ncarreras

That was good dratdee!!! Good for you!!!

I don't deny that a personal trainer is a great tool... but people who do not struggle with weight have no clue. It seems to me like you are not going to be joining that gym... LOL

Crowt,

The book is called "The Expert's Guide to Weightloss Surgery" by Garth Davis. He is one of the surgeons from TLC's Big Medicine. The book helped me a lot in deciding which surgery would be best for me and understanding all the aspects of the band.

However, she needs to keep in mind that patient's situations vary considerably. While some are put on a pre-surgery diet, some are not. Some need certain pre-op testing, and some need other. Some need Protein shakes before, and some not. Then the requirements from insurance to insurance vary significantly as well. I am a self-pay patient because my insurance does not cover any weightloss surgery. Because of my "lower" weight, my doctors did not require many of the things that other patients need to go through (like a diet to shrink the liver, pre-op diet, etc.). If she has questions about what to eat or not to eat, go to her doctor's nutritionist with those questions first.

All that to say, that even with the book, she should take the information from the book, write down her questions, and ask HER surgeon. I questioned my doctor, why are you not doing this and that (things that other patients here talked about, or things I read on the book). He explained everything to me and made me realize that there is no one way of doing this.

But I have to say that I've learned a lot from others' experiences here...

Good luck to her and as someone else said, she is lucky to have your support!

There are some great books out there. I recommend "Guide to Weightloss Surgery". She can buy it at Borders. It really explains EVERYTHING in great detail, including questions/issues that patients face before, during, and after surgery.

I do agree with the previous comment. Regardless of what people tell you in this forum, always follow your doctor's advice. And if she doesn't like what she is hearing, she could always consult/switch doctors.

Everyone is very diferent, and approach weightloss very differently. That is why the band works for some, but not for others...

Good luck!

It is so encouraging to know that there are some others out there in the same situation! Thanks for listening to my blah, blah, blah... :-)

LOL restless monkey! It is all a matter of perspective, isn't it? I should see it as a compliment. And I do, although I know I am not healthy.

Wacogurl, mosean6278, courtney75, and chasidy - Good luck to all!

I am very happy that my partner and son are soooo supportive. They are the ones that matter, since they live with me. We are going to prove them all wrong! :laugh:

That is interesting, I never looked at it that way. I was just thinking that they truly believe that I am not "that fat"... but in some cases, you might be right. And I do agree that each individual should be able to decide when "too fat" is fat enough for you.

Did your insurance cover it?

I wonder if there are more low-BMI'ers out there having the same experience and how you handle it. Did you quit telling people that you are having surgery? It can get to you after a while. When you are bigger, I think people seem to be more supportive (but I might be wrong...)

Just venting a little...

I am 226 pounds, 5'2". BMI around 41. However, most people say i don't look "that heavy" because I have a lot of muscle mass. Lately, when I tell people I am having the lap band surgery in October, about 80% of them tell me: "you are not "that fat", "you really don't need it", "how did you get the insurance to cover it", "are you sure you want to do that, I've heard bad things", "you are healthy" and the classic, "so you are going that route? why don't you try other things?"... My insurance did NOT cover it, so I have to pay out of pocket. :w00t:

Anyway... all that to say, I decided not to tell anyone else until after the surgery. Who people think they are to judge how "fat" or "not that fat" anyone is...

Blah, blah... lol I know some of you can relate... I am super excited about my upcoming surgery and now I just tell them.. just watch me! :blushing:

I'M NOT LISTENING.... LALALALALA (covering ears)

Hi, I am with the WLC in Harrisburg also. I have Dr. Currie. I am having the last appointment next Friday, Sept. 4. After that, I just need to meet with the nutritionist and set the surgery date. I am self-pay, so can't give you advise on the insurance issue. However, in terms of how long it takes... my first appointment was in April. I will have surgery in Oct. (most likely). Since you are approved, it should go quickly for you as well. Some of the delay in my case was related to being able to complete the bloodwork, and scheduling appmts. far enough from one another so I gave myself time to save $13,000.

Good luck and

Thank you for your replies. I think I will ask my PCP to suggest any tests that he feels appropriate. Will also talk to a counselor to schedule a couple of sessions to explore my eating patterns (not for the eval, I agree that is pointless) . I was just curious. It seems like when you are self-pay, they don't screen well enough. It could also be the fact that my BMI is only 40 and I have no co-morbidities... not sure. Thank you all!!!

Hi,

I will pay for my surgery and I am a little concerned that my doctors are not requiring me to do certain things that insurances ask for our own good. For example, I am not required to have a psychological eval, lengthy pre-op diet, more nutritional counseling (only one), and some of the tests that other insurances require. I will talk to my family doctor about this on Wednesday to see if he may recommend some things. But I thought it would be good to get your opinion.

I am readnig an excellent book on WLS and this surgeon talks about the many patients he sees who are not able to cope with WLS because they never worked on psychological issues. Others had hernias or other conditions that could have been detected pre-op.

Thanks!

Hi,

I will pay for my surgery and I am a little concerned that my doctors are not requiring me to do certain things that insurances ask for our own good. For example, I am not required to have a psychological eval, lengthy pre-op diet, more nutritional counseling (only one), and some of the tests that other insurances require. I will talk to my family doctor about this on Wednesday to see if he may recommend some things. But I thought it would be good to get your opinion.

I am readnig an excellent book on WLS and this surgeon talks about the many patients he sees who are not able to cope with WLS because they never worked on psychological issues. Others had hernias or other conditions that could have been detected pre-op.

Thanks!

I hope you are feeling better. One of the most prominent LapBand surgeons in the nations wrote a book about bariatric surgery. Yesterday I was reading about nausea. He recommended to sip on ginger tea (you should be able to find ginger pouder at your local grocery store) or have some mint to smell.

If it persists, call your doctor. I am no expert because I am pre-op. But that is what he recommended. This guy was the young doctor on BIG Medicine on TLC.

Hope you feel better!

Thanks for sharing Starr. That is very encouraging to hear. I will meet him on Sept. 4. Congratulations on your great results!!! Both you and your wife. What is the hardest part in your oppinion?

I have the same situation, but I am self-pay. If I was in your shoes, and no co-morbidities, I would put on just a couple of pounds... (I know is not the best advice, but $15-20k out of pocket is not easy either....)

Mine is Currie. Are you nervious? I am kind of freaking out a little... :-)

It seems like they don't have a lot of time to answer many questions, so I pretty much do my own research. I am really hoping the band is the best choice for me. Since I am "self-pay" it would be nice to know for sure that it is the right choice... but I am willing to try anything at this point.

I wish you the best!

N

I told my partner, some friends and 4 co-workers, and that's it! No one in my family knows. They will try to convince me not to do it and judge me. Every one has different circumstances. Therefore, you just do what is best for you. Eventually they will all find out... but you will be so healthy and looking so good, it will not matter what they think or say!

Thank you! Yes, that is my clinic as well. I have an appointment with my surgeon scheduled for Sept. 4th. Who is going to do your surgery?

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!! :crying:

Nora

I am hoping to have surgery in October or November and was wondering if there are others in this area who had the surgery, what clinic did you use and the results. I still question if this is the right thing for me...

I should have surgery in Oct or Nov.

My next appmt is with the surgeon and after that I need to see the nutritionist. At that point they will give me the surgery date.

My only concern is going through bandster hell during December. That would be very hard...

Good luck to all!