Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi , Just thought I would introduce myself , Im Nick alias Big Nick , hopefully to be Not so Big Nick from Scotland. Im due to have lapband fitted on 25th March and currently in my 2 week pre op liquid diet period, which to say the least is driving me bananas or is it I want to eat some bananas LOL, I wish :w00t: Im 43 yrs of age , married 3 great kids :frown:, been overweight most of my adult :lunch: currently 280lb 's. Heaviest 310lbs 2007. Due to recent health issues , mainly compression and protruding discs of the lower spine L1-L5 causing severe problems with mobility been advised got lose those pounds at least 70 of em. Having dieted before constantly and…

Hi, This is my first time posting to anything like this. I was banded in Oct. 08. So far I have lost 35lbs. My doctor was Dr. Kevin Higa. I have had to fills,but could not tell you how much or even what band I have in. After reading some of your blogs, I really feel un-informed. My last fill was in Feb. and I had lost 8 lbs. that month and he really didn't want to give me another fill. Since then I have not lost any weight and I do feel restricted after eating a meal but I am finding I really want to snack which really got me to this point to begin. I am really feeling down. :sneaky: I did have a strange thing happen to me after my last fill which I haven't talked to my …

I am in the early stages of the process. My insurance has approved the surgery and I go next week for a consult and seminar with the doctor. I am so excited that I can wait.:sneaky: I have so many questions I hope that between the doctor and the people here that I can get some answers.

Hello eveyone I am getting banded on 3/18/09 I am so scared.....i didn't follow the opti fast diet like i should have ....do u think i will be ok?

I am new here, I attended the required seminar for LapBand. And i have my first appointment with my doctor on wed the 18th. I am rather nervous to find out what the next step is, a coworker of mine is going through the same steps, except she is already on to her psych eval. I guess thats all for now!

Hello everybody My name is Cheryl--I live in eastern NC and was banded on Feb 18, 2009---So far everything is going very well and I have lost 27lb so far---I'm glad to have the support of others:tt2::sneaky:

:huh2:Hello Everyone, Just wanted to say I had a the Lap band on 03-02-09. I am so excited and anxious. I cannot wait to see what the scales say. Once the gas/diahrrea left as seems alot better. I must say there is not much to eat out there for the stage I am in. Still looking for something else. Any ideas?

Hey all, I am in the initial stages of deciding to move forward with LapBand surgury. I am almost 44 years old (guy) and weight about 310lbs. I guess my decision is, am I fooling myself about losing the weight on my own? I did do Jenny Craig, which worked great. I got down to 255 in about 7 months, but as soon as I stopped, went right back to were I was. I think what got me was that I lost almost 60lbs and still was not even half way to my goal. Very discouraging...:thumbup:.Anyway, just wanted to say Hi to everyone and really enjoy this site. There seems to be sooo much great info. Take care and wish me luck.

Hello everyone. I thought I was going to go at this alone, but I also know that if you have a support group, you perform better for your weight loss. A little about me: -I was banded by Dr. Kirschenbaum in Denver, CO...excellent surgeon and I even got a video (after I asked) -self pay at $9500 -Thought I was literally dying (ok, not literally) from post-op gas (painful stuff!) -Still trying to figure out what if feels like to feel full Anyone else hating the taste of food you used to like?

Hello I just had my surgery a week ago Tuesday and I will start on soft foods tomorrow does anyone have any suggestions about what types of soft foods work better? Thanks, Teresa

I just wanted to drop in and say Hi to everyone. I have been a member for a while but never posted before. I got my band in May 08 and I love it. So far I have had great success and I am so thankful that I had this oppurtunity. I have went from 298 to 211 and from a size 22/24 to 14's and XL shirts.. Its so wonderful. Just wanted to introduce myself and say hi and toot my own horn! :sneaky::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Hello everyone! I am new to the site and wanted to introduce myself. I am in Jacksonville, FL and am waiting for my insurance to approve my surgery. I've hit a couple of snags along the way (pre auth has been denied 3 times on technicalities) but feel like there is always a reason for everything. Just with the weight loss counselors and therapists I've lost 22 lbs since January. I am looking forward to getting the surgery but am also very nervous. I have a ton of questions and I hope with this site I can find the answers without the embarassment of having to ask! Thanks for reading this and if you have any advice or words of wisdom I would love to hear them!

Hi, everyone! My name is Ann, and I'm a newbie from Northern Virginia, just outside of Washington DC. I'm just starting this process and have just found your wonderful site. I'm scared to death of what I'm getting into with WLS, yet I'm also scared about what could happen if I don't do it! I have 115 pounds to lose, and I have a darling little 4-year-old son who I can no longer keep up with. I have fibromyalgia, and the pain is constant. I need to get this weight off for me, for my health, and for a life with my son. I've had the first appointment with the surgeon, and he says I definitely qualify with a BMI of 41 and several comorbidities (fibro, PCOS, GERD, arth…

Hello, I came across this site on google and was hoping to find other people who have had experience with lap-band surgery. I'm still in my beginning stages of the process and have a lot to learn. I'm starting to adjust both my eating habits and physical activity so that life after surgery will not be a total shock. But it seems to be a slow process to adjust all the bad habits I became accustomed to in my life time. I am ashamed to say I let myself get to 270 lbs. and I would like to rectify the problem before I cause myself some serious health problems. Any and all advise for a newbie is welcomed! Thanks, Divis

Hi, I am a Psychology Student researching Lap Banding surgery for my Masters of Clinical Psychology. If anyone is interested in participating in a survey based on their thoughts and experiences of Lap Banding surgery, your HELP would be appreciated. Please contact me at kerrie_woods@hotmail.com and I will post or email you the questionnaires. Cheers, Kerrie.

I'm a new member and am happy to have found this site. I was banded Jan 14 and had my first fill March 6. I actually gained 1.5 lbs from my first post op visit till the time of my first fill. I'm afraid that I will never lose weight. I follow the diet provided, although this is the first time I've heard anything about eating proteins first. I also skimmed through the forum and saw that some people were pbing after a fill. What is pb?

Anyone in the Mattoon,charleston or decatur area, recently banded?

I am really glad I stumbled on this site. I was banded last November and have already lost 25 lbs. I had my second fill a couple weeks ago and I'm having a terrible time keep anything down. Should I just try to adapt or should I have part of the fill removed? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Hello everyone. I am a 31 year old mother/wife. I have two beautiful children and a wonderful husband whom I would like to stay around with for a long time. For that reason alone, I have decided to look into getting the lap-band. I have already been to one seminar and have been told that the process is not an easy one nor is it a short one. I plan to be patient but can't help but feel anxious about the surgery. I am waithing on the doctors to call me with an initial clinic visit to get the ball rolling. Any advice out there???

Hi all, I have a question. I was resigned to self-paying for my band. I've got it all worked out. However, now my mom and my Aunt are saying that I should be able to fight my insurance company and get them to pay for it. My thought is that when I signed on to my current job, the first thing they made me sign in the insurance coverage was that I understood that they would NOT pay for WLS of any kind. It is pervasive throughout their literature. So, I figured, what was the point in trying to fight it? Am I giving up too early? I really don't want to jump through the hoops of fighting these guys when I have less than a 1% chance of winning the fight. My BMI is 38, my BP is…

Hello out there in lap band world. I was searching for protein shake recipes when I happened on to this site because of a posting of some 200 shake recipes. It's great to find a group that I can relate to about my surgery. I had surgery Sept 2, 2008 with Dr. Oh (I call him Dr. Nazi) in the Seattle, WA area. In that time I have had at least 5 fills and I have lost 64 lbs. I have 62 to go to reach my personal goal. I'm wearing size 14 clothes these days - I haven't done that since High School and I'm 46 years-old. I am sometimes shocked to look in the mirror. I work out regularly with a trainer and doing cardio. I am training for my first 1/2 marathon which will take pl…

I was just banded on Friday, March 13th, in Plano by Dr. Manuel Castro. Here it is Monday and I am back at work already. Of course, I have a desk job so that makes it a little easier but it's about 3:40 p.m. and my back is starting to hurt a little. Things have gone really well the first couple of days (down 6 lbs already) and I am looking forward to getting about a month down the road! I'm just relieved that it is finally done!

I would like to know if anyone here has had the lap band done with Dr. Felipe Cantu in Reynosa ,Mx and if they would recommend him.

I haven't gotten "banded" yet. I still going through the whole process of visiting my Dr and so on... My next step is making an appt. with the Nutritionist & Nurses at NYU. I'm a lot closer than I was a month ago and I'm not trying to rush in to this either. When I do get "banded" I will be going to Dr. Rein of NYU... I saw her at the lapband seminar back and January. She was very informative and seemed to have a nice personality. I figured that's important since I'd be visiting her office for months to come after the procedure. Did anyone have their surgery at NYU? Thanks!

I was banded on 3/10/2009 and since then the journey has been very interesting. When I came home from the hospital for this outpatient surgery, I was unable to pee. I had to return to the hospital for catherization . This was very painful and I requesting that the catheter be removed because of the incredible pain. I was given some straight caths and sent home. Peeing was very painful until yesterday, now I can pee pain free. On Friday 3/13/09 the hunger came back with a vengence and still is here. I felt very disappointed with this. I have noticed that I am becoming depressed due to this and not able to eat only yogurt, cottage cheese and cream soups, which reall…

Hello all I will be Banded on March 19, 2009. Only a few days to go and getting nervous but I know in the end this is the best for me. I have all the favorites’ high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep aptnea, bad knee. Thanks for all the great stories.

Hi all! I got my lap band on Friday March 13, 2009. I'm looking forward to connecting with other people who are experiencing the same thing.

Hello. Lap-banded on March 10th. Still have some pain - I guess where the port is. Normal??

I figured I should introduce myself as I've been lurking around here for hours! After wishing for something to work for my whole life, I'm excited to finally be on the short list for my lap band. I was approved in Jan and have a date for surgery of April 27th. Here's my life story in abridged: Chubby kid, skinny teenager, baby #1 gained 50lbs, diagnosed with PCOS, second baby 14 yrs later, gained 50lbs (then went on to gain 25 more pounds in my first year post partum and while nursing - what is that all about?). Tried everything...been there done that. My mom had gastric bypass about 2 yrs ago and has lost almost 100lbs and is off all of her diabetes and hyper…

Hello! I'm Brie and I'm 27. I just had my surgery this past Wednesday, 3/11. I think I've done well so far. The day after my surgery, I was miserable, sore, gassy and frustrated but I tried to keep myself as comfortable as possible and distract myself with anything I could. I stopped taking the prescribed liquid oxycodone after Friday morning and have been taking liquid tylenol occasionally. I have been walking regularly and drove on Saturday and walked around two large stores and definitely got a little more wiped out than I normally would have but didn't feel bad. I didn't have to drive far but no problems with that either. I haven't had any nausea or throwing up…

Hello: waiting for final approval from insurance to get banded on March 13, 2009 in NYC. My surgeon is George Felding. I started my 2 week liquid diet yesterday.

I just wanted to say hi! I started the process in February with a seminar and my consultation. My insurance (BCBS anthem) requires a 6 months medically supervised diet, i've got two months done, 4 to go!! My primary care doctor has been incredibly supportive and encouraging with this diet. My head has not been so supportive though. Ever since i uttered the word diet it seems my food cravings have gone into over load. Kind of like an oppositional diffiance disorder, lol. I kid but it sucks. I know I HAVE to get these cravings under control. I'm embarssed to admit that fast food seems to be my down fall lately. Before I could go weeks without even thinking about it. now …

Hello, I am a newbie. I have set up for seminar for lap band. I do not have insurance so it will be self pay. I traveled to Paris 6 years ago with a friend and she had lap band surgery. I wish I had done the surgery with her but I had lost 60 pounds and did not qualify.She has went on to lose 70 pounds since the lap band with no problems. I have lost and regained that 60 pounds now so many times I have lost count. However, over the last year the arthritis in my rt hip has slowed me down so much so that I have gained to 250 at 5ft5. I have difficulty walking at all. I am only 46. I have been told to lose the weight and my hip problem will be better. I have been told with …

Hello, I am new to this forum and was interested to meet any one from Austin that has been banded. I have been to Dr. Ganta's seminar and was considering him as my surgen, but was looking for some fellow banders who have use him and wanted their experience. Thanks in advance for all your input.

Hi Everyone, I am on my way to being banded sometime (I hope) in late May, 2009!! I am in the process of jumping through the hoops of the insurance requirements. What I am having a really hard time with is cutting the carbs!!!:thumbup: Does anyone out there have anything they can tell me on how you mastered this?? Thanks a bunch and can't wait until my big day!! :w00t: Thanks a bunch!

Hello Everyone, I am new here and am excited to be a part of this journey with all of you. Has anyone ever had a lap band procedure done at Kaiser? I live in the East Bay and have heard that the Fremont Kaiser medical center does perform the lap band procedure. Also, I need to lose about 45 pounds. I had breast cancer, full mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. My plastic surgeon wants me to lose this weight so I can have another breast surgery to match better. I've tried everything, personal trainer, Meridia, diets, but it just stays put! I would greatly appreciate your guidance.... Sincerely, Claudiab893

Um.. not sure what to say here. I just found the site. Banded 9.18.2008. 309/272/135. Former eating disorders, anorexia/bulimia as young teen, bulimia till early 30's, medicating with food till late 30's with result of over 100lbs gained. metabolism tested normal. Get stuck on plateaus easy, speculation being that it's either becuause body freaks out at weight loss (starving myself again) or becuase I was at a weight for a "long time." No clue if either right but annoying just the same. Lost 37lbs, about 1.45 lbs a week. No work outs, chronic pain, but as weight comes off I am able to do more, and I am very pleased at that. Whelp, that's about it. Bl…

I had my lapband on March 9, 2009! This first week has been a nightmare! It is getting better, a little each day. Just looking forward to graduating to FULL Liquids, instead of clear. The hunger is the worse! However, i will survive. I go in for my 1 week check up on Wednesday, and Dr. Cavazos will hopefully increase my diet then. I am a single mother of two teenage boys, and have been fighting my weight for the last 19 years or so. With high blood pressure, DJD, sleep apnea and now a thyroid problem I decided I had to do something for me, if I wanted to live long enough to watch my kids graduate high school, and watch them get married and have their own families…

Little over a week left, now I'm checking out the recipes for post surgery

Hello everyone my names Nichole im only 23 and have been overweight my whole life. I have done weight watchers all the veggie diets starving myself i worked out for well over a year and lost a whole 2lbs theres so much i cant even type it all..My boyfriend and I are going to be getting married hopefully soon down the road and want to start a family but my being this weight i dont want to get pregnant plus i have Polycyctic ovarion syndrome so we will need help. I am in the process of getting insurance so i will see what they can do for me after that. I just want to be happy and healthy and to be able to be a good wife and mother with energy and want to go camping on walks…

I'm Melinda, another newbie. I just went to the information seminar. It has taken me 6 years and many more pounds to realize I simply can't do it myself. I am just starting my insurance approval process so at this point I don't know if they will require a medically supervised weight loss program etc. I'll know more this week. I hope you will all walk with me on this journey. Glad you are all here. Melinda

I'm a 35 yr old stay at home mom. I think it has to be the best job in the world. I have been married for seven years and have a five year old daughter. I have been overweight all my life. And I have tryed every diet out there and spent lots of money trying to be the person I am on the inside. And have failed every one of them, and myself. I don't want to win a beauty contest or look like a model. But I would love to be healthy and stronger. I want to be able to not just live life but experience it. I want to be able to play with my daughter and not be winded and sore. So after years of trying to lose weight I have decided I would like to have WLS. I have a few reasons fo…

I've had all the tests. All submitted to the insurance and will hear Monday about approval. So...any and all info is appreciated. Linda:huh2:

It seems like it's going to take forever to get this lap band surgery, First I have to go through a 12 month program..anyone else have to do something like this before weight loss surgery....my insurance company is Capital Health Plan (CHP)....I have a seminar on Jan. 20th to get this started....Doctor Jefferey Crooms of Tallahassee Florida will be doing the surgery .....anyone know anything about DR. Crooms.

hi everyone. my name is joe joe and i'm new to this . i had lap band surgery nov 25th 2008 and i've lost 46 lbs so far

Hi, I am new here, and just looking for support along the way. I go to my informational meeting on March 24th here. I am going to have my surgery at Magee's Woman's Hospital in Pittsburgh. I had gone thru all the testing and so forth about 5 yrs ago for the Gastric Bypass. At that time during the testings and all, I found out that I had more health conditions to deal with, along with my health insurance changing and all. I have been reading all the info, and reading all the posts here, and there is alot of good info to absorb from all of you. I also have been doing alot of other research on this. I know this is what I want, and I am happy that I have my primary care …

I have had the gastric lapband for a year now. Doctor Gorden was the surgeon who did mine. I've had no problems with it. I have lost 85 pounds but I'm struggling at the moment. I decided to see if there was any support for the band. I don't want to to go backwards. I've cut so many things bad out of my life. It's hard to talk to other people who haven't really been in your shoes because they think they know everything and can FIX you. So now I'm here hoping to meet some new people and get some new ideas. I think that's all I have to say for the moment.

I saw my surgeon yesterday and we decided on lap band instead of gastric. I just wasn't at peace with gastric. I am so afraid I made a mistake . My BMI is 56. I had lost 115lbs. on a liguid fast 2 years ago. I put it all back on plus 20 lbs. I am so afraid I won't lose enough. I guess I will just have to be patient. Thanks for listening. Kathy

Hello everyone. I am trying to make the decision to have the band done. I have done everything except make the call for the DATE. I have read so much but still there is that little scary part saying to read more. I have read the bad and the good and would like to know how you made your final decision to go and have this done. Thank you for helping me. I am from Canada and this is an expensive procedure so I want to make the right decision and be informed as much as I can. thnks Beckie

I have never blogged anywhere before so I apologize if I get it wrong. I was banded on Jan 15, 2009. My weight was 230 the day of surgery and is now 213, 6 weeks out. Only 4 of my friends/family know that I've been banded. I have had 3 fills so far, my last one 2 days ago. I don't feel restricted enough, but I do eat a lot less. I had a difficult time not drinking during or right after meals, but I think I have it under control now. I'm getting used to eating slower and chewing well, it hurts when I don't, but not for long. My biggest challenge right now is not eating between meals. I eat small amounts, but I can eat often. I am getting a little frustrated with w…