Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi all. Newcomer here. I am a married 33 year old mother of one daughter who has just been banded as of June 22, 2007. I'm very glad I found this website and look forward to meeting lots of new people and learning new things.:clap2:

Hello awaiting insurance apporval, but have my own date in mind. Aug 14, already seen GS, on a 4 week liquid diet, day #4, 24 more to go hhahahhah chazn:clap2:

I'm sorry to just jump in and I don't know exactly WHERE I'm jumping in ( Because I couldn't find a moderator's section) but I am a member of a few bandster sights and while I think your's(our's) is one of the very best, I keep forgetting about you (us) because the others send me daily digests. As a consequence, I remember, read and respond to "Bandsters" "Smartbandsters" etc. Could you please consider a daily E-mail digest, because, from all I've seen you are one of the most consistently sensible band sights on the net and I really feel I'm missing out by not being a more fully involved member. Kind Regards Jackisthin XXX

Wow! I'm nervous and excited......

I am getting so frustrated. I just got a call saying that they have to reschedule my appointment with the surgeon until August 8th instead of Wednesday. This is supposed to be the last step in order to send my paperwork to the insurance company. I've been on this diet for 4 weeks so far and I'm starting to have trouble sticking to it. UGH!!! Will I ever get a date?!?!?! I just want to be banded so badly....:faint:

Hi my name is Ann and i wanted to let you all know how i am doing.i have been in bad shape and in so much pain with trouble swallowing liquids and food.:help: i had my lap band taken out been causing me nothing but trouble since 2005 my stomach has to heal up so the doctor can do the bypass on me.:hat::clap2:

Hello All, My name is Allyson and I am 25 years old. I currently live in Council Bluffs, IA. I have been overweight my entire life. My highest weight was in 2004 when I reached 291lbs. My weight has been a constant roller-coaster as long as I can remember. Currently I weigh 264. I have read and followed this site for quite some time. I am both motivated and encouraged by many of your stories. I never considered weight loss surgery as an option until I began to research the lap-band procedure. My main questions are... how do I begin the process... I have been researching and I feel this is something I want to further explore. I have bcbs of iowa insurance and …

I have been looking for a doctor that accepts medicaid in chicago and no luck. Had an appointment on July 2nd and today they called me and canceled .. They dont even know if the hospital I was supposed to go to is going to have any info sessions any time soon, since theyre going thru a change in doctors. I am soooo depressed... Any support is appreciated.. people please talk tome.. Thanks jess..:cry

Hi everyone, I am so excited to find this forum. I am on day 7 of my new band. I am actually feeling pretty good. I think I expected it to be a lot worse. I am currently on the broth, Jello, liquid diet. At first it was not too bad because I really did not have much of an appetite. Now that I am feeling great I am starting to get more hungry. I would be grateful for any suggestions on how to make the hunger pains subside. :hungry: Thanks!

Hello again I started posting back in early 07 but have been just lerking ever since. Within the past 7 months I have now completed everything including 3 manditory seminars and all 500 medical tests required by the bariatric program and my insurance company. The manditory seminars are only held once a month and some of the tests required took 8 to 10 weeks to get an appointment. I do live in Cowtown NH which might indicate why its taking so long but I finally have an appointment with the surgeon on Aug 22 who then gives me a surgery date 8 weeks out. I am excited to be back with some good news and look forward to participating in the forum going forward.

New to this site!! Really like the information. I was banded on Feb. 27, 2007. Have lost 53 lbs so far. Have 100 to go!!! 2nd Fill 2cc. Having some issues with restriction/eating too fast... Not any other problems. LOVE MY BAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are there any of Dr. Carters patients from Texas????

Just got the call yesterday to setup my starting tests. Won't be until September but that's due to my vacation. A friend and I are doing this together after tons of research. I'm excited and a little nervous.:nervous

Hello! My name is Mary and I was banded yesterday 07/17/07 so far so good. Of course my mind is going every which way but reading all of your posts has really helped me get a grip. I have been married 5 years and he is a very supportive man. I am a really lucky girl! I want to lose about 120 pounds, maybe more or less depending on how I feel when I get there. I have always been heavy even in elementary school, I was always the biggest kid in the class photo. The last couple years I have been struggling with losing weight for various reasons and I decided I needed to do this for myself. I am 27 years old and I swear I sure do feel old sometimes. The last couple years I wen…

<p>Hello Im getting my band on Oct 1,2007 and Im really worried about the excess fat after I lose the weight could someone tell me is it really bad I stomach heavy and I just want to know do it hang.</p>

I just wanted to introduce myself. I am a 30 year old wife and a mother of 2 boys and 2 girls. I was scheduled for the band on July 2 but during my physical for the surgery they found nodules on my thyroid so instead of having the band I had my thyroid removed. Talk about a change of plans. I will be rescheduling hopefully soon. My case is a little different because I am a revision. About 5 years ago I had a non-adjustable band put on and it has slipped. So I am anxious to have this surgery. Thank you for letting me introduce myself.

<p>Hi. By way of a quick introduction, my name is Mark and I had my surgery 8 days ago by Dr. David Lautz at Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. Fantastic medical team at the Brigham! All is well and I've made a good start on my weight loss, having lost 8 lb on my pre-op diet and about 8 more pounds since then. My clothes are already fitting better!</p> <p> </p> <p>I'm building a kit car that I currently probably couldn't fit into but I hope that is changed by the time I finish the car! I'm 46 and have had limited success with weight loss before. I had to take control of my life by getting control of my weight, and my con…

I'm excited....and scared.......and OMG.....a new life begins....start my pre-op diet tomorrow.......had my "last supper" tonight......:clap2:

Hi all, my name is Holly and I've been lurking on this excellent site. What a relief to have this great online community to join! Tonight I'm going to my "educational seminar" at the local hospital. So many of my questions have already been answered by reading the posts here, everyone is so supportive and informative. I guess my main question/worry is this: having a Lap-Band requires a serious comittment to a lifestyle change, and so far I really suck at making a serious lifestyle change - if I was good at it I'd be THIN and healthy already! I'm sure I'm not alone, right? How do others who are banded finally make the "jump" (or is it more like CLIMB?) to a new lif…

Howdy ya'll I just joined up to start the path to my banding. But alas it is not starting off on a good foot. UHC will not cover the procedure, so the search continues!

Hi All, My psych eval was tomorrow, but I just got a call from the psychologist - my appointment has been cancelled due to the Water pipe blast in NYC, his office is 1/2 block away and his office is in a "frozen zone". I was so looking forward to getting one step closer to my consult with the surgeon.:cry He said he will call me later in case the Police gave him clearance to his building - but guess I'll have to reschedule. Just feeling disappointed.... Maria

Hi fellow bansters and pre-bandsters, I finally got my date moved up with my surgeon to next week!!! So excited cuz I might actually be banded before summer vacation is over. I'm so excited, but I'm beginning to get nervous about the actual procedure and my life after banding. Just wanted to share with you and ask for any words of encouragement.:paranoid

I was wondering something...What is it like for those of you who have already been banded-when you go out to eat? What can you eat, how does this affect your social life-as well as, psychologically. Do people notice what little you eat? Do you seem to not want food as much after the surgery? I know I have a lot of questions but I need to know before I have this done so I can feel prepared! Thanks for any info!!! Selena

Hello, I'm fairly new LBT but love it soooo much!!! I was banded on June 19, 2007 and have not had my first fill yet. But I have a few questions that I was hoping someone could answer for me. (1) How many calories am I supposed to be consuming daily for weight loss? (2) How many milligrams of Protein daily? (3) How long before I can "safely" bend over to retrieve something off the floor or exercise? And finally..... (4) What do the abbreviations "PB" & NSV" stand for? Thanks to all for any help you can give me. You all are doing WONDERFULLY!:clap2:. Have a happy day:nervous Tgirl

My name is Quinn and I will be getting the lap band surgery in July. Massachusetts has only been doing the lapband surgery for three or so years now. My baratric surgery team has been amazing and they want me to get in touch with others who have had the procedure. I look forward to meeting people who have the lapband procedure and how it has affected a patients life - - with firsthand accounts. Thank you so much!!! Quinn

:help:I am considering Lap Band. I have been overweight most of my life. I am only 22 and I need to loose around 100 pounds. I have many concerns about lap band. 1) I want more children and I am affraid that the lap band can cause problems. Can there be problems during delivery? 2) I am scared of having excess skin. Has anyone else had a problem with this? 3) I am really scared I will regret it.:cry 4) I will be misserable watching people around me eat the foods I enjoy, and not be able to have them too.:hungry: 5) Can you feel the band, does it hurt? 6) I am diabetic. Higher risk of getting an infection. Any diabetics had this done. 7) The doctors I am going to…

:whoo::faint::cry:DSomebody pinch me! I think I'm dreaming. :notagree I was at work today and the phone rings. It's Lori from Dr. Ehrlich's office (my surgeon)! I HAVE A DATE!!!!!!!!!! Well, two dates actually. I just got my CPAP machine today and have to be on that for at least two weeks. My first surgery date is August 14th to have my gallbladder out. Apparently, I have one large gallstone. And my Lap-band surgery is August 21st. WHOOHOOOO!!!!!!:clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::first: I don't think it's exactly hit me yet! :bounce::dance: A friend of mine at work is having the bypass surgery and she started her process at the beginning of April and is still waitin…

Hi. Totally new. Not sure where to go in Jersey. Has anyone ever been to ESA Central Jersey Bariatrics ?? Any direction would be great. Thanks so much. Not sure how to even use this site. Deb:help:

Hi, Just a short introduction. I had my operation 3 weeks ago and so far..it's a breeze! 18 pounds and counting down... cc from Virginia

Hello everyone! I was banded on Thursday and I am so excited about my weightloss journey. I can't wait to get into the figure that I dreamed about and I am willing to do whatever it takes to keep the weight off. I'm a little sore but it's bearable. On my way to a healthier body and life! ~Nya:):whoo::heh::eyebrows::clap2::kiss2:

I am very interested in getting the band. I have Kaiser insurance and don't think they will cover it, or will make it very difficult. Does anyone have experience dealing with them? I am considering paying out of pocket for the procedure. Does anyone have any information on the best way to finance it and cost?

I was wondering if anyone here has decided to follow Medifast or Optifast AFTER being banded? I hear alot of folks doing it before the surgery, but doesn't anyone follow those diet after the surgery? Thanks.

Hi all; its been a minute since writing, but I just wanted to let you guys know that alls well. I got my 1st fill yesterday. He put 6cc in. I feel good and I am on my way to weight loss. hurray:clap2: He did tell me that if i wanted another fill to allow 2-4 months out that is if i needed one. that was one thing i didn't know that we have that option. i actually thought that it was always a scheduled fill. oh well that was good to know. anyway, i just wanted to spread my good news. thanks:p

Hello To All, I just found this chat room today and I am even more ecited now!!! I am scheduled for my lap band surgery on August 13 in Nashville. I am a mother of twins a girl and a boy and a wife for 22 years. I am very excited about my surgery and cannot wait to look good and feel great again:clap2:. However, I so very scared. I had a near death experience giving birth and am so afraid of surgery and everything that goes with it. I know it is the best thing I will ever do for MYSELF. I believe my biggest fears are the pre-op diet, coming home and not knowing how I will feel (the unexpected), and when I can eat WHAT should I eat:help:. I would like some advice becau…

Are you all very OPEN with family, friends, neighbors, co-workers about your LB decision? Just curious... I'm afraid to say too much to anyone... what if (((I))) fail? Did you just wait until people started noticing your weight loss? Explain it when you have an office luncheon? Avoid social gnoshing with friends? I think that's what it boils down to... the fear of failing at this... After a lifetime of failing at one weight loss attempt after another... (I do have a positive attitude about this... but you all know that nagging voice... don't you?) katie:ranger:

Hi all! I'm from Minnesota and I'm in the "testing" stage of the pre-op. I have my psych set up, as well as UGI and Pulmonary consult (asthma). I'm currently studying for my boards (just finished nurse practitioner school) and I'm not sure if that's why I'm not concentrating on this as much as I was before, or if I'm having cold feet. It's pretty scary to think about doing this! Ugh! I just wish I knew if it was the right decision! :nervous

:help:Do any of you bandsters have your port located south of the belly button? If so, how is it. Does it hit the counter or does it get in the way of anything (blink, blink)?:kiss2: My port is currently under my bra line and interferes with the underwire in my bra. My Dr. will move it for me and someone suggested the bikini area. Any info will be appreciated. Thanks,

My Wife and I are planning to lose half of our body weight. We are a young couple, I'm 29 and she's 24. We decided a couple of nights ago, that we needed a change. I have been overweight most of my life, especially when puberty hit. I used to be able to play sports, I loved playing soccer, football, basketball, softball, you named it , i played it. Now I'm barely able to get up and down twelve steps at work without breathing heavy. It gets depressing when you dont feel like having the energy to do anything. We just want to get our lives back and be able to do everything. We want to be able to see our future kids have kids. I want to be able to run again. We want to have …

I was looking over most of the treads and noticed I'm a veteran, I had my surgery seems like a long time ago. My surgery was 10/17/2002. Had some minor problems with it. No, let me restate that. I needed to learn how to be patient with my new addition. It is a complete change, mentally and physically. I started at 228/125/ happy at 135. When I had this done it was just approved in the USA. And support group were just starting, I didn't like to hear all the complaining from the new post ops. So, I would just read and hardly ever posted. I'm doing this to let people know, I am a big supporter of the band, and it was right decision for me. I do suggest it to certain people…

Hello Everyone, I just found this site a few days ago. I'm sure glad I did! :clap2: I'm so confused about the first steps to take. I have seen my pcp and he agrees with my decision. I have contacted insurance to check on the criteria etc., I am going to a seminar on 08/08/07. Where do I go from here? Will they direct me at the seminar? I'm lost.....:help:.

Hello, Relatively new to this forum. I was banded in Mexico on 5/4/07 and had a relatively flawless experience. I had a hard time finding a fill doc in Ohio, but have found one and did have my first 1.25cc. fill. I suppose I just need to be patient but I am not losing as I thought I would. I started out at 225 and am now 210. I am finding soooo many foods that I just can't eat. Hamburger, raw carrots, bread, (of any sort), most crunchy veggies (which I absolutely adore) and am now wondering if I made a mistake (at times). I miss eating horribly. Does anyone have any experience that is similar to mine. I HATE that sliming, spit up thing. It concerns me because I am afraid …

Hello all....well....it finally happened! Was banded on the 12th at 10am...had to spend the night because of my sleep apnea but was released at 10am the following morning...I must say that the first 12 hours post op was really rough. I was very nauseated and had a lot of pain and gas. It started to make a turn around though and I have felt good since. I am able to take my liquid diet along with some jello, pudding and yogurt...no problems at all. I truly feel great......back to work tomorrow night if all goes well. I weighed in at 288 pre-op. Hoping to get down to at least 190-195. I used the Gas-X thin strips, sipped on prune juice and did a lot of walking for the gas. U…

I got my band yesterday 7 16 and i am feeling pretty good right now. I am uncomfortable from the carbon dioxide that they used to blow my stomack and i am a little sore but other than that i feel great. I will be returning to work on thursday (4 days post sugery) and i feel very confident that i will be ready. My surgery was covered 100 percent by my insurance with no preexisting conditions. I just started my job in january became eligiable for the insurance in may and had the surgery in july....HOW AWESOME I feel very very lucky. i am ready to begin my new life and become who i feel i am on the inside.

Hi, I went to the doc's office today for my consult and we scheduled surgery for Monday, July 30th. I am so excited! They have me on the Sugar Busters Diet until the day of surgery.

Hey All, Just found this site and am eager to browse more but thought I would do this 1st. My name is Daniel and I live in San Diego, hence the title HA! Anyway. Had my surgery in mid Fedruary and am on my second fill. Lost 55 lbs to date. Would like to lose another 25 but I have reached my 1st goal of getting into size 36" jeans. Next goal is to be under 200 lbs. Will wait and see. Dr. Horgan did my surgery at UCSD and my insurance paid for it through Blue Cross HMO. Will chat more once I see the site more. Thanks.

Hi, I am from Georgia and have struggled for so many years with overweight. I have tried everything more than twice to lose it! Today is my consult with Dr. Bagnato of Albany, Georgia. I could lose 100 pounds and be at a comfy weight. My problem is that I have no medical conditions related to being fat so I am going to be self-pay for this at the tune of $17,400. It is a lot of money, but my hubby and I discussed it and it is the choice we have made. My husband is a wonderful person, I know my weight bothers him, but he has never tried to shame me over it. I have gained approx. 50 pounds since we met 4 1/2 years ago. I would invite anyone to tell me their ex…

Has Anyone Tried These Protein Drinks? How Do They Taste?

Hi everyone I am Little Shirl from California. I was banded May 6 2007 in Mexicali by Dr Aceves. I have lost 30 pounds and I am losing 1 pound a week. I have no problems eat anything and is tempered to eat the wrong things or snack during the day. So I am trying to stay out of the kitchen. Little Shirl

I had my surgery in Nov 2003 and I have lost approx 35lbs, most of the weight loss was in the first 3 or 4 months, it is now going very slowly. My surgeon filled the band to its maximum during surgery, so I have not had any fills. I can honestly say that sometimes I don't feel as though I have a band, it seems to be very temperamental. People that know I have had the surgery look at me as if I should be losing weight at a very fast rate, even the surgeon said I should be doing better than I was, so I don't see him any more either. Has anyone else had this experience? or perhaps I should just be grateful for the 35lb loss! All said and done though I am glad I had the surge…

Has Anyone Had A "stuk" Feeling And Lots Of Foamy Secretions? Am I Eating Too Fast? Too Much? The Wrong Food? Appreciate Any Responses. Thankx

I am scheduled for Lap Band on July 23 and have to do the Opti Fast for 2 weeks first. I am on my second day and stuggling. I have a headache and rather weepie. I need some help! Thanks:help: