PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hi All! I've been thinking about this for 3 yrs. I finally cleared all the tests (for the last 2 yrs, i was unable to do it because i had bowel problems. We now know i have an autoimmune disorder). Now, i put my deposit down and have a date (one month out). I came to this site to find people like me. People who can understand what i'm going through. I know there are a lot of you out there who have been through this! I'm a 40 yr old mom of 3. I'm so scared that me not being able to control my weight has lead to the surgery and now im putting myself at risk. Negativity begets negativity - so i desperately want to get to that positive place where i don'…

What are you all eating and how many calories at six weeks out?

Does anyone have WPW? I was diagnosed 3 years ago and was just wondering if anyone else has it and had the sleeve? I don't totally understand it but basically my heart has an extra pathway so it "fires" more than a normal heart. It isnt obesity related..apparently I was born with it. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using BariatricPal mobile app

I ask people with experience about the sleeve surgery and about 60% of people tell me don't do it. I am 240lbs and 5'5 height and I want to do so I can look good and boost my self confidence. I also love food and I can't stop eating. So I'm kind of scared because of the people who told me no. When I go to parties and they all skinny, i get excited about doing the surgery. I personally want to have the surgery for me, my body and for my overall health. What do you all think?

Hello, Newbie Terri here. Saw my surgeon Wednesday, almost there! He wants me to lose 10-15 pounds pre-surgery. I then saw his nutritionist yesterday and she gave me a Keto food plan to assist in this weight loss. I dont have a surgery date so this isnt a pre-surgery plan...there's too many non-clear liquidy things on the list...LOL I've had some success on the Atkins plan but this looks a little different since I am allowed coffee, nuts, seeds, protein shakes and 1 serving of fruit a day. Does anyone have any good keto recipes or direct me to a good bariatric keto blog? I don't know what I don't know so please help me thank you

I have surgery in the morning feeling a bit nervous

I know this is a pretty weird topic but I just want to know if anyone can give me any knowledge. So I have to take my ring out of course for the surgery but I was told that retainers aren't meant to be worn for long periods of time. So does anyone know how many hours after surgery I should put the ring back in? Let me rephrase that, how many hours it will take before I am able to put the ring back in my nose?

Hi, my husband is having sleeve done at noon tomorrow, and he was told no water after 10pm. It's 115 degrees here! Why must he go so long without water?!

I am almost done with all my pre- approval requirements for insurance. I am really scared that I will not get approved after all this. I have already had to do an endoscopy, chest x-ray, gallbladder ultrasound, psych eval , nuitritional consults etc. I also cannot stop eating. I feel like this is my last time I will be able to eat whatever I want. How did you guys cope during this waiting period.

My dr has me on a very strict diet, I am 5 weeks pre op My bmi is 35.4 is this normal?

Hi all, I've been consuming a lot of content from this site and even downloaded the app for several months but I told myself I'll only officially join after I get my surgery date and that day is today!!!! I'm über elated, beyond bliss happy that I too will finally restart my life as it was. My surgery date is August 28th (my second birthday henceforth) and I can't wait. I have a bunch of questions already answered and I'm sure with your help I'll have more answered. I'm having family fly into town for two weeks to help me out while I transition and they're all excited for me too. Here's looking forward to a more svelte, healthier me. I'm including a picture of me as…

Hi All! I've been thinking about this for 3 yrs. I finally cleared all the tests (for the last 2 yrs, i was unable to do it because i had bowel problems. We now know i have an autoimmune disorder). Now, i put my deposit down and have a date (one month out). I came to this site to find people like me. People who can understand what i'm going through. I know there are a lot of you out there who have been through this! I'm a 40 yr old mom of 3. I'm so scared that me not being able to control my weight has lead to the surgery and now im putting myself at risk. Negativity begets negativity - so i desperately want to get to that positive place where i don'…

Hi. I have a BMI 37.9. Does anyone know if everyone has to do the pre liquid diet? And I've read that it's possible of loosing hair. I already have very fine hair. Has anybody experienced this? Sent from my SM-G920I using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi! I just finished day 2 of my 14 day liquid diet before my VSG on Aug 11. I've never had any issues with heartburn or acid reflux, until I started on all liquids. I'm drinking premier protein Shakes, Greek yogurt, Tom soup, broth... I'm worried it will get worse after surgery. Has anyone else experience this? Any advice??

Hey all, new here. Looking for some online support/advice on my journey in this. Surgery is scheduled 8/9/2017 and I am now on my 2 week pre op diet.

I'm a 32 single mom who has struggled with my weight since puberty. I have PCOS and am at my highest weight I've ever been. I've seen friends and even my mom have success with the sleeve and I decided that it was time. I'm tired of feeling held back and not able to enjoy doing things with my son that I want to. I want to do this while I'm still young and so is he. I've had my first two appointments and met with the surgeon. Doing tests and have started the 6 month clock for insurance. Anyone else just in the beginning?

Hi I had my surgery on July 20th. I am quite happy. Pain has been at a minimum. A little gassy started today. I look forward to my journey. Wish all a great journey. I'm thankful we're all here to chat and encourage each other. Blessings

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Does everyone get a swallow test? I don't remember them giving me one Sent from my SM-J700T using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm five days into my 2-week liquid diet, and I have most of the symptoms of "low-carb flu," plus a couple of extra ones. I find I'm very anxious and jittery during the day, and I have strange, vivid nightmares at night that are hard to wake up from. I drink almost no caffeine, so that isn't the cause of the anxiety. Any thoughts on whether my symptoms are related to my diet?

Looking for anyone with fibro who have been sleeved. Are you still taking meds? Any change in pain?

I called the doctors office for a consult. They called me and told me about how my insurance does cover the surgery and they sent me my packet to fill out and my date for the seminar. In my packet it asked me about diets I have been on previously. I have lost weight with diets but then either plateaued or gained it back. Will that get me denied if I put that I have been on diets before and they have had me lose actual weight or no? Next question is I have BCBS Federal and trying to find out from others with the same kind of policy how long it took you start to finish and what all they asked for you to do. Will I have to do a 3 month diet as well just wondering or is it di…

I started my journey 2 yrs ago. I had my surgery date of 7/31/15. I had to cancel it due to the death of my son on 7/29/15*I was an emotional wreck. I went into state of depression, being type 2 diabetic my A1C escalated to 13! Now 2yrs later I'm back on track A1C down to 8.8 but they won't give me a surgery date. Just feel defeated by the system at this point [emoji22] Sent from my LG-LS997 using BariatricPal mobile app

Em-route to the hospital as I type this for my 6:00am EST check-in for VSG! So excited [emoji38] and would just like some additional prayers up for a non-complicated surgery. See you all on the Loser's bench! [emoji1437][emoji1437]

Anyone here have Apnea and proceeding with the procedure?

I'm new to this forum and just looking for some encouragement. Surgery is on the 28th of July and I have one week of pre op diet left and it's killing me. So lethargic and weak, struggling to get through work and I haven't lost any weight even though Ive been 100% sticking to it!! I'm doing the optifast diet so three meal replacements and two cups of veggies a day. Am allowed sugar free jelly and sugar free liquids (cordial and diet softdrink).. I feel like I need some meat for energy!! Will it stop my liver from getting smaller if I add some lean meat to one of my veggie serves?

Surgery scheduled August 1, Nervous & Excited, cant wait to lose weight and feel energized.....

I am starting the Liquid diet on Monday 7/31. I have just turned 21, which means all of my friends are turning 21 too, and next Friday night 8/4 I got invited to go to a campout. Is it safe/ok for me to drink alcohol while on the liquid diet (2 weeks) pre-operation? My surgery date is on 8/14

Well three more days until surgery. Getting really excited and nerves at the same time. I can't wait until the new journey. Praising God for getting this far and the support.

I don't have a surgery date yet, but I'm meeting again with my surgeon next week and I'm told that I will be assigned a date then. In the meantime, I'm wondering what I need to buy when I start my two-week pre-operation diet. I've been instructed to get five canisters of Unjury protein, which will last for the pre-op diet with enough leftover for after surgery. What did other people buy in addition to these things? Is there something you wish you had bought, but didn't? Or, conversely, is there anything you wish in hindsight you had bought?

Hey yall, I'm new here..just starting the process. I am scheduled for the weight loss seminar for Sept 11th. I have USAble ins which is through BCBS. Does anyone else have any experience with this ins? The ins itself is great, it is thru a large medical group where I work. I will have to have my surgery/consults/etc thru St. Bernards in Jonesboro, AR as that is what is in network with my ins (since I work for their clinic). Just curious if anyone else has this ins or has had this done @ St. Bernards. Also, has anyone used Dr. Willie Harper in Jonesboro? I have heard he is great, just trying to get some "IRL" experiences. Thanks!

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I am brand new to the group and most concerned with getting enough protein and vitamins in a day post op! How is everyone managing this?

Hi All, Very new to the forum. I am booked into have sleeve done on the 4th of September. I have had my lap band removed after close to 10 years where my initial weight was 114kgs, after 5 years I went to my lightest at 61kgs which I would not want to be any less than that BUT the band caused me nothing but grief. So now 5 years later at 93kgs and having the band removed on the 2nd of June I am getting nervous about the next step. I am type 1 diabetic on an insulin pump, I am very curious as to how others may be travelling with the diabetes and insulin does etc. post sleeve. Thank you :-)

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Well my journey had a hiccup when back in April Mayo told me they were submitting my docs for approval. I thought that was soon. I got denied. I needed another 3 months of supervised dietitian appointments. That was kind of like an anticipated let down but I've now completed the additional 3 months of NUT appointments. I emailed the doc to let the team know I've now completed all of the requirements through BCBS FEP... I've lost a total of 14 lbs... I know it's not remarkable, but I'm glad the changes did impact my weight. I've pretty much "maintained a downward trend" that's okay... right? I'm hoping we can move forward with the process....

First, let me say I am just asking for your experiences, I fully intend to follow my doctor's advice & schedule but I do not see her again for three weeks. I take Phentermine one 15mg capsule each morning. I am curious how long it will take to wean off the medication in order to minimize withdrawal symptoms. What did your weaning schedule look like before surgery? Any tips to pass along. I am working toward having WLS in September 2017

Hi All, Did anyone do or is anyone doing the Optifast 800 for a month? My diet consists of 5 Optifast items three of which must be shakes. I can have a cup of cucumbers, Sf popsicle, 1 cup of SF jello or 1 celery stick (1 or two a day). I am starving. Any advice?

I've finally gotten insurance approval and my date of August 25, 2017. It's a bit overwhelming, considering it's been almost 8 months already. Wish me luck!!

Any suggestions im scheduled Tuesday for vsg, excited and nervous, what did you do to prepare for this procedure!! Thanks WLS Family Sent from my SM-J320P using BariatricPal mobile app

Well as the time get closer the more I get nervous. How do you deal with the pressure? I was so excited but now I'm just really nervous. I have all the support from family some friends are against this but it's my life and I want it back. Wish me luck. Thanks.

It's getting real up in here! I have waited 4 years for this so it seems surreal that I have approval and surgery date.

Anyone know if you can claim gastric sleeve as a medical expense if you travel to Mexico for it?

I got out of surgery at 11am. Woke up around 1-2 in so much pain. Had tons of back pain cause of the oxygen. My voice was raspy cause of the intubation. Stomach hard and swollen as a ball. I questioned my decision to every nurse and Dr I saw. They gave me Morphine in a machine which I press the button and it gives me morphine every 15mins. Feeling much better now. I started walking around 9pm when the anasthesia was wearing off. Was dizzy but I made It through. Finished phase 1: liquids yesterday. Today I start stage 2: protein shakes started peeing soon after I started walking. I was retaining all my urine after that first pee. Decided to walk more now I am a non stop pi…

Hello, I am looking to get weight loss surgery which my neurologist said is the best option for me. I have PCOS(Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) which makes it extremely hard for me to loss weight. I have been diagnosed with Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, my neurologist is worried about me losing my vision and said and had a significant amount of fluid on my brain causing a lot of strain on my optic nerves causing my vision changes and loss of vision. I have pain, pressure and headaches all day long. I can't really enjoy anything because of the pain and now I am worried about losing my vision. I have insurance through Wells Fargo which is BCBS Anthem of GA. They requir…

Sleevers

I have finally completed all my pre- op requirements and my case was submitted to insurance today. Fingers crossed I get approved.... I can not wait, to be on the losers bench! How long did it take for you to get your approval, and then how long before surgery? I'm so happy to be one step closer.

Hello everyone! I'm new to this, but I'm having surgery on Wednesday and could use any tips for surgery/the first couple weeks. I'm excited...hasn't actually hit me yet [emoji4] ready to get it done! Thank you!!

I had an orientation class with my health insurance provider, the first step in being accepted in to their bariatric program. One of their surgeons spoke and went over all of the possible side effects of having gastric bypass done, however he didn't go in to the rates/chances for any of them, or what the treatment options are. I am hoping to get the sleeve done but I may have a medical condition that would force me to have the bypass instead, so before I find out which way I have to go, I want to make sure I have all of the information that I need. My biggest concern is malabsorption of nutrients. He said they have some patients that now have to come in monthly to…

How can a patient expect to feel comfortable going to another country for major surgery when their own patient coordinator is no where to be found. Been calling and emailing with no success. I was scheduled to have surgery with Dr.Illan august 18. Now I dont think I feel comfortable depending on them to help me if I have any issue with my stay or complication after surgery. I hope they change their ways.