Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hello all, Just wanted to say hello to everyone here! I was banded 05-18-05 by Dr. Ponce in Dalton, Georgia. I live in Chatsworth which is just south of Chattanooga. I really love the band and I guess have done fairly well. I started at 260 day of surgery and now down to 223 which the drs office say is good as they prefer me to lose only 1-2 lbs per week and I know that this is weight I WILL NOT have again. My question is I try to eat the Protein 1st then maybe a few veggies if still room. But I feel I am not losing I read the post here and on other sites and everyone seems to be way ahead of me at this point any suggestions and also can anyone give me some ideas for diff…

I'll be banded in 12 days--January 9. I'm new here; I'm hoping that reading these boards will help stop the weird dreams I've been having. I keep dreaming that I go to my surgeon's office and my nurse puts me in a small, gray, wood-paneled examining room. In my dream, she never returns. I'm left to look out the window at the cold, gray sky, pace the floor, and read dog-eared children's books. Well, at least I'm not dreaming of chocolate! So, I guess, to match the title of this thread...(**hums**) on the twelfth day before banding I enjoyed: a grapefruit and a left-over candy cane. Tomorrow, on the eleventh day before banding, I will enjoy: a dinner out with f…

Been forever since I posted, just wanted to say Howdy!

Hello...this is my first message on the Forum. I am an American, my wife and I live in Mexico, I was banded on Nov. 6 in Mexicali by Dr. Aceves, whom I highly recommend. I healed very quickly, have lost about 18 pounds, am now at an impasse, and can eat just about anything, have not had a fill yet. I continue to experience passing a lot of gas, and wonder if this ever goes away, or will go away after my first fill. Any advice from other members would be appreciated. I have tried GASX, Malox, etc. with no change....any advice from any members out there, or anyone who might be experiencing the same, would welcome a reply.

Sorry I fell of the LBT.com website world. But i'm back and going to try to keep posting. I've made a lot of progress since I was here last! woo hoo Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to you all! ~Kiley

I was glad to hear of this web site and look forward to learning from all of you. I had my band placed on July 11,2005 and have lost 68lbs and am feeling great. I would do it all over in a heart beat. My surgeon is Dr. Dan Margo in Deer river Minnesota and he is the best. I am glad to be here. Dawn:Bunny

She (MsJoy) is approved. Now I'm being supportive. "We" have to get past the stress test. Hopefully she'll be banded on the 28th by Dr. Jayaseelan, in Dallas, TX. Any advice for the spouse?

Hey, I Have Been Looking Into This Site For A While For Info About The Band. I Made My Decision To Have It Done And I Have An Apt With The Surgeon On January 17. I Am 5'4" And Weigh In At 233. I Hope To Keep You Guys Posted. Glad To Be A Part Of This Community Because We All Have At Least One Thing In Common And Can Help Each Other Out!!! Thanx.

Greetings, My name is Saida. I live in Central NY. I was banded on 11-10-05. I had a first fill on 12-13-05 (1 CC in an Inamed 4CC band). I felt no different than prior to the fill. I can eat "normally"... meaning that I feel no restriction and I can eat as much as before surgery. I was on the MediFast diet (liquid Protein shakes) for 4 months pre-op. I lost 30 pounds pre-op, I have lost a total of 5 pounds since surgery (nothing in the last 4 weeks). I am curious to know how many fills it takes to feel the restriction. I have a second fill scheduled for 1/3/06. I pray that one gets me shedding weight. The surgery went well. I had a barium swallow study the…

Hello there i got an email today reminding me about this site...i had to sit and think of the password i had used!!! I was banded 12 July 2005, at Newcastle, Australia. Newcastle is a 4 hour drive away...but well worth the distance. I was 135kg when i met the surgeon, and 128kg when i had the op...so i have lost a total of 20kg!! I look forward to reading a few posts to keep me informed. Fiona

I was banded by Dr. Spivak in Houston in Mar 05. I have lost around 65+ lbs. I'm thrilled. I am 36 yrs old and want to have a second baby. Everyone has said to wait one year. So I am going to try to lose 30lbs by then. I am schedule for a tune-up/fill the first week of January and plan to exercise by butt off (quite literally!) until then...

I have been home for about6 hrs and I am so excited to have this done. It took me about 9 mo to finish all my prerequisit Dr. visits, and I feel almost giddy! I guess I see this as a new season for my life. My cardiologist, primary care, psych eval, sleep eval, and nutritional eval took some time for me as I am mom and the cardiac issues had slowed me a bit. I have been reading threads and have learned so much. Im happy to be on board, but I guess I feel like I just got on the Polar Express, not realy knowing what to expect next. Im sure there will be many more post that will help me along, and my DH is super, I am truly blessed. I am excited to be at this crossroa…

Hi my name is Vanessa I live in TN and I am getting banded on 1/5/06. Tomorrow is the first day of my 2 week diet. :eek:

Hi everyone. I was banded May 4th of 2005 by Dr. Hoehn in Kansas City. I've lost 90 pounds so far. Jessica

Hi there i am a newbie to this site as i found this while i was looking up info about the surgery as im really wanting to do this operation for myself. im waiting to see a doctor about this next month.can anyone please tell me if they have had it done and if so is it all good and safe? i want to do this but a few friends think i shouldnt, but i want to do it to make my self happier!!:Bunny

Hey everybody and Merry Christmas from Australia Just new here and cant wait to chat to you all.. I have recently been put on the waiting list for lap band surgery :banana I am looking at max 6 months wait time. Im so excited yet very nervous at the same time as I dont really know what to expect.. I am in the process of doing all my homework on lap band surgery.. And about to read through all the threads... But anyone with any advice or comments or storys they would like to share please feel free to do so.. Let it be the good or the bad.. Hope to hear from you soon Again Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and A excellent new year

I have been lurking for a few days now and am very grateful to this forum. I have decided a lap band procedure would be very beneficial for me. The discussions on the doctors who do this surgery has been important. I know that cost is not the only consideration , but it is important that I find a doctor who is competent and competitive, since I have no insurance. Although I have not read every thread, there does not seem to be much discussion on the final price of this operation. It would help me enormously, if I could get a sense of what I can anticipate financially. I have no problem with Mexican doctors. Does anyone have information on doctors in other areas, eg Pa…

Hello Everyone! I'm on my way to getting banded and being on the losing side. I completed my survey/paperwork, was approved for the Bariatric Program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, MA. 12/6 I had my fasting blood labs and met with my nurse Melissa who explained the program, took my BP, and did an EKG, went over my bariatric packet and gave me a check list of all the things I needed to get done before I could meet a surgeon. I then met with the Medical Director, Dr. Hatchigian (Dr. H) who explained the different procedures, good, bad, risks, healing time etc and gave me a physical and went over my medical history. He also answered all my questions …

Hi! I'm new to the Lap-Band forum. I have been considering the band for some time now and have read many posts on Smartbandsters and Extraordinary Bandsters. My BMI is extremely high partially due to the fact that I'm only 5' tall. I had my surgery booked in Toronto for Oct. 17th but got sick and cancelled. Now I am less sure about doing it and have not yet re-booked. I'm very insecure about being able to cope with it all. The thought of life-saving surgery is exciting. I'm already 55 so I have to do it soon and I'm feeling the pressure. I have all the co-mobidities of obesity and yet the fear is stronger than the desire at this point. I wish there was a support gr…

Hi everyone, I found your site this evening and have been reading non-stop for 4 hours. I finally decided to join and hopefully I will have some beautiful after photos to share. I am scheduled for surgery on Nov. 29th:) I am really excited but really nervous. I know I will be just fine and can't stop now. Wish me luck! bec:eek

I've probably met a bunch of you on various Yahoo groups, including ones I mangage. Info about my 2 2/3 years with a band is available on my website, www.mylapband.tk No, I don't work for any doctors or companies...I'm just an elderly geeky guy who live son the computer, at home and work. I do, however, have a life...wife, grown kids, grandkids, etc. I'm happy with my band, my doctor, my plastic surgeon, and the rest of my life. I'm better at answering questions by email, as don't check boards as often as many do. That's dan@riverofdata.com Best wishes and Merry Christmas (or whatever other holiday of your choice), dan

New to this site, and love it by the way!!! I finally after a year and two months of insurance hoops have a surgery date of January 9, 06. I am so excited that it is finally here I cant wait. If anyone has any suggestions or things I should remember please let me know. I will need alot of reminding and all the support I can get. I'm looking forward to this journey and cannot wait to be a new healthier me! Kim

I had surgery on Tuesday, and I'm doing ok, until today. I have been burping non-stop, I'm gurgling and everyother disgusting thing you can do. I have been sipping really slow. Is this normal. It's driving me crazy, I haven't even been able to sleep d/t this. When I lie down it's worse. Help. Misty

Hello everyone......I'm bonnie and just a few hours away from an action that will no doubt change my life forever.......I'm sitting here, alone at my office trying to tie up some loose ends, but unable to concentrate on the tasks at hand, for all the silly thoughts and conflicting emotions that are racing through my mind--like my car will probably be easier to keep clean without all the little bits and pieces of shredded lettuce and cheese that tend to seep down between the seats and on the floor, and the fact that the fronts of my blouses will be less stained by ketchup, mustard and a plethora of secret sauces from all my jaunts through the drive-thrus and eating while d…

Hi - my name is Kim and I will be banded on 12-22 (next week!) by Dr. Billy in Truckee, California. I live in Yuba City which is north of Sacramento. Cannot wait for this life change! Even bought myself an early Christmas present, a new Precor, to get my butt in gear. I've been reading posts for a while and I think I'm ready....I'm just nervous about the surgery itself and the recuperation. I'll have surgery on a Thursday and have to go back to work on Tuesday. I hope that's enough! I sit on my rear (I'm a court reporter) most of the time, but my equipment is kind of heavy. Any tips or suggestions for liquids would be great! Kim

I was banded just last Friday. Actually went out of the country because I had to pay for it myself. Insurance kept giving me the run-around. I threw my hands up in disgust and proceeded taking matters in my own hands. Flew to San Diego and was taken to Tijuana (yeh, Tijuana) only a 1/2 hour away. The pre-surgery tests and physical went well. Then I had the surgery and everything went rather easy-breezy. Flew back home on Sunday and was back at work on Monday. My recovery has been swift and the band is already working even though I haven't had my first fill. I have been bad a couple times and ate solid food - which I paid for both times with heartburn. I'm …

Hi Everyone...Newbie here...I have been lurking aound for awhile and thought it was probably time to introduce myself. Well, i am a 35 yr old mother of two and i am set for surgery on Jan. 10, 2006. Feeling very excited but also having the "normal" crazy feelings that come along with this surgery. I'll be back with questions i am sure. Just wanted to say hi.

Hi everyone, I just joined this site. I am just exploring my options and figuring out what would be right for me (and what my insurance would cover), but I think that I would prefer lapband. I'm 28 years old, 5'10" and 265 lbs. I live in Georgia (I've already posted a newbie post in that forum). My husband of ten years is very supportive of whatever I want to do because he says he just wants me to finally feel good. I'm starting to have some of those things that I thought I never would -- things I associate with obese people. Oh wait, I am obese! When did that happen? Ha. You know the, "at least I'm not..." type of things. I used to say that if I hit 200 lbs then …

On my way to being banded. Having gotten a surgery date, yet, but will keep you posted.

Finally I am taking the plunge. I decided to open the wallet and pay a visit to Dr. Huacuz. Dec. 9th I will fly to Ca. and get banded the same day. I have been doing alot of research and the discomfort afterward has me a bit worried. some patients claim to have terrible pain for 7-10 days. I guess I will have to hope to be one of the lucky ones. dave brooksville, fl

I am excited that I have found this site. My name is Tracy and I live in MD. I will be having the Lap-Band surgery January 24, 2006. I had the hardest time trying to figure out which rout to take between the bypass and the band. I do feel I chose the best one for me. Anyway, I look forward to getting to know you and I can't wait to read up on some great success stories.

Hi! My name is Michelle and I am 32 years old. I have a great husband and 2 super boys (ages 7 and 9). I am not yet banded but according to the doc, I should be sometime in January! I have done the sleep study, the blood work, the nuritionist, and go for my psych eval next Friday. My doc doesnt expect any hassle from my insurance company (I have High BP and could stand to lose 100 pounds) so hopefully thats the way it will go. I am poking around here trying to learn as much as I can before this major life change! I have lots of questions but am finding my own answers to many just by reading all your posts!!!

Hello everyone I have just started the whole process I meet with Dr. Kwon In Port Jervis, NY on the 22nd then I can get more info. I have decided at this point that I am going to go with the lap band and I will make a huge change in my life. I am 27 and looking for anyone who can help me through this procedure I know peeople who have had other forms of wls but noone who has ever had this type. I welcome anyone who can add some info to help educate me. Thank you in advance for any support you can be of. I am very excited and ready for the road which is ahead of me.

Hi Everyone, I was just banded on Dec 1 in SLC Utah and so far I am feeling pretty good, I am so excited.

Good morning everyone. I am new here. I have been looking into the lapband for about two years. I found out yesterday that my insurance approved me for the surgery. I am scheduled for Dec. 28th. I am from Arkansas, maried, and have two childern. Everyone on this site seems great. Anyone have any advice before surgery-i am really nervous.

Hello! Boy am I new to all of this! My name is Schel and I am 9 days before surgery. I have been on liquids for 7 days now and having a tough time of it today. I'd love to CHEW something but I do not want to risk not having the surgery, because I have waited a LONG time to get where I am today. There now I feel better about that! (not that I could chew anything at this point anyways, I've had 2 root canals in the last 2 weeks, and go for a crown to finish it this week.) I started out three an a half years ago researching Gastric Bypass. I was introduced to the concept of the Lap Band at a informational class I attended while doing my research. Not totally decided on…

Hi! My name is Stephanie from the Houston area. I am currently looking into the lap band procedure. I have a medical condition that could cause me to lose my sight and the doctors believe weight is a major contributing factor. I have battled this condition for almost 3 years now and have gone up and down in weight through that time. This change is worse on me because the major weight fluctuation is much harder on my body and each time there is a change I become more vulnerable for vision changes. At my last appointment my doctor recommended I look into this procedure since this would make is harder to gain weight and it would definitely help me lose those pounds I never h…

Good Morning! Today I received a call from Blue Cross Blue Shield that my lapband was approved! (After 9 months of an uphill battle with a psychologist who did not know what the heck she was doing) I admit I am nervous and happy. I'm also getting married next year (10/28/06) so the stress is on! Any suggestions to a newbie? My surgeon is Dr. Eric Wilson with UT Physicians Group. Surgery hopefully scheduled for 12/28/06. Thank you!!

Hi everyone! I have been lurking around this site for months... finally official. I was banded on 11/28. When I came home I felt so puffy from all of the iv fluids... I had GAINED 6 pounds! Did anyone else have this happen? I am on only clear liquids now... but I'm worried. Any thoughts?

My name is Suzanne and I currently live in Rennselaer , Indiana. I'm 24 and just got married 2 months ago to a wonderfull man named Scott. I'm 5' 5" and currently about 315 pounds with a BMI of 52.4 as well as my ideal weight for my height should be around 150 or so. I suffer from not only being over weight but type 2 diabeties , acute asthma , PCOS (poly-cystic ovarian syndrome) , spondylolysis & minor spinabifida (lower back) , I've got osteoperosis in my right knee as well as the start of arthritis in my both of my knees. I've been heavy weight for the major part of my life except I was a very active person playing softball , vollyball , swimming , riding bikes , a…

I am amazed how good I feel just two days after having my band fitted. I was banded on November 23rd in Bath UK and came home from hospital a few hours ago. My surgeon wants me on a free Fluid diet for two weeks, then two weeks on puree and then solid food. Any ideas for perking up the fluid diet would be so appreciated!

i had my surgery a week ago and just wanted to introduce myself...i am from houston so give me a shout.

:banana I'm scheduled for 12/12 in Mexico. I'm so excited, I couldn't even get to sleep last night (now my eyes are really droopin though...) I can't wait to become one of the real losers that I have only gotten to read about so far. It just doesn't seem possible to finally find a weight loss tool that is going to really work - and - keep those pounds either gone or at least managable!!! I'm in Florida and looking forward to a really great winter. At this point everything seems rosy and wonderful to me. I know there are a few horror stories out there, but there sure is a lot more success stories. I want to be one of those 'success stories'....

Hello everyone! I'm brand new to the lap-band scene. Have been researching and attending seminars since this summer. Just received my 'approval' letter from my insurance company the day before Thanksgiving so waiting to hear from my doctors office to schedule surgery. I've been searching the net for a 'place' to visit and ask questions from folks who have 'been in my shoes'. I'm not very good at finding my way around here yet but I'm sure I'll catch on in no time. I am excited to be here and can't wait to meet people and pick yoru brains. Sherry aka: theboogansgirl

Hi!! I was banded on 11/14/05! So excited, alittle nervous still, as of 11/22/05 i lost 15 pounds seems like alot to start,exstatic but is that the norm? If anyone has some good input on what to eat to keep Protein intake up and just general info about best food choices. I know I'm early in the game but i'm nervous about amount and type of food to eat because i dont want to break anything. Any and all imput apprieciated!

Hi Everyone. I'm just new to this site and loving it already. I'm in Canada and need some advice. Does anyone have this surgery in Canada? It seems there is very little info online about doctors in Canada who will do the surgery. Any help is much appreciated.... PS Is it true that some doctors do not recommend this surgery for people with a sweet tooth as it won't be as effective??? if so I'm in trouble!

Just Found Out That I Am Approved By My Insurance Company!!!! Am Scheduled For December 8th. Thank You For Being So Supportive Pre-band. I So Look Forward To Being A Bandster. My Heart Goes Out To Any And All Fighting The Insurance Fight.

Hi all - I've been lurking on these forums for a while now, and just finally joined. I hope to get banded in the new year - I have my first appt to go to an introduction to Weightloss surgery meeting in mid-December at Brigham's and Women's in Boston. I am fairly certain I am one of the luck ones, in that my insurance (Harvard Pilgrim) should pay for my procedure, with little to no hassle - at least, that's what I'm hoping! I'm tired of seeing my body inflate, which it's been doing over the last few years - things have sped up a lot since my hysterectomy in June 04 - have gained at least 20 pounds since then. Am also a bit discouraged when my PCP tells me I may never …

Hi. I'm new to this site and still trying to figure out how to negotiate it. I was banded October 6th. I have lost 40 lbs and feel great. I'm not going in for a fill until Jan. 3 as I'm still having restriction from surgery. Hope I figure out the site so I can talk to other. Thanks, Diane

Did hear back from Ins. Co. They denied me because of a BMI of 51. They feel that Gastric Bypass is best for me. I do not want Bypass. I have continued to lose weight and now have a BMI of 48.5, so we resubmitted. Now I am waiting again. Has anyone else out there had this type of problem - what results did you get. I just don't want to be forced into Bypass when I know that the Lap Band will be better for me.