PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I am a 35 bmi with several comorbids. I am afraid that the required 6 month diet will result in a lower bmi and knock out my chances of qualifying for the band. Any thoughts?

:confused2::confused2::confused2::confused2: I've never had an EKG before...how do they work...what do they do etc. How long do they last etc. Let me know.:crying:

What all happens during an endoscopy.:confused2: I've never had one. Let me know please.

I am curious to know what happens at the meeting with the nutritionist. My insurance only requires that I have the psych evalution and the nutritionist. Can I get a few people who have met with the nutritionist and find out how she/he affects your ability to have the surgery?

Does anybody know if you can bring your laptop into the hospital? The surgeon I'm seeing will require me to stay over night at the hospital and I would like to have my laptop with me so I can watch movies or play games. Basically to pass the time. I can only do so many crossword puzzles. Also are their many hospitals with WiFi?

I had my pre-op visit with my surgeon yesterday. Prior to seeing him they did a body scan on me. This procedure had not been mentioned in my previous meetings with them. I meant to ask about it when I talked with the surgeon but forgot. Did anyone else have this done? Just curious what it is for.

I'm looking to see how your appointments went. I have my first seminar tonight and I have to attend a second one along with a meeting with a nutritionist, fitness psyologist (sp?), and a psych eval. What were some of the questions they asked. I'm just looking for a general overview so I can kind of know what to expect during these appointments. Any info is greatly appreciated.

For those who are already banded, is it better to stay the night or go home the same day? And did you get to choose or was it completely the doctor's decision?

:sad:I am so nervous about the pain the full liquid diet the saggy skin, the port site oh just help me with this? my mind is racing 24/7 I need to be reinsured that this right and I need this band so it can help me to stay healthly I keep telling myself this but others around me like co-workers say just cut back off the food, you will have to drink those protein drinks the rest of you life ect.... can anyone just give me some words of incouragement please.

wow. never had surgery before...well...a couple years ago, pulled wisdom teeth and they took my tongue ring out. lol. SO!!...:out:....can we keep body jewelry in? as long as it doesn't interfere with the ... surgical vicinity? lol. or is it one of those things...metals not allowed..or something? lol. :wink2::blushing::smile:

I'm going to be a self-pay and have saved enough for the costs quoted at the introductory session and in my first one on one. It was supposed to be $16,500 with $1,000 due for the preliminary appointment and the other $15,500 due a few days before surgery. Fine, I have the money. (I don't do debt.) Today however I received a bill for $800 for the blood tests they had me do. There was no warning about this additional cost and while I realize that this may be a clerical error I am wondering if I should be expecting costs above and beyond the $16,500 and $250 per fill after three months (plus any medical tests/services after the three months.) I find it worrisome that I …

I am 5'7" and weigh 251 which puts me at 39 BMI. My insurance states that if you do not have a risk factor you must be at 40 BMI for 24 months. I'm not sure if I have a risk factor - I have pains in my chest and get heartburn often which I hear is a sign of heart trouble. Anyway if the risk factor does not pan out I want to be able to have this surgery 24 months from now. Should I go ahead and gain the extra 5 pounds to put me at 40 BMI when I go to the doctor? I know I can diet and get these pounds back off after the doctor visit b/c I can lose weight with some work; but, I always gain it back plus some. My fear is that I go to the doctor at 39 BMI and I contin…

19 June 2008 :eek::tt1: SOOOOO EXCITED... Just need approval now.......:tongue:

Got the OK from my PCP today and calling the surgeon to set up an appointment tomorrow. :tongue: PCP says there should be no problem with the insurance. On the way to thinner, healthier days! I'll be posting my progress as time goes on. I'm sure I'll need some support every now and then.

so i have my last group meeting two weeks from today. i was around 259 when i started and this morning i was 261. i need to be under my starting weight to get approved by my hospital. i'm really scared i won't be able to get rid of 3 pounds in time! i've been working on this lap band thing for about a year now and i hate that my weight might get in the way of my life once again. it's hard for me to stop eating when i'm "satisfied." actually i don't even know what that feels like. i know hungry and i know full. i've been trying, really trying for the past six months and it seems like my weight just yoyos no matter what i do. i feel like i've already failed. i'm t…

Hi everyone. As you can see, I am an everyday user of this site, and have found it to be the most usefull tool in my decision to be a bandster. SO, alot of time and patience has paid off- I got my date today! June 10!! :w00t:I can't wait! Just had to share!

Hello everyone. My name is Sarah, and I'm a wife and mother of one, living in the greater Chicago area. I'm currently in the process of receiving the Lap-Band Procedure with Day One Health in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Jonathan Myers is my surgeon, and I'm really anxious to have the surgery. I am feeling very positive about how this procedure will change my life, and I look forward to losing 80-120 pounds! I think it's definitely going to be easier using the Lap-Band as a tool for weight loss. Does anyone have any advice regarding the pre-op liquid diet or anything else I may not have considered? I really look forward to hearing your thoughts! -Sarah H.

So i have my date June 11th. MARY POPPINS I'M EXCITED!!! (i say weird things btw ahaha) I go for surgery clearence with my PCP tomorrow. But, when will they call me from the hospital with times and all that? You kitty cats have any clue? XOX Barbie

Unforutnatly, my Dr. told I dont have to do the pre-op diet since I am only 100 lbs over weight. But I would like to still do the pre-op diet to see if I have the determination to lose the weight and to shake a few pounds off. I have read a few post regarding the pe-op diet and none of them list items I can buy from the grocrery store except for the caranation breakfast. Also, has anyone used the EAS AdvantEdge Carb Control shakes from Walmart for the pre-op diet?

Just reading everyone's post gets me excited about when I will get to the point of having a date for surgery. I have finished my psych evals, my doctor's appt is May 27th, and then my education date is June 10th. I had no idea about the pre-op diet, and find it interesting to hear everyone's story. One question that I have, that I have not seen any information on : Will the cravings for food diminish? I feel that I need something turned off in my brain - and I get that when I take phentermine, but eventually, I get off track and start eating again. So what do ya'll have to say? Do you feel the cravings diminish?

!!!! I was just told I have to have an upper GI after my pre-op consult! What does this entail, and does it hurt?!?! It sounds painful, or, at the very least, SUPER uncomfortable!

Hi All! I am getting banded on June 11th. Does anyone know of an on-line support group or resource that my husband could go to to "learn" about being a supporter of a bandit? He is positive and wants to be supportive but I'm not sure he entirely knows how. I thought it would be helpful if I could lead him in the right direction so, he could do some research on his own. Thanks so much! Mowree (Marie)

Hello everyone! I finally got approved after working on this for 6 months. Alittle of my story. I have been big my whole life. In October I started this process. I got denied in February because I had gained weight.(My place never said I had to lose weight just had to show up to my appointments). So I appealed it and got approval, the letter came on May 19th. I scheduled my surgery fo June 9th. I am so excited and scared at the same time. I feel a big weight off of my shoulders.

Ok...I was told by my surgens office on May 14 that my insurance approved the surgery and I even called on Friday to make sure all was ok with the insurance and I was told the same thing...it was approved. I recieved a letter today ( Saturday) from my insurance company saying that b/c my BMI is below 40 I need to have a disease or disorder ( not in those words but you know what I mean) to qualify and that it was DENIED! It was dated May 13, the day before I was told approved. Is it possible that I originally got denied and the Dr.s office appealed it and I'm getting the first denial letter now? I don't know what to think? My surgery is on Monday morning and I can't ge…

Hello gang, I don't know if it's appropriate to post this here, but I've been reading some of the threads and, based on my own experience, feel like I have to say something about the psych eval process. I was banded in October 2006 by Dr. Shah @ Lennox Hill in NYC. Since then, I've lost about 75 pounds -- and going! Interestingly, I'm also a psychologist in San Francisco who now performs the pre-surgical evals and can say that the questions I ask and the things I look fore are MUCH different since the surgery. I don't think someone who hasn't actually had the surgery can relate as well to the emotional/psychological process before and AFTER the surgery. I don'…

So I had my psychological evaluation today and a bunch of stuff I wasn't thinking was going to come up, come up. It was strongly suggested to me to start going to therapy. Granted I understand that unresolved issues can play a part in emotional eating, I just wasn't thinking that some of this stuff was going to come up. I am completely open to going to therapy ( I have gone off and on since I was in high school) but has anyone been denied surgery because of the psych appt? Or is it really more to just see if you are really going to work with the band and not against it? I guess I'm just a little nervous and I kinda feel like a nut now that I was strongly urged to see…

I have United Healthcare (UH) for insurance. One requirement is that you have to be at least a 40 BMI before being approved for surgery. Another requirment is five years of being overweight/obese. My lapband doctor's office states I need the last five years of weight history from my doctor's office to be submitted with the Insurance approval request. I don't have five consecutive years for weight - and even if I did, it's all over the place - up and down from dieting - so I am sure it wouldn't be a BMI of 40 all the time (right now I am just barely making a 40). I called UH and asked them to go over the requirements again. The representative I talked to said a docto…

Hello all Can you scull (chugg) a glass of Water with a band...:cursing: I find if i HAVE to have water (which i dont like) i try to scull a couple just so there "IN" me.... So will i chunder it back up if i scull????:cryin: Nicole

Hello everyone. I am going on a little trip while I am on my pre-op diet, and would like to know if there is some kind of mixer or shaker that I could take with me that is easy to travel with. Thanks for all your help.

I know this may seem a little silly but I guess I am concerned about the amount of pain or discomfort to expect. I was wondering if someone could compare the pain to the pain of having a C section? I have had 2 C sections so I know what that feels like. Thanks in advance for any insight you can provide. :confused2:

Is there anyone else out there that has second thoughts on having done this procedure? Please share with me your success and if it has been long term.......I am starting to wonder why my doctor continues to tell me to eat the right foods???? If I was able to do this perhaps I wouldn't have been fat all my life!!! The advertising on the lapband is that it will stop your hunger therefore you will eat less. The only way I was able to lose weight on this is because I had lots of restriction and would puke. Any other people with the same issues?

I watched this and got alot of answers to my questions as to "How do they do that" Click on the below link to watch - It's the actual Lap Band surgery video so don't watch if that stuff bothers you :wink2: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds_nwlgQztE]YouTube - Lap Band Surgery[/ame]

Any one not feel good on the pre-opt diet??? I was fine until day 5 - now I feel weak, massive headache, feel a little depressed, Extreme hunger and slight nausea and I'm irritabable - I think it's messing with my blood sugar????????? Anyone esle have this problem??? I have been following the diet below and not cheating. My Pre-Opt 14 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

Hello All Received my call today! May 27th!

Hello all Just wanted to clear a few things up... Im new and on my way to having a band!! I just wanted to know what exactally is classified as "fluid" on the post op fluid diet? And how do i get a ticker table"?? And whats a PB? Ta!!

I'm going for my final weigh in today and scared I haven't lost enough. I've been working with my dietician for 3 months. Last month, she put me on a diet where I was supposed to consume 14 servings of carbs a day. That's 210 grams of carbs in one day. Well needless to say, it wasn't working!!! So when I visited with the nurse from my doctor's office 2 weeks later, I hadn't lost any weight. When I told her what diet the dietician put me on, she was appauled. I was only supposed to be eating 45 grams of carbs a day and the dietician had me on 210. Needless to say, she changed my diet to 45 grams of carbs a day and 60 grams of Protein a day. That was only 3 weeks ago that m…

Hello Everyone! 22 days :confused_smile: until my banding and I was wondering if you have any suggestions on good books, websites, etc, regarding what to expect, recipes and or any info that would be helpful. I have been to other sites and this one seems very friendly and more helpful than others. Thanks in advance, Stacey

Has anyone had their surgery at LapBand Solutions in Richardson, TX? My Dr. Richard Benavides will be performing the surgery and was just curious of your sucess's and any problems with this company or this Dr? I appreciate all feedback... -J-

Im gaining weight. I cant wait until I get the surgery. Which is June 9th. I havent even started my liquids yet. Im getting quite depressed cause of the few pounds Im gaining. Guess its kinda my fault, I have been indulging in fattening foods, cause I know once I start the process I wont be able to have bad foods. All I can say is Im so looking forward to getting this. I know the bigger I get the more I dont feel like doing anything. I have no energy. Its time for a change. And I mean a big one. Anyway, I had to rant. Have any of you indulged in eating foods you know are bad, but you eat them cause you know once you start your pre op those foods are no longer ideal? Let m…

Alright, I figure here is one of the best places to ask, what's the best brand of Protein shake? I already picked up some from the store, and for the sake of taking off some of the weight i put on due to stress, I'm going to drink on for Breakfast every morning in the hope to shed some pounds before an upcoming trip in 5 weeks :wink_smile: I'm meeting up with a bunch of good friends, and also meeting a guy who i've known online for a couple years, and just over the last 6 months or so, well, it's possible we may decided to date each other after meeting this summer, so i'd like to look a little nicer for when we meet :tt2: yeah, yeah, pathetic i know... anyways... I'll ne…

Yes my big day finally arrived. I didn't sleep well lastnight at all, so I was up pretty early even though I didn't have to leave for the surgery center until 10:30 a.m. This was good because it gave me time to do some housework like the kitchen floor, clean the bathroom, change the sheets, get all the laundry done.... so that I can really kick back and recuperate for the next few days (yeah what can I say, I like a clean house!). The down side was that I couldn't have anything to eat or drink after midnight lastnight so I was pretty thirsty all morning. So finally got to the surgery center at 11:00 for my 12:00 surgery, but found out they were running behind, because w…

Tomorrow I have a diagnostics appointment. I was just so excited when I made my appointment on the phone that I forgot to ask questions. What exactly goes on during these appointments? What should I expect? Sorry if this is a dumb question, but thanks for taking the time to read!

Does anyone have sleep apenea now?:thumbup: I've never had it that I'm aware of. I live alone and even when I was with someone, it was never mentioned. I know what it is, and that it's mainly caused by obesity. Here's the thing...for the last 4+ weeks, I have been soo tired. I go to bed at 11pm and am up at 4am. I've been doing this for the last 8 years. My hours at work have even changed from5-3:30 M-Th to 5-1:30 M-F. So I work another day but not as long on any of the days. All of a sudden, I'm so tired all the time. I'm sleepy on my breaks and lunch breaks and once I get home if I sit on the couch, I'm a goner! I sleep pretty solid. I would say I'm asleep minutes after…

ok, simple question, do you lose weight on the liquid diet they put you on for the 2 weeks? I have to take carnation instant breakfast averaging 800-1000 calories per day. Since there are no solids, do you lose weight? I know the purpose for this diet, its to shrink the liver. Thanks everyone. Will be starting liquids on the 26th of this month.

I know for me ever since I made the decision to have the surgery I have been daydreaming about what my new life will be like. I have never ever been a thin person and have no idea what's it's like not to have to be concerned or worried about everything a big person does. So I wonder if I'm the only who is looking forward and daydreaming about certain things. Things I'm most looking forward to: 1. No more plus sizes (Shopping at Victoria Secrets has always been a dream of mine) 2. Not having to worry if I'm going to break a chair 3. Finally feeling comfortable in a restaurant 4. Going to the beach 5. Wearing no-sleeves shirts and short shorts in the summer

THis is kind of a morbid question, but I have to ask it with the amount of cancer in my family history. Have any of you heard of someone going through radiation or chemo with the band? I'm going to check with my dr's office too. I don't have it and hope I never do, but just trying to really be thorough.

liquids you can have after being banded. I am on Clear Liquids,popsicles and broth only. I don't see the Dr. until Thursday. But I am so hungry that I want to lick my daughters food! How awful does that sound! Just a lick thats all. Did anyone else feel like this? :leaving: I called my nutritionist and she was out but the receptionist at the Dr.s office told me absolutly NO protien shakes yet. I had one last night because I had the shakes and was week. I won't be able to last the 2 weeks on this stuff only. Any suggestions?

Teenagers are curel (when they want to be) Ok so I work at Juvie, and I am a shift supervisor. I WAS having a good day, scale is going in my favor... fit in to a pair of shorts I couldnt fit into b4, and then I came to work :thumbup: I stepped out onto the floor during the meal as one of my staff were tied up in an intake and they needed an extra person on the floor. I am by the way one of the staff that they like the least, I am the one who gets to tell them how much time they get in room confinement if they are acting up while with us. Well there is a staff who works "A" shift who is a REAL peach and none of the kids like him, and he is looking like he is about…

I am 60+ female. I went to covington LA to Why Weight, they said the lap band did not work well for older patients. Is any one on here that is older and have had the lapband if so please give to some input. Thanks JO:confused:

Hello All... I have just received my letter from the surgeon notifying me that I qualify to have the lap band done. My initial consulation is scheduled for Tuesday, June 10th and it is 3 hours long in a group setting. We are asked to bring in any questions that we may have. This is the first surgery of my life; therefore, I really don't know what to expect. Does anyone have a list of possible questions regarding this precedure that I can ask? During this consultation, I will get to meet he surgeon. Thanks for any questions that you can offer.... :thumbup: