Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi my name is Lori and I live in northern NJ, my weight has been an issue for years, finally I decided to really do something about it. I had a consultation with a recommended surgeon, it went well, had my blood work done and now I need to schulde with Psch and Nutrionist. How long is it until surgery? I'd love to be done by Spring.....too ambitious???:thumbup:

Hiya ... 5 days post op and not really feeling any restriction, no vomitting, a little concerned really lol - any advice?? I'm going to see my surgeon in a couple of days. :thumbup: Thanks

I was banded in October 2003 and had so many problems stopped seeing the doctor that performed the surgery, Dr. Woodman. I tried to see Dr. Madan at UT and his office staff would not let me see him, said they were bombarded with Woodman's patients. I am ready to go to somebody now, heard good things about Dr. Weaver. Anybody been to her? Thanks for your help.

Hello to all, My name is Erin and i am having my first appointment with Dr. Vincent Lusco (in Louisville, KY ) tomorrow and I am a little frightened and excited. After tomorrows appt. the following week is my pre ope testing and the surgery will be the following week. Any info on the pre op testing, what am I in for, etc.. I keep hearing alot about erosion of the band does anyone know is this normal? Right now i am at my highest weight 260lbs and I have PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) Anyone else have pcos and been banded? Any information will help me . Thanks

Hi everyone, I am 29 and live in the Coastal Georgia Area. I began my lapband process in August/September 2008. I was finally approved for surgery on January 7, 2009 and I had lapband on February 6, 2009. My doctor was Dr. John Angstadt from the Memorial Bariatric Group. I started my weight loss journey at 258 and I am currently down to 214. I have a mini goal of breaking the 200 lb. mark by March 6, 2009 which is my 30th birthday. If this happens, it will have been the smallest I have been since I was in high school:thumbup: I am still on the liquid diet which is killing me. I am hungry and the liquids do not seem to fill me up. I have read most of the po…

Hi my name is Gerry myself, husband and our daughter are hopefully going to have lapband surgery. I have been a diabetic for 11 yrs now and since last Sept. have been on Insulin (YUCK). Along with me, my husband and daughter 20yrs have tried everything imaginable over the last 8yrs or so and with varying success but we are fed up and as my doc suggested it would be beneficial for me, we decided to do this together as a family and support each other. I was wondering if there were other couples or families out there who have done and what sort of result you have had? Look forward to reading your replies.

Hello. I am totally new and right now am just looking for ideas. I am 29 years old, 6' and weigh 315 pounds. I have hypertension, cholesterol and triglyceride problems. Also type II diabetes runs in my dad's side of the family (I don't know about my mom's), however right now I do not have it (but due to my morbid obesity and genetic heritage I think I will suffer from it within 15 years or so). My dad, all 4 of his siblings and both his parents have it (type II diabetes) or have had it (his parents are dead now, but they lived to their 80s). I also am having leg, foot, knee and some back pain. I am still reasonably physically active. I can hike, bike and walk for an ho…

I just learned about this forum this week. I saw it listed in WLS magazine and thought I would check it out. I had my lap band surgery on November 12th. So far, I have lost 41 pounds and feel a whole lot better but I have a long ways to go yet. Looking forward to being able to interact with others with lap bands. JLynne:thumbup:

Hello, I'm just looking for information about who is the best doctor in Ontario Canada to preform Lap Band Surgery? Any feed back is welcome it's something I am very interested in due to poor health and severe pain. Thank you in advance, Line

Hello all... I was approved by my insurance company a few weeks ago and my surgery is tomorrow. My wife (SamieTeacher) was banded in December and I'm about to join her. I've been on a liquids only diet all week and I'm glad that's almost over. I'm looking forward to some soft and pureed foods (Never thought I'd be saying that). It's been difficult this week but not as hard as I thought it would. Of course I did have a dream about a chili dog last night! I never thought I'd dream about food! I look forward to meeting others on here to compare my experiences with and get advice.

Hi there im new to the forum well new to any forums really, im in the horrible optifast stage of being banded (my band date is the 23rd Feb) im keeping my fingers busy so i dont dip them into the cookie jar lol, iv been planning banding for about 6 mths and am getting nervous now its so close. Fell free to hollar at me, id like to here as much as i can from anyone at all, ideas, good foods for the band, how much you have lost (feel free to brag i would!) or just vent , im a great listener and even better talker lol

Hi my surgery is up and I,m feeling like freaked out with A rush of a anxiety and an added pluse of excitment :thumbup:

Hi. I had my surgery thursday and came home yesterday. Dr. JR Salameh at Virginia Hospital Center is my doctor. I read about the rashes... have one too. You all have it under control. I'm not so worried about it now. Thanks

Hello All...I am Karen and I am new, I am going in on Feb. 25th for sugery. I have gone through many posts on this forum to help me understand what it is going to be like. I think I will be able to handle the starving feeling...hey, I have dieted so many times, I am used to that feeling;) And doing the pre-op shakes, I think I am prepared for that feeling. My question is....how bad is the pain afterwards? I have never had surgery and I am petrified of how I am going to feel afterwards. My surgeon said I can be back at work in 6 days (wed. surgery, work on MOnday). I also have theatre tickets on day 5, and I am hoping that I can drive & sit in a theatre without be…

Hi everyone I met this weekend am fine n dandy so far so good

My name is Angie and I am new at this so bear with me.:wink_smile: I am 5 1/2 months into my 6 month supervised diet and Dr phase.:thumbup: I have had my group introduction, RN visit, Group Dietician visit, Individual Dietician Visit, Psychologist testing and on Thursday I meet my surgeon Dr. Christopherson. I am having my surgery at the Genesis for Beriatric Surgery Center in Davenport Iowa. I have BC/BS IL and hope that my approval is quick. Well, I will continue to read the post and I will let you all know how my visit with the surgeon goes.

Hi, I'm going to have my LB fitted on 17th March in Beligum with my sister, Jewy!! Can anyone tell me, what to expect from start to when I leave hospital the next day? A really nervous, scared, but excited couple of girls, counting the days!:rose:,:thumbup:

Hi, my name is Wendy. My date is Feb 26th. I'll kep you guys posted. Thanks to you two feb banded guys for sharing what sounds like your pain. For those of you who suffered from painful gas afterwards is there anything you could have done to get around that?? My Dr is Blackstone and so far I feel she's gunna be fabulous.

Hi everybody, I just found out that I have an appointment to have my surgery on March 27 of this year. I'm very excited but at the same time fearful. But, it's a go and im EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!:thumbup:

I am new to this forum, but have been working toward my goal to have lab band now for 8 months. I have had my psych eval and nutritional consult and I am sch to have my UGI soon. I am looking forward to learn from other who have walked the path I am on. : )

Good morning all! I was banded (M/50yo) in Mexicali Mexico by A Dr Aceves on 12/22/08 & things are going pretty well. I am out here in the spectacular Pacific Northwest. Currently down approx 70 lb with at least that much more to go. I am freezing? Never been cold in my life, anyone else experiencing this? I suspect it is just body losing a layer of insulation, but not sure. Just started (last nt) with a support grp out here, they were great. Was encouraging to hear others situations & concerns. was 1st visit and about 12 folks showed. Felt better about the whole life change when I walked out. Tx Chuck Also, what is the recommended caloric intake people are b…

Hi. I am new to this group. I am considering lap band surgery and have my initial consultation, psych eval and nut meeting on this coming Wednesday. I have one initial question if you all could help me with. My surgeon uses both the LapBand and the Realize Band. I was looking to hear from people who have either one as to why you chose one over the other. Apparently my surgeon leaves it up to the patient and from what I've learned so far don't see a great difference between the two. Thanks for your help. Frogger

I am Sissy from IL and have been part of the "I can change" program through my insurance company as a prerequisit to having LB surgery. I do my final 6 month weigh in on Mar 2. I still have a couple pounds to lose and I am getting a bit nervous over those couple pounds not coming off in time. Hopefully, sometime in April I will have my surgery.

so, i've never really been on a forum, so this is all quite new. I was just banded this past wednesday 2/11/09 it's been quite an experience and I was just looking for some people to talk to about their experience and what I should expect, because I've heard so many different things.

:Dancing_wub:Hello!!!!! My name is becky. I am hoping to get the lap band and i just joined a insurance company that seems to be promsing! I wanted to tell you all a little about me I am 23 and am married to my highschool sweet heart. We got married on 10-06-2006!!!!!:wub: We are both in school right now and have 4 cats. I grew up struggleing with my weight. We found out that i had hypothyroidism when i was 8. I was also diagnosed with asthma at that time. When i was 17 my doc found that I had nodules on my thyroid and had to have it removed in fear of cancer. good news is, there was no cancer, bad news is i gained over 100 lbs and now need too loose atleast 150 l…

Hi everyone! I've lurked on here for a couple of months and have sat idlely just reading. And learning a wealth of information!!! My name is Ginny, and I'm 27 years old. I'm 5'3", and 279.5 lbs. (wow, talk about brave, admitting that to everyone!). I have no children, YET, and live in Holliston, MA. I have sleep apnea, and have had difficulty getting pregnant/carrying to term. Luckily, I do not have anything else, yet. However, I have the family history of all sorts of things and do not want to get them!! I went to a seminar at Brigham & Women's hospital in Boston in September of 2008. The next day I called Tufts, my insurance, and asked them what was required of …

Hi, Another newbie to the site. I'm 45, from Long Beach, CA. I've completed everything, just waiting for insurance approval now. I'm really looking forward to getting banded. L really love this website. Hope to be banded soon!:ohmy:

Hello all, I'm starting my count down to my May 30th surgery date to be banded. This sight has been VERY helpful. The biggest thing I've noticed is how differently each Doctor approaches the pre-op and post-op processes. The Doctor I have chosen (Dr. Mario Longoria, Southwest Bariatrics, Austin, TX), has put me on the following pre-op: 30 grams of Carbs At least 70 grams of Protien Fat in Moderation Post-op: 1st Week - Clear liquids 2nd Week - Liquids 3rd Week - Soft Foods 4th Week - Additional foods Dietician suggested No carbonated drinks, tough meat, shrimp (due to cartlidge like texture), fruits and vegies with skin. In perusing the Board, I have …

Hi, I'm looking for anyone banded in Austin Texas. What I want to know is: Who did your surgery? Did you have coverage or self pay? If self pay, how much? Are you pleased? What is the after care arrangement? Oh, and pretty much anything else you think would be valuable to me being that I'm a complete LBS moron at this point. LOL I had a diagnostic evaluation at True Results today, and while they seem competent and I don't have any real concerns I'm leary of having it done without having checked out any other surgeons or facilities. Like I haven't done enough homework or something. Anyway, any local insight you might provide would be GREATLY appreciated. THANK…

Hi all, My name is Jannice I'm 33 and live in Bakersfield,CA. I went to my lapband seminar last night and have a meeting with the insurance lady on Tuesday. I will have UHC-EPO as of Jan 1, 2009 and I'm hoping with a BMI of 41 with High BP and Depression. Both of them I have been medicated for during the last 3 years.

I overcame my anxiety and went to my Dr. appointment yesterday. I lost 24 lb's in the last 30 days and the Dr. was thrilled. My surgery is scheduled for March 9th. I will keep up my diet and hopefully i can loose a few more pounds. so far I'm down 49 pounds but since I am starting with a BMI of 75, I have a way to go, but I am on my way!

Did my first support group meeting last night which was great! I have my first appt. with the surgeon on 4/4/09 so I am ready and looking forward to getting it done!:frown:

I was just banded and the first night I could only keep water down and had the worst gas pains. I was really tired after the surgery and went to bed around 8:00. The worst pain is from gas, but i did take some gas x strips and they did seem to help but I'm starving!!! I don't know if it is from being afraid to eat because I threw up broth or that the gas pains are so bad. I was up walking around after the surgery with no probelm, just felt like I had done 200 sit ups. I drove up to the the pharmacy 24 hours after the surgery with no problem. Just feeling a bit weak. I was afraid to eat anything and everytime I tried something new I had a bag next to me. I finally decided …

Hi I am awaiting a lapband surgery date. I am told sometime in March,:thumbup:but I am very nervous .I don't think my surgeon has enough experience with doing lap band procedures. :scared2:I am getting my lap band done in Chesapeake, Virgina at Bon Sercure. My surgeons name is Dr.Glen Moore .He has only being doing lap band procedures for 2yrs and he has done less than 40 lapband procedures. Should I be worried ? Is there any one out there banded from the state of Virgina? Anyone banded by Dr. Glen Moore?:cursing: Please help me !!

hello, I am wanting to get this surgery but cant seem to get past the ins companies. I have morris and associates ans they want three years of supervised weight loss. What is that? I have been documenting my own personal weight loss for over a year plus and thats not good enough. I am physically disabled so exercise is out and that is also one of the qualifications. What can I do? My dr. says i really need to have this done but I can't afford it on my own. How do I get the insurance to cover this procedure? Does seeing my DR. qualify as "supervised weight loss"? Please sombody help me with this I am desparate.......!

Hey all, I'm Meg and I'm from MA. I'm looking to get gastric bypass. A collegue of mine just recently got the lapband, and told me about this site. So here I am. I meet with my surgeon at the begining of march and hopfully I'll know a date for the surgery soon. :thumbup:

Hello my name is Stacey. I was banded on Aug. 28, 2009 at Tlbc. Its is going good to date I have lost 55 lbs. I feel like a new person it is one of the best things I have ever done.:smile:

surgery is scheduled for march 4!! I am so happy & am looking for any advice I can get!

I would first like to say hello to everyone! I am 23 yrs old from Northwest Indiana and extremely overweight. I have been told by several doctors that lap band maybe a good solution for me. I have thought about it over and over and one reason I dont want to have it done is because I enjoy eating an dlike being able to eat what I want. I am here on this site to get some advice on the procedure and what it is like going threw the testing, procedure, and what is life like afterwards? What kind of eatting lifestyle do you have after the procedure? Any help is appreciated to so hopefully I can make a decision. Thanks, Jamie

I had lapband surgery 1/28/09. In two weeks, I lost 17 pounds making a total of 27 pounds counting the 10 lbs I lost pre-surgery. I have my first follow-up appt. with the surgeon on Monday. My biggest problem was the first week I felt like I had a big ball of mucus in the back of my throat. The Protonix the surgeon prescribed has taken care of that feeling and I am careful now to take small bites and sip my fluids. I am in stage 3 of eating - Pureed Diet. I have been cooking a lot of chicken and making lowfat sauces and then pureeing 2-3 oz chicken in the blender with a couple spoonfuls of the sauce. The variety has helped keep me from getting bored. I am excited a…

Hi everbody - I just got banded 12 days ago and am doing just fine. No problems so far. I am, however, very scared about my new lifestyle to come. I will try my best to follow what the doctors tell me, but the part that freaks me out the most is the chewing and size of bites. I can't imagine I will ever get used to eating bites the size of a pencil eraser and chewing them so much. Is is really hard?

Hello. Im new here...well, I just registered. Ive been lurking for a while. I live in Fort Hood with my husband and 3 kids. Im in the very beginning of this journey. I havent even gotten a referral to see a surgeon yet. But, Im hoping that will be in place by next week. This site has been so helpful to me in making my decision to get the lap-band and Im sure it will be even more helpful throughout this experience. Im excited to be here.

I am just starting this journey and have a lot of questions. I have been approved by my insurance company. I just want some advice how long where you off work after your lap band. I have two kids and work full time and go to school full time. I want have the surgery to change my life and feel better. Just give the best advice you can. I would really appreciate it. Thanks :crying:

Hello everyone. I have kinda of a problem and i need some help. I have to do the 6 months of supervised diet. Im on my second month. Now my doctor is really getting on me because im not loosing weight. I havent told her that the surgeons office told me not to loose weight because the insurance would not pay for it. If this has happened to anyone plaease help with some advise. Should i loose some weight or stay the same. Its a embarrasing getting on that scale and having the doctor give me dirty looks like im not trying.

Hi, I am Krista, 29, from Salem SD. I have been thinking about lapband for a few years but never able to afford it (ins never covered it). But I recently moved here and got a new job and found that my insurance covers it! I have contacted a Dr in Mitchell and one in Sioux Falls and they can get this process going fairly quick! I am just not sure about taking the time off to heal and readjusting my life so fast. I feel like a need a few months to prepare. So I have deceided to read everything I can get my eyes on before I make the life change. I have never had surgery before and I think I am more scared of that than giving up all the foods I love for 6 months ( and some …

Hi, my name is Aili, and I am new to this site. I have my first educational session with the lap-band surgeon next week, and was wondering how long this entire pre-surgery process takes. :biggrin:

Got a date for my seminar Nov.18th..Cant wait to attend, since I am wanting to get lapband its a better way then gastric..I am so glad I found lapband talk. so much vital information here...Wish me luck since I know this is only the beginning of my long journey to a happy healthy life Sommer :grouphug:

Hi, My name is Amanda and I've been lurking around on this site for a year or two.......just randomly when I had a question or wanted some info. I have now made the decision to get banded....my doctor put in my referral yesterday. I'm so excited but I don't want to get my hopes up. I am excited because she is the first doctor to actually be nice to me and not look at me like i'm just a lazy p.o.s that doesn't want to exercise. I have tried nearly everything............ I live in NC my husband is a Marine we have 2 kids. I'm 29yrs old........i'd love to hear feedback on other peoples experiences...........i look forward to chatting and HOPEFULLY putting my B4 and afte…

Hi, I have been lurking for quite sometimes and it is time for me to introduce myself. My name is Alisa, I am 33 and have 3 fantastic boys ages 4, 3 and 1. I have started the journey since the beginning of June and just got approved yesterday. It has been a long hard road but at the end it paid off. Now my new journey begins, I will see the doctor and nutritionist on Feb 26th. I am excited and scared at the same time. I will update again when I get more info from the doctor. Have a great day, Alisa

Hi! I am a newbie! I was banded on 2/2/09 by Dr. Scott Diamond. I am 10 days post op and am doing GREAT! I have lost 15 pounds since being banded. I am still on a liquid diet of protein shakes, juice & water. I am really looking forward to moving on & up to puddings, etc. Thanks for being here!:biggrin: