Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I've just begun the process for Lap Band surgery. I too have to see my PCP 6 months before I can have my surgery. I have seen her twice and will see a psychiatrist on Thursday for her approval. Dr. Charles Morton at Baptist Hospital in Nashville TN will be my surgeon. His office said I can't schedule an appointment with him until I have finished all 6 of my appointments with my PCP. My insurance also requires that I spend the night after my surgery. For me I think that will be a good thing. If anyone has had their surgery with Dr. Morton I would love to hear from you. Also should I go ahead and attend the seminar or wait until closer to the end of the six months?…

I just got banded on 3/3 and am doing pretty well. I only took 1 week off work. I am a health care provider, so it is fairly hard to cancel my days. The only difficuly I am relly having is that i am getting bored with the liquids!! I am looking forward to my Journey ahead. I have about 75 lbs to loose but have severe HTN that is uncontroled with meds. I used this as a tool along with a new exercise program to hopefully get my life and BP under control!!

Hi I have never done this before so hope I know what I am doing. I had my lap band surgery on 1-10-2008. Unfortunately I have only felt restrictions for a few days after surgery and a few days after my two fills. My last fill was Monday March 3rd and felt the restriction for one day. When I got my first fill February 11th there was only 0.5cc of fluid. The doctor filled with 3 1/2cc. At my appointment on the 3rd there was only 2cc fluid left and he filled with 4 1/2cc. I am thinking about making another appointment for next week. Has anyone else had this problem this number of times?

I just got my first fill Monday 3-10-08 I had lap band on 9-11-07 and the day I went in for it I was 298 and as of Monday 3-10-08 I was down to 256 without a fill so I just can't 'weight' lol to see how much I can lose now .... so if any of you can give me the heads up on what I need to start to doing now that will be so grate ....... Lots Of Love Crystal.....:drool:

For the past three nights, I've been dreaming about going into surgery for the lapband. They weren't nightmares but more anxiety dreams. I haven't even gotten the surgery approved by my insurance carrier yet...just turned in all my paperwork less than a week ago. Does anyone else have these dreams? I think I'm already getting obsessed with the surgery! I know that I'm incredibly anxious to get things started. I want it SO bad!

hi... ive been considering getting the lap band done..... ive tried diets upon diets and some have been successful (only the ones that consist of starving yourself). im not sure that im "morbidly obese" i'm 5'6 225lbs, would i apply?.. i really want to get this done bc i know i can not do it myself. i have blue cross insurance......... however i just started my job in december of 07... my question is about what ive underlined and also........ does anyone know is there a certant amount of time you should be with an insurance provider before applying for surgery so they dont deny it bc they think you just got it to get the surgery??? :grouphug::confused:

Not that I have a sweet tooth but I was wondering if is just because of the calories or because the body is sensitive to it afterward or we can never eat any sugar ever again. I am just waiting for insurance approval now and the doc said I may have surgery next month in April. I can't wait to get banded. I love this site and I'm getting so much good info.

My surgery date is 3/28/08. I am excited and scared at the same time. I look forward to getting to know others who can offer advice and support on my journey to obtaining a healthy weight. I know this is a life style change that will enable me to have more energy so that I can get back out on my bike and enjoy riding again. Unfortunately, I did not qualify to have my insurance cover the procedure. My BMI is at 35 and I have no significant weight related health issues. Therefore, I have decided to have this procedure done and take charge of my weight now, before it gets any worse. It's good to know there is a forum like this available to get advice along the way!!

My husband and I will be going to Mexico to DR. Kuri alittle nervous and starting the liver shrinking diet tommorow anyone else here going for Dr. Kuri on April 8 cheryl :drool:

Brand new, just signed up. Intake appt. 2/28, pre op testing at hospital and diet class 3/25, surgery set for April 8. Self pay. Insurance excludes WLS. Dr. Curry near Cincinnati OH (Evendale). Price for all $12.5K, incl 2 yrs. fills. Had started process last june at Cinn WLS so psych. was still good. Have gone to other presentations wanting anywhere from $16-18k! Am excited and a bit nervous. Am in southeast OH (Athens). Anyone else around going to Dr. Curry...maybe carpool for fills. Impressed with Dr. Curry and staff...they seem to have it together. :drool:

Hi everyone. I'm so excited because I've made the decision to be banded. I need to do something, my BMI is 58.1 :tongue2:. I've decided to go with Dr. Rod. I've been reading the forums and researching. I'm excited, yet nervous. I know all about the brain hunger and that is what I fear the most. I understand it's a whole new way to eat and I'm ready for that (I think :drool:), just concerned that my brain really has a mind of its own :tt2:. I'm so thankful for this website. Everyone here has so much to offer - thanks ~ Brenda

Hi, my name is Chris - I was just banded on Wed 1/23 by Dr. James Davidson in Dallas. I'm 44 and have been fighting my weight since college. it has been a slow upward spiral with lots of weight loss followed by even more weight gain. I finally decided to do something about it as I hit an all time high of 304 and a BMI of 40+. My insurance excludes bariatric surgery so I had to go the self-pay route, fortunately Dr. Davidson was running a $9500 special and I decided to go for it. I lost 18 pounds on the pre-op diet (but have my expectations set a lot lower for the next few weeks based on all the posts about stagnant weight during the post-surgery period). anyway, just wa…

Hi there everyone, My name is Allison and I'm pretty new on this site. I have been reaserching the lap band for about six months, I attended a seminar and I finally made an appointment for my first consultation with the surgeon two weeks from today. :biggrin2: I'm really excited but I'm still kind of apprehensive. I've been doing so much reasearch I feel like I know all the of positives and negatives of lap band, but I guess a part of me still has my doubts that something like this could really work for me. I am still young but I have been on so many diets since I was eight years old its ridiculous, as I'm sure many of you can understand. Nothing has really worked for m…

Hi all! I found this great site in the process of all my research. I have been researching the lap band surgery on and off for about 2 years now and have finally made a decision to have it done! I'm very excited. I'm in the process of scheduling the surgery for July of this year (that's when my son is done with baseball). My insurance won't pay for it so I have decided to go to Mexico. I'm glad I found this forum as I've already gotten some great information here! ~Daniela

My name is Michele I'm from Norman, Oklahoma. I just started my lapband journey. I'm currently waiting on my 2nd appointment with the dietician. My insurance company (Aetna) requires that I go through 3 months of supervised diet in order to qualify for the surgery. Obviously, I would've rather been able to schedule my surgery immediatly and I'm fairly disappointed that I need to waste time/money going to a dietician when I've tried every diet in the book. Frankly, I wouldn't be considering surgery had I not given every option an opportunity to work for me. I have a lot of weight to lose (roughly 170lbs.). I chose the Lapband system because the surgery risks are so low…

i am an lpn student trying to schdule my lap surgery on my 2 week summer break. is that realistic to expect to go back to school in 2 weeks. Anyone have any idea?? thanks:eek:

Hi, everyone! My name is Vicki and I hope to be banded in May 2008. I was on the road to GBS but decided that the LapBand is right for me. I am a wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. I have a wonderful, loving and supportive family. They are: Husband: Craig Daughter: Ashlie 22 Son-in-Law: Nathan 27 Grandson: Aiden 2 months Son: Christopher 21 Son: Seth 17 Daughter: Heather 17 BFF: Monica (the best friend, ever) And we have between us all 8 doggie family members. I am 39 years old and my health is not too good. I have diabetes, high blood pressure, back and joint pain, and I'm just plane tired of being too big to enjoy my life! I look forward to…

:smile2: I'm a soon to be banster in the Austin area. My insurance company (Definity Health Care) approved my surgery on February 19th and my Pre Op doctor visit is today!!! :biggrin: I'm so excited and nervous and scared and happy ALL AT ONCE. It looks like it will be about 2 more weeks before the surgery as I've got to do the 2 week pre op diet and I'm so emotional right now, I can barely keep it together @ work. I want to tell everyone while at the same time, I want to keep it a secret. I hope to have the surgery date by COB tomorrow (crossing my fingers). Does anyone have any tips to share?:cursing: Thanks!

Hello everyone! I just found this site last week. I am thinking about getting the band done. I am going to the information seminar on the 20th of this month. Since I am totally new to this, could someone explain what the whole process of getting this done is. Do you have to see a dietician for a while before surgery? Do you have to be on a liquid diet before having the procedure? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance:smile2:

I was Banded March 8 2007 and I have lost 60 lbs and would l love to lose another 100 to reach my goal of 160lbs, but it has been 4 months and I havent drop as much as an pound. I have 8.5cc in my band and find it differcult to eat in the morning so I tend to be really hungry by mid morning my day starts early... at 5am.I need help with menu planning and how to balance being a single Mother of 3 and being banded and cooking for my children one of which is a teenager and the other two are schoolagersI work 12 hour shifts as a nurse so Im under ALOT of Stress:confused:

My name is Sandra and I was banded July 2006. I love my band. I am down currently 125 lbs. I am a stay at home mom and wife and love that job too. I worked before my child, but chose to stay home. I have two dogs and love to be outside. I look forward to reading about people and learning more about issues with the band some have. :huh2:

Hi guys! I was banded 11/26/2004 by Dr. Christine Ren at NYU. I dropped 100 lbs and then promptly dropped another 250 in the form of my ex husband :cool2: My weight loss stalled as I moved out, changed careers, and began my life over again. Net gain was 12 lbs from my lowest post op. I've been hovering at 202 - 208 for the past 1.5 years, and with the divorce final and a promotion, my life is as bright as its ever been and I am not willing to remain a statistic of people who DIDN'T lost 100% of their excess body weight. I have been trying my hardest on my own to lose the rest of the weight, but I can't seem to get back into that "band mindset" where food ISN'T a fri…

I have been overweight since my first pregnancy almost 5 years ago. I am sick of it! I found the number to a local surgeon and am calling first thing in the morning! I have heard that our insurance covers a major part of the surgery so I am excited!

I just got my financing to go through for the band and I'm just so scared of the surgery (I've never had any type of surgery done). My sister got the gastric bypass surgery and she went through hell mentally. I know that the gastric bypass surgery is much more invasive but did anybody go through that (or something like that) before or after they had the lap band surgery?

LOL I had the lap band done on the 4 of March. I am very excited about it and want to everything right. I however have an issue with the protein powders. I am really having issues with sweet things. Is there a good source without the sweet flavors. Thanks so much for your time and I appreciate your Help. This is a wonderful forum.

Hi, i'm new here, I have my consult with the doctor tomorrow. I'm excited and I cant wait to get this started. I married 4 boys 3 grandkids. I have been overweight most of my adult life. I have been reading up on all the questions and answers everyone has posted. I too hope for good news from the doctor..:w00t: Bee :thumbup:

Hi Everyone.:smile: My name is Rhonda. I've been considering the Lapband for a long time but was too scared to initiate the process. Then one day last week it just clicked with me. I'm tired of being overweight. I've been lucky so far not to have any illnesses. I have other problems though like sore feet, bad back, achy knees. I know these ailments are from my weight. Anyway, I went to my Primary Care Physician today and let her know I was interested in the Lapband. She was very supportive and made me feel much better about the decision. Now, I'm just anxious to get it done. This site is great! I've found a lot of information here.

:thumbup: Hi, my name is Peyton. After a couple years tossing this LapBand in the air around. Today I took the first step to get solid information and hopefull the 1st step. The lady at the center was going to call my insurance and see what they say and what I needed to do or get information wise for my insurance. My BMI is borderline , 36-38. I am a size 16. 223 lbs , 5'6" :blushing:I am so nervous and WORRIED that the insurance will say NO. I really do fear it . Send me some good vibes could

Hello, my name is Sabrina and I am having sugery in TJ on April 19th. I wish it was sooner. All I do these days is eat,breath,& read about the lap band procedure. I am a mother of 7 his, mine and ours, as well as PTA President for my childrens school. I am a child care provider, and full time student. I have a fairly active life style and I have often felt as if I was a skinny person trapped in a fat persons body :thumbup: I feel that I can do many things but am limited due to my size. I look forward to being thing agian, and letting my husband who has never seen me thing see me as a beautiful woman that perhaps he can hug off the ground. I look forward to …

Hi, I was banded 2/1 in Dallas, TX at U T Southwestern Medical School, Zale/Lipshy Hospital, By Dr. Rivas. I am now on solid foods. Some days I feel hungry every couple of hours, but a peice of fruit, a sugar free popsicle or sugar free drink will fill me up. I feel really blessed. My PCP of 20+ years has told me the last few years to "go for it, if you can find someone who will do it". I have breathing and heart issues, so was not brave enough to really look for someone, until my Seniors Pastors wife got hers scheduled. She's my age (65) and has most of my same kind of problems. Hers was done across town, but another friend at church had hers done about the same time …

I am interested in visiting with someone who has an ostomy (ileostomy to be exact) and has had the lap band surgery. Have you had any problems? Set backs? Problems with your ostomy and absorption of nutrients? I have an ileostomy due to colo-rectal cancer and am starting the lap band journey. My surgeon has performed the lap band surgery on several ostomates, however, I would like to chat with an ostomate directly. Thanks in advance and good health to all.

I have scheduled to be banded om March 25 but am going on vacation over memorial day weekend-camping for 5 days. I am now having concerns that I may still be sore and unable to run after my 2 year old and participate in camping activities. Should I reschedule for after the trip? Is there any soreness after first fill?

I am just beginning to seriously consider lapband and I have soooooo many questions for people that have been there, done that. Particularly if anyone in the Dallas area would reccommend their surgeon.

Tomorrow I go for a consultation with the Doctor to see about a Lapband. I am nervous and scared. I have battled with my weight since highschool. I lose, then I gain, and of course I always gain a little more than before. I weight 219 #'s and I am 5'4" tall. My fears are it will not work. I worry about surgery, will I regret it, do I want something foreign in my body, will I be able to feel it, etc... (??!!??) Is this normal? Did anyone else have anxious feelings? I have to admit, I am tired of the rollercoaster dieting. I work soooo hard to lose with minimal eating and jogging, until I completely burn myself out. I know this is only a tool, however it seems like i…

Hi, I found out last Fri that my surgery willbe covered 100% by my insurance co, and to day my MD called to say he was scheduling the referral w/ the surgeon. Gosh, I still can't believe this is all happening. I just got my insulin pump about 5 weeks ago, so my BG's are starting to come into line. I hope to find lots of info here.:drool::thumbup::sneaky:

Hi! I found this board recently and it has helped so much. I am scheduled for surgery this Friday, March 7th. After approximately 3 years of trying to get insurance to pay I have decided to go ahead and pay for it myself. I am very excited/scared/nervous, but mostly excited. I weigh 230lbs and I'm only 5'0" tall.

Hey there! Student (planning on graduating in the Fall, YAY!) from Saint Louis here, looking into doing lap-band surgery in the not too terribly distant future and all about the research at the moment. As a sort of introduction to who I am and what brought me here, about two months ago I was diagnosed by my doctor as being in the early stages of pre-diabetes (numbers slightly higher than normal). Being so young (and consequently at my heaviest) needless to say it was quite a wakeup call, or, more accurately, a hard, swift slap in the face that leaves a throbbing red hand print that you think everyone can see. I've been heavy since middle school; trouble with my knees s…

Hello Everyone, I'm new to this site. I am looking forward to getting banded soon. I am looking for support groups near me. Any ideas?

My wife and I are considering having lab band surgery. Both of us have always been bigger people but we are heading in the wrong direction with our health. We are both close to the 400 lb mark and no end in sight. Her weight gain really happened when she had to go on certain meds. She gained 180 lbs. I gained a good 100 lbs from my desk job. Diet and excersize just doesn't seem to be working for us. We are wondering about the lab band and how it will affect us. What is the down time after the surgery? What can we expect? How much weight can be lost, and is it possible to still gain weight or stay at your current weight if you have this?

I went to my PCP today to get referrals to the dietician and the surgeon. When I told the nurse why I was there, she winced when I said I was considering lap band surgery. She winced! She said, "Well, you're young. A really good diet and exercise program will probably work for you if you give it a good try." Huh. Isn't it funny that someone has just met me knows all about what's best for me. Here I was worrying about what my parents would say... The doctor was OK. She admitted she would rather see someone lose weight with diet and exercise than get surgery, but she would support whatever worked best for me. Well, gee, no one ever told me to try diet and exerc…

I put a picture of myself on here but it's HUGE! How do I make the picture smaller? Anyone know? Thanks!:blushing:

Hi Everyone, I am Denise and very excited to say that I finally got approved and will be banded in 10 days. My mom and aunt are both banded and lost weight very quickly about 20lbs a month. I just hope I got their genes. Well just wanted to introduce myself because I will be on here a lot.

Probably putting this in the wrong spot but oh well. Does it annoy you when all the people on this site there obviously big/ or have been and they weight what 150-200kgs or more and they have the lap band and then they loose weight and they have maybe 10 kgs to loose to there goal weight and there not happy? This just annoys me alot, if you have gotten the lapband it is obviously because you have either lost weight and couldnt keep it off or you couldnt loose weight and then you read about people that say "Oh I'm totally pissed, I've only lost 5kgs, I really wish it was more" I mean you've never lost that much in one go so why in the hell are you complaining? Frankly I ha…

Ok, so I thought instead of starting 20 threads, I'd ask many questions in one I'm around 330, 5'6 or so, and 25 years old. Is anyone like me, if so, what is your experience with the band? Is there anything physical you shouldn't do, that could like, cause slippage? How can I maximize my weight loss, I'd like to lose at least 200, and frankly I don't want to wait 5 years. Anyone who has had optimal success, what did you do during to make it go so fast (I saw someone here say they lost 200 in 18 mos or something)? If I'm all hot and sweaty, sometimes I'll just down a big glass of Water -- will I still be able to do that? If something gets stuck, how do I get …

Hello Everyone, This is my first time here, have been reading post and trying to figure out how to join. I was banded 4/24/07 Dr. Farhan Hurley Hospital Flint, MI I am a 56 year old grandma raising two grandchildren. I am employed full time as a parts manager in a automobile dealership. I am very excited about moving forward now that I have my band. I have already lost 26 pounds...YEAH. I feel great, and already have more energy and don't require as much sleep. I'm lovin it

I have this coughing and spitting some nights. I try to not eat late, sleep on 3 pillows, etc. Last time I went in the nurse practitioner wanted to take out some fill. I told her I thought I could fix it without doing that, but it is still occurring, though not every night. I have protonix I take in the morning, an acid controller (OTC) I take at night. I've even taken prilosec, and/or protonix at night. I know that spicy contributes to it and chocolate, which I really don't eat anyway. I could use some more help.

Hey everyone. I am new to this site. I was banded on 1/10/08, which was the best decision I have ever made. I have gone from 316 to 290 and feeling great. Now I'm just wanting to speak with people who have done this, because I know I have a long way to go.

Hello everyone, I just got banded on 3/8/08 and am finally feeling like a human again today!Yesterday I was beginning to wonder what in the world I had done to myself, but I'm feeling a little better now. I just wanted to introduce myself and see what suggestions or advice other banders had? I'm on a full liquid diet now and don't seem to be filling up on just the 2 ozs every 2 hours, any suggestions? Please help!!:sneaky:

I am just now thinking about getting a lap band. I know it is an outpatient surgery where a band is put around the stomach to create a smaller stomach. What leads up to the surgery? What happens immediately following surgery? How often do I have to return to the doctor? I'm not sure how the whole thing works.

Good to find a message board that is so comprehensive. My band date is 4/30/08 - have to get through tax season first!! Otherwise I would have it tomorrow! I have been reading everything I can get my hands on to gain the knowledge. I just finished the new book by Mohammed Ali's daughter titled "Fighting Weight" which is really, really good. I would recommend it to anyone. Anyway, I hope to learn a bit more from the board and a big Thank You to all who actively participate! Forgive my ignorance - but what are all those little symbols at the bottom of various posts, what do they mean and where do you find them? :confused2: