PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I would love to make some surgery buddies now so we can go through all the pre-op requirements together and stick through surgery and beyond. Anyone else already know their surgery will occur this summer? My surgery is going to fall in the July or August time frame. Most of this is dependent upon checking all my surgeon's boxes, the rest is dependent upon my financing since I'm self-pay. I'll be getting the sleeve. I love my surgeon and feel really lucky to have found him. So far the pre-op stuff has gone smoothly, but I am just at the beginning stages. I've scheduled all my evals and classes and attended my first weight loss class last week. I found it to…

Guys I’m meeting with my surgeon tomorrow! So excited to get this process started!! Anyways I made a little binder with papers that I need: insurance stuff, diet history, things like that. Any advice before I go? Questions to ask, things to bring, information I should be prepared with?

Hi there! This is my first time in the app and I love reading all your messages, cheers, and life experiences. I am having my surgery on Thursday [emoji33]. I am so excited and just a little bit afraid! Hehehe. I love being part of this group working to make our lifes much better!!![emoji192]

Just wondering how much weight everyone lost in the first month after surgery. I am scheduled for gastric sleeve on Monday. Just trying to get an idea where I may be around Christmas. I know everyone is different just trying to see some averages. Thanks!

Any helpful tips or hints for the surgery? I am excited and nervous of course. The Journey is about to start!!! Did anyone have to do pre-op diet to shrink your liver?

Tomorrow the decision will be made on the gasteic sleeve request. We submitted 10/10, regence bcbs of oregon waited 13 days to review and tell me the drs notes were specific enough of when the 6 month diet started, then surgeons office took a week to send the new information in. Anyway. I'm so nervous. I'm scared. I literally dont know what I'll do if I dont get approved. I cannot lose weight at all. I est under 20 grams of carbs a day for 5 years with no loss. Just stay the same. Please pray for an approval for me

Two days guys!!!! I am excited and nervous!!!! I'm ready for it to be done w/ so I can get on w/ healing and get my life going again!! Any words of wisdom?

Well 3 days into my livershrink diet and i had to go to my pcp doctor to get refills on meds and they weighed me i was 382lbs 3 days ago now im at 374lbs somethings working and i think im starting to get a rythem going here!!!![emoji2]

It appears my dr didnt send in any chart notes worthy of the last month we've spent waiting on an answer. She didnt put any of my weights in her notes and basically just wrote that we talked about diet and exercise! So, please help me figure out exactly what she needs to have in the chart notes for it to be clear to insurance. What'd your dr write or did they use a form to document it? Please help! I'm onto my appeal now since it was denied

Ok folks i just finished my 2nd day of my liver shrink diet and this is so hard!!! Can i drink chicken broth anytime i want or either sugarfree popsicles

I just signed all the papers and I’m waiting the be prepped. I so desperately hope that this surgery gives me a tool to help me control my overeating. I don’t expect to be skinny, I just want to be in control of food instead of feeling like it controls me. I’ve never had any kind of surgery and I’m scared of the anesthesia nd the pain but I’m trying to look at this logically instead of emotionally. 20lbs down pre-op, 80-90 to go. Here goes nothing!

I had to stop taking my GERD medication in prep for the H Pylorie breath test. So I stopped taking the meds and have had terrible reflux. I am in pain with eating almost anything and I still have a few days to go. I need to get back on the medication ASAP. My surgeon said to stop taking the GERD meds for 14 days before the test. If I take the test this Friday it will only be day #13. I can wait until Monday (lab is not open on the weekend) but I am so miserable and don't have any symptoms of H pylorie so I am expecting it to come back negative. Do you think day #13 will be fine. I am dreading waiting an extra few days. So here's my concern. I read on line that …

Hi everyone, I just scheduled my surgery for December 26th and I’m a self pay patient. After I scheduled surgery I was bombarded with all the things I need to do in the next 7 weeks to prepare for surgery, including dividing my time and a full school schedule with my surgery requirements. I feel completely overwhelmed and was on the verge of a panic attack on the drive home! All of the appointments, nutrition visits, etc. as well as dealing with the reality that this is now a tangible thing in the very very near future that I’m investing a lot of money in. Did anyone have this feeling of dread and panic right after scheduling surgery? Luckily I was able to get into my …

Hello everyone! This is my first post, brand spanking new here. I'm booked for surgery here in Australia tomorrow, 22nd of Sep. I am leaning towards requesting the minimiser ring around sleeve. Has anyone had any experience with it? Also did anyone else stuff up there pre op diet? Thanks all! [emoji4]

Ok...really freaking out. I have an appointment for a TNE (trans nasal endoscopy ..i think?) on Friday. The nurse explained to me they will be sticking a tube through my nose..down my esophagus into my belly . That sounds really painful and uncomfortable. Does everyone have that done? If so is it painful?

Well folks here i go!! Im starting my liver shrink diet in 4 minuets wish me luck and lets give it hell!!!!!!

Today I got the last clearance that I need for my Dr to submit to my insurance company for approval. It just dawned on me then in a few days I will know if I will get the news that will help me get my life back. I have been pretty ok with the entire process....but NOW I'm getting a little nervous....well a LOT nervous (hee hee). I am not worried about the surgery itself. I am afraid of what my life will be like after. Fear of the unknown. I guess my biggest fear is that I will fail..and my weight will not come off like I expect it to. I have waited a very long time for this. I have worked hard, even managed to lose a few pounds on my own. I am just sooo nervous. I pray th…

Hi everyone, got a question for all those who smoked [emoji377]. How long does it take for nicotine and cotinine to get out of your body? I stopped 25 days ago and i don't want to get bloodwork done to soon. If anyone knows it will be so helpful!

How long does it usually take for insurance to approve this surgery.. It has taken forever to get everything together to meet the criteria [the 6 month attempt]and all the classes that were required ..how long does it usually take...?

I am considering weight loss surgery and I am a sugar addict. Anyone have any suggestions to help with sugar cravings?

Let me know what moderation is for you. Specifically around this Halloween candy. Is it a tiny piece each day? One day where u indulge? Im so newly post-op n candy in the house is such a big temptation. I was hoping i would be repulsed by it. I hope, as i get time under my belt with no sugar ( 1 goal i set for myself), i will feel less drawn toward it. I dont want to be the sole failure of the world with this surgery. I know some peeps eat what they want n the restriction keeps their weight in check...... Your thoughts?

I feel like i can eat too much. Surgery was 10/24 ,,, i m on the puree stage. I had about 1/2 cup of cream soup with 6 Minced ritz crackers mixed in ( was dying for some ooomph ) Seems i shouldnt b able to eat tht much. My nut said 500 or less cals the 1st 3 months, w my nighttime protein shake, it will b about 550. I m nervous off to a wrong path

For those of you who have crossed over to post-op,... how much weight have folks lost during their pre-op diet? I know it’s not the point of the diet but just wondering what results folks had. I’ve lost 9 lbs, four days into my two week liver shrinking diet.

Hey Guys, So I had my first appointment with my surgeon on Monday it went great, they set me up with all my appointments and told me if everything went well i would have my surgery by ending of October beginning November. I was super excited UNTIL today. I went to my doctors office to get some more referrals i needed and asked him for the Medically Necessity letter and he said NO. He needed to observe me for an addition 6 months. I can't believe not even my insurance is asking for that much time. Does anyone have any advice, please help.

My surgery is booked for 15th September!! Anyone else booked in for September? [emoji7]

Hey guys. As of today, I got the call and my surgery has been approved from the insurance. My pre-op visit is now scheduled for this Friday and surgery on the 16th. Y’all. I am terrified. I’m scared that my body won’t handle the surgery well. Scared that I can’t ever reverse it and eat normally again. Scared that I will die in surgery. So many things. I know I am just having the normal pre op jitters but I am so scared. I just want to know that other people also felt this way before your surgery. The countdown is on now.

I still have head hunger /desire to eat when not hungry and I’m due for surgery soon. I’ve tried psychology but it didn’t work. Half of me wants to delay it, but I know I won’t lose the weight by myself.

How many people have had the op or are waiting for there big day x

Good Morning everyone! I am 5'5" and 243lbs. That puts me right at a 40.4 BMI. From what I understand my BCBS of GA requires that I participate in a non-surgical weight reduction regimen for at least 6 continuous months. During that time BCBS requires of the 6 month program as follows: The clinical record includes: A description of “what” the individual actually did in the program, that is, did they follow the diet and exercise recommendations as an active participant for six continuous months in the two years prior to surgery? A record of the individual’s weight at the time of each preop visit, and the amount of weight loss…

I ran across some super cute swimsuits yesterday. They didn’t have any in my current size but since they are on sale I’m considering buying one in a size I think might fit me next summer. Anyone else bought clothing that you’re hoping will fit as you work towards your goal?

Hi all, I have never been a big fan of hospitals so I want to be as prepared as possible. How was everyone's experience before and after the surgery in the hospital. Lay on the nasty or painful details!!! Sent from my SM-G930V using the BariatricPal App

Based on how much weight I want to lose (BMI is 47), I have been leaning towards bypass. However there are a lot of great benefits to the sleeve and the number one thing that keeps bringing me back to the sleeve is this notion that more of your “hunger hormones” will be removed with the sleeve. When i was pregnant, my body changed so much and I didn’t want sugar, craved salads and mango, and lost over 20 pounds. My sister had the sleeve surgery and said that’s how she would describe her mental state after the sleeve. More than any amount of weight loss, I’d love to get that mental state back. I wouldn’t even call it self-control or discipline because it was a…

I've read probably 100 posts...which have all been amazingly helpful here. Every time I tell myself I'm going with the sleeve, I read the next post and believe full heartedly I should go with the bypass??? I know this is an ever-popular question but I am feeling so confused. I don't currently have GERD but is sounds horrible. I also don't like the idea of "dumping". I want to lose 150 pounds. I am 100% committed and ready for surgery which will probably be this November or early December. I want to make the best, most informed decision for myself. I don't want a revision down the line...not that anyone does. One question I have is does artificial sugar/sweetener…

Hello everyone! I’m just wondering if anyone started taking supplants and vitamins like at the very beginning stages? I have my first appointment scheduled with the surgeon but I was wondering if I should get a jump start on them now? I don’t know if it would be beneficial or help me out any. :)

Hey I was just wondering what was required by everyone’s insurance as far as pre surgery monitoring for diet. I have read tons of things and most common that I’ve seen was 3 months and 6 months. I got some information sent to me from a the surgeons office that said my insurance requires 7 months.. this seemed weird to me because I feel like 7 months is a random number and I’m pretty positive I read that my insurance required 3 months. Just curious and wanting to see what other people’s experience was! Thanks! :)

When she told me I don't have to do a preop diet before my revision surgery in Jan! yay, so happy, the first time was bad enough

Hi there - I don't know quite how to word this, but I feel like my surgeon's office is stringing me along and like perhaps I won't get approved and they know it? My BMI is on the lower side at 36 - but I have diabetes, high BP, high cholesterol, and PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome). My Dr and I discussed it and she is fully on board with me having WLS. All those other co-morbidities are actually being caused by my PCOS, and she gets it because she has it too, and had WLS herself. She wrote down the name and number of the surgeon's office I should call - so I did and set myself up as a new patient. They are well respected - and I personally know 4 other people …

We look forward to the End of Year Holidays.Starts with Canadian Thanksgiving then Guy Fawkes Day in the UK, Ameican Thanksgiving, a month Later Christmas and Then the Old Year leaves and a New One Begins. This Year is your Special Present?This Year Weight Loss Surgery? Are you counting down the Days until it occurs? Well here is a forum to share Surgery and Success! And hopefully It will be Wonderful for All.

I had my first appointment with the surgeon last night and I see light at the end of the tunnel. Now, normally I am not an optimistic person. If something can go wrong or plans get messed up, it will happen to me. It's just the way things seem to work out for me. For starters, I am really glad I chose this Dr. I like his personality, he is very straight-forward. I had started journaling on MFP right after the seminar, so I printed off those days and put them in a binder for Dr. Gagne to take a look at. He told me not to change anything. To keep eating exactly the way I am currently eating that my protein is perfect, my calories are good, my fat is good…

I've been on my pre-op diet for 5 solid days now and I have lost 1 lb! I thought we are supposed to lose weight on this thing! My surgeon said "everybody" drops a lot of pounds in these 16 days and I have lost 1lb. ONE. And I am starving! What gives!? I have two shakes a day that are 100-180 calories each and one frozen meal under 300 calories and that's it! If I can't lose weight eating this few calories, how will surgery help? Feeling discouraged.

Today I finished my pre op testing and appointment- its real, 5 days left before surgery, I cannot belive it has come so fast. What did people need at the hospital? What did you take? What were some concerns that would help to ask beforehand to avoid before being sent home? Things to ask doctors or nurses about? I am just extremely nervous feeling like I am missing things I will need, or mess something up pre - op. I have the jitters..... So preparing ideas, or anything encouraging right now would be aweosme. Thanks guys. ANyone else my surgery buddy on 10/29

So, I completely understand why we have to drink liquids only after surgery. And I completely understand why we need to shrink our liver and how eating very low carb and low sugar can reduce it. What I don’t understand is why it has to be liquids only before surgery? Does anyone know? Also today is day 7 of my 14 day liquid diet and I found a random scale (I don’t own one) and I’ve lost 5 pounds. I was probably going to hurt something if that scale hadn’t moved a bit after seven days of suffering.

I know this is the very beginning, but I am so excited!! I just set my first appointment to meet with my surgeon, and I can’t believe it’s actually happening! I’m getting all my stuff together, paperwork and documentation to take with me but I was hoping to get some words of wisdom from anyone whose already been there and done that! I’ve got a long road ahead but at least the ball is rolling now! Yaaaay!

Hello friends i got my surgery date for my bypass surgery for november 27th they gave me a 3 week liver shrink diet to do but it doesnt look bad!! Praying i can do it

Day 3 of liquid diet n I have spent all day in the bathroom! How will I ever get sleep tonight?!?!

I just found out that my insurance approved surgery!! I won't be able to have surgery until October because of my work schedule. Anyway, I really wasn't getting my hopes up in case insurance didn't approve it, but now it's real omg. I'm nervous and excited and would love someone to be buddies with through this. Any takers? I'm 37. I have 4 kids (14, 11, 4 and 2) and I'm a teacher. I am starting with a BMI of 40 exactly with no comorbidities. Anyone out there with similar stats? Even different stats but you are having surgery in October? My date is 10/4.

Hey guys, what’s everyone pre op diet looking like? I need to call the nutritionist tomorrow but the sheet was very vague.

I am scheduled for October 22nd and I am nervous that I am not fully prepared and I’m not talking mentally or physically. I am meaning that I am Not sure if I have everything I am needing for the first couple of weeks. Anyone want to provide me some tips or things I definitely will need the first couple of weeks post surgery?! Thank you in advance!!!

Surgery is scheduled for Wednesday. I gave a few days off before then. Do you think it’s ok to touch up my color I have lots of grey..lol. Also I get my eyelash extensions refilled every 2 weeks should I get that out the way too?

Hello! I am hoping to get some encouragement because I am driving myself crazy with anxiety over not being approved by my insurance. My doctors office told me to not call the insurance before 7 days after submission because this could delay the process. Has anyone heard this before? How long did it take for you to get approval notice? It seems like there's a lot of people who got approved within hours. My paperwork was submitted on Oct 11th. Thank you very much!