Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi: I had my lap band surgery June 5, on June 23 I had a DVT (blood clot) in my left leg. I had lost 12 pounds but quickly gained it back. I had my first fill July 30, but I am still not losing weight. Any of you had problems with coumadin? Please write back.:cry_smile:

Hi everyone! I just joined the site today. I have been watching you all for the past few months since I decided to get banded. I am really lame when it comes to forums and such, as I am not that savvy...Hopefully I will learn as I go. Please bare with me through this learning process. I am open for any suggestions to make this journey easier as well. Thank you, Lori

the surgery is on a Thursday and I took Friday, Sat. Sun., Mon and Tue off from work. Do you think I will feel better by then? How long until you can drive? Do you need to put medicine on those cuts on your belly? I am sooo thankful that insurance approved me (I worked my tail off to get all of that together), and I have a family that supports me......I will start the liquid diet tomorrow. Thank you everybody for the help that you offer me and each other. Have a good one!:cry_smile:

as a place where they got banded, The Doctors name is Dr. Jorge Rincon in San Antonio Texas. Any help would be greatly appreciated, Thanks, Leann:thumbup:

Ok y'all here's my story...highest weight ever was 368, got banded 1/19/07, on surgery day weighed 300.5. Today weigh 225. My goal is 199 which i had hoped to hit by my 40th b-day on August 14 but not meant to be for me so I changed it to by my bandiversary....... despite being in this prolonged plateau and not meeting my goal for by b-day, I am still extremely grateful for what I have accomplished & try to not get frustrated...I feel & look better, blood pressure and blood sugars are good (no meds), feet don't hurt, I've gone from wearing 26/28 to 16's & 18's. I have a chin, shoulders and feel bones that I never knew existed. Now here's my issue...I've g…

I have a surgeon's appointment the day after tommorrow and I have been researching WLS for a number of years....but have decided to go with the band if possible....other than the usual questions to ask about the surgeons experience (going to the Cleveland Clinic), things to expect, testing before surgery etc, is there one question that YOU as a BANDER didn't ask that you wished you would have asked before your decision to get banded???

Hiya! I have posted on the UK forum before but nowhere else and now everything is going ahead I thought I would introduce myself properly and see if anyone had any advice! I am nervous and excited, I start my pre-op liquid diet on wednesday and determined to stick to it! My current weight is 24st 3lbs so I have loads to lose and I can't wait to start. If anyone has any tips please share them! I can't really imagine what life after my surgery is going to be like!

Hello everyone, My name is Chris, I am male 28 years old, currently weigh in over 300lbs and live in Springfield, Mo. I am considering/Planning on getting banded. I go to my first orientation on the 23rd of August. I am very scared and a little bit excited about getting banded. I think the scariest part for me is the change in Diet. I love my comfort foods and diet soda. I am very glad I found this site and plan on asking all sorts of questions as they come. Thank you for having me! -Chris

Hi there. I've been thinking about WLS for almost 3 years and have been waiting for surgery since January, now that it is 6 days away I am feeling a bit nervous! I am excited and a little scared. My biggest worry is how I am going to deal with cravings. I have lost 30lbs since January while waiting for surgery, I yo-yo like crazy between about 6 lbs up and down. My eating is most difficult around my monthly cycle when I crave the junk. I am also a vegetarian and have been for almost 20 years. i am curious if it will be difficult to get the Protein without the bulk. I am also a single working parent of a 7 year old and do not have a ton of support, I have 1 goo…

Hi I've had my lapband for 2 years now. Everything was going great, had lost about 85 lbs, was feeling great, getting some confidence back, then my problem started. I lost all restriction. Went to see my Dr. and he did a fill, almost immediatly could not tell a difference but thought I should wait a few days to see if it would kick in. I kind of felt there was something not right but was trying to keep positive. Also my heartburn had returned with a vengence - which I told my Dr., Anyway, to make a long story short I have been in and had a fill almost every week for the last month and a half - no change. He said I don't have symptomes of a slip or erosion but now s…

Hi I'm new to this, but have been watching and waiting since last year,I have had all my tests and everything is good but then Insurance changed. New one said... do a program like "weight watchers" for 6 months so thats where I am, in month 5. hoping that sometime in late sept. I will get approved. Anyone out there like me?

I'M CONSIDERING BEING BANDED IN SPOKANE WITH THE SACRED HEART MEDICAL CENTER/ROCKWOOD CLINIC TEAM. IF ANYONE HAS ANY SUGGESTIONS, OR EXPERIENCES, IT WOULD BE APPRECIATED. I WILL BE USING ANTHEM BCBS & FEP BCBS INSURANCE. :thumbup:

Good morning beautiful sista's of all colors i have a question I would like to try a protien low carb shake what brand you think i should go for ? thats really good but not too expensive???:biggrin:

I was reading about the 5 day pouch test in another thread and wondered if anyone here has ever tried it and what was the outcome. Not quite sure what to make of it. :confused2: Here's the link: Surgical Weight Loss 5 Day Pouch Test

Just wanted to say hello and introduce myself...i am from San Antonio Texas and have started my weight loss journery. Wish I could wake up and my 65 lbs be gone!!! Well hello to everyone! Does anyone ever feel scared that they will be the one exception that wont loose weight?:cursing:

Hi beautiful ladies, I am so down right now. Since last Wednesday I have been gaining on average 1 pound/day. My appetite has returned full throttle and I have to force myself not to overdo it but I know I am still eating more than I should. I'm finding it very hard to slow down and am practically inhaling my food. I don't know what to do with myself right now. If anyone has advice please send it my way. I was down to 204 initially and am back to 212. For those of you have had surgery, is this normal? Please don't tell me to call the doctor's office because I have finally learned what others who've used NYU are complaining about. The staff SUCKS - no one has return…

Hi.....Im Karen and was banded two days ago at The Princess Grace Hospital in London. Im so relieved that i've finally had the procedure and have already lost 3lbs! I have had no feeling of hunger at all and can manage not more than a few spoonfuls of soup or 1/2 cup of tea. Im still a little sore and trying to get used to the tight feeling in my chest but as each day has passed the pain is better. Im looking forward to seeing the new "me"!

Just wanted to say Hi...I'm new here, 10 days post surgery.... need some help with all the lingo but looking forward to posting! I'm from Cincy (Cincinnati) and I'm a HUGE Bengals fan, I love the NFL and would watch EVERY game of every TEAM if I could on Sundays....season ticket holder and I can't wait to look "hot" in my Carson Palmer Jersey! I have 2 boys...a 5 year old and a 2 mos old....they are the light of my life and I'm so happy I did this because I want to be able to keep up with them!

Hello all, I'm Ida Kay. I live in Virginia and I had the Lap Band surgery on July 3, 2008. Before surgery I had lost 20 pounds and since surgery I have lost 23 pounds for a total of 43 pounds. I feel great, have lots of energy, and most of all, I am not hungry. Love to chat with others that have had their surgery around this time and even ones with lots of experience with the Lap Band.

Hi everyone, I have done research on and off for about a year. I decided to have Dr. Ortiz in Mexico, do my surgery May 28th. I was very impressed with Dr. Ortiz and his facility just over the border in Tijuana. The first week post surgery was the toughest for me. So far I've lost 23 pounds. A friend of mine had her surgery about 15 months ago and she has lost 80 pounds and has reached her goal weight. I'm hoping I'll be as successful. Begone:rolleyes2:

Hello everyone. I am officially miserable and unhappy. I was a very active person but with all my aches and pains I find things I used to enjoy unbearable. Arthritis in my ankle and hands are starting to slow me down. I have just recently been told I am hypertensive and have sleep apnea. I am very interested in LB. I found very valuable info on this site thus far. I do have a lower BMI 37.2 and and have Tricare Prime. I am in the research phase thus far. I am already in fear that due to my low BMI I will be denied but am looking at other options. I love life but not in my current state. My husband is very active and I feel he misses his partner in crime. Look…

Hello Everyone, I am 43 years old . My name is Julie :thumbup:and have three children and a husband. I have my first consultation on Thursday. I am really nervous and I hope this works for me. Goodluck to everyone and I hope to be telling you about my weight loss.

Hello! I am really excited about finding this site! I think it is going to be SO helpful! I wish I had found it pre-surgery. I live in Alabama, I am 36 years old, I have been married for 7 years, and I am a proud Mom to a wonderful 2 1/2 year old little boy.:biggrin: I also work a full time job. I hope everyone has a great day! God bless, Dustie

Hi my name is Debbie, I go under Pinkturkey. I had my Lap Band surgery 11/22/05. I got my first fill at 6 weeks and my port had broken loose and they had a difficult time giving me my first fill. I had no restriction what so ever. The second fill had to be done under live xrays at the hospital because he couldn't locate the port. Only felt restriction on the first day after that none. Third fill done in xray, I was so discouraged and ready to give up. I complained loudly that I only felt restriction on the first day and by the next morning, nothing. Well, Dr. Rohrscheib, shot some dye up into the port and watched it all leak out. The first fill had poked holes in…

What do you eat to get enough protein with such a limited amount of food? :confused2: I've not yet been banded and don't know what to plan on eating afterward. I've never particularly liked beans (it's a texture thing) or cottage cheese, and protein drinks are pretty expensive. I ate so much tuna fish on weight watchers, over the years, that I find it hard to eat. Help me figure it out. Thanks

Hello, Everyone. I had surgery 3 years ago and have lost about 115 lbs but still need to lose about 30 more. I was doing fine until the death of my husband last year and since that time, I have lost all motivation. The fact that I have come back to this site and am asking for your help must mean that I am finally deciding to get back on track. Have any of you sort of lost your way but managed to re-start your weight loss? If so, I would appreciate any and all suggestions. I have let myself gain back 10 lbs and I know that I must change my head and my heart or my health problems will return and then I will really be in trouble. Thanks............connie:crying:

Hi everyone, My name is Barbara and I hail from the Big Apple; NY . Just wanted to say hello and to say that I am very excited and pleased to find this site. Surgery was 5/29/08; lost 14 lbs in 6 days; had my first fill 7/2/08 and so far so good. Don't have a scale at home but my clothes are quite lose to say the least. Have gotten very motivated and encouraged from you guys and I wish you all much success:thumbs_up:!

Hi, I have had my first surgeon's visit and three of the required exams done. I am waiting to schedule the psych's visit and the dietcian's visit. I am getting anxious and want things to move along////////////:thumbup:

Good morning all! Is this the place where we introduce ourselves? I'm so pleased to "meet" you all. My name is Julie, I'm 48 and live in central New Jersey. I have a date to be banded on August 12th (one week from today!) with Dr Michael Jay Nusbaum. I really like him so far. I have about 70 - 80 lbs to lose. Most of the time, I am very happy with my decision and excited and committed to the decision... but sometimes I worry, and wonder, and say to myself, "Well, if you're willing to go through all THIS, then why can't you just PRETEND you have the band in, and stick to a friggin' diet?!". LOL Actually, I know why... it's because of stressors in my life as well as aspects…

Hello all!

Hello all I have a touched question. I was banded on July 15th and had not had a visit from my SPECIAL friend since then. Well she visited me last week because she thought I missed her. The problem I had with her this month and I had not considered before is the sweet tooth she always brings with her. What if anything are ya'll eating or doing to get past the sweet tooth monster?

So far so Good.. Had my surgery Yesterday morning 7:15, out of Recovery at 9:15, Out of the Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara by 3:30.. Some shoulder pain, and my stomach is a bit sore.. Not bad at all. I am so glad to get this done, now I have hope of losing weight and getting off my meds.:cool2:

Good morning I am new to this site so I would like to introduce myself. I had my lap band put in on June 17, 2008 and I will see my Dr. for the first time since surgrery August 7th. I have lost 23 lbs. since the surgrery but I am at a stand still. I am not hungry but I have a lot of emotional eating issues. I am fighting the desire to eat more although I am not hungry. I hope I can connect with some others who have this problem and we can talk about it. My Super Ego is trying to take over my life and I need some friends to help me fight. :thumbup: Berkeley_Barb Do you want the truth or do you just want to stop hurting?

I am a lapband wearer. I just thought i would tell you that i have had my band installed 2 yrs out and doing great. Went from 503lbs to 370lbs. Went from a size 72 pants to a loose size 58. I had one of the best hospital and two of the top rated surgeons in the U.S. for lapbanding. I will say the lapband is a helper for losing weight and you have to have it adjusted to your needs. I have not lost the tremendeous weight i thought i should of at first, but being patient is the key. It will work for anyone willing to lose weight. It completely cut my hunger. If you have any questions feel free to email me. Oh, by the way i'm still losing and want to get to 300lbs by june of …

I am thinking about getting banded and I am not sure. My sister had gastric bipass over 5yrs ago and thinks it's best thing since butter on bread. But I have seen her get sick, and have seen her go through that "dumping feeling". Does that also happen with banding? How do you continue to go out to eat with family and friends when you are finished eating in 5 minutes and the rest of the party will be eating for the next hour or more. I just don't know if I can do this. Physically, my body is screaming for it, I know I need it, mentally I just don't know. :confused2:

I have 8 days until my surgery and I am a little nervous, but extremely excited. My doctor is Dr. Richard Benavides and I am having the surgery at Surgery Center of Richardson. Anyone out there used this center as well as this doctor? If so, was it a good experience?

Hi, I am new to the site (obviously), I will be banded in Texas by Dr. Rincon on October 14, 2008, I am very nervous and excited at the same time. One of my biggest concerns is, I just don't see how I can stop eating, i mean i am a food-aholic and how do you just not want to eat a whole pizza anymore??? I also wonder how you go 2 weeks with just liquids, again I'm a fodd-aholic and you only want me to drink for 14 days, that scares me! I love this site and so glad I found it. Thanks Leann

Hello everyone! My lap-band surgery is scheduled for tomorrow, Aug. 5 with Dr. Rehnke in St. Petersburg, FL. I'm nervous, but it's been a huge help reading all of the posts from those of you who have already been through the surgery. Can anyone tell me how to find other patients who have used Dr. Rehnke?

I had my surgery on Friday and am very excited about it, but I do have a few concerns. I do not feel like I am geting enough liquids in because I was told to only drink 1 ounce every 10 minutes. I find myself falling asleep during the wait time. It seems like I am sleeping a lot. Is that normal? I am having a hard time getting 3 Protein shakes in, along with the other liquids to equal 64 ounces a day. IS anyone else having this much trouble? Thank you for any responses I can get regarding this. Cheri

:mad2:Up in here! I am now two weeks past being approved and about to lose it. I have not gotten a surgery date or pre-op or anything scheduled and I am trying to figure out the most professional way to deal with this. I called the AIGB center to talk to my patient advocate and that was like talking to my five year old. They still keep saying they have not gotten approval ( or the letter) from the insurance company and they will not act without it. I called the dr's office where it was sent and they do not have it. The insurance said that they mailed another copy to me on 7/25!!! What kind of snail mail are they using??:mad::mad::eek::cursing::smile::biggrin: How can a si…

Hi all! After years of struggling and researching various types of weight loss surgery, I am getting the lap band on Monday Aug 11 provided all my pre-op tests are within parameters. I'm so excited! Just wanted to say hi and introduce myself (53 yo female student nurse) Good luck to us all!

I had my surgery on 09-16-06. Pre-335- Now-225 :clap2: I had my surgery at Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet, Illinois by doctor Joyce.. but lost my insurance so am now seeing Dr.Lutfi at Mercy Hospital in Chicago. Has anyone been seen by Dr. Lutfi- if so, how is he??? ( I encourage both positive and negative feedback):help: Now that I have lost the weight, what do I do about all the skin? </p> <p>Update/View data</p>

Never more than the 23rd did the saying 'today is the first day of the rest of your life' mean more to me. I was banded in San Antonio by Dr. Carcamo. Everyone was great at the Nix and the day went smoothly. I've had very little pain at all. Now that i'm a full three days out the pressure has subsided and just the incisions are bugging me some. I'm on clear liquids for a week and then the slider stuff starts. It's fascinating reading the different posts and seeing how others have different instructions for the phases. I am looking forward to the change in my life! I thought last year was a big one when I got my Harley. This year's addition (my band) will only hel…

I am 4 weeks post-op. I had my surgery at Creighton Medical Center in Omaha, Ne. My surgeon, Dr. R. Sudan, is reputed to be the best in town. Unfortunately, he is leaving Omaha this month and moving to Rahleigh, NC area. I have a very stubborn case of Fibromyalgia and have suffered with problem from it since 1994. However, my pain level is very manageable since my surgery. I went from 7-9 pain levels daily, to a 2-3 on most days. I am amazed - as are my family and friends. Several friends have commented that "Mary's back!" I am only weighing myself every Tuesday. My first goal is 30 pounds and I will get my ears double pierced! Last Tuesday (July 29) I had lo…

Hi there! This is a great site and I'm hoping to get a lot of my questions answered here....I'm considering a lap band since I have a BMI of 41 and high blood pressure. I have an appointment with my PCP on Tuesday to discuss it and hopefully get a referral. He's really cool, so I'm not too worried about that. I am worried about getting insurance approval and then the whole surgery thing. But, I am here because I know you all have the story behind the story...you know....all the things they DON'T tell you in the doctor's office. I'm from Pittsburgh and would appreciate hearing from anyone else who's been banded here in the 'burgh.

I have been waiting a long time. So many doctors so many tests. Then when that's over you have to wait for ins to be approved. That's another two weeks. But it was great because I found out in a week and August 5th is my day at 10 am tomorrow. I am so excited, over night stay and home on Wed. Then my first week of what I do not know. If anyone has advice on how the first week is I would love to hear Thank you Lisa :cool2:

Hello! I'm a newbie here. Well, I'm getting banded on July 28th by Dr. David Kim at North Hills Bariatric in North Richland Hills, Texas (Ft. Worth area). And if it doesn't come soon I'm going to be big as a BARN as every dang meal I eat is as though it's my last

Hello All, My husband and I are having surgery on the 29th. I actually work for the surgeon who is doing our procedures so that is a great comfort. We are excited and of course nervous. Great site. A friend of mine is having surgery on the 19th and told me about lap band talk:thumbup:. Leslie

Hello, I finally decided that my health was important and to give up on the Insurance company and just pay for the procedure myself. It's a chunk of savings, but if I didn't do it I wouldn't be around to spend it anyway. So I made the appointment and I go in next month. I am very excited about it. Like most others I have been doing the up and down yo-yo stuff. Everytime I try again it gets harder and harder. My life is passing me by. I am having my surgery in Scottsdale, AZ at the True Results clinic. I am just so excited I don't know what to do with myself!

Hi my name is Christi. I am currently looking into lap-band surgery in Mexico. I have insurance (BC/BS) but it does not cover weight loss surgery. I'm just feeling really LOST in all of this, and don't know where to turn. I have done a fair amount of research, but feel there is so much more to learn. Thanks in advance for any information anyone can give me. :smile: