Hi everyone...I am starting this path of being approved for surgery and would like to know based on your experience on when you think my surgery is likely to be planned. I cannot get a solid answer it seems. Likely because they don't like to commit to anything. This is what I know:
-Insurance requires 12 week program The last class that I'm scheduled for is June 25.
-They have a requirement for 4 negative monthly nicotine tests. I tested positive for the derivative of nicotine on a urine test March 27 (although I was 3 days clean). I have not smoked since March 23 and will not so the future monthly tests will be negative.
With work, time off between September 1 and December 30 would be very difficult so all I would like to hear is that surgery would occur the beginning of August so I would have time to recover before September. Otherwise, I fear I would have to delay the surgery until January. I am stressing about something I cannot really change at this point.
How long after your 12 week or 6 month program was your surgery scheduled for? Do you think they would go ahead and schedule the surgery after June with it being contingent still on a 4th negative nicotine test? Think I will have it scheduled beginning of August?
Another question...We've frequently heard (or at least I have) that a safe diet is 1200 calories and that you shouldn't really plan for a diet less than that Why is it okay after bariatric surgery to have fewer than those 1200 calories? The nutritionist indicated the average calories consumption is 600 - 800. Sound right? Is there extensive fatigue as a result of consuming so few calories?
One of my fears is that after surgery I will be so worried of eating wrong that it will make me scared to eat. If I do feel this way, is it safe to continue to consume only Protein shakes for longer periods than required (say for 2 months) until I feel the confidence to move into "real" food.