Hi All,

I just got referred for Lab Band and meet with my surgeon Friday of next week. What can I expect? How quickly do they do the surgery? How much will I lose? Will there be a pre-op diet?

I know my dr will explain all this to me but to be honest, I cannot wait!! I want to know NOW!!!

God Bless,

Nikki

the time frame for your surgery largely depends on your insurance requirements. i had to do 6 months of a monitored diet beforehand, and my surgeon required at least a 10 pound weight loss beforehand. i also had appointments with exercise physiologists and nutritionists along the way. overall, it took me a little over 7 months from beginning to surgery. my nutritionist had me on a 1200 cal diet, which wasn't bad. i only had one day of liquids before surgery, although i hear a lot of people who have a few weeks of it.

there is no magic number for weight loss. i'm 6 months out and have lost 65 pounds. i've seen others who have lost a lot more than me and others who have lost a lot less in the same time frame. everyone is different. it's hard to generalize much of anything with lap band because every surgeon does things differently, and each person has a different experience with it. i can say, however, that i'm really glad i did it, and i'd do it again in a heartbeat. good luck!

That's up to your Ins. Co. , unless you are self pay. Your Doc. will have you tested in a lot of areas like, heart, shrink, complete physical, visits to him to set up the pre op weight loss plan, and he'll see you again to see how much weight you lost, and set up surgery./ Or they could call you with a surgical date. Mine looked at a calender and penciled me in.

Your pre op will be Protein shakes, so you better stock up on this stuff. Soups, Stocks, Jello, anything liquid.. That's why the protein,, they want you to keep your energy up..

If you like strawberry shakes,,, I have a supplier on ebay that I am referring a lot of people too, and her price is cheap ! $5.99 for a 1 1/2lb jug. You will need a shaker bottle to mix it up.

Its 2 scoops/ 8 ounces of Water.

Let me know, and I will give her name.

Also look at the dealers on ebay, and see the different flavors. You will also see the difference in the price.

Good Health on your Journey. and

WELCOME TO BAND LAND !

Many aspects of prebanding will depend on your insurance and doctor as previously mentioned. My doctor also required a 10% body weight loss presurgery (sounds harsh I know but think of it as the last time you will have to loose those 20 pounds). My doctor required that "normal/common" yearly test be completed presurgery mammogram, pap smear, general physical, EKG. If you have some sort of preexisting condition you will need clearance from your specialist that you are healthy enough for surgery. I'd had a ministroke and had to show that the blood clot was clear enough for me to have surgery (set me back another 3 months for surgery).

I know it's hard but this time before surgery is a big part of setting yourself up for success! You will read on this board that people are upset that the band does'nt "Stop" them from eating unhealthy food like ice cream or candy. It will NOT do that. EVER. Anything that melts in your mouth will slide right on down through. After all Water goes right through a funnel right?

If your doctor does not have a mindful eating sessions/meetings with a psychologist who specializes in obesity find one. You need to learn what prompts you to eat. What foods do you look to when you are bored or depressed? This is at least a 50% mental battle.

Can I get the name of the ebay supplier?

Thank you,

That's up to your Ins. Co. , unless you are self pay. Your Doc. will have you tested in a lot of areas like, heart, shrink, complete physical, visits to him to set up the pre op weight loss plan, and he'll see you again to see how much weight you lost, and set up surgery./ Or they could call you with a surgical date. Mine looked at a calender and penciled me in.

Your pre op will be Protein shakes, so you better stock up on this stuff. Soups, Stocks, Jello, anything liquid.. That's why the protein,, they want you to keep your energy up..

If you like strawberry shakes,,, I have a supplier on ebay that I am referring a lot of people too, and her price is cheap ! $5.99 for a 1 1/2lb jug. You will need a shaker bottle to mix it up.

Its 2 scoops/ 8 ounces of Water.

Let me know, and I will give her name.

Also look at the dealers on ebay, and see the different flavors. You will also see the difference in the price.

Good Health on your Journey. and

WELCOME TO BAND LAND !

Can I have the name of the ebay supplier? Can these shakes be frozen or meant to be drank in liquid form? I do not have to do Protein shakes prior to surgery, but will have to after the fact....

That's up to your Ins. Co. , unless you are self pay. Your Doc. will have you tested in a lot of areas like, heart, shrink, complete physical, visits to him to set up the pre op weight loss plan, and he'll see you again to see how much weight you lost, and set up surgery./ Or they could call you with a surgical date. Mine looked at a calender and penciled me in.

Your pre op will be Protein Shakes, so you better stock up on this stuff. Soups, Stocks, Jello, anything liquid.. That's why the protein,, they want you to keep your energy up..

If you like strawberry shakes,,, I have a supplier on ebay that I am referring a lot of people too, and her price is cheap ! $5.99 for a 1 1/2lb jug. You will need a shaker bottle to mix it up.

Its 2 scoops/ 8 ounces of Water.

Let me know, and I will give her name.

Also look at the dealers on ebay, and see the different flavors. You will also see the difference in the price.

Good Health on your Journey. and

WELCOME TO BAND LAND !

I started my journey 2010. I didnt get on the appointments necessary until August/September time frame because I wanted to be sure this is what I wanted to do. From the time I started all the appointments it took 7 months. I have lost 14 pounds since I went to see the surgeon in June. He required I lose 5 pounds prior to surgery. Once I lost 14 he told me not to lose anymore because the prep prior to surgery would have me lose more, so I have been holding for the last few months. I do have a preop diet, it is 7 days all liquid.

I had my pre-admission testing this morning so now I am really nervous, mostly for two reasons, 1) I am a heart patient (2 heart attacks already) and 2) Anesthesia makes me vomit. I am petrified I will vomit a lot and cause my band to slip. My surgeon told me not to worry about it, however the nurse at the hospital this morning told me, she has written it down and the anesthesiologist will put something in my IV to keep that from happening. I sure hope it works. My surgery is scheduled for April 6th, only because I am traveling for work for the remainder of this month and could not put it in my own schedule, plus I need to be off medication for 10 days prior to surgery. So April 6th is my day......

Can I get the name of the ebay supplier?

Thank you,

Member id ivydeals She is saying that it has ended...., But!!!! She is going to re-list her stuff. Lots of strawberry milkshake, and about 3 Peanut Butter chocolate. So write her, tell her you contacted me, and ask if she will ship you some, and she combines shipping. So if you buy 3, she might cut you a break. But that's who you look for when you type in MUSCLE MILK she will come up, and hers is light.

Good Health to you, Shirley.

One way to give the shakes a frappe/frosty texture is to make "milk cubes" in an ice cube tray. 1/3 milk cup is 2 full size ice cubes. Add 2/3 cup fat free milk. Mix in a blender.

Run a search on here to look for low/no calorie add in's that will help make the shake taste better.

Like everyone has been saying here it really depends on your insurance and your doctor. From start to end it took me about a year and a half with a lot of hiccups but as of Tuesday I am banded and it was worth it!!

For these shakes you usually use 8oz. Water to 2 scoops of Protein Powder.

If you use 4 oz. water, and freeze it our dietitian says it makes a great pudding.

I have not tried it but you can, and see what you think.

Shirley