PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hello. This is my first post, so I hope I’m putting this in the correct area. Introductions: I’m Jenn. I’m 36 years old, I’ve been married to an amazing man for 18 years, I have two kids (17 & 16 y/o), I’m a NICU nurse, and I’m 5’1” and 231 lbs with a BMI of 43.6. I’ve had two knee surgeries, I have heart issues, and just got diagnosed with sleep apnea. I’ve decided to move forward with surgery and I’m a bit nervous. My insurance requires a 6 month “medically supervised” weight loss program and this month will be my last appointment with my doctor before I can get my referral to the surgeon. I have a few questions for y’all: what helped you make the decisions between VGS …

Does anyone have suggestions for me as far as diet for 1800 calories for gastric sleeve. I'm new and need help my nutritionist just informed to track food intake in bariatric app. Sent from my LGMP260 using BariatricPal mobile app

Currently checked in at the hospital waiting to go back to get prepped for surgery. Shoutout to all the other June 7th surgery people!! Wrote this last night when I couldn’t call asleep. Twas the night before surgery, when all thro” the house, not a cookie was found, not even a crumb. The chicken broth was cooked by the microwave with care, in hopes that my surgery would soon be here. I then lay down nestled all snug in my bed, while visions of my tiny waist danced in my head. Dreaming me in size 10’s and all the new clothes, had me dozing away for a short summers nap. When out from my phone there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the…

I got my surgery date RNY scheduled for 6/19/18 12 more days [emoji16][emoji16] ! Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

I requested a referral for a VSG and she said she'd send it off to insurance,what happens next? How long did it take you? Sent from my KFMEWI using BariatricPal mobile app

I just started the shakes diet on Tuesday. I've been having these terrible headaches and I feel really weak. Is this normal? Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

I had my sleeve in April and purchased some things that I no longer have a taste for. Some of the items are protein shots, liquid protein, an extra large bottle of Biotene, etc. I want to pay it forward and send it to whomever needs it. Send me a message if you could use it. Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

My surgery is in 9 days and I’m on the 16-day liver-shrinking diet. I followed the diet perfectly for the first 5 days, but for 3 days in a row now, I have eaten fast food (in addition to my protein shakes). HELP! I need support!

My surgery will be April 23 just looking for others who will be starting journey as well maybe we could support each other.....

Starting pre op diet of just protein shakes for 2 weeks. How hard is it to do? I heard the first 3 days suck. Thoughts?

Hi All- Just got surgery date of June 27th. I have to admit I am nervous about it. I am hoping everything will go OK and I won't be vomiting all over the place. I was at my doctor's office today and met two very nice patients. They both said they had pain free and vomit free experiences. That made me more comfortable and hopeful that I won't have a bad experience. Anyone else out there that has a similar sleeve date as me? Should we count down the days together?

I had my second dietician appointment today..lost 7 lbs! I have a letter of support (tomorrow), endoscopy (June 15), and my last dietician appointment (July 6), then it's off to the insurance company for pre-approval! Fingers crossed I have no issues getting a letter of support, and I don't drop anymore weight (I have to maintain or I drop my BMI to 39). Penciled in tentatively for July 23rd or July 30th. Started this Journey May 10th, man it's going fast! Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

Anyone with United health care how long did it take for you to get approved? How long was the entire process from initially asking about the surgery to actually getting the sleeve done

To hear if my insurance has approved me or not.. Ugh!

I am new here! I have scheduled my surgery for June 27-2018 I am not sure what time yet but I am ready. I start my pre op diet in less than a week, I am more nervous about the liquid diet three days before surgery than almost anything cause I know I will be starving!!! The puree diet has me a little worried too LOL. Anyways I hope this is a good support system for the different stages. I gotta go take care of kids they are in my kitchen with no supervision it could be scary LOL!

Cleaning out your intestines just makes sense to me given what they are doing. My sister did this 15 years ago her Dr had her clean out. My surgery team doesn’t even mention it. So my question is did yours require you to clean out prior to surgery? If so what did you use and when? Because I’m leaning more towards doing it but I don’t know what to use or when exactly. Or is it pointless?

I had my finial visit with the Dietitian. She told me that my paperwork will be prepared today and give to Dr. McGill tomorrow for his approval. Once he sign off on my paperwork it will be submitted (by Friday) to Aetna for pre-certification. I'm a little worries because my final Weight 257/BMI is 41.5 with no Co-morbidities. During the 4 month process my weight did fluctuate. Feb. 1, 2018 - Weight 261 / BMI 42.21 (Visit with Surgeon Dr. Kevin McGill) Feb. 26, 2018 - Weight 261 / BMI 42.21 (1st Dietitian Visit) Mar. 22, 2018 - Weight 263 / BMI 42.4 (2nd Dietitian Visit) Apr. 23, 2018 - Weight 262 / BMI 42.3 (3rd Dietitian Visit) May 2…

Hi All- Just got my surgery date of 6/27. Have to say that I am nervous about it. Also I have Bipolar disorder and have many medications that I hope will still work after the surgery.

Guys, I need help to come up with the correct wording about why I am asking time off for my surgery. 1. I didn't tell anyone what I am doing and still want to keep it quit. 2. I am consultant and I need to fly to the client site for at least one week, so I need somehow to tell that I wouldn't be able to fly for another 3-4 weeks ( not sure what is the save time period after surgery), because they are looking for a new client for me right now. So from one point I thought I would write that "I am having minor surgery". but I don't think it is minor and I don't want to end up being on the plane 2 weeks after.

Well surgery is scheduled for June 7th.....4 days away. I currently don’t have anyone going with me to the hospital while I’m having surgery, is that normal? I don’t have any family here and I also haven’t told any of my friends. Only person who knows is my roommate, because he is going to pick me up from the hospital after surgery. Kinda feeling alone, but I think I can do it. Any others go through this process alone?

Any of you buy one of these for after surgery, did you need it? If so how did it help? Questioning if it’s really needed or not.

Good Morning Im having my surgery on July 19,2018. Just wondering if any one else is having their surgery in July? Just want someone to talk to about the stress of surgery and excitement

Hello fellow sleevers- need some advice and encouragement. I am two weeks post op and having a real hard time with the second phase foods. Soup, yogurt, and a soft boiled egg were “god sends” after being on clears for the first week. However, after “enjoying” some of those for the first few days, I now find myself having an aversion to all of them. Just the site and thought of protein shakes, yogurt, eggs and soup makes me nauseous. Even sipping water, something that I always did prior to surgery, doesn’t interest me. Is this normal?? Have my taste buds gone through some transition along with the surgery? I’m staying the course and trying to consume at least 70-90 g of pr…

So I went to my info seminar after waiting 2 weeks and had to leave a few minutes later. Read the new patient form and learned there was a 750 dollar program fee. I have no way of affording that. I'm relying on my insurance to cover everything except the dietitian and maybe the psych eval but 750 dollars was too much. I feel discouraged but I'm not giving up yet. I want this too much. I called the next surgeon on my list of surgeons covered by my insurance and his dietitian charges 130 for the first visit and 100 for any other visits I'll have with them. This is more doable so I scheduled an appointment with him and the dietitian March 2nd. I want to know if the dietitian…

Appointments completed! Now it goes to insurance. UGH! The waiting.... Hoping for a June surgery date, which my surgeon said is entirely possible.

Ok, My surgery is on wednesday and I followed my liquid diet, today I got so hungry I was making burgers for my family and I ate a burger, no bun, cheese or anything just the burger itself it was small, but I feel so guilty for cheating should I be worried? Will it be out of my system by wednesday?

Wanted to find out after surgery how was your rheumatoid arthritis?

I am on the liquid diet and my doctor said I could have cottage cheese. I thought he said something about refrained beans, but he may have been meaning during my soft food stage. Anyone know if you can do refrained beans or puréed avocados on the liquid diet? Apologies if this is a lame question. Thanks for your help!!!

Hey ya'll so I got approved for surgery May 17th (Thursday) and i'm still waiting on a surgery date? I FEEL LIKE I'VE BEEN WAITING for ever!! How long did it take for you to get a surgery date after approval?? Why does it take so long?

I have BCBSKS and got an approval a couple of weeks ago. Then a nurse from BCBS called me and said that in a few weeks they would "interview me" in which i would give them my height and weight. I have lost about 9 lbs since my last class for the approval process and am afraid they will find ways to deny me this late in the game. I already have a surgery date ready to go but also know insurance have done last minute denials to people in the past. Do any of you have experience with that and if so - should I be worried? Thanks.

I want to keep it private because I'm tired of people telling me it's just an easy way out of being fat when in reality it's a lifestyle change

Just did all my final lab requirements before my surgery on Oct 11th.... Including the nicotine urine test. I smoked on August 24th ALOT... then took two puffs on September 14th... Arrrrgh...and did the test today. Am I being over-paranoid? I hope I don't test dirty for the nicotine. How long do you think the two puffs will stay in my system?????

I can't believe it's a week away. I have so much on my todo list already! What have some of you done to prepare? Sent from my SM-N920P using BariatricPal mobile app

My surgery date isn’t until July 10th but, since I have somewhat of a sweet tooth, I thought I’d completely cut sugar out now. Any tips for stopping cold turkey? I’m a pretty healthy eater for the most part but I really do enjoy chocolate.

This is the last step I have before my paperwork is sent off to insurance and I have completed two sleep studies. One without the mask where they determined that I have sleep apnea and the second one with it and I was told by my advocate I need a clearance from the pulmonologist but the doctor will not sign off on that form until I've been on the machine for 30 days. Is there any way around this? I'm ready for my surgery and this is all I need to do now.

I just got my call yesterday, My insurance was approved and I’m scheduled for June 7th! Day 9 on my liquid diet and 6 days till surgery! Age:30 SW: 375 CW: 350 GW: 175 Any recommendations of things I should do before surgery or things I should pack/buy before surgery?

Hi! I've been approved for the sleeve (June 20th), and was told to obey a four-week pre-diet. The first two weeks consist of 3-4 protein shakes and 1 low carb, low calorie meal a day, and the second two weeks will be just 4-5 protein shakes a day. I'm nearly two weeks in (the 5th will be two weeks exactly) and I've followed the diet to the letter, but I haven't lost so much as a pound since starting. I started the WLS process a year ago at 360lbs, and am at 335lbs now, but was hoping to lose a bit more when I went on the pre-op diet. I meet with my dietician for his final consultation on the 5th, and am worried my lack of weight loss means I'm doing something wr…

I have Aetna and I would like to know how long it took you guys for approval once all your paperwork was submitted by the doctor. My paperwork was submitted last Wednesday the 23rd and I haven’t heard anything. I have also called my insurance to mark my claim as urgent. I know my paperwork is in the per certified stage (I basically talked to Aetna on the phone for 2 hours to make this happen). I am currently on day 7 of my liquid diet and I am trying desperately to have my surgery on June 4th or 7th (doctor is trying leave a spot open for me) I would just like to know how long your process took from paperwork submitted to approval

Hi everyone! I am new here:-) my surgery is scheduled for June 7th. My dr just told me to eat low carb week prior and full liquid diet day before. So far I am not doing too well with my low carb but am better than I was??‍♀️ Anyone here not follow a strict pre op diet?

I went in today for one of my pre-ops tests. Mind you, this was at an ambulatory surgical center that my bariatric team uses for test and such (EGD, pulmonary, etc.). The nurse who was wheeling me into the room for my procedure asked me why I was being scoped today. I told her I was going through the bariatric program and she said, "You don't look like the kind of person who needs that surgery." I was stunned and just held my breath and didn't say anything. She's a clinic nurse and not at all involved with my bariatric program, but it hit hard. She knew nothing about my comorbidities or general health and strictly made an assessment on the fact that my BMI is 40 or how I…

I just finished reading the Emotional First Aid Kit on my Kindle, and thought it was extremely helpful for my weight loss surgery journey. I have done quite a bit of research and have met with the surgeon to select RNY. I'm wondering if you helpful folks can recommend any other books I should read to help me be on the path to success. Thanks! Sarah Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

IF anyone has had him as their surgeon I was curious on your experience. Did he make you feel comfortable? How was the surgery? Any complication? I have just made an appointment with him from what I have read about him he is one of the best in the area I'm just a little nervous and want to know what to expect.

all in one picture [emoji16] Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

Anyone here have a c section as well as VSG?Is the pain level comparable?

Anyone here have a c section and a sleeve done is the pain comparable? My c section recover was really quick and easy.

I have a doctor's appointment next Wednesday and I plan on talking to my doctor about getting a sleeve done. What usually happens after the first time talking about it? What's the process to approval like?how long does it take to get a surgery date?

The wait is over and here I am in love with my pouch. The worst part about this was the 2 week preop diet. Don’t let anyone talk trash about it being just as hard post op. Right now i have no hunger no desire to eat and there’s nothing hard about that lol. Anyhow just wanted to give everyone out there that is still in the process some hope. I’m literally in cloud 9 and often catch myself with a big smile thinking wow I really just had a bypass! Yo-Yo Girl from New York City

So.. super TMI but, I’m at a loss here. Im on day 4 of my pre-op diet. I have 10 days to go. I get 3 protein shakes a day plus as much clear sugar free liquid and broth as I can stand. I did this diet before for 11 days before I had to reschedule my original surgery date. My problem here is that I have the worst diarrhea I have ever had in my entire life during this diet. I suspect the whey in the shakes and want to know if anyone else had/has this issue? My nutritionist had me switch shakes and same results. Any ideas?

I'm still very early in the process and don't see the surgeon until September 7th. I just got my packet in the mail and had no idea I had to quit smoking 2 MONTHS prior to surgery! I thought it would more like 2 WEEKS!. Now I'm in total panic and scared I won't be able to do it. I need a plan fast! Any suggestion?!?!

Sugery was yesterday, now going home. So far really good, i have a slight pain on my side, but thats real mild. Keepong every sip down, enjoying my broth and jello. Im so excited i did it. Welcome to myself to the other side. Good luck to us all. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app