Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi all...just attended a seminar last night about lapband surgery...sobering and scary. I've made an appointment for a day long consultation in early December. attending weight watchers but not going well. I don't know if I can go through with this or not. What I do know is that there's more to life than what I'm living. encouragement appreciated. :help::eek:

Hi all, I am from Roseville, CA near Sacramento. I have a 10 yr old son and a 9 month old daughter. I was banded 09/11/06 at 288 lbs. I am now down to 228 lbs. I just started using the Bodybugg by APEX, and wow what a difference. This thing rocks. Tamara:clap2:

Greetings, I started the WLS journey in June 07, and I am scheduled for lap surgery Oct. 24th. I am looking forward to the discussions on this site!

I am 65 and will be banded in December. I do not have a date yet but will have one by mid-week. My doctor performs surgery in one of Medicare's 'approved' bariatric centers. So far he has not had Medicare pay for 20 of his patients although Medicare paid for their other surgery charges (ie, hospital, anesthesiologist, labs, etc). His insurance clerk said they just haven't figured out how to bill Medicare properly yet. Anyone else experience this? Also, Medicare doesn't pre-approve. They just approve or disapprove after the surgery. My secondary has given me approvall though.

Hello all, I want to thank everyone on this site, I have been reading so much of the entries that I feel I have my own personal support group! What a great bunch of people fat people are! I haven't heard much about how being fat has affected people's personal/married life. Mine has been terrible. I gained 70 pounds with pregnancy and have kept that and more. I now have severe fibromyalgia, PCOS, chronic fatigue, insulin sensitivity, GERD, chronic pain, one back surgery, depression, isolation, etc. I have a superb husband but our intimacy is all but non existent. He would never say it was due to my size but he and I have known each other all of our lives and I was ALWAYS…

Hi , I am new and just starting my process. I went to a seminar last week, had a consultation yesterday, this week I see do my Physc and go talk to my PCP. next week its another consultation with Dr Naik. I am new to Bakersfield and don't really know anyone out here, this board has been very informative. Kelly

Hi Everyone, I was banded @ UIC on Jan. 31st, 2007 this was my begining @ a new way of life @ the age of 57 years young :clap2: My doctor was Dr. Ayloo and she's been great, I've had 3 fills, and have lost 74 pounds thus far! Everyone I know has been so supportive, from my Dr's to my friends, and finding this site to talk and share with all of you is like frosting on a cake (chocolate) because nobody understands what we are going through, as well as others that are just like ourself in one way or another! March 1st is my (our) 40th anniversary, and we are taking a western carribean cruise with two other couples to celebrate the occation. I would love to lose another …

Hi! Just a short introduction. My name is sherri and in 38 yrs old with a BMI of 40. I am disabled and have a morhpine pump in my stomach which Im not sure if the Dr will have a problem with. Im on medicare and not sure if they will cover this.Just needing to know of any suggestions on what I should ask and look out for from the Dr's. Im going to 1st seminar tomorrow and dont know what to expect.Have read many post and I am happy to know that there is a place where I can talk to other people in the same situation. Any information would be greatly appreciated!!!

I went to my information seminar today and have an app't. with the doctor on 10/12. Will also see the financial person. Are there any recommended companies for taking out medical procedure loans? My total cost will be $18,600. I am hoping to spread it out over a few years so my budget will not be overwhelmed. I have excellent credit so I don't anticipate any problems getting a loan. thanks for any help

Today I took my first step to my new life. I have decided on Dr K out of Denver Co. and am set up for Oct. 4th. I can't believe that I may actually have a chance during my lifetime to be normal and not labeled morbidly obese. How I hate those words. Someday I will be able to shop for clothes in any store and not just in tall and large areas. I am excited and not really scared. I have read all of forums and weighed the good and the bad. I know I can do this!!!!:whoo:

Hi everyone- I have been wanting to get the LapBand surgery for about 4 months now and have done lots of research during this time. Now that I have an idea of where I want to have it done (in Mexico), I need to find help to pay for it. I've heard of three Medical financing companies - Citerra, eMed Financing, and Med Choice. I was just denied from eMed, and pending w/ Citerra, but I was wondering if anyone knew of any other financing companies that I could look into? I would really love to have this done in the beginning of Janurary 2008, so any help, advice, or info would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Greetings everyone, I am a newbie to this site and just wanted to introduce myself. I have not been banded yet, I just finished the preliminary evaluations last Thursday and now waiting for the final approval from my insurance company. :ranger: I am a little nervous and excited at the same time. This will be my Christmas present to myself.:clap2:

Oh dear i'm 2 days post op and have spent my day just looking for someone to talk to who knows how im feeling. After many years of wanting a lap band i thought i would be so happy but at the moment all i can feel is pain and wind lol:embarassed:. help......

I'm Kia, I'm 28 years old and live with my hubby (Steve 37) and our 2 furbabies. I'm considering LapBanding as a means to improving my health. Steve is supportive of me whatever my choices. I know he loves me for who I am, no matter what I look like. I'm 5'2" I was around 200-210lbs when we met I'm now just over 300lbs. I was 112lbs at 8 years old and 154lbs at 11 years old, my doctor told my grandparents (they raised me) it was "puppy fat" and I'd grow out of it. Needless to say - I didn't. Recently I talked with my doctor who suggested I speak to a dietician before discussing surgical options. He also had blood tests run. I don't have any signs of diabetes,…

I'm so fed up with the petty things going on over there and that used to be nurse who insists on her way being the only way and nagging you with post after post about how you're doctor is wrong and she is right. Someone told me about this forum and I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you. I hope I can find a good home here! I am a single girl, 31 years young, a CPA here in Oregon. I have two Chihuahuas who are my "kids" and I look to these forums for guidance as well as continued motivation. nice to meet ya! :clap2:

Hi everyone...I was banded Oct. 3/07. I'm feeling a little down today and really want to eat something solid. I guess that is normal but it has me a little worried. Anyway looking forward to reading all of the posts and getting lots of suggestions to help me along. Thanks Nancy

If all goes well with the insurance authorization, I'll have surgery 10/23. This is my gift to myself for my 50th birthday (11/6). I was a skinny kid in fat family, then gained a lot of weight in adulthood. About 25 pounds came on slowly over time, another 100 in two big gains. The first big gain came when I became seriously ill and inactive. Once I recovered I lost 60 pounds with fen-phen and long daily walks, but gained it back after my dog died and I stopped the walks. Gained a whole lot more when I began taking medication for OCD, which was a godsend that gave me back myself... plus 50 extra pounds of myself! Now I am ready to do this to get my healthy body to go w…

Hi everyone. I just got banded on 10/02 and am in San Antonio, TX. I'm so paranoid that my "band is going to slip" that I'm "able to eat too much and something is wrong", that I'll "have acid reflux again", etc, etc. I know this is all new and an adjustment. I had a little nausea, no vommitting thankfully. I think I'm worried that I moved around too much and made the band slip by getting in and out of bed, stretching to pick my jeans up from the floor, etc. At first I felt the constriction of the band, now I can breathe easier, but with that I can drink more liquids as well. My tummy growls once in a while, but I'm not "hungry". I had a little coughing this morning and th…

Hey- I'm new to the site! So happy I found this...:clap2:

Hi guys..so glad to have found an online support group! I'm a 25 y/o female from Australia, currently weighing 104kg. I have been thinking about getting a lap band for about 2 years and have finally made the decision to go ahead with it! I have an appointment with the surgeon on Oct 29, and am looking forward to setting a date for the surgery! :whoo: Looking forward to reading all the threads and hearing about everyone's experiences! Cheers!

Hi my name is Jessica. I am 30 years old and I have been investigating the lap band for two and a half years. I wanted to have it done but the insurance denied me because of an exclusion in my benefits. I finally had lab band surgery in August 2007,self pay:clap2:. I had to make it affordable because I knew I was headed down a very lonely road. Before surgery I weighed in at my physicians office 349. It's October and I am down to 300!!! I am so happy I got the band. I have realized all the bad habits I have acquired through the years and I am trying to correct them one at a time. I would have never made it as far as I have without this website. It has been so inspiring t…

I have my final doctor appointment on 10/11/07. Surgery date is 10/19. What should I expect in this final appt?

Hello all! I've been banded for 26 months now but i've only lost 26kgs/57.2 lbs on the 1st year and on the second year i just stopped losing. I had a big change in my life(moved from my home country to another) so i kinda went into a depression and ate alot of junk food hehe. I even gained 6 kgs/13.2 lbs, but if i didn't have the lap-band i'm sure i would have gained 20 kgs/44 lbs or so. Anyway i just decided to post because after i found these forums i became so inspired again. I am finally eating right and doing exercise 5 times a week. So i'd like to thank everyone here for being such a great inspiration. *bows* :clap2: Now i need to lose those 6 kgs/13.2 lbs and kee…

I was very concerned about my health as I reach 52. I had thought long and hard about this and looked at other options (which I failed at on more than one occasion) I started the paperwork process around June and had my surgery last Thursday, 4 Oct. During the surgery my Doctor found a hernial which also needed to be repaired so, I'm a little sore and blaming it on the hernial not the lapband. My physician is Dr Bradley Ray at Bloomington, IN. I can't say enough about how great he has treated me. Currently I weigh 242 pounds and hope to drop 100 pounds. I do need encourgement to say the least since I'm kicking old habits and trying establish new ones.:help:

hello everyone, I have been reading your forum for a few months now and thought it was time to join. i love reading your comments and information, it is so helpful. i have just had my paperwork submitted to my insurance company (AETNA PPO). for the lapband. now just playing the waiting game. i look forward to posting my progress . I am 29, female and i live in Alabama. :ranger:

Hi my Hubby and I are in the process of getting ready to do the banding. We are still going through the 6mnth dr. diet and I am going crazy. :wacko:I can't wait till this part is over. Is there any other husband wife teams we are did the surgery? can u give me any advise? thanks in advance.

I found this site today - very informative. Attended a seminar Wednesday evening, have appointment to see Lap Band doc on 10/16. Am very hopeful but after checking around the site I see new people talking about hunger. Does this eventually fade or lessen - it is beginning to concern me. Seminar said the hunger fades and the allowed food is satisfying - is this basically true? Thanks for any responce.

Ok, so I have not been banded as of yet. But I'm seriously considering it. I'm going to give a bit of background, and the reasons I'm considering it then ask my questions or question: Ok, so I've been overweight all my life. As a kid I always had a big appetite but never really noticed it until my late teenaged years. Also when I'm stressed I eat a lot more. I think it was about a year or two ago I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic. So now I'm on Metformin, I'm also on Thyroxin for an underactive thyroid. Anyway. For the last year or few months I have been trying like hell to lose weight, and I was doing good at first too. But now it has sort of stopped or slowed down …

I'll eat it! I am guessing that most people in this forum have had this problem at one time or another, or else you would not have a lap band. But I'm concerned that my need for the lapband won't help the underlying problem that I have. I didn't realize it until someone brought it to my attention, but for many years, I've been over-eating as a form of accomplishment. There are SO many things in my day to day life that aren't the way I want them to be, and it makes me feel like I don't have control over my life - but eating was/is something that I can do and complete, just the way I want to! (Sad but true). I can eat A LOT and feel "content" because I completed…

Hello everyone. I am making an appointment next week with my surgeon. I am excited and scared at the same time. I am glad I found you guys. I love information. I have studied and feel I have made the right decision. Well I am looking foward to getting to know evryone.

hi everyone, new to the forum. i was banded on oct.2,07.doing so much better today.:clap2:i had a lot of gas pain from the start of recovery:eek:,first it was in my shoulder blades,then moved to both shoulders,then my right shoulder,now it's in my left shoulder, it really hurts when i move around,hopefully this is the end of it.i have to say i have been very hungry the last 2 days:confused:,but i have been good w/my fluid intake,diet snapple,fruit20,broth,yogurt drinks,but the protein drinks are very hard for me to drink,but i'm tryin.i have to say i thought i would bounce back a lot faster than i have,i have been resting a lot on the couch,which is hard i have 3 small bo…

Hi! I've been lurking here for a couple of months now, learning everything I can about the lap band. I saw the surgeon today and got my date, November 12th. Am I happy?... YES; Am I sad?.... YES; Am I nervous?....YES; Is this the right decision for me?....I thought so, but now why would I feel this way? I'm happy because I realize that I need help. I'm sad because I can't believe it has come to this. I'm nervous because it is surgery. A month ago I was 100% on board for surgery and knew that is was MY ANSWER! Why now do I doubt myself? Nothing has changed that suddenly lets me lose weight and keep it off, I still feel tired and sluggish, I still feel that life is pass…

Hi all, I had lap band surgery in march this year , lost 7 kg so far, I'm a very slow loser. Just wanted to say hi

I am having my surgery on the 25th of Oct and Im a little scared...

Hi all! After much soul searching, struggling, and research, I have finally made the decision to have lapband surgery. I am going to the informational seminar on Monday. I will be paying out of pocket. Even though I weigh 275, my insurance won't cover it without a year of nutrition counseling and then, MAYBE, they'll approve it. I have no medical conditions that would help me get around the year of counseling. Not that I'm complaining . The questions I have: 1. What is the average cost? I'll be taking out a loan, but just wondering. 2. How long does the process take before I would have surgery? I'm hoping it goes quickly so I can have it done during winter break. Is 2…

Hey everyone! My name is genia. I was just banded on 10/1/07. I am still sore, and swollen a little. I am doing well on fluids. I was banded by Dr. Aceves in Mexicali and the staff and hospital there was great! I am hoping all goes well. Genia DOB 10/1/07 281/175/150

I'm very blessed to have a family that loves me dearly. My big brother told me this weekend that he wants to pay for wls for me. I could never get approved through my insurance company years ago and my current job doesn't offer insurance. I asked him if he realized how much money was involved and he said yes. He wants to give me the "gift of life". Needless to say, I cried like a baby. What a gift indeed. He thinks gastric bypass is what I should get but that surgery scares me and I'm leaning more towards the lap band but I'm really undecided. When I first tried to get wls only gastric bypass was around, so I'm researching the lap band. Can anyone tell me how they have do…

I'm not far from mushies, just wondering if you are suppossed to get full on mushies or do they slip right through the band like liquids? Thanks for any input:help:

I have just started thinking about LapBand, its still pretty new to me. I am 5'8" and 232 lbs, which puts my BMI at 35 - severely obese. I should be about 150 or so; this concerns me because all the success stories I see are about people losing over 100 lbs. Does this mean my insurance may not pay this? Which I haven't investigated my insurance at all yet but i have about 82 lbs to loose not 100......do I have to be 100 lbs over weight?

Hi I am brand new to this sight (discovered it this evening) I am a Kaiser (HMO) patient and am in the process of researching the lap band procedure for myself. I also belong to another internet support group thru my HMO. I find 99% of people are having or had the gastric bypass surgey and all I get when i ask are negative remarks about lap bands. Thanks Judie:)

Hiya im new to this site, i have been looking into having a lapband for a few months and have finall y made the decision to do so, i have a consultation on the 16th october and the op will be on the 1st of november, the only thing is today i have just received my visa grant to australia and fly there on the 10th of november, i have spoke to the consultant and he said that is fine no probs, but what happens after the op i am not having any after care, so can i get this in australia and what about band adjustments how often do you need this doing and can i get this done by another consultant in australia? sorry for all the questions but i am a little worried this op has cos…

hi all just now looking into lap banding read aton of info and wondering what the steps are like for others and post op whats been the eating plan and how much actual weight been lost and are hunger pangs gone with this:help:

Hi everyone, I am new to this board, and I have found a lot of useful information here. My surgery date is this coming Tuesday. I have been waiting for this day for quite some time now. My doctor has put me on a liquid diet for 7 days prior to surgery. This is sooo hard to do. My family has been very supportive in my decision to have this done, so I do feel fortunate for that. I'm anxious, nervous, excited and second guessing my decision as the time nears. I really want food... now.

Has anyone been banded at Bajanor who can share their experience. I was sent an article saying that having the lap band done in Mexico is dangerous, because there is no one to follow up with, they don't give you pain meds, and they say they will us the inamed, but use another one. Can anyone help alleviate some of my fears?:help:

HI, my name is Jeanine and I've been on this site for a little while but realized I haven't made an introduction. This is the most resourseful site I have found on the Lapband (and the most interesting, too!! ). I'm 40, married w/2 children. I'm 2 weeks into my 26 week journey to the lapband and though the insurance hoopla. Going pretty good, I think. The big thing with me is that I'm sitting on a 40 BMI and was told that I can't lose any more then 5 pounds and can't gain anymore then 5 pounds. I can gain/lose that much in a week from that time of the month! BCBS of Arizona has very stringent requirements (6 months Dr visits, weekly dietician discussions, and 3x a …

I'm a newbie here -- my surgery is October 15th. I started my liquid diet yesterday and have now made it through 2 days without cheating -- woo hoo! I've been drinking LOTS of water. For my protein drink, I'm using Unjury and really like the chocolate and vanilla. Unjury mixes really good, with no clumps. That's all I've tried so far. I admit that I'm nervous about the thought of life after surgery. What will I be able to eat? I am going on vacation the second week in December -- will I be able to eat anything or will I be still on mushies. Very nerve racking. I go Thursday to visit with the nurse, so will ask her some questions, but I look forward more to hearing from a…

I know this sounds kind of weird, but the thing that most bothers me about getting the lapband is the chew, chew, chew. I've been trying to do this now and it seems hard to me. Is this something that you get used to and does it come naturally? The idea of what everyone calls a PB is terrifying to me too. :help::help::help::help: Can anyone give me some insight? Regards, Alfie

If you're new to the site and being banded in October of this year, please come and join us at: Monthly Support Groups > Oct 07 > TENaciousTENS Roll Call....... send me your name and surgery date and I'll add you to our ever-growing list! So far we have 111 names of people like yourselves who are being banded in October. It's a great support network, so come see who else is getting banded on YOUR date! :welcomeB:

This site has been an incredible source of honest information and real inspiration. After a lot of research, heartfelt consideration, discussion with my therapist, and visits to my internist, I took the plunge and saw my surgeon this week. Tomorrow I meet with the nutritionist. My therapist is writing his evaluation letter. If the insurance review goes well I could be banded as soon as Oct 23. So thanks very much for all the information and sharing your stories. It has helped me so much. And where do I get one of those nifty progress meters you all have?

Hey everybody! I'm new to the site. My doctor actually had another patient find the site and that patient talked so highly of it that he sent the link to me. I don't live with or near my family (both my mom and cousin have completed the surgery), so I needed a place where I could receive some support. I underwent the sugery on Aug. 16th. Surgery weight was 225 (though my top weight was 232). I'm currently at 200.6. According to my height, bone structure, muscle mass, etc., I'm supposed to be at 145; therefore, my goal is 150. I like the round numbers. :-) I'm the typical beach loving, seafood eating, palm tree hugging, hurricane avoiding, pina colda drinking, Jimmy …