Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Was wondering if ther is anyone here that is in cancer remission? I am a 2 1/2 yr breast cancer survivor. Am having surgery on July 7th. Does anyone worry about their cancer coming back and not being able to eat as much for health reasons? Hope someone can respond. A little nervous. Thanks!!!!!

Anybody else noticing that the port is moving. My port is on the R - side about 5 inches below my breast midway between my right hip and belly button well thats where it was originally, its moving in towards the belly button more and has moved about 1.5 inches South. Is it going to end up in my crotch? I am just kidding, but anyone else experience that. My doc says its normal as you lose weight but, I am not so sure its supposed to move that much? Thanks!

I just wanted to say Hi, I am at the very beginning of this journey. I will be having my surgery in Mexico. I am just trying to get funding together and then I will book my date. Does anyone know a fill Dr. in NJ or NYC that will do patients that had surgery in Mexico?

Finally almost feeling human today and I've been able to stay dressed all day to not take a nap. Most waistbands, even though loose, rub on one or more of the 7 holes. I have my "one week" post-surgery checkup on Friday, and wondering if I've lost any weight yet. The most I have been able to get down in one day is 3 oz of jello, 16 oz (36 g) of protein shakes, and water all day long. The protein shakes give me such an uncomfortable fullness so that each 8oz takes me hours. I haven't had to use the hydrocodone today and hope maybe I can stop taking it permanently!

Hello There My name is Heather. I'm a 32 year old married stay at home mom of two boys. I live in Massachusetts. I had my surgery done last week on Tuesday June 17th by Dr Kim at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. Since I started the program at the beginning of the year I've taken off over 20 pounds. And according to my scale I've taken off another 10 since the day of my surgery. I'm feeling really good aside from being hungry. But today I was given the go ahead to try a few of the next stage foods ... which are ground and pureed. So I'm excited about this. The reason I join this website is to make some friends with people who have already been through the surgery. I'd …

I have a consult with Dr Barker in Dallas tomorrow. They called and said that I have a $15 copay. Does anyone know if that means my insurance will cover? I called insurance and they said I would have coverage and a $200 deductible. Just wondered if they will make me jump through hoops or if I can get this scedhuled soon? Also if you have used Dr. barker do you have any advice or praise?

I'm new here. I have my first meeting and consult with the Dr. on July 10th. I'm looking forward to having my lap band done! I am hoping that it doesn't take too long for my insurance to approve and for me to get all of my appointments done before the surgery date can get set! I have been over 100 lbs overweight with BMI over 40 for about 12 years (WOWZERS). 5 years ago I almost got GB and I lost my job, so I didn't complete the surgery. I am glad now that I didn't get it, as I think the LapBand is more of what I am looking for in terms of weight loss surgery. I have 2 small children that I want to live for and be able to run around with, without being out of b…

Just starting out. I had my seminar on May 27th my physc on June 16th & my surgical consult on the 17th. They said now all I have to do is gather 5 yrs of documented weight, but I feel like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. It can't be this easy...... can it? Nuu Lyph:redface:

i was banded 12-17-07 by lap band solutions in dallas tx. dr. benevides. i get my fills at true results (which he owns) i have lost 73 pounds but now i might have a leak and i feel no restriction after like 3 days i am sooooooooooooo bummed is this a normal thing that happens? i am seeing a lot of it:confused2:

I've had the band for about 2 years now. I'm doing great, but I have some questions that I think this forum could answer for me.. looking forward to chatting with you. B:thumbup:

Hi everyone, I am from Kansas City and just scheduled my surgery for Sept 4th. We could have done it at the end of July, but I will be out of town then. So I opt for later to get me time to get back from vacation and start the pre-op diet. Can't wait. I started the process back in the end of February to get approval from insurance. Finished up the psy eval at the begining of June and just got approval yesterday.

Hey everyone.........I was banded on June 2nd and loving it so far!!! Since I started my diet two weeks prior to surgery until now, I have lost 30lbs! I have leveled off the last few days though since I am eating a little more solid type soft foods and exercising to put some muscle back that I lost at first. I get my first fill on 7/24/08 and am looking forward to it. If anyone has any suggestions for me to help me with my diet and the type of foods to eat between now and my first fill.............bring it on! I appreciate all suggestions!:tt1:

Hello everyone I am LaDonna and new to the board. I found this board and was looking at some of the before and after pics and they are such an inspiration and amazing to look at. I will be banded Oct 24th. Any advice that anyone can offer will be greatly appreciated. I have already met with my nutritionist and will met with Dr. and have psych evaluation done on Thursday. I start my pre-op low carb diet tomorrow. I am very excited about this new journey in my life and look forward to be on the loosing side.

hi everyone, i'm a 47 yr old woman who's in the process of getting the lapband surgery. i just finished the last test on my checklist, so it's just a matter of getting the insurance to approve it. i have a million questions, so if anyone has time, please reply. thanks!!

Hi everyone, This is a great site. i've learned so much. I'm in the process of getting approved. Possibly will be banded late summer early fall if all goes well. see you on the boards!

In order to answer your initial question, please could you provide us with the following information: The medical necessity for this operation; Any symptoms you are experiencing. They need to know why i wanna do the operation, and LOL i dont know what to say (other than because i am fat and i want to loose weight) Any help would be appreciated! Thank you

Hello everyone! Getting excited :biggrin2: I'm getting banded on July 18th. Lots of questions about the first stages and this forum has been a great resource. My biggest concern is starving the first 2 weeks on liquids. :w00t: I'm sure I will survive....it looks like most of you have :sad_smile:

I am working on getting everything set up for Lap Band Surgery. I have been to the seminar. I have seen the Psycologist. I am having a heart cath tomorrow to make sure I have cardiac clearence. I am hoping that I have the surgery in July, but so many hoops to go thru. I have enjoyed reading the posts as they help me understand what will be going on. Good luck everyone. I am in Tampa Fl.

Hello everyone! I'm Angie. I will be having my surgery, Lord willing, on July 30th !!! I'm very excited. I will be having it done by Dr. David McCollough at Delmarva Bariatric Group. I attended my first support group last night and learned SO much!! I would advise anyone who is having this surgery or has had it, to attend if at all possible, their own group meeting. The people there were a plethra of info.! Nice to meet you all, and I'll be around pretty frequently!

I'm new to this chatting online. But here it goes. I was banded on Oct. 25, 2007 by Dr. Malley in Kansas City, Kansas. He was/is great. I have lost a little over 60lbs. Dr. Malley just threw a celebration for doing at/or almost 1,000 surgeries. All of his patients were invited. Dr. Malley stated it was for all his patients successes. but anyway, it was fun. If I had to do it all over again, I would. I feel so much better after losing the weight. I still have more to go. check in later.

Hi Everyone, I just wanted to say hi. I'm new to this forum but not to lapband. I am not banded... yet but it looks I might be here soon. Finally!! I have been trying for insurance coverage for over 2 years now. This is my 4th insurance company and for the first time heard the words" lap band is a covered procedure." today. I go to see my Dr on July 3rd for a new updated letter since the others are more then 6 months old, 5 years medical history and we turn that in from there. I have my fingers crossed and wish me luck, Gina B:thumbup:

I am new to this website and new with everything that is about to happen in my life. I am to be banded on July 7th in Salt Lake City, UT. I have to travel 2 hours from Wyoming to get my surgery. My Dr. has fast tracked me because of some clerical errors that caused me to be in a holding pattern for a month. My scheduling actually came yesterday and caught me off guard. I have been mentally preparing for a year but I am still in shock. I know I will do well with this surgery but I certainly don't take it lightly. I have many reasons to have this surgery. One of the most important is the fact that I am a 2 1/2 yr breast cancer survivor and part of cancer survival is control…

Hello, bandsters, I am the very supportive (un-banded) partner of a person who is going to be banded on June 23rd. In the 20+ years we've been together, my partner has tried so hard to lose weight, and both of us think that the band is going to be the tool that will finally allow that to happen. I've been reading posts on Lapbandtalk several times and week, and it has been a wonderful learning experience. I would like to know if there might be a forum created for family and friends who are supporting bandsters. How did they help your bandster pre-op and post-op? How do you know if something is wrong? I'll be with my partner the whole first week, and I want to mak…

Hi, I would like to have the lapband surgery done. Not sure if I qualify for the surgery since I am only about 70lbs overweight maybe a little less. I have tyoe 2 diabetes along with high cholesteral (sp). Since being diagnosed with diabetes I have noticed that I do not have the energy that I used to have. My feet have been swelling lately, the left ankle very painful at times to walk on. I have an appointment with my dr. next week. I used to be a very active person, loved to bike ride but now all I want to do is sleep! I have been forcing myself to get out and garden but when I'm on my feet too long my feet start to tingle and swell. Hopefully at my next drs. appoint…

I am new here, I am going for my first consult in 2 weeks but am hell-bent on getting this done. Any information of advice would be appreciated but here is my big question. Everyone I have talked to about this is VERY supportive, my Mom, my Sister, my boss, my friends BUT, my husband is accusing me of taking the easy way out and being lazy for not losing the weight on my own. I have tried every diet under the sun and don't do well because of the crazy work hours I have and having 3 kids. I don't see this as an easy fix, it is an assistance to my efforts. Has anyone out there ever dealt with anything like this, and how? Thanks again!:sad_smile:

Hello everyone. I was wondering if anyone else has had thyroid problems and is banded? I had a complete thyroidectomy in 2003.I am losing weight. But I just had an abnormal TSH level. they raised my levoxyl from 150mcg to 200mcg. It is harder to lose for me if my levels are not right.I eat 800 to 1000 calories a day. It just seems that I am not losing as fast as some of you.

Hi! All! My name is Wendy and just had my band on June 12. Im wondering why im feeling hungry!and yet to get that full feeling or pain! Maybe it's all in my head!Maybe the surgery din't work!Any feedback would be nice.Thanks!:confused2:

Hi there! My name is Brooke, and I'm I guess you'd say in the begining stages of getting banded. I have my first consult on July 11th. I'm hoping it's smooth sailing from there, but I can't be sure. I don't know what I need to do beforehand to get it done. I have blue cross blue shield ppo and I'm not sure of the steps (or rather hoops) they make you go through in order to be approved. A little about me I'm five feet exactly and I currently weigh 236 pounds I have a beautiful daughter who is 18 months old, and a wonderful and very supportive husband of 5 years. We reside in Northern California, and I'm seeing dr. Jossert in San Francisco. I've found a lot of u…

Hi everyone, I am a child care provider who is very obese and am really down about it. Have been fighting weight issues since I was very yourng. I am really thinking about getting banded.. Going to a seminar tonight. I have been talking to different people in the area that have been banded, and am really thinking about it. Shjan

I'm just getting around to checking out this site. I was banded 2-15-08 and have lost 48 including about 20 before surgery to reduce surgical risk. I had an expectation going in that the surgery results would be somewhat instant and that was reinforced by the first two weeks when I could eat only small amounts. Since then, I am able to eat more and am feeling hungry, even after 7 fills now. I'm closer but still not feeling like I'm green zone. Have never vomitted but have occassionally overdone it. I'm happy to have taken this step and am optomistic about my long term outlook! :sad_smile:

Hello Everyone. I have just made my first consult appointment. . . I was hoping to find some advice regarding this journey? I am 26 and have been overweight my entire life. I have tried too many diets and weightloss tools. I have never had these things formally documented by my doctor, do you think this is going to hurt me? I am 100lbs. at least maybe 110lbs. overweight and my BMI is 40. I don't have any other documented co-morbidities. Any help is appreciated.:thumbup:

I had my surgery on Feb 12, 2007 in baytown texas by Dr. Edward Pina and have lost 92 pounds. I started at 224lbs. It has been fairly easy for me. I have only had problems with my Gallbladder and have since had it removed. Other than that no physical problems. I am how ever having problems with my friends. I only get from them you are too skinny. I liked you better with a bigger butt and it really hurts my feelings. My height and weight are in the normal range not high or low but in the middle. I am nowhere close to underweight. I have come so far and feel great. I have asthma and I am now off all my medication. I couldn't have asked for more. I am looking fo…

Hello my name is Patti and I am new to this site. I just wanted to tell you a little bit about who Patti is. I am 48 years old weigh 360 and have been overweight all my life. I have been considering this surgery for a while now. I thought I wanted gastric bypass but decided it just wasn't for me since it is so drastic. I love going to the gym, bicycling, playing cards and spending time with my husband and chocolate lab named Whizzer. I'm sure I will have tons of ? for all of you who have already had the procedure done or are on the verge of having it done. I will be a self pay since my insurance will not even consider covering this surgery. I am just starting to l…

Hello, new member here, banded at holzer on 4-9-08, only lost 13lbs so far, first fill 5-20-08, not much restriction at all, loose 3 lbs one day gain it the next and i feel bloated all the time. any one else have this going on? Cant figure out why i cant loose weight, walking 3x a week right now. getting very down about having this and nothing hapening. :sad:i feel like i am that one person in the world that its not going to work for. BMI at surgery was 35 w/co-morbity's. getting very depressed:sad: anyone have any advice? Thanks! Brandy

i hope to be getting banded in july just waiting to have my pys consult thats on the 3rd im trying to get everything together so i will be prepared i work full time and trying to decide hw much time i should take off im on my feet most of the day i do nursing and i work 12 hour shifts also how do you make time to make sure your getting the right amount of proteins? its hard for me to take breaks so sitting down and taking a break is usually out of the questions any suggestionss thanks

Hello everyone! I was just banded last Friday! A good friend persuaded me to research this surgery and after much investigation and prayer, I decided it was for me! :thumbs_up:She also had the surgery...one day before me! I knew it was meant to be when my first Dr visit was May 12 and I was approved by my insurance two days later! :w00t: After reading some of the posts, my heart breaks for those who are still waiting approval.:sad_smile: Since surgery, I'm experiencing the gas pains that everyone mentions....plus I feel the urge to burp quite often. I even tap my chest or ask someone to gently pat my back to burp me like a baby! It's pretty uncomfortable so I hope it…

I just found out about this site and joined. I live in Yorktown Hgts, Ny and am in the process of trying to get autho from my insurance to have Dr Fielding from NYU do my Lap Band. I have an appt to see the psy in a couple of weeks. I would like to hear from some fellow Westchester residents and hear about your experiences. Thanks!:tongue:

Hey everyone, my name is Brittany and I'm 21. With a current weight of 340 and a BMI of 53.3, I have recently made the official decision to have weight loss surgery. I'm just starting the process, so it may take a long time, but I'm hoping to find help here about how to get started. Right now I am getting back on my insurance which I failed to renew a few months ago. After that, I am going to make my first appointment to confirm that I'm a candidate and see where to go from there. From the research I've done, I'm hoping to be eligible for the Lapband rather than Gastric Bypass but I'll have to see what my doctor says. I've seen that some people go to a seminar…

Hello all! I have done research on the procedure itself (lap band), and am now beginning to do research on the surgeons/facilities in the Cincinnati, Ohio area that perform the lap band procedure. For all of you that have had this done - please let me know who you recommend!!! Also, if it makes any difference, I plan to pay out of pocket. I've already performed the hoops my insurance requires - but I guess not recently enough for them (and this is not something I want to have to wait another 6 months for). Thank you! Lori

hi my name is rachel, im 25yrs old and im hoping to get banded. my dr gave me a referal last wk to see dr tony kierath. i live in albany so will have my first appt when he comes down here and then hopefully get banded. im interested in learning everything i can about it beforehand

Lol...I'm such a kidder! I'm in the process of getting approved...had a setback because my psych eval said that I need to wait until my husband comes back from Iraq to have the surgery...so it'll be like 6 more months until I can do it.. Just thought I'd introduce myself though. I'm a mother of 2, full time college student at Kansas State University, and an Army wife (which means I'm on tricare). So HELLO EVERYONE!:grouphug:

I just got the good news that my lap band surgery has been approved by my insurance company!! This was my second try and I was really nervous, but they came through this time! So now the hard work begins. I've done all my preliminary appointments so now the next appointment with my surgeon and the two weeks of liquid diet and I should be ready to go! I have a big family reunion at my house on August 2. How much recovery time will I need before having 35 of my husbands closest relatives for 5 days? Should I wait and do the surgery afterwards? Sue E:thumbup:

Hi All. First post. How long does it take to hear back from the Insurance company. I am with cigna. I am very impatience.This has been a long 6 month journey.I am ready to move forward. The waiting is making me nervous.:confused2:

I've just found this online forum today. I am day 5 post LapBand Surgery and starting to feel a little better. Lots of surprises- the many pre-surgery classes I attended said LapBand surgery would be done through 2 incisions - but i have 7 holes! A relative of mine, who also had LapBand a few months ago on the other side of the country, had her few holes closed with staples - my doctor used crazy glue! My husband says I look like I've been in a knife fight. I'm doing ok now getting jello down slowly and crushing pills into small amounts of applesauce. The protein shakes aren't going down so well, and I get bad shoulder pains after drinking them.

Hello Everyone! My name is Liz, I was banded on Friday 613. So far so good. My starting weight was 346 when i saw Dr. Hawasli 3 weeks befroe preop diet. I did 2 weeks of liquid before the surgery and on day of surgery was 319. I am 1 week and 2 days post op and have not weighed myself. So far so good. Dr. told me 3 weeks of liquid protein than start pureee........can hardly wait. I have to say I have not had an appetite at all, and am still having a hard time getting in 5 protien drinks plus water every day. Can't wait to see Dr. on June 26 and get back to work. Just wanted to introduce myself and let you know a bit about me! I wish everyone continued success!…

Hello everyone, thanks for your words and sharing. I am 10 weeks post op and am quite confused on a few things! I went in after 6 weeks and got my first adj. They put in 1.5 ccs, then two weeks later, they put in another .2 ccs and I spit up almost at every meal no matter how much I chewed or what I ate...so this week, they took those last .2 ccs back out and now, I have nothing stuck at all, but am hungry as a horse....what is up with that? I feel like I have no restriction andthey only took out .2 ccs. I dont get it...I am choosing bad, because I have been so restricted, that is my responsibility, but not having any restriction to my appetite, nor how much I can w…

I'm a newbie, now with a scheduled surgery date on July 15 with Dr. Aceves in Mexicali. Anybody got any words of wisdom? Christine

I had my lapband done in 2004. I have weighed the same 115 lbs since Aug 2005. I only had 3 fills done the first year. Are there any other long timers with the band? Any long term effects? All of my medical issues disapeared back in 2004 after the band. I went to Oasis of Hope in Mexico because I was not the required 100lbs overweight but I had 2 heart attacks with no health insurance. I started at 170 and ended at 115 and have weighed the same for almost 3 years. I would love to find others with the same back ground.

Hi,thanks for letting me join. I have my surgeons consult, psych eval and seminar on Wednesday with Dr. Curry in Cincinnati Ohio. Has anyone else gone to Dr. Curry.

I am on the countdown until my surgery. Nine days left. I am very nervous but on the other hand very excited. Im worried about my week of liquid diet & just confused as to what I can have and the amount of calories I can intake. I want everything to go well during surgery so I want to do everything right. Very excited and hope all goes well.