PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Mine is Monday 12/8/08 and I am not sure what to expect ? Can anyone shed some light ?

:sad_smile: I got a date. It is January 28, 2009. I am so excited!!!!!! I can't wait. My first NUT appt is Dec 10th. :tongue:

I'm new to the boards, so pardon if it's abnormal to have noobs post right away. Just thought I'd drop by and ask for support when it comes to the pre-op diet. I'm on Day 6, but it's darn near impossible to have my carbs below 100. This is the diet plan I have to follow: (1) <1300 calories (2) 90-120 grams of whey Protein (3) <100 grams of carbohydrates I've yet to consume under 100 carbs. How is this done?! Also, my second question: I hate shakes. They're thick and syrupy and gross. I love Isopure, on the other hand, but they're $4.69 a pop or $49.99 for a case of 12. Do you think I'd get the same effect mixing Protein powder with Propel or diet snapple…

I have to admit, I’m a little bummed and somewhat discouraged after my initial consult with the surgeon. I knew going in that they were going to give it to me straight and prepare me for the risks, but I also expected them to pump the surgery up a little – tell me I’m a great candidate; that so many people are happy after the surgery; if I exercise and eat right, I’ll have a better chance for success, and so on. Maybe I was being naïve. The nurse who first met with me was generally positive, but definitely harped upon the complications. The Doctor, however, kept hinting at the fact that he thought Gastric Bypass would be a better option for me (especially for being in …

My Seminar is tomorrow night at Lahey Clinic in Burlington MA. I was hoping that those of you who have been through a seminar could tell me about your experience. I have no idea what to expect but I am very very excited! Also, if you have already been banded I would be very interested to know what kind of weightloss success you have had! Thank you everyone!:thumbup:

Hi all, having problem with drinking and eating. I am still in pre-op stage. Trying to practice chewing not that bad. But drinking while eating is my down fall!!! What can I do to ease this problem????:tongue2: Kim,

I have made the decision to keep this surgery very private. I tested the waters with a few people and got very negative results, thus, knowing how I operate, I believe keeping this part of my journey private will be the right decision for me. I am wondering what to tell work ( I know my HR people will know what the surgery is) - I had my gall bladder out in 2003, so I can't use that excuse. Is there another surgery that I could mention I had that won't need much explanation? I am not one to make up stories, but know that people will ask ( they are always more direct then I am). What have any of you said you are doing or why you are out of work?

I left the house this morning at 7 am to go Christmas shopping, everyone was still asleep and I just left a note.. 6 hours later I came home with sever foot pain and was having a hard time walking so when dinner rolled around I told hubby what was for dinner, chicken Fried Steak, which was actually baked,, (because he complained I have white meated him to death) potatoes, fat free country gravy and grean Beans.. He came over and showed me the flower mixture and it looked a little odd, but I didn't care, he was cooking, I told him he could add a little more black pepper for flavoring if he wanted to. A short time went bye and I could smell the meat cooking, he said it di…

This is where my insurance company referred me. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience there? Thanks.

Over the past 6 months I have made some serious adjustments to my mind and health, but the waiting for the surgeon appointment with no contact from anyone and no one to be accountable to is really difficult. I am definately eating less, and have not gone over 1500 cals. in a day for 5 weeks. I am drinking protein shake with skim milk and a banana for breakfast most days, occasionally a bowl of oatmeal or cereal. Salad, cottage cheese or a shake for lunch if I didn't have one for breakfast, and a low fat regular meal for dinner. I have gone down a shirt size and can pull most of my pants off, but have not lost a pound in 4 weeks,, its making me crazy. Right now, the lbs. …

Hey everyone, leaving for the hospital in about 30 minutes. I am excited. YAHOO!!!!:thumbup::thumbup::wub::cursing:

Ok so i am on my presurgery diet.. Ive been sticking to the 1200 calorie diet, and as of Monday was down 31.5 then Tuesday something happened and i went up 6!!! Keep in mind i didnt eat more then 1200 calories!!! What is going on, its now Sat and its stuck at that. Talk about depressing... How long do these last for:(

I just finished my pulmonary function test. I thought I would just blow into this tube but I was there for about an hour and then had an chest x-ray. I didn't do very well on my pulmonary test. I do have asthma so I need to have an inhaler. I thought I was having trouble breathing because of my sleep apnea. I will be seeing my surgeon to discuss the surgery next Tuesday. I am already going to get started on the diet. I am ready for the change is my life to begin. Cheryl :thumbup:

My paperwork was submitted to my insurance company today. It feels like I've been suspended in time immediately before this moment for years. I was certain that I’d feel anxiety, but I don’t. No apprehension, stress, worry, fear – nothing but calm. It's just done. I can expect an answer sometime in the next month or so and that, too, will be what it is. This is a milestone on the journey toward surgery and I feel like I should acknowledge it in some way. I jumped through the hoops and it wasn't so bad. The worst part really was the medically supervised program. I still feel bad about failing so spectacularly. My therapist reminded me that effort and active participati…

If anyone who is thinking of having their surgery performed by Dr.Swannack or Dr. Pickhardt in Missoula, MT~I would encourage you to think twice. :thumbup: Their staff is very unprofessional! My story is too long to post but feel free to PM me if you would like me to share my experience.

UGH!!! I just found out I have to take a 2-hour computer test (am assuming the MMPI) and then a week later meet with my psychologist for a 3-hour consult. I know I need to answer all questions truthfully and that I am pursuing this because I have food issues and can't keep the weight off on my own. But honestly it's hard to get used to the thought that we are assumed to have food issues. Did anyone else struggle with this concept? I have to keep reminding myself that the psychologist will not be surprised that I do have food issues. I hope this makes sense!

So I'm metformin twice a day for diabetes. My gluci or whatever would average 135 or 140. I'm on day 5 of the liquid diet and I'm testing between 111-125. I'm curious why it wouldn't be extremely low since I'm just having sf fudgesicles, Protein drinks, Jello and Water. It seems like its still kinda high considering I haven't eaten. What do you think? Is this normal?

Due to billing issues between hospital and insurance. I'm bummed. :whatchutalkingabout Went in today for the final weigh in to see if I lost enough on the pre-op diet, lost 25 pounds. They informed me of a problem the hospital was having with my insurance about billing for the Lap-band. According to them the problem was on the hospitals end, they did everything they could to get it straightened out but couldn't. They were informed that it would be fixed within the next 30 days. That sucks because I'm going to have to go through the pre-op diet again.

Help! I'm getting nervous. I want to know if anyone out there has been banded at Scottsdale Bariatric Center in AZ. I want to make sure I'm doing the right thing in getting this done. My surgery is in 2 weeks. If you have or know anyone who has been banded there, please let me you and/or they did? How was the Care? Thanks in advance! CSB

Hi, I was just wondering what your experiences have been as far as when you told people about your upcoming surgery. I feel like if my BMI was in the 50's it would be easier for people to understand and or be supportive of wanting to get this done. My BMI is 39 as of today and I finally had the nerve to tell my best friend and she was totally not supportive and basically blew it off and said, "just join weight watchers, your not that big to have to go get a surgery". A friend at work told me basically the same thing too, "oh you aren't fat ha ha ha your so funny". But to me I am fat.......... obese......... whatever you want to call it. Just to name a few things, my kn…

Today was my last weigh in for the six-month medically supervised diet program. The final word is a 12 pound weight GAIN! Yep! So, as a form of punishment I ate three double cheese burgers from White Castle, potato chips, cake and ice cream. I was so sad and humiliated by performing so badly and possibly jeopardizing my chance for insurance approval for my surgery that I just had to make myself pay. I keep asking myself why I can't master this. Why can't I simply get my weight and eating under control? I say that it's all I want so why can't I make that one thing happen? I ask and ask and ask and I can't come up with an answer. A friend of mine reminded me that in…

I am getting banded on January 5th, 2008!!!!!! I have waited so long to say that!!! (well not as long as some but long enough) I was "pencilled in" but now I am on the schedule per my doc!!!!!! Pre-op with surgeon on wednesday!!!

I have a BMI of 36-37. I do have other issues ie: stress incontinence, herniated discs, terrible reflux/gerd, joint pain, and depression, so I am praying I will be accepted into a program. I am looking for someone else that has a BMI similar to mine that is further along in this process. Thank you in advance for any help you can offer. Kimberly

I've been researching and soul searching for the past 4.5 years. I have finally found a doctor I really feel I trust and am very confident in, Dr. David Kim in Colleyville, TX. Bariatric Surgery ? Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas ? Dr. David Kim I have my date set, 12/16 and started my pre-op diet on Tuesday. I have to come clean though, after 3 days of the liquid diet, I cracked and had a cup of tomato soup with 5 Ritz crackers. I was tired and starving and really feeling ill, and even broth wasn't helping. I know I will do well, just had a bit of a set back.:whatchutalkingabout

I went to my first seminar Oct 16/08 had first bariatric consultation on Oct 20 - met all the criteria overweight, sleep apnea, hypertension and few other problems - so the question of the 6 month diet history was being tossed back and forth was told by bariatric insurance person that i had to have this was for tricare, called tricare and tricare said they don't have to have this, told bariatric doctor this and he said if tricare doesn't need this than he doesn't. Told bariatric insurance person this so she stated she needed a letter of referral from my pcp and i got that for her. Only visit i had left was with the psyche so the bariatric doctor told me. I had the visit w…

Hi :cursing: I am on day 4 of my liquid diet and I know this is sort of a dumb question but I've been drinking bottles and bottles of water and I am literally having to go to the bathroom every half hour. Is this normal?

For awhile now I have been noticing that sometimes (usually only in the evening/night) when I take a deep breath while laying down or sitting down, when I exhale, my heart kind of beats harder for about 4-5 beats. It does not skip a beat, double beat or anything like that, its just like a harder pounding for a few beats. I see a cardiologist for sinus tachycardia (fast heart beat), thickening of the heart muscle (due to strain of excess weight on my heart) and a mild mitral valve regurgitation (probably hereditary). I told the cardiologist's nurse in January and she didn't seem concerned, she just said if it started doing it a lot I might need to wear a holter monitor …

Hi I'm hoping someone can help me please. My health insurer is Great West (now part of Cigna). I've been to see a surgeon, gotten my primary care doctor to approve the referral, had my Psych. eval done, Pulmonary clearance, and nutritionist clearance. All passed and said yes we think you should do this. Now I find out from Great West that I need to do medically supervised weightloss for 6 months (or more). My BMI is 40.0 I have Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, GERD (reflux), asthma and have sleep apenea (been on CPAP for 5 years). I don't know what to do or what in the world medically supervised weightloss is?? Is my doctor going to eat with me?? :cursin…

Tommorrow is my final nutrition appt and I am supposed to be weighed. I'm dreading this because i didnt loose any weight but yet gained! About three weeks ago I went to Florida with my hubby and the babies and brought up that I'm going to get my health back and get the lapband. Their comments werent very encouraging at all. They didnt help me with the whole food thing but if anything egged me on to eat like shit. I didnt have any fast food believe it or not but yet ate a ton of sweets and drank about 398698632 pepsi's!!!!:scared2: I did go for walks if it counts? lol ughh But when I got home I came right on here for some support last week and decided I want to do this…

I will be selfpay. Here is my question. When you go in for the tests you get screened for drugs in your system. Is that correct? I ask because I am a regular user of marijuana. Will I get turned down for this. The only drug I use is marijuana, nothing else. Not even asprin. Will a Mexican doc turn a blind eye to this or will I be rejected. Please dont critisize me for this, I am just looking for a factual answer.

I am starting my pre op Optifast diet tommorow! Read my blog! My banded life....

Hello all. I'm a 34 yo male in the Portland, OR area. Found out recently that my insurance will cover the lap band procedure if I meet the criteria. I clearly meet the criteria, have had the initial seminar required, filled out all of the necessary paperwork, met with my doctors and had them send over all the information. My file is currently under review by the Bariatric Surgical group at OHSU so I'm in the waiting game. I have scheduled my psych eval. for tomorrow to get that out of the way to expedite this process. Can anyone give me any advice on how long this may take? I have been told that my case will pretty much be a slam dunk through the insurance, as the surgica…

I guess I have been clueless for a long time, I thought the HR/Benefit people who deal with the insurance benefits can see all of our medical claims. Is this not so?

Is there a list of questions for your first surgeon consult anywhere on here (I'm anal, I know-have another list for the insurance lady)? I realize that some of these may get answered at the initial seminars (been to mine already), but I still have lots of details to ask. I'm hoping the Dr. will cover most of this when I get there. Here's what I have so far, PLEASE help me add to this (going in a few weeks, thanks!): PRE-OP - Pre-Op Diet- how long, what/when? Night before-what/when? - Bowel Prep- or not, what/when? - My Meds.- continue reg. meds, Vitamins, up until when? WHICH BAND (I have a choice) - Realize- Want to see this one filled/crease concern, and the b…

hi all, i'll be starting my 2 week liquid Optifast diet. has anyone here been on it and if so how much weight did you lose in those 2 weeks before the op?

Hi. I have UltaTrim light chocolate to use as a shake. I am tried of chocolate shakes . It has 29 grams of protein, I was reading on this board the name of a NON-flavored protein powder that can be added to foods. ..now i can't find the thread it was in so i can buy some! Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!!:help:

I lost about 10 pounds, but my belly is 1 inch larger. Could this be Water retentionfrom too much sodium in the broth? Broth is the only non-shake thing I'm allowed to have on the pre-op diet (besides vegetables), so I'm having plenty. I would say 4 cups a day (It's also a welcome break from sweet drinks!) Is water retention bad for the surgery? If I stop drinking broth, might I lose the water in time for surgery? Does this affect my liver?

:biggrin:Hi every one, I am new to this site and I am starting my pre-op diet Tuesday. The only guidelines my doc told me is it has to have at least 15g of Protein and a low sugar count. I am trying to find a powder to keep the cost down, but I am so confused as what I am looking for. Does anyone have any suggestions? I would prefer to not order online because I have to start Tuesday. Any help would be great!! Thanks!!

I was banded on 11/18/08 and loving every minute of it. Just a comment. I told my boss what surgery I was going to be having. I chose to tell my co-workers and direct reports only that I was going to be out for surgery but not what surgery just that it was of a personal nature. When I shared the info during a team meeting just before going on temporary disability leave-my boss followed the announcement with a remark like " it's nothing serious - elective surgery - no big deal". That comment just didn't sit right with me. I answered - "well, whether it's elective or not is a matter of opinion". I've been battling the disease of obesity for all my life. It …

Are any foods off limits for life with the lap band? Like in gastric bypass surgery you can have no sugar, no carbonation, no alcohol. Amy

The doctor put both my husband and I on a diet of two protien servings, three veggie servings, one dairy serving, and one fruit serving daily. However, we really want to ensure our livers will be tiny, tiny when we go in to get the surgery. We bought low carb Protein powder which we mix mostly with Water, but sometimes a little fat free milk. We been doing this for Meal Replacements. Do you think our livers will get smaller this way versus eating real food? The powder also doesn't have much fat. LOTS of protien though obviously.

I am scheduled for surgury on Tuesday and was supposed to be on a liquid diet for 4 days prior well there is 1 1/2 days left and I have cheated. I think for some reason yet again I am trying to self sabotage. It chocolate, turkey and sushi. It started with the low fat turkey and sushi but then the emotional chocolate fix was the end. Now I am not sure what to do. Some people say just dont eat after midnight the night before others say they were told to fast. What is wrong with me??? I am so mad at myself???

being a little apprehensive this last week I have spent too much time and energy to not be banded. And when it comes down to it I don't trust myself to lose weight. I have lost 10 pounds over Thanksgiving (first time ever during Thanksgiving to lose weight ) with 1 more day left. Please say a prayer for me about 11 a.m central time on Tuesday. Thanks for all the support and I will talk to you soon.

How long did you guys all wait for insurance approval? My paperwork gets faxed into my insurance tomorrow. I am hoping it will take only a week. My doc's office said most likely it would be two...but they've never delt with my insurance before so they don't know for sure.:tt2:

Hi all! I'm very excited to have finally seen a doctor about my weight. I made it clear I was considering weight loss surgery and she referred me to a weight loss center where I have begun my 6 months diet (with an awesome doctor!) I kind of feel like my diet isn't that restrictive...my limit is 2,200 calories a day and I usually don't have trouble with that at all...I feel like I'm eating normally and I wonder weather or not I will lose much weight. Oh well- I suppose it could always be adjusted. I'm just happy to be on the road!

They're not a hiccup, a belch, or a burp. Kind of a combination of all 3. I am 5 days post-op today and darned if I don't get these on a daily basis. Sometimes uncomfortable, always a nuisance. Can't do anything to stop them, so I may as well give them a name! No regrets on getting lap banded though. A bad day hurlchupping beats a good day gorging. Smile today - someone will wonder what you're up to... Rachel

So I finally found a surgeon who is in my network. I scheduled an appointment to meet him in December. I attended his seminar last month. What will happen at this first appointment and what will happen after? How long will I have to wait until my surgery?

Could someone please explain to me the reason for not drinking 15min before a meal, and 45 min. after?? This has been a real concern and struggle for me!!! :help: It is hard to stop something you have been doing forever, but might be a little more willing once I know the reasoning or logic behind it Banded 2/22/07 Start weight 257/Current weight 239

I begin my 10 day liquid preop diet tomorrow. I am really excited but worried about going "cold turkey" tomorrow. If anyone has any tips that could help - I would appreciate.

And I'm totally nervous. I wasn't nervous up until right now...but now I feel like I'm going to be sick. I know everything should go well, but still. Surgery. But I'm also totally excited to finally be at this point! Anyone else up tomorrow?