Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I had my lapband surgery 2 years ago this January 11. I started at 420 lbs and now weigh 310. I was recently adjusted and am losing again after a good 6 months with no weight loss. I am unable to eat any solid foods right now and am vomiting on a regular basis. My next appointment is on January 8 with the surgeon and I am not sure what I want to do. I do miss eating solids but like the weight loss and am looking forward to being under 300 lbs. :help:

:help:Trying to learn how this site works, just joined today. I was banded on 12/29/2007. Anyone that has been banded did you feel like there was a rock in your stomach? Or maybe just feel the band? Any back or chest pain? Thanks for the advise.

Hi everyone, My name is Connie and I'm from Mitchell, South Dakota. I'm on my 2nd day of the optifast diet and finding it really hard to stick with it!...I've already cheated! I'm having the lap-band on the 11th of January and am really starting to stress about it. I have my mind made up to do this and am looking forward to losing the weight but I'm feeling that I'm going to have to give up all the foods I love!! Connie

I'm very excited to be posting on here for the first time. I have read many wonderful stories on this site ever since I have considered getting the lapband. I have decided to have the surgery and am lucky to have insurance that will pay 90%. I am in the very preliminary stages. I will attend a seminar next week, and have already filled out the application and contacted my insurance about coverage. I have no doubt I will get approved as I am currently at least a 50 BMI. I've only scratched the surface and have so much to learn about the lapband process. I have done a fair bit of research and I hope to be able to use this website for information and support. I am recent…

:)Whoops! I realized I really should have introduced myself before throwing questions out there. I am just so excited. Please forgive me? I am 39, live in Glendale, AZ and I'm married. I have 4 kids but the older 2 are all grown and out of the nest. Our oldest daughter just made us grandparents, which is the coolest thing on earth. We have 2 more at home,15 and 6. The 6 yr old has special needs. We have our hands full. This is even more reason why I need to finally get control of my weight and healthy. I have been afraid to get on the scale lately but hold on....I'll be right back. Oh My! I am now up to 233. That's an all time high. :faint:I have only lost a lot of weig…

Hi, my name is Janie. I am 50 years old and I weigh 285. I have an eating disorder which I have been unable to change. I am seriously considering getting the lap band. I really enjoyed looking at all the before and after pictures, they gave me a lot of encouragement that there is hope for me. I also enjoyed reading different postings and the encouragement you all give to people. Sometimes I just resign myself to the fact that "I am fat and that is that". Then at other times I wish I didn't have this huge belly hanging out in front of me that I had to fashion a diaper to stick under because it gets sticky. I also think that most of my health problems could probably…

SIGH. Dang chocolate... brittle... pringles!!! For all the good of the band, these things just slip right through. Anyway, here's my info: Banded: 4/15/2005 Dr. John Bagnato, Albany, GA Weight when WLS saga started: 282 Weight at time of surgery: 262 Lowest weight since surgery: 219 Current weight: 232 Fills: 4 good fills, 2 emergency unfills

I am going in for the pre op psych visit. I have a couple of questions. Just What is the diet pre & post op? I see alot of 40 somethings but not many 50 somethings. Can you share some of your story wth me? :help: Age related functioning? Is it too late for me to consider? MyBMI is 45. I gotta do somethng. :faint: Th band stays in for life right? Anyne out there had theirs longer than 5 years? Anyone have to have another surgery to replace/remove/redo the surgery. Thanks to all who reply.

Hello, I am new to this site and I have not been banded. I am researching and talking to others.

Hey Folks: my name is Ali im 22yrs Iraqi lad lives in syria permanently my weight b4 the surgery was 405lb and now is 394 after 2 weeks i did the surgery on 16th dec i cant find any lap-buddy here in my area so im looking for support and people to bond with wish me luck see u all .

Hi all! This is the first time I have gotten on this forum. I was scared to do it before the surgery. I got banded on the 27th and feel great. I've gotten a hunger pain 2 times, but nothing a little broth won't fix. I'm very eager to move on in the fill process, but I realize I need time for my stomach to heal. Does anyone know of any resources for recipes for broth or other things that can be eaten during the first 2 weeks of post-op?

hi, I was banded October 22,2007 by Dr. Forbes in Buffalo,Ny. I have lost a total of 65 pounds since I began this journy in July 2007.

Today on Day 3 I started feeling hungry for the first time! I thought that I wouldn't really feel hunger until the second week, so it kind of got me by surprise. Is this normal?

Hi I have just found this site, and it is great to find other people going through the same as me. I am Debbie, 47 and living in Herefordshire in the UK, and I have just been approved for lap band surgery, with the operation to take place in March 2008. My surgeon is Mr David Hewin at Gloucester and I am really confident things will go well. Even so I am nervous and excited and hope I will be able to cope with the changes in my lifestyle. My family and friends are supportive, though some think it is a drastic step - I don't, I think it is the right thing to do and it will hopefully change my life for the better. I will read other people's stories and hope to …

Hey there. Brickgirl here. Banded on 12/20/07. All went really well. I have been pleasantly surprised by how fast I bounced back. Since the preop diet I have lost 22.5 pounds. Christmas was okay. I felt like eating nothing. Now, I am finding my mind is hungry way before my body. I definitely have to learn to control that. So tonight, New Year's Eve, will be trickier, because I feel better. I have a plan, but still am a little concerned I will nibble. I found this board after the surgery, which I think was a good thing. I don't think reading all the postings that I would have gone through with it. I would encourage people with positive results to post also. I would h…

Hey everyone, My name is gillian and I am having my surgery jan 14th it was suppose to be feb 25 but i got bumped up which is awesome but i don't have as much time as i thaught to prepare myself so its kinda scary im sure all will go fine i can't wait to have an after picture. Well hope everyone is doing well. p.s if anyone can tell me how to add a ticket that would be great:rolleyes:

Hey guys, Im finally introducing myself now that ive been approved! My surgery date is 1/9/08 and im getting it done by Dr. Peter Kwon in Port Jervis, NY. Im so excited!

Hello, my name is Tiffenii and I am from East Texas. I am in the final stages of the approval process, just waiting to hear. I have my fingers crossed as I am waiting to hear from UHC. Hopefully, it will be worth the wait!! I think that the lapband would be a God send for me. After having three children and eating a poor diet I have gained about 70 pounds in seven years! I am 30 years old BMI is 37 Hope to be banded June 08

hi i was banded 11/10/07 i have lost currently 29 pounds. I was banded in mexico Dr. ortiz

Hi, I just found out on Friday that I'm scheduled to be banded on January 28th. I am so nervous but it's really an excited nervous.

After being banded can you drink alcohol in moderation? Please can someone advise. I believe that beer is a no no, because of the yeast.:help::help::help::help::help::help::help::help::help::help::help::help::help::help::help::help::help::help:

Hi Everyone, My name is Tanya and I live in Las Vegas. I am 27 and a Pharmacy student working on my PHD. I just got banded on the 27th and am at home recovering right now. I am so glad I did it but am sore as well. Any advice on the first week out of the hospital? I am so glad to be here and meet all of you. Hugs! Tanya:clap2:

Hello everyone! This is my first time to these boards, as I have just recently decided to have lap band. I have not even started the approval process yet, but I work for an insurance company and know it is relatively painless. I am scared, though. I'm 23, and have not been admitted to the hospital since I was born. I am also saving for the $3000 I will need to pay my deductible/coinsurance, and that's not easy. Hopefully this is the right thing for me. I look forward to everyone's support through my progress. Have a great day!

:help:Hello out there! I have been doing a good amount of research online about the lap-band procedure - and have literally tried I think every diet out there. I have never had to do liquid diets in my life - and a little scared about what to expect for surgery and the after-surgery life. Any tips? I am also a little concerned about complications and have never had a major surgery before. If anyone is out there who can give feedback or advice - I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks! Amy

Hi Everyone This is my first visit. I am researching and considering lap band surgery. The doctor that I am considering is about a 6 hour drive from where I live. I am not sure this would be a good idea. Has anyone used Dr. Wade Barker in Dallas or Dr, Davidson in Dallas. I would like some advice. Thanks Mommajean

So I am preparing for my appt with my bariatric surgeon Jan 8th and trying to get all my records together to shorten the approval process for my ins. I am only 28 years old so the extent of my medical visits for the last 8 years have been ob/gyn visits for my 3 kids. Last year I did go to a "wellness" clinic for fatigue, exhaustion and just general well being, thinking that if I was not so tired all the time I might have energy to excercise, cook healthier meals, etc. I thought I might try a different approach since the dieting I have done since 1990 (10 years old) has not worked so far. I have been seeing this wellness doctor for 10 months about every 2-3 months and she …

Hi, Im 29 from south georgia and go Monday for my pre-op assessment. I am self pay since my insurance company would rather pay for heart surgery and obesity complications rather than aid me in becoming healthier. I just lost my mother a month ago to a heart attack and with my family history I have made the decision to use my inheritance money to start my journey to a healthier lifestyle. My surgeon is Dr. Bagnato in Albany, GA. I am absolutely terrified but I am missing out on so much in life because of my weight and I want to be around to marry my fiance and watch my 7 yr old daughter grow up. I'm anxious and excited all at the same time. My current weight is 375 so…

I know this is going to sound strange asking this, but hubby mentions it alot so I figured I'd ask. This question is mainly for women to answer....If you exercise enough with weights and try like hell to keep from them sagging...did you lose your breasts??? I mean I like my breast just want them just a little bit smaller but NOT complete gone......I had a breast reduction at age 20 so I would like to get them back down to that low size C that they were after the swelling went down...LOL :guess blessings and waiting for responses!! I figured we could all use a laugh..I've had a bad day all around today!! :ranger:

Hi all, I need help. I have been visiting my general Dr. for the last 6 months to cover insurance requirements. Well, my 6th visit is over & I am starting to freak out and my mind is letting me wander into backing out. I have to do this ! I know if I don't I am doomed to be overweight forever. My friends mother is extremely obese, 60 years old & now lives in a nursing home because her body no longer functions because of the weight. That will be me in 20 years. I am killing my self with food. I have terrible rhumetoid arthritis in my knees and the weight is not helping me move. I have 2 kids under 5 who I do not want to pass my eating issues on to. I need to br…

banded 12/19/07 :phanvan

Hi, I'm Vicki. I just joined lapbandtalk today. My surgeon is Dr. Myur Srikanth - he is awesome! I am banded - in fact, I am just a couple of weeks away from my 5 year bandiversary. My beginning weight was 240, my current weight is 130. I had full weight loss in about a year and a half. Although, I had one slight glitch and had no restriction for awhile so put a few pounds back on. (I had gotten too small so this is not all bad.) I have been at my current weight for about 2 1/2 years now. Nice to meet you all.

I've made the decision to go ahead with the Lap Band ... but have decided to only tell my immediate family ... (parents, brothers, and sister-in-law).<br /> Who have you told or planning on telling?

Hi, I am new to this forum. My name is Kathy and I had lap-band surgery on October 26,2007. I live in Arizona and my surgeon was Dr. Robin Blackstone at Scottsdale Bariatric Center. I just had my third fill last week and so far I have lost 17 pounds. I didn't notice a lot of restriction until this last fill.

<p>Hi. I am 41 years old and live in NJ with my hubby of 15 years and my kids ages 13 and 8. My surgery is scheduled for January 8th. I am both excited and nervous. I just can't wait to start my new "weigh" of life and my new journey!</p>

Hello all, I am ready to stop being an eyesore. I am 24, 5'4" and 300 pounds!!! AHHH!!! I have no idea how this happened... it seemed like it was overnight. I have struggled with my weight for my entire life. I was the chubby kid in school for most of the time - one kid even made up a nasty taunting ryhme. I did get thin for a period in high school, through the abuse of ephedra, purging, and starvation. I truly believe I almost died... I was passing out several times a week, but I somehow felt it was really worth it. Anyways, I got into a serious relationship and got fat again. Isn't it funny how that works? After that relationship ended, I managed to get my weigh…

:whoo:Yes, it finally happened. After 8 months of working through qualifying and visits and finally getting the approval from insurance company less than 24 hours of surgery date/time.. Phew, I was sweating there for a little bit. I had reached out of pocket max for the year and would save considerably if done this year and YIPPEE.... it went through. I just wanted to say HELLO! It's going well...

Hi to everyone out there in LapBandLand... I'm not really sure where to begin other than to give details about the journey that has me here, and the one that I expect to take over the course of, well, the rest of my life. Forgive me in advance for rambling. I'm a 38 year old male who, thanks to heredity coupled with a variety of other factors have put me on a collision course with death far before what most would consider "it's time." I don't exaggerate in this sense - at age 32 I had an acute angina attack, and was advised that I had advanced coronary artery disease, with some arteries as much as 95% blocked. Despite four angioplasty procedures and the installa…

Hello! I've just begun the jurney. I'm very excited and anxious about having the band surgery. I've seen the surgeon, DR. Fisher at Kaiser in Richmond CA. everyone has been so supportive. DR. Fisher recommended me to you and, I'm happy to be here.

Hi, My name is Nancy I live int the PNW. I was banded on 12/5/05 with a starting weight of 364. As of today I've lost 168 lbs. I've only had 3 fills. After my first 100 lb loss I went to work for the surgeon that placed my band. I still work with him but like every other band patient I need support too! Hoping to find it here. I just had my cosmetic surg consult! I'm going to have the 360 body lift in the spring. I can't wait. Happy and Merry to all this season, n.

Hi, I'm new. I had my lapband for over 2 yrs. I am looking for a new Dr. to do the fills...I do not like my Dr. to do the fills. Anyone have any info for me about this. I go to a Dr. in Detroit. I hate the drive and the office is not all that clean.:cry:help: I would like to know if anyone knows can another Dr. do the fills and how do I find one? Thanks so much.

Ok I have finally decided that I'm tired of being heavy, and all the dieting in the world on lasts so long. I have made my appt. with the Dr. Now what happens? What is living with the lap band like? Is it hard to get insurance approval?:help:

Hi -- I am Cynthia in St. Louis. I've been considering surgery for a year and have finally completedly all of the pre-work for insurance. My insurance changes 1/1/08 so I should know about coverage and have a date in a few weeks. It finally seems real and is exciting, but also scary ... looking forward to this adventure. Cynthia

Hi everyone, I usually lurk on the different forums looking for my info on my own. My name is Cynthia and I was Banded on 02/12/2007. I can't lurk anymore, I need some support. I've had a few fills and I'm doing pretty good. My Dr (Dr. Shah, Lenox Hill Hospital) gave me larger fill last month because I really can still eat what he feels is too much. I can probably east a whole chicken thigh with a nice bowl full of veggies. Don't get me wrong I'm steady losing (except since this last fill last month). But I would have probably been down more if I could stop snacking in between meals. For a while I realy was getting hungery every 2-3 hrs. I am up to 3.2ml in my b…

I am Tina. I am 31 yr old mom of five kids. I have a BMI of 36.5 and the only problem I experience is chronic pancreatitis. I am hoping to qualify for the surgery. I submitted my information to a DR and am waiting for their call back to see where do I go from here? Any suggestions? Tina

I'm scheduled for the seminar 1/8/08 and consultation with the doctor on 1/10/08. I've also contacted my insurance company (Oxford Liberty) to get their guidelines and parameters. Just wondering if anyone can let me know how long it took for them from the consultation date to surgery date? I'm very excited, a bit nervous and really hopeful this procedure will be the tool I need to make the kind of change I have been seeking.

:clap2: Well first off my name is Theresa I am a 29 year old mother of 1 very active lil man who is 4. I am so glad to have found this website I ahve been reading everyones stories and let me say they gave me such hope. I have been overweight allllll of my life tried everything to lose but no luck. I have been going back and forth about this surgery for a while now and think it will be the best decision I have made. I am so excited tomorrow I have my first consult with my doctor and my pulmunologist:biggrin1: so keep your fingers crossed. I am praying it does not take forever to get my insurance to approve all they want is a THS test. MY BMI is 47.3 but I personally ha…

Hi everyone...this is my first time here...I had my lap band surgery on 9/12/07 and I either picked a wrong doctor or am not doing something right. I did not get good discharge instructions first of all and it has been nothing but trouble getting in touch with my surgeon after the procedure. I am so disappointed...I spent ALOT of money to do this....I have only had one fill and i have lost my job of 10 years and insurance since then....I lost more weight before my surgery(30#) than after...I lost in the beginning and then regained some back. Any suggestions as to what to do....I'm starting to get really down about this, not to mention my husband keeps asking what happened…

I'm new to all of this and I'm looking forward to the New me in 2008 looking for all the support I can get. anyone in St. Louis looking for a partner for the trip

Hello everyone. I am so glad I found this forum. I am counting the days till I can set my surgery date. I am still fighting the insurance "red tape". I am seriously considering financing my surgery instead of waiting. A little about me, I am a 36 yr old single mom of a boy 14 and a girl who is 8. I have been researching lap band for months and made the final decision in November to go ahead with it, now its just the waiting game. I cant wait to get to know all of you & hear about your experiences and hopefully make the time go faster while I wait.

I had my band installed on 12/4/07. By Dr. Glen Strickland. It's been three weeks and I have had no problems.