PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I am still in my fact finding phase and my question is this: after your lap band are you able to ride jarring/jerky rides (ie roller coasters, simulator rides)? My family goes to Disney every year and I am wondering if there will need to modifications for me in what I ride.

i m scheduled for surgery in 5 days(mar.11),now I m starting to come down with a cold after 10 mos. of preparing for the surgery. This happen to anyone else and did you have to delay your date?

my doctor recommeded I drink 4-6 slimfast (atleast 60g protein) and 1 cup of fruit, i cup of veggies and a lean piece of meat the size of my palm. i was wondering is that a normal amount of slimfast or can I get protein from other sources?

Hey Banders! I have Fibromyalgia and am concerned about the Lap Band surgery's effect on people who have that disease. Can anyone help me? I don't want to falsely get my hopes up that losing weight will relieve some of my symptoms. But, on the same hand - I am so very hopeful! Thanks!

I am going to a seminar this week for banding and was hoping to have the surgery soon. I just checked insurance requirements and they require the 6 month physician supervised program. Has anyone ever heard of this being waived. I am 44, BMI of 40 with diabetes, high blood pressure and arthitis and am a breast cancer survivor. Statistics show obesity can affect recurrence of cancer. I have MDIPA insurance which is United Healt Care. Thanks for any answers.

Hey guys, so I have a friend that had bypass, they gave her this card that she had a WLS surgery therefore she can order off the kids menu, and she can pay the childs price at a buffet. Have you heard of this? DO they give you something similar with Lapband? or do I sound like a crazy nut right now???? lol How is everyone doing today?

Can someone explain to me the purpose of the six month diet before surgery? Thank You, for all your answer.

Okay...I finally have my date...and it's June 30th at UTSW with Dr. Rivas. I have a little more than 3 months to go until I get my dream. But I'm wondering what I need to be doing in the meantime. Any words of wisdom?:laugh:

I'm curious if anyone here has gone through a doctor-supervised, insurance-required 6 month diet and been denied coverage due to not losing enough weight. I'm asking because I've been doing the 6 month diet for about 4 1/2 months now, and have completed every other requirement my insurance company needs. A really nice employee at the insurance co. mailed me the criteria including fine print regarding each requirement. The fine print for the "6 month doctor supervised diet" mentions ideally losing 5-10% body weight. I see my nutritionist monthly, and we haven't really been focusing on losing weight, just trying to fix some bad eating habits and learn new, better ones…

I usually keep a fairly healthy diet but my main problem is that even when full I often don't feel satisfied. It's as if my body wants something that just isn't in what I'm eating. It's like I need a cigarette real bad only with food. As a result I tend to eat a lot of different stuff until I eventually feel satisfied. My concern is that with the band I will fill up fast but still have that nagging feeling of not being satisfied with what I've eaten. I hope you guys will tell me that this wont be a problem. I'd hate to feel like I'm starving to death with a full stomach.

Is true You're not suppossed to drink any thing when you eat? Can you have any carbonation at all? For ezample if you drank less then half a can of soda would it hurt you?

This post is not really a question, but more about me thinking about my decision for surgery. Since I am pre-op this seemed to be the right place for this post. Me - 66 in March, Male, sedentary occupation. weight - 295, height 6'-0". According to the chart my weight should be 175'ish. My desired weight is 190. Motivation - (in no particular order) Want the ladies to smile at me (again), want to improve health BP and Diabetes, colestoral (sp?). Want to be more active and move more easily. I am a professional and at times give testimony in court so a good appearance is also an asset. Other points - Have longevity in family. father died at age 94, mom still alive @ 94…

Hi everyone, 2 days till I start the liquid diet. I have been really trying to be aware of the foods I am eating these 2 days before the liquids, and chewing and chewing and chewing. I am wondering what people ate during this time. I know doctors are different, but am looking for suggestions.:thumbup:

I am early in the process of pre-op Lap Band preparation and was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis and sjogren's disease. :thumbup: Besides being chronically tired, and my labs being out of wack, I don't have any GI symptoms, etc. I am in the process of being seen by GI md and rheumatologist. Does anyone have any experience with this? It figures that when I finally made a decision to do this-another glitch appears!:laugh: Any advice?

It never really clicked that without food in the pre op phase I wouldn't have energy, I've been on the shakes for 6 days now and it's only yesterday that I felt exhausted, I don't know how anyone that has a job can deal with this, I don't have a job which usually I'm bummed about but at this point I'm glad I don't because I never would be able to work and be on the shakes, I feel exhausted even after 10 hours sleep which is ridiculous. Anyone else encounter this?

I'm on day 7/10 of my preop diet...I've done great so far! No cheating! I get just two protein shakes (400 cals) and broth/jello/popsicles. It was hard at first, but I'm making it. Today, my 7th day, I feel i hit a wall! Total lack of energy! I don't feel like doing anything.....I suppose this would be normal after days of not eating?? :thumbup: I've never not ate for 7 days! Ha! I almost feel like I'm in a depressive funk...I'm not really craving food anymore, or really feel hungry. I just want to lay in bed till surgery on Wed. ?? Anyone else feel like that?

Hello Bandsters, Is it true that one must give up certain favorite foods for life? If true, that part is difficult to accept. For example, I love steak and cheece subs from subway. When if ever could I have one after having the operation?

My surgeon started me on a 6 month Dr supervised diet and i was just heartbroken that I'd have to wait that long to go forward - especially since he said the insurance company doesn't even care if you lose or even gain weight...but my policy must have changed because they called me and said I odn't have to do it afterall. YAY!!!!! So I just need my psych eval and approval and I think I'm golden! I'll find out Thursday when I go back to see him again

Hello, my name is Jennifer and I am new to this site. I am having banding surgery on 3/13/09 and still need help figuring out which band to choose....Realize or Lap Band. I have done MUCH research and still am confused and don't know which to go with. Everything I am reading is 50/50 for both. They both have their pros and cons. I need input firsthand from people who have have success or failure with either band. Please post if you have already had the surgery and have any advice for me. I find it easier to make my decision if I can personally hear from people who have already been thru it rather than comparing statistics. Thanks so much!

Has anybody had this insurance and have to be on a diet for a certain amount of time before they would approve the surgery? I see a lot of people with this insurance have been saying it's been pretty easy, and they didn't say anything about that when I called for the policy information on the Lap-Band procedure. Just curious to see what hoops anybody else with this insurance had to make it thru! Thanks!

I'm in process of getting everything approved with Tricare now. I've done my stress test and ECG, met with the psych, still waiting for the sleep study center to contact me and set it up. My initial consult with my surgeon is on Wednesday, the 11th. When I met with the insurance coordinator on Monday this week I asked her if she thought that Tricare would approve the surgery...she said they would without a doubt. :thumbup: So now I'm just sort of stuck in the limbo phase. I'm hoping to get the sleep study done soon, that's the last thing that I'll have to "pass" in order to have the surgery approved. C'mon, c'mon, c'mon!! After all that, I do actually have a ques…

HI everyone. I have a question that I am hoping someone can help me with. Right now I am still doing all my pre-op appointments and do not have the insurance approval or surgery date yet. But I am wondering what would happen if after everything is all approved and the surgery date is set and I start the pre-op diet. What if I lose enough weight on the pre-op liquid diet that it drops my BMI below 35? Does this matter since everything has already been approved? Do they even take that weight into consideration? I am scared that it will happen and then I cant have the surgery. Has anyone either had this happen or heard of a situation like this? Any info would be app…

Hello all, I am in the process of getting my Lapband! I have already done everything but the Pre-op appointment where they give my my "date". I am so excited... Anyone have a tip or think theres something I might need to know.. please feel free to write back, any help would be great:thumbup:

It is so hard to believe that this time next week I will be BANDED !!!!! Doing okay on my preop, loosing 23 lbs so far. My only fear is the liver shrinking issue. Reading restlessminkeys story has kept me going. Thanks to all my chat friends for keeping me inspired and laughing. I LOVE this site, it has answered so many of my questions and calmed all my fears about this surgery. Thanks to everyone and God Bless

I am in the beginning stages of the lap band procedure. My husband is very cautious and is wanting all kinds of information. I am hoping that this forum will help with that! Thank you for letting me join

I was banded 10-17 and just this week I have been getting this really annoying back pain almost under my left scapula mid way down...Anyone else having this issue?

What should I expect during my evaluation?

Quick poll...How much did you loose in your PREOP diet? I am on day 3 and have lost 1.5 pounds so far and am wondering what I have to look forward to by the end of this.

I am at goal, havent had my band loosend but am eating pasta and rice, have those pre made frozen dinners, i know got to watch, but having daily, do you see as a problem,am watching my cals. Will it affect my pouch??

I'm starting my second week on my preop diet and I'm hanging in there. Barely! My problem, cooking for the family. Just smelling the food makes me crazy hungry. I try to do my cooking just after having my shake so I don't feel so hungry, but it isn't helping. Has this happened to anyone else and how do you deal with it? Oh, and yes I've been drinking my waters and crystal lights but they only help for a short time........... can't wait until March 12th. arghhhhh:crying::cursing:

I was just wondering if there are any others here who are anticipating surgery, but are smokers. I read today on the site of the group that is doing my procedure (hopefully) that I have to commit to them that I will NEVER smoke again... Not sure that I can promise anyone that. Would just kill me if my addiction to nicotine keeps me from having this done. Thoughts - prayers - ideas?? Thanks!

Hi all, I've got 5 weeks left in my 6 month insurance-approved diet and I just found out 2 bits of information: my insurance pretty much needs me to have a BMI of >40, and they're expecting that I lose 5-10% of my body weight during the 6 month diet. The problem is, my BMI right now is 42.4 and I've been maintaining it for the past 4 months. (My nutritionist hasn't asked me to lose weight, just not gain and try to form better habits) If I lose the recommended 5-10%, that'll put me below a BMI of 40. But if I don't lose that much, they might not approve me anyway. Their criteria for approval is pretty lengthy, and I suspect they don't like to approve easily. …

Hi my name is Debbie I am a pensioner looking into Lap Band surgery so I can't afford normal private health insurance can you please tell me how much can the surgery cost what cover is the best for this and any thing that you know I need to know please.:wink::confused::thumbup:

Hello, I am HAVING my band put in on March 25th so..in a few weeks. I have gone through all of these pre-opt blogs and see all these liver shrinking diets people have done..My doctor just told me to start it 3 days prior, but I would like to start it as soon as possible actually. Can someone give me a detailed summary of what I should do. Thank you for reading... Stephanie:sleep:

Hey, do you guys want to start an 11-er group? I think it is so neat to have people who have our same day. It would be awesome to hear your stories, and to see how it goes for each of you. I am going to click around to see what features I can find on the site for a group. I think there is a social group tab, but I haven't looked at it yet. Let me know if you're interested! :cursing:

My insurance company will not pay for any part of my lap band surgery for any reason. They call it a "preventive" measure and claim that obesity is not an illness or disease. What an absolute crock. I was also told that the risks of the surgery far outweigh the risks of being heavy. $&*@#$&!! Have any of you run into such problems? I'm sure someone has. I'm still going to have the surgery. I'll just have to pay for it myself. Well, my parents are going to help me as much as they can. Fortunately the surgery is much cheaper here in Turkey than it is back in the US. I'm planning to have the surgery next month, during my spring break. I hope …

Hello eveyone my name is Ann and I live in Newport News, VA my husband is retired Air Force and we have Tircare Prime. I am going on Friday to ask my PCM for a referral for a the lap band. Since my husband is retired does any one know if they will refer me to a civilian doctor or will they refer me to Portsmouth Navel. I also heard (don't know how true it is) Portsmouth is phasing out their bariactric dept.

I haven't posted since I first found out when my surgery date was. I am now into day 12 on liquids with just 2 more days until surgery. I am very excited about this, and I hope to share my experience with everyone on here. I hope that I can help out just like I made need the help as I continue on my journey.

Hey there, I've read up on the prodeedure and went to a lap-band siminar last night, but the doctor wasn't that big of a help & seemed to flip through the slide shows like the place was on fire. And he's supposed to be one of the better doctors in Kansas City, MO. (Where I live) I really just need people to talk to and give me info on how the surgery went, any complications, how long before getting back to normal activity, etc. If you can fill me in a bit, I'd be most grateful. I hope to meet some new, friendly people on here that are going through the same thing as me. ~BabyBluez1982:confused:

I had my first pre-op visit yesterday and am super excited about the Lap Band! My question is this: I went to a doctor in my area--I've met him before, as he removed my gall bladder a few years ago and feel comfortable with him. But although my insurance should cover the cost, his office charges $3,500 for non-covered stuff like classes and a support group, nutritionist on staff, etc. Is this normal? I'd really like him to do it and there's no one else in town who does, so going elsewhere would mean driving at least an hour and a half ... But I don't want to throw away a couple thousand dollars either. Help!

I am going to a seminar this Saturday for Suburban Surgical Care in Hoffman Estates. For anyone who has gone there I was wondering how your experience was with them, surgery, staff, etc. Also, how long did it take to get it improved with your insurance? I would like to have this done ASAP. I know that's how soon everyone wants it done, but I do have some reasoning behind it. My husband and I were trying to get pregnant with a second child and I was planning on having the Lap-Band after that. Well....we just got news that toward the end of this year he will be going to Iraq for a year. SO.....there is NO WAY I am going to get pregnant right now and risk him not being her…

Okay everyone cross your fingers for me. We submitted insurance approval for LapBand yesterday and the Nurse already called me and is holding a tenative date 4/17 yeah I am so excited this is so real finally I have been doing the whole process since July 08. My 25th Bday is 4/16 so this will be a great present to me.

I'm looking for persons in Houston or San Antonio area who have had gastric sleeve surgery for support group to answers questions and express what have been upsides and downsides, exchange recipes etc--

Can you please tell me which shakes taste the best to you, and possibly how much Protein? I'm not really a shake drinker, but I want to try and sample some of them. Any help will be great. Thanks:redface:

Was on my way to getting a sonar of my gallbladder when my kidneys acted up.I am better so i am waiting for a date so i can get the sonar than i am not sure what is next? I am eager and anxious:bored: Let you all know when i know,ok?JERRY

Anyone else getting their band on 3/31???

YIPEEEEEE, I'LL BE IN BANDLAND ON NOVEMBER 20TH:party: Anyone joining me? Anyone as nervous, excited, scared and shocked as I am? I'm doing tons of reading on this site and I'm really trying to grasp how much my life is going to change!!!

I am very nervous about this. Especially since reading about Anne Diamond's Belgian op that failed (anyone know who she had hers with) and also as I am having to sacrifice alot to save the money for this. Anyone got any experience of this surgeon? Is he good/bad? At 5ft 4in and 16 stone will I be suitable? How long do you think it will take me to reach 11 stone? Thanks Anna

After waiting months for this, that and another thing to be done, my surgery is finally scheduled! YAY:thumbup: I am having it done in three weeks - March 23. I'm excited and yet a little nervous! Any advice and/or suggestions for these last 3 weeks?

It's fairly certain that I'll be having the surgery in the beginning of February, any one else out there making the biggest change in the shortest month?