Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

:ranger: I've read a few post and i wanted to know. how do you get a tracker. I'm still a pre-bander (hopelessly waiting for a date.) But i'm already losing on my pre-liquid diet and would like to share my progress. (in case anyone cared.) Please help me add a weight tracker.:help:

Well, I got a call on Friday from my PCP that they received the results from my sleep study that I had 6/13/07. It's about time! Bad news: I have moderate OSA. Partial good news: he doesn't want to bother putting me on a CPAP if I'm going through this surgery and just going to lose the weight anyway. Now I just have to hope my surgeon will feel the same way. If he decides that he wants me on the CPAP first then I have to go through the process of getting the machine, having another sleep study to set the pressure on it, and then be on it for two weeks before he'll even schedule my surgery. ARGHHHHH! :heh: But on another note, I spoke with Tangela from his off…

I just had my appointment with Dr. Olsen at Centennial Med. Center in Nashville and my surgery is scheduled for July 18. I could of scheduled it sooner but due to my work schedule this is the soonest I could do. I'm so excited. I've wanted this for years!

I was very excited when I got home at lunch and found a packet of information from my doctor. As if I nothing else to worrry about, I read thru his paperwork and found out that he charges for a program fee upfront before he'll even fill out any paperwork/insurance forms.. Not only that, he has a NP that assists him in his surgeries and I was advised that insurance may not pay for her assistance. I was so excited, my seminar is tomorrow and now I don't know if I even want to go. BLAH! Is this normal!? Why did I think it would be easy? I wonder how many other hidden costs will be involved!

:help: I was band on june 22, 2006, for the last 2 weeks i have been sweating & having lots of chills at the same time. Could it be an infection with the band? Anyone else experiece the same thing?:sick

Hi Everybody, I'm just starting my journey - I've only been to the seminar so far. My psych exam is 07/20/07 and my physical is 08/02/07. My friend and I are doing this together and we are totally PSYCHED! I'm going to have Dr. Fielding at NYU do my surgery and am very confident in his skills and he HAS the band as well. This site is invaluable! I will keep in touch for sure.... mariaxoxo4u:clap2:

Hi All! What a thrill to see Dr. DeBarros patients here! I had my lapband surgery on June 4th. Am doing better everyday, tho, I still am sore around the port area. On the 21st, I went on an Alaskan cruise with my friend who just finished up chemo. We had a ball, and WHAT A THRILL to say to the stewards at dinner, "Oh, the appetizer was delicious but I am full!" Never in my life have I said THAT before. I have lost 37 pounds:whoo: so far, but am getting a dose of reality, as I have now flown to Indiana as my dad passed away while I was on the cruise. :cry I have always been an emotional eater, so this is a real test. :faint:Would enjoy hearing from you all. blessings, d…

Hi everyone! My name is Tonya and I am new to this site. I have chosen Dr. Cook in Hickory to perform my surgery and I go tomorrow for my educational seminar. All of this is exciting and scary at the same time. I would like to meet anyone from the Boone or West Jefferson area who have been banded (of course others from other places are welcome to talk to me to).</p></p></p>

Hi! My name is Jamie and I am currently researching the lap band procedure and from what I have seen I need to go the next step and see my doctor. I have been overweight my entire adult life and would just like to be able to get the weight off and not yo-yo. My husband and kids are behind me 100% and think that this would be good for all of us and hopefully help me with some of my physical problems that are most likely caused from the weight. I would like to thank all of you that have been posting on here, for it was a lot of what I read from everyone that made me think that yes this is the right way for me to go. I hope that one day that I can have the sucess that…

Hi everyone, I just went to the seminar for the lapband and turned in my paper work today. now I guess it's the waiting game. I am afraid but excited too. :eek:

:clap2:WOW, I am appoved. It took less then two months to get everything done, and now Im approved. May 4th- got weighed, watched seminar (35 bmi) June 18th - phychiatric evaluation July 5th- APPROVED I am just waiting to find out my surgery date. I am so excited about this, its scary. I'm SO SO ready for a new life!!!!:clap2:

Greetings! My name is Jim and I am hoping/planning to get banded early in 2008. I have yo-yo'd 100 pounds or more on several occasions during my life and really see WLS as my only realistic chance at long-term success. I'm researching and learning from good folks like those on this board, and trying to SAVE (self-pay)! Looking forward to getting to know you. Jim

Hi --- my name is Princess Willow and I live in Oregon. I am seven days from being banded. I am being banded for my birthday. The best present I will give myself is the gift of health. The 10 days of nothing but liquid is so very difficult. I think of eating yummy stuff all day. I found this site for encouragement and support. I am going to Dr. Huacuz. I have set a goal and am journaling. Anyone else journaling? How has that helped you? Any suggestions for getting through the ten days? --- Thought for the day..... Nothing tastes as good as thin is going to feel!!!! :cool:

Hi, all. I am just over one week with my band and I have lost 15 pounds. I am a little concerned that the loss might be too much for just over a week and I am always hungry with liquids (water, green tea, broth, jello, etc). I have started eating yogurt and smoothies. Does anyone know if this is too early for these? I don't see my doctor till 7/11.:hungry:

this is the second time that ive been in the program. the first time i got half way through and decided that it wasnt the best time for me, also i had met with their behavior specialist and we didnt click, she told me the very first visit that i had to leave my husband and file for divorce, a little overwhelming. i am now back in the program 5 month later and i am cruising through it, i met with the nutrionist, the psychologist, and now all i have to do is meet with the surgeon. i am feeling a little scared and am having a few doubts wondering if i can handle the lap band. ive always been a fast eater and sometimes not often i like to over eat. im sure that im not the on…

Hi there everyone. Just a little note to say hello and I got my chol results which were 310 and pre diabetes and a BMI of 40, so my doctor said that gastric surgery might be an option for me. Only problem is that my Ins may give me a problem(Pacificare HMO) Wish me luck!!:nervous Janiee:)

Hi everyone. My name is Den and I'm having my surgery on 7/11/07 with Dr. Billing from Edmonds, WA. I'm 4 days from my surgery and scared as hell! I know a lot of it is pre-surgery jiggers but I'm trying to look on this as a positive change in my life. Still the thoughts of the surgery, post-op recovery, financial costs, etc. have really gotten my thinking whether this is the right decision for me. I realize many of my fears are of those things unknown and only time with resolve them. Until then I'm just trying to remain calm and praying that all goes well. Wish me luck! Den

hi all ! new to the site will go to my consultation on 6-21 excited but also nervous.i really don't know what to expect seeing dr voellinger in nc:)

Hi everyone, i just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Joyce and I live in Newark, New Jersey. I have had my consult and to the seminar. Plan on going to seminar again. The Dr. feels that the bypass would be better then the band. I am not afraid to have surgery. Surgery date is Sept 20. But, what do you think. Dr. is Karl Strom from Mountainside Hospital in Montclair. Thank You for the help.

Hey everyone! I just found this fourm via Google and I'm so glad. It'll be nice to have other lap-band patients to talk to. I think the non-band people in my life must be sick of be blabbing about this all the time. I was banded November 7, 2006, so right now I'm just about 8 months post-op. I am down 100 pounds, as of a couple of days ago. I'm feeling awesome. I'm doing things I couldn't even dream of doing a year ago... working out, running, biking, climbing stairs, etc. without feeling like I might keel over and die. I'm 26-years-old, and have had weight problems (althought varying in severity) since I was about 10. I was definitely an emotional eater, which h…

Hey y'all I'm looking for any one else out there whose been banded by Dr. Spiegel of Houston Texas. Or any one who's had to deal w/ his staff. I have some questions and would like to see if other people had the same experiance w/ him and his staff that I have. Look forward to hearing back from y'all soon

I am just starting my journey. My PCP and I just discussed it and he will be refering me to a surgeon soon. I am 280# and 5'4, I also have DJD and OA in my L knee. This seems like the best route for me. My husband will probably being having it done as well. He has sleep apnea and his BMI is like 45. Maybe we both will get done at around the same time..hehehe. So I am open to comments and suggestions. The part that has my husband worried is the "baby food" diet...LOL I told him it would all be worth it in the end and that we would get through it together. My mother had this done and has done great with a 120#+ weight loss in 1.5 yrs.

WOW, just got my approval yesterday. they called me this morning to tell me my surgery date is 07/19/07!! I start my 2 week pre op today! Please tell me this 2 week diet aint so bad...I dont even care, Im ready for this change!! I am so excited I could bust!!!!:clap2:

OK so I am feeling really stupid asking this question, but here goes. How do you get the pound line on the bottom of your signature to track your progress? I have not been able to figure it out. Any help you can give is greatly appreciated. I get banded on 7/16 and want to tgrack it. Thank you! :help:

I have a very stressful job and unfortunately have become a real stress eater. The most unfortunate thing is that I give in to my cravings (mostly chocolate). I really want to lose weight and keep it off. Has anyone had lab-band surgery with similar problems? And has the lap band helped? :ranger:

I just joined this forum. I really would like to know all the negative stuff that might happen during the lap-band process. It seems to good to be true at this point, but that might be because I'm a natural pessimist. This all started about 6 months ago when I went in for a doctor's appointment. Instead of my regular physician (who was out of town that day), one of the other doctors in the same clinic saw me. During the visit, he told me that I would probably be the perfect candidate for a lap band procedure. I had never heard of this before. I assumed what he meant by that was an old-fashioned stomach stapling procedure, which I'd heard so many very bad things about, …

Hi, I was banded 02/16/07. I have lost a minimal amount of weight since my surgery. I am getting discouraged. I had a fill, then the fill was taken out. I found myself choking when I would eat. I know we are not suppose to drink when eating, but I could not eat without drinking. Has anyone out there experienced this? Thaks.

I am so ready for this. Then I went to a psychic yesterday and he said that I would hate it and want to have it removed. And, that I really didn't need it because if I could really see who I was and honor myself, I would eat healthier and the weight would fall off because I would eat food that honored me. I get what he was saying but... After little sleep and much soul searching, I am still going get the lapband. That's why my log in is "18 months to know." Someone gave me some really good advice: She said, you have about a year and a half to figure out why you eat the way you do, if not, you may very well put the weight back on. So, I figure that I can truly find o…

hello see the doc on 7-18,,,5;11 293lbs,,,my wife is not real happy about me having this procedure,,don;t know why,,she is not over weight at all 5;6 150lbs,,still does not want me to have this,,tried all the diets gained 65 lbs in 3 years after breaking my foot tearing ligs through my ankle,can't really jog or be super active anymore,,just like to eat i guess to much,,well any way has any bodt had to convince there significant other about getting this done,,it don't really matter,cause,i'm gonna do it for my self,,any way,,just thought i'd ask to ease how mad she's gonna be:help:

I am happily married,mother of 15 yr.old daughter,have 2 dogs,a nice house and car that gets me to where ever I need to go...and I cry every day.... I have not had surgery..but I am hopeing to...I am looking into all the info I may need be for I contact Caresource...My insurance.....I am hopeing that it will be approved...I seen on some other sites that you may need this or that and so far I am falling into the right area...next week I will be seeing my Dr.about it...I just don't know what to do first...some have gone through the whole meeting the Dr.and visits at the Hospital and even have a date for surgery be for they are even oked by there insurance...I guess I am j…

Hello to all, just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Kelly and I'm 34 years old and weigh 360 lbs. at 5'8", with a BMI of 56 (super morbidly obese). I've begun the journey towards the lap-band surgery (probably some time in November of this year), due to my insurance company requirements, I'm having to do the 6 month doctor supervised weightloss first. I'm 2 months into it (July is month 3). My surgeon is Dr. Cywes in Jacksonville, Florida. Does anyone know him? Input would be helpful. He seems to be a good guy and very qualified. Anyway, I'm looking forward to starting a new chapter in my life and any advise or suggestions/tips would be appreciated. You are…

Hello, After some problems with Aetna TRS I am now finally approved for a Lapband. My pre op is scheduled 11 July and surgery is 23 July. I am happy but scared. I weigh 245 lbs and 5'2 height. My doctor is Dr Ganta in Austin, Texas. He seems to be very nice and very serious. I am almost 63 years. Are there any of you with this same age and how are you doing. I think I need some support here. I also have severe sleep apnea and use a cpap machine. I am ready, but scared. Thanks y'all.

Hi all! Okay I was soooo excited :whoo: because last month (basically in four days) I did all my pre-op appointments: the nutritionist, mental health counselor, my physical, letter of medical necessity, sleep study, EKG, ECO, Ultrasound of the Abdomen ( to check my gallbladder), and my blood work. Yeah, on all that! But, now I'm waiting on the stupid sleep study results that I had done on 6/13/07 and still wasn't done as of Monday.:faint:I've been trying to get a hold of my surgeon's office and all I'm getting is voice-mails. I don't even know if they've submitted to my insurance yet. I have an appointment with my surgeon Dr. Timothy Ehrlich on 7/16/07 regarding my …

Hi forum! This site has been so helpful and everyone is so friendly. I'm glad I came accross this website to help me mentally and emotionally prepare for my upcoming surgery on July 31st. I'm so excited to begin this new journey! :confused:

The psychologist I've seen gave me a fabulous book, Emotional Eating. I swear at least half the book was me. Some of it was stuff I knew already, but definitely needed to read again. Have just the last chapter to read. So many of us who need to lose weight are emotional eaters - maybe all of us???? Because I use food to deal with stress and boredom the psychologist thought this was a good book for me. Hopefully I'll have the wonderful full feeling after I get banded (August?) that I won't want to eat, but I'll still have stress and some boredom in my life. Looking for a new hobby to replace eating:), but haven't found one yet! Funny - she said according to my t…

Though not completely new to this site, I started researching the labpand about 8 mos. ago and it all came to a screaching halt when we found out my husbands insurance intentionally left this coverage out of their plan. :huytsao There is a chance he will be switching jobs (also we will be moving near Ft. Benning, GA) and we are told that the insurance is the top plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield so we have hopes that it will be covered. I struggle with low blood sugar and although recent tests claim to be normal, I regularly have the instant shakes, etc. if I wait too long to eat or don't eat enough protein. I had my gaul bladder removed in 1995 and have since …

Hey Everyone, I haven't written in a long time but I have been trying to keep up with everyone. I was banded on the 9th of March and am down 33 lbs. I have gone from a size 16 to a size 12 (which is kinda of loose but 10's too tight.) I feel great. I have 2 fills and the last one has been a little tough. (11cc band and I have 6.7cc in) but I know if has been from not chew,chew,chewing!! I still have more to lose but everyone says I look great and not to lose any more but I think health wise I need too. I haven't told my husband this but the other day at the grocey store parking lot I had a guy came up to me and asked if I would go out to dinner with him the next ni…

Hi, My name is Carla and I live in Toronto Canada. I am going to have my banding on Friday July 13th (good thing I'm not supersitious)! I am currently on the pre-op diet of skim or low-fat milk , yogurt and cottage cheese. I am also allowed coffee and tea, sugar free drinks such as Crystal Lite, sugar free Jello and that's about it. I have over 150lbs to loose, and although I have been successful dieting in the past, I have always gained the weight back, I am hoping that this procedure will be a tool which will allow me to reduce my appetite - which is large - and stay on a healthy diet not only till I loose my weight, but to learn to eat properly for life. I hav…

I am six days out and nervous as can be. Anyone used Dr. Schmitt in Birmingham. How bad is the first week post op?

:omg: Hoping to have surgery in Aug. My insurance co. pays for it - 100% - yes VERY LUCKY, but I still don't know what the insurance company's prerequisites are. Until today I have been cruising along with hardly a minute of nerves. Today I am a basket case! :help: Met with the Psych last Friday, and she passed me with flying colors. Said I should do very well post op. Talking to the dietician this week sometime. She's calling me instead of meeting with her since the dr. office is over 3 hours a way. Seems like everything is going really well, huh? So why the heck am I freaking out????????????? I want to cry, :think but my boys have a friend here. I pigged out on…

I've been told that lower BMI's (I'm 32) lose weight more slowly. Is that really true if you follow the program carefully? I'm getting banded in Mexico by Dr. Rumbaut and feel comfortable about the surgery. I'm concerned about the adjustment afterwards and hope whoever I go to up here - NYU or Dorre from Long Island for my fills - won't be incremental but will go for the "sweet spot" right away. I'm nervous but excited and really hope this will curb my compulsive overeating. The last 2 weeks I have been stuffing my face! Looking for words of wisdom....

Hello Everyone! I live in Jackson, Mississippi and just had a Lap Band put in two weeks ago. At that time, I had never talked to anyone who had the Lap band..I only knew a few gastric bypass patients. I found that my experiences were very different and I was so happy at my one week check up to meet not one, but two wonderful ladies who had the Lap Band. I was thrilled to have someone to talk to. One lady (friend now!) told me about this site and I am eager to learn about the experiences of others. I also had my gallbladder removed and a hiatal hernia repaired at the same time my band was put in. I have been doing great. I can now have foods the consistency of a s…

Hi Everyone. I am counting down the "medically supervised diet" for my insurance co.& have been following along here for a few weeks. I have yo-yo dieted for 18years. I have lost up to 50 pounds many times by starving but as soon as the hunger was too much I would gain it all back (usually within 6-8mths) and feel like a failure. I workout 45-60 minutes 3-5times per week but this time I am hoping the lap band will keep me from being able to gain it back. My food problem is just way too much food ie.2nd & 3rd helpings. I am concerned about some posts I see where people can't eat chicken & salad or asparagus/broccoli. Those are my fav foods(along with too much…

I have not been banded yet (August for me) but I know someone who knows someone (as it normally goes) who had an issue with vomiting and this caused her to "choke" on the band! Is there any way this could be possible? This sounds scary.:phanvan

Hi everyone, I was banded on 6/28/07. I read the posts religiously and appreciate all the info on what to eat and what not to eat, of course, I can't eat anything right now only Clear liquids and I believe I am really getting hungry! My question concerns the Lapband Forum: I get lost! Sounds silly, but sometimes I can't find where I left off the night before. Any instructions for this problem or for using the site.:help: What's a trackback? Thanks, Waters Banded 6/28/2007 Dr George Eid UPMC Magee Women's Hospital Pgh, PA

:)HELLO TO ALL! I AM VERY NEW HERE, NEED LOTS OF ANSWERS, MY MAIN THING IS, WANTING THIS SURGERY. CAN SOMEONE JUST TELL ME IF THIS IS RIGHT FOR ME? I WEIGH 196 4'11 AND I DONT HAVE A GOOD APPETITE. I NEVER EAT BREAKFAST AND CAN SOMETIMES GO ALL DAY WITHOUT EATING FOOD, JUST SNACKING ALL DAY! I HAVE A POOR APPETITE, AND I WANT TO LOSE THIS WEIGHT, IT IS MOSTLY IN MY ABDOMEN AREA, DONT REALLY CARE ABOUT LOSING ELSEWHERE. IS THE LAP BAND FOR ME? ALSO, DOES ANYONE HAVE ANTHEM BLUE CROSS AND IF SO, HOW MUCH DO THEY PAY FOR THE SURGERY? PLEEZE, PLEEZE RESPOND SOMEONE, WANTNG A LOT OF HELP!!:cry

Being Banded July 9th, Just Wondering If Alltel Has Service In Monterrey Mexico? I Appreciate Any Info, Because Dealing With Alltel Is No Picnic, Thank You Danny July 9th 2007 Dr. Zapata

Helo to all. I have been reading these boards for a few weeks. I am in the process of getting insurance approval. Hopefull for the first of Aug. I have a question about getting a ticker set up. I can get to where you highlight the bb Code. but can't find the signature box. Thanks in advance for any help.

:faint: I'm new to this process and just to qualify is an ordeal. My insurance company requires that I diet for another 6 months under my doctors watchful eye. I've been dieting for 3 years now! Don't the insurance companies understand that diets alone don't work. Is anyone else out there having a difficult time with the qualification process? -Prebander Current weight 264lbs

Dr. Zapata in Monterrey Mexico, I am so happy, I'm going to start a new life, be a healthy Husband and father. This was a tough descision, been thinking about this for months, I am traveling alone( a little nervous), but I'm a 33 yr. old man, I need to quit whining. All those pre existing conditions that run in my family(obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure,strokes, heart disease), maybe I can beat these, I'm 305lbs. hope to get to 180lbs. and healthy. Everyone on this site has been so supportive and helpful. I say to all you bandsters and future bandsters, good luck and I wish you all the best of health. Danny July 9th 2007 Dr. Zapata (ready4change.com) Mo…