Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

G'day from Melbourne, Australia! (sorry - I'm a metric girl - 140kg or about 315 pounds) (sorry also for the long first post - there's a lot to say to begin with....) I am SOOOO glad I found you all on this forum - reading your posts over the past week, and viewing all those inspirational before / after shots has helped me in my decisions and plans immensely. God Bless you all for sharing and caring so much:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: - I hope that I may contribute to the forum as well as the benefits I'm already enjoying. I'm 34, a mother of one boy (who's 5), married to a WONDERFUL man (he always cheers me on, and thinks I'm sexy however I look! Bless h…

Hi, I am new to this site and have my banding scheduled for 7/31. I am on the liquid pre-diet. Would love any advice.

Hi. I just learned about this board today. Looks good. I'm still deciding what doc to use (I live in Wyoming and the choices are in Cheyenne, WY, Colorado, or Nebraska). I meet the surgeon in Cheyenne on Thursday. If all goes well, I could be banded on August 7th.

Hi everyone, I'm new here, trying to learn how to use this site. I will be banded on July 28 in Mexico. I live in TX. Mary

Happy Friday. I am new to this board, so I am looking for some advise. I have gone through all the pre insurance testing and everything was submitted to my insurance (Empire Plan-NYS) on 7/14. I got a letter today addressed to my surgeon stating the procedure would be approved but they want estimation of cost. Has anyone ever heard of this before??? I saw the letter and got all excited, and now I don't know where I stand. I will call the surgeon's office on Monday to follow up but just wanted to see if anyone here had any advise. Thanks!

Found out today that my employer elected not to have this covered under our plan. The $15K is out of the question - I'm a single parent!! I'm very depressed now - guess it's not meant for me to be thin.

I was almost done with a lengthy post and somehow lost it. If you are interested in my journey, you can view my blog at http://360.yahoo.com/mary.daily Yeah, I talk about stuff other than banding there, but for the most part, it's about my band. I have gone from 390 pounds on 5-4-2005 to my current weight of 331. I love my band and I want to keep it forever!!! I was self pay, after being turned down by Humana HMO twice. I could have taken their direction and tried a six month medically managed weight loss attempt, but I was afraid they would just turn me down again for another reason. If I had not paid for the surgery myself, I would probably be having my surgery a…

My name is Sister Di and I was directed to these forums by a dear friend from another board. I haven't read much yet, I just figured I'd register and then check it all out. I'm not scheduled for surgery yet. My cardiologist is still working with a colleague of hers to find a surgeon brave enough to take me on. I have just loads of complicated medical conditions that make me any surgeon's nightmare, but we think that we may have found someone to help me with this issue. I look forward to reading here and getting to know some of you better! Di

Hello! I am new to the site and just wanted to say that I have been successfully banded now for 5 1/2 years. My wonderful Dr is Hadar Spivak in Houston Texas. I was his first patient under the FDA study. I had lost 90 pounds all together but when I quit smoking I gained 40 of it back pretty quick. I am still not smoking and have been able to lose 20 of the 40 pounds so far and I am very determined to get the rest of it off. It has definately been a roller coaster ride and one that I would definately go on again!

I was banded in mexico on may 19th by DR. DE la Garza in monterey.I am 58 years old. I am a mother of 4 and a grandmother of 7. I have lost 27 lbs. I have had no problems and I consider it the best thing I have ever done for myself. I have not had a fill. I think I need one, but i'm not sure if I need to go back to mexico to have this done. I live in albany, ga and I would like to find a DR. a little closer.:clap2:

Just wondering if anyone had a chance to do gastric bypass surgery but choose lap band surgery instead? I have been researching both surgeries and gastric bypass sounds scary,I don't think Im mentally ready for them to cut & rearange my organs. Lap band is for me.I don't have any health conditions other than being overweight which makes me a better canidadate for lap band. I know weight loss is much slower. My insurance only covers RNY.Can anyone give me an idea how much you've lost in a 6 months with lap band surgery?

Well, I have jumped opver the cliff. I called and made my first appointment for august 7tth. I am getting banded at the NWWLS in Everett WA. I am cash pay. This is great! and I am really nervous :nervous . Hoping to get banded in August so my brother can give me a ride there and back. he is a teacher and it will be a bit harder after school starts to get his help. OH boy Oh boy Oh boy! Bye Bye Diabetes! I am a little in shock that I made the call. WoHooooooo The more I research this procedure the more I am looking forward to this. Ok enough wahoooing for now See Ya!!!:biggrin1:

Hi all! This is my first post here on this site. I am very excited to be going to Mexico for my band on the 21st of July as a self pay. Dr Kuri is my doctor there, any Kuri patients out there? I am a little nervous and very excited. I am 34, no kids, married (forever), and ready to get in shape and stay that way! I am thrilled to find such a great support system online, and I appreciate all of you out there that share your stories and journey! Ironically, I have a BS degree in health education and have a adversion to exersize, don't figure. I am going to start at curves as soon as I have recovered. I have done a good job of maintaining my weight for a long time, I am rea…

My name is Cindy - I'm 31, married, and have 2 kids. I love in Arlington, Washington. I've been consumed with my weight issues for the last 2 years- I think about it from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed. I've tried to just "accept" this is who I am and be ok with it. But - that just doesn't work for me. I was thin growing up, then after my kids my weight varied in the 170-190 range. (what I'd give to be 170 now!!) I'm now 255 lbs and I'm NOT ok with it. It just keeps coming and my energy level is awful. I haven't been able to sustain any significant weight loss on my own. After meeting someone in person who had the surgery - I started looking into it. T…

Hi! I'm CJ. After four years of debating and researching and changing my mind I have decided to go forward with getting a lapband. I had my first appointment with the surgeon on Monday. The insurance stuff is proceeding well. It looks like it's a matter of time at this point (fingers crossed). CJ

Hi there, I am new to this online support community. I had lap band surgery on 4/19/06 and I have lost about 30 pounds. I live in Oregon, but went to Monterrey Mexico for my surgery. I have had one fill. My weight loss is going well, but I have had some other complications and I am looking for someone who may have had a similar experience. I have ended up in the hospital ER a few times including once when they kept me for 4 days. The docs said I had an "ileus", which means my intestines shut down. Now they tell me I am anemic. I don't believe the enemia is related directly to my band, but indirectly because of the drastic changes to my diet. Is there anyone out…

Hi, I have just begun the process, I have seen Dr. Olsofka here in louisville, ky. I saw the nutritionist today, and I will see the Physc. Dr. on Aug. 4th. Then I am told I will see the Dr. again.. My insurance decides all of this for me. My Dr. is out of network, but I am blessed to have a pretty good out of network coverage. The hospital will be covered by my insurance. I would like to find others who have Dr. OLsofka. He really seems to be a very good Dr! Well I am excited to begin my new life, and I sure hope this procedure will be the tool I need! Sherry

Just wanted to introduce myself. I am scheduled to be banded on Friday, August 4th in Tijuana Mexico. Good luck to everyone who is on their way like me... and keep up the good work to all of you who are already there! This is a GREAT place to chat and get info and I am so glad to be a part of it!

I live in the Dallas area and would love to talk to someone regarding lp. Insurance will not pay for mine because I have 55 lbs to loose and thet don't consider that obest, but I've tried everything and not happy with what i see in the mirror, not anything fits plus the fact that I'm depressed all the time. I'm thinking about going to Dr Sanchez in Mexico and getting some "flack" from family members so I need some help from other who have done it. ah:help:

Hello from France! I have two concerns that I'd welcome your input on: nerves about the operation and concerns about starting a new job shortly after being banded. I'm scheduled to be banded on Tuesday morning (07/11) and I've been researching this and gleaning first-hand information from this and another site for a few months. My head tells me that I should get the band, but my emotions are all over the place about it. I already have a foreign object in my body due to shoulder replacement surgery 10 years ago (which was a result of picking up a golden staph bacteria during minor shoulder surgery in the US 20 years ago). I think that, as a result of my previous bad …

Hi All, It's been a while since I posted but...I have an question. I was banded on June 19th and I haven't lost one pound since my first post op visit. That was four weeks ago. I do not have a restriction and can eat without feeling discomfort or full. Is this normal? Will it change when I have a fill? I see the Dr. on July 25th. Very confused and frustrated. desotodeb

I am an advid scuba diver and was wondering if anyone who has been banded, dives. If anyone out there is can you tell me if the band effects it at all? Thanks, GiGi :help: :help: :help: :help: :help: :help: :help: :help: :help: :help: :help: :help:

:help: Hi, Today is the first time I've been to this site and it seems like it will be very helpful. I am to have my surgery Aug. 10th. I've really done a lot of research, but would like to hear from "real" people that have had the surgery and people that are about to have the surgery. I feel like I need support before and after the surgery. I'm 60 yrs old and have been overweight all my adult life. I'm 225 lbs. and 5'1. (barely) My doctor suggested this surgery on the first visit with him. I'm very glad he did because during the pre physical they wanted me to do a stress test and I failed it and they did a heart cath and discovered that I was 90% blocked and had t…

Hi All, my name is Sharon and I am a 58yr old grandmother from Texas. I had my surgery May 12, 2006 at Shreveport,La. My surgeon was George Merriman II and I am going for my first fill Next Wednesday. I am hoping that this fill will help me with my eating. :hungry: I want to eat like before the band. I have lost 21 lbs as of now and scared that I am going to start gaining it back if this fill doesn't help me with this hunger. Sharon

My Name Is Tricia and I am being banded on July 24th by Dr. Kira Scholfield in Middletown Ohio. I am feeling very nervous but am glad I have found these boards!!! I look forward to getting advice from all of you!!! And learning how to make a sig and stuff too!!! Congratulations to all of you who are doing great!!! Tricia Surgery set 7/24 Dr. Kira Schofield Ohio

I was wondering how you guys get those weight lines or I guess goal lones might be a better phrase. I like them. Thanks! Angela

I noticed that are several new members and sometimes they are shy about posting. I am not new, but until recently have not posted. It is almost like being new, so I wanted to welcome them and urge them to post and talk to us.

:clap2: My insurance finaly approved my Lap Band Surgery. My surgery is scheduled for Monday, July 17th. I'm excited and scared to death at the same time. Lots of positive input needed!!!!! Wish me luck!!! :cheer2:

my name is lory and me and my daughter just got banded on the 13 of july. we are scared ,excited,happy,sad all those things and more. My doctors name is Dr. Kuri and i started at 212 and my daughter at 242 she is already down 5 pounds and iam 3pounds right on!!!!! thanks for listening. Lory

Hello everyone, I'm new to this site. I have been considering Lap-Band surgery for over 2 years now. I finally decided to go through with it in January, but have had problems getting all the paperwork correct and to my surgeon. I have BC/BS of MI, they require all this paperwork in order to pay for the surgery but will not decide whether they will pay until after the procedure is performed. I'm a little scared they will reject my claim and I'll be stuck with astronomical medical bills, but I'll deal with that when the time comes. I hope to have my surgery in late August or early September. My surgeon requires 5 different medical evaluations by different doctors, …

Hi, this is my first post...I hope I found the right way to proceed. I have been to all the preliminary meetings, saw my doctor, (Dr. Pitt, in Columbia, MO) and was very impressed with him. Everything is a 'go' so far, and after talking to the insurance, it seems that all will go smoothly. How long did it take any of you for the insurance approval, and eventual surgery date? I'm hoping by September I'll be banded!!! By the way, I have been reading many of your messages and have been encouraged, and can relate to many many of your experiences with wt. loss and re gainining it again. I'm confident that this will really help me. Thanks to all of you for your honest posting…

Hello All!! First and foremost, I would like to say that this site has been extremely helpful. All of you are so helpful and supportive..full of information! Thank You!!! That being said...I am scheduled for surgery in a couple of weeks (july 25th) I am absolutely terrified! :paranoid and excited all at the same time. I have tried and tried to lose this weight and it has been a very long, frustrating journey. Anyway, I've finally decided that the band would be a helpful tool to help me in this weight struggle. I'm trying not to let the fear overtake me. I was originally scheduled for the surgery on June 12th but, I was too afraid of complications, (like how long wi…

Hey everyone!!!! I'm a post-op patient. I had my surgery 8 months ago by w onderful doctor named Colleen Kennedy in New Orleans.I've lost 120lbs so far and still going strong. I was just looking around the web for some people to talk to about there experiences. If u wanna chat just let me know. Thanks Gwen

:help: Hello everyone.... I have been looking at options to help me regain my former self (the smaller version). I struggled with weight as a kid, always being a little chunky.... lost a load of weight in 6th grade, earning myself the nickname of "Slim", which my old gym coach, now a friend, still calls me...Only, now it doesn't fit! I stayed thin throughout highschool and college, was in pagenats, homecoming, etc. Was the girl people wanted to look like (although I ALWAYS felt fat). Gained weight my last year in college, which kept coming, then lost 60 pounds a year later. From age 22-27, I was a size 10 and was VERY fit. Then, the weight started creeping up. When …

Hi: I am 49 years old and weigh 325 pounds. I have completed all my tests and am waiting for my surgery date. I have been overweight since my childhood and have tried every diet their ever was. I looked into the gastric bypass surgery over a year ago because my insurance would not cover the lap band procedure. The great surprise was in April they insurance company informed me that after July 1st, 2006 they would start covering the lapband. I knew this was meant for me. I am eagerly awaiting my lapband. However, I still have this feeling inside what if I fail with the lapband. Can anyone tell me how they stay away from the junk food, sweets, with the lap b…

I have been reading post for a few weeks. This is a GREAT site! I really need the kind of encouragement that everyone gives. I think that the band is a great tool and that it's really what I need. I met with a surgeon a few days ago and he's really great. I really am excited about the weight loss and health benefits but I'm scared. What if I can't do it? I know it is about changing habits, but I thought I had done that before only to fall back into the same routine. I do tend to think about things too much. Right now I have to do a 6 month Dr. supervised thing for my ins. so I have too much time to think. If anyone can help, I'd appreciate it. :nervous

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I have been denied by my insurance company b/c they say that it is NOT medically necessary and that I have not done enough "physician controlled dieting". I have done almost every diet imaginable but b/c I did them on my own it is not good enough. I have a BMI of 52! I am 340 lbs however otherwise, pretty much healthy. I am NOT diebetic, nor do I have high cholesterol, I do have sleep apnea though. I am at my wits end with them, any advice? Thanks!

Hi All, I was banded Jan 11, 2006 and have lost 35 lbs. as of this week. I am not so hungry any more, but after my last fill, (8 weeks ago), I have a hard time eating any meat and most food that is not soft. I eat refried beans, with fat free sour cream, low fat cottage cheese, fat free yogurt, egg whites or egg salad. Of course, I have been dring ice water, or diet iced tea. I have not had soda since January. When I eat meat or regular salad etc., I get PB's really bad and have to stop to spit up. This hurts too much to do every meal. Went to Dr. Pohl Friday and he said my band may be too tight. I have to go for x-rays to find out. Candy goes down fine--that …

HI there. I'm a newbie. I submitted my paperwork to the insurance a couple weeks ago and just waiting for approval. I'm in Mesa AZ and will be going to Dr. Terry Simpson for my band. :biggrin1: I'm currently doing SB and I can't wait to get the band to help me lose my weight. I'm looking forward to doing all those fun things I used to do...skiing, scuba, hiking, archery tournaments, etc. Well, just wanted to say hi and introduce myself.

Hi Everyone, I'm new at this. I have been reading the site a lot but never had the nerve to write. Well I'm hoping to be banded soon. I'm waiting on Insurance. Got approve first time for Dr. Speigel in March and surgery was sit for May 30, 2006 and on May 6, Dr. Speigel nurse called and told me that they no longer took my insurance. So I was all upset so I called my insurance UHC and ask them to refer me to someone and they gave me a list of Drs. to use. So I called one of them made my appointment done all of the test. Sent me to a cardiologist went through weeks of test. Got the letter from the cardio. saying I was cleared for surgery. Waited about 3 more weeks and the…

I love this site! I have bounced around a bit, I'm just waiting for a few replies. I'm not very internet/forum saavy but I'll manage.:nervous i have been checking out the band for over a year. Had Bc/Bs- they didn't cover. Had UHC-they excluded but promised to look at it on a case-bycase basis. BIG FAT LIE. Now i have iowa medicaid-only covers bypass after three years documented physician assisted dieting.I'm soon to have benefits in NE, as I am moving over the river. I am ANXIOUSLY awaiting some news-maybe banded by the end of Aug?:faint: Anyway-I'm eating one Protein shake a day, saying goodbye to favorite foods, and gaining weight. I feel like the band is my last b…

Hello to all, I have visted this site a few times never posted before just sort of lurked, I was banded Jan 9, 06 in puerto vallarta by Dr.Armando Joya. I had my first fill May 15 by Dr. Mathew St. Laurent in Houston,Texas. While I had an excellent experience with Dr. Joya when I came to get my fill I found out he had put the larger band usually reserved for men, making it harder for me to feel restriction and more difficult to adjust. Dr. St. Laurent has been great he is working with me and is very supportive. I'm at 4.5cc's My start weight was 245 I'm down to 200. I should have lost more by now but I must admit I was majorly slacking thankfully I am back on track no…

My name is James. I've gained weight over the past year (just another hiccup, I hope) and am ready to try filling my own band. That is how I've come across this board. I did my surgery in Feb. or March 2004. I live in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. I went to St. Luke's Med. Ctr. in Manila for the surgery. No waiting. I came across the procedure while alone in the Chiang Mai condo and when I heard back from Dr. Dineros and asked about the next opening, the reply was something like two or three days. The surgical team (which included a psychiatrist) was USD 7,500 and the hospital fees were about $2,000 more. With airfare, it came to about ten grand. (I understand that the proced…

I've been trolling for a couple of weeks now and wanted to say "hi." A little about me. I'm 33, 5' 6" 1/2 and 255ish. I tired of looking at the fat girl in the mirror. I'm tired of people giving me the "once over" stare ( I feel like sayin "yeah, I know I'm fat"). I'm tired of having trouble of sitting in airplane seats (now I can't even put the snack tray down) movie seats and those plastic white outdoor chairs. I'm tired shopping in the plus sized stores. I'm tired of being tired and fatigued. I'm tired of my knee hurting all the time and other various jonts. I've tried everything to lose weight, Jenny Craig, WW, ADKINS, South Beach and even diet pills w/ ephedra…

Hello all, Finally learning to get around all of this so I thought I would introcuce myself. I am waiting to get my surgery date, I was told I will get a call tommorow. I went to the Dr. the first time on June 21st after almost a year of considering this. I am very excited, which dropped after they told me it would be 6-12 weeks for insurance approval.....but they don't know me very well. I called CHAMPVA and got the approval letter sent to them last week!!! YEAH!! :clap2: SO now I am waiting for a date, I have done all of the other things I needed to do. So if anyone needs help with CHAMPVA insurance let me know. I got mine approved in less than a week! I am e…

Hello all! I have been reading this site for a few weeks now. I have gotten so far as to get the referral from my PCM - awaiting authorization through my insurance (Tricare) You guys have given me so much support - lol, without you knowing it. I just wanted to say "thank you". My referral is to Felix Spiegel. After reading so much, I know a lot of you have been banded by him. It has been great to hear your perspectives. Hopefully I can tell you all soon that I have my authorization. I soooo want to be a part of the "banded crowd" :-)

Tomorrow is my first visit with Dr. Querry, in Marshall , TX I have been reading alot of information about lap banding. and filled out my papers to take to my first visit with the Dr. Hope it won't be long before I can get approved for the surgery.:clap2:

:clap2: Hi, New to this post. Had Lap Band June 13 2006. By Dr. Robert Kramer in Marion,Va,Starting weight 279. Present weight,258.I found your site on a sheet of resources given out on education day.Thats one paper i am glad i kept Thanks for being here.

hello all. I'm 43, 296, 5-3. In the middle of a three month round of doc meetings to get aetna approval for lap band. Having surgery in January. I've always been very food oriented: making my own recipes, catering, cooking for others. After vacations, my family discusses where we ate more than anything else. I'm not a binger or secret eater. Is the adjustment HUGE, for food-oriented folks?