Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

My name is Melissa and I am from Rochester, NY. I am married to the greatest man in the world and have three children who are the center of my life I have struggled with weight all my life but it has gotten worse over the years. I am now the heaviest I have ever been at 297 lbs. I am 5'8" tall and have always "carried it well", but not anymore. I am excited to get this going, but scared/nervous at the same time. I have failed all my life at dieting and keeping the weight off...will it really be different with the band??? I guess time will tell, but I sure hope to find support here throughout this journey :smile2:

Hi I am T. I am a 33 year old teacher. I am happily married with two young children. I have been stuggling with my weight for my ENTIRE life. I am very interested in the lap band and I have made my first step by making an appointment at temple university hospital. One of my friends was banded there last year and has lost 70 pounds. Her success is my inspiration. I am also looking into the Bariatric Clinic in Langhorne, PA...does anyone have any postive or negative information about either place? Any info would be appreciated! Thanks!:biggrin2:

HI...I am new to the forum but not new to the lap band. I had the lap band placed almost three years ago. I have had to have all the Fluid removed because of complications with swallowing. I am now gradually getting fills again. I have lost only 40 lbs. which is very discouraging. Now I am in Bangkok Thailand and I have a fullness in the back of my throat. I feel like there is a back-up of food. Could I have something stuck? I can still swallow Water and yogurt with no problem. I am afraid to try anything else. I also have an acid stomach that seems to be backing up into my throat. SUGGESTIONS?! Trying to find a doctor here could be a real adventure!

Hi, :tt1: I had my first visit, like seminar on 4/30. Recieved a packet to fill out and send back. When they get my packet and info from my PCP, they will schedule consult with Doc. I have Highmark Blueshield PPO. So to get approved I need physician supervised diet for 6 months, Psych consult, & Nutrition consult. I'm 5.7 and weigh 285 or so. I have a BMI of 43/44. So here it sit, on my fat ass, :Dancing_wub: pondering whether or not I should go through with this. I filled out the questionere but now I need to fill out a 3 day food journal. That is my hang up!! I don't know if I should be truthful and write down all the junk I eat. Last year I did WW and lost 30 lbs. …

Hi Everyone out there in "Banding Land"! This is my first post, so bare with me. I live in Oregon and I am scheduled for surgery on June 17th, 2008. I have been doing tons of web research, and have chosen Dr. Pedro Kuri in Tijuana, Mexico. I feel very comfortable traveling out of the country after all I have read about his work. I am just looking for all the good advice I can get about what to expect and what to look forward to. I am a 53 year old wife with a 18 year old sence of humor, so "Anything Goes"!:cool2::biggrin::thumbup:

:smile2: Hi all, I just met with Dr Kurian at NYU and they are conducting a omenectumy study where they take out some belly fat or Omen (Im not quite sure) and it sounded interesting. Its supposed to help with insulin resistance. Has anyone heard of this or had the procedure done i really appreciate your thoughts Thanks

Hi everyone! New member and new to forums. I'm attending my information night this Wednesday. I'm still not positive, but in reading the posts here, I think I'm headed in the right direction. Hope to chat with you all soon:biggrin2: PS: How do I add the ticket factory weight loss guage on my signature???

Hey everyone! This is my first post even though I've been reading avidly here for months. I am so happy I found this site, because I have learned tons and it helped me really make the decision to pursue Lap Band surgery. I found out a little over a week ago that I was approved by Ins. and scheduled for surgery on May 16th. I was thrilled that it is was happening so fast, but now that it is only days away, I'm absolutely terrified and having second thoughts. I'm not really sure what it is I'm afraid of. I'm frightened of the actual procedure, simply because I'm not great with anesthesia, but I don't think that's my real fear. I really think my underlying panic…

I was lap-banded 7/30/07, have lost about fifty pounds, and want to keep losing. I don't eat as healthily as I should, because I really have trouble with meats, except for seafood. I have not exercised, but I plan on starting a program this summer at the health club where I have a membership. I have noticed that I do have muscle loss, my skin is certainly not as tight as it once was. I want to be healthy, continue to lose, and who am I kidding, look good and fit. I'm in my early sixties, but I feel and look younger. I guess I need some pointers and encouragement. Dianne E.

Hi all! I'm so glad I found this site. I've been thinking about getting the O Band surgery for months and months. I've been on every diet in the world, still I'm 270 pounds. I've been a vegan for the past few months and haven't lost anything..... I've lost and gained the same 50 pounds so many times it's unbelievable. I have Health Net Insurance and I'm not sure if they cover the surgery, but I sure hope so. I'm planing on going to a seminar in the next couple of weeks. What kind of side affects are there from the surgery? I have a difficult time with constipation (since birth, believe it or not) so I take about 60 grams of Fiber a day plus over 1 liter of Wat…

Hello to everyone new 2 this forum, SAGB nov 07 in Belgium, slow weight loss but i guess its because i do not have much in the band -only bread is difficult. I am finding it very difficult with coming to terms with how i feel ie: to go to such measures to loose weight feel such a failure although i know i have not/could not loose weight previously on a long term basis, but it does not make up for the feelings i have. Hopefully this is only a stumbling block. Lots to read through and hopefully i will receive some responses. many thanks..look forward 2 chattin...:welldoneclap:

HI everyone I am 35 from Ohio, just received my surg date. July 9th, I am so ready for my new journey

Hi ~ I am new to this forum. I'm due to be banded on May 27th !! I am very nervous and excited! Any advice?? :tt1:

Hi! I'm 18 years old and was just banded on Wednesday the 7th of May. So far I haven't been feeling too bad, besides the immense pain in my left sholdure. I need a little inspiration from others reminding me that this is all worth it. Please someone let me know when I should be back to normal activity. Not limited in what I can do. I'm also kind of hiding out right now. I have a lot of friends, but they are all twigs. It was hard growing up in a situation like that for me. So before I had this procedure I arranged for myself to "run away" I actually had a fight with my mom, and wound up being "kicked" out of my house a few weeks before my actual surgery. So my run was …

I am just waiting on my surgery date, but I wondered if anyone has been banded by Dr. Garth Davis in Houston. What kind of pre-op tests does he do? And how much pre-op dieting does he require? Thanks for the help!

Hey, I have my Eval 5-21-08, Does anyone know what that's all about?????:confused2:

Hi. I'm going to go to Monterrey, Mexico, for the lapband surgery in May, so I'm trying to get as much info as possible from this site. I really hope the band works though I don't expect to lose a whole lot of weight overnight. I have a BMI of 35, but I have heart disease and diabetes, so the band seems like a good way to help fix those problems. I am also 58 years old. I was pleased to see some older people on the forums since I thought everyone would be young. I'm a teacher in Oklahoma so our insurance won't pay for the lapband which is why I'm going to Mexico. Our insurance doesn't pay for much. I hope this works out and I can avoid the problems reported on the…

Hi everyone, I'm just starting some posts to the site although I've been reading and exploring forums for the past few weeks. I live in south Orange County, CA and I decided for sure to have the surgery yesterday after attending the surgeon's (Dr. Oliak, Orange) seminar. Plus reading all the wonderful posts here about how it's changed so many lives for the better. All my medical stuff is done except the psych eval scheduled for May 14, then they submit for insurance approval. Not sure how long that takes but I'll find out at my surgeon's appointment May 15. I'm hoping for a mid-July surgery date. I haven't told anyone except my family and a close friend, but they all ar…

:eek:Hi. I just received by my band a week and a half ago. I feel really good today but the last week and a half have been tough. Physically, my only pain is the port site. Very normal I am told. Psycologically, I went through some tough times. I wanted to take it out. Also, very normal I am told. Now, I am adding back in food and feeling much better. Hang in there to all who may feel the same. Things will get better! I think I need my band tightened when I go for my check-up because I am not as full as I was told. I am losing weight though but I think I have the ability to eat more than I should. Best of luck to all out there who are going through this. I h…

Hello y'all! I am in the process of deciding what surgery I want to have. I am really leaning toward Lapband versus RNY. What I am wanting to know is why you choose this surgery instead of the other. I am shooting for surgery sometime in July! I am finishing up the 6 month Dr supervised diet!(have lost but maybe 5-7 lbs) and go for my physc eval next week! Any feedback that can be provided will be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!

I just recieved approval from insurance after a long battle. Now reality is sinking in and getting nervous. I know I'm doing this for all the right reasons but the biggest thing for me is the drastic change in life style. I have fears of success and what life will be when it is done. Hard to explain maybe someone else is going or has gone through this roller coaster of emotions. Any advice?

Hi everyone. I am new to the website. My name is Carol. I am getting my lapband on May 12th. My doctor is Dr. Kfir Ben-David and Shands Univ. of Fl. I am both nervous and excited. I am 40 and a stay at home mom to my 2 youngest daughters. I would love to make some new friends. Carol:smile:

Hi everyone, I had surgery in Nov. of 2007 and have lost 41 lbs. However I haven't hit restriction yet. I've developed quite the sweet tooth since about a month ago. I never had a sweet tooth before and didn't do a lot of snacking. Has anyone else experienced this?

Hello All, I just found this site and I am so happy I did. I think this is just the support I need as I begin this journey. I am 30 years old, 5'1" tall, and weight 210 pounds. My BMI is right at 40. Weight has just slowly crept up on me and no matter what I can't lose it, hunger always wins out. I am tired of feeling like I can't control my eating. I have three wonderful children and a husband that I want to be healthy for. They deserve it. I have been seriously considering getting bariatric surgery. I have been looking at both the gastric bypass and the Lap Band. Is it just me, but I think the Lap Band is the obvious choice. Why do most people get the gastric bypa…

I should have put linda 7,000,000 because that's about how many diets i've been on.. As you can tell I'm new to this. The good news is 'm a fast learner. I've got my referal from Tricare and have an appointment on April 7. So as of now..not yet baned, not even approved. HOPEFUL!

Hello everyone :thumbup: I am looking for a "band buddy". I am a female, 28 yrs old (29 in august 08). I am 5'10" and weigh 360 lbs. I wear a size 24/26. I currently live in the Cincinnati, Ohio area. I would like to be banded in September 2008. I am currently attending seminars about Lap Band to find the best fit for me. I have been thinking about get the Lap band for almost 5 yrs now. If anyone has any similarities and are going to be banded around the same time, drop me a line.

I am 64 with a BMI of 42. I am going to get a lap band in Mexico by Dr. Aceves. One of my main fears is the loose skin. Has anyone else in their 60's lost a lot of weight and if so, did you have a lot of loose skin? I am afraid I am going to look like I am 90 years old and I can't afford more surgery. Teta

hello every one for starters let me introduce myself my name is jason im married have four beautiful kids and one step son i weigh 316 lbs and i am now getting ready to have the lap band done first i got to go talk to a phys doc to see if im able to have the surgery this is part of the process that my doctor requires then i get another apointment to go see the doctor before my surgery i dont have a prefered doctor but the center were im enroled with is palmetto health baptist weight management center and i forgot my doctors names there is two of them but like i said dont care who does it i trust them both i am really excited to have this done but a fear arised one of my …

i am new to this forum but i had lapband surgery March 15th 2007.i started at 334 lbs and now am down to 263 with 38 more to go til i hit my goal

This site is brand new to me. I was banded Nov 2003. Everything went smooth for years. My sweet spot was 2.8cc in a 4cc band. I had lost 140 lbs, 12 lbs from goal. In Dec 2007 my doctor pulled most of the saline out of my band, because I was having surgery in Jan. The surgery went well and 3 weeks later I went back to the dr. to have my fill put back in. Well, since late Jan I have had 4 fills with very little restriction. I was very restricted at 2.8cc. Today I am filled at 3.7 with almost no restriction. I had a esophagram done early April and it was dilated so he pulled some saline out. He wanted my esophagus to heal (so did I). I had another esophagram this week and…

Hi, my father has to be around 280-325LBS!! He got double knee replacement about 2 years ago. He made a promise to me that he would be willing to go to a few meetings and I was hoping I could start here. He is scared of surgery and hates hospitals. So I told him that I would do some reach if he would be willing to listen with an open mind. So I was hoping to find out who is on here who has had good and bad results from the LAP BAND. If there are any Doctors on this site I would like to hear from you as well. I am looking forward to hearing from you!! Bryan

I have been looking into this for years and reading these forums for over a month. My weight hasn't changed in 5-6 years, no matter what I do, so I talked to a friend who's been through it, consulted the doctors, did my pre-op testing, and I am now scheduled. I will be banded on Thursday, May 15. I am almost 33 years old and doing this largely (ha ha?) on my own. My friends and boss are VERY supportive, but everyone in my immediate family - short of my fabulous little brother - is not. They are all overweight, unmotivated, and prone to justification. It's unhealthy, to say the least, and not something to which I need be a party. I am also starting a blog, which I w…

Hey everyone, I am so bad at this whole reaching out and talking to strangers thing, I have been secretly peering into everyone else's questions and hiding even though I have so many questions myself, so this is serious stepping out for me. I was banded on the 24th of last month, not even 3 weeks ago, I lost 19 pounds in two weeks, (I was sick with a stomach bug after surgery) and now feel like I could eat my arm I am so hungry. I made an appointment for a fill but weighed 5 pounds heavier when I weighed myself last night :cursing: argh. Did anyone else experience this? I feel like I have no restriction what so ever and can't stop thinking about food, I actually went to s…

Hi, my name is Beth. I am 28y old. I got my band 2/28 & am down 17 lbs!!YAY me! I also have not had to take any inulin for almost 1 1/2 weeks. I just found this site & I am excited to meet & learn from everyone!!

Hi all, I am a 66 y.o. mother of six grown children. I have not had my surgery yet. Rather than Medicare, I have a Medicare substitute called Humana Gold Choice. I am awaiting approval from them and hoping to get it in time to have my surgery on 5/14. My BMI is 39.1 now, but I have hypertension, high cholesterol and arthritis. I will be going to Detroit to Harper Hospital - Dr. Gazayerli. I am working with a group called beliteweight.com. They are surgery coordinators. They are helpful when I call them, but I hate to keep calling with every question I have, so I'm glad to have found this forum. Because my surgery will hopefully be 5/14, I started the pre-op diet yesterd…

I recently had gastric bypass surgery and I am already down 60 pounds. I am soo happy i went through with this and never have been happier in my life. i look forward to contributing to the forum and giving and receiving support. Thanks guys.

Greetings from Sunny AZ! I have to start off by saying that this site ROCKS! I have enjoyed all the different threads and support. Thanks to everyone! Last night I had the craziest dream! I had been approved and was getting ready for my surgery. I had a nurse that shoved an IV in my arm and left me standing alone in a room. Then I found myself walking into another surgery that was being performed. Before you know it the nurse gave me scrubs to put on. That's the jest of it. I haven't even been approved and here I am having these crazy dreams. I've never had any surgery of any kind. Can anyone please give me some advice? Thanks so much! Keep up the …

Hello to everyone. This is my first time and I have many questions. First of all, I am a 47 year old female with degenerative disk disease, Fibromyalgia and Adult Respitory Disease. I no longer work due to my disabilities, but I was a Sales Manager for a software developer before I had to give it up. I used to travel a lot and of course, eat out a lot. However, once I stopped working and endured a series of back surgeries, I was very inactive, and that was what really put me over the top. I am allowed to walk for exercise only, and I have to use a cane or walker depending on the terrain. I have passed all my medical tests to qualify for the surgery and have to meet with t…

Hello to everyone, Im Debbie from the UK i've been lingering around this site for couple weeks & all of your stories are so inspiring to me, I have an appointment next wednesday with my doctor to talk about hopefully having the gastric lapband surgery, Through the telephone conversation with him last week it sounds like he's giving me hope, I lie awake everynight with thoughts of being slimmer/healthier, Im tired of crying tears of being unhappy the way i look & feel.. I want to be NORMAL the one who fits in the crowd with the rest & not the big bubbly girl who hides her pain on the inside & dreams of doing normal activities, going on vacation, r…

Hello, y name is carol. I am 56 and have been overweight all of my lfe. The "baby fay" never went away. Anyway, I'm tired of the roller coaster ride of diets that don't work. I just started reseaching lab band weight loss. I have not been able to find a surgeon in NM. Do they exist?

Hello everyone. I have been on here for a few weeks now, I have read so much about different types of pre test that is done. I have to go for mine today and until last night was'nt nervous. Now I am nervous about the test. :frown: Not the lap band itself, just the test. What if they say I can't get banded? I would fall apart! I get banded the 13th. Just nerves Thanks for listening.

I just got my approval letter today for lap band and my surgeon is scheduling my surgery for two weeks out.. It's been a long road and I changed surgeons during the process... Look forward to reading more on here as time goes on... :smile:

OK, so. I woke up at 4:30 with pains in my legs (charlie horses) and didnt get back to sleep til 6, and i had to get up at 6:30. so that really sucked... but not as much as what im about to tell u. i got up and got ready for the day and my mom calls me. she tells me that in order for her to have her surgery it will cost her $7,000, and thats including the help from our insurance apparently... she said that instead of her getting the surgery, she would pay for me to get it. she said i have a longer life to live and she wants me to be able to enjoy it. that just made me depressed knowing the only reason my mom isn't getting what she wants is because she knows i want…

Hi Everyone, I am a new member and I am VERY EXCITED to be here with you all and VERY EXCITED to be scheduled for my lapband on May 27; day after Memorial Day. Doesn't that suck!!?? Anywhobewhattie, I am going on my 5 day liquid pre-op diet starting that thursday before all the way til my surgery that tuesday. OH WELL!!! Are there anymore May 27th 2008 scheduled bandsters out there??? Oh, oh question -How do I create my weight scale thingamajigger? I've been reading a lot of threads for the past few weeks and had to pull myself from this site because some members had me "SCURED" with some of the after effects of the surgery. But, i'm back, still committed and even…

Hi everyone, my name is Holly I've lurked for a couple weeks. Yesterday I met with Dr. Moon with Advanced Bariatrics Center. Seems like it went well. I've done a lot of research and had a lot of the leg work done also going in. My only fear is my insurance- I'm 5'7 and just shy of 240. I had lost 58 pounds on Weight Watchers 3 years ago, but when you stop counting points the scale starts counting for you--I don't want to count points the rest of my life! I have Hypertension, and a some other issues so he feels I should be able to get approved. If not in a another 6 months or so my BMI will be over 40. I've had 3 doctors tell me I won't see my son turn 18 if I don't get co…

Hi--I am a newbee and go for my first step for surgery--a seminar tomorrow. My question is there an age limit on who can get the surgery? I am 61 and morbidly obese. I have alot of health isuues and am legally blind. I also have copd. So do ya think they will take me?

It took months to compile all of my support information on my application and have consultations with the clinic. But only after a week of receiving my info, BCBS of Arizona has accepted coverage for my Lap Band surgery! I am still in a bit of shock but am overjoyed! Now, I just need to set a date with my surgeon. WOOWOWW!!!:party:

Greetings. I was banded yesterday, feeling OK for now and I hope it stays that way. I have enjoyed reading lots of suggestions and hints before my surgery, it helped me enormously. Thank you.

A couple of years ago when i spoke with my pcp, i broached the subject of gastric bypass..my girlfriend and i had talked about it and figured maybe we'd try to do it together...well, she got approved through her doctor, my doctor said "no way you can do this on your own, etc etc"...i walked out sad...but i couldnt afford it, so...went my merry way.... Flash forward...been about 1 1/2 years...she's probably lost about 100# and i've gained i'm sure. I found this site after researching lap band..knowing as i read that THIS was it for me..this is what i would do...less evasive..good results...etc etc. I was terrified but i made an appt to see the other doctor (pa i belie…

Hi fellow (sister) lapbanders. My name is Tami, I am 44 and a mother of 5 plus 2 sons-in-law. In January, the ninth to be precise, I had the lapband put in - on? Since July of 07 I have lost about 54 lbs. I am happy about this, however for about the last month or so, I have been hovering at the same weight or at least within the same 5 to 7 lbs. I am irritated with myself. I have had 3 fills, my doc believes in moving slowly there. I have about 4 mls. in my band, and at times I do feel restriction but other times, I don't. In a way, I am afraid I have lost the initial momentum that I had. I have always had a hard time fitting exercise into my day and that is totally the …