Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

hi im new here. meeting my surgeon on the 23 hope to be banded in march . hi to all

Hello everyone!! I am here today to affirm for myself that I am starting on my own journey. I am excited, scared, determined and ready to commit. I will be going to the info session on Feb. 24th at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown ct. I am curious if there are any other members that had their lapband surgery by Dr. Aranow at Middlesex. I'm going to need the support. didim62@aol.com

Greetings all, I was just banded on Jan. 30, 2009 in TJ, Mexico. I was 232 lbs when I started and have not weighed in again. This has been a long process as I started about five years ago and then decided not to do it but spend the time in therapy. After about five years in therapy I finally decided I could use the help but fill as if I am in a much better place for it. For anyone with hesitations about Mexico my experience was top notch. Dr. Corvala and his team was great and the hospital was really nice. Now I am taking it day by day, and thought I would join some type of support group of people who understand what I am going through. Morphing

hi all, had my bloodwork,ultra sound,chest xray today, surgery scheduled for jan 30th. Im excited to say the least even though 15,000 is coming out of pocket since bcbs wouldnt cover it. i know ive made right decision already. Im at 320 and my goal weight is 220 or less. this is first post but to give me added incentive i will take before and after pictures. hope to make some new friends here with our new common interest:thumbup:...

Hello all! My name is Shelli I live in Northern, KY. I am a married mom of 2 amazing kids. I have been thinking about being banded for years and got a little push when I went to the dr in Dec and realized I had gained 18 lbs in a year even after a lo-cal diet and excercise. I went for my initial consult on Dec 30th, psych eval Jan 26th, surgeon again for physical Feb 3rd and I go to the nutritonist today. On Feb 17th I take my support person (hubby) to the surgeon with me; that evening we are going to a seminar and support group meeting. I have BC/BS IL; hoping they accept the lo-cal diet I started last year (they require a 6 month lo-cal diet). If so, and assuming I am a…

Just found the website, really cool. My name is Lloyd. I live in McKinney Texas. I had the lap band surgery on 5-22-05 and my first fill on 6-9. Surgeon was Dr. Nirmal Jayaseleen, really good guy. Attending my first support group meeting with him and some other last night. So far I have only lost 22 pounds. Think i need to go get another fill! Look forward to hearing from others in the area and getting to meet some of you.

hi I'm new in this forum. thanks.

Hi, Just wanted to say hi. I've attended the seminar and currently researching the lap band. This is a great site to assist my research.

Hi there. I am just beginning my journey. I've been to my first seminar which was informative. I have been overweight my entire life, and am going to an endocrinologist to see if there is anything that can be done on that front that I have not already been treating. I have a wonderful friend that had the band done last summer and has already lost 60 lbs! She looks fabulous! I also ran into another childhood friend that is at the same step as me,,, maybe she and I can qualify for a group rate! :thumbup: lol.

I have been impatiently waiting for 2 weeks for the call to make my initial appointment with the surgeon and the call came today!!! Now I get to wait for the appointment.....March 6th. I am soooooo excited!

Hi, I am new here and would like to introduce myself. I am scheduled to have my lap band surgery on Feb. 18th. Dr. Bellot is my surgeon. I have been overweight most of my life and now I have to do something about it. So here I am at the advice of my doctor who recommended this forum.

Hello from snowy Ohio! date getting close! I am so excited! :thumbup:

Hey everyone! I've been wanting to do this for over a year now but finally got the means to do it thru my insurance. I thought it was a simple outpatient procedure but as I read more and more I'm finding out about the 'fills' and the different types of bands and tightness. Whoa. I didn't know there were so many details involved. Well I look forward to sharing support and inspiration on here as I prep to get banded. My first consultation is Feb. 16th. I can't wait!!!! WOOHOO!

My name is Patty W. I had lap band surgery on January 21, 2009 and a friend told me of your site. I so much want to be able to use this tool to end the curse of being fat. I have been obease since childhood and have missed so much in life because of it. Finally, I choose to do something major once and for all before I die. I am 65 years of age and so want to be healthy and look stylish. I need all the help I can get.

I am due for the surgery in March. If any of you veterans out there had a bit of advice that they felt would have helped them before their big day, please, please let me know. I am already strung tight as a tennis racket. I appreciate all of your comments in advance... JERRY :cursing: gdaniel@roanoke.edu

Hi everyone - I'm headed to my "mandatory" LapBand seminar at UCSD tomorrow night and have my 1st consult with my (new) primary physician on Friday. I'm excited to get the surgery however fear that I may not be approved by Tricare Prime as I don't have any other risk factors. Keeping my fingers crossed I look forward to reading about everyone's experiences on this site! Location: San Diego, CA Insurance: Tricare Prime Facility: UCSD Medical Center, PCM Dr. Wood

Hello my name is Sarah and I'm 20 years old and about 6 months post op. I'm stuggling to keep my will power up and haven't been loosing weight. If anyone has some encouragement please let me know. thanks

Hi I just thought I'd make myself known. I haven't had any surgery yet, I have my 1st meeting/briefing (or whatever you call it) on Thursday.My husband is in the Air Force so I know I read some where about a new rule or something. I hope I qualify because nothing else is working for me. I have multiple illnesses due to my weight. I meet the standard BMI qualification. I'm just so sick of being sick. Plus it would be nice to look better and feel better about myself. Heck it be nice to buy clothes in a regular store. I haven't done that since I had my 2nd child. I didn't grow up overweight. I got that way after having kids and going through depression after the loss of…

Hello to everyone, I am currently in program at Wash U in St. Louis. Does anyone have any feed back on Dr. Eagon?:cursing:

Hi everyone. I am newly banded as well as new to this forum. I am just starting to feel better after surgery (I had a hiatal hernia repair as well as the Lap Band), and ready to embark on my new lifestyle! My starting weight was 275 and I have already lost a few pounds. I know that I will have questions along the way so I am so glad to have found this site!

Hi All! I've just started the process of doctor appointments and lab work on 1/7/09. I have have a 2nd appointment on 2/11/09 when the doctor's office will submit my paperwork and wait for insurance approval. I'm so excited! I have a friend at work who was banded in Nov 08 and my best friend will be banded on 2/2/09. I know we'll all be terrific support for each other. Just wanted to say hi! Denise

I keep reading about surgery being cancelled due to a fatty liver. How do they check that? I am going in for surgery Feb 5th and am curious. Thanks for the help!

Hi Everyone! I am going to have surgery date schedualed tomorrow! I"m really excited and a little nervous (not about the surgery) mostly about my success with the band. I have been involved in a six month pre op program through Lehigh Valley Hospital In Pennsylvania. I am open to any advice anyone would like to give or encouragement! Thanks in advance!

Hi Everyone! My name is Teri. I am beginning the process of lap banding preparations. I have been through the seminar, sent in my paperwork, been approved, and have my first appointment with my surgeon on 3/9/09. I also will be starting a 6 month monitored diet required by my insurance (appointment 3/2/09). Though it seems like forever I am hoping to have the surgery in Jan 2010 (FMLA, STD will be in effect). Current Weight: 234 BMI: ~ 40 Goal Weight (determined by me): 130 Any Suggestions on making my process go smooth would be much appreciated! :thumbup::confused: Teri

Hi, I'm new to the forum. My name is Amy and I was banded 1/23/09. Looking forward to the discussions.

I am currently waiting for my ins. approval. I have also given some thought to going to OA to help me with my food issues. Is anyone else going to OA? What do you think? Anya

Hello, I have just started researching the lap band and believe I am ready for this journey. I will be attending my first seminar March 12th and am sure I will get alot of my questions answered. But I kinda want to know from some of you...... Are you ever normal again? Can you ever have the occasional night out where you can get kinda drunk? Can you smoke ciggarettes? I know these are horrible things and I shouldnt do them anyways, but I am just curious what kinda life changes I am getting myself into. Either way I think I am ready to give all that up for this, I just want to start preparing for it now. Haha. Also, I am petrified of the actual surgery. I have been…

Congradulations to all of you!!! I'm not banded yet. 2 types of insurance coverage, not really types, just covered under 2 medical insurances' and exclusions on both!!! I won't give up...even if I have to self pay.

Hello! Getting banded on the 11th, just registered and thought I would obey the rules...er...commands..uh..suggestions! Yes, the suggestions set forth in the forums and stop in here to say hello. The last thing I want to do is break any rules. Because, if anything I follow rules to the letter.... Like eating well and exercising! HA! I joke. Anyways, just wanted to say hello and thank everyone on the forums for all fo the great advice and insight I've read so far. You are a brave group of folks and I'm proud to soon be counted among you.

So my date is set for 2/18/09 and I just started to get worried. I'm not worried about pain or the operation itself - I feel pretty good about that. I'm worried about what makes me obese and will the band really help me. I can pinpoint my problem directly at food volume. I don't really snack and I'm not over the top with sweets. My demon is that when I eat, I EAT. I look at my portions in relation to other people and know that that is why I am fat. The problem is I don't seem to have that little sensor in my body that says “Stop eating, you are full”. I will sometimes feel the sensation of satiety well after eating but rarely while eating. I am hoping the band wi…

Hello everyone. My name is Johanna. I was banded 1.23.09 and I still feel like poop! I still have a lot of gasses from the operation and they affect me most when I eat or drink anything. Shortly after doing so I will feel like a dagger is being stabbed in the middle of my chest and a little after that I'll feel it in my back. I feel awfully thirsty and having sips of anything only make it worse. :w00t: Last night had to have been the worst. I was in tears and the pain wouldn't let me get comfortable enough in bed to at least sleep it off. When I was finally able to fall asleep it was around 1:45 am, then I was up again in pain at 4am. Wearing my normal pants still…

Hi, I was banded on 12-29-08 and had my first fill 2-3-09. I am so happy to be starting this year the right way. This is one year I won't fail my New Year's resolution. Yeah!!

Hi everyone! I've been following some of the posts on here but just now registered. I have gone through the process for approval for the lap band, but Tricare has denied my request for the surgery:frown:. Any advice on the appeal process or help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi everyone. After getting a lot of encouragement from a great girl who was banded about a year ago; I finally made up my mind to get banded. I started the process in November 2008 - my hope, is that I'll be banded by the end of June. So far, I've only had one major hiccup, my insurance company (Cigna) initially said that the surgery was a covered benefit and then during the pre-certification process told the insurance coordinator that it was not. After a few tears of disappointment, I but on my boxing gloves and went to work. After making several calls, up, around and through the chain, I was able to get confirmation that my plan actually provides bariatric surgery "if m…

I was banded 11/30/07 and that has been over a year ago - wow! Still learning the ins/outs as I have never asked for help. The never ending feel of a burp in my throat and food stuck on top of the birp. Still working this out and not sure what to do. Patty

Just wanted you guys to know that this is the best bandster board I have read. I start my journey on 2/25/08. Scares shiftless:ohmy: but It has been a long time coming. I can't wait to see the pants size fall off me. Hope to meet a lot of new friends on this board. Please wish me a safe and happy trip. I will by glad to become part of your bandster family.

I just got the date for my Lapband surgery March 5. I live on the east coast of NC in a small town.

New to this...just beginning exploration of LapBand option

Hello everybody! I'm a 27 year old female and am on my second day after surgery. I am feeling soo much better than yesterday and the day of surgery. The first thought after surgery was "What in the hell was I thinking" but after losing 9 lbs. since last Sunday, I can deal with the gas pains! My surgeon is Dr. Jamshid Nazarian based out of Beverly Hills but I got my surgery done in San Dimas, CA. Remember, the band is only a tool, YOU have to make the daily choice to do your part! Good luck and God Bless!

Hi All. I'm a 26 y.o. female in PA who is getting her ducks in a row for Lapband Surgery. I am meeting the Nutritionist this month and have already met with the Psych Dr, Cardio, sleep Study, Pulmonary etc. I weigh 279, and am not happy about it. I have a beautiful 6 y.o. daughter and I am very close to my mom who is a great support system! The only thing I am nervous about is the extra skin. My skin is pretty tight because of my age. I had my daughter and although i held onto some of the baby weight, my skin didnt sag or bunch up after having her. (Im counting on the same being true post-op) Any comments would be appreciated. I have shared my plans with many pe…

Hi Everyone, I'm Gina from Millington Tn. I have just began my journey to getting banded. I attended a seminar and signed up for my first appointment with the Bariatric physician. Unfortunately, my insurance requires 2 six month long weight management programs, the first to be completed within 12 months of the surgery. I was hoping to get things moving a bit faster than that but I guess there is no way around it. I am a surgical technologist and have actually assisted on a few gastric bypasses in my time. Im truely thankful that the LapBand has come along. Being a single parent and working full time night shift the less complicated the better. I was amazed to find out …

Hi .. I am not yet banded but am in the process. Have less then 2 months left of dr supervised diet and then in March get my paperwork submitted to ins. Dr tells me does not think there will be a problem. Looking forward to a new start in life. Good luck to all here. Holla back. PAM

I was banded on1.31.09 and I am so excited about my journey. I cannot wait to see myself each month after this and post my changes.

hello, I am wanting to get the lap band. my insurance requires a 6 month dr supervised diet. i did it but my dr didnt fill the paperwork out right, so now i am doing it all over. i am so depressed! Help i need so much support

Hello, I have never blogged, don't know how, took me 5 minutes to mistakenly get to this! Yea, March 17, 2009 is my surgery date, I am almost 45 years old and have waited my entire life to get here! Patience please! I cry when I read some of your stories, I laugh, jump for joy for all of you who have been brave enough to get here too! I hope I do not love my band more than my husband (he is skinny, so he would not understand)! For all the christian banded I pray for yall, God DOES work through Dr.'s to heal us, especially if our faith is'nt quite there for skinniness! Yes I am a faith walking. tongue talking, Jesus loving, free to speak my faith person! My starting…

Pre Lapband 01/10/09 256 LB Date Lapband 02/01/09 238 LB First day a little sore and lots of gas Second day walked alot and feel much better less gas but I also have a perscription for Nexium which really helped alot vary little gas.

I have been a member for sometime now. I finally got around to posting. Just wanted to say hi to everyone. I was banded 11/26/08

I am just stopping by to introduce myself. I am very excited to have found this forum. I have not been banded yet but have begun the journey. I was just approved for surgery today after having my psychological exam. My next step is to meet with the surgeon. I have not officially heard if I have been approved for insurance but I meet I criteria, so I am hoping there will be no surprises there. I started this process 3 years ago only to find out that insurance would cover RYN but not the band. After the disappointing news I tried 1 more time really hard to lose weight and had lost 35 lbs, took me about a year, then started slowly gaining it back again. Fed up with…

I'm searching for a Dr. in Alabama (hopefully Birmingham) that does Lap Band surgery AND takes AT&T United Health Care.. Any help would be appreciated!!

Hello y'all :thumbup: I'm 32... weigh 275 at 5'4" ... I think that puts my BMI around 46 or so. My weight has gone up yet again after trying to control it with diet alone. Admittedly I wasn't exercising as I should have been, although that has changed. I ride a recumbent bike 5 times a week for about 30 minutes. I only recently started that routine to see if it will work for me... in the meantime I'm brushing up on the lapband procedure and the benefits. My husband wants to see how I'm doing in 3 months and go from there. I started learning about the lap band and the gastric bypass 2 years ago... then put it on the back burner until now. Having said all that, I've …