Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I'm pretty excited! After finding out about a month ago that my insurance excluded WLS from my plan, I've been investigating self-pay options. I hated to go through a finance plan, but ultimately it is what DH and I decided to do. Anyway, I have all that worked out and today, I spoke with my physician's office and have a surgery date: 2/28! I am going Wednesday for all the pre-op stuff and then I am all set. I cannot believe this is really happening!

Hi,everyone. I'm new to this site. I have an appointment for a lap band seminar Feb.26. I'm very excited,and hoping this will change my life. I've had problems with my weight for 10 years,before that,none at all. I have some health problems,and from what I have read,this surgury could help those improve as well. Could someone explain to me how this works,as far as being approved? Thank you.:smile2:

Hello all. I was banded April 3, 2007. I have lost 102 pounds to date :thumbup:and would like to lose about 30 more. If I can be of assistance to anyone with questions, please feel free to ask!

Hi everyone! My name is Lily and I just got banded this week on 2/6/08. I just started my full liquids today and so far I'm doing pretty good. I love that I found this site because I really need friends that have been through this so I can bounce questions off of! I'm so scared of learning to eat and drink now that I'm banded...I'm afraid of the throwing up part and discovering the pain of possibly eating too much? I would love to get to know as many people as possible...so please message me back! :thumbdown: Thanks! Lily

I just received my approval from insurance and have scheduled surgery on 3-215-08. Anybody out there who has been banded by Dr. Higa in Fresno, Ca.? Can't wait!!!:smile2:

HI i HAVE MY FRIST APPT ON FEB 19 2008 WITH DR.OLIAK IN ORANGE CA, IT TOOK MY INS 15 DAYS TO APPROVE ME.i HAVE BEEN LOOKING INTO LAPBAND A YEAR PRIOR .AFTER ALL THE INFO i READ ABOUT LAPBAND, i FELT HOPE THAT THIS MIGHT WORK FOR ME.iAM A STAY AT HOME MOM FOR THE LAST 13 YEARS ,i THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL THE POST i FEAL i HAVE A PLACE TO GO WERE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND ME.:thumbup: ????? WHAT SHOULD i EXPECT FOR MY FRIST APPT????:eek:

Hello everyone, I'm new to posting to this site, but I've been lurking for a while now and figured it was about time that I introduce myself. I'm going through the pre-banding process now, with the initial surgical consult, and the psych evaluation behind me. I have the physical, dietary, and behavior classes scheduled over the next month. I'm hoping to be scheduled for the first part of March for the banding. I'm having the procedure done in Springfield Mo by Dr. Edwards. I've read a lot of good things about him and his staff and he made a very good first impression, so I feel that I'm in the very capable hands. I drive a truck over the road for a living, which h…

I am self pay due to poor insurance here in wa state,, bmi of 39 I am wondering if any one has used Dr rodreguez in Monteray mex please give some info .... thanks ,,,,

Hi, I'm new to this forum. I am from NC. I was banded Oct 1, 2007 in TJ, MX by Dr. Ortiz. I have lost 50 pounds (including my pre-op diet), and I love my band! I have never had any trouble with it. I have had 3 fills and I'm at 3.3 cc's and I have pretty good restriction. I think maybe in another few months I will go in for another adjustment to try to REALLY get to me "sweet spot". I will be going back to TJ around my one year bandiversary to have a fill under flouro, just to be sure all is OK with everything!

Hey everyone, I am Alisa. I am 20 and live in the Richmond, VA area. I have been on the boards at obesityhelp.com but there has been a lot of fighting about what surgery is the best over there, and I wanted to come here and meet new people and see how lapbandtalk.com is =) I haven't had my surgery. Right now I am battling with Aetna to get approved, and I can't wait! Hope everyone is having a great day!

Okay so I got everything in to Dr. Rivas and come to find out...I do not have the proper documentation for the 6 months excer/diet program. ARGH!!! I have to start all over again. I could just cry. So here we go again...starting all over. :cursing:

Hello everyone I am Suzanne and am 36yrs old. I had a gastric band fitted on 19 Jan and am awaiting my first fill on 17March 08. I am very pleased with my band and have about 140lbs to lose!

I have been contemplating all kinds of way to "FINALLY" get my weight under control. I decided that before my next birthday (october) I would get things straight. Diets haven't worked and I'm tired of rebounds that result in more weight. I'm 5'2" and 203 now the biggest I've ever been other then 9 months pregnate with my daughter and 212. I go to my seminar on 2/20/08 and have already decided to use the same doctor that did my gall bladder surgery, Dr. Bautista in Richmond, VA, he is so down to earth, honest and funny. I'll be keeping my posts going though my journey.

Hey Hey Everyone! I came to this site a year ago and looked around. Then I stopped thinkin about getting banded. In that time found out my mom has to have a liver transplant due to a gene she carries which causes Alpha 1 Antitripsyn. :tt1: She met with her transplant doc last week and he told her if her children were obsese that we were likely to bring it out in us. :wub: He then recommended the LapBand for her to lose weight. So she calls me and wants me to research it for her...so here I am again.. Although this time....Im READY to get banded myself. :thumbup:Im still reading all the threads and getting as much info. Im calling insurance again next week. Bu…

Hi All, just found the site tonight as I am being banded on 2/18/08 by Dr. Lopez. As the date gets closer and closer I find myself staying up later and later trying to find every little detail that I can before the big day! Glad to see so many close on here. I am from Oak Grove and I saw some of you that are real close. Nice to have support!

Hi everyone!I'm thrilled to have found this site.I was Banded 11-5-2002.My Dr. is Clifton Thomas in Nacogdoches,Texas.I started out at 267.I'm down to 188 goal is 146.I have had up and downs.Without much support its been tough.But to have found a site were EVERYONE understands what we all are going thru:thumbup: is GREAT!

Hi Everyone, Everyday I change my mind on whether I'm going to do this or not. I'm sort of a obsesser anyway, but I am driving my self batty on this one. I'm 47, 5'6", 225 lbs., BMI 36. I have no health issues from my weight, other than aching feet. (I'm sure the arthritis in my knees from years of playing sports would be better if they were'nt having to carry around this weight) I take no medicine, and live a pretty active life. I hate being out of breath, not being able to wear decent looking clothes, and eating out of control. I hate being fat. I'm so scared about how much my life will change with this surgery. I can count on one hand how many times I've had hea…

I have posted a few times on other forums, but I am a beginner here. I have recently started the process of what will hopefully lead to me getting approved for LB. I am currently on the three month supervised diet required by my insurance company. I am seeing Dr. Garth Davis (Big Medicine) for my surgery. I was worried about getting approved (you never know w/insurance), but I think I now have a pretty good chance. I am 5'6 and 255, BMI 41. I had a sleep study done and they called yesterday to tell me I do have sleep apnea. Not that it is good, but I do know it will help my chances. I have to have my CPAP study/fitting tomorrow. I can just add that diagnosis to high c…

Hi all! I've just started this whole process. I have my referral appointment tomorrow. Just wanted to say this forum has really started easing my fears. You are all an inspiration!

Hello Ya'll: I am a 30 year old female from Florida who moved to southern Georgia about a year ago. I am pretty sure that I was googling my chunky butt off when I came across this forum. I am thrilled to death that I found it thought. The pictures on here are simply amazing!!! I can only hope tp have such results. I have not been banded yet. If all goes well, I will have the surgery done on 2/25/08, here in GA, with Dr. Bagnato. I think that he has done over 500 of these procedures. I have never had a single surgery in my entire life. So yeah, I am kinda nervous as hell right now. I hope all goes well. take care. Thanks for having me. Drop me a …

Hi I just found this board today and how nice it is and needed for me right now. I had surgery 5/29/07 starting at 308 lbs at my highest I was at 268 prior to surgery. I am now down 58 lbs. after a very tumultuous year to be able to loose weight was a huge success for me. I am looking forward to getting to know you all a little better. Thank you for being here!

Hi all, Just found your forum and thought it might be a good place for support. Consultation was in January, waiting for approval from insurance co. Hope for good news soon!!! :eek:

Hi- I live in Northern CA and am thinking about surgery. I've been struggling with my weight since I was about 6 or 7 and went on my first diet at 13. A few years ago, I decided that I wasn't going to diet any more but just listen to my body and see what happens. I think my relationship with food is much better than it used to be because of that, but my weight hasn't changed. Until recently I was one of those people who are prejudiced about this surgery. It seemed like cheating. But two things happened. First, my neighbor got it and not only has he lost weight, but he looks so much HEALTHIER. You can see he has more energy and his face isn't so red any more. I was …

Hi! My name is Rondi. As of last Friday I scheduled my surgery date. March 18th. Now it's time for all the tests and such. I am private pay. My insurance does not cover any weight loss surgeries so I'm on my own. Thank God for American Express!:thumbup: I don't know how much I will post, but be sure that I will be lurking around reading every else's posts. So far am learning a lot and I am very thankful that I found you all! Rondi - waiting to be banded

Hi Everyone, I was just banded on Feb 7th and I have to tell you I am still in pain. My shoulder feels pinched all the time and when I sleep everything tightens up so my husband has to help me sit up in the morning or I can't move. Anyone else feel this much pain? When can I expect it to go away? I also don't know if I am hungry half the time, am I hungry or is that pain? If I am hungry what should I eat and if I am not hungry will I hurt something if I eat? As you can see I am a bit befuddled, I don't do pain well!!:thumbup:

:thumbup: Hey Everyone my name is Tamie, my sis and myself have been given a wonderful opertunity we are both looking to be banded by the end of march, we are both participating in a clinical trial. The only stipulation has been I started out at 351 and was told I had to be at 311 before they would do the surgary well i am glad to say on my on I am down to 326. Woot it has been hard but i am doing it. I would like to get to know yall and make some great new friends both near and far.:eek:

I have noted a lot of geographic variation among forum members, but I've yet to see anyone from MN. Has anyone had their surgery done at U of M? I'm set to be banded April 10.

hello i am a 61 years old and Iam planning on having lapband serg as soon as I can get it scheduled. Iam going thru the long process to get approved i am just beginning though.Ihave readybegib to collect my old medical records and to get them faxed to the surgeon and have already contacted my insurance companies.They will pay 100% for their part both humanna and medicare.Itcovers weight loss surgery.if it is a medical necessities. My BMI is 49.9 Iam100 pounds over weight also plus Ihave some co-morbidities such as diabetes highb.p high cholesterol.arthritis inmy knees i also have fibromyalgia. I HAVE aproblem with depression and incontience. :thumbup:

The weather is beautiful, the birds are singing, my family is gathered around a homemade peach cobbler.. and I'm at home alone. I was banded on 2/04/08. It has been easy and nearly pain free. Today I am a lil blue about the future, and feeling sorry for myself that I can't enjoy the food that I once did, and angry with myself that I'm not enjoying anything else! I don't know anyone that has gone through this before and don't have much of a support system sooooo.. I was hoping to meet some new friends on here that would help me get through this trying time. So whadda ya say? Friends?

I am at the researching point in this journey, and anxious to hear ideas and information about the process of lapbanding and the life that follows. In looking at some of the forum topics, it seems there will be a lot of information on this site! Any comments are welcome. Joann:smile:

Just made my requirements for insurance,what a pain in the butt! They require 6 months consect. pcp visits and many additional hoops. Thats fine it`s been very informative. The group that does my surgery requires a loss of 10 pounds. Buy working my butt off I`ve lost 31 pounds, hope that shows my dedication. Im hoping to get a call from thier dietician any time, staying positive.

Hi, I am Lori and I am in the Charlotte area. I have a 26 month old daughter, I am a single mom and work full time. I am in pretty good health but I have always struggled with my weight. I have thought about gastric for years but only the bypass. I have recently been researching the band and have gone to the Dr's to have the procedure preformed. I am approved by the Dr and the nutritionist but I am pending the Psychologist and insurance approval. I have my psych appt Monday morning and I believe that should go ok but of course I am not 100% certain. While I know the Dr's office and nutritionist support the surgery, I wonder if there will be an issue on the psych or insura…

Hi there! I was just banded on 2/7/08 and this website really helped me make my decision to do it. My highest weight ever which was several years ago was 402 lbs. I freaked when I saw that number and starved myself under 400. I have stayed around 380 lbs. for several years. My pre surgery weight was 369 lbs. on the morning of 2/7/08. I absolutely love the before and after pictures. They are sooo encouraging. I took my before pic on Wednesday night before surgery and will be posting it as soon as I can. My best friend and I had surgery together to be each others support. I look forward to meeting many people on here and learning about their experiences.

NewBee...NooBee...regardless how you spell it - here i am...best friend is my surgeon - all the confidence in the world in the procedure - but have failed miserably with the pre-op diet...2 liquids per day and a minute "real" meal - banding on monday combined with gallbladder - biggest worry is being able to stick to the week of liquids only - any suggestions...secrets on making liquid taste good - looking forward to the support, thanks in advance. best to all - jack

Hi My name is Cindy, I got got my referral sent in to the bariatric surgery center that my health plan Kaiser uses. I am just in the beginning stages and I am waiting, and reading and waiting and reading. I love online forums for support. They are so so very helpful to me because I can pop on at any time and read or see encouraging words. a little about me: I am a 37 year old mom of a fiesty toddler named Tabitha (hence the username ) I went through 3 years of infertility treatments and 3 miscarriages to get her. All those drugs and the depression that comes along with infertility and I packed on 80 pounds easily in 3 years. I currently weigh 260 which is 30 LBS…

Hi everyone. I am 31 years old, 5'4 and 230 pounds...I just found out a few days ago that my BMI is 39. I have been married for 4 years and have a two year old active boy. I don't have any medical problems yet...and i say yet because at the rate i am going i am sure i am headed down that route. I have always been a little fuller in the bottom area but I did not have weight problems i think until i start college. The weight just kept adding on. My brothers paid for jenny craig for a few months and for a gym...i am on a roll and then i stop and gain it back. You name it...i have done it. BUT i am the heaviest i have been now...what scares me that i feel that i have rea…

Hi everyone. I am very discouraged right now. I becan the process in May 07 and have not yet been approved by insurance. I am 150 lbs overweight, diabetic, high BP, high cholesterol, acid reflux, the whole bit! I am feeling like a failure and need some encouragement. I rely on God and think maybe this surgery is not supposed to happen afterall. I just can't believe that God would want me to feel or look like this. He made my body and I have ruined it!

Hi, I've been reading posts on this site for a couple months now, and have decided it time for me to join and introduce myself. After a final dietitian appointment this week, my request for surgery will be submitted to insurance. With a BMI >50, and plenty of co-morbidities (type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, hyptertension) I meet all the requirements. I'm hoping for surgery by the end of this month or early March. Haven't yet had my appointment with my surgeon - that will be the last step before surgery, but I've been to the dietitian and psychologist and gotten all the preliminary records, etc. Like many others who have posted here, I have been considering this for …

I'm new... I've actually been on the site a lot lately, but wasn't sure when my surgery date was so I didn't want to post yet. Didn't want to jinx anything. My surgery date is February 20th. I was so excited on January 1st when I got approved from my insurance, but now I am just nervous as all get out after getting my surgery date. It doesn't seem like it is really gonna happen. Did anyone else feel like this? Anyways, I'm glad to be here and to have found a community of people who will understand what I am about to go through!!!

Hi! Me again!!! I was wondering if any of you had to go a pretty good distance to get your surgery done? I am going to have to go about 2 hours and that's not too bad. But the dietitian and phsyc appointments... wonder if they can be done locally? I hate to have to drive all that way for that.

Hi all of you lovely people!!! :drool: I have yet another question! When you go to the Therapist... what all kinds of things is he or she going to ask me? Is there anything I should or shouldn't say? I don't want to slow down this process anymore than it's gonna take! I know that sounds horrible, but I have been in therapy for the last 8 years. I go for my first consult appt today!!! Soooo excited!!! :tongue2::Dancing_wub:

Hi Folks, Figured I would introduce myself. My name is Quinn and I am getting banded in Toronto on Feb. 11 at noon. I have spent countless hours on this and other websites researching the procedure and what to expect from life after the band. Dr. Cobourn at the SWLC is doing my surgery and I have all of the confidence in the world in him as a surgeon. I am a self pay, Type II diabetic, single dad, although I am not going to be single for long. The love of my life said yes and we are planning to get married in June. At this point, re-inventing my golf swing minus belly is my biggest concern, although general anxiety has overwhelmed me the last few days. Not sle…

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Hi, my name is Rana and I'll be 45 in just a few short weeks. After years of yo-yo dieting, I had a consultation with a wls surgeon. I weighed 247 when I saw him and he suggested RNY. Now I weigh 220, and I'm not sure if RNY is best for me. I am very disciplined, although my past has been every 2-3 yrs lose all my excess weight, then within 6 mo-1 yr. it's back, with some added. I am very confused about what to do, so I com to this forum to try to learn from those of you who have been there, done it, and have hind-sight wisdom.

Hi, I'm new to the forum. I have not been banded yet. I have to lose 40 pounds before I can schedule surgery. I've lost 21 pounds since December 12th, so I have 19 more to go! I've been going to Weight Watchers and plan to continue going to WWs after banding and would like to hear from others about their post-op eating experiences. I live about an hour west of Houston, Texas, and will be having my surgery in Sugar Land. Are any of my neighbors out there? I'd like to meet you!:glare:

Hello to you all, got banded on 30/01/08. Feeling a wee bit sore still but am looking forward to the next six months learning to live with the band and sharing experiences with this world wide forum. I don't know anyone who has been banded so I expect to visit this site a lot! Have never used a forum either so there's a lot of firsts for me. Any advice greatly appreciated Cheerio for now

Hello Everyone :tongue2: I am attending a Seminar on Wed, 02/20/2008 with Dr. Robert and Garth Davis. I was hoping that someone could give me some insight on what goes on at the Seminars. Do you actually meet 1 on 1 with the dr at that time or is just a big group informational meeting? Are there any questions that I should be asking? Any advice would be good! Thank you in advance.... ~Marie~ :biggrin2:

I was Banaded yesterday and just got home from the hospital this afternonn. I was realy glad to find this forum early on in my quest to be banded as I found many good answers to my questions. I even found answers to questins I hadn't thought to ask.

Hello, I am from Australia and hoping to be banded in March. I have been waiting for the past year to be eligible for cover from my health insurer. The time is getting closer and I am so excited, I feel like my life will begin once my surgery has happened. I realize that its not all going to be easy but the way I feel about myself right now things can only improve.

I am a black man, age 43 waiting from the insurance co to do what they have to do but I need to talk with any black men that went thru the surgery. Feel free to e-mail me. There are so many ??? I need answer.