PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hi everyone I just downloaded this app. I am scheduled for the sleeve on June 12. My endoscopy and all is on the 11th. I am so ready and so scared. I am not good at sharing but I will do my best to share all. I have enjoyed reading the other shares. Thank You

Well guys I just wanted to report that yesterday's sleeve party was a success! I am back at home trying to sip; sip, sip, as much I can. I was in by 7 and out by 6:15. I would like to thank all of you for support![emoji173][emoji173] It's MY time!

I got notified about 1230 today that I was put on hold because this country is loosing it's mind. They told me reschedule would be done as soon as the crazy settled down. [emoji22]

Hey all, I've been working towards this surgery for a while now, and I'm finally at the steps before it actually happens. Nervous, excited, uncertain.... you know the drill. Just wondering what advice you have going forward. Any questions I should ask. My endoscopy is next week Thursday, bit nervous about that but at least I'll be put under. Anyone have any tips to share about that? How it went? Anyone else have Aetna for insurance? Also nervous about the approval. I've done all the pre-work and luckily the place I'm working with is very "on it". Sorry for all the questions. I'm sure this is to be the first of many.

Hi everyone! I am a bit nervous about surgery but I’m definitely anxious and ready to conquer this milestone in my life

Hil I see a number of people being rescheduled for surgery, but my surgeon’s office still has the notice on his website about only seeing patients in the offfice for emergencies. I know the hospital where he performs surgery began doing some elective surgeries on May 11 and my endo (in a huge group practice in the same medical building as the surgeon) has now re-opened for in-person visits. Of course there is no way to know what is going on behind the scenes, but I was curious whether other pre-op folks in the Atlanta metro, GA area have been re-scheduled - and who their surgeon’s on and where they perform surgery? Thanks all and have a great weekend!

I am so discouraged. I spent a year going to the gym to gain strength and fitness, jump through all the hoops for months for surgery, get a surgery date and boom... the pandemic arrives. Now, I've gained weight, lost all my progress at the gym and now Michigan is on lockdown until mid June. I really wonder if this will ever happen for me. I read posts where people have their first appointment, then get surgery a month later. I'm feeling sorry for myself and at the same time want to slap myself across my face and say, it could be a lot worse you selfish b***h, people are dying from this virus. I just need a little encouragement.

As the title suggests, I am having to do a liquid pre-op diet for 3 weeks, I’m getting sleeved 6/9. My diet started on Tuesday, 5/19 and it’s now Friday, 5/22 and I am HUNGRY! I haven’t been hungry like this any other day. My stomach is rumbling and even though I can have broth and sugar free jello / popsicles, it’s not helping the hunger. My diet is as follows: 3 protein shakes, 2 protein bars as snacks + unlimited low sodium broth, SF hello, SF popsicles. Any tips or words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated. My tummy would appreciate it i’m sure!

Hey y'all, got my sleep test results back...mild sleep apnea. And I mean like the range is 5-15 and I scored a 5.5....has anyone else dealt with such a low level apnea? I don't feel the apparent effects of it but now apparently I have to get and use a cpap machine. I am going to talk to my pcp and call the bariatric surgery department, there is no part of me that wants to pay money for a contraption that looks horribly uncomfortable...anyone have any thoughts or use a cpap for such mild apnea that has seen life changing changes for the better? Thanks guys! [emoji4]

Hey guys! Wondering if anyone is going through cTricare Prime for surgery. I just started my 2 month supervised weightloss program today. Got my refferal for a nutritionist on base and for my surgeon. Who I met on Nov 4th. Ahhhhh! I have a bmi of 40.1 and high cholesterol. Im so nervous about doing anything through Tricare.lol

I am at the very beginning of my journey and have a couple of questions regarding the pre-op stage. Will I need to go on a diet plan prior to my surgery? I am trying to go through my insurance and am unsure of their requirements. Also if I do need to go on a plan, will my surgeon or dietician put me on one or is this something I will have to do on my own? Thanks!

Just starting this journey- actually waiting for the surgeon's office to call me with an initial appointment. I was wondering who out there had Tricare insurance and how difficult were the hoops you had to jump through? I am nervous that even though my bmi is 40 I will be denied and honestly, I don't know where I would go from here. Background: 52 year old female, don't drink, don't smoke, GERD is my only comorbidity.

I have a question I am on my second day of pre-op diet when I first saw my Dr he ask me if I smoked I said I was vaping he said ok and now after this sickness going around my surgery date been move 2 times now it's June 9th I been vaping now their r saying No vaping, patches, gum to help to stop I been smoking since I was 17 and now am 58 pretty hard am trying

Hi everyone! I’m still in pre-op and my dietician recommenced starting my multivitamin to get used to taking it. I’ve browsed through the recommended vitamin list she provided, and was wondering if anyone has tried Celebrate Vitamins. It looks like they have the better flavors, but unsure if they taste good. TIA!

Making my hospital packing bag list. This is what I have on my list. Any more suggestions? BiPAP Losartan BP med bottle (anesthesia decides if I take before surgery) Lubricating mouth spray Breath spray Cell phone & charger Tablet & charger Power strip (AC + USB) Powerbank (in case can't use strip) Robe Microfleece blanket

I've been on this roller coaster since October. I've been told one thing, then thrown hoop after hoop. Today is the day I'm supposed to get a date finally. Via video call with my dr in 45 mins. I'm honestly just tired of being let down at this point. I know it's all going to happen when it should, it's coming, almost there... (this is what my family keeps telling me) but I'm just ready to know something for sure. Honestly I'm ready for it to be over. My last "we'll set your date at this appointment" was a month ago. I called, got the run around, was transferred to everyone in the building with no one being able to tell me why my latest test results hadn't been read only t…

They just called me with a new surgery date... June 11 and I start the pre-op diet on Fri. I need to go buy all those protein drinks I need. I'm so happy that I won't have time to worry about the surgeries. I wish I hadn't been such a slug these past 8 weeks, but I have two weeks to exercise.

Hi everyone, So I'm starting day 6/14 of the pre-op diet (which I've followed faithfully) and in the past five days I've lost around 11% of my excess body weight (13 pounds). Is this pretty normal? It feels weird but I don't know if I should contact my dietitian because I know some of this is water weight.

Good morning everyone my name is kali. I am getting gastric bypass on june 30. My situation a little bit different from everyone on here I've been diagnosed with gastroparesis it's a serious condition where I cannot keep anything down my stomach does not digest food correctly. I'm getting gastric bypass to treat the gastroparesis but also for weight loss my gerd and to help with my PCOS also. I'm nervous about going to surgery I know I'll be fine I know it's going to be a struggle afterwards I am starting to do the pre-op diet now so I can prepare myself before the surgery so my body to get used to everything if any of you have any meal preps or meals choose and what I c…

Hi my name is Michelle and I am 50 years old and live in North Carolina. I have my first all day appointment where I meet the surgeon, nutritionist, psych evaluation etc. I was told I have to do all my pre op work same day. I plan on being there all day. I do have to do the endoscopy but I think that is a separate day. i was told to bring a healthy snack because there are breaks. No fast food or junk food. I am a big water drinker so no problem there but I need some ideas for healthy snacks. It’s an hour drive so something that doesn’t need refrigerating. Has anyone wanted to have a “last meal” you know stuff that you can’t eat after surgery? Is it a bad …

On a liquid 2 week diet. Revision this coming Wednesday.  Besides being a little hungry and bored to death of liquid ... I’ve had a headache.  I believe it’s a sinus headache. Been also doing a lot of yard work for 4 days so maybe it’s allergies. Been russeling up a bunch of weeds, dust etc.  I’m afraid to take a Tylenol or even some sinus medicine.  What to do!? Tomorrow is a covid  test which I hope it’s not. 

My surgery was scheduled for April 15 but was postponed without a new date. Has anyone gotten a new date yet?

So my nutritionist said I would need to order this the day of my prop apmt but didn't mention cost yet. It has 35 meal replacement protein 1 bottle multivitamin 1 package calcium citrate. Anyone know the cost its bariatric advantage brand but not on their website. Doesn't seem like insurance covers because was told would have to buy out of pocket (united healthcare quest). So insurance doesn't pay for vitamins etc?

Spoke to my surgeon's office today for the initial consult since they've got my paperwork. My insurance requires the 6 month monitored diet. I wish I had realized that/ my PCP had barely mentioned it in February so that I could have gotten started. =( Several years ago I lost 95lbs and kept it off for about 5 years- prior to pregnancy and then 3 subsequent car accidents that gave me mobility issues. I feel like I know what I need to do and I'm worried that the 6 months out will put me right in the middle of our next big wave of flu and Covid-19. The surgery scheduler told me that I wouldn't have surgery until January/ February (!?!) THAT'S SO FAR AWAY!!! =( Best case …

Hello Everyone, This is not easy for me to write I'd really appreciate your help and opinions. I'm a 6'2" 298 pound male with a BMI of about 38-39 and some say I carry my weight well. I am in my early 30's and i suffer from hypertension and high cholesterol. Thankfully I do not suffer from any other co-morbidities except maybe for joint pain. This is my third go-around with doing this process and insurance from work is going to pay for it. If i had to pay for it out of pocket, I simply would not be able to afford it. Having a family is pretty expensive lol. I honestly believe it's now or never for me because I don't know how much longer I will have this insuranc…

Hi, I'm set to start the options class at the end of this month and finish in mid June. Just wondering what other evaluations Kaiser requires. And also how long after the classes did you have surgery? Thanks

It seems like the process is long before you even get a surgery date. How long did people have to wait?

I was wondering if anyone knew what an insurance company's expectation is for the 6 month medically supervised diet. Thank you!

I am scheduling my surgery soon. I’m very excited to make this lifestyle change.

After waiting two months for Coronavirus pandemic, so excited to get Surgery Date, May 28. I start two week diet May 15. Been a long wait.

Scheduled for Sleeve on june 1st. A little bit scared and concerned that I will not well prepared. All is been reading materials and on line class. Just got approved last week and I haven’t been able to get my pre surgery diet stuff.

Why did you choose the type of surgery you will have or might have? What factors were deciding factors for you?

So, my mom is not very supportive of my decision to go the surgery route at ALL. She herself has struggled with her weight her whole life and is an overeaters anonymous/ program person. She's a binge eater and in no way can moderate herself at all, it's on the wagon or off for her. I am not. In the past without surgery I lost 95 lbs sans surgery and kept it off for years through moderate diet and exercise until #1 pregnancy & #2 major back injuries severely impeded my mobility. Fast forward I'm heavier than I was before and not able to gym rat the way I used to at my current weight. I alway used exercise as a way of keeping myself honest and focused on my moderate die…

Hi all, my first post here. Having my surgery tomorrow, got rescheduled from March, 3 days before surgery because of COVID. I was in such a Good headspace last time. I still feel excited for the future and know I want to do this but I’m so scared. Scared I will fail, scared of the pain post op, feeling sick, dizzy, Scared I’ll f**k up the routine, I don’t know! I’m also just super anxious because no one can be in the hospital with me because of COVID which really sucks. My boyfriend is my rock and I just really wanted him there with me. Luckily my mom works in the hospital and should be able to be around but I’m not sure how much. Any advice/ wisdom to calm my nerves? I c…

Any diabetics having or have had vsg? I'm in my 60's and still want to live. No heart issues yet.

I will be having surgery on march 24 and i am starting to get nervous. and i have to get off night shift it has not worked for me thus far when it comes to helping me lose weight i just have to put me first and not stress about it so much i just don't want to i love my night shift crew what do i do

Hey y’all, So I’m new to the process. I just saw the physician today but I still have reservations. My weight is currently 291 and I’m 5’5. I really want the surgery but I’m scared. Do you regret having the surgery? Do’s and Don’ts? Anyone ever hear of a correlation between gastric sleeve/gastric bypass and pancreatic cancer? Any tips at all would be appreciated thank you!

Hello All!! I’m Nokomis, and I’m approved for the gastric sleeve. I was supposed to have it in March, but due to the covid pandemic it was delayed until June. As my new date approaches, I’m becoming very scared about loose skin. I know it’s inevitable, but is there any way to minimize it? Has anyone tried anything they found that worked for them? Thanks for the advice in advance!

I recently contacted Blossom Bariatrics after my insurance refused to cover WLS by saying it’s excluded after they preapproved it. I need a clearance from my cardiologist to participate in the Fast Track program, and every time they fax the paperwork to my cardiologist they say they are not receiving it. I am very frustrated by this process. Blossom is my last chance. I know the times are difficult right now, but I really want to do this before my 50th birthday next year. Any advice? How long does the Fast Track really take? TIA

Surgery date is May 18th. Started liquid diet yesterday, may 4, struggling. I know it’s mental but this is tough.

Hi everyone! I'd like to get the gastric sleeve, I have Medicaid and I know it covers it. I told my primary a few months back that I want to discuss weight loss surgery and she immediately brushed it off and said I wont qualify. I'm 5'3 and my BMI has been above 35 for the past 4 years. I've tried phentermine and now my EKG's are messed up so I dont want to go back on that. I have fatty liver, but my primary has never checked me for diabetes, my cholesterol hasn't been checked for about two years, haven't had a sleep study despite me telling her I've been very fatigued lately; so it's frustrating that she would just brush me off like that. I called my insurance and they b…

I was excited to have surgery date of May 28. Saw my surgeon this AM. Surgery moved to June 4. shucks. But maybe good as my first weekend after surgery would have been over Memorial Day holiday weekend. I would have gone home Friday. So surgeon would be hard to contact if anything went wrong day or two after surgery. So I am okay with another delay. Always trying to see benefit from another delay.

It’s been a while guys!! So between the last few months I’ve decided to switch hospitals & surgeons. Originally I was going to Froedtert in Milwaukee, WI... but now I’ll be with Northwestern down in Chicago. However, Northwestern won’t accept the appointments I’ve had (which is okay I guess... my insurance doesn’t require anything lol). So I have a dietician appointment this coming Friday & the following Friday meet with the surgeon. From there they’ll schedule the psych appointment. After that.. submission. I’m hoping for a July date! Here we go again with the waiting lol.. but I’m happy w/ the decision to switch! My sis had her surgery at Northwestern.

Hello All! I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with him? I spoke w/ the office yesterday and they're willing to accept previous info from my last surgeon. Please let me know! The office seems super nice.

I just started my journey and I need a medical necessity letter from my primary doc, why would they not give me one? 235lbs and 5'1

Starting to look for a quality food processor for post surgery. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

my insurance requires 4 months with a nutrtionist/dietitian. I am on month 4 now. However my nutrtionist calls me for a monthly weigh in. I guess she allows it for people with busy schedules. I'm a nurse. I'm always busy. My problem is that I gained back my weight. I was 338 at my weigh in and got down to 334 then my mood stablizers meds were up a few milligrams and I now I weigh 246. Should I tell her I'm still 234 and keep trying to lose the weight until I am seen again or should I be honest and tell her about my weight gain? Anyone else have issues like this and still get approved for surgery? Thank you for any advice. Also I am only required to lose one…

My surgery is scheduled for next Tuesday the 12th, after being delayed for about a month. My surgeon seems to follow some different protocols from what I've seen a lot of other people post. I only have to follow my pre-op diet for one week, and it consists of two protein shakes a day then a small meal consisting of lean protein and veggies. I thought I would be tired and hangry, but my hunger has been pretty manageable and I actually feel physically better and less tired and achy than I did before starting the pre-op diet (I have an autoimmune disease and my GI doctor suspects I have mild Celiac disease so it could have something to do with not eating gluten). So, yay…

Hi guys, newbie here so I apologize in advance if I didn’t post in the right place. I have been thinking about getting VSG for years now. My mom fear-talked me out of it in 2017 but after a 40 lb gain since then, I’m really in need of something. I was very active before running 5 days a week, ran a half marathon, but even with all that only ever got down to 185. I developed a chronic injury from running that has preventing me from being regularly mobile since then, and I’ve gone from 185 to 240. I’m hoping the surgery would take some weight off and some pressure off my joints so they can properly heal and I can get back to an active lifestyle. I’m a very disciplined eater…

Hi, My husband is having surgery next week. He has been doing a great job with this pre-surgery diet but I want to make sure I am armed with information to make his post-op days successful. I have a few questions and would love any advice. First question -- post op he is on liquids only for 3 weeks. Can I put ice in his pre-made protein drinks to give him a bit of creamier, milkshake texture for change? Second question - we have a 13 year old son and I am not sure how to feed myself and my son while not totally sabotaging my husband's efforts or testing his temptations. We are going to focus on a high protein, leafy green vegetable and fruit diet for ourselves…