Lioness81970

Can someone tell me what kinds of tests are done for pre-op?

HI Al! I have UHC as well and from the time the doctor's office sent my info to UHC it was a total of 12 days before they called me and told me it had been approved.

Thank you for that post!! That is something that I have been thinking about a lot. How am I going to break all the nasty little habits that have gotten me to this point? But I figure I will handle this thing one day at a time......the same way I got here!!!

The doctor's office just called to inform me that my surgery is no longer Dec 3rd........it has been changed to NOVEMBER 25TH!!!! I am SOOOO happy I could bust. Thank you all for all the words of encouragement and advice over the last couple of months. It is becoming a reality quickly!!!!:banana :banana :banana :banana

I don't remember her name but she was pregnant. I don't know if that was the same one you had? I am hoping it's only 1 week.......

Lulu - how did you manage to get only 1 week of liquids? Did they change it? WIll I be as lucky? :cool: :D

Welcome to the group!! This is one of the best places to get some great information. When I found this group I wasn't really sure if that's what I wanted to do or not. I am a BIG baby when it comes to surgery and that was one of the main reasons that I couldn't go with the gastric bypass. Then I started reading these posts and it was all I needed to do to make the final decision. I will be banded on December 3rd - that is the BEST Christmas present I could ever ask for!!! It would be best to start the process now. It could be a long process. This way if you DO decide to have it done you will be well on your way to getting it done and if not you don't have to go through with it. I was one of the lucky ones!! Went to first doctor's apointment on Sept 25 and surgery is scheduled for Dec 3rd. It also has to do with the type of insurance you have!!!!:Bunny

AND HOW!!! I can't believe the date is set!! I remember when I first decided to have the band done. From the time that I had my first initial consult until today with the date has taken me a little under 2 months!! I can't believe how quick it went. I am really glad that the band is starting to get the recognition that it deserves. I just wish more people had no problem getting insurance to cover it. Wouldn't that be GREAT!!??!!? Then we could ALL be loosing!!

I just received a call from the doctor's office and the insurance has given them the ok to do the surgery. They scheduled my surgery for December 3rd. Since I have to be on a 2 week liquid diet I wouldn't be able to get in earlier even if someone were to cancel. I really don't even care because I am just so excited knowing that I am going to be a BANDSTER!!!! YEAAAAAA!!!!! :P

Lulu - no I don't have a date as of yet. I have gone through everything and all the info has been submitted to my insurance company and now I am just waiting for the pre-approval. I know I will get it but just the waiting is the hard part. I was trying to get it done before the end of this month but I don't think that will happen anymore. But that's ok - November will be just fine. I will have a NEW meaning for Thanksgiving!!!! I will keep you posted though! Good luck and definately let us know how everything went!!!! Congratulations!!! :banana

And since then I have pain everytime I eat. It makes me sad that I have to go through so much pain. And earlier today while talking to someone else I realized this is it for the rest of my life, I will have pain for breakfast, lunch and dinner Bebbly - I am a little confused..........why would you be having pain when you eat? Are you sure that there isn't something wrong? Have you gone to the doctor about it yet? I haven't been banded yet but I have yet to hear of someone having constant pain when they eat unless they didn't chew, chew, chew or they were taking too big of bites. Am I missing something or has anyone else gone through this before?

Lulu - you are going to Dr. Engstrand, right? If I remember correctly that is the doc you have. Well I can tell you that from meeting with Dr. Burhop the clinic has the same diet for all the lap band patients regardless of who is doing the surgery. It is 12 days full liquids and clear liquids 2 days pre-op. Apparantley they do this to help the liver shrink to give them room when they are performing the operation. I don't know how I am going to get through that because after surgery you are on ANOTHER 2 weeks of clear liquids, 1 week of full liquids and 1 week of mushy food. After that month then you can go onto regular foods. Have you met with the dietician yet for the final meeting? She will give you all that info when you do go. Hope that helps.

I got this from another message board and wanted to share it with all of you. Hope you like it. 12 Helpful and Humorous Tips For Post-Op Patients 1. Just because clothes fit one week, it doesn’t mean they’ll fit the next. Start shopping! 2. Protein shakes taste better when you drink them out of a tiki mug with a paper umbrella. 3. Learn how to take a compliment, because you will be getting lots of them. 4. If your pants are slipping down and you’ve just washed them, it’s time to say goodbye. 5. Instead of wearing a regular bra, buy a sports bra. It shrinks with you! 6. Stock up on bargain clothes in smaller sizes. You’ll need them sooner than you think. 7. Small bites taste better, and disappear slower, when you use baby utensils. 8. When safety-pinning your pants to keep them up, remember to stop at first sign of pain. 9. If you walk past a mirror, stop and check out how good you look. Yes, that is you! 10. Washing your clothes in hot Water and drying them is now a good thing. Shrink away. 11. pizza tastes really good when someone ELSE is eating it. 12. Don’t wait to buy new underwear. Bunched undies can put a real damper on your day

Well Leo, I don't know if it's true or not BUT I can tell you from experience, it will make a dull penny look like new. I do know this from fact. I left a soda cup (you know the kind that you get from McDonald's) in my cup holder. You know how you have loose change in the car and it just sits there? Well it just happened that there was some loose pennies that were in the bottom of the cup holder. When I went to empty the cup I noticed that there was a little leak in the bottom of the cup and the sodawas kind of sitting there with the pennies. The pennies looked BRAND NEW. I couldn't believe it. THink it would have deterred me from drinking soday? Of course not!! Actually drank more of it!! :P

Christina - how ar eyou doing? How was surgery? I can't wait to here all abour your experiences!!

Hey Pattiliss - actually yes I am getting it done in the states and yes my insurance is covering it. Actually, each person varies as to the length of time it takes to get the surgery approved. I have learned that. I go for my second appointment to see the doc that will be doing the surgery and if all my results are good I will have my surgery date when I leave tomorrow!!! I actuality it hasn't taken me anywhere near as long as I thought it would have. I just started at the end of August and although it did take me a few weeks to get into the doctor everything else has been smooth sailing. Honestly, even if I had to wait for another year to have it done it wouldn't matter.........as long as I was getting it done. I hope that helps!!

I am so happy for you!! This is an exciting time for you and should be happy!! Make sure to keep us posted on how you're doing. Congratulations!!!!!!:banana :banana :banana YIPEE!!!

Have you tried www.obesityhelp.com? They can recommend different doctors to you by your state. Also, you can read what others who have had the doctor have to say about him/her.

Congratulations!! Pretty soon you will be on your way to being a LOOSER!! I hope you have a speedy recovery! Make sure to let us know when you are able to how everything went!! I hope to be joining you next month!!!

if after banding (after feeling 100 % better) if you have any difficulties sleeping on your stomachs? I just thought about that last night while I was laying in bed. I have such a hard time sleeping on my back and ALWAYS end up on my stomach. I was just wondering if the port being there if it causes any discomfort or pain. Thanks

Well everyone ......... things are going pretty smoothly!! I had my psych eval - the doc said I was an EXCELLENT candidate for surgery. Went to the DR on Monday and he also said I was a good candidate!! I go for my meeting with the dietician and for physical therapy on 9/25. According to the doc and his nurse, if everything goes well at these 2 meeting I should be able to get banded by mid to end of October.....pending insurance approval. I amy SOOO psyched and am really suprised how quick the time is flying by!!! YAY!!!! :banana :banana :banana

Hi - I haven't had surgery YET but when I met with my doctor he did tell me that I would have to do the 2 weeks liquid prior to the surgery. Apparently this helps the liver shrink and makes it easier to do the surgery. Anyways, are you meeting with a dietician? My doc told me that s/he would give me all the information when I meet with him/her 2 weeks before surgery. I'm sure they will let you know prior to surgery if it is a requirement for your doc.

Well I had my psych eval yesterday and I was suprised at how well it went. The doc that I had was so down to earth and friendly that we chatted like we were old friends!! When we got done talking she turned to me and said "I think you make an excellent candidate for this surgery." I was so exstatic I wanted to jump over and hug her!!! Well that piece is behind me and now I go to see the doc that will be doing the surgery on Monday. I am just so happy that things are moving so quickly!!! With any kind of luck I will be able to get banded by the end of this year!!! :)

Meg - are we sharing the same brain?? lololol......but seriously I have not been banded yet but hope to be soon. While I have been on my road there I have done a lot of soul searching and thinking and debating as to why I wanted to have this done. Alot of the things that you have touched on were things that I thought about........and it was scary. But then I thought about one thing in particular and it scared me even more. That was what if I DON'T loose this weight and I don't make it to see my kids grow up??? The answer to that made all the sense in the world to me. Now I know that along the way there are going to be battles I will have to fight: what will it feel like to go to the store and by PANTYHOSE that aren't 4X or to be able to walk into the store to get new clothes and not have to look past a size large or (gasp...) maybe even a medium!!!!! Will I ever be able to eat PIZZA again???? But those are all questions that I can't answer until I have been banded. All I can do is take it one day at a time and pray to have the strength and wisdom to pull through this. I mean, look at all the people here that have done it.....they are my strength and through this journey I will lean on them like I have never leaned on anyone before!!!! After all - we're all FAMILY!!!!!

My dr is Dr. Burhop and I will be having my surgery at Elmbrrok Hospital - whenever I get it scheduled. I go for my psych eval on Wed and then the rest of my appointments are next week. I am so anxious!!!