PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Going through motions, hope to get all the feedback possible: 1) what is everyones experience regarding from the orig seminar to the actual surgery how long in between? 2) Is it true you dont meet surgeon till day of surgery 3) Is it true u need adjustments post surgery and this is not done by surgeons office 4) any other infor would be helpfull thanks so much

Hello so my Date is June 12th how do i get that jazzy june thing on my thing???

Hey everyone- I am getting banded on May 28th and as much as I am ready for it, I am scared with the sleep apnea. I was diagnosed during my testing for the surgery. I have awful anxiety with the mask and cannot get through an entire night with it. Can someone please calm my nerves? I had my gallbladder out 3 years ago and was heavier then and I am sure that I had sleep apnea, but I did not have a machine at the time and woke up from the surgery just fine. The sleep doctor scared the crap out of me!!! Help me please!!!

Hello everyone i am 19 years old and am scheduled to have my surgery June 12th. I start my liquid diet tomorrow!! Yuck, not looking forward to that at all!! I was wondering if anyone has any words of encouragement or advice. Im really scared im not going to be able to handle the change!! Im scared i will go through a depression or something! Thanks for listening!!

I am (was) going to have a Lapband installed in 6 months. I just read in the literature that the hospital gave me, that after surgery and from that point forward, I should avoid all painkillers. This includes aspirin, advil, aleve, etc. Wait a minute!!! I use painkillers for a variety of things at different times such as headaches, etc. If I'm supposed to avoild them after having a lapband inserted, I may need to re-think my decision. Taking a bab aspirin a day can be lifesaving to men especially.

:sad_smile:Okay everyone. I am scheduled to be banded in MX on June 5th. Monday I start my pre op diet...high protein low carb...btw I just figured out my pre-op diet stuff on another thread. so see if you aren't careful you will learn something everyday..hahaha......at any rate....it is all starting to hit me. This is really going to happen and this is really going ot happen in Mexico. I trust Dr. Rod and have a personal friend that went to him in March..but I can't help but have all the things go through my head of what ifs?????? I also found out that since I am a self pay and not going through insurance that if there are any complications my ins will NOT cover any…

I'm the first one to say, "Talk to your doctor", and I am contacting them today to get their opinion or to see if I need to come in. Now that is out of the way, I have a quick question for everyone. I started walking last week and noticed a pinch under my left rib cage and a soreness in that general area after I walk. It doesn't occur as long as I am sedentary. Nor does it occur when I eat, only after I've exercised. It really isn't painful, just soreness and tender to the touch. If ya'll don't know, I have to have my port corrected, it flipped. Do you think it may be the tubing running to my band irritating me under my rib cage? or if it is something else? or is it s…

Wholly cow, As long as Tri-care approves..I have my surgery scheduled for the 27th of June. I am soooo ohhhhh everyting right now LOL!!1:lol::tt2::huh2::w00t::confused2:

Hello everyone! :rolleyes2: I will be banded this coming Wednesday, May 28th by Roc Bauman in Concord, NC. I am super excited but just ready to get it over with. I have been doing my pre-op diet for about 6 days now, and I've already lost 6 lbs. Other than my pre-op diet, does anyone who has already been through this have any advice or suggestions for me?? Anything I should definitely have at home for my recovery time, things like that??

I was just wondering if anyone had the same experience. I was banded on May 6 and I went back to work 1 week later. I followed my doctors post op instructions and everything is fine. However I have been able to eat anything I want and it stays down. I am eating healthy foods like turkey burgers without bread. I just eat the meat and cut it ti bite size pieces. I am able to eat chicken breast, turkey franks and beans and rice. I don't feel any different. I can eat a whole serving before I get full. Lucky for me I am motivated so I am using portion control and I don't snack. I am able to walk a mile everyday within 30 minutes. I feel great!!!!! I read all the pain everyone…

On Tuesday, June 3, I will have my final visit with my PCP, fullfilling my 6 month visits. I have completed everything else that is required. I plan to call my surgeon's office that same day to begin the process for my surgery. Any ideas what timeline I can expect? I'm guessing the process is I will see the surgeon, and after his approval they will file with insurance (Medicare & BCBS) for approval? Then once that is received I will have two weeks of a liquid diet. Would the middle of August be realistic for my surgery? Dr. Charles Morton at Baptist Hospital in Nashville TN will be my surgeon. Has anyone used him before? Thanks for you answers. Barbara

Well, my info. was submitted to insurance over a month ago, and no word from anyone. Then a few days ago, I received a letter from UHC saying I was approved, but it didn't say how much they would cover. I waited patiently, and I couldn't wait any longer. So yesterday, I called the insurance lady at my surgeon's office, and she said she hadn't received a letter yet. She said "if you'll fax me a copy of it, I'll get your surgery date for you". I was SO EXCITED! I sent it to her within minutes. Got a call from her yesterday evening, and she at first said my surgery date was for June 4th. She said, "is that date okay?" I said, "absolutely, I'll take whatever you have!" She…

Hello Everyone, I am sooo excited! I finally have a surgery date! I will officially be a bandster on May 19th! Anyone with me on that day? I will be having surgery at Lowell General Hospital, in Lowell, MA. with Dr. Jiser.... I am also getting the realize band which I'm happy about! So keep your fingers crossed! The countdown is on! :biggrin2: This site has been so helpful and so great in answering all of my questions... I really feel like I'm going into this as well informed as possible! I know after surgery I will look to it even more! I thank you all for your posts and pm's along the way! Smiles, Shannon

Ok so I go see my doctor on Thrusday for my final appointment before surgery. I sign my consent and all is well. We are going over what meds I take and I am on seasonale birth control pills. I had my tubes tied in 1996 after my second child was born and my PCP put me back on BCP's to regulate my periods. And one every 3 months is kinda nice:thumbup: Well I am Started back on a fresh pack on the 18th of June so it's only been since sunday and on thursday we have to go off of them for concerns of blood clots and surgery.... So I just got off my cycle less then a week ago and have to stop taking them now and guess what happens???:sad: I am now having a second cycl…

I would like to get some info from ya'll on smoking and lap band. I have been a regular smoker for 7 years...since I had my son. However, I want this surgery sooo bad that 3 days ago, being a smoker of 1 1/2 paks a day, I start my day with 10 cigarettes in my pack and that is all that I'm allowed. I'm doing great with that, in 2 more days, I'm gonna take it down to 8/day...so on and so forth. I have been told that my particular surgeon wants his patients smoke free for at least 3 full months before surgery. That SHOULD be enough time for me, unless I have a set back. What has everyone else been told about smoking and surgery? Stephanie

Today is day 10 of my pre-op,:cursing: high protein mostly liquid diet. I've done pretty darn good up until 3 hours ago. I've lost 11 pounds and have truly stuck to this except for two bites of hot dog 2 nights ago. Tonight we went to some friends house and I forgot to bring my water, my soup and an optifast drink. I wAS craving normal food so bad that I just ate. I didn't over eat but I ate. I ate 2 chicken drumettes with terriyaki sauce, some homemade mac and cheese, 2 chips with salsa, and 1 bite of a bratt dipped in mustard plus a couple glasses of red wine..... Is this the end of the world????? I hope not......How does a person just give up food completely....I m a c…

I was just wondering what everyones pain tolerance is and how they felt afterwards? Was it only minor pain for you personally or was it that bad you had to have morphine? I've heard alot of different experiences, some had really bad pain at the shoulder tip from the gas but others only had to take panadol. Personally I don't think it will be painful in the least for me, I mean yes at the surgery scars it will definetly be uncomfortable but I've also had 2 lung biopsies which are excruciating and have had 2 chest tubes put in while awake (although I did have local to numb the pain and a little bit of morphine) and that was the worst pain I've ever experienced in my life. S…

I know a while back I saw a thread/sticky that had a list of questions to ask when looking for a surgeon. Now I can't find the thread/sticky. I would like to come up with a list of question to ask on my pre-op visit and thought that list might help me with some questions. I actually think I know a lot and anything I'm not sure about I have researched. I'm just worried about the questions I have not thought to ask! Thanks!

I have been on my Pre-Opt diet which is the follwoing: My Pre-Opt 13 day diet (given to me by Dr. Teel) is the following: 3 Carnation Instant Breakfast Drink No Sugar 8 oz skim or 1% milk 2 Healthy Choice (or the like of - Smart Ones etc.) 220 to 300 Calories 2 cups of low Calorie Veggies No Sauce or cheese or anything just Veggies 64 oz a day of Water or zero cal drink I have stuck to it pretty much not going over 1250 cals a day (My dad was in the hospital for 3 days so I was sitting at the hospital with my mom and had to eat smart at the hospital but I still stayed low cal and healthy) but I have only lost 4 pounds :biggrin:. I have been walking on the tr…

So I'm getting banded in Mexico in a little over 2 weeks. I am taking my birth certificate, Texas DL, digital camera, body pillow, a couple of trashy romance novels and my protein powders. What else should I take with me for before/ after surgery?:confused2:

I am in the 3rd month of my medically supervised diet, my 6 months will be up Aug 19th, but I do not want to wait until September for my consult with the surgeon. I have my blood test done, my psychologist appt is june 18th, and all my pre-op will be done, when should I meet with the surgeon (maybe July) so that once Aug 16th comes, they can send off my paperwork the next day for insurance approval. Can you give me some ideas on how to approach this. I just do not want to wait until November or December for the surgery. I would like to have the surgery in September if possible. The surgeon will not submit to insurance until after Aug 16th, which will be my 6 months. I hav…

Ok, this may sound like a dumb question, but I never quite understood this so here it goes! Does the Lapband cause us not not to be hungry ( on another site someone said the band pushes on the vagus(sp?) which causes loss of appetite ) Or does it just simply cause you to be full? I really don't get it! I get how it implanted, adjusted, how it could slip, but this has got me stumped! Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Hello all! First off, I hope I am posting this in the correct spot! If not, I apologize! The whole concept of forums and message boards is pretty new to me so I'm just now learning the ropes! I looked online as one person who replied to my greeting suggested, and read what my insurance expects before they will cover the lap band. My heart dropped. It states that there needs to be a weight loss attempt supervised by a doctor as one of the pre-requisites, or what have you. I keep hoping I raed it wrong! I've never had a doctor supervised weight loss attempt. I would tell my doctors about my weight, but no one ever really put me on anything specific - just wou…

I think things are back on track for me once again. I was originally scheduled for surgery on May 21. I was so excited. Well, the Monday before last I ended up with an awful pain in my mouth. By Tuesday I was in the ER and on an IV with antibiotics. Wednesday was a trip to the dentist so that he could refer me to an oral surgeon to have an abscessed wisdom tooth pulled. While all this was going on, I had a call into my surgeon who ended up cancelling my surgery until the tooth was pulled and I was healed. While I understand the reasoning behind it, I was still very, very disappointed. I was so focused at that point with only 1 week to go before surgery. When the …

what is actually ment by no restriction,,does it mean that you can eat like you did before the band i'm talking like pizza burgers etc,,just curious..because if i get the band and decide it's not for me if they unfill it would i be able to eat like before not that i would plan on it, but just in case

I hopped on the scale yesterday only to find that I have hit 300 pounds! I am beyond devastated, and absolutely cannot wait for this surgery. I have my first consultation with the surgeon next week. I feel like I am devouring everything in sight in the meantime, because I know once I meet with the surgeon, my pre-op diet begins... It's a string of last suppers, so to speak. Has anyone else experienced this? It makes me wonder if I am really ready to use the band as a tool, and not as a crutch.

Hello! I'm a new CNA on a super busy oncology/overflow med-surg floor. Considering the physical requirements of my job, I'm wondering if I might need to take 2 weeks off instead of 1 after being banded. How long did you take off of work before you felt fit to transfer/reposition/boost patients? Thanks in advance for any feedback, bandsters! :blushing: :thumbup:

Okay so I finally have my first appointment with my PCM to see exactly what my insurance company is going to require. Anyone ever worked with Tricare?? I'm so psyched to have this appointment and get started on my journey. Wish me luck.

Need some help on what to do to insure acceptance, from someone who has already recieved approval from them. I'm scheduled to go to a Free Info night at Lehigh Valley Hospital on July 10 to get started. Any info on what to do would be appreciated. Thanks.

I am UBBER excited right now because I received a phone call letting me know that Cigna has approved my surgery!! How exciting! I actually didn't think I would be as thrilled as I am. I'll get my date tomorrow hopefully. If I can schedule it right, I'm hoping to have it the last week of June. 30 lbs down and 100+ to go. I can do it though. I have to do it! Thanks for letting me share my joy! :confused_smile:

I work in an office, and usually sit and get up regular thru out the day. Im hoping to schedule surgery for on a Fri, and come back to work on Tues. Is this way to early?? My pain tolerance is really good. Things i worry about is gas, i work in small room with another person LOL i would hate to run her out:tongue: Thanks

Does anyone have their port below the bikini line? If so, do you like it there? Has it caused any problems with exercise etc?

Went to my consult today. It went well; I really liked the staff and the surgeon. The only slight disappointment is that I have to do numerous things prior to them even submitting to my insurance…These are things I really don't think I need to do. Although...I have to admit...I am very impatient. I have done the research & I am determined this band is what will work for me. I hate waiting... So here is a detailed report *I have UHC Choice Plus PPO* Called 1 week ago & got an appointment for today Receptionist emailed me packet to fill out. Went to appointment today: Height & weight first (shoes and socks came off). Then I met with the *coordinator* wh…

Ok so yesterday I found out that I was approved for surgery and I got my date today (July 2nd). I was so HAPPY for about 15 minutes and since then I have been so emotional. I'll be happy one minute and then sad the next. For some reason, I feel like I should have 5000 people to call and share my joy and feel like I have no one. My husband said, "that's great!" and that was the end. My co-workers are judgemental so I haven't been able to share much with them. My family is 500 miles away so it makes celebrating with them impossible. So... today I ran to my "medicine" that I've depended on for 24 years --- food. I baked homemade chocolate cupcakes and ate 2 (no frost…

ok ladies and gents. :w00t: i have come up with a way to stay inspired. an encouraging project that comes from YOUR SOLE INSPIRATION. whether you are barely creative or crazy creative..i think you should do this.. :sad: along the lines of scrap booking, collecting, clipping, drawing..etc. *************** take the time to think of what you REALLY WANT. now, go out and find it. -online, pictures, words, QUOTES, phrases...omg, endless. newspapers, magazines, HELLO! easy one, just chop those oldies up. hahaha. etc etc. (everyone picks up a magazine and always thinks "i wish.." so...keep those wishes.) take the clippings, collections, pieces..MAYBE even…

So I went in yesterday for my surgery and everything seemed totally fine. They got me into the OR but when they finally got in, my liver was too big for the doctor to get around it and do the surgery and they couldn't put the band in. They were really nice and caring about it, but I was so sad! As soon as I was coherent and talked to the doctor and they told me they couldn't do it, I started crying. Such a dissapointment! All hope is not lost at least though, They're putting me on a high Protein (low carb, low sugar, low fat) diet for the next 4 to 5 weeks and they said it will shrink my liver enough that they can go back in and do the operation safely. I did get …

Has anyone else been told by their pre-op nurse that they have to remove their acrylic or gel nails off of both of their index fingers or they can't have surgery?

:cool2: I recived my Insurance approve on Monday, today I went to my PCP to get blood work and a chest -X Ray, and EKG, These is it, Hopefully I get my date for surgay soon.:biggrin2: WISH ME LUCK!!!!

So I'm on my 3rd day of clear liquid pre-op diet and I couldn't sand it any more! I went to Burger King and had tender crisp sandwich and fries! I amlost feel giddy that I ate something but I am so p***d off that I have already screwed up my pre-op diet. This goes to show how addicted I am to food. I could just scream!:tongue: Has anyone esle done this? Am I the only one?

Stay out of Mexico ! I went there a healthy,happy person,now I have had to go through so many infections and pain and my port and some tubing removed due to a incorrect surgery technique. The port was upside down even after the:cursing: second operation. No one in the area would see me period. Finally ended up 300 miles away with some help and surgery. I was told by Dr's here that this is a scam and so I see. Live and learn, I hope it helps just one person to stay away from Rodriguez in Juarez and Acuna, Mexico. Ofcourse we were all shipped to San Antonio, Texas first, which should be illegal, which I am checking into also. Good Luck and God be with you!

I was just wondering if anyone with the band has gone tanning, in a tanning bed. Im getting the surgery in about 4 weeks and the question just struck me!! Thanks

Well guyz after all my whining and the 3 week setback we are good to go!! I had my fianl appointment with the surgeon yesterday afternoon, and signed my conscent form for surgery.:thumbup: I start my pre-op diet today :w00t: which consists of... Full Fluids 70 grams of Protein 64 ounces of Fluid daily 800-1000 calories daily low fat 0 sugar as FEW carbs as possible this times 11 days prior to surgery... May 23-June 2 Surgery June 3 I will be Busy for most of the week I have to go pick my mom up from amtrack on Wed. Be at middle school at 3:30am on Thurs. New York Field trip Thur, Fri, Sat, get back in wee hours of Morning on Sun. sleep and recover Sund…

I am getting banded on June 13th and I have been doing a great deal of self examination in order to prepare myself. What are my expectations? Am I prepared? How will this change my life? I have read so many posts on this website- the good, the bad, and the ugly. Thank God for all of them because they have given me a range of experiences, outcomes, and expectations. What keeps coming to mind as a metaphor is that the surgery is the wedding, not the marrige. Lapband is the beginning, not the solution. Everything that come afterwards- my commitment to the eating plan, visits to my doctor, my exercise program- all these things are what make the Lapband succeed. I a…

I am so confused I am new to this site and I am looking ofr answers like yesterday, actually yesterday I went to pre-op and was told I could chose which band I wanted I was like what the heck?!?!?! He showed them to me and one looked like the one I have seen like forever but another one was wider and the port was smaller I am trying to find out which one is which and maybe better, I have been reading tht one may show a little more restriction and that is what I want or feel I want can anyone help with this? I need to make my decision in the next few days. One I have read is less likely to erosion?!?!?! Thanks!

I'm being kicked off my insurance because it's my mothers (I'm currently unemployed) and I'm turning 23 August 7th since I am turning 23 the age where insurance no longer covers (which we didnt know until yesterday) On December 31st I will be taken off. Before we were told as long as my mother could have me on her taxes and I lived with her there would be no problem but there is. So today I called the insurance and talked to the lady I always talked to, she said if we had the doctor's office fax all my past history that I had and weight loss to them that they could possibly shorten my 6 month diet to where it wasn't so close and down to the wire in December. W…

Okay so I have my surgery date set for May 30th and on Monday I went and had my EKG and blood work done. Well... last night when I got home I had a message from my PCP doctor to call today. It seems my WBC count was alittle elevated so they had me come back in to re-do it today. I am so worried that this is going to screw up my surgery next week!!!! Has this happened to anyone else?

I have my nails done in the pink and white gel nails. Do I have to have them taken off before Surgery?

Hi, My name is Kesia and I am 27 years old and thinking about getting the lap band. I want to know if Medicaid will pay for it, because the numbers they sent through the mail. Every doctor office I called said they didn't accept Medicaid. I live in Georgia. Would I have to go out of state to find a doctor that accepts Medicaid? I have another question, I wanted to know would I have to get a second surgery for excess skin after I have the surgery for the lapband system? Because, I weigh 318 pounds. And, I know that I can't afford to have a second surgery for excess skin. Thanks:confused2:

so how was it? or what is it? lol. exercise test? see if your heart can dig it? was it difficult?

This pre-op diet is killer!! I started it 2 days earlier than I was suppose to, looking back, I'm not sure why I did that. Four protein shakes a day and raw carrots and broccoli. The 2nd day was the hardest, I'm used to my grumbling stomach now. June 4th cannot come quick enough!