Hi all, I'm brand new to this forum as of today. I live in Lansing and am going through Sparrow Weight Management.

On Thursday I go in for my medical and behavioral assessments.

Does anyone have any idea how long it usually takes from that appointment to surgery? I know they'll require a 2 or 4 week liquid diet, (I forget which) beforehand.

I chose lapband because I worry about the malabsorption possibilities with bypass. I was waivering until I read someone else's post.

I think I'll be coming in here quite often and look forward to meeting/knowing many of you here. :cool:

I'm still waiting on insurance approval (BCBS). It's going on the 5th week so I'm hoping it will be soon!!!!! Once it comes back, I should be able to get a surgery date ASAP. Carrie, in the office, told me on Wednesday that they are scheduling for mid-March right now and that would work well for me so I'm hoping. Let me know once you get your date; we may end up in the same pre-op group.

That would be great to be in the same group:cool: I will definitely let you know.

Just got my date today - March 18th! I start the pre-op liquid diet next Thursday. Very excited, a little nervous. Jrob, what's your status?

Hey apeters, that's fantastic news! I just yesterday had my medical intake and on the 27th I meet Dr. Y, then they'll schedule me. So long story longer, I have no idea when.

How do you feel about doing 4 weeks of Optifast? I'm excited and nervous wondering too if I'll cheat and chew food.

Hey apeters, that's fantastic news! I just yesterday had my medical intake and on the 27th I meet Dr. Y, then they'll schedule me. So long story longer, I have no idea when.

How do you feel about doing 4 weeks of Optifast? I'm excited and nervous wondering too if I'll cheat and chew food.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, this will be the 3rd Optifast program I have done so I definitely know what to expect - except for the surgery in the middle of the program, of course! My personality has worked really well with this kind of diet, it is so clear-cut, it is easy for me to follow. It's when the choices are provided that I get into trouble. :biggrin:

Unfortunately, or fortunately, this will be the 3rd Optifast program I have done so I definitely know what to expect - except for the surgery in the middle of the program, of course! My personality has worked really well with this kind of diet, it is so clear-cut, it is easy for me to follow. It's when the choices are provided that I get into trouble. :biggrin:

Good luck with your remaining visits, I hope it all goes quickly! Post when you have news!

Just got my date today - March 18th! I start the pre-op liquid diet next Thursday. Very excited, a little nervous. Jrob, what's your status?

Just found out I'll be having surgery on April 28th. How did you 4 week Optifast go and more importantly, how did your surgery go?

The 4 week Optifast pre-op went fine, I lost about 15 pounds before surgery so that was nice. The surgery went well; I did stay an extra night because I had a few anesthesia-related side effects. No biggie, they just wouldn't let me leave till everything was ok. My roommate, also from SWMC, had lapband surgery an hour after me and she did great. She was ready to go home the next morning. I think it's such an individual thing; the care at Sparrow was phenomenal, can't say enough about their great staff. Just to keep my stress level up, though, I did have a last minute phone call from SWMC (30 minutes before leaving for the hospital) about an insurance issue. My only advice is to make sure everything is lined up before the day of; I couldn't believe it and had to just deep breathe and let it go to re-prepare for the surgery.

Congratulations on your date! When do you start the pre-op diet?

I start the pre-op on Thursday April 3rd, then have to go to the group meetings every Thursday in April. I guess I'm only doing 3.5 weeks of pre-op diet, so I won't complain! Congratulations on the 15 lbs! That's excellent news. Did you cheat AT ALL while on Optifast? Did you do 'one last meal'?

I'm getting banded at 10am. what time were you banded? If in the morning like me, how soon beforehand did you have to be at sparrow?

I'm sorry for all the questions, I don't go to SWMC until next week and hopefully then I'll remember my questions for them. lol

No, I understand the excitement and the questions. Been there! My surgery was scheduled for 1:30 and I had to be there at 10:30. I think 3 hours is standard. The time goes fairly quick though because there is a lot of action going on. The care at Sparrow was phenomenal, I think you will be pleased!

I did not cheat on Optifast but I'm such a rule follower, not in my nature. Not always a good thing. I didn't have a last meal, per se, but I did plan a week or so of my favorite meals, in reasonable quantities, just so I'd feel like I had a last chance to enjoy before the 5-6 weeks of limited options. I didn't gain any weight that week so I must have kept it reasonable. :sneaky:

I'll be at Sparrow tomorrow (and for the next 3 weeks)for the post-op class so we'll be in separate classrooms but we're all out in the waiting room together. If you hear my name, Anita, please say hello.

Take care!

Did you have just one overnight stay at Sparrow? How long were you off work? And, last question, why do you have to be at Sparrow on Thursdays?

sorry for all the questions.

Sorry for the confusion in my answer. I meant that I'd be at the SWMC on Thursday. I had 2 overnights after the surgery but that was due to my issues with the anesthesia. My roommate, also from SWMC, left the next morning, no issues. It was just me. Best to you as you begin the process....

I will be there tomorrow starting at 2pm! Hope to see you there Anita. My real name is Jeanette.

I'm at SWMC, and my surgery is on 4/28. After reading some of these posts, I'm going to double-check next week that everything is set with the insurance.

Yeah, certainly wouldn't want to stuck with the bill!

I'm still waiting on insurance approval (BCBS). It's going on the 5th week so I'm hoping it will be soon!!!!! Once it comes back, I should be able to get a surgery date ASAP. Carrie, in the office, told me on Wednesday that they are scheduling for mid-March right now and that would work well for me so I'm hoping. Let me know once you get your date; we may end up in the same pre-op group.

This makes me a sad panda, I have BCBS and my doctor hasn't gave Hurley all the stuff they need to hand in my packet. I keep calling the office and they say the doctor has my files and he is working on it.

This means I might have to wait for another 5 weeks? Yikes! :huh2: