Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hey all, my name is Michele, I am 25 and I just got banded 7/10/08. Yesterday I had my first post-op to get the staples and stiches removed and so far 12lbs down since surgery and 22lbs since 6/22/08 when I started my pre-op diet. So Yay! I can't say it has been without temptations and minor set backs when it comes to will-power! But with a husband that is not "overweight" and two boys ages 5 and 18 months there is yummy food that is hard to say NO to. LOL! But reading this forum I feel a lot better that many people are having these same problems. So, I look foward to talking to other "Bandsters" and sharing my trials and triumphs as well! Michele :thumbup:

Hi all ! I'm a very new to this okay a little about myself. I am 27 married and well I am over weight about 300 pounds. I am looking into getting the lapband surgery but with my insurance not wanting to cover it I have to appeal it. I have gone to a few meetings but I am still worried about getting it done. What if I can never eat the food's I like. I don't know what to expect. I hear things from some people but I like to have feed back from anyone that has had the lap band done. Thanks Priscilla

Hello everyone...my Name is Melisa and im hopefully soon getting Lapband surgery:thumbup:. Ive been to my pcp and he gave me the thumbs up. I was so relieved that he thot the surgery was safe and the right decision. I am currently waiting for a packet from cottage hospital in Santa Barbara. I will then fill out everything and send it back. Then its the waiting game for the insurance. I have united healthcare ppo so hopefully no problems there. Im 5'3" and 235lbs so my bmi is over 40. I have no co morbiditys so hopefully thats not an issue. Anyways im very excited...cant wait. If anyone has any suggestions on insurance, or the surgery itself please talk...id love…

Hello Everyone! I attended an informational session back in March, but then found out that my company had an exclusion for bariatric surgery. However, my husband's insurance does not, so I've been waiting until open enrollment in November so that I can join his insurance and be covered. As that time approaches, I'm starting to do more research and read other people's stories, which is what led me here! I'm 30, no kids, live in Atlanta and I work for a national non-profit health organization. Needless to say, at just over 300 lbs, I'm the biggest one here and I feel terribly out of place with all my super health conscious co-workers. Over the past three years…

Let me introduce myself, My name is Melanie. I'm scheduled for surgery for Aug. 20th. My good friend & co-worker (not to forget my rock during all of this) is scheduled for Aug. 21st. I'm anxious for the transformation to begin :wink2:, but I find myself on the emotional rollercoaster. Is this normal? My last experience with rapid weight loss was during my twenties & the PhenPhen phase. I lost 125 lbs and was within my "ideal weight range" but I looked too skinny & bones showing. :scared2: Needless to say, I did it all for the wrong reasons & was not happy. Here is my problem ... If I'm not hungry .... I won't eat! That is what scares me the most ab…

Good morning from Maine! I joined Lap Band Surgery Discussion Forum because I am looking into getting banded! However, I don't know where to start or if I qualify. I am 27 years old and I will be 28 in December. I have been trying to lose weight and keep it off since 2002. I have tried Atkins diet, south beach diet, and weight watchers. It took me 2 years to lose 60 lbs with weight watchers. After I got married in 2006 we tried to have a baby and I was getting stressed because it was taking so long to happen. So, I gained back about 15 lbs in just 8 months! When I got pregnant I gained a total 70 lbs! I have tried since then tried to lose the weight but I lose 5 gain 5 e…

Don't let the name fool you. My husband gave me the moniker, skinipete, after I lost my first 12#. Bless his heart. He has faith in me! I was banded on March 24th (226#) & yesterday I broke the 200# curse...I weighed in at 199. Wooooohoooo.:biggrin: Could have lost 27# sooner? Maybe BUT my weight loss is only going to be as good as the effort I put into it. I may not admit to cheating but my bod knows! :smile: On Sunday, my hubby asked me if I was disappointed that I hadn't lost more to date. I thought about it & said, No because I'm learning new eating habits...& this chick is stubborn. Hitting 199 is like turning another corner for me. I feel a new surge …

Hello to everyone My name is Dianne and I have joined tonight the forum, I had my band done August 2007 and have found the journey hard and rewarding. :seeya: I have now lost over 8 stone in 11 months with the band and am nearing my target weight. Since having the band fitted I have found a new man and I am getting married in Janaury 2009. I am disabled with chronic asthma and work as volunteer with disabled adults making cards and craft work. I really feel so lucky to be working with adults and children and making people feel like that can do things they have never tried. I also make cards and sell them for charity, I am trying to raise £1000 this year for …

Hi all... I am at the very beginning of the process,just got approval from my primary this week. I am reading and trying to absorb as much info from you all as I can. THANK YOU! Anyhow,I am curious about the fills. I gather that they are not part of your oroginal surgical fees, each time you have it done there is a fee? Is it ever added right in to the whole upfront costs? Does ins. cover the fills as well? It seems as though they should since they are a nessessary part of the procedure? Anyhow, thanks again....I will read on. I am very anxious to have this done.

Hello, I have been investigating the lap band process but have not convinced myself that it is right for me yet. I am giving diet and exercise a serious try. I have to prove to myself that I can't do it with traditional methods before going into a surgery option. I am going through the 6 month evaluation process that is required by my insurance company just in case I decide that this option is right for me. This process started in April 2008. Any thoughts regarding my approach would be appreciated. Are others out there trying diet and exercise first?

Hi all..I have been attempting lap band surgery for two years. I just changed insurance almost a year ago that would allow lap band or gastric bypass. Of course then it has taken me another 6mos to get my paperwork in order. Now to lose the 10 lbs to get in line for surgery. I am having a hard time. I am doing Jazzercise 3-4 timea a week but I guess I am still eating too much because I am not losing much.

Hi everyone, I've been banded since Feb 2007. I've lost 81lbs to date. My surgeon was Dr. Carter, in Texas. I've done ok with my VG band and two fills so far, but always seek to know more and share if I can. Nice to meet all of you!

Hello Everyone, I am a working mother of two, non- traditional college student, and wife to a great husband. I was banded at Lourdes weight wellness center by Dr. Alex Argotte. He is a wonderful doctor. It was a year long struggle to get to this point, but I made it. I have some concerns because I am not losing at the pace of others I have seen on the site. I look forward to others advice. Thank you for reading.

Hello everyone: My name is Susan and was just banded on 6/21/08. I've had hunger pains since 6/22/08 still I do not regret my choice for one second. Being active was my life until my feet came down with plantar facsitis. I no longer could go hiking and continued to eat the same if not more. I had surgery in Monterrey Mexico with Dr. Rodriguez. I owe him so much for helping me change my life. Maybe my feet can heel when the weight comes off. I'm on vacation until 7/7 so am hoping to meet some walking and/or talking buddies.

Hi, I am interested in getting lap band surgery. Just wanted to know opinions from patients who have had surgery by Dr. Spivak; also any information using the Physicians Surgery Center, Houston, Texas. Thanks.......

Hello! I searching on the web and found this site and I'm glad that i did. :biggrin: I'm from Dallas, TX and having been on a long journey with my lapband process.(I started last yr in Aug) I'm getting banded on August 11th and I'm excited and scared at the same time. I start my pre-op diet on the 28th of this month and hopefully that will be a smooth ride. I open to any suggestions for pre-op and post-op diets. How long did most stay off work? Did anyone stay over night at the hosipital?

Hi all,well i just came back from my doctors and she feels i am a great candidate for lap band! finally a Doctor who agrees with me! she said my bmi is 40 my blood pressure is a little high and i am borderline diabetic,she said she will do everything in her power to get me this surgery!! Im afraid to get excited out of fear of gettin let down if they dont approve it,I have blue cross californiacare,Can anyone tell me what to expect in the weeks or months ahead,Im soooo nervous I have to have this surgery its my only hope I have struggled with my weight all my life, let me know what kind of journey i have ahead of me please,thank you all !!!:redface:

Well here we are . Thinking, Researching, Hoping that whatever desions we make will be the best. Well here I am 7 month after being banded and i still have no clue whats going on. I did the excerise, read the books, ate all the rite foods and was extreamly motavited. Until my mother had back surgry and bacame 100% dependent on me. Mind you im 23, work full time, college student and recently married. I no longer had time to cook my healthy meals, everthing i ate was fast food. I stoped working out and started smokeing. I droped out of school and loss my scholarship. Moved from the west to east cost. Needless to say i gave up everthing to care for my mother and loved spendi…

Hi all! Just starting on my adventure of joining "The Lap Band" group! Went to see the dietician day before yesterday. And I will see the Dr. in a week. Can you tell me about how long from the initial visit that you received the Lapband?:confused2:

i have my first meeting on the 20th. i wonder if anyone has any questions they wish they would have thought to ask before being banded?:seeya:

Hello all, My name is Janice and I live in the Panhandle of Texas. I am 36 years old and have a wonderful Husband and 3 great kids, all girls. I was wondering if anyone knows of a Dr here in the panhandle or within a hundred miles of amarillo that does do the Lap-Band procedure? I have BMI of 44 and really do need to see about getting this done so that maybe my kids will not end up like me, fighting to lose the never ending battle of losing weight.:confused2:

I was banded July 9th, 2007 by Dr. Zapata in Monterrey Mexico, I have nothing but the utmost respect for him and his staff. I weighed in at a whopping 325, down to 243 as of today. I love my Lapband. I live in Gainesville Florida, for my fills I use fill centers USA- Kathy Gonzales in Milinneum Medical in Pineles Park, they are awsome. Enough about me, I never expierenced heartburn before, not until recently, took some Malox seemed to clear it up, I just got filled last tuesday, I'm incredibly tight- lost 9lbs in one week, which is nice, the following year I lost about six lbs a month and was very satisfied, 20 more lbs and I'll be in onederland and that is a great w…

Hi everyone, My Surgery is scheduled for Sept 8! I can't wait im so excited! I had to stop smoking 6 weeks before surgery so i decided to try it now(which is hard) but im one week in so im doin great! Has anyone here smoked before the band and after the band?? I would like some advice cause sometimes i think to myself are u gonna start smoking again and if so what are the risks?:eek:

Hi! I just wanted to introduce myself (and my husband). I am a 30 year old registered nurse who has struggled with my weight for my entire life. My husband is a 33 year old "computer dork" who has also struggled with his weight for longer than he can remember. We both were extrememly active in high school, and even into college, but of course that changed when we hit "real life". We have both lost weight and gained it back. But thankfully we are both getting banded next week - me on Monday 7/28 and him on 7/29!! One of the things that attracted us to each other and has kept us together is our experience with weight loss and gain. We can relate to one another an…

Hello ya'll: I posted this by request on another forum on this same board. I love this list. This list is not meant to be offensive!!!! I am sending this becasue i found this saved on my computer. I found this searching the web somewhere and I love this list. I admit that most of these are superficial, but it still shows some of the things that normal sized people take for granted. If you are a big girl/guy or former big girl/guy, you can probably relate to some things on this list. If you in the process of losing weight, it may give you some things to think about. Some are funny, some are hilarious, and some unfortunately are sad. I can pretty much guara…

Hi, I am 35 years old and had the banding done in March of this year. i have not lost but 16 pounds and 0 inches. My biggest problem is my port. My port flipped and moved around so last month (June) my Dr. reattached it. Last week it came undone again. I am so at my wits end with this hole thing. Sometimes I feel like I made a big mistake.:eek:

Hello everyone! I am brand new to this forum and I am looking forward to getting lots of information. I am actually getting lap band done tomorrow on 07-23-08. So this is my third day of clear liquids and I am getting a little tired and a little cranky. I am nervous and excited all at the same time. I will keep you all posted

I just wanted to introduce myself. I am new to posting but I have been reading this forum for a while now. I was banded March 13th 2008 in Philadelphia at Jeanes hospital by Dr. Kowalski. Ok so here we go I have a 10cc band and have had 3 fills so far. I am at 5.5 cc. Going in for my next fill on July 29th Since surgery I have lost 22lbs. Not a whole lot but I am very please with it. I have PCOS which make it even more difficult to lose weight. I have been working out a lot and I have lost a whole bunch of inches. I am paying more attention to the measuring tape then the scale right now. This make it easier for me to deal with the SLOW weight lose. So far I h…

Hi Newbie here from AZ. Anybody else have Dr. Terry Simpson for Lap Band? I am nervous but excited at the same time. I would like to hear from you guys that have had surgery what the first few day were like. What do I have to expect.....Thanks ahead of time! :eek: Judie

Hi Everyone, I just attended my lap band meeting and have been contacted by the financial office that my insurance will not cover the procedure unless I prove I have had a BMI of over 40 for the past 2 years. I have not, always been heavy, but not over 40 BMI for two years at a time. So... going to do it without insurance covering it. What do you think? Totally worth it in my opinion. My health is worth the money... Anyone else going to do this paying on their own?? Anything else I need to know for those of you who have gone through this? I am so excited to re-start my life, and finally have some CONTROL....

Hi....I am so excited and have not even had my consultation with the surgeon! My first appointment is Aug 7th. I am hoping to have the realize lap band. I am 51 years old...with three grown children. I have fought weight problems for the last 26 years of my life...loosing only to gain back again....over and over. If there is anyone from Mid Michigan please e-mail me as I would love to meet others that have been where I am. Thanks for listening to me blab....haha:wink_smile:

Hi, I'm Diane and am happy to say I was just banded on May 13th. Dr. Guske with the Kane WLS did the proceedure at St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates, IL. The last I remembered I was in PreOpt and the clock was at 2:45pm, I awoke in post opt 3:30pm. I was banded in about a half hour. It took forever to get there, but once your there it went fast. I was up and walking within a half hour. The ice chips were great for the dry mouth. It's been 4 days, and I feel pretty good. My stomach is swollen. I have 5 small incessions and only one of them is sore and red around it. Is this anything to worry about? How long do you stay swollen and red? I am still feeling full e…

im one wk post op and im still in pain especially on my left side it really hurts bad when i breath or move also i have this burning sensation in my chest like really bad heartburn its happens randomly throughout the day im still on the liquid diet till wednesday when i go for my 1st esophogram im really nervous could there be something wrong could my band have slipped im not nauseous or vomiting just in pain any advice im wondering if it was a mistake to put the band on what if something is wrong any advice would be great thank you so much :crying::frown::eek::confused2:

Hi everyone, Im sam im from surrey and im 24! I was banded by Prof. Hakeem from Harley Street London on the 29th of June 2008 so its very early days. I struggled with the Op gas a fair bit at the start but as of today 4 days later things seem to be getting better. Anyway I used this site loads to research before I chose to have the band fitted and thinks its fantastic so I thought nows the time to sign up and say hello to all of you! xxx

hi i just joined this forum today. i'm trying to decide whether or not to have lap band surgery. :scared2: my pcp has been trying to get me to do this for over 2 years. i'm a type 2 diabetic on insulin and my blood sugars fluctuate, sometimes good, sometimes not. :w00t: i've been reading, no devouring, this site most of the day :biggrin:. but i keep going back and forth in my mind as to whether i should start yet another fateful diet (i've been on so many i've lost count, medifast worked for awhile but was so expensive, so i've been on my own "mock medifast" diet since then (not very sucessfully, in the long run, anyway)) so, finally, i'm leaning a little more towa…

Hello I'm new to this site. I was watching TV last night and saw an ad about full bars. I went on the internet and saw this site, I am so glad to find a site like this. I hope to find someone that might have the same problems that I am having so I can learn what to do. PurpleDaisy

Hi, I am so desperate to find out where to get lap band surgery done. Can anyone reccomend someone in South Africa? Thanks

After months of prep I FINALLY had my surgery on June 24th. I have lost 24 pounds and I feel great. My only concern is that my belief was that I would only be able to consume a VERY SMALL portion of food at one time but I can eat much more than that. I am careful to keep within the dietary guidlines but I wonder if this is normal?

I have had my share of ups and downs over the past three years with the band, but I don't regret my decision. It gave me back my life with my family and a bright future that I would not have been able to experience if I wouldn't have had the surgery. Right now I am going through a tough time with having some discomfort after meals, but I will be able to work through this. Good luck to those who are on the fence about having the surgery. Remember the band is only a tool, you have to work hard changing old habits. Some people think that it is easy, once you have the band that the weight will just fall off. Wrong! You have to change your lifestyle then you can reap the rewar…

Hi Everyone I'm from the Pacfic Northwest. I'm just starting the process of getting the Lap Band. I've been looking into this procedure for awhile, but some recent changes in insurance gave me the green light. I work for AT&T (formerly Cingular(formerly AT&T Wireless(Formerly McCaw) and this year we moved into the AT&T Choice Plan (United Health Care) which covers WLS after their big deductable. The prior year plan didn't cover it. I'm also retired navy and will be using TRICARE Standard which came out earlier this year approving Lap Band retro active to last year. I've already attended the seminar and had a EGD and colonoscopy done at the same time. See the…

I can already see what kind of journey this is going to be. On top of the approval proccess itself being stressful and frustrating, I think i got one of those Physicians...you know those ones who refuse to believe that WLS should never be an option unless your on your death bed... Yea those are the ones, they really dont understand. So after seeing him he kind of pawns me off onto this bariatric doctor in the same facility that i have an appointment with today and reassures me that she is going to say the same thing. Uggghhh!!! So i will take in my weight watchers journals and everything else i can dig up and feed her the same life story i already fed my PCP. Lets see how…

Hello all. Has anybody been approved for gastric bypass and decided to go with the lapband. If so what was the process as far as getting approved again through your insurance. I have Tricare Prime. Any and all advice will be appreciated. Thanks so much!!!

Hey Everyone! Hope all is well! I am a soon to be banded patient and very excited!! My surgery is scheduled for July 29th and I can't wait! I'm right in the middle of the pre op diet and all I can say is...blah! It's not as hard as I thought it would be but it is crazy to think of everything you have to review just to eat!! But I guess it comes with the territory and with the new lifestyle. I'm new to this site and looking for support. I love reading some of the blogs and finding out that other people are going through the same thing I am! Quick question...did anyone ever get super super scared right before the surgery? If so, did any crazy thoughts go through your hea…

I am being evaluated for a lapband and I came by to learn all I could about the surgery and life after the surgery. Thanks for letting me peek...

Hello everyone, I just found this forum today and I am on my way to getting "banded"; I have had all of my pre-opt testing and I meet with my surgeon on 8/6/08, to hopefully schedule my "lapband" date. So I just wanted to say "Hi" and hopefully make so connections with people going through the samething as I am and to gain knowledge from the people that have already been "banded"...thanks for listening..

Hallelujah!!! I finally got a surgery date scheduled: 8/14/08. It has been a very lengthily and frustrating process but it is now in my rear view mirror and I am excited and apprehensive all at once but have no doubts about my decision. This site has been a God send for both education and support and I will do all I can to continue that effort. Thank you all.

Hi, My name is April. I weigh 254 lbs. I started at 279. I was banded on Jan 8th, 2008. Very excited to be part of this web site. My goal wieght is 180. I would be super happy with that. I went for a third fill on Fri. the 18th. I am very restricted. I can only drink hot fluids. I had some grits yesterday morning. That was fine. But I called my fill person and she said I should not have done that. So I am back on hot liquids for 3 days. I have lost a couple lbs. since Fri. Just being on liquids. Anyway I hope I am not to full. I have a J & J and I am full to 9 whatever you call its. Let me know, if anyone has experienced this type of restriction and …

I have my 1st appt. on thurday but I went with my sister on her first appt. with the surgeon. He made it seem so easy.....you do this then this and then surgery...........but after reading some post it seems so much harder. Getting insurance to cover it seems to be the hardest thing. I want this so bad and willing to fight for it but I don't want it to be forever away..... After your first appt. what all did everyone have to go through before you got surgery dates and approval from insurance.......

From a "newbie". I am just beginning-waiting on my seminar 9/4. I am reading a whole lot,very thankful to have found you all. Anyhow, why is bread such a hard to eat post op food? And what are PBs and sliming?? Thanks!

This is my 1st post. My insurance has approved me for surgery. I just had some tests done a few days ago to see if my body is ready for surgery. As soon as Dr. Woodman (my surgeon in Memphis, TN) gets the results (hopefully they will be good), I will be scheduled for an appointment with him and his staff. Then, it's preop work-up and "the beginning of my new life!" After completing the several tests last week, I realized that this is really going to happen for me. That day I started eating more sensibly and have also started a treadmill program. I feel like this is my part of the commitment to a life that is being offered to me through LapBand surgery. I'…