Jpsl1028

My nutrishionist told me they recommend counting carbs and fats after a year post op. I am 2 months post. Has anyone else been told this as well? If not what do you do carb wise daily? I am so worried to eat wrong and mess up my progress. I panic evertime I see a seasoning, Tomato sauce or anything with carbs. Also, when did you begin exercising? Thank you all!

Thank you all so much!

1) Can you ever eat Normally again as far as if you want a cheese steak or cake? In small portions like at Christmas? Or a family outing?
This is very individual. You will find people on here who will say absolutely not. Some subscribe to the slippery slope theory, and believe that they will not be able to stop themselves from eating unhealthy foods once they start. For me personally, I have had both of those things you mentioned. I had no negative consequence from doing so, it didn't start any downward spiral. My goal is that the vast majority of what I eat is healthy and nutritious, but I do allow for some tasty but less healthy food from time to time.
2)Do you have to chew your food to a puree for the rest of your life?
I chew normally, as I always have, no issues with it
3)Is it normal to not feel restrictions on liquids?
Yes, completely
4)Will I ever be able to eat a decent amount when I go out to eat with my family or be able to not take a long time to eat?
You don't want to eat a "decent amount". That was the point of the surgery, that we have this tool of decreased stomach capacity. You want your restriction!
5)Is it safe living a full life on low calories?
Yes, as mentioned, most people's calories do not stay all that low. But VSG has a long, well studied history, and has been proven safe.

I am three months post op and feel completely normal, except I get full much faster. I eat pretty healthy but I have definitely had a treat here and there. I also work out at least 4-5 hours a week at the gym, so I don’t feel bad about having a tiny treat when I do. You will have many people on this site tell you want you can and can’t do, but that is really between you and your surgeon. My surgeon is a big fan of finding a “diet” that you can stick with for the rest of your life. He doesn’t believe in total restriction of foods, and has even warned that those behaviors have led to some people developing eating disorders. I am currently eating about 900-1,000 calories a day and our ultimate goal is 1,200. I also don’t pay attention to how many times I chew anymore, you just get used to it.

I had my sleeve done June 27th, 2018! I am beyond excited! Dr. Boorse along with Lehigh Valley Bariatrics helped me to this point! They are both wonderful! I am so excited to start a new chapter! Anyone else have surgery in June? So far the recovery isn't too bad. Pretty sore still, but definitely improving! The first day was miserable dealing with the gas they pump you with! Lol! If anyone has any questions or if I can be a help/support person to anyone feel free to reach out! I'm looking for fellow sleever friends!

Thank you so much!

1) I know a lot of sleevers who eat sweets and “junk food” again after surgery. I’d suggest being close to goal or at goal. However, lots of people say that they have trigger foods that they know they can’t reintroduce because it’s a slippery slope. Your taste buds may change too, you may not enjoy or crave those things post op.
2. Chewing your food to a purée, yes or no? I don’t even notice anymore. Muscle has memory and it’s second nature to me now. It’s habit and I don’t even think about it. Once you get food stuck once or twice, you just learn that chewing is a lot easier than suffering through discomfort or having to throw up for relief.
3. Yes, liquids typically don’t provide restrictions. Soups are slider foods for me and I can eat a lot more. If it’s not a hearty Soup, I could easily eat a cup-cup and a half. That being said, I still can’t drink large amounts in one sitting like I could before. I don’t feel restriction like food, but discomfort almost.
4. It doesn’t take me a long to eat. I usually am the first done because I eat so little. They say you should take 20-30 mins to finish a meal, but that’s always been hard for me. I still eat fast. I’m lucky that I don’t overeat like some have described as a result of not taking your time. It truly does take your brain 30 mins to catch up and send those “full” signals. I still measure out all food. As far as “eating a good amount”, id say no, if your restriction is what it’s supposed to be, you won’t be able to. And one component as to why this surgery works.
5. Very safe. It’s not like you live on 500 calories the rest of your life. Many people get back up to healthy calorie amounts. What people don’t realize is that you end up eating what a normal adult (based on gender, size ect) should eat. I eat approx 1200 calories. Someone of my gender and height, really shouldn’t eat more than that. You do have to take Vitamins for life, but it’s a small price to pay for this life changing, this beautiful gift.

Please feel free to ask any follow up questions!

Congrats to both of you!! Best of luck on the recovery and hope there are no issues other than the gas.

Out the hospital!

Sent from my SM-G935T using BariatricPal mobile app

Sending good vibes your way! Hope the gas passes soon (: can you keep Water down yet?

Congrats on your surgeries and best wishes for a speedy recovery!

1. My ex mother and ex sis both eat normal now, of course some things no longer agree with them
2. I am 2.5 weeks out and now I'm getting bored with the same old foods and feeling a little more hungry, but I've seen it differs for everyone, some have the hunger cravings, some don't
3. Some of my meds were stopped until further notice. But if they are for mental health I'm sure they won't. One of mine was a Water pill so he was afraid of dehydration, the other one I can't remember the reason. But it's diclofenac (sp)
4. If it was unhealthy I'm sure it wouldn't be an option, keeping up with the right diet is what helps

1) It depends on the insurance company, but generally you don't want to be gaining weight at any point during the process (different companies may have different thresholds, for example mine was no more than 2 pound weight gain).
2) Requests for approval is usually submitted when all of your requirements are completed, which is usually after your final weigh-in/nutrition class (because they take the most time). When you say pre-op testing I'm not sure what specifically you are referring too. If you are talking about like preop bloodwork then that could be before or after approval request. If you are talking about things like pulmonology, cardiology, sleep study, stress test, PFT, etc (obviously you may not have to do many of these) then approval isn't usually submitted until they are all complete.
4) Of course they can, but since you usually needed them to sign off on the referral for surgery it usually isn't an issue. If you foresee it being an issue then address it with them now, and if necessary change PCPs.

1) My insurance had a 'no wt gain' stipulation and it was from my starting weight and I had 6 months required supervision.
2) My insurance approval was sent in after my last NUT appt. , I already had my physical clearances but had not had my surgery labs and EDG - those are scheduled after approval.
3) N/A - had Humana
4) If your insurance requires PCP approval, then yes a PCP can be biased and could stall your chances. BUT you can change primary physicians, or fight through the PCP's supervisors - everyone answers to someone. This has happened to people on bariatricpal, and they changed to another PCP. Mine wanted to send me to a Humana bariatric physician 2 hours away and I said NO. I will petition my insurance to go out of network - at in-network cost because that is a burden to go that far and it was approved.
Good luck.

That's a standard term to mean that the insurance company believes you're worth spending the money on.
Mostly they want to make sure that your risk of recidivism is low, that you know what you're getting into and how to take care of yourself post-op. That's why there's a psychiatric exam requirement before you can be approved. Most people do just fine with that, though in some cases the psychiatrist may feel there is some previously undiagnosed or untreated depression that could affect your health.
There are also other factors, such as if you have other severe medical conditions like advanced cancer, are you likely to actually benefit from WLS? They balance that against the cost of leaving you untreated and instead paying for all of the complications that could arise, such as diabetes.
Bottom line is unless you have an extreme situation either physically or mentally, you'll be fine.

Good luck! I loved dr boorse, I am 9 months post op, down about 110 pounds

I went to a seminar there two weeks ago! Loved how organized they are! Unfortunately I got some devastating news yesterday that LVHN doesn’t accept my insurance.... I have UHC Oxford. I knew insurance could deny surgery but I didn’t know hospitals could turn down insurance.


Good luck to you all though

The pre-op physical is pretty standard for most types of surgery. I had he same pre-op physical before I had bone spur surgery as I did before I did for my septoplasty: Just a routine exam, EKG, chest x-ray and some bloodwork. The only difference will be is if you have a significant pre-existing illness or condition that could affect your WLS.
And as @sammi123 mentioned above, the endoscopy is a breeze. You won't remember a thing, and I'll repeat sammi's point because it's spot on: If they find a hiatal hernia it's no big deal and they'll fix it during the surgery. If you currently have GERD it's likely because of a hiatal hernia, so that should go away after surgery. (It is paradoxical that some people who do not have GERD develop it after they have WLS. I don't quite get that.)

When my primary 1st suggested WLS he put a notation of all the things that would justify me having WLS in my chart. sleep apnea (I have used a clap for 13 years), back pain, joint pain, depression, GERD, trouble walking. So when insurance asked he already had all the bases covered.
I saw him this week. He was very informative & wants to see me a month after my surgery.


Toodles,
Rue

In Kaiser primary care we generally do bloodwork and EKG. If you haven’t had a physical in the past year, that will be done as well.

I just last week had my endoscopy done and they did find a hiatal hernia. From what i hear they find them in a lot of us. Not a big deal. The surgeon will fix it during my bypass. It will not interfere with me not having surgery at all. I am not sure about ulcers. I would think they would be the same but it would be best to talk to someone who has had that experience. They only thing my surgeon asked from my primary dr is that she send over my recent blood work so he didn't have to have me redo anything again if it wasn't necessary. Plus I am using her for my 6 month nutritional visits so that's that part. Other than that, they asked nothing from her:)
Good luck!!!

I am getting close to my last weigh in appointment and I am getting nervous about the insurance process. I have Amerihealth Caritas. I am worried that all this work will just end in a denial. My question is... The insurance has paid for all if my appointments so far with no issues. Does this mean they already have an idea if what's happening and are going to approve it? Thanks. Just looking for some advice from anyone who has gone through insurance approvals.

My Surgeon had me get pre approval for health reasons and then after the 6 months of diet and weigh ins the insurance said that I had lost too much weight! My surgeon resubmitted and I was approved. It is a roller coaster, but if you qualify it should work out.

My understanding is that the final submission packet has to be approved and until that happens--anything can happen. BUT I cant imagine they would deny you.
Try to hang in there

I didn't cheat on it as, like many, I didn't have a pre-op diet other than the empty the GI tract thing the day before surgery. It all depends upon your surgeon and how sensitive he is to the need to do such a diet - some are quite specific that they don't think that you did their diet when they get inside that they will close you up and have you try again (though I have never actually seen anyone have this happen,) while others could care less about the diet as they know what they are doing in there irrespective the liver shrinking thing (or whatever rationale they are using.) Some quite specifically don't want their patients fasting for weeks ahead of surgery as they want them as strong and healthy as possible going into surgery - all kinds of different philosophies out there.
The best thing is to follow their instructions as you want them as comfortable as possible when they are rooting around in your insides.
Note to lurkers and early researchers - it is best to find out about these policies as early as possible - as questions when you go to that first informational seminar rather than find out once you are committed to the practice and it's too late to change.