Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hello, My name is Angie(eigna). I'm from Michigan and yes I am very tired of the snow. I weight 250lbs., I'm 5'6''. My band date is 04-09-08. I was scared at first, but now I'm shouting bring it on. :confused:

I am just beginning the process for the lapband. I have gone to the seminar and recently had an appointment with the nurse, dietitian and the physicial therapist. I have an appointment in April with Dr. Posner to discuss and schedulethe surgery. This question goes out to anyone that has already had the surgery.....Do you regret having the surgery?

Hello all! I've been browsing the forums for a few months now but it's time to make my first post! I heard about the Lap-Band years ago when they first started their TV ad campaign. At the time, I wasn't ready for it, still in college and still under my mother's roof. Now that I'm on my own, made the move from Iowa to New York to live with my fiancee and hopefully getting married within the next year, and somewhere over 400 lbs (I haven't been weighed in about a year and a half when I was 407, none of my doctors here have scales that go high enough), it's time. I've been researching the band and my insurance coverage, I found a doctor close by that turned out to be…

Hi Ya'll, I was just referred to the surgeon today and asm still going to have a long road of getting it approved but, was wondering if you all might give me some input on about how long is the hospital stay and recovery? How long before you can usually go back to like a desk job?

Hello All, I am new to this site and I am happy I have found it. I plan to have my surgery in next 2 months once I get my date. I do have concerns about... PBing... what exactly does that mean?... What can I do to not loose all of my muscle tone? How much pain are you in the day after surgery, i live upstairs and want to know can I climb them. what is the real recovery time.. can you really go to work in 3 days. ( I have a desk job). My BMI is at 50 and I am 4'11 / 232 will they force me get the gastric bypass, or should the 2 week liquid diet beforehand help? how bad is this gas, and does acidophillus help? I see alot of people take activia... also what exactly is w/ …

Hi all,I am new to this forum(as you can prob gather lol) I have got my band date for 29th Feb,and Im on the pre-op 2 week diet(end of day 3). Getting really excited bout op,but little bit nervous too.

Hello All: I was banded on Feb 20, 2008 in Calgary, AB. I was lucky enough to be selected for a research opportunity through our Health Region here in my home town. They started with 25 but then got approved for 100 more and I was thankfully one of those 100. I would not change anything, I feel that I have made the right decision and in just 22 days I have already shed 28 pounds .. of course this included 2 weeks of the Opti-fast at 900 calories per day, but again all worth it. I was slow moving the first few days after the surgery as they only let you stay in the hospital for 24 hours .. then they need the bed for other people. I commend all of you from the Unite…

My name is Lindsey. I am a freshmen in college at West Virginia Univeristy and i am soo tired of being overweight and this seems to be the best way i know how to do it. My entire life i have been heavier than everyone else at school. My current BMI is 39 and now that my frosh yr is almost over (in which i have gained at least 30 pounds thanks to dorm food!) i can honestly say i am finally ready for something to ACTUALLY WORK! My mom is totally supportive of my decision because she knows how hard it is for me since i am so young...I just want to be able to go into a store and realize that i can pick out anything there to buy. I am just ready and reading everyone's stories …

Just got my surgery date. It's 2 days before my 40th birthday! My doctor is Matthew Brengman at St. Mary's hospital in Richmond, VA. I'd love to know if anyone else in the Richmond area is going to be banded around the same time as me. Wish me luck! Kim

Okay here we go. Some of you may have seen me looming around for the last past couple months. Hiya I’m back yet again to give you guys’ mai updates. Im 19 female from Chicago i weigh in at 365 now and not happy about it!!! I have been trying to get lap-band for the last past year. I have gone through mai 6 month dietary evaluation for Ingalls and then I did all the pre-opt tests such as the EKG CxR barium swallow blood work and all those super things. I even had a surgeon picked out through Rush Hospital in Chicago. Mai insurance even said I was good to go even though I had to fight them tooth and nail to have them say that lol. I was to go in on FEb 19 and get mai …

LapBand friendly!! I am so glad that this type of website exist. We need to unite together and support each other. This Lapbandtalk is a wonderful tool to use. I have finally made the decision to have the LapBand Surgery. For years I have read about the surgery and thought I would it was something for the "Rich and Famous" that I would never qualify or afford. To my surprise, I went to an information meeting and the next day I got a phone call saying my insurance (UHC) covers this type of surgery. I feel this decision is the beginning of something new and great. So now I had to think of a username that would remind me of what I have begun. MyNuLife= My …

Hello all, I'm thinking about getting banded. I've looked into it before, but I decided against it for a few reasons (see below). I'm gained more weight since then though, and it's being a complication and complicating other problems, so I'm back to thinking about it. I've got hypothyroidism; I don't know how long I've had it but it became apparent after my daughter was born. I've also recently been diagnosed with PolyCystic Ovarian Disease better known as PCOD or PCOS. While my general MD is understanding of this most doctors say the 'simple' solution is to lose weight. I'm hoping that it will "go away" with weight loss. I try to exercise, and at times have some success,…

Hello, I am seriously considering this procedure, I have been heavy my entire life and feel like I need help surgically at this point. I am so nervous. I hear alot of positive things, is their any regrets out there?

I am scheduled for the lap band on March 17th....St. Patricks Day! I've been reading this forum for a few days and decided it's time to be a part of it. I went to ticker factory and created a graph. Can anyone help????:blushing: I don't know how to import the ticker factory graph onto this site....:wub:!

I am just getting started in my Quest to be a member of "The Band." I appreciate everyone's knowledge and encouragement as I read the board. I need your help. My insurance company has said No. My questions are: 1-Did you feel comfortable/safe/understood if you went to Mexico with Dr. Ortiz? 2-What happened if you went home and there was a complication or question--I'd be 3000 miles away from the doctor! 3-What do you do for aftercare (fills, etc.) in the US? Thanks--:thumbup:

I am seriously considering lap band surgery - I have type 2 diabetes that is not controlled and am heading for insulin. I have about 50 pounds to lose. There are studies that show that with that kind of weight loss, many diabetics go off of meds which is my goal. Anyone out there with diabetes? Also, I live in Jacksonville, FL. Anyone out there from Jax or St. Augustine? Lois

hi every looks like i am with the right insurance company now to make my dreams of being able to get the lap band come true, i am really nervous and excited all at the same time! however, i am at a lost as to what to do to proceed... i started the process on my own last year, but then had to have three 3 other surgeries which put a hault on my proceeding with the lap band. i am on the Band Wagon again, with the Psy. evaluation under my belt...good til april this yr. the 3 hours class is completed the doctor 6 month food log is done ish and i paid for all those on my own, as that was when i was with another Ins. company so now that i am with Aetna …

:thumbup:Hi Everyone, i am a very proud army wife stationed in Schweinfurt, Germany. I have been doing alot of research on lapband, and now TRICARE will cover the cost so i am ready to see my PCM and see if i can get approved for the surgery. my BMI is 41 so i qualify. Im excited and scared, but also hopeful. I love reading all the posts, this site i believe is going to be great for me.

Hi, my name is Nikki. I am 34 and waiting anxiously to get banded on March 20. I can't wait but have so many questions, fears, and hopes. I found this forum and hope to start finding the answers and put some of my fears to rest. I am a high school reading teacher in Arizona, married and have 3 beautiful daughters. I can't wait to be healthy and thin again!!!

I'm Courtney aka Jakesmommy84. I'm 23, married, and we have one son who is 12 months and one dog. I have had high blood pressure since I was 4 due to HUS/E.Coli, and have been overweight since childhood. I'm 235 right now and according to my family doctor i should be 125-135lb. I have an appt with a nephrologist and then back to my doctor to evaluate if I am a candidate for the lap band. I've done numerous diets, bike for 30-40 minutes a day and continue to have issues with weight. I've been told losing weight will help lower my blood pressure, which is a good thing! I'm rambling, so sorry. I'm very interested in finding out of there are side effects. I've had experie…

Hi, I was banded on Jan 31. I am so happy. I already lost 17 lbs including the 2 weeks on liquid before the op. I am getting my first fill on Monday - only 4 1/2 weeks from surgery. I am nervous about it. Does it hurt? I am worried about feeling sick and food not going down. How much do they put in the fill? Should I ask them to go slow? Need some advice. Thanks :biggrin:

Howdy....from one of the US's fattest city!:eek: I have not had the surgery yet, but am contemplating it. My husbands biggest concern is if something goes wrong. He said he would rather me be overweight than lose me to a complication with this. Has death ever resulted from this.. or severe complications? It seems a lot of people are discontented with their progress after the first couple months. I am just wondering if all in all, this is really worth it? It is a lot of money, and a big change. How easy of a decision was this for ya'll??? Would appreciate any input/advice on making a decision! Thanks!

I will be banded on 3/28/2008. I am starting to get really excited/anxious about my new way of life. But I was wondering... If you had to do all over again what would you do different?

:confused:i have turned all my paper work in and waiting approval however tricare says they will pay 100% i hope they do the other day went to the dr i was 40 bmi and today it was 38 soooo i hope it all works out i have tried several things and nothing has worked just curiuos can anyone tell me from the first getting paper work started how long did it take to have the surgery?

Good Evening, During my doctor appointment this past Monday, which lead to setting up surgery for a hernia, my doctor also set me up with an appointment with another doctor to talk about Lap Band surgery. He first mention the Gastric by-pass surgery, but I told him I did not really want to do something that could not be reversed. At least the Lap Band could be removed. At least this is my understanding at this time. The reason I now have the hernia, is due to having a urstomy (urinary by pass) over 7 years ago. I dont want to have another surgery, to 'fix' one problem that just creates another one down the road. Reducing my weight would help the hernia surgery t…

My story starts back in July 2005 when I was banded by Dr S at Cleveland Clinic Weston, FL. I did lose some weight initially but as I got used to feeling my band the weight loss stopped. I kep getting tight fills but always within two weeks was back to eating everything with no problem. I finally convinced my doc that I was leaking and not staying tight, so he checked and YES it was leaking and not holding a fill. Since I was self pay, I fought with them for months and finally got a brand new band installed in Feb 2007. After all that I was getiing billed for evrything and had to fight more to get the charges finally dropped. I was so disgusted with the whole thing and …

Hello everyone! My name is Michelle and currently im living in Burlington, MA. After thinking about this for a few years and just moving to Mass, I decided to call Lahey Clinic and schedule an appointment. That was in January and already my surgery is all approved and scheduled for March 13!!!! Needless to say Im freaking out a bit since It is going soooo fast!! If anyone is from around here and would like to chat, please contact me. Just moved here and I dont know anyone yet!!

Hello all :glare: I stumbled across this forum several weeks ago & was amazed at what a great resource this is. After all the “try-agains”, I’ve settled on surgery as the last resort tool to help me make this life change for good. Our program here (Grand Forks, ND) is one of, as many put it, “a whole heck of a lot of hoops to go through,”, but I instead see this as a commitment to help ensure the success both before, during, & after banding. These hoops include: mandatory seminar, requests for medical records for the last 5 years from every doctor, appointment with a dietician, appointment with a psychologist, initial bariatric assessment, appointment with surgeon…

Hello! My name is Shannon and I will be getting my banding in March of next year! I cant wait! I finally got my husband to agree that I could get the surgery! Why did I need his approval you ask? He was married before and his wife had gastric and she died 11 months after getting surgery! I am so excited I cant wait! I have never been thin and now this is my chance! Hope everyone is successful in there journey!

Warning this is a bit rambly. Wow. My insurer just announced they are finally covering the band. I have researched and tried to get it for the past 8 years, but gave up hope after being denied twice. So for the past year or two, I've just been drifting along, not overly paying attention to new info on the band, or thinking much about what life would be like being banded. So, now that I have the opportunity, I need to decide if this is still the best option for me (yes!), and if the timing is right (I hope so! I've been praying for a while that the Lord would help me to reach a healthy weight and live a healthy lifestyle, so I would like to believe this is the answer…

I am a self-pay patient who was banded in Nov. 2004. On operation day, I was 240 lbs. I started losing when I got a good 2cc fill in mid-2005. By November 2005, I was 212 lbs. This lasted until Feb. 2006 when I had a vomiting episode and a band slip. They emptied my band, and I gained to 218. As they put some fill back in, I had severe gastric reflux with pain so bad it made me pass out once. They emptied my band again and put me on liquids only for a month. I lost weight on liquids to 207, and was slowly adding fill back to my band through early 2007. In Feb. 2007, at 232 lbs, I got a decent fill (2.2 cc) for the first time in a long while, but after several d…

well, i finally did it! After weeks of just reading posts i decided to join LBT. I just started my journey but am quite excited. I thought i could use the added support from you guys since it's hard to come by from people who don't get it. I have my consult appt. with my Dr. this friday and can't wait!! everything else checked out for me so i may have my surgery set up for March 10...can't believe it's really happening!! i am having to do this "self-pay" becaus my ins. wouldn't cover me. Wish me luck....:biggrin:

:lol:YEAH!! Will be banded 3/21/08. I am very excited go for all labs and ekg 2/28/08. This is all moving really fast I made the decision to have the band last week. Made appt for today found out insurance wouldn't pay for psyc eval. or 1st consult. So I cancelled that appt called a friend who just had it done got the # of the dr. called got the date and appt. All I have to pay is 2 copays of 30$ and $853 for surgery!! I think I have some luck working for me today!! Thanks for listening!

Hello Everyone! I have finally decided to get my life back on track. I spoke to my doctor last Thursday about weight loss surgery and to my amazement she agreed it would be a good thing for me. I am scheduled to attend an informational session on the 17th. I am truly looking forward to it. By the grace of God I have United Health Care and it will pay for my surgery. I am sure I will feel so much better once I lose some of this 223 lbs off of this 4ft 11 body. (smile) I received my package today and boy do they ask a lot of questions. Well, since this will be one of my favorite sites, I wanted to stop in and introduce myself.

Hello to everyone.. My name is Lisa. I wish I could have found this forum before today..lol. I am getting banded tomorrow. I tell you its been tough doing the liquid diet for the past two weeks, but I have made it..yeahh...I have read alot of post here, and thanks to all it has helped me. I used to work in a bariatric clinic, but I knew little about the band... More so on the bypass. I am a little nervous about tomorrow.. not to bad. I guess I am more worried that my liver didn't shrink enough and they would have to open me up..... but I know that is just my fears talking. A little about me. I am retired Navy... I know, I am only 30, but medically retired. I was diagno…

banded 1/30/08 and have had no complications. still able to look at food as fuel and monitor protein especially. do have many times when missing the usual snack or food item is really tough. i pray for ongoing strength to continue making choices that are best for me. this lp deserves to be respected and i am trying to live my best life.

Hi All, I just found out that I have been approved by my insurance company for the lap band surgery. They are going to pay for everything except a $50.00 co-pay! I still have to have the barium swallow, EKG and some bloodwork before I can schedule a surgery date. I am looking forward to being thinner! My only obstacle now is the 2550.00 I have to pay to the surgeon for the after surgery program fee which includes the fills. I have about 100 pounds to lose whuich seems OVERWHELMING!!! I am currently living in Northern Virginia but my home is Colorado.

I am being banded tomorrow. 2/27/08. I am all nerves. I know I am doing the right thing for myself. I know. Yet, I have all these lingering fears. I have always expressed to everyone, especially woman, to love themselves, to embrace their individual size, to not buy in to society's image of beauty...and I still feel this way. I am being banded for my health not my looks, but I still can't help but feel guilt. Dr. Merriman in Louisiana is my surgeon and I have confidence in him and his staff, but I fear complications because they drill the possibility in your head. I am scared, nervous, excited, guilty, anxious, happy, fearfull, stressed, and somewhat overwhelmed…

Hello to Everyone, I am really a beginner, my lap-band surgery is scheduled for March 25, yes I'm excited but at the same time scared, not due to what is going to be done etc, my concern is the weight loss not happening, it is very VERY hard for me to lose weight now, I just don't eat, I had my psch evaluation last Friday and she even ask me, if you don't eat now, how do you expect to lose weight with the lap band surgery, I usually eat just one meal a day and that is it, I suppose my question is to all of you, have any of you out there that has had the surgery been in my shoes and after the surgery did you lose weight etc??? I will be a cash pay, and that is a lot of c…

Hi, My name is Eulete Patrick. I am currently separated from my husband and I have one son named Tommy. He means the world to me and is my motivation behind me getting healthy. I am an Accountant and I love what I do. Weight has been an issue for many years and I have tried Weight Watchers and succeeded to reach goal, but, then I gained it back and more. I never considered the gatric bypass because I thought it was too dangerous. However, around August 3, 2007 I was watching the news, a lap-band commercial came on and I liked what I heard. I went to work and on my lunchbreak I started researching to find out all I could about the lap band. Then, I went to the se…

I had my surgery yesterday. I can't believe how good I am feeling. I finally feel like I am going to succeed on my weight lose goals.

I made the first appt for the consult for banding. This was a HUGE step for me as I was always so ashamed of my weight and not being able to control it. I have my first apt on March 7.....can't wait but still scared to death too. The first half of my life I have been heavy....so here's to my second half of my life!!

Just went to see the Doctor today and got my surgery date. I am going to be banded April 15th at 12 p.m. Cann't wait. Just wanted to share my exciting news. Thanks for listening and giving advice. Chilly :smile2:

Im getting ready for surgery i got my medical clearence today,but i have been eating everything . why im doing this is beyoned me:ohmy: Any one have any answers and i woried that im going to fail .

Hi Everbody! I am really interested in this surgery. I have so many questions I just don't even know how to start. First of all-I do not have insurance...I live near Knoxville, TN...do you know of any great doctors there for this? Also-did I read I could be financed for this? I am a single mother to two kids so I wonder about recovery time? I do have lots of help though during the healing time. How long does it take to get started on this and actually have the surgery? and then how long until you are allowed to lift things? sorry so many questions...I see a glimmer of hope and I am so excited to check back tomorow for your responses. Thank you so much ahead of time! :thum…

Hello All ! What a wonderful site! I am excited to look around, get to know some of you, find some friends who "understand" my thoughts, fears, expectations - and best of all, to help me find answers about my contemplation of lap band surgery! Looking forward to getting to know ya! WannaBeMeAgain:thumbup:

I just was banded a week ago. It was not covered and am in debt for a couple of years. Bypass is covered but not done in my province so I'd have to travel away from my family.So decided to stay here near my family and the doctor that does the procedure too. I feel that it is safer and the healthier way to go.Just will be tighter in my stomach and pocket:lol:. Anyway I'm doing okay its just the staples are driving me nuts.Forgot to ask about that would have much preferred stitches seeing as I go back to work before they come out:ohmy:. Does anyone one else have pain when they hiccop and berp,its not unbearable I just wonder if I can do something to help stop it or less…

Hi everyone, My name is Abby and I live in New Orleans. I just went to a seminar about the Lap Band and decided to go ahead with the surgery. I have already applied with my insurance co and have been denied twice. My BMI is 37. I have high blood pressure and sleep apnea. I use a CPap machine when I sleep. Cigna says I don't have serious enough problems. Even after the appeal, I was turned down. So, I will just pay for the surgery myself. I figure its a very good investment. I'm almost 60 and plan to work another 10 years. After that, I have lots of plans for some fun. I want to be in shape so that I'll have energy to do all the things that I would like to do. …

Hello Everyone I wanted to introduce myself and say good luck to everyone. I will be getting banded on March 3 and i am very nervous. I am addicted to food and this preop diet is killing me! if anyone out there has any input on this preop nightmare please let me know I am not alone. thanks

Hi, I'm new! After doing some research, I think the band is the way to go for me, I still have numerous questions and welcome any advice. First, I'm 40 (ugh) basically healthy, and fall in the 33 BMI range. (need to lose about 80 lbs) I don't know what is considered a co-morbidity, but I don't have any serious problems other than hypoglycemia (which I should be managing with diet, but don't). Do I have a chance to get any insurance coverage? I have pacificare PPO otherwise I guess I'm a self-pay. My biggest question that I haven't been able to answer by lurking on the LBT is where are all the people that have been banded long-term? Can you re-gain weight with the…