RobinL123

Hi Jocie,
I know what you mean about being consumed by stuff. If you have Tufts Navigator insurance, there's a 6 month process of this. I'm now having to take days off from work, to fulfill my monthly appointment obligations. Then I thought to myself, aside from the monthly requirements which are, the nurse practitioner, the nutritionist and I'm only required to have 2 psych visits for the whole process. Although I wouldn't mind more, I don't really have the time. So there's those 3 requirements, plus a health coach phone call each month.
1. nurse practioner
2. nutritionist
3. psych doctor (2 times during 6 months)
4. health coach - monthly scheduled phone call.
What I've also thrown in the mix was all this pre-op stuff that I could have spread over the 6 month time frame and did not because the program just keeps scheduling me or telling me I need to schedule the following.
1. Upper GI series - done
2. extensive breathing test - done
3. blood work - done
4. sleep study doctor (initial visit) done, there will be about 3 more follow-ups due to sleep study requirements
5. heart doctor - scheduled but not done.
In addition to these requirements, I had my gall bladder checked out because I have stones and want the gallbladder removed at the same time as surgery. (so that required and abdominal ultra sound and 2 more visits to my primary care)
Also, I received a lot of reading materials and have quit smoke 9 weeks now...
It's major, exhausting followup for all this....but I plan to do everything right and minimize any problems and unwanted side effects.
So my advice to you is this....there's no getting around all the requirements, suck it up, try to space out the appointments so that you don't feel your life orbits around this.
Good luck

I'm from Boston Mass and I'm going through the Center for Weight Management and Weight Loss Surgery through the Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Medford. My name is Robin and I won't be having the surgery until early Spring. I'm month 2 into the 6 month requirement by my insurance (Tufts). I'm a bit overwhelmed with all the appointments and all the pre-op appointments and the lack of accommodating working people with early evening appointments. I'm having to take days off and schedule 2 to 3 appointments for that day to satisfy the necessary criteria for that month.
Also, I was informed that I have to lose 20 lbs pre-surgery and keep it off until the surgery. I'm not sure if I should just wait until after the holidays or start now for fear of putting any pounds on during the holidays. I realize this requirement is a test to determine my adherence to the program and also to reduce liver fat to minimize recovery or complications. One more point, I'm 5 weeks into being smoke free. I quit using the patch because I needed to quit for a thousand reasons, 2, The surgery won't be preformed if you're an active smoker. I have to ween myself off the patch because you have to be nicotine free. I'm not sure if anyone else has to quit smoking? It makes it that much harder to lose weight for the surgery. Again, I'm just overwhelmed by everything....anyone else in Mass or anywhere in the same boat?
I would love to get to know some local folks who are very pre-op and pick their brains for helpful hints.
Drop me a line if you're interested in becoming chums.
Robin

My understanding is the same as @wannaBthinsoon. My surgeon tests for tobacco products, and any at all in your system WILL cause the cancelation of your surgery. The book they gave me with their instructions does not specify how long you have to be tobacco-free before they will schedule you; they may have said it verbally, but since I had already quit I didn't note it down. I do recall him saying that if you can't break the tobacco habit, you have zero chance of being able to follow the instructions and requirements for recovery and care of your pouch for the rest of your life, which is why he has a hard line on this item.
At some point, you will have to quit completely and stay quit for the rest of your life. Just like you will have to follow a severely restrictive "cold turkey" diet for a few days or weeks leading up to your surgery, and there are some foods and habits you will need to say good-bye to forever. These are not easy - not by any stretch - but that's why this site and others exist to help and support you through it. We've all been there, and it's miserable at first but gets better with practice.
Hope this helps.

Hey Onyx,
You are not being paranoid, THEY ARE watching you. That's totally how I feel, I feel as if I have to constantly praise them for their invasive services and tell them exactly what they want to hear. Here's the real kick in the pants too, my nutritionist isn't exactly skinny minny either. She's a bit over weight, maybe not unhealthy, but far from a poster child. Shoot I hope they don't check out this site. The food police will send out drones...lol. I'm not all that paranoid, but don't kid yourself into thinking they aren't watching you like a hawk. What I need to learn is to not say anything if it isn't what they want to hear. Best to keep my big mouth shut!!!
Good luck to you and your journey

Hi Grateful,
Don't hate yourself, get back on track. Isn't it a horrible feeling knowing that you put all the hard work into something and then caved. I did that with cigs for 3 months prior to surgery and caved. I have 3 more months or more if I want to get back on track. I will try the same things you've tried prior to surgery just to see if it can be done. However, if it's not required right now. I think you need to do the shakes for one week prior to surgery, wouldn't you agree doing it sooner is self sabotaging? How do you feel about that? I'm asking because I want to learn by you because I see myself doing the same thing. In other words, eating like you've already had the surgery for months beforehand can be self defeating and take a toll on your self esteem. How long until your surgery?

Hi JK,
How is the liquid diet going? Did you have to start it 3 days before surgery or 10 days before surgery? I'd love to hear how you feel post op. Don't forget to update us.
Good luck
Robin

Hi Robin, I can totally empathize with you. I was banded for 5 years and had it removed 6 mos. ago. I couldn't decide on which surgery that I should convert to b/c I still have 60 lbs to lose to satisfy me and not more than that. Dr. said RNY b/c of diabetes and high blood pressure. I've always been soooo afraid to have RNY. I don't want to look sickly either and I told my Dr. that (no reply). I also told him that I was afraid to get too skinny and lose too much weight. I've gained 20 lbs back and now weigh 225 and I'm 5'2" tall. I 'm worn out from worrying about this procedure b/c i have to do all the pre-op test again and 1 month of liquids. Therefore, I have to lose even more weight before he will do it. My weight is unevenly distributed. I am waist & top heavy with thin legs and wrists, so even though I'm of an older age, i still care about my body image. I've dropped out of this several times and I feel like my Dr's office staff is sneakily watching me, or am I paranoid? Are they watching me due to my size, or do they look at me as being a nut case. I've decided to do it b/c I owe it to myself to try and get healthy. I also have diverticulitis. We can do this. Good Luck!

Fantastic! Keep up the good work

I will try to plan for 3 weeks at the least and 4 at the most. I need to save all my time from now until then so I can recover at my own pace. A month is all I can afford, I can't afford to do anymore.
Robin