Hi, I'm Kristine. I've lost almost 80 lbs from the start of pre-lapband to post lapband. In January I was 300 lbs, the day of my surgery (in Feb) I was 292, and now I'm 222.

I joined this forum because I recently moved from CA to NJ and lost my surgeon's expertise and the community I had there of bariatric patients.

My surgery was Feb 28th of this year. I was self-pay because my insurance was way to much of a hassle. Dr. John Coon of Riverside, CA, was my doctor. Great, knowledgable staff, great community of patients, and awesome surgeon.

My only complication was phernic nerve irritation caused by the wire being too long. My doctor said if the pain was too unbearable he would open me up again and trim the wire. I'm not familiar with the specifics. But because the day of the surgery was the worst pain I ever experienced, I'm not going to do that again anytime soon. So I put up with occasional left shoulder pain.

I am a patient of Dr. Hickey's of North NJ, she's not a surgeon, but a weight-loss doctor. She said she could fill my lap-band for me, so I see her now and again. No fills in two months, which caused me to stay at 230. Then suddenly I lost 8 lbs in 1 week - I have no idea how that happened. I blame Hurricane Sandy. The good thing about this doctor is she asked me to keep a food journal and a pedometer. I'm now more aware of what I'm eating and how much walking I do which inspires me to do better.

I want to reach 160 or maybe even 140. I'm 21 now, but didn't start gaining weight until I was 16-17. All my life I had been thin until I had an emotional breakdown. My lowest weight at my current height was 130 and I was a size 6. Now I'm a size 18 in jeans and I'm aiming for a size 8. In January i was a size 26.

Everyone in my family knows I had the lap-band but none of my friends do. I tell my family that it was a good decision, getting the lap band. But honestly I don't know if that's true. Everyday is such a struggle. I don't like it but I'm not going to quit anytime soon. I'm dreaming of getting this thing out of me as soon as I get to my goal weight but I know I'll probably keep this thing in me for years... It hurts all the time. I spit-up food all the time. I hate taking all these Vitamins, they're so big they feel like they got stuck in my throat. My mom, who's still in CA, is the only one who knows how unhappy I am. I never told her how I really felt. But she told me on the phone just yesterday that she knows I'm not happy with the surgery. I lied and said I'm happy I'm loosing weight, I don't regret doing this.

I think one day I won't regret having the surgery, when I'm at a decent, healthy weight... but right now I'm really struggling. And I do know that loosing 78 pounds in 9 months is very good. I'm sure I'll stop hating this thing eventually, but right now I'm not in the proper mind-set. Hoping to change that!

I saw your other post. Where are you in NJ?

Congrats on your weight loss, thats awesome. Hang in there! Best of luck

Congrats on your weight loss !! See if you can find a Bariatric surgeon and maybe do as they suggested and have them cut that cord. I know it was painful when you had it done, but rather endure the pain for a bit then having to deal with the struggle for a very long time.. think about it. well I am sure you have.. Hope you feel better soon!

Welcome. I think you should try to find a local bariatric practice and hook up with their support network. Congrats on the weight loss so far!