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

Just starting the process??



Recommended Posts

I just had my first phone apt with the NP that will be following me throughout the process. I have to attend the orientation and meet the surgeon... they will give me my expected weight loss to get surgery (they want to make sure I’m committed so they request you lose however much the surgeon asks 10-20 pounds). Then I’ll meet with psych to do an evaluation and all that... I was told that after I do all that plus blood work and a sleep study that can get the surgery in as soon as 90 days... just depends on pre surgery requirements and how fast I’m meeting them.


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have my orientation for Kaiser’s 12-week Options program on Wednesday. I am so so excited and nervous to do this- it does not feel real yet. I am from Southern California[emoji5]


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have my orientation for Kaiser’s 12-week Options program on Wednesday. I am so so excited and nervous to do this- it does not feel real yet. I am from Southern California[emoji5]




Is this the same as the healthy weight program with Kaiser I wonder? I start mine on 5/7!


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had the option to do my seminar online (thank goodness!) so I've done that and my consultation with my surgeon is May 23rd. Then I guess we'll go from there. My insurance does not require me to do any program before hand but the place I'm going to requires me to do 3 months with a nutritionist (1 meeting a month). I'm soo impatient at this point.


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my first meeting with the nutritionist today. It went really well. I already started a low carb diet so we just went over what I've been doing, and coping strategies for my vacation next week (going to visit family who do NOT know I'm doing this, for good reasons). She also reviewed the pre-op diet; they use Optifast, it's $100 a week for the two week diet, but you pay for that and it's literally all you eat. Apparently my surgeon likes it because in addition to the Protein, it has a lot of added Vitamins that I would need otherwise. I'm going to do more research before the time comes. I can put the money aside with this much notice.

I also found out that my insurance doesn't actually require any kind of supervised diet, so I made my consult much earlier than I needed. I still can't move up my surgery due to a 12 month waiting period from my enrollment in the insurance plan. 12 months will be December 1st, but I'm going to push it back to January so I have my full FSA for next year for the initial deposit, and so I'm not coming off of surgery still being tired with people taking vacation for the holidays. I'm a medical coder, so at the end of the month, there's a big push to get charges out and if people are out over Christmas, somebody has to pick up the slack LOL. I don't want to worry about that while I'm still lacking energy from surgery. Also I'm going to have to talk to my PCP about a different form of Adderall, because I need it to work, but I'm on the extended release form and I can't open the capsule and sprinkle it on applesauce or something.

But I have a plan! And I lost 3 lbs this week! I'm feeling pretty good right now.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

hello ChynaDollMUA id love go on this journey with you and maybe share some experiences......... i have my bariatrics workshop on Wednesday of this week the 25th i am excited and nervous.... does anyone else have people making them feel less than for going this route? i feel i need to do this and every time i lose the weight i gain it right back and most of the time even more than before

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have my orientation on May 22nd. I am really excited and want to get everything started. I looked into WLS a few years ago but I knew I was not ready to make the change. But I have come a long way and am a great place right now to move forward. I have spent the last 2 weeks researching all sorts of topics. From what I have read and watched it sure seems like there are a lot of things that should be bought before the surgery day. I have bought a few Protein Bars to try and Protein Powder. I joined a gym about 2 weeks ago and absolutely love it. Met with a personal trainer today which was scary for me cause I am always worry about people judging me. But it went great.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites


Is this the same as the healthy weight program with Kaiser I wonder? I start mine on 5/7!




Yes! So the referral will read healthy weight program-bariatric surgery. I only know this because I am a kaiser clinic nurse and see the referrals a lot lol. Is your orientation 5/7 or did you do that part already? How exciting! I will be at the South Bay med center. How about you?


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my first meeting with the nutritionist today. It went really well. I already started a low carb diet so we just went over what I've been doing, and coping strategies for my vacation next week (going to visit family who do NOT know I'm doing this, for good reasons). She also reviewed the pre-op diet; they use Optifast, it's $100 a week for the two week diet, but you pay for that and it's literally all you eat. Apparently my surgeon likes it because in addition to the Protein, it has a lot of added Vitamins that I would need otherwise. I'm going to do more research before the time comes. I can put the money aside with this much notice.
I also found out that my insurance doesn't actually require any kind of supervised diet, so I made my consult much earlier than I needed. I still can't move up my surgery due to a 12 month waiting period from my enrollment in the insurance plan. 12 months will be December 1st, but I'm going to push it back to January so I have my full FSA for next year for the initial deposit, and so I'm not coming off of surgery still being tired with people taking vacation for the holidays. I'm a medical coder, so at the end of the month, there's a big push to get charges out and if people are out over Christmas, somebody has to pick up the slack LOL. I don't want to worry about that while I'm still lacking energy from surgery. Also I'm going to have to talk to my PCP about a different form of Adderall, because I need it to work, but I'm on the extended release form and I can't open the capsule and sprinkle it on applesauce or something.
But I have a plan! And I lost 3 lbs this week! I'm feeling pretty good right now.


Same! I take both Adderall XR and IR. I will be sad to stop taking it because AINT NOBODY have time to stop and take another pill (if I remember to!) you will likely end up taking an IR tablet twice a day.


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

6 minutes ago, jackiesays said:


Yes! So the referral will read healthy weight program-bariatric surgery. I only know this because I am a kaiser clinic nurse and see the referrals a lot lol. Is your orientation 5/7 or did you do that part already? How exciting! I will be at the South Bay med center. How about you?

5/7 is the day I start the online "healthy weight" class. My step-by-step email says I have to wait until I complete the 6th week to schedule orientation. I'm so anxious!

I'm in Oregon/SW Washington. Let me know how the class goes! I've heard it will involve a food journal, but I'm curious what else. Sounds like we're in the same phase of things. Let's stay in touch! :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my initial assessment in January and I'm at the phase now where I've done most of the tests including sleep study, and first meeting with the dietician, etc, and I have an appointment on Monday where they determine fitness for the surgery. I'm hoping it goes well. I also have a second dietician appt next week, so after that, it's surgical consult and wait for a surgery time. I'm in Canada so everything is covered insurance wise, other than the Optifast. I'd love to have a couple people to talk to about this. My husband is very nervous about the surgery and it's hard to talk about my excitement for it when he's worried.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

5/7 is the day I start the online "healthy weight" class. My step-by-step email says I have to wait until I complete the 6th week to schedule orientation. I'm so anxious!
I'm in Oregon/SW Washington. Let me know how the class goes! I've heard it will involve a food journal, but I'm curious what else. Sounds like we're in the same phase of things. Let's stay in touch! [emoji4]


Totally! It sounds like the process is different in your area. I did not have to do a 6 week online class before orientation. I was scheduled for orientation two days after my pcp submitted my referral.


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my first consult on 4/11. I have my 1st appointment with the nutritionist on 4/24. I have a long ways to go the insurance requires a 6 months process to make sure one is ready physically and mentally to get the surgery. I'm excited nervous, Don't know whether or not to go through but I know it's for my own good and to add years to my life. I wish everyone who is starting the best as this is a life changing journey we are about to go through.

My insurance requires the same and I said I’m just going to take that time to mentally get myself prepared! Good luck on your journey


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

hello ChynaDollMUA id love go on this journey with you and maybe share some experiences......... i have my bariatrics workshop on Wednesday of this week the 25th i am excited and nervous.... does anyone else have people making them feel less than for going this route? i feel i need to do this and every time i lose the weight i gain it right back and most of the time even more than before

Hi hun! I’d definitely be willing to support one another! I have had all support as of yet! Don’t let anyone make you feel less than! I did the same up and down with my weight and frankly I’m just tired of that! We are doing what is best for us and if people don’t support that, drop them


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I may be wrong but I think if you are on a XR or SR medication they switch you to another version. Something. to do with transit times with pouches and sleeves. Our intestinal systems get boogered up, that's why we suddenly lose weight,at an increased speed.⚡😝

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

    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Onedayatatime365

      Looking to connect with others who are also on the journey of better health. Post-Op Gastric Sleeve (4/11/24).
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • jparadigm

      Happy Wednesday!
       
      I hope everyone is having a lovely week so far! 
      It's been a bit of a struggle this last week...I'm hungry ALL the time.
      · 1 reply
      1. BlondePatriotInCDA

        Have a great Wednesday too! Sorry you're hungry all the time, I'm pretty much the same..and I'm sick of eating the same food all the time.

    • ChunkCat

      Well, tomorrow I go in for an impromptu hiatal hernia repair after ending up in the ER over the weekend because I couldn't get food down and water was moving at a trickle... I've been having these symptoms on and off for a few weeks but Sunday was the worst by far and came with chest pain and trouble breathing. The ER PA thinks it is just esophagitis and that the surgeon and radiologist are wrong. But the bariatric surgeon swears it is a hernia, possibly a sliding one based on my symptoms. So he fit me into his schedule this week to repair it! I hope he's right and this sorts it out. He's going to do a scope afterwards to be sure there is nothing wrong with the esophagus. Here's hoping it all goes well!!
      · 4 replies
      1. AmberFL

        omgsh!! Hope all goes well!! Keeping you in my thoughts!

      2. gracesmommy2

        Hope you’re doing well!

      3. NickelChip

        I hope it goes well! Sending positive thoughts for a speedy recovery!

      4. AmberFL

        How are you doing? any update?!

  • 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

    ×