PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hello everyone, I'm having a consult with a bariatric surgeon on August 24th for a gastric bypass (and lap band removal). I have already had one consult with another surgeon and did not prepare questions ahead of time. The visit did not go well and I didn't like the surgeon but that's another story. For this new consult, I'd really like to go in with some questions prepared in advance. To those of you who are going through this process or have been through it, what are some questions that you recommend I ask? Anything you can think of that you wish you had asked before surgery? Thank you!

How does the team determine what your goal weight is? I get confused silence when I ask. I ask because my surgeon, who had the most supportive conversation about BMI I've ever had with me, says I should be aiming for 250-275 lbs. I am six feet tall and currently weigh 370. But it was a Zoom call and he never even saw me other than from the chest up. I know everyone says they're big-framed, but in my case it does seem to be true. I have had DXA scans done and, depending where I am in a training cycle (I was a strongman and now am trying to do more functional stuff), I may have anywhere from 205 to 218 lbs. of lean body mass. So 275 lbs. would be somewhere between…

Just curious since I've never had surgery of any kind. What happens at the pre op appointments with the surgeon and the anesthesiologist? Also, has anyone ever gained weight before surgery? I'm super nervous I'm not going to lose enough or that they will cancel my surgery. Which I find crazy because if I could lose weight on my own I wouldn't need the surgery..

Hi! I just got my surgery date today (Sept. 8!) and my mind is spinning with all kinds of things, everything from "can I afford vitamins forever?" to "what should I take to the hospital?" I even wrote a blog post about some of my fears, https://amiabutterfly.blogspot.com/2021/07/hey-yall.html trying to get them all out of me. What worries did you have, rational or irrational? Also, I will be in the hospital Wednesday night and Thursday night, going home on Friday of that week. The hospital is a bit far away, and I'm wondering what's a reasonable amount for my husband to stick around the hospital for? It's not that I don't want him there! But I was thinking he …

I am looking for a support system in the Dallas area. Any thoughts? I could really use the guidance and friendship. Also I'm a good friend in return.

Hello! My surgery date is 9/8. I'm trying to get ready for at least the pre-op diet (I know my tastes may change post-op), and I'm wondering if anyone's used the Aldi brand "Elevation" shakes? I've tried one and they're not too bad, and they seem to be comparable to the shakes they have at Walmart. They have 30 grams of protein and 1 gram of sugar, which sounds alright. Also, can you mix them with anything? I'm wondering if I could mix the vanilla one with coffee or something to make a "fancy" drink. I'm excited and nervous, and I just want to be sure I'm doing everything right!

Has anyone found the protein drinks that are recommended that actually taste good. I'm struggling to find one that is fish/iodine free that taste good. Any and all recommendations are accepted but please not hate.

Hi, I'm new to the forum. Are there any NJ people that can suggest a surgeon? I've been to see a these two: Dr. Wai Yip Chau at Penn Medical in Plainsboro. Dr. Sadek or Dr. Donaire at RWJ hospital In New Brunswick. Thanks.

Hello, I was pretty set and OK with spending like $100 a month for vitamins that are specifically for bariatric patients until I wrecked my car. I have to make car payments on the totaled car, and the new car until the GAP insurance goes through and pays for the remainder of the loan. So basically I'm hard up. What is the cheapest way to do vitamins? My understanding is that I will need: complete multivitamin Vitamin B12 Calcium with Vitamin D Iron with Vitamin C What can I do to keep costs down, maybe for just three or four months until I'm no longer shelling out an extra $420 a month for a car I no longer have? Thank you for your he…

Day 1 of my two week liquid diet and they said no coffee… I have a headache and am shaking. Why no caffeine?

Hi all. I had my consult last week with a surgeon. He is willing to do a bypass, but wants to remove my lap band first - by doing a separate surgery. For those who had a separate lap band removal prior to WLS, I would love to hear from you so that I can know what to expect. My questions are: Was your removal done in an outpatient facility or in a hospital? Was a hospital stay required? How long did the surgery take? What was your experience after the surgery? Lots of pain? How long did it take you to recover? Was your removal covered by insurance even if WLS is not? Thank you in advance for your comments, thoughts, etc.

So, I have been working on getting surgery for 6.5 months and decided right at the beginning to change my eating habits in preparation. I lost 45 lbs, but then I was getting down to where if I lost 8 more pounds I wouldn't qualify for surgery anymore; my BMI would be below 40 (I don't have any comorbidities). Since I figured I would lose weight on the pre-op diet, I decided to eat whatever I wanted until my pre-op diet starts on 30Aug2021. So far, I have gained 4 lbs back and I feel gross. This is four pounds in like a week! Granted, my parents were in town and I ate out so many meals. I wish my insurance would have just taken my starting weight, when I had a BMI of…

I'm having Gastric Sleeve on Tuesday at Cedars-Sinai Marina Del Rey with Dr. Davtyan. My Mom is even flying in from the East Coast to be with me, however, the hospital just called today and said the new Delta variant restrictions mean no non-patients, even family, can enter the hospital. I never dreamed I'd be doing this alone! What should I bring? What is too much? How am I going to feel trying to get home the next day? Pretty nervous at this point, but have lost 26 lbs on the pre-op diet so hopefully liver size won't be an issue. Eeeek.

Hello. I had both an upper endoscopy and colonoscopy done earlier today. The upper endoscopy is for the surgeon who will do the sleeve procedure. They found a hiatal hernia and I am wondering if this will effect whether or not I can have the weight loss surgery. On another note, they found three polyps during the colonoscopy which makes me a little nervous. That seems like a lot and I'm only 46. Thank you.

Is it common to have headaches during your 2 week pre op liquid diet? My head has been bothering for the past 3 days. I'm on day 6 out of 14.

I’m struggling to try and stay on the liquids only part of the pre op diet any tips

Hi everyone, I have been reading the posts here for a while but today is the first time I am posting. I am having gastric bypass tomorrow and my nerves are setting in. My anxiety is through the roof. I am thinking and over thinking every complication and bad possible out come. I am doing this to be Healthy and be here for my kids for a long time. But I cannot stop thinking what if something goes wrong and I have a worse quality of life after or even worse I die and it is my fault that I willing put myself in this situation and leave my kids without a mother. I have been thinking about this surgery for 10 years and I always chickened out, But not this time. I want to do th…

I talked with the office insurance coordinator yesterday and she said she had submitted my paperwork to insurance for prior approval. This morning I called the insurance just to make sure they got it all and are working on it. The lady there says what they submitted doesn’t need prior approval and then said the code was wrong…. I left a message for the insurance coordinator but I’m just so frustrated! I just want to get my surgery done! Any advice?

Hello this is another support team im glad i have the app bc we need all the support we can get...is it common to feel yucky after 3weeks its been a off and on feelin for me light headed dizzy but the surgery off setted my period which i think that is what the problem was for thw most part.

What is the purpose of the pre-op diet? Not the liquid diet just before the surgery, more of the general diet I hear people are asked to go into. Is it to show that you are seriously committed to sticking to lifestyle change? Or is to to show that dieting doesn't work for you?

This is a chronic form that you could live with forever and she really wants to get the sleeve. Her oncologist said it's fine, she's scheduled for the info. session. Any thoughts or experience out there? Thanks for any advice/info.

Has anyone used Jet Medical Tourism or used Dr. Santoyo at the San Juan Clinic? Does anyone have any advice for what to expect with the Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

I got approved and my official surgery date is March 17th. Anyone else for March?

My surgery (RnY) is in a couple of weeks and I've never stayed in a hospital before so I have some very basic questions about what to expect. They said to bring comfortable clothes for walking around in after the surgery. I think I know what I'll bring but is one set of clothes enough if I'm expecting to stay just overnight? Will I be able to wear a bra? TMI, but my ladies are not appropriate for nor accustomed to being loose in public! Does it matter what I wear in the morning of the surgery? I assume I'll change into one of those horrible gowns when I get there and then into my comfy clothes later? Based on past questions and my clinic's instruct…

Does anyone have HCA/Aetna because you or your spouse work for an HCA Hospital???

I just decided I want to get the surgery and I know for my insurance it says a 6 month program is required, so wondering if the past well over 6 months working with a primary care dr on weight loss will count, or if I have to start over? I'm in Wisconsin and I'm on state health care but only because of the pandemic. So as soon as the governor decides to kick us off who are over the income limit, I will not have insurance, so I'm very concerned about having to wait 6 months.

They are having me do the Covid Test next week before my surgery on the 18th. Has anyone else had it done? Is it horrible? Just trying to prepare myself [emoji21][emoji1787]

My BMI is over 50. I'm 38 years old and have many debilitating diseases. To many to name and explain but my main one is I have a blood clotting disorder called Protein S &C deficiency. I want WLS and I'm determined to get it. My family is totally against it and are worried about me getting a clot (I've had 5). I need advice on how to convince my family that this is a good option. Also has anyone had a blood clotting disorder and successfully made it thru the surgery. Thank you all so much!

Got a call from my INS yesterday & was told I have more hoops to jump through before surgery can happen. Very frustrated and hoping I can get this all finished up today, to schedule my surgery Soon. Got an appointment with my PCP to see if I have past visits that will work...

My last pre op appointment with the surgeon is near, what should I expect???

Havent been feeling good my nerve in back hope after weight loss my back problems will be over

Before when I had my sleeve, my pre-op was low carb, low calories. I'd say this is standard pre-op. So, this time my pre-op liver shrinking diet is unlimited clear juices like pulp free cranberry juice and grape juice, broths... etc. No solids. Iget the no solids part, but I had thought to shrink your liver, you need to cut down on carbohydrates (glycogen in liver) and all the 100% fruit juices on the list have high carbohydrates. I will follow it because he's my doctor, of course, but... Thoughts? Experiences?

Hi everyone, I am new to this group and have just signed up for gastric sleeve surgery and paying for it all myself. Now it’s official and I have a date (01/12/2021) I’m super excited but also pretty nervous. Just wondering if any of you wonderful people can help me and answer a couple of questions for me? Prior to surgery I’m not booked in for a scan or colonoscopy? I’ve seen some people are? My surgeon said if he notices any hernias he will sort those during surgery. Just wondering about the colonoscopy though? How long is it roughly before people start to return to normal daily activities? Working a normal day without struggling? I’m really uns…

I have kaiser, and I'm finally at my weight goal, I go in on Monday for my weigh in! Super excited. But how long after that do they schedule your surgery? Do you just keep that weight goal. Or keep trying to lose? I'm getting the gastric bypass. And been trying to accomplish this since January. Thank you in advance

Is anyone here in the San Antonio area & going through the Methodist Metropolitan Weight Loss Center??? My Dr is leaving at the end of June & IDK what to do. I am hoping to be scheduled for my Gastric Sleeve by June 22nd ish. Do I change Doctors so I have the same one through Post Op etc...? Or keep the one I currently have??

I started my shakes early so I’m on day 9 … ( 4 a day with a 1/2 cup of veggies) …. My shots start tomorrow then just 5 days left till the big day :) Every day now seems like it’s getting harder to get these shakes in … I just can’t wait until I’m able to have our choice of shakes & maybe a taste of anything else haha …..

Currently in the hospital, getting all set to go to the operating rooms , I’m so nervous I just keep crying ! I feel so dumb

I currently have a BMI of 36.5 with comorbidities. I have to follow the 6 month pre-op diet as part of the bariatric program. My question is: what if I lose too much weight during this phase and fall below 35 BMI? Will this exclude me from surgery? I know I can be successful at a 6 month diet, but past experience has proven that I will gain that weight back. Any feedback is welcome!

Hello, I am pre-op and I have a “habit” I need to change. Right now, my 10 year old niece and I meet over Zoom once a week and simultaneously try a snack from a different part of the world. I ship it from Amazon the week before so we both get it in time. I’m wondering what else we can do. This bonding and shared experience has been really great during COVID and I don’t want to lose the shared experience, but it’s not sustainable as I approach surgery. I’ve thought of toys as a replacement, but neither of us really need toys every week. Books would be great but I don’t want to pressure her into reading by a deadline or anything like that, especially while she is in sch…

So I finally got my surgery day may the 4th any surgery twins out there?My partner is not very supportive and works nights.I don’t really have anyone at home for the first 24 hours as requested.I have a 7 year old and 14 year old at home with me.I will prepare meals and such.Do you all think I should hire a nurse also?

My husband & I are separated/divorcing. Even thought this surgery is something that I have wanted to do for a long time, he isn't supportive. Anyone else dealing with divorce during pre/post op process? Did you talk it over with them? Did they get on board? Thanks!

Who here has lost weight / gotten surgery and gained the weight back?

I finished most of my pre-op: Psych Eval, Upper GI (Barium swallow) and EGD. I have Cardiac clearance next and dietician. Has anyone changed surgeons after pre-op, and did you have to re-do all the pre-op again? Thanks.

Hello! I just joined and am so happy to find this group! I've been a yo-yo dieter all my life and, at the tender age of 52, had almost resigned myself to the unhealthy up-and-down cycle. My tipping point was reading the new Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines that came out in Sept 2020. There it was, in official black and white: Obesity is a disease, NOT a choice/lack of willpower/laziness. It was an eye-opening moment for me, and the more I read, the more empowered I felt. I've since joined several WL organizations and forums, and the shared support has been both heartbreaking and invigorating. I've found my people!! I'm interested to know w…

I had emergency gallbladder surgery about a month ago. I found out I had a BMI of over 50, & a fatty liver. My gallbladder surgeon highly recommends gastric sleeve surgery. He does bariatric surgeries as well as general. Yay me... I have begun my journey; I had my 1st dietitian appointment, done my upper GI scope, have a cardiologist appointment this week & a follow up to the upper GI this week. I am waiting to find out about the sleep study and have 2-3 more appointments with the dietitian before surgery... Was wondering what the best pre & post Op protein shakes are best as well as liquid & chewable vitamins are recommended.....

I am still preparing for surgery and I'm on metformin not for diabetes but because it's thought to help in weight loss from certain medications. I had stopped it for a while because the mail order pharmacy got it messed up but then it got straightened out and I started again last week. I'm not hungry now but when I look up the side effects for metformin it doesn't list lack of appetite. I notice I've been a lot less hungry the whole time I've been preparing for surgery (5 months) because I've been eating high protein low carb, but the last week it's been ridiculous. Anyone else have this issue? Might not be the metformin. Might be just anxious/frustration from not g…

I just got a voicemail from the surgical coordinator to schedule my surgery, so I'm assuming insurance has approved me! I'm looking at mid-July, and...I know in my head and heart that the sleeve is the right thing and I definitely want to move forward, but am also feeling super anxious about the pre-op diet (I have difficulty choking down protein shakes and get queasy without solid food), and even more so, about the recovery and all the long-term changes ahead of me, as well as the whether or not this will be sustainable over time. It's scary to read of stories of people's hunger coming back and regaining weight after all the effort. I just really want this to work. …

I’m new to this forum , I don’t have anyone to talk to , I don’t know anyone that has done this surgery, I’m so nervous , mostly about recovery , I’m going in tomorrow at 1pm, I feel so un prepared .

Hi, I've been stalking (in a nice way) you all for tidbits and insights in what to expect and a time-line of events. This is my 3rd attempt to get weight loss surgery throughout my adult life. The first 2 attempts got my hopes up and then boom, insurance denied. So I work for walmart and saw something about thier Center of Excellence and weight loss coverage and thought I'd give it another shot. So because of covid I wouldn't have to go from Cincinnati to Cleveland to have this done, which is the closest center to me. I have an exemption they call it. So they found me a dr in cincy. I have an appointment 7-16. Communication between myself and insurance is basical…

So I'm on the pre-op diet and I am consuming almost 160 grams of protein a day and I am still SO HUNGRY ALL THE TIME. I drink a ton of water, but it seems like no matter what I eat or drink, my stomach is still rumbling with hunger. Any suggestions on ways to make this more tolerable? Should I be consuming more protein (my pre-op diet instructions only recommended 70?)? Someone please tell me after the surgery that I won't feel this hungry all the time.