Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hello all, I am new to the group. I was banded on April 5, 2004, but all I have been able to lose is 18 pounds. I have lost track of my diet and that is what has me not losing anymore pounds. I had my first fill on May 21 still feel no restriction and will have a second fill on June 24, I hope I feel some restriction then. I still can eat alot like before the surgery. Carmen:mad:

I'VE BEEN LOOKING AROUND AT HAVING A LAP BAND PROCEDURE DONE AND I'M TRYING TO GET ALL THE INFO I CAN ON IT. i WOULD ALSO LIKE TO TRY AND FIND A DOCTOR CLOSE TO ME THAT DOES IT AND I'M HOPING HUBBY'S INS. WILL ACCEPT, THEY SAY THAT AS LONG AS YOU ARE OVER A BMI OF 40 ( I AM) AND HAVE CO-MORBITIY ISSUES (I DO) THEY WILL COVER IT SO FINGERS CROSSED.

Hello Group! My name is Julie and I live in upstate NY. I was banded on 5-19-04 and all is going well. I think my worst post-operative "complication" is my anxiety at wanting to do this right and not causing any harm to my pouch. Even that is getting much better with time! I have lost 24lbs since surgery, and 26 lbs pre-op. I have been FORCED to buy new clothes (oh darn!) because I'm looking like a frumpy, baggy ole woman! Other than being a bandster, I am a musician, a public speaker, and a lover of arts and crafts. I'm 42 and am happily married to God's precious gift to me - Jeff. We celebrated our 10 year anniversary this year. I have four nieces, a neph…

Hi all, I was banded one week ago (Aug.1, 2003), and to date have found no one in my area to correspond with or set up a group with or meetings with.... Is anyone in my area. Barb Dr. Sanchez 8-1-03 249/238/140

HELLO ALL I GOT BANDED 3 WEEKS AGO ON JUNE 7 IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AND EVEYTHING WENT GREAT I AM STILL ALITTLE TENDER WERE THE PORT IS .... I DID FINE THE FIRST WEEK WITH THE LIQUID DIET BUT I HAVE NOTICE THAT I AM EATING ALOT MORE FOR EX. FROM JUST CHIKEN BOTH NOW I EAT THE WHOLE CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP AND I ALSO JUST STARTED WITH MUCHY FOOD AND SOMETIMES I CHEAT AND EAT SOLID FOOD THAT I CHEW VERY WELL WITH KNOW AFTER PAIN AT ALL I DONT KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON I AM HUNGRY ALL THE TIME .............NEED HELP THANKS

Hello, all you awesome Bandsters, Boy could I use your support, I have been on cloud 9 for last 2 months about getting the band, no one has really commented, Well, today I got my approval which Dr. office tells me will be in next 2 weeks well, friends and family have freaked out on me telling me horror stories, I think they were waiting to see if I was approved well what should have been an awesome day for me I spent crying and upset just wanting the ones I love to support me. I am normally a strong person and not a cry baby but today was hard. Thank God

Hello everyone. My name is Lori and im new to this forum. I dont know what to write bit that im from new york and i am being banded on 6/22/04.

Hello all, La_madam just introduced me to this board so I expect I'll be as addicted to it as she is. I was banded on Oct 24, 2003 with Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana Mexico. Haven't had one problem since being banded. Aside from my own food issues that is. I'm down somewheres about 60+ lbs right now. I check in once a month with Dr. Billy in Ventura. He keeps me motivated and accountable to someone, and gives me fills and unfills when I need them. I'll know for sure what I weigh when I see him this coming Friday, as his is the only scale that I consider truly accurate. Well, that's it for me. Hugs to all, Suzy

I have selected a new avator and I chose the butterfly. This has truely been such an amazing journey already and I feel set free from the bondage of food and I no longer am abusing myself.I have a magnet that says " Just when the catapiller thought life was over it became a butterfly " And that is what we are all doing now is going through metamorphis (I have no idea how to spell that) The great thing about it is we are all beautiful and unique and there isn't another just like you. I hope you all are having a blessed day. Ginny 4/19/04 299/269/130 Dr. Spiegel

Hello, all you awesome Bandsters out there, I need your support please, I have been on cloud 9 about getting band for 2 months no one really expressed there opinions, until today, Well, thank the Lord I got my approval from united healthcare, and my family and friends are sooo against this telling me all the horror stories no supoort except hubby, Well, I had it was in tears all evening and I don't cry, I just want them to be happy and support me anyone have these problems, thanks for any encouragement. Nanny

Hello, I'm new to this board. I had a date for the RNY and cancelled it.....I did feel a bit sad, as it is all that my insurance will pay for, but I feel I need the nutrition and could never equate RNY to = health. Thinness - yes, Health - no. My surgeon hates the band, and although he does both, is not happy with my indecision problem as he puts it. So, he is sending me back to the shrink to find out what my problems are! I need a very good band doctor in Sacramento, who will deal with a self pay as it looks as if Blue Cross pers choice is out of the question here for paying. If anyone can help, I thankyou so much. Jacqui5150

Hi I am new to the band I had it done on 6/13 and I am so excited I almost feel normal. I have lost 10 pounds and I am looking forward for more. So that I can get ahead of the game I want to make sure I have somewhere to get my fills I got my surgery done in monterrey, mx. A little far to go everytime I will need a fill.

Hi! I was banded on June 4th in Mexico with Dr. Ortiz. Anyone else out there banded by him? I am having trouble finding a doctor here in Arkansas to do my fills. Does anyone have any suggestions? I live in Arkadlphia, anyone close?

Hi gang! I have been reading for about a week and I love your chat. You will have to excuse my typing skills as I am not very computer literate. I am interested in banding. I called some doctors in the area ( Indiana), but none very interested in seeing me for a consult because my BMI is 35. No high blood pressure or heart disease YET. But I hate to be on a perpetual diet only to get heavier and heavier. I don't think I have coverage anyway at least not at a BMI of 35. They said I needed to gain 20-30- lbs. Sorry, not dong it, at least not on purpose!! The doctors in Mexico will do it and I have the funds (praise God!) to do it. I don't know how to pick a good d…

I am so stressed. I saw my surgeon and he said, with a BMI of 39.5 he would consider that 40 and not to sweat it. So I didn't. On Friday, i got a call from his nurse, who politely and in a round about kind of way, suggested that I GAIN SOME MORE WEIGHT to get my BMI up past 40 to qualify for my insurance! I said I would do it, but I am so depressed--the last thing I want to be is BIGGER! And it's starting to get hot here--ugh! Console me, please.

I was banded in Mexico on 5/8/2004 by Dr. Lopez. To date I have lost about 18 lbs. My start weight was 262. This is after I was on WW for a year and lost 20! I am ready for a fill as I can eat more than I want to be able to. I am not really hungry...but I have no sensation of being full. I have managed to push myself away from the table eating less than half of what I normally would. And not cooking has helped immensely but we are gonna go broke eating out all of the time,LOL! I have been a big girl all my life. My problem was compounded by the fact that my mother and three sisters were all petite size 5-7's and I towered over them and outweighed them at 5…

Hello...I've been lurking and am now into serious consideration for pursuing a lap-band. I'm very large (BMI 61), but thankfully just now sarting to get a few health problems, which has brought this discussion of surgery to a head. I work in health care and am not anxious to pursue RNY, but will be going to Houston for an informational seminar with Dr.Spivak's groug next week. I am interested in the Lap-Band as a less invasive, potentially safer approach. My goal is not to be thin (or even normal weight, whatever someone thinks that is) but to feel good again. I have really slowed down this past year and a half. Multiple foot fractures and back pain from the multiple wa…

im having my band done6/25/04 and im really scared.My doctor told me to go on a liquid 1,000 calorie diet for two weeks .I started it yesterday and by the end of the day i had to eat.So now i put myself on a low low calorie dietinstead.Did everyone have to go liquid for 2 weeks pre-op?

greetings all! I introduced my self on BMI 35 thread. not planning on telling anyone but hubby (he is suppotive and will go to Mexico as well as shell out $$). I just am not ready to deal with anyone's judgement or opinion on MY weight issues (X husband who is soul mate). I have mainly thin friends who have NO concept of what is it like to be overweight and feel NO control over issues. "Why don't you just go on a diet and exercise?" Done that and have the t-shirt. No permanant change for me. Only more weight to lose and another feelingof failure. My husband is a dentist and I joked with him many times about just wiring my mouth shut. It is a personal thing- I just…

Hi, My sister is thinking of getting lap banded in Mexico because she doesn't have insurance. We are thinking about Dr. Rodriguez from www.thebariatrics.com. I am really glad I found this forum because it has a wealth of information. However, I have not been able to find that much information about Dr. Rodriguez and that sort of makes me nervous. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can do more research on him, the hospital facility and also of other reasonable alternatives close to TEXAS???? Any positive/negative comments and especially pointers or advice will be greatly appreciated.

Hello- My name is Jane and I am looking foward to being banded in about 7 weeks. This has been a long road. I save the dollar up and after 13 years and two adoptions found myself pregant- so the $$$ went to the pregnancy and delivery (no maternoity insurance) and I got a beautiful baby girl and about 50 lbs lighter. (aren't hormnes wonderful) Well after a year of breast feeding we are still much lower than when we started the pregnancy and I am ready for surgery. I have three beautiful children and a wonderful supportive husband. I have been heavy all of my life (ok the part I remember well age 10 and up) I just wish when I was 160 I had thoiught that was coo…

Hello everyone, my name is Pen and I have just been banded in Perth Australia (31 May). At the beginning of week 2, I am back at work but feel a bit ratty (sternum pain) and just a gnereal feeling of weirdness. Was sooo delighted to find your siteand read all the posts - lots of really helpful information. Thank you - I look forward to following everyone's progress!! Start weight 260 lbs Goal weight 160 lbs Have lost 5 lbs in the first week!!

Hello. I am going to go ahead and get "THIS" post out of the way. I am a 30 year old man and have been obese most of my life. Probably since high school, and I am just fed up with being fat. I dont even know what I weigh. The last scale that was able to weigh me clocked me at about 475 lbs. I am 6'4 inches. Today is the first day I have really heard of this procedure in detail. I met someone at church today who is 40 years old and he had the surgery 18 months ago. He said he was about my size. To make a long story short, church started and I could not really ask that many more questions to him. So I turn to those here. And am I loaded with Q&A with pro…

Hi everyone, I am a newly banded (2 wks today).. and wanted to introduce myself. I am 42, live on the west coast of Florida, married, 3 nearly grown children (depending on the day). I have tried probably every 'diet' under the sun and a few under the moon too! I started really researching the Lap-Band in March of this year, and things moved quickly from there... I know that I am still a new Bandster,but already... I am loving it! Cindy Dr. Grossbard (a Lap-Bander himself) 5/17/04 243/237/? (6 lbs pre-op on Atkins)

Hi All, I have been lurking here, reading and learning alot from all of your posts. Thanks for all the great ideas and boosts of encouragement, even tho you didn't know I was around! I am in the final stages of my insurance requirements--and then will have to wait for approval. Getting anxious and impatient! Hoping that the authorization process will go quickly and smoothly--rumor has it that my insurance does their auth's pretty quickly. Am dreading the summer social season--hosting two parties for family friends and usually, I just end up functioning as "the help" because i am invisible, or so it seems. I can't wait to see all those people AFTER my band an…

Hello all, This is my first time to see this forum and I am really impressed. I have had the band for 1 year and 2 mos. I have lost around 90 lbs. I gain and lose..... I have never been happier. I do wish I could lose some more, and probably will , but I do look like a different person. I wish all of you the best of luck. It does work, you won't be the only person it doesn't work for. I thought all of this at first, but I was wrong. My journey has been slower than some, but it is still going.. It is just a problem knowing exactly what you need, (as in a fill or what) but I always seem to figure it out. I feel like this band saved my life and I will be forever gr…

Well I got my first setback yesterday. The insurance company is requiring a 6 month supervised weight loss and exercise. Yes, I know that it is not the end of the world, but yesterday it felt like it. I am going to try to fight it because I have been o every diet ever invented, including a few of my own. Ever heard of the watermelon and pickle diet? Summer of '73, lost 40 pounds regained 50+ in '74. There is also the little problem of my walking. After a childhood eventful enough for my own Grandmother to have nicknamed me "old Grace" and a young adulthood marked by falls that have put me in a scooter for distances longer than a few yards and cost me 2 & 1/2 i…

Just wondering what is the general concensus on band types? whom has what and what was the reasons your sugeon chose that kind? Your input is appreciated! Thanks, Sacha

Hi everone, I'm waiting on paper work getting banded in 3 weeks I'm excited but scared, I love this site everone is so helpful. Any advice is so appreciated. Dr. Spiegel is my Dr. in Port Neches Tx. :D

hello Everyone, I have been reading over your site for quite awhile now. I'm in the process of making the decision for Banding. I had liopsuction done 2 1/2 years ago, at the cost of 8000 dollars and never knew this "Banding" existed. Guess i'm feeling sorta foolish in some ways. I was always afraid of the "Gastric Bypass" and have seen good and bad from my friends that have done it. My challange now is getting my doctor to support me. And I think i'm looking for support also that i'm doing the right thing for me. I topped at 247 lbs and a size 1x, and had 13000 cc's of fat removed during lipo. Now am at 207 at 5'4 and a size 14, can't loose a lb to save my life ..…

Hi, I've been banded for about 8 weeks now. Had my surgery in NYC, love my surgeon and everyone in the office. I'm very happy with my decision to do this and "cautiouslly optimistic" for the first time in a long, long time! Deb

Does anyone know where I can get samples of unflavored protien? I'd like to try some, but don't want to buy a huge container until I know what kind I'd like. Is it ok to put this into soft foods or can I only use it in liquid? What consistancy does the powder make a liquid? Is it gritty or does it dissolve?

Kathy and Alex, Thank you for your reply. I guess I should have said alittle more about myself. I am 50 years young. I have one daughter one grandaughter and one grandson that was born last month. He is a cutie. I have been heavy all my life. I weighed 125lbs when I was in 5th grade. The kids made fun of me all the time. Kids are cruel. I have been on almost every diet there is. I starved once for 5 1/2 months and lost 125lbs only to gain it back when I started eating again. I wanted the gastric bypass but with my insurance not covering the surgery I can't afford it so I decided to have the band. I have read so many good results on it. I understand the weight los…

Hi, My name is Lucy and I am scheduled for lapband surgery with Dr Jose Rodriquez in Mexico on July 23rd. I am excited but nervous. My insurance will not cover any type of obesity surgery so I am also self-pay. I have been reading alot on here and learning. Everyone is so nice and hlepful. That means so much sence alot of you are post op and can help others. I am not too good at writing, I just wanted to say hello and thank you all for being here for others and happy weight loss.

Hi, my name is Marcia. I was banded on 4/20/04. So far I have lost 25 lbs. I can't wait until next week when I can have my first fill because I am HUNGRY. I was 242lbs in the beginning of this journey and my goal is 132. I have been doing some kind of excercise almost every day, which is first for me . My goal is to be in shape and down to goal weight by my 50th birthday, 3/26/05, and then get a bunch of friends together to do a ropes course. I can't wait. I love my band.

Hi I'm 26 years old 5.5 and 270 lbs. Las year my fother died of weight related problems , and that gave a big wake up call. since then i have been dooing mager reserch on weiht loss surgerys. I finaly setteled on Lap Band. becouse It looked like it was less invasive and the recovery time was shorter then most outher surgery. Now I need to talk to my family Dr. Im not shure how to bring up the subject or even what questions to ask. any one got any sigestions? thanks Elbell:)

Okay everyone, It happened. I am 11 weeks post op and I was eating dinner, just some chicken, and I was just going along, obviously not paying attention to how I was chewing, and it got stuck, this is not the first time I have had trouble with chicken, nor was it the first time I got something stuck, however usually I can push it down with a few hard swallows, and a couple of sips of water. NOT THIS TIME, It is so painful, so I took a sip of water, and up it came, the water, then (GRAPHIC) slimy foamy goo. I only yacked a couple of times then was able to get the chicken down, it did not come up. Since this incident, it has felt as if someone kicked me in the chest. I…

I am relatively new to the forum. I posted last month for the first time asking where to start. I now am registered for a mandatory lecture (that the doctor gives). The doctor that I have chosen is Dr. Emma Patterson at Legacy Emmanuel Hospital in Portland, OR. I have contacted my primary care physician, and he is on board (and has started a letter to the insurance company). My insurance company will cover this procedure if it is medically necessary. My PCP says it is. I have so many questions, I don't know where to start. I guess you all will be seeing me pop up quite a bit. What type of pre-op appointments should I expect? Thanks in advance for the adv…

Hi, I have just been banded on May 12. I am eating like a horse...Is this normal? I have hardly any restriction and I feel really good except for the gas in my chest. Is this normal too? Most of my questions have been answered by just reading other people's comments but I haven't heard anyone really say anything about the gas pains.

Hi everyone, I've been lurking around here for about a year now but haven't posted until today. I was banded April 9th, 2003. Have had my up's and down's but still chugging along. Glad I found this board. Take care!

Hi! I received my lap band April 23rd. I have finished my 3 weeks of liquid diet and am going to have my first fill next Monday. I must say it has not been that difficult to stick to the liquid and soft food diet, but I am really looking forward to a regular diet soon. I am also a little nervious about the fill. I have no idea how or what will happen. A couple of days ago I received a letter from my doctor saying they were closing their office the end of June and moving to Kansas. I do wish I had know that prior to surgery. I hope he will give me an idea where to go after the end of June. Has anyone else had this problem? Anyhow I hope to find support since I…

I just wanted to give a suggestion to those who are thinking about getting banded, but are unsure if it is right for you. Of course, this is only my opinion. It is not scientific!!!!! Do you eat alot of food? Do you eat alot of sugar, but, not much food? or both? Sugar and bad foods go down for the most part fairly easily with the lapband without restriction In fact, I feel fairly no restriction when it comes to junk food, so I have to avoid it at all costs. Healthy foods sometimes go down very slow with the band which can be good, to keep you from eating too much, but, your head thinks your still hungry sometimes, you have to be careful in not eating bad food t…

My dr. is Ponse' at hamaltion medical in Dalton Ga. Has any one used this doc or medical center?

Today my scale hit a wonderful number !! In two months and 10 days I am down 30 LBS !! I am on cloud 9 today !! Only 40 more to go and I will be wearing that beautiful red sweater instead of the standard black at Christmas dinner !! I LOVE THIS WONDERFUL BAND !! YAHOOOOO !!! karen 03/08/04 DR Borao 241/211/170..........

I am sure this has been discussed before but I have missed it along the way. I have been keeping a food journal on fit day and I really like being able to look each day and keep trackof everything. Here is my ??? How many calories should we be consuming per day as not to put our bodies into a starving mode yet keep it low enough to lose at a 6-10 lb rate per month ??? I know high protien is important for our well being and keeping low carbs is also important..........I just hate to have to put out the $$ to the nutritionist if someone out there has an answer. Thanks in advance !!

HI,IM 49 YRS OLD.FEMALE,THREE CHILDREN.LIVE IN KINGSLAND TX. IM THINKING OF HAVING THE LAPBAND AND WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT.WHAT IT PERTAINS TO.WHAT THE COST IS IN BEAUMONT TX WITH DR FELIX SPIEGEL.SIDE EFFECTS AND SO ON.IF ANYONE CAN SHARE INFORMATION WITH ME I WOULD APPRECIATE IT SO MUCH. MY DAUGHTER IS A NURSE IN BEAUMONT TX AND SHE WANTS ME TO HAVE THE LAPBAND DONE.I HAVE A LOT OF MEDICAL ISSUES AND I THINK THE LAPBAND WOULD RESOLVE SOME OF THOSE ISSUES. I HAVE BEEN OVER WEIGHT FOR PROBABLY 15 YRS AND HAVE FOUGHT MY WEIGHT UNTIL I FINALLY JUST GAVE UP AND DECIDED THIS WAS HOW I WAS MEANT TO BE. IM FIVE FOOT TWO INCHES TALL AND WEIGH 240 LBS.WITH ALL THE HEALTH IS…

I am new to this site. Great information! I just got my 1st appointment 5/25 with Dr. Spiegel in Port Neches. Anyone using this Dr. with Aetna PPO insurance? Also,if you are currently using this Dr.,what are did you think about the overall surgery? Thanks, Rickol D.

I finally went to see the surgeon, Dr Malley and he has Ok'd me for the Lapband. The insurance is being processed and I hope I'll have a date soon. Still scared but after having a bad fall yesterday I know that I must get started.

hELLO EVERYONE, I'm new on this site and I am interested in the lap band surg. I would like info from people who had it. QUESTIONS 1. Where on the east coast can you have the surg? I live the dc area. 2. who are the doctors, where is clinic and the cost this is self pay. Thank you so much.

Hello! New around here. 29yr old wife and mom of 1. Pre-op, next appt. with Dr. Yau in Scarborough, ON is June 7th, hoping for a date then. food and I have been bestfriends for the last 15 yrs and I've expanded now to a grand total of 315lbs. My only concern about this procedure is seeing as I have been an compulsive overeater for all these yrs, how mentally is this going to effect me, seeing as I've lived every minute of everyday for and thinking about food? Any input from all you specialists would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for your replies. SJD