PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I'm having the Cross blue shield pay for my surgery has anyone else done this how long is the process

I was approved today!!! Nervous and ready!! Two week pre op diet lors help.

Hey! So my surgeon is calling me in a weeks time to book my surgery for Feb. I am so ready for this new way of life. Im ready to be a better Mom and wife. Im ready to be HEALTHY. However, I am also terrified of not waking up, of something going wrong during surgery and of just major complications (leak is my biggest fear). I know it may seem silly, but if there's anyone out there that was in the same situation and offer some words of encouragement, I would be very appreciative. I totally understand that the risks of obesity FAR outweigh the risks associated with surgery, I just have an irrational fear I suppose. Thanks again! H

I went to the seminar on December 6 and turned in my information packet. I got a call to schedule my intake appointment and couldn’t get in until February 5. Naturally, on February 2 me and my 7 month old came down with the flu. I’ve felt like complete garbage, but I thought I might be ok to go tomorrow. Then this morning my 5 year old woke up with a fever, chills, and cough. I had to reschedule and my new appointment is March 19. It’s really not that long, but I was really looking forward to this appointment and getting the ball rolling and now I had to restart my countdown app on my phone. I’m feeling very sorry for myself. Just needed to whine a bit. I guess I’ll …

My name is Carly, and I’m new here. I’m from Oklahoma and pursuing WLS at Bailey Bariatrics in Owasso. I attended my center’s seminar on October 11th, and I had my first appointment on October 22nd. I just want to start somewhat of a journal to publicly keep track of my progress toward my WLS. My updates may be long, and I welcome anyone else who has information or questions to post here as well. My first appointment went well. We went over my medical history, talked about the process and what challenges we may run into (my family medical history of heart problems and my bipolar 2 disorder). I also had labs drawn. We get binders with loads of information and a pre-o…

Anyone out there having VSG on wed 6th feb. It’d be great to have a progress pal xxx

Going for a vsg revision to rny bypass I'm a 30 year old man. was in the greatest shape of my life after vsg. After getting diagnosed with a debilitating back injury i had to give up alot of what i used to do such as body building and 4 Wheeling Ect. So I've put on about 50 pounds in the last couple years since hurting my back. Going to Mexico for gastric bypass revision on February 12th 2019 with ALM. Anyone had any bad expierences with them?

I’m just curious what to expect for loose skin if anyone’s not opposed to showing before and after pics. I also know everyone carries weight differently so that makes a difference as well. Im one that’s evenly distributed head to toe ??

Did anyone do a complete clean out of their pantry before surgery? I am thinking about completely emptying my pantry. My husband barely eats so he would not really care. I have made over a months worth of meals for my son and have them in the freezer. I am just thinking if I clear the pantry when I go to solids I can start fresh with only healthy foods. What have others done?

What are some suggestions for packing my bag. What did you take to the hospital on your surgery day !?? ??‍♀️[emoji4][emoji418]️

I have been on my all liquids preop diet since Wednesday and I've been tracking all of my intake on Baritastic ( an app suggested to use by my nutritionist) I have been crushing my protein goals (70grams a day) and staying below my sugar/carb/ fat intake. My water intake has been great as usual. I have been hitting between the 700-800 calorie mark each day (normal as I'm told) but I have been struggling with a vertigo feeling today. I'm not sure if anyone else has had this and if so what helped or did it continue. I see my surgeon on Monday but I wanted to pick someone's brain.

My insurance approved the surgery!!!! I am scared, excited, happy..lots of emotions but most of all, grateful! Don't have a date yet but soon!

Hi so today is my final doctor supervised weight management appointment and we hope to have received everything to submit authorization ?. Now once I have been authorized, do they give you Surgery date or are you able to have a say in when you want to have it? (I am a college student and can’t afford to skip class)... just curious

Hello any april sleepers on here? I am tentatively scheduled for April and am really a ball of emotions mostly very very excited but some nervousness. I feel mentally ready I have had to do a 6 month weight loss thru my insurance company and in these first few month am down about 13 pounds. Weight loss has always been slow for me because obviously I like food and I have a good appetite! Everyone says that it will be great and the appetite diminishes post surgery any input there? Also I feel like the 6 months monitored weight loss is slow because we still have that appetite so it’s as hard to be strict?? I guess my question for post sleevers are is this normal? I feel re…

Hi everyone I'm new here and at the beginning of my journey. I have completed the seminar and application so far but haven't had an appointment yet. I have Teamcare (BCBSIL) insurance through my husband's employer and I'm just wondering how soon I'll be able to have the surgery. Will the insurance company make me do 6-12 months of nutrition classes and appointments. Is there anyone out there who has Teamcare that knows how the process goes? My BMI is well ove 50 and I have struggle with my weight all my life.

My surgery is scheduled for February 4th. I had a UTI and am currently still finishing antibiotics. I also had a strange GI virus , no vomiting but had the other yucky symptom. That's better now. But now both of my kids have colds. Anyway, I'm nervous. Anyone out there?

Hi I am new to this and I hope you can help. I have one more supervised weight management appointment till we submit for authorization. I am worried because I gained weight by 3lbs and my Appointment is tomorrow’. I been eating healthy and right portions as well, and doing weight training and cardio. my surgeon told me to start introducing exercise and that’s what I been doing as well. My question is has anyone gained during weight management supervised appointment periods? And what happened if so?

Morning all, I had my first appointment with the dietician yesterday and they gave me some paperwork showing examples of items that counted as protein,carbs, fats, and veggies and the serving amount that each counted as (1c of ... = 1 protein) . They also gave me a specific number of each that they wanted me to be having each day. Obviously not an exhaustive list or they would be giving me a library worth of paperwork. So my question is how do I figure out which category other foods fall under? Thanks!

Hello all newbie here! I had my first consultation with the dr 01/17. I have 2 appointments tomorrow for the nutritionist & a heart / cardio test? And 2/6 is the psych exam. Surprisingly it’s not much to do! I’m sooooo hoping for a quick & easy approval as I have put this off for years only due to the feelings of others. This time I choose me and what I need! I have bcbs of Illinois with my employer although I live in Texas. Type 2 diabetes diagnosis last year and Edema never had these issues before.. smh. As well I’ve been very private about this.. I brought it up before and omg the lectures I’ve heard due to being successful at loosing weight before whe…

Update! Made it through the cardiovascular, nutrition & chest x-ray appointments today and then right back to work!! Needless to say it’s been a busy, long day! 1 more appointment left for the psychiatrist on 2/6/19 and then to submit to insurance. Omg I so pray this goes through! My out of pocket has already been crazy!

Could anybody tell me how long it took for approval with bcbs fep? I over did the steps so im hoping for a quick turn around.

Aetna requires 2 years of severe obesity, which is 35+ BMI with co-morbitities or 40+ BMI without. I've only been at 40+ BMI for 14 months. Two years ago, my BMI was 36.5, and I didn't have any documented co-morbitities at the time. Though it hasn't been diagnosed yet, I probably have sleep apnea now because I snore pretty bad and didn't use to. I have my first consultation in a week, but I'm afraid I'm going to go through all this and Aetna will just end up denying me. Can anyone else with Aetna shed some light on your approval/denial?

I am confused, I am scheduled for surgery in 2 weeks and my Dr. didn’t put me on a pre-op diet. Has anyone else had the same experience?

This is my second scheduled surgery date but this time its a go!!! March 15th

Hi All, Was anyone offered the gastric sleeve with a BMI over 50? The doctors recommend a bypass for me but I do not want to go down the malabsorption route - I'd rather have the vsg surgery and work hard in the gym.

I bought this on Amazon but it might also be available at your local library.

Hey guys, thank God I received a call from my surgeon that I can have my gastric sleeves surgery on the 12th of February, that means i have 13 days and I’m so excited and so happy .. It’s will be my beginning I’ll start fresh start healthy .. it will be a new me ?

Hello! Im not sure if anyone has started a topic on this yet, and I’m new here, but I was wondering what everyone’s views on the Medical Alert ID was? Some say we should absolutely have it, others say no. What do you all think?

This is a very touchy subject. One that I’m even ashamed to be saying. Last night I found out I’m 4 weeks and 5 days pregnancy. I’m scheduled for surgery in 19 days. I already have 2 kids, and I’m a single mom. I’m doing the surgery because I need to be healthy. I have prior health issues and my last pregnancy took a toll on my body. It caused more health issues than anything. I’m scheduled to have an abortion on Tuesday. The doctor said that I could still have surgery since it’s a little over 2 weeks away. My friends surgeon said that you need to wait at least 3 months. And I read somewhere else that you should wait 6 weeks. What do you guys think? This is already the se…

I live in Virginia and was wondering what kind of experience anyone has had with Anthem Healthkeepers. It's through Medicaid if that matters. Thank you! [emoji4]

I have completed all of my insurance appointments...but they called me today and said that I need to complete a sleep study because of the way I answered my questions at first appt. Will I have to get a cpap before surgery if it comes back that I have sleep apnea???

Hi all I am new and have been looking around on the forums for the past couple of days. Pretty much to the point of addiction. I am scheduled to have surgery on March 8 for gastric bypass. I started the process in September and everything is going well. My insurance is awesome only waited about 2 weeks after I finished my group classes to get approved. Thanks to all the advice on preop I I feel ready to go waiting the next month is going to be hard. I am only required to do the liquid diet the week before surgery but from everything I have read on here I am going to start a lot earlier. Look forward to reading more about all of your experiences. SW 276 CW 258 GW TBD…

I'm still in the process stages before surgery. Soon meet with the surgeons and schedule a date. I'm still have some worries. I would like to hear how surgery went for you guys.

Hello, So I'm on my pre-op 2 week liquid diet my surgery is February 1st. Prior to today I've cheated very little such as having a small bite of salmon or something but literally just a bite. And I was going strong until earlier this afternoon I served my self a plate of food and chewed it then spit it out without swallowing it, It's the early stages to an eating disorder and I don't think I'm at risk for it but just wanted a different texture other than soup and protein shakes. Did anyone else go through this?

I'm very new to the WLS journey - I have my first consultation with a surgeon in two weeks. Can y'all think of any questions I should plan on asking? Thanks!

Good Morning! This is my first post. I made the decision to have this surgery last year. I finally saw my doctor to send in her referral in December. Time has flown by so fast since then as well as the process. I've had my first surgeon appointment & met with him & his team. I've had my blood tests and first month visit with the Dietician. I have been approved by everyone, just waiting on the insurance to approve me. I am a Senior Lady at 66 years old with Type 2 Diabetes. I wish I had made this decision many, many years ago, but I was like a lot of people swayed by the stigma that once was attached to WLS. My surgeon has recommended VSG. I have been reading …

Hi! This is my first post! My name is Raven and I'm 5'8 and 315 pounds. I had my first appointment last Friday and went over my insurance and hospital requirements. I'm required to do 6 months of watched dieting and weigh ins. Plus a whole other list of stuff like a sleep study, get cleared by a psychiatrist and take 3 hours worth of computer personality tests, have an exercise evaluation, see a nutritionist monthly, get my lungs and heart checked, and more. It feels like so much stuff (worth it of course) but the 6 months wait feels like lifetime! But I've been fat my whole life so I guess it's doable. [emoji23] They said my goal weight as far as they are concerned is 19…

I just created a Facebook group for all of us that are having the gastric sleeve done in September 2018, come join me! https://m.facebook.com/groups/2157638997846802

New Castle County, DE. Dr.Halbert is my surgeon. Looking to connect with locals !!

Hi everyone! Im a month and helf way to my surgery and yesterday my navigator called and told me that i needed one more test and is nicotine , i dont know if im going to pass it i been smoking im not a person that smokes half or one box a day I literally smoke from two or 3 cigarettes one day and like two or three day without smoking or one cigarette and the other one day same , if i do the test would it come to positive? Its blood test, or should i wait a week not smoking at all and do it please help im trying my best now not to smoke this surgery is so important to me

I have been working with my Nutritionalist to figure out what vitamins I can take after my VGS. Any that have Folic acid in the do not work for my body. I have a mutation my body can not use Folic acid or/and turn it in to Folate or L-methelfolate, which is the forms my body Can use.. Do any of you use vitamins that have folate or L-methelfolate I just want to have them here at home when I come home from Surgery. Thanks ahead of time for the help.

Anyone used Backus Hospital for surgery? What was you experience like?

Anyone used Backus Hospital for surgery? What was you experience like?

I need your help please. I have just been given my date for my pre-op assessment but I have gained weight since the seminar I attended in August when they weighed me for my final weight. Has anyone else done this and what were the repercussions? Did they take you off the programme so you have to start from the very beginning again or did you just postpone your pre-op until you had lost the weight you gained? Any help would be appreciated as just received the information today and my appointment is on Monday 28th so really scared they will throw me off the programme as this is what I was told by someone in the Weight Management Team. Many thanks in advance

If your family doctor has put you on a plan and is monitoring your weight every couple months, can that count towards the time needed for weight loss monitoring from the surgeon before surgery?

My surgery is set for the beginning of the year 2019 has got to be a better year than this last year. Everything so far is going So smooth.. I have everything in check and in line. My date is 01/15/19 at 1pm that is the time of my surgery. I will have my two oldest daughters with me to cheer me on and support me while my husband preps every thing at the house with the school age kids..lol ..lots of love in my family .. I have a great support from my best friend and my family its wonderful.. But ill see what it's like after the fact..dduntdundun

I am at the end of my pre op requirements. I did 6 months of a supervised diet, a psych eval. Saw a nutritionist and spoke with a exercise physiologist. My weight loss center has sent over my information to my insurance today and I am a nervous wreck !! How long did it take everyone else to hear back from BCBS ? What were some of your requirements ?

I'm just wondering about how long did everyone else take off for recovery ? I was told 1-2 days in the hospital and then about a week after before I return to work. I work in a triage unit for a hospital so I'm wondering if maybe 2 weeks would be better or overkill. [emoji848] I know everyone is different I'm just looking for more information.

Any UK people , I'm undecided on sleeve or bypass got pre op April I'm so scared of making wrong choice , my heart says go with sleeve but the gerd I've heard can be very bad , I like that my insides will work the same but stomach will be smaller and I hope I can control maintain ok long term ,issue is I'm type 2 deibetic so bypass is what they suggest but bypass scares me more dumping , malnutrition,bowel blockages and just the fact my insides are changed and work differently , looking for experiences pros cons your choices how it's all going etc many thanks x

Piece of cake! I was worried for nothing! Now on to dietary consult exercise consult then submit to insurance andost likely aarch surgery. I started this process Dec 18th so not bad! Super fast and easy!