GRLZ4DUKE

I am so excited! I have confirmed everything today! I have my 4th and final meeting with the dietician 11/23. We will finalize my pre-op diet requirements and post-op transition diet. I meet with the anesthesiologist on 11/30 and start my 1 week liquid diet on 12/1. My surgery is scheduled for 12/7. WOW! The time is finally here!

Hi, I'm really sorry you have had this experience with your dietician. I have had 3 visits with the dietician and the first one was really about my current eating habits and to talk about monitoring my calorie intake over the next few weeks. She gave me sample diet but really didn't say to avoid or stay away from certain foods. My 2nd meeting was much more beneficial (from my perspective). We started talking about incorporating protein shakes and eating the "right" foods. Of course it was all about vegetables and protein, which is fine since that is really our life after banding. But I am a "texture" person with food and really needed to cut out the salty, fried foods (potato chips). She was great at giving me alternatives to my favorite non-health foods, like Popchips... not baked or fried and have very low calories but still great taste and similiar texture to potato chips. If you know there are certain foods that are a weakness for you, ask her to provide alternatives. There are many dieticians out there and not all are aligned or understand bariatric needs. If you aren't getting the support you need, seek another dietician. This is your life, your future and you need the tools for success so do not settle for someone that is not truly supporting you.

Assuming my insurance approval is finalized this week, I will have surgery in December. How long are most of you planning or how long did you wait before returning to work? It is my understanding that if you work in a sedentary position and do not have any physical activity to your job, you can return quickly. The bulk of physicians want people to take time off to become accustomed to your new diet, learn how your body reacts and simply adjust. I am fortunate since I work from home if I'm not traveling for work. I have not shared with my employer that I am having surgery since December is a slow month for us for travel activities. I prefer not to share unless required to do so. What are your thoughts?

I met with my surgeon today and they are submitting my paperwork. I was told they may have approval by the end of the week. I'm extremely nervous, excited and simply stressed. I initially had issues with my endoscopy and had to wait 8 weeks and have a second one. Before confirming I can have the band, my surgeon wanted the gastro Dr. to provide the appropriate approval which included meeting with a food allergist. I started the process back in May and am just now having my insurance paperwork submitted for approval. What has been other's experience? My BMI is 35.5 and I have HBP and sleep apnea. I don't know if I can handle it if it is denied. Any advice or success stories for BCBS of NC?

I am 40 years old and have been overweight since I was in my early 20's. My current BMI is 36.5 and I have high blood pressure, sleep apnea and reflux. I have been working with my surgeon since May and have been progressing quickly through the process. I have had my psych consultation, have been attending monthly support group meetings, meeting with my Dietician and had my first Upper GI. Unfortunately, the Upper GI showed sings of extreme reflux, gatritis, etc. NOW, the GI doc does not recommend me for the band until I go through 8 weeks of meds (proton pump inhibitor) and have another Upper GI, currently scheduled for October 6th. Needless to say, I was extremely disappointed but happy to find out I had these issues (since I have never had any sigs of reflux). As a newbie going through the process, have any of you had similiar issues with the upper GI? Also, how do you handle immediate family members (my partner of 9 years) that are only partially supportive? I feel like it is the same old "recommendation" to "stay focused, try harder, don't give up" as it relates to my time in the gym and eating healthier. I completely understand this is a life changing event and I will need to eat healthier and work out consistently. However, I need the additional help of the band. My partner wants to "bargain" with me by saying, "I'll support IF you go to the gym 4 times a week and watch what you eat for 6 weeks and you dont lose weight". We have even attended support group meetings together so she is not totally uninvolved or supportive. Any suggestions? I have also decided not to share with anyone else except my mom - who is very supportive. Once you have surgery, how do you reconcile the "non-hunger feeling" vs. the "mental desire" for the act of chewing out of bordom and social eating with friends and family? Thanks!

As part of the pre-requisite for surgery, I completed my endoscopy and was shocked at the findings. The gastro dr. said that he would not recommend me for Lap-Band at this time due to previosuly undiagnosed relux. I had no idea I had any issues! I apparently have gastritis and an ulcer in my stomach. He said the band can create additional issues and that Lap-Band may not be the best option for me. I am now on prescription meds and have another Upper GI in 1 month. Needless to say, I was devastated. I had a follow up with my bariatric surgeon and he said that is not necessarily true. He said with the Lap Band the band is placed high enough that irritating meds and foods should not have an impact in my stomach. In addition, they can still monitor my ulcer and any issues because they aren't bypassing my stomach as they would with the gastric bypass and can therefore still conduct an upper GI in the future. We agreed to a follow up meeting and a decision once I have my second Upper GI. Has anyone else had a similiar issue?

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Like a lot of people, my patience isn't as strong as it should be. I simply need to take my PPI for the next 6 weeks and await the results of my next Upper GI. I'll keep everyone posted as we determine the next steps.