PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hey all - I am getting banded in a week (yikes!) and in wandering around on the board, I have noticed the HUGE differences in the target amount of protein. So I was hoping to see what the deal is, is it weight or what? The nutritionist did a formula thing to figure out the number, but she didn't tell me what the formula was or anything. SO... I am 328, BMI 52.9 and my protein target is 47 grams - which seems really low compared to many of you. Can that be right?? :confused_smile:

I know when I miss a couple meals I turn into a real #@tch. Now I don't know how in the heck you people made it on a liquid diet for 2 weeks thank heaven's that I only have to go 2 days on a liquid diet... But what about after the surgery did you go through withdrawals? Did you turn angry what what happened tell me tell me please :redface:

hi, i'm brand spankin' new to the forum, yaaay me, lol, i have tons of questions just like any newbie, i'm getting banded ( am i using the correct lingo? lol) on july 24. ok anyways so i have to start my pre op diet on thursday, and i'm trying to slowly start into it now...so that i don't have some psycho pizza craving thursday night...ok now my question(s) my doctors office recommended myocel to use as a protien supplement/shake thing...sounds delicious! but i'm wondering if i could just use like a high protien slim fast or Optifast...you know something already premade? and i'll contact the office later but for those who did a pre op diet, is it just sticking to a …

So I'm finally rescheduled for a seminiar this Thursday with Dr. DiBeniditto in Rochester, NY (I think I spelled his name wrong, oops). I'm actually a little nervous. After all the research I've done and I felt so comfortable with moving forward... now I'm frankly a little scared about taking this step. Anybody else feel like this?

Ok, so I'm on day 6 of my 8 day pre op diet. My surgery is Thursday. I am sooo sick of the repetitive liquid regimen that I've lost my appetite. I'm sure some of it is nerves, but right now I'm too tired and weak to care. I simply don't want anything. The thought of putting anything else in my body makes me gag-literally. Has this happened to anyone else? Istead of starving, I'm going the other way.:confused2:

My girlfriend wanted to go to coldstone yesterday. I told her I didn't have a problem going with her, but I probably wouldn't be able to get anything because of my pre-op all liquid diet. But they now have smoothies. While my friend got french vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce mixed, in I had the Strawberry Bananza. It was orange juice, strawberrys, bananas and ice in a blender. It was delicious!! You could really taste the banana. I was able to suck up the whole thing through the straw. It felt good to go to a regular resturant and be able to get something within my terms.

My mother(61) called today and told me that when I was home for a month in Sept. she would pay for me to have the lap-band surgery done if I wanted it. She then said she wanted me(32) to live longer than her and she was doing this for my health. Of course I immediately started crying. Weight problems have pluaged me since I was a kid and I am FINALLY ok with who I am... with a few setbacks of course- I live in the Virgin Islands and ALL my friends look better in a swimsuit than me. I digress. I'm scared to death of surgery. I want it, I do but I have a fear that I can't explain! HELP!!!!!!:party::tt2::eek::drool::tt1::tt1:

Hello Ladies, So im new here as of last week I've been doing research on the LapBand I never wanted to do the GBY since I think is an aggressive procedure so after all my research I think the best choice for me is LapBand. I have my Dr. Appt. July 24. I have greatwest and from my conversation today, they do approve it. So here are my main questions. Ok first off Im 30 years old and I weight 285 :confused_smile: (I have no clue how I've done this to myself) SO my main concern is do you really loose weight and does this really work. I mean all of us are here because we do not eat properly we overeat even when we are full at least I do. Im being honest!!! So those of you …

Hi, I am getting banded on August 13th, in Mexico and I have a few questions. What is up with the Protein? I know that you need 60g in a day and that the body can't absorb more then 30g at a time (please correct me if I am wrong!). But why do we need so much? Will I be able to eat anything spicy after this? The low down on fills. I know that every person is different. But, I am trying to plan financially for the amount of fills I will need in one year. Ball park. So how many did you have in one year? I am a size 32 right now, and I am just wondering how quickly did you go down in sizes? I am a little worried about the expense of buying clothes. How fast was it f…

I just joined this blog today. I am having my lap band done in Mexico on the 23rd and I am getting a little nervous. I tried a couple of doctors here and quickly found out that I could not afford to have it done. My best friend went to the same clinic in Mexico and had it done and she is fine, so I decided to go there. I am a smoker and am trying to quit, but can't seem to get past my nerves. The doctor in Mexico doesn't require it, but in reading up on this surgery it seems best. I am sure I would be nervous no matter what but the thought of leaving the country for heath care, smoking...and I have a cold right now...seem to be getting me overwhelmed. I know I need to q…

So I am a smoker let me give you some background, I'm 24 i've been smoking on and off since i was 19, i know its unhealthy and i've tried to quit, and just like food its an addiction. I smoked since i was 19, then quit when i was 22 when i found out i was pregnant with my son, picked it back up about a month after I had him, quit 4 months later.....And just recently picked it back up January of this year...Its a battle for me.... What i'm wondering is if the surgeon recommends you quit before surgery, I know theres risk with lung problems after surgery, when i had my galbladder out i smoked and my chest did hurt, but i made myself caugh and breath deep....and used tha…

My surgery is set for 7/23. I work in customer service. Have anyone went back to work before a week after the surgery?

I have way to much time on my hands so I sit here and think I wonder if and I wonder that.. Question 1. I always did better on diets when I used their pre packaged meals, now I know that I will be on a liquid diet but afterwards and trying to get started eating right has anyone used the lean cuisine type meals.

and it seems I'm a great candidate for the band and I fit in with what my insurance qualifications are. The insurance coordinator will call my insurance company to verify again (of course I did that already...), and will call me next Tuesday to schedule my first nutrition counseling. That's where I am at. While reviewing all insurance requirements, etc. with the coordinator, she said that I must pay a $1500 non-refundable fee (even with insurance covering it) one week before surgery.:cool: Is this large of an expense normal even with 100% coverage? Before getting too involved, I just wanted to check with the pros! She said this was to cover follow up for life with the …

I went today for my upper GI, no problems found :mad: However, the Lap band procedure is taking place aprx. 2 hrs away, though when I originally me with a surgeon I met him in Bakersfield it wasn't until I received a letter from the insurance that I found out it was to be done in West Hills... I called the local office and she said yes the surgery will be done in West Hills but all the follow ups will be here in Bakersfield, with my same surgeon. I go today for my GI and find that my surgeon is no longer with them and the one that will be replacing him said that he will do the surgery but if I wanted him to do the fills then I would have to travel to West Hills for th…

I started the program to get the lap band in Feb. and was able to lose my insurance requirement weight of 5% of my weight. I had lost 17lbs to get a surgery date this was in May. I got a surgery date of June 30th and was not put on any kind of pre op diet and was told by the surgeons office the weight lose requirment was for insurance reasons only. I have had 3 friends that have went through the same process and all gained back their weight before surgery. (they did have the by-pass surgery) so when I went to the hospital for surgery and got weighed I had gained back 8lbs. My surgeon came in and to my surprise canceled my surgery due to the weight gain then had me meet wi…

I thought I'd start working on getting my weight off before surgery, so I started a food journal today. There's no wonder I weigh what I do, I eat too much. I want a snack every two hours or so and in the evenings between lunch and supper I get the munchies bad. I feel hungry, but not. Ugh, why can't this be easy? Any way to help keep me out of the kitchen and away from Snacks? Here's what I have ate today (which is a mild day for me): EAS Protein shake 110 Cal. 1 Orange 90 Cal 2 crab cakes 400 Cal for both cakes Cottage cheese 90 Cal Saltine Crack…

On a personal note, I am 4 days into my all liquid diet and feel the need to warn others about the feelings of "hey, I have to pass gas or fart." Do it in the bathroom, it's a trick!! Haven't had any accidents, but you know when your inner voice goes,"uh oh, pull it back, pull it back I think I should do this in the potty." Hope this makes everybody smile, but be aware it could happen to you. Susan

Hello my name is Lisa I am 35 years old Im currently looking into the Lapband surgery and would love to hear from someone who has already gone thru this. I have been overweight my entire life so I have never known thin. I have two sons 5 and 9 and just recently my 5 year has begun telling me I am fat! Wow how that hurts! Its not like I dont know that I am its just hearing it from him just seemes to affect me more than words. My husband has always been suportive and never ever critized me but truth is IM TIRED OF BEING OVERWEIGHT. Im starting to have health problems now ( Diabetes, High Blood Pressure ect.) and I wanna be around for my kids. Plus for once I would love to l…

I am lactose intolerant. I can take cheese and some dairy, but things like milk and ice cream do not make my stomach happy. This is a pretty new condition and ice cream was my favorite food! Maybe it's a blessing in the long run, but the thought of having to live on the protien shakes for a couple of weeks is not a pleasant thought. Has anyone come across this issue and found a lactose free and low sugar shake that doesn't taste like a$$? :thumbup: Any help would be greatly appreciated!

well, i finally took the first step and went to the seminar & i made my appointment for my consultation that night [with dr. wynn in newark delaware]. i was just wondering what goes on at a consultation. i know this may seem stupid, but it would ease my anxiety about the appointment.

What can you do so interanl stitches dont break? no lying on side? bending? lifting? make certain no solids so you dont vomit? dont eat big amounts at once?

It has been a long time since I posted on this site. I have been so busy doing everything required of me by BCBS plus working plus taking care of my family. All of my paperwork was faxed over to BCBS on 06/23 for review. I am waiting to hear back from them. The insurance co-ordinator at the surgeon's office told me they can take up to 30 days before giving a decision. I really want to call them to see where they are in regards to my request but am hesitant to do so for fear of denial. Logically I know there is no reason for them to deny me-I have met all of their requirements. I did the 6 month diet, I had the sleep study which uncovered that I do have sleep apnea, I used…

I received my approval last week from Tricare and I go see the doctor tomorrow for an upper GI and blood work and my surgery is Friday. All this is happening so fast!!! I am getting a little nervous. I feel I really don't know enough about what to do afterwards. I am on my liquid diet now and it is going terrible. Seems everything is running right through me....ewww... sorry to be so blunt..... I can't believe it is finally happening after all these months......YYIPPYY

How soon after you got approved did you start your pre-op? I have a tenative date of 8/1 and I am afraid I will not have enough time to do my diet.

:redface: My file has been submitted to UHC for approval. I am being told to call back to the AIGB office here in Houston on Tuesday to check on it. Is'nt that a bit soon? :thumbup: How soon should I call my insurance to see if they have gotten the info? Thanks!

I am a custodian and have an appt with surgeon;Dr. Andrew Averbach in Catonsville, MD Tues. Wish me luck.:biggrin: My Primary doctor gave them a referral, so I can take advantage of any co-pay from my ins. I already had blood lab work done ahead of time. I have no medical problem, except varicose viens and arthritis in my knees. I am on my feet all day at work, walk a lot. :mad: I'm glad I don't have a desk job. LOL I am curious if there are any custodians who may have went back to work in less than 3 weeks...I do lift a lot during school year as well as summer which I don't have to with other supportive co-workers as long as they don't get mad. D

I have the same band date (May 30th) and the exact same experience as mentioned by Jodi of "Tomorrow is the Day". It really helps to read that others have experienced the same thing. Day 2 was the worst of it. I thought something must have gone terribly wrong, as so many people say they were fine right away. I was thinking the dreaded shoulder pain was going to be the worst part but it was the idea and sensation that every time I moved I thought the stitches would rip that really hurt the most. Sheesh, it does hurt but the next day it started to feel a bit better and today (day 4) I drove my child to school (1 1/2 hours round trip - no meds!). So I think I'll live and am …

Hi all, I went to my pre-op appointment on July 8th and got the run down of everything to expect and make sure I am ready for the procedure. One thing that was brought to my attention was the fact the I would have to take inject myself with a blood thinner called Lovenox. It kind of freaked me out. I an not afraid of needles because I give blood all the time to the Florida blood bank but that is someone else sticking it in me. Now I am having to inject my self with a fluid and I am honestly a bit nervous about that. Has anyone else had to do this? I will do what ever I need to because I am ready to change. Also any tips on best way to inject? I was shown a pictur…

I am beginning to have the weirdest feelings in my legs, my calves specifically. They ache all the time, they feel swollen although they don't really look like it. My ankles feel swollen, sometimes you can see it and sometimes you can't. My calves feel like they're cramping and I'm starting to notice what I'd describe as varicos veins right at the calf muscle. I have plantar facitis which is just killing me and my feet feel swollen all the time. It's painful just to walk across the floor. I'm 5'7, 261lbs. I know that has alot to do with it but has anyone experienced this and what was the outcome? Also, anyone here in California that self paid, can you share your…

So, I receieved my pre-op instructions and diet and the paper work stated that I was supposed to stop taking all hormones. I was hoping that did not include all hormones since I am on birth control pills. I called the office and they told me that it did and I had to stop taking the pill as well by the end of the month.. my surgery is set for 9/8/2008. Anyone know anything about this?

Well I went to my primary doctor today to discuss the lapband, it was pretty simple, he came in and said you want the lapband, i said yup, he said okay well we'll hook you up with a doctor in st. augustine, florida named Marena as the last name... Bariatric Surgeon Profile - Robert T. Marema M.D. thats the man that will do the deed. All my doctor said was that most insurance companys sometimes request the 6 month diet, and that I may have to do it so we'll go ahead and start it and if we dont then we dont, but if we do we'll have a heads up on it, he said just try to find a diet that i like but i can switch around if i want to, just to keep a notepad handy to write dow…

:eek:Hi All! Well, I have been thinking about the LAP Band for a while, but just now decided to get serious and really start researching it. I have decided that this is just too big for me to keep on like this any longer. I have been overweight most of my life; in fact, the last time I remember being at a normal weight was at about 5 years old. I just turned 37 twelve days ago. I am 100 pounds heavier than I was in 2001, after having my son. I have tried WW twice, lost 17 pounds the first time, then gained back 30 back, lost 13 pounds the last time and have gained back about 10 of that. I have tried Atkins, Southbeach and a few diets on my own. Phen-Phen back in…

HAHA uhm, well i dont have to be on a liquids diet, but i have to do the 6 mo. diet so i thought i'd try it and give it a go....so tonight i had a really small portion of lasanga (i'm married to an italian what can i say). And then I drank the vanilla slim fast shake, now i havent had slim fast ever or atleast i cant remember, and it was tasty wow i didnt think it was so good, i probably should have drank it slower but, when i was finished i was so full it was crazy, just like wow, who knew right? the vanilla was the only one i got, does anyone else have any recomendations that i could try? now i'm worried i'm going to drink the slim fast like i drink sodas oh god lol. p…

I'm getting a little nervous! My consultation is today... in just 5 short hours.... I'm bringing my Husband with me to the appt. so he can be in 'the know' on everything. I'm glad he'll be there.... I had a really hard time falling asleep last night just thinking of this appointment today. I'm so eager to find out all the details of getting approved, and all the pre op stuff I need to get out of the way...and see how long he thinks it will be before I get a date! Wish me luck today :thumbup:

My surgery is coming up on July 23rd and I have been juggling the thought of taking a few before pictures then every month do follow up photos to see my progress. Do you see this a good tool to motivate myself ? Please give me your thoughts it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Hello everyone! I went to NYU for my consult with Dr. Kurian on Monday. I love her. She is so pleasant and easy to talk to. I got to their office at 9 for my appointment. I saw the nutritionist, christina about 5 minutes after I arrived. Most of what she said I had already known except that we are allowed to eat certain veggies. that was a pleasant surprise because the idea of only ingesting liquids for 2 weeks was a little daunting. After that I had to wait 2 hours and 45 minutes to see the nurse (another christina)and then 15 minutes to see Dr. Kurian after that. Everyone was really pleasant and I couldn't believe my luck - everything seemed to be going too smooth…

I don't know what to think... I was standing in the shower and became so overwhelmed, thinking I can never do this... I never finish anything what in the hell am I thinking... Trying to get over the panic...

I've heard many time on here that the dr wants you to stop taking all hormones does the depo shot count I could understand BCP but Depo is kinda hard to get out of your system it's meant to last 3 months... has anyones dr mentioned that they need to get off of it before the surgery and if so how long did you have to be off of it before you could have the surgery? Thanks!:thumbup:

Hi- I just wanted to see if anyone has one that works well, is not really expensive, and not huge. Thanks!

I GOT APPROVED! I just called the insurance company and a wonderful girl put me on hold and came back and said I was approved. I said to her "So you're telling me I'm approved?" and she said yes, gave me an authorization number and then I told her I loved her!! I feel awesome! Thanks to ALL who had me in their prayers & thoughts...you'll continue to be in mine!!! :thumbup::Banane42::tt2::biggrin2::thumbup::Banane42::thumbs_down:

Well if I cant get the procedure done while i'm out of school whats the likely hood of having the surgery done and going back to school in 4 days? I am pretty reslient with the right ammount of drugs in me hah. jk, but c'mon for those who've had c-sections you have your baby, then 2 or 3 days later you are getting up and down all night and holding your baby walking around ect, and the c-section has to be much more painful, right? thats a doozy of an area stapled up. So yes or no, 4 days post op, walking around doing hair at cosmetology school, yay or nay?

I will be having my surgery around the first of August, the date is not set yet due to an infection in my stomach. Anyway tell me how you got through the first 2 weeks prior to the surgery on an all liquid diet and if you have any suggestions I can follow. Thanks, Catowita:mellow::thumbup:

Ok Pb and slimming:frown: sounds horrible and yucky. I am getting banded on 7/25 and I am not looking for to anyone of those things (PB and Slimming). So can somebody please let me know what it is, and how to avoid it happening. :thumbs_down:

:lol: I was supposed to be banded today while in the pre opt room IV in arm all ready to be banded the heart monitor shows these weird heart beats so the dr cancelled surgery and sent me to the cardio Dr I was so lucky to get in today and they did an ultra sound and a stress test on a trad mill and sent me home with a monitor for 24hrs I hope everything goes ok so I can get back on the schedule again I am so sad right now I was also told I had a heart murmur I am not sure what happens next but I had to just get it out. Has anyone been thur this

Well I started gathering information for approaching a surgeon. First I contacted my insurance company to see if it was even covered, and it was, I just had to do several things, weight history, attempted diet, exercise, or diet pills, psyciatric evaluations, seminar, proof of obesity, proof of health problems related to weight. Sooo far I have done a few things... Called the ER since I didnt have a family doctor 5 years ago, but i've had a few share of er visits, 15 to be exact in the past 5 years lol. So monday I will pick them up since the medical records lady has to go into storage to get them, how nice of her, she was sweet. Called my family doctor that …

My surgery is scheduled for the 17th. I am on the pre op liquids (blah). I am tired, and I am starting to think...what if I wake up with this band in my body and start panicking and wanting it out. Of course I'm gonna be sore, not feeling well and blaming this contraption for my agony, BUT what if I really trip out?! Has anyone tripped out after surgery, even for a little while, when they realized they had this thing in their body? Be honest. That is what I'm most worried about. I already have panic attacks (for my whole life and am being treated for them) and when I'm malnourished and stressed, they slam me. I don't want to have surgery and then a breakdown. He…

Just wondering if there are any New Hampshire banders that are going to CMC?

ok so i went to my doctors today to get my BMI and a referral but my doctor had no idea what to do for the referral I didnt know what it needed to say either :thumbup: so she put that she supports my decision :confused2: but i dont know if thats what they need my doctor was also rushing me because she was running late today so i had no time to ask her what i wanted. but anyway i was wondering what anyone needed on a refferal? did she say the right thing? or is there more too it? i gotta say that doing this young has its hardtimes it is quite confusing all these steps i went to the info seminar last night and i was the youngest there but it is worth all the frustrati…

I just want to share my experience with everyone. I did my sleep study at a sleep center in Johns Creek, Ga. I arrived at 8:00 pm. My room was awesome. The blankets and sheets were a lot higher thread count than at home, there was a flat screen TV, nice decor, I had my own bathroom, etc. Very nice. I was really expecting to get some awesome sleep on the super soft awesome pillows they had. They explained everything they would do then gave me 30 minutes to get settled in for bed. She came in and stuck the little sensors all in my hair, on my face, and my neck (I swear there were like 30 thingeys taped all over me). The ones in the hair sucked the most because I wa…