Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi there! I was so excited to find this forum! I was banded on Sept 17th...had my first fill on Nov 2nd and I'm going back for my 2nd fill on Dec 11th. I'm not feeling much of a difference after my first fill....so... I'm a 34 (ugh...mid 30's! :rolleyes) married mom of 2 and live in the DFW area. I started having weight issues in college and it progressed from there. I was pretty average weight growing up and very athletic...as soon as the athletics stopped the scale started going up. After much research I knew lap band was for me! So far I'm convinced it was the best decision I've ever made for myself. I'm thrilled with my progress so far and what lies ahead. I w…

Hi, had my surgery 10/2/07 I have lost 29 lbs so far! I am eating more than 3 to 4 oz it is more like 5 to 6 oz..for some meals soft stuff oatmeal, egg beaters, salad... :help: Dr. say's ok? sound strange to anyone

Hello, My name is Steve, I'm 50 years old and had my banding operation six days ago. I'm very excited to find this forum and want to share the journey - the highs and lows - and learn from your experiences. I'm based in the East Midlands, UK. I had my operation in Derby. Good experiences so far, but I feel I'm at the beginning of a long road. If you want to put a face to the name, please visit Stephen Milward BA, Cert.Ed., MCP, MCDST Kind regards, Steve

Hi everyone! I am on my way to having the lap band (had 3 of the 6 required dr. visits).. I am excited about this venture, although wonder if this means never a cold glass of beer? Or a glass of wine?

Hi everyone! My name is Jenn, and I am very excited to be here. For years I have battling my weight, with little success. Despite watching what I eat, getting in physical activity what I can, even trying out alli for five months, I cannot seem to get out of the ten to fifteen pound range I am stuck in. I am 5'6'', and I currently weigh 297 lbs. Thankfully, I have no health problems. I have decided that the lap band is something I seriously want to do. I have thought about lap band off and on over the past two years, but since I did not have health insurance for part of that time, and was pregnant from Jan. 2004 - Oct. 2004 with my daughter, then breastfeeding for a ye…

Hello all, I have been lurking for a few weeks trying to get as much knowledge as possible. I am a new (1 year)Registered nurse, mother of 3, and have been married for 24 years. I am now convinced that the lap band is for me, but my only option is Mexico because of finances. My mom and I are going to be doing this together so we will have support. I too have been in contact with a couple of these Dr.s from Mexico. I am leaning toward Lopez-Corvala, because Belite (the facilitator) really puts everything together for us, and seems to have really great credentials. But I haven't heard enough about him here on Lapbandtalk. I really would like to hear from some of his…

I was wanting to get some feed back on anyone that has United Healthcare Choice Plus plan for their insurance. I called and I know this procedure is covered. The person that I talked to listed all the requirments that I need to be able to be approved. One of them was that my bmi needed to be over 40. Well... mine is 42. So I asked what other stuff they needed if my bmi is over 42 ...she said nothing else. I also have high cholesterol and about to be put on medication for it. I am scheduled for December 3rd for my seminar. I was wanting to be prepared of what my insurance company is going to throw at me to get approved. :help: Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I'm getting lap-banded tomorrow at Tel Aviv's Assuta Hospital . My doctor is Dr. Avinoach who works out of Soroka hosptial in Be'er Sheva. I fly up to the big city at 0830, start fasting from 0900 on, show up at the hospital at 1200, spend the night at the hospital and, if all goes well, should be discharged around noon of Thursday and will fly back to my little desert home near Eilat. I'll have a friend along with me for the trip, which is a big comfort. I'm a 47 year-old man, weigh 130 kilo, (286 lbs) and am 1.68 (5'5''). Right now I have trouble tying my shoes and putting on my socks, feel like I am on the verge of dislocating my shoulder every time I wipe myself (th…

Looking for a fun gang to "travel" with!!!! :hai l: I started a thread on the monthly board for anyone who is scheduled for August 2007. Hope to see some travel companions there! __________________

Hello Forum people. I am wanting to get the lapband done. This forum is wonderful place to see all kinds of questions and responses. This is something that I have been pondering for quite some time. I am really scared of having the surgery. The biggest fear is having a reaction to the materialsthat they put inside me and erosion around the ring. I am set up to go to my first seminar on Dec 3rd. I have tried and tried to loose weight and just can't seem to get it off. I am 4'11 with 42bmi, my weight is 212pds. I have high cholestrol and about to be put on medicine for that. Other than that I have only the typcial swelling, sore back and feet, out of breathe,and sore in the…

Hey everybody I decided to post a thread for those of us who aren't banded yet. If you have chatted with me you already know that I was recently diagnosed with PCOS!! Yeah it was a shock to me too. It really sucks but at the same time I am glad that I know now and things are finally coming together with why I could never lose weight and keep it off. I finally know why all these things are happening to my body. And I finally know why I have not been able to conceive a child with my husband and we have been 2gether 3 yrs and not even reallt trying but now since we are thinking about nothing has been happening. But now I know why I bought 2 boxes of ovulation test and I woul…

:whoo:I'm still in the process of getting the laundry list of requirements met for the insurance company and I need to find a support group in Toms River, New Jersey. If there is anyone out there that knows of one, please let me know. I am having my band done in Hackensack, New Jersey but live down in Toms River. Any help would be awesome ..... This is all so frustrating ....

I got approval from my insurance company today!!! WOOOHOOO! There is an opening on the 26th so I could possibly be having my surgery in less than two weeks!!! There is only one thing that may hold it up. My doctor said I have to be off birth control pills for a month before surgery... it will only be 3 weeks on the 26th. I am waiting for a call back, so I am hoping and praying it is ok to have it done!

Hello everyone, my name is Mona and I just took out a $10K loan to have the Lap-Band surgery which I so desperately need. I am torn between Dr. Kirshenbaum in Colorado and Dr. Aceves in Mexicali, Mexico. I am really leaning towards Dr. Aceves because of his experience and the fact that I am at 62.2 BMI and he has experience working with people like me whom are EXTREMELY voluptuous! I am planning to visit the facility in Mexicali and meet with the staff and doctor to ask some questions and see if I feel comfortable, thanks to a great board member who has been extremely kind to me. I was wondering if any of you have any advice or experience, good, bad, or indifferent, wi…

Has anyone heard of NeWeigh in Houston or had experience with any of the doctors? Other than Spivak and Spiegel, who have others trusted and been happy with to perform their LapBand?

I'm new to the chat world. How do I add a ticker to my signature to track my weight loss like everyone else seems to have? :help:

Hello everyone! I am starting this thread because as I sit back and think back to the beginning of this year january 2007. I began a medically supervised diet. It took 3 months for results to begin showing. Once they did all kind of people starting wanting to know what are you doing...what diet, what exercise, what pills...etc...etc..etc. After the 45 lbs lost mark....I started getting snickers from some women at work....more male attention than I even wanted to have since I am married.... Next I know it is November and I have gained all the weight plus 10 lbs. I began looking into WLS. Found lapband...and went to the seminar I am waiting to get sche…

My surgery is in 8 days. I've been on liquids now for 6 days. I'm looking forward to it, but a little nervous. The thing that upsets me the most is giving up my diet coke. I currently weigh 235, wanting to lose 100 pounds. I feel fortunate too that my insurance is covering this. Otherwise, I would not be able to do it. Just saying hello and hope that my success is as good as others I have read about.

Hi my name is Heidi and im a 42 year old native american (with a serious Commod Bod) I now tip the scales at 385lbs, im 5' 6". Im in the beginning process, I go to the nutritionist tomorrow. My question is for those out there who went into the surgery with additional ailments due to the weight that you were carrying, can you tell me how the surgery allieved your pain/symptoms/diagnosises???? I had a knee injury years ago (torn ligament) but didn't find out the true diagnosis of it til years later, when it began turning into osteo-arthritis...with the weight that i've put on, now both of my knees are so bad, I can barely make it through the supermarket shopping without …

Hi My name is Julie and my husband Tony has had a Lap band fitted today. He has been out of theatre a couple of hours now and is still very sleepy and a bit sore. I thought I would get him registered on here so it is up and running for him to log on when he is up to it. Have read some great advice so far Julie

Hi! I'm new to this site and I'm going to be banded within the next month. I have done all my pre-op exams and tests and now i'm waiting to schedule sugery! I'm anxious and nervous and excited all at the same time. I've even started having dreams about the surgery and life after! I'm 25 and have been overweight my entire life, except for a brief 2 years in high school in which I starved myself to fit into social pressures. I ended up addicted to diet pills, and gained the weight back 10-fold. After years of the diet roller-coaster, my parents suggested I look into the lap band procedure, and well, here I am! I'm looking to talk to some people who have a similar…

I am from Coeur D'Alene, Idaho. I am being banded next week in Seattle, WA. I am curently 295. I am very nervous and excited about this whole surgery. I have a 14 month old and my husband will be having to take over more of the baby duties until I recover enough. Am very scared to be put out. Am also scared that my little guy will want me to hold him or pick him up and I won't be able to for a week or two. I start on my liquid diet before the surgery tomorrow. Did anyone else get banded and have a little one to take care of. Experiences and advice is appreciated.

Hello everyone! After a year and a half of researching the procedure, 2 seminars, 8 months or so of "lurking" here, my fiance and I are finally prepared! We have been approved for surgery, got our funds and are very excited! Nov 23rd. Dr Aceves, Mexicali, Mexico. Self-pay. I know there are lots of you who've gone to Dr Aceves. If you'd like to share advice, experiences - I'd love to hear from you!!! I am scared, thankful, excited, blessed... ~FlaLMT:)

I am very interested in getting the lapband surgery as soon as I can get my finances in place. I live in Canada and will have to pay $16000. I also have convinced my husband that he needs to do it with me. We can get some money back on income tax and a bit of a discount for two of us. I have a consultation appointment at Toronto Lapband Surgery Centre, TLBC, on Nov. 27. I want to book surgery immediately after that. The burning question in my mind is "Is this the solution that will work forever?" I have dieted so many times and gained it back again. I have also spent so much money on diet plans, pills, etc. It seems like a miracle that lapband will finally get me to…

I'm happy to announce that today..... I was approved for Surgery from Blue Cross of CA PPO. I will be reading the forum for more information on Pre-op and Post-op stuff but any information that you can supply that will be helpful will be very greatful. Thanks everyone for your help and great information.

Hi all, this is my very first thread. I started the journey to weight loss surgery this past Thurs by attending an educational session and starting the process. Initially I was gung ho for lap band and not sure if I want to do that or bypass......can anyone share with my why they decided to lap band over bypass? Making the decision to do weight loss surgery in general wasn't an easy one, but I am so happy I have but now just kind of on the fence about which one to do. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Tonya - Greenville, NC :help:

I am planning to have lap band. I just started contacting the office where I will be doing this. I wonder for those who self pay. Or anyone at all that would know. When doing taxes will this be considered a medical expense that can be deducted? I will have to pay 10,000 for the surgery plus what not for pre test and any other pre and post and fill ups, etc. Anyone have ever done this and had an ok on having it be a medical deduction? and Anyone tried then got trouble with them saying it is not deductible? At this point I feel is this of my life.. My BMI is at a Shocking 73.2 and my heart feels tired. This last year has been very hard on my health…

My Surgery date is set for 3/21/06 (2 weeks away) I am scared and excited at the same time. I am ready make a change in my life for myself and my 2 little girls. Pre-op weight 263 and I hope to loose half of myself!!!!!! Jana

:clap2:hi Talyn here I was banded on Sept 9, 2007 by Dr fontana of the Norfolk Surgical Group here inNorfolk Virginia. I can only say I wish I had done it sooner ! The extensive program required prior to my surgery makes perfect sense now. they give you all of the tools you need to succeed. From my initial decision(3/2007) to consider the surgery it took just under six months total. First I had to determine if my insurance would cover the procedure. the answer was yes, "as long as it was deemed medically necessary". the I had to research local surgical groups complication rates and reputatations. I then attended a lap band information seminar sponsored by Sentara Hosp…

So, I've been putting off the surgery option because I didn't think I was ready, and I wasn't. I thought I wouldn't be able to discipline myself to stick to it. Now, after 21 months with no sugar, I think I may be ready. I've signed up for my first seminar, researched my insurance, and am reading Weight Loss for Dummies. I've done the diet route so many times I should write a book. I'm a Weight Watchers three-peater. I have my one year coin from Overeaters Anonymous. My BMI is 46 Could I please have some feedback on whether or not I'm doing the right thing? I'm tired of being overweight.:help:

New to the board. I was banded on 11/02/2007. I live in Sacramento, California and I am really looking forward to interacting with people who are going through or have gone through the same things I am.

Hello everyone. I just found this website. I really wish I had found it earlier. I am scheduled to have the lap band surgery Thursday, November 15. I am having it done in Phoenix, even though I live in Tucson. I have to have it in Phoenix due to insurance coverage. My surgeon is Dr. Hilario Juarez.:faint: I am feeling really scared......yet excited. I am scared about the pain after the surgery. On the otherhand, I am excited to embark on this new chapter of life. I would love to hear from anyone who has had the procedure and their experiences.

I am looking to talk to people who have already had their surgery done... I get banded on december 4th and I am more than excited.... height 5'9" current weight - 315 (will probably lose after the week of Optifast diet) BMI - 46.5

I just found this forum and I am happy to join. I go in tomorrow for my surgery. I am ready. I would like some suggestions on the clear liquids and how to drink all the water. I am getting better but not able to drink all I am suppose to.

Hi! I am new! I had a consult with Dr. Ferrari (houston) and hopefully if all goes well surgery in Feb! I am 5'2 and 270 BMI: 51% I am doing this for me and for everyone around me... I have had a tummy tuck and liposuction and the weight is back (with revenge) My sisters wedding is in August/2008 and I am the maid of honor. I am so excited to put on that dress! It is an olive bubble dress and for a big girl you as might as well just throw me out there naked. It's that bad! But thinking about putting that on even 40 pounds lighter just makes me smile! I am excited yet scared. Ready yet hesitant. But let the journey begin..... :clap2:

When I started down this journey I went from a possible insurance patient to a definite cash patient (overall pleased to be in good health!) However, cash for me is a $16k program fee. I know that Mexico is about half that price (give or take). What have people's experiences been with Mexico? Pros/Cons, etc.

anyone have plastic surgery after losing alot of weight? i have BCBS of Texas and was wondering what it takes to have them cover a tummy tuck or breast lift after i lose my excess weight. any suggestions or comments would greatly be appreciated. thanks

Hello Lapband Family So I decided to have my surgery done in Tijuana Mexico and wanted help and advice from those who have been there not only had the surgery done in Mexico but had surgery done in general. I will be having the tummy tuck, lipo and breast lift. Going to Doctor Luis Suarez. I have a couple of questions for those who have gone through the surgical path already. How long before you felt you can get back to your regular job (Or in my case Desk Job) I hope that I can at least work from home the second week after my surgery? Am I pushing it here? After the pain is gone and you can go about your days what has been the hardest thing to adjust to. I…

<p>Hello everyone - I have been lurking for some time and finally have my banding date of 11/28. I have tried to read everything out there and it seems everyone here is very supportive. I'm on the liquid diet with some hunger. I'm hoping I won't be this hungery afterwards? Husker Jill<img src="http://www.LapBandTalk.com/images/smilies/happy.gif" border="0" alt="" title="" smilieid="60" class="inlineimg" /></p>

:help: I am from Pa. I had my surgery in Baltimore Md. 2 weeks ago and I feel so stressed because I think I failed myself. I am 61 years old ,253 lbs. on 11-21-06 and today 12-5-06 I am 247, because I felt so hungry in my 2nd week I have been having some solid foods. I hate myself for cheating, but I ate and didnot feel any restriction at all, and I probably have ruined it for myself, help me with some info ,if I can salvage my surgery,please. thank you , makemelean in Pa.

Hi! My name is Rebecca and I am 30yrs old. I am married with 2 kids, 1 boy and 1 girl. I have been overweight my entire life and am ready to do something about it! My BF Heather introduced me to this site and I have been lurking around. I am currently waiting for the pre existing conditions time to go by on my ins before I can start my Lap Band journey with you guys!

Has anyone been banded by Dr. Frank Felts in Texas???? I am scheduled for surgery sept. 21st!!! So excited, but nervous too!!!!

Can someone tell me how to add the weightloss measurer from Tickerfactory.com to my profile? Also do you all see my picture when I post this? If not can you tell me how to make it show as well? :help: THANKS! Heather

Just a simple question did everyone notice ur loss quickly? What was ur 1st area to lose the most weight in that u noticed urself?

Yes, that's it just yesterday. I was so nervous and nearly backed out... but i was in at 11 am and home in bed by 1:30. So far so good. I did research for nearly 2 years, and utiilized this forum many many times. You have no idea how supportive you have been just reading all your posts. Needless to say I did not chicken out and was up and helping my youngest son with his homework in a matter of hours. A little sore, a little weak, but all and all so far so good. Far better than i expected.

OK, so I'm excited about my surgery,and have been ready for a while! Until, I saw my aunt the other day.,., Long story in less the 3 sentences. My mother had Gastric bypass over 7 years ago. lost over 100 lbs. Awesome for her! Then in the last 4 years has gained 35 lbs back. My aunt just had bypass one year ago this month. She looks amazing! She has lost over 100 lbs. Then I start wondering will I be that successful with the band?? I need to loss 100lbs? I'm younger then both of them. I've come all this way,. in two weeks I'm scheduled to have the band. :nervous Just wanted people in put. Love to here for all. Moving4word!!!

Wow - Okay well I'm new to this forum, not really sure what I'm doing. I am 38 yrs old, and have 7 1/2 weeks until I am banded. I have read everything I can find on Lap Band surgery, and feel prepared medically............ but mentally - I am scared!! I am scared that if I put myself and my family through all of this, and it doesn't work - what then??? I am 114kgs (sorry not good with pounds - I'm Aussie) and am not very tall at 5ft 4....... putting my BMI at 45. I have waited 10 months for my insurance period to expire, so I can get this done, I have tried every other weightloss plan/diet known to man, and I have researched every detail............... why then do…

:paranoid:paranoid:rain: OK....has anyone gone thru this? I have been doing my research...I am still in the beginning process of this ordeal. To make a long story short I am starting over tommorrow I am going to the required WLS seminar. In the meantime...I have been calling all the doctors I have been seen by within the last 10 years.... I am trying to gather as much weight history as possible... anywho... I made a list and call all of them last week. All but 1 I had to leave messages. The 1 I was informed of a fee for records...I paid $11.23 and receive the records in the mail 2 days later..life was great... I did not even get a call back from the rest...so Mo…

I am researching the lap band system, I have a BMI of 39 with other health issues. I am a RN and know all of the bad things that can happen with any surgical procedure but I want a better life! I want to live life and not watch others living life. Please tell me I am not crazy for considering this surgery. My family thinks I am NUTS except for my hubby who just wants me to be happy. Any advice and if you know of any good surgeons in Kansas that do the Lap band procedure please let me know. Thanks, Motherkittie

Received a call today from the Baptist Bariatic Center in Oxford, MS. and I have been approved by my insurance. My doctors appointment is Friday morning. My wife had the procedure in April and has been a success. I can't wait for us to take this journey togther.