Monique1123

Mine was today too! How you feeling ???

Hello Again Everyone! I'm starting to get those Pre-Surgery Nerves! My Surgery is July 14th and I was hoping you all could help me out. I did stray off on the Day 1 of my liquid diet which happened the be July 4th when I was surrounded by nothing but burgers and hot dogs. I was also swimming in the pool all day so after a certain point, if I didn't eat then I felt like I was going to pass out. Anyway, I've been pretty strict on the diet ever since but I'm thinking of taking a Laxative to be sure and just clean everything out of my system. I've read that some of you have been given a laxative or supplement to take the day before surgery? Is it a over the counter medication I can buy? If not, any suggestions? Also, my doctor hasn't given much information about what vitamins are needed after surgery besides the calcium citrate vitamins. Does anyone have any recommendations for which ones I should get? I know they have chews but some i've seen look so big that i'm like.....Ugh will I be able to swallow that after? Any tips or suggestions in general would be super helpful ! Thanks!

Ugh, perfect that’s what I did today! Have you heard from your doctor by any chance ? Your 1 day before me so I would love to know how it goes regardless .

My surgery is on Wednesday and I caved today too. I literally made it all day and about an hour ago, I was reheating my sons pizza and I couldn’t help myself and took 2 bites . I really don’t think 2 bites is enough for them to cancel but still now I’m feeling paranoid. 😭 please let me know if they still let you have your surgery.

Surgery buddies! Mine is on the 14th too. Have you started your liquid diet yet? If so, how are you holding up!!

Yeah it's going to be super hard especially because it's being held at my cousin's house who has a pool and everyone knows the pool makes you hungryyyy 😞 !! You're right, this is our path. My motivation is the nerves and fear that I have to wear a bathing suit tomorrow vs how I great I will feel and look next year.

My surgery is scheduled for 7.14.21! I'm so excited and nervous. Especially because Day 1 of my liquid diet starts tomorrow (JULY 4TH) where I will be surrounded by hot dogs, burgers, and alcohol. lol

Hi everyone ! Happy Memorial Day! So my friends and family are throwing a cookout of course. I’ve already prepared myself on how to control and not over indulge on food/ drinks however there will also be ******. Prior to my first consultation, I loved occasionally smoking ******. To my knowledge , there isn’t any nicotine in it but of course it is tobacco. Does anyone know if it’s okay for me to smoke that today? I’m sure I won’t be able to do it after because the hose is pretty much a straw so it would be nice to get one last hoo-rahhhh in before my life changes . Just don’t want it to affect my surgery. Thanks!

Lol. I have no idea why it blocked out the word. I was only inquiring about H-O-O-K-A-H/ Shisha. I'm sure they would cancel if they found MJ in my system as well though.... right ? lol.

You look amazinggg!!!!

I love your post! You said exactly what I was trying to say but wayy better!! Being on the plus size is extremely hard and there are certain things that skinnier people just cannot relate to. I'm so tired of not having enough clothes because not many places sell my size in the type of style I'm looking for. I've literally narrowed down my search to Target because they are always stocked in plus sizes! I always feel like the ugly duckling when it comes down to my friends because they're all skinny and gorgeous and get tons of attention when we're all out. I'm super nervous that my body will reject the surgery and that I'll fail but I'm also SUPER tired of looking in the mirror and hating what I see! You're right, They're both hard... But I think that I'll choose the hard that will work towards me loving myself a little more every day! Congrats on your surgery, I can't wait to read about your experience and how it's going for you. Good luck!!

Hi, I completely understand how you feel. I recently got approved last Thursday and have had several thoughts to myself wondering if I can do it? Is it realistic of me to continue this lifestyle after the surgery? Then I get a little nervous because technically they give you these therapy sessions to help you discuss these types of fears and anxiety yet, I'm too afraid to talk to them and have them think I'm not ready for this new journey. I can also relate to the saggy skin! However, would I prefer saggy skin instead of knee pain, avoiding social places, not having clothes that fit, and not being able to keep up with my 4-year-old son when he wants to play. All in all, I think it's normal for us to be worried but I'm also trying to believe in myself that I CAN DO THIS! We're only human so we have temptations and may even give in but I think the first step is believing that we can do this and that we deserve to finally live a happy and healthy life. You got this!

Hi Everyone, I've been trying to do some research on Gastric Sleeve and was lucky enough to come across this website. I'm sure there are many other boards that answer this question but I wanted to share my concerns in hopes that I will get a response. I'm set to have my very first consultation with my surgeon this upcoming Thursday and I'm super excited but also very anxious. I have Aetna and I see that there are certain requirements needed in order to be approved. My BMI is currently 38.2. I started my weight loss journey 1,000 times back in November and have only lost 9 Pounds. I have seen that anyone above a BMI of 40 pretty much qualifies for the surgery but anyone between 35-40 needs to meet certain requirements such as High blood pressure or sleep apnea. However, I guess my question is whether they will take my 38.2 BMI along with other side effects due to my weight? Since I've had my son, I've had severe knee pain along with swollen feet. If I stand up in the kitchen simply cooking for too long then my feet will swell up and ache for the remainder of the night along with Severe GERD and IBS. Does the insurance take this into consideration? If your someone like me that has such a high BMI but not at exactly 40, will the doctor try to help, or do they automatically turn you away? I have high anxiety and knowing other's experiences would help me out a lot. I have been trying to lose weight the natural way for years and I'm over it at this point. Your answers are very helpful.

Yeah, I'll bring it up and see what he suggests. I'm not medication on it either and I don't have symptoms regularly...Maybe once every couple of months I get really bad chest/stomach pain. I'm okay with either option but I think I prefer the sleeve. I'm going in to get my primary care medical clearance and I'm hoping that there's no reason for her to not want to give it to me.

So, it's interesting because The doctor never asked about GERD even though I had already told the triage nurse about it and because I was so excited about the approval and the load of information that I actually forgot to bring it up as well. So, as of now, we're going for a sleeve. I have my EGD already scheduled for this Tuesday and I wasn't sure if I should mention it then or if that's something he can see? I would be ecstatic if I have mine in June! That would be such an amazing birthday gift to myself LOL.

Update: I got approved for the surgery this morning!!! I'm so excited. They gave me the checklist and said that with my insurance I can complete the process as fast as I would like. When I asked what's a realistic time frame that someone could get this done as fast as possible they said it can all be completed in a month! I'm so excited!!

Yeah, to be honest, I'm not sure which one would be best for me. Was there a reason you selected the Bypass or was that recommended by your doctor? They both seem very similar to me as far as limiting how much food you can tolerate and from the seminar, I had to watch before my consultation tomorrow I know that with the Bypass you only get some of the Minerals/nutrients needed which I'm assuming can lead to dehydration, etc. so that makes me a little nervous.

Well, I'm more curious because let's say i get approved tomorrow and it marks day 1 of this new lifestyle change then my birthday is next month. I'm sure I will want to have a glass of wine (or more lol). I hope that doesn't get me disqualified. Nonetheless, If that will ruin my chances of this surgery then I won't take the chance. I think I'll ask tomorrow maybe just as I get closer to my birthday. I'm jumping the gun a little seeing as though I don't even know if I'll get approved.

Haha! Yeah, I've read that the classes are very pointless in relation to the foods that you should be eating before/after surgery and to lose or even maintain weight. Luckily, I believe all of these classes will be virtual so I won't have to physically go in. They also mentioned a virtual exercise class I will have to do. My goal is to try to knock everything out as fast as I can.

Also, Another question.....This is a no-judgment zone... during the months of following this strict diet, I know with Aetna you're not allowed to gain at all so drinking isn't in your best interest. However, I heard you get tested for nicotine and alcohol because they are both a requirement (substance-free). Nicotine is no issue but am I allowed to have an occasional drink over the next couple of months? I'm a little nervous to ask my doctor this during the visit because I don't want him to think that my priorities are not in order.

When I called to set up my appointment they told me that my insurance offers a "Fast Track" program which gives me the option of getting the surgery done as fast as I would like. I'm super excited about that! Based on what I read from other people with Aetna you just need 12 nutritionist/dietician visits which you can do once a month - 12 months or once a week which can have your surgery done in 3-4 months!

Right! That's what I was curious about. My insurance does have a list of comorbidities that it must be if your under 40 BMI but joint pain isn't on that list. So I was wondering if that would count or if they were pretty strict on it being HBP/Sleep apnea because I don't think I have any of those. However, I think having swollen knees/ankles should count for something, jeesh!

Most of my weight concerns happened while I was covered under state insurance- Kaiser who sucked. I was going to the hospital with severe stomach pain and instead of them actually trying to find out what's wrong they diagnosed me with "GERD"/IBS so that I could stop coming to the ER. Since then, I haven't had any GERD-related symptoms but I'll definitely ask the surgeon what he recommends? I've heard many gain the weight back eventually with Bypass but I'm not sure how true that is. I can't wait to find out more information during my appointment tomorrow!!

Awesome, I have Aetna and I'm hoping that I qualify. Did they tell you during your first visit whether you qualify or not? I already suffer from anxiety and I've been waiting weeks for this appointment so that just makes it even worse.