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My surgery group does a lot of WLS's each month and our pre op supervised visits were in a group setting of about 10 - 12 patients (we would individually see the Dr each time, but nutrition was in group). It seemed as though we were all there because it was required for our medical insurance authorization. Some of us for 6 monthly visits while others only required 3. Some of these patients were revisions and they were still required to do it. You may get away with not having to go if you pay out of pocket, but I don't see how they would be able to get around insurance requirements, my Dr office was pretty clear on this. I know it's a pain to wait this long, but it really does help you prepare for this life change and if you can put up with all of the pre op requirements you are obviously dedicated to it. best of luck.

Hi everyone, I'm new to posting but have lurked here before and I'm so thankful for this community and all information and stories shared. I'm having my VSG surgery in 2 days 2/25/19 and I'm incredibly nervous, excited, terrified, happy...Just a mess of emotions. It doesn't help that I've never had surgery before. I'm sure these feelings are normal but I'm typically a zen, chilled out person so my question is... what are some things you did PRE-OP to calm your nerves before surgery? Sent from my LG-K550 using BariatricPal mobile app

I was allowed peanut butter on a spoon after Day 10, no issues with it. I was cleared for toast (40 calorie light wheat toast) after one month and I have a slice with "Naturally More" PB (PB with added flax and pea protein) for breakfast almost every morning. It settles my iffy morning stomach and keeps me full until lunch. I don't like PB flavored shakes but if I did I would probably use PB2 for that, less calories.

I seem to have stalls every 2 weeks or so and they last 7-10 days . Just persevere

January 19 it’s about a month and a few days for. I weighed 304 and now 270 although I’m not sure if that is good but I haven’t been eating much I find it easier to have soup, protein shake and water. So far chicken and tuna I can’t hold down everything just comes back up. These gas pains just came out of no where last night and I am still in pain.

I'm down 10 pounds after the first week of liquids! I can't believe it--although I know I can't expect to lose 10 pounds a week after surgery.

I'm 54 and had my surgery on 1/22/19. My husband is very fit and very active. We used to do outdoor things together but as my weight got bigger my back pain started keeping me from walking or cycling. The day I realized I could no longer fit my kayak comfortably (and I have a wider one) much less get in and out of it easily was a very sobering thing. I had to tip the kayak to the side and splash myself out of it. Where we kayak is a pretty busy lake for that. Everyone is in shape. Some people are even doing yoga standing on paddle boards. While no one looked at me judgingly, I felt utterly humiliated. When I couldn't actually kayak anymore I'd still go and just read on the shore and people watch. But then I'd see older thinner women chatting up my husband because (not because he is MY husband) he is a pretty handsome guy. He loves me and would never cheat but it still made me feel awful about myself. So I stopped going and saw my husband go alone. Since I couldn't ride a regular bike anymore I bought a recumbent tricycle, my sweet husband who rides 40-50 miles every Sunday and every day rides to work got one too so we could go together and I wouldn't feel like the old fat lady riding a tricycle while he rides in circles around me in his very expensive bike. But soon enough I could hardly breathe riding and I give you 2 guesses of where my trike is but you'll only need one. I live in the state with the least obese people in the whole USA. That's because there so many things you can do outdoors in any season and everyone takes advantage of that. I used to go hiking and chase down waterfalls to take pictures of them. Sometimes going for miles in tough terrain uphill both ways 😉 to reach my goal. It felt wonderful to be out in nature, catch a glimpse of a deer every now and then and get to see the most spectacular and majestic scenes God created. Now I am sooo looking forward to being able to do all those things again. The thought of me hiking again with my camera brings a smile to my face and warms my heart. 🤗 And yes, vain or not, I even look forwards to feeling like a million bucks when we are out there and some woman is making googly eyes at my husband knowing that he is mine and I finally feel like I deserve him. So should I have gone through the surgery at 54 yrs old? You bet I should have. And the bonus is I have a chance to live longer and see my 15 yr old grow up. I'm already off my blood pressure meds and the diabetic meds and all my levels are still normal 🤩🏆😁. Can't wait to get rid of the cpap and the other meds. It's been 1 month and I have lost 11 lbs from my weight prior to surgery. I am cycling at the gym for 30 mins without losing my breath. Same for going up and down the stairs. I can walk the mall without having to sit every 5 mins or wearing a back brace. And that is "just" 11 lbs!!! Can you imagine what I will be able to do when I lose another 30!!! I am surely looking forward to finding out. Age is nothing but a thang.

Well I finally got the psychology approval which took the longest to come back for some reason and found out everything was submitted to insurance on 02/20/19.. omg I can’t believe how much I’ve been stressing over this.. It seems like thoughts of this take over most of my day.. I’m trying my best to be positive and I am so looking forward to this new journey in life. I’ve even eaten all my fairwell foods cause I know after this I’m done! I’m working on a mental change now as I know this is a must in order to be successful. I can even tell the difference going from Keto to crap. I’m excited to get back on track! I wonder how long this approval will take. I’ve seen so many different ranges. I’m sure hoping it’s quick and even more hopeful for a yes! I’ll take a slow yes over a quick no! I know most of everyone has been through this before and I appreciate all the feedback I’ve received from you guys! I can’t wait to join the cool kids club lol! Many blessings & continued success to all! And If your like me waiting I guess we just gotta keep hanging till we get to the other side!

Maria My Turn---I never had major surgery, but I was surprised how well I felt a few days out from gastric bypass. I think this will be fairly easy for you compared to what you've been through! I, too, want to ditch my CPAP and feel more energetic. Good luck with the pre-op diet. I hated it and had headaches all the way through for 10 days. Hope it goes better for you!

I’m 63 had my surgery on 10/31... will be 4 months on Thursday - slow loser - just 39lbs but I have atrial fibrillation and hold water like a camel ! Might be the beta blockers ... but I feel so much better and much more mobile... my aches and pains are not as debilitating and my face and neck and boobs have shrunk! So I’m patient and just keeping the focus on Protein and Water 😊

So, I am going to use this post to memorialize my Journey. After having my first child at 40 and my second child at 42, the weight crept on and refused to leave. At my highest I was 303, SW 301 (10/18), Surgery W: 279 (1/28/19); CW: 261 (2/22/19).

I'm 58. Being sleeved 2/25/2019 can't wait!

I'm so excited I went to my final weigh in 02-21-19 I only needed to loose 5lbs I'm down 14 being on the liquid diet wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Now just waiting for Monday morning. Highest weight: 268 *** Final weigh in: 254*** Goal weight: 145 *** Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi! I just had my Gastric Sleeve on February 19, 2019. This has been much more painful than I imagined! Day 4 and I’m beginning to feel a little better.

I went to a real good psyh. Last week i called n my apointment was givin for two weeks. took me one hr to get there . and only 10 min with the psyh. I came out like, Whaatt?He is located in Paramus nj and he comes highly recomended by my surgeon Sent from my LGMS210 using BariatricPal mobile app

That sounds too much. Maybe u should do research first n try a diff psyh. Asking prices first. I just had my psyh. Eval done and i was with this dr only 10 min and he is highly recomended by my surgeon. Yes just 10 min. I was sooo happy. Sent from my LGMS210 using BariatricPal mobile app

I am 5 feet tall and low BMI. I have chronic back pain and need a breast reduction. (but hey -That’s between you and I. Oh, And my doctor). When I was admitted into the hospital on Wednesday, the nurse started conversing with me. First she had me weigh on a scale and I was surprised to have lost 9 pounds on the pre-op diet. I made a remark about how much weight I had lost. That really opened up the gates. She asked me if I was sure I wanted to do the surgery (As I was standing there in a yellow backless hospital gown. AND $10,000 poorer than I was a month ago). Then she went on to say that if I could lose 10 pounds that easily maybe I should reconsider. Just wondering how you would have responded to this situation. It caught me off guard and I eventually starting disclosing all the health issues I had and reasons I was doing it. I should NOT feel Iike should need to do that (I didn’t need her validation) and I don’t know why I did. Did I just become a victim of “low BMI discrimination”? Sounds silly but maybe it’s a thing?!? Am I not entitled to have a surgical procedure that my doctor and I have decided would be the best thing to improve my overall health? I expected questions from friends and family (though they were actually all supportive) but not a professional. Has this ever happened to anyone? What would you have done? Any good comebacks?

I just tryed i cant remember how. Sorry [emoji17] PRE OP VSG. 35/M. HW: 465 CW: 435. SURGERY 5/6/2019

You have to do it on the .com website. PRE OP VSG. 35/M. HW: 465 CW: 435. SURGERY 5/6/2019

They can. It is 7% of your weight the day you start the shakes, when you are there. So mine was 19 pounds. They said you have to get as close to that number as you can, and if you don’t, the doctor can postpone your surgery. According to them if you are doing exactly as they say you won’t have a problem losing that amount. If I do exactly as they say I better get the surgery no matter what lol. That’s how I feel.

Sleeved on 1/15/19 and had my gallbladder removed 2/7/19 cuz I was throwing up for 2 weeks straight. I felt so much better once it was out and I’m currently recovering from it still.

Anyone else’s gallbladder going to crap already? Sleeved 1/24/19. Surgeon inspected GB during surgery to make sure it looked fine and didn’t need to come out. No issues. Never had any problems related to my GB in the past. Fast forward 2 weeks and I woke up with super sharp pain in the middle of my abdomen and back, just under my ribs. Solid 10/10, panic inducing pain (and I have NEVER, ever rated my pain as a 10 before). Just as I decided to call someone to take me to the ER, the pain started to subside almost as quickly as it started. The attack lasted roughly 10 minutes. Last night, I had ANOTHER attack... exactly 2 weeks after the first. This time, it lasted much longer. Couldn’t talk, couldn’t sit still, couldn’t stand up straight. All I could do was writhe and moan. I sweated through my clothes, it was so dang intense. My husband was home this time, and able to take me to the ER. CT scan and labs were the picture of perfect health. They sent me home feeling like an over-dramatic idiot. I saw my PCP this morning and she sent me for a GB ultrasound. Sure enough, the dang thing is packed full of sludge already and I have to get with a surgeon to schedule its removal (good riddance). Anyone else experience anything similar? I knew bariatric surgery could cause gallbladder issues, but I definitely didn’t expect it to rear it’s ugly head within a month of surgery.

I found that instead of trying to drink from a big cup pour 2 ounces into a shot glass or smaller cup. then put a 10 minute timer on with a goal to finish the cup in 10 minutes. I did this 2-3 times and hour, then just sipped on water in between then focused again on getting 2 ounces in over 10 minutes. Today is day 5 and I have already hit 40g protein and 30oz of fluids. Also my doctor counts the shakes into the total fluids (even the yogurt counts towards fluid ounces). I also found that reclining in bed and trying to drink didn't work well. I needed to be sitting straight up.

Yall are in last year's thread hon. You may not get the support you want/need here cuz most of us don't come back here to this much. Look for February 2019 thread.

Thank you Yes I was supposed to have surgery just yesterday but they bumped it up so I am now two days out. I had it on Wednesday morning around 11 AM. Day two was OK. Mild discomfort nothing to talk about really. I couldn’t urinate for the entire day but otherwise it was fine. Probably feeling OK from the anesthesia. The second day I started getting really sharp pains in both shoulders and all through my abdomen which they did explain before surgery. Again , gas Got kind of irritated with one of my nurses yesterday because she wasn’t giving me the prescribed medication. She was keep asking me to hold off on the pain medication to see if I really needed it. I’m getting Oxycodon every 4 hour and some Other pain medication (starting with the D) In between. She was just discouraging me from taking both of them, even though the doctor allowed for me to have them And I was asking for them on schedule not trying to double up. This morning when I woke up I was in horrible pain with the gas. Finally that nurse went off shift and my doctor showed up and they adjusted my doses. Again all gas related I’m sure. However I am having difficulty swallowing. Just some pain when it’s going down into my stomach and walking! Every‘s nurses I can have the gold star for walking. I literally walk all day long starting right after surgery. I like it before my back as well because if I sit in one place for a long time my back starts to hurt. So that has worked out well that I’m able to walk as much as I do. Wish that would hurry the gas along a little bit faster! So far the journey has been pretty good and nothing out of the ordinary has happened. Only thing that kind of bothered me was when I first came into the hospital I had a nurse setting my IV. She asked me to weigh myself and I said “oh that’s good I’ve lost 10 pounds!” (Referring to the pro-op diet) Then she said are you sure you want to have the surgery? Look how much weight you lost in that short period of time. Have you ever tried dieting before? Did it not work out? And here I am talking to a stranger who doesn’t know my medical history, trying to justify why I am having a surgery in an hour. I thought it was very unprofessional. Otherwise everything’s been great, the staff has been great, the hospital is very clean and efficient! Just barely eating and today is the first time I’m having pain swallowing water.