~*~Rachel~*~

Yeah I know all the dangers and problems that is what I had said before.... Neway how do I know... here is the sad part I am a critical care nurse... who had surgery two years ago with a horrible post op recovery room time but that was due to multiple factors not just the smoking. It is really sad these things we are addicted to... It just seems unfair for me to have to give up so much all at the same time. Almost too much to have to deal with. I know the purpose of this surgery is to be more healthy and smoking is not in that lifestyle however with multiple major events going on in my life how do you not almost go into a mass depression right before this surgery even though you know it will change your life for the better...

Hi I am using Dr. T as well I have met with Dr. T and have completed the round for his support group (fitness instructor, Mental health, and nut) Everyone in this office so far has been very patient in educating me taking the extra steps to let me know what I am getting into. Very impressed that this office had prepared a binder full of information step by step foods expectations everything! Should have my surgery date Monday afternoon!

Anyone else have to do a Robard meal replacement diet for there pre op? They said you are allowed other items along with this such as green salad cucumber and onions chicken and turkey.

Hope you didn't think I was giving up! No no no... After two years of yo yo decision making 7 months of jumping through hoops with insurance requirements and many many nights of not sleeping trying to decide if I were doing the right thing I am finally done... Done with 6 months of doctors lab test ekgs, pre-op surgery visits. EVERYTHING! Monday the surgeons coordinator will submit my application to BCBS and I should have a surgery date monday afternoon! So ready to start this journey. Only thing left to do is go shopping!! I have seen the shopping list going around but what do you guys use as far as vitamins, protein shakes, favorite food products after surgery, things you wish you would have had through the first few weeks, any suggestions? I had gained 4 pounds today at the doctors office. I just said not smoking holidays stress pre op and nerves a bundle... I am glad it was not 10 Here we go....

My neurosurgeon is actually who started my process. I have three herniated disc in my back and he recommended lap band to loose weight before I gave into back surgery. He set me up with the seminar and appointment for the surgery and wrote me a letter of recommendation stating he thought the weight loss surgery was what I needed to try giving my age. Call your neurosurgeon and ask for the letter all they can say is no...

Headed to my nut, fitness advisor, and mental health advisor.... one more step closer... should have a surgery date on monday and only have my pre op class left and then I will be free to start my preop diet!!! Can't wait to start this new adventure! Congrats to all those being banded today!

I have BCBS as well if your BMI has been over i think 45 and you have two comorbitities then you should be approved blood pressure controlled by meds or not... if your BMI has not been over the allowed amount for three years then it will be harder.... It is a lot of work to get qualified but it might help if you get a letter from a doctor either if you have back problems or heart conditions or someone saying arthritis in your knees... I have not been approved yet one more visit on the 30th for my six months but they basically said that i would be approved since my BMI has been greater then 50 for the past three years other conditions or not

I have just completed my six months and go wends for my surgery date congrats on getting the ball rolling

My husband and I have been married for two years. We have been together since 2005. We have always had a up and down relationship but for the most part he has always supported me in any choices I have ever made. We have discussed me getting the band and my weight loss he is also over weight and I tried to get him to go through this with me. One of my reasons for doing this is we want a child but he and I want to be healthy before we start having children. I have high blood pressure and want a safe pregnancy. So to my main question I see a lot of people saying there marriage has ended or is on the rocks after lap band. Is this a common problem out there? Not that it would effect my decision but I believe this is a big change not just for me but for him as well. I have said over the past few weeks one of my main stressors pre op is I don't know how to do the things I do know after surgery something as simple as making my husband a meal seems overwhelming to me post surgery.. Any suggestions on a one band marriage? I am hoping to do well and inspire him to start living a healthy life as well.

I am having Lap band with advance surgical weight loss Dr Tulliotus more then likely Mid Jan. Anyone else out there used this office? I go for my pre op classes with my nut, fitness instructor, and mental health advisor on the 29th.. I have met with Dr T and he seems wonderful...

Glad you are doing well and everything went okay! I am becoming obsessed with these forums waiting on pins and needles each time someone says they are having surgery to see how they are doing... really helping my stress level since I am only a few weeks away!

He is at Trinity medical center. Really nervous!! I have to do the same thing go for 7 months instead of six since the first did not count. I will have my last apt dec. 30th and that afternoon I should be able to submit for approval. My nurse in Dr. T's office said since I had blue cross blue sheild it should only take 15 mins to get approved. After that I will have a surgery date she said mid to late jan!

So glad to hear you say you are feeling it too. I am doing this incredible bold move to make my health better but at the same time I feel like I don't know enough. I go for my classes on the 29th my final six month apt on the 30 and that afternoon I should be scheduled for surgery. So I should start my preop diet NEXT WEEK!. I feel I have been so focused on getting through the formality of the process that I have just now come to a realization that I am really doing this. Now I am on a non stop hunt for information hence how I got here.

I know exactly how you feel. I am in the last steps before surgery and feel so overwhelmed. So much to consider and dedicate to. Its the little stuff that is causing me such anxiety like how do I buy groceries now.... what will it be like to cook for my husband knowing I can't eat it... is there some hidden secret that I do not know? I have tried to research as much as possible but all I see is people talking about the feeling of two stomachs and gas pain after surgery. Is it silly for me to have a sort of separation anxiety with all the foods I love? I feel stupid for having such anxiety about being scared to eat! There are good points to this roller coaster I am on.. I am looking forward to being out of pain both emotionally and physically. I feel as if I am holding my breath and closing my eyes tight and jumping into a black hole praying the other side is a heaven I could never imagine. I go for some classes this next week and maybe when I have more education I will feel better but I can't help but wonder is anyone else free falling with me?

I am 27 years old and have been over weight my entire life. I went to my first lap band seminar in May of 2009 but decided to wait on surgery since I had just got married. To date I have finished my pre-op six month and met with my surgeon. I am expecting surgery mid January. I am a registered nurse and trying to find all the information I can on what works well for others such as recipes and tricks for coping with life after banding. I am beginning to be very nervous! Any advise, websites, secrets! HELP!