Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi my name is Bree, I had my surgery on May 24th, I have lost 29 pounds and have had one fill. I lost 24 of my 29 pounds before the surgery. I feel like I can still eat to much. Anyone else out there feel that way, is it not tight enough?

My name is Angie, I just turned 32 years old. I am married with one daughter. I am hoping to have lap band surgery in August at UCSD in San Diego. I'm a little worried, so I'm hoping I can get some realistic views of how I am going to feel. I have never had surgery, I guess it's the pain I'm most scared of. Although I need to loose around 75 pounds my insurance doesn't feel it's medically necassary so I am having to pay out of pocket. I just want to make sure I am making the right choice for myself considering it is such a large amount of money. I have struggled with my weight for about 10 years, I can loose weight, I just can never keep it off. Any advice would b…

Hi, I am back online to this site. I started about a year ago but did not care for the doctors or their set up so it's taken me a year later to get it together enough to try other doctor's. Anyway, I have my paperwork in but have not heard anything yet. I am 53 years old, married to my best friend for almost 30 years. Two children, two grandchildren and one granddog. My family is very important and love spending time with them. I have a great support network with family, friends and church family. I have severe arthritis and have been disabled for 5 years. Unable to walk, work and everyday mobility has brought me close to 300 lbs. My life took a total change when I coul…

hi everyone. i'm new here. my husband and i are both considering the surgery. he has already started his pre-op testing and doesn't have a surgery date yet but hopefully soon. as far as me, i'm really torn. we want to get pregnant and i'm at the point where if i were to get pregnant at my current weight i could be at risk for gestational diabetes as well as other things. besides my weight i'm pretty healthy, normal blood pressure and sugar. my question is this? should i keep trying to lose this weight on my own while trying to get pregnant, or wait the 1 year post op to have our family. we really don't want to wait but not sure what we should do. any thoughts?:confuse…

Hello everyone! New to the site. I got the news that my band will be going ahead in September and I am so excited!! No hint of nerves what so ever.:crying:

Hello Everyone. My name is Scott, I am now 7 weeks postop. I was banded on May 27, 2008 by Dr Clarke in Schenectady, NY. Just a short bit of history on Me. I have been at least 100 pounds overweight for the last 25 years. I just recently turned 49 years old and have been battling the diet issue a long time now. In Sept 2004 I was hospitalized foran irregular heartbeat and at that time I also weighed in at a hefty 532 pounds. Needless to say I was shocked, I mean I knew I was overweight, but never did I dream that I was that far overweight. Over the next 2-3 years I battled with attempting to get it done myself with diet alone and finally I gave in to my doctors polite, …

Hello everyone! I started with the whole doctor visits and insurance stuff on June 20 and recieved the info that I was approved and will be banded on August 7th.:ohmy: The thoughts have been racing in my mind and I am very excited and scared at the same time. Food has always been a major part of my life and I am so looking forward to be able to contol my own life instead of food having control over me. I want to learn to have a healthy relationship with food and not feel hungry alllllll the time. I look forward to hearing from people that will be going through the process at the same time and also words of wisdom and advice are greatly appreciated from past experiences. S…

Hi everyone, i was banded 3/31/08 in buffalo and i am doing great. just found out about this website, so i just signed up val

Hi, i'm new. Hope to learn alot.

6/30/08 Banded . 5-8' 315lbs 7/21/08 293.6

Hello. I am scheduled to be banded on July 29. I am nervous and excited. Hope to find alot of support from this website!!

Hello, My pre-op is on August 6, 2008. With Christina Richards @ Salt Lake Regional Medical Center and Surgical Weight Loss Center of Utah (anyone have experience with this surgeon?) I am sceduled to be banded on August 19, 2008. I am so excited! I know it is going to be a tough road. I was talking with my husband about being ready and he questions my readiness.:confused2: I stopped dieting and excercising 3 months ago just to see if I could maintain with out doing anything! I knew it wouldnt work! I gained 30 pounds in 3 months! I did this to show myself that I really do need to be banded for that added help. Do you think that was stupid of me? I have really let mys…

Hi everyone, I am new to this so be patient. I had surgery 2 years ago, and feel that it changed my life for the better ie. lost 30 kilos. Only side effect I have noticed is an increase in amount of hair I loose. Has anyone else experience same. Cheers:confused:

Hi everyone! I am having the Lap Band procedure done on August 5th by Dr. O'Malley at Highland Hospital in Rochester NY. I was wondering if anyone has had the surgery done with Dr. O'Malley and how you are doing. I have been researching and reading on this site for about 6 months now and have learned a great deal of information regarding this procedure. Thank you to everyone for their input and stories of their surgeries, it has been very helpful in making my decision. Thanks again and good luck to all!

Hello everyone. I live in Nebraska, the land of two seasons, winter and construction. Currently we are adding a new season to Nebraska, severe weather season. I just had my lap band on June 27th, 2008. It is my understanding they do not fill it at the time the put the lap band on. For now I feel VERY little restriction. I have lost only 2 pounds since surgery. Is that normal. I called the dietician to ask if I could have cottage cheese, mashed potatoes. She said ok, just chew very well. What kind of weight loss should I be seeing now? Should I feel restricted? :confused2:

my doctor has suggested lap band surgery for me, due to my sleep apnea...she has said that my insurance will cover it due to this...just need to have some reassurance about having it done..thanks so much!

Hello everyone. I just got banded on Wednesday by Dr. Spivak in Houston, Texas. I am surprised at how hungry I am. I didn't have a great deal of pain and today I feel almost normal except for the gas bloating. Has anyone else in here felt hungry right after the banding?

Hey okay.. I am confused and need help/advice... 1.) Okay so I have decided to go with the surgey... (yeah!!) but I am going to be in a wedding in September and its going to be in GreenBay, WI. I live in Las Vegas, NV. The wedding is Sept 20th, 2008.. so I am going to from Vegas to GreenBay for three days then I will be in Chicago, IL for a week. I will be in Chicago from Sept 21st returing to Vegas on the 25th. My orginal plan was to have the surgery on Sept 26th (my bday). I was going to make this vacation/wedding my last celebration before my surgery... 2.) So then I started to think about the surgery and get excited... At the same time I received a call from the…

Hello All, I am new to this and desperately want to have this surgery. I have been approved by my insurance to see a Surgeon. However, either the potential Doctor does not accept my insurance, is an out of network provider or is not within the hospital network, ugh. Has anyone else had so many roadblocks before they even started? That you in advance for your advice!

Hi. So excited to be part of this forum. Never posted before but finally approved after 10 months of trying. Blue Cross of Alabama is tough! I did the 6 months with my physician as required and then when time came in April to be approved, they denied. They stated somewhere in their fine print I had to maintain a bmi of 40 for 3 consecutive years. They had records where my weight had dropped at the beginning of my last pregnancy. Duh.. I had been puking for 2 months! Anyway, here I am. Surgery is August 1st and boy am I nervous! Cindy:crying:

Howdy. I've been thinking about Lap Band for a long time but this is the first time I've investigated it. I don't know yet if my insurance will cover it or where I'll have it done. I just know that I'd like my knees and feet to stop hurting when I climb stairs and I'd like to cut down on the 12 medications I must take every day. I'll be doing a lot of reading on this site and others to make my final decision. I'm the sole breadwinner for my family, so I want to make sure I'm not doing something that will take me out. Full gastric bypass seems too dangerous to me. So thanks in advance to everyone for their postings. :thumbup:

Hi~ I am new to the site. I live in Bend, Oregon and I am looking forward to my surgery on Aug 5th. I am sure I am like others, excited and nervous about this new stage in my life. I am a school teacher, so I am glad to be able to have surgery before school kicks in, it will give me time to adjust and plan for the school year. I am looking forward to being healthier and being able to participate in activities that I have had to give up. My horse is looking forward to some exercise! I am also looking forward to spending some time hiking in the mountains with my husband and my dogs! I have two teenagers, one will be a senior this year and the other will be a freshman…

Has anyone been banded from the doctors at Centennial Medical Center? I am strongly considering the LapBand and I know how good the hosital is but wandering about the doctors and the whole procedure. I was scheduled for a seminar last month and chickened out. I am scheduled for the July 29 seminar, hubby is going with me. I have a friend that had this done and really looks good. Any thoughts, comments or suggestions? :confused2: :thumbup:

Hello! I've been learning about the lap band for over a year (been on & off of WW, tracking calories etc, in the meantime...no great results). I will be self-pay, so I am doing a lot of research on procedures done in Mexico. I'm 30, a wife to my loving dh for 8 years and mom to 2 wild & crazy kids (a boy-4, and a girl-7). We live in Eagle Mountain, Utah. I have about 90-100 lbs to lose....been overweight most of my life, been on a diet for the past 10 years. Really wanting the lap band. I'm a healthy eater, but I eat too much! lol I haven't discussed surgery with my husband yet...I hate taking about my weight. Yesterday my 4 year old compared me to a hors…

I started this process in June... My paperwork was submitted to my insurance company on Thursday and I got word on Friday 7/18 that I was approved! I am so excited. But also worried... What if I should have asked for RNY instead? Is it difficult to follow all the rules with the Lap Band?

Hello Everyone! I am 25 years old, I was banded on April 1st, 2008 and I have lost 80 pounds. My weight lost is slowing down so I thought talking about my issues and problems and getting support online could help! I am a 4th Grade teacher and I am also in Grad school at Univ. of Florida. I love school, teaching and learning! It is the best. I also have a part time job at Chuck E Cheese's. I have worked there over 9 years!!! I enjoy working there- it is a lot of fun! My favorite thing to do is play softball! I also enjoy spending time with the fam. That is all for now, I am also blogging- check out my first blog:) Thank you all! Kristina L'Oriel

I've been doing research for a long time but I was afraid to talk to anyone about my interest in lapband. My dad did Gastric Bypass last year. He did research and had to do an 18 month pre-op diet plan for his insurance. He made it everyone's business every step of the way, and that is just not my style. I don't want to wait until I'm in my 60s. My dad was too heavy for too long and even now as the weight drops off, he's still in pain and miserable. I want to enjoy life with my family and run and play with my daughter. I go to my first lap band info session, possibly followed by a support meeting next Tuesday June 10th.

Hi- I just got back from the ER. i was dehydrated and i had an obstruction. they removed all saline and I feel 100% better. You guys are awesome. i'm so glad i found this web site. Thanks again for all your friendly advice!!!! Amy:biggrin2:

Hey everybody! Im Jennifer. Im 22, fixing to be 23. Ive been married a little over a year, i have a beautiful little girl who is 2. Currently reside in Texas. Im working full time for a bank, and am attending school with hopes to graduate this coming year. I joined this site not too long ago. I thought maybe this would help me, having support online. Im not banded yet. My surgery date is August 27th. Im a self pay, with the help of my very very nice mom & stepdad. Im so excited but at the same time very nervous! My edu. class and dietician appt are this coming week, so im anxious to get some of my questions answered. Im so excited to have joined this site.. from what …

Good morning all, I am just beginning to research this whole thing. I had made up my mind that i was going to start a weight loss program and give my self till the end of the year and see if i could stick to it. If not, then start the process for wls. But as i've spent a few days here, i'm rethinking that. I have contacted my insurance and they will cover wls. I neglected to find out if they require a supervised diet period. So i'm thinking that if they do, maybe i should use this time i've planned to do it on my own, and do it supervised. I will try to find out today if my insurance will require such a time. I think I've tried every diet out there, WW was the last …

I am just starting the process with the appointments - feeling a bit overwhelmed. Will probably get banded in September. How is going for those who just had the surgery?

Hi folks, looking forward to having an exchange with you. Hope to become an asset also more than that i have some questions that i haven't seen addressed ...like the band loosens at times and restricts at times but doesnt seem to indicate when, so that some mornings I'm tight and some evenings I'm tight and viceversa and i haven't seen anyone address this. can anyone relate to this? :confused2: also redefined foods go down better than unrefined ones and sad to say i've developed some bad habits due to this yet i long to eat veggies and just eat healthier.Help! I been banded two yrs so prefer those responding be the same. HELP! :confused2::confused2:

Hi - this is my first post. I was banded July 5th, 2005. I lost 60 lbs out of 100 I need to lose. After the first year, I began going back to old habits a little at a time. . . a cookie here, candy there, little Protein. Finally ended up with a stomach ache that wouldn't go away so had to have the fill removed. Now, 6 months later, I've had time to think and realize I MUST have support. Quickly, 30 lbs returned and I can see that if I don't use the band as a tool and exercise self-control, I'll be right back where I was - and more - and $15K thrown away. So, I'm starting over! :scared2: I had my first fill this week and met with the counselor. Some rules of what and ho…

I'm karenl and had my lap band surgery Oct 3rd last year. I have lost about 45 lbs. I had to have some fluid removed from my lap band about a week and a half ago do to severe heart burn and vomiting. I was out of town so this went on for two weeks before I could get the band reduced. 5 days ago I got a sore throat that is severe. The dr. says that it is viral. But it really hurts to swallow and feels like it is taking a long time for the fluids to go down. Could the sore throat be related to the problem I was having before or just a viral infection? I am not running a temp and feel fine otherwise.

Hello Everyone. My name is Page and I am currently going through the steps to get my Lapband. Due to insurance I have to do 6 months of diet guidence. I am over half way done. I have joined Curves so I can kick start my diet. I have been a big person all of my life and I am ready for change. Not to feel pretty but to be healthy. I want to change my life style so that I can climb the moutains and swim the seas. I am scared to death. But at the same time I am afraid of another failed diet. Any support and advise would be appreciated. :thumbup:

Hi everyone- I am so excited to finally be on this journey. I planned to have the LapBand last summer but my insurance company switched its requirements right before my surgery date. I've finally got a date of September 11 and I cannot wait!:thumbup:

Hello, I actually made an appoinment to get the ball rolling on my surgery! I had to check out what insurance would pay and when I would have to pay my portion. I am really trying to do this without going into debt or using a credit card. If approved it looks like my insurance pays pretty good.

I had my first appt. with my lap band Dr. yesterday. I have more questions than I did before. I have great insurance and don't have to do the medial supervised diets. So I am kind of on the fast track I think. I should be having my surgry in October. My doctor is Cavazos in San Antonio, Tx. I am really intrested to know what the recovery is like and any other useful information you can tell me. Thanks

Hey ya'll. What's up with everybody? I am trying not to be irritated and impatient :cursing:while waiting on insurance approval. How did those of you that are banded handle this stress? If you are not banded how are you dealing with the insurance game? Pray for your girl. Holla!

I'm just getting started, had my first seminar on the 15th, and my first Drs. appointment will be 7/24. Haven't heard from my insurance yet. I'm doing this because of my health. I have type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, plus being 100 lbs. overwieght. There are several people at my work that have had lapband and they have done really well. I love this site ,it has really helped me. Infact I have been doing the liquid diet for a week, just to see if I could. I gotten so many good ideas here. Thank GOD for this web site, it is the best. Will let everyone know if its going to happen for me after my appointment.:scared2:

Hi there - am really thinking seriously about banding. I have about 110 lbs to lose - gee, that was like an AA confession but its finally sinking in that I really am that overweight! I have been fooling myself and really avoiding the mirror. I am near Ottawa,Ont, Canada and would sure like some info about who does the surgeries around here or close by in Quebec (Montreal?) Glad to be here and I'm sure I'll get a lot of info.:scared2:

Hi I am Rachelle, Rae for short. I got banded on May 30th. I joined to communicate with others who have been banded. My Doctor is Dr. Schmitt near Birmingham Alabama.

Hi I just found this site today and I'm hoping someone out there can help me. I had my surgery in March. I had one fill at 6 weeks and another fill a month ago. Starting Wednesday of this past week, I can't keep anything down. I'm even throwing up saliva. I've also got incredible gas (burping) and lots of back and shoulder pain. What's happening???:scared2:

Hi my name is Kathy and I am from Garden City Michigan and I am getting my lap band in 4 days. I am very excited and nervous at the same time. I am having the procedure done at St. Mary's Mercy by Dr. Zeni. Monday I start my liquid diet (2 full days prior to surgery).

Hello all you fellow lapbander My name is angie and I was banded on 7/15/08. I am suppose to go to work today, but Iam nervous because I am still having gas pain and a burning at the port site. I am sure everything is fine, Iguess i'm just paranoide. I am new at chat rooms and all that so I hope i,m doing this right. Thanks for letting me ramble i am looking forward to any advice anyone has.:thumbup:

can anyone tell me how long before all the gas and chest pain from the gas diminish i had my surgery on monday and i still have a lot of gas pain any advice pls!!!!:scared2::wink2::smile:

:scared2:This is my first time to this site, I was banded 6-26-08. I have lost 9lbs. I get my first fill about 2 weeks. I live in Kansas City MO. Dr Steven Malley is my Doctor.

I am new to this discussion board. I spent some time reading things over yesterday and I am very excited to have support. I am scheduled to be banded on Tuesday. Excited and Nervous all at once. Part of me wants to just eat as much as I can for the next few days. Anyone else have the same feelings?

My husband had the RU N Y done in November---I have decided to have the Lap Band. I go for my first meeting 8/5 and I so cannot wait!!!!

Im in so much pain I cant tell if its the incisions or just gas.Ive been taking GasX and hydrocodone for the pain.Ive been reading your posts and I thought I knew what to expect, but this is worse than I thought! Id appreciate any encouragement that this pain will go away(hopefully within a week-im going out of town next weekend!!)Im not at all computer savy and cant post pix,etc-Im a one finger typist.Banded 17 july in Chicago at Day One health. started at 301-now 285.Dr's goal weight is 200-my goal is 130.