Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I WAS BANDED ON JAN.3 SO FAR SO GOOD. MY DOCTOR IS DR.CARSON D LIU. I LIVE IN SAN DEIGO BUT CHOOSE TO DRIVE TO ORANGE,CA IN ORDER TO GET HIS CARE.I DID ALOT OF RESEARCH BEFORE PICKING MY DOCTOR. I ALSO PAID CASH SO I HAD MORE CONTROL.:clap2:

Guess it's time to introduce myself. You might notice from my registration date that I'm not exactly new around here. I've put a lot of thought and research into this, spent months waiting to see if we got an insurance change that would cover it, and finally just decided to self pay and go for it! I go for my consultation on the 17th. Woo hoo! I'm 37 and married with 5 kids. My oldest will be 15 next month and my little one is 3. I think dh wouldn't mind another, but I told him I'd think about it when I reached goal. I'd hate to try to carry an 11lb baby at this weight (I breed em big!). We live in NE Ohio. I'm traveling down to Cincy to Dr. Curry for my s…

I am scheduled for surgury this month in Monterey MX with DR. Arturo Rodriguez. I would really apprectiate hearing your opinions if you have seen him. Thanks! Jay

Ok so its been a year that I have had the band and I have only lost 60lbs. I know that by know it should have been at least 100lbs. But from the beginning I had an issue w/ my protien so of course my hair started falling and I was just lazy and not working out not eating right but now I'm like I spent all that money so I better get started on my life change. So now that I just went on and on I need to know whick protien drink is good. Please let me know what works.:help:

I started the New Year off right by getting banded (with a new Realize band) on January 4th. I had the procedure done at Forest Health in Ypsilanti, MI. My doc was Dr. Jon Schram. Top-rated dude in the nation. He was absolutely wonderful. I gotta say, the gas pains in my chest were the worst issue I had. It was very, very painful immediately post-op, and again the following day. They took x-ray to see what was up and my stomach was filled with a gas bubble the size of a football! LOL Eventually that went away. Now I only get occasional pain when I burp or hiccup - feels like my chest is gonna burst only briefly, and then it's relieved the moment the gas is pas…

hello, Im recently banded as of 12/13/07 just saying hello

Well, I can barely stand myself. I will be banded on Friday the 11th as things stand right now. Also a self-pay since this is considered an exclusion with BCBS. Oh well, as long as I have it, I don't care how much it costs me. The bennies much outweigh the costs. I am a married mother of a 6 1/2 year old boy (world revolves around him). I am just over 260 and am 5'3" tall. BMI is over 47. Went for diagnostic evaluation at True Results, they set up the pre-op with Dr. Hollis just 5 days later and the surgery just 2 weeks after my 1st visit. I am so excited about this and just wish my husband was on the same page. He is looking for something negative about the banding proce…

Welcome from IL. I just turned 31 on Thursday and decided this is the year. This is the year the fat ends. I have been overweight for about 7 years really, really overweight. My BMI is 40. I have always been "chunky" though. It is time to get back to what I was when I met my husband. :-) I am going through the final insurance phase right now. My friend, another member on here, has the same insurance and has been approved so I am optimistic the same will happen for me. I am hoping for a 2-8-08 surgery date like she has. We will see. I have been browsing and have found a lot of interesting things. I am glad to be aboard. Julie :clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2:

im dave im new to the board thanks 4 having me

Hi Everyone (I hope I have made my first post appropriately...I am Very longwinded, so please be forwarned! lol) I have been reading the boards for about a week now, and the before/after pictures have me bawling - it's absolutely AMAZING how well most of you have done!! My story: I've always been overweight, but didn't grow up obese. In the past 7 or so years, I have been responsible for going completely off the deep end, and have let myself go - to the tune of now weighing somewhere around 300 pounds. I hate myself. I can't believe I did this to myself, and to my family. I have a wonderful 3 year old and desperately want a second child, yet I still don't make the he…

had the band for 15 months and doing great, seem to be hungry more these days but i think the holidays got to me...........Having a hard time finding anything to eat that will satify my nothing cravings

First post. And covered for lapband by Medicare (80%) supplemental insurance (20%). Some perks make up for the arthritis. I'm in process for lapband, and have been three months working my way through a complicated pre-op testing cycle with several frustrating speed bumps. Even though I've "sailed through" (my primary care's description) two major surgeries in past 7 years, plus one minor, the bariatric group is putting me through the wringer about heart and multiple tests, then saying that they can't get a good image because of my weight, 275. Why not proceed and help me lose more weight and have my happy heart, without subjecting me to CTscans, other nucl…

Hello everyone, My name is Kara, I have not been banded yet but I am in the process. I have been wanting this for two years. Last year God blessed me with a beautiful baby girl. So I could not do it then but now I am ready. I have my first counseltation with the surgean on Jan. 31st. I would like to be banded before June, is that a realistic goal?:cry

I am not yet banded, but hope to be soon. I had my initial consult with Dr. Schram in November. I came home and started reading all the posts. I found this excellent list of items needed after the surgery. I printed it out, but have lost it in the meantime, and now I Cannot Find It on this site!! :help: Can anyone tell me where to find the list of food, etc that may be needed after surgery? I remember it has pineapple juice and gas-x, but it was a long, long list. I want to start buying things now. Although I have not yet been approved, I did call and get the criteria needed for an approval, and I have all that all covered as of today, so am SO excited to get the ball r…

Well, this is a new year and I'm hoping things go more smoothly. To make a very long story short, I went to a local seminar and filled out the application. The last week of November I got an appointment with the doctor. Come to find out, even after I spoke with someone at the insurance company, the doctor's office has had a very difficult time with my insurance company and 9 times out of 10, the insurance company (after a 6-month waiting period) will not cover the surgery. So, with one week left of open enrollment at work, I did a lot of leg work to find out if the insurance at my work (I was under my husband's policy) would cover it. You would not believe the run a…

I have been approved for the Lap band procedure!!! I have Medicaid insurance, and never thought they would cover this surgery. After months of researching online, and about 3 weeks worth of dead end phone calls, I finally found a surgeon who accepts Medicaid. I can not be more excited. My surgery date is 1/15/08. I am staring to get nervous, but after reading some threads on this site, I guess most people feel the same way. I am a mother of 3 children ages 10,9, and 18 months. I have been overweight since 5th grade, and dieting just about as long. I have done weight watchers, every diet pill out there, starved myself.....ect. with no success. I know this surgery is t…

<p>I am 34 and my surgeon is going to be Dr. Ramos. I am waiting for approval from my insurance company. I am not sure what happens after that. I have been thinking about lapband for a long time and I love this support line.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>5'5"</p> <p>250 lbs.</p>

Anyone on myspace? If you are please send me a friend request and subscribe to my blog if you are interested. Paul - The LBG MySpace.com - Lap Band Guy - 35 - Male - Tennessee - www.myspace.com/lapbandguy

Hi everyone i have been checking out this board for some time now and i'm seriously thinking about getting banded. Everyone tries to talk me out of it and tells me they love me just the way i am . The hardest part is loving myself at 255 lbs. :cryChristmas is the hardest because my family takes all these pictures while I'm unaware and then i cry afterwards when i see them. I am an emotional eater and i wonder if lap bad might work for me. I've studed on the internet and i am willing to take the risks. What scares me though is after you lose weight and get the band removed ...will i probably gain it all back and more? I'm wondering if maybe this time i could learn to eat …

Hello! I'm 24 and I haven't really gotten to far so far in the journey I have orientation on the 15th. I'm a little nervous but excited about the prospects at the same time

thanks for thi info. on the mental health test i was worried about it but ok now... the next question i have for all the great bandstres out there is can you feel the fill port under the skin and does it get in the way of any thing. once again i can't thankyou guys enought for all the info and support. :clap2:

New to all this. Just in the research phase.Curious to know if anyone out there knows if it's possible to have the Lapband procedure AND have fibroids removed all at one time? I have extremely large fibroids and my Doc has suggested that I have them removed, so ideally, I'd like to take care of it within one trip. Is it wishful thinking?! :help: Chubbychoco in Cali

Ok, so I forgot all about these forums after my surgery. I had my band put on 8-28-07. It has been amazing. Before I started my 10 days of liquid diet leading up to the surgery date (something I'm seeing is not common), I weighed in at 379 at 6'3". After surviving the liquid diet pre op, I was down to 356. Now, 4 mos. later, I'm closing in on 300 (304 this morning). How have I done this? Two words: pure torture. I am in the gym every morning doing cardio. I average over 30 miles a week walking on the treadmill. 4 nights a week, I am in doing circuit training with weights. In the 4 mos since my surgery, I've missed only 4 days in the gym. 2 when I went to Da…

I have been lurking tonight, but had to post. I am being banded 1/10. I am very excited but nervous too! I am treating myself to a cupcake (with lots of frosting!) tomorrow since my birthday is 1/20! Can't wait to see my results. All of your posts have inspired me even more! Kelle:whoo:

Hi everyone!! I am 28 and I made my first appointment with the Surgeon for Jan 14th. I have been doing alot of research on the lap band and have decided it is the way I want to go. I am so thankful to have found this site, it has given me alot of insight into the pre-op and post-op.

Hi all!!! I am Cyndi in (near) Atlanta, if you live in Atlanta, you know what I mean. I am just starting to look into the possibility of this. I have been up and down all my life. Highest weight with my last pregnancy was 300 5 1/2 years ago. Lowest adult weight 163, 3 years ago. Lost 112 lbs on WW, had lower body lift, ran the Disney half marathon and then proceeded to gain all but about 15 lbs back. Have tried to get back into WW but it just isn't happening. BCBS this year for me states covers "bariatric services", whether this means GB or LapBand or just help with dieting remains to be seen. I am here to find out what I can, good and bad.:help:

This whole thing has been the worst process that I have ever gone through in my entire life! When I first approached my doc about it he decided to do blood work to test my thyroid because the last time I approached him 18 months prior that was what he thought then too:confused:. So now we get to test again to find out there is no thyroid problem:faint:. So he then says have you tried to loose weight by eating right??? WTF!!! :angry I have been doing Weight Watchers for the last 12 years and I loose and gain and loose and gain and for the last 4 years I cant get below 200 no matter how hard I try (5'8" weight 227) So he finally gives in and says okay to trying with …

Getting banded has been really great so far. My surgery went without a hitch and I was out of bed and rarring to go almost immediately following. Its early days, but I remain hopefully optimistic that this will work out in ways that all the other diets that I have tried have not. I consider myself a professional inexpert dieter --if its out there I have tried it. Low carb, no carb, nutri whatever, ww, fasting, diet pepsi and cigarettes, opti, medi, HMR, slimfast, diet pills (Rx and OTC) added to the mix to keep my appetite in check. My best and longest successful dieting foray was from the winter of 2000 through the summer of 2003. With boatloads of Water, a low carb d…

Hi. I'm new to this site. I had my surgery back in March of 2007 and have lost about 38 pounds so far. I've had about 3 fills and have hit a major plateau :cry. I was looking around the web for a support site and hope I've found it here. Good luck to all.

Hi to all. I'm new to this board. I was banded on November 5, 2007 and so far have lost 40 pounds. This is great for me!! I just went to the doctor's this week and received my first fill.

Hi. I've been reading some forums on WLS and the Band and I like what I see here. I am in the process of being approved by my insurance for getting the surgery. I am photo shy but I hope that will change shortly. Mary (my middle name)

Hello: My name is Bud. I live near Springfield, MO. For health reasons my Dr recommends that I have a lap band procedure but my insurance is Medicare and I cannot find Dr/facility that will accept medicare insurance for this procedure. Does anyone on here have any idea who I might contact who will accept Medicare? :help: Thanks in advance Bud

I'm getting very discouraged. I swear I do not even feel like I have a band, now granted, have not had a fill yet. I'm just getting scared, because I feel the impending doom of am I going to be the one that this doesn't work for? I'm probably, just freaking out since I can eat anything in the amount I want. And let's face it, if I could control the amount that I eat I would not have tried this solution, EVER. I really feel like crying right now. I feel like such a failure and a loser. I know that I am not, but I am really down right now. I'm going to try to stay focused on the fact that the real help has not arrived yet, so thanks for listening. Please let me know if an…

Hello everyone. I am in the very beginning stages of the lap band process and am looking forward to reading your insights on the process. A little about me: I am 29 years old, am 290lbs and have been overweight since I was 15. I also have PCOS (diagnosed 5 years ago) and am hoping that eventually I will be able to have children. After 9 years of marriage it is not my number one motivator - as I have become spoiled with my current lifestyle.:confused: My main motivator is that my dad and his identical twin brother both died at the age of 53 of heart problems. They also had other health issues like diabetes and high blood pressure. I know that I am a ticking time …

I was banding on August 15,2007 in Houston Dr Hollis. Do any one know if Dr Hollis have any support meetings? highest/current/goal:clap2: 335 290 180

Hi, All! I was banded on August 20th, 2007 by Dr. Hollis at True Results in Houston, TX. I weighed in at 222 on that date and am currently at 180. I have had 4 fills, the last one being December 19th. I am at 7.2 cc in a 10 cc band. This fill has given me true restriction. I was worried that the fill was too tight in the beginning, but realized I really had to learn to work it now. Eat slowly, small bites...all the things we were told from the beginning, but I had never really felt restricted enough to need like I need now. I am very happy I went through with the surgery and thrilled with the results thus far. I look forward to chatting with my fellow bandsters!…

:clap2:I cannot wait! I got the call yesterday! I will be so happy when I am banded...:whoo:Pre-Testing 1/9/08, surgery 1/23/08. I am a tad scared but I know this will be one of the positive things I am doing for me..I am going to Barix Clinics in Ypsilanti Michigan, Dr. Jon Schram. I am also in my last year in college I will be done in June 08' Accounting associate degree! I have been on the Deans list since I went back in 2006:omg: It has been a real exciting two years for me...:confused: 8/30/07 224 lbs 1/3/08 213 lbs goal weight 125 lbs

Howdy from North Texas! This is my first forum ever. With dial up doing the internet has not been very fun for me. However, changing is in the attitude: slow is better than not at all. Anyway, I got banded 10/07 and have only lost 43 lbs. Hoiwever, the band has been the best thing I ever did. This year will be different and my first stop is here...What do most people expect and get from forums? Hopefullly I will get and give support and have lots of success. I did not get up to 280 because I did not have issues around food. Thanks for being here.:confused:

My initial pre-certification was immediately denied by my carrier. When I spoke with my assigned caseworker she indicated it was denied based on a set of criteria (which my company is exempted from). Nevertheless, the denial would stand and only be reconsidered with additional documentation from PCP. Since I was discouraged, I procrastinated in making another doctor's appt. In the meantime, an approval letter showed up. Yippee!!:clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2:

Hi there! I am new to this, and I guess I might not be having problems with my band had I joined a forum before. I love reading the posts and I have learned a ton in a brief hour of searching this site! I was banded 7/23/07 by Dr. Lopez Corvalis and I have lost 41 pounds so far. I would like to loose another 40, but we'll see how it goes. I love my band, even though I have been having alot of PB'ing. How much PB'ing is too much? Anyone know?

Just got the great news today! My insurance will pay for my lap band and the date is March 7th. I am so happy! I have read all the success stories on this site and I can't wait. Thanks for all the continued support as I prepare for my journey. :whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo:

GUYS I HAD THE MOMENT THAT I HAD BEEN WAITING FOR 2DAY! I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT! I WAS APPROVED. THE COORDINATOR CALLED ME THIS MORNING (I WAS OFF 2DAY) AND SHHE LEFT ME A MESSAGE I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE THE NUMBER THOUGHT THAT IT WAS A BS CALL AND ROLLED OVER LOL. I CHECKED MY MESSAGES AT ABOUT 4 TODAY SHE SAID IT SO NONCHALANTELY "I GOT YOUR AUTHORIZATION FOR SURGERY BACK 2DAY ARE YOU READY TO SCHEDULE A DATE" I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT! IT ALL WAS SURREAL! I STILL HAVE TO GET A CLEARANCE LETTER FROM GYN BUT IT FINALLY CAME TO LIFE! THE DAY THAT WE ARE ALL DREAMING OF! I WILL LET YOU GUYS KNOW MORE AS SOON AS I DO HOPEFULLY MONDAY. SO MY DATE IS FEBRUARY 6TH 2008 MY 2ND BIRTHDAY! :…

Hi I'm 5 days into the VLCD Optifast stage and undergoing surgery on 16th Jan. I am 47 and have been overweight almost my entire life. I live in Australia but cant find any active forums down here for support, so wondered if i could join you guys? I am struggling a bit with hunger pangs at the moment. Might look around and see if there are any tips. Thistledo

I am from oklahoma, and Me and my mom were banded dec. 20th at Bajanor Obesity Clinic... I haven't weighed this week but lost 10pds in the first 6days... I found this site on google... I thought it was a perfect place to join up.. :biggrin1:

Hello All! My name is Laurinda and I am in Florida! I am <cough> 40 years old, been married 18 years and have two children. I get "The band" January 16th. I am so ready for a new beginning! I am on the pre-op diet now <Did I mention I was hungry?> But it's all good. I look at the light at the end of the tunnel! This will be so worth it! I am glad I found this board seeing as I have about a zillion questions! :confused: Peace to you all!

New and don't know how to proceed with posts Aloha! I was banded on Nov. 14 at Castle, by Dr. Fowler. I have done well in all ways, except I am not getting restriction from my band yet and I have gotten discouraged. I have had two fills. I am up to 6cc. Things just didn't move as I had read about. I went through the first 4 stages after surgery within a few days. My healing was very rapid. No complaints there! I just get worried about not losing more weight. I stopped losing about 2 weeks after surgery and I have even added back some pounds. Has anyone else experienced this?

Hi everyone. I am so excited to be starting the new year with a bang. My date is January 2nd. The holidays were very hard because I had to lose 5% of my weight but was pleasantly suprised to find I lost much more. The trouble with this is my husband says if I could do this by myself I don't need the surgery. You can see I will have no support at home. I am glad to have found this forum. I hope to be able to help others as much as get support from the groups. Happy New Year everyone and good luck.

I just started looking at this site towards the end of December. I thought it would take a while to go through insurance approval but I was approved in like 2 weeks! I am having surgery on Tuesday. Things have just happened so quickly. Any last minute advice?:confused:

Tassie Tiger from Australia First time in the forum. I am having the lapband done on 18/2. I am 5.3 and weigh 90 kilos. I was 112. I am 40! and have 2 sons 7 & 5

Hello everyone, I am two days away from surgery day. I am hungry and anxious. I havent lost much weight during pre-op diet and am feeling a bit nervous. I have heard that the doctor will reschedule if theres too much fat around the liver. I hope this doesnt happen to me. I am joining this forum to be inspired to stick with pre-op diet. Is there anyone out there who struggled with their pre-op diet? I am very excited about my sugery. I have been reading testimonials and hope that I can be one of those. I will continue with my sruggle and hope that my surgery and band will free me with this perpetual fight with hunger. .....love to hear from anyone, Dazzle:wacko: