Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I was banded 3 weeks ago today and I can eat whatever I want is this right . have I already messed thing up or will a fill take care of it

I am scheduled for september 24th and looking for someone scheduled within a day or twoof that date to compare notes with.

Hi... I wanted to introduce myself and say thankyou to everyone who posts here regularly. I have been reading lots and lots here and I have learned so much. I only recently decided to pursue lapband surgery. I haven't even attended an educational seminar yet (I have that scheduled on Oct. 4). I am hoping that it turns out to be an option for me. I am currently 35 years old and dont really have any significant health issues at all, but I do have a BMI of 44. (YIKES!) According to things I have read, I would be a candidtate due to the BMI itself, but I was wondering if anyone has the same situation and has been approved by there insurance? I also am wondering ho…

Hi everyone! My name is Kerri, I am 24 years old and I live in a small town in central Maine. Just to share a bit about myself and my situation... I have been overweight since I started grade school, and have been put on numerous diets and exercise plans to lose weight. I graduated high school in 2001, and shortly there after I gained 60lbs. I have a huge family history of heart attack, diabetes, arthritis, hypertension, and so on... I have tried several diets through my adult years, some successful, but the pounds eventually creep back on. I have been waiting for full time status with my job for over 2 years now so I could sign up for insurance and try to get the lap b…

Hello, after 4months of extensive research and reading all the threads in this forum its about time i joined up.. I attended the free seminar at Epworth Hospital in Boxhill last night and today I called and got an appointment to see the surgeon this Thursday.......Im so excited but also scared cause reality just hit after i made the appointment that my decision and research into getting lapband is on the road to actually happening.............. Has anyone else been banded at Epworth by Mr Patrick Moore? I have also got another seminar booked for October 7 at the Avenue, but im not going to wait , ive decide Epworth will be the one!:whoo: Oh yeah , i got my referral thi…

Hello everyone. Just got banded Friday...went home Saturday...back to work yesterday. Was a surprisingly painless procedure. Havent had to take any pain meds aside from some ibuprofen. First impressions after the surgery. Im a little surprised at the lack of restriction post op but I guess thats normal. Needs time to heal. I find myself craving more solid foods but Im kind of used to the liquid diet now so its not too much trouble and Ill slowly add some creamed foods/soups in the mix soon. I was a bit taken aback in the hospital. They actually gave me a Breakfast of cheerios (got soggy quick) and some french toast the next morning. I tolerated it well thoug…

My name is Augusta. I am 38 years old, happily married for nearly 19 years, a proud mother of a 17 year old boy and a 15 year old girl and I just got banded almost 2 weeks ago. For me it was an easy choice to make. I asked my pcp if there was anything new on the market as far as weight control goes and he told me about the lap band. (I'm a worrier of the worst kind so I don't listen to the news, if you're wondering how I didn't hear of it before now) So, I did the research. By the end of the week I went to a seminar, in another week I was having a consultation with a surgeon, in another week I began my 3 month pre-approval path for my insurance and on August 28th I was …

Hello everyone! My name is Vanessa and I am new to this board. About a year and half ago I looked into to lap band but my insurance didn't cover it and I couldn't afford. Since then I have gained more weight and I've now decided it's time. I started to look into the process and to my surprise my insurance will now cover it! :whoo: I have a BMI of 44 and I have my first consultation with the Surgical Specialist of Louisiana on September 21st. Does anyone have any ideas on what I should ask the doctor? Also, how long was it from your first consultation to the day you had the surgery? Thank you in advance for your replies and I hope to become a frequent visitor.

Hi, I have just found this site, and have wanted to have this op done for quite a while. I am about 245lbs, 30 years old and have three little boys aged 5,4 and 2. I have now booked an initial consultation, and could be having the op on 14th November. The problem is, that having read lots of people's posts, I am scared that I haven't the willpower to survive until the first fill. My regime would be 2 wks on Optifast before op, 4 wks on fluids post op, then 4 wks on mushies, and my doctor's policy is no fills before 3 months post-op. If I had willpower I would not be at the stage where I am going to have this op. And as my mum is funding it I am already feeling enor…

I am scheduled to be banded by Dr. Trevino in Monterrey on 6-29-07. Can't wait. I am traveling from Louisiana alone. Has anyone been banded in Monterrey? Can you give me first hand scoop?

Hi there, I'm Nikki from Sydney AUS and I have my surgery booked for Aug 22nd. I am excited but very apprehensive. Look forward to chatting with you and sharing experiences - I need all the support I can get. One question though. Is it normal to have second thoughts as your surgery date approaches? I'm hoping it's just last minute nerves!!!

Hi all! I have finally decided to move forward with the surgery and will hopefully be "banded" before Thanksgiving. While I am only 23, I have struggled with weight issues since the age of 10. Looking back now, I wish I could have been happy with myself when I was active and a size 12... but you don't know what you've got til it's gone, right? I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) when I was 18 and was placed on a plethora of medication to help regulate insulin levels and the possibility of diabetes. Then college happened along with inactivity and sport injuries and I quickly ballooned from weighing 160 to 230 in just over a year. Also, most of my dad…

Hello everyone, I am new to the site. I live in Cincinnati, Ohio and am scheuled for my band surgery on 9/21/2007. I am currently on day four of the Medifast, pre-op diet. I have learned a bunch from all of you. Great place for information. Bob

My insurance wants me to go to a Nutritionist for 6 months. Has anyone had to do this. What exactly do they do?

Greetings to one and all.......... I am from Newcastle in Australia and was banded 4 weeks ago........... Still eating mushy foods but aside from that everything is going well......... I have managed to drop 14kg so far but I know that it is a long haul ahead. CYA Later

Hi everyone, just thought I would check out this site, I have been partof the Yahoo groups since I had my surgery 4 1/2 years ago and feel like it may be time to try out a new group. I had my lapband surgery with Dr. William Neal in Olympia Washington. I have lost over 160 lbs, but I am definately out of the honeymoon phase and would love to hear how some of you are doing that have had their surgeries awhile ago are doing with it, and maintaining your loss. Thanks for letting me play along...

Hello all I was out there looking for support groups and came across this site. Thought I would join. I had Lap-Band surgery Nov 2006. I had a BMI of 47.6. I was fitted with a 10cc band. I am now down 70 lb. and a BMI 35.8. I am no longer morbid!:whoo:. My insurance would not cover the surgery, so I went through the military. My hubby is retired AF. We live in No Virginia and Walter Reed is the only military hospital that does the surgery in the US. I am not sure what I will do when we get ready to leave this area, but I am hoping that by then I am down to a reasonable weight. That is about it, just wanted to introduce myself. Deb

HELLO OUT THERE IN BAND LAND... I AM 41 YEARS OLD AND HAVE A BMI OF 50 AND TIP THE SCALES AT 350. I'M JUST STARTING TO LOOK INTO THE LAP BAND AND I HAVE BEEN READING THE INFO THATS ON THIS WEBSITE FOR ABOUT A MONTH I HAD MY MIND MADE UP BUT NOW IM NOT SURE. SOME OF THE STORIES ON THIS SITE WORRY ME.NOT SURE WHAT TO THINK NOW!

Hi all! I found out at about 10:00 A.M. that my insurance is going to pay for my surgery! Yippee! I am 34 years old and have a BMI of 48, so I need to lose about half my person. Still not sure which surgery I am going to have. I like the lapband because you lose more slowly and it gives your skin time to "spring" back into shape. Another part of me likes the RNY because of how rapidly you lose weight. I am probably leaning more towards the band because it seems to me that it will be a lifelong tool in weight management. I have a friend who had RNY and she has gained back every pound she lost. Anyway, I'm just glad that I'm approved and things will be moving forwa…

Hey everyone, I am in the beginning stages of the process. Was just curious if there is anyone that has had surgery in Morgantown WV or surrounding areas? thanks, Nicole, Cumberland MD

Hello folks, I've finally decided to start the process of getting banded. It's been a long road even getting this far. Convincing the wife that this is safer than being huge was a big hurdle as well. Currently, I think I'm around 375. My doctor's scale tops out at 350. I've always been somewhat overweight my entire life, but about 6 years ago when I quit smoking, it really got out of control. This Wednesday I'll be attending one of those free informational seminars at a nearby hospital. Luckily for me though, I've been reading this site voraciously for a while now, so I expect I'll be better informed than most - thanks to all of you! Thanks to all of you f…

Help to those with experience! I'm at almost 2 weeks post-op (feels like 2 months!!) and I went out to "lunch" with coworkers. I had the chef blend me the Soup to make sure it wasn't solid - it was a black bean soup, and it was pretty liquidy! All afternoon, I felt awful! My middle part, right in between the bottom of my ribs had this dull yet really unpleasant pain that just made me want to lie down. As a matter of fact, walking helped a little, and I even kneeled in front of my computer for some relief! It's as if I had a REALLY tight girdle squeezing me right in my upper middle below my chest. What is it???? Ugh, I think I might have felt the same thing with…

getting banded 9-11-07 by dr. spivak in houston. how much pain is expected after the surgery?i know it is going to be a big change in eating habits, any other advise that can be passed my way.

can anyone tell me how to start my very own ticker to measure my weightloss? Sorry to be a dumb newbie, and thank you in advance.

hello i had my band done on the 16th june o7 and have lost nearly 3 stone so very happy just about to go for my second fill i have 5cc on my first fill my doctor is mr boyal at tunbridge wells hospital:):clap2:

hi, i'm awaiting approval from my insurance been to the seminar done as much research as possible had all of my pretesting done. talked with the nutritionist. looking for some friends . for some support in what i'm fixing to go thru i'm very scared can anyone please help i'm 32 weigh 336lbs. amber123:help:

Hello everyone, I haven't been banded yet, but am seriously considering it. One of my friends had it done a few months ago and she hasn't looked back since. This makes me think that this is the way to go, after all, when you have dieted non-stop for half your lifetime, do you really want to spend the rest of your life still dieting, stressing and being generally unhappy and depressed about your weight? I certainly do not. I have therefore made an appointment for this week with my gp, to discuss and hopefully be referred for the surgery, and start my life over. Briefly, this is my story. When I was 18 I was a slim size 8-10, weighing 9st 4lbs. Boys came along (as t…

Hello Bandsters -- I am going to Tijuana to get banded Sept 25th by Dr Gonzalez... I will be going to San Diego for 2 nites post op -- Does anybody have any suggestions on where to stay ?? I got a good price at the Marriott Marina but have been reading mixed reviews -- Also, I was wondering if anybody could give me insight on what to expect after surgery -- Will I be able to at least go to the zoo or Sea World - Am I expecting too much to be up to that ?? Also, should I assume I wont be able to go in the pool due to incisions ?? Thanks for any info you could provide -- !!

Anyone know of any support groups in the Columbus Ohio area?

Hi everyone, I my first DR appt on the 11th and I haven't decided what I am going to ask for, LB or Gastric Bypass. I have about 90 lbs to lose and a BMI of 38. Do any of you with the band wish you'd done something different like bypass? Anyone discouraged at your weight loss so far? My readings on this list seem to show that weight loss is kind of slow with the band. Any comments would be really helpful! Debbie in GA

Hi Everyone, I'm very excited to have found this great community. My name is Edie, and I've been researching WLS on and off for many years. I was on the road to surgery, had all the tests and such, and THEN found out that my insurance had an exclusion. Although I had checked it out before I started everything, several of the people at BCBS told me that if it was considered to be "medically necessary" it would be approved. It wasn't until my doctor sent in the final paperwork that I was told that under no circumstances was it allowed. Anyway, that made me mad enough that I joined Weight Watchers back in 2004 and lost 97 lbs in about 10 months. I was able to keep tha…

Hi everyone... I am calling this new phase in my life giving myself TLC...I am reading about the surgery and would like to get to know if there are people in DC/MD who can join a group with me. I will be attending my first informational session on Sept 20th. If my insurance covers it, I would like to get the surgery done in December when I am off break from graduate school and can take time off from work. By the way, I am 28 and weigh 225lbs and I am only 5'2. It's time for TLC...

I want to have the lap band surgery, Just want to know how safe it is. I plan on calling a surgeon this week in West Palm Beach. We love to hear from anyone that can give me some info. I need to loose about 110 lbs or more if I could. My friend had the VGB done last year and she has lost 50 lbs but I think I would like to have the Lap Band done.:help:

I have just started seriously considering lap band surgery. All of the people I know who have had WLS had RNY and many of them had serious complications. After witnessing that and reading some of the stats on banding, it seems like a better option for me. I'm trying to decide whether to TTC another baby (I have one two-year-old) before starting the process of getting lap band, or whether I should try to have the surgery and lose as much as possible first and then try. I'll be 29 soon, so I'm not super-young TTC-wise but I do probably have a few good years left for it as well. I do have a lot of weight to lose. I'm 5'8 and 359. I had a pretty decent pregnancy with …

Hi my name is Andrea. I am being banded on November 21, 2007. I am so scared. I have a 4 yr old boy. I really hope this surgury will work for me I have tried everything. I am glad I found this site. I just wanted to say hello to everybody. Good luck to everybody in their journey!

Hi everyone, I am scheduled to be banded on Sept. 18 at the Detroit Medical Center. I am a self-pay and it is costing me $11,700. My insurance would not pay due to my BMI criteria. I am 5'5" tall and weigh 224. I decided to have this done about 2 years ago but after my insurance refused to pay, I started checking into self-pay and Mexico hospitals, etc. I finally found this clinci in Detroit that is affilliated with a group of docs in Mexico. Has anyone out there had a band done by this group called the Michigan Obesity Surgical Specialists? I am preparing for my pre-op liquid diet beginning tomorrow and I can't tell you how nervous and anxious I am becoming. …

Hi everyone, well i'm finally banded, had a bit of a rough time & had to be re-addmitted, for dehydration, and not keeping on top of my pain meds, anyway 4 days post op, and feeling much better, + 11lbs down already, know this is not about weight loss at the moment, and is a time for getting better, but thought i'd hop on the scales this morning anyway!! wishing you all the very best. Take care toots2. xx

I'm curious about how many days recovery before returning to work? :ranger:

:confused:Hello yall, im 18 years old and I am now in the process of having surgery. I have to lose weight first, 5%. I weigh 280 pounds and am very unhappy with my life. I want more energy, I want to be active. I have dieted a lot and failed. Anybody got some advice for a youngster?

Hello banded ppl! This is Bloo a 27yo male. Scheduled for surgery next Sunday! I am so excited, no fear at all! although its my first surgery ever! can't wait really! :clap2:I just stumbled upon this website today and what a useful website it is! I'd lke thank you guys for all your input and experiences!! very encouraging.. i almost forgt, im 135 kg and 178 cm height, BMI is 42.4! wish me luck and ill keep you guys posted :bounce:

Hey! I'm new to this board but thought it might give me a suport system that's been thru the surgery and is going thru it at the same time. I've been to support meetings but they are always during times I'm working so they're hard to get to. Anyways, I am 3 days out and I have been on a liquid diet now for 2 weeks. I still have a very, very long way to go! I can definitly say I will never look at soup or broth the same again! My docter was one of those that encouraged the RnY but agreed to "try" the lap band. Even up to minutes before my surgery he was telling me he didn't know if he could do it but he would "try" Evidently he tried hard enough because it happened…

I am in the process of looking into the lapband procedure. I am going to a seminar on the 17th. I have always struggled with my weight all my life. I was the "butterball" used in PE class. :think I have done weight watchers three times with one of those time losing 90 pounds. Of course, I gained that back. I have also done south beach x2 and herbalife along with cutting calories on my own with failure. :faint:I am getting ready to turn 44 years old and it is getting harder to lose the weight. Being a nurse in the operating room, I am on my feet all day and boy do I ever hurt when I get home! I feel like I am 90 years. I have high BP and Cholestrol as well as low …

Hey everyone! I just started the process a couple of months ago and hoping to get banded before the end of the year. I have 2 dietician classes left and 7#'s left to lose before I will be scheduled to see the surgeon. Luckily my insurance did not require me to do the 6 month supervised diet. I am married and I have a 13 year old daughter. I am a home care nurse. I live in Evansville, IN-anyone else out there from E'ville? Looking forward to having the lap band but, pretty nervous about the major life style changes. Any suggestions or success stories appreciated. I was so glad some one at a dietican class told me about this site. The other sight I was on was not all that …

Hi I'm new to the board and have been browsing all morning, researching Dr.'s in the Dallas area, what to expect, etc. I haven't been banded but I'm seriously considering it. I'm curious about the adhesion thing. I had gall bladder surgery in 2000 and a subsequent surgery in 2003 to repair the hernia created from the gall bladder surgery (herniated where they pull the gall bladder out of the belly button). The hernia patch and the adhesions from both surgeries have hurt ever since - I've been told that it's all normal - even had an ultrasound of the belly area. I'm 212 @ 5'3" with an apron an excess weight. I really want to lose weight. After reading the posts I'm wonde…

I am 34 years old 5'6" and weigh 220 pounds. I am prediabetic. Both parents have had strokes, hbp, chf and many other medical problems. I have tried everything to lose weight and keep gaining and gaining. I can not enjoy my life, or being a mother to my children. I am seriously contemplating the lap band and know that it will be alot of work. My question is this: Does your hunger decrease after surgery with your stomach being so small or do you feel hungry all the time because you cant eat very much. I am trying to mentally prepare myself for all that I will go through. I have read about the post op diet and I can do that I am just wondering if you stay hungry fee…

i read in an artcle a few weeks ago about banding and at the same time severing some group of nerves in the stomach. This nerve seems to cease all pangs of hunger. It is why after RNY the patient is not hungry and actually needs to be reminded to eat. Anybody hear of this combination of procedures?

Has anyone heard of a clear protien that is tasteless that you can add to cold or hot food to get added protien? A lady at the dr office was telling me about it and I lost the sheet of paper I wrote the name of the product on.

Hi. I'm new to all this.....and I have a couple of questions. I went for my consult yesterday and all went well. It appears that this all will be a pretty easy process for me (I hope). I have BCBS Federal and according to the doc, I'm fat enough to meet the minimum requirements. Wait!!! Is that a good thing....I'm fat enough to do something? Ha that's a first! Anyway, my only requirements from the surgeon is labs and a sleep test. Has anyone out there had one of these done? What should I expect? Could this put the skids on my surgery? Also, I have to start a high Protein low carb mostly liquid (2-3 shakes & 1 sm meal/day) diet 2 weeks prior to surgery. …

:faint:NIM. Please delete. Newbie here

Hey everyone Just wanted to introduce myself. I am a 24 year old Nanny who works full time in Maine and am originally from massachusetts. I have been looking into lapband for the past year and just started the paper work journey. Unforunetly, so far my luck has been AWFUL. I have gotten NO where, as they believe I dont need the surgary and are doing everything (including making FAKE appointments for me) to keep me from getting it done. This is a little bit more about me... I have lost 3 children to miscarriage my son the longest pregnancy at 13 weeks. After that I was dx with PCOS and have suffered from insulin resistance (way to close to diabetes at 24 for me), and …