Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hello I had a band fitted on Wednesday (11.4.07) I am feeling a bit overawed by it all. I feel like I have a massive burp that won't shift, is this normal? by tummy seems all bloated and hard. :help: Any advice from experienced bandsters would e welcome...... Trish

Hi everyone! I am going to see a doctor at Vanderbilt University for the lap band surgery. I am only 4'7" and weigh 200 lbs:mad: I called my insurance and they said that they pay 100% after a $500 deduct. I was wondering how long is the wait once you see the md to have the surgery? Any other advice you can give me? Thanks, Tamara

Just wanted to say hi and I look forward to posting with you guys!

Hi this Liz The beginning of March I went to Dayone Health made my decision to get banded. The following week went to the counsulation spoke with doctors dietican and insurance rep was told I had pay $375.00 for the dietican. I did that met with her spoke briefly about diet and excercise nothing specific she told she would call me for another appointment and email me to discuss the three month diet my insurance company requires for approval. Well she never called I called Dayone several times they said she would get in touch with me she never did. Finally I was told last week the diectian no longer works there at that point I really did not feel comfortable with that…

Hi, My name is Marti. I went to a seminar concerning weight loss surgery. I am very interested. I have an appointment with a surgeon on April 30. I can hardly wait. I looked at bypass surgery and the lap band seems less invasive. I'm somewhat nervous though because this is such a big life change.

I am 27 years old and I have a six year old son. I have always done different diets with no long term success. I was banded on March 20, 2007 in Houston, Texas. I have a wonderful dr. His name is Dr. Alanis. My weight loss is very slow. I have only lost 21 pounds. I have no idea if I am doing the right thing or not. I have started to walk everyday. He does not give you a fill until you have lost 30 pounds on your own. I am open to comments and help offered. Pre-op 227 Pre op liquids 220 4/13/07-206.5 No fill yet :clap2:

Hi everyone ! I am a new member. Just got "banded" 7 weeks ago, but it seems like it was last week. I am learning the eating techniques and slowly loosing weigth. Lost 28 pounds already ( 10 of them on the pre-op diet). I am hoping to share my success story with all of u's.........B4U

Wow, this is such a great site. Very helpful, lots of info. I have made it through the dietitian, the psyc eval, the test and cleared for surgery. I have my date April 24th (YEA< YIKES) I go tommorrow for my pre-op visit and have been told that I will be on purely Liquid Protein diet for the 6 days before my surgery. I also have to have the little vein thing put in next week. I am so excited, so scared about the whole thing. But more excited. I am a single mom who wants to keep up and live for herself and to watch my beautiful daughter grow into a healthy young woman. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Lost_Secret ( the lost_secret is the real m…

Getting banded May 16th in Toronto!!!!! On the countdown!:clap2:

Hi, I just wanted to introduce myself. I just came across your websight today. I was banded on 2/21/07 at Faulkner Hospital in Boston. Pre-op, I lost 14 pounds. Today, I stepped on the scale and was psyched to see that I have now dropped a total of 30 pounds!!!! I couldn't believe my eyes! I love the lap band! I look forward to meeting all of you and hearing your stories.

I'm considering this life change, for so many reasons. Mostly i just want to have the benefits of health and stop feeling so self consious everywhere I go. I think i embarress the DH, too, which is a shame, as he is too sweet to say so. Anyway, as you can see from my screen name, my daughter is planning to marry in 2008, and I have time to really make her proud. I'm pretty sure this is the way to go.

Hi, I am new here and I discovered you looking for resolving my complications after lap banding. I hope that joining to this community to make the suffer easier. I`ve been banded on first of november 2006 at BMI 42.7 and now I am at BMI 33.7 by loosing 26 kilos.

I'm going in for my evaluation on Monday. What can I expect to happen? I'm 100 lbs over weight, how much can I lose in a year.

Hello everyone! Im new this is my first posting since I just figured out how to post..I have my meeting with a surgeon on 4/13 and I cannot wait!!

Just wanted to say hello to all and Congrats! to all the bandsters and for those of you like me awaiting your rebirth date as I call it remember that our day will come but until then patience is a virtue! As for the LBT I have been checking the site out for a while and I appreciate the love, support, humor and family like feel. So Kudos to all that help make that happen. I have so many questions and concerns but.... Well my story is ... I have been overweight ALL my life and I am TIRED! I have tolarated the weight because I didn't want others to know my struggle. Yet I have allowed it to hinder me in many different areas of my life. Well now I am a single mother of a …

Hey everyone! I'm new to this board, but I have a feeling I'll be around for a while! It has been fun (as well as educational) reading all of your posts! I can't wait until I can have my own BMI/Weight Loss thermometer!!! I have my first appointment with my surgeon on Monday! I'm so excited I can barely stand it! I have already gone through the required seminar, and the pre-screening for my insurance. I'm just ready to get this done!!! Congrats to all of those that have lost, good luck to all of those that are beginning their journey! Looking forward to sharing my adventures with you!!

HI all first post on this site feeling realy desperate in need of help had lap band in august 2005 start weight 25stone 7lbs had it done as private NHS patient MR SUPER birmingham had first fill of 5mls to SAGB cost £265 pound and had ok weight loss. went for second fill and it cost £265 but only got .5ml . This was may 06.Between may and october had lots of vomitting and PB .in october last year went to ireland for half term and while there band completly obstructed. i tryed to drink but nothing would go down ended up on a drip and having to be flown back from ireland to have emergency unfill costing £265 .MY weight was by now 18 stone 15 momths post band. after…

Hi, I am going in for my first appt. to see about getting the Lap Band procedure next week. I'm not sure if I should do it! I have 105 ponds to lose and I really want to do it for my health, my son and my self esteem. Is it really hard to keep up with after the procedure? Would you do it again if you had the choice???? Please give me a heads up abou the procedure! Thanks, Aimee

Hello Everyone, I had the lapband surgery on February 7th and am so very glad I did. I've lost 48 pounds and feel so much better. I have a long way to go but will get there. Dr. Pitt in Columbia, Missouri was my doctor - he's just great.:clap2:

Hi, I'm new to this site, just checking out what everyone has to say about the band. I went to the doctor last month and I just got a letter from my insurance company saying they'll pay 90 percent of my surgery! I have all my appointments already made but I'm still a little nervous. Anyone sorry they had it done?

Hey gang, I was researching lapband and came acrossed this site and thought i would join. I had surgery done on July 6, 2006 in Houston, TX with doctor Felix Spegeil. Since surgery I have lost 66 pounds. I still have about 100 more to lose to get to my goal. So far I am very pleased with my band and I am extreemly glad I made the decision to do this.

Hi My name is Julia and I was banded on 3/30:) . Things went well here in G.R. I can say afew days post op I did have second thoughts. But now things are going fine and I am ready to stop drinking and add solids to my diet. My first fill is on 4/16. My beginning wt. was 298, I lost 9 lbs prior to surgery and do not know what I weigh now. I do feel I have lost at least 5 lbs because my clothes are loose. I am walking some but have not started regular exercise again yet.

I am having surgery 4/13/7. I haven't told anyone but my husband and adult kids. Is keeping this under wraps possible? I don't want to be under a microscope with people judging me or giving me advice on something they know nothing about. Or even worse telling me horror stories of someone they know that died or is sick from weight loss surgery. For me it is a personal thing. Is this OK?

I am kinda frutstrated ......seems like this whole procedure is taking so long. 1/22/06: Informational meeting 2/16/07: took the phsyc test 3/30/07 meet with the phsyc dr. and went over test results...today 4/11/07 received a phone call my Dr. (surgeon) consultation is 5/15/07 and then they will submit into ins..and if I am approved I am looking at a surgery date of sometime in August:faint: .....Does it usually take 7-8 months from start to finish? I must of had different "visions" because I was thinking 4-5 months....I just hope my insurance approves this because after having my heart and mind set I really don't want to deal with not being able to do this. I know there …

Hi, I am brand new both to the site and as a band patient. I have seen a few abbreviations on this site and was wondering if anyone could help to decode them. For instance I see "PBing" quite a bit and I haven't figured it out yet. Thanks, Shawna:confused:

Good morning this is my first post. Yes I have been banded it was a year ago January. I have lost 75 lbs so far and feel great! I am finding myself falling back into bad eating habits and looking for support

Hello All, I am A 30 year old Male 5'11" 260 lbs. I am Interested in the lap band . I have been 40 pounds over weight for 7 years and I just cant shake my beer gut. I have passed the physical an the PT condintiong test for U.S. Customs. I am not out of shape that bad (can run a mile easly). I just like to eat alot. Would this procedure inhibit my ablity to run and exercise hard? What about geting hit or falling? will the band take the punishment? My mother was the one suggesting I get this done, as I have never heard about this procedure. Thanks Robert

HI! I just found the board tonight and am glad I did. I am in the process of gathering information for a band. I had not heard of them until about 2-3 months ago while trying to find another "diet" and talking to a friend of mine (who is a nurse). I'm tired of dieting (not to say the bad influences that they have had on my five daughters! with me yo yoing for the last 10 years). The more I read the more I feel this is the best way for me to go. I have fought weight loss/gain/loss/gain problems from the time I was in Jr. High. I lost a bunch of weight just before I met my husband (went from a size 18 to a size 9 in a year) and then got pregnant. I gained 65 pounds …

Hi everyone, I am new here and am in the process of investigating lap band surgery. I am leaning towards having the procedure done, but am wondering if you could help me out on a few issues. My BMI is 35 and I am pretty healthy. The only obesity related health issues I have right now are that I have hip injury that won't heal and I cannot strenuously exercise because of it and my good cholesterol is low. Will most doctors accept me for a lap band? Also, I am nervous about the major lifestyle change. I want to do it. I am so sick of being fat. But I guess I am worried that because I have never had long term success with other diets, this will be the same and that some…

Hi, I'm a 52 yr old man in Southwest Virginia that is seriously considering the lapband surgery. I've enjoyed too many beers over the years--and it shows. Anybody know where the best prices for self-pay in the eastern U.S. is? I've gotta do something--I'm never going to lose this tank on my own!

Hi everyone! I'm scheduled to be banded tomorrow and I'm really nervous! I've been on the clear liquid diet for three days now and I'm headachy, but otherwise ok. This board has been a wealth of information, so thanks to all of you for your insight and advice! I'm reallly hungry! :hungry: Jen

I'm in the early stage for Lapband. I have a appointment Monday April 16 for my screening with MMPC in Grand Rapids Mi. I'VE COMPLETED THE FORM AND HOPE THIS IS A WAY TO QUITING MY YO YO WEIGHT CONTROL. I do have lotts of question:confused: but I'm sure they will answer Monday

Hi Everyone! My scheduled date to be banded is set for April 24th. Today I weaned myself on to the liquid diet. I hope I can get through it!!!! Anyone else being banded in the next month?

:help: I just had my psy evaluation today. The doc scared me a little about eating post surgery. How eating was a chore and not fun and it would be that way the rest of my life. He suggested I talk to you guys and get your input on it. Is it worth the surgery??? I think it is.... Is it as bad as he made it sound?? Thanks:hungry:

Hi, I've been checking this site out for a few days and decided to introduce myself. I started looking into this last year and was going to the dr. for my 6 months of dieting and ended up pregnant 3 months into it. I've had my little girl but want to wait until after nursing to get the band. I'm on here to gain as much info as possible.

Hello everyone....after stalking these boards for weeks and finally deceded to introduce myself! I am Cheyanne I live in washington state and I am 22 years old. I am currently in Radiology School... I am hoping to get the Lap Band in May but who knows! I went to an info meeting and I am just waiting to see if insuance will cover anything. If not I've got to use my "daddy routine" =) I have been looking at your before and after pictures and they are so amazing, I hope to soon be right there with you!!! I am also on myspace.... myspace.com/cheyannejo Cheyanne

Hello all..... I met with the surgeon today and all went well and I have a surgery date of July 11th. I am really excited, the ball is finally rolling. I have to go through all the testing and required meetings and all, but I know the time will fly and will be here before I know it. I know I have been pondering my decision on this surgery for a while, but after I found this site all of my questions were answered plus a few more. Thanks to everyone here for helping me make my decision. I'm on my way to bandland:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Hello, My name is Carol, I was banded on Aug 24 2006 and I have lost 125 lbs so far. I feel great :clap2:, this is the best thing that I have ever done for myself. I started off in a size 26 that was very tight and I am now in a size 18 or 16. I had my surgery done in Port Charlotte, Florida and I am lucky that we have a wounderful Doctor and a great support team. I know that even though I still have to work on my problems with food I can win this time.

:phanvan Today the day about noon I'm a little nervous not about the band but the IV that takes about 3x to find.:fencing: Well I stay the night and [/url]be home tomorrow see you guys later.

hi everyone,my daughter found this site for me,so here i am...i was banded jan/22/07 have had three fills and am finally on the road of losing weight have had a few problems,,,learning to eat slowly and chew ,chew,chew...as i was a fast eater all my life.this is the most difficult part of all so far.i live in victoria bc canada,was banded in toronto @tlbc.i am interested in some sample menus as a guide as so far am unble to get 8oocal in per day using real food,any ideas???any help or words of wisdom are most welcome.good luck to those considering the surgery and congratutions to those who have...take care lita

Good morning everyone. I am about to begin the Lap Band journey with everyone else. I have my doctors appointment tomorrow and can't sleep because I am so excited. I am on a time crunch because I have BCBS CA right now and they have told me there should be no problem with approval. My company is changing insurance companies July 1st and the company they are going to does NOT cover Lap Band. I am praying that I can be rushed thru the system and get approval before my company notifys the insurance company that we are changing. I have been on a roller coaster with my weight all my life and I feel like this is the life long answer for me so I would wish that everyone wi…

Hi everyone! I am new to this site but it has been great to read and learn from everyone. I just was scheduled yesterday for surgery on may 1st. I knew I wantd to have the surgery but now that it is real I am getting nervous and second guessing my decision. I lov the site but it has helped scare me. I have read about some of the complications people have had and seen a lot of people have had the band removed. I know that is a rare occation but you know this is a life changing decision. anyway I have a 18 month old and my husband and i want another baby, so that was something that I was wondering if anyone had any advise about. My dr said that it will be fine after…

My surgery went well, I've lost a total of 22 pounds in 4 weeks. Only problem I'm having is I hate the chewable Vitamins that I have to take. Why is it they have to be chewable for the first 4 to 6 months? cdwill2@aol.com

Hi Everyone! My name is Natalee and i'm from Birmingham, AL. I am 21 and has been over-weight my whole life. I have tried everything you can name and nothing has worked. But when I found out about the Lap-Band I knew it was something for me. So I found this board and was very excited. I would like to say that because of the Board I have gotten all the information that I have needed to start my journey with the Lap-Band. I had my doctors consultation today and now the waiting on the health insurance approval starts. I'm very excited!

Hello My Name Is Melissa, I Had The Lap-band Surgery On October 12, 2006. My Doctor Is Dr. Malhotra At North Shore LIJ. In Long Island New York. I Lost 75 Pounds! I Had Lost 20 Pounds Before My Surgery And 55 Since I Had It Done. Let Me Tell You This Is The Best Thing I Have Ever Done In My Life I Haven't Seen This Weight In 11 Years. I Spent My Life Dieting. When I Was 16 I Went To My First Visit To A Diet Doctor And It Has Been A Rollercoaster Ride Ever Since Now I Am 43 Years Old And I Feel Great! I Started Out At 280 Pounds Now I Am 205 And Wearing A Size 14 And That Size Is Even Getting Alittle Loose. It's A Great Feeling. I Found A Clothing Store Called "Dots" I sho…

Hiya! This is my first post here. My name is Ilana, I'm under what is the norm for lap-banding, BMI 31 5ft3in 170lbs. Been dieting most of my life. The "straw" now is losing 33lbs and gaining it back in 6mos. :help: The second I fell off the wagon it was like I had never been on it at all. Most of my immediate family is obese and has been so most of their lives and I am not willing to give up and just say it's my dna, etc. The one thing that we all have in common is that we never feel full - seriously folks, if we are not paying attention we can eat more at a sitting than nearly anyone else. :phanvan Mind you, that makes me the skinny one (relatively speaking!…

I am so undecided. I have to face that fact that I have a weight problem. Not just a weight problem but probably an eating disorder. My weight has gone up and down for years but I am 5'6 and 230 right now. I have hypothyroidism, PCOS, I'm tired all the time, I'm depressed most of the time, I never leave the house except for work or stuff with the kids. So without giving the boring rundown of my life, I got divorced a few years ago and my weight balooned. I have tried everything. Now I am looking at lapband and my father and coworkers are not supportive. They tell me to eat less and exercise. My sister tells me to take hoodia. Everyone has a plan for ME. Any advice???

My name is Wendy, I live in Arizona, I'm 24 years old and just looking into LapBand. I decided to come here because what better way to get a real hold on what happens than talking to people who've done it themselves, not getting a sales pitch from people who stand to benefit from me choosing to do it. A little bit about me: I've been (told I was) overweight since I was 7 when I was dealing with depression. Looking back pn photos I was a little flubby but nothing like my dad and grandmother made me feel like. I've had skewed body perception since that time. When I was 13 I weighed 165 or so, and was in a size 12. I was still the fat girl at school but gosh, I'd kill to b…

My name is Lauren and I'm 48 years old. I just had the lap band on April 4 and almost one week later I'm still drinking Protein drinks and eating lots of sugar free Jello. I'm not hungry but I would love a hamburger:hungry:. I went to MMPC in Grand Rapids and Dr. Foote was my surgeon. The surgery took 1/2 hour and I felt great afterwards. No problems, a bit of gas but I thought it would be lots more pain. MMPC puts you on a protein diet for 2 weeks before the surgery and I think that is why the surgery went off so well.:clap2: I am 5 ft 6 and post op I weighed in at 288. I would love to get below 200 and eventually weigh 160. I can't think of anything el…

Hi, all. I've finally reached my breaking point. I've done the Weight Watchers thing and regained the weight (more than once). I'm sure a lot of you know that old, sad story. My brother had gastric bypass; no way am I going there, but I've had my initial appointments/counseling about banding. I'm not sure whether to tell a lot of people. I'm inclined to not go there; I hate the judgmental looks/snarky comments. Funny, though, I did tell my boss, who is also a friend. When I did, her eyes lit up; she's considering it, too. I know my future holds diabetes, hypetension...I want to get a handle on it now while I'm still just a cranky, but fairly healthy, middle-aged woman …