Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi I am pre op I have wanted the wls for a long time.I had a mini stroke in april so I have to lose the weight before having a bigger one .so the race is on.Ihave seen so many doctors I feel like a loony bird. My dr is dr pohl RI seems good my insurance is covering it but Im getting conflicting statments on requirements.I tried to go into a chat room.but cant figure out how to post .I will be joining threads as the process goes on just wanted to say hi to what will be a big support group for me :thumbup:

Hello!! I think the band is the best invention ever! Life changing for me...I'm just under 2 yrs post-op, had reached my goal weight by 10 months and then continued on to lose 27 more pounds within the next 6 months! I feel better than ever, my health issues have resolved, and have had no complications from the band. I started out at 220 lbs (size 22) - my goal was 70 lbs - I am now a size 6 at 127 lbs!! I lost almost 100 lbs, not only reaching my goal weight, but exceeding it by losing 30 additional pounds! I've educated others as much as I can, speaking of the great benefits...If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask!!

www.myspace.com/missrach77

This is my first time on this website. I am scheduled for surgery on June 27th. I am on the pre-op diet. I am very weak. Also very excited. I am a self pay. I need to lose at least 80 lbs. Does anyone have any advice on the preop diet?

hi my name is mary. i live in ga, i'm going to dr antonetti in west columbia' s.c. i'm in the first steps of getting ready to have my surgery.going to psych eval on 8-14-08. don't know what to expect.

Only 7 days to go before being banded and I feel like a new journey of my life is about to begin-Can't Wait!. I have struggled with diets and weight loss waaaay to long, and waisted a lot of good years, Not anymore...My band day is Aug 12th and if I can get through this pre-op diet I can tackle anything. I now see my daughter experiencing the same thing as myself at 20 years of age, so she has decided to also be banded at the same time. After much research and discussion with others who have had a similar experience, we opted for surgery in Mexico.They have wonderful facilities and caring staff-and it's affordable! So off we go..we'll let you know how it goes in case othe…

Hello my name is Tina . I had my lap band done on 2-6-2008 and so far i have lost 61 pounds. This was the best thing i have ever done .

Okay, For those of you who have lost big pounds already, what is a typical day of eating like. I have not been banded so I have a hard time visualizing that little cup of food the nutritionist said would be enough to fill me up. What are you guys doing? Some people are doing low carb, some just cutting back. Can some of you guys give us newbies tips on what you eat. Thanks.:biggrin2:

Hello, I'm Debbie from Houston and I had lap band surgery last Wednesday, July 30. I'm a registered nurse and I am hoping to describe from a more clinical viewpoint what is happening. My husband created a website for me to post my experiences with the surgery, hospitalization, and hopefully a large weight loss. My website is here.

Hello,my name is Karen and I am scheduled for surgery on the 14th of August, I am doing my liguid diet and really hoping I can make it through this portion. My friend told me about this web site and I am so excited to know that their are so many people going through this that can help support, and I hope I may be a support also. Im just kinda mixed on feelings at the moment the mood swings are pretty intense when your not eating like your use too. Im alittle nervous, that for the most part Ive not been a sickly person and I dont want to be a henderance to my family. I really feel this is going to be an awsome experiance just like many of you I have been over weight my ent…

Hi Everyone.... Being banded 821 in TJ,Mexico,By Dr.Juan Lopez Corvala.... i live in Mesa,Az.just turned 57 >7/22.......don't know how to do all the fancy stuff.. just a plain jane.when it comes to computers.. been reading and reading all the different experiences....But walk,walk walk seem to be one of the most important things to do after surgery....'congrat to the banded on such wonderful stories of weight loss and to us newbie our wonderful stories are waitng to be written charlene821

Hi everyone,my name is Kath and this is my first visit to this brilliant website! I am due to leave for Belgium tomorrow to have surgery on Weds 6th Aug with Dr Christiaan De Bruyne. I wanted to find some information from past patients as I was feeling a little apprehensive and thanks to the site, all the good comments have put my mind at rest!Its so good to read about everyones " high's & lows " and to know that there are a lot of people out there going through the same thing as myself! Must go now & pack.......will be back in touch when I get home on Sat 9th Aug! Wish me luck!!! Kath. :smile:

Hi everyone, I'm new to this site although I've been reading the posts for about 3 weeks. Alot of good info on here. I had my lap band on 7/2/08. I call myself freedom0702 because my surgery was so close to independence day and the lap band will be my independence from fat, YEA! So far, since I started the journey in 9/07 (going thru the insurance required program, etc) I have lost about 32 pounds. Just cleaned out my closet yesterday of all the clothes that are too big but kept because I just didn't believe that I wouldn't fit back into them again. I'm still a little leary of just getting rid of them because I have a hard time believing this time the weight wil…

Hi All I am due to have gastric band surgery on the NHS very soon and I thought that it would be good to join a forum like this to make new friends and get and give help and support. I currently weigh 22st 9lbs..Mine is a typical story, chubby teenager, bullied at school, food was comfort, tried everything and think surgery is my last hope. I am type 2 diabetic and have high colesterol. I can't wait to get my band fitted. I know it isn't all plain sailing and that I will still have alot of work to do, but I know that it will change my life and make things better for me and that I will at last be able to do the normal things in life. I am going to take a look aro…

I am 3 weeks post-op and I've lost 20 pounds. It seems like I'm leveling out and not loosing as fast as I was. Is that normal?? I am still have some pain around the port site too? I will call the doctors tomorrow, I was just curious if anyone else was in a similar position. I'm starting to worry that I might not reach my goal weight. Please offer any advice!? Thanks so much! Alicia

Just wanted to stop by and say "Hi". I live in Littleton Colorado and work for the Douglas County Schools in Castle Rock. I have been researching this procedure for quite sometime and feel like now is the time in my life to take control of my weight. I have my first consultation with Dr. Chae on June 7th. I can't wait! I have Cigna and heard they are a real pain to deal with - but I don't have the cash to self pay. So I'll just have to go with the Cigna flow I guess! Just as a side topic - my mother in law is flying in tonight and I am not happy about it at all - when I'm not happy I want to eat eat eat eat!:nervous Talk to you soon!

I was banded in Jan. 2008 in Indiana by Dr. Cahill its been six months and I have lost 85 pounds. I wanted to check out the site and hopefully get some usefull tips so I can continue with my sucess.

hi i just brought a dvd that is called "walk at home 5 mile walk" i got banded 3 wks ago i want to try it do you think its a good idea to walk that much i am walking alot but not 5 miles also how many calories can you burn walking that much? thanks!!!!

Hello everyone, I am 48 years old, have been heavy all of my life except for a few years of starvation. My first word was "more". I started this with a BMI of 43, weighing 260 pounds. I chose the wonderful Dr. Nizzi up here in Northern Michigan, but his whole group is good. I'd been thinking of bariatric surgery for more than four years, and seriously talking about it for two. When the Lapband option came to town, that decided it for me. Unfortunately, my family Doctor calculated my BMI incorrectly, and I didn't question it, so I waited another year before doing my own calculatons and finding that I did indeed qualify for a Lapband. Do yourself a favor and do your ow…

I was banded on July 28th, finding it hard to get through the pureed diet, don't seem to like much. I do have a question as to why they do not want you to have orange juice. I have had smoothies before with oj and find them more to my liking. :teeth_smile:

Hi, is anyone from oakland county michigan? I am going to my first seminar on 8/18/08. I have been reading posts on this website for over a year now. I have a bmi of 40.3 and alot of comorbidities. I was told by my insurance cust.serv.Bluecare Network HMO,that they cover this and I should talk to my doctor for what requirements are needed. I did talk to him and he said I was a good candidate. He also was glad I opted for the Lap Band instead of GB. He did not say I had to do anything else though. He told me to go for the seminar and see the surgeon at Royal Oak Beaumont. I guess they will tell me if I have to do a six month diet or anything else. Is anyone else in the …

I am 34 year of male in Indianapolis. I am married to Barbara who had roux-en-y November 07, she has lost 110 pounds. She has one from a size 26 to a size 12, and she looks amazing. I am so proud of her. I will be having lapband surgery on the 18th of August 08. I am a little nervous, but know that I must do this to be happy with my image and return to my chosen career soon.

This is my first time on this website. I had the band on 4/28/08 in N.Y. My first fill was the second week of July and I received 2cc. I am scheduled for a 2nd fill sometime at the end of August. I have maintained the same weight for over a month. I'm keeping the faith and looking forward to your:thumbup: support. The food is a challenge however, I am more motivated to excerise than ever. Any advice is much appreciated.

Hi there...I'm a newbie here. I finally jumped thru all the hoops for insurance pre-approval. I finished last month and my paperwork was submitted. I Humana called about 3-4 days later to see if they had gotten all of my paperwork. They had, and said I was APPROVED....YAY!!! I was in shock...for some reason I was sooo worried about them not approving me. So I did my "pre-op" bloodwork last thurs and should have a surgery date by tuesday. WOOHOO!!! I can't wait...I know it sounds crazy to be in a hurry for surgery, but I know it's a whole new start! :biggrin:

I am being banded tomorrow. Excited the time has finally come. This 2 day pre-surgery diet has been hard. I am really, really, really hungry...I could eat my shoes. I am also exhausted and have a headache, I think that may be from low blood sugar. Anyone else have this experience?

Well, here I am. I'm nervous and excited about getting the lapband. I'm a widowed mom of 3 wonderful children and we live in College Station, TX. My surgery is scheduled for 8/14/08. My best friend had her band done late December and is doing awesome. Tomorrow I start my pro-op diet.... not looking forward to that at all... but it will be over before I know it Wish me luck :teeth_smile:

Hello! I had my lap band surgery on July 22,2008. I have lost 8lbs. The only problem with the band is lower stomach pain on my left side. I have to go back to work in a couple of wks. I just hope the pain will be gone by then. :biggrin:

I have really enjoyed this website for the past 3+ wks as I have embarked on my BAND journey. :eek: I am still at the very beginning, but finishing up my last step before my information can be submitted to insurance for prior approval. So that brings me to my question. I have BCBS of GA insurance and a Nutritional Evaluation is required. I have seen the dietician and am having to log my food intake for 2 weeks and eat like I normally do, which is COMPLETELY WRONG!! So my question is does anyone know what the dietician is looking for or going to do? :confused2: I am concerned that I am doing something wrong that is going to cause me to have to have more appts with her and …

So...Hello to all. I am about to embark on my banding journey on Sept 2nd. I am nervous and excited all at the same time. I get to have my procedure in the hospital I work at, so I am lucky to know all of the nurses and staff that will be caring for me. I will be a starter patient for a local surgeon starting his lap-band program. But, I know this surgeon very well and trust in him and his staff completely. Well...Alittle about me. I have struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember. All through school it was a problem both emotionally and physically. After high school I was certain that I would spend the rest of my life alone. But, through some mir…

Hi, I have been lurking and reading here for awhile and figured I would join the fun. I am three weeks pre-op, on the pre-op diet. I am having surgery on August 19th, with Dr. Kuri, in Tijuana. I am doing very well on the pre-op diet, it's not as bad as I thought it would be. I am very excitied about the whole process. I finally feel like I have found the thing that can help me be successful. I look forward to joining in and being part of this great support system here. :biggrin:

Hi I am new to the site and feeling pretty nervous as surgery for my lap band is at 8am tommorow the 4th August. I am from Kent in England and all your posts have been a great help to me, but I stilll cannot wait for it to be over. Good luck to any body else who has surgery tommorow would love to hear from you.

I'm a 32 yr old mother of 3. I live in Texas and have been considering the lapband for a little over a year. One of my closest friends had hers done last year. She flew to Mexico to get it done. She's lost over 100 lbs but still adamently tells me NEVER TO GET IT DONE. With all her success and seeing it from an outside view, I understand her reasonings but also know that I want to change my lifestyle and experience a new me. I want to be there for my children LONG TERM. I've had so many health related issues because of my weight (currently at 235) and I want to be able to really transform my body and lifestyle. The current problem is that I have not-so-great credit (somew…

Hello. I would like to introduce my self to you all. I was banded May 19th, 2008. I have lost 48 lbs. so far. It has changed my life! I feel so wonderful now. It is so much easier to take care of my 2 beautiful daughters. I am very happy that I found this website. Everyone is so supportive. Thank you all.

Hi... Oh banded ones.. I made it I was banded Friday Aug.1st at 11:30 am.. Spent the night in the hospital. CHOMP( community hospital of the Monterey peninsula) The hospital was wonderful. My doctor was Mark Vierra. I can't say enough about him.. I feel wonderful. A little discomfort yesterday but mostly not. I have pain meds if I need them. And again not.. I can't believe how worried I was. I almost called it off. This for me is a walk in the park. All my normal meds went down with not a hitch. I was worried about that. I do have one recommendation to make... Tuck your blankets and sheets really tight.. You can use them to help get you out of bed. if no one is aroun…

MySpace.com - www.myspace.com/308398342 I haven't had by lapband surgery just started my journey I would love to be anyones friend who could help me and give me advice. I Have already had my first meeting w/ my surgeon and I meet w/ the dietian and the Pych next month. I am excited and nearvous at the same time. Well, Hope to hear from some of you.

1- I had my first fill on July 13, and i feel that i can eat anything, and i do not have a restriction, is this normal?? Should i go and have a refill, my first fill was 4cc. ?? Also i have not lost weight and my weight is stuck in one place :teeth_smile: 2- How do i know that my band slipped?? can i know myself or i have to see the doctor?? Please your replies will be appreciated. Thank you!

In the August 2008 Bandsters boards we have a thread that is a roster of the entire group. We cannot figure out how to attract the attention of a Mod to make the thread sticky. How do I find a Moderator?????????? http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f183/august-2008-bandsters-can-mod-make-sticky-71387/#post944203

Hi, I wanted to say hello and congradulations to everyone who decided to do that life changing lap band surgery. The lap band has literally "SAVED" my life as well as given me one. I wanted to share that I was banded by Dr.Hadar Spivak in Houston.I went to his support group or wellness program 2 months ago and found it to be very informative and very welcoming. Everyone who attended the night I was there was so eager to help answer my questions and concerns since I am still new with having my band. I truly felt welcomed, like I was walking into a "friends" home. Wanda the director of the program was so wonderful and "sincere and real" this is so important to me and …

Hello Is anyone bheing banded on 31st of Aug- Thats the date when i'[m being banded & thought we could support & share sucess stories??:thumbup:

Hi everybody. My name is Carmen. I am interested in the lap band and I have signed up for the seminar which is scheduled for August 18th. I am really nervous but also excited about taking the first step to a healthier lifestyle. I am an R.N., and sometimes I feel like such a hypocrite when I am telling my patients to lead a healthier lifestyle and I don't take my own advice. So, welcome any words of encouragement or advice to anyone willing to offer. Carmey

:confused:I'm a 29yo mom. I have been overweight for about 9 years now. I have been gaining weight like crazy the past 5 years. I have tried just about every over the counter diet pill. I have starved myself. I have exercised and been in many gyms. Nothing seems to work. I am sick of buying "fat clothes". I am disgusted when I look in the mirror. I am currently 239lbs. Today I decided to make a change. I called my Dr and made an appt to discuss the lap band. I have been on-line reading up on this all day and I am ready to get this done now! I am so sick of being overweight. I don't feel pretty. I have been noticing more and more health problems. My legs swell up real bad …

Hi, My name is Cheryl and I found you're site through a friend that had a lap-band in January. I scheduled for mine Wed, August 6th!! Having it done in Portsmouth, NH have about 125 to lose. Thanks for all the great tips I've read so far!!

Hello, My name is Myra. I am researching the lap band procedure and wondering if it is right for me. I have an appointment next week to discuss it with surgeons. I know that my chronic leg pain would be much better without the extra weight. Just want to hear from everyone whether it has been a positive or negative experience for them.

Tomorrow morning at 5 AM I report to the hospital for my lap band surgery. I am really excited yet a bit scared at the same time. I've got everything that the doctor's office said to buy before hand and I think I am ready to go. I think I've been reading the posts too long now and I am scaring myself. For months before scheduling my surgery I read everything and I really think the negatives are far less than the positives which will last me a lifetime. I am hoping that everyone can give me some advice in regards to what to do and what not to do after surgery. Everyone says WALK and I will. What else do I need to know and do? To introduce myself, I am 36 years old a mot…

Hello, I'm Kegra. I've been working toward this place for years, though I finally made the commitment to being healthy and fit about 9 months ago, and that is when things started moving for me with my doc and my insurance company. I am amazed by what I accomplished once I committed myself fully to it and refused to be stopped (delayed, yes, but stopped, no). I'm on the pre-op diet, trying to find Protein powders and drinks that I can stand, because I know I'm going to be drinking a lot of them soon. I ordered a lot of samples from Vitalady.com and they actually taste pretty decent, its just I have a hard time with the thickness of the drinks. Using straws helps, but I…

hello, you! i've been reading posts and replies on here for a couple of days and i really like the vibe here! ok, so i was just banded 7/25 and it's going really good. the first day and a half was hell, but it got better. i'm having no problems eating and am already doing ok with mushy stuff, as of yesterday. it actually worries me cause i ate a whole bean burrito (i know, it's not healthy, but the chart said i could have beans! and i've been on mostly liquids for a month now! protein shakes 3 weeks pre-op, and soups and crap for a week post-op.) i definitely got satisfied, almost full, but i was worried that i didn't feel that i had to throw up. of course i chewed th…

Hi All, I was banded 7/23/08 Dr. Strom in Glen Ridge New Jersey. I first want to say I am 54 years young and have NEVER had surgry and it wasn't that bad. I only needed meds the first day of course, then that was it. I did however get pneumoina:mad: and was very winded. All that is gone no. I went to the dr's office day 7 and had lost 8 pounds!:wink2: I'm just looking for support. Thanks and peace to us all Missjewel

Hi! I am new here.. was banded on 7/7/08 and haven't had a fill yet. I go 8/7/08 to do that, and I am very excited about it. I have lost only 7 lbs since my surgery and feel like I have NO restriction. It is very frustrating. I can eat whatever I want. I have to use my self control! Just wanted to introduce myself and say I enjoy reading all the posts. They really helped my thru my first days of post surgery!! Nunt Banded 7/7/08 271 lbs currently 267 lbs...:biggrin:

Hi there, i am a mother of five as of now i do day care in my home:whatchutalkingabout. I finally got approved frm my insurance company. So it all a go. Real real nervous. But also excited and impatient. its along time comming. any good hins on getting prepared for the surgery?

Hi everyone: I'm new here and have LOTS of questions! I'm sure the answers can be found on these pages, so I will definitely hunt around. I'm 46 and fat. :wink2: I've been very overweight my whole life, and like most of you, have been very successful losing (and gaining!) weight. I became a lifetime member at WW when I was 12, having lost 90 pounds! Yikes! I have a hubby and a daughter who will be 6 next month. We adopted her from China when she was 1, and I want to be able to see her grow up; thus the reason I'm here. I have hobbies such as scrapbooking, and I make and sell handmade soaps and lotions. A couple of my questions (and I hope you don't mind me aski…