Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I had my surgery October 10,2008. I was very excited to begin this journey. I am looking forward to being able to do many things that are painful right now such as hiking, walking,,skating, dancing etc. I want to have a richer, fuller life than I have been experiencing. So far, it has been fine. I am on the full liquid phase right now. I am looking forward to each phase. I am taking two weeks off work just in case there are difficulties. I have also begun to walk daily to get back in better form. I hope to learn many things on lapband talk. I have wondered how it will be when I am further into this journey.:regular_smile:

Hello there, I recently had surgery on 9/26. I am in the puree/soft food stage. Doing walking at the local track a few times a week. I thought I was going to hate the diet but actually I'm not minding it much. With some spices, mustard etc things haven't been that bad, except I ate a whole sugar free jello pudding. Is that bad..will anything happen to the pouch? I started this journey at 255 lbs and so far I'm down to 239 at my last visit.

Hello my name is Mz. Y. I just had surgery yesterday, October 16th. It was both exciting and frightening at the same time. Everything went well! :rolleyes2: No complications. I did have to have hiatal hernia repair, so I am very sore today. I look forward to the days that come. My transformation has just begun!:thumbdown:

Hi guys and gals! I'm from Adelaide, Australia and was banded at the beginning of 2008 and have not looked back since! I would recommend this in a heartbeat! Yes the transition has been huge and I've had days where I've sworn I will rip the band out myself but over all it has been the most amazing experience of my life! I started at 138kgs (303 pounds) and am now sitting on 94kgs (206 pounds) but more than the weight loss, I have gained so much confidence in myself and my relationships - it not only saved my life, it gave me my life! Now I only have approx 32kgs (70 pounds) to lose and I know I can do it... Always up for a chat to share experiences so please dont b…

Hi everyone. I am kinda writting for 2. :tt1:My husband and I both are wanting lap bands. We live in Texas at a beautiful lake. Small comunity and great friends family and neighbors. As much as we would like to be out and about, it is almost impossible for my husband. At 300 lbs, with type ll Diabetes, chf, copd, sleep apnea, hypertension(I think thats what its called) and a few more, he is uninsurable. All this is from a stroke. Dr says if he doesnt have the surgery, he could die in ayear or 2. Though he is on cba medicade, and we know it pays for it, we cant seem to find the right place or DR. We drove 2 hrs to a seminar to be put away. He was very sad and disappoin…

Hello, my name is Jaclyn and I'm nineteen years old from Colorado. I got the lap-band surgery done almost two years ago and I've lost 300 pounds so far!

Hello everyone, I'm Pickles I've been lurking here for a while but never posted, so decided to take the plunge! I live in Colorado and am considering the lap band. I attended a gastric bypass seminar several years ago by Dr Snyder I think... but then things got put on the back burner as I got pregnant then breastfeeding and I wouldn't say "forgot" about it, but I did have other things on my mind... I'm a mom of 3. A 12yr old, a 10yr old and an almost 3yr old. I'm 5'2 and weigh about 255... :cry My husband is very supportive, and although we have great medical coverage we will be self pay, because my insurance doesn't cover the lapband... I asked for more informa…

hello Iam new to this sight I had surgery oct 6 and i had the realize band

Hi all lapbanders. My name is Pam and i have been banded since Nov. 7, 2007..Going into my first year...I started this journey at 256 lbs, the highest I ever have been...Eleven months later, I weigh 192.0 lbs....what an awesome feeling !!!!!!!!! I am a twin and attended the Dallas seminar...the speakers were wonderful, the food was scarce....looking forward to a conference in New York....Go Alex !!!!!!!!!!!! hope to hear from new friends and a wonderful friend Chrissy, who I met at Dallas...never laughed so hard in my life.... GO BANDERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am sooo excited. I went to the seminar last week and it confirmed my thoughts to get this done. I have tried everything and I am tired of being fat. I am now waiting for the insurance to approve it. I would love to get banded this month!!!:wink2::laugh:

I just wanted to say hello as I am new to this site. I have been banded for 4 months now and have lost close to 60lbs. I'm struggling a little bit with the types of foods I eat. I haven't really made the switch to low carb just yet. The weight loss is starting to slow down because of that. I go on vacation in a week and I know when I return I will have to get down to business. I look forward to reading everones posts and learning for all of your experiences. Talk to you soon!!!

A friend recommended this site, and I'm still feeling my way around. Thought I'd say Hi. I'm at the point where they're poking, prodding, scoping, and shrinking my head. (grin) Maybe they'll let me know when I'll have surgery next month. (sigh) Lena

I am just getting started on my Lap Band journey... I actually will have my 1st mc appt in a week. I work in the local hospital and totally trusted the md who does these surgeries. What I am looking for is the personal level which only someone who is going through or has already been through could understand. I look forward to chatting with you.

I just thought I would join, after lurking for the last 4 months. I am 48, live in Coquitlam, BC (A suburb of Vancouver, BC). I was banded on July 9, 2008, and including the post op diet (20 lbs) I am 60 lbs down. My wife has also since been banded, and has lost about 25 lbs - pre-op and post-op. Hello to all TBG <a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wZhfrBY/"> <img border="0" src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wZhfrBY/weight.png"></a>

Hello to all! Just attend an orientation meeting last night with the Memorial Bariatric Center in Michigan with Dr. Tomita’s staff. I found it very informative and with all the research, that I have done it satisfies all the criteria of what you should look for in a surgeon that performs LAP-BAND surgeries. My concern is INSURANCE. My BMI is between 35 and 36. I have one documented co-morbid condition, which is hypertension. I have conditions that may or may not be considered a threat currently in my life. Meaning classified as a co-morbid condition. My mother had breast cancer, which increases my risk for breast cancer and is increased greater bec…

anyone from Western Colorado?

I was turned down by my insurance company 8 years ago for gastric surgery. I am now in a position to do self pay. My BMI is 43.3 with no co-morbidity problems. I have been on diets in the past, but do not have professional documentation. I have been hoping for this for years. Could you please tell me the best place to go for self pay. I live in virginia. Thanks so much in advance.

Has any here used him? What are your impressions? I was all prepared to use a doctor in Springfield, Mo until I found out that Medicare wouldn't pay if I had it done there.

i am undergoing my surgery tomorrow morning at 8 am. earlier this year i reached a peak weight of 394 (i am 6'4) and i have a sort of football players body. i am 59 and have had a life-long battle with obesity. i have lost 100 lbs several times but have never been able to maintain. the word moderation is anathema t me apparently! any way, i jumped through all the hoops to get approved and lost 23 lbs while waiting. on 10/3 i began a 14 day pre-op optifast liquid diet. i have lost an additional 21 lbs for a total of 44 pounds. i am totally committed to this procedure and the tool it will give me to reach my goal of 230. i have just located this forum and hope to m…

Ok yall, I have not had any medically supervised diets aside from the couple of times in the nineties when I went to the "diet doctor" to get phentermine. Though I have done Weight Watchers and Quick Weight Loss (also in the nineties), I don’t have receipts for them??? I honestly cannot see waiting 6 months to undergo a diet plan and then applying for my ins. to cover my LapBand. I want to apply asap! Has nyone been approved based on BMI, Co-morbidities and your doctors recommendation alone? I mean I could list the trillion diets Ive been on and get a letter from a certified personal trainer Ive used, but I don’t have any real proof of weight loss programs. What do yall t…

I'm new to the group, I live in Colorado, and I was banded on 5-23-08. I am down 63 pounds with no fill. I work out on my days off, and I see a therapist once a week. I am really comfortable with my band, and I don't really feel it. However, I burp a lot more than I used to. I would like to loose a total of 150 pounds so I have 83 pounds to go. Chafonta

Hi My name is Tamika and I will be having surgery this Friday Oct 17th. I am a little nervous but excited. I weigh 250 pounds and will be 50 in two weeks. Does anyone have any advice for the surgery and recovery.

Well, since the web site ate my post ...this is what I remember.... This is my story and I am desperate for suggestions, Had a lap band put in 12/12/07. Recheck surgery Jan 3,2008 Feb 8 tried a fill through radiology....did not work March 7 fill through radiology /argued w/surgeon/fill did not work/ asked records to be transferred/ dr held them back for 2 months Met new apprehensive doctor May 9 Told to get blood work and an upper GI before I returned. Dr next available appt July 31 (hopefully my 3rd fill?) July 31 7:30am office called, canceled appt. Next available appt, end of Nov. (still never had fill that work) Decided to call some number off a TV commerc…

hello- I'm going to mexico to have the procedure next sat Dr corvella?????. any feedback (positive please),abit nervous, i am going by myself. I will be leaving my husband in vegas with our 8 children. we leave for vegas monday --I leave for san diego friday and return on tuesday to vegas to continue holiday---is this reality???

Hello from Arizona, I have been fighting fat and dieting all of my life. Am morbidly obese right now and also have some health issues. After much thought and reading in this forum, I have made the decision to go forward. My date is Nov. 5 and I start on the pre-op diet on Oct. 22. With continued readings and discussions, I will be as successful as many members. I am getting nervous. :regular_smile: Just made the pre-admission appointments for the work-up. What a great help this forum has been.........Thanks Sue

I'm in the early stages of prep work: Seminar with Dr. Enochs 10/14/08 PCP Appt. 10/17/08 Nutritionist Appt. 10/23/08 Psychologist Appt. 11/06/08 Goal: To be banded on or before Jan. 19, 2009 I'm anxious and excited all at the same time. The anxiety reminds me of what I went through to purchase my home... 1. We need your last 2-yr tax returns - We need 5 years of weight history. 2. We need you to attend a new homeowner seminar - We need you to attend a Weight Loss Surgery Seminar. 3. We need you to meet with a loan officer, inspector, and the selling agent - We need you to meet with a psychologist, nutritionist, and your PCP. You can't talk to everyone ab…

Hi, I've been banded for a week and still have sharp pains when picking stuff up off the floor, from one of my incisions. Not having too much trouble with liquids. My incisions were taped and they already have fallen off - is that normal. I was banded in Mexico by Dr. Corvala.

I have been a guest on this website for a long while, and decided to join last week. I am happy to have found a group of people who know exactly what I am and will be going through. I have been jumping through hoops for my insurance comany since April and am happy to report that I have my pre-op appointment next Wednesday, and am scheduled for surgery on October 22nd (Hooray!!!). I am excited, anxious, and scared all at the same time. I look forward to hearing from some of you, and will be here to lend an ear if you need it.

Hello everyone, I am glad to be here. There is no support group in my area that I am aware of! I live near Annapolis, Maryland - if anyone out there knows of a close-by support group please let me know. I was banded in 2002 by Dr. C. Ren at NYU. Have not been terrifically successful with weight loss, but am on a roll right now! No problems whatsoever following the surgery and it has been 6 years! Would love to talk to some "old:thumbup:sters"! Have a great day! Carol

I'm sure you guys recall all the drama I've gone through with the my doctors office staff to get my paperwork submitted to the insurance company and not being notifed once I was approved.:huh2: I honestly thought I was smooth sailing now since I have my date. And don't forget the drama about trying to make spend an additional :laugh:$483 on Optifast products for this crazy three week pre-op. After battling all this I get a call yesterday at :cursing:4:50 from the nurse at the doctor's office and they tell me I need 1. Pre-op Physcial (within six months of surgery) 2. Chest X-Ray 3. EKG 4. CBC (Blood Work) 5. Cam- 7 (Blood Work) Of course I asked why would I JUST b…

Hi everybody! My mother and I are both looking forward to being banded and are attending a seminar on the 21st. I have lots of questions and hope to learn a lot from everyone here. Reading people's stories as a lurker has been very inspiring. I look forward to getting to know all of you!

I can't believe I just found this forum! :regular_smile: I've been banded for nearly four years, but have really slipped back into old habits. I want to get started once again letting my band work for me, and I know I need support in doing it. Looking forward to getting to know you all! Cookie

Hello Everyone, I have been viewing the site for some time now and just decided to join. I was banded April, 2008 and have had 5 fills. However, I have only lost 45 pounds and feeling discouraged. I now this is a journey, so I'm trying to learn as much as I can so that I can have continued success. This site is has been a great help!

I had my surgery on Sept. 9, 2008 and had my first fill on October 8, 2008. He had me drink water while filling so that I could see when I felt restriction. To be honest it all felt odd to me. Anyways, I ended up with 1.5cc. I noticed a differnce when I eat but sometimes it's painful. I haven't thrown anything up but sometimes it seems like no matter what it feels like it's sitting there in my chest/throat. Is this feeling normal. I feel like I chew forever and try to take small bites. Is this how it's suppose to feel?? Is my fill too much, am I doing something wrong or is this just something that happens no matter what. Then there are other times that I just make myself …

Hi everyone. I have a consult scheduled with Dr. Canaday in Gallipolis Ohio on November 7. Any advice is welcomed. Don't know anything else to say...right now anyway.

Hi, I was banded on 10/2 (Thursday will be 2 weeks). I felt like I expected to feel for the 1st week (pretty crappy) but I got better every day and by Thursday and Friday of last week I really felt very good! I had very little pain from the port site and most of the trapped gas was gone. Other than some bad reflux, I felt really decent. However, as of this past Sunday I am sliding downhill and very fast. I have horrible headaches and shoulder pain but I am having SEVERE abdominal pain, internally (not the incisions) where I believe my port is located. So severe that I am back on my pain meds 24/7 and I have had to have my sister come get my kids because I cannot c…

I've been lurking around here off and on for awhile and thought it was time to de-lurk. I finally got the call today that I was approved for surgery! I don't have a date yet, but just know the insurance company (BC/BS) approved everything is great! I look fwd. to getting to know all of you! Danlee

Hi all. I am 59. Doctor suggested I consider bariatric surgery for weight loss. Working with Dr. Ferzli in Staten Island. Gone through all the tests, all okay except for normal non-interfering issues. Am at point to sign consent so they can submit to insurance company for approval. I've been fighting a dilemma: Know I have to do something but having a hard tiome seeing this step as taking control rather than giving it up. Have lost weight in past, up to 60 lbs., via diet and intense exercise but that when I was 45 and had more energy at day's end. There is some apprehension about the procedure but I guess I am responding more to the 'cover your behind' language in…

Hi how is everybody doing. I am new to the forum. I was banded on 4/29/08. Started at 395 lbs and am down to around 305 lbs now.:thumbup:

Hey there guys! I have been looking into the band and found this site with all of your wonderful forums and information. I have been reading as many as I can and I have to say there is so much great information here! I am going to a seminar next week on the 22nd and I was wondering if there were any questions that I should ask. There are of course the obvious ones but I am looking for the questions that arent so obvious to someone that has not been banded yet. Anything you could suggest would be wonderful! Thanks for your time!

Hello, I have been lurking for a week or so and wanted to check in. I am female, 53, with a BMI of 46.5, need I say more - but I must. I have been doing some research and really, really want to make this lifelong, lifestyle, life saving change. So I contacted not my PCP but my Gastroenterologist, see there is one hitch to a lap band for me, 15 years ago I had a liver transplant. I have done amazingly well no issues around the transplant, except weight gain which is common, although I have been on the heavy side since my teens, heavier in my 20ies - 30ies and out of control since then. About 10 years ago I did manage to loose about 70 lbs on WW but like so many I just can…

Hello All! I am Jennifer from Arizona. I just was banded last Thursday and I am dealing with the gas, shoulder pain, still drinking liquids.. BUT I am so very, very happy with my decision to have done this. I look forward to chatting and using this site to help me through my journey. Jennifer :biggrin:

Hello. I am a newbie to banding, I had it done last Thursday 10/9/08 and I am a newbie to this site. I am not on solid foods yet, but I am wondering what types of carbs can you eat when you get to solid foods? I know Pasta is out white bread, is rice out as well? I love brown rice but do not know if I can have that? If someone could give me some ideas on what they have ate for carbs.. I would grately appreciate it. :-) Thanks Jennifer

Hello everyone. I am a new lap band recepiant. I had the surgery Sept. 16th. I heard about this site through a friend of mine who had the surgery a couple weeks later. Just wanted to drop a line and say Hi to everyone. Looking forward to my experience on this site. :biggrin:

Hello all, My name is Bianca. I received my lap band on 10-06-08. I am going through a bottle of emotions right now. I didn't do well the first out and I hope that I am going forward in positive way. I hope this forum will help me to stay focused as I reinvent Bianca. :laugh:

I just had my first consult yesterday with a doctor in Northern California and beginning process . Has anyone used Valley Care in Pleasanton and have any feedback? They seem to have a substantial weight loss surgery program but most patients are going for Gastric Bypass rather then Lap-band. They require that you complete Upper GI, Psych consult , lose 5% of excess weight and taking at least 1/2 ( about 5 ) prep classes prior to submitting a letter to insurance company. I assume this process is standard. Sort of hoping that they get the date in the works so i have more definitive surgery date and something to work towards. The doctor also showed me a very recent st…

Ok I have done everything that is required by the insurance company. Now I am just waiting for the approval. While waiting had to have gallbladder surgery. Now am questioning my decision due to postop pain. Help calm my concerns. :cry_smile:

I am a 59 year old man. :smile:I have been overweight from childhood to now! I have have no regrets being overweight because I have always been a happy person and have a great personality. Love me for who I am not what I look like. Everyone loves me!!!! I love life, God and every moment that the lord gives me while I am here!!!! I had my lap band operation on Sept 8,2008. I have lost since pre operation aprox 40Pounds!!!! I am very pleased. I love the ocean, travel, beautiful :thumbup: people and Life.:wink2: I wish all you banders the best! Keep working on your future and that bod that you all want. Peace and God speed in all your goals. benitogarcia523@yahoo.com:bi…

Really its any time of the day but in the spirit of our 30 minute/30 day pledge here are some ideas for us! Office Workout - Exercises you can do at work Office Exercise Click pictures for closer look Stretches for Your Wrists and Arms Wrist Stretch: Extend arm in front, palm up and grab fingers with other hand. Gently pull hand down to stretch the forearm. Repeat other side. Wrist & Forearm: Press hands together in front of chest, elbows bent and parallel to the floor. Gently bend wrists to the right and left. Back Twist: Sit upright in chair and place left arm behind left hip. Twist to the left and hold, repeating on other side. …

There is a possibility that I may have to switch from the lap band procedure to the gastric bypass after the results from my esophogeal manometry showed abnormalties. Was told if I was banded I may suffer from reflux, gagging, etc. Anyone else experience this??