Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi Everyone. First of all I want to say that I have been reading all your responses in this forum and have to say that you all seem so supportive :tt1:. I think it is great because to have support from people that have been through it is priceless. I have been thinking about banding for about a year or so. I have been on EVERY weight loss program/product and have spend THOUSANDS trying to loose the weight. I am 5'4 and weigh almost 260! I cannot seem to get control of this and it is out of control. I have an appt. with the bariatric surgeon on the 22nd, the cardiologist on the 28th, the pulomonologist on the 28th and the psychologist on Feb 4th. I just received my…

Hiya everyone! I've been looking into weight loss surgeries for quite some time, but bypass just scares the heck out of me. Banding seems doable and less messing with internal organs is always a good idea in my book. I'm 5'9", large frame, 35 years old, mother of 2 boys, and weigh 272ish pounds. Haven't gotten on a scale in a week, but it was 272 a week or so ago. I've tried Weight Watchers (1.5 years, lost 25 lbs), Atkins (1 year, lost 72 lbs), and a variety of other low fat/carb/cal diets and exercise plans. All of the weight from all of the diets just comes back on plus some. So...I'm thinking something more permanent that can serve as a constant reminder migh…

Hi! My name is Katie & I'm 18. I was first interested in Lapband about a year ago. All criteria was met, except I was too young. In that time I worked hard & lost about 40lbs, but it was a short-term loss which resulted in gaining it all back, & then some. On December 15, 2008 I attended another seminar with my same surgeon as before, Dr. Allan Cribbins. This time around insurance was readily on board & as soon as we got the approval (about 3-5 days) everything happened very fast. I was scheduled for surgery on December 26 & was back at work (childcare) in 8 days. So far I've lost 9lbs & I'm scheduled for my first fill in mid-February. I'd love fee…

Hi, I have been banded since sept.25th, 2006 and so far i have lost about 75 pounds. I am having trouble with just figuring out what to eat now that i am pretty tight. I have a 4cc band and am tightened to 1.8cc. I am totally new to the forum and talking about stuff. I still have a HUGE craving for anything sweet but most of the time i try to ignore it but it doesnt always work because i know that chocolate will always go down when sometimes other things wont. I would love any advice. Ps....how do you load your ticker on to this thing??????:tt1:

I have a friend that had bypass and now is thinking of having the lapband. She has gained weighed back because of the meds she is on. The question I have is: will she qualify for the lapband since she already had the other done? Thanks for your help. Chilly

Hello everyone, My name is Sheila and I plan to have my lap band procedure sometime in June. I am on my second month of the required six month weight loss program required by Cigna. I am 45 and have been married for 4 years, no kids. I am excited and can hardly wait until my procedure. I like so many others, I have been over weight as long as I can remember and ready for a change. Hopefully I will be approved my first time and will not have to appeal insurance decision. Looking forward to chatting with you all. Sheila

<p>Well let's see where do I start. Well I've been fat pretty much since puberty. I've tried starving myself in high school only eating crackers and iced tea for lunch and eating lettuce with mayo for dinner and nothing for breakfast. Well those bad habits made lots of weight pack on me over the yrs. Went through a bitter divorce and as we all here know food is the bestest friend you could ever have in the world. I've done OTC diet pills, mail order pills, herbal pills, exercised my butt off and only lost at the most was 25 lbs in two months and then I gaind about 50 back because I couldnt afford the gym fee anymore. I dont really eat much but my body immediately st…

:pray2: Hi, I'm from Texas. I had lap band in June 2007 and I always tell people it truly saved my life. I have lost 65 lbs, and I feel so great! I just recently had my last tightening and can really tell the difference. My question is does anyone have trouble with it going down? I sometimes have trouble with it going down when I start eating. It can be quite painful at times. Just wondering if this is something anyone else has experienced as well.

Well as I mentioned before I called Humana direct and they told me that if it is medically necessary from a dr. that my surgery would be covered. I kind of want to have some sort of validation and know what the ins and outs are. So I called our HR dept today and one of the HR reps is looking into this for me and is going to get back to me early next week. I can not wait please keep your fingers crossed for me, I really need to have this done for my health, sanity, family, and future. Thanks everyone!! P.S. Was I wrong in asking them to check everything out?

I turned my paperwork in the night of the lap band seminar and today (4 weeks later) got a call to set up my bariatric appt with the dietician, nurse, & Pshyciatrist. My appt is next week and I just wondered how soon did most people have their surgery after this step. I realize this may be totally different for each person, but it is becoming so surreal now, and I just want to get some ideas. Thanks!!!:smile:

HI, I'm really early in the game. I have my 1st appoint on Feb 8th. It will be with Dr and my psych eval. I go to my seminar this Saturday. I have had 4 C-section a tummy tuck with hernia repair but I was not half as scared for those operations as I am with this one. Maybe I;m getting ahead of myself I don't know if my insurance will even approve it. I am 5'6" and weigh (I think) 230 now. I hope I can meet some people here who are going through the same things during around the same time.

I had my lapband surgery on January 7. What is the average weight loss for the 1st week? I'm still feeling hungry. Is that normal?

Hi I had my lapband on April 2, 2007 adn have lost 72 pounds to date with 2 fills. I was really scared at first but not I am really adjusted to my lapband and have had only a few complications. I would like to know what the normal weight loss is after this time and am I on the right track? I go to the gym after being sedentary for 52 years and can't believe what I can do with the help of my trainer. I go four times a week usually and do cardio and weight training. I eat well but find that I don't like chicken too much but can tolerate beef well. Would like to meet people who are changing their lives and bodies as well. Jeri:ranger:

Hello everyone, my name is Hope and I'm from Kentucky...I started my lap band process nearly a year ago...I have went to the seminar..went to diaticin and phsyc. eval..seen surgion...done all my pre-op testing..and now just waiting for a call from the sugions off for the actually surgery scheduling!!! YEA!!!..I'm getting soooo very excited about the whole thing!!..I've done LOADSSSSSS of research on the band and have and am currently in contact and talk to others that have had the band already done...I am 5'7" tall and started out weighing 240lds..but since the beginning of all this, I've lost some, I'm down to 227, as of a few weeks ago at the dr. office...so I've got a…

What happens if you do not drink enough water? or the 64ozs required? I feel like I am drinking all day long. I'm still in the sipping stage.....:speechless:

Hello, I am having my surgery in a few weeks, so went looking for a board with a plethora of info. Looks like I found it! Thanks!

Went to the Columbia University Seminar on the Jan 12th. When I initially set up my appointment on the phone I was told medicare was no problem. When I attended the seminar I was told I would be put on a 5+ year waiting list. I don't understand why they didn't tell me up front that they did not want medicare patients. A complete waste of time and money for me. ARGHHH!!!!

Hello everyone, I just started researching lap-band about four weeks ago. I'll be self-pay, so I'm shopping around for doctors in the Atlanta area. My first seminar is next week at the Atlanta Bariatric Center at Johns Creek. The next week, I have an appointment with Dr. Champion in Marietta, as well as a seminar in Albany, GA for Dr. Bagnato's practice. I'd love any advice or tips on this stage of the journey.

Having great difficulties with productive burping, regular burping, but mostly trouble with saliva build up almost every time I eat just one or two bites of anything. I chew slowly and eat slow! Going to take advice from others and try the pineappble juice. Just need to get to the grocery for it today.:smile:

So I called my insurance company again and they told me that the procedure would need to be deemed medically necessary by my doctor. Has anyone had any expereince with HUMANA? Do they make you try other things first? To be honest with you besides a family history (mom, aunt, and grandmother being obese plus a dad with high colestrol) I have not had any other medical problems. I am just now starting to have sleep apnea (I think) and also knee problems. I am only 26 years old. Based on what I have found being 5'1" and 230 pounds I am MORBIDLY Obese. Do you think that I can qualify with just that? Is it hard for the doctor to convince the insurance co? I have my 2 hour consu…

I was banded 1/10/08. Just found this site. I'm excited to follow others progress and share mine. There is lots of information here! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences it helps the newbies like me.

Hi, my name is michael and i am 28 yrs old, i am slotted for surgery 1/24/08 and very nervous. My doctor is Dr. Felding at NYU hospital( NYC) who also has a band along with half his staff. My wife turned me on to this sight which has been very helpfull in the before and afters of surgery. Currently i am on a 2 week liquid diet ( 7 days in ) which has been extremly hard to stick to. I never realize how many commercials and TV channels are dedicated to food. The only good thing about the liquid diet is that i have lost 11lbs. I look forward to becoming more ative in the sight and updating everyone on my progress.

Hi my name is Ashlee and I am a 22 year old wife and mother. I have struggled with weight my whole life and I am ready to end the challenge before it ends me. I am pre-band. I have been to the seminar, family doc, had my blood work done, and I am going for my first apt with my surgeon on Jan. 24th. I have chosen to use Tennessee weight loss and surgery center. Drs Mancini and Dr. Scott. They practice out of UT Medical Center in Knoxville, TN. I still have to have my mental eval done, hopefully in the next week. If you want to know anything else please feel free to ask! I am looking forward to getting to know you all better.

Hi, my name is Amy and surgery is scheduled for Jan 30th with Dr. Kirshenbaun. I'm nervous and excited and ready for the change. I'm just on here to meet other people and try to be as prepared as I can be. I look forward to chatting with you. Amy

Hi all!! I'm new here... I'm from Chicago, IL. My doctor is Dr. Peter Rantis with the Surgical Care Group. I haven't had my procedure yet, but I will be this Friday the 18th. I'm totally excited, scared, nervous... anxious... But I feel I am completely ready for this. I've been in-training... and waiting for this moment for a full year now. I decided to join this forum because I felt I might need information and ideas... okay and anybody I can talk to who knows what I will be dealing with. Anyways, this forum is most helpful in many ways. I am looking forward to my lapband and meeting people on here.

I am 1 week post op and looking for recipes and any other food suggestions. Anyone able to help with food and recipe suggestions?????? Thanks, seajules:confused::cool:

Hi, my name is peg. I was banded on September 21, 2007 by Dr. Fialio at Baystate in Massachusetts. I have lost around 40/45 pounds. I do not have an accurate scale so I will not know for sure until I go back to the Dr on the 23. Overall my experience has not been bad, I have had a lot more foods getting stuck since my last fill and yet at times am still hungry. So I am thinking that I do need another fill and just have to be careful what I eat and to remember to eat slowly and chew chew chew. One of my big problems as before is still the motivation and umph to exercise. I just wish I had someone kicking me in the butt everyday and making me go and exercise. Oh well, jus…

Hello everyone. I am new to the website and just wanted to get into the swing of things. I am approved for surgery and the date is fast approaching. It's Jan 30 and I can't wait. My surgery will be done at Cleveland Clinic in Weston. That's Broward County, Fl. Are there any Dade or Broward members out there? If so please drop me a line so I can make a connection close to home. Thanks:rolleyes:

just banded looking for anyone in natchitoches louisiana to discuss band

Hi Everybody, I just got banded on 1/8/08 and thought I would introduce myself. My name is Rosemary and have joined lapbandtalk for information, support, and friendship. I went through BeLiteWeight to facilitate the banding process and flew to Detriot, Michigan to have the surgery the beginning of this month. Dr. Matthew Weiner performed my surgery and I couldn't be any happier. One of the best things that came out of this whole experience was that I met a fellow bandster from this message board who was also getting banded by the same Doctor on the same day just before me. I have about 80 pounds that I want to lose and keep off forever and I look forward to sh…

Is it just me or is anyone else having trouble getting around this site? No matter which tab I click on, every page is the same. Hope someone is checking on this.

Hello, everyone! I am a 35 yr old female. I am currently 288 lbs. I want to have the surgery, but have had trouble getting insurance approval. I am just wondering if there is anyone out there who has been through the approval process with Aetna Insurance? I have gone through a six month weight loss program w/ my doctor. I am beginning to have complications w/ my weight. I am just wondering if there is light at the end of the tunnel with Aetna or if I should not waste more time w/ them and bite the bullet and pay for the surgery. I will have to borrow the money. They turned me down and said I would have to go through another year of a supervised weight loss program. It co…

So I called my insurance company again and they told me that the procedure would need to be deemed medically necessary by my doctor. Has anyone had any expereince with HUMANA? Do they make you try other things first? To be honest with you besides a family history (mom, aunt, and grandmother being obese plus a dad with high colestrol) I have not had any other medical problems. I am just now starting to have sleep apnea (I think) and also knee problems. I am only 26 years old. Based on what I have found being 5'1" and 230 pounds I am MORBIDLY Obese. Do you think that I can qualify with just that? Is it hard for the doctor to convince the insurance co? I have my 2 h…

Hey guys - I'm posting this in the board questions area, but we'll see where it ends up. There's a known issue (I ran into it and thought I must have done something really weird) with posts posting to the wrong place, and even with the wrong forum opening when you click on one to open it. I've already sent several examples/screenshots to Alex & the other mods, so trust that we're aware of the problem. Until this is resolved, any posts you make will probably post to the wrong area... to completely unrelated threads in unrelated forums. (E.g. I posted something in the pre/post-op forum, that actually posted into the food forum). In fact, even though I opened the b…

I was banded on Jan 3 2008 by Dr. Tarracino In Newport News, VA. I have lost 18 lbs and it has been 12 days. I was in a lot more pain then i expected after the surgery. That was hard cause i have 4 kids ages 8,4,3 and 9 months. Plus I do home heatlh care and and am 100% devoted to my patients. It is getting easier everyday to get use to the change but soon I will be at the next stage. I need some ideas of things I can eat cause the only thing that comes to mind is BABY FOOD and BLENDER SURPISE! I know a few ppl who have had the bypass but no banders. My hubby and friends try to help me but they just arent cuttin it. Any suggestions on food and making things easier? WO…

I am having my lap-band in two days!!! Very nervous, very excited! There is great info on this web site! My friend who is having surgery the same day as I am introduced me!

Hi again. I know there are tons of people in here from Texas, and just wanted to hear anything from those in my state. I live in North East Texas- east of Dallas. It looks like I will be self-pay, and was wondering if any self- payers around my region was given a really great price, or wanted to share who their doctor was? Thank you.:welldoneclap: ~M

Hi everyone! I am a new bandster! I was banded 12/13/2007 by Dr. Miguel at Bajanor in Tijuana Mexico. I weighed yesterday morning and to date I have lost 32 lbs. Only 73 to go :eek: I have been reading the forums and received a lot of great information and decided I should join. I live in a small town in Oregon and there aren't many people to bounce things off of when it comes to the Lap Band, so this is a great site!

Hi everyone. I'm a newbie from Michigan and just found out I was approved for surgery. I go on Thursday for my medical and behavorial assessments. I'm hoping to have smooth sailing and have my lap band in a cuople months. Where I'm going I'm required to do Optifast for 4 weeks prior. I have about 90 pounds I want to lose. I gained about 35 after I quit smoking back in June. Even though I've hated all the weight gain, I never once seriously considered smoking again to curb the gains. I'm looking forward to my journey and sharing it all with you and getting to know everyone here. Anyone have any words of advice?

I have lots of questions. Mainly to see if I am on track or not. 1. How much weight do/did you need to lose? 2. How many months/years since your surgery? 3. How much have you lost? 4. How many fills have you had? 5. Have you ever been over-filled? 6. Are you happy with your band? 7. Have you recommended this surgery to anybody you know, and then they went through with it? 8. Have you lost friends because you've lost weight? 9. Have you recieved a promotion at work since your banding date? 10. Have you had more sex since your banding date? 11. If you had to do it again would you? 12. Add another question for others......................

My friend thinks that her band slipped. Does anyone know what the indications of that are? Thanks a bunch. Kelli

Happy New Year to all!! HI I live in Dallas, TX and after a year of waiting I finally got approved by my insurance company to get thelap band. I still do not have a date. But I am really excited, something that seem so far away is getting closer which makes me a little nervous too. Does anyone has any recomendations on how I should prepare myself (mostly emotionally) for the surgery and before the surgery? I really like this site!

Hi Everyone. I am BRAND new here!! :smile:) I found this site in doing a web search on the lap band surgery. I am contemplating getting banded and feel that this is the right decision for me. I am 26 years old, 5’1” and weigh 230. From what I have calculated I have a BMI of 43.3%. I have been struggling with my weight for the last 8 years now. I have tried everything from Weight Watchers, in which I did loose 50 pounds, kept it off one year and then gained it all back. I have tried the gym, and even spent $2,000 on a personal trainer. I feel that this is my only last hope in this battle. I found out that my insurance covers this procedure and now am more excite…

I am scheduled for band-land on March 5th 2008. I am excited but not too excited because I want to be sure I can get it first before I actually get excited. I still have to meet with a pulminologist, cardiologist and psychologist per my insurance before I'll know for sure. I weigh 286 lbs. and I stand at 5'8''. My goal is to gain a new lease on life and live the healthiest life I can. This surgery means more to me than just weight loss, cus truth be told I like being a big girl! But I want to be a smaller big girl LOL. Anywho, can anyone tell me about the pre-operative diet? When did you start it, did it make the adjustment easy? I'll search the site for more info on th…

My name is Tina and I will be banded on Feb. 11 at St. Raphael's Hospital in New Haven, CT. My surgeon is Dr. Geoffrey Nadzam and I would like to lose around 85-90 pounds. I recently had a parathyroid gland removed and it has affected my thyroid function. So I am now on thyroid meds. I will have an endoscopy and pre-op testing on Friday, Jan. 18. I will have to do a 1000 calorie diet two weeks prior to surgery to shrink my liver. Looking forward to sharing my journey with you! Tina :smile:

Hello everyone: I am Jeni from Pennsylvania and I am having the lap band done on Thursday, January 17th. I am nervous, scared and excited. I am currently on a 10 day liquid diet which has been very tough but I am doing it. I am looking for a lap band buddy to share stories and keep each other motivated. I would like to lose at least 90 lbs but I know it will take time and patience. If anyone is also starting out like me, I'd love to talk with you. Thank you everyone for all your great advice and I know I'll be posting much more after my surgery. Thanks and best wishes to all of you. Jeni in PA:tongue:

Hello, My name is Leslie....I was banded on December 27th. I was banded in Bismarck, ND by Dr. Schmitt. The surgeon and staff there are awesome and seem to know all the answers to my questions. I have lost 31 pounds and it has seemed to just fall off. I do have hungry times, but I can stop it with a lil something....I am able to eat regular foods coming up Jan.17, but I am sooo nervous about it, so not sure what I will do.....I wish everyone well in their surgery ! I love this site too !!!:eek:

Hi, I had surgery at Cedar Sani Hospital in LA,CA My Doctor was Dr.Cunneen He was Great. But the surgery was much harder then I thought. Whn they got in there they found that I had a Hurnia so the repaired it. So maby thas why I was in so much pain afterwards. I am very excited for the new me.BUT I have not had a ajustment yet. I hope that helps because I am hungery now and I am afraid I will gain the weight I have lost back. I am looking for a friend to talk to about the lap band. So if you wana chat write back and tell me about yourself.. Davia:smile:

Hi I am djarnold and I was just banded about 5 days ago by Dr. Ron Hekier in Texarkana TX. I am very new at this. I am on liquids only right now. I am having a hard time with the liquids only. I can't seem to get satisfied by drinking water and other liquids. Did or does anyone else have this problem and how did you manage to get through the 2 weeks of liquid only?:help:

I am new here, just happend to find ya'll when i was browsing. I was banded on Jan 3 2008 by DR. Tarracino in Newport News, VA. And by the way, he is awesome! As of today which is the 12th day i have lost about 18lbs. i dont know if that is good or not but i am imprssed with my self cause on the 3rd day i kicked my husband and kids out of the house when they brought home mcdonalds! ( I LET THEM BACK WHEN THEY WERE DONE EATING, LOL) It seems like it is getting easier each day but the first few were very hard. I still find myself...grazing, but not eating. I just open the cabnets and look and there is nothing there. Is this normal? Am i expecting too much of a change t…