Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi y'all, My name is Tasha Coco, I'm from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I'm a BBW (of course) Lesbian Mom. I was banded by Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey Mexico on May 25. My top weight was 427 lbs, my current weight is 355 lbs. This has been a much harder journey than I thought it would be. I struggle daily with my food choices.

HELLO EVERYONE,MY NAME IS LISA AND I AM NEW TO THE SITE. I WILL BE HAVING MY SURGERY AUGUST 2. I AM VERY EXCITED, TO START A NEW BEGINNING WITH THE LAP BAND. I ALSO AM SCARED TO HAVE THE SURGERY, AS WELL.BUT AM GOING TO GO THROUGH WITH IT. MY FAMILY IS SUPPORTIVE TO SOME DEGREE, THEY CHANGE THERE MIND , EVERYTIME THEY HEAR SOMETHING BAD ABOUT THE SURGERY, AND BECAUSE THIS IS SO NEW TO THE U.S. BUT OF COURSE THEY ALL HAVE NEVER HAD A WEIGHT PROBLOM. WELL I HOPE TO BE ABLE TO CHAT WITH YOU ALL SOMETIME SOON... LISA LEE

Hi everyone! Just a short introduction about myself. My name is Tina and I will be banded in just a few weeks on July 30th with Dr. Ortiz. Of course there are mixed emotions about the whole procedure - the excitement of starting my weight-loss journey and a new life, as well as the nervousness of the surgery and possible complications afterward. I've done a lot of research and extremely glad that Teresa steered toward this board. It's one of the most comprehensive ones I've come across so far and I'm glad to be part of it. Anyone want to give me tips that would help me post-banding? Things to stock up on? I'm a teacher and have given myself a month to recouperate …

Hi everyone i am new to this board i was banded dec 22 2003 i started at 230 and am down to 183 my weight loss has been slow i am have not lost any weight in 3 weeks am going in for adjustment next monday i have 2.6cc in my band right now but everytime i go for adjustment some is gone out of it Heather

HELLO TO EVERYONE; ITS BEEN A WHILE SINCE I HAVE BEEN ON THE WEB. HAD SURGERY ON THE 28TH OF APRIL 2004. SO FOR I HAVE LOST 30 POUNDS. I AM SO EXCITED. EVERYTHING IS GOING GOOD. WENT TO DOCTOR 7-15-04. ASKED IF I WAS READY FOR FILL REFUSED FILL FO RNOW. I AM AVERAGING 2.5 POUNDS LOST PER WEEK. DO NOT THINK FILL IS NECESSARY AT PRESENT TIME . WHAT DO YOU THINK? OPEN TO ALL RESPONSES. THANKS SARAH DYKES

Hello everyone ..... I was looking for a place to gain more info about the lap band. I am from Colorado and have to drive 5 hours to the hospital where the surgery can be performed, but feel very good about Dr. Johnelle and his staff. I have read many of your post and can tell from what I read that most of you are so happy with your choice to be banded. I am waiting to hear from my insurance co. so we will see what happens. I want to have this surgery very badly, I am 5'2" 265 and my BMI is a 48. Thank the lord I don't have any major health problems as of to date, I would like to keep it that way! I will continue to read all of your post and when I have questions…

Hi since I am new a little bit about me. I am on my journey to get banded. I have heard lots of pros and cons about the band but out of them all I feel that this is the way for me to go. I am planning on losing lots of weight but if I just lose enough to get me off my meds I will be happy . I want to also use it as a maintance tool. I can't wait to hear all of your stories about the band. I lurk a lot but love to talk:banana . God bless.

I was banded in october of 2003. Started out at 286 and I am now at 233. I had my first fill in December of 02 he put in .5 cc. I had my second in may 2004 1.0 cc total 1.5 cc's. I am looking for a Doctor in the Houston area that will fill my band! I am private pay. The doctor that did my surgery comes to the town that I live in to do fills, but charges an outrageous amount!

hello everyone. I am in the process of finding out more about Lap banding. I am 28 and weight 100kg and am 165cm tall. my bmi is 36. I have dieted for years and years and loose about 1-2kg but straight away put on 5 more kilos I am excited to have foudn this site. any one from australia here?? Nicole

Hi there! :banana My name is Lori, I live in Dover, NH, I just turned 20 y/o, and I currently weigh 278 (BMI: 49). I'm not sure the exact date that I will be having the Lap Band implanted, but I am sure it will be sometime this year. My surgeon, Dr. Looser, will be able to tell me when the surgery date is, once I finish up some blood work and group meetings. This looks like a nifty place to chit chat, so I think I'll be sticking around a while!

I recently postponed surgery. I'm concerned about going to Mexico to have it done. I'm looking for information so that I feel more confident in my decision.

I am a newbie. I am just in the begining stages of going toward the lap band. I just got a referal and scrip from my pcp today. I am really nervous. I need to find a surgeon and hope and pray that my insurance is going to pay. Did anyone else ever wonder if they were doing the right thing? anyway, I want to live a full life. I have a beautiful little biy who needs his Mommy, and a great Hubby. I would even like to have another baby. So wish me luck. If Insurance doesn't pay I am out of luck. I also wanted to say I have really learned a lot from browsing this board. You are all an inspiration. and Congrats to all of you who have gotten Banded Keep up the great wo…

I joined awhile back, but school and everything else left with very little time to be active on the board. A bit about me... Location - East Lansing/Michigan State University Age - 20 ....don't really know what else, but feel free to ask me anything

Where are you!!??!! I am sure you are here. It's me that hasn't been around. Just wanted to let you know that your assistance is required on spotlight.......

Hello all My name is Tammy and i am 23. I have already had my first consulation with Dr. Spiegel in Southeast Texas- which is where i am from... waiting to hear from the insurance co. I am really happy to find this board! Tammy

Hi my name is Angela I was banded in March 2004. I have had a total of 60lbs weight loss! The thing I love about the band is I can eat what I want I have learned sometimes I eat to fast and it comes up. The biggest challenge I have is not being able to drink with my food... I admit some times I slip.

Hello all: Just learned about this group, so wanted to introduce myself. My name is Ann and I'm in the process of getting banded. I hope to have it done in Oct or early Nov. Right now, I'm on an eating plan that hasn't been too hard to maintain and I've lost around 15 pounds so far. I just had my psych eval last week and will meet with the surgeon for the second time in September. I'm also seeing a nutrition Dr. monthly and will go to a nutrition class tomorrow. Things seem to be going by pretty quickly so I hope being approved won't prove me wrong. Anyway, I'm happy to have found this resource and look forward to chatting with you. Ann

My name is Sandy. I was banded on 9/30/03 by Dr. George Merriman in Shreveport, LA. My starting weight was between 215 and 220 ( I say this because there was a 5 lb difference on my scales and my doctor's scales.) As of this date I have lost 76 lbs. I now weigh 139. My goal is to weigh 115 - 120. I am 5' 2" tall.

FAT if you don't...so they say! Well I have been stuck at this freakin' plateau for at least 2 months! So I decided to start exercising, because after all with diet and exercise you should loose weight. Right? Well I have been going to the park walking and jogging...yes me jogging, panting, sweating, dying, and jogging. I have been jumping on the scale and guess what. It ain't loosong no weight. To be honest I can't say inches either. So this is my thought process, if I sit around and not loose any weight, why work out. I think that I may be the sorriest excuse for a bandster. I am almost a year out and I have a grand total loss of 45 pounds. I must admit th…

I have gone over and over this for the past 2 years and am not comitted to moving foward to a new lighter life. Stats on decision week: 35 YO female 290 lbs lifetime of weight battles Goal 175 Self financed seeking buddies whom traveled outside of the US for surgery, specificaly Canada. Best Regards and thank to all of you whom I have watched over the years you have all served as inspiration to us whom are just getting to the start line. Margaret

Hi Everyone, I have posted to this site a couple of times, but I just wanted to thank all of you whom put so much energy into the site. I read the posts daily and have learned a lot from everyone's experiences. My question is on Fitday. When you are inputting your nutritional goals, how do you find how many grams of fat, Protein and so on that you should enter? I don't see my nutritionist for another month. Can anyone help?

Hi, My name is Gail. I'm new to the forum. I was just banded 6/28/04. I'm struggling survival on the liquid diet. Only two days left and counting. I lost 13 lbs. since liquids. I'm taking it one day at a time because I am finding it pure torture, especially when I have to be around people who can eat real food. Any tips for the transition, if any, when starting soft foods?

Hello All, I'm new here to this group, invited to join recently by my bandster friend, Terry. I live in Georgetown, TX and was originally banded 4/29/03 in Austin. I had my band repaired 2/20/04 after it was discovered my band had slipped. I've lost 80 lbs. so far, but have been on a plateau and haven't lost anything since my emergency surgery in February. I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you and learning alot on this board. Jackie Callaham Banded 4-29-03, Dr. Steven Fass 250/170/?

I was wondering if anyone else had this pain.........on the right hand side, more painful standing, tender sitting but no pain lying down? I had my appendix out 2yrs ago and it is very similar & close to the same spot not quite so low. I saw my GP yesterday and he said I should call the surgeon. I am out 6 weeks and have felt great so far. Thanks so much for any help. karen 3/8/04 DR Borao 241/215/175 first goal......

Hi everybody, I feel so proud of myself and just want to share it and maybe inspire newby's a little too. I was banded May 8, 2004 (8.5 weeks ago) in Tijuana Mexico by Dr. Lopez. I went to weigh in today which I always do with a little bit of dread, and I had actually lost another 3.7 lbs bringing my total to 39.4 lbs. I still have not had a fill and keep waiting to either plateau or gain. I was especially amazed because this last week with the holiday weekend I had 3 days with my calorie intake around the 1600 range. Last week I had also weighed one day later so this weeks weigh week only included 6 days. I was just really happy about it. I started off a lot hea…

I have not had my band surgery yet, and would like to know if any doctors in Savannah do fills?

i just got my first filling and the doctor filled it up to 4cc it seem to be alot i feel the resition but iam scared to eat i have read people with there fist filling they get 1cc or the most that i have heard 2cc by the way ihave lost 7 pounds in 4 weeks ... can some one give me advice ...thanks

Any suggestions on how to pick the best surgeon and what questions would you ask? what if the surgeon doenst use xray for the fills just feels for the right place to do the fill ? would this sit ok with you? please experienced bandsters please help with your knowledge and what are good suggestions to get by for the first month of no eating. Cheers Ruth

Hi Everyone! I've been lurking for a couple of weeks now and am really enjoying the atmosphere here. I'm currently waiting to see if my insurance will cover the Lap-Band. The surgeon that I have been referred to says my insurance, Aetna, does not cover it. I called Aetna today and they told me that they will send me a worksheet to see if it would be covered for me. I sure hope so. Anyways a little about me. My name is Kim. I'm 27 and have a BMI of 42 plus a bunch of co-morbidities (sp?). I was approved for the VGB back in 2000, but chickened out a week before surgery because it was permanent. That's why I'm so excited about the Lap-Band! So if anyone knows about Aetna…

:straight Hi everyone I'm new and hoping before long I will also be able to share a success story w/you all. I am really impressed w/this site it is so imformative. Im 38yrs.old in MA have 5 boys yeehaw:D Overweight mostly all my life. Tried every diet under the sun and to no avail. Seems as I age the pounds keep creeping on. I have yet to get the lapband done. I have a new PC and I ran it by him that I will need a referral to see the surgeon I have chosen to do my procedure I see her on the 21'st of this month. The way she works it I guess is you go for 3 visits then she schedules surgery. Now he knows I have to go in a few weeks his response was that I should go …

New member. Just want to know if anyone has any info on jaime Ponce de leon Palomares M.D. at Hospital Bajanor, in Mexico. Thanks

New member. Just want to know if anyone has any info on jaime Ponce de leon Palomares M.D. at Hospital Bajanor, in Mexico. Thanks

Hello everyone -- I'm new here and thought I would sign-up on this website. I have been reading posts over the past couple months as I have prepared for my surgery. I'm really excited about starting a new lifestyle and not being overweight!

I have just registered on this site and had my surgery last Sunday. I am still feeling tired and sore! Has anyone experienced a lot of discomfort where the port is? Also I feel a kind of "popping" sensation when I bend forward or stretch as if it is moving...is that normal? I can liken it to during pregnancy when a limb is pushed up under the ribcage...hope that makes sense. I had my surgery done in Dubai by a visiting Belgian surgeon Dr Christiaan De Bruynes My BMI is 43 and I weigh 127kg.

Thanks Janie, Did you have a lot of pain after the banding. Janis

I have been told by a surgeon that I am a candidate for lap band surgery (but not gastric bypass - I don't weigh enough!) Since then, the whole idea has been going around and around in my head, and I am so confused. I am particularly concerned about PB (productive burps), as I have a phobia about vomiting! Has anyone actually ever not done this? If I am extremely careful, will I be able to get by without it? I appreciate any thoughts

Great site and glad to be part of it! My name is Lori (aka MESWEDE) and I live in Oregon. I was introduced to the lapband in March 2003 and immediately began my research on the internet. I read as many Bandster websites as possible and then met up with Patricia and Elma who I consider my Bandster Pro coaches. I was then banded by the ever so wonderful Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey Mexico on July 9, 2003. I now have a website available and though it is in it's beginning stages, I will be adding more information and posting my progress pictures as the pounds melt away. I hope that it will be an encouragement to those who are newbie Bandsters. I'm one of those who chose …

Hi Everyone Ive just found this site and am interested in hearing everyone's experience's. I am in Sydney Australia and am wanting to have the lap band done but ofcourse its a really scary decision isnt it???? Could some of you please share your experiences up to and including your surgery and was it worth it would you do it again? Im 49 and really am sick of the yo yo of being fat. There is a thin me wanting to come out. Looking foward to hearing from you all Cheers Ruth

Hi my name is Tina, I was banded in Lyon France by the wonderful Dr V Frering, on the 25 Feb 04.I have just found this site and hope to get lots of information about banding as i suposse i'm still a baby in terms as to how long some of you have been banded. I am nearly 42yrs old, i have been married to my husband Brett for 3yrs this Aug, we have two children 17yrs and 14 ,and a dog called spice,so far my band seems to be working wonderfuly and i have lost nearly 4 stone, oh and i will appolagise now for my spelling ,i never was any good.

Well, I haven't had any luck with anyone answering my last two threads. Hopefully, someone will answer this one. I am looking for info on MDs that offer a good package deal, including aftercare and fills. I would like to hear from anyone who has had any experience in this area. It looks like I am going to have to go the "self pay" route. I am looking for surgeons in the US first, and then possibly Mexico. Thanks so much for any advice you can provide. Sincerely, Lisa in NOLA

HELLO EVERYONE I AM EREKA SINGLETARY I WAS BANDED IN FEB 2004 MY WEIGHT WAS 244 AND I AM CURRENTLY AT 211. I LIVE IN BERKELY ILLINOIS OR JUST SAY CHICAGO. WELL AM LOOKING FORWARD TO READING ALL 0F THE POSTS AND I AM ALSO LOOKING FOR SOME MUCH NEEDED SUPPORT. I AM 5'8 AND MY WEIGHT GOAL IS TO REACH 150.

Hi everyone! I am new to the forums and glad to be here. I am wondering if there are any recipients in Louisiana that might could give me some info. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield (HMO) and have not contacted them to see if the surgery will be covered. Traveling outside the US is an option, but scary! I would like info on MDs in the state, as well as any advise they can offer to help me qualify. I prefer not to have the surgery in New Orleans...where I live and work as a Nurse. I am worried that I won't qualify because my BMI is only 35...36 on a "good" day. I don't want to have to gain any more weight in order to qualify for the procedure. Also, I have co-morbid…

hi, my name is debby and i was banded on may 24th '04. since then as you all have experienced i have had ups and downs. It has been almost 6 weeks and i can really eat now, which is not good! I have not had a fill yet and can not wait!!! I need to know that my eating is normal @ this point and that it will get easier when i get my fill??? I mean i can eat whatever, granted it is smaller portions than i was used to but still bigger than what i have heard people can eat! Also my weight loss has slowed down. I lost @ 25lbs. the first 4 weeks including the liquids they have you on 5 days prior, and now it seems to be tapering since i have been gradually on regular food. Than…

Hi. I am in the process of researching the Lap Band Procedure. I am a resident of the New Orleans area. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO and have not contacted them to see if the procedure will be covered. I would like to know if there is anyone that has utilized MDs in this area and if they can offer me any advice on how to go about getting qualified for this procedure. Are there any MDs that will "go out of their way" to help make this a reality for me? I am 41 with a BMI of 35-36 and have hyperlipidemia, joint/back pain, and mild hypertension. However, I am not on any medications for any of these problems at this time. Any advice provided will be great appreci…

Hi, I'm getting ready to have lap band surgery in Monterrey, Mexico with Dr. Rembaut. Has anyone else done this there? I'm a little concerned about post surgical pain. I'll be alone there and am wondering how the pain level is after surgery. How long realistically before I'd be able to fly home. Also, has anyone any suggestions of where to stay while there? Thanks

Hello everyone, I am scheduled for surgery on 8/6/04. I am awaiting ins approval. I wanted to stop in and check y'all out. Hello again!!

Today I finished all the pre-requirements for my insurance authorization to start! I am so glad to be over this part of it! Now as Tom Petty once said, "the waiting is the hardest part"..... so, to amuse myself, I am wondering if any Lapbanders tried to guess what size they would be in what upcoming season so as to try to pre-purchase clothing? I am especially in love with VINTAGE fashions and there are a few I would like to finally fit into! any advice. Humor me, I am trying to stay calm and wait......(for authorization, not advice!) Kimber-lilly

Hi, My name is Tawnia and I'm from Olympia, Wahington. I had my band done on May 28, 2004. I have lost 19lbs and feel great. I have 4 friends (they are all sisters) that have all had had it done also the first one is 6 weeks out and the last is 2 weeks out. It is nice having them as a support group but I would like to meet others also. I'm looking forward to getting to know you all Tawn

I was approved for RNY and was supposed to have my surgery tomorrow July 1......but cancelled..after much research...I decided the BAND is for me!! But the surgeon that was gonna do my RNY does not do banding...anybody had the band done in So.Calif.? If so, I'd love some Dr. referrals....glad to be here! thanks:)

Hi ya.. My name is Kathy and I am newly banded, 2 days out. Dr Abkin was my surgeon and I live in Morris County NJ. I am the mother of 4. I would like to know of any support(live) groups in the area.