PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I am super excited. I had my appt. with my PCM today. He put me in for a referral. I will have to have my surgery off post(hubby is Army). I am just waiting for the surgeon's office to call so we can set up an appointment. I went ahead and had all my lab work done today as well. I can't wait. The only thing is my PCM said the surgeon might want me to have GB. I don't really want that because I am onnly about 95lbs over weight. Me personally I don't think I really qualify for GB. My mom is having GB next month ans she is a little over 500lbs. I thought it was up to me to decided which procedure I wanted done. Anyway, I just wanted to share my good new. I just hope TriCare …

I am very nervous about this pre op liquid diet... 2 weeks, no food, today I feel like I have to eat everything in site. My surgery is scheduled for 4/29. They said I would be on a liquid diet for about a month. Does anyone have any suggestions, did you feel this way? Is it really as bad as I am making it out to be? Please any suggestions are more than appreciated! Cindy

Hi Everyone!! Iam on my 5th day of clear liquid diet get banded on the 22nd and I have been having terrible cravings for like potatoe chips or something salty. Has anyone else had these cravings or am I just weird?:tongue_smilie:I have also been having dizzy spells and leg cramps. I am just wondering if these things are normal. The only thing I can have is 3 Slimfast optima, clear broth, SF Jell-o, Decaf Tea with splenda, Crystal light, and SF popsicles. I have 9 more days and Iam bound and determining to make it through this phase w/out cheating. My DH is very surprised that I have not cheated but that makes me more determined not to cheat just to prove to him I can do t…

Hello all, I am soooooooooooo nervous, I go for my stress test in 3 hours.....I am so outta shape how do they expect me to be able to handle it???? I get tired & out of breath walking up my steps in my home..never mind a stress test on the treadmill with the speed & incline increasing:w00t: If I was in shape I wouldn't need the surgery... I hope to make it home in one piece and not end up on the floor.......................

Hi, My BAND DATE IS 4/27 and today is the first day of my diet,I am scared!! Also nervous about pre-op appt. on 4/17,what all are they going to do??? I have to be there at 8 and she says not to expect to leave before noon. The only thing she named is an EKG. My surgery will be at Scott n White in Temple TX. I pray that I can do this.

Hi Everyone! I have just finished my 6 month diet. I have to change hospitals though, my surgeon moved to a different one. I am planning to have surgery in June, I'm a teacher and want to wait until school is out. I'll be looking for helpful hints and other information too! Cindy :drool:

I work for a WLS, but he does not do the lap band nor think very highly of it. He is more about diet and exercise and raising your metabolic rate and eating healthy. Which I understand, and I've attempted with him and it just doesn't work for me. I am not going to tell him I am getting the Lap band done, more out of fear of his judgement. Nor am I telling anyone I work with. I just don't know how to address the loss of weight with them. They have seen me diet faithfully for months with no results. My husband said I should tell them because he doesn't want them to automatically think drugs or anything like that. Any ideas?

So I have started the first step...the seminar. I know this is what I want to do and have been thinking about it for a year now. I work in the O.R. and see these patients all the time. I never thought it would be me someday I am really afraid of failure. I have read so much on this board, especially when it comes to the insurance. I have Healthpartners and I got the info. The qualifications dont seem so tough but maybe I am dreaming. How is Healthpartners in all of this? Thanks kn advance.

My 14 mo old has a slight cold and I will inevitably get it too. I already feel it in my throat. Will this postpone my surgery if I'm not better soon? It is a week from tomorrow.

I'm scheduled for the seminar on April 23 and I'm getting so excited since I've made the decision to have this done. I will be self pay so I'm wondering how long til I get a surgery date. Also I'm trying to check out to see how people liked Dr. Kim and his staff. My friend is using him, but her surgery is not until June. Thanks for any input. Susan

I've been thinking a lot about the surgery, the post-op diet, the drastic changes. My doctor said that after surgery I'll probably only be able to eat 1/4 cup of food at a time. Suddenly I realized, Hey, but I like to eat! I may need to find something I like just as much to replace the food. I think I might need a therapist or a behaviorist to help me adapt to the new life. If history has shown me anything it's that I always start out well on a new eating and exercising regimen but after about 6 months to a year I "relapse". I hope I'm not sounding like a downer but I just really want this to work. What do you all think? Have any of you started therapy or support group…

Tomorrow is finally the day. I am a little nervous and very excited. :glare: I will find out later today what time I am to be at the hospital and the time of my procedure. My bag is packed and the Gas X Strips are right on top !!! My DH and my oldest son who is a LPN are going with me. Any advice or words of wisdom from any already banded I should know ???

Hello to everyone and thanks in advance for your replies!!! I am scheduled to be banded on 6/8/09. We have a beach camping trip scheduled for the week of 6/21. We will not be tent camping. We have a travel trailer. Will I be ready for this trip?

Hey everyone!!! So I only have 2 days left before I get banded(yeah)! It seems like the day would never come. I have been preparing since Aug. 08 and finally I am schedule for surg, (4/8). I have been on a pre-op diet for 10 days(that sucked:thumbdown:) but I am ready. Ready for a new me! I have so many emotions running through me right now it's crazy. I am nervous because I don't know what to expect afterwards. I am hoping that someone can let me know...:eek:. Good luck to all...

Did anybody gain weight during the pre-op period while on the supervised 3 or 6 month program? Did you have problems getting approved because of it?

...And the dietician and the ARNP. I wish I could have my surgery right away but I have to wait for three months. I didn't really have much to ask on the forum. Just wanted to share

Hello! I'm on the final count down. I am due at the hospital tomorrow (March 18th) at 5:30 am. My doctor is Dr Oh and I will be having my surgery at St. Frances Hospital in Federal Way, WA. I am so excited! I could hardly sleep last night. I don't imagine I'll get any sleep tonight either. Seems strange that I am thrilled about going under the knife but this is something that I have waited for for 12 years. I have such a peace about it and know that this is the start of a new me! :mad2:

Well I have finally made it to the surgery day, it is TOMORROW!! YEA:lol: However I am SO nervous!!! And I am on only liquids today and I am starving! But anyway I am hoping everything goes well tomorrow, it has been a long road!! I am having it done at Scott and White in Temple, TX with Dr. Symmonds, (love him)!! Everyone there has been SO nice and helpful!! Keep your fingers crossed!!! Check back in with you when I am BANDED!!!!:sad:

I found out this morning that the funding has been approved by my work and now I am just awaiting a call from the Dr's office with a date. Yippee!!!! Hopefully I will hear form them before end of next week. Wish me luck guys.:sad:

So, this is my first post ever and I will start off by saying Hi. I have been researching Lap band for awhile now. I was scheduled to meet with a surgeon today. Unfortunately, their office are complete morons and they scheduled me in the wrong office on the wrong day and now their next available appt is like four months away. I know that doesn't seem like a major set back in plans to most people, but for me it does. That is four more months on waiting to see if I even get approved or not. I have Tricare and I meet their guidelines. I have my psych eval next week. I've already had my PCP order all my bloodwork, they just wont submit for Lap band without the notes from the …

I am 5'9" and weigh 200 lbs. My BMI is 30ish. I'm getting banded next week. Yikes! I'm kind of scared. Any advice or words of wisdom from anyone who's been through this before? Thanks very much!

This is the first time I approached her about WLS, so I was a little nervous. SHe basically said to really think about what I wanted to do. That she has had some patients that have had the surgery loose a lot of weight, some have not. If I am an emotional eater (who isn't, I say) to think long and hard about having the surgery too. Emotional eaters can still eat all day, just small amounts, and not loose very well. I can't say that I eat every time I am hapy, sad , etc., but I do eat for pleasure and reward. I recognize that, thats the first step right? :sad: She suggested really checking out the doc, making sure they have good aftercare, etc. All good advice. So overall,…

I have 2 daughters. I have tried very hard to raise them without the food issues that I have and instill healthy eating habits and positive body image in them. So far things are good, they are both normal eaters and at a very average weight. My oldest is 13 so body image is certainly becoming a big deal, but she has a body I would kill for! I don't think I want them to know about this surgery. I want to keep this between myself, husband and some very close friends for now. My girls love to talk and don't often remember what they have been asked not to repeat! And they would worry quite a bit about me. They know that I have been on "diets" and dread it when I do! I…

HEY ALL! We were in Savannah last weekend, and I walked in a nutrition store to get a drink and lo and behold, there is a new carb and sugar free Powerade. It came in 5 or 6 different flavors, and was wonderful - it had some of the electrolytes you need when you get dehydrated....I thought it may be good for after surgery....mine is Monday. This weekend I am looking for it in my home town. Just wondering if anyone else has come across it...hadn't seen it mentioned anywhere.

I just got back from the seminar at Mt Carmel West in Columbus, OH. It lasted over 90 minutes, but it was very informative. There was quite a large group there tonight. I have to fill out and send back a 16 page questionnaire and my insurance info. I should hear from the facility in 2-4 weeks to see if I have been accepted into their bariatric program after they have reviewed my paperwork. If I am accepted, I will then have a 1-1 consult w/ the surgeon (2-4 weeks). If I do not have to have any medical clearances needed, the surgery will be scheduled (4-6 weeks). So if everything goes well, I could have my surgery as early as the middle of June:) I do have to pay a…

I am going to get banded on April 21st; however, the ENT put me on Prednisone for 10 days due to chronic sinus infection. Will I gain weight using the steroids for 10 days? Thanks,

I'm going through Kaiser San Francisco, and they require you to go to 3 orientation classes, then you have about 4 more appointments before your actual surgery date.. I've started taking my vitamins exercising, but this food thing is harder then i thought.. i have a 3 year old son, and fixing him lunch for school everyday..lookin at chips,Capri suns,fruit snacks, is soo hard.. i just need a little advice. how did u get past this hump?

Since my insurance won't cover being banded, I was wondering how it worked with self-pay. Will I have to do 6 months dr. supervised diet, pscyh eval, etc.? How fast is the process between consultation and actualy surgery when you are self pay?

Hi...I am looking for a recommendation for a surgeon in Massachusetts...I know the lap band website has a surgeon finder, but I don't really want to just pick a name off a list...any ideas? Anyone I should stay away from? Thanks so much :help:

Hello everyone, I have not had the procedure as of yet and I am working towards completing everything needed. I have started a diary of my daily meals. everything was going fine until this afternoon. I had a serving of ice cream for lunch. Now I feel rotten.:glare: Has anyone else felt this way?

Hello, This is actually my first post on this forum. However, I lurk quite often. A little about myself. I am a 24 year old female/wife/mother of a 2 year old. I am scheduled to have the band placed 3/20/09. I am scared. Part of me feels selfish for doing this. I keep thinking that if something goes wrong my daughter will be left without a mother. I have attempted for years to drop the weight only to fail. I also have Ulcerative Colitis and am worried that the band might make things worse. It is scary not knowing how things might turn out. I know that I do need to drop the weight. I know that most individuals on here were placed on a liquid diet before surgery. My docto…

For those not telling, how did you hide or explain the pre-op & liquid diet? I don't want to tell my co-workers I'm having the lap band. I'm afraid all their questions will make me more nervous and freaked out. Any suggestions or tips how to explain the liquid diet? I'm afraid someone will figure out my secret. :thumbup:

so I have a headache, my surgery is on the 6th of April, and I was instructed not to take asprin (cause it thins the blood), so wat meds can I take?? I need to get rid of it! I know I should ask my doc but I didn't think of it! HELP!?!?!

Yes.........I am so happy finally have a date and it is in May. But first I have to loose 15 pounds. I know I can do it though and I will. I cant wait to begin my journey!:confused:

Hello again Do any of you have any input on Dr Minkin? Thanks

I am feeling very sad and depressed at this time. I would have pictured starting my preop diet as a time of being elated with happiness. However, my pug puppy for 9 months had to be put down due to congenital heart disease he was born with. That was not found out of until yest as i pleaded to convice the vet there was something wrong with my dog. I went ahead and started my diet but i am feel very depressed upset and sad. I know this was the best for cujo. Thank you for listening

Hello Bandsters, I am on the 2 month of a 6 month supervised diet. I hear many on this board say that the average weight loss is 1-2 pounds per week. I also hear many of you say that you were able to lose 20-50 pounds with diet and exercise alone but always gain it back. I've also heard it on here that the average weight loss is 50% of excess weight once banded. If those statistics are correct then was it really worth the risk of complications such as "errorsion of the band into the stomach" and other unknown complications 10-15 years post-op. It seems that the weight loss stats are really not that far off from diet and exercise. (I don't think my PCP supports…

I am trying to research places in Toronto ON for a Lapband Procedure in the near future( I hope) Can any of you recommend I have read SLIMBAND websites...and "The Toronto Surgical Weight Loss Centre" Both sound awesome. I have a consult with one of the surgeons tomorrow ( via telephone as i live 13 hours away), But it would help immensely if someone could give me advice if you were a person who had to travel a distance to get banded. Thanks Shel

I have all of the documentation required for the surgery but I would like to have additional documentation from a past weight loss center that I used. Has anyone been able to obtain paperwork from the LA Weightloss Center group? They are missing in action here and I can not contact any number for them on the net. If anyone could help that would be wonderful!! Or if you have any suggestions to help as well. :eek:

I am just beginning to research this and have read tons and tons of stuff but the one thing I haven't found the answer to is if the Lap Band surgery is done as an outpatient or if you have to stay over in the hospital? Does it depend on your dr and/or your insurance? Thanks!

Hello All I am working on getting ready to have my surgery and I need to get things ready, like paperwork from my general doctor. BCBS needs to have a 5 yr medical history from my doctor however how detailed does this have to be? I have not ever gone to this doctor for weight issues just if I have been sick and of course my weight and such have been documented. Does anyone know how this should play out with the 5 yr medical history? Please advise. I mean I have already gone through all my pre sugery testing and everything we are just waiting on getting this info back from the doctor so it can all be submitted to BCBS. Thanks Michele

Finally got my date..woo hoo. I'm super excited.

I know that I will need to self-pay to be banded. I have gone to the introductory seminar and have my initial consultation set up for April 20th. What typically happens at your consultation? As a self-pay what will I have to do/not have to do that someone with insurance would? What information is covered during that meeting? Actually any info that can be passed on will be greatly appreciated.

Hello... I just have a quick question. My surgeon requested I try to get a letter of medical necessity from my PCM, the surgeon said that it if I didnt get it, it was ok, it wouldnt stop me from having surgery, I was just wondering if anyone else had to get one and what exactly did it say? I requested it from my PCM and they said they could do it, but I just wanna know what it is??? Thanks in advance, everyone on here is so helpful!

for april 24. They are going to do the psych eval at the same time! I'm happy the ball is rolling. I am meeting w/the nurse practitioner this meeting. Then, I guess the next apt will be w/the surgeon. Woo-hoo ... happy-happy-joy-joy :eek: Kristine

Hey everyone. I'm having my surgery April 27th. I see a lot of people have to do their pre-op diets for 2 weeks but mine is only for 1 week. That means I have 2 more weeks of "pre" pre-op dieting to go. I haven't really made any changes yet but I do want to start pre-paring myself for some of the behavioral changes I'm going to have to make. For those of you who have been banded already, what did ou do prior to surgery to prepare yourself for the changes to come? What do you wish you'd better prepared yourself for? I know one major thing I'm going to have to work on in the next couple of weeks is weaning myself off diet soda. Any other advice?

I guess I'm havin presurgery jitters... I'm excited and very nervous right now. Will I get hungry? It's pollen season and I have severe allergies will I sneeze and cause the band to slip...Can I succeed? My surgery is Wednesday the 8th and after fighting with insurance company for 1 1/2 years and won. I suddenly have a rush of emotions and anxiety... I guess with so many past diets and failure I'm worried more tahn I should be. I would love to see 30" to 34" waist again. To be a good healthy weight for the first time in foreer... but man has anxiety started kicking in suddenly...:smile2:

I just got a call from my coordinator - I was approved by insurance this morning, my pre-op appt is 4/23 and my surgery date is May 6!!!!!!!!! :smile2: I am a little bummed that it's so far out but I guess it's not really THAT far. I start the pre-op diet on Monday!

hi! i had lap-band on march 27th! was wondering if anyone could help me? I have done well with the pain from incision, but i am 1 week in and having severe pain in my throat, not all the time just you never know! I also, get the worst bloating feeling if i try to go out and do anything and have to come home and laydown, is this normal?

From what I have read my insurance requires either the 6 mo. medically supervised diet OR a 3 mo. Behavior Modification Program. Obviously to me the sooner the better! What is a 3 mo. Behavior Mod program? What is involved in it?