Hi everyone am so happy my surgery will be June 1st am a little nervous but very happy cause this will be a new beginning to my life!!

I'm scheduled for June 8 too! We will have to follow up and see how each of us is doing!

I'm a self pay, so this is such a big commitment, but I can't wait. I think about it so often, I really can't wait to start this new life.

Hi Bella Bear. I will be self pay also. You are the first self pay I have seen on here. About how long after your consult did you have to wait before scheduling surgery (since you did not have to be approved by ins. and all)? I will have the consult with the surgeon on Monday and was wondering what all you have to go through if you are self pay.

By now you have had your surgery - how are you doing? I hope everything went well.

Like you, this is a big commitment for me because it is so expensive. (not just the expense but it is a lot of money!)

Let us know how you are doing. Can't wait to hear.

Woo hoo! Had my pre-surgery class this morning. Good information! One big hurdle is that I have a vertical hood piercing, and I was worried about taking it out completely. So I had to ask a nurse and one of the ladies in the office (slightly embarrassing) about putting in a plastic retainer or changing my jewelry from metal to something else. No one knew the answer, so they're asking the surgeon (**die of embarrassment**). Hopefully though I won't have to take it out completely, because while I love it, I don't want to have to get it done again, either.

I still have 5lbs exactly to lose before surgery date. I asked about a pre-op diet, because none is required by them. Their thought is that they want to get you used to eating properly on your own without a restrictive diet, per se. Either way, they did have one they gave me - it's not all liquid or anything, and maybe some of you would like to try it also if needed:

BREAKFAST:

Low Carb or No Sugar Added Carnation Instant Breakfast mixed with 8oz. skim milk

LUNCH:

Low calorie frozen meal (Lean Cuisine, Healthy Choice, etc.)

SNACK:

Small piece of fruit OR raw vegetables OR 6oz. light yogurt

DINNER:

Low calorie frozen meal

SNACK:

Small piece of fruit OR 8oz skim milk OR raw vegetables

**Drink 48-64oz of calorie free, caffeine free, non-carbonated beverages

**Start taking a Multivitamin with Iron

**sugar free Jello and sugar free Popsicles are allowed

**6oz V8 juice per day is allowed

**Gradually increase exercise routine

Hope that helps to all of you looking for something a little more structured to drop the final LBs before surgery.

I'm going to start that Saturday, as I need to grocery shop.

GOOD LUCK to those of you whose dates are coming up soon!

leaving in 30 minutes for surgery! couldnt be more excited!!

Hi Bella Bear. I will be self pay also. You are the first self pay I have seen on here. About how long after your consult did you have to wait before scheduling surgery (since you did not have to be approved by ins. and all)? I will have the consult with the surgeon on Monday and was wondering what all you have to go through if you are self pay.

By now you have had your surgery - how are you doing? I hope everything went well.

Like you, this is a big commitment for me because it is so expensive. (not just the expense but it is a lot of money!)

Let us know how you are doing. Can't wait to hear.

I'm a self pay also. I had my surgery scheduled after I lost 20 pounds after the first consult. Then I had one more consult the day before surgery, and then we just walked in, and paid, and that was that.

What I had to have pre-op:

psych eval.

barium swallow

blood work

EKG

Consult with the surgeon

Chest X-ray

Hope that gives you some idea!

I'm a self pay also. I had my surgery scheduled after I lost 20 pounds after the first consult. Then I had one more consult the day before surgery, and then we just walked in, and paid, and that was that.

What I had to have pre-op:

psych eval.

barium swallow

blood work

EKG

Consult with the surgeon

Chest X-ray

Hope that gives you some idea!

Thanks for the info Roziecakes.

I don't understand why you have to lose weight before surgery. Also, what procedure did you have done? I ma having the lap-band. (I think ..if I am approved.)

Oops..sorry. Just realized this is all lap band blogs. I was on a different site earlier.

I'm scheduled for June 27th..very excited. I must be crazy but I put myself on a self imposed liquid diet two weeks before doc will require it!!!!!!! i guess I just wanted to jnow if I was REALLY capable of it! I've lost 6 pounds so far.=)

I am Also self- pay. I went through the entire long drawn out process 5 years ago only to be turned down by insurance company! This time I decided to skip All of that. My insurance policy will not pay for WLS under any circumstances! Wonder if they'll give me the money they will no longer have to pay for all the meds I'm on!!!!!!!!!! lol

Just got my weight ticker going. Hope it continues to go down. I have a long way to go!!!!!

Thanks for the info Roziecakes.

I don't understand why you have to lose weight before surgery. Also, what procedure did you have done? I ma having the lap-band. (I think ..if I am approved.)

As it was explained to me, losing weight before surgery accomplishes several things:

1) People who are obese / overweight sometimes have an enlarged liver, which makes surgery more difficult, losing some weight shrinks the liver.

2) The enlarged liver can also be fatty, and hard; and losing weight will soften it up.

3) The doctor can measure your level of commitment, and it helps you start to practice techniques that will help you when you get banded, and it starts you on the road to good eating habits and exercise habits.

Hope that helps, and yes, I got a lap band.

My surgery date is June 14th! Im so nervous but excited at the same time. Good luck to all my fellow June 2011 bandsters!!!

Be excited for your new life ahead! Although so far it hasnt been easy- still not ready to get back to work and its been a week, but i think i had a tougher time than most.

So I had to do a week of full liquids (protein shakes, soups, ices, applesauce, etc..all low fat/fat free and low sugar/sugar free variieties) Then the day before surgery it was clear liquids only like clear fruit juices, broth, sugar free ice pops etc.. Losing 5lbs before and eating low fat before surgery will shrink the liver, making your surgery easier to perform since they have to kinda move around the liver to do it. I also lost some weight during this time, but more importantly i think it helped me get used to not eating and chewing. I also think my hunger is well controlled from the prep. So I would highly recommend doing something like that on your own. I can give you more specifics if you're interested! GOOD LUCK!

Thanks so much and good luck to come!!

I had my preop appointment yesterday also. They did suggest eating healthy, walk, and try to lose a little more weight preop. No liquid diet required, except clear liquids one day prior to surgery (Sun 6/19). Hard to believe just a little over a week to go!