Weight Loss Surgery Success Stories

First picture was May 2013. High weight 290 and a size 24. Had surgery September 2013 at 263. Today (second pic) is me at 224 and in a size 14 jeans! This included a three week stall. Things are looking up!

I am in the very beginning stages of perusing weight loss surgery with Kaiser. I haven't started the 12 week program of classes so I am still in the dark on all my options. My own research has led me to believe that Gastric seems to result in more weight loss than LapBand. I was wondering if you have been banded, how did you decide to go with that versus gastric? Are you losing the weight you wanted? Does it come to a stop after a certain point? Any information and personal experiences will greatly help! Also are the long term effects less severe with the band?

Today is my 1 year surgiversary this year has gone by so fast been a few hurdles but I'm so happy with my sleeve. I would do it all over again in a heart beat. Have about 7# to my goal. Dr said was good where I'm at but would like a few to play with. Coming off slow now but very HAPPY with what I have accomplished in a year. [ATTACH]20621[/ATTACH]

As of November first I am now 160 pounds. I lost 5 pounds in October. And 6.5 inches. My weight went down to 157 then back up to 160. Not sure why I have 2 months till my surgerversary! Ive lost a total of 128 pounds and 107 inches! I dont know how much more I will lose but am very happy and look good were im at. everyone close to me says this is enough and if I lose more Ill look sick. Ive never been thin so I dont know what I will look like 10 pounds thinner? will I look sick? if I do can I gain it back? What are you all thinking if you are in the same boat as me?

I have found that the band is the band is the band...no matter where I am, on vacation, a cruise, business travel...no matter if you're at a wedding, a fancy restaurant, or a holiday dinner (Thanksgiving), a sporting event....the foods I will not (cannot) eat at home are the same foods I cannot (will not) eat 3000 miles away!! This is surgery...a permanent change to my digestive system...an alteration...why, and most importantly - HOW would the band change it's function?? It is there,adjusted to work at a certain level...set by me and my Dr. through a series of fills - adjustments. When I hear about temptations with food, travel, dinner with friends, etc, etc,...it is…

I'm sure we all have a jealous friend well I've had one for 20 years! She's jealous of everything I do but it feels like my husband has a blind spot about it as he likes her grrr! She's a glamorous woman with amazing hair (she's a hair stylist) immaculate make up but she's pretty heavy and since quitting smoking she's getting bigger. She is now bigger than my starting weight I would guess. She is one of the people I did NOT want to know I was getting surgery as my business would have been all over town she's an incurable gossip and everyone would have found out whether I wanted them to know or not. So I've kept it a secret and as I'm losing slowly my gradual loss isn…

Since I can't write in my blog. I just wanted to share that today is my 6 month Bandiversary and I couldn't be happier. If it was for this site and my local support group I would of been lost. I just like to thank everyone for your post and advice. You guys are amazing!!! Hugs!!!!!

How long did you stay out of work? I am a nurses assistant. I need to know how much time I need to take to heal. How was your first day of work when you came back. I work all over the hospital that I work in so I can't predict the amount of lifting/ moving/extending I would have to do everyday. I typicall work 64 hours every 2 weeks.

Where can I go to get a sleeve? I'm scared about going to Mexico. Anywhere in Canada? Or close to the border? If so, what are the prices like?

I had lapband surgery in May of 2006, my weight at my surgery date was 386 but I know I was over 400 pounds at some point previous to that. I was about to be a diabetic, severe sleep apnea, and just was going down a road towards death. Today I am happy to say I have hit 231 lbs went from wearing size 52" pants to 34"-36", wear xlarge shirts as opposed to 3x and 4x. I am able to play basketball with 20 year olds and run miles with know pain or sucking wind. I have to be honest sex life is better than ever, I swear my member is bigger than it has ever been so if any guys need encouragement weight loss has been all worth it from a libido and below the belt stand point for me…

I was on a 2 week vacation. Last time I vacationed it took me nearly 2 months to take off the 14 pounds I gained! But this time thank you lap band I did not gain a ounce! I didn't lose but I didn't gain so it's all good! The nearest 24 hour fitness was 50 miles from where I was staying so I didn't workout like I would at home. Well looking forward to a nice loss this month. Also got my 3rd fill last Thursday and I am feeling lots of restriction I get full on water! Will make for a great holiday season!!

LOL, BMI 29 today - not officially obese any longer (and hopefully never again). Now I'm just fat and happy

Ok, so how are you logging sex in mfp? I mean if you go at it for an hour are you putting undrr aerobics? Lol (embarrassed)

This past week, I was a little frustrated with my recent progress. I was "venting" to my husband and he simply asked if I regretted having WLS. I instantaneoulsy answered "NO!!!" It was then that I decided I would start a list of all of the "little things" that I love about the new and ever improving ME! Even though my current weight after losing 60+ pounds is more than the starting weight of some, I do have lots of "little things". 1. I don't have to get a bouncing start to bend over to pick something up off of the floor...I can reach! 2. My knees don't ache. 3. I don't have to suck in my gut to get my pants zipped. 4. I am more energetic and active....I part…

Today I hit my half way goal 47 lbs! 47 to go , I am so greatful

The pic on the left was taken at my sisters wedding last November - the one on the right is of me Tuesday after going and getting all my hair cut off , figured the NEW ME needed a NEW LOOK 120 lbs gone .

Had started exercising in the pool at the gym this past week and was feeling really good.... until I got on the scale. I had only lost 1 lb. This morning, I tried on 3 pairs of jeans that have been hanging in my closet because it's been over a year since I could get into them. They fit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My wonderful husband reminded me it's not always about the scale. I'm so happy and so lucky!

Banded sept '12. Height: 5'5" Starting weight: 242 Current weight: 168 Goal weight: 155 I ski'd blue runs this year, and hiked a 14'er. I wear a "medium" shirt and pants and a size 8 dress. I'm getting married in January and I LOVE how I look in my wedding dress Best thing I've ever done. Ever. Couldn't be happier!

I am in my third month of going to a personal trainer and I love it. Yes, it's a bit expensive but worth every penny for me. I started wondering if I could get it covered under my Aetna Flex Spending account. Started reading and in fact it states you can submit for gym membership and personal trainer if you have a letter from your doctor. I called my surgeons office and asked about it since they want you to exercise.They checked and the doctor wrote a letter for me. So tomorrow I will submit the paper work for reimbursement. So, others out there might want to check their insurance plans for coverage.

It's freezing in Scotland so I bought a new coat. It was quilted - something I would never have bought before as I would have looked like the Michelin tyre man - and it has a BELT! I wore it for the first time today not intending to use the belt - no idea when I last wore one and thought I would look like a sack of tatties. But before I left, I buckled the belt to give my mind a treat and was shocked to see I looked ok! No lumps, bumps, I almost cried. My dietician said to me a couple of weeks ago that to others, I look normal sized but I am struggling to see it. But I saw it today. Woo hoooooo!

I have lost more than 100 pounds just in the nick of time for my surgiversary! 101 pounds to be exact...but who's counting (I AM!!)! I am now 'overweight', no longer 'extremely morbidly obese'. I sleep less, I feel a million times better, I don't tire and need a nap in the middle of the day, and I EVEN go to the gym every morning!! WOW! 1 year ago today, I would have never thought I'd make it this far already! CRAZY! Here's to 100 lbs, just like my darlin' Clemintine, GONE AND LOST FOREVER!! AND, to my 1 year surgiversary on the 3rd! I LOVE THE SLEEVE!!

Although I am not ready to share body pics, I wanted to post face shots since my lap band journey began 10 months ago.

I'm afraid to try to eat it. I'm afraid of sliming or throwing up. I'm afraid of pain. I'm afraid it will go down easy and my food addict brain will pounce. Pasta hurts. Low carb. Whole grain. Regular. One to two bites and it hurts. I suspect bread dull beg the same. The closest I've come to bread is a low carb tortilla. It takes me 45 minutes to finish it when I make my Breakfast wrap.

So, I just got back from a computer conference in Vegas for 5 days and I thought I would report on what it was like. For those who don't know me, I was sleeved 07/08/2011 and have been maintaining at goal since 03/2012. The conference supplied a continental Breakfast buffet everyday which consisted of: Fruit (melons, berries, pineapple), cereals, yogurt and about 7 different danish/roll type things. Oh, also had a variety of Odwalla juices and of course, coffee. lunch was a choice of two different meat dishes, one poultry and the other a beef item. One day was spaghetti and meatballs. The had a salad, bread rolls and two choices for vegetables. Again, this was b…

Poll: Would you have the VSG again for those who are 4 months and later post op? Yes, No and Why. Thanks

I got married 19 years ago in October and I got that sucker on and zipped today!

How do people determine what their goals are as far as weight loss, and more importantly how do you stop loosing when you reach that goal??? I read this everyday here, and it makes me think about it...I just read a post from a women who has reached 150 and decided she will stop there, and she is only 5"5" tall.....and I asked myself "Why Stop There?" and HOW are you going to stop??? I have found, along with some of my peers who have had this surgery, that this is a permanent lifestyle change that lasts forever as long as the band is there being a constant.... and it is not a diet that I can turn on or off...my food intake has been drastically reduced, and to a larg…

I'm just 3 weeks shy of my surgiversary. My weight has been fluctuating by about 4-5 lbs for the last 2 months. I've lost roughly 108 lbs from my high weight and about 96 lbs from my surgery day. I'm going to run a half marathon on Sat and the distance running has me eating more carbs than I normally would (hence the fluctuations). I feel amazing. Hubby is about 6 weeks behind me. Not sure how much he's down, but it's well over 125 lbs.

I started off 332lbs dropped down to 220 when I got pregnant in February. Had my son Oct 4 now down 202 lbs that's 130lbs. Had to go shopping today bc nothing fits n I fit in a size 14 I haven't fit in a 14 since about 5th grade. I couldn't b happier. first pic was today the other one was from my wedding before surgery [ATTACH]5373[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]5374[/ATTACH] Sent from my DROID4 using RNYTalk

Hi ! Iam considering going abroad for sleeve to save some money. I am almost, 40, my weight drive me crazy and have finally decide to so something with it. I have 290 lbs and want them down. But because the price in UK is approximately £8,000 for it and more I want to try abroad clinic, in Europe, where costs can be around £2000 only! Even I have seen some reviews about Cyprus and Poland (bad and good ones) I am more likely to go to Prague where my cousin is live now, but i have not find any reviews about clinic there, i have found this in Prague(http://www.royalmedical.cz) and Brno (cosmetic-bliss.cz) focusing on sleeve .... but dont know which one to pick. Pleas…

I had appointments with my Dr. and my surgeon Thursday One scale said 246 and one said 247. Either way i am one happy girl. After being stuck between 255 and 258 for 2 months I am thrilled. I am a firm believer in what my Dr. told me before I had surgery. She said "when you hit a plateau and you will hit them, you gotta move your butt." I am spending 40+ on gas to go to the Y 3 times a week. Is it worth it? I say hell yes!!!! She also cut my blood pressure pill in half and just called to say all labs came back good. That is 79 pounds since surgery and 99 all together.

I decided to be brave and post my new progress pictures! -60lbs lapband with plication 11/12/12! Don't give up! I was stuck at one weight for months! Change your life! I couldn't be happier. Goal of -40 more in the next year.

I was awakened by the wind and the umbrella that was flying around the deck. I called to my husband to help me. I was in my underwear and a Tshirt. We have a mirrored closet near the front door. As my husband was bringing in the umbrella I wondered who was that person standing there in their underwear and then I realized it is me!!!!!!!!!! Surgery date 9/4/2013 HW 269 RYN 238, this week 203

Yeah!

Hi Everyone, I haven't been on in a long time. My surgery was June 26th. I did really well at first but then I felt like I didn't have a band. I could still eat pre band portions and I did!. Pre-band I was on here all the time and would read about Bandster Hell but truly didn't believe it would happen to me. Oh boy did it ever!! I encourage all you newbies to just fight through it. You will get your band to where it needs to be!! I had my frist fill August 1st to 4cc's and still nothing which really threw me into the "Did I make ther right decision spiral". September 10th I had my 2nd fill to 7 cc's and the scale started moving again! I had my 3rd fill October…

After the scale being stuck for almost two weeks, overnight I went from 278 to 266! Is this real? Same scale. Same location on the floor. Same clothes. I was three weeks out yesterday. Because it was Halloween, I walked a LOT. HW 315 Pre op weight 298 CW 266

Today, with my hair all messy and a cup of coffee in hand, my scale said the following: 99.9kgs Oh yes indeedy. That is NOT over 100 kilos and NOT in the 3 digits any more. Yipppppppppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

I was scrolling through my pictures and saw this one and couldn't believe it....

Good morning Bandsters, Happy Halloween! Today marks my 1 week anniversary of being banded! As of today, I am 12lbs. down, with a journey to go! I'm inspired daily with knowing that I have made the best decision ever to invest into my health!

One year and nine months out, started at 340, down to 210...10 pounds under goal. I have been stalled here, staying within 5 pounds for 6 months. I am not complaining, I am happy. Like when I was as kid and grew my hair long...you never have to cut it because it stops by itself. My body found it's happy place. I could lose another 10 pounds by having a doc slice off the excess skin but I think not. Perfection was not my goal. I am 64 and have no desire to gyrate in front of screaming women who are stuffing dollars into my scanty clothing. Must maintain some semblance of dignity!

Want to build up my friend list with some fellow sleevers on MFP. Please add me- Tmaben

Today marks my one year anniversary, and I am thrilled with my changes over the last 365 days. I haven't yet made goal, but I am going to keep on plugging! I am so happy and grateful that I swallowed my pride, admitted I really needed help, and got the sleeve!

I never would have thought one year ago I would be saying these words so soon! This year has been a challenge without a doubt. However, for the most part it has been the best time of my life! Still.learning daily what works for me.... This journey and new life style has brought more joy than would have her imagined. Yay for a new lease on life and for second chances!

Six months ago this evening, I had my lap band surgery. A year ago this week, I started seeing a nutritionist. I have attached a pair of pics, one from the summer of 2012, another from last week. I am down about 94 pounds since I started seeing the nutritionist. Here's a pair of pics with a before and after view. I still have a ways to go, but I am happy with the progress so far. Before: Now:

Here's a different NSV for you.... About 7-10 yeas ago I attended a seminar for Lasik Refractive Eye Surgery....after which I went through the pre-op testing to see if I was a candidate or not.... I was considered to be a candidate, but was talked out of it by the surgeons because I was a out of control diabetic, taking both daily injections and oral meds.....and all of the vision problems associated with diabetics was explained to me, and was told they were all coming my way....making the Lasik Surgery a waste of time and money.... Fast forward...I have lost ALL my excess weight and body fat%....my Diabetes has been totally reversed for 2 years now, no longer tak…

Hello friends! I had my 1 year post-op appointment yesterday. Today is officially be 1 year. Wow, it doesn't seem like that much time has passed! I'm down a little over 100 lbs. The doctor was very pleased with my progress and said that I was right on track. Yay! I'm so glad I did this surgery and I feel so blessed. I told him that I wanted to lose another 20-30 lbs and then maintain at that weight from that point on. He told me that it CAN be done but he also stressed that it would be a BIG challenge and much harder to get the weight off. He explained that most people hit the maintenance stage at 1 year post-op and the body pretty much stops losing weight. So...I wanted …

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My wife, "You have hip bones! I have never felt a man's hip bone before!" Don't worry about when and where this comment took place.

I hate eating now it's no fun I can't enjoy it. Food gets so cold waiting so slow. I get sad depress man it's crazy and I'm a dude so I'm not use to all these different feeling that I'm feeling... I'm 1 month PO I just get sad sometimes idk tho.... I'm just venting guys... Smh

Alright, so I spliced two pics, one from the surgeon appointment two days before surgery (Right), and one from my Colorado Vacation, on July 1, 2013. About 75lbs, and little over 2 months. This is the first picture "below the neck" That I've posted.