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With smoking, have you considered the prescription "Chantix"? I know it's a bit expensive, but I've met several patients (I am in dentistry) that have had great success. Talk to your MD about making sure that you are a good candidate for it. As far as the psychiatrist goes, from what I understand there are several kinds of tests given out there. I took a multiple choice 8-10 page test. Many of the questions seemed bogus to me. I think that they want to make sure that you aren't a complete psycho and have your priorities straight! I also had about a 20-30 minute interview with the psychiatrist. The only thing he said he was alarmed about me was that I was able to give up my huge Diet Coke addiction fairly easy and after two months did not miss it and was not tempted to indulge. He said he was concerned and likened me to an alcoholic that recently gave up alcohol and claimed to have no trouble staying sober. He said it was a red flag. Whatever! Good luck and keep in touch. ssdown

Hey LiseSeattle, We have lots in common, West Coast and all! I was about 100 lbs. overweight but have lost about 15 lbs. per requirement of the program director. I also didn't have the requisite co-morbidities, so I actually gained an additional 10 lbs. to qualify! Ridiculous, but true! As if someone 90 lbs overweight isn't miserable and a future health time-bomb waiting to happen. Anyway, I am self-pay too, (my insurance does not cover any gastric procedures) and like you I was also banded today! I'm a bit uncomfortable and will probably take some pain Rx to get comfortable enough to sleep tonight. I was the first here in Medford, Oregon to have the procedure done as an out-patient, which saved me about $1600 big ones. I had to go through the entire process or what I call "play the game" to get to today. Yea! How are you doing? I hope you are on get well track as fast as you were on getting banded! Take care. ssdown

My cousin had Dr. Tersigni do her gastric bypass surgery in Coos Bay about four years ago. She was and continues to be very pleased with his entire program. I am having my surgery tomorrow in Southern Oregon. Wish me luck!

WOW!!!!! How did you get your surgery date so quick? Just curious. I'm going in tomorrow, but it took a couple of months. Wish me luck. I hope you feel well soon

Being a newly divorced, Kat817 is correct. Contact an attorney, make copies of all of your financial documents, etc. Money can disappear real quick when a spouse is not being honest. Put them in a safe place just in case. Keep a sharp eye on your finances and don't be a victim in any aspect of your life.

Hi! My date is March 4! I'm not scared, but am Looking forward to getting it over with. What is it you are scared about? I've never had complete anesthesia and it gives me some pause, but I have faith that this is the correct step for me and I will be fine. So will you. Are you on all liquids right now? I've been drinking all liquids for six days. Tomorrow, all clear liquids. How does your surgeon want you to prepare for the surgery?

Same directions were followed here. The process basically sucks! Have plenty of Tucks for your backside. It had been a long time since I had diaper rash! My MD said the prep for a colonoscopy (I refer to it as an "up-the-butt-oscopy") is worse than the post-op. He was right! Good luck with your procedure. When are you scheduled? I am going in for my lap-band on March 4!

Does your husband know what you know? Be strong, be healthy, both physically and emotionally. Good luck.

Count me in for March 4! I am on the fun liquid diet then will go to clear liquids the day before the surgery. I can't wait to be on my way!

My MD and the lap-band clinic insisted that I be at a 40 BMI weight. I am self-pay, so I didn't have to play the insurance game. I protested the height that I was given and my MD placed it at 1/2 inch less. That helped, but I still gained the weight, which was much harder to loose than gain, but it put me over at the 40+ BMI requirement. I basically had no co-morbidities. If you have some co-morbidities (high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.) perhaps your insurance will allow less weight. I think waiting and gaining is a good idea, but I also like the idea of the ankle weights. Maybe do both, only gain 10 pounds, and wear 10 pounds on your ankles! Like I said, play the game and go for it! Good luck and keep us posted.

I went through about the same thing. I was on a "see food" diet, and could not stop eating. It's a crazy frame of mind to be stuck in, huh? When I began the process, I received guidance and good information from the staff at my surgeon's office. I also went to a support group which was surprisingly positive. Then I confided to a select few friends and family what my plans were. The whole process helped me to find strength and determination to curb my tendency to overeat. My band date is March 4 and I can't wait for this tool to help me achieve and maintain my weight goals. Oh yes, another thing that helped get me on track was that I was required to loose 15 pounds before I could have the surgery. Now that's an incentive! I don't know what will be your own personal path to gaining control, but you are on the right track. Best of luck! And wish me luck too! SS

Hi everyone! I am getting banded March 4 and I am looking forward to joining your ranks and am very excited about the process. I've been trying to space my water intake before and after eating and haven't been doing so well. It seems that when it's time to eat I often don't have the time or the will power to wait the half hour before eating. Also, I find it very difficult not to drink water with my meals and while I'm at it, I'm also pretty slack at not waiting the sixty to ninety minutes after a meal to drink. Does anyone have any suggestions? Have any of you experienced banders noticed any differences in your appetite if you don't follow this rule? I would appreciate any suggestions, encouragement or thoughts on this subject. Thanks.

Hey everyone! I'm getting banded March 4 and am looking forward to the process. I don't have many questions now, but I'm sure that I will be asking for advice soon thereafter. I enjoy reading all of your posts and you all have answered a lot of questions that I didn't even need to post! I'm 53 years young.

Thanks everyone! I am glad to hear that it is much easier after banding to stick to the water protocol. SS

I couldn't believe that I had gain ten pounds, but I finally got my date for March 4! Yea! The stupid thing is now I have to loose the ten pounds to get ready for surgery!

To clarify, I am self-pay and didn't have to mess with insurance.

For my first appointment, I was ten pounds shy of the 100 pound/40 BMI requirement and I didn't have any co-morbidities. I was told that I did not qualify for the lap band. So, my choice was, hmmm, loose 90 pounds on my own and gain it all back which is what I've been doing for years and years and years, or gain 10 pounds and then qualify for the lap band and have this valuable tool to help me loose the weight and keep me stable. It was a no-brainer.

I am not banded yet, but have confided to a select few friends and family what my plans are. I don't want to be scrutinized by everyone, and don't want to report to everyone I know what my progress is, how much I've lost, or why haven't I lost more weight. It's none of their business. Since I've started cutting back on my food intake in preparation for the lap band procedure, my co-workers have noticed. They are also curious about my extra medical appointments. I just tell them I'm trying to loose weight and leave it at that. I also told them that I am having a "female" operation and will be out of work for about two weeks. I suppose it isn't exactly honest, but I am "female" and I am having an operation!

Thanks for the buying hint. I probably would do the same overbuying like you! I'll be careful. I'm paying for the lap-band procedure, so money counts!

I am to be banded about the same time as you and I can't wait. Keep me posted as to how you do. I am excited to be going through this process, but would like to skip some of the steps and get going! Good luck.

I have been off of diet coke for about six weeks and can't believe I did it! I was so hooked! I had a bit of a headache for a couple of days, but drinking lots of water helped. I hope to be banded at the end of February. I can't wait for this new "tool" to help me loose weight and keep it off. I'm 53. This is a great thread.

Where do you get the Viactiv calcium? I'm not banded yet, but I want to be completely prepared when the time comes. I should get banded at the middle end of February. I can't wait to begin the process.

That information makes me feel better!

Has anyone taken Progesterone? I haven't been banded yet, but it's a pretty big pill

Ya, what's the pineapple or apple trick?