PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

So I've gotten thru my 1st seminar, my 1st support group and my 1st visit with the director of the bariatric department. All has gone well. My main concern was when can I have this surgery. I feel as though my life is on hold until I can have this done and so I am battling the anxiety of having to wait. My doctor is telling me that it will be late winter, early spring when I can finally have the surgery done. Being that its September now, I can handle that. Especially since this is my favorite time of year. Of course it is for most fat people am I right? No shorts to wear anymore, no embarrassing sweating because you can't handle the heat, no sandals to show off the swell…

OK I went and had that stress heart test and it was OK, so the doctor said I could have surgery, so Monday at 11:00 I'll be banded, I'm a little scared and excited too. My husband is so happy about my heart being fine and so am I. So Monday is the first day of my new life, I just hope I will do good, Love and Hugs Bobbie:smile::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::huh2::thumbup::thumbup:

What about snacking, is it still an option? I heard popcorn is a no no with the band so this is a good thing because my dh brings home big bags of "Smart Food" popcorn and since we've gotten DVR I've probably put on at least 10 lbs . I guess snacking is out then but I think I would really go through snacking withdrawal when I get banded. Anyone have trouble breaking the snacking habit? Are there healthy snack alternatives?

Hey, Is it possible to drive yourself home the day after surgery????? I am having my surgery 9-22-08 at 12noon and I think I might have to drive myself home....If my schedule time is not changed. I live 1hour away from the hosptial.

My Dr didn't want a Cardio clearance...because I am in my early twenties. And this is hard to say out loud, but I need to find some people to talk to! Lately I feel like I can feel my heart! Is that weird? I have palpatations, or what I feel is a palp...it feels like an adrenaline rush. I will get it sitting and watching TV or at rest in bed, and sometimes I feel like I have shortness of breath (thinking this is from my sleep apnea). Am I paranoid? My PCP said this could be from my severe anxiety. Any ideas? I think I will be scheduling my own consult with the cardio doc, but I wanted to see if anyone has experienced this? Thanks

I try eating like a "bandster" now before I am banded to get practice but I can not do it. It seems like I can't enjoy my food because I am thinking if I am chewing enough and if it would get stuck when I have the band. Also all that chewing seems to take away the pleasure. If a bit of food gets pass your throat this is not chewed enough does it come right up and is it always unpleasant? Is this true for those that have the lap band?

I went to one of the educational seminars my doc does (have to do at least 3 of them) and during this one she focused on risks and talked some about taking aspirin and blood clotting, etc. When she was taking questions, I asked one which meant mentioning that I have the Leiden Factor V clotting problem. She not only didn't answer my question but jumped right on it saying that she had to sit down and have a special discussion with me. I am hoping having a clotting gene is not going to stop me from having this surgery, especially since I have never had a deep vein thrombosis episode or anything. Is there anyone else here with a problem like this that can shed some light…

OK, so I was just reading the thread "Things I wont miss about being obese". I thought it would be a neat idea to jot down a few things about the things that have changed in my life since I have become a bandster. I hope others will join me as well in doing this. Things that have changed are: *After 14 pounds lost I can now put on my comfy blue jeans without having to lay on the bed and suck my gut in to zip and button them. *I can now walk to the bus stop with my kids and not get out of breath by the time I reach to middle of the road. *I haven't had the first Asthma attack (knock on wood) *I have quit smoking (haven't had one in 3 weeks and 4 days now) *Th…

Hello everyone, This is my first post and I'm living in Montreal Quebec Canada. I am the mother of two young children and wife of a very supportive husband. But I'm also a person that has lived the last 30 years fat and getting fatter. Right now I'm at my highest of 380lbs. Okay, so I'm not really lost in Montreal. I know where I am, just not where I'm going:smile: I have made the decision to have the lap band. This was not a hard decision, as I have tried every....and I do mean every diet out there. I even lost 120lbs once taking the phen-phen drug...but have gained every bit back along with another 60lbs. Now this is where my problem starts. I will be a self pay…

Hi All, Well, I went to my second seminar tonight with a new doctor and I have to say this new doc is wonderful! I know he's definitely the one I want to do my surgery, if I get to have it. Well, I had contact my insurance company in July to see if they cover everything. Of course they do. I have Blue Shield of CA. They also told me about covering the psych eval, nutritionist everything. However, the lady who handles insurance at this doctor's office told me that I would have to go on a 6-month supervised diet....My insurance never mentioned that and I have been trying to look up information on it and I don't see anything to that effect. I see they want a diet his…

:rolleyes2: I am scheduled to be banded tomorrow. So far, I've lost about 11 lbs. on the pre-diet. I hope that's enough weight to "de-fat" my liver some. I am getting a little nervous. The hospital called and wants me to be there at 7:00 tomorrow morning. Wish me luck. I'll try to post later in the weekend.

Hurricane update - first thing this morning, I got a call telling me my surgery has been postponed from tomorrow (Friday) to Wednesday because of Hurricane Ike. We had to change our flights, extend the rent a car, and quickly get our hotel room for 4 more nights. We then had to go to a grocery store to get food (liquids) for all the extra days we will be here - the 23 day pre-op diet was bad enough, but now..... oh well. I also had an accute gallbladder attack today, so Mom and I had to go to an emergency room for that. What fun!! I am dissapointed that I won't be getting my band tomorrow, but... not much I can do about it. Our hotel suite is nice and I think we are…

I not yet banded, but hope to join that world by the middle of next month. In the mean time I have been eating(or at least trying to) like I already have the band. Well so far I have been doing fairly well. I have lost about 30lbs since the beginning of June. Well I can see the difference in my body, but I am shrinking more on one side than the other. I don't think that it is too noticeable but whenever I look in the mirror I can see it. It looks like about two inch difference. Exercise is not the problem, because I don't get nearly enough of it. Any ideas?

Hi Everyone! I'm a new member and wanted to take a moment to ask some questions to those who have been banded. I am currently going through the process of being banded. I only have a few more things to finish and then I can get my surgery date. As I read through the different posts and get more information as to what to expect from this surgery, I still have questions about the biggest fears that those of who had surgery faced. I have some, and I am sure alot of you can relate. So maybe you can shed some light? One of my biggest fears concerning this surgery is, will I really feel THAT full that I won't try and eat? One of the biggest things I do is eat when I'm …

I had my echo, stress test, labs, and pulmonary testing done last week and all the results were normal. No heart disease or coronary blockage. Now it is down to just the psych eval and finishing the last 2 appts for my 6 month supervised diet. I'm on my way!! I was worried about having panic attacks from the machine for the stress test, but it was fine. I was nervous, but I made it through!!!!!!! I see a light at the end of the tunnel.

I thought I had given all information that my doctor could possibly need for surgery. I saw him yesterday and we discussed the realize band. I left his office excited and optimistic. Today we are having to give more diet history and more support meeting history. I have moved, have a new doctor of two months and my old doctor lost her nurse practitioner to a move to another state. To get diet history from my old doctor seems bleak at best. To expect the new doctor of two months to be willing to send a letter of diet history may be a little unethical. At this point I just don't know what else to do. I asked my current primary doctor if she is willing but I am in …

My endocrinologist is after me to do lap band surgery. He won't put me on metformin for insulin resistance but surgery with general anesthesia is okay??? This confuses me a bit, but I am looking into it. So I've been reading up on it and I am signed up for a seminar on October 7. I have some questions that I hope you folks can answer. Because as I am reading all about Lap Band, the surgery, the dieting, all these things...it seems way way harder than even the hardest diet I've ever been on. Granted, I never seem to be able to stay on a diet that actually helps me lose weight (they are always so severe and hard to maintain) so this is why I am now asking this question. …

I am just curious. What is the pre op diet like and my MD syas we'll have no problem being approved because Ihave BMI of 43.5, OSA, borderline diabetes/hyperinsukinemia, osteoartghritis, borderline HBP, gout, and finally the new one..asthma. They said after all my qualifications for insurance met I could have surgery in March. Does anyone know of problems with BC/BS of Alabama?

My surgery is scheduled for 9/23 and I can't wait. I have thought about this for a long time and I am at peace with the decision. Don't know how else to say this but "it feels like I am doing the right thing deep down in my belly". Hope you know what I mean. Anyway, is there anyone out there that has lost over 100 pounds or more. It seems like 100 pounds is something to really strive for. I need to lose more than that. Am I being unrealistic. The doctor said most people lose a percentage of the weight they should lose but not all of it. The numbers don't really matter to me. I just know what I want to look like and I know what I weighed when I looked like that. …

CBtherapist signed off today, I am officially sane enough for therapy, can't believe how much those visits helped me, not only with eating but with dealing with all my stress.. I will work hard to keep practicing what I have learned. I have even lossed weight since going,, weight I haven't been able to lose in many years.. I will get an appointment for the dietician as soon as they get the paperwork,,, its really going to happen!!! I have been trying to imagine myself thin,, it still seems out of reach though. I am also trying to imagine going clothes shopping and wearing something stylish that doesn't have to drape, or cover my belly or butt.. So excited,, can't wait…

I can't believe it. 9/4 finished 6 month diet, 9/10 found out insurance approved, and today 9/11 got surgery date of 10/20. 9/24 I have to go for pre admin testing and 9/25 have nutritional class. I just can not beleive how fast this is all starting to move... It seemed like at the beginning of the 6 month diet I felt like it was going to take forever, then as I was ending the diet I was praying to just have surgery some time by the end of the year. Now, Holy Cow in just a little over a month I'm going to be banded.... I have BC/BS MI PPO, I thought for sure this was going to be more difficult. Did anyone else have a similar experience?? I think I'm still in a daz…

Hi Guys, I am due to have my first consultation with the doctor on November 5. I was wondering if any of you would give me some information on your experiences, what the doctor said, what is asked of you. I was told by the receptionist that the appointment would be about four hours long and I would talk to the doctor and office dietitian. But that was about as much information that I got out of our talk. Also, what step should I be taking up to that date? Should I be talking to my insurance (Blue Cross Blue Shield) and talking to my primary care physician? Thanks In Advance Stephanie

Hey Everyone! Can I just tell you all that I cannot wait to get a date for my lapband sugery. My feet are swollen like balloons and hurt so bad. And I've noticed since I've put on more weight that if I walk even 1/4 of a mile my back kills me right where it connects to my butt, same when i fold laundry or do any cleaning. I hate it, I just want to cry it hurts so bad. I can't wait to have my friggin appts. so i can get banded. Thanks for listening and reading.

I have a sleep study coming up this Thursday night. I was told to bring 2 piece PJs but that is it. Can anyone else give me ideas of what to bring. I will be at the hospital from 8pm until 6am for the study then I have to stay at the hospital from then until 10am for some more tests. Any ideas will be appreciated.

Hey I'm getting banded Monday, Sept. 15th and in honour of that day I brought my "Fat Jeans" to work and am having all my friends and lovely supporters sign it. I'm of course going to include my family and even my wonderful surgical staff!!! Did you guys do anything to commemorate the day? If so what did you do? Here are my pants. I've got a few sigs, but I'll have more by Friday!!!!!!

Finally, my consult was today. I have been a little blue lately; my boyfriend and I of 6 years are currently broken up, I haven't been going to class 100% of the time, and I have been spending a lot of time in bed - having trouble getting up and going to the store even. Well today I had the consult I have been waiting months and months for. The doctor was amazing, he didn't talk like "you can be a size 6/8, you will be." He was like..."We can get to you probably a 6/8, 155, does that sound good to you?" UH YEAH! :omg_smile: I just remembered I really have something exciting to look forward to, thta this state I am in is just temporary and I am about to do something t…

Are you completely naked during surgery? UGH - that's going to be a sad sight to see if that's the case!

Today I am so nervous. I leave tonight after work for my consult appt tomorrow. I am literally freaking out. Not becaue im nervous about the surgery, I cannot wait for that journey to begin, but because i have had one liver enzyme test come back just above normal on some blood work i have had done in the past and it was consistent. the doctors didnt make anything of it, said it didnt alert them to anything, but i really dont want this to hinder my surgery!!! which is scheduled on monday. ive dropped 10 pounds on the liquid diet so im hoping some of the fat on my liver as dropped. The cards lay as they will however, so i will have an update this weekend on my consult ap…

Greetings All! I am happy to have found this site because all I had been finding is Lap Band sites with bad reviews and complaints :smile:. I am open to everyone's input, as I am in the decision stage of the process. I'm in a rut. I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. I'm the heaviest I've ever been. My weight problems began with a sudden onset of weight gain 21 years ago. I had a two year bout of a mystery illness and packed on 40 pounds within three months. It's been a battle ever since. My body hurts; my knees, my back, my stomach, my self esteem, my spirit. I hate having photos taken. I discard most of them. I’m depressed and have become unsocial. M…

Hello all, I'm kinda puzzled. I'm a little over the 100 lb marker that is used to have the surgery. The Dr wants my goal weight to be 75 lbs. I guess I didnt understand why not go for the hundo? It seems if 100 is the benchmark then that would be the goal. Are other Drs doing the same thing or is this unusual?? I admit though I have to agree, I'm 5'10 and can't imagine being 155lbs. that is a bit too thin. I was just checking if this is normal. Thanks

ok everything has been going smoothly, I was approved and have a surgery date for Oct 6th. But I still can't decide which band to go with:cursing: it is so aggravating I went on the website for the realize band and they compare the realize to the old lap band not the new lap band AP. Good marketing , so how do you decide has anyone gotten the new lap band AP? And how can you choose a band when their comparing it to a band that doctors are no longer using, if there using the lap band it is the AP not the old one, please someone relieve my stress levels. :sad:

Hello Everyone! I have not had my band yet (going through the process), but I dooo have a couple of questions regarding scars. I scar pretty easily (I have marks on my legs from mosquito bites from when I worked at a camp a few years back if that tells you anything), and I also have stretch marks (obviously). Does anyone have any recommendations for ointment/cream/whatever for scar fading and/or stretch mark fading? I've seen ads for numerous brands but I've never had any experience with any of them and don't know what works vs what doesn't, or if any of them actually work! Also, has anyone started working on fading stretch marks before losing weight? Is this a go…

Hi, I am just ding the research part of this long process. I was wondering if anyone had too good or too bad of an experience with this doctor. All opinions are welcome! If you have a special doctor, please share. Thanks.

Has anyone used or does anyone know if its okay to use Herbal Life shake powder for the pre-op diet. I 'm getting banded on 9/19/08, per the MD instruction I just need to fast a day before (just clear liquids), but I asked one of the nurses if i need to do anything else, she said to drink two protein shakes and a sensible lunch/dinner the week prior...that means I have to start on Friday! I'm just not sure of what shake to use..I have a whole container of shake (cookies n cream..yummie) that I had bought from Herbal Life...would that be okay to take???? thanks

I have been on liquid diet since monday morning and the scales have moved 8 pounds. I keep seeming to think my scale is off lol.... Did anyone have this sort of weight loss doing liquid diet? Im assuming most of it would be water weight as I have been drinking a ton of water too. I am so nervous that the docs scale will weight heavier and since im borderline bmi to do the outpatient surgery, im really nervous. Also i have one liver enzyme always come back slightly higher at just above normal, but no one can find any cause behind it and im scared that might move my surgery date too. Im getting really nervous that the date is approaching fast. Tomorrow is my last day of…

Hi everyone! My surgery is tomorrow at 1:00, and I am totally freaking out! I'm at work and having a really tough time concentrating on anything but the surgery. The more I think about it, the more scared and anxious I get. Any words of wisdom from anyone? Canyou think of any last minute things I need to take care of before surgery? I think I need a pill! :biggrin:

I just met with Dr. Burpee and Sonia. We discussed the realize band and the support group that is associated with it which your doctors monitor. I found it interesting. The doctors can keep track of your progress and make suggestions online and if they feel that you need to come in sooner for an appointment then they can suggest it or help in other ways online. It sounds like the realize band is a little different than the lapband. Do any of you have information? I am on new turf. Just know that this is the route that Dr. Burpee would like to see me go and so I agreed with him. I would like to be a little more informed from those that are using it. Got lots o…

:omg_smile: I have BCBS of Minnisota. I went to PCP 03/03/08, 04/17/08, 07/02/08, 07/31/08, 08/28/08, 09/10/08. Thats 6 times in 6 months but not once a month. I changed my mind in May and didn't change it back til the end of June. It was too late then to get in during June. Thats why I have two July dates. Hopefully they will count 07/02/08 as June sort of. May is just missing. Do you think they will deny me. It is being submitted Friday to insurance. My surgeons office said ins takes 4 to 6 weeks to get approval. That seems way longer than anyone on here says. Any of you have experience with missed apts during 6 month diet or with BCBS Minnisota? :scared2:

:smile: OK I've lost 18lb's on the liquid diet, will this morning my scale said I gained 2 back, is that possible??? I was kinda scared and mad about about this, could it be water? Hugs Bobbie:confused::thumbup::confused:

I have been starting to struggle with fears over the band. Not that it wont work but that it will work the way its supposed to. Meaning it will limit what I can eat. I am a little surprised at these fears as I am committed to weight loss. Honestly though I LOVE to eat. Its something I look forward to. Sometimes something I obsess about I admit it. I am doing a cleanse right now. I am not hungry but I keep imagining the things I wish I was eating the sensation of chewing the taste. I tell myself once I am done with the cleanse I will have this one meal that I love at a local Breakfast joint. Then I remember that once I have my band I probably wont be able to eat it o…

I finally got the call today, I don't have a surgery date yet but I have been approved. I can't believe it has happened so quickly. I just had my last appt for the 6 month diet on 9/4 and today 9/10 my surgeons office called... She told me that she was passing along my file to the lady that schedules the surgery's and she will be calling me with a date. Holy Cow.... I was at work when I got the call on my cell and now I can not concentrate on anything... I can't wait to be in band land.:biggrin:

So, I am understanding everything that the dietician told me. Alot of it is back to basics from weight watchers, portions, weight, ounces, excercise, etc... Then she told me about the "UNGY?" protein replacement something or another that I will have to get during my 2 week pre-op diet? what the heck is UNGY??????

I would not dream of blasting you. In fact, I went through the same fears and regrets (and still do sometimes even 3 months after the surgery). If you are ready to do this, you will know. For me, the advantages were much more overwhelming than the food. Do I regret not being able to go to champagne brunch? Absolutely! This coming Christmas will be the first one in over 35 years that we have not had champagne in our special Waterford stems while we opened gifts. But I am sure we will come up with a new tradition which can probably incorporate the Waterford as well. And I love, love love being able to buy clothes other than at Lane Bryant or Catherine's. I went into Coldwat…

I called BC/BS Alliance Select and was told that I was denied because my BMI wasn't High Enough I've yo-yoed between 37-40 for the past two years and that my co-morbidities aren't enough I have gerd, asthma, migraines, joint pain and depression. Geez I don't know if that is enough i mean my weight basically dictates what I can do in my life. This is so messed up. I'm of course appealling and resubmitting my Insurance lady at the surgeons office is out until Monday so I called and left a message that says I needed to talk to her called my PCP and asked him to write a letter of medical necessity and to please list all the stuff I've tried and failed at, all my co-morbities …

Hello, Before approval from insurance, I have to have an EKG, chest x-ray and labs. I have never had to have an EKG - Do I have to undress for this? Just trying to know ahead of time so that I can dread it even more if I am going to be topless. Crazy question I know...but don't yall hate having to "unveil" to people you don't know? LOL - anyway...wonder how long an EKG takes?:biggrin:

I am just wondering what the bariatric conseling session is all about? I have to do an individual and a group session with a psychiatrist. Just wondering what to expect? :biggrin:

Hi All, Today was my first consult and I left feeling a little confused. The doc asked me why I wanted to do Lap Band compared to Gastric Bypass. I told him the idea of having my stomach cut scares me, that I feel like I could do well with the band and I'm thinking I'm 24 and feel like I really could do well. I then mentioned another reason was because I wanted to lose slowly and not have all the extra skin. He told me that wasn't a reason to choose because no matter what I will have extra skin. I really feel like he was pushing bypass and now I am confused as what to do. What were your reasons?

First let me say I'm 50 years old, a mother of an 11 year old and a widow. My husband died 4 years ago at the age of 41 (he was obese). I'm scared to death of making this decision to go for lap band, you'd think it would be a no brainer, but it isn't. I have told only a couple of people that I'm thinking about doing it. I'm 250 lbs, bmi is 43 and I've tried many of the diets around. My fear is what if I fail and put myself in a bad place physically. I need to be healthy to do my job so I can support my daughter. I just need some words of encouragement. I'm also worried about how do you know if you'll be successful vs. cheat and eat some of the foods that will pass…

Quick Bio, late 40's male, about 400lbs, High BP, sleep Apenea, high colesteral (now under control). Both knees shot and bad back. Always been heavy, Never had an issue with it, Now need to drop 100-150+ lbs. Exercise isnt going to do it, Knee's/back makes walking hard and very quickly stop any activities. Heading to OSU for one of the info sessions but concerned about the question what diet have you tried. Really haven't tried any and the few I had me eating less food than my rabbits do. That doesnt last long for me. Never had any luck with the few diets I tried except when I was on redux. (wife didnt like me on redux, said it made me mean and then it was p…

Hi guys I'm in Pre lap band stage and I'm going to participate in the annual "Walk FROM Obesity" Walk Date: Saturday, October 4, 2008 Walk Location: New Britain, Walnut Hill Park Walnut Hill Park is a one mile loop. Walkers may walk one to three loops. Event time: 10am - 2pm Registration from 10am -11am Music provided by Local Motion Entertainment, LLC I'm interested in getting a Team together I currently work with Dr. Benbrahim and I'm looking to see if I can get any of his patients together or anyone elses for that matter. It's a great cause here is a link to the site with information. Please send me a private message if your interested or email me @ heather.…