Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I just found this site and I'm very pleased to be here. I am having a little trouble navigating, but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it... eventually. :cross-eye I'm 37, partnered for 7 years. We live with our 3 strange cats near Seattle, WA. I have been researching the band for nearly 2 years. I'm ready to move forward now. I have one last eval to complete before my paperwork is submitted to the insurance company. I have good coverage and I'm fairly confident that I will receive approval soon after the paperwork is sent. I look forward to making new friends here. It looks like a very supportive community, and don't we all need that when we are going through such a tra…

Just thought i stop by and say hello... Working on getting the lap band. My bmi is 51.5-- read below for current info 8-11-05- Attended Bariatric seminar in Greeley, Colorado 9-7-05- Had visit with nurse and consultation with Dr. Johnell- Staff were very nice and helpful. Weight in @ 339.lbs he recommends I lose at least 20 lbs before surgery... Dr. Johnell recommended lap band surgery.Have to have a sleep study done. Pre schedule phy- eval for Oct 10, 2005. 9-12-05- Attended support group in Greeley,Co- Subject was diet and nutrition-very informative 9-28-05-- completed sleep study- results- sleep apnea of course.

Howdy from Texas, y'all! I just wanted to introduce myself to everyone, especially since I've been lurking! :nervous My name is Karen (aka The Cheeky Band Geeky ~ and yes, I was truly a different kind of band geek in highschool & college!) I'm looking at getting banded after the first of the year here in the N.Tx area. I've been doing alot of homework on the band and ready various forums, and I have to say ~ this is ABSOLUTELY the best forum on this subject! It's nice to be here and ALL OF YOU are a wonderful source encouragement! Upon looking at the scar pics, before/after pics and just reading how supportive you are to each other is truly amazing and so very comfo…

HI! I am new to the board and so happy that I found this place. I a patient of Dr. Kurian's in NY. The process has gone sooo smoothly. I met with her for the first time in mid august and I was scheduled for surgery tomorrow (10/4/05) My Dr. was late in getting the results of my P.A.T's though and I got a call on Friday from my Dr. saying that my EKG came back abnormal and that he couldn't give me medical clearnance without further testing. Yikes. I have never had any problems before, but heart disease does run in my family. Needless to say, no surgery tomorrow. and I am hopeful that it won't be anything too serious. I was doubly disappointed, one in fi…

Hello, my name is Wendy and I am getting the band on Thursday October 6th. I've read a few of the forums and decided that I need to register and get some kind of support started. I am starting out at 222 pds with a bmi of 39. My insurance is covering almost the whole procedure because of my reflux and family history of diabetes. I will probably only have to pay about $200 out of pocket. I feel very blessed about that. I am very excited about the whole thing and I am on the liquid diet now to get ready for the surgery. I am a little nervous about the scars and I hope they heal well, I have had a surgery on my arm before and I had celluloid scaring and it is not pre…

I'm new to the group today. Things are going great. I've lost 35 lbs since July 28, 2005. I started at 261.5 and am down to 226.5

I have not been banded yet but the plan is for the first week in December. Has anyone had an issue with flying or driving right after the surgery? I don't have insurance so I am having my surgery done by Dr Ortiz in Mexico. I have been to 2 seminars here in KC and I thought one of the doctors did say he did fills for patients that were banded in Mexico. Does anyone know who in KC will do fills for Mexico banders? I'm really getting excited about this. Part of my family is ok with this but some of them think I'm crazy. The weird part is that the ones who think I'm nuts are the FAT ones!

Good Afternoon, I had my procedure on 9/14/05 with Dr. Rodriguez at Methodist Hospital in Dallas. I did great the 1st 8 days - lost 13 pounds and for the past 4 days have lost nothing. Also I now feel like I don't have any restrictions. It's a little frustrating and depressing, but today is not over with yet. I have enjoyed reading your postings and would like to have feedback regarding this situation - is it normal? I heard from one of my newly banded friends that usually the Dr. does not fill your band initially but does that on your first visit. To tell you the truth I didn't even ask about that. I was told that after the swelling goes down the band will feel…

I'm having the band done Oct. 11th. Any advice about the day of surgery and soon after? Would love to get some of the inside scoop from people willing to share a bit. The big question- are you happy you did it?

Hi everyone! My name is Mindy and I was banded on 5/24/05, and have lost 34 pounds so far. I just found this board, so wanted to introduce myself. I can't wait to meet you all....

Could someone please help me to set up and list my statistics, like my band date and starting and present weight? I just don't know how or where to go to achieve this. Everyone else lists these things and it always helps me to see their progress. I would certainly appreciate any help anyone can offer. Thanks, Rose in Texas

I am a 29 year old RN and mother of 1 I am currently in the process of approval for a lap band. I have an appointment on October 3rd for my psychological exam and my nutritional evaluation (Both insurance requirements) I originally was planned on gastric bypass, but when i went to my surgeons informational seminar, I changed my mind. He performs both procedures, but the side effects of gb really scare me. Thanks for this wonderful site!

Catherine here.. I was banded 4 days ago and am feeling fairly decent Just thought I would introduce myself HI ALL!!

Hiiii Deee Hoooo Greetings to everyone! I was banded in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho on September 9th. I am known to talk too much and will type until my fingers bleed so I'll summarize........ * 29 / Director of IT in the Healthcare industry / girly tomboy * on any given day you'll find me shopping, fishing, camping, softball, football, bbqing, swimming, snorkling, quad rides, playing poker, cooking for friends, playing in the woods * closet Martha Stewart entertainer - minus the rafia * I prefer toothpaste over gel * I strongly believe if everyone had sex (with someone or alone) or smoked pot on a more regular basis this world would b…

I am scheduled to be banded on September 30. I am nervous, but excited. I want to be skinny. I have been fat my whole life and I see myself growing more and more in time. I've dieted, with success only to be followed by failure. I do have a question. All the tickers in everyone's signature, who sets the goal weight? You? Your doctor? I don't so much have a goal weight as I have a goal "look" and size of clothing. I am looking forward to reading all the information on this site.

Greetings My name is Jill - got banded on Monday 9/19. I'm a little sore still (better than yesterday though) and even coughing isn't so bad. I'm trying to stay off the pain meds today, we'll see how I do My weight problems have been lifelong, and while losing weight was never a problem, keeping it off was, and the band for me, is my last shot at doing it *right*. I see my father and my aunt - 65 and 67 years old - so morbidly obese, and at 40 years old, I don't want to head down that road. I hope to participate lots here

I am thinking about the lap band,but dont know where to go for the procedure.I live in michigan.

Lap Band scheduled and new to this site. I'm just a little nervous and a whole lot excited. I have never had any kind of surgery. Closest I've come to it is an epidural and an episiotomy. I'm a physician assistant and true to my nature, I am focusing on all the bad stuff that I know can happen! So if I could, I would like to hear from you guys about what to expect immediately following post op.

I am 64 years old and have been over weight most of my life. The most I have weighed is 320. I had an intestinal by pass 32 years ago and got down to 178 but then slowly went back up. It was the worse surgery I have ever had. It took me along time to recover from the initial surgery and I have never recovered from the malnutrition that it caused. I had the Lap band done on May 4th with my sister. It has been the best thing I have done. I feel better than I have for along time. One thing in my favor has been that I had the rest of my teeth pulled the week before I had the Lap band done and can not eat anything in large amounts. I have to cut up everything I eat in littl…

Hi everyone, Thanks for the great welcome! I had my surgery this past Monday on the 12th, got out of the hospital the next day and have had a good recovery. I had really bad pain the first three days and getting up and down out of bed was really tough until I figured out how to do it....(crawling in on my knees was better than laying down the usual way.) I'm having trouble getting used to the horrible taste of crushed medicine in liquid. Does anyone have any tips? I just about don't even want to take them, except that they are really important. One great thing: My doctor, Dr MacAlexander in Oak Ridge TN ordered a really great anti nausea band for me and I was only…

Hello all. I am a 32 year old female, close to the 285 mark, have been big for 10+ years. Ended up in the hospital with chest pains two years ago and was put on a diet, which I have followed, and lost 35 lbs. Highest weight was 320. I have been on a low carb diet to help PCOS symptoms, am on glucophage, and High Blood Pressure meds, as well as Wellbutrin. If I stay low carb I have a regular cycle, but have not dropped any more weight. Know that my portions are too large, but I get HUNGRY. Have read that the band helps with appetite control if you "work it" correctly, but have also read that it does not help PCOS patients as much as "normal" people. So my question is: do…

Im lost here... But i have some questions... Can anyone who has been banded eat bread? I ate half of an english muffin and i swear i wanted to die.. the middle on my chest hurt so much... Kim

I had gastric bypass 12 yrs ago and I'm looking for more restriction as I have gained some weight back. Not many surgeons do revisions like this, but Dr. Acevedos in Mexicali, MX can perform the band over bypass surgery. Has anyone has this done and if so, are you happy with the results? Good luck to all new bandsters... hope to get on the bandwagon with y'all soon! Michele

Hello Everyone, I just had my Lap-Band surgery 8/02/2005 with Dr. Terracina (Va) and so far I have lost thirteen pounds. He had "installed" the banding with 1cc of solution which may have given me a jump start. However, I know my stomach capacity holds more than the half cup I was expecting. I go in for my first fill on the 31st of August and was informed by his nurse that I will definitely feel the difference. I am ready! I see that HarleyNana has also had her surgery at the Weight Loss Surgery Center, for me, I cannot express how at ease these professionals made me feel about the entire process. I do not have insurance and paid all expenses up front. The surgery was ou…

I found this site after I was approved. A friend said I should have just gone for the gastric bypass. Seems I read post after post about people have resurgeries due to port problems. Is this the norm? I soooo hope I am not making a mistake. For those who have surgeries later on, do the insurance pay? I have not been scheduled yet but am the sole provider for my family. One person said he had had 4 surgeries to correct port problems in 5 years...........wow!

I've found this site just a couple of days ago, and think I've perused just about every single post...archives included! What a lot of great info. I've just started down this lap road, I'm attending a seminar tomorrow, and have my consult next week. A couple of years ago I was approved for RNY, after completing a 7 month Lifestyle Redesign Program, but chickened out a few weeks prior to surgery. Innards aren't furniture...not to be rearranged on a whim! About that same time, I was diagnosed with type2 diabetes, and hypertension. At first it was a hard hit...no longer a chubby, jolly kid, but a morbidly obese adult with life threatening illnesses. For the last year …

Hi I am new to the site and have been doing alot of reading. I'd like to interact but am having a hard time finding out how. Is there a directions page??????

I am new to the supplement world and not sure which powder I should invest in. I am also diabetic -- are they full of sugars too? They all seem to be fruity &/or chocolate???????

I just wanted to say hello. I'm schedule to be banded on 9/26 and looking foward to the new me.

I'm new here but have been visiting for about two weeks, this is a great web site!!!! Anyway my name is Krissy, I'm married,mother of two beautiful children(they're really monsters) I went to my first appt. with the doc last Tues, I'm waiting on insurance approval and going insane, my BMI is 40.1 with no co-morbities. What are my chances, I have UHC? I woke up at 4am with chest pains, I must be stressing about getting approval from insurance, I hope?...........lol

Hello there everyone! I have been lurking aorund for a bit, but today I just got my surgery date so I figured might as well join. My name is Liz, 21 years old and from Ann Arbor MI (although currently residing in good ol' East Lansing). I'm a student at Michgan State, and am getting "banded" (sounds a little too much like branded for my taste ) in two weeks. Thats it, short and sweet. Hope y'all have good day, and thanks for dropping by.

Hi! My name is Patty and I was banded 8/25/05. I have lost 19 pounds so far and cant wait to lose more! I live in north central missouri, any neighbors here? I am going for my first fill in two weeks (very nervous), any suggestions?

Hi all~ :Bunny I'm new. I found this site through Obesity Help. I'm so glad the I found it. I am a member of a few message boards, but not one like this. Most of the others only have RNY Patients. You can never have enough support though...right? Anyway, just thought I'd tell a little about myself and where I am on the journey to WLS. Well, I'm 28, live in North Dakota and I've been researching WLS for a few years now. I actually researched the RNY procedure for 3 years. I thought I found a surgeon I wanted to go with in MX, but the financing part wasn't working out so well. Which might sound kinda funny because it's must cheaper South of the Border. …

Hi I am new my name is Barb I live in Kansas. I hope to some day be able to afford this. My daughter is thinking of getting it done and her insurance will pay for hers, wish I could find a "BOGO" sale on these. I have not been back to work very long and have still been having troubles. I just finished chemo in January, and still doing loads of weird tests that I can't afford, that also keep me from working like the spinal tap 2 weeks ago that has kept me from 2 weeks of work since the tractor driving bounced me so much I got a migraine that lasted for 7 days. I don't have a significant other he took off with his secretary when I was diagnosed. But somehow I will figu…

Hi, I have been watching this sight for a while now and decided to register. This is such an awesone sight. I was worried about this surgey but after reading posts from here I made my appointments and now have a surgery date. 10-20-05. I am from Williston, N.D. and am having my surgery in Bismarck. Can't wait!! Anyone else from North Dakota? --JoLynn AKA: ASPHALT ANGEL

Hello everyone, My name is Dawne. I'm from Vermont. I've been banded since Jan 12, 2004. I've lost 75 pounds but have been at a halt for the last year.............. My own doing so all you newbies don't you get discouraged. I just really need to start focusing again and stop sabotaging myself. Unfortunately the WRONG foods seem to go down much easier then the right foods. :cry I really need to have someone to help keep me focused and motivated, any takers... Let me know if you have any ideas or insight for me... Thanks Dawne

Hi All! I've been lurking for a week or two and got financing approval today, so there's no turning back, I thought I should introduce myself! I'm planning on having the procedure done 9/30, just working on final details... I'm so grateful for this site and all of the information - answers to so many of my questions. I'll look forward to getting to know everyone, and appreciate the support that you give so freely!! Laura :Bunny

Hi everybody! I am new here. I have been lurking for a little while and I have to say you all are a really good group of people. As I have been doing research on the lap band, I have come accross other forums, and I must say this one definately has the nicest, most supportive people. I am scheduled to have surgery on Sep. 22. Today I started on all clear liquids until the day of surgery. I am really wondering how I will handle this. I'm excited but scared at the same time. I guess I will take this hour by hour. The time I worry about most is at night. I have always taken in the bulk of my calories at night. The carbs have helped me go to sleep. I don't know if I can g…

:Bunny I have 2 weeks to go and I'm starting to get nervouse. I start on Optifast tomarrow for 2 weeks and then I have my surgrey! Basicly the way I used to eat is over...gone. I know once I start to see the weight come off I will not miss the bread or pasta, but it just hit me that those old choices are now gone. Did anyone else feel a kinda seperation anxiety when it came to food or am I just a nut?

Hi all, I got banded on 8/17 and the first 2 weeks all I ate was Soup and soft stuff then when I found out I could try anything, I did and now I am not losing anything. I did the pre-op diet and have totally lost 15 pounds since 8/1 but shouldn't I be losing more? I am going for my first fill on 9/15 and hope that will be the ticket to get me started. My main concern is what should I be eating? I am the type of person who needs to know how much, what and when and I am not getting that from my doctors office. A lady I met at our first support group told me about this site and I am so greatful to her. I need support and help to make this work and will take any advice from y…

Hello to everyone. I just had my surgrey on Aug 24, 2005. Was so excited when they called with the date to have it. Glad its done, just hope to do good with it. Thats what makes me nerves is the thought of it not working. Glad you all are here for me to talk too, cause I'm going to need you. Thanks Pam in MIssouri

Hey all! I found this site last night and am so excited to see the overwhelming support. Ya have ta admit it, we are some of the nicest folks around! I am 45, school teacher, weight is in the 200's (afraid to look at scale) and have just been approved for the lap band. I am nervous and really hope I am doing the right thing. Women in my family (for several generations) have a history of becoming obese, having strokes, dying young. I am caring for my mom who is completely disabled and on hospice from an obesity related (and diabetes, of course) stroke. I have watched her fade away for 5 years now. Finally I said "time to take some action" and never thought my ins…

Let me first say that I love this site so far! I've already found a ton of useful and interesting information. After reading everything I could find on Lap-Band surgery, I went to my internist to see if he would recommend it for me. He's completely supportive and is willing to fight with my insurance if need be to have it covered. (It is covered under my health care plan.) My BMI is 37; I'm 5'6" and 230 lbs. My co-morbidities are all boarderline, i.e. boarderline high blood pressure, chronic heart burn (maybe unconfirmed GERD), insuline resistance, sleep disorder (restless leg syndrome w/ periodic limb movement disorder) with snoring, and chronic depression. I'm also…

hey everyone im going to banded hopefully by the end of this month....i am going to be 25 also at the end of this month and my goal weight loss is 75 lbs....i am not really nervous about the surgery just the diet and giving up all the foods i have learned to enjoy and i am also eating everything in site since i found out i was going to have this surgery...is that normal? in past few weeks i must of gained about 10 -15lbs ifeel like i am never going to be able to eat these foods again so why not enjoy all i can now....does anyone have any helpful tips or encouragement ideas for when i startmy de-fat diet? thatsthe only thing im nervous about i told my nutrionist that i am…

Hello everyone My name id Monica and I'm looking foward to getting the lap band surgery by Dr. Spivak heres in Houston at the Wellness Center I have some quick questions if you all dont ming helping me I really do Appreciate it Thanks well today I finally went to see Dr Spivak everything great until i got to the part of the paper work well i have blue cross blue shield ins and well they req 12 in documents that i have tried to diet and failed well I only have proper documentation from Ballys when I got a trainer and also the nutrition plan to loose weight but thats from 1/4/05 till date and well I need 12 months as of last yr yes i tried different diets metabolife, exened…

Hi all! I am new to this site, and really appreciate the wealth of information that I've seen already! I'm new at being banded also, about 4 weeks out. I've realized this is a learning process, and look forward to reading posts. Donna

Hi My name is Dani and I am new here. I am having my surgery this coming Monday, the 12th of September. I am 57 years old and looking forward to better health. I have almost all of the co morbidities. Dani

Hi All - As a concerned mom, I've been trying to research all and everythng re: Mexico and the surgery itself. As well as the surgeon and facility. My 40+ daughter and I are leaving Monday for San Diego, she'll have her op on the 14th, recuperate on the 15th and fly home to New Jersey on the 16th. Will she be able to handle all of this so soon? I am concerned about sanitation in the operating room and post op with her incision. Her doctor is Pedro Kuri and I haven't read anything bad about him, but it bothers me that most accounts focus on his personality. We Yanks suffer from a lack of bedside manner here in the states so I can see it would be most impressive. I am r…

Hi everyone, well this is my first posting and I must say its fantastic getting to see all the photos and read all the stories from people who have gone down the lapband road. To cut a long story short I came here to the U.S four years ago and fell in love with the woman of my dreams. We got married and now I'm here to stay. Unfortuanatly since being here the weight has just piled on and with that the depression has set in. I was always a big person but living a life which I know enjoy has made me larger than ever. I've thought about doing this for some time now and approached my doctor who said maybe I just needed to exercise!!!! As if I hadn't thought of that!!! I thoug…

Hi I'm newly subscribed, although I feel I'm probably a bit of a foreigner! I was banded first in May 1999 by Dr Vincent Frering in Lyon France (some may have heard of him?). My first band was a Lapband and while I successfully lost all of my excess weight it was at a cost. I suffered with really bad reflux and after about two years developed a really severe pain in my upper left-hand abdomen. After loads of tests to try and find out what was causing the pain and the reflux and not getting any conclusive answer, the only thing that alleviated everything was to remove all of the fill Fluid. Clearly this defeated the object of having a band and I fairly swiftly regain…