PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hi all! I haven’t received a date for my surgery yet, but my surgeon wants me to lose 14 pounds (5% of my body weight) before it’s scheduled. I’m supposed to eat a total of 1700 calories in 3-4 meals/day. It’s HARD getting that many calories in only a couple of meals while also eating healthy! Can anyone share your meals you eat in a day before surgery?

How are you doing? Surgery is over, we are now our way to the other side. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

I hate to say it but I messed up on my pre-op last Saturday by drinking some alcohol. My surgery is Friday and I'm a little scared that my liver will not be shrunk up enough. Is it possible to just drink liquids for 3 days and have my liver small enough to do the surgery?

Hi All, I got conflicting information about taking my vitamins in the pre op phase so I stopped all supplements including the multi vitamin. Now I feel like I’m coming down with a cold and wanted to give myself a boost with some Vitamin C. My surgery is on Friday. Is this allowed?

Hello, I was approved for surgery last Thursday and scheduled the actual surgery date for May 15th. I am beyond excited! I am pleased with how smooth the insurance approval went. It took one day to get an approval so thankfully I did not have to wait. Anyone else have surgery in May? And for those of you who have already had surgery what do I pack in my hospital bag? I am so looking forward to this next chapter in my life.

I am on day 6 of a 10 day pre op liquid diet. Today I had to travel and forgot to carry my protein powder for lunch and dinner with me. I ended up having about 3-4oz of lean chicken breast with about a cup of copped veggies for dinner. I also had about a cup of wonton soup broth only. How much damage did I do in the grand scheme of shrinking my liver?

So i finally got the call. My date is May 29....so I start my liquid diet on May 15th. Who else shares my date. Super excited, super scared. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

I was wondering, What are the essentials I will need for the hospital stay and after I get home? I want to make sure I have everything but not go overboard with things I don't need or won't use. I am on a budget:( Thanks so much!

I am starting on the 2nd month of my mandatory 6 month pre-op! I decided to jump on in and get all the mandatory stuff out of the way, blood work, Dr clearance, upper GI, and psychologist eval. I go for the upper GI next week and then it will be nothing but a waiting game. I hate the hurry up and wait. The surgeon isn't putting me on any special diet and I will not have to do a 2 week liquid only diet, so that's good. So what do you do while you wait? I have worn out Youtube videos and forum posts reading everything I can about the surgery and other peoples stories.

Hi i wanted to know for those who had the EGD Test performed what are somethings that were found?

So on Monday i was approved for the sleeve! My date is June 6. I have to go for pre admission surgery testing on Thursday. I’m just curious as to what that would include. Blood work? If so, what are they testing for? EKG? Anything else? Thank you! And if you have the same surgery date as me, let me know!

I’m really happy with how easy this whole process has been. Was cleared my the pulmonologist and they even gave me the home sleep study machine. X-ray being done today, blood work Friday morning. Nutritionist and seminar next Wednesday and Thursday. Body composition and RMR in May 14 and next appointment with surgeon on May 15th. After that psychiatrist and ultrasound of upper GI. I’d love for surgery by first week of June but probably won’t be until End of July realistically. Hoping and praying there are no setbacks!

HI all, I have my endoscopy in two days. I was wondering what to wear? Do they make you change? How about underclothes? Do they make you take them off? Someone told me that you are mostly awake because they ask you to swallow every so often. I thought I would be all the way out. I gag just thinking about being awake with that going on. Has anyone had one recently? Thanks guys!!

How was that experience for everyone? I’m super nervous, not sure what to expect or what they’ll do lol Thanks for your help! [emoji5]

I've noticed that Caresource of Ohio used to require a 9 month supervised diet but I saw that as of 5/1/2018 it is now a 6 month supervised diet. I don't know which diet to follow.

My Dr doesn't require a 2 week liquid diet like most people who I read about. Just a low carb. Is this out of the norm? Should I go on one anyhow to make it easier on myself for surgery? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

Sorry Ive been MIA! A lot has been going on in my life... but I finally got my dates!!! Pre-op work is June 8th and surgery date is June 21st! I also finished a 4 hour class our insurance makes us take on friday. Is it weird that im terribly excited?!

I have had chronic fatigue for 30 years - started back when I was young and thin - and diagnosed with fibromyalgia about 12 years ago. I am scheduled for vsg on 8/7. Would love to hear others' experiences around these issues and vsg. How was your recovery? How do you feel now? Improvement? Worsening? Thanks for your input!

I'm 12 days away from sleeve in juarez mexico. Please tell me your experiences. Preoperative diet ect.

I'm 12 days away from sleeve in juarez mexico. Please tell me your experiences. Preoperative diet ect.

Hey all, I'm having trouble getting my daily water intake (64ounces). Any advice? Or any extra tips? Good flavor packets that we can drink?

What are the pain levels to be expected after surgery? Is there anything to help reduce or manage pain without the use of pain meds?

Hi all I am getting my sleeve done next Tuesday (29th) I’m very excited! ? I have been on the pre surgery diet for a week and a half now, I’m in the UK so I’m on a prescribed low carb, low fat diet (around 800 calories a day) I lost a fair amount of weight in the first week (13lb) but now it seems to be going back on. I am keeping to the diet religiously and am getting slightly worried I’m not going to lose any weight after I have the sleeve! Did anyone else not lose weight on the pre op either? Thanks! ?

Got a call from the Dr. with my date Nov 24th Yippie!! But now I am freaking out because I was told I would not have a blood test but today they said I would. I am a smoker and have been for years. I quit when I was pregnant with both kids and another time, but NEVER cold turkey. I was, in my little plan, going to fully set my quit date for 10 days before surgery but now I am afraid the nicotine will show up in my blood test and I will be denied. Has anyone smoked and passed the blood test? Don't get me wrong, I am not going to go through all this only to continue to smoke, but I need to get in the mind set, I was planning to have my last Cig this Sunday night afte…

Hello everyone. So as some of you may already know, I was scheduled for surgery May 14th but that was a dubbb my team had to cancel my RNY and now I’m scheduled for Monday the 21st so I lost all my tweensies. I’d really like some new ones to compare my progress with. And yes I’m totally stalking everyone for May 21st but In a good way [emoji28] Yo-Yo Girl from New York City

Today is preop surgery on Tuesday, just 1 more long weekend to go. Im still mot nervous, but super excited. Im sure Monday night i won't be able to sleep...lol I weighed on day 1 of my 14 day liquid diet, so im super excited to see how much I've lost in 12 days. Im ready for Monday I can have some broth, silly that I'm excited for broth. Lol but 14 days of jello, and protein shakes will make you excited about anything. Good luck to us all, can't wait to be on the losers bench. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello everyone I am new to this entire process, I am going to visit will a surgeon tomorrow for the first time, I’m honestly so scared. This is something I have been in denial about for a very long time. This past month I have been trying to start a diet, key word there trying.. I just can’t find what words for me. I also have 2 children, I’m a single mom, I have sat them down and explained this new chapter in our home of learning to eat better, they kind of understand and kind of don’t. So to bother everyone will this stuff. Just looking for motivation and some diet ideas. New friend.

Anyone else here having to do a two week diet before there surgery and if so how’s it going for you ?

I am in the beginning of my journey and obviously changing eating habits. What are some of your favorite recipes or websites to find bariatric friendly recipes. Thanks in advance.

Hey! I have heard so much about liposuction but I didn't exactly know what it was until recently. Liposuction basically is a type of cosmetic surgery that removes fat from our body to give it more shape. It can be done on the abdomen, buttocks, cheeks, neck, hips, knees, thighs, and breasts. When I heard what it is all about, I feel like I should get it done. It is mainly because I put on a lot of weight and everywhere I go people keep telling me that I have gained lots of weight. This is really embarrassing and I don't even step out of my house now. I stopped meeting my friends too. They always come home to meet me. It's not like I haven't tried to lose these extra …

I am on my 3rd day of an 14-day optifast diet and I am so hungry and tired. I want to workout but I feel I am gonna die lol. Did you workout on your liquid diet ? If so, were you allowed to eat a little more to compensate ? I really want to move especially because I know I won't be able to do so after the surgery. Sent from my LG-H831 using BariatricPal mobile app

Ok, I just got my date, Tuesday, June 5. I've been doing a lazy version of Keto as my pre-op diet until now and have not been tracking my food, but I certainly will starting doing so the day after surgery. I know that Bariastic and MyFitness Pal are two of the most popular apps for food and activity tracking. However, are there any apps that store your information on the web and also have websites that allow you to enter all of your information as well? I love my phone, but I spend most of my time on a computer and it would be much easier for me (and my eyes) to be able to enter everything through a website as well as a phone?

Hi everyone, I'm planning on getting either gastric bypass surgery or the duodenal switch through Duke. I had to do a year of medicalized weight loss for my insurance. It will be a year on August 16. Does anyone know how long it typically takes insurance companies to approve surgery? Can you set your surgery date before you have approval (IE before August 16?) I'm so anxious that I will have to wait but I really can't afford to miss too much teaching, and if I got it done as close to August 16th as possible, I might be able to minimize my absence to a week because of when the semester starts. If anyone has had any experience with the switch, negative or positi…

I have to take this on the two days before surgery. Problem is I work both those days. Wondering how this works. I've never taken it before. Will I be a long time in the bathroom? Can I make it to the bathroom? Lol Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

June 19th! Geeze it' so darn close!!! I'm so excited but so much to do!! Anyone else that day? HAPPY LOSING!!

Gastric bypass or VSG??? I had my first visit with my bariatric doctor and he advised me that I should do bypass. I'm confused and I don't know what I should do? Please help? Btw I'm 25 year old Male weighing in 298 lbs height 5'7.5" tall.

Hello, Ladies and Gents. It's time for a May 25th roll call. We won't' be at the BBQ this year but--we're still having a party!: Have you?: Taken your before pics Purchased everything you need Packed Re-reviewed your surgeon's instructions regarding the day/night before surgery

I will be on the losers bench, who's with me? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

Anyone else on their liquid diet have a terrible taste in their mouth? I brush my teeth, mouthwash, so many times a day. But cant make it go away. Of course im only allowed 3 protein shakes a day, 1 jello, or 1 sugar free popsicle. So it makes is, but goodness its terrible. Its almost over. Im day 9 of 14. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

How did/do you deal with the 6 months of waiting and weigh in? Its sending my anxiety through the roof. I usually sorry myself by planning and researching it preparing. But I can't lose weight or I don't qualify. I already scheduled all of my tests and appointments so now I'm just here... Spinning wheel and feeling anxious that I won't be approved, that i won't be successful.l, that I'll fail. How to do I handle 5 more months of this?

Hi! I’m new here and only a couple months into my journey. So far I have been accepted into the local bariatric program, seen the psychologist and was approved, and now I’m meeting the surgeon for the first time tomorrow. Does anyone have any advice/insight/questions I should ask? I really have no idea how it’s going to go and what the steps after will be (most insurances require X amount of months dieting, mine does not). I’m nervous and excited!

One final dietitian appointment next week followed by my last surgeon appointment before submitting to insurance. Probably looking at a late June/early July if all goes well! Any advice for last minute nerves?

My BMI is a 35/36 right now (this is my calculation based on my own cheap personal scale and the last time I was measured for my height). I have high blood pressure and I take medicine for it. I probably have high cholesterol too but it hasn't been checked in a while. I haven't had my consultation with the surgeon yet. I have only attended the online seminar that is required to learn about the options available to me. I'm curious though if there is a site or section of this site that I can find others that have been approved for surgery with similar stats as mine. I am SO NERVOUS! Also - what is the first consult like? Do they go over insurance requirements th…

Hey guys, is anyone having the surgery on the 17th of July? I could do with a buddy! I’m 18, a female from Ireland

Hi, I'm very excited to be here, and very new here but I appreciate the wealth of knowledge already. I went for my first appointment on 5/12/18, and have my endoscopy, psych, PCP and 2nd dietician appointments scheduled. The office said that I can get approved for surgery in 3-4 months, so I am hopeful I will be getting sleeved end of August, beginning of September. I am not required to lose weight to get approved (just can't gain weight). I currently have a 41 BMI and cant wait ro get it down to a healthy range. Anyone else brand new to this ENTIRE process? HW 263 CW 241 GW 150 Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

I wanted a place where those of us having surgery on May 29th can all hang out/support each other. How are all the pre-op diets going? There were cookies left for us nurses from the hospital auxiliary and I have really been fighting the urge to eat one. Only a couple more hours until I can have a protein shake. Trying to stay strong!

So- I’ve made all of the requested changes... and received my date... except I’ve still got to quit vaping. I started vaping to quit smoking and have not smoked in about five months! I have been very up front with my team about the vaping. However, now I’ve got to give up my vape pen, as I’m going to be tested for nicotine next month. I quit it a month ago, but then got super stressed out and started vaping again. My plan is to go cold turkey on it again tomorrow. I’ve asked my husband to not let me borrow his vape under any circumstances. He is not great at telling me no.. or being assertive towards me... [emoji23][emoji23] but I am struggling so much! Any tips on …

I thought Day 1 would have been easier than it was. I was pumped and motivated yet failed. I at another 3 ounces of meat because my head was killing me. It didn’t help & now I’ve actually CHEATED myself. I pray tomorrow will be better and I need y’all to send prayers and positive energy my way.

I’m month away from having gastric sleeve, i know I’m supposed to eat as healthy as possible, but I have food addiction issues. Anybody else suffer from binge eating disorder? And were you successful with weight loss and maintenance after surgery?

7 months of education classes, weigh-ins, blood tests, pulmonary and heart tests, psychological screening, and various other appointments have finally brought me to the actual surgery this upcoming Monday. I had my pre-admission testing and meetings with the doctor today, blood test too which came back ok. I'm on the liquid diet currently and ready to go. I was thinking the other day. Some of the winter clothes I've worn all season will never be worn again, most of my clothes won't (except for some I kept when I had lost a lot of weight on my own 2 years ago). I've never been skinny. I've been smaller but never have reached my goal. I'm really excited to st…