curious about the pre op steps

I had my consultation with Dr. S. but with nerves and my hubby asking a lot of questions, I realise that I didn't ask some very important questions.   Reading through the posts, I am confused and I will ask away in case some of you can answer (i'm sure you can!)

1. Dr. S said ok, sign here and we're going with the lap band.  At that point, I thought it was a sure thing, right?   The reason I ask is that I fell upon a message that the bandsters said "I hope the nurse approves my weight loss" and I was assuming that if she didn't, no surgery.   Is that true?

2. Also, I'm not sure what the referral letter was for, posted by charlinemc.  Do I need to prepare something for the surgery to be covered or is it all taken care of on their side through medicare?

3. Dr. S. didn't mention did I need to lose weight prior to the op.  Needless to say, that we are changing our lifestyle to start adapting to our new lifestyle however I'm afraid that the nutritionist will make it mandatory before I get the operation.  Meaning, I don't want to waste too much time to get the operation.

Basically, I'm anxious and want to make things right.  I want to be proactive.  I'm afraid I missed something because it was pretty quick and I don't want too many surprises. 

that's all!

rachel

Hi Rachel,
I am sure the wise bariatric patients of NB will be along to answer your questions with more wisdom very quickly.  One thing causing your confusion is that the Dr. in Moncton does things differently as the Dr. in Bathurst.  As do the Drs everywhere have their own style and beliefs on what works best.

1.
I think I understand that the Dr. in Moncton will remove someone from his list if they gain weight...maybe.  I have never see this before in other locations, but it appears to prove very successful to encourage patients to take their WLS seriously.  So, this is why folks are worried about their weigh-ins.  I think people have actually been canceled due to a gain, but don't quote me.    So, if you wait years to get in, and organize the kids, the job, the life for this surgery period...you  sure as heck don't want to loose out due to a gain.

2. Didn't you need to have a referral to get an appointment with Dr. S?  Or did you just call and make an apt without one? 

3.  Some Drs just say to live normally  yet healthy when eating and awaiting your op.  Some want you to diet down to a better, healthier size for the operation.  Some want you to use your time waiting to start your diet as you will need to continue dieting after your WLS.  So..it is not a hard and fast rule among Doctors...so you will get mixed opinions in the forums.

Take Care,
C

and you won't have too many surprises I am sure....as you are asking all the right questions! 

thank you C!   My referral was sent by my doctor and that's probably why I'm confused.  I thought it might be for the actual surgery that I needed it but I had my consultation so I should be fine.

I appreciate your help and I'm sure that I will have many more questions.

I'm sure you can all agree... the waiting part is difficult!

I have to relax!!!  hahahaha

Hi Rachel,
I would not worry if I was you.  Dr. Beau in Moncton is very strict.  You must show committment to him and to the surgery by losing weight from the time you are first weighed at your first consultation until the day of your surgery.  It is as you might think, an incentive.  He does not cancel your surgery if you gain but he will postpone you until you lose weight again.  I am not sure that this is Dr Savoie's policy so you might want to call his secretary and asks some questions.  Dr. Beau told me that he wanted me to lose, I didn't have to lose lots of weight but I had to be consistant and thus show my committment to this monumental life decision.  It made perfect sense to me.

Charline Mc wrote her own referral letter because her doctor's secretary had not sent a referral letter to Dr. Savioe even though her doctor had said that a referral would be sent so she was just taking matters into her own hands to ensure that she can at least get a consultation.  You have had your consultation so you are good to go in that regard.  You dont have to write anything.

I think it is wise for you and your husband to star****ching what you eat.  A lot of people join weigh****chers or start counting calories.  I counted calories because the dietician that works with Dr. Beau suggested 1200 to 1500 calories per day from the first consultation forward.  Beginning a sound eating plan is wise for a number of reasons.  Firstly it means you will have a safer surgery if your weight is down some.  It also means that your liver, which the doctor will have to move out of the way to place your band, will have a chance to shrink.  The liver is a fragile organ and it collects all the fatty things you eat and drink and so it is often enlarged.  Lifting the liver is not dangerous but the doctor will want it to be smaller than normal to make the process easier.  So Optifast or Slimfast and water for snacks  for the 2 weeks directly prior to the surgery, helps to shrink the liver nicely so that the doctor does not have to worry about moving it out of the way.  I have been on the Optifast for nearly 6 full days and I have been very careful to follow the plan to the letter.  I want this surgery to be a success. 

I look at the Optifast as a way to prepare me for the liquid diet afterwards.  The liquid diet after surgery is not about losing weight, it is about allowing your band time to be "seated" in the proper place.  Your body will actually grow tissue around the band that will help to hold it in place.  If you start eating things too soon after surgery you won't give your band time to "snuggle in" so to speak.  The liquid diet allows time to heal and allows your body to do what it needs to do.  Once your band had founds its home, there will be less chances for slippage etc.  Its all about doing what your doctor tells you to do. 

If you have any other questions please feel free to contact me privately  via my blog page on this site.  Just click on my ID - Realmessy and it will take to my page and you can message me from there.  I will be glad to help you in any way I can and answer any questions I can.  I can also share some links that will show you how the band works. 

I have gone through anxious moments, faced some fears and embraced some others as I have moved towards this decision.  I think once you are where you need to be on all levels, emotional, physical and psychologial you can proceed with confidence.  I also contacted a mental health professional to help me deal with why I eat and to help me face those issues head on before the surgery.  You might want to see if Dr. S. has anyone working with him in that regard.  Best to have your head right before you have the surgery than to struggle with it all after the fact while you are trying to get used to being banded. 

Stay in touch,
Ann

Hey Rachel,

As much as a blessing this group is it can be sometimes confusing when everyone deals with different doctors (we have 2 in NB but there are hundreds different when you go to the main forum)!

With that being said it is imprtant to simply follow what your own doctor has or will say. 

Did Dr Savoie weigh you when you were there?  He didn't with me which I found quite strange - I had given him the last weight I knew from my family doctors visit in the summer as explained that I did not have a working scale at home.  He asked about my eating habits and when I asked if I should lose a bunch of weight before the surgery he simply said - continue to eat healthy (protein, veggies - we like a lot of stir frys) and after our next meeting we will discuss the liquid diet for the 2 weeks before surgery. 

So I haven't gone on any last meal benders and have been watching my carbs for a few months anyway.  Now when I make soups (which has been a lot because of this bloody cough/cold) I make the starch of either pasta or potato on the side for the rest of the family to put in their bowl and I leave mine out.  So if you are making healthy choices then you are already on the right track.

The other big thing to work on before surgery as per my cousins suggestion is to build up your lungs to compensate for the anesethics.  The lapband surgery is typically shorter but you still want to have strong lungs and decrease your chances of pneumonia.  I think my coughing has built up some of my chest muscles but hope to get on my airwalker or swin some before the big day.

So keep asking questions, never know who else may be wondering.  I love reading everything on the different forums - still looking for a good one about having at least 6 months off wife duty to show hubby (kidding) LOLOL but most say it is a good distraction from food and gets better!

Hopefully I will be better this week and we can get together.  My husband is interested in meeting your too as they would share some common concerns, being the spouses.  When I have settled my cough will let you know as don't want you to get sick!

Thank you Michelle.  Please let me know when you can meet us.  We would love that... our schedule is a bit weird... my husband is a screening officer at the airport and works from 430 and I start at 1030 to 7.  So let us know when is the best time for you and we can take it from there.  Michelle, would should also talk about planning outings for bandsters in Moncton?!  Just a thought.

Thank you Scar for the follow up.  I never even realised that I would only go back to Bathurst for the pre admin.  That's AWESOME!!! 

Hello

If you signed the wait list for the lap band at Dr. S's consult that means he approves you.

The is only one trip to bathurst before surgery, the pre adminssion. During that time, you will go all your pre opt test and see the nutritionist. There is a two week shake diet before the surgery. You need to sleep one night before at the hostpital in Bathurst but you are free to go home after the surgery.

You need to lose weight before- which is the 2 week pre opt diet. The day of the surgery you should have lost weight if you followed it.

During your pre admin, you will sign the official papers, see the Nurtitionist and get your tests done. You may not even see Dr. S before the surgery again (he told me he was going to try and make it if he could for the pre admin)

That's about it. You don't have to pay, everything is covered be medicare if Dr. S approves you. Since you signed papers you are automaticly approved.

I notice the comment above

'If you start eating things too soon after surgery you won't give your band time to "snuggle in" so to speak.  The liquid diet allows time to heal and allows your body to do what it needs to do.  Once your band had founds its home, there will be less chances for slippage etc.  Its all about doing what your doctor tells you to do. '

It really seems like the New Brunswick Lap Banders are doing better statistically maybe then the general public.  Or at least I never hear anyone complaining there.  I wonder if it is a result of the strict rules, which is really giving you all the very best start.  Especially this Snuggling in...maybe there is less slippage in general in NB as the liquid diet is given such importance?

Could be interesting stats!
Take Care,
C

The reason of the liquid diet is to skrink the liver prior to surgery. I know you have to be on liquids for a few weeks after the surgery and I think this is for healing purposes and to prevent slippage as you say.

The thought of "slippage" would really concern me about the lapband if I were ever to consider that procedure.  I remember reading that there were cases of people coughing too hard and it moving - after this past 2 weeks and the coughing I have been doing my "band" may have come out my bladder too!!  Figuratively speaking, of course.  Hope it never happens to anyone in our group!