PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I was approved. I'm anxious, excited, scared, and happy all rolled up in one. My surgery will be most likely November 13--can't confirm yet because their system is down. Plus I need to make sure I can get all my appointments in! I'm trying to let it sink in. This will be a perfect holiday season. Crystal:thumbup:

Hi, I can't believe it....we're finally confirmed. I'm so EXCITED that I can hardly stand it. My husband and I are being banded in Mexico on October 16th by Dr. Aceves. It's been a long road of researching and juggling things around to make this work, but it's set and we're ready to go. Thanks for all the advice and support on this forum. :thumbup:

I'm so nervous I have 38 hours to go till surgery wow there is so many things going through my head I cant stop thinking about it! tonight is my last real dinner for what seems like forever, but i know i need to be sensible and look towards my goal I lost 5 pounds this week doing 2 protien shakes and a sensible dinner....I just know this will change my whole life but I have a long hard road ahead of me.....cant wait to see 100lb go bye-bye forever.....you never know maybe more.

Hi there I have reached my Midway and will be meeting with the Dr. but i Have no idea what to expect and the office staff seem to always rush me off the phone everytime I call. I have to attended 6 mos of food counsling before ins. will clear me that will put me to Nov 5th. Once that is done how quickly does everything else go?:sleep2::Banane37:

:smile2: I am happy to announce that I was approved today! Unfortunately I did not find out until after the surgeon's office was closed...sooo I will have to call them tomorrow and hopefully get a date. Ok...going through the six months of visiting my doctor and going to the psyche eval and all the other appointments that go with this....all along I was thinking...I would not get approved...or SOMETHING would happen and the surgery would never happen...now it is real and I am a little scared now for some reason.... I think it has to do with my husband...he told me that he would support me in my decision but he was afriad something might happen to me (I know this is pro…

I have deceided to have the lap band surgery and the only problem I see on the horizon is my PCP referral!! I have had the same PCP for almost 14 years and when I discussed it with him he shut me down instantly...he wants me to go on a diet for the 25th time or better yet he also stated that he himself trained for a marathon and he knows how to get some one to loose weight (now keep in mind i have been on every diet know to man including starvation and also have a degenerative problem with my knee which i already had surgery on last year and my surgeon basically said loose weight or dont walk) at that point I hung up with him and cried! I know he wont give me the referral…

GNC, Walmart, Vitamin Shoppe/Cottage, Natural Grocers, and BariatricEating.com, does anyone have any other suggestion to add to this list?

I feel overwhelmed by the protein, liquid, mushies diets. I feel like I am going to mess it up, but I am writing everything down that I will need and when. Am I making it too hard? Were you worried?

Let's start a thread to get to know us. Not too personal, but enough to share bits about ourselves. We are going to really rely on eachother soon. So share with the class!

My surgeon says that nowadays, he is letting patients go after the procedure, but still turns it in to insurance as an overnight stay in case I would need to. This would definitely cost me more right? How many of you went home and wish you would have stayed in the hospital for one night? How many stayed but would have been fine at home. I have low pain tolerance and would like the available medications to help with this in the hospital...I am just wondering how much it would cost to stay overnight versus going home.

I have a date! November 4, 2008:thumbup: I am still confused on some things though. For some reason my Dr. has in his notes that he recomends Gastric Bypass for me. I do not want Gastric Bypass, I am scared of it:eek:. He is saying that with my age, weight and BMI that Gastric Bypass would be better for me. WHY? I don't understand. I have been reading alot on this site and I seen people on here the same size as me and the look to be doing great with the band. He is making me feel like I will not be successful with the band. Did anyone else have this problem? I am still going with the band, I guess I just need some encouragment:blink:It is either the band or nothing! Th…

Liquid diet starts friday. Please give me good ideas you have had or maybe even a typical day for you.. Thanks

I just recently decided to go in for a consult for the lap band after my child made an innocent remark about my weight. I have had my upper GI and abdominal ultrasound,nutritional and social worker assessment. Is there anybody who is familiar with this location and there process? I was also wondering how life after the band is?

Hello, I started my pre-op yesterday and was told I could have SF Jello. I'm wondering now if this excludes SF Jello pudding? Wait a minute! I'm not reading this correctly - let me post this... tell me if you think I can have jello at all during this week; looks like they only the day before surgery. I drank broth today, ate FF juice bars & broth. Ok, this is how it reads: Water or No-cal, sugar free, Decaffeinated drinks throughout the day Protein Drink for Breakfast & lunch. For dinner, a sensible dinner such as one portion of meat, salad with low-cal dressing and a vegetable. One day before surgery have only Clear liquids for breakfast, lunch and d…

I have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota insurance. How difficult is it to get insurance to cover the procedure when you don't really have any weight related medical issues?

Today I went for chest x-ray blood work, ekg, urine test. and upper GI>> What a fun day :cursing: I was told I had a hital ??spelling hernia ?? I believe he said a slippage hernia also my esoftagus was full of acid reflux... Anyone else with these issues. WOuld love help with a explaination. Dont go back to doctor till next week...:thumbdown:

Hello everyone. Long time lurker first time poster. :thumbup: I'm finally on the path to having LapBand sugary, right now I'm doing some pre-op tests. Here's a question for you. How much does the EGD cost? My doc quoted $900 then the hospital quoted $2700. Does that sound about right? Or to high?

Can someone explain to me the difference between clear liquids and full liquids?? Examples would be appreciated:tt1:

To all of you September 29th banders. CONGRATULATIONS!!! I myself am being banded and expect everything to go well. I sit here at work and sip on my Protein shake as I wait to leave and all I can think about is my last burger for a while. I plan on going home and making my burger on the george foreman. I was so tempted to go out last night and have my last chance of wings but once I got out there I made the decision it was not worth it. Who would have thought I would ever turn down wings. Tides are a changing and I am definitely ready...

I am at the beginning process of dealing with my insurance company. Their "diet" requirement seems a bit vague so I am wondering if you have the 6 month (or any other timed requirement) is it spelled out by your insurance company or is yours vague too? Thank you!

Hey all...so i have heard a lot of things to get and not to get when on the pre-op diet, and post op. Please take your time and add to this post on what things need to be purchsed. So far: 1. Gas-x disolvable strips 2. easy slip on clothing 3. (female obviously) wireless bra 4. Clear liquids 5. (my dr. said) Carnation instant Breakfast...different flavors... and what else???

Well I had my surgery yesterday only to wake up in recovery to be told that due to massive amounts of adhesions in my belly from a previous scar the surgery had to be postponed :biggrin: to build up my tolerance level for a possibly "open" procedure. My doctor is excellent and my hat's off to him for making the call not to risk my life any more than needed :dita: but it was a huge upset after being poked like a pin cushion and cut and blown up like a balloon that I have to go through all this again in a few weeks :tongue:. No one said it was easy :tongue:...........catch you guys up in a few weeks.

Ok, if anyone has any questions, or anything please talk to me, and all the others who have been banded. I have learned a lot on my own, about the band. And a lot of the things that I learned, I was never told by the nutritionist. Anyway, when they say chew chew chew, and small bites, LISTEN. Cause when you get your fills, and you dont do as they say food will get stuck, and it will hurt, ad you will throw it back up just for relief. Do not drink while eating, one, it washes through, and 2, sometimes, you will choke as well, and throw it back up. Take your time eating. And importantly, exercise, you will burn more faster, than normal if you do so. Anyway, if you have anym…

Im not sure if these are co-morbid conditions but I have Gerd,Hyperlipidemia,Joint Arthritis,and Severe back pain and also my doctor told me im pre -diabetic.:biggrin: Im 5'4 and my bmi is 36.8 so im not sure if I have enough co-morbid conditions to be approved I have Cigna Oap plan.Please any info would be appreciated!

So I'm all ready for my surgery on October 6th, On September 11th out of all days I was sent to the emergency room with abdominal pain on my right side, I was admitted for 4 days come to find out I have a 10.5 cm Demroid cysts in my right ovary, Aint this a mess!!! I have to have surgery to remove the cysts, so my surgery was cancelled for Oct 6, I am so depressed right now but my surgeons office said that my approval is good for 6 months. has anyone dealt with this b4 someone pick up my sprits!! :w00t::thumbup::smile::cool2:

This hasn't happened to me personally, but I'm just wondering why it would. The only thing that comes to mind to me is if someone is/has had an eating disorder, some sort of abuse, some sort of serious issue that has not been treated (like serious, not just bipolar, something that you might be put in the loony bin for), unrealistic expectations, etc. Has anyone ever been denied for being just a little off (because face it, we all are). Some of the q's on my eval were like "Do you think people in general would lie to get ahead?" Well YEAH! But I put no.

This is bad. :thumbup: I HAVE SURGERY TUESDAY MORNING AT 6:30AM. I think I have a sinus infection coming on:angry:.....what can i do to make sure I keep my surgery date?:biggrin: Can they still do the surgery with a sinus infection? What should I do??? Is a steroid shot even an option at this point? THANKS GUYS!!!

I have beens doing my best to watch my calories fat and carbs before my surgery I lost 4 pounds this week I have my surgery in 4 days YAAAA!!! but today I feel so hungry does anyone have any good tip on low cal. fat and carb snacks or foods???:cool2:

Hi Everyone! I am 19 days from my surgery date. I will be seeing my dr. on Thursday to start my 2 weeks liquid diet. I was lucky that I did NOT have to do the maintenance diet with my PCP. Since I know my surgery date is coming up and in less than 1 week I will be on liquids, I am on a total eating frenzy. I have been eating anything and everything I want. There have always been things that were completely off limits in my life...like big macs but I have had 2 in the past week. Did anyone else experience this time of freedom before the journey starts?

I would like to do some sort of mental exercises... self exploration... something... to help mentally prepare myself for post op life. Does anyone have any good resources? books (not really books about the surgery, something that is more directed at helping mentally prepare for everything)? Web sites? I'm just afraid of the things that might happen to me mentally post op.

Hi guys...Today is my birthday, and I received my surgery date. I'm sooooo excited!! My date is Oct. 16, only about 2 1/2 weeks away. I'm so excited to have this battle with food over with. I'm looking forward to loosing weight and finally feeling confident with myself. I am nervous though about the actual surgery. Does anyone know how long the actual surgery is?? I'm having some anxiety about my daughter and her saying byebye to mommy and that sort of thing. I think that if I knew how long the actual procedure was, I might feel more at ease. It is very interesting reading all the other treads on here. I would love to hear comments from people who have had a g…

well think i got this right i 'm not very good on the computer i just finised my six month with my primary care doc they put me on helidac therapy i'm just waiting for Dr Garrison Nj to send the records to the ins Magnacare so we will see. i am scared have you had that thought maybe i'll try just one more time and this time i'm going to give it all i have this is were i at :thumbup::biggrin:

My surgeon doesn't do pre-op diets. He says that most people don't do them so it isn't worth the fight? Anyone else like this?

If you were self-pay... how much did you pay for any/all post-op meds?

Hi, My name is jamie and I am getting my banding done in two weeks, at Hackansack, NJ. I have a few questions: Can you tell me about how you experience was checking in. do you get a room right away, then get a consult from the dr, then go to surgery? My mother, father and Husband want to be there for the surgery. I do not want three people bothering me in those small rooms. Also is there a separate waiting room for surgery's? how was your experience after surgery, what happened, and what was the time line for everything. Thank you for your help.

i am scheduled for september 24- i am so excited- i am looking for others being banded at or around the same time to buddy with :whatchutalkingabout

CHICKEN WINGS! I am DYING for them. I can taste them. I would give anything for the last 10 I will see in a while. however, i have less than 2 days till my banding GRRRRRRRRRRRR

:rose:I am saying goodbye to the old me this weekend. Monday is a new chapter for me and I cannot wait. I have an apt with my future on Monday I have to be at the hospital at 8:45 for a 9:45 surgery. When I got my date way back at the beginning of the month I thought for sure somehthing would prevent this from happening. But to my suprise from the day 1 consult all thru my appts and insurance approval (NY state employee Empire Plan) it has been smooth sailing. I have said my goodbyes to food that I love and bid them a fond farewell. I do not want to be the person I am on the outside anymore and things had to change. The last few days I have told pretty much everybod…

I am scheduled for surgery on October 7th. I have Atrial Fibrillation and take the blood thinner coumadin. I know I need to stop taking it before surgery, which is frightening because if I have A-Fib, I could have a stroke. My surgeon said I should go off 10 days before surgery, but I am leaving the final decision up to my cardiologist. I will see him on Tuesday, Sept 30th. Does anyone out there take coumadin? How long were you off before surgery and how soon did you get back on after surgery? I have no fear of the surgery itself, just my A-Fib!

Hi everyone! I leave tomorrow to travel 4 hours for my lap-band procedure. I'm nervous, anxious, excited all rolled up. I want this to be a success from beginning to end... Just wanted to stop by and introduce myself. I love reading the posts, they are really educational and inspiriing. Wish me luck!! Renae :thumbup:

Just spoke w/the nurse at Dr. Goldsteins nurse on thurday, and was informed that I have a low vit b1 level, and my insurance does not require any wt. mgmt. program for approval. I went to the new beginnings program that is required that I attend for the nutritional and beh therapy, and it went well. I have 5 classes to attend and will go to support group meetings weekly. I will met w/my case manager at the end of Oct. and if at that time I have loss the required 10lbs pre-op and have everything on my checklist complete, I will get my chart faxed to the surgeon and it will be submitted to the insurance company. I had set in my mind that I would have to wait 3-6months a…

Hi guys, i am currently looking into lap band. I went to see my primary physician and she gave me a referral. COme to find out, I have to get a referral from blue care network after they review my case. I am 100 pounds overweight, my b/p and cholesterol are sky high. How long does it take from initial referral to actually get surgery? Thanks Colleen:whatchutalkingabout:w00t::thumbup:

Hi! I am going to be banded on 10/15. I could have done it a little earlier but had a prior obligation. I am super excited. Nervous but happy.:smile2:

Ok I have not had the lap band on yet will be banded on Oct.21. I've looked everywhere and can't find anything on when food gets stuck. What happens how do you deal with it, does it hurt? If anyone has any answers or info on stuff getting stuck I would love to here. Im very worried about that. I was reading people get biscuits and stuff stuck in there stomach after lapband. Will I never be able to eat a biscuit or bread again.:confused:

I am wondering if anyone has used HUMANA PPO as their insurance and had this procedure approved or denied?? IF so how long did this take?? I am going through my 5th month of my 6 month weight loss program with them , I am also having to meet with a psychologist on Monday. Any one have any ideas what they will be asking me?? Any info will help!! TO all on this web site good luck !!! :Banane37:

Hi all, I am new to this site and have read tons of interesting and helpful stuff. I was having a conversation with my best friend who was telling her sister than I am having LB (October 20th!). Her sister basically made the comment (which I agree with) why doesn't she do it on her own? She knows smart nutrition, knows she should exercise, she knows what to do to lose the weight. I kinda feel like she is right. I do know smart nutrition, and how to exercise and what to do. I am just too damn lazy. And, I don't have a frame of reference for being healthy or thin. I have always been overweight, and literally cannot remember being under 200 lbs or not having to sh…

Sorry about the title of the thread! I just have so many questions! Can you have this done on a Friday -- be back at work on a Monday - I have a desk job. If a self pay - or even insurance pay - does your boss HAVE to know you are having this done? I would just as well they dont know it. Many issues there. Do all doctors that do the surgery also do the fills? I have not yet gone to a seminar to see what all they have to say. But am seriously thinking of this route. Done all the diets - gung ho for a while, lose some weight, but then when it slows down, I get frustrated - and gain it all back and some. Had both knees replaced in '03 - and the weight is NOT good f…

In a lot of articles and in these forums, it talks about your commitment to diet and exercise. Here is my question, and I'm not being flippant. If I could diet and exercise with success, why in the world would I need the surgery? The whole reason I want it is because I never stay on a diet. I'm moderately active, don't eat a LOT, but more than I need obviously. BMI of 36, diabetic. So would that make me a no-go on surgery?

So, my surgery is scheduled for 10/14. My boss, who is also my DOCTOR is aware of this and very supportive, or so I THOUGHT. One of the nurses quit so we will be short staffed when I return from my recovery. This will mean that I will have a lot of extra work when I get back until we get the new person trained. However, I met with the doctor to tell her that I'm concerned about excess stress after my surgery as I don't want extra reasons to want to eat. I also told her that I want to keep my current schedule so that I can continue to get out at 3pm on Tues and Thurs and go to work out with my trainer. She said that she feels that it would be better for me to work until 5 …

Hi All: I have to go for my upper GI series tomorrow. Can anyone tell me about how long this procedure takes? Thanks so much!