Weight Loss Surgery - Lapband surgery

Ok, I'm seeing my doctor June 18, what ?'s do I need to ask or where can I find them?

Thanks MiddleSister

For me, the main questions I had for my surgeon were how long had he been doing bariatric surgery and how many patients had he had pass after having had surgery due to complications. Fortunately, he has only lost one patient in the 6 years he has been doing bariatric surgery and that is 1 in something like 1,500 folks. I felt pretty comfy with my odds there. :)

Everything else, my surgeon's office staff was on top of making sure that I knew what kinds of things to expect after surgery and a lot of things, they couldn't tell me because everyone is different.


Congratulations on your decision and I hope everything goes well for you. :)

My best friend is scheduled to have the gastric sleeve done on June 19th. Is this what you are having done? She has been through the whole enchilada....er....gamut of questions etc that should be asked. I'll see if I can get her to signup and come in here to talk to you. I'm sure there must be forums for specifically this somewhere. At any rate, I wish you wellness.

God Bless

My questions include experience and training (where did he/she go to school? how many operations have they done?, of those, how many had post-op complications?, etc), what kind of follow-up do they offer/require, what kind of pre/post-op diets do they ask you to follow, do they have any references? Sometimes patients will agree to be a 'reference' for them - you can ask their former patient(s) many questions that will help you get an idea of what to expect from the physician, such as bedside manner, is he/she patient?, how is the support system?, etc. You may want to ask them what their experience has been with your insurance company, if they've ever had a patient who has used your insurance company before.

They are also good sources of information regarding your hospital stay.

I had my consult Monday. I should loose my weight between 2-4 years. I think I maybe can go it alone, after all it will only take me about a year to loose my weight. They did recommend the LapBand which is what I wanted to begin with. My psych consult is in July. Still haven't made up my mind totally.
It's basically the same way to loose weight you have to commit to exercise and watch your food. The only thing is your stomach is restricted. I was so sure that's what I wanted and now I don't know. I need to loose 150 lbs.
I didn't care for all the medicine changes, opening up capsules, crushing pills, chewable calicum and vitamins. I have an ileostomy and that is a restriction in it's self. Tiny amounts and continuous eating or drinking will take all day long. I need to drink massive amounts of water, because of my ileostomy, in fear of dehydration is a constent freat.

MiddleSister

well, darlin. you certainly have a lot to think about. and let me drop one more issue into the mix. losing weight was NOT the only reason many of us had the surgery. for me, and for several others around here, the MAIN reason we had it was to help us keep the weight off.

whatever you decide to do is perfect - as long as it's your own decision.

Hi Middlesister :welcome:

Good luck with your decision what ever it may be but let me just clear a few things up.

With the lapband you ARE able to drink lots of water, I glug it all day long with no problem. The only thing you have to watch out for is the few weeks after surgery when you are healing, thats when you have to sip water but it really shouldn't be a problem.

Also the band is not a guarantee that you will lose all your weight in the amount of time you are saying. The band is a tool...with the band you are able to eat junk food (junk food goes down easier) so you will need to diet and exercise. The band does not change the brain. I can eat everything and anything I want just as long as I chew very well.

Good Luck and please let us know what you decide to do.

:hug:

.

Good Luck whatever you decide. For me it wasn't just about losing the weight, it was about keeping it off. Prior to my lapband I couldn't find ANY weight (even 300 lb) that I could maintain and that was one of my biggest problems.

Yes, with the lapband I still have to make good food choices but it is SO much easier when I'm not hungry all the time and when I can see results (in the mirror, on the scales, in my clothes, in my health). I still need to exercise but that was always going to be true whatever I chose to do.

What about excess skin? If we loose weight gradullay, will the loose skin be less? I'm 53 so as far a elastivity goes I don't have any left. Will I burn up to cottage cheese look on my belly and legs.
Right now I have a problem with my hip, that just developed on a walk last night with my dogs. By the time I got back to the house I was in tears.

Thanks MiddleSister

I had stretch marks from puberty and way more from my pregnancies so for me there was never any question I was going to have loose skin (and I do). Once I have lost my weight and stabilized I will almost certainly end up with PS but that has to do with my skin type rather than how I lost the weight. Some are very lucky and the skin tightens back up.

It really depends on the person and how your built. My weight is all in my stomach so yes, I have a lovely apron but the way I look at it is... I'd rather have some loose skin then be unhealthy. And if your insurance pays for it you can always have the skin removed. My arms are flabby too, but all in all, the bat wings don't bother me either... I can't wear tank tops but a short sleeved shirt covers it just fine.

I was worried about my hip, last Sunday I was walking the dogs and my hip just started hurting really bad with every step I took. I felt like something was tearing, very painful. I was limping the rest of the way home and crying. I'm also a breast cancer survivor of 8 years now. So I was very worried it had mastatized to my bone. I had a hip x-ray and found out that it doesn't show cancer, but my oncologist said if it is still hurting in 2 weeks we need to do a bone scan.
I was worried cause I want the Lap Band and I know they tell you, you have to walk because of blood clots. I have made up my mind, after talking to everyone on this board...what a great board this is. My psych appointment is the end of July.I'm sure I'll have a lot more questions.

Take Care,

MiddleSister

Congratulations! I'm glad you came to your decision. It's different for all of us, and at least for me, it wasn't an easy one. I'm still battling with whether or not it's the right thing.. but I'm going for it no matter what. My surgery is Saturday. Good luck on psych eval.

I have my psych evaluation tomorrow morning. Will talk to the physcholgist for one hour and then take a 300 or 400 question psych test. Going to be a long and grouling morning for a Monday...so that's not unusal.:) LOL I wish I could just check yes for all of them and call it a day.:p

Wish me luck!

MiddleSister

Good luck! It will all work out!
:)

Well, I had my psych evaluation one hour....doctors recommendations counseling because of some past issues. They want my surgery to be a success. I'm ok with it, I'm a grazer and they didn't like that. Other issues too, that's what I get for being honest. I don't really mean that, but it seems like everyone is passing me by. The psych test was 567 True or False questions, it took me 2 horus to do it. I was boggled after all that. Some of the questions are so weird!
I will most likely be denied by my insurance, because I don't have documentation of trying to lose weight for 6 months. I will appeal it, if that happens.

Thanks

MiddleSister

don't give up!!!!! over the long haul, your honesty will SAVE you! we all have ISSUES - we didn't get this way without them. soooo, get the counseling. it'll be at least 6 months [i think] before they clear you, and there you'll have your documented 6 month weight loss efforts.

if this is what you really REALLY want, you can jump through all the hoops - you won't let anything stop you. so, take a deep DEEP breath, and go for it!:carrot::hug:

I know it's frustrating. But the counseling will help in the long run. Everyone wants to see you suceed! Do the work on you (even though it seems like you're jumping through hoops for them). You'll be glad you did.
It will all work out. You got through one of the toughest parts! Good for you!

Hi Girlies, just checking in to say hello. Its been crazy at work (yeah what else is new huh).

Hope your days are becoming lighter :lol3: no pun inteneded but FUNNY SNORT~~~~

Hey at least you got to talk to someone, my psych eval was literally just the questions (so wierd) and a quick are you on any medications...that was it. 5 mins max (the talk, not the questions). My insurance requires the 6 month doctors weight loss, so I have been seeing a weight loss doctor. August will be my 6th month and then we can finally get approved and get the ball rolling. Hang in there - it just takes time!

good news, my insurance only wants my weight and bmi over 40 for 5 years. I have to attend a support group meeting immediately, see a psych 2 times a month and eat right, exercise for three months. Wish me luck on my journey! I'm getting excited.

MiddleSister

GOOD LUCK!!
Congratulations!
;)

GOOD LUCK :hug:

Thats Great! Best of luck!!

WOW, sis - that's fabulous - and it sounds like your insurance company 'gets it' - that it's not just about the food.

keep us posted!!! please!!! we ALL need help...

Good luck! My mom had her lapband on the 11th of July and has already lost 16lbs. That's not including the 34lbs she lost on her pre-op diet. She was given the "new" band. Maybe some of you know what that means. Basically it is supposed to help you lose weight better and there is a smaller risk of it slipping. She is doing wonderful and is so proud! She did alot of research on her doctor and he himself has the band along with his wife on whom he performed the surgery. Many of his staff and nursing team have had the surgery too and they all look AMAZING!

I went to my first support group meeting Wednesday. A ton of ppl were there, sorry for the play on words. PunchBuggy mentioned a new lap band..does anybody know what one it is? Got lots of info from the group leader. I'm on my way!

MiddleSister

Has anybody heard about a new lapband thats out? Please let me know if possible. Going to another support group this week. I'm having a awful time exercizing though. I just don't seem to get that part done.

Take Care

MiddleSister

I'm so sore my body aches. I started walking 30 minutes a day two days ago and can hardly move in the morning. I also do 3# weights for my upper body. Will never be able to do sit ups, because of huge hernia repair in November of last year.
Need to call for psych appointment and attend another support group meeting. I have a ton of paper work to do for this surgery. You have to show them your willing to go the distance on getting this surgery. It's certainly not a fly by night decision on this.

I know it gets frustrating trying to do all the paperwork and the meetings, etc., but it sure is worth it in the long run.
Just think, it won't be long until you will be beginning your new life and it is a good trip. When you're ready for your surgery, you won't be alone. We'll all be praying for you.

Blessings

Lolow