Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hello Everyone! My name is Marlene. I just had surgery last week on Wednesday. I can't eat, I get full fast and I can't seem to get more than 30 ounces of liquid. I have a lot of gas and it hurts. Is that normal. This week has been real hard. I feel tired. If anyone can give me suggestions or have ideas why I feel this way. I would really appreciate it. Have a great week.:tongue2:

Hi everyone I was banded May 23rd and I've lost 53 pounds so far. But, I don't think I'm doing this right. I don't like my doctor much so I don't feel I have anyone to talk to. The first fill I didn't feel any different and could eat anything. The second fill worked, and I was not hungry very often. This last fill I think was too much, I'm never ever hungry and when I force myself to eat something it's just a bite or two before I get all gurgly and burpy and sometimes heartburn. Cold drinks are difficult to swallow. I've had reflux at night so I sleep sitting up. I have a pain between my shoulder blades and I'm tired a lot of the time - except when I perk up with …

Hello all... I'm from the Kansas City area and have recently decided to start the process to get banded. My wife was banded in 2002, her two sisters after that and between the three of them, have lost almost 500 lbs. I swore I would never get fat. In high school and when I was in the military, I was never more than 210 lbs. I'm 5'10, but was athletic and physically fit. About the time I turned 25, I had gotten out of the military and started working for a local police department as a dispatcher. Sitting for 8-12 hours a day, talking on the phone and radios. It didn't help much that our office was right next to the break room and the vending machines. By the time I wa…

I am a 38 year old married man with 3 children. I weigh 275 pounds and have a BMI of 40. I am a football coach and have decided to do something about my weight. I saw a doctor for about a year supplementing thyroid, and testosterone and it did not help. I graduated high school and went into the military weighing 145 pounds and have been skinny until about age 23. I have went through all the tests (psych, upper gi, 6month nutrition, sleep study) The main reason I want to lose weight is to feel better and sleep better, and live longer for my kids (7,9, and 18 years old). I have had 5 knee surgeries from age 18-36 and need some weight off my knees. I have been discovered to …

hello, im allysmom i was banded 8/8/08 here in stl. i have been hospitaized 1 time to the er 3 other times with a staph inf. i have my 4th one now. my dr. wont return calls so i have had to go to er for meds has anyone had this problem:confused:

HI! My name is Nicole. I live in Idaho Falls, Id. I was banded in aug 2005 by dr. Kuri in Mexico, With 3 of my friends. They all have done great, Me being the smallest out of the bunch, I've seen the least weight lose. I just recieved my 3rd fill. I was 272 day of surgury. on Oct 1st this year i was 236, Today i am 224. Im so happy to finaly feel restriction. :thumbup: I think it took this visit for me to realize that the band is a tool and i need to remember it's there. No more drinking with meals, no more fast food. So i am here for support. For 3 years i neglected my band , No more! Any comments, experiences, tips??? PLease send them my way!!!! Look forword to getting …

that seems so close. I've been waiting for years for my insurance to approve the lapband procedure. I have been waiting for years to wrap my head around the fact that I need help. I've been waiting for years to start this process and my seminar is the day after tomorrow. It's exciting. The can't sleep-tomorrow-morning-is-christmas sorta exciting. I have seen my primary care doc and gotten the referral to see the surgeon. I've called and scheduled the psych consult for as soon as I have had my one on one appt w/the surgeon. I'm in the process of scheduling a sleep study. Whew...so much going on and I know i have so much left to go. I am so excited about the day a…

I finally got a surgery date of December 10th! I am very excited but it still seems so far away. I started on the medifast diet on September 16th and have been drinking four shakes a day with one very small meal. I feel overwhelmed because I know I have to stop the small meal at the end of October and be on only shakes until my surgery. It just seems like such a long time. I have read other peoples posts where they were only on the shakes for two weeks! I know I can do it, it just seems so long and overwhelming! I wish time would go by faster. I am also afraid because I am loosing weight now on the shakes but once I start eating again even with the band, will I ga…

At the start of my journey and looking forward to my consultation on December 16, 10:45am to be exact. Seems like the wait is excrutiating! Current weight is 103 kg, cant believe I said that outloud:eek: Very excited right now, wish the op was tomorrow :biggrin:

Hey Ladies, I'm not around much. Very busy with school and wrestling with BCBS. I was lurking a lil though.:crying: Anyhow you ladies are the only ones that can appreciate how happy I am. I've finally been approved!!! Everyone in my house is like "Oh that's nice" then go about their business. I can't believe it! I don't have a date yet. I hope I can be banded in October still. My Dr. is on vacation and so is the insurance coordinator. I won't get a date until they return. It's always something ain't it?!?

Hi, I was banded Aug 1, 2008. Have had two fills and have a follow-up tomorrow which I am not looking forward to. I have struggled since my last fill. I came to this site to learn more about HOW to eat post-op. I know what I was TOLD in the drs. office but implementing it seems tricky and involves listening to your body. Apparently that's part of my problem to begin with. I am still not slowing down with my eating, I am exposed to stress during meals (kids arguing during family meals) and I am literally getting choked up and spending a lot of time revisiting my food. :thumbup: In fact, I am concerned about band slippage. :thumbup: I need to revisit the post-op eat…

Hello Everyone!! My name is Heather and I am new to the website! I am getting Banded at the Naval Hospital here in San Diego on the 27th of October! My 29th Birthday is today! So one week from today will be new birthday! I am excited to become more healthy and work on my goals of weightloss! I am happy to be a part of this website and look forward to the support and giving support on here! I am looking forward to chatting with everyone and if there is anyone in the San Diego area that is looking for a LB friend let me know! I know I will need my own cheerleader and I look forward to doing the same for someone else!! Good luck to everyone!

Just joined the site today and I was banded recently on October 2nd 2008 and I am having great success so far. In the almost 3 weeks I have lost 15lbs and still going strong. I start tomorrow on the next phase of the menu.....soft foods!!! I never thought I would be so excited about a Lunchable or Frozen dinner (weight watchers) in my life. I have to say I am feeling pretty good. Been off work for about 2wks and I go back this Thursday....(gettin pretty used to being off). But, I am ready. Everyone keep up the good work. This was the best decision of my life!!!!:biggrin:

Hi Everyone, I keep getting this reminder that I haven't posted since I registered, so I better come out of the "lurking closet". Soon, I hope to get an op date. I have waited since September 2007 to get this far. I have one more appt with a consulting doc and with a nutritionist, then I get the final eval. My insurance is with Kaiser and they have a very long grueling process. I hope it happens before Christmas. I'm glad I found this forum because I have been reading about problems, solutions, and daily living with the LB that I wouldn't have thought of. I appreciate the openness, too. I'm very excited and anxious about this, but looking forward to getting an rese…

Hi to all, I just stumbled upon this site and it looks interesting. I was banded 4-17-08 in Springfield, MA by Dr. Fiallo. My surgery went well and recovery and start out all good. I have lost about 47lbs but each day has become harder. I have chosen to start back at the beginning and re-educate myself. I read somewhere pre-band people are 80% concerned about the complications and such and 20% about learning what lies ahead. Don't quote me however. Anyway, I am interested in any and all support. :biggrin:

I was banded on 9/22/08. i have lost about 11 pounds since then. This whole process went alot easier then I thought it was going to. I was looking to see if there is anyone from the the ct/ma area on the forums here but would like to talk to anyone who is going through this too.

Hi from KY. I was banded on Oct.8-I am one week out and started eating a puerred diet. i am down 15 pounds but I keep wandering if I made the right decision. Anyone else regret having been banded.

Hello everyone. I am new to this site so bear with me. I am getting the Band on 11/25/08. I am scared, nervous and excited all at the same time. I don't know what to expect, except what my doctor has told me. Can anyone offer me any advise and expectations. Thanks so much :wink2:

Hello all I just wanted to ask a question. I wear spanks from lane Bryant and I were them all the time. If and when I get banded can I still were them? Because these babies are a life saver they really hold you in and make things look smooth. I wish I knew about them when I had my son because the girdle thing I could not do all day, but spanks I could do! So my question again is can you were them after being band? Will it hurt the band? Will it move out of place? Thanks to who ever answer this thread because I know your advice will be honest……

Hi. I was banded in September. I am so looking forward to getting my first fill. So far I have lost 20 lbs. The band is a great tool. Best of luck to you all!

It's done!! I am officially apart of the band. The procedure only took like an hour, and that was because I had a paraesophageal hernia he had to repair first (who knew!) But anyway, little pain at incision site and still trying to work the gas out but other than that, I am fine

Hello, Everyone, I'm a 61 yo grandma who is scheduled for banding 10/31. I've just started the liquid diet and was wondering if anyone knows if creamed soups are allowed? I've been working toward this for nearly a year and just got final approval today. Hooray! At least I might not have to be buried in an oversized coffin! LOL Linda :biggrin:

Hi. My name is Erin and I was banded by Drs. Grossbard and Rehnke in December of 2004. Initially this was a godsend. I lost 120#'s in 14 months and felt the best I had felt in years. I finally fit into a size 10-down from a 24. Then about a year ago I started having problems with reflux and my band was completely unfilled. At the time I thought "Wahoo! I can eat some bread!!!" but this was short lived. I was able to eat pretty much anything I wanted, but since then my life has been a mess. I have gained back at least 50#'s and I am miserable. I have chronic fatigue syndrome which was better with my weight down. They have refilled my band, done swallow studies, etc and tel…

I have been on a waiting list for surgery. I got a call from my doctors nurse. November 24th is the date. I need to go and get my physical finding from my PCP and then see the surgeon and the anasticiologist to give them the report and get their clearance for surgery. I never thought that I could feel so excited and scared at the same time. His nurse said at my BMI pre-op diet isn't needed. However, I think I will go for at least a week on 2 protein shakes a day and then a low carb meal in late afternoon. Has anyone heard of not having to do the pre-op diet? I just think that it would be easier to do to start because of the diet after surgery. Anyone else around …

Well i'm a newbie to the group. My name is obviously Amy Lynn. I'm 34, married to a wonderful man who is 54, we have 2 children who are 5 and 3. I recently went to my G.I doc and he noticed that instead of loosing weight like he wanted me to since march (just 6lbs) i had gained a total of 80!!!! All from Psych meds...gotta love them. So he suggested the lap band because its reversable. So i pondered it, looked it up, read everything i could get my hands on...youtube has the surgery on video...how cool is that. So i watched it over and over to make sure this is what i wanted to do. Ive started on liquid vits (walmart centrum) protien shakes, trying to cut my meals down, m…

hi had my lap band in August lost 10kg by the time of my first fill in september but seem to be strugling now any sugestions what I`m doing wrong please:confused:

Banded 10/10/08 by Dr. Michael Snyder. I am glad to have found an online support system.

:thumbs_up:Hey Yall. Brenda here. I have been approved for Lapband thru TRICARE. My husband is 100% disabled Vietnam Vet. It should be about 2 weeks before the actual surgery.My Doctor in Dothan Alabama is Dr. Robbins. I have only seen him once since this al started in August. I understand I will have an appt with him soon tho and they say he is strict. I cannot weigh more than I did the day I started this in August or he will not operate. Should not be a problem. I need to lose weight so my back and hips won't hurt so much. I told my Dr. that I needed something to make me NOT hungry. I have tried all those other diets and I just can't get away from the hunger. They say…

Hello everyone. I'm from Easton, Pennsylvania and I'm scheduled for my banding on 10/28. I've been looking around the forum it it looks great. Everyone seems very supportive. I'm very, very excited. I start my liquid diet in 3 days. It's starting to seem a little scary. Everything I'm going through I'm sure everyone else has too. It'll be great to hear other experiences with the banding. Can't wait! :w00t:

Hi Everyone! I only just came across this site and can't believe how great it is! I am Philippa, I am getting banded next Saturday 25th October and I can't wait! If anyone would like a chat or is in my area give me a message, it would be great to talk to you! And not just people in my area, I will talk to anyone lol I am going to have a look around and see what it's all about and then I will reply to posts and things once I know what I am doing lol Take care all xx

:eek: Hi everyone. I just joined and wanted to say hi. I will be having my lap band surgery October 22nd and I am very excited. Its been a long time coming and can't wait to start my journey. :w00t:

I was banded on January 17, 2002 in New Orleans by Louis Martin at the ripe old age of 22. I started at 225 lbs. and haven't had a fill in my band since March of 2002. In spite of that, I lost 65 lbs. but have plateaued at 160 lbs. and I know that I could eat more than I should be. I decided to get a fill here in Dallas last Monday by Dr. Maese and so far have lost 3 lbs. The only downside is that I am having bad reflux, mostly at night, in which I wake up several times with burning acid in the back of my mouth and sometimes wake up choking and coughing on it. I did not know if this would subside as my band loosens a little or if I should get some saline removed. I …

I am a 41 yr. old mother of two grown daughters and one 2yr. old grandson. I have been overweight after my child birth years. I have exercised and tried every diet in the book with only a few pounds lost and the several pounds gained back. I am a type 2 diabetic, have high blood pressure, high cholesterol,a back injury and osteoarthiritis in my knees, elbows, shoulder and hands which makes it very difficult to move at all. I am presently weighing 217 from 230, which I did just by cutting back on a lot of high calorie foods. I guess my body is comfortable at this weight because I stay in this range. My husband is a ex-veteran and I have military health insurance. I called …

:eek: Hello, all. After being a professional dieter since the age of 12, I've finally decided on getting the lap band. I'm 4' 11", and weigh 268 pounds. (God, it hurts to type that! And I thought I was fat at 118 when I was 18! This is the heaviest I've ever been.). I've done WW to DEATH and through several incarnations, I did the Oxford Diet in college. I did Atkins just before my wedding and was able to get to a point where I didn't look like a HOUSE in my wedding dress (I wish I could have been the perfect size 6 and looked better for my husband!), and diet pills and starvation diets. I must have lost 1,000 pounds over my life, and I'm 45. This is my last resort. I w…

Hi all, congrats to all on the weight loss :tt1: I have just made the decision to be banded. I am booked in in 3 weeks... I am nervous as hell but know I am making the right decision. Just wondering if everyone told friends/family/collegues they were having it done or kept it hush hush? I have told a couple of people and everyone is sooooo negative about it! :tongue_smilie: So now I dont think I can be bothered with the bitching so am thinking of keeping it secret? Im not good at lying though, and how will I explain the sudden change it diet!

Hi all, I first decided to seriously look into lap band back in August when my weight, in spite of increased activity after recovery from knee replacement, continued to climb til I finally broke 290. I was referred to a bariatric surgeon here in the DFW area by a friend. I can't believe it was so simple to get thru the pre-op process. I went to the doc's web site and filled out an inquiry. 3 weeks later they called and said my insurance company approved me for the band! I had never even spoken to ins co or doc before that. Amazing! I have United Health Care and they are awesome! The doc and his staff are also great, Arlington Bariatric Center, Dr. Richard Carter.…

Hey there, I'm Jennifer, a nurse from Canada but relocated to North Carolina. With the first of my four children I started putting on weight and had not stopped until the day I changed my MIND. I watched that Bariatric program on discovery health and realized it was me if I didn't change what I was doing... 04/08-Lap Band Education Classes, Psych & Nutrition Evals, Cardiac workup, pulmonology workup and endoscopy...took until 06/08 to get all of these completed 07/08-Insurance 08/06/08-SURGERY, 7 am after working 12 hours to make the $$$ to pay for surgery----dumb move, should have slept, would have felt better sooner !!! 09/26/08-first fill-24.6 pounds lost-3…

I just got the insurance approval for my surgery and it should be scheduled for about 2 weeks from now. I'm nervous and excited all at the same time :tongue_smilie: I am on day two of my pre-op diet... good luck to everyone!

Hi! I am scheduled for surgery on 10/13/08. I am on the "fast track" plan so I only have to do the 2 week pre-op diet. I am from San Antonio, Texas - any other San Antonians out there????

Hey to all my friends out there old and new I have to first apologize because I started a new name, if you see any posts out there by huberslave or huberrover that was me. As it is I plan to keep this name which is my name so there is no confusion and I also wanted to start fresh with my profile and pictures. I have had the band for nearly two years Im doing great so far I love my band and wouldn't trade it for all the food in the world lol. So anyhow friends hit me up if you have any questions old or new and I will do my best to get back to you. :smile2:

Let's see. My name is Amanda. I have been married for 8 1/2 years, and during that time we have had 4 wonderful kids! My hubby is a pastor, and I stay at home with the babies. I first realized that I had a weight problem when I was about 11 years old. Since then I have pretty much been preoccupied with what size I was. As you know this is rather stressful, and what is my favorite thing when I am stressed? Yeah, chocolate! Oh who are we kidding it doesn't have to be chocolate, any food that's full of salt, sugar, or (and) fat will do:laugh:! Seriously though, it is time that I do something. I have tried every diet under the sun, including chewing for the flavor…

Hi everyone this is my first time on this or any website. I had my surgery june 1,2008 4 months and 17 days and I have lost 64 pounds never felt better, lots of energy force myself to eat once a day no problems what so ever. I am 5' 11' wieght was 292 today 228 goal was 220 but now new goal is 200 hope to be there by New Years.

Hi, My name is Bec and as the title says I am from Western Australia. I am getting banded in May of 2009 as I have to have private health for 12 months before I can have the surgery. I currently weigh around the 130kg mark and have battled with my weight my whole life. My Mum and my sister in law have both had it done. Mum has had wonderful success - she has lost nearlly 25kg - but my SIL has not had a good time and after two years has had it removed. Anyway I look forward to chatting to you all!!

Hi all, I am just starting the process. I had my info session 9/23 and submitted my paper work in the beg of Ocotber. My surgeon consult is Nov. 3rd. What should I expect?? Does it sound like I could have my surgery Jan or Feb of 2009. I have UHC a BMI of 46 and 2 co-morbidities. I have been reading the forum for awhile now then decided to go ahead and jump in for support after I had a med fry and double cheeseburger from McD's for lunch. I keep beating myself up becuase I just can't stay away from food. Any advice what should I do?

Hi all, I am currently on a waiting list for banding here in Aus.this can take up to 2yrs. That is unless I win the lottery and come up with $15,000 AUD. I have joined this forum to gather as much information from REAL PEOPLE as I can so when I have my surgery I can go in well informed. I am keen to know how fast the weight drops off, and all the other experiences that you have all been through, so I will scour this forum so thank you for allowing me to be a part of your journey. Debra

Hi I have just been recommended for lap band and have'nt been to the seminar yet but was wondering if anyone from NSW can give me an idea on how much it costs?

Greetings to all! I'm newly registered here after lurking and reading posts for a while. My banding is scheduled for 10/16/08 in Tampa, FL to be performed at Memorial Hospital by Dr. Wilfred Aguila. I'm two weeks into a three week liquid pre-op diet and feeling excited, although a little nervous, about the upcoming surgery and life changes that go with it. I'm fully committed to making this positive step and harbor no misconceptions as to it being easy or a quick fix to being overweight and the health problems that go with that. I fully realize that it is a lifelong commitment to eating healthy and regular exercise to take the weight off and keep it off. I would be lying …

Hello everyone! I have just had my first consult with the surgeon and am booked for the Psych/dietician and anaesthetist on the 30th! I'm very excited about this huge step. My surgeon has said it is my choice whether to go with the lap-band or the sleeve, after reading all I can get my eyes on I am very much leaning towards the non invasive lap band. I feel such a renewed sense of hope at this point, a bit teary eyed, at the thought that I can put the horrible struggle with my weight behind me and finally do something that will be effective.

I'M ON MY WAY TO A NEW LIFE. THIS IS MY THIRD DAY OF LIQUIDS AND DOING PRETTY GOOD, HAVE A LITTLE HEAD ACHE TODAY BUT OTHER WISE OK. I'M LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO TALK TO THAT IS HAVING SURGERY AROUND 10-29-2008 SO THAT WE CAN COMPARE WHAT IS HAPPENING TO US AND CHANGE RECIEPES.:smile:

It bothers me that I am receiving so much negativity from medical professionals in my area in regards to me having wls. I went for my appt with Psych last week and she said to me, in regards to surgery, that I have too many kids and have too much going on to be successful with the band. It bothers me and for the past few days, the more I read the forums, the angrier I get. I am 31, married, have 3 children ages 10, 7 and 5 months. I work full time, go to school and work a small part time every other weekend. I graduate in May and hope to have this surgery by the end of the year. I have great family support, my older children are very independent and helpful in the house, …