Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi- was banded on Dec 12-had post-op today-lost 11 pounds...still nervous about what to eat..

Greetings from somewhere close to the north pole. Not quite! My name is Priscilla and I am betting banded several weeks from now - looking forward to becoming a member of the Bandsters club. Opti-Fast is going to be my new food pal for a while and I am not going to think too deeply about deprivation just yet.:nervous After all, I still have Christmas to eat my way thru. I've been checking out this forum for a month now and it looks like a fun bunch of people with great senses of humour hang out here. Look forward to getting to know more of you and have thoroughly enjoyed my visits so far. I was told that everyone is much friendlier and more responsive if I formally …

Hi.... I'm an RN from southwest Michigan, near Notre Dame, IN. I own a respite center for people suffering from Alzheimer's and their caregivers. I have an appointment on Dec. 29th with a Bariatrix Clinic in Holland, MI. I'm excited, but at the same time, feel like my family and friends look at a procedure, as a fail?? Anyway, I am glad you are there.....thanks!

hi im new to the fourm, i was baned on monday and was told about this fourm by my friend, mine

After a year of considering surgery (and adding another 15 lbs), I finally went for it, paying cash. Surgery was painless (being aneshetized) and I spent 1 1/2 hours in the Recovery Room were I experienced a great deal of drowsiness and a little nausea. Walking slowly seemed to relieve these for me. At home last night, I was very sore and since I don't like the drowsiness and drunken feeling caused by narcotic pain killers decided to half my dose of Lortab elixir (same as Vicodin). Today, it is difficult to get up but I am doing incentive spirometry every 15 minutes and taking a walk around the house every 30 minutes. So far so good. I'm looking forward to a slimmer life.…

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 bratty 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. neighbor…

Hi my name is Maro..and I'm from Texas. I had my operation last March of 2006,At Chihuahua, Mexico with Dr. Ramos Miranda. My starting weight was 248lbs. Now I weight 170lbs. I was wearing size 20 jeans and I was a 40DDD, now a size 12 and a 36 DD. My procedure was easy and my recovery excellent, very fast. Up to date I had two fillings done. And I hope to achive a goal of maybe 140lbs.

Hi, My name is Renee and I have been lurking here for about 4 months while I was working on getting approval from my insurance. I have First Choice through Western Teamsters. They require 12 month medically supervised diet and exercise. I started with getting a letter from my ob/gyn who has seen me for the past 12 years. We have documentation that my weight has been a struggle for me for years and that he prescribed phen/fen for me (which worked), along with some other diet drugs, which didn't work. Then I was asked to provide a letter of medical neccesity, which my lapband surgeon provided. My case had to go to an outside medical board for determination and that happen…

I'm from Tulsa. I had my banding in Dallas on June 22. I have lost 104 lbs. as of today. It hasn't always been easy. I still eat occasionally with my bad habits and have some productive burps or throw-up. I'm slowly but surely getting better about how I eat. Pam from Tulsa:biggrin1: keefepa2

http://www.kcra.com/news/10575699/detail.html?treets=sac&tml=sac_12pm&ts=T&tmi=sac_12pm_1_02000212202006 here's a link to a new article about microbes in the gut that may cause obesity. I just thought it was interesting. (i definitely have those big microbes....) :biggrin1: girlin nyc

I had a rough first week, but 8 days post op , feeling better, I wished they would give you a little more info on post op. I am having cream of wheat for breakfast with a splendor and 2 protein shakes through out the day and water. I am not hungry at all, I go for my first post op dr visit on 1-2 which I think is a little far. I had a little stomach pain today low though. I started at 263 and now i think i am 254, so doing well.

Hi everyone! My name is Shellie, I was banded on 11-29-06. Dr. LePort was my surgeon in Fountain Valley Ca. I have lost 20 pounds already, but feel like I am going to gain it back since starting to eat solids again. I do not feel any restriction, is this normal? I look forward to visiting this site often!

hi there - I just signed up for this forum and found lots of helpful suggestions. It helps to hear from people who know what you are going through. I am in the process of scheduling my lapband and hope to have it done in the next month or 2. Just need to lose about 4 more lbs. I am sure I will be visiting often and looking for advise or just acknowledgement that I am not alone. I have support at home, but my husband doesn't really understand how I feel and why this is so important to me. My current weight is 291 or was before I started this journey. I am down to about 280 right now. My goal is to be down below 160 when all is said and done. bleb0803 New Hampsh…

Just got my date, Jan 8th. It has been a long 18 months to approval. Would like to share any info on my new doctor Scott Cunneen at Cedars in LA. Also, how do you get the little scale working below your name?

Hi I'm new, and I'm going to TJ MEXICO Jan.31st to get my band..but only after we get back from our 7 day Princess cruise to Mexico LOL:biggrin1: I'm going with Dr. Kuri and his team and I can't wait for Jan. I live in Oregon down neer Roseburg, any body close bye? Talk to you all soon Ted

Hi all, I am scheduled to be banded on Jan.19th by Dr Pedro Kuri. I have been reading reading reading and haven't really seen if anyone is familiar with Dr. Kuri. If anyone has experience with him, could you drop a line? It would ease my (and my hubby's) apprehension very much. Thanks, Battleweary

Hello everyone I am a 51 year old woman who needs to lose about 100 pounds. I am scared to do the band.. but need to... Is is very hard to eat such small amounts? I love to cook.. I love to eat... I am scared I will be so miserable..but If I don't do something.. my health is at risk... give me your impressions... many thanks...:hungry:

Hello to everyone! I am newly banded as of 12-12-06. A week tomorrow. I had my surgery in Lenexa Kansas from Dr. Wanda Kaniewski. Highest weight was 296, already down 10 pounds. WISH ME LUCK!!!

I'm new here, just getting started with the lap band process. I went to my first seminar, and I'm sending in my packet tomorrow. My MD doctor is all for this. If there is anything that anyone can tell me that will help me, I'd sure appreciate it. Thanks Lydia:hungry:

Hi every in trying to get all the information i can on the lap band surgery process. Went to seminar yesterday and really want to do it, but not sure about insurance coverage or what i will have to pay if i do it on my own. It anyone here has blue cross blue shielf of alabama i would like to hear back from you if it was covered or what you had to pay.:help:

Hi! My name is Kelly and this is the first time I have been to this site :biggrin1: My husband and I are considering lap band surgery and have loads of questions. I'll probably be lurking around reading some posts to get my bearings around here, but if anyone has any advice for us I'd appreciate it! My husband and I own a small business in PA and currently do not have private insurance. While researching the surgery, my husband ran across a site that offers lap band surgery in Mexico for much less than what would be charged in the US......anyone with experience? Can't wait to read around and get to know some of ya! Thanks :nervous

Hi, I would like to introduce myself. I am having surgery 12-21-06 and am on my 5th day of pre-op diet. It's getting kinda challenging for me, but I know what the end is gonna be! I live in Dallas and my surgery is being done by Dr. Benavides at Surgery Center of Richardson. Although I've heard he's very good, I've never actually talked to anyone he's banded, so any info. on him or SCOR is welcome. This board is so informative, and sooo supportive. I have done lots of research but there's nothing like getting information from the horse's mouth!! So thanks to everyone, and have a wonderful holiday season.

After lurking quite a bit, several posts here, and a struggle with insurance I am being banded on December 21. This is my third day of the pre-op diet. Not easy at all. I am in Dallas. Like many of you I am concerned about whether I can change my habits for life. The mental hunger has been a problem for me all my life. That is something I will have to fight. I am concerned about pills. Of course, hopefully I will be able to get off most of them. Thank you to all for letting me lurk and learn. My doctor has 24 hour call thank heavens. I read horror stories about follow-up care. I learned questions to ask. This is a very valuable site. Elaine

I had all my pre-testing done Friday afternoon the 8th and was running a low grade fever. I'm recovering from a bout with bronchitis and not completely over it evidently. My PCP put me on 2 different inhalers. Her comment when she came back in the room after checking my chest x-rays was..."Well, there's good news and bad news...the good news is, it's not pneumonia, the bad news is, if your not significantly better by Monday (the 11th), you need to contact your surgeon :phanvan. Anyway, that's where I am today, and kinda bummed out. However, I know it's definetly for the best as far as my health, don't want to take any chances! :update: UPDATE: Surgery Rescheduled for …

Well I am new here-- I am thinking about band- I have done a lot of research on gastric and just do not want to have things moved- several of my friends have had it and done great-- but I just do not think it for me-- BUT the local Dr here is going to start banding next year-- not sure of all the details and I am just starting to llok at this procedure so ....here I am!! I have a BMI of 46 I think and should lose 100 pounds-- but that "ideal" weight would be what I was in high school-- so I am not sure-- I would really like to lose 60-70 pounds and think this would be a great way for me to go-- I have done the HMR diets through the Hospital here several times and ha…

Hello everyone, I've been reading the boards for a month now - shhhhh don't tell my boss! My insurance is approved and I am just waiting for the call from my Doctor to tell me my Band Date!! I'm very excited and looking forward to getting to know everyone. I am 43 - have three sons - 16, 14, and 8 - I have a wonderful happy life except for being over 300 pounds and tired all of the time. I've been a yo-yo'er since high school (a very long time ago) and can't wait to begin this journey. I start my pre-op diet on 12/26.

Hi all. I am new to this site, but so far from what I have read, it seems totally worthwhile! I am having my surgery Jan 16th, 2007. I'm trying to read all the info I can from people who have actually been through this. I can tell you all that I am scared to death. Oddly enough, I am not scared of the operation, but of being hungry for the first 6 weeks+ !!!! Obviously, I am not good at hunger or I wouldn't be where I am today... I feel like I have so many habits that need to be changed, I'm not even sure where to start. It seems like I am getting ready to go mountain climbing in sandals! OK. Enough of the "whoa is me". Thank you all for posting so far, b/c reading them …

i really want to be banded but dont know where to start. I will list all my questions... *is there a health insurance company that covers the lap band most of the time? * is it safe to have it done in Mexico? * if i choose to pay with out insurance what is a round about cost? those are my questions so far. if there is anything else you think i should know please let me know. 5'5 220 lbs bmi 36.1

Greetings to all -my surgery is scheduled for Monday 12/18-more later

I'm so glad I found this site! I am in the midst of getting my ducks in a row to send in for insurance approval. I had originally decided on RNY, but after more research, I've changed my mind and am trying for the LB. Wish me luck!! Rose :eek:

It's interesting and a little scary to read everyone's entries. I''m scheduled for Lap Band on January 15th at Central DuPage Hospital, Winfield IL with Dr. Jonathan Spitz. This has been a process starting the end of March but my insurance has come thru and my kids go back to college in early January and I'll be ready to take the plunge. I have two questions. The first is about work and how long people took off. My first job is a church secretary - in Youth ministries mainly and although I sit on a computer most of the time, it can get stressful - lots of needy people. I'm taking off a week at this job. My second job is at the circulation desk of my local library - 16 h…

Hi All, I have been checking out this website for a month. I love it, so much info. I was banded on Nov 10,2006 in Monterrey, Mexico by Dr. Javier De la Garza. I was very impressed with him, so nice and very professional. I live in a small town called Stevinson in Merced County Calif. This Friday 12/22 i get my first fill, a little nervous, more anxious to get this thing started. Just wanted to say hey.

Hi my name is Becka and I have been researching and debating whether or not to have this surgery. I recently found a Dr in Mexico but then my hubby got cold feet so I started looking around and now a littlw concerned about having it done in Mexico. Anywho if anyone has info on Dr. Sanchez that would be great. The nurse I talked to said that she could get my aftercare scheduled with a doc here on the island. I like the thought of Mexico cause its so much cheaper but do I go cheap? Also we aren't here in Hawaii for too much longer maybe 2 or 3 yrs so I am wondering what I would do when we move to another state? As you all see I have tons of questions. Becka

Just wanted to say hello. I am a new member . I was banded 11-02-06 and everything is going great. I am from alabama and would like to here from someone else. I made it through the 2 week liqud stage and started mushie foods today. I feel I can eat a little more than i could last week is this normal?

Hey all, i'v been "lurking" for a couple of days just trying to learn as much as i can about lap banding, i'm scheduled for surgery on January 16th in Monterrey with Dr. Rumbaut. I'm so excited! :biggrin1:

SCHEDULE SURGERY FOR DECEMBER 11, CANT WAIT:clap2: , GETTING SURGERY DONE IN HURST, TEXAS, I FELT LIKE I WON THE LOTTO, PRE SURGERY WEIGHT 260, GOAL 150. MY DOOCTOR DOES NOT REQUIRE A liquid DIET BEFORE HAND, IS THAT NORMAL

:help: Hey Everyone!! I am a week post and on Monday I am moving off of mushies. Right now I still get hungry. It is like I can still eat a good amount but i just have to eat it slow. But the only thing I am supposed to be on a diet, where i eat about 1/2 cup servings. And that is not enough. I was wondering if this was normal, and will it be like this until i am filled???

My wife and I are flying to Delhi for our vacation and scheduled our tour i6 months ago. Last week I sent an inquiry to a medical tour doctor about weight loss options either before or after our organized tour (we have 4 extra days pre and 5 days post tour). He recommended Lap-Band for $6300 or Roux-en-Y for $8700, complete. I have read about both options on the net (30+ hours), attended a Lap-Band seminar 2 nights ago, and found the MGB (Mini-Gastric-Bypass) yesterday afternoon. I've read everything I could find on it, including the 130 page user manual. I have learned so much that I don't know which solution is best for me. My BMI is only 37 but I have hypertensi…

Hi everyone! My name is Whitney and I'm from the Nor Cal area in the process of getting my pre-op tests done. I'm almost done....YAY!:clap2: I had attempted to get the LAP Band done about 2 1/2 years ago, but my employer changed insurance companies....so my plans went out the window! Since moving to CA from Chicago about a year ago, I have gotten back on the bandwagon and I'm on my way to a surgery date! I've done alot of research through websites, message boards, and the required "orientations" but I'm sure there are going to be things I come across only you guys will be able to relate to, so I'm very excited to have found this group! I'm going to throw out some of …

Hello, My name is Leah and I'm from Ventura County, Dr Paya was my surgeon for the lapband. After going thru a battle with my weight and with every diet thats out there I've had enough and had the surgery done Dec 6th . I hope to lose about 100 pounds :eek: . I haven't had my first fill yet that will be Jan the 10th can't wait cause I'm really hungry. I did sneak a piece of cheese which was a no-no cause I'm still on liquids which I'm sick of. Well enough of my babble I hope to talk to you guys soon Leah

Due to the craziness of surgery, I decided to pay for lap-band out of pocket and fight with the insurance company and just wait it out. I'm new here, my name is andrea and I'm from Connecticut. I'm hoping to get some info. I was a little nervous about my surgeon's price for the fills, but found a place that does it for a lot less expensive, so that's a positive! Hope to talk to you all soon! :roll:

I'm now in the process of being scheduled for surgery, but I'm feeling a little unsure now. I have been overweight since a little child and I'm not sure if I can really break old habits. I've stick to diets before, but always gained the weight back after a few months. My surgery date will be sometime in January and I'm excited but like I said a little unsure. Is this common? Did anyone else feel as if they could'nt last with the band? Well I keep ya'll posted on my surgery date. Thanks for any support! Mitzi:clap2: (happy) but:phanvan (unsure)

Hi everyone, I just had my band put in on Nov.21st 06. I am 3 weeks out and always hungry!!! I followed the liquid diet for about a week. As of now I am really struggling here. I am getting very depressed because i am feeling just the same as i was pre-op. I can eat anything that i want. ANYTHING!!! Any advice on when i will start to feel the effects of the band?? Did anyone of you go through the same thing after surgery?? Please let me know. Thanks

Hello to everyone. My name is Bret. I am 48 years old and have been overweight all my life. I have been discussing surgery for the last few months and am happy to say that I had the surgery on Monday December 11 2006. It is now Saturday and I am 5 days post op. I feel great, I'm losing weight and I'm looking forward to see what the future brings. Just a few stats for the record. My starting weight was 395. My surgeon had me diet for a few weeks before the surgery and this week I'm on just clear fluids and as of this morning I'm about 377. So far so good. Right now I'm still on the initial high of the whole thing and I am still pretty "Up". I expect some down…

I had my band put in place in October and am just about ready to go in for my 3rd fill. Finally my band is working...I am losing weight again, and I am feeling really proud. The downside, I am starting to hate eating! I didn't like it before, I would rush through meals, but I thought it was because I hated the headspace I would send myself into. Negative talking etc. Now I just hate how I feel after eating - the hard stops (there are quite a few now as I adjust) or trying to eat on the run is impossible. I do this a lot I was hoping that it would change after the band. Is anyone else going through this has anyone else survived this? How did you figure out how …

:wave: Hi everyone. I'm a newbie. I haven't had the surgery yet. I go for the seminar on January 11, 2007. I plan having the procedure during Spring Break. I should think that is enough recovery time.Two of my friends have had this procedure and they told me about this web sight. Why do we have to be on a liguid diet 1-2 weeks before the surgery? and is that clear or full liquids? Also why no diet soda? I am wondering did any of you keep this a secret for some people. I am not sure weather to tell everying or not. Not sure if I'm embaressed or what. I will tell my childhood friend, she will be a great support. Thanks, and I'll talk to yall again soon. sandra

Hello everyone! I finally decided to register here so I could participate. I have been reading so many threads and posts here trying to get as much information as I can. I really appreciate everyone who posts here. I have my surgery scheduled for Dec. 19th in Mexico with Dr. Rumbaut. I'm on day 6 of my liquid diet and craving a salad with chicken so badly. And to think I have two more weeks of this after surgery??? I hope it gets easier after surgery. I want one of those cool weight loss trackers a lot of people have, but haven't figured it out yet. I'll keep looking. :grouphug:

My name is Jodi and I live in North Carolina. Although I never had a real weight problem into my early 20s...somewhere along the line I got married, had a child and gained a TON of weight. My pregnancy was terrible and ended with the dreaded toxemia (sp) that is contributed by being overweight. I have tried every stupid "diet" out there with no success. My husband and I ride horses and it is so embarrassing to ride knowing that I look like a blob up there. I have also started teaching my daughter (5) to ride and we cannot ride double because I am too big. I have been reading all the post and have scheduled to go to a info seminar on the 27th of Dec. I have not told my hus…

Hi, I'm Tiffany. I'm 35 ,married with 2 kids. I have been overweight my entire life. I have 2 beautiful children and my health is in the toilet. Now is the time for me to do something for myself and I think this the way to do it. I've tried diet after diet and excercise programs. Expensive gym memberships and more...I need help and I hope this is the way to go. I'm just starting my journey and I am so happy to have found this group. This procedure seems to be very succesful. I'm very excited to learn more. Hugs, Tiffany:)

Hi Guys and Gals! Okay, so I havient been here in a VERY long time and alot of changes has taken place! So lets get started: My company announced it is closing its doors in Jan. Normally this would be a negative point for me but it has actually been a blessing. I will be opening the doors to my new massage therapy studio some time in Feb, so losing my job has allowed this! Moving on...I decided to go ahead with the lap band after doing more research. I went to meet me new doctor who broke the news that my insurance company (UHC) is losing its contract with majority of the hospitals in OKC. This left me really really disappointed. The office manager told me that…