:help: i am considering lap band and have a consultation in a couple wks. is there any thing that disqualifies you for surgery such as attitude, health, mental status? is there anyone out there who has had lapband through the va? wondering what the process was with va? any trouble with loosing muscle mass? i will probably have many questions through out the process. glad to know you are out there for support. i was wondering about juicing? i know the first couple weeks is liquid diet, it is ok to juice with a juicer?????

glad you are all there.

danielboone

:help: i am considering lap band and have a consultation in a couple wks. is there any thing that disqualifies you for surgery such as attitude, health, mental status? is there anyone out there who has had lapband through the va? wondering what the process was with va? any trouble with loosing muscle mass? i will probably have many questions through out the process. glad to know you are out there for support. i was wondering about juicing? i know the first couple weeks is liquid diet, it is ok to juice with a juicer?????

glad you are all there.

danielboone

Daniel,

There are a number of things that would disqualify you. A heart problem tops the list. As for mental health, they let me do it, didn't they? Many doctors say you need to be 100 lbs. overweight. More commonly, many more require that the BMI be 40 or over. Still, many people get the band without meeting those criteria. I don't know how the V.A. is, but most insurance companies (or policies) that do cover it, want you to have tried a number of diets, exercise programs, etc. as well as being under a doctor's care for obesity for six months to a year. Documentation is usually required.

Hope that helps.

Richard

Hey Richard,

thanks for the response. Yes, it was helpful. Just want to get healthy again.

danielboone

Hey Richard,

thanks for the response. Yes, it was helpful. Just want to get healthy again.

danielboone

The band is a great tool to do it. It isn't a cure for obesity. You still do the work, but it makes it possible where diets don't. I think it's the best option for a good percentage of overweight people. If you think it is right for you, GO FOR IT! Good luck, and keep us posted. Oh, and I would recommend going to a support group dinner in your area. It's great to talk to bandsters.

Juicing?.....nope. Too much sugar/carbs in juice. liquids needs to be non-carbonated, sugar-free liquids....liquid Protein supplements (the bariatric kind, not the jock kind) are your best choice along with broth, Jello, etc.

As for muscle mass.....again, the protein is important for the rest of your life.....80-100 grams/day help keep your muscles and your hair where they belong - along with good Vitamins.

Hi. I'm also new in this process. Just waiting results from the sleep test. It's scary but at the same time exciting!

Some doctors will refuse to band you if you have a hiatal hernia.

Some doctors will refuse to band you if you have a hiatal hernia.

Guys don't have hernias. We have himnias.

I wish getting proper protein were all it takes to keep from losing hair---but it isn't some of us do, some don't. I have maintained protein intake, and my hair is still falling out! BUT I am not hairless yet---and when it comes down to it---I have been hairless before---and survived! Will do it again!!!

My Dr. recommended limiting my juice intake, but it is allowed. In fact they brought me apple juice in the hospital following my banding. One thing you need to keep in mind with juice is the amount of acids in some fruits---and your pouch (especially when you reach restriction) will have it sitting in the pouch for extended periods of time, and sometimes it reacts to the acids.

I live by the motto "all things in moderation". Talk to your Dr., when you try something new, make it a very small amount....until you see how you react. Your new pouch will hold such a small amount, you need to really work to fill it with the best possible thing.

Pretty much anything that can disqualify you from other elective surgeries can side line this one. I have noticed though that since so many of those things ARE weight related, that they are much more willing to work with you.

Have you called and talked to anyone at the VA to see what they say?

Richard----that pun tells me why you have that name---it was wretched!!! Made me laugh!!!

Kat

Actually, Wretched Hyena is how yankees say my name, Richard Hayner. But what you didn't know is that my middle name is Cornelius, so I guess you could say middle name is Corny!