TSB

Be sure your doc allows protein drinks. I had to do two days of Clear liquids and my pre-op instructions specified that I should have no protein drinks or milk products during the 48 hours before surgery. All I could have was Jello, SF popsicles, broth, Water, crystal light, decaf/herbal hot/cold tea. I got through it by stocking up on the products I could have and keeping myself hydrated. Also, my family avoided preparing meals and eating in front of me. It really was not as bad as I thought it would be.

Greetings all:smile2: I made it home yesterday about 2 in the afternoon. The pain is not excruciating, but I am experiencing some discomfort. Feels a bit like I have done WAY too may crunches. Today is my first day on full liquids, and I am finding it to be real slow going in trying to get my protein shake down. Will be on full liquids for two weeks and then will do two weeks of blenderized food, then 1 week of soft food, and then I can slowly start incorporating reguloar food. Giving myself the lovenox shots is not as bad as I thought it would be, though I wish I didn't have to do it at all. My post op appt will be Aug 28th. Found out my surgeon will not consider a fill until 8 weeks out and then will do no more than 1cc ....guess that means he falls on conservative side of the spectrum.

Yes, I know that there are a variety of experiences throughout the lapband journey, depending on the surgeon. And I was not so much interested in similar experiences. I have been an information junkie and have enjoyed reading about the diversity of experiences people have written about here. My intent really was just to put a part of my experience out there as well for other people who might also enjoy reading about the variety of experiences. :tongue2:

*********cross posted on the Pre-op forum********* Hi all, having scoured posts to learn what happens when in this process, thought I'd share my pre-admission appointment experience. Went to the hospital lab yesterday where they did a chest x-ray, asked me a bunch of medical history questions, did an ekg, drew blood, and took a urine sample. I was then given a little braclet that I have to keep on from now until when I go into the hospital. Has something to do with matching my exact blood type in case I should need a transfusion. After that I headed over to my surgeons office, which is on the same campus as the hospital. My surgery is Tuesday. I have to call on Monday between 2pm & 4pm to find out my exact surgery time. The PA did a physical exam, answered some of my remaining questions -- found out that I will likely get a 10cc band and that my port will be slightly higher than and slightly to the right of my belly button. I will have a total of 5 incisions. Found out I have a bit of a Hiatial Hernia that they will likely repair during surgery. On Sunday I have to be on Clear liquids only -- no Protein drinks or milk products. On Monday I continue on clear liquids. At 10:00 AM on Monday I am to begin drinkning 8 oz of GoLytely every 10 min until stools are clear or I have ingested a total of 4 liters. I am also to take 1 gram of Neomycin at 1:00pm, 2:00pm and 10:00pm. The other thing I was surprised to learn is that when I am discharged from the hospital I am expected to give myself shots of Lovenox twice a day for 7 days in my stomach area. My surgeon does this with all patients to prevent DVT clots. Has anyone else had to do this? Of all the stuff I've been through in this process, the idea of giving myself shots is the only thing that has REALLY creeped me out.

Hi all, having scoured posts to learn what happens when in this process, thought I'd share my pre-admission appointment experience. Went to the hospital lab yesterday where they did a chest x-ray, asked me a bunch of medical history questions, did an ekg, drew blood, and took a urine sample. I was then given a little braclet that I have to keep on from now until when I go into the hospital. Has something to do with matching my exact blood type in case I should need a transfusion. After that I headed over to my surgeons office, which is on the same campus as the hospital. My surgery is Tuesday. I have to call on Monday between 2pm & 4pm to find out my exact surgery time. The PA did a physical exam, answered some of my remaining questions -- found out that I will likely get a 10cc band and that my port will be slightly higher than and slightly to the right of my belly button. I will have a total of 5 incisions. Found out I have a bit of a Hiatial Hernia that they will likely repair during surgery. On Sunday I have to be on Clear liquids only -- no Protein drinks or milk products. On Monday I continue on clear liquids. At 10:00 AM on Monday I am to begin drinkning 8 oz of GoLytely every 10 min until stools are clear or I have ingested a total of 4 liters. I am also to take 1 gram of Neomycin at 1:00pm, 2:00pm and 10:00pm. The other thing I was surprised to learn is that when I am discharged from the hospital I am expected to give myself shots of Lovenox twice a day for 7 days in my stomach area. My surgeon does this with all patients to prevent DVT clots. Has anyone else had to do this? Of all the stuff I've been through in this process, the idea of giving myself shots is the only thing that has REALLY creeped me out.

I don't have to do a liquid diet until the two days prior to surgery that I mentioned. I have been following a plan outlined by my nutritionist since I first met with her in April. The basics have been 60 to 80 grams of Protein a day 1200 to 1400 calories a day, and at least 64 oz of Fluid a day. I have not stuck to it perfectly by any stretch of the imagination. I just re-lost 5lbs in the last two weeks that I had gained between my June & July Nut. appointments. My surgeon requires an attempt to lose 10% of your starting weight. He will accept 5% and if you do not acheive that THEN he requires a Liquid Protein diet for 2 weeks. So, I am pretty close to my 10% mark and did not have to do the lengthy liquid diet.

Thanks for the info, violinist. I got a little demo yesterday at my appointment. They wrote a prescription which I do have to get filled at my local pharmacy. I just called Rite Aid, my out of pocket cost will be $45.00 for 14 doses of Lovenox. Sorry to "hijack" this thread. I was just surprised about this yesterday as I had not read anything about it and got a little excited when I found a thread that even potentially touched on the topic. Restless, I respect your opinion a lot, I am wondering as a nurse whether you think it is a good thing or a bad thing for a doctor to require this of all surgical patients? My sense is that you don't think it is such a great idea.

My surgeon has all patients, whether lap band or by-pass, self-inject Lovenox twice a day for 7 days after being discharged from the hospital. As I said in another post, this is the only thing so far about the whole process that is creeping me out. I am assuming that my insurance will cover the cost of this drug....will let you know, I plan to pick it up from the pharmacy after work.

I believe weight gain/weight loss are pretty commonly listed as possible side effect sof SRI type anti depressants. I have taken 50mg of zoloft for years and prior to that I took 20mg of prozac. I have found that those times when I "decide" to lose weight, these medications have no real impact on my ability to do so. I have lost 18lbs since January. Good Luck!

Now that my surgery day is less than a week away I am INCREDIBLY distracted.

nancyjean.....................................Aug 4 mommy2gabby (Elisha).................Aug 4 seckerto8 (sarah)......................... Aug 4 trirpletmomma............................. Aug 6 Mom2boys3 (Cora)........................Aug 7 jennyr1222 (Jen)...........................Aug 7 formerfatchick............................ ..Aug 10 allison_ann....................................Aug 10 TSB(Tonia)....................................Aug 11 abbypoo...................................... .Aug 12 morphiend (sarah) ..................... ..Aug 17 summeragain ....................... ...... Aug 17 viprvenm (Jason) ........................ .Aug 20 Shouldbeworking (sally).................Aug 26 SanDiegoKate (Katie).....................Aug 26 Just added mine :biggrin: Aug 11 :biggrin: Pre-Admission tests & appt. tomorrow Aug. 4 ....so far no liquid pre-op for me.

Yes, I was approved. You might be surprised at what counts as a co-morbidity. For me, I am on Lipitor for high cholesterol and I have GERD.

Congrats on your success!

Just called to double check that I don't need a liquid diet. The nutritionist said that as long as I maintain at least 5% loss from my starting weight, I won't need to do a liquid diet, other than on the day before surgery. I did find out I have to do bowel prep :crying: which means I will have to take the day before my surgery off of work, which I had not planned on doing. I go for my pre-admission testing and appointment on 8/4/09. Now that I have a surgery date, time seems to be going so fast! I am not so worried about the surgery, but stressing about getting all kinds of other things in my life taken care of (i.e., give the house a thorough cleaning, stocking up on "easy" meals for the hubby & kids, getting caught up on my workload at work, etc.) so that come surgery day I will have nothing to worry about!

I am not sure I would want a doctor who would forgo pre-op testing simply based on the fact that a patient is self-pay. They are logical, health-related tests aimed at giving the patient the best outcome. My surgeon actually had MORE pre-op requirements than my insurance company. As a result of how thorough he has been about not only the medical testing but about patient education I feel good about putting my health in his hands.

I think most of us had to do some pre-op testing. The tests you are talking about seem kind of standard. My PCP did not order my tests, though. She referred me to a surgeon and then he decided (taking into consideration my insurance policy requirements, my age,and my medical history) what pre-op tests were appropriate for me. Good luck to you. For some of us the process from consult to surgery takes longer than we would like--you just have to take it one step at a time.

I have Anthem BC/BS of Maine. I was submitted for approval on 7/14. I received an approval letter yesterday from the Ins. Co. dated 7/16 :bored:

Okay, so I am a very impatient person. I am leaving for a Nutritionist appointment at my surgeon's in about 20 minutes. But just couldn't wait and I decided to call Anthem BCBS (of Maine). And the lady I spoke with said I AM APPROVED!!!!! She went on to say my "admit date" is 09/14/09! So, that may be my surgery date --- am going to wait and confirm that with the surgeon's office today. I am on CLOUD 9 right now!

Yes, I am on medication for high cholesterol. I also have GERD.

Just found out today....AUGUST 11 for me :smile: Surgeon's office to call me with my pre-op appt time tomorrw, but it will likely be on Aug. 5th.

Hi All! My name is Tonia. I am 40 years old. I have a 20 year old son, and 16 & 13 year old daughters. I also have a 19 and a 23 year old step-daughters. Just found out today that I am approved and scheduled for surgery on August 11! I have struggled with my weight since I was a child. I'm so glad to finally know that this is going to happen for sure! Looking forward to getting to know you all!

Well, I have gained 5lbs since my last nutritionist appt:sad: But I knew I hadn't done so good this last month. The nutritionist told me if as surgery approaches, if I cannot maintain a 5 % loss, then I will have to do a pre-op liquid diet. So, I have to try to stay on track these next few weeks! BUT, I found out my surgery date is going to be AUGUST 11 vs. the Sept. 14 date the insurance company told me. YAY!!!

I also slacked of for a couple of weeks during this limbo period where the nutritionist & surgeon have okayed me, but the insurance company has not yet. My solution, when the scale started moving in the wrong direction was to go back to what I was doing at the very beginning of my journey, which is to write down every last thing I eat and drink and track the calories and Protein. The support of and accountability to the nutritionist is a big motivator for me. Although she has okayed me for surgery, I still have to meet with her monthly right up until surgery. I believe I will continue to meet with her post op as well. Best of luck to you!

How rigid is your surgeon about the weight loss requirement? One of my pre-op requirements (surgeon's rule, not ins. co. rule) is to lose 10% of the starting weight (my weight on the day of consultation). For me, that is 21 lbs. So far I have lost 17. I asked on the day of the consultation if I didn't acheive the exact # if it would be a deal breaker, and was advised that it would not be, but I should make every effort to get as close as possible to a 10% loss.

I haven't had surgery yet. I am planning to take one week. I have enough time to take 2 if needed, however. I have observed probably 6 or 7 people who work for the same employer as I do who have had this surgery and came back to work (office environment) in a week or less. If I feel better in less than a week I will come back to work, if I still feel like crap a week out, I will take more time