Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hello, My name is Jaclyn, I'm 24, and I live in Virginia. I am scheduled to get my lap-band surgery done on July 1st. I am very excited and I am very nervous. My husband is accompanying me on the venture and it will be our first time flying together and our first time outside of the country EVER! I have had a lot of friends, family, and coworkers try and talk me out of going to Mexico, but it IS the only way I can get the surgery, and I feel I have done my research. I am going through belite weight and Jessica is my patient facilitator. So far, she has comforted all of my fears and I feel she will continue to do so before my surgery and afterwards too. Dr. Jose R…

in desperate need of help. I am a cardiac patient. I had a heart attack in feb 08, and have severe medical conditions and am obese. My cardiologist wrote a letter stating it is most critical I get the lap band, My insurace is WELLCARE. I called them and they said the will cover it if it is life and death, which my cardiologist pretty much clearly states. Now. i cant find anyone to take my insurance that there isnt a one year waiting list. I wont be here in a year at the rate it is going. This is most critical. Please. help needed.

Hey guys....I am back. I was a member of this support group a long long time ago. I have since lost my password and stuff so I have re registered. I have decided to come back here as I am facing a very difficult situation... I have been banded now since 5/5/05......I have made some progress but because of some stress in my life for the last two years I have regressed. I have stopped going to my band doctor. I don't know when the last time was that I got weighed....and I know I have been screwing up with this band for a while now. I have gained a few pounds back....when I say a few thats just an estimate because I don't know what reality is. I have regained a love for…

Hi, I'm just starting the process. Got my ins info in the mail yesterday. Highmark PPO. Yes, they approve it but must have documented 6 month DR supervised diet and exercise program within the last 2 years. Is there any way around this? I'm so disappointed. Thanks :confused2:

I am so overweight and I have diabeties, sleep apnea and back pain.. I must lose.. tried everything. Lap band seems so hard to do.. is it really so hard to get used to ? I so need to lose this ....I can't get the nerve to put myself through the pain of it... if anyone has any encouragment or advise let me know..

Hi everyone - I am 57 and need to loose 100 plus lbs. I am going to the seminar next week and have been looking at these posts and they are very helpful. From what I have learned here my insurance will not be very helpful (Bl Cross - Bl Shield of Illinois). I also read here that some drs. do not feel it is worthwhile for people of my age. I guess I am also questioning myself :confused2: - I obviously have not gained all of this weight by eating only when I am hungry - I hope someone who is like me with eating can tell me if this really takes away the desire to eat. Hoping to hear from you! Thanks so much!

Hello everyone I had my surgery on June 6 and my first fill on July 3rd. I think this was too early for my band is only 4cc's. Does anyone have any feed back on this. I just want to make sure I'm doing everything right.

I have a friend who will be having lap band surgery. I would like to send her a gift that will reflect my support and my admiration for her decision to take control of her health and well being. However, I'm totally at a loss. Every time I think of something, I find myself wondering if the gift is inappropriate. For example, I thought a subscription to a magazine (possibly something like Cooking Light or Shape) might be a good idea, but then I think it could be perceived as condescending. I was also thinking about sending her a bunch of different types of gum, but then I read the posts about chewing gum being a little risky. She isn't the type of gal that would be thrille…

Hello my name is retta and i am glad to become part of this community

Hi! I am new to the board and hope I can get some help on the lap band nutrition. I had mine done in Dec. and have only lost 20 pounds. I am getting very aggrevated and hope I can get some feed back on why I am losing so slow. I decided to get on this board to find out if other people are having trouble losing.:thumbup:

Hi Everyone! What a great website. I have been researching Lapband for a while now off and on. I have recently been diagnosed with mild sleep apnea and will be getting my CPAP machine soon. It was recommended I lose weight which may help and maybe even mean no CPAP machine. I'm 38 years old and have battled my weight since puberty. I have done so many diets and gone up and down with my weight and am so tired of not liking what I see in the mirror everyday. I'm also have major issues with feet and ankles and also have found that I have the marker for heart disease. I'm ready to do something for myself and lapband looks like it may be the right tool for me. Does anyone h…

Hi there! Just a quick hello. I came across this site, and am looking forward to reading more into it over time. I was banded on Feb 6.08 in Mississauga Ontario. I lost 17 pounds while on Optifast.... have not lost a single pound since my operation. I had my 6th fill today, matter of fact. I have a 10cc band.. and now have 6.6cc's in it. They have been inching up by .2cc's for the past 3 fills. I am feeling some restriction... here's hoping I'll finally reach this mysterious sweet spot we are all searching for! :embaressed_smile:

:embaressed_smile: I'm approved! :huh2: I called my insurance and found out I was approved today for surgery. I called my doctor's office and I am now scheduled for surgery on August 25th. I guess this makes me and August All Star.

I had my lapband surgery yesterday, and was looking for advice/experiences. So far I seem to be having a very good start. No gas pains (yet), and very little pain. I am very bloated, and I had started a weight sheet. After I read some people gained after the surgery, I immediately went and weighed myself. Sure enough, there was a five pound increase. I am so glad there were people already on line who had experienced this and talked about it. I would have been so upset. Thanks for the wonderful posts that are making my surgery recovery so much easier.:embaressed_smile:

My lap band surgery in August 8, 2008, I'm excited so sick and tired of being heavy and pray this is my solution. I'm getting my lap band in Port Huron. I have to ask if you have a hernia is this a problem?

I was banded on March 19, 2008, by Dr. Renee Wolff in Portland, Maine. So far mostly good. liquids going down great, started on blended food and that worked, but still in pain and using pain meds 4 days out, which I wasn't expecting. I'm sure that will pass soon. I look forward to learning from and sharing with everyone here :crying: V

Hello All - I am new to the forum and have enjoyed reading all the helpful information here. I go to Day One Health in Chicago tomorrow for my pre-op testing and have already scheduled my surgery for August 13, 2008. I have been a zaftig woman all my life - really had no issues with love and life being a plus-size girl - but am now choosing to do this procedure for health reasons - lower bloodpressure - diabetes - etc. If anybody wants to share their experiences feel free - or just say hi! All my best - Susan

I have finally felt like I had everything going to get the lap band since changing surgeons last month, I have now completed one of the support group meetings, the psych eval, and the sleep study, in addition to the 6 month supervised diet that the ins requires. Well my doctor who did the 6 months didnt include everything needed in the records and as they are right now the ins co will reject it if its sent in, I called the drs office back after talking to the surgeons office to make sure they had received the records and finding out that the dr had not put in the exercise part of the program into the notes and her secretary didnt know if it could be added but that she wou…

I am visiting here for the first time. Lots of great information here. I was banded May 29 and have lost 27lbs.

My name is Stacey and I am having surgery this Friday, July 18th.Am excited and nervous at same time. Best tool I have is "weight Los Surgery for Dummies". Any last minute tips or info that you wish someone had told you going ito the surgery?

Hi, I was banded on 7/7. I was, and in a way still am insulin dependent with my diabetes. Prior to surgery I was taking about 40-50 units of humolog daily and 15 units of lantus at night. Since surgery I have not taken the lantus and am taking about 5 units of humolog with meals. Being diabetic was my #1 reason for doing the surgery. I also have sleep apnea and sleep with a c-pap machine because my snoring was REAL loud. I dream and goal... is to be off insulin and be able to sleep without looking like darth vader. I can't wait for the time to be able to go to bed with my 3 year old daughter and sleep with her without having to worry about the cold air coming out…

Hi My name is Tim .I am being banded tomorrow morning July 14 @ 9:15 am. St Agnes Hospital with Dr Kuldeep Singh. Good luck to all and Congrat,s to all that have been successful..Tim

Hello everyone! My name is Stacy. I have my surgery date for the lap band set for August 18. I'm very excited about starting things over and having my weight under control. I was hoping that anyone out there that reads this that has had the surgery already would let me in on what to expect. If anyone out there can help me out, I'd greatly appreiciate it. Thanks

Hi everyone. My name is Jennifer and I got my band on July 2. I went today for my 2 week check-up, and I lost 16 pounds. I felt the first three days after surgery were tough. I had a lot of gas pain in my chest and shoulders. I am so happy that I decided to go through with the band, even after the pain. I wish a lot of luck to everyone in their weight loss journey.

:thumbup: Hi fellow bandsters! I'm new to the site and very new to the Banding process. I finally made the plunge and called for my first appointment with the doctor. Man was I nervous. I don't know why...I've had a packet of info about lap banding for a year now and have been thinking of it for longer than that. Anyway, I have the dr appointment set up, the nutritionist appt set up and will make the psych appointment as soon as I can. Figured I might as well get it all out of the way. I look forward to the overwhelming support that appears to be provided on this site. I have been overweight ever since I can remember...back to age 10-11 I think. I finally accepted wher…

Hi Everyone! My name is Vanessa, I was banded on 12/26/06 by Dr. Paul Wizman in Margate, Florida. I lost 50 lbs in 6 months, then happily discovered I was pregnant with my first child. All was going well and then I developed PHI, and my son was born 11 weeks premature, weighing 1 lb 15 oz. After the up's and down's of it all I gained it all back and had another fill yesterday. I have 10cc band and have 2.5cc in, feeling quite tight, Im ready to start loseing again, and hope to make some friends from here :thumbup:

My name is Teri, from Indiana - surgery date is 7/25 and I'm very, very excited. Can't wait to share all the excitment with everyone!

Just got the my pre-approval Letter . got it on friday after the dr office closed. Been foced to wait the hole weekend. it took 13 monthes to get this fare. can't wait see what lies ahead!

I am scheduled for my finial visit with Doctor Stanish on july 29. The closer the date comes the more apprehensive I get, and Doubts sometimes come up. I just wish i did NOt have to wait so long for the apointment. But I am also getting Excited and can not wait to get Started. I live in St. John Indiana. So if you live near bye and want to get together to help each other get through the tough times drop me a line. Tom

MY SURGERY IS 2MORROW ALL OF A SUDDEN IM REALLY NERVOUS ABOUT THE ANESTHESIA ANY ADVICE? PLEASE:scared2:

Hello Fellow Banders, I had my lap band surgery in February of this year. I have lost 57 pounds thus far. Having my third fill tomorrow with my surgeon. Still feel very little restriction. Hoping this next fill will be the one! Wishing everyone continued success. :thumbup:

Hello Folks - I would like to start a Forum for our area, is anyone interested? Or can you let me know if there is one already.:wink_smile:

I just wanted to stop by and say hello to everyone. I stumbled across this site while doing a little homework on the lap band surgery. This is such a wonderful community for people about to go through/going through lap band. I haven't had the surgery yet, still in the research part. After everything I have read (mostly good ,some terrifying) I would be ready to go and get the surgery tommorow except for one concern I have. I'm going to school for culinary arts and I have read that every bite counts what will I do when I have to taste dishes I'm cooking? I want so much to do this right and I'm worried this will affect my results. Does anyone else work in the food industry?…

I'm new to the site and want to say hi. Today was my surgery consultation, all the insurance stuff is done, I'm good to go. For months I couldn't make up my mind about banding or bypass, but today with encouragement from my hubby and information from my surgeon I finally decided on the band. Looks like I'll be scheduled for late August, and I'm excited!

I’m new to this whole thing and I’m not banded yet. I have been reading up on it and I plan to make an appointment sometime soon to talk to someone about this. I have been over weight all my life and now that I’m 30 I want control and some help. I have been all over this site and have seen and read some scary things that I know are a risk but is it worth it? I still have to decide if my life is worth putting on the line to lose weight and what will happen after? I just need support any been to the Barix Clinic? That’s where I plan to go in Ohio. Thanks everyone:help: ~Dawn

Well, I'm on my way. I just had a brief consultation. Basically, we just went over my stats and she explained how the appts will work if I'm approved. I will have to go to El Paso 3 times. Once for an entire day to do a nutritional, psychiatric and attend a seminar. After that, I will have to go & meet the surgeon then the last will be for my surgery. I will also have to do follow up appts for my adjustments but that's down the road a bit. I seem to have all of the factors needed to have this done so I'm hoping for it to go through. She faxed over a medical release form, and already filled it out & faxed it back. Now I wait... She said it takes 4 to 6 week…

Hi all! I am just in the very beginning stages of getting ready for surgery. Just wanting to find a place to get support and advice through this process. Thanks!! -Rhaine

HI EVERYONE! SO 2DAY IS MY SURGERY I PROPERLY SHOULD B SLEEPING NOW BUT IM SO EXCITED AND NERVOUS THAT I CANT!! LOL. I WANNA THANK EVERYONE WHO GAVE ME SO MUCH SUPPORT THESE LAST FEW DAYS AND I ALSO WANNA TELL ALL MY FELLOW BANDSTERS WHO R GETTING BANDED TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE!! YEAH !! GOOD LUCK AND CONGRATS ON A NEW , WONDERFUL AND EXCITING BEGINNING!:smile2::thumbup::thumbup::crying::thumbup::rofl::thumbup:

:cursing: I'm so excited that I could bust...I have my consultation today. Thanks to everyone here, I also have a list of questions for the doctor so I can get as much information from him as I can. It's great that the ball is really moving forward! I'm nervous that I'll get approved right away and then I'm nervous that insurance will make me wait. Anyone know about Qualcare in NJ?

Hello all- I'm new here. I am still going through the approval process. I am awaiting my pscych eval and then I will be scheduled in August. I am excited and nervous. I have been overweight all my life. First diet at age 13. I am now 31 years old, a mother of 2 and hanging out around 255lbs. I am looking forward to lapband, but also scared. thanks for the support. :cursing:

Hi everyone still waiting on ins. to aprove me, I love reading everyones input it keeps me going and from changing my mind.:biggrin2:

Hello everyone I am new here. I am in my pre-op stage. it took me a year to decide if I was going to get get the surgery . I made up my mind that being over weight was not an option anymore! Mr doctor told me I was pre diabetic that was enough to say lets do the darn thing! well I do have some question and I hope I get the answers here and in the future be a support to others on their journey. :confused_smile:`

Hi everyone I need some advise or re-assurance. I had my first fill on 6/20/08 and have gained 6 lbs. I don't eat alot (a small plateful) but I cna't figure out what the problem is. I was able to eat a day after the fill. Is is normal? I suppose I need a bigger fill but that willl be in two more months. I feel full and all but what is wrong with me?

Hi. My name is Steph. I start my last three appointments with the exercise physiologist, dietician and psychologist this week. I can't believe how quickly this is going. Really glad I found this site. :confused_smile:

Wow, it's finally here! I start my protein drinks and clear liquid diet tommorrow morning in prep for my surgery on the 22nd. Help! Any suggestions on how to cope with this and any help with protein drinks would be appreciated! I'm so new with this type of eating I'm almost terrified, but at the same time so excited to get going on this new life!

So, I'm new, and I'm saying hi! So, HI! Anyways, I've been lurking around for awhile and figured it was probably time to introduce myself. I've been considering lapband for awhile now. I'm still not 100% decided, but I'm making an appt to see my GP to disscuss the opition. If I go through with it I'll be using the same surgeon my mom is going to for gastric (7/28), as I've already met her and she comes highly reccomended. Anyways, thats my lil' intro 'bout me!

hi everyone im new to your forum Im from England i was banded marcch 2007 18 months agoI have a 14ml band with a10.5ml fill I am 5ft tall and weigh 11st 8lb in march 2007 i was 12st 12lb iv had several fills the lowest weight i got down to was 11st. then i went on holiday and gained 10lb and im really struggleing to get any more weigt off iv never eaten big meals im more a constant sweet tooth nibbler .Ihave an active job love going for walks nearly every day and use my local gym/ex classes several times a week but i dont feel any better for having the band im nearly always hungry I have to really stop myself eating and im not eating that much anyway I had a fill 4 wee…

:party: Hi everyone. This is my first post, and I am hoping for some guidance. I was banded on 7/7/08 and have been incredibly depressed ever since. My surgeon says that surgery went well, but I have had alllergic reactions to ALL of the pain meds prescribed, so have taken only tylenol. Beyond that, I just feel uncomfortable in my own body. I am not hungry, but I am having an awful time with the idea that I can't eat. I am craving healthy foods, but am still restricted to liquids for another 10 days and I hate every kind of protien shake/drink I have tried. I know this is emotional and, though I expected it, I am just so unhappy. Any advice??

:help: Hello! I just joined the group and am hoping it is the "kick in the butt" I need. I was banded on March 29, 2005 by Dr. Ortiz. My weight was 215 and as of this morning I weigh 184. I have weighed 184 for months now! I don't think its the fault of the band .... ????? Not sure. I seem to be able to eat crackers and things I shouldn't eat, but when I try to eat a "normal" meal I end up sliming. Maybe Im going to fast, not small enough bites, etc. Anyway, the weight is not moving down because I'm putting in to many calories of the wrong foods. I'm not sure where to go from here........ is anyon else having similar problems??? I would love to hear …

I had my surgery friday July 11. So far so good. Some pain but not bad. Anyone else newly banded? :thumbup: