RestlessMonkey

HI! I'm in San Antonio too...I had surgery 8/11 and my doctor couldn't place the band because my liver was still too fatty (that's on me because I didn't follow his pre-op diet like I was supposed to!)

SO I'm getting banded 8/29 ... you'd better believe this time I'm doing the pre-op thing to the letter! I'm excited and ready, too!

Sorry you're having trouble. I'm tricare standard and have way more leeway; in fact they approved my surgery in 48 hours!

I would think it totally depends on your surgeon's office (call and ask)

I didn't have to follow the procedure you are following...each office is different! Good luck!

Just be honest. I answered about 300 questions on a personality quiz, and had an interview. Each is a little different, but telling the truth is always the best way. You don't know what your surgeon is looking for in terms of refusing the surgery so tell it like it is and you should be fine.

Call your surgeon's office. Each office is different!

Wow I don't want to sound holier than thou....I'm morbidly obese and definitely have eaten too much for years. But why on earth would you eat pizza so close to your surgery? If your surgeon didn't tell you what to eat, then you need to find a good support group. If you were told to follow a post-op diet, why try to circumvent it? You may need a little therapy work so the band will work for you. I know our surgeon requires people to have an appt with a therapist 4-6 weeks post op. Maybe something like that would help you. It is miserable to be hungry, but worse to damage yourself internally!

Shelbymooy...I can't help you with a surgeon etc but may I ask you to reconsider taking your insulin? You are putting yourself at great risk by NOT taking it and your little kiddos need you around. I live in San Antonio and am a nursing student. We have epidemic Diabetes type II here and I've seen so many amputated limbs or dialysis patients because they didn't manage their disease....

It's your life and body and I don't mean to be presumptuous. Just think of who you are risking by NOT taking care of the disease...it isn't just you it will hurt.

I'm curious...what could be stuck? I'm guessing you had liquids and then MAYBE mushies...

Have you called your doc?

I think your best bet is to ask your surgeon. I'm one who has recovered VERY quickly but the other poster is right; that's just anecdotal.

Your surgeon will know best what his patients can/can't do.

Your surgeon may prefer that you remain in town and close in case of post op complications. Mine requires that we remain in the city for a week post op....

Lifted directly off of the "NIH" (National Instutites of Health) web site:

Most cerebral aneurysms are congenital, resulting from an inborn abnormality in an artery wall. Cerebral aneurysms are also more common in people with certain genetic diseases, such as connective tissue disorders and polycystic kidney disease, and certain circulatory disorders, such as arteriovenous malformations

In other words, when your number is up, it's up. Those people had an unknown pre-existing condition that would've probably caught up with them eventually any way.

You shouldn't have the surgery if you are petrified of it. All surgery carries risks and this one is elective. But your surgeon should be able to give you hard data to help you make your decision; not anecdotal evidence and rumor! Obesity carries risks, too. We each have to weigh this for ourselves....

My surgeon performs both surgeries, and had a seminar with the pros and cons of both. I think your surgeon may not be as great as you think if he is pushing one type of surgery. We're all different and have different needs etc. I'd suggest finding a local surgeon who does both and attending a lap band seminar. For every "lap band horror story" there is a "Roux-en-Y" horror story....in other words, they are both big steps.

You need more research!

And thanks Georgia Girl for pointing that out!

I think its entirely possible that either 1. The doc misquoted or 2. I misunderstood or 3. I misremember....because I agree 1 in 200 seems high. That would be .5% and that is pretty cruddy odds, actually!

So I think I'll have to say disregard that please. Laparoscopic surgery is pretty benign. I know the odds of dying from the surgery are MUCH lower than the odds of dying from some complication of morbid obesity!

Welcome! And take it from me...follow that preop diet perfectly! I didn't (I lost but tinkered with it) and my liver was too fatty; I got opened up and closed back up w/no lap band! That was pretty vile!

Now I am perfectly on my preop diet and we'll try again 8/29.

Personally, the surgery was easy. Doc told me pain with the band won't be any more than what I'm feeling now, and I've just needed an occasional tylenol. You'll do great!

Are you sure you can get Cigna if the company is offering alternative coverage? I thought cobra only applied if you left the job or the company cancelled all insurance; not sure you can keep it because you prefer it to the new coverage.....

Just make sure you're honest with your doctors, don't try to hide any symptoms, and give them the info they need to get you through. IE if you didn't fast pre op like they said, but had breakfast...(Ok that's over the top but it's just an example) You be straight with them, they will get you through it. People who lie, (ie have a cold and hide it) are the ones who are sure to have problems.

The statistics I was quoted were 1 in 200 die. My Doc has never lost a patient and he's over 1000 now. Surgery carries a risk but I think to stress the "Die on the table" thing is over the top. IMHO if the surgeon is that unsure, find another one.

Everyone has a different pain threshhold, and experiences pain differently! Your situation shouldn't scare anyone off.

Hey Froggi! That's the same diet my surgeon had me on. I did not follow it to the letter (ie I had low fat cheese, lite butter, I ate pizza one night) and my liver didn't shrink but this time I am doing exactly what he told me. Follow the instructions and you should be fine!

I weighed 399.6 Tues evening (1st day post op for my non-lap band surgery) and this am am down to 384! Some/most Water of course but when you are only eating 600 cal a day, some of it must be fat!

So do what your surgeon says and you will be fine!

Yes Long2befree thanks for the reminder and of course I'll get their clearance.

Thanks! Between you and shamrockgirl...I may just give milkthistle a try. If it won't hurt me, it can maybe help!

PaisleyDaisy all I can tell you is to do what your doc says! scrupulously! I lost 15 pounds during the 1st 3-week diet but had some low fat cheese, had pizza once, etc and essentially used his directions as a "guideline"...to my shame and chagrin! This has been a good lesson and I'll remember it postop too...just do what your doc says and I'm sure you'll do fine!

Thanks shamrockgirl! But I need something that will work in 2 weeks; my surgeon rescheduled me for 8/29. I am doing what he has told me to, TO THE LETTER this time! LOL but wanted to know of any other tips or hints. He's got me on an almost no-carb diet for 2 1/2 weeks, plus exercise, and I guess thinks that will shrink it enough. I HOPE so! :biggrin:

Thanks! Sorry you have to wait so long! :biggrin:)

well I had the surgery, just no band! LOL (I've got the 6 holes to prove it :biggrin:

Doc said to stick RELIGIOUSLY to the preop diet and he'll try again 8/29!

I can say for me, post op pain is non-existent (and he said how I do now is how I'll feel with the band) so that's good. A few tylenol and I'm good to go!