Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

My husband doctor recently outlined the next five years if he does not lose weight - High Blood Pressure, Arthritis ,Knee Replacements, Insulin Dependent Diabetes, Back Pain issues. Hearing those items put determination in him to get this taken care of and he wants us both to consult for it on 7/1 and both of us to get it done. I have read about the surgery but don't know much about the process before the surgery. I have tried dieting and exercise have lost and regained 20 to 60 pounds a dozen times in the past 15 years. I am interested in this "wait six months for surgery" that I am reading about, is that ever waived? I have been following this device and others s…

Hello, I am Jim Dillard. I am support person and husband for Lisa Dillard who is a registered member of this site. We are researching Lap Band surgery and I think this is an awesome way to find information! :smile::redface:

Hello my name is tammy and i am new at this I just went to my seminar yesterday, i have also called my insurance i have to have 6 months prove of diet which i have done but didn't keep weigh in papers:sad: so i have to go to weight watchers for 6 months.I have bcbsof michigan.

Hi, I was banded 5/16/07. I lost 26 lbs before my surgery and have lost a total of 50 lbs. I have been stuck on the same plateau for quite some time. I'm thinking of doing two weeks on liquids again to jump start the weight loss and get it going again. Any advice on this?:rolleyes2: Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Calorie Counter

hi my name is linda. i was banded 10/26/07.immeditly lost 20lbs.and have been 215-220. i was down 2 more today.im hoping im going to be on the move down again.my next goal is 200.ill be 53 on my next bd.ive always been heavy.even as a child.my family and i moved from li ny 8/89 to everett wa .dr.macdonald @nw did my band.even though its been slow going im glag had it done.everyone have a great evening

So BCBSNC denied me because my BMI is 51 and it has to be 50 or less. I have been doing the low carb diet and watching what I eat when I eat and how much I eat and I still have not lost enough. I need to lose about 6 lbs. before I can even request to have an appeal. I am so discouraged... I have starved myself, been weak, but still tried to keep my head up thinking that I would come out on top of this thing and it did not happen. Everytime I eat now, I think "Stupid, what are you doing to yourself?" I had all the faith in the lord that he would get me an answer quickly from BCBS and sure enough it happened, but I got the answer that I told myself was unacceptable. No was …

Just a quick note to say hi! I am currently being evaluated for lap-band surgery. Have had a sleep study and going back for another one on 28 June to try out the CPAP machine. My sister turned me on to this site and it looks like a good place to get info and support on this topic. My sister (bluefish62) had the lap-band procedure on Monday (she posted five days out post in the post-op forum). She's doing well for five days out and I'm behind her 100%. I still have to get the procedure okayed by my insurance company and should know something in the next few weeks. My appointments for the nutritionist and psychologist are on 30 June. I've almost convinced myself tha…

Howdy all I was just banded on June 12 at St Agnes Hospital in Baltimore by Dr. Averbach. I have read my many that they are having issues through the first two weeks and I am not any different. I can have broth, Protein shakes, strained Soup, SF pudding & Jello, SF yogurt or yogurt drinks, SF popsicles and milk I am being told that this is a healing time and since all of this will grow thorugh easily I will not be full so there is no limit to these foods, of course the bulk of my proteing should be from shakes which it has been. I have lost a few pounds because of this but again am being told this is a healing time. I just feel like I am doung something wrong. …

Hello to everyone in lapband world. My name is Valerie and I am new to this site. I reside in Va beach. I am the mother of 2 girls. I am going through the process of being banded. I haven't recieved my surgery date yet, I am excited though. I am going through the NORFOLK SURGICAL GROUP. They are a good group, I am happy so far. I search this site for many exciting stories and before and after pics. My current weight is 267 and I'm 5'2. My ideal weight is 115 but I don't see myself at that weight:confused2:. Maybe 140 or something. Feel free to send me messages and you can also email me vjstewart07@aol.com.

So i got some bad news from my insurance company they are not coverin the surgery its excluded from my policy so i decided to switch insurances! Im switchin to personal choice ppo which is great insurance and they cover bariatric surgery which is what i want. The only thing im not sure of is how long i have to wait. There is a clause with the company stating that the company will not pay benefits during the first 12 months of the policy for any medical condition or illness for which medical advice or treatment was recommended or received within the 12 month period. So basically once i get this new insurance i can call the bariatrics clinic and let them find out if i ge…

Hello, I recently attended a LBS orientation. Pretty sure I am approved. I am undecided about having LBS. I am 49 yrs old and have struggled with my weight ever since I can remember. Need to lose about 90 pounds, have high blood pressure, aching joints (knees). I would like to hear about someone who has had the LBS say 5 years ago or more. What is it like for you now??? Do you have to continue to have fills and unfills for the rest of your life??? Thank you, Paula in NC

Hey everyone! I am having surgery on June 25, less than one week away. I am a little nervous about everything. I keep thinking that this thing is going to be in me for the rest of my life! I'm having surgery in SC, where I'm from. I had to pay for it myself because my insurance wouldn't cover it, even though I have state insurance. I have lost about 15 on the pre-op diet, but I was hoping to lose more. I'm already starting to gag drinking those shakes! Any advice would be appreciated! :smile:

Hi I am so excited to find so many people like me in one place. I was just banded on June 12th and am doing great so far. Is there anyone banded around the same time?

I'm finally getting my band this Wednesday and I can't wait. I have been trying to get approval from my insurance company for 3 years and the day has finally arrived. I'm in Dallas, Texas. I'm actully still trying to decide between the Realize Band and the Lap Band AP. I read several hours worth of posts on here about which one to go with and have done tons of research and still am having a hard time making a decision. I'm going to talk to my doctor again tomorrow and plan to make the call then on which one I want to go with. I know lots of you on here have had great success with both bands but any last minute thoughts are always welcome. I would love to know ho…

Hello everyone, This is my first thread to this site. I am researching lap banding. I have been too two different seminars at 2 different hospitals. I am trying to decide which doctor and hospital to go too. I am at the very, very, beginning of the process! I am excited. Lisa :smile:

Hi, how do I get a ticker tape to put on my posts.Thanks for any help you can give me. ready2diet

I am just getting started. I am 43 with a BMI of 35. A Little History....I have dieted since I was 18 years old. I will not boar you with the multiple kinds..you know what they are. I had some success with Weight Watchers only to be rewarded with Fallen Arches. After 14 months of trying different non surgical routes i had surgery this past year. I am sorry to say it is still quite painful to do exercises that require being on my feet (my exercise of choice). I had an MRI because my back pain had been intolerable with out pain medication...it showed bulging discs. In addition to the above mentioned I also have painful Reflux, an very low active thyroid, and suff…

After 3 months of a diet with Aetna I got approved on Tuesday( took less than 3 days!) and set my surgery date today. I will have surgery on July 22nd in San Fransisco. I'm slightly bummed as I wanted the surgery in San Jose as the hospital here is 2 blocks from my house but I was approved for the SF hospital and that is where the Surgeon will be performing the surgeries in July. My surgeon is Dr. Cirangle. I will have exactly one month off before I have to get back in my classroom for the new school year. I am hopeful that I will feel totally fine by then.

Good morning, I am from Massachusetts and I had my lap-band surgery on 5/14/08. It is one of the best decisions I have made. I have lost 20 pounds since surgery and a total of 44. I'm so happy to find this forum.

Hi All, I have been pursuing the lap band surgery for the past 9 months. I have completed all requirements and attended the first support group meeting just to get an idea of how people are responding to the surgery. Unfortunately, it was a 50 to 5 ratio of pre-op to post-op, but while I gathered some good info, it still hasn't convinced me that this is the right way for me to go. All I know is that I'm 56 years old with an 80 year old looking body and a 30 year old mentality ~~ I have to lose weight and maybe this is my only chance! Would love to hear from post-op folks - your successes, your challenges, your frustrations..... It's important to hear it all! Also…

Hi I am very new to this site and would like to hear from anyone in the UK who has had the banding carried out on the NHS. I have researched the internet onthe NHS website and meet the criteria, high BMI and high blood pressure. I have tried every diet under the sun, gone to the gym regularly and taken prescribed slimming tablets off the doctor and my wright just keeps in creasing. I am now getting short of breath and have aching joints tied in with days when I have literally no energy. My doctor states that his referral goes to the nearest primary care trust and before a panel. He has said that he will tell them "I need" the banding. Just wondered if anyone else had…

I posted my Hello in the wrong place so here goes. Dr. Soong & Dr. Atkinson installed my lapband on 1/15/08 at North Vista Hospital in Las Vegas. This was an easy operation compared to my spine fusion. I have lost 111 pounds so far. No fills yet. I go to every meeting. My shrink told me I only have to exercise on the days that I eat. I have excellent support groups. The more I learn, the more I need to Learn. Good Luck to all. Hope you all lose lots of pounds & inches. Love the band because it gives me so many more chances and years to improve my life. Hasta Pronto, George:thumbs_up:

hello i am new to the website. i am strongly considering lapband surgery. i am really interested in the pros/cons of this method of weight loss. i am concerned about the complications that may arise as well as the longevity of the weight loss once the band is removed. any assistance is welcomed!:cursing:

Hi all - just introducing myself. I have been thinking about this surgery for awhile and I began the process about a month and a half ago and TODAY I got my surgery date - July 21st is the day!!! :confused_smile: So I am excited, nervous, scared, excited, happy, excited, nervous - you know, the usual I would guess. Any info, tips, cautions, etc etc are welcome. I'm one of those people who obsessively searches for information and all about anything that worries me. I feel like the more facts I know, the more stories I hear, the more information I have, the better I can handle the problem. I am having the banding done at the Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital and my sur…

My surgery is tentatively scheduled for the 8th of July. I'm starting to get a little nervous!! :tt2: I had the psych evaluation on 4/8/08 :drool: Dieticians 1st visit 4/10 :sleep: Sleep study 4/12 & 4/19 Monthly dr. appts. :confused_smile: Dieticians 2nd visit of 7/7/08 :scared2: Surgery on 7/8/08 Next week I am to begin the pre-op liquid diet, and we are going to be in Vegas! What a bummer that will be, but I intend to follow drs. orders! Any advice on calming the jitters? Cinda

I am being banded on July 23. I am not a frequent user of online support groups but I thought I would give this a try.

I received my approval letter from the insurance company today! After 6 months of talking about it, it looks like this is really going to happen! I look forward to meeting you, and sharing positive vibes and encouragment! Thanks, Joan D.

Hi everyone, Has anybody out there had a lap band after an RNY? I had an RNY in 2000 and did well, but have now gained back 40 lbs. and am terrified. I am thinking to get a lap band on top of my RNY. The "pouch" of an RNY stretches over time, but a lap band you can adjust. If anybody out there has done that, please can you write in with your experience. Thanks! Zena

Hi, just banded on June 3 Dr. Wilson in Houston I recovered well lost 7 lbs on pre-op clear liq I,m a little disappointed that I,ve only lost 3 lbs more as of today I haven't started exercise yet when:rolleyes2: should you start and how much

Hi there! This is my first official post here. Here's my story... I am in my late 30's and have battled the weight thing since as far back as I can remember. Done everything from Weight Watchers to "Lose Weight While You Sleep" programs. Nothing worked. I managed to get myself up to the heights of the scale, well over 300 pounds. That scared me. I went throught the pre-surgery ritual back in 2003 -2004 only to be denied due to a technicality with the 6 months of physician supervised visits. Long story...but I'll tell you if you really want to know. I was set with a date, started the pre-surgery liquid diet and everything. Then it happened...DENIED! I was d…

Hello everyone I am brand new to this site and have been doing lots of research to find the right procedure/surgeon etc. It feels like a bit of a mindfield! I have pretty much settled on the gastric band, but am unsure as to where to go to have it. I live in the UK and am tempted by Dr Dillmans, but a bit worried about aftercare and support in the UK - has anyone one had a band done in Belgium and had aftercare in the UK? Has it worked out ok???:rolleyes2: SO confused.......! Katie

I get the Lap Band on the 27th of June and I am nervous. Will I do well???? I have so many questions and no answers.

Hey everyone, I've been considering Lap Band for a couple of years now but I didn't want to believe that I am not able to lose this weight and keep it off on my own. I am 52 yrs old and at 5'2" I'm 230 lbs. I have always been overweight but I'm now in my heaviest range. Last year I lost over 50lbs as a result of having an injury that left me immobile and I decided that if I didn't do something I'd get even heavier at that time I was about 248. I got down to 196 at the lowest doing strict low carb. Now that I'm back on my feet, socializing and stressed out , well I'm back to 230 and I'm so afraid that if I continue this way, I'll surpass my last high weight of 248 …

Hi All I got banded on 19 May and had my first fill on 15 June. I must admit to be a bit frustrated at how slowly things seem to be progressing for me. the fill wasn't as painful or frightening as I had feared but would be really interested to hear from others as to how long it took to get the fill "right" and at what stage you really started to see the weight come down. Thanks Lauren May

Hello everyone :biggrin2: I have been reading blogs on here since I made the decision to get the surgery. I am not sure I would have found my Dr. without this site. I am going to Dr. Kirshenbaum and am very excited! His staff has been so helpful, I have yet to talk to him but will shortly. The closer it gets to the date the more nervous I am becoming. I am starting to worry about slipping, port issues, soreness....and so on. It is all worth it right? :biggrin: I think I am needing the comfort of people who have already gotten the surgery...any advice on anything please let me know. Thank you, have a great day. Cheers...Jill

Hi all... I'm new. Was banded 3/27/08 in Fresno, CA. Looking for online support... Thanks, Ginger :biggrin:

Hello I am 46 banded in TJ on May7,2008 by Dr.Pompa,thus far I have lost 15 pounds first week,was looking for a support group and hope this is a good one

Hi everyone. Just want o start off by saying this site has been great to me since i found it 2 days before I got banded. I got banded in Prague on Monday 9th June So far, ive been feeling fine today is seems Ive developed a cold and I am sneezing every couple of minutes. Could this rip my stitches? Im so worried that the band will slip if I carry on sneezing like this. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. The only meds I have at home for cold/flu are in massive tablet form. I tried chewing one but had to hold my nose as the taste was horrendous! Once the pharmacy opens tomorrow I will be straight there. Also, I have terrible loud rumbling in my chest …

Hi! my name is cheryl and I am scheduled for lapband surgery on July 2nd. I am in my 2nd day of my preop liquid diet and having a tough time of it. I am currently 308.6 pounds and I really don't have a goal in mind just to get healthier and lose along the way. I would love to hear from people who had to do the liquid diet with encouragement or just whatever. thanks, cheryl:rolleyes2::rolleyes2:

I am just starting the process. I have an appointment to Go to Dr. Curry's on Wednesday for the psych evaluation, the consultation and the seminar. My insurance does not cover this so I am self pay. I hope things go smoothly and I can get my band soon.Thanks everyone for putting all the great information on here it is very helpful. ready2diet:thumbup:

Hi everyone. I'm a 33 yr old who has been researching this for about 2yrs. I do have a surgery date of 7/30 - and I'm still terrified. I'm 5'0" and weighed in at 300LB at my Dr appt a week ago. I know this is a good decission for me... but I am hoping that getting to know others who have already been there will make this a little easier. :biggrin: Thanks ~Folk

Good Morning everyone! I have started the process of doctor visits. I am super excited. I have already been to 1 info session and met with the nurse and head of the department. July 1st I go to the therapist, dietician, and have my ultrasound on my gallbladder. I am going to BIMDC in Boston. I have always struggled with my weight, but ever since I had my thyroids removed it has been even harder. So hopefully this will help me!:rolleyes2:

Hi Everybody, I am a happily married mom of 3, and I have been struggling with my weight for 8 years now (I gained a lot of weight with my first child, and there it stayed). I have tried all the diets, and spent a ton of money only to fail a short time later! I found out that my insurance, Tri-Care, approves the lap-band procedure 4 days ago. Since then I have made an appointment to go to the seminar this next Wednesday, and the nurse said I could be done with everything in about 4 weeks. HOLY MOLY I am so ready!!!:rolleyes2:

Hi, I am diabetic and looking into lapband as a way to help control it. I have been overweight my entire life. In the past, it's been a self-esteem issue, but now that I'm over 40, it's becoming a life-or-death issue for me. I didn't even know where to begin, but came across this site and can't wait to read through everything and become more informed. It's nice to have a whole group of people that understand to communicate with. Thanks!

Hey. I posted yesterday, but this is my real introduction to this group and all of you. I'm about 75 lbs overweight and have been on a diet of some sort for 25 years. I continue to struggle and have recently learned about the lapband. It sure seems to work, but isn't magic. All of you are working really hard to get healthy. I wonder if I could do it.

Hello everyone, I'm new to this community. My journey has been long. I'm glad to be able to share that I will be beginning a new chapter in my life on July 10th and my surgeon name is J.R. Salameh and we are located in Arlington, VA. I'm just about to begin the liquid diet pre-op and I'm very excited to be at this point in the game. If anyone have any advise to share, I would love to hear from you (i.e thing to take to hospital, what I will need as soon as I arrive home, and any other helpful thing I would need to know). I have alot of aniexty bluiding the closer it gets. Can some one help me with the trackers. Lookin forward to hear from everyone:smile: 2Blite4lif…

My first post. I am scheduled for the procedure on July 8th. I am a 60 year old male who has been obese fo 30 years. BMI 40, wieght 250 Lbs, High BP, arthritis, etc. I hope to get down to 165 Lbs. I have tried most diets including WW, Atkins, etc. etc.and have allways ended up slightly heavier than when I started. I just retired and want to play more golf and travel (see the world). Well thats it wish me luck.

I am 58, I have 200 ls to lose, and I have my first consultation next week. I can't seem to find any information on the net about how long it might take to lose this much weight. Many sites say 26 - 38 % of excess weight in 3 years. That's 60 lbs in 3 years, or 20 lbs a year. Do i need something this drastic to lose 20 lbs a year? Many sites also say 1 lbs a week for the 1st year, and then it slows down. So after a year, I would still need to lose 150 lbs. Any info would be much appreciated.

I'm Dave...I am scheduled for my lap band on 6/27...

My name is Priscilla , I had Surgery on 1/11/2007 since then i have lost about 118 lbs give or take from day to day . I wouldnt not trade my band for anything ! I have gone from a size 22- 24 to a wonderfull size 10 . I do struggle now and then and have had some minor problems , but over all it is the best thing i could have ever done ....