I am seriously considering having this procedure done. But, because of distance, income, and benefit constrictions I would like to ask a few questions of those who have been there. I would seriously hate to wast a full day driving to Las Vegas only to find that I cannot afford to meet the pre-op requirements.

1: How many times a week or month did you have to see your doctor or dietitian during the counseling period?

2: In general, sans complications, what is the recovery period....how long before I could go back to work at a desk job?

3: How often will I have to see my dr in the period immediately after the surgery?

I am quite sure that everyone is different, but I am looking for generalities from which I can piece together some probabilities to base my plans on

1. My surgeon is 8.5 hours away from where I live, and I think that it was very worth the expense. I made sure that the office knew how far I was driving, and they made accomodations for me to come in and do all of the pre-op stuff in a span of three days, and one drive down. I had one more pre-op consult the day before my surgery.

I am down here in California for a week, because my doctor wants to see me a week after the band was placed, which will be the 15th. Then I will be driving home.

So my advice would be to make sure that your office is aware how far that you have to drive and see if they can make arrangements for you to get everything done quickly, or at least to work with your schedule.

2. I also work a desk job. I work from home, so I'm able to work while I'm here in California. Today is my first day back to work, and I am 3 days post-op. I have been walking A LOT though, I think that's what's helped me have less pain, especially gas pain after surgery. And even before I was back to work today, I was on the computer using forums and answering email yesterday at 2 days postop.

Remember though, that we are all different, some people have too much pain, some have none, some take a couple of weeks, it's hard to tell until you actually get the band, and it depends on your age and health before hand.

3. I saw my doctor right after surgery, and then I have an appointment to see him next week. I think that if I were having complications, I could probably call and get in to the office whenever I wanted.

Hope that helps!

1: How many times a week or month did you have to see your doctor or dietitian during the counseling period?

My insurance required that I was on a Dr. supervised diet for 6 months prior to being able to submit for insurance approval. I was able to see my own primary physician once a month to document this.

With regard to the surgeon, I saw him once for the initial consult then again pre-op. The bariatric program I was part of required me seeing a psychiatrist, nutritionist and go to 2 support groups. Then once I was approved for surgery I had to go to a behavior modification class and a 3 hour pre-op class.

2: In general, sans complications, what is the recovery period....how long before I could go back to work at a desk job?

I was lucky, I had no post surgical complications. My doctor wanted me off for 2 weeks. I could have gone back to work about a week after surgery but I would have been every tired and I was still sore. I had a lot of vacation and sick time built up so I took the full 2 weeks. I'm glad I did. I am almost completely healed!

3: How often will I have to see my dr in the period immediately after the surgery?

I had to see my surgeon 7-10 days after surgery. Now again in 4-6 weeks and then 3 and 6 months. Then every 6 months after that unless I need a fill.

I am seriously considering having this procedure done. But, because of distance, income, and benefit constrictions I would like to ask a few questions of those who have been there. I would seriously hate to wast a full day driving to Las Vegas only to find that I cannot afford to meet the pre-op requirements.

1: How many times a week or month did you have to see your doctor or dietitian during the counseling period?

I haven't had the surgery yet, but am very close. I started this whole process in February. I see the surgeon once a month (for insurance purposes) then I had to see a series of specialist (cardiologist, pulmonary specialist, nutritionist, and physc -3 visits) This is my experience so far.

2: In general, sans complications, what is the recovery period....how long before I could go back to work at a desk job?

3: How often will I have to see my dr in the period immediately after the surgery?

I am quite sure that everyone is different, but I am looking for generalities from which I can piece together some probabilities to base my plans on