PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I was just wondering if anybody had their LapBand surgery performed by Dr. William O'Malley at Highland Hospital in Rochester, NY

I'm on day 2 of my pre-op shakes and right now could possibly eat 3 small children, one baby duck and my left arm.. hell, add my right one too! So I thought I'd better ask before I give Hanibal Lecter a run for his money, will I get used to this eventually? I have to do this for a month :tongue:

I just talked with my insurance company, BCBS Blue Access and I've been approved for surgery!!! Bless their hearts for being patient with me, I've been calling almost daily to see if a decision had been made - didn't want to wait to receive the letter!~ Now my doctor's office will verify I've jumped all the hurdles then will schedule me for an appointment to schedule surgery. YEAAHHHH!!!! I'm hoping to have surgery in March.:bananalama:

:blush:This is my second time trying to go throught the steps to get approved for surgery. the first time my Dr. never wrote progress notes so the insurance company denied. I have 2 months ( Feb 9 & March 9) left of Dr. visits and then I'm done. I didn't lose more than 3 ibs the entire time. This time around we found I have sleep apnea and that will help me get approved.(I hope). I'm getting really nervous about being approved and can't wait to make the change to getting my life back. My insurance is GHI and I'm a NYC employee. Has anyone been approved by GHI? I have had my psychological, stress test, sleep test, scope done ( I have a hernia that will be fixed…

I've been reading a lot of posts on these forums over the past month and a couple of terms keep popping up that I don't know the meaning of. What does "pb'ing" and "sliming" mean? I'm getting banded on Monday and just wondering what those are (and how to avoid them!). Thanks

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I started the process for a lapband through Kaiser, So. SF. Have any of you had your lapband done here or are somewhere in the process? How long did it take? The book says to call for appt for the Lifestyle management classes however I can't seem to get a call back. I have finished orientation, nutri 101 and lifestyle changes. Any info on this would be helpful.

Hi I have started the 12 step program with the Cleveland Clinic.. I weigh 205lbs height 5'3".. I have a BMI 35.1.. I go for testing Feb 25, 2009.. I currently take prevacid, atenolol, and in Nov 2007 was diagnosed with sleep apnea 4.5.. I have Anthem Blue Cross & Sheild.. they do not require a pre diet program.. Does anyone think I have a good chance of the doctor and insuance approving me? I will be so disappointed going this far and then being told no.. Any information will be helpful:bananalama:

I meet with the nutritionist and physical therapist tomorrow afternoon and I'm getting a little queasy about it. On top of all this my mom is having surgery to replace a hip. So many what if's are going through my head. I've done the research and think I know what they'll tell me. Losing weight is scary. One of the program requirements is that I lose 10% of my excess weight and be on their supervised diet for 13 weeks. I'm afraid they'll tell me that I didn't try hard enough to lose weight on my own, that I didn't consult my family dr enough. I know it won't be that bad when I get there. Its just taking the first step.

Hi, I am a REALLy concerned wife. My husband is scheduled for the lap band surgery at the end of this month, and he was all psyched up about it until he had his nutrition and psych counseling this week. Now he (and I )are having second thoughts. We understand about the whole 10-10-10 liquid/smashed foods thing, and we are ok with that. But apparently he was told that he will "never eat the same again". He was literally told that he wont be able to put down more than a few bites of food in a restaurant ever again. This RELALY DEPRESSED him, and seeing how upset he was, I am not sure this is the right thing for him to do. We are paying cash for this and the last thing I …

Who would you recomend in South Jersey, I live in the cherry hill area Thanks Ron B

Hi everyone! I'm just starting my process. I received my referral from my PCP and have an appointment for the seminar and a "bod pod" test on March 2nd. I did call me insurance who gave me their requirements. I see that alot of you had to see several specialists. Is that a requirement of the surgeon? I have BCBS of IL and it states I need a psych eval, but not cardio, etc. Also, this is a part of requirements for surgery thru insurance: Documentation of active participation in a comprehensive, non-surgical program of weight reduction for at least six (6) months, occurring within the twenty-four (24) months prior to the proposed surgery and preferably unaffiliated wit…

So tommorrow is my day and i couldn't be more exciiii....NERVOUS!! lol. I am thankful for this opportunity, i am, but i am completely freaked right now. I guess the possibility that something could happened just hit me. Pray for me ya'll!! I only have a few more hours!

Ok so I'm only 16 years old and I way 266 pounds. I've been obeist my whole life but it's just getting worse. I've tried everything to lose weight but I just keep gaining pounds and the doctors say despite my weight I'm healthy but I can take being this size any more. I gained over 50 pounds over this past summer alone but I exercised every day and I was on a good diet. Its just no matter what I do nothing works. My doctors has already talked to me my parents about the lap band and told us to come back if we want to discuss it further and my parents have been talking about it too. I just want to be comfortable when i go out with my girlfriends and not have to worry about …

I am new here and I would like to know if anyone has been successful getting approved with Coventry insurance. This is also the first time I've seriously considered lap band surgery. Would anyone have any surgeon suggestions in Maryland? Thanks!

I posted this in my blog, but I want feedback, so I'm going to post it again here. Below is the body of the letter I wrote to my sugeon which is part of his requirement. If any of you have advice, please let me know. I glady accept constructive criticism, and if it sounds good, I don't mind encouragement either. I am writing to let you know why I need to have weight loss surgery. I say need and not want deliberately. At my weight I know I am at an increased risk for several serious health problems. The blood work I had done this summer shows that I am dangerously close to having diabetes. My obesity also puts me at risk for heart disease and sleep apnea. The excess wei…

Can exercise alone be enough to help get rid of loose skin?

I was wondering what you guys are eating after the surgery? Do you gotta count calories?? Cause when I cook It's like Chicken mashed potatoes and peas or corn or green beans. Would I need to make myself something else?? Or just eat smaller amounts like a saucer size serving??? Or if we have pizza?? Should I just eat like 1 piece instead of 4 or Can i not eat pizza at all???? I know the first month is basically just liquids but after all that....Just tell me what you eat. Thanks Ashley

Hi everyone, Has anyone done the atkins plan for preop weight loss. Thanks

Well, today was may first month of the six month supervised weight loss period. I am really disappointed. I guess I was hoping that my doctor would take it seriously and try to help me prepare for this. She basically came in, asked how I was. Said, "Okay, basically you have to come in once a month. I'll ask you how you are and if you're trying to lose weight. We document it and we're done." I asked about the nutritionist. She said we'd find out if my insurance covered it. If not, I'll have to pay out of pocket -- and we're going to find out if I need to meet with the nutritionist monthly or will one time do. That was pretty much it. I asked her..."Do you have a…

Hello out there! I am expecting to get banded this summer. Has anyone gone through Dr. Dent in Ottawa (Ontario, Canada) for the recomendation to Dr. Graber in Utica (New York, USA)? Also, Dr. Dent is recommending the RNY bypass, but I would really prefer the Lap Band from all I've read. It seems a little less invasive and leaves you with a slightly more normal lifestyle. (From what I understand bypass, never any caffiene or alcohol, but with lap band a glass of wine occasionally is ok and coffee is tolerable for many). Any comments would be appreciated!

Hello, I'm having lapband surgery in 2 weeks should I be scared, I'll never enjoy the buffets anymore but then I can find something other to satify me:smile:

i 've had all my pre -op test done and have clearence for surgery . I'm waiting for my insurence to give me the ok. I'm looking foward to having my surgery and losing my weight.

I completed the six-month supervised diet, the support group meetings, the pre-surgery testing, the letters of support from my PCP and others and, like a good girl, submitted it to my surgeon's office. I was approved by my insurance company on December 30, but have yet to get a date. When will I get a date?! My insurance coordinator told me all my paperwork was in and that she'd passed my information along to the scheduler. I followed up and left a phone message with the scheduler and still no date. I want a date! Is this normal? Why no date? Losing it in the Motor City:confused:

I am in the process of waiting for the ins. to approve. If I get approved, 2 weeks before the surgery my doctor requires 2 liquid meal and 1 lean cuisine a day. I used to drink slim fast and other liquid diet and it made me hungry after an hour. Any recommendation on other brand that has more Proteins? Thanks, Alisa

I am one doctors appointment from submitting all the required information to the insurance company, and I am thinking ahead to the mushies stage and was wanting to get your feedback. I have a blender but it's loud and a bit of an overkill to use for small amounts not to mention annoying to clean. So I am hoping for some feedback on immersion(stick) blenders or something like the magic bullet but I heard it was just as loud as a blender. Call me strange, but I have a thing for noise pollution. Thanks in advance Julie

So Im not sure what to do now. Ihave been waiting for my new ins at work to kick in as i was told by the rep who came to my office that the new ins would cover the surgery so of course i went with the best plan that covers hosp stay etc just in case. now when ive finally done all the research and chosen a doc etc i find out that m ins does not cover any weight loss support at all. no surgery no counsling no dietician nada...so now what? im a single mom and have student loans out the wazoo and there is no way i can pay for this on my own. ive also tried every diet i can think of blah blah blah everything that anyone who decides to have this surgery does before surgery..so …

Ok I am so totally confused now...I was banded on October 18th, I have lost so far 25 lbs (which includes the 2 weeks before surgery when I was on a total liquid diet) I am now in week 3, eating somewhat normal food, and I am exercising like an hour a day, 4 miles of walking every other day and strength training every other, I have actually gained a pound, BUT I feel like i can keep eating, and eating and eating. I don't get it I thought I was supossed to have a full feeling after like 1/2 a cup, not me Will I feel full after my first fill? (nov 25)? I am starting to get scared that this is not going to work for me. Any advise or similar stories?:think

Hey, I'm from Hamilton Ohio and I will be getting banded on January 21st. I just started my pre-op diet a couple of days ago, and I was wondering if anyone else was getting the LB on the 21st? :confused:

Help! My mother is driving me nuts. I was going to bring her to my last appt with the surgeon but I cant trust her to keep her mouth shut and to be positive. I told her she can only come if she is positive support so she said well she will REALLY need to prep for that...and so I told her dont even come. So frustrating. She embarressed me at the seminar back in October. Now she wants to go to the Mandatory Pre Operative Question class. Its a group class and my boyfriend will be there too for support. I hope she can control herself.. anyone else have this problem?

I am wondering if anyone out there has had this band and what are the pros and cons ? Thanks, Laurie

Okay, So Ive been approved with Kaiser. I have been to all their meetings, psych drs, I have an appointment with the Surgeon next week to get my pre-op goal weight (which I should be close, since Ive lost 20lbs so far on my own)....What Im wondering is how strict, or intrusive is Kaiser before and after surgery. They tell me that they test for nicotine, alcohol and caffine....they ACTUALLY drug test? I have a pre-op diet (very VERY strict) which Im not really following. I excersise six days a week, which is why the weight is coming off. Im trying to do the things they say are important, like chewing my food thouroughly, eating slower, making better choices (for the m…

Went for preop appt on Monday, start the preop diet on Feb. 4th really doesn't look to bad I know it will be worse once I start it, then the big day is the 11th very excited, can't wait to start being the me I know that I can be

I'm 65 year old male, weight 260 at 5' 11" which gives a BMI of near 37. I have a green light from medicare so far. My Doctor is referring me to help me control my comorbities. I'm in the pre-op testing for lap-band surgery. Start Tuesday at the Oregon Obesity Clinic in Portland Oregon, I have heart(open triple, 2 stents 10 years later), sleep apnea, thyroid, diabetes, high blood pressure and portal hypertension liver disease. I've had my gall badder removed 5 years ago . My Doctor says I'm poster' guy for metabolic syndrome. My question is- has anyone had trouble getting approval for having surgery with a enlarged liver?

Just got my banding date, Jan. 15, 2009. Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia. I live in Bucks County. Any other January '09 banders or Temple patients out there?

Just wanted to say best wishes to our February 2nd bandsters. I posted this on the February 2009 forum too, but I think more people will see it here. May you have successful surgeries and smooth, uneventful recoveries. And let us know how you're doing, when you're up to it! We'll be thinking about you. Debbie

:thumbup: So I am scheduled for surgery on the 16th...but I am a little freaked. I interviewed and hired a new para this week. She agreed to take the position and was going to start on Monday. However, wouldn't you know it- her dad is in the hospital right now dying because his band has eroded and it is poisoning his body. What are the chances that the person I hire has a dad who is dying because of it? Is it a sign??!

Hello everyone! I've never joined a group like this before so this is all new to me. I am being banded on Feb. 6, 2009 and now I'm getting scared. Mostly afraid I won't be able to lose the 6-10 pounds this week. My doctor told me to follow the Phase 1 of the South Beach diet. I admit it's easier than what I've seen some have had to do. I'm just nervous enough won't come off and it's stressing me out. Then I've never been able to lose weight and just wandering if I will fail at this too!! I'd like to find someone to help me through all of my emotions, ups and downs, and whatever else comes. I enjoy reading the blogs and would love to hear from you!

I am in the process of the six month nutritionist supervised diet and i was scheduled for a sleep study appointment to see if i have sleep apnea. I am wondering if anyone else has gone through this same process and if they were told they had sleep apnea what problems they encountered because of it. Also how if what did it change during your surgery. Did you have to wear the machine during surgery. Anything you can tell me about this will help. Thanks

OK, I am flying out for my surgery. What do I NEED to bring with me? What will I need to have at home when I return. I will be flying back the evening after the procedure, and I will not be returning to work until the following Monday. Help me figure out what to bring on the plane, and what to have at home when I get back. Oooooh, I am so excited....one short month away!:thumbup:

Hey everyone! I'll be banded in April and have just loved reading the posts; Great information and motivation to start off my new life right. I've read a lot of success stories, but I read a handful of bandsters that have NOT lost any weight, gained, or lost about 18 lbs with a years time. That was very frustrating to read and I can imagine how it feels to them. My questions is: Is it often that people NOT lose weight or lose a small amount when banded? Thanks, Shelly

My surgeon has a nutricionist on staff so she is going to do my 6 mth diet but I am worried because I am at 41.8 BMI only 7 pounds over 40 and if I lose to much weight will I be rejected by my insurance. I asked her if I should try not to lose more than 7 pounds and she laughed and said that if she told me to do that it would be insurance fraud. LOL I dont know what that means? I am talking about going down to Mexico, and I dont want to waste 6 mths if I am just going to get rejected anyways. I dont mind paying once but my fear is if I get it in Mexico and after I lose some weight the band slips. My insurance wouldnt cover rebanding right? I would just have to pay again r…

Hi, Is anyone else going through the Keiser So. San Francisco program. I finally have my surgeon appoint on Jan 30th. I will be at my goal for surgical weight then. I hope I will get a surgical appointment at that time. Any one have any experiece on how long from surgeon visit to actual surgery. Laurel

I am being banded by Dr. Coon in Riverside, California on Monday and was looking for anyone that is alos his patient so that maybe we can chat and become friends. Have a great day.

I've been hearing about this preop diet...could someone fill me in on what you have to do on this diet and why your liver needs to shrink??? Thanks Ashley

I had pre-surgery breath tec test yesterday and the results were positive. Anyone else with these results and if so, what happened?:cursing:

I am thinking about Lap band but I am very nervouse. I live in Groves Texas anyone from that area.

...no more tests? No medical clearance? From what i read on the forum and every where else whats supposed to happen next is an Upper Gi or some abdominal x ray that shows that everything is ok for me to go ahead and be banded. Sketchy????

everything is waiting and ready for the insurance company except my psychological evaluation. I saw her in October. She said she was finished with it in November and just needed the address. I responded quickly and gave it to her. Talked to her in December and she said she hadn't sent it in because she didn't know I was serious or not. I told her I was (and nothing in our sessions would lead her to believe otherwise). Now it is nearing the end of January. I have called her office and left the fax number of the surgeons and their office even called her!!!!!! Is there psychological help for psychologists????? I am frustrated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But maybe there is a …

Hi all, I am having this procedure done tomorrow my surgery is 2/23. Does this hurt? Will I feel pain afterwards and have a hard time with the procedure - will I be able to go back to work afterwards?