My surgery has already been approved. I will meet my Doctor for the first time tomorrow, September 16, 2013. Anyone have any advice? I'm just uncertain of what to expect and what I need to accomplish on a first visit. Very excited but scared! Is being scared normal? Thank you to anyone who replies!!!

Hi there, very excited for you. I have my psych eval and nutritionist appointments this week then the appointment with the surgeon will be booked -- following that the date for the actual surgery. Maybe we will be Bansters together! I think it would be abnormal not to feel a bit nervous. I get worried that I won't qualify for some reason but I know that's silly -- so long as my BMI is 40+ I will be fine. I am a bit borderline, however, so that's been a stressor. Hopefully some others can tell you better what to expect tomorrow. I plan to ask a lot about after-care -- the fills, etc. I have a notebook to write down everything -- my own questions as well as things said in the appointments that I may forget later. Good luck -- let us know how it goes!

My surgery has already been approved. I will meet my Doctor for the first time tomorrow, September 16, 2013. Anyone have any advice? I'm just uncertain of what to expect and what I need to accomplish on a first visit. Very excited but scared! Is being scared normal? Thank you to anyone who replies!!!

Info, info and more info. I see too many newbies on this site who seem to have no idea what to expect. Make sure you know what the protocol is for any preop diet and all postop instructions related to what you can eat, and especially when you can eat it. There are so many different instructions that you must be sure of what your doctor wants you to follow. Make sure you know as much as possible, what to expect in terms of recovery and related symptoms so you don't get nervous if there's no reason to, but you also can spot potential issues as soon as they come up. Find out who gives fills and when. Find out about being able to reach someone in case you are too tight, or have other band issues. Follow up care is as much if not more important than the surgery itself. Find out if there is a nutritionist available so you can discuss any and all food related issues/concerns or just general health questions. Good luck to you and remember, ask questions no matter how silly they may seem. The more you know, the better your outcome.

My doctor gave me a packet that answered most questions. You'll do great.

Good luck with everything. I never researched anything and didn't find this site until after the surgery. My lung doctor made my appointment and told me you are getting the band. My surgeon's office gave me a huge booklet with every step of the process in it and everyone's phone number's, emails etc. I just followed all the rules because I was afraid of what could happen if I did something wrong. Too many people go through the with surgery and don't follow 'Their' doctor's rules. My doctor and yours most likely do things differently, so listen to yours. Everyone on this wonderful site will help you, honestly. Don't be offended by the truth. If you make a slip up, tomorrow is another day, don't kill yourself over it.

Enjoy your new journey. I love my new and better, healthy life.

Arlene

my dr gave me a packet ( i had researched a lot) and i had resources i could call in the office : office nurse, dietitian, exercise physiologist, etc they posted website, regular and after hrs numbers, resources..it has been good to have that. deb