Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I am thinking about getting banded and I am meeting with the doctor on Friday.

Just wanted to say hello and introduce myself. My name is Sonja. I was banded on January 4th and have lost 44 lbs so far. I've had two fills for a total of 3 ccs. I've had a few problems lately but usually because I eat too fast or bites are too big. I'm looking for a support forum for LapBanders only so I thought I would check this one out!

Just droppin in to say hi to everybody. Newbie here getting ready for the ride of my life and having lap band surgery on the 11th of December @ Sibley Memorial Hospital by Dr. Fred Brody.:cool:

Hello everyone. My name is Iman and I just registered with this site today. I am a bandster and was banded on 10/30/2007. I have lost 107 pounds and went down 7 sizes. I hope to lose another 80 pounds to reach my goal weight. My surgeon is Dr Paul Guske of Suburban Surgical Care Specialists and they are out of Elk Grove/Arlington Heights/Hoffman Estates, Illinois. I'm a member of Bandbuddies on Yahoo and a member of ObesityHelp.com. I joined this site because I was interested in shake recipes. I get bored easily eating the same thing day in and day out. And even after a little over a year, I still get tight and need to consume protien shakes.

Seems like forever since i posted here. I finally started nutrition classes in June..so i'm just about done - long 6 months. Dropped about 11 lbs. - more than i thought i would lol. Today i attended a symposium. My nutritionist said i have to conclude the full 6 month nutrition class prior to getting the psych evaulation - does that sound right? My nutritionist said that my insurance WILL cover this procedure...I hope so...i just hadnt expected the $1250 fee i had to pay for after care. So...as i get closer i'm more excited and i know this is what i need to do. I'm just nervous about what i'll actually be able to have to eat the first few weeks...I plan to scour t…

Scheduled for surgery on the 19th of this month. 7 days to go and I am really excited. When I started this process in July I was 280. Dr. Takahashi said that I had to lose 20 lbs before my surgery and as of yesterday I'm down 34lbs (246) So I am well on my way and very excited.

I have just begun researching lap band surgery as a weight loss option. I think my insurance may cover a portion but won't know for sure until Monday. I have been battling my weight for years and recently quit smoking resulting in a harder battle. I am now at approximately 240 (probably higher since it has been a week since I weighed). I am 5' 7" which puts my bmi around 37. I have a couple of comorbidities but nothing major ????(pain in hips, snoring/possible apnea, and chronic irritation of thigh and groin area). My oldest daughter had gastric bypass surgery @ 24. I always thought I could get a handle on my weight on my own. I quit smoking for my health and now will hav…

Hi, I have been banded three days ago. November 12, 08. My doctor was Dr. Macura and Dr. Sherwinter. of Maimonedes Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY. I am so happy to be over the surgery. I already lost 9lb, My best advice so far for easier recovery is to force yourself out of bed as soon as possible. I did not suffer from any gas pain most people suffer from. I am still in a lot of pain from the incision, but that is expected. :cool:

Hello! My name is Racheal, and I live in South Carolina. I am scheduled for surgery this Tuesday (Nov. 18, 2008)...and I'm a bit terrified about it. Hoping all goes well. My husband found this site while he was deployed and bored (USAF) and sent me the link. I am looking to find other people to talk to about the difficulties and rewards in having a gastric band! Thanks for taking the time to read this. Racheal

hi everyone my name is patty and i just had my lapband surgery on wednesday. i am felling really sore but i am hoping it is just like childbirth - give it a few days and i will forget abt. how bad it feels. so far i have lost 25lbs. so any advice would be helpful!!!:Dancing_sorry:

Hello Everyone, :ohmy: I have been doing research on this site and on others over the past couple weeks. I went to my PCP on 11/4 and she suggested thinking about the lap band surgery. I am 26, my BMI is 44.5. I have struggled with my weight since high school. Though, in high school I was about 60lbs lighter....I have hypothyroidism (due to having half my thyroid removed in 04) pre-diabetes, my BP is borderline and I was also diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. I have so many questions and I am so scared. I know that if I do this right, I can eliminate a lot of my issues, as they are weight related. But I am terrified that I will fail. :thumbup: -- I mean, 60 lbs a…

Hi, I just found your forum this evening while searching for info. about patients in L.V. who have had this surgery locally. I am hoping to have this surgery in the next few months since I would definitely be better off with less fluff (fat). Any recommendations that you can share would be appreciated. K.

My first post. I have just begun following a liver reduction diet given by my doc. I have 5-6 months of evals and classes before the lap band procedure any tips would behelpful. I am Rockcreek.

I am scheduled for Lap Band on Tuesday Nov 18th. I am so tired of my weight be up and down all my life I feel that this may help me live the rest of my life healthier.

Hi Everyone, I just love this site! I was banded November 3rd 2008, tomorrow will be 2 weeks. I start the puree foods, any suggestions and I see my dr. on Friday. I live in Corpus Christi, hey texygirl, my dr. was Dr. Dean McDaniel from Victoria. I'm so excited to be on this journey, and have waited a long time for this (it was an insurance thing). I haven't felt any restriction yet, but I've only been doing liquids so far. Any advice will be appreciated.

Hello, I have had the lap band for about six months now. I went from a size 240 in now I am size 180. I want to get down to 160. This is my first time on here, but feel great to be able to talk to people whom been through, or going through what I am. My problem now is I be very burpy, like I have to strain myself everytime I eat or drink to make myself burp. It is a very uncomfortable feeling, and I dont know why it is happening. Please help thanks. Ms Burpy :smile2:

Is anyone out there from Utah and if so where is a good place to look into getting your lap band

Hi, I'm waiting to hear from my insurance. Does anyone else have Aetna, and are they reliable as in approving the surgery. I don't know of anyone else with Aetna, so any news would be appreciated. Also how long generally does it take for Aetna to approve? Thanks, Bellmama

I will tell you this has been one heck of a journey. I am starting to feel comfortable now with my lap band. I went through so much worry and alittle bit of regret and then I thought I was selfish so now I know why you have to get a psych eval before getting this surgery done because this surgery is not for the weak. I thought before I had this surgery that this would be a quick fix to my weight but through this journey I realized I am extremely strong and have enough will power to accomplish anything I put my mind to. You all who have done this can probably relate that you start seeing what an extraordinary person you actually are. This is a defining moment in your …

I am scheduled for Lap Band on Tuesday Nov 18th. I am so tired of my weight be up and down all my life I feel that this may help me live the rest of my life healthier. One question that I have is that my doctor usually puts in a pain pump that nums the abdomen for a few days. Since I have such a high pain threshold I opted out. Any comments on my decision? Thanks Mary

HI, I am a newbe here, turned 60 on 11/13 and am having my srugery on 11/18! Would love to hear from someone around my age that is having or have had the banding.:Dancing_sorry:

I am happy to share my story and any feedback would be great. I had the lap band placed August 2006. Within one year I had lost 100 pounds. In Feb 2008 my husband and I decided we wanted to try and have a baby. I went to see my lap band doctor who said I was good to go. I did not have any blood work done at that time. I was pregnant my the end of March. Starting in July I started having acid reflux issues and talk to my doctor about this issue and he thought I may have a band slippage, he told me to eat soft foods and drink ensure for the remainder of my pregnancy and then after the baby was born we would look at removing and replacing the band. Well the weekend of Septme…

Hello to all in the lap band world! Just a brief introduction: I started my banding process last September but finally received my band on August 28 of this year. I am still a baby-bander, learning the do's and do not's. I am an avid blogger and have started a blog on my banding experience: www.flutterbyewings.com/weigh.com

Hello Everyone! I am a newly banded and a member of this site. I had my surgery on Nov. 6, 2008, this is my 1st day off the dope (pain medication), and feeling pretty good. I was excited on Sunday to have a choice between broth and a cream based soup, but now I am tired of the creams. I don't know, maybe I am coming off my drug high. LOL! Today I decided to get on the computer for cream soup ideas, and ran across this site. I am excited about having online support. I also hope to be an active memeber of this site. I am happy about this being post day 5. I have no regrets, just would like to have a variety of eating choices. I am looking forward to the success that…

I am 45 year old male, and currently weigh in at 114k, I have tried everything possible over the past 30 years with no success, every time I lose 5-10 kilos, 10-15 goes straight back on, I have dieted myself up to this size. Iam sure you can all relate. Anyway I just wanted to log in say hello, I go in for surgery in 4 days and have been on this Optifast diet for a week and a half, boy am I hungry, I could eat a cow right now. I am nervous about the surgery but reading all your posts has made me feel a little better, so thank you all.

i just joined today here i finally got approved by cigna insurance after getting turned down two years ago by cigna im on the two week pre op diet i will be getting my lap band on nov 24th done by dr patel in austin texas what should i expect after the surgery will i need to take a few days off of work

hi, i'm a newbie. i was banded monday 10-27 in boston. i saw my dr yesterday because my port site was hot and red. as suspected it was infected . (i saw a photo of an infected port on this site which is what convinced me to call my dr) today it looks much better after only 3 doses of antibiotics. i have to admit i am hungry but very happy to have the surgery behind me. thanks, tri

Hello Everyone I'm Melinda, and today I received the letter from my PCP to submit along with my package to the Bariatric Coordinator. Since I was about 6 I've struggled with my weight, but over the last several years it's been out of control. I've lost and gained who knows how many times. Now that I have my letter from my PCP, I'm beginning to get nnnervous. :rolleyes2: I was diganosed with Type 2 diabetes late November, had a calf tear in December, one of many injuries that is probably weight related. I so want to feel better, and am hoping this surgery will be the tool for doing so. I'm one who has to talk about how I'm feeling, and you all are so very thoughtfu…

Is there anyone from Louisiana?Are there any group meetings for Banders?

Count down I have less than 15 hours to surgery…. :thumbdown::tongue2:I have to go to the hospital @ 6:00 and my surgery is @ 8:00.. Gosh I’ve waited so long to post this I’m finally getting my day to shine.:w00t::w00t: I have Pack everything I think I need (even shaved my legs again) and the most important thing will be a picture of my two angels my children..:wub::wub::wub:

:cool: Hi everyone.... my name is Tanya and i am 28 y/o from N.Y. currently in CT. I am obese i am still not comfortable admitting that...lol...but i'm working on it. I am planning to do my surgery asap. I have done the first portion of exams and now i am currently waiting the appt with the therapist that the insurance needs to approve. I am doing my surgery in westchester ny with Dr. Dominique Artuso. Does anyone know him or have had there procedure with him? Just curious... I am pretty sure that this is the right choice for me but i am constantly seeking information. I feel there's never enough. I am totally glad i found a forum to speak to different ppl that are going …

Hi everyone!!! It has been such a long process to get where we are right now. Hubby and I both started our liquid diet yesterday and he is scheduled the 29th for his surgery and I am scheduled the 25th -- both November. I am starving -- or so I think I am. :thumbdown: We can have Boost (mine is 3 per day and his is 4), SF jello, broth, SF popcicles, crystal light, fruit2O, diet V8. Hope everyone is doing great!!!

Question....if you have had to do a 6 month nutrition program....and have lost weight in that process....you THEN have pre-op parameters which may also require weight loss? This is confusing to me i guess. In my nutrition, i've slowly lost 11 lbs. It seems strange to me that the doctor would also mandate another "diet" to lose prior to surgery. I mean, really...if I could really lose weight - i'd have done it long before now! What i've lost so far, has been difficult to do.

Hi, Im Stephany I am a 911 supervisor in Knoxville, TN. Just starting my 6 month diet monitoring plan with Drs. Mancini out of UT Hospital. Currently on ATKINS to get myself to a more comfortable state of being! Looking forward to May and starting my new life. Have been on Atkin's for years and years, and like many, I am usually very successful losing the weight, its the keeping it off where I lack skills!:cool: Will try and learn as much as possible in the next 6 months by reading your posts...! Would love to hear from others near-by!

Hi, Does anybody else have problems controlling there eating around that time of the month, actually right before. The doctor wants me to lose some weight before the surgery, I lost 5 pounds but feel like I am losing any motivation that I did have. I have been doing ok not eating all the choc. which I used to live on. Now it seems to be chicken parm. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Hi all! Just wanted to say hi to everyone, I have my surgery on Nov. 21 and am excited and nervous. Take Care, PamB :Dancing_sorry:

I called Aetna and they said they cover 90% if the Lap Band so long as you meet the following criteria: Selection criteria: Presence of severe obesity that has persisted for at least the last 2 years, defined as any of the following: Body mass index (BMI)* exceeding 40; or BMI* greater than 35 in conjunction with any of the following severe co-morbidities: Coronary heart disease; or Type 2 diabetes mellitus; or Clinically significant obstructive sleep apnea (i.e., patient meets the criteria for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea set forth in Aetna CPB 004 - Obstructive Sleep Apnea); or Medically refractory hypertension (blood pressure greater than 140 mmHg sys…

Hi im Chris from Tasmania {ccetasmania} in Australia, we have limited support here fo the people that are suppose tohelp, so i am initiating a Lap Band Support Group, i am going to call it, The Lapsters, i would appreciate any info anyone has on the food side of things, how to make shakes! what has worked for you, the do's and dont's, the problems u have ran into or how to avoid cheating, plus general knowledge items. you can email me at ccetasmania@hotmail.com, thanks for your assistance, the person we help, might be the person who needs it the most, this will be a free support service, anyone interested, please let me know and we will go from there, i wish you all the…

My band date is Dec. 19 and I am looking forward to it and also a bit apprehensive. I just hope the recovery is pretty easy.

Hi all, I am just beginning the process of deciding if this is right for me. I attended my first orientation last Monday and have spent the past week going back and forth in my mind if this is the right thing for me. I am leaning towards doing it and am trying to get going on the things they want me to do. If I decide to go through with this I will be going through Kaiser Permanente. Has anyone had experience with Kaiser? I plan to come back to this forum a lot in the future; since those who have gone before me will be a tremendous help and this looks to be a great resource. Thanks

I lost my tickerfactory thing, and I can't remember how to use it/put it on. can anyone help me? :cool:

Hello everyone...I'm from Texas. I'm a 20 year old female, and I'm 6 months pregnant. However I was overweight before getting pregnant...I would like to begin to look into getting the lap-band because I have tried so many things before to lose the weight...Also I don't want to be an overweight parent I would like to set a healthy positive active example for my son...I want to be able to run and jump and play with him when he begins to do those type of things...So I'm here for advice and support...thanks Amber...

Hey! Im Jewels. How are you all? I live in Philadelphia, and have just swithced insurance's so that I can get the lap band done. Ive been on the forum's for about 2 weeks now. Ive read alot of posts and do everyday. A little about me: Im 5'3 - 205 lbs - I have a lower BMI of 36.3. I have an appointment with Dr.Kowalski on Tuesday of this week. (11/17/08) I think I may have sleep apnea, but the receptionist told me that even if I dont my insurance (Keystone Health Plan East) is very easy to get an approval from and that she has seen people with bmi's of 35 get approved with no co morbid's. Which I do not have - I dont have the traditional co morbid's. The doc I have chosen…

Hi! Clocking in at 240+ and desperate to do lap band surgery. I just got the go ahead from my nutritionist as well as my therapist. I am trying to find as much information, the plus, minus of doing lap band surgery. So any and all advice would be appreciated! Thanks

Hi all! After a bunch of online research, I finally got the lap band process started this week. I learned what my insurance company needs, and I attended an information meeting (just tonight!) at the hospital I plan to use. Reading over the posts on this site is so inspiring and I don't feel so alone, or like I have too many "dumb" questions. Thanks! :thumbdown:

Seems I need to start here before proceeding to other areas in this site. I'm David, I'm a 58 year old male. I was banded Wednesday, 12Nov08.

I am new to this forum--I have my first appt in Nov. and a tentative surgery date set for Dec. I am excited and nervous as it seems everyone is... I also continue to wonder if I am doing the right thing. Does anyone happen to know of a Dr. in NM or West Texas that can do fills?

Just got banded yesterday and still a little sore this morning. I weigh 240 lbs. and hope to lose at least 75 lbs. My surgeon is Dr. Strand and I have Dakotacare. God helps us all. Miraela

Hi my name is Michael I live in a small town in Arkansas called Hot Springs I have been over weight for the better part of my life and I am ready for a change. I am going to start getting ready for my surgery no date is booked yet but I am hoping the first part of 09. any advice is wellcomed wish me luck. :Dancing_sorry:

Hi there, My name is Sheryl and I just completed my one day workup before surgery. I don't have a date yet, but I'm interested if there's anyone out there who, like me, has a LOT of weight to lose (or if you're a lucky dog who's already lost a lot of weight...if so, PROUDYA!!) I am worried because I've been hearing a lot of stats that say you lose 60% of your excess weight...which is just ducky, but I kinda would like to be on the downside of 200 lbs. before I die...even if it does take me 2 years or so to get there. If anyone out there has anything to share, please do so..would love to hear from you! Sheryl in NY