Deegirl31

Dr. Lytle is an AMAZING Dr!! You will love him and his staff at Bariatric Innovations of Atlanta! He is kind, compassionate and very honest about everything from beginning to end! He is quick with responding to any questions you have at any time. The entire staff is friendly and helpful. They truly saved my life emotionally. I have had no problems at all getting in contact with the nutritionist, or Dr. Lytle for any follow-up care needed over the phone. They will work with your local doctors as well, being that you are out of state. I have NO complications from surgery, he is very careful and thorough. I am 6 months out.

Good luck with your upcoming surgery, you are in excellent hands. I hope this helps.

PS since we will be surgeon sisters, please feel free to reach out to me at any time. I’m very happy for you!

My liquid only phase is only the day before surgery and then the first week post-surgery. Plus I'm to drink Gatorade G2 both during that day before and the morning of surgery.

I encourage you to walk because you got no choice, if you try to lay down it’s like the Jolly green giant sit on you 😥 the nutritionist was super nice. Trying to decide who to do my psych (let’s just say bc of what I do for a living I may have to go out of state or something (those details for a PM 😆). My scope (and colonoscopy) is a Friday.

I’m rooting for you! Keep me posted, you will do great! 🤗😊

I actually was shocked with the insurance, it’s not through our regular health plan, its like an add-on that my husbands company has. Every procedure they cover is based on The Dr’s recommendation and not insurance guidelines. The only requirement is our deductible has to be met. It’s really a nice benefit.

I was supposed to see Dr. Gorjala but he only sees patients on certain days. I was nervous about Dr. Lytle but ended up completely at ease. A little back story, I did not want the surgery, but all of my local doctors said I needed it. My BMI was only 32 I weighed 188 and am 5’0” and had been on weight watchers after a botched hysterectomy. I had gotten up to 201. I developed a large incisional hernia and no one would fix it until I was down to my ideal weight and weight watchers and gym was not doing it fast enough. My regular insurance would not cover it because my BMI was to low, I was only borderline diabetic, and no cardiac issues or high blood pressure. I was going to file a complaint with the health insurance and our insurance advocate told me about the program. Dr. Lytle reviewed my medical records and had to convince me that my local Drs were right and that I needed to have this surgery to get the hernia fixed. I just met with a local surgeon for the hernia, through the same program and found out how bad things really are, but because I had the surgery I can be fixed. All of my large and small intestines are outside of where they are supposed to be and I have no stomach wall so they need to rebuild it. I will lose my belly button.

I live in Central Florida half way between Daytona and Orlando. My next surgery will be in Orlando at ORMC. Atlanta is huge and I do not miss driving around there. Thankfully we were staying in Sandy Springs around the corner from the hospital. We did travel to Centennial Park when we were there for consult. The traffic is horrible there so I can understand your concern. Lol. I want to wish you luck with everything. It sounds like you have been through a lot yourself. I know everyone at Bariatric Innovations will take great care of you! The trip was well worth it. I wanted Dr. Lytle to fix my hernia also and he agreed to do it, but I needed to consult with a local surgeon first. If it wasn’t so far I would have gone with Dr Lytle but because of the seriousness of the hernia I decided to go with a local surgeon to avoid all the traveling.

Thank you for the information!!!! I will definitely reach out with any questions. #surgeonsisters

That was quite a drive for you!

Usually insurance still levies requirements unless in some extremely rare case where it’s done on an emergency basis. But I really am taking about on the surgeon’s requirements 🙂. Do you remember if it specifically said EKG or it just said cardiac clearance? The paper I have says Medical or cardiac clearance but the info itself doesn’t specify particular requirement (as to certain test) on that (since there are many cardiac tests that can be done of different complexities). Do you mind sharing with me how old you were at the time? Thanks!
(PS thank God I stopped smoking more than a decade back - I have two insurance policies but their requirements aren’t bad at all and I already had a sleep apnea and scope set up for my own knowledge so at least not a huge and horrible list)

Dr. Lytle is an AMAZING Dr!! You will love him and his staff at Bariatric Innovations of Atlanta! He is kind, compassionate and very honest about everything from beginning to end! He is quick with responding to any questions you have at any time. The entire staff is friendly and helpful. They truly saved my life emotionally. I have had no problems at all getting in contact with the nutritionist, or Dr. Lytle for any follow-up care needed over the phone. They will work with your local doctors as well, being that you are out of state. I have NO complications from surgery, he is very careful and thorough. I am 6 months out.

Good luck with your upcoming surgery, you are in excellent hands. I hope this helps.

PS since we will be surgeon sisters, please feel free to reach out to me at any time. I’m very happy for you!

Hi!! Could you tell me what the requirements were that the surgeon asked for (vs. the insurance company)?

How was your surgery? I am also seeing Dr Lytle and would love some feedback

I’m a type 1 diabetic. I am scheduled to have my surgery done on the 13th of this month. I am having the gastric bypass done with Dr Lytle in Atlanta. My CW is 228 and I’m doing this for the benefit of reducing my insulin intake and losing this unwanted weight. Does anyone have any insight for me? Did this actually reduce your insulin intake? Also I’m on the minimed 670g system. Should help prevent them from needing to check my sugar at weird times of the night.
Thanks in advance!!

How was your surgery with Dr Lytle? I am seeing him for surgery and would love some feedback? How was the follow being in a different state (im in TN)?

Today is surgery day! See those on the losers bench soon

Hi everyone, newbie here and reality is setting in that my surgery will be scheduled really soon. I am 50 pounds over weight and 5’0, I will be having the sleeve at the recommendation of my doctors. My story is long, but I first want to say that you all amaze me! To do what you have to do and be brave enough to go through surgery to get your lives back! In my readings here, you are all beautiful inside and out and I congratulate you all for taking care of yourselves, not only physically but mentally as well that is no easy task but you’re doing it!! I never in a million years would have opted for surgery before facing the situation I’m in. Yes, my surgeon had to convince me that this was the best option for me. My story begins back in December 2017 when I had an open hysterectomy that became severely infected and put me in wound care for 7 months, in February the wound vac was removed because it was deteriorating my skin and had wet to dry dressing changes and I was told that I needed to be careful for the rest of my life because I would be prone to hernia’s, fast forward to March 2018, my Dad was sick with pancreatic cancer and he had taken a very bad turn for the worst within a week, I helped my Mom get him to the Dr. When we got him home he was so weak he almost fell and I caught him. He passed away the next day. I was still under wound care with dressing changes. I saw pictures from when family was here and was shocked by how much weight I had put on due to my limited mobility. I decided in May to join Weight Watchers and was doing well and lost 35 pounds after being cleared in July 2018 to start walking and light exercise. In December 2018 I felt a bad burning sensation in my belly and thought it was my skin disease flaring up. My Dr ran some scans and low and behold I had a large hernia that developed. I was sent to a local surgeon who told me that I needed to lose 50 pounds fast, that WW was not good enough and that my stomach is in such delicate condition that he would not fix my hernia, that I needed a specialist and he referred me to a bariatric surgeon locally. They to refused to help me because my BMI was to low and insurance wouldn’t approve. This completely derailed me and on went 20 pounds! If they didn’t care neither did I!! My saving grace came when my husbands company told me they carry an insurance plan for situations such as mine! The heavens opened up and I began my journey to bariatric surgery. I was sent to Atlanta to consult with a specialist that will not only do the bariatric surgery but fix my hernia as well! The hernia will not be fixed until 3-6 months after the sleeve to ensure the sleeve holds without complications and no infections due to my condition and being prone to infection. Needless to say, I am having this surgery to get to having my hernia fixed, and to prevent any further hernias recurring. I am petrified of what I’m going to look like, as my belly is pretty deformed now from scar tissue, fat and the hernia. I am scared of the complications that can happen and the risk of infection. My surgeon has reassured me that the sleeve is the least risky, but there is still a risk. I am back down to only needing to lose 50 pounds to put me at 135 although my weight for my height should be 110. They would like me to maintain between 110-135 wherever I’m comfortable. I feel that I will become under weight and get sick, or look sick. I’m not sure how to address these fears because for me it is the fear of the unknown. I was given the option of continuing with WW and exercise and he will fix the hernia at 135 but there is the possibility the weight will come back and I will be right back where I started so backing out is not an option, the pain of the hernia is too much. I’m sorry this is so lengthy but this is how I got here and facing my fears have really hit me and I needed to get this out somehow. Thank you to those that read it and thank you for being an inspiration to many like me. Best wishes on your continued journey. 😊

I know you got this! It’s interesting to read the different ways the doctors do things from pre-op to post-op. I wish you the absolute best on your surgery and will be watching and supporting you!

Thank you! I have decided to move forward and surgery is August 15th. I am very happy with the way things are going and feel it is absolutely the best decision I could make for myself. I know in my heart it can only get better from here. Thank you for your encouraging words and best to you on your continued journey. 😊😊

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! For sharing and updating your experience after surgery. I’m so exciting for you and that all has worked out well so far for you. Best of luck on the rest of your journey and positive thoughts that it’s as smooth as possible.

Good luck to all of you having your surgery in August.
I had mine gastric bypass Roux-en-Y on the 2nd july 2019 so I'm 4 and half weeks post op. Its early days but I'm doing well. The clear liquid stage was hard for me, my surgeon likes his patients to do 3 weeks liquid, 2 weeks pureed, 2 weeks soft foods. I think as long as you prepare in advanced you will be fine. I found alot of Protein powders and shakes to be sickly or too sweet after, so I've stocked up on unflavoured Protein Powder. I can't wait to start the soft foods diet.
I'm surprised how quickly I was up and about after surgery. It helped to relieve the gas pain. I was very constipated for the first week, but then I was fine. The only thing which I'm struggling with is dairy, I have to go to the bathroom straight away if I've had any. I was told it was normal for the stomach to be sensitive to dairy after, that some cant tolerate it at all and others are ok after a few months.
Also I was shocked to all the noises my stomach makes, it's like a rumbling growling noise, as if your hungry.

Wishing you all the best on your weight loss journeys!

I look forward to hearing from you and your experiences. xxx

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I am currently on day 3 of the pre-op liquid diet. This was my first day on it at work, and of course, there was an ice cream social. My coworkers were awesome though and did not eat around me, so that was much appreciated! I'm surprised by how little hunger I am feeling. I contribute this to sipping Water all day and spacing my Protein shakes/jello/broth out every 2 or so hours.
I feel better today than I did Saturday or Sunday. Yesterday I woke up with a killer headache. Today, the tylenol seemed to take care of it. I have been peeing a LOT. I think once an hour or every other hour or so.
My preop diet is as follows:
4 Protein Shakes per day
4 cups of raw vegetables (or 2 cups cooked) - but no starchy veggies. I am enjoying broccoli, carrots and zucchini for now, but will have to drop the broccoli and carrots 3 days prior to surgery
Unlimited: sugar free popsicles (not red), Jello (not red), broth, Decaf coffee or tea, sugar free juices, water
Day before surgery: Clear Liquids, no protein
We can do this!

That's awesome! We're like Surgery Sisters! Have you started the preop diet yet? I did and it's a killer! The only thing keeping me going is knowing what good lies ahead. Good luck!!


Hey! Gosh it took forever to find your response so I could respond. Not sure how the site works. Anyway, I love that we are Sisters now and we can certainly go through this together! Yes I have started the diet, not to bad right now. Low calorie, low fat high Protein for 7 days, then liquid diet for 4, the 3 days clear liquid. There has to be a way we can keep in touch easier than searching through pages of comments. Lol

Hi, I am so sorry for everything you have been through. I myself had the sleeve June 8, 2019 for health reasons. I lost 20 lbs already and I feel good. It is so nice to not be hungry all the time. I also had a hiatal hernia repaired. I would say you already answered your question. I put on a few pounds so I would qualify and made my mind up and never looked back. I was taken off my blood pressure medicine after 1 week. I am off my Meloxicam now for my inflammation and I am doing well without it right now. I take the meloxicam and Stelara for my psoriatic arthritis. You need to do what is best for you, if you need the hernia surgery do whatever you need to get it done. This is something that could change your life for the better. If I were you I would go for it. I am glad I did. Sometimes it easier to just make a decision and not question it. Just keep going forward. Good Luck to you.

Anyone else doing the slim time pre-op ....
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Me also! We can go through this together if you want. I’m nervous but making the best of it. Good luck with everything on your journey ❤️

Deedee12 thank you! I honestly didn’t know why it was happening. I try to read as much positive information as I can and I do feel this is the best decision for me. I love looking at the before and after and reading all the success stories. I’m not trying to seek attention or be self-serving I’m just more nervous than I thought I was I guess. I’m trying to get as much information I can. Having any more surgery is terrifying to me and I have to have one more after the sleeve. Which is the reason for the sleeve. I am very confident in my surgeon, he gets my history and understands my situation so much I cried. It’s hard to find a dr that “gets it”. I noticed our names, and it’s really neat we are a day apart! I will be watching out for you and praying for success as we go through this together. Thank you for your great advice, I do feel better about what’s happening. ❤️

Hello Deegirl31 Yes it's absolutely normal!!! Especially after a previous bad experience with infection!
Just keep reminding yourself how safe this surgery is and due to previous complications, extra precautions should be taken by both you and your surgical team.

If I were you, I won't cancel or reschedule as your anxiety is normal and protective.
Keep watching/reading successful surgeries and recoveries should help ease your mind.

PS:
Our names are very similar and your surgery date is a day before mine! I'll be watching, praying and cheering you on as you go before me.
Cheers to seeing you on the other side soon

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