Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi, my name is Michelle. I live right outside of Nashville TN. I have just started the procedure to get banded. I went to Dr Mortons office yesterday, filled out paperwork, gave insurance information and got weighed. I am 5'2 and weigh 197. They said my BMI was 35.5. Can I get such a surgery with a BMI that low? I have been on numerous diets only to gain back what I lost. I have rhuematoid Arthritus so maybe they will count that in as a factor. Anyone have a similar story? I also am wandering how long it may be till my surgery. Love the Forum!!!

I had started a journal on here and silly me can not figure out how to get back to my journal to add entries. Can someone tell me how to get back to my own journal? HAHA

Hi I'm Tami, I just started getting familiar with this site a few days ago. I've been learninig a lot. I am set for surgery Tuesday morning in LA with Dr Liu. I wanted to find out, what is the average time people are taking off work prior to going back. I'm told sometimes within 3 days you can be back, if there are not any compications. Anyone go back to work that quick, or quicker? I have an office job where I can hide in my room all day, not much running around is needed. I'm both very excited as well as nervous! :nervous Tami Banding 5/8/2007

Just had my consultation today. Went great!! I have 2 more months of supervised diet and the surgeon does not see any reason for BCBS of Iowa to deny. He says they are really good about approving it if you have everything finished and meet all requirements and send it all in together. I got for sleep study May 10, psych eval May 7, and doc is scheduling my endoscope and ecko. Then it is just finishing the supervised diet. I am excited and now scared again. I know this is normal. Just seems like it is so real now.....almost within reach. Still can't believe I went this far but I am totally committed to change. For the last 2 weeks I have eaten very healthy. I took…

Hi. I'm checking it out 'over here.' I've been on another site (OH) and I'm having a really hard time with the "my WLS is better than yours" thing going on over there. I really need a support group, and my local LB group only meets once a month and they stay restricted to certain topics. The online group thing has worked really well for me because it's there when I need it, and specific to the lap band. I was banded June of last year and have lost 70lbs. I'm still pretty far from goal, but I'm really getting the hang of the band and feel well on my way! I actually don't even know what my "goal" weight is! I would rather have a goal size of a 12/14, or even a 10. I've b…

hi, I am Phyllis, a mom to three adult children 18, 20, and 23. I have been married for 25 years to a good man. I have been overwieght for abount 15 years. I have tried many times to lose with just short term results. I decided on lap band after much research on all WLS. i will be banded by Dr. Schweitzer at Johs Hopkins Bayview in Baltimore MD on May 24th I'm so excited, but nervous at the same time!!!! Thanks, Phyllis

Hi everyone, I am getting banded on May 9th and I am going thru the normal feelings of being scared to death and excited the next minute!!! Here's to my last full pigged out meal tonight!!! :-) Honestly, I am so looking forward to feeling better than I do now... going up the stairs makes me out of breath. That alone will be soooo great! Thanks to everyone who shares their story. I will try to setup my account up on this site and share my experiences as well. Short on time but wanted to say a quick HEY!!!! Kitty :hungry:

Hi, I am Mary Smith. I was banded on June 27, 2006. My Dr. was Dr. Wade Barker in Dallas , Texas. He is a very fine surgen, but I have had little support. I get my fills from Dr. Fred Masey and I have just been adjusted to where I am losing weight in the past 6 weeks. I have lost 40 lbs. I just made it down to 200. It is slow and sometimes I wonder if there is anything enjoyable that I can eat. I miss the meat , bread, eggs and all that good stuff. I am trying to get in the protein drinks. I need advice and encouragement. I would really appreciate that alot. Thanks.

Hi my name is Tami. I have been thinking about banding for a few years now. I had made up my mind to get it early this year and was scheduled for 3/1/07. My husband's aunt had the procedure done in early Feb. She had horrible results. Her surgeon had nicked her stomach 6 times and didn't catch the mistake. She went home and one week later, nearly died form being so septic. After having the band removed immediately and being on a feeding tube for 2 months, she has finally recovered and decided to just be fat. She, as well as the rest of my husbands family strongly discouraged me from having the surgery. I was convinced in my mind, that my surgery would be ok. Needless to s…

Hi my name is Krisen I am new to this lap band process and was just banded on April 30, 2007. The day after the surgery was the worst so far, mostly because i was in the hospital and it was hard to just get up and walk when i wanted to. But once i was home i felt sooo much better. So far the hardest thing to do is to make sure that I get my 64oz of Water in each day. I just still feel too full to drink something every 15 min. It is like my tummy is full, but i am still hungry a little...craziest feeling. Anyways, i just wanted to introduce myself. If anyone has any question please let me know. I look forward to reading and posting on many threads. Thanks

For those of you who kept getting banded a secret and only told one person or so... how do you explain the new eating habits, not going to buffets and out to dinner, etc? I know my parents will notice and I don't know how to keep it from them around the holidays and stuff. My hubby is the only one who knows. My friends will suspect. Any thoughts?

Hi there. I've been lurking for a while, reading on all the pros and cons of the lap-band process. Just got word that my insurance has approved the procedure, so I'm scheduled for June 29. I could go as early as May 18, but I have some travel scheduled in early June that would be problematic if I was recovering. Besides, the ex-wife will still be moving out on the 18th, and she doesn't know about this step I don't know how to do the signature thing, but I'm currently 5 foot 9 inches, 271 and 40.1 BMI, headed to a 160 goal. Is a year a realistic timeframe for the goal, if I'm serious about the effort? Any input welcome -- thanks!

I am still trying to figure out how to work around this site. I want to say Hello to everyone, I am really anxious about this hole LB experience. So far everything is going smoothly, but I still feel like I have a large appetite. How many LB users only eat a 1/2 to 1 cup for each meal? Do I need to look into getting another fill?

Hi, I'm Freyda & had my banding on 5/16/06 with Dr. Christine Ren. I've lost 90 pounds & consider myself at goal. I have not been the role model bandster & like most things in my life, I just push the envelope & have a hard time following the rules, but overall, I'm thrilled to have gotten the weight off. I think for the year going forward, I am going to try harder to respect myself and the band.

This is my first posting. I had my initial surgery in Sept. of 05. It went very well and I adjusted very well to the change in eating etc. My doctor is Dr. Barritt Haig of Springfield, MA. The most down to earth, good humored medical professional I have ever met. I initially weighed, at my heaviest, 247lbs. I currently weigh 168. I ran into some difficulty in Feb. of 07 when the band slipped and I ended up in the hospital to have it replaced. So far everything is back to normal and I'm just working at loosing those last 8lbs. to reach my goal. It's been an awesome tool for me. I give kudos to anyone who can do it (lose weight) without the procedures, etc. but I'm thankful…

Hi...my name is Kathy, and I live in the League City area (south of Houston). I have 2 precious boys, 6 & 8, and a wonderful husband of 12+ years. I have struggled with my weight all my life, yet have been blessed with good health. But, I am so very tired of being tired...I love to exercise, but just can't find the motivation to do so (once I get to the gym I'm fine...it's just getting there!!!) I am also tired of trying to find clothes that (1) fit, (2) look halfway flattering, and (3) look as if they were made in THIS decade! Anymore, I am satisfied with something that just fits. I am ready to get on the floor with my kids, and not be so stinking hot in the su…

Hello, everyone! I am a 35 year-old mother of a 3 year-old toddler and wife of a wonderful man. We lost our second baby at 37 weeks of pregnancy due to pre-eclampsia. It has been 10 months since, and I have been trying to lose weight so that we could TTC again. I have not been successful. My primary care physician is strongly encouraging me to have gastric banding. There are many reasons to consider this. I am diabetic and hypertensive, and I know that WLS is the only proven way to lose weight and keep it off. I am also not getting any younger—I have to lose weight quickly in order to conceive again. On the other hand, after researching the procedures, it seems t…

All my life I have been over-weight. Heavy, big boned, fat, pudgy...have all been words that would describe me. I have been told I am very pretty...except for my body. A few years ago I lost a good deal of weight...then I got pregnant. Oh boy! A great excuse to eat! And I ate, and ate, and ate some more convincing myself I could loose the weight after I had the baby with ease. That was not the case. I gained 57 lbs while carrying my daughter, Summer, the light of my life, and have not yet lost the baby weight. She is now 21 months old and I still look like I am getting ready for hibernation...lol! I think it is time I do something about my weight not only for mys…

Hi everyone, this is my first post but I have been reading seriously for about a year and not so seriously for about three. It took me a long time to decide that this is the right thing to do and I have had everything done so now it's time to meet the Dr. formally and hopefully get a date. I have been moved up twice and tomorrow is the day. Nervous isn't even close but I'm entering the last stage of my life and I want to do it thin. I'm going to be 60 this year and about to have my first grandchild and I want to be around to enjoy all the aspects of being a senior citizen. Kind thoughts would be appreciated.

I found this site a few days ago. Please let me introduce myself. My friends call me Ray, but I chose the name elkhunter for this board. I have never been elk hunting, because there is no way I could climb around in the mountains with a pack and a rifle at my present size. My goal is to be physically able to do so, and to carry out elk quarters if successful. I realize not all of you may like hunting, but I love it, and that can be a different discussion sometime. I am male, 6 foot 1 inch, 336 pounds, (all-time high was 340), 52 years old, and have struggled with weight since junior high. My surgery is tomorrow at 8:30am at Shawnee Mission Medical Center in Meriam Kansa…

Hello one and all, I have just started the process of selecting a May 12th siminar date and selecting a doctor. I have set up my appointment with the psychologist and the dietician. I have spoke with my insurance and I sure hope everything will be fine and I will get the ok to procede with the lap band procedure. I have wonderful insurance and I believe it will pay for 90 percent of everything. I have never been to excited and scared at the same time. I want to begin a new thinner me yesterday.....LOL I am new to this web site and it has been to informative for me. I am a single mother of a 12 year old son and I must say that he is equally excited for me, and I'm sure a …

Hello everyone! I've been lurking around this website for months now and found it EXTREMELY helpful in assisting me with my decision to go the surgical route that would end my battle with obesity. Background: I'm a 30 year mother with a 12 year old daughter and a wonderful husband. I have been obesed my entire life with the exception of a few years. Like many of you here, I've attempted every diet under the sun. The only diet that I was every successful on was the Sugar Buster diet. I lost 70 lbs. and kept it off for a year. Once I graduated from college, the weight gradually returned to my current weight of 230. Last straw: I came to the realization that my weigh…

Hi all, this is my very first time here. I am so inspired by people pictures, stories and support that I want to be a part of it too. I went for my intial consult with the doctor, nutitionist and psychologist on March 24, 2007 and have a tenative surgery date of June 25, 2007. Right now I am just praying that my insurance will approve the procedure. I am definitly looking to make connections with individuals just starting out so we can support one another a long the way. I look forward to hearing from you!

I was banded on April 25 and I am feeling great. I am new to this board and just wanted to say hello. Vickie

Hi everyone it's Stacy again. I did not chicken out i got my band April 30th. I had to stay in the hospital overnight. I got to come home yesterday thank goodness. I thought they were going to keep my for another night because i got a fever of 102.8.:sick But they let my go home as long as I came back if it got over 103 (Anything over 103 is a sign of infection).But last night it went back up to 102.4.:sick I Got really scared but it went back down and has stayed around 99 to 100. The Dr. said the fever was caused by my lungs from being put to sleep.Your lungs calapes during surgery. So i had to start these breathing treatments and walking alot(which is very hard beca…

Hello all!! Would someone be so kind as to tell us "newbies", how to add those pretty little add on things to our post...I have the ticker, but to be honest, I can't for the life of me add anything else...I love the glitter maker, but was unable to add to my signature... Would someone please be kind and take the time to tell us how this is done???Sure would be appreciated...and please give step by step instructions....some of us are really new to this and could use some instructions.....We need mentors in lots of areas.... Thanks, Di/Texas

My name is Meghan. I'm 16 and im one of the first of teeneagers to have a lap band. I got my lap band when i was 15(june 12 2006). have lost 70 lbs ish.I have not lost it very quickly due to injuries that have imobilized me.(not caused by the band:) ) I'm here if anyone has any questions about the teenage aspect of it or well any aspect of it. I'll talk about anything so feel free to message me if you are a teenager, parent of someone who needs one, know someone who needs one....ect or have one and are not a teenager...

Hello everyone, I am at the beginning of my Quest for the Band. I have AETNA and have to do the 6 month medical assisted diet. My question is, once you complete the 6 month diet, say you lose lots of weight, will you still be able to get banded once the 6 months are over? Will they band you even if your BMI goes down under 35. My BMI right now is 38.5. It was higher a few weeks ago, but I have watching what I eat, prior to going to my appt and lost more weight than I had thought. Sounds ridiculos, to be upset to lose weight. But it's all about the numbers. If you have AETNA, how hard was it to get approved? :help: Thanks everyone. I appreciate the feed back.

Hi, my name is Kaitlin and had the surgery a little over two months ago. I've had 2 adjustments so far and i am new to the whole experience. I've lost 47 lbs already and am very happy but i would like to talk to other people to be able to relate to someone.

Hey all! I am a 26 year old newleywed from South Carolina. No date set yet for my lapband, but I am attending my first seminar on Monday the 9th. I do have my mind made up that this is what I want, my only draw back is getting my insurance to pay for it. Any suggestions?? Can't wait to learn more from everyone and would love to see some before and after pictures of you too! Hope to hear from someone soon! Thanks!

I've had my first consultation (4/30). Now I am waiting for insurance approval. I know they will approve the procedure, but I just want to know about how long I'll have to wait. I know it varies w/different insurances, but I just want a roundabout timeframe. I have Carefirst/BCBS. Thanks!

Hi Everyone! My name is Danielle and I am 26 years old and live in Savannah, GA. I am about 100 lbs over weight and have been thinking about the Lap-Band surgery for some time now. I found out that my insurance will pay for 90% if my BMI is 40 or if I have a weight related illness. I don't have an illness yet, but it runs in both sides of my family. I am trying to prevent that from happening! From the calculators I have found online I am like 39. something... so close, yet so far away! My first step is the meeting I am going to go to tonight. I am so nervous, :phanvan but I just want to learn more about it and see if I am eligable. I have enjoyed reading eve…

I'm not really sure if this surgery is for me. I'm currently 216 pounds and steadily gaining. I quit smoking Jan 1st 2007 and just recently lost my dad. So it doesn't appear that I'll be motivated to diet anytime soon. Not only that but when I do diet I have trouble keeping the weight that I do lose off. I feel like I just need someone to shove me into the deep end so I'm forced to swim. So to my question, I'm barely 100 pounds over weight but have medical concerns. I love food. I mean LOVE food!!!! I don't know that I could stay away. I'm very confused and I don't want to risk smoking again. Does anyone out there understand? Would you go through with the surgery? I just …

Hello all. I have been reading and reading and posted a few messages on here. For those who have not read those I will tell you a little about myself. I am a 34 year old mother of 2 teenagers. I was married almost 1 year ago (Wednesday is our 1st anniversary). I have struggled with my weight all of my adult life. After I had my first baby I could not get the weight off. Was still struggling and the second one came along. I tried EVERYTHING!!!! Went to my family doctor back in 99-01 and I was on phen phen. Worked GREAT!! Lost lots of weight, felt wonderful about myself, promised myself I would not ever be as big as I had been. Guess what, I kept that promise to m…

Hi, my name is Lori and I am just starting to look into all of this. I have Blue Cross HMO and can in no way affort to pay for this out of pocket and would have to have it approved through BC to be able to move foward with it. I do have a big question, how do they calculate the BMI, the reason I ask that is because if it is just based on the paper chard I fall at about 33.5 but when I use the machine that sends a current through your body and that one comes out at 39.2. Now at that point I would be willing to actually gain weight for the purpose of getting it paid for. I have tried my whole life to loose weight and I yo-yo up and down and have been on Weight Watchers …

I have come to discover that there are a lot of us Southern Marylanders here.....all of whom have to travel out of our comfort zone, and up into DC or Northern VA for LapBand stuff. I'm curious to know how many of us there are. I have already heard from two others. Neat! Please write if you're one of us! Thanks, BJ :clap2:

Hi I received my lap band on April 16, 2007, from Dr. Vadim Gritsus of Lincoln Park, NJ. After one week, I lost ten pounds. On a liquid diet, which I am not finding too bad. I am so happy to be on the way to a healthier, happier me!

Well, this was a long ride made short. Some may have read, we found out last night that our new insureance plan had an exclusion for WLS, so my DH said, lets just pay for it. :clap2: You can imagine how happy I was. SO, I called my Dr. today and I have my Pre-op on May 14th and Banding on May 17th. May has always been a good month for me. Meet my DH on May 97, had 2 of my 2 babies in May 03 and May 05. May 17th - Lap Band and May 25th - NovaSure. BIG MONTH for mom. After 8 years of thinking about others, it is my turn. I turned 40 in March. You get the picture. When I hung up with the Coordinator, I had a moment of 'OH DEAR.. this is going to really…

Greetings from Toronto, I found this site while looking for information on LB surgery. In the past I always refused to even consider any kind of weight loss surgery because my mother was constantly urging me to get surgery. I have come to terms with the fact that I have an eating disorder and that yo-yo diets have only made things worse for me. At 16, I weighed 145 lbs and thought I should weigh 110 lbs, even though I am 5'9". Now I weigh 396 lbs and just walking a few steps is a challenge, and stairs exhaust me. I realize so much of my eating disorder comes from childhood and having parents try to keep me from eating - even healthy food - because I was a litt…

Hey guys, I'm a newbie, and thought I would introduce myself. My name is Ashley, I'm 22 (almost 23), from Oklahoma. I just had my first appointment with Dr. Luis Gorospe @ the Southcrest Center for Surgical Weight Loss in Tulsa, OK. They are currently submitting a letter to my Insurance Company (First Health) to make certain they won't pay for any part of my surgery. I anticipate they won't, because I currently am not dealing with any contributing health problems. Not a diabetic, no cholestoral problems, or blood pressure. But I am prepared to pay for the surgery myself. Once we find out what insurance will cover (or won't) then we'll be able to proceede with …

I'm new. I haven't been banded yet; still waiting for insurance clearance and proving of medical necessity for the insurance to approve it, but the process is started. Is anyone an emotional eater; and if so, how do you get beyond/deal with that after the surgery?

Hello everyone: I'm new here and thrilled to death to find a lap band community who knows what I am going through. I haven't been banded yet, but I have completed the screening process at Beth Israel hospital in Boston and have an appointment next month with a surgeon. I finally have hope. I had lost hope in ever losing weight because I have tried everything twice only to lose weight and gain it back plus some more for good measure. I have started to let friends and family in on my plan. 99% of them have been so supportive which is such releif. However, there was one friend who was less than supportive. She said stuff like, "you should just be happy with who…

Hello all, I am Kathy too, from the Kansas City, MO area. I was banded on Apr. 9th and so far have only lost a couple of lbs and am discouraged. I see on this website how people are losing a ton in just a couple of days. I am scheduled for my first fill on May 16th but my Dr. only adds a little at a time. Can anyone give my advice. I have followed the liquid to soft to try philosophy and right now I am trying whatever I want to eat. Last night had fish and veggies without a problem. Just ate too much and really felt full. Couldn't throw up, wouldn't come back up to relieve my too full feeling. I think I am just having trouble with my mind and my portion size right now. …

Hello everyone I am being banded on 5/2/07 in the Tampa, FL area....Cant wait!!

Hi everyone. I'm a new member and I just wanted to say hello. I've been considering Lap-band surgery for a while and have recently started taking the preliminary classes, etc. My first appointment with the surgeon is on Wednesday. Reading through the conversations on this forum has been incredibly insightful and inspiring; seeing so many people who have transformed (not just physically, but also mentally and emotionally) has only increased my desire to go through with this procedure and have a serious life change. I can't wait for it to begin!

Hello everyone!!!! I am 38 years old very excited to tell you my surgery date is May 7th. Just started my pre surg diet of liquids. Anxious to talk to someone who just had their banding done. I don't quite no what to xpect after surgery. Like, pain wise. ginger13:clap2: pre op 247/

Hi everyone. I am a new kid on the block and I am so happy to find this site! My surgery date is May 24th. I just got my date last week. I am excited and nervous at the same time. I know that I am happy about my decision and look forward to joining all of you for support and to give support too!

I got my band on 3-21 and have done great, only lost about 10# post band. My biggest concern right now is that I don't feel like the band is even there. I realize there's no restriction right now but I can eat TOTALLY normally at this point. It's worrisome as I've gained back about 3# from my loss post-banding. Did this happen to anyone else? Did you feel like you were back sliding. While I'm at it I will admit I've not been good about following the preset meals as I'm more hungry than these meal samples satisfy. I am a lower BMI bander but had hoped for a bit better results after the initial banding. Worried at this point. :phanvan

I've been reading for a while, trying to decide if I want to go through with this. I am scheduled for surgery in the morning. I'm just looking for some positive thoughts to get me through this! Thanks for all of your honest comments. I know that this is a great decision, I'm just nervous. Anne in Texas:nervous

Hi My name is Jane and I have booked with Dr Kyriakides in Cyprus, although I believe he also works at Birmingham & Harley Street in the UK. I am booked in for a band 26th May 2007. I have read and research and I think I am now confusing myself. Basically I am now not sure if the band is the right one for me. I keep nudging back towards a RNY. Although I don't want surgery to be this drastic... but on the other hand it comes off and stays off...doesn't it? Can you help?:help: In your opinions what are the pros and cons of a band vs RNY. Thanks in Advance Jane