Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi! Just to introduce myself, I'm a 52 year old man with a BMI of 51.1, so we all know what that means! I'm currently trying to see my family doc for a recommendation that weight loss surgery is necessary. A recent sleep study showed severe sleep apnea. Last time I called the nurse and left a message for the doctor about WLS, he called back and left a message: "Just try and lose some weight"! I'm not a very 'pushy' person, but I can't let it drop, we're talking about my future well-being. I do have an appointment this Friday, the 13th, with him, so wish me luck! Any suggestions would be most welcome. Bill (Red Wine Lover)

Hi Everyone. I'm new to this and not yet banded. I have a surgery date for Nov. 29, which seems a long way away. I'm hoping to find out lots of info here, and would like some support from my fellow Canadians.

Hello. I posted for oct bands. I will be banded next week. I am drinking the gross liquid shakes they want us to and have begun prepping my husband on the diet and food changes. I am in virginia, self pay, I love kickboxing and motorcycles. I am married to a twig (at 6ft- he weighs in at a huge 155) I am hoping this surgery helps me lose 80- 100 lbs. I am not trying to be Kate moss just healthy. I have been on this board as a guest but figured that it was time to log in since the time is near and i may have questions for all of you.

Hello All, I'm new and I'm excited to find this forum. I starting my pre-op 10/09 and will have my band placed on 10/16. I'm nervous buy, also excited to see the new me. I mostly want to be healthy and I know this is the best option for me. Since my 1st counsulation in September I've lost 9 pounds on my own by just cutting out sweets, breads and fatty foods. I'm starting my liquid diet on today 10/08 and hopefully more weight will come off before my surguery date :clap2: I need your support and I'm glad to be here, I'll be posting regularly.:girl_hug: To receive band 10/16/06 Dr. Carson Liu, Los Angeles CA 389 1st Counsultation visit/379 pre-surgery/wherever …

I am not sure how to do this..First time... I had my Band done Sept 5th 2006, at the Northwest Weight loss Surgery Center in Everett Wa. I am not sure what to eat now, I always seem to be hungry. I am anxious to have the fill.. Any suggestions how what toeat so I feel full? Or what not to eat? Thank you:hungry:

:help:I was banded at Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ on April 12, 2006. My Dr. was Vadim Gritsus, who works out of Chilton Memorial and Valley Hospital. Of course, I lost the most weight right after surgery 'cause I existed on liquids for 30 days! Got first banding May 26, 2006 - 3 cc's....did nothing to curb my appetite, but I DID eat the correct foods, and 'cause it was summer, got a lot of swimming in. My second banding was July 21, 2006...this time I vomited alot...had to learn a whole new way of eating! I started at 315lbs...I've lost a total of 40 lbs...and that's where my problem begins...there's something about reaching a 40 lb lose that sabatoges me....I'm eati…

Hi my daughter just got the lapband 9/13/06, I was just curious as to how much she should be losing by now. She is getting her firts fill 10/9/06:)

I'm 12 weeks away from my banding date, but as a busy performer I need to make plans for when I'll be back at rehearsal or on the stage post-op, so I hope some of you singers can help. Before I scheduled my surgery I had made a commitment to sing on a concert that now is three weeks post-op. Is it realistic to think that I'll be able to do that? :guess My only other surgical experience was a lap-gall bladder removal eight years ago, and I don't recall any extensive down time from singing, and in fact I think I did a solo performance within three weeks of the surgery (it was eight years ago, so the timeline is a little fuzzy now). Of course, with the gall bladder surg…

Hi I was banded in Fisher IN by Dr McEwan on 9/20. For about the first 11 days post-op I felt like I had eaten a 10 course meal after sips of clear fluid, and had nasty heartburn. I stopped taking my pills for about 5 days and felt much better. I progressed to cream soup and V8 yesterday, today I purreed some (apro 1/4 c) carrots, and a couple tbsp of pork and was able to tolerate that, but feel very, very full again. But no heartburn and have been able to take my meds for 2 days now. I started at 243lbs on consult day, surgery day was 228lb, and according to my scale am 216lb today- 2 weeks post-op. My goal is to get below 200 by Christmas. Post op I have been very tired…

Hi Everyone, I was banded on Sept. 21, 2006 in Monterrey Mexico by Dr. Roberto Rumbaut. Everything went so smoothly and a side from some slight discomfort, I have been doing great. In fact, I am concerned that I've felt so good that I've had a hard time following the post op diet. I was supposed to follow a strict liquid diet for 2 weeks post op, but I've been gradually moving into soft foods quicker than I was supposed to. Should I be worried? :phanvan I don't think I'm over doing it. I've not felt sick or had to vomit. Any advise would be greatly appreciated. -Angela Banded 9/212/06 Dr. Roberto Rumbaut Monterrey, Mexico Highest weight: 236 Pre-op weight: 230 Go…

Hi, I was banded on 7 August in Western Australia. Starting weight 103 kgs and now down to 92kgs. However, most of the weight loss was due to being on the Optifast diet for 2 weeks prior to surgery. Had my first fill on 6 September and have not lost any weight since then, in fact I have put on 1kg. My appetite has come back with a vengeance during the last week or so and I seem to have no problem eating whatever I like, although I do feel I can't eat in the same quantity that I used to. I am not due for another fill for 3 weeks and really feel I could do with one earlier but my doctor is away. I'm going to have to be careful with my food intake, especially as I am craving…

Hello everyone, I had the lapband done on 8/17/06 by Dr. Haag at Bay State Medical. I am going this morning to get my first fill and I am very nervous as I have been reading up on the different side affects that can occur. I was losing weight up until about 2 weeks ago, and now I am on a standstill, hoping that when I get this fill, I will start on my journey again:). Has anyone experienced this before? Is this normal? :help:I will keep you all posted. I enjoyed reading all the forums that are available, they are very helpful and informative. Thanks....

Hi, Guys I'm Teleah. My band date is Dec. 12. I'm excited. I am also happy to have found this site. I don't know any one who has had the lap-band. I only know by-passers. I know that this process is a much slower process. Do any of you all work out? if so does it make a difference?It's nice to have someone to talk to :grouphug: .

I am new to the site. I am not banded yet, but I think it i something that I would like to do. I am a little scared when it comes right down to it. Can you feel the port site, will it sitck out after you lose the weight ? Are there any Canadian health insurance companies that cover it ? I have not picked a clinic, but it will be in Toronto. Any advice ? Yasmina:p

Hi, everyone! It's been a long wait (delayed once because of a cold) but I'm being banded tomorrow. (Yes, that means today is the dreaded "drink a horse trough full of water" and try -- just try! -- to do anything else for more than 20 minutes. : ) I gave up symphony tickets to friends thinking (rightly, it seems) that I'd better stay home today.... Seriously, I am looking forward to the help the band will/should give me, and not a little nervous: did I make the right choice? will I succeed? will I blow yet another attempt to lose weight? Cheers to all, carol

I have been thinking about having this done for quite some time and am now REALLY wanting to get on with it. I attend my first seminar on October 19th and then will be anxious to hear what my insurance (Aetna) will do. I have my doctor's full support, as I am dealing with many issues including Type 2 Diabetes, High Blood Pressure and the usual. I've been overweight since childhood, parents putting me on medications by age of 10, and then done every diet known to woman, and then some. I've done many of the diets more than once, losing, only to gain back more than I lost. It's is so wonderful to come to this place and hear your wonderful success stories, hear your conc…

As surgery day gets closer the few people that know are really insistant that I go for bypass because "you'll lose so much more weight" they tell me. I feel as if they don't respect my decision and from what I understand in the long run both end up with about the same weight loss results. Can anyone shed some light on this for me???

hehe *chuckles* Good Mornings.... I have posted my site in the wrong place a few days ago.... so hopefully i did it right this time! Bare with me everyone, I am sort of a Noobie here....heha Anyways, my name is Raynie.... and I will be banded by Dr. Ortiz in Mexico on Oct. 26th!!!!!!!!!!!! Cant wait for this new journey to begin! :heh: When i do arrive there, and get to the hotel and eat my last meal- :hungry: what should it be? I only ask this because my real last meal was on Sunday- 2 T-Bone Steaks medium rare....lol No. seriously...... I started my pre op diet already and i dont want to screw it up by eating a last meal in TJ. But I already know I will want to …

Hello Everyone! So herer I am...I am really doing this! I have been like a yo-yo since my son was born almost 25 years ago. I am healthy...eat very healthy, but too much and have splurged lately...also i have not moved as much as I did before. Anyway, after trying every diet out there and then just eating super healthy I still keep gaining. I am a holistic doctor and surgery was the last thing on my mind, but the band seems to be somwhere in between. Nov. 7 is the BIG day! I am so happy to have found you!

Hi All! I am new to LBT and recently banded by Dr. Ortiz/Martinez in Tijuana on 9/28/06. Only 4 days post op but doing great and so happy to be a bandster!! Miri

I have been doing alot of research and have read alot of the comments on this forum, which has help alot. I have selected Dr. B at the Richardson surgery center if I do decide to do this. My question is, is there anyone that has had to lose between 40 - 50 pounds that can share their experiences with me? Most posts that I have seen, the weight loss goals have been greater than that. Any info would be appreciated.

Hey everyone... I just found this site and been looking around reading a bit, finding out alot of stuff i didnt know others had problems with! My Doctor has a support group, but becuase of my work schedule I never get to go.. so very glad i found this site! Just thought id introduce myself, in case ya see me around My names Kelly, im 23 yrs old and from Delaware, I got banded on Dec 14, 2005 but my port flipped and wasnt able to get filled til the very end of Jaunary. Since then im down 93 lbs. Last spring was over 400 lbs, 362 pre surgery and now in the mid 260s! Looong way to go though. Anyways, theres my lil backgroud lol... Hi All! *waves*

I am a month pre-op and still weighing the pros and cons. I just discovered this site and would appreciate your thoughts and recommendations. Linn

Hi all, My name is Melanie and Im from Staffordshire in the UK. I had my lap band fitted on tuesday 26th September and am currently recovering at home now.

Im new to lapband talk. i was banded in Feb of this year. only lost 36 since then, broke my leg 2 months ago and it really set me back not being able to do my exercise program. i feel that is an essential part of the transition in wt loss. hopefully i can get back on track after my ortho md releases me next week. i had a goal of 50 pounds by Christmas. still hope to get there. it is slow losing as i am hypothyroid and i am 51, but i dont give up hope. dont want to be fat anymore. :confused:

:confused: My son and I went to Dr. Ortiz in Mexico and had our bands placed Sept. 7th-3 weeks ago today. I started eating solid food this week. I am feeling only a little restriction so am being very careful about how much I eat. We are having our first fills on Oct. 30th. We both wish it could be sooner. I have not started exercising yet. My motivation is low! Are there any exercise challenges on this forum, especially for those newly banded? Happykat

Hi All! I have been reading the messages here for several months, but never posted. I need to lose more weight and I see that you all really help each other. My name is Calanne Choate from Houston, Texas. I was banded by Dr. Spiegel on May 11, 2006. I have only lost 26 pounds, but I now finally have restriction in my 10cc band! I weighed 281 at surgery and 256 now. I have gained and lost the same 5 pounds for the last month. This morning I made up my mind to get going again! I am so happy to be here with you! I am a retired teacher looking forward to being a first time grandma in November. My main problem is that I have really bad knees and have a hard time walking and ex…

Well, not the actual consult with the surgeons, but the 'forum' they put together in a hotel ball room. There were probably about 40 of us; all ages, shapes, sizes. I have to say the team I saw, I was VERY impressed with them - but then again, that is their job; to 'sell' you on the surgeries. They geared it alot toward Bypass, not so much the Band...but I had alot of questions answered. They passed around an actual band, thought I'd hit the floor. I don't mind when I'm under anesthesia....lol - but keep that stuff away from me! Anyway, I have to call my insurance at 8 a.m., as I got very specific instructions on what to ask them as far as coverage goes. My dil…

Hey All...glad to see I'm not the only one consisdering Lap Band. I suppose this is as good of place as any to start investigating and getting the 'real story' on the what's and hows', etc. of the LB surgery! Please forgive me in advance for any stupid questions I may ask; or questions that must have been asked a thousand times already. I am trying to gain as much knowledge as possible. WHERE DO I START? I have a 'intro' meeting tonight that the doctors are holding at a hotel. That's where I believe they're going to try and 'sell' the procedure to myself and others in the general public. I know that is where to start. But in terms of me getting other medica…

Hi Everyone, My name is Sheri. I'm 36 and overweight. I too have tried all the weight loss programs, yadda yadda. :help: I've had a number of friends and people I know who've done Gastric Bypass. It terrifies me!!!!!!!! :omg: Then I heard of the Lap Band - and I'm not so scared (easy for me to say, as I'm just only investigating!). I have made the first step and I've registered for a seminar TOMORROW evening where the Doctors/Surgeons speak, intro everyone to the device, etc. My current insurance doesn't pay for the device, however my company is up for insurance renewal for 2007 in the month of November. I'm hoping I can learn what companies WILL pay…and I'm hoping t…

Hi Everyone, I have been reading the website for a couple weeks now off and on and doing some research, but I have few questions and concerns. I would really appreciate any help and advice you have to give. I am being banded 10-9-2006 by Dr Kuhn, at Baylor Dallas. If anyone has heard much about him, I would really like to hear from you. I spent time in his office this past week, where a psycologist told me I would fail at the band and tried to push me into the bypass. I could tell at my first seminar with the Baylor doctors they were pro gastric bypass, but it just flat scares me. I have heard stories from people I work with who have had gastric. Anyway I have spent th…

im back to work for dont know how long today but im here from hemmi op , now i got 4 to 6 weeks left before surgery on lap band getting nervous hope it dont hurt as bad as the hemmi does:faint: :target:does it?

Hi Everyone.. I'm just beginning this process, and I'm here to get as much info as I can. I'm just starting my million-appointments thing, and have not yet been scheduled for surgery. Hoping for late November/December. One question I have-I have a physical job, and I'm concerned about being able to take in enough to keep me going in the weeks following surgery. Any comments on how you feel 1,2,3 weeks out? Thanks everyone..........

Hi, My name is Patty Martin. I am having the lap band Sept. 8th and starting to get alittle bit nervous. And going to try and absorb as much info from this wonderful site that I can. Patty Martin Nevada

Hi Everyone, My name is Sheri. I'm 36 and overweight. I too have tried all the weight loss programs, yadda yadda. :help: I've had a number of friends and people I know who've done Gastric Bypass. It terrifies me!!!!!!!! :omg: Then I heard of the Lap Band - and I'm not so scared (easy for me to say, as I'm just only investigating!). I have made the first step and I've registered for a seminar TOMORROW evening where the Doctors/Surgeons speak, intro everyone to the device, etc. My current insurance doesn't pay for the device, however my company is up for insurance renewal for 2007 in the month of November. I'm hoping I can learn what companies WILL pay…and I'm hoping to be…

Hello everyone! After many years of yo-yo dieting I decided to get the lap-band. My insurance denied me, therefore I was a private pay. I figure I can spend that much on a car then I can spend that much on me! I just had my surgery on Tuesday (September 19) and am up moving around. Muscle soreness still around the port site, but otherwise feeling great! Maybe too great! I am hungry...and tired (so tired of liquids.) But I am dedicated and will follow doctor's orders. I look forward to talking with all of you for support, motivation, and maybe some day venting! Eve

Hello everyone......I am new just posting today!!! I think this website is great....I have been researching lapband for awhile and there is so much information on here its fabulous.... Well a little about me I am 27 years old, have strugled with my weight my entire life, have a BMI of 37 with existing comorbidities and I am here because I feel this is my last resort to live a happy fufilling life and accomplish what i want too....I have not been approved for surgery yet I am going to my PCP next Monday for a referral letter and have my actual consultation on 10/24...I am very excited and nervous at the same time...I have in the back of my hea what if I dont get approved…

Hi everyone, just wanted to say hi to all on the forum. I am from England, just outside of London and have not been banded yet. I have my consultation 27th Oct and hopefully surgery sometime in November. I am very exicted about this as have been overweight for a very long time now (BMI 36). I just wanted to say that this forum is fantastic and I have been reading many of your comments and it has given me that extra push to go ahead and do this. You are all so positive about this procedure and have done so well with your weight loss. Sometimes I feel like a bit of a failure that I havent been able to do this with just diet and exercise, particularly as my husband is a p…

Hi everyone! My name is Jessica. I'm a 28 year old social worker who lives in Salt Lake City. Hopefully, I will be having the Lap Band surgery soon...I'm waiting for the insurance to approve it. I have Aetna and I've heard that they are pretty difficult to work with. I'm crossing my fingers! I'm currently at 218 pounds and I'm only 5'1". So my goal weight is between 120-130. I've already found so much helpful information on the forum! You all have such inspirational stories to tell. I look forward to getting to know everyone!

Hello - I am scheduled to be banded on Oct 3 2006 in St Petersburg, Florida. Have to admit I am a little nervous and that may be this liquid diet I am on for the next 2 week not sure yet. I will be posting regular looking for tricks and ideas on making this a positive venture for me. I am currently at 334lb and want to get to fighting weight of 185lb. Going to be an interseting road ahead.. Neal:cool:

Hi everyone! I'm new here. I have not been banded yet. I'm in the process of gathering information on cost, doctors, ect. According to what I've read, I may not qualify. I'll ask some of you this question. My current weight is 198 lbs. 33 BMI. My goal is 130 lbs. I'm 5'4" and 37 years old. I have been fighting this battle for 18 years. I've been thru every program and prescription drug program you can imagine. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions? :help:

Hello All! I've been reading the many different threads and posts here in this forum for a couple of weeks and have learned quite a bit from you all. I had a call from the office of the Dr. I met with regarding getting banded today - they submitted everything to my insurance company today for approval. I hear I am fortunate because I have United HealthCare and they are fairly good about approving this procedure. But, am still anxious to hear from them. Does anyone know how long they typically take to send out their approval or denial? Well, keep your fingers crossed for me! I look forward to learning more from all of you, and hopefully joining the ranks of those who …

Hello everyone I am 17 years old and have been over weight all my life. I know I'm young and it may seem like I have all the time in the world to lose the weight but unfortunety I have been trying for years. I was over 330 pounds in the 7th grade (i was about 13). I just feel my life was never really me so after a friends mom told me about the band I started looking into it more. I am just looking for people to tell me about their journey and how I can expect it to be like. :help: Thanks, Samantha P.S. sorry its kinda long once I got into it I had a lot to say.

Hello everyone, I am new here, but was really looking forward to talking to people who have had the lap-band. It will be 1 yr. for me this Halloween. I have only lost about half of what i should have, and am very disappointed. My nephew had the bypass the same time and has lost alot more, and I feel like I did the wrong surgery at times. I have one more fill to go.

My surgery is scheduled for Oct. 5, 2006. I am soooo looking forward to this being the answer to my life long struggle with weight. I'm not expecting this to be magic, but it sounds like most people are really happy with their band and have had great success. I'm a little nervous about recovery time because I'm a massage therapist and use my full body for work. I'm hoping that I will have a quick recovery so that I can get back to work. Being self-employed means no sick leave. About me & weight: I'm almost 32. My first diet started age 8. I've yo-yo dieted for 24 years. I know I can lose the weight. It's the keeping the weight off that I struggle with.…

Hi, I'm new to the forum, I was banded on July 13th of this year. I've lost 53 lbs so far. Woo hoo! :clap2: I started at 496 lbs. Dr. Stephen Malley did my surgery and I've been really happy with him and his office staff. I have a myspace blog that I'm trying to chart my progress on. http://www.myspace.com/brandywittbrod

Hi All I want to have surgery and have my first Dr. Appt on 10/10. I have been been overweight all my life. I have at points managed to lose up to 40 lbs but have never been able to get to a normal weight. I have many complications brought on by being obese. I understand that having surgery is serious and is not a magic bullet. At this point I am desperate to lose the weight and regain my health. I think my having surgery is my last chance to save my physical health. Emotionally I am not sure where I am. Excited to start losing weight but afraid of going thru this and failing. Thanks for reading. I appreciate the support

Hello! I have been a horrible lurker for about a month now... maybe I should finally introduce myself??? I am a 40 year old mother of 3, ages 23, 19, and 17. I work in the I.T. department at a credit union in Eastern Iowa. This website is amazing!! I have found a huge amount of information about lap-band from all of your experiences with it. After a ton of research, I have decided to be banded by Dr. Ortiz in Tiajuana <sp?>. Geez... I hope I remember some of the Spanish I learned in college! heheheh My insurance has a rider that says it will not pay for bariatric surgery no matter what... bummer.. So I am putting myself in debt with the hope that …

I just wanted to say hi and reintroduce myself. I am not really a newbie. I was posting earlier this year with the hopes that my insurance would pay for my surgery. I found out that my UHC plan wouldn't cover it and I basically put the thought out of my head. I have now decided to save up and finance the surgery myself. I really didn't think of this as being an option @ all before. I have been saving and I think after tax time that I should have enough to do the surgery. The $$ could surely go to other ways (family, etc.), but I see this as my last resort. Either way the $$ would go to good use. Anywho, I pretty much see that I will have to do the surgery in …

Hey everyone, I am new to this forum. I join the "band" on July 10, 2006. I was really excited about it. Within the first 2 weeks I had lost 16pds. Mainly because I was on liquids. Now, nearly 2 months later, I've lost NOTHING!! I have had one fill and its not that I'm hungry, I'm just not losing. I started working out 2 weeks ago, 5 days a week for an hour. I'm feeling very discouraged. I thought that I would at least be losing a pound a week. Does anyone have any advice for me? I have talked to other people and they have lost 30 pds in a couple of months. Is something wrong with me? I have another fill in October. I feel like I'm letting myself down. eventhough I have …