PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I am at the beginning of my journey and my insurance requires a pre-surgical psychological evaluation. I am going through the program at Celebration Health and they have a psychologist that they recommend, but she doesn't take my insurance (Florida Blue - BCBS) and it will cost $360. I am allowed to find another that my insurance will cover, but I'm having trouble. Anyone in the area know of a good one? They must be a psychologist - this was emphasized. Any leads are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

So, I'm very open about having the surgery and talk to my friends all about it. Most people are encouraging! However, I do have a select few friends who aren't so encouraging. One friend, who is bigger than me, told me I don't need the surgery and to lose the weight all on my own. He should know that it isn't that easy! For a while even my own sister said it was the "easy way out"... she understands now but... is anyone else getting negativity? Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I have only had a couple of weeks pre op. This weekend my only meal was not too healthy. Should I postpone surgery and get back on track?

Getting EDG today, then I can submit for insurance approval. I was a 35 BMI for 2015, and a BMI of 34 in 2016. I currently have a BMI of 37. Insurance requires 35 for 2 years prior. Going to submit and pray for the best. Anyone else in this situation?

I remember from one of the overview seminars I attended, a lot of people were really upset about the idea of having to see a psychologist as a prerequisite. (My surgical group requires it) I thought it might be helpful to talk about the appointment and let others know that it's really no big deal. I went in and did a big long questionnaire. The themes seemed to be centered around trying to discern how much of a role depression, anxiety and addiction play in your life. When I talked to the actual counselor, she was awesome. Very nice lady who wanted to ask me about my history with weight and weight loss, wanted to know what my motivators were for losing weig…

Hello all, I am Janell from Tennessee and am very interested in getting the gastric sleeve surgery. I right at about a 35 BMI. Unfortunately for my insurance to cover the surgery I must have a co morbidity issue with a BMI of 35-39 or a BMI over 40. This is very disheartening because as far I know I do not have any of the issues. To be at a 40 I would have to GAIN 40 pounds. Any advice on where to go from here? I have dealt with my weight my entire life and been on/taken everything possible. Would love to hear from you!

I know Dr. Borland does surgery and then you recover at a hotel, how was your experience with this? I’m having surgery in my doctors surgical center and then recovering in the hotel that evening. I have a post op the next day and then I can leave the following day. I’m not using dr Borland, but that’s the surgical and post operative plan for my sleeve. Any advice on how your recovery in a similar situation went would be appreciated. Getting sleeved 11/30 in Dallas.

For those of you from the south....I'm getting sleeved tomorrow ironically on Fat Tuesday!! Anyone else getting sleeved tomorrow the 28th?

I realize now why the people in the yogurt, ice cream & hamburger commercials eat the food slowly. They must be on the liquid diet and that bite is literally all they are allowed to have [emoji23] I know when I get my 1 Greek yogurt per day I eat it slowly and savor every bite too Hahaha!

My surgery is scheduled for march 13th and I'd really like a buddy that's close to me going through this. I live in Woodstock Georgia.

Started the process 7 months ago .really anxious about having the sleeve done. Kinda getting impatient about getting a surgery date. Just want them to call me already lol Sent from my SM-G920T using BariatricPal mobile app

My doc says it should take 2-3 weeks for approval to come back. Is this a general timeline that they tell everyone or does it usually happen sooner? I’m so excited and anxious

So my surgery (sleeve) is on nov 21st and liquid diet started on Monday. There hasn’t been a day that I went with out cheating it’s so hard when you still have to cook and prepare food for everyone in the house. I have 8 days to get it together! Boyfriend keeps coming home with take out like his tempting me on purpose

Today i picked up some ensure protein shakes the pre mixed ones (milk chocolate) I'll try the powder as well in time. They are a little too thick I think with the next one I'll put some ice in it to thin it out some. Has anyone tried different brands? Do you prefer powder over pre mixed? I've never been big on shakes so i figured I'd start getting used to them now. But any advice on making them More tolerable would be great!

mine is on the 29th! 13 days....im ready to get this weight off! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using BariatricPal mobile app

I have researched surgeons for the gastric sleeve till I'm blue in the face. I've decided to go with use one in Houston as it's closeat to me in case of complications. Now why I can't decide is who? Help...anyone have experience with any in that area? Mirza, Marvin, Miranda? Someone I haven't listed?

Just curious to know who has Aetna and what was your experience like? How was the approval process... did it take long? Are they super strict??

Being as heavy as I am, I miss my two loves: backpacking and cycling. I've been heavy all of my life, but at the times that I've been less heavy, I was able to ride 100 miles and backpack about that same distance. So, I'd really like to be able to shake the dust off of these hobbies. What do you miss doing that you would like to be able to do?

Hi everyone, my name is Kendra and I'm having my surgery at UF Health Shands on Aug.25 .

3 days left of 7 day liquid diet, Nov 20 is S-Day, I'm so hungry i was rubbing my hands together and my fingers started to look like fish sticks Awww!

My husband passed away earlier this year. We have a very young daughter together. His passing was the catalyst for me and this surgery because I want to be healthy and around for my daughter. I have struggled with my weight for a while now, plus health issues, and family history. My surgery is scheduled for 12/4 and I’m getting really nervous! What if I do this to be healthier for my daughter and myself but instead I die during surgery and leave her with NO parents?? Also, lesser concerns, but I’m suppose to start my two week pre-surgery diet next week and I already feel embarrassed and like I’m going to fail because it’s my daughter’s birthday AND Thanksgiving. I’m also…

Hey Everyone [emoji112] I started my process for the sleeve in March of 2017. There were a few bumps in the road with scheduling my nutritionist visit and vacation. Then I continued to gain weight. Every visit I went to I was up. I gained a total of 12lbs to be exact. I was eating well, working out, drinking water and tracking it all. I knew for sure that my body was just being resistant and will catch up. On my last visit I was still up. I had a complete meltdown right in the office. I usually wait until I am alone. The disappointment was too real. I couldn't hide it. Even my nutritionist saw how hard i was trying. She cried with me. They made note of everything from…

Just wondering what everyone thinks of this for after surgery. I saw it on Facebook, kind of interesting but not sure it would be a life saver. Do you think it would make life easier or just be a waste of money? It’s interesting, but the Bariatric vitamin is still missing a lot of what my surgeon requires. https://gettespo.com/?hs_fb_account_id=714642958658248&hs_fb_campaign_id=6079600980153&hs_fb_adset_id=6093613549153&hs_fb_ad_id=6093613549753&hs_parent_creative_id=6090822660753&source=fb&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=Tespo+Conversions+Campaign Have a great day! Amanda [emoji16] HW 248 CW 241 SW ? Surgery Date: …

November 22nd is my day! Anyone else in Florida have a November or December date?

I get my surgery date December 13, and I’m a bit nervous. I’ve read so many great success stories but what I’m scared most of all is of the dumping or loosing too much weight. I’m already starting with a low BMI of 33. But all my health issues (with type 2 diabetes being most important) is what keeps me from steering myself away from surgery.

I don't know how I am ever going to make it 4 weeks on this diet. It's not the fact that I can't eat food. This shake that required makes me vomit. How do I know that I'm keeping enough protein in?

I have told a few people but don’t feel I need to share with everyone. I will be in a couple of scenarios where it will be awkward not to share. Day before surgery dinner with my daughters best friend and her mom and then post surgery with my sitter who is helping a bit. I thought I remember reading someone talking about a surgery that was similar in terms of pre op or recovery? Thanks!

Can you lose to much weight after getting sleeved? Is there a stopping weight. If that makes sense.

I have had a couple of people tell me I should take a 'before' photo to document the beginning of this journey. I can understand why some people would want that, and to each his own. But truthfully, every photo of me over the last 30 years has been a 'before' photo. Do I really need to take an underwear shot to remember what I look like? For those of you who are further along, did you need that photo to compare with your current appearance to know you are progressing? Will I regret it if I don't take one? (I guess the thought of a 'bikini pic' right now terrifies me....)

Hello, I’m new here! I have my psych evaluation consult on 10/30 and then the evaluation soon after that... I’m just curious if there is anybody else having a hard time quitting smoking? Thank you

Hey all I just wanted to let everyone know how much help you all have been! It's been great to be able to come here and get advise and support. I'm really not nervous about the surgery because Ive had two back surgeries and a Lap band back in 2010. I guess I'm more nervous about how my life will be going forward. I just cant imagine it. I know I wont fail though. I am too determined!! I am slightly nervous about leakage, but it doesn't happen very often, and I trust my surgeon so here goes everyone!! Tomorrow at 7 am keep me in your thoughts!! Ill update as soon as I can!

Is it ok to start the vitamin patches before surgery? Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

One of the hardest things for me to adjust to is learning not to drink with meals or for 30 minutes after meals. I just saw this video on another social site and it really helped me to understand why it’s important not to drink during/too soon after meals, so I thought I’d share! (Sorry if this has been shared on here a lot before...I’m new here! [emoji6])

So I'm fairly new to BP hello everyone! I'm in the process of trying to get approved for sleeve surgery by the end of this year, good news is my surgeons office sent off my information this past Friday bad news is now I gotta wait lol I have Blue Shield of California Does anyone know the average time they take to approve or deny?

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…

Has anyone had experience with BCBS Michigan- how long for a response after submission for pre- auth?

Hey y'all! I just had my pre-op appointment with my surgeon and I forgot to ask about the special soap we are supposed to use before surgery. I wasn't given any and she didn't mention it. Is this something I should call the office about or do not all surgeons require it? Thanks!❤️

Hi everyone, I’m a good healthy condition but I’m fat. I’m interested on getting the bariatric sleeve done, i have struggled with my weight since i was a kid. Anyway I need to have high blood pressure and cholesterol in which I don’t have I don’t know what to do. The nurse told me that I needed to have sleep apnea in order to go forward with the process. Can I get any suggestions????? Thanks

I’m trying to have the sleeve done just waiting for the approval. Had the Lapland but to many problems.

Hi, I am new to this site. My surgery is on November 21 at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. Dr. Jeffrey Genaw. My top weight was 285, I have been taking medication for over a year to lose weight. I down to 230 now! Currently doing the week long protein liquid diet. Not easy!!

So I was told to wait 3 months for caffeine. I’m really struggling working third shift. I’m almost a month post-op. Anyone doing caffeine? These B 12s are not working the last few nights.....

I cannot wait until I have my surgery. This past weekend I took a vacation to visit my sister in Cali. It was a 4 hour plane ride from chicago. I could barely fit in the seat. I was so uncomfortable that I could cry. I had 2 different flight attendants ask if I needed a seat belt extender. I honestly felt bad for the people I was sitting next to because I could only imagine what they were thinking.... "Ugh, I have to sit near the fat girl." [emoji26]

I contacted kennedy health today I'm going to a seminar tomorrow. What should I expect. I have horizon nj health. I'm 230lbs

Hi everyone, After years of failing to lose weight through diets and exercise, I decided WLS is the best option for me and I'm opting for the sleeve. What makes me worried/anxious/nervous - what if it doesn't work for me? I failed at every attempt I've tried! I've been struggling with my weight nearly all of my life, and have been through countless gyms, group exercises, weight loss programs (LA Weight Loss, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig), and I've even tried weight loss products like Stacker 4 and Slim Fast. How many of us have been to they gym, worked out for hours, for months, and have barely seen any weight loss? I'm about 75% complete with my…

I am still exploring the idea of getting sleeved but as of right now it looks like my surgery will be March. I’m excited but also very nervous. I am just looking for any advice people have about exercise and building muscle after surgery. Is it easy to rebuild muscles? How long after surgery can you start working out again? Thank you for the help!

Just found out my surgery date, 12/18/2017!!! Tiffany

I joined this forum back in April of this year! I have not posted much, but I have been lurking and soaking up as much information as I could. In April I started out with a Surgeon that requested that I lose 60 pounds,and I kept the office updated on my progress. Once the weight was lost I called relentlessly to get a answer from the front desk so I could get scheduled for my endoscopy....I was giving the run around. Long story short, My cousin had just had the surgery and she was talking about how great her surgeon was. (Mine and hers were under the same hospital umbrella) I called to see if I could switch to the one she had, which took a little while because surgeons do…

My papers were submitted to insurance on Friday(11/10). My NUT says surgery will be 2-3 months from the day of submittal. So, at the very latest I should be having surgery in mid February. I had a surgery buddy. Our appointments were days apart, as we started the program within a week of each other. I found her on a Facebook bariatric page. Well, long story short, she has dropped out of the race and in turn I no longer have a surgery buddy. Or really even a bariatric friend. I never thought to make more friends than her and I should have. I no longer feel comfortable confiding in her about how my appointment went or about anything bariatrics honestly, as I feel I’m rubb…

I’m so excited. I’m scheduled for surgery December 7, 2017 and today I have my pre op testing. Blood work, EKG & chest x Ray. Then it goes back to my primary care Dr for final approval. Yes! This is really going to happen!!!

I was wondering if anyone has paramount advantage insurance an if you do how long did it take for you to get a surgery date? (Starting from first appointment with doctor to actual surgery date an or approval date) Sent from my LGLS775 using BariatricPal mobile app