I attended the informational meeting Jan. 22, 2007 and will "finally" have my "mental evalutation" on March 30, 2007. I have yet to meet with the physician but I am told that will happen after my "evaluation". It seems to me like this is taking awhile but since everything is out of my ins. network it takes time for all the referrals. I have a couple questions...has anyone had their lapband performed at MeritCare in Fargo, ND? Also, what is the shortest time span possible between the surgery and actually returning back to work? I am excited and "kinda nervous" about the actual surgery but I am so looking forward to beining the person I used to be to my husband and 3 wonderful kids. I have found this site to be helpful with many things I questioned. I thought I was the only one who didn't want people in my life to know I am doing this...but I see I am not....Thanks!!

i had surgery on a Friday and was back to work on Monday.

I attended the informational meeting Jan. 22, 2007 and will "finally" have my "mental evalutation" on March 30, 2007. I have yet to meet with the physician but I am told that will happen after my "evaluation". It seems to me like this is taking awhile but since everything is out of my ins. network it takes time for all the referrals. I have a couple questions...has anyone had their lapband performed at MeritCare in Fargo, ND? Also, what is the shortest time span possible between the surgery and actually returning back to work? I am excited and "kinda nervous" about the actual surgery but I am so looking forward to beining the person I used to be to my husband and 3 wonderful kids. I have found this site to be helpful with many things I questioned. I thought I was the only one who didn't want people in my life to know I am doing this...but I see I am not....Thanks!!

Hi Fellow North Dakotan!!

I did not have my surgery in North Dakota, so I can't be of any help to you there. But I was back to my "desk job" in one week. I didn't know Fargo had any doctor's who did the lap band, they didn't when I was researching. Good luck!!!

It took me a week to get back to work. The first couple of days weren't so bad but then the gas pains hit and I was in alot of pain. Everyone varies, as you can see. Some people go right back to work and some people are out for a week or two. It just depends on how fast you heal.

Good luck to you. You won't regret it.

But I have not had surgery YET. I went through all the requirements at Meritcare, had a consultation with the surgeon last summer. They just started doing lap band surgery at Meritcare in September. At any rate, my insurance turned down my request and also denied my appeal. Another problem was that if I had my surgery somewhere else, Meritcare won't do the fills.

I just today talked to a doctor's office in Minnesota, and for the life of her, she can't figure out why I was declined. My BMI is 38 not 40, but I have sleep apnea. Anyway, I am getting together all of my medical records and sending to this doctor in Minnesota. If she can get me approved, groovy. If not, I am having it done in Bismarck (a little less expensive) and paying for it myself.

All the research I have done indicates that you would normally be off work approximately 1 week. Some places say 2-3 days, but mostly I have heard a week. I plan to NOT tell my co-workers why I am going to be gone.

I will probably be attending support group at Meritcare even though my surgery won't be there.

Hello!! I am in Bismarck, ND. My surgery is on May 10th.

I can't wait!!!!!!!

They told me that return to work is usually within 3-4 days.

I am scheduled for surgery at Fargo MeritCare on Tues, May 22. Hope it goes good.