About to become a Lapband Newbie!

Hello all.  I am so happy to see that Oklahoma has a forum for this. 

I have made the decision and have started the process.  Dr. Gornichec with Integris Surgical Weight Loss is the Surgeon I've chosen.  I had a Psyche evaluation today and I do the labs and stress test Monday.  They also want another sleep study and all my Primary Care's lab work and history.  Is this usual to go through so many appts and paperwork?  Dr. G seems very thorough and also very cautious, which I appreciate...

Does anyone have any advice for me?  I haven't gotten a surgery date scheduled yet, they are trying to get it approved and done before end of year.  I'm excited and nervous. 

Thanks everyone for participating in the message boards.  It was a relief to see others like  myself.

Penny

Hi, Penny.
Welcome! I'm from Kansas, but since I'm having VSG surgery in Oklahoma, I hop onto this Board.
Congratulations on working toward Lap Band surgery. We have several Banders on this board. Also, have you checked out the Lap Band forum here on OH.com?
Yes, the good surgeons are very careful and have many "hoops" to jump through, but that's why they have so few complications, in my opinion.
I don't know if I can be much help to you, but I will pray for you. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to encourage you on your journey.
Blessings,
Mary

Penny, welcome to Oh Okie board!
Most good wls surgeons do more tests than you would ever imagine..they want to make sure of your health and if you are healthy enough to have the surgery. Most surgeons require a sleep study, psych, puliminary, cardio, blood tests, physical fitness, and then the nutritional classes....and before surgery ekg, and x rays.....

Welcome!  I'm glad the doctors do such extensive testing-any operation for someone who is morbidly obese is a riskier business than for someone who is not.  And, by documenting all the existing issues, it is building a body of evidence (as if we needed more) that obesity is a HEALTH issue not a cosmetic one.

My advice is attend support groups and make friends among the WLS community.  I bet there is a direct correlation between success rates and involvement with others.  It is a very unique process to have surgery and lose a bunch of weight, and having peer support is soooo important-and fun.

Band specific advice-follow the rules.  I love my band, it is a simple device,  but it only works if you follow the rules.  Restriction happens over time, and in the beginning, you can bend some of the rules, but eventually you'll pay for it-so start learning to chew your food NOW....LOL. 

Welcome to Oklahoma OH and congratulations on your WLS decision.

Rita

Hi Penny. Welcome to the board. What made you decided to have lapband surgery? I am going to have an RNY sometime soon....I hope. At last check it would be sometime in January because there were 20 people ahead of me. I hope that number has gone down. I need to call the surgeon's office and see what is going on with that. I am in Claremore. I am using Dr. Katsis. He works out of St Francis. It is nice to meet you.
Emily

Welcome to OH Oklahoma!  Congrats on your WLS decision.  My advice...start today in following the rules of your surgeon and breaking bad habits and replacing them with new habits.  Learn as much as you can before hand.  The seminars are great sources of info and so are these boards!  Good luck to you!!!

Hi Penny and welcome to the OK board!! U will find alot of advice and help on here...so put on ur glasses and get ur fingers ready for typing....this is an awesome group. I am planning on having RNY on Nov 17.

LaDetra

Hi Penny!  I've already talked to you on another post!  But I'll welcome you to the OK forum anyway!  You will find wonderful support here and you'll always be welcome!  I love my Okie buds and couldn't do this without them.  I hope you will come here with your fears, questions, concerns!  No question is too dumb or too out there!  Just remember everyone on here has probably wanted to know the answer to a "silly" question at sometime or another!
We will probably start our journey around the same time!  congrats and keep us posted!
Kim

Hi Penny~  Welcome to the Oklahoma OH Forum and congrats on your decision to have the WLS!  All good surgeons require tests of you and that is a good thing.  I had my WLS over 4 years ago and it was the best decision I ever made!  The best advice I can give is advice I see you've already been given and that is to attend support group as well as to be active on this forum~ Find support within the WLS community.  It's a wonderful thing to have when your going through the ups and downs of the journey.  I look forward to knowing you better!