Drasan

Congratulations! *high fives* woot! I got my surgery date confirmed yesterday too! I've been in the process since September. It's been a long haul. Best wishes to all!

Thanks for the link Cocoabean. It looks like most say "no way" and a few say "no problem." I think I'll offer my ticket to a friend. My concert is no Shania Twain, it's a heavy metal concert, Alice in Chains. Even though it is a seated concert, heavy metal concerts tend to be a bit more intense. Although I would be no where near a mosh pit, I'm thinking crowd surfing, etc. I'd rather be safe than sorry and protect my health for my trip to Europe. Thank you everyone for your thoughtful responses!

whoa whoa whoa When I stated that doctors are in the business of making money, it was not meant as a derogatory statement. Unless a doctor is a non-profit, he/she is in the business of making money in a for-profit business. Have no doubt about it, I see nothing wrong with this. I used mechanics as a metaphor, and as we all know, there are good, honest mechanics and then there are some who pad the bill a little. I can imagine, that in the medical industry, this scenario is also possible. I'm not saying the doctor in question in this thread is one or the other. I'm just trying to look at both sides of the coin and help the person who started this thread. I don't think it's wrong for a consumer to be wary or question issues that bring up that little tickle that says something isn't quite right here. Getting a second opinion can calm the fears or verify the suspicion. As human beings, nobody is perfect. I am entrusting my well-being to the doctors I chose to oversee my health. I darn well want to be sure that I have no doubts about this trust. I admire the medical field. I have had my life saved and changed for the better and yes, also for the worse by doctors. Seek a second opinion. Calm your fears.

Wendy Oh my gosh, I know what you mean about eating behavior getting out of control. Even though I know I can still eat post lap-band, I am eating everything like it is my last meal. It's not logical. I'm going to take advantage of my pre-op liquid diet to get my head straight. I've heard from several others in the forums that this was a good turning point for them. I know it will interrupt this crazy cycle. Good luck to you getting your date!

March 10th !!! I see the nutritionist again on Wednesday to start the pre-op diet. I've been afraid to post my surgery date on here for fear something else will happen to set it back again. I'm crossing my fingers and eyes for good luck.

Denise, I give up.. how does one do a search in here? I tried the box right below Search LapBandTalk.com. Is that it? If so, I'm not finding any threads.

I'd like to tact one more question onto this thread. Is this unreasonable? Have surgery on Wednesday attend a rock concert (sitting down in assigned seats) on Saturday?

I had an appointment with my bariatric surgeon thinkiing it was to set a date for surgery only to learn that the psych doc had flagged me for a closer look. I had eating disorders 20+ years ago, HAD being the key word, which I discussed openly and honestly with the psych doc. I used the wrong term for over-eating, pigging out, gobbling down too much food, which is, let's face it the reason most of us are over-weight and candidates for this surgery. I used the word binge. I KNOW the difference between bulimia binging and over-eating. But the psych focused in on the word binge. I can't blame him, he doesn't know me and he has to put his professional opinion on-the-line from a one hour discussion. As for the tests, they ARE transparent for most people who have a little savvy. If we want to cheat the test, we can. All in all, I can see how this process can be looked at as a way to help protect the surgeon. We do live in a litigious society and I can't say that I blame the surgeon for wanting that extra bit of protection either.

I have to admit, I've had moments thinking that my insurance is being milked. Weight loss is a HUGE money-making industry and doctors are in business to make money. I've been sent to so many doctor's who are housed within the same practice and diagnosed with ailments I never knew I had and always, additional appointments have been needed, and another appointment and another ... I feel like I've taken my car to the mechanic to have the oil changed and ended up with a grocery list of things that need to be repaired. If I take my car to another mechanic, will the same things be broken? We can and should get second opinions, when there is doubt. I got a second opinion on one of the health issues I was diagnosed with and treatment had a slightly different result. I need and want the lap-band surgery so badly, that I've been willing to jump through hoops, not make waves and pay the bills. It's been a very frustrating process, that's for sure. BUT ... To end on a good note, I feel like I've had the best physical I have ever had in my life. I am feeling better with some of the new treatments I'm receiving which is my best proof that I am being treated correctly. Good luck to you and please get a second opinion from another doctor if you have any doubts. The reassurance, if nothing else, is worth the price of an additional visit.

ShellieBell I had those same concerns before speaking with my doctor. I was sure that she was going to tell me to go on a diet. But she knows my roller coaster history of weight loss and weight gain. She talked with me about the risks, the life style changes and then she gave me the name and number of one of her patients who was having success with the procedure so that I could get first hand information. I was more than surprised by not only my primary care physician's response, but also by the responses of my other doctors; cardiac, rheumatologist, and my pulmonary specialist. Each of my doctors agreed that band surgery would be beneficial for me. Their support and positive reaction has been like a foundation for me to go forward with the surgery. Please talk with your doctor, you too may be pleasantly surprised. I wish you all the best.

I'm having surgery March 10 and planning a trip out of the country the end of April. My family is having a fit that the trip is too close to my surgery. They're worried about something going wrong. Is it unreasonable to take a long distance trip 5 weeks after surgery?

What is my-emmi?

BJB, my thoughts are with you. I passed some great posts made on this site along to my husband, along with a CD that my surgeon gave me with inspirational testimonies and asked him to look at them while I sat next to him. It made me cry. I know my husband loves me and wants me to be happy and healthy. It's this love that also makes him afraid for what might happen to me from possible complications from surgery. I think since the talk with my surgeon and both my husband and I facing the facts of premature death for me in my obese state, my husband is looking at the surgery as the better choice. He is still not thrilled by any means. But he is supporting me. I am getting so excited! Now I just have to get my eating under control for the pre-op requirements. I'm not doing so well with that. It's a new day .. a good time to begin fresh. Thank you all for your posts. And to those of you who have experienced success and continue to remember those of us who are in the panic, hopeful, fearful anticipation stages .. I love you!! Thank you for remembering where you came from and for giving back!

I'm in the same boat as you! This is familiar behaviour to me. Whenever I knew I was going to begin a diet, I would eat like it was my last meal(s) for days or weeks before. Knowing that I am preparing for band surgery I've fallen into this familiar pattern again. My surgeon told me that he wanted me to lose 5 lbs before I see him again. I've gained 7. I don't know what he's going to say, but I hope this won't stop the surgery. I NEED the surgery to help me control exactly this type of behaviour. I figure I will probably lose at LEAST 5-10 lbs on the 10 day all liquid diet. Won't that do the trick?

Hi, I introduced myself to the group thinking I was going to be a December bandster. So sad for me, all the reports did not come through in time. I did all the work but all the reports did not get to the surgeon. I was really pushing it trying to get the surgery in December. But it's not to be. Looks like I will be January or February instead. Good luck all you December bandsters!!!

Catherine congrats to you! I just finished reading your blog and I am stoked!!! You're so enthusiastic. It's been years since I've felt that way. I miss the old enthusiastic, fun loving me and I'm looking forward to getting me back! Thanks for your post. Oh and, since I created this thread, my husband has gotten onboard. I've completed ALL my pre-op tests and now I'm just waiting for a surgery date. Yay us!

I'm resurrecting an old thread cause I have some questions about bulimia that weren't addressed in the thread. In my past, 20 years ago, I practiced both bulimia and anorexia. I received counseling for several years and I was able to stop ... mostly. I say mostly because I still have binges from time to time but I do not purge. Maybe once a month on average. I had an EGD and there was some old scaring but the surgeon was not concerned. I've also seen a pyschiatrist who has cleared me. What would happen if I had a binge after lap band surgery?

Thank for your repsonses, they make a lot of sense. I was a bit surprised by the conflicting information from the surgeon and the nutritionist. I plan to speak with the surgeon about it when I see him again to schedule surgery. Thanks again!

Who do you listen to when the surgeon and the nutritionist do not agree on the pre-op diet?

Great feedback thanks! I'm trying to findout if the requirement is insurance driven because if it is, they better darn well be paying for it. I'm stalled in my process over this and I'm finding it very frustrating. My surgeon and I are shooting for a mid December surgery date. I sure hope this snag doesn't change it. Thanks again! This is my last hoop to jump through! Almost there!

Kiz, Thanks for the information. Does anyone know who assigns the 'Bariatric Center of Excellence' standards? I would guess this is who is creating the mandate. Again, I'd like to know if this is insurance companies, the band manufacturers, the surgeons, or ? In the meantime I'll make some calls to see if I can get a better price. $350 for a one hour consultation seems high to me.

Who determines that pysch evaluations are mandatory prior to band surgery? Is it the insurance company, the surgeons, the band manufacturers, malpractice insurance? My insurance company will not cover this and I want to know what the options are, if any.

MyBandJourny Thanks for your comments. It's great to hear from somebody who is a just a few steps ahead of me. The most difficult thing for me at this point, is not to drink anything with my meals. I'm trying to drink as much water as I can but I haven't gotten the hang of the schedule competely yet. I feel like I'm either watching the clock waiting for enough time to pass to drink something or missing that time and then it's time for a snack. Is it really this strict after the surgery? I mean really? NO liquids with meals? I mean, my dietician told me to drain the liquid from any soup I would eat for lunch. Really?

My surgeon and I are shooting for the week of December 14. I started my pre-op diet this week. My surgeon wants me to lose 5 lbs. But the main goal, the nutritionist tells me, is to begin to establish habits of the way I am going to have to eat following surgery. I have to eat 6 times a day, each time must include Protein and a varied amount of carbs, fats etc depending on the time of day. I have to cut back on my portions as well. She put me on a plan to cut back on my coffee intake. I drink a LOT of coffee. So, I'm getting weaned back gradually, mercifully. I can't have anything to drink 20 minutes prior to, during, or for 20 minutes after I eat. Ten days prior to surgery, I go on an all liquid diet which I'm NOT looking forward to. I have an Upper GI this Friday .. another thing I'm not looking forward to.