Hi, I'm Barb and I've been lurking for awhile and even posted a couple of times.

I'm in the very beginning stages of the process. I had my psych eval and "passed". I have my last pre- surgical consult NUT meeting next week- been 3 times and have actually gained 7 lbs since I have been eating everything in sight (well, not my dog or anything...) and am a little disappointed in myself. I also have been avoiding even the smallest amount of exercise- and the ironic thing is that I really love to exercise but now I am so heavy and it hurts so I don't do it. I am sure a lot of you know the cycle I'm in...

I have a lot more to say about myself, but I know that this should be a short intro.

I see the surgeon and the bariatric NUT on April 12. I am assuming that I will be given a strict regimen to follow. I'm okay with that- I mean I am doing this so I can learn to eat less. I was wondering, though, did any of you have overeating phases between when you were deciding whether to have surgery anfmd when you axmctually had a consult ir sm inthe onky one with this behavior.

BTW, I am 55 and about 320- been 260-355 on and off for the past 15 years.

Hey, thanks, all of you, for being here. What a great place to get info on this life-affirming decision!

I have been very curious about why people mention shrinking the liver.. Never heard of it, what's the point?

They have to move your over out of the way when they do surgery this just makes it easier...you can watch the surgery done on YouTube.....and welcome you guys I just got my date today 3/12 will let ya know how it goes.

i also gained weight during my six month evaluation, and the week before my pre op liquid diet i went to all of my favorite restaurants and gorged away, not too much but just to remember the taste hmmm lol i went to taco bell had a a big chalupa with extra sour cream, a taco bell grande with extra group beef, i went to mc donalds had me a big mac, went to wendys had a bacon cheese burger n a dollar ice cream smoothie... man let me not continue i dont want to activate anyones hunger lol.. i did this before my liquid diet so dont do it after wards cus then whats the point.. i just got sleeved on monday the 5 still at the hospital since my sleeve is inflamed so i can only drink around 2.5 -3.0 oz at a time.. good luck girl n post away!

ok...so this is what the doctor told me. Your liver stores fat a lot of fat if you are extremely overweight. During this surgery the doctor has to move the liver out of the way. If it is too large it is harder to do the surgery. If you diet prior to surgery it shrinks the liver and makes it a little easier for the doctor to move around.

I didnt do any further research on this but my doctor said my liver looked great and he had no trouble with surgery. Also, they use gas to inflate your stomach to make it easier and it he was able to use minimal gas...the gas they use often causes server gas pains post surgery. I had very little is any gas pain post surgery.

<sigh> I just got a phone that's smarter than I am and deleted my entire last post. Let's try again:

Re the shrinking of the liver, and the reasoning the dr gave , that makes a lot of sense as well as losing weight and getting one's body as ships-shape as possible before the surgery.

I suppose the dr will let me know, but I wonder how long it takes to shrink the liver. Would it be possible for people to let me know how long they were on their pre-op diets? Weeks? Months?

Thanks

Barb

Sorry *liver not over

As part of my pre-op diet I have to take milk thistle and this is required because it reduces fat content and size of liver before surgery. I have never heard anyone mention this on any posts here. I am having my op in Europe (Czech Rep)

Cathy

PS pre-op starts 19/3/12 and surgery 3/4/12

I haven't gained any weight but I did make a food bucket list. I am also training myself to eat better in restaurants too. At home, I'm baking fish, eating soups etc. I'm closely monitoring my carbs and sugar. Good luck.

i also gained weight during my six month evaluation' date=' and the week before my pre op liquid diet i went to all of my favorite restaurants and gorged away, not too much but just to remember the taste hmmm lol i went to taco bell had a a big chalupa with extra sour cream, a taco bell grande with extra group beef, i went to mc donalds had me a big mac, went to wendys had a bacon cheese burger n a dollar ice cream smoothie... man let me not continue i dont want to activate anyones hunger lol.. i did this before my liquid diet so dont do it after wards cus then whats the point.. i just got sleeved on monday the 5 still at the hospital since my sleeve is inflamed so i can only drink around 2.5 -3.0 oz at a time.. good luck girl n post away![/quote']

My date was 5th as well. Doctor says all looks well - shouldbe going home today! Hope you sre doing good!

Hi, I'm Barb and I've been lurking for awhile and even posted a couple of times.

I'm in the very beginning stages of the process. I had my psych eval and "passed". I have my last pre- surgical consult NUT meeting next week- been 3 times and have actually gained 7 lbs since I have been eating everything in sight (well, not my dog or anything...) and am a little disappointed in myself. I also have been avoiding even the smallest amount of exercise- and the ironic thing is that I really love to exercise but now I am so heavy and it hurts so I don't do it. I am sure a lot of you know the cycle I'm in...

I have a lot more to say about myself, but I know that this should be a short intro.

I see the surgeon and the bariatric NUT on April 12. I am assuming that I will be given a strict regimen to follow. I'm okay with that- I mean I am doing this so I can learn to eat less. I was wondering, though, did any of you have overeating phases between when you were deciding whether to have surgery anfmd when you axmctually had a consult ir sm inthe onky one with this behavior.

BTW, I am 55 and about 320- been 260-355 on and off for the past 15 years.

Hey, thanks, all of you, for being here. What a great place to get info on this life-affirming decision!

Well i'm sure you've gotten the idea by now that OF COURSE you can post before seeing the surgeon!! This forum has been infinitely helpful to me before, during and after this whole process. WELCOME!

What a terrific decision. Good luck. I am down 14 since my surgery on the 22nd with a total of 28. This is a decision I would make again in a heartbeat. Take one day at a time.

]Hi, I'm Barb and I've been lurking for awhile and even posted a couple of times.

I'm in the very beginning stages of the process.

Lol I started reading u r post and thought it was mine!!! Because this is what I was going to say too!

My name is LaQuita and I had my first appt on Feb 22nd. Was so blessed to find out that our ins Co did not require any "hoops". No pshcy eval, no nut, no 6 Months waiting, nothing!!! I was SO excited. We have BCBS of TN BUT through my husbands Co there is a special provision for WLS so that none of this is required. Just a BMI over 40 /35 with Co mobidities. I' fit in the over 40 bmi. And proof of 5 years being "obese". I really don't like that word!

I called yesterday and as of Friday the paperwork had been faxed over to BCBS for pre cert so I am waiting on them now. Aa of yesterday it wasn't showing up 'in the system, so I could not get an update from them.

The surgeon won't see me and set a surgery date until he has surgical clearance from the ins. Co. So I'm waiting..........

I know after reading alot of others posts that this wait time is nothing compared to so many others. I just pray that the rest goes as smoothly.

I've enjoyed reading all the tips / suggestions / and ideas u all have posted and I look forward to joining this 'club.

Oh I forgot, I have had lap and surgery 2 times prior. First in 09, then I got food poisoning one time, started throwing up band prolapsed. Had to have it un-filled, then removed. Had 2 nd one put in in '10 then 8 months later I got the flu, it prolapsed too. It took several months to get it out. This was in Dec 11. I wanted the sleeve to start with in 08 but the insurance Co. Didn't approve them yet. Then in 10 when he took the first one out, he would only revise with a band not a sleeve. At the time I did not realize that other doctors would revise someone else work! You live & learn.

Thankfully the Lord had lead me else where and Lord willing I will be having it within the next 4-6 weeks.

Thanks again everyone for making this such an inviting & comfortable place to come!

Blessings to u all!!

So many welcoming people here and so many stories. Thanks for being so welcoming and I look forward to reading and writing as we all go through our journeys.

A special "shout out" to Pookeyism for appreciation of Latin and to all newbies and veterans who took the time to respond.

yes please post!!!!

<sigh> I just got a phone that's smarter than I am and deleted my entire last post. Let's try again:

Re the shrinking of the liver, and the reasoning the dr gave , that makes a lot of sense as well as losing weight and getting one's body as ships-shape as possible before the surgery.

I suppose the dr will let me know, but I wonder how long it takes to shrink the liver. Would it be possible for people to let me know how long they were on their pre-op diets? Weeks? Months?

Thanks

Barb

Every pre op diet is different, but I was on liquids for 2 weeks prior because my BMI was 54. I've heard of a lot of people on here with a 2 week pre op liquid diet. It all depends on the BMI.