Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

hi anyone.. i only just stumbled across this site.. i wasn't sure if i would be able to find anyone who could relate to me or would want to talk to me.. im 21, ive been morbidly obese for the majority of my child and teenhood. i suffer from Polycystic Ovarian Disease which is said to of caused the majority of my weight gain, Severe depression.. i say due to my weight as i have been fat since i was 4 and have seen a dietician since i was 9.. i feel so alone, my family some of whom are large but don't seem to go through the same thing i do, and i don't have many friends or a best friend that i can talk to. My parter of 14months is the closest thing i have and he just wants …

Hi All, I was banded in April 08 and have gone down from a size 26 to a 14. My weight loss is slow, but definitely happening and I am basically happy with the whole process. However, since my last fill, I have had sliming, pb, and beyond. It is not consistent. Some days I am able to eat with no problem and other days I can't keep one bite down all day. My surgeon thinks I should just continue to try to modify my eating to be slowerand hold out awhile longer, but I am starting to really wonder if I just need a small unfill. My jaw hurts, I have a headache everyday and I am starting to feel an emotional toll. I really would love some advice and input from those of you …

Hi, I'm new this this forum. I've found it very informational. I had my surgery on May 13 by Dr. Richard Alford in Bryan. I'm making progress but does anyone have any suggestions on different meals? I'm tired of eating the same things over and over.

Hi, my name is Melissa im 31yrs old and live in Victoria, Australia. I started this new jorney on november 07 had all my appointments through Boxhill hospital my surgeon was Dr Moore :cursing: i was then placed on the waiting list for 18 months then finally got the call i was banded on the 1/6/09 and has lost 7kgs since my op:thumbup: it was the best decision i have made. just wanted to introduce myself and say hi and wouldnt mind hearing your stories as ive only just started and sometimes the will power isnt there and sometimes abit:confused: thanks

My surgery is scheduled for June 16th and I am having second thoughts. I thought I was sure that I wanted the Lap Band and not the bypass but now I am not sure. Any words of wisdom?

has any one been banded at this hospital i will be using Dr. Bhyrol and just wanted to get some feed back from any one thanks:)

My name is Tiffany. I'm a 37 yr old mother of 3. I have been thinking about having wls for a long time. I finally get up enough courage to actually take the step and its been one wall after another. I have a variety of co-morbidities and other health issues and as a result of these I have only one surgical option and that is that is the VSG. I was happy becasue i feel that this is the safest procedure for me and it will benefit me the most. Well, first my insurance company doesn't want to cover it, big surprise...right? :sneaky2:Then my Drs office has a malfunction with the dictation machine and my pr approval hasn't even been submitted yet.:thumbup: 6 weeks later they fi…

:cursing::eek:Hi everyone, As you can see I am new here. I will be starting my all liquid diet on Wed. June 10. And one week later on Wed. June 17 I will be banded.....:wink: I am excited and also nerves at the same time. But this web site has been wonderful for me. I have been reading and learning a lot from all of you.....:frown: I live in Lampasas, Tx. and Dr Gourley will be doing my surgery. Look forward to making new friends here.....:sad:

I am just starting my journey with the Band and I would appreciate any suggestions on best protein drink and anything else you can think of. I have been working out 4 days a week and practicing chewing my food 20-30 times.

Hi everyone! I guess these are new forums huh? Well A little about me... I am 28 and 1 year ago I was 389 LBS. I had a Sleeve performed in Tijuana Mexico in May of 08 at Hospital Angeles Performed by Dr. Contreras. Now I am 197 And as happy and active as ever, This surgery has truely changed my life! :juggle: I would do it again in a heartbeat. The only downfalls I had was the language barrier but thats ok I was in another country anyways I just learned a few words before I went down haha. The other one is I was promised a DVD of my surgery, I never got it :confused1:. I do have X-rays and things like that but I would have loved to see my DVD. Anyways If any of you have a…

Howdy! I am 30, 5'6" and 320#. I am meeting with TLCEdge solutions in Plano, Texas tonight for a one on one informational seminar. I'm looking for feedback. Does anyone regret getting the lap-band? Any horror stories? Does it work? Do you really have to give up Coke? I'm scared and not sure what to do, but I am tired of feeling fat and unattractive.

I had lap band surgery 9 days ago and have lost 17 lbs. It was done by Dr. Walter Sartor in Monroe, Louisiana at the Louisiana Center for Weight Loss Surgery. The cost was a little less that $14,000.00- but it will be worth it.

Hello all I live in OC Cali and I am 38 and Banded. Wed the 3rd of June was my big day. So far I have been very uncomfortable with all the gas and now diareah and I still havent had food since monday. Just on starvation alone I have lost weight about 16 lbs, I have felt better but I cant wait to see the new me again. Well I have studied for two years on the pro's and con's of both lap and bypass and realized that Im still learning, it's not an easy road but a journey Im looking forward too running. :blushing:

I had the Vertical Sleeve 4/16/09. It was laproscopic day surgry and I went home a few hours after and was very comfortable. To date I've lost 35#'s. I'm walking "the loop" around my neighborhood every morning and that is .8 of a mile with no problem so I'll soon increase the distance. My Doctor is Peter Billings of Edmonds WA. He's someone I felt comfortable with from the start and takes the time to make sure you understand everything. The real wonderful thing is the 2 year program with nutritional consulting and physcial instruction. Getting the water in is still difficult but am working on that as well. I have alot of challenges around me right now but must remme…

I have been investigating, contemplating and researching the lap band for a little over 2 years now. I have been mulling around this forum and taking in the inspiration of the success's and taking serious thought to the struggles....I am 42, I have pretty much struggled with my weight all of my life. I topped out at 340lbs :thumbup: after my 3rd son at age 29, I went on the Atkins diet and lost 110 lbs in 9 months and kept it there for 6 years and then I lost my husband of 17 years in a car accident in 2003 and dropped another 75lbs:frown:, in an unhealthy way tho. A few years later I began to move on with my life and started a new relationship and had baby boy #4 and …

Hi all....My name is Jenny and I am new here...I am so confused about so much....it is over whelming and empowering all at the same time reading the threads...I have so many questions and don't know where to start....So I guess I will tell just a little about me...I am 37 yrs old I have two children (boys) 14 and 13 they are 18 months apart...I am married to a police officer and live in hot hell louisiana...I was never really over weight until I got cancer the end of 2000...I had 4th stage non hodgkins lymphoma large B cell difuse aggressive...they gave me 8 months to live...well I showed them...and the steriods and meds showed me...I gained about 82 pds in 6 months and n…

Hi : I'm new to this system, can't wait to see how it works. I've made the decision to have a lapband installed! I'm left with a few ??? Two unrelated ones are: has anyone with a hiatal hernia had the surgery; and do all Drs. charge admin fees in addition to what insurance pays? My Dr. wants $1200. in addition to the insurance I have. I don't understand why this couldn't be added into the surgery charge. Any thoughts? Thanks

Hey you guys. Got a question. I have only had 2 small fills in the last 10 months. I have since gained about 7 lbs.:wub: I was told by a fellow bandster that I would not be able to get a fill since I have gained a couple of pounds. Has this happened to anyone else and was you denied a fill because of this? Dont want to go through the bother of taking off work for a day only to find out that I wont be able to get a fill.

I just spoke to my insurance. They said it would be covered 100% if I used Dr. Nusbaum, here in NJ, and it is deemed medically necessary. Anybody here seen Dr. Nusbaum? Also, who decides if it is medically necessary? :biggrin:

Hi, I'm new here - I am going to have a telemetric gastric band in September at Cheadle (with Healthier Weight). I'm really nervous - is there anyone else who is or has been banded and do you have any advice?

I am supposed to meet with the surgeon to talk about my surgery. That office assumes that I should have already made my decision and that I should be calling them to schedule "which" surgery I want; lapband or gastric bypass. I thought that I should be discussing my options WITH the surgeon. Does anyone else think this is weird? But the bigger question is, if you can do lap band surgery, why would you ever want to do gastric bypass? I hear that after 3 years the weight loss is similar and with lap band I don't have to worry about putting 'seams' in places that were not meant to have seams.

Hello, 2 years post surgery - May 1 May 07 - 247# - June 09 - 120# Can I tell you that my life changed after surgery? Almost like a 180 flip. I want to know if anyone else ever experienced this? One particular change: Before surgery - worked 2 jobs, very direct attitude, alone (without a man) - but not lonely, so what if it's not perfect, it's done... I had my days, but I enjoyed my life... Today - works from home - hardly ever venturing out due to panic attacks, and ending 2nd "marginal" relationship in 18 months, preparing for a "vacation" for a few weeks with a friend to "get my head together" and fix my aimless life. I miss the strong solid woman I used t…

Hello Banders, I was banded this morning and arrived home around 1:30 cst. Since then I have been very uncomfortable. I can sit and move around somewhat which minimizes the discomfort. I am concerned about getting a good night's rest. Did anyone have trouble sleeping? I am using a heating pad and am sipping on broth, cranberry juice and water. I also took the prescribed liquid pain med without much change. Please tell me I will feel better soon. I do not want to regret having this done.:smile:

:thumbup::crying: so heres my journey update...today got clearance from pcp, stress test and blood work came out completely normal and surgery still scheduled for June 10th at 11am..gotta be there at 9am..today preregister at hospital and pre-op with my surgeon..one more day and ill see you guys on the other side:lol:

Hey everybody, I am a new babe to this and will be doing self pay for the lap band. Anyone heard of BeLite located out of Detriot? 9,900 for surgery and $150< for fills -any ways hoping this place has good creditability. I have a date set the end of July and getting a little nervous, yet, excited at the same time. The process has gone pretty fast so far. I'm ready...I need to do this before I am a "medical emergency", if you know what i mean. Good luck to all. :thumbup: 5'11 290lbs. BMI - 40

Hi. DoctorNorm from NJ here. I was banded on June 3rd by Dr. Davis and am struggling along here like everyone else in my position. Four weeks before the operation I was at 270. Two weeks before the operation I was at 255. And on the day of the operation I weighed in at 248. It's been three days now and: I am not suffering, nor have I suffered from any significant pain. Slight tummyache was about all. I am only now starting to feel any hunger, but the liquid diet was quite dreadful. I progressed to mushy foods today. I never thought I'd be grateful for yogurt. The worst part has been those disgusting Protein shakes. I've never liked shakes to begin wit…

Hello Everyone!:bat: I have been thinking about the band for close to two years. I finally started doing the research and went to three different seminars for the procedure here in San Diego. In the end, I chose Dr. Bhoyrul and he will perform the procedure at Alvarado Hospital. So far I have found him and his staff to be very compassionate and competent. I asked other people, on this site and others, about their experiences with him. Along with my own research and comparing him to others, I decided to put my faith in him. I had my first consultation on April 30th, the day after my 45th birthday. I suddenly moved into a new position at my company and had to be in NJ…

Hi everyone My name is Michelle I'm in KY a mom of 3 I'm 32 been married almost 14 yrs I'm new to this Jounery I'm currently in th process having the lap band done I did research for a year and know it not a quick fix I have already start changing my eating habits for my family and me my hubby is very supportive of it I have a appointment on June 30th with the surgeon:thumbup:

Hi Ladies and Gentleman! I am new to this forum and so happy that I found it! I although try to get a Lap Band. Today I talked to my Family Doctor and she said that I would be a candidate for a Lap Band. Lets see if Tricare sees it the same way. Tomorrow I am gonna call them and, I guess, take it from there. I feel kinda lost right now because I have no clue what will happen next, what I have to do and I am scared at the same time to get rejected from my insurance. :thumbup: So ja, I guess that's it for now :scared: You all have a great evening!

Hi guys, Im pretty sure this is my first post. I signed up sometime ago but never got around to posting. Now ive stumbled accross the forum again and wow, what a genuinely supprortive place. Its nice to be here. This month is a year since I was banded by Andrew Smith at the Avenue in Melbourne. I've lost 30kgs so far but as you can see from my ticker, have quite a way to go. Hoping to become an active member and meet you all around the boards.

Hi my name is ashley need help making a decision for lap bend or bypass i have type 1 diabetes and the afterwards care.

Wow, so I talked to my doctor's office today and my surgery is scheduled for June 17th. (I'm a teacher and finish June 13th.) I'm scared, excited, nervous, anxious. I'm a self pay patient and hadn't even considered this surgery until the middle of April, so this has all been REALLY fast. I have nutrition class on Monday and my physical on Tuesday...then it will be on the high Protein diet. I'm at the point where I just really don't know what to feel...it's too many emotions at one time. I've enjoyed reading all of your stories, they are very inspiring. Does anyone know where I can find a good list of foods to have in the house for after surgery (or do you think they…

Hello, I have not had WLS yet, but I am considering the band. I have a BMI of 41 and am 33 yrs old. For my entire life I have been overweight - but I periodically go on diets and can lose weight -- I just can't maintain. It always seems to creep back up there. Last year I lost over 50 lbs on weight watchers, but once I got tired of calculating points at every meal I slowly gained everything back. After all this, I feel like even if I do start a weight loss program like WW again I know the weight will just come right back sooner or later. So, I am considering WLS. The lap band seems least drastic (though I recently let my DH know that I was thinking about it and…

Hello i'm 26yrs old 202lbs and i've been wanting to get banded but i'm a little scared. I've been doing research and i ran into this forum which i think is great! There's so much information here. There's just a couple questions that i would like to know. How long does it take to get back to work? Do you feel weak after getting the band? Is it painful? I'm ready to make a lifechange, i've been overweight all my life and I want to live long. If i dont do this obesity will take over me. If there's any one from the Dallas area who got banded i would love to know where and which doctor. I would really appreciate any comments or answers. :thumbup:

the 10th of March. thats just in a few weeks! Gotta get snappin on that pre-op diet. I'm heading to Mexico, to Dr. Huacuz. After reading countless posting about what a handsome man he is, I might take along a camera...:thumbup:

Hi everyone, my name is Cathy and today is my 48th birthday and I've decided to give myself the best gift ever: the lap band. I'm finally ready to make a change, and after much research this seems to be the best choice for me. I have taken the first steps on my journey, but just found out that I have to be in a 6 month certified weight loss program first, which totally took the wind out of my sails. However I am determined to be healthy and weigh less, so I will meet every requirement they put in front of me! This forum has wonderful information and I'm very glad to be a part of it.

Hello! My name is Cari and I am just getting the "LapBand" process started. I attend a seminar on Tuesday, and am excited about this journey. I have been doing research, weighing my options (no pun intended), and praying for guidance for many months now and am convinced that this is the best decision for me. I only hope that the issues of insurance, timing, pre-op diets, etc don't discourage me too terribly badly. Everyone have a great night!

i was banded in july of 2008 i have lost 70lbs i have a 10cc band and am filled with 8.3cc i was losing weight for a while and now the weight seems to have stopped coming off. my Dr. wont fill me up b/c she says im very tight which is true because when i eat most of the time i fill up fast but i find myself getting hungry much quicker im so afraid of gaining weight i take a mixed martial arts class 5 times a week but still i havnt lost any weight in a month am i doing something wrong any advice will help thanks i crying because i feel like im failing at this now

Hello All, I am a soon-to-be 28 year old female (5.5.300) who was banded 1 day ago, 01/15/08. Luckily I have had no nausea or vomitting and very little pain. Pre-op, I would visit this site often and was encouraged by the care and support given in these postings. Post-op, I must say I have been most intimidated by posting a note of my own. It is almost like admitting to the world that I am morbidly obese and need to change ... which is hard to come to terms with since I can barely admit that to myself. I am blessed to have had the surgery although I know this is only the beginning to a long road of change but I am excited! I am thankful to not have had any co-m…

Hello-It's great to see a forum for patients who have had or are planning to have the gastric sleeve. My surgery and new life is scheduled to start on Monday June 8th. I couldn't be more excited. I am 3 days into my pre surgery liquid diet and doing well. I will be having my surgery at Medical City Dallas Hospital by Dr. Christopher Bell. I will keep you posted on the results. Have a great weekend!

I HAD SURGERY ON JUNE 23, 2008 WITH DR BROUSSARD IN EDMOND,OK. SO FAR I HAVE LOST 171 1/2LBS AND I FEEL GREAT! I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS AND ONLY NEED 25LBS MORE TO REACH MY GOAL. DR BROUSSARD AND THE STAFF AT WEIGHTWISE ARE AWESOME!! I HAVE TO GO BACK IN 3 MONTHS FOR A CHECKUP BECAUSE HE IS AFRAID I WILL LOSE TOO MUCH! TOO MUCH? I NEVER THOUGHT THAT WOULD HAPPEN TO ME! :thumbup1:

Well, I did, it, took the plunge and got Banded by Dr. Hollis in Houston. There staff was very good and took very care of me, like a patient and not a number. Lost 4lbs on a week preopp diet and have 98 more to go now. Any pointers or suggestions would be awesome. Thanks.

Hi, I'm Jose. I just got banded 5 days ago. I'm still sore from it. Other than that I'm just plain ol hungry, and sick of the liquid only diet. I hope to lose alot of weight, I have a few friends that had it done and had success with it. So we'll see how it goes with it.

I was banded in Jan 04 - still hard to believe it has been that long - I have lost 166 lbs - I was trying to responsd to a post but it required me to sign up and once I did I couldn't find the post anymore - Getting the lap band was one of the best things I have ever done -

I just found out I have erosion, and I have to have my band removed soon, I am scheduled for June 15th. I really don't want to have it removed. I am so scared that I will gain all my weight back. Ihave had my band for almost 3 years. I have lost 74 lbs. I have been so happy with my weight loss and my looks and health since looseing the weight. Now I am so very scared. I am scared to have the surgery as it is harder to get it removed than getting it put in. I don't know why I have erosion, my Dr was very vag about anything he told me about having an erosion. He really didn't tell me much, and nothing about why it happened. Is there anyone out there that has had this ha…

Hi everyone! I've been playing around on the site for a few days now and thought I'd make an introduction. My name is Jessica. I'm 26 years old. I just completed my Master's degree a couple of weeks ago. I'm from the Philly area (for now). I am getting banded on June 11th by Dr. Ian Soriano (Temple University Hospital) and am SO excited! I have been on my pre-op diet for 3 days so far, and am doing okay. I've actually lost about 6 lbs so far. I'm not really hungry...the biggest obstacle is getting through the cravings (especially for carbs and other fatty foods). I have actually been staying inside mostly, for that reason. I went out today and walking through the city,…

Hi. I had lap band surgery in Birmingham, AL by a wonderful surgeon, Dr Scott Pennington in Aug 2006. A Christian man, he prayed with me before surgery and is just a very superb man and surgeon. Within a month, I lost about 15 lbs. It has now been almost 3 years and I have only lost about 41 lbs. I started out at 266 and now weigh 225. I have never gained ANY weight back but I am dissapointed that I only lost this much. I have a 5 cc band and it has 3cc of fluid in it. However, I have not been to the dr for a check up in over a year. I made an apt today (June 5) and they can't see me till July 31. I feel like something has happened to my band. This week I noticed, all…

My journey is not just about weight loss, but it has been finding out who I can be now that my mobility is restored...I have seen myself transformed, not so much in how I look, but in how I feel inside to the out...I will keep you updated more later, but I did want to say hello to all my fellow "sleevers".. .God Bless

I started my WLS journey over 3 years ago when I still lived in Texas. My research began, and as life happens, things obviously changed. I met my now husband in March 2006. He's active duty Air Force and was stationed in Massachusetts at the time. Fast forward , I relocated myself and my son to MA in Aug '07, we married in Feb '08 and then we got orders in April 2008. We pcs'd to Florida and I started my WLS research again once we got settled in. I met with 2 different surgeons. One was cold, he was new to the area, and I just didn't click with him. The other, a little abrasive, but I had spoken with several of his patients, did my research, had consults, and felt goo…

Hello, My name is Erica and I'm proud to announce that I've made the decision to have the Lap Band surgery. My husband and I have been trying to decide whether we would by our first home, or if I would get the surgery. I know that it would be best for me to have the surgery and start losing the extra weight. I'm 26 and I've been overweight/obese for the last decade, but this time I'm almost fifty pounds heavier than I've ever been. It's been this was for almost the last 1 and 1/2 years. My insurance will not cover the surgery, but I am willing to finance this myself because I want to start living a healthier and happier life. I feel that the Lap Band surgery will give m…