Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I have a question for those of you who've already been banded. What is the minimum amount of time I should plan to take off from work? I've been approved by my insurance, and I'm in the process of going through ten different pre-op tests that my doctor requires. Things are going well and I hope to be finished soon and ready to set a surgery date. Anyway, we are going on a cruise the first week of July, and I don't want to be liquids or mushies while I'm on the cruise. If I could have surgery on a Thursday, do you think I would be ready to go back to work on the following Tuesday? (I would be able to sit at a desk most of the day.) I know everyone is different, but…

Hey Just wanted to say hi to everyone. I was banded on the 19th March 2007. So far things are going good. I went to see my doctor last week and i now have to start exercising 5 times a week that should be interesting considering I havent done any exercise for almost a year now. :omg: Im gonna give it a go anyway and hopefully i dont end up to sore after going for my walks. I just had my first fill last week and for some reason bread doesnt sit right in my tummy anymore. I have been on this web site so many times and never write anything so iv done it now heres my first entry

This post has been deleted.

Hello, I'm Kelly and this is my first posting. I had my lap band on Feb 14, 2007. Happy Valentine's day to me. I had my first fill on March 30. The first four days I was full of regret for doing the surgery, since I felt so nauseous and couldn't hold much down. Of course, that passed. I am down 24 lbs., but am feeling a little scared because I haven't lost anything in two weeks. I didn't have a complete fill on March 30, I realize in hind sight. It was only 0.5cc. It was difficult to know what I was supposed to be feeling while the saline was injected. My surgery was at St. Mary's in Louisville, KY, with Louisville Surgical Associates. The way they do a fill i…

Hello! I am new...very excited to have found this site. It took me about a year to decide on getting the lap-band, but now I just want to get it done! I am a 33 year old houswife with three lovely kids and an absolutely FABULOUS husband who tells me I am beautiful even though I weight 289lbs. He's a Keeper! I didn't have a weight problem until after I had my first child. I had post partum depression really bad, added to it that we moved away from my family (which I am really close to) and we only had one car which my husband took to work and left me stranded all day with a baby...alone, and mix it all together....major depression. So I ate to comfort myself. In 10…

I was banded on April 3 I've lost 13.5 since surgery, I've been experiencing excessive gas, is this common? If so, what can I do to take care of it? :clap2:

hey! I just started the process. Id been researching for around three years, called the centers a few times, but chickened out, thinking, "ill try this other thing first"...and those other things did not work. So i live way north usa, very close to canada in a very remote place. I called a center in Houston, and i took a job here that has me here for three months (the longest i can be away from my business where i live) and i go for my first consultation in two days from now (im very close to houston) I spoke with my General Health care physician about this a couple of times, once just before leaving to do this. Hes very supportive. I just want this done. …

I just got a notice that I have 11 points for a Reputation. What does that mean? Thanks.. still new here Carrie

Hi Guys, My name is April, and I am from Longmont, CO. I have been reading here at this site for several months now, and decided to have the Lap-Band surgery. I applied with my insurance(Kaiser), it was easy, basic questions. I was accepted to the program, but then they say it will be 6-8 months wait, so I say well okay, it will be 6-8 till the surgery, but as I asked more questions, I found out it will be 6-8 months before I can even start their PROGRAM!!!!! Then at that point they will schedule everything for me, consultations and surgeons visits, and you also have to go through 8 weekly classes and pay 120.00 for the classes. So I was excited to be accepted to the…

I got a call back from the my dotors office. My insurance requires a 6 month medically supervised diet, before I can be authorized for surgery. I am still optimistic. I have been on diets before but never one prescribed by my doctor. This time will allow me to save more in my health savings account. Maybe this diet will even takes some weight off . Thanks for all the responses to my first post, the support is great.:biggrin1:

HI, I AM THINKING ABOUT GETTING BANDED AND I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS. ANY ONE IN NORTH ALABAMA HAD THIS DONE AND WHO DID YOU USE? HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO GET APPROVED AND BANDED? DO YOU HAVE ANY REGRETS? I KNOW I NEED HELP. I HAVE BEEN OVER WEIGHT MOST OF MY LIFE. I AM 5'5 AND JUST HIT 318. I HAVE GAINED 23 POUNDS SINCE THANKSGIVING WHEN I HAD A HISTORECTOMY AND QUITE SMOKING. PLEASE GIVE ME SOME WORDS OF WISDOM. I AM TRULY AT MY WITS END AND DEPRESSED.:think

hello im at the very begining of this my name is amber im in oklahoma city my doctor will be out of norman reganal healthplex.i havnt met my dr yet.im 6ft tall an i weigh 375 ive had major back and knee issues because of my weight.i suppose my ? is after the band is in place how long will it take to start losing the weight.and once you do does it help you to be more active:cry

Hi all - I'm Mary. I just joined this forum - have been researching lap banding, and came across you all today. VERY glad to have found you! I'm in central Fla., and am wondering if any of you have recommendations on doctors in Florida who perform the lap band surgery? I'm at the very beginning of this process, but the more I read, the more I feel pretty sure that this is probably the right course of action for me... Thanks all - looking forward to getting to know you! Mary

Hello everyone! I'm so excited to be here, and to be on the other side of this surgery. I was banded on 4/18/07 and I've lost 24 lbs total. (about 12 of that was during my pre-surgery diet.) I'm feeling better everyday and my incisions are healing nicely. But I need to ask some of your opinions on something. I'm still hungry. I eat until I THINK I should stop. I'm not really sure if I'm feeling full. Is this suppose to be a definite feeling? Usually it's around a 1/2 cup full of Soup. When I stop eating, in my mind, I feel like I could eat more, but I don't because I know I shouldn't. Then about an hour later, I'm starving again. Sometimes, I just think the "hunger" is in…

May 23rd, 2007 ...thats when I am scheduled for lap band surgery!! That will be the day that I start my new life, a life to a healthier me!! A little about me? Well, I am 40 years old, been over-weight most of those years, I'm a wife to the most understanding and supportive husband ever, mother to 4 biological boys, 1 daughter, "Grandma" of 2 and human to several dogs, miniature horses and a cat that only comes home when she's hungry. (Spay and Neuter your roaming pets!! LOL) The lap band decision has not been an easy or quick one, I have spent several years researching all I could, weighed (pun intended) all the pros and cons, and finally came to the decision tha…

I have been looking at being banded for a while. I was actually approved by my surgeon back in November, but got a last minute denial from my insurance due to a written exclusion in my policy. I attempted to fight it, to no avail. Fast forward to now. I finally decided to bite the bullet and go self-pay to Mexico. I've been very excited about it and THOUGHT my husband had been really supportive. However, last night I was telling him about my pre-band diet (basically the same diet as if I were banded b/c I'm low BMI) and his comment was that if I could just follow that NOW, I would lose weight without going through surgery. Now I'm in turmoil all over again. Y…

Hi all-- I've been lurking around reading for a while. I finally joined while awaiting the insurance approval. There shouldn't be any problems there--I was approved back in October, but although the Dr. was in network, the facility he did the procedure at was not. I didn't realize that until after I went through the approval process. I didn't have the $3000 for the out of network facility, so everything fell by the wayside. I recently found out he now does the procedure at an in-network hospital, so am waiting for the approval again. I should hopefully here something by next week. I'm in Texas, northwest of Houston and am glad to be a part of this group. I'm defin…

I started my journey in January and I finally got my surgery date of May 8th so I will be a May bandster. I am getting a little nervous and wondering if I can live with the band. I know I can't continue to live like I am so I feel I will use this tool and get rid of this weight. I am getting excited too. Well wish me luck.

I am waiting on Insurance Approval. I can't wait to have this done and I am trying to read each and every comment there is on this web sight. I think this will be the best thing for me and my thyroid problems. And I can't wait to read all there is posted and to meet some new friends.

After many weeks of waiting, I'm finally scheduled to be banded May 10 in St. Louis by Dr. Van Wagner. The approval should have been a formality, but of course BCBS-NJ took their sweet time-about 8 weeks. The last time it took me that long to get a date was high school. :heh: Pre-op testing this Friday and next Thursday (still dread the upper G.I.). Clear liquid diet for ten days also. So now it's finally sinking in-this is going to happen, and my life is going to change-for the better.

Well, it is official!! My husband will be taking a job in Houston. We live in the Dallas area, in our dream life and will up rooting and moving to Houston in about 12 to 18 months. 18, if I have anything to say about it. We received the Insurance info and guess what... they have an exclusion for Lap Band. I cried instantly. After another long talk with him, he has given me the go to 'Self Pay' and get this journey started NOW. I am so excited, I actually see a light... I know this will be rough and very tough, but I will be in a much better spot, both emotionally and physically to take on the pressures that will come over the next 18 months, with this HUGE pr…

I'm very excited because my insurance has approved the band for me! I've completed several of the pre-op tests, but I have to do the esophageal motility test next week. Is it hard to "not gag" when they put the tube down your throat? I look forward to sharing my experiences here. Reading all of your responses has helped me know I'm making the right decision! Thanks everyone!

Hi! This is my first post on this or any lap band site......I am so excited to have found it.......I had lap-band surgery l0/4/06 in Houston by Dr. Thomas of Nacogdoches, Tx. I live in Nacogdoches so I only had to go out of town for the surgery, not for the office visits/fills. I think that I have finally gotten the amount of "fill" correct and hopefully will lose weight at a faster pace. I have 50 lbs. to go!!! I know, these will be the hardest pounds of all to lose... I have been married for over 32 yrs. We have a daughter that is 28 yrs. old and working on "getting her life together"! And, we are raising our 6 yr. grandson who has ADHD and a couple of learni…

I have been browsing this site for over a year and I have finally decided that I am getting banded! I am a nursing student, so I have to wait until August for a break from school. My insurance says that they will pay, so I am looking for the right surgeon for me. If anyone has had a great experience here in Washington I would love to hear it. I live in Eastern Washington, but I would commute if I could find a good surgeon.

I am new here and will be having my surgery in June sometime. I met with the program coordinator at Portsmouth Regional Hospital in NH and have made almost all my appointments. I met with the psychologist, physical therapist, nutritionist x2, taken the 5 week class and attended two support groups wit hthe thiurd to occur soon. I have to lose 14 pounds before the surgery and still have 10 to go and as per any weight lose it's hard going. Is anyone else here from NH? I live in the Lakes Region and would love to hear from others near me. It's 1.5 hours from me to the point of surgery so getting together with people isn't always easy. I have to wait until June so that my mo…

Hi, I started my journey in June 2006.. at 342 lbs. I was banded Oct.12th 2006.. and as of April 11th 2007 was down to 275. I was banded at wtlsc in Kansas City.. Would love to hear from others... Teri-Lyn

Hi-I have spent the last two years researching and deciding whether the Lap band is right for me. I am happy to say I am well on my way. I have one more dietician appointment before I have cleared all the hurdles! That is scheduled for 5/1. After that appointment, my surgeon's office will submit the request to my insurance. It generally takes my insurance about 2 weeks to approve and then I can schedule my surgery. I am hoping to schedule it in late June or early July. I am a teacher so I will have plenty of time to take care of me! I am currently on a 1600 cal high protein eating plan with 6 small meals a day. I have lost 11.5 pounds during April. I finally feel it is sa…

:heh: I AM HAVING A HARD TIME DECIDING, I HAD MY MIND MADE UP AND I WAS GETTING THE LAPBUT MY DOCTOR REALLY THINKS I SHOULD HAVE THE OTHER... HELP

:girl_hug: Hey everyone, I just found out about this forum last night at my pre-op seminar, I've spent most of my morning looking around it, reading what everyone has had to say. I think this is great. Today is the first day of my pre-op diet so I figured there was no better time to get on this and meet people going through or have gone through what I am about to begin. Right now, I'm not so much nervous as I am anxious, and am worried about these 10 days of pre-op diet, I guess thats normal though. I guess just to give some background, I've struggled with weight since I was about 12 I guess you could say I'm an emotional eater I ate my way through my parents divorce …

I am entering into the land of May Bandsters! My date is May 4th. It is still surreal to me but I am sure reality will set in before long. I want to thank everyone on this site for all their words of advice and encouragement. I have been reading for a long time now and mine was not an easy decision....

Hello All: I was banded 4/19/07...am still sore and of course tired. I have lost 13 pounds in 5 days...is this normal? Im sure the massive diarehha is contributing to it. How long does it take to feel normal again? I went back to work today, but had to come home because it hurts to sit up in a chair due to the incisions. Nice to meet you all and good luck! Jennifer

Hi all! As I count down the days to my banding (17 to go...), I am pitifully trying to figure out how to use the Ticker thingy. Anyone willing to walk me through it?? I went on the website, got it created, etc, but can't get it on my signature. Is that where I want to put it?? I tried cutting and pasting the URL directly into the signature box (no luck), and I tried pasting it in the box below for the signature picture (again, no luck). When I try to update my signature, I get a message that says I can only have 6 lines in my signature. I can usually figure these things out, but I am just lost here!!! HELP if you can! Thanks! Kathy

Hi , I am getting banded in Tijuana this friday, I can't wait. Has any one else been banded in Tijuana , Mexico . By Dr. Ortiz. I was 276 3 weeks ago and I am now 259 . I hope to get to 145.

I'm so excited that I found this site! I'm from Minnesota and will have my lap band surgery on 5/11/07. I'm using Dr. Medlin from St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth. I've been overweight most of my life but really packed on the pounds when my husband was deployed over seas. I have a 4-yr-old daughter and a 3-yr-old son. I can't wait to be able to keep up with them and not have to say "mommy needs to sit down a sec". I'm looking forward to getting to know people from this site and reading all the valuable info. Take care all!

Just testing our this web site! I had the lap band 03/28/07 and wanted to find a web site I could ask questions? Is this a good site to do so?

I have my date. May 21st. Up until the hospital called and told me, I wasn't nervous....but now I am! I have 3 doctors appts this week and 2 next week to get all my tests done. Whew! But I'm going out of town for about 10 days prior to the surgery so I am a bit rushed. I can't wait!!!!:biggrin1: :clap2:

Hi. My name is Stacie. I was banded 4/20/07. Just looking for others that have had the same experience so I will know what to expect in the upcoming months. I weighed 230 when I got the band and am already down to 220 but I am getting very hungry. Looking for some good recipes and some do's and don'ts as far as what to eat.

Hi, everybody! I'm newly banded as of 4/10/07. I haven't had any problems much except for the shoulder. I was told it is from the gases they pump into you during surgery. When it started, it would come and go. For the last two days, the pain is constant and seems to have lodged itself in my left shoulder and neck. Now the pain seems to be shooting up into my head causing a slight headache. I have not been sleeping very well the last few nights either. I'm glad I have to see my doctor on Friday for my first post-op visit. Mostly, this journey has been much more pleasant that I had expected and I look forward to spending time networking with you guys.

Hi everyone! My name is Sally and I am a hopeful 21 year old from Houston, TX wanting to get "banded". I'm 5'10'' and currently weigh a whopping 265 lbs with the BMI of 38. Fortunetly, I don't have any health issues (other than obesity, of course) but I am well on my way seeing as how both of my parents are diabetic and have high blood pressure. My mom is currently in the process of trying to get approved for a gastric bypass surgery. I tried my first diet (the Atkins diet) at the mere age of 15. I lost 40 lbs and found myself gaining some it back within a year,so I tried Weight Watchers. I lost another 20 lbs and was at my lowest weight ever-160 lbs! It was my junior y…

Howdy all, my name's Brianne and I was banded on April 9, 2007 in Chilton Memorial Hospital by Dr. Vadim Gritsus. The insurance was a huge struggle for me (apparently every doctor in NJ hates Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield), but 2 weeks post-surgery I got my letter that they will be paying for some portion of it. Which is good because I had to take out a loan to pay for everything preliminarily. I was diagnosed with high blood pressure by my GP in January, and he put on fairly serious meds for it. I've been overweight and struggling with my weight since around 2000/2001, and am happy to possibly see a light at the end of the tunnel! I got engaged in December, and am…

Hi everyone! My name is Laurel and I am 26. I have a wonderful husband of 6 years and 2 beautiful children. I am a stay at home mom and I love it. I am getting close to being able to set a date- I have done all the things that are required so far (the psych eval., Upper GI, surgeon consult, etc.) The only other thing my insurance requires is the 6 month weight loss documentation by my family dr. I have done 4 months and will be done with that on June 17th. Then I will be approved (per my ins co.) and I can then set my surgery date. Yay!! I can't wait! My surgeon is Dr. Ben-Meir at St. Vincent Charity Hospital in Cleveland, OH. He is so nice, I just love him, and I haven…

Hi - I was banded 3/22/07. I have lost 15lbs. My first fill will be this Thursday 4/26/07. I am a cash pay and am very motivated and excited to take this journey! Thank you already for all the information I have found.

Hi ! I'm Bekki from Minnesota, had my band placed on 3-28-07. Have lost about 13lbs so far from day of surgery...:clap2: Haven't lost anything in the last week or so :think ...so discouraging. At first I wasn't hungry at all, now I get hungry again and have found myself overeating at times.:girl_hug: I don't get my 1st fill until 5/8/07, I really hope that this helps.

:help: HELP:help: The site has changed and I can't for the life of me find my journal.....

Does anyone know how I can get in touch with the North Houston Bandsters (I believe that's the name of the group) or any other support group that gets together in the Spring/Woodlands, TX area (north of Houston). THANKS SO MUCH! -Rachel

I just found this site over the weekend and all I can say is I LOVE IT. I think all I've done all weekend is look around and I've learned so many things. I'm from TX, the Dallas area. I'm 32 years old - been married for 10 1/2 years and have one 14 month old baby boy. Our son is the joy of our life. I'm really excited to get to talk to everyone out there... Have a great week!

I was banded on 3/19/07, so far I have only lost 14 pounds. I am somewhat depressed, because I wanted to lose more at a faster rate. Because I have a real addiction to food, I have eaten a few unauthorized items. Can I get some suggestions and words of encouragement.

I am a little nervous about going back to work with the new diet. I really don't want to explain myself to everyone. A few folks know, but I figured since the weight won't come off fast, I won't have to do much talking. How did you handle co workers?

Hello. My name is Jennifer and I am going to be banded on May 3rd. I am 31 years old and have a BMI of 41.5. I live in Shelbyville, Texas with my husband of 14 years and our 2 sons. All of this have really gone fast for me. Everything was submitted to BCBS ActiveCare on 4/9/07 and I called on the morning of the 13th and it was already approved. I meet with my surgeon tomorrow in Nacogdoches. I will be having my surgery in Houston. I am very nervous but very excited. I am glad I foung this site. I have really learned alot. Thanks

Hi: I am new to this board and am in the early stages of planning the lap band surgery. Just wondering if anyone on here is from North or South Dakota and/or has experiences with any of the surgeons in Fargo or Sioux Falls? I am going to talk to my family doctor about having the surgery today and am trying to gather as much info as possible. I have struggled with my weight most of my life and am ready for a change. I have a 5 year old and a 1 year old and I want to be around for them for a long time but that won't happen unless I do something now. This board has been very informative in helping me make my decision and I look forward to visiting with you!! Robin