Long2BFree

My doctor also said he would not remove the gallbladder at the same time as doing the Lap-Band. The reason was because of infection.

I'm sorry you are having to go through this. I've read several posts that mention drinking liquids only to possibly help correct a slip.

I'm one week without drinking Diet Coke and am surviving. I too was a die-hard DC but have been drinking Crystal Light in place of it and am doing very well.

What exactly happens with a band errosion and what does it look like?

I see a lot of people going to Mexico to have surgery. It looks like most have good experiences but I wonder how you are able to check the credentials of the doctors, nurses and medical facilities? I looked at one doctor's website and it didn't give much information about his training or that of his staffs. If someone dies during surgery or has life threatening complications I wonder how this is handled? Are they able to handle such emergencies? Is their training up-to-date compared with those in the US? How is it going over the border? Do you have to register with anyone in the US before going there so that someone knows you are there? The only reason I ask this is because I work for the gov't and we had to sign a form stating that we wouldn't go there because of some the unrest that has taken place the past few years and it's not safe.

I agree with what some of the others have stated. An employer cannot deny you time off if it's medically necessary and they have to give you the days off as indicated by the doctor. I would contact your doctor's office ASAP and speak with them. Your doctor will most likely write you a note and back you up 100%.

You need to list all of your medical problems. Depending on what they are will only make it easier for you to get approved if they are related to your weight. Your surgeon and other medical personnel need to know what they are dealing with so they know of any conditions that may arise during your treatment. Not being able to walk far without difficulty will only show the need for you to lose weight.

In my opinion you need to tell your counselor what is going on with the panic attacks and with the upcoming surgery. Maybe you can be put on some type of med to calm you down. Take care.

How frustrated you must feel. I'd rather have the doctor cancel on me if he/she didn't feel well that to not be able to concentrate. Perhaps the radiologist had something else planned that he couldn't get out of. Hopefully someone else will cancel their surgery so that you are able to get in sooner.

Sorry you are in pain. I've read several posts about shoulder pain being common thing after surgery. You might do a search if you haven't already done so to see if you can come up with any answers.

You must feel a sigh of relief knowing that you've been approved and are almost there. Keep us filled in.

I don't know your medical history but perhaps Kaiser requires you to have certain pre-existing conditions or a certain BMI before they will authorize the surgery and if don't have those then the doctor could've been telling you that you are too young and should try something else. Find out what would qualify you for the surgery and if you meet them then start looking for another doctor.

Yay for getting your surgery date! Do you have to do a pre-op diet?

I haven't flown on this airline but you can quietly ask for a seatbelt extender when you first board the plane and there should be a stewardess right there. I know exactly how you are feeling but look at it as it will be your last time ever having to ask for one plus it is against the law to not have a fastened seatbelt and is probably something your don't want to risk. Hold your head high and remember you are a wonderful person because of who you are. Your weight doesn't make you a bad person, but that's junk that society has put into your head.

Don't let the negative remarks get to you. Prove them wrong by picking yourself up and getting back to doing what works to get the weight off. By the way, people with gastric bypass can gain their weight back. My aunt had the surgery and gained all of her weight back so it's not a guarantee.

Thank goodness you went to the ER and was able to get an I.V. You should probably only drink liquids since you are so swollen; food would probably only aggrevate you more. Take care and let us know how you are doing.

1. Went to a seminar and was given a packet. 2. Completed the packet and mailed it in. 3. Surgeon's office called me to schedule an appointment with the nutritionist. 4. Saw nutritionist. She now sends a report to the surgeon. He will review my packet and decide if he will accept me as a patient and then I will have to complete a series of tests before he will see me. 5. I am going for a mandatory two-hour nutrition class on Tuesday because it's only held once a month and I don't want that to hold me up if I'm accepted.

Congrats on your loss! You are doing great. I haven't reached the point of being scaleless, but am close.

For me, the risks are higher with GB. The death rate is higher not only during surgery but after from malnutrition. I know someone who died about a year after GB because she stopped taking her Vitamins and B12 because she felt fine without them. I don't know if it's related or not but my Aunt had GB and ended up getting a pacemaker about 8 years after the surgery, so that is scary to me. The same Aunt gained all of her weight back about 10 years after the surgery. I saw a show on television a couple of years ago about a young woman who had GB and it caused to become extremely ill, diminishing her quality of life and was told she would die if she didn't have the surgery reversed. The surgery is very difficult to reverse from what I've read. I've had two cousins who have been banded and are doing wonderfully.

Hang in there. You are almost there.

((((HUGS)))) I'm sorry and feel so bad for you. I know that I would feel the same devistation that you are feeling if I can't have my surgery for one reason or another. I'm on pins and needles right now with waiting to hear back from the surgeon as to whether or not he's going to accept me.

Two days without food or liquid? Go to the emergency room if you can't reach your doctor. You can become dehydrated very quickly.

I'm curious to know the answer to this. I don't smoke but had routine bloodwork done by my PCP and noticed that it listed the carbon below normal which concerned me since I've had pnemonia in the past. The doc wasn't too concerned though. It never dawned on me that it might be related to smoking...

At the seminar I went to for the LB the surgeon said he wouldn't band anyone who smokes and said that they could never smoke again if they did. He didn't elaborate on why so I don't fully know his reason behind it except the obvious.

Actually your doctor will list what your co-morbidities are. I'm sure I will have no problems getting approved. I have high blood pressure, high cholestoral (extremely high), sleep apnea (on a CPAP machine), plantar fascitis in both feet, back, joint and knee pain, shortness of breath, plus a history of heart disease in my family. I'm also testing on the verg of being diabetic.