets and obviously I just yo-yo'd. I also have sleep apnea, female issues, sugar issues, high blood pressure and serious joint pain, not to mention the inability to breathe if I have to move my body for more then 5 minutes! I know I need I am however worried about all the weight loss before…

Hi! I just wanted to introduce myself to eveyrone!! I am Jessika, very excited about having this surgery on the 14th. I havent been approved yet, but my doctors are moving so rapidly that I am sure everything is a go. I am glad they gave me a date. I am more and more excited as I have been reading everyones profile!! I have lost 40lbs on my own since last december and I am proud of it..this is something great that I can say I accomplished on my own. I do need to lose 120lbs still and I know I can do it, but it will be alot easier with this LapBand. I am super excited. Does anyone else have Carefirst PPO? They said that they cover it 100% but did anyone have a pro…

I am 23 and have struggled with being over weight for most of my life. Right now I am weighing in at 245 and am 5'6. My calculated BMI is 39.5. I do not have high BP, but I do have terrible back pain and terrible asthma. I have a few other problems, but nothing MAJOR...I have great insurance...does anyone else have a similiar case? Do you think I will qualify?

My name is Just_Kelly and I’m on the journey to a healthier me. I’d give you the pre-requisite history but it’s pretty much the same as most people’s so I’ll skip it. I’m working towards losing many things besides just 79 pounds (see header!). I believe in keeping a positive outlook, not beating oneself up, and not being or doing anything crazy. I’m in the beginning stages of researching lap band. I’m 99.9% sure I will get the lap band procedure, I just have to figure out financing. Which leads to my questions: · For those who self-pay, what was your total cost? · What is the average cost of fill appointments/fills? · Does anyone have any…

So before you judge, please hear me out. I'm 19 years old. I have been overweight my whole life (literally, you should see my baby pictures). I've tried dieting and exercising. Neighter works. Right now i weigh 302 lbs and my BMI is 48. I'm scared that soon i'll get diabetes because both my parents have it as well as my cousin, aunt, and uncle. I think my doctor is surprised that i haven't got it because everytime i go in i have to do a blood test to make sure. I'm also starting to have other issues. I have "woman issues" and think i have sleep apnea, I'm going to do my sleep study in the next month. Not to mention i can't even make it up the staires without gasping for a…

Hello everyone, my name is Paula and I'm from Kentucky. After a long wait. I finally got the lab band. It took me about a year to do it but I am glad I did it. I know this is going to be a long journey but I am ready. This web site is really great. It has helped me alot. After surgury, I was really sore. that lasted unil about the 3rd day but i am better and starting to feel good now. Paula

I was banded on 5/29/09. My surgeon is Dr. Antonio Coirin. I live in Modesto, Ca. I am new to this and confused about how much i can eat now. I feel like I can eat more than I should be able to. Im hopping it changes with the fills. I did have a complication two days after surgery. I spiked a fever and had to go back to the hospital for thre days. I have been fine since then.

I have been around for a week or so just reading everyone's post. I really like the support I see being given here and wanted to be a part of it. I was banded on 3/25/09 in Richmond VA. I had my first fill on 5/4 I still have very little restriction, so I'm having to work hard to stay on track. I can eat more than 1/2 cup with no problem :smile2:. I try to keep it as close to a 1/2 a cup as I can. I keep reminding myself it may take a number of fills before I have the restriction I need. So until than I just keep hanging on.:tt2:

Hi, My name is Tali and I am from Los Angeles, CA. I have a surgery date in the next 2 weeks. My surgery will be at Cedars Sinai with Dr. Khalili and his staff. I would love to get any feedback, suggestions, and support through this new journey....

I had the sleeve on Oct. 29, 2008. I am down 117 lbs. Still losing. I am glad I had the surgery I feel so much better. Everyone always makes comments and says I look and act like a different person. Its nice to hear it. Marci:biggrin0:

Hi, my names Andy and I'm fifteen (In three days). My father got this procedure done in December. Just recently, I had a Diabetes scare and that was when my doctor sat me down and said 'Look, we need to do something about this, and fast if possible.' After seeing the amazing results my father had, my mother and I are going to a doctor's appointment to see if the family doctor will approve us for this surgery. I would love to hear about anyone's success story, and even the stories of how this procedure failed them. If there is anyone else on this site who is a teen or got this procedure done in their teens, then please get in contact with me!

Has anyone had aspiration pneumonia caused by a too-tight band. I have and the doctor's office told me they had three in recent weeks!

Hello all! Just wanted to say HI, am new to this wonderful community, I have not been banded YET but am in the initial stages of getting it done, The Surgeon I have picked is Dr Michel Murr at Tampa General, hopefully I will have luck with my Insurance company, I have UHC CDH plus, initial calls to them was very pleasant, they do cover both the Lap band and RYN within meeting their criteria, wondering if anyone here has had experiance with them? anyways currently at 384lbs 6'1" have two beautiful sons who are my life, Ian (9) and Cameron (7). Nice to meet ya'll!

Hi Everyone I had my 1st consultation last week. Psych evail. next week and I have a long day on the 6 of July. It's my Nutrition and 2nd appt. Good to know there a support group.

Hi all, Please forgive my newbie ignorance, but I've read the term "reached restriction" in a few posts, and don't quite understand the exact meaning. Would someone be so kind as to elaborate a bit? Getting banded in exactly 3 weeks! :thumbup: Tammy

I was banded in May of 2007. I was banded in Thief River Falls, Mn by Dr. M. Brook Redd. He is the greatest! I have lost 120 lbs. to date. I believe my lapband surgery was the best decision I have every made in my life. I feel like a new person. I no longer have high blood pressure, or sleep apnea. I can move like everyone else. I run every other day. :tongue:

Hi Everyone: Anyone's opinion is greatly appreciated. I had emergency ankle surgery 2 years ago because I fell down a hill. The recovery since then has been tough because I always felt I had a limp. Well I recently fell again and when I went to the Dr. he told me I would need another operation because it did not heal correctly and the ligament tore. If I get another ankle surgery I would be off my foot for 6 weeks. :tongue: Well I had scheduled wls on July 14th, but my ortho dr is telling me I should get this done first. I do not know what to do, I really want wls because I am tired of being this way. FAT I just do not know if my Bariatric surgeon would be willing to d…

Well tomorrow is the big day! I get banded woohoo I can't wait:thumbup::thumbup:

I am seeing banding tends to be a trend more for woman and people of generally smaller size. Am I in error? I know for most massively overweight men Doctors quickly run to bypass surgery and banding seems to be more-off the radar. I am not saying any Doctor I've gone to has forced that particular surgical path on me, though. I understand bypass is generally used when the patient needs immediate weight loss or faces critical health issues. I am in a situation where, yes, I am hugely over weight. More so than your typical band candidate. But at the same time I am active and mobile. I do have some issue with my knees and my lower back will not tolerate any additional wei…

Hello all, My name is Robin and I'm 53 years old, have been overweight all my adult life and am so excited to begin this banding journey. I live in WA state and would love to connect with other banders who live close by. I am heading to Monterrey, MX next Saturday for banding by Dr. Zapata on June 30th. I feel blessed to have this opportunity and pray every single day for the strenght to do it. I'm starting a liquid phase on Monday and looking forward to the challenges of that. :tongue: Would love to connect with others who have been banded by Dr. Zapata.

Hi all - I don't have my sleeve yet, but I'm heading that way, as soon as I can solidify financing with crappy credit (compliments of my ex). I'm glad to see a forum dedicated specifically to VSG, as I'm not really a fan of the "my surgery is better'n yours" mentality that can happen in a few other forums. The only place I've never seen flaming is at Bariatrictv.com (I highly recommend the podcasts as they are funny and informative) Anyway, just wanted to say hi and that I'm glad to find this place, even if the person who sent me the PM on OH is a "deleted profile". Now I'm editing because I realized I have forgotten to give my story I'm a PRE-pre-op living in NC.…

I have chronicled my journey on my blog and encourage anyone who is thinking about either getting a sleeve or training for a triathlon to try it out. But here is a summary of my story: A little over a year ago, I was in big trouble. I was at my highest weight yet. I had stopped exercising. My blood pressure required medicine to control. I had plantar fasciitis and my allergies (I thought) were out of control. Toward the end, I started to get very bad heartburn that would not respond to medicine. I was getting to the point where I had to sit down to tie my shoes and I was moving less and less. I looked into the future and it was not pretty. But I didn't know what to do…

Hello all :sad: I use to frequent this site and had made many wonderful friends and contacts. Due to some personal issues I found myself having to deal with for the past 6 months I had gone missing action here. I am happy to be back, feeling pretty good - although I have another port surgery in July, I am happy to say I have lost close to 50lbs since surgery and feel very healthy. So, I thought I would reintroduce myself, posted new pictures on the photo page and will spend countless hours perusing the boards to see what I have missed.

Hi All, I am still reeling from the insurance approval and surgery date, but now I have to decide on which band to get! It's funny, because I have read and researched and read some more about each band, but I am still totally on the fence! I have to make up my mind by Tuesday, as this is my preop nutritional class and my preop appointment with my doc. So, I know this issue is definitely going to come up. Also, the insurance girl at the office said she will have to know so they can order it. I was set on the lap band at first; then when I saw the Realize C come out, I liked the look of it, almost decided with that until I asked my surgeon about it. After he said he…

I am cutting and pasting the highlights from the thread I started on Protein bar I brought with me, showered, and fell asleep. I took the antibiotic they gave me before I went to sleep but did not take the ativan. At 7 AM on 4/1, I was picked up and taken to my room in the hospital. I was seen by a medical internist who reviewed my tests (all good), an assistant surgeon (who was sleeved the day after me), an anesthesiologist, and finally, by the surgeon, Dr. Aceves. All questions were answered and I was the second sleeve of the day. I got dramamine and versed to take 30 minutes prior to the OR and that knocked me out. LOL. My IV was inserted in the OR and I had spinal…