PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

My surgery was scheduled for May 4th, and I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago. My surgeon told me to day that I have to be using my ankle to it's full potential 2 weeks before surgery. That could be weeks or months! He had me do a leg ultrasound today to rule out any blood clots, but I'm so upset about postponing it :w00t: I was SO ready to have this done. AND, I've been sticking to the 20carbs a day pre-op diet to a T, AND ALL FOR NOTHING! Ugh. So my tip to you... DON'T sprain your ankle before your surgery! :smile:

So, I'm scheduled to go in for banding tomorrow. I am frantically trying to make sure that I have everything taken care of before I am out for the count. Things like kids having rides, bills paid, everything at work done.... and I need to make sure that I have what I need at the house for me... This is what I have on hand: 1. Ibuprofen -- to help with swelling 2. Juices/broth for clear liquid portion of post-op 3. Powder protein flavored and non-flavored 4. A few liquid protein drinks for on the run 5. Gas X strips -- for excess gas 6. Milk of Magnesia -- for possible constipation 7. Liquid vitamins for a bit and then chewable 8. Couple good bo…

Hi this is my first post, I'm a kaiser member in southern california and I aske my Doctor to refer me to a bariatric surgeon because i'm 325lbs with a bmi of about 45. My Doctor was supportive, he said the Lap-Band was an option for me. My Doctor said I would first have to take weight management classes and not miss any class or it would be counted against me, then I would have to go to a bariatric class and then I could meet with a bariatric surgeon. Has anyone been throught the Kaiser process? How long does it take and what roadblocks might I come to. I'm disabled with a back injury and Diabetic with some complications and I have an enlarged liver "NASH". Thanks, …

Anyone else have a sensitivity to sweetners? I have migraines when I drink sugar free products with aspartme and phenklyine??? Excuse me for not spelling them right, I do not have these products in my home, they cause me to have MIGRAINES which last up to 3 days. I have tried Splenda and that gives me a regular headache. So does anyone have any suggestions about what I should do? I don't have an appointment with the nutrionist yet, but I will be asking her this question. Is there anyone out here like me? Please let me know what you did for shakes and drinks, and meals? Thank you :laugh:

and I'm only 5 days into my week of liquids lol. I can't stand it anymore, I need something new!!!!! What does everyone do that isn't a Protein Shake? I know I have like 5 or 6 more weeks of this and I think that's going to be the worst part. Hopefully it won't seem to bad after I'm banded on Friday

I am going to my doctor on Friday to try to set up the surgery. What are the steps I will have to go through before I can get the surgery and how long does it take?

Hi All, I will be banded on the 28th which is 8 more sleeps. I am so excited and scarred but cant wait.I live in a medium sized northam coastal town in Western Australia. The hospital i will be banded in is 1700k south at the nearest city Perth i plan to fly down the day before. My problem is i have only seen my Dr (Tony Kiereth)once for the very first consult and it was quite a breif encounter obviously i new what i wanted and he could do it,he made me lye on the table for a little poke around my tum,and thats was it,I had let him know i had the insurance for over a year just for this op and he said great you can have it in as little as two weeks AMAZING:lol:, all he ga…

Louisiana forum pretty quiet, so I was wondering if anyone has dealt with them and Dr. Richardson??? Thanks! Lori

OK, I am really confused about some things! I am just starting this process, went to seminar, will see doc. asap. Am wondering about my diet and exercise plan for the next 6 months. What if I lose enough to be under the BMI requirements? Does that mean that surgery won't be approved?

Hi there, I am considering getting the surgery done in Mexico at Angeles Hospital by Dr. Carvala. I filled out the hospital paperwork and got approved for the surgery. I was also told I DON'T need to follow the pre-op diet. I am not sure why this is and am considering doing the pre-op diet anyways. Was anyone else told they don't need to do the pre-op diet? Thanks alot from a Newbie! -Pang

I posted this on another board with no responses... What happens if you drink a carbinated beverage? What about beer or wine?

I was wondering if everyone is on the pre-op diet for a set amount of time or if the doctor creates a schedule for each individual.

I am excited and nervous and on my liquid diet today. I am doing pretty good. Just praying.

A friend and I are both considering Lap Band Surgery. I have a very supportive family and they have all been behind me as I try to make this difficult choice, which I believe is a life saver for me. I have arthritis of the knees and dont want to be crippled so I feel it is vital to my continued happiness. My BMI is about 49 and I want to lose between 120-150 lbs. However, my friend, has a different story and really would like the support of her sister. However her sister has actually been pretty cruel, told her basically that she was too fat to have the lap band, that it would not work for someone of her Size, told her it was a cop out, the easy way out and is just gene…

I feel as if it will never arrive...the accumulation of a lifetime of emotional and stress eating, bad habits, addictions and now...at 42....a do-over. I am being banded at 10:30 Wednesday the 22nd. I quit smoking 11 weeks ago cold turkey ending a 24 yr on again off again love hate relationship with tobacco. I have gained a few pounds in the past couple of months and after a nasty round of bronchitis in February, I still have this lingering nagging cough...I worry about this. Has anyone else gone into the surgery with respiratory or coughing issues? My surgery was originally slated for the 15th but I found an abscessed tooth and had to have emergency oral surgery on …

So I am new here, and am reading everything!! I know this decision is right for me, so now I just want tons of info.... How is the band chosen that will be placed? I see different sizes and namebrands. Is it the dr. preference, are we the patient suppose to choose? Does it matter on what size we are pre-op which size is put in? Thanks!

I know I have seen the place before where you can post a poll but can't find it anywhere now?? Ok maybe I need more coffee to clear the fog but can anyone remind me ? Thank you!

Hi I am scheduled to have my surgery on April 30, at the Richardson Surgery Center with Dr. Benavides. I went in on April 16 for the intial consult and I am already scheduled for surgery, so I am very excited but also overwhelmed! I am going to be a private pay pt (15,000.00) and am nervous about spending this much money etc... I have a few questions that I am hoping someone may be able to answer. 1. Has anyone been a private pay patient with Dr. Benavides or the True Results Richardson Surgery Center? If so, have you had a good experience... 2. Is 15,000.00 too much (I have searched on the web and it seems prices vary- 10,000 for 4 fills to 19,000 etc..) 3. T…

I made it thru the pre-op diet. Tomorrow is the big day. I'm so nervous & scared. I've never had surgery before. I hope I don't freak out and back out at the last minute. I can't! I've already paid for the surgery. I'm a self pay!!! Pray for me!

I am freaking out! The time is nearly here- 3 more days. I have my surgery on Friday the 17th. I did cheat a LITTLE on my preop diet- during easter and last Friday I had a Sandwich from Subway. I have lost 13 pounds, but I'm still so scared I won't be able to have my surgery. I can see many people have had the surgery despite some cheating, but I'm getting anxiety here, lol. I'm also so scared to be under anesthesia- I've never had surgery before and that part of it makes me nervous. I pray this is the right decision for me. 3 more days, just gotta' make it til Friday.

Has anyone been able to have sugar free jello on there pre-op diet. i am on a liquid shake and bar diet using MediTrim.

the strawberry Cheesecake Protein shake recipe it is SOOOOO good! I'm gonna try different fruit flavors now. 1 scoop vanilla Protein powder skim milk 1T cheesecake SF/FF Jello pudding mix (or to your taste) 4 frozen strawberries blend the heck out of it to make sure the strawberry is liquified. I found the 'recipe' surfing on the board and would never have figured it out on my own lol. I think it was from 2006!

Hello everyone I am scheduled for surgery on Wed. 4/15. I was to do Optifast for a week- but I cheated all throughout- instead of doing 6 shake a day, I would do 2 or 3 and then eat. I didn't do as bad as I could have but lots of Snacks..candy and chips during the week. Today and tomorrow are supposed to be Clear liquids only. I pray all will be fine and I am buckling down all day today. I am on vacation all week so all i am going to do is stay in the house, have my tea, lemon Water, SF Jello and SF popsicles..I also have some dieter's laxative senna tea. I will probably go to bed early and just expect all to be fine. BTW, I am about 314#. My highest wt is 328. Any su…

My insurance doesnt require a PCP, yet they require the 6mth diet. My question is will the surgeon do that or do I need to seek out a PCP, my seminar is sheduled for 3/12.

First, I could not believe how many people were there. Way more than I expected. The surgeon gave almost a full 2-hour presentation focusing mostly on gastric bypass and lap-band. It's so interesting how different everyone's surgeons are, based on the comments here on the forum. He doesn't do a specific pre-op diet but he would like everyone to lose at least 10 lbs before surgery (20 for people over 400 lbs). He said that insurance companies may have their own requirements but that is his criteria. I know anything can happen with surgery but I did feel reassured that he knows what he's doing. He has performed over 1000 gastric bypass surgeries and almost as many lap-ban…

I am so excited. I called the Centre today and I will be banded next Thursday the 23rd at 11 am. WOOHOO!!!!! I have to start the pre-op diet tomorrow morning and continue until the op. I was surprised at how much was on the diet. I am allowed tuna packed in water, skinless/boneless chicken breast, sole, veggies, yogurt, cottage cheese, omelettes. I can use shakes for a snack if I wish. I cannot believe that by next week this time I will have already been banded.

I had my EGD today, I dont remember much...thanks to those wonderful drugs that knocked me out . Everything went good but the Dr. said I had some acid reflux, which is strange to me bc I have never had heart burn, but he perscribed me Nexium and I was just wondering if anyone else had this problem? He showed me some pics but I was to doped up to remember what it looked like. Some biopsys were taken and sent away to be check but he said he didnt think it was anything to be worried about.

Just curious. Yesterday I went through a battery of tests and was wondering if every doctor runs you through the same testing. I had blood work, an EKG, ultra-sound of my internal organs, chest x-ray, upper GI (barium, yuck!) and x-rays of my abdomen.

The insurance people called me today and told me that my insurance required I do a physican guided weightloss or have done a physican guided weight loss. Well I have been to everyone under the sun. LA weight loss, Weight watchers, Beverly hills weight loss. LA weight loss became pure weight loss then shut down that was my most recent attempt and I can't get my records from that anymore. Was there anyone who had a way around that or got a physican to sign off or used another doc. Anything that would help me get them proof that I have tried all of those things?????? Any ideas welcome!

Hey guys, i have my Psych evaluation tomorrow. i dont know what they are looking for to rule me out! What are the good and bad things to say? im nervous!

Hi. I'm scheduled for surgery next Tues. However, I received a phone call informing me that my PTT levels were increased. ( For those who may not know; this test allows drs. to see how fast a person clots if they are to become injured) I re-did my bloodwork today. Has anyone else encountered the same problem?? I just don't want my surgery date pushed back.:mad:

I quit smoking 6 months ago but honestly with this pre-op liquid diet I find myself wanting to revert to old habits. What is the boggest thing I have to worry about if I do relapse? Right now I am relying on willpower and prayer to keep me from lighting up.

Hello everyone....I'd like to know how does it feel to have the lap band in you?:tt2: Please be descriptive ........Thanks

I have just started this whole process of lap band. I am working on all the information I need to get to have this surgery done. I have so many questions and so much to learn. I have researched and researched and I am hoping to get to know some more "personal" research from individuals that are going to and have done this :laugh: This year my husband started a new job. I have wanted the surgery for several years but we have never had the money to pay for it and insurance didn't cover it. This year with the new job I found out our insurance not only covers it but I will be under $500 for the entire surgery. I was and am AMAZED. I feel like it is such a HUGE bles…

I really have nothing to say except that I wish tomorrow was Thursday already!!! :scared2:

Yay! I am so excited. I just got the call that I have been approved for my surgery and I am scheduled for April 10th. Anyone else scheduled for this date? Now I am nervous....and very excited! :lunch: tbryant1216

My band date is 4/27 and I started my pre-op diet on the 13th, It has only been a few years that I can tolerate liquid meds b/c I gag sooooo easily. So I was scared to try the protein until my coworker made me one yesterday..she gets banded in June. 1 to 2 scoops of whey protein(she used vanilla and scoops depends on amt. of carbs) 1/2 c. light soy milk vanilla flavored/lactose free 3 small/med. strawberries 20 oz cup of ice 2 packets splender a little vanilla flavor if you want She blended the milk,splender and strawberries first,then added powder with gradually adding ice. IT WAS GOOD..LOL I HAD TO EAT IT WIH A SPOON AND I STAYED FULL FOR A WHILE. Hope it helps…

I am on my second day of my diet and I am starting to worry about my liver not shrinking enough. I have had years of overeating, drinking alcohol,and I am sure probably other unhealthy habits that I am not even aware of. My surgery is in 9 days and dont see how a two week liquid diet can really shrink my liver after years of unhealthy habits. I am on an 800 calorie liquid diet. The nurse said to drink slimfast, 3 cans per day and any low or no-calorie liquids. She said I could even have a glass of dry red or white wine as long as it falls into my 800 calorie allowance. I guess at this point I am so nervous and scared that something could go wrong. Any input or advice…

If so did it work? im going on 5/7 for surgery and have my preop on 4/28 i start my diet on 4/20 i just quit smoking and am worried about passing my test...panic'd actually. Smoking has been the hardest thing to do, i do enjoy it. but i want to quit and stay that way . as well as be healthy all away around . i thought it would be easier given i was told 8 weeks to quit prior. so now im desperate and have come across many kits to help cleanse nic/cot from blood.urine,saliva. do they work and can i pass being i have 3 weeks to my schedulrd surgery??? and 11 days to my pre op?

I am meeting with the WLS today at 6pm. I am really nervous. I was already told by my PCM that they didn't think I weighed enough. But I do have HTN, so that will play in my favor. Wish me luck!

Last week I sprained my ankle REALLY BAD. I've been to the doc, but the swelling is massive. Tomorrow morning I have all my pre-op with the doc, hospital, dietician, and fitness person. AFTER all that, I see the orthopedic surgeon for my ankle. Has anyone had an injury that didn't allow them to walk, just before your surgery? I really hope they don't postpone me, but it looks like I'll be on crutches for another couple weeks.

These are the tests my surgeons office requires. Did anyone else have to do so many? Also I have my nutrition classes schedueled. I have to do 4. One a week. Did anyone else have to so many classes? I am actually kind of glad I have all these tests only because I have to wait 2 months. It will make the time go by faster. My doc requires 2 months smoke free first. 9 days and counting...... woohoo Preoperative Workup Our preoperative workup is extensive, consisting of a CXR, EKG, abdominal ultrasound, UGI, CBC, CMP, Free T3, TSH, AM Cortisol (or dexamethasone suppression test), H. pylori IgG, PT/PTT, Tox Screen, PFT’s/ABG, Dietary Consultation, Psychological Evaluati…

Hi there, I was wondering if anybody else was in/tried Overeaters Annonymous and how the fellowship has gone along with your banding. Thanks for your input! -Pang

what are some good foo that you can eat while on the suga buster.

I had surgery today and my incisions are very sore/ painful but,I think over all it went vert well!

I have read on many posts that the Lapband teaches people to eat healthier. I already eats LOTS of veggies and mainly chicken. I know my portions could be better, but will I have success with the lapband even though I eat a heathly diet already? I hope this makes sense! Thanks!

It's day 5 of 14 days pre-op diet. It's really tough. I miss food and eating. I can only have 5 Optifast shakes and SF jello, Crystal lite and SF tea. I've added SF popsicles, and FF chicken broth and I cheated by eating a couple of bites of cooked veggies from the soup I made the chicken broth from. At least some ppl get to have real food: veggies, salads and OMG chicken. I don't understand why there's such a huge difference between pre-op diets from doctor to doctor and I don't understand why someone who needs to lose 100 lbs has to the same diet as someone who needs to lose 200-300. It doesn't make sense to me. Yes, I do want my surgery to be a sucess and I …

I'm scheduled for May 11, the day after my 52nd birthday (guess I won't save the cake, huh?) My insurance is really a sweet deal but contracted to a center that has specialized in RouxY (bypass) for many years. The surgeon was a hard sell on banding but began doing them because of inquiries/requests. He tried to convince me to bypass "faster initial weight loss" "more maintenance required for band", his co-ordinator also mentioned his preference to RouxY. Everyone associated with him, the PhD, nutritionalist, scheduler, has assumed I'm getting the bypass until I mention the band. They register mild surprise when I clarify. "Oh, he's doing a lapband? Oh, ok." I'm getting…

I was reading through the 7 pages of people who have admitted to cheating, but they no one had said whether or not they were cancelled due to cheating. So now I wanted to create a thread for those that DID cheat and were scheduled for banding. (1) If you cheated a little on your pre-op, define "a little". (2) Were you able to get banded at the first appointment? (3) If you were cancelled, did your doctor say why?

Well I think I literally cried my eyes out. I finally got my referral approved Tuesday to go see an off post surgeon. Wednesday, they faxed all my paperwork to the surgeons office. I called today to make my first consult appointment. Till then everything had gone ok. Well I was talking to the receptionist(sp?) and she gave me a date for the siminar. Everything still OK. Until she asked me if I drank or smoked. Well I don't drink. but Monday I decided that if I was going to change my life and be healthy, I also need to quit smoking. So I did. Cold Turkey. It has been hard as HECK. but I did it. Well when I told her proudly that I quit smoking Monday, she was like... "OHH …