Good Morning,

I am really new to all of this. I have a lot of questions, if anyone out there can assist me with procedure. I have been thinking about this for a very long time. As I have been on just about every diet out there. My problem is the exercising which I know to do it but the problem is my work schedule. I work graveyards and I am trying to make adjustments. I know that is a poor excuse but I need figure out to get this to work for me.

I need some suggestions, if anyone can assist that would be awesome.

My questions are:

1. How many times do you have to get a fill?

2. Does anyone get side effects like Nausea etc?

3. How long does the approval take?

4. How long is the procedure itself?

5. Is this outpatient procedure? Or in patient?

6. Do you have to prove you have sleep disorder?

7. Do most insurances approve the operation?

8. once the operation is done - do you have follow a strict diet? Like shakes? if so what kind?

9. Can you go back to work the next day or in my case Nights? once the procedure is done.

Any suggestions would be awesome

First, you should attend a seminar or consultation. Many of these things are answered and they give you reading material as well. However, I can tell you my expiriences.

I just had my lapband done 2 weeks ago. Most surgeons as well as mine say it takes on average 3 - 5 fills to get to the green zone. After surgery you will have a post opt appt, then 3 - 5 weeks you will have your first fill. Then you will have appts anywhere from every 2 weeks to every month until you are adjusted well. However, you may have to have fills and unfills until you get to your zone. Also, some people have to get adjustments occassionally after they get to green zone for many different reasons. So the aftercare is much more extensive. You want to pick a place that is close to you and you can continue aftercare. Do not pick a surgeon in a different state. If you cannot go for fills or emergency unfills quickly, you may have problems.

I havent had any problems but I read that a common side affect is reflux. If you are in the green zone I hear there are little problems if any but it mainly depends on if you are following the golden rules of the lap band.

I fought insurance for 3 years and ended up self pay. However, every state and every plan are very different. FYI - True Results will fight the insurance company for you. Every insurance complay has different criteria for approval. Some require a certain BMI. Others Require a high BMI as well as a co-morbility (sp?).

I was self pay, the proceedure was 45 minutes, out - patient. I needed a week off from work and felt pretty bad for 3 days. I have had 2 c-sections and a gall bladder proceedure but I felt this was the hardest. Others say it was very easy. However, most would say they could not return to work the next day. Plus you have to be on pain meds to manage the pain so working and driving would be a problem. A week is a good rule of thumb.

There is a pre-opt and post opt diet. However, every surgeon is very different. Pre-opt is anything from 1000 cal diet, adkinds diet (which I had to follow 2 weeks) or two weeks liquid shakes. Post opt is much more similiar across the board with liquids for 1 - 2 weeks, mushy foods for 2 weeks, then regular foods. I thought the pre opt was harder to follow. Post opt you dont have an appetite. or at least I didnt.

I would find a surgeon and attend a seminar locally if I were you. I did an individual consult with True Results and decided to go with them. It was a great process.

I hope that helped. Like I said, I am only a few weeks post opt, however, I spent alot of time investigating the proceedure. I read two books as well and read many things on the internet and this site.

They do say you have to work out 30 minutes a day after the proceedure. It is one of my Dr's rules. I used to work nights like you. It is a rough lifestyle and I gained most of my weight when I was at that job. Best wishes in your decision and journey.

(I havent updated my ticker but I have lost a total of 20.5 lbs in the pre-opt and 2 weeks since surgery).