PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hey there, im new to the site and im actually happy to join to take advice needed from people who are thinking about undergoing the surgery or people who already have a lap band inside of them. Im 22 years old turning 23 soon, and im 240.3 pounds on 6.10 feet tall, i am overweight and i dont like the shape of my body to be honest, ive always been fluffy and fat all of my life, and as i grew up and saved the money to go and do the surgery im a little bit hesitant at the moment. Im excited cause i know that after several months il be good looking and that il be happy, and more self confident but i dont know if i should at this age or not. Im a Lawyer currently unemplo…

This morning, I had an appointment to have a heart stress test done at my local V.A. hospital. Because my foot was injured, I was not able to walk on the treadmill. The doctor medically induced my heart rate for 4 minutes to substitute running for 4 minutes. I felt HORRIBLE! Even at this late night I am still feeling effects from the medication. Has anyone else had this experience or is my reaction unusual?

Counting down the hours now!!!! I am so excited and nervous about being banded. I am being banded tomorrow (the 15th), have to be at the hospital at 9 a.m. :smile2: I just started the liquid diet this morning as directed. Thanks everyone for all your advice and information. It helped me get this far. CHILLY 24 hours until banded (April 15, 2008):tongue:

Well I am trying to decide A) if I want the Lap Band or :biggrin: the gastric Sleeve and which doctor to choose. After research I have found Dr. Liza Maria Pompa Gonzalez located in Tijuana Mexico. I have talked to her personally on the phone and she sounds very knowledgeable and so fourth its just the fact of getting a surgury performed in mexico. Can people here that have had it done by Dr. Pompa please talk to me about the whole experience.??????? Thank you, James

Hi everyone... I'm new here so I will probably have a million questions I decided to look into Lap Band surgery after trying soooo many other things for weight loss. I go for the seminar on April 23rd I'm very excited about it. I'm hoping after that it won't take long to have the actual surgery. I told my my boyfriend I was having it done he thinks I'm crazy LOL but his thing is always "babe I love you how you are but whatever makes you happy" He's so sweet, I don't know what he'll think when I'm skinny He's normal sized for a guy but he'll tell you, he doesn't like skinny women says he needs someone who can keep him warm at night So any advice from anyone? How lo…

Tomorrow I start week 2 of the liquid diet, and I'm having an issue. Now, even if I am starving, when I go to drink the CIB, I start to gag, same thing is happening with the broth.. This is going to be a long two weeks if it keeps going like this. It's taking everything I've got to get the stuff down.

I am looking into getting banded at Hurley Bariatric in Flint, MI, has anyone here had any experience with that bariatric center? My first consultation with surgeon is april 22nd.

In the time it takes me to log my 6 months of supervised dieting, I have decided to lose as much weight as I can reasonably (and safely) lose. I believe being smaller when I have the surgery can only help me. To this end, I am planning on using shakes as a Meal Replacement for at least 2 of my meals, having veggies like celery or fruit for each of 2 Snacks and one lean meal per day. I plan on staying under 1000 calories per day. This will be HARD. It would be great if anyone else out there has this kind of plan for the 6 month wait. I would love to connect with you. Writing down my intention is a good first step I guess. The pre-surgery diet train is now bo…

I'm so excited! I managed to get rid of my cold and feel great. I'm a little nervous about the post-op pain, but I'm ready! I've worked too hard to turn back now. I wanted to thank everyone for their suggestions over the last few weeks. Talk to you all soon! :biggrin:

I am having surgery next Monday & I don't know what to tell my boss & job. I don't want them to know I am having Lap-Band surgery. I was going to say my appendix or gall Bladder removed. I need some suggestions. My boss is really tough & would not understand this surgery & my need for time off from work. I am only taking a week. I am a sales person so I am only around my boss once a month or so. Thanks in advance.:biggrin:

Has anyone been watching the soap opera Guiding Light? They are running a story line about a female (Ashlee) getting the lap band. She is going through the same things I have been reading on these forums. She got negative comments about the surgery from her mother and told she could just eat less and exercise more. Her boyfriend told her that he loved her just as she was. It's unreal how the storyline hits home with the emotions she is going through with the process. She finally decided to go through with the surgery after second guessing herself due to others thoughts on the surgery. I am now going to watch this soap opera to see how her weight loss progresses. It is sai…

I just saw the WLS psychiatrist and am now depressed. She said she thinks the surgery is a go, but she has some concerns. I know that I'm ready. She's worried what I'll do when difficulty arrises. I told her, that when that time comes, I'll have to talk to someone to get past it. What else can one do? I know that I'll have hard times, but does that mean I shouldn't have the surgery? I have tried many times to lose weight and I know that this surgery will help me obtain this. I understand that it's not a cure all, but a tool to work with. I don't plan on "falling off the wagon", but I also recognize that some days will be harder than others and I may want to eat. …

Has anyone had any experience with Dr. Teng or Dr. Atkinson in Las Vegas? I am thinking about going out of state unless I can find some references. Thanks, Mary

I personally didn’t go to Mexico for my band - I went to Northwest Weight Loss Surgery in Everett, WA - but I know a lot you did or are planning to. The cost savings sure is tempting… Approximate Lap Band Surgery Costs Across the Globe (source: Mexico tourism authority) Canada: $15,000 India: $ 7,000.00 USA: $ 20,000.00 UK: $ 17,000 Mexico: $ 8,000 Thailand: $ 12,000 So - I wanted to post this list of tips for those who are thinking of heading south of the border from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention but posted in the Arizona Daily Star. Your health insurance probably will not apply, except for emergency services. Malpractice laws …

I was just curious if it varies from doctorto doctor how long you need to be on a liquid diet before you are banded. Just from reading different posts I have seen different things from 1 week to 2 weeks. I have not met with my doctor yet, and of course I will ask him. I was just curious how long you were on the liquid diet and how you did on it. Thanks!

Hi Everyone! My surgery is Monday and My Dr told me to drink some stuff on Sunday to clean me out before surgery. Has anyone done that who has had the surgery already or never had to do it?? I was just curious on what your Dr told you to do. If SO, were you in the bath room all the time?

Are there any of you from the Orange County, Ca area who will be banded in April? I'm scheduled for April 28 in Orange.

I feel as though my progress is going to take forever. I thought that I had it good with AETNA POS II as my insurance. I didn't think that this process would take longer than just a few months. I started my process in January. Attended the seminar the end of January and had my meeting with the surgeon 2 weeks later. Then had to wait a month and a half for my first appt with the nutritionist. I have now found out that I have to see the nutritionist for six solid months and while I see her I have to get a sleep study done, see a psychiatriatrist and get some more documentation before they will even send anything to my insurance for approval. I am looking at the end of S…

I'm supposed to be drinking No Sugar Added Carnation Instant Breakfast with 2% milk, and, I bought the kind that was already premade for my lunch at work, and I was wondering, I don't know if it uses 2% milk or what, but do you think that since it's only 1 meal a day that it shouldn't matter too much if it is 1% or skim?? :rolleyes2:

LAP-BAND® FAQs: Questions Most Commonly Asked by Patients By Dorothy Roedel Ferraro, MS, CS, ANP Obesity is on the rise, and so are the numbers of weight-loss surgeries being performed each year. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), or commonly referred to as the LAP-BAND®, is becoming increasingly popular because it is safe, effective and the least invasive of all weight-loss procedures currently available in the U.S. The LAP-BAND® has been available in the U.S. since 2001. Because of its relative newness, patients often have many questions about the surgery, the band and what to expect afterwards. The purpose of this article is to answer some of the que…

I'm supposed to be on a diet to lose 14 lbs before surgery and had be doing well before I went out to dinner with DH Wednesday night. When we got to the restaurant I looked at the menu and there wasn't anything that I should've really ate and asked to go some place else but DH really wanted to eat there. I did okay with my choice but didn't feel good about eating it because I knew it would throw me off. It's 100% on or else I have a hard time with getting back on once I deviate. For lunch on Friday and Saturday, I had Subway and would've been okay except I ordered the footlong subs because they were having a special. I told myself I would only eat half and save th…

:sneaky:If you stray away from what your Doctor has instructed you to eat pre-op and post op. You will have problems feeling restricted? Because it seems as if the one's that are having slight restriction issues are the one's that started eating normal too early. I may be wrong, if so plz correct me. I am in no means saying that it is easy to be on liquids only for 2-weeks prior, & 2-weeks after the procedure. But one thing I can say is that I am learning from everyone on the post op board because there are things that should not be eaten period. Don't waste your time, & energy if you are not going to fight thru the temptations. Resist the craving and it wil…

Hi, could some of you respond by telling me what your srugery cost if you have to pay personally for it and where you had it done? At this time my insurance does not include the coverage so I may have to pay. Just want to get some idea of the cost. I would not go to Mexico. Most likely just the Northeast US area.

Okay... I have a question for all of you experieced lap banders. Would you let someone who has just recently began doing lap bands do your surgery? Apparently he is an experienced surgeon, but just recently completed his training to do lap bands. He is assisted by a surgeon that has been doing the lap band for 5+ years. Unfortunatly with my insurance only the new surgeon will do the lap band... the experienced surgeon will not. The weird thing is that the two surgeons do the surgery together... with one assisting the other. Either way both will be in the operating room. Advice please. Thanks Kris

So wow, just wow. I was so excited to be approved by my doctor to have the lap band done. It was going to be my fresh start to my new life (what’s left after my ex-husband ran off with another woman leaving with my then 6week old son (who’s now 12months) and now has a house with her up the street from me 5minutes) I was bummed that my insurance wouldn’t cover it but I was still happy to know I was a candidate... I've applied for 5 different loans to get the procedure done and so far 3 have flat out denied me and 1 approved me for $500, wtf? What is $500 going to do for me? I submitted to have it increased and am waiting on the last company to review my request as well..…

I think this visual is a fantastic way to view the benefits of weight loss surgery - snagged from the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

I can't believe it! I just went to the store and got some Zicam. Hopefully that will make it go away. Wow...it's finally happening.

... Afraid that once they're thin, they'll be invisible??? Sounds like a shrink might be needed,huh? I just feel like being the "fat,funny girl" is so much a part of my identity, and I never realized it until now. Does/Did anyone else feel like this??? :confused2:

It may also be seasonal allergies (can't tell since everything started blooming in the past three days). I'm scheduled for surgery in 9 days. What do I do? I took Airborne this morning (I figured it couldn't hurt, right?), and I've been taking the Vitamins the surgeon had my buy. Has anybody had any experience taking Asmanex inhaler meds pre-op? Sudafed? I'm kind of wondering if I successfully stop the postnasal drip, maybe the other symptoms (losing voice, sore throat, occasional dry pestering cough, nasal congestion) will abate... Thoughts? -m

I am having my sleep study tomorrow night and for some reason am super nervous. I am a night owl and usually do not go to sleep until way after midnight. I was just reading the paperwok and it says they usually turn the lights out at 10. I need some wind down time, I don't even arrive there until 9 seems like I will be up all night. Does anyone have any suggestions or stories about their sleep studies. Thanks guys and as usual because of this site I know more about lapand than most medical professionals LOL! Tamara Another question I am to have the upper endoscopy next week and was wondering what that entails? Do you get put to sleep and should I have a driver. Sorry so…

I am scheduled to have my band on April 8th. I am allowed 2 carnatiion Instant Breakfasts and I "Lean Cuisine" type meals a day. So far it has been a little hard, but this afternoon I had to go into Wall Mart (needed skim milk) and I had the most awful craving/hunger episode. It lasted for about 20 minutes after I got out of there. Has anyone else had this problem already a week into the diet? If so what helped you. I had to actually put my Mom's prepared chicken into my trunk because I did not trust myself with it in my car! J.

I did everything on the list that I am supposed to do.:biggrin: Now my doctor is compiling all the necessary paper work for the insurance company. I guess this is the hardest part now, just waiting to see if i am approved. Does any one else have Cigna and how hard was it to get approved? I'm so excited right now but also worried about the insurance approval.

To the TLBCers out there: I was suppose to get a medical info paperwork package by courier today. It didn't arrive. Now I have to wait until Monday or later. (I had hoped to do the lab work tomorrow.) What is in it??:thumbup:

I was just wondering if since you can have SF popsicles can you have like sf sherbert or something? or SF fudgsicles? Just curious to find out. Thanks!

Hey Guys, Can anyone give me some insight on how alcohol reacts when the band is in place? As we all know, the heavier you are, the more you can consume without getting very intoxicated. A martini for me is nothing compared to a thin person drinking the same amount. Does the band make the alcohol more potent....something to be aware of? No serious drinking problem here. I just do not want to be surprised if I decide to have a glass of vino.... Please share your thoughts...... Thanks, Heather

Ok I’m so wicked excited and nervous; I did my pre-work today and am all set to be banded on Friday April 11th! From the mommies out there, how hard was it to move around with the kiddo’s right after? For those whom have never read any of my posts, I’m a single mom with a 12 month old (well I have a boyfriend but he doesn’t live with me and works nights 11pm-7am and is in the police academy from 5pm -9pm. Therefore alone with baby lol) I have tons of goofy questions: 1. Can you feel it? I mean does it interfere with everyday life at first? 2. Of course I just have to know… How long before you can comfortably have sex? My nurse at Dr Spiegel’s clin…

I was wondering what kind of whey Protein shake is the best tasting? I went out and got Perfect Zero Carb from a GNC store. I was told to have this on hand for after surgery. I have never had any Protein Shake before and was hoping for some help. :confused2: Chilly

Hi Everyone! Things have happened fast and my head is spinning. My surgery date is April 30th and am trying to get everything required for surgery including MEDICAL CLEARANCE. My Primary Care did all of my lab work and my White Blood Cell count is elevated at 12.5 and max range is 10. He will not issue my clearance until this has been resolved. Of course every time I have had surgery in the past- total of 6 - all of my White Blood Cell counts have been elevated. I am being retested this coming Monday and am on Antibiotics because at the time the blood work was taken I was just overcoming a cold; however, being that my past has always been elevated, I am scared to de…

Hi there. I'm sort of new here now. I'm definately reading all the threads to learn as much as I can. I'm having my PCP visit tomorrow with all my "papers" from LA Weightloss for the past year. I am pretty confident that they will be OK with my PCP since he encouraged me to go there. So I will have filled my 6 month requirement. As far as the PB thing. I kinda understand what it is, but does it just happen all of a sudden. Like your at a dinner table and you spew all over the table? Do you have warning that it will happen? Can someone fill me in on exactly what happens.. do you eat to much? to fast? don't chew? all of the above? You guys rock! What a gr…

We spent 12 hours yesterday in appointments, but now they are all done. The phyc evaluation said that my dear hubby is stable. (little does she know..) and we met with the dietian, and phys. therapist and support group. We go next week to meet the surgeon and get a surgery date. I thought it was really odd that no one did any blood work. We are tired today, but almost there. Yeah!!

So, I just got off the phone with my surgeons office. He unfortunately isn't contracted with Blue Shield and does not accept it, meaning that I would have to pay out of pocket. So, I guess me being banded isn't going to happen right now since I cannot afford the amount of money it would cost being that I am a single parent with a child in college. It figures.

A couple of weeks ago I saw a post, it was quite long with a complete list of things I might need before surgery. Shakes, GasX, Drinks, Electric blanket etc.. Does anyone know where I can find it? Thanks

I am scheduled for surgery a week from today, April 15. I was told no Advil, Motrin, herbal supplements, or vitamins for 14 days before the surgery, which I have been good about. My son has had a cold and I am starting to feel a little weird; however, I can't tell if it's a cold or just seasonal allergies. I would normally take Airborne or Alka Seltzer Cold to help fight it up, but figure I should just stay away from those. He did say I could take Tylenol if I need to. Do you think that means it would be okay to take a Tylenol Cold pill too? I don't want to take one unless I KNOW it's okay. I just don't want to get sick before my surgery and having it risk getting …

I'm scheduled for surgery on Monday and have started to come down with my husband's cold! He is on day 2 and feeling better. I know I can't take any medications to help. What are the chances that my surgery will be cancelled. It's just a case of a cough and being a little stuffy. Has anyone still had the surgery with a cold?

Insurance gave precertification but now I have to do a 6 month supervised diet program. Along with that I have to see my primary care physician once a month to "track" my weight loss. :frown: URGH!! I'm ready to have this done. . .not have to wait 6 months. Did anyone else have to jump thru hoops? :tt1: Also - wonder what the right amount of weight is to lose because I fear insurance will say "oh, you've lost x# pounds in 6 months, you don't need the band". Help - I'm so frustrated and disappointed by this news.

I met with the surgeon yesterday. He said I am the "ideal" canidate for the lab band (BMI=40). He also said that the research indicates that most will lose 30-50% of their excess weight with the band. I want to lose 120 pounds and he said the only way to do that would be to get a gastric bypass. I was really hopeful bout the band- not to keen on the getting chopped up bypass. So- I opted for the band. I know that my insurance requires 6 months of "supervised" weight loss. I already did this with LA weight loss. The problem is LA weight loss sold to Pure Weight Loss which went out of business- as in door locked, phone disconnected- can't get me records closed :sad_…

I can't believe it's almost here. I'm scheduled to be banded on the 15th at 7:30 in the morning. I'm starting to get worried. I can't help but to wonder if I'm doing the right thing. Anyone else ever have second thoughts before their surgery?

I had my first evaluation meeting Monday with the dietitian and the clinic coordinator, and the coordinator said she'd contact me on Thursday to let me know the next step. Well, Thursday has come and gone without a word. I'm trying to decide if I should call her Friday afternoon to show my dedication to being banded, but on the other hand, someone here said their coordinator was concerned that she seemed too desperate, and I don't want to come across that way (although I am a bit!:sad_smile:) Do you all have any suggestions?? Thanks!

Hi, I have been reading mostly on here and my apt. with the surgeon is coming up on 4/16. This will be my first apt. with anyone. Is this normal? I live in North Carolina, any others out there, with BCBS? Thanks, :redface: Brandi

Well, I've waited over a month to see the surgeon. I've done all my pre-op visits with Psychiatrist, Nutrtionist, Exercise Person, Bariatric training, so tomorrow is my appointment with the surgeon. A bit nervous here. The surgeon did gallbladder surgery on my DH a few years ago, and I even did a test for him on some medicine. But still a bit nervous. What did your surgeon talk to you about? Think I waited too long to post this, but it seemed so far off, and then WHAM! It's here!