Manda87

I'm not sure if all surgeons require it, but mine did. I just had it done on Monday. I almost threw up the barium. I had to drink barium 4 years ago, and I threw that one up, but I thought this one was easier. Four years ago I had a cat scan and had to drink two bottles of barium before I could do it. I think I threw up half of the second bottle. For some reason, the Upper GI wasn't that bad. Does your surgeon have a website? They may list a couple of pre-op tests.

For some reason, my dr schedules all pre-op tests in one day. We couldn't do the psych eval because they are closed for the holiday. But I could do Upper GI, EKG, Chest x-ray, and labs and the consult with the nutrionist. I was supposed to go to one hospital in Raleigh, but when I got there the lady at the desk said I was scheduled to go to the main hospital which is on the other side of town. I couldn't see my nutriontist because she was the one that I should have gone to at the hospital that I was supposed to go to, plus I was more than 15 minutes late. UGH. I was and still am frustrated. When I called my dr. I was about to cry. So, they have to reschedule that appointment. I thought this was supposed to be happy? I'm just frustrated and stressed out. This is the hardest thing that I've ever done. I'm alone in this process. My family isn't supportive and when I talk to them they get negative. I mean, really? They see how big I am, but apparently they don't care? I remember a couple of years ago they cared. I know there are support groups and the such, but it will not replace what I should have. Sorry to rant...

You should not have large amounts of protein in your urine. Your kidneys filter many substances, including waste products, from your blood. These waste products are then excreted in your urine. Normally, during this filtering process your kidneys retain components — including Proteins — that your body needs. But some diseases and conditions can allow proteins to slip through the filters of your kidneys, causing protein in urine. Low levels of protein in urine are normal, particularly in younger people after exercise or activity. Protein in urine discovered on a microalbumin test may often be the earliest sign of diabetic kidney damage. The normal range of protein in urine is 0-10mg/de. Anything over that needs to be checked out.

Actually, I think, the amount of Protein you are supposed to have per day is based on your weight. Here's a bit more about that: How Much Protein Per Day Should You Eat? Apparently, it is bad to have too much protein according to this website: Too much protein can harm your body - on MedicineNet.com I did a google search and here are the rest of the results: too much protein - Google Search

I understand what you mean. Currently I weigh 325, but if I lose over 100 pounds, I think I can think "hell yeah!" I think/hope people will be proud instead of judgemental.

Hi! It looks like you're in the Raleigh, NC area. I am too. My doctor is Scott Bovard. How did you decide your doctor? I'm in my pre-op tests. I am a little nervous about my surgery. Mostly about going under and recovery. I know you'll be ok though!

I agree with ya. I think I have accepted the fact that I will probably be out for 6 weeks. I think I can do without 2 pay checks if I go into surgery with no debt, lol. I couldn't go back with light duty. They wouldn't allow it. They only allow light duty for those who get hurt on the job. I think it will work in my advantage though. I'll get to focus on my school work instead, lol.

Gosh! It felt like forever, but in reality it was only 1 week and 1 day. I'm sooooo happy. They are going to be done on Monday starting at 7am. I have to get an upper GI, chest x-ray, EKG, and lab work done. The psychiatrist that they use isn't open on Monday, so I'll have to get another day for that. I have a few questions: What does an upper GI involve? Do they make you run with an EKG? Since I'm a woman, will I have to be topless? Does anyone have an estimate cost of all their pre-tests? I know everyone has different insurances, I just want to know an estimate. The insurance woman just emailed me and said that the hospital will bill me. Also, the 2 week diet pre-op diet is $55. It's a liquid diet with a bunch of powders and shakes.

Quick question: is it possible to still have a big liver even if you stuck to the pre-op diet?

Yay! I know you'r excited... heck I'm excited for you! Congrads! I can't tell you what to expect because I haven't had the surgery yet, but I just wanted to tell you that I'm happy for ya. :smile2:

My friend who is 9 months pregnant and has the lap band made a facebook status that her baby is poking or kicking at her lap band port and that it was hurting her. lol So, I guess you can feel it in certain situations...

Comments like that are annoying. That is why I haven't told many people. People are aways going to judge. And if the commenters have always been skinny, they don't know how it feels like to be overweight. I just feel as though if you don't know a situation or never researched or experienced a situation then you haven't yet earned an opinion on it. Don't let such comments let you down. Putting on weight is easy, taking it off is the hardest part. Maybe you should tell her that her comments hurt your feelings and that you think you seriously need help?

The way I think about is that over eating has what gotten me to weigh 330 pounds. Right now I'm choosing healthier food more often. I'm trying to change my lifestyle before I get the surgery so I don't have to quickly change it after surgery. Maybe you should consult a nutritionist or therapist?

I have Empire Blue Cross and they don't require a diet. The only diet that is required is from my doctor which is a 2 week liquid diet.

I'm getting it done in Raleigh at Rex Hospital.

Hello Pete! I'm from Raleigh and my doctor is Dr. Bovard. I'm waiting for my pre-op tests to be schedule. Luckly, I can have them done in one day. Best of luck to ya! These people are great and have wonderful advice and support.

I went to my PCP to talk to her about my lap band surgery. Basically, I paid my $20 copay to have her tell me to talk to a surgeon. Lol. I found a surgeon that I liked and we got the ball rolling. I'm just waiting for them to set up pre tests. After those results come back, they will submit to the insurance. Before I saw the surgeon, I called the insurance. They are soooooo unhelpful. They want to be paid, but when it comes to actually getting money from them - it's like pulling teeth. I even got three different quotes from them. Good luck!

Hmmmm... I just figured that the most I can take off is 3 weeks. I could take off a little more if my mom helped pay my car loan... I will seriously have to talk to my doctor. At my work we have what is called "light duty." It's for those, I guess, have hurt themselves on the job. For most people, it is their back. They want me fully healed, but I understand. I'll have to miss out on one pay check. I guess it's worth it, but it still sucks though. This is the only thing that worries me now. I'm not worried about the surgery or the lifestyle change... it's my work. Blah!

I have a very active job. I'm a certified nursing assistant at a nursing home. All day I'm on my feet, lifting, pushing, pulling, etc on patients. Some are light and some are very heavy. I was wondering if anyone on here has a very active job and how long did the doctor suggest healing time. I am aiming my surgery on March 18th, but that isn't 100%. I know I can take off 1.5 to 2 weeks off. Would you think that is enough? I do plan on asking my doctor, but I thought I would start here first. I am not allowed to come back until I am fully healed.

I had my first appointment on Thursday. We did the usual 1 hour talk. I am about to schedule my pre tests all in one day (that's how they do it there) after that they will submit to the insurance. They said they will get a result in 3 days. I guess once all your pre tests in and they submit to the insurance, it depends on them. It could take up to a month or more or it could be in just in days. After they approve it, you may have a pre op diet. That may take weeks or days. For example, mine will be 2 weeks on a liquid diet. You can lose weight with the liquid diet. :tt1:

You know what, insurances are confusing on purpose. It seems as though they don't want to give you money when you need it, but they will take your money anyway. I have BCBS and I was quoted different things on different days. I finally went to a surgeon with an awesome insurance specialist. She finally found the correct answer for me. They didn't say anything about a 6 months diet, but I can get all my pre tests done in one day and they will submit after all results come in. Find a surgeon with an insurance specialist. My surgeon seems to enjoy helping his patients with insurance. It makes everything easy on yourself.

My BMI is 52 and my doctor loved that I chose the lap band. In fact, he's tired of doing bypasses. He says that those with bypasses can eat anything and still lose the weight, however they can gain it back. For example, they can eat a BigMac everyday and still lose the weight, but it's not healthy weight loss and they can gain it all back. Or something like that... lol. The lap band teaches healthy options and can lead to a healthier lifestyle. I would get a second opinion if I were you.

4. Have you ever been to lap band's official website? That's where I started when I started researching the surgery. Lapband.com - LAP-BAND® System - Find Certified Surgeons in Your Area That is the website in which you can find a surgeon in your area. I also suggest you check out the website. They have answers to your other question as well. :smile2:

So, I went to the appointment today. It was very long, lol. I get do that pre-testing stuff all in one day. When the results come back they will send everything to the insurance. They say the will get approval from the insurance in about 3 days. They asked me when did I want to get the sugery. I really didn't think they would be asking me now. I am thinking about March or April. I have to bank some vacation time for work. I really don't know how long I will need. I think maybe more than a week? My job is phyiscally hard, so I'm thinking I might need more? I'm not sure. I can't believe I'm doing this. Ever have that thought?

Thanks Catherine. :thumbup: You have helped a lot. I have one question. Was I supposed to go to a seminar? I think most people go to the seminar and then have an appointment with the surgeon, but I haven't gone to the seminar but I have an appointment. lol