Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I was banded a week ago Thurs (5-10-07). Banding was done by Dr. Arthur Carlin, Henry Ford Medical, Detroit. Quite the process--but so far so good! Can't wait for that pureed food! Not hungry at all--just tired of the liquids as we had to do liquids 1 week prior to the surgery!

Hi all, My husband Squale had lapband 6 weeks ago, is down 55lbs and now it is my turn. I am going to the initial consult next week, the nutritionist and psych the week after and hope to have surgery the first week of July. I've been fat my entire life save a few years as a child...and, after having twins and a singleton in 22 months, decided it was time to make time for me! So, here I am waiting for insurance approval and a go ahead from the dr. Looking forward to meeting all of you further! Rainer

Banded on June 5,2006. Dr. Fielding @NYU in NY. Lost 67lbs. to date and feeling well. I am VERY happy I did this.

Hello, I was just banded yesterday and I'm kind of excited about this be the first days of my new life. My bmi was 43 and I weigh 289 LBS at 70 inches. My surgeon was Dr. Mobley from Cincinnati Weight Loss center. I feel they have treated me well. The entire office is 90% banded, to include my surgeon, so when I call there's always someone who can relate. My target weight was 220 lbs, but everyone in the office said I should set my target to 200 lbs. When I paid my fee, it include all of my follow-up visit for adjustment for the nest year. If I was to need a fill several years from now the fee would only be $150. In my small community there are only a few surgeon who…

Hey guys and girls! I was banded on May 2nd, 2007. I've lost 15 pounds so far, but that's just from the liquid diet part. I am however having some issues that I thought you guys could give me some advice on. I'm feeling regretful about my surgery. I feel sad. I question myself as to whether I made the right decision. Is this normal? Has anyone else kinda gotten depressed afterwards? Anywho, nice to meet y'all. I'll be postin round these parts! Love and happiness, Will

Thanks to all of you:clap2: for sharing your experience, strength and hope. I have been a silent participant until I found out my insurance would cover the lapband surgery. My surgery date is May 24th....next Thursday. I am 5'4" and weigh 235lbs.....45 years old. I have Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. My surgeon in Dr. Scott Steinberg in Atlanta at Dekalb Medical Center. At first, the insurance company said I was missing information in my packet, then they lost all of my information....had to resubmit, and they approved on the second day after resubmitting. This has taken 5 months for the process to pay off......sweeeeeeet!!!! But thanks to all of yo…

anyone wishing to check this out go to this sight https://www.my-emmi.com/startemmi?access_code=12664661787 put in my birth date May 20 1964 but you have to hurry!

Greetings All. I just found this site whilst browsing the net for Lap Band info and thought I'd join in and say 'Hello'. 'Hello!' I just got approved for Banding the day before yesterday at Massachusetts General Hospital's Weight Center. Anyone here familiar with it? I've been doing a lot of stressing out because the doctor there told me that I'd be better off with a bypass than the band. I feel pretty hesitant about that, so I've been looking for support from Bandsters that I'm making the right choice. He kind of left me with the impression that the band isn't as effective as the bypass. That may be true, but it seems to me that the bypass has a much hig…

Just needed to vent. I thought I was scheduled for a lapband seminar required by the surgeon I want to use. Turns out, I had the date wrong. It was last night, and I was out of town until last night for work. I wrote on my calendar that it was tonight. This is the second one I've missed because I travel with my job. They only do the seminar once a month. I will not have to travel anymore for the rest of the summer. I cannot get a consultation with the dr. until I attend the seminar. I have attended one at another hospital, and it was a waste of my time. I have learned more by being on the web site than I did at the seminar. I started crying when I got off the phone …

Hi just wanted to introduce myself: I'm Katherine, 40, married, 2 kids, from Oregon, banded in Mexico 12/31/05. I've experienced a lot of ups and downs with my band, but happy to say, I losing and doing well as of now:)

:clap2: I had my psy evaluation today and all went well. I am so excited. I see the dietician on monday. So far so good with the insurance. Hope they don't pull any last minute tricks. I never realized there would be so much work involved in getting ready for surgery.

Hi all! My name is Rhonda, I live in the Fort Worth,Tx area. I was banded in Oct. of 2005. I have not done very well at all. It started with a mucus problem. I had a bad time every time I had a fill. Had to have it taken back out a couple of times. I have a hard time getting anything down early in the day. Then in the evening, when I can get more down , I over eat. I feel like I need to learn how to eat with the band all over again. I have a fill scheduled in June. I am hopping this helps. I lost about 30 lbs originally but, it's creeping back on. Has anyone else experienced any of these things? I would love to hear any feedback and suggestions on getting myself back unde…

Well, after waiting and for my consultation, I found out today that I would have to lose 45 pounds before my insurance would pay for the lap band surgery. So the dr won't even see me for another three months. And that is if I can lose the weight by then. Well, if I can do it without the darned lap band, why would I do it at all? They steered me towards the gastric bypass, and I guess I will look into it, but it scares me to pieces and my husband is very upset. He agreed with the lap band because of the safety issue, anyone have a good thing to say about gastric bypass? I am about to call and cancel all my appointments because all I can do is cry over this stupid sit…

I have battled ALL of my life with hunger and emotional/impulsive eating. My dad told me recently (when I told him I was considering surgery) that I have always been hungry...from the time I was a tiny baby....They had to start me on Cereal really early b/c milk wasn't cutting it..... My question is does the lap band help with feeling hungry? I just want the hunger to go away.....I feel so weak willed....I've tried and failed so many times, that I wonder if this is the final choice. I'm 5'6" and about 250 and gaining..... Thanks for any input.

I band on the 18th only two more days, I start only clear liq. tomorrow till mid night thursday my surg. is at 10:00 yall be praying for me:pray2: . I've done well with the low carbs. but just liq. is gonna be hard.

I've been considering having the lap-band for about 6 months. I have been heavy almost all my life. I have had 3 successful "diets" in the past - but have always regained all the weight and more. In 2004 I lost 150 lbs in just over a year - felt great - looked great - swore it was gone forever - Now it is 2007 and and I have gained back 100 lbs and refuse to gain anymore. I cannot do it on my own - I need this tool to help me control me. I have been lurking on this site and another one for a couple of months and have attended a seminar in St. Louis - New Start which is with St. Alexius. I turned in my insurance info today and hope to be on the quick road to a surge…

OK. This may sound realy weird to some but I was just wondering how many have had their tubes tied and the lap band and how does the pain/soreness compare afterward? I have read so many posts on hear about not having pain and having pain that I was just wondering if anyone can compare the two for me. Thanks!!!

I am scheduled for surgury June 12 in Mexico with Dr Ortiz, I feel confident about the surgeon and facilities but on some sites I hear more complaints and frustrations than succsess stories, It makes me doubt if Im doing the right thing.

Question - I just made my 1st appointment for consulation for the lap band surgery - The person at the Doctors office (Dr. Bobbie - Palm Springs) Once i get approved and come in for my pre-op visit that 2 weeks prior to the surgery there is a $6,000 fee the doctor charges for things not covered by insurance Such as 2 weeks prior he puts you on a liquid diet he supplies the shakes, stupid stuff like a pedometer, food draiy etc - and this includes fills for 5 yr. She just gave me a few of the items - they will give a list when i come in - so with my co-pay that's $9600 bucks - that sort of seems like a rip off the $6,000 for future services. Why wouldn't Doctor Visit…

I attended the informational meeting Jan. 22, 2007 and will "finally" have my "mental evalutation" on March 30, 2007. I have yet to meet with the physician but I am told that will happen after my "evaluation". It seems to me like this is taking awhile but since everything is out of my ins. network it takes time for all the referrals. I have a couple questions...has anyone had their lapband performed at MeritCare in Fargo, ND? Also, what is the shortest time span possible between the surgery and actually returning back to work? I am excited and "kinda nervous" about the actual surgery but I am so looking forward to beining the person I used to be to my husband and 3 wonder…

I was afraid to hang out here and read up on what I could because I was afraid the Ins. company would give me a hard time and make me fight for it. They'd approved me at the end of last year, but I found out that although the dr. was in network, the facility he did it was not. I couldn't afford the $3000 co-pay at the time, so had to forget about it. I just found out in April that he now does it in-network, so we re-submitted the request April 10. But they kept, "losing" it, and "we didn't receive it til end of April" and all kinds of other excuses as to why it was taking so long. I finally got the call this morning from the dr. office. :faint: They said they'd bee…

Hello, I'm very excited today. Today is my birthday and i got the best birthday wish every. I recieved a call from my surgeon office today letting me i have been approved by my insurance for the surgery!! My surgery date is 6/21/07 in Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven, Ct. my doctor is Kurt Roberts. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I have an appointment with the anasteseolgist and the nurse to do blook work on 6/14 and i have a physical with the surgeon on 6/18. It didnt take long for my insurance to approve me. I went to the doctor last Monday and met with the surgeon and they called me today. I guess I am on my way.

Question - I am looking in to getting banded - but had gallbladder surgery 32 yrs ago when they still cut you open to remover your gallbladder - does anyone know if that would interfer with getting banded. Also, what is sliming bping ?? Thanks,

Hi! I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Robin and I live in Parker, Colorado. I am taking the first steps in my Lap Band journey. I have Kaiser insurance and the first step is getting a physical, blood work, and sending in a form to see if I qualify. My PCP updated my file and after my blood work comes back he is going to finish up the paper work and send it in! My BMI was 47 and with the asthma and PCOS, I hope this will be enough to qualify. I don't know how long it will be before I hear anything, hopefully not too long. I know with Kaiser from the time you qualify until the actual surgery is around a year, so I know I have a long road ahead of me, but…

I discovered abou a year ago that have a thyroid problem which closely associated with weight gain. Anybody else in my shoes

Hi my name is Shawna, I am 28 yrs old and currently back at school. My insurance is thru the college and I highly doubt they will cover this surgery. Has anyone done the self pay? What tips do you have for me? What type of financing is out there? How do you pick your doctor? Was there high consultation fees? What is the first step to getting a lap band? I have heard people talk about seminars and was wondering if they are all the same or does each doctor have their own. What is the psych evaluation, and what are they looking for? I just really want this done and am afraid I wont be able to because of the monetary side of it. If anyone can give me a guesstimate f…

I will be going to my very 1st doctors visit on June 7th. I am so looking forward to this. I just turned 50 this May. I have been on and off diets for the past 35 years! The last being the Atkins. I was at my heaviest (287) and was feeling like I was literally dying inside. My whole body hurt. I am 5' 7" and people said that I carried my weight well. Well, I'm really tired of carrying it. I lost 57 pounds on the Atkins Diet. I was on it for 3 1/2 years. I did not mind it because I really love meat. The reason I came off it is that I don't want to only be able to eat the meat and veggies the rest of my life. I want to be able to enjoy the "summertime" type foo…

what are you eating? arghhhh!

Hi-Just found this forum yesterday. I think I'm going to go with Dr. Ortiz. Does anyone have any reason not to? I've read a lot of good about him here. Also, I'm wondering if anyone would want to meet at the border station stop later for fills and go over together--personally, TJ is not my favorite place, esp for travelling alone. How long is the wait once you call to schedule with him?

hi is anyone from mass.? i was wondering when your insurance company decides if they are going to cover you or not? i have been to meetings twice to nutritionist.. had my pysc.eval done.... mys insurance comp.said they cover this but when do you get to know..is it when your doctor gives you a surgery date? thanks.....

Hello everybody, I normally lurk on websites like this absorbing information and ideas to help me make decisions. But, I feel that this is something that I'll need to find a support group to help me understand what is going on with this process. Its not like buying a new Truck! I'm a 44 year old Man that has gained a remarkable amount of weight since having a Motorcycle accident in 1995. I weighed in at 220lbs at 6' 1" and was very happy. After the accident, my activity level dropped to nothing due to the complications I had with my leg and knee. Finally had a total knee replaced, but by then, the weight had taken over and I was doomed to being overweight. I cu…

Hi there i'm Sally i've been looking on this great forum for advice because i'm booked for lapband in Prague on 29 May 2007. although im 'only' obese and not morbidly obese the surgeon may decline to fit me with a lapband and if this is the case i will opt for the gastric balloon but i really do hope i get the lapband! :phanvan

Hi everyone: My name is Katharine and I live on Vancouver Island. My doctor is Dr. Leung in Surrey. My surgery is scheduled for July 13. I am both very excited and somewhat nervous, but I guess that's normal. Very glad to find this site because I don't know anyone else who's had the procedure.

Hello, I am scheduled to have surgery on May 21st! I am excited, but a little scared. Not sure what to expect. This is my question..........how bad is the pain during recovery? Is it reasonable to expect to go back to work in a couple of days instead of taking a whole week off? I have been reading alot of the threads and I identify with so many of you. My difference is that I have had a previous gastric bypass about 13 years ago. I feel like such a loser for gaining the weight back! - but am blessed with two beautiful daughters to show for it! I have been struggling with feeling selfish for wanting this surgery so bad - I am a self pay. My husband said we …

Hello to all. I am so grateful to find this site. I am considering today the start of my band journey. (don't we always start on a Monday?) I went to a psychiatrist today for clearance. Done..very easy. I went to my PMD today, asking for a letter of medical necessity. Not done...not so easy. I wasn't sure if I was putting the cart before the horse so to speak but I guess I was. He won't write the letter until I get the required tests done. ??? I thought the tests were to CLEAR you for surgery.? and that the letter of medical necessity was to get preauthorization FOR the surgery. I'm confused.:eek: Anyway, I will attend the seminar this Wednesday and find out…

Hello, My name is Kris and I have been overweight my entire life and I was diagnosed with PCOS at the age of 15 and I have a BMI of 42. I have been browsing the boards for about 3 months now while I was doing the legwork for surgery. I finally heard from the doctor’s office today and my surgery was approved! I have been impatiently waiting for the approval for 4 weeks! I have an appt. on May 21st to see the nutritionist and then I will get a surgery date. I look forward to getting to know all of you.:youcandothis:

Hey does anyone out there have tenncare/tlc, if so how long does it usually take to get approved and what all do you have to do? Just wondering. Thanks

I saw the dietician yesterday and all went well. Thursday May 17 I see the surgeon. Then the waining begins. I can only hope I have all of my T's crossed and I's dotted. This site has been very helpful to me, I feel like we are all friends. I will let you all knowwhat the Dr. says.:youcandothis:

Hi. I'm 44 years old, male, 5'10", 218LBs, with a BMI of 31.3...technically..um...obese. I've peaked at 220 and the weight battle has been there since I was a teen. I've had some great stretches at losing it and keeping it off but here I am again. I have high-blood pressure (on meds) and pre-diabetic. Having a 3yo and a 1yo is currently taking away the time and energy I could use to exercise regularly. Then again, living in NYC, I do walk a lot. Like many on this board, my family history does not help my cause and I know that the weight is likely to be a struggle for the rest of my life. I am tired of fighting and I want to be healthy and alive and active for my kids. A…

Hi All, I've been lirking on this site for about a month. I've read just about every post and wow this is an amazing site and I'm glad I found it. So since I know all about you guys I'd like to share a bit about me. I'm 33..ugh 34 in 3 weeks and I've been exploring the LB option for about a year. I've been extremely fat for most of my life and am now only 3lbs under my heaviest. This past January I finally decided it was right for me. Everyone in my "inner circle" at first thought I was doing this for vaniety reasons. Yes part of it is vaniety but the biggest part is that I want children and I want most of all to live to see them grow-up and at the rate I'm going tha…

Hello, I am scheduled to have surgery on May 21st! I am excited, but a little scared. Not sure what to expect. This is my question..........how bad is the pain during recovery? Is it reasonable to expect to go back to work in a couple of days instead of taking a whole week off? I have been reading alot of the threads and I identify with so many of you. My difference is that I have had a previous gastric bypass about 13 years ago. I feel like such a loser for gaining the weight back! - but am blessed with two beautiful daughters to show for it! I have been struggling with feeling selfish for wanting this surgery so bad - I am a self pay. My husband said we will just ha…

Hi I just found this forum and am actually really excited about it. My name is Gina and I have been banded since March 15, 2007. I am the only one I know who has actually been through this surgery so I really dont have many people who understand what I have gone through, and although I have tons of support from family and friends no one really understands if they havent been through it. I live in Illnois and had my surgery at Loyola Uiversity Health Center. So far I have lost almost 20 pounds and as of Monday I just had my first adjustlment. Since then I have found that I really need to chew my food better b/c I cant eat without something getting stuck in the band.... …

I am new to this forum. I am seeking information about lapband surgery. The benifits and possible side afects. :youcandothis:

I am new to this forum, I am looking for information about having Lapband surgery.

Anyone out there being banded in June?

I was banded on December 29, 2006. I have since had 1 fill and managed to lose 37 pounds. when I had my surgery I weighed 247 pounds. Even though I have made such a serious decision to undergo this procedure I have always feared that I would somehow undermine my desire to lose the unhealthy weight. well now I think I am beginning to do just that. I can't seem to get a handle on my cravings I can be stuffed and still manage to eat whatever I want. I have experienced pain from either eating to much or not properly chewing my food. I would like to know if there is any advice on how to overcome this insatiable need to satisfy these cravings. I fear that this unh…

Hi, I'm 160 pounds overweight and I'm getting banded as soon as insurance pre-approval is granted. (Pretty sure it won't be a problem since I qualify and have good insurance) I'm scared about surgery but I've just been getting fatter and fatter for 10 years!!! It takes all of my attention to lose weight. I can't think about anything else ever, I was taught bad eating habits as a child, and I'm predisposed to being overweight. The bottomline is I don't have time to obsess about food every minute of every day, telling myself not to eat. I just eat healthy food, when I'm hungry, until I'm full then continue about my business. I need something to stop me like 1/…

I know this is probably a pointless question because I know that the answer is different for everybody. I guess I'm directing this to those of you who have had the operation. I keep reading about people still overreating, or eating the wrong things, about the cravings. I'm assuming many if not most of you are like me in that it seems you can just never quit eating. I've always heard "eat till your satisfied". I have never in my life been able to feel that way. I have usually either dieted (aka starved) or ate till I felt like I'd barf. There's usually not been much of an in between for me. So for people like this, with this sort of never enough thing going on...does th…

how do i get one of those tickers made for my profile??

:phanvan I just attended the seminar for Dr. Gorospe on Friday, May, 11th. I'm waiting for their office to call me to set up my intake appointment. I'm opting for Lap Band surgery but I'm very nervous. Has anyone used Dr. Gorospe for their banding? If so, what was your experience? I just had a sleep study on 5/6 and got the call today that I have sleep apnea. I'm tired and fatiged all the time. On top of that, I have rheumatoid arthritis and my joints are killing me all of the time. I feel like losing the weight is my only option to live a normal lifestyle. I'd like to enjoy activities with my husband and two children that I just CANNOT do right now. It seems a…