LookingForward22

Congratulations! Yes, I can relate… I start my pre-op liquid diet on the 8th and my surgery is the 16th. I’m anxious to just get this done, but also struggling with last minute nerves. I think what we are feeling is natural. It’s a big deal (surgery and life style change), but we’ve got this! Hang in there, just a few more days. Looking forward to your updates and progress!

Being nervous and doubtful - especially when making such a big decision is natural. I had doubts and canceled my first surgery - because I didn’t think the program I was in was the right fit. (Found another program and I’m scheduled for surgery in a few weeks). I regretting canceling for a time, thinking how I could be 6 months further down the road if I had just gone through with the original plan, but ultimately I’m glad I waited to find the right program for me. I constantly ask my husband - is this the right decision, because I was sure if I had just tried harder, I could do this without the surgery. (For perspective I’m 48… I’ve been over weight all of my adult life). I was also worried about the inconvenience the surgery, diet and lifestyle chances would impose on the household (hubby and 2 adult-ish kids). I spoke to my pcp, my endocrinologist, two different therapists (mine and the one from the program) about all the reasons I’m afraid to have surgery and all the reasons why I should have the surgery. The program therapist was very direct - telling me no one (in the program) will be upset if you are unsure and want to postpone for up to a year (tests could be used for a certain period) or even cancel. “We will do this when it is right for YOU”, she assured me. My therapist, PCP and endocrinologist (who both advised me to consider this as an option) agreed and said the same thing. My husband has been nothing but supportive. But all of them said I needed to make the decision that is best for ME, not worry about what others personal opinions are, because ultimately I’m the one that has live with my weight and the health issues that go along with it. I’m not going to lie, the idea of surgery of any kind scares me, but I made the decision to have surgery to become healthier, to improve my quality of life. As nervous as I am about things that can go wrong, about having this surgery and messing it up by not being successful, I know I won’t forgive myself if I don’t try. The things I have been doing for the last 30 years have not worked long term and as I get older, it’s likely to get harder - not easier. I owe it to myself to try every resource at my disposal and this surgery is just that, a resource or a tool. I choose not to share my decision with family (outside my house) and most friends (need to know only) while going through pre-op because I didn’t want to invite the opportunity for negativity. Most know I’m working with a nutritionist (I’ve lost about 50 lbs over the last year) and getting a hernia repair (both of which are true), but not that I’m having WLS. The family member opposed - do they struggle with weight or health issues of their own? Why don’t they support your decision? If they raised questions or concerns you thought were good points, did you discuss with your therapist/nutritionist/ drs? While you value their thoughts and input… are they valuing yours? It’s one thing to express concern about someone you care about, but it is absolutely possible to do so in a supportive way. What ever you decide, best of luck.

I’m so sorry your first surgery did not go as planned but so happy the surgeon was willing to try again! Congratulations on your pre-op loss and I can’t wait to hear updates about your progress!

I don’t feel well with artificial sweeteners either (digestive). My nutritionist suggested using juice (no sugar added) and some purées to experiment with making my own popsicles and jello (using unflavored gelatin). She also suggest trying items that use Erythritol (sugar alcohol) to see if I tolerate those. I haven’t gotten around to the Erythritol… but the juice popsicles I’ve made so far were good. I’m still working out the mix. My first batch was 8oz of white grape peach juice (100% juice no sugar added) and 8 oz of water flavored with 1 tsp of SodaStream Peach Bubly drops (no calories no carbs) and freeze them in popsicles molds. I’m still tweaking the amount of bubly drops to get the strength of flavor I want. The first batch was ok, but I think I can improve it. I’m also working with fruit purée and other flavors - but I figure once I get one flavor dialed in, the others will be easier to replicate. My pre-op diet starts Aug 8th and my surgery is Aug 16th so I’m trying to experiment now, so hopefully I will have a few batches ready to go when I need them. Best of luck!

I’m so sorry you are going through this. I don’t have answers to your questions but I did want to also suggest - if you haven’t already, to see an endocrinologist. Mine has been a blessing when it comes to my insulin resistance - looking at hormone imbalances and trying to problem solve things my pcp and gynecologist can’t quite figure out. I hope you find some answers and relief soon.

Welcome!

I’m sorry that the insurance is not cooperating but glad your employer is looking to add the coverage. Hopefully it will be sooner than later, but that gives you some time to work through the program and start making some small changes. I’m working with a larger hospital and their program has some things I love and some things that are so-so, but I love my team and am confident I’m in good hands with them. The only disadvantage I see to the faster paced program (for me) is the mental process is kinda rushed. I’ve been through another program and withdrew because it wasn’t a good fit for me… so I’ve been working to make changes (mentally and practically) for longer than I have been in this program. But I still wonder at times “what if I mess up… what if I make a mistake”. I’m a bit of an over planner … and can obsess about it the unknown details. So in a way - getting through things to deal with the pre-op diet and the surgery is better for me. I’m a little scared, nervous and anxious… but I’m excited to move forward, get healthier and see improvements. I’m looking forward to hearing updates and seeing your progress as you go forward. It’s always nice talking to others in all stages of their journey to learn from and root for. Glad your husband is being supportive, that makes everything so much easier! This has been a big change and while I’m sure I could do it without him, it’s so much easier with my husbands support and help. Thanks for the encouragement!!

Hoping all is well. Looking forward to an update.

I know you mentioned that you don't see your team for a month yet, but are you able to call or email your program nutritionist or dietitian? I'm still a few weeks out from surgery but we were told to reach out if we had any issues at any point. They stressed hydration and of course protein needed to be met to help our body heal. I would agree with @ShoppGirl that an occasional substitution would probably be ok , but they probably would want you to stick to the plan as much as you are able. After you talk to them they might be able to suggest a modification that might better suit your needs if you are having issues, like smaller portions more often or adding a supplement to help meet the nutritional needs, while not making you feel like you are forcing food down. Good luck! Let us know how you are doing!

Mine was pretty fast, shorter than I expected for insurance - from what I am hearing from my friends who went through this already. My insurance did not have any weight loss or education requirements. I met the criteria of BMI which was enough to move forward. My first class, informational & weigh-in was May 16th 2022. I was put on a 3 month program - since I didn't have insurance requirements, that is the shortest duration the program I am in does (mainly because of medical clearance testing & scheduling). In June I had 2 virtual zoom classes (they were spaced about every two weeks) My second one I was the only person on her schedule - so I got a private class with the nutritionist. It is normally a group class it just worked out that way. If I was in a 6 month program or longer - they would have covered the same information - they just would have been more classes of a shorter duration. During June I was able to schedule my psych evaluation, PT evaluation, upper endoscopy, labs and cardiac clearance. Unfortunately there was a miscommunication about wanting an echo done along with my cardiac appointment - so I had to go back for that on July 1st. My final weigh-in and class was July 7th. Unfortunately they had not reviewed and signed off on my cardiac echo yet, so I couldn't schedule my surgical consult appointment that day, as planned. A few days later they called and were able to get me in on July 21st. The surgeons do their own scheduling - so I was able to schedule directly with her, and her first available opening was August 16th I have an 8 day liquid fast starting the 8th... and a covid test on the 13th yet. So from first appointment to surgery day will be exactly 3 months to the day. I got very lucky with scheduling to get everything in as quickly as I did. I had the flexibility of taking what ever was available (I am not working) and I asked to be put on cancelation lists for anything that scheduled out further than June 30th and was lucky to have get called for availability. I was in a little of a time crunch because I have driving restrictions, my program and hospital are about an our away and my husband was trying to be at as many appointments as he could. He is a teacher so he is off for the summer - so we were trying to get the surgery done before he starts back to school. He actually starts back in-service on the 15th but thankfully school is willing to work with him and he shouldn't miss anything more than possibly the morning of the 16th (if I am scheduled first possibly not even that).

My insurance (Highmark Blue-shield, I am in Pennsylvania) has no program specific requirements for education/classes or pre-op weight-loss requirement. My program put me on a 3 month schedule - the shortest duration they offer… because of getting pre-op clearances. I had the intro meeting plus three classes where we went over their program material & requirements. My first intro class was May 16th. Classes were spaced about every two weeks. I had two in June and a final appointment and weigh in on July 7th (my program required I not gain weight after my initial weigh-in). I managed to get all my pre-op testing in fairly quickly, but it was not all reviewed and signed off on by the July 7th class, so I had to wait a few more days to schedule to meet the surgeon. First available appointment to meet the surgeon was July 21st. She scheduled me for her first available surgery for August 16th, 2022. So my whole program from first appointment to surgery will be exactly 3 months … that is not typical from what I understand. Most of the people in my intro class were on 6 month schedules or longer, which was dictated by their insurance.

For clearance I had an upper endoscopy along with labs and other tests. My program also will scope you the day of surgery to verify the stomach is empty.

Hang in there! I can’t imagine not being emotional going into a major surgery. So glad you are feeling better.

I’m still pre-op but I started with vitamins to try to find ones I can tolerate (I’m sensitive to some fillers and binders). I had a horrible time with prenatal vitamins in the past. For my multivitamin my program recommend several - I knew I could tolerate the Flintstone ones and that was on the list, so I have tried both the Walmart brand and the Flintstone Complete (both where approved - two a day is all that’s needed). Even before the program I have taken vitamin E liquid gel capsuls, b complex (either sublingual or ez-melts) and am going to continue with those. We will adjust after my labs if needed.

Met with my surgeon this morning. Unfortunately we couldn’t get a date before my husband goes back to work (school), but it is before classes start. Aug 16 will be here before I know it. Spoke with the dr about my options - she went over everything with me and she is recommending the sleeve and after listening to her reasoning and experience, I was on board with her recommendation so that is how we are going to proceed. It was the first time I had a chance to meet her and she is AWESOME!!! I’m so glad that I followed my instincts. It’s night and day difference from the prior surgeon I met with (different program) and the one I have now. Nervous and excited!!

For those that set a goal weight with their dr/program… did that get done before or after your surgery? I’m just curious because no one in my program asked me that question or set a specific goal. We talked about the progress I’ve made so far and what I did to get there (lost 50 pounds so far, 15 of that was since starting with the program… surgery is in august). I’m hoping to loose (at least) another 15 pounds before the surgery. I have no idea what weight I want to be - just healthy and feel better. Granted I’m a higher bmi to start (highest weight was 382 … down to 331, I’m 5’3” and 48). Just for the sake of getting there I’d like to be under 200 - nice to see 1 in front of that number, but even when I played sports and was lifting weights I bounced between 145-160 so I’m not sure if it’s possible to see those numbers - let alone get below them to a “normal” bmi.

Congrats on your progress and I’m so glad to hear things are going well for you!

I’m in agreement with the others - I start my diet soon and the nutritionist reiterated if I had any problems, questions or concerns along the way to call as often as needed and they would be there to answer questions or adjust things if needed.

Thankfully - my husband is the teacher… I’m just a volunteer… so I have the flexibly to take my time. But my husbands boss is amazing and told him to “take care of her and we will work around what you guys need”.

My husband is a teacher also… so we were hoping I’d get a date before school started. (I’m cutting it close!). Good luck with the Optifast. I have friends who use those and they like the flavor options so hopefully it won’t be to bad. 🙃 My program gives a few “menu” options to choose from, to make sure we meet nutritional and hydration guideline. I can’t do any bars or actual “meals”… however the nutritionist did say if I was struggling to call - they would help me through it to make sure I stayed on track. I’m thinking 8 days no chewing!! I know it’s psychological but I have 17 days to get myself prepared for it.

Re: seeing someone, I have a therapist I see regularly (even before the decision for surgery) - and he’s been very helpful. How did your info meeting go? Met with my surgeon yesterday and have a surgery date for next month. I was surprised when she recommended sleeve for me (I was sure she was going to say bypass) - but we talked through all the pro’s and con’s and settled on the sleeve. Hope all is going well.

Thanks for this thread! Lots of inspiration! Good luck on your journey! I’m 48 with a bmi of 58 … surgery is in a few weeks, so I’m trying to wrap my head around everything and keep my expectations realistic.

My psych consult was actually very comforting. I see a therapist of my own… but the hospital program required one visit with theirs. She was very nice, conversational and requested to meet with me again - to touch base and make sure I was comfortable in the program and was having all my questions answered and needs met. I had previously gone through another program and withdrew because I didn’t feel it was a good fit for me… she wanted to make sure any issue I had were being addressed. Thankfully I had none - it’s been a positive experience. We mostly chatted about why I wanted the surgery, my expectations, prior challenges with weight loss and any concerns I had about the surgery. We also talked about my support system at home and challenges I anticipated (and how I planned to handle them). She also reiterated the program resources and made sure I was aware of where to find information.

Hi Connie! I just got my date today (so excited)! Im the day before you on the 16th. Also having the sleeve.

Aug 16th is when my VSG is scheduled. I was preparing myself for bypass … but my surgeon actually suggested VSG after we talked and said if we need to go further, a revision to DS (since I’m a high BMI) is her suggestion. But she’s optimistic that I will be able to meet my health goals and do well with VSG - so now the countdown begins. She will do a hernia repair and also check out my liver while she’s in there - and biopsy if needed. Not looking forward to the 8 day liquid diet… or blood thinner injections - but I am looking forward to all the benefits to come. I’m 48… slightly concerned my thyroid will be a challenge with loosing, but I have managed to loose 50 pounds in the past year (15 of that the last 3 weeks) so I think I have a good momentum going into this. Looking forward to seeing everyone’s progress!