Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi everyone! My name is Robin and I live outside Nashville, TN. I was banded on 05/31/06 and had my first fill today. So far so good! A little about me, I'm almost 41 yrs old. I have a daughter that is the light of my life. She truly is the apply that didn't fall far from the tree though she doesn't like hearing that because she's a teenager, lol! She's also very proud that I had the surgery and even joined Curves with me to workout so I didn't have to go alone. I love pro football and am an avid fan of the Tennessee Titans. I'm also very into music with The Cure being my very favorite! I debated for years on the gastric bypass but just never felt it was…

Hi all! I am scheduled for surgery on July 6 with Dr. Rumbaut. I would love to hear any advice or comments about Monterrey, the surgery, the doctors, etc... So...I am 28, engaged, 5'3", highest weight 230, at 218 now. I hope to get at least get back to my college weight of 140 (fingers crossed). I was always a bit of a yo-yoer but just 10-15 pound fluctuations. But I started to gain in grad school and then had a car accident in 2003. I had the typical lower back pain and gained about 40 pounds in the couple of months after (laying on the couch- trying not to move). Even though I am 99% recovered, I haven't been below 200 since): Olive

My name is Renee and I reside in Texas. I am in the beginning stages of researching the lap band procedure. I had my first consultation with Dr. Powell in Richardson yesterday and am registered to attend a seminar in July. I would greatly appreciate any hints or suggestions anyone might have before and after the surgery. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Hello, my name is susan and I have actuelly been here in 2004 but have never posted. I have had a band for over a year now and am at a stand still, I have lost about 100 pounds but cant seem to lose anymore. so now what? i mean will the weight keep coming off eventually or is this it for me? also, when people get a tummy tuck with the band? Do they leave the band in? or do you actually ahve it removed first?

Help!!!!!! I currently reside in Delaware. I was recently scheduled for my first consultation with the CHRIAS group. Originally they told me that my BMI was not high enough but still scheduled me... ????????????? Dont wanna get my hopes up for nothing. Has anyone had that happen to them before????????

Hello:) I just joined this site today. I've been lurking around for a few weeks now. I was banded on 02/02/06 and so far I've stalled at a 30 pound weight loss:heh: . I get my 2nd fill on July 12th!! I can't wait. Right now, I feel that I have not reached my so called "Sweet Spot" yet. I must admit I haven't been the best at eating the right foods and exercising! I do well during the week days, but slip on the weekends! I plan to step up the exercising and cut out the bad foods RIGHT NOW! I want to say that looking at the "Before & After" pics really inspired me to do better! Thank you guys for helping me get on the right track. :clap2: ~Mtorres~

Hello Everyone! I have been lurking for a few days and finally worked up the courage to join! Not banded yet, working on saving up the cash! My big question to all you bandies out there is this: I have to go out of town for my procedure. Is it feasible for me to go by myself, stay in a hotel for a couple days after the procedure, and then drive the three hours home? Obviously I would cab it to and from the clinic/hotel, and will have brought along everything i could possibly need, food, meds, etc... Just wondering if I would be so ill that this was not practical. Sorry to ramble, what do you all think? I'm so happy I found this site!!!

Hi all, My name is Andy. I am 27 and am from the mornington peninsular in victoria Australia. I was banded 9 months ago at a weight of 149 kgs and am now down to 112 kgs. My first goal was 115 kg and am now shooting to get under 100. The band has changed my life so much. It has helped me gain confidence and show me i can do anything i put my mind to. I had battled with my weight loss for 5 years before i decided to get some help before i got to 30. It has made me aware of how important a healthy lifestyle with good eating and exercise is. So much so that i am now studying to become a personal trainer and i am going to specialise in people that have been long term o…

:help: Hello everybody. Just joined the forum and am wondering what to do next. I feel I really need this to get my health under control. I have been reading different posts and have seen some that are simular to my situation. I am 6'4" and currently at 310 pounds, I am diabetic taking four to five shots a day but supposedly type two, I have in the past taken off some weight and my blood sugars go way down so that I don't even need shots. I live in Port Orchard Washington and I am looking for A place close to home that is fairly affordable. Just watched the video I got in the mail from the Surgical Weight Loss Clinic in Tacoma. Ok seems like I'm babbling. Anyone who can g…

Hi: I'm new to this site and have already gathered a lot of valuable info., thanks! I'm scheduled to be banded on 7/7 and haven't received a lot of information from my doctor, although he is suppose to be excellent. I recently transferred to Germany with my job (still in a hotel), so I will be driving myself to the hospital the day before surgery for extensive tests, and according to my doctor should be able drive myself home on 7/8 or 7/9, and return to work on 7/10. However, from what I've read on this site that doesn't seem to be the norm. Has anyone experienced recovery that quickly? Also, are there any bandsters out there in the Mannheim, Germany area? Thanks!

Hello Everyone, I will have the lap band procedure done in Monterrey Mexico. Has anyone heard anything about Dr. Sanchez? Does anyone know where I can get fills in Texas? I heard it's hard finding a doctor to do the fills in the US when u have the surgery done in Mexico. I am scheduled to have it done July 3rd.:nervous

Hi all, new to the forums... obviously :confused: I havent even been a lurker and thats kinda different for me, i tend to lay low in the background before announcing my presence. Anywhooo.. I am an almost 33 yo mother of 3 children, and at over 300, perhaps at 310ish 5'8. I have tried diet after diet after method etc. I refuse to do gastric bypass, actually dont think i would be able to due to the high instances of intestinal scaring and obstruction in my children. So im relenting myself to one of two things. 1- stay obese 2- do something about it Since im not content staying obese i want to loose this weight but time and again fail. The most i have lost …

Hi All, I was banded on the 20th June (6 days ago) and am currently suffering from the following: - constant waves of nausea - inability to drink more than even a sip of Water - serious nausea from trying a few spoons of clear soup/jelly/tea My family are getting a little more worried as I am getting zero calories at the moment, and I know things have to settle for all to heal right, but is this how things should be? Also, how long until the nausea stops - it does stop right? As I cannot cope with it, and the lack of any real energy is making me dopey and tired a lot - i need functionality to return to work asap! Does one soon feel normal - apart from eating c…

I had my band on 6/3/05 and I am having very slow results. Dr. says this is normal but I wanted to see if others were having the same problems. After reading some of the info on this site I see that it is normal. I am glad Iam losing but now I am ready to start working out to help it along. Any info would be helpful. I have pretty much done this on my own without support from those who know the band best-the users. Thank you in advance for any help.:nervous

Hello Group, I am not yet banded I am going through a 6 month medically supervised nutritionist visits. I am on my third month. My surgeon will be putting in my paperwork in September :clap2: . I should hopefully be approved. I was denied the 1st time which is why I am going through these visits. My doctor is Dr. Mehta and she is hoping for an October date. I can't wait it seems like forever since I started this all in November 05. Joy

Hello, Marhaba, and Howdy! I work with a education collaborative between Qatar University and Texas A&M University. We are training primary English teachers. I have such a limited period of time with our family in the US that there is not even a minute to consider going to a clinic in Monterrey, Mexico which seems to be the top choice for Texans for band surgery. I have written to Surgical Team, Inc. (Jonas Haeger responded for Dr. Dhorepatil in India) and Dr. Christian De Bruyne who commutes between Dubai and Belgium. If any of you have suggestions - please let me know. The Surgical Team did not know of any doctors in Doha who could do the fills. Sincerel…

Hi I'm so glad I found you'll. I have not received my date yet to be banded. I'm trying to learn all I can. I'm on a fixed budget and I want to start getting the things I will need to eat now before hand. I look forward to getting to know all of you 'll Have a Blessed Day Joy

Hello All I was banded 30 days ago and I have lost 20.5 lbs. I had my surgery in Wilmington Delaware and my insurance (BCBS of DE) covered the procedure and aftercare. I had a very positive experience with my physician and the hospital. I am hoping to get my first fill in two weeks. I am currently taking Protein shakes and drinks along with occasional mushy or bleneded foods. I am going very slow as I do not want to test my band or my willpower at this point. I did get a gag reflex from all the creamed Soups and milkshake-like Protein Drinks so now I am taking Isopure, nectar as they are more like juices. Struggling with the exercise but hoping to establish a wo…

I was banded in Tijana, Mexico with my daughter, sister-in-law and my neice on January 9,2006. I have lost 38 pounds. It is a long story and I won't talk about it now, maybe later. I have had some problems with the slime. But after reading on the website, I am not sure what PB is. Some days are great and some are really bad, but I am happy for what I have lost so far.

Newbie here..have a surgery date of August 9th..just getting through all my pre op stuff. Took almost a year to get insurance approval..grr!...The feeds have answered a lot of questions and I look forward to posting my progress! :wave:

Hi, This is my first time and not really sure how to work this. I just had my surgery on the 19th and I'm wondering what the next couple of weeks have in store for me.

Hi All, :o My name is Martha and I was banded on May 24th, I have lost about 13lbs and hoping to loose more. I was a little worried that I am able to eat anything and not feel full or get sick,thank GOD for that. But after reading a few replies to my other post I feel a little better. I just need to watch what I eat. Hope to chat with you all soon. Good Luck to everyone. Marthaurl=ttp://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/3;53;91;0;0/c/-14/t/-72/k/3197/weight.png

I have been reading posts for days now. You all make me laugh and really inspire me. I have been researching the info to get the band. I have been heavy all my life and I really want to move past it. I am 37, I have a wonderful, very supportive husband and 5 kids. 4 boys and my youngest,a little sweetie girl. I want to teach them better than I have about taking care of their bodies and finding their self worth by whats on the inside, not the out! But thats hard to do when your own brain won't let you think that about your self! Ya know?? I am looking seriously at Mexico. The price is so much better than here in the states and from all the information I have recieved, and…

Hi everyone, I was banded in May and just got my first fill this week. I stopped by to look at the forum on Tuesday because I was having a real bad night after my fill and I was looking for information. I am doing much better today and back on track. Regarding the forum, I am really glad I joined today. I've learned a lot already. A little about me: I am 44, a mother of 2 boys (18 & 9), and married to my prince charming! I've been struggling with my weight since I was 13 and tried everything! I lost what ever control I had over my weight when I gained 100 lbs during my first pregnancy and I've never been able to take it off. I am so excited about my new life.…

I have been researching lap-band surgery and have found that there is so much information both positive and negative that I am getting discouraged. Since I don't have insurance, and will be self pay, I have been looking into having my lap band surgery done in Mexico. I have been impressed with what I have read about Dr. Rumbaut, Dr. de la Garza, and Dr. Ortiz. I have inquired with each and have been given names of local doctors that will do the fills. I haven't inquired if these doctors will see you in case of an emergency. Can anyone give me any advise on each doctor? I live in Mississippi and have looked into costs of airline tickets. It is closer to fly to San …

July 18th - - Besides Being Hunter S. Thompson's and Steve Forbes Birthday, it is also the day I will be banded. I am a 31 year old guy, whose life has been on hold for way too long. I got my approval from my new insurance company (I switched from Aetna who seems to hate the Lap Band). I am a little nervous, but not too bad. I try to focus on the positive change in my life this will be. A short negative in exchange for a long positive. Also knowing Morphine will be involved helps.

I'm going for a seminar on July 12th to see "Dr. V" in Charlotte, NC.....anyone else have experiences with him???? I look forward to getting a ton of information from everyone (and eventually helping others out)!

Hi all, I am 44 years old, married have 2 boys, ages 16 & 11. I've been consistently gaining weight since the birth of my first son when I gained 65 lbs and only lost 10. I have sleep apnea, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, bad hip, and hurting knees. I've been researching weight loss surgery for 2 years, and finally made my decision back in April. My insurance approved me before the Dr., even sent in the paperwork. They approved it by the letter sent to them saying I wanted a referral. Anyway, I'm excited because my surgery is next week, Thursday the 29th. Kathy:)

Hello, I have been lurker on this site for sometime, I just recently decided to join and become an active member! and I just wanted to introduce myself, I have been banded for almost 9 months now and enjoying band life to fullest....:clap2:

Hi - I was banded on may 11th by Dr Kuri in Mexico. I have had very little problem and have lost about 20 pounds - 18 right away and about 1 a week since then. I had some port pain at week 2 but it went away and i have not had any problem until 2 nights ago when my port area really started to hurt again. Could I have dislodged it or something? It is sore enough to not be able to lie on that side, which I have been able to do almost since surgery and I get sharp pulling pain when I reach or bend. Is this normal 5 weeks out? Thanks.

Hi! I have been looking at this site for a few months now and have found lots of great information here that have helped me decide to go through with WLS. I am very excited and scared at the same time. I am scheduled to have my surgery on July 12, 2006 in Covington, Louisiana. I am self-pay and didn't want to go to Mexico for my surgery, so they were the best choice for me, as I am from Jonesboro, Louisiana. I will have to travel 5.5 hours to get here, but that's not too bad. Well, just wanted to say Hi and thanks to all of you for putting your information out here for someone like me to look at and read. I guess one of my favorite places to look is the before and …

Hi! I'm in Houston, Texas and want to have Lap Band Surgery. I am not covered by health insurance, not sure I qualify for Texas Medicaid, and not sure Medicaid would cover Lap Band. If anyone has any information that can help me with this, please reply. I'm praying that somehow I can get this done. A life-long friend in Pennsylvania had it done several years ago and she's doing great!! Thanks for any help you can give me, and thanks for this forum! MRJ

Hello to all! I'm with the Band! (Cute, huh?!?) :bandit (Get it?..."Bandit" similes?!?) Ok, obviously, I am a witty wannabe. (Some would say dim witty!) I am a 52 year old dead beat Mom, (and wife!) We have one perfect daughter who is a senior at an excellent Christian University in Southern CA. She is majoring in Computer Science (because it is so easy!) And has just completed a summer session, taking 8 credits so she can get her minor in Math! She is beautiful, kind, and has strong moral values, and ideals. My husband is also brilliant. At work he is a senior project engineer for a huge security company. For the past 10 years he has been researching an…

I just had my first consultation yesterday. I am in still the gathering stage for insurance approval. A little bit about me. I am 28. I have an one year old son that is just a big ham. He is too cute. So funny and so happy. I am living in Rhode Island. I am not loving that. I grew up in California and I am sure missing it and my friends. I love music, movies, the Sims and going out to festivals. Hrm.. I really stink at intros. ha ha ha I hope everyone is healthy and happy! KD :cake:

for surgery on 6/29. I'm a 44 year old mother of 2 boys ages 16 & 11. I weigh 306 lbs. Can't wait to have surgery as I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, bad knees and hip. I've been researching all this for 2 years before making my decision. I'm excited and scared at the same time. I guess this is normal. I'll probably be posting here alot. Thanks, Kathy:)

Hi everyone, I just found this website and I am so happy and so relieved to have finally found what I've been looking for! :clap2: A lot of other Weight Loss Surgery sites are dominated by Roux-en-Y patients so it is such a breath of fresh air to finally find a website made for people who opted specifically for the Lap-Band like I did. About me: I'm 25 years old female and have lived in Los Angeles for the past 7 years. Before that, I grew up in Northern California, near Berkeley and San Francisco. Next, I'm making plans to relocate to Washington, DC by the end of this summer (if all things go as planned--we'll see!). I got banded on May 17, 2006 (my 25th birthday, …

Hello, everyone. Hope I posted this correctly. Just joined LapBandTalk today. However, I've been browsing posts for a week or so. I haven't been banded yet, but have gone to the required conference and had my initial meeting with the surgeon. I weight 296 lbs and am 5'6". When I told the surgeon I wanted a lap band, he told me I was a better candidate for the RNY. He didn't think I'd be happy with the results that I'd get with the lap band. Have any of you been told this too? I'm middle age and have a goal weight of 145-150 (seems a reasonable weight to me). Is lap band intervention for people with less weight to lose? How about your experience with weight rega…

Hi, I'm new here, duh! I am excited to see that there is a forum to discuss concerns and accomplishments with the lap-band procedure. Tomorrow is my first consultation with a surgeon. The possibility of being thin again astounds me. I have been severely to morbidly obese since the birth of my first child 17 (almost 18) years ago. I have tried everything to lose weight. I just don't want to sabotage myself with this just like with every other "diet." I don't want to "mess up" my band. I feel extremely motivated right now. I just want to meet you all and pick your brains about what you have gone through, what you are going through, and how you all deal with everything. Bles…

Hi everyone.... I have a question regarding the cardiology clearence needed for the surgery... I went today to the cardiologist and had an awful experience. I immediatly sensed that he was not all for WSL and then told me that " you people that are overweight don't understand that you can die from this bypass surgery". I told him 2x that I was not having that surgery and tried to explain the band to him. He was very difficult. Not very fat friendly at all. I felt a little humiliated by him. He found it hard to believe that I had no health problems and then insisted on schedualing several other tests for me ... My question... what where some of the tests other people had …

I have had a lab band recently installed on the 3.4.06 in Perth, Australia. My doctor was great and the recovery time was only a couple of days. I havent had my first fill yet but will be going back to Perth in the next few weeks for it. I have lost 12kg and have stayed like this for the last 2 months and at the moment can eat what ever I like. I cant wait for my first fill to start really seeing how the band works.:rant:

Hello everyone, Just wanted to greet you all and tell you a little about myself. I am a 50 year woman, married to a wonderful man, have 3 grown kids, 5 lovely grandchildren. I was banded on 2/2/06 and at this point I am down 30 lbs. I've had 3 fills and 1 unfill. I'm scheduled to go back on Tuesday, but I may have to reschedule as I have a new job and Tuesday is when we do the Hematology clinic...it may be hard for me to get away. Anyway, my weight loss has been slow, but the inches are coming off quickly. I've gone from an 18/20 or even 22 to a 14/16. Everyone says there is a big difference in my appearance. And I'm happy with that. At this point, I just need …

Hi, I'm Patsy G and was banded on 5/24/2006. Will get my first fill on 6/27/2006. So far everything has been great, looking forward to loosing this weight.

I'm new to the forum. I haven't had the surgery yet. I went through the whole process of evaluation, etc. a few years ago and didn't have it done b/c insurance wouldn't pay. Then, I lost some weight going to WW and exercising A LOT. I was cycling several days a week including 5-6 hours on Saturdays. Then, at 38, I found out I was pregnant with my 4th child. I gained a reasonable amount of weight, but have had difficulty taking it off -- I'm one of those people who loses about 10 lbs of baby weight naturally and the rest may as well be regular weight-gain. So, now my son is 16 mos. old and I am still struggling, so I'm going to give myself the surgery for my 41st birthday.…

I made my first post in the wrong section. I am 61, was banded almost 4 years ago at 327 up in NY and now weight 233, but live in FL. I have been having problems with PB's since my second band adjustment and due to the lack of doctors doing Bariactric surgery in my area, I have to travel over 100 miles for all lap-band related problems. I had my band emptied yesterday because I was drowning in my own saliva while sleeping. An under the pillow wedge stopped being effective and even sleeping in a recliner didn't solve the problem. I am having an endoscopy two days from now.

Hello everyone. I had my lap band on June 7. I passed the one week point yesterday. I have to admit it was not as easy as I expected but it was not all that bad. I think ads where people go to work on the 2nd day are very very very much exaggerated. I look forward to being able to eat again. I have been on a liquid diet for 4 weeks and still have one to go. Any ideas on some things to drink would be appreciated. Yesterday was the first day since the surgery that I could drink without my stomach cramping. Today I am actually starting to feel a little bit hungry. I started out weighing 294lbs and at 5'3" that is definately obiese. This morning I weighed 263. I realize th…

HI, I am wondering how Lap Band has changed your life? I want and need to lose weight but sometimes its just easier being over weight. I think Lap Band would improve my life--especially love life .. I dont have high blood pressure or anything that I have to take meds for, I am just over weight and have no engery. I would love for people not to use as a weapon against me "your fat".. I have been in way to many relationships when things go bad that is there only thing they can say!! I am 5'6 33 years old 234 lbs want to lose 100 lbs..

I was finally approved for surgery. I was so happy. I went thru all the pre-op testing and was fine. Got my surgery date and freaked out. The liquid diet was no problem...because I could only drink water or eat the SF popsicles, because I was so nervous. I postponed because of all the PB talk and foamies and sliming. I was 210 now down to 200 because of liquid diet and my nerves. I actually gained weight so I could qualify for this surgery. No joke. I worry that I will be only be able to eat 2 tablespoons like some of these posts. That is just not normal. Shouldn't the goal be to eat A single portion of something, you know what the label says is a portion, an…

Hi all, I was banded on may 25, 2006 and Im new here. Just looking around seeing what there is. A bit frustrated at this moment. Thanks! Bridget

I have recently spoken to a bandster who has been banded since Nov. She said she would still have the surgery all over again. BUT, she wished she could still eat more of the foods she was currently eating. Just to have their good taste. She even remarked that she wished every now and then she could take a week vacation from the band and eat as much as she really wanted to eat of a food. She also said that she gets depressed because she can't have bread toasted or plain. Now someone explain those things to me please. I thought that the band made you feel full and satisfied. That was the main reason I decided to postpone the LB surgery was because of this person…

Hello all! I am new here and looking to be banded. Unfortunately, my biggest delay is my insurance. I have Tricare, a military insurance. They do not cover the band. However, I am looking at it as more time to get better informed on the surgery and pros and cons. I am also establishing some of the habits that one must live by post band. If anyone can be of any help or any suggestions, I would love it! Also, anyone have any new information about Tricare, I would love that as well. Thanks and God bless!