Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi there, everyone. I'm Secret (obviously not my real name.. heh) and I'm looking into having the lapband procedure done. I'm 23 years old and I've been unable to keep my excess weight off over the past 4 years. Finally, I started seriously considering the lapband surgery and I have a conference to attend on August 23rd, and from there, I can set up a consultation with a local doctor. Basically, the reason why I'm using a goofy alias is because I don't have the most supportive people in my corner. Some friends of mine do not agree with surgical weight loss, and some family members are extremely critical and can be biting at times when it comes to my weight. Despite th…

I'm not far from mushies, and I'm wondering if you are supposed to get full on mushies or does it go right through like liquids. Thanks for any feedback

Hello everyone. I am not yet banded. I attended a seminar today and was greatly discouraged when I met another girl there who seemed to know so much about CIGNA insurance. She said CIGNA makes everyone wait at least 6 months and jump through so many more hoops than other insurances. Anyone out there that can relate their experience with CIGNA?

I got news yesterday that I was approved for surgery!!!:clap2: I worked hard to get approved and I feel good!! Thought I would share positive news that you can be denied and then appeal after more studies and weight loss attempts have been documented!! My tentative date is October 17th!! Yeah!! I call the surgeon tomorrow to confirm the surgery date and schedule my preop visit!! Wish me luck, I want it to be that day because it works well for work. Well I am off to celebrate with a Lean Cusine for dinner...LOL!

My name is Crystal and I'm 31. I have been struggling for 14 years with my weight. I have decided to get a lap band and I'm gonig through the motions to get that done. I got on here to hear what real people who have had the procedure are saying about how they are coping with life. I've not been swayed yet. I need help and I'm gonna go get it :0) I was wondering if anyone out there who had a decent experience so far with the lap band would mind keeping in touch with me and to be willing to answer questions I can't seem to get an answer on-line to.

Hello, I will be banded Oct 9. After much research, and the wonderful info on this site, I am ready. However, I do take medicine for hypothyroid, I was wondering if anyone else is in the same situation and if they had any comments or advice...any problems with dosage, change in calories, energy, etc. Thank you for any information.

Hello everybody, I haven't been on lapbandtalk for a while and I really missed it. In January, I moved from Germany (where I was born and raised and have lived for 44 years) all the way to Taylor, TX. The last 5 month I was busy finding a job, getting my own place to life and settling down. Well, I am back again . I will try to post regularly from now on. Since I do not yet have a computer at home I use the internet at the public library in the morning. I have some questions about how the lapband control and fill up works here in the US, how much it costs for someone who does not have health insurance and yet and all such things. I will post them step by step . Ya'l…

Hi everyone. I am new to this site, but have visited a few times.. I will be banded on Tuesday Oct.9th in Phila. at the Barix clinic in langhorne. I am looking forward to surgery and all the information found on this site.

Hi I'm new. my name is Amy and I've seen my dr. 3 out of the 6 mo. needed for insurance approval. Im 41 have been married for 22 years have 4 kids 21,19,11,11. Have been overweight most of my life. I can't wait to be a LOSER.

Hi all, I am currently researching my WLS options. I am leaning HEAVILY towards lapband because my BMI is at the lower end (37) and I think the other options are very drastic for the BMI I am at. I already know for the most part I will not be able to use my insurance because of my BMI. I'd like to hear from the other people here that have had there surgery here i TN. I would be going to Nashville and would either go to Baptist or Centennial for the surgery. Thank you and I look forward to speaking with you all. Melinda

Hey Everyone My name is Jessica my friends call me Lala im a 23 bi female from Tampa FL.. I hope to meet new people on this site and exchange thoughts!!:bounce:

I have done all the nutrition classes,had my bloodwork,and everything else I have to do.Now is the hardest part of waiting on final approval from insurance.I have United Health Care and have been told they are pretty good at approval but it has been 3 weeks now and I am going out of my mind.Everyone is telling me to call the Dr's office and find out about it but I don't want to be a pain.Has anyone else had any experience with the same insurance company and if so is it supposed to take this long for approval?:help:

Hi All, Just received a call from the surgeon's office - INSURANCE APPROVED! Being banded 11/09/07, Dr. Fielding at NYU. Now it's real.....s--t, I'm scared... Maria

I've been thinking long and hard about this and I have decided that the people I am dreading finding out about my surgery are the same people who I dread sharing almost any "good news" with. They are my negative friends and co workers, the ones who love the fact that I am bigger than them. They love it that I am always on a diet, it gives them someone to whine to when they gain a few pounds. I AM DONE WITH THEM and you should be, too! A few people on this site have mentioned that they would be really hurt if they found out they were being lied (O.K. just not told the whole truth) if someone they knew was losing weight on the lap-band,I feel the same way. It works and…

Hi All:) I am still new to this and have only posted a few times, I hope I'm doing this right! I have attended the mandatory seminar that is offered through my hospital, as well as had the referral from my doctor sent out. I have my first visit with my surgeon and the psychologist tomorrow. I have concerns about what I say to them both, and how I say it. I am afraid it will jeopardize getting the procedure?? I have a 43 BMI and my only medical condition is GERD and a hiatal hernia. But... I have a huuuuge family history of obesity, heart attack, diabetes, hypertension.... Has anyone been nervous about their appointment for these reasons? I am so afraid I will sa…

HI and WELCOME! I always see the influx of new posters on the intro page and notice that a lot of them only have 1 or 2 replies... Some days I try and make an effort to say SOMETHING, but most days I don't..... DO NOT LET THE LACK OF REPLIES HURT YOUR FEELINGS! This is a GREAT place to learn about this thing called a LapBand. This is a HUGE forum with lots to read, click around and jump in wherever you want! Don't be shy... we were all NEWBIES once! :biggrin1:

I am waiting for a response from the insurance company. My Dr. finally gave them a letter of necessity and a clearance letter. Now I have to wa:notagreeit for BCBS.

Hello Everyone, This is my first post here, I am trying to gather as much information as I can about the lap band, I am having my first consultation with the surgeon after a referral from my MD and finally thinking long and hard that this is what I want to do. In June of 2007 I had pelvic floor surgery because through childbirth/obesity/smoking my pelvic floor muscles were so weak that my bladder and uterus were slipping into my vaginal cavity. After having this done I need to lose some serious weight (I carry mostly in my abdomen). I have tried everything and went to a lap band consultation in May but decided to wait until after my pelvic surgery to pursue the band.…

Had my band fitted in Lyon France on 27/02/07 and lost very little weight, I had a 3ml fill about 8wks later and since then gone down hill I have been sick most days and 99% of the time feel very uncomfortable, I wish now I had'nt had it done!:phanvan

Well, this is my first post on this forum and I'm nervous, scared, and excited! I met with my surgeon last Thursday, and I have already scheduled my surgery for Oct. 15th! I'm self-pay, so I don't have to jump all of the insurance hurdles, and I'm in the process of getting my psych eval (Oct. 8th) and sleep study (tomorrow). I just have one question...my surgeon told me that I do not have to go on a liquid fast before my surgery...should I go on one anyway? Has anyone else not gone on one, and been ok during surgery? If I do go on one, will it help with any pain? Thanks in advance for your help!:biggrin1:

I am finally banded :clap2: however, I am in excrutiating pain in my stomach. I am sure its gas, but I am having a hard time passing it, anybody have this problem:help:

Hi my name is Lisa

Hi, I've been lurking for several weeks and have found this to be an incredibly helpful site, so I decided it's time to join in. After months of tests and treatments, I've jumped through all the hoops and have been approved for lap-band surgery. (I had a two-month setback trying to get my Vitamin D up to normal. . . finally did so a couple of weeks ago.) I'm so excited. Once I got the go-ahead, I started on the 15-20 pounds my doctor says I must lose before the surgery. Lost 13 pounds my first week. Wow! Haven't lost like that since my 20s. Guess there's something to those 1000 calorie diets after all -- maybe it's not all about age and hormones. Well, just wanted to …

Hi all, Updating every1 , i Saw the surgeon today and got a date for my surgery...October 30th......:whoo:Im so excited, scared and nervous all in one package! surgeon said to go on optifast for 2 weeks starting on the 16th but i got a whole batch of Tony Ferguson so he said i can take that for 2 weeks.. Im in Melbourne and getting banded at Epworth in Boxhill.......:clap2:

Hello everyone! I am so glad I found this website. Here is my story. I have been overweight my whole life, but especially after I got married and had a baby. Well, my baby is alomst 14, and I still haven't dropped the "baby fat". I come from a family with history of heart disease, strokes and diabetes. In fact, I lost a very dear aunt to complications of diabetes 2 1/2 yrs ago, when she was only 54. My Dr.s have told me, it's not a matter of "if" I will get diabetes, but "when". I want to do something about my health before I have tons of serious health problems. I already have high blood pressure. I have been considering weight loss surgery for a few years, and have…

Hello everyone! I am new here. Had the lap band surgery at the end of July and have lost 20 pounds. Am a little discouraged though because I feel like I am still having to work too hard at it. I have had four fills already and still sometimes do not feel any restriction. Was wondering if there was anyone else having the same issues. How many fills does it take. I have heard some people say they only eat very little and they are stuffed. Have not felt this yet and am hoping I get that way. Any help will be appreciated.

Hi, I'm in need of some assitance. I am looking for someone who is experienced with the band to be my virtual trainer. Over all my years of dieting I have found that I always do better when I have someone to report to on a daily basis. I need things broken down for me. This is what you eat at this time. I am to be banded on November 10 so I am looking for someone to help me thru the pre-op stage, which would start on November 1, thru the 6-8 weeks after the surgery. Is there anyone out there with the kindness in their heart to help me??

Don't Quit Poem by anonymous When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,:help: When the road you're trudging seems all up hill, When the funds are low and the debts are high, And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, When care is pressing you down a bit, Rest! if you must; but don't you quit. Life is queer with its twists and turns, As everyone of us sometimes learns, And many a failure turns about When he might have won had he stuck it out;:faint: Don't give up, though the pace seems slow; You might succeed with another blow. Often the goal is nearer than It seems to a faint and faltering man, Often the struggler has given up When he might have cap…

Hi, I'm new here. So far been to seminar, been to 1st consultation, last week went for psychological eval and dietician consultation and am now waiting for someone to call and schedule my next appointment and surgery date. I am hoping for Oct 17. That would really work well with my husbands schedule to take care of kids etc...I'm curious how long after the psyc eval does it take to get an answer if you're approved? I'm cash pay so no need for insurance approval. I'm really anxious to get going here now that I've made the decision to do it. I'm starting the 2 week pre-op diet tomorrow as if I already have the surgery scheduled.Or should I wait? Anyway I found this site a…

Just started the process - waiting to have my first consultation. I'm excited and nervous about the decision to go ahead with the lap-band. I'll add more info about me and the process when I have more info to report. Wish me luck! Sandy

I GOT MY BAND JULY 30,2007 AT BAPTIST HOSPITAL IN NASHVILLE. THEY WERE GREAT. DR. CHARLES MORTON DID MY BAND AND HE IS GREAT. I HAVE HAD 2 FILLS AND I WILL GET MY 3RD ONE OCT 16,2007 AND I WILL BE GLAD. I HAVE HEARD OF THE SWEET SPOTS BUT I DON'T THINK I HAVE HIT MINE YET BUT HOPEFULLY THE 3RD TIME IS A CHARM. I GUESS I AM LOSEING OK. I JUST HAVE TO GET IN MY HEAD THIS IS A LONG TERM THING. CAN SOME ONE TELL ME THE DIFFERENCE IN LOSING FAT AND LOSING POUNDS? I LOST 5.5 OF FAT LAST MONTH AND 25 POUNDS THE MONTH BEFORE THAT. IT WILL BE A MONTH THE OCT16TH 07 SINCE I HAVE BEEN TO THE DOCTOR I KNOW I HAVE LOST QUITE A BIT MORE I DON'T WEIGH BETWEEN DOCTORS VISITS. SO I HOPE I…

Hello everyone! I have been lurking around the site for a few weeks now, and finally officially registered. I am being banded next month (tentatively November 6th) and I cannot wait. I think this site is great, it is a wonderful source of information and support. Just wanted to say hello to everyone!

I am a bit uneasy about what all is about to happen and how to handle it. I would appreciate any helpful hints. I did download the shopping list and that has helped some. Thanks

I started the liquid diet today and I am not hungry but I do have a headache.

Hey allll, scheduled for surgery in less than two weeks!!! oct 11 to be exact. I was so excited when i read all of these success storys, but i reciently came across some posts that said they actually gained weight after surgery!! I am soooo freaked that this will happen to me.... and as crazy as it sounds... i wont be able to get it back off!!!:omg: Can someone offer me words of wisdom so i dont completely loose it? Thanks!! Lauren

I decided to post on this forum finally since I have been browsing it for a few weeks following my procedure. I guess it is my way of showing appreciation for everything shared on this forum, it is quite helpful. Just a quick background on me: I am a 35 year old former athlete. I used to play ice hockey religiously as well as soccer. However marriage, laziness and quitting smoking, along with chronic over eating got the best of me. Last spring (2007) I weighed 330 lbs. I am 6 feet tall and those pounds were very uncomfortable to say the least. Aside from that I was seeing early signs of much more severe problems on the horizon. I had depression, looked like tota…

Hi all, glad I found this sight , looking to hear from people who have gone through this already, like to hear what you have to say, I am very excited and a bit scared too, scheduled for Feb:clap2:

I've been reading the board for several weeks now. Thanks to everyone for all the great information. My seminar is tonight, excited and scared at the same time.:phanvan

Hello everyone, I have not been banded yet... I am trying to get approved. Hopefully I'll have an answer by the end of the month. So please I beg you to keep your fingers crossed and pray that everything will turn out ok. I am getting pretty anxious already....:nervous I have been overweight for so long and I really beleive that the lap-band will help me! :eek:

I was banded on Sept 4th. My goal weight loss is 50 lbs. I have lost 13 lbs already. I have not had a fill yet. I live in Yelm Washington and am 43 y/o. I was involved in a car accident that resulted in 3 vertebra being fused in my neck and unable to physically work out. The accident was Nov. 2005 since that time I just kept gaining weight. I had to do something before my weight caused more irreversible damage to my body. I have a heart condition that was getting worse with the more weight I gained. I have a three y/o that I need to be health for and live a long active life. This was my answer to my problem even though most of my family and friends did not think I should …

Hi - my name is Judy and I live in north central Ohio. I've been thinking about and planning to be banded for a few months, but now its really going to happen. I start my pre-op 'drinking' on October 10th. My surgery is the 16th. I'm not too worried about the six day starvation, but wonder how it went for those of you who are far past that and on your way to some 'thin-ness' ?? Nice to be here with you all!

Hi Everyone! I have made this very scary decision, and I am hoping reading all your posts will help me through. I see a lot of common positive feedback, but I am really anxious about the first month, and also, about "what will people think?". I asked my surgeon if he felt people would be predjudiced if they knew THIS was why I was having time off work etc. And advised me that it was probably best not to tell people of my procedure (I'm get panic attacks anyway) as they do tend to be a little prejudiced about weight loss surgery. I have enough questions to fill a book! I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences, and how you got through the first days. Also, hav…

Well, I guess I should start off by saying my name is Brian. I am new to the site and pretty much have been reading it everyday for the last 2 weeks or so. I am being Banded on October 10th and am pretty nervus about it. Never had a surgrey before or even been put under. I guess thats normal? I was always an athlete and in amazing shape. I fell victum to a nasty meth and heroin addiction at the age of 15. It lasted about 3.5 years and ended when I had a heartattack and almost died in my Fathers arms. I have since been 4 years sober off drugs , alcohol and ciggrettes. When I was in my rehabilitation stage I turned to eating. I gained about 155 pounds since the date of m…

I just heard from my bariatric center that my insurance submission for lap-band surgery has been verbally approved - I'm excited but unsure of what to do - I need some opinions. I know I'm lucky my insurance has approved this procedure, but I'm wondering if I shouldn't defer the decision to have the surgery. It's taken 14 weeks since I started the process. I'm a 49 year old male, 5'8" tall, starting weight 290 lbs. I have Type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea complications. Once I made the commitment to change my lifestyle and pursue lap-band surgery, I focused really hard on my diet and exercise. During these 14 weeks, I have lost 43 lbs - my eating and workout schedule enab…

Hello everyone! I have been banded for 2 years, and I love my band! I'm from Texas, love the Dallas Cowboys, and love talking about the lap band and sharing experiences.

Hi, I've been post lapband for 1year and six mths...lost 110 lbs..but, still flucuating..sometimes gain 10 and loose 10...I'm going in for my 6th fill...this afternoon. Dr. Adam Smith did my surgery last year. Very good doctor and he has another Dr. Fuerro, that works with him in the Ft. Worth, tx office. Both are very good. I've done pretty good over the year...I don't think I'm loosing as quick as I should...but, the Dr. isn't complaining. I do know that I have angel wings...you know the loose skin hanging under my arms. That was one part of my body that was really big..I'm 58yoa, 5'2", but, have an hour glass figure. I'm active, I just can't wait till I can …

Hello everybody! I am newly banded (sept 13) and have had wonderful results so far. I have lost a total of 27.5 pounds in about three weeks. I feel so much better than before the sugery. Yesterday I walked with my daughter up the hill to cheerleading practice and didn't get winded. I can't remember the last time I didn't struggle just to get half-way up! I heard about this site from a lady in my support group and had to give it a try. Despite the fact that my family and friends are very supportive and encouraging I feel as though I don't have anybody to talk to about what I'm going through. I hope to meet some new online friends who are sharing this experience to chat w…

hello all, im new to this forum. im a 29 year old SAHM. im considering the lapband surgery & am here to talk with others going thru or who have gone thru what i am now. i was pretty average growing up. i often joke that i was good til i turned 16, got my license & directions to the drive thru i have lost & gained weight so many times & so many different ways over the years. im just sick of it. my negative feelings towards myself are now affecting my children & my husband. its time for me to take control. i currently weight around 300 pounds. ugh, i havent typed that number out, ever. anyways, i look forward to talking with you all. <3

Hello y'all, I'm a Newbie! I've been lurking around this wonderful website for awhile and finally found the courage to join y'all. A quick intro: I'm 58 years old, happily married Florida lady who was banded Sept. 26, 2007, just 4 days ago! I've investigated various weight loss surgeries for 2 years since I was diagnosed with Diabetes. The Diabetes was being controlled with meds until the past 6 months or so,when my numbers were going up, UP, UP! The weight increased too. Frustrating! Enough history. Surgery on Sep.26th went well, with an overnite stay and my husband there with his loving support and help getting me out of bed and walking me around. This is the…

#shakes, and I want real food. I am starving! I wish I could have my first adjustment sooner than 2 months. This just seems rediculous to me, I am ready for my 1st adjustment now.Please share your comments, and advice, I am really struggling. Thanks. p.s How are other people gauging frequency of liquids/shakes if you don't feel full or restriction. ex.- I am supposed to drink 1oz. every 15 min., and this is extremelly hard when I have a lot of pill sto take at once, and when I'm very hungry or thursty.:hungry: