Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi Everyone, i am 39, mum of 2 boys and have struggled to loose weight for the last 7yrs due to 2 major back ops. I used to run for hours and train in martial arts, which would keep me at a strong 14, i was happy and healthy. I resently lost 30kilos and had a summer of fun, only to gain it straight back. The look on peoples faces when they see me is heart breaking, and its not only the ones who expected me to fail, it is much worse the ones who were full of praise when i lost weight, now dont know what to say. I know that they feel for me, as i hate myself for gaining it all back!! At the moment i have closed the door and only go out when i have too. this makes me …

hello every1 i am new on this site and just wanted 2 introduce myself. i am 25 years old, married and have 2 children. i am from new jersey. i am not banded yet but i do have a date of 10/30/08 for my surgery. well good luck to all!

Okay, The election is giving me nervous energy and I want to eat. Emotional I know,but I am nervous.

Hello! I was just searching the internet trying to find others with Lap Band so I could have someone to talk to. I don't know any people around me that have had weight loss surgery and Succeeded. I know of several people who had weight loss surgery and failed - miserably... So that is constantly on my mind... I don't want to fail and I figure finding others to talk to would be a great help. Especially when I think so often that I will somehow screw it all up. So far all has been great... I have only had one fill. I go for another the day before Thanksgiving... and can't wait... I know I am eating more than I should - and that worries me! So much... I just try an…

Hi Everyone, I'm new to this forum and the process. I started my journy in July with my first weight loss consultation at True Results. I have received my Approval and got to meet my wonderful doctor this morning. His name is Dr. Fox out of Dallas, Texas. I am waiting on his office to call and tell me the time of surgery and when to be at the hospital. It all went so slow at first and now it all seems to be going to fast. But, I am so ready to begin my new journey with my new tool. :thumbup:

Hello, everyone. I was banded on Oct 6 and so far, so good. My baby sister was banded a year ago and she is my inspiration and mentor. I've been looking for a good on-line support and I think I've found it here. Looking forward to making some friends while I lose some of me! :thumbup:

Hi everyone, I'm looking into having lapband surgery and this forum seems like a really helpful and supportive place to do some investigation! I'm 20 years old, I'm from the UK and my BMI is 31. I've been overweight since late childhood. Like most people with a weight problem, I feel as if I've tried endless methods of weight loss, and all have failed. I'm at the stage where I can just see myself sliding deeper and deeper into this self-imposed destructive lifestyle with no hope of escape. I feel I'm missing out on the best years of my life. It is like being trapped in my own body, in a state of permanent discomfort and unhappiness. My weight and my relationship with…

Hi all - long-time lurker, first-time poster ! I was banded by Dr. Ren at NYU on September 6th of this year. My process was relatively simple. I decided to have the surgery earlier this year, luckily had six months with a nutritionist, so was able to get approved by insurance easily. Started liquid diet on August 23rd, weighing in at 240 lbs. Had surgery on September 6th, was down to 223 lbs. Started mushies on September 16th, then real food on September 27th. Now down to 210 lbs. I'm about to do my first post regarding my first fill on the post-op board. Thanks to all who are here, congrats to everyone on continued success, and looking forward to connecting!…

Hey everyone!!! I am Alea! I don't know about all of you but I am so tired of hearing the phrase...but you have such a pretty face...thanks but no thanks! I am so over being overweight. I am 2 months into my dr supervised weight loss and hopefully will be getting scheduled for a Jan surgery. I am a single mom and my daughter is only 15 months old...I don't want her to remember her mommy as being fat and I want to be able to teach her good eating habits. Any suggestions on how and what to do? Hopefully the lap band will make me not eat so much but will it do anything for my food choices? I am have been trying to cut out fast food completely but for some reasons sodas…

Hi...I had my surgery on 4/28/08 in NYC. I had a very positive experience with no complications or issues. I haven't yet attended a support group because my schedule doesn't allow -- but I do feel the need to speak to other bandsters. Most of my weight issues began about 10 years ago although I always had to battle to maintain my weight (I was 130-150 most of my life) until I had my daughter and developed thyroid issues as well. High blood pressure, high blood sugar were starting and leading me down the same path as my dad -- which ended in triple by-pass surgery for him. I saw that as my future. I have about 65 pounds to lose -- I've lost 30 since surgery. …

Hi All! I feel somewhat ashame to ask and that I am in need of this. but I had the gastric by pass almost 6 years ago! In this time I have had two pregnancies, female difficulties and then a hystorectomy! I have managed to gain nearly 100 pounds back! Sad I know!~ I am trying to get some insight on what I could do. I think I can go and have a "tune up" but man hate to go through that again! I have wondered if any one has heard of t a G.B.P patient having the banding done? Can anyone shed some light for me, PLEASE! Vicki

Hello all! My name is Ronica. I am from Oklahoma. I joined a while back, but I have never posted. I am on day 2 of 10 of my liquid diet and let me just tell you that I am not enjoying it at all! My surgery is scheduled for the 13th. I really hope it gets here soon. All I can think about right now is having a big cheesebuger sitting right in front of me! LOL

Hello all, it's great to be here! ~ I was just banded on Oct 29 by Dr. Chalk in Everett, WA, self pay, I drove up from Vancouver, Canada. Okay, so my question - I lost 7lbs on a week long liquid diet just prior to the surgery (for the liver shrinking)... but since the surgery, I've put on 5lbs - please somebody tell me this is normal! I've barely been eating/slurping/drinking anything - was constipated for about 6 days until I got some milk of magnesia down me today (fun & games & I can't believe Im talking about this 'in public' so to speak :rolleyes2:). In case people think I'm eating/slurping the wrong things, please believe me when I tell you that Im just hav…

Hi I am looking to make friends to chat with and lean on for support in this lapband process. My yahoo messenger user name is lapbandfriend. Feel free to add me! :thumbup:

Hey Everyone- My names Laura, and Im from PA. I just had surgery on 10/27/08 at Barix Clinics in Langhorne, and my surgeon was Dr. Boe. I have a lot of questions, and I would love to help be support for others who are preop as well. Im looking forward to meeting others and would love to chat anytime! im usually online and my screen name and email is ManicLN187@aol.com and Im constantly on here, OH, and the Barix boards, so If you would like to chat on here, then that would be great too!:tongue: Laura

Hi Had my band a few weeks ago but need a fill I live in the Cardiff area can anyone advise me where I can get a fill rather than travelling to birmingham.

Hi everyone..I have been going through and learning lots of info on here and finally decided to create an account on here so I can chat with people. The only thing thats holding me back right now from the surgery is the money. Here in Ontario is costs $18,000 so I'm selling my precious brand new snowmachine to get this done. It will be worth it. My whole life I have been overweight and yo-yo'd always. Just last year I had a motorcycle accident and now my knee is all buggered up and exercise is limited and I feel this my only hope to get the one thing I've always dreamed for. Anyways I cant wait to get to know many of you and learn as much as I can before I get this done…

I'm just so excited I got my approval Friday and meet with the surgeon Thursday. Just wondering about how long after that appt. do they usually schedule surgery.

Howdy, I just thought I'd make a "hello" post and see who I can meet here. I'm just starting this lap-band journey, made the appointment for the consult today. My current BMI is 38, so I'm not really sure if they'll consider me. The main reason I'm thinking of doing this is that I've struggled with my weight since age 15 and diets (Weight watchers mostly) have maxed out at 20 pounds lost every time. I like all the healthy food, but I just eat too much and I'm always hungry. Was this anyone else's reasoning? My mother died at age 41 of diabetes complications and weight 350 pounds. What really scares me is that I'm spot on track of her weight at my age. My …

Hi, My name is Patty, I'm not banded yet. I have already had the psych eval, talked to the dietian via telephone next week go to nutrition class. I was wondering if anyone out there is from the Charleston SC area, and was banded at MUSC?

Hey everyone, I had surgery on 10/30/08, and am hating the liquid diet, and especially the Protein shakes. Any suggestions?

Hello all, I thought it was about time I made a post. I have been looking on the site for a few weeks now. My name is Chastity, and I live in Florida. I am 26 yr old, happily married to a very support husband. I started thinking about the band 1 ago, but changed my mind (thinking I could do it with just self control). Well I weight even more now. I had my first appointment with the surgeon today. I am starting opifast in the morning(Tuesday). My surgery is going to be November 18th. I am going to be self pay :tongue:. I feel ready this time. I really enjoy reading about everyones journey, no matter where they are in it. I am 5'4 1/2 ( weird I know) and starting wei…

Hello Everyone! I will be attending a seminar on the lap-band on Tues. I am really excited! I have Tri-Care insurance and am really hoping I will get approved for the procedure. I have fought my weight all my life and am so ready for a real life! My hubby is currently getting ready to deploy to Iraq again (3 times in 4 years) and I really want to have him come home to a new improved happy, healthy me!

I am writing to you from the beautiful state of Alabama. I am excited, nervous, and a jumble of emotions as I prepare to be banded on 11-12-08. I chose to join this forum for support, to give and receive and for accountability. As life gives me this 2nd chance, I hope to make the most of it and be successful. Life also gave me a 2nd chance at love. I just celebrated my first anniversary with my husband. We were high school sweethearts who were reunited at our 20th class reunion. I chose to have this surgery to become healthy, not just thin. I will consider the weight loss a "perk". Be there for me and I will return the favor and be your support also. Lets cheer ea…

Hello all, I was banded on Oct 24, 2008. I am on mushies now, but I am very very hungry. I eat 4oz three times a day and 2 snacks. Any suggestions my stomach is constantly growling?

Hello Group!!! I'm new to this community seeking to meet individuals who are thinking or may have already had the procedure performed. I am actually a post-bariatric patient who had the surgery back on June 12, 2008. Two weeks prior to my surgery, my weight was 381 with a BMI of aproximately 49. I was classified as Morbid Obese with ailments such as Severe Sleep Apnea and High Blood Pressure. My surgeon was Dr. Joseph Moran with Advance Laparoscopic Associates Inc. Prior to my surgery, I was recommended to lose aprox 15 lbs due to complications that may ocurr during the surgery. Right before my surgery, I was down to 367 with aproximately 2 weeks of a liquid diet and exce…

Yep, you guessed it, another newbie to the banded life. I had surgery on Oct. 17, 08. And I too, have 10 million questions, hoping to find most of my answers on the FAQ forum.

Hi all...I am six months post-op, banded on 4/28/08 by Marian Kurian at NYU Hospital (she's in practice with Drs. Fielding and Ren). Had a very positive experience and virtully no pain. I took pain meds overnight in the hospital and Tylenol when home. I stayed home a week -- mostly because I was weak and tired. My incisions healed pretty well -- except for my port which took a bit longer -- they're starting to fade now. I've lost 30lbs -- I'm a slow loser. Until my last fill (8.1cc out of a 10cc band), I felt very little restriction. It's been 4 weeks since the fill and I have had a pretty rough time. It's a lot of experimentation and was hoping to pick up some sa…

Hi Everyone! I was banded on 10/28 and am very excited about starting a new life with the band. This looks like a great place for information and support! Looking forward to hearing about others successes!

Hello all, My name is Vickie and I began Optifast today. May I just say... THAT STUFF TASTES LIKE CRAP!!! I'm feeling angry, scared, hostile, unhappy, and freaking hungry. Okay...normally I'm sweeter and kinder than this but today I'm grumpy. ~Vik

I'm on day three of living with a band - banded 10/30/08. Feeling lots of pressure in my chest and have had a terrible headache for two days - not caffeine withdrawal. Looking forward to moving forward with this journey.

:thumbup: Are there any Northern Californina people out there? There are many LB's done here yet. I have lost 20 lbs so far and love it. It would be great to hear from someone around here! Have a great day! Kate

Searching for a great doctor in the Metro Atlanta Area. I have been told by my doctor that I am a candidate for the lap band but is searching for a good doctor the will refer me to a lap band surgeon!My current doctor doesn't really believe in the lap band nor the gastric bypass. She wants me to do it on my own. Which I am trying to do but very hard. :smile2: My insurance will cover 90 percent of the procedure! I need a lil help with this matter.:thumbup:

Hello~ My name is Jamie and had the lap band surgery a year and 4 months ago. So far everything has been successful. However I have stop loosing weight and was wondering if anyone else out there has had the same problem? Can anyone give me advise into what I need to do?!! And, yes I have had two fills. Also, if there is anyone out there that wants to know about my surgery or just has questions in general please email, I enjoy sharing information with individuals who are interested in the procedure or just curious. Jamie

Hi, I was banded on 9/24/2008 at Middlesex Hospital by Dr Aranow. Its been almost 6 weeks and Im going for my first fill on 11/7. Im hungry and I hope this fill lessens the hunger. Its been a little better since Ive come off the liquids but I didnt expect it to be so hard. Anyone else experiencing the same thing??

Yep, you guessed it, another newbie to the banded life. I had surgery on Oct. 17, 08. And I too, have 10 million questions, hoping to find most of my answers on the FAQ forum. Harley's Rule !!! :biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

Hi, I am looking at lap-band surgery. I live in the Sacramento, Ca area, and will be having my procedure @ UC Davis if they take me. I meet with the doctors in a few weeks we will see what they say. Doc

So glad that I found this website! I don't know anyone nearby that I can talk to so I log in to this site for support. I was banded in late April 08 at Ochsner in New Orleans, LA by Dr. Richardson. I've had 2 fills and have slowly been losing weight. I've learned to recognize when I am full and try to stop eating right away. Sometimes I get this full sensation after just one bite; other times I'm ok and can eat a full cup of food. Something I have noticed however, is that I gain weight when I eat even the tiniest amount of carbs such as l/4 cup of pasta or something like that. Could this be my imagination?

Hello- I have posted a few times- I am really geting frustrated with this entire process. I currently have bcbsil and have been denied 1 by them! My dr. office- Dr. Woodard sent my info to Obesity law and they submitted more info to bcbsil and they maintained their denial. I am curently going onto my 4th month of dr. supervised diet Which I need to complete before approval. I have gained on this program from the stress- Any words of wisdom out there?

Hi All I was just banded on 10/30, not too bad a little uncomfortable but i feel hungry and my stomach is growling? Is this normal?

:sad_smile:Hi my name is Gabby, I was banded on Nov 1, 07 by Dr. Nazarian in Ca. I was loosing about 7-9 lbs per month for the first three months. After February 08 I would get filled and loose complete restriction after 2 weeks. I finally realized that there could be a leak somewhere. I was supposed to have a flouroscopy done with contrast to see where the leak was, but ended up getting a 5cc fill that left me unable to eat or drink. I feel like crap and the worst part of this is that I cant get saline out because the doctor is able to inject, but unable to draw saline back. Has anyone been through this and if you have, What do I do?

I have went to the seminar, turned in my paperwork and have read a ton of information on the lapband procedure. My heart is really into having this done, but my head keeps asking "Is it really worth it?" I read about the "stuck" feeling, throwing up, some not losing weight, slippage, chance of death, etc and it keeps making me lean towards not having the procedure done. For those of you who have had it done, please help me understand if it is really worth it or not? Thanks and good luck to each of you!!!:help:

Hello everyone, I've been a member of this site for a while now but Ive been kind of quite, Im 30 and from montreal,canada. I got band on september 8, 2008 and let me tell you I tought I was ready for the surgery, but I had no idea the pain was gonna be this bad:eek: Thankfully it got better after a week! Since surgery Im doing great, I don't have problems with food getting stuck or ennything. I've had my first fill about 4 weeks ago and Im going for another one in 2 weeks since Im not feeling restriction yet. Maybe I am a little but Im not really sure what Im feeling, for all my life I never felt full after eating a meal, so its hard for me to tell if I am or not feel…

Good morning everyone, I'm originally from Boston, currently reside in Philadelphia, been here for almost 5yrs now. I'm a single mother of a beautiful 3 year old girl; she is my sunshine and an inspiration to turn my life around. Currently in school, take care of my mother and work full and part time. I was told to join the website because the members on this site keep it real and any question's I may have, I can most certainly find the answer's here. About myself, I'm 30 yrs old and about 5'9...weighing over 300lbs :smile2::rolleyes2::drool::crying:I can go on endlessly on how I feel. I've been battling with the weight gain for almost 10yrs now. My goal is to w…

My name is Justin and I am 32 Years old. I live in North Alabama, and am a disabled funeral director. In 2006 I was injured in an automobile accident and since have had 3 spinal surgeries. I have gone from 186lb running 6 miles non-stop to 312lb and sitting on my derriere. I had my Lap Band installed on Oct. 30, 2008 at Marshall Medical Center North in Guntersville, AL. My surgeon is the WONDERFUL Dr. John Groves, M.D. I chose him because he has been banded himself. On top of this he is a wonderful surgeon of excellent skill. On top of all this, he actually came to my bedside before surgery and had prayer with me. Might not seem like a lot to others, but I like a man that…

Hi my name is shoshana and I was banded originally 2/07 and after I prolapsed I banded again in 3/08. I'm from LI and my doctor is Dr. Geiss. I lost over 50 lbs and I have about 40 more to go. It has been a very difficult road with the band but I'm trying to hang in. To all of you who are considering having this procedure, think long and hard and be ready. The band is an excellent tool, but you better start with your head first.

Hello everyone. My name is Kathy and I am from Alabama and I was wondering if anyone here had used Dr. Miles or Dr. Schmidt from St. Vincent's East. One of them will do my surgery and I was wondering if anyone had any stories of their experience with them. Also, I have Medicare Complete through Secure Horizons and was wondering if anyone had had any dealings with them and was it hard to get approved. If anyone can help, I would sure appreciate it. Everyone have a great nite and look forward to any responses. Thank You.

I just wanted to introduce myself. I had surgery on 7/9 and have already lost 20lbs! My post-op is on 7/28, so we will see if I have lost anymore. Will someone let me know if they can see my pic on my profile? For some reason, when I try to upload it, it says it failed. But, when go to my profile, my pic is there! :thumbup:

Hi All, I'm 25 years old and have just begun the process to attempt to get banded. I live in Boston, and recently attended an information session held at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. I plan to (hopefully) have my surgery there. I have a BMI of about 36, so needless to say, I’ll likely have a tougher time with the insurance approval process. I have BCBS of MA, which fortunately, the Dr. who led my info session said has one of the easiest approval processes (no six month supervised diet or anything or the sort). I do have to have at least one serious co-morbid in order to be considered. I definitely have high blood pressure – over the last year, and four different Dr…

Hi everyone, am really pleased to find this site. I've been making tentative inquries and have been offered a lap band op in Belgium on the 19th December. Its not ideal just before Christmas but my college and work commitment make it impossible at any other time. I researching madly to make a final decision, I concerned that I'll cheat as I'm a big sweet/choc eater. Does anyone one else feel like this???? Does anyone know what the weight lose will be like. I've got about six stone to lose. Any advice or comments would be most welcome. Cheers guys.:rolleyes2: