PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Does any one know if Dshs medical covers lap band?

Hi there! I'm on the final couint down. I'm getting banded on June 4th. I'm a little confused about something and wanted some reassurance: I've been low-carbing for about a month (with a couple of off days) and I found I was eatting anywhere from 1000 to 1600 calories those first few weeks. At first I was supposed to switch to "liquids" on the 28th. The first day wasn't too bad, but by the second I was feeling pretty hungry. I was getting anywhere from 400-600 calories. I started to feel pretty low on the energy scale! So I mentioned this to my case manager when I saw her for the pre-op testing and asked if I could have a bit of solid Protein. She said I was d…

To those of you who have not read the other thread about the egg drop soup, well I had some tonight, and let me tell you I was happy, that finally I could drink something. The soup would not strain, so I had no choice but to have the egg with the soup. But, After I ate the soup, I felt really sick and really bloated. I had a pudge in my belly section, and when I started the liquid diet, It was starting to go away. I just hope that I didnt hurt the liquid diet. I have been very strict with what I ate up until tonight. I hope that when I have my surgery on the 9th, they wont stop because I hurt myself with egg drop soup. I feel horrible now, just like I did before I started…

What are some things you did to shrink your liver prior to surgery? I know I my doc wants me to get to 50 bmi and try to shrink my liver as much as possible but I was wondering what other people did to accomplish this.

I'm on my 2nd day of the Preop diet... which I pretty much stuck to yesterday except I added a little more Protein cause my brain thought my stomach was starving.. today I am not altering it at all... and my brain finally has shut up..YEAH! the question is: is it normal to feel so freaking tired on the preop diet?? especially since it's just the second day I can't even begin to do my 2mile which has taken me 6 months to work up to all I want to do is curl up and sleep.. my energy is gone on vacation I almost need toothpicks to prop my eyes open..:rolleyes2: anyone else have this problem when they started the preop? and does it get better or worse..

I would like someones input here. I started my journey Feb. 2nd 08. Did nutritionist,physc, support groups, seminar, cardio, endoscopy,manometry and passed all until endo they found moderate hiatal hernia, manometry low pressure in les musclle then last friday the 25th I got a call from surgeons nurse at 1:pm no surgery either bypass or band. That same day at 5:30 a call from my gastro. He said on message machine, things look good on your manometry a bit hypertensive but your not symptomatic, it looks like no interference with surgery were his words, Im going to take your test home and I will give you a call Tues. Well its now Sat. and I called his nurse and she said he t…

I'm a 15,000 self pay in Houston, Tx. Wondering if anyone out there has heard of anything good or bad on Dr. Matthew Laurent.

Anybody get banded with TriCare as their insurance provider? I'm wondering if TriCare had you go through certain steps before they scheduled the surgery date or is it totally up to the doctor they refer you to. Any info would be appreciated.

Hi looking for anyone banded in Austin Texas. Looking for where, when, how much, etc. THANKS Trying to do my homework on where to have it done.

Hi- My boyfriend is having LapBand surgery this August. Any feedback on how I can best support him while he is on the liquid, pre op diet? Besides, of course, not eating a hot fudge sundae in front of him!? Also- what are the symptoms of a slipped band? Any feedback will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

I am at the pre-stages of the program . . . just got approved, I'm on liquids, surgery is next week. I've run in to a couple of people I haven't seen in a long time, and I've thought to myself, "man, I just want to tell them not to look at me right now because this isn't really me." LOL! Like, the REAL me will be apparent after I've lost the weight. haha. One woman I won't be seeing again until next year . . . and I can't wait to see her next year. I'm hoping she'll be surprised to see such a difference, of course that's a lot of hopeful thinking! Did you ever think like that? Like . . . don't look at me now . . . look at me NEXT YEAR? haha! I know, I'm w…

I am not sure if this is how I start a new thread. Here it goes. I need to know if anyone knows anything about Lab band International? In TJ, Mexico.

Does anyone on here happen to have any old WLS books.:tt2: Such as any on lapband or WLS for dummies?:w00t: Let me know you can private message me or bug me on yahoo and AIM. THANKS:thumbup:

Will they look at my bmi before going on the 6 month diet or the bmi once I have completed the 6 month diet? It matters because I am borderline. I could, quite possibly, diet myself to a bmi which is under 35. Any thoughts?

I'm getting conflicting information about it and I'm wondering if someone can straighten me out. When I talked to the nurse that was assigned to me she said the diet was to prove that I'm committed to changing my life and making good habits. I'm starting to make adjustments now, like forcing myself to chew my food thoroughly, not drinking at meals, etc. I've been eating healthy and low carb (just Protein and veggies, no sugar, grains, etc) so I've already lost a few pounds. I have PCOS so I respond very well to Atkins or South Beach, and I'm excited about beginning the weight loss process, even if I don't have a band yet. But the thing is that it was inferred (whi…

So im set for may 21st for my lap band.... any advice? Im happy but scared at the same time. Another thing how long did most of you stay in the hosptial? Im having a problem right now with my diet also. I keep thinking i should watch what i eat... but then im thinking... OMG if i dont eat the foods i like now... i might not for a long time be able. Any help would be great thanks!! ~~jessica:confused:

Once again I've hit a snag in this process and I'm about ready to just give up - is it meant to happen or am I forcing something that isn't meant to be? I found out yesterday that my pcp wouldn't give me clearance until he saw me in person. THis makes perfect sense except the surgeon's office told me that they just fax the pre test results to him and he just signs off and sends it back. So after a week and a half of pestering my pcp's office and asking when is he going to send it over to the surgeon's office, they told me yesterday I needed to actually come in to see him. Ok fine - my surgery is Tuesday today is Thursday, another explaination to work about me needing t…

So I am on my 4th day of my pre surgery liquid diet and I am not going to lie it sucks. But I have gotten used to not eating. Its just that smells get me lol. My liquid idet seems to be more restrictive then others. All I can have is: 3-5 Protein shakes that are low in sugar and carbs and less then 200 cal. sugar free koolaid crystal light black coffee unsweetened tea Plus Vitimans. I am not able to have Soup or any broth. I am not sure on Jello or pudding. Has anyone else been on such a restrictive liquid diet?

Ok, I know I have a thread already about my liquid diet. But, I think that I have done really well, although, my weight seems to be leveling off, not as much is coming off, so far Ive lost 10 lbs in 5 days. I know I need to get out and exercise a lot more, I know that will help. I still have some cravings, but, things arent bothering me as bad anymore. But, 9 more days to go to surgery date. Am I doing anything wrong, here is what I do on a daily basis.. Morning, I drink EAS Myoplex 42grams of Protein, then I have 2 bottles of Water with special k protien powder, 5 grams each. lunch, I drink Atkins Advantage with 15 grams of protein. When I go home, I eat a good bi…

I'm on liquids now (preop) and I'm peeing like never before. Like, literally going pee . . . working for 15 minutes . . . and needing to pee AGAIN! Did this happen to you? It's kind of getting old.

I heed help, I have been given a short pre-op date of June 5 and I have to go on the liquid fast immediatley. I have been on it since Wednesday 5/28 but it is difficult. To be honest, I have slipped and had a sweet potatoe and some green beans last night. I know I need to stay on this diet for the surgery next week but I don't know if I have given myself enough time to prepare mentally. I would postpone but the surgery has been postponed twice in the past and I don't want to do it again. It was postponed once for rejection by the insurance company and another because of a swollen knee which turned out to be torn cartilege. This is my first time posting and I am desparat…

I've been doing this for way too long. Since September 2007 I have been on the liquid diet in one form or another and it's really, really starting to drive me nuts. Maybe it's because I'm sitting here at work and everyone, everyone has decided to eat at thier desks today and I can smell burgers, fries, enchiladas and a myriad of other things. I know I can get past this. I know I need to lose 15 more pounds and if I just do it I will go under the knife again, learn to eat again and all that jazz. I know even after the band I can't eat burgers and fries (at least, I shouldn't), but there is a difference in having that choice. Right now it doesn't feel like a choice …

The doc told me that I should drink only liquids, and anything that can go up a straw, I can have within reason. But keep my protein up to 70 grams a day. Well I want to go out to have Vietnamese and the Pho' soup. I can have blenderized soup. What about eggdrop soup? Any suggestions?

does anyone have an old book (Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies) they want to get rid of? Thanks,

Hi everyone I have a date!!!! June 19th 2008!!! SO EXCITED!!!

So, I know Ive got issues with food.....duh. I know I dont have a ton of will power. I know I eat emotionally. I know I need to stop. So, whats the deal? I am literally unable to change my behavior. I have begun eating compulsively and without thought...or actually, I do think...I just convince myself that whatever Im doing (like eating a bag of cookies) is somehow beneficial. I am trying to lose 7lbs to reach my pre op surgery goal weight. Thats all fine and dandy...I can lose 7lbs no problem...its those other pesky 143lbs that dont want to come off. I can starve myself, or eat the right things and still "starve"...and end up binging because Im so hungry...and t…

I got approved last week and have a surgery date set for June 18. I'm taking my daughter to San Antonio on vacation from June 5th or 6th til the 10th which means I will have to start my liquid diet while on vacation. Not looking forward to that one bit! Luckily we are staying with my brother while we are there so I will have all of the ammenities of home. James

k so I'm worried because...every pamphlet that was in my doctor's office said you only lose 50% of your excess weight. but it said gastric bypass loses 80%...I mean from what I've seen a lot of people are losing a lot more than 50%...and I'm thinking because I'm only 18 it'll be a little easier...and I'm pretty sure they are just trying to make money. Anyway I decided last Friday night I was for sure doing it. I've already got my seminar done, my referal from my physcian and I filled out the psych evalution questionairres and am going tomorrow morning for my appointment. And my consult with my surgeon is on June 10th...I can't believe this is going so fast...I'm starting …

Does anyone else have what I call the "Last Supper Syndrome"???? I was approved on May 12th and sugery is on June 20th, but ever since I got the good news of approval I have had the need to eat, everything! I don't know if it is because I know if a few weeks that will be cut off from me and I am having my last big Binge. I have chatted with another who has had the same situation..... Any ideas to help get the "Last Supper Syndrome" to be a thing of the past? Thanks! Ronda

My surgeon has received all of my pre-op medical tests so I am now scheduled to get a weigh-in and see the surgeon to get a band date. Woohoo! I'm so excited that I'm finally in the last stages. It seems like it has been a long ride.

I get my band today :sad: Have to be at the hospital at 9:30am and surgery scheduled for 12:30pm. Wish me luck everyone!!! I'm getting on the "Band" wagon :frown:

Well I am on day 13 of my liquid protein diet. I have done well and today was the true test. Up until now I have just avoided food situations but we had our monthly lunch meeting at work. This month was a catered "Fiesta" lunch with chicken wings, rice, salad, tortilla chips and cookies/brownies. :frown: I sat with everyone and had my mug of chicken broth and didn't cheat!!!! I haven't yet told everyone about what kind of surgery I am having and wondered how this would go (would they ask questions?) nobody asked they just sympathized with me having to watch all of them eat. I go in for my surgery at 6AM this Friday!!!! :sad:

My doc says I will need to be on Optifast before surgery. Will I get that from him or is there somewhere to buy it?

What is the purpose of a sleep study? When i was in icu in 1/1/06 and 4/5/06 i was diagnosed with sleep apnea already with Left ventrical dysfunction(congestive heart failure) from Unchecked high blood pressure.Complications from diabetes. I am hearing about pre dieting 6 months;my doc has been trying to get me to successfully lose weight since 02/01/02. With no success apparently.He is the one who is telling me about surgery.Some talk about exercise ,kinda hard right now with my heart condition.I have sufficient BMI and health complications from obesity.I am Disabled now ,SSI ,Medicare and Medi-cal are on the way.They just have to determine how much benefits i get.Anyday…

<p>For those of you who are afraid your life will come to an abrupt end after banding and that you won't be able to eat anymore... I just went downstairs to the cafeteria to see what was for lunch. My appetite kicked in when I saw the eggrolls they had and I really started salivating. Then I saw the chicken tenders and reacted the same way. I initially got two chicken tenders and one egg roll and then thought more about it and got only one tender and one egg roll. Sat down at my desk. Three bites into the eggroll everything "hit bottom" and lt me tell you, when you have good restriction and you eat slowly and you don't drink with your meal, and your food "hits …

Hi everyone - I am seriously considering the lap band but when I talked to my doctor about it he said he did not recommend it for me. I am 248 and 5'11. I have gain 10lbs a year for the last 4 years. I have no energy. I just had a physical and my doctor said I was very health except that I need to lose weight. I have tried for 4 years to lose weight and I can't so I don't think his 1200 calorie diet is the answer. I tried it and lost 4 lbs - back up to 248 now though. I have talked to a couple of plastic surgeons and they said I have to be 250lbs and have a bmi over a certain number and have another health related problem like sleep disorter or something. I…

Yeah! I am underway! I had my consult yesterday. All went well. I see my shrink next Wednesday for my psych evaluation which I am sure will be fine and the nurse is setting up my nutritionist appointment as I type! I had this horrible moment where I almost swayed over to the RNY but I was sick about it all night and called first thing this morning to announce that I was definately ready to be a bandster. I am ready for the hard work. I am ready to get my tool. I feel sooooo much better about this decision than the other. Yeah for me!!!! p.s. I also checked out the RNY forum at another site and they were not NEARLY as supportive or kind as the people a…

I’m a 53 year old male weighing in at 325 pounds. My problem is that I do not have a little switch that tells me I’m full so I keep eating. I get envious of people who push their meal away before the plate is empty. I’m hoping the lap band can be that switch for me. I would appreciate your thoughts.

I've been reading this forum for about 8 months and started the long process 4 months ago. Just return from the clinic with my date of June 9. Dr David Aanestad of Genesis Medical Center Surgical Group will be my surgeon. I've learned a lots form this forum and look forward to using it in the future for guidance:thumbup: Just Bob

First off, I apologize for this horrribly long post but I'm feeling so discouraged and disappointed and hoping some feedback might help. This first posting I did over a month ago: I have a big question which I hope is okay that I post here and would love some feedback (sorry I'm so wordy) because the following occurences also play a role in my fears and hesitation??? My surgeon's office staff is what I would consider less than helpful, cooperative and really bad at listening and communicating. When I left my last doctor's appointment I was told by a staff member that someone would call me to discuss surgery dates at which time I let the person know that once I was giv…

Hello all!! I am required to do a two week liquid diet, optifast!! Yuck!! the shakes are OK, and the protien bars i can handle, but the chicken soup is not happening!! ha ha anyone have any advice!! please im hungry and its only day one!!!! What to do! What to do?!>?!?!?:sad:

I'm in the process of deciding if I want to go thru w getting the lap band procedure. As its looking, I have a dr & aprx date of when I could do it, but thing is....I'M PETRIFIED!! I've researched & read until my eyes are crossing! Right now I'm at 180lbs, which is my heaviest. I wasn't this big when I was pregnant. I'm normally around 130lbs. But the past few years have been like h#@% on my body. I had 3 major surgeries w/in a yrs time & it has wreaked havoc on my body. I have always had curves (I'm not the barbie doll type) & I'd like to keep them,...just have them somewhat like they used to be. So, I guess what I'm asking is "am I doing the right thing …

Hello Everyone! This is my first posting on the site. I have decided to get the lap band procedure. My first consultation is June 19th (yah me!) and I am so excited. Okay, here's my question: What do you wish you had known before the surgery that you know now? I know that's a broad question but I would very much like to hear your thoughts. Take care!

I just got home from my psych eval and the psychologist told me I passed with flying colors. I am so excited! She was able to see that I was being honest and that I was well informed up to this point. That was MY first major step and I know I've got other hurdles to jump over, but this was a big thing that could make or break me. I know I still have to get through insurance and the surgeon, but honestly, with the program I'm in, those two shouldn't be much of a problem either. I'm siked! Can't stop smiling! :thumbup:

Hey everyone i just got back from the phys. doctor today and he told me that i would make a perfect canidate (sorry spelling) for the lapband surgery. now all i got left to do is my nutrition class. only one class and then get my uper gi done and i thank a stress test done and then im off to my journey. so if any one gots any comments let em rip lol!!! im so excited :biggrin2: im tring to get pics of me put on here so i can have a before and after. also does any one know how i can post one of those things were it says your starting weight and then your gole weight ???? well thanks everyone for the help and support :tt1:

I'm finally there! My surgery is 48 hours away!!! I bought so much sugar-free Jello and chicken broth last night that the supermarket folks probably think I'm nutters. SF Jello kinda has a funky aftertaste that I'm not loving, but whatev. I will survive. I did buy every flavor, so I can experiment. :sad: Yay for clear liquids! It means I am nearly there! :biggrin2:

Is this normal for anyone else? I had to weigh myself 5 times cause I couldnt believe it. Im on the liquid diet, and started 2 days ago. Man its hard but could I really have lost 8lbs already?

I had my consultation in towards the end of Jan and with my insurance company have to do the 6 month supervised diet which will be complete in July which is not a big deal, but what has me frustrated at the moment is that due to some unforseen circumstances there is no way I can come up with the proggram fee the doctors office requires to proceed with surgery..I called the doctors office today to see if they had any other suggestions on what I could do and pretty much got well the program fee has to be paid before any further appointments can be scheduled. So after that phone call that was an exercise in futility, I feel like I am back to square one in trying figure out …

How do I make a social group? I have looked and looked and can't find where I do it.

Okay... I know that I am an emotional eater and that I eat without thinking. However, I really seem to be out of control right now. It's like I know that this surgery is coming up and I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO EAT AGAIN! Which I know is untrue and I should be cutting out the sugar now to make it easier later, but what I know I should do and what I am doing are completely different. Anyone else really struggle right before surgery?