Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hiya Hope everyone is all good. I'm so happy!!! I met my surgeon today. He is absolutley lovely! When i went into my consultation today i was sooooooooooo nervous. But it wasnt as bad as i thought. Im really excited and ready for a new me!!!! I have too loose 10lbs before the 14th August, but that will be easy as im so detrmined to do it. Only thing im worried about is the pre op diet. How will i ever survive on milk and youghurt for a week . Im sure ill manage!!! Cya later xxxxxxxxxxxx

Well I guess I can add High food prices to my list of reasons for having lap band surgery. My doctor wanted us to make a list so if we get discouraged we can look back on the reasons why we did it. Even all the restaurants have new menus with higher prices!!! When you start writing down everything the list grows.

Hello My New Support Team, I am a 44 (45 in days) year old first time mommy ready to get serious about her weight. I am 5'7" and last time I weighted around 240. I am sure it is more by now. I have got to do the six months I am sure before my insurance will cover it. But the good news is my hubby is supportive (just recently) and even chatting about having it done himself. I just want this site to be extra support for me and keep me focused of the main goal.......this is to loss weight and be there for the daughter (6 months) that we are in the process of adopting. Looking forward to posting as I go on this journey.

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've been surfing here for weeks, so I guess it's time I post! I work at Centegra hospital in Woodstock, IL. and they are also a weight loss center. After taking care of lots of lap banders post surgery and a nurse telling me that our company insurance pays for lap band all but $500 it clicked. I guess I thought it was only for people who were EXTREMELY obese. I went to the info session and decided right then and there it was for me. I met with both nutritionists, had my 3 psych evaluation appointments, This week is the last of my 4 pre-op classes, and Wednesday is my pre surgical testing appointment. I'm hoping at that appointment they can sort of tell m…

My name is Jean and I am a 52 year old mother of two, and grandmother of two. I meet all the guidelines of needing surgery, including comorbid conditions of high blood pressure, type II diabetes, and sleep apnea. My husband is retired military and has a good job. I work 30 hours a week at a call center answering phone calls. We have good insurance coverage. Throughout my life, I've been successful at weight loss programs, only to slowly gain the weight back. It seems like a no-brainer -- the lap band would be a good tool for me. I had problems with my family doctor's staff. They lost the paperwork on the sleep study, and didn't keep up with paper work. They also messed…

I have just found this sight and I love it. It has given me so much information and now I am more comfortable with having the lap band done. I know about what to expect and Im not as worried as I was. If anybody lives near me I would like to have a buddy to call and talk with. I work all the time so I may not get the chance to get on here much but I will so try. :grouphug: I have 2 months left and I will have my 7 months completed. thank god!!! I have already worn that stupid cpap for 14 days and turned that in so I believe everything is done except for my 7 month diet history, that n class and my letter from my dr. Then naomi will turn all my stuff into the insurance co…

Hi everyone, I was banded December 19, 2007 and I have lost 42 pounds. Being banded is one of the best things I have ever done for myself. I thought about it for a while before I did, and hesitate some, because I felt it was taking the easy way out, but now I realize it is just a tool. So far a very effective tool. I exercise on a regular basis and I think about what I am eating more.

Hi, I just discovered this great site. I had lap-band surgery November 15, 2006. I have lost 75 pounds. I am so glad that I had the surgery done.

Hi all, I am new to the site and just wanted to introduce myself to everyone. I am so exicited about the procedure. I will be having the surgery on next month, just waiting on the official date. I am paying out of pocket for the surgery. The insurance had me on this six month program, blah, blah, blah. The insurance co's make it so difficult for us. I am so excited I cannot contain myself. I am just waiting to see the new me. I can't wait to get rid of these love handles. I will post some before pics as soon as I take some. xoxoxo :grouphug:

Hi all. I had my surgery in February 08. I feel great and have lost over 40lbs so far. I never got sick at all after surgery and after reading some of your stories, I see that getting hungry is normal. I have been stuck at the same weight for over 2 wks , lost a pound this morning so maybe I will start going again. I am losing inches, but seem to be hungry and can eat more than they say I should be able to. I have had two fills so far and am scheduled for another mid July. How many fills have some of you had and are my symtoms normal? Thanks for all your advise and comments. Since we are all in this together, I value your comments. TeriT :grouphug:

Hi Everyone, I am new to this whole posting thing and to lapband talk. I am not sure if I am supposed to start a new thread or just reply to someone else's so I am sorry if I am messing up here. My name is Melissa. My doctor is Ketih Zuccala in Danbury, CT. So far the staff that works for him has been great. I am having lapband surgery the first week of August. I have been overweight since I was 5! I am now 39. My insurance is going to pay but I had to wait 6 months and work a program they provided first. That was in January. I am really very nervous. More nervous than excited. My husband, sister and friends are really supportive of this. My mother doesn't think it'…

Hi all, My name is Ciaran, I had my band fitted on 15th June. So am now a week post op, I had my done through the Hospital Group in the UK, and the op was performed at Chelsfield Park Hospital in Kent. Hope everyone is coping ok, I have been fine but the hunger has come back now the swelling has gone, I have been advised this is " Bandster Hell" Good luck to all! Ciaran:thumbup:

Hi there everyone I am meeting with my surgeon July 14th. I have a BMI of 40 and am a busy working mom with two boys. I need to loose weight, and to change my eating habits, so my MD reccomended this as a solution. I tried Jenny Craig for a year and lost a little. I am just a little concerned about the stories I have heard regarding the difficulties of eating post-surgery. Can you eat normal foods again? Is steak really out of the question? I want to succeed, and I have heard so many positive things about this surgery! Knowing what to expect makes it easier to accept the changes ahead. Anyway it's good to be here with you all.

Im 30 years young, and in the process of bariatric surgery, and leaning more towrards the lap band, but this is all new to me. I just in the begining steps,I have had my pysch evulation and that went fine and Im doing my appoinments with my doctor. I just want to make sure this is right for me. I have been stuggling with my weight for 9 yers now, up and down up and up and up.. is what is seems to be doing latley...I just am scared about some things so Im asking for Help! DO you have hair loss with the lap band and if so is it drastic? and what is the average time you loose your weight, for me it would be about 115 pounds or more...I just want someone who kinds of is simal…

hi everyone, i'm new to this site, and i have a question... i had my first fill about 3 weeks ago, and i've gained about 4 pounds since then... has anyone else experienced this, or am i the only one?

Hi, My surgery is schedueled for July 17. I am really looking forward to this. I made my decision in December 07, and it has taken me this long to get my surgery. By now I am in the right frame of mind and know I will be able to acheive my goal. Good luck to those who are still waiting for a date and to those who have had the surgery and are moving along toward their goal.:ohmy:

Hi everyone. I have nothing done yet. I have ask my doctor. He will do his part. I have made 1 phone call to BC/BS of Alabama. I keep going back and forth on this. I am so scared I will hate it. I want to lose 100 pounds at least and nothing else seems to work. My love of food is my problem I know. Is there any where I can read a step by step of what will happen with a time frame and the things that can go wrong? I dont want to chicken out, I just hate pain so much. Thanks and good luck to all who are working through this.:confused2:

Hi everyone! I am new to writing on the site but have been reading posts for awhile. I am really torn. I started off not knowing what to do. GB or LB and decided on LB. But then I started to relalize during my 6 month required weightloss program that maybe I should do GB. But I now have a 27 month old and a 11 month old that I do not want to take the chance of not seeing again. I know that it could happen for any reason. But it was a hard fought battle to have these two angels. But to be around for their highschool grad I have to do something. I have a lot of issues that I have delt with to the best of my ability that has contributed to my being morbidly obese. Tw…

Hello! My name is Dawn, 39 years old and I live in sunny Southern California. After initially seeing the doctor for Lapband in January 2008 then going through 2 appeals I FINALLY received news yesterday via mail that Aetna over turned their decision and granted me the approval for Lapband with Dr. Naim. They will be setting my appointment on Monday for sometime in late July 2008 so I am very excited. I am currently 222 lbs. with a BMI of 37 and my goal weight is 125...no, I am not being unreasonable as I was 125 8 years ago when I was 31 so this is not a high school weight I am throwing out there:wink2: I wish all of you luck and I would also like to know of oth…

`hi,new here. i was banded in dec of 2005. started at 308 pds now down to 232 but i lost that much in the first 6 or 7 months, cant seem to loose any more, just fluctuate 5 pds up or down. any one else out there with this same problem. i feel great, but know i need to lose atleast another 50 pds. am 5 ft 8 in. any advice~ seems like if i eat slowly, i can pretty much eat as much as i want. almost as much as i use to. i am filled :ohmy: about 3/4 of the way, but cant eat much red meat, no rice, potatoes, chips, bread, uncooked veggies cant eat alot of fruits, especially bananas etc. so dont think i should get much tighter. unfortunately chocolate still goes down ju…

Greetings everyone! I wanted to have the lap band for years but financially it was just not possible! Low and behold about 3 months ago, I open my e-mail to find out that the military hospital I go to for medical care - and Tricare - now offers lap bands! :crying: They have been offering GB and GS for several years and the lap band is new for the system - but not the doctor that performs it. I am thrilled and willing to go the course - which includes waiting (elective surgery in a major military hospital that supports a large number of troops going back and forth to Afghanistan/ Iraq) It looks like I might be able to expect my surgery in October if all goes well. I wil…

hey im new here im 22 male 5'11" 386 lbs just checkin stuff out.

Heylo, I am a 32 yr old breastfeeding new mom with about 100lbs to lose. In '04 I lost 80lbs w/ diet & exercise. I accept that the yo-yo game will be a lifelong issue & am ready to get lifelong assistance w/ the Lap-Band. I am in need of referrals and/or info to be able to comparison shop as I only have Medical and will be paying out of pocket. Thank you for your time... have a healthy day! ~Mimi

Hello all my name is Doug Steele, I'm from the loveiy town of Roseville Just north of the greatest city in the world (IMO) DETROIT!!!! I was banded Wednesday June 18th by Dr. Hawasli (St. Johns Hospital & Medical Center) Started at 340lbs 6-2-08 (BMI 50.1) Started pre-surgery liquid diet 6-4-08 Surgery at 324lbs. I Feel great!!!!! and I won't know what I weight now because I only weight myself on Wednesdays (also my wife snaps 2 pictures (front;side) SORRY TMI) Good luck to all See you all on the other side Doug

I'm here to have a support system and to try to see if any of you are having similar problems that I'm experiencing. I'm 1 year post-op and have lost 80 pounds. It's wonderful. My suregeon was Dr. Felix Spiegel in Houston, TX. I did the surgery without anyone knowing... including my own husband! I know that sounds unreal, but I guess I was somewhat ashamed to have needed to go to such extremes to curb my eating and weight gain. But, I'm thrilled that I did it! I'm back to "normal" size again and can purchase Size 12 clothes for the first time in years. I feel tons better, too. I look forward to exploring the forums and overcoming this battle with my weight once and for a…

Hi everyone....the info here has been really great. my name is Crystal Im from Utah i am getting my lap band on June 20th hopefully. Money is really an issue so I too am going to TJ and Dr. Pompa will be doing my surgery. I am hoping and praying everything will be ok...since i do not have the money to go to Dr. Ortiz like i would like. Ive heard good and bad....my hubby is really concerned about me going to another country lol even though it is like 15 miles away. But if anyone has any advise I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

Tommorow i have my consultation wth my surgeon. My surgery date is the 14th of august should i be scared. I'm only 19 n its such a big thing xx

Nah, maybe my second or third post, but I didn't say much before. :ohmy: ETA: Okay, my fourth. *g* I was banded on June 6th and so far, so good. Haven't experienced any nausea. Unlike others here I was one of the unfortunate ones to experience a lot of post-surgical pain, brought to an end when I finally complained to my doctor and he doubled my Lortab. After that I recovered rapidly and took myself off of the pain meds. Bottom line - if it hurts a LOT after surgery talk to your doctor! The less pain you're in the faster you recover! Odds little tip: I wore a bra 24/7 for almost two weeks. It kept my breast off of my port and gave me additional support where it w…

Hi all, Thought I would introduce my self. My name is Heather and I live in Connecticut. I am a pediatric homecare nurse. I have been exploring the options for WLS for a few years now and in November of 2007 I went to my first WLS seminar. I have now completed five out of the six required nutrition and exercise meetings. I have finished my two visits with psych AND DRUM ROLL PLEASE….. It has been two and a half weeks since I had a cigarette! I have my first meeting with the nutritionist tomorrow. I will have to do a 5 day diet that my doctor calls an atkins diet from hell and then come back in to see if I am in ketoacidosis (even my doctor thinks this is dumb, but it i…

It has been recommended that my daughter consider lap band surgery. I am just starting my research and found this forum. She is 15 years old. I'm looking for the best doctors in Canada that perform this surgery in adolescents. I would be so thankful if someone could give me information on surgeons in Canada, how to prepare for surgery and what to expect after surgery. :ohmy:

Hi I am will be getting banded soon, I hope. One question I have is about life changes. So are popcorn, celery, all soft breads, completely off the eating list forever? I can understand the soda but the rest of the list? Thanks for the info. JuneR:confused::ohmy:

Hi everyone, I like alot of newbies have been peeking in for awhile now gathering all the information I could. I'm committed now and looking forward to my independence from this weight. I will be banded by Dr. Aceves on July 1, 2008!!!!!! Presently my bmi is 38 and I've tried every diet imaginable. In fact I started dieting at about 170 lbs and I now am up to 230-240. I scale shy so I'm not exact. Monday I start my pre-op diet so I'll be looking for ideas. Briefly a little about myself; 49 years young, a registered nurse, 3 children and 2 grandkids, a wonderful supportive husband, and a dog (a havanese). I'll be active now that I've made my introduction. Oh yeah…

Hi my name is ken I was banded VCU In Richmond Va on Jan4 2008..spent two days in intensive care because of complications in waking up due to sleep apnea...otherwise the operation was a breeze..not not much pain after surgery..I was the first at VCU to have the new AP lap band used...very suprised and dissapointed after surgery that I could still eat like normal so waited untill my first fill one month later dissapointed then to that soon after still no restriction. They say the third time is the charm..so after my third fill I finally felt restriction..I have never vomited and don't have the so called slime other people have had..I now eat about 1/3 of what I used too.…

Hi, My doctor has now twice recommended I think about getting 'banded' and I want to learn more about the procedure, recovery times, long-term changes required in lifestyle, side effects and weight loss. I have always been overweight. I was a US size 10 by the age of 10 and have been a 14-16 since middle school. I now live in the UK and - even though I have dieted since childhood - find myself gaining weight. This is in spite of a strict 1200 calorie and <10 grams of fat per day diet for the past 5 months. During that 5 month period, I have put on 35 pounds. I don't eat a lot and rarely eat 3 complete meals a day. After quite a bit of testing and specialist visits,…

I thought i should actually become a member, now i have a date of the first of august, have been reading alot of posts in the last couple of weeks, trying to work out what counts as a normal consultation, i had mine on friday and was there just over 2 and a half hours, say the patient coordinator, the surgeon and the dietician. I am 23 and origionally started looking to have a breast reduction when i was about 16, however, time has passed and I now think this is the better option as i hopefully, fingers crossed, will stay in proportion. however, before now, wheneva i have lost weight, i have never managed to reduce my bra size, but i will just have to wait and see. i…

My name is Vanassa I had my lap band on Oct 5, 2005. I weighed 243.5 the morning of surgery. I now weigh 172.00. I go back and forth between 5 lbs and 7 lbs. most of the time. I have been at this for a year now. I was in a size 22 and now in a 10. I know that others have lost more then I, but they also have more then likely did the Gym thing where I did not. I do live a very active life just not as active as it should be. I know that if I did go to the gym I could lose more but for now I am very happy and I have never felt so good in my life. I did not do this so that I was in a size 2 or 6 I just knew that I did not feel good. Right after I had the surgery I said I …

Good morning all. I am a 56 year old male who had LB surgery on 4/9/08. I have lost 61 lbs. to date. It has not been an easy adventure for me. I had initially intended to have GB but the Cardiologist from from my surgeons screening team and my cardiologist met and decided because of my cardiac history LB would be better. So I went ahead with the LB surgery and had a cardiac event and a one day hospital stay turned into a 5 night stay. I was started on coumadin and sent home. As the days progressed I kept getting weaker and weaker. I visited my surgeon and he said I had an infection and started me on Keflix. Big mistake!! Two days later my wife came home from work and fo…

Hi, My name is Sherry. I'm hovering around 300 pounds and am beginning to think Lap Band surgery is perfect for me. I can't wait to contact my doctor and begin the process. :ohmy:

Hi everone, I am new at this so bear with me. I am trying to decide to if I want to go the band way :rolleyes2:. Does anyone know of anyone that had the band put in after age 60? I am diabetic and have other health problems and my Endocrinologist and I discussed banding but, I am so undecided. I am from PA and was also wondering if there is anyone out there that had the Lap Band procedure done in Pittsburgh or knows of a good surgeon there that does it. Just one more thing...I am so proud of all of you that I have read about. I have battled weight for years and I know how hard it is.

Hello, I had my lapband surgery July 18, 2007 and it is without a doubt the best thing I have ever done for myself. I weighed in at 330 lbs at my first visit, lost 26 before I had the actual surgery, and now I'm down a total of 88 lbs! I am enjoying life, eating normally and have had very few problems. No nausea. Now and then in social situations I will be in a conversation and unwittingly swallow what is in my mouth in order to speak, and sometimes have sent down things that are a little large for the band. Uncomfortable for a few minutes but am slowly learning to always be CONSCIOUS of what I am swallowing. I pretty much live by the rules - no drinking with meals,…

Hi, I'm new here. I was just searching around on my computer for lap band stuff and came across this place. So far so good. Just what I've been looking for. I was banded March 19th 2007 and I've lost 76 pounds. At first I thought I was behind, but now I know i'm where I need to be and I love it. I have slowed down a lot on the losing but I know I've been a bad girl...snacking, not execersing...you know. Like I said I'm so glad to be here and look foward to hearing lots of stories from others. Thanks..

I’ve been on my liquid diet now for 9 days and I feel I’m cracking. I’m so sick of shakes!!!! :rolleyes2: I’ve lost 7 pounds, is that good enough for them?

I'm a newbie, be gentle. I'm 28, from Canada, tentatively going for surgery down Mexico-way in November. I was wanting it done sooner but ended up developing DVT as a result of taking the pill to combat all the unopposed estrogen going through me as a result of all the extra weight I'm carrying. I'm now on blood thinners until at least September. It's a vicious cycle. Gotta love it, eh? So I figured I'd pop in here and do the introductions thing, before I start randomly popping up into other peoples posts with a million questions.

Hi Guys My name is Kelly and I am so glad I have found this site. I have struggled with my weight pretty much all my life, I also have a condition called PCO's (polycystic ovary syndrome).. which really relates to having whacked hormones, I also suffer from Hirsutism and male pattern baldness. I was initially referred to Bariatrics last year in April, I went to all the meetings and appts and my last appt which was in August, i was instructed to lose 10% which I did but then got cold feet. I know have an appt in July for my psych consult and then shortly after that I am told I will be scheduled for surgery. I also started off wanting the Bypass but over the course ch…

I am a new member to this website and am looking for information. I am 42 years old and weigh 200lbs. I have been on diets forever and can't ever seem to lose more than 25-30 lbs and then gain it all back. I heard about the Lap Band and am trying to get enough courage to call my doctor. I am really concerned about what life is like after you get banded. Will I ever eat solid food again? I know dieting is hard when your trying to eat heathly and it's always easy to fall off the wagon. What happens after this surgery eating and preparing meal must be even more time consuming than dieting. That is what keeps holding me back. Are my worries unfounded?:biggrin:

I had my Lap Band Surgery on June 2 and I am doing quite well. I was really nervous, but quite surprised how easy it was. I am now on week three and trying to figure out this process, and see what is ahead. :redface:

Hi Everyone, Must be my lucky day to find all of you. :redface: I'm just starting this journey and it does not seem so scary and lonely anymore. Thanks for being here.:smile:

Hello! My name is Rona. I had lap band surgery on 5/21/08 @ Texarkana Surgery Center, Texarkana, TX. The surgery was performed by Dr. Rachael Keilin. As of June 4th, I had lost 20 lbs. My next appt. w/Dr. Keilin in June 23rd. Right now, I've got more energy than I've had in a long time. I can breathe easier and my knees don't hurt anymore. What a blessing!!!:redface:

Hi everyone! I have just found out about this website today and loving it so far, I am planning on getting the band in mid-july and have arranged to pay for it myself, however I was thinking of going to Mexico and paying $7000 instead of $16500 in atlanta, ga, has anyone being banded in mexico, if so how was the experience, hope to hear from someone cranberry31 odamom@bellsouth.net atlanta, ga:tt2: