PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

So I went to see the surgeon last month and havent been able to ask this as I've been sick and spent most of the past 2 weeks in bed so basically my question is what kind of questions should I ask the nurse? After I went to see the surgeon he just said flat out within 5 minutes of sitting down "Yes we will be doing this surgery but you have to see my nurse first" So I thought sure ok I can handle that, the only thing I'll have to pay for this entire thing is the $100 to see her but I don't know what to ask her I mean I kind of know all the necessary stuff like what are the pros and what are the cons, and I'd just like to know a little bit more for when I do go see her. So…

June 6th! I'm so excited and scared to death all at the same time. :biggrin::thumbup:

What type of Vitamins (with iron) does everyone take? I normally take the GNC Woman's Mega Vitamins, two at a time, but they are huge and I won't be able to take them post-surgery so I'd like to start now with a good multi-vitamin and I must have Iron in it, I have fibermyalgia and I am exhausted all of the time, any suggestions would be helpful. Thank-you, Kat

I love hearing the excitement in everyone's posts as they actually get dates and have their surgery! I know "bandster hell" is the period after surgery and before fills, but I want to propose another "bandster hell"...the kind where you know you want a band but you are still jumping through the hoops anxiously awaiting news....maybe we can call that "pre-bandster hell?" Anyone else out there with me???

Hi Everyone, I'm so excited that I could just cry tears of joy. Tomorrow is my surgery date and I can't believe it's finally going to happen. I have to be at the hospital at 5:30 am. It's an hour away from here, which means I don't sleep much tonight. I don't think I would have been able to sleep anyway! I can't wait to lose my weight, find myself, and RECLAIM MY LIFE. :biggrin: -Theresa

I got my consuld approved to see Dr. weiner in FrankFurt Germany. Now TRI Care can still deny the actual surgery, but im keeping my hopes up because they said it was almost impossible to get them to approve a consult. So im hoping im going to get approved. I go see Dr. Weiner on Memorial day because germans don't celebrate the holiday and are business as usual..Of course my company is closed so i won't have to take any time off work to make the 2 hr. drive(one way) up their. ohh geesh im soooo freakin excited.:frown:

I've been so antsy getting things going on having my surgery and today I finally feel like it's gonna be real. I went to my seminar on 4/26 and couldn't get in for a consult appt with the surgeon until 5/14. I scheduled all my screenings over a week ago and they are all happening this week. Today I had my pshych screening, she thinks I am a good candidate for surgery YEAH!!!! Tonight I am going to my first support group meeting. So it's beginning to feel real. I can't believe how nervous I was for the psych appt. I wonder what I will be like before surgery. LOL By the time this week is over I will have all my screenings done, hopefully! I go on vacation on May 16…

Hello every one! I've been a lurker for like a year now, trying to get up the guts to actualy go through with the Lap Band Surgy. Well I'm finely going to start the process. I went to the seminar last night and the doctors office just call me to set up the 1st consult. I didn't expect them to call me so soon, but I am very excited! I am going to be self pay so I was wanting to know if there is any thing I should be aware of? :confused2: I Think they told me when I first called them a month ago that it would be 14,000. But I would like to know that for sure cause Im pulling out a personal loan for it and need to know if I should get it for more than 14,000 and how much …

Well, it didnt take long for BCBS of NC, to approve my surgery, however, my wait now is with the clinic. I have been calling everyday now, to get them to schedule me for my pre op appointment. I have been telling them that I am on a time limit, reason being right now with my insurance I am covered 100 percent, and if I wait until after June, the first of July, I will have to pay 3500.00 out of pocket. Big difference, especially for someone with financial problems to begin with. So, its not the insurance, or anything like that, everything went smoothly, now its the clinic, thats taking their sweet time. UGGH. They said that I will more than likely have the procedure done t…

Hello all I was just banded on May 1, 2008. I checked in at 5:30 am, was taken to pre-op @ 20 minutes later and here is how it went. I was assisted by a nurse and a nursing student. I was given my lovely robe and slippers and a numbing shot for my IV site. I met with the anesthesiologist and his nurse at this time also. I hit the bathroom one last time then I was wheeled off to the OR. I know this is TMI, but I gotta tell ya - try if at all possible to have a bm the morning of your surgery so that you will not have to do any pushing afterward. I remember scooting from my bed to the operating table, taking a deep breath then waking up in post op ( recovery). Before sur…

I had my gall bladder removed on 4/28 and scheduled to be banded on 5/19. My surgeon wanted to wait 3 weeks between surgeries. Has anyone had to go through this scenario? I am wondering if you felt physically ready for the second surgery and how the levels of pain and discomfort compared to each other. I very much value the input and experiences from those on this site and always welcome any recommendations. I also tried some of the Isopure flavors and each one had a very bad after taste. I am used to the powdered form which is much more palatable. I decided to order the New whey liquid Protein which are the 3.5 ounce "bullets". They are much better tasting and it…

I was so excited to get surgery after I attended a seminar in early March. I have now secured financing, had my first meeting with the surgeon, my psyche evaluation, an all day behavior modification class, I am due to go to exercise and rehab on the 13th, and a final meeting with my surgeon later this month only to find out he is taking off for a 10 day vacation which will push all surgeries back for up to a month! Okay I would be fine with this but my main job is as a petsitter. My busiest season is of course summer. I also work in a private school cafeteria which gets out of school a full 3 weeks before local public school. I was hoping to have surgery in those 3 w…

Wow! I have been reading all of the posts from people who were finally scheduled...and now it's me!! What a feeling to have the date. I am so excited. A little nervous but not too much, just so glad to be on my way. From start to finish, it's only been 9 weeks - I am blessed. SO happy to be joining all of you in Bandster Land. Thanks for all your support so far! Mary in Las Vegas:thumbup:

I was banded yesterday morning @ 8:45 am at St. Margaret's Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. The check in and prep went well. The surgery was very short. I was in recovery and awake by 9:50! Upstair to a room by 11:45 am and up and around by 2 pm. I sat in the chair most of the afternoon. About 2.5 hours -- although I think I slept 2.4 hours of that time! Got thru the night very well -- up several times to urinate. I was discharged by 10:30 this morning and on my way home. I'm feeling pretty well -- took a hit of liquid roxicet to be sure I could tolerate it. I have problems with several of the other pain meds, but it helped for the ride home. I've been up and arou…

Does anyone have suggestions on "good foods" that would be helpful with our diet? Does anyone know of any links to "healthy eating?" Thanks in advance, Kat

Hi I am very new and have been reading the forum and wish I already had a band. But here goes......I am pretty sure that I am going to be self pay. I have medcost prefered Ins. A coworker had bypass a few months ago and got it through his other job insurance because our insurance doesnt pay:frown:. So just wondering is it quicker if you are self pay to approved? what kind of things do the psych doc want to know? Anybody here had surgery through New Hope Bariatrics in Charlotte NC? I have watched the video they have sent me and have my seminar on June 2. My coworker had bypass so itwould be more permanent. I am opposite. I know this is a tool and am excited about a ne…

Please Help!! My insurance Co (bcbs of TX) requiers a 5 year history of obesity...I don't have that!! I didn't go to the doctor as much as as I should have over the past five years. I haven't even seen the surgoen yet but I am trying to get everything ready now so I don't have to stall the operation when the time comes and I feel I've hit a wall with this one. I have had my primary doctor for about a year but there is a 3 year gap where I don't have medical records. I'm 24, can I use my childhood records if they are attainable? Ugh, I can't believe this minor issue could hold me back!! Is it possible to show pictures as proof?? Please Help me.....Advice anyone:confuse…

As I'm reading around here, I keep seeing PB.....I'm a newbie...so what does this stand for?

I am attending my 2nd seminar on Thursday (did not care for MD at first place). Can you tell me some great questions that were asked that you learned something from? I have been researching and reading on this site for about 2 months now, but I am sure there are things that I have not thought about. Ironically, I work for a hospital in the reimbursement area and my boss came to me this week asking me to research lap band because we may start it at my hospital.....how weird, I know he doesn't know that I am looking into this for myself personally. Thanks for anything you can share.

Well I went to my doctors appointment on Thursday excited and ready to go. The coordinator (Tammy) came in and said everything looks good, I have even lost some weight and we were going to start the pre-surgery diet tomorrow!! I was never so happy to have someone tell me I was not going to b able to eat... then The surgeon comes in and tells me that the psychologist had some concerns about how I would handle the changes post-op and there were concerns about possible binging (not to say that he is saying I have a problem with this nor is he diagnosing me with this)... this has NEVER been an issue for me and I have no idea where he is getting this but I now get to go…

I thought I'd be nice and wait 2 weeks before I started to pester my insurance company, and when I called yesterday, they said there wasn't a chart on me. I got upset and called my surgeons office and spoke to the insurance person and she promised me she faxed it. She said she had TWO confirmations. Blah blah blah - she called and got the same story, so we had to re-submit everything again today. I am so frustrated, I could be half way throught this process by now. Oh well, I guess I just need to hurry up and wait. Thanks for reading - I just needed to vent.

Well heard from the surgeons office this morning and we are on for June 3!!! See the surgeon for final appt and to sign consent forms and to start the pre-surgery diet on May 22... I know that means I'll be on the diet for the field trip but that's ok... It will help me be BUSY and not thinking about not being able to eat And my mom is coming as a chaperone too so she will be in town still on the day of the surgeory. She is sitll asking if I am sure I want to really do this maybe being here will help ease her mind a little :angry_smile: Well heres to counting the days again!!!! woo hooo:thumbup:

I am getting banded tomorrow! I have been so excited for the past few weeks. Now I am just nervous. I can't wait until it is over!

Would like to know you has been banded by Dr.Lopez Corvala or Dr. Liza Pompa Thank you :confused2:

I don't plan to obsess about weighing myself every day, but I would like to have a good (accurate) scale at home for after surgery. Does anyone have a recommendation on a good scale? I've got one that I've had for 10 years, and I don't think it's very accurate. It does show a loss of 20 pounds from when I was weighed at my seminar but I don't know if that's true or not. Of course, I had clothes on at the seminar weigh-in.

I got the call yesteray morning from my insurance company to tell me I am approved! The interesting thing is that the woman who called me is the nurse who actually did the approval and she is getting a lap band as well! She told me, "honey, when I saw your record...I told myself this girl needs this surgery!". Such a small world - I shared this web site with her and she said she would pass it on to her patients. Sometimes life is just really good! Will get my surgery date today! Mary in Las Vegas

I am schedualed to have the lap band on Tueday March 11th. I was wondering if I would be able to bowl a week later?? Also wondering what kind of restrictions people have for the 1st week after surgery. Thanks

Hi, Today, I had my first interview with an endocrinologist that specializes in obesity, diabetes, and lipid disorders. As I suspected, he wants to start me on a diet and exercise program, and doesn't want to refer my to a bariatric surgeon. His reason " You have sleep apnea, they can't put you to sleep for the surgery" Is this true? Thanks Tyler

Hey all-- I am going under the knife in about 48 hours, and I prepared a letter for those taking care of me, as it will be done in shifts for the first 72 hours or so. Lol. My dad on Thursday, my fiance on Friday, and my mom on Saturday. After that, I'm hoping not to need care and attention, but if so, who am I to complain. Hehe... Anywho, here is a little memo/reference guide I put together for them in case any of you would like to use. Make sure to modify for yourself, as I'm sure your individual surgeon's orders are different. It's good for a general overview type of thing.

Hey Bandsters! Weird Question! Does the altitude change while flying in an airplane effect the band at all? Just one of those things that feels too weird to ask the surgeon!

Okay, I am 3 days post-op and supposed to be on liquid/soft foods now for a month. If all you are having is things like jello, smoothies, protein drinks, cottage cheese, pudding, how do you do the no fluid before or during eating? Also, it's a little difficult to "watch calories" when there's not that much going in anyway. When you are in mushie/fluids are you supposed to be doing that like you would when you are eating regularly? Doesn't really make sense.

Today I got offical notice from the insurance company they approved the surgery. YEAH. Now the waiting for the doctors office for a surgery date. This office has been slow with everything. I am hoping they get back to me but their answering maching for the scheduling desk desk said allow at least 3 days. I know I didn't gain the weight in three days but I am so ready to start my new life. Any suggestions on things to start avoiding. My biggest vice is coke/pepsi. I'm starting to replace with water now. Anything you have done different BEFORE surgery??

Hi everyone! My lap band is schduled for Friday, May 9th! I'm alternately excited and terrified. Is this normal?? Also, I think I need to avoid reading too much. I feel fairly prepared as I've read all of the materials given to me by my Doctor and I've attended the classes, talked to several banders in my area. Today I read on here about livers being too large and I wasn't required to do a pre-surgery diet...only have to do clear liquids the day before. I've watched fat and carbs somewhat over the past two weeks but now I'm really scared that I didn't do enough. How did those of you that are already banded keep the fear at bay the last few days!!!:lol:

So yesterday I went to my appt with the surgeon's office and it is official... I am scheduled for surgery on May 21st. :tt1: I am super psyched and not at all nervous. I can not wait! I wish it was tomorrow! The process went very smooth and quick! One month from seminar to surgery..... :thumbup:BRING IT ON!!! :tt1: I have my pre-op day of testing scheduled for the 12th. I also need to meet with the Psych. again as it is their policy to meet with her one more time before surgery... Personally I see it as a way to get more money out of me....... but alas I must do what I am told to do to get to my ultimate goal.... So it will be a period of my life I w…

I go to my all day seminar tomorrow and it says specifically that we are not to bring food. I am a little confused that they are going to put us in a room for 6 hours and we can't eat. What about lunuch? No lunch is scheduled. Is there going to be a mass of cranky overweight people pushing eachother out of the way in the parking lot when this is all over? Has anyone else had this situation?

I have just completed my 6 months of nutritional classes my Dr. said it takes about two weeks until I hear from the Ins.Company (BS PPO). If everything goes well I will have my surgey in July at the Weight Loss Clinc in Harrisburg Pa. These site is so helpful, for people like me, It keep me going for the six months. Thanks to all of you that Post threads

I am to be banded around the end of July. I have a weeks vacation at OBX scheduled the 3rd week of August. Am I going to feel well enough to swim, walk, drive, ride bikes, etc. or should I schedule surgury after I come back? I can't change the vacation dates but I can schedule the surgery accordingly. :confused2:

Hi All!! Stupid question...Is coffee allowed after the lap band???

I'm being banded on April 28th. I'm a little nervous about the new lifestyle. Look forward to talking to you about your experience.

Hi Everyone, I went to my seminar on March 17, 2008 and my appointment with my surgeon (actually, the nurse does this preliminary visit) is tomorrow at 8:00am. What can I expect? I know that I will have bloodwork done, I know that I will have x-rays scheduled, an appointment with a nutritionist scheduled and an appointment with a psych scheduled for me. My question is, will my life begin to change for the better beginning tomorrow? Will there be lifestyle changes beginning tomorrow? Thanks in advance for any input. Kat

I have the Doctor from HELL...........I have completed all the prerequisites for appoval and the surgeon is ready to submit for approval and my PCP is standing in the way. She was with me all rhrough the process but when it came time for her to do her part ( writing the recommendation ) she refuses....saying that she does not have the time to do that, and further that my insurance co Horizon BCBSNJ doesn't pay her to do these kind of things....I even offered to pay her myself and still she refused. She faxed copies of the patient chart records tto the surgeons' office and said that he (the surgeon) should be able to get whatever he needed fron that....I have called the I…

my surgery is tomorrow am (5:30am). today i was told to eat a light Breakfast and have clear fluids the rest of the day and nothing by mouth after midnight. so far so good. all i've had after breakfast has been h20 and chicken broth. two quetions.... is chicken broth considered 'clear liquid'? i'm thinking of having some Jello. would that pass as clear liquid? thanks.

Hi All, Quick question I am Pre Band Should be fitted next month (fingers crossed!). Whilst at the size I am 280lbs I get numbness in the top of my legs predominantly on the right side. It happens while I am sat and if I lie on my back for to long. Did any one have this before they were banded and if so did it stop when you lost weight? I have spoken to my GP about it and he thinks its size related and nothing to worry about. Just curious what you guys think???!!! Ki XX

I started my journey of everything in April. I'm 22, 23 in august and I weigh 419 pounds. April 5th was my seminar. April 18th was my consultation. I had Xrays and blood work done April 23rd all turned up negative. :thumbup: And now I start my 6 months of supervised diet and exercise on May 6th. I'm sad that I have to do 6 months but at first the insurance said 1 year so 6 months is nothing! I'm already using baby silverware to teach myself to take small bites and chewing chewing chewing! I'm eating smaller amounts, and I took junk food and sodas out of my diet completely! And now I'm also waiting on my Psych evaluation appt. My EKG appointment (they heard…

I finally started an album on here of myself and my before pics...so if you would like to see all my rolls etc...I just added the album so depending on how you sort things...it should be the first album on the list...Surgery is on Thursday!!! blessings to all

It was posted a few weeks ago and i want to send the link to a friend of mine and i can't find it..

My insurance has an exclusion for weight loss surgery so I am self pay. My first appointment with the doctor is Tuesday (5/6). I was really excited about the Lap Band process until yesterday. I called my HR person at work to ask her an insurance question and she called our insurance rep to get the answer. The rep told her that I needed to be careful with getting the Lap Band since it is not covered. They told me that anything that goes wrong associated with it will not be covered by insurance either. This could potentially put my family in financial ruin. At first I was discourged but now I am mad. I just can't believe that insurance will happily pay for things…

Now I don't have to start my pre-op diet until the 7th of May. I go in on the 13th to have my blood work and every done prior to being banded on the 15th. I have made up in my mind that I am going to start my pre-op diet on this coming Monday. I think my major struggle is eating out of being board... or when i'm upset... So i know I am going to have to really focus on what triggers my eating..I am not going to do the last supper type of thing, because I think that will make it worse for me to do the right thing... I am ready to start this new life of mine... please keep me in your prayers and i will do like wise and keep you all in mine.. Nothing but success, and great…

hey bandsters! I was wondering, how many of you had a catheter inserted for surgery? I am NOT looking forward to that part!!!!

So, my therapist and I met the other day...I see her for regular issues, but lately we have been discussing the LB and my weight issues so she can do my psyche eval. Anyway, she said her main concern is that I think of food is love and love as food and how will I deal with this when I am banded. My thoughts were that I will replace eating with other activities. I also told her that I think that since I will get that full feeling more easily, that will help me deal with it psychologically, is this true? How do you deal with the emotional side of things when you are so used to eating to numb things?