Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I am going to St. Vencent bareatric center in Carmel, Indiana. I am just wanting to know if anyone has been banded there if so how much did it cost? All I can find on line is a rang of $17000 to $30000. Thanks in advance.

Hi my name is terra and i just got home from my surgery. My surgery was at UCSF by DR campos. I AM VERY SORE !!!!!Does any one have any suggestions? And can someone give me some ideas of how much weight will be lost and the time frame? I understand everyone is different but I am still curious!!

Hi all. I am inuit. I live in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. After a 3 year wait, I saw the baratric surgeon today. He said i most likely will have surgery early in 09. The entire thing is covered by medicare. I thought I wanted the gastric bypass but after meeting with him, now I think the lapband may be better. I am 5 foot 2 inches tall and weigh 261 lbs. Can't hardly wait to feel normal again. :drool:

HI EVERYONE! IM NEW TO THIS. HOPE TO TALK TO SOME OF U SOON. GOOD LUCK!:smile2:

Good afternoon Sistas, I got some difficult news today :thumbs_up:...I am anemic (found out at pre-surgery blood test) and they may want to postpone my surgery until my numbers look better. :tt2::eek::mad: My PCP told me and of course I cried...the good news was that my irregular heartbeat did not show up (good EKG) and my prior challenge with my platelet levels is gone - they are normal again. I SO want to have my surgery on Nov 17th! :frown: I am praying that taking my Iron supplement and eating iron-rich foods will help bring them up, and that my surgeon doesn't feel it's that much of an issue... Pray for me, sistas - I sure need it right now! :cool2::crying::w…

It's just after midnight and I've been surfing the web for a lap band community to join, in addition to the realize band site. I started the process on Sept. 22, 08 with my initial visit to the surgeon's office. I just had my first weigh in since, starting the six month diet (my insurance requires) on Oct 27, 08. I'm down 6.5 lbs and I pleased with the results but, have to admit I was so hungry 4 days into the diet but, I go through it and now, week 6 is so much easy. I'd like to thank everyone for sharing their stories and photos, it is encouraging and truly appreciated. Gina

Hi all, I've just recently begun the process to having the lap band procedure done. I've had one meeting with a very nice surgeon about 3 weeks ago, now I'm fighting my insurance on just the consult bill to get him paid correctly. That was Oct. 20, so far I've been to the polmonologist have to go back on Dec 5 for an EKG but he has granted my approval with all sorts of stipulations. Today I had my psychology appointment and then Wednesday (Thanksgiving Eve) I go see the nutritionist. December 1, I go see the suregon again, hopefully he will have everyones approvals by then to be able to submit to my insurance. I just wanted to say hello, if anyone has advice for m…

I had a Lap band performed by Dr. Stephen Hamn in Plano, TX. I can not say enough wonderful things about him and his staff. He has been extrememly caring and has taught me so much about how to use my band as a weight loss tool. I had my surgery over a year ago and have lost 105 lbs. My sister had a laparascopic gastric sleeve by Dr. Hamn and she is doing fantastic also. No problems and the weight is falling off quickly. I think Dr. Hamn has a wonderful bedside manner. He takes his time with you and does not rush you during your appointment. My sister is a nurse and asked many doctors about Dr. Hamn. They all gave him a thumbs up. I took at least 45 minutes with him on one…

I just was banded on 11/18 and this is my 3rd day at home on the post surgery liquid regiment. Last night as I was trying to finish my last protein drink, I got really nausea. Was the reason I got nausea because I over drank? How do you know when you hungry and suppose to eat or not?:drool:

Hello all. I am 2 weeks post banding:thumbup: and just joining the forum today. I've seen severl of the posts, and they have been really helpful over the last couple of weeks. I see a little tracker showing starting weight and amount lost at the bottom of posts. How do you get that?

Hi, I am getting ready to have my surgery the beginning of 2009 - hopefully by Feb. - I have been trying protein drinks, I have the powder and I bought a few ready to drink kinds. Is it possible to get to much protein? My mother said you can cause damage to your liver or kidneys. Has anybody else heard of this? :smile2:

Hi fellow bandsters and soon to be bandsters! After one year of jumping thru hoops i had my stomach shortened on 10/3/08! one week today... I have 5 nice scars that will most likely go away someday - i get my staples removed on Thursday... I had it done by Dr. Leland Cook at the Hickory Surgical Center in NC and do not regret it at all. omg the before and after care staff of this center was just excellent. the nurses who watched me overnight was terrific! I have not one complaint. Today i had hoped to go out shopping (wally world for food n stuff) but what felt like a huge rock in my stomach kept me in bed. :tt2: so my husband had to go alone.. awww. ju…

Welcome into the world of Tana...and thank you for allowing me into yours. My name is Tana and I live in Southern California...Torrance to be exact. I've been drawn into the lapband whirlwind for the last couple of weeks. I met with my surgeon, Dr. Solomon 11/5/08 and I weighed 235 lbs, with a BMI of 40. I have sleep Apnea and HBP among a host of other things...so I'm prayerful that approval will be a non issue. He told me he wanted me to lose 15-20 lbs before surgery, and I am happy to say that when I returned for my 2 week weigh in I was down 5 lbs, and my BMI was down 1 as well. My concerns, or radom thoughts: excerising as an amputee...are there others out t…

just got approved through UHC! surgery is scheduled for 12/16 with Dr. Keith Wright in San Antonio, TX! i'm looking to lose about 100 pounds and pre-op diet i've lost 10. i hate low carb!

Hi, I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Sue and I live in Minneapolis, MN. I have about 115lbs to lose and I have tried every diet. I have been thinking about the lap band for a while and now I think I am ready to get serious. I am going to an informational meeting this morning at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. I would like to hear from anyone who used Abbott for their procedure. Thanks!

Hi all...I am Rita I am a married 33 year old mother of 3 with a full time job and kids with FULL-TIME energy...problem is that I just cannot seem to keep up with them at my current weight. I currently weigh 329 lbs and CANNOT wait to see that number go DOWN. I have been approved by my insurance company for banding (YEAH) and I have completed all my pre-op testing (blood work, EKG, chest X-ray, psychological testing). I am waiting for my pre-opertive nutrition appointment where I will receive the long awaited date for surgery!!!!! I am sooooo excited for this new beginning, yet kinda scared. I have been watching a ton of Youtube journals of other peoples success and have …

Hello - I have decided to move forward with lap band surgery and am scheduled for my consult with two doctors: Dr. Kirshenbaum and Dr. Chae. I'm having a hard time making a decision. Dr. C requires an overnight stay at the hospital and Dr. K is outpatient. I have had nothing but positive experiences at Sky Ridge Medical center, although my experience with Dr. C's scheduling is not stellar. Dr. C teaches other docs the procedure and to achieve Excellence ratings, but all the comments I've read about Dr. K are thoroughly positive and glowing. The cost difference between the two is about $5,000 - probably because of the costs of staying overnight at the hospital. I'll pay th…

Hi, everybody, I saw a lapband (lb) surgeon today for the first time. I really need to have the surgery and suspect I will do well, but I am wondering how badly I will miss the food I love now. Do you crave what you once could eat? Do you still eat pizza or Pasta or are those strictly no-nos? How much time off from work will I need to recover from the surgery? Thanks for your help.

Hi Everyone! I am getting "banded" on December 12th! I am excited, but nervous.:smile2: Is there anything particular I should worry about? Thanks!

Hello all, I was banded Aug 21, I have now had one fill. I don't think I am losing as quickly as most people that were banded around the same time as me. I have lost 22 lbs. I really would have thought it would be more by now. I go Nov 13th for my next fill. Hopefully that one will make a difference. Does anyone have any suggestion on what I could be doing wrong?

Hello, my name is Kristen and I wanted to start networking with poeple that have had the Lap Band and those who are thinking about it. It is the best thing that my husband and I have done. While my husband and I have been married, our highest documented weight was 313 for me and 414 for him. We tried many different weight lost diets, Weight Watchers, Nutrisystem, Adkins and much more. We would have a little success, get off the routine and the pounds came back and plus. In July of 2007 we got the Lap Band and now I am 180 and my hubby is 245. We are two new people. The Lap Band has been a tool for us. We still have to exercise and watch what we eat. A lot of people thi…

Hi there. I guess its time to introduce myself. I've been lurking around and reading for about a month now. I'm 38, mother of 2 and wife of 1. LOL I have always been heavy, even as a child. I can't remember a time in my life where I haven't KNOWN I was fat. When I was about 10 and in the 4th grade I weighed 120 lbs. I don't really remember my weight in my teenage and early 20s because I never wanted to know or remember. My first actual diet attempts started in college with Weight Watchers and that didn't work as far as keeping it off. My biggest success ever what when I was trying to get pregnant, unsuccessfully for over 6 years, and was told if I would lose weight I w…

Hello! I have been thinking about getting the band for a while now. I have an appointment on Monday to see a dr and talk to him about it. Im 23 years old and i weight 285lbs. Im only 5'3. Diabetes runs in my family..I have heartburn and im tired often. I can barely keep up with my one year old son. I have trouble sleeping at night as well. I have had a personal trainer for over six months now and Ive only lost a few inches but not so much weight. I work out a lot and generally eat pretty well. (not all the time) I just cant seem to lose the weight. So here are my questions. 1. do you think my insurance will cover it? 2. Do you think I should even get it? 3. Does an…

Hi everyone! My name is Wendy, and I'm going in for my LapBand Surgery on December 1st. I'm so excited! I've already lost 14 pounds on the pre-surgical diet they put me on (optifast) and I'm sure I'll be losing a few more before I go in! I'm already feeling *so* much better! 14lbs makes such a difference - and I haven't lost more than 5 pounds in ages, so this rocks. I've already met lots of other wonderful people who've gone through lapband surgery, and who've been sharing their experiences with me, and I look forward to getting to know more! I've been keeping a blog about my surgical journey, A Little Bit Less. Its an off shoot of my main blog, Heart Full of Bla…

Hello, I have just found this site... I have read a few it the treads and this seems like a friendly informative group... This is what I have been looking for... I am from Memphis, TN... I am in the early states of the process... it will be spring of '09 before I can have my surgery but I am trying to find out all I can about the surgery... I am going Monday to see a psychologist.. to see if she will give the approval for me to go on with the next process .... I will not see the surgeon until right before the surgery .... this in itself makes me a little nervous.. :smile2: looking forward to becoming a member of the lap band community....:thumbup:What Is a Tag????

I just joined this site and not to sure what to do next. I had my surgery August 26, 2008 in Spokane WA by Doctor Lee Trotter. I have lost 40lbs to date. I am looking for a surgeon in the Palm Springs area for my daughter. If you know of anyone or how to find them, please let me know.

Hi everyone. My husband just told me that I can go ahead and schedual surgery with Dr Kuri in Mx. I have been talking to hubby about it for a while and told him how Dr Kuri seemed wonderful; but he had reservations about Mex. Then we were watching the news last week and they did a special on Dr Kuri and hubby felt much much better about it. Yay! I emailed their office today and just waiting to hear back about a date. My BMI is just under 35 and I am 28 years old and a student and mother of two. Its so nice to finally post because I have been reading all of your guys posts for a long time and feel like I even know some of you from reading your post here haha while y…

Hi All, This is a great forum, and I can see it provides lots of good information, support, and answers to our weight issues. I am looking forward to being a part of it. I just registered last night, and have been wading through it ever since. I go in for my band bright and early Thursday morning. Just got serious about doing it last month, after about 40 years of yo-yoing. I could deal with it OK until it really started affecting my wardrobe budget, and more importantly, my health.....diabetes (type 2), hypertension, atrial fibrilation, GERD, etc. After the diabetes diagnoses, the weight really started piling on....up about 60 lbs. in 6 years. The Doc wanted be to …

I was banded in Feb of 2007. I have lost about 100 lbs. But I am having trouble losing more. They think my port maybe leaking. I find out on Dec 8th. Joan

Looking forward to a great experience on this site. Thank you:thumbup:

Hi out there, I'm from Detroit and I'm schedule to have lap band surgery within two weeks.

I'm so happy I've run across this site. Not only am I a newbie, but I am barely at the beginning of my journey. I have an appointment at the end of December to have a sit down and exam by the Drs/surgeon's center PA. At that time I will be assigned a pre-op consultant to help schedule additional testing and/or help w/ approval from my insurance. Here's my concern - my BMI is about 37.5, and I don't suffer from high blood pressure. I know this will probably make it difficult to get my Blue Cross PPO to approve since I don't meet the obvious criteria. I have never been diagnosed w/ sleep apnea, but believe I suffer from it (they told me they'll set up a sleep study). …

I'm new, my names steph and I started down the road for approval march 2007, having my op on tuesday the 25th.

Hi Everyone My name is Rhonda. I am banded and have been since November of 05. I have lost 90 pounds, Dr. oliak from orange county is my doctor:thumbup: I am glad to have come across this site

I'm from Washington and just found out my surgery date. I will be getting my Lap Band on January 27th. I'm really excited and thought I would join the forum so I could talk to others going through the same things. My name is Audrey, I'm 31, engaged, and work as a Nanny for a 12 month old little boy. Audrey

It was a struggle through out my life with weight management. Tried all kinds of ways but in vane. When I was younger, my body could manage to handle the excess weight, but as soon as I reached 40, I started getting other co-morbidities. I got Sleep Apnea, was lethargic, and was close to getting hypertension and diabetes. Every year, when I would get my physical, I was scared what disease or health issue is coming next. In 2004, I switched my carrier to pharmaceutical sales. Talking to doctors and reading about different disease states, I got more aware to the disadvantages of being overweight. It was no brainier at that time, that if this is not controlled and I do not r…

Good Morning I'm cheryl from new Mexico, and I am scheduled for surgery on Dec 18th. I would love to hear from some of you about what you went through in the beginning, or get to know some of you who are at the same stage I am.

surgery 10-1, 1st fill 11-5 & can't even tell i have the thing in me. next fill 4 wks from 1st. this last wk i feel hopeless, discouraged, & very depressed, & have binged out daily. has anyone had any luck arguing w/their conservative doc & insisting on more frequent fills to get this show on the road???? this is more stressful than the original demon inside me dieting, failing, guilt, etc. does everyone else just wait it out???

Hi, I had the lap band two months ago. I am now 33 pounds lighter. I have not had a fill yet. I am nervous about the holidays and my food choices during them. I love chocolate and to me it is an addition.

Hey all! im bubz! im 24,F and from perth, australia. i was banded on 15/11/08 so im 3 days post op. I cant wait to get to know everyone and start chatting and making new friends! i dont really know anyone personally that has had a lap band done so im still learning and trying to figure out if what im feeling etc is normal!! talk soon

Thought that I might join in, today is my 2 week post op anniversary. Pureed chili is something everyone needs to eat. I know that Elizabeth has a lot of support in this forum so that I figured I might as well get in on the action.:cursing:

Hi! I'm new to the site, but not the band. I was banded on 9/1/05 and was down 74 lbs at my lowest point. At the beginning of this year, I thought I could "take a break" and stopped going to the doctor. Although I didn't go back to fried foods or completely "off the wagon", I did stop paying attention. The result was an increase of 17 lbs. I've taken 11 lbs off since July, but need to get serious. I thought I would give this site a try as additional support. I have several close friends who have been banded, ironically because I got mine. But I think new discussions may help, so thanks in advance.:cursing:

Hi everyone. I'm having Lap-Band in 24 days and I'm so excited I can hardly stand it. Everyone keeps telling me that I should've never picked this time of year because I will miss Thanksgiving and Christmas meals but the way I see it, all of those meals helped me gain over 150 pounds. I think I've had enough turkey, ham, and stuffing. lol. Anyway~ I picked a doctor here in North Carolina and he seems to know his stuff. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers on December 8th. :Dancing_sorry: December Bandit I hope...

Well, it's been an ARDUOUS task, but Insurance finally approved my claim this morning. I won't get into the nitty gritty, but after initially approving, then rescinding the offer two weeks later on a technicality citing that I was non-compliant with documentation that they said I never was required to have, they had to approve the procedure after reviewing recorded phone conversations I had on three separate occasions when I first started researching what was required for approval. I had to get my benefits coordinator involved and go all the way to a special review committee. Luckily, the recordings prooved that I did indeed ask if any additional documentation was requ…

Hi everyone, I am planning to have the surgery in the near future...i just feel like this insurance company makes people jump through hoops. Has anyone had the lap band surgery with this insurance company? I am in NJ. Thanks

:tongue2:Hi i am new to this site i actually just found it. I am considering the lap band surgery. I have struggled with my weight thru many years and have finally come to terms that i am ready to lose weight. I have great family support and have thought this thru and thru. I have tried several attempts to lose weight on my own and have been successful but i always seem to gain it back.

Hi, I'm new to this forum and have been busy reading a lot of the different threads. I'm starting down this journey and am a bit nervous but I know I'm doing the right thing. I'm currently waiting through all of the pre-insurance items to be completed before my insurance approval is submitted. Per my carrier, the only requirement is to have a BMI over 40, which I'm at 44.5. I've been overweight every since graduating college. I'm looking forward to eventually getting back down to a reasonable weight, keeping up with my kids, enjoying my hobbies again, and being able to sit in any chair without thinking of how much of my bum is sticking out from the sides :smile2: I d…

Hi ~ I'm Valarie and I had the Lap Band on August 4th, 2008. I weighed in at 343 on the day of my surgery and am at 305 currently! I can't wait to get under that 300 lbs. mark!! My doctor is Timothy Eldridge out of Oklahoma City and he has been wonderful. He is one of the kindest doctors I have ever been to. However, I am having a problem this week. I had a fill on Nov. 5th and everything was going great until Monday (Nov. 17th). I came down with a cold and started burping up my food that evening. Ever since then I have been doing okay until dinner and then dinner doesn't agree with me...no matter what it is. Then yesterday I felt queasy after lunch and was nauseous a…

Hi. My name is Karen, and on August 8, 2008, I had my lap band surgery done in Federal Way, WA by Dr. Myur Srikanth, a fine surgeon who's a delight to work with. Since then, the task has been challenging, especially until recently when I had my second fill, which seems to have given me some restriction. Until then, it was 1% band power and 99% bandpower, or so it seemed to me. Nonetheless I'v very pleased with the results; I started at 233 (before the pre-op 2 week liquid diet) and am now at 280.2. So those are pretty dramatic results! I'm only 5'1" so I still have over 50 lbs to go, but I already feel so much better. And it's so fun to sit down to a meal and fe…

I am banded and have been for 2 years. I have lost a little over 40 pounds, I am one of the slow losers. Part of the problem is I get so constapated because I am not eating the high fat foods. Eat that, and I am good to go. Eat a lot of fiber and take fiber supplements, nothing. Anyone else have this problem? Any suggestions?