Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

just banded on 11-18-05. already tired of broth and jello any suggestions on other clear liquids? off all pain meds already. thinking about taking my 3 kids to disney world next week if all goes well at the doctors office

Hi just wanted to introduce my self. I’m 38 5’1 and 229 lbs My bmi is 43.3. I’m in research mode, while waiting for insurance approval. I have been reading LBT almost every chance I get, where it is almost a new obsession for me. Most of my research has been positive, but I have seen a few post with people having some problems. I have seen a lot of wonderful before and after pics that are very encouraging. I have struggled with weight loss for 20 years. Like most here I lose some weight but gain a lot more back. Every day I wake up and tell myself today is going to be a good day and I’m going to make good food choices. Every day I fail. I get tired of thinking about what …

Greetings all, I have just joined this site, so forgive me in advance for not doing something correctly here. Currently I am 3 weeks post opt. Things appear to be going well according to my surgeon, Dr. Chylsta and PCP. But that swollen pouch feeling seems to have disappeared even after drinking fluids and I am more often than not feeling gasy. Are these common feeling or should I be worried about something

Hi, Have been visiting this site for a while, gathering all the wonderful info that is available here. Decided to have lap-band back in August and I finally got approval today from my insurance. Surgery is scheduled for Nov. 29th. I'll be on Optifast for two weeks before sugery, so no turkey for me this year. It will be great to have other bandsters to share this fanastic experience with.

Hi. I am new to this site. Really appreciate the positive posts. Great to read all the positive stories. Hoping to be banded Dec. 8th. Very stressed out waiting for final insurance approval. The waiting is so hard. How did you all survive this part?

Hi, My name is Jeff. I came across this site while doing research for lap band surgery. I am in desperate need of help. Left to my own behavior I am lost. Does this work?

Hello, everyone. I am fairly new here...been lurking and putting my 2 cents worth in here and there. I was banded on October 25 and loving the results thus far. I appreciate all the helpful advice I've seen in this forum. You are all such great inspirations. We all had to get to where we were before we could get out and make that change. That life altering change to get healthy. I, for one, am VERY happy I made the decision to get the LapBand and that I found this great support system here on the net. I really am hoping to see all of us meet our weight loss goals. I know everyone has made this decision after much research and thought and probably a little bit…

Hi all, I was banded on November 9,05 in Port Jervis New York, I need to lose 120 lbs go for my first after care visit tomorrow hope all goes well. I am 44 and currently 257 lbs, goal weight of 130 or 140. I am the mother of two boys ages 17,24 and have been married for 25 years to my loving husband. I am only 5 days into this and I am a little concerned already because everyone I spoke to made it sound like there was no pain basically and I have been in pretty bad pain I think, also I find myself watching the foodtv channel all the time! I am on clear liquids and sticking to it but it is getting pretty boring. I see the doctor tomorrow so hopefully I will feel better …

Hello fellow banders and future banders: I was banded last Monday 11/07/05. It has been a rough few days with being nauseated. Today I am starting to feel better. I am very excited about the band and look forward to losing about 100lbs. The overall experience has not been that bad. I look forward to communicating on Lapband talk with all the friendly people here. Have a great Day and Weekend (whats left of it) John Banded: 11/07/05 294lbs Goal: 190

Hi Guys I'm a newie thinking of having a lap band - I have an appointment for the beginning of December. I have had hyperthyroidism and am currently in the realms of normality. I have had my thyroid eradicated with radio active iodine and will eventually fall into hypothyroidism. Lucky me, two autoimmune diseases for the price of one! The problem I have is that my weight is spiralling out of control and I need to do something to bring it back into line. Has anyone else with a thyroid problem been able to get a lap band done? On some doctors web pages they won't do lap band ops on people who have an underactive thyroid problem and on other sites they don't even men…

I just got banded in Mexico on the 21st. I have to say that I have never been treated so good in my entire life. I have a question though. I got banded on a friday evening. Saturday afternoon I was resting in the hotel watching a football game and eating a little yogurt. I got full, then I got the hiccupps. I didn't feel anything pop, pull, snap or slip. However, I worried all the same. Would I feel it if my band slipped? On Sunday night after I got home, I had some broth. My wife blended it. I ate some. Then, I got full, so I stopped eating. Then I got fuller and fuller and fuller. I thought I was going to explode. It is weird to continue to feel fuller and fuller …

Hello everyone, I just had my surgery done October 18th by Dr. Michael Snyder in Colorado. I'm still trying to figure out what is too much or too little. The evenings are the worst, that's when I want to snack. I'm pretty motivated and have lost 8 lbs already. My beginning weight was 248 at 5'5". We just got a treadmill and got it set up, so tomorrow I'm going to get started on the exercise. One thing that I'm not sure about is air bubbles. I'd say burps, but they are much smaller than that. The air bubbles kind of hurt and I don't know if they are an indication that I've had too much intake or what else may be causing it. Any suggestions? I'm exciting for …

HI everyone, have been lurking for a long time. Finally figured out how to navigate this site. I was banded on 9-27 in Morristown NJ and am thrilled to have everyone here to talk with. I am very impressed with everyones progress. Looking foreward to learning and losing with all of you.

First, let me start by saying I really enjoy the support the members of the forum show each other. It's lifting and informative. I have already learned so much from reading the questions and replys. I am 46 years old and have fought with weight all my life. I'm tired of not being able to enjoy simple things because I loose breath, my knees or my hips hurt, or I'm tired. There is too much out there and I am missing out. I am a frequent looser, only to quickly gain what was lost and more when I relax any regiment. I have my first appointment with Dr. Steely in Clarksville TN, (I live in Hopkinsville, KY) on Wednesday and I am excited. I know in my heart this is what I …

Hi - just thought I'd introduce myself! I was banded on the 20th and am still in the liquid phase, I have a post-op appt tomorrow (wednesday) - I'm hopeful they getme on the puree so I can start feeling at least semi-full... I haven't weighed yet but will most likely tomorrow at the appointment. Starting weight - 365 Current Weight - ? Goal Weight - 250 or 225 (not sure how I'll feel when I hit 250, so I may just keep going down from there) Glad to be here - hope to contribute

I am new to this site. As a matter of fact, I am new to on line chatting completely. The first time I posted to this site I managed to post on a NJ thread that was just for chatting about family and friends. I had no idea. I finally found the place to start if you are a beginner!! I am 42 years old and I have struggled with weight all of my life. Since a small child I have been on a diet. I remember when I was going to Elementary School (maybe 4th grade) and my mom and dad put me on a diet and I brought just celery sticks in for lunch. All the other kids just kind of looked at me while they were eating their nutritious lunches. I felt like a freak. There were …

Hello, this is my first post but I have been reading others posts for a month or so. I am scheduled for surgery Dec. 5, 05. My biggest goal is to reduce the amount of medical problems I am experiencing..Diabetes, HBP, Thyroid Disease, High Chlosterol, Deppression, Sleep Apnea and general lack of energy. I am curious if others have experianced a reduction in health problems. I am currently on 13 pills a day plus insulin and I am dreading all the pill crushing. My doctor placed me on a 1000 cal pre-surgery diet starting tomorrow (4 weeks).

Hi, my name is Abby. I got banded on 9/16/05 at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in NY by Dr. Bessler. I just turned 20 a week ago and getting banded was the best birthday present (even though it came early) I could ever receive. Before my surgery I was pretty set against being part of any support group, but then I found this site and I think it, and everyone on it, is absolutely wonderful and your questions/thoughts/ideas are great. If there is anyone who has not had their surgery yet and is nervous about it or considering not doing it please, please talk to me. I can say enough great things about it and I'd love to tell all about it to anyone who needs to hear it.

Ga_girl! I have been observing for a few days now and it's about time I said hello! I have my banding surgery this Thursday Nov 10th. I am excited, but also nervous. I am thankful there are so many wonderful people available to talk to. This is an awesome site and will be at the top of my "support system". Wish me luck!

Wendy Age 46 5’5" Currently 246lbs, 41 BMI , 46fat% So I can quit feeling like a stranger to all of you I wanted to take a few moments to finally introduce myself. I have been reading through the posts in the forum for about three weeks and felt like it was time I stopped being so rude I have battled my weight my entire life. Fortunately, I have also been VERY athletic my entire life so I managed to keep my fat as toned as you can keep fat . I have never been one to allow my weight to keep me from doing things socially or physically. I have a great job where I am very respected by my colleagues and students. I have always loved a good party and always managed to use…

I have been reading all the postings for weeks and at that several times a day. This is my first time posting myself and I want to first start out by thanking everyone of you for educating me before my decision to go ahead with "the new me!" I'm now on day 5 of liquids, and haven't cheated, not even once! This is the first for me. On every "diet" or change in my eating, I would atleast try one little something I wasn't suppose to. This journey in my life is so much different than anything else I've ever done. I'm so excited about my surgery date on the 9th, I can't even sleep. The thought of "the new me" has consumed all my thoughts. I find myself on this website atle…

Hello, everyone. I am scheduled to have the lap band surgery on November 28th. I am having the surgery done at the Molding Clinic in Tijuana. I am so excited and ready to get off this merry-go-round of dieting and re-gaining. I'm not sure how much I weight right now, but it is probably around 220. I am 5'6. I need to lose around 70 pounds, and it seems so insurmountable right now. I have two questions... 1) I have read about a pre-surgery diet. Is this normal? My patient coordinator has not mentioned anything. 2) I am ADDICTED to diet coke. Should I try to wean myself off it now, or after the surgery? I look forward to hearing from you all...

I was banded in TJ January 21,2005 by Dr.Juan Lopez Corvala. To date I have lost 75 pounds although it has been quite slow lately. I have been attending curves for one month and things are looking up in appearence , but then muscle weighs more than fat. But I must confess I am haveing a problem with sugar cravings.

I live in Bowling Green, KY, I am really interested in the lap band surgery and qualify, and its open enrollment for several different insurance companies, so I am just wanting to get you guys advice on what insurance company is easy to work with, easy to communicate with, and who does not exclude weight loss surgery. Any Help Out There, have to make insurance decision before 11/18. Thanks in Advance

Hi! Im Obviously New Here! Has Anyone Ever Heard Of Dr. Stephen Before? He Is In Mesquite Texas And Is Just A Really Good Cash Price For This Surgery! Any Feed Back Would Be Greatly Appreciated!

Hello and welcome... I have been hanging out here for several months, but only since I set my date and started my pre-surgery diet have I felt like really getting connected --- as I know I might have the need for a lot of support at times in the future... I am 56, have had problems with overweight since my late 20's, early 30's. I took off 65 pounds once with little difficulty --- but, unfortunately, I was dating a chubby chaser who managed to fatten me up way too quickly -- oh, the hours we spent in restaurants!! Yum Yum! Then came the Internet ... and life alone. Where food too often substituted for companionship. And being around my parents --- for whom eating…

Hi, I am not new to the lap band, but am to this site. I have had very poor success with my band and it's not the band's fault. I just wanted to not have to think about food or dieting and hoped the band would keep me from eating and the weight would fall off...Boy, was I wrong. It has taken me 2 years to finally figure this out. I went through the illness and loss of my mother and that took it out of me, but my fight is back and I'm ready to get back on track. Aftercare is so important. I virtually had none. You have to have coaching...I need a good coach...anyone interested? I've started exercising and counting calories. I'm gonna get another fill next week ho…

I'm seeing my surgeon on Monday to get my surgery scheduled. I'm excited but scared at the same time. I want to find the smaller person inside of me again, but this time for GOOD and not temporarily.

Hi All; I've been on another forum for a while then heard about this one! I wanted to get gbs surgery but our friends at CIGNA doesn't cover it. They told me they DO cover LapBand, but, as the person at the other end of the phone emphatically stated "ONLY AS A MEDICAL NECESSITY." Okay, I'm fine with that. One problem I have is my current doc doesn't believe in weight loss surgery, and said I need to eat less, eat more fish (my wife is from the Philippines - I already DO eat a lot of fish!) Sooo. I have an appointment with my wife's doctor. I'm simply going to tell her "It's like this ... you can support me, or I find another doctor who will. I'm going to have this…

I'm just starting the process of getting the band ... went to orientation and discussed it with my PCP. He'll be writing the letter and referral next month. My goal is to get the band at the end of January. My main question is for those already banded .... do you feel the band or something foreign in your body and/or how does the port feel to you?

Im APPROVED I cant believe it my insurrance company approved me!!!!!!!!! And get this all I have to do is pay 20.00 for pre op visit, surgery, facility and DR. I was skeptical about it at first because I want to have a baby and am undergoing fertility treatments now but they say I will not need them if i get the weight off. So I guess I will go through with it. melanie

Hi, I have been reading this board for a month now, and finally decided to join. I have already attended a required seminar and I have my consultation with the surgeon scheduled for this Thursday. I guess after that I will start the process of getting approved by my insurance company and then a series of classes, meetings with the nutritionist, tests, etc. I am very excited but also very nervous. I do have a question about long-term side effects but don't know if I should post it here or in the general discusion. Thank you, Becky

Hello, My name is Cheryl. I had my surgery October 10th. I am doing fine except for the fact I am starving. I am having a really hard time with the fact I cannot eat what I want anymore. I keep my goal ahead of me but I find I am almost grieving the loss of my old eating habbits. Thank God for this website as it has helped me so much over the last week.

Hello All, I just discovered your forum this morning and am very excited to find you. I have been researching and learning about the LapBand for some time now. My surgery is scheduled for this coming Thursday, 10/20 at 9:30am. My surgeon is Dr. Randal Baker from MMPC in Grand Rapids Michigan. My PCP first suggested that I look into this surgery last May. I attended my orientation session at MMPC in July and have been stepping through the process every since. I am 49 years old, married, have 3 children--ages 13, 15 and 17. I work full time in an administrative position. My health has been my last priority for quite a few years now. I am struggling with high blo…

Me again with another question. Anyone experience extreme nausea? Thanks.

Hello everyone. I joined the other day and have been perusing the board ever since. I thought it was about time that I said hello. I was banded on 9/16/05 and am doing extremely well. I had outpatient surgery and was leaving the surgery center an hour and a half after having surgery. The nurses seemed rather amazed. Anyway, I've had no complications and things are progressing well. Check my signature for my weight loss results. Have a great day!

Hi, I had my surgery on Thursday Sep-9-05 at the Peoria IL Methodist Hospital. Dr Thomas Rossi is my surgeon. I lost 10.5# prior to surgery on the clear liquid diet. I would like to lose another 100#. I'm healing quite nicely and probably should go back to work Wednesday or Thursday. I just want to make sure that I have this eating schedule down since at my place of employment, I have to account for every minute away from my desk. Merry

I have been coming here almost daily since deciding to have surgery! It is addicting! I am scheduled for the 28th this month. Only 2 weeks away! I am so glad I found this place, it has reaffirmed my decision and made me sure that I am doing the right thing and going into it with reasonable expectations. Now for the formal introduction. I am 38 and teach six grade. I have been happily married for 13 years, and have 2 great stepsons and one grandbaby. I started this battle with my weight in my early 20s and was at around 150 when I got married. I woke up shocked one day about 5 years ago to find that I was weighing over 200 lbs. That was literally a moment of desperation …

Hi all, I have been on this website almost daily for the last month or so. It is so informative, almost addicting. I finally have my surgery date October 24th! Yeah! Just a little about myself... I am 31 and have 2 beautiful little girls (ages 3 & 10 months), I have a husband that is supportive of me doing this (In fact he will be having the surgery sometime in the beginning of 2006), work full time, and taking internet classes to better myself. Since I have had my second daughter I have realized how important life is and how I want to be here and be healthy to spend as much quality time with them as I can. So a few months ago I decided that my life would…

Hi! I joined the board last week but just ran across the Introductions Forum (don't know how I missed it). Anyhow, my name is LaTonsha & I was banded 9/19/05 by Dr. Jayaseelan in Dallas @ Richardson Surgical Center. My weight at my initial consultation (7/14/05) was 369.5, my pre-surgery weight was 362.5, and my current weight is 347. That's down 22.5 pounds in approximately a month! I am VERY happy about the results so far BUT I have been pretty hungry for the last 2 weeks or so. I go tomorrow at noon for my first fill & I can't wait to stop being hungry!

Hi, I was looking up Pinnar Surgical online from a t.v. ad that I saw, and found you all. I am no stranger to the weight loss ride... I started at about 340 lbs.. and lost 120 on Atkins and working out..(in about 15 months) and walking!! Lots and lots of walking!! But Ive hit a serious plateau (over 8 months with only a 10 lb fluctuation up and down) and am considering the lap band. I want to know the pros and cons. Does insurance cover it? What doctors are the best? And what is a "fill"? Ive seen that talked about and dont understand it. I have known people that have had the gastric by pass surgery, but I didnt want to do that. I figured since I put it on mys…

Hi. Just wanted to do a quick introduction. I'm 29 and have struggled with my weight my entire life. In the last 2-3 years, I've been at my heaviest (BMI 46). I started researching wls last year, but learned that because of my ulcerative colitis my gastroenterologist would only give me medical clearance for the Lap band -- something my insurance didn't cover. Finally, in April, my insurance started covering it! Anyway, right now, I've gone through all the pre-op appointments and await my surgery on 10-25-2005. I'm so anxious about it -- worrying that I'll get sick beforehand and have to cancel the surgery (insane, I know). I'm so eager to get started. It…

New here and wanted to say hi. So what should I share? I'm a 29 y/o female here to research and possibly more if things progress, so I hope you don't mind me as I poke, prod, and pry for any and all information I can get my hands on! I've been struggling with my weight for about 13 years. I can lose the weight, but I can't keep it lost, and it always shows back up & has brought a few friends! In the last year I've seen a high (lifetime) of 360 and a low around 280 -- I'm 5'10. I've had the notion of WLS in the back of my head for about 4 years, but have only recently in the last year or so given it any real thought, and again only in the last 3 or 4 months seriou…

G'day. My name is Thérèse and I am an Aussie Bandster. I am 44 years old, very happily married with no kids (only the furry 4 legged kind) I live in rural Australia so pretty much out in the middle of nowhere. I was banded in January this year after a lifetime of obesity. I am still obese of course but a lot "less" obese than I was 9 months ago. We work in Kilos so I have to convert but I started out at 396lb (180kg) and I am now 286lb. (130kg) I am rather pleased with myself but still have a lot of emotional stuff that goes with weight issues. But I am working on them. I recently attended a 2 day conference for bandsters and it really helped with informati…

Hi everyone! My name is Donna and I have decided to pursue Lap band surgery. I have been the given the go ahead by my endocrinologist. I am diabetic. I am 5'8" and weight 285. I have been heavy my whole life. I have tried every diet and what not to no avail. I am an active person and do eat good foods. My endo says that my stupid metabolic issues (insulin resistant) make it very hard to lose weight and he thinks the lap band will be the added boost that I need. But hey, even if it is good food, I still eat too much of it.. LOL I am 31 years old and have decided to do something for myself once. I am glad I found this board. I think you guys will give the support that I nee…

Hi. I'm a new member but not a new visitor. Your site has provided a wealth of information over the last several months as I have researched and waded through the lap band process. After much research and a lot of prayer, I am scheduled for surgery on November 8th with Dr. Veninga in Carrollton, Texas. I just wanted to say hello and thank you!

Hi, My name is Kristi and I live in Texas. I have tried the insurance thing and am now looking into self pay in MX. This site has been very informative and I hope to learn more from ya'll!

Hey everyone! I'm Hunzi and I'm a new person here. I've been researching lapbands for about 2 years now, and finally picked up the phone and called my doctor and asked for a referal to the surgeon. Yay me! I'm 40 yrs old, married since birth (or so it seems), 2 kids, 16 & 11. I've been a Mary Kay Consultant for 17 years now, and I love helping women look better and feel better about themselves. I'm about 278lbs. My highest weight was about 3 years ago at 298. That's when I decided I really needed help. I got on Xenical, exercised my butt off, and did it all while following Weight Watchers. I lost 40 lbs then stalled out, eventually began to loosen up my habits…

Hi, I am a 64 yr old female. Completely new to thinking about lap band surgery. I live in southern mass. I have no idea if any of this is covered by insurance. And if not what is the cost "out of pocket". I would like to start and figured I would look through your comments about your doctors and experiences. Thanks for any help and time. Nanaviv

Hi, Just thought I would drop a quick hello and a big thank you to everyone on this site. I'm getting banded on Oct. 24th. I was getting really worried for a while, "Was I making a big mistake?", "Am I nuts? this is major surgery and a huge change in my life." I was getting really scared but I found your site and after reading your threads I feel so much better. I now feel like I'm prepared to face what is to come. Keep that support going people, "You do a body good."