Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi there, I'm new to the forum. I am not banded yet. I will meet with the surgeon at the end of July and if all goes according to plan, my 6 months with insurance should be up in Oct. I'm so ready to do this. I'm so tired of fighting the "diet" battle. I look forward to reading your posts and chatting with you all and learning from your experiences. God bless you all. Rosemary in Alabama:thumbup:

Hey everyone, I'm sorry I didn't even introduce myself yesterday when i finally logged on and ask a question. I am from snyder texas and had my surgery Dec. 28 in Mexico. I have lost 40 pounds and am needing a fill. i am really glad i found this site and all of yall for support. :biggrin:

HI everyone my name is Lisa I am a mother of three beautful babies. Two girls and one boy. I am also a step mama to my daughter who made me a VERY YOUNG grandmother at 27 to a gorgeouse baby boy. I got banded June 2 and I am still waiting to see some results. I get my first fill this Friday July 11 so I cross my fingers and pray to God it will help. So I will keep you all posted. Later. :biggrin:

New to this site ...havent been banded yet but plan to July 18th 2008,,,WOOOOHOOOO!:thumbup:If anyone has any pointers please let me know ....Kassie (Louisiana)

Hello I was banded July 2nd and have lost 30 pounds 17 pre 13 post call me crazy but I'm not sure of this hole thing before the operation I looked at everything lapband and thought this is for me know I'm reading all about slipping and all the negitive I almost feel as if I should stop looking on line but I keep comming back maybe I'm crazy or maybe this is normal I don't know please help

I'm new to this and I've got my 5th app't with my reg.Dr. next Monday, 6 is required before I talk to the Dr. for banding..I really need information as to what to expect as far as food intake before and after..I saw the nutritionist but she mainly told me what to expect after and I still have questions, so if you all will help me through this I would appreciate it...I'm off caffeine and that was horrible but I'm good now...still miss it..I was told to get citrate calcium, can you take pills with the banding? or does it have to be chewable? I have the chewable vitamins...yuck :biggrin:...but I guess I can get used to them...I'll have more questions later...thanks all.

For the Rio Grande Valley Hi; I'M bob, in limbo as to lap or bypass. Have lots of ills so much to gain. I have read quite a bit but really don't know. I'm here to listen. bob

I have struggled all my adult life with being overweight and trying every diet know to man and have even made up some of my own. I need to lose about 70 pounds and have a BMI of 35. Most of the people I have discussed the lap band with tell me I don't need a lap band - just put my mind to losing it because it is not that much weight when you consider the risks. I am a high risk patient - I have had 2 stents in my heart, have had a blood clot in my femoral artery that nearly cost me my life and I have had abdominal wall hernia repair 3 times. Every day I wake up fully determined that I am going to stick to my diet but can't even make it through the day without cheating. If…

Hello to all, I had my surgery 10/2001 in TJ, MX, my surgeon was Dr. Kuri. Dr. Kuri and his Staff are great. Recovery was quick and my weight loss was gradual but good, I took off 75lbs and felt great. I had 2 fill's w/in my first 2 yrs, and then due to circumstances beyond my control, I wasn't able to get to TJ for further follow-up. I gradually put some of my weight back on, tried to find a Dr state side that could provide fills, but was unsuccessful, since my surgery was done on the other side of the border. After speaking w/a friend about her GBP surgery, she asked me if I had every found someone to help me out, and if I had done any more research for a fill Dr. …

Just wanted to get an idea of who was in my area. More specificly the Hammond, New Orleans area.

Hey all!!! I am new! I have been debating lap band surgery for over a year now. I took a year to research, save money,(since I will be self-pay) and really think on this. But now I have taken the first step. I have my consultation set for August 1 with Lap band solutions in Houston, TX. I live in Louisiana and will be traveling in for my appointments and surgery. I am excited and would love to hear from anyone else who has gone through Lap Band Solutions in Houston. I believe I will have Dr. Felts... but have not confirmed this yet. Let me hear from you all!!! Allyson :biggrin:

Hello all! I am new here to the forms & caught the notice to why not post a message here saying hello. Good idea so here I am! :thumbup: I have finally decided on the lap band but after talking to a man I encountered via phone, he raised some concerns/issues I should be aware of before my consult. I understand his concern as I wish I knew what to expect when I had my gall bladder removed last year (still suffering from side effects.) Any information, suggestions, tips, etc is greatly appreciated especially from forum members that had/have narcolepsy & sleep apena.

Hello All!!! This is my first time on the site....it sure is good to be here! Hope everyone is doing well. As for me, I'm not quite sure if I'm glad I did the band. Some days I am....some days I'm not. This is my problem, and any help at all would be greatly appreciated. I had my lap band done on 6-24 (13 days ago). I still experience painful, nauseating burps that sometimes have me running to the bathroom because I'm afraid I'm going to loose it. This is accompanied by sharp pain right in the center of my chest. It has eased up a bit in the last two days, but I'm wondering if this is "normal". I have adjusted my Fluid intake, drink with a straw, continue to …

:scared2:Hello. i am scheduled for banding on the 21st. I'm self pay and am afraid that if I have complications I'm not going to be able to deal with it. I'm at the low end of the BMI but have struggled with my weight for 8 years. I am almost ready to cancel. HELP!

hello all well i'm a male from south louisiana my current weight is 364 lbs this pass month i attended my first weight seminar at southwest medical center in lafayette la.. i have since completed my two dietian classes and my next step will be the psyhchiatrist evaluation...that should be fun...lol my doctor is Dr gary stevens at southwest....he would like to see me get the RNY gastric bypass....but i want the lap-band.....i just can't get passed the idea of re-routing my plumbing.... so after careful research....bandland here i come.... cajun

:thumbup: Hiya everyone! My name is Karen and I am 28 w/ 3 kiddos. I am just starting out my journey to get Banded! I see my doctor on Tuesday for my initial consult. I just started the 6month diet plan for my insurance...so looking to get banded at the beginning of 2009! I have been overweight ALL my life and struggling with the yo-yo dieting forever it seems now. I am very excited about getting Banded and think it is the right choice for me (even though my friends think its the "easy" way out). I have heard nothing but negative things about getting the Lap Band from my friends. My husband is all for whatever makes me happy and I AM happy I am taking control …

I got my band date. It is set for July 21st. I have to start me pre-op protein on the 11th. I am looking for ideas on some tolerable protein shakes or mixes. I never could stand the taste when I had to drink them on the Metabolic high protein diet. I think I am more nervous about this pre-op prepration than the surgery itself! Any suggestions? Also, I want to make sure I understand.....are we not supposed to eat any solid foods? Thanks! This is my first time to ever ask post.

((I’m not good at introducing myself, sorry. )) Hola! I’m 20 years old and have been considering the lap band for a couple of years now. I have struggled with my weight all my life and it has gotten to the point where I just can’t take it anymore. I probably have done every diet on the planet. I’ve even been through the high school phase where I wouldn’t eat or make myself sick afterwards. Two years ago I went to my doctor and talked about getting Gastric Bypass, and was quickly talked out of it since I was so young – and told to wait till Madigan got the lap band. They finally have it now! I made an appointment with my doctor on the first of august …

I started my journey back in Dec/Jan and actually met with a surgeon back in Jan but due to financial reasons I had to switch surgeons to get the process going and feel that I made the right decision making the switch. I am now going with Dr. Lisa Martin Hawver with UC Center for Surgical Weightloss, and had my initial appointment with her on June 27th and during that appointment also met with the Insurance Coordinator, Nutritionist and Physician Assistant. Who were all incredibly friendly, nice and helpful and made me feel very comfortable..I am in the process right now of getting the sleep apnea test done as well as the psych evaluation. I have completed my 6 month Doct…

Hi everyone, I have been reading this site for awhile and thought that it was time to sign up. I am in the middle of my 6 month nutritional counceling I only have july and august to go. Hopefully all goes well and I will get approved for the surgery sometime in september. I just wanted to say hi to everyone and I have read some really good information on this site

Hello everyone- My name is Lynda and I am 32 years old. I have struggled with my weight for years now and have decided to have Lap Band surgery. I am scheduled for surgery on July 8th and I am getting really excited about it. Of course I'm a little nervous too but I'm looking forward to the new beginning. :thumbup:

Hi my name is amanda Im 28 i was banded june10. I am from north louisiana..born and raised. I am happily married to my husband robby of 7 years. we have no children but a dog named grandmaw. I am a kidney transplant survivor transplanted march 7 2006 a generous gift from a wonderful friend. So after over a year dealing with steroids i am ready to lose the weight to help my kidney. I went for my consult in April 2008 approved by insurance May 2008 banded june 10 2008. my experience so far with the band has been fairly well. As for me I was not in that much pain after surgery sore but not awfull. i only used the pain meds at nite to rest better and that was ony for a f…

Hi all- 33 y/o woman from Central Valley, CA. I talked to my Kaiser Dr. this week about weight loss help. I went to the appointment completely ignorant about the different WLS. He said NO to gastric bypass (my BMI is 39.1) and he put me on Meridia. I mentioned lap band at the end of the appt, and he was okay with that as an option and he said we would look at that after 6 months of supervision. I feel like I was all over the place in that appt. So being a teacher, I am here to educate myself completely in case it comes to lap band. I hope to learn from others because I do not want to be ignorant when I go in again in August for a check up. One big question I have…

Hey! I was just banded on Wednesday! Would love to hear from other July 2 bandsters... Hope everyone is doing well! :tt2:

Hello Everyone, My Name is Angel I had Lapband Surgery on 09-07-07 in Michigan thru the Barixs Clinic I always go on the ObesityHelp Web Site and this website was put on there by a member so I thought I would check it out so I'm a NewBee

Hello. My name is Elaine. I live in Nebraska. Dr White in Omaha did my band. I was just banded on June 27th. No weight loss yet to speak of. Maybe two pounds tops. I have been very hungry. I have moved on to mashed potatoes. I attempted to get the bypass three times and could not get insurance to approve it. First time too healthy, second time they changed and do not cover any weight related issues. Third time, they said I do not have the support I need to do the surgery. My husband is totally against it. Finally I got approval for the lap band. I have been working on this now for 6 years. It took me 7 months to get approved for the lap band. I am ok wit…

Hi everyone, I am new to this site and to being banded! I had my surgery on May 13, 2008 and my first fill on June 23, 2008. I have lost a total of 36 pounds so far with 82 more to go. I am taking this one week at a time! I don't really feel a huge restriction, which I expected after my first adjustment, I have my second one scheduled for July 21, so hopefully I will notice more of a difference in my appetite and on the scale. I wish everyone the best on this journey we have started!

Hi, I'm new to posting, but not to the forum. I've been reading the forum for about 6 months or more. I figured I would join when I got closer to banding. Since I'm self pay, it's taking longer than I had hoped. I'm making slow progress. My question to every one is... do/did you ever feel that you should be losing the weight yourself instead of being banded? Don't get me wrong.. I WILL get banded. I just have this little voice inside telling me "you should lose it on your own." My dad died at 47 years old when I was 18 of a heart attack, he was obese. This is my biggest factor in being banded. I am 47 now. I have always fought with my weight and know I'll never keep i…

Hi all, first post. getting banded 11-20-07 by dr. dennis lewis in riverton wyo. anybody here anything about him? anyone else from wyo?

Hi all, I recently had Lap Band surgery on June 11th. I continue to have questions about what to drink and eat. I have primarily continued to be on a full liquid diet. Any suggestions people have would be great. Thanks.

Hello to all....just joined the site today. Wondering if anyone here is in south louisiana? I have attended a seminar and have ins approval. My first doc appt is on jul 23. Wish me luck!!

Hi I have been reasearching lapband for about a year and in May I decided lets see what it will all take for me. I called our local weight loss surgery office and started talking with them, before I knew it I was excited to do it and they had made me all my appointments. I did all my blood work and tests on June 11, onJuly 2 I got the call congrats your insurance approved your surgery. :thumbup: Donna made me feel like I won the lottry, kinda I did the my life back lottery. I am 34 years old currently 5'3" and 260 lbs a size 24. I would like to be about a size 5 or 7 like I was after my second child, and 130 lbs. My goal weight is 145. I am a EMT and I coach gymnastics.…

Hi all..I'm glad to have found this awesome site. I'm very interested in lap band surgery, but I'm afraid I'm going to run into insurance problems. Off to post in the insurance section.

Hi, I'm new to the place. My name is Charlotte and I was banded 6/25/08. I'm feeling much better now, but the first 2 days really sucked. It hurt a lot more than I expected it to... and I'm no weenie when it comes to pain. Anyway, I have my first visit back to to doctor on 7/9 and don't really know what to expect. Am I going to get a fill?:confused2:

Hello, I am researching everything about lap Band. I have located a doctor and have attended 1 siminar. My question is this. The doctor said the opening to the pouch would only be the size of an M& M. How can anyone swallow anything with an opening that small? What kind of foods can be eaten with this size of an opening. Also I just turned 60. Are there many out there my age that has gone thru this surgery? I just found out that I have sleep apnea and need a c-pap. Does the Lap Band get rid of sleep apnea? Can't imagine living my life with this c-pap!:thumbup:

:thumbup:Hey everyone, you dont know how happy that i found lap-band i havnt had it yet..i am still waiting for a letter from my doctor. She said she wished i wouldnt get it..since she had other people get it and they didn't do good with it..so i have got all my lab work and anything just waiting for a letter from her...plus everyone is telling me not to get it..that i am too young and that i could lose it by walking......anyways i have my 1st doc. appt. on july 17th after that i have no idea what is going to happened..i have never been so scared in my life...its an really big change...:biggrin:i know i am not the only one has had all these feeling...:thumbup:...

I got banded last Friday (June 27th) and I am amazed at how well I have been feeling. So far I have lost 15 pounds so on average about a pound a day. I wonder how that will change when I start solids. My only concern is that the palms of my hands keep peeling and I haven't gotten my period this month. Has anyone experienced this as well?

first off i would like to say I LOVE THIS SITE AND ALL THE PEOPLE ON IT!!!! you are all amazing! I can sit here for hours reading the information and learn something new every thread. I dream about the day i can get my lapband done and look as amazing as these people that are on the before and after photos. It's simply AMAZING to be soo close to something that could change your life and make you happier. I have read the bad and the good on here and I am sooo ready for this! ....But im still on pre op stuff and im only 17 :thumbup: ill be 18 August 26th but i have to do 6 months of psychiatric evaluation and 6 weeks of diet classes go to 2 group sessions. I wonder tho…

Hi All, I'm Dee, 29 from CT. I've battled my weight my entire life. For the past year or two I've maintained 320. Not going up but not going down either. We've been Trying to have a baby for over 3 years now and I decided to have a whole load of testing done. Everything came back perfect. So.. I've set a new goal. I want to lose weight be successful and keep it off! I've considered Lap Band several years ago.. But my insurance didn't cover it at the time. I was thinking about it again since the weight still hasn't dropped off and I had a few questions. Just to add, My new insurance covers it 100%. SO I'm rethinking about it. Please tell me the pro's and cons. I s…

I am 54, diabetic and have numerous other health problems resulting from obesity. My Dr. recommended lapband surgery and a clinic in Baytown, TX. Is anyone familiar with the clinic? Can't remenber the name. I'm starting here for my research on lapband. I would like info. on fills, pre-surgery and post surgery procedures and complications, and how lapband affects emotional eaters( which i definetely am) i.e. stress, depresstionetc? Any info will be appreciated. Thanks very much for your help. karrat6

Well, I finally did it. I got banded by Dr. Ponce in Chattanooga on the 3rd. It is still pretty painful. I haven't been able to lie flat since the surgery. The gas pains are just too painful. The liquid Lortab is pretty useless, but I only got Lortab 7.5 My wife got banded about a month ago, so I know I can getthrough this. She's my inspiration!

My name is Amy. I will be banded on July 11. I am so excited! The entire process has gone by fairly quickly for me. My initial consultation with the surgeon was approximatley 1 month ago. I had all my testing done within 2 weeks and am now starting the 2nd week of my pre-op diet. I just wanted to introduce myself as I have been "hiding out" reading everyone's posts over the last month. I look forward to talking with all of you in the future.:thumbup:

Hello everyone. I am new to this website and really enjoy reading everyones posts. I just attended the seminar Thursday and have an appointment with my PCP Tuesday. I am anxoius to find out if my Insurance will cover the surgery. I have Anthem BCBS and when I called they said it was covered for morbid obesity. My BMI is 36 and I have knee nad back problems and possibly borderline diabetic...so we'll see. I am 39 years old and a full time student. I hope to get my weight down before I graduate and enter my new career. More Later. :tt2:

Hi, my name is Dariel and I'm 19 years old. I've been thinking about getting surgery for a while, I've been overweight much of my life. I'm not going to lie and say that some part of me doesn't want it for cosmetic reasons but it's mostly because I dont feel comfortable with myself anymore. I'm not able to do many of the things that I once enjoyed because I'm simply too heavy, things like wearing heels out becomes a painful activity and I can't dance the way I used to either, I've lost flexibility and stamina. My problem is, this seems to be the one thing I've ever been TOO skinny for. I'm 5'2" and at this point around 214 lbs. which puts me at a bmi of 39.5, just .5…

Has anyone who has Tricare Prime been banded? How did you get approval I am having a really hard time..any suggestions please

Hi, I am Amber. I am impatiently awaiting my first consult appointment with the surgeon on 8-8-08. The weight loss clinic says my insurance is pretty good about covering as long as the psyc. eval goes alright. I have been waiting to be on Hubbys insurance before posting...my insurance pays nothing on banding. Should be getting my info packet from weight loss center soon. Hope to be having surgery by sometime in Sept. Thanks for all the great info that everyone has posted...it has been a great help to me in deciding on surgery as my option. :thumbup:

Hi! I have been reading this forum for 2-months now. I am in the pre-approval process right now. I am told that I have great insurance (Federal VA BCBS) and approval will not be a problem (fingers crossed). I did the info seminar, the consult (Dr. Schumacher/Kettering Bariatric) and had the first 1/2 of my screenings with the psychologist/nutritionist/physiologist. I go back on 7-14-08 to have a one on one with the psychologist/nutritionist/physiologist. Then my doctor's office will submit the paperwork for approval! I heard a rumor that once approved he was scheduling surgery 1-week out!!! I truly hope that is the case as I would like to be banded by the end of August. …

Hi, this is my first post. i am soon to be 63 years old. i am 5 ft. 2 inches tall and weigh, gulp, 192. i am miserable. i have high blood pressure, diabetes, athritis, thyroid problems, eye problems, etc. in other words, i am not in very good shape to say the least. i have been on every eating plan i do believe, but it never lasts. i feel that if i do not get this weight off that i will not be around much longer. i am ashamed of my looks and do not like to go anyplace. i also do not feel like going anyplace. i have a wonderful, handsome husband who is very supportive. i also have some bad habits. i smoke. i drink wine. i am a couch potato. it hurts to walk. i get out …

I would like to introduce myself to the Forum. My name is Tom and I am 64 years old and retired. I am 5' 11'' and weight about 320. I have found that my current insurance specifically excludes any bariatric surgery coverage, so I must wait 6 months until I will be on Medicare which will cover the procedure under the program plans I will be signing up for. I plan to have the procedure done at Danbury Hospital in Connecticut. It is only a ten minute ride and has been named one of the two best Hospitals in the United States for bariatric surgery. I feel lucky to live this close. I have been reading all I can on the procedure and am very excited about the prospects of…

As of this writing I am scheduled to have surgery August 2008. Nine years ago I had reflux surgery where they wrap the top portion of the stomach around the esophagus and stitch it together to prevent acid from going back up. I am told they will have to undo this procedure in order to install the band. I am concerned about my reflux coming back. Has anyone had reflux surgery before having the lap band put in place. Please tell me about it. Thanks dctk@earthlink.net