Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I was just banded 7/10/08 and I'm moving on to my stage of food, mushy! So far all is good with exception of gas from surgery - started mylanta strips - God Send!!

Hello everyone! Just wanted to post something to introduce myself. I am 29 years old and live in Houston TX. I have finally made the decision to start the process to have Lap Band surgery. I have really enjoyed this forum it has helped me get my nerve up. I don't have a surgery date yet and I am scheduled for a consultation. It is going to be such a huge lifestyle change but I am ready! I am about 6 feet tall and about 120 lbs over weight right now. Its crazy how quickly it can spiral out of control. I don't have any health problems as of yet and I would like to keep it that way. I have always been very active. I work 2 jobs and go to school and in the last …

I am so glad that aprilapple created this group for the STRONG and EVER SO PROUD women of color!! A little about me...34 years young, married - 8 years, mother to 4 beautiful children (3 girls, 1 boy...ages 5, 3, 20 months and 6 months). My baby boy is the last and final chapter of kids in my life:cool2:. I work full time as a Internal Audit Control Manager, but my passion is my own Wedding and Event Planning business. I live in Arlington, Texas (close to Dallas). My husband is a Navy officer. I love to plan events and weddings. Growing up and in college I was never heavy and thought I was always going to be fine. I ended up getting a depo shot for birth contro…

Hello, I joined a couple of weeks ago and have enjoyed all of the valuable information on here. Thanks for letting me live in **lurkdom** and read the posts. My surgery date is July 24 - one week from today! I'm excited...and very nervous. Wish me luck! I look forward to getting to know you.

Hey Ladies: Since I have not been banded yet, I am interested to know if there are any foods that people are struggling with? :wub: I have seen in other forums, people asking about eating pizza, not being able to eat scranbled eggs, but they can eat deviled eggs(which I would think those would be to fatten) and drinking alcohol (luckily I don't drink). Can you eat salads? or do they fill you up too fast? I have given up carbonated beverages already. What Proteins can you eat?

I am trying to find a surgeon in the Houston area. Thera are many large surgery centers that you see advertised a lot and I am going to one of the informational seminars on Sat. I have called and left messages with about 3 of them in Houston and I am dissapointed to say that I haven't even been responded to. This makes me uneasy about these places. If you were banded in the Houston area and liked your surgeon please respond with your reccomendations. Thanks so much!:thumbdown:

I'm more nervous now after reading the posts. No one seems to had surgery in the Dominican Republic! I hope some one out there can put me fears to rest. my sister and I are due to get banded August 6.:ohmy:

I am so happy! I just got off the phone with Aetna and I am approved!!! YES!!! This is the next step to a new life for me. I have struggled with my weight for the past 10 years and it is time for me to end that struggle. Thank You Jesus!:smile2:

I was turned down for this surgery a couple years ago by a surgeon who refused to do the lapband and said he could do the open gastric surgery, but it would be very risky. I said, no thanks, and left. I also heard he doesn't like to work on anyone over 65 years old and I was older than that. My new and current PP suggested recently suggested another surgeon and hospital. I contacted them and they sent me a questionnaire to fill out and scheduled my first appointment on 9/26, but will move it up if an opening occurs. I am almost 72 years young with 150 lbs to lose so hope it will happen this time. I was recently diagnosed as pre-diabetic and also have hypothyroi…

Hello, My name is Mallory and im new to the website. I will be getting banded in August on the 20th. Very nervous because this is my 1st surgery and never been put to sleep before. Anyways... need some help on how to get the little ticker like everyone has. Im like so lost!

Hello, I am looking at the lap band process. I am currently going through the six month process required by my insurance company. I don't know if I can go through with surgery or not... I am currently giving diet and exercise a serious shot before taking more drastic measures. My wife is convinced that the Lap Band is for her and is actively persuing the process to have surgery. Is there any long term (5 to 10 years and up) data out there regarding this process? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

:thumbup:i seen dr bruce in dayton today first visit .iam excited i had all my paper work with me today even my last 5 yrs medical records and after that did the ole evaluation deed well i did only because they require it or i would have never been there, i left there with an appt to the nutrition appt set for tue july ,so leaving the doc office i knew i had to re-see my family doc to be watched for 3 mos for my ins co benefit so he took me in right away today set up a diet plan :thumbup: and i see him again in 30 days ,dr bruce said they may have an answer in as little as 2wks i also sit down and wrote a letter to my ins co telling them why i felt i needed this surgery …

I'm just starting research on banding, I'm in Kitchener, ON Canada and was wondering if anyone else had the proceedure covered by ohip? (yeah I know I'm likely dreaming, thinking that ohip would cover this :wub:) but I figured it never hurts to ask right?? thanks!

I just wanted to say hi. I've been browsing for a while but never joined until now. I'm 24 and I live in northern Virginia. I'm a professional photographer and I've been overweight since about the age of eight. My insurance covers the procedure, and I'm just about to get started for the before surgery stuff. I hear that it depends on the insurance company, but that I'm probably looking at about 6 months before I'm on the table. I'm still covered on my Mom's Blue Cross in NC, so I'll be having it done in NC. Has anyone gone through BCBS of NC that can let me know how long the process is? Anyway, just thought I'd say hi before I read a little more. Thanks!

Hey there my name is laura, but i go by lala. I have been conidering getting the laband for a while, i joined a gym a few months ago hoping to do it on my own, but no matter how many times a week i go, i havent noticed any weight loss, i know my problem is food no doubt about it. So today I made a call to my Insurance company which is bcbs ppo of florida. The lady seemed pretty nice actually, She said In order to get the surgery approved I have to prove I am morbidly obese, and have been over weight for 5 years, do a diet/exersize, or diet pill regimin for a set ammount of time, a psyciatric evaluation. I didnt get to finish my call sincemy son has a bug and got sick all…

Just had my consultation and now have to jump through all the hoops for insurance. Hopefully I will be able to have surgery in October. Seems like a long time...

Going to my first meeting with the bariatrician at the end of this month.

Just wanted to say hello and become a member here. I have been reading post for a while now. I am scheduled for the band on August 14. Excited and truly ready to start out on this new path. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hello all. I'm a 34 year old male and I was just banded yesterday. My brother was banded back in November and paved the way for me to follow suit. I have type 2 diabetes and I hoping the weight loss will allow me to stop taking meds and be able to control my blood sugars by diet and exercise. My doctor was Robert McKeen. It's too early to say anything about weight loss, but I'll be back next week with a report.

I finally feel like things are moving in the right direction. I finally went to the seminar on July 7th and made my appointments today to meet with the nurse, the dietician, and the psychiatrist! :biggrin2: I'm so excited!! I can't wait to get the process moving more, get banded, & show off the new me!!!

not sure if this will post, but i am looking for some support in the yakima washington area. I just moved there a few months back, and i am stuck in a rut, and i am not being very good, need some moral support:thumbup:

This is my first visit to the forum. I was banded in june 06, and i have been at a stand still forever, but of course i haven't been following the rules. I just moved to yakima washington a few months ago, looking for some support groups out there:thumbup:

Hi every one have just joined last night. I am 36 yo mother of 2 have been having a bit of trouble with the band latley. hoping to get through without having to get any fluid taken out. Has any one else had trouble with regurgitating ?What do you need to do to stop.Rpatoe

Hey guys, I got bored and angry at some things so I decided to search google for lap band support forums. I found this place and wouldn't mind making some new friends. My name is Daniel Jackson and I am from Stockton, California. My insurance was garbage so I was a cash pay for the surgery ($15,000) My doctor stated that If I did not lose weight soon I would probably live a few more years. I saw this thing on BBC stating that we will live around 1000 years in like 20-30 more years from now so that kinda pushed me into the surgery. I previously had reconstructive knee surgery back in 1999 but that was not by choice. This is the first real surgery I actually opt'ed for …

Hello Everyone!!!!!!!!! I just wanted to take a minute and introduce myself to everyone... My name is Lisa Marie and I am 27 years old.... I have finally made the choice to get the Lap Band done... I am just begining the process but I am very excited! I would love to make new friends on here that have gone through the process or going through the process.... Live... Laugh .....Love

Hi all I have been so inspired by all your moving stories. I am looking into the surgery and wondered if anyone has worked with any doctors in Los Angeles area? I don't know about insurance yet, so please write about good. bad, best and WORST thank you for your help!

Hello my name is Nycia, from DYT Ohio, i was banded on 03/20/2007, back in december i had a bad experience with being over filled and i had to go in and let the doctor remove fluid so i decieded what the heck i am not going back for 2 months well that 2 months turned to 7 months and a gain of 20lbs, please advise if the fluid dissepates out of the band after a while. Thanks

Just had lapband yesterday, came home same day. Did great. Today I ate my 12:00 meal of 2 oz of Advantedge with protein. After 30 minutes, I wanted to get that nasty chocolate protein taste out of mouth and decided very unwisely to eat a cherry popsicle. I will never want another cherry popsicle. It hurt, I foamed, and threw up. I called the dr. and they said I shouldnt have eaten a popsicle the day after surgery and that I could throw up this foam for some time. Finally it is ok. I think I over ate and it sure doesnt feel good. It was quite an eye opener.:thumbup:

Remember when I posted yesterday about how I was happy that the Ins. co. finally received my file? Remember that?:huh2: O.K. here it goes I called them today (fyi I call everyday) to see the status. I was told by the rep that the medical review board needed more information and that a letter was sent today stating such. me: Missing what? she: three years of medical history me: I don't have 3 years. There were several years that I didn't see a dr. she: you didn't? me: no. I have been a bc bs customer for 10 years check my claims records. no dr. claims for 05, 06 she: you have to have medical recorded weights me: no, my policy allows the use of photos a…

They say we grow them big in Texas, but I've grown big enough and it's time to get smaller! A little background on me, I was never really thin but wasn't really heavy either until my mid 20s. When I was about 160 and expecting my first child I developed unexplained pain and frequent headaches that was many years later diagnosed as fibromyalgia. This slowed me down and the weight started to creep up. Even with the extra weight, I was healthy and relatively strong for a long time though. When I hit about 240 it started to really affect how I felt but still I put it out of my mind and never did anything about it that lasted more than a few weeks. Then it all came crashing d…

Hi ya'll i know the most important thing about being banded is improving our health. I have type II, high blood pressure, high everything really but i have been thinking...more like obsessing over loose skin. I know black dont crack but is loose skin in inevitable. Have any of you bandsters of color had any problems with this:crying: Thanks Justice :cool:

Hi all! My name is Robin and it's great to find this site. My son is scheduled for lap-band surgery Monday. He's 19 and a sophmore in college. I am really nervous, but he is ready. His current weight is 303, but that is down about 25 lbs. He is 6'4" and has always had a weight problem. It's especially bad because his brother is stick thin and eats the same food. Anyway, my question is how long after the surgery do you feel pretty normal? He is a drummer in his college marching band and he starts bandcamp on August 8 and they assured me that 2 weeks is enough time to be ready for exercise. Also, how long will he be on liquids? How do you plan your day's food when you are …

Hello -- my son Max just had the surgery done on February 25 - he was his surgeon's youngest patient as he just turned 18 on January 12th, so it is pretty cool. I initially signed up for this forum for myself last year, but when he expressed an interest in banding, we turned our attention to him and I really cannot wait to see how he changes. Unfortunately, the "registration" here won't allow him to be a member so I may have to register him as a 21 year-old so he can participate in the forums as himself, but I actually had a question -- are there any family, support people here that talk? I am having guilt feelings for cooking in my house right now because I know he i…

Hi everyone.... This is my 1st post! I am just starting my journey, went to my primary today for her approval (whew!). She will write my letter of necessity. My orientation seminar is sept 4th. About how long does the process take from the seminar to surgery? I'm sure all are different, but I'm hoping it's not months and months. I am getting remarried next October 9th, and REFUSE to wear a plus size gown!! Good luck to all and thanks:thumbup: Annie 238# (ugh)

Hi... I'm new to this site. I signed up a few weeks ago, but was busy trying to find the money to get this done because my insurance wouldn't pay for it. Well, I found the money and I am sooooo happy at one end and scared at another end. I have my appointment this Monday and I was told that since I'm a cash out I could get my surgery as early as the week of June 23rd. IS THIS REAL?:confused:

Hi Everyone, I have been working on insurance requirements to get this ball rolling for about 6 months. I have a lot of it done, however I would love to see some sample physician documentation on weight loss program notes turned in to insurance company. I am 100 lbs overweight and have been overweight most of my life. I am so tired, I know you all know what I mean. Any help would be appreciated.

hi everyone just want to say my surgery went well i got home today around 10am im in a lot of pain but trying to walk around as much as possible the worst is the gas pains around my cheat any advice how to handle those! also trying to fit that protein shake is hard im just not hungry anyway thanks for the prayers and ill keep you guys posted on my recovery:rolleyes2:

Hey there--new here. My husband has been chatting for a few weeks now, but I am finally finding time. He and I are getting our surgeries in the same week. My approval was taking more time, but they just added some additional operations that week and scheduled me too! Yeah. I love forums, and am so glad there is this support on-line!

My surgery is only about 2 hours away now. I made it. I'm all packed and watching the clock...tick, tick, tick...I'll be back when I'm able. Wish me luck!

The nurse at my surgeons office was talking about a special drink that i have to use i guess during my 2 week liquiad diet i cant remember tha name seems like it started with an a and i guess its something that you have to order she said my dietian would give me all the details when i go see here but im just curious about the price and where you order from if any1 knows please let me know thanks

Hello! I'm new to this.. but I've been addicted to this whole website for about a week now! I decided I better join and post a forum since I now have my appointments!! My exercise therapist appointment is July 25th! My appointment with my surgeon, Dr. McEwen from Fishers, IN, is on Monday, July 28th. Also, my psch evaluation is that day!! My dietician appointment is also scheduled! My surgery is hopefully going to be the week of August 18th, the week before I start school again. I'm at senior in college! Can't wait to graduate! :Banane03: I'm so excited about this. But.. then again.. I'm so scared!! I've never had surgery and I've never be…

Hi, My name is Victoria! My doctors office called yesterday and they got my approval from my insurance:cool: This is really something that I want to do, but now that I got the apporoval I am really scared. I go for a pre-op class on Friday and to schedule my surgery:ohmy: When I first started thinking about the surgery I found this site but never joined, today I joined because I think that I really need some support. One of the things I'm scared of is that I really haven't been getting ready for the BIG day, by practicing the eating habits and such. Does anyone have any good adivce to offer me. I would really like to hear some feedback. :confused: Thanks! Victo…

So i finally got my date august 25th yippie im so excited seems like iv been waiting 4 ever for this day to finally come i know i got over a month to go but seems like its been forever this long road iv gone through wow!!!!! Any other ppl getting banded on this date? If so yippie!!!!!!

Hello folks, I am a newbie waiting for approval for the lab band surgery. Been jumping thru hoops since May and still have a few more to go>>> All kinds of emotions running the gamut. I just wish this would finally happen so I could start my new life. It's really nice to have this source of information and support. Thanks for being here! (hope I am doing this right? kinda challenged in this area...) TTYL:thumbup: oregonirish55

Hi everyone, just thought I would introduce myself. I am from NC and had my band put in on March 31st of this year.

I have never been on here before, but I am really researching the lab band and I have several questions I was hoping the site might answer. I have a friend who is going in 9 days to be banded in mexico by Dr. Guillermo Alvarez, and everything we have read on him is wonderful. I was wondering if anyone has used him and what your opinion of the experience was. more from me later...bye

hello everyone, I am from tuscaloosa alabama and i am goint thru the steps to have lap band surgery. i am pretty nervious about this decission, as most of you all have been. any advice, encouragement, would be greatly appreciated. anyone eles in the tuscaloosa area ??

I had my EGD yesterday and the paperwork will be sent to CIGNA (State of TN) so now the hard part starts! The waiting to see if I am approved. I am worried. The physc eval was denied even though they say it is mandatory to have the surgery. I am appealing that. How long does it normally take to get an answer?

Hello everyone, I am trying to find some information on having this surgery to see if my insurance would pay for it. I am on the IL medicaid I don't know if they pay for it or not. Any help would be wonderful. Thank you all I wish everyone the best Kim

It is the first step in the process for me. Luckily, a coworker of my husband's went through the same clinic and has the same health insurance I do and she's offered to give me an overview of the process. I'm impatient to get the process started, but who isn't?