Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi, I am, I guess what you would call, "new" to the lap-band procedure. I am 25, and have a BMI of 44:( I have a few appointments this next week for "seminars" with different doctors, and I have a question.... What can I expect at the seminars?

I got banded in October but Im new to this forum. Im looking for fellow Louisiana bandsters to share my journey with. (Not that I don't want to make friends with anyone from anywhere else...lol) Im just curious how many other people out there are from Louisiana!!!

Hi all! So I have heart conditions and type II diabetes and my bmi is high enough for lap band. I've tried to diet and exercise but I'm not loosing this weight, if something won't change I'll be dead with an extra large coffin! I think this surgery might help with my stubborn weight loss. I have HIP Utah Insurance-not sure if I'm covered yet for this procedure. I need a most excellent surgeon located in Utah since I don't have the body to get complications I'm reading about; I'm not rich so I cannot afford the surgeons charging an arm and leg but I MUST have someone really experienced...Any insight will be appreciated THANKS!

Ok, so I recently began the pre-op diet and surprisingly I am doing fine. However, I am getting tired of eating and drinking the same thing. Does anywone have any info on what else they ate/ drank while on pre-op liquid diet. So far I have been doing the protien shakes, jello, yogurt, cottage cheese, broth soup. I feel that I need to change it up though, so I don't get tired of the same thing. Please help with any advice.

Post op, after you've begun really healing, are you able to lose weight? Since there's no constriction of the band, I wasn't sure if just having a different, healthier (liquid) diet would help you lose weight, or does it just make you feel hungry all the time? I get hunger headaches, and I would like to be prepared if I'm going to just sit around and be hungry for the first 2 weeks after surgery. I promise I'm not trying to be negative, just want to be prepared!

Holy Cow! I never, ever thought I would consider physically altering my body in an attempt to lose weight! The date's been set, I'm beginning my pre-pre-op liquid diet, and it's all I'm thinking about. Does anyone else have times when they feel like they've failed or are ashamed of themselves because they've not been able to lose weight in a "traditional" way? I've told very, very, few people about the surgery primarly because I've been up and down so many times in my life that I'm humiliated to tell anyone that I've actually decided to have SURGERY because I haven't been able to lose weight and keep it off. At 333 pounds, there's so much I can't do that other pe…

I found one center that does the Lapband and Bypass with an emphasis on the Bypass I think. Does anyone know of any other surgeons in this area that do the Lapband? Or have been banded in this area?? I did see a Dr David Anderson, but I am not familiar and he is listed as a general, not bariatric surgeon. Any thoughts??? Misty

I finally went to the siminar and I really want the band now. I am pleased with all the info that I got from this site and the siminar. There was a lady there that has had the band for 4 yrs and lost 70lbs. She said you can basically eat whatever just much less. I had asked if you can ever have a treat. I think she would probably have lost more if she would of dieted with the band though. I mean 70lbs in 4 yrs is not that much. Can you guys tell me how you now eat and was it hard to just stop eating completly. I do like to eat as im sure everyone does, but how did you do it just stop eating all the junk. I mean I know I can diet as I have tried before, but I would always …

I have done the pre op appointments and my visit to the surgeon is on Tuesday. I am nervous. Not sure what to expect. I hope that they are able to get the surgery approved through my insurance as I know there's no way that I can pay for it out of my pocket right now. Anyway, hello to everyone out there. I look forward to posting pictures as time goes by. Talk soon, Stacy

Im very excited about my surgery, im ready to begin the rest of my life. This has been a long process (6 months), and im ready to feel lighter, healthier and lets be real.. HOT!! Im having my surgery in Dallas, Tx but Dr. Nickelson. Kinda nervous about the post op feeling, since its my first surgery and first time going under. But still READYYYYY!!!

Does anyone know how to do this. I know how to create one, but cannot get it to post, nor have I figured out how to load pictures of my January's before pictures. Can someone help?:smile:

Hi everyone! I am new to this forum and wanted to say HELLO! I'm in the beginning stages of preparing for lap band surgery, and I am very excited! I have my first appointment with the nutritionist next week, then will have my sleep study done, blood work, etc... Any helpful tips or advice I can get would be much appreciated! One of my main concerns is how difficult it will be to adjust to the new diet POST surgery. I know all about the liquid diet pre and post surgery, but am hoping some of you can give me helpful tips on how to adjust to the permanent eating habit changes that will occur long term. Thank you all -- I look forward to making new friends! Lisa

I was at the siminar yesrterday and forgot to ask. He did say something about the Elise band, but I can't remember. What is the difference?

I will be realize banded on 6/5/09. I am excited about the possibilities for weight loss. I am nervous about the first few weeks, getting used to the new diet. For people who have been dedicated, has the band seemed to work well for you? Also, I'm very open to recipe ideas, meal plan suggestions, and general encouragement! :thumbup:

Hello all i am new to this site. I am in the process of deceiding which is best for me Bypass or Lap Band. Can anyone offer any suggestions on how you came to the decision to band?

Hey everyone, My name is Wazen, I had my lap Band surgery back in 2001 I lost 88lbs/40kg, but :smile: I gained back 60lbs/27kg and now I'm back to losing weight I lost 33lbs/15kg and I need all the support I can get through my journey of weight loss.

Hello! :tt1: This is my first post, but have been reading the message boards and going through the process of the seminar, pre-op appointments, and group support meetings since January 2009. I am hoping to have the LB surgery sometime in July by Dr. Louis Balsama in Stratford, NJ. That is, if my insurance (Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ - Direct 10) approves me on the first round.

Hello all, My name is Charise and I live in Philadelphia. I am new to this site as well as the lapband. Around 2 years ago I thought of having gastric bypass but thought that that type of surgery was not for me. Now I am in the process of learning more about the lap band. If you have any insight to all of this, all suggestions and comments as well as experiences are more than welcomed to respond to my thread. Hope to hear from you all and hope all is well. Charise PartyWithMook:cool:

Hi All. My name is Lisa. I just turned 37, and have been struggling with weight since adolescence. I have 2 preschool children and realize that they're not getting the best of me, because of my weight, and that's got to change. My consult is June 3, and I'm hurrying to get all my paperwork/testing in order, and to hopefully have surgery the last Thur/Fri in June (my DH has mandatory time off that following week). I've researched the surgery on and off for YEARS and always decided that it wasn't for me...until about 8 weeks ago, when I had an unexpected/unexplained moment of clarity, as if it was already happening. About a week later I decided to have the surgery. …

i just got home from the hospital, i was banded on May 26 2009 at Tucson Medical Center by Dr. Monte Schwartz. at my preop oriantaion i weighted in at 410 pounds, i have not weighted my self since then, but i have notice quite a change already, i will be receiving my first fill on Monday June 1, any suggestions or support is really appreciated, thanks everyone.

Hi. Well 2 months ago I took the step. I called insurance - got on the path and I'm on my way. I verified my weight and am 2 pounds away from my 5% loss before I can take the 3rd step. In fact - I probably could be there now - but it may be too soon - should I not report how fast I lost this? That would be crazy but in truth - all I had to do was cut out my sugar...done ....down 5 ounds! I will be sent to a center of excellence. I have selected 1 of 2 in my area. I am torn between lapband vs. gastric bypass. My biggest concern with labband is having a foreign body in my body (plastic). My second concern is sugar control - I crave sweets daily. That is my downfa…

Scared but so excited...50 years old 225 lbs. Any tips are welcome. Thank you

Hello everyone...I went to a Lap Band seminar this week and have set my appt with a surgeon that I have researched and feel most comfortable with on June 12th...Can anyone give me any heads up? I have already prepared myself that the surgery won't be approved overnight, and that's okay...I'm just so excited.

Hi Everyone, I am new to the forum, I am trying to do as much research as I can between Lapband and Gastric Sleeve. I will have to pay for the procedure on my own... I will be getting it done in Cancun, Mexico as it is so much less expensive there. I am a 43 yr old female. 6ft tall. 227 lbs. I would like to lose 80 - 90 lbs. I have lost and gained weight so many times in my life, it has been a constant battle and I am tired of it. I am always hungry and get a headache and weak when I don't eat on time. I am a binge eater, and a picky eater... I have a huge amount of will power for a certain amount of time, however, I always gain it back very quickly... I ne…

lap band August 2008 Lost: 75 lbs. Aiming for 50 more. Surgeon: Tiffany Jessee, St Petersburg Florida Last fill May 19, .2 ml heading for England in September. I hope to be down another 20 lbs alfuso

Hi everyone! My name is Tammy living it up in San Diego, CA and about to be (fingers are crossed) banded on 06-17-2009! I am SO excited but scared and nervous. And wondering what life with the band will be like for me. I just want this to work, I just wanna be able to sit in a theatre and not have my tush sqooshed in that seat. And I am tired of all the snirks and stares from people that think I am too fat or just unhealthy. :thumbup: I believe I can do this and only I can change my life with some direction and help. I have not told everyone in my family about this, and I am not sure if I would, its not that I am afraid of what they think it is just I am content wit…

:crying: Hi, very new to this. Have been reading up on Lap-Band for about a year or so now. Have had pre-opt testing, and and am scheduled for surgery in beginning of July/09. :thumbup: I am extremely nervious. Always considered surgery the last resort. Now after yo-yo dieting for years, it's come to that....but what if it doesn't work? Just like all the "fad" diets? I'm not looking to get super-model skinny, just healthy, and fit! Am I just trying to talk myself out of surgery because I am affraid of failing again? Please if anyone has gone thru this, pls let me know how you got past it! I am now doubting myself, thinking this won't work, and why am I throwing my…

Hey everyone! I'm a college student, I have had the band for 9 months now and after having a few difficulties I have finally hit my sweet spot. Has anyone else noticed they needed alot in their band before they felt restrictions?? I have a 14cc band (what can I say big girl with a big upper stomach lol) and I just had a fill last week that put me at 10cc!!!!! So, because of this I havent really lost much but I hope now it will get better!!!

Hi there - I was banded in early April so I am just getting the hang of this! How much did everyone lose in the beginning - I am a little frustrated. I can still eat a lot more than I thought I would be able to.

Surgery Date is final, JUNE 11th 2009. Now what? The surgeon is Dr Menachery in Atanta, Georgia. He places realize bands.

Hi everyone! I had my initial consult today. I took my psych test. I saw the exercise physiologist, nutritionist, psychologist and the NP. The psychologist and the NP both agreed the band is the right procedure for me. I am glad because I really wouldn't have considered the bypass or sleeve. I have to call my gynecologist and get 5 years of weights so they can submit to my insurance for approval. I am crossing my fingers that my insurance is as good as I think it is and it will sail through. I am really hoping for surgery sometime in July. I found out my surgeon doesn't do a special pre-op diet. They just ask that you lose 10% of your excess weight. For me, …

I went to the seminar yesterday evening. The surgeons who do this procedure do not do anything but LapBand, so if I were interested in bypass, they would recommend someone to me. I am not interested in bypass, however, for a variety of reasons. I've been thinking about this in the back of my mind for about 2 years now, but, to be honest, was too afraid to even look into it. I was afraid that I'd want it and it would not really be a safe, healthy thing to try. Since then, I discovered my niece had it done. She is down 40 pounds since the last time I saw her! I was stunned! Then I hear my dad is doing this (he's 74), and he just had his surgery last week. Then I fin…

I go to the siminar tomorrow and I just have a question. I heard that it's up to you and your dr to decide if the band is right for you or not. Has anyone had the dr tell them that the band wasn't right for them and to go with gastric, but you didn't want to and got the band anyway? Is it really your choice I mean has anyone you know been turned down to get the band. I know some dr's may talk you into the gastric to get more money from the surgery. I know a friend of mine went to the siminar and changed her mind to the gastric instead of the band. Can anyone help with this question?

Hi everyone My name is Samantha, I live near Manchester, England and I am having a gastric band fitted on the 15th September '09 by Dr Chris De Bruyne, in Vilvoorde, Brusels. Can any one tell me what happens to the band when you have reached your goal weight? Surely if it gets taken out your appetite will return along with the weight! Do they then leave it in, fi so for how long? I look forward to any help anyone can give. Thanks guys :thumbup:

Hi everyone - I have been lurking around this site for several months and decided to join. I had lap band surgery on Nov. 11, 2008. As of today I have lost 91 lbs. I know that my weight loss is a little above normal but I started out weighing 315 lbs. and now weigh 224. I still have a ways to go and enjoy all the encourgement I have seen on this board. Have a great day! Karen

Hi, I am 5'2 and 195lbs. I am 99% sure that I am ready to make this committment. I am very eager to get started. I can have surgery as early as next week. My question is this: We have a family vacation planned for June 27 - July 5. If I have surgery around June 3, will I be miserable on vacation? We are going to the beach and I am sure that I will be healed enough to swim, but will the sun and activity be too much? Also, will it be obvious to my family that I had surgery? There are a couple of people who would not approve, so I would prefer to keep it quiet. Maybe it would be better to wait, which would mean August due to another trip. I am just eager to get started ch…

Wow is this for real... I sent of my packet to the Alvarado Clinic in California and got my call back today. The receptionist stated all I would need is my phsyc eval and my doc note of 5 years over weight history. SHe also stated that my insurance is the fastest one to approve this surgery. My question is and i don't think i want to know the real answer can this really happen this quick???? She said it's all upto how quick I make my appt's, so of course i have my pcp note on thurs and my physc eval on the June 4th. I'm so ready for this new life, I just want to be active again riding my bike hiking all the stuff i haven't been able to do. Has anyone had surgery at th…

Hi I was banded 11/07 I lost 20 lbs in about 5 months I had my surgery done in Mexico. Went back got a fill in April had a fill. lost another10 lbs Went back in Aug.For a fill and got over filled. Needless to say I had alot of heart burn throwing up and all. ended up in the emergency room, 2 times the first time they just gave me medicine to stop the throwing up, they din't have a DOCTOR ON STAFF TO unfill me at the first hospital. Now it is summertime again I've unfortunatly gained back 15 of the 50 lbs I lost. My problem is since I was banded origanaly in Mexico I can't find a Dr. in the Sacramento area who will give me a fill. Does anybody know of a Dr. anywhere in…

Hello It has band awhile since I posted. I have been making wrong food choices and have re-gain my weight and plus.... I noticed yesterday for lunch I had a few pieces of chicken and that was it. I could not eat any more. About 30 minutes later I threw up. I know the band is working.. again with my weight gain its about wrong food choices. Well time to start up again. I weighted in this morning at 333.6 lbs ( sucks )... Goal weight 200 lbs My lowest after being banded was 269 lbs back in 5-16-06. I had no issues weighting my food then and working out was a biggie for me . Did it all the time in the past, and have to do it now.

Hi all from southeast Texas. I've recently been approved for a Care Credit card that will allow me to pay for lapband. I am going through True Results in Houston TX (True Results | Lap Band Surgery & Bariatric Weight Loss Procedure Center). I'm still debating on the doctor, but have leaned significantly towards Dr. Hadar Spivak. Everyone seems to think highly of him. I "trolled" on here for a little while as I was deciding if I should, where I should go to, etc. There is a tremendous amount of information to be had here. I figured it was time to register. Looking forward to talking and learning from everyone

Hi Everyone - I was just banded May 4th by Dr. Kim in Kissimmee FL and am down 30 pounds already.

Hi everyone I am waiting for MBF Medical Benefits to mature in October to cover me for partial costs for lap band surgery and can't wait. Am so excited. Done preliminary tests etc and just waiting game for now. Love to hear from anyone at various stages of having had lap band surgery and the positives and not so positives along the way. Cheers everyone! Annie

I just got banded 3 days ago and am excited to see what is in store for me. I just started protien shakes.. Thank god.. and cant wait to get to mushy foods.. look forward to everyone seeing my progress:smile2:

:smile: Hello all! I'm lydia. I joined a while back when I first began to consider getting banded. And now, my surgery is FINALLY scheduled! After a year of research, tests, waiting and starting a new diet, I've finally gotten my surgery date! Just have to get over the last few hurdles: final pre-op testing (why do I have to have MORE blood work done?), surgery clearance by my primary doc, then the final weigh in. Thank goodness for Dr. Hoffman! June 29th can't come fast enough!

I just found this forum last week and have been lurking a lot so I figureeeee I might as well make a post lol. I feel that everything is moving very quickly. I met with the doctor for the first time last Monday and got the surgery date that day (July 31st) and already have seen the psychologist, nutritionist, and gastro doctor. I see the other two this week. I guess my dad has good insurance? As soon as I gave them my card everything went boom boom boom. I am really excited but at first I was told I had to wait to December and now its coming up really soon! Its scary but really exciting at the same time. I am just so happy that every doctor that I have seen so far has…

This is new for me. I don't personally know anyone who has this surgery and I'm looking for people to relate to. Has anyone been banded with a staring BMI under 40? My BMI was 37. So if anyone has any questions about that, I'll be happy to answer.

I am just starting the process for my lapband . I was scheduled to have three years ago and the day of my surgery I found out I was pregnant. I am go through the nutrional process for insurance. I am trying to find some good protein drinks. Does any one have any recommendations? My sister and I are going through this together. Her surgery is scheduled for June 9th

I am so:cursing: mad my insurance company called to tell me my claim was denied for the surgery because the doc did not get the approval, and they want me to file a grievance against the him. But i need some help I have to get a fill on friday the 29th and the doc office havent called me yet..

Hello, I am Colleen and I am on countdown to banding and I am SO excited, but nervous as because of a previous abdominal surgery and the horrible scars that DR. left, my surgeon and myself along with my Honey-man have decided that I will have an open procedure and up to 3 days in hospital. My surgeon is DR. Tommy Shelton, he is in Somerset, KY. I am on my pre-surgery protein shakes and enjoying them:ohmy:. I am sure I will have tons of questions a day or so before my surgery. I was so happy to find this forum.

:eek: Just found this forum, I have been thinking about getting a band. Im about a 49 BMI...:smile: When I got out of boot camp I was 165, now Im 320. Not good. My family and I will be moving to Texas soon, and will be contacting my insurance to find out about coverage and all. I do have a question though, has anyone had any experience with Blue Cross/Blue Shield? Thats the insurance I have through work. I know that my company is very big on being fit and so on, so I dont see it being an issue. My wife is also heavy and has type 2 diabetes, adult onset type. She would like to get one as well, but has pancreatitis, so I was also wondering if anyone has had any dea…