PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I'm excited and nervous all at the same time. I am going to meet the man that will forever change my life! Hubby will be going with me to listen and learn. He is afraid to ask the Dr. Questions so today, I am having him write them out with me. (He's afraid the tone in his voice will piss off the Dr.) Not real sure what to expect tomorrow. Really hoping that I will get my schedule of tests to be done and meet with the NUT. I don't think I was this excited to meet a celebrity! Today is going to go by soooo slowly... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had the dietician & Psych appt's today. I have two more Appts with the surgeon before surgery time. I'm trying not to be nervous & anxious since surgery scares me. I'm comparing the VSG to my gallbladder surgery must be done no if's or butt's. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

OK, so I had my very first consultation with Dr. David Ward in Morristown New Jersey he will be my surgeon. He addressed all my questions and my husbands as well. We had pretty common questions like, how long does the surgery take, healing time, what to expect, any complications that could arise, mortality rate etc. The first thing he asked me was what type of surgery was I interested in. I did not let him know right away that I wanted the sleeve. I asked what he thought would be better. He let me know that the sleeve would be better for me. Which is what I wanted to begin with. He informed me that bypass would not be in my Best interest. Also, he does not like…

I thought my insurance company would take weeks to approve my surgery after I finished the 2 month nutrition program. Wow, was I wrong! I'm scheduled for surgery on Sept. 22. When the doc's office called me last Friday, they initially wanted me to come in on Sept. 16. I hemmed and hawed and got a week's more time to try and get my head around this process. Kinda overwhelmed at this point.

Has anyone experienced constipation from drink to much Protein shakes? I am constipated I have been drinking a lot of milk of magnesia for the past two days... In the morning I am going to buy fiber drops to add in Water. Is there anything else I could buy? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Dear Pre-Ops, So I'm one year out and I can eat nearly anything I want, just not that much of it. I can eat a full slice of pizza (not making a habit of it though). Want to know what I really truly miss the most? salad and raw veggies. No lie I swear. There's a reason they call it "roughage". I can eat a few bites, but honestly I miss those big crunchy salads from the Whole Foods salad bar more than anything else. I jest you not. My mom had bypass and I asked her what she missed the most and she said pizza and cheesecake. So I had my "last supper" more than a month before surgery. I was kind of disgusted with myself and felt good about giving that stuff up. But honestly…

1:be able to cross my legs 2:be picked up by my husband when kissed (????) 3:be able to ride a Rollercoaster 4:take up rollerblading again last time was when I was 9!!! 5: be able to walk and run without getting out of breath 6: be able to take full body pix without hidding myself 7: be able to shop at Victoria secrets and not lane Bryant anymore 8: go horse back riding 9: go hiking 10: enjoy life to the fullest no holding back!!! Sent from my SM-N920T using the BariatricPal App

I finished my 3 month diet today!!! So all my information has been faxed to my surgeon to be sent in for insurance approval!!! I am so excited and yet also terrified!!! Pretty much my worse nightmare this whole time would be my insurance denying me!! I meet all there criteria bmi over 40 and I am pre diabetic. Just knowing they could be like " nope not doing it" is so scary!!! About how long did it take for most of you to find out? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Has anyone ever went to their first appointment and been under weight and had a physician give you an opportunity to gain weight to have surgery done?? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Did the surgery change your monthly cycle? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi, I am new here and just wondering what the time frame was for everyone from when they had the first consultation with the Dr to the time that they had surgery? I have met my deductible for the year with my insurance but not my out of pocket maximum, so I will still need to come up with about $4K. I have my first consultation on 9/8. I don't really want to take out a loan to come up with the out of pocket and I could have the money in cash around January. Am I going to my consultation too early?

Ok so I just read over my paperwork from the education class. In my reading I read that we don't have to take the opti-fast instead 2 tablespoons of milk of magnesia and broths clear liquid diet 1 week before surgery. Is this weird should I be concerned? Everyone I spoke to says that it is. I'm going to talk to my surgeon on Friday so I'll ask him about this but what do you guys think. determined1LD

Hi all, I was wondering if there are sleevers out there who flew to mexico/ are flying to Mexico from another country other than the States? I'm having my surgery with Dr Garcia in TJ and I'm flying from New Zealand to San Diego and getting picked up to cross the border. I booked my flights/applied for visa already and I'm just wondering what people went through as they went through customs/border. Can I openly tell them about my surgery? Will it matter if I'm going to be picked up from San Diego? My mother will be coming with me and we want to stay an extra week in San Diego post operation just to make a mini holiday out of it. Any comments/suggestions will be gre…

Hi ladies and gents, I've finally wrapped up all of my testing aside from some pre op blood work. And I'm so freaking excited! I'm posting this because I see a lot of y'all have been there done that, so what kind of insider tips/tricks can you guys pass down to me? Thanks for all of your guys' help and I can't wait to join you on the other side! {35 days and counting!} Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Looking for people who have had good and bad experiences. What doc did you use? What complications did you have etc... Sent from my SM-G935T using the BariatricPal App

Got my surgery date of October 4th. So excited and scared at the same time. My insurance has to have surgery date before proceeding with an approval. Please keep fingers cross and pray they will approve me. Thanks!

I was wondering if there were any DC sleevers and if so where are you hoping to/had your surgery? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Anyone try the, Metimucil Appitite Suppressant? What did you think? It worked for me, but, I don't like the fact that they put Aspertain in it. I heard that stuff is poison. Sent from my SM-J700T using the BariatricPal App

Hi everyone, I'm the Gal who had an issue with bmi only being 39. I went into the bariatric department on 9/1 to be officially weighed and get my height. Found out I was 5"3 instead of 5"4 and I had a bmi of 42. My case manager informed that I had to have 2 weigh ins showing a 40 bmi. Well in May and June I had Doc visits with weight of 227 & 228. I was scheduled with a phone consultation with surgeon next Tuesday. So today I sent surgeon an email about my height being 5"3 and not 5"4 and my weight in May and June and wondering if he'd consider that as weigh ins. About 10 minutes later my case manager called and informed me that I have been accepted into the progr…

I need surgery buddy!! My surgery is September the 7 and I'm really anxious.. .. I don't know what to expect.. I really need some suggestion on vitamins and protein shakes...

I went to my pre surgery class today. Listened to all if the Do' and don'ts. And I can't shake this nagging feeling that this isn't how are bodies are meant to be treated. Of course our bodies aren't meant to carry 350 lbs either and mine is doing it everyday. Idk. My head can't get past the idea that chopping off half my stomach to quit overeating is barbaric and someday I'll regret it. Sent from my SPH-L720T using the BariatricPal App

21 DAYS UNTIL SURGERY WOOT WOOT! YAY ME! So I am starting a few habits early- I already got my water intake up to 124 ounces- made that a habit and have been at if for weeks already. But today I am starting the 30-30-30 rule- maybe if I spend the next couple of weeks doing it it will be easier after surgery... What other things did y'all start BEFORE surgery to help get you in the groove of things?

I know in the hospital, they give us something for pain, but do they send us home with something for pain? And are we able to take our regular meds after surgery by swollowing them or do we have to crush up everything? Sent from my SM-N920V using the BariatricPal App

Im having my surgery on Oct 4th and im sooo ready. I have MS and my medicine that i was taking has steriods in it and ive gone from 145lbs-278 over 2yrs. Im 5'8 and my goal is to get down into a 8-10, not back down to a 5. At 50, i just dont see myself back into a size 5. I had no curves....lol. Good luck on everyone's journey Sent from my SM-N920V using the BariatricPal App

So I had my initial consultation on 8/26 with my surgeon. I was told to wait one week after seeing him before calling to make appointments for my testing. I called on 9/2 and discovered that my surgeon had not yet sent out the referrals in order for me to get my testing scheduled, and was told to call back today 9/7. I called today, and he still hasn't sent anything out and I cant do anything until he does. I was told that the office staff has sent a message to his nurse to call me as soon as the referrals have been sent out. I'm loosing paid Dr. visit benefits at work on 9/26 and am literally in a race against time to get these appointments in. I'm so stressed out and ho…

I'm in Nashville and waiting on approval from my ins.

My frustration between my insurance company and the weight loss center is growing bigger each day. I called my insurance BCBS MICHIGAN , they tell me that if my BMi is over 50 I bypass the 6 months of weight monitoring and that I don't need a prior authorization. The weight loss center looks at me like I'm making it up. Please I just want to have my surgery. Am I over reacting? I just feel like I'm running around the bush doing unnecessary things. Ugggg!!

guys how much is it to do self pay for the gastric sleeve.this is just an estimate I'm asking for.anyone self pay? Sent from my LGUS991 using the BariatricPal App

Anyone else noticing food more only on day #2 and food is everywhere I'm being good though. I haven't come this far for nothing Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

My surgery is October 14th. I'm so scared. I'm not scared of the surgery or the pain afterwards or anything like that, I'm scared it won't work. I have tried every diet out there and I feel like this is my last chance. I don't think I can live much longer in the shape that I'm in and I have read so many that say they didn't loose weight. I'm not concerned with looking pretty. I never have been and I don't think that is going to change. Lol. I'm not worried about how my body looks either. Yes, if I could look like Jennifer Lopez I wouldn't argue but I so want my health. I am 51 years old and have been fat my entire life but once. I starved myself for 6 months, got boney lo…

I have just begun the process and have only shared my intentions with my children, husband and three friends I knew would be supportive. I'm interested in hearing your stories of who, how and when you told others (if you did). Sent from my VS986 using the BariatricPal App

I am so excited and frightened, tomorrow is my surgery and i still cannot believe that this is what i am doing. It will be outpatient. Any advice for pre and post op (yes ive been reading over the boards but want a single thread here i can refer to)? Any calming words of advice? Sent from my SM-N930P using the BariatricPal App

One of my colleagues sent me a picture that was taken the day before I began my six-month nutrition program required by insurance company. That was March 21. The other picture was taken yesterday -- 22 days from my surgery date on September 28. I cried. I wasn't ready to see that. I think the surgery is going to be so much easier because of doing all of this work on the front end. Needless to say, I am excited about the second half of this journey, and I wanted to share the pictures because I am really proud of the efforts of the last half-a-year. Best to all! Blair

So on Monday I had my psychiatric evaluation that I believe I passed with flying colors. However, afterwards I was extremely drained. I came home that night in panic about having this surgery. I told myself that I can't do this. I can never NOT have pizza again EVER! And what about my coffee? I love coffee! And then she mentioned my hair may fall out in Patches and be quite noticeable. She scared me. And it worked. I then googled every complication I could possibly have (and I do not recommend doing that). Then there is Friday... And I feel better about it. I had an upper GI because the surgeon wants to make sure my reflux is under control since there is a ch…

I'm scheduled for surgery October 6th. I know I want more kids. I have a 2yrold son right now. I'm think one or two more later like 1.5 - 2 years from now. Some people have said why lose and have surgery just to get pregnant later on. Well I am 330lbs. It's not healthy for me too have a child at this weight plus I don't even think I can my hormones are completely unbalanced. I'm wondering what everyone's thoughts are. My hope is that in 2 years I'll be in the habit of small portions and overeating won't be an issue. I'll have a good exercise routine in place & I'll be prepared. Sent from my LGLS770 using the BariatricPal App

Hello my name is Tina and I live in Oklahoma. I am currently 359 pounds and in desperate need of surgery but my insurance refuses to cover the procedure. I am considering a self pay option with Dr. Kim in Texas. Has anyone had surgery with him and what was your experience. Any information will Be most appreciated.

I have a date FINALLY!! OCTOBER 25TH!!! WOOOOOOO HOOOOOO. I am getting the DS. Cannot wait!! Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

My 6 months has flown by. Two weeks I'll have insurance approval and then a surgery date! Yay! Sent from my XT1254 using the BariatricPal App

Hi everyone! I am working through my requirements but hope to have surgery in December or January. My insurance required very few things - a blood test, a NUT appointment, and a mental health eval. I'm almost done, with the NUT appt scheduled later this month. But, my mom is a nurse and she asked me if the insurance or my surgeon had suggested/required me to take a sleep study to see if I have sleep apnea. They did not. But, she said that it could be important before surgery to know if I have it or not - and that there could be bad results if I have undiagnosed sleep apnea and go under during surgery? I talked to the surgeon's office today and they said that they didn't…

I'm getting closer and closer. I lost 17 lbs this last month and I can't lose ANY MORE before surgery!! It's crazy, I'm obese but now I CANT lose weight. I have to add Peanut Butter, avocados and whole grains back into my diet. The tricky part will be my 3 day liquid diet before surgery . Did I say my surgery isn't until NOVEMBER? They will actually weigh me the day of surgery. I hope I can meet the requirements. Passed my psych eval. Now I have proof that I'm not crazy I don't think my kids will believe that one! Life is good everyone! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am in the very initial stage of sleeve surgery. Met with the team (Dr., NUT, Exercise Physiologist, Labs & EKG done). My question is ... Can I do anything in this PRE-Surgery mode to assist with future loose skin? I am 50+ and have a lot to lose (100+) and fear that I will end up looking horrible with loose skin everywhere. Any advice? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I've been lurking on this site for a couple weeks. I'm impressed with all the knowledge and support. My story is a little bit different-I'm having RNY for gastroparesis. It's been a miserable year and a half and I'm ready to start feeling better! The side benefit includes getting rid of 50 extra pounds and hopefully better sugar control. I've been type two DM for 17 years but a year ago May things just went crazy. I got what I thought was a stomach virus. Whatever it was, I'm now insulin dependent and have had crazy complications. Autonomic dysfunction that makes my heart rate high and blood pressure low; lumbar sacral radiculoplexopathy (made me fall a lot); gas…

I didn't think I that had lost weight "too quickly" to develop gallstones, or "sludge". I was losing so slowly in fact, that I went on phentermine for a little while to get through some stalls. My first blood screen three months ago came back fantastic, having met all nutritional requirements and normal cholesterol levels. I've been eating (some of you will not approve, but oh well) food from small organic farms. Instead of Protein shakes, I make my own raw milk Kefir (it consumes all the lactose as it ferments, so no- to- low sugar of any kind) which is a super power probiotic. I've had wild fish, organic cold brewed coffee, seaweed, bone broths, raw cream in my coffee…

Hey! So I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this since I'm relatively new to this app. Anyways I will be having the surgery in October and I'm trying to get prepared and I was wondering if y'all had an suggestions on things that I would need post-op that aren't necessarily mentioned in the material. I'll put my initial list below. Thanks! The List (so far): Smooth Move Tea Papaya Enzyme Heating Pad Gas X Chewables Melatonin Milk of Magnesia Stool Softeners Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi Everyone! I hope you are all well I am just wondering if any of you used an abdominal binder after surgery? I have talked with a few people who have had WLS and found it helpful. My mother has had 2 laparoscopic surgeries over the past 2 years and she said that they were a lifesaver. I'm in the process of buying everything I need to be totally prepared for coming home after surgery now! My surgeon said that he doesn't give them out, but that if I would feel more comfortable, he has no issue with me using one and thinks I may find it helpful. Before I spend the money, I am just wondering if any of you guys used binders post op, and if you found it helpful?…

I saw my surgeon today and he does not require a pre op diet! The day before surgery I will be on clear liquids only! I asked about shrinking my liver and he did not seem concerned with it. So,Yay for me! [emoji6]

I stared my diet appointments about 2-1/2 months ago but I decided to go with my surgeons office dietitian so I am. Now starting all over again. I want to do things as smart as possible so I don't mess up my chances of approval. I am in MD in the Metropolitan area and was wondering if there's anyone close in the early stages like I am. I originally got the referral for the surgery back in February but chickend out but I refuse to turn back now. The liquid diet before the surgery is scary because I eat a lot and I am always hungry. So I have no idea what to do about that! Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

Anyone using Cleveland clinic in Weston for gastric sleeve? If so, would love to hear about your experience. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I am so happy !!! I just got a call from my surgeon's office, NWWLS, saying that I have been approved they wanted to do my surgery October 12th however since of work restrictions I opted to have its December 21st. I'm so excited.... I have to do my sleep study, psych evaluation and endoscopy still...but im super happy this is becoming a reality!! ByeByeLbs

I see so many people are out of state! Still such great support though consultation in 2 weeks I'm way too excited Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App