PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Has anyone use medicaid in Maryland...if so where and who was your surgery...I'm currently looking at the program at Doctors community hospital in Lanham? Sent from my SM-G935V using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi I’m scheduled for June 5th. Excited but extremely nervous! Anyone in June? Best wishes to ALL:)

Although I feel the duodenal switch would be most benecial I’m terrified of the lack of nutrients. The duodenal switch has the most nutrient/vitamins loss. In additions Inknow it’s superficial but I’m so afraid of losing and thinning hair. Has anyone had the duodenal switch? It has many names but to make a long story short it’s the combination of sleeve and bypass.

I am really excited to be learning and reading so much from so many of you! I am looking forward to getting to know so many through this journey we are on.. with that said, what is the best forum on this app? Are there any other apps or sites I should be checking out as well?? Thank you all for sharing so much of yourself with all of us....

Hey everybody, As of next week I'll be 1 year post-op, I'm still losing (currently in a 2 week stall but this has been the case every month then I drop in the next 2 weeks) Open to answer any pre or post op/general life change questions that you may have

I’m one week out from surgery and my husband and best friend are making menhavwbsecond thoughts. They have no idea they both agree. My husband says I’ve had enough surgeries during my lifetime from car accidents and complications post car accident. I’ve also have a history of sepsis (infection) every time I get opens up for surgery. He know what I went through with all that.ni think he’s just afraid of what could happen or me not pulling through this time ans my friend said likewise. I really and and nee this surgery but now I feel like I’m second guessing myself. My initial plan was to have the sleev but the doctor takes me into duodenal switch because it’s less likely f…

I'm having my first appointment at the bariatric hospital at the end of this month. It's going to be 4 hours; I'm going to talk to an insurance person, a psychologist, and a nutritionist. I don't know where it's going from there. I started my diet consultations with my primary care this January, they said I might need 6 months of them, but am not sure. I'll find out more at the appointment. I'm so excited! Sent from my XT1575 using BariatricPal mobile app

Ok guys I have something very serious I need some advice on. I live a very very public life, very much on social media, I am top promoter in a health and wellness company, and I am struggling with my weight! Like a lot of you this struggle is way more then just the scale going up and down this has been a life long battle of gaining and losing the same 100lbs and it always comes back so much harder. I’m 37 years old, my girls are 7 and 14 I want to enjoy life with them and my weight is holding me back so so much. Now for the question, because of my position in my company I am so nervous to publically talk about my up and coming procedure. I think what I am scared of is peo…

I have may 14 it was may 30th but I have no patience’s and asked for something sooner and that’s all they had! I feel like it’s so far ahead! My insurance is approved also and all testing is done is that a normal time wait for surgery? Plus now I’m told not to lose anymore weight BMI is 40.1 it was 44 but I been going to the gym. I’m feeling stressed and like may will never come

Hi everyone i am new here. I am just being my journey with considering the sleeve procedure. I have my first informational session April 17. Any advice, I'm a little scared and I have a lot of emotions around moving forward. I'm just so tired of the weight,pain, stress. I'm ready for change and I realize i need help...... Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

I started my pre-op diet on Monday and am already dreading drinking more cold, sweet protein shakes. I know this is just the beginning though, so I’m looking for some good protein mixers that are more on the savory side. Something warm would be a bonus too! I’ve heard using broth with unflavored protein works well. Just wondering if there are any other suggestions out there. Thanks in advance!

Tomorrow I go for my lab work and to get my letter of medical necessity. Super nervous about the whole process, my weight has creeped up to 289 and I am 5’6..... currently I do not have any diagnosis outside of being overweight. However I am confident I am borderline hypertensive because for years my blood pressure has teetered around needing medication! My egd is Monday and my psych evaluation is Wednesday next week.... this is all happening so quickly and I have no clue how long before the next step will be...... I feel like the doctors office for sure has everything rolling in the right direction, but I think I’m just anxious to see what’s next...... How early on did…

I was told to lose 10lbs well I lost 10 and plus now dr is telling me that if I lose anymore won’t qualify for surgery even when insurance approved me already! Stressed out!

all tests were good except:upper sonogram Liver echogenicity is mildly but diffusely increased. This can be seen with fatty infiltration of the liver. my program doesn’t require liquid diet except 48 hours. not sure how this fatty liver will effect my rny. disappointed in myself

Hi guys!! I'm confused yet again. Thursday I have an appointment with the Barometric Clinic. They said to be sure to eat before I come and bring something to drink because I will be there about 4.5 hrs. I thought awesome!! Ball is rolling now! So I have been eating like crazy cause I want to make sure my bmi is 40 on first weight in. When they call to remind me they tell me it's nothing medical. Just paperwork and classes! I am a bit disappointed. Has anyone else had to do this 4.5 hr class? I am wondering when I will get my weigh in? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

So I have hypothyroidism and it makes it difficult for me to loose weight, I have my surgery date and everything but if I didn’t loose how much my surgeon wanted me to before surgery can he cancel it or something??

I’m preparing for gastric sleeve surgery and had my endoscopy today. Multiple polyps were found in my duodenum and were biopsied (photo attached). No hiatal hernia. Esophagus and stomach were normal. Has anyone else had the same results? Height: 5’6” HW: 250 CW: 246 GW: 150

Tomorrow I will begin my pre op diet, praying for strength but looking forward to it

Crossing my fingers see my PCP tomorrow for preops testing Sent from my XT1650 using BariatricPal mobile app

I got a paper from my surgeons office saying according to my insurance I need 3 months of medically managed weight loss program but the insurance website says 6 months... So I called my insurance and she said it doesn't say for how long. Sweet baby Jesus someone help me here lol. I'm so frustrated. I thought this whole time I could have my surgery by June come to find out it could be in September... Anyone else have this problem?

How close do they look at your height? I'm about to meet a new doctor on my new insurance in a new town. If they say I'm 5'8 my bmi is 40... If they say I'm 5'9 It's 39.5... I have mild sleep apnea, one kidney, and high cholesterol.

Starting my wls journey 4/5 is my initial consult. Hoping that since I have many weight loss attempts through the years that I may be able to avoid the 6 month process. Really would like to get this done sometime soon. I have been researching for the last few years after talking to my pcp about it and being told I would be a great candidate. Anyway just wanted to say hello any good luck to everyone on their journeys

Hey guys, What kind of diet did you follow to loose weight prior to surgery? I have 17 pounds to go. I was thinking something like a protein shake for breakfast, a lean cuisine for lunch, and a small piece or meat with a small salad for dinner. I like consistency so I wont get bored with the same things. Does this sound good or should I double up on the shakes. I need to have food as convenient as possible where I have two little kids and I work most of the day away.

So I'm two months into my three month pre-op diet (doing keto, no liquid diet required for me pre-op) and weighed myself on the bathroom scale this morning. It read 249.4, which means I can officially express my weight as being less than an eighth of a ton. Getting under 250 wasn't the big deal to me per se, it's that fractional comparison to put the weight in perspective that did it. That's just how my mind works, I think in numbers. Also, I know my bathroom scale is not an accurate reflection of reality. When I see the nutritionist tomorrow afternoon her scale will likely read around 254 as I'll be fully dressed and my cargo pants laden with, well, cargo, but that will …

My last experience with a liquid diet was the pre colonoscopy liquid diet. I’ll never forget projectile vomiting at 10pm. I understand that the pre-surgery liquid diet encourages protein, but it also lasts much longer. Any reassurance? A reality check? Thoughts???

Hi guys, So I had my first email consultation with a surgeon regarding gastric sleeve surgery, filled out a few forms regarding my health, previous weight loss attempts etc . My sister is a doctor and she's really against me having the surgery because a) she's says I'm too young (27) and be she's concerned about the risk of developing esophageal cancer later on. Have any of you read up on this or had similar concerns? It's making me reconsider my options.

So, today was difficult for me. I'm 9 days into a 30 day liquid diet but today... I was so hungry. I thought of a million ways to cheat. I was waiting for my roommate to leave so I could head to burger king or taco bell. I thought about binging on cookies, pop & chips. On my liquid diet I'm only allowed protein shakes (4) and raw veggies. That's it. I had no energy at all day today... I wanted to binge eat everything. Instead, I compromised. I boiled some carrots, onions and peppers with a little seasoning and ate that instead. It's still cheating but... I'm proud of myself. I'm not beating myself up about it. The old me would have caved and ate junk food... Progress…

Well, the first week is almost done. I have to say the first few days SUCKED!!! But now everything seems to be getting a little better. Amazingly I’m dropping weight like crazy! I had a doctors appointment last Monday and weighed 475lbs...Today I weighed myself and I’m down to 443 lbs. I’m drinking 4 protein shakes a day (Max Muscle Pro Elite w/ Unsweetened Almond Milk) and eating my 3oz’s of lean meat at night with 2 1/2 cups of salad with fat free dressing. Then drinking about a gallon of water on top of all that. I see my surgeon tomorrow for my I guess pre-surgery check in. Hopefully everything is going good. Then another week of this diet and BOOM! Surgery! …

I need to find a primary care physician to write a medical necessity letter who has written them before. I moved to the Denver area and do not have one. I have a couple of co-morbidites, and am in the pre-op stage. I am at the 4 month wait period and need to get the letter ready to submit to insurance. How do I narrow the search down to find a primary care physician who does not have a problem with Bariatric surgery who will write the letter?

Hello all, I've noticed my taste bubs are very sensitive to sweet flavor. When I drink my shakes or protein flavor drink example lemonade I find it too sweet so I add more water. Anyone has the same problem? Don't get me wrong, I'm a water person, but once in a blue I like something sweet. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I’m on track to have surgery mid-late summer. I work for a couple as a pca, and they have limited staff. I will be needing a month off after surgery. My question(s) are do I tell them what surgery I’m having? How much notice do I give them? I’m worried they’ll just replace me if they need to hire someone to cover my hours.

I am in the pre-op stage. Anyone over age 60?

Any one else have surgery the week of the 9th? I’m scheduled for the sleeve on the 14th. I have to admit I haven’t stocked up for my liquids, and the nutritionist kindly reminded me earlier that tomorrow is kickoff! Any one mid-process, I’m curious on you keep going when you’re running on empty?

Hi, Has anyone had any experience accessing super for the operation? I have been quoted $14,000 AUD for the surgery and have been told I could possibly access my super, has anyone else accessed their super if so how was the process. I weigh 140.5kg and my BMI is 44.8

My insurance company approved my surgery on February 22nd and I received an email from my surgeon's office stating that they would be calling soon with a surgery date. I've called twice and left messages with the appropriate person but have received no return call from the scheduling department. The doctor I've chosen is booked farther out than his colleges, but I'm getting very frustrated. Has anyone else been waiting forever to be scheduled? The reason I chose this particular surgeon is because he is board certified and trained at Cleveland Clinic, and the other surgeon is board eligible.

Has anyone had their gastric sleeve done at Journeylite in Cincinnati, Ohio? Also wondering if you have had your surgery at Jewish Hospital through Journeylite because of health issues? I'd love to hear your story of surgery day from start to finish. Thanks! I'm pre-op and am very curious.

I start my liquid diet next week and I'm kind of freaking out a little bit. Second guessing my decision for surgery and whether or not the isopure zero carb will be enough to sustain me for 2 and a half weeks. I know I can't be the only one who is/has gone through this... any tips for making it through the next three weeks till surgery?

Hi everyone! So I've been doing LOTs of lurking through the forums, and I noticed there were tons of recipes and food encourangements for POST-Op, but was wondering what you are all doing PRE-Op? I know many of us are required to lose a little bit of weight prior to the big Surg day, so was hoping to stir up some converation on how you are starting your life-changing diets. Not so much the 2 week pre-op liquid, because @FluffyChixhas a fabulous recipe selection for that, but more the diet you enact from your first day up until then! (I must admit guiltily that my surgeon doesn't require a 2 week liquid diet... only a 48 hour one) So some of the drastic changes I have…

So After months of doctor visits and the like. Got a surgery date for April 30. So in preparation for this lifestyle change. I started to drink protein shakes and stop drinking pop. I haven’t been eating as much fried food and less sweets. But I think my body is going through withdrawals. All kind stuff has been happening. Not major stuff but just irritating. Has anyone else had this happen to them before surgery? Maybe it’s just me. My husband had his last year and he didn’t have these kind of things happen to him. Feeling alone.

I had my first nutritionist visit and an trying to eat less. What I eat isn’t my biggest issue. But I’m hungry!! Did others find this part so hard? Ugh! My constant hunger is part of my decision to do the surgery. I feel like I’m make my mystlf miserable and shouldn’t have to. Surgery will help with the hunger issue. Why do I have to feel like I’m starving now?

So, I'm just curious.... how much have/did you lose on your pre-op liquid diet? I'm on day 6 and have lost 8lbs already. It's kinda crazy. Definitely keeps me motivated to continue this 4 week diet! Sometimes it's easy and sometimes it's hard... only drinking 4 protein shakes a day plus raw veggies. That's all I'm allowed to have.

I feel like I am hitting a bit of a wall. I have been to so many appointments in the last three months and I’m starting to feel overwhelmed, because I’m missing a lot of work to go to all of the appointments... and I really need my job. I think I’ve had around 14 surgery-related medical appointments since January? Is that normal?

So I finished up my last nutrition class on the 13th. It’s been 6 looong months I’m just glad I got through it all. All of my paperwork was sent over to insurance for approval last Friday the 16th and I was approved and was given a surgery date the following Thursday which was the 22nd. I’m so surprised at how fast the approval process went. I was told it could take up to 30 days and I definitely thought insurance would take their sweet time sending in their decision. My date of surgery is April 17th! SOOOO happy/excited/nervous! I’ve joined a few support groups and hearing so many negative things is really messing with me now. I just hope I’m making the right decision.

I am in the pre op testing phase wondering how long recovery is for the gastric sleeve and how long it took you guys to feel normal. I have a 10 month old daughter and work as a nursing assistant at a hospital so I want to estimate how much help I will need and how much time of work.

I just had my surgeons office call me to schedule my surgery. I’m trying not to get too excited because there’s still a chance I can get denied by my insurance. I have done all that they need but you just never know! Anyone else receive their surgery date before insurance approval?

I cant use narcotics because I get allergic reactions so have to use tylenol it don't help plus not a fan of narcotic anyway, but I have one incision that is driving me crazy. I use ice gel pack. Any ideas? Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

For my insurance to pay for vsg, I need two years of documented weight.. I don't have two years. I have almost one year and I have from 2008 I was obese but not severely obese. Did anyone have this problem? Will the insurance company take weight from 2008? Ugh. I'm almost done my preop tests and classes too.

I’m new to all this. Going to Bailey Bariatrics in Owasso. They are so nice. I’m just curious how I will feel after surgery. We have a vacation planned for July 15th so I hope my surgery is done in May. I plan on going back to work in 2-3 days after surgery. I have a desk job that doesn’t require lifting. Anyone able to return back to work this soon?

Hi Everybody, my surgery is scheduled from March 12th (after my 2nd cancellation) but no more of those, I am full speed ahead with WLS this time around. My question is, how are most of you doing with your pre-op diet? My doctor didn't really give me one except to eat balanced meals and replace 1 meal with a protein shake every day. I've started that this week. Does anyone else have any helpful hits for this surgery? Things that are working or not working for them? Lastly, anyone else scheduled for March 12th!?

I dont know if it's because the thought of having the surgery or the thought that I may never enjoy food again, but I'm over eating. I'm doing the 6 month insurance process and sense my first appointment I have been eating so much. Almost to the point of being sick. I'm not at all hungry just eating. I want to get on plan with eating healthy because I would like to lose 31lbs before surgery so I can be under 300 but it seems impossible right now. I drink a smoothie in the morning and feel like " I got this" but by lunch I'm eating everything and anything. Also I might mention I have pcos and have not had a period in 2 months. I wonder maybe if it also could be hormones…