Newbie from Chicago

[SabrinaS 47]

Hello everyone Im Sabrina from Chicago I've been battling weight issues since I can remember I have made the decision to have lap band surgery after alot of research....I have spoken to my doctor and he also thinks this will be very helpful in helping me lose weight and become healthier...I am a bit confused as to what to do next...after a bit of frustration and confusion with my insurance co and the actual doctors office? any advice would be greatly appeciated...again im starting fresh and im not to educated on how to get the whole process started

[NurseShay 24]

Hi Sabrina! Welcome to the forum. You came to the right place to get educated on the band! Read in the pre/post op sections and also the success stories and band complications sections of the forum to really get a good idea about the banding process. Know the good, the bad and the ugly!! If your primary doctor has determined that you are eligible for the band he/she could refer you to surgeon that he recommends or you could research one in your area. There are lap band doctors everywhere but be sure to get an experienced one that has your best interest at heart and makes you feel heard and comfortable because you will have a relationship with him/her for a good long while.

Usually the first step to being banded is attending a seminar where you will be educated on the band and how it works, the risks and realistic expectations and what would be expected of you to be successful with the band. Most seminars have people there who will help you find out if your eligible to have your surgery covered by your insurance or if you will have to pay out of pocket, in which case they will help you find ways to finance it in house or through medical loans or credit cards like care credit for instance. Once that's determined you have to go through whatever steps your insurance and/or doctor require to be accepted for surgery such as a pre op diet anywhere from 6mts (some insurance require) to as short as a week. You have to have labs done, meet with a nutritionist and your surgeon for consultation. And whatever other tests or meetings that your doctor and insurance require for your specific health needs. For instance most diabetics have more lap requirements than someone without diabetes. After that is done you move on to your pre-op liquid diet and then you can have your surgery. After surgery there is another process you move through where you start off on liquids only fresh out of surgery, progress to "mushies", then soft foods and finally solids. Then you begin going in for routine fills as needed to get your restriction level. For some people this happens without fill other people need 2, 4 or 10 fills to reach their optimal restriction. Once you have this your weight loss, depending on your discipline and efforts should be relatively consistant and progressive over time depending on the amount you want to lose.

If you read peoples stories on the forum some peoples pre banding journey are as long as a year or two while others are short (like mine) where I went to a seminar, got my financing and labs done in one week, did the pre op diet for one week and then had my surgery a total of 2 weeks from the day I decided I wanted one. It all depends on your personal situation and your insurance. Not that the decision should be taken lightly, do lots and lots of research before you commit to the band it definitely isn't for everybody and you should be well educated on it and have realistic expectations about it. Best of luck!

[Cynsayshun 10]

Hi Sabrina! Welcome to the forum. You came to the right place to get educated on the band! Read in the pre/post op sections and also the success stories and band complications sections of the forum to really get a good idea about the banding process. Know the good, the bad and the ugly!! If your primary doctor has determined that you are eligible for the band he/she could refer you to surgeon that he recommends or you could research one in your area. There are lap band doctors everywhere but be sure to get an experienced one that has your best interest at heart and makes you feel heard and comfortable because you will have a relationship with him/her for a good long while.

Usually the first step to being banded is attending a seminar where you will be educated on the band and how it works, the risks and realistic expectations and what would be expected of you to be successful with the band. Most seminars have people there who will help you find out if your eligible to have your surgery covered by your insurance or if you will have to pay out of pocket, in which case they will help you find ways to finance it in house or through medical loans or credit cards like care credit for instance. Once that's determined you have to go through whatever steps your insurance and/or doctor require to be accepted for surgery such as a pre op diet anywhere from 6mts (some insurance require) to as short as a week. You have to have labs done, meet with a nutritionist and your surgeon for consultation. And whatever other tests or meetings that your doctor and insurance require for your specific health needs. For instance most diabetics have more lap requirements than someone without diabetes. After that is done you move on to your pre-op liquid diet and then you can have your surgery. After surgery there is another process you move through where you start off on liquids only fresh out of surgery, progress to "mushies", then soft foods and finally solids. Then you begin going in for routine fills as needed to get your restriction level. For some people this happens without fill other people need 2, 4 or 10 fills to reach their optimal restriction. Once you have this your weight loss, depending on your discipline and efforts should be relatively consistant and progressive over time depending on the amount you want to lose.

If you read peoples stories on the forum some peoples pre banding journey are as long as a year or two while others are short (like mine) where I went to a seminar, got my financing and labs done in one week, did the pre op diet for one week and then had my surgery a total of 2 weeks from the day I decided I wanted one. It all depends on your personal situation and your insurance. Not that the decision should be taken lightly, do lots and lots of research before you commit to the band it definitely isn't for everybody and you should be well educated on it and have realistic expectations about it. Best of luck!

Well said, Nurse Shay!!! You gave her all the steps to a "T".. Congrats on your journey..