Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I am currently on my two week pre-opp diet I started this diet at 260 lbs I just weighed this morning and I am at 239lbs. It has been a rough two weeks but worth every min. Tuesday June16 I have to start clear liquids and do the bowel prep I am not looking forward to this but I guess it has to be done! My surgeon is Dr. Mark Shina. I am a little nervous but also excited to start this new chapter in my life! :tongue_smilie:

Hello everyone. My name is Ebony and I am 28 years old. I am 5'6 and I weigh 404 pounds. I have been overweight all of my life and I am tired of carrying all of this extra weight. I am starting to have so many problems because of my extra weight. I am on daily meds for blood pressure and knee pain. My whole body aches daily and I just cannot take it anymore. I am getting married in less than 2 months and my wedding dress barely fits. I am thinking about getting the weight loss surgery but I am very nervous. I know that it is a lifestyle change and I am afraid that I will not be able to handle it. I LOVE TO EAT! I sometimes eat until I am stuffed (which is wrong). I kno…

hay there and hello from manchester uk, am allan 39 just been banded on the 12th june in brussles.:bored:

Hi Iris here from south florida and I am excited...on 7/2 I will be banded. The process was lovely for me, in spite of what some said I was approved by my insurance provider and received my date three days later. Any information that you provide will be helpful. I think the most difficult thing for me is losing the weight pre op. For some reason, in the last year I gain without really over eating so I am grateful and determined to follow through with the wls. Thanks in advance for your support and advice Iris

Hi everyone Im new here, today is my first post. I am having the band done Thursday (June 18th) and couldnt be more ready. Imin Ft Worth, Texas. Hope all is well with everyone.

Hello! I'm in the process of deciding what Barbaric Surgery is right for me. I thought that I wanted to get the Lap Band but after meeting with my surgeon I'm unsure. I weigh 300 lbs and I'm 5'7 tall. My surgeon told me that some people who get the Lap Band surgery may only loose 20-30 pounds! :thumbup: Is there anyone who was 300 lbs and has lot the 100+ pounds on the Lap Band? Thanks!

Hi Everyone, I am just starting my research about lapbanding and found this wonderful website. I am told the waiting list in Alberta and Canada is 2-4 years so I will be going south for my procedure. A friend in my area has had the procedure and is looking and feeling marvelous. I will be looking for a good place to have the procedure in the US or Mexico, so I would love any references. I am also looking at the cost, etc. so I can plan when I can have it done. I'm excited. I look forward to talking to all of you over the next while. Take care all.

Hello, I was banded on 6/2 and have already lost 20 pounds. I'm so glad that I made the decision to do this. One question....will it get easier?

Hi everyone, I'm Melissa from Ohio and new to the forum. I was just approved for lap-band surgery on the 3rd of June! I'm here to find out as much as I can about what to expect before and after my surgery. I have one last appointment with my surgeon on the 9th of July. I will find out my surgery date that same day. I'm excited to say the least!! Looking forward to sharing this experience with others who know what I'm going through!

I posted earlier but never told you all about myself. I am a 29 year old mother of 3. I have always been on the heavy side. I am at my highest weight 198lbs. I was small in high school because I lived on little to no food. That was so unhealthy, I now realize you need to eat to live not live to eat, that has been very hard. I want to get the lap band because I feel I am already making small changes, and this would be a tool to a better healthier life not only for myself but my kids to. I hope to meet some people and listen to their story. thanks God bless:smile2:

Just wanted to say hello. I've been on here for about a month but this is my first post. I attended the seminar today and have decided to do the band. My insurance will not cover this so I will be self pay. For those who were self pay, did you have to do the psychiatric consult and about how long did it take to schedule your surgery? I was told to call Monday and set up my consultation with the surgeon. I don't plan on telling anyone other than DH and my children so I'm hoping to meet some friends here to share this journey with.

Can anyone direct me to the right place? I want to get the lap band, I have Staywell Medicaid. If anyone could help I would be truly blessed. Thank you.:bored:

BANDED 6-9-09 PRE-OP WEIGHT 249LBS:biggrin: NEED YOUR HELP....WHY DO I FEEL HUNGRY...I WAS FINE THE FIRST 2 DAYS...NOW I AM HUNGRY ....ANY SUGGESTIONS

Hi, I have already posted a couple of times on the site but I haven't really introduced myself properly so I apologise for that. I shall try to be brief though. I am Helen and I live in Sheffield UK. I had a gastric band fitted 2 years ago after battling with my weight for year. I have an autistic son and have been through Hell (not back yet) caring for him and already having an issue with food i.e. loving it and not having any self control, found myself piling it on. I tried every diet going and it was a familiar story of losing a bit and then reverting back to old habits. To be honest I didn't really care. I had a huge stomach hernia that required surgery but my docto…

Hi i have a 10cc band and am filled to 8.3cc's im confused because when i eat i can only eat a little bit b4 i fill up and feel sick or full but then im hungry about an hr later and im not losing much weight lately could there b something wrong?

Hi I'm Mike... I'm 38 and just got banded on Monday at Emory by Dr Ed Lin. I look forward to hear how I'm doing vs how other people did at this same stage. I'm done okay after the usual issues of headaches and nausea associated with surgery. My big issues now are that I still crave some foods, I'm a picky eater and I still have pain on the port side. I'd love to see some sample menu's from other patients. Cheers, Mike

Starting my two day Clear liquids pre-op diet tomorrow. Not looking forward to that, but I don't think I'll have a problem considering the horror stories I've heard about liver bruising and bleeding. I've been eating low carb for six weeks, so I should be okay. Anyways, nice to meet everyone and I look forward to future threads! :grouphug: Surgery Date: June 11th, 2009 Dr. Cywes Jacksonville, FL

Hi all, I am an old timer (banded since 1997) who has just had a radical re-adjustment and has been thrown back into the fresh hell that is being newly banded. I have all these new problems I didn't have before and it's driving me nuts. When I was first banded I lost 70kg in between mid Feb and November the same year. I worked out like a demon. I nearly went nuts. I was constantly hungry. It was the worst experience of my life. I got pregnant and couldn't work out for 4hrs a day. I regain 30kg in 3 months. That was still working out for an hour everyday. My surgeon retired and there was no one for me to consult as this was still a very uncommon surgery in Australia a…

Hi, My name is DJ. I was banded this past Monday, June 8 at the Emmanuel Med Center in Mexico. Dr. Almanza Reyes was the doctor. I am very pleased with the surgery and after care. He did a great job! The first three days my mid- section was sore from surgery and gas. I arrived home home Wed, and everyday I am stronger. The gas in my left arm is getting better. I lost 10 lbs since surgery. The best thing is that I am no longer hungry!!! My only regret is that I did not do this 10 years ago. I was tired of suffering the effects of being over weight-obese. I have 100 lbs to go.

Hi everyone. Long time reader, first time writer, heheh. After much procrastinating I am finally on the road to a healthier life. I have my first appt with the Dr next week and I am pumped! I just have a question for people who have already gone through the process. What is the average time from first appointment to surgery for most of you? I am trying to get an idea what to expect. I have United Health, and it is a covered procedure, its just about getting approved. I am lucky that I am covered by my insurance and my husbands (which is also UHC). Anyone care to share? Thanks a lot. April

Hello everyone I am gearing up for surgery on July 8 at 2:30. Send out a prayer for me, I am very nervous right now. This will be my first surgery ever. I have done my nutrition counseling and pre-op testing yesterday, physical is next week. I am off all carbonation and haven't been using a straw (probably more sad to give up the straw, truth be known). The site is awesome and I am learning a lot form all of you already. Thanks for the support. By the way, what the heck is PBing??? Not a texter, need some updates on the lingo. Suzanne

Hello All. Im a newbie here but I have been reading you all's post for about 3 weeks. Basically, each of you have inspired me to have the sleeve. TO tell you a little about me--im 26 year old female in the houston area and a full time nurse. I have battled with my weight ALL of my life. I remember being in the 5th grade being weighed in front of my classmates feeling soo embarrassed when the scaled tipped at 150 lbs. My highest weight was 320 lbs, in which I then became fed up and decided to "do" something about it. A friend of mine asked me to be in her wedding and I thought, there is NO way im walking down this aisle like this. Well a year and half later I became…

I am a 34 yr female that just had a stomach stapling replaced with a VSG, after having problems with the stapling. I am still having problems with the VSG and most likely going to have a stint put in to stretch the opening. I have lost 40 lbs in 10 wks. I only needed to loose 60 lbs to start with. I am also having alot of hair loss. Over all I am happy I made the change. :thumbup1: My surgeon is Dr Vadim Sherman from Baylor College of Medicine @ St Lukes Hospital. He is wonderful. Has a great bedside manor, his team visits you frequently in the hospital and they all take the time to listen to you needs and concerns. I have never felt rushed. Although he is young, do not l…

Hello all my name is heather and i am from Dallas TX. I joined because i am meeting with a Dr. in a couple days about getting the Lap Band. I am 5'6 310 with a BMI of 48. I meet the requirements to get the band with my insurance as long as i do a DR. directed diet plan, my insurance is aetna EPO. I have alot of worries with getting this surgry but my first one is with my insureance. this is the 1st time in over five years i've even had health insurance. I do not have a PCP and I have not gone to the doctor in at least 5 years with one exception. (emergency tooth surgery) i"m worried that even with my weight having been very high all my life i have no recent documation to …

Banded March 16 in Colorado by Dr. Chae ~ so far 56 lbs and counting. I am having fun ~ best decision ever. No regrets!:thumbdown:

Hi everyone. I am new here. I think this is a great idea and I hope to meet many new friends. I am very grateful for my new life. Like a lot of us, I was overweight my whole adult life. It seems to run in my family. All my aunts on my mothers side are little round Italian women. I seem to take right after them. LOL. The only time I have been able to get the weight off was in the late 1990's when there was a local clinical trial for Meridian, thats about the same time as the Phen Fen diet pills/study. I lost 60 pounds in 6 months and looked great. But of course the medication was pulled from the market, a law suit ensured and needless to say all the weight came back and 20…

Hi, I was banded on May 14 th 2008 and have lost 75 lbs. I have 65 more to go and I have been stuck in a funk since the end of Dec. It's like nothing works for me now to start losing again. When I'm really good the scale does not move any longer. I get hungry and my mind is back to wanting all the junk foods and snacks as before. I lost the feeling of not being hungry or interested in food. I think about food now all day. I don't think I need another fill either as when I eat the bandster way I have restriction and do not want to get so tight that I cannot eat at all so I am really stuck and it is definitely messing with my mind now and don't know how to get out of this o…

has anyone had the band done at this clinic and if so by Dr. Bhoyrul? Any advice/thoughts on this very helpful thanks

well , I had my intro and was to meet with my lapband surgeon and day before I ended up getting a pace maker installed. NOW i wonder if anyone will touch me with that in place. My three Doctors thought it to be a great Idea to have it done. Anybody know anything I dont.:confused:

Hello! I am seriously new here... I attended a seminar last week, found out my insurance will not pay, and now I have decided to get financing. I have an appointment with the surgeon next week and am hoping that I wont be scared off by reading all these threads about the band not working...especially because I don't want to be in debt for nothing!!! So, anyone who's had success and would like to give me a little encouragement, it would be much appreciated!

hi my name is nikki i am a mom of 3. i had the my surgery on apirl 8 2009 i have loss about 30 lbs i thought i would have lost more by now so i an a bit sad!!!!! i hope i start to loss more soon. i have very active and really watch what i eat ad it seems that everyone is lossing but me!!!! has this happen to any of you???? nikki:sad0::thumbup:

Hi Everyone! I have been lurking on the forums for the past week, trying to gather information about getting lap-band surgery in Mexico, and finally signed up for a membership today. I wanted to say hello and thank everyone for the great information that is shared here. I have to admit that my head is swimming at this point, but I'm glad that there's such a great resource available! I am sure that you'll be hearing from me often over the next few months as I research surgeons and try to get answers to all my questions. I've been thinking about the lap-band (off and on) for several years now, but it's time to get down to business! (I'm not getting any younger, healthi…

Hi there! I have been thinking about getting the lap band for a couple months now. I weigh 205 pounds however I don't have any health problems that I have been treated for. I'm concerned that my insurance won't cover the procedure (pacific care). Does anyone have any advice or information? I'd like to lose about 65 pounds. I have no idea how much the lap band costs if I were to finance it. Thanks to all who respond!

I've been reading lapbandtalk for a while and it's been so very helpful to me. There are many of us united by obesity and I would like to introduce myself to thank everyone for their comments that have been so helpful to me over the past 8 months. I am the LapBandChic - a former fat chic. I had my LapBand placed last November 2008. As of today, I have dropped 81 pounds. Always being someone that kept journals, my family encouraged me to begin a blog to share my experiences and possibly help others. I have a nursing background so I speak from my professional background and from my heart. Please visit my blog. I hope you find it helpful and interesting and that you apprecia…

Hi, I was banded 11.28.2007, I have lost 83 pounds so far, 55 more to go! I have had a rough year and have decided it's time to get back to the basics. I moved 1,000 miles away from my surgeon and my PA (I loved her she was straight up!) So anyway glad I found this site! Looking forward to getting back on track. Kristal

Hello all, almost a year ago on June 25th I was sleeved in Mexico by Dr. Aceves. I couldn't be happier! I have lost an amazing 95 pounds off my 5'3 frame! I didn't have any complications other than frequent heartburn, but oh well! Dr. Aceves and his staff were so wonderful, it was a great start to my journey. I have been stuck, and am struggling to get to my personal goal of 100 pounds, I really wanted it by my 1 year surgiversary, so I'm increasing my Protein and exercise in hopes that I get closer to it. Overall, I couldn't be happier with my choice!

Hi everyone, I just signed up and wanted to share my story... I'm going to my doctor in a few day but I'm very anxious so I figured maybe someone here has had a similar situation So here it goes! I was 16 when I was first banded. It was a hard decision after a childhood filled with ridicule and horrible self esteem. My doctor had never banded anyone under 18 but lucky for me sympathized with my situation and I went on with the procedure. Things went GREAT! I was down very quickly to my ideal weight for my 5'10 frame and I finally felt like myself for the first time ever. I bought probably a dozen bikinis and loved them all. Then things got horrible. UNRELATED to t…

:lol:Hello to everyone! I am new to the site, I live in PA, I am 49 years young and I have completed all of insurance protocals and guess what? My company is changing insurance providers. I wonder if I can transfer all my info over to the new insurance or will I have to go thru all the procedures again? Have a great weekend! Denise and feel free to email me.

Hi there everyone...I became a "sleeve sister" on September 23, 2008. Since I've begain this journey, I've lost around 55 lbs. I feel my weight loss has been very very slow, about 20 of the 55 lbs were lost preop. Aside from the slow weight loss, I am feeling great, and doing things I haven't done in about 4 years. I am the most greatful mother to an almost 5 year old son, and 3 dogs (1 a yorkie mix, 2 mini schnauzers). I have been married for 4 years to my highschool sweetheart! I currently attend a local gym, participating in personal training sessions. I believe this training has slowed my weight loss. Sadly though, over the last 6 weeks of my training I haven'…

Hello everyone, Well, I'm sure you all have been here before. I'm happy to meet everyone and hope I make some life time friends.:grouphug: As I sit filling out the papers sent to me by the hospital here in CA where I live, I thought it would be a good idea to start the process of networking with those that have started out exactly where I am at right now. Does it take everyone 6 months to get approved by insurance? I recently have been DX with congested heart failure amoung other things...... Nice meeting everyone and I hope to hear from someone soon! BMB.

Hi Everyone, I would like to introduce myself to this forum. I'm from the UK mother of 4 working full time. I've struggled with my weight since I've had the children and tried numerous diets it's always the same old thing lose some and gain twice as much back. Then I started to look into WLS and wanted to have the band but with the band there are a lot of complications after which i read up on and decided to have the Sleeve. On the 24/03/2009 I had the sleeve in Czech Republic through Cosmetic Bliss as in the UK you have to go through a company to have surgery because you could not go direct to a surgeon. Any way so far I'm doing good I have been doing regular exerc…

Hello! My name is Shannon and I was banded yesterday in Wichita Falls, Tx by Dr. Warnock. This has gone a lot better than I expected. I'm sore, but I don't hurt nearly as much as I figured I would. I have been lurking here on the forums for about a month now, but decided to go ahead and signup today. It's nice to meet all of you! Everything has been very helpful and informative!

Thinking of having lap band surgery. Contacted a couple of places this morning, True Results and Dr. Smith at Atlanta Bariatric. Insurance is BCBS of GA. From the stories I have seen since signing up for this site this morning not sure what to expect, and what I'll be able to eat if this surgery ever happens. Can someone give me a from thinking about it - to the end scenario? Thanks:frown: Also this port I keep reading about, is it very noticeable?

Hi everyone. First I have to apologize for my english, I'm Spanish and I'm doing my best writing this in english :blushing: I don't have a story myself at the moment, at least I don't have it regarding being sleeved, because I'm not. I am 32 years old, and I weight 145Kg (about 319 pounds), and my height is 1.76cm (about 5'9" if I am not mistaken :thumbup:), so my IMC is about 46%. For at least three years I've been strugling with the idea of the surgery, because I've been dieting my whole life and I recover every pound lost, and then some... What can I tell you about that, it's an everyday story here :crying: But I can't make up my mind, I'm too frightened, or …

I am waiting for my insurance to send me my approval letter so I can get my surgery date! I am so excited and so ready to begin this new chapter in my journey to better health!

Hi all I will have been sleeved 1 year on July 28th. I am really happy with my weight lose so far. I have a very bad back so it is difficult for me to exercise alot. I do ride a recumbant stationary bike when I can. I have lost 75# so far. I find that it was easy to asjust to my sleeve. The only time that I miss my old stomach is when we have family get togethers. I just recently had surgery to remove one of my overies that was causing a lot of pain, so I could not ride my bike for awhile. My weight lose just stopped since then. I can't weight to heal from that surgery so that I can get back on my bike. I am not going to hit my goal of loosing 100# buy my first anni…

Had surgery wednesday evening 7pm was back on ward 10pm, home 15 hours later.. Doing good, a little uncomfortable (not pain) & just a slight bit of gas in shoulder & an uncomfortable feeling when the gas starts to come up & then stays at where the band is..Im so lucking forward to doing a burp..lol.. Thought i would be in agony, so i built myself up worrying over just about nothing really..doing the walking about like they told me to, Had a good night sleep last night too :thumbdown:

August 2008 I received my VSG which was to be the first stage of a two stage DS procedure. I've since decided I won't need the Switch stage and the issues it brings with it. At my highest weight I was over 450 (that's as high as our scale would go) I am now at 285 and still losing on a regular basis. My goal is to reach 220 and be less than half the man I used to be. I am down to 1 HBP from 3, no longer have any sleep apnea issues, no longer pre-diabetic, glaucoma is much improved, and I no longer take the 14 Advil per day for joint pain. I still have some joint problems, but I've only taken 3 Advil total since my surgery over 9 months ago. I spent nearly1000 hours …

Here is the email I sent out following my surgery to family and friends. Well I finally was released from the hospital on Sunday, Sept 14. I had some issues swallowing the liquid vicodin (way too sweet and thick). I had to wait to come home until I could swallow pills since the liquid wasn't hitting me very well. First of all I have to say that the staff at Blodgett Hospital (in Grand Rapids) on the Bariatric Floor and Dr.'s Foote and Kemmeter (from MMPC Weight Loss Specialists) were awesome!!! The staff on the 4C were amazing. They were helpful in any way they could. They were encouraging and never once made you feel like you were taking the easy way out. Req…

I just sent off my packet today to the Hospital who will in turn send it to my insurance for approval. Any of you out there that believe in prayer and know what a difference this band has made or will make for you, please remember me when you say your prayers. I really need this and I know that this will give me my life back. I have found such support on this board, I would be devastated if I get denied. I have a really big trip our first family vacation since my mother passed away 6 years ago. This will be the first time im really just gonna allow my self to enjoy a vacation and even enjoy being a part of every picture that is taken so that I will have plenty of befo…