PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

What kind of shakes is everyone using and how often do you have to drink them? Is it more important to get more fiber or more protien?

I was wondering what kinds of pain meds everyone was given and how they did the first day out?:mad:

I am new to these boards and to the Lap-Band. I am waiting to hear if my doctor of choice is accepted by Medicare. I am 59 (will turn 60 in Aug.) and on SSDisability. I live in northwest Ohio, just across the line from Ft. Wayne, In, and have had weight issues all of my life, and not successful with any type of diet. I have a lot of medical issues, (type2 diabetes (which my mom died from), heart disease (had a triple heart bypass 9/05, and a heart attack in '91),hypertension, high cholesterol, and am currently on a blood thinner. I weigh 270 (5'8"tall) and have a BMI of 41. Have any of you lapbanders had to go off of your blood thinners for the surgery, and for how lo…

I'm very nervous about my psych evaluation letter. The 15th of Feb. is when I leave all of my paperwork to be submitted to Aetna. First of all it is very impersonal, and drug all of my past from 20 years ago into the letter, which I think was not necessary. Also, I noticed that her license # is not on the letter-will this affect approval. Second, it was all "good" until the very last paragraph which states: "Client would be a better candidate for bariatric surgery if she took time to prepare for sugery by addressing psychological issues. Major areas of concern to be addressed would be potential for symptom substitution once food is no longer an option and eating beha…

Hi I have my second appt with my surgen tomorrow, any help with ?????????? would be greatly app.what should I ask,thanks

UGH... Everyone had such good treats here in my house. Yea for them. Just difficult to get down that Optifast while they were all having the good stuff. My family is being supportive but it's still really hard. I know I will make it through this even though I still have 9 days of liquid left and then 3 more weeks after surgery... yikes!:eek:

:eek:What happens when you get the stomach flu and need to vomit? I know that was a gross question but I am wondering how things work after being banded. Is it going to be damaging to the band?

I will be atending my seminar on Feb 20th and I am wondering exactly what do these seminars pertain? I mean is it telling us all about the surgery itself or the pre-post diet , etc.? Also has anybody had their surgery in Springfield IL with Dr. Hammer ?

I'm nearly 3 weeks post op and feeling great. Except for the lump protruding from my port incision. At my 2 week doctor's appointment, the physician assistant told me that it's just fluid and it will find a way out and that it would burst like a blister. The issue is that the incision is basically healed and the skin does not look thin at all, or thin enough to burst like a blister. The last several days, I've noticed that the bump is getting a bit more solid. Has anyone had this issue? I really don't want to have this bump and worry that it's turning into something more serious. I'm due back for to the doctor's office March 5th for my first fill, and this time I…

Waiting patiently for my appt with my PCP this coming week and hoping for a referral to a surgeon. I was wondering if now that you've been banded for a while if you enjoy eating more than you did before, the same, or not so much. I am hoping to get banded as soon as I get to see a surgeon and then jump through all the hoops. I enjoy eating. True I don't taste the food as much as I think I would after surgery. I figure that if I can only eat a small amount that I would want to eat very slowly and savor every bite. Tell me what your experience is.

I have wonderful support from my husband (he was the one who had actually suggested it, even though I'd seen and thought about it before, I just hadn't told him) but I'm not sure about the rest of my family and friends. My parents have been brutal (especially my dad) about my loosing weight since I was an adolescent. My mom lost weight the old fashioned way, going from about 175 to 135 in a year. My parents also own a TaeKwonDo school, which they're constantly trying to get me to come back to. I got all the way to a deputy black belt, but I still never lost weight, even with classes 3-4 times a week and soccer at school. I've been despirate and I feel like this is my…

hi all has this happended to anyone.. if so what did you do ,, how did it go ? I would be grateful.. in summary Lap band fitted in may 07 - no restriction Ist fill under x-ray June 07 - no restriction 2nd fill under x-ray about August 07-some restriction which lasted about 2wks then subsided. 3rd fill under x-ray in October 07, great restriction (but with no pb ing at all) this lasted for for about 5 weeks , which then subsided :girl_hug:. After the main feeling of restriction had gone i could not eat as much as I could eat pre-surgery. but could still eat and drinks lots.. downing a pint of Water was not a problem. In october 07 i was told about 10.5mls in…

What is optifast and is it something you can get without a script for it? Could you drink slimfast in its place?

My tentative surgery date is 3/19 and I am going crazy waiting!!! Nervous about approval, scared when I do have it I won't succeed. I guess that is normal when one has failed soooo many times... like hey if I have to control my eating after the surgery then I could control myself before the surgery ..

I was banded on 2-5-08 and am supposed to be on Clear Liquids for 2 weeks, 1 week full liquid, and 1 week mushies. I was bad and did 1 week clear liquids and then 3 days full liquids and the past few days on mushies. I feel fine but now am worried because so many people talk about the stomach needs time to heal that's why the liquid diets. I was under the impression the stomach wasn't cut right? so why so much time to heal? Or is it the fact of slippage? Please help me understand?? Thanks,

I went to the seminar last week and 1 of the requirements for surgery is being morbidly obese for 5 years. I don't think I have been morbidly obese for 5 years, but DEFINITELY way overweight. Only morbidly obese for the past 2-3 years. Do you think that will make a difference? I have or will have all the othet requirements done, plus high bp & on meds...help! Neep opinions...

I am sorry but can someone tell me where to find the thread on what you need to buy prior to surgery? I am trying to find it for a friend and can not for the life of me find it. I tried the advance search and everything...I just saw the darn thing yesterday when I wasnt looking for it. Thanks

I keep reading about it... it worries me since I'm still on liquids but I know I will be on mushies and solids soon and want to know the warning signs and after effects of eating something that will not pass...

Hello...my name is Julie and I am scheduled for surgery this Tuesday. I was just told by the husband of-one-who-has-been-banded that during the surgery that instead of being on a table you are actually laying on a bean bag. Does this sound familiar to anyone? I don't mind being stark but on a bean bag????? Might be just a tad uncomfortable? Can anyone help me with this?:wink_smile:

I had my lapband 10/26/07 and it is now 2/14/08, and I have only lost 25lbs I had one fill 11/07 and going for another 2/18 (overdue) can anyone give any incouragment that this will break my plateau:rolleyes:

Hi, I am 9 days away from surgery, at my pre-op appointment they asked me if I had been sick in the last month, which I said no. Well now I have a stuffy nose thats it. Will I have to reschedule? I'm not miserable, just a little stuffy.

I'm approved for surgery and scheduled for a date. I started this process in July 2007 and followed the whole system etc... By accident I found out that my surgeon is no longer an aexcel specialist as of 1/1/08. Which means now I have to pay 5000 instead of the 2000 for in-network! I feel totally frustrated!! I'm saving up for it as it was. My insurance told me I can find an aexcel surgeon and my approval will be ok. So I find one, and try to make an appointment but OH, I have to attend the seminar before I can even make an appointment!!!! WHY IS THIS SUCH A HASSLE??? And now I have no idea how much longer I'll have to wait for surgery!! I feel super frustrated and really…

Does anyone know what the difference is between the swedish band they are starting to use here in Michigan and the original lapband (the one with the picture of the lion roaring for hunger on the advertisement is?) Thanks - Patti

Good morning all Im new to this site and its my first post I just had my first visit with the Surgeon and he has told me im a prime canidate for the Lap Band , i just now have to get threw all the tests. My silly question at the moment What does everyone suggest to bring to wear on the way home, I know my belly will be sore, so your suggest i buy a pair of loose fitting Sweats of go the baggy Dress option. Thanks in advance Irishgirl:rolleyes2:

I run a business. My work day is 40% sedentary, 30% manual and 30% driving. I have managed on 1500 cals per day before and lost weight easily. I was banded on 12th Feb and when back to normal I intend to have between 1000 and 1200 per day. At the moment (3 days in) I have no hunger at all but feel weak and sometimes dizzy. I know that I won't be able to do my job if I am like this. I am currently on 800 per day. Feedback please.

My surgeon has just discovered my port is back to front and couldn`t give me a 1st fill. He said I would hear from him in the next 6 weeks. Has anyone experienced this and how was it corrected. Could it have been fitted wrongly as on the Xray the tube coming from it was straight and if it had turned on its own surely I would have seen a twist in that tube.

We just found out that we got orders to Malmstrom AFB in Great Falls, MT:biggrin2: My question is: Are there any reputable bariatric surgeons that do the lap band there? We are moving this summer, so I wanted to do a search and see if anyone here can recommend someone? Thanks so much for any help you can give!

Just a quick note went to my doctor's office today to get the letter from him saying that he thinks that I need lap band surgery. I was really worried as my insurance (Tricare) requires either you are 100 pounds over your ideal weight with co morbidities or you must be 200% over your ideal body weight. Which unfortunately I was just shy of both requirements but my wonderful doctor helped me out by saying that my pre diabetes was now diabetes. So I don't have to gain any weight to qualify!! You go Doc!!!

I am looking to have a lap band done in April, but my big concern is post-op help. The nurse told me that I did not have to have anyone stay with me the first night home, as long as someone was available with a call. Frankly I dont have close friends or available family, should I pay someone to stay with me the first night?:mad:

I am scheduled to have a sleep study for sleep apnea on the 24th. I was wondering if anyone can give me any insight as to what to expect? Thanks in advance!

I have been seeing all kinds of questions concerning consults so now i am worried. My husband has a bmi of 48, and had a huge family history of diabetes, although for his weight, he is remarkably healthy. if you can be healthy with that high of a bmi. do you think we will have a problem being approved by the surgeon. we are most likely going to pay out of pocket if we have to wait for several months on our insurance. :mad:

Hey guys. Just setting up my ticker.

Can I drink flat caffeine free diet pepsi after surgery? And how does a diet pepsi addict give up caffeine without the major headaches? Help!

I have Aetna and I am going to be required to do the 3 month multi surgical prep diet before surgery. Has anyone done it? What type of diet were you put on? What about the exercise component? Will Curves count? How do the monitor the behavior specialist etc...Any info would be great. I have my consult next week. I hope to have the Lap band in June or July. Anne

Has anyone had problems with irregular (going from constipation to diarrhea) bowel movements pre-op that got worse or did not improve after surgery. I have always been irregular no matter what I eat, whether I'm taking laxatives, etc. I seem to go from one extreme to the other and I'm just wondering if I have the surgery then will it get worse, stay the same or get better?

Just came home from a hour and a half meeting with the Surgical Weight Loss team at Lahey Clinic. They do a swell job explaining things. Lots of tests and they decide if you are ready for it. Good back up care and 0 deaths for both Lap Band and Gastric Bypass. They are also testing a new device, called a "sleeve" they will do it if you want with no cost cause it's a trial, before I give the OK I'm going to check that out. It helps with the pre-op weight loss. Making my appointment for the all day check up and they will fast track my sleep study. It takes between 2 and 4 months. That's the average. They sent us all home with tons of reading material. I was gl…

Can anyone clue me in to what to expect at my psych evaluation ? :confused2: I am waiting on the approval from the insuance company and in the mean time they are having me go thru with the rest of the test and things so that I will be almost done by the time I get approved .:scared2: Thank you

I am on my 6th day of pre-op diet. I was instructed to take opti-fast 900 (4 packages/day and as much non starch veggies as I like for 2 weeks. My problem is with the Opti-fast. I can tolerate the taste / texture, but within 15-30 of drinking the Opti-fast I become ill (nauseated, vomiting, tired, etc). I have tried taking it as the instructions say to make it and drink it. I've tried making it with ice in a blender and eating it. I've tried taking only 1/2 pack to an 1/8th of a pack at a time, eating with / without veggies but each time I've ended up with the same reaction. Has any one else had the same thing? or any suggestions on how to make it stay in me? Th…

I am having my lap-band surgery Friday 02/14/08 and I was put on Ciprofloxacin 500mg tabs for a UTI I have. Will this affect my surgery? I told my Doctor that I was on them I take my last pill today.

Cothing questions: What did you wear the day of your surgery? What did you wear coming home? Did you have to dress differently for work for the next week? If so what kinds of things did you wear? What are some of the things you wish you would have had at the hostipal? I am going to have to stay a night so I'm hopeing they will give me a list of things i might need. Good luck everyone!!!

I had surgery on Monday and am in the Clear liquids stage. I don't think I'm getting enough in and am worried, but I just don't feel like drinking. Yesterday I had about a cup of broth, a cup of watered down apple juice, and about 4 sf popsicles. Thoughts?

Hi Everyone, just a little excited here. My bariatric coordinator called, and Febuary 25th I will have my Psych Eval, then afterwards I go to the Baritric Center for my eval with the nutritionist, and have my bariatric eval. So I'm another step closer to being in Bandalandia! Melinda:smile:

I just had lap band surgery and I am wondering if protein water is okay even though it has sugar in it.

I was banded Friday (2-18-08). I felt good yesterday. I went for a ride with my family. I carried my purse,etc., myself. It wasn't causing any problems. Last night and today I have kind of stabbing pains around my band when I do anything where I use my stomach muscles. Is this normal?

I discovered pre-op that I was VERY lactose-intolerant of the Optifast, and I had bought quite a bit of the drinks- chocolate & vanilla- as well as several boxes of the powder that you mix with Water (great for on-the-go with no refrigeration- you just add it to a bottle of water and shake it up). If there's anyone in the Dallas/Rockwall area who would like to have it, please drop me a message. I'll be happy to pass it on to you at no cost. (I tried again today to drink one, and in less than 10 minutes my stomach rebelled~!!) :mad: I'll have to look and see exactly how much I have left, but it will probably be enough for someone's pre or post-op needs! That stuff …

I am having an attack of the allergies and sinuses. Has anyone taken Benadryl with the band? My pills are capsules but very small. Think I can one since it's small? I am 2 weeks post op and only have 4cc's. Also, can I take Benadryl with the liquid Hydrocodone since they both make me sleepy? Thanks!

After 3 fills I finally feel restriction although I am VERY hungry. My question is this, when you have a band and your stomach growls is it suposed to be a more pronounced experience. I mean I feel like my stomach is turning! Just wanted to know if this is unusual.

Hello everyone: I am feeling a little down and depressed about my band. I was banded on 1/17/08 and this thursday it will be 3 weeks since I was banded. I am feeling pretty good except for the port area which is taking longer to heal but I will get there. I have not started exercising yet and have no good reason why. I need to just do it. I am noticing that I can now eat more than before and sometimes I eat too much and it gives me bad pains in my side when I do. I guess my head hunger overcomes me. This morning I didn't do too bad and had cream of wheat for breakfast and for lunch I had mashed zucchini and squash with tomatoes with fresh garlic and olive oil. …

My husband is hoping to have the band done and we are going to the seminar next week. I was at Kohls this weekend and bought a hand blender on sale and today we got the 26 pages to fill out for the doctor to take to the seminar. Chances are we are going to have to pay out of pocket, but this is the last chance effort for my husband. He has tried everything out there and justs needs that extra help. I am praying that he is a good canidate and can have this done in the next few months. This board is a god send and full of so much information. Thanks to all. Leslie

I had my first visit with the surgeon yesterday and OMG it was AWESOME!!! I have UHC and they say they usually get a response back from them within 10 days!!! So after that they will schedule my tests and my nutritionist appt and give me a surgery date!!! YAY!!! I'm so nervous/excited/ready!!:thumbup: