~Michelle~

I have been reading so much about different pre-op tests. The only test I have to do it some blood work. No x-rays, or upper GI stuff. Is this normal?

I prepare everything the night before, and take it to work with me. If it needs to be refrigerated, then I have a little ice box I put it in. LindaD congrats on the weight loss, and good luck tomorrow.

Wow nothing but liquids...guess I shouldn't complain, at least the shakes help me feel like I am actually getting something. My nurse, and dietician told me yesterday that I could have some SF jello, so that should help fill the void a little. I can also have a little bit of chicken breast and some salad at night, just small portions. No creamy dressing.

Thanks for words of encouragment, I am feeling a little better today about it. My surgery is June 5th no time set yet, have to wait on the hospital. My pre-op visit is the day before surgery, and I will find out then what time.

I have also lost up to 50lbs and then regained, and I am hoping Lap Band will help keep it off and more for good too. Good luck to you too!:smile:

Yesterday I got my surgery scheduled for June 5th, were only one day apart from surgeries. I have been having mini-anxiety attacks. I told my husband he'll probably have to drag me into the hospital. I have never had any kind of surgery at all......so I am pretty nervous also.

Yesterday my surgery date was set for June 5th. I am very excited, happy, nervous, and terrified all at the same time. I am going to Dr Miller in Saint George Utah.

I am right now going through the same thing. I have been eating like crazy since I really decided to get the surgery, and I had the loan to do it. Yesterday my surgery was scheduled for June 5th, and so I start the liquid diet on Monday. I have ate 3 candy bars since yesterday, and made sure I got some Chineese food. I am having tons of anxiety about surgery, because I am afraid I still won't stop eating even after surgery.

I am new, so not sure if this is the right place post this, sorry if it is not. I am very frustrated with the whole process of finding the right surgeon right now. I live in Northern AZ where the closest real town is 2 hrs away, and I am also self pay. So there are several issues, besides making the intial decsion of having WLS, to consider. One cost, second a surgeon I am comfortable with, thrid how far am I going to have to travel. I started with attending a seminar in Flagstaff which is about a 2 hr drive. Then I made the decision I want Lap Band, so I called to make the first appt for consult. Asked what the surgery would cost and explained I was self pay, and I was told approx $15,000 which seems to be the norm, but then there is the labs, and dietician, and phyc eval, and 4 hour ed class, which none of it is included in the price I was given. Also there is only 90 days of aftercare, with 3 fills included. So I decided to check out other places to get an idea of whether or not this is normal. I checked out the Saint George area because it is about the same distance as Flagstaff. They have a set price for the surgery with is under $14,000 that includes one year aftercare, and 15 fills. So I call to get more information, and got an answering machine. The coordinator got back to me the following day. She told me I would need to get labs, phyc eval, and so on, but I could do them here at home instead of having to travel there to do it. She was suppossed to get all the information to my Dr so he could prescribe the labs for me, and get me referal to dietician, and so on. Well she never got the stuff to him , and never called him like she said she would. Everytime I try to call I get a voice mail, so I am starting to think that cooridnator is not a nurse like I thought she was. So I believe that I have not spoken to any real staff memebers. So now I am not sure if I am comfortable with that. I want to talk to staff memebers, nurses, something other than a machine. So then I hear of a Dr Simpson in Phoenix, I call they have a set price for the surgery $16,400, and all labs, dietician, and phyc eval are included, with 2 years of aftercare, and fills durring that 2 years. The only problem with Phoenix is that it is a 5-6 hr drive from where I live. So my head is just spinning with all these things to consider. I really wish Flagstaff had some kind of set price for self pay patients. I mean it could end up costing me a lot more then what I expected to pay. Especially not knowing what some of the other things I have to do are going to cost me. My insurance will pay for the labs if its done under another code other than obesity, but still its just scarry going into something like this having no real confidence in what its going to cost. Also I don't like the fact that it costs nearly the same as Dr Simpson, but doesn't have that same amount of aftercare. Then in St George I can't talk to a real staff member. If I go to Phoenix, its a long drive that I really don't like making, and I might not save any money going that route. Can anybody share anything with me that might help me decide. Like if 2 years aftercare is really necessary, or if 15 fills is necessary. Maybe if someone has had to travel a far distance what kind of strain has that put on you. I know no one can make the decision for me, but really I am not sure what to expect after the surgery is done, and whether or not aftercare is really that important or if its just a selling point.

It so nice to hear that there are people who are happy with the Lap Band.

Anyone heard of or been to Dr. John Miller or Jared Speakman of St. George Utah? I am considering getting my surgery through Dr. John Miller already checked his credentials, and did a back ground check. Came back clean, just hoping to find someone who might have had their surgery there.

Hi, I live in Northern Arizona. I have made it to a seminar, and have decided on getting surgery, just not sure which one or where yet. I am leaning more towards Lap Band, but have been considering the Sleeve also. I have been hearing horror stories about Lap Band, but also have heard some really good things. With the Sleeve it seems that after surgery there is less restriction, less hunger, and fewer complications, but I guess it depends on who you talk to. which is why I am glad I found this site, it will be nice to get to talk to some people who have had this done. The other decision I am torn on is where to get it done. In Mexico it is so much cheaper, but my husband has some concerns about my safety as far as getting it done in Mexico. Anyone have any experience with this? Is just as safe?

After really doing some research, and thinking about things, I am definately going to get the Lap Band done. Still a little torn on where though. I am really scarred also, worried it won't work, worried about the surgery, worried about complications, and worried about sagging skin, but I am definately ready to be healthy and thin, and I think that outweighs the fears.

Wow great information this is one of things I was worried most about with the Lap Band