PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hi All, I was just wondering when and how often you guys hit the scales. I start my 2 week pre-op diet tomorrow and I have lost about 16lbs. in my efforts to prepare for the changes that are on the way. I will also track my actual loss on the pre-op but I don't want to be scale crazy. My DH says I already am.

Greetings all. I am trying to get a handle on the approval & scheduling aspects of the LBS process. This is where I am at: went for my yearly physical w/ my pcp, who made a referral to Dr. Loggins at Central Maine Medical Center. His office set up an appt. for me on March 13, sent me a bunch of paperwork to fill out and advised that I could expect the appt. on the 13th to take 2 hours. The paperwork they sent to me pertained primarily to my physical and mental health history. I've read a lot of posts indicating that a lot of folks attended a seminar, or a number of seminars, before ever actually seeing the surgeon. I'm wondering if anyone skipped over the sem…

I am getting banded on the 24th and I am going out tonight with my friends. I have been following the pre-op diet with no cheats. I am seriously considering having one last cheese burger!! Any thoughts? Did anyone else have one last easy meal?

Has anyone read this book? I was looking to purchase it and I was wondering if anybody found it useful and informative. Thanks Jenn

Hi All! Just got my insurance approval! My Drs. office called and set up September 8 for my LapBand! I can't wait!:biggrin: Maybe we could share our journey together!

I'm having my surgey on thursday and I've been on 2 protien shakes a day and one lean cuisine a day for about 11 days now. I still have 3lbs. to lose and the scale isn't budging. Any advise?:hurray:

My dh is not supporting my decision to b banded. He's worried that something might go wrong during surgery and I think he thinks it's (surgery) not going to work. He thinks that I'm looking for a quick fix and just wants me to do it on my own. He is overweight as well. We could both benefit from the surgery. Have any of you experienced this? Any ideas on how to change his mind? I want his support because we are a team. My husband is my best friend and I value his opinion. TIA!

Hi everyone! feels weird because I have been following your threads for some time but never dared "come out". I live in Europe (uk) and have decided to get banded. was initially accepted by a surgeon in Belgium but 2 weeks before surgery, his team decided i was not obese enough! as if being a little bit obese as opposed to very obese makes any difference to ones quality of life and self esteem. Anyway, wondering if anyone knows of any surgeon who would be ok with low BMI. have 29-30 but on the way up (as usual) and would like to end it right here and now.I am willing to travel anywhere. please help me... I am sure you all know how I feel - on the brink of tears each an…

Recently I got my self a good case of Food Poisoning while on vacation. Which brings up the question. How does your body handle food poisoning after the surgery? I know before the surgery when your body's defenses see the bacteria in the stomach & intestine you body tries to expel the bad food with vomiting and diarrhea. But with the band around your esophagus how does one vomit? Kinda gross but it makes you think. Does anyone know the answer to this?

Newbie here . . . can't seem to find what pb'd means.

I'm coming here to vent for a moment... I've been going through the approval process for the band since August. A few months in, my insurance carrier changed their tune and said that I needed a 6 month diet, so I started that in October. In the meantime I've been doing every blood test and clearance they could possibly imagine. I understand that it's all to make sure I have the best possible outcome from surgery, but there are days when it feels like they've just added hoops in the hope that someone just gives up. Anyway, I went for my pulmonology clearance last month, although I have no history of breathing issues. No problems sleeping, no asthma, nothing. They …

I have been to my GP and hes approved me for surgery. I have an appointment with the bariatric surgeon on MArch 18. How lond does it usually take between the first visit and actual surgery??

I have a month until my surgery so technically I don't need to start pre-op for a couple of weeks. However my Dr. said I need to lose 5% (12lbs) before surgery. Is this 12 lbs suppose to be just from pre-op diet? I've been "practicing" the pre-op diet in a form (more cals though) and have lost a whopping 8lbs in 10 days. The first 10-15lbs always comes off fast for me then WALL! Then it comes piling back on (you all know what that's about hey!). Here's my question....if I lose the required weight before I even start pre-op diet, is it still imparative that I stick to it or am I able to give my self some slack (by slack I don't mean eat what ever I want...jus…

HEY GUYS MY NAME IS HANNAH. AND I WILL BE GETTING MY LAP-BAND ON APRIL AFTER A LONG BUT WONDERFUL STRESSFUL PROCESS. I AM 18 YR OLD IVE BEEN BIG SINCE I WAS ABOUT 12 BUT NEVER REALLY THOUGHT ANYTHING ABOUT IT...UNTIL MY 11TH GRADE YR IN HIGH SCHOOL (LAST YR) I WENT TO MALL WITH MY FRIENDS AND I COULDNT SHOP IN ANY OF THE STORES THEY COULD THAT BROKE MY HEART...IT LOOK LIKE THEY WERE HAVING SO MUCH FUN AND I WAS AN OUTCAST LONG STORY SHORT THIS SIZE STARTED TO CAUSE OTHER PROBLEMS HEALTH PROBLEMS ETC.SO ONE DAY ME AND MY MOM WERE TALKING AND I BROUGHT UP LAP BAND AT 1ST SHE SAID NO..BUT I SHOWED HER THE PROS AND LIL CONS AND SHE WAS READY TO GO FOR IT I AM NOW APART OF THE…

it seems like forever, and yet so quick that i've come to this point. I made the decision to look into Bariartric Surgery last march, had my informative meeting in May, began classes in July..... got accepted to the Prep Study (more intense weekly visits with a diet coach assigned to me) in August. Did all the testing i needed then some. I have a personal family doctor that is so supportive and proactive in my care. Turned into the Insurance for approval on February 11th,...... heard that i was approved February 16th and scheduled the day on February 19...... I am having Surgery on March 19th at Magee Women's Hospital in Pittsburgh Pa with Doctor Anital Corcoulas.... i wa…

I'm getting my surgery on march 11 and have been reading about all of the complications here on the forums! Did anyone get lucky and not have any?!:tt2:

I will be banded on April 6. I am excited and anxious at the same time. :tt2:

I am 2 days post op. The night before surgery, I opened a thing of almonds covered in milk chocolate, and I think that is the last thing I ate. I AM CRAVING THOSE THING SOMETHING FIERCE :sneaky:!!!!!!!!!! I just want one. I need to hear horror stories of people who ate bad things their first week so that I dont make this mistake:thumbdown:

I'm new here and the whole process has gone REALLY fast for me. I went to a seminar in Dec. and am having lapband Feb 27. I was trying to get in before my husband deploys and his date got moved up a bit. They got me in really quick. One of my biggest concerns right now is going back to work. I started my job 6 months ago and have 40 hours sick time. I was scheduled for a class on Thurs March 6 (day 6 post op) and a co-worker who had it a couple months ago suggested I cancel the class. She said she took 2 full weeks off. I don't think I'll need that much (and I don't have it anyway!). My job is VERY sedentary and the hardest thing I do is lift my backpack and carry my p…

Hello, My name is Rhori and I am on my lapband journey. I have completed the various steps. The only thing I have left to complete is my barium swallow. Now that I have taken the steps I am soooo Nervous:unsure: I am feeling like something may go wrong during the surgery and I am considering backing out. I am looking for some support and some words od encouragement to get me through to the new me. Please respond if you felt tha same way and give me some advice on how to get through!

I have been visiting this site for months and this is my first post. I just want to say hi. I'm scheduled for surgery March 4. I go for pre tests next thur and if everything is ok I'll be banded finally. It's been a very long journey. I learned so much from this site. thanks to all :sneaky:

What kind of questions did the doctor ask you at this appointment? I am just curious. Although I am a counselor, I have never been to a therapist so I am a little anxious.:tt2: Elgrad

Okay, so now I get that PB's are productive burps. How often do they happen? Is it really loud and obvious? Do you have time to get to a bathroom? What's this slime? Is it only with certain foods? Do you get some warning? Can they be prevented? I would just like some info on PB. I am banded on the 24 and this is the one last thing that is freaking me out. Oh and can anyone out there eat sushi after the band? I'm really going to miss sushi.

Well I finally have a date. Actually not a firm date, but I am number one in June. My surgeon is booking for May 15, so I asked to wait 2 weeks and let me finish the school year (God knows I need the money). He does surgery on Mondays and Wednesdays so I am hoping to get June 1st. The Monday works best as I only have 2 paid Sundays off at church.....so it will be like 3 weeks off (minus 1 day). Now I am scared.:sneaky: I don't think I would be (as much), except my wife had a tumor removed laproscopically last week and she is still in a lot of pain and I decided to go with what the Dr. recommended and he said a Roux N Y (sp????). So here we gooooooooooooooooooooooo…

does lap band mean the end of seltzer ,soda ,beer etc for life?

This might be a weird question, but do you have to be completely naked when going in for the surgery? Are you able to keep your underwear on? A bra? Anything besides a hospital gown? I heard they do it with you standing up, but then how do they put you to sleep?

day 1 almost done. does it get easier or harder not to eat

I have BMI (under 32) and I was wondering about results? I have 50 lbs to lose that I can't for the life of me shed so I want LB surgery--lots of diabetes in my family--I'm not there yet but worried its a matter of time. Is it a much slower process to lose weight if you have lower BMI to start?

Do I have to see my family doctor first and then he recommends me to a bariatric surgeon? Or do I just make an appointment with the bariatric surgeon? Thanks

hi. I m still waiting for approval I handed in all test and paper work about 8 days ago so I should hear soon . Did anyone have their gallbladder removed at the same time, my doctor is requesting to do it simutaniously since I m loaded with gallstones . I never had any symtoms but it was discovered on my sonogram

Hello, I was just wondering how long once I talk to my doctor, to actually getting the surgery does it usually take? Do a lot of doctors have long waiting lists? Thanks

I go to my appointment next week and i will discuss this with the Dr. also. i thought i would get ideas from people here also. I will have to go on a 5 day liquid diet (not sure exactly what that will be, i will find out at my appointment). from what i have read, most that have gone on a liguid diet have used a lot of sugar free products. I cannot have ANY artificial sugars, including splenda and stevia (sp?). it all gives me migraines. are there other things that i can have? would real fruit bars be ok? even low-fat/no fat yogurts that have no artificial sugar has a lot of sugar (32 or 33 per 8 oz for the kind i normally buy). i want to do well at the p…

i am new and just thinking about lap band I am not good with documentation what works to document weight loss anyone gotten approval from bcbs minesota?

I'm very excited to start my 3-week pre-surgery liquid diet when I wake up tomorrow morning. Hopefully the journey will be as fulfilling as the destination. Good luck to everyone else getting ready for surgery in the next few weeks!

Hi! I'm Marci, 41, and currently live in VA. I'm having my lapband done in Detroit tho. Does this mean I have to have all my fills done there also? What does the pre-op diet consist of and how long is it? My BMI is 38 - if I lose enuf before the surgery, does that negate my surgery if I fall below 35? I'm so depressed right now at my weight gain. I've always been overweight but got into shape while I was in the Army. Then I gained it back and then I lost 30 lbs in 4 months after my husband passed away 18 mths ago. Since then, I've steadily been gaining - over 70 lbs in the past year! And the thing is: I"M AN RD! I KNOW these things in my head, it's just doing them tha…

was wondering if there was a weight limit for lap band. Or is it just based on health related issues.

Likely there is a list on this massive site somewhere. I have my consult with the surgeon on Monday, and I want to ask the right questions. I know they are busy, so I want to use my time well. What do I need to know that I don't know now?

Well only thing holding me back is getting pcp surgery clearance. called last Friday they said they'd get it faxed in then they called me monday saying they are faxing it on. Surgeon's office never got it. Today Thursday trying to find out why they haven't sent it then they send in some kind of progress thing no one knows why. Then they call me saying the surgeon's office has been calling them and said they aren't gonna send it. Saying the FNP that i see since my normal pcp is to busy to see me doesn't feel "comfortable" with this. She's the one i've been seeing all this time and the one who referred me for surgery even though she didn't think surgery is an optio…

:rose: I have seen on here that most Dr.s do not recoommend soda after LB surgery because of the carbination. Does anybody know if leaving a soda out and becoming flat ok to drink? I often will open a soda then put it in the refrigerator to the next day and drink it. Just curious about insight on this. Thanks!

Who is getting banded on Friday the 13th (March)? Or who was already banded on Friday the 13th (February)?

I have final meeting with surgeon 3-5-09 and I hope to have a surgery date after that hopefully in the same month. I'm going to start low carb diet before going to meet doctor. Hope to lose 10 lbs. :rose:

okay i need to know, i am getting ready to get banded and the only food i worry that i won't ever be able to eat is .... oranges!!! I know not right away....... but will i be able to eat oranges again . gee you'd think i'd be worrying about steak, and big pasta dinners and fresh baked bread...... nope just oranges

I was barley approved for my sugery, and after a bout of food posioning I have lost some weight. And even though I wasn't put on a pre-op diet, I want to start eating better before I go into surgery and start exercising to make the whole process easier. So anyway, I called my doc and they said it was fine, if I was already approved they won't take it back if I loose weight, but I'm still afraid they will. Does anyone have experience with this?

Hi there, Just wondering if anyone has had polycystic ovaries has had obesity surgery? Have you lost weight? Cheers, Trish

I have my date for March 4th. I have to do a 2 week liquid diet before and 2 weeks after. Not looking foward to that. I just am trying to look at it like a small bump in the road to freedom. I need to know how to get a tickertape not real great with computers any advise

Anyone taken it? If so, you know how it doesnt make you hungry? Is that kinda what its like having the LB or bypass? I just got put on it for my Healthy Ways class, for 12 weeks, and I am not jittery, i do get dry mouth and sweaty palms but other thenthat i dont have a need to eat. im eating to sustain basically.. If that is what the Lap band does for us, I am super excited. I hope someone can help with this one.:w00t::ohmy::thumbup:

I know that I just read it...someone had made a comment about this HUGE web-site, well you got that right...anyway on with the questions. Has anyone been banded in Austin TX by Dr. Patel??? I am self pay, is anyone else out there self pay...if so, how long from seminar to surgery? I am so ready to get this started!!!! And change my life FOREVER!!! lk

Okay, so my surg. is thursday and i'm having some pre-surg jitters! It doesnt help that i check out of the hospital on friday the 13th!! If my surg. was that day, i'd have to reschedule! Help! I'm getting so freaked out!

I'm not sure when my surgery will be. Hopefully in May or June. I haven't been approved yet for surgery. So what should I do in preparation for the surgery? I love sugar, carbs, and pop. I tend to eat fast food too much. I'm not working out, but I'm planning to try to as soon as I'm 6 weeks postpartum from my c-section. Do you have any advice for me? I really really want to give up the pop. Any other helpful hints that helped you lose more quickly? TIA!

Hello I see and hear great results related to wls from folks that are up to 8 years post op, but it is unsettling to not be able to read or hear from folks that have 15-20 years of wls experiences. I am starting to wonder, do they even exist? I know that wls procedures have changed over the years, but can anyone out there w/ longevity share some info? I have a two year old to live for and I need to know that a wls procedure wont cap my lifespan.