Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi my name is Albert Gonzalez and this is my first time posting on this website. Well my journey began in May 2008. I got on a scale and was weighing 480lbs. Being that I am 6 foot 3 I felt that I was carrying it well but I was definitely kidding myself. At this time I decided to get help and started to look into options in losing weight. I went to Lancaster General Hospital in Lancaster, PA and saw Dr. Alan Brader from Lancaster General Bariatrics. After meeting with him and completing all the requirements I ended up having my lap band surgery on November 4, 2008. Prior to surgery I was required by my medical insurance to lose 20 pounds but I entered losing …

Hi! I'm new to lapbandtalk.com --have become VERY interested in the lapband after failing at seemingly everything from WW to Metabolic. Anyone here dealt w/ Savannah surgeons or United Healthcare?

Hi my name is Kuuipo I was banded in 08/2008 and glad that I did

Hi everyone: My surgery is 8/13 and I know i will need an arm lift because i lost the weight before and my arms used to make me cry. anything and everything about this surgery I would like to know. I am in NY, any good surgeons used by anyone? How long was recovery, painful? Everything. I appreciate your input. /nilsa

I am very much interested in the lap band. I have an appointment this week with Dr. I have 50 to 60 pounds to loose and have tried all my life to loose it but gain it all back everytime. I'm sick and tired of doing this to myself. I'm 51 years old and have high blood pressure plus both parents have severe heart problems and diabetes. So genetics aren't in my favor! I'm nervous about people telling me that I don't need the lap band, but I know I do! I want to end this yo yo thing for good! Anyone out there who had 50 to 60 pounds to loose and got banded??? I would love to hear from you! thanks.

Hello all, I am very much considering having this procedure done in the very near future. I have tried the diets over and over for years. I hope to find lots of useful info here to help guide me.

Hi, I'm Tonya and I will probably be having my surgery within 3 months. Look forward to getting a head start on knowledge here. Cheers!

Hi everyone! I am new here and am considering getting the lap band. I took the first step recently and attended a seminar at a local hospital to learn more about bariatric surgery. I am weighing the pros and cons between the lap band and gastric bypass. I was wondering: why did you decide to get the lap band vs. other types of surgery?

Hi my name is Eric and I just banded on 3/27/09. I am feeling better and was in the hospital for 12 days. I had to have surgery twice and caught pneumonia in the process. I am feeling good now because of the weight loss and the pounds I will lose in the process. Thought I would just say hi

Hi its my first time on here and I just wanted to do something like this for awhile join a place where I can talk and learn from others that had the surgery ok well I got the band on 12/02/2008 when I got the surgery I was 309 today I wieghed myself and I am at 270 so I am happy but even though I am eating less I still do eat stuff I should not and also since my last tighting I am like getting food stuck in like my chest or something and it feels awful is anyone feeling like this and if so what do you guys do I went to MIAMI a week ago and gut a piece of food stuck and that was the worse but I could not make myself vomit is it a good idea to do that just in case I get som…

Hello everyone, My name is Sue and Im from kentucky. Im a wife, mother, and Grammy. I was banded on March 26th and so far all is good but a little hungry :wub:. I wont be able to have a fill for about 3 weeks yet so Im just doing my best to make it threw the munchies. This forum looks like a good place to start for help and support since I live so far away from where the support groups meet from the hospital I used. :wub:

Hi! Well, I guess this is like my first official post! I am officially starting my 3 month pre-op program tomorrow with my first dieticians appt tomorrow. Went to an Orientation, had an appointment with my surgeon (who I really like so far) and tomorrow will be DAY 1 of my 3 month program. I am so excited and just can't wait to begin this journey. It took me a long time of researching and trying to decide, so I am excited and anxious to be on this journey. I've been lurking and love and value all of the posts and info I get here. JJ

Hello all. I am not yet banded and have tons of questions!! I called my insurance company this morning and they gave me the requirements, but I have questions about them. They said I have to have 6 months of dieting prior to surgery. They said it does not have to be doctor approved, what does this mean?? They also said I have to have a psychological exam, is that normal? I understood everything else, just mainly these 2 things I was concerned about. Any advice/help??

Hi... i was very active on this site about six months ago.. i started going for all my pre op testing.. my mind was made up .. i was def getting banded. My husband lost his job...and with that we lost medical insurance. I am a stay at home mom of two. SOO instead of just gaining more weight and using this situation as an excuse to get bigger while i waited for new insurance i joined a gym and tried on my own. Since NOvemeber i have lost almost 40lbs. LOW CARB AND HIGH PROTEIN. My husband was hired thank goodness only a month after losing his prior job... but his insurance took 90 days to kick in. I now have insurance again and its the same as before. Im torn... sh…

Hello everyone! What an incredible community - I am going to love this site! I was banded last Wednesday, April 8. So far, so good! I have been really hungry, but my pain has been minimal, so I shouldn't complain. Any advice for a newly banded woman? I will take all the help I can get.

I’m new here. I’m at the end of preparing for my lapband. It has been a very long journey, but I’m so ready to start living a normal life. I need a good support group and this looks like the right place. I so look forward to sharing the rest of my journey

hi, im Stacey, 31, mother of 2 and had my band done this time exactly 7 days ago, first 4 days were hell, and a little better each day after that, had excrutiating pain from trapped air after surgery, so bad i was re admitted to hopsital, thought my left shoulder was giving birth and my chest going to expolde. was on Optifast diet for 2 weeks prior and combined with the 2 weeks and now 1 week post op have lost nearly 10kg's. Im frightened its going too:scared2: fast which isnt the "ideal thing" is it? anyone else concerned with this?

Hi, I was banded 03/27/06 and started at 402lbs...I made it all the way down to my lowest of 299lbs BUT in the past year, i have managed to gain and now I am at 325lbs. I have not been able to see a lapband doctor where I currently live (Florida). I moved from NYC last june and that was the last time I have seen a doctor for my lapband. So, I know I am in need of a fill but here in FL it seems that if they didn't operate on you, they don't want to deal with you. The only place is FillCenterUSA but right now its too much for me to spend. My surgery was done at NYU by Dr. Feilding. I miss his office staff!!

This is my first time on the site, I will have the Lap Band in 14 days. I start the liquid diet tomorrow and would appreciate any suggestions on what to expect and if you have any ideas on how in the world you can make broth have some kind of taste to it. :smile:

Hello, my name is Shannon and I am getting the band put in tomorrow...I am really excited but really nervous at the same time! I just wanted to intoduce myself before I have to run off to work!

Hello again another question seems like i am full of them lol... How much time did you guys take of work for your surgery! Hayley

I am 6 days post op, feeling a lot of pain under my rib cage on the right side. I know that it is probably gas and I'm working on that, but what I don't understand is why am I so hungry? I must be doing something wrong, but my stomach will growl like I haven't eaten in a week. Anyone else experience this?

Hi all i have my surgery date for my lap band omg 28h of april... I dont know what i am gonna eat after the surgery..My doctor is far away and i dont think i will be getting much support(dietitions etc) What did you eat after your surgery how did it go andis it working for you.. I need all the help i can get . Hayley:tt2:

Hello All! I was lapbanded on April 8, 2009 and am doing well. However I am ready to get my life back to normal and be able to eat the same as my family. I have been on clear liquids this week, and tomorrow I can start full liquids. Any favorite food on the full liquids? I do not feel hungry however I am so ready for "normal" food. I have lost 23 lbs in 2 weeks, and have started walking on Monday however I just plain get tired. Hope this changes as I can eat more food. Any words from the wise?

Hi everyone...I am a new bandster(February 09') and I am currently 32lbs down. I do have to say that I have not been sticking to the plan completely and need a pick me up...BUT.. This weekened I was at work and ate a few too many Ruffles potatoe chips and then, had a 3-4 SMALL sips of soda. I know..I know, I was a bad girl. I was okay for about 20 minutes, then I had the worst pain ever!! The pain was around the band site( mid sternal area) and it would not stop. I could barely walk, the breath knocked out of me. I thought I was dying...seriously! I couldn't even make myself sick to rid myself of the pain. It finally began to resolve after 25 minutes...WHAT WAS THAT PAI…

hello everyone, i have never paticipated in a forum ,so bear with me.I am well past 65yrs. of age. diabetic,heart failure and of course obese. My cardiologist feels i can come thru the surgery fine but since the vert.gastric sleeve has only been done for about 3yrs. insurance does not pay for it .since it will be an out of pocket expense i can't afford it in the states.Here is my quandry...it is much less expensive in Mexico but I don't know anything about any surgeons there, only what I read on thier web sites.Can anyone one help me out? i'm forever grateful... pippyann

:smile: Hello, I'm Dave from Indiana and I'm a couple of month's out from surgery. I've been approved, but still have a couple of hoops to jump through and my son's graduation at the end of May to deal with before hitting the table. I'm a former Surgical Tech, so I kind of know what I'm getting into surgically wise, but lifestyle wise it scares the hell outa me... Anyone who wants to hold a cowardly lion's hand and give him courage and encouragement are more than welcome. I'm starting out at 6'1" and 340 and would really like to hit 200-220 before it's all over.... I hope that everyone is having success and all the weightloss that they are wanting.. Please drop by ju…

hello I'm getting for lap band finished all but upper G I, going to first support group tonight Dr Nye is my doctor

:biggrin:Hello Everyone!! I am considering the lap band surgery, does anyone have any advice? Does anyone happen to know anything about the surgeons in Asheville, NC?? I am schceduled to attend the information seminar next week and am looking forward to understnading this procedure more. I am really excited and cannot wait...but at the same time I am really nervous. This is a really BIG DEAL!! I am starting at 350lbs and am worried about side affects and what will happen after the surgery. Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

I just met with my surgeon Dr.Fielding at NYU and have a surgery date next month, 5/18. I am looking forward to the procedure and the opportunity to regain my life.

Hello, I am new to the website and just got insurance approval today! Surgery scheduled for 4/30....I can't wait! I am trying to get my profile set up. Can someone help me with posting a weight loss tracker on my profile? Anyone else in the St. Louis area? Thanks!

Just wanted to introduce myself. I am 36 yrs old and live about a hour from Cincinnati, Ohio. Have been overweight, or should I say morbidly obese(according to the bmi) for about 11 yrs now. I have about 130 lbs to lose. I have been thinking a long time about the lap band. I finally got my husband to agree to go to a seminar. So we signed up with Dr trace Curry on 4/29. I already know my insurance Humana wants me to do a 6 month diet. So I called Dr currys office and asked if I should wait til after the seminar to do anything and she said yes and that I will do my diet through them and not my pcp. I am excited about that. I have been lurking in these forums for…

Hi all, have my surgery date for May 7th, getting a little nervous, thought by hearing from others it would help.

Hey everyone, I've been thinking about getting bariatric surgery for a few years now. My BMI is over 40, and I've tried every single diet, seen doctors, and exercised as often as I can with no results. I was finally approved for Medical Assistance through the State of Minnesota. I'm 20, and a full-time student and without insurance because I work part-time. I was approved on the basis of being a "child aged 19-21." I'm 20 now, and I will be 21 in September. As for my plans - I'm scheduling an appointment with my Internal Medicine doctor this week to talk about undergoing the lap-band procedure. I'm assuming I am a good candidate because I'm young. I get really reall…

I would love to find a band buddy who will have surgery around April 30!

Hello everyone. My name is Jennifer. I had to complete a year long program which included a counselor, dietician, and personal trainer with exercise 3x a week before my insurance would pay for the band. Over that year I lost 42 lbs and was proud of my accomplishments, but knew I needed more help than I could give myself. I was banded on 4/7/09 in Shreveport, LA by Dr. Merriman. I do not have any Fluid in my band yet, but I have now lost about 17 lbs--totally unexpected for 6 days post op! I am still really sore in my stomach, but not too much. I am back at work. I guess im just not sure what I am feeling in my tummy yet. It seems like I get full with just a small amount o…

:thumbup:I was banded 4/7/09. I am very excited about this change n my life. I look forward to a healthier, more fit lifestyle. I will be looking to this forum for support and hope to provide others with the same.

Hi everyone, I'm getting banded May 6th. I've got 100 - 110 lbs. to lose. I'm nervous , excited , can't wait to get it over with. I personally know a couple of people that have the lap-band & they are very happy with the whole thing. Good luck to everybody and good luck to me !!!! Thanx

HI all , I'm a newbie. I will be banded in May this year and am really looking for any advice you want to share. Like diets , ups and downs to look forward to, etc. I am a Army spouse as you might have guessed by the name and my hubby is deployed right now so its all me. He supports me from afar and hopefully I'll met a few new friends to be with me on this journey on here as well. I am curious as to what to expect weight loss wise in the first couple months. SO anyone???? Hope to hear from you.

I have a question about what kind of meds can or can't we take? My doctor says I can take anything, but then I read about NSAIDS. Are they to be taken or not? I only take WellButrin, a multi vitamin and a low dose aspirin daily. But, I've read that some medicines can get stuck in our pouch. Just wondering what kind of experience everyone else has had.

Hi all. My name is Tonya. I'm a 31 year old female living in San Jose, California. I was banded last week (Wednesday). I had a starting weight of 265 pounds (5'3" tall) and had been dieting and exercising (AGAIN, as usual) since the end of February. My pre-op weight was 245 pounds. Since surgery last week, I have lost 11 pounds. My goal is to lose about 85 more pounds. The first few days post-op, I didn't feel hungry and was barely taking in 200 calories a day. Now my appetite has returned and I am doing a little better. I am having problems with hunger though. My post-op diet is supposed to be liquids for 2 weeks, then the 3rd week soft foods, then on to solid…

Yes I am from the "OC" but not everyone here is blonde and wears a bikini! I found this forum to find out answers to my questions. And I have so many! All this information is so handy and I glad to hear that I am not the only one that contemplates this decision of getting the lap band. I am going to a seminar this Saturday and will find out more information. Good news is that my insurance does cover this procedure. Can't wait to find out more information so I will keep reading. Anyone out there from my area? I feel like this procedure is my last hope. Also feeling of "am i taking the easy way out?" In reading, not sure that it is the easy way or not...please give…

I am considering Lap band and am having trouble finding a surgeon tht performs this in the Harlingen Area...anyone know of a surgeon?

Hey bandsters! I am new to this site, but not new to the surgery. I had my surgery September 27, 2007 and I HAVE NO REGRETS!:smile:

I am getting banded on April 20 and I have started my 10 day pre op diet. Had my ekg, blood work and swallow test today. I meet with my Dr. for a physical on the 17th and off to surgery on the 20th. I am very excited for this to happen. I started the process of getting the band back in Feb 2008 and 1 year later here I am.:drool:

Hello all: I'm glad that I found this site tonight. My wife and I are trying to plan out my lapband surgery for this year. So far, we have attended a seminar. I was told that my insurance (BCBS Federal) would not require a 6-month nutrition program. We could get started right away with the physical and psych check. However, after reading the posts about the pre-op liquid diet, I'm going to have to prepare myself mentally for this. Look forward to learning more here, Anthony

Hi there, I am new here. LP surgery was on Feb 24 2009. :thumbdown:

hi bandsters, I had my band fitted a week ago. In the UK it is unusual to get funding on the health service unless you have other health problems. Luckily I am just fat lol. Therefore I self funded and was seen and done with in a matter of weeks, so far so good. I have to follow a liquids only diet fo 3 weeks and then I can commmence the mushy food phase. I have an appt on the 7th May for my first fill under x-ray. So far I have lost 10 kilos since seeing the surgeon. I feel very sore and a bit low in mood if I am honest but from what I read this is fairly typical and should eaze over the next few weeks. I am loving reading everybodies stories and getting all of t…

I have a date to be banded on 4/30/09, I'm excited and also nervous at times, anybody out there who had/has the same feelings? Excited on one day and worried the next?

Hello, I have been praying about my weight and I am positive that the answer is the lap band surgery. However, when I called the first Dr. in Alabama that I was referred to by my Dr. his nurse said that he cut off the surgery at 59. I am 65. However, I did not give up. I got names from internet and continued to call. Some Drs. will do it after 65 but is it more dangerous. Also, I am on Medicare and even though I called Medicare to see if I could qualify, it seems that Medicare doesn't certify everyone. I am not really discouraged but I want to find a Dr. in Alabama or Georgia that will do it over 65 but is very reliable and safe. I don't want to select the wrong Doctor. A…