Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hey everyone! I just took my first step in this long journey. I went to the seminar at Baptist Memphis for Dr Woodman. My hubby and BF worked with him @ Methodist Germantown and say his is a Great Surgeon. My First office visit is 4/7. I have all my medical record and am setting up the phych and nutritional now. I call my ins. UHC they say it’s covered if medically Ness. I have a select plus ppo plan. Dr Woodman’s office said UHC does not make you do the 6 month sup. Diet. I have been on and off diet pills before and I would lose maybe 10 pounds in the first month and nothing else. It would keep me up for days until my body said STOP GET SOME SLEEP!!! Once I stopped takin…

I am looking for a good doctor located in San Diego. I am interested in the UCSD program but my concern is it is a little pricey and the price includes treatments only 90 days after surgery. I have been noticing other programs that offer a year of service. I know you get what you pay for so I am not looking for the cheapest route, but I just want a good doctor with good post-op services.

Hi all, I had a lap band put in last monday, 16th March, and by tuesday i was not able to tolerate any Clear liquids etc. Had to go back into hospital and they discovered that my stomach had emflamed and the band was too tight. (even though it was loose during the surgery). They had to redo the operation last thursday. Thankfully now i can not only handle clear liquids but yogurt and have been allowed to have some porridge too. Has anyone else had problems like this before and also any ideas for some mushy food that is a little bit inspiring

im just starting my journey towards getting my band.im having trouble finding someone to loan me the money.my ins wont pay anything to do with wls

Hello all! I am new to this board, but I have already found it a great help and a comfort. I am hoping to schedule my surgery for March 23. My doctor is Dr. Beinivedes, in Richardson Texas, if there are any others that have been banded by him, I would love to know about your experience. I am not scared just anxious to get it done and over. I want to begin this journey! I have thought about having this done for years, but never thought it would be possible. Any suggestions would be very welcome! :laugh:

Hi, I am new to this site, had my pysch evaluation today and was approved, now waiting for insurance company approval. I can't wait for that to come, this should all be going fast from here on out I hope. I am ready to lose this weight, today I found out I am a borderline diabetic, that is so scary for me. So see my health is all pointing to getting my weight undercontrol. Keep me in all of your prayers as I will all of you also.

Hello - I was banded 4 weeks ago today, Feb. 25, 2008. I've been looking all over the internet looking for others to talk to about it. I'm glad I found this site. I'm looking forward to learning how the process has gone for others. I guess I'm really wanting to know I'm on track and right where I should be. It's one thing when your doctor says you are and when you compare yourself to others. I know everyone is different, it's just nice to know where you are in comparison. looking forward to meeting y'all.

I guess thats a dumb question on a support website. But is there anyone that is sorry? Or misses food? Or isnt losing weight? Im a 40 BMI, 39 yrs old and 230 lbs at 5'3. Scared as hell. Single, 11 yr old daughter. My mother is fat phobic and the older I get the heavier I get. I need to be healthy for my child and myself - but Im afraid Ill miss food, the texture, the taste?? How do u go out for dinner with friends? How do u drink liquids for 6 weeks????? And more???? I dont recognize myself in the mirror anymore - but yet I always opt for the cheeseburger. Thats a self control issue.....will I lose weight this way? Will I be strong enough? Anyone?????????????

Hi everyone. I am so close to getting approved and scared that I will be turned down again. :thumbup: I was denied last month because my husbands company had a clause that they did not cover this. The office called me friday and said that they reconsidered and now I am waiting for approval . Hopfully tomorrow I should hear something. I called to insurance today and the lady sounded very helpful. The wait is driving me crazy I am so scared I will be turned down again for some reason. My BMI is in the guide lines, I am diabetic and my pcp and surgeons say it is medically necessary What do you thinK??????

Hi everyone!! I'm Amy. I am scheduled for a lapband procedure on March 31st. .. I'm VERY excited and a little nervous. My Doctor has a support group for us patients but I'm a big fan of forums so I decided to come find a lap band forum to join!!! I've been lurking a bit and the success stories are inspiring!!! I'm looking forward to being a success story!! My main goal is to get healthy. I'm going to be 30 this year, and I've been overweight since I was 9 or so. Runs in the family. I'm still healthy and pretty active but I want to be more active!! I have a 3 year old and don't play as much as I would like. I also ride horses. I do trails now but in colleg…

Hello, I'm Kori and I'm 21 years old. I have been considering the Lap Band surgery for a while. I am much too scared to go the gastric bypass route. I FINALLY got my fiance to approve it. (Not that I needed his approval mind you, but it helps since I'm going on his insurance in November). I'm big framed so I've always been a little bigger. But I gained a ton of weight in high school mostly due to depression. I am up to 260 now with my highest being 275. Even after high school I just kept gaining and gaining and gaining. It's so frustrating! Especially since I have tried dieting and now I have some medical problems! I've had IBS since I was 4 years old so my weight ca…

Hi everyone! I'm from South Texas and anxiously awaiting my surgery scheduled for Monday, March 16th. My surgeon has answered all my questions regarding the surgery itself, but I'd like to know more about how some of you felt right after your surgery and in the days following the surgery. These are my questions: 1) Did you ever feel like you were starving during the initial clear liquid diet? 2) How did you sleep when you got back home? Were you uncomfortable sleeping in your favorite position? 3) Did you have any regrets? 4) Would you do it all over again?

I am considering lapband. Please let me know the pros and cons. I have read some very inspiring stories!! Also, has any one used Dr. Croomes in Tallahassee?

Hi everyone, I'm so new to this. For years, I wouldn't consider a weight loss surgery due to my mom's horrible accounts of patients who met their demise because of it, but I'm tired of being fat. I am 25, and have literally been on one diet or another for 15 years. My mother enrolled me in WW at the lovely age of ten because my pediatrician told her I was not on the charts for weight by my age, but failed to tell her that I wasn't for height either...(5'3 at 10....) Anywho...So from WW to Susan Powter to Phentermine to WW...you get the cycle.... In February 2006, I was dx with PCOS. My DH and I had been trying to conceive for almost six months when I …

I live in Tucson and need to loose 122 pounds. Like most I have gained and lost and gained and lost all my adult life. I am having more medical issues and just recently my knees started to really bother me. I am going to the seminar here in 2 weeks. I have verified my insurance does cover it. I know that this is a long process and a lifestyle change. I am up to the challange and just wish I knew the reasons why I can't flip the switch in my head and not have to resort to surgery. It frightens me. Well, here is to the start of something just for me, my health, and my new life to come. philtrannie

hi everyone debbie here from new jersey, bear with me i am new to this. all these years on a computer and have never been on a chat site. so i thought about this on and off for about a year and it took my sister in law and brother to start the ball rolling. she was banded almost three weeks ago and has lost twenty some pounds....very encourageing(?) i cant wait to be banded. any others on this site from new jersey???

I am meeting with the doctor tomorrow and will have the band put in the second week of April. Any suggestions on the liquid diet?

My insurance company approved the next step in my lap band surgery steps. I have an appointment to get my psych eval next month and am hoping this is a positive step forward. I was really happy to find this site to educate myself and to speak with people that are going through or have gone through this procedure. There's so much to check out, I'm going to get started looking through it.

Hello there everyone. I was banded in October 2007 in Prague by Dr Friel. Had great success losing 61/2 stone in just over a year, despite having very little aftercare and support from the company with whom I had it done. I've had 1 fill in that time, but it didn't seem to make much difference. However now, I'm really struggling and have put on 1 stone and am getting back to my old eating habits. I've booked in for another fill next week, and am hoping that it will put me back on the straight and narrow. I'm desperate. Are there any support groups in the Manchester area in the UK? KT x :huh2:

Hi my name is Rebecca and I just joined this site. I was wondering if anyone had some advice on the best places to go and make some new friends and chat about challenges. I do not know how to enter my weight loss tracker and all that stuff. I had the surgery in October 2008 and i am struggling. I have only lost about 30 pounds. Well, for now i just need to figure out how to use this site i guess. Thanks

Hi all, Well, as many of you know, I am pretty new to this. I have done my research for many months and have now booked the doctor appointments, including the first meeting. Today I met with my gastro doctor. I was extreemely nervous because I knew he could make or break my new journey. I have Barrett's Esoghagus from reflux and I knew that it could be a deal breaker. My doctor had no concerns and gave my thumbs up and a smile. I was so really relieved. Next week, I have an appointment with my general doctor on Tuesday and my first meeting on Wednesday. My next meeting for a different doctor will be on April 5th. He is the one that I am leaning toward. Wish me luck all!…

HI I am new to this site. I've gone to the lap band seminar and meet with my surgeon April 3rd. I am very excited about my body changing to become healthier.

Hi, I had the surgery on Dec. 22, 2008 and I have been doing well...lost 30 pounds up until last month but something is going on this month. I am eating so much like I am out of control and back to the old me. I had lost 2 pounds but I have gained them back. I have only had one fill and I see my doctor on Thursday. I feel embarassed to see him but I still can't stop eating....help!:huh2:

Hi Everyone, My Name is Tracey, I am 37 (I think) and I am considering the lapband. I live in London and would be realllllly grateful for the lo down on where to get it done and for the best price. I have an opportunity to have a fantastic TV career but keep turning it down because I feel like a beach whale and as you know the camera adds 14lbs. Fed up with putting my life on hold because of my size, I have lost 80 lbs with lighter life but eventually put it alllll and more back on. This is last chance city and it's just time. I know you all understand when you get so fed up with yourself you want to break ever mirror. I am 18 stones and enough is enough. Feed…

Hello!! I am fixing to have the lap band done next month. I'm excited but a little nervous. I want to loose about 140 lbs. I think one of my main concerns about the whole procedure is the port. Does it hurt, just sitting there underneath the skin? Any words of encouragement would greatly be appreciated!!

Hi I'm Jaclyn and I'm 18 years old. November 2005 my mom went to Utah to get banded. After a year and 50 lbs of weightloss I was given permission to be banded. I was 16 when I got banded Sep 21, 2006 at 236.4 lbs by Dr. McKeen with South Bay Bariatrics in Los Gatos, CA. By my 17th birthday in May I was 139 lbs with a total weight loss of 97 lbs. In September 2007 I was rebanded when my band slipped and I hadn't eaten or drank anything for 7 days. By that time I was anorexic and belemic and would have starved to death if I didn't go in. Since then I've controlled my band and am at a solid 160 lbs and no where near slipping. I've experienced the worst case scenario a…

Hi My name is Jon I am a 23yo blk male from dallas Texas I am 6'0 370 pounds I have tried to lose weight but every time I lose a pound or two I always gain it back and more. I have reading into the lap band surgery for about a year now, I feel that my health is getting bad and I am still a young man I cant walk 10 feet and my lower back starts hurting. I am going to the lap band solutions seminar next tuesday and I dont know what to expect I really want to look into having the surgery but I think its the whole operation that scares me. Can you tell how you felt about the operation and what things happen at the seminar I really want to lose the weight and I just want the s…

Hi everyone, I am just beginning my journey and will probably have a lot of questions. Right now however I just want to introduce myself. I am a 28 yr old female in Middle Georgia and I currently work full time at a hosptial and go to school part time. I am also about 580 pounds but I get around really well. I sometimes wonder why I am so lucky since a lot of people my size are a lot worse off then I am. I am not diabetic nor do I have high blood pressure. I do have really bad joint pain and hurt all the time but I refuse to give up in my life long battle of the bulge. I am hoping this will be right for me since it seems a lot more practical and safer than gast…

Hi everyone, im new to this site, had band fitted 31st Jan 2009, have lost 2 stone so far, still 2 stone to go, had first infill 2 weeks ago and think i ready for another one ? im so hungry. had band fitted private by Mr Richardson in England, where im from, be good to talk to you. xx:tt2:

Hi everyone. I am new here and I have been banded since September 2008. I love my band. I just hit 6 months and have lost around 70 lbs. I love shopping for clothes now which I used to hate. It is wonderful to buy clothes tight and then watch as they start getting to big. I still have a long ways to go but I am well on my way. The only problem I have had so far came after my last fill. I typically don't drink coffee or hot chocolate. I now have to drink hot chocolate every morning before I can eat anything in order to loosen the band up. If I don't I will have problems. I also stuggle with cold drinks in general so I am thirsty most of the time. I knew that would be…

banded nov '08

Hi guyz, I'm new here... It seems I could get more tips here to be fit and healthy!

Hi! I was banded in Las Vegas on 4/9/08. I've lost 80 pounds. I presently live in the Inland Empire here in California. Any banders here in the area?:crying:

Hey Everyone, I am just starting to think of getting LapBand but I have a lot of questions. I have read about all the dieting and rules for post-op and everything. A friend that I work with has the band and she has been a great resource for info about living with the band. She had numerous health problems and really good insurance at the time so she was approved very quickly. In my case, I am 20 years old, 5'7 and 265. I really dont have any weight related health problems at this point. Maybe poor circulation and my knees bother me sometimes, but thats it. I am doubtful that my insurance will cover me becuse of this. Anyone out there been in a similar situat…

Hi! My name is Tera, I am a nurse and SAHM to 3 boys. I am just starting the process to get banded. I am currently 245, 5'1 and looking to get to 150 or better. Going to Dr. Chock at NWWL in Washington. I am here to get info on life after banding. So afraid that I will fail at this as well. But I gotta try something. Its getting out if control.

Hi everyone, I am new here and i thought i would stop by and see if anyone has any advice for me 3 days before surgery... i am super excited and nervous about the big day, but i am so ready for a new me! i just have a quick question... can anybody please send me information on how to start one of those weight loss trackers? i would love to put one on my posts in the future. hope i can chat with more of you in the future as we talk about our journeys with the lap band together! :rolleyes2:

Hey Everyone! I'm brand new to the Forum. I was Banded two weeks ago today! So far recovery is going great. I love my band already. But I really, really need some buddies! I'm really not all that good at forums or figuring everything out...but I'm trying!

I just got approved and thought it would be a good idea to check in here. I'm supposed to call and schedule a date this week; have mixed feelings about the whole thing.

Hello.. I live in thunder bay and am considering having the lap band procedure done in mexico. I am hoping to find people in Thunder Bay that have had this procedure done and can give me some advice. I dont know where I would go for fills or if they are dont in thunder bay. Also, I am not what someone else might call obese. I am 5 foot 2 and 175 pounds. I have struggled with my weight my entire life and feel that this procedure is a good option for me. Any help or thoughts would be greatly appreciated(especially about where to go for fills) Thanks

Hello everyone! I am new to this whole LAP-BAND® thing. I recently started the process with my insurance company to have the lap bad procedure. I am so excited. I must complete some obstacles before I can have the procedure, but I am committed to moving forward. I am in Georgia and am also looking for a great surgeon at EmoryJohnsCreek, so if any of you know a good one I will gladly take all your recommendations. I hope to make new friends that will help me on my journey to become a healthier person.

Hey Everyone! I'm 35 and 100 lbs over my ideal weight....my doctor recommended the Lapband because I am starting to have issues with circulation and have developed asthma. I'm nervous and not really sure about this...although yoyo diets have gotten me where I am! I think my biggest fear is of not losing the weight and never being able to enjoy a simple glass of soda or champagne with friends....not that I drink it alot...but you never want it until you're told you can't have it! I'm in Redondo Beach, CA and see Dr. Takahashi.

Hello Everyone, I was given the address to this forum form a woman on my same hospital floor almost two weeks ago. I have been on the OH boards, they are wonderful, but I thought I'd find some "chat" with bandsters only. My BMI was 30. I had a few co-morbidities, but mainly just wanted to stop the up 40, down 40 pattern of weight gain and loss. After gaining back my last "weight watchers" success, I finally decided I would never diet again, because no matter what, I gain it all back plus more. Enough already! As a lower BMI bandster, I have faced some rolled eyes, but I am okay with that. Noone knows me the way I do and I knew/know that this is the highest level of …

Hello, this is my first time posting. I am a harpist that attends a Conservatory in Ohio during the school year, and resides in Houston, Texas, during the summers and subsequent breaks. I was banded on July 13th, 2008. I lost 60 pounds in the two months that followed because of the surgical shock, stress, and I was getting ready to start my freshman year in a college far away; not to mention I had a bad run-in with nurses who didn't follow instructions. I've since gained it all back because a local doctor didn't listen to my needs and therefore ignored a fill request and barium swallow. I'm starting over, and I plan to make it work. Start weight: 345 lbs. :frown:

Hello, I'm actually not new to the lapband site but I kept having trouble getting on as ws467 my first user name when I started using the site in June 2008. here is my story and it is pretty depressing or maybe I just feel sorry for myself. I started out by attending a lapband seminar in early June, everything looked real promising. I had 2 sleep test and was prescribed a cpap machine, a nutrional visit, psy visit and 9 months of weight watchers and 5 years of regular medical yearly visits, all the cp morbidities and BMI of 49. This wasn't good enough for my insurance company-highmark blue cross blue shield of pa, they wanted 6 visits with a dr for a supervised diet. The …

I am new to this web site - a friend recommended it when she heard I was getting the gastric lapband. Well, that time has come and I will be admitted to the hospital here in Italy (we are military stationed over here) on Wednesday. I am at 5'6" and 252lbs and I have a goal to lose 100 lbs in a year. If you have gone through the process allready, please tell me what to expect. I have the added complication of being a Mom with 5 kids from ages 12 to 7 months, and the 7 month old I am still breastfeeding. Should be a fun adventure!

Hello everyone! Just wanted to introduce myself. I just got my referall for gastric! YiPeee!

I just wanted to say HI to all and wish everyone good luck in this journey that will change your life forever. May each day take you closer to your goals and bring you the best health ever! :crying:

I admit i was hopeing that the band was going to really make me full faster and lose weight quicker. So far It has been 5 months almost to the day (banded on my birthday 10-22) and I have lost 34 pounds. They all came off in the 1st 3 months.I was hopeing to have 50-60 pounds off by now, but have lost nothing since. Not even a pound or two a week?:smile: I have had 3 fills and am at 7cc's in a 10cc band. I can eat a hamburger if I want to! I know I have to buckel down and diet and exercise more but my goodness! I guess the thing is that I feel cheated that I paid for it myself and have nothing much to show for it but some ugly scars!:thumbup: ANYWAY THANKS FOR LETTING ME …

Hello, My surgery is scheduled for tomorrow...I am sooo excited! I am looking forward to being a member of this forum.

Well, today, I had my consultation with the nutritionist. That was last on my list of things to do before I get my pre-op visit with my doc! My EKG, blood work, psych consult and now this was all I had to do (no exercise visit because doctor felt like I was okay without it). I've already gained weight since my last visit! YUCH! :ohmy: I am still looking into the sleeve versus the band, but I am leaning more heavily towards the band at this point. I have to have all my questions answered before I make a decision. I talked to one of the office folk today and she is going to send me a series of EMMI videos to watch. I feel so much better about the whole PB/Slime…