:help:Hello out there!

I have been doing a good amount of research online about the lap-band procedure - and have literally tried I think every diet out there. I have never had to do liquid diets in my life - and a little scared about what to expect for surgery and the after-surgery life.

Any tips? I am also a little concerned about complications and have never had a major surgery before.

If anyone is out there who can give feedback or advice - I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks!

Amy

Hi Amy, The best thing to do is go to the seminar. You can find out a lot from doing that. I am being done on the 16th January and I have been doing heaps of research on the forums to find out as much as I possibly can. I am a little nervous but also excited. Make sure you know before being done what you can drink and eat before you have surgery. I have noticed that a lot of people on the forums don't seem to have a plan from their Drs. Good luck.

Saleel22

Hi Amy...

The best thing you can do, is what you are doing. Do you research. Ask people who have had the procedure done. When you go to the seminar, make sure ALL of your questions are answered, and make sure a support group is available, and a nutritional consultation is offered. Believe it or not, the nutritional consult, was the most educational part of my pre-op preparation. That is where you learn about any pre-op diet required (my doctor requires a 48 hour, pre-op, clear liquid diet), and exactly what you will be able to eat 1 week post-op, 3 weeks post-op, 6 weeks post-op, etc. This is where you really learn about your new post-op daily life style.

As for the surgery itself, I can only tell you the results of my personal research. You, of course, should do your own. The Lap-Band surgery is a fairly safe procedure. There are many pre-certification tests you will be required to get (psy. evaluation, pulminary function test, internal medicine clearance, etc.), so that by the time you are medically approved for the surgery, it is a pretty safe bet, you are medically ready for it.

As for complications..no one can predict that. Your doctor will tell you all of the possible complications. If you follow all instructions, and do not "cheat", you, of course, minimize any chances for complications, but you can never be assured there will be none. The reading through the various lap band forums, I think you will find most complications are minor, and temporary.

I hope some of this info helps. Keep up the research, and visit more than one doctor, if you have to.