PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hello All- I ma scheduled to begin my pre-op diet for two weeks- does anyone have any helpful suggestions for this? also, I weigh about 240 How much weight should I expect to lose? Thanks- Blondie2:wink2:

anybody have to go on lovenox shots before/after lap band surgery?

So finally, after months of trying to get my prior auth from my PCM, I got it and my appointment with the psychologist is tomorrow. According to the psychologist's office I will be taking an MPMD, and MMPI II in addition to the one hour interview. However, I think Tricare Prime is only covering the interview. So I have a call into my surgeon's office to see if the other testing is required by them, or just other insurances. Regardless, if it's a requirement of the surgeon's office, then I will suck it up and pay out of pocket. Also I've had my initial consult with the surgeon and once they receive my psych eval, everything will be submitted to Triwest for approval…

Hi Everyone, My surgery date is 2/17/09. I also have one question, even though tricare covers this 100 percent, can anyone tell me if they had to pay an anesthesia fee? Thanks in advance for any feedback

Hi my name is Lise I am finally scheduled for Lap Band surgery on 1/21/09. Long road to approval url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wEb3dDh/] [/url]

Just curious. I just had my baby on January 13th. I would love to get it done this summer.

Tomorrow is my last weigh in for my 6 month supervised diet. In the beginning of my diet I gained about 10lbs and then lost the weight I put on. So 6 months later I think I'm only about 2lbs less than my 6 month diet starting weight. I did however lose 60lbs on my own before I was being medically supervised, and that is reflected in my 5 year medical history. My question is will the insurance company deny my surgery because I didnt lose 10% of my 6 month starting weight? Should I do another month of dieting to try to lose more weight before submitting my paperwork to my insurance? I have BCBC of Texas...I'm really nervous about this.

i am just beginning the process to get the lap band surgery...i have a few questions i hope someone is able to help me with....im not sure exactly what my insurance company will ask for but i do know they cover the surgery my bmi is well over 60... i am hearing that i need some sorta proof that ive been this bmi for at least 3 yrs...thing is i rarely see a doctor unless of course i feel like im about to die lol.....and when i have seen my doctor i frown at the scale and they excuse me from being weighed......so what do you think will happen im my case?

So I dediced to take the steps to find out if I qualify to get lapband through Blue Shield of CA. I saw my primary physician last week and I brought the subject up to her but she was really of no help. She just mentioned that I had to be on a 6 month supervised program like Jenny Craig/Weight Watchers and then go from there. I was like ".....that's it?". She wasn't informative at all, at least that's what it seems like to me. Is the 6 month thing really a requirement, what are the "steps" that need to be taken? Any tips/info is much appreciated! Thanks!

I have PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome) and was wondering if anyone out there has it and how it affected your weight loss with the band. Do you take Metformin to control it? If you do, how does it affect you? Can you still lose weight with the band if you have PCOS? Thanks for all your help in advance. karen

Hi All; By 2/5 I will have had my psyc and nutritional evals, and tomorrow I am submitting the questionaire I was given. My wife works for a hospital, and I am covered by her insurance, and my Dr. has recommended me for this surgery. So, I dont know what may stand in my way. I am hoping for an early apt for the knife. Probably will know more in a few weeks. Regards to all Hal

I'm going into day 4 in my 12 day pre-op liquid diet and suprisingly with sushi being my all time favorite food i havent had it in a while and i know i am going to miss it once banded (feb. 4th). So i was wondering will it be ok to enjoy a lunch hr of sushi to immediately start back my liquid protein diet the next day? i can work out extremely hard if its what it takes to burn it off, though sushi is not usually high in calories. I mean it's just one day, or one hr. rather. What do you guys think? i havent really cheated. but i guess i have considering i had a handful of trial mix both yesterday and today. I dont want any suprises on the day of surgery?

I'm getting closer to surgey (March/April) and I'm wondering more about the actual procedure itself. How many of you had to spend the night? How long were you sore? Was driving a problem at all? Were there any restrictions aside from diet??? Thank you!!!

Mother is driving me nuts. She probably won't be home for my surgery and I'm a little upset about that (long story). She asked me if I was nervous. Well, a little - I'm having surgery, duh. The reply was then why are you doing it? For the 10th time - hopefully to resolve or improve my diabetes, high BP, sleep apnea and improve my arthritis pain. Read off the statistics again. How do you deal with people like this? If it were a friend, I'd ignore them for a while but I'm stuck with my family:tongue2:. It's also MY fault she probably won't be back for surgery because I prefer she not tell my big mouthed sister who adds to every story she tells. Surgery is going t…

Ok this is kind of a hard ? I am 420lbs. They say with the lap band you lose weight slowly. 1 or 2 ponds a week. Hears my ? When I diet I do real good for about 3 months and then I give up. NO WILLPOWER. Anyway, I lose pretty fast about 4 ponds per week and that is on 2000 calories (healthy calories) and walking 1 mile a day. So I guess what I was wondering why do people only lose 1 pound per week eating 800 calories and exercising like crazy. I hope someone can give me an answer. I was thinking maybe its cuz I have to lose so much and it comes off quicker the bigger you are. Will I lose weight quicker with the lap band because Im so big ?

So my consult appt is next Wed. I am anxious to get the diet thing going but don't want to lose weight b4 my appt cuz I heard everything goes off of that weight. :cheers2: Let me know if any of you have done this--I called the place I was told for physician supervised exercise, got off the phone and was ecstatic that I can get this going (with exception of waiting for consult. lol), then said OMG!! I have to wear some kind of workout clothes and actually workout in front of someone!! I huff and puff climbing to my apartment on the second floor!! What the heck am I going to do for an hour and fifteen minutes with someone "observing" me?? :thumbup: I am a hairstylist so…

I am about to be banded on March 8th and I have seen all over these boards a term called 'Onederland'. Can someone explain to me what that is so I know when I'm there? Thanks!

Hi all I haven't met my doc yet and my appt. is in April. Ive been wondering if all docs sew the band to the stomach or if some don't. I will ask my doc when I meet him. I am self pay and am a nervous wreck about something going wrong. Especially band slippage.

Hi there is anyone else ready for next Friday? :thumbdown: I have all my shopping done, the folks are coming on Thursday evening. How are you feeling? Did you get all your shopping done? I ordered the book Weight Loss Surgery with the Adjustable Gastric Band by Swell & Rohrbough I plan to read it throughout this week. Best wishes!!!

Hi. I'm 24 years old, i'm 5'3" and have at least 100 pounds of extra weight I'm carrying around. For my petite body frame, I should not be holding this amount of weight. I have discussed with my physician my weight issues and concerns. He agreed with me my struggles have been for a long period of time and he feels its in my best interest to go through WLS. He recommended me to a personal friend/weight loss surgeon. I trust and value my physicians opinion greatly. I went to a informational session and have been to the weight loss surgeon for a consulation. I am a perfect candidate for lapband. I have been unable to do anything more about taking the steps to WLS…

hi im getting banded on wednesday and im getting nervous now. getting done by mr jason winnett at williamstown hospital and am scared but looking forward to it all at once.and thank god,the liquid diet is neally over LOL

My doctor wants me to loose 5 percent of my weight. When my wife had the band installed in Nov. 08, I had the doctor weigh me. I weighed 340. I decided then to start a diet. I'm having surgery April 6 09, and I wegh 302 with over 2 months left before surgery. Should I do the strict liquid diet or should I keep doing what I'm doing? I have already lost about 11 percent of my weight.

I am being banded on Jan 27th and I am beginning to feel a little nervous and second guessing my decision. I know this is totally normal and that I need to stay positive but I can't help but be a little apprehensive. I mean this band will be with me FOREVER! Any suggestions to get through the anxiety? Also, I am self pay and I am wondering about having the surgery itself insured in case something goes wrong in the next 60 years. Is this even available? I just see that many people have had some complications and I am just wondering what this surgery will cost in the long run. Thanks!

I'm new to the site, but have been reading some things on here and realize I am not the only one with Pre-Op jitters! It's nice knowing I'm not the only one "freaking" out about the whole thing. Any ideas on how to handle being as anxious as I am? I still have 10 days till surgery and I'm already second guessing myself. I can't imagine how it will be 2 days before. Also, I did read on one of the posts someone mentioned getting a heating pad. What exactly will I need that for?

Hi All - I had my surgery this past Thursday. Everything went according to plan and 4 days later I'm feeling great. I wanted to share something with you that made my 3 hours in the recovery room so much easier and less stressful. I brought my Ipod. Best thing ever. All of the noises of the recovery room were not distracting to me at all. I was given some meds for pain (mostly so I could relax, I woke up from the anesthesia very "wired") and the curtains were closed... I put my music on and totally rested for the required 3 hours. I wish you all luck with your upcoming procedures.

Hi all. Just checking in to see who all are getting banded next Friday. I go for preop tomorrow at 10:30. Quite nervous b/c i hope all goes well and nothing will stop me from getting banded. I'm excited at knowing a dream is coming true for me. I am looking forward to living a life of happiness and great health. I've always struggled to lose weight and finding this tool to help was God sent. Going through this process is not all about being skinny, to me, its about wanting to be healthy and be around to see my 3 sons grown up, seeing my grandchildren one day. After surgery, I plan to enroll back at FSU and finish this time and go on to get my law degree. With this weight …

Hi all, I have been preparing for this surgery since August and now that it's the day after tomorrow, I'm getting extremely nervous. I keep thinking the result (losing and keeping off the weight) will be worth it. Please tell me I'm not the only one who is nervous!

I was trying to find something different to eat as part of my clear liquid diet. I saw on one site that lactose-free supplements are okay for a clear liquid diet -- is this true? Because I'd welcome the addition. Thanks :rolleyes

We went out for dinner last night and I mindlessly drank a rather large glass of red wine without even noticing it! I am really upset with myself and am now hoping that I haven't stuffed this whole pre diet up. It has been a huge wake up call for me. How can anyone drink a whole big glass of wine and not even taste it or realise they have drank it! :scared2: I have tried to call my dietitian this morning, but I'd say that they are closed today. I don't know what to do!!!!

Last week I had my first visit with my surgeon and he told me that he would not do the lap band if I have acid reflux.:w00t: Which I am not sure I have, I get heartburn once or twice a week. Has anyone else had this problem or more problems with acid reflux after banding? Thanks

I recieved letter today saying upper GI showed sliding hiatal hernia that would make surgery no go:mad2:But mine is small so he will do it but may cause post surgical complications :confused:WOW has anyone out there had been banded with a small sliding hiatal hernia? any promblems? I'd like to here some feedback if I could

I am scheduled for Feb.19th and will be starting my testing / bloodwork/ physical appointments this week.. Can anyone tell me what is all involved in that? particularly the physical ? I just want to know what to expect. Thank you in advance for any advice / info you can give me :w00t:

I just wanted to hear from some other stay at home moms (or dads!!) who have been banded or plan to be soon...I am nervous about the weight restrictions for lifting. My doctor said that I could lift 15-20 lbs for very short periods, but I have a squirrel-y 15 month old (and a 3 year old and a 4 year old!). I am just nervous about jarring something loose! :huh2: What strategies did you use to handle the little ones? (I will be enlisting help where I can, btw!) Thanks!

I am starting my pre op diet (full liquids) on Tuesday. Can anyone who has done this tell me if they exercised? I have my surgical consult on Monday, and will ask then, but I'm curious as to whether or not anyone has done that, or do you not have energy? Debbie

Well, tomorrow is my big day and just a couple of hours ago I got a sore throat and stuffy nose. I will tell my Dr. in the morning about it but I just wanted to see if anyone else had their surgery when they had a cold. Is it possible they would cancel the surgery? I also wonder if my symptoms could be from weather changes. I live a couple hours away from the town im doing the surgery in and its been in the 20's and 30's at my home and it was in the 70's when I got here.

My operation day s set for Jan 27th and I couldn't be more excited. I have told very few people about my surgery and I cannot help but feel a little embarrassed about people finding out. I live in a very small community and I can already feel people judging me. Has anyone else felt this way? If so what you suggest is a good way to get over what other people think? Also hoping for some advice for the first few weeks after surgery??

well was diagnosed with sleep apnea on the 19th of this month and i have to go back in for a sleep study with a cpap machine. I was wondering what kind of issues will I face with surgery and having sleep apnea. I have stopped breathing while waking up from anesthesia after my past surgeries and have voiced my concerns with a doctor that i don't see anymore about it and was told it was normal to stop breathing after surgery. I was wondering what precautions they will take now that I finally have my unwanted answer :/

Hi - I've been lurking here for awhile, but have never posted. I have already started the process for Lap Band surgery. I have the referral from my PCM. I am attending the required seminar next Wednesday. I have Tricare prime ins. (Triwest). I'm wondering if there is anything I can do between now and next week. Can I schedule the appt for my psych eval. through a tricare psychiatrist or do I have to see one recomended by the doctor (Dr. Soong)? Has anyone had the surgery done by Dr. Soong? If yes, were you happy? How long did it take from start to finish for the whole process? Did you have any expenses not covered by Tricare? Basically I would like all the …

Is it true that depends on your BMI if you need to do the pre op diet? I was told I didnt need it.

I am so excited and nervous all at the same time. I met with my surgeon, Dr. Nazarian, on Sunday and filled out my 25+ pages of paperwork. He only is in that office on Sundays and does consults and surgery on Sundays. He was really impressed with how much knowledge I had regarding the pre-op process, the surgery and the post surgery support and he told me he loves operating on people that are so well informed. It makes his life so much easier. I was really happy with his bedside manner this time around...he didn't yawn! The first time I met with him, at a different practice, he yawned and didn't seem engaged at all. I almost wrote him off but decided to give him…

Hi all, I don't drink coffee, any kind of milk, well, sometimes soy, and I don't really like yogurt. Any suggestions for substitutes, or will I just be drinking a lot of Water and Crystal Lite? (Not that I'd mind.) Oh yes, and I mustn't forget juice Thanks in advance. Debbie. .

Hello All, after reading this forum for a little over a year I finally decided to join! I am so glad I did :scared2: I have a question, I should probably know this. But I got so caught up in taking all the tests needed I forgot to think about all the things that happen after the surgery. Mainly I was wondering how you get a fill....and does it hurt? I am scheduled to see my doctor on Feb. 4th to schedule my surgery. I will ask then but just wanted to see what my lap band friends had to say.

I have a history of sleep apnea and have used CPAP in the past. Last year I got to the point where I wasn't able to use it because of nose obstruction and had nose surgery - deviation repaired, polyp removed, turbinates worked on, sinuses cleaned out - and have had a pretty good airway since then. Of course I haven't been able to use my CPAP because the pressure would have been too great. Had anticipated UPPP then finally decided to quit Band-Aiding my health problems and treat the real issue - my weight - with LapBand. I had to have a sleep study 2 weeks ago to see where my apnea was at. They didn't put CPAP on me that night as I didn't have enough episodes to warr…

Hi everyone! My name is Heather and I'm getting the LapBand a week from today! :biggrin: I have to start the liquid diet and I'm a little nervous. I don't mind the Protein shakes though. I started experimenting last week with fruit and milk. I made Jello with Protein powder tonight. I have to see how it turns out! Any advice?

Hi all, After having unsucessfully trying to lose weight myself, my gp had prescribed me Xenical, which didn't work and now Reductil, which isn't working either... He has told me that the next step will be to refer me to see about getting a gastric band... While I am quite pleased that I might be able to get this done on the NHS, I am quite concerned that I might be turned down for the surgery because my mum's friend went through something similar. Basically she went for a consultation with a specialist and they told her that she had not done everything she could to lose the weight, told her that she actually needed counselling because she was comfort eating and t…

Hi All, I'm a bit of a basket case because I just had an endoscopy (and colonoscopy - we won't discuss THAT end!) yesterday and the Dr.'s report I took home said this: Esophagitis seen; Moderately severe Gastritis found in Antrum - biopsy taken. I know I need to see the gastroenterologist again for a complete report, but now I am panicking because I'm afraid I might have complications with my lapband (surgery scheduled Nov. 18th) and these diagnoses. Has anyone of you had similiar problems with gastritis or esophagitis; been banded and things turned out OK afterward? I'm also afraid if my lapband surgeon finds out about these things, he might not band me. I've alre…

I was just wondering if anyone had Highmark BC/BS insurance? If so, about how long did it take to get approved for surgery?

My mother is going to stay with me while I'm in the hospital, and I'm planning to stay at her house to recover afterwards. However, I'm dreading it. I've recovered at her house for another surgery, and it was terrible. We don't get along and she's a cruel control freak, so if there is any way I can go back to my own house after surgery, I would like to. Does anyone know how much care I will need afterwards? Will I need someone to stay with me after the first day, or is it okay to stay by myself? Will I need someone to help bathe me, etc? I have friends that can pick up prescriptions for me if needed. Thanks for your advice.

I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am to get this started. I plan on starting my pre surgery diet prep on Monday. It is a lifestyle thing and I can't wait. The thought of being able to play sports again rather than watch them. Just be active in the outdoors rather than just sitting on the sidelines. To be able to make love more than once a night. I can't wait to appreciate the food I eat, rather than let it comfort me. I want to live! Okay....sorry for my rants......just want to Celebrate what is to come. Allan

Hi needless to say I am nervous but I have been in Kuwait since 2005 and know multiple people who have had the surgery successfully. I am excited but I am looking for supporters who can help me through this! :thumbup: I currently weight 235lbs I am 5"3 and I work as a contractor here. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.