Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

My name is Janel. I have just started the process of getting the Lap Band. I can not wait to hear all your stories and meet people that are right there with me! I am married...will be 8 years in March. My husband, Rodney, just had the Vertical Sleeve done in September (another type pf weight loss surgery.) He has lost a total of 130 lbs. We have a 4 year daughter named Emma. I can not wait to be able to keep up with her. I currently weigh about 355...man I can not believe I just admitted to that to people I do not even know. Seems weird. I am so sick of body pain. I want to be a good example to my daughter and heck be here to watch her grow. Can not wait to…

hi,my doctor said i should think about having the gastric by pass instead of :frown:the lap band due to health reasons. he feels the weight lose is slow with the lap band. please help.

:thumbup:Hi my name is Mike. I am getting banded tomorrow at 11:30. I live in Chaska Minnesota with my wife and two beautiful daughters. I am a police officer. I am 31 years old and started my journey at 370lbs. I am 350 lbs now. I am very exited about my surgery. I want to thank all of the posters. They make it easier to cope with all the emotions I am going through. Reading all the threads calms me down and I look forward to posting my successes. I am on day 2 of the clear liquid diet. Thats not fun, but worth it. Well there it is. I will get back ASAP.:mad:

:omg: Does anyone have dentures and if so does it affect your ability to chew food well enough? Do you have problems with food getting "stuck" alot? Please help !! Thank You !!

Hello Everyone, My first seminar was last year and I was so going to pay for it but my financial situation did not allow it. I have a different job now, UHC and they cover pending approval. I meet all the requirements, got a letter from my Dr, bloodwork, EKG, Chest Xray, psych eval and just have to go to the nutritionist. My surgery is scheduled at Valley Hospital in Ridgewood NJ on 3/19 with Dr.Gritsus (staff and Dr seem to be great and very sincere) Considering the surgery is scheduled it seems they think I should get approved. The staff there knows what they are looking for and sent me for everything before getting approval and they said UHC generally takes 30 d…

Hello.... I just wanted to introduce myself... my name is Michelle, I just finished all the pre-op tests and am currently playing the waiting game on insurance approval When I do get the approval (fingers crossed) my doctor is Dr. Kolenich in Greenville, Pa. :wave: , Shell

Hello All- I have read many messages here, but never posted. My PCP has given me a referral and I have my first appointment with my surgeon (Dr T at BWH in Boston) on2/27/08. I cannot wait, but am terrified of not getting insurance approval. I have Harvard Pilgrim HMO - the plan and my employer allow for bariatric surgery and do not appear terribly strict on the requirements, but becuase I want this so badly, I am sure that something will prevent me from getting approval. I have been thinking about this surgery for more than 5 years. A girlfriend went to Mexico to have it done then and watching her lose weight effortlessly made me soooo jealous. However, I also w…

For me the journey to having lap band surgery started back in December when I went to see my new cardiologist because I was having heart problems again and while I was talking to him he asked if anyone had ever recommended weight loss surgery because I have a problem keeping weight off. I replied no and he referred me to a weight loss surgeon here in Northern Kentucky that he works with from time to time. Fast forward to Jan. My appointment with the weight loss surgeon was scheduled for Jan 24 and prior to that I had already been back to the cardiologist office and found out that I have to have surgery again to correct the issue with my heart. I met with Dr. Sonnanstine o…

I don´t know what to do anymore, first I took me 1year and 8 months to make up my mind that I have no choice but to do something drastic in my life to change my eating habbits and lose weight or I´m not going to be arround much longer, but the closer I get to choosing a doctor the more confusing it gets, any advise...

Hi I'm Ramona from SoCal, My LB is set up for 2/29/08. My insurance denied me and getting other insurance required a waiting period of 6 months and possibly another 6 months of meeting with a nutritionist. I went through a service called Elective medical lending and was financed for the surgery. My question is since the weight loss is much slower than Gastric Bypass. Has anyone expierienced alot of loose skin and women sagging breast:thumbdown:

I didn't think I'd EVER be able to say that everything was complete and ready to turn over to my insurance company, but it IS!!!!! I just got a call from the surgeon's office and it was officially submitted yesterday!! Now I just wait. The coordinator believes that I will be approved and hopefully should hear something in the next couple of weeks! I could be banded as soon as 4-5 weeks! I am just so excited to have gotten over the appointments/paperwork/pulling it all together hump!! Yay!!

:sleep:I am thinking of getting the lap band but have no insurance. I am considering getting insurance for the surgery but am wondering if its considered pre-existing or if there is a waiting period to cover it. Has anyone else had this dilemma?

Hi everyone, my name is Christine and I want to thank everyone for all this great information. Reading the information has really settled my nerves about this process. Only 5 more days!!:mad:

Hi everyone, I'm so glad I found this forum. I'm getting banded this Friday(2/15). I've struggled with my weight since childhood and it took me a while before I made my decision to have surgery. I'm at the highest weight I've ever been and after trying everything I knew this was right for me. And I have a 2 year old to run after. I see some other people here have gotten banded by Dr. Eric Pinnar. He's doing my surgery too. He's a cool Dr. very comfortable to be around. I'm glad he's gotten good feedback:thumbup:. Anyway.....I'm excited and nervous but ready. Take care everyone:biggrin:

:cursing: Hi Everyone My name is April and this is my first post to introduce myself. I am looking forward to reading the many posts in this forum. I was recently a finalist in the Trimspa Challenge where I lost 85 lbs. I entered the contest because I wanted to win money, more than lose weight. Since losing the weight (and gaining it all back), I have decided it was nicer being 85 lbs thinner, so I want to lose that weight again, and more. It was excruciating, however, losing and maintaining the weight loss. Never feeling full was a feeling I could not live with. I am hoping that the lapband will fill in that missing "puzzle piece" for me. How I feel is very important…

How can I find a Dr. that accepts medicare in the Phoenix AZ area?

I am on pins and needles waiting for insurance approval from BCBS of Minnesota. Was told by my doctor's office manager that I would hear within 14 days. All paperwork was submitted on 1/29. Got a call yesterday saying that they needed some sort of documentation to prove that I actually had tried a diet plan in the last couple of years. (For some reason there were very few weights documented in my clinic file over the last 10 years...even though I discussed my weight issues with my GP numerous times). Was able to find a receipt from NutriSystem and provide it for them. Anyway, since that phone call I have been in a panic thinking that maybe the insurance company w…

I'm scheduled for surgery tomorrow and I've suddenly started freaking out. Please pray for me! I know most of you have been through it already and don't think it's that big a deal, but I'm worried sick! Thanks all of you for your support! :biggrin:

Ok, I attended the mandated seminar today and now I'm 110% sure i want the Lap Band. I learned a lot and I'm not scared any more of the surgery or the anesthesia, but.....I am disappointed. BC/BS requires a 6 month doctor surpervised weight loss/ suggestion plan. That stinks!! I have a question...I've been seeing a Psychiatrist for years who has prescribed meds for me to lose weight and knew I was on WW, but nothing worked. Can he write me a letter? I wouldn't be once a month for 6 months but it may be one every 3 months for a few years. Do you think the ins would accept that? I know he'd write me a letter.....HELP???!!!

:smile: Hello everyone. I had the lap band done in June of 2002 and lost 207 lbs, but then over the last 2 years, put 70 back on. I went back to by Dr (Dr Jeffrey Holloway, whom I love) and started having fluid put back in my band, only to have it all taken out again due to a hiatal hernia, which I had fixed Jan 29, 2008 and also had the band moved to make the pouch smaller. I have lost 9 lbs in the last 2 weeks and am looking forward to having fluid put back in my band to help me towards getting back to my goal weight. I have had absolutely no problems with my band and I love it. It has been a great life safer for me (literally)

Anyone here from Maine? My surgeon is Dr. McKee in Augusta. Very nice bedside manner. My appointment was mainly focused on my questions, the port location, and the proceedure itself. I am very happy where I am going! I'd like to hear from anyone else in Maine on this site!!

Tonight is my seminar night! I am sooo excited! Wish me luck! Does anyone know the the approximate time from seminar to surgery if there are no insurance issues??:biggrin:

I grew up in the Windy City where eating is a way of life. pizza every Friday and every event revolves around food. I was an overweight child and grew into an overweight adult. Lots of diets. Many bad eating habits. I was never huge, just big. I decided after having kids and c-sections that weight loss was too hard to do alone. I liked the idea of gastric bypass, but didn't like the method. Then I saw banding and knew that was for me. The job I had at the time didn't cover any weight loss. What a croc. I didn't want to pay for the banding seeing that it was going to cost upwards of $20K. I waited and got a job where it was covered. I was nervous about g…

Hi,I have just been approved for surgery later in February. I do have questions, is it hard to stay on liquids for 6 weeks after surgery, will I be hungry?, does this really effect your brain emotionally?, will my craving for sweets go away?, does this really work? I have struggled so many years with weight loss and now it affects my health daily. I just want to feel better and have a good quality of life. Please give me some honest feedback. Thanks

I'm just north of Houston, in the Woodlands Area. Although I previously posted here, I thought I'd kinda re-intro myself as it's been awhile since I did so. I plan on being a more active member :smile: I'm a 38 year old mother of a beautiful 8 month old baby girl. Having battled this beast of a thing called "weight" since childhood, the overwhelming desire to see my daughter grow up has truly renewed my spirit to draw on all resources to win! My husband is VERY supportive and we know that this will be a drastic change - for both of us. Now.. The GOOD news! After a very big let-down...I just want to jump for joy! Our new (as of Jan 08) insurance, BCBS-…

I was just banded Jan. 7 and have lost 22 lbs. so far. I go for my first fill in 2 weeks. I bit nervous about that. Dr. Feteiha here in NJ has been great, their office is great too. :biggrin2:

I never thought I would even consider this surgery, but now I can't wait to get started. Im in Raleigh NC and have an appointment with Dr. Joseph Moran on the 26th of Feb. I go to the information session tonight and have already started all the paperwork for insurance. How long is a normal wait period between consult and actual surgery? Also, I am borderline on the BMI, I actually fluctuate weekly between 39 and 40 within 5 lbs. (and I do have high blood pressure) should I be concerned about this as far as being approved? Is anyone out there in the Raleigh area thinking of the surgery or post op? And do you really have to give up carbonated drinks? lol yi…

Hi, my name is Lisa and I was banded in Columbia on 1/30/2008 by Dr. James Givens at Lexington Medical Center. He is with Riverside Surgical (SC Obesity Surgery Center). LMC is a center of excellence. I have done GREAT! My highest weight in my life was 342. When I went for my first consult appt I was at 326. I have Humana Gold Choice Medicare Advantage plan as I am on disability for bipolar disorder and I was approved. It took a while because Humana dropped the ball. They had my paperwork for months and didn't know it. During those months I was back and forth as to whether I really wanted to do this or not. Finally, I just decided I had had enough being fat and …

Hi all! I am kelly....I am still in the research stage...:thumbup: ...trying to decide if this is the route I want to go.... Actually I know this is the way I want to go... My husband is the "research it for 6 months" king.... i am 5'2 and weigh about 230.... Anyone have an exceptional dr in the dallas area they could reccommend?:smile2: Kelly

Hi, I joined the forum as part of my learning about bariatric surgery options. I hope to learn how well it has worked for folks. What are the good, the bad, and the uglies I need to consider on this journey. I am excited to find this forum and hope to learn a lot and make some new friends as well. Susan

My first appointment is scheduled for February 13th. Is there anything you folks would say I should make sure about asking that you wish you had found out early on?

Hi!! I'm so excited after reading through all the posts! I was banded 1 week ago from today and I'm down 10lbs!! I'm doing well and have adjusted pretty easily. I'm looking forward to getting to know some of you through this site and I'm so excited there is a place to read through others experiences and learn.

Hi All! I've reading over the posts for the past week or so, but have never posted. I have decided to get the Lab Band. I am attending the seminar on Wednesday night and making my surgeon appointment then too. I am SO excited but SO scared! I really want to do this, I really NEED to do this, then why am I so darn nervous? I've never had surgery (except for a C-Section) and I was never under anesthesia, and that's what is making me nervous. Any suggestions on getting over this feeling?

Feb. 25th is the end of my 6 month weight loss program. The next step is waiting on approval from the insurance company. I am hoping someone out there has the same insurance and can give me an idea on how long it took them to approve the surgery??? Thanks

Hi. I'm Lori, I'm 23 years old, and I live in Goddard, KS. I was banded on January 18th and had lost 13 pounds in the first 5 days. I weighed in at my pre-op at 327, and the day of surgery at 331. As of 2/12/2008, I have lost 31 pounds. I was banded by Dr. Niazy Selim of the Weight Loss Surgical Center in Overland Park, KS. He, by the way, was the kindest, most gentle man I've ever met. I had a wonderful experience at WTLSC, and they treated me like family. If I had to go through it again I would feel completely comfortable with the team up there... they were wonderful! I did experience some dry heaving coming out of anesthesia, but haven't had any problems wit…

I am excited by how simple this process has been. I filled out all the forms online. I even took my psych evaluation online. They approved my insurance much quicker than I thought they would. I wish that the entire process could have been as easy. When I originally decided to have the surgery, I started at another hospital and found that my insurance did not cover WLS. I checked into my wife's policy and they covered it so I changed policies. The funny thing is that both of our employers have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana. I returned to the hospital with my new insurance card and I was told that BCBS did not cover WLS even though I had called and verified everyth…

Hi. My name is Allison and I live in western MA. I started researching the band a while ago, I want to say maybe 4 or 5 months. For me it has been a long journey in that for the most part I wasn't getting anywhere. At the time I made the decision that this is what I wanted to do I had a different insurance so I didn't need a primary care's referral, but I wanted to talk with him just the same. Unfortunately the poor man has been out for a while so I didn't have a chance to talk with him. In the meantime I signed up for a seminar which was in October. I got a call and was able to get in with the surgeon at the end of November. By this time I was very excited until …

I'm new to this site & really looking forward to all the advice & support from members who have had gastric-band surgery :tt2: I have had my consultation & due to go for surgery in april 08 & feel really positive about it. Hello to everyone out there :mad: Gingercat in cold UK

I am going to a information lecture this week, the first step in the journey towards getting lap band surgery. I was wondering if anyone could tell me what kind of pre-op hoops that need to be jumped through. Do you have to go on a diet first? What kind of tests need to be done? What do the insurance companies require? Any advice would be welcome. It's all new to me.

Hi everyone.. I found my way to these boards today, and wanted to do a quick intro..and then start reading!! I've been trying to make up my mind if this is the right thing to do.. and I really think it is. I'm going to a seminar at my local hospital next Tuesday night and I can't wait to hear more about it..and get this ball rolling! I called my insurance company and they said that they will cover me 100% with the correct BMI and a letter from my primary care giver..so i'm going to make an appointment with my doctor this week too. I'm weighing in at about 218 these days, and since i'm only 5'1 ..that puts my bmi at a nice round 40.something.. so I think I should …

Hello everyone. I'm from southern california and am in the process of hopefully being banded soon. Have to see the psyc and dietician in the next two weeks. Then hopefully insurance will cover it. Waiting is very hard. I would do it tomorrow if I could. Has anyone here been banded by Dr. Johnsrud at St. Joseph hospital? Thanks

Hello everyone. I am a new member to this forum. I am from NJ. I will be attending a seminar on Thursday. I am nervous and excited. I am hoping insurance will cover this. I would love any feedback from anyone about how long it took before insurance ok'd or denied the surgery. I would also love to hear from anyone who has recently had the surgery to see how it is going. Thank you!!:scared2:

Hello Peeps, I am so glad I found this site. I have used the chat section and it worked wonders for me - though I am anxious for my band procedure, I am also very excited. I have chatted with bansters from all over the country and they were so supportive and have received valuable, wonderul advices from their vast experiences. If you have not been in the chat room, I hope to see you there! I am getting banded on Feb 27, 2008. I have always been "chubby" and "plump" ever since I could remember. I was active in school and played in team sports but I was always overweight. I am an expert yo-yo dieter. Name me a diet, I have probably done it more than once in my lifetime…

Hi, Just joining to today. Was banded 10/15/07. Lost 10 lbs and no progress after that. I am about to have my 3rd fill next Friday. I am so fustrated at this point. I exercise everyday and I eat right. I keep asking myself, "What is going on?" Trying to hang on and taking on one day at a time.:wink2::scared2:

Hi! This is my first time posting. I was just approved for LapBand and my surgery date is March 13th, 2008. My surgeon is Dr. Eid in Pittsburgh. I am a little nervous. I will have a 2 night hospital stay and be off of work for 2-4 weeks. Any words of wisdom or encouragment will be greatly appreciated.:eek:

:cursing: Did anyone here stuggle with decision of band vs. bypass? Hi everyone! I'm new to this site. I posted this as part of a thread yesterday and haven't gotten a response, so I'm trying again as a new thread. I'm sure that all surgeons handle the process differently, but after nearly a year I have finally jumped through my hoops and have been scheduled for surgery on feb. 25, I have 2 appts with my surgeon between now and then as well as a slew of addittional appointments with nurses and classes and pre-opp stuff. I haven't actually met my surgeon yet. Weird in a medical way, but seems to be fairly normal in the weight-loss surgery world I;ve heard. Has a…

My doctor just approved me for the lap band! Now I have to go to the seminars and start the tests. I'm really excited, especially since my insurance is paying. :scared2: I've been struggling with my weight since puberty and nothing seemed to work. The most I've ever lost was 30 lbs on the Atkins diet. But I plateaud and, again, gained it back and more. I just had a baby 2006, so that left even more weight to go! I really want to be a positive role model for my daughter. Young women have enough body issues of their own without their mother adding to it. The only thing I'm worried about is excess skin. I'm young, so that might help, plus I'm going to invest in some good bod…

Good morning-I had the operation-in Huntsville Al-August 15-1997-and wish I could have had it 30 years ago.My weight at time of the operation was 297 lbs.Its allmost six months-and My present weight is 238.But that is not the big story.before I was tired all the time-Mostly sat on my butt-I am 70 years old and felt 97.:scared2: But now I am alive again.I have lots of energy.I can breath easier-No more Blood pressure problems,no more blood suger problems-I am off those medications.:tt2:No more diets-my goal is 190 pounds-and I will make it--I walk,I swim laps, and work out on the fitlinxx machines at the YMCA. My life is good... Smitty

I was banded on February 1. All is going well so far, though I'm a little sick of liquids already. When I went for my pre-op appointment, there was a woman there for her four week checkup, and she had already lost 35 pounds! She may have had to be on the pre-op diet longer than I was because of a higher BMI. I only had to do it for a week and a half. Anyone know what kind of loss I can expect in the immediate future?

Hello Everyone, My Name is Joe and a I was banded on 1/08/08. At 38 yrs old, I've lived with high blood pressure for most of my life and primary care was not something I sought up until about 4 years ago when my wife asked me to get a physical. At this stage in my life I am beginning to see feel the effects of high plood pressure and obesity on my livelyhood. My doctor warned me that diabetes would be next if I continued my current lifestyle. Thats was when reality knocked at my door and I decided it was time to confront my demons. I started the process back on June 7, 2007 when I attended my first Lap Band informational meeting. Today, I began phase 3 of the post op …