Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hello Everyone, I am a newbee to this site. I am considering getting banded, and have my first consult next week. I have so many questions and concerns, but i find myself at ease browsing through the many posts of this site. This site is a great tool, and carry's a wealth of info. Thank You to all it's members....:thumbup: Hopefully i will be able to return the favor one day.

I keep forgetting to ask the doctor, but will I be able to scuba dive after I've been banded? It's a sport I used to enjoy about 15 years ago. I had avoided it since I had gained so much weight, as the gear is challenging enough to manuever without the extra bulk...not to mention the entire wetsuit nightmare! Snorkeling is beautiful too, just not quite the same when you've been able to swim with the turtles!

Hi, my name is Loretta wishing a everybody a merry christmas. I would like to take the time, and tell you guys a little about myself. WLS in 4/ 19/ 2007. I lost 109lbs. But now I'm at a stand still. I can not loose and more. I been at 200lbs for last 5months. I just about had all the fills I can have. IS there something wrong:frown: with my lapband. Help!!!! Help!!!! Help!!! :thumbup::confused_smile::sad::tt2::mad:

Hi everyone, While it's still surreal...I went thru with the surgery this past friday...and I'm very excited at all the possibilities! Just wanted to say "hello". Jody

Can any of you Ladies tell me about your scars after the surgery, Are they large???? Dark??? Ugly???? I am concern because women of color sometimes have problems with ugly scars, keloids, darkest. etc.... Thanks Ladies.. Gigi

my lap band is schedule for January 15 09. I am very nervous but at the same time excited. Is there anyone out there schedule for the same date.

Hello Everyone; First post- I am in Vancouver B.C. Canada and thinking more and more seriously about having this done. Never thought I would be here, but never thought I would be this weight either! Am reading all the "pre" topics of course, but would be really interested in hearing from anyone in Western Canada that has had this done. :tongue2:

just a quick hi to all you guys im steve 36years old from Nottingham, England had a band fitted on the 3rd december ive lost 28lbs so far but over the last few days my eye sight as been bad well its my right eye its really blurry my left eye is fine as any body else had problems like this im goin into my forth week on the liquid thank god in 4 days i can start eating other stuff as i sick of Soup and slim fast shakes somebody said to me that im not getting proper vitimins and other stuff from normal food so this could be the problem with my right eye just a little worried thats all by the way so sorry about my spelling

I wanted to start by how I came to this conclusion. There were 2 things that made me decide to have this surgery. First, I am my grandsons Cub Scout Den Leader. Last May when we had the cross-over to the next level ceremony my daughter video-taped the ceremony. The next day, I was watching it and wondering who that really fat lady was with the yellow shirt on. I then realized that it was me. I looked like a Pig. I was so disgusted with myself, I cried. I had been researching the lap-band for some time for my daughter until I realized that I need it. The second thing that made me make an appointment with my PCP for a referral was we had a picnic at work in the summer and s…

HI, I am really getting nervous about this surgery just two days before Christmas. Wonder if I will be able to go to my sisters on Christmas day? I have done really well on the Sugar Busters diet before the surgery and have already lost 13 lbs and seen lots of Christmas goodies come and go-but didn't even get off the wagon one time. I have read lots of good stories and a few bad ones, but nothing is gonna stop me now-its full speed ahead. Hope to be under 200 by June. I was 288 before i started the Sugar Busters diet. I am 6 feet tall so no one can really tell that I have lost 13 lbs even.

Hi I am new to this I just got my lap band on dec 19/2008. need some pointers for type of excercise i can do and some recipes. can i do my bikram(heated yoga) yoga?

I am getting ready to have the band. I have had all my labs and stuff done. I am getting alittle worried about the procedure and outcome. I guess I hope the weight comes off faster than I have been told that it will. I can't wait since Christmas get togethers with my family and seeing my cousins and their weights I don't want to be that size when I am their age.

I was banded by Dr. Ortiz in Mexico in January 2005. My total weight loss over the next three years was 130 pounds from my highest weight, 110 pounds after banding. My decision to go to Dr. Ortiz was cost - my insurance didn't cover bariatric surgery and I absolutely do not regret my decision. The procedure was still new in US in 2004/2005. I had a surgeon friend who performed my fills "blind" whenever I needed more restriction and we truthfully were "winging" it. I did ultimately have an overfill, but ignored the signs because I loved the weight loss. The price I paid was that I needed an emergency unfill (my surgeon friend moved to another state). I went a year w…

Hi! My name is Cathy ( I go by CathyAPA here) and I was just banded on December 16th. My surgeon was Dr. Lee Grossbard and the procedure was done laproscopically. Since December 1st., when I began the pre-op Optifast diest, I have lost 20 lbs. I still have some discomfort on my left (port) side, but otherwise I think I'm doing well. I go back to the Dr.'s on 12/30. Hopefully I will have lost more by then. Greetings to all and I look forward to reading the many posts here.

Are there any lap banders in or near the Greenville,sc area? I am going to Dr Bour and will be banded in February. I too am getting nervous about having the surgery, but at the same time, I can't wait to start losing and get healthy.

Having surgery April 6, 2009 in Mexico. I really enjoy reading all the info on this website. I have been doing really great on my pre-op pre-op. I started out 342 but I'm down to 310. Christmas Day the old self came out and I tried to eat the whole house. But, I plan on getting back on track tomorrow because I have 3 months to get under 300 before surgery. :tongue2:

Well - After following all of Aetna's guidelines over the last 3 months, I've been approved to have the lapband procedure done. Now I just have to wait until the 29th when the Dr's office opens... My name is Lynda and I have also been heavy since I was a kid and now at 40 I've hit 338 with a BMI of 46. I was diagnosed with PCOS & Insulin Resistance over the last few years and I refuse to give the next 40 years over to this obesity. Now that the surgery is getting closer to reality, I've had my ups & downs. I'm excited over this opportunity, but I'm also nervous about the whole change of life style. Especially since I still have to cook for my two kids & hu…

hi all...just curious if there is anyone else out there getting banded on new years eve i'm ready to kick off new years with a new me haha :tongue2:

Hello... I was banded on 12/18 and so far so good. I will definitely need some help and guidance. Thanks for the support. Payad :tongue2:

Hello, I am just getting started in this process. I have been researching for a year and decided to make an appt. to a seminar in Jan. My only drawback is my insurance will not cover this procedure due to a clause in the group. I will have to work out a payment program. Does anyone have any suggestions? :tongue2:

Hello! I just wanted to introduce myself. I was banded on December 15th by Dr. Murr at Tampa General Hospital in Florida. With the pre-op diet & 10 days with the Lap Band, I have lost 15 lbs. I feel like I've recovered pretty well, I still have some pain on the port side though. Hopefully that will go away soon. Anyways, I hope everyone has had a blessed Christmas!!:tongue2:

Hey everyone, So i recently was approved by my insurance to get banded. I am so excited but im also scared. I have been a big person all my life that i dont know how im going to see myself or even recognize myself in a few months. This really is a dream come true but still scared to death. I am 24 and live in Sugar Land. There are so many things going on in my head that i dont know what to say. I have so many questions i dont know where to begin. I would really like to talk to some people on here who are also about to get banded.. you know.. its always better when you know someone that is going through the same thing. ok well hope to hear from someone soon.. later veness…

Hi Ladies! I am new to the site, found it while surfing the net. I have my LapBand surgery scheduled for Dec 31st. Yes, New Years Eve. I made it before we switch insurance carriers on Jan 1, 2009. Now I have to figure out who will watch my boys when I am in the hospital because my hubby cannot get it off. Anyway, anyone close to surgery? We could share our experiences together. I started the liquid diet Wednesday and I am about to die! Let alone I have the next two weeks off, plus Christmas. I don't know if I can stand it. I want food so bad. I see food now I didn't even knew existed. (Since when did they have guacamole Doritoes???) LOL. I would love t…

Hello, my name is Chava, I live in Tacoma, Wa. My surgery is scheduled for 2-13-09 in Tijuana Mexico with Dr. Ortiz. Just have 4# left to lose before surgery. People ask me if I'm "excited?" I tell them I don't know how to answer that, I don't know a thinner me. I know that much will change once I start losing weight, but this time I should be much more successful than before, as I've dieted and lost, then regained, you know how that goes. I realize that lap-band is a powerful TOOL and I need to cooperate and stay with my dietary guidelines. I have #150 pounds to lose, I am hopeful and need the support of others who have gone down the road I am soon to travel. GIVE ME TH…

Hey ya'll, My name is Waverly and I'm scheduled for banding on 12/29/08. I've been on this journey since March of this year and since July I've lost over 50lbs. on my own. I'm looking forward to the new year and becoming healthier. I'm looking forward to learning from the posts here and helping anyone who needs support. Your Humble Servant, Waverly B. Adcock

Hi everyone! I'm new to this forum. I just had my surgery on Dec. 17th and am dealing with the typical (from reading other threads) bloating and pain. Every day gets a little easier. My question to others is this, how are you all managing to get the protien in? I am sipping, and drinking, and sipping and probably only managing to get in about 40g of protien. Any advice? Thank you! paula Pre-op weight-208 Current-189

Hello everyone. My name is Nicole. I'm 19 years old. I was banded on December 16th, 2008 at 8am. I was reading this forum pre-op, and your posts really gave me confidence. I hope that we can share our trials, temptations and our incredible happiness together. I'm looking forward to reading and replying to all of your comments. Merry Christmas! -Nicole.

Hi, I had my Realize Band put in June 5, at surgery time I was around 184. 2 weeks later I was 172. Then the unthinkable happened, I woke in the night with my leg throbbing, went to the hospital had a DVT. I am now on Coumadin for life, I have done nothing but gain weight. November my stomach was hurting so bad, I could not swallow even my own saliva. I had my 4cc removed-was in the hospital again for 3 days. Now I weigh 188. I just don't understand. I got the band because it was supposed to make me have a "full feeling", I have never had that. This was a total waste of money, and my body. I think I was just meant to be overweight-everything I do sure does not help. …

I had my lap band placed on December 15 and I'm feeling great. I have practically no pain and I've already lost a lot of weight. I'm really looking forward to these next few weeks to see how well I do. I can't wait to get around here and meet new people, get information and track my success. Good luck to everyone.

Hello all. just joined today...glad to find a support group to learn from. I am 5 foot tall and weigh 230#. I have never been so large, even when I was pregnant with both kids. I am miserable, and am hoping this surgery will assist me in the healthy changes I need to make. Hope it helps me get off the pills for my blood pressure, my blood sugar and hope it decreases the trauma to my joints, etc...also quitting smoking this week, so I have a little over a month to get that craving out of my system before surgery. My husband of 20 years and I have been separated since late August, but that is an entirely different matter altogether. I want to start 2009 on a clean sl…

Hi there, My name is Staci and I am from Nebraska. I have battled my weight for over 10 years now. I am able to loose about 50-70lbs over a years time but I am never able to meet my goal weight and I am definately never able to keep my weight off. I am currently about 100-125lbs over weight. I am not really sure as I haven't been on a scale in about a year as I just haven't cared for a while now. However, my weight is back at it's height once again and my medical issues are coming to a head. I just can't stay this way much longer. Something has to give. I had seen the commercials for Lap Band on TV and have always dreamed that I would love to have surgery lik…

Hello All! I just got my Lap Band done on 12/17. I have to say I think I'm healing rather well. I even ventured to the grocery store today. Let me tell ya how much that stinks! Being surrounded by all the wonderful "non-liquid" foods. I've done well with the protein shakes and soup but I'm getting burned out kind of quickly. There are only so many sugar free ice pops and Jello One can have. I'd love to hear from anyone who'd like to offer advice or even just a friendly chat. Pleasant evening!

Hello everyone, my name is Mia, I am a 43 year old female, 5'4" and 312 lbs working through all of the insurance paperwork and medical requirements to have lapband surgery. I hope to get through it all and have surgery in January or February of 2009.

Hi, my name is Chelsea and I'm new to the boards and, as of one week ago, newly banded! I'm really excited to read and share as I go through this wonderfully exciting period in my life - just thought I'd say 'hey'.

I'm new to this site and was looking for some support from others who have had the LapBand surgery. Since July, I've lost 45 pounds; 20 pre-surgey and 25 post. I have not had my first fill because my weight loss for the first 8 weeks was optimal. I am sure this changes and I am a bit nervous about getting a fill.:thumbup:

Hello all - Just wanted to introduce myself to everyone. I was banded on October 24th 2008 and have since lost 36 lbs!! Pre-Journey weight - 378 Surgery Day weight - 368 Weight as of today - 332 Things have been going relatively well and I'm starting to get those "wow" comments and my wife put her arms completely around me for the first time since we've been married. I can't wait for Spring!!! Randy

I'm so excited, I just can't hide it I'm about to lose control and I think I like it Just got excepted for surgery, it will be on Feb 6th, 2009 Have to meet with surgeons, nutritionist and others? Insurance will pay for lap band or by pass. I’m leaning towards lap band. Any suggestions? Merry Christmas bearbelly

<p>Hello Group,</p> <p>I have not been banded yet. I am in the process of taking all the steps insurance requires of me. I have been reading this forum for over a year now. I love the information I have learned and I feel a great comfort in feeling very educated by what everyone has shared. I have been over weight my whole entire life, as well as my entire family minus 1 brother.. we have no idea what happend to him... lol. I am so excited for my surgery. I am going through the DePaul Health Center In St Louis. Has there been any one else going through them?? I just wanted to check and see what the over all opinion of the facility was.. Well, Thank you a…

Hi, i got a call this morning & i have been given a date for my surgery, its 21st january, 4 weeks on wednesday, obviously im excited but nervous too, its not my first operation, but hoping its going to be my last, The lady at the hospial said she is going to send me all the details through in the post, Is there any info you guys can give me to make a start of my journey? much appreciated Im from the Uk Debbie.

:biggrin::scared2::tt2:Hello my name is Nicole A, i am new on this site I got banded on Nov 17, the first couple of weeks were goos know all i think about is food i can get almost everything down, My first fill is on Jan 6 2008, i lost about 25 pds. help.....

Yesterday was my 3 week anniversary - Lost around 20 lbs but feel no restriction when swallowing - hoping doc lets me have an adjustment soon but think I need to heal more before he allows it - fingers are crossed - feel eating could easily get out of control -

Hi everyone, hope you are all well. I am a brand new member and have never posted before. I would love to have the band fitted, but I am afraid to be honest. Would love to hear all about your experiences. Laverymo. :tongue_smilie:

Hi, I'm new here, but have actually been to this website many times before I finally had my surgery on 12/18. Everything is good but I must admit I'm having more pain/discomfort than I thought I'd have. The doc told me that he had to repair a hiatal hernia in addition to doing the lapband. This was totally unexpected and I'm wondering if this could be the cause of all the discomfort. I'm having difficulty belching and feel as if I have a softball located between my ribs - and the shoulder pain is terrible. I feel like I have to belch, and then can't and a pain will shoot thru my left shoulder. Can anyone relate to this? ON a positive note.............I've lost 3lb…

Hi, I recently joined this site, and so far I have found that reading the posts has been very helpful. I am scheduled to have surgery tomorrow. I am both excited and nervous! Excited for the long-term results, but nervous about the surgical aspect as I have surgical anxiety re needles & pain. It has helped to read posts on this site to get an idea of what to expect. I look forward to online support throughout my weight loss journey with the band.

Hello to all. I am new to this. I am just in the research stage of seeing if this surgery is for me. I definitely have 100 lbs. to lose and a BMI of 46. I am calling my insurance monday to see if they cover this. I have BCBS/Illinois and I have to say from what I have read Im not so sure that is going to help!!! I hope to hear from anyone with same insurance or whatever. Thanks so much, Good luck to all. Merry Christmas!!!!

Hi, I'm Jen...29 yrs old, live in RI. I'm 4 days from my first consultation with the surgeon. I am so excited as this is an option I've been contemplating for a long, long time. My story plays out like a lot of people, enduring obesity since a young age. I decided to give dieting and exercise alone one last go over the summer. I had no real results and finally made the decision to get the ball rolling on surgery last month. I'm *hoping* the approval process won't be difficult, but am prepared to fight the good fight because this is something I need. I know that lapband isn't THE solution, but part of the solution. My PCP has told me he is willing to help me as much as h…

Hello Everyone, I am new at this, I am 55 yrs old, will have my lapband on New Years eve ! I am very excited, but I am very nervous too. Please let me hear some positive talk !!

Hi everyone! My name is Sue and I live in Dublin, OH (near Columbus). I am very interested in finding out more about banding. I did attend a seminar in Columbus...with Dr. Meyer. I went in leaning more toward banding but they seem to be pushing more toward Bypass surgery which quite frankly scares me. I am the nervous type and although I know I need to do something to help get the weight off, I don't want to regret my decision either way I decide. I am very interested in finding out more about people's results and experiences in both banding and by pass to help me decide which way is best for me to go. I weigh 298 and would like to get down to 175 or so. I am 40 yrs.…

Hi Everyone, this is my first post on this board and I wanted to say hello to everyone and introduce myself. I am a new bandster, I had it done on November 8th in Italy by the wonderful Drs Favretti & Segato. My follow up care will be near my home in London with Dr Ashton, I'm very happy with my group. I'll be going for my first fill on the 8th of January and I'm looking forward to it! Looking forward to posting and getting to know everyone here, I post on another board which is UK based and everyone is very helpful and friendly.

Hello...My name is Marcia...I was banded October 29,2008 by Dr. Colin Brathwaite LI, NY....I have lost 30 lbs to date.....I had one adjustment and know that I need another one...I am having trouble with the holidays and have tasted a few things I shouldn't have...I am glad to be here for support and encouragement for anyone who needs it...thanks for listening...:tongue_smilie: