So I went to my PCP yesturday and my doctor suggested that I have the lapband surgery do to my medical problems that I have recently been having. I was a little excited and nervous. I scheduled my appointment with the GI today. I was wondering if anyone could tell me all the procedures that come before having the Lapband, and what I will need to do before getting the surgery?? How long does it take from the day your dr first sent you to the GI doctor??? Thanks sooo much!!

From what I have gathered, the process is different for everyone depending on your particular program. I went from my PCM to the Psych/Nutrition Evals, then to the Surgeon, next to my PCM for clearances, then to the Cardiac clearance, then pre-surgical testing (labs, x-ray, EKG) and finally to surgery. There were of course the main seminar, an orientation, and a pre-surgical group consult that I attended as well. I never had to deal with the GI though. My total time from first seminar to surgery day was 5 months. My insurance did not require a 6 month supervised diet. Good luck - it's a long process, but very worth it!

Edited March 4, 200917 yr by mellygirl

For me it took 8 months from start to finish. I was banded december 19th. I had my seminar april 08, then I went to my first appt with the rn of weight loss surgery who explained it all to me, then to my 1st dietician visit. I had 6 in all with the dietician. I had my psyche eval in june 08 and a week later I had the results of that. Then I received a letter that said I was excepted into the program. I always keep up with my medical so the only thing I needed to have was a blood test called hpylori ( to make sure you dont have stomach ulcers) . I had to have an ekg, a pre-op physical , a pap smear. And that was it for me. But every state and every doctor has different requirements. I have no regrets and I am now down from 215 lbs to 178 lbs and very happy with my weight loss. I would do this again in a heart beat..

goodluck and keep me posted

I was self pay, went to the free seminar in june of 07 and had surgery scheduled for Aug 31st. They found a parathyroid problem during the pre op testing, and I had to have surgery for that before I could continue. so it set me back. I had all kinds of labs, ekg, cardiac testing,, think that was it. I had my lap band surgery on jan 3 of 08. It was worth every moment of waiting and testing.

Best of Luck.

Lois