I have made up my mind and am ready to ge the lap band done! I am only 29 and I feel like I have no energy to do a damn thing! I have 5 kids and really excited to get some of this weight off me to be able to run around with them outside! I was wondering if someone can tell me what to expect at the seminar?

It's probably a little bit different everywhere you go, but for me - it was a LOT different than I had expected.

The seminar I went to was in the auditorium of a hospital. There were about 100 people in attendance, a surgeon who spoke, two nurses who spoke, and we watched about 20 minutes worth of a movie from previous patients.

In the beginning of the seminar, we were given packets to fill out of our medical history, as well as insurance information and basic goals.

From there, you had in your paperwork and wait for the bariatric center to call and schedule you for your initial appointments. It was almost 3 weeks to the day from the orientation/seminar to the 1st visit.

Hope this helps a bit. I'm (im)patiently waiting for next monday when I have my surgery consult!

Mine was pretty simple. Lasted approx 45 min. The surgeon introduced himself and his staff. He then went over the Lap Band and the Bypass and described in detail each procedure and used pictures/video (not overly graphic) to see. I enjoyed it and felt good about my decision. With my clinic, I could have done it in a group setting or alone via internet. (I chose to view it alone on my lap top). Once I completed it, I then met with the clinic and notified my insurance and progressed to where I am now.

Thanks so much ! I have so many questions running thur my mind at this point! ugh feels like I am going to drive myself crazy!

you will be fine I am sure. just go and view the material. set your appt and make that decision to make yourself well.

Well nothing is going to stop this! I am soo ready to be thin again! lol Did you have to do a pre op diet>?

No, not yet. I have had to do a 6 month dr visit and I have just finished month #2. I am (assuming) I will have to before surgery (which I hope to be in July or first week of August). But I am making changes now. After meeting w/nutritionist, I am not waiting to change what and how much I eat. I am doing that now and have lost 20 pounds since last month.

Ohh I see. I have mentally started watching what I am eating and how much as well as drinkking more water! I feel alot better just doing that!

that is all you can do. start seems to be a hard word. so you started. that is the first step in the right direction. just continue w/little changes and do this for YOU.

Be careful of losing weight prior to your initial weigh-in if you are on the verge of 40 BMI. I actually had to gain about 10lb to be at the minimum with no comorbidities (although I had high blood pressure and high cholesterol, I didn't take meds for them and the practice thought that could be an issue). When I got the green light that is was okay to lose weight again, I did.

Oh no I am a lil over the 40 make so maybe I better be careful! How did your surgery go? Hope all is well!

I am from Spotsylvania Virginia ! I have not had any testing done yet! however Feb 6 I had an ekg and stress test on my heart so I guess I am hoping they can use that test instead of making me do them again! Did you have to do a pre op diet?

Also, congrats to you as well!

Does everyone have to do a diet be4 surgery?

Keep ur heard up cause it sure will be worth it in the end!!!!!

you don't have to worry about losing weight, go ahead lose as much as you want. take a look at a BMI chart. you're short like me, we could both lose b4 surgery!

it will make you feel and look good!

you will have lots of doc visits b4 the surgery, a shrink visit to make sure you can handle losing weight( and are willing to make the commitment we make). It will feel like a long time getting ready but it is so worth every minute!

Congrats on making a life changing decision!

i had united health care - no pre-op diet - nothing more than proving 5 years at 40 or higher BMI (i had no co-morbid conditions or health problems). I was on the operating table exactly 3 months to the day i attended the seminar. If you want to speed everything along - do what i did and move everything else in your schedule so you can take the very first appointment available for everything you have to do - surgeon consult, nutritionist, psychologist etc. BEST OF LUCK TO US ALL ON OUR JOURNEYS!!!!!

Thanks everyone for being so supportive. I have cleared my schedule to get all appts as asap! I am so excited and so ready =) Best of luck too us all!