General questions about pre-op with Dr. Gupta

Once my surgery is approved - lapband (which should be THIS week, I am told by insurance today) What is next?  I know they said they would call to schedule surgery, so do they also go ahead and schedule the pre-op testing? What all pre-op testing is involved? (I have no co-morbidites and am very healthy besides being fat LOL) How far ahead before surgery do they do the testing? How far out you think they are scheduling? OH and what vitamins do you suggest?  I have NEVER taken vitamins besides when I was pregnant so I am clueless! (I am 26 if that matters for what kind) And any other suggestions you have would be much appreciated too! Thanks!

Leanne, Once the insurance approves you, they'll notify Dr. Gupta's office in writing of the approval. Once that is received (and not until then), Heather will get everything scheduled for you. This is kinda sorta Dr. Gupta's 'slow' time of year so it shouldn't be too bad schedule-wise. The later in the year, the more booked she is (everyone trying to take advantage of having their deductibles paid for the year).  Heather will call you with the surgery date, the pre-op testing date, and the all day dietician class date. The dietician & the pre-op testing are usually done in the same week...about a week before the surgery. I would guess that surgery should be within 6-8 weeks. As for the vitamins, protein, etc, all of that will be covered in the dietician class. They do update the lists from time to time so I wouldn't go strictly by what we tell you here on the board. The things that have remained the same in the last 3.5 years is Flintstone Chewable Vitamins with iron (I personally get generic ones...like Kroger brand. The nutrients are the same, they taste about as bad as the Flintstone's..at a much lower cost), B12 sublingual tablets (although some prefer to get B12 injections monthly), B1 (once a week), calcium citrite (NOT calcium carbonate). They usually don't tell you until after you already start to lose your hair to get Biotin...a B Vitamin. That's kinda like closing the barn door after the cows are out. Get the Biotin NOW and start taking it NOW...and get the strongest mcg you can find. St. Vincent's recomends their own blend for a protein drink. I would recommend you trying that FIRST. No...you may not like the taste and will need to try something else..but only do that with the advise & guidance of the dieticians.  We all have our favorites..and least favorites..and what works for one, will NOT work for all. For instance..some people really like Isopure...I can't stand the crap. I really love AchievOne's..but if you don't like coffee at all, you'll hate them. The cost also varies greatly. You are just going to have to experiment and find what works for you...but FIRST, try what they recommend. Just remember when it comes to protein to BUY SMALL.  Dr. Gupta is fantastic. When I tell her that she is my favorite surgeon, I am not brown-nosing...I am 100% serious. She has been there for me & my family so very much and between her & her partner Dr. Cacucci, I truly owe my life to these two ladies. I have had tons of complications..NONE were due to anything to do with Dr. Gupta or her skills. Also, NONE were due to me not doing what I was told to do..which is why I can't stress it enough to do everything exactly as you are told to do...and if you have problems with that & need to try something else, ALWAYS have them at the head of the decision making process to find something that does work! Anyway, with every complication I have had, Dr. Gupta has been able to handle it wonderfully...and THAT is what matters! Hope this helps.... Sherri

Thanks so much, you are always so quick to respond and full of information!  You are great! I am going to some class on April 11th but I think it is a nurse or something maybe?  And meeting some one afterwards.  I don't really remember what they called it though. The vitamins and what not sound a little overwhelming, of course I have never even looked at vitamins before so maybe thats why! I did read about biotin on another thread you posted on.  I will definately be getting that!  My hair is already short and thin thin thin, baby fine hair I guess you would say.  I don't need to lose any! I am excited, but all the information is pretty overwhelming!  Thanks again for all your information, I really appreciate it!  Hopefully I will be posting in a few days that I got approved!  My insurance said they were waiting on the Inamed certificate from Amy and thats it.  And Amy said she sent it today.  Insurance told me 2 business days from the time they receive all the information and that was all they were missing!