Blood Work????

I have a BIG fear of having blood work taken. I plan on having the lap band surgery with Demesvar Jean-Baptiste (which I have no fear of) I will meet with him the first time next week. Can anyone tell me when you have to get blood work done? It is when you first meet the surgeon and then again before surgery and then after the surgery? How much blood do they taken? This is the only problem I'm having about the surgery.

I had lap rny and my doc ordered blood work at consult to be done asap,then at PATS they took somemore.I also had a blood gas test done(taken from an artery ouch)that day,they were looking for sleep apnea.Can't remember if they took some after I think so but after being operated on a little blood draw was nothing.And my veins never wanna give up a drop of my blood,it's always a project .Just relax when you go & you'll be fine.And its so worth all the poking & prodding lol.Good luck

Hi, I had a lap band by a different doc a few weeks ago.  I needed initial bloodwork - 3 small vials if I remember correctly, as the blood had to be stored different ways.  I needed preop bloodwork - 1 small vial. That's it.  I have a prescription for another set for 3 or 6 months afterwards, to check my vitamin levels. Best wishes! Eileen

I had RNY by Dr. JB on 8/27 (he's great, by the way). I needed to have bloodwork done during the intial phase of all the routine tests, then I had pre-op bloodwork done and then at 3 mos. out,  6 mos. out, 1 yr and annually after that. I don't know what the protocol is for the lapband but it's probably similar. Good luck to you.

Close your eyes, breathe deeply. Keep your eyes closed.  It's often the fear of that needle going into the vein that's really the issue, it's usually no more than a quick "*****" and then the needle's in.  I'm a baby...it really doesn't hurt.  I've had my blood drawn countless number of times for various health issues and not even one time have I watched....my eyes are closed from the time I sit down and have my arm in place.  Believe me, it does help. Dr. JB wasn't my surgeon, but I attend his peer-run support group on the first Saturday of each month.  Everyone says very good things about him; you'll be in good hands!