PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I'm 24 looking for others my age who are either considering having vsg or have had vsg what has your experience been like and would you do it over

Today I am just feeling overwhelmed by this whole process of qualifying for bariatric surgery. I'm also feeling sorry for myself and down in the dumps which is aggravated by the fact that I cannot turn to food for some comfort. My brain wants to eat a large pizza but I steadfastly refuse. I'm also physically hurting so I don't feel like walking - my feet hurt something fierce. So, I am down 10 pounds since starting the process at the end of October and I was hoping that the scale would move a little bit more at my weigh in today. Nope, stuck strongly at 356 and this is despite cutting back calories appropriately so I guess this is also part of blood sugar not being as wel…

My pre-op diet starts Nov 7...just three days left of eating like a fat girl...or what I've considered "normal." I'm sure this topic has been done to death but...what was/will be your "last" meal?

I am going into my 3rd month of the supervised diet, and I'm embarrassed too go tho my appointment on Wednesday. I know I didn't lose any weight and I may have gained a pound. I only did well about 3 to 4 weeks in and then want able to keep to the diet. If I could lose weight by someone weighing me once a month and telling me to eat low carb, high protein, low cal, nutritiously, etc I wouldn't be in this process. How many of you actually lost weight in the pre op 6 months? I feel like a failure and it's discouraging me from thinking I can ever be successful. Sent from my LGL64VL using BariatricPal mobile app

1. When you are dehydrated.. your urine smells BAD! I almost gagged the first time I went to the restroom and couldn't believe what I was smelling.. (yeah so I make sure to get those liquids in!) 2. You don't use the restroom as much.. I only go maybe twice a day. 3. Acid Reflux! I've noticed when I swallow something too quickly or if I eat that soup too fast! I get hiccups or I burp a lot. (Never had this issue before). 4. I am always cold! This drives me crazy! (I'm a little dramatic) BUT!.. I literally have to sleep with my pajamas, snuggie with the covers over my head to keep warm. (And yes I take all my vitamins). I am freezing as I am typing this no…

Well my fears have come true! I've developed a nagging wheezy cough right before surgery. Luckily I have no other symptoms. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can get rid of it before my surgery on Thursday?? Thank you so much!!! Surgery Date: 11/16/17 HW- 416 (Sept. 2014) CW- 353.4 SW-????? GW- 160

Hello everyone! So I have a question of what to order and have in stock before surgery? I am scheduled for the sleeve on 12/4 and I have been researching a lot but what I put from others experience. Also has anyone tried the Nectar Syntrax protein powder I was just thinking cause they have so many flavors??? I work in the hospital and on a busy floor and thinking protein shakes and shots might be good for me while working as getting breaks are hard at times. Any advice I would love and thanks in advance?

For those of you who are planning to use TRICARE Prime, today I discovered the stipulations and thought I would share. I am required to see a dietician and exercise expert for three months and receive a psych evaluation. Of my dietician visits, I must visit at least once with the dietician on base.

Hiya I'm in Taiwan and my surgeon told me I didn't have to do a liquid diet before my surgery, just that I had to *somehow* loose weight to shrink my liver. But it seems like pre surgery liquid diets are common in the states and elsewhere so I'm thinking of just doing it voluntarily. It can't hurt right? Can anyone give me the details of your liquid diet "rules" and how it works, since my surgeon doesn't have a program for it and I'm kinda on my own?

I attended my last pre-op MD visit and pre op visit today which included a class on the pre and post op diet. I was expecting something way tougher based on my reading here. What I received was: PreOp: Starting 2 weeks prior to surgery date, daily diet is: -3x Nectar or Unjury protein shake -1/2 cup oatmeal or cream of wheat -1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce -1 cup of vegetables -1/2 cup of light n fit or carb master yogurt -1 cup of low fat soup This is not an "or" list, but rather I'm supposed to eat everything on that list daily on the 2 week pre op diet. -1 day prior to surgery = clear liquids only. Cu…

I want to create a place for those either waiting on their surgery date or insurance approval to chat about the types of lifestyle changes we're making pre-vsg whether that be food and/or exercise and offer each other support! I'm one week post my first dietitian appointment and she wanted to work on first and foremost eating 3 meals a day since I usually only ate 1! It's hard for me. I am down 4lbs, but I am so hungry! Should I up my protein? What are you eating throughout the day? My days have been pretty basic this last week as I'm trying to figure this all out..... Breakfast - 4oz cottage cheese & 2 plain rice cakes Lunch - Lean cuisine (I try to pi…

I will love for someone to help with recipes to prepare the Nectar shakes...I got the sample package with many different flavors but I don't think I am mixing it right, so far I don't like it. Please help!!

Help!! I can't seem to find an app that I can log my daily meals and print out monthly for my doctor. I tried myfitnesspal and it's too complicated. Is there anybody who has to keep track and how are you doing it?? Sent from my SM-S902L using BariatricPal mobile app

Im a bit nervous and even though it seems like everything is a go i am completely nervous ill be denied. Im right at the 39.98 and they require 40 bmi, i looked over the submission from my coordinator and her info is all over the place. Hopefully i get approved. Im the paranoid that will think the slightest percent will be my case lol

I've been meaning to share this for a while. For a long time I'd been under the impression that bariatric surgery was covered by my health plan through work. Someone else in the company had it and said "Yeah, CIGNA covered it for me." Well, what I didn't know was he had the CIGNA *** plan and I was on the PPO. And when I compared the exemptions between the two plans, the only difference was that the *** covered weight loss programs and bariatric surgery while the PPO didn't because it was classified as "cosmetic." Switching to the *** plan was not an option for me or my family. So I went to our HR department and explained the situation. They contacted our insurance b…

Pre-op week. On my mostly protein shake diet and my body is just aching. It feels like arthritis in all my joints. I thought it was just the weather change (Buffalo), but it's nearly constant. I'm not allowed to take Naproxen, only Tylenol, which does nothing. Anyone experience anything like this? I've been trying to stay hydrated and my husband is researching anti-inflammatory teas. Lol

My surgery is scheduled for 11/20/17 and I’m sooo pumped. Only 4 more days!! I’ve been killing this pre op diet and I was feeling so ready, until I woke up this morning. My right jaw is slightly swollen due to swollen gums partially on top of a wisdom tooth. The right side of my throat also feels a bit sore. Could my tooth be infected? And if it is would I have to postpone surgery?? I hope not!

I heard from my Drs office today......My surgery is Wednesday!! I am so excited!! I'm bout to go to the losers bench BABY!!

Ok so someone please tell me when this headache and icky feeling goes away?!? I am assuming it’s the lack of sugar, caffeine, and calories. Any insight???

I thought everything was going too good... Just got a call that my insurance wants a chest xray and a cardiologist to pass me b4 they will clear me.... My surgery was supposed to be the 29th how am I going to get into a cardiologist with next week being Thanksgiving. Plus I have never had any heart issues my whole life.... Kinda discouraging... Wondering if i should even start my liquid diet?? Sent from my LGLS675 using BariatricPal mobile app

So many emotions it’s crazy....I’ve waited a long time and it was a long journey...but I’m still scared. Packed my bag. I know it’s going to a restless night!!

This has been a long process for me as it has been for everyone else. It's a journey when I started I really thought it would take forever before I even heard the word surgery scheduled. I started out at my heaviest weight being 256 I'm now down to 237. I'm anxious about how I will handle the pre-op diet of liquid for 2 weeks. Can anyone give me advice, recipes are great too? Sent from my XT1650 using BariatricPal mobile app

If I cheat one time what does that do to my 14 day liquid only diet?

So had my endoscope, got a call saying i had H Pylori i just started the 14 day round of antibiotics. Anyone have this to? What a horrible taste it leaves. Blah! I have my 2nd nutrition apt on Thursday I've been doing good getting my protein. I never realized how much bread i ate until i stopped eating it.

Hi everyone! So today I started my liquid diet ( 2 weeks) , I’m drinking Premier ... and right of the bat.. the first symptom is heartburn... omg this is hell to me.. cuz I suffer from heartburn.. but I was keeping it under control. O.o anyone else suffer from this and felt relief later on? And I saw people saying they get headaches by second or third day... but meds are allowed right ?? [emoji848] “There will be obstacles. There will be doubters. There will be mistakes. But with hard work, there are no limits.” —Michael Phelps

Hey everyone! I am a newbie! I am just starting out my journey. Social Media - Facebook, Snapchat (effymurphy17), Instagram & Youtube - Effy VSG would love if you followed my journey! Sent from my SM-G930F using BariatricPal mobile app

Must go to 3 more classes I can do this. Very informative. Sent from my SM-N920P using BariatricPal mobile app

I really dislike Sucralose ( Splenda.) To the point that it makes me gag. My surgeon doesn't care WHICH I choose, as long as I get 60-70G of protein and 800 Calories per day. I can't do that on Unjury unflavored powder. I have tried Slim fast, Premier, Optifast, Muscle milk. I am ready to CRY, how am I going to do this for THREE weeks?? Two pre-op and one post. Any suggestions?

So I start liquid diet Wednesday Nov 15... How are others coping with liquid diet over Thanksgiving? I have been getting horrible caffeine headaches trying to quit caffeine. Overall anxious about pre op diet. Any pointers would be appreciated... [emoji15] Sent from my LGLS675 using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm so angry...apparently I have split insurance of ghi and empire bc b's and ghi only needs 3 months but bcbs wants 6 months of weight loss efforts..so they denied my surgery..after ive spent money on protein shakes, mentally prepared myself for sugery with the 2 week diet and submitted fmla paper work..smh... Now I have to wait..and all i want to do now is eat my disappointment away...

I’ve only told a handful of people that I️ am having WLS but of course people are going to ask about the weight loss and I’d prefer to keep it quiet just to avoid the opinions of those who are possible nay-sayers! Just wondering what are you telling people as you go through the different phases of WL surgery and recovery? HW:232 CW:230 SW:217 GW: TBD Date 12/22/17

I am no longer a November sleevers I am a December sleevers I have a date 12/14 Sent from my LGLS775 using BariatricPal mobile app

After a long long long process i am finally going to have my sleeve tomorrow! ! excited, scared and excited again. Don't know which on is it. Any last advice? Sent from my SM-N910T using BariatricPal mobile app

Well, I think I discovered something very interesting this morning. On the advice of one of the people in this bariatric support group that I attended over the weekend, I tried a low carb breakfast at only 7 grams of carbs. This morning I woke up with a blood sugar of 121 and 2.5 hours post-breakfast, my blood sugar is 90. My insulin resistance must be pretty bad. Well, I now see that this journey is about a permanent lifestyle alteration. I am so over pricking my finger 3x per day to check my blood sugar. Also, I am done swallowing those Metformin horse pills. I am going to have to start collecting some food ideas.

Hello! I am one week post-op, Lap-Band to RNY, with a surprise hiatal hernia repair as an added bonus. When I'm anxious, I prepare. So I prepared lists of foods to have during each stage, lists of things to bring with me to the hospital, lists of things to have on hand upon my return. But I also did a lot of reading about others' experiences, and I took care to read messages from the same people right after surgery and then months on. I am SO glad I did. Over and over, I'd read, from the just post-surgical, "What have I done?!" And then weeks or months later, from those same people, "I am so glad I did this." I made a note to myself (a physical note) to expect…

Hello, this is my first post, very new to all this. I'm in the middle of my required bariatric program before having the procedure. If everything goes as planned I'll be having surgery around March...I been prepping for the sleeve but it seems like my doctors are leaning me towards the bypass. Is there anyone out there that has changed their mind about the type of surgey? What made you decide? Sent from my SM-S902L using BariatricPal mobile app

Hey yall, Trying to kick-start my weightloss again. I lost about 20lbs pre-op doing the diet that was recommended by True-Results. Anyone still have a copy of this?

I went to a support group for bariatric surgery this past Saturday. I learned so much that now I'm sold on the idea. Even though I'm still quite a ways from a surgery date, the learning has been invaluable. One thing I really struggle with is breakfast because most breakfast foods are carbohydrate rich. Someone recommended taking some canned chicken and mixing it with mustard. Made quite a delicious and filling breakfast. I added some pecans to the mix as well. Sometimes we get so ingrained in our habits that we forget that we can go outside the box. Hearing other people make recommendations was so helpful. I learned of another great idea. Take a premiere p…

I’m so over these protein shakes! I’ve been in liquid diet since 10/31 and surgery is 11/14. I’m so nervous but excited!! Anyone else getting sleeves on 11/14?

Hello, I just finished my 6 month visits. We have BCBS Michigan. My dr office submitted my paperwork last week. I just noticed (basic online Bcbs Michigan Google Search) that they also require proof of 12 months of failed dieting NOT documented by surgeon. This wasn't the case when I started the process. Anyone else experienced this?

Hi! Long time reader, first time poster. After several years of researching, I finally decided it was time. I went to a highly regarded surgeon, I completed my six month mandatory (per insurance) wait. I met with the nut, I had my psych eval, I had blood work, EKG, etc. I even lost weight. Then, on my last visit with my surgeon, I happened to mention that I get heartburn every once in a while, nothing that can't be relieved with Tums. He asked about reflux, and I told him the only time it has ever happened, I was eight months pregnant and ate hot wings. He decided he wanted me to have EGD, just to be safe. Wouldn't you know it came back as Barrett's Esophagus ( …

Hi everyone, My surgery is only 5 days away. Yikes! It's pretty much all I think about and I've gotta say - my brain has be going back and forth and back and forth. Should I? Shouldn't I? I know I'm making the right decision - I just think it's the finality of it all that is hitting me. I'm so thankful for this Board and I'm thankful for my binder. There is so much to learn! I did have a funny episode last night. I love popsicles. I absolutely love them and when I found this new brand that is sugar-free, but doesn't have the nasty saccharine and all of that, I got pretty excited. The brand is, "Outshine Fruit Bars." After a very, very long day at work, I settle…

Hey guys!!! I️ recently met with my surgeon for a consultation. I️ was told that my insurance required a 6 month supervised diet. From the policy I️ read, I️ saw NOTHING that specified 6 months. Does anyone have BCBS IL, if so what was your experience?

I had a lapband for 3 years. I LOVED IT AND WAS SO SUCCESSFUL WITH IT! IT WAS SUCH A PHENOMENAL TOOL! Unfortunately, I had some serious GI problems which resulted in a complete GI blockage. I was hospitalized to have the blockage and lapband removed. Because of these problems, I am no longer a candidate for lapband. And, my surgeon feels that the sleeve would also not be a good choice. (WIthout my wonderful lapband tool, I have gained much of the weight back.) I am looking for anyone who might have gone to Roux en Y after lapband and any guidance, opinions and advice you might have. Thank you.

Hi all so excited that surgery is nearing on the 14th of November and I have almost finished this liquid diet, I got everything lined up except I'm not sure if I'll qualify for Ca state disability or who I talk to about getting it. I have a physically demanding job that requires heavy lifting and repetitive motion so doc says I'll probably be out 3-4 weeks, I have some $ saved up but if I could get short term disability it would really help get through this time. Any information is greatly appreciated.

So my pre op diet was meant to start 6 days ago and the 5 days before today I have literally binge eaten everyday, I'm really struggling as I have quit smoking at the same time and I was just wondering if anyone else was struggling this badly. Because in the back of my mind I keep saying 'what's the difference' when i KNOW i need the diet to shrink my liver. Help!

Looking for a Facebook group to get a crew to stick with for the long haul! Any leads on existing fb groups? Thanks!

November 16 can't wait today from 8am til 3pm pre Admission Q&A now working very hard on this Clear Liquid regiment family fly in Tuesday for my upcoming surgery! Sent from my LGLS992 using BariatricPal mobile app

My surgery is at the end of December but I'm trying to stop using straws now (since I'm not supposed to use them post-op). Every morning, I have drink a fruit & veggie protein smoothie in a tumbler with a straw, and I'm trying to find a new container for that. I want something that can travel with me (seals well and keeps the smoothie cold), and preferably with some kind of "spout" (not just a wide/open top). I love my GoActive stainless steel tumbler (below) - I removed the straw and use it to drink water all day) but the spout is a little small for a thick smoothie to pass through. Any suggestions for a great flip-top, smoothie travel cup?? Thanks!

Hi, I'm new here, I should be having surgery in November. I'm 33, female, married with 3 kids. I'm currently having anxiety about being out under anesthesia for surgery. My parents are not helping out any and keep saying they are worried I will die. Meanwhile my mom is overweight with high blood pressure and diabetes and other issues. I have made it through 3 c-sections, 2 ankle surgeries, gallbladder surgery and appendicitis surgery. I still worry about anesthesia. Can anyone give me any tips on over coming these fears?