Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi I'm new here. I had surgery in Nov. 2007 and have lost 65 pounds.

Hi everyone! Bear with me, I'm new... I'm Tracy, I'm 26. Just started looking into the process, then jumped right on-board. I've got three months of supervised diet as per my insurance company, and I'm looking at an early October surgery date... as long as I can lose the 5% my doctor requires! I'm really really struggling with finding some protein-rich foods, that are low on carbs, to get that weight off.... any suggestions?

Hello, I'm just beginning my journey to a thinner me. :thumbup: I attended the orientation class yesterday and am currently waiting to find out what my insurance company is going to do. I'm both excited and scared at the same time.

I am so excited! I just found out yesterday that my insurance company has approved me getting the Lap Band! My doctor is Dr. Ferrari in Houston, TX. Does anyone else have him as their doctor? Now I have to contact him to schedule the surgery, but hope it can be in early to mid May. Yippee!:sad_smile:

Hello, I will quickly tell you my story and then about my son... I am a surgery success story of 20+ years. At age 18 I had a stomach stapling procedure. I was cut from the left rib to the right and a band of surgical plastic was put around my upper stomach and five rows of staples partitioned off my lower stomach to create a small pouch with the ring working much like the lapband. It has worked wonderfully and I have been able to keep the weight off, fluctuating 20lb on and off, all these years. Nothing was bypassed or cut out and it is totally reversible. Reading the posts sounds just like the experiences that I have had with my post-surgery life as to the slimmin…

Hey from Seattle, I've been struggling with my weight since I was 13 and have played yo-yo dieter for the better part of 15 years. It occurred to me recently that while I have control over so many other things in my life, this is one area that I feel helpless and, frankly, ashamed. I don't think I know what it feels like to not feel self concious or disappointed in myself regarding weight. And I think I'm finally ready to do something about it. So, I've been thinking about getting banded (note: I've already picked up the lingo from your conversations!) for a year now. And to be perfectly honest, I feel a lot of trepidation about what this means for the rest of my …

Hi everyone, I attended my first seminar yesterday. Met one of surgeons at the clinic I'm going to. He was very nice, very informative. The dietician also talked, as did the insurance person. Anyway, I have fibromyalgia. Was wondering if anyone else has it too. If so how did your surgery go? Has losing weight helped with your pain? I'm on Medicaid, and I guess they require a 6 month Dr. supervised diet. I'm not patient!!! How did anyone do that? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, Nancy

When I started this process I was 267 and I am 5"6 that was about 2 months ago. I am now at 242 I thought I would get a jump on the weight loss but now I am under 40 Bmi and Healthnet HMO will only approve Bmi 40 or over with no comorbiodities or 39 and under with 2 co morbidities. I have no comorbidities.I just got the call from the doctor for my group meeting tommorow and my appt with the surgeon on July 21st. Thank goodness I asked what happens if I lose more weight before I get with the surgeon on July 21st she said more than likely they would not approve me. I am really bummed that I have to stop losing weight on my own and I might have to put on 3-5 lbs to be at a 4…

hi! i am scootersmom and i'm considering lab band surgery. I am going next week to talk to my dr. she and some of my other drs. think i;m a good candidte. i'm excited to be here. i'm really hot now.....i'll post more later! thanks!

Hi everyone! My name is Misty and I am scheduled to have the LapBand procedure on August 4. It's been about a year since I first considered LapBand. My first seminar was with Dr. Felix Speigel in 9/07. I found out that my insurance at the time required a 6 month Dr-supervised diet, and visits to a nutritionist and psychiatrist/psychologist, so I left the seminar frustrated. In May of this year I attended a JourneyLite seminar with Dr. Matthew St. Laurent and really loved his team approach and support. Unfortunately, the JourneyLite center in Houston is not a Bariatric Center of Excellence, which is a requirement for my insurance. I also found out that my insurance (United…

I met with Dr. Kurian at NYU last week. She is terrific. The staff was very nice. It was a long day, however, and lots of paperwork. Even though I brought in documentation of 6 month diet, I need additional details for both 6 month diet and five year weight history. Once I get that in, will await word from insurance (Cigna). Am nervous, but also excited. I just keep telling myself "one step at a time." Am focusing on getting to the gym now, so that I will feel as good as possible pre-op and will be ready to get back to the gym as soon as possible after surgery. For me, exercise is always the key to losing weight. Even at my highest weight, if I am working out I feel so …

Hello from Louisiana. This is my first post. I had lap-band surgery 3/5/08 and have lost only 19lbs. It's been pretty frustrating because the weight hasn't been coming off as quickly as I had anticipated. I've had 3 fills. I am at 3.5cc's and I am exercising at least 4 days a week. Not sure what the problem is. I feel like the band is working because I am only eating a very small amount of food and I feel satisified when I eat. To be honest I don't know if I'm eating enough. Any thoughts???:thumbup:

Did anyone have thoughts about how the lapband would cost them a lot of money to fill and maintain? I am thinking a lot about the financial burden it might be to have and maintain. This is probably the biggest reason for me having second thoughts about having the band. Does anyone else have this problem or is it not that costly to maintain because it sounds very costly to maintain and fill the lapband. Help?:confused2:

hello all, Just posting for the first time. My surgery was July 1 in Atlanta. Dr JK Champion is my surgeon. All in all everything is going well. Getting ready to go back to work next week. Welcome any suggestions. Look forward to talking with you.

hi everyone again i wanna thank everyone 4 the support i got when i needed my questions answered anyway my surgery is monday!!! im very nervous but happy its finally going to come true!! i feel like my life will really truly begin monday ive been stuck in such a rut being depressed with not liking how i look but now i feel like i have something to look forward to im very grateful to God!!!! Glad i can finally be healthy and hopefully live a long life!! anyway i will keep ya'll posted!!!!

Hi. My surgery date is set for Aug. 13 but I am having second thoughts about it does anyone have encouraging words.

Hi everyone. My username gives away most of the information one would typically put here, but Hi, i'm Jay, age 25, and living in MA. I'm completely new to this whole thing and am taking the initial steps (right now i'm looking over insurance companies [any suggestions?] as I just started a new job) and hoping to be another success story!

im on the 14 day liquid diet and my surgery is scheduled for the 14th of july i did really well on the diet except for today i ate 2 packages of ramen noodles do u think i sabatoged my surgery im really nervous and i feel really really guilty any advice pls!!!!:thumbs_down:

Hi, Just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Jackie, wife and mother of 4 boys. I am in the process of getting approval from my insurance company. Looking forward to be banded in August! I am so excited and motivated!!! This site is awesome and I look forward to getting to know some of you.

I finally bit the bullet and registered. I was banded all the way back in March of 2004, lost a grand total of 25 pounds and "lost the follow up". We moved from NY to NC and to be honest I was so busy taking care of everything and everybody else, I forgot about ME. .....So here I am 4 years later determined to be the best me I can be. I finally obtained all of my medical records and found a Dr. in my area. I had my first fill 5/1/08 (prior to this I had no restriction and could eat just about anybody under the table:biggrin:). Since then I have lost 17 and am so grateful. I truly believed that perhaps the Lap band just didn't work for me. Now I know that it can and …

Hello everyone, I am RFR0407 from the Atlanta metro area of Lawrenceville, GA. I am strongly considering the Lap band procedure and welcome any advise, leasons learned, any thing you would like to share, I am willing to listen. Thanks RFR0407

I am new here, just joined tonight. I am 63 years old, grandmother to 9 and great grandmother to 4. I had my band on July 1,2008. I started out at 234 and have lost 18 lbs so far. Dr. Keith Chung did my surgery in Lake Charles, La. Bye now See you soon Jazie

Hello I am new to this forum. I have an appointment on July 16th to meet with the surgeon. I am excited and scared both. I desperately need this surgery. I have a BMI of 42. I so want to be around to watch my grand babies grow up. I need encouragement and advice on this whole process. Glad to be here!!! :smile:

Hello, I got banded Nov 30th, 2007 and since then i have lost 36 lbs. 15 on my pre op diet and then 10 the first month and then a very slow 2 to 3 lbs a month since. i hardly notice i have a band in dispite having 3 or 4 large fills ( I can't remember exactly) I can eat anything and sometime i still do. for example yesterday i ate like 3 peices of Pizza for lunch. I don't think this is normal. Last time I had a fill the Dr. added 1 cc and i think it was suddenly to tight and had 1/2 cc taken back out and then i went back to eating with no restriction. I am thinking I overreacted to maybe a normal fill restriction? the problem was every bite i took, no matter how soft or h…

Hi everyone. It has been a while since I posted last. I lost my job in Nov and with it my ins. I had just gotten my surgery dae of Jan 23. My bosses didn't want to let me go on leave for the surgery because I had just been on leave for a hysterectomy and let me go . I got depressed and rebelled against the system. I gained back all of the pre-op weight and then some. I am up to 292. My highest before this was 283. I am ready to get back on the horse and try to get my weight down, My husbands benifits kick in in 6mo. I want to be ready for surgery as soon as the ins is ready to go. I will need some words of encouragement if you don't mind. I know I can do it I just need to…

hello all, i`m a 51 year old grandma of 3.i weigh over 300pds. i`m currently in the process of getting lapband surgery.

Hello All, Im Tina, i am a 19 year old female living in Las Vegas, NV. I am 5'8 and weight 269.5 pounds. I am getting Banded on July 24th, 2008 by Dr. Teng here in Las Vegas. I cannot wait to start my life over and finally be active again. I plan to post pictures and tell you all about my journey. Sincerely, Tina

Hello all, I was wondering if any of you are/were nighttime eaters like me. I was banded June 25, just about 2 weeks ago and I have for some reason, thank God, stopped eating at night and the weight is just falling off. I have spent many years trying not to eat at night and nothing worked until I got this band. Anyone else have a similar experience? Dietfree

Hi all, I came across this wonerful site maybe about a month ago and I finally came back to join tonight. This is 1 of the few site where they are a lot of men here who also have the lapband. My surgeon is doctor Garth Davis and I am set to go 8 am 7/16/08. I am doing well on my liquid diet. my heaviest was 380 when I started his program I am now down to 337. I found the posters here to be really helpful in answering all of my questions . I hope to a member here for a long time.

Hello all! I've been lurking around a bit for the past few weeks. I didn't want to join before I got the good news! Today Dr. Smith here in Ft. Worth agreed to do our Lap Band! :biggrin2: We actually were able to get all our appointments out of the way today. Surgeon, psych, dietitian, and pre-op education! August 7th is the big date for both of us! We're self pay, so they got us in really quick. I couldn't be more thrilled and I think he is too, but he's trying to be macho about it! We both have a lot of weight to lose...over 200lbs a piece. Are there many here who have lost that much or are on their way? I'm actually more nervous about the after-skin than …

how do u put that weight tracker on ur page?

Hello . . . I am a newbie, I am currently in the process of started my weight loss journey . . . I am going through Kaiser Richmond. I have an orientation on July 15th. I signed up for the Healthy Lifestyle Classes , which is an 11 week course. If there is any advice you can give me please holla at me. I am like a sponge ready to soak up all the information I can receive. I wanna know whatever you are willing to share. I also wanna meet some friends . I currently live in the East Bay.

Hi, I am Melissa. I am 30 years old and working on getting the lap band surgery. I am hoping to be eligible and scheduled for this fall. I have done a lot of research on this and read several books. I think I know what to expect. My only worry is the emotional/ psychological aspect of the surgery and post surgery. I feel that I will probably go thru a period of greiving for the loss of food. As food has been my comfort and crutch for so long. Well I would love to hear from someone.:biggrin2:

I've been lurking on the forums for a few weeks, learning lots, and now I finally feel like I can join in. I went for my consult today, set up appts. with the nutritionist and psychologist over the next two weeks, and the doctor's office (Kelly Clinch in Kirkland, WA) is pushing through my insurance approval so that I can beat the cut off date of August 1, when he and loads of other doctors suddenly become "out of network". So, fingers crossed that the approval happens poste-haste, and I get this party started. About me: I'm good at losing weight, bad at keeping it off. I lost 54 lbs. about 18 mos. ago but it came back on as soon as I got lazy and started eating t…

Hi there - I am 65 years young, and debating on whether or not to check out the lap band surgery. I have just remarried, and have wonderful new husband that is supportive in every way. We both lost our spouses, with health problems, and wish to spend the next 20 or so years enjoying life. I am very interested, however do not seem to find a physician in my area. Does Medicare cover any of this for morbidly obese patients? Thanks for your feedback. Iodine:tt2:

Hi there, newbie here. banded April 28th? Not losing as fast as I think I should.... when I have more fluid in my band Im too restricted and cant eat at all. Heeeeellllllllppppppp:redface:

:thumbs_down:....hi every one... this is my very first post, and i want to say that i have been on here just readingg evryones stories and looking at pics, and i finally build up the courage to post.. ok i have my first dr. appt on 7/17 and im excited...i already went to the orientation... and im still a little nervous...so someone please let me kno...how bad do the fills hurt?.... is it painful or not cuz im a big sissy...lol

:thumbs_down: Hello. I started my banding journey in April. Since then I have jumped through every hoop they have placed in front of me and today I made the appointment with my surgeon! I will meet with the surgeon on July 23rd and I hope to set a date at that time. I look forward to hanging-out with you all and learning from your experiences. Thanks:wub:

Hello, my name is Crystal. I am 37 (almost 38) years old. I had my lap band on 06/09/08. I am curious as to whether or not anyone else has had an inflammatory respons to their band? I had one shortly after surgery, and thought I was going to die. It felt like an elephant sitting on my chest and radiation up to my neck. Luckly my surgeon is very accessible and saw me right away. I had to be placed back in the hospital of steroids, fluids, and potassium. It took a couple of days but it got much better. 225/199.5/140 :thumbs_down:

:confused2: Hi. I recently had lapband surgery (June 16) and lost 16 lbs within the first week. A week after surgery, I went for my follow up appt and the doc put me on mushies. After a week of mushies...I began to eat meats (tuna & chicken) and veggies. I have done fine...no nausea or anything. My tenderness around the incisions is getting better but I have noticed a small bubble or knot just under the left side of my ribs. It hurts to laugh, cough, or take a deep breath. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this.

Hi- my name is Bev and I'm considering having the lap band sugery. I've been on Weight Watchers SO many times (currently doing it again) and I do well until I get to the 40 - 50 pound weight loss and then I seem to lose my motivation. I've been overweight all my life and and tired of being this way. I have 7 year old twin boys and I'd love to run around and play with them, but my weight prevents me from doing so. I am tired of always being the biggest one in the room and having to be so self conscious. I've been considering having the Lap Band surgery for the last few days after talking with my husband. I have a degenerative spine problem and it is VERY painful. …

I've been reading here for a few days, Seems like a place I'd like to visit:smile: I'm scheduled to go for my orientation on Friday, thr 11th. When I asked my primary care doctor if he thought I could be a candidate, He said sure! He thinks it would help me alot. I have COPD and fibromyalgia. I'd lost #80 taking Metabolife, working out with a personal trainer 3 times a week. I got down to 238 when I had to go to the ER one night cause I couldn't breathe. Stayed there for 5 days, IV steroids. nebulizer, oxygen, Then i get home and I'm researcing that, I come across how COPD patients lose weight, and they shouldn't. Well to me this means go back to old eating habits! N…

Hi all, I am approved by my insurance company and I am scheduled for suregery on September 8th here is Florida. I have had my gallbladder ultrasound, Psych eval and nutrional evals are scheduled and I am going to surgoens office to have the esphogeal manomatry done at the end of July. All other Gi doctors what to have a consulations appointment first and I do not have the time for that. Any tips or advice would be appreciated. i am pretty excited.. :redface::thumbup:

Hello to all...I am new and from a suburb of chicago. I am going through the Kane center for my lap band surgery. Everyone is great there and very helpful. I finally went through all of my preliminaries from the sleep study to my upper GI..etc! :eek: Good grief! Well I have a surgery date set for July 29 th. I am looking forward to this journey as I have been heavy since yay high. I do not know what it feels like to be thin or shall I say a healthy weight. I feel as if it is not possible that I will loose the weight, being pessimistic about the lap band not working before I even get it. I dont want to be thinking this way but I cant help it since I have always b…

Hello All! I am newly banded and this is my first time to post to this site. I am scheduled for my first fill on July 15th (surgery date was June 26th) and my doc already has me chewing and eating foods so I can let him know how much I can hold with no restriction. This seems to conflict with what most other people are doing??? Anyway, I am nervous about the fill and what to expect - any pointers would be greatly apprectiated! Thanks!

I just wanted to say hello.. just waiting on my surgery date, hopefully soon...is there anyone else in C'burg, VA having lap band soon, or had it already??:confused2:

Hello! I havent had the procedure yet, but I am scheduled to July 18, 2008 ( next week). I am nervous, but excited. I thought I had all my questions answered, but am not sure???

I had sx in June 0f '07. Every adjustment has been painful. Swollen belly - pinching in the stomach area - pain in the injection site. Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks, Marion

I'm new to the site my surgery is scheduled on Friday. I have been on the liquid pre op diet for 7 days, it is the hardest thing I have ever done. I haven't survived on anything but liquids since I was 6 months old. I have my pre op appt with my doctor today at 1. For some reason I am afraid this Friday will not be a go and I don't know if I can do this again!!!

Hello all, I am so glad I found this group! I just did the orientation today for the lap band, it will be a 24 week course that we have to complete before we can get the surgery. Has anyone else had this experience, if so please sheare your story thanks alot.