Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I am new to these forums, and the idea of Lap Band. My name is Amanda, and I'm 17 years old. I've been overweight my whole life, and I'm at my worst point. I'm around 265lb, my BMI is 43 and I recently found out I'm eligible for Lap Band. I was just wanting some advice, recommendations for doctors, ANYTHING you can give me! Success stories would really get me through this anxiousness that accompanies my excitement. Thank you!

Hi, my name is beth i'm 57 years old and about 2 months before lapband surgery. I have completed (by Tuesday) all but one thing for insurance approval. I have one more month of medically assisted diet until i can get clearance. I've done the psych, dr. clearance, ultrasound, 2 months of diet, On Tuesday I go to the consult with the pulmonologist and cardiologist. I am 5'6" and weigh 276. I am hopeful that this will help. I have gradated (in the past) from weight watchers, jenny craig, la weightloss, medifast and nutrisystem. I have arthritis so exercise is a problem, plus on Wed. I had hammer-toe surgery and my left foot is bandaged with pins. I look forwar…

Hi all! My name is Teresa and I am happy to be hear and I hope to support and be supported. I am 28 years, 5'7, and 213 pounds. My BMI is 33.4. My insurance will not cover this procedure, but I am paying out of pocket bacause I am sick of feeling fat and out of control. I feel like I have control of my life except one aspect, food. I am working on my masters degree, have a great job, am self-sufficiant. I have tried with no luck so I am taking a chance and hope to reach my goal of 135 within 1 year.

Hi to all, im 37 years old and live in australia i had a lap banding done last monday. my experince was good. i would recommend it to anyone that is morbidly obese. since last week (9 days) I have lost 12kg and except for a little wind pain have been great. one thing i do recommend is that you find a doctor that you are confident in and that has a good support team. i would love to hear from you with your experinces.

Hi! My name is Pamela. I live in the heartland of VA near the NC border. I am just in the planning stages of deciding if I am going to have surgery or not. I have been reading this website until my eyes are bleeding...LOL. Thanks for so much great information. I am currently severily obese. I have HBP, diabetes, and asthma. I take meds to control my HBP. I am currently on 2 meds for my diabetes and on a no sugar, low carb diet. I have lost some weight and my BS have lowered but are not where they should be. The doctor just put me on the 2nd med. We are giving it 2 months to see if it will help if not....I have to chose surgery or insulin. Personally, I don't want either…

i am working towards getting the surgery done im waiting for approval to go talk to the surgeon from my insurance company but i was just wondering hw long does the banding surgery take to complete?

Hello from North Carolina, My band surgery looks like it’s going to be on May 20th. I’m going in to See my Doctor tomorrow and he wants to tell me about the Realize band (I have read all 14 pages from the Realize band post) not sure if I made up my mind yet, all my test are finished and the insurance has approved it. Thanks for this forum there is a lot of great info on it

Hello Everyone, It's very inspiring to see so many people taking charge of there lives for the good. I have a few questions about getting banded. 1. I have disney cigna, what is the process you have to go throughwith them ? 2. Is the approval different with co-morbidities? 3. How good is U.S. Bariactrics for banding?

I had my surgery done by Dr. Pohl (Johnston, RI) back in 12/04 (I was 34)and had a couple of fills in the spring of 2005. The last office visit was.. lack of a better word, Painful!!! They spent 40 minutes stabbing my belly with a long needle trying to find the "fill reservoir", they couldn't find it since I had a lot of scar tissue. So I ended up having to reschedule and go to Roger Williams Hospital (Rhode Island) and use an X-Ray machine so they could find my reservoir and filled it. That was the last time I saw Dr. Pohl or his office, life got out of balance after that when I went through a divorce, job lose and almost a foreclosure in the next 2 years after that. It…

hi, just wanted to introduce myself. i was banded on friday 5/23. i have been home for 2 days and am feeling pretty good but having a terrible time getting comfortable enought to sleep through the night. any suggestions?

Hello, I am new to this forum. I am heavily considering lap-band surgery. I am scheduled to go to 2 different seminars to decide which hospital I will be accepted in. I am considered morbidly obese and I am determined to live a full life. I am very sensitive about my weight due to other health issues at hand. Please, any suggestions that any of you might have or just would like to chat feel free to contact me. Thank you Greyridge:smile:

My name is tessa1 and I was banded 1/08. I've lost 83 lbs. since 10/07 and am about 5 lbs. to goal. It has been a very rewarding journey and sometimes very difficult. I just try every day and keep very active. My Dr. was Dr. Wetter from San Mateo, CA area.:cool2:

I can't believe I did this to myself. I was banded on 5/22 so today is my 5th day post-op. I can't believe people can go back to work 3 days later. I am having lots of nausea and just feel really bad. I don't have a lot of pain. I have a lot of stomach and intestinal distress. I can't seem to stop crying today. I hate feeling sick. I'm not good at it.

Hi! My name is Missy. I'm 29 years old and am in the process of trying to be banded. We're submitting info to my insurance company in June with the hopes that I will be approved. I'm excited and also scared to death! I've been visiting this site for a little while now as part of my research efforts and have learned so much from you guys!!

Hi, I am researching banding. I will be a self payer but I am seriously considering going to Mexico. Just looking for feedback from others who have gone to Mexico...and find out about how and where to get fills in B.C. Thanks

Is it odd that I don't won't people to know I want to get the Lap Band surgery and this includes family. I think I'm embarrassed about the whole notion of not being able to loose the weight on my own. Has anyone felt this way?

Hi, I was banded on 2 April 2008 in TJ, Mexico. I have no problems other than when I eat too fast - oh the pain! I have a couple of questions: I am able to drink with my meals and am wondering if that is unusual and also, I have not had a fill yet, and want to know what I can expect for weight loss. I have been maintaining the same loss of 8-10 lbs since being banded, (getting discouraging, but I haven't been dieting) and I notice that my appetite is starting to increase. I will be visiting with a doctor to discuss a fill next week and hope to get one the week after. Any comments/suggestions etc would be most helpful. Best, Helen:ohmy:

Hello, I have been "lurking" for a while now and finally decided to join in. :cool2: I am in the very early stages of the Lap-Band process. I have not met with a surgeon, but do have two thumbs up from my PCP. Need I say, I have tried every diet under the sun which has brought me to this considerable option; being banded. Oh I'd lose a few pounds (once even 20!) but then I'd fall back upon old bad habits and gain everything back PLUS MORE. :thumbdown: I have come to really like this site and enjoy reading all of your posts.. Thanks for having me! Deb

HI all My name is Nikki. I just had my lap band surgery on May 20th. Still recovering for the most part. Wow is my abdomen sore. I am more sore after this surgery than I was after my c-section! I am very new to this forum and not even really sure how the whole thing works but thought I would give it a try. It's always good to talk to people that are going through the same thing as you. :rolleyes2:

yesterday my insurance denied me stated I did not meet the 6 month supervised diet reqiments. Did this happen to any of you and what did you do to fix it?

Hi, Everybody. I was banded Nov 06, went from 269 to 200, but most that was lost the first six months. After suffering with a too-tight band for 14 months, I had a slight unfill, and now I'm trying to get back on track eating solid proteins - for the last year I've been existing on protein shakes, cheese, and more milkshakes and chips than I care to admit. So...please refresh my memory on what a well-behaved bandster with proper restriction eats throughout the day. I'm determined to get my last 40 pounds O-F-F!! Happy Saturday to Yous! :biggrin:whm

Hi! I am new to all of this. I'm excited and nervous all at the same time. I'm looking forward to start a new beginning. However, I have not had my surgery yet. I had to do six months of a supervised diet plan. I just completed the weight watchers program. I have an appointment with the Dr. on June 13th. I also, see the the behavorist and the nutritionist on June 17th. But, I have to wonder are all of these appointments really necessary. So I'm assuming they have submitted my paper work to the Insurance company. However wish me luck!:rolleyes2:

Hi, Is it true that I will be hungry until I get my first fill? My first fill will be June 16th. Is the band not restricting food now? I initially lost 15 lbs. but have gained 4 lbs back since my May 2nd surgery. Is this normal? I await a reply. Thank you. Marianne

Hey everybody this is my first time here so may make mistakes. This is my problem. The doctor is turning in everything to my insurance next week which should not be a problem but the doctor says he may not be able to do my surgery because of scar tissue. I have been opened twice in the past for hiatal hernia repair and then several years later the scar pulled apart and I had 8 hernias that had to be repaired, so I have been opened twice and have alot of scar tissue. The thing is they won't know if they can do it till they go in and look around but its a 50/50 chance. Has anybody had this experience and will I be glad I did the surgery? Thanks.:rolleyes2:

I have a question that I'm hoping someone can advise me on... I'm 5'7" and in February 08 after being on phentermine to try to shed a few pounds I had a bmi of 38.7. My PCP recommended a sleep apnea test & the results came back as "mild" so my Dr. sent a referral to Kaiser's Bariatric Dept. Because the apnea was only mild and the bmi was not 40 at the time with no other co-morbidites, I was denied acceptance to the program in April 08. I stopped taking the phentermine because I didn't like how it made me feel and I have gained back all that I lost plus a couple. I believe I'm now back at 40bmi which should allow me to now qualify. Should I ask for the referral t…

I am a newbie to LBT and excited to become a member of the band! I can't believe that after years of thinking about surgery and doing the research, I finally am going to do it! Today I had my first consultation with my surgeon (who I love) and because I have WONDERFUL insurance that does not need pre-certification, I have a date for banding! I still have to do a Psych consult, hPylori test and sonogram of my legs for clots - but I even have a date for Pre-op tests. On June 24th I will start down the road to a new, healthier me! I know it won't be easy but so, so worth it. I am looking forward to sharing my experiences with all of you - my new best friends. :cursing:

Hi All! I'm new to the site, but old to the band. I was banded on January 25, 2005. My pre-surgery diet weight was 317lbs. My surgery date kept changing, so I ended up on the clear liquid diet for almost 30 days (HORRIBLE for your liver) so my pre-surgery weight was 278. By December of 2005, I was down to 190. I have since gained 30lbs, and I'm fighting it back off with exercise. It's taking a little longer this time, but I'm committed to the fight. I honestly don't remember which band that I have, but I've had 4 adjustments. I've had ups and downs with the band, but I truly believe that it was a great decision. I haven't participated in any support groups (except for …

I just wanted to say HI! My name is Christina. I'm a 24 year old mommy from Highland, NY. I had my lap band surgery on May 16, 2008, by Dr. Ashutosh Kaul, in Westchester, NY. I've lost 10 pounds since my surgery date and prior to the surgery I had lost 26 pounds.

sooo...i'm new to this whole "lapbandtalk" thing & thought i'd introduce myself. i'm 26 & was banded on 8.1.07. i am a patient of dr. srikanth in federal way, wa...but i live in puyallup, wa. hmmm...what else...i teach part time & just got married 4.28.07 to my amazing husband! thanks for listening:)

Hey Everyone My name is Samantha. I am from Memphis Tennessee. I am a married mother of two wonderful sons (Isaiah and Kington). I am a graduate student and I work full time with the Department of Human Services. I was banded on 05 20 2008 at 7:30 a. m in the morning and this is a whole new world for me. What should I expect? I feel as if I am out of breath easily. Is this normal? I feel like just drinking a cup of tea fills me up. I am also still filled with gas from the surgery. My inscisions do not even really hurt. Is any of this happening for you all as well:closedeyes:

My husband are planning to attend a seminar for the lap band. We are undecisive on which doctor to go with. Any suggestions?

Hello All, Dr. Valin in New Haven, CT performed my surgery on May 13, 2008. I started at 225 and as of May 23, I have lost 16 pounds. I am feeling great and I hope to reach my goal by the end of the summer.

I have been thinking about Lap-banding for the past couple of months. A friend of mine had it in October and has had amazing results. Its not been a magic fix for her but with hard work she is making the band work. A little bit about me... I have been overweight since I was 8 years old, but it wasn't until after high school that I put on the most weight. Freshmen 15- uh no I put on 4o#. In the past I have been able to lose weight usually with no problem, but I can never keep it off and I end up gaining it all back plus more. So next week I am starting my journey and going to the seminar. Right now I am about 5# under my insurances requirement of a 40bmi. Should I try t…

Hi everyone. I haven't actually done a formal introduction here, so I guess now would be a good time! I'm 32 and mom to a 7 year old son, 13 year old step-daughter, and 16 year old step-son. I am an RN, work full time at a University, and am also a full time graduate student. I am so excited to say that I found out yesterday that my insurance approved me for the band!!! :confused_smile: I am waiting on a call from the scheduler, but believe my surgery will be in the next 2-3 weeks. I have been waiting for this and now that it's here, I am so nervous. My husband is also having the band done and is about a month behind me in the process. It helps so much to have hi…

Hi, My name is Cathy. I have had a band for three years. I lost real good at first and then it stopped. I even tried using slim fast for breakfast and dinner and had no loss. I had very bad knees and was unable to walk much or exercise. I also have fibromyalgia, so I pretty much stay in pain. I just had total knee replacements and am recovering from them. I am able to walk more and exercise more and I hope to start losing again. I am disabled. I have been married for almost 40 years. I have 5 children and 18 grandchildren. I want to be able to do more with my grand children. I hope I get to know some of you very well. Thanks. Ca…

Hello All I am 33years old and sadly weigh 262lbs I have yoyo'd my entire adult life i have tried everything from pills to hypnosis Lapband sounds like the tool i need to make a permanent change It is just soooo much money (I am from ontario Canada i have to pay myself $16,000) I would like a push off teh fence Could you ladies and gents please tell me of your experiences and how you made the decision and if it has been worth it I am seriously wanting to jump in with both feet Thanks in advance Tammy

Hello everyone. I'm new to this site. I'm just starting the process. I have gotten a thumbs up from all my doctors and my dietician, but I haven't met with the surgeon yet. However, I have my psych evaluation on Monday the 26th. I'm really worried that I'll be paying $200 out of pocket to see this woman and she'll say no. Everyone else feels that I'm in this for the right reasons and I KNOW I am, but this lady can make or break me from just one session. Any advice? :crying:

Hi, I was banded on Nov. 30, 2007, my Dr. is Michael Snyder. To date I have lost 113 pounds. I am feeling really good, I was on oxygen full time at 4 liters and now just at night with my c-pap machine. I also was on an insuling pump and now I only do 1 shot at bedtime. I am also off of 8 medications. I am swimming 20 laps three times a week and working out 2 days a week. It is so nice to feel like a human being again.:tt1: Just wanted to say my Doctor is Dr. Michael Snyder in Denver, Colorado. My starting weight was 414 and today I am at 301 come on 299!:confused_smile:

Hi, I just stumbled upon this site today when I was trying to find answers to some of my lap band questions. I was just banded on April 22nd and just went to my first post-op visit this past Monday. Since I started the pre-op diet on April 12th, I had lost 28 lbs., 7lbs. post-op. My surgeon was Dr. Forrest Ringold, here in my hometown of Mobile, Alabama. Presently, the skin around my incisions is about to itch me to death and the Benadryl I've taken has made me very sleepy. Anyone else had to deal with this post-op dilema?

I just started the process for getting the Lap Band today. I talked with my Dr and he was really great about the whole thing! I have a BMI of 37.5 right now with diabetes and arthritis in both knees. My next step is to take a 12 week nutrition class which I signed up for today. I start that on May 7th. I thought Kaiser would have my Dr push back at my asking about getting this done, but he didn't. He was very supportive and thinks it's a good idea for me, even told me to contact him 2 weeks before my classes are done so he can start the next step in my referal so I can get it done quicker! A lady at my work had the Lap Band done several years ago and has had a HUGE suc…

I'M NEW TO THIS.:rolleyes2: MY NAME IS JUDIE, HAVE BEEN CHUNKY MY WHOLE LIFE? SO I WANTED A NEW ONE . I LOOKED INTO THE LAP BAND AND I WAS JUST APPROVED:thumbup: SURGERY DATE IS JULY 23,O8 WITH DR.L SCHMITT IN BIRMINGHAM, AL:smile2: I'VE STARTED CURVES 2 MONTHS AGO GOING 4-5 DAYS A WK? WILL WELCOME ANY AND ALL SUGGESTION FOR AND ABOUT PRE AND POST SURGERY?

I've just recently gotten brave enough to look into the bypass and lapband information and I've decided I'd rather have the lapband. I've been told that my insurance does cover it and my doctor is with me 100% but I haven't really started the process yet. I was wondering...something that kind of freaks me out is having the port in your stomach and it's something my grandmother was worried about too. I just wanted to know if it felt weird or if anyone had any stories or feelings about it.

After surgery, Has anyone been told not to drive or lifting any amount of Weight?????? I am waiting for my insurance approval then I can schedule my surgery...I am now single, I live alone and a new Grandmother...I just wondering when I could start driving again???? What about picking up and holding my grand-daughter and grand-son???? I babysit on the Weekends, I hope I am not restricted for a long time....Please Help????Gigi

Tomorrow I go in to be banded. I first called the doctor in September, so it's been a long process. I'm so ready. :leaving: I met with the doctor and had the pre-op tests last Tuesday. He said I only needed to be on Clear liquids today and then for 3 days post-op. Then full liquids. It's funny how each doctor has his or her own way of doing things. The doctor said that I have to spend two nights in the hospital because it's a hospital rule. I don't mind one night, but two seems kind of excessive to me. Oh well, I'll just go with the flow. I'll let you know how it went when I get home Wednesday. Helen

Hey there! Thought I'd introduce myself to the forum. Today I went to my 3rd pre-aproval Dr. visit - three more to go. My insurance requires 6 supervised visits, which will take me to August/September. I've been reading quite a bit the past few weeks. The site is helpful. Hopefully, when I have questions or thoughts my new LapBand family will help me out. It took me like 3 days just to figure out how to get a ticker posted. I e-mailed somone to help me, I hope they didn't mind, I was at my witts end! I then found a tutorial and finally got it! From what I've read it seems that the liquid phase both pre-op and post-op is the worst. Would you agree? What did your daily liqu…

I have an appt. for a seminar next month....I am still kinda unsure of this procedure. Any info on the Rochester,Ny. area doctors qualified?

I'm Dani, I'm 23 and I'm seriously considering the lap band. I've been heavy all of my life and while I've lost the weight it seems each time its harder and harder. I go to the gym 3 days a week, watch my carb and calorie intake and still can't lose any weight. I have PCOS so i know that has some to do with it but I'm tired of being the big girl. My husband and I are going to a seminar about the lap band later next month because I agreed that we'd answer all of his questions before I made this huge step.

Hi there, My name is David and I'm obviously a new guy to the site. Been reading a lot though. I've completed the seminar, initial Doc visit, two nutritionist appts and one psychologist appt, and the blood work, EKG, and Chest X-ray. Now awaiting an appt for endoscopy and hopefully the lapband shortly there after. First question: I want to keep track of my progress using those weight trackers. How do you get one in your profile? Thanks in advance and best wishes to all. David

Hello All, I am being banded on June 16, 2008 in Tijuana, Mexico by Dr. Lopez Corvala at Hospital Angeles. I am very excited and a little nervous at the same time. I am pretty new to all of this and I was wondering if anyone else has had the band by this Doctor in Tijuana. I would like to here about your experiences. Any advice or comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Hi, I have been reading these threads now for several months and posted a few times. Thought now that things are starting to roll, I would introduce myself. I have been fighting weight problems since my youngest was born...and now she's 20! So I can't write it off as baby fat anymore:sad: I am 5'3" and BMI was 37.1 at my last visit to the Dr. I am being banded (hopefully, will know for sure on May 20) the first week in June. I have had my psych eval, orientation, initial surgeon's visit, seen dietician and physical therapy. Today I got bloodwork done and see the surgeon and do hospital preadmission next tuesday. Its coming at me like a freight train!:biggrin: My insuran…