Johna

Hi! I think you will be fine without the steri-strip as long as the insission isn't bleeding. When I was on the clear liquids stage I drank Isopure (clear protein drink). It doesn't taste too bad, and the energy the protein gives you is well worth it. You can buy it at GNC.

Hi! I was banded on 9/19/07. My Dr. only required liquids for 1 week, mushies the next week, and on to solids on the 3rd week. I am trying to keep my food intake down, but I can eat as much as before I was banded. I'm afraid I will streach my pouch, but it doesn't even feel like I have a pouch. Do you have a pouch before you get a fill? I get my first fill on 10/23, but I am afraid in the meantime that I will do damage. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

I'm hoping that you can answer some questions for me that are similar to the one njwhitetail asked about smoking. I quit smoking using nicotine patches right after my surgery consult. I have had problems getting my insurance to approve me, and unfortuantely (Dumb, I know!) I started smoking again. I am still working with the insurance co. and believe I will eventually get approved. My doctor said that I had to stop smoking for 8 weeks prior to surgery, but from what I have read the test will only show if I have smoked in the last two weeks, or there is another test that will show if you have smoked in the last 6-12 months. Is this correct? I am not trying to "pull" anything will definately quit smoking before surgery and stay quit after. I'm wondering if I got the "all clear" from insurance tomorrow, and quit smoking then too, when could I get surgery? Also, since I intend to use patches to quit again, how will they know the difference between cigarette nicotine and patch nicotine? Do the show up different on the tests? Should I skip the patches?:omg:

Thanks for the reply. I can't imagine quitting without nicotine gum, but I am afraid it will show up on the blood test.

I haven't got banded yet, but asked my surgeon this same question. He said you shouldn't plan on getting pregnant for 2 years after you're banded. After that it is no problem, but most of the time they do a complete unfill to make sure the fetus gets the nutrients it needs.

Does anyone know the answers?

I would really like to know the answer to this one to..............anyone know?

Thanks so much for the info! I have UHC Choice and have had so many problems with them! My dr's office faxed in my info on 3/27. The said they didn't receive it so it was sent again on 4/10. Confirmations were received on both of these faxes. They are still saying they don't have it, so I just requested that the dr fax or e-mail me the documentation. I plan on bombarding them with faxes, e-mails, over-night deliveries, and whatever else it will take just for them to aknowledge that they HAVE received my request. I thought getting approved might be difficult and lengthy, but I never imagined this part of it would be so tough! It's really great that they approved you in 24 hours! How high is your BMI?

:thumbs_up: I just know you'll get it!

I'm so excited for you!!! Keep us posted. You'll be in that bikini in no time!

I'm in to process of getting insurance approval through United Healthcare.

I'm near Tulsa, OK. I had my first consult with Dr. Fisher on 3/6. I will hopefully have all my pre-op tests done buy the end of the month.

I am new to this site and noticed you are from Oklahoma. How did you like Dr. Gorospe? Any other input on Oklahoma doctors would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much for your response. I have been researching the lap band since early December and it really seems like something that will work for me. I am going to the educational meeting for Dr. Fisher/Dr. Katsis this Monday and am really excited! I read on Dr. G's site that it could take up to 4 months to get a surgery date after your insurance approves it. I had hoped it wouldn't take that long. I will go to Dr. G's meeting on March 3rd. I also have UHC and they are supposed to pay for 90% if I qualify. I have a BMI of 39.5 so I hope that won't be a problem. (This is the first time in my life I wish I weighed more! Ha!) If you don't mind, how much have you had to pay out of pocket? Your weight loss is so inspiring, especially since you haven't had a fill yet. Sorry so long, I'm just really excited to find someone from OK that has had the procedure. Thanks again!