Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

can we take asprin and or pm sleep aid for headaches and problems sleeping while on liquid diet before surgery

Hi Everyone, I've been lurking for months now, but now that I actually have insurance approval, I thought I'd say hello. I've done all the hooping jumping necessary, and now all I have left is my upper GI/gallbladder ultrasound on Friday before they schedule me for my band. I must admit that I'm getting very nervous as it gets closer to the date. I really hope I'm making the right decision. Dr. Steinberg in Atlanta will be performing my surgery, and I really have the utmost confidence in him and his staff. It's still a HUGE step though. I really look forward to getting to know you all, and I am sure I'll be coming here for lots of support. I'm one of those folks who…

Hello, I was so glad to find this support network online. I was banded in Chattanooga, TN on May29, 2008 by Dr Ponce. It has been a difficult week. I was expecting little recovery and very little pain. I was told some people return to work the very next day. This has not been the case for me. I suffered terrible pains for 2 days after surgery and when I called my doctor's office the RN told me I was abusing my pain medicine and shouldn't be hurting this badly.:eek: After the pain stopped on Saturday (thank God), I've had wheezing, productive cough, weakness, feelings of hypoglycemia, and now I have thrush. I'm 31 and generally healthy. All of these complications…

Hi. I am new to the boards. I received my band on 5/23 and so far doing well. Only problem I had was I broke out in a fiery red rash and was so afraid I was allergic to the band. My surgeon reassured me I was not allergic to the band, and we decided after visiting with my PCP also, that I am allergic to the Protein drink I was consuming. Rash is gone and I feel great. Looking for buddies, support, recipes, and hints/ideas. Good luck to all Deb W:biggrin::cursing:

I just wanted to introduce myself, I just read about us "lurkers" and thought what the hay... jump in. I live in Saskatchewan , Canada and yes we still have a bit of snow. I have just set my surgery date after considerable research. May 13th with Dr. Kuri. Thank goodness for wasabubblebutt's Mexican Doctor 101 "course". I used it as my outline and just ticked off the requirements as I spoke to people. I have picked up incredible information from this site, I thank everyone for their insight, inspiration and information. By the way what is "pbing"? Thankx

I had my lap band in September of 07. Dr Eibes from Des Moines Iowa is my doctor. Of course I think he is great. I have lost 50 pounds so far. Right now I am at a stand-still so it is easy to feel discouraged. I have had a lot of family, friends and co-workers ask for information about the procedure. My sister had her information sent into the insurance co. last week. This week my cousins wife is going to a support group and has started on the list of things she must have done to submit to her insurance. It is exciting to be so successful and have others get so excited. I was a skinny child and young adult. Later I would gain weight then diet and take it off. It would sta…

hi i'm new to this site, i'm from hampshire u.k and i'm having band fitted on the 23rd of june(and i cant wait!!!) have struggled with my weight since my late teens when i was diagnosed with p.c.o.s. i have spent the last 10 years hiding inside myself outwardly seeming happy and friendly but inside crying as i wanted to be the confidant happy girl i was, but no more i'm going for it:thumbup:. i have been really inspired by everything everyone has written its nice to feel i'm not going through this alone x

Hi all! Well let me start of by saying I was first banded in July 2004. My weight before surgery was 253. I was down to 175, but that was when my band slipped, and I was unable to consume anything for five days. In June 2007,my band had to be removed and replaced with a different band. Since I've had to second surgery, I can not get with it. I was on liquids for the first month after, and stuck with it, but since then, I have no self-control. I had some when I first got the surgery, but can not seem to control it anymore. I am not heavier than I was before the surgery, but after the second band, I lost a lot of weight, but gained it back as soon I was back on solids. I ne…

Hello, I am new here (obviously) and my surgery is set for May 14th. I am a 38 year old married man living in Sherman, Texas My insurance company ( GreatWest ) approved me in only 1 day!! I was fully expecting to wait 4 -6 months for this. It kind of took me by surprise. I currently weigh 435 with a BMI of 54.5 My weight before meeting with with Dr. Aaron Cernero 3 weeks ago: 446lbs. I am currently on day 4 of my liquid diet. I was really tested on Mother's Day. I stubbornly insisted on cooking my wife and her mother steaks! My wife tried to tell me that I didn't have to, but I insisted. I sat there, smelling those steaks cooking and then I had to sit at the …

I am Wendy. My Endocrinologist suggested the band to me and I was grateful as I was too afraid to ask about it. I was at the time a type 1/2 diabetic (type 2 but insulin dependent as well) and have PCOS. I had been told that I was not to attempt to have children in my state of health as the pregnancy would be dangerous to me. But loose at least 50# and maybe try then. 100# would be even better. Started my local hospital's "New Start" program for bariatric patients in 09/2007. Banded on 12/04/2008. Repeatedly injured during the 12 week pre-surgical prep. Badly sprained ankle, shoulder problems and loss of feeling in hands from the crutches, sprained both knees (s…

My Surgery Date Is June 12 At Northside Hospital.dr. Daly Is My Surgeon.i Am So Excited,i Can't Wait! All The Financial Details Are Getting To Me,but Not Enough To Turn Back. I Am An R.n.,47 Y.o In A 80 Y.o Body....my Wt Is 207,my Goal Is 134. Any Advice On Post Op Eating And Pain?

Hi folks Two weeks to go before banding ! I'm from near Edinburgh in Scotland and have finally decided to take the plunge and go for banding. Op being done two weeks today and I'm feeling a mixture of excitement, dread and fear of the unknown. Wish me luck ...... Gordon

How long should of a wait can I expect from the beginning tests till surgery? I would really like to have the surgery before the end of June but I think that is unrealistic. I also am a teacher and want to have my time off in summer to get adjusted. I would have started sooner but have been just had my third misscarriage in a year after going through IVF and it was the motivation I needed to do something for myself.

Okay - that was fun! I have started using Yahoo Messenger and noticed a friend of mine created an avatar that looked like her. Cute! Well, anyway I just posted mine. If anyone uses messenger or wants to create an avatar - it's easy to do. I thought It'd be fun for all of us to have our own Bagnato Avatars...I know I'm silly

hi, i have been watching the sight for a few weeks now and start my liquid diet in the morning for 14 days. i am scheduled for surgery June 18th, I'm very worried about sticking to the slim fast for 14 days and not having anything else but am so excited about the thought of a new life and body. I am 42, married and live in Iowa. I'm starting at 330 pounds as of this morning.

I'm Carrie from Dallas, Texas. 45 year old mother of 15 month old Whitney. Work full-time, hubby out of a job, constantly tired, yes, morbidly obese, and the list goes on. The idea of gastric banding scares me on a very emotional and mental level. I am not scared of the procedure itself or what it can do for weight loss. I have spent more years than I can count using food to fill voids, placate, socialize, alleviate boredom, etc. Food is my drug. How would I prepare myself emotionally and mentally to take the plunge? It seems like an insurmountable obstacle. I am a medical professional and know that gastric bypass or the lap band are not quick fixes and require a …

Hello everyone! I just joined this site I have my first appt this week to talk to the doctor about my lapband. I am 30yrs old just turned 30 and I way 215 and I am 5'2 and I tried of beiing fat my back my chest my knees hurt all the time I have been over weight for about 5yrs I tried every diet out there but I lose but I gain it back plus some. THis is the heaviest I have ever been! My mom is the one that told me about Lapband she is a teacher and she told be that three teachers at her school had it down so struck my interest. I have been researching for about 6months. I live in atlanta THe doctor name is Dr Daly at Northside hostipal

hi all! i'm new here as a registered user but i've been reading everyone's posts here for about a month now. i haven't been banded yet - actually i haven't even discussed it with my doctor. the idea of having the surgery is this really weird mix of emotions for me. i know it's a life-long journey and a tool to help me lose weight..but i've been morbidly obese for years now (and i'm three months shy of my 20th birthday)..so the idea of change is very scary. i want to be thin and healthy but i'm terrified of the process. however, i know that i won't ever do it on my own. i'll have to do something as drastic as surgery or i won't stick to it. i think it's more that i'm afrai…

THANKS FOR HAVING THIS FORUM TO GET ALL THE INFO THAT I AN EVERYONE ELSE NEEDS.... I AM ON MY 4TH DAY OF MY LIQUID DIET. I DONT SEEM TO BE DYING OF HUNGER BUT WHEN U HAVE 3 KIDS AND U HAVE TO MAKE THE MEALS IT DOES GET HARD. I JUST KEEP MY FOCUS ON WANTNG MY SURGERY TO GO WELL WITH NO COMPLICATIONS. WELP THE COUNT DOWN TO THE JUNE 12,2008.. WISH ME LUCK

Ok..been waiting for approval after talking to my pcp right? I call and finally the woman says "you were approved! You will get a referral letter in the mail". I'm on cloud 9! I get the paper...uh...its not an approval for the lap band procedure..its for the nutrition program- it just says a session - weight management program. Hmm..doesnt sound like approval for procedure to me..buti figure..ok..maybe i'll get another letter. I call the dr. office - they tell me "oh...your procedure was denied". I was like "what? denied? are you kidding me?". Well, the other girl in the office told me that this is a journey..and that i do need to go to the nutrition doctor anyway - to do…

I'm new to this and want to here from anyone who is having surgery or have had surgery with Southeast Bariatrics. I'm doing all my pre-op testing and hope to be finished by the end of the month. I cant wait to have the surgery. It seems like the more I read all the sucess stories, the more I really want this. Tell me about your experience..how long did it take from seminar to surgery?

I have been on this site for about a week. So, I am not new new, just new. Well I thought I would do an about me sort of thing-to introduce myself properly. Here goes. I am Joan. I live in a southern suburb of Chicago, Illinois. I am 32 years old, and I have three kids. I have a 1 year old baby girl, a 3 year old son, and a nine year old son. They are great, and I love being a mom to them. I am married to a neat guy, and have been for about 5 years. We have been friends since High School. I am a graduate student in Counseling, and am doing my internship now. About one year till I become a Therapist, treating individuals, couples, and families. Yea! I am getting my b…

Hi All, I had my surgery 12/10/07. I'm down 55 lbs. Would like to loose another 45. Feeling good. Never hungry. Have had to say goodbye to some of my favorite foods but I also said goodbye to three sizes of clothing. It's all been worth it. Dr. Fielding at NYU was my surgeon. Have not seen him since surgery. TOOOOOO busy. BanditNJ

i checked my messages a little while ago and the surgeons office called to let me know that my insurance has approved for me to go in and talk with the surgeon who i would like to do my surgery she said that at this appointment i could also get my surgery date and what clearances i did to have done before surgery i knw its not a surgery date yet (hope i could have 1 soon) the medical assistant also said that they were sch. surgerys for july and august and that they were pushing for april for mind yippi!!!!!!! like i mention before i know its not a date yet but im still so excited i waited along time to get to this point and am ready to move forward thank you all for letti…

Hello... I have been working on getting banded since February, and just got approved by insurance a few weeks ago. I have also gone through all pre-op testing and will go to the pre-op doctor appt. next week to plan a surgery date. I am planning two family vacations in the next two months and not sure when I'll be able to fit surgery into my schedule. My question to those who have been banded is this: How long was it before you felt you could go on vacation? I plan on going to the beach and wonder how long after surgery it should be before I can go swimming or riding a roller coaster. I will also be asking the doctor this next week, but right now I am just trying…

Hello guys, I am new to the whole lapband experience. I just did my orientation and now waiting for my first doctor's appointment on the 4th!!! I guess it is now just a waiting process right?? Jessica

Hey all, I'm from Brooklyn, NY and I'm 25. I started out at 280, and had surgery 4/23/07. I've had two fills so far and am down to 252. I'm only 25, however I had no choice but to do it ASAP. My dad who's been overweight most of his life developed diabetes in his earely 30's and went on to have all kinds of medical problems including kidney failure and a kidney transplant. 3 years ago he was at wits end, at 256 lbs and started doing research on the band. Long story short, he had it done exactly 3 years before me and he lost all of his excess weight in about 8 - 9 months, and has been 168 - 173 lbs ever since. So for me, it was more of preventing all that. I also have a…

I am a 43 year old female. I was banded on August 13, 2007. I have lost 53 pounds so far. I have set a goal to be under 200 lbs. by my anniversary date. I hope to make it. Only 14 lbs. to go to succeed.

hi everyone, i just attended a lap band seminar. after thinking long and hard, this is what i want to do, what i need to do!! so i called for an appt with the surgeon, july 18th is my appt. i have so many questions and no one to answer them just yet. so if anyone wants to give me a heads up on what to expect i would appreciate it. here's some of my questions what kind of pre op testing needs to be done? whats this liquid diet before surgery stuff? how long does it usually take from 1st appt to surgery? I am in nj can i tell you who the surgeon is? ok i'll stop now thank you!!!!

Hi everyone, I am going to be banded on June 6th in New Orleans and I find myself in a bit of panic mood!!!! I don't know what to do or how to fix this.. My doctor is William Richardson at Oschner... Any advice would be appreciated... If there is anything that you would like to know, feel free to ask!!!

Banded on May 2 and have lost an average of 1 pound a day. Started at 300 and now this morning at 256.5. Best move of my life.

Hi everyone out there. I've had my band in for about a year now and have lost about 35kg's (not sure what that is in pounds).. Not sure what else to write, hopefully i can gain some knowledge and maybe help some people out on my time here.. Kylie

So once you get banded how much weight can you expect to lose in the first month? Is the diet difficult to follow and are you craving real food or are you okay with it? soo many questions....awaiting insurance approval...should be sometime next week.

hi my name is Terry I have not been banded yet my surgery date is july 21. Iam doing the medifast shakes and ive lost 19.5 pounds all together Iam in my 3rd week of shakes its been rough but iam still doing them.

I know 1 or 2 people that got the band at Hurley, I am waiting for my insurance approval. My Surgeon is Dr Farhan....If you received your surgery from him can you tell me your experience with the center and Dr Farhan...Was he really strict with the liquid diet...I see some dr's want you on liquids for 6 to 8 weeks after surgery....Thanks Gigi:confused2:

Hi All, I am a science teacher in Michigan and I have been to one appointment and one session of the seminar series. I have diabetes and a BMI of 38 and I am hoping to really reduce the diabetes and gain some of my energy back. I am tired by the end of the day and I can see that my lessons, while good, are not like the ones when I was younger and thinner. I want to get back to that. I am very well thought of in my community but I can tell a difference and I know that things could be better. In the title for this post, I state that I am nervous and depressed. Am I doing the right thing? Having the kind of change that I read in many of your posts is certainly supp…

There is a new feature available to LBT members... be a buddy/need a buddy. This section buddies experienced, successful, bandsters with members needing support to meet their goals. Check it out!

Just testing my ticker signature

After all of the different weight loss attempts, I had never really heard about or even thought about lap band until I recently read an article in the Washington Post of the results of Type II diabetics. I also am hypothyroid and have recent hospitalization both thyroid and hypertension. I have been told to get my blood pressure under control and then I can get a referral. So now I am doing reasearch and reading success stories. I know that every one is unique, but I am hopeful. Have a great day.:thumbup:

Hello Everyone, I just came by to introduce myself and hopefully get some help throughout my journey. I am from Dallas Texas but I am going to school in Houston for Nursing. I am on 21 and decided to get this procedure done because my parents wanted me to be able to have kids and live a healthy life. Well now that I have introduced myself, can someone please help me with some pre-op questions I am going through True Results in Houston and I start a Protein shake, and One meat and green vegies, (I believe i can handle that) I am most concerned with the surgery, I have never been under Anesthesia, (is it as bad as i am thinking it will be?) Another question is are…

HI, My name is Judy and I had the lap band surgery on 3/31/08. I have lost 45 lbs and had my first fill last week. I am a little disappointed with my restriction at this time and am seeing the Dr on June 10 for a second fill. I was wondering if this is common not to feel restricted after the initail fill.

Hi Everyone, I had my band fitted in Leeds, England, 5 weeks ago - I had my first band fill on Wednesday. I found out at that consultation that my surgeon had already put in 3mls so the doctor put in another 3mls, making 6mls in total - I understood that things were taken very gradually with filling, and was quite surprised to have this much Fluid in there after only 5 weeks - it's making a big difference to the way I am able to eat. My niece had a band fitted a couple of weeks before me and had her first fill this weekend - they only put 2.5mls in hers altogether, and when she told them about my 6mls, they said that it was irresponsible to put so much in so early.:laugh…

hi everyone... i've just been banded 29/5/08. it's only my 2nd day back home and it's been quite a challenge. i don't feel hungry but the cravings are just crazy. i didn't have any kind of pre-op diet, and taking in only liquids is really difficult for me. i am someone who cannot take pain at all, and the pains at my stomach area is much harder to take than the bloatedness. how long does it take to go away? i've also many other bruises and pains on my arms(blood pressure), hands(swollen from drip) and breast(or heart). there are several markings on me and i don't really know what they are. i can't breathe/sneeze/cough/talk/walk/get up/sit up/lie down without feeling p…

Hi, I am planning to get banded, but not sure where to do it. I am originally from Saudi Arabia and work in Singapore. In Singapore, they have the best bodies I have ever seen. Everyone is so healthy and fit. But I was able to find a good general surgeon who does the lap band. Health care is top quality in Singapore as well. I e-mailed the surgeon asking him how many lap band surgeries did he do so far, but have not got an answer. Was that a rude question to ask? Here is the link to that doctor's profile. .::susan lim surgery::. (am not sure if it is against the forum laws to post links to doctors, but I really need someone helping me knowing if this is a very qualifi…

:laugh: Hi my name is Jillian, I'm 24, 5'9 and 95lbs overweight. My first consultation with my lap band doctor is this Monday!!!!!!! I have a couple of questions. I am a pet groomer and am somewhat physical at work, how long do you think it will take to return to my job? I have a cesarean cut from an endometriosis surgery that was performed in 2005, do you think the surgeon will use that or do they always use the endoscopic version? Also... Considering my stats, does anyone know the likelihood of loose skin? Thanks, I'm so nervous and excited!

Hi Everyone. I just recently made the decision of getting the LapBand to help me lose weight. I finally found a doctor so now I have to go through the long process (as I have read) of seminars, doctors appointments and insurance nuisances. Does anyone live in New York close to Westchester County. It would be great to meet local people who are going through the same thing as myself. Hope to hear from you.

Greetings, I am new to this site and am glad to have found some support. I have been on my own since I decided to start this path back in March of 2007. I am so glad to have decided to take a leap and have the surgery, my life is so different. I feel like I have been reborn and life is good. I am a military spouse and mom plus banded. I will be visiting this site!!!!:laugh:

Yes folks my time had finally arrived on 5/19. Its been a while since logging on here, been working on this since August of last year. My Bariatic program just kept putting me off and now know how people can lose hope. Having lost 40 pounds before my 2 week liquid diet I was ready and pretty frustrated. My liquid diet kicked my butt but lost another 20 pounds. Now that Ive been banded I know the time was good to restructure my diet and prepare myself. I now am ready to start and make this "Tool" work for me. Everyone needs to keep they`re chins up because the day will come for them also. Thanks for the ongoing support.

I usually post on Obesity Help - Weight Loss Surgery, Obesity Support Groups, Obesity Forums, Surgical Procedures but I decided to stop by here. The more support the better!! I was banded May 13th and am doing great. I have lost 27lbs so far and feel pretty good. Can't wait to be a big loser!! My surgeon was awesome (his name is Tom Jones!!) . I do have a Lap Band web site -- the link is in my signature. I think that answers all the questions! Nice to meet you all!

My name is Marie, I am 23 and am being banded in July, I am VERY excited about it!! I am working with Dr. Kirshenbaum in Denver. So I have to travel, but it won't be too bad. I just want to say that this forum helped me a great deal in deciding whether or not to have the procedure. So thank you for your inspiring stories and all the info!!