Good Morning to All,

Well...I just talked with my surgeon's office. I'm scheduled for surgery July 24th! I'm very excited...and a little nervous...but I know that this endeavor...in the end...will be all worth it.

Ok...time to come clean, per se. I have not been watching what I eat or exercising up to this point. I used the excuse that I did not want to give the insurance company ammunition against me (You lost 15lbs...you can do it w/o surgery) and I always saying to myself, "Once I get a date, I'll start." So...now I have a date...I'm buying a new pair of comfy shoes this weekend and getting my butt on the treadmill. I figure if I get my body used to exercise again...it can only help me post op.

The question I have is...is it important to try and lose some weight before the surgery? I've heard something about shrinking the liver...but my thought was about shrinking the stomach. I'm wondering if I lose some lbs...and get the stomach to shrink a little...that it might help with my first 6 weeks...as in less stomach shrinkage post surgery equates to having more of a restricitve feeling...and less hunger. Does that make sense...or is that just wishful thinking?

Also...on a side note...I went to a support meeting at my hospital the other night...maybe 50 people in there...and not one w/ the band. It's the second support meeting I've been to and have only met one person with the band...and she was only 2 weeks post op. Is this common in other parts of the country with support meetings...99.999% RNY?

Anyway..any insights and thoughts...as always...are greatly appreciated.

Have a good day.

Bud In Indy

Yes...shrinking the liver is the key... to not having to do an full-open surgery (being cut chest to belly). AND look at it this way... if you lose 15 lbs... thats 15 lbs closer to your goal! But yes, it does help with surgery and recovery.

I think that shrinnking the liver definately helps with the surgery... exercise has been proven to help with recovery. I also think that dieting before the surgery will mentally/physically prepare you for it. Shrinking the stomach may help you deal with the liquid diet after. I'm very happy I went on the diet before. Never mind losing the 10 pounds!

My dr. also said it had more to do with shrinking the liver. I'd "cheated", so to speak after being put on high Protein, low carb, low fat diet, because my daughter got married & I ate at the rehearsal dinner and reception. I was so worried about it, I called the office and they told me they weren't so much concerned with what I'd eaten as they were that I get my Protein shakes daily. I was to have 2/day, but after the cheating weekend, I did 3 a day until my surgery 2 days ago. All went well. The Protein drinks filled me up, so I actually didn't eat a whole lot before the surgery. My dr put me on the pre-op diet 2 weeks before the surgery and if yours does the same thing, then you've got a little time.

As far as the ins. co. goes, I'd say if they already approved you, then don't worry about them anymore. They all know that most of us have the capability of losing weight -- that's not always where the problem comes in, but it's keeping that weight off that is such a battle, and the ins. co. is aware of this.

Congratulations!!! You're on your way! Good luck:)

BudinIndy

I will have to go on a 2 wk pre op diet to shrink the liver - Dr said it made his job eaiser.. (stomach sits behind the liver)

As to Support group - I am lucky they are just starting one at my Dr's Office - Went last week 3 banded and 3 of us pre-banders. He (doctor) said that he had done about 30 so far - in the past he was totally by-pass as this is what insurance use to only cover and that up to just recently the data wasn't there for the lapband as far as success and now it is. The nutristionst said today that in the past is was all about bypass but now it's all about lapband. So I suggest that you talk to your doctor about starting a lap band support group - and I think this site is a great great help if you can't find one. but i understand - it's alot eaiser to talk than type :0)

Dear BudinIndy...

I would think anything that you do before the surgery will be of great help...I went on two liquid diet pre-op to shrink the liver...The walking on treadmill will be great, like you said, you will get your body use to the exercise....Sounds like you have a great attitude and you are so ready for the surgery....

I don't know about the support group meeting....ours is all people that have lap-band...I don't think that anyone there has had RNY....I am not sure about this, but from the people that I have met and spoke with, they had the lap-band...

Good luck...hope all goes well....

Good Morning to All,

The question I have is...is it important to try and lose some weight before the surgery?

Bud In Indy

My surgeon did not require a pre-op diet as he is highly experienced with large livers during surgery. That being said, shrinking the liver some would not hurt a thing. As far as trying to shrink your stomach...trust me, that will come with the procedure itself. I am only 10 days post op and the band itself, even though there is no fill, coupled with the amount of abdominal swelling, will effectively restrict you. I would have never been able to tolerate a clear liquid diet for 10 days had it not been for the fact that I have had a constant feeling of being "satisfied". I have only felt hunger pangs twice since surgery, and that was easily relieved with a cup of chicken broth both times.

As far as exercising, YES, start now. I did not, and I am paying for it dearly. I really wished I would have started some minimal regimen prior. I wish you the best of luck in your journey!