Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I one day out from banding i have been reading and researching this for a while and think it is the best route to go . However, I am really nervous and apprehensive about surgery:help: I know it will be fine wish it were tomorrw at this time i would either be in surgery or recovery by now. trying to keep busy and good thoughts!!

I'm a teacher and was hoping to be banded this summer but now it looks like it will be after school starts back. I can't really afford to take off during the 1st few months of school so my question is how long does it take to get up and moving and returning 2 work?

Hello Everyone, Glad to have found this site! I am been pursing the lapband since November 2006. I should have my surgery date within two weeks. I feel I have jumped through a lot of hurdles to get here. I guess it was worth the wait, the surgeon I have told me that just last week he was authorized to use a "new lapband" that produces even greater weightloss results. I guess he is just one of six surgeons in the US able to use it. So I am happy about that.:clap2: I look forward to hearing all your stories and enjoying the challenges and triumphs of the lapband.

I'm just getting started with my pre approval and I'm getting worried. I have 2 physicians and a physician's assistant who will support my decision to be banded. However, my insurance (BCBS) wants 12 months of previously supervised weightloss management. I wasn't sure how strict they were going to be on this until a recent phone conversation. I think they are going to hold me to it. I don't want to wait another year!!! Has anyone found a way around this??? I mean, I've been on every program available - all to no avail, and none in the last 12 months.:help: ANY advice would sure be appreciated.

I haven't logged in since last November! There have been some amazing changes to the site. Glad to see familiar names are still here. Looking forward to getting reacquainted with everyone. I'm back ... searching the complications section because I think my band has slipped. I've been having a terrible time keeping anything down including Water. This has been going on for a week now and happened for about a week two months ago. I just discovered that my dr is on my new insurance, so I'm making an appointment today! I wish I wouldn't have waited so long to find out if I was covered - could have been seeing him back in January. Hoping that things are OK, but expecting …

Newly banded May 30, 2007 by Dr. O'Brein South Dakota. Anyone here from North or South Dakota?

I got my approval over the phone of Friday that I was approved for rouxenY and told them that is not the surgery that I was applying for. My surgeons office had marked the wrong thing on my paperwork so so had to resubmit again. They were pretty sure I would be approved for lap band but couldn't give me the definate on riday because the review bourd had to relook at things for lap band. Today I got a phone call this morning that I am approved for Lap band. Took me 3 whole days from faxing info in the first time to getting approval for both surgeries. WOO HOO Surgery is scheduled for July 23. I already went out and bought some of the things on the list of things to h…

Hi Everyone 19 days till surgery. I am so excited yet feeling a bit overwhelmed. I feel overwhelmed at the thought that this could really work. After all the failed diets, fads, and programs. Is this really it? I just cannot imagin. Well I can. I weighed 160lbs before my son was born, after that the weight gain didn't stop till I hit my hugh of 173. Today I am 165. Anyone else feel that feeling of "this is a dream"? I am so excited just...you. Thank you to everyone who shares. It is inspiring?

Hello everyone, my name is Rhonda and I'm from California. I'm waiting on a date to be banded. I have been to the introduction meeting and have an apt. with a physiologist tomorrow. I'm hoping that it goes well, that is going to be the determining factor on if I get to have the surgery. I'm very nervous about this, but am praying it will all go well.

7 more hours and I'll be checking in at the hospital. The 10 day liquid protein diet has been fun. At least I've lost 11 lbs or so. Today was clear liquids and that broth sure tasted good.

Hi, I have just gotten a surgery date of July 17. It has taken over a year to get to this point. Now, I am really nervous. I don't know about the liquid diet?? I was also told I would need to take a Protein drink and a chewable multi-vitamin every day forever. I need your help, advice and encouragement! Any ideas on liquid meals??? Is there a better Protein Drink? Do you drink these as your Breakfast? I feel really lost and can use some advice. Thanks, Hunter in Texas:omg:

Hello I've been considering having one of these band thingys installed for some time. I'm self employed and will likely be self pay as my insurance blows. I recently found out that I need to have my Gallbladder removed. Any thoughts on if I can combine the two surgeries to minimize time off word and costs? Also, any DR recommendations in San Diego Thanks

Greetings to Everyone. Although I have lurked around on the site, I have now been banded for 4 days and have some questions. I don't know if all of you know how much your words of wisdom are appreciated, but please know that they are. Like I mentioned, I am 4 days out, and am feeling weird. I had a great surgery done in Mississauga, ON, Canada, and everything went great. Very little discomfort, and little to no gas pain. Very manageable. (Sorry to brag ...):guess I am not able to take much by mouth. I feel sooooooo full, and after taking 2-3 little sips of water, it feels as though my throat is full and nothing is going to go down. I takes about 15 minutes, a…

Hi everyone. My name is Nichole Gorman and I'm having my surgery done on July 9th. I live in Northern Arizona and will be having my surgery done in Tempe by Dr DeBarros. I am on day 2 of my 2 week liquid diet and it's going ok. Just really hungry, but I'm sure that will get better or worse as the time goes on! I just wanted to introduce myself quick, but I'm sure that I'll be on more and more as my surgery gets closer.

Hello! I am from Brooklyn, NY and was banded on 6/18/07 by Dr. Christine Ren at NYUWLC. Sailed through the surgery and am feeling really great. Too great, I think. I have lost 10 lbs. since the day of surgery as per the scales. I know I should be thrilled, but I really don't see how it is possible. Yes, I have a very small calorie intake - not over 750 per day, but I am one of those people who normally loses very slowly. My diet has consisted of 2 Protein shakes per day, some V-8 juice and Crystal Lite. I have had very little variation except for some watered down pureed potato Soup over the weekend. I added chicken broth to it and then pureed it. It was very good. …

Hi all! Brenda from Milwaukee here. I recently made the decision to consider banding for myself. I have a pretty complicated medical history. About 5 years ago I had surgery for a Pituitary tumor (Cushing's Disease). We "accidently" discovered I had Cushing's when I was being worked-up for PCOS. The pit surgery failed and I ended up having my adrenal glands removed. That should have resulted on weight loss but I am just as heavy as before. My endo suspects that I have PCOS underlying the Cushing's. I have insulin resistance. I have sleep apnea and use a CPAP. I have a BMI of 54. I have recently developed asthma-like breathing problems. I'm really lucky in the f…

Hi all, I am new to the group and anxious to get started. I am very excited about future surgery. I have just started the process. I am diabetic so I am very interested to know if there are other Bansters who either were or are diabetic and if it has helped their health. I am not sure who my surgeon will be as I am getting a another opinion. The first doctor wants me to have a bypass instead. He has not yet done a Lap Band surgery but is a Vascular surgeon who has done many bypsses. I don't really want the invasiveness of bypass surgery. Please give me opinions and advice.:omg:

Hello from a new member! I was banded on June 13, 2007...just a few more days on liquids and then I can have the pureed foods, I am so excited. Need any suggestions for good pureed foods. Good Luck to all the new bands.:clap2:

Well I am very excited as I am sure you all can imagine. I am 5 ft. 9 in. tall and I weight 465. (I am so fat that even fat people make fun of me...those of you who weight what I weigh know what I mean.) Besides getting rid of a ton of weight I am also hoping my boobs shrink drastically. I have been trying to donate them to science for a long time, but the bastards don't want them. I am on a 2 week liquid diet and it is going very well. I haven't had a whole lot of cravings and I no longer feel hungry unless it is time for another shake. I have been thinking of it as somewhat of a detox like a drug addict would have to go through. I am seriously considering staying on…

My Dr suggested that I get a lapband to eliminate or minimize my reflux, those this procedure help? I'm a little concern about the surgery and its risk, Any suggestions? Thanks in advance for your comments.

Just an introduction, my name is Erin and I am a 24 year old Aussie girl. I am due to be banded exactly 14 days from now, and am very excited. I have lost just over 10lbs on Optifast so far (4.8kg for the Aussies) and am still going strong. Just wanted to say LOVE the forum, it is amazingly diverse and friendly but still examines the negatives. Just wanted to say HI! If you want to know a little more about me, feel free to have a look at my blog! *~* FinDiNG DaRk PriNcEsS *~* - BlogNow Erin xxx

Hi everybody, I'm Josie, I live in Murrieta California, I had mu surgery done in Tijuana, Mexico. By Dr.Ortiz in the liquid diet. The shake I'm drinking, Slim fast Optima, gives me soo much gas. I can't wait for July 10th so I can eat real food. The thing I am struggling with is, They say I will NOT be physically hungry, Only mental hunger, that is not true at all. MY stomach is growling all day, I can't stand it, I AM Hungry.. I need to know if everybody out there felt the same way??? :help: Talk to everybody soon Josie

<p>Okay so May 3rd I did orientation. </p> <p>June 18th I have my evaluation.</p> <p>Today I sent off 2 letters of medical necessity.</p> <p>They said that they were turning everything into my insurance first thing in the morning. i have PHCS insurance. Any ideas?</p> <p>I am so excited.</p> <p>Im even excited about the 2 week pre op!</p>

I have enjoyed asking questions for the past week or so, so I figured that it was time that I do an intro... I always naysayed WLS. Then about 6 weeks ago while waiting in a dr office with a daughter I read an article on lapband. I was immediately interested. Lapband as opposed to other forms of WLS addressed all of my reasons for not being interested in WLS. I didnt think it an option as I was not a 40BMI, in fact several points off. Right about that time my oldest got her permit to drive and they asked her height....she didnt know so they measured her and I was stunned because I knew how tall *I* was, and she and I were nearly the same eighth and they were sayi…

:help: Looking into getting my band placed in Mexico....the few people that i have told that i am going to do this have voiced concern about infection. Can anyone tell me what the hospitals and Doctors are like there? :help:

I am new to the site and decided I need to research both options for weight loss surgery. I have battled my weight all my life and now it is catching up with me big time (excuse the pun). I have had trouble controlling by blood pressure, (3 medications) I am pre diabetic, and my feet and knees are always sore. It is time for me to take control of my life and I hope that weight loss surgery will help me to get there. I have recently joined the gym and am really enjoying it. It is hard work but it feels good. I have 150 pounds to lose and feel at 45 now is the time! I have met with Dr. Amson once and am waiting for appointments with all the specialists. I am excited to join…

Hi everyone! I am Aubrey from Tulsa, OK. I have my first consultation on July 2. Anyone here used any docs in Tulsa. Trying to find out how much it will cost because I am self-pay. After reading this site, I am tempted to go to Dr. K in Denver.

Hi all, I'm from the beaches of Virginia but left my bikini body behind some 30 years ago! My appointment with the surgeon is this Wednesday, so I guess I'll find out then if I can be banded. I sure hope so. Been fighting weight all my life; and now I have diabetes, heart disease, and a host of other lovelies. God blessed me with a loving, supportive husband of 24 years and a wonderful 19 year old son who is currently in college. Life is good and full; in more ways than one! I've been reading for several weeks; learning as much as I can from you fine folks. My surgeon is Anthony Terracino if anyone is familiar with him... Well, other than the fact that I'm r…

I have 3 days until my band op. I am so scared.:cry I watched a DVD last night with my hubby of us on hoilday, and any thoughts of me not goin through with it was washed away after seeing my whale size body splash into the swimming pool.:faint: Anyway it was my b-day yesterday and I have had such a heavy weekend, I now am going to be good, esp as I have meant to been trying to lose a bit of weight b4 the op. To be honest I swear I have a mental block on at the moment, its like my body knows that after thursday, thats it no more being bad therefore I feel like im eating everything in sight, saying that I did leave my b-day cake at my mum's so I wont have anymore and…

After three months of Optifast my surgery date will be Aug. 6. Now I can starting getting nervous. I am ready to join the banded though.

Hi. My name is Lauren and I am a 21 year old in New Mexico. I have struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember. I have finally decided to really do something about it and get the Lap Band. I have my first appointment in Arizona in two weeks and I am so nervous. I just want to get it all done with. Although I'm nervous, I'm really excited to start this new chapter of my life. Any feedback or advice you have would be very much appreciated. I look forward to talking with you. Have a great day. "Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the mastery over it."

i am considering lap band surgery and im going to spend some time going through topics for additional information.

I am hopefully going to be approved for the lap band soon. I meet the NHI requirements, plus I have some of the co-morborbidities. Unfortunately, my insurance doesn't consider co-morborbidities, they go strictly by weight. According to them, I need to be 270 pounds (5'4) and right now I'm 225. But, I have newly diagnosed high blood pressure, asthma, sleep apnea, orthopedic issues, but they won't consider them. However, my HR director informed me that they are going to be revising their guidelines for the lap band (which were equalled to gastric bypass)..dumb! Right now, I'm trying (AGAIN) weight watchers and I've just started Alli. I am too young (43) to have this much …

I just attended my required class and have begun filling out my packet. I was wondering if anyone is working with Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians in Salt Lake City, UT with Dr. McKinlay as their surgeon or has had him do the procedure. I am so excited. My insurance covers the procedure and I am hoping the approval with not be too lengthy.

Had my surgery on 6/20, spent the night in the hospital and came home late morning 6/21. So far I feel good. Had some uncomfortable gas/shoulder pain durning the night of the hospital stay but that was it....so far. I look like I am 8 months pregnant and I walk slow but otherwise I feel good. The only issue I had in the hospital was it ended up with the dry heaves which worried me some but the nurse said it would be ok...I am so looking forward to the new adventure of finding the new me. I am now back on the 2 week liquid diet and taking it one day at a time...:biggrin1:

saw the surgeon this morning. he gave me a diet to follow two weeks before surgery, I am so exited and scared at the same times. alot is going through my mind like what if something go wrong with the surgery. what if I am that 1 % that have severe complications. please somebody HELP ME:help:

Hi Everyone - just recently joined - have been reading posts for a while though. Hoping to get the lap band in September - have an appointment with the surgeon in 2 weeks. Anyone here from NYC?

HI Y'all.... Well...I did it..made an call to the local dr. for a consultation for a banding. I was introduce to this site by a new friend that is getting the procedure in a week or so. I have been lurking around for a week or so... Like most that I read...I am just tired of fighting the diet battle...I know I should do more exercise, etc... I am excited about the possiblities, and am going to give it shot if I meet all the criteria. I have enjoyed reading the helpful comments made by all those who offer help to others. Please start your prayers for me, and I am sure you will see lots of silly, need help, type of questions from me soon. All the best.. Ken 'bi…

Hi, I just got banded on thursday. doin pretty good not much pain or anything.The liquid diet realy sucks, I've been dreaming about food,:notagree.My stomache looks like I'm 5 months prego, is that the gas? how long will that take to go away?? Its also is bruised and feels a little like ive been punched in the gut,is that normal? Any one els feel the same?

Hi, I am new to this forum and from England. Due to have my band done on the 16th July this website has been really usefull in the days leading upto my consultation as I knew what questions to ask him, so thanks for that !. Hope to be able to ask all the questions if i need any advice to all who have been and are going through surgery. Thanks Again LAINY.

Hi! I have to admit that anytime someone mentioned weight loss surgury I was offended. My lunch time walking partner asked me if I knew anything about the lap band. We are both strugling to get below 250 lbs.. I did some research for her and changed my mind. We both have to complete the six month supervised diet before we can have the lap band surgury. It's funny how she was the one to start down this path but I'm the one really pursuing it. I already have my appointment with the surgen and have started the six month supervised diet. The appointment clerk sugested that I start to look for support groups. Durring the next six months I can form a network to help me do wel…

<p><img src="http://www.LapBandTalk.com/images/smilies/wave.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Wave" smilieid="335" class="inlineimg" />Hi, I'm new on this board. I've been banded since January and have lost about 53 pounds, hoping to loose more. I'm happy to be here.</p> <p>Inge</p>

Good morning! I want to get banded and am just starting out on my journey - I'm still doing research, but this forum is fantastic! I have a gyno appointment on the 28th where I will be talking to her about my PCOS and getting banded. I know there is a clinic/doctor near her location (John's Creek area, northeast of Atlanta) and I hope she'll have recomendations. Questions: - Good doctors in NE Atlanta? - I've got Aetna HMO, but if I need to I can get on my husband's United Healthcare - anybody have experience with either? - What are your experiences talking to family and co-workers? I'm hesitant to tell just anybody what I want to do until I've already done it a…

Hello Everyone! I'm a 31 year old man from Houston looking into getting Lapband WLS sometime soon. I feel like I have tried everything. I'm tired of not feeling like myself. I haven't gotten approval yet, but am looking forward to seeing what my chances are. I have around 36 BMI and was wondering if anyone has had success getting WLS/Lapband at that BMI. I have a lot of the conditions that go with being obese; Hypertension, sleep Apnea, High Cholesterol, and definitely some self-esteem issues. I also have a fatty liver which I am not sure hurts or helps my case. I also wanted to see if there are any men out there that can let me know what the experience was like for…

Hi everyone my name is Janice and I glad to be here. I have been looking for this type of support group for a while now and finally.... here I am!!! I was banned on March 3, 2007 in Virginia. I have had 2 fills now and is very frustrated to report that I have lost only 22 pounds. I guess that is good because I have never lost that much at one time but the other part is I think that I should be so much further along. I work out and eat properly, (at least the best I know how). I am glad to be here to get support, support others and gain a better insight to what I am feeling-- especially from those who have been in my shoes. I am open to all the :help:, and :clap2: that…

I am a 51 year old female who wants to live a long life, Been studying up on lap band for a while. I will have to probably be a self-pay since nobody will insure me at my weight (about 320). Been checking on going to Mexico, although my husband is not to keen on the idea. Has anyone had Dr. Alvarez? I have been in contact with that office, and they seem very helpful. I'm new to this talk forum thing so bear with me. Thanks, Deb

I just thought I'd warn you all that you'll probably be sick of me by the time I have my surgery in six months or so! =) I went to my first informational seminar last night with Dr. Blaine Nease from Cabell Huntington Hospital in Huntington, WV and I really liked him a lot. He was a down to earth guy with a great sense of humor, no arrogance at all (which I abhor in people!) I am so excited!! I was sitting there all cocky like, "Yeah, I knew that, learned it at lapbandtalk. Yep, knew that. Check, knew that too!" ha ha ha I really appreciate all of the great information I'm gleaning from this site. Thanks for making me feel welcome everyone! P.S. I'm a female. I t…

hi i am new and can not seem to get a straight answer on what the diet is before surgery..i read it is no solids for 2 weeks before surgery..ughhhh

HELLO- I AM CONSIDERING HAVING THE LAPBAD PROCEDURE. AND I AM WONDERING IF ANYONE HAD ANY SUGGESTIONS ON A SURGON HERE IN THE JACKSONVILLE AREA. MY MOM HAD THE GASTRIC BYPASS DONE IN LIKE 2000. UBT HER SURGON WAS IN GAINSVILLE. BUT IM LLOKING FOR A SURGON IN THE JACKSONVILLE AREA.. THANKS :help:

I just found out at 4:00 that my insurance is not requiring any medical authorization so I am free to have my surgery and they want to do it Tues.. Excited but nervous.:omg: