ElizabethAnne

Congratulations! You look amazing!

We were given information packets before the session began. The surgeon informed us about the following bariatric surgery topics: What it is Why do it Who qualifies What types are available What is the weight loss What are the other benefits What are the risks Next steps Next, a person from the insurance department provided general information. She also told about her success with the band. The final component of the information session was a question and answer period. We were not weighed at the information session. If we wished to proceed, we were told to check with our insurance company to verify benefit coverage for WLS. Next, we were required to complete a registration packet and mail it back to the surgeon's office; contact approved assessment providers for appointments (dietitian, psychologist, and physical therapist); complete lab work; complete an EKG; and finally, watch a program on the Internet. I attended the information session in July and called to make appointments for the assessments the next day. I asked for the earliest available appointment in each department; all were scheduled about a month later. Once the assessments were completed, I was able to schedule an appointment with the surgeon; his first available appointment was in December. I was weighed at the appointment with the dietitian and again at my appointment with the surgeon. Hope this helps.

How exciting! Congratulations on your success!

At my last visit with the dietitian, she gave me the following information: Bariatric Surgery Diet Stages: 1) Post Op Day 0: Clear Liquids 2) Post Op Day 1-7: liquid Diet-Less than 1/2 cup per feeding 3) Week 2-3: Soft-1/2 cup per feeding 4) Week 4+: Low fat, no added sugar, modified consistency (no doughy bread/thick meats) 1/2 cup or less per feeding If I were you, I would call my dietitian or doctor for clarification concerning the specific guidelines you are supposed to be following.

Stephanie, Congratulations on your weight loss! You have been successful! Keep persevering and you will likely lose more weight. I hope someday you will be able to fit into your jacket the way you'd like to.

I thought it might be interesting to learn about the different types of diets being required before surgery. My program requirements paperwork indicates I will need to be on a 1400 calorie diet at least two weeks prior to my surgery. That sounds like a lot of calories to me, but I will get the full details this Wednesday. Today, I went to costco and bought some more Premier shakes. We do not live near a Costco, so I had planned to stock up for those post-surgery days when I will need to get 60 grams of Protein daily from a liquid diet. I was surprised to discover Costco now has both chocolate and vanilla available. The vanilla box was imprinted with "new and improved," so maybe that's why vanilla was unavailable the last time I shopped at Costco.

Thanks for posting this link, Julie. I'll admit that I barely got past the first incision. I've read about the procedure and have decided that's plenty of information for me. Strange, I know, coming from the woman who typically wants to know about every little detail. As I tried to watch the video, I kept thinking about how thankful I am for the highly skilled, caring individuals who work in the medical profession. Thanks, Deb! I absolutely could NOT do it.

Welcome to this group, Marlene. The 19th will be here soon! Are you required to diet before surgery? I go for an office visit this coming Wednesday and my paperwork indicates I will need to do a 1400 calorie diet at least two weeks prior to my surgery. I am eager to get started.

Hi Hasana, Welcome to the group! I can relate very well to your weight loss struggles and to your voracious appetite and excessive eating. I think you'll find this is a helpful, supportive group.

Hi Kelly, Welcome to our group. I hope you find it as helpful as I do. My request for WLS was denied in 2009. My insurance required a two-year medically supervised diet. My weight yo-yoed up and down the entire time, but I tried my best. I was concerned that I would not be approved since I wasn't very successful over the two-year time period. However, my information was submitted on February 15 and by February 17, I was approved! I am having surgery on April 10 and can hardly wait.

Hi Amy, Welcome to the group. I think you'll find this is a great group! I am looking to when members of our group start having their procedures completed.

My travel time is about 2 hours.

Deb, I am so sorry to hear about your delay and understand how disappointed you are. Hopefully, the week will pass quickly.

Thanks for posting your story!

Thank you to each of you for taking the post to post. I truly appreciate your help.

I use the Premier shakes from Costco.

Congratulations! Hope your surgery goes well tomorrow!

Congratulations on your exciting news!

I appreciate everyone's input and support. Thank you so much!

Thanks, Xavier. That's a great tip!

I failed to mention during the earlier post that I initially wanted the band before attending the information session. However, after my surgeon mentioned at the information session that the band doesn't generally work as well for those who have a "sweet tooth," I decided I should pursue gastric bypass. However, both of the times I met individually with the surgeon, he said he thought the band would be best for me, and I trust his professional judgment.

My surgeon's data indicated his "average" patient loses 40% of his/her excess weight. I asked what his patients who lost more than this amount did differently than the average patient. He replied that the patients who lose more educate themselves well about the behaviors they need to incorporate into their lives to be successful with the band.

That's great news! I appreciate your update.

My surgeon said I have the option of staying in the hospital overnight or leaving the hospital the same day I have surgery, provided everything goes well. I live a couple of hours from the hospital where I am having surgery, so I am leaning toward staying in the hospital in case I have a complication. However, I would much rather go home than stay. Would you please share your experiences? Thank you!

You're right; they are good. My husband bought me these for Valentine's Day because he knew how hard I was working to lose weight and didn't want to sabotage my efforts with a big box of chocolates. I ate all the packets in the box in less than 24 hours because after I ate the first package, the cravings intensified. I craved chocolate for several days after that but fortunately had none in the house.