Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I was banded in Camden, NJ on Oct. 18 by Dr. Yves Manigat. I dropped 18 pounds the first week post-surgery when I was drinking my meals, under 1000 cals a day. Now I've regained 6lbs now that I am eating real food. Bandsters' hell is tough, I'm hungry and I'm not feeling any restriction. I get my first fill 11/27. About my only side effect so far is excessive belching. I'm not drinking carbonated beverages and I'm chewing my food, sipping my Water (most of the time), trying to eat slowly (most of the time). How common is excessive belching? :help: Let me know. Lori

I'm new here-just checking in-surgery is scheduled for 11-19.

Hey everyone, Just wanted to say hi and join in on the posts. I was banded 3 weeks ago, have a million questions and was directed to this site. I'm very straight forward and welcome any good advice .. nice to meet you all and I'll see whats out there!! bigron

Hi, I was banded 8 days ago. It has been pretty smooth so far. Excited to see results. I have already started to walk min per day. Not to fast just up and moving, about 1 mile.

How soon after getting banded :bandit were you able to climb up stairs? My home has three floors. By necessity I would have to climb up a flight of about 12 steps to get to my bedroom. How soon will I be able to do this or will I have to sleep in the family room?:omg:

Hi All, I was banded October 29th, just in time to avoid the temptation of Halloween candy. :biggrin1: My mom came up to stay with us for a few days which turned out to be a good thing since I was pretty beat afterwards. I guess I was a little slow in finding this site as my incisions are already pretty much healed and I'm on purees. Better late than never though. Everything is going swimmingly and I'm so glad I did this.

Hello I am from Australia first time on this site. I was banded on the 5th Novemeber, struggling with my shakes,Prior to banding I was allowed 3 per day and a salad or green vegies for tea, once banded I have to drink optifast shakes for the next 2 weeks (now at the end of my second week) and allowed some vegie juice in between. Some times unsure if I am hungry (tummy grumbling like crazy) or habitual eater. Struggling and unsure of the next phase (mushy food) I have had the past two weeks off work and ready to go back,should make my routine a lot easier. Over all I do need some one to bounce off and discuss how I am feeling. I have lost 8 kgs ( approx 16 lbs ) in 4 weeks…

My name is Kathy. I am a 36 year old single mom of 2 teenagers. I am happily involved with the love of my life for over 7 years now. I have been researching LapBand for years. I seriously started the process for my surgery earlier this year. I have hit a snag with my insurance company. Their latest denial is due to my BMI being over 50 (it's about 68 or so). But I am determined and will take legal action if needed. I can't wait to be on the losing side! I am ready to get healthy and start living my life!!

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.:clap2:

Hi Everyone!! This is my very first day of posting. I've been lurking and reading everyone else's messages for a couple of months now. I was banded yesterday (11-13) and I'm doing fine. My surgery was scheduled for 9:30 yesterday--had to be at the hospital at 7am. I was home by about 2:30pm. They kept me for a little while because my oxygen level was a little low (mostly because I have asthma). The Dr. prescribed something for pain and for nausea, but so far I've only taken Extra-Strength Tylenol (the liquid kind). They also stuck a sea-sick patch behind my right ear which I took off early this morning. I'm sitting here drinking coffee right now--so far no nausea and the …

Hi everyone! I'm so glad I found this forum. I was just banded on 11/6 and this site has been a tremendous help. I'm looking forward to learning more and losing the weight.

Very excited to finally be banded! Doing great!

Hi, my name is Kim and I'm new to this site. I've been doing pre-op testing since June and just got my surgery date-December 19th. So, in the beginning when I told my family and friends that I was doing this everyone was very supportive, my mom, neice and best friend all said that they would be there for whatever. Now that I have my date and it's so close to the holiday my neice and friend will be out of town beginning on the 21st, leaving just my mom. Don't get me wrong, I don't blame them and I totally get that it's the holidays and they've made committments. I for sure have lots of other friends that will help out but I'm wondering what kind of support I will real…

Hi, I finally have finished all my tests now am waiting to set up my surgery date:clap2:

I am new to this board. I was banded in September 2005. I have lost only 18% of my weight. I would like to lose more. I don't think that my surgeon thinks that I will lose more. He has offerec me a second surgery called a vertical band where he would remove part of my stomach. I did lose time because I was too tight, about 6 months with 2 unfills. I now feel about right. He says it is too long a time and most people lose weight in 18 months. I need support and do not always feel as if I get it at meetings. There seem to be mostly new people at the meetings. Although I do believe that his office tries. :think

hey everyone im new to this whole thing i have my surgery set for the 30th of this month and my husband just got banded on the 9th any advice for all the new changes ill be going through:help:

Hi, my name is Tamara. I attended the information seminar last night, but i've actually been researching lap-band surgery since April '07. This forum has helped me alot, and i'm sure it will continue to be an excellent resource.

I'm having so many mixed feelings. I have a tenative date set for January. In early October, when I went in for my initial consultation with the surgeon, I felt like he was trying to change my mind from lapband to RNY. I have around 200 lbs to lose and he said that he didn't want me to get discouraged. That with RNY, the pounds "melt off" people. I told him that I wasn't interested in RNY, I don't care about the pounds melting off, I just want consistent weight loss for once in my life. On the other hand, the nurse that runs the program told me that after two years people that did RNY didn't lose any more weight than people that do the lap band. I guess the differe…

:help:I have been banded for almost exactly one year. In the first 3 months I went from 265 to 229 and am now hovering around 242 - 245. I have about as much discipline as a 2 peckered billy goat. I quit going to the doctor until 2 weeks ago because I felt as though I was failing miserably. They increased my fill and it has made no difference. I regularly have to PB or more. Usually well chewed food comes back up. Sometimes I can eat quite a bit and sometimes I can't eat two bites. I have a flouroscopy scheduled for mid-November to see if the band is still properly placed. I would enjoy...even entertain any good bantor, conjecture, a decent insult, constructive a…

I completed all of my initial consultations yesterday (nutrition, RN/program coordinator, and psych eval). I started thinking that the lap-band was 100% for me, the entire program at the hospital where I will have the procedure seems to be pushing for RNY...I have diabetes and I am hearing that there is much better success with the resolution of diabetes after RNY, as compared to the band. I am so confused. I know it is up to me to decide, but it is dreadful. I am also feeling really discouraged because I am 5 foot 4 inches, and the nurse measured me at 5 foot 5! I have never been that tall. And I apparently lost a few lbs on the way to the hospital that morning (friendli…

Hi all , i have not had the bad surgery yet but hoping to have it done in next couple months.:clap2: was just at seminar in spokane on thursday the 9th. it really helped me to make up my mind, im so glad i went.:clap2: :help:i am a resident of the okanagan valley b.c. canada and looking for some people from b.c that i can ask a few questions to about travel times , where u go for your fills ect. if you are willing to answer my questions , pls contact me thanks in advance and have a great day

Hello Lapband Friends, My name is Meshia and I will be banded on the 14th. I am excited and a little nervous which I assume is to be expected. I have struggled with being overweight for as long as I can remember. My paternal side of the family are all obese.That is my fear and motivation to get the band. I am a foster mother of two beautiful little girls and I want to be around for them for a long time. Meshia:whoo:

i work at a company that is currently scheduling patients for lap band surgery at our new facility in plano, tx. i am trying to learn as much about lap surgery as i can. one of our callers told me about the website where she learned about lap band surgery. :clap2:

Hi All I have been on my lapband Quest since this summer and will finish my six month period for insurance approval next month. The weight loss center that I have been working with requires that I lose sixteen pounds before I am scheduled to see the surgeon. I struggled for months...gaining and losing the same five pounds. Then last month I lost nine pounds! I was well on my way to the sixteen pound mark but hit a huge roadblock. Since I last saw the docin October, I gained it ALL back. I go for my November check-in with the doc and dietician tomorrow and needless to say, I am dreading it. I am embarrassed, shamed, guilty, etc. I thought about cancelling but I own this,…

Are there any quilters out there? I would love to hear from you.

Have just scheduled for 12/17/07...now going back and forth with myself. Did others do this? Thinking I should give diet and exercise one last try...thinking about foods I won't eat again...then reminding myself that I've been up and down in weight for 15 years despite some great efforts. Any tips on getting through this waiting period? I also don't feel inclined to tell many others about what I'm doing - afraid they will be critical or try to talk me out of it. Husband is okay - "whatever you want," sister just says to weight the risks. Is it possible to do this without sharing info with coworkers, etc? Thanks for any advice. Perhaps it's a mistake to schedule a…

I have completed all I need (nutrition evaluation and a psych evaluation) and the paper work has been sent to hopefully get approval from my insurance. I am hoping and praying that they say yes. The insurance specialist at my doctors office said that my insurance usually gives approval within 5 day... so by Friday I should have an answer!!! I am hoping to be banded the Thursday or Friday before Christmas... this will be the best gift I have ever gotten! Wish me luck!

Hi ....I've been enjoying all the messages on the forum so far! I didnt know about this site before my surgery. I chose Dr. Owens and planned to go to him in Long Beach, but i couldn't qualify for the loan amount. I didnt want to put surgery off any longer because I knew I would keep gaining. Dr. Owens bailed me out because he sometimes works with Dr. Lopez in Tijuana, he offered to do my surgery there for me. I had my lap band on Sept 10, and have lost 37 pounds. :bounce:

help, im 2 weeks post op tomorrow, is it normal to feel like u can eat a horse at this stage? ive started mushies and i seem to be eating often and more than i should.. and to top it off im PMS..my scales havent moved in 4 days now its actually frustrating me thinking ive stretch the pouch maybe or the band slipped,,if this is the case will i be in any sort of pain and discomfort?

Hi everyone! I have been reading this forum for some time now. I was banded October 16th but even from before this site really helped me as to what to expect. To be totally honest I am still rather confused about alot of things, and wuite franky somtimes i get discouraged. I have lost 16lbs, most of it from my pre-op liqueid diet. My first fill isnt until Dec. 5th and to be quite honest I am nervous about that. I have been feeling hungry again. As i read through the forum this morning i noticed the term head hunger was used often and i believe that is part of my problem. Perhaps I am used to failing at losing weight that i fear this will be another loss because of the "he…

Hello...I am excited and a little nervous about my Lap Band surgery. I am scheduled for surgery on 11/13/07. My surgeon is great and I have been comforted with all the information he has provided. I seriously thought this day would never come...I have been preparing since July for this surgery. My doc required a psych test, sleep study, and pre surgery diet...so needless to say I am glad all of that is behind me and now I can try and believe that this surgery is going to happen. Anyways....I am trying to compile a shopping list for my post op diet. Does anybody have any suggestions? Thanks.

Hello, I found it! The words for posting a new thread! LOL!:faint: Thanks for your help.:clap2::bounce::whoo::kiss2: Nina

Hello! This is my first time writing in. I was banded on 6/15/07 in Cinn, OH by Dr. Osboure. My current weight loss is 31 lbs. I have about 4.5cc in a 10cc band. I've had 4 fills and feeling pretty good. I'm wondering if there is anybody out there that can still eat alot on that much of a fill. I guess my question is that, when will I feel that fullness or tightness feeling, because I have been at a stand still for about a mouth now? I'm not losing that 2 lbs a week thing. What I'm I doing wrong?

Hello all, I am brand new tonight! I have finally committed to the lap band and will begin my consults in October and be banded the first part of November. I am discouraged as I feel as if I have the only insurance that does not cover any weight related care as if it is cosmetic and not life saving! I also seem to have a lower BMI than most. I am 38 with many, many co-morbitities! 17,000. for the surgery and I don't know what aftercare and fills costs? any help would be appreciated. I am also afraid to die!:rose: am I alone? Thanks your help is invaluable. K

My name is Karen and I had my lap band on Aug 13th have lost 35 lbs so far...I have some questions, hoping someone can give me some insight into. 1. I have had 3 fills so far- total of 2 cc in band at present. this is the first time I can not tolerate different foods. I am ok with soft and liqs. however meat solids- even chicken feels extremely heavy and my chest full even after 2 bites. if this normal? 2. I have started water aerobics, I do have a large lower abdominal roll and the exercises cause alot of bouncing...this caused severe soreness about 4 inches below the port...guess when the fat roll is gone the pain would be less...has anyone found a better exercise form…

Hi, this past Spring I went to the Lap Band seminar at St. Mary's hospital in Richmond, VA. I thought I could beat my binge eating on my own til now. I have Medicaid/Medicare. My BMI is in high 30's.. What's the easiet way to get started on my Lap Band journey. Please help, Chris D.J. PS... I'm not 100'% sure if my overnight stay in the hospital last week had anything to do with binge eating. My pancreas for some reason was too swollen to go home until I had test's. Can I use that reason for my insurance?

Hello, I am scheduled to go to my seminar on Thursday. I live in Washington State and am on Medicare. Does anyone know of a surgeon in Washington that accepts Medicare? My BMI is 48 and I have had an increase in medical problems in the last couple of years. Also, has anyone sucessfully had Medicare pay for the surgery and is there any tips on how I cna make this easier on my life. Thank you in advance for all of your help. Horseygirl

OK, let me try this again! I have been looking for a place to discuss my upcoming surgery. I have not told many people I know about it because I do not want to "jinx" the insurance process! I am in the final stages of the six-month-physician-supervised-diet at this time. I could have my surgery as early as January. I need to lose about 100 lbs or so. My doctor is Jason Harrison in Arlington, TX. Hope to make some friends here.

Hello all, I am a Forum Rookie - I am 6' 385 max weight, at 370 now. Prepping for a Dec 18th date with destiny. I am a self pay - so you know I am pretty serious about this. Not sure what else to say, but looking foward to going forward. Not sure I need encouragement - not right now anyway, my four year old boy is providing plenty of that. Could use a scouting report of what too expect....especially the first few days post-op. My goal is 125 lbs by my 25th high school reunion - 2011. Doable? pc15

hi, i am in the beginning stages of my research for the band and have a consultation scheduled for tomorrow. i've read alot about the self-pay people but haven't heard many insurance stories. i am on cigna right now, and they require a BMI of 40 or greater or 35 with medical conditions. i am at 38 BMI with no documented medical conditions and i am hoping not to have any. i am also at our open enrollment period for my work benefits and have considered switching to united health care, which according to the representative i spoke with only requires 35 bmi and no other stipulations. is that too good to be true? it's a much more expensive program to be on, but it would…

Hi! My name is Jenn and I’ve been “watching” the board for about 2 months now. I’ve been looking for a place where the people may understand some of the things I’m going through. I’ve been looking for a place of support. I feel that I’ve found that placed based on the comments that I’ve seen posted by you guys. I was banded on January 15, 2007 and I’ve lost 51 lbs (depending on the day). This is a bittersweet victory to me. The reason I say its bittersweet is because on some days, I know if I hadn’t been banded, I would have been gaining instead of losing. However, on most days, I wish it was a bigger loss and I feel disappointed in myself—like a failure. I feel disap…

I had my banding done in April and I am only down 25lbs. I have been searching for a support site that will help me boost my confidence and I think I can stop my search now. I have read many of the encouraging and helpful words that people have posted and hope to adapt some advice to my own life. I haven't regretting getting the banding done...I'm just discouraged that it hasn't helped me like I thought it would. I guess my issue is the boredom/emotional eating...and getting on to a healthy diet. I grew up with eating what ever was convinent (which was ALWAYS fast food) and now, I'm trying to change that. It's very difficult and the more I try, the more I just fee…

Hi all. I hope to be banded after the new year when my new insurance takes effect-I am attending a seminar this Saturday! I have some questions that I hope someone will answer for me.:help: Can someone tell me about the port? Is it "hidden" under the skin? I hate to sound stupid but I am really new to all of this. How long were you out of work after surgery? I work in the Premium Tax dept of an auto insurance company so for the most part I sit at a desk and work on a computer, I'm just wondering how long I will need to be off of work. Do you keep lap band forever or is it removed after a certain amount of time?

Hi!...I just found this board today. I have not had surgery yet. Before my insurance will approve surgery I must first go through a 12 month program. This includes meeting with a doctor and nutritionist monthly and then quarterly I have meet to with a psychiatrist and exercise therapist. I have 4 more months to go and then hopefully i will be on my way to surgery. But I still have not decided if I will do gastric or lap-band. Any of your comments on why you chose to do lap-band would be welcomed...thanks

Hi all my name is Debbie, I was banded on the 27th September 07, Ive lost 25lb to date 6 days of that was the milk diet, Ive had 1 fill which was last Wednesday. of to have a nose around look forward to gettng to you all well some (lots of you)

i am not sure if i posted an into here but if i did i am sorry for doing it again but my computer went down on me and i have'nt been on but when i go to my friends to use hers but i have my back now so here goes .... hi i am lena and i am 33 years old and i have a bmi of 60:embarassed: and i am considering the lap band sugery i have a little girl that i want to be around for plus i have differant health issues i have high blood preasure i have cardiomyopathy and CHF and i was suppoes to go talk to he surgeon on nov 1rst but the dr forgot to tell me i was suppoes to down load the papter and send a copy of my ins card two weeks before i go so i am now suppoes to go on dec …

Hi - I am on my way to being banded- with my Dad ! We are going to get banded on December 5th,2007 by Dr. Daniel Huacuz..I am nervous, but I see so much support here !!

Hello to you all, My name is Amy, I'm from Perth, Western Australia. This all new to me, I am booked in for surgery this Tuesday, 2 more sleeps... I can't wait. I'm looking forward to having a read through lots of info in this site. Good luck to you all, no matter where you are in your journey. Amy

<p>Hi! </p> <p>I am having my lap band placed at CMH in Ventura, CA on November 20th. Sometimes I think I may have been a bit foolish for scheduling the surgery before the holidays. You know...temptation and all, but I am determined to make a go of it. Dr Helmuth Billy is going to do my surgery and I hear that he is the leading bariatric surgery doc in this area. I am an RN and Nursing Supervisor at our local hospital in Ojai. I am hoping to find a "Buddy" for this journey. </p>

Hi I am new to this group hoping to stay in touch with all as we all move forward on this new exciting journey!! Stopped pain meds yesterday, just still lots of gas !!! Sometimes i get feelings of pressure in chest, not sure if this is gas or not. Deep breathing still hurts... Walking around -Out of bed most of the day-hope to return to work next week. Are u all on a clear liquid diet for first week and then on to semi -solids??? Any good ideas for Protein drinks that are enjoyable? So far have not been hungry..Hope it lasts .. Well good luck to all :clap2: