PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hey all!! Thought it would be nice to have a thread for everyone whose having surgery in April! My sleeve is booked in for 12th April!.. Currently feeling really excited a tad nervous! Look forward to getting to know everyone! Shelley x

Hey guys, so, I have a few questions and I will ask my surgeon as well at my upcoming pre surgery appointment. 1. Are straws allowed while drinking anything? I swear I was told that you can 2. I'm thinking about getting the bariatric fusion vitamins. The nurse at the bariatrics office tells me that she recommends them over getting the vitamins separately. Do I still need other vitamins on top of those? 3. So, I was wondering if we get tested the day after surgery to see if everything is working the way they're supposed to? Or is every surgeon different? (Like I said I will be asking my surgeon all of these questions) 4. Soups...we can use the broth in…

I have fibromyalgia (officially diagnosed 12/22) and deal with pain daily. I'm not on any of the medications they have available and trying to learn my body, what it's capable of, and living with it. Has anyone had either the sleeve or bypass as well as fibromyalgia? How has the surgery affected your fibro symptoms? Thanks!

I got scheduled for surgery on December 8th! I start my liquid diet on thanksgiving! I’m excited and nervous!

I've had a long history with weight problems. By the age of ''4'' I was already 68 pounds despite having the diet of the typical child. By the time I was 15 I was in the 180's and eating honestly no different from my peers. By 17 I had joined a teen fitness group and failed to lose any weight what-so-ever. I resorted to starvation about a year later and by 19 I was 150 pounds and subsisting on 500 calories per day, taking diet pills and using tea laxatives. This lead to a cardiac issue which lead me into an Anorexia treatment center by 20. I cleaned up my act and began a ''healthy eating journey'' but sadly for me that resulted in a slow creeping weight gain of about 7-8 …

Just trying to see if anyone had surgery as a cardiac patient. I’m a fairly young patient with some congenital defects (corrected PFO) and a pacemaker for almost 5 years due to sick sinus. My cardiologist is actually who talked to me and referred me to my surgeon. I know I will always be on some level of cardiac meds. Just trying to see what after looks like for these patients? Research that I’ve seen shows some great results!

anyone getting sleeved on the 27th of this month? If so how is it going with you?? what kind of pre-op diet are you on?? I am the 3 protein drinks with a small 3oz cooked protein meal with 2 cups of raw veggies which is cucumbers, tomatoes and all colors of bellpeppers!!

Hi guys I take a Progesterone tablet every night anyone know how I can still take with sleeve? Thank you

Tomorrow is the day for my much anticipated gastric bypass surgery. I am packing my bag and hoping I am not forgetting anything. Kaiser sent a letter telling me to bring very little, but I want to be comfortable Anyone have any handy tips on what to forget at home and what to bring?

I went in in August for a sleeve, but when the Dr got in there he found a massive haital hernia. 1/3 of my stomach was sucked into my chest. He fixed that and I started the waiting game, again... just got my new date! December 14th. I'm so ready. I started this journey in July 2021. Anyway, what a way to close 2022!

Hi guys! I have bypass surgery on 9th January, and overall very nervous! I had a gastric sleeve in 2016, and the gas pain post op was horrendous, I am seeiously freaking out about this happening again. Has anyone got any advice from their experience apart feom peppermint juice?

So I am needing some tips and advice for food and protein shakes for when I start and exercising tips I have already started walking a mile everyday except yesterday and doing 20-25 squats everytime I take a little break.

I'm getting sleeved on 02/27/23... ready for this!! HW: 267 CW: 235 SW: ????? GW: Healthy

I am trying to get approved for gastric sleeve surgery. I have been in treatment on suboxone for 7 years. I went to have a psych consultation and was informed that I could not get the surgery while I was on suboxone and that I would need to be off of it for a year before I would be considered. I’m really confused because I know atleast one person who got the surgery while in suboxone therapy and everything I have read online says it’s possible to have the surgery while on suboxone- well, you taper off before surgery and continue after surgery- and people say they had no problems. Has anyone else dealt with this or know what I should do from here? Thank you.

Hello, I am in the process of scheduling bariatric surgery. I had to do an at home sleep study which returned confirmed sleep apnea. I was requested to meet with a pulmonologist which I did. He put ina request for a CPAP machine but said there are delays getting them at the current moment so it could be months. Could this delay my surgery? I know what the CPAP machine is for, but do you need to be on it for a specific time ahead off surgery? I was really hoping to schedule surgery following my blood panel and EKG next week. Thank you!

Hi, I live in Orlando, Florida, so I was looking at Advent Health to do the gastric sleeve. However, I heard that the NYU Langone’s team is amazing and might be worth it that I travel to NYC. Did anyone compare between the 2 before? If yes what was the outcome? Who did you end up going with? If not, I would like to hear about your experience with either one of them. Thank you in advance!

Hi all, I had a question. I got approved for my surgery with my temp Cigna Insurance but had to undergo a 6 month waiting period. The six months also ended at the time of my open enrollment to get my permanent insurance for BCBS for federal employees. My procedure will be covered but my doctors office says they might require an additional letter from another doctor at least one year prior to the date of surgery for the insurance to cover it. I just wanted to see if this was correct or if anyone who has BCBS Fed knows of any waiting period? Thanks for any info! It’s been 7 months waiting already and I seriously am just ready to get this done and get healthy.

Is anyone else having trouble getting the psych eval? my doctor gave me a referral and I've been calling places but no one seems to be doing pre-op psych evals. I'm not sure what to do next.

My surgery is tomorrow I'm worried about these awful leg cramps I'm having.I've been on the liquid diet all week and the last 3 days I've been like this. Its like when you get a cramp in your toe and it gets stuck, but its in my leg from hip to ankle. Its ok if I'm walking but sitting,standing,getting out of bed,going to the bathroom & trying to get dressed has been awful! I keep thinking it'll get better but no luck.this is gonna suk tomorrow trying to get out of the hospital bed. Is this normal?anyone know how I can get it to stop? HELP

I am currently one week into my two week preop diet on Optifast and fluids. I am having a conversion from my 10 year old sleeve to a full bypass January 9. I know I cannot eat 12 hours before the surgery and the diet is pretty clear that the only sustenance I can have during these two weeks is the Optifast. As I understand it, this is to reduce the size of my liver to make the surgery less complicated. I’m 270 pounds 60 pounds below my pre-surgery wait 10 years ago. So here’s my question;: I’m just wondering if I could have one more real food meal before the surgery on maybe the morning of the eighth or the evening of the seventh? My thinking is by then my liver will b…

Just got scheduled for January 3 surgery. Anyone else in January? Seems like a bunch in the next few months. I still have surgeon’s practice nutrition classes to complete.

Hi Guys, I'm scheduled for Gastric Sleeve surgery on 12/28/22. I am reading all these threads where people are stating that they are on pre-op diets/liquid diets for 2 weeks or so. Neither my surgeon or nutritionist said anything about this. The only instruction I received was Clear Liquids only the day before surgery. They didn't even say it has to be sugar free. After reading through a whole heck of a lot of pre-op threads, I'm kind of freaking out & feeling like I'm doing something wrong or jeopardizing my surgery in some way. Am I wrong here? Should I postpone? Did anyone else not have to do a pre-op diet?

Okay so I have been following but not posting much for a little while. I have been frustrated, feeling like I don’t have much advice to offer others because I have been searching for my own answers and very embarrassed about my weigh gain. Anyways, for those of you who don’t know me, I had my surgery March 9, 2021 at 235 (5’8”). I lost pretty steadily down to 169 but then stalled for months on end until my appetite came back and I started gaining and continue to gain. I have been struggling uphill while searching for answers ever since. The bariatric team blames my psyc meds but the prescribing dr claims they are weight neutral meds. My family dr agrees and show…

Hi everyone, This is sort of déjà vu for me! In 2009 I was on these forums a lot as I prepared for my lap band surgery. I lost 100 pounds in 3 years with lap band. In 2017 I tried to have revision surgery to the sleeve but my BMI was 35 and I only had mild sleep apnea and my insurance would not approve it. Fast forward to almost 2023 and my BMI is now 40. I have a consultation on Wednesday as I now have new insurance (Anthem BCBS) and I'm hoping to have better luck with approval. I am leaning more toward gastric bypass this time. I know a few people who have had the sleeve and a few people who have had bypass and it seems like the people with bypass have had the resu…

Has everyone bought a scale for weighing yourself post surgery? I haven't owned a scale in years. Do any of you have a scale you like (is there such thing)? Thanks!

What did you all do to get your house ready for your recovery? I am making sure the basic things are done, like laundry, changing bed linens, etc. My surgery is on the 27th and I am finding myself overwhelmed with Christmas and surgery prep, so any suggestions are very welcome! What other things did you do that you think were helpful? What things do you wish you had done.

My surgery center has a nearly all liquid liver-shrinking diet for 14 days, but it is causing me the worst chapped lips. I've been drinking 82 - 124 oz of water and it's getting worse. Has anyone else experienced ultra dry skin & lips during the pre-op diet? Diet : Water - 48 oz. minimum Breakfast - 30 g protein shake <5 carbs Lunch - 30 g protein shake <5 carbs Dinner - light meal: 3-6 oz lean protein, <30 carbs, non-starchy vegetable, 2 servings of healthy fat spread throughout day non-starchy vegetables are unlimited throughout the day.

Let me start this off by saying I've never been a fan of milk and I don't like shakes (not even milkshakes from Culver's). I just don't like the chalky aftertaste and thick texture of the protein shakes. I'm not hungry, just bored (If that makes sense). So here's what I'm doing and I would love for you all to help me. Please tell me what I can add to make it to the 16th. -Chicken broth with protein powder mixed served warm and eaten with a spoon. -A clear Jell-O -1-2 premier protein shake (chocolate or vanilla) -64 oz or more of water -Also just added Gatorade GZero last night (completely helped me with my muscle spasms) Anything fun you…

Hi I got my surgery yesterday and ive tried walking, burping and nothing is taking away this gass. Im in so much pain please help. I got the sleeve and i can barely sip any water because of this pain.

Hi please bare with me I’ll try to explain my best! so I have Medicare as my primary insurance and state medicaid as my secondary insurance. Typically I don’t get a bill bc the state insurance picks up what Medicare doesn’t pay. Well my surgery is approved by Medicare but the Medicaid is saying they won’t approve it bc they require 1 year free from alcohol/ drugs as I use marijuana for pain management that violates there rules. Typically I follow Medicares rules as they are the primary n the medicaid They would cover the part A Deductible and the leftover copayment 20% etc. I feel like the medicaid denial is based on if they were they primary which they are not.…

Did anyone have to do the Bravo study to test for silent acid reflux? If so, could you fill the capsule that is attached to your esophagus?

Hi All - I saw on one forum (not sure which, I'm on so may now), but I know some of you seem very knowledgeable (like Fluffy Chick). I haven't tried CBD oil at all yet, but I wanted to (I have anxiety and take xanax, but I want off and know not to mix the two). My sisters and I are going away this weekend and they have ingestible CBD oil and CBD oil face masks. Is it safe/ok to use before surgery? Someone said you can get rejected for surgery if you take CBD and I don't want to do anything to mess it up. I won't see any docs again until the week of 9/30, but I'll call them if I have to. I also know the person who said this is trying to quit smoking and they vap…

I am scheduled to have surgery on November 30th. 9 more days! I am on preop diet and wondering if I can add propel packets to my bottles of water? Thanks

I have my surgery scheduled for December 5. I see a lot of folks who are similarly scheduled are on liquid diets but my surgeon only has me on one two days before surgery- is this normal?

Hi all, I received the results from my pre-op bloodwork, and I’m concerned about my high B12 and folate levels. Does it have anything to do with my fatty liver? I got the results on Friday and haven’t been able to talk to the doctor, yet. Thanks!

Hi all, first time posting, a vet GBS 8 years out, on track for a revision to DS. Last time around I was part of a forum called “Thinner Times”. I see it when I google it but unable to get in. Did this forum cease to exist? Loving this forum but also wanted to check out a few others!

This weekend my nerves are in hyperdrive ahead of my Dec 5th sleeve surgery. While you might think it’s surgery itself or pain or resulting restriction that might be making me nervous the root of my nerves is more psychological. I’m nervous about losing a part of myself, how my relationships might change, and to some degree not having my weight as a protective shield that despite all its faults seems to do a good job of repelling assholes. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still excited for the surgery and know it’s the right step for me, and will help be become more healthful and confident, but curious if anyone else is worrying about similar things.

I'm still working on pre-op stuff. I'm told that it will likely be February before I have surgery. Any recommendations in the meantime? I'm currently doing 1200 calories and 1 hour of cardio, 5 days per week. How do I keep my sanity until then? I'm really impatient about the wait.

Can anyone recommend any favorite posters/posts here that do a good job chronicling life after surgery?

Hi all, im on day 2 of this two week diet before surgery and im dying with protein shakes, jello, water. Im taking broth as well. Does anyone have any more suggestions please?

Hey folks I need advise please! They put me on the two week pre-op diet today and I'll post their guidelines below. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, can I get by with cheating just tmro if I stuck to just about meat and veggies? Will that impact me if I have Thanksgiving dinner? This is also odd, they told me I am to have NOTHING but what's on the list.. that includes meat and eggs... That's protein so I dont understand why I can't have that? Even if it's tuna or something. Can I get some advise please, I'm really frustrated. If need be I'll stay home and not go to Thanksgiving but I don't want to have to do that if I don't have to. Pre-op guidelines Diet guidelines: Low Cal…

Hi, im new here. My name is Breanna. Im 33 and im getting the sleeve on the 7th of December.

Surgery in two weeks from tomorrow. I am so scared but really feel ready.

Hi everyone, I am scheduled for my DS surgery October 19th. I have been placed on a 3 week liquid diet and today is day 11. Yesterday was the most pain I felt when it comes to constipation. I had been doing fine but omg I called the on-call doctor twice due to the pain and not being able to go. I was super nauseous and just drained from trying. I got permission to drink prune juice but still nothing. The on call surgeon recommended some over the counter suppositories and will be sending in a stronger nausea medication since Zofran doesn’t help. Has anyone else experienced pre-op constipation? What have you taken to help you? I should also add I tr…

Which one to prefer? No RNY or Sleeve because of reflux. MGB would be adjusted as my BMI is only 35. Has anyone experiences with SADI_s or MGB with a lower BMI? Tnx

I have to be cleared by a pulmonologist prior to surgery. I called the office today to get an appointment and they said they will call me when the get to me on the very long list of people waiting for get appointments. They are scheduling appointments in to March now!!! I was really hoping to get my surgery done in Feb. I have a GI appointment in Jan. I thought that was bad. Im thinking about going to Phoenix to see if I can get into a pulmonologist sooner there. Flagstaff only has one Pulmonary Dr office. I know some of you have waited a really long time to get your sugeries done. Im anxious to get it done because I cant have my knee replacement until I lose weight. I …

I'm getting to swallow the barium tomorrow. It's my last test before getting my date. My labs and EKG were fine. I'm doing all this with little to no support system, so I'm taking an Uber 30 min each way to the hospital. Then again, I watched my first episode of My 600lb Life and now whatever I'm going through seems minimized. Anyway, wish me well with hopes it all looks good to them!

New to the app!! Waiting on approval from insurance. Was told I will hear in the next 10 days. Even though I am told I qualify, I am still so nervous that it will be denied!!! Praying for approval and looking forward to this new journey of health!!

My doctor and their office has been fantastic. They supplied me with informational packets, what to expect, everything. I made a calendar to make sure I do not miss any upcoming appointments. I am so ready for my New Beginnings. Would love to get ya'lls feedback on the 2 week prior diet to surgery. Ideas and any helpful hints would be so appreciated.

My original surgeon left the state unexpectedly so I had a consult with a new one today. I'm down to the point of choosing which surgery I want and I had settled on RNY. This new surgeon brought up SADI DS which he said solves issues the old DS caused, i.e. less malabsorbtion and less GERD than the sleeve alone (something to do with how they deal with the pyloric sphincter). He said the advantages over bypass are less chance of ulcers, increased weight loss and better control of serious type 2 diabetes (which I have). I hadn't considered ulcers in my research so I would like to ask if others with RNY have had issues with these and/or have noticed this being a serious…