IAMREADY!

My surgery is in 4 day and I am extremely excited and truthfully a little nervous. I feel well prepared and informed so I'm hoping I got this! I know all of the "get your 60-80 Protein & 64 oz. of Water rules" BUT does anyone have any helpful tips for me for day of surgery up to the first week or 2? Anything particular I should take to the hospital? Anything to help ease pain or discomfort that worked for you? Any special foods that were easy for you? And one last question, I have had laparoscopic surgery before (gallbladder) so I remember the physical discomfort from surgery and the gas/being cut in the abdomen, but since this is more involved surgery (cutting the stomach and sealing the new sleeve)...will hurt burn/hurt when I swallow water or protein sips at first? If so how long? Thanks!

Yay for May 24th, I'm happy for you! I hope you have a great surgery and easy healing. Good luck to you!

Thanks for the info, I think gurgling might have startled me had I never heard this. I appreciate you sharing your experience and advice with me. Speedy recovery to you.

Thank you so much for the advice! I hope your recovery is speedy! Good luck. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My surgery has been moved to MAY 24th!!!! OMG that is right around the corner!!!! What an emotional 24 hour roller coaster. Yesterday I found out my employer was switching insurance companies effective 6/1 so the surgery approval that I already received from my current insurance company and 6/15 surgery date would be useless. I was so upset. I contacted the office manager at the surgeon’s office and today she called me and told me she was able to move my surgery up a couple weeks to be covered under my current insurance. I was annoyed because it was my surgeons office who has drug this process out unnecessarily long by asking for tests with long lead times (sleep study, EGD, DEXA scans) AFTER I already completed the program (nutritional classes/education, psychological evaluation, etc.) early March and received insurance approval. Had they asked for things earlier in the process I would have already been sleeved. Regardless, she went above and beyond for me and I am so thankful for her help! So now I need to start my pre-op diet and get ready for the next journey!!

I had problems tolerating most of the Protein shakes I tried. I eventually found Isopure zero carb drinks (ready to drink bottles with lots of flavors), I like the Alpine punch flavor. They are sold at Amazon, GNC, and the Vitamin Shop. They aren't milky at all which seems to work for me. At first it was a little bitter (almost like unsweeted kool aid, but I quickly adapted and love it!. It was approved by my NUT as well. I also enjoyed the unjury chicken Soup. Good luck and try different products until you find your thing!

Hi, I'm new here and this pre-op process is starting to get a extremely frustrating so I thought I'd see if anyone else was having the same sort of issues I am having. Insurance covers my sleeve with a 3 month nutrition program if I use a center of excellence. I chose Johns Hopkins. My first appointment was 12/1/15. After my appointment with my surgeon (who was amazing by the way) I was sent to my surgery coordinator who gave me a folder filled with information and a LONG list of things I would need in order to get my surgery approved. She was polite, she said she new it was a lot but it was a very streamlined process since this is what they do and she'd be there to help me every step of the way. I spent hours scheduling appointments, driving to different cities, paying hundreds in co-pays, missed 30+ hours of work for the required appointments, calling doctors to get results to send back to my coordinator because she couldn't sit on hold. Then repeating some steps because the coordinator never reviewed some of the paperwork I sent in and over a month later tells me they require additional information. Towards the end of my "streamlined" process I was hit with another list from the nutritionist that will be required so then I had to double to doctors I had already been to in order to get those tests. Finally on 3/15/16 I had done everything they required including making my 5% weight goal! I contacted my coordinator several times and when she did call me back she asks about sleep study results. I told her that I had a sleep study 4 years ago and gave her the doctors info to get the results. I also told her I told the surgeon or CRNP about the study at my initial visit. She said ok and that my paperwork would go to the nurse for review then off to insurance for approval! I was so excited. On 3/29/16 the CRNP called to tell me they would require a sleep study and that I was told at my initial visit (she was very curt). I told her that I was asked and answered about my old one, and that I wasn't told about needing a new one (I definitely would have remembered because the first one I had felt like torture), it wasn't on the long list of requirements that I had methodically taken care of over the last 3+ months, and I hadn't even been given an order or referral for a sleep study. She told me she would mail it to me and I needed to make the arrangements and get the results before she could send for approval or get a surgery date. After receiving the order from my coordinator I spent another hour or so making calls (they sent the order to the wrong clinic for my insurance) and waiting for the order to be approved I made the first available appoint for 4/23 with the results follow-up for 5/18. I am so heartbroken. My 3 month process is now looking like 6 month and it is because they have added another unexpected step (sleep study) with a long scheduling lead time. Now I'm worried because several of the tests and appointments that were in my initial list were noted with time frames like must happen no more than 60 days prior to surgery and now those items will be outside of that time window since this was just sprung on me. I am really feeling down. I feel like I have ran a marathon and then they moved the finish line on me after I started celebrating. Why would they not tell me about this sooner? Why am I having to do so much coordination for this "streamlined" process on top of focusing on my new way of eating and living? Why would I even need a sleep study since 4 years ago I didn't have apnea and was basically the same weight I am now (not to mention I don't have any of the symptoms besides weight)? I would think I would be well monitored during and after surgery regardless of if I had apnea. I know both my coordinator and CRNP know I am frustrated with them and the way my case has been handled...should I look for a new surgeon or just tough this out? Anyone else out there going through similar hurdles? Thanks for reading.

Thanks for all the support. I took the advice and contacted the program manager and and she was helpful. Although The surgeon is still requiring the sleep study 4/23/16 , She spoke with the nurse and coordinator and they agreed to at least put in the request to my insurance company (Aetna) on April 6th. I got a call that I was approved and my surgery is scheduled for June 15!! Thanks again for the advice and support!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you Christinamo7. I was unable to find an office manager or program manager's contact info online so I just sent an email to my coordinator asking for information. Congrats on finally getting your surgery and good luck on making all your goals!!

Thanks, I hope you're right. I can understand the need for current testing, but not why I was told about the study AFTER I completed everything else. Plus I don't know why I would need the test, I don't need a comorbidity since my BMI is well over 40. I feel they could have at least admitted they let this slip through the cracks and explain why I need the test. I'm just a Debbie downer today I guess. I will keep fingers crossed for a June surgery date for you...11 months is a long time. Good luck!