PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Six years ago I went through all the steps towards WLS. The day before my surgery I cancelled it. I was afraid. I was thinking that I’m crazy to let someone remove most of stomach. I thought “yeah I’m a big dude but I’m not THAT big”. (I’m “only” 300 pounds). Well six years later, I weigh the same, still on BP meds, sleep apnea etc. I’m so nervous about doing the process again but then cancelling again out of fear. Any advice on taking the final plunge? Any advice on how to get through those final hours or days or minutes before surgery?

Do doctors discuss bougie size with you or do they each have a certain size they prefer to use ? Or, put another way, do they allow the patient to be involved in deciding how small or large to make the “new stomach”?

I have finished all my doc appointments for approval and now I just have 3 more nutritionist visits. When do you get your surgery date?

I am considering WLS. I weigh “only” 300 lbs- thought of as a “big guy” by most people but not necessarily “morbidly obese”. My kids are 12, 15 and 17. I’m worried that if I tell them the truth they will either think I’m crazy for having most of my stomach removed or weak because I can’t lose weight without surgery. I feel like they will feel this while at the same time saying to me “you’re not that big”. So what did you tell your teenagers when you made the decision?

It’s not a big deal, but I just wondered if any ladies had their period start early after starting the liquid diet? I’m 3 days into the liquid diet my period stated much sooner than I expected, but it’s a huge diet change and I’ve lost 6 pounds in 3 days. So I guess I’m just being nosy and reaching out to see if any other ladies have experienced the same. I do remember thinking my last period was a little late though, so maybe this is when mine should be starting anyway if my last one had been on time. Every once in awhile I feel like my schedule gets a little wonky ever since having my tubal two years ago.

Hi all—anyone recently approved/rejected by Aetna? just wanna know about any challenges since they changed their requirements in may. new 2020 aetna reqs

What BRAND vitamins did you guys use??? there are SO many options, I want to make sure I pick the right ones... Thanks in Advance!!

Hey BariBabes! My 1st Dr’s appointment is coming up soon (Next week) for a second go-round. I went through the VSG process once before 3 years ago (with my sister; she lost 102lbs then got preggo lol) but I was around 80lbs lighter and ultimately decided I could “do it on my own”. *laughs hysterically at my own ignorance* I was completely unprepared and ignorant of the decision I was making at the time. Granted, I was much lighter and in a totally different mental space. This time around feels...different . I hate making a big deal of big decisions because it negates much of the grit and grind necessary to accomplish the goal, but this group feels like a…

Hello all! I’m scheduled to have gastric bypass surgery in 2 days 10/22/2020. I had my pre-op appointment yesterday and completed all my labs. Since the beginning of this process I wanted the sleeve but my surgeon feels like I will have greater results and long term results with the bypass. I’m 30, 5’8 and weigh 307. Highest weight 323. I have been going back and forth in my head about just going through with the bypass, but I have not came to peace about the decision as of yet. Has anyone experienced this before? Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks for reading!

Just got the email my surgery date is NOVEMBER 20TH. I'M SO EXCITED

I am looking for revision due to GERD and a little weight gain back from sleeve. My GERD is so bad I have been waking up choking on it. I called BCBS to ask them their requirements and the woman referenced me to a page in the book that clearly states NOTHING about revision requirements. I’m miserable. The dr office won’t even look at me u til I find out if revision is covered by my insurance and they simply just won’t give me a yes or no answer.

What does your pre op diet amount to calorie wise? I’m halfway through second week, I’m glad for most after 3 days it gets better for most, I’ve only started feeling something like myself in the last 24 hours. I’ve been averaging around 600ish calories per day, though yesterday was 1000 and today just under 800.

Hey all, Greetings from Ireland. Apologies if I have put this in the wrong place etc, I am very new to this. I have been considering a gastric bypass for a while now, and yesterday I bit the bullet and emailed the consultant. His receptionist emailed me back right away and is setting up an appointment for me. I will be having this done privately in Ireland, hoping my health insurer will cover it. If anyone has any experience or advice on this I'd love to hear it. Its lovely to meet you all, and I am so happy I've taken those first steps. -S x

Hello everyone, I have blue cross blue shield, I’ve been required to do a 6 month nutritional list program, psychologist evaluation, Cardiologist and pulmonologist and have been cleared for everything . My Surgeon just submitted my paperwork to insurance and I was denied due to my psych evaluation being not sufficient? She met the requirements for the surgeon and she gave me clearance saying I was a good candidate. Has anyone had this experience? What can i do to get insurance to change their mind?

I have seen a bunch of posts about no smoking cigarettes, not using traditional vaping even with 0mg of nicotine but I am wondering if anyone has had experience with CBD or weed vaping during your pre-ops journey. I quite smoking cigarettes last week and I desperately need some oral fix so I was thinking of trying a CBD vape. Any thoughts?

Can anyone recommend a good multivitamin that is chewable and taste good also? I have heard some horror stories about the taste. Thanks

I have not been advised to give up smoking but have read enough to know that it can cause complications with Ulcers and the obvs none related health issues. I am on day one with a patch, ive never smoked alot but im scared ill find it all to much with quitting sugar, alcohol going low carb etc. Anyone else in similar situation?

Hi I just had my psychology assessment for gastric bypass. The psychologist recommended I DONT go for the surgery. Saying I have a bad relationship with food and wouldnt be able to commit to the lifestyle changes. This has thrown off the surgeon. He needs to wait for the full report of this. But has said he wouldnt go through with it if the surgery would make me worse. The surgery is still planned for the 31 st Oct and my pre assessment tests is this Thursday. I am seriously worried it will get cancelled. The hospital is in the UK, I am worried if I get cancelled here, my chances would be slim with other hospitals too. I am starting to think about su…

My surgery is scheduled for about three and a half weeks from now. My period just ended, and if my cycle goes as it typically does I will probably get my next period around the time of surgery. I’ve had major surgery before where the physical trauma stopped my period from coming for that month, and maybe that will happen if my period doesn’t start the day before or day of surgery. But what if it does start then? I tend to have heavy and painful periods, and I really don’t want to be menstruating while I’m going through surgery and the worst part of recovery. Has this happened to anyone? I want to prepare for coping with it during my hospital stay if I have to. But I’m als…

Today I got the great news I’m approved & set a surgery date of November 18th! I could of gotten sooner but needed family members help with my kids. That surgery date worked best for everyone. I started this process in January nervous but determined. Covid happened and delays started. But I’m thankful because it gave me time to change my mind from Sleeve to Bypass surgery. I did 6 months of nutrition classes that my insurance decided is no longer a requirement after I finished. But again I’m just super thankful for all the advice and phone calls I had with my dietician. Ready to take this last leap and embrace the healthier life I’m working so hard to get. Great day!!

Hi Everyone! I am new to this. I just started my journey for surgery.

Tomorrow surgery day

I know this question might seem strange, and I don't mean it at all in a judgmental or divisive way. But I just wonder - if the majority of people have easy surgery, minimal pain and success, and many insurances seem to cover these surgeries for those who are eligible, why is it that more people don't have it done? I absolutely understand that not everyone even wants it, and that makes sense. Even for me, for years I viewed surgery as something that was such a big deal that it wasn't even something I would consider. I also thought I could do it on my own. I tried to just make peace with my size and who I was - as a person I have changed my mind and made the decisio…

Hi Everyone, I had the sleeve done on September 30th and it has been so hard for me to keep down the protein requirements because I am always full. Two baby spoonfuls of tuna is about all I can manage. Anyone have any ideas to help me as I am trying to transition to the soft/purée food stage based on the goals my nutritionist gave me?

Im new here, I'm 34 and I'm 348 lbs down from 378 june 2020. Ive had my consult with my weight loss surgeon and had my nutrition class but not with the therapist. Ive also not been scheduled for my endo. I only have one appointment left in my 6 month required appointments for insurance. I'm just wondering how long it this process usually takes at this point in my journey? Im just nervous I guess. Im worried about being denied coverage even though i have high blood pressure and borderline high cholesterol, varicose veins on the back of my left calf and really bad knees.

Do you think the patches for the vitamins needed are ok to take or do you recommend pills.

I am scheduled for Nov.11 It has been so long since I took my courses because of covid. Reading some of these posts reminded me about the 14 days before and things that we need to do before hand, so thank you so much for posting. Eekk!

Surgery day Monday 10/19/2020 [emoji846][emoji846][emoji846][emoji846]

Had my last appointment a week and a half ago just waiting on the insurance company not. I'm so nervous

Hey guys hope you are all well. I have a question regarding the process length for Kaiser Harbor City (S.Cali) I have been hearing drastically different time frames from 4 months entire process to 4 months after one completes the options course . I recently started Options... I am not trying to rush through anything I want to experience the entire process im just curious to know and plan for needed time off. THANKS

I’m curious if anyone else found themselves having an almost impossible time of maintaining the pre-op diet and if that had an impact on whether your surgery was able to proceed. More context: I think I’m having such a hard time because by the time I got to the point where I had to start the pre-op diet, I’d already been eating pretty close to it for several weeks and my body knows that it’s starving and won’t let me live on liquid right now. If you’re interested in knowing why I’d been eating an almost-liquid-only diet for weeks before the pre-op diet, read some of my previous posts. The relevant point is that for most of July, August, and September I was drinking th…

So, I'm told that after my surgery, there's a good possibility that I could lose my hair...like a lot of it! Uggh! I've seen some videos where people started taking Biotin and other vitamins months before they had surgery. Is the hair loss really as big as people say? And if so, how much Biotin do I start off taking?

Hello everyone. I'm new here. I had my 1st appointment yesterday with the Dr and a surgery date of January 22nd, assuming all goes well with pre-operative testing. 36 y/o mom of 2. Current weight = 243, Goal weight = 150 and I'm 5'5. I'm excited but extremely nervous as well. I've been reading a lot and look forward to being a part of the group. Any and all advice is appreciated.

Hello all, I am having the Sleeve on Thursday this week and up until now I have been really excited, now not so much. I keep questioning if I should do it on my own. Its just seems really daunting at this point. I started my pre surgical diet yesterday and pretty much spent the last 2 days dying of hunger and in the bathroom (sorry for the TMI). I am sure that is what is causing the freak out. But well here I am. Well thanks for listening.

Wow it's coming in fast. I got a call today, they want to schedule my bypass surgery for Oct 26, exactly 2 weeks from today! I am totally unprepared! I don't have any supplies! I am not sure I call pull it off by the 26th. Plus, it is very short notice for time off from my job! I am very stressed about this. First they told me early November and that is great, perfect even. They are going to get back to me if they have a November date, if not I will be taking the 26th of Oct, and start fasting the day after tomorrow! I'm not sure where to start. Not sure what kind of protein water to buy, etc. I started this journey in August of 2019, lost m…

Hi! This is my first post here. I am 65 and 275 pounds. I have finally made the decision to change my lifestyle after being morbidly obese for 10 years. I have chronic pain from spondylitis and nerve damage. I know the weight is a big part of the pain I am living with. I have gained 20 pounds since the pandemic started because I am alone at home, generally on the couch. I look forward to being able to walk without a limp when I get lighter. I am a little nervous about doing this but I want to live a longer and fuller life.

I’m 31 and I weigh over 400 odd and I’m having trouble getting surgery date because my BMI is so high. I’ve been on this journey since 2017. I’ve been on steroids due to a lung condition. I’m miserable and don’t know what to do! 

I'm new to the group from Virginia and my surgery date is October 26th!

Having surgery December 9th and I am lost as to what I need before the surgery after the surgery and while I'm recuperating at home . Really nervous about not being able to afford the shakes and vitamins.

Having my surgery on 10/19/20 Very excited.

Hello! I'm in the pre-op stage looking at likely having gastric sleeve, no date set yet but just passed my psych eval and have met my pre-surgery loss goal. I'm wondering what kind of "unexpected," side effects folks have had? I know things like possible increase in acid reflux, and shortly after surgery having constipation, also that loose skin is likely. I've heard some folks have a change in their sense of taste but not much about that. What other unplanned adjustments or changes have happened to those of you who had surgery and how far out did they start/stop? Thanks!

Those of you who has a surgery coming within the next 2-3 weeks, what have you done to prepare for after surgery

I am single mum and my parents and family dont live in the same state, due to the pandemic they cant travel here. Does hospital offer my kids to stay with me for the 3 days as i have noone to look after them.

ANyone have Polycistic ovaries (PSO) ? Did anyone find after surgery , the weight loss helped with symptoms such as excessive body hair or other symptoms? I wonder if PSO makes you more prone to dumping symdrome since carbs and sugar is already problematic?

So I start my pre-op diet on October 23. I plan on having my last hurrahs before then (certain foods I will likely not be able to eat, as they are, again), but I am really concerned about how I am going to not starve on the actual POD. ? I know I will get used to it after a few days, but those FIRST few days... ouch. I do have a few (literally 3) phentermine left over from a past diet attempt... those would probably get me "over the hump" a bit, but I don't know if I should risk taking those and having them come up as meth or something on my pre-surgery labs on the 28th (surgery is November 2). Any tips for getting through, when you are normally hungry ALL. THE. T…

Is this app safe?

Hi! I'm new here! I will be having the DS in March 2021 (I have to wait 6 months for insurance). I have been considering WLS for years. I had the lap band 12 years ago and it failed and I has to have it removed due to complications. I am a single mom to my daughter who I adopted. I am doing the surgery for us. I want to be the mom who can run and play with her at the park, ride all of the amusement park rides with her, go on her class field trips without concern of fitting, not hate myself for buying a 3 story house.. the list goes on.. Having had 3 abdominal surgeries in the past, I know what I'm getting into pain and post op recovery-wise.. having had bariat…

Hi Everybody! I'm new to this site and hoping to meet some like-minded people going through the VSG process. So, I am 37 days into this journey. My pre-op journey will total 91 days, so I'm getting close to my surgery date. I have prayed, spoken with several doctors, done tons of research, read as much as I could find, watched videos on the procedure, studied patient success stories and horror stories...and yet, I still feel like I don't have total peace about the surgery. To be honest, I'm afraid. I have small kids and I don't want to do anything that would take me from them. I know the pros, cons, and risks of this type of surgery. And although I'm still moving forward …

I’m starting my pre-op diet on Tuesday of this week. I know that all programs are different. For me, I’ll have four weeks of: 3 protein drinks, 4 oz chicken or fish, and 1 cup of vegetables per day. I’m not concerned about my ability to limit myself to this. For several weeks now I’ve already been drinking 3 protein drinks per day and eating a protein, 2 portions of vegetable, and a potato or grain carb for dinner. So really, this will be almost the same except the only carbs I’ll be getting are vegetables, and my food will need to be plainer. Long story about why I had already been so close to the pre-op diet for several weeks: dietician from hell who shamed me every…

Hi All, I am coming up next month on 6/6 appointments for my required six month waiting for insurance. I didn’t have much success with weight loss during the first few months, but since early July I’ve been pretty successful with dieting and have lost 40 lbs. I am still above 40 BMI, and would have to lose another 20+ lbs to get under 40 BMI, which I know is the cutoff without other comorbidities. My last appointment is 2.5 weeks away so I think I’m pretty safe for not falling below that cutoff before I’m done with the waiting period, but is it possible to lose too much weight in the qualification period if you are still above the BMI cutoff? and side no…