Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hello everyone! I am new here. I have not yet been banded, but am starting the process (seminar this week, woohoo!) I have struggled with my weight my entire life, mostly due to the fact I have PCOS and a metabolism that sucks, no matter what I do I have tried all the diets out there, and after high school (and struggling with bulimia) just continued to get heavier. I lost almost 100lbs after my daughter was born, but I was breast-feeding and my horomones were actually balanced and I had a functioning metabolism for the first time in my life. It was so awesome! However, my daughter weaned and I got pregnant again, and gained back about 60lbs of that weight (I was at…

K here is my problems....this whole thing is such a a tough decision. I mean on the one hand the band would be good because it's a tool that will teach me how to eat better and not as much. But I have to work extra hard to get the weight off :cry(already been doing that my whole life) and it will take YRS for me to lose all the 100+ lbs I gotta lose and there is no guarantee that it will all come off. :faint:Now the bypass scares me, but the weight would come off the first yr(I'm not a VERY patient person) I've also seen all the health risks that come from that surgery and that makes me nervous, plus the hubby is totally against the bypass. :phanvan It makes me nervous th…

December 31st is my date for lapband surgery with Dr.Boe at the Bariatric Clinic in Langhorne Pa.I am looking for support from some of you experianced banded friendly people.:help:

Hi all I am new to the site and just found out today that I have been approved by my insurance company. As soon as I found out I tried to call and get my surgery scheduled but the doctor's office is closed today! I am hoping they will be open tomorrow or Friday so I can go ahead and set it up even if it wont happen until end of January or February. I would love to hear any advice from anyone regarding the surgery and after surgery experiences. Thanks so much!!! I am from Central IL and would love to hear from anyone around me!!! Thanks.

My first post here. I was banded on 12/14/07 by Dr. Haughn in Evansville, IN. The surgery went great (about 2.5 hours), and my recovery has gone smoothly. I have my first weigh-in on Jan. 4, so need less to say, I am excited about next Friday! Looking forward to learning more on this site!

Hi, I had lapband surgery on 12-19-07 (4 days ago), I noticed a rash on my stomach which is itchie. It is not by the incisions that were made its like hip to hip at the bottom of my stomach. Is this normal? I've put some cortizone type creams on it but it didnt do much good... Anyone else have this problem? Any suggestions?:help: Thank you

I am currently in the process of meeting with my dr monthly (6months) to meet my insurance requirements. I'm really nervous because I realized that will be denied and I do not know what to do. I have read that I should call the company but what am I asking/insisting or what. I have one more month and I'll have my pyc eval in Jan but I just want to be ready for the denial. I'm typically that person when someone says no, I don't challenge it. I have been wanting to have the lap band for over 5 years and my finally I have a job where my insurance (cigna) will pay for it but I think I have to jump through hoops. If someone could let me know what to be ready for and who do i c…

I have a story similar to most on here.. at age 6 I started gaining weight rapidly... I was adopted so my adoptive parents couldn't exactly figure out why. At the time, all I knew was that my birth mother had thyroid conditions. I've been tested over and over again for that, and nothing was found. Now I know my birth father, in fact live with him here in San Antonio texas. He's 400lbs, but that's after losing 100lbs. His family also has a history of being overweight. My whole life I have felt trapped. like my personality didn't match my body. At 8 years old I weighed in at 180lbs... at 10, 200lbs, at 13, 270lbs, then at 16 I was 320, lost down to 269 on the atkin…

Hello all! I am SO happy I found this site! I live in MD and I am scheduled to have my lap banding at the end of January. I am in complete disbelief that this is happening! I am just not picturing it, and things are rolling right along so the reality hasn't really had time to hit me. I am inviting any and all words of wisdom and support, as well as advice on foods and dealing with any discomforts post-op. I look forward to talking with you all!

Hey Guys 2day Is My 20th Birthdate! I Am So Exciting To Be Able To Start A New Era Off Healthy!! I Am Hoping For A January Surgery Date! The Bariatric Coordinator Will Be Submitting My Info To The New Health Insurance On January 2nd!!! I Am So Excited She Says Here On The East Coast Amerihealth Is On Of The Easiest To Get Approved By!! So Everyone Hope, Wish, And/or Pray For Me! Which Every You Prefer Lol!! I Am Just So Happy And Know Only Positive Will Come Out Of This. I Have Been Fat My Whole Life And I Want It To End Here! My 21st I Wanna Be A "brick House" And Not A "double Wide Trailer" Lol! Thanks For Listening And Lots Of Love Hugs Kisses And All That Good Stuff F…

Hello all, I have for the past month or so been researching lapband (mainly on this site) and have posted on a few threads already. All my life I have been overweight and finally have "accepted" who I am. I am currently happy with who I am but not nececarily my weight. I have found many very encouraging posts and alot of feedback on all the questions that I have had so far. I, last week, found out my pre-op, surgery and post-op would be covered with the ok from the doctor by ND BCBS. There still will be a $1250.00 deductible but since I recently (this year) had surgery on my thumb I think that I have paid for most of it. I am assuming that ND BCBS will cover fills but…

Hi, I'm new here and having problems! I had the surgery on Dec. 3 and I'm still miserable. My weight is going down, but I'm in almost constant pain and discomfort. It feels like I have "bubbles' in my lungs and I am struggling to get a night's sleep. Any body else having these pain problems?

i was banded May1,2006. I lost 50 pds by september by walking and walking. I had my first back surgery in October and a disc replacement this last May. My exercise has changed considerably. I have gained 10 pounds back in a year off work. I am not upset by that considering the physical limitations that I had. I would graze while I was home all day and picked up my bad habits again. I had my surgery with Dr Wagner in St Louis mo. My doctor wouldn't do any fills till I got clearance from my back doctor. One of my medications added weight and I freaked out. I am going back in January and getting my third fill now. It has been 6 months since I had my second fill. Has anyone e…

Hello everyone! :clap2:

My surgery date is Jan 25th and Im so excited. Anyone else going to be banded in Jan? I would love to hear from you - or from anyone that has been banded and has any advise for me. tks

Hey guys! My name is Elisa and I'm a 27 year old 8th grade English teacher from NYC. I've been overweight my entire life and finally got banded on 12-20 by Dr. George Fielding at NYU. I thought the entire staff at NYU was amazing and supportive and I would totally recommend going through them if you are just starting on this journey. I'm five days out of surgery and really optimistic about my new life. I know I have a lot of struggle ahead of me but it's all for the greater good and I can't wait to start seeing the results. I've enjoyed reading about all of your experiences on this site and look forward to continue doing so.

Hello to all! I am new here and have found a lot of valuable information on this site. I am nervous and excited about my date. It all happened so fast. I work on average about 60 hours a week so I haven't had a lot of time to think about the pain or gas or the things I won't be able to eat. I guess that is a good thing though. I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!

I have completed all of my clearances, lost my 10% which put me at about a 35.2 BMI. My consult appointment with the surgeon is 1/3/08. Everyone keeps telling me I don't have enough to lose to risk surgery, however, my physician is telling me different. I carry all of my weight in the middle. :help:

:confused:i was told by kaiser that i would be sent to see a mental health provider in feb 08. what i would like to know is what to execpt in this visit? would be very thankful for any info.

i was banded May1,2006. I lost 50 pds by september by walking and walking. I had my first back surgery in October and a disc replacement this last May. My exercise has changed considerably. I have gained 10 pounds back in a year off work. I am not upset by that considering the physical limitations that I had. I would graze while I was home all day and picked up my bad habits again. I had my surgery with Dr Wagner in St Louis mo. My doctor wouldn't do any fills till I got clearance from my back doctor. One of my medications added weight and I freaked out. I am going back in January and getting my third fill now. It has been 6 months since I had my second fill. Has an…

Hello Friends! My name is Tracey and I am from Arizona. I am having my lap band surgery on December 28th. I am looking forward to it, but a little nervous. Just wanted to drop in and say hi to everyone!

Well need to know what kind of stuff I should have ready before calling the doc to make an appt to be seen for a consult. I read something somewhere about needing a list of all the diets I've tried, and I've seen some questions on here that I view while I'm at work but never get them written down. Hell I'm at work right now typing this...I have so many things going through my head it's not funny. I'm thinking I shouldnt have waited this long to get this done, but on the other hand I dont feel that I have enough info to make an informed decision. I know I want to lose weight and get healthy(even though hubby is scared I'm not gonna be if I get this done) and make the pains…

Hi My name is Jenny. I am into my 2nd week after surgery and have lost 5kgs in that time. I am on a liquid diet and i can honestly say i am over it. Can someone give me advise on how to cope until i can start my puree diet and when i do start the puree diet will i experience dificulties with getting use to food in my stomach again? Any feedback would be very helpful. :huggie:

:clap2::whoo:Hi all. It's been a long 7 months, but I got my approval December 10th. I thought I'd never hear from insurance. The paperwork was submitted to Cigna November 16th. I was beginning to worry, well worry even more. I've worried my friends, my family and my husband till they are sick of hearing about it. NA they are proud that I want to do something about my weight. Like most it's been a life long battle. When I got the call, my preschool class was about to go outside. My assistants laughed as I chanted, I'm gonna get skinny! I goto Dr. Spaw Monday the 17th. I guess for pre-op and visit with him. They say he doesn't have any more December dates open, but it migh…

Hi all - I am just starting the process. I was hoping there is someone out there with Aetna PPO insurance who was able to navigate the insurance hell and was successful. I would love any words of wisdom to get me through this process. I really want the surgery and know that Aetna is not great about approving it. HELP! :help::eek:

I just received a call tonight from Lap Band Solutions telling me that it sounds like my insurance is going to cover the lap band! They asked me to start on my pre-op diet tonight because they are going to schedule me for December 28!! I am so excited!

:help: Hi! I got banded Sept. 19th, 2007 by Dr. Galvani in Chicago. I just recently went for my second adjustment a couple of weeks ago, and I still don't think I'm feeling the restriction necessary to lose weight. I'm 5'0" and my pre-op weight was 161, I am now at 154 and can't get past that!!! I'm very frustrated and disillusioned. Any suggestions?

Hi Everyone, I had my operation on the 26 September so have had my operation for 9 weeks now. and what a difference 9 weeks makes. I am so happy that I had it done. So far I haven't had any problems and have had 2 fills and when I go back to the doctor on the 20 December I'm thinking I will be getting another 1 ml fill. With the optifast and post op I am down 18 kilos and you really can't be unhappy about that. My doctor said that I could expect to lose 1 kilo per week and I am pretty much on target. Hopefully this is my way of life from now on. Regards Rhonda:)

My weight at surgery was 346 pounds and BMI of 46.9. I live in Houston, Texas and my lapband doctor is Dr. Spivak (food. Working out has not been a problem, it has always been food intake. I did a ton of back and forth on this procedure ... sometimes I felt that I was actually "copping out," if I had the surgery done. Then came the conversation with my sister, she's a surgeon, and said that this is not a magic band ... and I will still have to work my tail off ... she was right ... I agreed with it, and tadaaaa ... I am banded I have been feeling really sore today. This morning I took the liquid hrdrocodone around 7, then I decided I was not going to take it anym…

No it's not the North Woods - it's Chicago, Illinois! I'm in the process of scheduling my pre-op testing and should have my band sometime in January '08. My doctor is Paul Guske with the Kane Center in the NW subs of Chicago.

Hi all, I'm from Australia and waiting to meet with my surgeon on 10 October.. I believe my op will be not long after that. I have been overweight pretty much all my life but have found that in the last fews years it has started to affect my health. I'm 52 yo and weight 102 kilos (205 lbs). The lowest I have been is 73 kilos (160 lbs) but that was many years ago. I lost 16 kilos (35 lbs) about 3 years ago but have gradualy put most of it back on in the last year or so. After a lifetime of struggling to lose and especially keep my weight off and the fact that my health is suffering... BP, diabetes, sleep apnea, I thought enough is enough... so here I am a prospective …

Hi, I live in Yorba Linda, Ca and am being banded 1/7/08. I am using Dr. Eric Pham at St. Joseph's Hospital in Orange, CA, anyone use him before? I just got my protein drinks on Friday and will start them on the4 24th.,

Hello folks, my name is Julia and this is my first time posting to the forum. I have enjoyed the posts and am so encouraged by the weight loss you all have had. Like many of you, I have tried every diet, pill and frankly, drastic measure for weight loss there is! I enjoy exerciseing and have that going for me, but even while in the military, I had a weight problem. I am 100% certain I will be having this surgery. Right now, I am just working with the financing options. Hey, has anyone got advice for me with the Meixico Doctors choice of finance companies? I would like some input too, on what the handouts say about an aproximate loss of 38% as being realistic. …

Hi! I just found this website- very cool. I have had the lap band surgery and had to pay out of pocket- BEST money ever spent! I have lost 40 pounds- although this time of the year has been hard! Anyone else struggling? Thanks! From Walton Kentucky

Hi ! I've been banded since December 17th. so far so good, but I have one question...why do I have pain in my left arm and why do I feel like I have a huge air bubble in my stomach ?? Thanks

My wife started first and got me into this too. I'm looking forward to being skinnier than I've ever been. My goal is to be less than 200 pounds. I've just had my initial weight loss visit and will probably have surgery in April of next year. I'm learning more than I ever thought possible about lapband. My wife is going to drive me crazy with her enthusiasm, but I really do want to make this successful for both of us. Now What? Glen

Hi all! My name is Ann I am 38 years old, I am married and have no children, not because of choice but becaseu I can't. I have been overweight for over 15 years. I looked into surgery several years ago, but LapBanding was not available then. So I waited. In the mean time I had a tummy tuck because I lost some weight and had a panni (saggy skin on my lower belly). That was in 2000, I weighed approximately 260Lbs then and lost 30 lbs after the tummy tuck. I gradually gained some of the weight back. My job has become very active and requires me to take a fitness test every year that I must pass in order to keep my job. With the extra weight it has become very d…

Hi my name is Angie, I am from Bakersfield,CA. I have my band surgery tomorrow 12/17. I am currently freaking out about this whole thing. I have never had a surgery in my life, and here I am volunteering. Is there something wrong with me?? I have been on the liquid diet for the past two weeks and have lost 12.5 lbs on that alone. I have been reading some of the posts left by others and I feel a bit more at ease about my procedure to come. About two years ago, I almost went through with the gastric bypass (rny), but chickened out a week before because the nurses were really rude with me. BUt, here I am again, and so far so good. Although, it's not too late to change …

I just made the decision to have the Lap Band surgery this weekend. I Started the ball rolling. My surgeon will be Dr. Laura Machado. I have the referral in the works and I have already talked to my insurance company. I am all set up. All I had to say was yes. I am so glad that I finally came to this decision. And you know the best part is that I can play Softball again. Well not withstanding the health risks that have managed to sneak up on me such as High blood pressure, higher cholesterol, and a hairs breath away from diabetes, not to mention my PCOS, those should all get better too that is a plus. I am excited. I am not a patient person, I am scared, but …

I am considering Lap Band Surgery and live in the Houston Area. I attended a seminar given by Dr. Speigel and had a consult with him as well. I am right on the border for being acandidate but want to do this before my weight gets completely out of control. I will be self pay and have been struggling with Mexico vs. US but have decided to stay int the states has anyone had experience with this Dr Spiegel?

I'm browsing-- hoping to have WLS of some type in 2008. Lots to learn that's for sure! --Theo

I just found out that my insurance approved me for surgery today I am so excited! I was really worried that something was going to happen to where I couldn't get it. Next step....... On to see the surgeon

I just found this site today. Someone on my other support board I frequent was talking about this site. My name is Angie, I was banded on 10/7/05 by Dr. Kuri in Tiajuna, Mexico (Not sure if I spelled that right) I have lost 32 lbs. This is better then gaining and I feel much better then before banding but I feel I should be farther in my journey then this. I am losing again after being at the same weight for over two months. I am at a 2.8cc fill and get my fills from a great Washington Dr. I would love to go back to Dr. Kuri but I can not afford that trip each time I have a fill so I decided to go with a Doc I can drive to in a couple hours. I would love t…

i was just banded on Monday by Dr. Benavides. I have already dropped a few pounds. I am looking forward to my weight loss journey! Babs 350 highest weight on 10/1/07 333 surgery weight on 12/17/07 328 now 12/19

Hi everyone, I was banded on December 11, and it was the greatest thing I have ever done. I was banded at New England Medical Center by Dr. Kim. I have lost 12 pounds so far.

I went to my first visit with the surgeon and am going tomorrow to do my psch evaluation. I am wondering if i should go or not, I am also supposed to go Friday for blood work and test. I have Aetna EPO insurance and the doctor is not going to submit anything to my insurance company until after all test are completed. Any suggestions.

Well, I've been reading up on Lap Band for the last 6 months, so I guess it's about time to start talking to people about it! :eek: I have a little over 200 pounds to lose, which I know is a huge amount, but there is no way I'm having my insides chopped into pieces (if I can prevent it), plus I'm only 27 and I plan on having a family someday (if the good Lord is willing)... the least invasive I think is the best way for me. Sooooooooooooooooo, I'm just gathering info right now. My insurance doesn't kick in until January 1st and I have BC/BS, which covers WLS after the 6 months supervised diet. I plan on seeing my PCP shortly after the insurance kicks in so I can get …

Ok this is my first post. I was banded Decemebr 15th, 2.5 days ago. Still a little sore but so far not to bad. The physical part is easy, it is the mental part Im struggling with. I love to eat and not being able to is tough. Attached Images

YEE HAH!! I got the surgery date!! I was able to get the date I wanted (have to plan, plan, plan). My new birthday is January 24. :whoo:I can hardly wait! This happens to be my daughters 17th birthday and she is not too happy that I won't be celebrating with her. You know...cake, dinner out and more cake. I told her no cake at the house but she can still go out to dinner with her friends and they can get cake at the resturant. But she is happy that I am getting it done. I am starting the pre-op this week, just to see how it is. My pre-op diet is not too bad. High Protein (70-100 grams) and low carbs (30 gram). It is really interesting to see how many carbs are actual…

I've just found this forum. I got my band on July 2nd and have lost 47 pounds. In a support group meeting, they told me about a book called "The Lap Band Solution". Does anyone know how to get a copy of it?