Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I am 31 yo married mother of 3. I am in the process of getting insurance approval for lap band surgery. I met with my physician this week and he is really trying to push me towards the gastric bypass. After careful consideration and discussing the surgery with my family, we all feel the lap band is safer and a healthier way to go. I am joining the support group because i want to be as informed as possible prior to my surgery. I don't want to gain any unrealistic expectations and I feel this is the best way to go about getting the knowledge I need. I am very excited to have the surgery. Although I am 95% happy with myself right now at 278, I know that being slimmer means b…

Yahoo!:biggrin: Military spouses thread! YAY US! thank you moderators for this. God Bless our TROOPS!:mad:

I am 45 years old and live outside of st. louis, mo, actually, a small town in Illinois. My BMI is 36 and I desperately want the lap band. Certainly not as much for cosmetic reasons as I do for health reasons. My mother was a brittle diabetic, diagnosed about the same age as I am now. AFter that came her congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, obesity, and multitudes of other problems. My father, brother, and sister have high blood pressure. Although I don't have these things yet, I suffer from depression related to the inability to lose this weight. I've tried everything a million times. I am an RN and by the end of my shift, my legs, hips, and back are killing me…

Hi, I live in the Portland, Oregon region. I was just declined by my insurance company, and have already sent a letter of appeal. My primary care physician refuses to write me a letter of appeal, saying she doesn't know enough about the surgery. My back doctor and my gynecologist both wrote letters. How bad does it look on the appeal if my doctor won't write the letter? Anybody in the west Portland area have a primary doctor that supported them in their quest for a lap-band? I will be switching doctors! Just very bummed while waiting for the appeal decision...

Hi everyone. Just wanted to know that i am not alone with all the questions and worries. This is a great place to visit and read to know that we are not alone. Well I just had My surgery on 9/10/08. So far so good.

Hi Reintroducing myself Whippoorwillow from VA, now living for two more months in HAwaii for work. Anyone in Hawaii or VA? I'd love some friendship and support. I'm five weeks post banding and not losing as fast as I'd like. I've only lost ten pounds. Can't get a fill until I return home to VA. Wondering what Onederland is. Hope to hear from you! ww

So i have been going through this process for a little over six months. I am ready for surgery already! I find myself daydreaming about what life will be like in an "average" body. I can take the plug out of the bathtub, bend over to tie my shoes, wear high-heels, and ssoooo much more. I am so excited, I should have an answer from my insurance company this coming week (thats what they said) and I hope its a YES! It just seems like the process has been so long, the doctors office that i am going to (Dr. Ali, Fountain Valley, CA) has lagged on all my paperwork, I mean weeks. I know once its all done and over weith I will be happy but the waiting is horrible. I am tryi…

My name is Heather and I am 25 years old. I have a wonderful 3 year old. I am at a point where i am trying to research my options and decide what to do. Friday I have a doctors appointment with the bariatric center in my area and wanted to do some research before hand.

Hi, I was banded on 8-21-08. I was wondering if there is anyone out there who had to have a full incision like I did. Past surgeries and too much scar tissue made laprroscopic impossible. I am still having so much rib and back pain on the side that holds my port. Has anyone else experienced this? Will it pass. I'm getting a bit worried after 3 weeks post op. I know I need to be patient, but it would be nice to know what others have had happen to them. Thanks...

I just wanted to say hello.

Hi! Just wanted to introduce myself. I am scheduled for my band this Thursday 9/18 at noon. Kind of funny having bariatric surgery at lunch time! I have lost 12 pounds on my liquid diet so far. Down from 312 to 300. I wanted to be less then 300 day of surgery so I think I'll make that goal. Just trying to hang in. How long before you were up and about after surgery? I don't want to be laid up too long.....................

Hi Y'all - I posted a question earlier with no response. Just a simple hello from anyone at this point will be nice. Hoping to be able to use this forum as an important tool as I work toward my weight loss goal. Thanks from a newbie.

Hi, My real nickname is Choosie. I am going to be 53 in a few days and I weigh 260 pounds ..a little less since my last doctor visit. I will be having the lap band surgery on the 25th of this month. I am on a high protein meal replacement drink. YUC!!! I have been on this drink for three days now. I just keep telling myself it is all going to be worth it. I just have to get past the cravings and the headaches. The shakiness and being hateful...to my partner who insists on tempting me with his cooking. He says it will build up my resistness...I think it's just damn cruel.:wink_smile: So I need someone to talk to to so Iwill not fail at this endeavor. I have a lot to gain f…

Howdie y'all - I'm having my first consult with the surgeon on Wed. Sooo nervous! If he finds any reason why I can't get this done, I'll be sooo disappointed! My biggest concern is that I had 1/2 of my left lung removed 5 years ago due to a fungal infection that I got in AZ. I'm guessing that it shouldn't really matter. I mean, if I needed some other life saving surgery I'm sure they would do it. Anyone else here had any issues with other surgeries prior to banding? :smile:

My name is Brent and I live in Central California. My surgery was performed in Visalia, CA by Dr, Karen Mac Kenxie. Before surgery I weighted around 332 lbs, but when I went to see the Dr. I was at 322 (tying to diet on my own). At the time of the surgery I was down to 308 lbs thanks to that god awful pre-op diet. Now after the surgery I weight around 288 lbs. My surgery was 8/28/2008. My insurance paid for it because I have everything in the book: Diabetes Hight Blood Pressure BMI over 40 sleep Apnea High Cholesterol My first fill is on 10/1/2008 and I thought it would be a good idea to fine a support site. This site looks like a good place to get information and…

Hi all - this is repost from the financing forum. I was hoping to get your input on this as well if anyone is from Chicago area/Indiana...please chime in. ---------------------------- Of course I'm set with Dr. K in Colorado - but, I called all day Thurs & Fri - was unsuccesful in getting someone to accept me for local fills. fillcentersusa is not local for me. So... today, I begin considering going local and paying more. So, I'm posting messages to asking for prices locally (Chicagoland/Indiana). I do have 4 prices here so far. Actually found a couple good prices - just need to know if they will accept my current financing option which is all set and read…

I just had my surgery on Sept. 8, 2008. I am SO ready to move onto something besides liquids. Food commerials are really starting to bother me especially cheeseburgers. Oh well this too shall pass. I am glad that this website is available so I know I am not along on my feelings.:smile:

Hi everyone I am new to your forum. I was Banded June 2008 in Uk. 'Birmingham' but my band was damaged on the first fill, :thumbup: and repaired late August. So feel as if only just banded. still a newie..:smile: Looking forward to hearing from other bansters and reading your posts and sharing

Hello fellow peoples in search of a better life. I was banded on the 11/09/08 in Hobart Australia by Mr Wilkinson. My goal is to lose about 45 kg so I can live to see my grand daughter walk down the aisle at her wedding! I suffer from high blood pressure, depression and type 2 diabetes. I am very confident I can turn these illnesses around. Have to stay on fluids for 4 weeks but its not that bad. Still have a little discomfort around the wounds and get reflux sometimes and like burping, gassy sensation in my throat. Hope this is all a bit normal. Like to here from anyone who can give me valuable info or tips. Thanks bye guys.:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::smile::thu…

Hello everyone! My name is Tiffany. I am newly banded. 8.12.08 is the day i started my new life.

Hello I'm new to this site. I had my first consoltation with the doc on sep 4th I did the nutritionist and psyc evaluation for insurance all that day. On sep 6th I did the scope to look around, sep 8th I did my labs. On sep 10th the doc called and said my insurance approved my band!!! now I'm waiting sep 18th is my pre-op and Oct 3rd is my surgery!!!!!! is anyone eles scheduled for october???

Had my band in Juarez on 9-4-08 and my post op instructions were for clear liquids only x 2weeks and full liquids for 2 additional weeks. I am having a really hard time and want so badly to eat real food. When does the hunger subside? Also, can anyone recommend a fill site (that charges a reasonable price) near the Oklahoma City area or within 300 miles. Insurance would not cover the surgery or the fills and I can not afford to return to Juarez which is over 700 miles away. Gas prices are way to high. Please, if there is anyone that can help I need all the support I can get because right now I am wondering if I made the right choice to have this procedure. I should have r…

I am scheduled for my Pre-Op Psychologist meeting and nutritionist meeting. My Doctor told me that the Lapband works better for men, becuase they eat in volume. It seems the majority of people getting the procedure are women. Oh well:confused:

I just joined lap band talk yesterday. I had my band surgery on 4/27/08. I have lost about 29 lbs. I haven't experienced any of the problems that I heard at so many of the support group dicsussions or from people I've know who have also had the band. As a result, I feel it has been more difficult for me to loose weight as I don't feel restricted. My life is extremely busy as I have 4 children, husband, home and full time career. I do not have an opportunity at this time to attend the post surgical support group meetings in my area. Giving the busyness of my life, I am looking for somewhere I can get info. on other foods that I can eat that will accomadate my busy li…

I have just finished my six months prerequisite and all data has been submitted to my insurance. Hoping for approval this week. My husband is about one month behind me. We are so looking forward to getting started.

Hi, I have been 'lurking' for quite a while. My husband and I received our insurance approval letters Friday. I am still trying to decide if I'm going to go through with it! Lisa

Hello everyone...I am new to this site from Ohio. I am going thru all processing for the surgery. Looks like I have a lot of company with this surgery. Hope all is well with you all.

I am new at this posting so I hope I do it correctly. Have been reading for about a year and a half while going through the process and making sure this is right for me. I made up my mind in Feb 08, that it was and the real journey began. I was banded at TGH in Tampa, FL by Dr. Murr on 9/5/08 and can't say enough about the program they have set up there. Everything went fine but what an adjustment. Having alot of trouble with gas and diarreah :scared2:. I started with full liquids on Mon. and am having a hard time eating more than 2 oz. in a four hour period with about 4 oz. clear liquids in between. Anyone else have/ had those issues. It' okay though I am not …

Hello Everyone, I am so pleased that I found this site. I was banded on January 14, 2008 and need help. I have had 2 fills and still cannot tell any difference in the amount of food I can eat. I get very hungry and have not found any foods that I cannot eat. Has anyone else had this experience?

I am new to the board and wanted to say hello. I want to have the surgery done, but my insurance carrier Blue Cross (now ANTHEM) says I have to lose 20 pounds before I can have it done. I have already seen the dietician and the psychoatrist. So I am working on that. I am just glad that there is a place where so many people like myself can talk and experience things together. My doctor is Mark Paya and he is located in West Hills Calif. Does anyone out there live in Simi Valley Calif?

Booked in for the 25th, now on the Otpti fast diet. Great site.

:thumbup:Hi everyone! I am new here. I am going to be 25 in a couple of weeks. I went a seminar on June 23; had bloodwork and saw the Psychologist on July 7th; saw my primary and the dietition on July 14, and had all of my paperwork for a "medical necessity" approval submitted on August 22. Received the greatest news of my life (besides that I was pregnant) on August 25, I HAD BEEN APPROVED!! My pre-op appt. was on 9/4 and my surgery is on Sept. 16! I am currently on the liquid pre-diet using Optifast. I can have 6 shakes and 2 bar (that I don't eat), and some fat free chicken broth and sugar free Jell-O. I am actually surprised at the fact that I am not hungry at all. Th…

Hi Everyone! This is my first post, so I'm not sure about doing this right. I have my first consultation on 9/17 and hope to find the right tools to get healthy. So, I have been reading everything and checking out your posts. I guess we are all in this together, so I'm glad to get started.

Hi everyone, I'm awaiting a surgery date and doing the pre-op diet. No so easy but i'm sure happy to be in this place. I have waited so long for this and even changed jobs to one I don't really like but had the right insurance to cover the surgery. Just wondering if anyone else got kinda blue on the post op diet? Does it get easier?:wink_smile:

HELLO EVERYONE, I HOPE I'M DOING THIS RIGHT! I HAD MY LAP BAND SURGERY ONE WEEK AGO ON SEPT 3. IT WAS NOWHERE AS EASY AS LAPARSCOPIC GALL BLADDER SURGERY LIKE SOME COMPARED IT TO. I THOUGHT I HAD A DECENT PAIN TOLERANCE UNTIL THIS PROCEDURE BUT I'M SOME BETTER NOW. DON'T WANT TO SCARE ANYONE WHO'S CONTEMPLATING THE SURGERY SINCE I'M HOPING IT WILL BE WORTH IT ONE DAY!:omg_smile:

I received my insurance approval yesterday and found out today that my surgery is scheduled for 9/23. Wow only 11 days. Anyone else from Virginia who used Dr. Schroder? He is in with my surgeon from when I had breast cancer (7/2000)and I love him so I figured I would keep it all in the "family". They make you feel that comfortable. I am 43 years old and have alot of family medical problems that I can see coming my way so I am going to try and head as many off at the pass as possible.

Hi all I am also new to this site. I have been reading information on here for sometime. This site and all the people on it with their stories have helped me to make the decision to have lap band surgery. I have my surgery on November 12th I hope to be a new me by this time next year and for the rest of my life!

Hello Everyone! I am new to this site and wanted to say hello! I am 30 and I have been banded since sept 10th of 2007. I am almost to my goal weight and I am looking for friends/support groups because I want to keep my weight off for good. If you are in the DFW area I would be thrilled to hear from you!

I am from N. New York and was recently banded 8/14. Thus far I have lost 20 lbs since January 08. I have not lost much since by banding - but I have not been actively trying - I have been more concerned with healing (I had some port pain and my scars took awhile to heal.) Next week I get back on my exercise program. I don't feel a lot of restriction ( all the swelling has gone down) but I go for my 1st fill on 9/23. I do not feel the band at all-never have, and my port does not bother me anymore. I forget I even have the band - unless I eat something dry (I had a veggie burger on light toast and it was difficult to eat). I have to learn new foods to eat that are …

Hello there, My name is Maryam. I was banded in August of 2004. In my first year I dropped about 70 pounds. It was amazing. I was doing everything I should by the book, and I felt great. I was thankful and for the first time I felt like I had everything in control. A year into my journey, I had to deal with something I had never dealt with before. My best friend passed away from a drunk driver. I had seen this girl just about everyday for 4 years. From living in the same dorm, to same apartment building, we always stayed close. She was also a big part of my weight loss. She always helped coach me on working out and always cheered my on. She was an amazing friend. Up unti…

Hello all. I just got banded 9/11 and came home yesterday. My stomach keeps gurgling, especially after I drink something. Is that normal? And my left shoulder hurts when I take a deep breath. Anybody else dealing with that? It took me 30 minutes to eat 2 tbs of yogurt yesterday. Never thought that would happen in my life.

:w00t:Hello, Iam new to this whole thing. I will go for my pre-op on Sept. 23rd, and they have scheduled my Lap-Band for Oct. 3rd in Superior, Wisconsin. I am excited:lol: and scared:scared2: all at the same time. would love any helpful hints anyone has. I am a 44 year old woman with two wonderful boy. (Age, 15 and 20) Have a wonderful husband.:wink_smile:

I just wanted to say hi to everyone. I don't have a surgery date yet nor do I have a specific doctor. I am waiting on insurance to get back to me. I am a little worried that I won't be able to stick to the diet after the surgery. I have a real weekness for sweets although I have gotten better than I was. I am working on a list of things the nutritionist gave me to work on before surgery, but I am just not sure I will be stong wnough to make such a huge change to my eating habits. Does anyone regret having the surgery? :wink_smile:

I was banded on 8/18/08. All for the swelling has gone now and I feel as though I could eat just as I did before the banding. Has anyone else experienced this and does the feeling go away? I am following all of the rules and eating only what I was told to eat and how much, but I find myself hungry more often. Will this go away with a fill? Any answers would settle me down a little. Thanks.

Hi just thought i would say hello from scotland.Just got my date in for my surgery in belgium with Dr chris de bruyne 11/11/08.After waiting for 2 years on a waiting list on the nhs i went back to see the surgen that would be doing my op and he told me to come back and see him in a year as there was no funding.So after doing alot of reserch on going private i found that Dr chris de bruyne does the surgery in belgium for £3200.So that was that a trip to the bank manager and an email to europe surgery and all booked up .Cant wait,:thumbup:

I went yesterday and had all of my pre-op done and talked to my doctor. I am scheduled for surgery on Monday, September 15. It is hard to believe that I first started this process in May and now I only have 5 days left. I AM READY!

Hi ... I m getting banded tomorrow ... a bit scared , I m ready about the Sweet Spot but I m not sure what it means ?

Hi, my name is Shauna and I have just started this whole process. I have a BMI of 41 and have met with the surgeon and done all of my required tests. I was told I have to do the 6 month medically supervised diet..I have UHC..They told me my insurance required it..I have a friend at work who also is having lap band surgery and she does not have to do the 6 month diet..We have the same insurance..Kinda confused about that..Anyways I am very excited!!! I just hope my insurance approves me...How long does that process take? I'm going through Banner Gateway in Gilbert AZ.

I had my consult today with the surgeon. Since my insurance doesn't require anything pre-certification...I can have my surgery quick! :thumbup: I was first given a date of 10/31, but because of my job, I can't take off the end thru beginning of the month, so I had to go with the November date. I'm excited and scared at the same time! After reading everything that most of you have/had to go through pre-op, I left the surgeon's office feeling a bit confused about why I didn't need a psych evaluation or needing to see a nutritionist for 6 months, but as it was explained to me....my insurance doesn't require it. I was just expecting that I'd have to do all of the things th…

Hey Peeps I just bought Carols Daughter scar butter. I t was 12 bucks but i havent heard anyone talk about it. Has anyone tried it? Thanks