Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi Everyone, I was banded in July, by Dr Schmidt in New Jersey. Weighed 255 7-13-07. I am down to 228 today. All has been going pretty well. Must begin more excercise.:nervous

Am scheduled to be banded in 6 days. Have been going through True Results. They provided me with information about banding, they did a cursory exam, a stress and sleep test. No other tests have been ordered. I will meet the doctor the day before the surgery. I will be financing the surgery and they've taken may word at it, because they haven't verified anything. Is this typical? Don't get me wrong. They've been very nice, everyone I've talked to. I really don't know what to expect. Has anyone else had any experience with True Results? :help:

I have read so many of these post's and I say, ok this is for me and then I talk myself out of it by saying reguardless I still have to change my habits and do weight loss on my own but I can't do it. My main question to you all is, If Im bingy now, if I had the lap band will I still want to binge or will it help me to be full and not want to eat. I know you can still overeat and make the lapband useless. I don't know about controling my cravings.. any help --:help:

I keep hearing "erosion" what is that in the band?

last days before hospital/ :confused:for the hosiptal? first days home?

hello, I am Hilary from Australia. I am hoping to be banded in the near future and have my appt with the surgeon tomorrow. I have to lose about 30kg which is about 66lb I believe to get within a healthy range (but not at the old WW ideal weight). I am 49, work part time as a school counsellor and am studying this year part time also. I have a great supportive husband and three boys aged 11 19 and 21. I am looking forward to chatting to both experienced and inexperienced bandsters.

Hello all im so pleased to have found this site had my banding done 21 days ago be so good to read and chat to others im in sydney aus starting weight was 125kg only 5'1" severe mobilty problems with chronic pain in hip, knee and ankle im so hoping some weight loss will improve this situation have been pretty house bound this past 12 months look forward to meeting you all Leeanne

Hi, I just found this group and wanted to inroduce myself, I'm Kitty, from the UK and have been banded since July 2005.

Halloween is the date! I have to be at the hospital at 6:30 am. I meet with the surgeon tomorrow for pre-op instructions. Really nervous and excited. Hope I can make it thru the next two weeks without a breakdown. :clap2::omg::kiss:faint:

Hi I am 46 years old and was banded on 8/29 but Dr. Srikanth, in Federal Way, WA. I too, like a lot of people, was scared about the surgery itself, how I would feel after and the changes I had to make. I am an emotional eater, eat when I am happy, sad, bored etc. I am also diabetic and had high blood pressure. My next stop was starting insulin injections which really had me scared. I started out at 237 and had my first fill yesterday and weighed in at an even 200! Haven't been that thin (ha,ha) in 23 years. I am still working on the emotional eating part, basically when I know I am not hungry and just "want" to eat I divert my attention by starting some chore or go…

Hi Everyone, I have been reading furiously over the last few days since being back from getting my Lapband. I was banded on the 2nd Oct 07 after many years of yoyo dieting, successes and failures, ups and down, highs and lows. I just couldn't get my headspace right and knew that if i didn't get banded I would just keep on eating. I'm 5 ft tall and 95kg(209lbs) and can't move freely. I have arthritis in my knees and get tired so easily. I look at my kids and feel so guilty not being able to live life with them. I look in the mirror and hate what I see, so now I have to change once and for all. Hopefully I can find support through this journey here as I know I won'…

Hi All, I am considering having Lap Band surgery... But I am utterly confused as to how to start the process. Can someone help?

Hi, I've recently started my journey to be banded, Had my first round of Doctors appointments this week, and I am very excited to get banned. My dilema is, Do i get banned before or after the holidays? Am I going to have the will power to stay away from all the food that is associated with that time of year. Has anyone been band around the holiday season,and did you wish you waited till they were over. I think I want to do it as soon as possible but am afraid of being miserable for the holiday season. :help:

hey everyone. i really like reading everything you guys are going through. you all give me inspiration to do something as well. unfortunately, my insurance doesn't cover the surgery so i am on the search for financing...but so far it's looking pretty dim. i look forward to being able to make this life change and sharing it with you as i go along. wish me luck!

hi everyone i love all the comments and posts that i've read so far hopefully u'll do the same for me im Nicole im only 19 and I just received my referral to go ahead with the lap-band surgery. Im nervous, although i dont tell my mother or father that. I currently weight 360lbs and am sick of it. I really need help in what to eat thats the biggest part that scares me. I attended 6 months of mandatory nutrition classes but i still would really like to hear it from someone who has had the surgery and knows exactly what i am up against. I have questions if anyone is still out there to answer please respond. How long is recovery. I work as a cashier at GFS Marketplace and …

Hi. I'm Dozy and I'm being banded tomorrow. As the last few days ticked away, I felt like I was going out of my mind. Do I have everything ready? Can I handle the recovery? etc. Suddenly I Googled "lapband+fourms" and found you guys. Over the last few days I've read many threads. I truly appreciate the strength you've poured out to others, I feel that I have a place (better than my support group) that I can come to. You know that saying, "misery loves company". Well here, it's a different story. There are so many triumphs that I want to be in your company. I'm 48 and a mom of one. I'm starting out at 350 pounds on the nose with a BMI 59. I chose La…

Hi Everybody! I'm finally starting to think about getting banded. I'm afraid of complications. I'm also afraid that it may not work for me since I am an emotional eater. Please let me know what you think of these fears. Do/did you have the same ones? Have you conquered them? What's up? Thanks, Ginny

I can't believe it - I was supposed to have a telephone hearing with my insurance company (BCBSMN) and Walt & Kelley Lindstrom of Obesity Law this morning and Walt called me a few minutes ago and said the hearing had been cancelled because I was APPROVED!!! :whoo::clap2::faint::whoo::clap2::Banane35::D:D. I have been working on this whole process since February and now it is finally going to happen. I have a call into my surgeons office and hope to get a date very soon. Walt and Kelley were just AWESOME to work with. If you are having problems getting approved, definitely see if you can get their help. I am still in total shock - I am SOOOOOOOOO ready!!! (ca…

I'm at the very begining stages here but I have signed up for a seminar and will go in for that. I have been thinking about this for awhile now. I hope my insurance will cover this. I will find out on that as well. Hello to everyone out there!! There are so many stories and its so encouraging to hear everyone is doing so well!! Jenn:D

Hello everyone. This is the first time I am posting, but have been lurking for about 6 months. I'm in the process of getting approval from my insurance company, jumpin through all the hoops. I'm 5'2" and weigh 211 pounds. My BMI is 39. I'm praying that I am approved!! I have the same story as everyone here and have been overwight my whole life. I can't wait to be skinny. Just wanted to introduce myself and say what a great place this is for encouragement and help. Looking at the before and after pictures are amazing. Keep up the good work everyone!! Steff:clap2:

Well I joined a few days ago, but finally able to sit down and make my introduction post. I am VERY familiar with forums, i help run a car club forum, and belong to a baby forum. I have a 1 year old daughter and have been married a year and a half. I first went to the siminar back on Sept 11, and just knew i had to take control of my life and make this change. I have tried EVERYTHING under the sun! I had my consultation yesteraday with my dr and we set the surgery for Nov. 5th. They said I could have it as soon as monday, but I wanted to wait, because I wanted to be able to take my daughter trick-or-treating. My hopes for having the surgery the first monday of Nov, are to…

Hi everyone. New here and been lurking around, reading posts and gathering information. Thought it was about time to come out of hiding. :embarassed: I am 37 y/o, 5'10", and about 315. The biggest I have been when I have actually weighed myself was 343, but by clothing size, I know I have been bigger than that. I have always been heavy, but really packed on the pounds about 5 years ago when I had to go on a series of birth control pills for PCOS problems. I gained over 50 pounds in 3 months and it has never come off. That put me over the 300 pound mark and no amount of diet or exercise has been able to get me back below that. :cry I am an emotional eater, someth…

Hi, I know NOTHING about this and I am trying to learn as much as I can before I decide what I must do. But I guess I need to do something! Anyway, hello, hope to learn from y'all.

Hello everyone, My name is Carol, I had my first appointment today starting the process toward banding. I am anxious and nervous. Hoping that my insurance will approve, I know this will be a long process. I live in Columbia, SC, I am 42, married w/ 2 girls 18 & 11. I have been considering this surgery for about 2 years. I have always been overweight, lost and gained a gazillion lbs. I am so tired of that yo-yo. I am 5'11" 303lbs. I don't have any major co-morbidities, I am pretty healthy except for a worn out left knee, my bp is 117/72. I actually like to exercise, just don't discipline myself to do it routinely. Just wanting to hear some experiences of you guys t…

I was wondering if anyone had their surgery done at the Bariatric Hopsital in Ypsilanti, MI? I am a pre banded patient and was wondering about the care they give there. The doc told me that the only thing that they do at this hospital is bariatric surgeries. I was hopeing someone could shield some light on the subject. Caramel :ranger:

does anyone have BCBS of Tennessee and have you had any problems with approval?

Hi All... my name is Amy and I just had my lap band placed yesterday. Still in recovery mode... I am very happy:whoo: that I found this site so I can talk to others who have went through it before as well. And to talk to those thinking about it. Looking forward to making new friends. God Bless! Amy

Hi Everyone! I'm new to the site and love all the positive info. I hope to be banded before the 1st of the year. Just started hoop jumping. I'd love to hear from anyone in Louisiana. I'm from Kenner (just West of New Orleans) Being overweight down here in THE BIG EASY is a way of life. The last 4 generations of my family have all had weight problems, not to mention heart disease, HBP, diabetes etc. I'm ready to STOP THE MADNESS, and pray my children won't have to suffer. Sounds silly...but my only concern is this: I sleep on my stomach. Will I be able to feel the band? After I lose some of the cushion??? Thanks for being there,

Hi all .... what a great site!!!! I was banded, Oct. 1, 2007. Dr. Frank Chae, Lone Tree Colorado. 15 days post-op, doining great, after a lifetime of being extremely overweight, this is the best thing I could have ever done for myself. I can not say enough about the staff at Skyridge Medical Center, Dr. Chae and Kelly (nutrition specialist). :kiss2:

Hi Everyone! This is my 1st ever post. My surgery is tomorrow 10-12-07. I'm having a hard time expressing my feelings. Maybe it's because this pre-op liquid diet is making me very irritable. With all my insurance woes and family obligations it's taken me a year to get to this point. Am I ready? My heart tells me yes:whoo:... but my stomach... well that's another story.:think

Hello everyone, My name is Danna and I am from Port Huron Michigan, I am seeking the lap band surgery in Flint Michigan at the Hurley Bariatric Center. I have had all my exams and now awaiting the insurance decision... I would like any information from anyone who has been banded with Hurley.

I am currently new to this group, and I have been to the lap band seminar in September of this year just waiting one more month before my six month diet is complete from my doctor and I can get approved through insurance so I am trying to wait until I get a date for my surgery I am excited about this I know I will succeed from this I have a supportive husband and family I have put a lot of thought and time into this and I am almost approved through my insurance so I am thinking of having it done at the beginning of the new year. Any information on lap band from anyone that is going through this or has already been I would appreciate it currently the only health problem I …

Hello everyone! Just need some guidance now because my insurance company today rejected my appeal for the procedure---I am barely over the BMI limit and my hypertension is being controlled by medication. If I go on a 6 month diet with a dietician, then the insurance company will see that I have made progress and will not approve it and if I don't lose weight, they still won't approve it because I wouldn't follow the any kind of surgery plan. So, why did I even bother with my insurance company (by the way it's CIGNA!). So, here I am and thinking of paying out of pocket. Anyone know of a good doc in Houston and the costs? Or I am seriously thinking of crossing the border.…

Hi I am a new kid on the block, kinda sort of, I had my Lap Band surgery on August 14th and have so far lost 32 lbs.....Dr. Batista at St Mary's Hospital in Richmond, Va. did my surgery and I think it was the greatest thing I ever did for myself....I am feeling really good and hope the progress continues.....I have run into a couple of things which I no longer seem to be able to handle and one of those was steak.....:help::faint:

Hello fellow banders! My name is Karen and I was banded on Oct 8th by Dr. Tersigni in Coos Bay Oregon. It has been interesting and helpful reading the threads from the different forums; I hope to be able to contribute for others also. I have lost 17 pounds since starting the 2 week pre-op diet - 10 pounds before and 7 pounds since surgery. I have not gotten back to the starving phase yet as I am 6 days post-op and still have some restriction from the swelling. I look forward to connecting, sharing, and growing. :Banane10:

Hi everyone!<br /> <br /> My name is Pam and I just joined this forum today and thought I should introduce myself. I have recently made the personal decision to have lap band surgery and made my first appointment yesterday to go to a personal seminar that the doctor I've chosen holds. My lap band surgeon will be Dr. Garth Davis in Houston, Texas. You may be familiar with him from the learning channel show called "Big Medicine". I've been watching the show for awhile, and my aunt had gastric bypass a year ago and looks like a different person. I have had up and down weight fluctuations all my life, and I am tall (5'9") and people never believe how much I really…

Hi all, I have been looking through these posts for a few weeks now and finally made my first dr. appointment today. I am seeing Dr Dexter Turnquest in two weeks. I would love to know if anyone out there has used him. I am curious about a few things, being a newbie. I'm seeing comments about soda. Is soda something you have to give up with the lapband? I am a die hard Diet Dr Pepper fan! Also...I'm almost afraid to ask but what is sliming? That is a horrible word that I'm sure describes an unpleasant experience!

Feeling freedom and clarity after 7 days of liquids. Sipping a Choc slimfast in a martini glass

Hi everyone! Like many others, I too have read this site for some time now. This is my first post because I've been a little apprehensive to post--but then I thought, "what the heck" and decided to introduce myself. I'm 19 (young I know) and I decided to begin my lap-band journey in June of this year. Basically, my main reason for choosing to have this surgery is because this really is a last resort. I know some of you may be thinking that I'm awfully young to have to move to a "last resort" but, hear me out. I've been overweight my whole life, seriously, my mom started watching what I ate at age two. Anway, at twelve I was diagnosed with dismetabolic syndrome with insuli…

Hi everyone, I am new to this site and the whole lap band thing, I only heard about the lap band a couple of weeks ago when I went to my doc's and asked him what I could do about my weight problem. It all sounds amazing and I'm really excited to be attending an information evening tonight, well, in less then an hour. Right, I better go and put a bit of lipstick on and see what its all about. Not that I don't know very much after reading all your fantastic threads! Your all such a good source of knowledge, for someone like me that knew very little. Hope to get to know you all better, I'll log in later and tell you how it all went. xx (feeling very excited!)

:help:I need some honest opinions especially from people who already have a band. I am one of those people who grazes when it comes to eating. I have a sweet tooth and I do eat alot of carbs. I like mashed potatoes, grits, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and dairy. I know all surgeries require work but I worry that I can easily cheat the band (I know I have poor will power and that is why I am in the situation I am in). Should I avoid this procedure all together and look at other options or go ahead and give it a try? I would appreciate any input.

Hello Everyone! I am schedule for surgery on 10/18/07. 4 days to go! I have been reading a lot of the forums and have found out a lot of information. I look foward to talking to everyone! Take care

:pHello Everyone! I am here in NY and just starting this journey. I admit that it seems pretty overwhelming right now with all that I have to do for insurance sake, but I am willing to do it. I am a lifetimer who has only had the pleasure of being "thin" at 180 for a brief 3 year period FIFTEEN years ago. I only wish I had really enjoyed it more then instead of insisting I was still too fat. I'd give anything to be there again and I hope by being banded I will have the opportunity to not only see 180 but go even lower. I have a toddler daughter, husband, stepdaughter, and dog. They are my everything. Everything I do is for them so that being the case, I want t…

Hi everyone, This whole posting to a forum thing is rather new for me so please forgive me if I don't get it right. Glad I found this site! I've been looking for some help/support but haven't done very well. This looks like a great site, it'll take me a while to find my way around and hopefully find some answers and maybe I can even help someone else. I got banded 6-12-06. I was 400 lbs and in a really bad place. I got down to 314 lbs in about 5 months. Unfortunately, I haven't been doing very well and now I'm back up to 360 lbs. That's why I'm here, I'm looking for some help. Sorry, I guess this probably isn't the right place to go into my story (I think I hear the …

Hi everyone I had my lap-band put in on 10.10.07 and was out of hospital the next day and am moving about quite freely though I still have quite a bit of pain. To the person who said that ‘life begins at 40’ they are so right! After many years of being overweight (why is it that I was able to put on 30 kg’s in the space of 6 weeks whilst on some strong medications 20 years ago and was never able to lose more than 5 or so kgs of it??) I will be ecstatic if I can lose approximately 15 kg’s. I am also looking forward to not hearing children ask their parents ‘when is that lady going to have the baby in her tummy!!!!’ I live in Perth, Western Australia and am looking for…

Anyone help me! ive read No soft drinks after lap band and ive read elsewhere that u can still drink soft drinks.......................... love to hear others views about drinking softdrinks meaning coke etc,,,, does it damage the balloon inside the band????? And how much softdrink do u guys consume a day.... I dont consume alot now (meaning b4 band) i only have 2 glasses of pepsi max with my meals,,, well after getting the band there wont be any drinking with the meal so that means NO Pepsi max for me!

Hi everyone I came across your forum on google whilst researching lap-band. I'm Donna I'm 45 and I live in Brisbane Australia. Currently I weigh around 134kgs and have a BMI of 50. I'm due to start the Optifast stage on Oct 30 and have the surgery on Nov 30. I'm quite excited and scared at the same time as it will mean a massive lifestyle change. I look forward to getting to know everyone.

Well, I have a date...0ct 26. Doing the liq diet and very hungry. How did the rest of you get through it?

I WAS BANDED 12/26/2006...I'VE LOST FIFTY ONE POUNDS...MY DOCTOR CARSON LUI OUT OF LOS Angeles CA,...IVE BEEN UNFIL FROM 3/07/UNTIL 10/03/07 AND NOW REFILED I'M HAVING PRBLEMS AS I STATED COUGHING ALL THE TIME food ALLOVER MY BED,AND FOOD COMING THROUGH MY NOSE,EVEN Water COMING UP AND SLOBBERING ....I CALLED MY DOCTOR TODAY AT 6AM ITS NOW 5PM AND NO ONE HAS RETURNED MY CALL:confused: I'M LOST

Hello Everyone! I am having surgery this coming Thursday and I have to say I am grieving... I feel like I am breaking up a life long relationshiop with food and I am honestly depressed. I am excited about the road ahead, but the thoughts of not being able to indulge on Rice A Roni and cheetos... etc... is really setting me back... :think Please someone tell me they felt this way before surgery too.