Hi everybody! First post on these forums, but I have been reading them for weeks in preparation for gastric sleeve surgery.

I have just finished all of the pre-op requirements for my surgery team and had my last appointment with them. They are sending in my information to my insurance today for approval! Reading through these forums has been super helpful the last few weeks to make me feel more confident in this decision and has given me information I didn't even think to ask about, but I have a few questions with my surgery date potentially about to be set (the team is confident if/when insurance approves, we can get my surgery in early-mid January! ?) :

1) For those that have BCBS insurance, how long did it take for them to approve your surgery? I realize it is Christmas week this week, so it may take them a little longer, but don't want to stress myself out thinking I did something wrong if it takes a while, so I'd like to have an estimate of how long this normally takes.

2) For those that have done a gastric sleeve, how long was it before you could lift weights again? I know they are going to want me to walk/cardio ~5 days a week pretty quick after surgery, which I already do, but I actually really enjoy lifting 2-4 times a week depending on the week, so I am curious when you were able to get back to lifting weights or start lifting after you had the surgery?

3) This one is a little more out there, but has anyone that has had this surgery (or others) been allergic to the anesthesia medicine? That is my biggest worry as I have had no previous surgeries before, but am allergic to or have mild-moderate reactions to a lot of medicine and I never know until I take it (Allegra, Aleve, both weight loss meds they tried me on before agreeing I could look at surgery to name a few of the worst ones...) My theory is the hospital would be the best place to have an allergic reaction, and my surgeon team knows of my other allergies and will be able to fix it if something does happen, but I was curious if anyone else had had this worry and gotten through surgery just fine? Just some nerves because med reactions are never fun. ?

Thanks in advance for any help!

16 minutes ago, lakrystashayshay said:

3) This one is a little more out there, but has anyone that has had this surgery (or others) been allergic to the anesthesia medicine? That is my biggest worry as I have had no previous surgeries before, but am allergic to or have mild-moderate reactions to a lot of medicine and I never know until I take it (Allegra, Aleve, both weight loss meds they tried me on before agreeing I could look at surgery to name a few of the worst ones...) My theory is the hospital would be the best place to have an allergic reaction, and my surgeon team knows of my other allergies and will be able to fix it if something does happen, but I was curious if anyone else had had this worry and gotten through surgery just fine? Just some nerves because med reactions are never fun. ?

Thanks in advance for any help!

I would just let the anesthesiologist know you have allergies to a lot of meds. I don't think I've ever heard of anyone being allergic to whatever sedative they use (although I HAVE heard of people being allergic to surgical tape or surgical glue), but if some people do have allergic reactions to the stuff they use to put you under, then the anesthesiologist will know what to do if you could potentially have a reaction. They may be able to use some alternative sedative - or if not, they'll watch for a reaction. A hospital is going to be the best place to be if you have a reaction to something!

1. I have BCBS, and I was initially denied because they required some very specific wording in the letter from my PCP. My surgeon's office sent my PCP an example letter, and after the new letter was submitted, I think it was only a few days to get the approval. But as you said, it is holiday season and it's quite possible that it will take longer since people might be on vacation. It looks like your surgeon's office is on the ball with this, so maybe check with them next week if you haven't heard anything.

2. I had gastric bypass, but my surgeon says for both sleeve and bypass patients to wait 6 weeks before lifting more than 20 pounds. From what I've read, that's pretty standard for most surgeons. They just don't want you to tear your sutures.

2) For those that have done a gastric sleeve, how long was it before you could lift weights again? At least 60 days to allow time for the incisions to heal.

3) This one is a little more out there, but has anyone that has had this surgery (or others) been allergic to the anesthesia medicine? I am allergic to EVERYTHING but thankfully not any of the anesthesia yet, but yes, you are correct that the hospital with the anesthesiologist would be the best place to be if you're going to have a reaction.