Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Does anyone have hands on experience or suggestions with plastic surgeons in Mexico? Please state good experiences and your procedures and cost. I have already read the posts from Plastic Surgeons in the states who suggest not to do this. Thanks for any concrete info to share. I am self pay and 10-15K per procedure is out of the question.

I had my surgery on 4/16, I am a 29 year old man that is 5'11" and tipping the scales at 306. I would like to find some people that I can talk to and know what I am going thru with this!

Hello everyone. I was just banded 04/16/2009 and I have been burping like crazy. I also have a issue with saliva. Anyone else have these issues. If so what can I do?

Hello everyone, I'm so glad I found this site. I'm due to have my surgery on April 22, and as I'm sure many of you already know, I have sooo many questions. First. I've been reading the blogs and have been looking for the pre-surgery grocery list. If anyone can direct me that would be wonderful. I want to get out this weekend and get things I'll need when I come home. Thanks for all your help.

Hi all - I'm new, banded 4/7/09. Overall, no problems but I am learning alot. Biggest lesson: that my "hunger" has less to do with actual hunger and more to do with those great smells! Anyway - my surgeon does a few days of Clear liquids, few of full liquids. I'm now on "pureed". I put that in quotations because, I'm not actually putting it in a blender, but eating eggs, applesauce, soft fish, etc and mashing it. No vomiting at all. Here are my primary questions: 1) I do get a full sensation and stop eating. It seems like I'm eating too much (maybe 3/4 cup). 2) I'm also a big Water drinker and having trouble balancing fluid/food. How can my pouch hold this much? …

Hello everyone! I'm kim and I was banded 2 days ago. I'm still very soar and anxious of what's to come. I could use all the help in the next few weeks as to what I should be eating or what you guys have found that works for you. I look forward to blogging with you all!

Hi! I had lapband surgery on 4/8/09. Dr. Follwell is my surgeon. I actually have a friend that I am looking for and I forgot to find out her user name yesterday when we had our 1 week follow-ups. I weighed in at 213, 10 days before my surgery and, yesterday I weighed 200.2. My weight loss will probably be a little slower than a bunch of others but as long as I am following the program and having success I am happy. It is hard to see others have faster success but I am thrilled for them. Angie if you are out there let me know it is you!!!:sneaky:

Hi everyone! My name is Erika. I'm 22 years old and a prospective lapbander. I joined this site in hopes of getting more familiar with the pre-processes and procedures, as well as the aftermath. I'm really nervous about this whole thing and hoping that my insurance approves me with not many problems. I found a doctor that I have been told by some of his other patients will really fight for you. I look forward to getting to know all of you and wish you the best on your happy, healthy new lives! :tt1:

I'm looking to lose 80lbs and wanted to know if anyone has my stats and how long it took you to lose the weight. Thanks.

well I finaly got it done. yesterday, April 16th 2009 im pretty dang soar too. the gas in my stomach is very uncomfortable and the stuff they gave me for pain really doesnt work that well but im trying hard to not let that bring me down. I hope everyone is doing well and i hope all of you that want to be banded get it. the pain is minimal compared to what i heard gastric was. thank you to all of you for help and support and im still going to need it when times get tough <3 i am happy i finally got it done after a year of waiting and going through all the steps. I just cant wait untill the gas passes its a horrible feeling lol:thumbdown: and yeah im happy i go…

Hello Everyone ,MYname is trisha ann I have my surgery on 4/22/09 I am very happy although this suga buster is killing me.

Getting banded 4/22. Excited to start this new journey. Looking forward to the support on this site. thanks, b-lo

Just starting the process. Went to the seminar, and will make the first appt. on Monday. Nervous as all get out. My husband, otoh, would love to gain 10 pounds and do it. Anyway, glad to have found you all!

Hi Everyone, After reading many other forums from this site, I decided to go ahead and schedule my surgery date for the band... I will be getting the band on May 5th, in Tijuana, with Dr. Huacuz. Has anyone here had their band done by him recently? Im starting to freak out a little, one reason, I'm not having it done here in the States, ( I have no insurance, and when I did, they turned me down, surprise surprise:cool:). Second, all the violence recently in Tijuana with the drug cartels and the amount of civilians getting caught in the crossfires.... I would love any feedback from anyone who was there recently and can let me know what it was like, good and bad, a…

Hello everyone! I am scheduled for my surgery on April 30th...(yay! I think?) I'm dealing with my protien shake diet...and when I say that, I mean...PROTEIN SHAKES ONLY! UHG!! I've messed that up twice already...I'm feeling a bit anxious but am loving this site already...reading the posts have helped me so much!

Good Morning all! I just wanted to stop by and say hello. I had Realize Band january 6th, today is my 3 month post op (should be done about 52/53 lbs) Dang retaining water!!! I'm looking forwared to meeting new bandsters like myself and getting and giveing support along this new road. Kim

Hey y'all, I am just starting the process to get banded, probably in the next 2-3 months and I have came across this board. I love it here!!!! Its great reading about others in similar situations instead of some skinny doctor telling me not to eat so much!!! Be forewarned, I ask TONS of questions, you will be hearing from me frequently......

Hello everyone! I am so happy to find this forum, and learn and get advice from all of you! I was banded on March 30th and so far so good. I am in Utah, a SAHM to 3 kids and so excited to get healthy. So Hello to you all! Nan

Hi, my name in Kim, I'm 47 years old and I was banded last november the 24th of 2008. I was 301 when I started, and right now I am at 253, depending on whose scale you are wieghting me on. The Doctors scale has me at 260. My surgeon is Dr. McCririe from Hillsdale Michigan. He's been great in the whole process with me. I know there are no stupid questions, but sometimes I am afraid to ask for fear I will look like a fool. I have a problem. I've been fighting pneumonia and sinus infections, but I'm on antibiotics and am getting better. I have noticed that about 3 to 4 days after I get a fill, I start running a fever. I must be really close to my sweet spot, because after th…

I havent really been in lapband mode thru the fall and winter. I have noticed how much I'm failing and decided its time to straighten up! On May 27th 2008 I was banded in Chicago by Dr Lutfi. At that time I was around 247 lbs. I had one fill in August of 2008. When I fell off the wagon I was at 230 lbs. I'm not really sure why I fell off the wagon, I was loving the way I was feeling and the ability to wear smaller clothes. But I did and I'm so ashamed! Dr Lutfi's office only does fills on Tuesday mornings now from 7:30 to 9:30 am. I live 3 and half hours from his office. If I was going to an appointment I would have to leave my home in the middle of the night! So…

I am new to this site. I had my lap band placed 2/25/09 at Scripps Green in La Jolla, CA. My surgeon was Dr. Takata. I am doing well, just trying to get to the "sweet spot" on the fills.

Hello! My name is Jill and I am very excited to be having my lap-band surgery in 2 weeks! I am having surgery in Mexico with Dr. Kuri (any Kuri patients out there?? I would love to hear about your experience!). My best friend and I are having the surgery together. We have been planning for a couple of months now and I can not believe it is so close now. I am feeling very comfortable about the surgery, however the first weeks after, have me pretty nervous. I am definatly an emotional eater and I do love sugar -- I have started a high protien diet and am slowly cutting back on the sugar. I have also been seeing a councilor to help deal with the emotional aspects. S…

Hello all! I'm fairly new to the site and have gotten lots of inspiration from reading posts and looking at picture journals. My surgery is scheduled for May 7th! I'm getting excited and nervous all at the same time. Congrats to everyone who has started the journey and good luck to those who are just starting like myself. :rolleyes2:

I just got my refferal for my pre-bariatric surgery counseling. I don't know how long the process will take but I can't wait. I have a excited about the lap-band, but my husband seems kind of embarrased about it. Because when I asked him not to tell anyone yet he said that he didn't plan on telling anyone, he said if anyone asked how I lost weight that he'll tell them I did it on my own. I have done weight watchers for a while and I lost 65 pounds but then I gained it back. I'm so tried of yo-yo dieting I need something more. I am so hopeful when I read your postings and see your before and afters. This is a great site and hopefully soon I'll be a after.

Hi all -- I am new to this site and have found it both very helpful and confusing ... I am going to call today to make an appointment to talk to the surgeon everyone in Las Vegas seems to recommend to start the process. I'm afraid I won't be eligible or my insurance company will turn me down, that people will judge me for not doing it on my own, etc. It appears from everything I read everyone is happy they took the leap and are happy with the surgery. I keep thinking I'm a failure because I can't seem to lose it on my own. It is very depressing. I think the fact that I have yo-yo dieted my entire life my body is to the point that it's like "YOU do what you want, I'm …

Hello all. I have decided to join this group in hopes that it will help me with my up coming lap band surgery. I am in the process of trying to get approved. I have actually scheduled my surgery for March 24th because my insurance will most likely deny my claim. I was told in August that BC/BS of Alabama would except photos in place of medical documentation of weight for the past 3 years. I was pleased because I was going to have a hard time finding the weights. My BMI has been up and down most of my life. Well I did the 7 months of medically supervised weight loss supervision. In fact it was on the way to my last appt for this that I found out that my insurance n…

I have not been Banded yet, just started looking and I was told to stop here first. I live in Fort Worth, Tx looking for a suregon who will accept medicare.

Hello Everyone! Just started my NEW ME journey. As of Monday, April 13th, 2009, my Dr. decided to refer me for the LAPBAND procedure. Question!? How long did it take to get your insurance to approve the surgery?

I am in the process of arranging my band surgey. I have antiphospholipid syndrome. The clinic I am going to doesn't have any experience with an APS patient. Is there anyone out there that has info on this. I would love to hear from someone who has APS and the band. Any help is appreciated.

Hey Everyone, Well I was banded on Thursday, April 4, which makes me 1 week post-op today. The surgery was pretty uneventful except for a sizable haital hernia that my doctor promptly repaired once he discovered it. The whole surgery may have taken 45 minutes according to my husband. I dont think I would have had any discomfort at all if it had not been for the haital hernia repair. I had the worst neck and shoulder pain, not to mention what seemed like air under my diaphram. At times I could not even take a deep breath. I had to call my surgeon for a refill on my pain medicine it was so bad. Anyway, I start soft foods on tomorrow and hope that goes well. I already have …

Hi ALL.. :crying: LOL i am a newbie from OZ (australia).. Starting my journey to my lap band... have had 1 of the 4 appts before my surgery. Have the next 2 next week... so hopefully surgery within the next 4-6 weeks. I am so nervous BUT, yet so excited. My oldest is 4 years old.. before her pregnancy i was a nice 68kg's and a size 12-14 which for my body is just right.... now 2 kids later.. 4 years on.. i am ashamed at 118kg's and size 18-22 (depending on the clothes maker).. I dont recognise myself anymore... and i feel so lost within this body that just couldnt be mine!! :rolleyes2: BUT, i cant focus on that... i just cant. I have HAVE HAVE to focus on re…

I was looking up insurance things and came across this forum! I am 21 and have a son who is 16 months old. My hubby is active duty army. I am wanting to lose weight, I have tried everything, but with my food allergies I swell up when ever I eat things I am allergic to. I also retain Water when this happens. I was, and still am, really active. I was put on depo provera when I was younger and I gained 50 lbs in the 3 years. Then I got off of it and got pregnant and gained 50 more pounds, after I had my son I did everything to lose the weight, did not help. I was also back on the depo shot. I am not off of it and about to lose some weight, but much of what I put on. …

Hey folks - I was around about a year ago, battling with my insurance company, etc. Since then, I have moved and many things have occurred. Bottom line is, I'm working on the journey again. This time, however, I will succeed. I have seriously gone downhill health-wise, unfortunately. I've found a new PCP that is amazing. She listens to ME. I was so afraid of not being able to find a doctor that was comparable to my last one. I really like her. Anyway, she's already started the process for getting my insurance approval. Then I get referred to the surgeon. I'm excited. I'm looking forward to restarting my life.

Hi, I am new to this group and found you after looking for info about after banding GERDS. I was banded 9/28/07 and have lost about 55 pounds. I was down 64 but resently regained 9 miserable, awful pounds. :crying: I have been having problems with reflux and Gerds for about 2-3 months now. It has gotten to the point where I am afraid to sleep. Any ideas or help out there?:rolleyes2:

Hello! I am new to this!! I recently had surgery on Jan 22, 2009

hello, I have just three weeks to go before my lap band surgery with Dr Dolan. I am starting to get a bit nervous, but still ready to go! I weigh 105kg and used to weigh 65kg normally. I havent told my husband yet but suppose will have to soon( he will tell me I am taking the easy, lazy way out) (he weighs 75kg!!) It is good to know there is a support forum!!

Myself Rocky! I am new here in this forum. I just want to say hello to all. I am glad to be a member here. Thanks ab workout

Hi I had my surgery on February 20th in Portsmouth VA by Dr. Greg Adams. He's the best! So far I have lost 15 lbs.I had my first fill on April 7th. I'm so happy!:rolleyes2:

Hi. I was banded in 2007. My starting weight was 213 I lost 75 pounds and my smallest weight was 138, but 2 years later I am now up to 173. I am still struggling with getting filled and unfilled but I know my body so I know when its time to get my band loosened or tightened.

Hello everyone. I am 35 yrs old and was just banded on 2/11 so 6 days post op. I haven't had a lot of pain from the surgery site so much, but have had some terrible gas and shoulder pains. Today is the first day I can say it is pretty much gone. So overall I would say it was pretty mild in the sence of pain management. That's always a good thing.:thumbup: In the 6-7 months that I went through this whole process I was only able to lose 24 lbs on my own. I have some pain issues with my knee so it was on diet alone without any structered exercise routine. Since I have been banded I've lost 8 lbs. in 6 days. Isn't that just amazing!!!:thumbup: Which leads me to my first qu…

Hello all! My name is Erin and I am a 25 year old female/mother/wife. I am a stay at home mom to 2 children a 2 year old daughter and almost 4 year old son. My current BMI is 37.7 and as far I know I don't have any co-morbidities. I am scheduled for a colonoscopy tomorrow for some digestion issues but I'm not sure if any outcome could be beneficial for approval for lap band. I've gain approx 100 lbs in the last 5 years and am tired of being overweight and misserable. I am ready to take serious measures to lose this weight and am anxious to get started!

Hi, all! I'm new here and wanted to introduce myself. I'm a 31 year old female, scheduled for LB surgery on 3/16 by Dr. Curry. I had my nutrition class today and start my preop diet on 3/9. I'm not one to wish time away, but am anxiously awaiting my 32nd bday on 4/15 (5 days after my first fill!).

I am so frustrated and disappointed. :rolleyes2: I was scheduled for my banding tomorrow morning but have had to put it off for a couple of weeks due to inclusive stress tests. First, you know how you have to have the standard EKG? Mine showed a tiny abnormal result (which was probably due to me being stressed for being a few minutes late after being hung up in traffic) so I had to schedule a bicycle stress test. The girl said the target was to get my heart rate to 140 and I told her she wasn't going to get it that high as I am on 3 bp meds and I have a naturally slow heart beat, well she got me to 120 and stopped the test. Low and behold drs office called and said …

Hi Everyone, Firstly i'd love to say thankyou to all those people that have written stories about their surgey days, you have no idea how helpful they have been to me. I was scared out of my wit that I am going to die, but after reding about 50 or so stories I feel so much better, I finf myself in tears at night wrrying that I am going to die and leave my husnband and beautiful 6 year old boy alone without me :crying: I am a big cry baby as it is, the thought opf going to hosptial is scaring me so much. I have never had an operatio before, but Im going to be brave, well try to anyway :laugh: Its 27 days till my surgery date, I am booked in on may 14th at the Ash…

Hello friends :rolleyes2: My name is Christen and I'm currently in pre-op stages of lap band. Don't know my official date, but I'm so excited and ready to move on to a better me. I live in Virginia Beach, VA... if there is anyone in the area I'd love a buddy... or if anyone around the age of 25 has any tips/ advice, I'd greatly appreciate it! Anyways, best of luck.... I'll be posting back here when I have a date! --Christen

After two years of thinking about this I have finally made some appointments for lapband surgury, only to find out that my insurance will only allow it after a 6 month, doctor supervised weight loss program. Now I will have to pay for that before I even get to the surgury part. Yikes! I hope I can stick it out....already feeling overwhelmed....anyone else have to jump thru hoops??:wub:

Hello All: I went to get my lap band yesterday. I was calm when I arrived. My blood pressure was good. I spoke with my surgeon and was ready to go. Then the anethesia doctor came and gave me something for nauseau and reflux in my IV. All of a sudden, I started having a terrible panic attack. I took the IV off and refused surgery. Also, the anesthesia doctor kept telling me about all of the reasons " you might not wake up" from anethesia. I was flipping by this point!!:sneaky: I was SOOO prepared and excited for this surgery. I thought I clearly understood all of the pros and cons. Has anyone had a negative experience with the lapband??? All I hear are positi…

by the way i have chosen Doctor Malley in Kansas City Missouri to do my surgery when the time comes up to do it.

Going to the seminar on the 20th. I want this so bad. I have been over weight since I was a teenager. I'm 5 3 and I weigh 220. I have lost weight in the past but gained it back and then some.

Hi. I'm going to my first seminar this week, and I've already started my paperwork. Anyone from Indiana? Who did you use for your Dr? If all goes well and insurance approves my surgery (they should), it should be about 6 weeks from now. I've been researching since October and I wish I would've started the process sooner. What kind of support system (besides this forum) seems to work the best? I know my husband will be supportive, and my daughter, but does it work best to have a friend, too? Thanks and talk to you all soon!