Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I am schedule Aug 15th for my band!! I am excited and nervous! I can't wait to start the new me. Any advice on the pre-op diet? Any advice on protein shakes that taste better than others?

I had the lapband surgery 9 days ago. It has all gone very smoothly, and my Mexico experience was just outstanding. The liquid diet has been a challenge, but I have the wonderful products from HMR and I've done pretty well. Now the two week mark is coming up. I will be switching to soft foods. I find this makes me a little nervous. I am looking forward to a time when I can sit down, and eat normal foods, in public, and not feel I am running the risk of putting on a really gross show. But I've already had one go round with just jello! Luckily not in public. So....I would love any advice on how to proceed into the next phase from someone who's been there, done …

Hi to all, I am new to forum and interested in getting banded. I have intro meeting 7/10 and kinda scared. Congrats to those who have made the choice. My fear is that what do i do with the skin and will i feel better about ME once complete. I have two kids (single mom) and need a self esteem boost and to shed a couple pounds (50+) lol due to medial concerns. Nice to meet you all and share your thoughts:smile:

Hello Everyone!!! I'm hoping to get banded if everything goes as planned some time this fall. Unfortunately, my surgeon thinks my insurance company may throw a few road blocks in my way before I can get approval. Here's the basic deal. I have a BMI of 38.2, but I have high blood pressure. My surgeon doesn't think the single co-morbidity will be enough to get the surgery. I know I don't have diabetes, so my best hope is that I undergo a sleep study and find out that I have sleep apnea. I can honestly say that this is the first time in my life that I'm hoping to have something wrong with my body. Sadly, with my luck, I won't have the sleep apnea and my insurance compan…

Not sure if anyone else has had this problem. I am in the process of trying to get approved my BMI is where is needs to be but if I lose a pound it won't be. Problem is that even though I have struggled with my weight all my life, six months ago I gave birth to a wonderful baby boy. He is one of the best things in my life but not so wonderful on my body. I have a bad back and he's not getting any lighter either. I lost weight after he was born but gained it all and then some after I went back to work. I have Tricare and they don't care that my back gives out and I fall and it's difficult to take care of a child under those conditions. I have been sent for PT twice …

So, my surgery is scheduled for 7/9. I now have a sore throat. I hope it's just allergies. I don't feel sick...yet anyway. I don't think I can go through another postponement again. My original surgery was for 5/21. That had to be canceled because of an abscessed tooth. I really hope I'm not getting sick. I just feel like screaming right now.

hello from the UK! Have been reading and reading and reading about all available options, risks, successes and failures but I've bitten the bullet (no pun intended) and have booked my lapband surgery with Dr Dillemans for Feb 27th in Bruge. Hope to learn a little more from all of you as to what to expect, etc over the coming... well, forever. One thing I've been drilling into my brain is that this is forever. Not a quick fix, not a magic cure, but a life changing and affecting decision. Look forward to getting to know you all better! Michaela

I am a new member to the forum...However I have been reading comments for a few weeks now...I am currently trying to make it through my 2 weeks of liquids pre op. It has been hell...sorry but that is the only way to put it. I am 1 week away for my surgery date 7/10...I am looking forward to the day but have found myself a little nervous as it gets closer..Mainly due to not wanting to fail at this attempt to lose weight also. I have no fear regarding the surgery itself just failing again..

Hey, just joined the site wanted to introduce myself. My name is Sandy, I'm from NJ. Having the lapband surgery done on Monday...it's been an ongoing process for about 2 years trying to get insurance to cover it, but they finally accepted it :biggrin2: Woohoo. I'm very excited, if you couldn't tell.

Hi! I am so glad to have found this list! I am a few weeks away from banding (July 23). I'm 53 years old, 5'3" and 206 pounds, a self-employed mother of one, and vegetarian. My main excercise is "aerobic knitting" (which hasn't helped get the weight off at all!). I'm looking forward to learning from all your experiences. Ellie's mom

Hi, I am just beginning my journey! My doctor is Francis Teng, MD, out of Las Vegas, and I have been following his work for almost 6 years. I have my consultation on the 15th, seeing the psychologist and nutritionist next week. My insurance is not paying, so I'm doing it all myself, with a little help from my mother. LOL! But, I have a 12 year old daughter who is at weight loss camp now and she has been there 2 weeks and has lost over 13 lbs so far. I want to set a good example for her, because she is doing it for me. I have entertained the idea of weight loss surgery for years now. My brother had the bypass done last year and has lost over 150 lbs. He had so many health …

I am having Realize Band surgery next Tuesday. I am on a liquid/yogurt pudding diet right now and have lost 8 pounds. I have to admit that I am nervous. Not so much about the surgery but about my life after surgery. I am a self admitted foodie and love wine with that. That is why I am 100lbs over weight. I am having the surgery in California but then moving to Texas so looking for support group in that area.

:thumbup: I got a date!! August 13 - guess I need to learn PATIENCE. This gives me lots of time to read everything I wanted to ahead of time as well. This will be my birthday present to myself (birthday is Aug 20!!) - a NEW life!!!!

Hello everyone, I was banded on June 25, just little over a week ago. I chose the name Dietfree because I have high hopes of never being on a diet again. In fact I threw away all my diet books and it felt great! I was checking out your FAQ on Post Op stuff and all the questions I had were completely answered, especially about the gas that travels up to the shoulder blade....ouch! I am 5 feet, 2 inches, and was at 212 on surgery day but I have been losing a pound a day. I have absolutely no hunger, nada, nothing. In fact when I do eat I can only tolerate a few bits and I a so uncomfortable I can't stand it. I was told that the band would be put on empty and my firs…

Well, I went for my first consultation today and I got my date.....July 17th, two weeks from today! I'm gonna be a July Butterfly! I was so scared there would be some reason that the surgeon would say no, but now that he has said yes and set the date, I'm scared to death! I know I'm doing the right thing for my health, its just that I've never had surgery before so I guess you could say fear of the unknown. I've been on here for a month now and I have read almost everything I possibly can so I have ALOT more knowledge than I would have, so that gives me comfort and knowing I'm not alone is really nice. I'll definitely be on here as soon as I can after surgery to upda…

Hi i had my band fitted on 25th June, two days of hell followed, constantly vomited, was really scared that i had done some damage but nurses didnt seem too bothered just kept giving me antisickness medication which didnt really work. Anyway i decided id be better off at home and left, tried soup until it stayed down, was feeling quite low and thought just get on with it, get out and do the normal things and since then ive been fine, quite sore still but managing on purree foods etc I really regretted doing it five days ago but i weighed myself today and i have lost 10lb in 6 days! This site has been such a help especially making a decision between the bypass and th…

Being a single parent with a good sized commute, I decided to seek an online support forum. This way I can visit during my lulls and/or breaks to get answers, ask questions, or simply browse. Good luck to all.

I'm new to this forum....still in the 'getting info' stage. Off to look at the FAQ's!

I have my 1st appointment with Baystate Surgery on July 13th. I really need this for myself, but I'm scared. I already went through a couple seminars with Pioneer Valley Surgical, but they made me feel like they were pushing cattle through the motions... I didn't feel safe. I hope Baystate Surgical is better, so far so good... no group seminars... I've read all the positive outcomes and really think the lapband is the right thing for me... but I'm really nervous about having surgery.

Hi everyone, I just signed up for this website. I have my first inital consult for the Lap Band procedure on July 9th in Richmond, California. Im excited and scared all rolled up into one, but i know that this is the right decision im making. Please if anyone has any stories to share please drop me a message. Thank you and take care:regular_smile:

Hi my name is Johanna, I live in Fairbanks, AK. I am waiting to be medically cleared from my Dr, and then the approval from Medicare. I am ready for this to be done and to get my surgery date. I have to travel 6 hours to Anchorage for my surgery, and then stay 10 days after. I am getting this done because I have 3 grandkids and want to be able to be active with them. And I do not want to end up like my dad. I was also have MS and would like to hear from others who have MS and been banded. Johanna

Hello there. I'm a 30 year old mother of two. I recently decided to pursue lap band surgery. I am a Kaiser patient and so far have not run into any problems. I had orientation about 2 months ago but they say I may not have a surgery date for 9 months. Does that sounds strange to anyone. I currently weigh 245 pounds. I'm curious if anyone know if there is an average weight loss with this surgery? I'm still a little nervous but so excited to live a new life.

Where to begin? Hello everyone and Happy Canada Day. This is day 2 of a 3 week pre-op diet before surgery scheduled on July 21. That I am feeling a whirlwind of emotions would be an understatement. I hope to learn much here. All the best to one and all.

Hey Everyone, I just wanted to give an update...I swtiched insurances to personal choice from aetna. Now im waiting to get approved which should be next week! Since my insurance from employer (aetna) did not cover the lapband i decided for my health it would be better to get covered under and insurance that does! Im hopin to get approved soon and continue on with my journey for a new me! Has anyone else switched to another insurance or does anyone here have personal choice that can tell me how the process takes im very curious!!!:thumbup:

I've been waiting for this day for a long time. I am no longer considered obese just OVER WEIGHT! Now, If I can do this all of you can and will too! Some will take longer (because you can't control band leaks, etc) but how long it takes isn't important. Only that we make it. Hope everyone has a wonderful day. It's a beautiful morning and I'm going for a bike ride.

Hello All, I am TheE, I have a BMI of 31. I had a BMI of 24 before I got married 5 years ago and had two kids. I have dieted and exercised all the time but have kept gaining weight. I reached my peak last year of BMI = 33 and battled it down. But now nothing I do seems to work that is why I am considering Banding. I am here to gain information and courage to go on with my weight loss program. I dont want to struggle with this weight when I am older! Thanks for your time. TheE

MY NAME IS ERIN AND HI TO EVERYONE. I HAVE SET OUT MY LAPBAND JOURNEY AND HAVE JUST FINISHED MY LAST TEST THE VENUS DUPLEX. I HAVE ALL MY PAPER WORK BUT IM NERVOUS ABOUT ONE THING. MY DR WATCHED ME OVER 6 MONTHS BUT I KEPT THE LOG AND WHEN IT WAS TIME TO WEIGH IN I JUST RAN IN AND HE NEVER REALLY WROTE ANY PROGRESS NOTES. THE LAPBAND ASST SAID GHI REQUIRES PROGRESS NOTES. I'M SO CLOSE TO GETTING THIS DONE LIKE NEXT MONTH. I HAVE ALL MY DR SAYING AT 38 ,I REQUIRE A TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENTAND IF I DONT LOSE WEIGHT LIKE SOON I'LL NEED THAT SURGERY LIKE NOW. i'M HOPING ALL THESE LETTERS AND PHONE CALLS WILL BE OK FOR GHI. HAS ANYONE USED GHI AND HAD A PROBLEM WITH REQUIREMENT …

I have been over weight most of my adult life I am a 30 soon to be 31year old married mother of 2. I was always slim until my freshman year of highschool the gradually the weight came on. I then was in a relationship prior to my marriage for over 10 years and was very content and kept my weight maintained. After the relationship was over, I lost over 100 pounds, by not eating because of nerves and I felt great. Needless to say 6 months later I was pregnant, & getting married. I only gained 43 lbs with my son, but my sister in law who is a OBG told me to breastfeed and the weight will just melt back off...WRONG it seemed like I gained more. Then 20months later I b…

Hello, I am researching my options on where to get my lap-band. I am a self-pay and attended a seminar here in Washington and got very excited about the surgery. I have been researching surgeons and need some advice. 1.) Travlling to Mexico and having Dr. Ortiz do the surgery or 2.) Staying in Washington state and paying twice the amount but be close to home. Dr. McMahon at Swedish is the surgeon I am interested in here. Please, any suggestions, stories and antecdotes are welcome!!

I attended a seminar in Maryville, TN which was presented by Dr. Colquitt. I was so excited; I filled out all the paperwork and went in for my first appointment today. I waited 50 minutes. I asked the "nurse" how much longer it would be and she said I better get used to waiting because we were in a surgeon's office and that's the way it would always be. I left. I told her Dr. Colquitt had just lost a patient. I feel that I have to have someone with whom I feel comfortable and someone that I can rely on to be there for me. I would not look foward to working with someone who thought it was the norm to have patients wait for almost an hour to see him. Any suggestions?.…

Hello my name is jorge and i am 32 years old and i live in queen creek, arizona...i was banded on may 12, 2008 by dr. Orris/dr. De berros in the weight loss institute of arizona in tempe...it has been an emotional roollercoaster ride and i am still waiting for my first fill...i admit and have confirmed it...i am food/carbs addict and it has not been easy...i started the journey weighing 537 lbs and preop i weighed 499...i have a long way to go but feeling very optimistic and hopeful...i need alot of emotional support...by the way i am an emotional eater as well...i want to connect with other people struggling with their weight and emotions and who have had the lap band su…

HI, My name is Rose,and I am new here. I have been reading alot here,and would like to know how do I find a surgeon in my area? My Doctor gave me a surgeons name,who wont talk to me till I go to a seminar,and the seminar has never called me back about a date and time...so I am on my own with finding one myself. Can anyone please help me with this?I appreciate any help. Thanks,Rose:smile2:

I have been going to my appointments for my six month diet with doctor for my insurance purposes. I found out in the last few days that my Iron is low, prescription for iron pills 350 2x a day. B12 is low taking a pill under my tongue 1x a day. My Vitamin D was already low and been taking 50,000 units a week for the last 6 weeks. I am concerned about what is causing this and is this going to keep me from having the surgery? I also have sjogrens disease which is an immune disease and I take plaquenel, could this be what is causing my vitamin dificiencies and will this keep me from having the lapband? Cheryl:crying:

Hello, I am due for my first official step, the seminar next Tuesday. I am really conflicted about this, but I don't see another way available to get control of my weight, and life. I have many problems that the weight complicates. I'm looking for support, and I thank you for any offered.

Hello out there. I am new to the blog world and learning. I had lapband surgery May 16th. Pre-surgery weight was 240 lbs, Surgery day weight was 230 and I just hit 211 today. I feel great!! I looking forward to my first fill on July 7th. I really have no restriction now and hope to feel a difference after the fill. I have enjoyed reading this blog for a couple of months now so decided to jump in. My first question is......how do you get the ticker added to the bottom of your posts?

I was scheduled for yesterday, May 27th, and was just about to go into the operating room when the surgeon told me he was not comfortable with something on the barium swallow test. It was a vascular compression on the esophagus. Two doctors had viewed the test results and no one had mentioned anything. My surgeon had not viewed the tests prior to the day of surgery. I was totally expecting to have the surgery but after discussion with the doctor and the anethesiologist and my daughter who is a RN we decided to have a couple more tests to determine just what was pressing on my esophagus--it is a bronchial tube--and seems to be nothing to worry about. I am so glad my surg…

Hi I wasn't able to find your response to my text; the forum emailed me to let me know someone has responded to my request. I apologize for lack of computer skills using the forum.

My BMI ranges from 35-40 depending on what diet i am trying...lol. I do have other issues ie: stress incontinence, knee joint pain, herniated discs (i am carrying so much extra weight it is starting to really effect my back) Severe Reflux and inactive thyroid and depression. I am being medicated for the last three. My question is...is there anyone out there with a low BMI that got approved for lap band surgery?? Thanks for any help you can offer. Kimberly

Hello everyone, My name is Sal I am originally from Long Island, Ny I moved to Tampa, Fl in 2003 after spending 22 years in NY. I am 25 years old, and have been on the plus side of the scale most of my life. I was around 325-350 my senior year of high school. I was a defensive tackle for my football team 9th and 10th grade and then I left the program to go work to earn money for college and personal life expenses. I continued after to play roller hockey both for pleasure and in leagues in the area. My father passed of a heart attack on 12/23/98 after then it seems I have put on most of my weight. I feel most of my weight was due to my poor work schedule. I worked usually…

I just wanted to quickly just say that i was banded on the 25th and this site as been so helpful , all the posts referring to Gas pain and everything else. As anyone been banded by Dr. Vernon this June? Very excited to be finally banded and start losing some weight lol. Have a great night. Katie Melia:smile2:

I attended a seminar this week and am very excited!! I am scheduled for my first doctor's visit on 7/21. However, my BMI is 37.8 and the nurse I spoke to was not very positive about my being approved. I have had NAFLD (Fatty Liver Disease), but lost about 45 lbs and my levels went back to normal. I have since gained 20 lbs back, but have not been retested. The nurse is not sure if NAFLD will qualify me anyway. I also have partial disability through the military for ankle, knee, and back pain, but no one has ever outright stated that it is arthritis. I don't really have any other medical problems, so I'm seriously worried that I won't be approved. Any advice? Fru…

Hi! I just joined and will be banded on 7/7. To say I am nervous is an understatement. At the same time I am excited about loosing the weight. I have lost the pre op weight but any additional advice you can can to make my post op easier would be appreciated.

Hi, everyone! I gor my lap-band last Monday, the 23rd...I've lost 11 pounds this past week, and I know it has alot to do with the liquid diet! Does anyone have any sugestions for any new liquid foods??? I'm done with soup, pudding and jello! Luckily I live in MD, where the crab soup is THE BEST! But I've had SOOOO much of it! Can't wait to be able to eat something with a litle more substance! Best of luck to everyone!

hi joined here just yesterday i saw it had live chatroom thought i would sign up for it well i,m new so i hope i,m welcomed names christine well i,m new and as can you can see i,m kinda shy:blushing:so hope can make lap band friends on this forum forum i,m thinking of being banded i,m a canadite so i gotta go for consulation soon well later all bye! (ReallyShyGirl19)

I had my band put on on June 25th by Dr. Oliak at Chapman Med Center. I'm feeling pretty good although the shakes don't go down too well. Any ideas? They really seem to make my stomach rumble. I'm definitely getting in all my liquids and my bladder seems to be getting used to it. I'm still a little tired and it's hard to do the 10 minutes of walking. I guess I'll just have to take it slowly. It sure is nice to know you're all out here for support!!!!!!!

Hello everyone I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm from PA, my name is Patti, I'm married and no children. I have been over weight all my life and finally am taking the steps to be thin and healthy. I'm looking forward to chatting with everyone and making friends and more importantly supporters!

Hello everyone, I have been researching the Lap Band for some time now, and decided to go to a informational session back in May 2008. After going back and forth with my inner self, I decided to make a decision. I will have my first consultation July 1st, and was wondering if anyone could tell me what to expect. The nurse told me this consultation will take up to 2 hours. I have read a lot of threads, but have not found any pertaining to the first consultation. I am just a little curious, any thoughts/advice will be greatly appreciated. I am kind of feeling alienated because there are a few people around me that are not that supportive.

I'm getting so excited...and nervous. My surgery date is July 9. This has been a very long road. I was originally scheduled for May 21, but one week before that date I developed an abscessed tooth that had to come out and I had to have the infection gone from my system before they would do the surgery. I was in a state of limbo for a few weeks before I got the new surgery date. I can't really say that I'm nervous about the surgery (that will come Tuesday when I'm home all day having my Clear liquids along with the magnesium citrate). Right now I'm more worried about something happening again that will cause the surgery to be cancelled again. I'm not sure I can go t…

This is my first post, I think I was just reading posts before:smile: Anyway, pleased to meet you all, I am in the UK btw. I have a tale of woe to tell, so hope i dont bore you.

Hello Just got home from the hospital today. Banded on 6-30-2008. I guess I am not feeling too terribly bad as I am able to sit at the computer and type. I would just describe it as discomfort and hoping it does not last too long. Hard part so far is consuming the 4 0z of liquid every 2-3 hours. I just feel really bloated and kind of disappointed when I stepped on the scale after returning home to see I had a gain of about 6 lbs... Please someone tell me that is just GAS. I am really excited about the changes that are about to take place so I will be checking in daily in order to gain a better understanding of what I am feeling. Thanks everyone for being there f…