Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hello everyone, i'm getting banded jan. 3rd with dr. kuri in mexico!! i have enjoyed reading so i finally decided to join. i am 5'5 and 270lbs! hoping to lose 100lbs.

Hi all, I have been lurking for a few months now, but since I have a date I thought it was about time I introduced myself. I am really excited for this new journey. I am a little nervous, but mostly excited. I have an appointment with the surgeon on Monday so hopefully he will be able to relieve any final concerns then. Just out of curiosity, how long did people take off of work after the surgery? Thanks.

Hi there, My name is Denise and I'm on the road to be banded. Our HMO only does the banding in groups and they just did it so I'll be slotted in for Feb 2007! I have some questions and dont know if this is the right bb, I'll pose them and then if it's not the right place maybe someone can re-direct me and I can repost there. Before I ask I'd like to say how thankful I am that I found this site and that I can have the support of those who have been there. My situation is, BMI is about 37 but I have apnea (moderate) and high BP and pre diabetes and a horrible history of cancer on mom's side. My doc thought that going from about 193 (goal pre op weight…

Hello all, was surfing for info on the LB & found this forum. I'm researching the procedure. I'm thinking this might be a good place to pick yalls brains & learn some stuff. Anyway, I'll talk at yall later. Joe

Just signed up with you all. Will be going to my first meeting Next Tuesday to find out about getting the Lab Band:) Hope my Insurance will pay BCBS Of Texas Hmo. I have a filling It is going to be a battle. If any one has used them let me know. Thanks Cathy

Hello everyone. I am new to the site and am having my banding done on Dec. 11th. I did this with my friend Carol. It has been great that we started our venture in July and now she is having her surgery today. I am into my 7th day of Optifast and have 7 days left to go. I think this has been the hardest thing I have ever had to do. So far I have been 100% compliant. It is great to know that there are soooo many of you out there. I will be glad to read and take in your experiences and watch your goals. I have found that doing liquids for 2 weeks is playing with my mind. I look at my dog and start thinking about her hind quarters ymmmy. :omg:

I'm new and excited to be getting my lap band in January. One thing I'm concerned about it something callled erosion. Has anyone experienced this, and how often is this a problem? Thanks for the info...

Hi Everybody, I've been banded since November 17, 2006, at the Toronto LapBand centre. My doctor was Dr Joffe. I've lost 16lbs to date and still have 35lbs to go. The decision to get banded came when I reached that point in my life where I was sick and tired of losing the weight and gaining it back within a year or so. This was going on for the last 20 years. My aunt got banded last year and that's when I started my research. I weight 180 lbs, and my bmi was indicating that I was considered obese. With my family history, of cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, knee replacements and hip replacements, I thought to myself THAT'S IT!!!!!!! I must admit when I…

I am so excited but nervous too. Ive chose Dr Kuri for my surgery hopefully a wise decision.:clap2::)

Hello to all. I have enjoyed reading and think this site is the best. Dr. Ortiz in Mexico installed my band. I am going back for my first fill in December 2006

Well i have posted a few times on the Fill boards but i have never stoped in here to say hello.... well my name is Laura and i had my band put on Nov 3,06 in mexico..i was scared but it was all i could afford and i knew i made the right decision. See In April 04 i had RNY surgery ...only lost about 40 pounds ....well lost my insurance so could not go back and see what the deal was ..actually i just thought i was a slow loser ...Well this year i noticed i was gaining about 5 pounds a month and my eating was not changing ...so when i got new insurance i went and got scoped and found out i have a 1oz pounch but no restriction. Well the original surgern is not with that D…

So, I went to a WLS seminar yesterday here in Oklahoma. As soon as I walked in the room I got nervous for whatever reason. There was a lady taking people's insurance/ID and a nurse weighing/measuring people. Yikes! I wasnt ready for this! I had just learned that I lost 5 pounds (for no reason and in 2 days, mind you). I know, I know...I should be happy about any weight loss. But I wasnt primarily because my BMI may not be high enough as it is to be approved through UHC...and losing a little bit of weight right now sure isnt going to help me have a surgery that will help my health long-term. Anyway, I didnt turn back and went through their routine. There was about 10…

Hi! I am new to this forum..I am pre op..have had all final tests and cleared for surgery..just waiting for final insurance approval...I live in IL and am having my surgery in St. Louis..we are 60 miles from there. I am 5'7/328#. Can not wait till I get a firm date!! Look forward to being involved in this forum! Cindy :eek:

Hello everyone, I'm new 2 and have not had the surgery yet. I weigh 234 lbs and 5'5' I have been talking abut this surgery for a year hopefully it is the right thing to do. My husband is supportive and one of my children is not at all. But I feel like it is the right thing to do at this point. I have met all the requirements and I am not going to lie, I'm somewhat afraid, I think I can follow the rules but what if by some chance, even still I do not lose weight? What if even this will not work for me? :girl_hug: I'm sure you all have heard it all But I really just am here for the support, hope to give some support and get some ideas as to how and what to do.

Just wondering what the pourpose of waiting an hour and a half after you eat to drink anything?

Hi everybody, I'm new to this site. I got my band 9-14-06 by Dr. Adams in Decatur, Al. So far, I've had 2 fills and lost 35 lbs. 20 or these pounds were due to the 2 week liquid diet prior to surgery and the rest after surgery. A small amount since my fills. I still eat too fast and after my most recent fill (11-13-06) , I'm really working to slow down. Even with eatting verrrrry slowly, I feel stuffed and little panic stricken that I've eatten too much. Do other people feel this way? Will I get better at reconizing the full signal? Thanks for all the info. Donna :omg: :omg: :paranoid

hi eveyone, i was banded on the 6th of march this year weight loss has been slow. i have a 4cc band and on 10/19/06 i had another fill and now my band is at 3.2cc. since the fill i've lost about 4lbs so i think i am gonna be on the right track now. i started at 238 im now 209 i wish it was more but im working on it.

My name is Michelle, and I have one more weigh in (that my insurance company needs) before I can submit everything and hopefully have the banding done. I have been seeing Dr. Watson in Johnson City Tennessee. I am a nurse and have actually seen him perform the surgery. I have debated between the RNY and the Banding procedure for months. After seeing both surgeries and going to both support groups in my area, I have decided I prefer the banding. I can't wait to meet other people who have had this done and to be one of you. I have been overweight most of my life, and I am hoping that this will help with the diet roller coaster I've been on.:nervous

Hello I just heard about lap band surgery and joined the forum. I do not have insurance and I am not sure if I can afford the costs. As you know, we cannot get any information of costs up-front. Can you give me an idea of the average costs or how can I get more information? Glad to have found this forum Z

I have narrowed my choice of Doctors down to Dr. Malley, or Dr. Hitchcock, both on the Kansas side. Would anyone pls offer any info concerning either Dr. and for Dr. Malley does he have an office north of the river in KCMO? thanks in advance. Steve

Believe it or not, I have never posted to anything before, so I wasn't sure how to go about it. This group seems very supportive and it looks like a great place to get information about the procedure. I just found out that there was such a thing as lap banding maybe three days ago. I had looked into gastric bypass a few years ago, but for some reason, they ended up turning me away. I was certainly heavy enough. Maybe I didn't have enough health issues yet. I am now on blood pressure medicine and have arthritis. Hopefully, now they will be satisfied. I really am getting excited by the prospect of maybe being able to cross my legs again! I have so many necklaces th…

I had my first band fitted by Dr Super in April 2005 and have had nothing but problems. First I had no restriction what so ever, and after the 12/13 weeks of liquids, then mashed food then introducing normal food again, I had a fill under X-Ray where I had I think 1.5-2ml inserted. Went home and nothing, no difference at all. All of a sudden I was in horrific pain (lower abdomen), and my consultant (not surgeon) kept saying that it was nothing to do with the band. I was also told that I was being impatient as I still had no weight loss or restriction.<O > Things got so bad for me that I couldn't even walk 100yrds without this pain, to try and sit on a seat or to…

We have a secret code name for my Lap Band procedure in my house and it is called The Dance or Lap Dance. That is why I chose LAP DANCER for a name. I have my appt. with my surgeon on Monday. We will set a date at that time. I have completed all the required things and am simply waiting to have it done. Nice to be here and I look forward to getting to know you all.

Hi everyone. I'm glad to have found this forum. I was banded at the beginning of July by an excellent doctor. Can't wait to make some friends and share experiences.

i have had my lap band on for 6 years now with very little problems and have lost 25 kgs which is great. I do stress over my band though and everytime i feel different i say its my band its slipped(my fear) but other than that it has been a success i have a lovely dr in australia (where im from ) and have always been able to talk to them about anything.I have moved and now am to far away to have my dr and that has been hard now im glad i have found this as its somewhere i can come and ask different things that worry me about the band and share the positive things that go with being banded

Hello all! My surgery is scheduled for 12/28 with Dr. Hamn. I'm a little nervous but am sure that this is the right thing for me.

I was glad that someone outside the US showed up for this forum. Our health system supports lap band surgery 100% as a way to prevent more costly health problems in the future. Much of the initial research was done here, and, as in Europe, the percentage of lap band versus gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgeries is much higher and with greater success. I've been through the initial introductory group session, have had all the required tests done (including a psychiatrist's evaluation) and Thursday I go to meet individually with Dr Berglivter (you get points for pronouncing this correctly). From there they set a surgery date and meetings with the nutritionist. My…

Hey all, my name is Jess and I am scheduled to have surgery on Dec. 21st. I am SO very excited. My doc is David vonRueden through GBMC in Baltimore, MD. I want to lose about 145 lbs. I found your site through another site, band2gether.net - love it there! Hope to love it here as much!!!

Hello! After 20 years worth of diets and diets and more diets that have left me right back where I started, I have my very first "Informational Session" at GBMC in Baltimore, Maryland tonight! I am really looking forward to it. I am leaning more towards lapbanding because of the lack of an anastomosis (they scare me) and the fact that it is a restrictive rather than malabsorptive procedure (vitamins are our friends!). I just found out that my insurance will pay for lapbanding starting in January, -HALLELUJAH! Anyway, I have been reading my way through the forum and I must say, Nice place you have here! :biggrin1:

I have been reading the thread and just joined. I am going to be banded tuesday 11/28. Is there any pre-sugery advice anyone can give? What would you have wished you did prior to sugery? wish me luck! Bandina

KariWI After 6 months of preop meeting and instruction and waiting on insurance I finally have a surgery date 12/12/06!!!! I have been quietly watching everyones posts and copying stickys and still trying to get the hang of actually posting here. But...now I hope to be able to actively give/receive support and information. I'll be here for awhile as I have 130 lbs to goal sooo hi friends and thanks in advance.

I am brand new to this site. I was banded in Mexico by Dr. Ortiz (great experience) in Feb of 06. I am from a small town and have not had a support system. I have only lost 40#'s and have not lost anything in the past month. All of a sudden, over the last week I can't seem to stop eating! I have had two fills, the first one didn't seem to restrict anything and the last one was 2 1/2 months ago. This one was pretty good and gave me quite good restriction, sometimes too much and I couldn't eat at all but still didn't lose wt. It still restricts well until about 2 pm everyday. Then I go nuts. I am craving mostly sweets and carbs. I have gained 3#'s in the last week. :cry I …

Hi Everyone! I have been reading the posts on this site once in awhile for months and have finally decided to join. I was banded on June 29, 2006 and all was going well but I am at a standstill now...waiting for new appt with Dr. Anyway, I just wanted to say HI for now...see ya later! Dee

I have been looking at this website for about a month and decide to join. I don't have my Surgery scheduled yet, but I go to the seminar on January 9th. I didn't think I was going to be able to have the surgery because DH insurance wouldn't cover it what so ever. But I started a new job and my new insurance will cover it as long as I meet certain requirement. I found out what they were and the insurance company says it generally take 10-30days to get approved. I am excited but yet very nervous.

Hello gang! I can't believe I'm going to do this, but I'm excited. Just wanted to say hi to all!

Went for my consultation today. Can't wait. He said it would take about 3 - 4 weeks for the insurance to get back with him. I'm 45 live in Kansas City. Married for 21 years have an 8 year old daughter. Need to lose at least 150 lbs. Hope to get to know you all better. Joan

hello friends, my name is karen and i was banded on November 8th of this year, i cant wait to begin this weight loss journey. i have lost 16 lbs so far. i cant wait for my first fill, i hope it will bring much more loss to my life:biggrin1: . i also belong to OH Obesity Help. it is a great website for all of you that are interested in getting wls done..... well, i am looking forward to learning all i can from this new site that i found......:confused:

Hello all! This is the first time I have posted on a message board, but I have already learned so much just from reading your posts. I am just beginning to research lap banding, my cousin was banded about 2 months ago. I have many reasons for looking into the lap band. I have PCOS, disc degeneration in my back, and high cholesterol. Right now the biggest question in my mind is.....do I need something so permanent??? I am an emotional eater and I don't see that changing. I look forward to talking with all of you!

A Grand and Glorious hello to all this beautiful Sunday afternoon. I have not been banded yet, but hope to be very soon. In the midst of final research and scheduling right now. Looking forward to regaining a healthy body and getting my life back.

I am new here to the support group but I just wanted to say hello I can,t wait to start meeting some of you everyone seems so helpful.I have lots of questions and comments I can't wait to start posting. My name is Kellie I am having lapband surgery on 12/22/06 I am really excited and can't wait to start chat with everyone.

:clap2: sooooooo-i got my band done 2 weeks ago and so far so good. i kinda feel like it's not real...........except for the fact thet i have already lost 12 pounds. yaaaaaaay! i have a little dizzyness, anybody else have that?

Hi all, I'm scheduled to be banded 12-15-06. My husband was banded the 29th of November, also 2006. I'm glad to have found you. I had a lot of questions already answered, but I'm sure there will be more. So, as I stated this is the first time ever posting on the internet, not sure of all the procedures and abbreviations. Anyone care to help me get up to speed? Dee

Hi everyone! I am new to the sight and really have found alot of great info here. I was banded on October 31st & have lost a total of 25 pounds. My experience with the band so far has been great. I can eat everything that I did before just alot less!! Well I look forward to getting to know everyone. Lisa Starting weight 253 Banded Oct. 31, 2006

I am trying to find an atmosphere where it is band friendly. Looking to find other banders to help me with this process and the emotions that come with it.Am I different?? Am I doing this right? Stuff like that:help:

:clap2: I am very excited about being a member at this forum of bandsters. I had my surgery in March 2003 by Dr. Kuri in Tijuana, Mexico. My post-op went very well and I immediately began to lose weight. After 40 pounds I leveled off, so went down to get my first adjustment. Everything went well and I lost another 20 pounds. Then it all slowed down so I flew back to Tijuana and told them to make it "really tight," which they obliged. By the way, when I say "went down" I mean that I was flying down from remote places in Alaska, places where I couldn't just drive to the doctor or urgent care for help. I was living very remotely, and I'm sure there are others out there who d…

Hi all,:wave: I am Laci from Florida and I was just banded on Nov 16th! So far so good! :cheer2:

:Banane19: You guys have no idea how glad I am when i found out about this forum ... it finally encouraged me to take a step and set a date for the surgery, which is in a week :straight Where im currently living there r no available support groups, so u can only imagine how ecstatic i am to find guys who have experience in this type of surgery cuz i am REALLY nervous about the whole thing. One quick Q though .... is it really extremely painful after the surgery???:confused: Cuz that is one of the things i am terrified of and is making me have second thoughts about the whole thing. PLLLLZ inform me about ur experience with the post op pain and to what extent was it?? …

Hello everyone, I have just recently found this site although I have been researching bariatric surgery for about 3 years. Well I am going to take the plunge. Dec. 28 I will be banded by Dr. Joya in Mexico. I am looking forward to the experience and getting control of my life again. I will be posting more as the dates get close. I live in Atchison, KS just north-west of Kansas City. I am 28 years old and have a awesome wife and 4 children, 4yo, 3yo, 2yo, and 7 month old!!! That's all for now! Eric

Hi Everyone! Great to be here with all of this experience. I am new to LapBand, researching everything that I can. I am just starting the process and am attending a meeting Thursday night (11/30) to learn more. I have fought weight my whole life and am ready to get this under control. Will appreciate any information that anyone can give regarding what to expect and how to get started!

Hello everyone: My name is Carlos, i don't have weight problems but i work with a doctor in the lap band bussiness, i just want to tell to all that i love this forum because there is so much help and support from each person to another, we reffer to our patients after the surgery to try and log in to this forum because they will have the help and support that not even friends and doctors can give you because the people here are experimenting the same problems that they are going to have. Well thank you to everyone for being there for all people. Carlos