PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

:hurray: I got my approval and I have June 1st as my surgery date. I start my pre-op diet on Monday and it actually includes some real food. I can have SF yogurt, SF pudding, no sugar added applesauce, oatmeal, carrots, lettuce, broccoli and of course a rather large amount of protein drinks of which I have not found one that is wonderful but I am excited to know I get a little real food during this 2 week period. I am so excited to finally get to this point,,it has been a long 6 months.:grouphug:

I have a question for any of you that have done this before. My doctor wants me on a clear liquid diet the day before the surgery. I assumed that meant ginger ale, water, broth, etc. The paperwork that the hospital gave me has a diet plan to be used after the surgery, and it says that the clear liquid diet is to include jello and protein shakes. The hospital is the one that the doctor will be using, and I keep forgetting to call the doctors office when I get off work. So, do any of you know, what exactly is a clear liquid diet? What type of beverages and/or foods did you use during that time? How long did your doctor keep you on the clear liquid diet after the surgery?…

I went to my first consulatation with my bariatric dr and he said my liver is very large. He is planning for my lap band sugery to be in early August. He wants me to lose 30 lbs by then. WOW !!!!!! He also said that 1 week before surgery he will put me on a liquid diet. Hopefully with the combined my liver will be to a size so he can do the lap band. He gave me a book to read on living a better lifestyle and it has great cookbook in it.I feel it is going to be impossible to lose 30 lbs by August. Today I am cleaning out my refrigerator and pantry to get rid of all the bad stuff. I also have to start drinking protein shakes now.Also he wants me to eat six times a day.Now t…

Hi everyone, first off I have been on this weight loss game for way too long. I have had it and decided to go see my dr about the lap band. I weigh 220 am 5'5 almost 5'6 and apparently qualify for lap band. I have health plus ppo and am sched to have my psycological done on june 15, meet with bariatric center surgeon on june 18. Do you all think I qualify, my insurance does need a 1yr of weightloss efforts by my dr. in which I do have, she put me on adipex, went to ww. tried on my own. Does anyone have this insurance?? Do I need to gain more weight to get qualified?? I feel sooooo yucky now, my clothes dont fit, summers coming and the cellulite on my legs and arms are dri…

How long did it take from first going to a seminar to the actual banding procedure? I am going to a seminar next week, will most likely be self-paying.I am 43, 5'9 @250 ponds w/a bmi of 37 but a family history of heart disease & diabetes. I also have high cholesterol. I am so worried I won't qualify but I am sicking of living this way! Any thoughts/encouragement are appreciated. This is a great forum!

My surgery was cancelled 3 days before my surgery date. My doctor's office assured me that I would be approved by my insurance company. I was doing all my pre-op, went to all my appts and all the tests the insurance company required. I would have stood on my head, had they asked me. Insurance denied(I haven't been heavy enough, for enough time), surgery canceled. I told the doctor's office that I would self pay. To save me $9000, they said I should consider out patient so they put me on a waiting list for an out patient. Then communication stopped from the doctor's office. I have called and called and begged for a return phone call from my doctor's office. When I do ge…

ok, so I am set to have surgery May 20th. I've been on the pre op diet for going on 11 days now. I've lost 9.5 pounds. I'm really frustrated. This past week, I've only lost 2 pounds and this morning when I stepped on the scale, I'd gained a half a pound. I'm following everything exactly as I should, but can't even stand to eat the same foods anymore, but I am. It's a struggle, but I'm doing it. I've been exercising every day as well and drinking my protein shakes. I know that my period is due in a few days and figure this is bloat from that, but has anyone gone through the same thing? Any suggestions or anything? I'm just feeling really down about it today and could use s…

Have you ever seen the movie "The Bucket List"? It basically tells the tale of two men who are dying of terminal diseases and decide to make a list of things they wanted to do before they died. Well, I decided to do the same thing, only focus on those things that I will do when the weight comes off. Notice I said when, not if. I frimly believe that the weight will come off with the lap band tool that I will soon have in place. So here is my list: 1. I will ride on the back of my husband's Harley. 2. I will wear high heels. 3. I will look hot in a great dress at the Marine Corps Birthday Ball. 4. I will walk into a store and not worry about what will or will …

I'm petrified about having an upper GI endoscopic exam. Is this purely an insurance company requirement? Does anyone know if you self-pay if you can forgo this exam? I don't want to do it; in fact, it's a deal-killer as far as I can see. For those of you who had it, would you describe the experience. They "say" you'll be asleep, but my husband had a colonoscopy that they told him the same thing; he not only wasn't asleep, he watched the procedure on the monitor until it started to HURT and told them. Their response was yeah, it can hurt in the tight turns! That's kept me from having a colonoscopy, period. The upper GI scenario sounds like it'd have the same outcome. Yeah,…

Hello Everyone, My file was submitted to my insurance company today:biggrin:. Now all I can do is wait, wait, wait:w00t::crying:. How long does it usually take to hear from insurance for approval????? I will be patiently or actually not so patiently waiting...I am soooo anxious.... Any info will be helpful. Thanks all:smile2:

Hi. I had abdominal surgery about 14 years ago and they put mesh over my abdominal wall for hernia preventitive. Can the surgeon puncture this to get my band in? It just dawned on me tonight. I have surgery scheduled for June 12th and my consult on Friday. Suddenly I feel terrified!!!! What is the criteria they would use if they had to "open you up", I don't want that!!!! Any advice, where others scared? I am also afraid they will go in and find something else and say they had to close me up...am I turning physco? I would feel reassured to know others felt this way :crying: What were you all afraid of? Thanks! Jill

Hi, my name is Julie, and i haven't signed up for lap band surgery yet because I'm not really sure where to start. I'll be going to the seminar in a couple days. But after that, what's next? I've been on prior diets for 6 months - Medifast and Weight watchers. But does the weight loss have to be documented by the doctor? Is there a special form the doctor fills out? My PCP says he thinks lap band is a good choice for me but never really had a patient do it under his care so I'm not really sure he knows what to do, so if someone could guide me on the steps I have to take in order for me to get approved, that it would be much appreciated! I have >40 BMI. Than…

In case any preops want to know what a 3-4 week post op diet might look like. Good chance to shop in advance. In 3 weeks I lost 17 pounds. The first 2 weeks is all liquid, but here is how my 3rd week started... · Liquid and soft foods only · Target 80-100gms of Protein (ProSLam and low cal protein shakes) · Target 900-1200 calories a day · Always eating protein first · Multivitamin complete (with iron) daily · Calcium chews (from Sams club) · No starch · Max of 6gms of sugar in whatever I eat/drink · Lots of sugar fee or no sugar added Jello products · coffee with no sugar added s…

can you dive with lap band thanks vince

I have 8 hours to go before surgery - and I can't sleep and I am thinking that I need to pack to many things "just in case". Geeze - my husband says pack your CPAP, magazines, IPOD, hygiene stuff and that is it! Is he right?

I am scheduled to be banded next Monday, on the 18th. I didn't have a pre-op diet, but the only thing I can't do is take any anti-inflamatory meds 7 days prior. Well unfortunately I got my period today and I always overdose on naproxen during the first day to control my terrible cramps. But now I can't, so I am just lying in bed moaning and using my laptop as a heating pad. Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! :thumbup:

So, my mom is thinking about getting the lap band and she was wondering where in Minnesota she could go to get it. Which doctor would everybody recommend having her go to?

Just curious to see if anyone is from Long Island. I am getting banded on Thursday at Syosset Hospital.

I am NOT crazy, the psychologist said so today. Had my pre-op consult, and she is typing up the letter today, giving it to the insurance lady and my paperwork will be submitted to UHC tomorrow. I also had my appt with the cardiologist, and he said all is good, my ekg was great, blood pressure good, and ready to go. He has no problems clearing me for surgery. SO... from there i had all my labwork done. Now just to meet with the pulmonologist and then get the upper gi done. All that I have that is going to take time is the esophogeal motility test, and i am not happy with the people over there, so we will see about that. ANYWAY, hoping to hear soon exactly when I am …

Hey everyone, My health care screwed me as I am covered for the op however not for private hosptial or theatre fee! so I need to find a Private surgeon that will perform in a public hospital, does anyone know of anyone??? I dont want to wait another 12 months :thumbup: I am in South Australia

Hey, i really want a bike for my Bday, its only one month after my surgery date. I want a good strong bike, there are some bikes ive tried to ride recently like beach cruisers. they feel like they are going to break cause im so heavy. I was wondering if anyone has any type of bike that rides good even at such a heavy weight? if not, anyone who is smaller than me that has a bike so I know where i need to be to get a bike I want? thanks guys!

Hello all , As u all know i am from Egypt and i have searching for a docs like for ever , so finally i found 2 and both offered the same price, one uses the Swedish band and other uses the a french band that i have never heard off !! , they told me it will cost 40,000 LE so thats around 7300$ :mad2: i am not sure which doc i will go for .. so did any one heard of the french band? hope that i get to a decision soon but from the numbers i saw , i think 7300 is too much , but hay , thank god that they do those ops here !!!

Hello, this is my first post... I am in the waiting for approval stage. Just wondering if anyone has had experience with BCBS- Anthem and the Scottsdale Bariatric Center. Me my husband and my son are all waiting on approval. I am making myself sick with worry that we will be denied... Any words of wisdome out there!

Hi Everyone, I just found out that I am denied!!! My paper work was submitted last thursday 4/30 and I called my insurance company AETNA (I have EPO) and the rep told me I was denied because I was missing paper work, what???? My case worker sent my psych evaluation, dietition visits, my weight history, a personal letter from myself, and a letter of medical necessity. I asked what paper work I was missing and he was unable to tell me, he said I would recieve a letter. I don't know what to do it seems like my dreams have been crushed I dont have any money to self pay and I am going to appeal but I dont even know how that process works. Has anyone been denied for the same…

i started a video journal every week. i have three episodes so far. here is the link to my first video. go check them out! subscribe! and comment!

I've gone to Novus (Memorial Hospital) but haven't checked out any other facilities. Do they all charge $1500 for pre/post care? THis is supposed to include the dietician and psych eval as well as dealing with the insurance. Before I spend that kind of money I want to know what your experience was like.

I am so upset. I actually am fighting back tears at work. I have been battling with Tricare and WLS to get my referral submitted for. I was guaranteed it was faxed with a confirmation on 4/17. This past week I have been trying to get more information on it. Unfortunately, Tricare doesn't have any. IT WAS NEVER SENT!! The lady lied to me numerous times. So I have been calling all day trying to get ahold of her, because apparently she is the only one in the office that submits them. She's on vacation as of today! For three weeks! AHHH! So now I have to wait another month because I'm being told no one else has access to her system. :thumbsup:

Hello: I am considering lapband surgery and wanted to get feedback from ppl who have had this surgery. How has it been? Any complications? Weight loss, etc etc. Thanks, Karen Ross:smile2:

Without fruit, especially watermelon, frozen oranges, and frozen peaches. I am a Florida girl, and I am used to having watermelon, oranges, peaches, plums and such in the freezer ready to eat at anytime, better than an icepop. And now I see that I will not be allowed fruit until 6-12 months after surgery, after approximatly 75% of my excess has been lost. Has anyone else had this type of restriction from their doctors post lap band surgery? That seems like such a long time for such good items. Take my ice cream, my Pasta, and even my rice, but my fruit, now those are fighting words.

I am schedule for my surgery next month and until today was very sure. I have been reading post by people who have had problems with the LapBand and it has shaken my confidence a little. What advice would you give a pre op candidate to avoid the gastric problems I read about?

I was scheduled to have surgery a few weeks ago. I found out about 3 months after I set the dates that I was pregnant! What a surprise. It was sad, though because I didn't want to be pregnant at this weight for the babie's heath and mine! I'm having High BP issues already, which worries me. Anywho, my question is this: How soon can I schedule for LB surgery after giving birth? THanks, Michelle

Hey again everyone! It's now been just over a year since I last logged in to find out some info on the lap band....and I have my op TOMORROW morning! I'm so excited/nervous/scared all at the same time. I know it's going to be the best thing for me...I just hope it works as well for me as it has for everyone else in here... Anywayz....I'm sure I'm going to become quite the regular in here from now on - I'll actually have something to talk about! eekk... See you post-op! ps. did anyone REALLLY cheat with their pre-op Optifast diet?? Becuase I have!! :cool2: I feel incredibly guilty.

I am familiar with medifast, but haven't heard of Optifast before. Where do you get their shakes? What kind of Protein shakes do people reccommend?

For anyone beinging banded in June there has been a Social Group created for us all to stay in touch! Click the link and become a member of June Journeys 2009! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/groups/category-time-period-lap-band-social-groups/

Hi. I'm 17 years old and I've been trying to get approved by my insurance for the surgery since age 15. I have been approved once or twice but the hospitals for adolescent lap band surgeries are limited and so far away. I decided to wait till I'm 18, next May but I have heard it's a long process and wondered if I should and if I could start now. Could someone give me an idea of how long the process will take and where to start? My doctor approves of it and I know of some hospitals near me that perform the surgery but I have no idea where to begin. My parents support my decision but I basically have set appts., find hosptials, etc. on my own. Some information about startin…

So, Im on the 6th day of my pre-op liquid diet, but 3rd month since knowing I was going to be banded. My surgery date is May 15th, and I was supposed to lose 8-10 lbs prior to surgery date. I started doing the Slimfast diet as soon as I met with the nutritionist and I've only lost a total of 4 whopping pounds. Although I have been on this liquid diet, I have cheated but with "healthy foods". Like adding asparagus to my chicken broth, or an egg. Today I had a couple of walnuts, by couple I mean like 6 . I joined the gym to excercise, but I've gone maybe 3 times, which I plan on changing today! I HAVEN'T LOST A POUND!!! I need to lost about 6 lbs by next week or my s…

I just found this site - It's great! I am really looking forward to having a place I can go to with questions and/or support. I am a little nervous now that things have been approved and I have a date set (cold feet). I have been reading about post op and got a little freaked out about the restrictions (no pills...no fibery food...etc.)

I am having a hard time eating healthy portions prior to my surgery. I feel like I need to "party" (eat) now because I will have to be seriously healthy post-surgery. I am gaining weight and just miserable. Any one else experience this? Any advice?

can anyone tell me if medical will cover the lap band procedure? My bmi is 36.84, both parents have Diabetes , I have high Blood Pressure and COPD. And I've been waiting over a year for SSI to come thru. I'm so miserable.... I'm 54yrs old and would love to see myself thin before it's to late. I've heard a lot about medicare and medicaid but nothing about medical...

I'm on day 3 of my MD's required 2-week pre-op liquid diet (1000 calories daily). I had a really hard time the first two days - lack of energy, headache, and actual physical hunger - but I woke up this morning feeling great and I'm down 6lbs! (of course I recently gained a couple pounds during my 'Last Meals', but I still am happy with a 6lb loss!) I probably wouldn't have felt so bad the first couple days if I hadn't been on a week-long 'Last Meal' binge that ended the day before the start of the liquid diet. I would advise anyone nearing your pre-op diet start date to start easing off the volume of food you eat so you don't come crashing down the first couple days. My…

My information was submitted to my insurance company today. Yeah!!! After almost 5 months of tests, studies etc. My insurance company is Keystone Health Plan East and I was just wondering what the time frame is for approval, rejection etc. or how long other people have had to wait before they heard anything.

I am going to my seminar tonight that the doctor has once a month. Did you weigh in at your seminar?

I saw the nutrionist today (I haven't been banded yet) but she told me that I need to start with my pre-surgery diet now because I need to lose 10 percent of my body weight before surgery. Well I understand that and their giving me a month to do it. But she put me on optifast plan where I drink 4 shakes a day and one small meal for a total of 1000 - 1100 calories a day is it possible to lose 15 pounds in a month eating that many calories? ( I already lost 8 pounds and that took 3 months).

Hi. I have Aetna HMO and they require a 6 month supervised diet and exercise program. My first appt with PA at surgeons office counts as #1 month. She ordered tests (EKG, Blood, Mammo, Ob/Gyn, Psych, UpperGI). #2 visit (second month) was last week. We covered test results (Anemic/Add Iron Suppliments) and (Vit D Deficient/Add Vit D Suppliments). Next visit in June #3 month. Will see nutritionist. She told me that visits 4, 5, and 6 will alternate between nutritionist and surgeon. So...my question is...will my paperwork be submitted to insurance company at the end of the 6 months (September) and then pre-op and surgery scheduling beyond that? Can I estimate surgery …

Well I am getting banded on April 7th! Anyone else? I'm excited and nervous, but know that the future is going to be terrific! I've got nutrition class this Thursday, pre-surgery admission stuff on the 11th, and start the liquid diet for 2 weeks starting on the 19th. Time is going to fly! Does anyone remember where the post was about what to get/bring before the surgery? Andrea

Yeah!!:thumbsup: Met with the surgeon this morning and I am scheduled for May 20th!! The Dr was really nice and answered all of my questions. Now the liquid diet starts in the morning. I am so ready to start the first day of the rest of my life. Does that make since?

WTF.. my surgeon has me on this 1000 calorie diet and im already goin crazy...so if i drink my isopure shake for lunch and breakfast this will leave me with 800 calories to eat at dinner.. do anybody have some recipes theyve tried that is good... beside salad.. ive had that.. my thing is i need a mix of things or i will get straight bored... :thumbup:

I hav a quick question about alcohol. Can you drink beer, liquor or wine after being banded?

Doctor has given me the option to choose between the realize band or the regular band they have used. Anybody have input on the differences between the two? I am probably going to have surgery beginning of July, doing all preliminary work now.

So pre banders have any of you prepaired your eating habits for this huge transition that is going to take place for you soon? Meaning have any of you before the surgery started eating the way you will be eating after the fact? I really would like some input on this please. I love food and this is something I have thought about doing it just to get my mind and body ready for the huge change in eating habits. Get back to me when you all can and please be honest it will be a big help. Miichele