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

Could Someone 'Splain This To Me?



Recommended Posts

I promise I'm not judging anyone. I promise, this isn't in response to any particular thread already existing on this forum.

I'm genuinely confused. I "think" in the US that most of us who are in programs paid by insurance, must go through a supervised weight loss period prior to insurance approval. It ranges from 3-6 months or even longer--maybe even a year or more? During that time, in my plan at least, we painstakingly go over my doc's pre-op and post-op diet regimen along with the Vitamin and Water schedules so that there isn't any doubt about what I'm supposed to be doing at any point in time after surgery.

So how is it that I read all over the internet (not just here on BP) about patients asking what they're supposed to eat immediately post-op, or x days post-op, or x weeks?

I swear how I don't understand this scenario? Is it different if you're self-pay maybe? I'm sure it's quite diff if you have surgery out of the country through Medical Tourism, perhaps? Do surgeons really put their patients through this life-changing, anatomy-altering surgery without fully explaining what to do once the surgery's over? It just seems so scary larry sketchy...as in a recipe for disaster!?

So confused and concerned about these peeps! :mellow::blink::wacko::unsure::huh: (don't mind me...I'm easily amused by the googly eyes on these guys!)

kthanxbye.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm in the same boat a you when it comes to how your Dr. Handles things. The practice that did my surgery had a very intense program with group classes, several 1:1 meetings with RD and personal trainers, psych evals, etc. preop. Postop We have more RD follow up meetings, etc. We had binders for all the info to reference back...still, people forget and post to our private FB group questions that are covered countless times in all the meetings.

I also know of a practice the next county over that does none of these items...if you meet your insurance requirements you have surgery and then sent home on your own.

To sum it up, I guess some people genuinely do not know and some may just forget or aren't really paying attention during their preop classes, etc.

VSG 10/11/17 HW = 360 SW = 292 CW = 252.8 GW = 220 (6'5")

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

6 minutes ago, 336Mike said:

I'm in the same boat a you when it comes to how your Dr. Handles things. The practice that did my surgery had a very intense program with group classes, several 1:1 meetings with RD and personal trainers, psych evals, etc. preop. Postop We have more RD follow up meetings, etc. We had binders for all the info to reference back...still, people forget and post to our private FB group questions that are covered countless times in all the meetings.

I also know of a practice the next county over that does none of these items...if you meet your insurance requirements you have surgery and then sent home on your own.

To sum it up, I guess some people genuinely do not know and some may just forget or aren't really paying attention during their preop classes, etc.

VSG 10/11/17 HW = 360 SW = 292 CW = 252.8 GW = 220 (6'5")

Thanks Mike! That does help clarify! Then too...reading comprehension/literacy may also be a factor I hadn't really considered. I have a huge binder! LOL. And I will also have 1:1 meetings post-op as well as my pre-op ones. I didn't have to do group meetings and they are so far away and at night, so I'm glad!

I was just really wondering how on earth this happens and how people handle it. I'd be scared spitless if I couldn't read/re-read all this boatload of stuff in the binder! *scratches head--which is better than scratching butt*

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

55 minutes ago, FluffyChix said:

I promise I'm not judging anyone. I promise, this isn't in response to any particular thread already existing on this forum.

I'm genuinely confused. I "think" in the US that most of us who are in programs paid by insurance, must go through a supervised weight loss period prior to insurance approval. It ranges from 3-6 months or even longer--maybe even a year or more? During that time, in my plan at least, we painstakingly go over my doc's pre-op and post-op diet regimen along with the Vitamin and Water schedules so that there isn't any doubt about what I'm supposed to be doing at any point in time after surgery.

So how is it that I read all over the internet (not just here on BP) about patients asking what they're supposed to eat immediately post-op, or x days post-op, or x weeks?

I swear how I don't understand this scenario? Is it different if you're self-pay maybe? I'm sure it's quite diff if you have surgery out of the country through Medical Tourism, perhaps? Do surgeons really put their patients through this life-changing, anatomy-altering surgery without fully explaining what to do once the surgery's over? It just seems so scary larry sketchy...as in a recipe for disaster!?

So confused and concerned about these peeps! :mellow::blink::wacko::unsure::huh: (don't mind me...I'm easily amused by the googly eyes on these guys!)

kthanxbye.

Seems to be common to come across patients that have little to no instructions.

If they google different reputable bariatric programs. Some will send the pre and post op information and nutrition instructions.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, jenn1 said:

Seems to be common to come across patients that have little to no instructions.

If they google different reputable bariatric programs. Some will send the pre and post op information and nutrition instructions.

Gosh, I feel so bad for them! How can this be possible? How can there be so many sketchy surgeons out there? It's so sad!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

7 minutes ago, JohnnyCakes said:

i know of someone, an older lady, who had gastric bypass surgery at a hospital in Georgia.

the next day, the daughter brings a box of Cinnabons to her in the hospital room. they proceed to start eating them. she tears open her new stomach and has to go into emergency surgery to save her life, cleaning cinnabons out of her abdomen.

moral of the story? there seems to be no limit to the stupidity of most people in this country. it is infinite and almost beyond the imagination. while some bariatric offices are better than others at preparation and patient education, none of that really matters when dealing with the average American.

look at our president.

Dear God and all that's holy! Then it goes back to @Creekimp13's graphic! That's just truly horrifying and scary! :o

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I admit to the same head scratching as @FluffyChix I have a tendency to think everyone is capable of finding, reading and absorbing information the way I do, and that is probably wrong-headed as all heck....slap head. However I don't think 'most people' are truly stupid as much as under educated, and that is a different can of worms.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Also some insurances don't require the 3-6 months of supervised weight loss and visits. I had my four year follow up appointment a few months ago and in the exam room my doc had a chart posted for info with a list of insurance companies and their requirements. About a third of the ones listed (mine included) had none. I had six l weeks between my first looking up info and surgery date. I only had to get all the clearances or might have been quicker. My insurance didn't require much and I have a biggie in California.


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had virtually no preop or postop instructions. I wasn’t even taught how to handle/empty my JP drain after my hospital visit. My surgeons office scheduled me for my first “followup” 6 weeks after my surgery. I called and changed it, because I wasn’t about to have a JP drain for 6 weeks. Indeed, my surgeon gave me no real instructions on postop diet. I had a sheet from a nutritionist that I saw 4 months prior to surgery (I use “saw” loosely, it was done over Skype). I’ve received much better info here than I did from any preop appts (which were just basically a weight check once a month). My surgeon was rated highly online, and I liked him well enough, but the info from his office was pretty light (especially after reading what others have gone through). So, some of this isn’t a “stupidity” issue. I just don’t think people know the difference between what will be a good surgeon/program and what makes for a bad surgeon/program. Had I not found this community, I would have thought my experience was the norm.

This brings up another point. When people on here say “follow your surgeons program” or “have you checked in with your surgeon about X”, they might be doing everything they were told (which is to say, not much).

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, psyance said:

I had virtually no preop or postop instructions. I wasn’t even taught how to handle/empty my JP drain after my hospital visit. My surgeons office scheduled me for my first “followup” 6 weeks after my surgery. I called and changed it, because I wasn’t about to have a JP drain for 6 weeks. Indeed, my surgeon gave me no real instructions on postop diet. I had a sheet from a nutritionist that I saw 4 months prior to surgery (I use “saw” loosely, it was done over Skype). I’ve received much better info here than I did from any preop appts (which were just basically a weight check once a month). My surgeon was rated highly online, and I liked him well enough, but the info from his office was pretty light (especially after reading what others have gone through). So, some of this isn’t a “stupidity” issue. I just don’t think people know the difference between what will be a good surgeon/program and what makes for a bad surgeon/program. Had I not found this community, I would have thought my experience was the norm.

This brings up another point. When people on here say “follow your surgeons program” or “have you checked in with your surgeon about X”, they might be doing everything they were told (which is to say, not much).

Good Gawd! This terrifies me! I'm so sorry you were left out in the wind!!! Knowing what I go through with my doc, it's just so easy to assume that this must be the way it's done. I've now seen my surgeon for 5 visits. I will have a 6th visit January 4, and then have my RD appointment right after that.

@jess9395 That's amazing and also terrifying!

You guys bring a new perspective about this journey!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My insurance was not as rigorous and didn't require the weight loss or waiting period, so that may be a factor for some. Also the classes vary greatly by center. I received a 4 page book on the diet after surgery and IMHO it was not detailed enough in respect to variations on themes of food groups. So the amount of information distributed can be vastly different and people come to sites like these to glean information from others in similar positions

Because honestly at 8pm my Surgeon and NUT are no longer answering non emergency questions...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

17 minutes ago, Tealael said:

My insurance was not as rigorous and didn't require the weight loss or waiting period, so that may be a factor for some. Also the classes vary greatly by center. I received a 4 page book on the diet after surgery and IMHO it was not detailed enough in respect to variations on themes of food groups. So the amount of information distributed can be vastly different and people come to sites like these to glean information from others in similar positions

Because honestly at 8pm my Surgeon and NUT are no longer answering non emergency questions...

True! LOL!

I think in some ways, because I've been studying nutrition for years as a lay person, so much of what I've learned in my RD appointments is "old news." But important news nonetheless! So it makes it important to step outside of my own reference frame to understand a problem, fully. :D Thanks for sharing your experience!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I know with my program I only received information about the current phase. So, I didn't get information about my 2 week liquid diet until the day I started. In the hospital I received my info about phase 1, Clear Liquids and Protein Drinks only, then at my 2 week appointment, I received info about phase 2 and 3, full liquids and mushy food. I think they did it this way to try to simplify the process and so patients wouldn't skip ahead. I know my program was very different from my sister's who just had the sleeve done as well. I do like the way my program broke it down not to give too much information all at once and they had nice handy sheets on what to focus on.

Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

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

    ×