Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Okay...I am in the process of being approved for the lap band surgery, but after reading the material I was given i just have a question on how to make the lap band successful. I have obviously not made wise eating and exercising habits in the past or else I would not be in the position of needing this surgery...so my question is if you have to change your eating and exercising habits to make this procedure successful...how is it easier to do that after the surgery than it was before? I mean...I try so hard to do the right thing and eat the right things now, but it is a constant battle...so how does making these changes become any easier after I have this surgery?

hello everybody my name is marty im from newark nj and i was banded on 7/21/08.so far i am so happy that i did the surgery.im not gonna lie the first 7 days sucked.i had gas pains like a motha......:cursing:but now i feel great.im 5'6 my starting weight b4 surgery was 276.i am now 255. i had my surgery done at saint barnabas hospital,by dr.bilof..... if anbody got any questions just hit me up im new to this but im sure i can help. so dont be shy

I had my surgery on the 18 June 2007. Have lost 87lb my weight was 237lbs. I am feeling so mush better. Glad my Insurence finally paid for it. I am having trouble with losing weight right now. Have tried to walk more but has not work. Is there anyone that can help me.

I was supposed to have my consult with the doctor this Friday, this was also the date to schedule my surgery.... And he CANCELLED!!! And now I have to wait until the 8th! I was so looking forward to this, I am so sick of being fat!!! I know it is only a week... but I was so excited about this appointment!!! *SIGH* Thanks for listening!

I finished my six months of PCP/diet history the end of June. My surgeon's office faxed all of my records for diet history, psych, and nutrition to CIGNA on Friday, July 18. They say I will have a wait anywhere from 7 to 30 days. I was told it was a good solid submission and they wouldn't of sent it if there were holes in it. They seem pretty sure of approval. Still waiting is the hardest part. I have a tentative date for surgery scheduled for August 25th. A month away. I hope to hear from my insurance soon. How long have others waited? Keeping my fingers crossed for approval soon!!!

hello everybody my name is marty im from newark nj and i was banded on 7/21/08.so far i am so happy that i did the surgery.im not gonna lie the first 7 days sucked.i had gas pains like a motha......:cursing:but now i feel great.im 5'6 my starting weight b4 surgery was 276.i am now 255. i had my surgery done at saint barnabas hospital,by dr.bilof..... if anbody got any questions just hit me up im new to this but im sure i can help. so dont be shy

hey from tx surgery was 7-11 starting weight was 215.50 now im 200 my 2 hardest things to overcome are drinking while eating,and eating slow! im 49 but hope to be at 120# for the big 50 next year in july im spending it in paris (and thats not paris tx lol ) i would never plan atrip like that before because i couldnt walk far feet hurt back hurt and so much more. i cant wait to be strong!!!!!!!!! i cant seem to get to the gym either its a mind thing well,god luck to all and ready to chat anytime lots of love!!!:teeth_smile::rolleyes2::teeth_smile::tt2:

HI, I had my banding done in May 2007. I have lost 50 lbs. I have allot of trouble with reflux. Do any of you members have trouble with this? I have had 3 fills (2 1/2 cc total). I haven't been feeling so good, lack of energy. It is hard to talk to the MD sometimes. Eating and sleeping has been a problem, especially with the reflux. I also lack exercise.

Hi All this is my first post, I have finally made up my mind and have my first appt. with the doctors 7/28/08. I've been reading all your post and find that its such a great site to help those of us that are on this wonderful journey to a new us..........

1) If you have the lap band and you catch the flu at some point and go through days of typical vomiting and diarrhea associated with the flu, what does that do to your lap band? 2) I am a heavy coffee drinker with heavy amounts of non-dairy creamer. Are there restrictions on caffeine or coffee DURING the initial recovery weeks, and/or AFTER the initial recovery weeks?

What are the definitions of these two terms?

Okay it is done, finally. I got to the hospital at 6:30am and I was home for approximately 11:45am. I guess surgery got started about 7:45 then a few hours of recovery. Honestly the experience was not bad at all. The worst part was waking up from the anesthesia. Not a lot of pain just discomfort. I have no pain at the incision sites ( I have 5 little incisions), just discomfort from the gas. I have been taking gas-x strips like crazy. They don't seem to be working, but walking back in forth is my house makes it a bit easy. I can honestly say that the experience was not bad at all. I was a bit hungry, so I had a few sips of water here and there and a little broth. I'm pret…

Hi there! I just got my band 5 days ago. I have had no problems with the band itself, however, I do have alot of pain in the shoulder/neck area. They say it's from the anesthesia. Anyone else have this sort of pain?

:biggrin2:I have been lurking around this site for about a month or so and decided today to register. I am still in my researching mode awaiting my informational seminar Aug 29 (can't go sooner due to work). I have a friend who was banded in Feb and has already made such amazing results that I began reasearching the procedure. I already know I will be self pay and because of so many information posts here have begun to get my ducks in a row so to speak. A little about me.... I am happily married with 4 kids and have been overweight since my teens. My mother passed away at the age of 58 due to complications associated to obesity. I decided two years ago to not do the…

I just noticed that the name of the room was girlfriends women of color... wow... normally when i post to threads i just go under new post... i had no idea.... holla..... lol.. I hope everyone is doing just fine and u all can check out my blog if u would like to know more about me.... :thumbup:

hi iam new here. I live in New york. My surgery date was July 21st. Lap band:rolleyes: Iam doing ok getting tired of liguid mushy foods ready to chew.other than that everything is ok. i just was diagnosed with sleep apenia and i started using machine after surgery I just cant get used to using it my stomach fills with air and i fight for air its hard to explain ive only used for about 20 min a night thats all i can tollerate. oh well i will keep trying it.

You look fantastic. Such progress in just three months!

Hi everyone, what an interesting site you have built out here, its like walking into a public library that focuses entirely on lap band topics. I have questions, so many that I'm not sure where to start, I have booked my consultation for the 8th of Aug. and am going to proceed wt the band. My debate is... should I go to a few consultations, how do I know for sure this Dr. is cedible ? what are the no no's behind all of this ? I need to spend some time in your Q&A section as I am certain given by the quick glimps I have gotten out here that you will aid me in finding out the answers I seek...

Hello... My name is Celina and I am from the Fort Worth area. My surgery date is August 6tg and I will be starting my liquid diet tomorrow...yay I can't wait :thumbup:. I am starting to get very nervous as the surgery date gets closer. Please let me know if there is anyone out there who is going to have surgery around the same time I am or if there are any fellow lapbanders out there from the DFW area.

Hello, I had my Lap Banding last November in Sylvania Ohio. I reside in Michigan.:eek:

Hi everyone. I'm brand new to this forum. I found it through Google when trying to find docs in and around Wichita. I have decided to do the lap band because as my best friend put it -- I've tried every diet known to man and nothing has worked. I am a 60 yr. old diabetic who needs to lose 100 lbs. What I am most hopeful for (besides the weight loss) is reversing the need for insulin. So here is my first big question.... who has used what doctors in and around the Wichita area? I know there are good clinics in the Kansas City area but that is about a 5 hour drive from here so no an option. I want help closer than that. Can anyone point me in the right directio…

HI! I'm Sara. I'm 57 and so excited to have found you'all :thumbup:. I will be banded on Sept. 10 by Dr. David Hall, In Lubbock TX. He does not require any special diet pre-op, but I'm wondering if anyone feels that I should still initiate one on my own to aid in any degree of pain or gas or anything else post-op? Also has anyone ever created a protein chart made up of the foods that are easy for banded folks to eat?

hey I am a 30 something working mom getting banded next month - would love to get some insight in to other peoples experiences good bad or indifferent. Anyone else care to share their stories ? :eek:

wondering if anyone has visited or have had there surgery at oakwood med. in dearborn ,mi i have a seminair to attend there next week still trying to find a place to have my surgery done lookin for some feed back--big thanks Mark

Hi to all. I am new from Dallas Tx and I am thinking about getting banded. I thought about this last yr and then family members talked me out of it and I just stopped looking at the procedure all together. WELL...here i am again! Looking into the procedure. I am almost 100% that I want it done. I am scared because I have never been put to sleep to begin with and I have heard people vomit alot with the band and I cant deal with that at all! YUCK! I am 4'9 and I am 235 lbs.People always tell me that I look good because I am proportionate but I dont think so. I want this weight off! I have tried diets, pills, weight watchers, ear staples (acupuncture) and more and I do ok fo…

This is my first post but I have been reading post since the end of June. I am learning quite a bit through others experiences. I am in the process of having lap band surgery. My phyc appt. is tomorrow. All other appts. have been made, just waiting for my final Dr. appt to schedule surgery. A little bit about myself, I have been diabetic for 10 years and as my meds increase so does my weight. At this point I am about 65 lbs. overweight. I have never had a weight problem before becoming diabetic, went back to pre pregancy weight with all 3 children. I hope having surgery helps my sugar levels and I am able to cut back on meds. and get my weight back in control. A…

I'm a 19 year old mother. I've always been overweight, even as a small child, but after the birth of my son I gained about 45 extra lbs. I was in ROTC in High School, and I desperately wanted to lose weight, I wanted to be able to do the physical activity everybody else was doing and I wanted to keep up. SO I tried every diet imaginable, signed up at the gym, was running at home on my own, and I lost 27 lbs and I just came to a stand still, I wasn't losing anything. I got so frusterated with it!! Now that I've graduated high school I still want to be able to do all that physical activity, I still want to reach my goal. I know that if I don't do something drastic, then I'm…

This is gonna be long winded so pull up a chair! lol My husband and I married in 1999.. in 2000 we started fertility treatments to try and get pregnant.. it was a long rough haul! About 4 months into the drugs/steroids/hormones I started putting on weight... and nothing stopped it.. the doctors kept saying *it will fall off once the treatments are stopped* Yeah that didn't happen, lol. I had a laproscopic surgery done called ovarian drilling/wedge resection, and after a few miscarriages we finally became pregnant with TWINS.. I was bed rest most of the pregnancy and still had an emergency c-section at just 24 weeks pregnant... we lost of one our babies at 12 days old…

Hi, my name is Laura and I just got home from my initial consultation and got my surgery date! I am very excited and nervous! My surgery will be Aug 27th. I am so happy to be making this first step to change my life. I have about 110lbs I would like to lose and I have tried so many times before just to gain it all back. I feel like this is my answer to getting it off and staying off! I hope to make lots of new friends and get lots of information from here!

Hello. My name is Lavetta. I was banded on Friday July 25th in Austin Texas. I found this site last night googling others who'd had this surgery and experienced their first bouts of nausea and soreness. I was so releived to find so many others, and to see that I'm not alone. I look forward to reading, and sharing. Lavetta

I am NEW to this forum but am glad to know this is hear because there is not a support group in my area. My surgery date is AUGUST 5th. This is the day my life changes for the better! For once I am getting the help I need to make my "LIFECHANGE". slimkim

I am 52 years old and have been fat all my life. I finally decided to do something drastic and was banded on July 2, 2008 by Dr.Coirin. The first two weeks were hard for me. I have lost 27 pounds to date and have about 40 to go to goal. I have an appointment on Wednesday and I guess they will do the first fill? I feel great now and have been able to get off the blood pressure medicine already. I had doubts immediately after the surgery but I am so happy now.

hi i am new to this site, and want to know if anyone is from the syracuse area in new york state.

Hello everyone! I'm brand new to this site. I am just starting on my journey to a new lifestyle! I'm excited, scared & curious all at the same time! I am enjoying reading everyone's postings and can't wait till I have more time to spend on this site!:biggrin2:

Hi All, I have an appointment next week with the surgeon. I am a newbie to the site but an Golden Oldie to being overweight. The last few years have really caught up to me. So far I think the social worker visits have been the biggest key. We have reached very far back. Came upon the site last week and liked it so I decided to join. Thanks to all

:eek: I have not had banding done but am considering it as an option to my weight problem. I am finding the information in this forum to be very insightful. I look forward to reading your posts and asking lots of questions as to make an informed decision about having surgery. Thanks for being here. I will keep you posted as to the choice I make. Cheers.

Hi my new friends! I am a 30 year old assistant principal that has dealt with weight her whole life. I have recently started the process of getting all my stuff in for lap-band surgery. I have my physical this week and next week I go to my psych eval. I know it's a process to get to the actual surgery, but I can't wait. I am excited to start a new life. I know it will be a tough road, but absolutely worth it. I look forward to stories, tips, and advice from those of you who have already undergone surgery.

Picking a date today with the doc... Nervous and excited to continue on this journey. I live in Odessa Texas and my doc is Dr. Donald Davenport. He and his staff have been wonderful!

I am booked for my seminar 8/19. :eek: Does anyone know what they do there? I was told I have to attend this before I can see a surgen to have a consult. Do they set you up with a sugeon before you leave? My pcp sent me to Royal Oak Beaumont to get started with my journey. I have high blood pressor (two meds) high cholestral (two meds) diabetes (two meds plus insulin) my bmi is also 43. I need to live before I die. I have Blue care network hmo. They told me it is covered with my insurance and my Doctor would tell me what the criteria is for this. Does anyone have Blue care network hmo and had the band. I am hoping they don't make me do the 6 months diet and exercise ho…

Those of us that are on the pre-op diet, can you give me an idea of how your eating has been going. Mine is below. Morning- Atkins Cafe Carmel shake and 1 Liter of Water Lunch- 1 Sauage Link and 1 Cup of Grapes Afternoon- 1 Atkins Shake and 1 Liter of Water Dinner- Lean chicken or beef, veggie or salad Dessert- SF popsicle I kind of feel like I am eating too much. Any thoughts?

I am scheduled to have surgery on Friday, 7/25, and my fiance is not to happy about it. I have wanted this surgery since 2000, and he was always encouraging and wanted it for me just as badly as I wanted it. Now that I have done self pay and the surgery is coming up, he is now questioning my decision. He now does not understand why I need the surgery. And he just can't seem to understand why I would pay 10k for the procedure. He is now saying things like we could have worked out together, we could have did this and that together to help me loose the weight. I think brotha is just a little bit insecure, because his chubby fiance is about to become a brick house,:crying:. H…

Ladies, I think you all know what I mean when I say I have a hard time finding jeans that fit in the thighs and waist comfortably. My jeans tend to hang on my hips because my waist is small in comparison to my thighs. What jeans do you guys recommend?

Hi, I am Michelle and I am 25 years old and I am being banded in 48 hours. This is quite scary but I am long and ready. I have thought about attending a local support group but from what I hear I will be the baby of the bunch. If you are interested in being my buddy shoot me a line and we can exchange email info. Michelle

:ranger:Hi. Has anyone been banded at Danbury Hosp in CT? Each hospital is so different on how many cc's at a time, how often, etc... (I was banded 9/6/07 and had my first fill last Wed----I am going back for another fill this Wed) Lucy

Tomorrow is the big day. I am scheduled to be banded at 8:30am. I am not as nervous as I have been this past week. I am looking forward to getting the weight off for good! Wish me luck

I had my lap-band surgery done on 7-21-08. So far from my original weigh-in weight (196) for my insurance approval I have lost 17 pounds. I had to do a Protein shake and 1 meal a day diet for two weeks prior to my surgery. That is when I lost 12 of my pounds. Since the surgery I have been on a clear liquid diet and have lost another 5 pounds. I cannot wait until tomorrow, as I will then be able to have creamed Soups (that are strained) added into my diet. I am looking forward to August 4th cause I then will be able to start the pureed bariatric diet. I am looking forward to talking with people who have good suggestions on meal planning once I can eat regular food.

Hi all! I am Sheri... new to this board. I am married to my hero, my soldier, who is deployed to Iraq again! I got "realized" on the 14th of July, and need some support! I moved to Virginia with my hunny and he up and left me here for the sandbox! So, here I sit, I don't know anyone... no family around. Enough of my pity party! Hi everyone!

Hello all I just made my first steps into lap-band surgery, I contacted the Doctor to find out if my insurance would cover the surgery and find out what all I have to do to get to my band date. I think this is the best thing I'v done for ME in a very long time. I'm always takeing care of others now it's my turn. Can't wait to chat more and oh the questions I will have. Best Wishes Karen:thumbup:

Hello. My name is amy. I am 33 years old. I just had lap band surgery on tuesday, july 15, 208 at hamot medical center. I am recovering okay.

:kiss:Hi everyone, My journey begins this Thursday @ 2:30 in the afternoon. I will be banded that day. I have tons and tons of questions to ask my Doctor tomorrow at the pre op visit. My doctor is Dr. A Joe Cribbens. My son had the same surgery this last March and has lost 69 lbs. He is a new person. Dr. Cribbens is the greatest. I waited three months before Dr. Cribbens would even file insurance on me. After the initial approval everything has moved quickly. Now I am nervous. I know how my son ate and he did great. I just hope I can do the same. He is a great support for me. My only fear besides not being able to eat is that I won't be able to play tennis in two weeks. A…