PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hi there! So I've only just started my vsg journey and I was just curious if any one has some general little nuggets of advice? What do you wish you realized before (post or pre op)? Any tips or tricks you've found to be invaluable (post or pre op)? I've been scouting the forums so far and have picked up some awesome info so far, so super excited to see what everyone has to say. Little bit about me: 25 yrs old, gal, out of RI HW/current: 356 lbs So far I've had my surgical consultation & psych eval, my first appointment with the nutritionist is 9/25, sleep study appointment on 10/10. I have BCSC for insurance, so far so good in that department! I've also started a di…

Hi all, I seen my doctor last week for by last visit before surgery which is this Friday....he told ne that actually lost TOO much weight and now I need to at 230 for my bmi to exactly at 40 (I currently weigh 227....having a bmi of 39.62) now if I don't I will either havr to reschedule or possibly have my approval from the insurance revoked??? I'm so nervous has anyone elae had this problem....HELP!

I am getting the gastric sleeve soon. 5'3" 240 pounds at age 26 (also very fair skin if that means anything). I'm a total type A personality and don't mind doing extra work/steps/anything if anyone thinks that it might have a slight chance of success. Loose skin is not my biggest worry but I was wondering if anyone had advice or successful tips they had post op. Thanks.

Hello, I have finished all of my required classes and my first appointment with my surgeon tomorrow. I am getting really nervous, I feel like it is getting real. What have been everyone's experiences with the first surgeon appointment? I have heard surgery can be as soon as 2-3 weeks after this appointment.

My date is set for October 16th.... I am excited and can not wait... I am prepping for my new me.. I will be going on the 28th for all my information.. Any advise on what I should get that you wished you did please tell me... Thank you in advance...

I just had my first Nutrition meetings. My health care provider puts the first one in a group setting and then from there you can choose to go solo. I didn't mind the group until well.. they started talking. Out of the four of us, one woman was so sweet. She was working for the local food bank and offered free vegetables to anyone who may be lacking in the funds to buy them. Quickly, the other lady jumped, and said, "Do you ask proof of income before you pass out those vegetables?! My company donates a lot of money to that group and I know people show up in fancy cars." Umm.. ok, well maybe that is true, but we are here for bariatric surgery information. Free ve…

Just started my 2 week pre-op. Using the Vitaleph vanilla protein shakes and they are not very good. Just wondering if anyone has some suggestions to make these taste better?

finally that call when to show up for surgery has arrived I am so excited cant wait and this pre op diet has been so stressful

Hi All, My band has been in my body for 14.5 years. I have been having some severe problems with it for many years now. Our insurance has a no weight-loss surgery restriction. So we got care credit for $7500 and my husband cashed a chunk of his retirement out to pay for the rest.:( My band to sleep for vision is October 3 My husband is naturally skinny and so is his family. I just feel so much guilt because we have four children and really can't afford this. My husband keeps saying not to feel guilty and that my health is most important. But I still do. Is anyone else in the same boat?

IF YOU DONT MINE.. WHAT ARE YOUR INSTAGRAM NAMES? I WOULD LOVE TO FOLLOW YOU

Hello I have surgery scheduled for OCT 5th in Buffalo,N.Y.. I'm beyond excited SW=280 CW=245 GW=180. I'm sitting in the waiting room ready to get my last pre-op x-ray. Oct 5th can't come soon enough . Sent from my SM-G935T using BariatricPal mobile app

I had used this site as i had members on here saying they used it as well and had no were supposed to fax my evaluation to my doctor Friday and nothing so I waited til Saturday to call as they have business hours 7 days no answer no call back I emailed them left them messages same with my doctor and nothing - rolls eyes they did gladly accept my money and now I feel scammed; I have a 1 year old and I work fulltime so I thought wow a over the phone evaluation would be great NOTTTTT !!! Such a shame [emoji853]

Hello All, I recently within the last year have been suffering with Alopecia Areata. Luckily its only effected me in areas that are not to visible, The larger spots that I had have re-grown hair, but i'm still loosing more hair than the normal person. My question is, has anyone had VSG while dealing with Alopecia Areata and not gone completely bald? I know one of the side effects from being sleeved could be hair loss im just wondering how amplified it will be also dealing with the Alopecia areata. Thanks!

Today is my first day on this pre op liquid diet. I'm nervous and just anticipating the attitude and hunger spells lol. But on the brighter side I'm getting sleeved in 14 days to be exact!! I'm pretty excited!!! If your comfortable drop your stats and a pic I love seeing progress and the motivation HW: 460 CW:407 SW:TBD

How does anyone know if your BMI is based on your consult weight or your surgery weight. I'm 40.6 with no other issues so I would likely weigh less at surgery after my preop diet.. Sent from my SM-G930T using BariatricPal mobile app

Looking for others who went to NWWLS in WA Sent from my SM-G930T using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi everyone! I'm currently going through my appointments pre-op, I do not have a surgery date set yet but I am beyond ecstatic to start my journey! Only thing is... it seems like the more excited I am, the more judgmental comments I get from family about it. I hear things like "Oh, you could do this on your own..this is the easy way out" or "are you sure? Have you even looked at the risks" (like I haven't been researching for months!) Or my sister even said to my mom last week "we need to talk her out of this, she's being dumb she hasnt tried hard enough." Seriosuly?! Mind you, I've been 'chubby' since I was 7. I've yoyo dieted my ENTIRE life. My smallest weight as an adu…

Hello, my name is Kendra. I'm new to this group, and have some questions and concerns. I'm just now getting started on my journey. I am currently going through the insurance approval process. First... did anyone have IBS prior to surgery? Did your symptoms get better or worse post-op? Im concerned about the increase in protein, and the pain it could potentially cause. Second... I love to workout, and Zumba class is my ultimate favorite. Has anyone had issues with being to weak to complete a good workout. I know that my caloric intake is going to drastically decrease, and I'm concerned about being fatigued and lethargic. Can anyone share their experiences with me please? […

Surgery at 12pm please keep me in ur prayers see u all in the loser bench

I am expecting to be flogged by someone for saying this. I have 2 days until I am going to be on the other side, and have been on a 2 week pre-op diet,,,of sorts. I had veggies as allowed to do, but found my self overeating them at times. No fast food, nothing like that at all although it has been very hard not to. Tomorrow is my last day to have anything to eat and Sunday is all liquid,,, period and I will abide 100%. I am scared of not being a good candidate when the Dr. looks inside there and closing me up. Tonight, Friday I had some popcorn and am feeling extremely remorseful. I just caved somewhat. I have done the water thing, drank all my protein shakes and ate…

Hi Friends, I am getting lapband to sleeve revision on October 3rd. I have had the lapband for 14.5 years!! Done in Mexico. I maintained a significant weight loss and was a size 4-6 all of those years. Including having 4 children. But... In the last 5 years I have had a huge amount of problems with it. Gerd, back pain, vomiting and so many more. It turns out a ton of scar tissue build up as well. It just dawned on me that I actually get it out once and for all!!!!!! Yay!!!!! Anyone else in a similar situation?:)

Please help! I am going though the pre approval process for vsg. I have bcbs of Maryland. One of the requirements is 6 month diet attempt and weight watchers counts. I actually have been on it for 9 months.My question is what documentation does the insurance company need? I don't attend meetings but I have the app and count my points on it. I figured out how to print off my weight totals for each week. I am not sure what else I can provide? Is this all I need to provide for documentation? I know all insurance companies are different but does anyone have any advice? Any advice is much appreciated!!

HAS ANYONE GOTTEN THERE ENEMY AROUND THE TIME THAT THEY HAD SURGERY? I HAVE REALLY BAD CRAMPS WHEN IM ON MY ENEMY AND IM WONDERING DOES IT GET WORSE?

I'm having my surgery on September 13th, one week to go! Who else is having surgery that day? How are you doing? What's on your mind as you prepare for the big day?

Has anyone seen any pumpkin flavored protein bars or powders? I'm not overly fond of the pumpkin pie yogurts that have been offered the last few years, but looking for options other than the pumpkin mini muffins in the office.

Anyone having the surgery in the San Jose area? I'm getting mine done on the 26th with Dr. Zare, anyone else?

I got my approval!!! I am so excited! I had been calling the insurance to check on it every day since it was submitted and then got busy at the end of this week- well I just looked at my phone and saw that I had a message and it was my coordinator who left me a message on Thursday telling me I was approved! She said the scheduler will call me within 5 days to schedule my date!!

Hey guys, this would be my first post here. Just wondering what some of the best pre op shakes are and multivitamins.

Hey guys, this would be my first post here. Just wondering what some of the best pre op shakes are and multivitamins.

I'm so excited!!! My surgery is just around the corner. I'm so grateful to God and pray all will go well. Off to bed now.

Super nervous

I am getting sleeved on October 2nd and having a revision from Lapband, which I had in 11/2008. My band took off 80 lbs in a year, but still left me overweight by 75 lbs. I still have 40 lbs off. Looking forward to reading the forums! Nance

Still waiting for insurance approval... getting anxious and excited!

I'm trying to figure out what the best protien drink is. I like sweet and I hate chalky. What are your experiences? Thanks! Kyla Jo

Hi All, I was just wondering if your spouse or friend or support person stayed overnight with you at the hospital the day you got surgery. I assumed my husband would be able to stay there with me on a couch or a cot or something. So did he. But I just got off the phone with my surgery center and they said he can only stay until 8 PM. Although he knows I will be in good hands, he really wanted to stay with me because he is worried. anyone else not allowed to have a spouse there or chose not to?

Today is the day! I'm scheduled for 10am. So much to get to this point! Good news is that I'm already down seven pounds, and I survived a week of a liquid diet. [emoji15] Thank you for all the support and questions answered along the way!

I'm looking for someone in Texas maybe even semi near to dfw! My surgery is tomorrow!! I would love to find a buddy who doesn't mind sharing everything with me! Lol

What do you lose first INCHES or WEIGHT? ME personally I lose INCHES quicker than weight... the pic on the left was 9/2/17 and the pic on the right is from today 9/12/17 Sent from my SM-G935V using BariatricPal mobile app

Hey all, I got my approval yesterday and have scheduled my surgery for October 5th!! I have to start my pre-op diet on the 21st of this month and am wondering what others pre op diets look like. My surgeon wants me to use a specific protein shake from bariatric advantage to replace 2 of my meals for the 2 weeks prior to surgery. The problem is that my sister had this surgery in June (by a different surgeon) and gave me some of her ensure protein plus and some protien2O water. I was hoping to be able to use these things as they are free. Do you guys think it would matter? I did check the nutrition facts on the bariatric advantage and if I combine the 2 other things …

Any folks that have gone through Kaiser (Corona area or Inland Empire) recently? My husband and I are attending the Options classes now, going into week 10 (August 2017). Our class is so confused on what is supposed to be happening. Are we supposed to have labs/tests etc? If so, who orders these and when do we complete them? This process has been so stressful and our entire class feels helpless and lost. I would love for someone who is a Kaiser patient (or even an employee) to give us an actual run down of what should be happening. Please! :O)

So I had to see my surgeon a second time yesterday no one really knew why I was there. He said maybe your insurance requires it. He never told me about a 2 week before surgery diet nor anything about shrinking my liver before surgery. Would that come from my PCP when I have to get the clearance for surgery? Or are surgeons have different policies? Feeling a bit uneasy Sent from my LG-M210 using BariatricPal mobile app

I am waiting for my insurance approval for the gastric sleeve. I know they do it laparoscopically but how bad are the scars ? I will do it either way because the scars will not be as bad as staying this big , but I want to be prepared.

Hi guys , I'm 4 days out from the sleeve . All seems to be well except there is a pain on my left side not necessarily the incision but on the inside . It's not constant it's when I turn a certain way out try to get up. It's like a pull burning sensation. I go for my post op check in the morning but would just like your feedback if you have experienced this ! Thanks

I would love to meet someone who is getting VSG on Wednesday, august 30th, like myself! [emoji847]

Hi, I am approved and scheduled to have surgery in Mexico in a couple of months. I live in Europe and I feel that its too far. I am young and honestly scared of travelling so far on my own for surgery. I have not found a doctor in Europe that is willing to operate on someone with a BMI under 35. Mine is 32-33. Does anyone know of any doctors or clinics in Europe that performs sleeves on someone with my bmi range? Thank you.

Well I survived Irma... Still without power. Tremendous damage but still alive. Sent from my SM-G935P using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi everyone- has anyone tried using the sugarbear hair tablets to help with regrowth?

Hello all!! I've never really posted on here before. I am usually pretty quiet but oh my goodness gracious. That's all I can say, lol. Has anyone had an ABG test done before? I feel like I'm pretty tough but that wasn't comfortable at all and that's all I can say about it. Lol. Was yours just as rough and uncomfortable as mine or am I just a pansy? Sheew buddy. Haha. I'm so glad this was my second to last test. Now onto my sleep study and phyc eval... then onto a surgery date. Fingers crossed. ? Praying for sometime in late October. Ps. I truly don't want to scare anyone if you have to get one done. That's not my goal at all. It sucked but totally worth the end goal.…

Hi all, I am 3 weeks out from band to sleeve revision surgery. I was wondering if anyone uses shakeology for protein. I currently do and love it but I think with the sleeve my protein needs will be greater with the sleeve then the band. If anyone uses shakeology does it work for your protein needs?

Hey folks. My name is Will. I am 35 years old. I had the sleeve in 2015 and to this day it has not worked. I regret doing some of the things I've done but some of it is due to part of the surgery. I met today with another bariatric surgeon and he's agreed to do the bariatric Bypass on me. Said that would be the best option for me. I should get a call from the program coordinator tomorrow and get my dates for the testing I have to have prior to surgery. Luckily I don't have a 6 month supervised diet thing. Just an upper GI test and a couple other easy things. Dr said I'm looking at 1-3 months for a surgery date. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. Not trying to be b…