PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I do not know what I am asking for here... I read a thread.... and now I am completely, totally, and utterly panicked about my surgery. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f18/hi-everyone-i-think-i-ll-contrarian-voice-here-58983/#post804331 Please tell me, does anyone know the hard statistics of something really bad happening? Not the things that can be fixed through removal or adjustment, but the death percentages and messing up your organs stuff? I'm sorry, it's just... I'm not really brave about medical stuff. I'm shaking here... surgery is on the horizon (May 9th), and I am inches away from cancelling it because I can barely breathe from the fear. I need this surgery …

I am wondering what do you need these things called bath room tongs or some name like that??? and where do you find them or if I even need them?? I keep seeing threads that mention these tong things...but not sure what they are:confused2:

Recently I sent in a Dr. question and unfortunately I couldn't get an answer. I was waking up around any where from 2 AM - 5 AM full of gas and belly distention. Well, I went into my Band Dr. and after questioning my diet, he explained I needed more Fiber. We get so focused on Protein we forget about the fiber. So, I went out and purchased Benefiber from Walmart and then went to costco to get the big one. Because my wife and I both are banders, we both are using it. Benefiber is nice because it's tasteless and orderless. You can put it straight into Water and no taste. I usually put it in my flavored water and, again, no added or strange flavors. I wasn't having…

I have Humana and have been told I have to have a six month diet plan with someone like a doctor, dietician, or weight watchers after I meet with my doctor on Friday. Any suggestions on which to use. I am leaning towards setting up appointments once a month with my primary doctor just because my co-pay will be the same as paying for weight watchers and I can't right that expense off and I can write off a doctor bill. Can anyone tell me what kind of a diet plan you have with your doctor or whomever you are using. I am still frustrated because I know I will lose weight over the next six months. Usually I can get the weight to fall off. The problem is I can never keep …

:biggrin:I am getting so excited. On April 16th I will have completed my 6 months of required doctor supervised visits. I have completed all my dietician visits and my psych evaluation. I don't know if I passed it or not but I guess I will find out the results on the 16th. I also had to lose 13 pounds and as of last months visit I had lost 15 but I just went on vacation and I have to figure out a way to lose about 5 pounds before the 16th. While on vacation I tried a lot of different foods and didn't exercise like I should have been. Any advice on how to do that in about 9 days, let me know :thumbup: According to my doctor on the 16th they will submit all the paperwork …

I have been reading a lot posts on here so I can get a sense of what to expect when I get banded (May 12th). I keep reading about people going a liquid diet before surgery. My doctor has not put me on that. The only thing he said was not to eat after 12 midnight. I know he is the doctor and knows best and I am not doubting his word I was just wondering why so many people have to have the liquids. Does it have to do with a fatty liver? Ok so did I just answer my own question??? Also what was the best thing for gas. I am trying to get somethings together well before surgery. I am sampling some protein drinks to see what I like best but would like to get all the thin…

Video of actual surgery: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds_nwlgQztE]www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds_nwlgQztE[/ame] and Google Image Result for http://www.obesitycontrolindia.com/Images/LapBandPorts.jpg

:crying: I AM SO ANGRY WITH MYSELF RIGHT NOW. PART OF MY PRE-OP WAS TO STOP SMOKING AND BLOW UP BALOONS. WELL I DID GOOD FOR 2 DAYS UNTILL MY IN-LAWS CAME, HAD HEART FAILURE, WENT INTO ICU (MOTHER-INLAW) AND MY OWN MOTHER IS HAVE CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE AS WE SPEAK. NOTHING WAS GOING ON UNTILL I GOT ALL SCHED AND NOW I HAVE BEEN SMOKING 5 CIGS A DAY, AM I GOING TO BE IN REALLY BIG TROUBLE? I AM TRYING BUT THIS HOUSE OF TERROR IS KICKING ME HARD IN THE BUT SINCE IN-LAWS LIVE WITH AND MOTHER IS ACROSS THE STREET. FRUSTRATED IN IDAHO, :cry_smile::confused_smile:

Hi everyone, I am scheduled for surgery 5/2 and for some reason find myself panicked! I have been having stomach problems since I found out and I really don't know why. I have researched this for 2 years and know this is the way to go. I know I have got to get this weight off and yet, the past 2 days I have been in an almost constant state of panic. I want to have this done, I'm ready and want to do it. I guess maybe part of the reason I'm panicked is that I will be having the surgery in a different state from the one I live in. I've had surgeries before so I know it's not that, I guess it's just the idea of being so far from home. Am I just being a big baby??? I…

Is it normal to have blood come out when you blow your nose. Is it normal that my port has addl blood stains on the bandage?

What is more important on the pre-op diet? The amount of weight lost or sticking to the liquids. I am 7 days in and 7 to go and I am down 17.5 lbs. I have have a few bites of food and now I am regretting it, worried about the surgery. Please put my mind at ease!!

Anyone get the creeps thinking of a "port" inside their body just underneath the skin? It makes my skin crawl everytime I think about it. Is it painful, tender etc? Can you see it? Will my kids be able to crawl all over me...or will I forever be sensitive in that area? I hate needles, and surgeries, and doctors, and all of that biz. Is it all really as invasive as it seems? If there is a thread about this already...please direct me to it....I didnt seem to find anything. Thanks! A

I am trying different protein drinks to find something I like (I am not being banded until May 12th). I just got some samples from Unjury and it says to mix with water. That in no way sounds good to me, strawberry water?? My diet sheet says I can have milk upto 1%, is it ok to mix the Unjury with milk instead of water? I just can't stomach drinking this mix with water. Any help would be great!!!!

I'm a month and 1/2 post band and as of the last few days when i try to eat my stomach fills full of thick phlegm and my stomach seems to tighten to the point its very painful....eventually i'll throw up all the phlegm and feel better. This is something new and occurs as soon as the first bite of food is swallowed. The pain from my stomach tightening is unbearable but very different from the pain from a obstruction. The only thing that is different with me in the last few days is alergy season has set in for me. Its my first alergy season since i've been banded. I wonder if my alergies have any thing to do with this new condition. What are the symptoms of a slippage? St…

My doctor suggests an ongoing (forever) diet that includes Protein shakes. I travel every month or so for my job and most of the trips are from one coast to another. Long flights, long days (usually with a connecting flight in another city on the way). With the new Homeland Security rules about carrying on liquids (no more than can fit into a food storage bag and no more than 3 ounces per item), I am wondering how others in the same situation are handling this? Are there appropriate shakes sold at airport shops? I suppose I could go with a powder, but I don't think those are as tasty and then instead of carrying just a shake, I have the powder and the mix cup and…

I just got off the phone with my surgeon's office. My surgery is scheduled for Friday, May 9th. I am PSYCHED! I have to go for a pre-op class on April 23rd, an endoscopy, chest x-ray and bloodwork on April 24th, and a pre-surgical visit with the surgeon on May 1. I need to start the pre-op diet on May 2. 22 days until my surgery! I can't believe it's finally going to happen! WOOHOOOO Life is GOOD! -Theresa

I'm on the clear liquid diet, and in the mornings I have 16 oz. of carnation instant breakfast before work (I drink it from 6:30 - 7:00), and now, it's already 9:00 and I'm starving. The only other things that I can have on this is popsicles, jello & broth, and I just am not sure how I can get that hunger to stay away. What do you guys do in the morning?

Ok so usually stuff in the paper doesnt annoy me but I woke up this morning and my mum was like read the front of the Courier Mail (paper in aus) so I did and I saw this article that kind of pissed me off. It's about teenagers turning to weightloss, I have absolutely nothing wrong with the fact that teenagers want it except for one little thing, I definetly don't think anyone under the age of 16 should get it. I was told numerous times while I was in hospital (been in on and off since I was 10 - nothing to do with my weight) and doctors told me that they can't do certain operations because my body was still growing which I completely understood you know so I thought well …

My doctor is requiring me to be on an all liquid diet 2 weeks before surgery and that starts today. Did anyone else have to do the same? Any recommendations for what you ate and good protein supplements?

I think I have finally decided to go ahead and have the surgery. I have been going back and forth for the past 1.5 years trying to decide. I have now set an appointment to meet with the surgeon on May 2nd, (of course I hope I don't chicken out again) I am hoping my insurance will not be hard to work with. They said they will cover it but I am hoping they will not find a loop hole and say "no". Anyone know if Aetna is tough to deal with? I have Aetna open access. I would appreciate your input.

:thumbup:WELL TODAY IS MY PREOP (4/18) AND I DID WHAT I WAS EXPECTED TO DO. MY DOCTOR SAID I NEEDED TO BE DOWN 10 LBS AND AS OF THIS MORNING I AM DOWN 11LBS. I AM SO EXCITED TO GO FORMALIZE EVERYTHING TODAY, SURGERY IS NEXT WEDNESDAY (4/23). I WILL KEEP EVERYONE POSTED.

Well the scheduler called and I got my date, I will be banded on May 6 in southern ca. After much worrying I finally took a deep breath and told my boss, she gave me a big hug and aid she will help me however she can. Needless to say I am relieved and excited!

Looking into banding. We moved to a new state for my husbands job, only the job hasn't happened yet. Long story, but we are pretty certain his insurance will cover most of the surgery, just no guarantees when the job will finally go through. He is VERY supportive for me in this and says that even if we have to use our savings we will. So at this time I do not know how to approach Dr.'s. I do not have a Dr. locally yet and frankly I am scared of being told what so many think and that is those that have surgery for weight loss are just too lazy to lose it on their own. What if you don't get support from the Dr. you must get a referral from in order to approach a Lap …

I went for my initial consult last week. The surgeon told me he is sure (by my symptoms) that I have pretty bad sleep apnea. He wanted me to go for a sleep study, then wear a CPAP at least 2 weeks before surgery. The doctors office called and said the insurance co wants all sorts of documentation (12 months documentation, a letter from my PCP, I don't even remember what else) I don't have 12 months documentation (really..who does???) I mentioned to my PCP a year or so ago about wanting a sleep study...but she said I had to go see a pulmonologist first...I didn't bother. All this hassle over a sleep study...what is the chance of them paying for a lap band???? I am so b…

Can anybody tell me what PB's are? I just recently learned what the "slime's" are. :tt1: Thanks

I'm ready to leave it up to the insurance company... Today was my final weigh in after 6 months of pre-op dieting. It's not a lot of weight loss, but I'll take it! I'm excited and nervous about the next month or so. Wondering if I should request to have my surgery after my cruise... June 6th. I'm worried about sea sickness and band slippage... any thoughts?:confused2:

I just wanted to ask everyone to please keep me in your prayers as tomorrow (4/16) is my big day. I’m counting down the hours now -- I am so nervous and excited at the same time about being banded. My surgery is scheduled for 11:30 am, have to be at the hospital at 9 a.m. I have made successfully through 7 days of liquid diet. Wasn’t sure how I would do. Yes, it was hard but I was determined and I did it. Thank you everyone for all of your advice – It has really helped me!

Well I talked to the insurance lady at my surgeons office yesterday and she said that maybe finally I may be closer to approval for surgery. I have to go to my pcp dr on Monday and hopefully this will finally be my last visit. It's been a long 8 months and I am so ready for my surgery. So wish me luck and hopefully I will be banded soon.......:thumbup::tt1::smile:

Hello, Just feel like I need to post something to vent a little frustration with myself! I know and have known for a few weeks that in order for me to get surgery I need to lose 5% of my body weight... I easily lost most of the weight except for two pounds... two pounds you say no big deal, well you know what... it's turning out to be a huge pain in the ass! I knew last Friday that I had to lose it and I have lost 2lbs a hundred times in a hundred different ways really really quick.... For some reason this time the scale goes down and I think I'm in the clear - I can eat that and of course it's back up the next day... So I did pretty good this week and the scale ha…

There was a one page insert in our local newspaper (Sacramento Bee) on Monday the 14th. It was advertising a research study for obese people with bmi's from 30-35. The telephone number to call was 877-303-5264 and the website is Band3035.com When I clicked on the link, it took me to the website for a very reputable bariatric surgery group. The surgeon locations I found were in northern and southern California. My PCP said last week she had read in one of her Internal Medicine journals about this trial and also one dealing with lap band surgery in obese teenagers. Hope this is useful information!

I called Blue Cross today and they said that my surgery is definitely going to be approved! While there's more work for them to do before the pre-authorization is complete, I know now that this is GOING TO HAPPEN! I am PSYCHED!!!!!!! I will call them back tomorrow to see if everything is set, then I will call the surgeon's office to schedule an appointment. IT'S FINALLY BECOMING REAL.

I have a surgery date of May 8th @ 9:30am. I have to be at the hospital @ 7:30am. My husband and son are going to be there with me. My son is insisting on being there, so I have to call him off school that day. He is worried about his mama :thumbup: I keep assuring him I'll be fine, but he still wants to be there. I will be staying that night in the hospital because I requested it through my doctor. I live an hour and a half away from the hospital. I want a nurse and a doc to be just down the hall in case of anything happening because of my sleep apnea and asthma. That and I don't do really well with the anesthesia. I explained to doc and nurse that it's not that I don't …

I was wondering if anyone had Aetna insurance? I started all of the formalities in August of last year and I still dont have an approval for surgery. It's always something different every time I call them.....They just want me to give up...but guess what...I'm not......

Dear Husband goes in for surgery on May 1st, which means he has to start the liquid diet today. I am ready for cranky. My next stop is to the recipie section for liquids. Wish us luck!

My BMI is just shy of 40.... it's like 39.something. Before I go to the appt where they get all my info and submit it to my ins for coverage approval, should I gain a few pounds to get my bmi over 40? I don't want them to deny me because my bmi isn't high enough or just shy of the limit. If there limit 40 I'd only need to gain like 3 pounds.... but if the limit is 45 I'd need to gain more like 35 pounds so that isn't an option. Hope this doesn't sound really stupid... I'd just rather gain the 3 pounds than have to deal with being denied. If I call my ins company will they tell me what there procedure is for approving or denying? I want to ask, but I don't want to discl…

Hi All, I am prebanding and have been reading many of the posts. A couple of questions have come up now. First, I have read about having the sleed study first and have seen several posts about it, but my doctor isn't having me do that. Thoughts? I even asked him if he could test for it and he said that he would do a pulse ox in the hospital. Second, I noticed that some folks said that they weren't required to do a liquid diet pre-banding. I am supposed to, which is fine. Just wondering why some do and some don't? Thanks for the insight!

For those that have gone out of state or country for your bandings, how do you go about finding a Dr. for fills? Can you only get fills through the LapBand Dr's or clinics? Or are there other avenues you can go through?

OK, I am 6 days into 14 day liquid preop diet. Prior to this I drank only pepsi. Really no Water....I know that is terrible but I have to be honest. I dropped it cold as I am not about to do anything that doesn't agree with the Doc's instructions. When I first started to drink crystal light I struggled to get 2 water bottles in a day, today I can't get enough have gone through 3 of them and will do another 2 or so before I go to bed. What's the deal, does your body actually crave more water when you begin drinking it? I'm not complaining as obviously it is good for me but not what I was expecting....I thought I was really going to struggle and miss my soft drinks…

I am having a sleep study tomorrow night. If they find apnea will it delay my surgery. Do I have anything to worry about? Thanks, Wanda:sad:

After everything I have been thru w/ cancelling/rescheduling...blah blah blah... I wont believe it till I wake up in the recovery room! To everyone else scheduled for tomorrow & Friday, I will be praying for all of you & please pray for me too!! Cant wait to wake up in bandland around 8:30am tomorrow morning!!! Just dreading having to be up at 4am & at the hospital at 5am! I am not a morning person, maybe I just wont sleep at all, plenty of time for that while I am recovering.

I'm near the beginning of this process. My insurance company requires 6 months of medically supervised weight loss. Even though my pcp wrote a letter saying he has been treating me for obesity for 4 years and I have failed at supervised weight loss, I still have to do the 6 months. Because I didn't see him every single month, they won't except it. Anyway, I met the dietician last week and she gave me a sample meal plan. I started Monday and am so frustrated. If I could manage to only eat 1200-1500 calories on my own, I wouldn't need the band! I feel like if I can do this for 6 months unbanded, why can't I do it for the rest of my life? Will the band really help t…

Wow. Things are getting close. So I had my last visit with my pre-approval nutritionist team yesterday. Five more pounds down, for a total of 20 since January (more or less on the timeframe. I didn't really get into the grove of things before then, tbh). Actually spot-on for what the nurse told me would be a good loss for the time period/approval. Next Tuesday is my psych evaluation. I have seven years of weight history from my gynecologist's office. I have six or so months of other dieting records from another doctor along with a bunch of test results from 18 months or so ago that should be faxed over today. One annoyance I'm facing is that I went to se…

I have a surgery date. April 25th, which is next Friday, I am excited and a little nervous about the anesthesia. I can't believe it, everything has gone so smoothly for me that I feel any minute I am going to get a call and someone says "belated april fool's". Thanks for all your support!

Im in the process of doing all the preliminaries for my surgery. I hope to set a date for this summer. Tonight I got so emotional thinking about i broke down and was hysterically crying. Did this happen to anyone else? The band itself doesnt really scare me, its surgery itself. I'm afraid of waking up, complications, and so on. LEt me know if anyone else had some crazy emotions. Thanks!!:confused:

What do I do about the monster that is growling inside my belly??? It is sooo embarrassing!!!!!!! I know I'm doing the liquid diet.. but this is ridicules. i just had some warm soup.. and it is acting up even more! I'm mortified by it. Does it lessin??? Go away??? How do you hide it from people??:biggrin: Oh LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a pre-op physical in about an hour, and I was just wondering, what does that consist of?

I have an appointment on Monday and am afraid to go because I will probably start crying if questioned about certain things. I'm afraid that the psycologist will say that I need several appointment before he will refer me for surgery. Yep, I'm one of those people that hold things inside of me and eat for comfort. I'm trying to take steps to learn to deal with stress and feel losing weight will give me the confidence to get out of circumstances that make me unhappy. I know it won't cause my problems go away but if I could just gain the confidence to move on life would be so much better. Has anyone told the psyc one thing and then after surgery decide to go for couns…

I know there are stickys for surgeon FAQ's, but I am looking for questions to ask only of anesthesia Dr & team. A couple I thought of were: Do you use brainwave monitors to check for awareness during surgery? What meds are given for nausea both before& after? I went for preop testing today & anes. was the only ones I didnt get to meet with (they were really backed up) so I wont get to talk to them till Thurs just before I go into the OR & I want to have a list of questions ready for them since I wont have much time w/ them like originally planned. Thanks for your help!

I have a desk job and I'm not sure how much time that I will need to take off after surgery. Will I need to take more than one week?

Dont mean to be ignorant but what is the terrible PBING and Slimmg? Thanks WIll be banded 2-7-07