Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

So I'm joining the band wagon and posting an introduction of myself... I am a 23 year old born and raised in San Antonio, Texas and currenly weight 270 lbs... the most I have weighed all my life! I have always been heavier than others, and no one else in my family has a wieght problem but me:thumbdown:. In fact, my mother was a size 1 when she graduated from highschool... I was a 20! I am the mother of a two year old daughter that is a firecracker like her mommy was at that age and actually wieghed 20lbs less the day I went in to the hospital to give birth to her. I am a full time college student at Incarnate Word and am graduating in December! I just recently got engaged…

Hello Everyone . . . found this website when I was googling lap band surgery and pregnancy. I have just started the process of getting a surgery date but I have been seeing a registered dietician for almost 3 years and the past year have started to put on weight again and decided I needed a little extra help :confused: I am working with Synergy Bariatrics in Williamsville NY and really looking foward to the extra help I think the band will provide. I am looking to lose between 80-100 lbs but would be ok with 60-75. I'm looking fowarded to reading how others are doing and maybe I'll have something to say now and then . . .LOL

Hello my name is Joyce and I am 39 years old and ready to turn 40 years.I had lost 150+ lbs in almost 2 years but sad to say I gained it all back and then some after my father passed away last year in January in front of me while doing CPR on him.I also suffer from back problems(a buldged disk an two slipped disks,I am COPD which has gotten much worse,I also have messed up knees.I had attended seminars in the past with my sister which had gastric and has done very well.At the time I didnt need any kind of surgery cause I was doing it on my own.I am wanting to get lap band done instead of gastric because I have seen the effects of my sisters surgery and some of the things …

Looking for anyone who's surgeon is at Saranac Lake Hospital (Adirondack Medical Center) New York. I have not started the process yet and am in St. Lawrence County, NY, unfortunetly Saranac Lake is the closest for me. Looking forward to talking to you!! :sad_smile:

Just wanted to jump on and introduce myself. I was banded in Juarez, Mexico on Dec 5th, 2008. I was 216 day of surgery and am now at 192. I hope to find other bandsters in the area for support, supportive socializing and dialogue around fills, etc. Hope to hear from you all soon :thumbup:

:grouphug: Hi everyone, my surgery was Dec. 12, 2008. I will need fills soon and need to find someone. I had my surgery done in Mexico. Any body know someone that will fill me?

My first consultation is next Tuesday. I have already completed the initial information packet required by my local surgeon. I'm hoping my insurance will cover the procedure.

Hi I am Rosemary and I am new to this whole forum thing but, since I am in the middle of making a huge life change (16 days since I got the Realize Band) I thought I should get all of the help/advice/support that I could! Things have been awesome so far. I have lost 14 lbs, but I expect that to slow now that I am moving on to mushies from liquids. :confused:

Hi everyone. Well the title pretty much says it all. I may be jumping the gun a little since I haven't actually had the surgery yet. My insurance company makes me jump through a lot of hoops first. But I have taken my first steps toward the me that I know I can be. I have done a ton of lab work, and started with a nutritionist. I'm being told it will take at least 6 months before I can have the actual surgery. I'm okay with that as long as I know that I am doing something productive that will help me with my goal. Anyhow, I tend to ramble, so let me just close by saying hello and I am damn glad that I found this site and that I am not alone. God bless.

Hi I'm new...born and raised in Texas...and already rubbing people the wrong way. But, I think that a difference of opinions is one of the greatest way to get to know others! Not doing it on purpose, but when I don't agree with something I will say my piece and defend it, unless I honestly am wrong, then I will fully apologize and ask to be educated further. Ok, so now that that is out of the way, I was banded Dec. 23, 2008 and have thus far lost 21 lbs. I am looking forward to finally getting some control in life back, and I hope to learn from you guys, (because this is a big, big thing for me, and I admittedly need help). So, thank you all in advance, thank you whoev…

Hello everyone! Just wanted to introduce myself....I had my consultation with Dr. Elliott here in Richmond this week. I was very pleased to find out I do indeed qualify for Lap Banding. I now have to complete the diet requirement my insurance demands then will move on to the next step....trying to get approval from the insurance company. I was offered a 6 month plan of which I will check i with my PCP once a month to log my progress or a more intensive 3 month program which I will check in every 2 weeks but may have to pay out of pocket. I would MUCH rather do the 3 month so I can get this show on the road. We'll see....once I find out the cost of the 3 mo. then I c…

Hello, I was banded on 6/6/08. I have lost 30lbs. and I'm at 3.5cc. On my last appointment I did not lose any weight and I'm scared that I want lose any more weight. :confused:

Hello all, I am a 38 year old mother of 2. I have been researching the lap band procedure for about 6 months, and finally made the call to the doctor yesterday. It must have been fate, because this doctor has a 6 month waiting list, but had decided to open up another date if the patients had internet access (to get all the paperwork done before the visit). I have my first appointment next Thursday, the 15th. The thing that scares me the most is that I won't qualify. About 2 years ago, I was diagnosed as having a pulmonary embolism, and I'm afraid that will keep me from being approved. Now that I've made the decision, being told no would be so disheartening!

I just wanted to express my thanks and gratitude to all who have contributed to this site. I received my LapBand Dec. 23rd (08) and I entered the surgery room filled with anticipation, excitement, and confidence due to the incredible amount of information I gleaned from this site. Bravo to all the courageous and determined people who are part of this special LapLand! :hurray:

I'm so excited to have been told about this site.. I'm just checking it out! I'm scheduled for the procedure Feb 3rd and I can't wait... Have a great evening!!

Hello, I am new here, I am a mother of one and just recently got engaged for Christmas. I have been overweight since I was a child. I am now 33 and have tried many weight loss programs and i have lost weight but always gained it back plus some. So I thought the lap band would be a good thing for me and I just recently was approved for the surgery and the date is set for January 13th 2009. I am excited, I am now on my liquid diet and may need some support. This was one reason why I decide to join the thread. The second is the support after surgery. thanks in advance.

I'm trying to find information or anyone else who had this problem: insurance coverage, AND the surgeon had an assistant in the OR while I was under & never told me about this. Now I'm being billed for over $5,000.00.I'm happy with the surgery, I lost 40 lbs. but I was told by the surgeon this procedure was covered meanwhile the anesthesiologist didn't take my plan as well. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated on this matter. Thank you!

Hi all Was banded on oct 17th 2008 - surgery was by dr Randall out of leonard morse hosp in Natick MA - have lost 20lbs since april havent weighed myself since nov/08 poss gained but not sure - my close havent gotten tighter so I most like havent gain but havent lost either - would like some interesteing meals or snack i could eat, cause i could very easily small snack all day long - i drink the water as much as poss - an am doin lil to no exercise but have taken up yogi 1st class should have started today but was cancelled due to weather - i try in the mean time to walk as much by parking far away from the door where ever i go - im also a member of curves in bellingh…

:thumbup:Hello everyone. Does anyone in Cincinnati oh or the surronding areas know of any lap band program that doesn't charge the upfront/ non refundable fees. Its hard times right now. I know the staff works hard to get the surgery approved but 400 to 500 is nothing to sneeze at if you are not approved for the surgery... Please help??????????

Good afternoon every1.... I am a 25y/o mother of 3 children. I am considered obese by medical standards. I spoke with my primary doctor in regards to getting bariatric surgery and he is 100% supportive of me getting the procedure done. I am interested in gettting the lap band because the rate of weight loss seems healthier than that of the gastric bypass. Also its reversible and the of course the bypass isn't. There are other medical reasons why my doctor is so supportive of this surgery. I am scared of surgery but i see that its done laproscopically which is less invasive. But would any1 recommend that i get this surgery????

Hey All! I am new to the site and wanted to introduce myself. I'm Lauren, age 22, from Brooklyn, NY. I am really excited about starting a new chapter of my life, and I am being banded on Feb. 2nd by Dr. Ren at NYU. I am a little nervous because I don't know what to expect, but I guess that's all part of the process! Anyway, this site is great and has helped me so much, even though I haven't become an active member until now!

Hi Everyone...I am not sure if i should even be here BUT i am so there must be a reason. My name is Grace, i am 28 yrs old from the East Coast. I have struggled with my weight since i was a child, always been on the heavy side. Since 2002 when i hit the 200lb mark at 5'4, i decided i wanted to make a change, i started the Gym, Diets and Diet pills, the weight went BUT came right back. I have been at it since. I go to the Gym now, 3 times a week although i see no real results. I eat well and avoid Junk at all costs altho i do slip from time to time. I will be turning 30 in a year and i cannot go into my 30's the same way i spent my 20's and my teens, FAT and UNHAPPY. So…

Well, according a nurse that I spoke with this morning, I'm overweight but not enough. I had checked my BMI with a chart/calendar online and it said that my BMI was 34.9... our insurance requires 35 with 2 comorbidities. I have those and with my 34.9 I figured I was a sure in. Well, according to this nurse, my BMI is 33.8 I rechecked and sure enough, she was right. Dang! So hubby did some checking and found out that I would need to gain 7lbs. but to be on the safe side (not knowing if their scales would be off or not) I should gain 10 lbs. I'm at a loss. I want to LOSE weight not GAIN it, besides, if I knew how I gained it, I wouldn't have to lose it!! How in the world do…

just want to say hi to all, I was banded 5-13-2008, i lost 32 pounds and my goal seems soo far, I'm glad that i joined you guyz in this great forum.

Hi all Been reading through these forums and found lots of very useful/helpful information. I first saw my Consultant - Shaw Somers - June 2007, where he said I would be a good candidate for WLS. It has taken a further 6 months for me to decide that I want to go ahead. I phoned the unit in Chichester on Monday and yesterday they told me I could have the op on 31st Jan - 3 weeks away. They initially said I could have 17th if I wanted, but there is too much for me to sort out for that deadline - plus it seemed too rushed. Anyway, I have lots of reservations, still, about all this but think it is the right choice when I weigh everything up. Today, after the initia…

hello I am new to this site. I finally got my surgery date for feb 9,2009. I am going to be banded in gainesville fla at Shands hospital. I am nervous and excited all in the same breath.:thumbup: I hope all goes well my weight now is 392

I have to start by saying thank you for this site. I am still thinking about the band and I am making an appointment with my PMD for a consult. I am scared, excited and just plain confused. I have been looking thru pics and forums and getting most of my questions answered and even ones I did not think about..lol. The one question I do have but have not found an answer to is...can you see or feel the access port? :thumbup:

Hi, I'm Beverly and I'm just staring my lap band journey. My daughter has the band in June '08. And has lost 35lbs. I hope everyone is doing good on their journey as I am. Hope to have my band by June or July '09. Just wanted to introduce myself. Beverly:thumbup:

Hi everyone it is 2 days after my banding now Doctor said he caught blood vessel on last stich he said it could caused swelling making entrance to stomach very small may have difficulty swallowing around 4/5 day anyone else had this getting a bit worried only allowed clear liquids for 7 days but struggling to get 2lts down lots of pain like traped wind is that normal? sorry if I sound a whimp! :thumbup:( on my own in singapore husband a way with work family back in england)

Hi ya!! Just wanted to post that I have gotten my surgery date!! I will be banded on February 11th, 2009. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I'll start my 2 weeks of liquids on January 28th, 2009:whatchutalkingabout!! Does anyone have any advice on the liquids or my surgery? Thanks!!

Hello everyone I am a Bariatric Coordinator for my local hospital and new Lap Band patient myself. I had surgery Sept 23 with Dr. S. Robbins, lost 19 getting ready for surgery and have lost another 23 since surgery. Feel Great, loving it. Gone from a size 20 to 14. Though my job is bariatric surgery, I need support just like my patients!

Hello everyone!! I am excited to be part of this weight loss community!! I've been reading alot of stories on here for the past two years and I've decided that I want to get the lapband surgery. So far I have had my psy eval, pcp approval, and have turned in all my paperwork to the newstart program of St. Louis, MO!! I am excited to meet some new great people and share my journey and experiences with you all.:thumbup:

Hello all, I had the lapband 9/15/08 and have lost 30 lbs, still a few till my goal. I am over 50 and have a question for those gals over 50: Have you experienced hot flashes due to your weight loss? Or is this a menopause thing?? Mixed up.. thanks:smile:

Hello,my name is Shannon Neel, I am married with 4 children,for most of my adult life I have been obese, and it wasn't until a few months ago, when my wife had bariatric surgery, that I had even considered my own health and the issues that I have due to my being overweight. My wife looks great and feels better (healthwise) and she has been worrying about me lately because I have high blood pressure,bad knees and also am diabetic, not to mention high cholesterol,shortness of breath and back problems...soooo she said,"Why don't you consider the lap-band if you don't want to go as invasive as I did?"...So I gave it some thought and out of sheer morbid curiosity, I have been …

Hi all! My name is Tiffany, I am 23 yrs old, an AirForce wife, college student (graduating w/ my bachelor's in 10wks, continuing on for my Master's), a Mommy to two beautiful little girls (Mia 1 & Jordan 3), and was banded on May 19, 2008 @ 285lbs. I decided to join this site in search of support. My husband is exceptionally fit (32" waist), as are my mother (sz 4) and sister (sz 6). I just feel that I don't have a people who can understand what I am going through and where I want to be. I hope that I can find that here in my fellow band-sters. I'm looking forward to getting to know alot of you and making tons of friends =) ~Tiffany

Hey ya'll... I'm new & kind of lost... I want to get a lap-band, but I have no idea where to start. I'll be a self-pay, and don't have a clue where to go or how to start. I was hoping that ya'll could kind of point me down the right path... I'd really appreciate it. I've heard the nightmare stories about people having to wait forever and jump thru major hoops when dealing with insurance companies. I'm kind of hoping that some of that would be reduced when paying cash. What approximately is the timeline I'm looking at? (IE: initial consult thru surgery) I appreciate any insight ya'll may have for me... Thank you in advance. Take care! TheCloudPainter PS:…

Hello Everyone: I just received approval from my insurance and will have surgery sometime this month or so. Has anyone been banded by Weight Loss Surgical Centers? Any advice on what to expect both pre and post op? Any advice on choosing Realize or the Lap Band? I appreciate your help and am glad I have found this site as I have no idea on what to expect or what comes next. I will have my surgery date in the next couple of days or so. I am soooo excited!

Hello. I just had my surgery a week ago, and I am now back at work. I am STARVING from my liquid diet, but I was just upgraded by my doctor's office to full liquids. Yeah!!!!!

Hello everyone, Well I did it, I was banded on Dec. 1st, 2008, after waiting for about 2 years, due to insurance not covering it, my new job's insurance plan covered it in full! So far since the day of surgery I have lost 18 lbs. Wanted to see if that is good, bad, average, etc. Also I am having a hard time eating meats. I think a lot of my problem is I am eating to big of bits and to fast. Not sure and was curious if anyone else has had this problem. I get my first fill on Jan. 22nd, 2009. I have noticed a huge change in the amount of food I can eat. I also have found that I don't crave certain foods and its not all about food anymore. My goal is to lose 14…

I am a newbie, I was banded 12/30/08. So I am a week out. I see my Doctor tomorrow. I am better now but the first 4-5 days I had alot of Left shoulder pain, gas I supposed. Tomorrow I will find out how much weight I have lost.:thumbup: This is my first ever post. Pam

Ive been a member since November.. and i'm happy to say.. I'm getting banded on the 19th of Jan. Have alot of nerves.. not about surgery.. about afterwards...i dont have my hubbys support in this... so its even harder on my mental state. So I look forward to reading as I have been the past few months and posting on my process. Good Luck to all & to me. Michelle

Hello, my name is Yolanda and I have a consultation with Dr Shah at Lenox Hill Bariatric Center located at 186 East 76 Street, NYC 212 434 3285. The appt is for Wed 1/7/09 and Dr. Shah is the Director in charge and he is excellent!!!! I have several friends who have had the LAP BAND procedure and they are doing very well. My health is fair and I am excited and nervous. Bellevue Hospital also does this procedure and Medicare will pay for it. I will keep you posted.

Hi all I am waiting to have my band done and I have been trying to find a Protein supplement that does not have the taste of milk in it. I do not like milk at all so I went and got the New whey and Isopure and I hate the way it taste. Is there any hope at all to find something that taste better. Thanks for your help :thumbup:

i m planing to get the lap band surgery after i put in for approval. Im waiting on my final testing resuts which will be ready on Jan.22. My BMI is about 44 and I have many health issues to take care of by losing weight. I m prepared for a life change. I first went to start the medical process about June so I hope my pre testing should be ready. Good luck to all.

So here I am amgonst a sea of pre and post op bandee/er's and i am trying to fully commit to the "complete lifestyle change" including things like this online forum. So Today I got my date (1/21) so long as insurance approves:thumbup:. I am a 25 yr. w female with a new husband (3/08) and a 3 yr. old lil girl. I have been overweight since i hit puberty and then once i was legal enough to hit wine i got worse! I know I am not a fat person I am just way more fabulous than that I own my own hairsalon and everyone I know tells me they dont look at me as fat cuz they only see how gorgeous I am they just say if you lose a lil you will be a knock out well 100+ pbs. is not a lil a…

Hi everyone, my name is Sharon and I am from Virginia but live in North Carolina. I am happily married and have one step-daughter, she is more like my "daughter", than a "step-daughter" I am employed full time. I have not had the lap-band surgery done, but I am very interested in doing so. I am here to find out what the pros and cons are of getting this done from people that have had it done. I can't seem to lose weight, I have high blood pressure and I am on medication. If I can lose my weight I may be able to get off my meds. I may even be able to get pregnant.......I can hope. :thumbup: If there is anything else that you would like to know.....just ask.

Hello all. I am currently going to the process to get approved for the Realize Band. I have two more weigh in and then its the waiting game for the insurance company to approve me. Im very excited and cant wait to get started with the new and healthier me. I wish everyone much success during your weight loss.

Hello Everyone: Visited with my surgeon, shrink and dietician yesterday and now I'm scheduled for Feb. 17 for the Lap-band. Looking for local folks going through what I am. My weight got up to 358lbs when I said whoa and now its time for a lifestyle change and a new me. Hope to hear from you about what you are going though.

Hello Everyone, I am getting banded January 20th and wanted to join the forum to learn from everyone and share the experience. Any thoughts, questions and comments are welcomed. Have a great day.

Hello. My name is Beth and I had RNY in 2002 and lost 160lbs and maintained 110lbs off. I recently had a new experimental ROSE procedure done and lost no weight. I am looking for information regarding lap bad after RNY. Any info would be appreciated. I want to lose another 150lbs.