Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi My Name Is Richard Moore And I Am From Aiken, Sc. I Was Banded Tuesday 4-15-2008, And I Am Excited About The Journey. I Lost 25 Lbs On The Pre Op Diet And I Hope To Lose 150 More Or So. I Had My Surgery In Lexington Sc By Dr Mark Antonetti.

Hello fellow posters, Today i have my first consultation appt with my primary care physician. Today we should be able to get the proper paperwork started to see whether or not insurance will cover the surgery. A little background, i am a 25 year old male with a bmi of 52. I have dieted many times as all of us have, trying several of the prescription "diet" pills with minor success. I am seriously considering the surgery. Wondering what kind of stuff you guys ran into during your first consultation. Did you find anyhitng unexpected, were you dissapointed at all, did your PCP have any deep knowledge of the surgery? Have any of been rejected by your insurance company…

hi iam wendy i was banded in derby city general england two years ago by mr leeder i have lost four stone but feel iam finally getting back on track after discovering my port was twisted and my fills ad been a bit unsucsessfulso on 16 june 08 i went in and had my port sorted out and re sited and already in just them few days i can feel a diffrence i have 6 ml in a ten ml band and couldt eber imagine having a full ten lol id love to hear from any one who can give me a bit of support and like wise in return wendy:thumbup:

hi my names wendy i live in england i was banded 2 yrs ago and ive lost 4 stone i recently lost my motavation and iam trying to gain it back ive just had my port recited due to it twisting and they gave me a fill so iam feeling positive and ready to make new friends who can share there experiances with me :drool:

HeY Just found out about the site. My name is Ashleigh I was banded March 26/08 Everything is going okay so far. It's nice to see though that theres lots of people to talk to that are going through the same thing.:rolleyes2:

Hi everyone , first time on and getting ready for the lap band surgery in August ! I am really looking forward to this but its also scary ! Any advice for me is well appreciated ! Good luck to all the fantastic people out there that have under gone the surgery ! pat:thumbup:

Hi Everyone I am Marisol 29 , I am barley looking into this procedure . I dont get my UHC POS insurance until July 1st and I saw that many of you are experts and nice . I am 234 and only 4ft 11 , I hope I can qualify for this procedure , I am also scared of it though, what finally brought me to this decision is that I got denied for life insurance due to being overweight Hope to make new friends and advisors here :smile2:

I had my surgery 10/26/07 in Las Vegas, Nevada, I live in New Mexico. Just found a fill center here, hope to visit it this Friday. I have had two fills since my surgery. I've lost thirty pounds so far. I haven't had any support because I live so far from where I had the surgery, so I'm hoping that I will do better going to a fill center close to me. I definitely need help. Thank you for listening. Wendy

Hi, I am just beginning. June 25th is my consulation with the bariatric doctor. Then the week after with my cardiologist. I have had a major heart attack and I am 230 pounds, 5'2. Not sure what the BMI for that is but it has to be a lot. So my question is does anyone out there have any experience with Oxford Insurance? I am really hoping they cover this because I will probably have to stay in the hospital longer than most of you. I am trying to get it done at Mount Sinai in NYC, Dr. Kini- Anybody familiar with him:confused:

WAITING FOR MY APPROVAL FROM KAISER :smile2:

I was banded on June 2nd,2008 at Stanford Hospital, CA by Dr.Morton. I really am looking for advice, friendship and any moral support on my journey to a healthy life via text :smile2:. Right now my only complaints are 4 weeks of liquid diet which everyone else seems to only have needed 2 weeks of liquids and moved on to soft foods then food. I am so hungry and these shakes and Jello just don't cut it. I have been breaking down crying because it seems so hard mentally and physically the hunger. All I can think is I will have a fill soon and food soon and it will be easier. Also does sleeping on the stomach ever get easy or is it a no no going forward no matter how long…

Hello everyone I live in dallas and my surgery date is july 11th but my blood preasure in off the roof just trying to get that under control Iv been reading this for a while and decided to post today. Im really nervous about this but Im gona do it anyway Im 5"5 and 275 lbs this is too much and I want to make a change...:smile2:

Hello all, I'm diva, and I love this forum. I live in richmond va. I have anthem help keepers plus. I want to know if any of you know if medicaid pays for this procedure. I am on 3 hbp meds and my blood sugar has been up and down, but not to a point I'm being medicated for it. I've tried so many diets that didnt work. I've lost about 18 pounds starving myself, and I know that's not healthy. I've been obesed all my life. I want a change and be healthy. Any suggestion please let me know. If you know the cost of lap band in richmond va. let me know. diva

Hello Everyone, I decided to join the forum today! I have been reading for weeks and have obtained a lot a great information. I have one appointment left on Friday (Psych Counselor) before surgeon meets with me to review all the test and submit to Insurance. I am very excited and nervous as a Hianal Hernia was found yesterday on my UGI test. I was just told that this will be repaired at the same time as the Lapband surgery. Can this cause any Post Op problems? Has anyone had this situation happen to them?

Hi everyone, I was banded just last month, therefore I'm still in the healing process and without a fill as of yet. Let me tell you, the hunger has not stopped, so I'm trying desperately not to eat too much. I'm just looking forward to my first fill, hopefully it will make a difference.

Hello Everyone, This is my second post since joining and I got to say it is amazing how much info is avail with in the lap band community. After getting dates bumped around on me a few times I actually have my surgery set for July 23rd. I know of two other people who have had the lap band process done with in the last couple of weeks by the same Doctor I am using. One of the two had been glued with some type of adhesive and the incision looked a lot better then the person who had her incisions closed with sutures. Can anyone please comment on their experience with the gluing? I am also open to any comments about gluing vs sutures because I would have to say again t…

This is my first post, although I've been reading the posts here for a while. I never had a weight problem until I got married and my mil put me on my first diet (I was a size 5). Since then, I've tried so many different things to lose weight and always gain it back with a few of its friends I had gone to a seminar a few years back, but felt out-of-place since everyone there was much larger than I was and had serious health issues. I felt like I was trying to take the easy way out. So here we are five years later and still the same ole size. UGH! I've been doing more research and have come to the conclusion that having the lap-band will be the best tool to …

hey everyone i just registered on lapbandtalk.com today, therefore this is my first post! let me introduce myself: I am Tara, 22 years old, 5'5" and weighs 305lbs. I have JUST begun my journey, well actually I haven't even began it yet. Tomorrow is my first appointment with a weight loss doctor to start my 6 months of medically supervised weight loss. I am very excited about meeting my doctor and when I go tomorrow I am going to let him know that I am interested in the lap band surgery. I currently have a BMI of 50, and with my insurance you have to have a BMI of 40 or BMI of 35 + a comorbid disorder. Feasibly, I don't see me getting down from 305 to 240…

Over the past year I've researched/considered weight loss surgery. I've read everything I could find on the pros and cons and found the lapband to be the most compatible surgery for me. I am a 240 lb. 5'5" 50 year old woman who through yo-yo dieting and major life stresses, just gave up on trying to ever reach an ideal weight. However, with the lapband it appears "help is on the way". For the first time in my life I've decided to do something for myself without feeling guilty or worrying about what others are going to say i.e. only weak people do that or if you tried hard enough you'll lose the weight. Also, I know that with the weight loss I will forced to "deal" w…

Hi All, Someone posted this website on our Bariatric forum, so I thought I'd introduce myself. My name is Viki and I had the lapband in January 2006. I've only lost 50 lbs since then, but it's 50 lbs I'm happy with. Now I've got to lose some more, but an at a plateau and can't get out. I exercise 3-5 days a week in the summer and 6 days a week in the winter. I'm going this Friday to have my band refilled and will probably get it tighter. How tight is everyone's bands????? how many cc's does everyone have???? Maybe mine isn't tight enough yet.

and very wordy. I should get that out from the get-go because I don't want anyone to see the length of this post and swallow their tongue. I decided if I was going to do this I should just stop being namby pamby about it and get on with it. All through my psych eval when the headshrink was trying to impress upon me the importance of support and all through the surgeon's multiple lectures and on through the nurses, my doctor, my counselor, the anesthesiologist, the janitor and the UPS guy, I nodded my head to each one of them and said, "Oh yes, of course! I am all about the support." Suckers. I was secretly thinking about how "support" was a bunch of new-age mum…

Just thought I would say Hi before I start asking questions. So Hi. I have had my band in now for almost 4 years and to date I have lost 23 Kilos, still have 10-15 to go to get me to goal weight and have been at a plateau for over 12 months but I am not too concerned as I have not been eating very sensibly, so it is my own fault. I am now a size 14 and have reset goals for myself. I have two questions that I am hoping someone out there may have come across: I have over the past two years on several occasion has severe stomach/back paid, it is almost like someone is squeezing all my insides and won’t let go. I have tracked this and it only happens at night and…

I am a 31 year old mother of 2 beautiful girls, I have a loving husband and some great friends...but I am totally overweight and I dont know if the lap band surgery will help. I have never been able to loose weight, no matter what diet or exercise I would do, I have hypothyroid disorder and I dont know if this will help. I cant even loose and gain back, the only time I have lost anything is when I was pregnant, both times I lost and then gained back after having my girls. I am praying for answers and help, if anyone has had similar problems and can tell me anything to help me with my decision to try the surgery I would so appreciate it. Thanks

Hi, well I have never used a chat forum before and I havnt a clue how to do this! :thumbup: I am considering having a lapband and going to Brussels to get it done by Dr chris de Bruyne as he is much cheaper than anywhere else I can find. Does anyone have any feedback? I'd really appreciate hearing from you. Thanks x

Hello everyone! This is my first post here, but I've been loving all of the info that I'm finding here, thanks! I'm about 95% sure that I'm having the Lap Band done by Dr. Ortiz in Mexico next month (July 08'). My main concern is the aftercare. Can anyone share their experiences on their aftercare and follow-ups since having surgery in Mexico please (especially patients of Dr. Ortiz)? I live in RI, so I don't know if I'll always be going back to Mexico for my fills, or if I'll go to a fill center, but the closest 1 to me is a couple hour drive too. Thanks.

I am new to this process and to chatting in a chat room support group. I am starting the process of LapBand surgery through Nix Health System in San Antonio. I had my first meeting with Dr. Wright and will meet with the Nutrionalist and Psyh on July 1. I need the surgery to not only lose weight but to help curb some pretty tough back pain due to previous spine surgeries, etc. I am hoping that this support group will help me prepare for my new way of life. Plus hopefully I will be able to encourage others by discussing my journey over the next year or so. I will appreciate any insight that is available as I would like to know what this adventure as I will call it wil…

i finally completed all of my tricare pre approval apts so now im just waiting for tricare to approve the surgery. i want to lose weight fast but am scared of the gastric and had my mind set on the band (mainly cause i have two small children and i go to school at night) but everyone around me keeps asking why not Gastric bypass. now im feeling unsure. anyone have any advice or support? thanks:sad_smile:

:angry_smile:Today was a pretty crappy day for me, I'm exicted that I have justed finshed my 6 months of diet councling, and I telling my family and friends about these, no one seems happy about me getting the Lapband at all, people think that I'm being lazy, and all I have to do is work out, some even say your not that big, why would you do these to yourself. Nodody seems to understand about how I feel about getting these BAND put in my body. I feel stupied for telling people that I getting it done now, I wish that I would have just keep my BIG month shut. They now got me thinking a bunch of what if's:confused2: . Man I mad at myself for say anything about my surgay t…

Hi, I am new to this site and will be having my lap-band surgery tomorrow in Hawkes' Bay, New Zealand. I have been reading this site for months now and have been greatly encouraged by everybody who has taken this step to a happier, healthier life. I am a bit nervous about the surgery but try to look past that and look towards a better lifestyle. 4th June - meeting with surgeon who advised surgery on 17th of June.(slight panic) 13.06.08 - meeting with anethatist(can't spell that one sorry) I have had a slight sore throat for a few days so have been worried i may not be able to have surgery, but dr assured me on friday as long as it doesn't go to my chest I should …

Ihave had my band for 6 years and had it done in melbourne by doctor skinner have lost 40kgs but now have reflux and heartburn all the time and have not got anything in my band and dont know what has gone wrong can some one out there help thank you Donna:wink2:

I'm 6'2" and I weigh 370 pounds. These are the first things you notice about me. I am 34, Married with 2 boys (7 and 2.5). they are a HUGE motivation for me. I compete in strength sports (Highland Games and a little Powerlifting). I have used these as justification for my size for a long time. "I am just a BIG STRONG GUY" Recently I was at a competition and a 5'8" 210 pounder kicked me around the field all day. I threw poorly for my personal standards and realized that I had crossed a line some time back from being an athlete to just being too big. In these sports there are alot of 300 pound guys and alot of masters class guys (40 years+) but very few 300 pound ma…

Hi Everyone I originally thought that i would never have a surgery to get rid of my weight. But a work colleague of mine was talking about what she was having done. I attended a seminar and i am sold!!! As the surgery costs $15,000 im not in a financial position to have it done straight away, so ive opted for Private Health Insurance and now need to wait 12mnths before i can have the surgery. May 09 should be when i am banded. I am very happy with the clinic that i am going to have this done through. I am pleased that they will monitor my progress until i eventually die haha. My story is pretty much the same as everyone else's but slightly different as we are all…

I have really enjoyed this site! I am on the path to LapBand....I have had the main 3 exams, just waiting on insurance approval. I am a compulsive overeater and can't imagine what satisfied will feel like. I am excited and extremely anxious. P.S. Where do you get all of those cute "tickers"???????:tongue:

I have just started by weight loss journey. I am seeing a doctor in Nashville TN (Vanderbilt). I have to lose 20 lbs before my insurance will pay for the surgery. Is anyone else from the TN KY area.:tongue:

Hello everyone am LT! My name is LT am from Texas age 29 and 112 pounds over weight. I have done a lot research and am sold that the band will help me. I ran into a problem with my insurance and they do not cover the surgery. :confused2: So now am on the search to find a private insurance company that will cover the surgery. Am so desperate that for the last three days I have not went to work or talked with any family members about this. Am so unhappy right now. I have been on so many diets and so many pills that I have lost all hope. Please if you read this and have any suggestion or answers to my problem please respond here or respond to my personal email cand…

Has anyone used Dr Woodhead in Delta B.C. I am thinking of getting banded by him soon. Looking for others who can give me some info on their experience with him...............I'm still worried about doing this! Andi:sad:

Hello All, My name is Beth. I'm new to this site and am currently on a 6-mo. doctor monitored wt.-loss program that my insurance requires. I'm in the 3rd month now. I'm doing okay, but wasn't doing so well the first two months. 1200 calories is a lot less than I'm accustomed to. I didn't exercise much the first two months and also didn't lose much weight. But now I'm getting on my treadmill every day. I'm also keeping a food journal now. I look forward to reading your posts.

Hi all! I am a 38 yearold female, I am married and have two boys. My semminar date is July 8th. I tried to get one berfore that date but they are all filled up. : I wish to have the lap band. I am 184 lbs over weight. I have been thinking of getting this done for sometime. I have allways been overweight. I am looking forwaward to being at a healthy weight.:tongue:

I was banded on June 5 in Tijuana,Mexico by Dr. Ariel Ortiz.Wow, what a wonderful experience. Everyone there was more than helpful on my 3000 mile journey,what a long plane ride. I just cant wait until I can have something of substance instead of protein water.My port site is still sore,but no gas,thank goodness.:smile2:

Hi, I am getting ready to schedule by surgery tomorrow, can't wait. I am an American Mom living in Singapore - 2 small kids (I have a fat roll named after each of them ) I have been considering lap-band for a while, I found out in March that people come here all the time for this surgeon to do their surgery. I was shocked by this at first but I soon realized that I am probably the fatest person in Singapore -Ha! Can't wait to chat with all of you - DH is home, it's time for dinner. Melissa

HI,My name is Rose,This is my first time posting on this board. I really want to have the Lap Band done,but I had a surgery called Nissan Fundoplication a year ago.It is when the top of the stomach is wrapped around the esophagus and sewn that way to prevent stomach acids from coming up into the esophagus. I would like to know if i am still a candidate and will I qualify for the Lap Band after that other surgery? All information is appreciated. Thank You,Rose

Hello everyone! I am so glad that I found this site. I am 1 week away from surgery. I'm looking forward to a new beginning. I was very impressed when I went in to see my surgeon and saw all of the success pictures. I'm hoping to be on that wall some day. Most importantly, I want to feel better. I am a teacher and by the end of the day, I am zapped. For those of you who have had the surgery, how fast were you up and about? My doctor made it sound like just a couple of sore days, and that I will feel fine after that. I am hoping that is the case, but I wanted to be re-assured by someone who has actually been lap banded. Thanks! I look forward to talk…

Hello Everyone, I am going to have the lap band proceedure sometime in the next few months. Hopefully, it will be by the end of Feb. I have an appointment with a surgeon in Ocean Springs, MS Jan. 24th. However, I would like to hear if any of you know of other surgeons in MS/AL area that are good/experienced. I am in process of just doing research at the moment. I was in a rush to get the surgery done--was even scheduled to have it done in Mexico--already sent the deposit and everything and then backed out and decided to have it done in the states. I am glad that I made that decision because since then, I have learned so much more. I am going to be self pay because…

Hello all! I was banded on January 8 by Dr. Matthew French in Louisiana. So far I've lost 55 pounds. I currently have 5ccs in my 10cc band. It is a little tight, but I am using it in my advantage to loose weight! I am so happy to have the band and to have found a positive group to share this experience with!

Hi everyone- I need some support I hope I can find it here. I'm Sir Fran. I was banded Oct 06. I'm 41 I live in NJ I lost some weight but have seriously tried evrything I can to defeat this thing inside of me and I have been winning the battle. I am renewed though today, I heard of a fellow businessman who lost a TON of weight and overheard someone saying he had "the band" done. This guy is so thin now. Thing is I'm hungry all the time, I'm a stress eater and I have my share of troubles, my first thought is to eat. Then I eat so fast, because the food tastes so good, then I barf and keep on eating after that. I 've had my band tightened a lot of times, its tight, …

Hello, I have just discovered the website and need some advice. I want to know if anybody had a lap band after having an RNY. I had an RNY in 2000 and it served me very well for about 5 years. I lost 130 lbs quickly and kept it off for five years. Slowly I have regained about 40 lbs and am terrified that I will end up where I started. I think my pouch has stretched and am considering a lap band over my RNY. If anybody out there has done this, PLEASE could you share your story with me and let me know if/how it worked for you. MAny thanks and I love this site! Zena

I was banded last Wednesday the 11th June and realize after reading so many of your introductions etc. how different we all have been treated. For two weeks prior to surger I was instructed to have only 1000 calories a day so that I could lose some weight and shrink my liver. I lost 16 lbs. If only I could have done this without the surgery. I know after years of the yo-yo plan that I had to do this for me. I was really excited the night before because this surgery is the first thing I have done for myself in over 20 years...but that is another story. I'm so looking forward to getting my life back. My day in surgery went well. There at 6:30am and out by 5PM. Not sick on…

Hi all, I'm Lacey and live in Niceville, FL near Eglin AFB. I am on the path to lapband, only awaiting approval from TRICARE. Dr. Nye in Pensacola at Baptist Hospital will be doing the surgery. While I am overweight, we are mainly doing this due to my CLL. The CLL increases my risk of other cancers and so does the weight...put both togather and they might as well just permanently stick me in a radiation chamber...LOL!

Hi, All! Just wanted to introduce myself -- I have my first appt w/ a lapband surgeon on July 10. I need to lose 130 lbs and I'm glad I found this site b/c I need all the support I can get! Looking forward to getting to know ya'll... :sad:

Hello all, I am newly banded by Dr. Tillquist in Colorado on the 29th of May. I have lost 17 lbs. post surgery so far. I am looking forward to my first fill in July as the afternoons and evenings are getting troublesome appetite-wise! Mornings, no prob, evening, I definately want to eat!