what to tell the surgeon?

[pleezeSleeve 50]

okay so not that long of a wait after the seminar. thanks ladies!

[kmorri 1,689]

My surgeon was actually at the seminar and did a great presentation.....I was in your same boat....I was around a 42 bmi with no medical issues.....When I met with the surgeon I told him all about all the times I had lost and re-gained....I told him I know how I "should" eat.....I actually ate pretty health foods, I just ate way way too much of it! He felt I was perfect for surgery right from the beginning.

You'll do great! I'm a little over 4 weeks post-op now and feeling great! This is the best thing I've ever done for myself!!!

[pleezeSleeve 50]

kmorri, that is exactly what i want to tell him. which is true! i DO know how I should eat also.. but i know i eat too much. & big portions at that. i wasn't sure if I should say that though because they might say i don't know my limit and might stretch my stomach or something? lol sounds crazy. forgive me for being such a newbie .

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Hello to all my sisters & brothers of WLS,

I am slightly new here. I have been browsing this forum as a guest for a few months and finally made my own account because I finally decided that the VSG is right for me. I am still in the early, early stages of this journey, but very excited... eager... nervous... all the above! & I need your help, please!! So far, I have only gotten the referral to the bariatric surgeon from my PCP & they require that I attend an orientation which will be held next week. SUPER EXCITED to get this ball rolling.

A little info about me: I am 26yrs old. I have a 4yr old son delivered via C-section. I am a medical assistant/group facilitator for a prenatal group in which we teach patients a bunch of stuff about pregnancy, labor, and post partum. (we also talk about health & nutrition in one of the sessions) which is extremely uncomfortable/embarrassing for me because here I am, sitting at 290lbs while trying to teach women about eating right lol. I am the heaviest in our department, but that's just a teeny tiny reason of why I really want this surgery.

I need your advice: My BMI is 44.7. I have no medical issues, except for being obese. My ankles hurt and so does my lower back because of this. I also snore. I have struggled with my weight for years. I have been overweight since 3rd grade. At age 15 is when I started trying to do something about it. I tried everything. OTC weightloss pills, prescribed weightloss pills (Qsymia), I've done juicing, I've done calorie counting, low carb, meatless diets, intermittent fasting, you name it. I have successfully lost 50 pounds over a 2 year period but guess what? I gained 67 pounds back. I'm nervous as hell. I don't know what to even tell the surgeon! I don't know if he is going to tell me to try do it on my own again since I lost 50 pounds before. I don't know if I should even tell him that I've successfully lost weight in the past. (even at a snail's pace) I'm not sure if my BMI is enough to qualify me since I'm otherwise healthy. Not saying that's a bad thing- but I feel without a medical issue, I'm not a favored candidate. I believe my insurance will cover. I think I'm just nervous that the surgeon is going to say I'm young enough and healthy enough to lose the weight on my own and I think I will just pass out right there in his office lol.

Please, can someone let me know how they were approved without any medical issues? Or what have you heard from success stories here? What should I tell the surgeon? & What do you think they will say about my weightloss/gain history? Thanks a bunch!! All responses are appreciated.

Welcome!

I don't think you need to worry too much about what you tell your surgeon. Just be open and honest about your physical challenges and your history. You could even print this post out and share it. I had to fill out a long form about my physical condition and history.

Best of luck with the process.

[kmorri 1,689]

That's great advice from @@Inner Surfer Girl......I think you did a great job in outlining your situation when you wrote this post......what you mentioned in this post are the exact things you should tell your surgeon!......Please make sure to keep us posted on how it goes. I wish you the best of luck............oh and never apologize for being new!... We were all new at one time or the other.

[KristenLe 5,980]

kmorri, that is exactly what i want to tell him. which is true! i DO know how I should eat also.. but i know i eat too much. & big portions at that. i wasn't sure if I should say that though because they might say i don't know my limit and might stretch my stomach or something? lol sounds crazy. forgive me for being such a newbie .

I eat mostly healthy but far too much! That actually makes you a better candidate for surgery because the surgery can help reduce portion sizes but can't stop you from eating junk food. You sound like a great candidate and just be honest with your Team - they are there to support you - not turn you down.

[Pillar2butterfly 391]

I was approved based on my BMI alone...I had no co-morbidities.

[provenzee 262]

Congratulations, and welcome to the group! Your username is cute by the way.

I feel like we are a similar age group, and some of our stats and information sound similar so I figured I would tell you my story. I am 25 years old, and my starting weight was 298lbs. I had no medical issues, other than morbid obesity, and as long as you have a BMI of 40 or higher, none are required for approval for most insurance companies.

I made the decision to have weight loss surgery because I was overweight my entire life, and decided I wanted to enjoy what was left of my young adulthood at a healthy weight. My weight when I was ages 17-22 stayed pretty much at around 240lbs. Then, in 2013 I decided to go on a diet - I lost 80lbs and was down to 160! of course, I started going back to my old habits again, and before I knew it, I was 298lbs in June 2015.

I made the decision to see a surgeon, I did a consultation and all of the pre op requirements including six months of nutrition visits. My PCP and the surgeon both thought surgery was a great option, because they thought my past dieting experience showed I could stick to a nutrition plan - only this time I would have a sleeve to help.

I have had no complications from surgery at all, and am 4.5 months out. I think that has a lot to do with being young and otherwise healthy. I have lost 76lbs so far, and I feel amazing. I don't remember feeling this great last time I was 222lbs. The sleeve was the best thing I have ever done. I feel like a normal 25 year old now. I still go out with friends and order healthy options, and I still cook dinner for my family.

Also, I have heard that the pain from a C-section is worse than that of the sleeve. The worst pain for me in the hospital was trying to sleep in those uncomfortable beds with a sore back from being on the operating table....

Good luck, and stick around so we can share experiences!

[jennmonterrozo 139]

*hugs all* that's reassuring.

did anyone else have to attend the required orientation before seeing the surgeon?

about how long after the orientation did you have to wait until you met with the surgeon?

I guess maybe it depends on the doctor's availability? or is there another process.

I have United Healthcare.

I was able to meet with my surgeon the day of the seminar. I'm sure each practice is different.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[pleezeSleeve 50]

Congratulations, and welcome to the group! Your username is cute by the way.

I feel like we are a similar age group, and some of our stats and information sound similar so I figured I would tell you my story. I am 25 years old, and my starting weight was 298lbs. I had no medical issues, other than morbid obesity, and as long as you have a BMI of 40 or higher, none are required for approval for most insurance companies.

I made the decision to have weight loss surgery because I was overweight my entire life, and decided I wanted to enjoy what was left of my young adulthood at a healthy weight. My weight when I was ages 17-22 stayed pretty much at around 240lbs. Then, in 2013 I decided to go on a diet - I lost 80lbs and was down to 160! of course, I started going back to my old habits again, and before I knew it, I was 298lbs in June 2015.

I made the decision to see a surgeon, I did a consultation and all of the pre op requirements including six months of nutrition visits. My PCP and the surgeon both thought surgery was a great option, because they thought my past dieting experience showed I could stick to a nutrition plan - only this time I would have a sleeve to help.

I have had no complications from surgery at all, and am 4.5 months out. I think that has a lot to do with being young and otherwise healthy. I have lost 76lbs so far, and I feel amazing. I don't remember feeling this great last time I was 222lbs. The sleeve was the best thing I have ever done. I feel like a normal 25 year old now. I still go out with friends and order healthy options, and I still cook dinner for my family.

Also, I have heard that the pain from a C-section is worse than that of the sleeve. The worst pain for me in the hospital was trying to sleep in those uncomfortable beds with a sore back from being on the operating table....

Good luck, and stick around so we can share experiences!

hi hun! thankyou so much for sharing!! this sounds exactly like me! i am so happy i joined this group. hearing your experience has put me at ease. I believe that they will approve me. so excited to start this new journey!! I am definitely sticking around. I plan on documenting everything. do you have a fitness page? I would love to follow your progress . I currently have an ig fitness page with 16.3k followers.... idk how im going to break it to them that im going to get surgery. lowcarb isn't doing the trick anymore and im just tired of falling off then starting all over smh. I'm also thinking of keeping it a secret! from everyone except family. not sure yet . thanks again! you really put me in a good mood lol. I can't wait until the seminar! 6 days away lol!

[Alex Brecher 10,516]

@@pleezeSleeve,

The short answer to what to tell the surgeon is “the truth.” You cannot go into something as important as surgery under the pretext of a lie. You need to tell your surgeon everything. If the surgeon thinks you should not get surgery and you disagree, find another surgeon. And another. And another. If you go through 10 or 20 surgeons who all say you shouldn’t get surgery, maybe you should consider listening. Otherwise, it’s just a question of finding the right surgeon for you.

I don’t think your BMI will disqualify you. Isn’t 40 the general cutoff? And pain and snoring aren’t just inconveniences; they’re medical issues.

Also in your favor is that you’re not that young, in WLS terms. You’re very much an adult who is mostly finished growing and who has had plenty of opportunity to lead your own life and try to lose weight. So while your concern is that 26 is too young, lots of surgeons will look at your history and agree with you that you need surgery.

So, go with the truth, and good luck to you!

[pleezeSleeve 50]

Hi all,

I had my seminar/orientation and initial consultation with the surgeon on the same day! I cant believe how nervous I was that he wouldn't support my decision. He is super supportive and so happy to be apart of my journey. he was also the surgeon who spoke at the seminar. awesome awesome awesome! I have a great feeling about this. I called my insurance (Sutter Select - UMR from United HealthCare) and they require a consecutive 6 months of a documented weight-loss program. My doctor's office requires 2 months of nutrition visits. I scheduled 6 visits instead of 2. Is this what the insurance is requiring? or are they referring to a different program for 6 months? like weight watchers or jenny craig? or does the 6 months nutrition visits count?? I wish I only had to do 3 months.. but either way- I'm so glad the doctor is on my side!

btw- remember I was so nervous about what I should tell the surgeon? Well I don't even know why I was so worried! All I had to do was be myself & explain situation with honesty. For anybody who wants to start but is scared.. go for it! I cant wait to get healthy! & sexy lol.

[kmorri 1,689]

Congrats! I'm glad it went well for you. I knew it would!.............as far as your required classes you need to check with your insurance to make sure what you have scheduled will count.....or perhaps, did the Bariatric center assign a coordinator for you?....Mine did and she was very very helpful! She scheduled everything for me.

Good luck to you!

Edited June 24, 2016 by kmorri

[pleezeSleeve 50]

I have my behaviorist/psych visit in an hour. I'm nervous! what are they going to ask me?!

[kmorri 1,689]

for me they had me fill out a lot of forms....and then chatted about past diets and eating habits....just be honest. It'll be fine.