Old Salt

My Doc's papers also had magnesium citrate but he informed me that it was recalled. So my new orders are "Drink 32oz of GAtorade the evening before surgery with a double dose of Miralax." That is what I am doing right now as I go for surgery tomorrow morning. ?

I believe if you have a pre-op time schedule to go by it will help. I've attached a copy of a sample schedule they provided me for Week 1 & 2. I was told that 4 oz will take about about 15 min. to drink. Maybe some of these folk who have alreay passed this phase can chirp in. How many vitamins do they have you taking the first 2 weeks? All I am required is the chewable Bariatrc multivitamin 4 times a day and a sublingual B12 over the counter 1 time a day. A November to Remember!

Yes. 3 protein shakes and a 4 oz protein meal (steak,chicken, etc) plus veggies. And of course the suger-free jello and popsicles, and a lot of water. Finished Day 4 today with no problems except the first day kind of felt dizzy/tired. To me it is very similiar to the many diets that I have experienced before so it is not that big of a deal for me. I also got pretty good in the past with intermittent fasting so I am holding off on my 1st shake until around noon. As with many of us, we are experts in losing weight but terrible at maintaining that loss. I am more concerned about the initial post-op phase diet so focusing on preparing mentally as well as getting my supplies. I am going into this with optimism. I greatly benefited being prepared and looking forward to the positive results last year when I had my Knee replaced. I am taking that same approach to this surgery. Hoping all have a successful journey!

November 8th, Gastric Bypass.

Are you sure? I am using Medicare and I am not on a 4 month schedule. More like a 3 month.

I am going to steal that term for my future "phantom Belly" ?

I have those two conflicting images of myself and I do not even go to surgery until next month. I think most men have that internal self-image of themselves of an earlier age and face reality only when shaving. However, even though that "older" image is hard to swallow, the "old & fat" image is far worse (also for me when clothes shopping). I am looking forward to just the conflicting body images of that young fella and that "old skinny" guy shaving in the mirror. Reminds me of always wondering why my old high school mates look so old. ?

I am grateful that I am bald already.? Maybe my hair will grow back!

I asked for Steak & Eggs, Fried Chicken with Cheese Cake, but they did not agree. ?

Thank you for the post. If the FBI does not get these people, then I hope KARMA will will.

Gastric.

Looks like busy day! Gastric or Sleeve?

Dr. Gonzalvo with Advent Hospital Bariatric Center. Very experienced surgeon, very comprehensive and organized Bariatic Center. Love how they assign a "Navigator" to each patient to schedule and track all pre & post Op requirements. Very easy process. In house Dietician is really good too. Brand new state of the art sugery center in the Hospital awaits me!

Mine is scheduled to be 2 weeks of mainly protein shakes and one small (4 oz) dinner.

Surgery set for November 8th. I am ready! ?

My A1C is 6.0 and in my initial consult report the Doc wrote that it must stay below 8.0. I do not know if that is a hard fast rule but seems to be the standard number he goes by. I don't think the Op will have any concerns.

Now looking at sugery in November and was wondering about the 1st 2 weeks of post-op fluid diet. Was it easier to sip room-temp liquids, warm, cold, or cool? Did the fluid temp affect how your recovering pouch reacted? Could you sip more of one temp over another? Did the warmed fluids like broth fill you up faster? Did you you include milk in your protein shakes or just go with water? Thanks in advance!

I look at this whole process in that I am the customer and they are providing a service. I will lean on their experience but will always question if I do not understand and then I fully expect as a customer that they will explain. This is a paid transaction and they are there to make money just as any business does and I am a customer seeking a paid service of the highest quality. Luckily, my Bariatric team has been nothing but professional and accommodating. Remember, it is a 2-way street of respect and communication for this process to work. BUT, IF I had encounted a Bariatric team that I did not feel comfortable with, then I would look into a different service provider.

My dream is to sit on a regular folding beach-chair at the beach and not having to drag that extra-heavy duty monster beach-chair down to the water's edge just for my fat *ss. And I won't even mention the act of getting up from a beach-chair! Yes, simple pleasures that most take for granted. ?

I have not had my meeting with my nutritionist yet, so I am wondering a couple of things if you don't mind sharing: What "high risk nutrition behaviors" were identified and were you aware of them previously? Did they discuss the timeline (4months) with you in person or it just showed up on the report? I have had some very good people on here tell me (as well as read) that those pre months are the key to a succssful surgery. But am still very curious of the timeline. I am resigning myself to 6 months, however, would be overjoyed if it was only 4! Thanks!

This is the what one Hospital provided me for Gastric Bypass Medicare costs and requirements. One thing I noticed is "Consecutive diet counseling within 1 year of surgery" but did not specify a duration time for the diet. Anyway, thought some might derive some useful info from this. TRADITIONAL MEDICARE Insurance Requirements Primary Bariatric Surgery - covered benefit? Yes Revision/Conversion Surgery - covered benefit? Yes - BASED UPON MEDICAL NECESSITY Special Facility Requirements? N/A Specialty Referral or Authorization required from PCP? ● No referral required for clinic ● Policy Copay Fees Registered Dietician (RD) ● One on One Counseling Session ● Diet Class $0 DX: DIABETES $30 Psychology $0 Specialist ● (Surgeon, APP/NP/PA, Cardiology, Pulmonology, Obesity Medicine Specialist) $0 ● BMI requirements ● ‌ BMI >= 40 - OR - ● ‌ BMI >= 35 with 1 of the following: ● OSA on CPAP ● TIIDM ● HTN ● Nutrition Education ● ‌ Consecutive diet counseling within 1 year of surgery ● Documentation includes weight, diet education, supervised by an MD ● Must meet weight goal set by Dietician to return to see your surgeon and schedule surgery ● Psychology Evaluation ● ‌ Clearance within 1 year(s) of surgery (Special considerations may apply, to be discussed if needed) Medical Evaluation ● ‌ Letter of Medical Necessity by ANY medical provider Yes ● On his/her letterhead ● Signed and Dated by the MD/DO/RN/ARNP/APP ● Documents previous failed attempts at weight loss ● Lists co-morbid conditions related to obesity ● Additional Medical Clearances no

Thanks. That is alot to deal with. Sounds like you have a good handle on it now. I'll will try and shoot for the 3 months time frame. Hopefully will find out this week!

Thanks! Looks like your doing real good! How long was your wait from1st visit to surgery?

Anyone use Medicare primary and Tricare for Life as secondary? Not sure if Tricare for Life has different quals as Tricare Prime or Select. Do not see any problem with both funding the procedure, just trying to deterime a time line of requirements. Do either or both require a set 3-6 month "controlled medical diet" prior to the surgery? Not impatient, just ready to get this done this fall. Thanks.

Thanks for the info. I know, slow down, but........ My insurance these days is Medicare as promary and Tricare for Life as secondary. Hard to determine what their time requirements are. I will call them Monday to try and find out. Thanks again. P.S. Love the name "ByPassingMyPhatAss" !