CoreynVA

I had my psychological eval this morning and was curious if mine was typical. I have not had my consultation with the doctor as they had to re-schedule my appt this week due to an emergency however they said to keep my psych appt. Apparently the surgery group I was referred to are doing so much business they had to seek other psychologists to help keep the process flowing. The psychologist I met with had just met with the surgeons yesterday to gain a better understanding of the process. She asked about my weight history and I told her that I put on about 30lbs in the 3 yrs after college (this was 30yrs ago) so went on a diet where I basically ate vegetables and diet coke and lost 42lbs(145 to 103) in 3mo. time but stabilized at about 118lbs after I went off the diet. At no time did I starve myself, I can live on homemade vegetable Soup. She told me I was anorexic. Over the years I have battled with my weight and now am significantly overweight (BMI of 49). She asked if I was on any prescription drugs and I shared that information with her. One script is for panic attacks which I've been treated for since about 1990 under my doctor's care. I told her I've gone off them before successfully but if the feelings come back I've been told to take the pills again. She feels I'm addicted, that I'm not having panic attacks but side effects from not taking the medication. We talked about my marriage (I'm divorced) and if I ever had counseling which I have at various times as my ex was an alcoholic and the divorce affected the entire family. She said she thought I was very realistic about the surgery and my reasons for wanting it, I had done a lot of research but she would write in her report that she feels I should wait at least six months due to the drug issue, that I should attend Al-Anon, and I should reduce stressors in my life. She added that perhaps the doctor would choose to perform the surgery but she wanted to be honest with me. I'm curious what your psych eval's were like. A couple of my friends were surprised that she didn't ask me about my sex life.

Susie, I had gastric bypass on Feb. 14 with Dr. Bautista at Commonwealth Surgeons. Surgery went great though he was running a few hours behind and my recovery has been wonderful. I have been very pleased with the follow-up from Commonwealth Surgeons; calls have been returned promptly and they have been very willing to answer all my questions. If you have not attended any of the support group meetings I would encourage you to do so. I've been to the group that's for both lap-band and gastric patients up to one year post-op. There was a good mix of people waiting for surgery (both gb and lap-band) as well as though who have had surgery; lots of good discusssion. I also went to the monthly lap-band support group meeting the following week because I wanted information on Protein supplements and they had sales rep's in that night with sample products. Good luck and enjoy the ride!

I saw my pcp in August and mentioned WLS and she gave me the name of a surgeon. At the time we didn't discuss what type would be best. A few weeks later I saw my OB/GYN, my weight had gone up again, and I asked his opinion on WLS. He was all for it but felt GB was the best way to go. After attending the seminar and following this website I decided to go for lap-band and had my surgery scheduled for Jan. 14. I saw my pcp doctor last week to review my meds and she truly believed gp was the best and explained why given my medical history. Needless to say, I've switched to gp with a Feb. 14 surgery date. After hearing her reasons why gp was better for me I wished I had talked with her in depth earlier. Now I'm trying to find a discussion forum like "lap-band talk" for gastric bypass patients. For those who ask how long it takes for insurance approval, I talked with my surgeon's office on a Monday and had approval for GB the next afternoon; my lap-band approval took four days.

When I went to my seminar I understood there would be an overnight stay. However when the office called to confirm my surgery date, Jan. 14, she said to be prepared to be off 1-2 weeks! I purposely scheduled my surgery around the long President's week-end so I would have less time off from work. I had foot surgery last Christmas and know that sometimes things don't always work out; I ended up off work an extra two weeks, but I am determined to be back at work on Jan. 22. They may be preparing you for a worst case scenario. I have doubts too but look at a photo of myself and realize that I need to do whatever it takes to get this weight off. You've got Christmas taken care of so breathe deeply and try to relax.

I live in Richmond and am using Dr. Baustista. I have not met him yet, appt is Dec. 13, but surgery is scheduled for Jan. 14. I found e-mailing Hilarie moved the scheduling process along. I received a quickly reply from my initial e-mail and that's basically how we've been corresponding so far. To date I've only seen the FNP, Maya, and she was nice. My only complaint to date is that I waited over an hour for my appt with the FNP and I had scheduled it during the middle of the day. My future appts are early morning. Please keep in touch.

Lumpy - Did I read you were using Dr. Bautista? He's doing mine on Jan. 14. I start all my appointments the week of 12/13. I also live in Richmond (Chesterfield Co.). Please keep me updated on what it's like since I'm right behind you. Ashley Suzanne - Congratulations on your approval! I saw the FNP on a Monday and received my approval letter on Saturday. I know the next couple of weeks will go fast and once Christmas hits I'll be getting myself ready. I read this site daily. Please keep in touch.

I had my surgery date changed to Jan. 14. Works out well for me as I work for the state and we have two holidays that next week so less time off from work. My psych eval was with Lisa Berman. I think I was her first lap band client; she had just met with the surgeons the night before to get briefed on the procedure and how the process works. I really liked her. We talked for about an hour. I start my various appointments on Dec. 13 starting with the cardiologist; dietary classes are the 17th for 3-4 hours. I read the stories from others as to how long it takes to get approved and guess I was either lucky or my insurance is very good - I saw the nurse practitioner on a Monday and received my approval letter on Saturday. I'm excited and nervous at the same time and pray that my body can tolerate this change that I'm putting it through. Has anybody else used Richmond Surgical Group?

I have put so much on in my middle (I'm only 5'1" so there's not much middle) that I have trouble getting up too. I know how you feel. It will get better. I'm so sorry you had to experience all of that. Hang in there!

I'm scheduled for Jan. 14 at St. Mary's in Richmond with Dr. Bautista. Received my instructions over the week-end with all of my dates for appointments. I know several of you have used the other surgical group at St. Mary's but who has used Commonwealth Surgeons or more specifically, Dr. Bautista? I'm 5'1", 267 at last appointment and hoping I can make it under 200 by my birthday in May. Do you think I'm being unrealistic? :guess

I'm getting banded on Jan. 14 by Dr. Bautista at St. Mary's in Richmond, VA. Received my list of instructions over the week-end with all my dates for physical, cardiologist, classes, etc. I called today to find out the cost and what all it covers and was told it was $60,000 - or at least that's what they bill the insurance. My insurance covers the surgery as well as fills. A part of me waivers back and forth as to whether I should be doing this but I'm morbidly obese, my body has changed the last five years or so and nothing seems to be working. Listening to what all of you have to say is encouraging. My daily visits to this website keep me going and make me anxious to see what I can accomplish.

Hi, Group! I was approved in the last week and am scheduled for surgery Jan. 21st. My doctor's office had nothing available til mid-Jan which is okay for me, I have a few days off then so won't have to use as much leave time and I won't have to start the pre-diet until after the holidays. I fluctuate between nervous and being okay with it. Once I attend the nutrition seminars I think I will feel much better, I just need to know that I can manage it. One thing I've thought about is Mexican food, my kids favorite place to eat. Have any of your tried to eat it and been successful?

I'm from the Richmond area and scheduled for banding Jan. 21 at St. Mary's. This website has been a wonderful resource for me - lots of information and things to think about. Welcome!

How did your nutrition evaluation go? I just scheduled my surgery for Jan. 21 at St. Mary's with Dr. Bautista. I had my psych eval last month - it was interesting. I was told today that I should plan at least two weeks off from work. At the initial seminar I understood that we could be back at work within a week or sometimes less. What has your physician said about recuperation time?

I received my approval letter yesterday. I've been researching this procedures for several months. My pcp was for it and recommended a surgeon, my gyn thought it a great idea though he was for gastric as his step-mother did well on it. Now that it's time to schedule I'm nervous - more afraid of failing than the procedure itself. Did any of you have second thoughts? What has been the hardest to adjust to in terms of lifestyle? How long were you off from work?

Do you have a good relationship with your pcp or do you see a counselor? If so, I would talk with them about the psych consult and get their opinion. My doctor re-scheduled the initial consult I was to have last week but told me to keep my psych exam. Apparently the surgical practice is so busy they brought in another group of therapists to do evals. The individual I saw had just met with the surgical team the day before to understand the process and she kept asking me questions because she wanted to learn more. I told her I'd send her the link to this web page. She feels I have too much stress in my life right now and she's recommending I wait at least three months. My life right now is about as smooth as it has been for years. She also thinks I'm addicted to a drug that my physican has been prescribing for me for eleven years. I take it as directed. I think I'm going to talk with my pcp regarding the consult and get her take on it. She's the one who referred me to the surgeon's group. I understand your frustration. Hang in there.

Please let me know how it goes. I'm 54, BMI of 49, and have a consult Oct. 4. I'm hoping things will go smoothly and I can have this done over Christmas. I look forward to hearing how your procedure goes.

I attended a seminar a couple of weeks ago and have a consultation scheduled for Oct. 4. I've been fighting my weight for about 35yr. WW off/on for about 26 yr and other diets. I got up to 225 five yrs ago and lost approx 50 lbs over 16 months. I did fairly well managing the weight until about 2yr ago when menopause kicked in full force. It was as if my previous eating habits didn't matter, weight continued to go to my stomach. I'm 5' and short waisted so I look like I'm about 7mo prenant right now. I had a check-up in Aug and my weight was 252 - that's when it hit me that I wasn't just "fat" but morbidly obese and needed help. I understand that the weight didn't come on all at once and don't expect any procedures to be "quick fixes". I eat fairly healthy, for the most part low-fat, but have more trouble with Portion Control. I'm thinking lap-band vs gastric as I feel more in control. I read somewhere that some people have trouble "tolerating" foreign objects in their body. I had foot surgery this past year (being inactive for several months also contributed to my current situation) and after four months had to have a screw removed. When I presented this question at the informational seminar I was told intolerance to foreign objects was very rare. Has anyone experienced this? I saw several of you talking about sleep studies. I had this done about five years ago and used a CPAP machine. The dreams are incredible with a CPAP because you have such deep sleep. I found when I woke up to go to the bathroom during the night that I would forget to put it back on and slept okay so decided to no longer use it. In the past 4-5 months I've realized I am experiencing sleep apnea again. So that along with HBP and bmi of 48.8 definitely qualify me for the surgery. From your research and experiences do you think I am being realistic going with the lap band?