Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I am new to all of this posting. I am trying to figure out how I add my ticker from tickerfactory.com on here. Could somebody please help:cry_smile:!!!

This is Flowla,I'm new to the board.I just became banded on 12/31/08 from Top Surgeons in Beverly Hills,Ca.I'm on day 5 and feel very bloated and sore (belly area).Can I eat tomato soup? It is a liquid, what can I really eat I have heard so many different suggestions.Has anyone in lapband world been banded at Top Surgeons in Beverly Hills,Ca?

Hello, My name is Beth and I have not been banded yet. I am going to be self pay and have been trying to find the best price without having to go out of the country. I live in Texarkana,TX and found some information about TLC edge in Dallas which is only a few hours from my home. Does anyone have any comments on this place to help me make my decision? Or has anyone found another place that does the surgery for $10,000 or less in the US?

I have thought of this step for a very long time. It was not like I was afraid, more like how could I afford it. Luck me I quit my job and needed to pick up my husbands insurance instead of the one that I was on at work (that would not cover the surgery). I looked up what was covered and there it was 100%. I got really excited and scheduled an appt. with my new doctor to discuss my options. She was great and set me up for any referral I might need for the surgery. When I actually scheduled the appt. with the surgeon I was one step ahead. I spent my adult life very over weight in reaction to the abuse that I had as a child. Resolving all of my childhood issues I now nee…

:tt2: I live in western Washington, my DH is retired Military as is one BIL. My DSis tells me over Thanksgiving that they are doing Lab-Band at Madigan and I should check into it. I tell my DH and he encourages me. I have no clue what to do. I call my primary Physician, see him, he says he is not sure but he'll hand it off to referral and diagnosis's me Obese. He says he was only doing that because I asked for the surgery. The people in Referral's came through. I have an appointment at Madigan 01-08-09 for a Group Evaluation. I still don't know what that is, but I'll be there. I want to stop yo-yoing and can't think of another way.

Hi everyone *waves* I was banded on 12/17 and have managed to lose 8.8 lbs since surgery. A total of 21.6 lbs since I started my journey on 11/21. I just thought I would pop my head in and say hi. I hope everyone is doing well :tt2: :mad:

Hello! I am new to this forum. I have decided that I can’t win this weight battle on my own. I need help as I am convinced that I am doing great harm to my health. A few months ago, I knew nothing about banding. I’d heard about gastric bypass but I never really thought of myself as “that overweight” (by the way, I am) and focused on being a failed dieter. I gave up dieting. I only gained the weight back after killing myself to lose it. No more WW, Nutrisystem, Atkins, South Beach, and so on. I’d lose weight with a great deal of effort and gain it back the minute I felt a modicum of success. I learned that I was pre-diabetic about three years ago. Blood fasting sugar…

Hello all. I'm new to this forum, but not new to surgery. My husband had RNY in 2001. I had Lap Band surgery in 2006. I lost 25 pounds, then promptly gained it back. I'm afraid that I'm getting Peripheral Artery Disease, so I've got to shape up. I came here because before surgery, my surgeon's nutritionist told me I could only fiber from certain sources (I think only soluble fiber). When I asked "What about insoluble fiber?" she said that I could get that in my diet. I thought 'What? If we can barely get enough protein in our daily food intake, how are we also supposed to get fiber - since few foods have both?' I'll look for a thread about this. Thanks.

Hi all. I am new here. It has been fairly recently that I decided to take some action and stop wasting time by being wishy washy about wls. All that time all I did was get bigger and bigger and my weight, which has always been an issue in my life, has gotten to the point where it affects everything in my life. I am now in so much pain in my knees and legs, I feel tired and unable to do so many things, and I feel like I can't be the best mom I can be to my 5 year old. I want to live my life to the fullest. So I FINALLY called the bariatric dept of the medical center near me, filled out the questionnaire they sent me, went to a seminar, and met with the nutritionist. She ga…

Hi Everyone - I was banded on Monday, Dec 29, 2008 at Staten Island University Hospital - North Shore. Can't believe after 6 days, I've lost 17 lbs :tt2:. I'm so happy I decided to do this but I will admit, I am getting bored of protein drinks, decaf tea and jello. Can wait to move up to soup.

Hello everyone I am so excited to find this site!! I am in the starting stages of the lap band process!! Doctor Woodard at Central Dupage hospital Bariatric center has signed off on all my paperwork and it has been submitted to Blue cross. They advised I should hope to hear something back in two weeks. I see their have been alot of people denied the first go around but the staff advised they have the best ladies in the business processing paperwork. (I am trying not to get excited until I get the full green flag) All of the stories and topics I have read so far on the site have been informational and motivational so I look forward to the journey!! Look forward to sh…

I just celebrated my one year (bandaversary). The past year was tough, it was filled with ups and downs but overall I lost 100 lbs so far and I have never felt better. I would do it again in a heartbeat! best of luck to all of you, and if anyone has questions or needs to chat please shoot me an email!

Hey Everyone, I am 27 years old and from Nova Scotia,Canada.I weigh 236 pounds and an 5'3". My hips and back are hurting.I am having trouple sleeping at night and breathing. I am thinking this is from all teh extra weight I am carrying around.This is teh heaviest I have been. Going from a size 8 to a size 20 is a bummer.especially in a metter of 2.5 years. I admit I am new to this board and procedure but look forward to learning more. Please dont mind me asking tons of questions. Thanks, mlm

Hi, So I have a appointment jan 12 for my consult. I'm nervous!! I suffer from RA. Has anyone here been banded and have RA?? I'm just not sure what to expect I hope my insurance is going to pay for this surgery.

I'm a 56 year young female, band October 2008 by Dr. Jamshid Nazarian in BH, CA. My weight at surgery was 200lbs. My weight today is 185lbs. My goal weight is 135. Although this is my first post to lap band talk, I've been reading as much as I can since finding and registering onto this site a few weeks ago. I researched the lap band procedure prior to surgery and received important basic information from my surgeon. However, this site and links from it have been a valuable source of information. I had my first fill Dec 23rd. I didn't feel any restriction post surgery and I don't feel any restriction now. However, I am not discouraged. I learned from reading the forums on…

Attended seminar: 12/2/08 Met w/surgeon: 12/09/08 Met w/dietician & psych: 12/12/08 Met w/psych again: 12/19/08 Insurance papework submitted: 12/29/2008 My next appointment is 1/14/09 w/psych and dietician. They psychologist has me reading a book by Abrahamson about food addiction. I am have several mini goals from the dietician. taking my lunch to work eliminating caffeinated beverages logging all of my food intake drinking my water exercising 3 times a week. I am 39, married mom of one, step mom of two and work fulltime as a claims adjuster. I have been lurking for some time.

I need to choose one of the sugeries - Lap Band or Gastric Bipass. I want to get the Lap Band because I feel it is less risky. I am scared to get the other one. However, my surgeon states that the Lap band is for Volume Eaters and they don't classify me as one. Let me explain - in the Am I usually eat either oatmeal or a bagel and coffee or carnation instant Breakfast. For lunch, I sometimes get a happy meal or a sandwich and Snacks to eat. I eat a good dinner. However, I could sit down and eat half a cake, bunches of Cookies, lots of popcorn. And there are times when we go out to eat that I can eat a huge meal no problem. But I do get full after it - very full…

Hi, I've been lurking for a couple of weeks, but i'm starting to think that it might be a good idea for me to participate. A little about me... I'm 26 and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes last April. Whee! As much as I loved shooting up with insulin (oral meds didn't seem to control things as much as the dr had hoped), i wanted off of the whole injection train. I was referred to a bariatric specialist, who told me about a study being done to study the effects of WLS on diabetics, and I was on board. It was a month crammed full of pre-op testing and all of that fun stuff. I wanted the gastric bypass, but you get randomly put into the band, the bypass or medical manag…

I:rolleyes: am just curious if anyone is from my area. I live outside of Philadelphia.

Hello all! I was banded in 2004 and lost 80 lbs. Then I developed bulimia, had the band emptied and gained it back and more. :thumbup: I was just refilled yesterday and I'm a bit nervous. I'm in counseling for the bulimia and I've been in recovery for over a year now. Has anyone had experience with starting and stopping the weight loss process this severely? Any success? Any tips or encouragement? Thanks!

happy new year every one from west sussex, uk I have meeting with consultant on the 5th Feb.Please wish me well.:tongue2:

My name is Linda I registered on this site yesterday as a newbie so I would welcome any threads or info from all members. I had my band fitted in May 08 first infill in June but was overfilled which wasn't very pleasant since then I have had a reduction and now a slight infill. Can't help but be a bit dissapointed I have lost a stone upto now but I cant be sure its working properly any input welcome xxxxx:drool:

Hi my name is Alison. I had my band done 2 months ago. I have lost 10kg to date. I have found I am eating more in the last couple of days but have another fill on Thursday. I am 48 and have been inspired by my daughter who has lost 52kg and no longer has polycystic ovarian syndrome due to her weight loss.:tongue2:

Hi my name is Rachel I had my lap band done on 12/3/08 & go for my first fill on 1/13/09

Hello. Just wanted to say hello! I am new here. I will be having my second evaluation on 7/3. I did one back in November and I was afraid to move forward at the time. I wish i had just sucked it up and gone ahead. I am a little nervous and hope things move pretty quick. Can anyone give a timeline? My insurance has already been pre-certified. Thanks!

Sigh... I need some encouragement! I was banded on November 24 and this has been one of the darkest weeks of my life. I keep asking myself, "What in the world have I done?" I'm truly depressed. I'm having dreams each night about food. I'm jealous of people on television eating ANYTHING. I'm at a point right now, I'd rather weigh 600 pounds than be dealing with this junk. I can't stop crying. I'm having gas so bad, that it's hard to breathe at times. I drink 2 oz of something and it's as if I've eaten an entire pizza, I feel so bloated. Have I made the biggest mistake of my life? Help me please. :thumbup:

So i only have 2 1/2 more days before my banding and starting to get really nervous. I have waited so long for an opportunity like this and i am so blessed it has finally happened. Im 22 yrs old and i think its the right time in my life for this. Im single and hopefully this surgery will help in that area. im so excited!! if anyone has any advice, id love to hear it!!!

:smile2: Just wanted to say hi to everyone. I have been banded since June 27, 2008. I had 2 fills and goinig to see the doctor friday.

I have my date 1-13, I think every emotion is running wild.:tongue2:

I've just heard that my insurance may not cover lapband surgery. I would love to hear from some of you who have had gastric bypass. I'm actually pretty terrified of the thought of having it done. I'd love to hear your stories. Anne

My wife and I are in serious contemplation about getting banded. I am a pastor and my wife is a teacher. We have been amazed at the perceived quality of care by Dr. Ortiz in Mexico and the price. It is half the cost of a self-pay at our closest surgical clinic offering this surgery! We both have Blue Cross, but neither of our carriers covers weight-related surgeries or procedures. We are wondering a couple of things: 1) If you and your spouse did it at the same time, what was it like? 2) What is the worst thing that you have heard in terms of a complication? 3) What have you heard about excess skin and/or liposuction needs once the majority of excess weight was shed? …

Okay guys this is a funny story that happened to me a little while back--has this ever happened to anyone else? ________________________________________ Yes, today was hard. I was doing good and more determined than ever to beat this fat monster smothering the tiny woman inside of me. As my first attempt to not think of food—I simply went out with a friends. We were at the Verizon store looking at phones when it hit me. The yearning craving for cookies—warm, gooey, out of the oven, homemade chocolate chip Cookies. I swear, I smelled them too right there in that store. My friend laughed and said detox from food you must be hard, there are no cookies. My mother said …

Hello Everyone! My name is Amy and I am scheduled for my surgery on the 13th. I started my pre-op diet today. I think I am feeling alot of emotions right now. Excitement, fear, sadness. I look forward to chatting with all of you through this process.

hello. just banded 10.27.08 in US. moving to Qatar January 2009. Need to make arrangements to get fills while overseas. Does anyone know of a hospital/clinic in Doha that does lap-band aftercare? Bev:smile:

Hello My name is MIchelle and i was just approved for the surgery New Years Eve:tt1::confused: and im soo excited but at thye same time im scared....i dont no whats to come so if anyone has any info please share....im 27...and i have very bad diabetes and high blood pressure...im 240 pound and 5 '2 ...I really needed this and i have been waiting for a year... i cried when i got the new i was soo excited...,,so will be starting 2009 off right..

Hi. I have had health insurance through my husband for years, but none of them ever covered WLS. Well, I just graduated from college and started my first "real" job (at 40) and I am able to get insurance at my new job that WILL cover WLS. It is Aetna, by the way...and from reading around on here it looks like they do actually approve people! (YAY!!) I have decided to take my job's insurance for the sole reason of using it for lapband (if approved.) It went into effect on 1/1/09. From what I can tell, I will have to do the six month diet thing as well as jump through other hoops. I am about 5'5" and weigh...gasp...235. I believe that makes my BMI just around 39 or…

Hi All, I am new here. I actually went to see my surgeon today to discuss surgery choices and to set a date for surgery. I have been leaning towards a bypass as I have high cholesterol and diabetes. I know that the bypass has a higher % of resolving these issues. When talking to my Dr today he did confirm that the bypass has a higher percentage however he felt because I have only 80 lbs left to lose that the realize band may be the answer for me. I said I would hate to have the realize band surgery and for it to not take care of the issues of the high cholesterol and diabetes. So that all being said. I know the realize band surgery is a lot safer and less inva…

I have never posted on any forum ever so I apologize in advance for any mis-steps.<br /> <br /> I have received insurance approval, and I am waiting for my pysch eval as it is required from the doctor's office. After that I can get my surgery scheduled.<br /> <br /> I have attended several of the informational meetings and support groups at St. Agnes Hospital, and a lot of people really like Dr. Singh but I am not feeling really confident. <br /> <br /> Has anyone out there used Dr. Singh and can provide me with some insight?<br /> <br /> <img src="http://www.LapBandTalk.com/images/smilies/help.gif" border="0" alt="" ti…

i am new... My name is Trish and i am a single mom of an active 11 year old boy. I have just made the decision to try to be banded...i am 33 years old..290 lbs 5'4" and a bmi of 49 i have tried to lose weight several times even did weight watchers but never meds, i have high blood pressure I am waiting to talk to my doc about haveing the surgery although we have talked before about it I beleive he will approve it...then obviously he will have to try to get the insurance co to approve it...which they say is case by case...but they will cover the whole thing if i fit their standards (crossing fingers) I have a ton of questions but my first is how long after getting …

Hello, I just made the decision to get the band surgery to aid in my quest to lose weight. I just turned 41 and have about 130 lbs to lose. I have been exercising for the last two years and have not lost more than 10 lbs. I have lost several inches over my entire body but the numbers on the scale has not moved much. I have been researching this for several years and I feel now is the right time to do it. I have selected a doctor and checked my insurance. I am working on my referral from my primary care doctor. If everything goes right I should be right for surgery in early March. I would like to talk to other people in my area who have pointers or tips for me. I will be …

My name is Tara and I live in Orange County, CA. I have been going back and forth between doctors and getting my clearance for the lap band since June! And I finally got my surgery date!!! January 16th!! What a way to start the new year! I am incredibly excited, although the liquid diet is scaring the crap out of me. My surgeon is Dr. Sami Hamamji. I weigh about 265 pounds right now and hope to get down to about 150. Oh, and I am 27. =)

Hi, I'm new and am thinking about lap band surgery. I have found 2 doctors in Lubbock that perform lap band surgery...Dr. Job Buschman and Dr. David Hall. Has anyone used either of them and what was your experience? Thanks.

Hello I'm Beth from N.C. and I'm being banded on Jan 20, 2009. I'm SO nervous, but excited.:biggrin: I'm on my pre-sugery diet of high protiens. The most thing I'm nervous about is the ''gas pains'' in your body right after surgery from were they lift the skin from the organs. Can anyone tell me how they did with this problem? Also, how do you get the weight tracker I see in people's posts? Thanks, Beth

I feel that when i get the fill it works for a few days, maybe 3 and then i can eat freely. i have put on 50 pounds back after losing 150, i had a scan and they said i have streched it. anyway i can fix it? any suggestions?

My name is Shonia & I'm from Ky. I have been thinking about LapBand. So, thats why I'm here & I need all the help I can get about the LapBand. I'm looking for new banded friends or people just like me (Thinking about betting the Band) I have no clue on how to get started on the Lapband. Does that sound crazy? Ideas will be great. :Yawn: God Bless, Shonia - ♥2Lose

Hey! My name is Stephanie and I'm 21 years old from Maryland. I'm getting banded January 6th with Dr. Wynn in Delaware. The optifast diet is absolutely killing me right now. I know I absolutely have to do this though. I weigh over 300 lbs and have for quite awhile. I've always been overweight. I have a lot of joint pain and can't do things people my age normally do. I also have depression and social anxiety mainly caused by my weight. It's a horrible thing for anyone to have to go through.

Hi Everyone, This is actually the first phase in my journey to gettting the lap band surgery. I looked into the surgery about a year ago, last April in 2007. My health insurance did not cover the lap band and along with my primary care doctor felt like the bypass was too drastic in my approach for help. I prayed about it and asked God for guidance and that if it was in his will for me that TriCare would cover it within the next year. Well the surgery was on my heart and mind again and found out that it was covered! You see, for a long time I was in denial that I had allowed my weight to get out of control. I had always battled with my weight but had been able to lose …

Greetings: My name is Lebeed and this is my first time on this site. I have attended many seminars and have been through all the procedures for lab band surgery. I will be seeing my surgeon on 1/5 for the last time and my surgery is scheduled for 1/15. I am feeling anxious:crying: about the procedure. I am more concerned about the psychological impact more than the physical. Any advise from the people who are already banded is greatly appreciated? Thanks Lebeed

I am new to LapBand but really looking forward to getting one due to all the Health Problems I have. My best friend just had one and excited about the changes she has already made. :confused:

I'm looking for information and support regarding patients who have received the LapBand from a Kaiser facility in northern California. How long did the process take? Which location did you have it done? What did you think of the physicians and staff? What about all the support groups and classroom information? Basically, I want to know anything and everything that will help me make an educated decision and obtain the best possible outcome. Thanks in advance!