PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hi I am getting my band on November 14th in TJ Mexico by Dr. Martinez and I was wondering if anyone else was going to be there on this date?

I have FINALLY been approved by my insurance(Cigna). But the surgeon I origionally signed up for is currently scheduling for December (ARGHHH :biggrin: ) but the WLC says one of her partners ( fairly new but has studied under my highly recommended surgeon) is available at the end of October. Had they said he wasn't available til November, I would have just said "No, I'll wait til December" but, I really don't want to be dealing with surgery/recovery during the holidays since I want to go to KS to visit family and friends at that time. Plus, I really want to get started on my weight loss journey and not fall into the over eater mentallity I always do. I am sick and tir…

Hi everyone! I have been lurking for quite a while and finally decided to post. I did 4 months of the 6 month "diet" last year and went out of the country. When I came back this year they told me that I had to start all over again so I have 2 more appointments (end of September and mid October) with the dietician and 1 more with the shrink and physical therapist at the end of October and I am done. I have bcbs and I haven't contacted them or anything, but I am pretty sure that I will not have any problems getting approved. Nice to meet you. = )

I will have my surgery October 9th!! So nice to finally say that!! :thumbup:

Hey everyone. I never had surgery before and im not sure of these kinds of policies. Do I need to have a my piercings removed for surgery? Also, I normally have my nails done. Should I remove the tips and polish or is it ok. I was told to take everything off my body but I wanted other opinions. Im getting banded on Oct 3rd in Mexico by dr. verboonen and dr. Ponce de leon. Thanx

I was with another family on saturday. we were a function together. I was with my mom, and then put on my sun glasses and followed them. I called out to my friend to wait for me. her husband said "who is the skinning women". I felt so great. I was heavy for 15 years and thanks to my band and my trainer at the gym I am only 20-30 pounds and from my goal in 7 months. I think that having a trainer if you can afford it, (I don't eat out any more and save that money for my trainer), has been the best thing that has happened to me. I'm also duing the grouse grind on saturday, again for the 5th weekend in a row with my trainer and my kids. its 2900 stairs up the mountain,…

:smile: I was banded on the 15th, came home yesterday, had to stay one more day, ripped one of my incisions open from getting in and out of bed. Was in a lot of pain too, so I decided to take another day. I have to say when I awoke I thought what did I do, but now that I'm feeling better I will take it one day at a time. I'm sore and tired but feeling so much better. Just thought I'd update you all. Hugs Bobbie:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::smile2:

Tomorrow at 730am I am getting my band. I am so excited.....not nervous yet. But if you want I am open 2 prayers. I will try to come on tomorrow and let you know how I am doing. thanks for the support. Renea:eek:

Did/Does it ever seem surreal to you? Getting/being banded? I'm pre-op. It's all I think about. It's like I'm planning my wedding or preparing for another child. I've mapped out exactly how I want the first couple of days to go, I've made arrangements with family members to come help my hubby out (he's a college student, he'll need help caring for our daughter, cooking, cleaning, and taking care of me), I've got all of my appointments scheduled and I have a good general idea of when surgery/pre op appt will be. I know about how long ins will take to give prior approval. I've done so much research I could practically perform the surgery on myself. I'm ready. But then so…

I need some feedback from anyone who has done their pre-op diet, followed instructions and completed their surgery. We received instructions from one potential surgeon and while the instructions were sound and solid, they were not scary and regimented. The other surgeon basically sent over a book of "NO's" and a very strict regiment for the two weeks prior to surgery. As a matter of fact, they are so different, you would think they were performing different surgeries. Can anyone tell me what they did or didn't do the two weeks prior to surgery and if it did/did not possibly make the surgery smoother or recovery quicker? Thanks a bunch!

Next week i need to start the pre-op diet..but i don't know how i am going to survive and how true to it i can stay. They want me to only have 3 carnation instant breakfasts a day with two fruits. Boy oh boy...how am i going to do that? I guess i will be posting everytime i am going to eat!!! I did cut out all carbination bev. i drink only ice tea..and love it. BUT....oh boy....also... on sunday i am starting my 7 day complete body cleanse!! I am excited but nervous!:thumbup:

Okay...here's what I've done so far. I went to my family doctor. He said I was a great candidate and suggested surgeons. He also said I would need some labs done before I met with the surgeon. I got my labs done, and my thyroid was out of whack. I've been on meds, and now my thyroid is under control (with medicine). I just got those results back today. I only talked to the nurse, and she sounded a little confused, but I reminded her of what he said. My questions are these: Are there any other tests that I should have done BEFORE meeting with the surgeon? Who schedules the appointment with the surgeon, me or my family doctor? I know a lot of this depends on insu…

Well, I am on my way on this long journey! I am scheduled for a 9/23/2008 Pre-Op Surgery Class. And the Alta Bates Bariatric clinic just called and scheduled me for the second orientation class, which is 9/26/2008. Plus, I am scheduled to meet the surgeon, Dr. Kim, on October 8, 2008. The bonus is that Dr. Kim is a female. YAHOO!!! I am almost there. I am sure Dr. Kim will order lots of tests and depending on the results of the test, will recommend or not recommend surgery. If surgery is recommended then we ask BC/BS for approval.

well started south beach diet today, its ok just alittle scared. it's mostly things i dont really eat. but ya gotta do what you gotta do. i have 6wks to lose 39lbs. is there anyone else that is doing the same diet? would like to here from others that is currently doing or have done it. can you tell me how much weight you lost. so far this is what i have done today b-2 turkey sausages, auqafina flavor wather s-hand full of nuts,water l-sm. salad, water, med. coffee:tongue2:

Hi all, I havens 't had a chance to talk to my nutritionist, but am wondering if this shake is going to work. I've used it before and it works and tastes really good in my opinion. It's called New lifestyle Diet. www.newlifestylediet.com Women's ProgramWomen's Program Totals: (these totals are with a lean meat /veggie dinner..not liquid.) Calories1080 Protein164 Carbs72 Fat 18 . Does it have enough Protein and good carbs?? Ideas? I'll check with my dr. but I wanted the people opinions here.

Did anyone use these things before. They're both prescriptions and its made just for bariatric patients. Im having my surgery done on Oct 3rd with Dr. Verboonen & Dr. Jaime Ponce De Leon in mexico. I was told to take these products. Any help?? Please and thank u.

My psych eval goes like this.... it's a HUGE multi-part psychological evaluation test thingey. Like 400 True/False questions about myself, then several other 2 page Q/A tests.... along with an IQ test. I went to the psych today (took the test last night) and he said I would have to retake it. He said that basically it looked like I answered questions to make everything look better than it truly is. I really answered all of them honestly! I'm a very happy optimistic person, I don't have a lot of confidence/self esteem issues, I didn't have a bad childhood, I'm not psychotic, etc.... I'm pretty much "normal". So now I have to redo everything (except the IQ test.... whi…

I am 57 and going in for banding on Sept. 22nd. I am one week into my liquid only pre-op diet and I am going crazy with hunger. My current BMI is 33.4. I was wondering if anyone was my age or older when they got the band and if they did okay? I mean, when you get older you don't bouce back from things like when you are young(er). I also am having trouble relating to some of the posts about what kind of relationship people had with food before. I was always thin growing up and could eat anything and not gain weight. I started to gain weight in my 30's after 2 children. I ate more calories than I burned so I put weight on one pound at a time until (25 years later) I…

I have been considering weight loss surgery for several months now but I am so nervous.I have made so many attempts to loose weight before.This would have to be a last ditch attempt to get healthy. Four years ago I lost 50kg and had a tummy tuck and I have now hit a wall.I'm finding it really hard to move forward, and I find that I am relearning the bad habits of the past. I wonder if my worries are all just a part of the process or weather I am making a huge mistake. I wont to do this so badly. Jackie.

Hi Friends - I have my first consult tomorrow and was just wondering if anyone can share some experiences on it for me. I was told to expect to be there for at least 2 hours and to fast for at least 2 hours before the appointment. I just tried to call the office to ask for some more info, but go figure, they are closed for lunch!

So I just got back from what I thought was going to be my 2nd of 3 appointments and they told me it was my 3rd and final (they counted the presentation in July as my first visit). I did see the dr. during at that time, but I was told on my next visit (which was the first group therapy, dr., and nutritionist) that that was actually my 1st visit. I have no problem with that. It makes me happy that I'm a month ahead. Now I have to rush and get all these appointments done because the insurance lady told me to wait. Now I'm just worried that they won't have all my paperwork in line when it's submitted tomorrow to the insurance....!!!! I hope that all the requirements (s…

Hi again, Just a question! I’m booked in to see the doctor on the 6th of October, my BMI is 37 and if it gets below 35 then I more than likely won’t be able to get the band. I’m feeling so anxious because I don’t want to lose weight and be denied the band (even though losing weight naturally would probably be better, and cheaper) but I feel miserable looking the way I do. What should I do? x

I am not currently in the active market searching for a weight loss surgery provider, but I would certainly never rule it out. Living in Dallas, I am wondering what provider people from the Metroplex have used, and how they rate them. To date, I have seen commercials on TV for iVital, as well as their Medical Director on Good Morning Texas. I have also heard of Lap Band Solutions and the Bariatric Center of Dallas, and seen them through searches in google. Dallas residents, where have you had your procedure done and how satisfied were you with your provider? (Truth be told, I am obviously not *hoping* that I will need this information some day, but it might be good…

My Dr says I need to write a letter to my insurance on what I have done in the past 6 months for weight loss. Has anyone else had to write a similar letter? If so please give me some suggestions on what to write. I am not good at writing letters and don't want to be denied b/c of this.

Well I finally made it through...6 months of weight loss study, sleep study, physc & nutriton visit. I did it all!!!!!!! So my fate now rest in the hands of the Insurance Gods........I beg that they will grant me this one request. All of my paperwork will be submitted to insurance on Monday so I hope to have an answer soon. Any ideas on how long it takes for insurace approval? I have Humana EPO in TX. 6 mos weigh loss started 2/13/08 ended 7/16/08 sleep study 3/11/08 physc & nutrition 6/11/08 submitting for insurance approval 07/21/08 received approval ?/??/?? surgery date ?/??/??

So, I went to my pre-op group meeting with the nurse today. It was a two hour meeting and was very informative. Although I have been on the board for months, I had a ton of questions. I probably asked about 15 questions when everyone else asked maybe 1-2. Do people just not care and will deal with things when they get there? I am pretty anal and like to be planned for everything. I'm thinking that I might have had a longer time to think about things since I started the process a while ago and just decided I was ready for it last month. I am truly ready for this to be over and get on with my new life! She did make me a little nervous when she talked about preferring an ove…

Hi I've been reading this forum for awhile however, this is my first post. I would like to ask everyone this: How did you decide between gastric bypass surgery and lap band surgery? I realize the risks are greatly increased with GBPS than with lap band, however, after reading so many posts, I am more confused than ever. Any insight would be helpful. Thanks for your insight and help with your experience.

is there a difference between the bands? Can anyone help? I know i am getting lap band, and that is what the dr called it, although is it the same as a realize band?

For those that have used Dr. Adam Goldstein in South Jersey before, do you know if he uses the Realize band? I forgot to ask this question and wanted to ask you folks here for your past experience with him. Thanks!

The one thing we all have in common is our good friend or enemy, the bathroom scale. I have been through many scales through my years and have never really gotten one that I like until now. years ago I bought a couple of digital scales which worked for a while and then seemed to go crazy on me. I would get on the scale five times in a row and get five different readings. I also tried a few spring scales. At my age with not perfect eyesight, it was difficult to read the numbers. Also I found that with a degree of " body english ", I could make the scale read different numbers. If I leaned forward, my weight would be less. If I really wanted to beat myself up, I w…

Hey All, I just started my pre-op diet today. After drinking my first protein shake I feel a little sick on the stomach and gas. It could be just that I am nervous and having second thoughts about this whole thing. Just wondering if anyone is feeling like I am....:ohmy:I will have my surgery at the Hurley Center in Flint MI. 9-22-08 at 12noon.....:embaressed_smile::drool:

My doctor told me that my fatty (non alcholic) liver with scarring with Diabetes will kill me with in a year if I do not loose a bunch of weight quickly. I have investigated Lap Band and Gastric Bypass surgeries. The Gastric bypass effects the liver and scared me a lot. So I was wondering if anyone has experience with the liver and the lap band. I have started the 800 calorie protein diet and am just a couple of weeks from having lap band surgery and they have said this diet shrinks the liver. Please let me know how previous bad liver patients have done on this pre-op diet, surgery, and post-surgery.:smile:

Hello All, I am a consultant and travel five days a week. That means I eat all meals 'out' ~ either alone, with other consultants or with the client. I'm in pre-op for another week or so which means I'm dragging around my Optifast drink boxes and bars. Has anyone managed to do the post-op successfullly while on the road? I would love to hear any suggestions or recommendations people can pass along! Cheers!

I am on day 12 of my preop diet. I was by myself in the car yesterday and out of no where I wanted a big mac and fries. I was on a hunt for some gas went to 3 stations before I found gas. But anyway I came home after getting gas and drank a protein shake and pretended it was big mac and fry. Of course my imagination is not quite that good. Then I went to church last night, my husband was ordained as a minister. I am so proud of him. But of course they had food afterwards. These women in my church can really cook. But someone made some dip the rotel and hamburger and cheese dip I really, really {did I say really} wanted some. It was more like a finger foods type of things…

I have some questions... I am interested in this procedure. 1) Should I just go a regular doctor and tell him/her I'm interested in this Lap Band procedure? Or is that doctor just going to forward me to another doctor? What type of doctor should I see to gets the ball rolling? I don't wanna jump from doctors to doctors. 2) Is this covered through insurance? If not, what was an average amount you had to pay? 3) I am in fear that I will have flabby skin after the surgery, any thoughts on this? 4) Is Lap band any bit as dangerous as the gastric bypass surgery? That procedure can be deadly if you're not careful. Is this a better alternative to gastric bypass?

Is anyone on this site using Hamot Bariatrics in Erie, PA? I am going to Dr. Ali who I think is a great Dr. and a great person. I would love to talk anyone who is having their surgery there or has had their surgery there.

I am reading so many things about people have gall bladder surgery after getting the band. I'm looking into getting the band in March and I'm wondering if everyone has issues with their gall bladder? What are the issues? Does someone NEED their gall bladder? :wink_smile:

Well.. I started my pre-op diet on Wednesday and today I totally cheated by having pizza. I wasn't even really hungry but it just smelled so good and I've been going crazy with not being able to eat real food that I caved and had 2 slices. I plan on following my liquid diet perfectly now until my surgery on September 17th but I guess I just wanted to get it off my chest.

I am scheduled to have surgery this Monday Sept 15. I just noticed Friday night I have a strange rash the left side if my back near my rib cage. It is around 1in by 2 in wide and it itches and kinda burns. It looks like chafed skin but not really where anything could have chafed it. I am worried it may be shingles but it is not to painful and I have had none of the other symptoms of shingles. It also does not look like blisters just a red and raised blotch. Does anyone know If it is shingles will I still be able to have my lap band surgery ? I am really nervous about the up coming surgery and maybe I'm just freaking out about every little thing lol.

I currently have Anthem and their policy states that I have to meet the mental requirements, be over 35 BMI and have proof that I have been able to follow a diet and lose weight. Of course I had to do the normal stuff...blood work, upper GI, chest xray, etc. I met all the requirements of the insurance policy. Has anyone dealt with this type of Anthem policy? Does anyone know how long it takes to get an answer and how hard it is to get approved? My case was submitted on 09/10/08 to insurance and I am on pins and needles right now. I appreciate all your help!

Okay I have a quick question - if women are suppose to have 50 grams of protein per day, but the band makes your stomach the size of a small egg and can only hold 2-3 ounces per meal, how do you get all of the protein you need the first week on a totally liquid diet? My protein shakes for pre-op have been 11 ounces with 20 grams of protein...Thank you in advance for your help.

Hi all... I know I have had a TON of questions lately... Thanks to all who have answered I am traveling (by car) with my mom from Louisiana to Colorado for my surgery. (Lots of stops and overnights on the way back so I dont have to ride for too long). Since I will be staying away from home for several days post-banding... could some of you give suggestions on things, foods, etc. That I may want to bring with me? Or random things that I may not have considered yet? Thanks

I am beginning my journey on Monday, September 15 for the initial seminar. My insurance covers the surgery so I'm not too worried about that aspect...but I am concerned about denial. What are some of the reasons dr's deny patients?? Also, how long does the process usually take from seminar to surgery day? I'm going to be using a doctor that is 1 1/2 - 2 hours away from where I live and with a 10 month old, my husband and I both in school...and no reliable sitter...and then the cost of gas (ugh!)...how many visits and what kind of visits will I need to attend pre-op. I just need some reassurance...getting kind of worried now:scared2: And I haven't even started yet!…

I'm in a strange circumstance where, as a grad student, only procedures done at the university health center are covered. Therefore, even though "weight loss surgery" is covered, only gastric bypass is done at my hospital, so I can't have a lapband done. I even appealed and the doctor in charge of insurance appeals said, "Lap band and gastric bypass show the same long term results, we aren't going to cover lapband simply because you prefer it" (that made me want to slap him, incidentally). But I guess my question is, in the off chance anyone else has had this situation come up, did you consider gastric bypass ? I think I feel like at 25, I'm just not ready for bypass. D…

I have just recently started looking into the lap-band. I am wondering about the recovery period. How long afterwards did most of you stay out of work? I have school and work during the week and weekends and I am wondering how much I will be able to handle? I am curious about the pre-diet and the post-diet...is definatly worth it to change your eating and drinking habits? Especially those you are socialites. I do enjoy going out to eat and occasionaly drinking. I definatly want to lose weight and believe this is the right choice for me, I just want to know if I will feel like I am missing out on things that others will be able to enjoy? Like going out to dinner... Is th…

Hi, I am having surgery on Tuesday (yeah!) and I am worried about my liver. Prior beginning my lap band journey, I used to drink a lot (not to the point of having a problem, it was just more a part of my life). My liver function levels were all good at my pre-op and I have been following a pretty low-carb diet, but I am still worried. Has anyone else been through this and did the banding go OK for you? Thanks!

Since I have to wait until October 7 for my seminar, I thought I would mentally prepare myself for whatever is coming through this process. And I have read about this liquid diet that they put you on pre-op...is it like Medifast? Or something else that I am not familiar with? I remember a friend used to do something called Cambridge diet that was liquid as well. Please let me know what pre-op diet your doctor put you on and for how long...was it unlimited liquids or specific amounts? And what brand? I just want to be mentally prepared for whatever might come my way on this journey. I always do better in coping if I feel like I know what to expect. I should mention th…

Probably a question for those who had the band done in Mexico, how soon did you fly? I just received approval and thought I might combine surgery recovery time with a quick vacation. Thanks, Anne

Met w/ Dr Adam Goldstein today, and am ready to start my journey. I have made my first appt. w/primary for tomorrow night. and will make the appt. for pulmonary and ekg within the next 2wks. My insurance company he said, from his experience, is pretty good. They are not as difficult to get approvals. They are going to check to make sure how long I have to participate in the New beginnings program (wt. mgmt), but they believe it's only 3months. He also let me know that when everything on the check list is complete, I will come back for the pre-surgical consult and have everything submitted to the insurance company. I am soooooooooo excited. I'm hoping to get thru th…

Does or did anyone have to take a TSH test before with your blood work? My question is what if your TSH is high? Will they still do the surgery, or is it to get it under control? I had some lab work done last year and everything was fine, but just recently I had a TSH done, by request of the lap band doctor, and it was high. It has never been high before, and I have been over weight for over 15 years or more!!!!!