Ready4success

Good job getting a head start. I'm an OR nurse and I'm only here to help you by telling you not to shave your abdomen. In the OR, we use clippers, not razors. The reason is that clippers don't cause trauma to the skin like razors. When you shave with a razor, it causes nicks, some you can see and some you can't. The nicks can cause entry points for bacteria thereby causing infection. Also, the clipper blades used in surgery are single use blades, so everything is surgically clean. If you want to get clipped at home, make sure your clipper blade is clean and free of any hair, and douse it with alcohol before use. Using the hibiclens to shower the night before, and the morning of surgery is ideal. Good Luck!!!!

Thanks Lissa. We have a pretty good team who don't mind helping each other out. I just don't want anything to stop me from having it done as soon as possible. I'm too impatient to wait until I build up my PTO again to take more time off. Thanks!

That is phenomenal! Truly inspiring to us just beginning this journey. Thanks for sharing your story.

Thanks everybody for replying. I'm going to try that protein first plan. I'll admit the protein shakes have made it really easy to snack on bad stuff between meals, but maybe a few slices of deli turkey will work better. I'll know soon enough if it doesn't, lol. Thanks!

I'm an OR nurse and acrylic nails are fine. I would recommend a lighter polish because there is a device that is put on the end of your finger that shines a light through your finger nail. It's used to measure how well your tissue is being oxygenated. If the polish is too dark, it's harder for the light to shine through the tissue. Make sense? Also, after surgery, wash your hands well before touching your incision sites. False nails are a breeding ground for bacteria, which causes infection. This is the reason nurses are forbidden to wear false nails. GOOD LUCK!!!!

I've had laparoscopic surgery twice before, and I'm scheduled for single incision VSG in early August. Everyone keeps saying how this surgery is so different from any other surgery. My other surgeries were lap gallbladder removal, went back to work in 4 weeks in '09. The other was robotic female surgery back to work in 2 weeks in May of this year. I'm an OR nurse and did a double shift my first day back and I felt fine. I'm only planning to take 3 weeks off because the surgery last month was unexpected and I had to use the PTO I was saving up for VSG. Can anyone who has had laparoscopic surgery before VSG tell me how it was different, besides the fatigue?

It's called the NOTES technique. It's been around for a few years and the technique is used for other surgeries besides the sleeve gastrectomy. There isn't much research out there, so it hasn't been proven to be a less invasive technique. It takes many studies, many patients, and a long time to prove something. Also, there are disadvantages because of complications. Most surgeons are learning to do single incision laparoscopic surgery or SILS instead. All trocars and removal of the stomach are done through a single incision.

Hey Angela! I was wondering how you were doing post-op. I hope you feel better soon. Maybe when you feel up to it, we could meet up to go walking at one of the high school tracks. Feel better!

bmooney, Dr. Yu is my doctor too. I'm not sure where I'm scheduled for surgery, I have one last dietician before they submit for insurance approval. Good Luck on July 10th!

Hello everybody, I'm hoping someone can give me some info. I know it seems like TMI, but I'm worried about this. Here's my story: I had my gallbladder removed in '09. Since then, I have to go to the restroom as soon as I finish eating. Literally, take my last bite, and head to the restroom. I've tried changing my diet (doctor's suggestion), but nothing helps. I even have to go right after drinking a Protein shake, and that's not even real food. I'm able to conveniently plan my meals so that I don't have any emergencies, but that's based on 3 meals a day (sort of). When I start my pre-op diet and have to drink 5 shakes a day, I will have to go after each one. It will be weird at work, and I'll be dehydrated before I even have the surgery. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had this problem, and did it continue after surgery? Thanks, and sorry about the topic.

Welcome, Emily! I have Cigna also, so I'm trying to get all my little duckies in a row for approval. I'm looking at a early to mid August date, timed perfectly to be off for the start of school (Those times are hard to get off at my job). Anyway, welcome to the forum, and GOOD LUCK!

Thanks for the help, and GOOD LUCK!

I was thinking the same thing. I felt like the $25 bucks was a waste, but at least it was ONLY $25 bucks.

I'm an OR nurse, so I'll tell you that contact lenses will have be removed before surgery because they can cause a corneal laceration while you're asleep, because you wouldn't be awake to tell the team it's hurting. Also, leave your glasses with a loved one before going into surgery. The staff doesn't want to worry about taking care of your glasses, while they're trying to take care of you.

Sorry to hear about your denials, but hopefully the new letter will clear everything up for you. I am glad you posted what was required in the letter. I have Cigna (OAP) also, and I've been worried that my PCP wouldn't know what to write. I understand the letter needs to include: 1. Height, weight, BMI 2. Co-morbidities 3. Statement saying the surgery is medically necessary 4. Medical clearance that it's safe for me to have the surgery Did I miss anything? Thanks, your help is appreciated.

Congrats! I have one more appointment and then they'll submit for approval. Hopefully, I'll get it done before the summer is over.

I'm looking at early to mid August. I have Cigna and was originally looking at November, but since they cut the requirements from a 6 month supervised diet to a 3 month one, they moved me up. I have one more appoint with the dietician, then they'll submit for approval. I hope I don't have any problems getting approved.

I was doing so well. I had lost 9 pounds since starting on my own, before I even had a surgery date. I got my date at my last NUT appointment today, and I went crazy after. I ate 2 chocolate eclairs on the way home, then ordered a pizza. WTH?

Congratulations! Your journey has begun and I wish you luck!

How did it go yesterday? Did they give you any recommendations for pain relief?

Thought about you today. Hope you're feeling okay after surgery. Let us know how you're doing when you feel up to it.

My NUT told me that they don't want you to gain a significant amount, but it's okay if you gain a few. Weight fluctuates day to day, anyway.