Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi peoples, Just introducing myself my name is Charli and im a 23 yr old Woman from Perth Western Australia. I have for some time now been looking into having Lap Band surgery, tomorrow, being Monday the 7th of April i have an appoinment with my GP to see him about getting a referal to get Lap Band Surgery so fingers crossed i do. So i thought that i would join this forum to be apart of something that i can come to when/if i get this surgery done. I would love to hear up on other people experiences with the Band. Wish me luck for tomorrow Charli x

I have not had surgery yet but have been put on a high protein low carb diet and have lost 28 lbs. I'm excited but at the same time having a panic attack at my weight loss. I am now fitting into regular sized extra large clothes and for some reason I felt nervous while buying my new clothes. Has anyone else felt excitement and panic while losing weight or should I be signing myself up for some major therapy.

Hello Everyone: My name is Anamarie and I had surgery yesterday. I am doing great and trying not to read any of the negative points so that I can stay positive. I have spent the day eating ice chips and slowly made my way through a popscicle and some broth. Woo-hoo! Too exciting. I am going to look on the boards now and see if I can gain any words of wisdom. I am excited to begin the process and look forward to my new, healthier life.

I was banded on 3/31/08. My starting weight was 217. I have lost 11 pounds in 1 week. I feel full after small amounts and I am excited about the future!

I have an appointment with my MD to talk about lap band next week. Has any one used a dr. in Anchorage? What about insurance? Anyone use Great west?

Hi all, Well I thought I'd prepare for my big day on May 7 so went to costco for "supplies". I bought lots of stuff like liquid vitamins, Noni juice and other exotic antioxidents, a case of protein shakes, etc. When shopping at Crate & Barrel, I bypassed all the fancy kitchen gadgets, deciding the culinary arts are no longer going to be my passion; I shall switch to decorating! Just for info, I'm older than many of you (64), have sleep apnea and have a hiatial hernia that will have to be fixed. Hopefully all will go well - in Mexico. Any advice is welcome. Thanks, Sufina

I was banded on 3/31/2008 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Asheville, NC by Dr. Christopher Edwards. I started the whole process originally like 2 years ago, but really buckled down in June of 2007. I lost twenty pounds before surgery on the liquid diet they required and now I'm just trying to make sure I'm getting all my protein and what not in. I have a blog on livejournal, gl_journal is the username. Oh and my name is Jamie

Hi- I've been off and on, doing more browsing than anything else. I am finding this forum a bit daunting and lots of older discussions that I'm sorry I missed. However, I'll catch on eventually. I've only recently come to the conclusion that I need to do this. I've spoken to my doctor, who is a huge advocate of it. I don't know if he has all my details because he's only been my internist for about 6 months. My BMI is around 46- I have non of hte bigger problems, unless you count constand aches and pains a big problem! I do. The adema, the fibromyalgia, the sleeping sitting up. A couple of bits of luck. I've tried the bariatric centers dietician twice already and …

I started my pre-op diet today. I am scheduled for my surgery on April 17th! I am so excited about this! I have been overweight for 22 years now, and I am finally doing something positive about it. I am 56 years old, have 4 grown children and adopted a 9-year-old. I have to be around to make sure she turns out right! I am doing this for me, but also for her. It is bad enough having an "old" mom, but I don't want her to continue having a "fat" mom.:Dancing_wub:

Im a 33 year old mom of two. I just had my first appointment to see if lap-band will even approved for me, but I have my fingers crossed! I should know more next week. Ive been over weight my whole life and to be blunt, Im sick of it. Im sick of my joints hurting, my back aching and hips screaming at me when I walk a mere block down the road. Im tired of wearing ugly clothes and not being able to see my feet. So its time to do something about it! :regular_smile: Trisha

ok... I started the ball rolling with getting the surgery and go back on wed. for my surgery date. I recently talked with a neighbor who had it done and now I completely turned off by it. She is 5 years into it and can only eat soft foods and no carbs whatsoever. She said she is in discomfort after eating anything and has a hard time taking pills. She can no longer eat the fruits and veggies b/c they are too dificult to swallow and depends mainly on Soups to eat. I want to be thin but not that badly!! Pease tell me she is an exception or is this what I should expect???

hey everyone, My name is shannon im from central cali, i just had my band placed on 3/24...tomorrow will be 2 weeks...ive lost 15 lbs!!...yippie!...i am 22 years old, and ive been over weight all my life...im very happy that ive been given a whole new path!!...its been really hard the last few weeks, everyone has good food around me and i know i cant have it for another month, but im hanging in there...so if anyone can tell me about what they r going though, that would be cool...i feel alone....no one around me knows what im going though beside u guys!!!...help?:regular_smile:

A good friend of mine recommended this site to me for some good support and conversation with fellow Lap Bandees. I'm 24 years old and have always been a "big guy." However, in the last few years, I've become more and more sedentary and thus gained a lot of weight. So around a year ago I started looking into bariatric surgery to get me on track and help me improve my health. Well, on April 3rd, 2008 I was banded by Dr. Darrin Hansen of the South Valley Surgical Center in Sandy, Utah. So far I'm feeling really good and haven't had too much pain. I'm excited to get to a place where I can get exercising and resume a (quasi) normal life. I'm a student and I work full-ti…

I have been considering lap band surgery for many years. In 2006, I got as far as the pre-apt with the surgeon before I chickened out. I guess I just buy into the same biases as others- that I should be able to do it without surgery-. While I haven't gained any weight since then, I haven't lost any either. My BMI is 41. I have insulin resistance and polycystic ovaries (so can't have children). At 36 years old, it seems like banding is the only way this is going to work. So-- I am back in the process. I have an apt. on the 10th for the 4 hour info meeting that you have to attend followed by an apt with the surgeon. My insurance pays for the procedure at 100% (minu…

Hi Just banded 2nd April.. going really well. Had 2 nights in hospital, standard for my Dr. I am amazed at how little pain I have had and at how well I feel. Gas and wind are the most uncomfortable. I have a long way to go - 69kg to lose - but this is the start of the rest of my life. Best wishes to all out there in lapband land. Noela:thumbup:

Hi everyone...my name is Sue and I just found this forum. I thought it would be nice to be able to "talk" with others who have had the same surgery as I have. I had my banding done last summer. So far I have lost 77 pounds (I'm just over half way to my goal) and have had very few problems or complications. I'm extremely happy with the way things have been going since the surgery and would do it again in a heartbeat. I had my surgery done at Loyola Medical University in Maywood, Illinois by Dr. Sarker. Anyway, it's good to be here. Sue

Hello everyone!! I am so excited, my surgery was on Friday...already I've lost 10 lbs, and not hungry....it is truly amazing. I wasn't feeling too well last night, I think I took in way too few calories and over exerted my self a little, live and learn..this is going to be a completely new learning experience. I haven't told hardly anyone because my boss was very negative when I told her, so for now I'm keeping it to myself. I'd love to hear about everyone's initial experiences.:regular_smile:

Hello from Berlin, PA. I've had my band since the day after Christmas. My surgeon was Dr. Kim Marley. He used to teach this procedure at John Hopkins in D.C. then he moved to Pennsylvania after retiring from the Army. My daughter and I did this together. It was our Christmas present to ourselves! I've lost about 50 lbs. and have had 1 fill. I'm to go this week for another fill as I've hit a plateau and have stopped losing. Also my daughter is going to Italy in May. Does anyone know of any Lapband doctors in Italy incase something happens over there with her? Thanks Rose

Hi! I was just banded on April 4, 2008. It has taken me a long time to have this done. I know that for me it is my one and only shot at success so i am really nervous and afraid of failing. i am still a little sore but am doing great. i am currently on sugar free liquids and have not been hungry. My goal is to be healthy and be active with my children. my current weight is 315. I would like to lose 125 lbs. :purplebananna:

Hi, my name is Gwenie, I live in North Texas by the Oklahoma border. I am 60 years old, and weigh 294, height 5'4". I'm not married, divorced. I am looking into the Lapband because I just can't control the volume of food I am eating. I have been heavy all of my life. I have Diabetes 2, arthritis, high blood pressure, high cholestrol. My problem is the amount of money it will cost.....and to find a great surgeon.... I have Cigna Insurance and they have made it very clear they will not pay any part of it. Which I find really crazy...if they know it will save them money in the long term....no cutting off of limbs, no blindness....no heart disease....I mean come on…

I am having my surgery on May 31st...I have been reading everything I can about what to expect, and the consensus seems to be that the gas pain is going to be the worst part of recovery. I have read that I need to take GAS-X with me, but does it really help since the "gas" isn't really in your stomach, but more in your chest cavity...I thought that the GAS-X reacts with stomach content to give you relief...your stomach isn't actually penetrated in the surgery, correct? Just a little confused...

Hi Guys- good to read your forum- I'm in the UK- southwest England and am hoping to be able to persuade the clinic in Belguim to band me through the 'surgery abroad 'guys.. My BMI is only 33.9 at the moment but I am so ready for the whole life change and I know my wieght is already having a negative affect on my health.. I just either go up in wieght or stay the same if trying to diet- losses just dont seem part of the deal any more (age 43)- and I've never been my ideal wieght- I'd just like to experience it- once !

Hello I'm new to the forum. I received my lapband on Monday this week and am home resting for the week. I'm 42 years old and have struggled with weight for many years. I'm very excited to have finally had the surgery after waiting almost three years. I'd researched the band several years ago and also looked into gastric-bypass (no way!!!!) I had my surgery through the TrueResults clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. They're based out of Texas and are in three states now and do just the lap-band. Their program includes some serious preop and postop followup (for a year) along with alot of support mechanisms so I'm satisfied I'll have the help I need. The surgery was per…

Hi there, I just got banded on March 25, 2008 by Dr. Mumford in Ontario. I currently live in Fort St John, BC and would love to find people in the area to get together with for support and just hang out. I am on the mend but find the hardest part is TRYING to eat SLOWLY! It is very unfortunate that there are no doctors here that do fills. I am not looking forward to the 3 hour drive to Sexsmith, AB for them. :purplebananna: If you are from Fort St John and would like to meet another bandster, get ahold of me! If you aren't, feel free to chat me up! :cool: Paula

I had the Lapband procedure done 2 days ago and the gas pain is killing me. I feel it in my chest and between my shoulder blades. Any suggestions for the discomfort? I also have not had a bowel movement since the morning of my surgery, is this normal? Thank you in advance for any help.

Hi everyone, I want the lapband, but I have questions that I need answered to relieve my anxiety about side effects. I hope some of you who have had the surgery will have the answers. Everyone seems so friendly here! #1 Do you get acid reflux? I already have a little of this and it feels like a burning lump above my stomach. #2 I've heard about throwing up. True? #3 What kind of food do you have to avoid? #4 GAS??? #5 Any other side effects or rumours that I can put to rest? Thanks so much!

After various seminars, a bit of resistance on my side, and the scale going up...I committed to finally take control. I live on Long Island and found a surgeon and program that is perfect for me. It's taken three solid months of doctors, tests, and follow-ups but I am scheduled for April 14. The ONLY thing that stands in my way is that I did not yet lose the requested 30 lbs. I'm down 10 and have only a week & a half. If my surgeon who I see on 4/9 tells me to post-pone for more weight loss, then I will do so. he is a very cautious doctor and that's why I chose him. Either way I'm on my way to a better life. I've been on liquids for nearly two weeks and I'm alread…

I am starting the process to have a LAP-BAND procedure at UW-Health, UW-Madison, WI, USA. I have read what I can on the internet and heard about this forum. I am excited and nervous. So far, from the discussion board I am on, I have mostly heard about the experiences of those who have had the gastric bypass so I am eager to read all of your posts! :crying:

Reading all of the posts has helped me a lot. My insurance has just approved banding and I am waiting for a date. It is scarry and exciting all at the same time. I find comfort it all the stories posted on this message board. I will be having this done in an Italian hospital where most medical people do not speak english (I speak a little Italian but not much) My husband is in the Military and that is why my family lives over here. My next appt is on April 3rd and I should get my date then. Thank you in advance for all the support I know I will get from here and have already. Congradulations to all of us for taking a step to be healthy. Those of you close to goal, two thu…

Hi, I was banded in Mexico just before Christmas 2007. What an experience. I was hoping to get a band near home but not possible so after a great deal of research I chose Dr. Mascareno from Get Banded Now provides Lap Band Bariatric Surgery, Weight Loss Surgery and Gastric Bypass Surgery. Wonderful time as far as surgeries go. I talked with the Dr. and his patient helper Matthew for a long time before deciding to go for it. I felt safe and that I had made a good decision. I talked to a number of his patients and got a very positive report. I know that it could all have been phony but some of his patients were not the kind of people that would tell stories. Anyway after ta…

Hi, everyone. My name is Devon, and I am an American woman currently living in Melbourne, Australia, with my wonderful Aussie husband. I have my weekly weigh-in tomorrow morning, but I weighed in last Monday morning at 298.4 lbs. I've been overweight since middle school. When I was a kid, I was a ballet dancer and quite fit. Once I hit middle school, everything started to slowly change. My self-esteem became non-existent due to bullying, and I eventually quit ballet. By the end of high school, I had gone from a size 12 to a size 16. Since I graduated in 2001, I have gone up to a size 26. I've tried so many different weight loss methods including Weight Watcher…

Hello everyone, My name is Dennis, myself and my wife were banded in Tampa, FL on April 4th. Very excited, yet still very nervous. My wife seems to be doing great, I, on the other hand, have a centralized pain at my port site, not sure if this is common or not, hope so...

Hi, I'm new to this site and plan on going to mexico 5/7 for my lapband. I've been googling sites and am a little confused about what the differences are between support groups. Any suggestions? I'd like to find a "home" group. thanks, sufina

After many months of pre-testing and attending other pre-qualification requirements, I have finally been approved by my insurance company and have a scheduled surgery date of March 3. I'm excited... a little scared too... but mostly excited. But here's my dilemma. I know I have to tell my office manager why I'm going to be out of work for 3 to 4 weeks, and that's okay. She can and will have to keep it confidential. But what do I tell my three bosses and my nosey coworkers? I really don't want to let them know I'm having the lap-band procedure done. Embarrassed? Maybe... but more like I don't want them judging me, and then afterwards watching me put any morsel of f…

:angry_smile::cursing: I am new and just considering lap band or gastric bypass can you give me any words of wisdom, I am 5'4" and weigh 294 I need help and my employer BCBSGA does cover this procedure. I have 4 wonderful grandchildren that i would love to see get married and have children. This is my first step. I am looking for a good dr in Georgia if possible. God Bless :biggrin2: Sherry Jones

Hello, I want to introduce myself. I have a date for Lap Band May 6th... It will be 1 month from being 1 year since I started. Finally, I'm set for surgery and I can't wait. (my long wait was due to my indescission on which surgery I wanted. Started by wanting the Gastric By Pass R-Y-N, but I couldn't rest easy. I suffered through finally making a decission--it was hard. I'm 64 this month, weigh 215 and 5'2". FORUM IS SO VERY HELPFUL... dicev:rolleyes2:

Hello from Buffalo, NY. My name is Lydia. I've been thinking about weight loss surgery for a few months now. I took the first step today by calling the local surgeon's office for their information packet. I started thinking about having the surgery done after yet another diet attempt went south with no results. I've tried everything - weight watchers, la weight loss, various diet pills, even working out - nothing has worked. Obseity is in my father's familys' genes - virtually every one of them (esp the women) are overweight or morbidly obese. I feel like surgery is my only option to have any hope of losing weight before it becomes a health issue. I've not…

Hi, I'm new to the forum. My surgery has been scheduled for April 29th and my dr is Dr. Felts. I'm self paid because I don't have any insurance. On Tuesday, I'm suppose to have a Stress test, I'm a little bit nervous about the test, has anyone else had to do one? I'm looking forward to having a tool to help me be successful. :tt1:

I will be banded on May 27, 2008 by Dr. Kuri in Mexico. My husband and both of my parents will be banded at the same time. My starting weight is 335 and my BMI is 52. I am looking forward to being reborn! I have had the surgery scheduled for about a month, so I have spent a lot of time learning about what my life will be like and am starting to more seriously put some of the behaviors in place that I will need for the rest of my life to be successful. I am hopeful that with my hard work and the help of the band, I will be much healthier than I am now and can do so many things that I have never been able to do. I have a 5 year old daughter who deserves to have a happ…

Hey, I'm so glad to find this website!! I have read some of your replies and it has made me feel some more at ease with the lap band process. I have been really worried about my insurance. I have BC/BC PEEHIP and I see my doctor every year for a check-up. I tried Weight Watchers in 2005-2006 and l lost 83 lbs. But I have slowly gained 60lbs. back and I have tried to do the diet again but only lose 10 lbs. I think the lap-band is the answer to my lifelong struggle with weight loss. I'm just starting out with this and my seminar is 4/16. My dr. appt. is the next day. How long of a process should I expect? The surgeon's office said I should have a surgery date by the e…

Hi Everyone! I have been reading your posts for quite a long time, I have done the research and am ready to have the surgery finally! I will be a self pay since my insurance has this as an exception. I too have done all the diets, been yo-yoing all my adult life. I have, however, decided to only tell my kids and my hubby, unfortunately, the rest of my family is not exactly the support system I would look to for this type of surgery or lifestyle. I have two brothers and they each got married recently and I was not asked to be in either wedding party. I later found out that they (including my mom) all had gotten together for a family decision, and all decided that I would b…

Hi, I will be getting my Lap Band 5/6th. I wish there was a support group in our small town. The closest is in another small town. Just thought I would give this a try. Thanks

Hi, my name is Patti and I live in Reno, Nevada. I am scheduled for surgery on April 23rd. I work for the State of Nevada as an IT TECH IV (computer operator). I have two kids, son Steven lives in San Antonio, and daughter Tara lives in Grapevine, TX. I also have 4 grandsons. My surgeon is Dr. Sasse with Western Bariatrics.

Hey there...I have been readin the forum and posts for about a week...wish i would have been wiser and started way before. Got banded on March 31st by Dr. L. Stegemann in San Antonio, TX. Down 9 pounds already! Mucho, mucho gas pains. Tried to go to work today and had to come home early...TGIF HW/Pre-Surg/Current/Goal 277/250/241/125

Has anyone noticed if the weeks you excercise, that you are losing more weight than the weeks you dont? Can someone motivate me with examples that they know this to be a true fact. My doctor says the most weight you lose is with what you are not eating not the excercise, but others says differently.

Hi everyone. My name is Tahleah. I haven't had lap band nor am i planning to. But I am on Optifast! My mother recently had lap band and she was the one who introduced me to Optifast,and so i'm on 3 Meal Replacements a day! (well only on a good day) Since being on Optifast I've lost 9 kilo's! thats in 3 weeks!!! So i joined to meet other people which were also on optifast so that i could have that extra boost on days when i feel as if i need to eat BAD FOOD! :thumbup:

I lost the 30 pounds required by my doctor and went last Wednesday for my official weigh in. Today I got a letter from my insurance company (Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield) that said, "On 3/28/08 the Medical Services Department received a request to review for gastric lap band surgery for above member. Based on a review of the clinical information provided, the above request has been approved from 5/12/08 through 5/15/08. Based on the information provided to us, we have certified that the requested services are medically necessary and/or appropriate." If they had just left it as "has been approved" and stopped there, it would be more clear cut. Does anyone know wha…

Hi everyone. I just went thru a new patient seminar last night. Thank goodness I found this site before I went there. I'm more confident of my decision from what I've read here than from the Dr. talking last night. I'm still scared and very, very nervous about all this. I will find out on Monday about my insurance and all that. I've been doing LA weight loss and curves in the past year, so I'm hoping that will count to any 6 month thing I might want to do. This site is a hugh blessing to me. To know that I'm not the only one scared and freaking out is hugh. It has also shown me how in control my food addiction is. A real eye opener to me. I'm glad that I can …

I'm fairly new here. I need some technical support on how the posting works. I posted a few things a couple of weeks ago, right before my surgery (3/26). Now, I cannot find them to see any responses. How do I find the posts that I've written? Also, how does everyone do the banners? Thanks for any help.

Hi my name is Michelle this is my very first post here. I have been married for 11 years however we have been together for 16 years. I have 2 beautiful kids. Jt age 14 freshman in highschool, and Kayla a fourth grader. I am 36 years old my I am 5'2 215 pounds. I have a BMI of 39.3. I have High blood pressure, High Chlorestoral. I was not always overweight. As a child I was actually underweight. As a teen I was average. I think what happen was 10 years ago I became a stay at home mom because my daughter was always so sick. That's when my weight went crazy. I lost 30 pounds breastfeeding then gained all of it back and some. Then I had a Total Hysterectomy, then my gallbl…