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

Any Seattle/Tacoma Sleevers with surgeries approaching?



Recommended Posts

Hi. I live in Federal Way and have surgery scheduled 31May. I'm very excited. Anyone else having surgery soon?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Kadie, I'm in Seattle and just starting the process, so I'm at least 4-6 months out still. But I'm very excited to learn more about the surgery! Any tips or things you wish you had known at the beginning?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Kadie, I'm in Seattle and just starting the process, so I'm at least 4-6 months out still. But I'm very excited to learn more about the surgery! Any tips or things you wish you had known at the beginning?

Hi! Congrats on starting the process. I think the best thing I have done in preparing for this surgery so far has been to learn what I can from research and testimonials of folks who have completed the surgery before me. Like you, I found bariatric pal early in the process and I have found just reading different topics to be useful. When I'm feeling low motivation, I look up sleeve before and after stories to motivate me to move forward towards this life change.

The biggest challenges I have had were 1) pre-op weight loss and 2) my insurance company. I initially started this process in August of last year. It was recommended that I lose 25 pounds prior to the surgery. I reviewed insurance requirements and consulted with my insurance company and did not see any barriers to disapproval. I was able to lose 15 pounds in the first two months but then it got rough (I need this surgery because I can lose weight but have trouble maintaining diets and weight loss over time). Then, my insurance company disapproved the surgery! They used an inaccurate measure of my height that was taken at a specialty care appointment and had me nearly two inches taller reducing my BMI below the 35 needed for approval. So, the other advice I would have would be to closely examine the insurance requirements and the data in your medical record, especially if you are near the borderline to meet the requirements.

Now, that I resubmitted and have been approved the diet is going much better because I have a set surgery date!

Best wishes to you and feel welcome to ask any questions as you go through this process.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am post-op, had surgery just this past Friday. So, I'm not really part of the group you are looking for, but I'm in Kent, Wa.

Sent from my SM-G360T using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am post-op, had surgery just this past Friday. So, I'm not really part of the group you are looking for, but I'm in Kent, Wa.

Sent from my SM-G360T using the BariatricPal App

I love to hear from folks who had the surgery! How did it go? How are you feeling? Who did the surgery (if u are ok saying)?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Another Seattlite here! I don't have a surgery date yet; should be in about two months, after I complete all the tests and (ugh) the two-week liquid diet. I've been reading lots of journals, food diaries and messageboards (mostly this one). Would very much like to hear about Kooky and Kadie's journeys so far!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am post-op, had surgery just this past Friday. So, I'm not really part of the group you are looking for, but I'm in Kent, Wa.

Sent from my SM-G360T using the BariatricPal App

I love to hear from folks who had the surgery! How did it go? How are you feeling? Who did the surgery (if u are ok saying)?

I had my surgery done in Mexico with Long Term VSG. Today marks two weeks since my surgery, and I am still dealing with a bit of swelling. I have a few more days left on a liquid diet, then I will transition to soft foods.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

How many days were you off work? How's the nausea? Is it difficult to get your liquids in? Are you glad you did it? Anything pre-op that you are glad you did, or wish you'd done differently? Thank you!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello, reading what you post I was woundering what I said a bout u had to lose25 pounds prior before the surgery. I had to lose 20 I list 10 due to me having congestive heart failure and it is hard for me to do the requirement the Insurance want is ok but what do I do when I go see my doctor and I haven't lost the 20pounds I'm freaking out thinking he will not do the surgery. Can u give me some advice

Sent from my SM-N910P using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. I have my initial consult with a surgeon on Monday, and I'm a little nervous that my insurance won't approve because I am slightly under a 40 BMI and don't think I have any qualifying co-morbities. Does anyone have any experience with UW Med or FepBlue insurance?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello, reading what you post I was woundering what I said a bout u had to lose25 pounds prior before the surgery. I had to lose 20 I list 10 due to me having congestive heart failure and it is hard for me to do the requirement the Insurance want is ok but what do I do when I go see my doctor and I haven't lost the 20pounds I'm freaking out thinking he will not do the surgery. Can u give me some advice

Sent from my SM-N910P using the BariatricPal App

Keep me posted on what your doc says. My assumption would be because of the congestive heart failure that losing 10 pounds will be good and that they would proceed with the surgery. But I'm no doc. Would love to hear more about your journey.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. I have my initial consult with a surgeon on Monday, and I'm a little nervous that my insurance won't approve because I am slightly under a 40 BMI and don't think I have any qualifying co-morbities. Does anyone have any experience with UW Med or FepBlue insurance?

Hi I had FEP as well. Keep us posted on the outcome. My guess is that your surgeon will be able to identify at least one co-morbidity in your health history. FEP did not approve my surgery initially bc they thought I was below 35 bmi but they eventually approved when I resubmitted. I would assume as one gets closer to 40 BMI that they would be more willing to approve. Keep us posted!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. I have my initial consult with a surgeon on Monday, and I'm a little nervous that my insurance won't approve because I am slightly under a 40 BMI and don't think I have any qualifying co-morbities. Does anyone have any experience with UW Med or FepBlue insurance?

Hi I had FEP as well. Keep us posted on the outcome. My guess is that your surgeon will be able to identify at least one co-morbidity in your health history. FEP did not approve my surgery initially bc they thought I was below 35 bmi but they eventually approved when I resubmitted. I would assume as one gets closer to 40 BMI that they would be more willing to approve. Keep us posted!

Sooo I had my initial consult with the surgeon, and I ended up clocking in at a 39.3 BMI. I am a bit disappointed that the nurse insisted my height was 5'3, when I think I'm closer to 5'2 and have been measured at that height multiple times by my PCP and other providers. The inch difference would have meant that I probably wouldn't need to prove co-morbities. But, oh well.

The appointment itself also was not what I would have expected...the surgeon and resident seemed surprised I was interested in surgical treatment of obesity. The resident also commented that I was smaller and healthier than the patients he normally sees in the clinic. I didn't really think that was a compliment nor helpful. They seemed to get it a little more when I explained my rational that I want to get this surgery to help me lose weight before I develop diabetes and other weight related health complications. The surgeon ended up enrolling me in the pre-surgery program, so I am happy about that. Now I just have to wait and see if my insurance will end up paying.

Anyways, I see your surgery is coming up fast, @@kadie777! Are you excited? Nervous?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. I have my initial consult with a surgeon on Monday, and I'm a little nervous that my insurance won't approve because I am slightly under a 40 BMI and don't think I have any qualifying co-morbities. Does anyone have any experience with UW Med or FepBlue insurance?

Hi I had FEP as well. Keep us posted on the outcome. My guess is that your surgeon will be able to identify at least one co-morbidity in your health history. FEP did not approve my surgery initially bc they thought I was below 35 bmi but they eventually approved when I resubmitted. I would assume as one gets closer to 40 BMI that they would be more willing to approve. Keep us posted!

Sooo I had my initial consult with the surgeon, and I ended up clocking in at a 39.3 BMI. I am a bit disappointed that the nurse insisted my height was 5'3, when I think I'm closer to 5'2 and have been measured at that height multiple times by my PCP and other providers. The inch difference would have meant that I probably wouldn't need to prove co-morbities. But, oh well.

The appointment itself also was not what I would have expected...the surgeon and resident seemed surprised I was interested in surgical treatment of obesity. The resident also commented that I was smaller and healthier than the patients he normally sees in the clinic. I didn't really think that was a compliment nor helpful. They seemed to get it a little more when I explained my rational that I want to get this surgery to help me lose weight before I develop diabetes and other weight related health complications. The surgeon ended up enrolling me in the pre-surgery program, so I am happy about that. Now I just have to wait and see if my insurance will end up paying.

Anyways, I see your surgery is coming up fast, @@kadie777! Are you excited? Nervous?

Hi. It's so interesting to read on your experience, thanks for sharing. Different surgeons seem to have different approaches. I'm currently at your BMI and my surgeon thinks I'm a perfect candidate for gastric sleeve. I do have co-morbidities, however, but apart from severe sleep apnea the others are mild. My goal, like yours, is to get a tool for making a lifestyle change so as to avoid more severe co-morbidities as I age. I'm currently 46 and am facing some major risk factors if I don't make changes soon. My surgeon was completely understanding. I'm glad you got referred to the pre-surgery program and hope your team can be more understanding and less dismissive.

Because I'm reasonably healthy and my weight is equally proportioned across my body, people too have questioned me needing to seek surgical solution. However, when I read the literature on morbid obesity and the fact the dieting only successful for 2-4% of the obese population, it makes sense to me to look for something more effective rather to continue to diet and fail. Sleeve gastrectomy, with low risks for complications, has demonstrated an average loss of 65% of excessive weight loss for people who are obese. Wow!

It's interesting too the issue you raised on height measurement. I was initially denied by FEP because of a height in my chart from a specialty care appointment that was 2 inches above my actual height. I had my primary care doc verify my height and then we resubmitted with a letter from my doc about my height over time. So, get all your med records that have you listed as 5' 2" so that this can be submitted. Ask your PCP to write a letter with a reading of your height and bmi, and if possible, their support for your having this surgery.

I'm more excited than scared. I really feel like this is going to be so beneficial for me. Thanks for asking. If you want, I'm happy to follow-up after the surgery to let you know if I feel the same way!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yes, please do follow up and let me know how it goes, @kadie777. Lots of luck and good vibes today!

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

    ×