zone6

maybe to some people its in that same scenario as being gay or having cancer. u either dont care if people know, or u feel like its a private issue. some people want to get the glory for making the committment or to say "look what i did!"... some just want a little recognition for losing weight but dont need people to know the ins and outs. ive already been asked what ive been doing different when someone noticed that i had lost weight in my face. I said i was cutting back on my eating, drinking more Water, and walking more. ALL TRUE!! no need to lie. just depends on how much information you want to volunteer.

the doc that did my band requires some people to do the pre-op liquid diet for 2 weeks, but not everyone. 1. maybe your doc is telling you this based on your weight and medical history. 2. maybe check into how many surgeries he's performed. could be hes just not comfortable doing the lap band unless he knows that your liver is down to the smallest size. one of the reasons i chose my doc was because i wouldnt have to do a liquid diet before surgery, based on the docs recommendation.

im about 1 week post-op and was just wondering about how long it takes for these little surgi-strips on my incisions to fall off ?? i dont want to peel them off, but im a little anxious to see how my skin is healing underneath it. previous experiences appreciated!!

i think anyone who has had the surgery would agree that it was an excellent decision. SOME weight lost is always better than NONE!!! its about more than just dropping some weight and seeing your face looking slimmer. its a new way of eating, thinking, living, behaving.... if youre one of those people that focuses on all the things u cant have then it might be hard for you. i tell you, my first five days post-op it seemed like every other commercial was about mcdonalds, burger king, and (my fav) SONIC. it was like i could remember what the food tasted like just to see it on tv. yes i wanted it, but i had to program my mind to see those commercials as the devil!!!! (hey, whatever works!) those commercials were trying to steal, kill, and destroy what having the surgery stood for..and i wasnt having it!!! so whenever they flashed one i sipped some more on my Water or crystal light, and tried to decide if i wanted to work towards being a size 6 or an 8!!

congrats on the date!! it is so exciting to know that a new life, and way of eating is just around the corner. small pillows came with my post-op items, but if yours doesnt make sure u have one for the ride home. those small bumps in the road make your riding experience most uncomfortable after surgery. not to mention the seat belt. make sure your fridge is free from junk so there's no temptation lurking. then get sugarfree popsicles, Jello, broth, Water, flinstone chewables, gasX, etc. but, another important thing people might fail to mention is your laundry. i would make sure that at least 2 weeks of clothes is ready (1 week minimum). its just 1 less thing to have to worry about when youre trying to recover. congrats again!!

i had heard great things about dr. spivak also, but i was banded by Matthew St. Laurent in houston, at Obesity Surgery Specialists. 713-803-7777....Specifically because i didnt have to do the pre-op liquid diet that spivak requires and then after the seminar i loved everything about their office. I had a wonderful experience. Went to my first seminar on 12/3 and was just banded on 12/29. He was such a nice dr. and a hottie!!! Noncondescending, makes eye contact with you. He's performed hundreds of surgeries, 0 deaths. I thought it was great that after surgery i went to ICU, (this is standard for all of his patients being banded @ Renaissance Hospital) I liked it because everyone in that particular ICU is post-banding, or post-gastric bypass. All the nurses were super friendly and some have had surgery also!!!! The only other doctor's name in the same group that I can remember is Dr. Marvin. Whichever doc you choose make sure you research the doctor..meet with him...and make sure its someone that you feel open to talk and to ask plenty of questions.

I did the barium swallow...wasnt as bad as id heard. matter of fact, i dont even remember what it tasted like, only that it was chalky. anyway, the radiologist said everything was OK and i was discharged the same day. also, i must say...whats the big deal about the b-swallow anyway. i mean, the post-op pain, pain from having to cough, and gas pains alone are far worse than having to drink a chalky liquid. i say BIG UPS to the guy in the white coat that made this a requirement! i surely wouldnt have wanted to be discharged with something punctured. Amen?

Mary, I was banded by Dr. St. Laurent, also with OSS in Houston. Their office is wonderful! To say the least, this has been quite an experience. From eating @ a buffet 2 days before my surgery, to jello and popsicles. I cant believe Im craving oatmeal and eggs....cant have them until the end of my 1st week on thursday. Yum!! Wishing you the best...

I would be considered a newbie here, but I'd like to give some hope to others that have BCBS of California.... Im 26, 5'4, 232lbs...went to my first seminar on Dec. 3, 2005 after my job notified us that our insurance would be changing as of JAN 1...much to my surprise to a United HC plan that WOULD NOT cover the lap band surgery. So here it was i week into dec. and i had to get things rolling if i wanted any chance at being slim in the new year! At the seminar I was told that BC of Cali was mandated and that they HAD to cover the surgery; all i needed was a psch consult, and 1 visit with the dietician. So I had my psych eval on 12/8 and met with the dietician on 12/12. When I called the surgeon's office, they told me they mailed my letter of medical necessity on 12/7. I was thinking, WHAT??!! I couldnt believe they snail-mailed something so important. But there was still hope.... After hanging up with them, I got on the phone to BC of California pre-cert dept and asked them what their approval process was and if it was possible for the doctor's office to just fax everything over. Answer: YES. The rep gave me the fax # and i called back to the doctor's office and gave them the fax so that they could fax ALL of my papers to BC of California. I also had the doctor's office fax ME the confirmation that they faxed it to the insurance, so I would have something to go on when checking back with the insurance company everyday. So, all of my data was in the BC system on 12/19 and every rep that I spoke to told me that they have 30 days to make a decision. Well here's the key....I told them that I didnt have 30 days, because I was already given a surgery date of 12/29 and that I needed it approved by then. And wouldn't you know, my surgery was approved on 12/21!!!! and yes I just had my surgery on 12/29 and am in the recovery/liquid diet phase, all in the course of 1 month. Hope this is helpful to someone else...