Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hello- Well, I am just at about 3 weeks post-op. I had my post appointment just to make sure everything is still in place last week. I had lost 11 pounds (I honestly had hoped for more). I have been doing some light exercising on our Wii fit, but haven't dropped anymore weight. I am a tad frustrated and am unsure what I am doing wrong. I eat about as much as my 5 year old daughter (on a salad plate) at meals . Will the weight come off more after I get my first fill in a few weeks? I am hoping for 2-3 lbs a week. Is that to unrealistic? My port area and my left side where my ribs are seem to be still sore. I am not sure how long this will last. Any insi…

4yrs ago my 4ml band was fitted and after a month the surgeon inflated it to my personal max which was about 2.5 mls. Despite following the (very strict) rules to the letter, vomiting or constriction required him to empty the band 4 times in the first year. A month after each de-fill he filled it up again to my personal max (under x-ray) which was slightly different each time. eg 2.2mls, 2.7mls, 2.4mls. I had now spent £10,000 in total on the op, fills, de-fills and travel to and from London. That was the end of year one and I had lost 7 stones. As I could no longer afford my surgeon or the travel, I sought alternative help which was offered infrequently on the NHS…

I just wanted to say hi, I am new to the forum. I am in the process of getting lap band surgery. I am just waiting for my surgeon to call me to set up my appointment for my surgery date! I've gone through everything else and am just waiting for that now!

Hi all, I am considering, very seriously, of getting banded. I'm 5'5" and 275 lbs. I'm pretty sure that gives me a BMI of over 40 (and no thanks, I don't need an exact number just yet, lol). I live in the KC, MO area and went to one seminar held by Malley Surgical Weight Loss. I know I need to get this done, but I'm terrified of putting my family into major debt to pay for this. My insurance specifically excludes everything to do with weight loss and any medical costs that result from it. Have any of you who have self-paid regretted the financial decision? Would you have preferred to wait until you saved up the money? Also how do you find the best Dr. …

I am 1 week today post surgery. Dr Soong in Las Vegas did my surgery, I had it out patient and can honestly say it was not as bad as I was setting up in my head. My biggest issue is that I have had air caught up in my shoulder sine surgery and it has been very uncomfortable. I go for my first Dr appt on Monday, I will keep you posted!

Hi All - Can anyone suggest a doctor for the lap band procedure that they've had good luck with in the Pasadena, CA area ? I would appreciate it. Thanks !!!!

hi all just taking this opportunity to introduce myself. im mick I live in the midlands england and on friday 3rd april i had my lap band inserted ( 2 days ago). I work for the national health service as a fire officer and previous to this i was an operational firefighter for 30 years. all my adult life i have truggled with my weight even though i was in a very active job. since retiring from the fire service my weight reached 312lbs, the knock on effect being type 2 diabettes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, joint problems etc. I decided to pursue lap banding via the nhs as i could not afford to go private and as i fell into all the right catagories my healthcare…

Hi all... jsut found this website doing a search on banding. My surgeon is Dr Ernest Rehnke in St. Pete, FL. I was banded in February and had my second fill yesterday. I am down 20 lbs. since starting the process. I hope to get to know some of you.... Pam

Anyone been banded in HICKORY NC? I am really considering this procedure and would like some words of wisdom in regards to this choice.

My insurance company will pay all but what are health conditions to be accepted? I'm 58, 5'6" BMI 39.5 This is my last try, I've been on diets since I'm 10. I'm fed up.

I have a surgery date!! I will be banded on 4/17 and I am so excited. I am supposed to start the pre-op diet tomorrow but the doctor said I can start Saturday because my MIL passed away and the funeral is tomorrow. I will watch what I eat and will stay as close to the diet as possible. Just another example of life and making the correct choices. Just call me a boot scootin' dancing machine or would be if I owned a pair of cowboy boots. I know, hard to imagine a Texan who doesn't own a pair of cowboy boots but I could never get them to go over my calves.:smile2:

I had a fill one week ago today. I have lost 115 pounds since my lab band placement, March 28th, 2007. I have been at a stand still with only 1 pound lost in the past 3 months, so I contacted my doctor and he scheduled me fo a fill. This is the 4th fill, my last on Dec 31, 2007. I'm beginning to think my band may be too tight now. I have no problem geting liquids and soft food down but it is more difficult. I have not experienced this before. Has anyone experienced their band being too tight, how did you feel? What advise can you give?

Good Morning All, This is my first post to this website. It's a wonderful site, and I've enjoyed the information. I was banded 7 days ago (3/30). Yeah! I am having problems getting the protein drinks down. I was prepared before hand, and founds the one's I liked. Now, the taste is terrible, and they make me gag. Any suggestions? My energy level is zero right now, but I am sure that's to be expected. Signed, East TN Girl :smile2:

My wife and I are taking this journey together. Scared but excited for the new healthy life together. Her surgery date is Apr. 15, and mine is April 22nd. Keep us in your thoughts! Thanks:thumbup:

Hi I have been going through this process since August 2008 and finally will be banded on May 8th. I have all of the different feelings excited, nervous and scared. Hopefully this time next year it will be a whole new me!

Hi, I'm off to my First appointment 4 hours away ! Very nervous!... but I have been reading your stories and that has helped me A LOT ! Thanks ! I let you know tomorrow ! ~ Flowermom~

Hello to all of you..I am here to support my daughter who continues to encourage me through her successes. Feel free to shout out if you are another parent of a winner such as my daughter is. Continued success to all of you.

Hi, just had a lapband done on the 12th Jan 2009. So far ok although it's slow, my second adjustment will be on the 9th April. :scared2:

Hi, Just wanted to introduce myself. I was banded on 4/1/09. I got a Realize Band, not Lap-Band. The surgery went far better than I expected it to. I've had minimal pain, the pain now is mostly from the "port site". Since I started this journey last November, I've lost about 24 lbs and look forward to losing a whole lot more. For me, the liquid diet has been easy. It's amazing how well you can function on 800 or 900 calories a day! :welldoneclap: I'm sure it won't always be this easy and that there are challenges to come so I'm glad I found this group.

Hi Just wanted to say hi, Im new here and having Surgery Monday April 6th, I am excited, nervous, and have alot of questions, Im from Central NH and look forward to meeting you all. I currently weigh 300 and I hope to someday be back to about 220 or so.:smile2:

Hello, my name is Angela Cooley and I was banded July 2, 2008. I had my surgery at Kings Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, KY. My starting weight was 349 and now it is 255. I would like to lose 100 more pounds.

Hello everyone! My name is Heather i Live in Upland cali. I was banded March 27, 2009 by Dr Davtyan in Beverly Hills ca. He is an amazing Doctor and has been banded him which helped him relate to me. I have lost 23 Lbs already only 93 more to go. I am so happy that i was fortunate to get this procedure it has changed my out look on life!! Hope everyone is having a great sunday!! XoXo So cali Girl

I'm new to the site.....Have my 6th consecutive month weigh in tomorrow with my Dr. Then I get the referral for the surgeon! Already have an appointment with the surgeon on the 17th!!! Looking forward to planning the surgery - can't wait!!!:thumbup:

Hello everyone my name is Taina a wife and mother of three. I have been over weight all my life yo-yoing. Three years ago I reached my big scale at 270 something. I felt so hurt that I got this big. I got on a diet, home made and worked out and some how lost 100lbs. I was so proud of myself. Now am not so proud. Half is back and I feel like I have failed. I decided enough! so I want to get lap band this year. I went to most of my pre-op follow ups and my surgery is set for April 13, 2009. I am new to all these blogs and Vblogs. So bear with me. Anyway if you would like to see some of my vblogs you may. I would love as much support as possible. I have some on Youtube wls …

Hi. My name is Brenda. I had my band put on on Tuesday, the 31st of March. I've had a rough few days but today is a bit better. All I've done is sleep and try to drink. But no pain meds today so I guess that is good. I've never posted on here before and I'm hoping to get in touch with some other newly banded people. I need all the support I can get. I was also wondering if anybody would be willing to tell what they experienced the first week or so. Any hints, suggestions, stories. I guess I just want to know that everything I'm feeling is normal. Thanks. Brenda

Hi I'm Sam! I had surgery on March 31st, by Dr. N. Bertha. I am feeling okay, I'm on Full liquids. Thankfully I like my protein shakes so far. I am hungry though! I was hoping I wouldn't feel that way, but my mind is hungry, my stomach is full! Very crazy! Anyway, good luck to all and I look forward to chatting and supporting each other!:welldoneclap:

Hi everyone, I can tell by reading the messages you are a caring group. I was banded on March 26th and it has been no picnic so far. I have terrible pain in my port area, really burning hot when I move wrong. Seems to be anytime I use the muscle right there. Any thoughts on this? I am 57, a nurses aid, wife and grandmother. Love most of my life and thats why I wanted to do this and loose the tired half of myself. I hope to loose 130 lbs more, down 20 from when I started this whole thing. I had Dr. Ray Kruger from the Southcoast group in Wareham for a surgeon.

in no particular order, here they are: 1) i see some people are already on pureed foods/mushies at five days out but my doc has me on liquids for first two weeks -- does this mean a little "cheating" won't kill me? (i mean i literally thought if i had something with texture i might start to choke -- i had a couple of mini bites today of something and had no such problems...) 2) i'm craving a glass of red wine. so would that kill me? (hey, my diet allows for four ounces of juice!) 3) is it normal to have a certain amount of queasiness/sour stomach feeling at this point? i've got gas, too (which i hear is fairly common), but the gas is just weird -- it's as if the air…

Hello I thought I would finally introduce my self here. I started the bariatric program through Kaiser in Honolulu in September 2008 and I was just banded on April 1st (Yesterday). Kaiser does bands as out-patient. Went in at 7:30 and I was home by 3:30. I vomited in the car as a reaction to all the pain meds and anesthesia they gave me. Right now I am very sore and I cannot tell the difference between the pain from the gas, the incisions in my abdomen, or feeling full from drinking too much liquids at one time. Right now I am just trying to rest and walk out the gas as much as possible. I also burp a lot but I am not sure if that is from just drinking something or the g…

Hello, My name is Lisa I am 32 and I just got word last night that my insurance has approved my surgery. So it should happen soon. I am really nervous and not really sure I know everything i should. So I joined this site to get some helpful tips such as what I can and can not eat. What type of weight loss people have had and to see if anybody lives near me that has had this. Corydon, IN. Hope to meet new people. Lis :tongue_smilie:

Hi, my name's Aris. I am new to the forum and have not yet been banded, my surgery is scheduled for April 13th at Banner gateway in Gilbert, Az by Dr. Albert Chen. I did a lot of research and have been really impressed by this hospital. I'm at the end of the 1st week on the clear liquid diet, and I'm starving. The 1st 3 days were the worst, but getting the b-1 into my diet helped a lot. I'm a vegetarian so most broths are out. I've lost 8 lbs, since monday though, so that is encouraging. Look forward to chatting, Aris

Hi I am glad I found this site, looking at the pictures and reading some of the questions I have really helps. I will be banded on April 16th, 2009, by Dr Leslie in Mpls, MN. I am scared, nervous, excited for the change in my life, and happy to be on the road to a healthier me. :welldoneclap:

Hello Yall.... My name is Lisa and I am new here. I was just banded on April 2 (48 hrs ago) by Dr. Pachivat Kasemsap in Melbourne florida. I am anxious to meet new friends here and learn from everyon's personal experiences. I was so excited upon entering the hospital because I lost 16 lbs on my preop diet so that was so encouraging. I have been overweight my whole life and as I am sitting here trying to drink my boost resource beverage gone (mind you it has been 30 minutes) I am marveling in the fullness already..... Thank you for starting this forum and allowing me to be part of this "band wagon". :scared2:

I just wanted to post and say hi! I am just beginning the whole process so if anyone has some good advice for me, feel free to post! :welldoneclap:

Hello everyone! I've been considering the lap band for the past several months, and just recently made the decision to go for it. I'll be moving to Columbia, MO this summer so I'll be banded there at Boone Medical Center. I've done the seminar thing, and have been on here quite a bit to answer my questions about it. I still have some questions, though, so I'll definitely be asking for your input! Glad to be here, and see you 'round!

Hey everyone! I've been considering lapband for a while now, but I just recently got serious. I finally made an appointment with Dr. Crawford in Anniston Alabama for Tuesday to see what steps I need to take. I'm ready to start a new life, I'm tired of having a BMI of over 45, 43 at best. Yo yo diets are killing me! I'm still young and I want to enjoy the rest of my life. If anyone's every used Dr. Crawford I would really appreciate your feedback, but I could also use some support on here. Soo, I hope to meet some good folks! :scared2:

Hi All- I'm a newbie to Bandland. I was banded on 3/30/09, no real problems so far. Well, unless you count me ending up in the ER on 3/31/09. I went in because I had this horrible tightening pain episode. It came & went, I baffled the ER doc. No problems though, band is were it should after taking the abdominal xrays, etc. I was already dehydrated & had a slight fever though. That came on fast. So now I'm drinking 24/7, well it feels like it anyways. :welldoneclap:

Today I was able to comfortably fit into a misses 16 pants. Horray for me!!!! :thumbup: BUT tonight when I went shopping for more new clothes I realized that I have no idea how to shop for regular size clothes. If that makes any sense?? I wandered around the clothing department looking at clothes thinking, I'll never be able to wear those and when I picked them up and mentally sized them up I didn't believe that I could wear them or that they could possible look good on me. I know it's a mental thing from years and years of never being able to shop for cute clothes because they did not make them in plus sizes. Also, I am finding that most of the clothes are m…

After 45 years of fighting my weight and losing, I'm feeling inclined to try the lap band. (And, it may be the yo-yo dieting that got me up to my current 300.) For right now, I'll be reading about other people's success and problems. I'm 58 with type II diabetes. I exercise (irregularly due to foot/leg strains [wonder why]) frequently enough that I'm in pretty good condition for my weight. Right now, I find I'm revisiting my favorite bad foods and meals for the last time in the expectation my future bites of these things will be fewer and small. Ed :scared2:

Hi. I'm Mar. I was banded on March 24th. So far so good. I've lost 30 lbs since March 5th. I hope to get to know you and make some friends here. I'll get online again in the morning to work on my profile and read the message boards. Glad I found you!:scared2:

Jason from Tri-cities. Turning 30 on 4-29-09. Married to Dana with daughter Lauren (3) & son Tyler (1). Weight: Do I seriously have to say.... haha 475+ and 100% ready to have Dr. Fox Band me. It is past time to get my life on the right track. I am very lucky not to have diabetes yet and want to fight to beat it before it rears its ugly head along with the multitude of other weight related health conditions. I got diagnosed in Feb 2008 with high blood pressure. I am ready to watch my kids grow, have more energy, play with my kids & do all the things they want me to be able to do. My wife, Dana, is a true joy to live with and I want more!!! I am not ready to die...…

Well, I'm new here. Obviously. I am going through the process of getting ready to get banded, and am completely nervous! The only thing that scares me is the actual surgery, not the change of lifestyle. I am a 26 y/o mother of one, married to a soldier in the Army. Thank God that Tricare covers the LapBand now! I have been waiting for them to cover it, and am so ready to take this first step to the 'new/old' me! :crying:

Hi there! I'm so excited! My surgery is scheduled for 3-18-09. I'm so glad there are sooo many support out there! Looking forward to a healthier me!:confused:

Is there anyone from nashville,tn on here?????

My first time to the site, what a great place. Met my surgeon today and started Medifast. My surgery date is May 19th. I'm excited and scared at the same time.

I just got back from the doctor's - my pre-op. My PCP said my EKG was a little abnormal so she wants me to go in for an echocardiogram. :scared2:. Has anyone ran into this problem? She knows it's a small heart murmur but wants to have it checked out. I'll be so sad if I cannot have my surgery on the 16th. But I guess it's better than something bad happening during surgery. Hopefully the echocardiogram comes out ok.

newbie here from NC. Last night was the beginning of my journey as I attended my first seminar. I look forward to learning what my future will hold from all of you banded folks and what to expect. Any advice/help will be appreciated.:scared2:

Has anyone out there lost at least 10 stones and achieved a BMI of less than 25? Could you please let me know how you did it, which op you had and who did the op. My old 4ml band fitted by Mr John Rogers in London 4 yrs ago is going to be removed and I am on Mr Sean Woodcock's NHS list to have this done. I don't know what to do next and would appreciate your advice. 87kg and gaining fast, Nicky

Hi everyone. I'm Coley in Ohio. I've just began researching weight loss surgery options and I'm leaning towards the Lap Band. The Lap Band seems like a less serious surgery than the Gastris Bypass. I know all surgeries are serious, but the thought of cutting and rerouting my intestines scares the crap out of me. I have a few questions that can only be answered by someone who's already been banded. 1. With the Gastric Bypass some people lose a lot of hair. Does that happen with the Lap Band? 2. Is the amount of weight you lose after being banded equal to the the amount you lose with the Gastric Bypass? Or does that vary person to person? 3. I've been looking at diff…

Hello, I am scheduled to have my lap band surgery this upcoming Tuesday and am feeling a bit anxious. I was wondering if anyone could give me any words of wisdom about what to expect after the surgery, particulary the first few weeks when diet seems to be very limited. I would like to drop 75 lbs. but my doctor tells me 50 is more realistic, can anyone comment on this? It's always been my feeling that dieting, like anything else in life, gives you what you put into it. If all guidelines are followed I'm assuming greater weight loss is possible, for those of you living with the band, any feedback would be most appreciated. Thanks! Raenee