Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi Everyone! Im Not a Bandster YET but i will be soon im still doing alot of *RESEARCH* on doctors and facilities and so forth I absolutlly love this site I dont talk much on it but man I DO read alot ...u all are very supportive and I love it...I also have some friends that are against it and they just tell me ...just stay fat...were fat...oh well....but its not that easy....I cant just put it on the back burner untill some health problem comes around the corner and then *BOOM* it hits u....and i do have health problems that run in my family such as diabetes and other heart problems ...i dont have that much support other than my mom my boyfriend and some of my friends.…

Hi Everyone, Just wanted to post and say hi. I was banded on August 13, 2006. I love my band and it has changed my life!!! My weight is as of June 2006 when I first decided to have the LapBand.

Hello from MS... Over the years, my weight has went from a confortable 170 to a 270. It is really bad that I have had a knee replacement, neck fusion and a back fusion. Those are the signs, especially the back surgery. I take hypertension meds--went from 1 medication to 4 now and thyroid medication along with an antidepression. I switched from the zoloft to Welbutrin--which is weight neutral. Zoloft will help a person pack on the weight. At 5'9" -the BMI is 39.8. I used to be scared of the thought. I even got threatened with a Divorce 3 years ago. If I got the surgery. So that divorce took place anyway. I am not scared anymore. I really need to get back to that good fee…

I started meetings in April I'm now waiting for Dr. Kelly (U-Mass, Worcester MA) to get papers from insurance, so maybe about the end of February I'll be banded. Bonnie

Hi! I'm excited to have found this site. I was banded on Dec.18th 2006,by Dr. Schmit, all is going ok. I am having some problems with my stitches dissolving before the incisions have healed, and they wont restitch them shut, Other than that it is going well. I go back for my first check up on Jan15th 2007. I am still on a liquid diet trying to transistion into the 2 weeks after surgury diet. I'm a college student hoping to change my life(and health) with this surgury and avoid joint replacement beings I am a mechanic that is enevitable but I'm hopeing with this it will postpone it alittle. Hopefully I'll find some helpful hints to help me along the way here (like recipes…

Hi there I am new to this site and I am not had surgery yet I was looking to see if I could get some advice from anyone...:help: I live in the Houston, Texas area & I need to find a good surgeon is there anyone who has heard of Dr. Hadar Spivak or Dr. Felix Speigal?? Or can you recommend another surgeon preferrably on the North side?? Can't wait to be banded, you all sound like you are doing so well, any other advice would be appreciated. Thanks

Hello everyone. My name is Ashley and I am new to this site. I have already had my consultation and hope to be banded in approximately 3 weeks. Can anyone share their experiences with me? I have done my research but nothing is as effective as a personal testimonial. Thanks for your responses.

Hello! So excited to be here. I am 50 years old and in Central Arkansas. Will be covered by my insurance after 1-1-07 and planning surgery in Little Rock. Probably Baker. Anybody out there had any experience with him? Also anybody out there as old as me? I have life long history of morbid obesity and wonder what will happen to all the skin?

Hello all- I am a 44 year mother of seven in Idaho. I am looking forward to my first fill on Jan. 3rd...so excited to move to the next stage. I have lost a total of 34 pounds since beginning this journey.:clap2: So glad to have this resource!!

hello...I am a regular poster on the chronicles of the horse forum..which is the exact format of this forum so I already feel at home...I am excited and nervous for my surgery....but really am looking forward to becoming a good rider again, as my weight has affected it greatly... Dr. Terry Simpson in Phoenix will be my surgeon and I am confident I am in good hands:clap2: ...my biggest concern will be my brain...how will I turn it off? I will be depending on support from ya all so just warning you now!!

What have you all eaten at work after the surgery. My doctor says I will be out of work for a week, then when I return I will be on the mushie food diet. I am reading on here a lot about protein shakes but how do you make those at work?? What other things are you taking to work?? Any advice would be apprecitated!! Thanks again:hungry:

Hi, I have two questions actually. This is such a great site...and thanks so much for your support! I was just wondering if there is an average time between your first consult (mine is 1/17) and the actual surgery date assuming no glitches with the insurance company? They do require 3 meeings (one informational), which I already did and 2 post-op support meetings. From what I have read seems like maybe 3 months or so? :bananapartyhat: I hope this is not too vague a question. I know every situation is different, but I guess I am just looking forward to this and am anxious. Also, I was thinking about looking into a diet support group on top of the band supp…

Hello Everyone - I've been reading a bit about the Lap Band surgery and yesterday went to see my Primary Care Doc. He agreed that this would be a good option for me. He referred me to the NYU Program for Surgical Weight Loss. I'm scheduled to go to the Information Session next week - which is apparently Step 1. If anyone has had experience or insights they'd like to share - I'm all ears, and would appreciate any recommendations. I'll continue to read this board and research the internet for info as there certainly seems to be a lot of info. Thanks Very Much. Benbax

Hi Everyone, I was banded on Dec 22nd, by Dr. Fox at Auburn Regional Medical Center in Washington State. Today, I have some pain on my left side were the port is but, other than that I'm feeling pretty good. I'm glad that there is a great support group out here and looking forward to being part of it. Charlene

Trying to find out what all is involved in this typs of WLS. I am at a 46 BMI and I need to lose this weight some way. I have tried everything I know to do with no luck. I read things on WLS and it sounds scary to me. Rachel

Hi! I am Barbara. I was banded 11/3/06 in Houston, TX. So far, I have lost 25 lbs. The holiday food sure is wrecking my diet. I had my first fill on 12/12/06. I so feel so much better.

Hello, I am new here. I have been approved for lap band and will undergo surgery in late January or early February. I keep hearing -- and have been told by my insurance case worker -- that recovery can be as little as 4-7 days. Not total recovery, but to the point where you can work. That sounds unreal to me but I hope it's true! This looks like a great site.

I want people to ask "who's that girl" when they see the new me!!:clap2: My seminar is next week, Jan. 4th and I am super excited! I have been a lurker of the board and have learned so much from everyone!! I have BC/BS of SC, and lapbad is covered with a bmi of over 40 with no other health issues, which is my case. I am keeping my fingers crossed that everything goes smooth and can be banded by before March.

Hi, new bandster here, just went yesterday for 2 week post-op. Real pleased, 12 lb weight loss. I was told I can start soft mushy food. Never knew chicken salad could taste so good. May I recommend the Magic Bullet? It has made my life easier with mixing shakes and I can see where it will come in handy with the mushy food. Just FYI - I came into this at 238 lbs. I am being treated for hypertension, sleep apnea, and my latest disease state seems to be diabetes. My surgeon has assured me that he will have me med free in no time. I never thought I would reach this medical state of being. I have always been active. I started gaining shortly after marriage - 23 years now - a…

Hi all. I am researching this procedure to see if it is right for me. I have read alot of your posts and everyone seems to be very glad that they had this done. Does anyone out there regret it? Maybe had a bad post-op experience? I am interested to know. I almost did the RNY years ago until two of my chat buddies passed away from complications due to their procedures. It scared the heck put of me and, of course, I did not have it done.:cry Here I am, 6 years later, looking once again for a solution. I had a baby 10 months ago. I was diagnosed with postpartum cardiomyopathy (an enlarged heart) and was told that my heart was only functioning 10-15%. I also h…

I am thinking of having the lap band done...but was wondering..has anyone been able to eat pizza or a hamburger after having the banding?:help: :hungry:

Hi everyone. My name is Cyndie. My doctor is Dr. Ilahi in Baytown, TX. I am having gastroplasty and fundoplasty Tuesday. I am almost as excited to get my hietal hernia repaired as I am for the banding. I am not nearly as nervous as I thought I would be. I have been trying to locate a protein drink that I like ahead of time but haven't been overly successful with that but so far that is the only problem I have had. I sure would have liked to do the laproscopic procedure but this is what my insurance covers and I am ready to do whatever it takes!!!

hey everyone, i'm Stevee. 25 year old female in oklahoma. i am wanting to get the lap band done. i am 5'3 255 lbs BMI 45.5. I do not have insurance yet but i will march 1st, i called united healthcare to see what our coverage is on weight loss surgery and was told "all weight loss options including surgical and non surgical are excluded from coverage." great! wonderful! in an instant all of my dreams were crushed! what are my options now guys? i'm at a loss. i dont know what to do i dont know what to say i just want to cry. please someone gimme some advice or something.

Hello, I am newly banded-Dec 21, 2006 (Merry Christmas). I am very excited about starting the new year with a brighter outlook. I lost 9lbs. in the preop 2wk liquid diet phase:biggrin1:. I have a great support network which helps me to stay on track. However, I had some grits yesterday and by the time I got the 4th spoon down I felt like I was stuffed up to my breast. I have this really stuffed feeling and I have tried tea, Water, gasX, u name it. It hurts when I walk, but it feels fine when I lay down. Should I be concerned?----STUFFED!

Hi everyone, Although I'm new to this site, I have had a lapband for almost two years, with very little success. Mainly, this was due to the lack of restriction in my large VG band, and my belief that this was something else I had failed in. Thankfully, I decided to recommit myself and get an additional fill, which brings me to 8.8 cc. Finally, I feel like a real bandster. I also joined WW to give me the discipline to get weighed in weekly, even if I do not (and cannot) follow the program (which I never could anyway). I am looking for support because I have to lose about 60 more pounds (I've already lost 30) to fit into a dress for my daughter's wedding in the fall. I…

Hi All, I had my band put in November, and am just about ready to go in for my 1st fill in January 17. I went all the way to Hungary to have my surgery by Dr. Vereczkei, at 400 ágyas klinika/Four Hundred Bed Hospital in Pécs. Very Happy and Healthy New Year!

Hi all, Been lurking around the site for a while now so I thought I would introduce myself. I have been going through the process since about Nov. not very long but things are moving quit fast, I'm waiting for the insurance to ok me for the surgery. (papers have been sent) It seems like it is taking forever, I want to get this done so bad. I have a very sore back, HBP, bad veins and a BMI of 41. I have lost weight lots of times on the adkins diet but it always seemed to find me. So after lots of thought, I have desided to do the lapband. I can't wait to be banded, It seems to have helped so many of you on this site. congrats to all you successfull lapbanders. It just seem…

Hi there from the center of the universe! My name is Leah and I am 24. I was banded on August 21, 2006 and have lost just under 40lbs. It's been an interesting journey so far and I think that the start of the new year will help me re-assess my goals and gain more motivation. I thought this would be a good way to speak to other people with bands...New at this so I hope this is a good start! Had my 2nd adjustment (to 6cc's total) on Friday and am having lots of pain when eating. Can barely get anything down. Has anyone experienced this?

Hello there! My name is Christine, I live in SD. I had my Lap Band placed on Dec. 5th. (still waiting for my first fill, but doing pretty well) I am looking forward to meeting all of you and chatting with you!

Hi everyone, I was banded on 12/21..My preop weight was 207. I had the gas pains also but was relieved by gas-x. I was dehydrated from doing too much during xmas holiday and not taking in enough fluids. That was a wake-up call for me. I am now resting and taking in the fluids so that I can heal and looking forward to sharing this journey with my fellow bandsters jannmack

Hi. My name is Tara, I'm 24 (25 on 1/19!),and I have been wanting the band for about 2 years now. I have decided to go ahead with it in '07! Right now, I'm 33 weeks pregnant with my second kiddo and scheduled for a c-section on Jan 24th. Obviously I have to wait until I have my baby to be banded! LOL! I am going to be a self pay and haven't decided on a surgeon yet. I live in Texas so I have been going back and forth on the whole Mexico/US question. Money is a factor of course, but we'll see! Nice to meet you all!

Hi, I am so very glad to have found this forum. I have finally decided that enough is enough it is time to "bite the bullet" and get to living my life and not sitting on the couch watching it whiz by me. My husband is fully supporting me and now we are looking into the best place to go. I am so unsure about going to Mexico, but the savings in the price make it really appealing. I do have one insurance policy that will pay 3200 dollars but i don't think it would go for a Mexico facility. I would love to know others choices for the doctor. I live in SE Kansas and Tulsa or Witchita or KCity area would work easily too. It is time for a change! thanks ks sooner.

Hi everyone, it's nice to find a place to chat with bandsters. I am a wannabe. I have been researching Lapband surgery and believe it is for me. I have made an appt with my doc for Jan. 3/07 to start the referral process. In my province (Alberta), it takes about 2 years - I'm not sure I can wait that long! There are a couple of clinics in Ontario that perform the surgery for $16k, yikes!! I am currently a university student and struggle to pay my tuition, let alone surgery. I'm hoping for a miracle - maybe I'll get in sooner. Nice to meet everyone. I've enjoyed cruising around for the last few days reading posts. This is a very necessary and information packed …

Hi all My name is Beth, I had my lap-band done on 12/20/06..just 3 days ago!. I had my surgery done in Monterrey Mexico, by Dr. Javier De La Garza. I had a wonderful experience, as far as any surgery can be "wonderful". My only problem has been shoulder pain from the gas used to inflate the abd. The incisions bearly hurt at all. I am looking forward to this pain going away so I can get on with my life. I look forward to sharing my experience with anyone who is interested and learning from all of you that post. 290/276/160---I've lost 14 lbs since preop diet (highest 305) Beth

I am new here and am in the process of the band. my Dr. is Pennings in Post Fall, Idaho. I am a self pay. I am 54 and have dealt with obesity since my 20's. I have treid just about everything else, including phen-fen. Anyway, just wanted to say hi. It is nice to be able to see how others are doing on their journey. Jean

Hi All! I am new to lapbandtalk and am looking for some support. :help: I have had this surgery in complete secretcy from my friends and coworkers. I've just told them I needed surgery and avoid the subject of my 3-week now liquid diet. I know it must get easier, but it's been hard for me. I have my first followup appointment in two days. Its been hard to say no to everyone for lunch time, to not eat anything today, on Christmas. It's just been hard. I'd love it if anyone has any guideance for me to email me or post to this thread. I have been overweight my entire life, starting with a 11.something pound birth. At 312, I thought it was time for some action bey…

I got banded on 12/20/06 w/ Dr. Huacuz in Tijuana. Excellent experience. Since I've been reading this forum for awhile I already knew what to expect. I've already lost 9 lbs, mostly water I presume. The one thing I personally hate is the damn pain on my shoulder. Its so weird, as soon as I eat something the pain runs up my shoulder. This morning it was soooo bad I sat and cried until my honey bunny massaged it, oh and I also popped some tylenol chewables. When is this going to stop? Help? I can't take it. Hot showers seem to make it better but its hard enough to deal with the bloating gas pain, and the burping that never happens. Not to mention the confusion of "is it ga…

Hi. I received my lapband on December the 5th of this year. It was a Christmas present from me to me. Was banded by Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey. Have been lurking here for a while, both pre and post band. Actually researched the band for three years before deciding it was the right choice for me. (Kept trying the usuall, weight watchers, personal trainers, etc. You all know the story), was very pleased with Rumbaut and staff. I know I am newly banded, but have not had any problems as of yet, and honestly, don't expect any.

hey everyone, i am 24 years old, name cee cee (nick namewill not ise real name as i always get stalkers like my nosey sister lol ) i have just been lap banded on dedember 14th lol merry christmas to me. so far all is going well i took the dressings off today, and all healed well. i was 101 kg, and currently 94 kg, as i had to do a 2 week optifaast diet before surgery. i am a child care worker, and i am single. looking forward to sharing this journey with you all:biggrin1:

I know this is crazy but I painted my workout room so that it would be inviting after I get my band. It was white and blah! Now it is green with plants! I love it.

Hello, I am pleased to anounce that my insurance has approved my surgery. I will start my pre-op diet the first week of January and have the surgery approx. 2 weeks later. I can't wait. :girl_hug: A little about myself: Sex:Male Age:33 Weight:430lbs Height: 6'5 Location: Nashville, Tn I have several questions and I hope some of you could take a few minutes to answer. 1. What is the average weight loss over the first 60 days? 2. I would like to lose 100lbs by September. Am i being reasonable? 3. Can you feel the port? 4. How long is recovery? 5. Do you really feel full on such small quantities of food? 6. How long until you can excercise? I would appre…

Hello All:nervous ! My name is Hope I live in Charlotte NC. I am new to this talk community. I am currently beginning my journey to weight loss. I have been overweight all of my life. My BMI is 52. I am a Nurse (RN) I know how to lose weight and belive it or not I have help and encourged others to lose weight but it seems that this nurse cannot heal herself.:phanvan I am basically shopping for a surgeon that performs the lap band and getting as much information as I can about bariatic surgeries. I am afraid to have the surgery and I am also afraid not have the surgery. I have been bless so far with just boarderline diabeties and hypertension. I have quite a bit of fo…

Hello Everyone --- new to this site and would like to meet any and all......

Just want to say Hi. I haven't been banded yet. I'm just a wannabe. I'm looking for info on Mexican Doctors. Please give me the scoop. If I can get my insurance to pay then I'll stay in the good ole USA. Who's the best in the USA? I'm I asking to much for a newbe??? LOL

I've finally made the decision to have a Lap Band and I seriously cannot wait. Like everyone here I need to lose over 100lbs and really feel that now is the time to do something serious. Unfortunately in the UK I have to pay for it myself but what's £8000 compared to regaining my health?? I'm planning have the surgery mid February (probably end up being Valentine's Day as my surgeon only performs Lap Banding on a Wednesday) and will be lurking on these boards from now on. I look forward to beginning this journey with you all!

:nervous hello everyone! I just found this board. I am getting banded in 12 days and I am getting really nervous. I want to get to know everyone because I am sure I will need all the support I can get. I have read a lot of posts, and like a lot of other people, I am not as worried about the pain as I am about going 4 weeks on a liquid diet. I know I am going to really want to eat. Why else would I need a lap band if I didn't love to eat, right?! Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself and I hope to get to know people. It will be great to have a place to come where people understand how I feel!

I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice? I am 33 years old and really want to get the Lap Band procedure. But I dont have children now and will have them in the next 4 years. Should I get the band after I have a child or before? My period isnt regular due to my weight so I think it will be a challange to get pregnant before. I am just unsure about if I should go ahead and get the surgery now or wait until after I have a child. I will be pretty heavy after having a baby, thats for sure!

Hi, my name is Rhonda and I am a mother of three from New Jersey. I have been seeing Dr. Pucci of Denville and have started the ball rolling on getting the lap band surgery. The truth is I am not sure I should go thru with it. I am very concerned about complications and I keep thinking that my kids would rather have a fat mother than no mother. I know that the lap band has fewer complicaitons (would not have considered bypass) and a very low mortality rate, but I am still concerned. Would appreciate any experiences (good or bad) you could share with me. Thanks to all and happy holidays!

Hi. I'm Allison. I am new to this site so forgive for me not knowing where to start. Well, here I go. I am a patient of Dr. Deol in Michigan. I am scheduled for surgery in a few days. I did about 2 years worth of research on lap band, not only in Michigan, but elsewhere in the country. I came to the conclusion that Dr. Deol was one of the most, if not THE most, qualified surgeon in this area, and probably in the country. When i met her for the first time about 6 months ago, i fell in love with her. She is truely honest, EXTREMELY EXREMELY thorough and doesn't take chances. I cannot emphasize how thorough she is. She is very kind and informative. She answer…

Hi Y'all! I'm Amy from Texas, I'm not yet banded but I have my first visit with a bariatric specialist on Januray 4th, 2007. So I have been out scouting around for a support system that looked fun and helpful... this place beats the rest I've seen. I will be going to Dr Richard Collier in Conroe. Al little about me... I am 35, a recently remarried mother of two pugnacious preteen kids (and I say that with love! hehehe no - really they are great, but don't tell them! ). I love creating art and craft projects, singing, dancing, raising ponies, cooking and baking. I am 5'1" and I am starting at about 238 lbs. I figure my goal is somewhere in the 125-130 lb. neighborhood…