I've read some of the threads about loosing weight before surgery "getting rid of the fat on the liver'???

does anyone know if you qualify for the lap band if you have Hep C? i know they require blood tests - how about biopsy's?

i haven't seen anything about quitting smoking either?

i have come up with some other questions...

1. what is this "programs that insurance doesn't cover? gym membershiip and such?

2. why do you have to loose 10% of your body weight before surgery? at my weight that would be 35 or more pounds.

3. Pre Op liquid Diet? is this something the doc prescribes? what does it consist of? or do you just blend everything in a blender?

4. have any of you experienced the shakes/dizzy feeling, from being on the liquid diet?

5. although i have "tried" to eat better in the past, I haven't really went on a "diet" for any length of time. will the doctor refuse to do the surgery because of this?

6. I have an HMO through Medicaid (NJ) Horizon NJ Health. Does anyone know if they cover the post-op procedures such as "Fills" or anything else?

thanks

susan

Edited August 27, 200817 yr by MISS.SUSAN

as for hep c i have no idea...

as for smokeing... you ABSOLUTLY have to quit... not only could it do harm to your band, whats the point in fixing your weight but continuing to damage your lungs... This is a life change... If your not willing to quit smoking i wouldn't consider it. But if you are more power to ya, all your going to do is benifit your life in two ways instead of just one!

Good luck!

Hep C should not be a problem. You should notify your dr so that they will be more compliant with infection protocol, but other than that I cannot imagine that it would be a problem. Hep C is not nearly as systemic as B, so your liver should be in relatively decent condition.