Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hello from Chicago! I just realized that I posted this in the wrong place earlier... so here's a repost. I have been reading, researching having WLS and came across this forum. I knew I was interested in WLS in Jan. ’06; I visited my PCPat Northwestern Mem. Hosp. on my birthday in Jan. '06 - she told me to purchase a rice cooker and to cut back. I joined WW {again} in March, ’06 - lost approx. 20 lbs. & here I am again in Jan. ’07 with more weight than I had this time last year. This happens every year – diet/lose/gain +. I have my first appt. with Dr. Robert Kushner at Northwestern’s Wellness Group 01/30/07. I’ve read a lot about his WL approaches; he’s written …

I have seen "Bump" on several messages. Can someone tell me what that means.

Hi everyone. This is my first post. I had my surgery about a year ago. I live in England and it’s a bit different here. We have a free health service. I could have paid privately for my operation but was not comfortable with the options. I found a very good surgeon on the National Health but had to wait for the surgery and then for subsequent band fills. I waited 8 months for my initial surgery and then 6 months after that for my first band fill. It took me about 2 months after that to really get used to eating with the tightened band. Weight slowly started to drop off. I had a 2nd band fill 5 months later, which was too tight; some days I could not keep wate…

:confused: :confused: hello, i am 54 years of age, i have had the lapband since 4-25-2006,so far i have lost 30 lbs,kind of slow but i have to admit that my knees have been hurting to bad to do any walking to help the weight come off, but since the 30 lb weight loss my knees have been feeling much better.i want to lose another 70 lbs, i know its going to take a while but i can wait.i went for a fill,but the doc.tried to give it to me ,but it wouldnt work, he said the port was at an angle, and that he needed to take me back into the operating room to fix it. he said when a person loses weight they lose it in the stomach first therefore making the port twist. have this ever…

Hi..my name is Jen. I live in Jersey and I am 2 weeks away from my lapband surgery. Right now I am on a 2 week Liquid diet...and its hard. I can stay on it no problem..but I feel horrible. i have a constant headache and by the end of the day i just want to puke. But other then that i can't wait til my big day...never thought it would get here!!!:biggrin1:

Has anyone been able to eat things besides liquids prior to surgery and still lose weight and shrink their liver? I'm wondering if you treat yourself once a week to something you like will it ruin the entire pre op liquid diet phase?

Hi, I am jan in Ohio......Going to be banded in early March by Dr Bruce of dayton Bariatrics......a little nervous and wanting to know what to expect or worst case scenarios.....Dayton Bariatrics has done 3000 bands in 3 years with no mortalitys and only 2 post op infections....still scary

Hi everyone!! My name is Shannon - I live in the Kansas City area. I got banded yesterday (Tuesday, Jan 23rd), at 11:00 a.m. I am feeling great today!!! Yesterday, at the surgery center, I didn't feel too great - until I vomited a few times :omg: ....then, I was fine. They think I may have had an averse reaction to the anestesia or anti-ametic meds. I was sleepy yesterday and still sleepy today. I am eager to get to know you all. I have a question....how long have your doctor's told you to stay on a clear liquid diet? I was told 2 days following surgery, then I can add soft foods. I'm looking forward to that, because there isn't much choice in the clear liquid group...…

Hi All, I am scheduled to have my surgery Feb.22nd @ TLBC. I inquired about this procedure in 2001, but have put off the reality of my situation until just recently. I have about 150lbs to lose and I'm counting on this procedure to help me reach my goal, one step at a time. Has anyone had to seek out help for the emotional side of over-eating? I have seen interviews with Carnie Wilson and she was still unable to deal with her emotional bagage, even though she was down 150lbs. She ended up drinking excessively and had to seek therapy for her emotions and alcohol addiction. Any suggestions/thoughts/comments are welcome..... Jill:confused:

Greetings.. I'm scheduled for surgery Feb. 1-07 in Toronto. I'm curious as to how people did with the pre-op diet. Did you stick to it? For how long? If you didn't, were there repercussions? Thanks.. I look forward to joining all of you. Best of luck with your journey. :clap2:

Hello, I'm a new member and scheduled for surgery 02/20/07. I'm really happy to have found this site. I was fortunate in that my approval process was pretty much uncomplicated.

Hello all, I am 1 week post-surgery today and all is new to me. I am looking forward to chatting with everyone in the future. Till Later....GOD Bless! Pennst8er:)

Hi all! Yes, I am a Newbie to this site. I had asked my surgery coordinator just this morning if she could get me in touch with someone in my area (West Virginia) who had the lapband done. When I got home this afternoon, I had an email from a very nice lady (lbj5362) who recommended this site. This nice lady included her phone number in her email so I called her and we talked for and hour and a half! A little about me...I attended the seminar in November, had a consultation in December and on Wednesday had an endoscopy done. I've also had and EKG and blood work done. In the next couple weeks, I'm scheduled for a sleep study and psych eval. I'm not sure how fast…

Greetings, First of all - I want to thank all the regulars on here. I've been monitoring this board since I decided to have this done (about 2 months ago) and all of you sharing your experiences has helped me a great deal. I was banded by Dr. Speigel at University General Hospital (that place rocks - the staff is excellent). I'm home now - enjoying a small bowl of broth. I've got a little more pain than I thought I would - mainly in my abdominal muscles - but I've been walking around - taking some GAS-X, and I'm about to load up on the Hydrocodone (really looking forward to that). Anyway - Keep up the good work folks - I truly believe that this is the final answer …

It's been two weeks since my surgery and I'm sooo happy to have finally had it done. It's taken a little of a year to get this done. I'm glad I found this site, it has helped me a great deal with answers to questions I had. I live in the Galveston Texas area and if anyone knows of a support group in this area let me know.

Hi Everyone, I am seriously considering lap band surgery in CT. I am trying to find out as much as I can. Anyone out there have any experience with Middlesex Hospital in CT. I'd love to hear from you:). Trish

Hello everyone, I was banded on wed 1/24/07 and today is fri 1/26. I was wondering if it was normal to feel hungry? Also I've gained 3lbs since my surgery. I guess right now i'm feeling a little bit discourged. Seeing as how so far it's had the complete oppiste effect on me. Any advice would be appericated.

I'm new here and wanted to say "Hi". I had surgery almost 2 years ago, and have lost over 100 lbs. My Fab Doctor is Dr. Ponce. Just had an adjustment on Tues. :phanvan and I'm Hungry ! Hope everyone is great!

Discussion forums are SO awesome and I'm thrilled to have found this one! My husband and I are just beginning our journey towards banding. He is 51 with a BMI of 50+ and I am 35 with a BMI of 43. We are excited about the possibilities of the band but overwhelmed by how to get things moving. We both attended Dr. Speigel's seminar and are scheduled for Dr. Spivak's next week. We are covered by an HMO that will pay for the procedure if medically necessary. They do require a 6 month weight loss plan attempt, mental health check up and nutritional counseling. So, do you get your PCP to start writing out referrals to all of them including your surgeon? Or does the surgeo…

Hi, my name is Melissa and I'm from the Kansas City area. I've always had issues with my weight (I'm 25) and both my mom and I are considering on having the banding surgery done. We have looked into it around the KC area, and the cost is $16,000 and up. We've also checked out Thailand prices too, $9,000. Does anyone know of any good, clean, respectful places that are cheaper than $16K here in the States or Mexico or Canada even? Thank you, Melissa

I am new to this. I found out today that I have been approved and my surgery has been scheduled for next Wed 1/31/07, with Dr Woody Denham. My highest weight last month was 330, I have lost some because of another surgery I had last month. I will find out today at my pre-op appointment what my starting weight will be. I am excited about starting my new life.:clap2: Can anyone tell me how long before you returned to work (desk job)? I am trying to get an idea of how long I might need to be off work. Thanks, Amelia :mad:

There is certainly no worry about jumping into the lap band procedure without having enough time for research! I have been to 2 support group meetings, missed the one at Christmas and soon will go to my 3rd, which would mean 4 months. I have met with my primary care, and received a referral letter. Then to see the Psych Dr., Dietician, Surgeon, sleep doctor. Now I am scheduled for Sleep Clinic on February 6th. THEN WHAT? I was hoping to be on my way by now. Did the process take this long for everyone? Ms. M

Hey everyone. I am new to the site. Live in Texas. Had my surgery in April of 2006 in Monterray, Mexico. I was a borderline BMI case but a chronic yo yo dieter. Not healthy. Down to goal this month which was 55 pound weight loss. I have had no major problems other than overeating and being miserable for a week or so. Had gallbladder removed in August and irritable bowel syndrome since unfortunately. But gotta ask. Ate some pecan pie on Dec 26th and popcorn same day. Haven't recovered since. I am experiencing a weird pain kinda like it creeps up from the band up my esophagus. Its not constant just sometimes when I move a certain way or bend over or soemthing. My local phy…

My user name is beckymit and I am new to this forum. I am scheduled for lap band surgery on 2/5/07 and would just like to hear from people who have gone through it so I can know what to expect. I'm not sure if I am posting this right or not or how I am supposed to do it.

Hi, I was banded july 17,2006. I lost 52 pounds and I am real happy about that, but tonight I found a lump in my right breast. I wouldn't be so worried, but I had cervical cancer 9 years ago, so I'm more than a little nervous.I don't want to go through this again. Not to mention, breast cancer runs in my family on my mothers side. As far as i can tell, no body in my family has ever had it as young as I am though, It just figures, something good in my life happens like losing weight, and now I'm struck with this.I really don't know what to think. I have four children. My 2 oldest are 18, and 19 but I have 2 little ones. Somehow my weight doesn't seem to be all that importa…

I came across this site when I was looking for chat on lap bands. I am at the point where I just want to research the subject, I don't want to jump into it just yet. I just know gastric bypass surgery is not an option for me because I do not want something that invasive. I've always been overweight and can remember going into 7th grade at about 140 or so and by graduation I was 179. Now, approaching my 25th birthday next weekend, I am 228 lbs. This puts me at a BMI of 39.2 which scares the crap out of me. I mean I am only 0.8 points away from morbid obesity! I don't think I am at the point where I can't move, but for once I'd just like to be able to walk into Victoria's…

Hello all, my name is Sam. Glad this forum was recommended to me. :huggie: I had my surgery on January 9, and things have been going very well, I think, except for one thing. But first, the good: I lost 21 pounds in five days, and have yet to re-weihgt myself since the 15th. My knees and ankles don't hurt anymore, I don't snore anymore, I haven't had any indigestion at all since the surgery, and I don't wake up 3-4 times per night to use the bathroom. I sleep straight through since I don't know when! The one thing bothering me is that I am constantly hungry. I eat the amount of food prescribed by my doctor, and it does fill up my pouch, but the stomach below the p…

Hi all - I am not banded, have an appointment tomorrow with my PCP to discuss Lap-Band. I am in NH and I know of NO bariatric surgeons in the state. I am nervous, terrified, hopeful, scared and worried all at the same time. My insurance (I believe) covers the procedure if "medically necessary," which it is, my BMI is over 40. Basically I am scared of the pain of the procedure, and of complications. But probably not scared enough to give it a try...why not? I've tried everything else for G*d's sake!!!

Im Wendy...nice to meetcha! Im 34 married with an awesome 18mth old little girl...about to move to Ark where Medicaid pays (with certain conditions) for weightloss surgery (YIPPPEEEE...cause we are poor lol) so im in the very beginning stages of all of this...anyway....cant wait to get to know yall...

Wanted to say HI! Barely getting going, but already think I'll be visiting this site often for the support and help! I've been to my first seminar, turned in my paperwork and will be attending another one tomorrow night to go over the diet etc. If they'll have me, I'd like to get my band within the next 2 weeks. I'm under the recommended BMI, but have numerous health issues that might allow me to have the surgery. I'll know more tomorrow.. Later,

Hello All! This is my first post. I have had my consultation with the doctor, and he has submited to my insurance company. I am getting the other things in line and passing my time getting as educated as possible. This site is AWESOME. This is definately the place to go for help and support. I look forward to making many new friends here. Of course I am overwhelmed !!!( with the decision, the uncertainty, the lifestyle change, the preop, the postop, being able to wrap my mind around the possibility of actually being able to lose weight. ) We can get into those things later. LOL . I think that these are possibly fears that everyone faces. So glad I found this site. T…

:clap2: I had my lap band placed last thursday! I'm excited and scared at the same time. I want this to work well and have every intent to do everything to lose my excess weight! any and all advise from anyone is so greatly appreciated! I'm still pretty bruised and sore from the surgery, but I'm so excited about this new adventure! I'm still on clear liquids and hopefully will be moving up to full next week. so far, so good. I've been a 60cc rule of thumb where I take 60cc every couple of hours to keep from over doing it. It this right? I've already lost 14 pounds in the last 5 days and am wondering if I'm not giving myself enough fluids. Any suggestions?

Hi Everyone, I am seriously considering lap-band surgery in the state of Oregon. I have an appointment with my primary care Dr. tomorrow. To do a complete Physical before meeting with the nutritionist at the surgery center. I am just in the beginning stages of trying to get my insurance coverage, and to be approved for the surgery. I want to live a long and healthy life. Often the future doesn't look too bright for me, although I have allot to live for. I weigh close to 400 lbs. Much bigger than most people, my BMI is around 60, scary. I am turning 43 this month, and don't want to face 44 as a morbidly obese person. I guess I am looking for hope, I have had so many medic…

Hello! I went in at 7am this morning and just got home at 4pm. The whole experience was wonderful. I have not even had to take pain medication yet. Ill more detail later. Joe

Hi Everyone I have just found this room. I was banded in early October 2006 and so far have lost 18kg. I am in Perth, Western Australia. Molly

Hi All, I have been reading many posts for the last 2 weeks. My surgery is scheduled for Tuesday. I am more nervous about the actual procedure, and just feeling a bit of jitters, although excited about the new stage of weight loss I will encounter. Has anyone experienced any trouble during the actual operation? I am told it is a pretty non-evasive surgery,and just dealing with the soreness and gas will be the biggest issues.

I just found out about this site last night from a couple I met who also had lap-band. I had the lap-band on December 16, 2005. My surgeon was Dr. Wade Barker in Dallas, Texas. I have lost 68 pounds and 5 sizes. I get my fills from Dr. Maese in Dallas, Texas. I asked the couple I met last night if they had a lot of trouble eating any type of food without vomiting. I vomit at least once a day if not more after only a couple of bites. They suggested that my band was still too tight and that I shouldn't have a fill for a while. Anyone else experiencing my same problem?

Hi, it has been 1 week since my LapBand surgery. I have trouble swollering water and cooler liquids. Warm fluids are ok, if I only do a tlbs and quit. But I get a knot in my throat everytime I drink. I'm trying to take the small sips but it feels like I have a large chunk of ice cream in my thoat, it hurts for a while then disappears. Has anyone had that? Does it go away soon? I don't think I'm getting enough water right now.

HI everyone Im Ruthie. :huggie: Im new to this site. Im sooooooo excited and SCARED, Im going to be banned Feb.1. Is anyone from Saint Louis on here. Would love to find a band buddy to talk to

:nervous hi all... my name is carla, im 31 years old and i am 274lbs. i havent had the lap band done yet, will be going tomorrow for my first sem. my sister (which referred me to this site) had it done several weeks ago and has already lost 28lbs. it took me six months to get from 300lbs to 274lbs. this is a first for me, im not even sure if i will be able to get it done. im not big on being hopeful because my hopes have been shot down so many times.. so if you would please keep me in your prayers and thoughts... and if anyone has any advice for me, please ... it would be greatly appreciated!!! thanks again and nice meeting you all.. carla

I am new to this board, but have already gotten lots of information from it. I am from the kansas city area and have been researching the lap band for about 4 months. Currently, I am 44, 5'4" and 270 pound with a BMI of 47. I am self-pay because my employer has an exclusion on my insurance policy. Most of the docs in this area charge between $15 and $18 thousand for the surgery. So, I am going to have my done by Dr. Kirshenbaum in Denver, Co. I have my phone consult on Feb. 19th and my surgery scheduled for March 16th. I am in the same spot as many others have been with all the yo-yo dieting, weight loss pills, weight watchers and so many other programs, there's no…

hi, I'm considering the lap band surgery

Ok so went to the seminar, now went for the 1st visit. BMP 35.1.+ diabes+hypertension due to diabtes + high cholesterol= I qualify... I quess i am one of the lucky one insurance will pay everything no copay, deductible nothing...( i pay about 80.00 per month for all my medications now). I am going to love losing the weight, but will be happier to lose the diabetes. So questions i have, at what rate do you loose? What can you eat during the 1st month? after that?? Any suggestions to make it work the best??:huggie:

Hi, I'm a 37 year old Mother of 4, and am presently going through the pre-op appointments for the Lap Band procedure. I've been reading a lot on this site and I have a surgery date set for 2/23/07. I have an HMO and have no hope of having much covered, but I just can't wait any longer so I've decided to self pay (which should be interesting). My husband is supportive, and I think he'll probably follow along with my preop diet etc. I am pretty excited and apprehensive, but I just have such a good feeling about the surgery and how this will work for me. I am more of a volume eater, so I think this will really help me since portion control is my main downfall. I have…

I am going to Mexico (another insurance denial) for my surgery in 2 weeks:clap2: I am excited and nervous but have been reading a lot of the information here and am ready to go for it. Any one else being (or been) banded by Dr. Kuri?

:huggie: Hi, I am looking at doing the surgery at catholic medical in Manchester. I have my surgeon appt on March 19th. Yeah!!! I am excited. Nervous. I am coming back that a few days b4 from a big trip in las vegas and arizona for 2 wks.. WEEEE!!!! I just know if my insurance will is go thru. I have aetna. I am 38, lost my weight I needed. My goal is to help my diebetes. I would like to feel better. and be more energetic. Minnie:)

Its finally here! I get banded tomorrow (24th) at 9am @ Baptist Hospital in Nashville. I will post when I get home or as soon as I am able. I would like to thank eveyone for the support you have given me over the last few weeks! BTW, I see people posting they can't eat pizza with the band. I know two people with the band that can still eat pizza as long as it is thin crust. Can some of you share your pizza thoughts?:heh: Thanks, Joe

Hi all. I did not know that this even existed. I found it by accident while trying to find recipes or suggestions on what is easy and satisfying to eat. My husband and I had the band done Dec 2005 and we have lost collectively 170lbs. We are doing ok and trying to get our tightenings correct where we are consistently losing. Finding something to eat and drink are difficult. I feel good about finding this type of site.:clap2:

Hi All, I'm not being banded until 1st March but CANT WAIT..... am learning so much from this site and just want to say CONGRATULATIONS to all of you for your amazing weight losses you are an inspiration to me. It's nice to be able to read others experiences, so far in discussing my decision with friends and family I have had really negitive feedback so its so refreshing to see others with the same goals and speak to people that understand.

Hi all. . . I am brand new to the board. I am in the pre-op stage here in Charlotte, NC. My doctor is Dr. Vollenger at Southeast Bariatrics. He is really great about letting you know what to expect. The pre-op work with him is very extensive. He has a psyc, exercise and nutrition specialist. You meet with them and email them weekly with your goals and how you accomplished them. It is great because he doesn't look at the WLS as an easy fix. He makes you work hard to make lifestyle changes before, so you can be more successful after. I don't know when my sugery will be, probably late spring, early summer. Any words of wisdom?