PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I don't have a surgery date as of yet, but should within the next 2 weeks. It has been a very long wait so far but will (hopefully) be worth it. The actual surgery does not bother me, what does bother me is the hunger strike I will endure 2 weeks pre-op and then forever. Like all overweight people, I love to eat, which is why I am so overweight. Time to control it,,,,does anyone have any comments on getting over the mental hump of changing my lifestyle forever? I should be past this point by now and looking forward to new adventures.

Hello, I have my Orientation for the Options program through Kaiser on Friday. I have been researching the sleeve for about a year now. What should I expect to happen at my orientation? I was told my first weigh in wouldn't be until my first day of class and now I am reading that the weigh in gets done at orientation and you have to lose the 10% from there. I have no problem with it. I just want to know because my friends are throwing my birthday party early so we can get out of town an celebrate, before I start my strict diet. I hope to start classes Sept. 5th because I couldn't get coverage at work on Thursdays to start the classes in August. I have to do…

Y'all, I am only two days into this 10 day liquid diet and I just feel grumpy and want to hide in the bedroom and sleep till my surgery date. I've had both chicken and beef broth, the premier protein shakes, jello and yogurt, tried cottage cheese but the kind I got was crap. Didn't want. I have tea for breakfast. I know - wah wah wah....but the struggle is real, y'all. Hep me, or just commiserate on how much this sucks with me.

I have my first appointment tomorrow and am nervous. Went to the seminar on the 17th, found my insurance covers the surgery but what does the 1st appt. consist of? I have a long road ahead don't I?

Just had the last Consult with surgeon and now waiting on surgery date.. Im so anxious.

Confused about the protein shakes. You have to drink 13g an about 100-150 calories per shake. All the shakes I see are over 13g and 160 calories..ugggg where do I start? ??‍♀️

How many days before surgery does the Pre Admission call happen? Sent from my SM-G930P using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello WLS Buddies and Pals, Just got scheduled (November 1st) for my surgical assessment. I've heard a little bit about the process, but I'd love to hear from others who have gone through the process for WLS at this hospital. Just wondering what I should expect over the next few months. I will be finished with all of my insurance requirements in December, but the hospital says they have their own set of requirements and expectations that I need to complete. Thanks! ☺ Sent from my SM-G935T using the BariatricPal App

Hi. I'm about to have my first app with surgeon 24th august. Am very excited and nervous. Sent from my SM-G920I using BariatricPal mobile app

Newbie..I made the call today to the bariatric clinic, they are verifying insurance coverage. Anyone with UMR in Florida? I am really hopeful that it will cover it, I am at 44 BMI....any insight

Does anyone want to start an accountability group or chat buddy? I only told my bf and ex husband and I'm sure they are tired of hearing my concerns, complaining and goals. I have kik or message me on here.

I made a group called "December 2016 Sleevers!" I would love for everyone who has a surgery date in December to join! lets be a great support system for each other and go on this journey to a better us with great friends. Share our success and failures along the way, cheer each other on, wether you already have support from your family and friends or from nobody at all like I've unfortunately seen from some, lets make sure we definitely have each other to lean on! btw they say you normally gain weight around the holidays, are we crazy?! haha

So I have a few questions. I see everyone putting on here what there insurance requires and they are saying something to the affect of a 3 month medical diet. How does the diet work and do you have a certain amount of time you have to be on it. How long does the process take from start to finish, meaning from the day you call til the day you get approved. I have BCBS Federal and see people are saying that they are getting approved with in a week after submitting. Def hope mine works out this way. Any info on how it all works would be greatly appreciated. I do have a BMI of 41.1

Just curious if any of you have insurance that considers bariatric surgery a plan exclusion, if you fought the plan exclusion, and if you were able to get it covered? I know you can fight these for medications, so it HAS to be possible for surgeries, right? My BMI is 52, I have sleep apnea, asthma, and a previous diagnosis of pre-diabetes, but those are the only comorbididties I have that are "official." Other conditions are osteo and rheumatoid arthritis, endometriosis, depression, and anxiety. Sent from my SM-G935V using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello everyone, I am already finished with all preop requirements and the surgeons office sent in my documents to my insurance for approval.. I started in feb And was hoping I would be able to have surgery end of July but doesn't look like it will...soo hopefully august. It's just I've been so worried abt getting all requirements in and now that it's done I'm panicking abt the actual surgery and how I'm not ready. I have been eating so much for 2 weeks now just stress eating and having "food funerals"... I don't know how to deal. I feel like I should get my head in the game. I go back to work beginning of Sept. And I'm worried about everything.... ugh I don't know does an…

What exercises should I be doing now to prevent skin sagging later? Are there any supplements I should be taking as well?

Let me know your date ?

Until Surgery

Hello all, My name is Samantha (Sam) and I've been considering gastric surgery for years now. I feel that the sleeve may be my best option as I hear it is relatively low maintenance post-op. I am looking to lose about 80-100 pounds. I am 27, 5'10" and 270 lbs, although I do not "look it". I used to be so athletic and fit and unfortunately, due to depression, injury, and PCOS, I have packed it on. My PCOS also makes it extremely difficult to lose weight. I was wondering, what is the process? From beginning to end? How do I get started? Anyone in my similar situation? My husband and I do not have any children, but would like to start trying in about a year or so. Does the …

My coordinator told me that a 40 BMI is important to maintain in order to have insurance cover the surgery. But I'm right at 40. Any weight loss during the 4-month nutritionist supervision will disqualify me, right? I'm not thrilled with having to deal with my assigned nutritionist for 4 months and not losing. I'm sure others have had this issue--any advice would be appreciated. I have Cigna.

Hi everyone, First post here, please bear with my stupid question. I've been thinking about RNY more and more over the past few months and came across BariatricPal. Soooo happy I found this place because the forums have answered more questions than I've managed to ever find online all this time! The main reason I've decided on RNY is my diabetes. I was diagnosed with type 2 since I was 14 (currently 38 in a month) and I am sick and tired of feeling sick and tired all my life. I have never been able to stabilize my sugar levels or bring them down to a normal level. RNY is proven to lower these levels, as I'm sure you all know. BUT they won't do the surgery unless your lev…

hi all, I am in the process of of getting the Lap Band - should be able to get it in September. i have gone through all the pros and cons of the surgery from countless people and the net. All the naysayers are people who were always thin and never struggles with weight loss. I am looking for any tips or advice you can give about the process. I would like to start purchasing the liquids/protein/ soups/ soft food... that I will need pre & post surgery. Does anyone have a list of things to get to stock a pantry in preparation of the surgery.... and any kitchen products that might be needed. Any advice on the liquid phase- both pre and post sur…

I have my diet class on the 2nd of Aug. I still dont know my surgery date though... Who and when will someone update me on my surgery date? And after the diet class does the liquid diet start? I guess im a little inpatient... just so excited... [emoji4] Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J320A using BariatricPal mobile app

If I could go back in time, I would have gotten a personal trainer and started lifting Before I had the surgery. Because I only really went hard on the weights post op, I don't really know how strong I was to begin with and if I'm just weak because of muscle atrophy or because I was always weak. Also, take good and comprehensive measurements now! They'll really help when you to monitor your losses. Any other good tips from anyone who has been sleeved?

Hi everyone. I'm doing this journey alone. I've only told 3 people close to me about surgery. And none of them will be available to come to the hospital with me. I'm afraid I'm going to incredibly lonely and emotional post-op. Is anyone interested in chatting over the kik app (long term)? Looking for someone to offer mutual support on our journeys and share photos of our progress.

So I'm having sleeve surgery in three days, and I'm feeling really unprepared. My weight loss was unusual, and I'm not sure how it will affect my post-op. Here's how it went: I was at 375 pounds in September and was asked to go down to 345 before I could have surgery. I lost about 20 pounds following all of the nutritionists recommendations in the next two months. Then, in December I spent three weeks in the hospital with severe pancreatitis caused by gallstones. Spent the next three months recovering until I had my gallbladder removed in February. Due to the diet and hospital stay I lost a lot of weight, by the end of the whole process in Ma…

Newbie here, though I'be been doing testing and Medicare compliance over the last 8 months. My question is I went to what I thought was final clearance appt. with gastroenterologist,who I was told was ONLY reviewing my upper GI & abdominal ultrasound results, which already knew results about. But..he says to get clearance for surgery,which my office was going to set my appointment for final visit with surgeon today, tells me I have to have a endoscopy and colonoscopy first! I'm very upset about this because 1) at no time has anyone ever told me about those two tests were prerequisite, nor is it in the Manuel for doctor's office. And 2) I will have to be put to sleep …

Having gastric bypass is my Gastroenterologist's last ditch effort to help treat my gastroparesis. I also have Crohn's disease, in remission right now. Also Hashimoto's, fibromyalgia, migraines, and a host of bizarre autoimmune problems. I'm barely eating and should weigh 90 lbs, but I continue to gain weight, even after having my thyroid out. Dr hopes the RNY will ease my stomach pain, nausea, and poor motility.

I have my diet class on the 2nd of Aug. I still dont know my surgery date though... Who and when will someone update me on my surgery date? And after the diet class does the liquid diet start? I guess im a little inpatient... just so excited... [emoji4] Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J320A using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm having to do a 3 month supervised diet before surgery & I've only lost 5lbs. August 16 will be my 3 months. What happens if I don't completely lose the 25lbs??? Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Can we have stage 3 baby Food, week 2 after surgery? I keep getting different answers. Anyone know? Sent from my SM-J700T using BariatricPal mobile app

I have 2 nutition classes and my psych evaluation that is between me and surgery.... A psych evaluation for some reason really freaks me out. I'm so afraid that they will see what a bad relationship I have with food and how messed up I am in the head as far as diet and my weight Hang-Ups go that I will fail it. Has anybody ever failed their psych evals? I'm not saying that I'm crazy I'm just saying that I hate tests and I do have a problem with my weight which is why I'm here in the first place!

Just a tip for anyone that hasn't been sleeved yet. Take a small, soft pillow with you to the hospital. On the day you leave you can place it between you and your seatbelt. Just a little buffer for your sore tummy! I had a rectangular one that fit perfectly around the front of my tummy and saved me from a lot of bumps in the road!

1.Had to battle quite hard to get surgery approved by psychiatrist and surgeon because I'm bipolar,they were concerned about malabsorption of the meds and generally about my moods. Now that I've got a date I don't feel excited at all about the surgery, have other people had similar experiences? 2. I've planned a holiday abroad for the 21st August,will I be able to cope so soon after my surgery ..11th July?

Hello there, First time here, was just wondering about how to fund all of this, any advice? I have made the decision, seen my doctor, he has an open schedule slot in about 5 weeks, but it will cost me $3000 and my insurance won't cover it, as it is not considered an ailment to be overweight where I live. Has anybody tried alternate funding options? Does it work? I tried asking the bank but I'm already stretched. I'm 33 and at 400+ pounds, I really want to get my life back on track. Edit: Can I just add that my wife is already scheduled for hers, I chose for her to go first because I have always been obese, she hasn't, and nothing would make me hap…

I have been trying to search Google but I am coming up with not a whole lot on this topic! For background I have GERD and during an endoscopy last year the doctor found that I had Barrett's Esophagus. I take OTC Nexium and that keeps the GERD under control, I don't have an issue as long as I take it each morning. However I know that the sleeve can increase issues a patient has with GERD, what I can't seem to find is if its recommended to have the sleeve if you have Barrett's. Did anyone here have Barrett's before they had the sleeve done, and if so what did you discuss with your surgeon regarding it? The sleeve is the procedure I would strongly prefer, but no…

This past week I completed all my pre surgery requirements! My husband was sleeved on June 27th 2017. I am very eager to get mine done and excited that I am ready. Waiting for them to call me with a surgery date is the hardest! I really don't want to wait for months on end. I don't think I'm worried about the surgery it's the 2 weeks liquid fast that has got me worried. I don't do well with mind games but I am happy my husband is so supportive! My husband has had great recovery and is looking amazing! I'm 28 years old and ready to live my new life style!! Is anyone else waiting for a call?? It does not help that my boss keeps asking when it is. Ugh I pray it's s…

My wife is having her surgery on Monday and she is terrified of scars, problem is, she has a darker Hispanic complexion and yes, her body loves to scar. Has anybody with the same skin tone done this? Any recommendations? Sent from my SM-C9000 using BariatricPal mobile app

Oh what a journey to get here. I started this process in Oct 2016. I know the real journey starts tomm. Wish me luck!!! [emoji7]

For those with HTN how long did you have to be diagnosed with it to qualify for surgery (ie you had it for a month) How were you "diagnosed"? If I go to my GP and have 140/100 one time does that qualify? And how do I need to prove to my surgeon/insurance company that I have it (does your GP have to write a letter etc) I'm curious because I've never been actually diagnosed, but my blood pressure tends to run a little high. And I may need HTN to qualify.

I have so many emotions as I get up to get ready for the hospital. Nervous and excited!! Eeeekkkkk!!!!!!

I realize that's a fair while away, but I would love to connect with others scheduled for surgery around that time. Maybe we can keep each other sane while waiting.

I am scheduled to have my sleeve surgery on 21 August in Mexico and I'm concerned about my BMI. I am 210 pounds and 5t 1inch which puts my bmi at 39. I understand I am obese but I'm scared that I might lose too much weight and look malnourished. What is the lowest you seen a person get down to with the sleeve?

Well Im so excited today I got my surgery date went to my pre-op today I am so excited that I have one more week to go July 31 I will be having my surgery. I can't believe that it's almost coming up.

Hi all! Such a great site! I'm 56, I have cml leukemia. My bones hurt like crazy. I'm borderline diabetic. Np still normal. Kinda want to get the surgery before I develop other diseases. I'm confused. Why have surgery if I'm going to have to exercise and watch what I eat, when I can't do that NOW!?? What makes me think I can do it postop? Anybody understand or feel same? im getting all tests done, met with nutritionist, I meet surgeon and psychiatrist Thursday July 20 (2 days), still need an upper endo preop. Not sure which surgery to get...vsg or ds?? Anybody, any advice?? Many many thanks!!

So.. appreciate any suggestions.. my op is scheduled Monday 24th and I have been on my pre-op diet of Optifast from the 10th.. so on day 11. Was hard for a few days then got easier. Lost about 5 kgs (11 lbs) quickly.. then it all got hard this last week. First I caught a nasty cold going around and finally ended up visiting my GP on Wed and got an antibiotic to try and prevent any secondary chest infection. Took heaps of pain killers etc which stopped up my stomach now for 5 days. Heck. Saw my GP yesterday again who said I should be "ok" for Monday since my lungs are fairly clear (although I have been coughing so much my ribs hurt).. so hopefully that's ok.. but I am n…

July 28th! This means I get to start the liquid diet on the 14th. I'm not breathing into a paper bag yet, but I suspect I'll be spending a lot of time here with folks who know about these things.

I have completed my scope today with my Dr. It went well thank god. I start my two week liquid fast on the 18th. Hope everyone is doing well with their journey!!

There have been many distractions lately popping up. I feel like I am being tested. My surgery is next week and for the past few days there has been distractions that I wish not to be around. My pre op diet is going well I am down 21 pounds so I feel solid with that but this extra stuff right before surgery I wished it could have missed me. I know God has a plan for me & I know he wants me healthy. I know he wont give us more than we can handle. I got to stay strong & lean on him. Also, you know how you feel regret about a situation when you may have not been your best.Well I got some of that going on too. Again out of the blue distractions. Thats how they come. …

Hi there! I'm on day 30 of my pre-op diet, and I've been compliant. For the past three days, every afternoon, I've been getting bad cramps, like period cramps, but I'm in the middle of my cycle, not the end. My pre-op diet is 4 high protein shakes and one lean and green meal. Thoughts? Has this happened to anyone else?