Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

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:unsure::biggrin::crying::biggrin::crying::thumbup:

Hello, I am just beginning to investigate Lapband surgery. I have been overweight for years. 1990-91 was the last time I actually was "skinny" after I did a 6 month Medifast diet of liquids through a doctor. Since then I have put the weight back on plus a lot more. Have tried weight watchers, regular diets and all to no avail, I lose, I gain. I am so tired of this process but still not convinced Lapband is the route for me either? I'd like to hear pros and cons please and thanks!:wub:

i live in columbus georgia and got to atlanta to Dr.finley for my fills.My free ones are over and i just found out his charge is $300.00 and i have to pay $195.00 for the fluoro scope. I cant afford that.i need to find me a cheaper Doctor do take over my care and do my fills.Are their many doctors that will work behind another doctor and take his patient. I cant afford to spend $495.00 every time i get a fill:cursing:

Any good recommendations?

Good Morning Everyone. I am looking for someone, anyone who can help me. I am 34 years old and have been fighting with my weight for the last 16 years. I have as I am sure most of us have tried every diet, fad, pill and potion out there to lose weight. I am to the point that I am not living, I am hiding. I feel like no one including myself sees me anymore that they only see the fat person I have become. It has gotten to the point that I am not the only one suffering anymore, but my children are too. They want to go to the water and amusement parks, and I just won't go. Because I am mortified at the thought of putting on a swimming suit and the thought of not being …

Hi, :smile2:I am a single Mom who has always been "pleasantly plump" after the birth of my daughter instead of losing the pregnancy weight I added to it:blushing: I tried lots of diets and a personal trainer, Not getting much results I had reached my limit and figured like the rest of my family I would always be big. A co-worker recently had the band and has lost 40lbs in 3 and 1/2 months. I started doing research and called my insurance provider. As soon as I found out my insurance covered bariatric procedures:thumbup:, I made the necessary appointments. I have to meet with a psychologist and nutritionist, Can anybody give me some feedback on what to expect at these visi…

...is what I told the psychiatrist the other day when I had my consult. I had been thinking about the band for a couple of years and finally decided I was ready. I did a happy dance (literally) in the insurance coordinator's office when I found out Aetna covered the procedure. I was completely prepared to tap out my Pension and 401K to pay for it. Imagine my excitement when I found out I'll only pay about 1K! I am a female, age 35, height 5'3 and weight 254lbs. My BMI is 45. For the first time in my life, I was thankful for my weight...no problem qualifying for the procedure! I've had a weight problem all my life. Most of my family is overweight. I think I went on …

First patient on my Doc's agenda..so im lookin at 7am surgery which is fine by me!!! I start my pre op diet tomorrow for two weeks, which does allow me one meal a day to eat lean meats and veggies, and the rest of the daily meals are liquids...so i should be ok.... Ill be taking 8 days of medical leave....so i should be refreshed by the time i get back to work!

Hi, Im new here, scheduled to be banded on 6/24 by Dr Ortiz in MX who also banded my mom a few years ago. Im very excited but my husband gets upset everytime I even try to talk about it. Thanks for having me!

I seem to be the oldest person here.. I am 61-- I do not see the doctor until late June .. I am wondering if my age is going to rule out this surgery for me ??

I am new and just ran across this site. Is it me or are the majority of lap band surgeriers huge success stories? I am looking for something negative, but the complication rate seems very minimal and the upside is huge. I have an appointment with my regular Dr. in a couple weeks and I am going to bring up the subject of lap band but I am just trying to do my research first. Losing weight on my own has been like a roller coaster, but not in a good weigh lol. :redface:

Ok, so all of my phone contacts are unavailable, so I was hoping I could get some encouragement/reassurance here... I'm being banded on Friday. I'm starting to really freak out. My husband's going out of town tomorrow, but he'll be back on Wednesday (in general, I have more anxiety when at home alone). My best friend and I aren't speaking (not related to my surgery), it's been 8 days. I think this is the right decision, but it's just getting to be really overwhelming out of nowhere. I've completed all of my educational class requirements, hospital tests, and paperwork. Now it's just counting down the days... Has anyone felt this way right before surgery, and c…

Hi Everyone! I have been following this forum for quite a while and now would like to finally introduce myself. I am 30 years old, 5'1, and weigh 230 pounds. My highest weight was 250 which was in August 2008 and 9 months pregnant and my lowest was 130 which was about ummm let's see--maybe 8 years ago. I have a surgery date of June 18th and I am soo excited!! I haven't been banded yet and I am already addicted to this board because of the motivation, inspiration, and wonderful information through out! Great group of people. Just wanted to stop through and say "thanks" to my new family for the inspiration you have provided and "many thanks" for the future threa…

Hey friends - story like everyone else, have done every diet under the sun, cabbage Soup, vegan, raw vegan, Atkins, ate clean and trained for a marathon, McDougal, Body for Life, MT 6 week body makeover, Quick Weight Loss Center...and ended up bigger each time than before. I researched the band and after hearing one of my girlfriends (who has horrible allergies like me) tell a story of having to get an unfill because she had a mucus plug and couldnt swallow her own spit, I realized that was NOT an option for me. Then I found the sleeve. No malabsorption - which works well for some folks, but I am leery of it, pure restriction which was great, because I was definitely…

I had the sleeve done in MX 6/27/08. My surgeon was Francisco Contreras and he was incredible as was my whole surgery process experience. I had surgery on Friday and was at the hotel on Sunday and back in my own home on Monday. I had no problems with liquids and could take my oral meds with no problems from day 1. I took no pain meds afer I left the hospital. Since surgery I have lost just over 120 lbs and am at my goal. I went from size 28 to 6 petite (surgery did not make me any taller unfortunately). I am off all blood pressure meds and have been since a few months after surgery. I am walking between 4-10 miles every morning without any struggle. I have not had A…

Hi, everyone! I'm new to this site, but I'm hoping someone can help me calm my fears... I was banded on 5/21/09. The first week, I lost 16 lbs. This last week, I lost NOTHING!! Not a pound!! I have been eating 4 oz. of protein every 3 hours (although I'm hungrier for more at a time... is that normal after just 2 weeks?!?), and walking for exercise as recommended. Why would I lose so much in the first week only to have NO weight loss the second week?? Has anyone else had a similar experience? Please help, thanks!!

HI, I'm a newbie pre-op and I'm waiting for insurance approval. I'm in North Carolina and I'm really glad I found this site. I'm so impatient and this wait is impossible. Does anyone have BCBSNC?:redface:

Hello! I'm new here and I'm hoping to get in touch with some people to help me through this/answer my questions pre and post surgery. I'm a student in my mid 20s who has been overweight, well, forever. My surgery is coming up soon and I start my pre-op diet this coming week. Any advice on getting through the two week diet would be greatly appreciated!

Hello! Just banded on May 26th this week. Still pretty sore, mostly I think from the gas they inflate you with. My tummy has been talking to me all night!! I think my biggest worry is just that I will fail, which makes me more determined not to. I was so excited this morning when I actually had a normal range fasting blood sugar level!! Woo Hoo! :smile: So anyway, just wanted to try this forum, I think support is going to be very much a key to my success and this seems like a great place to start! krbr08

Hi everyone! My name is Dana. I have been trying to find a way to get Lap-Band for over three years. But the fact that my ins. company had a $10,000 lifetime limit for weight-loss surg, I was turned down everywhere I went. I live in Texas, and my husband and I are raising 5 kids, so funds are tight and self-pay was not an option. I, like many here, have lost hundreds of pounds over the past 20 years... only to gain them all back as soon as I relax. I am one of the lucky few who does not have significant health issues caused by my weight, but I know it's just a matter of time. I weigh 303lbs today. can you say depressing??? Anyway... My message is DO NOT GIVE …

Hi All, My name is Adrienne and I was sleeved April 14,2009. I have so far(as of this morning) lost 40.3 pounds. I am married to a wonderful man named John and we have two teenage daughters(16 & 14 yrs) and a 2 year old Miniature Doxie named Tucker- he suffers from a Napoleonic complex, he thinks he's a Rotweiler:lol0:. I'm a stay at home mom with an LPN and now a college student(as of last fall). I have been overweight most of my life. My battle began at age 10, my mother felt I was getting too heavy and because I was too young to attend Weight Watchers, she'd make me follow her plan at home. She officially enrolled me in WW when I turned 12. I've been fighting my w…

Hi im 30 and i live in Texas, my name is Honesty and i will be banded on June 10th, 2009 by dr. ganta from austin institute of bariatric and laproscopy, in austin texas..

Well, I had my visit with the surgeon today. That was pretty easy, he just reviewed all of my information and then listened to my lungs and heart. My question is how long does it usually take for the insurance to get back to you to let you know if you've been approved or not? I think I'll be crushed if they deny me. Here's hoping I hear something soon.:wub:

I am currently in the process of getting the referral from my doctor. My husband and I have talked about this and despite the huge debt it will incurr he is being supportive. I am 43 this year and want to leave behind the life long dieting train. The whole thing looks so very frightening though desperation is pushing me on.

Hi everyone! I'm new to lapbandtalk.com and have been considering lap band surgery for some time now. It has been suggested to me by my endocrinologist quite a few times. I was scared by the idea of surgery but the more I research it the better I'm beginning to feel about the whole process. I already have a surgeon in mind and am going to a bariatric informational seminar that he is hosting on Wednesday. My endocrinologist had mentioned that it's possible that some surgeon's may make you jump through hoops before they will consider operating such as making you see a nutritionist and a psychologist. I was wondering if anyone on here had any "hoops" to jump through before…

Hi all! I'm new here so I'll just tell ya'll what's transpired since last June! (Some of this is copied & pasted) Sorry it?s so long, but it helped to type it all out! Some background ? I go to school full-time and work full-time. In addition, my dad has alzheimers and I help my mom with him plus my husband is having health issues so I was dismayed and depressed as my tale unfolds?.. June 2008 - went to the weight loss seminar sponsored by the hospital where my husband works. This really well-spoken surgeon spoke about the different options: band, bypass & VSG. Afterwards, having never heard of the VSG, I started researching and found info on PubMed (medical r…

I received a free pedometor from Allergan when I registered my band but the instructions for use are very vague. :frown: Did anyone else receive one of these and do you know how to work it? :welldone2: We've followed the instructions but can't make it do anything. Help!!! I've had pedometers before but this one works differently. Thanks :thumbup:

I was banded 01.07.07, in Belgium by Chris DeBurne. I have had quite a few fills 4 I think. I am now at 7.5ml. I had 2 fills done by Fredrick, that were not sucessful, once he charged me and said it was done and it wasnt when I complained next time, he said he couldnt find it. Anyway, its been nearly a year and I can eat loads. I lost 8kg straight after surgery but not much since then. I started at 113kg now i'm at 101kg. Please help, do you think its slipped? not correctly positioned? I havent had a scan yet, im sure im due one soon. Please help.

I had my seminar on May 14th and am going to my Primary Care Doctor to start my 6 month diet program tomorrow. I am so excited about eventually having lap-band surgery. My husband is so supportive and that makes all the difference in the world. I am looking forward to learning from all of you on the forum!:party:

Hi my name is Charlotte or Char and obviously I am in Maryland! LOL I had my VSG done on 2/11/09 by Dr. Andrew Averbach. I have lost a little over 55 pounds so far, 45 pounds to go for the surgeons goal and 55 pounds to go for my goal! Looking forward to getting to know you all.

I just found out today that my insurance company has approved my surgery. I'm excited and a little scared. I started down this road in May 2008. My surgery is scheduled for June 16th. Just over a year ago.

I must say that I am thrilled that I found this group! It's been great researching the surgery and all the details from an informational standpoint, but I think I need to hear about 'real' people's experiences, since this is such a big step in my life. That said, I want to introduce myself. I'm Karen, 35 (will be 36 soon) from Philadelphia, married with 2 kiddies (ages 5 and 3). I have been on a serious weight loss/gain rollercoaster practically my whole life and have been researching Lap Band for about 2 months now. I saw my primary physician on Friday and she is very supportive of my decision to have the surgery and has agreed to write the letter of medical necessi…

hi im new here, im in adelaide. my surgery is booked for the 24th of June, starting my pre-op diet on the 10th. starting to really feel the nerves. i'm nervous about how the port will look/feel and about controling my cravings while on the liquid diet.

hey everyone. I have been lurking the boards for a while now. i had originally spoken to my pcp about gastric he gave me all the info and something just didn't set right with me about the whole process and i just stopped the whole thing dead in my tracks about 4 months ago, recently i have heard about this whole "banding," thing and seem to be way more comfortable with this option, so i went back in and talked to my pcp he thought i was still set on gastric and when i told him i wnated to be banded he said that statisticly the outcome is better with gastric. I currently wiegh 247lbs i wan this soooooooooo bad but i'm not sure i want it bad enough to do gastric, He tyo…

:sad:Hey everyone! new to this site but am really struggling. i was banded april 1 2009. i have lost 33 lbs but am very hungry. i got first fill may 7. ( 1 cc ) I am havinh a hard time not snacking in between meals and eating too much at mealtime. I get another fill june 4( 1 more cc) I am hoping it helps. Any advice greatly appreciated!!

Hello all, my name is Stephanie. I'm 32 years old and live in Lincoln, Nebraska. I've been banded since 11/18/08. I've lost 81 pounds so far and still going strong! I've got about 125 pounds more to go to my dream goal. Josie is my Maltese-mix, who is my baby. She and I are an inseparable team. I met Crimson Tide on another LB forum and he said you guys are awesome, so here I am! Can't wait to meet you all!

Hello, I am 40 and live in the Washington D.C. area. I have a BMI of 35.5 or 36, depending on how I list my hieght (5 foot 2 vs. 5 foot 3). I also have weight-related Depression and very high blood pressure, so high that I've gone to the ER twice. I want the band, and want to be sure I get approved. I have Aetna. The first thing I want to know is: will they approve wls, and will they allow lap-banding. If yes, how much will they pay. I think the most efficient way to find out is to call them, but will this raise a flag that sets them looking for ways to deny? Should I simply start by going to the doc? I can def. document this weight, plus weight loss attempts that a…

Hi Just saying hello as I am new to the site. Sorry for presenting you with my problem on my first time on site. I have been happily banded for 3 1/2 years. I have lost my weight steadily and altogether I have lost seven stone. I am still losing slowly and steadily (except for this week when I have lost four pounds in one week. This is likely because recently I have started to get quite severe pain after I eat or drink. Initially about a month ago the pain emerged only after I had eaten . Now it is painful 5 to ten minutes after I eat or drink The pain lasts about half an hour then goes away. The pain is alongside the left of my naval around my waist - under…

Hi Everyone, I'm new to this site. I learned about it when I went to an informational meeting about the Lap Band. About me: I'm female, 34, 5'9" and currently weigh 265 pounds. This is the most I have ever weighed as an adult. The least I have ever weighed since high school is 175, I looked amazing. Both of my parents died of cancer and both had type II diabetes. I'm on my way, I'm insulin resistant. My sister is overweight and had gestational diabetes with both of her pregnancies. I feel like Lap Band surgery is a very extreme form of weight loss, however, I feel like weighing 265 pounds is extreme. I love to walk and ride my bike but it has gotten so …

I saw on someone's signature that they had a little lapband and glitter graphic that said "I can do this" or "I can do it" and wondered if I could know where you got it? Inspirational and cute, all at the same time! Thanks!

I have decided to have lap band i have UHC and have my phsyc eval in place today i have all the requirements the insurance has asked for but i can't find an in network provider who does the lapband in the phoenix or california area. URHHHHggg any help is helpful i'm gettin gsoooo frustrated. TIA

I started the liqiud diet today and am feeling weak in the stomach with a head ache, will this last long? Also, if anyone has some words of wisdom to help me through I would love to hear them!!!:party::ohmy::thumbup:

its been a long wait. 6 months. yeesh. but i have pretty much jumped thru all of the insurance fiery hoops. Just one last trip to my primary to get my medical clearance on June 2nd(tomorrow). i had my pre-op testing last week. Surgery date is June 10th. for some reason i am so afraid of some sort of disaster happening before the date. lol i am washing my hands like a nut, so as not to catch any cold before then. haha. im both excited and nervous! cant wait to see the scale move in the other direction!!!

Hi Everyone I am a 27 year old female from rural Australia, and I currently weigh in at my heaviest weight ever, 109kg/240lbs. I have struggled with my weight since birth, with my first recorded appointment in relation to that taking place when I was just 6 years old. I am scheduled to be banded on 18th August 2009; I am a little frightened but mostly excited about this opportunity and very determined to succeed. I live alone and my family are a 12 hour drive from me, so I am excited to have joined lap band talk and am looking forward to utilising this website as a part of my support network. Talk to you all soon, I hope! MissK x x

Hi, Everyone! I have been looking around this forum for a few days and have been very encouraged and gotten a lot of information from the posts. So...I thought I'd join. I got the Realize Band on May 19, 2009 and am getting back to my usual self (minus a few pounds .) The first week was NO FUN! I am doing much better now and the only incision that bothers me is the one over the port. Just a little sore when I over do it, but nothing concerning. I am enjoying getting dressed and realizing my clothes are feeling big and ones that haven't fit comfortably in a long time now look great. I look forward to see where this journey leads me. Nice to "meet" you all! lmnl…

Hi all!! I am just getting started on my journey...I have debated bypass vs. banding for some time, and I think that I have finally decided to go with the band :party: I live in beautiful British Columbia, am married to my hubby of nearly 7 years, and have two amazing sons! I swear, with how they keep me running around it is a wonder I am not 90 lbs, lol! I am sure you will all see a lot of me! I have about a zillion questions and I am so glad that I found this board!! Glad to 'meet' you all!! Cheers!! Jeanette

I am an expat living in Bangkok, getting banded this July. Looking for anyone in the area, who has been banded or getting banded, to chat with and exchange stories and help!

I've had my lapband just over 2 years and I only have .5 restriction. I've never really cared for it but it hasn't been a real problem until lately. All week I've had really bad acid reflux so I've been taking my meds for it. Today, I got some food stuck and made myself vomit to get it out. I did strain several times and there was quiet a bit of blood coming up. Now, 30 minutes later, I through up again without straining and there was no blood. Has anyone else had this problem? This is my first time in 2 years throwing up blood. Please help.... Thanks

Hey, all. I've been skulking around for a couple of weeks and thought I'd finally register since I'm officially in bandster hell. Lost 10lbs pre-surgery on liquids. Lost another 15 post op but have begun to gain back. I bought a scale last night and it looks like I've gained maybe 5lbs. Bummed out about it but reading other posts from knowledgable members really helps. My 20th h.s. reunion is June 27 and I won't be as think as I'd like, of course. Kinda dumb to be so vain I guess but oh well! My first fill is June 10-two weeks and it seems like forever! Any advice on getting through bandster hell and feeling like a pig would be greatly appreciated! Best, Jenny

Hi All: I was banded in July 2004 and will be banded 5 years. I check the board monthly and am so glad there is so much more information available today than there was when I was researching weight loss surgery. I chose to be banded because it was a reversible procedure and I thought in 10 or 20 years, with medical technology as quickly as it is progressing, banding would no longer be done, RNY, DS and VSG would be long gone as viable surgical options and instead replaced with true, safe, non-invasive procedures. My band is just fine (Thank God) but I have never believed that it is a lifetime implant. For example, my dad's pacemaker has already been replaced and my mo…