Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I am new here and just wondering how I insert the tickerfactory slider in my emails? This is probably the wrong place to ask but I am a bit lost.

Hi, I am just beggining to look into the lapband surgery. Im 18 and have a BMI of 36, Im 5'10 and weigh 251. My mom got the gastric bypass surgery and she is doing great. I have a few questions.. What is the BMI requirement to have the lapband surgery? I read that it can be between 35-40 if you have health problems relating to your obesity, I have had terrible knee problems and am wondering if that will even be considered? Will my families history affect whether or not I can get the surgery? Also, do having the fills hurt at all? And the scar that is the port, does it take longer to heal than the other scars? And can you feel the port under your skin? Any info helps! Tha…

Hey everyone, I found this site doing a general search on lap band. I had looked into getting gastric bypass surgery. I met with my doctor for the 6 months to do the diet and exercise but after talking to more people I just felt it was not right for me :faint: . So that was about a year ago. I was doing good with myself since then, until last weekend when we got family pictures. I guess I had this thought of other people seeing me as I see myself. Not my weight...but me being well..really cool, funny, outgoing...lol. So I was sending the pictures to my sister on the internet and I saw myself and thought holy crap...who is that person. At first I was angry with …

Greetings! I've been lurking for a while and finally decided to take the plunge! I'm scheduled for surgery with Dr. Ortiz in Mexico on April 4th. I've learned a great deal from this forum and believe I am somewhat prepared for my transformation. I look forward to sharing my experiences with you.

Hi, I'm new, thought I'd introduce myself. I'm Laura and I'm in Alabama.. I have my first consult in a week. :clap2: :clap2: Are we there yet??

I was banded on march 5 2007 by Dr. Geiss at Soyosset Hospital in Long Island New York. The doctor and his staff are the best i have seen and the hospital care was also fenominal. I attended several meetings and I was aware that there might be sholder pain but not to this degree. I have cut my meal portion to 3oz at each meal, I use gas-x I have started walking in hopes to get rid of this pain. I was planing to go back to work on Monday but I cant see me pulling a 12 hour day, so I will give my self a little more time. Does any one have any advise?:help:

I was banded in Tijuana at the Bajanor Hospital. I started out weighing 249 pounds, with a 34.9 BMI, and qualified due to family history, a long history of failed weight loss, and a current pre-diabetic diagnosis (PCOS and hyperinsulin response). I am currently at 234 pounds and holding there for the past week. It is the same weight I get "stopped" at without the band. Of course, I am waiting to get through that barrier and I have yet to get a fill, but I will. I still have questions and concerns. I guess I didn't know enough to ask the right questions when I had opportunity -- a person can only know what they know at the point they know it. For now, this is my intr…

Hello Everyone I have been a member for a while I felt like this would be a good time to say hello to everyone. I was banded March 1, 2007 in Chicago. It was not as bad as I though it would be. I am happy and getting around fine and sticking to all of my doctors instructions well. I feel really optimistic and hopeful and want to thank all of the people who post on these kinds of sites, because you all have been more of a support to me than you can ever imagine. I say this because the highs and lows of this journey, we all share in them and hearing both variation gives me strength. The lows lets me know I am not alone and the high gives me a since of hope. But wi…

Anxious to have the lap band done. Scheduled for March 26. Hope all goes well. Logged on here to get some do's and don'ts that I might not have thought about.:faint:

Hello all. I am scheduled for surgery on 3/29/07 and wish it were tomorrow. I am a wife and mother of 3 little girls. Dr. Beneviedes at LapBand Solutions will be my surgeon. I currently weigh 237 and am 5'2". Haven't lost any yet and will begin my PreOp diet tomorrow. Goal is to lose 100 pounds. There have been some amazing weight loss amounts posted on this site. I really enjoy seeing everyone's progress. Such a positive thing to see. Good luck and Great Health to all.

I am 61 years old and am getting banded tomorrow. A little nervous. I am sick of being fat all of my life. It seems to have been wasted. I was skinny, skinny, skinny until I got married and had kids. I dealt with pressure by eating. Am now 370 pounds I would love to get to 200. Will keep you posted . I do love my tea :confused:

Just wanted to say hi. I am very pre-surgical for a lap band. I have my first appointment on Monday (March 12). At this point, I am told that I am a good surgical candidate. Insurance won't pay, but I am able to get the money to be a self pay patient. The surgery would be done right here in my hometown in south eastern WI. I'm nervous, I'm excited. I'm looking forward to a better, healthier life. Bec

Hi I am supposed to get my surgery on March 16th by Dr. Ortiz. My problem is I am paying by credit card and Paypal won't let me send more than $2000. Has anyone had a similar problem. I am stressing out really bad. Please help. Anyone that has used Dr. Ortiz?:help: Stacy

:girl_hug: Hi, I saw your post from a few days ago. I also am getting banded at Hurley in Flint. I do not have a date set yet but am hoping for April. How far are you away from a surgery date? Glad to hear from someone else in Michigan, and the same hospital!!!

Hello everyone, My name is Bunny and I am from England. I was banded on 14th February 2007 by Dr. Dillemans in Brugge, Belgium. My surgery was elective and I paid for it myself without my doctor knowing as I didnt want him to put me off the idea. I was 252lbs and have lost 15lbs since surgery 3 weeks ago. :clap2: I have been overweight for the last 10 years since breaking my leg, tried numerous diets and the last ditch attempt was with Slimmingworld, where I attended meetings for 2 years. I initally lost 30lbs, but it gradually krept up yo-yoing up and down a pound here and there, until I had regained 16lbs of my original loss. My final straw came when I was…

Hi, I've been lurking here for a while, not banded but the more I research the more I'm convinced that it's something I want to do. I do have a question tho....do I just research a Dr and go in for a consult? Go to a seminar first and how do you find them? What exactly is the first step??? I have PCOS, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, BMI is around 35. My doctor just keeps saying eat less calories. Anybody feel as lost as I am when they started out?

Wow !! What a great forum.I have wanted to have banding done for a while now a this has sooo helped me make a move and choose a doctor.I am going to the seminar with Dr Spivak in Houston on March 3rd.My BMI is 36.9 and do not have any heath problems yet(besides bad knee joints)But I have a family history of diabetes and heart disease.I have been "fluffy" for a while now a have done so many different diets only to gain twice as much back.I do not look at my reflextion ever! I fill like I am missing out on my kids lives.I want to run and play with them in the yard.I want to go eat lunch with my daughter(I do not like to sit in those little chairs).I want to feel confident w…

Hi... What does this mean? On my personal info I see I have one referral.

Saying Hello! I am new to the lap band boards.. Banded December 2005 VanGuard Band several fills... Dr Alldredge, Sandy UT Preop weight 357/Current weight 277 Still pleased I had the lap band placed. Still wanting to lose more. Slow weight loss at present. :clap2: Someone teach me how to get the BMI calculator on my posts and weight loss calculator on my posts ect.! Jennifer

Hi! I am one week post band and have progressed from clear liquids YEA! So far so good. I liked the scale reading on my post op visit to the surgeon, but I know they won't all be like that. Well, just wanted to say hello!

Hi everyone, I am scheduled to be banded on 4/6/07 by Dr. Ortiz. I am getting very excited! I had so many reservations about going to Mexico, but after doing all my research, I could not feel more confident about my decision! I look forward to getting to know everyone. I'm sure I'm going to have a million questions and need lots of support! Heather

I have been researching the lap band for almost 3 yrs now. I finally decided to see Dr. Spivak and got insurance approval. I'm excited, but also scared at the same time. I was born with a heart murmur I'm wondering if anyone has the same problem, and if so what type of meds (if any) did you have to take prior to having the lap band surgery. Any information you can provide is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Hello, my name is Leda and I was banded in January. I feel really great now that the healing is over with. I find that i cannot eat certain foods like bread, soda and others. its a beautiful thing however. I have not lost alot since i have been bad sticking to a good diet. once I receive my fill... its on! I live in SC and traveled to Mexico to have my surgery with Dr. Rumbault. they were awesome!

Hi everyone, I am new to this post. I am from Colorado. Anyone get a good rate and quality job they want to share with me? Thanks!:help:

Just wanting to introduce myself, I had my op almost 2 years ago and have lost approximately 15 -18 kg's so far. I was a little slack for almost a year and never went back to my doctor for regular checks which I don't recommend you do. Consequently I never lost much weight during that time. I'm now back on track and started the weight loss again. Looking forward to being involved with this support group and hope I can give support in return. PS: I love my band and have no regrets about the operation. Jenny

Now what do I do? I was all psyched up to go to Dr. Ortiz in Mexico in May. Then, I was talking to a person (not really a friend, but more than an acquaintance?) who had a band done here in Victoria and has done really well. She thought I should talk to her doc (I didn't think he was taking new patients, as he is getting close to retirement) and their office happened to call her on Monday and she spoke to the doc's assistant and asked whether they would take me (oh, and I am a recovery room nurse in the hospital in which this doc operates) and they said he probably would and I should call. So, I called yesterday and he will take a few lapband patients, and since I wo…

Hi all. I am new to this lap band thing, I still have three months before I can have the actual operation because of my insurance. I am twenty years old and weigh 307. I am having a hard time deciding whether or not to have this surgery. I've tried to lose weight in the past and failed miserably. However, my ex keeps putting me down for having this done. I feel like everyone will think that I took the easy way out - but they don't understand how hard I have tried. Granted, I am only 20 years old but I've been heavy my entire life and tried to lose weight my entire life - just to gain it back. I'm not sure where I am going with this, but feedback would be apprec…

Hello...Just wanted to introduce myself. I'm 27 yrs old and from the St. Louis area. Trying to get insurance approval for a lap band. Nice to find a place with such great support!!:biggrin1:

Just out of the hospital as we speak! Still a bit stiff but feeling good! I am sure I will have lots of questions as I get used to all this! Out of curiosity though anyone who had the band for a while and does bench presses and squats and heavy weight exercises or is this not advisable forever?

Hello fellow bandsters! I am a newbie,banded in Mass. I'm really not that computer smart,but I'd really like to share my band experience with others. I've got about 80lbs to lose and hope that this will do the trick.

I am new to this website. I was banded 7-5-06 and I have lost 40 pounds. The weight loss is not as easy as I thought it was going to be. I work out at least 4-5 days a week 30 min cardio and weight lifting. Dont get me wrong the surgery was totally worth it I am just so discouraged right now. Only my parents and husband know about my surgery and I just dont have any body to talk to that really understands. I have had my band filled 3 times, right now I have 2.3cc's and I just still feel hungry I am starting to think something is wrong with me.:phanvan

I am new to this forum and hope I can find ome of the support that I can't seem to find in my friends at work. I haven't told them I'm even going to have the surgery because we work in health care and I know how they all feel about WLS. I just finally got my approval letter on Saturday. I had been so down in the dumps waiting on the final approval that I have gotten way off track on what weight I had lost in my 6 months of monthly doctor visits. I had lost 33 lbs during that 6 mths. I've been very depressed while waiting (plus crappy cold weather didn't help) that I have gained 16 lbs in about 7 weeks. :pout: This of course, is giving me doubts about the surge…

I am curious if anyone out there have Health Net Insurance and have ran into difficulty with qualifying for the Lap Band Surgery. Whether you've had a good experience or not so good, please let me know. I'm deciding whether to stick with them or try another approach. I'm dealing with increased health problems due to recent weight gain while waiting through the long qualification process. -Prebander:help:

This is my first time doing this. I have not been banded yet. I have been to a seminar and will be going to orientation on March 7, 2007. My 1'st visit to the bariatric surgeon will be March 15, 2007. I am very excited and a little nervous. I guess I will have a long wait though because I have to do a 6 month supervised diet with my doctor before insurance will approve the surgery. The surgeon I chose was Ernest Rehnke in St. Petersburg, FL. I've been reading everything I can get my hands on. I've been obese for so long I can't even imagine what I will be able to do when I'm not. Well, I could go on and on but since this is my first message I guess I need to end …

Hello. I am new to this site. My name is Helene and I had my lap band surgery on Dec 21, 2006. I have not really lost very much weight yet - somewhere around 15 pounds. I got my first fill two weeks ago, and i don't think it really did anything (have not lost anymore weight). I can still eat pretty much as i did pre-surgery. I am scheduled for a second fill the end of March and i am hoping this one will do the trick. I had my surgery at Barix Clinics in Langhorne by Dr. Brader. Is this common not to lose until the band is at the right adjustment?

good morning! I was banded on 1.8 and so far 35lbs - Dr Simpson said I did not yet need a fill - I go back on 3/22 hopefully I will get one then cause I am starting to feel hungry more often:)

Hello All, I am quite new to this so sorry if i do any thing wrong. My name is Sherry and i was banded on 12/15/06. I haven't seen much of a change but i am geting there, it is a slow process.:help: I am getting a little frustrated. :mad: My doctor was Dr. Ponce here in Dalton. He is a great. :clap2: I am really amazed at some of the picks. Woo. way to go!:clap2: :omg: :kiss2: :rose: well enough i will post some pics when i get some found and made. Thank you all. Does any one kind of have a diet they go by or what. And my busy day makes it hard to find time to exercise.

Hi! Im new to this. In fact, I am getting banded on March 12, 2007 in Mexico. I have checked out the doc & he is reputable. I was wondering if anyone knew of physicians that would do post op fills without charging a fortune?:help:

I was banded last Oct. I have been filled 4 times. So far I have lost a total of 34 lbs. Still learning what I can and can not eat. I am hoping that this site will be a tool to help me succeed. Really looking forward to warmer weather so I can get out and walk. How does one add a ticker to their information? :help:

:clap2: Hello! I was told about this site by a Bandster in the UK. As this is purely for Bandsters I thought I would take a look and say hi.

Hi everyone. I was referred to this site by my doctor (Nicholas Bertha in New Jersey). Glad to see so much support coming thru my screen. I will definitely be running to you guys for help... My surgery is on March 12th. I'm not scared...but I am really anxious to get the scale moving! Can't wait...

Hi everyone, my name is Sharon and I am from Utah. I am looking at having lap band done and I have some questions on the before's. What is the first step in all this, do I just call the Doctor or do I get with my insurance. Can anyone help me with the best approch to this. Thanks Sharon P.:help:

As I go through my prequalification phase, I have had time to reflect on what has lead me to where I am today in my life. I love poetry, so I thought I would share this poem I wrote to help inspire me and hopefully others in the Stuggle. My Struggle At eighteen, A Doctor looked me in the eyes and told me if I don't do something about it now, I would Struggle later. I held a tear back as hard as I could. I wanted to tell him about the pain of seeing women abused, men reduced from alchohol abuse, children left alone to watch themselves, but I stayed silent. My Mom struggled, My Daddy did too. My Sisters fought if off as long as they could…

Hi, just throught I would say hello. I have a band, I've had it for 14months. I have lost weight.:myscared: But, I have MRSA. I've had it for the 14months with four weeks clear in that time. My first port was removed, as it came out through the wound. The mrsa would not let the wound heal. New port put in last may and 24hours later MRSA again. I paid for my band. It was not done on our NHS. Now I have to have the band removed, because the mrsa is not clearing up. Found this site, wondered if any body else has had their band removed? and how you coped. Mrs D

Just wanted to introduce myself. I have been checking out the board and really appreciate all the information that everyone is willing to share. My husband and I are both scheduled for bands, paid for by our insurance- :clap2: ! We live the KC area and are being banded by Dr. Malley. We have both struggled with weight our entire life, but I was unwilling to have an open gastric bypass and still had great concerns about the nutritional deficits even after it could be done laparoscopically. The band seems like the perfect solution to help us acheive our goals. We both know the choices we should be making, but need help with portion control. It has already been a long jo…

Hi there, i am an aussie, just banded on Monday so only onto day 4 at moment. Very suprised by the amount of pain that i have been in and the shoulder pain has been absolutely excruiating :think . Have spent most of my time feeling sorry for myself and wondering what the hell i have done to myself (and paid money for it!!). Sick of Soups already and really wondering if this is all going to be worth it, i am so looking forward to eating normally!!! How did you all feel in your first few weeks of banding??????

Hello All, I was banded on 02/23/2007 by Dr. Amson in Victoria, BC. I have very little pain, but I like to sleep on my side which is not too comfortable yet. I'm starting to feel hungry and this is frustrating. I know that this is only a short phase but it seems like forever right now. Any advice is much appreciated! Erin sw:230 cw:220 gw:140

hello everyone it`s a pleasure to meet you all *group hugs* just found this site by chance while cruising the internet for information on abdominoplasty surgeries... health issues from diabetis and a fallen bladder have put me in a predicament where 3 doctors are suggesting surgery to remove the apron of fatty tissue in order to quickly affect these concerns...i find myself worried since my weight is still hovering at 220 pounds (loss of 55 pounds previously). i`m worried about being rushed into a situation that may not be the right one ...i`m hovering between the fact that even after surgery i will still be overweight, and wondering if further weight loss may be …

Hello everyone! I am in the process of getting Banded... and i am so excited- and nervous. I really appreciate the plethera of knowledge that runs through these threads, as well as the inspiration I have received from reading about others' successes and how their lives have changed. I knew I needed to make a change, so I looked into this for a really long time, but when I found LBT and saw the before/after page.... wow. I signed up to go to a seminar in my area the very next day. I look at that thread at least 3 times per week, to see if there are any new pictures posted. I am on my way!!! ...but this is where I am at right now... Highest/Current/Goal-for-Sur…

Hi Everyone! I am new to the forum and considering lap band. I am currently 37 years old, 5'3 and weigh 225 pounds. I've been struggling with my weight since I took my first bc pill at 17. Over the years I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome, had a hysterectomy at 31 and gained even more!:faint: Just recently my doctor diagnosed me with a fatty liver, and my cholesterol is a bit high. I want to tackle this now before I begin having health issues, but I am honestly afraid at the same time. I don't know if our insurance will cover the procedure. So I am looking for anyone who has had the surgery in north Louisiana that could give me advice and encouragement, and …