Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi everyone, This is my first time to join any type of chat. I am really excited. Just a little about me I am 36, I have a three year old little girl. I had surgury in Montterrey Mexico by Dr. De La Garza in September 2005. My bmi was 35. As of today I have lost 85 pounds maintained my goal weight for a year and I feel Great. I look forward to hearing how other people are doing. Have a great day!

:help: Had my lap-band surgury done in Dayton, Ohio on Jan. 23 2007 Got my first fill on April 5th. We were on vacation in March so i was late in getting the fill. My question is this. Is it supposes to be hard to eat more that 1/2 c. of food. I feel like i never had any surgury. Am I expecting too much? Please let me know as I can't get in to my doctor until May 17th.

Greetings from a new member of the BAND! I received my lapband a week ago (4/10/07). My surgeon had a problem installing the first size band he chose and ultimately had to settle with a larger band. As result, there was a little more surgery trauma to the stomach and I have been very swollen and restricted for the past week. I have been pushing the liquids to stay hydrated. I have lost 20.5 lbs. my first week (down from 301 to 280.5) and 6.5 inches. However, I have felt really bad for several days now. I finally broke down and called my doctor. I explained that I have been feeling light headed at times and his Nurse Practitioner suggested that I take my blood pressure. My…

Hi everyone, My name is Melissa and I am scheduled for surgery on 5/21. I have already seen a nutrionist and I will see the psychologist tomorrow then my PCP next Tuesday. I have been lurking for a few weeks, but thought it was time to say Hello. I am very excited and nervous about it. I know I can do it, but then I read other postings and get worried. I really don't want to fail again. Any tips? Thanks and I look forward to chatting more.

Hi all. I've never joined a discussion forum before, but need all the help I can get! My surgery is tomorrow and I'm a nervous wreck. Had difficulty with 2-week liver shrinking diet, but am committed to doing everything I'm told to make this a success. I'm not sure where the nerves are coming from, I've done my research and want to trade what feels good in the moment for a life of feeling good. My best to all of you on this journey! I'm glad to be part of the club...I think! --melissa

Hi all, I'm new to forums and chat rooms, but getting ready to have this procedure has prompted me to seek out others. I'm almost there, just need my EGD and set up surgery date, looks like it will be in early May 2007. I read several responses to Melissa Dangers posting and felt encouraged already. Glad to know I'm not alone in my struggles with this decision, it's like you guys/girls are in my head - it's comforting to know someone else has walked the walk and talked the talk. I feel pressured from my thin friend who wonders why I couldn't just keep working on the weight loss like I'm doing now (lost 17lbs since Christmas!!) and not go through with this. She re…

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum and just wanted to say hello to everyone. I haven't been banded yet, but will be on April 27 with Dr. Ariel Ortiz Lagardere in Mexico at the Obesity Control Center. I know, you're probably saying, Mexico? Yes, Mexico. He comes highly recommended and the cost is fairly reasonable considering the cost in the U.S. Thank God I don't have far to travel. I am very eager and excited about it. Can anyone tell me briefly, how their experience was getting banded? I'd really like to hear your thoughts. Thanks.

I am new to posting messages. Here it goes! I am 35 yrs old and am tired of being "fluffy" as my daughter puts it. I have tried everything under the sun to lose weight, from xenical, starvation, and my last straw was accupuncture. Needles in the ear!!! :cry What was I thinking? Anyway, my sister has been insisting that I investigate the gastric banding, so I made up my mind last monday that I would. I have spent all week getting my medical records together, sleep study info and impatiently waiting until monday when I can go to the surgeon that does lap banding in my area just to fill out paper work . I'm a very impatient person, but I don't want to rush into anythin…

hello everyone:think :help:

I want to get a lapband. My only major hangup is that I feel like I would be cheating if I got it. I feel like I put this weight on and I should be able to take it off and my inability to do so is lack of willpower and/or laziness. If I got the band, I'm afraid that I'll just feel sort of ashamed of myself that I couldn't do it on my own. I know two women with bands, and I fully understand that this is not a simple weight loss method. I know how hard those girls work and I know that it requires a lot of effort on the part of the patient. And I certainly do not feel like they are cheating or being lazy or whatever. It's just how I am afraid I would feel about myself. Las…

I am getting my band Aug 9th from Dr Drahn San bernardino. Anyone use him? Have any good things or bad things to say about him? please let me know.

About the band. I like the fact it is reversible, also wondering if I would qualify. Not too worried about side effects etc but really needing to loose pounds...My daughter turned me on to this site through a friend of hers who knew about you all. Will be posting more later. See ya! Looks like a really great site!

I haven't attended my first seminar yet. I do that next week. I know this is probably out there somewhere, but I would like to know the progression of diet until eating regular food. I know it goes from liquid to mushies to solids and that different dr.'s recommend different timelines, but what is the general amount of time for what stages? I am considering having the surgery in December because I would be off from work for several weeks. I would like to time it so that I could have some solid food for Christmas dinner or at least mushies--cornbread dressing!

Just wanted to say hi. I was banded on April 10, 2007 by Dr. Alexander Abkin @ St.Clare's Hospital in Dover, NJ. I'm 35, married mother of 2. Got tired of my 206 lb and all that came with it. Some of my co-workers had bypasses, some had bands. I decided on band, since it's not that invasive (and if it's not working, I can always go for bypass). Now I'm not that sure... I'm in a lot of pain (I expected some, but not that much) from port site. I have troubles swallowing ( even water). But I hope it will pass soon. What's done is done. Can't wait to get my hands on real food in about ....few months ... (Just joking)...

will someone explain the pre surgery diet to me?

Hi all... Just found this site tonight. I was banded 12/29/04, 245lbs and size 24. At my lowest weight I was 163 and could squeeze into size 12. :clap2: Unfortunately, about a year ago, fate brought some new challenges into my life and stress took over and I'm now 187 and barely squeezing into my size 14 (thank you to whoever invented elastic waistbands!). I refuse to go back into 16's, besides, I got rid of them all and the budget doesn't allow me to buy new clothes right now. I seemed to have lost my motivation which was strange because being banded had never been difficult. In the beginning, I fell into my new "banded lifestyle" easily, rarely have blockages and…

Hello all! I'm new to this so I would appreciate some honest opinions of the LapBand. Before I started dieting 20 years ago I was 120 pounds lighter. Each time I diet I do well and then gain it all back plus some more. I'm sick of it. I'm terrified to change my insides completely with a bypass, but I'm also worried that I won't be able to get anything past the band...I don't know anyone who has had the band and am really worried about the long term impact of it. Any words of wisdom are appreciated. I have appts at the two local hospitals that have this procedure, so I will be learning a lot about it very soon.

Howdy gang. This is our first time to this site. My wife was banded on 4-6-07 and I was banded on 4-13-07. Our doctor is Dr. Marsden out of Lewisville Tex. I was wondering if we should be taking protien while on the clear liquid stage of diet. wish us luck

I have just been received insurance approval and have scheduled my surgery for May 29. Dr Simms in Waco Texas at Providence Hospital will do my procedure. I have looked into both bariatric options and think I have made the right decision but I am still haveing a few second thoughts. It depends on who I talk to, when I talk to someone who has had Gastric Bypass I think that is the way to go and when I talk to a lapbander that is the way I think is best. I am glad i found this website as I have been able to find out all kinds of non-judgemental opinions.

Hey everyone! I just wanted to do a little introduction. I am Brittany, 25 years old, from Norman, Oklahoma. I was banded on March 21, 2007 in Dallas, TX by Dr. Benavides. I started out at 380 :omg: but have since lost 24 pounds. I can't wait to get to know everyone and hear your stories!!

:clap2: Hi y'all. I'm so looking forward to having lap-band surgery. Although I've not even seen a doctor for an appointment as yet! I do have my first appointment on April 24th. I'm so excited. I've done my research, and I feel I'm ready. I've had so many friends die from bypass surgery - so that wasn't an option for me at all. I'm not sure if it's my insurance or just the process of lap-band surgery, but there sure are a lot of hoops to jump through. My primary care doctor told me that he's known of people gaining weight to have the surgery..... I'm like, "Why would anyone do that?" Oh well, not my situation obviously. So, I just wanted to say hi, and if anyon…

Hi all! My name is Trina. I had the lap band procedure on 3/29/07 with Dr. Chae. I was going to post yesterday, but I was in a bad mood and thinking what have I done. I feel better today and I am happy with my decision. My insisions hurt like crazy, but I'm trying to stay away from the pain meds. (we'll see how that goes). I'm a little nervous about the insicison sites. They look like gaping holes. I don't see how they will close into little lines. They used dermabond to hold them. I'm off to lurk. Hope to meet you soon! Trina:wave:

Hi, stumbled upon this web site the day before my first post op support group and got most of my numerous questions answered. This is a wonderful site. Lost 16 post and 6 pre op. 30 min cardio each day and sticking to the diet pretty well. I read here that this is the time when i am "ON MY OWN"--first fill 5/3/07. I guess I am testing the waters now since I've been on solids for 1 wk. My caloric intake had increased from about 800 to 1200 in the past three days, IS THIS THE TIME I NEED TO BE MORE VIGILANT??? also read here that these back and shoulder pains are from the anestesia (sp). 4 1/2 wks later, when will they go away?

Hello. First time at this site. Looking to find out more info. My main question is this, if I were able to follow the diet need after the banding, before I have the banding done, I wouldn't be needing the banding now. So, after the op I won't want to eat as much because I feel full? But people be honest, how many heavy people eat because of hunger, I eat because I feel driven to eat, I just want to eat. I was set to do the by-pass-op. It was a thursday, the day the small group of people met with the doctor meets with you to "talk you out of the op" okay 1 in 50 does not come out of the op, and everyone says that it won't be me, but it just might, so keep that in mi…

Weighed 155 kg I was Banded Weighing 140.6 kg on 30 March after having lost 8% of my bodyweight as a requirement to surgery in denmark. I have had it done laproscopically and was on my feet two hours after the operation and sent home the next day. Unfortunately one of the incisions has not healed yet since the doc staplet it so badly - but we have i difference in opinion there. Today I weigh 133 kg and my weight has sortof stood still since friday, so something I must be doing wrong, had a great weight loss the first week of 5.8kg, and the next week of 1.6 kg. So maybe my body is just taking a break, who knows ... the diet is ok, not too much cheating .... and when I…

I have just begun to research this proceedure. I was wondering if anyone knows if vegetarians do well with this? Also, I need to lose 40 pounds and am worried that I will be turned away because I am not actually considered "obese". I am desperate for this surgery and would appreciate any feedback.

Hi you all, well, I am ready! Surgery is tomorrow! I am on the last leg of this presurgery liquid diet, of course I will be on it after for a while also. Everyone remember me in your prayers ok? Thanks for all of your help and support that got me this far!! TAlk to you all on Tuesday!!...

I just had lapband surgery this past Thursday. I'm not sure I know what to expect. Would love to hear some positive thoughts and experiences. Thanks....Julie

Hi. My name is Leeann and my husband had the lapband surgery done at the Betencourt medical in Mexico and has been suffering with MRSA evey since.:sick Go to WebMD.com to check it out. Please do your research before going out of the U.S to get the surgery. My sister had it done and is doing great and lost all her weight and we went on that info only, unforunatly the other 4 people I have met including mu husband did not get so lucky. Be careful. Leeann

New to the board and I absolutely think this is an incredible resource! I have my surgery scheduled May 11th at 5:30am in the morning (UGH!) I am 36 and have United Healthcare Insurance if that helps anyone else.

Hi Gang...I am getting ready to book my consult...doctors say I can be in as quick as the end of June. My problem is this, my work benefits do not cover it and the cost is 16,000. Is it worth it. I am afraid to pay this as I have a history of messing up "diets" and this isn't something I could afford to do here. I know my health is worth that, my BMI is 50.36 ...I am 26. What types of food do you eat when you are done? I know you eat slow and not much but there isn't anything to say what you eat? I have so many questions about how you feel after...Do you lose hair? I'm worried that my family wont supportmy decision to spend 16,000. on this. My fiance is great and had love…

Hi everyone. I am Dede and live in Denver, Colorado. I was banded in Mexico by Dr. Kuri on 4-10-07. As of this morning, I have lost 9 lbs on clear liquids. Woohoo! Tomorrow I get to have smooth liquids. Have noticed that I eat/drink too fast and too much at once. My appetite has been low to moderate, and I still have left shoulder and neck pain to contend with. Wish that would go away. Looking forward to reading about everyone else's experiences!

I just had my lapband surgery on December 21, 2006. I lost 29 lbs on the preop diet. I had to be on the protein shake, Myocel, for four weeks instead of two due to the size of my liver. December 5, 2006 was a failed attempt due to liver bleeding and softness. I am now two weeks post op and I so miss chewing!! But not enough to vomit, trying to keep that to a minimum--not fun. My port site is very sore and so is my left side of my abdominal wall. I have found that my massage chair/recliner is my friend. I have been on a diet since I was eleven years old and I am now thirty six years old. I am in excess of four hundred pounds so you see how effective the dieting ha…

Hi All, I've been lurking for a few weeks, and have been utterly grateful for the information that I have gotten through your shared experiences, so thought I should go ahead and introduce myself. My name is Cara, I'm in Coppell, TX (near Dallas), and I'm going to be banded on 4/17. I've been trying to get approved for bariatric surgery for the past six years. This year, I decided it was going to happen no matter what, so I changed insurance from Aetna (fantastic coverage but they will NOT cover no matter what I do) to United HC (So-so coverage, but lots of approvals), and finally got approved. I'm very excited and apprehensive at the same time. I've been up and do…

Hi Everyone! I am also new and am having my surgery on May 14th!!! It took my insurance company 8 weeks but they FINALLY approved the surgery so it's a GO! I am a mom to 3 children, Lauren is 10 and my mini-me, Aden is 3 and we just finalized his adoption on March 28th. We have been his foster parents since he was 1. I also have another foster child, Elijah who is 3, who we will eventually adopt as well. He is developmentally delayed but we love him and he has been with for almost 2 years too. I am a real estate home inspector and have been married for 12 1/2 years. Didn't struggle with my weight until the last 5 or so years. Do great losing at first, then can't seem to…

Hi there, I am a 33 yr old female, type II diabetic taking injectable insulin. My husband thinks I may have mild sleep apnea, but the doctors I used to see wouldn't address it because they were more concerned with my diabetes. I am in a position where we are looking at getting insurance soon and I have made the decision I need help and want to lose weight. :help: I became overweight as a young child. My mother was a diet-aholic. And if she was on one, I was on it...even before I got heavy! At 6, I was on Weight Watchers. At 7, Nutrisystem. At 8, all salads, nothing much else. At 9, the Miracle Soup Diet (the Cabbage soup diet), non-stop for over half a ye…

Does anyone have a doctor that performed their surgery in NY city? I am currently considering a Dr Elliot Goodman or the Dr's at Lenox Hill Hospital or NY Presbyterians Dr Marc Bessler? Can anyone give me a good recommendation? I have GHI HMO.

hi everyone i am having my band fitted on 18/4/07.... i have tried for many years to lose weight only to put more on when i stop. i have to pay for my band as my bmi is 33 is anyone in the same situation as me i would welcome any comments or advice thanks

I am considering lap band surgery and I have been reading alot of the threads. What is a PB? and what is "sliming"? As someone who is considering this surgery I want to hear it all even the gross the bad and the ugly. I do not like surprises and want to know all the negatives too before going thru with this life changing decision. Thank you to all ahead of time for answering my ???

Hello Everyone, I am new to the site and considering being banded. I have done a little research so far but wanted to talk to others who have exerienced it first hand. I am a stay-at-home Mom who has finally hit her highest weight and have had enough. I have tried many different diets and have had no real success. I have many questions and concerns. Actually I am scared about the whole idea really (I hate surgery...period!!). I know it is a life changing experience and it will be my way of life forever. I want to make sure I am prepared for all that is involved. I know it is expensive which is a big concern for me. Is my life worth it? I think so. Hopefully I can n…

Hi!!I am a 34 yr old SAHM of two toddlers!! I am at 301 lbs. I have been over 100 lbs over weight for about 15 yrs now. I have pcos, hypothyroid, fibromyalgia, anterior knee syndrome, bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, heel spurs, etc. I have flip-flopped several times between gastric bypass and lap band. I was told by a surgeon that with pcos and hypothyroid, i would have a hard time losing with the lap band. But the bypass seems very scary to me. I know I will have to work with my band and I'm very willing to do that. I am so excited about starting a new life. I am way too young to feel the way I do. My DH started a new job in jan and new insurance starts May …

Hi I have been reading this site for a while and just joined today. I was banded on Tuesday, April 10th. I have read many responses, questions and comments from this site and it was very helpful to me in preparing for the surgery. Just wanted to say thanks. I am not sure where I go from here as far as signing up goes but, I will try to follow along. Thanks, Flossie

:nervous I was just banded on 04-09-07 and am craving coffee. Any experiences you have to share would be helpful.

Hi to all ... I just had my banding surgery yesterday (4-13-07). I would like to participate in an online support system (preferrably with others in Minnesota). Any advice? Feeling pretty sore this morning.

Hi everyone I just started the process before lapband surgery. Got thu the the first two hurdles and I am now learning what to eat after surgery. I am inpatiently waiting for my appointment with the surgeon at OSU .:high5:

Hi, I just had lap band done on 3/26/07 in Kentucky. The whole operation went very well and no problems. I'm now in my 2 1/2 week mark and I've been eating soft foods. I feel like I can eat more than the beginning and I've lost 21 lbs. I started at 231 lbs and I lost 19 lbs just on the liquid diet before surgery. I've only lost 2 lbs after surgery. I feel like I'm getting discouraged and more weight should be coming off. I get my first fill in 4 weeks. I've been excercising like crazy also. I just need some encouragement. Thanks Tracy

Hi My Name is Martha and I have an appointment to talk to my Dr the last of this month, and I feel HOPE for the first time in so long! I have dieted and battled weight all my life, but when my job early Medically retired me , I just lost it I guess and now I am over three hundred (been to ashamed to even go see my doc)I might pass out when I see what the actual weight is, I know it's more. I just found out that My insurance will pay for this if Obese, with a subsequent factor.Does any one know what this means? I am thinking high blood pressure for one, but wondered if there are others. I live near winston salem are there any support groups close by? Thank you for bei…

Hello! I have posted a couple of times plb (prelapband) and now I AM ONE! Much easier than I anticipated, having gas trouble but walking helps. Outside of that minimal pain, some weakness Natch! Went w/friends and the husband and I were the bandees. Our spouses were terrific. We are both doing well. I LOOK fatter and feel it but know it is gas remaining, etc., but oh wonder of wonders...NOT HUNGRY! That's it for now, will post when I have something informative to say. I think this is how most of you close your posts: banded 4/9/07 BMI 34.4 (204#) aiming for 140 70 YOA - Yeah that's right! If I can do it w/a pacemaker, back surgery and old bones you young dar…

Hi everyone, I am new to all this and I'm not sure just how to go about it. I have my first doctors apt. tomarrow just to see if I am going to qualify for the surgery. Once you are qualified about how long does it take to actually get scheduled. Do you have to be referred for the mental eval, through the doctor, or can I schedule the evaluation on my own. That way I am one step closer when I do go back to the doctor? Also, Is it required to attend a seminar. The closest one in my area to me is over two hours away. One last question, Is there a certain liguid that is required. Sorry for all the questions, but I am new to this journey and this site has answered …

Good Morning! I am a 42 year old mother of three and a teacher. I am considering lap band surgery. i weigh about 220 and am 5'4. My BMI is 37+- do you think insurance would cover it? Also, I am interested in learning about pther people's experiences. I have always been heavy. Is it worth it ? Was their pain post surgery? How common are fills? Do they hurt? Cover by insurance? I have tried so many other diets. THe only bummer about this is my husband needs to lose as well- and I keep thinking if I see a dietician or go back to Weight Watchers (again) he would benefit from that as well. He would never do lap band- but will support me as long as it is safe and …