PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I go January 10th for my surgical consult. What do I need to expect there? Do they do a physical or just ask questions ect?

I know I need vitamins and I am also going to get the unflavored protein shake if anyone could give me any good vitamins that are chewable

What are the best tasting protein drinks or mixes? I am preop and will be starting my liquid diet on the 6th. I also meet that day with my surgeon, nutritionist and nurse for preop work. My nutritionist will give me a list of acceptable things for =my liquid diet. I have tried premier protein (strawberries and creme) and fairlife (30g chocolate milk protein), both of them tasted horrible. I am planning on asking them if I can drink protein water or add the protein to coffee but I wanted to get a list of everyone's favorite flavor or brand of protein mixes/drinks.

I will be having my gastro bypass surgery and I'm excited and nervous at the same time I'm looking for support from people who have had it and to learn new meals when I'm able to eat them my name is Danny

I just started the process for the approval process in December. I have my psyche, nutrition, and surgical consult next week. The lady from the surgeon's office who submits everything to the insurance called today and I ask her what the possible timeframe usually is? She stated after my appointments next week it will be sent to the insurance for approval and we are looking at the 1st or middle of February for surgery. Does it really go that quick and smooth? I have already had my letter from my PCP's office sent. I think the nurse practitioner sent it since she is the one who did a physical on me and I discussed it with her. I am just at the 35-37% BMI for surgery depen…

So, I need a little help. I have found that the whey protein isolate powder (supposedly lactose free) has just enough lactose in it to make me sick. I was able to find bone broth protein powder (I'm using Ancient Nutrition), which has been okay, but was wondering if anyone has anything else they used that tasted good/okay? I'm 8 days into my pre-surgery diet of 15. The vegetable/pea protein ones tasted too funky to me, too. It's hard to be picky, but I can't help what my stomach doesn't want right now.

I am about to meet the surgeon that maybe I could possibly trust for my gastric bypass if I get approved. I go on January 8, 2021. I am very nervous n very excited. What kind of things should I ask him ? Any advice from anyone? I got a second job just working on Sundays at a hair salon as an assistant and it was only five hours and my back was in so much pain . I hid the pain but I had to take a half of pain pill to get through and I really need the extra money. I am really tired of feeling pain and helpless. I have back problems from a bus accident in 2005 and I need two new hips n 2new knees. I am only 47 and I am falling apart fast n not liking it. I feel like if I don…

I will be starting the process for Weight-Loss Surgery!!!! I get my email for orientation for the classes I will be taking at Kaiser Permanente by email.

I’m on day 3 of the pre-op diet. So far so good ?

I have hypothyroid and on my pre-op labs my tsh was elevated. My Pcp is on maternity leave and her replacement isn't familiar with the medication I take so wants to wait 6 weeks and retest before making any changes. My surgery is scheduled for next week and I'm concerned that I'll miss the initial weight loss if my thyroid levels are low. Is there anyone who's had experience with this type of situation?

Just wondering if you go everyday or like twice a week.

I was wondering if anyone is in the Denver area or in Colorado? And if anyone is using Dr. Snyder as their surgeon?

Hello everyone I am new here. I am 27 years old and I will be having Gastric Sleeve Surgery January 23, 2020 and I am so scared. I have a great support system but I want to hear advise from those who will be or have been through this journey. I am scared about not waking up, pain, and or complications. My kids birthday is a couple days afterwards so I guess this is weighing on me. No negative comments, like I said I am new to this. Thanks!

So I had my consultation on the 17th..met with my surgeon and nutritionist..my Dr wants to do an endoscopy, that's scheduled for the 28th of Jan..and I have to meet with my nutritionist 3x before..so the 17th and then Jan 16th and my guess around the same time in Feb..I've already had my psych evaluation, think I passed it but still haven't heard anything..So my guess is probally late Feb. or early March for Surgery..does that sound about right?!

Scheduled for Dec 19 for a SADI-l bypass surgery at St David’s Austin. Any SADI on this sight? Would love to hear your story.

I went for my first consult about two weeks ago and I can’t wait for my surgery date!!! My insurance requires the 90 day nutrition counseling and I will go back mid January. The nutritionist had me set goals on being a more mindful eater and to start logging food but nothing else. She didn’t seem concerned about me losing any weight before the surgery (I assume it’s because I’m closeish to the cut off for insurance coverage). Has this been the case for anyone else? Should I be worried about insurance not covering me if I gain weight in the 90 days? Any insight or advice would be great!

Will this cause a delay in surgery? Has anyone went into surgery with sinus congestion. It’s not severe, what can I take to clear this?

i will be undergoing surgery on 12/20/19.. Any comments on when I will be able to work. I work 8hr shifts which i am required to be on my feet the whole time.

I completed my requirements on 11/4 and they didn't start reviewing my chart until 11/22. Two weeks have passed and still nothing. I have contacted them twice and they just tell me there isn't any update. So I asked my patient coordinator how long a review typically takes and she said that there isn't a time limit. Right now, I am dying to get a job. I currently stay home with my 2 year old and I want to get a job, obviously for money but two things are hindering it: 1) I have no set date until my insurance approves (medicaid). 2) I have horrible joint pain and back spasms so I would need an office job of some sort. Part of me wants to just wait it out but I am ann…

Okay so I'm 5 days post op and I haven't been able to keep anything down. I've also have had some severe diarrhea. I can't even get a little bit of my protein shakes down or water. Is there anything that will help, because I don't want to end up back in the hospital for dehydration. Thanks

Does anyone know of ANY of these various clear protein drinks that taste good? I tried the BariWise Fruit Drink mix today and UGH...terrible. Are there any that taste good that you all have discovered?

Passed insurance coverage check. My Initial appointment is scheduled January 7. I already filled out Family, Personal Health and Surgical History through online app. I have been practicing water sipping, chewing bites many times and mindful eating. I know. Surgery is at least 3 months. But trying to develop new habits so won't have to focus on those the first weeks after surgery.

I will be having surgery 12/13/19 As it's getting closer, I'm getting more nervous. I will be having my surgery at Lake Norman Regional Medical Center in Mooresville NC. Dr. Brendan Marr is my surgeon Any tips on how to not be so nervous, so I can get some sleep lol[emoji23] [emoji16]

Hey everyone! I am currently 5 months post op and I am loving this new life. I get told everyday how good I'm looking and how I lost a lot of weight I just don't really see it I guess yet?‍♀️ I am however having issues with my vitamins and I'm lacking motivation hard with exercising! What vitamins can you keep down? Like I think my biggest thing are the MULTIVITAMINS. I get sick every time so I end up not taking my vitamins which is horrible and I don't want to do that. What gets you motivated to workout?? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Hello all. I just got my surgery date for my DS single loop - 12/23/19. Anyone else getting an early Christmas present?

I have all my clearances done! Bloodwork, letter of necessity and clearance from pcp, ekg, pulmonology clearance (I passed my sleep study, and since my sleep apnea is mild, i don't need a cpap or another sleep study), and just did the psychologist evaluation. I'm pretty sure I passed it, the tests I had to take were all common sense. The only thing I have to do is get a chest xray that I'm holding off on because I have a cold, and 3 more appointments with the bariatric center. Its getting so close! Looking at actually having surgery in march, hopefully!

Having a very hard time. I’m on day 3 and I’m moody and very emotional, extremely constipated and tired. I am hoping it gets a little easier. RNY bypass scheduled for Dec 5. I’m struggling today.

I knew that there was a possibility that I would have my gall bladder removed at the same time of my sleeve surgery but I got an unexpected curve ball. I also had a Hiatal Hernia that did not show up during my pre op testing. So I had three procedures done altogether. I am thankful though. Was in a lot of pain when I woke up but thank God for pain killers. I am home now and I have no more nausea like before my surgery. I am still having mild heartburn early in the morning time but I am guessing that is still gas from the surgery. Trying to walk as much as possible in circles to heal quicker and get rid of this gas buildup, The only pain I actually start having yesterda…

I started my pre-op diet yesterday, surgery is 20 days away! Wish me luck! It’s 800 calories a day!

Xenical (orlistat) blocks some of the fat that you eat, keeping it from being absorbed by your body. I'm in my third day pre-op and I ate things I shouldn't have yesterday because I was hungry. I have my surgery tomorrowl. I've lost 10 pounds since the whole process so I won't worry about gaining weight. But the problem is that xenical makes your stool loose. I have this silly worry that when they operate on me, they won't be able to do it well because the stool in my intestine is loose and therefor have complications. (Is this a dumb thing to worry about?)

Hi Everyone, Any idea if I can have bone broth instead of regular broth for my diet? I'm in week 2 today, and just realized they may be different. Does anyone know if EITHER is okay r should I switch to regular broth? Thanks, Red

Hi Everyone, If I wasn't in the dread of finals week, I would research this myself, but I figured someone here might know the answer. I'm in the pre-surgery diet stage, surgery is on the 18th. I have been following the no-caffeine rule and am off it; drinking decaf. My questions are: 1.) If your doctor took you off caffeine was it because of carbonated pop? Or, do you know if it is the actual caffeine in all products? 2.) What is the pre-surgery reason for coming off caffeine? The basis for my questions come from wondering if I can add a bit of caffeinated coffee to my diet right now (finals) - not pop (I'm tracking on carbonation), but…

Hi all! I’m just starting the process and have a question about pre-op labs. At my nutrition appt this morning, the Rex Bariatric said it’d take a few weeks to send the orders for me to get them done. I have my annual physical with my PCP this week. Rex said they’d accept labs from our PCP. I have a call in to get that list from Rex, but I’m not sure if they’ll call back in time for my appt. From some basic web research I figured they’d want the following: A complete blood count Urinalysis Chemistry panel that includes: -Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP) – kidneys and respiratory system as well as electrolyte and acid/base balance and level of blood glucose -…

My husband and I have been getting prepared for the 6 months of qualifying for insurance to pay for our gastric sleeve operations since June. I had a feeling that my company would be changing their insurance and would be no longer covering weight loss surgery so I knew we had to both get it done this year if we were going to do it. He just had his on the 5th and I have mine on the 11th. Our deductibles are paid but I had $1000 left Out of Pocket and he has $3000. We already had to pre pay $1100 last week for the doctor. We had to prepay $1,200 for our endoscopies 2 weeks before that among all of the other money that we had to pay up front for the psych exams, blood w…

I'm doing the pre-op diet either way, I'm just having doubts about this.

So, I have surgery in the morning did my pre-op cleanse yesterday and been drinking the unjury chicken soup my poop is watery but not clear is that normal, should I be clear? Serious question, I am really wanting to know, I guess I might should have posted on post-op forum

I was just wondering if anyone has taken an appetite suppressant during their clear liquid faze before surgery? If so, what kind? I have to do a clear liquid faze for one week. No protein shakes are allowed.

Hi there, I'm 10 days out and am getting excited and nervous. I am marinating on the permanent implications of what I'm about to do. I am also choosing to focus on the gains - that being my health - over the losses that I feel I am going to grieve. If you've had the surgery, what is your best piece of advice or thought? Thanks, Red

I'm getting excited, nervous about my procedure. I'm happy because the getting there part has taken a long time and hard work. Anyone else getting close? Or doing the duodenal switch??

I'm now 15 months out from VSG and down 107 lbs. When I started I had so many questions, concerns, worries, and doubt. Now I absolutely love life and the new me. I thought it might be helpful to come back here and offer the ability to answer questions people have. So ask me absolutely anything and I'll give you an answer. Just hoping to make the pre and post surgery journeys a bit less stressful for others. This is my before and after pic - Caribbean style. St Lucia at 250lbs and Jamaica at 145lbs.

I have my first appointment on January 2nd with a surgeon. My doctor recommended this last February but because of insurance I have had to wait. My questions is how did you decide between the sleeve or bypass? The doctors office told me the doctor will make a recommendation but its really up to the patient. Also what questions should I ask that you wish you would have asked at your first appointment?

Hello, I am scheduled for VSG on December 9th but I was not put on a pre-op liquid diet. You can check out my stats to the left. I have noticed that almost everyone goes on a liquid diet of some kind before their surgery. I am worried that I was not given this requirement. Is there anyone here that was not put on a pre-op liquid diet? Please let me know and share your surgery story with me, as I would find it very reassuring.

Hello all my date is December 16 and I will be having gastric sleeve any tips or advice as I am feeling more nervous the closer the day comes

Hi everyone, Its early in the morning on Thanksgiving, four days before surgery and I wanted to check in because I owe it to myself to be honest about how I am feeling. I am struggling, not with the decision I made to have surgery, but the truth about the challenges I am facing moving forward. I started to ask if anyone had challenges with their pre-op diet, but I know the answer to that question does not matter because I am. I feel a little silenced or maybe ashamed because if I admit to my family I am scared and self-sabotaging then I will be forced to ask myself if I am doing the right thing. I was doing well with the pre-op diet until two days ago...Tuesday.…

My bariatric team has been reviewing my chart for nearly 2 weeks. I emailed my patient coordinator asking how long it normally takes for them to review it. She messaged me back saying there is no time limit. How long did it take your team to review and approve your chart so it can be sent to your insurance?

Hello all, I have ran into a issue and need some advice. I have done all my pre op testing, surgery date is jan 28th 2020, Deductible and OOP is almost met I have $900 left but that all resets January 1st Which will leave me scrambling to get my Deductible paid up in just a couple weeks which is $6700 yes i have a very high deductible. I am waiting on the dr. Office to call me back so i can figure out if i can have the surgery before jan. 1st. What can i do to get my deductible paid up fast? Can i go to the hospital and get xrays? I will be covered in full after my deductible is met I dont wanna push my surgery date Out for a few reason and if i can get it before the…

Hello All, The office submitted for surgery yesterday and I just wanted to know with Blue care network of Michigan (***) how lond does it usually take? My Surgery date is January 28th, 2020. Anyone has any experience with BCN. I meet all the criterias and have had all the testing done. Now im just waiting on insurance approval and the day to come. Im very anxious and ready. This Has been a long road and I have lost 65lbs this year and hoping to lose 20 more lbs before surgery to help with the process. Also, i have $1034 left in my deductible and out of pocket for it to be paid fully they both was $6500 how does that work will i have to pay anything? So far i have pai…

Today is my last weigh in before turning in the paperwork for approval. Crossing my fingers for good results. Thanksgiving was hard but I made a plan and stuck with it.

Hi everyone my surgery Date is very soon 2 more days . I’ve been doing the pre-op liquid diet for 2 weeks it’s been very hard as you can imagine .I haven’t gained nor lost any weight . Will I still be eligible for surgery?? . Many thanks

If so please let me know your experience