Pre-Surgery Process...

Wow... 6/7 months of supervised diet? Isnt being heavy for most of our lives punishment enough? Im happy your husband is so supportive... that always makes the experience that much more positive!

   --- I think i lucked out just a little, I happen to work for a major hospital system in the ny/metro area and so insurance is not being that big of a pain, but i have run into a few hiccups since ive started the process... 

So hopefully all goes well. Im hoping to be scheduled by august!


Good Luck to you All

The diet, sleep study and psychiatric evaluation are the only things that I will have to complete.  I'm hoping to be in surgery sometime around Christmas.  That's my goal that I have set, and I think it's do-able.  I just kick myself though because I have been seeing a nutritionist for over a year off and on.  IF I had known then that I would make this decision and had the MD to monitor my visits, I would be ready in about a month.

My insurance does have a requirement that you are 'obese' for 3 years prior to starting the process, some people have to have a lot more testing done, including cardio and digestive tests.  So I guess all in all I'm lucky to not have to go there.

WOW that's a lot to go through - it shows great commitment to the Band!  I am from Canada and when I found out about the Lap Band I called a clinic near me and met the surgeon, had an appointment with a nurse, dietician, phsycologist and exercise physiologist - a pre-op appointment with my family Doctor and 7 weeks later I was banded.  I did a 2 week liquid pre-op diet that I didn't find too bad at all.  My BMI was 48.6 and I was borderline Diabetic - no longer the case!
You are putting a lot of effort into this and I wish youall the best!  One piece of advise I would say that I keep in mind is that you will be eating so much less food than you used to so  make sure what I eat is good - I do have the occasional chocolate but I don't want any malnutrition issues so I always keep that in mind.
Good luck!
Lori

LOL Maybe I should've done what you did and carry around my items in a black binder. I agree with you though on the stuff that they want you to do. I am almost completed with my dietician visits. One more minor visit before the big one hits and I find out if I will be able to have surgery or not. The wait is killing me. I am hoping about August to have it completed. But I am having the gastric sleeve not the band or the bypass. Too many risks for my body for each so I am more than happy having the sleeve done. But one thing I recommend, watch the people in your life. I noticed that certain people in your life will change. They will begin to look at you different the moment you begin to lose weight. As if the person that are you used to be has somehow changed because the weight is gone. Some get envious, others get truly encouraging. It really does help show who is your true friend and who isn't. I seen it so many times with friends of mine who had the weight loss surgery. Family members as well It's a shame. So becareful and look out for that! You'll be hurting enough from the surgery you don't need to hurt elsewhere either. :( :)

I completed my pulmonary exam today whi*****luding an upper endoscopy.  I just have one more visit with the nutritionist, pcp, and a stress test to take.  As I get closer and closer I get more nervous.  My biggest worry, which I never had before, is getting an approval from my insurance company.  I'm also nervous about the nutritionist as well.  I see her on the 26th so I will be starting an all liquid diet on the 18th in hopes that she will be impressed.

well im having a pulmonary eval, sleep function test and physical tomorrow... i had to piggyback appts because the specialists in my health system are SO busy... mind you, i booked these appts in february.


but it gave me a reason to take the day off work which is ALWAYS nice, especially since we're expecting good weather tomorrow... NY had a hellish winter if you havent heard 61+ inches of snow between december and january. Im surprised i didnt lose weight trekking it to work on the blizzard days.


so fingers crossed for me! im praying for a clean bill of health and i wish you all the same!

Ummmm....feeling a little "uneasy" here after reading all of your responses....
I have been thinking of and wanting the Lap Band for years.  My insurance will not cover it, therefore I have been saving-up for it.  This past Monday was my very FIRST appointment with the weight-loss surgeon. (No prior Dr. visits regarding this...).  I spoke with the Dr. for about 5 minutes...he asked me what procedure I was interested in...then the next thing I knew, I was on the way to the lab for blood work, EKG & chest x-rays.  My surgery is scheduled for Friday of next week.  All of this was completed before lunch.  This is happening very fast.... 

Hi MissKitten:

I can understand your uneasiness because this is a major decision.  Since your insurance doesnt cover lapband, do you realize it won't cover fills either?  I am happy with my lapband but if I were self-pay, I would go with the Sleeve.    The lapband requires a lot of after-care and won't work without it.   Are you willing to pay 150-300$ for each fill, knowing it may take 3 or more fills to reach restriction?  Some never reach it.      I am happy with my band - it was the right choice for me - I was fortunate to reach my "green zone" in three fills  but , to be honest, there are some days I wish I had the sleeve when I see how many people are successful with it versus the band. 

I am aware that I will have to pay for my fills.  I considered the sleeve, but it is quite a bit more money :(

Hey..after I wrote that, I realized of course you must know since you've been saving for so long. There ARE successful self-pay banders here.   Just ask Steelerfan1...and she hasnt even had a fill.