Hi everyone,

I'm new :thankyou: I'm 33, from the northern virginia area, female, and just starting to get on track for lap-band surgery. I have a consult on Wednesday... I've done some homework and I'm lucky enough to have insurance that will cover much of this.

My stats: 5'5" / 240lbs

My questions:

1. Is there any physical exam during the initial consult with the doctor/surgeon?

2. Can I wear some sort of bra *during* surgery? I'm a 44DD+ and I really don't want to wake up feeling self-conscious/worried about "being out there." I know this may seem trivial compared to all the issues around surgery, but if anyone can shed some light on this, I would really appreciate it.

3. How soon after surgery can you drive? Will I need to have someone stay with me after the first day?

Okay, that's it for now. Looking forward to reading your stories and hearing from you!

Peace101

I'm sure the initial consult varies considerably from doctor to doctor, but in my case, the doctor looked at my stomach and probed around to see if he thought I was a good candidate for laparoscopic surgery. Other than that, my consult was mostly a conversation (followed later by appointments with a dietician, exercise specialist, a blood workup/ekg, and a psych eval).

Ask your doctor about the bra when you go in for the consult... I'd be pretty surprised if they allow you to wear a bra during surgery. Remember, they've seen it ALL, and they're not going to bat an eye at your girls. :thankyou:

You'll want to take it easy for at least the first 3 or 4 days after surgery. I was on Tylenol with codeine for 4 days post-op, so of course I waited to drive until the narcotics were out of my system. I didn't feel 100% until I was 2 weeks out, but I could have done without help at home after 4 days. It's hard to say how quickly you'll bounce back, so line up some extra help just in case. You can always send the help home early.

Good luck with your research!

Welcome to LBT and congratulations on the decision to have the surgery. Its definitely improved my life :thankyou:

For me, there was not a physical exam with the surgeon, but I'm assuming all surgeons are different.

About the bra thing, two of my incisions were under/around where my bra line is. As such, it probably wouldn't be a great idea, but of course, you can always ask - no harm in that

I was driving 3 days after surgery, but avoiding all bumps cause gosh they hurt lol.

Good luck with it all!

Hi Peace - and WELCOME to LBT!

My answers will be basically the same as the others...

for the consultation, the doctor looked, felt around my abdomen. Then we went in to his office for the consulting part.

About the bra, you can always ask the hospital staff for permission to wear it. After surgery, my bra was extremely uncomfortable to wear - due to the locations of the incisions. I think this lasted a week. During the first week post op, I had to go bra-less quite a bit - something I am NOT comfortable doing. But I survived it.

And about the driving - I would think that after 24 hours it would be safe. But Im sure your doctor will give you all of this infomation. I didnt need anyone once I went home. Hubby and kids were bouncing around if I needed anything, but for the first 2 days post op, I was very groggy from the anesthesia/pain med... so I was happy being left alone.

Good luck, and if you need anything else, just ask!

Dont worry about your boobs, they've seen it all. I went in with a gown on which I'm sure they removed and put back on me, but they'd drape you all with sterile drapes so only the bit they're working on will be exposed. It's not like you're going to be lying stark naked on the table in front of everyone for an hour.

1. Is there any physical exam during the initial consult with the doctor/surgeon?

NO

2. Can I wear some sort of bra *during* surgery? I'm a 44DD+ and I really don't want to wake up feeling self-conscious/worried about "being out there." I know this may seem trivial compared to all the issues around surgery, but if anyone can shed some light on this, I would really appreciate it. NO BRA'S ALLOWED DURING SURGERY

3. How soon after surgery can you drive? DEPENDS ON YOU AND HOW YOU FEEL.... Will I need to have someone stay with me after the first day? again depends on how you feel..