spag1952

Sweet, did you poor friend get a psych evaluation before her surgery? Just curious. Judi

Like Ktkt, I had an hour interview with the pych, and an hour with 3 Q&A programs on a computer. The doctor asked similar questions and found out my problem was mostly obesity related. Most of my problems with depression, the way I looked, and lately felt pain wise, were mostly because of my obesity problem, and I've been at least obese my whole adult life. He asked if my close family were obese also, and I said yes. He mostly wanted to know if I fully understood the mechanics of the surgery to get the band, and was I fully aware of what would be expected of me to make it successful. He asked me about recreational substance abuse and I was truthful to a fault. I admitted I was a child of the 60s (Class of 1970) who has since reformed years ago. :tea: Sometime during the interview I told him about a new book I'd read that helped me decide on surgery. He hadn't heard of it yet. It was on why dieting and exercise usually fail for obese people, all based on actually case studies that have been done over the last 50-100 years all around the world. The groups were exercise and calorie counting, exercise and carb counting, exercise-diet-medication, and exercise alone. The book is new and just out since this summer, "Rethinking Thin". If you haven't read it you need to if you have any doubt that you're doing the right thing. That book is what cinched it for me. If what was wrong with me was genetically induced, then I couldn't ever be successful in getting back to and staying at something below 170 without some kind of bariatric procedure. I've never lost more than 30 lbs on any diet before the raving hunger lion would bite me and I'd gain it back plus. In the end, he said he had no reason to keep me out of the surgery unless something came up on the Q&A programs. I should know those results by Aug 18th. I feel confident they won't find anything there to block me but its hell waiting for anything with me.

Same here. Decided to go for the band in May and found a seminar on June 27th in my home town. From July 27 thru Aug 3 I did all my blood tests, upper GI, sleep apnea study, psyc evaluation, and at the end of that week a conference with the weight management group at my surgeon's office. I had thought from listening to the seminar, I would be able to pull off haveing the surgery in the bag by the end of August. Now they tell me about the stuff that will delay me: 1. There is a small unknown "flap" at the entrance to my stomach. It causes no obstruction and hasn't caused me any upset stomach, reflux, blockage, NOTHING. They want to do a throat scan to look at it with a camera and possibly snip it out, then they will of course send it to the lab for examination. Yet another test to schedule and wait for the results. 2. My blood work showed I was deficient in Vitamin D so I was prescribed prescription grade Vitamin D pills that I will take once a week for the next 8 weeks. My PCP wants to redo that blood test in 4 weeks. 3. My blood work also showed I had an enzyme/bacteria in my stomach that causes me to be very prone to ulcers. I was prescribed the triple therapy Prevpac to kill that out. I will take that for 14 days, when I will be retested for the enzyme/bacteria. Needless to say I am torn about whether to be happy or disappointed. On one hand I am in pretty darn good health for a 55 year old lady with arthritis in her feet and knees. Lungs are good, respiration is good, cholesterol slightly high but OK, generally pretty good. On the other hand, looks like surgery is definitely been moved into the September 07 range. :faint: :tea:

My doctor in NC told me that the time of day the surgery was scheduled was what dictated a hospital stay over for the most part. His group liked to monitor the patient for 10 to 12 hours post op before releasing them, and that means a stay over if the surgery was in the afternoon. Hope you do well with your band.

:banana George Carlin used to talk about the "semi puk-u-lated incident", you know when you burp and something comes up... but you don't puke, but you could puke... a little... but you don't... Maybe you're sick, or maybe you should be sick... but you're not... It was a very funny sketch, because everyone has done that at one time or another. Looks like the "semi puk-u-lated incident" is a common thing for bandies, huh. Thank you again for the info.

I'll see the FAQ. Thanks so much for the quick responses. :ranger:

Just so we'll know what you all are talking about, what is PBing anyway? Thanks - hope to have the band by end of Aug 07. Waiting for test results. :help: :ranger:

I, too, was starting to think I'd chosen the wrong surgery when I read some of the negative issues posted on LBT. Now I feel better after reading some good stories on this thread. I've been getting ready for the band since June 29th 2007, when I attended the seminar at my surgeon's office in Concord NC, my home town luckily enough. Now I'm through all the testing except for possibly one more. The upper GI showed something that could cause an obstruction at the entrance to my stomach, and they want to look at it with a throat scope. After that issue is resolved, we can schedule the surgery date, I'm hoping sometime before end of August. Insurance is covering 90% on everything, woo hoo! I am also ready for the exercise, diet program, and the gassy stuff after surgery. I had lapro when I had my gall bladder out in 95, so I know what to expect from that. I plan to have the success I've been looking for most of my adult life weight wise. Good luck to everyone who is in it with me, and here's hoping we all come out big winners.

Mermaid Puppy - I'm in NC - Concord. My Lap Band will be installed by Dr. Pirillo at Carolina Weight Loss Surgery. I've been approved by insurance, and have all the tests done, although the upper GI showed something they want to look at with a throat scope. After that's done, I'll get my date for surgery. I sure hope it is in August. Where are you in NC?