PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Well Hello Group, I have been lurking and learning since finding this site. I just got my surgery date of 18 Feb. A little about me. I was recommend to have the VSG by my Heart Failure doc who will eventually do my heart transplant. They will not put you on the list for a new heart unless you have a BMI of 35% or less. Ideally they want you around "30ish"at time of transplant to be a good candidate for a new heart. Well the thing is with Congestive Heart Failure I can not walk to my bedroom or bathroom without getting extremely short of breath and fatigued. So I am unable to exercise and would basically need a diet of sawdust and ice water to get to 30% BMI. Currently I…

Looking for mentors/friends around my body height/weight. SunshineUnicorn

Hi. I am having my sleeve done in June, I was curious how long after surgery isnit safe to go on a long road trip. My family is planning a tentative trip to Maine (from Pa) I am concerned about blood clots. We usually go in mid July or early Aug. Also, how long do.you have to wait to go swimming? Thank you!

Hi. I am having my sleeve done in June, I was curious how long after surgery isnit safe to go on a long road trip. My family is planning a tentative trip to Maine (from Pa) I am concerned about blood clots. We usually go in mid July or early Aug. Also, how long do.you have to wait to go swimming? Thank you!

Hi. I am having my sleeve done in June, I was curious how long after surgery isnit safe to go on a long road trip. My family is planning a tentative trip to Maine (from Pa) I am concerned about blood clots. We usually go in mid July or early Aug. Also, how long do.you have to wait to go swimming? Thank you!

I got a call this afternoon that there was a death in my doctors family. And my surgery was supposed to be Monday, 27 February. And now it is scheduled for Thursday 2 March. I will have been on the liquid diet for 16 days. Does anybody know if I go below 35 BMI will I still be able to go through with the surgery. I'm only 8 lbs from 35 BMI. If the surgery was on Monday I'd be fine....but Friday? I dunno

Good morning everyone. I am new to this forum I've been on gastricsleeve.com and just found this one yesterday. My surgery is a week from today and I am so excited. I look forward to reading all your great stories and also look forward to your great advice and ideas

I feel like I need to post this somewhere and that this app is appropriate for what I want to let out. You don't have to read this at all, I just think that this is something I have to write before surgery so that I know that I'm leaving my past and bad habits in the past and not dwelling on anything for my future, for my success. Ever since I could remember I've had a unhealthy relationship with food; food served as a emotional anchor for me growing up, it made me feel ok and it was the only consistent thing in my life when things started going downhill for me. I got sick, I was depressed and anxious all the time and the only place I felt safe and secure was alone in my…

Does anyone know if having a bicuspid aortic valve is considered a caediovascular diseases that would be a comorbity?

I have my pre-op appointment coming up on 3/7 and my surgery date is 3/9.. I am under my goal weight by a few pounds, but I am seriously freaking out about getting on the hospital scale and being overweight by a pound or two and having them cancel my surgery. I am not sure what to do besides staying on track. I can't not think about this.. It is terrifying! I've been working so hard to get to this point!

I had my pre op appointment today and they drew blood, and asked for a urine sample. I quit smoking awhile ago, but, for new yrs, I had a celebratory smoke... now, I can't stop freaking out!! R they gonna send me home the day of my surgery bc there is nicotine in my system? I've been working so hard! How could I b so careless?! Please, no bashing. I know I screwed up. Thanks Sent from my SM-S820L using the BariatricPal App

My surgery is tomorrow morning! I am a flood of emotions, but mostly excited to start this journey. I appreciate all of you for your endless advise and information. Wish me a speedy recovery! Soon I will be on the infamous losers bench. I can't wait.

Hey guys. My surgery is scheduled for June 26th. Insurance approval still needs to happen and I need to lose 15 lbs. in the meantime. I'm feeling discouraged, like no matter how hard I try I won't be able to lose weight and get the surgery and could really use some encouragement. Thanks everyone [emoji172]

So I'm 22, 5'6, HW: 270, CW: 246, GW: 160 I have anxiety, depression, ptsd, paranoia disorder, agoraphobia, insomnia and social anxiety: My brother who is only a year younger has autism and epilepsy and that's pretty much where all my mental issues have stemmed from. Being in a hospital is going to be very hard since I basically grew up in one since he had seizures so constantly. About my weight loss struggle, I have always always been chunky my whole life. In the beginning it was just because my parents didn't really care what we ate, and we definitely ate for stress because of how hard it was with my brother. But once I hit late jr high/high school I just got so overwe…

I get sleeved March 23rd. I seen surgeon today and asked all my questions..lol...I had a whole list. He wasn't very friendly and his nurse was rude. Anyways, I've been mentally ready and prepared but then he scared me today. He told me everything that could go wrong. I'm still going through with it. One thing I did find weird when I asked him about my pre op diet he said he doesn't give one. Just stay under 1200 calories!!! Yikes btw my surgery is with kaiser.

Good news: I called BCBS of IL today and found out my sleeve surgery was APPROVED!!!! Bad news: They said my EGD was declined due to being "experimental" and not needed. They won't give my doctor a letter for denial for up to 15 days and my appointment is supposed to be this upcoming Tuesday. I'm frustrated because I do think I have a hernia or a legitimate problem that the EGD will find before surgery. Has this happened to anyone else?

Tuesday I get my surgery..... My question is I was around 2nd hand smoke will that effect surgery?

I met with the surgeon today to discuss timeline and options. He told me the lap band has been pulled from the market, which is fine because I want a sleeve. I have my scope and psych evaluation next Wednesday. (They are accommodating double appointments for me because I live over 2 hours away). I am self pay and this is happening so fast! I'm SUPER excited, EXCEPT for the 2 week pre-op liquid diet. I am TERRIFIED of that.[emoji20] I've never done anything like that and I'm afraid for the first time. Does anyone have any tips on how to get through that? Liquids that fill you up, taste good or ways to help the 2 weeks feel like it's going faster? I know it will be less of …

What's a good Vitamin to take for Calcium ???

I am considering RNY and am in the last stages of approval. Of course I have questions and am seeking input. I am a male and 53. As a kid I was rail thin (having graduated high school weighing 140 lbs). Over the years the weight slowly accumulated. One year and eight months ago I started on a medically supervised low carb diet and lost 65 pounds in six months. It was protein shakes and as I transitioned off I gained back about half. I have so many co- morbidities (Diabetes, sleep apnea, high BP, high cholesterol) I feel I have to do something drastic. For me it is a health issue, plain and simple. A family member had great success several years ago (and is s…

Any body have your insurance tell you one thing and your Dr tell you something different about the pre-approval requirements. In Nov the insurance company told me 6 months and my Dr said the same in Dec. A few weeks ago my Dr office called and said I only needed 3 months. I got excited but now I can't verify that info with my insurance company. I have Anthem BCBS GA. Anyone have a similar situation.

I received an unexpected call from my treatment coordinator this afternoon letting me know that my insurance company has approved me for surgery! I'm not medically cleared yet - I have some very stubborn h-pylori bacteria, but as soon as it's cleared up, I'll be good to go! I can take the test to check next week, so everyone keep your fingers crossed for me!

Hi everyone, Have you ever felt like the black cloud follows everywhere you go? Or you never seem to get the things you truly deserve? Well I can honestly say I am fed up with this process. I have been denied twice due to some bogus paperwork they keep telling I do not have. I have over 7 years and within the past 12 months I have had 3 months consecutive weight management visits. For some strange reason they are telling me that this is not accurate. I know these are weight visits I was there with my primary care physician talking about it. I meet all the criteria except for this. Which I know I have. I have exhausted all my options and I feel like giving up. I a…

I was approved by my insurance )Anthem BCBS CA) for the surgery!! But it wasn't without headache... I called my surgeon's coordinator on 2/28 to confirm that she had sent in my paperwork to insurance. Come to find out, she said my paperwork wasn't eligible to be submitted until MARCH 28th, which is a month after the original submission date I had been told during my 6 months. The coordinator said she'd send it in a month early anyway and see what happens. Well, she sent it in to my insurance on 2/29 and I called insurance today to verify it had been received and they told me they received it and approved it!! It only took 2 days for approval. I was so shocked. Now I'm w…

My surgery is 5 days away.... I'm excited and nervous at the same time, I keep look at this body that I've had a love/hate relationship with since I can remember and now I see it in a whole new way. I look at it and feel it and think "wow.... I've struggled with you for so long and now, you'll be gone" I'm scared y'all! What will it look like after, will I struggle with the "new me" will I miss myself? I keep reading horror stories about hair loss and tragic, excess skin.... is it all worth it? My primary goal for surgery is to aliviate my chronic back pain, knee pain and other body disconforts and live a healthier, active life. But, will it be like I hope it will be? I…

I'm stressed, y'all... My surgeon's office was supposed to fax over my packet to insurance for approval. I called my insurance late this afternoon and they haven't received anything yet. Called my surgeon's office and was forwarded to the health coordinator that handles all paperwork. She never answered and kept getting voicemail. I left one message and decided to call it a day. Super anxious to get the surgery and get started on my new life! Also, I'm a bridesmaid in a wedding in May and when I get my surgery plays a major role in getting my dress size, etc. I hate not knowing! Lol. Should I continue to call. My surgeon's office and my insurance to check on progress on…

Well it's here and I'm ready.. liquids until March 7 .. what got you through it?

I wanted to find out how many have a vitamix blender I'm just wondering if I should get one especially for the puréed and soup stages what is everyone's opinion on this??

What to do for heart burn

My count down now begins 26 days

My Vitamin D is 11.3 which is a Vitamin D deficiency. How will low Vitamin D effect me in the future once and I get my sleeve and will this make the process of getting approved longer? FutureFitGirl

What r urs? I would love to learn self defense

I just had my surgery consult last week. Dr Joyce says yes he can do the bypass. So, I have my psych consult left to do then my class. So I am in the process. I am hoping for a May surgery date. That will fit my schedule better plus I told the nurse that will be better. So I am in the process of trying out bariatric Vitamins. Celebrate had a sample pack that I ordered and tried. I noticed that the Multivitamin chewable and Calcium plus chewable gave me a sharp pains like near my bladder. Not the side of my stomach but lower. They were very sharp but only while I kept biting off and eating pieces of the chewables. As soon as I was finished the sharp pain stopped! I didnt k…

In need of some real answers to myself. Went for my 4 of 6 monthly DR visits and have only lost about 7 pounds in this time, she thinks I may not have the want to stick with it after the surgery. It was my GP not the surgeon.......if I can't show more weight loss will my surgeon tell me no,,,,,,,,,insurance nor surgeon have said anything about having to lose weight and I am failing. What if I can't do it, questioning myself after my check in today.........have been walking, gave up soda, trying to not eat junk and that is my weakest point........not going to have surgery until the end of June if everything passes..........really down on myself today, been ready to break i…

So as I approach my surgery date I'm writing all my pros and cons... I know that it's a mind over matter when it comes to getting your IV [emoji736] done yet, I'm a Superbad stick. I think once that's done it a green light to get this new journey started. Anyone a bad stick for IV's. I'm hoping they can numb the site first verses being stuck 7 times to get it in!

Hello! Anyone have NYSHIP Empire Plan (United Health Care/ Blue Cross Blue Shield) I'm currently going through the Bariatric program with UHS here and the coordinator told me that we can't submit any paperwork until 90 days from 2/2, which will bring us to May, for approval to insurance. I'm curious in how long it took for approval & surgery. I'm almost 1/2 through the program. And am trying to envision a timeline .. I'm hopefully for early June. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am pre op vsg and I know you get full faster need to focus on Protein etc. my question is l, when you get full quickly are you also feeling satisfied? Like have you noticed your cravings are better and you don't crave more and more portion wise. Right now I would consider myself someone that doesn't graze all day or snack but when I eat a meal like dinner it is a big meal with seconds- or at a restaurant I don't have left overs, where "normal" people would. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Today I met with the surgeon who said he wouldn't even consider doing the sleeve on me unless I did a 24 hour PH test first. (I have GERD). If he doesn't like the results, then my only option is the bypass. Anyone done the test? I would rather not do the bypass only because of all of the additional possible complications and that it is a more invasive surgery. Because I'm borderline (5'3.5" 229.6lbs) and young (30) he is hesitant to do the bypass, but said he will if i am convinced i want it. I'm super frustrated because my goal weight is only 2 lbs less than what i currently weigh, so I thought i was super close to being able to have my surgery. SunshineUnicorn

Hello all, I will have the sleeve done in July. Right now I'm doing the 6 month weight-ins, for insurance purposes. I live in NY and getting the sleeve done in NYU, anyone else starting the process now? I have the psych eval on March 11th and Endoscopy on April 10th.

Anyone else having the sleeve done in Tijuana through A Lighter Me? My surgery date is April 10th for Dr. Ortiz! Very excited. My dad had the surgery there by Dr. Ortiz about two years ago and is doing wonderful down 80lbs.

Hello, i am just starting the journey. I have my first appt Friday and though I'm not usually nervous I fear I may not show up.....that's my MO....when something scary happens I run.... anyway.....mid forties,almost bedridden with multiple comorbidies and looking to a future without some of them. Very supportive husband and friends....

How did you determine what your goal weight will be after surgery? Was it given to you by your doctor? Did you base it on healthy BMI range? I'm trying to figure out a good goal weight for myself and not sure if I'm on the right track.

First time posting, I finally got my approval call and letter. Surgery is scheduled for May 4, 2017, I am excited and of course nervous as ever Surgery is 64 days away

My evaluation is in 2 days. I know every one is a bit different but, what types of things did they ask you? I've never had my head shrunk before lol

I'm having my sleeve don't tomorrow....I'm terrified and excited....

I'm looking for anyone who went cold turkey for either the pre-op diet and/or post-op diet. I'm supposed to be sipping my liquids, having a good amount of Protein, chew chew chew, two bites of protein, one veggie, starch last, no drinks during meals, wait 45 mins after meals, etc....it's so freaking hard!!!! My mind cannot wrap around this knowing my stomach isn't sleeved. Once I have to for the sake of my life/health, I can do it to the T. Has anyone dealt with this too?

Hey I have recently switched jobs,and my job has Aetna Mvp plan.I was wondering does anybody have the Aetna MVP plan and was approved for gastric sleeve surgery? ps. Please answer this....i need Help!!

Monday is the big day. I got all my pain meds and blood clot injections nausea meds and spirometer sage cloths chewable gas X my cpap masks my clothes toothbrush hair brush deodorant decaf tea. What else should pack ughhhhhh

Just had my EGD this morning. So quick and easy. Now my sleeve is scheduled for Feb 10, hope that goes just as well. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using the BariatricPal App

A few weeks ago I shared with everyone that my doctor wouldn't clear me because I had an upper respiratory infection. I am super excited to say that I've now gotten my surgery clearance. I'm super excited!!! The next step is a visit to my surgeon so that I can get a surgery date. I'm hoping for the end of March but I'll take April if that's what's available for me! So thankful