Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi Everyone.... This is my first post here. I am going to my first weightloss seminar on May 5th and have my first appointment with a doctor on May 16th. I should weigh about 150 pounds and I weight 243 right now. I have tried everything. I am hoping I am accepted as a candidate. I have a lot of knee and back pain and my glucose is borderline. My blood pressure is normal. My weight has caused me a great amount of depression but I don't know if that makes me a candidate. I take medication for depression, my thryroid which is slow, and a prescription water pill for swelling. If anyone has any advice or input for me I would greatly appreciate it. Christine :tongue…

Hello all, new comer here and probaly about 60 days or less before having the lap band surgery. In my research between the lap band and the realize band I am not sure of the diffirence but my doc wants me to choose which one. can any one tell me the diffirence? Thanks Ken

I was banded on 3-24-09. I have not felt sick, but I'm very worried because I'm hungry and have eaten. I've measured my food and am not exceeding 4 oz and am satisfied, but I'm scared that I'm on the road to failure, after all it's only day 4. I plan on calling my Dr. on Monday, but right now I feel panicked. I have no nausea and no vomiting, on the contrary I feel great. But shouldn't I have no appetitie and have little interest in food. I'm hoping that it's just a matter of an adjustment and then things will get better. I'm disappointed in myself and how it's going so far. I wanted this so bad & I just feel that I'm not feeling at all what is described in m…

Hi Everyone, Waiting nervously for approval. I know there will be a lot of food adjustments but is it worth it in the end?? Do you have to give up an occasional mixed drink???:tongue_smilie:

I was banded on Tuesday and came home on Wed on Liquids. I am going to the doctor on Thursday April 2 and I am trying to stick with 4oz an hour but find myself having a hard time. I am not spacing it out enough and then I get thursty and drink 3-4 oz and then have chest pains.

New to the site, after a long 9 months my date is finally set. It is amazing the hoops you have to jump through to satisfy your insurance company! I am so excited and can't wait. I'm interested in anyone out there just starting out and giving me realistic expectations on how the next few months will go.

Hi Eyeryone! I had my lap band in Feb 2006. I have done very well. lost 85 pounds. Feel great and look great! I found out 2 years ago I had gallstones. 2 trips to the er after a holiday meal. Last month I got sick all of a sudden, could not eat, bloating, burning in stomach, burping, fullness, constant loose stools with mucus (sorry for the details) It was horrible. Well I had an upper GI, it was all normal, my band is perfect and showed great restriction. It did show "Minor Gastritis". I had an ultrasound, all organs normal, no masses, but did show "Multiple Large Gallstones" Blood work was all good but I did test positive for H Pylori and was treated for 2 weeks on anti…

Hello Everyone! I am a new member and am very excited since I was FINALLY approved for my surgery!! I am schedule for this Monday, March 30th 2009 and I am both excited and nervous for my new beginning.:w00t: I am in Houston, Texas and my surgeon is Dr. Felix Spiegel. I have heard only great things about this man and I am positive he will do an awesome job....but still the whole surgery thing is a little hard for me to swallow since it is my first one.:tongue_smilie: I would like to hear as much feedback as possible from others who have had him as a surgeon, as well as any others that would like to give me an insight to the whole life after the lapband!!! I have read…

Hi! Another "Buckeye" joining the ranks of the recently "banded". I found this site on a Google search. I wish I'd known about it before my surgery. I've found it very helpful. I look forward to joining in.

Hi everyone! I'm a 26 year old woman from Texas, and I'm going in to get banded on Monday of next week. I'm excited, scared, and thankful to have gotten the opportunity to have this surgery. I'm single, and I figure that my twenties is the perfect age for me to start getting thinner. I think the bad (food getting stuck, not eating out as much) outweighs the good (being healthier, looking better). Does anyone remember the kinds of pain medication they were prescribed? Did you have to take a steroid? I'm kinda sensitive when it comes to pills. Do you have to take out all of your piercings when you have the surgery? (I've got alot of ear piercings....) Any a…

I am due to have a band fitted 31st March by Dr christian de Bruyne in Belgium.Is there anybody out there with any advice for me as i am feeling very apprehensive at the moment even though I have been waiting for this for years.

Hello everyone, I’m not much of a poster but have read this forum nearly every day. This is a great site that has educated me immensely. So I thought I’d post my long journey to get banded. Over 2 years ago in 2007, my wife and I considered the lapband but after running up against the mighty insurance requirement, we both decided to once again try dieting. Well you can all imagine the outcome of that decision as we both ended up weighing more than we had before we started our diet. This decision is such a change of lifestyle but we felt it was needed. Five years ago at the age of 47, I had already had bypass surgery. At that time I was told if I didn’t change my hab…

I'll be having my band done Monday morning at 8:30. I'm on day 2 right now of clear liquid diet and it is so much easier than day 1. I feel like I'm breaking up with that mean old abusive boyfriend, food. Right now I have a restraining order against him and next week he goes to jail. I'm excited about taking control of food back!! I have a lot of weight to lose but I'm excited to finally be on the journey!

Good Morning all, I had my surgery on the 26th of March. I have mixed emotions about all of this. I have been over weight all of my life, nothing has worked in past. I am worried that this to will not work.

Feel very well, except for this gas!!! Can anyone tell me how long this will last? Ready to begin the rest of my life feeling better.

Hello! I was banded 10/23/08. I have lost 55lbs and loving it!! I know I have a ways to go, but I am very happy so far. I never really feel full, but I always measure my food and eat only 1 cup of food for breakfast and lunch. For supper I measure 1 1/2 cups food, but do not force myself to eat all of it. I am still drinking one protien shake a day. I am so happy with the energy I have again - oh how I missed that. I don't have a specific weight loss goal, but several small ones. My first was to get under 300lbs - done. Next was to get into a pair of pants I bought 5 years ago and never wore - done and they are getting loose. Next one is to get into the jeans I…

I just had my band installed and I haven't lossed any weight in four weeks. I guess it is my fault because I haven't really tried but when I eat I get chest pain so I stop. Is any body experiencing this? Note: I'm getting my first adjustment april 1st.:tongue_smilie:

hi, not only is this my 1st post here, but this is my first post anywhere so please bear with me. i already posted something on here a couple of minutes ago but don't; know where it went so here i go again. i had gastric surgery to remove 9" diverticulitis large colon. all went well the incision was from the bottom of my chest to pass my belly button. after i went back to work i did heavy lifting a ended up with 16 hernias. the doctor reopened the incision and place fabric across my stomach. now i have gained a lot of weight and feel that i am stressing the muscles from a sagging gut. before this all happen i weighted 235 lbs. now i weight close to 280 and am 5'9". blood …

Hi all, I've learking for a few months now. I haven't received my surgery date yet but should hear something next week. My insurance would not cover me, because I didn't lose 5% of my weight and they were only going to cover 50% anyway. My thoughts are I don't have to lose weight to have heart surgery do I? I will fight them on this but felt I couldn't wait any longer. My health has been affected by all this weight to the point I can hardly walk now. I want my life back and am willing to do just about anything. I'm so excited I can't wait for my surgery date! Good luck to all of us who are waiting and who have just begun! Betz.:crying:

I was banded 12/09/09. I have had 2 fills and still have not much restriction. I can tell when I am full and know when to stop eating, but can still eat just about anything. I have lost 35 lbs, but nothing in the last 3 weeks. I have sciatica and there is no way I can go to the gym. I have a balance ball and exxercises the physical therapist gave me which have helped with my pain the last week and a half. Hopefully I can gradually get back to the gym next week, but scared that I may trigger the sciatica again. Due for another fill in a couple weeks so hopefully I can get more restriction and eat less and get back in the swing of things and on the road to more weigh…

I am new on this site and wanted to say hello. I got banded 4 weeks ago and am down 25 pounds and couldn't be happier.

Hi everyone!!! I am so ready for surgery and a new way of life. I have to pay for the surgery myself since the insurance company refuses to budge but I know in the long run it'll be well worth it. It bothers me that you pay for insurance for years and years and when you finally want to use it they deny the claim. I won't gripe about it anymore, I will move forward and never look back. Gotta get ready for pretests at hospital so bye for now.

Hi all, This is my first time on the site. I had my band done in September. I have only lost 24 pounds so I am discouraged here and looking for suggestions.

Hey Everyone, I just really wanted to say a quick thank you to all of you who have contributed to the forum. I have been lurking since January, and had a pretty good idea of what to expect regarding just about everything. Coming here to get real information and feedback has been so helpful! Thanks again! Kage

On my first fill the Dr. put in 3cc 1 month and a half after surgery, is it normal to eat a whole chicken breast an a leg before being full?

Hello all, I actually had my surgery in Nevada in May 2007, however I moved to MO in August of that year. My initial weight when deciding to have the surgery was 251. On the day before surgery I was down to 242. I found a MD to give me fills, and have been up and down. My lowest was 185, however I was sick all the time. Right now I am back at 220, but have a new determination to stick with it, and to be compliant. I figure joining a group where everyone has had this experience will help me and give me the support that others do not understand.

Hello. :crying:

Hi All, I had my LapBand surgery in 11-05. I had a port replacement in 4-06, due to a hole during a fill! I lost 90 pounds, but in the last 18 months began gaining some back. I have gained about 20 pounds! I can't tell you how angry I am with myself......I am back to my emotional eating patterns....but in my defense I am in the middle of a divorce and heartbreaking custody battle with my ex. Being a single working mom is just so darn hard. How do I find time to exercise? I already get up at 5am and end my day at 10pm. I am seeing a new doctor today as I was not happy with my previous surgeon's follow-up care. I hope to have a fill today - but am thinking my band may b…

I had lapband surgery on March 23 '09 by Dr. Panemanglore. Surgery went well:smile:. Recovery is going well. I haven't been sick at all but feel alot of gas and swelling above rightside of belly button. Started drinking medifast shake 2 oz at a time every couple of hours. Lost 6 pounds since 23rd.

Hello All, I'm new and will have 1 year with the band on April 4th and have lost 128 lbs. I have found it to be very rewarding and can (almost) keep up with my 2.5 year old boy, lol. My diabetes is gone and I feel great! My yard hasn't looked better, and I am driving my wife nuts with all of the projects I am doing around the house. I found this website due to the fact I am looking for some help. Recently I have been experiencing sever 12-15 lb Water retention weight gain. I went to the doctor, and had kidney and blood tests done, both fine and perfect. And I am looking for any help I can get, I am very active outside of work, I work out 3 times a week, walk the dog ev…

Hello everyone out there! My name is Connie and I am in the very beginning stages of this whole lap band process. I am 41 years old and have been overweight most of my life or at least as long as I can remember. I have done all the usual diets, pills, drinks, etc... trying to lose weight over the years and have succeeded temporarily, until I would gradually put it all back on. So at this point in my life I weigh my heaviest at 260 and I am starting to have health problems because of it! I have two kids, ages 6 and 9 and have no energy to keep up with them! So I have decided to pursue lap band surgery is an effort to finally lose the weight and keep it off! I have h…

hi im new. had lapband surgery march 3rd. im scheduled for my first fill april 17th. things went well the week before surgery, during surgery, and 4 weeks after . but now i can eat anything and everything with no problems. is this normal after healing from band placement , and before a fill? :cursing:

Hello, my name is Stephanie and I am new to this forum. I want to have the lap band done, but I have medicaid. I was reading on here that a girl with Illinois medicaid had it done, so I am gonna contact her! I have Illinois Medicaid! So, wish me luck and maybe in like a month or so I can have it done!:smile2:

I'm new to this forum. I am interested in get banded but need to learn more about it before I go see a surgeon.

I got the news yesterday from the insurance company that i was approved!!! Now i'm waiting on the surgeons office to call with my surgery date.

Hi! My name is Heather and I have my first appt with the surgeon on 4/8. I'm really excited to get started.

Hello, My name is Ann and I am considering Lap-band. I work in the healthcare industry and have seen a lot of patients that have gone though with bypass surgery. I have seen the great successes and the not so successful. In my department alone, there have been over 10 people that have had the surgery. And in other areas as well. I ran into a nurse that I see often and she had te lap band. It really turned me on o the alternative. I think this may just be the fit for me. I am a full time worker as a radiology technologist, wife and mother of two beautiful girls Emma and Grace. I just want so much to be able to keep up with them and be a part of their life. I am tired of sh…

Just got my surgery date. 4/10/09. Looking for all the information I can gather.

Hi guys I am new to the site.. my surgery date is 04-03-09 and I a little nervous

So I had surgery two days ago, and I'm sill in moderate pain. Any suggestions that helped you feel better or is it a kinda time will only tell situation. By the way my name is Tamra and I'm going to school for nursing. I can't wait to start changing with my new band.

Hi! I'm considering lap band probably in LA would be the closest. I will probably self pay because insurance co's are the devil! My BMI is ONLY (ha! ha!) 36! I have been looking at web sites for Dr. Oliak in Orange and he seems really good. I am inspired and encouraged by all of your posts...thanks!

I have just started the process to get my lab band. I have worked with my doctor and am now working with my insurance company. I am still a little scared about all this but I would like to be healthier.:sneaky:

Ok, so I finally scheduled my initial consultation. I've been wanting to get banded for years but kept putting it off. Now that I have my initial appointment, I don't want to wait! My insurance requires a 6 month supervised diet in order to quality for coverage. I don't get it - if I was successful at dieting I wouldn't need the band. Anyway, was wondering if there were any specific questions that I should ask the doctor or my insurance co. I already was advised to ask if fills were covered by insurance - never would have thought to ask that!

HI EVERY BODY I WILL BE FOR SURGERY AFTER 2 WEEK VSG SO PLEASE ADVICE ME I NEED A CASE THAT DONE 2 YEARS AGO:eek::cursing::eek:

Hi. My name is Sarah and I have about 94 lbs to lose. I visited with one surgical group yesterday and am seriously considering the gastric sleeve. Is there anyone else out there who has had one done? Who was the surgeon? I am considering Dr. Marema (St. Augustine) or Dr. Webb (Jax) and don't know anything about either one of them. I really appreciat eyour advice. Sarah

Hi everyone! I am in Alabama, I am at the end of my first month of the "medically supervised" diet :whoo: which is required for BCBS. I hope to have my lapband surgery in June or July. I have a consultation with Dr. Schmidtt at St. Vincents East(formerly Medical Center East). I am looking forward to this new chapter in my life . I am looking for anyone who is in Alabama, anyone who is newly banded, anyone that is at the same stage as me or anyone that is willing to talk about their experiences .

I am considering lap band? I am really scared. I had a cousin die from gastric bypass, but i don't know what else to do about my weight! I have no family support.

Found the site, thought I would check it out. I have my surgery set for July 2, 2009. I am nervous to say the least. afraid of all the changes that it will bring to my life, physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually....It has been over a year since I started the process with my health care provider but they have finally signed off on it and I am ready to go.

Hey All, I'm very new to this and never thought I would think of having weight loss surgery but for the past few months that's exactly what I have been thinking. I'm not sure how my friends and relatives will view me and I feel weak for the fact I can't lose and keep it off myself so I think how will this be different. Did/Does anyone else feel this way?

Hi, I am now a whole 4 days post op. I made a major discission to have a lapbanding surgery done about 1 month ago. I am looking forward to my weight decreassing for a change instead of the usual up hill climb, or as most of us know losse a few Kgs and add a few and add a few more for interest. So far I am very happy with my health. I have been doing a little walking, feeling very tired and all the usual post op symtoms have been there to keep me on my toes, but then you can expect that with any surgery. I can now Burpppppppp, much to my disgust, I told my sons I can burp better then they can, I really do hope that this subsides. Not feeling hungry yet, am on the liquid …