Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

bandsters having surgery by Dr. Joya Thinking of having the lap band surgery in Mexico. Mainly because of insurance not covering costs in Wisconsin. Anyone out there had surgery done by Dr. Joya? What about having fills done in the US later on. Thanks

My name's Karen and I was banded by Dr. Lopez in Tijuana on March 28th of this year (2003). I started my banded journey at around 230 lbs. but was about 20 pounds heavier earlier in my life. I'm down about 40 lbs. so far and absolutely loving my band! I have about 40 more pounds I'd like to lose to reach my goal of 150 pounds. I do have a website for those of you who are interested. I update my journal when my two very active children allow me to! Happy to have discovered this site!

Hi, My name is Kendra and I am scheduled to be banded October 3rd in TJ, Mexico by Dr. Ortiz. I have a BMI of 32 and want to lose about 60 to 75 pounds. I was wondering if there were others with BMI's similar to mine that already had the surgery done, could you give me some insight on how your weight loss is going? Also, I've read lots of posts about the band feeling tighter in the morning, what exactly does it feel like? I mean is it something you are constantly aware of being there, can anyone describe this to me? I think I am a bit nervous now, I made my flight reservations tonight and that made it official in my head...EEEEK. Any help would be great. Thanks and God…

Welcome Dawn, I live in Bridge City...we're almost neighbors! If you have any questions feel free to email me. I am 33, and recently banded by Dr. Spiegel.

Hi!!! I'm new to the board and really enjoy the stories I have read. I am not yet banded, still waiting for insurance to approve. I live in Winnie Texas and I am 32. Thought I would tell you alittle about myself. Hope to be chatting with ya'll soon. LOL Dawn

Hi Everyone Just a quick note to introduce myself. I had my band fitted two weeks ago in Lyon by Dr Frering. Since then I haven't experienced any restriction and can pretty much eat what I could pre surgery. I hope to get a fill at 8 weeks post op - at the moment I'm trying to decide whether to return to Lyon or try and find someone closer to home (I live in Edinburgh, Scotland). I am being weighed for the first time post surgery tomorrow (YIKES). My BMI is 68 - hopefully a bit lower by now, and the whole process is a daunting one! I look forward to reading your posts. Best wishes:D PS if you want to visit my online journal log on to www.webspawner.com/users/…

After fighting the insurance company, I am finally banded. I had my surgery 9/30/03. Everything went well and I feel great......I hope to find out lots here.

Hi all!!! I'm new to this website. I have been reading on it for awhile. I am waiting for my insurance to approve my surgery. I'm excited about losing but scared about what to expect. I hope to hear from you. Oh!! I live in Winnie Texas and I am 32. I have been struggling with weight all my life. This to me has become a health issue rather than a image issue. But anyway, hope to hear from ya'll soon!!!! Dawn

Hello to al, I am new to the board and find all the things that all of you are writing to be helpful. I have not been banded as of yet but if I am approved I hope to be on the losing team with most of you very soon.

Hello everyone. My name is Beth,i'm female, and 26.I live in Maine.I'm hoping to have the lap band done...as i have always struggled with weight.I'm going for my group consult with Dr.Aslam. on Oct 15.I'm paying for thsi myself as i have no insurance.Seeing i dont have to wait for insurance approvel i'm hoping to have the surgery by the Holidays. Cant wait to meet and make new friends.

I'm looking at my stats; 5'5 height, 238 pounds and BMI of 39. When I confided in my best friend that I have considered the lap band surgery, she looked at me like I was crazy. I asked her, "What?" She sat there for awhile and said, "You're not big enough to have the surgery!" I was stunned. I thought about what she said and questioned whether or not I would be accepted for the surgery. I keep the reasons of why I want the surgery, going throuh my mind continuously. 1. I have been overweight since the age of 9. 2. I have been on every diet ever existed, even Optifast. 3. I have prolems with my knees due not from amy particular injury but just has developed over ti…

HEY AND WELCOME TO THE FORUM. HERE YOU WILL FIND MANY ANSWERS AND TRUTHS BE IT GOOD OR BAD. EVERYONE HAS MANY QUESTIONS AND I AM STILL LEARNING AND SHARING. I WAS BANDED AT HAMILTON MEDICAL CENTER IN DALTON GA. AND CAN'T SEE ANY BETTER PLACE TO BE DONE. IF YOU ARE NEW HERE OR NEED ANY ASSISTANCE FEEL FREE TO HIT MY EMAIL. WELCOME ABOARD

Tomorrow I have an appointment with my primary physician. I am so nervous he is going to fight with me about my decision of wanting to have the lap band surgery. I have read where people often get treated like they are crazy when they tell their doctors they want to have WLS. I keep going over and over in my mind why I want lap band verses another stupid diet. I have researched this procedure for one year now and I am positive this is what I want. Does anyone have any advice on this sort of thing? Also, what can I do if he rejects my necessity letter??!!Or....can he reject it without medical reasons as to why I wouldn't be a candidate? HELP! Nichole

Hi Everyone! I am new to the board. I was banded by Dr. Cribbins in Dallas on May 13, 2003. I have lost 54 pounds since. I have 3.25 cc in my band - it took 3 fills to get properly adjusted by since then the weight has been coming off very quickly. I just found this board. It is great!

Hi... My name is linda...I've been approved for lap band surgery and my surgery date is Nov 14. I've been "going through the process" since January. I thought I wouldn't get the surgery until next year. So I'm a little shocked that it is happening so soon. But I'm happy! I found out three days ago, and ever since I've been eating like crazy. I guess it's the "Last Supper" syndrome. I weigh 265, the highest weight I have ever been in my entire life. I had two babies fourteen months apart, and it took a real toll on me. But most of my weight gain is due to overeating. Like most of you I have been on diets most of my life. The most I ever lost was 40 lbs five…

Hi everyone! I am new here so bear with me, i have finally decided to do something for myself and have decided that this is right for me. I weigh in at 336lbs and would like to get the ball rolling, i know this is life changing and I welcome that, so is there anyone out there who can guide me at how i can find a Dr. in my area. I live in Pennsylvania, close to Philadelphia...i have been trying to research Drs. on the internet but have had no luck. Thank you for any help that you can give me. Chrissi

Hello to all from a newbie! It will be five weeks on Oct. 2 since my banding. I lost 20 pounds during the first three weeks, but I seem to have been at a standstill for the last 10 days or so. Is this normal? Does this mean I need to get a fill? I am able to eat anything I want. I get full very quickly. I am sticking to the recommendations from my Dr. (Dr. Sanchez). It doesn't seem like I'm eating very much, but the weight loss has stopped. I am trying to stay with high-Protein, something like a Zone diet. Atkins is too severe for me. I must say that the procedure was easy, I had some pain afterward, but on the second day post-op I was schlepping long d…

Hi Everyone, I have had the lapband for about a year now! It has been absolutely outstanding! I highly reccomend Dr. Arturo Rodriguez, he is an awesome surgeon. He has a great follow-up team and he himself keeps in contact with his patients. He doesnt cut corners like some of the other doctors. For instance, no other doctor in Monterrey does the lapband surgery at Santa Engracia for the same price. Also the band the other doctors use is inferrior to the band that Dr. Rodriguez uses. He has done well over 3000 lapband surgeries and is called all over Mexico to head and assist other doctors with difficult cases. If you have questions about the surgery, the doctors, t…

Hi Everyone, I found this board quite by accident but I have to tell this is great. I'm 3 weeks post-op from getting banded in Monterrey, Mexico. I was kinda scared at first but I had a very good experience. I know that I would not be able to get my insurance company to cover it so I headed south of the boarder. I really need to find a fill doctor who will do Mexican patients also if anyone has any sound advice as to living with the pouch it would be greatly appericiated. Tonight was my firat try at soft foods. I have followed the liquid diet to the tee and was a little scared. I'm one of the lucky one who had no side affects from the surgery. It almost seems …

Hi All, My name is Rina. I am from Toronto, Canada. I had my surgery done on Feb.21,2003 by Dr. Joffe. He is to me, my miracle worker! I can't say it's easy, because it isn't. The band has been a blessing and something that has been a tool and has helped me in my weight loss. I've also made many lifestyle changes along the way. I no longer spend $100 a month on my travelling costs, I walk to work and walk home from work almost everyday. That's about 1 hour of exercise I previously didn't have in my life at all! It was gradual, mind you...started out with 5 minutes and worked up from there. I try my best to eat like a bandster and most of time I do pretty good. I eat my p…

I've been a member for a little while now but never did my intro... I think this is the best site for lapband info. etc. there is on the web. Since I've joined the group I have met one person and introduced others to this group. I was banded on August 6, 2003 by Dr. Sanchez in Monterrey Mexico. I have not had any fills yet :think, but in need of one!! I have lost 13lbs and I don't think any inches but I'm not giving up! I know once I get some restriction with a fill I will do much, much better. Good Luck to all!

This is my first day to this new site! It looks like a great site so far, full of people's questions & everyone else's answers! I plan on keeping it in my favorites & visiting often! Last week on Friday I had a seminar with my doctor & a group of other surgery candidates. The seminar went really well. The information was presented in a clear fashion & I went in knowing what surgery I was interested in. The Lap-Band. Well, while in the seminar the doctor starts talking about the hospital doing a study for the Swedish lap-band, to aid in the FDA in getting it legal for all patient's who want it. So I was very excited about that. Being a participant o…

Hello everyone. I was just banded on 9/22 in Austin, Tx by Dr. Fass of Capital Surgeons. The biggest problem I am having right now is the gas pain and upset stomach. I believe the stomach issue may be from the barium. Please tell me this will be over soon. -Kevin

Hi, new member to the group. My surgery date is set for 9/30/03. I'm in the process of getting my pre-surgery tests squared away. Tomorrow I'm scheduled for a Veinus Doppler Test, Pulmonary Function Test & pre-admission blood tests. Seems like everyone wants a piece of me. I had a upper endoscopy last week. The admission clerk and the nurse kept asking me if I was there for a colonoscopy. I told the nurse that if one more person asked me that question, I was going to hang a sign on my butt that said "Other End". The test went fine. Counting the days! Lenny D

Hi - I'm Elma in Graham, WA and some of you know me from other boards. I was banded by Dr Rumbaut on 2/27/01. Started out at 300# and lost 135# in one year. I had a TT and breast lift/implants with Dr. Pena in TJ a year ago. Having lap band surgery was the best thing I ever did for me and my family. My lifeand my health are so much improved. The list of things I can do now that I couldn't do before is huge. I have my own web page with before and after pictures. I'll get the info for my web page listed right away. Just wanted to say hi to you all. Elma in Graham, WA

Hello all! I have just registered to join this fantastic and informative forum! I hope to be banded within the next few months and am deciding between Dr. Rumbaud and Dr. Sanchez (both in Monterrey) in Mexico. My insurance doesn't cover any WLS and I am eager to get started on a new me. ~Lea

I was hoping someone could guide me into the right direction as far as a surgeon in my state that does the lap band, and also accepts cigna ins.(pos) I'm in the pre approval status part of everything, and my current Physician does gastric bypass but not lapband. After talking to the nutritionist on Friday, I no longer think that the gastric is the best choice for me, and that lap band would be better. Thanks in Advance.

Hello everybody, My name is Janet and I am looking into getting the Lap-band. I have not had an appointment yet, but have contacted CORI and they are sending me information. At this point I am only considering the band because the other operations look much to traumatic. I have been told you don't lose as much with the band but I would be happy just losing weight successfully and keeping it off for more than a week!!! My biggest question with the band is: Are you really hungry all the time after you have had it done? Thanks for reading, Janet

Hello~ I have really enjoyed reading about you all. I started this in June and finally see my surgery date in site! I'm so excited. I have to go meet with a diet doc on Friday sept 26 can you help me think of anything I might be missing that I need to ask? My Doctor is Dr. Evanson in Indiana Thanks hope to get to talk more with you soon.. GINGER Here is my aol journal- http://journals.aol.com/secretshopginger/LapBandJournal/

I was banded 4 days ago. Today is the best day yet. I did not stay overnight at the hospital. After I had the barium test I was released. I was not given any pain medicine after the surgery and had to wait until after the barium test. Is this normal? I think the nurses might have forgotten to give me some. I was banded at 9:55 am and did not leave until 7:00 pm. I have lost 12.5 lbs starting with the post op diet. I have taken myself off of the pain medicine and took 2 gel cap tylenols today which went down just fine. I have had sharp pains on my left side under the rib cage. I wonder if this is gas pains. I have also had alot of lower back pain. It gets…

Hi my name is ashley and I'm a newbie. I am researching surgeons in Mexico and Costa Rica for the Lapband. My BMI is 39, and my insurance isn't going to kick in until Oct, I can't wait another 6 months for approval, plus I don't think they cover the lap. After researching the different types of surgeries, I feel like the Lap is the one for me. It is the safest and while I may lose slower I think it will effectively help me change my life forever, not just for a few months. Right now my PCP is doing tests to see if I have any co-morbids just in case insurance may cover it. I am a little concerned about haveing surgery in MX and trying to get fills in the US. I live …

O.K. I am new at this so bear with me. My insurance has approved me and I am going to schedule my pre-op studies in mid October. Then set a date for surgery after the third of November. I have to wait for some vacation time since I am a single Mom. I have to admit I am still a little apprehensive because I am not sure if I will have the willpower needed for the pre-op diet and the liquid fase. I am just trying to stay focused on the end results. Kathy:eek:

This is a big step for me. I have been big my whole life. I just keep getting bigger and bigger. More and more health problems. I am very scared. What is the recovery time after the surgery? Is it really painful? Do people look down upon you because you had the surgery and didnt loose the weight on your own? What was your family and friends reactions. How long are you off work? Thanks for your input. Shayne

Had some problems with my account and could not post anything to these boards...Had to re-register with a new user name. I was "bandgirl" and will go back to using that if the administrator can fix the problem. Had my first post-op support group tonight...it was nice to meet you Tasha!!! It's great to see other people succeeding with the band! I can't wait to get a fill...right now I am having to rely way to much on my willpower to keep my portions small and make the right food choices. Obviously if I had great willpower I would not have needed the band in the first place! I am feeling no restriction what-so-ever. I feel like I could eat anything and everything, bu…

hi everyone, just an introduction to everyone my names nikki, im 23 ( nearly 24) and im a single mum to two lovley ( monstrious....just kidding...) girls! i weighed 20 stone ( 280lbs) when i got banded on the 4th june this year i have lost 3 stone so far and my band is still unfilled...really want it filling but got a feeling my surgeon will be reluctant as ive lost lots of weight already.. can eat just about anything...but do get full and cant eat too big amounts although can fit a Mc donalds happy meal down there at a push! things are going great, my confidence is as high as its ever been and my clothes just keep getting bigger!!!....great shopping!!!!! thanks fo…

Hi Everyone Been banded since 15 May 2002, loss to date approx 14 lbs. Disappointingly slow, due for 3 rd fill on Thursday. Looking forward to talking with you all some more!

Hi, my name is Adele. I live in Shaler, a suburb of Pittsurgh, PA and am exited to have my initial evaluation with Dr Papasavas on Thursday, Sept 18th. I became diabetic 10 years ago with the birth of my daughter and am on high doses of insulin injections which are becoming less and less effective. My A1C has been 11 to 12 for the past few years. I am only 5'2" tall and weigh 212 lbs with a BMI of around 38. My doctor at the Joslin Diabetes Center feels that I am a good candidate for this surgery and feels strongly that I may not need the insulin after a decent weight loss. I also have asthma and my insurance is Aetna HMO where the BMI may fall between 35-40 with a co-mor…

I was banded on the 9th, it's been 2 days since the surgery. The gas pains are constant and I am still a bit sore from the incisions. It's been a hard week, I acutally have been second guessing whether or not I made the right decision. I'm 100 lbs overweight, have high blood pressure and am borderline diabetic. I guess I just answered my own question. Right now I'm getting my appetite back, which is hard. Every commercial is driving me nuts! Any kind words would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Everyone, I am interested in having the lap band surgery and would like to hear from anyone in the Washington DC area who has had it. Would also like to know if their insurance company covered it and the name of their doctor. Had previously considered the gastric-bypass surgery but ruled it out because of the severity of the operation. Thanks and look forward to hearing from you.

i just got a swedish band , first it leeked, then we fixed. i dont feel enough restriction. i think maybe it was just not ment to be. i got a fill a couple of days ago. for a day and a half i felt a restriction. i loved it. i got this band 2 months ago. i still have not lost. i know its a tool, but i need a little help right now. my Dr. is in Mexico, i cant keep running back and forth. my friend did this with no problems. what if its still leeking?

Hi, Im from Australia. Date to be banded is 17th November. I cant wait as I feel this will change my life in a fantastic way. I cant wait to feel normal in society as a low weight person. Im going to splurge on clothes like a kid in a lolly shop! I am a low BMI (33) but have been accepted due to my extensive battles with weight loss for over 25 years (I am 35 years old). The band will nip my weight gain in the bud, so in ten years time I wont be even bigger (with a much higher BMI). Im excited about so much. This will be my first NYE not starting with a binge after another new resolution to loose weight! Regards Sharon

Just getting started! I've already done my doctor visit and they've just submitted my precertification letter, and now the wait begins! I am not a very patient person ( think buzzard!) and have already called the doctors office and ins. company two times each! I've read so much on every web site and I ASSUME that I will be denied from the begining! So I feel it's better to prepare myself, and if I get approval right off the bat, it will be a nice surprise! This site has a wealth of information and I really appreciate the time and trouble everyone goes through to let everyone know their experiences! Thanks!, All…

Hey everyone, just wanted to introduce myself to the board. My name is Chrissy. I am from Kansas. I am getting banded on Oct. 25th by Dr. Lopez. One question-Is anyone else from Kansas and if so, do you know of any doctors that will do the fills for patients who have had their procedures done in Mexico? If so, please let me know. Thank you very much.

Hi Everyone, Glad I found this site. Don't know a soul personally who has a Lap-Band. My name is Lynn. Mother of 2. Banded 2/21/03. Starting weight was 215, now 139, goal is 128. Had my surgery in College Station, Texas by Dr. Richard Benavides.

Hi there. I just registered and thought I should let you know I'm here. I am pre-op. I am waiting to see the surgeon and that is set for September25th, and at that time I'll be able to set the surgery date!!I have questions regarding clear liquid phase, but I'll post those in the proper place later. I look forward to chating with you all out there. Sheryl

Hey everyone I'm new to this group and am having my surgery on Sept. 26. I'm very excited, nervous and have been asking the most questions on the other groups I have also subscribed to. I fee very ready to have this done. I'm taking control of my life and am so determined to do this. I would like any and all advice that you experienced bandsters can give me. Can't wait to hear from you all.

Hi All! I'm new to this site, & PRE-BAND,(I say that because I'm waiting for approval from the Insurance "gods", & will seek surgery "south of the border" if not approved)...,I do have a question tho,how many of you asked your surgeon on how they will be securing the port ?? Are the U.S. surgeons securing the port on 4 corners or just on 2 diagonal corners,or last but not least,is the port just free floating? This question is for the banded LOSERS that had their surgery in Mexico too....I was just curious if the post-fill LOSERS had any any comments concerning their port being hard for the practitioners to access because the port had flipped?? This is a sup…

I'm so glad to have found this site! It's exactly what I have been looking for! I was banded on 8/25/03 by Dr. Alldredge. I am feeling fabulous with only occasional pain at the port site. Looking forward to sharing my success with everyone! bandgirl minus 15 lbs...11 days post-op