Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I am new to the board. I have been a looker for several months, and have found this site very informative. I am scheduled to be banded on Oct. 5th by Dr. Rumbaut in Mexico. I am excited and nervous at the same time. My weight has gone up and down for many years, and I am glad that I will be given such a great tool to help me get my weight under control. :clap2:

Since you all have heard so much about me, I decided I would join in on the fun.

:wave: I'm Christy, 25, from Los Angeles. I just made my appointment last week, and I'll be banded on September 26th! I've been overweight since I was 7, and have been actively trying to lose weight since I was about 13 (and all it's gotten me is a new heighest weight). I've finally had it -- I need :help:! My BMI is 35.7 (and I'm prediabeteic), and I hope to lose 80 pounds with the help of my new band! I'm loving looking around the board at everyone's different experience, and I can't wait to share my own!

hi everyone, my name is mel and i'm a newbie! my current status is i have my first appt to see surgeon on tuesday at 5pm. i am excited and nervous at the same time i just want my journey to begin! looking forward to chatting lots in relation to my experience and gaining info and support from all you more wisened folk! chat soon mel:rolleyes:

Hi, I'm new to the site too. I was banded 2 weeks ago, lost 17 lbs, I'm really happy I did it. :clap2:

HI ALL.......I AM A NEWBIE HERE AND WANTED TO INTRODUCE MYSELF.....I WAS BANDED 8/11 AND I AM DOWN 20 POUNDS......YAY....I LIVE ARKANSAS/TEXAS BORDER AREA AND WORK FULL TIME......I HAVE A GREAT SON THAT IS TEN....I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO TAKLING WITH YOU ALL........IT MAY TAKE A MINUTE TO GET USE TO THIS PAGE SO BARE WITH ME, ....

Hello everyone, I am a newbie to lapbandtalk! I wanted to come on here and hear as many stories (good, bad or indifferent) about the band so that I know what to expect when I get my band. Any advise oh wise ones? Anyhow, show me love, cuz I'm a needy newbie hahaha! You guys all have a safe and fun holiday weekend! :humble:

Hi everyone, I'm new here and thought I would post a quick hello. I was banded on Dec 6th 2005, and I am currently down ~40lbs. I am having some severe complications with Gout and Rheumatoid Arthritis which are keeping me from exercising which I feel is really holding up how much weight I will lose. Anyone else in this same predicament?

I am going to a meeting next week. My Doc. Refered me. I have been trying to loose weight for over 5 years, But everyone says I am don't have a large enough BMI to qualify? BMI 35 I am 5'5" and weigh 210? Any input?

I am very new to this process. Just starting to research the idea of having lap-band surgery and what it involves. Very interesting and helpful forum. So much information to review. Looking forward to reading all of it.

I am 5 days out of surgery. Feeling pretty good, but just wanted to make sure I was do all I was suppose to. I have been sipping protein shakes, water, juice and hot tea. Haven't paid much attention to the portion size, just my stomach telling me when. I don't have much gas, but do get strong pains in my side from time to time. Has been raining for days so the only walking I'm doing is inside the house but still moving. Any suggestions or comments????

October, 25 2006...I went in to meet the doctor yesterday and he gave me a date! I have to do the test( they are all done at the same place and there is no wait time!) while im doing that i will go to educational classes! Yeah me...its been 2years waiting. I cant believe it!

My name is Vivian and I was banded on 8/21/06. My Doctor is Dr. Geiss, NY. Just being on the liquid diet three days before my surgery I lost 4lbs. Not like its much but, I guess every bit helps in the long run. I'm getting sick of liquids by now and hope when I go for my post-op on 9/5/06 that I can start mushy food. Even though I've cheated with stuffing and cream of chicken soup. Yum Yum. Any words of advise from the group?:clap2:

HI Everyone I'm Mia... 25... and I'm hopefully going to be banded soon. I've already had my inital consultation with the surgeon, had my psych eval... I go for my surgical clearance appointment next week and hopefully I'll be getting into Rotation soon! As long as my insurance company doesn't throw any curveballs, I should hopefully be on the losers bench very shortly. I look forward to chatting with you all

Hi Lapband community, I only heard about you yesterday. I was banded three years ago and then rebanded following prolapse of band and hiatus hernia this march. I have lost 32 kilos:) and want to lose ten more but am finding it a bit hard going at the moment. I am delighted a support group exists on the internet for people like us and look forward to communicating with some people, Best wishes, Lindey

THIS SURGERY IS 3 YEARS IN THE MAKING....BETWEEN BEING DENIED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY 3 TIMES AND A MILD HEART ATTACK... I FEEL LIKE I HAVE BEEN WAITING ALL MY LIFE:faint: I CANNOT BELIEVE IT IS REALLY GOING TO HAPPEN! DOES ANYONE EVER USE THE CHAT ROOMS? ANY WORDS OF WISDOM FOR ME........? MY DOCTOR IS DR. NICHOLAS BERTHA I CURRENTLY WEIGH 210 MY GOAL WOULD BE AROUND 140-50 THE MAIN REASON FOR THIS SURGERY IS BECAUSE I AM ON ANTIDEPRESSANTS WICH MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO LOSE WEIGHT, MY HEART PROBLEMS....AND I CAN GO ON. MICHELLE43

I am 58 and I was banded August 3 2005 by Dr. Gadeleta at north shore hospital.I lost46pounds by January o6. I went from 233 to 187. I have been readingthe posts since last Augst and am very grateful for all the wonderful things I havel learned from all of you. I also learned if your not losing you need a fill or your not using the band to its fullest potential. On August 26, 06 I had my first fill of 1.5 cc. My band holds 4 cc. That night I didnt sleep a wink and had bubbles in my throat. I was so happy my doctor told me to come in right away when I called him the next day. he did a adjustment and now Ihave .8 fill. I fell great and started losing weight . This time i…

this place is terrible

Well I'm home from Mexico and offically banded. I was banded on Friday and got back to DFW last night. I won't be all the way home till I drive back to the little town where I live. I'm sore and brused and not sure if the rumbling in my tummy is because I need to eat something or just post surgery gas. I feel lots better than I did yesterday with all the flying and the Tijuana taxi ride (two hours at the border). My left side (port side) is swollen and brusing and I look kinda pregnant, but my twin says all the incisions look great and the rest is normal. So away I go. Time to get skinny. banded 8-25-06

I'm a newcomer to the forum--or to any online forum for that matter. I was banded by Dr. Benavides at SCOR in November '04. I have an Inamed band and I've had two fills. I became very discouraged because I've lost only 25 pounds with the band and experienced a lot of difficulty incorporating the lb into my busy professional life. I've also had a lot of difficulty with acid reflux since the lb surgery. I have taken some time off from worrying about the lb and I've been advised by my other physicians to have the lb removed. However, I am making another attempt to get the weight loss that I need with the lb since nothing else seems to have worked. I would ap…

Hi there, I am new to this forum and think I posted my message incorrectly the first time around. So here I go again: Another newcomer Hi guys, hope it is OK for a UK girl to write to you all? I find this forum extremely helpful and am hoping to get some good advice and guidance. Taking a big breath ..... I am in the preliminary stages of setting up appointments for the op and am very nervous and excited at the same time. I am hoping to have it done in London beginning 2007 and the thought of being in a position to finally do something about my weight is what drives me. I have a couple of questions that no-one around me can answer (I don't know anyone who has had it…

Hi everyone. I was doing some online research in preparation for my introductory seminar for lapbanding later this month and was SO happy to have found this site. So many of my questions and concerns were answered and despite the difficulties some of you have had, the before and after pictures speak for themselves. My name is Virginia and I've been obese since childhood and slid into morbid obesity by 8th grade. I'm now 37, 365 lbs and I have had recent problems with mobility, and long standing issues of back/joint pain, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure. I know most of you can relate when I say how much I am dying to just go for a walk!! But my enthusiasm drops o…

Hey, I am 22 and 250 pounds with 2 kids. I am just starting to look into the lap band procedure and am really nervous about it. My husband is fully supporting me in every decision I am making. I am just not sure how to start everything and get the ball rolling. I am always open for any suggestions and all support would be awesome! like I said, I am new and extremely nervous!

Hi,my name is Mario.I am 5'8'' and 291lbs.I live in Thailand and will be banded on Sept 3rd.I will be banded at Pattaya Bangkok Hospital,in pattaya.The cost will be about $9500 us dollars.I can't wait to get this over with.I am a little scared.Today is my birthday and i am 49 years old. Thank God i found this site.Reading eveyones storys has calmed me down a little.But when i lie down at night and think about the operation this Sunday,i can't sleep. Thank you all Mario

I am just 50 and diabetic, both knees need operated on back problems andi am tired of the diets, i have been reading so much on this board on lap band im getting frightened. I dont think i am a canidate for gastric because of my previous operations. I was looking forward , my insurance ok' d it so did the doc now how long much more must i wait till the process begins i went to oreintation, and have filled out the application, I am anxious, and frightened. can some one tell me how much longer i got and what i can expect. thank you desperate for answers Helen:think

Hi, everyone. I'm just joining this group today. I am tentatively scheduled to have the lap band surgery on 9/20 with Dr. Crooms in Tallahassee. I have about 200 pounds to lose. I was wondering what I can expect. Could someone help me with that? Thanks. Linda

My name is Carol and I was banded on March 8, 2006. Have lost 70 lbs thus far. I have only had one fill, and I think that is too restrictive as I throw almost everything up. I'm glad that the weight is coming off as I couldn't breathe and could hardly walk from my car to my office without sitting down. I do feel better (100%) due to the loss, but can't imagine that I will not be able to eat anything else ever. I can only eat mashed potatoes - ugh!!! Yikes!. Does anyone else have this issue? I look forward to talking with ya'll. Dr. Felix Speigel - Houston, TX Banded - 3-8-06 1 fill (1cc) 272 lbs on 3-8-2006 202 lbs on 8-27-2006

Hello all. My surgery is scheduled with Dr. Hadar Spivak first thing tomorrow morning. I've already missed out on the excellent tip to have today's diet be mostly liquid, but at least I haven't stuffed myself silly. I'd like to know if there are any other "best tips" you can offer pre or immediate post surgery. I've been keeping a lid on the excitement level, but now, with the surgery less than 12 hours away, I'm just humming with anticipation and eagerness to get on with the next phase of my life. Bring it on!

Hello, My name is Dieta and I was just banded on 8/23/06. This is my first day back at work. Overall, I am still trying to tell the difference between pain and hunger. I am having to revamp my whole way of thinking regarding food and even how I drink water. Other than that, everthing is going ok.

Hi everyone I am new to this site. I was banded 8/16/06 By Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana. The whole experiance was a very possitive one and I am so glad I picked Dr. Ortiz. His people pick you up at the airport in San Diego and took my wife and I to a very nice hotel in TJ. After it is all over they returned us to the airport. I lost 20 lbs. as instructed before the implant and 10 lbs since.

Hi Everyone, I am new to this site. My name is Ann and I was banded in August 2004 and had slippage and had to be rebanded in May 2006. My doctor was Wade Barker, Dallas, TX With my first banding I lost 50 lbs than when the slippage started they fooled with that for about 6 months than decided I needed to have it replaced. That took 3 months and in that 3 months with no fill I gained back 25 lbs. I have lost 12 of those 25 already. I really need support. I am having a hard time trying to figure out what I really should be eating at meal times and how often. I just started doing the 6 small meals every 2-3 hours. I sure hope it starts to help me lost it a little faster t…

Hello everyone, What a terrific site! I haven't been banded yet - my first appointment with my surgeon is in October. It doesn't seem real to me yet but I am getting more and more excited. I look forward to getting to know you all! -Tomato 5' 10" 385 Highest 298 Current 145 Goal

Hello. My name is April. I am 26 yrs old and been working very hard to have the lap band procedure done. I don't know where to begin. I have been a patient of Dr. Steven Simon in Phoenix Arizona since about February. I checked my criteria from my insurance and went over it and over it to make sure I knew exactly what they needed. I have done everything and finally the surgeons office when to submit to my insurance yesterday. They found out I was given the wrong information. I was hopefully going to have my surgery by the beginning of November but just found out today that I need to have 3 months with a nutritionist. I have had every negative emotion today. My insur…

i was banded on March 15 and am looking for a support group in the cy-fair area. Any suggestions?

Hi, This may be my second message today. I have never posted before and I think I goofed up someplace. I had my band put in on March 22, 2006. I am so happy with it. I have lost 53 pounds so far and am very happy with that and the loads of inches I have lost. Life is so good now!!!!:confused:

Hi, I have just found out about this group and am really excited to become part of it. I had my band put on March 22, 2006 and love it. So far I have lost 53 pounds and loads of inches. I have gone from a size 28 dress to an 18. That is so amazing to me. I can't remember when I was this small. Still have a ways to go but I will get there.

Hi..I'm new and will be having my surgery on Tuesday. I'm pretty nervous about the entire thing. I guess my biggest concern is that I won't lose that much weight. Any help?:help:

HI everyone! My name is Denise and I live in Richmond, VA. I'm new to all of this but am very excited about the lapband. For the past couple of months, I've been doing research and have decided this is what I want to do. I am self-pay, as my insurance doesn't cover the surgery and my psychologist appointment is tomorrow. Next Monday, I meet with the dietician and surgeon, Dr. Carbonell of the VCU Obesity Center. I"ve only told a few people about the band and for the most part, everyone has been supportive. The odd thing is that my sister-in-law, who is an RN, has been trying to talk me out of it. She is also overweight and I'm not sure why she would want to talk me out …

Hi everyone! I have been reading this forum and is so informative. I just received my band date for August 21st and am so excited. My body just aches with sooo many pains! If they get a cancellation I'll get to go sooner. Thanks for all the tips, lessons and stories. I can't wait to join in with my own.

am planning on getting banded in october. Had the psychological eval today. Went really well. Am nervouse that I wont loose weight but not really sure if I want to do the bypass. Any advise or words of wisdom?:nervous

I am 5 days post-op and new here, I have learned alot from this forum. I was banded by Dr. Wagner in St. Louis. Everything is going good so far the port site is very sore. Just wondering how long I have to wait for my first fill?

Hi, everybody! Great site - I'm so excited to join! About me: I started looking into lap-band a few weeks ago, and everything has been a blur since. I have attended an informational seminar, briefly met a bariatric surgeon, and checked on my insurance (does cover with medical necessity). I have my first "official" consolt on Thursday (8/24) with the surgeon I am hoping will do the surgery. I am kind of a special case, too, because I have Crohn's disease. As you might know, gastric bypass cannot be done on Crohn's patients (due to inflammation in the intestines), and many surgeons won't do lap-band on Crohn's patients, either (I was flat-out denied by two surgeons v…

Hi All, I've been lurking and finding so much valuable information on this website. Gee, how did we ever manage before the internet? So let me introduce myself... I'm a fairly healthy 44 yo w/a bmi 39. I have about 75 lbs to lose. I'm going to self-pay and will get banded by Dr Ortiz in Mexico and he will fix my hiatal hernia too. I am currently looking for a doctor in Connecticut who would be willing to provide me with after-care & fills. I hope to have the procedure done late September 2006 in Tijuana. I've decided to keep this a complete secret from everybody, but my husband. My family will think I'm nuts to go to MX for this and just worry and give …

Woo-hoo! I got my date today, I'm going to Bajanor Clinic in Tijauana, Mx on 8-25-06 to get my band. I've been on my pre-surgery diet for 5 days hoping to get this date. I'm starting with 360lbs and a BMI around 56.4.

Hi there everybody. I've been browsing this site and find it very informative so far. I am at the beginning of my journey with the lapband. I have to attend a seminar on the 14th of Sept. I was hoping to get a consultation sooner than that. I'm anxious to see if I'm a candidate and if my insurance pays for this surgery. I'm at my wits end with my weight. I definately know how to lose it 10, 20,even 50 lbs at a time and then back on it comes because I feel like I'm above it all. I always think I'm in control and can "will" the weight off without the hard work. I do work very hard at it and give up like its all nothing. How frustrating! I will be 36 this month an…

Hi Everyone, I just finally got my approval this week, after eight months of appeals! I can't wait to call my doc and tell them it's all systems go I'm in Connecticut, and plan to be banded very soon. Anticipation

Hi everyone i am pretty new here have been looking around .I have my surgery date for sept.6 . I am excited and nervious also. I will be back to update .Thanks for all the info i have gotten from this forum. :clap2:

Hello everybody, I've been lurking for a few days and just wanted to say hello and introduce myself. I am scheduled to be banded on August 28th by Dr. B. Greene in Rockville, MD. My insurance BC/BS of DC does not cover the procedure at all. As of the 1st of August, I'm on a semi liquid diet, 1 meal and 2 Protein shakes a day. That all will change on August 14th when I go all liquid...really looking forward to that :omg: I am very encouraged by the success and support that is shown with this group and I look forward to becoming as successful as you all have been! Would love to chat with you all and get to know you as we win this battle together. Lett

Hi everyone! I am new to this site. I would like to have lapband; however, Aetna will not cover my surgery. Does anyone know of a GOOD surgeon in DFW area or anywhere else in Texas that is relatively reasonable? Do any of the doctors partially finance? I have about $8,000 to put down. Thanks for the info!

Hi everyone - I've been lurking a while, and I've learned so much from this forum! I've been overweight most of my life, and I'm in the process of trying to get Tricare Prime to cover a procedure for me. I just wanted to introduce myself, and thank everyone for sharing their experiences. Dani