Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I've recently been banded, and am very fat. Medical and lifestyle issues were my motivations. I never felt motivated by a number on the scale. I do not know how many CC my band will hold, I have no goal weight. I have no idea how many CC my doctor should put in for my first fill. Instead I want my medical complications from obesity to subside, and to have being fat be less of a lifestyle obstacle for me. The lap band is intended to be of help to me in seeking this relief. So many here seem very focused on numbers, on targets and deadlines. Is it OK on this forum to not be worried about exact numbers, or not to have a goal weight?

Well they finally called after 2 months of waiting and the insurance company is going to cover it all. HALLELUJAH Now my banding date is Jan 9th but I am have a few concerns about the physicians track record. He has only done about 50. Anybody from MICHIGAN know about Barix Center? Anybody else banded there? Let me know your experience. Are you losing weight? Any complications? I went to a HI-Profile Banding Doctor in Houston and I am wondering now that I am approved by insurance, should I go to the most experience doctor? CJV Help

I am 53 and I want to live. I was banded in Detriot, Michigan Oct. 16, 2007. The only thing that really hurt me was my left shoulder when I woke from surgery. I have frozen shoulder, a complication from diabetes. I tolerated the surgery well and flew back home to Virginia to start off my adventure in weight loss. The first couple of weeks went smoothly, then I started to get hungry. You see I thought when the band was put on it was already tight. So, I was quite suprised when I ate 12 oz. of pinto Beans without getting sick. I called my Dr., that is when I really listened to the way the lap band works. Oh I have to heal. Oh, I have to wait 6 weeks for a fill. T…

I have been banded in February 2007. I have lost 80 lbs another 20 to go. However, I am having a lot of difficulty keeping any food down. My doctor tells me that my band shifted and I might need surgery again. I have terribel heartburn and reflux. Any ideas out there? Please let me know.

I am getting banded tommorrow at 7:10 a.m. I am a little nervous but more excited. It's been a long time coming. :clap2:

Hello everyone, I have spent the past few nights reading all your success stories and have to say the before and after pic's were phenomenal!! I have attended the seminar, filled out my paperwork and am waiting on pins and needles to be called in for my consultation. I can see that this site is a wealth of knowledge and support I am so glad to have stumbled onto it. :nervous:nervous

Hi all, Just wanted to introduce myself, my name is Whitney I am from Knoxville, TN! Go Vols! I will be banded on Dec 18! I am on liquid right now and hating every second of it! Looking forward to being a part of your boards! Whitney:o

Hello all. My name is Joel and I weigh 430 lbs. I am looking for a good surgeon in Alberta as our only option in Saskatchewan was a Duodenal Switch, which has been cancelled as of June of 2007, leaving myself and about 300 other patients with no options in our Province. Anyone know of a good doctor in Alberta? I've heard Alberta has a great history of lap band surgery's... Thanks!

Hi, I was banded by Dr Flanagan on 10/12/07. I started out at 116kgs and lost 7 on the liquid diet prior to surgery. I have lost 3kgs since the operation. I go for the first week check up and to hopefully get the staples out on Tuesday the 18th.:clap2: I can't wait for the staples to come out because they hurt when I cough. I have yo yo dieted my whole life so this is quite exciting to think I am finally off that merry go round. I am not hungry but I am kind of grieving for the loss of steak chips and salad. I have got gass though which is gross. :rolleyes My doctor will be away over January so I guess I won't have my first fill until the beginning of Feb. Has anyone els…

Hello everyone, My name is Joyce. I was banded November 15, 2007. I live on the east coast. I completing my fourth week and I have lost 10 lbs. I have maintained the weight since I lost. I have not had a fill as of yet. I will see the surgeon the first week of January 2008. I am thinking I will probably need a fill. My weight fluctuates everyday. It seems I am losing then I gain it right back. I initially exercised, but my incisions are bothering me. I am getting sharp pains and a pulling sensation when I am standing and walking. My stomach is drooping a little, maybe that is the reason for the pulling?? Anyway, I am getting my Protein requirements in everyday and I a…

Hi everybody. Been reading the boards about 2 months. This is my first post. Right now I'm in day 5 of my all liquid all the time phase before my banding on November 9th. Just did my PCP physical and blood work. First time ever having an EKG and an X-Ray. Man, oh man, do I miss chewing, LOL!!! Mornings and afternoons are fine; it's nighttime that's kicking my tush! I so want something hot and *chewy* to eat Just to answer some questions: female, thirty years old, West Palm Beach, Florida, children's librarian, self-pay, Dr. Rosas from the Wellness Center of the Palm Beaches, probably about 200 pounds to lose. *waves*

Hi, I'm new to this and just found this great website! I just had my surgery on 12/6/2007. I appreciate all the great info. I was banded in Bryan, Texas by Dr. John A Mason. My Pre-op weight was 260.

Hello, I get banded on Jan 16th and I am so excited. I have wanted to be a smaller me all my life!! I am 38 and a single mom. My lap band doc is Dr. M. Srikanth in Federal way WA. I am looking forward to this so much. I have several friends who have been banded and they are glad they were.

Hi all! Just got my lap band Dec 6 2007. Was on liquid diet for first week now on fairly reg diet, ie meats, proteins, vegies and fruits. I am finding this adjustment odd. I know I must be over eating related to feeling food where I dont think it should be (my esophagus) Its an odd feeling of discomfort that wont go away for hours. Don't know if we all go thru this or what. Figure I'm in an adjustment period? Anyway, despite this and having had much pain I wasn't expecting after surgery, I'm doing ok.

Hi! I'm Julie and received my lapband on Thursday, December 13, 2007. I did very well and am feeling good! The biggest issue has been that I had, what my surgeon called, an 'extreme' hiatal hernia. My entire stomach was in my chest cavity. So, when he went in, he had to cut my diaphragm and re-place my stomach. I can't tell you how much easier it is to breathe, not to mention the lightness in my chest! Other than that, things are good. My right shoulder is hurting some from the gas. My doctor said it was ok to take Gas-x strips and that gives me quite a bit of relief. I had a little morphine at noon on Thursday and then I've had 2 doses of my loratab liquid. S…

hi all,i really have wanted to get this for awhile,so the first thing i should do is call insurance company?then what see my dr and see what i need to get and do?lmk plz thanks

Hi! Im not really sure about too much these last few weeks, other than the fact that im having surgery in under 14 days. Let me start back a little bit though. I am 19 and weigh about 290 pounds, but carry it very well. Most people doubt that I am 100+ pounds overweight with GERD being my only health issue. Just to let you know, I have BCBS-FED in Oklahoma. Anyways, the day before Thanksgiving I attended a lap-band seminar. Two days later I received a call asking me to set up an initial consult which resulted in me setting a surgery date for the 27th of December. And now that I have my psych, dietician, and tests all done I only have to do is wait it out. I guess I am sho…

I Just Found This Web Site And Am Looking Forward To Getting Information From Others. I Am Sick And Tired Of Being Fat. I Am 39 Years Old And Have Always Been Fat. I Hate Myself, I Am Miserable With Who I Am. I Work 12 Hrs A Day And Make No Time For Exercise. I Dont Enjoy Anything Anymore. I Want To Have The Surgery But People Around Me Tell Me That Is Stupid And All I Have To Do Is Just Start Exercising And Cut Back On Eating. Ya Know I Wish I Had Thought Of That. That Is What Pisses Me Off, People Telling Me Why Im Fat And How To Fix The Problem. Most Of Them Are Not Fat And Will Never Be. I Need Some Advice From Someone Who Feels Like I Do. Thanks.

:help: I have been struggling with this decision for over 2 years. I have tried every diet known to man and just can't seem to succeed. I am currently at 265 lbs and fear I will just get bigger. I considered the Lap Band for over a year and a half before finally telling my mom that I wanted to look into it. Thought she was all for it, but after she went to the seminar with me, she became scared of it. She talked me into giving dieting another try. That was back in August. Since then I have gone from 269 lbs to 256 lbs and then back up to 265 lbs. Now it is December and I am kicking myself for not doing what I felt was right for me. I could have been banded by now. When…

I RECENTLY HAD MY SURGERY ON DECEMBER 4 2007 AND IT TRULY WAS THE BEGINNING OF MY LIFE. MY DOCTOR PUT ME ON A CLEAR LIQUID DIET AND FOLLOWED WITH A FULL DIET FOR TWO WEEKS. OUT OF THE SIX MELAS THAT I AM SUPPOSE TO HAVE FOUR OF THOSE ARE SUPPOSE TO BE PROTEIN SHAKES. I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE DRINKING THE PROTEIN SHAKES AND HAVE REPLACED THEM WITH CARNATION INSTANT BREAKFAST DRINKS. ANY ADVICE ON WHETHER THATS A GOOD IDEA OR NOT?:help:

Brand new to this site as I actually had my band done this last Tuesday, 12/11/07. I was diagnosed with type II diabetes in 1992 and with the different medications prescribed over the years, including insulin, watched my weight steadily increase. In October of 2005 I reached an all time high of 310 pounds. I was desperate! About that time I heard of a new medication just released by the DEA for the treatment of diabetes called Byetta. I spoke to my physician and he prescribed it for me. One of the side effects that Byetta can have is weight loss due to decreasing the appetite. Over the next year I watched my weight fall to 244 lbs. I was ecstatic (I have since found out …

I started the process back in Oct. I have completed all the doctor visit requirements, and am about to go for my third visit of supervised diet. I have Aetna, so I will be submitting in Jan. Have been looking forward to surgery so much, and then today, for some reason, I log on, read for about 30 minutes, then this feeling of being really scared hits me. Not of the surgery, but of what comes after. Seems very difficult from all the posts I have been reading, and I am just plain scared. I am not even sure of what exactly. It is surprising me because yesterday I had a really good talk with my daughter about the surgery. I talked about my health issues that …

Hello fellow bandsters. Just posting an introduction: Starting BMI/weight: 34.1/231 lbs Surgery Date: November 16, 2007 Surgery BMI/weight: 32.5/220 lbs Surgeon: John M. Marsden, M.D. Now: 30.7/208 lbs I am not feeling any restriction currently but I get my first fill tomorrow! I self paid as an investment in my future. I have central body obesity, high blood pressure and hyperlipidemia. My mother had the same body type, heart disease and diabetes. My insurance would not pay unless I had a BMI of 42 or greater! I would have to be about 290 lbs first. I could see that happening eventually if I kept going as I was, so I took the leap. I am glad I did.

I finally have a date 28 Dec 07.:clap2: I want to thank everybody on this forum I would'nt be doing this if it wasn't for all of you. I have been researching and lurking for months. I've read it all the good, the bad, and the ugly. And I am here to stay.:clap2: Thaks again. Ja:whoo:

After each one of my fills, I have to wait 48 hours to eat, I can only have water, propel and gatorade for 48 hours after the fill. What about you all??????:hungry:

I'm looking to create a website about people's experience with Lap Band surgery. I've looked around for an adminstrator to clear this post with, and I don't really see any. If I've missed you, please accept my apologies. If you feel this post is inappropriate, feel free to delete it. Anyway, I'm looking to interview people in the Los Angeles area about their experience with the lap band - whether they were banded today or eight years ago. I don't have funding for travel right now, so they must be local to me for the time being. I want to create a site where people can go and watch lots of videos of people talking about their experience with the surgery - sortuva visual…

Hi All, I have been going through this journey for quiet some time now. Hopefully, I can schedule my band operation for the first or second week in January. I should find that out in the next couple of days. I will have to be a self-pay gal. My insurance tells me I'm not fat or sick enough for the surgery to be "medically necessary". My BMI is 37 and I don't have any health "problems" yet, and I stress yet. My insurance requires a BMI of 40 with no co-morbidities (they only have 3 in their criteria, Diabetes, sleep apnea, and coronary disease). I've decided to invest in myself though!! I still am very afraid that this will not work for me, or I'll have major problems …

Hi all, as I am sure this will be a major life changing experience, I am glad to have found these support boards. I decided back in september that it was time for me to get the band. I have been overweight most of my life with one small 'skinny' spell back in my teens. I have gone up and down in weight (like very BIG amoutns 50lbs ++ ) at a time over the years with diets and the weight always came back full force + some. I am now 31 and weigh a little over 300lbs, and i need to be more down towards 200lbs with an ideal weight of around 180 (i am tall heh). I swore i would never get surgery for my weight loss problem, both my sister and mother had bands put in 3 ye…

Good Day Every! My Name is Jodi. I was banded Aug 31 2005. I lost 167 lbs before becoming pregnant 16 months post op. I currently have only 15 lbs more to loose to get back to my pre pregnancy post banded weight after having my son in late September. I orignally joined this site a long time ago but when I found out I was pregnant that kinda over took my life, so I'm really looking forward to becoming a more active member and working my band.

Hi everyone - new member here. I have been researching lapband surgery for a couple of weeks now. Been considering some kind of bariatric surgery for a couple of years now, but after watching the people at work who have had gastric bypass and all the problems they have had I was scared to do it. After reading about the lapband, I feel comfortable with this method. I am going to the free info seminar next Thu in Houston. I talked to our HR lady who had gastric bypass 4 years ago and she said our insurance (Anthem BC/BS PPO) was good about approving people as long as they meet the requirements (which I do). I will be 49 in January, I am 5' 2" and I weigh 100 pound…

Hello everyone! I've got a problem that I can't believe is an issue. I plan on having my lapband done by Emory surgeons near Decatur, GA but when I go to meet the surgeon for the first time, IT IS MANDATORY THAT I BRING SOMEONE WITH ME!!! This in and of itself seems ridiculous, but it is their policy. My problem is that I've chosen not to tell anyone about the procedure. My family would be critical about it, and my good friends don't live in the Georgia area. Can anybody help me? I'd be happy to be your surgery buddy if you would be mine. It is a shame that I have to ask, but I'm left without a choice. If all goes well, surgery will be sometime in February... Ev…

Hello everyone! I am so new, I have not even began the process, well, actually I kinda have. I know which Dr. I want to go to. I will have my new insurance in January and have my Dr. appt on 1/3/08! My friend just had her surgery on Friday, 11/30, so I will know kinda what to expect....although everyone is different! I look forward to meeting new people and being apart of the lapband society!:bounce:

Hello everyone, I just wanted to say what a great information site this is!! I was referred by local support group and really have learned a lot. I myself was banded on 11/27 by Dr. Donald Waldrep in Roseville, CA. I had a tough time choosing the band vs. gastric bypass but I feel as though I have made the right choice. I have learned a lot about myself through this whole experience. Reading the various threads on this site has helped me to understand the different phases and that I am not alone in this! Thank you everyone, for being so open and honest about your individual experiences. You're really providing a great service to those who are in the early stages and feeli…

But man it seems like such a long ways away (3/27/08) I started this process with my insurance way back in 1/2007!! (long story) I'm just happy I finally got a surgery date. :clap2:

Hey Everyone! I am new to the group.I plan on having surgery at NYU. Having difficulty deciding on which doctor I am more comfortable with, Dr. Fielding or Dr. Ren. Anxious-Cant Wait!!!! Any suggestions? Also, whats up with the no caffeine?- LIGHT ER NYC

Hello, I hope that this is going to become my second home. I decided a year ago to finally do something about my weight. Before I go on, I want to introduce myself. My name is Sonya, and I have been overweight ALL of my life. I was a 10 pound baby for Pete's sake! But I never let my weight be a hinderance to me. I was one of the fortunate ones who was not teased and I was very popular. I marched in the high school and a southern college band, and BOY DO THEY MARCH!!! I was very active and outgoing in spite of my extra weight. I believe that I was always my own worst critic. Anyway, after going through a devastating break up and ultimate divorce and experiencing probl…

Hi just a little about my self and some of my experiances. I was banded on Oct 29th 2007 and my first fill is on 12-12-07. I am scared yet excited about it. I have done OK I have lost 18lbs so far. I used to be a hugh coke drinker and amazing I have dropped that nasty habit. I have tried it but it just dont taste the same and I dont want it. I do drink alot of Water that is what my Doc really forces on me. I am very glad that I made the decision to get the lap band I have 3 boys and recently divorced. I made the decision based on my children I miss out on so much with them because of my weight: things like carnival rides go_karts, running and playing. I am all they have n…

Excited, Scared, Anxious, Delighted, Apprehensive - I Guess This Describes The Long Awaited "you're Scheduled For February Surgery". A Long Road Which Will Travel Very Quickly I'm Sure. I've Watched And Waited To Join This Forum Until I Knew That I Could Really Be Granted The Wish. Thanks For The Honesty And Encouraging Support That's Been Shown On This Site. I'll Continue To Watch And Learn And Then Hope To Be Able To Share All My Success And Glitches With You. Let Me Know If Anyone Else Will Be Banded On February 13th!!!

OMG I can't believe how quickly the last 3 months have gone. I want to thank you all I have been loging in as an unregistered visitor for the past few months reading lots of threads! Trying to make up my mind about the band The information I found here has helped me make up my mind. I now have a surgery date. My question is if there was one thing you wish you knew about the surgery that you didn't know before hand and now know ..good or bad what was it?

Hi... I am 37. My BMI is 39 and I'm so tired of being fat! I want to be banded but don't have the support of my family. I've been considering going to Dr. Kuri in Mexico. My family thinks I'm crazy to go to Tijuana to do this. But I don't have a lot of money and have heard really good things about Dr. Kuri. I do have one friend who is willing to go with me (he doesn't want me to do it but would rather I didn't go alone). So, I'd like to know if anyone here has gone without the support of family and came out of it ok? And how did they react after they found out you had gone? Also, does anyone here know Dr. Kuri and was banded by him? How was your experience? …

Hello everyone ... My name is Lyndsay I was Banded in April 2007 with Dr Acheves in Mexicali... Wow great job , couldnt ask for a better doctor... I had everyone telling me please dont go to Mexico lyndsay that is scary, Let me tell you I have never been In a better hospital in the US than over there... I started at 250 I am now at 186 I am feeling so good I want to get to 150, I am 6-0 tall... I still dont eat much... Although I have been stuck at this weight for about 3 weeks .... nOt sure what I need to do .... But I dont beleive I need a fill... I cant enough as it is now ... I am not hunry I eat just to live... But it was the best thing that I could ever have done fo…

Hi There my name is Dawn, in Boise Idaho, and I had lap band surgery in TJ with Dr. Kuri last friday. What a whirlwind! So I'm home, and took another day off of work, but back tomorrow. I am a hairstylist so it should be interesting standing all day. I have tried to schedule myself breaks to rest. I was so happy to find this site! I was snubbed on the Yahoo forum after making a very polite complaint about the water in Tijuana. That's ok. Over all my experience was good, and I really liked Dr. Kuri. I would have never been able to afford to have this done here in the states, and I'm thankful to have been referred to a good doctor. I weigh about 250, and would l…

I just found this site today and I have been very informed and inspired! I had my first meeting with Dr. Babineau in Tyler, TX on July 3rd 2007. I began my 6 month meeting program (required by insurance) on July 11th. I have one more month of documenting all of my meals, already had my doctor write his letter, saw the dietician yesterday and ordered my medical records for the past 5 years. My appt. for the phys. is the first week of Jan. 08. So I am hoping to hear about a surgery date sometime in January. I am so glad I finally took the step and asked my family doctor about Lap-Band. I wanted to ask about it over a year ago, but I was too embarressed to bring it up. Thi…

After years of fascination with weight loss surgery, I have finally come to a place where I'm going to go through with it. I know I'm ready because each day the desire in me grows greater and the fears are minimal. What has always happened to me before is that I would read and read and read all the great success stories, but inevitably there would be something that would deter me; tales of surgery complications, or descriptions of how little they were eating, and there's always the story of someone for whom the surgery didn't work, or worked too well and now they can't keep the weight on, etc. At that point I would think, I could never go through that! A couple o…

I was banded last Thursday by Dr. Alldredge and I must report the 1st NSV (Non-Scale Victory): I am officially off of caffeine! I have been a Caffeine addict since I was a young child. I have not had a sip of soda, nor will I succomb to my worst vice!! I began to wean myself a week ago, then had my last drink on Weds. night. Headache from hell!!!! Thank goodness for the liquid drugs on Thursday thru Sat. I have been taking 500mg of Tylenol twice a day since. I feel great! My band will be my tool to rise above it all!!!!! Good luck to all of the rest of you!!!

i was banded nov 26/07:)

Hi I'm Carol. My surgery is scheduled for 12/19. I'm 85% excited, and 15% nervous. I'm not really nervous about the surgery itself, or my surgeon (Dr. Larson here in South FL). I'm nervous about the anesthesia and nausea. Everybody I've spoken to says I won't feel like eating after the operation, but confession time here: I'm afraid of being hungry. I won't be eating from midnight till the next day after the surgery. Like all of you who've had the procedure. But I hate being hungry, which is why I've not been successful on diets before. I am looking forward to eating right and not being as hungry after the surgery, though. I'm surprised at how many of my friends and a…

I just attended a seminar last night. There was also a person there who was banded 3 weeks ago, so it was good talking with her. I'm still nervous but I know it's right for me. My only problem is I'm not sure if I'll meet the criteria. I'm 70 lbs overweight & don't have any medical problems although there is a history of diabetes in my family. But I've tried every "diet" and weight loss technique out there & nothing works. I'm going to call my insurance company today. Is anyone from the Bergen County, NJ area? I'd love to hear your experiences. If I'm able to do this, my doctor would be Dr. Davis.

I finally got a date 28 Dec 07:clap2: I wan to thank everybody on this forum. I wouldn't be here without you all! I have been researching and lurking for moths now. I have read it all the good, the bad, and the ugly and I thank you again:D Ja:whoo:

I am scheduled for Lap Band Surgery on January 8, 2008. I'm starting to get VERY nervous. Since my first appointment with my Dr. (10/29), I've lost 20 pounds. I weigh 237 pounds. My goal is 165 pounds. Howard