PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I'm very nervous about everything I'm self paying my Dr is Mark Pleatman MD in Bloomfield MI. Any tips to help with the nerves. I'm 6'5" and 320lbs. 5 bulged disk and 3 herniated had neck and back surgery. Also osteoarthritis in lumbar area.

It's been a long ride- I've lost 86 pounds since Christmas 2016, and I'm on my last days of liquid diet- tomorrow is clear liquids and bowel prep- Monday morning is my sleeve surgery. Anyone else having surgery on 8/7?

I am scheduled for surgery on August 16. When I look up the projected weight loss it says 60%-70% of excess weight. However, when I look on forums it shows that people are actually losing more weight then the 60%-70%. Does anyone know why?

I had my intake appointment on 7/31. My surgery is planned for November-December as long as I stay on task. I've struggled with my weight since 13 years old, now I'm 51 and still struggling. My PCP suggested the sleeve and I'm really excited. I have 2 teenagers graduating next year and I want to feel good! I'm tired of not being able to lose weight. No matter how hard I try, I can't lose more than 20 pounds. After my initial appointment I feel excited and positive. It's like I know that the end result will be life changing and I'm ready to begin my journey. I'm looking forward to meeting other pre-sleeve people and I wish everyone luck.

Hi , Just wanting to see how many people are going to Mexico to get sleeved. I've been reading a lot of great reviews about Mexico. As a self pay patient I am considering getting mine done in Mexico.

My surgery is scheduled for 8/14/2017, for gastric sleeve and hiatal hernia repair. I'm calm on the outside but freaking out on the inside. Does anyone have any experience with this? Any advice is appreciated.

Hi everyone! I have gone to the new patient information session and got ok'd for an actual appointment with the medical director at BIDMC.. Now I'm a very curious cat, and have zero patience with not a clear outline. I kept getting told that I have my appointment with this Dr. then the nutritionist.. then a nurse then a nutritionist, etc. Could anyone share what stood between them and a surgery date? Is it just continually going to each appointment? Does this take 3 months give or take? My BMI is 47.5 & im 5'9 so my insurance covers is & my PCP is very enthusiastically on board with my decision to move forward with WLS. Any information or direction pointing wil…

I am so terrified, yet so excited. I started the 2 week liquid diet before my surgery on Monday. And I can safely say that I wouldn't probably be able to do it without my boyfriend and my friends cheering me on and being so supportive. Support for this huge step is such a necessity. I don't know how some people on here can do it without the support of their loved ones. I have joined Bariatricpal.com in order to be that support to others who need just a little bit extra motivation. I had Stage three Thyroid and Lymph-node cancer when I was 16. I played softball at Fresno State until my knees blew.. and than my whole body blew up. I miss being able to have fun and go out si…

Hello everyone. I have a BMI of 52 and apparently I'm a candidate of gastric bypass surgery. My only problem is that when I search on the internet I find many, many cases of death. I don't fear death personally, but I'm not in a condition to leave my family and this is the only problem I have with this surgery. Now, can you please tell me how 'real' is the 'danger' in this surgery? Should I be worried? Many many thanks in Advance.

I started my first day of pre op liquids yesterday, and by night time I had a mild headache. Worked up at 3am and felt like my head was going to explode. It was so painful. Took some ibuprofen and codeine and eventually went back to sleep. Woke up for work and I can still feel it lingering. I don't know if I'm sick, having caffiene withdrawals or if my body is upset. I'm on VLCD optifast. Has anyone else had headaches when switching to liquids?

Hi all, I appreciate reading everything everyone has posted! I am currently 25 years old with 2 semesters left of nursing school. I have struggled with my weight all of my life and both my parents had gastric bypass surgery. I decided that after I graduate in April I want to have the surgery in the beginning of May. I figured I am starting a new chapter with finishing school and want to experience actually living life without being a prisoner in my own body. How long do most people request off work? I currently work as an aide lifting and moving patients as well as work on farms doing horse chores and cleaning stalls and shoveling horse turds. Trying to g…

I finished my stage 2 with Molina insurance on 7/26/2017 now my nurse case manager said I have to sit and wait for someone to call me from Rockwood Clinic in Spokane to start stage 3 scheduling the seminar and first doctor consult. It has been a week and a half and no one has called and I'm getting very anxious. Does anyone know the average wait for stage 3 with Molina insurance in Washington state?

Hey so I have a quick question I want to put this out there I'm wondering from the point of the first sit-down with the surgeon how long did it take before most of you got a date for surgery? And how far out is the surgery usually? Sent from my Pixel using BariatricPal mobile app

I have gastroparesis and am having trouble with the pre-op diet. Some days I'm so nauseous all I can get in is a bit of water and some crackers. Unfortunately, carbs are easier on my stomach. And I've found I can't do any of protein drinks/powder that have artificial sweeteners and flavors- they make me so sick. I've lost about 10 lbs. So here's my question- has anyone's surgeon actually postponed or cancelled surgery because of non-compliance with the pre-op diet?

Met with the nutritionist last week. I really liked her and she was really clear with the rules and expectations after surgery. She also stated to loose some weight and begin exercising before surgery. She was not referencing the shakes and liquid diet, she meant to begin losing weight now (4 weeks pre-op). If we could effectively loose weight on our own, we wouldn't be having surgery, right?!?!! But what I was wondering is what exercise, if any, people are doing before they have their surgeries. Does exercising pre-surgery help recovery after? Thank you!

Hey guys. I have surgery in 7 days time. I'm obviously on the pre op diet stage...however last night I had a binge. Eating lots of things I shouldn't have. Will it matter? Will it effect surgery? I'm worried my liver will have gotten bigger again as I'm supposed to be shrinking it. Any advice would be wonderful. Thankyou...and I hope any fellow sleeved are doing well post surgery. X

My concern is about yoyoing my weight My BMI was 37 at my first weigh in but below 35 at my general practitioner (not bariatric) and my weight fluctuates. Will this make it harder to qualify? Do weights matter from other doctors I see?

Hello, I have an appointment to see a surgeon in the coming months and would like to know if anyone has had surgery with Circle of Care docs at Norwest. I'm really nervous as it is such a huge thing for people to go through. Like most of you I have people that depend on me and I'm just trying to do as much research as possible to try and achieve the best outcome. I have a lot of questions written down to ask at my first appointment but would really love to hear from others that may have had surgery there, good or bad.

I was scheduled for Surgery August 1,i was super nervous and excited, i was so nervous i thought about canceling surgery, my family had came in town to support me, i knew i couldn't cancel, getting support from this site has helped tremendously, when you have support makes a big difference, surgery went quickly i had vsg/hernia repair, surgery lasted 45 minutes, i had alot of gas pain first day of surgery, i walked alot, that really helped,i couldnt sleep in bed, i slept sitting up in chair, im so happy i had surgery, the sky is the limit,i will definitely follow my nutritional guidelines, i will be a fool not too, Good Luck August Sleevers.. Sent from my SM-J320P using B…

I'm a couple months away from my surgery. I don't have an exact date yet, but just got my cardiac clearance and still have to get endoscopy done. I'm getting the Roux en Y bypass.

Day two trying hard to stay with the protein diet....a shake in the morning and one at lunch. Hope it gets easier. Question can I add fruit to the shakes? Not a fan of the vanilla what are your favorite flavors? Didn't know the protein powders were so expensive, but all this will be so worth it.

I'm back! Almost two years ago I went through the entire 6 month+process of jumping through all the hoops for insurance, weight-loss and actually getting a surgery date, only to chicken out 2 weeks before surgery and call the whole thing off. Now nearly two years later , 20 lbs heavier than when I started the first time, having developed Diabetes II and just generally hating life, I'm starting over in the process again. My PC submitted a new referral to the bariatric clinic and the new journey begins. I am ready this time.

My last clearance, the pulmonologist, is on Wednesday... and I am super nervous for some reason. I think it's because I don't know what they are going to do. I knew the cardiologist would do an ekg- no big deal. I know I don't have any lung issues.... when I am around pets & smoke, I do wheeze and use an inhaler. I avoid pets and smoke and as a result have not used an inhaler in over a year. I sleep well at night, fully refreshed in the AM, don't snore.... what kind of tests do they do for a pulmonary clearance? Is it just the breathing test into a hose... then a nebulizer treatment and re-do? Some people have said they have you do a a sleep apnea…

Starting my journey Monday with protein shakes any advice?

I'm 19 & getting the sleeve at a hospital. My surgeon is great but doesn't want an endoscopy. (I need a H. Pylori test and blood work). I've seen other people say that they saw important things with the endoscopy before surgery. Do you guys think I should ask for one?

Hi guys... new here!! 34 year old mother and wife from the UK! 3 more sleeps until surgery and I am getting very nervous!!! Have found the pre op diet a tough one - never realised how much of a true issue I had with food! Have stuck at it however as terrified of my liver not being suitable for surgery!! I have two young children - age 2 and 6 - it will be my first night away from them so I hope they'll be ok! Just got to keep remembering I am doing this for us all, for a better life for us all! I guess I just wondered if anyone has any tips for before / after surgery! Eeeek! Much love x

I thought the toughest hurdle to jump to get VSG would be getting insurance approval. Well, fortunately I got my insurance approval yesterday but am still waiting on clearance from my cardiologist. I had a stent put in back in December so I have to remain on Plavix for at least a year. This means I will have to stay on Plavix during my surgery which could cause an increased risk of bleeding. My cardiologist would like me to wait until the one year mark and have the surgery then when I can be off the Plavix. My surgeon has done the procedure before for patients on Plavix and is willing to do it in my case, if that's the route I want to go. It's a tough decision…

Hello. Im 26 and a mom. I currently weigh 352 and I'm starting this journey towards gastric bypass and I have met with a dietitian. She submitted the paper march 2. But aside from the 2 week before and the two week after diets, I really don't know what all I need to do to be approved. I also known there is a pysch eval and a Class. But what else?

Hi, this may sound silly, and it's possible that I've posted in the wrong area. But I was wondering if anyone, pre- or post surgical has worried, or feared that the surgery wouldn't work for them? My surgery is Aug 25. I've been significantly overweight most of my adult life. I've been successful once at losing weight and keeping it off for years, but then got arthritis in my knee and gained about 50 lbs back. I find myself stressing out about the surgery. What if I've wrecked my metabolism, and I get it done, and follow directions and don't lose any weight. Is this even possible? Maybe it's just irrational fear. Maybe it's my fear of failure. Is this common? Does …

is intestinal metaplasia and barret's esophagus the same thing ? or doesn't it depends on where exactly it's located .. for example intestinal metaplasia w inactive chronic gastritis for me was found .. my esophagus was normal no dysplasia or hpylori .. i think i can getting confused between the two but i just wanted someone's opinion !! will i not be able to do the sleeve surgery ??

I've been lurking and reading and finally decided to creating an account . I went for my consult on 7/25 ... I have GHI.. hoping to have my surgery in 10/2017. My starting weight is 253 and I'm 5'2...

Hi! Was wondering if there is anyone else who will be attending the orientation at Kaiser South this Monday? I was scheduled for 8/29, but they called me and I nice rep was able to "squeeze" me into the class on 8/7!

July 17 is here. Wow. For everyone having surgery today how are you feeling? Just a few hours away. Wow. I cannot believe it. Good luck to you all today & keep us updated. I will keep you updated too. God Bless iamready4this

i recently did my endoscopy and i'm assuming there wasn't anything major found since there were no followup appts to be made. but would the GI doctor have told me if i wasn't able to do the sleeve surgery right then and there ?

Hey everyone. My name is Geri. I currently have the Lap Band and have struggled with it for 7 years. On August 16th I get it removed. On November 13th i will undergo Gastric Sleeve. I am nervous excited i have to say. I am so worried about leakage? My dr says 1 in 100 people get it, and i just pray to the good Lord I wont be one of them. I am just starting the insurance journey as well so any advise would be great! I have Aetna and it seems pretty straight forward. Anyway, thanks for listening...ttys!

Just paid my deposit and set the date. 9/4 in Tijuana. I have a sort at low bmi(34.7)so they said I only need a week of the pre-op diet, but I may push it to 2 just for my own peace of mind. My partner is traveling with me and I couldn't be more elated with his support. Would love to maybe connect with others going that weekend? I dunno. Just putting it out into the world. Looking forward to making new friends and fellowships along this journey. Say hi! -Adam Sent from my HTC U11 using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello, Started this process May of 2017. Finished 8 weeks of behavior modification classes and now have 6 monthly weight visits with my hometown doctor. Did anyone else have to do that? It is an insurance thing. I have Iowa BC/BS. I'm still hoping to get my surgery in before the end of the year since my deductible has been met. Anyone out there still in the " jumping through hoops" phase?

Good morning everyone. Today Sunday feeling pretty good. Still sore but moving around more. Ate 1/2 cup of scrambled eggs with cup of coffee ☕️. Returning to work tomorrow, today I'll be home relaxing.

Hello everyone! My surgery is scheduled for 6/27/2017 so I started my two week pre-op diet today. I am doing fine, not hungry but I have a bad headache. I was wondering if you can chew gum during these two weeks and if so, what kind?

Hi everyone! I'm new here. I started my process on May and last week we set my surgery date for Aug. 14th!!!! I lost around 9 kg since my first appointment but right after we set the date my anxiety took over my brain and i started eating junk, my excuse has been "well in one week you start the liquid diet so you should enjoy food now" which I know is stupid because i'm doing this to change my life and my habits, today i told my brain NO and went back to my diet, I hope i didn't mess up my weight this past few days because I have to stay on the same weight or less or the surgery will be moved or cancelled. Anyone else had this problem before the surgery?

Having my bypass on Tuesday. Clear liquid diet started today. Just wondering how anyone else is dealing with this. Sent from my SM-N910P using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello, I have started the process last month, and got my approval for surgery. So far i finishedthe Lap and mandatory support classes, have Radiology appointment scheduled ans slepstudy scheduled for Friday my psych evaluation is scheduled for the 31st of August. My question is how long is the wait to get a surgery date and when should i talk to my employer about time off. Thank you for taken the time to read my post,Iam happy to start my weight loss Journey.

I'm one step away from completing my requirements for my insurance. It's seems like it be in August or early September when I will get the sleeve. I'm extremely nervous and back and forth on if this is the right decision or should I just keep struggling with losing/ gaining weight roller coaster. My fear of course is complications and the whole idea of having surgery because I've never had any surgery done before. I hope I'm not the only one with these fears.

I have two nutritional consults left out of 6 that my insurance requires. One is next week and the last is the last week of August. I called my doctor's office today because I need to go out of town the week of my last visit (for work) and was basically told I couldn't move it to the week before or the week after because I can't have a visit with less than 30 days between it and my last visit and can't go past 30 days because I WILL HAVE TO START OVER!!!! I just kept my appointment and will have to try to juggle the work thing. This is my last visit and have kept every other appointment religiously!! The doctor's office said the insurance will deny me otherwise and I only…

Just wondering if anyone lives in MA? Would be interested in being sleeve buddies.

Less than two weeks away! Eeekkk!! How are y'all doing? Are you surviving on your pre-op diet? How's the mental preparation going?

My dr require's 7 days of liquid diet, no protein, just clear liquid, or sugar free jello, I am really freaking out over this, has anyone else's DR require this?

Rather than being excited for last nutritionist appointment and first pre-op with Dr that helps keep you motivated and excited. Instead I find I'm not starving but could eat everything in the house. Motivation Has become slim to non. Never felt like this is the previous 5 months on program. Stress maybe? Comforting my surgery fear with food? I DON'T KNOW AAHH but I have to turn this negativity around. . Anyone else dealt/dealing with this? Sent from my SM-S765C using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm heading for the hospital in the morning. I have to admit I'm incredibly nervous. Being postponed by two weeks has shaken me and I occasionally think the worst. That said if things go well, and of course the odds are they will, I feel fired up and ready. The pre-op diet has been brilliant. The postponement meant I've been on it for four weeks and I've lost 30-odd pounds. I started a couple of weeks early and have never deviated and hardly craved - I think my head's in the right place. That said the anxiety is exhausting - I want to get to sleep, get in there and move on to the next stage of my journey.

Hi everyone, I Visited my surgeon 7/27..now waiting for insurance approval. Can anyone tell me how long it take to get approved?