PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

i met with the surgeon today and he is all for the bypass. he said that only 1 out of 6 people succeed with the band and that i will probably only lose about 50 pounds and i need to lose 140. he said that the bypass would be better and that hes not a huge fan of the band. now what? this whole time ive been totally committed to having the band and now he is trying to convince me to do the bypass. also my bmi is 49 and he wont do the band on people who is over 50 talk about being close. i went to work today and talked to my boss who also is a doctor and she told me today that she feels that the band wont work and that the bypass is the way to go and that i am taking the sh…

As I consider the lap band, I am wondering about recovery time. I am a firefighter/paramedic, and strenuous lifting/bending is part of my job description. Am I doomed to weeks and weeks out of work? Audrey

I am looking into the band, but at the same time I have an abdominal hernia that I need to get handled. It seems to me that getting both done at once would a) save money, and :thumbup: save going under general anesthesia twice. Is that something that's possible? Or am I dreaming? Audrey

I went to the seminar on Wednesday and the support group right after the seminar. I mailed out my application to the surgeon on Thursday. So, I was wondering how long does it take to hear from the surgeon?

Hi, This is my first time posting - I was wondering if anyone from AZ has BCBS and how long and what did it take to get approved? I am barely starting my journey and am nervous because I hope everything goes smoothly. I am 20 year old with a BMI or 39. It would be nice to here everyones information. Thank you

Can I sky write this? OMG! I just knew I wasn't going to be approved but then, I got a call this morning from Triwest and the lady said she reviewed it and that I'm APPROVED!! She was great too! She asked if I had help after the surgery and asked if she could call me after the surgery! How sweet is that?! UNFORTUNATELY, since my dr. is the most popular and this is the only city in Montana that does lap band, my surgery isn't until November 3rd! WOW! I don't care though cause I know I WILL have it done! And this is the BEST feeling in the world knowing my life will be changing and soon! :cool2::thumbup:

ok- so my birthday is wednesday! yippeee!! But- im on my pre-op diet. so you know what that means... no birthday cake for me! my pre-op diet consists of a slim fast shake for breackfast and lunch and a high Protein dinner. i can have Snacks throughout the day like sugar free pudding and Jello. so- i told my husband instead of buying or making a cake i cant eat... make me sugar free banana pudding. less temptation that way! so- hes got my mom making it. hahaha :biggrin2: anyways- just thought id share that with everyone.

Will I never be able to eat steak again??? I know this is such a stupid question but I was wondering if I will be able to eat it as long as its small bites and its chewed well. Just wondering-:confused2: Thanks!

Hi, I am scheduled to attend my pre surgery consulation on Sept. 5th. I have completed insurance approval, psych evaluation and have gotten my primary doctor approval so I am on my way! The only problem is that I am scared to death to have the surgery! I know that it is a minimal procedure and being a nurse manager I have been in surgery and I have seen several very old, very sick patients go into surgery and come out of it, but I myself have never had surgery and I am scared like crazy! I am also gaining weight and eating junk that I have never ate before! One other thing is although I adore my husband and we have a great relationship, but I am so embarrassed that he wi…

I was looking in the mirror of this person who is me. I wonder what I will look like in 2yrs. I know its a bit early to wonder this as I have not gotten approval yet.. but I wonder. I have a few questions of curiosity: 1. If you have cellulite before surgery does it fade away in to sunset with the weightloss or does it hang with you till your last breath? 2. Did you wonder what you were going to look like in the months/yrs to come after your sugery? How far off where you on your thoughts and how much were you surprised? Thank you to all who have read this post and responded to me. Its great to find a place where I can ask the "hard hitting" questions..

Hi All, I haven't been to the board in a couple of weeks because much has happened. On August 2nd my mom passed away and I'm still having a hard time with it. She has been ill for quite a while with COPD/Emphysema, but she was my best friend and I have no idea how I am going to get on without her. I am saddened because I wanted to have this done and to have lost a lot of weight before anything happened to her. I do have some good news I think, though. I am going in for my H&P consultation with the surgeon on the 22nd. I am supposed to go for the psych evaluation and the nutrition consultation on the 26th, but I don't know if I am going to be able to go to …

Hi! I saw the surgeon today (first visit) and will have my psych and diet eval on Friday. What will they be asking? What are they looking for? Thanks! ~~anne

Did anyone have one done and if so tell me what to expect...dont worry I'm allready scared so it wont scare me any worse!! Hugs Charlene:sad:

I haven't posted in quite some time. Probably because I was so convinced that I would be approved that I was just dancing along not worrying too much about anything. Well what a frustration ! Today I found out that my insurance took several weeks to get to my file, only to tell me that my doctor is out of network and not covered. I took a deep breath when they told me and thought...wait for it...."Duuuuuuuh". I know he's out of network ! But you geniuses don't have a single lapband doctor IN network. You told me since there was no doctor in network that you would automatically review my file ! I'm trying to stay on the sanity train, but is it ever hard. Now I comple…

Im going into my 2nd week of pre-op diet and am trying to get everything i need for post band. so my question is... what are you people who are lactose in tolerant using for your protein shakes??? ive heard of whey protein but thats not lactose free. any suggestions here would do wonders! Thanks!!!!:mad2:

Good Morning Everyone! I was banded through TLCEdge/Dr. Kim on July 31st. Everything has gone very well in terms of preop, surgery and healing from surgery. I lost 17 lbs on the preop diet and 6 lbs since surgery. I am bummed that I haven't lost more since surgery. I am eating such low calories. I started working out again and hope to be doing 4 days this week. I feel like this time before my first fill is the twilight zone that people don't really talk about. You don't have restriction but you are to eat the most limited amount of food. That would be a lot more tolerable if the scale was reflecting my efforts. Any suggestions that people have would be really appreca…

So...someone came into chat today talking about how their surgeon kept saying, "And what if you died on the table, what would happen to your kids?" I said something about how that was a little harsh, and a few people kept telling me "this is a reality you have to face." Is it really this DRAMATIC? I have accepted and weighed the risks and want to go forward...can someone detail to me why someone would DIE on a table getting a lap band? I keep hearing, "with any surgery there is risks," and I'd like some specific examples of reasons that may happen so I know if I should worry more than I am.... Thank you and hope everyone is doing awesome today!

i have been on my pre-op diet for like 8 or 9 days now and my body is in absolute shock!!! something has happened to me and i am a little concerned: please tell me if this has happened to any other women: ok so yesturday i went to use the bathroom and surprise!!! i was bleeding.. and still am. like a full blown regular period. i am on birth control pills and its not my time. i still have like a little over a week. not to mention cramping really bad. im just wondering if its something to be worried about or if all these changes have sent my body into confusion??? anybody else go through this??? do i need to contact a doctor??:confused2:

Hi all, Just wondering something...I think I might have sleep apnea (went on vacation and my friend said I would stop breathing and then jerk awake!!), but I have done a small sleep test (that is required by my doctor before they can send me to a sleep study). The test said that I don't have apnea, but I still jerk awake, and sleep really bad most nights. I am having band surgery in October. Do you think it would be worth it, to go for a sleep study...or wait for the surgery and see if that helps first?? Any opinons would be great!!!

What is your ideal body weight? How did you determine what weight you wanted to be? My dr and I discussed this somewhat. Basically he asked what I thought I wanted to be. He did not however set a goal for me or discuss that with me. It just struck me that I haven't determined that and my surgery is in the morning!

good morning every1 im on my preop diet got 1 week left to go before surgury and im feeling weak, nauseat, and have a really bad headache to where i had to call into work today any1 feel or have felt like this?

Hi, I am Cheryl and live in Asheboro, NC. I have battled this weight thing around 25 years. I have completed the shrink, sleep study, cardio and now am down to really deciding do I want to do this. I have only heard the doctors side to this procedure. Would someone be willing to tell me what their experience is with this. I want to know the good, the bad and the ugly not sugar coated. Thanks:thumbup:

Hey all! I'm 19 and completed my first appt at Weight Loss Surgical Center in Kansas City on 8/14/08 and am just waiting to hear back from them. Did anyone else go through them? During my first appt, they seemed really on top of things but when I called today, my claim hadn't even been submitted! Then, over the phone I was told that my claim through TriWest Tricare Standard would be submitted electronically, then I was told it would be submitted via snail mail today. Egh, I just don't want to start getting the runaround already.....

:confused2:Hello everyone! I have been reading on Lap-Band talk for a coulpe of weeks now just getting all the info. I can get on lap-band. I will be taking my nutritional class on August 20, 2008 and my surgury is August 22, 2008. So I have just a few days left. My question is, I have read alot about people having to lose some much weight before their surgury and my doctor has not told me nothing about that. Does everyone have to do this? I dont wont to show up Friday and they say well you have not lost a percentage of your weight.....if you know what I mean. Please help!

So I have been on my pre-op diet for 10 days now which included 4 Optifast drinks 2 optifast bars, sugar free jello and sugar free popsicles. I have lost 10lbs so far. As of tomorrow I am to go onto a complete clear liquids diet for the next 2 days until surgery which is Wednesday the 20th.....BUT I cheated tonight! Up until tonight I have done exactly what I was supposed to and while it was incredibly difficult I still made it somehow...until tonight. I had some plain grilled chicken breast with some lettuce that had vinegar on it...I was starving tonight and for some reason I said screw it. I figured I had done so well to this point that something like that would be OK …

Hi I am new to all of this! I have battled my weight my whole life. I have lost weight gained it lost it again i am just so tired of this!!! Through my years of dealing with my weight I decided to go back to school and get a degree in nutrition (it's so much fun to be a chubby dietitian) so as you can imagine I no what to do to lose weight I just have such a hard time doing it. If someone told me that there was a magic pill I would take it!! So what I want to know is this worth it! Does it work? I know the science behind it all, but does it really work! I work at one of the local hosptials and the surgeons are having an info meeting this week and I just wonder if I…

I have my consultation tomorrow, and have been taking notes from the website, but I would like to know of any questions you think are important to ask the doctor before your surgery. Thanks so much for any help you can provide- Targa

So i have a small problem. I'm starting a new job this Monday (the 18th) and I'm really really excited about it. However, I want get the ball rolling when my health insurance kicks in October 1st with going to a consult for my band, appointments etc.. Do you guys think it's a good idea if I let my manager know of my plans. I'm thinking at least one appointment I'm going to need to extend my lunch break on. (I'm going to go to my primary doctor during my one hour lunch break and it may be longer. Not to mention the fact that I'm going to have to at least take 5 days off for my surgery week. I'm thinking that I'm going to include the weekend as 2 of those days so I only…

So, many of you know my dilemma with my unsupportive husband. Well, he told me last night that he took off work (gasp!) Monday and Tuesday to take me and pick me up from my surgery!! Miracles do happen!!! He is not happy about it and that is fine with me, it just shows that he does not want me to go it alone and I am shocked. Monday is 2 days away! Wish me luck, I'll keep you updated!

Hi all, I am still waiting to hear from Cigna HMO if they will approve the surgery. From reading posts on here, it sounds like it is a tough process. I know one of their requirements is a 6 month activity and diet log. I joined a new gym in January, and kept my own personal diary of food intake, and exercise for that day. I have kept this for 8 months now. Will Cigna accept this, or does it have to start after they approve (assuming that they do). I didn't think to ask the consultant at my initial consultation meeting. It was so much info presented at one time, it was overwhelming! Any info would be great! Thanks!

I have already paid $8000 of my self-pay cost but the balance was originally due on 8/12 (2 weeks before my surgery). I am using a school loan that was sent by mail on Friday, 8/8. It was supposed to be direct deposit but the school made a mistake and it was mailed TO MY OLD ADDRESS. Ack. It was my fault about the address. I had updated it online in my general info, but did not realize I need to change it with the accounting office, as well. So anyway, the last piece of mail that was rerouted to us took 13 days to get to me once it go tot the post office (I live in the same town, just a different street). I told the people in accounting at the surgery center on Tue…

I met with the doctor's office I was referred to by TriCare today and I was surprised to hear that they didn't have any requirements other than some paperwork (and obvs BMI/weight) for surgery. I asked the insurance lady to call and re-confirm with TriCare that they didn't have any requirements, too, so she did. They don't (again, other than the obvious weight/BMI stuff). I guess I got that psych referral for nothing, LOL. She sent me home with paperwork to fill out over the weekend and a 4-day food diary, which I'm to mail/fax back on Monday (too far to just drive it over unless I'm headed out that way anyway). She said I should have my surgery scheduled the last Wednesd…

How does everyone get time off work to go to doctor's appointments and everything before the band? How long do these appoinments last? I just got my first real job....recent college graduate, and I was just wondering how all this is done...do you tell your employeer, or do you just say you have a doctors appointment?

I was wondering what the psychatric evaluation is like? What kind of questions do they ask, what are they really trying to discover about us before we get a referral from them?

Ok, Im sure this question has been asked before but... I had my surgery in Mexico a few days ago and ever since I had the Lap Band put in I have been in alot of pain. Not port pain or shoulder/gas pain, but internal pain. I have been burping alot since the surgery and every time I am about to burp it feels like I swallowed a golf ball and it is stuck somewhere inside me. It feels like I am trying to get that golf ball through the band and it gets momentarily stuck. I feel like this whenevr I try to swallow water, and the pain comes and goes every few minutes for apparently no reason. It is SO painful, it stops me in my tracks. Is this kind of pain normal? I know I…

Hey guys and gals, it's Stacy again. Ok, incase you have forgotten, I am being banded this coming Monday in Knoxville. I need to know something. OK, after my surgery I know for like 2 weeks, I have to be on a clear liquid diet. My problem is, I was looking at some notes from my nutrition class and somewhere I saw something about milk. Can I have milk as a fluid? Also, I need some ideas of other things I can use to get my carbs and protein in. I know there are the protein shakes and sugar free jello, sugar free popsicles. But is there anything else I can (I guess drink). It just seems that its the same things and I am afraid I will end up getting tired of the same…

My surgery is scheduled for next Thursday, March 20,2008. Any one not get general anaesthesia?? I don't want to be put out that deeply...I don't want to be intubated.....Thanks cc

Well I got a letter in the mail yesterday that stated that I can't move forward now because they found a notation in my records from last December that I was having frequent panic attacks.. I was, but it was because I had been stranded in my house since breaking my leg in August 07.. I hadn't been able to even go to a store without someone with me because I couldn't carry anything up/or down the stairs. It was Christmas time and we were totally financially screwed because I hadn't been able to work full time because of the swelling.. The nurse practitioner was Po'd at me because I wouldn't take anti depressants because they make the panic worse, among other things. I end…

I started my 6mos wls diet with my doctor in March. I went every month until June and then made a decision that I wanted to try and lose it myself rather than surgery and stopped going to the Dr. However, I got a personal trainer in June and he asked me all about my diet plans and documented my weight and diet program. Then I started going to weight watchers in July, and I know insurance companies now accept weight watchers meetings. So basically I have all 6 months of my weight documented and what diet program I followed. I have lost 32 pounds but I know that I need the band to help me continue my weight loss, and to finally maintain it for the rest of my life. I have be…

:tongue2:I went to the seminar on Wednesday and then I stayed for the Support Group meeting. It was amazing how I felt so comfortable amongst so many strangers. The next day (yesterday) I mailed out my application and the surgeon's office should have it today. I also went to my PCP to get referrals for all the doctors in the team at SMMC in Biddeford. I thought I was going to have to beg for the referral, it was so easy. She put me on the scale my BMI is 43 and she asked me if I was ready for this and I said I've been thinking about that and when I went to the support group I knew I was ready. The next thing I know she is calling the doctors offices and trying to set …

Hi there! This is my first post. I have a few questions and did a search but didn't really find what I was searching for. I really hope someone can help. When I inquired about Lapband, my doctor gave me a list of things to do. Bloodwork, sleep apnea class (which I have), and mamogram which I just did this past Wed. Alittle history - about a week prior to the mamogram, I called my Dr. to inquire about the lapband again. I left the message that I did have sleep apnea and at this point the only thing left to do on his list was the mamogram. I day or two later, I got an appointment card in the mail with a scheduled mamogram. Since usually this would be a "walk-in" I…

OK So last night I went for my sleep study. I personally never had any trouble sleeping and I dont show any symptoms of sleep apnea. Well, I was floored today when they called me this afternoon and said that I needed to be on a CPAP machine. I am very concerned. I dont want this to hinder my surgery process in any way. I am scared to death now. I dont want to be on this machine the rest of my life. Any advice?

For those of you who have already been banded, do most of you see your port portruding/sticking out beneath your skin? This is my biggest fear-- that my port will be obviously visible. I have a low BMI to begin with (about 32) and I don't know if that's worse since I won't have much fat to cover the port area. Also, how well has your port would healed? The goal is to get into a bikini without any visible scarring! I do have a tendency to keloid so I am a bit worried about this.... Any tips would be most appreciated. Thanks!

I work on a med/surg unit. Do you think 10 days off work will be enough for me to return to full duty? thanks so much!

I am getting banded in West Hills CA. on August 1st.. But I live in Bakersfield,, should be a fun drive home.. Hopefully lots of good drugs..(lol) anyways anyone living in my area getting banded around that time?

Yeah, I have not been on the board because I was extremely upset. After doing the psych eval, seeing the nutritionist, going the primary doc for 6 months, I could not get approved. Why? I am too healthy. No bp problems, no diabetes, just morbidly obese. Surgeon fought with them and said that their rationale was stupid, that I have been overweight all my adult life, no miracle was going to happen, and it was nonsense to wait for someone to develop health issues then approve the surgery. Finally got approval this week. My surgery is scheduled for September 23rd. They wanted to do it September 9th but one of my best friends is getting married September 13th and I …

I had my 1st lap band surgery on 8/11 and much to my chagrin and dismay, my liver was too thick for the doc to properly place the band. He has me (again) on a diet to shrink my liver (which I have learned to follow to the letter this time, as I said, shame on me) and will try again on 8/29. Besides doing what he's said to do (2 - 3 Protein shakes a day, 3 oz lean chicken turkey or fish, 1 cup green veggies no oil, and at least 64 ounces of Water daily) does anyone know of anything else I can do to make sure that sucker shrinks some? Exercise? Anyone have any tips? Thanks...

:help: I'm hungry frustrated and thinking of ways to cheat. Please help. I am on my two week liquid diet eating Jello,popsicles,cream Soups,etc. and I can't take it anymore. I am so tempted everytime I open the refrigerator to get a popsicle or to drink a fruit2O. :hungry:

Do you think it would be a good idea to join weight watchers until I can have my one on one consultation. I have read that sometimes the insurance company will require you to try another diet program before being approved. I have been on optifast for 3 months. If I switch to weight watchers for another 3 would I be covered?

Today was my first day of orintation for the lap band, I was told it is required to do 24 weeks of weekly visits to a prep class prior to surgery. Also, they require that you loose 10% of your body weight before surgery as well. My class will begin 9/3/08 and we have the option of doing the opifast diet during this time. Has anyone else had to go through something similar to get the surgery? I did not know the process was sooo long.