Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

:help: Hello, My name is Chris and I am 42 years old. I am just starting my trip down the road to getting my band. Have appt with doctor 3/9. Husband is very supportive but I still have concerns. My BMI is >50 and I am worried. I want to do this for myself more than anything. It is very hard to carry an extra person around with you everywhere and I would love to be able to do things other people do every day. Riding a bike, walking without pain, enjoying the garden and flower beds and etc. Have decided to have this done and not tell family members. I do not want them to worry. But in the back of my mind I still hear, am I doing the right thing? What if…

Hi guys wanted to check in earlier but connection was down. I had surgery on Friday Feb 16, 2007. It really went well but as I suspected the general sedation did me in I am now starting to not feel so sleepy. I am still having a little shoulder pain but that is it. I am so not hungry I do not know if its psychological or not but I am having a hard time getting the protein shakes down not because of nausea and vomiting but because my appetite is gone. I did call my dr and was told that it should come back(my appetite). I had to set a stop watch to remind me to eat well drink you know protein shakes and clear liquids for 2 weeks post op. I was just wandering has anyone expe…

If yu are having ANY doubts in your mind......Read this!!! Getting banded was the best thing I have ever done for myself and my family!!! What people forget is that the band is just a "TOOL"......YOU have to make it work!!! You MUST follow up REGULARLY with your surgeon. You MUST attend Support Group Meetings. You MUST follow up with the Dietitian when you feel yourself slipping back into old bad habits. I am the Lap-Band Program Director at my surgeon's office and I'm also a patient. I had the band surgery 2 yrs ago and I am doing fine!!! It never ceases to amaze me and anger me when I see patients who have had the surgery and never come back...and yet they c…

Hello to Everyone: Lapbandtalk feels like home already. I have been reading information since I joined this morning. I am a little nervous, but I am sure this is normal. I have obtained a plethera of useful information from all of you wonderful sister and brother banders. I am ready for my rebirth and look forward to sharing it with all of you.:kiss2:

Hello- well I was banded in May of 06- I have been back to the doc- 2 times since then- one fill- I am going back in 2days and I am nervous, because I just haven't lost that much weight. I know I must be doing something wrong- but am in desperate need of support. Can you give me tips? I think that my biggest issue is drinking when I am eating. Any advise is greatly appreciated.:think-- Joeboo in St. Louis Dr Van Wagner

Hello, my name is Nicolás, i'm 18 and i'm from Argentina, South America. I've had my surgery on september 7 2006, started with 352 lb and i'm at 229 lbs right now, my goal is 187 lbs. Just saying hello and introducing myself... i'm looking foward to be a part of this forum. See ya later. Nos vemos!

just got back from the hosptial for pre testing. iam starting my clear diet 2 days before. did anyone out there have to take laxitives the day before i do. I am closing on my house, 2 closing wed. surgery thurs. moving on sat. i hope all this can be done my husband says he will take care of everthing for me. as long as i have a bed i will be fine iam counting on little pain. being at the hosptial today really made me see this is really happening, up to today it felt that i was always talking about someone else. that it was not real. the only time i was in the hostial was to have my sons and that was 24 yrs ago. i know that this as to be done it is the best for me…

Hi, I have been reading posts on here for a while now as I have been going through all the hoops to get the Lap-Band. The last bit was completed today and all is going into the insurance company this week. I hope to have the band in March or April. Look forward to chatting with you all. Good Luck to everyone!

Hi My main fear is clots- I am presently 105 kgs and I used to be 75 kgs- no wonder I feel huge. Why did the weight creep on! I cancelled two years ago thinking I could do it alone - hahaha- what are some strategies to avoid a big droopy tummy???

Hi all, haven't posted before but now that i have my surgery date - 26 April - I thought i would say hello and thank you to you all. Your posts have been very inspiring and really have helped me to make my decision. I am full of emotions fear, excitment, regret etc but the biggie is anticipation of the changes ahead. Bring it on!! Flax Auckland New Zealand

Hi! I am a new member. I have not yet hadn lap band but I am in the stage of seriously considering it. I had a few questions if anyone has any input....How is the overall experience? How much pain, or complications? Do u have to maintain a very restriceted diet? How much can u intake? Did u get sick? Can u consume alcohol? hwat r some common things eatten that make people sick with lap band? These are just a few questions I have....The input would be wonderfuL. THANX!:nervous

Hi, I'm Merrillee, and I'm new here. Been on OH online a lot in the past. Just heard about LapBandTalk today from a nice gal in Dr. Oh's office, Jennifer. Thanks for pointing me here. Email me, and we'll talk. Got a surgery date of April 3. Very cool. Hubby is totally on board and very helpful. Wants to see me healthy and off the many meds I now take for diabetes, high bp, cholesterol, etc. Sheesh. We are self-paying, but it's worth it.....much better for us than anything else we could do with the $$ at this point. My favorite hobbies are singing at church, etc. and sewing....mostly for my doggies. I also have a business making clothes for pet boutiques. It's a lot …

Hi Everyone! I have been reading from this site for several months and found so much helpful information on it. I have not posted before now because I didn't want to get my hopes up and my insurance not cover the lap band. I started this process in Sept of last year and did everything that my surgeons office told me to do. I had my packet all together of everything they asked for when I went to the seminar. I then got scheduled for the psychologist, nutritionist and NP. My insurance (BCBS Federal) paid for everything except the nutritionist. Then everthing got sent to the insurance company. I originally got denied from BCBS because they didn't cover the lap band. …

Hello All, In about 3 wks I'll be going to Mexico to Dr Ortiz for my lap band. Since this is my first time going there, I'm a little nervous (normal). Is it necessary to go with someone, I mean security wise and or for the whole procedure itself, (someone to look out for you). I flying out of Ft Lauderdale, and believe the fair is not cheap for one, not to mention two. If it's necessary, then I don't have a choice; because I would have to pay the person's fare. Please, anybody who has gone to Dr Ortiz's, help me. Give me your input good or bad. I am wating to hear from you before making my reservation. Thank You So Much, Carine:sick

:angry :nervous Hi All, I am trying to get a date for my lapband surgery. I feel so frustrated. My doctor's office is in the process of moving and the new office doesn't even have a phone yet!! So the woman in the current office emailed my message to the new office. I have been three months with this hanging over my head. Tomorrow I go for my consultation with the Psychiatrist and the Nutritionist. The last evaluations i need before they can operate. I just want a date so I can plan. My husband has been a real pain about the whole thing. Not unsupportive but certainly not "whatever you need". I booked the appointment for tomorrow because I could have back to back…

Hi all, This is a new experience for me-I'm still contemplating getting the band, so I've been doing alot of research online and I'm hoping that I can get off the fence and start putting thought into action. I am on "step 2" of the 5 steps to getting the actual surgery through NYU, which is to get an appt w/the psychologist. I'm having mixed feelings about meeting with this new therapist. I'm afraid of saying the wrong thing and then having this doc peg me as a psycho. I'm totally not, but I'm afraid I'll let something slip about how badly I feel about my body, how much I turn to food for comfort, etc and have him interpret that as a severe mental depressive, etc. …

Hi everyone, I've just found this site. It looks to be very informative and supportive. I had lapband on Jan. 9, 2007. So far, I have been disappointed. I have never felt full, and have been to the Dr. He tried to fill my port, but it has turned. He thought he got a little in, but I have felt no different. Now I have to wait until March and have it filled under X-ray. I've tried to get it filled sooner, because I have not lost any weight since before my surgery. I can eat anything, and for me that is not good. Has anyone else had this experience. I feel like the people around me are waiting for the weight loss and wondering what is going on, and frankly s…

Hi there, This is my 1st time on this forum. I was banded on Feb 1st 2007-just 20 days ago. I live in NH. My BCBS insurance finally approved my surgery after an agonizing appeals process. To date I've lost 19 lbs. Yeh! I am really bumming now though because 2 days ago I woke up with severe stabbing pains in the Left upper quadrant of my abdomen. I called my surgeon last evening and she was terrible. She basically told me she didn't believe my pain could be caused by the surgery- hello my pain is right where the band itself is! She told me I could go to the ER if I was in pain. I feel really abandoned and really disheartened now. If I can't call my surgeon with…

i lost enough weight for the bmi to right for the insurance to pay, the doctor will summit the insurance for possible banding in early apirl.they do give pain meds after surgery right.

hi...i am sooo excited for my upcoming surgery...but tonight i think i might have screwed it all up.. for 8 days now i have been on the liquid diet...pre surgery...and have followed my dr's directions exactly as given....until today, when after a very stressful day, without thinking twice, i scarfed down a whole hamburger and a few fries...after EIGHT DAYS of liquids, and six more to go...and i know the reason for the pre diet is to shrink the liver...thats how i am....i am such an emotional eater...has anyone else done this...is my surgeon gonna shut me back up on monday and tell me that my liver is gy normous and he cant get around it,....i know i can do this six more d…

Hello everyone, I'm Carla new to the site and the surgery stuff. I have gone through just about all the stuff that you have to do before you have the surgery so insurance will pay for it. Spent lots of money and lot's of miles to get to all the different doc's I have to go to. WELL now our insurance company has changed and boom they say they don't cover this. I'm about ready scream right now. Can someone give me some advice, does the previous ins. company have to cover it? If there is no help how much does it cost out of pocket? Thank you and good luck to you all out there! Carla from MINNESOTA :think :help:

Hello, I'm new to the site and thought I would introduce myself and ask some questions that I haven't had answered yet with all my "research". My name is Alli, I'm 32, married to the greatest man in the world, I live in the panhandle of Florida, I'm from Alaska. I have four children, four dogs, two cats, a bird, a hamster, and a tank full of fish. I enjoy reading, cooking, playing with my youngest two kids and just hanging out with the older two kids, (my/our animals), traveling, a lil online gaming occationally, and exploring our new home. I haven't been banded yet. I have been overweight for 7 years. I have a hiatal (sp?) hernia, due to my weight, it's stuck open, …

I can not wait!!!

First time posting. Have first app't on Monday. Very nervous. Biggest fear though is The thought that I will be turned down. Wish me Luck.

I have no insurance. Would someone please tell me the cost of a lap band? I need a miracle...........

this is my first day posting and I have been researching lap band surgery for a couple of months and want to have it done but I only have enough money to get it done in Mexico. I was Wondering if any one had surgery in Guadalajara by Dr. Nelson Rodriguez Huerta

My sugery date is on 02/27/07. I am so excited but also nervous. I will love to talk with someone that already had the surgery and give me a little insight on there journey so far.

Hi to All! My name is Megan, I am a nurse from NJ and I had my LapBand today at Saint Clare's Hospital in Dover NJ with Dr. Edward Pucci. So far, so good! The gas is pretty bad, but the painkillers are doing the trick. Would love to hear from other recent LapBand folks!:mad:

Hi Everyone, My name is Michele and I was banded on January 29th by Drs. Joffe and Yau at Scarborough Grace Hospital. My healing went well; however, I developed several blood clots in my leg which has been a pain, not to mention dangerous. I am currently on the mushie faze in terms of eating and am not minding it at all. My first fill is scheduled for March 6th at 9:30 at the TLBC. I'm interested in everything relating to banding and enjoy reading the posts.

Hi everyone, I was banded eighteen months ago and I have lost all my weight and maintained it for 6 months now. I have been quite active on another sight but am getting tired of all the off topic postings. I am interested in the band and not that your family is disfunctional etc., etc. This sight seems to concentrate on what I am interested in. Laura

Hi, My name is Jenea, 39 years old. I lost 70lbs three years ago on Atkins and weight watchers, but have gained almost all of it back. I have made the decision to find out more about being banded. I would sure like any advice that you all may offer. I am scared of the surgery, but at this point I am so desperate to do something that will be a long term solution. I am an emotional/binge eater which concerns me also because usually I don't stop when I am full or even start because of hunger, only emotions. Advice anyone? Thank you.

I'm scheduled for surgery in Mexico in two weeks. I've spent many hours here the past two days. I find some of the information comforting, but some of it just increases my anxiety. My flight leaves from Phoenix at 3am the morning of my surgery ... I'll probably be dropped at the airport at midnight or earlier. So I have the wait in Phoenix then the flight, then a three hour lay-over in Texas, then the remainder of the flight. Feeling this anxious now, I'm not sure how I'll make it through the 12+ airport/airplane hours. I just keep thinking once I get the actual surgery in my past I can begin to get on with my life. I'm the second youngest of seven children - I h…

Hello everyone, I am new to the site and in the final consideration phases for the surgery. I am a self pay with no health issues but I have struggled with my weight my entire life. I have been through the consultation & comfortable that the band will be a good option for me. However, I am terrified of surgery. I also have a ten month old and I feel guilty for wanting to do an elective surgery. I know that stats on the surgery are great and the Doctor I am considering even has a 0% mortality rate & over 2500 surgeries. However, I still have that terrible fear of leaving my daughter in the back of my head. Did anyone else go through this mental block? Any …

hi everyone this is all new to me,I got banded 2/12/07 . I still have some pain,but bearable enough.Anyone know how long it takes to not feel pain,soreness?I am a hairstylist and stand with my arms in the air for about 8-10 hrs a day,jut wondering when work will be comfortable again.I look forward to talking with lots of really cool people.

I live on Long Island, NY and i am going to a seminar in March about lap band. My weight has been an ongoing battle for 30 years and I want it to stop. I have been yoyoing and that is the worst. If anyone from Long Island can give me advice on doctors, please do!! I am considering Dr. Collin Brathwaite at the moment. Congratulations to all of you doing well. It gives me hope and inspiration. I am 230 lbs. at 5'5 and need to lose a lot of weight. Good luck to all on the weight loss/maintenance journey.

Hi All, As you can see iam new here. I have been reading all over here and thought I might as well register as I hope to be banded soon. I also will be asking a ton of questions. I live in Maine and am going through an awesome program to be banded we have a center of excellence here in Bariatric surgery. I am Opting for the Band here we have to go through alot of hoops so to speak. we have a group meeting and support group all in one day. then a couple of weeks later we had to go to one of 2 diatician meetings and then a physical thereapy meeting and finally on March first we go to have the Pscyh. evaluation. Then when that report comes back We will be scheduled to…

Just got back from consultation with surgeon. Op scheduled for 11th March. Can't wait:clap2:

I just wanted to sign in and say that is have seen some very helpful people on this message board threads. I am a 20 year diabetic using insulin and oral meds. I also have high bloodpressure and degenerative disc disease. I'm looking forward to losing the first two conditions some time after my surgery. I will be having my first visit with Dr. Spivak here in Houston next Saturday. I'm sure I will back before and after my Lap-Band procedure. I thank you all for being willing to share. :clap2: I hope down the line my experiences will help someone as well.

Good morning, I'd like to say hello. I'm new to the board. I have researched and made a descision this is what I want to do. I currently weigh 265. I have yo yo'd for several years. I want something that I can control or at least feel as though I have no choice but obey what my stomach tells my mind. I will call Dr.Virgina Weaver in Memphis. I hope everyone can be a support for me as I will be likewise.

I got a letter today - and I am starting through the process - I am a tad excited. My appt with the dietitian and psychologist is in a few weeks. But I have a questions for all you who have gone before me.... I need to go through a 12 week Professionally-Supervised Weight Loss Program - supervised by a registered dietitian, PCP, nurse practitioner, or behavioral health counselor. Now the hospital that I am going to offers a program - but I was wondering if any of you had any suggestions on programs. also - I know from reading all of you have lost weight prior to surgery due to the diet programs they make you go through in preperation for the surgery - this is silly b…

Hello, I am glad I found this forum. The first one I found seemed to be mainly for the folks that go to Tijuana, and this one seems to be for those of us who have had the surgery other places. I thought this was going to be very easy, and it sure is not quite as easy as I anticated, but hope to find support and answers to the questions that seem to be popping up daily. I had my surgery in Salisbury, Md. on 2/14. I am glad I may have found some new friends that I have something in common with. Thanks, Lee

Hello I am going to get banded on the 21st of Feb. I am a little nervous because I just want it to work. I know I will have to watch what I eat and its only a tool. I am going to a baratric clinic in ypsilanti, Mi.

Hi everyone. I was just banded on Feb.13,2007. I am feeling pretty good now but still taking my pain meds. I enjoy reading all the posts and hop to get some helpful info from all. Oh by the way how do you get the ticker going I think that is so cool.

I have not completely confirmed at this time, waiting on financing to go through (submitted today) but My daughter and I have a tentative date of Feb 22 or Feb 23 with Dr. Kurri My daughter is 15 and has a BMI of 45.8 I am 34 and my BMI is 35.5 we are doing this together and I am hoping this is the best thing I can do, not only for myself but mostly for her!!!! I also went through Emedical financing has anyone else use this finance option or this doctor...I would love to hear any information you may have. Thank you ~Jina

Hi everyone, I'm so glad I found this support site. I was banded on 2/15 and boy does it hurt! If I could just get rid of this gas I think I would be more comfortable. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks alot! :clap2:

Is there anyone from central Illinois had the surgery done ? I had mine at John Warner hospital in Clinton Illinois .Dr Tull.Anxious to go back for my post op visit next Monday .

Hi everyone, I was banded 9.22.06 and have lost 23lbs. Dr. Jawad did my surgery in Ocala,Fl. I have had 4 fills and am up to 2 l/2 cc's. Unfortunately I'm still hungry and have not lost any weight for over 2 months. I'm getting very depressed. I still can eat anything I want and don't get sick. I also can eat almost as much as I did before my surgery. I need some feedback from some of you. HELP!!!

Hi everyone I has my surgery on 1/22. I'm still on liquids and my Dr said that I have to wait till the next vist to start eating solid. My appointment is 3/12. That is for my first fill. Right now I'm always hungry after an hour. I try to drink alot of water but my stomach keeps growling what should I do. Please help.:cry

Hi everyone. I'm just beginning to consider this procedure but having trouble finding a surgeon near me. I've searched on the Internet and have gotten some good info but I'd love to hear from others who have had this procedure. Any regrets? suggestions? direction? Also, how much should I expect to pay (no insurance for this). What is the recovery time? When can I go back to work? I'm not even sure I qualify but would love to find out more. I'm desperate now. I'm SICK of being so fat. Help!:help:

Just had the lap band on Valentine's Day...no getting blamed for eating all of the chocolate this year!