Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I'm so glad to actually feel like I can now join the Lapband Talk community... After fighting with Insurance Company forever surgery next week... Looking forward to all the encouragement/Advice you guys can muster... Surgery Next Wednesday my First official post...:confused:

Hello to all, I am new to the lapbandtalk community. I recently had my lap band placed on March 23, 2009. I am looking for friends who are going through the same life changing experience. I hope to get to know alot of you and learn new things. Sincerely Valerie

hi is anyone there, I have lapband in am up to 12.5 mls and finding i cant eat ANYTHING!!! anyone got diet tips??

I am planning to have Dr. Atkinson or the other partner in his office do my surgery. Is anyone here a patient of Dr. Atkinson or his clinic?

hi everyone this is my first time on the site

I started my liquid diet yesterday and I can physically do this, but mentally I am a mess! I already cried this morning and I want to go home and get in bed for the next 2 weeks. I am getting banded on the 15th and I cannot wait. I think I just need some reassurance that I am not alone and that I am not crazy. I have a lot of family and friend support, but I need someone who has gone thru it to help. Thanks! Kim Sorry, getting banded the 15th

:confused: I am 2 wks post banding and find that I really had no clue the change that this would really have on my life. I read every thing and did the classes. Prepaired for two years before deciding to go through with it. Am I lame or what You would think I would have the picture. 7 days post op I woke up one day feeling great and hungry as hell. I was told that the protein drinks would help me not be hungry. Not for me. I grant you I didnt work too hard on the protein because I disliked it. 30 bucks for chocolate and vanilla mix two days drinking it and I could not take any more of it. I gave that stuff away. Then I decided that even though I was supose to be strick…

hello i was recently banded here in ohio and i feel good so far

Getting Banded on April 13th :smile2:

Hi Everyone. Boy am I glad there is a support forum here! My surgery is set for the 14th of April and I am scared! Not of the sugery it's self but of the lifestyle changes. I started the pre op diet on Tuesdays this week and am tired and weak and really hungry. I'm looking forward to the new me but scared of the journey.

Hi!! I've been reading this web site for four months now. I got banded in December, and am still struggling with losing the weight. I'm not feeling the restriction that I thought I would, so it's been a challenge. I did lose 23 pounds before the operation, and I've kept it off, but tomorrow I go for my 4th fill, and I'm going to have a gain. My doctor is great, but he doesn't do fills whenever you feel you need them...he only does them every four weeks.... I'm just hoping that this is the one that will give me the restriction I need to really start this adventure. I was so ready when I had the surgery, but I'm fading fast. I'm r_e_a_l_l_y ready to do this!! Give…

Well... I just got off the phone w/ my insurance company (UHC). Of course, the policy that my employer bought does NOT cover any sort of weightloss procedures/plans (surgical and non-surgical). The Customer Care Rep told me to write an appeal letter and that I would have an answer from UHC within 30 days of them receiving my letter. Has anyone else had to write an appeal letter to UHC? If so, what was their decision for you? What type of info did you include in your appeal letter? Did you have your dr. write an appeal letter as well? THANKS!

Hi everyone, had my surgery 2 1/2 weeks ago and have already lost over 20 pounds. I am now on phase 3 of the program. Haven't had my first fill yet, go back on April 27 for that. Anyone have any words of wisdom for me? Would appreciate any and all comments. :smile2:

I just wanted to introduce myself to the group. :smile2: I am Amy and am from Houston. I finally got the lap band on March 10th. I have been working towards this goal since May 2008. Almost 1 year later it is done. Now the real work begins. So far I have lost 20 pounds and feeling great!!!! I still have a little pain on the port side, and hope it goes away soon. My first fill is set for April 14th. I can't wait!

I am looking into getting Banded for the first time. I found out today that my insurance will not cover the surgery so I am looking into pricing in different states. I am in NC. I hope to find lots of info here at this forum. At present I am at my highest weight of 265 and am 5'10. I am 40 years old and feel a lot older. Anyway, I look forward to reading thru the discussions.:smile2:

I am going through the last steps before the actual operation. I have gone to a years worth of meetings and medical tests. I started the process at 309 lbs and last weigh in was 288. If only I could keep that up I would not need the surgery right? Been there done that. I am set up to see the Nutrionist tomorrow. Next week I see the nurse, the week after that the surgeon, and then all that is left is scheduling the operation. Anyone have some good questions I could be asking the Nutritionist, anything that I should seek clarification on? Any suggestions are welcome!

Hi, I have not been banded yet!!! I am wondering if there are people out there who have had a gastric bypass after they had been banded or a failed band. What are the reasons that one would consider a bypass after lapband failure. Kim waiting:thumbup:

Hello everyone My name is Marie and I was banded July 8, 2008. For anyone who is not sure about going to Monterry Mexico with Dr. Zapata I can asure you that you will have a great experience. On July 8, 2008 I weighed 207lbs today almost 9 months later I now weigh 134lbs and very proud of myself. I thought I would have a very hard time but eating, drinking, and exercising is very important. If you have been struggling for a very long time with different diets that just don't work this is for you. From the moment you arrive to the day you leave, Dr Zapata and his team are very professional, friendly, and give you all the information you need to succeed. The best th…

HI. My name is Sherry and I am having a difficult time since the removal of my band in Dec 2008. I had to have it removed per Dr. because of Esophagus problems and a hiatel (spelling error there!) hernia. Miserable! Want my band back and of course, it worked pretty well for me, I am under 200 pounds, and now I am "too thin" for the gastric. As if I could afford it now anyhow. Is there anyone with advise or solutions????? :wink:

Hi there! Just thought I'd introduce myself. I had my surgery on 24 March 09 and am really looking forward to watching the scales drop in number little by little :wink: Have been overweight my whole life and initially struggled with the idea of Lap Band surgery, because I felt that if I did it, I would be admitting complete and utter failure and it would just prove that I had absolutely no self control. HOwever I have since decided that I don't really care if that's what it means or not, because I wanted to change and I knew that this procedure would be able to help me change. And it has! I have experienced great weight loss in the last few weeks and I realise th…

Got banded on Monday (March 30). Lots of mixed emotions... The surgery itself was not a big deal, but coming home and realizing I'm not going to be eating any solid foods for two weeks has been a little daunting. I was definitely one of those who lived to eat (rather than the other way around) and my profession is in the food industry. I've heard that lots of banded patients lose their desire for food -- I'm hoping I might reach that point. Right now, mentally, I'm still the old me. Physically, I feel a little tight (mainly gassy) and not really hungry at all... But I am thinking about food. Which means I'm missing it. Also -- and I'm being honest here -- I can't comp…

My name is Gwen and I am very excited to be in the community. I am not a lapband customer but I am concidering it. Thanks for having me.

Hi all my name is steve and this is my first posting and I'm looking for some help and suggestions. I'm 60 years old and I'm thinking of getting a Lap Band and i'd like you to tell me what to look forword to. Yes I have had an introduction to the banding but I wanted to ask as many people as I can in what they think?:wink:

Hello..I am new to the site and just wanted to introduce myself. I am a proud mother of three; twin infants who are seven months and a five year old. I have pretty much strugggled with my weight most of my life. There have been times when I have lost weight only to gain it back; Before I only had to lose 20 to 3o lbs, but since I have had kids I have been in the ranges of needing to lose 80 to 120 pounds. I currently weigh in at 271 pounds and my goal weight is 160. !60 has been my goal for as long as I can remember. I use to be 180 trying to get down to 160. It was hard for me then, so just imagine now. Well, I decided the lap band would be good for me because I am one o…

Hello all... ive frequented this site so much , i decided to become a member. my orientation is scheduled today. im 5'6" 248lbs.size 14 to 16 depending on material..:thumbdown:.40 bmi no comorbidities. Hip insurance. Im from nyc...ive been battling with my weight since about age 9. im tired of it. i need life long help...i want to live to be a ripe old lady and still remain healthy. ive experienced gestational diabetes and cannot imagine living with that. the time is now! im 26, soon to be 27 and i want leave this weight thing in the past. ill keep you posted. any advice for lower bmi patients with hip insurance such as myself?? please do contact me------>(danielfarkas…

I am 43 and 220lbs, very tired of being very tired! So no day like today. I have my first meeting 07/09/08 with a wt. Lost team and we'll see....

I weigh 185 pounds and have been yo-yo dieting for years and I am now contemplating on the possibility of the lap-band surgery. I only need to lose 40-45 pounds but I just can't seem to be able to do it on my own. I have been able to lose a lot of weight in the past but only to gain them back much faster in the end. Am I crazy to be thinking about surgery. Please advise!!!

Hello, I new to chat rooms, but not to the lap band. I had my surgery Sept o7. Dr Ponce in Chattanooga, Tn was my surgeon. The surgery went fine and the first year I lost slowly, but I did lose about 40 pounds. I have had problems with my band being too tight and not being able to eat proteins very well. Anyway, I haven't lost in about 7 months and I am very frustrated. Does this mean I am done? Have I gotten all the band for my buck? :smile2: I would really like some help getting jump started again. I need to lose another 40lbs. I don't eat too much food, but I am probably guilty of learning to eat the wrong stuff when my band was too tight. I am working on t…

hi everyone. Im new on here, umm im 20 yrs old and had the surgery on march 6. to be honest this has been the toughest part of my life thus far. im not gonna lie i loveeeeee food. but, i decided to get this surgery for health reasons only!. i love my body n i love being big. its different and its who i am. i just want to see my kids get married in the future(when i have kids) lol. any way, im ok with the surgery so far. in the beginning i thought i was dieing. i felt like a starving person. but like a week later my stomach was adjusting. i lost 18 pounds the first week. im gonna be on the soft foods diet soon. but im scared to gain weight. i have to say that is my great…

Hi, my surgery was on the 16th and I lost 28 pounds the first week :smile2: after that I asked what I could eat next and the nurse gave me a list of foods which included soft foods. They seemed to wake up my appetite and I am hungry. Seems I'm eating more than I should. Why do most doctors wait 6 weeks for the first fill or is it just mine? Should I see about a fill earlier than that - Any suggestions for the need to eat. I'm not binging or overeating but I somehow didn't think I would be hungry like this. It's like my pouch isn't tell me I'm full. Help!

Hi All just want to introduce myself and say hi. look forward to the future and making some great friends.:smile2:

So far so good.......25 down .....100 t go !!!!!!:smile2:

Anyone else having the band on this date???

Just want to say hello

Hello, I am new to this site. I have had the band coming up on 3 years. I am happy with the weight I have lost. But I am unhappy that I have not lost weight in over a year. I have even gained. My starting weight was 250. Got down to 195 and now I am back to 219. I am not gonna let myself get back to my high weight. It is a struggle for me though. I need a kick in the but. What can I do to get back on the band wagon.

It's officially been two weeks since I was banded and I was wondering if what I'm losing is normal. I've read your first month you lose the most but I've only gone down 9 pounds since the day of the surgery, I feel stuck :thumbdown:. Anyone have that slow weight loss the first month? Thanks!

Hi my name is alicia, I am 26 and starting my lap band journey I guess. I've done alot of research and I'm positive at this point that this is what I want for my life. My big problem is that I freak out that nothing is ever going to go my way so even though I've contacted my insurance company and I am covered obviously as long as they approve me, I'm still just concerned and scared that i'm going to go through all this and not get the approval for some reason or another. I guess really what I'm asking for is if anyone has any information about what I really need to do I'm going wendesday for a seminar at chrias. how much more is involved after that? and usually how long i…

Hello, I'm Jean from Massachusetts. I am excited to begin this journey again. I was on this journey two years ago, but because of bad insurance and timing I was unable to get the band, now I'm back and hopefully this time it will all work out. I just want it to happen so bad.

I had my lap band on March 30, 2009..I am just out of the hospital since yesterday. I feel really good, with a slight bit of discomfort qand I am taking Tylenol Extra Strenght for pain. I know this sounds silly, but I feel funny feeling too good. Has anyone else had a good track record feeling so good after surgery? I would love to know!

New to the forum. Going to my seminar on the 23rd. I am over 100 pounds overweight, has everyone had success?

I'M SOOO EXCITED!! My mother and I have decided to get banded as a partnership. We both need to lose over 100lbs each. She had a kidney transplant in 2004 and is having trouble w/ sleep apnea and her legs due to her weight. I'm just starting to have health problems conncted w/ my weight (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, prediabetes, arthritis). I also have kidney disease, but I am not having the complications that my mother had that required her to have a transplant. Her doctor suggested that she have the procedure done at Mt Carmel West because there is a doctor there that does the lap band procedure w/ only 1 incision. My mother is 65. Her surgery will be paid for…

hi im new had band fitted 08/03/11 had two fillings and im due back at doctors end april to date ive lost 4st.i feel great good disicion ever made sorry didnt do it years ago:smile:

HI everyone! So glad to find this site! I am hoping to get a surgery date soon for the Lap Band. I am finished w/ all of my Dr's pre quals --- except losing another 5lbs, I am shooting for early May surgery date. I am excited to chat w/ you all! Deanna

Hi, I was banded Feb 26th 2009 Starting weight 348 current 300 But i already making mistakes, Been on liquids for 8 weeks and alreayd cheated last week had some mush/solids got my first fill yesterday...suppose to be on clear liquids for next 48 but i had a soup...creamy.. This all seems minor to others but i feel like i've already shot myself in the foot.....I know today is just one day but I guess it just hard sometimes. Not usually so down but for some reason this just hit me a little harder than expected. Thanks for the chance to vent Silver:bored:

Hello every one I am 5 months out and was doing ok until recently.I feel as if I am eating almost as much as I did before surgery. I am due for my third fill on April 10th, but I am starting to gain and I am getting a little scared! Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I have seen posts about Dr. Malley from Oct i think. I was wondering if there is anyone out there that is being seen at his office currently. bec

Hey all im windy im 29 years old and a single mom of two beautiful smart little girls. im really hoping this works im so tired of being known as just a pretty face but............. hahahahaha oh boy any way im looking to loose 150 lbs eeeek i know i can do it!i love the outdoors camping fishing swiming float trips and really any thing outdoors!!!

Hi All This is my first posting . I was banded last week 17th March (Hi Fatpants..fI'm the older lady in the bed opposite). I'm still feeling a bit sore but getting back to normal. I weighed myself yesterday and had lost 9 whole lbs...I know this is just the initial 'post op' loss but I'm delighted. I have had solid food like soft noodles and I have just had a small bowl of spag bol.... Don't think I could have stuck to tea and broth. Can't wait to get eating properly and healthily

Hi! A little about me. I am Alicia, 30 years old, from central Virginia, married to a great guy who is very supportive and loving. I am just at the very beginning of this process. I have attended a seminar, done a lot of reading and lurking here, and have an appointment with the surgeon a week from tomorrow. My insurance has the WLS rider. I am currently around 310. :biggrin: I need to lose a lot of weight, 150+ to be at a normal weight. But, my own personal goal is to be at the 200 mark. I have a number of motivating factors, but the biggest one is to start a family. My husband and I have been trying to conceive (off and on with breaks) for about 2 years. I have an ap…

Hi, I was banded laproscopically on March 12. Doing great so far. Have lost about 20 lbs. Of course, most of that was from the pre and post-op liquid diet. Still, it feels great.