Well, finally the day came and I got to meet with my doctor for the very first time. I absolutely love him...he has such a great bedside manner. He took time to answer all of my questions (all 20 something of them) and spent more than an hour with me explaining the lapband process and was actually happy to see me pull out a whole list of questions! :faint:

So, now I have a class that I have to attend on 3/22 that covers nutrition and exercise. It is a requirement and cost $300, which is not covered by my insurance. The class is from 8:30am-1:30pm and apparently we are supposed to cover pre- and post-op nutrition information. There is also information regarding exercise...has anyone else had to attend something like this?

Also, my insurance requires a psych eval. I have called the office of the doctor I have been referred to and left two messages as we seem to be playing phone tag. Can anyone who has had to have a psych eval tell me what I might expect?

Seems like the ball is finally rolling...:clap2:

Thank you all so much for your responses. It helps so much to know that there are others out there that have the same questions and are experiencing the same things that I am. Everyone at this site has been so helpful.

As far as my progress, I am still trying to get an appointment for the psych eval. I cannot seem to get ahold of anyone at their office. If I can't get them by tomorrow, I think I'll call my insurance and find my own doctor to do my psych eval instead of the doctor the surgeon has referred me to. He said I could if I wanted anyway, but I thought I would use his referral as I thought it would speed things up...seems like it is just slowing me down. GRR!

Anyway...good luck everyone. I am rooting for you all!

My advice is to call around for things that are not covered by insurance. For example, my surg, office reffered me to a psy. who charged $225 and didn't have an opening for 3 weeks. I called around and found on that charged only $75 and could see me the next day. Just try to do your own leg work and not rely totally on referras if money and/or timeliness is an issue for you. BEST OF LUCK TO YOU. I am waiting to be banded, too, and it is an exciting but stressful time!

WooHoo! I FINALLY got my psych eval scheduled. Just as I was researching other doctors, the one I had initially tried to contact finally called me back. :clap2: I have by psych eval scheduled for 3/27. So, after the nutrition class on 3/22 and the psych eval on 3/27, my surgeon can submit my info to the insurance company for approval. They said my insurance (United Healthcare) typically takes 2 weeks to approve. THEN, maybe I'll have a surgery date. I am so excited!!

Thank You so much kim. I am so glad you are doing well and i appreciate the detailed info on the band and etc. I will keep in touch and keep you updated.

Lea

Hi Lea!

I feel great. The surgery was easy- I was asleep. My guess is almost everyone gets unnerved by the pre-surgery and anisthesia. Just talk to the nurses and people around you- information defuses fear.. and before you know it you'll be waking up in post-op. I was allowed to go home if I wanted, but chose to stay. I was happy I did... I needed some extended help with some IV painkillers and anti-nausea meds. I was deternmined not to throw up- I've always hated to do that. (still haven't to this day) I had my last pain meds at 3:30 in the a.m. and never had any more after that. Just start walking and walking every few hours. Helps to get the gas moving. Not pretty, but a reality.

I went home the next morning, got better every day. Same things you read about on other postings...soreness, gas, hard to get in the liquids... went back to work in 5 days, part time. Take the time to get your strength back. By the end of the second week I was almost 100%. There are as many different experiences as there are folks who have been banded, this is just mine.

My restriction was good for the first three weeks, and there is nothing better in the world for someone who has struggled with weight loss than to feel full and satisfied! Weeks 4 and 5 before my fill got difficult, felt great, but could eat anything again, and I was determined not to give back my initial 12 pound loss! I stepped up the exercise and held in for my fill.

About my first fill-I wish I had asked this question myself.. I was such a wreck the day I went, (last Friday 3/09) and it was really easy.

I weighed in, shared with him I didn't have any restriction... he asked a few more questions and said "are you ready"- I was so worried about the pain. I'm babbling on about "no numbing meds?" and he's palpating my incisions and port area. He swabbed my belly and made me promise not to move my arms while he put in the needle. I was really upset. What a waste of energy. The feeling around he did of my port area with his hands hurt more that the thin needle. There was pressure as the needle hit the top and side of the port. He found it after about 40-60 seconds pulled out the fluid, checked it and put it back with an additional 1 cc all in about 30 secoonds. There was a little "tickling" sensation as the liquid pushed back into the band. He had me swallow a dixie cup of water when he was finished. And I was off, wishing I had researched it more myself and not been so apprehensive... huh, apprehensive?..who am I kidding, I was a total Wuss!

I have good restricton- 4 days out from the fill. I'm still on mushies until tommorrow. I hope it stays, but I certainly won't be worried about my next fill in 4 weeks. The rest of my story is still to be written, but I get great inspiration and information from all the people on LBT. If you need to know it, someone can help.

Keep in touch and GOOD LUCK!

I will be anxious to hear how it all goes for you.

About the site... if you see someone whose information you enjoy, you can click on their screen name and see all of their previous posts. This allows you to read a lot more from people that sound like they are having a similar experience to yours.

Kim :kiss2:

223ps/217s/203t/135g

banded 1/30/07

first fill 3/09/07

Kim, Thank you so much for all your detailed info on the band. I am glad to hear you are doing well. I will keep you updated. I go tomorrow to the info siminar at the hospital and give them my insurance info. I have medicaid and medicare so i am sure i will have to fight it. Thanks Lea

Hi it's lea, sorry I haven't wrote. I went to my doctor to see if i am a candidate. Yes but i have decided on bypass. It is more for me I guess. How are you doing? love to hear from u. I put a pic up of me. write soon.

Can you give me any advice on the mental exam? How are u feeling? Just nervous I have mine thursday. I am not crazy but don't want to mess this up.