Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

A minor/silly question in the grand scheme of things.....Will I need to remove my gel nails before surgery? I understand that the anesthesiologist needs to see the nail bed to monitor oxygen levels. Was really hoping that I could leave my gel nails on, and just wear a clear (or no) polish.

Any thoughts?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ask your facility. All anesthesiologists are different. I had to take my acrylic nails off for my VSG, but I was allowed to keep them on for my gallbladder removal.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Oh man...this sucks. I'll have to take mine off then.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I don't have gel nails but I wear gel polish. I took it off the night before surgery. I got out of the hospital the next day, then the following day the first thing I did was go get my nails done. :lol: And they wouldn't even let me wear clear polish :(

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had a mani and pedi done for surgery because my surgeon said it was fine. The anesthesiologist said they have more modern way of watching oxygen levels nowadays. So I went in looking pretty! LOL But check with your surgeon first, and if you see the anesthesiologist during your pre-op testing, as him/her as well.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Generally they remove your nail polish so that the pulse oximeter can pull your readings. That is the little thing they clip on your finger that shows your pulse rate and oxygen saturation levels. It works by reading the hemoglobin saturation of your skin beneath your nailbed, so if you have on nail polish not only can it block the reading if the polish is colored, but even if it is clear, sometimes the reading comes back wrong. They monitor your oxygenation levels during surgery with what someone else referred to as "far more modern ways" of monitoring oxygen, which is true. It's part of the machine that breathes for you and it has a constant reading on the screen so that they can see your levels. They may also have a pulse oximeter on your finger, it depends. Ultimately, toe nail polish is fine, but the rationale behind the no fingernail polish is because it screws up the O2 saturation reading. If you have regular nailpolish, they just remove the polish on one nail, and if you have gel, they will scrape it off of one nail. If they don't, then that's cool too, but I would personally find having one nail messed up far more annoying than just not having any polish on at all for a few days.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well, so much for consistent answers - lol!

I guess I'll just have to ask my anesthesiologist at my pre-surgery appt at the hospital a week before surgery, since it seems to vary.

I appreciate everyone taking the time out to respond. Good luck to you all!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I didn't have to remove mine, but they did ask for no polish on them.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I removed mine, because I assumed I had to. When I told the nurses I did that, they said I didn't have to. I was pretty bummed, because for the next two weeks I couldn't pick anything up!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I asked and my surgeon said no problem. Just ask they will tell you

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

As a darker person, they judge if you are pale or not by your nail beds. I have been told this by doctors my whole life.

The funny thing is my nails are so long, the oxygen thing never fit right on it anyway. They didn't make me clip my nails so it must not have been that critical.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Why take the chance..,remove them ...after surgery get them back on.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×