PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I began my journey for WLS in August. I jumped through all the hoops that the insurance company requires. But the last step of my process was the psych appt. The facility I am using only uses one psych dr. So I made the appt. I am so dissapointed. The Dr. spent 25 minutes with me, interviewed me and after $180 later, called to inform me that I did great on the personality test and that I am a binge eater?!?!?! He suggested I get a self help book or (of course) come to see him.... it is an easy fix. In the interview, the only question he asked regarding eating was "Do I eat more that I should at meals?" My answer was sure, I love food, that is probably my problem.…

Hi all, Well it looks like no Christmas dinner for me!! Unless it's the drinkable kind! I met with the surgeon yesterday and her schedule has an opening for December 18th and the next one Jan 7th....they will mail my packet with my official date later this week!! I am so excited, all of the waiting and now were actually making progress. I had my bloodwork drawn yesterday, and I need to call the psychologist back since they called today while I was at work. Four weeks of Medifast prior to dosen't sound like fun, but I will give 100%. Take care

:crying:This my first day of my pre-op diet and I know I'm allowed a lot compared to most but DAMN this is really hard! I'm dealing with head hunger and it sucks! Anyone have any advice?! Help if I'm having such a hard time on day 1 how can I get through a week of this!:thumbup: HELP,HELP, HELP!!

I just completed my 6th month of medically supervised program on Thursday. I met with my surgeon, dietition, and financial advisor last Tuesday and had my psych evaluation on Friday and then I was then told some devistating news that the notes that my Dr put in my chart with each of my visits weren't specific and it is very possible that I will have to start all over! :tt2: I was devistated to say the least. My Dr. didn't think it was possible to have his notes altered since his dictations were all complete and signed after each visit. I just can't think about starting over. My Dr didn't realize how specific his notes needed to be and after 5 long days I got a message f…

Mixed with skim milk? Thanks.

Hi all. My name is Jackie, I am a lurker but have posted as I am in the process of being banded as well.I keep reading post by people who are keeping their surgery a secret? I don't understandy why? I would think people would want the support system of their friends and family? After all from my understand there is nothing to be ashamed of in taking this extra step to help us lose weight to improve our health and overall life?I have told my close friends at work, my personal close friends, and most of my family. I want their support - I would think that would be easier. I don't want to lie to anyone when they ask me how I lost the weight becuase I am sure we will al…

Hello all, I assume the purpose of the preop liver diet is to shrink the liver so getting the band around the stomach is easier? Years ago I had an ultrasound and it showed I have a fatty liver as I imagine many of us obese folks do. Did anyone know ahead of time that they had a fatty liver? It sounds like different surgeons prescribe different diets - "real" food vs. shakes. Is the aim of the liver diet high Protein, low fat? Anyone else have Blue Cross PPO in California? Curious how the approvals have gone. I have plenty of co-morbidities. The surgeon that I'm considering asks that people go into their family practice physician first. Did most of you do this…

Just wondering,if so were are you? I'm in Tokoroa.I have the first of my pre opp visits with the surgeon and his team on Monday.Only five more sleeps to go and I'm so nervous.What can I expect to hear from them?Can someone please reassure me! Jackie. :biggrin::scared2::scared2::w00t::scared2:

Hi everyone! I was just banded on Oct. 22, and as of today, I've lost 13 lbs. I just wanted to put in my two cents about being banded in Tijuana. First off... do your research!! I did mine, luckily before I paid for my procedure in full ( I did end up losing $500 by switching out at the last minute, but no price to pay when your health is at risk). I looked around sites like this one, where you can get most of your information, from other people, not from anyone trying to sell you something. After going back and forth, I chose not to go with the company I had initially picked, and went with Dr. Contreras. As an Emergency Room RN, I was very skeptical about the whole th…

My Doc said he would find someone in the list of participating doctors.That's phase 1.Blood glucose A1c test 5.6,I had another test and they have to check my Lithium levels.I am sure they will say,yes regarding the bariatric surgery:D:thumbup:

My surgery was denied but now the surgical coordinator said that they just need a letter re-written. I asked if it is then approved and she said "Probably but who knows?" I am scheduled for pre-surgery work up tomorrow (blood work, etc) for surgery scheduled on the 10th of november. Should I still do it? I am already doing the liquid diet which I don't mind but I don't want to pay for the pre surgery stuff. I mean, if they deny me, in the end, wouldn't I have to pay for it?

I am new to the site and doing my research before plunging ahead. I want to know if anyone got their band done in Louisiana, what Dr., and what facility?

So, I have Kaiser Permanente in Northern California and Southern California, I guess it's the same but just mentioning both because I found out they consider themselves two things for some reason. After being very overweight for at least 6 years and generally overweight for at least 12 years...and doing everything from working out daily to diets to Weight Watchers to voodoo (j/k but almost lol), I decided that the Lap Band is what I wanted to pursue as an option. WELL, Kaiser doesn't seem to like to pay for this procedure. Which is fine, it is a radical decision and wouldn't want anyone to just say, "OKAY fine we'll do it!" without asking any questions. But I kind…

WOOOT!!! WOOOT!! I am schedualed for November 3rd. I am soo excited. I feel like I rushed them but I guess you have to stay on top of people to make sure it gets done. I am soo happy!:thumbup::thumbup:

How long have you been told your surgery will take? I know that things may change once they begin - but what is the average everyone has been told. Maybe some that have been banded can tell us how long their banding took.

So about two weeks ago my mom came up to me and said that maybe I should think about getting the lap band again... i was going to get it last year, went through insuranace and everything, then she and my sister talked me out of it. So my mom said I should get it, and I had been doing more and more research on it and we decided it was about time I do it. Being overweight is not healthy and it was about time I get healthy! I joined this website a week or so ago and I was completely thrilled I was going to get the surgery done! As my mom, sister, cousin and I were eating this morning, my sister, who is 5'3 120 lbs procedes to tell me that she thinks I am making the wrong dec…

My surgery is at 5:15 today. It's been a little over 4 months from the seminar. Everything has been smooth, which is a bit scary. Only saw the doctor for 15 minutes in the entire 4 months. Insurance approval was quick. There was no pre op diet, only not to eat anything after 11pm last night. I feasted. Just wondering if everything has been to easy and the rest will be hell...

I can't stand the Any-Whey, so-called "virtually tasteless" protein powder anymore. I'm also struggling with eating enough items each day to even put the powder in it! So, I really want a protein shake that will pack a big punch and get most (if not all) of my protein in in 1 shake. Does anybody know how many grams of protein are in GNC protein shakes, and are they good ? I will go buy a couple tonight, but some quick suggestions will help me out a lot.

For financial reasons (this is the honest to goodness truth),I was not able to start my pre-op diet last week. I'm having surgery November 3rd. I will be starting my diet tomorrow but has anyone else ever been through this,as far as not being able to do the full 2 week diet before surgery?

Hi All, My surgery will be on November 3rd. I'm excited and nervous all at the same time. Any suggestions for this week or day of the surgery ? Thanks!

My pre-op appointment with my surgeon is on Wednesday and it's the day he will explain to be what exactly he's going to do the day of the surgery which is Nov 3 and it's the opportunity I have to ask him question, so far I have some question but can you guys give me idea on what to ask? I know I'll be nervous and draw a blank. Thanks for your Help!!!

Can you all suggest the best brands of Protein shakes? I am so afraid they will be nasty tasting... ughhhh... Which ones have you had the best luck with? Thanks!!

After three months of waiting I finally have my consultation coming up next week. With my surgeon, there's usually a 4-5 week wait from consultation to surgery, so I have a good 5 weeks to go. I'm so psyched that I'm almost there! Anyway, I had gained weight recently, so I decided - I have to do a pre-op diet anyway, why not start a little early and get a head start losing weight? I had tried that a month ago and that's how I ended up gaining, but I decided to go on a fairly strict plan now, and since I'm sooo close to surgery, I'm finding it easy to motivate myself to stay on plan. Basically I'm doing 4 meal replacements and 2 low carb meals - totalling about 12…

We got the call today - mu husband is going to be banded on the 11th in Decatur. He asked if there was anything sooner. They haven't said anything about a pre-opt fast though. We go on Nov 3 to get final blood and do all the rest, hoping they will say something then. What exactly have some of you done on the pre-opt fast?

Hello all, :eek: Just wondering who you have chosen to perfrom surgery, or which surgeon performed on you?

Today is day 6 of my preop diet and am doing liquids only. 5 Optifast shakes, SF jello, and zero calorie beverages. I've lost 7 pounds but don't feel too good. I'm feeling light headed and nauseous. Not sure how I'm going to last another two weeks at this rate. My surgery is scheduled for 11/10. Any suggestions?

How many of you did the "take it home and do it yourself" Sleep Apnea test? how was it? do you know who should give me the referral? the WLS doc didn't give me one, so i'm guessing i can call my pcp and ask her for one? also she told me that if i gain one pound over from where i started my insurance will deny paying - thats a bit much? i know my doc wants me to loose 8lbs before surgery and i have 5 months do do it in - i'm sure i'll be ok, but i thought that was strange? thanks!

Don't get me wrong I am a go getter... and I am up for the challange. But this shi* is hard as hell... It's not that bad when i'm not at work, but as everyone know's i sit next to a compulsive over eater. And the bad part is, is that my schedule changed so i sit next to someone else that eat's like a cow grazing in the pasture.... This chick knows that I am getting the lap band and she bought this big dumb azz bag of chips to work yesterday i'm talking about the biggest bag of chips i have ever seen it looked like the size of a pillow...lol.. not kidding half of her arm disapeared when she put it inside of the bag....lol.. and im like are u kidding me....I did remember th…

Hi all, thank you for taking the time to read this and hopefully provide some advice/insight. I know that every person is different, but generally, here's the situation. We just booked a vacation to Disney for Christmas week and I am so excited about it. At the same time though, I now weigh approximately 249 (although I've been on my protein shake diet for two days now). I am afraid that I won't be able to comfortably fit on the rides. (At 200 lbs four years ago, it was becoming a tight squeeze.) :wink_smile: I was hoping to lose as much as 35-40 pound before December 22nd. I am aiming at November 7th for lap band, pending the surgeon's receipt of the approval whic…

Hi all, thank you for taking the time to read this and hopefully provide some advice/insight. I know that every person is different, but generally, here's the situation. We just booked a vacation to Disney for Christmas week and I am so excited about it. At the same time though, I now weigh approximately 249 (although I've been on my protein shake diet for two days now). I am afraid that I won't be able to comfortably fit on the rides. (At 200 lbs four years ago, it was becoming a tight squeeze.) :wink_smile: I was hoping to lose as much as 35-40 pound before December 22nd. I am aiming at November 7th for lap band, pending the surgeon's receipt of the approval whic…

Hello Everyone-- I am in month five of the six-month medically-supervised program required by my insurance company (Blue Care Network) before I can apply for approval. I must admit that I didn't find the program very supportive or useful and have managed to gain two pounds. For those of you who have completed this phase of the process, how did you do? Will the fact that I wasn't able to lose any weight impede my ability to get approval? I notice that a lot of people post that they did lose some weight prior to the surgery. Was this from the medically-supervised diet or from the pre-op liquid diet? I feel a bit down about failing on yet another diet and actually had…

I was wondering if anyone else had to bring their kids with them to the Nutrition class? My husband can't get off tomorrow and tommorow is the only day I'll be able to go for this month! Their babies,think it will matter?Last mintue so I'm not able to call until the morning and was just wondering what you guys thought. I will introduce myself at another time, I am new to the site and have some other questions and concerns that I would like to share~ Thanks:smile2:

Hey all I don’t know if any one is lookin to buy a imitation magic bullet but if any one lives near a J.C. Penny they have something one sale call the 5-in-1 Power Blender with attachments and its on sale for $19.98 and you can also buy it on line. I hear so many people say this helped them in there puree stages but the real bullet cost around $100.00. I just thought I could save us some money. But if any one has this and can give some insight that would be great. I would hate to but a piece of junk.

My doc says he believes that I ultimately will be thin enough to need a smaller low profile port to be replaced. My question is can I request this smaller port to begin with. I truly only want one surgery.

Well today I booked my flights for my surgery. In a couple more weeks I will start my pre-op diet. In the mean time I have already started doing a liquid shake at Breakfast to help prepare myself for the pre-op diet. I haven't been nervous at all about my surgery. A lot of people have asked if I am scared or anything like that and I just am not. I get some friends who will express concerns about my choice to go to Mexico for the surgery and I understand their concerns but I have full confidence in this surgeon and the facility there. My biggest concern over everything is making sure I get the exercise that I need. I would hate to go through all this and then not exe…

The last few months have been incredibly emotional for me. I go from extreme high to extreme low. I know I'm bipolar but all of the excitement and stress of the surgery have driven my emotions crazy! Anyone else like this?

I've browse so many informative websites related with lap band surgery...like lapbandtalk.com, lapband.com, freelapbandsurgery.com...at freelapbandsurgery got a link lap band cost...is it true? This is costly...can you please suggest me the right cost about Lap Band Surgery...coz, it's mandatory to me, I am really fed up with obesity. Thanks Alice

Hi everyone....I'm new to posting here, been lurking for a while though. I started my preop diet on Monday. I am doing Optifast 5 times a day. I can have SF jello, calorie free non carbonated beverages, SF popsicles and that's it. It's been extremely challenging and I still have 2.5 weeks to go. Anyone have any suggestions for feeling satisfied or just not hungry. I'm hoping it's going to get better the longer I'm on it.

Hey Everyone. I thought it would be great to start a thread for everyone that will be banded in October. My surgery date is October 3rd. Im soo excited and I can't wait to hear about how everyone else is doing. Good Luck ~S.

I have done all the requirements that were needed from my insurance and my drs office said once they receive everything then they would make an appointment for me to see the dr. What is next? After I see him do they then put it in to the insurance for appoval? When do I do all the other test they said I would have to do, the sleep study and stuff? I thought you had to do all that before they put it in for approval. I'm lost and I hate to keep calling them even though I'm sure they are used to it, lol. Thanks!!

I am so mad I did my original shopping at GNC. The Vitamin Shoppe is so fantastic. GNC only had the huge tubes of Designer whey, so I bought ALL their stuff and it is not as good as what I wanted. Vitamin Shoppe has almost all the flavors of everything. I was so stoked! If you are looking for variety in your Protein selection and you live in a state with a Vitamin Shoppe, trust me and go there first! I wish I had Maybe the two GNC's I called tonight that didn't have it were just in "transition" or something? Like the guy said. Unfortunately I saw on their site that there are no Vitamin Shoppes in like New Mexico, Maine, kansas, utah, wyoming, oklahoma...you get to po…

Well this is it my paper work went in Monday!!! :thumbup: I have started my journey since November 15th 2007 and it is now October 22, 2008. The Doctors Medical Assistant gave me a date of November 14th :wub::wub:can you believe it’s almost year to date from when I started. But I just wanted everyone to keep there fingers and toes crossed because she said I should here back from her on Monday.:thumbs_up: I gone on so many web sites and read so much that I’m getting nervous if this really happens. :smile2: I really want to post a success story with all my goals that I have accomplished. And my first mini goal is to run on the treadmill for at least 15 minutes straight w…

I am new to the board and I was scheduled today to be banded on November 17th. I am a 5'9, 275 lb male with severe sleep apnea and NASH (non-alcoholic hepatitis) There was NO discussion about pre-op diet, just that I would meet with the doc the week before, and do labs etc for pre-op. My liver is enlarged and my bmi is 40, does everyone have a pre-op diet, or am I not big enough to have to worry about it? I am concerned that I will not get this done on time. Can someone fill me in on pre-op diets and whether everyone has to have one ( I would assume my liver size would need to shrink) Maybe Restless Monkey can help because it is the same doctor. Maybe they will call in a …

Nothing important guys... just wanted to test to see if the tag line I created for us "Novemberians" is working. I didn't see one for us yet, so I decided to create one. A NEW LIFE INDEED!

I've only talked on this site once, but read it almost everyday... I started the process a year ago and I got all my pre requisites done (FINALLY) and my insurance approved me today! I AM SO HAPPY. I've told everyone I know, and I can't stop smiling.:biggrin:

Yahoo!!!! I was just approved to have the surgery. I will find out tomorrow when the surgery will be. I am so excited and cannot wait to move forward. :wink2:

I went in for the required seminar, filled out and faxed back information pack as requested. Some of the test that will be required had been ordered by other doctors for some of the medical issues I was having. I had results sent to the surgeons office, I thought it might help smooth things, I also contacted my insurance as suggested. It's been over there weeks so I called and was told that the person who handled that was out and would call me. I still haven't heard anything. I expected some bumps along the way, but not before I could get started!! This is about my health and the delay in contact is making me nuts! Is this normal?:biggrin:

This morning my husband is going for his upper GI. The doc will not set the date till this last thing is done. Wished they had told us two weeks ago when we were approved. He hasn't been told if he has to go on a opt fast or not, or even what that entales. We are just excited that the banding will be done either the last of Oct or first of Nov. Any more suggestions on preparing for the Big Day?

Did anyone have a pre-op surgeon and a pre-op anesthesiologist appt? I saw the surgeon, got my surgery date..now I have to go back and see the anethesiologist. It is a 2 hr drive one way and it seems like a long wat to go. Seems like I can do this before my surgery on the day of surgery. Does anyone know why we have to do this and did you have to do this?? :grouphug:

Hello, I am in the process of having the lap-band surgery. I am scheduled to have my sleep apnea evaluation. Can anyone tell me what the next step is after this evaluation? The suspense is killing me because I want to hurry up and get this surgery over with. The process is entirely to long.