PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I have surgery sept 11th and looking for ppl who are close to around there. Are you guys doing a preop diet? My doc says 1000 calories or less.

I am having a time of finding a chewable or liquid option for my blood pressure meds. The med I am having trouble finding a solution for is Diltiazem. I talked to the cardiologist but they think I can just open up the capsule and take the 2 little tabs inside but those are not crushable either. Anyone experience this issue and have a solution?

Anyone else get nauseous and dry heave after drinking protein shakes? I also feel this way when I first wake up in the morning. I get surgery Monday, September 9th. Anything y’all did to help or is this normal?

I'm looking for everyone scheduled to have their wls next month. Getting a little nervous? Well I am! I'm scheduled for 10/1 with Dr. Illan at Bariatric Pal Hospital in Mexico. The time is really flying by now. I'm looking for other October surgery folks out there. I know you're there.....where are you?

I found out yesterday that I need approval from a cardiologist to have the surgery. I got a referral from my MD. Do I just need a stress test? Do you have to go in as a new patient? I don’t have any heart issues and I am not sure why he wants it. They submitted everything to the insurance company so I would like to have this done before the insurance approval comes back. Hoping to get the surgery in October. Let me know what your experience was like with this situation. Thanks.

Irrational fear #47...once approved can insurance come back and decline my pre-auth?

Hey, i have my psychologist appointment in two weeks and i was curious as to what to expect from the this appointment! I don't nor have i ever had any psychological issues. How long after the appointment did it take to get an appointment with a case manager? Was it dsys, weeks, or months later? And how long after did you get your surgery? Just trying to see how far along i actually am in this progress and how much further do i have till i get a surgery date. It's been aong time coming so anxious now.

Hi all. I’ve been reading the posts for a couple weeks now and too scared to post. But decided to just get over it and reach out for some advice and help. My surgery is scheduled for October 14, 2019, after a full year of being in the Kaiser program. I am getting the bypass as the only option from Kaiser. I am currently 257 and started at 265. I was in a bariatric program before, made it to then end, and then they told me they missed an initial step of verifying my insurance and found my BMI was not high enough initially to qualify so I wasn’t able to get the surgery and was devastated. Since then (around 2014) I have been actively trying to get the surgery and am j…

I cheated :( on day 9 of my pre op and I have cheated 3 days out of the 9. Let me explain. My 2 week pre op diet consists of 2 protein shakes a day, lean cuisine for dinner, tossed salad, and 100 cal snacks in between in meal. I felt lucky, because that seems easier than most. I did great the first few days, I lost 5 lbs. I cheated literally 1 day (not even like a bad cheat) and I gained 3 lbs!! One day I cheated by eating 5 meatballs and literally binged on chips, m&ms. We had a cookout, I ate... that’s all I ate that day though. I had 2 pieces of pizza and 5 chicken nuggets last night. I have 4 days left and I’m going to stick, no matter what. Than I thought, well if yo…

So I have Kaiser and I have attended the first class of orientation and I’m scheduled to begin the rigorous 12 week class on Aug 5 and ending Oct 28. I meet the guidelines with my co-morbidities. I honestly cannot wait to get the classes finished. I have seen some posts where people don’t do them and others who have. I understand why we need them, I just am beyond ready for this surgery. I’m in excruciating pain daily and I’m extremely exhausted day in day out. I want it all to end and I don’t know if I can wait out the long timeframe. It seems like Dec would be the surgery timeframe based on my reading. How did y’all do it? How did y’all get through these classes? I know…

So my surgery is in 9 days My surgeon wants to apply central venous catheter day before surgery Did any of you guys had it applied ? [emoji848][emoji848][emoji848][emoji848]

I started this process back in March. My insurance required 3 months of a supervised diet with my primary and she was a total pain in my ass, she rescheduled two of my appointments then took forever to get paperwork to my surgeons office despite me asking her to send it to my surgeon at the conclusion of my final appointment. Then the surgeons office had someone, who is "no longer there", that misplaced more of my paperwork so they had to request that stuff again too. Everywhere I looked the typical turn around time for approval with my insurance is about 3 working days, it's been a week and they're still reviewing it. They say it could take 15-30 days but I can feel free…

Just had my last meal! Was talking to my daughter and she likened it to being on death row lmao. Tomorrow and Tuesday I am completely full liquids. Surgery Wednesday. Don't know what time though. My doctors website says 9am, but really I have to call Tuesday afternoon for the schedule. I hope I am early in the AM! Waiting is torture.

Hi everyone, I have a pre-surgical question; has anyone had their insurance company request weight records from your Dr. for the past 5 years? I’ve heard of people getting their surgeries denied because they do not meet weight requirements for the past 5 years. This worries me as I haven’t been submitted for insurance approval yet, but if my insurance company requests 5 years, I may have an issue. I am considered low on the BMI scale (35), however, with my heart attack last year, high BP, high cholesterol, etc., my surgeon says I meet the requirements. I hope I’m not stressing myself out before I even get to the pre-approval process. Thanks everyone!

I should be getting an official surgery date soon and have really cut back on carbs and upped my protein intake to prepare. I have also been tracking my food over the last few weeks but the scale is not moving. Feeling frustrated as I know I need to lose at least another 5 lbs before my official pre-op appointment that will most likely occur in a couple weeks. Please help! I don’t know what I am doing wrong and desperately want to see the scale move.

My surgery is not till October but I need to get thing's together. I need a list for the hospital stay to recovery and to drink on the 2 week liquid diet. I bought Ispure, some broths and Lady Boss protein shake and a variety of protein shakes from Bastric Pal. Help!

Tell me all about your surgery day. What was it like? What procedure did you go through in terms of getting ready for your operation on the day of. What was the sedation process and how did you feel immediately after?

Hello everyone. I'm currently 8 weeks out from the surgery date I have at the moment. I've just decided to start dieting as of a few days ago mostly shakes and tuna/salmon cans and maybe 1 teaspoon of peanut butter. I'm getting around 1000cal per day and maybe 100gm protein. I've cut out carbs and sugars and being quite strict on myself. Am I being too strict? The protein makes me feel full for longer and I'm not craving like I used to? I'm seeing surgeon 4 weeks and really want to show him a good effort on my part!! Thanks for your feedback everyone!

Hi , So my surgery date is 30.August . Tomorrow I'm starting with my two week pre op diet - and hopefully it won't be too much of a struggle I'm from Sarajevo , Bosnia and Herzegovina Here it is not usual or common to do bariatric surgeries and I have no support system or community - hopefully I'll find support here [emoji4] I have been in this process for two years and it finally get to the end of it .

Just had my first appointment last month. They checked my insurance and I’m good to go, however if you’re a UHC person you know all about that exciting 6 month supervised diet thing. They told me all I have to do is weigh in once a month. That’s it. They’re not even asking me to diet. What I’m concerned about is, if UHC sees I’ve gained any weight will they deny my operation? The doctors office seems so nonchalant about it all I’m trying to figure out if it’s really this easy? My BMI is 41 btw.

How long does your stomach stay bloated I’m a week post op I’ve lost 35 lbs but my stomach looks the same

Well my journey started in January 2019. Since that time I have been having tests done (you name it-I’ve done it), and endless waiting. Seems like I get the list completed and they add something new I have to do. So this week is my pulmonary evaluation so I know I can make it through surgery. Then in September I have my nutritional classes which will finish all my pre op requirements. After that I was told I would finally have my surgery consult number two where surgery will be scheduled. Fingers crossed!! This has taken what seems like forever but I am patiently waiting to get my date. I continue to read all I can to keep from going crazy waiting. Look forward to talking…

Hi everyone, I met with Psych, fitness, dietician today, they also included pharmacy to go over all of our medications including over-the-counter and supplements. I had a heart attack a year and a half ago, I don’t have any stents nor did I have any blockages. I’m on beta blockers and calcium channel blocker‘s, aspirin and Lipitor. Some of these have to be adjusted because they’re extended release, but the main issue is the aspirin. The pharmacist stated that because I am now a bariatric surgical patient Motrin and aspirin I can no longer take. This poses an issue because I am supposed to take 81 mg of aspirin a day. I do have to get cardiac clearance from my cardiol…

So, I had my psych evaluation 2 weeks. It went really well! I was nervous and scared I’d say something stupid that might prevent moving forward, but apparently I am a clinically sane person! Anyways, I got the phone call yesterday, “Hi how are you???? Are you ready? Pre-Op is the 15th and the surgery date is the 19th!” I literally sat on the other line in silence. I had no idea what to say, how to react, and I said “August??” The nurse started laughing and said yes!! I’m still struggling today and didn’t sleep well last night, 10 day, it’s only 10 days away!!! Obviously I know everyones story is different, I’m just blown away that I’ve been working on this for over a …

I’m on the Dartmouth diet to prep for surgery per order of my surgeon. The basic break down is cream of wheat, soup, protein shakes and jello/pudding. I’m on day four now and I’m just getting progressively more sick. TMI- but nauseous, gagging when eating, diarrhea, exhausted and cloudy. I’m not sure what I should do? My surgery is Thursday 8/29/19 so I have 3 more full days of this left. I’m open to experiences and suggestions.

I begin my 2 week diet next Monday in the 2nd. He said shake at breakfast, shake at lunch, and a low carb dinner of lean protein and non starchy veggies. This is so going to suck but I know will be worth it. Anyone else have a job that's labor intensive and did this. How did you get through it? What kind of shakes did yall find to work best? Pre Op 5' 11" #360 >50 BMI

Hello- I am researching and exploring the option to get a gastric bypass. As I am reading posts and looking at people experiences post-op with regard to eating behaviors, I see some mention of slow chewing. When one is on more solid foods and/or complex foods I have read some people might take as much as 10-15 minutes between bites as well as chewing thoroughly during that time. Is that slow, deep chewing of food a habit I will consciously need to change and monitor, or does the surgery, the full feeling and the nausea and pain dictate the slow chewing? In other words, will the slow chewing and long time between bites become a natural thing because of my new stomachs capa…

Hi guys! My Name is Steph, I recently started my journey to have gastric sleeve on December. My BMI is 35 so my doctor told me I can’t lose weight or my insurance will deny my surgery. This is so stressful. I tried to slowly cut off sugars to get started some how, but when I went for my visit (have to do 6 visits as per my insurance) I lost 4 pounds. December seems so far away. Any ideas to get started on my journey but maintaining my actual weight?

Just got my recent blood tests back curious if any doctors or nurses here can give me their interpretation??? FASTING BLOOD. Thank you In advance HBA1C - 8.5 SERUM FOLATE - 45.3 B12 - 500 pmol/L ANION GAP - 18 CREATININE -190 GGT - 64 ALANINE AMINO - 81 TRIGLYCERIDES - 3.5 HDL - 0.7 TOTAL HDL RATIO - 7.7 THYROID TSH - 2.3 VITAMIN D3 - 92

I had my EGD on July 9th and still have not heard back from the surgeon, or the office. I do know the results of the EGD and he plans on fixing that, but I not sure if he means a Gastric Bypass or just to repair the fistula he found. How long should I wait to call into the office? Lynda

Today is my SURGERY DAY! 12:30pm is my surgery time. Just here in the waiting room ‘til the call me back. Nervous but excited!

I’m loosing it, and not in the good way. I have a little less than a month before my surgery and exactly two weeks before my liquid diet and right now I just want to eat everything in sight. I feel hungrier than ever and I keep thinking if I don’t enjoy it now I won’t be able to for a very long time. I’m worried I’m going to gain even more weight and weight gained is weight that needs to be lost. I want to get down to 130 and as most patients loose about 70% of their excess weight I won’t end up anywhere near my goal weight if I keep this up. How can I get out of this mentality? How do I keep it together. I have two more weeks before liquid diet and I cannot keep eating …

At my orientation the nurse said that after surgery I’ll need to have a vitamin B12 injection once a month for the rest of my life. However, there was a post op patient in the room who said the doc told her she could do daily b12 pills every day and not need a monthly shot. Do any of you do the B12 injections? Or do you take a pill? Do you notice any difference?

I have my revision in the morning. I been drink the treatment and I only have 2/3 down. Havent pooped much or even had urge. The juice is making me gag and fight the urge to vomit. Feels like constipation. What should I do? Only have about an hour before I stop drinking anything.

My surgery is Sept 9th and I’m so scared! Like I’m very excited to start this new beginning in my life but I’m also scared of dying and complications. I’ve never had surgery before. And yes I’m a little dramatic. Did anyone else have this problem? So super scared.

Tomorrow is Officially my sleeve Date 08/21/2019 I’m so nervous and excited at the same time! But what I’d really like know is who has actually remission from having Diabetes or High Blood Pressure?

I started my clear liquid diet this morning. Finally having to start the diet is really making it set in that I have surgery on Monday! This whole journey started with my PCM sending a referral to the surgeon in late Feb. Now suddenly here I am. I'm so excited and so nervous all at the same time. I'm mostly nervous because I am having my surgery while my hubby is still deployed. Timing wise with my daughters gymnastics meet schedule this is just when it needed to be. Now rather than in Jan or Feb. My mom will be staying with me but, she is legally blind so it should be interesting (my dad will be transportation). My daughter will be staying at a team-mates house…

Looking for tips, advice, wisdom, tidbits, what to expects, wish somebody had told me, etc. from those who have had the procedure, to those of us about to embark. Thanks in advance! Maria

I am feeling soooo impatient. I’m 2 months in to a possibly 6 month pre-surgery and I don’t know how I am going to make it another 4 months. I’ve done all my pre-appointments, given up soda, sugars and am down to 1/2 cup of coffee in the morning. I’m doing the head work - thanks to a great book recommended here (The Weight Loss Surgery Workbook). And I’m walking 2-3 miles/day 6 days a week. How did you handle the waiting period for this surgery?

I keep hearing everyone talk about a 2 week pre-op liquid diet. I was told by my Dr that is only for sleeve patients. Is anyone else scheduled for R&Y on or around Aug 29, and not on a liquid diet ?

So I’ve been doing really well I am up today at day seven. Today. I have lost 16 lbs. Not really able to tolerate the protein shakes very well. But staying hydrated and drinking plenty of broth. But today I caved. I had one tater tot When making dinner for my family. Does anyone know if this would undo my vertical sleeve surgery? It’s not for another seven days so I’m hoping my body can flush it out. That’s been the hardest part other than the nasty shakes is making meals because I have children while still staying on liquid. I’m kind of beating myself up about it.

I was never tested for sleep apea because I already qualified for surgery under the co-morbidities with PCOS, cholesterol, high BP, and diabetes - so I wanted to ask some people here who were diagnosed with it. I never wake up feeling refreshed. I never want to get out of bed in the morning. Even if I have had 8-12 hours of sleep. Even on days when I should be excited to leap out of bed - the days my c-sections were scheduled for the births of my daughters, the days when I get to go home to Ireland once a year, etc. I am beyond sluggish. I do snore like a pig, and often wake up with a dry mouth. Is it likely I have sleep apnea? It seems greedy to want…

Beautiful words I heard today come from my surgeons mouth, "Are you ready for this?" #LoveHIm We discussed the surgery, time off from work as well as recovery time and most importantly the success of the Roux en Y. We also discussed the success of the Roux en y after being banded along with the time I will need to be off from work (possibly 2 wks but said if I want to go back before then I could). Also I am truly grateful that I have a surgeon, nurses and dietitian that truly understand the struggle of weight loss. Just him explaining to me why people struggle with weight loss and he totally hit the nail on the head about it at least in my circumstance! So now my worries…

I start my Clear Liquids diet Saturday and Monday is my surgery day at 9:am!! Yay What advice can you give me while doing this clear liquid diet. I know it’s only two days but I know it may be difficult for me 

EGD biopsy says I have it. One thing I forgot to ask my doctor is how can they guarantee it’s gone after the 2 weeks of antibiotics? Anyone else have to go through the treatment for this?

This surgery can’t come soon enough! Every damn part of my body hurts from my knees, hips, legs feet etc. I’m only 58 5’2 (apparently lost a damn inch) & 235. My body since January is NOT HAVING IT! Can’t wait until the day I never have to speak one word about my health. It’s the most boring subject on the planet . I have developed all kinds of co-morbidities!! My surgery was postponed for a week & as frustrated as I am. I understand that I have to be in the best position to have this surgery. I am just soo frustrated about the daily pain & I’m so eager to reset my life & begin again!! No one ever wants to live their life in this stupid pain. It physically & …

Hey people's kinda lonely having a quiet one for my birthday this year saving all my pennies for surgery and buying bulk protein powder glad to have a great group like this to look to for inspiration. got a few tests to do before surgery currently booked for end of October if all goes to plan. besides that it's my birthday 35 years YOUNG the surgery is like a well deserved birthday present for myself ?

I have started the process and was told I’ll be able to have the surgery in 3 months, provided all tests are good of course. I have cut out sugar in the last 6 days (hardest thing I have done) and decided to order some shakes from a known company to see how they’ll be. They. Came last night and I had one for breakfast today and all I can say is....gross!! I had an iced latte flavor. It does seem to be filling, which is good, but it smells and tastes worse than any shake I’ve ever had (and I’ve tried a LOT). I got the sampler to see what flavor is most palatable. I don’t know if these are the ones my doc will give. Anyone know of bariatric shakes that aren’t gross?

Wow it's starting to get real.. Not too long now until surgery day.. Still got a few things to deal with first but it's got me a little anxious I need to start making changes soon to my diet and cut out the sugar and energy drinks soon Still got about 10 weeks to go but feels closer every day. I'm very well prepared stocked up on protein powders and tuna cans also got myself an exercise bike Got a few appointments lined up before surgery can't believe how real its feeling now and I just hope everything goes smoothly and time flies by for me so then I can begin my new life; lose weight get healthy again I'm so glad there's tons of peo…

My Dr has just sent my referral in. My BMI is 50! Is it ok to start working towards weight loss now..before orientation. For example exercising..eating better and smaller amounts. Will it effect approval for surgery?