Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I was 258 when I got the band in March 10, 2008. I have lost 73 so far and I am feeling great. I have the best doctor in CT. I go for regular visits to get my band adjasted to the maximun. That is my chioce. I could do it a little slower if I wanted to. I wish I had done it years before!!! ALNIC:smile:

Well I am going for the seminar tomm. with Dr. Curry in cincy.... I cant wait. I am a little nervous I am low on the BMI, but he said I am a canidate. I sure hope all goes well. I added this site to my favorites. Everyone here is amazing, in what they help others with rather it be info, or encouragement..... Cant wait ! Missy

Hi all - I am just getting started with this process and I'm curious if any fellow SW Floridians have pointers. I am seeing Dr. Matthew Bagan in Port Charlotte for a consult today and l am looking into a seminar for Dr. Moses Shieh. If anyone has info on either, good or indifferent, I would really appreciate hearing it. Thank you.

Hello everyone, I am 29 years old, a wife and mom of two young daughters. At my highest weight I was 311 pounds and only 5'3''. I had the surgery on July 9th, 2008 with Dr. Posner from Buffalo General Hospital. It was an intense program, as most of you probably know. The applicatoin process, then the orientation, meeting with the nurse practitioner, nutritionist, psychiatrist, physical therapist,sleep study, and finally the surgeon. I had a good experience with the surgery and have had three fills already. I am now 270 pounds. Some of which I lost prior to having the surgery. I wanted to try out this forum because even though I know I am making progress, I …

Hi! Been banded for 2 years (on September 13, 2006) and just this month hit my goal weight of 145 pounds (am 5'8"). I was banded in Monterrey, Mexico by Dr. Arturo Rodriguez. I am actually flying back for his patient reunion in December and having my band loosened since goal weight hit--total of 70 pounds. I love this band! I do have a lap band web site that is www.thebariatric.com (is actually Dr's, but former patients talk on there which is supportive like it is here). Looking forward to talking to fellow bansters! Amy

This is my first Thanksgiving with restriction. Now traditionally, Thanksgiving is one of the two Holidays were not only is it accepted to eat like a pig, but it's expected. I don't want to have to explain to room full of people, wht I'm eating a spoonful of mashed potatoes and a slice of turkey. Has anyone yet handled Thankisgiving, where every one is stuffing themselves to oblivion?

Hi I have had my lapband for 2 1/2 years, haven't had great success, but I think it is pretty much my fault... my portion size are still too big, and I don't exercise enough ! Anyway... for about 1 month now, whenever I eat, 10 minutes later, I have some nausea and a bout of retching (no vomit). At first, I thought I had become lactose intolerant, because it is was better when I didn't have milk, and I was mostly fine when having soy milk, rice milk, lactaid milk, etc... But for 2 days now, I still feel like retching even though I didn't touch anything with lactose.... maybe it is a problem with gluten (celiac disease). But, I am starting to wonder what would be…

Hi to all! My name is Emily. I am a 29 year old mom of 3 and I live in Memphis, TN. I was banded on September 8, 2008, so a little over 2 months ago. I have lost 35 pounds since the morning of sugery. My Doc is George Woodman. I am estatic that I went thru with the desicion to have the lap-band done. I really struggled with it and went back and forth several times. I finally said, "Screw it!" and I couldn't be happier!

My name is Jim and I just had lap band on 11/06/08, I have already lost over 45 LBS!!!!! Well okay, I am streaching the truth a little. I have lost a couple of pounds but have not weighed in yet waiting to see what I lose in the first week. I have been off work, as I work in a physically stressful position and I have been trying to return to a normal lifestyle, but I am constantly fatigued. I did some basic figuring last night and believe that is because I have only been taking in about 350 calories a day. so I am in the process of doubling that today with the High Protien Boost! The only alarming thing that has happened is I had awoken to bruises all around the port sigh…

Hello there, love this site! Was banded 3yrs ago here in Scotland have lost 6 stones and counting. Love my band:thumbup: and my life!!!

I just had my procedure done this past July 08 and have been feeling my way through alone. Im so glad to have been perusing Google and come across this site. Last Thursday I had my 3rd adjustment and now can feel what the post op instructions were talking about. I was so worried that there was something wrong with my band because I could still eat alot after surgery. But now..Im lucky to eat a ground beef patty, and keep it down. Yeah vomiting has become a common occurance for me this past 5 days, Im really relearning how to eat. Has anyone else experienced this? Since my surgery Ive lost 15 lbs, and am very happy about it, but I feel if I had had tighter adjustme…

Hi everyone, my name is Jeannie, I'm 28 years old and I just wanted to pop in and stop lurking and say hello. I've been reading these forums for a few months now as I debated the decision to get banded. I got banded yesterday by Dr. Michael Feiz at Cedars-Sinai in LA. And so far so good. It takes me 8 hours to drink an 8 ounce Protein shake, but I'm like the little engine that could! I've also been sipping on Water. They had me stay over and let me go home earlier this afternoon. I'm having some gas pains, and some pains swallowing, and it doesn't feel very good to burp, but honestly I feel pretty okay. It's quite strange, my mom says it sounds like I went in to get my…

I am trying to find some unbiased reviews of lap band procedure. I live in Ontario Canada and find my GP completely non commital. I currently weight 350 pds, my BMI is over 60, I have developed Diabetes, sleep apne, high blood pressure and high chlorestoral. All he keeps saying is exercise and eat less. Easy for an asian man who is 6ft tall and problably weighs 150pds soaking wet. He had his secretary quickly check to see if procedure was covered by OHIP (which as I have read here, is not) and left me to find my own way. I am now in touch with Barix Clinic and hope to have procedure in the new year. Back to my initial question --- Everywhere I look on the internet bri…

I ran into someone I knew yesterday (hadn't seen her in a couple years) and noticed she had lost a LOT of weight, so I asked her how. She told me she had been banded and gave me the name of her doctor at MCV/VCU in Richmond, VA, so I called today to order the information packet. They told me that there is paperwork in the packet to be filled out, as well as an online course to take before an appt can be made. I stumbled across these boards through a Google search and have been reading, reading, reading to get all the info I can before making a final decision. I just wanted to say hello and tell you all that you're an inspiration to the rest of us out here who are stil…

Hi! I'm getting banded on December 3rd... and I'm starting to have sporadic pangs of anxiety and then smiles of excitement about being banded throughout the day... I'd love to hear from other pre- banders to share pre-op jitters and learn from the guru banders to make this journey a successful one!! My info: F 39 5'10" 305 single work from home I start the liquid diet on the 19th. Surgery is set for December 3rd Thanks! bandtastic5

Hi, I'm Melissa, in Tempe, AZ. I was banded on June 5, 2008 by Dr Nirmul. He is wonderful, though you don't see much of him. I've lost 12 lbs so far. Also, my husband was banded on May 12, 2008 and he's lost 45 lbs since then. I'm just starting to be more hungry over the last day or so. Nothing that I can't handle, just more hungry. Considering I couldn't "eat" (or drink even water) anything the first 4 days or so, I'm sure this is good. I still can't choke down the protien shakes. Probably more because the ones we have taste like soap to me. Guess I need to try something else.

Hi! I'm Julie, and I hope to have Lap Band surgery sometime in December. I've already had the upper GI, EKG, labs, etc. along with appointments with a psychologist and nutritionist. I'm both excited and nervous about this. I hope that this forum will provide me with lots of information and encouragement.

Hello y'all, I'm considering getting the band the first week of Dec. with Dr. Kuri. I joined the group today hoping to get some feed back. I have lots of questions and I need some experience and support.

My name is Kari and I was banded November 3, 2006. It depresses me to realize it has been two years already. I had some major infection complications after surgery and my recovery was slowed by about 3 months. I have lost around 30 pounds. I have been stuck in a rutt emotionally, financially, etc. I have switched jobs since my surgery and my current employer does not cover any type of weight loss programs or surgeries. Therefore, no previous surgeries either. I am frustrated beyond belief, but I think it is just time to seek counseling. I am one of those cases that thought I had the mind set for the long haul and turns out I wasn't there. I am very glad I went th…

Hi, Im a new member from NSW AUSTRALIA. I have read a lot of posts by people who have had lapbanding and been to 2 information seminars. I have tried various diets but still put the weight back on so I decided lapbanding was for me. I have my specialist appointment today,Im a bit nervous,hopefully he agrees that I need the surgery.

Hello Friends, My Name is Rida. I waited a whole year to get banded. Wasn't sure if I wanted to do it. On my 31st bday I weighed 287 lbs @ 5'7" and was extremely tired of the weight. So my journey begins. I got banded on October 22, 2008. I am on week 4 post-op. I hope to follow fellow banders with the same surgery date. I am also a fillmmaker, writer and screenwriter. I hope to post more here and share my own experiences. I am afraid to weigh myself. I have anxiety with that kind of stuff. Always have. I know my clothes are looser and my family keeps on telling my face is getting skinnier. I will weight a whole month to weigh myself. I am really happy for everyone …

Hi, I've just registered with the forum today as my surgery date for a lapband is Thursday. I live in France now and I have been overweight all of my life. I have tried everything under the sun but the real problem has been me. I would welcome any news on how people deal with the first few days post op and how I may feel. The surgeon and the support team have been great, although I am Welsh I speak french fluently and feel very happy that I am having this op in this country and not in the UK. I very nearly died at the start of 2008 and spent 9 weeks in hospital so this is my new start, I am not a religious person but I firmly believe that I am being given this opportunit…

Hi everyone, I was just banded yesterday and feeling great today and very excited to get going with this weight loss. A little sore today and tired but very happy.

I am set for 12/19 lapband surgery. I am very excited. Any good advise from anyone would be appreciated. Dr Fritz is doing it here in houma any experience with him.

I was banded on October 28 and feel as though I am a failure. I was very sore for the first 3 days and after that I felt wonderful. To wonderful, I have been eating like I don't have a band. :eek: I am not eating as much as I used to but I am eating way more than I am sapposed to and not feeling good about it. I have support from my family I just cant seem to get myself into a routine of things I am sapposed to eat in the portions I have to have. Could someone please help with ideas of ways to change for the good. I am going tomorrow to join the local gym cause I do enjoy exercise and I have to get back to doing it. I am scared I am going to screw this whole thing u…

Hey all! I was banded in October, 2007 and although it seemed like the weight was just going to fall right off, I'm now almost 4 months post-op and have only lost like 12 pounds. I'm beginning to feel frustrated and unmotivated. I've been reading the posts on here since before surgery, but now feel that maybe I need to be more involved with others in my shoes for support and motivation.

My name is Lesley. I am waiting to get banded in January 09. My dr suggested it to me because I will be undergoing a total abdominal hysterectomy and he said that the surgeon that was on standby was certified in doing the lapband and that I was a candidate for it. He checked with the surgeon to make sure it won't be too much surgery for my body and the surgeon said it would be fine. So, I'm putting it off for 2 reasons. The first being that this is a very busy time of year at the Firm I work for and the second is that my insurance will not pay for it so I'm transferring to my husbands insurance during open enrollment on January 1st. His will cover it if it's deemed …

Today is the day I begin my 2 weeks of liquid before the lapband surgery. I am 62, hoping to spend some winters in Florida (in a bathing suit) But for today, I'm hungry, apprehensive, nervous and so so afraid to fail. I am also prepared with all I need to succeed just need to think of other things. I welcome any tips along the way:blush:. Kathy

I was really expecting to feel better after the surgery, but It has been 4 days and I still feel less than human. I am also having a pain in the middle of my chest. Did anyone else have this, should I be worried?

I am just looking into the possibility of getting banded. I've dieted off and on all my life with very temporary positive results. I just cannot do it anymore--I end up gaining more each time I lose weight. Restricting myself is getting harder and harder to do. Anyway, I am looking into the banding procedure. Very concerned regarding possible risks. I am pretty healthy overall. I do have sleep apnea.:eek:

:wavey: hi everyone. i've been reading the boards on an off for about a year. the 17th is my 5th weigh in at my bariatric clinic. hopefully i'll have my surgery in january or february. thanks so much for all the wonderful advice on here, it's been a godsend. A little bit about me... i'm a 30 year old married woman with a 5 year old son. i'm a nursing student and a nanny so I'm pretty busy. dr joyce out of silver cross in joliet. i look forward to meeting/talking with you!

Hello Everyone! My name is Brandy and I just got banded on Tuesday, November 4th, a historic day for me on two levels with the outcome of the presidential election and with my new start on life! I'm already noticing the changes and can hardly wait to see what my new future holds! Looking forward to chatting with you all. :thumbup:

Morning / Afternoon (depends on where you are geographically located :thumbup: ) I have a band fitted one month ago, I have managed to lose 7 kgs so far which im really really happy with. :laugh: I had my surgery in spain at a private clinic in Marbella on the Costa del Sol. The paying of the surgery hurt far more than the actual key hole cuts in my tummy!

Hey Everyone, My name is Breanne, I'm from Massachusetts. I've been researching the Lap Band for a long time now, but am just stepping into the process of it all. I have my seminar scheduled on Dec 8th. I am 22 years old, am 5ft 5in and weigh 255 and have a BMI of 42. I have Aetna for insurance, I called them today and they assured me that they do indeed cover up to 90% of the surgery is I meet the criteria and am approved. I meet the critera, they require a BMI of 40 or more and a history of obesity for at least 2 years. I am ready for a life change, not a quick fix, and I am young so I think I could really benefit from the Lap Band. I want to have children in 5 or …

Hello everybody. I am new to the forums here . I have been a lurker for awhile now and just recently decided to come out of my shell. My name is Hope . I am 30 years old and live in Illinois. I have been battling my weight all of my life. I believe the fat gene runs in my mom's family though because they are all big like me. My Family Doctor recommended the Lap Band for me. He called a Bariatric Surgeon here where I live and made an appointment for me. Today was my first consultation. It was nothing like I expected. He told me that it will be a long process and take 6 months. Wow, that is a very long time to wait but I guess I have to be patient. I told him about researc…

banded on july,12,2008 allready lost more than 60 lbs:tongue_smilie:

Hello from SoCal:thumbup:

HI there, started my pre-op diet today. 3 protein shakes and 1 - 400 calorie meal. :scared2:Sounds hard for someone who ate 3 meals a day, plus snacks. I know I can do it because I want this change in my life. I am curious to see what everyone eats pre-op and post-op. Also wanted to see what the average weight loss for everyone seems to be. Also, how was recovery? I have a 17 month old that I am worried will need me asap (picking up, holding, etc.).:eek: Dr. Muller from San Diego will be doing my surgery at Sharp Memorial. Looking forward to hearing from you all! :eek: Tara - From Santee, CA.

Hey everyone!! I was banded July 28, 2008 by Dr. Luttrell in Little Rock. Starting weight was 250 and I am now at 215. Just got my third fill and hopefully it will get me through the first of the year. This site has been so helpful in the whole process. Keep up the good advice!!

Hello to everyone!! I was just banded on Oct. 22nd. My emotions have been all over the place! Wondering what in the world have I done? I know in the long run it will all be worth it!! Somedays I feel like I want to go to every fast food resturant in town:tounge_smile:. TV commercials are the worst. But all in all, I'm holding in together.:thumbup: I was banded at Fairview southdale in the twin cities, by Dr. Luguna.

Hi my name is Holly, I'm 49 years old and live in Cleveland, Ohio. I started this journey approximatley 3 years ago and finally started the process of getting banded in late July. I have attended all the required tests, seminars, and doctor consultations. I should be hearing from the insurance company in the next two weeks. I pray that I will be accepted. My surgeon is currently at the Cleveland Clinic. (Doctor Schauers) After my consultation last week, he told me if the insurances comes through I may have the surgery as early as December. I am thrilled, and ready to accept all the challenges that come my way as a lap-bander. I hope to hear and share everything there is t…

Hi everyone !! I had my lap done on sept 23 and I cant belive how fast the weight is coming off !! I am so happy that I did it !!

You guessed it.... I'm new to this discussion group but have been banded for 1 year the 29th of November. I have not lost the weight I thought I would. I live in Plano, Texas and Dr. Stephan Hamm is my band doctor. I've had several fills and I've also had to loosen it twice. I sure would like someone to tell me the secret to continual loosing, if there is one. The band is for a healther choice and I know we've made the right decisions. Let me hear from you.

I have been a member for a while but this is my first post. I was banded over 2 months ago with my first fill a month ago. I have been eating what I should and have started working out. My frustration is I am not losing any weight. When I went for my fill I recieved 2.5cc in a VG 10cc band and it was tight. I was barley able to eat clear liquids the first few days. When I got on solids it was the same way for a week or so. Now I can eat whatever I want, however I don't. Breakfast is 1/2 c oatmeal with a 1/2 of an apple. Lunch is a salad with green veggies, blueberries and small bites of steak. Dinner is protein, green veggies and maybe 1/2c of carbs. I only drink water. I…

i have recently been thinking about the possibility of having a band to help me loose weight. It was great to come across this site to hear from REAL people REAL situations. I seem to see mostly positive life changes on here and that gives me great hope! My weight has only mildly begun to effect my health (i have PCOS, fast heart rate, experiencing heart palpitations due to hormone imbalance, and most recently a scare that i beleve to be an episode of sleep apnea-even though it felt more like a dream) So even though these symptoms have not become a MAJOR problem as my doctors have said, it is a precursor of what is to come since i am only 30. Thank you all for telling you…

Hi Everyone - just joined this site though i had my band fitted in March this year. So far I've lost 47lbs but have hit a bit of a plateau for the last two or three months. I had my operation in Nuffiled in Glasgow by Mr David Galloway and have nothing but praise for him and the work he does. Think the key now will be to get my fill to the much sought after "sweet spot" How will I know? I think this site is a great idea so people can share their experiences. If like me you've not told many people it's a great source of support and information. Look forward to chatting to you all soon MissB x

Hello to all:biggrin:, I live in So. Cal. I'm waiting on final approval from Aetna.:eek: My surgeon is S. Salimintari, the surgery clinic is in Beverly Hills. anyone here have experience with the 1-800-GETSLIM?:eek: They were very professional.:thumbup: Still have a few tests to complete b/4 surgery, but not until final approval is given. I am soooo excited! I will enjoy reading the threads and "talking to others that are in the same place I am.

Hello to everyone, this will be my first post but definately not my last. I have been lurking for the past 6 months waiting on meeting all of my qualifactions for the lap band. I was approved last week on Thursday(11/7) Started my liquid diet on Friday(11/8) talk about no time for the last supper :thumbup: I am scheduled to be banded on 11/21 and am just looking for some encouraging words from anyone. So far the diet is going great I have already lost 6 lbs but I wont say that I havent been hungry!

Hi all, i live in the UK and am about to go to brugges in Belgium for my band, however i have been made aware about the risks from travelling (esp long haul travel)! Anyone with any experience with this... i should do alot of travel which involves 8hr flights to africa for long periods of like 3 months... my consultant nurse says not to worry as it would only affect me immediately after a re-fill? is there reason to worry? i am at a point where am thinking of changing and have a by-pass which i think is more intrusive than a Lap Band... anyone out there with experience in travelling and is banded please get back to me... am due to be banded on the 19th!

im pink ive not had a lap band done yet but want to get it done, im not sure how to go about it