PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I had a sleeve done in 2015, did well, lost 92 lbs, gained back about 25 lbs now, during the past year as I cannot get my heartburn/Gerd under control. I was given Protonix again, was on it after surgery, but now a stronger dose... I went to my surgeon, actually his colleague in the same office and she advised to up the dosage of the Protonix and get an end and some studies done. I did that -- they did some Xrays, a CT scan, endo and colonoscopy and I was told stay on the meds at this rate for at least 3 months. She said any changes or its worse, come in and see her before the 3m time and since she was ready to give birth any mind, said to see her colleagu…

I had required Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) this week. The test is supposed to determine whether my breathing is limited by abdominal fat preventing full expansion of lungs. I have Obstructive Sleep Apnea on BiPAP for 23 years with excess fat around neck and in throat. During PFT I had trouble inhaling and exhaling quickly because obstruction in throat. My Arterial Blood Gas was totally normal so I am obviously able to breathe to meet my needs at rest. But I have restriction of my lung capacity by belly fat. I am only 5 foot 1 inch tall and female so lungs are smaller as well. My BMI is 44 but my weight was 240 pounds (now 220) so I don't weigh 500 pounds. This all e…

Hi everyone Not here to be lectured . However I have my vsg sleeve coming up on march 19th 2020 and I have yet to quit smoking my anxiety and the preop diet have ne so anxious. Any advise here

What was your pre-op diet ? I read somewhere that it was all liquids for 2 weeks prior to surgery but I just checked the paperwork I received from my surgeon and it only says 24 hours prior ? Curious what others did. I'm having DS surgery. Thanks.

I'm 5 weeks away from surgery now and so excited about the changes I'll be able to make! And I'm pleased with the progress I've made so far - I'm down 40 pounds, I'm able to walk over a mile without getting winded and exercise is now a joy instead of a burden. Life is good, right? So why am I all of a sudden teary all the time? What the heck? I'm pretty positive most of the time, so I don't really know where these eye leaks are coming from. I'm done with all my pre-op stuff now; just waiting for the day to get here. Is my subconscious somehow mourning the change that is to come to my body? Anyone else had this happen? This weepiness is getting on my nerves, LOL!

Hi all, I'm new here! After 7 months of waiting, I found out last week that my insurance has approved and I meet with my surgeon on March 10. Hoping my surgery date will be some time in early April! I'm so excited I can hardly stand it!

I went to the doctor today for my final visit. I was surprised when they told me that they had already submitted to insurance and I have been approved. I should be on the losers bench around the first part of April. ????????

I am new here, this is my first post. I am in the process of getting approved. My surgeon has not asked me to lose any weight but I want to start anyway. I have a BMI of 70 so I am in no danger of disqualifying myself by losing too much weight prior to surgery. I won’t be submitted for approval before mid-may after my last nutrition class. I want to try and prepare myself for the lifestyle changes WLS will bring on by adapting as much as I can pre surgery. I am thinking of trying a Keto diet but I am open to any tips or suggestions. I am not sure I could do the liver shrinking diet for several months but I am thinking I could cut carbs and increase protein. It looks like …

Is there anything I can start doing now to help prevent saggy skin? My surgery should be in August. Thanks!

I am attending my patient seminar tomorrow, which is going to be a 1 on 1 session due to me not knowing the primary language used in my country. I assume that this is just going to explain the surgery and how I will expected to live afterwards.. I am curious as to what questions I should be asking in the event that they 'miss' something? What were common questions asked during your meetings (whether from you or someone else)? I just want to be ready, but I've completely blanked and feel like I am just going to check off another requirement on the list, ya know?

I am a veteran and use the VA for all of my medical and primary care. During some clinic visits this fall, I suggested to my doctor that I might be interested in getting Bariatric surgery. She gave me some reading literature and suggested I do some homework prior to making any requests formally. In my 12/26/19 visit, I asked her to make my request official and we started me on the journey. For you fellow Veterans out there, the VA supports weight loss surgery basically as potential long term health for the veteran as well as potential cost savings associated with your health long term. My process started with getting an appointment referral from my doctor to get an …

Anyone used emory bariatrics for their vsg surgery? What was the first initial appointment where you have to pay $300 for like? What did the surgeon require? How was the experience? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had my 1st consult last week. With my insurance I only have to wait 3 months or until I get all my 'pre' work done. I have started my training for after surgery already. I am looking for words of wisdom! So far the hardest part is not drinking with a meal or snack and the waiting 30 minutes.

I'm really struggling with the decision to move ahead with surgery or not. Here's what I don't understand. How are you not destroying your metabolism by only eating 750 calories a day? Will you never be able to eat regularly again for risk of packing on the pounds? I did the HCG diet years ago (it's terrible. Never ever do it) In a nutshell... you gave yourself a shot every day that kept your body from realizing that it was being starved and then ate about 750 calories a day while your body worked hard to function as usual. The weight dropped off. I lost quickly over about 3 months and then stopped the injections and slowly eased back into a regular diet of about…

I'm so sad. I have developed a full-on cold; sneezing, very sore throat, losing my voice. I have notified my surgeon via email (Per pre-op instructions to notify if I developed cold like symptoms). I don't have a fever....Anyone have any experience with this? Am I going to get cancelled? I'm so sad. Also I have moved so much stuff at work to allow for the time off! And of course endured the pre-op diet....But if it is unsafe of course I understand.

Good morning. I am new to the forum. I have been reading quite a bit but have not found this issue. I am on the six month diet required by my surgeon. I lost some weight then my lab work showed low levels of potassium and iron. My doctor changed my blood pressure medication from a Triamterene/hyrochlorothiazide which I had been on for eight years to Amlodipine. The scale has gone up dramatically. I am worried I will be penalized for this gain though my calories have remained at 1500-1800 a day. Can someone give me some advice?

I’ve completed all of my pre op appointments and test My patient advocate from my bariatric clinic emailed me last Tuesday and told me that she would be calling me by the end of the day to schedule my surgery but I haven’t heard anything should I call her and ask if something is wrong?

I have been following my surgeons fairly restrictive low carb eating plan for a month. No more than 10 carbs per meal. This past weekend I smelled some delicious pizza and almost cheated, but held strong and had my wife make me keto pizza. No problem. This morning however my Filipina wife made her fried bread she eats with her coffee and I cheated and had a small piece. Now you might be thinking this topic is going to be me crying over cheating. Its not. I don't regret it because after having it I realized it wasn't that great. I mean it tasted good but so does many of the low carb things I eat. That is me working through food addiction one step at a time. Thanks to …

Hola everyone... Does anyone take 1oz or 2.5 oz protein shots to reach you daily protein goals? If so, which protein shots do you use? I don’t want to lose my hair which has already thinned and fallen out when I was doing a medically managed weight loss program last February... It is only now that it’s starting to recoup ?

Howdy everyone! I have lurked in the shadows for a while now and finally feel like I am at a point in my life where I can come out into the light and say, I have started this journey -for real- now! loss surgery has been on my radar for years thanks to my dad-I've been obese if not morbidly obese since 4th grade (I am 30 now). I have started the process of getting sleeved twice before this year. First time I only got past the initial consult with the surgeon and maybe one weigh in for the supervised diet but then we ended up moving and I let it fall by the wayside and the second time I actually moved in with my dad and started the process (I was still on his ins…

I am a bag of nerves and weak as a cat. Been on this all liquid diet for 2 weeks, but today I don't get to have the protein shakes, cottage cheese ect. Nope, today is crystal light, chicken broth, Gatorade, and magnesium citrate. I see now what a difference the shakes made every day. I don't drink the magnesium citrate until 4, and can't imagine what that is going to be like since everything coming out seems to be water. All kinds of thoughts running through my head like being on this 2 week liquid diet, of course there is weight loss and I am feeling skinny. It makes you think why couldn't you have just done this on your own? Wondering how everything will go tomorrow? Ho…

So I have a 38.8 bmi, fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes (barely and the number has gone down) and my insurance approved me for surgery on 3/2/20. I'm really excited but I keep feeling like like I'm not heavy enough for surgery. Does anyone else with a bmi under 40 feel that way? The crazy thing is I'm in constant pain from my joints neck and back so I'm not sure why these doubt keep coming.

My pre op appointment is feb 28, 2020 and I’m thinking of my surgeon if I can have the gastric bypass instead of the sleeve.. I’ve just done more research and I think I would benefit more from it rather than the sleeve.. what do you guys think? Has anyone switched last minute or am I living in fairy tale land hoping for something that isn’t going to happen?

How long was everyone's 1st meeting/op with surgeon? I am scheduled for 7 hrs and told to fast the night before...what should I expect

Hi everyone! I apologize in advance if this has been discussed before. does protein water count towards your fluid intake, protein or both?

Well I got my initial consultation with the surgeon set up but it isn't until April 2nd!!!! Has anyone else had to wait that long? In addition, my insurance requires 6 weight check visits with my primary doc 1 nutritional consultation Psychological evaluation At least my primary doc knows the process and said my visit on 2/19 will count as the 1st weigh in. Based on what I have seen, this is pretty standard. My letter from the surgeon (and my calculations) put the surgery cost at $520, so I guess I can't complain about the length of time. So it is looking like I will have surgery sometime in August or September. Just in time to not be abl…

So tomorrow is the big day. Bright and early. The pre-surgery drinks are likely more terrible than the surgery itself. Just a hunch. I just had to swallow two of them within 10 minutes. ? I also spent 10 minutes taking before photos because I couldn't decide if I should pose without clothing (yes, seriously). I have literally gone between nervous and excited like 25307372 times. Pumped. Ready. LETS DO THIS. ?

Hi there, Newbie here. My surgery is March 10 and I'm starting the liver reduction diet tomorrow. I have a few questions... Should I start taking bariatric vitamins now? Should I reevaluate my anxiety meds due to the possibility of nonabsorption? What should I bring for recovery? (My surgery's out of state) What should I expect as far as mobility immediately after surgery? Thanks in advance!! Amanda

I got my day, March 30 i'm happy, but I wish it were sooner

my final appointment is one week away! i'm just so nervous, having so many thoughts on what may or may not happen. i don't have any of the main comorbidities however (mine would be major depression, anxiety & migraines) i'm about 100lbs over what the doctor says is my ideal weight. i have UHC Choice Plus, and it seems they are pretty easy to deal with, it's just my nerves...basically the only qualification is to be morbidly obese which they say is a bmi of 40 or the 100lbs over my ideal weight. i need to calm down lol

Hello loves, I am so excited surgery is in 2 days and I want to know what should I expect the day of? What is the proccess like from arriving to discharge? I can barely sleep because I am so excited and ready to start my NEW LIFE!

I’m just starting my journey. I’ve been approved by a provider in another state and everything is being done via phone and email pre-surgery. I had my first call with their dietician last week, and she sent me an email which included a diet. I don’t have a surgery date yet - I don’t expect it to be before May. I’ve done my research and was a bit shocked by this. It’s not a pre-op diet, just more of a general diet of 1,600-1,800 calories per day. Part of me feels like - if I could do this at my size, why would I need surgery? Anyone have any thoughts or a similar experience?

I need to buy a blender for pre/post op meals. Does anyone have recommendations on products?

I’ve recently discovered that when I eat/drink my protein, food from bariatric store or in cases where I just add water or pre-made protein drinks Ect, that I get hungrier faster than when I just cook up my own small meal, or even just have a small piece of chicken or protein Ive made or pick up from restaurant. I will be not hungry eating regular food at home that include the lean meats ect for like 4-6 hours. If I eat just a protein drink, snack, bar, bariatric meal however, seems like I’m ready to eat again no later than 3 hrs or even sooner..... anyone else ever notice a difference and know why? I’m so busy I often don’t have the extra time or energy to pre-make fo…

Hi, just finished day 4 of my pre-op diet. I do great during the day sticking with the shakes and water, by the time dinner is here I am starving!! Doing my absolute best to not cheat, being hungry at night is so hard. Any tips?

So my date is coming up in a week, and I just had some random questions for those who have already had bypass. Or those who may know the answer! 1. Did you have a JP drain with your procedure? 2. Did they Cath you? 3. How did you take large meds post-op? Or meds by mouth at all? Were you able to swallow ok? Thanks in advance! ❤️

I thought I wanted gastric sleeve for WLS. My main reason was my concern about malabsorption at my age. I have multiple co-morbidities associated with my obesity. Now I am considering gastric bypass instead. Of course, I will make final decision with my surgeon. "Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Versus Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy to Treat Morbid Obesity-Related Comorbidities: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26661105 "a total of 18,455 patients, enrolled in 62 recent studies, were included in this meta-analysis. Patients receiving LRYGB had a significantly higher percentage of excess weight loss and better resolutio…

I am 13 months post revision band to bypass and lately nothing seems to taste right. Meat in particular tastes weird. I don’t have an issue eating it, it doesn’t get stuck or make me sick but it tastes and often smells weird. For example the lamb mince we ate tonight tasted very gamey. I used to love pork and would often order it when we went out but the last couple of times that hasn’t tasted right either! At this rate I am going to end up vegetarian which could be a problem as there are a heap of veggies I hate ( the bitter ones) , don’t really like eggs ( I can do the yolks so long as they are runny) and only eat small quantities of cheese. On top of that if I tr…

So I’m preop, a little under 3 weeks to go until my surgery. I’ve lost almost 70 lbs. As many of you have experienced I’m sure, a number of people have complimented me/made comments about how much weight I’ve lost. However I still myself as a “fat” person. When I look in the mirror, my eyes go to my “big” belly which I guess isn’t so big anymore but to my eyes really doesn’t look any different. Whenever I’m out and about, I still have a perception that people look at me as the “big” guy but that may not be the case. Have you all been through something similar? What has it been like to change your self-perception?

My insurance is requiring 6 months of nutrition appointments prior to approval. My Doctor gave me a referral and I’m waiting to hear from them. Their office said 7-10 businesses days at least to hear back.. my question is did anyone use Weight Watchers instead? Or use another way of showing 6 months of nutrition/weigh ins? I’m a big planner type person and just seeing if I should have a plan B ?. Thanks!

How long did it take you from your first appointment to have surgery (once your insurance requirements were met)?

I have to get this off of my chest. I'm not super active posting but have read a lot. Here is my story. I have terrific Aetna insurance. I originally wanted to go to the mayo clinic for my surgery but I found out that AETNA needs a facility to be an institute of Quality (IOQ) So mayo clinic wouldn't take me on. Even though I called Aetna and have a letter saying it doesn't need to be an IOQ. Fast forward I found another surgeon, who is not an IOQ but a Center of excellence. They checked with Aetna and said I was covered and signed me up for their program in April. The past four months i've gone through all the steps, the psychologist, chest xrays , upper GI, …

I have 60 days to go on 90-day diet. Lost 12 lbs past month. So now 3 lbs below presurgery goal.

Hey all! I have an appointment Friday to start my 3 month supervised diet prior to surgery! I'm excited but nervous at the same time. What should I expect during this next three months? What sort of diet were you asked to follow? Thanks!

I found out today that my endoscopy shows I have H.pylori and they are going to put me on antibiotics for 2 weeks to clear it up. The problem is I have my surgery in exactly 2 weeks. Has anyone else experienced this? Will the surgeon push back my surgery date since I have to take the antibiotics? Also do I have to eat with the antibiotics? I just started my preop liquid diet today.

I just got the news that I can have my surgery on March 3rd instead of April 7th I am so excited I can't stand myself lol Countdown has truly begun.... So many thoughts are going through my head.... This is such a blessing I can not wait to do this Thank you guys for all your support Love this forum

So I’m scheduled to have my Sleeve surgery tomorrow. I’m very anxious. But the question is, has any one had orders to drink Gatorade before their surgery? My surgeons orders is to drink Gatorade on the way to the hospital but why if I can’t have anything to eat or drink after midnight?

Good morning, I'm new to the forum and so far have just read the messages, rather than jump in and post. I started my journey for surgery on 12/26/19 through the local Veteran's Affairs clinic. My primary care provider had experience by prescribing Saxenda to patients and I was quickly approved for it. Today was day 3 of the prescription and I am still at the smallest dose of .6 mg on my way in 4 weeks to the full 3 mg dose. In the VA, you have to be in the move program for at least 3 months and then the primary care team (along with the nutritionists) present your case to the bariatric surgery team. I am scheduled to have my case presented on April 3rd and hoping fo…

All systems Go, surgery March 3rd.....And I begin my liver shrinking diet today. It's getting real people..I can't wait Happy Dance

Surgery is scheduled for 02/24. I have been battling a cold for the last few days. Woke up with sore throat and ear pain. Got examined and looks just viral. I just feel discouraged to be sick days before surgery. Just want everything to go as planned. Anyone been a little sick but still recover well?