Last week I got orientation out of the way. I have 3 support groups to go to, my nutritional class is next week, and all my approval letters came in for my pre-op tests. Just have to make my appointments.

Now, tomorrow is my first appointment with my surgeon. My dad is going with me, and I'm glad because he is probably trying to show he supports me now. (I also still live with my parents and they are very involved in my life). I've made a list of questions I have for him including some risks, etc. I was told to bring up if I know of anyone who I am related to distant or immediate family who has had a bad reaction or allergy to Anesthesia. My mother has. Are there any other obvious questions I am probably forgetting?

Also, just wondering but I am getting tested or checked out for PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome) by a doctor on base tomorrow. If it turns out I do, will that stop me from having surgery? Just asking from anyone's experience having it and getting banded.

Any helpful tips or maybe questions that you found helpful to ask your surgeon or just ANY good tip would help so much, thank you!

Hi! Be sure to ask your doctor things like:

- what kind of band he uses,

- what his/her rules for pre-op and post-op diet are (how long on Clear liquids, how long on full liquids, how long on mushies),

- whether the band is installed with a fill,

- how many fills it takes most of his/her patients to get to good restriction,

- what his/her philosophy is on fills (when can you come in for your first one and how often you can come in until you get to good restriction), and

- whether s/he has recommendations for things you can do now to prepare for your new bandster lifestyle.

I know a few bandsters who had PCOS and who got banded in part to get their weight down to address that problem. Because of that, I don't think it would be a bar to you having the surgery.

Also -- if you haven't done it yet, take your measurements! And, take a bunch of before photos. You will definitely want them as you go through this process! I really regret not having more "before" photos, since I cropped the heck out of any photos I had when I was at my heaviest. It's helpful and inspiring to be able to see the contrast as you are losing.

I hope that helps! Best wishes for lots of success!!

Catherine

Hi! Be sure to ask your doctor things like:

- what kind of band he uses,

- what his/her rules for pre-op and post-op diet are (how long on clear liquids, how long on full liquids, how long on mushies),

- whether the band is installed with a fill,

- how many fills it takes most of his/her patients to get to good restriction,

- what his/her philosophy is on fills (when can you come in for your first one and how often you can come in until you get to good restriction), and

- whether s/he has recommendations for things you can do now to prepare for your new bandster lifestyle.

I know a few bandsters who had PCOS and who got banded in part to get their weight down to address that problem. Because of that, I don't think it would be a bar to you having the surgery.

Also -- if you haven't done it yet, take your measurements! And, take a bunch of before photos. You will definitely want them as you go through this process! I really regret not having more "before" photos, since I cropped the heck out of any photos I had when I was at my heaviest. It's helpful and inspiring to be able to see the contrast as you are losing.

I hope that helps! Best wishes for lots of success!!

Catherine

Thank you Catherine! Some of my supportive friends have suggested it and I am most likely going to devote a whole photo album to my "weight loss journey" on facebook. I'm definitely going to take a pre-op photo (at least 1) and definitely right after the surgery and continue on. I think I'll definitely take my measurements and take records of it all. My doctor has covered a LOT of those questions already at the orientation when he spoke. He uses both bands and since a lot of people have been throwing out a lot about the Realize Band, I'm back to undecided.

Thank you! You were incredibly helpful!!

Kayleigh