I have so many questions.... I have my seminar on Nov 2, 2012. And I'm really really nervous! I'm deeply excited to see where this takes me but still nervous. I have questions I really want answered before I go... Like how long after the seminar can you have the surgery? Is the painbad? How long does it take to heal? How long before you are back to yourself again? What do I eat? What CAN I eat???? Someone help

Welcome! Nerves are normal. I'll do my best to answer your questions from my experience.

Like how long after the seminar can you have the surgery? That depends on your insurance and/or the WLS Program's requirements. From the day I took the seminar to my surgery date was 9 weeks, and that was considered fast since I used insurance. Most programs have requirements of seeing a dietician, psychologist, etc before you can schedule surgery. If you're using insurance, some require a 6 month pre-op supervised diet.

Is the painbad? My pain wasn't horrible, but I have a high pain tolerance. Everyone perception of pain is different. I was uncomfortable, and the incisions were sore, but it wasn't dire pain. The gas (air) pain post-op was probably the worst for me (pain in the shoulder/back from retained gas they use during surgery).

How long does it take to heal? I didn't feel fantastic until about 2 weeks post-op. I went back to work on post-op day 3. I was tired, felt sluggish, and the liquid diet wasn't my favorite thing in the world, but I made it through fine.

How long before you are back to yourself again? Like above, about two weeks.

What do I eat? This depends on your surgeon/program. My program called for Clear Liquids 2 days post-op, then two weeks full liquids, two weeks mushies, and two weeks of soft/easy to digest foods.

What CAN I eat???? Again, this depends on your doctor and program.

I'm also going thru insurance. So hopefully they don't make me go through a bunch of offering test and diets before hand! My husband will also be doing it same as me. I guess I'll find out more when I go to my seminar. Thank you so so much

You're welcome! Most surgeons have a checklist - certain tests you have to do before surgery. My program required me to see their in-house Endocrinologist. I had to do labs, ekg, psychologist, dietician, physical trainer, and of course the pre-op meeting with the nurse. Most programs will also want a Sleep Study and chest xray (I had mine done recently enough I didn't need to re-do them). I've also heard of programs requiring an endoscopy. But, each program is different. Hope you have a great experience!

I just went to one. I was told that most all insurance require the suervised 6 month diet by your Dr. a psychological assessment and a nutritional assessment (these are only good for 6 months). They handed out a list of insurance co and what they require.

Some insurance co like mine requires you to lose a % of your weight before they will approve it also.

I had Medicare, so they didn't require a 6 mth diet. So I had surgery exactly 3 weeks from my seminar. I also didn't have a pre op diet (which is rare). I was just told to eat a lite dinner the night before and nothing after midnight. I went to outback for ribs - thats what I considered lite back then! I stayed 1 nite in the hospital (required by Medicare) - your insurance will tell you whether you have to stay or can do OP. The pain was bearable - I had my liquid Vicodin, which I got refilled once. I don't work, but if I did, I think I would've been ready to go back after 1 week for a sitting job, maybe 2 for a more physical one.

My pre op diet sucked. I misread my booklet and thought it said 4 weeks of clear liquids and Protein Shakes. I literally starved the first 2 weeks, till I added tomato Soup (thought I was cheating and didn't ell my dr). Come to find out after many month and after re reading my post op directions, I was sposed to be on full liquids for 4 weeks (to include cream Soups, yogurt, pudding) and I wasn't cheating at all! After 3 weeks of liquids only, I cheated and added mashed potatoes. The best thing I ever had. I could've bought stock in KFC! Please don't make the same mistakes as I did tho - my first "real" food was Burger King cheeseburger. Ate the whole thing and felt nothing. Ate normally (just like pre band) for the first 2 fills and 4 mths. Then came my 3rd fill - it was "MAGIC". That's when I really started losing weight.

I eat everything, including bread, rice, Pasta. Alot of people can't tolerate them or are on a low carb diet. The only things my band won't tolerate is pizza crust, pineapple chunks, and pancakes (all the P's!) I just eat very little of it. When I go out for a meal (about 3x a week), I can eat about 1/4 - 1/3 of my meal and the rest comes home with me. I just got my restaurant card in the mail today (make sure you get one from your dr) (I've lost the last 2 I've had) which asks restaurants to serve you smaller portions or the kids menu. They charge you the kids price at buffet - it's really nice since I don't eat $12.00 worth of food - ever! The kids menu isn't very healthy, though, so you really have to be careful. I still go to buffets occasionally, only filling my plate once, taking a couple bites of everything.

You'll be fine. We're all anxious before surgery. The pain really isn't all that bad. The worst thing is the liquid diet, but if I can do it, anyone can!

Good luck!

Marci

Thank you so much that's was all very very helpful:)