PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hello, so I've been wanting to have weight loss surgery for a few years now, but haven't because I've been worried about something...and have felt to awkward to ask anyone over the last few years. I know that you have to get a complete physical before hand right? My only thing is, I know a complete psychical for a woman includes a pap smear, and pelvic exam, correct? I don't want to get too personal, but I was sexually abused throughout my childhood and I have always turned down these exams in the past as an adult. I know how stupid it sounds, but it's just something I absolutely do not want to go through with. My question is, do I absolutely need a pap/pelvic…

My surgery is on July 10, 2018 .. And i'm getting so nervous because my grandma is making me nervous. It took a year and some change to get approved and get the entire process rolling for this surgery.. I did many of the tests required during spring 2017. My most recent test was a comprehensive metabolic blood panel done this past Tuesday.. They did see an increase in my White blood Cell count and in my platelets. They asked if I had a cold. And I do.. but its very slight just some stuffiness in my nose and sneezing every now and then. The nurse practitioner said it shouldn't be a problem at all especially since I don't have any other symptoms like fever... But i find it …

I’m looking at surgery at the end of September. I’m feeling awful lately. Needless to say I have some time before I start the pre-op diet but I want to start it so bad! Anyone else in a similar situation? I need an all or nothing solution to last me the next 6-7 weeks. What do I do?!

I know it’s early, but I figured I’d make a spot in this big Bariatric world for those of us who are getting surgery done in November. We can keep each other motivated and sane especially around the holiday of Thanksgiving.

When you got home from the hospital, did you need someone around for a few days to help you in any way? I live alone and am wondering about that.

Hi all. I am scheduled for sleeve surgery a week from today - July 6th. My surgeon had my Pre-op diet as a list of foods to avoid (including bread, sweets, corn, beans, etc) and a list of approved foods such as meat, eggs, dairy, etc so that we can "shrink our livers" for the surgery. I started mine early in hopes of getting in sooner (the nurse told me if there was a cancelation and I had 14 days under me I could move up). I've been following it pretty religiously, and as such in 17 days, I've lost 27lbs. But this close to the finish line has me paranoid. There was a time I ate organic jerky thinking it was meat and discovered halfway through it contained cranberries (fr…

Hello forgive me if this issue has been asked plenty of times alreasy i just have a concern... so next week is my 6th month appt for the med supervised diet i am required to do for insurance. I am required to lose 29lbs before i am cleared for surgery. I have been cleared for everything else. I i have lost only 10lbs which has been a horrible struggle since i began. My question is will the paperwork be sent in anyway with my documentation that i attempted to lose this much? Or will i be forced to continue until i lose the rest? I have meridian medicaid, 290lbs, have high bp, diabetes, and sleep apnea. I am becoming exhusted and am ready to give up again. What will ha…

HI Everyone, I have to go in for some sort of sleep study later in July. Has anyone else had to do this?

Today I recieved the most horrible news. My drs office callled and canceled my surgery that was scheduled july 6 2018. I am highly upset and disappointed in myself. After doing so good I’ve failed . I went to my preop appointment last Friday my younger brother passed away weds. Under stress I did smoke a cigarette or two. I just wish I hadn’t of done it I wish I had coped differently. Now I may never get my surgery. I talked to the nurse an she said she will tell my doctor my situation but I don’t think it will make a difference, I believe we get one chance then your kicked out the program for good.?? since getting this news I’ve been in my room just sulking. I don’t know…

Hello! So I have been trying to get the sleeve and finally everything is in. All doctors and tests. But my job needs a doctor letter and I am unsure if the paperwork has even been submitted to insurance. I call the coordinator and email the documents.... no response and no confirmations. I am so worried and I cannot sleep without thinking this is all going to fall through. It is so hard to reach the coordinator and she may be going out on leave soon. I am a person who needs confirmation but... I never know with this coordinator. And I worry that everything will fall through...because I could not connect with the necessary persons.

Hello everyone! I could use some tips on managing my insulin resistance. So, I received a call the other day from my surgeon's office saying that my bloodwork showed that I have insulin resistance (something that I've known for years that I have and told him that I have...but whatever) and that he wants to put me on Metformin. Normally I'd be fine with this; however, Metformin makes me ill. I was on it for years, all sorts of dosages and even the extended release, but nothing changed the fact that I would get nauseous and occasionally vomit. I'm going to be seeing him in a few days, but I was wondering, for those of you with insulin resistance how do you manage …

So I just shaved day before surgery and I was looking on online of things not dondo before surgery and it said do not shave. Now I’m worried! Can anyone please clarify.

Dr. Kharbutli, MD is an awesome doctor with an exceptional staff. He thoroughly explained everything to me prior to surgery, stopping and asking if I had any questions. My time in the hospital would be over night. When I came out of the room I was greeted by Richard, who went over my calendar with me as we set up all of the appointments needed prior to the surgery. The dietician, exercise class, psych evaluation, followup appts, etc. I was then given a booklet that details everything you need to know before and after surgery. This is about the surgery itself and what to expect afterwards. I was also given samples of things to try before surgery. His office is run like a …

I’m my prep op diet. I have 4 days left until surgery and just started having bad constipation. Any advice would be helpful.

My surgery is scheduled for July 9th. Anyone else? Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Preop here guys. I’ve made a huge mistake. I had my last weigh in, got my surgery date and insurance approved it. Then I went a little nuts this week. I’ve had onion rings, greasy sandwiches, hot dogs, chips, sugary cocktails, root beer, pizza, chicken strips, ice cream..... and right now I’m paying for it. My stomach hurts. My body is saying “WTF are you doing?! Why would you stop eating this crap for 6 months only to turn around and binge on it?” I hope I remember how this feels a week, a month, a year from now. That crap food and sugar was not worth it.

Hello, My surgery is July 11th. My last pre-op appointment is tomorrow. I’m worried because I was 347 at my last appointment and I’m 355. Who is having surgery this month? I’d love to talk to people who are in the same stage. Thanks, Laura

Hi through my whole pre op journey and approval I've had my mind set on doing the sleeve but after speaking to my doctor and him listing all my co-morbidities: Diabetic - Hypertension - Sleep Apnea his advised a full by-pass. I now doctor knows best but I'm still unsure of what to do. Any post op expieriences out there with the same co-morbidities that can offer advice? Tentative surgery date of September 3rd.

Hey all, I am getting sleeved on 21st and I have a question about the hair loss. I am assuming that facial hair loss will be in the picture I was wondering if any guys that have gone through it with facial hair. I have a nice full beard and am not looking forward to losing it (but C'est la vie). I was wondering how bad other guy's facial hair loss has been and when it started and stopped (and any other info on this subject you think could be helpful). Thanks in advance all!

I'm very confident in my Surgeon and he has much expirence in doing the take down and sleeve as one procedure, so I'm not really wanting opinions on that. I'm just curious of the recovery and hospital stay of anyone that has had this combined surgery. Thank you [emoji6] Sent from my SM-S765C using BariatricPal mobile app

My VSG is tentatively set for the end of August. Did anyone begin exercising before surgery? Did it make recovery easier? I want to do what I can to diminish my recovery time and pain. Sent from my SM-G892U using BariatricPal mobile app

I really think everything will be easy for me except the smoking part. I need help, advice and maybe a buddy on this! Because I KNOW it's required for surgery. Thank you.

Hello everyone! My friend and I are both going through the pre-surgery process, although I'm a few months ahead of her. I've had my gross taste-test and found a small hiatal hernia and some reflux, and my surgeon says I have to do the gastric bypass due to the reflux (bummer, I was hoping to do the sleeve, but oh well). Next up is the dreaded endoscopy. I'm more worried about that then the surgery right now! My friend had her first consult, and was told SHE had to do the sleeve, not the bypass, due to some pulmonary edema issues she at a gallbladder surgery. Poor girl. But, they told her (the other surgeon at hospital), that some people prefer to do bypass just …

I was just wondering hoops Tricare made you go through? I live in Oklahoma, if that means anything lol. Thank you (: Sent from my LGLS676 using BariatricPal mobile app

If you are preop, there is something you’ll want to ask for from your surgeon and anesthesiologist the day of surgery. It’s called the **Valsalva maneuver** and is done at the end of the procedure. It’s a deep push of the lungs to get the CO2 out of your belly before closing incisions. This will prevent the shoulder/ gas pains postop that so many people complain of. Ive been talking about this with a friend that had her RNY last week and she said it worked great. Soreness at the incision sites but no gas pain. Remember you must mention it to your ANESTHESIA provider, as it’s actually done by them and not the surgeon. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/18448749…

I got my Necessity Letter today Two more nutritionist appointment, EDG and a pre surgery education class and I’m ready to summit to insurance I’m getting excited

Okay everyone, I have finally gotten surgery date and I am 6 days down on my liquid diet.... My surgery is June 4th at 8:30 am.... Where is everyone else at in their journey? What all have y'all purchased at this point in ya'lls journey? Sent from my A466BG using BariatricPal mobile app

In less than a week I will be sleeved! I've got my fridge stocked with all of the essentials, my medications all changed to liquid, my living quarters set up to be conducive to someone who just had surgery, as well books and a netflix/amazon/hulu queue list to keep me busy for quite a while (I took 2 and 1/2 weeks off). I still have some final questions... 1) "Practicing" not drinking with meals and sipping is very different than living it after surgery. The idea of only being able to sip water seems so bizarre to me. Did you get used to it? 2) Caffeine has been very difficult to give up for me (I only drink coffee black, not soda or anything else). I found all…

Hi everyone, I 'checked in' w/my doc office today to see if they'd heard from my insurance company, they said they'd been trying to call me b/c they want to schedule my survey for July 3! (It's June 22! Not sure if my vm was full or what?!) I mentioned I have a fatty liver and asked, don't I need the 2 week diet (their 2 week diet), they said a week should be fine. So....tell me what to do and buy and for how long I should have a sitter watch my kids afterward and are there any decent sized vitamins out there that I can actually swallow, and any other advice? I was picturing being told my date was 3-4 weeks away, I'd eat a few of my favorite meals, have my…

I was so opposed to having wls for many years until I became so hopeless and desperate enough to attend a seminar August 2017. The ball has kept rolling and before I know it, I have been approved by insurance and received a date. My family (mom and sis) are supportive but afraid and that is where I am today. I was not excited to hear that I received a date. Up until a few weeks ago, I had made a firm decision to have vsg surgery. I could not wait to hear the news I received yesterday. But after doing months of research, I am freaked out about the possibility of having vagus nerve problems after surgery. I have read a lot of positive experiences of this surgery but the neg…

Hello there folks. I am new here. Just started today. It seems kind of overwhelming, to think that this is something I want to do and the process that goes along with it. I have selected a surgeon, and facility. My insurance covers it, but has like all, prior requirements. I have my appointment with primary care for necessary referral. I called my insurance company and they didn't tell me much.... I will be calling back tomorrow as I have waited and waited. Anxiety gets the best of me. I was told, however that I need to complete 7 monthly weigh ins and have a therapist that deals in nutrition. I go on june 21 for my initial seminar with the surgeon. With that being said …

I have a doctor's appointment in a couple hours where i plan on asking my doctor for a referral so I can get a VSG my bmi is 49.7 I'm 24 and my family keeps saying no they won't do it (we all have the same doc) I've decided that this is what I want to do but I'm scared of rejection

Ok folks. It has begun. I had my "last" meal last night and started the all liquid pre-op diet today. It wasn't bad. As long as I drank a protein shake every 3-4 hours I had no hunger.

Any good ideas or suggestions/advice for my 2 week preop liquid diet ??

Hey y’all! This is my first post as I’m still in the consult stages of trying to get the VSG surgery. I meet with the surgeon for the first time on 7/3/18 however I have a few concerns with the requirements of my insurance; Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. A friend (and coworker) of mine had this procedure done in December 2017 so I have a bit of info on how things will go with our insurance, but I have concern with what is considered as this “continuous 6-month non-surgical weight-loss regimen” requirement. I have called BCBS several times all of which I have been told the same thing; the 6 months have to be consecutive/continuous in the past 2 years. This means no bre…

So i found out from my surgeon that before they send my info to the insurance that i had to be cleared from a pulmonary doctor and a cardiac doctor. Did anyone else have to be cleared by these doctors through your insurance. I have state insurance and apparently they changed the requirements a while back. Sent from my LGMP260 using BariatricPal mobile app

My doctor is requiring pulmonary clearance but I have no pre-existing conditions like sleep apnea or anything. Did anyone else have to do this? What was required?

Can I suck on sugar free candy

In reading a few post... What does the [emoji288] mean? Sent from my LG-LS777 using BariatricPal mobile app

I’m very concerned about hair loss...I known to some people that’s not important but I just grew my hair over the past year...is there any way to avoid hair loss?

Well I'm omw to surgery as I type this. I'm not nervous at all believe it or not, just thirsty. Lol Time has flown by and I am ready for the new me! Well wishes for all who has surgery today also!! Prayers going up!! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

Here are some good informative videos from a bariatric center I ran across on You Tube, if you haven't seen them already. Sometimes when you go to the sessions at your own facility you may miss things, these are helpful reminder or may help you develop questions for your own team. https://www.youtube.com/user/BariatricKC/videos

Okay so finally made it to surgery, everything is done and I’m at the final line. But my right side feels bloated and kinda tight. I been drinking my water and protein and broth today. Anyone else feel kinda weird or bloated on the right side? Should I worry about it?

Hi everyone, Tomorrow is surgery day, and I guess I'm going through the roller coaster of emotions that everyone does. I've been on the liquid diet for 7 days now, I cheated once and I had really mixed feelings afterward. Part of it was guilt, and a much larger part was a sense of entitlement that I felt that I had deserved it since I had done so well not cheating(ironic I know). I guess I'm really anxious because I live so far away from my surgeon and her support staff, it's almost a 4 hour drive each way. I've met her once and was given a long list of things to take care of on my end, the GI clearance, Cardiac clearance, blood work, etc., and I never really…

Had final nutrition appt yesterday & met with doctor. Submitting to insurance; anyone know approx time length for BCBS Fed to approve? Doc says I should be able to have surgery in July!!?

HI all, I am due to have VSG surgery on July 10th and I am currently in the pre-op diet phase. However I am struggling with it massively. I have successfully managed to kick my 15-a-day smoking habit and am now almost 3 weeks smoke free. I'm really proud of this. My surgeon has recommended a four week pre op diet that is not liquid based but is low carb. I actually started my pre op diet just under two weeks early and all was going really well until this week. I just cant seem to remain in the same swing of things and it is all a struggle this week. I completely messed up more than once and have ended up stuffing my face with various foods on two occasions. This isnt…

Has anyone or is anyone doing keto diet or low carb diet to drop pounds before surgery? I need to lose some pounds before my preop appt but I dont know if this type of diet is dangerous to do before surgery. Im wondering if anyone has any experience with this?

Just got approved for gastric sleeve and no need to take classes. Will find out my date tomorrow. Only took insurance 4 days for approval. Are most dates being scheduled 4-6 weeks out from approval? Did some of you get scheduled less than that?

Bypass tomorrow. Anyone have something they wish they brought to the hospital or something they could have done without? Cell phone, charger, wallet, t-short, toothbrush, underwear... Thanks!

Anyone else get approved with this insurance?? I know they pay for it, but need information on the requirements and time length and such for “this” insurance specifically please!!! I hear a lot of different things from different people.