Daily Encounter

It feels real now! My surgery date is December 18th at 10:00 AM. The AMAZING thing is that my information was submitted for insurance approval today and the approval came back today!!!! Even the bariatric coordinator was a bit shocked with the immediate turn around. Feeling a bit anxious!

I have Anthem BCBS and also had the 6 months of medically supervised weight loss. Anthem BCBS did not require me to lose a certain amount of weight nor did they advise that I could not gain weight. In fact, during the 6 months I'd lost about 6lbs and then gained 4 of it back. However, of the 4 I gained, I lost 3 of that when my paperwork was submitted. I was approved the exact same day. I had Gastric Bypass on December 18th.

Oh okay... I wish you well! We've got this!

I can certainly see how that would be frustrating. Do they use that on all patients or are there specific outliers that would require you to use the Robard method versus purchasing the protein yourself? It is also important to follow your surgeon/doctor's instructions but I am curious because this is the first time someone informed of a medical option for the pre-op diet instead of the patient purchasing their own product in the grocery store, etc.

High protein shake diet to include 2 - 3 protein shakes daily totaling 60 gram of liquid protein per day. I can also eat high protein foods such as baked/grilled chicken, turkey, lean meat or fish as well as steam veggies and fresh fruit. Avoid all dairy except what is in my protein shakes. Avoid all carbohydrates that are found in breads, pasta, potatoes, rice, fried food, etc. I can use seasonings such as herbs and spices, lemon juice and vinegar but have to avoid all condiments, dressings, fats and oils. On Saturday and Sunday before surgery (16th and 17th), I have to stop all meats and change over to broth type soups instead of the meat/fish. I can continue the steam veggies and fruit, tho. And of course, continue with the protein shakes. What about yours? Is it similar?

We share the same date! My pre-op begins tomorrow and my surgery date is December 18th, as well. I am also a bit nervous/anxious, however, I know that this is the best decision for me in order to "re"-create health. I've completed my six months requirements and feel that I am prepared to move forward. You've got this! We both do. It is time for us to take control back!

I also have Anthem BCBS and had to go through 6 months of doctor visits, 1 psych evaluation, a nutritionist visit, etc. I began my journey in May and met the surgeon yesterday as the final step and sign off. The Bariatric Coordinator submitted my paperwork for approval today and it came back approved today!! So it was an immediate turn around. As for the weight gain, I lost about 8lbs and regained a few. I was still approved.

Friday was my last appointment for my 6 months medically supervised weight loss as required by my insurance (Anthem BCBS); this week I am to receive a call from the Bariatric Coordinator to schedule my appointment with the surgeon. There are some questions I know I want to ask but what did you all ask the surgeon during your appointments?

I am a few months away from my surgery and have been doing a lot of research on what to expect both pre and post-op. I see that many have experienced hair loss about 3 - 4 months post-op. From what I've read, this happens to about 1/2 of bariatric patients. Have this happened to any of you? What was your experience? Did you actually have bald spots or was it hair thinning. Any information you can provide is appreciated.

Wishing you all well! You wouldn't go this route if you didn't believe you could do it! Keep us posted.

I agree with travelergirl, set an alarm for water. I also drink more than 64 oz of water currently. It is also difficult for me to not drink during my meals. The advice from my NUT is to sip (instead of gulp) throughout the day. I still have challenges with not drinking a half hour before through an half hour after meals, but I honestly practice this daily. I am getting there but I am not quite there yet. My surgery is still a month or so away (didn't schedule the date yet but we are aiming for August) so I still have time to practice!

I am planning to purchase a few hair care/style magazines so I can pick out a new short hairstyle should I need to. I don't want hair loss to be a negative or a detriment to me having the surgery. Therefore, I will include this as part of my lifestyle change - along with a new wardrobe!!! HAPPY THOUGHTS!!!

Thanks for this information, blondie66! When I spoke with my NUT a few weeks ago really stressed how important it is to make sure I get the amount of protein I am supposed to have post-op. I've researched this a bit and read that about 1/3 of all patients. I will keep this in mind.

Thanks for the info. I will be sure to loop my hairdresser in. The better prepared I am, the better!

Thanks for your reply. Did your doctor provide you with any information on this? How are you handling it?

Been there! I am also in my 6 month supervised period. Honestly, I decided NOT to share with all (including some family members) because of the inconsiderate comments. Although, I don't care what people think of me, I just know that during this time I have to remove all toxic, unhealthy, negative conversations out of my life as it will only interfere with what I am trying to do. See, most people are not doing this for cosmetic reasons, yet, that is what many people believe. I told someone and the first thing she said was "I don't think you should do this; you're not "fat" enough and you'll look funny." Ummm, okay. But, what about the diabetes, GERD, PCOS, high blood pressure and high cholesterol all of which is taking it's toll on my health?? I've limited my sharing to those who are truly my support group - my prayer partners, those that will take me to surgery and care for me while I am recovering. That's it! So, a total of 5 people. Why does anyone else need to know? If I don't share other health concerns with others, why would I need to share this? I encourage you on this journey and wish you much success!

Oh, you're welcome! We're in this together! I love to journal, so I've began a "Daily Encounters" journal to document my thoughts, feelings, questions, during this time. I include my food and water intake and exercise. I've also created a binder to include any article that I've read that was helpful to me. I also include the notes from my doctor visits and all of the paperwork/documentation received from all of my appointments. You can only take this one step at a time, day by day. I am on this journey alone. I've learned early on that everyone is not "for" you or always want to offer their opinion on why you shouldn't have the surgery. See, they look at it as cosmetic only; they don't understand the daily battles we face with our health and being overweight. They don't understand that surgery was not a quick decision for us or the "easy way out," as someone told me. Please feel free to reach out anytime! We are all here for support!

Yes, I've had these thoughts, as well. During this journey, it is important that I maintain a positive outlook and perspective. With that being said, I will use this time to learn all that I can, not just about the surgery but about myself, as well. What is my relationship with food? When did I begin this way? How am I emotionally? Exercise? What is my reason for not doing so? I have a 6 month delay...I am using each test, each dr. visit, each new way of eating as a tool for success even if I am not approved for surgery. My BMI is 38, I am a person with diabetes, GERD, PCOS, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The surgery is not the end all, be all. It is a tool that I must work along with the other tools in the box. Therefore, if I happen to not be able to use the surgery tool, I will take all that I learn (the other tools) and make them work for me. I say put your best effort forward and use this time to prepare for a lifestyle change even if surgery is not approved for you. Replace every negative thought with a positive one. Anxiety and uncertainty are real. However, use it to your advantage! Wishing you success in your journey, it truly is a Daily Encounter (now you know why I've chosen this user name for this forum).

I have been provided with my post-op diet already even though my surgery is still a few months out. I must say that I am glad that I have this information as I am working the diet backwards now so that when surgery time and post-op comes, my body is already prepared for it and I won't have as many withdrawals. Dealing with a major lifestyle change will be hard enough so I don't want to also have to include the adjustment to diet during that time. The emotional aspect of it all will be challenging enough. What do I mean by backwards? Well, for many, the post-op diet is as follows... Stage 1: Clear liquids Stage 2: Full liquids Stage 3: Pureed Stage 4: Soft foods Stage 5: Regular foods Of course, regular foods is the norm, but, I am now focusing on protein. Eating the protein and then veggies and then carbs, if I am still hungry. I don't drink 1/2 hour before or after dinner. I drink water only and I make sure I sip my 64 oz. throughout the day. I will then move to the soft foods: soft scrambled eggs, yogurt, refried beans, protein shakes, tuna, for example. After soft, moving to the pureed/soft foods. I don't look forward to this but yes, I will try the baby food for my protein and veggies. I would puree my own meet but I am not sure I can get it to the correct consistency. Full liquids will be my protein shakes, creamed soups, etc. Finally, I move to the clear liquids: gelatin, broth, protein soups, etc. At this stage I should be about a week or so out from surgery and should have no problem continuing this immediately after post-op. Preparation will be important for ALL of us. Sure, it is easy to be happy about only needing 1 - 3 days of a liquid diet before surgery but it is best to consider the big picture and understand that this is a lifestyle change. Prepare for it as you WILL go through withdrawals of not eating what you were once used to eating. I wish everyone well in their journey!

Looking at the paperwork I've received, they are both listed as "what you may need." Fortunately, I've already had the upper endoscopy done back in December 2016 which was prior to me beginning this journey. Therefore, they were able to use the results from that since it was not long ago. Yes, I was put to sleep for this but it was really simple. I couldn't remember when I fell asleep and when I awoke I was back in "recovery." I felt no pain afterwards and simply went home and fell asleep. As for the colonoscopy, I've not yet been told that it is a must but I am already preparing my mind for the possibility of needing this test, as well (since I am closer to 50 than I am 40). If I am not mistaken, they ask for these tests to rule out any other issues that may either complicate or prevent you from going through with the surgery. I would suggest you speaking to your doctor/nurse about this. I would rather be safe than sorry and don't mind the tests but, yes, I agree...they are invasive. By the way, the only prep for the upper endoscopy was that I was not able to eat prior to the test.