Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I havent met my doctor that will be next Thrusday, I was surprised when the WLS center called me earlier this month and gave me the the doctors appointment and the day of my surgery all on the same day which I was surprised and excited. Now the time is getting closer and I am getting a little nervous at meeting my doctor for the first time and also the recovery time. I plan on taking a week off, my Family Medical Leave doesn't give me too much time off due to some other reasons so I am taking that week. I heard from the day after to a week of recovery. I guess it will depend on me and my recovery state. So I am excited to meet everyone :mad2:

Hi!! I have not been banded yet looks like it will happen this April. I do have a lot of questions though and would like input from anyone. I know these questions are very pre-time but I just want to know... Can you have a tummy tuck after Lap-Band? Should I wait till the weight is off? I also need a breast reduction, I was a triple D at 115lbs. and only 5'2. They are now bigger but I know will still be there after the weight is gone... should I wait till I've met my goal weight? Any advise from post banding pt. for a pre banding one? Thanks!! oh and my doc is Dr. Oliak in OC, California!

I'm James from Oklahoma City and I Just got banded this morning. To keep from falling asleep, I jumped on here to see if I could find some info on post op recovery and stumbled upon this place. So here I am. I hope to learn a lot here. Thanks

:mad2: I had my surgery almost 5 years ago and did not loose weight , I don't fell restrition ,i drink with my meals .I need some tips i lost just 5 pounds .My doctor is in another country and i didn't find a good doctor here .Please Help!

Hi Everyone, I have finally figured out how all this works. I am a slow learner . I am so excited this site is availible. I have been on the chat area a few times and the people there have been GREAT. I started my journey in January, and will be banded March 11th. I am so over joyed to have this tool and the opportunity to have it. I have always put my family first and me second. I guess all moms do that. But now I am doing a me thing, and I can't wait. I start my 2 weeks of protein drinks Monday. Just counting the days till surgery. I am a terrible waiter and am trying to keep myself busy, busy, busy.... Thanks for all the information everyone has put out t…

I am seriously considering having this surgery. I am 33 years old, 5'4 and 207 pounds. I am having problems with my breathing at night, chest pain, knee pains, and I'm kind of scared for my health. I work out everyday but I am not losing weight. I want to have this surgery not because of vanity but for health reasons. A friend of mine had it done in here in the US and it cost her nearly 18 grand. I don’t have that kind of money. Reading here I have notice a lot of people saying that they had their surgery in Mexico and Dominican Republic. I would mind having surgery in DR as my family lives there and I wouldn’t have to pay for a hotel or anything. I was wondering i…

Hi everyone, I am new here! My surgery date is March 10. I am so glad the wait is almost over, just have to make it through the 2 week liquid diet!:mad2:

Well i just booked my procedure and start the preop diet this Sat.I guess 1 last hurra is in order before.Im getting banded on March 5.Excitement and nervousness both but mostly determined to make this a life changing turn for the better.I have full support of my wife and know she'll be a great help with watching what we both eat.So here we go the journey begins.:mad2:

Hi, my name is Jessica. I will be banded in March or April depending on how long it takes insurance to go through. I am 28 and have been overweight since the 3rd grade. I also have PCOS and have had trouble conceiving. I am hoping that after I have my banding done, I will be able to conceive in a year or two. I will be banded in Pittsburgh, PA at Magee Womans Hospital. I have been reading through the forums and am glad I came across this site. Have wonderful day everyone.:mad2:

Hi all! So I am 22 years old and getting banded March 12... I'm so excited but so completely nervous. Has anyone gone through True Reults in Scottsdale by Dr. Nimul? Any pointers or suggestions out there would be so helpful! As I have decided to keep this a secret from most of my friends and family (except my parents) I am very limited on talking about my concerns and questions. Thanks so much! And congrats to all of you that have been successful with banding! You are my inspiration!:mad2:

HI I'm Nessa. I'm 48 (almost 49) Married to Brian who will be 38 next week While brian is interested in Gastric Bypass I am interested in Lap Band. We live in Baltimore Maryland. I have an appointment for an info seminar on March 2 at Sinai Hospital and on March 11 at Johns Hopkins. I think my problem is that I'm always eating now. I"m always hungry. I never shut my mouth. I've been doing South Beach Diet for a few years and I had lost 80 pounds but it was slow and i was getting frustrated and since October I have gained 40 pounds back. I've already talked to our insurance people and I know that WLS is covered at 85% at the places we are interested in. …

Hello all, I am very new to this world of lap band and have a lot of questions. I am happy to find this forum!!! My journey began Monday when my PCP recommended that I look into the lap band procedure. Before he had mentioned it the thought never crossed my mind that I would need to do something of this caliber. I slept on it and reached for the support of just the idea from my parents and boyfriend, and they were all very positive about it, which made the idea really settle in my mind. I have spent the past few days researching on the internet the procedure, side effects, testimonials, and that is how I found this forum. I will be going to the seminar tomorrow night…

Greetings Lap Banders. I'm Nora and I'm trying to work my way "back to the future", specifically, back to a place where I was thinner, healthier and felt better about myself. I was banded on Nov 1 by Dr. Mun at the Faulkner Hospital. At my first consultation, I weighed 269 lbs. After 2 fills, I'm now at 225 lbs. . I went to my first support group last night at Brigham & Women's and was very happy to meet others on this path. It's good to hear others speak of their challenges and successes. It hasn't been easy. And while the band helps enormously w/ portion control, I'm now confronting my emotional eating habits. I don't know why I was surprised to learn my weight …

Just joined this site. I finally have my date for surgery on March 12. It seemed to take forever, waiting and waiting. Now that the date is set I seem more focused on what I have to do. I find that reading everything I can on this site has helped so much. I so nice to read about people that are going through the same thing as myself. :thumbup:

I expected to have to wait 6 months, so I am shocked and very surprised to have gotten that call today. WOW! :thumbup:

Hi! My name is Tera, I am 32 and will be having my lap band surgery Thursday 2-19. I am so excited. I started this journey 1 yr ago and it is finally happening. My insurance wouldn't cover the procedure so I am financing it. Not the ideal way but hey whatever works, right? Can't wait to chat with others who have had or will be having lap band.

hey everyone! I'm new here and have never done this! I would like to know if any banders out there regret it and wish they had gone with the bypass? My surgeon is highly recommending the bypass for me rather than the band and I'm scared to death!!!! HELP????:thumbup:

Hello! This is my first time on this site . I am a 26 year old mother of three and a military wife. I have always been a giver and always put everyone else first. I am trying to change that now. It's time that I start taking care of myself and I know this, it's just really hard for me to do. It is really hard for me to admit that I weigh 235 lbs. I hate the way that I look and feel horrible about myself. My husband is a fitness leader at work and I am embarassed for people from his work to see me. I am a nurse and am embarassed b/c I am totally a hypacrite to tell people to live a healthy lifestyle. I know something needs to be done and I am considering the lap …

Hi, I just joined this forum, having previously browsed through it a few times a couple of months ago before my surgery. I hope to get and give encouragement here. My story: Banded January 22, 2009 at Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland Washington by Dr. Kelly Clinch. I first visited Dr. Clinch in October 2008, and a week later started the paperwork to submit for preapproval from insurance carrier. Initially was turned down, but was approved upon appeal, January 5, 2009. Starting losing weight at end of October, when my doctor said they'd like me to lose at least 10-15 pounds prior to surgery. My first weight measurement at the doctor's office, end of October: 339 pounds.…

Hi- My name is Missie. I am set to be banded in March 23, and extremely excited. I am a wife & mother and have lots of support to succeed at this. Fasting starts March 13. And I have already lost 7 pounds since my 1st appt on Jan 22!!

Hi there! I'm new to this forum. I have my band surgery scheduled for 3/12/09 at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn, Michigan. I'm thrilled, nervous, excited, anxious all at the same time. My story -- I'm a 44 year old woman. I hope to be "A New Woman" when I get my band and start living a healthier lifestyle. I've struggled with my weight for the last 20+ years. Strangely enough, as a child and teen I didn't have a weight problem. I was only a 3 lb. full term baby and was small most of my life. I graduated high school at 110 lbs. Somewhere along the way I learned to equate food with every emotion in my life. It's how I socialize. I go out to lunch with co-workers. I go to l…

I had my surgery on 12/1/08 in Pittsburgh PA. I just had my 2nd fill last week. I can notice some restriction but not much. I am realizing that I really must chew things better than I have been. At a valentines day dinner, I got a piece of food caught, and it wouldn't go down. It was embarrassing because the waitress was looking at me wondering what the problem was. My husband explained. She had never heard of the lap band procedure. It took about 15 minutes for the food to pass. It was pretty painful, and taught me a lesson to to eat more carefully. So far I have lost 17 pounds since the surgery on 12/1.

Hi Everyone I'm Ashley I have lots of questions. I have been wanted to get the Lap band but just dont know where to start everyone keeps telling me to go to a sminar so I did at manatee memorial in bradenton that didnt get me anywhere but still looking for the right doctor to perform the surgury. I live in North Port FL and wanted to get the surgury some where near by do any of you know of any great lap band surgons in sarasota or bradent fl? how does this work after I do find a doctor is there weight that has to come off before I get the surgury?? my bmi is 54 and i weight 334 lbs

I am new to this whole process. I was banded on 2/9. I am hoping that this site might give me some extra support.

Hello All, I am glad to be here, I am pursuing the lap band surgery.. worried about my insurance... My name is Sherun, and I just submitted paperwork to be sent to the insurance company. Looking forward to connecting to others and learning as much as possible. :thumbup:

Hi there! I'm thinking of having Dr. Joya in Puerto Vallarta do my surgery, has anyone had good experiences with him?:thumbup:

Hi Everyone, Wish me luck, I just got the letter tdoay from my insurance company approving the lapband. :thumbup:I'm waiting to hear back from the Doctor to see when they can get me set up. Cant wait for my appettite to be a faint memory. Funny I had a dream lat night where it had been done and I was eating 1/4 cups of yougurt and pea soup! I'm male, 6 ft 1 inch clocking in at 345 right now, hope to be at 260 by Christmas, 200 by July 4th next year.

Hi all, I am 4 days out from having my lapband op and soooo excited to be on the way to the new me!!! :rose: I am 48, been overweight since 3rd child 10 years ago. Breast cancer treatment 4 years ago put me into menopause and that only added to the problem! Anyhow, after much research and lurking around sites like this, I did it. I have restriction from day 1 and have no fill in yet, is this normal? I am happy about it because I have no appetite and feel like I've over eaten badly!!! I live in Western Australia and breed Welsh Mountain Ponies. My operation was on Black Friday!!!! To me it will always be a 'lucky' day! I would love to find someone with similar stats …

Hello - I was banded on February 12 in Royal Oak Michigan. Dr. Krause did my surgery. I am very happy with the recovery so far. The surgery day was a blur. I had to report at 6:00 a.m. for a 7:30 surgery. I got my gown on and had blood drawn, peed in a cup, got weighed, and had my IV put in. The pre-op rooms had flat screen tv's so it was nice to be able to watch tv to keep my mind off what was about to happen. Pretty soon the happy drug came through my iv and I was being wheeled off to surgery. I recall getting myself moved over to the operating table and being told the infamous "take deep breaths...this is only oxygen". After that I was out. I woke up in recov…

Hey, My name is Marcus. I was banded on Feb 5th. I have a website called A day to day account of my life in becoming the LAP-BAND KING (losing a lot of weight with the help of the Lapband) I vblog daily to give others a daily insight to what it is like to have weight loss surgery. I will be spotlighted on Weight Loss Surgery Channel | Lap Band |Gastric Bypass | Gastric Sleeve this friday. Come check me out.

Hi... New at this and needing support. :tongue2:

I'm on day 5 of the pre-op diet, not cheating at all. I just got a call that my surgery is moving from 2/27 to 3/3. I'll start the pre-op again tomorrow, but tonight, I'm going out to dinner. I'm sure adding a few extra days would have some value, but another good meal.....priceless.

Hi, I've been following this site and now have a few questions. Plan to have lap band this summer and currently have been doing the optifast program. Now I am in staying on track and have lost 54 lbs. I've read different things and am wondering if you are able to eat a sandwich or have pasta at all. Also I am a nurse working in a geriatric psych unit and wonder how long I will have to be off work. Also have umbilical hernia surgery at the same time. How did everyone feel after the surgery? Thanks.

Hello everyone. I am new to the site. I have thought about lapband surgery on many occasions, but never really looked into it. I think I have tried every source there is to lose weight, but I have had very little luck doing so. I am now looking more into the lapband surgery than before. I have read many article on here about people's personal experience with it, and I am more intrigued about it now than ever before. I would like to know, how long the pain lasts after the surgery?

Hello Everyone! My name is Miriam, I am a 28-year-old from NYC. I am getting banded on February 24th and am both excited and nervous! This will be my first surgery ever, but my surgeon, Dr. Fielding, seems extremely capable and encouraging. I am so happy that I am able to do this before my husband and I consider having children, I hope to one day be an active parent! Currently, I'm finishing up my first week of a liquid diet and trying to get all of my work done in the next week so I can go into this experience with a clear head. I have enjoyed reading other people's experiences and look forward to sharing more stories. I also have a few questions if people are…

I was banded on October 13, 2008 but just found this website today. I had some questions I needed answers to and found them on this website. What a great place! My problem is that they have yet to find my "sweet spot". I am going in for my fourth fill next week. Hopefully it will be a success. I have only lost 20 lbs so far with 65 more to go. I know I will do it. :rose:

well, I have my pre op nutrition meeting tommorrow and I see the shrink on thursday...then I can schedule hopefully.. keep your fingers crossed....I want this so bad I can taste it...:rose:

I have a date in Mexico for LB on March 20th. I paying out of pocket. So cost is part of my decision. I've been doing a lot reading on OH and this website. Every turn I run into someone bashing one Dr or another, one procedure or another. I'm completely lost tonight. Help. I think? I I I don't know. :rose:

Does anyone know if it is safe to take a colon cleanser?

Will I ever be able to drink either of these again??

I have 18 days to my surgery, I'm exited and relieved that I was approved to have the surgery done, as the company I work for is planning to have the coverage stopped. Whew!

:rose: HELP! HAVE NOT LOST ANY WEIGHT EXERCISE 3 TOI 4 TIMES A WEEK. EAT PRETTY GOOD AND TAKE VITAMINS AND KEEP UP WITH PROTEIN AND FIBER

Hi! I am all new to this. I have not been banded yet, but have been "lurking" in here for a long time reading comments. This site helped me make the decision to lap band and has answered a lot of questions I have had that my big lap band book has not answered. :rose: I have been on the waiting list for 9 months so far and do not know how long it will be until the operation - I can hardly wait. I have decided to lose as much weight as I can before the operation in order to make everything optimal in my body before the stress of a general anaesthetic. Since November 20th I have lost 11 kilos! (24.2 lbs). YAY! It has gotten me even more excited about the band! …

Hi everyone, Just a quick update, that tomorrow is finally Band day. I am very nervous, but I know everything will be okay. I just wanted to say thanks to everyone on this board from reading your posts to personally getting info from someone. Thanks again! Will post again soon

Good Morning...i can't wait to get started, i have done so much research that my brain is starting to feel fat...last thing I need is for something else on my body to feel fat...my story is this. I am 48, BMI 39.5, weight 225. I have not always been overweight, not until after my second child in 1980, reached 200lbs in 1990, joined WW Jan 1990 lost 62 pounds by Nov 1990 and became a lifetime member. I kept 50lbs off for 10 years, then my thyroid went hypo and I have never been the same, I have been on every kind of diet since then...yes even went back to WW countless times, I will loose some then gain it all back and then some. I made the decision to have the lapband pr…

Hi Everyone! One week from tomorrow, February 23rd, I am scheduled to begin the rest of my life. I am a tad nervous, but anxious to take one big step closer to a more comfortable existence. I truly believe that the decision I have made is the right one for me and seems like a better choice than having my lips sewn together . . . :thumbup: . . . I am a 61 year old retiree who needs to go back to work to get a day off!! I have a travel business that I devote an incredible amount of time to and I am so blessed to be able to now do what I enjoy so much! I am a people person. I find that my weight is affecting my quality, and that I will not tolerate. I hate having …

I am new to this, I have had my surgery on 1/23/09 & have already lost 20 lbs.

My surgery is at 2:30 tomorrow 2/17 and I am terrified of being put under. I have done so good with my diet and protein shakes and my nerves overcame me last night I had a sandwich and lots of pop after giving it up 2 weeks ago!!! I now can really see what an emotional eater I am. Has anyone else ever cheated, I had the worst nightmares last night of waking up in the recovery room and the doctor telling me my liver was too large and he couldn't place my band!!!!!! I want this so bad and I am feeling like such a failure right now!! I need some guidance please!! Also can anyone tell me how to get a weight loss ticker?

Good morning, My name is Christy and I was banded about a year and a half ago. I have lost 95 pounds so far. It has been great! Since my last fill, I have not been able to drink coffee anymore. I love coffee but, it was making me really bloated and I was just feeling bad. Does anyone else have this problem? I have actually have started taking Nexium but, some foods just do not react well. I thought my band was too tight until I stumbled on the forum- Too Tight or Just Right. It was really nice to know that other people are experiencing the same things. I was really being hard on myself for still being dissapointed when I could not eat someting I really like. I thought t…

My name is kristina and im 24years old. I weigh 255 and have had a really hard time trying to loss weight. I havent got the band yet but am only thinking about it. I would really like it if people could let me know if it is worth it. I have herd that it could take a while for the adjustments to the band. I myself have never had surgery and I have herd you have to change what you eat anyway so I don't see the difference in changing my diet without the surgery.If someone could let me know the differences that would be great. Any other good information would be good as well. hope to hear something soon ciao