Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hello Tenacious Tens - I am being banded on Oct 5. I start the preop diet tomorrow. I've been viewing this website for a long time before making my decision about getting banded and thought it was about time I joined. This is a wonderful site for support and I know I will need some in the weeks. to come.

Hi all, I have posted this link on a couple of threads, and appologise if it is already posted somewhere else here. I found it very inspiring when I first started researching Lap Banding, and thought that as there are so many new people here that I would just give it it's own thread - hope that is ok with everyone. Medical Weightloss - world leader in gastric banding lapband surgery - Surgeon George Fielding talks about obesity surgery - NYU Medical Center, New York

Hi you guys! I'm new to this site and haven't posted much but I've been reading and learning a whole lot. There's so much info here and I'm so grateful that there are so many people willing to share their experiences. I think I'm well prepared to take this journey. That being said.....I got the insurance letter today. I'm approved!!! :clap2: I just felt like I had to share with you all. It's such a great feeling. I mean to know that soon I'm going to be watching the scale go down instead of up. HA! Does mine even go in that direction? Anyway, according to the letter my surgery is on the 19th. I'm going to call the surgeons office on Monday to confirm that. Ugh tha…

I have an appt. in Oct. to qualify for Lap Band.... I weigh 300# and I think I would like to weigh 130....I am 5'6" tall I have found this web site very interesting and plan to continue visiting here.

Hi everyone, my name is carina and i am being banded in southhampton on 4th October, its a 6 hour round trip, but the price in my home town near Bristol was £2500 more,. anyway cant wait for it to happen now, even my husband and 4 kids are happy for me, they have never known me slim. this is my 1st message ever, and hope to get oon the computer every day so i can talk to people who understand....

Hi! This is my first post! Just wanted to say hello! Kara

hi my name is deb. i was just banded last tuesday on sept 25th. my surgeon was dr marley. so far have lost 9 lbs.have not really been hungry since band inserted.am on the liquid diet right now. go back for my first visit 10/04. dr marley does not put saline in the band till after 6 weeks:)

I have been waiting to be banded for 10 months. Finally last week I had my surgery. It has been 7 days and I am so glad it's done. I was a little sore at first and the liquid diet is hard at times. I feel pretty good now, just a little soreness on my left side (I hope that is normal). I go back to the Dr. in 2 days and hopefully will move up to full liquids. The truth is recovery has not been that bad and whenever something is hard--like not being able to bend over to pick up something or other people eating in front of me -- I just think about how I will look and feel in a few months. This is one of the best decisions of my life and I can't wait to start living!

Hello, I am due to be banded on oct. 12 2007. My doctor is Kenneth Hollis out of houston texas. I was cruising the net trying to find out more information on the procedure and I found this forum. I am quite impressed so far! As I am going through last minute reservations this is just what I needed to quell some of my fears.

Hi ! I’m Lisa, a 25 yo graduate student :glasses from NY, and I was banded on July 31, 2007. I only just came across this site a few days ago, but I think that this will be a great support system, and I look forward to getting to know everyone !My last known pre-op weight was taken on 7/27/07 and I weighed in at 342 lbs, (although I am sure it was even higher last year when I was pregnant). I am now down to 301 pounds. I feel great with “only” 41 pounds gone and feel like I now stand a chance at living a normal, happy and productive life!!! Though there are times when I wish that the weight would come off faster. I had my first fill on 9/14/07 and have felt VERY restricte…

Hello Forum! I'm so glad I've found this site. We have a support group here, but they meet once a month. I was recently banded on 9/19...so I'm through my first week and starting the second. I had no complications and was back to work on Monday. Since I started the process with a liquid diet 2 weeks before, I've lost 21lbs...only 4 last week, but I'm hoping to get a fill on Thursday for more weight loss. I slowly started adding soft foods this week...an egg, thin slices of ham, and tuna. Lots of soups mixed in along the way. Since I've started soft foods, I feel like I'm still eating too much even though it's literally just ounces that I'm having. We'll see what my …

Hello All, My bestfriend had RNY 4 yrs ago. I told myself that no matter what I would never consider any surgery. I just kept telling myself that I would just exercise the pounds away. Well, I have tried everything. I have been overweight since my daughter was born...1979...I have lost weight on several diets but it always comes back plus more... I finally went to a Lap-Band seminar. I was so impressed. I have my first meeting with Dr. MS on Oct. 5. I am hoping to be banded by Nov. 7. I thought that in my research that I should check out the "Horror Stories" all that did was confuse me. I don't know if they were just unhappy people who thought that the "Band" was a f…

I will be banded on Oct. 15th and my doctor is having me start a liquid diet on Oct. 5th. Does anyone have any good ideas about things I will be able to eat/drink?? I am really nervous about this part and don't want to blow it. Thanks for the help.:help:

got banded on Mon 24 Sept. have to say a lot less problems than I expected - I was weaker than I expected for the first 2 days, but no gas pains, no gas, the actual cuts hardly hurt. more of a sore throat than I expected from intubation. all in all, no complaints yet. having trouble figuring out exactly what I can eat - have been living off of a single atkins shake and a lot of apple juice a day, maybe I'll try some broth tonight.

Well, I've been checking out the postiing here for a couple months and have really been impressed with all the friendly people and great information! I've started completing the pre-op requirement for my insurance (it takes about 6 months) and am exciting to be on my way to getting the lapband. I was suppose to have the bypass done about a year ago but just a few days before the surgery I was told my insurance requirements weren't all complete. At that time it took alot of soul searching to make the decision to have the surgery. I was a 43 year old single mother with 3 kids. I thought "what if something goes wrong... what if I develope life threatening complicatoins...…

Hello Everyone, 50 year old guy here with around 85lbs to loose. Yesterday I scheduled my surgery for Oct 26. Not nervous yet but I'm sure as the day comes closer I'll have a few jitters about the whole process. I have an 11 year old son and 9 year old quadruplets. You'd think they would run the weight right off me but so far that has not happened. The physical problems contributed to the weight began to mount up and I figured if I wanted to the kids into adulthood I had better do something. Saw where a few people were worried that this procedure wouldn't work for them. Is that possible? I know it's not a magic bullet and people still have to watch what they ea…

I got a fill - i think it is like my 4th fill - i feel very tight and i can only get liquids down it has 3 days - i want to tough it out but i am starving does anyone have suggestions

Hi, I'm Cassi. It has taken me several years to make this decision. I previously felt like I was "giving up" or somehow "cheating" if I chose to do bariatric surgery. I felt like I needed to learn the lessons I needed to learn by working through this on my own. Now I've come to a point where I feel like the lesson I need to learn is that I don't have to do everything on my own. It's okay to ask for help. It's okay to NEED help. For so long I attached a lot of "moral rightness/wrongness" to choosing the surgery, as if losing weight the "old-fashioned way", i.e. diet and exercise, meant I was somehow stronger, better, etc. I have come to see it as a tool, a way of h…

I am 2 days post op. and starting to feel hungry, but having what i guess is gas pains when drinking my water. Am moving around freely with minimum pain on getting up or down. The largest incision is pretty sore, but the other 5 aren't bad at all. Is all of this normal??

MY name is Morgan I am 18 years old and just recently got interested in the lap-band surgery. I know what it is, how it works and what qualifys you to have it done. I currently stand at 5'7 and weigh 275lbs. In the last year and a half I have lost about 20 lbs but I have been stuck where I am and noticed I am gaining the little bit of weight I lost back. I really started to think about getting the surgery when I was told that I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, horrible back problems that I am on pain medication and anti-inflammitory medications for, and all of it is associated with my weight problem. I just recently graduated therapeutic massage therapy school …

Hello, my name is Gayle and I have been visiting this site for a couple weeks now and would love to start talking to people... I am 21 years old and weigh 243lbs. I have read a lot about the Lap Band and am trying to learn as much as I can about it. I have my first consultation on Oct. 17 and I am so excited and nervous.:nervous This is such a great site, you all give such great insight and advice. I know I need help with my weight because I have tried so hard to controll it but I can't do it on my own. I hope that the Lap band and this site will be a big help to me. Any advice or questions are very welcome. I think I need all the help:help: and support I can get!…

Hi All, My name is Betty. I have Been intrested in Lapband surgery for quite some time now. And I finally decided to join the Forum to learn more. I weigh 175 Kilo's, and am gaining to be 75 kilos. I do Hope Lapband helps me, if i do go ahead and do it... Regards Betty:kiss2:

whatdoyousay:straight

Hello, :car:I am at the beganing stages of my weight loss quest. Any advice?:confused:

What a great board! I'm learning from y'all and going to a seminar on Tuesday. I'm a little concerned that I won't qualify, even as private pay, because my BMI is *only* 35. I've had some knee pain a couple of times that required me to see an orthopedic surgeon but it subsided before I had to do anything drastic. I've also been advised to lose weight by my doctor when he couldn't find any medical reason for my fatigue. I guess I'll find out more soon. Thanks and hi!

:oHello, I have PCOS. Always has been hard for me to lose. Going to a seminar on October 9th. Wondering if anyone lives in Rochester, NY? Anyone quiting smoking? Anyone who didn't? Thanks a bunch!

<p><p>I got banded yesterday (9/26) and just got home from the hospital today. I am moving pretty slow and have pains that come and go. I assume that is the gas? So glad to find this site. It will be a great resource!</p></p> Also - I stepped on the scale and gained 4 pounds while in the hospital!! I assume it is the result of the iv?? Did this happen to anybody else?

Hey, I am an ex college football player, and looking to get the lap done...Unfortunitly with the new breed of football lineman, i have sleep apnea and have the Cpap which has changed my life...I just wanted to know after about a year or so or w/e when goal is reached is the band loosened alot...will i ever be able to eat a full meal again?

Hi! I was just banded on Sept. 20 by Dr. Schmitt in Birmingham, AL. Today is my first day of full liquids. What a treat that Protein shake was this morning! Still feeling a bit gassy and I'm not sure I can tell the difference between restriction and gas. Anyone else feel this way?

Hey Everyone My Name Is Jennifer And After 6 Months (i Had To Change My Health Plan) I Had My Surgery On Sep 5th, Dr Paya Was My Surgeon. Prior To My Surgery I Had To Go On Liquids For 7 Days High Protein Slim Fast (6 Per Day) It Wasnt That Bad I Lost 14 Pounds. I Started At 308lbs I Am Now 288lbs I Get My First Fill On Oct 3rd I Cant Wait Because I Still Want To Eat The Same I Have To Make An Enormous Effort Not Too, But Im Glad I Had The Surgery And Am Looking Forward To My Life Changing.

I am new to this site and just wanted to introduce myself. I am working with Dr Malley out of Kansas City (anyone else use him?) and also know that I have at least 6 months before I can be approved for my band. Insurance requires once per month visits with a dietitian for 6 months prior to having approval. Let me know how you did with this situation and any advice would be great! I am excited to meet everyone and offer my support as well.

I am new to this site, but I have been banded since April 9, 2007. My hightest weight was 250 and I am now down to 219. I have just recently found out that my band may have a leak. I was have had 4 fills and they are not getting out what they have put in. I go in Monday to have this check to see where the leak may be. A little nervous, as I had no idea that they could leak this soon. I want to let everyone know that this is a complication that most physicians don't tell you about.

All, In 2001 my former spouse was Banded in Dallas by Lap Band Solutions Dr. Benavides, M.D. 7920 Belt Line Road, Suite 175 Dallas, TX 75254. Due to a high risk pregnancy and high blood pressure she was bed ridden for the last 4 months of her pregnancy due to her blood pressure. We had our baby in the emergency room because of the stress on her Heart. My former spouse looked like a pin cushion in the emergency room of St. Johns Hospital in Tulsa, OK. This a little bit of the story and I have much more I can tell. At one point she was 278 lbs. She gained most of the weight as she was not able to exercise during the last stages of our child’s birth. I almost lost …

ALready lost 10.5 lbs!!!1 So excited i cant stand it.. I get to chew on something today instead of liquid diet:whoo:

My name is Bobbi and I am just investigating right now. I have been to a seminar in Conroe (TX) and want to go for it. I have an appointment with Dr. Collier October 3. My insurance will not help out so I will be a self pay if I can get the loan. I am learning a whole bunch from all of you so far. I will keep checking in every day. Thanks, Bobbi (AKA Mom of Chuy)

Hi everyone, this is actually my third post, ...ever. I probably should have started here, but didn't know how -- so here goes. I'm 41, obese, sick of yo-yo dieting,and sick of being disappointed in myself. I thought i had made up my mind to go ahead with the band, but i read some of the posts about erosions, slips, failed bands, and they started me thinking about long term success. Does anyone have any info on long term success/failure rates? if you read some of those posts you get the idea that the band is like a time bomb. I really had so much excitement and hope going for a while, and now i have cold feet. Thanks, Jmarie:help:

Not quite a week post op and doing fairly well. I do have problems with gas and gurgling feeling in my stomach at port site, please tell me this is normal. No vomitting, no nausea and able to tolerate liquids without problems. I am looking so forward to this journey down a road to better health and thinnness. Thanks!

Hi, My name is Twyla and I am new here. I am scheduled for surgery on October 4th, and am excited, nervous, scared, anxious, and happy all at the same time. Anyone else feeling the same?? I am a registered nurse in Virginia. My husband and I have lived here for 5 years, but are originally from Southeast lower Michigan...most of our friends and family are still there. My husband is active duty Navy, currently on shore duty for the first time in 5 years. I have been researching the surgery and have chosen to have it done because I can loose weight with the best of 'em, but the trouble is I find it again almost as quickly. I have had the best success with the South …

I had lap band surgery on July 6th and have had two fills so far. My surgeon is Dr. Ramzi Alami at the South San Francisco Kaiser Hospital in California and he is awesome!!!! I have lost around 40 pounds since this journey began back when my primary care doc referred me for the lap band last mid-February. My initial orientation appointment/class was in April. I now have 65 pounds to go. The band has been quite the adventure and I am thrilled with this new "tool". It has been quite a learning experience. I have good days and very occasionally the "barfy" days, but tje band continues to be an extremely positive choice. I am eagerly looking forward to when my fills hit…

Hello, I had my lapband surgery one week ago today! :clap2: I have felt weaker than I had expected and have a lot of pain inside, but it seems to slowly be getting better. I am curious to learn about other people's experience and how they did with the post op diets. Did you feel hunger the 1st week after surgery? What about all this gas pain? Does it get better? I lost 7 lbs on my pre op diet and am excited to weigh again soon. Please drop me a note sometime! Gayleepoo

Well, I had my Lap Band Dr visit yesterday, and thanks to all of you I was very well informed about the pro's and con's, and how life will be as a bandster. I am greatful to all who answered my call for help when my Daughter was trying to talk me out of it. We have agreed to disagree, and all is well. I did purchase the book Lap Band For Life, and it was very informative. My DH came to the 4 hr Dr visit yesterday, and is supporting me 100%. I am going to Dr Noel Williams at the University of Penn. I have my cardiology appt today, and my sleep study and PFT next week. I am hoping I will have jumped trough all the mandatory hoops by the end of Oct, and get scheduled for…

Hi all! Long time listener, first time caller here. :bounce: I was banded on Monday 24/9 and have found this site an amazing wealth of knowledge on all things 'Banding'. I'm a 28 year old female and from Tasmania, in Australia. I had the most brilliant surgeon and have a lot of faith in that my decision to have a lapband was the best thing I could have ever done for myself. Starting weight is 120kg, and I'm 170cm short. :biggrin1: The way I approached my surgery day was that, apart from my wedding day, my day of banding would be the 2nd most important day of my life. My husband is 2 and a bit weeks ahead of me, as he too has had the lap band surgery. Anywa…

Hey everyone~ I have been committed to losing weight since I was 12 years old, and I have been failing at it since I was 12 years old. I have made the decision that I want the lapband surgery but, I almost feel like I'm failing again! I feel like I should have been able to do this on my own.... I dont know how I am going to explain this to my family and get their full support when I am beating myself up over it. I am 99.9% sure this is the only way I can not be a 24 year old girl who weighs over 300 lbs. Any thoughts?

My insurance policy is a PPO with BC/BS of Illinois. In order to cover the procedure, I must have: a) A diagnosis of morbid obesity (BMI of 40 or more) -and- :rose: At least 2 co-morbidity conditions: Hypertension, Dyslipidemia (high cholesteral), Diabetes, Heart disease, Sleap apnea -and- c) at least a 5 year history of morbid obesity supported by medical records I'm not sure that I meet all of those qualifications. Certainly, my BMI is over 40, but it hasn't been that way for 5 years. And I'm not sure that I have 2 co-morbidity conditions. I'd hate to go all the way through the 6-month medically supervised diet, and then find that BC/BS will deny me. Is …

Hi there folks I live in Aberdeen Scotland. I'm having my lapband fitted on Nov 19 in Prague. I'm so excited about my future becoming slim, but I have all these fears that I'm going to be the only one it doesn't work on and I've been reading all these things on the net about it not working on people and "fill issues" on the band. Does anyone have any good encouraging words for me, I really need it. Never met anyone or known anyone "apart from Sharon Ozborne" who's had it done. Lynsay from Scotland. xx:kiss2:

I was banded on April 10, 2007. I have lost 31 pounds so far. It has been slow but easy. I am so glad that I did it for myself.:clap2:

I was banded on sept. 17,2007 in seattle, wa. by Dr. Ross McMahon at Swedish hospital. I have had alot of pain in left chest and extreme pain in left shoulder and underneath left collarbone. I supect it is gas, I have tried gas ex with some relief. But the biggest problem for me is getting down the protein drinks they all taste sooooo bad! any suggestions. I am currently drinking EAS from costco and I mix it with either 1%milk or crystal light.:help:

Hi guys, how are yall doing? I'm just wanting to join and see what this is all about. I had my band May 2006 i have lost about 80 now. Dr. Speigel did my surgry and i'm very pleased. His staff is awsome and so much help. I'm trying to lose more weight but i have been on a plateau for a while now, do yall have any tips to help me?

<p>How do I get it from there to here? I have spent time trying different things, and I have the feeling that this is one of those deceptively simple tasks, but I just can't seem to figure it out. I am finally ready to show where I am on the "Band" wagon, and you'll see fireworks when I start reaching some of my personal goals! I just can't seem to get the cute ticker I chose to display. Any help? Puullllllleeeeeeeeeeeeez!!!!!<img src="http://www.LapBandTalk.com/images/smilies/help.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Help" smilieid="256" class="inlineimg" /></p>

I have a family member who is morbidly obese. She recently went to the doctor who confirmed this. She is 5” 4’ and she admits to weighing 340lbs, although we know that it is a lot higher than that. She keeps saying that she can do it herself but she is going to turn 53 soon and has been battling with obesity for the past 30 years. Her diets usually lead to more weight gain. We think that she is in denial about what a health risk it will be to do nothing. While she has discussed this surgery briefly, she is way too scarred to seriously consider it. She can’t even bring herself to do research on the topic. So, I’m trying to do research and reach out to real people who have …