Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hello everybody I live in Cape Town South Africa and have seen a whole panel of doctors who have determined my suitability. My surgeon seems to be pushing the roux-en-y op but i am leaning more towards the gastric band. But there are so many things i am dubious about... I am concerned about the constant maintenance. It seems people are forever having fill put in and taken out. It sounds like expensive maintenance and very disruptive. And then the possibility of corrosion or slippage and the gallstone problem?? Anybody have any stats for me? How many people have had to have this replaced, removed, repositioned? The reason i prefer the sound of lap band over the other i…

I have been reading posts on the forum off and on for about a month. I have my surgery scheduled for May 6th in Mexico. Has anybody had experience with Fill places in the Seattle area? They put me on a very strict diet, and I am not 100% why. I need to lose 17lbs before my surgery Breakfast 2 pieces of fruit and yogurt Lunch lean cuisine Dinner slimfast shake I am starving, and if I could lose weight and diet that easily, I wouldn't need the band!

Ok- I am debating on telling anyone at work. They are very much a close knit group & if I go into surgery one day- come back & very sore. (not knowing that i had surgery) They're gonna ask.. Are you ok?? 1) I am very quiet about my personal life at work. I am very sure that they'd be supportive. But, I kind of don't want them to know because I don't want the questions of - How much have you lost YET!!?? I know that they would be trying to be supportive by asking that question too!! LOL It's going to be VERY easy to keep it from my own family - I don't see them that often - except for holidays. And a few b-day parties here & there. Thats it!! (maybe …

Hello Ladies, I have yet to be banded (Sept 17th is my date!:smile2:) I was just wondering if anyone had any good complete mutivitamins they were taking that were chewable or liquid :confused2:? I've been shopping and haven't really found much. Also, I've heard that in the days after surgey it becomes very difficult to get that reccommended daily Protein amount (60 grms for women) from things like meats and cheese. I've heard of protein bullets which have about 46 grms of Proteins per bullet. But these are somewhat expensive (about $90-$100 for a month supply.) Anyone having much luck with anything else:confused2:?

I am new to this site and I have had my first consultation with Dr. Piotrowski and I was NOT impressed. Not to mention I am discouraged by the 6 month program. Is there anyone else out there that feels the same way and has any solutions to not having to wait without traveling to another country or a long distant state??? Any doctors in the valley??? Thanks! :confused2:

Hey ladies!! just thought I would share...2 more days until I hit the big 4-0 on Thursday. I had to go to DMV at lunch today to renew my driver's license. I was afraid of failing the vision test because I am supposed to wear reading glasses and didn't want to have to be told to wear them while driving. I was so preoccupied with that and not thinking about anything else. I also had to take a new picture. Well, I did not recognize myself. My old pic was taken like 8 years ago when I was like 350 and I never changed the weight. Well today not only did I get to change the weight to 225 but I got to say "who's that girl?". Big difference in the two pictures. I even look young…

Hi, All. I certainly hope that I am not intruding by posting this thread, as I am not the one who had LapBand surgery (although I should), but my sister has. My sister was banded last Tuesday (8-19-08) and she is doing really well. I am trying to be very supportive of her, and she and I are very close. I have encouraged her to join a twelve step program for support and/or reach out to the LapBand community and find support groups. She is interested in doing so, but says that she is doing really well right now. I am nervous that when she goes back to work or leaves the isolation of her home or is faced with some HUGE food event, that she will be so psychologically tormente…

Hi Everyone, I am new to the site. Had surgery almost two years ago. After losing 30 pounds, but vomiting, I emptied my band for 1 year. I am looking to try again, hoping for success this time. Any suggestions would be fully appreciated. Have a 10cc band. I am a nurse from South Jersey. :smile2:

Hi there.... I am new to this website, it's great!! I have started researching WLS since February 2008. I finally have my first "intake" appointment in a couple weeks to start my journey towards the Lapband. I am here to learn from others and hopefully make some friends along the way!! Kindly, Robyn:thumbup:

finally got my date after 6 months of jumping thru insurance hoops...taken by surprise...was told it would probably be end of october...found out today it would be september 11...have excitement...but mostly fear...nervousness...wondering if i can remember everything i am supposed to do and not supposed to do....well anyway, i start my liquid diet sept 1....for 10 days....woohoo! on my way...

Hello all I am a newbie here! I am 26 in Virginia Beach hoping to be banded soon I meet with my Dr this Friday the 29th I am super nervous and excited! Anyway just wanted to say hello and introduce myself!

Hello everyone, My name is Amanda, I am 30 years old and I got the Lapband last week on August 20th at Portsmouth Naval Hospital. The crazy gas pains have subsided a bit and I am more mobile now. I am having headaches, but I assume that is due to lack of calories. I am trying to make sure I drink my 2 Protein shakes per day and have been drinking a Soup or two during the day. I know this will all get better with time, just looking forward to that time!!

My name is Joy, I am from Columbia, SC & am so glad to find this site.........am looking forward to meeting lots of new friends like myself who are going down this lapband road with me........Please let me hear from you! Joy:thumbup:

Hi everyone, I havn't yet got a date, but have had all the pre appointments, just waiting for the team to have their meeting and decide when, probably sometime in October, am nervous and excited at the same time, I have been reading alot of the posts on this website and to be honest some peoples posts have just plain scared me :smile:, all the gas problems etc, I would love to know if people resume a somewhat normal?? life further down the track, though I am impressed with the results well done everyone!!:biggrin:

Hello all you fellow lap banders! I have read many of your posts over the last couple of weeks and finally decided to join today! Seems like a great place for both support and to get answers from fellow lapbanders! Well, I have to admit, my lapband surgery is tomorrow and Im finally scared. I've been so excited for so long and now Im scared. I know that's normal though as many of you have probably gone through that phase! Wish me luck!

Hi everyone! My name's Lauren and I'm new here. I'm getting banded on September 17th (after going back & forth with my insurance company for nearly a year) so needless to say I'm very anxious and excited. I'm being banded by Dr. Guillermo Ponce de Leon at Methodist Sugar Land. I'm worried about the 2 week pre-op diet but I know I can do it. Anyhow.. just wanted to pop in and introduce myself!

Hi all - I've been approved for the surgery once I lose 30 pounds (I'm down 11 pounds so far). I'm excited about the process, and am looking forward to gaining knowledge, recieving/giving support, and making some friends on this site!

I WAS BANDED 4/30/07... BY NORFOLK SURGICAL GROUP IN NORFOLK, VA. -DR. WOHGELMUTH... THINK HE IS THE BEST... SO FAR I HAVE LOST 35LBS... I AM STILL CONFUSED ABOUT WHAT TO EAT AND HAVE READ ABOUT THE "SLIMING" AND "PB'ING" BUT DON'T THINK I HAVE EXPERIENCED ANY OF THAT YET.. (AND HOPE TO NEVER DO!!) I HAVE NOT HAD A FILL AS I HAVE A LOT OF WEIGHT TO LOSE AND DON'T WANT TO RESTRICT MYSELF UNTIL I STOP LOSING WEIGHT WITH WHAT I HAVE. I DO WANT TO KNOW HOW TO GET THE WEIGHT TICKER AT THE BOTTOM OF MY REPLIES AS I THINK THOSE ARE VERY INSPIRATIONAL. THIS IS THE START OF A LONG JOURNEY AND SO FAR I AM ENJOYING THE RIDE!

Actually banded 04/29. Had my 1st fill on June 11 and weight has stayed the same at 330. I cashed out a 401K and paid cash cause I figured if I didn't do it I would not be around to spend it the way I was gaining weight and picking up diabetes and joint problems. Cash got me in and out in 30 days. I'm 47 and retired USAF. Recently got laid off and know that if I don't lose some pounds I will not be able to find a decent job. Have two grown sons, 2 dobermans and a greyhound. I use this board for support.

Okay I am getting my first fill later today, and I am terrified. :smile2: I have been reading all of these threads about the bad experiences people have had getting fills. I should not have read them because now I am anxious. Please help, what should I expect. Hopefully I am just overreacting and it won't be bad. :wub:

Hi, I'm 33, 5ft 1in. tall and I currently weight 185, making my BMI at 35. I've just recently decided to get more information on lap banding. I had gestational diabetes with my second child and I recently got my lab work back from my dr that said my triglycerides were very high. I'm afraid that I am on the fast track to developing adult onset diabetes and a multitude of other health problems. At the risk that I may sound offensive to others out there (which is NOT my intention at all), I am looking for others that have had the lapband procedure that weighed under 200 lbs. My weight is very high for someone my height and my BMI is in the obese range but most of the thr…

Hi Everyone...I was banded Aug 18 and am still in my first week. This is also my first time on a blog. I lost 10 lbs presurgery and 4 so far this week. Seems like every other day I am experiencing some hunger. I am definitely sick of those sweet protein shakes and have consolidated the protein into one shake to which I am adding lemon juice. I see the doc Monday for the first post-op. Hope he says this is OK.:tongue:

HELLO TO ALL IAM THE REAL DEAL SHOTING STRAIGHT FORM THE HEART :wub:WITH LOVE FOR ALL I AM 55 YEARS OLD AND CAN'T WAIT TO BE 3 AGIAN:biggrin2: ANY WAY I AM MARRIED TO MY HUSBAND OF 35 YEARS WITH 6 CHILDREN 1 OF WHICH IS DECEASED BUT HE 'S IN SAFE HANDS. ANYWAY I AM HAVING THE SURGERY FIRST OF ALL BECAUSE I WAS 375 MIND YOU I AM A GOOD LOOKING WELL DRESSING BIG WOMAN:wink: SO YOU KNOW WHAT'S COMING AFTER I FIRE UP THE BAND:thumbup: NOW BEFORE I STARTED THE PREOP DIET I WAS DOWN TO 362 YEAH FOR ME AND NOW THAT MY LIQUID FANTASY IS ALMOST OVER I AM GETTING EXCITED AND REALLY HUNGRY MY OP DATEIS THE 20TH OF AUG. BY THE WAY ALL YOU POST OP AND PROS WILL I BE ABLE TO EAT MY GR…

Dancing is a big one for me. In my prime (watch out now), I would go to clubs and dance til the sun came up. The bigger I got the more self-concious I became and I no longer wanted to go dancing. My husband is Mr. Dance fever himself and I've hated that because of me he doesn't get to dance like we used to. I am so looking forward to being back out on that dance floor with my hubby and showing my 16 yr old, that mommy can still drop it like it's hot:biggrin: How about you?

Hello everyone I am just starting the process and I am excited and nervous. My insurance covers the surgery and I meet with the Doctor in September. I am trying to read everything I can about this surgery. Nice to know that I am not alone in this journey. I cannot wait to get skinny and be able to keep up with my soon to be 4 year old.

Surely not just me? :biggrin2: I didn't know until about two weeks ago that I can actually be banded here in NI. I knew all along I'd have to pay and was making a consultation with Dr Shaw Somers in Chichester. After a few calls by my Dad he discovered there's a Dr Andrew Kennedy who consults at the Ulster Independent Clinic and does the op in the Royal Victoria. My first thought was 'how come I didn't know about this?' lol. I have a consultation tomorrow evening with Dr Kennedy and I'll be bringing the list of questions to ask him from this site. I then a couple days after got appt with Dr Somers but I cancelled it today. It's too much hassle to have to travel …

Hello Everyone, I wanted to stop in and say Hi. I have been looking on this forum for about a week but a bit overwhelmed at how large it is. I wasn't and still not quite sure how or where to start using this forum. I will be having my surgery on Wednesday 8/27/08 with Dr. Felts trough True Results. I am blessed to be married to my first love and highschool sweetheart and have two beautiful boys. 4 and 18 months old. I am doing this surgery for me and so that I can be around to actually enjoy my boys instead of always feeling like I am watching on the sidelines. I look forward to meeting some of you if not most of you along my journey if I can ever figure this forum out. L…

Hi everyone, I had my band placed on August 18th. For the most part everything has gone smoothly except this horrible rash and itch that I am having around the sites. I guess I am allergic to the adhesive used for the steri strips. I cannot make the itch and burning sensation go away and it is making me crazy.:biggrin: Yes, I am using Benadryl cream and taking it by mouth. I am still on the full liquid diet. I cannot tell if i am hungry, gassy, or just in pain at any given time. I feel like I am doing well with my meals except for the water. I have never been good at drinking water. I have added crystal lite and decaf tea to it to spice it uo a little. I have walked alot …

Well, I have finally gotten to a lap band just around the corner. I have my surgery scheduled on 8-26-08. I am a bit nervous, as well as excited. I have been consuming Medifast for the past 5 days and have 2 more days to go... I've had just about enough reconstituted powder 'food' to last a lifetime :smile:. Of course I've had all the sugar-free popsicles, chicken broth, and flavored water that a girl could dream of.... oh boy :biggrin:. So, just as the dietician said, I AM looking forward to pureed food :thumbup:. I feel as though my doc's office has prepared me well with alot of pre-op education. I am seeing Dr. Trace Curry in Cincinnati. Luckily, I work in surgery, …

Hey all! you may find this weight loss tracker tool handy to track your progress with your current/future weight loss. Enjoy Luv GG! x ps...if u cant open the file, drop me a msg with ur email add and i will email it to you xxx Weight Loss Tracker Tool.zip

I will be banded 08/28/08. Have been on liquid diet for 6 days! My only fear is myself staying in control. The 14 pound loss during this liquid thing is encouraging .... Reading about some of the initial discomfort is a little wavering. Being a big guy, I have always loved a good meal but I have concluded that if I intend to live well into the future, I need to get this Mac truck off my F-150 frame! s/w 313 c/w 299 g/w 165 ... In My Dreams! LOL

Hi everyone! I have been reading the different posts on the site for a couple of weeks now. It has really been a wealth of knowledge, and has answered so many of my questions. I thank all of you for that. I have been thinking about having this surgery for about a year now. I am having my surgery in Atlanta, Georgia with Dr. Christopher Hart. My scheduled surgery date is September 16th. I have one more test to go through tomorrow night (Sleep Study) and I will have all of the testing out of the way. The waiting is just so difficult. I am ready to get started. I am very happy I found this site. It is nice to know that someone out there is going through or has been…

Hello everyone, I was banded 3 days ago on the 21st. I've had what I'm assuming is the normal pains related to the gas and port area. I'm a little confused since reading this, some people have talked about Gas X strips? Should I look into those and do they help? I've been drinking Crystal Light, Fruit Punch, and unsweetened tea, along with Water of course. Is there anything else I might be able to try? I also have some questions about excess skin. Is it likely that I will have skin left over from the weight loss or does it all depend on the person? Anyone's feedback will be greatly appreciated! Thanks to everyone and good luck!

Hi folks... I'm 61, male, BMI 37.9. I'm going to read these forums, before I start asking a lot of questions, but if you have any suggestions for me, I'm interested. Thanks

Hi My name is Jennifer.. I am scheduled to get banded on Thursday September 4th. I'm nervous and excited. I am on day 3 of my liquid pre-op diet. I have one word.. GROSS!! But I'm determined to get through this part so I can shrink my liver and have an easy recovery!! Just wanted to say Hi. Been reading for a while and finally decided to post. Not sure if I even posted in the right area.. LOL. PS... Is there somewhere to add a signature? Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Calorie Counter

:biggrin:i am 51 years old and have strugled with my weight through child hood.I'm excited and scared at the same time. i'm new to this so bear with me:embaressed_smile:.just wanted to say hi and god bless all

I am 3 days post-op and feel horrible! I left the surgery center and went right to bed. My mom woke me up with my pain med she picked up from the pharmacy. I just couldn't take it I was afraid so I just stuck to my gas x strips. They seem to help, but I just changed sides now and then throughout my first night. I know this is going to sound crazy but I went to work the next day in the afternoon. I left a few hours later crying my eyes out. I was angry, bloated, and regretting getting the lap band. My mom tried to help me work through the gas pains and picked me up some Tylenol elixir for adults. I took a cup and laid down. I woke up this morning releasing a lot of gas an…

I was banded on 8/18 and am confused by the diet I should be on 5-6 days post op. I was given a few different things to read and they are all a little different. Doctor has not returned my phone call over weekend to clarify if i am eating correctly. I am feeling great at this point!

I WAS BANDED 8/21/2008 AND AM NOW ON DAY 2 AFTER SURGERY..STILL REAL SORE AND TRYING TO GET RID OF THE GAS PAINS..WALKING DEFINITELY HELPS...I HAVE ALREADY LOST 5 LBS SINCE SURGERY MAKING IT A TOTAL OF 17 LBS FOR ME...IT'S HARD DOWNING THE WATER AND PROTEIN SHAKES WHEN YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE EATING BUT IT IS A MUST...:tongue:

I am scheduled for my lapband surgery on 08/27. I am very excited about having the surgery. I do not know yet how much weight I want to lose I just know I need to lose weight. My friend just got banded and so far her experience has been good. She is not sore and was up and about the day after surgery. I have to be on a liquid diet 2 weeks before my surgery and it has been the hardest thing Ive ever done. Im not hungry but all I can think about it food. So far I have done really good and have not cheated.:thumbup:

This is my first post and I just wanted to say hello. I was banded @ Penn State Medical Center in Hershey, PA on July 21, 2008 and am doing well. I've manged to lose 20 pounds since my surgery despite feeling no restriction at all. I did have my first fill yesterday (3 cc in a 10 cc band) and all I've felt so far is nausea. I wanted to ask. How do you add those little weight loss things under your posts. It's been great reading your posts and I look forward to sharing some of my own experiences now. L Shire York, PA

I am the third in my family to have weight loss surgery. My husband had the bypass about 5 years ago, took off 129 and has recently put on a considerable amount. We are "discussing" his options. Our youngest daughter had banding 2 years ago and dropped 75 lbs. the first year. She is keeping it off, but is consuming a lot more food than she should (she eats extremely slowly but eats a lot!). Out middle daughter was banded in December and has taken off 88 lbs. She still eats small portions and eats slowly. She "strays" occasionally to have something from her old way of eating! I just turned 57 am a mom to 3 and a grandma to 4! I was banded on Aug. 19th and returned home 6 …

hi there ... this is my first post here ... i am from India and i have recently gotten banded on 28/6 . I have been hanging out there thanks to you people and your support

The day finally arrived. I received my new lapband today. Everything has gone smoothe so far. I am a little sore but the pain medication takes care of it. No gas cramps so far either. Thanks to everyone who writes. I did a lot of reading on this site over the last week to get me through this.

Hey everyone! I have been researching all about the LapBand for awhile and I think it's really the solution for me! I have a good friend that did it over a year ago and I have talked to her extensively also! My biggest question she can't answer (she did selfpay) Where do I start? Do I talk to insurance first, talk to my doctor, find a surgeon in my area etc? I am overwhelmed and need help on what to do first! Thanks in advance for any advice!

Hello everyone, I was banded on August 11 by Dr. Barry Greene in Rockville, Marlyand. Everything has been going along just fine and my current restriction is decent, even without a fill. That said, if I have to drink one more chocolate...banana...strawberry, vanilla ANYTHING I am going to lose my marbles! I figured out this week how to make things a bit more "interesting" by going to my favorite Thai restaurant and having her whip me up a nice and mild Lemongrass Soup; then I drink the broth of soup(which is very, very close to clear) and let my husband eat the chicken and veggies. It has saved me this week. My question to those of you who have done the two-week post-…

Hi. My name is Paula and I was "banded" 10 days ago on March 4th. I am excited about the future and becoming a healthy, slimmer person. For me, the first several days were rough, but on day 8 I woke up finally feeling better. My daughter Spencer, who is 18, had the procedure back on Nov. 19, 2007, and has lost over 50 pounds. She had a quicker recovery than I did, but I guess I've got to admit that at 46 years old you may not recover as quickly as an 18 year old. I am so looking forward to reading up on a lot of you and am anxious to share more about me. Have a great day.

I have recently decided to get banded and i am elated. a very good friend of mine is having the surgery tomorrow and i am so thrilled for her and excited for myself, too, since I've decided to "take the plunge", and have it done. i enjoy reading all the postings and look forward to all the appts which I have scheduled, nutritionist, PT, RN, etc. wish me luck!!

Hi, I'm so glad I have found this forum. I have just begun my research in WLS. I'm still looking for a Surgeon in San Antonio. I have Tricare Prime for insurance so it limits my choices.... Anyway~ I look forward to having you with me on this journey .

:eek:Hello, just signed up. Will be banded on Aug 25. I've lost 8 pounds thus far. Very excited and a little scared. My doc is David Elliott - Richmond Surgical Group. Anyone else banded by Dr. Elliott?