PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Still in the process, I have about 2-3 months left before surgery. Today my boss asked me how much time off I would need, I told her about 2 weeks. She then said that was too long. Well, not much I can do about that, it is what it is. I have 2 weeks of vacation saved so it's not like I'm taking it off unpaid. She asked when and I told her I would work it out so I'd be here for the end of our fiscal year in June, so early May or I'd wait until July. She said neither were good and to find another time. There is one other person that does the same job as I do, he is retiring in September. So I have to do it before September. She's been super cranky and hard to work …

I had my endoscopy today! So glad that we can check that box. I did learn that I have a pretty progressive case of GERD. He could tell right away from the pictures. My mom came with me and thinks of this as a sign that it’s all meant to be. At 23, most people don’t except you to have GERD let alone a case that has already progressed pretty far. My primary doctor told me just last week to take an acid reducer and it’ll probably be fine. Learning young that I really do have this problem probably just saved me from complications and possible cancer if I waited another 20 years. Just another sign of how worth it pre-op is. The exciting this is that losing wei…

Tomorrow is my final day of eating regular food before I begin my 2 week pre-op liquid only diet. Has anyone ever gained weight during the liquid only stage? I've been eating 600-750 calories, under 30g of carbs and high protein diet daily and have lost 24 lbs in a month! I'm scared I'm going to gain on 3 protein shakes per day! My pre-op weigh in was 253 so I to have lost some weight by my surgery date March 12th. I'm stocked up on sugar free jello, chicken broth, unjury protein powder, sugar free Popsicles and other whey protein powders plus premiere protein water...any other suggestions or tips?

Hi All, I am new to the group and just finished all of my necessary requirements and was wondering if anyone with Cigna insurance can tell me how long it took for an approval? My surgeons office is submitting all of the paperwork tomorrow and I am hoping for a quick approval so I can get scheduled as soon as possible. Thank you!

I never in my life thought I'd be having wls... I had my first consultation Friday. I'm calling Monday to start the program! I'm super nervous but really excited! I'll be sleeved in about 3 months [emoji16] Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello I am new to this forum i have my gastric sleeve surgery on March 6th and honestly I am freaking out a little I am 5 11 and at my highest was 385 since deciding to do surgery I have lost over 35 pounds and hope to take more weight off prior to surgery with the pre op liquid. Long term goal is 220 i went to pre op education course yesterday so I am clear on everything to do for the next week and the weeks following My questions revolve around several items is two weeks post surgery realistic to go back to work . I work in finance so desk job i understand the need to strictly follow the post surgery liquid diets etc but when you get to …

I have my first appointment in March with my nutritionist. I'm nervous, because I've gained about 4 pounds since my initial consult with the surgeon in early February. I fluctuate between 240 and 250, depending on what is going on in my life. I haven't started any nutritional plan yet, and I have three appointments scheduled in total with the nutritionist (March, April, May). I am moving this week into a new apartment, which is why I intentionally waited to start the entire process until after the move to make sure that I didn't have that going on in my life. I haven't been cooking much as most everything is packed up, which means a lot of take out. I've been tracking eve…

I’m currently on liquid diet...wish they could just put me in a coma until surgery! I’m having the sleeve on 2-22-18

I've really been doing well since surgery, getting all my protein and fluids in with little problem. The only problem I have is ever since surgery my incision that the doc removed my stomach has been extremely painful and I've had a severe pain in my right middle back that won't go away. I went in for my 2 week post op appointment and the Doctor said there is no way you can be having gallbladder problems this soon! But sent me for an ultrasound anyway. Just my luck, I have to have my gallbladder out next week. Geez Louise, this happen to anyone else?[emoji43][emoji33] Sent from my SM-G930VL using BariatricPal mobile app

I was incredibly fortunate and my insurance approved me within four days, and my surgery (sleeve) was scheduled for March 14th due scheduling issues. I'm looking forward to it and I'm so grateful that I got this far. But... My pre-op diet is two weeks of protein shakes for breakfast and lunch, and for dinner 3 oz of lean meat and veggies. I'm really scared I might mess it up somehow, or the cravings are going to make me constantly hangry(hungry/angry) or leave me with no energy. Does anyone have suggestions for the best way to get through this part? I know this is the start of the Real Hard Work, and I'm ready to take it on. I'm just nervous and looking for advice/reassur…

Just my 2nd day with my machine, both days i have woke up to my mask off and on the night stand, i dont remember taking it off at all, and no clue at what time. The 1st night i recorded wearing it almost 6 hours, last night almost 5 hours??? Anyone else have this issue? Hope it gets better Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi all, i have my appointment with the surgeon April 12, 2018. When do I start the liquid diet? I hear it’s 2 weeks, is it only boost shakes or can you have other things liquid as well?! I started this process September 8 2017. I had already completed the weight management class and cpap trying the year prior so I got a head start

Hello all! I’m at the very beginning of my path for WLS. I’m leaning toward gastric bypass but am not 100% decided. I have a few questions: 1. How long should I expect to be off work? How long were you off? 2. What did you tell your boss when asking for time off? 3. What did you tell your co-workers? Thank you! [emoji4]

I am currently in my 2nd month of UnitedHealthCare required doctor monitored 6 month diet before surgery. Does anyone have tips on this? How to answer the Doctor on what to do? WHAT to do without loosing TOO much without being denied by falling under the 40BMI required? I actually think I gained this month!! And I’m struggling with 5 more months of “diet and exercise tips” to tell the doctor... or is that actually the reality?? Please Help I’m new and confused

Hello my name is Brianna Morris and I will soon be having the Gastric Sleeve Surgery. I went to my new doter and got a referral for the one in the in Texas (where I am from). My highest weight was 323 and my current weight is 299. I have not met my surgeon yet but I am waiting for a call. I am really excited to start becoming a new and better person. My diet right now consists of Keto. Wish me luck

Im beyond nervous yet so excited for what the future holds for me

Did anyone live alone when they had surgery? My mom is going to come and stay with me, but I can’t see her staying more than a week. is there anything I should know about or consider? I have a 15 minute walk in my city to work everyday from my apartment. If I am experiencing too much pain to walk, I will get an Uber. I’ve heard of making sure that things that I need aren’t too low to the ground or too high as bending and reaching can be an painful.

Hi, I am planning to get sleeved sometime soon, but the issue with my situation is that my family doesn’t live in U.S. I have a few friends who are scattered throughtout states and are busy with their own families. I wanted to understand how important is it to have a companion with you on the day of the surgery and for a few days afterwards? Why and for what chores do we need a companion? Have you gone through a surgery without a companion? Regards, Ankur

I had to do liquid for two weeks before and I've done well since surgery down 36 pounds.But I have such bad gas it hurts tried gas x but doesn't help anyone no a better choice Sent from my Pixel XL using BariatricPal mobile app

How long did it take from your first consultation to getting a surgery date?(:

Hi pals, I have my first pre-op consultation set up with my doctor tomorrow. Even though I have not finalized him yet, I am very close to doing so. I would like to know what kind of questions should I be asking him during that consultation? What are the things I should know to ask specially for gastric sleeve surgery from the doctor? It will be great to hear from someone who has been through the experience already and can look back and share their thoughts on what they think they should have known or asked their doctors? Thank you!

Had my consult yesterday, which went really well until this morning when the Dr. Office called me and told me that my surgery was not going to be covered. I called the insurance company and found out that it is covered, just not at that clinic. I got the name of a clinic that is covered and found out that my cost is only going to be $1500.

Hello everyone I went to see my surgeon yesterday and I can not decide if I should have bypass or the sleeve [emoji848]I have researched both .

I’m looking for anyone that’s trying to get surgery through Medicaid, specifically WellCare. I have WellCare of GA and it’s time for my renewal. At this point I think I run the risk of losing my insurance before I even finish all of my pre-op requirements because of my income level, but my job doesn’t offer benefits until you’ve been employed with them for a year. Just trying to get some info and feedback from people with this type of insurance. Thanks!

Greetings, everyone. I am a serial diet failer. I've been on phen-fen in the '90s, on a weight management program while in the military, Weight Watchers, and physician/hospital-based medical weight management programs that included help from doctors, dietitians, psychologists, and exercise specialists. I learn what I need to do to succeed, start of strong, leave the formal program, and end up regaining all the weight I lost or more. I am the epitome of knowing what to do but failing to do it consistently for more than a few months at a time. I keep hearing that WLS requires hard work and discipline, as well as a commitment to eating right for the rest of your life. P…

I looked at my surgery booklet and nowhere did it say we couldn’t drink Red and purple drinks, I’m freaking out because I’ve had a few sugar free red and purple popsicles and jello and drinks . I read this on a different forum that you couldn’t, have anyone else heard of this and why?

So yesterday I bought a 'goal' dress, not something I normally do, but it was too beautiful to pass up and I'm just sick of telling myself "no". I'm currently a size 26/28 and the dress is a size 20. Wanted to see how others changed in sizes during their journey so I can gauge a realistic goal of how far out post op I want to be able fit into my first nsv goal.

First time posting! Hi everyone, I'm currently in month 2 of my 6-month pre-program for a sleeve. In the first month I somehow lost 20 lbs. If I keep losing weight this well it makes me wonder whether or not I should actually have the surgery. About 6 years ago, I was able to lose 100+ pounds, but then as soon as I went back to my old ways (poor eating/not exercising) I gained it all plus some back taking me to 350 lbs at the start of the year. I feel confident I can lose the weight again, but I don't feel confident I can maintain it. That's what I was thinking surgery would be a tool to help with. But I'm very nervous about changing my anatomy when I'm only in …

Hello, I’m 2 months in with my doctor visits and I really hate my job, I want to find another job but I’m scared I won’t be able to keep it if I have surgery in July, I’m so miserable, I’m not to sure on what to do. I’m very new to this, can someone please give me some advice?

Anybody else struggling on their pre-op liquid diet? Today is day 5. It hasn't gotten any easier. Not at all. I still feel like crap, still feeling fatigued, fuzzy headed and a headache from time to time. And I admit that I've cheated a couple times with grilled chicken. I figured if I was gonna cheat, I'd better do it with something that was lean and high in protein, and I'd better do it the first week and not the second. I had one day where I felt ok and that was day three. I've just feel so horrible otherwise. Hoping I'm not alone here. HW 241 SW 238 GW 130 Getting sleeved 3/1

Can somebody please tell me how long It takes for an approval from Cigna once everything is submitted to them? My surgeons office submitted mine this past Wednesday. I know it hasn't been long at all but I am super anxious and just curious as to how long it norm takes. Thanks in advance

Hi everyone I currently have Anthem Blue Cross *** and one of the requirements is "the individual must have serially documented active participation in a non-surgical weight reduction regimen for at least 6 continuous months, in the 2 years prior to surgery." So my question is can obgyn appointments count for this requirement cause in 2015 during my pregnancy i was considered obese while pregnant so my doctor had me just watch what I ate and he just weighed me every prenatal visit. I did sorta watched what I ate and ended up gaining about 5lbs throughout my pregnancy. Am I able to use this as my 6 month supervised diet? I'm just curious to see if anyone else has used ther…

Hey everyone, Every day this week I’ve been feeling this nausous, sort of hungry feeling in my stomach. I can’t quite put my finger in it and need some input. The last time I had this feeling was probably when I was exercising and dieting a few years ago and lost 30 lbs. I've changed my diet considerably during pre op. No more fast food, junk food, soda, etc. I’ve also been very constipated, even with taking a stool softener every day. I have a few ideas on what this feeling is but I’m not sure. Low blood sugar, acid reflux, heart burn?

Hi guys My surgery is on 28th Feb and I’m very excited but I’m not sure what to take to hospital. I’m having it done privately so they are going to monitor me for up to 5 days especially because they’re removing a gastric band from my stomach too. Any advice on what I should take other than the essential clothes and underwear etc? Also, I’m a social smoker - so when I’m drunk I will smoke a few cigarettes. I went away last month for a few days with my friends and we were drinking and I had a few cigarettes and we were in Amsterdam so I smoked a bit of weed aswell. Prior to this I smoked on average maybe 1 cigarette a week. I haven’t touched anything to do with smoking f…

Getting VSG in Seattle on 2/28 and then for spring break family is going to New York for the week. I’m excited to finally have the surgery but nervous that I’m going to be nothing but depressed in NY since I won’t be able to eat normally. I wouldn’t have planned it this way but succumbed to family pressure. I’ll get a lot of exercise walking around the city but looking for coping tips and concerned about what I’ll be able to eat. If I had a do over, I would not have planned it this way.

I have appealed several times to get this surgery but there is a clause in my policy that excludes baratric surgry. I have diabetes does anyone know what I can do? Please help Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using the BariatricPal App

I found this last night, so to late for me, but this woman has some good comments! Her channel is full of good info. She had the sleeve, and then a year later had a baby. Sent from my SM-G935V using BariatricPal mobile app

Today is day one of my two week liquid diet, and I have to say, it's gonna be a long two weeks. My head is pounding (waiting for my daughter to get home with my Tylenol), I'm exhausted and I'm cranky. I want food!!! I wish it were possible to just sleep through the next two weeks. It gets easier, right?? HW 241 SW 238 GW 130 Getting sleeved 3/1

On my list of approved clear liquids, everything is sugar free but then it also lists 100% Apple, Grape or Cranberry but all of those have a ton of sugar. Help please! Thanks!

I'm new here and I'm looking for health insurance that can help with cover with gastric sleeve yes I no open enrollment has ended for some I have tried goggle everything I could possibly think of my health insurance at my job didn't pick it up this year even though I started in 2017 health insurance still don't want to pay my sleeve was going to b done in march of this year but this came up with health insurance can someone please please help me yes I no I might have to start everything all over again I have been through so much to make this happen I had so much joy inside of me I waa so ready for my new life until I got this news now I'm feeling so down can't focus on an…

Jan 8 is my date!

Anyone here cheated on their pre-op diet badly. As in big mac, large fries, coke (hold the ice) kind of cheating. If so, what were the repercussions? Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

My primary doctor refused to give me a referral for wls she doesn't believe In the surgery any advised I'm in Orlando FL. Sent from my 5049Z using BariatricPal mobile app

So I've started the process (and since I'm self pay I don't have to worry about insurance approval) in December 2017 - had my initial surgical consult, pysch visit, and scheduled the Upper GI, EKG and labs for early March. Due to my work and my desire to get my head in a good place prior to the surgery so this radical move is successful for the long-term, I've decided to wait until May to have the surgery. The surgeon has asked that I lose 15 pounds before surgery, and I lost 8 four weeks after the consult. However, this last month, I've really been struggling with my eating and working out consistently. In the past, I usually dive in and can keep it together for …

How many times do you have to take a nicotine test before surgery??

Hi Everyone! I know I came to these forums to help prepare me for the surgery, so this post is about helping you be as prepared as possible and know the nitty gritty. I was sleeved Wednesday 1/24 in Chicago. Your mileage may vary. The night before, I was NPO after 9PM and was the first surgery of the day, so I had to be at the hospital at 5:15 am. Have a backup ride ready because you might not know this until the day before, and my husband had to stay home with our kids. Pro Tip: You can reserve a cab or Lyft ride in advance, so I had a lyft scheduled at 4:30 AM. They do weigh you at the hospital when you arrive. Pre-Op was a breeze. I have a high BM…

Anyone get some sharp stomach pains during the liquid diet? It's not consistent but I don't feel gassy or bound up so I'm not too sure what to make of it. If it continues I'll be calling doc, but wanted to see if anyone else had this issue..?

Hi, I start my pre-op liquid diet on 12/14/17 and was wondering does anyone have good ideas for things to have other then protein shakes? My dietitian said that she doesn't want me going over 1000 calories. Any suggestions help!

Does the Merry Month of May hold your surgery day? Do you have a surgery twin who shares your day? Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app