Lap Band Newbie

[shay33 18]

Hey I am new to this site. My name is shay and I am having the lapband put on Jan 3rd and am excited! I have been reading through alot of the posts and have found it very comforting. I have been so nervous and it makes it easier getting to read other peoples stories and advice. I am wondering however if others did not have to have upper GI test before surgery? My doctor just had me do a blood test and heart test then set me up for surgery. Is this common?

[Cocoabean 430]

Welcome! I didn't do an Upper GI. I did some other tests, blood work, EKG, some other stuff my insurance required. Everyone is different on here as to what pre-op testing was required.

[shay33 18]

Thanks. It makes me nervous because I worry about hernia or gallbladder. What happens if they get in and find their bad???? Im scared I will get in to surgery and not be able to get lapband. I know it is silly but I just cant help being afraid.

[codeblue603 0]

Hi i am new also i will be going soon to a meeting. i hope to have it done this spring in kansas city. I know a few that have did lap band & had loss weight. I think that is what i am going to do. still thinking.

[Cocoabean 430]

Thanks. It makes me nervous because I worry about hernia or gallbladder. What happens if they get in and find their bad???? Im scared I will get in to surgery and not be able to get lapband. I know it is silly but I just cant help being afraid.

Hi again, if they find you need your gallbladder out or a hiatal hernia repair, they can often be done at the same time as lap band surgery. So, it is actually a good thing to have the tests done. You can save yourself another operation. Of course, they can fix it if they get inside and find the gallbladder is bad or a hernia needs repair as well. But if you know in advance you will be more prepared.

The recovery from being banded and having a hernia repair is often more prolonged than just having band surgery. So, I'd want to know if I needed that done, so that I could plan the time away from work and things like that. Knowledge is power, as they say.