dknape

I had my sleeve surgery on the 4th of June and wanted to share something that helped me out. I knew I was going to be an afternoon surgery and the thought of not being able to drink anything after midnight on the day of surgery was going to be a real struggle. Also, I've heard if you're dehydrated it makes it difficult to start IV's. So I did some research and talked to my surgeon and the anesthesiology department about using a product called "Clear Fast". You're supposed to drink two bottles of this stuff one just before retiring for the night and the second one 2 hours before surgery. They gave me the go ahead to use the product and I can tell you that was the easiest time I've ever had getting an IV started. Clear Fast is also supposed to help you come out of anesthesia easier and it must have worked as I was in my hospital room about an hour after surgery which is an hour sooner then what they expected. I don't work for the company that makes Clear Fast and I think there may be other companies that have a product like this but I would highly recommend getting an using one of these products if you are still in Pre-Op. I ordered it directly from the company that makes it called BevMD and it was about $30.00 for the two bottles.

With your IV in you're going to be stuck in the Hospital gowns until they remove it so I left the robe at home and just used a second Hospital gown as my robe. Extra underwear is good as well as you should be able to wear your PJ bottoms just about as soon as you can get up and walk. My mouth was really dry after surgery and just couldn't get enough Water so I picked up a mouth spray to help with dry mouth which helped some. I had my phone and ipad and hardly used either of them while in the Hospital as they don't let you get much sleep as they are always coming in and testing vitals, etc. Good Luck

Had mine on the 4th about 12:30. Luckily I'm off work until the 22nd of this month so I'm using the time off to get my diet straight. I was down 18 libs on the day of surgery thanks to the pre-op diet but haven't weighed myself since I've been home as I wanted to drop all of the fluids they fed into me while in the hospital. Planning on doing a weigh in every Saturday in hopes of seeing good movement each week. Very happy it's done and I'm on the mend.

I have United Health and it took 8 days for approval with the condition that I had to wait 6 months for surgery. I appealed and received final approval 13 days after filing the appeal. Good Luck

Surgery in 4 days and I can't wait. I'm on my pre-op diet which is 2 or 3 Protein shakes and a 300 calorie meal for dinner. I'm really thinking of having a Cheeseburger tomorrow night which will exceed my 300 calories, but I've already lost 13 lbs and just want one last one.

I have a BMI under 40 also and have High Blood Pressure and sleep Apnea and was very nervous about getting approved as well. I have United Health Care and had to take 6 months of classes before approval. I did get approved in March but they told me I had to wait until September because I didn't notify the insurance company (UHC) of my plans when I started. I wrote an appeal letter to UHC and was finally approved at the end of April and have surgery scheduled on June 4th. The stress involved with this whole procedure was very difficult but hang in there and don't be afraid to write an appeal letter or have your surgeon contact the insurance company. Good Luck!