PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hello, First post... I will be getting the gastric sleeve soon. I received approval finally from my insurance and now have an appt for all the preop details on Monday at my surgeon’s office. I live alone and I don’t want to stay with anyone after the hospital. I wouldn’t even know who to ask. I think I have one night in the hospital and then come home. Did any of you stay home alone afterward? My only fear is that there will be an emergency or complication and I would not be lucid to help myself?

How much did everyone loose during the liver cleanse?

Title says it. I'm a relatively limber 300lbs. Right now, I'm building a new a bed. It's not going to be done before my operation. My mattress is sitting on a slats on the bedroom floor. I've never had an abdominal surgery before, so I don't know how much it will hurt me to have to get on hands and knees to get up. Do I need a different solution or is this just a possible annoyance? Thanks!

I’m 25, morbidly obese, borderline diabetic, with high blood pressure. I want to get started on the right track to get approved by surgery, but I have NO idea where to start!! I’ve got chronic fatigue and have gotten to the point where walking distances is painful. I WANT to get better.

My surgery is scheduled for December 11 and my dr has me on Formulite shakes and the diet with that goes with it. Your allowed 2-4 cups veggies a day with carb snacks and pieces of fruit. I’m concerned that it’s different to optifast in that you can eat ryvita biscuits and fruit as snacks. Has anyone used formulite as their pre op dirt ?

Hello Everyone, I am new here. I am looking to having this surgery because I'm tired of dealing with my diabetes. I have no issue with my size for over the years I've grown to love my body. I enjoy walking (although sometimes I wonder whose idea it was for me to do so due to the distance), yoga, and pilates. I have been given the options of sleeve or gastric. My husband and my best friend are pushing for the sleeve. My husband and dad are hoping the presurgery months of prep will get rid of my diabetes before the time comes but given all that I've tried before I am skeptical. I do not eat much ink the first place since being told by my granny that I'm a nervous eater…

Hello everyone. Has anyone hit a stall that has been a few weeks long?? I don't understand what I am doing wrong! I am 3 months post op (46 lbs lost since surgery) and I cannot get out of the 230s. Please helpppppp with any experiences you had.

Just started my 3 week liquid & protien shake diet this week and have been very tired and a bit light headed. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm hoping it will pass.

Can someone recommend a tracker for weight loss and food entries? I have heard of fitness pal but wondering if there are any other ones.

I am schedule for sleeve surgery on 11/15 and start pre surgery prep tomorrow. I am more scared than anything and feeling very overwhelmed and hoping/praying that I won’t fail. Anyone in west broward having surgery around this time? In need of a buddy.

I've decided not to tell anyone other than my husband. I just don't want to deal with the judgment, or feel like I'm the subject of gossip. I'm hoping to be back at work 2 weeks after surgery (I have a sedentary job), so will hopefully be able to just use some vacation time. My husband is 100% on board with the surgery and with keeping it a secret, so I'm very thankful for that!! Anyone else keeping it a secret? Or are you telling just a few people, or the whole world?

I am looking at purchasing some meal prep containers to have on hand for after my surgery so I can portion out food and be ready for lunch packing and whatnot. I'm trying to decide what size to get. Do you recommend sticking with 4 ounce or going bigger and just using less space. One thought I have is that 4 oz full looks like more than 8 oz half full. But I also want to be able to keep using them. But I guess 4 ounces is just a good size to have. Thoughts?

So I didnt see a June thread and wanted to make one so we could all stay accountable and have a lot of good and bad experiences together!!! Introducing myself: My name is Kassandra, I am 27 years young, I have 3 great kids, a wonderful hubby, and 3 great cats. I'm a type 2 diabetic & have sleep apnea. I decided to do this to take my life back. I'm 5 ft 2 and 258 lbs. I had planned for the sleeve but my insurance won't cover it right now so RNY it is! *also posted on bypass board*

I'm nervous and excited at the same time and I can't wait to start feeling better. This is my first time posting and I actually found this app today.

I am a newbie still in the early stages of the process. Finding this forum has been a good thing as I hear what others have gone through. As I am researching having WLS for myself, I want to pose a question that I am trying to formulate a ready response for. How would I explain to someone who has not struggled with weight why I cant just simply reduce my intake and viola! I can loose the 120 lbs I need to lose? It seems there are some people who assume I just don't have any willpower, and that weight loss is simply a behavioral problem. Over the last 25 years it seems I gain a little at a time, then when I try to lose, my body lets me drop 15 lbs then stops everything. …

Hello, Can someone give information about what you did for presurgery diet?

Is there anything I can eat for the pre surgery diet, like a cheese stick or something? It’s hard to get your food from liquids, I want to actually EAT something.

So some of my friends have started going to a few different places locally that do herbalife shakes and teas. I like them. I've never found a protein shake that i like. But they're pricey. Has anyone found something similar? I just don't have the money to spend a crazy amount on them.

This last week on the liquid diet has been trying.

I still do not have my surgery date. I think about my surgery constantly. I read forums, I watch videos, read blogs. Is anyone as obsessed as I am? Is this normal?

what do you guys do to help improve your loose skin look and feel?

Is an EGD pretty standard as part of work up? Just curious.

Hi everyone! I went to my consultation appointment with the NP Oct 3, PCP for sign off Oct 14, and nutrition consult Oct 8. Originally I wanted a sleeve, but the NP talked me into a RNY. I was told that I have 1 more nutrition class scheduled Oct 31 and a psych consult Nov 8 to complete before I schedule an appointment with my surgeon. I’m surprised that an endoscopy and sleep consult were not included in the pre-requisites to the meeting with the surgeon. I don’t have sleep problems and I don’t have GERD, so I’m wondering if requirements have changed... or will the doctor order these things when I meet with him in November. Anyone have any idea what I should expect?

Has anyone had a venus insufficiency in their leg ? I just had an ultrasound at a vein specialist and that's what the technician said. I go to see the doctor this Friday about what the treatment will be.. I'm just curious, worried.. I just got all the clearance for my VSG surgery and now I found out this. My left toes have been numb for the last several months so I finally decided to get it checked. Just wondering what to do ? Thanks

Hi guys!!! My surgery is a month and a half away and I am excited!!!

Anyone else have a surgery date of November 8th

I’m going to a Halloween party next week and I want to have fun but don’t want to drink alcohol or eat .How can I enjoy the party without food or drink. I’m trying to loose weight before my pre op November 12

I’m so nervous, excited, terrified, ready! Tomorrow is my day to join the losers bench. Prayers and positive vibes all welcome.

I have found so much useful information on these forums. I also bought all my vitamins, protein, and snacks at the store. I'm all set and ready to go. Can't wait and super excited. I'm on the low carb diet and have already lost 10 lbs. I may not need the surgery at this rate, LOL ! Any last minute suggestions from anyone? Anyone getting the procedure around the same time around me?

I'm looking to read blogs of others who have taken this journey. I'm just beginning the process and started my blog last week. Please share the link for your blog and feel free to read mine and leave comments. Here's mine: https://bariatricballerina.blogspot.com/

Hi, so yesterday I started my pre- op liquid diet. Surgery is on Nov. 12. well, I’ve had a massive headache since yesterday. I don’t drink sugary drinks so I know that isn’t what is causing my headache. Anyone else suffer from headaches during preop liquid stage?

Hi everyone. I have my first appointment for WLS Wednesday. I will be self pay and am thinking the sleeve if the direction that I want to go. ANy advice on what to ask or specific info I should get in this appointment? I have my own list but thoughts I would see what you all thought. Also...right now I have a trip scheduled in April 2020 to go to Italy. I am considering postponing that trip until Sept or October 2020 and having my surgery late this winter. The center I am looking at indicated that since I am self-pay the time line could be as little as 2-3 months so possibly by Feb 2020. I realize this is a SUPER first world problem question but wanted to…

Hey everyone I'm Arcana I recently just got finished with 6 months of nutrition classes I've seen my psych Dr I did blood work I did the EKG I did the swallow Barium test and so now I am just waiting on a approval because my first surgery request was denied so this is the second attempt I'm hoping I get approved this time I'm 31 years old I weigh 320 lbs and my BMI is 49 I desperately need the surgery but I'm also very nervous I don't have that much support from my family everyone thinks I shouldn't get it because I could die on the table but I told my family that I'm already dying lbs because I'm severely overweight and I'm not saying that weight loss surgery is my on…

Wow amazing after so much time and effort I'll be going into hospital tomorrow morning...exactly 24 hours I'll be at the hospital checking in.. Will be spending today washing and packing everything I need to take, getting a little anxious just hope everything goes smoothly and the recovery is not too hard.. I've done so good I did my own preop diet for 9 weeks just cut out all sugar; junk; and went high protein low carbs low fats. I'm officially down from highest weight of 322 and today I'm 258lbs ? I assume I'll take on some gas weight but still I'm so happy I'm aiming to get below 200. My ultimate end goal would be 180-190lbs But I'm real…

Today I had my first meeting with the Bariatric Center and the experience was fantastic! They asked me what I was looking to have as my target weight. I am currently 338 and 5-8” y’all. Have a question for the group. He mentioned the sleeve and the bypass as the two options. He stated that the bypass would get me more results as weight loss goes at around 135 pounds loss. He stated the sleeve would get me about 110 pounds loss. He stated Sleeve issues: Some patients experience lists of acid reflux He stated bypass issues: Your body wouldn’t absorb the vitamins and nutrients as much Would love recommendations from the group. Anyone out there get the sleeve …

I’ve been reading everything I can get my hand on in preparation for my bypass surgery that i should be getting a date for before end of the month. Most of you are so supportive and enthusiastic that it just makes the waiting hard. Until I read a post by a lady that had complications. And when I say complications that is an under statement. She ended up in the hospital over 257 days. Five surgeries. I am now hoping I have made the right choice. I have to lose weight. My health depends on it. I want to lose weight even more. But I don’t want to die either. I need some of your enthusiasm to get me back on track. My daughter (who is 38) says not to worry so much because eve…

Not sure if this is allowed, but I have a box of Beef Bone Broth never open all 4 are still in the box, 3 Chicken bone broth. I used one, but they are all individually sealed its the orange package. 3 other broths which is Cream of Tomato, Chicken soup, and chicken with pasta (all broths). I have two protein powders. One is Coffee and the other is Double chocolate fudge. Also a Bariatric Pal plastic mug you heat the broths in. So total of 10 broths, 2 shakes, 1 mug. I bought all of this off Bariatric Pal and they are left over from my 2wk liquid diet. I'm not gonna use them so they are just sitting here. If you live close and willing to meet near me somewhere then they …

Hello! This is my first time posting, I have been lurking for a while. I hope I am posing in the correct section!! I am from Canada, and was referred to the Bariatric Program in my city. I know that the USA and Canadian programs are similar in terms of requiring time with a dietitian, psychologist, internal medicine doctor etc. In April, I was booked for my first class in June. As a smoker (now ex-smoker!) I planned to (and quit) a few days before the orientation class. In the orientation class, immediately we are informed that being in the program or class isn't a guarantee of surgery (which is completely acceptable!), it is posted everywhere, and we are …

Has anyone had there surgery at South Harbor Kaiser? Just want to know what the hospital stay was like or any hospital stay especially if you’re a guy

Hi I have went through 6 months of requirements for my insurance company. And Im very nervous. I can’t help but think how fast will i loose weight or will it be slow. I pray i am making the right decision. Any advice. I have struggled with weight for over 20 years. And have tried lots of diets.

Hi! I’m just starting this process but curious as to others experience- I work a position where I work 7 days and off 7 days and b/c of this I don’t get vacation or sick leave. Not an active job- think it would be possible to be back 1 week post op? I know it’s variable for many but just wanted to see. Thank you

Does anyone have a September date? I am hopeful to have surgery in September. Revision from an experimental transoral surgery to DS.

How do you know which surgery is best for you?

My surgery is next Monday, 10/28. I'm on the two week pre-op diet, 9 lbs down. It's not easy, sometimes you get tired, and when you are surrounded by food, it can be very difficult. Only twice was a really "surrounded" by it. At home, when my husband and son eat, it's not bad. Getting excited but also nervous and scared. It's been a long time coming (I thought about it for years, was about to start the process in early 2018, but another health issue was taken care of first). Once the process started, though, while it seemed to drag, it's also been rather quick. Having all the feels....

I have my 3rd and final weigh in on 10/29, unfortunately this isn't the last thing i have to do before surgery. BUT I'm super excited for it and actually can't believe how quick it went by- even with some stalling from lapse in coverage with medicaid. All I have left to do after this is the endoscopy and a second visit with my nutritionist. My endoscopy can't be scheduled until after my insurance approves it on or after 11/1- which is when my lapse in coverage is officially over! My second visit with the nutritionist should have been done back in september but because of that lapse in medicaid coverage I mentioned, here I am. Still very excited to be where I am and just w…

I assume most people know about this, but just in case I wanted to tell everyone! There's a prescription vitamin B12 nasal spray called Nascobal, and when you get it from Nutrition Direct, they throw in all the other oral vitamins you need for free. So If your insurance covers the Nascobal, then everything is free. I just got off the phone with them, and my vitamins should be here next week. LOL that I'm so excited about vitamins! Everything that gets me one step closer to WLS I suppose!

So, today I had my appointment with my PCP to get medical necessity/clearance letter. It was a great conversation. My PCP has been my PCP for probably 10 years. I love him for many reasons- he is our local school nurses medical director and he has put together some great stuff for our nurses, his kids and my kids are in school together and we're both always there cheering our kids on, I was blessed to be able to take care of him when he was fighting for his life due to leukemia, but most of all, I love him because he's never addressed my weight issues. So I was nervous with how he would react. Turns out he is 100% behind me on it. He actually used to be the doctor oversee…

This will be my official last post as a Pre Op. I had my Sleeve surgery on 10/1 in Mexico at the Fabulous Hospital BC in Tijuana. My surgeon was Dr. Illan and his Team. He is marvelous surgeon! And the staff at Hospital BC treat you like you are family. I have had absolutely no problems and since surgery have lost 24 lbs. I'm not sure I could have been as successful as I currently have been without the wisdom and random questions put out there by all of you. You have all been my life line in times of doubt and panic, anxiety and fear. I can never thank those of you who have been here. Although I will be moving my main attention to the Post Op forum for help. Anyone…

I have ten days until my next weigh in and I'm just slightly panicking. Why am I panicking you ask? Well, my scale was down by 8 pounds on Friday and completely up to starting weight this morning! Over 2 days!!! I need to drop that 8 pounds again, ASAP. My NUT might not have a fit, because I haven't seen her yet, but I'm having a fit at how dumb I was over the weekend. So here is my plan for the next 10 days: 1 protein bar of 20+ grams of protein, 2 protein shakes 30+ grams protein each, and then salad for supper. The bar is the most calories weighing in at 330cals, but it does have 20 or more grams of protein in it, and I can't go down to zero cals or my metabolism…

I'll be having surgery in a few hours please keep me in prayers!!