PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

So I went for my last weight in Friday 2/27. Spoke with Surgeons Nurse today they said everything is complete on our ends so they will work on submitting insurance approval by Wednesday at the latest and he told me if all well then I should plan on sometime Early April for Surgery. I am so excited. I will let yall know how approval goes..

Ok my mom and dad were being really supportive of me but now my mom is starting to be against the idea of me getting banded. She finally did research and oly read like one mean while I've read like 20 pages about it. She is concerned because she read that after surgey you won't ever be able to eat teh same things. She also read that after being banded you will have to take alot of Vitamins and supplements for the rest of you life because you won't get the proper nutrition. Is this true??? This is killing me, she's for it, she's not for it make up your mind!:thumbup:

I am nervous and excited at the same time. i can't believe it is finally happening. It all feels like a dream.

To band or not to band.... This is the question I am wrestling with. For years I have had an insurance company that flatly refused to do a band on me. New job, killer insurance and there is a 90% chance I will get approved right out of the gate. I have sleep Apnea (documented), High BP (documented), and borderline Diabetic. I was a skinny kid so skinny in fact my friends swore I had an eating disorder. I ate like a horse and then some but I was active and had an off the charts metabolism. I never weighed more than 135. I was 5 foot 8 with a 36 DD chest, very curvy with a tiny waist. No issues with weight until I had my first child. Between my 6th and 9th month I wen…

I was referred to Dr Bass and Dr Cohen here in Hollywood, Florida. They are both very good surgeons. Dr Matei is fairly new to the group and I just wanted to know if anyone knows of him or used him? I am scheduled for a lapband with him on March 27. Thank you!!

I am very excited! I have been preparing for this since October 2008. I think I am ready! I live here in South Florida and my surgeon is Dr Matei. Has anybody used him? He is with Dr Bass and Dr Cohen. At first I was a little hesitant because he is fairly new to this group. But, the other Surgeons in this group came highly recommended. I just want to be absolutely confident. ALSO.... I just ordered over $100 in protein powders. Will I use it all? I've been trying them here and there. I am soo afraid that I won't eat and do all the right things before and after. I've been reading books and going on bariatriceating.com. But, I still feel like I am going to blo…

after having no loss last week (3 1/2 weeks postop,) I have lost two pounds this week. It puts me at 40 lbs lost and out of the 300's and into the 200's! Woo Hoo!!! I never thought I would ever leave those three's again! Tomorrow is my first fill. I'm taking baby steps in my goals but I can't wait to hit Onederland one day! Thanks for letting me share!

Hi All. I had my seminar with the Doc and his nutritionist. I was dead set on getting the band, but after the seminar, and going through the pros and cons, I don't know. He didn't try to influence us in any way. He just went over the pros and cons. He said with the band you can only expect to lose 45-55% of your excess weight, whereas 65-75% with gastric bypass. He said it takes sometimes 2-3 years to lose it with the band, and 1 year with gastric bypass. I also have GERD, which he said could be a contraindication to the band. With the gastric bypass it is totally eliminated. He also does not do a fill at all until approximately 6-8 weeks after surgery. Thanks…

Saw my surgeon (Dr. Emma Patterson) last week. All is a go so far. Am waiting now for the insurance pre-auth for the surgery itself and then that all important date. At this point, I have been asked to lose 10-15 lbs prior to surgery. That is ok with me. I do have a question though... Are lettuce/vegetable salads a no-no? Am looking forward to this new step in my lifes journey. Have been walking 3 times a week as well as slowing down my food consumption and listening to my body as it tells me I am full. Thanks in advance for the information regarding salads.

I For sure want more kids...but I'm wondering how long after my band should I wait to get pregnant? I'll be 23 in May and I'm having my surgery the 3ed of March. I didn't gain a lot of weight with my first child so i don't think I'll have too much trouble with the second! Anyone Gotten prego right after the band...if so any complications? Any insight would be great!!! Thanks Ashley:tongue2:

Has anyone here had their lap band surgery done at Brigham and Women's or Faulkner Hospital in Boston? :sneaky:

My question is, can you feel your port when you touch your stomach? Is the port visable through the skin?

I was losing about 3 pounds a day for the first 4-5 days on the clear liquid diet and have hit a plateau! I've lost 15 pounds since the Dr. office a couple weeks ago--that's 15 pounds in 6 days. Even though I've stuck to the diet I don't seem to be dropping any more weight. Is this OK? Has anyone else experienced this?

I found out yesterday from the surgeons office that I may have to have a "filter" inserted the day before I have lapband surgery due to having had blood clots in my legs when I was in my early 20's. I explained to them that I've had 3 surgeries since I had the clots and have never had any problems..... and I even had a clot test done (lab) per their requirement and it came back within normal range. Has anyone out there heard of this or had this done? I just don't know what to expect if I have to have it done. Thanks!

Can anyone out there tell me the difference between the j&j band and the allergan band? I was told by a friend that the allergan band has been around longer than the j&j. She also thinks its the first to be fda approved in u.s. an that its easier to get docs in U.S to fill because its more familiar to docs. Any thoughts on the subject? What kind of band do you guys have? what about port size?

I have decided not to tell anyone I am getting the Lap-band. The only ones who know are my mother, father, and husband and that is because I live with my folks and lol how can you not tell your husband lol. I am just really frustrated today. I want so badly to share my excitment with someone, but I just know deep down if I start telling I won't get the reaction I want. I know my family and friends too well. My husband doesn't try to talk me out of it, but he isn't excited. My mom worries about everything so she asks me everyday if I am sure about this. Then my dad doesn't say anything. I THINK he feels that it is an easy way out. I'm not one to care what others think…

Hi everyone i haven't posted in a while but im here almost everyday learning from all of you. my question is has anybody had bcbs of michigian and what kind of problems did you have. i just finished my 6 months diet. i have got all my tests done. now just waiting. tammy

I will be doing my 4th month of medically supervised diet next week -- 6 months is required by BCBS of Texas. I have my history on the case managers hands. I have been under the care of a psychristic for several months who has agreed to do the psych evaluation -- I'm going to ask him for the paper work in the middle of March at my next visit. I have been diagosed with diabetes and am on an insulin pump. I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and on a CPAP machine. Thus I have the co-mobilties, plus weigh over 300 pounds. My last medically supervised visit with be the first week of May, can I expect surgery in May?

So now I am set to have surgery and its been over a year of hard work to get here. It seems unreal and now the nerves are setting in, am I doing the right thing? I have sleep apnea , fibromyalgia and I want to be healthy again!! I live in Portland and I am having surgery done at OHSU by Dr,O'rourke.........has anyone else had any experience with him?? I thought bands were more popular than bypass since its less drastic but he told me 90% of the patients there are bypass not lapband , now im worried! If anyone has any knowledge or input pleaseeeeeeee let me know! Take care everyone ~Kat

I have Aetna HMO, and I want to get the Lap-Band proceedure. I am new to this and have no idea how I get the ball rolling.... Please help!

I know this is a huge thing and I am still determined but as te actual procedure draws closer (tomorrow now!) I am starting to question it more and more. I'm tossing and turning at night and even having dreams about it. I wonder if I should just cancel but then I start thinking about the 20 lbs I've lost (that took 6 monthss to lose!) and don't want it to stop there. Tell me this is normal??!!

Does anyone know what all the Pre-op test are?

I am going crazy waiting. In the last few days I have decided I am getting one put it. But due to financial constraints and also due to the fact I am going backpacking for 3.5 months in June , I have to wait until September! Its sooooo long away and I want it done now! I guess I will just have to be patient. At least when I am backpacking that will be a big distraction from the waiting. Anna xxx

I received a call from the nurse at my docs office and while I still have to do my own research and make my own decision I wanted to see if anyone had any thoughts. I'm going to be reading the post below in great detail too. The nurse says the doc is going to recommend me for GBPS because my main co-morbidity is diabetes (even though I think it is more pre-diabetes/PCOS but uncontrolled diabetes is what is in my medical record). She said the GBPS eliminates the diabetes, almost a "surgical cure". I wasn't too keen on it because I just really don't like the idea of my intestines being cut. I mentioned the reversal of the LB if needed and she said that no insurance co…

Just wondering if anyone was nearby? I have only just started this process, and have my initial consultation on 3/10. I attended a seminar a few weeks ago, and was told there was an upfront fee of around $750, to cover nutrition, tests, etc. This clininc was with Foothills Weight Loss Ctr. Drs. Ray and Colquitt. They also said this fee was not covered by insurance. Is this normal? We have an EAP(Employee Asst. Prg.) that covers any type of councelling up to 5 visits for free. I wonder if that would be sufficent for ins pourposes? Guess I am just curious what experiences some of you may have had. I would love to have someone close to chat and compare notes with! Than…

I just had my upper GI for pre-op, and they found a small hiatal hernia. I called the doc's office to see if that was an issue and they said it wouldn't be if it was small, but they do not fix them with the surgery. Anyone had the band without getting their HH fixed? Any problems? I was really hoping my heartburn would go away but now I'm worried it will get worse. Thanks for any advice

I was just wondering if anyone has Cigna PPO plan and if they had any problems getting approved for surgery. I am in my the process of doing my 6 month Dr. supervised diet and was just wondering if Cigna is going to give me problems getting approved.

Does anyone have Personal Choice Insurance and live in PA? If so, maybe you can help. I have a BMI of a little over 37 and am wondering if anyone with similar numbers was immediately approved or had to do the 6 month supervised diet. I am so excited at the prospect of getting this done that I think I will be crushed if I have to play that game. I'll do it of course, but I'd be very upset.

After a long, and I mean LONGGGGG 15 month wait, I finally have a surgery date! 01/28/09!!!! Ahhh, I can't believe I finally have one! I had found out on the 27th, but I couldn't get online because my computer had crashed. But it's all good!! I am EXTREMELY nervous. Biggest fear is dieing. I don't wanna die, I'm only 16 and have alot of years ahead of me. Eh sorry, I'm rambling haha. Does anyone have any good idea's of low card food's? As in meals? I'm on a 25 carb diet a day. I went down from 30 to 25, and I need to be at 20 by the 10th. This is really hard and frustrating but I'm doing good. I have lost 8 lbs since the 22nd of December. [: Well I have …

I began my six month supervised diet last week. 1- My current BMI is 37.75 just 2.75 points above the min of 35 BMI required for surgery. If I lose more than 19 pounds over the next six months I do not qualify. Has anyone had to cheat in order not go under 35 BMI? Is this something that I should not worry about? I have a feeling that my PCP will question the failure more than 3 pounds a month. Plus, I feel it a waste not to make a 100% attempt at weight loss. Do I think too much? Thoughts?

I finially got financed and my pre-op appt is March 10th!!! I dont know what to expect but I hope lots of good things!!!

My wieght loss has WAY slowed down... it's about 1 1/2 pounds a week.... is everyone having that problem? It shouldn't be that way with only 700 calories a day. How's everyone else doing?

I teach 7th grade and anyone who is a teacher knows, taking time off of work is a nightmare. I've been teaching for 7 years but I'm new to this district and try to avoid missing any days. When I spoke with my doctor he said I wouldn't be able to lift my son (he's 7 months old) for a solid 2 weeks. My intent was to wait until the summer for my surgery so I didn't have to take any time off of work, but then my little one will be home with me all day. So my question is, what is a REALISTIC amount of time to take off of work? Is this something I could squeeze in over the long weekend of Easter break (operate Thursday and back to work Tuesday)? I have no intentions of telling …

So I received my CPAP machine on Monday... I have now tried unsuccessfully for three days to wear this thing through the night. It's getting to the point where I'm actually getting anxious and all worked up before bedtime. I even tried wearing it while watching tv for a while to get used to it before trying to sleep... But every night, by about 12:30-1:30, I wake up and I feel like I can't breathe, and I freak out and take it off. Help! I need to wear this thing, and it's got the little chip in it so they'll know if I wore it. I REALLY want this surgery, and I seriously could cry because I hate this thing so much. :tt2: Does anyone have ANY suggestions about maki…

I'm scheduled for Lap surgery in March and have my NUT appt next week, so presumably some/most of my questions can be answered then....but I'm anxious...and excited to have joined this forum! So, here goes; thanks in advance!! 1. Caffeine - Is it a requirement to avoid caffeine short and long term? 2. Barium - What is this that I've heard horrid things about?? 3. C-Section - How does recovery from Lap compare to a C-section? 4. Surgery - My doc markets that they can get you in and out in 84 minutes....did I misunderstand? Most "best cases" that I've heard are arrive at 9, leave by 2. What is realistic? 5. Work - How much time off do most people plan for with an o…

Hi all, I started my liquid diet this morning and though I'm fine with having tea for Breakfast, I realize I'm EXTREMELY nervous. All the good to come from this life change seems really far off, though I know I will make it happen. Now I'm focused on the surgery, making it through and coordinating everyone's lives. Anyone else getting banded on 2/24 and have it truly hit you - this is REAL? Anyone else with words of encouragement? Thanks for all your input. R.

I'm on my preop diet and I had to go grocery shopping for the rest of my family today. It was soooo hard. My stomach was growling the entire time. That alone is something I never want to do again; but I guess I'll have to. "Back home to my "yummy" shake". Sorry, just had to vent. :smile::cursing::thumbup:

Has anyone been told that they will have a lifting restriction after surgery? If so, how much weight and for how long? TIA

Well it really has already begun...it started with first hearing about the procedure...save that for another time...now for the good stuff... Seminar-2/17/09 Surgeon, Nutritionist & Head Doc-2/17/09 Loan Approval-2/19/09 Pre-op visit with the surgeon 3/5/09 Band date 3/6/09 I am really excited and nervous at the same time, I don't do very well with anethesia. What I am really scared about is WILL THIS WORK FOR ME??? What if it slips, or worse erosion, because I know that if either one happens I will be fat for the rest of my life. Okay, enough depressing stuff...questions??? I have to travel out of town for the procedure, how many nights should I stay in a…

Just wondering what they ask in a psych eval--- I don't want to say the wrong thing and get declined over something random. Has anyone out there been rejected after one?

hi everyone I'm doing my pre op diet and the weight is coming off quick like it's suppose to...yah! The thing is that I feel really faint and lethargic. My head doesn't feel right, spaced and dizzy. Wouldn't be such a big deal if I didn't have a two little ones (18month and 3.5 years) to take care of! Has anyone had this problem? Should I be eating more? I'm kind of worried about passing out. My surgery isn't until March 20th. I'm not even on full Pre-Op (2 shakes, 1 lean cuisine) more like 1 shake, 2 lean cuisine and a little extra. I've lost close to 7 pounds already. I don't need to start full pre-op until March 10th. I'm really worried if I feel this …

hi, i am new to this journey, if everything goes well i could have my surgery in may 09, my question is i read that you need to lose weight before surgery, i see some poeple post they lost 30 lbs before surgery on their own, what food or supplements or protien drinks does one take to acheive this before surgery, if i could figure out how to lose 75 lbs on my own maybe i wouldnt need surgery right now, any help would be appericated thanks all

my surgery scheduled for tomorrow 2-24 well technicaly i guess its tomorrow already, but i cant seem to shut my brain down so i can sleep for a few hours. all the random thoughts are going through my head. ive had a life long fear of anesthesia. ive had 3 kids and wouldnt even have epidurals during labor.i keep asking myself is this the right choice, the right time? at one point i thought about going to the fridge eating whatever i want and calling the whole thing off. thank god i didnt do it. i just have to keep reminding myself of all the reasons that this is the right decision for me. i just wanna say thank you to all of you who have posted your stories and for your …

I have been trying to get the lapband for about 5 years and my insurance co. kept turning me down. Husband's co. switched insurace, they approved me my surgery date is March 27, 2009. Before they approved me I started a new job. Have not told them about surgery I'm a PCT at hospital, can't ask for alot of time off work. I'm off for 5 days is that to soon to go back to work? Or what do I tell my job? Only been there 2 weeks?

My surgery is in a week... WHOO HOO! Wondering how the liver shrinking diet is going? I'm managing, but boy am I hungry... in fact, about to go eat my cottage cheese snack. Any tips? Would love to hear what is working for other people. Thanks!

I am going on an internet search to find out if there is any actual medical articles about a clear liq diet for one week shrinking your liver. I am beginning to suspect that they put you on this diet so that you get used to starving so you don't complain as much after surgery. I am 3 days in and I haven't cheated I may be in a food deprived mania but I don't think you can shrink your liver in a week. If anyone knows of any sites or actual physiologic explanation please let me know. I will post anything I find.

Does anyone know if you can get liquid tylenol in a adult form or does it have to be the children's dose?

Tomorrow is my day! How long can I expect to be at the hospital? I have no medical issues and I check in at 10:45. I just need to plan for kids and stuff. My doctor did tell me but I can't exactly remember what he said. So if anyone has an estimation or how long yours took I would apreciate it!! Thanks!!

I didn't do it and I wish I had. The only thing I measured was my waist. Now, when I'm not really losing weight, I wish I had something to compare.

Hey guys, my surgery is scheduled for March the 2nd, and I've been low carbing it since last Monday. My dr said to just do strick to low carb (low fat) and drink a shake for a meal or two if I can. My concern is that although I am doing a very strick low carb diet, I am not watching the fats. (i love beef ..oh and cheese) Is this going to be a major factor in my liver not shrinking? This coming week do you suggest that I do liquid diet only instead of what I have been doing? I would hate to get all the way into the operating room only to wake up without a band. thanks in advance for all help! Dina