ALittleMe0914

Hi Guys! I just got my approval letter, and I am officially getting sleeved on September 14th! Anyone else getting sleeved on or around that day?!

Hi Everyone! I hope you are all well I am just wondering if any of you used an abdominal binder after surgery? I have talked with a few people who have had WLS and found it helpful. My mother has had 2 laparoscopic surgeries over the past 2 years and she said that they were a lifesaver. I'm in the process of buying everything I need to be totally prepared for coming home after surgery now! My surgeon said that he doesn't give them out, but that if I would feel more comfortable, he has no issue with me using one and thinks I may find it helpful. Before I spend the money, I am just wondering if any of you guys used binders post op, and if you found it helpful? Thanks!

Hi Guys! I am finding myself wanting to go on a rant about my surgeon and just curious if anyone has had similar experience. I saw my surgeon yesterday for my final pre-op weigh in and consult. The first time I met with him I thought he was kind, knowledgeable and I know he has a great reputation. Fast forward to today ......... I first met with his NP, who gave me my instructions for the few days before surgery. She told me that they found an abnormality in my bloodwork, and that I tested positive for a Lupus Anticoagulant. Has this every happened to any of you? While I have heard of Lupus, I have never really heard of it this specific abnormality (it's not a diagnosis). Anyway, she told me that my surgeon would come in and talk more in detail about it. He did come in, but he seemed to be in such a rush to the point that he made me talk really fast and gave me anxiety. He didn't seem to want to talk to me or answer my questions. I asked him about the abnormality and what I should do ..... and he basically said "don't worry about it, I'm going to give you some shots to take at home after surgery, otherwise call your PCP and she'll refer you to a specialist, I am only worried about your surgery." I asked him about the day of surgery and what to expect, he just said "it'll be fine", and nothing else. I asked if I would have stitches/staples in the incisions, he basically told me he doesn't "close me up" but they'll prob use stitches. After each question he said "is that it" "is that it", I was just so turned off by his lack of wanting to deal with me. I don't know how to accurately explain how I felt. I felt like I was a nuisance to him and he was so rushed and really didn't want to be talking to me. His NP however, answered all of my questions, was patient, informative and kind, and spent some extra time with me after I saw him to make sure I understand my "day of" requirements. I know this guy is great as his job and at the end of the day that's what I really care about. But I can't help but to feel a little bothered by his demeanor. Is this just how surgeons behave because they are always on the go?

@@KristenLe Thank you! I didn't know what the test meant at the time and the word Lupus kept getting tossed around. I did call my PCP today and she is reaching out to get the bloodwork so we can address it post op if need be. I do have to come to terms with the fact that my surgeon is just that - a surgeon. He has no time for the conscious/nervous version of me. He 100% is one of those with the "God Complex", but as I said, he is reputable, and I think I only care that he is good at his job and at this time next week I am on the road to a smooth recovery.

@@bostonmama I think that ultimately the decision should be up to you BUT, with that said, I would definitely listen to what your surgeon has to say and take it into consideration. I went into this open minded but leaning towards the sleeve, but if my surgeon had recommended bypass and said that my quality of life would be better with it, I definitely would have strongly considered it. From what I understand, having the sleeve with reflux can be extremely uncomfortable, difficult, and could ultimately require a revision to bypass for relief. I understand the fear of malnutrition completely, but keep in mind that with both surgeries, you will need to take supplements for life. I am also from the Boston area Best of luck with your decision!

Hi All! I am 11 days away from surgery and I had come to peace with my decisions and settled my nerves and actually have been excited. A close friend of mine and I sort of started this journey together. It has been great to have someone along for the ride to relate to, someone who had the same feelings, to give/receive advice and someone to just look forward to the journey with. Well- she got sleeved on Tuesday, and has run into some complications and has not been released from the hospital yet. They are planning on going in and doing another surgery today to try and figure out what the exact issue is. I am so worried about her, she was so excited for this life change and I hate to see that she is struggling now. She has been wonderful in the sense that she hasn't told me a lot about it, has literally yelled at me not to compare myself to her or let this freak me out before my own surgery. I know that everyone is different, and that this journey is my own and it's not going to be the same. I could have no complications or I could have a whole set of different complications. I could feel no pain where the next person finds the pain to be excruciating. But I can't help to suddenly be more scared than I was a few days ago. I guess I don't actually know what I am looking for in this post, maybe I just needed to put my thoughts into words LOL. I am getting my surgery, and made the decisions knowing there were risks, and I did my research and my surgeon has a .04% complication rate, the hospital I am going to is one of the best in the United States. All of a sudden in my mind there is a 70% complication rate and I'm going to a chop shop because I know and care about someone who had the complications. Have any of you felt this way?

Happy Friday! First off, I just want to say that I am not reconsidering my decision to get surgery. It's happening! But I think that might be my problem. I am starting my pre op diet this Monday and being sleeved on 9/14. I have gone through so much to get to this point and I thought that I had never been so sure of anything in my life. All of a sudden the last few days, as the day gets closer I am second guessing myself. Am I sure this is right? What if something goes wrong? What if I regret it? If I am in pain will I hate myself for it? Could I really not lose this weight without surgery? It strange because I KNOW the answer to all of these questions, and I KNOW that the surgery is what I need and that a year from now I will do nothing but thank myself. BUT for some reason, I have been questioning myself the past few days. I am summing this up to my fear and my anxiety about the surgery talking to me and that it's comparable to cold feet before a wedding. I have never been hospitalized before and the closest thing to surgery I had was my wisdom teeth removed. But at the SAME TIME I am SO EXCITED for this surgery. I am so excited to feel better and look better and move more and not be so self conscious about myself. Did anyone else go through these emotions? How did you get your mind at ease? I think that I am going crazy!

I know that the procedure code 43775 is the code for the surgery itself, it sounds like your insurance plan doesn't include coverage for that specific code. Have you reached out to them? If they are denying it, usually there is an appeals process. But if your policy doesn't include coverage for Bariatric surgery you might not be able to do anything about it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

WOW. Surgery date for me is 9/2... One week to go. And this post is everything that is running through my mind right now. EVERYTHING. Knowing that I'm not the only one who's thinking it is reassuring!!! Like you, I'm doing it, no matter what. No turning back. But that doesn't change what is going through my mind!!! I feel for your insecurities but I am so grateful that you've expressed them!!! You're not alone!! Luck!! Thank you for making me feel like I am not the only one losing it! Idk if it will help you, but yesterday after I posted this, I sat down and wrote a letter to my post op self and I listed all of the reasons I came to this decision, and listed all of the things I want to do that I feel I can't or won't because of my weight (go on a roller coaster, buy a bra at Victoria's Secret, fit into a shirt I loved at White House Black Market, run a mile). It made me feel a lot more at ease and reassured and even brought some excitement. We will be okay! Lots of Luck this week! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You are so not alone in this! I never even believed that I had a problem with food until this week. I literally sat in my car for an hour after work deciding if I should go through a drive thru or make a sensible meal. It's not easy, but just remember you are worth it and you can do this if you set your mind to it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App I'm in NC Sent from my iPhone I am in Boston so we are in the same time zone, we will be on the table at the same time! We got this! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

This made me feel so much better! thank you! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@Monet08 I'm glad I am not alone! I don't even know if I make sense when I say this ....... It's like I am two different people right now - I want this so bad, I am so excited for it, I know that I need it and if I were not to do it I would never forgive myself. I'm not even considering not going thru with it. But all of a sudden I'm freaking out with the pre op jitters and what if this happens or that goes wrong. I can't wait until its here and it's over and I'm moving forward! .

@@Soon2B2LittleE Sept 14 for me too! I am starting to get a little nervous! Have you started your pre-op diet yet? I start on Monday!

@@crut77 From what I have seen, every surgeon is different and their pre op requirements vary, same goes for the different insurances. It's best to call your insurance company and find out what their requirements are when it comes to Bariatric Surgery, and speak with your surgeon about their specific pre op requirements. I wasn't required to lose any weight by my insurance or surgeon, but I was encouraged to. I was not placed on a pre op liquid diet. My pre op diet is a high Protein lunch and dinner w/ little to no carbs, and a Meal Replacement shake for Breakfast. I am allowed unlimited veggies and 2 servings of fruit a day. Best of luck!

Hi Everyone! I am getting sleeved on 09/14, and I'm finishing up the paperwork for my FMLA and time out of work. When I asked my surgeon, he said that 2 weeks at home should be sufficient for me if I didn't want to take a lot of time out of work. I have a desk job, and the ability to work from home, so I spend most of my day sitting and never really lift anything. I know that everyone is different as far as recovery goes, but I am just curious as to how long everyone else took? Did you think it was sufficient? I am in a management position and when I leave I feel like everything gets out of order and I panic! Any insight is appreciated!

@@jtellechea001 I was tossing this back and forth when I started this journey as well. I had a conversation with my surgeon about it, and he broke it down in a way that made sense for me. Basically, there is "scientific data" that says that people who get Bypass lose about 5-10% more of their excess body weight than those who get the sleeve. BUT - in his words, "how successful you are with this, no matter which surgery I perform, is solely up to you". In a nutshell, neither surgery is magic, and unfortunately the surgery alone is not going to get us to a healthy weight and it's not going to make us keep it off either. If you put in the work and change your ways and address the bad eating habits, you will be successful no matter which surgery you choose. With that said, I think that you should do your research, talk to your surgeon about your lifestyle and your weight loss goals. I have no comorbidities, and aside from my weight I am healthy. My surgeon recommended the sleeve for me, and input/recommendation had a lot to do with my decision. Best of luck!!!

@@toby585 I chose the sleeve for a lot of the same reasons that everyone stated above. When I first starting researching WLS a few years ago, I hadn't wanted the Bypass. But now after learning more about the sleeve, I think it's a better fit for me. It is overall less surgery than the bypass and while you still need to take Vitamins daily, you don't have the malabsorption issues that people with bypass struggle with. I also do not have any comorbidities associated with my weight so that helped with my decision. With that said, I would definitely recommend going into the first visit with an open mind, and learn everything you can before you meet with the surgeon. I discussed both surgeries with my surgeon at length, and after we spoke, he recommended the sleeve as he thought it was a better fit for me and my lifestyle. Good Luck!!

@BeautifulSharifah My surgeon didn't require me to lose weight but he did encourage me too. I have followed low carb for 4 weeks and started my pre op diet Monday. I am down 12 lbs! Like the previous poster, I would also recommend trying to cut out carbs/sugar. You'll be surprised at how good you feel!

@@_CRYSTALLITE_ I work in insurance and have obtained prior authorizations before from all types of BCBS plans. From what I have seen, most of the plans that require documentation from a PCP only required "clearance" from them, meaning that they will document that you are physically a good candidate for surgery based on your medical history and you don't have any health issues that would cause higher risk for complications. With that said, I think you should be fine with a letter from your PCP clearing you for surgery and whatever documentation your surgeon sends over to them. Sometimes they will ask for more records to base their decision on, but I haven't seen much more than that. Also, I don't think your PCP can document your smoking/drinking habits because the PCP only goes on what you say. They might just be able to state that you don't have a history of smoking and/or alcohol abuse according to their records. Fingers crossed that you have no trouble!

@@Alexandra85 thank you for this! My surgery is 19 days away. I am a ball of nerves and excitement

@Monet08 I am going September 14th as well! I have been following low carb for the past 3 weeks, and have lost 11 lbs thus far. I start my pre op diet next Monday, but it's similar to low carb with 1 Meal Replacement shake.

@janedoe92 I also spent a lot of time trying to figure out the best option for me. A few years ago, I started looking into WLS and the program I was in recommended the bypass for me. I was told that they didn't have enough data on the sleeve and couldn't promise as much success. I ended up chickening out at that point, and decided to think more about it and see a different surgeon. I went to a different, very reputable hospital and I have had a great experience. My surgeon and I discussed the differences at length. My BMI is right about 45/46, and my surgeon said that I would be a great candidate for the sleeve. He did say, that if my BMI was over 50 he would have recommended bypass to ensure that I got the results I wanted. He did tell me, that Bypass patients tend to lose 5-10% more of their excess body weight than sleeve patients, but at the end of the day YOU and your choices are what determines your success. Ultimately, I think that it's a really personal decision. I chose the sleeve because it had less risks for malabsorption, is less surgery, and all around felt safer for me. Best of luck with your decision, I know it's not an easy one!

@@KristenLe I don't think that they will tell you that you can't get the sleeve for a mild case of reflux. I have acid reflux as well, and my surgeon is still letting me do the sleeve and prescribing me omeprazole for it!