Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

hie ppl i am 26 years old and have been overweight since the last 6 years i am 5,6 and weigh 13 stone 10 pound.my bmi is 31.04 i wanted to get the gastric band done as i have tried everything to loose weight.i wanted to get in touch with dr de bruyne but dont know how and if i could get it done or not as doctors in uk say that it cant be donr in uk as i am not fat enough

Hello out there! I'm new to this site (obviously) and look forward to gaining confidence and knowledge from you all. One thing I have going against me is that only TWO people in my life know about "my procedure"! :tt1: It's going to make it more difficult for me, but I'm going to make it work. I'm sure this website will be a good source of support for me.:thumbup: Thanks in advance.

Hi there I am really thinking about the realize band. My first info seminar is on March 26th. I am hoping to get the band soon. I have struggled with my weight for yrs. and I am ready for a real tool to help me lose and keep it off for good. So much information and so much to process but so far this is the direction I am heading.:mad2: I love to read up on all the successes out there but I know there are a few failures too... eech. Any info you would like to share is appreciated. Thanks Lisa

Good day to all. I am a nurse practitioner who works for a surgeon in scottsdale arizona. I have taken care of lap band patients for about 5 years and thought i would join this group and add anything that may help other bandsters. Its good to hear how everyone is doing and look forward to chatting. Randy

Hi everybody. I am new to this site, and I am having gastric banding done on March 31 by Dr. Joe Northup. I'd love to chat with anyone who has had the procedure done or who is just beginning their journey, like me!

I am new to this site. I was banded 2/16/2009, and I am in my 4th week where I can slowly try adding new food items to my diet. I am on the True Results website as well under the same user name. You do not have to be a TR patient to join their site. I am also documenting my journy on You Tube. My name is firemama1269. Just put that in the search, and the vids will come up. There are alot of people on You Tube documenting their journeys. If you are, let me know, so I can add you as a friend. I have used all of these resources to obtain a great wealth of knowledge. I hope that I enjoy this site just as much if not even more than I do the others. Thanks for letting me be a p…

I started this journey a year ago Feb. Had the start of my first 6mo dr diet in Mar 08 and in April I found out I had adneo gland cervical cancer. That halted my lap band journey. My name is Valerie or Val. I am 32, live in Creston, Iowa and I have 3 boys from a previous marriage. My husband and I would like to have a child together, which we have tried several times. So with the cancer I chose a nonstanderd operation...Trachelectomy which was preformed in the best place - Mayo Clinic in Rodchester,Mn! That journey lasted from April to my cancer FREE date June 17,2008. Starting Sept. 08 I was able to start my lap band again. In Jan. they switched our insurance from CBCA t…

Hi i had my lap band op in September 08 and have lost 30 kgs but still have another 40 kgs to lose to be at my goal weight. I live in Queensland Australia anyone else from Queensland

I live in hillsoboro oregon and I'm trying to find a cheap place to get fills for my lap band?:biggrin:

:wink2: I have tried to go into chat & it keeps telling me I can't use my username etc. Any idea how I can chat live?:mad2: Lora

:smile:Hi my name is Michelle and I joined this site to get support and make new LapBand Friends.

Hello All! I just wanted to say hello to everyone as I am new to this site. I am very excited to read everyone's blogs, stories, before and after pics, etc. I get banded on Friday, (03/13/09) and I am very excited :crying: and nervous at the same time, but I look foward to learning from you guys. thanks!

Hello everyone! My name is Melissa and I am from Catlettsburg Kentucky.Today is my first time every on this website, and I have learned so much already. I started my pre-op diet yesterday and my surgery is scheduled for March 25th. I know its going to be totally worth it, but this is my second day on my pre-op diet and I am having a rough time going off pop. I should have weaned myself off of it a long time ago!! Plus I am drinking the EAS premixed protein shakes and I am not liking them:eek:. I am open to suggestions on these shakes or anything else I need to know before or after surgery.

Hi everyone. I wanted to introduce myself. I started my journey last July with my first appointment with my primary care doctor. He has been amazing and supportive and has given me no trouble at all regarding the many referrals I have asked for and the note he had to write for insurance. I just received word today that I am authorized through my insurance for the surgery and have been given a surgery date of 3/20/09. I have had a few bumps in the road along the way (knee surgery) but am feeling better and ready to have the surgery and begin my new life. I need to figure out how to put one of those ticker thingies on and will try to do in a bit. I have been checking…

Hi---due to some weird hernia problems, I now have a lap-band and no idea what to do. I could use some pointers other than very, very small meals, heavy on protein, etc. They say they may be able to "fix" it ==after they "fix' some other problems. In the meantime, I am very frustrated--I could stand to lose the weight ( and a bit more, actually), but how does it stop, what do you do? This has been going on since Nov. 08 and the weight loss has slowed down somewhat. Am also not too proficient on the computer---- thanks mjawc

Hello all, My name is Tonya, I am in the process of getting the band. See the psychiatrist on Thursday, not sure what to expect. Any advice w:smile:ould be appreciated. Thanks

Hello, Well i just i attended my first appointment which included the seminar, doctors visit, psych consult and consult w/the nutrionist. I went in thinking i wanted to have the lap band surgery and came out thinking i should have the gastric bypass. I weigh 317 and my bmi is 50. So the doctor said there was a time he wouldn't consider doing lap band on someone with a 50 bmi. I felt like my consult wasn't enough.,I got nervous and didn't ask enough questions and they were extremely busy that day. I couldn't believe how many people were there. Anyways, he also mentioned that if you have sweet cravings that the gastric would be better because that surgery wouldn't allow y…

I had my lapband surgery yesterday march 9. I'm very sore today but I know it will be worth it in the long run. :thumbup:

Hello everyone, I just wanted to introduce myself i'm OGee from Chgo, IL (just a nickname) Well I have been thinking about this for almost a year now. I am at my heaviest @ 332 lbs 6'1" tall. I made a apt to talk with a DR. Sraker @ Loyola (sorry if I butchered his or her name) about Lap band. I guess that's the first step? How long do I have to wait b4 getting the surgery done? What is it that I must first go through? I know my insurance has already cleared for the surgery. All i know as of right now that my apt to see the Dr. is on the 10th of March, 2009. Thanks OGee

Hello All, I'm 27 year old single mother of a 3 year old son. I am currently 299lbs and have been considering having the Lap Band for about 3 years now. I had a very bad experience "attempting" this process before with Dr. McKewen's office in Fishers, IN. So I'm starting all over with Dr. Stephen Clark at St Francis hospital in Indianapolis. I attended the orientation and consult yesterday. The office staff was quite pleasant and I didn't feel like I was looked down on because of my weight etc. I also enjoyed the group atmosphere. I liked that fact that everyone (many different ages) were all overweight just like me. Some more, some less, but we all seemed the same in…

Hello Everyone, Today is my first day as a member of the website. I was denied the lap band about a week ago, because my BMI was 36 at the time with no Significant Morbidity. I have been extremely depressed every since I got the denial letter. I have Fibromyalgia, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, and Degenerative Osteoarthritis, so I feel like the weight is a significant added burden. I am looking for a CHEAP doctor to do my lap band, since I may be paying for it out of pocket. I would even possibly consider going out of the U.S I was just worried that once I returned that no doctor would take over and do my fills for me. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY ADVICE? THAN…

Hello, my name is Tiffany, I am new to the group and live in the Las Vegas area. I was banded on March 3rd, 2009. On my follow up appt with my dr. 3-9 I was down 11 lbs...he did explain once I am out of the liquid phase that is what I should loose in a month (not a week) which I am totally fine with. I choose the lap band for the slower weight loss and thusly hopefully more nutrients and less saggy skin. Next week he said I can add scrambled eggs, cottage cheese and oatmeal to my diet....I have never looked forward to something so much. Thanks for listening.

I have been brousing the website for awhile and trying to learn how to use. I am on a 30 gram of carb diet for the 2 weeks prior to surgery and have lost 9.5#. I put a ticker on my signature and will try to figure out why it is 1# off. I am excited and scared. I believe anyone undergoing any type of surgery should be concerned and aware of the risks. However obesity is a risk in my life that i ignored until it shoved itself in my face with high blood pressure and arthritis in my knee. At 46 I am too young to be slowed down by a stiff achey knee. I have never talked on a chatroom before. I learned from weight watchers that talking to people who are facing the same challeng…

Hey everyone. I'm 28 yrs old. 1 four yr old and married. i currently weigh 245 lbs and am only 5'2" tall. I am seriously at the final straw with trying to lose weight on my own. i was able to get down to 198 a year 1/2 ago on weight watchers.. but my appetite is out of control and as i get older my metabolism is slower and cravings are increased. i'm sure you can all relate. i was considering the lap band procedure because i am pretty sure i qualify. i was just concerned with wanting more kids while banded. does anyone have info on this? and i was concerned with the extra skin i always hear about with these procedures. any advise would be greatly appreciated.. thanks…

Officially joining you all today after looking through every day for the last 2 weeks. Love all the before and after pics - some of you have done extremely well. Any hints on how to prevent the saggy skin? :tt2: I am seeing surgeon on Thursday am when they should give me date for the Lapband surgery. :laugh: :cool2: I think I am excited - but nervous too, hmmm. Would love to know if you got your chance again, would you do it again? Looking forward to chatting with you all. Lou

I am new to the forum and haven't done this type of thing before so I hope I am doing it right! Not banded yet but finishing up preop requirements for insurance and should be scheduled end of April. I would love more info on life after banding, the good and the bad. I have read alot about people fighting hunger in the first couple months and even gaining weight! Is this going to be enough? I am not considering bypass because it is to radical for me. New gastric sleeve procedure sounds like the best way to go but my ins won't cover. I would love to hear from some of you who are postop and have any helpful hints! Good luck to everyone out there fighting this battle to …

Hi I was banded on 02/19/09. I've lost 20 pounds. The hardest things for me is the diet you have to follow I did not know that it would be this hard. I'm confused on what I should eat plus I miss eating real food. I want to chew my food and I'm just sick of the creamy mushy foods. Can someone please tell me how you made it through these first few weeks? I know it will get better but it just sucks while your having to go through it.:laugh:

Hi All My info was sent to my insurance late last week so now i wait. I had to do the 6 months Dr. supervised diet and all that fun stuff. I hope to get good news soon. I have a question. I do water aerobics 2 nights a week. After surgery how long do you have to wait before one can get back in the pool? :laugh:

I am from Chicago and am saving up enough for Lap Band surgery. It would be nice to have a specific goal. The last place I went for a consultation is day one health, downtown, and they charge $16,000. I would like to find something more affordable in the Midwest region and am willing to travel only WITHIN the U.S. I found Methodist Medical Center of Illinois in Peoria, IL. They charge $12,000 which is more reasonable, but Im still looking for other affordable options I can compare to this hospital. any suggestions?

Hi, I'm new to LapBankTalk and to the whole online forum experience so you'll have to forgive me if I don't know exactly what I'm doing with this. I was banded one year ago. Kind of wish I'd had more support all along. Kind of my own fault as I didn't seek support that was available. I'm looking forward to this forum. I think it's a great idea!

Hi My name is Michelle. I am 28 years old and I have an amazing husband and three kids :biggrin: My kids are 4,3, and 17 months so they keep me very busy. I want to have this surgery so I have more energy to play with them and dont get out of breath so easily. I also want to be around with them for a LONG LONG LONG time I have previously attended a seminar but before having a major surgery I wanted to give myself one more shot at taking the weight off by myself. I was not able to do it so I have decided to go on with the lap band. I am attending a seminar on Saturday with a different dr who is closer to home and highly recommended. I cant wait. I have spoken to my insura…

Hi everyone, I am new to this. Went to my seminar this past Saturday! Really looking forward to all of this. I'm getting married Friday 13th. Wanted to wait till the weight was off, however he is such a great supporter I would rather be married to him and have him by myside for all of this. So tell me about how much weight can one expect to lose, at first and in the end? I want to lose 120 lbs, about how long would/should that take? If you have any words of advice I would love to hear from you. THANKS A BUNCH!!

i am scheduled to have the surgery at the end of june and i am nervous about it. not really about the procedure itself, but about the after. i worry that i will be hungry constantly or that i will not be able to handle just liquids or mush or whatever for months after. i'm freaked out and i would love to hear from someone who is in it right now to hear what they have to say about the experience. thank you all!!

hi my name is connie, i am new on here, i was just banded on november 25, 2008. i am truly grateful for the decision i made to have the lap band surgery. i had my surgery at highland hospital in rochester, new york with william o'malley. i have lost 50 pounds thus far. i know that this all is a work in progress and i am going to take my time to learn the new me. :laugh:

My name is Emily and I am 15 and currently weigh 296 my highest weight was 298 I am nervous/excited/a little scared..about the surgery :laugh: so any advice or comments you have good or bad I will read.. P.S. my goal is 135-140 my goal is not set in stone but I am thinking 140 lbs THANKS EVERYONE FOR SUCH GREAT RESPONSES! I DON'T HAVE A SURGERY DATE YET BUT I AM HOPING FOR SOME TIME IN APRIL OR MAY

I have just registered and I had surgery on 12/15/2008..I am having a hard time as I have had my first fill and it does not feel as if there is any restriction at all I stay hungry and can eat too much has anyone else had this problem?

hi i am new to this site. lots of good info for many users. i am planning on having surgery july/aug in mexico. any useful info would be greatly appreciated. the good,the bad and the ugly. the more info i have the better choice i will make. cheers. sandi:wub:

I am so excited about lap band, I'm not approved yet, I have my seminar march 18th. About how long after that do you find out if insurance is approved? I am so happy, I really hope that I can get this done!!:laugh:

I had surgery a few years back and in the past year and half I have gained appx 20 lbs, a couple of pounds at a time. I don't know if it is my age or what. I don't eat that much because if I do it comes back as fast as it went in. I don't eat late because it make me cough and choke at night if I do. Is it too late to start loosing again? Any suggestions of what to do? I only had 3 fills but no more than I eat that is sufficient.

hi everybody, i don't know if im the right place or not, does anyone have bcbs of michigian, and did you have any problems getting approved. tammy

Hello everyone, I had lapband surgery on January 19, 2009, by Dr. Monash in Tucson, AZ. He's been wonderful. Had my first fill on March 4, 2009. 3ccs into a 14cc band, he said. I'm feeling a little restriction. Still getting used to the feeling and how to eat. But I'm being careful because I hate to get sick. So far it's been a good experience, I'm down 13 pounds since the surgery, and so far I can still eat just about anything, just less. Whenever I have a question, I keep coming back to this forum, so I finally registered. Have a wonderful day!

Hi Everyone, I had the Realize band on 2/17/09. Tommorrow will be 3 weeks. I have lost 26 lbs. but today my hunger is coming back loud and clear... I am a little worried. The first 2 weeks I had no hunger at all. I am glad to fing this site. Hope to hear from ya'll soon!

Good Afternoon Everyone I am trying to decide what weight loss method is best for me. I look forward to reading about your experiences with the Lap Band. Thanks for sharing your stories.

Hi! I'm completely new to this whole idea, but have been thinking a lot about getting the lapband. I'm scheduled to go to one of the seminars in a couple of weeks. Do those things tend to be as informative as they make it out to be? Whats the usual time-line from info meeting to surgery? If I decide to move ahead, would it be months and months before I could get the surgery? Anyone know anything about the band and pregnancy? I'm not currently pregnant, but hope to have a baby in the next couple of years. Could the band interfere? Thanks so much for anyone who answers! This is all very exciting and new!

Hello all! I am new to this site and very excited to get to know all of you. I am starting the two week pre-op diet tomorrow. I am scheduled for surgery on the 24th of March. Have to admit starting to get very nervous, BUT excited too. Can't wait to meet the new me!!! Probably will ask a lot of questions and hope you all understand.........Best of luck to ALL of us on this journey!

Hello to all, I have recently gotten my refferal to see Dr Tony Keireth for a lap band, i am living in Karratha WA and have not heard from his office for my first appiontment.... Hopefully it is soon i cant stop stuffing my face i think i have replaced food with my sex life lol (or lack there of a sex life) I guess it is partly my fault and partly my partners fault... i cant wait to loose some weight so i can be the sex kitten i used to be lol... Mostly want the surgery becouse i am pre diabete who knows probly full blown diabetic now, i need to go have some more blood test oneday next week..... How long has it taken anyone from the first doctors visit for a refferal to…

Hello everyone! I have been reading this site for months, and have found it to be a great resource for the lap band procedure I'm about to go through. It has answered a lot of my questions, and I'm getting more honest and frank information here than even from my doctors I am finding, so thank you for that! I am going in for my lap band procedure this Thursday, March 12th and am very excited/nervous. I am excited to start this new chapter of my life and have the same fears as most about not waking up/regretting my decision. I think/hope this is going to be a great decision, and a great tool for me to lose weight and actually keep it off which has always been the hard par…

Hi my name is Cari and I am a Nurse in michigan , I have my first appts on 03/12/2009 , with DR. March in hillsdale MI also with nutrisionist and Psychologist , the waiting is killin me I have been pre approved with BCBS of Michigan I guess now I just wait any advice would be great I have bout 120 pounds to lose

hi, my name is tracy, i'm 23 years old.. i've always been a very big person and my weight is at a all time high! i'm now 24 stone and 4 pounds (was weighed at slimming world last week) i googled my bmi and its 52.8, i know over 40 is very bad! :confused: about a year ago i was given xenical from the doctor, i took it for a little while but i never went back for a refil as the side effects were so bad! i now dont have a doctor as i moved, i'm not sure what qualify's me to get a lap band.. or if i would need to join to a doctors? or i could do it somewhere else? i've tried the xenical, i'm doing slimming world, i lost half a stone and i put it all back on i just can…

I am currently waiting for my surgery date.