kadie777

Best wishes! Keep us posted!

He wanted me to lose 25 lbs before surgery and reduce stomach cavity density so I was on a low carb diet that included phases of liquid diet. 10 days before surgery was a clear liquid diet in order to reduce size of the liver. I had the following test before cleared for surgery: EGD, abdominal ultra sound, bone density, full labs, psych eval, GI swallow, and cardiac clearance.

When were people allowed to start puréed stage? I'm not there yet but curious about how it went for folks and what foods people made. I was sleeved on 31May; doing well with liquids and protein drinks. Will be returning to work and wanting to consider meal prep options for puréed stage. Thanks!

Best wishes! I'm only two weeks out but already very happy I did this. I feel like it is my best chance to change my relationship with food.

I'm on the East Hill of Auburn! Do you happen to have a primary care physician that you'd recommend? Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App Hi. I see Dr Fang at UW Physicians Federal Way. I really like her as a doctor but overall it feels that staff there are under enormous demands. I think this is happening everywhere though. Clinic management are pressuring clinicians on numbers and it's frustrating for both clinicians and clients.Kadie777, now I'm considering Dr. Srikanth. Would you recommend him based on your experience? How long were you in the hospital? Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App I do recommend him. He's very thorough and a nice man. His staff have been great too. I was in the hospital one night.

I'm on the East Hill of Auburn! Do you happen to have a primary care physician that you'd recommend? Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App Hi. I see Dr Fang at UW Physicians Federal Way. I really like her as a doctor but overall it feels that staff there are under enormous demands. I think this is happening everywhere though. Clinic management are pressuring clinicians on numbers and it's frustrating for both clinicians and clients.

Congrats! How are you feeling? What's it like on "the other side"? Sent from my LGLS740 using the BariatricPal App I'm feeling really good overall. I'm two weeks out and have had no issues with pain at all. I had severe nausea for the two days after surgery but very little pain, which surprised me given that 90% of my stomach was removed. My main issues are now getting my fluids and Protein drinks in, and I still tire easily. I've lost about 15 pounds since surgery.

Hi. I just was sleeved on 31MAY and am so happy I did this. I live on west hill of auburn near federal way and my doc was dr. Srikanth at center for weight loss surgery fed way. I have heard fabulous things about Franciscan weight loss surgeons too! Best wishes!

Hi I had my surgery on 31may and I am very tired yet? If do, how long did it take to feel less exhausted?

Thanks everyone for your replies; helpful to know it is normal.

Way to go on your weight loss! It is nice not to do the liquid diet... Blech! I should be going in soon!

Congrats! I bet you are excited!

Will do! I'm actually sitting in waiting area for surgery. I'm a bit annoyed as I have been here for 6 hours. They had me come to the hospital today at 0500 am only to learn that my surgery is not until this afternoon. I had been informed that I was to come early so they could get me on fluids but alas I am in the waiting area. My new advice in scheduling surgery is to ask to be scheduled on a date when you can be first in.

Any updates from those who have had their surgeries?

Hi I had FEP as well. Keep us posted on the outcome. My guess is that your surgeon will be able to identify at least one co-morbidity in your health history. FEP did not approve my surgery initially bc they thought I was below 35 bmi but they eventually approved when I resubmitted. I would assume as one gets closer to 40 BMI that they would be more willing to approve. Keep us posted! Sooo I had my initial consult with the surgeon, and I ended up clocking in at a 39.3 BMI. I am a bit disappointed that the nurse insisted my height was 5'3, when I think I'm closer to 5'2 and have been measured at that height multiple times by my PCP and other providers. The inch difference would have meant that I probably wouldn't need to prove co-morbities. But, oh well. The appointment itself also was not what I would have expected...the surgeon and resident seemed surprised I was interested in surgical treatment of obesity. The resident also commented that I was smaller and healthier than the patients he normally sees in the clinic. I didn't really think that was a compliment nor helpful. They seemed to get it a little more when I explained my rational that I want to get this surgery to help me lose weight before I develop diabetes and other weight related health complications. The surgeon ended up enrolling me in the pre-surgery program, so I am happy about that. Now I just have to wait and see if my insurance will end up paying. Anyways, I see your surgery is coming up fast, @@kadie777! Are you excited? Nervous? Hi. It's so interesting to read on your experience, thanks for sharing. Different surgeons seem to have different approaches. I'm currently at your BMI and my surgeon thinks I'm a perfect candidate for gastric sleeve. I do have co-morbidities, however, but apart from severe sleep apnea the others are mild. My goal, like yours, is to get a tool for making a lifestyle change so as to avoid more severe co-morbidities as I age. I'm currently 46 and am facing some major risk factors if I don't make changes soon. My surgeon was completely understanding. I'm glad you got referred to the pre-surgery program and hope your team can be more understanding and less dismissive. Because I'm reasonably healthy and my weight is equally proportioned across my body, people too have questioned me needing to seek surgical solution. However, when I read the literature on morbid obesity and the fact the dieting only successful for 2-4% of the obese population, it makes sense to me to look for something more effective rather to continue to diet and fail. Sleeve gastrectomy, with low risks for complications, has demonstrated an average loss of 65% of excessive weight loss for people who are obese. Wow! It's interesting too the issue you raised on height measurement. I was initially denied by FEP because of a height in my chart from a specialty care appointment that was 2 inches above my actual height. I had my primary care doc verify my height and then we resubmitted with a letter from my doc about my height over time. So, get all your med records that have you listed as 5' 2" so that this can be submitted. Ask your PCP to write a letter with a reading of your height and bmi, and if possible, their support for your having this surgery. I'm more excited than scared. I really feel like this is going to be so beneficial for me. Thanks for asking. If you want, I'm happy to follow-up after the surgery to let you know if I feel the same way!

Look me up on FB, Marissela Feliciano we are starting at group there as a support....good luck Sent from my 0PM92 using the BariatricPal App Sent request, my name is Kelly D. Thanks!

I'm getting sleeved on 31May, start clear liquid diet tomorrow.

Hi I had FEP as well. Keep us posted on the outcome. My guess is that your surgeon will be able to identify at least one co-morbidity in your health history. FEP did not approve my surgery initially bc they thought I was below 35 bmi but they eventually approved when I resubmitted. I would assume as one gets closer to 40 BMI that they would be more willing to approve. Keep us posted!

Keep me posted on what your doc says. My assumption would be because of the congestive heart failure that losing 10 pounds will be good and that they would proceed with the surgery. But I'm no doc. Would love to hear more about your journey.

Does one need to take liquid supplements when on the liquid diet or can you use pills, chews or gummies? Thanks!

I will be asking my surgeon, but am just curious about what others were advised.

I love to hear from folks who had the surgery! How did it go? How are you feeling? Who did the surgery (if u are ok saying)?

Hi! Congrats on starting the process. I think the best thing I have done in preparing for this surgery so far has been to learn what I can from research and testimonials of folks who have completed the surgery before me. Like you, I found bariatric pal early in the process and I have found just reading different topics to be useful. When I'm feeling low motivation, I look up sleeve before and after stories to motivate me to move forward towards this life change. The biggest challenges I have had were 1) pre-op weight loss and 2) my insurance company. I initially started this process in August of last year. It was recommended that I lose 25 pounds prior to the surgery. I reviewed insurance requirements and consulted with my insurance company and did not see any barriers to disapproval. I was able to lose 15 pounds in the first two months but then it got rough (I need this surgery because I can lose weight but have trouble maintaining diets and weight loss over time). Then, my insurance company disapproved the surgery! They used an inaccurate measure of my height that was taken at a specialty care appointment and had me nearly two inches taller reducing my BMI below the 35 needed for approval. So, the other advice I would have would be to closely examine the insurance requirements and the data in your medical record, especially if you are near the borderline to meet the requirements. Now, that I resubmitted and have been approved the diet is going much better because I have a set surgery date! Best wishes to you and feel welcome to ask any questions as you go through this process.

Hi all. I have my surgery on 31May. I'm so psyched. There does seem to be different approaches recommended. My doc wanted me on a 10 day liquid diet vacillating with a low carb diet even 3 months before surgery, before it was even approved by insurance. I couldn't do it. Now that insurance approved it and I have my surgery date, I'm doing liquid diet during day and protein/veggies for supper hoping to lose some belly weight and reduce liver size before surgery.

Congrats! Hope it goes well!