Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hey guys, Just thought I'd update you all, I'm going to talk to the Surgeon on Thursday about getting my Lap-banding done. My Mum's coming with me, I wanted her to. So yeah.. I'm nervous but excited too. Stephie

Just kind of curious as to what a low profile mini port is. How is it different from other ports, and does it affect the weight loss in any way? Thanks ahead of time for answering these questions. Sweety

hey all! i'm laura, from providence, RI. i was banded on may 14th and so far i'm doing very well! just wanted to write this quick introduction before i jump in to posting on other threads.

Hello, all! I can't believe I just stumbled across this site on a relatively unrelated search! I've been looking for an active forum with no luck. I must say I think I must be in shock, or numb, or something! Two weeks ago my doctors office submitted to my insurance for approval, so I thought I'd give them a call yesterday to check on it and my approval was just granted yesterday and the letter went out! Talk about coincidence! So I get with my doctors office this morning to see what's next...she asks if I had a date in mind for surgery, so I said "yesterday"! Well, to my surprise, she said "Well, I'm no miracle worker, but how does Friday work for you?" I was shoc…

Hi Everyone. As you can see I'm a new member as of today, 06/07/07. I am filling out papework to go through the process required before getting approval for the lap band or gastric bypass. I think I have pretty much made up my mind that I want the lap band. I was surfing the net for information when I came across this website. I'm glad I found it because it looks like I can get alot of questions answered here from people who have already had the lap band. I look forward to talking to everyone!

i have a consult this Thursday with the Toronto LapBand Centre.... im excited but have been overweight since i was a child and really worry that this will not work for me.... any words of advice? did anyone else really feel this way 2? :faint:

Hello, To all who have already been banded (& those about to be banded) congrats.. I've just had it with myself & really think I want the band. I'm just wondering if anyone has received the lap band through Kaiser Insurance? I pretty sure they cover the actual gastric bypass but not sure about the band? Also, how long does it take to start losing after the band? How long are you in the hospital & back to work? Any answers are appreciated.

Hi, I just joined last night. I am married to my best bud for 29 years, I am blessed with two children and 2 grandchildren. I have my first doctors consult on Thursday. I am 52, need to have both knees replaced, diabetic, high blood pressure and severe arthritis. I walk with a walker. I am looking forward to getting my life back. I have some questions for pre-op and post op if anyone can help. I have done all the research and talked to doctors and nurses during and after the 2 different seminars that I have attended but have not talked with anyone that has gone through this. I am concerned about; 1.) The liquid diet pre-op, How do you get through this without ea…

I want to start packing my overnight bag for the hospital, any advice/suggestions on what I need to take with me?

i just had my appt with my surgeon. she is great. i am so excited about getting the surgery. my insurance requires 6 months of supervised weight management so today is day 1 of that this 6 months is going to drag. have a good day

I go in today for my blood work, EKG and what ever else and so I'm a little scared. I guess I need to be thankful that they made both of my appointments for the same day at the same hospital. I know they are going to discuss my pre-op diet more indepth today so maybe I'll have some good info to share. :omg::omg:

Hi all, I am new here, and have just recently begun seriously considering the procedure. I'm in southern California and unfortunately, my HMO will only cover bypass. This is something that scares the you know what out of me and there are so many reasons LapBand dxoes not. My problem is this... I was told $18,800for a one-hour outpatient procedure in Orange County... OMG! Really? Is there anyone out there in any part of California that does this for a lesser cost? I'm totally willing to travel... I need help, guys. Thanks!

Hi, I'm still in the very early stages with lap band surgery. I have been to my PCP and he has told me that I qualify for surgery, but the referral has not been made. I have read and researched so much and it's just made me more confused than ever! I know I want lap band above all other bariatric surgeries, but it seems like the type of lap band even makes a difference, which is something I won't have a say about. I worry that I will go through all of this and then not even have the best band for me placed! Once you make the first decision to actually go through with surgery, then you worry about all the "what ifs" :phanvan.

Long time lurker second post I think. Did all the prelim stuff Doc wants me to lose some weight before surgery to reduce liver. I am paying out of pocket ($13500.) if I have the surgery at my currrent weight it will tack on 6K to the price. So working hard to lose before the surgery. Hope to be banded soon though. Oh yeah started the Opti Fast diet on May 10, 07.

Hi I am a new member and this is my first thread I am doing. I have never done anything like this so I hope it is right. June 6 I start the liquid diet:D and June 20 I have the lap banding surgery:clap2: I can't wait I am so excited to get going on my new me!!! I am even excited about the liquid diet. This past weekend I spent lots of time reading and rereading the information that I received from the dietatin. Trying to plan ahead for how to get all the shakes in. I am concerned about the full feel when I am done with the liquid portion of the process. The only thing that totally freaks me out is throwing up!!!!:omg: I so don't want that to happen because I have …

I am brand new and am having trouble finding information in the Kansas City area. Any help would be greatly appreciated...

HI ALL I AM FROM LOUISVILLE, KY. I WENT TO A SEMINAR ON 4-24. I FILLED OUT ALL MY PAPER WORK. THEY SAID IT COULD BE TWO WEEKS BEFORE THEY GET BACK WITH ME ABOUT WHAT MY INSURANCE COMPANY REQUIRES. I HAVE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD (PPO) OF GEORGIA. I WEIGHT 300LBS. MY BMI IS 48. I AM GETTING MARRIED ON 08-08-08. I REALLY WANT TO DO THIS A.S.A.P. I HOPE MY INSURANCE DON'T REQUIRE THE DIET THING. :cry . I AM LOOKING TO MEET WITH NEWBIES, AND ALSO ANYONE WHO HAS HAD THIS. MY EMAIL IS DESIREE405@AOL.COM.

Hi everyone! I was wondering if there was anyone here from the Hurst/Euless/Bedford area? Even Arlington would be good. I'm looking for a walking/biking partner at least every other day. River Legacy Park is gorgeous for that!

Hey everyone! On June 22, at 7:30am, I am getting my band! I am nervous and excited. I have butterflies but kind of freaked out at the same time! But I know that I am making the right choice. I know that this is the begining of a very exciting journey where at the end I will be a new me. I'll have energy, I'll run around with my daughter, my blood pressure will be down and I'll be that much less at risk for diabetes. It's scarey! But its time to change! Wish me luck Homies!!

Hi All! I've been lurking for almost a year and still don't know what to do. I'm a Mom of 4 oldest 11 youngest almost 2 and i'm FAT!! lol No surprise there then! I went for a consultation at the begining of the year and although I didn't meet the actual Dr (he had been called to an emergency) I did meet a nice Dr who said I could have lapband but thought I should give health and fitness a try again, she made me all sorts of promises of help and support including a lowcost personal trainer to come to my home three times a week. Well she never followed up.... I came out all fired up but I didn't hear from her again. So here I am fatter than ever as miserable about it as …

I have had Binge Eating Disorder and associated depression since my teens and have tried EVERYTHING to lose weight and achieve remission. I am scheduled for a lap-band on June 28/07 and obviously I am both scared and excited. Research has shown good results for BED but I would love to hear from other binge eaters about their experience. Does the urge to binge go away? Did you feel better or worse after surgery? I feel like this is my last hope.:rolleyes

Hi!! Has anyone else used Dr. John Gonzalez in San Antonio? I was banded on Friday and I am finally feeling great. I am still having gas pain and pressure, but it is tolerable. I almost chickened out completely and canceled the surgery. I am so thankful that I didn't. I am a little nervous about having only liquids for the next 2 weeks. I am sure I can do it. I would love to add a ticker to my signature. Can anyone tell me how? Good Luck to all of the up and coming bandsters this week.

Hi, I'm from Tn. and am going to get banded. Just don't know when or where. Will be self pay.

Hi, my name is Michelle and I am 5 days post op from having my band. :clap2: I live in Jacksonville, Florida with my husband and 2 girls. So far I have lost 10 pounds from the day I started my liquid diet. I am suppose to be on my "full" meal liquid diet however I have tried eating some instant mashed potatoes and some cornbread dressing within the past 2 days. I was just sick and tired of liquids. I am still drinking my slim fast shakes though. I am feeling pretty good. Not quite at 100% but almost there. Now I am just worried the small amount of mashed potatoes and cornbread dressing might have harmed my band. They were very soft and liquidy (is that a word...…

Hi! I am so happy to have found you guys! I have been on a local board since my surgery on November 30th, but there are only 5 or 6 people that post there....I look forward to getting a larger group of people's opinions and feedback.

I am new to this site, but sure am glad I found this place. So many of my questions have already been answered here. I had my stress test this morning. I also finally got an appointment to meet the surgeon. I have a sleep study scheduled in the next to weeks. I am so excited about meeting the doc. I hear that once that happens your date for surgery is pretty close. I hope this is true. I am soooo ready to change my life. A little scared :phanvanand nervous as well. Can't wait to get insurance approval. Any additional information from any of you is welcomed. Sweety

posted in general discussions...

I have finally heard the good news that I have been aproved and I'm going to the pre op class Tuesday! From what I can understand this is my last step before schedualing surgery. Does this sound right? How long is it usually between approval/pre op class and the surgery. I'm getting very excited but scared too. I started wondering if I should reconsider and go for the bypass but after making time to sit down and catch up on some lapband.com posters, I feel I was making the right choice to start with, with the band Whats next? How much longer?

Hi, I am new to the site. I am planning to have my surgery this summer... the sooner the better. I went to a seminar in Palm Springs CA, done a lot of research & I'm currently reading a book: Laproscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding by Jessie H. Ahroni. I've had one appt. at Virginia Mason Clinic in Federal Way WA with Dr. Jefferey Hunter. I'm waiting for transfer of my medical records from OK to WA. Hopefully that will be accomplished soon. Once they've been reviewed, we should be setting a surgery date. I wish I'd done this a long time ago. I'm 63 & I'm a little apprehensive because of my age & things like high blood pressure, :embarassed: sleep ap…

Hi. I Am About To Begin The Process To Get The Lap Band. I Don't Know What To Expect. I Am A Little Nervous. Any Advice?

Hi All, I'm new here from IL. For weeks now I've been researching weight loss options and have fell in love with the lap-band. Mainly becausing I want more children in the future and this allows that. Lately though I've been reading about the Gastric Y (I think that's what it's called) and have wondered about it also. I weigh 345 lbs and want to be around 170 one day. I would appreciate some suggestions on which would be good for the amount of weight loss I need and want. Also I'm in the process of starting my requirements of 6 month visits with my PCP or 3 months with a supervised hospital program. Does anyone have any experiences they could share regarding the…

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Hello. I'm Michelle, 36yo from Nashville. I've been thinking about the band for years and tried 5 years ago through my insurance company but they said no. I got a new job and tried through my current insurance and they said no, so now I've decided to self pay. I have my appointment with Dr. Olsen at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville this Thursday June 7th and my appointment with their psychologist the following Thursday. I am very excited. I've waited a long time for this. My co-workers and family are very excited for me. My husband is extremely supportive. We married when I was over weight and he always said the weight never bothered him but if it bothers me t…

So as you read, I am a newb. My name is Mike, I am 34, live in Braidwood , Il, and I am kinda dissapointed. I received a letter in the mail today denying me of insurance coverage for the band. The letter said I did not meet their requirements. I really laughed at that. I did all of my pre requisite doctor garbage, and every one of them stated the band was an excellent idea for me. I am very healthy, just 151 pounds overweight, with a BMI of 45. So now I am debating my next step. What should I do, where should I go from here, that kind of stuff. Any words from you pros? Mike

Hi everyone, I new to this forum. Right nowim not banded as my insurance denied it as my BMI was too high (60). I did everything they required which all took about 6 months and included going to the crazy psyco eval. Right now the Lapband company is apealing on my behalf. My wife (musicalmomma) just got her's on Friday and i am waiting for my turn. I will be interested in reading all your posts.

Hi I am just thinking about having this done going to a seminar on June 26th

Hey they are planning to do my band as an outpatient. Have any of you got to go home a few hours after the procedure?

I am having my lap band placed a week from tomorrow. I was just wondering if anyone else was having one placed within a couple days of that date. Wanted to compare notes on nerves and things we feel at this exact moments so close to surgery. I am sooo excited but yet nervous at the same time!! I am on a preop diet high protein/low carb. The first couple days were horrible but i am getting better at it. Good luck to everyone!!! I have looked thru the before and after pics....You guys look great!!!! Congrats!!!

Im Chloe Im 18 from Australia and overweight. My Mum got a lapband 10years ago and has now lost 30kilos. I've always been big but I've now realised there is no non-surgical solution for me other than more weight gain and trust me i have tried! So on July the 30th I am booked in for the lap band.I cant wait. FIFTY SIX DAYS!! :nervous The thought gives me hope and a real release from alot of sadness that being a young overweight person has caused. i hope to meet other young people in my situation or who have had the lap band.:clap2:

Hi, Im a grandma that wanted to get fit to run and play with her grand children. I have 3. Two boys ages 4 and 5 and an adorable 5 month old little girl. I also drive a school bus. My favorite thing in the world is being grandma to my little ones. I was born for that title. :nervous

My surgery is at 9:30 on June 5th... I am already counting down the hours. I can't sleep because my mind is racing about how everything is going to change. And then I keep worrying about the bad things... Like what if something goes wrong. What if I don't make it? I am a self pay so what if there are complications that I can't afford? What if I didn't shrink my liver down enough? I also have not told anyone except my immediate family and a few friends. So I am very worried about what people will think when they do find out. I am just really anxious right now. I suppose that is normal. I just hope I am making the right decision.

I have been lurking on this forum for a while and now that I'm getting close to getting a sched date for surgery I wanted to go ahead and join. This forum has given me a lot of answers and a lot of hope with reading things that others have gone thru. I am self pay and using a local doctor in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Hart & Dr. Benjamin of the Atlanta Bariatric Group, of Emory Hospital. So far I have been very pleased with all the staff and the progress. Looking forward to finding my way along with everyone else on this board.

I am getting banded June 4th! I am so excited! And I want to puke too!I am so nervous. Please keep me in your prayers. Any suggestions, last words of encouragement, etc, would be greatly appreciated! This is only the beginning...

:)Hi, I just wanted to pop on and say HI and introduce myself. I have been lurking for a while now and decided to go ahead and sign up and get started. My name is Amber, I'm from Shreveport, LA. I haven't even had my consulation yet, but I finally called yesterday and got it going. They are verifying my insurance and they'll call me back soon (I hope!) if I don't get a call back by Tuesday I'm calling them back...lol. I called my insurance company yesterday to even see if they will pay for any of it, and get this, they pay 100%, I about cried when he told me that...lol. BUT, they do have to evaluate it and all that. I'm excited and nervous and scared all at the sa…

I am going to be banded in September. Since I live alone is there anything I should have ready at home? How long will I have to stay in for?

Hello from northern Kentucky. I am new and looking for any advice or information you may have. Thanks

Hi! I'm Valerie. I was banded this past Thursday in Jacksonville, FL by Dr. Javier Herrera. I had been on a 5-week liquid diet before the surgery (500 calories or less per day) and had dropped 57 pounds as of the morning of surgery. Still have a ways to go - but that 57-pound weight loss shows me that I can do this!!

hi all just found this web sight , its great however i need some questions answered. i am having some soreness that makes daily life difficult at this time such as climbing stairs, walking, driving and chasing a 5 year old. I am a bartender and planned on going back to work monday the 4th however i dont know if that is possible with the fatigue and dull pain. on the bright side i have lost 20 pounds so no regrets. so when will i be normal ha ha ha thanks:confused:

Greetings friends, I've been very overweight my entire life. A couple of years ago I looked into RNY bypass surgery after my brother had it done and lost 200 pounds. Unfortunately my insurance would not cover it in any way, shape, or form, so that was that. I was talking with a family member the other day and was told they would cover the cost of the Lap Band surgery, so I've begun to explore that as an option. It's given me a little bit of hope back, which is nice. :confused: The question I have deals with the Lap Band and the severly obese. I'm at 600 pounds with a BMI of 77, but otherwise healthy (bp, blood work, all fine). Is the Lap Band a viable option for me? I…

Hi I am looking for top doctors and hospitals/clinics OUTSIDE the U.S. Can anyone recommend? Thank you.:help: