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Is this normal pre-op?



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This is normal for many people. I think the difference for me was that I had tried so many other ways of losing weight (Quick Weight Loss, Jenny and WW and a physician assisted program using phentermine for a year). I honestly think that made the difference and was why I didn't have to go through the 6-month supervised diet plan.

I guess I got off lucky, I went in to True Results one day then had a psych evaluation two days later. Two weeks later I was scheduling my surgery. Don't question the process, all will be well.

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pretty much the same... but no 6 month wait for me either. I just had to show that i had tried diet for the past ... so i got my WW weight in's and i was good.

I also had no co morbids so no losing weight for me either. In fact, i gained the 10lbs i had just lost with WW back to qualify for LB... When i started looking in to it i had just finished a 6 months WW diet... Lost 10lbs... :( Realized that i had to weigh 223 to qualify and i was at 213.... gained the 10lbs back and started the process.... went to the heart dr. he did all the normal test, did the sleep study, did the NUT visits (2), RN visit, pcych visit (1). Swallow test... My doctor compiled all the results and submitted them together as a packet with my surgery date..... Approved first time out.

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So I finally got things set up with the surgeon.

I have my first pre-op appointment on the 10th.

Tomorrow I have to call and set up a bunch of other appointments and I was curious if this was normal...

First I have to set up an apt. with my general practitioner. I have to see her once a month for 6 months... and I can not miss a month in the calendar year or I have to start over. This starts next month.

Starting on the 1st I have to adhere to a 1500 calorie a day diet and stick to it for that period of time.

I also have to make an appointment with the dietician' date=' the exercise therapist, and a psychologist. I have to see the dietician 4 times before surgery, the psychologist 2x before surgery and the exercise therapist at least 2x before surgery. I also have to attend a support group.

Then 2 weeks leading up to the surgery I have to adhere to a very specific diet... mostly to shrink my liver so they don't hit my liver during the operation. I have to eat the foods sold at the hospital... no Protein shakes as I thought. They tell me to stay away from carbonated drinks and from drinking through a straw. (Of course this means no soda, no beer, etc.) And when I do drink, It has to be 1/2 hour before eating, nothing while eating, and nothing until a 1/2 hour after eating.

So if I have the surgery... it will end up being in March or April.

Does any of this sound familiar to anyone who has been through pre-op? I have seen a lot of people on special diets for 2 weeks prior to surgery (mostly Protein shakes)... but haven't heard anyone state they needed to be on a 6 month 1500 calorie diet.[/quote']

Yes that's normal . You will be bussy naking apt. trust me. I started in march and will be banded on sept. 24 th.

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I made my first appointment with my regular doctor, and I have an appointment with the surgeon. Monday I have to make my appointment with the dietician, physical therapist and psychologist. I'm going to try to set it up for the 2nd week of October when they have an 11am support group meeting cause I have to travel 3 hours. Get the first of everything done in one day.

I have to do 4 dietician meetings, 2 psych, 1 PT and 1 group meeting.

I'm starting my 1500 cal a day diet tomorrow. I looked at everything on my weight watchers and I think I'm at about 1800 to 2000 calories a day. So I will need to maybe trade one meal for fruits and veggies or yogurt and a Protein shake or something. But I have to sip the Protein shakes. No sipping through straws.

the hardest thing will be getting rid of sodas. I'm kind of a diet pop junkie... but no carbonated drinks once I have the surgery... so may as well start giving those up now.

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I have bcbs and my very first appointment was about 2 monthes ago and im havingy surgery this coming up Tuesday. It may just be the dr. I have 1 pysch appointment, 2 visits with dietitian, 2 physicals, and the labs, ekg, chest xray. It was a pretty easy journey.

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Question for those who had to do 6 months of 1500 cals a day.

Is it bad if you don't make 1500 cals? Cause I ate a cups worth of carrots, made some homemade Soup, had 2 bananas, ate half of a cucumber, I think in total I ate about 700 calories. maybe 800. Just didn't feel very hungry today.

I know on weight watchers you HAVE to eat as close to the points you're given a day... they'd rather you go a point or two over and borrow from the weekly extra point allowance instead of being short.

Is that the same thing... or is it not bad if you're a little under calorie wise?

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So I finally got things set up with the surgeon. I have my first pre-op appointment on the 10th. Tomorrow I have to call and set up a bunch of other appointments and I was curious if this was normal... First I have to set up an apt. with my general practitioner. I have to see her once a month for 6 months... and I can not miss a month in the calendar year or I have to start over. This starts next month. Starting on the 1st I have to adhere to a 1500 calorie a day diet and stick to it for that period of time. I also have to make an appointment with the dietician' date=' the exercise therapist, and a psychologist. I have to see the dietician 4 times before surgery, the psychologist 2x before surgery and the exercise therapist at least 2x before surgery. I also have to attend a support group. Then 2 weeks leading up to the surgery I have to adhere to a very specific diet... mostly to shrink my liver so they don't hit my liver during the operation. I have to eat the foods sold at the hospital... no Protein shakes as I thought. They tell me to stay away from carbonated drinks and from drinking through a straw. (Of course this means no soda, no beer, etc.) And when I do drink, It has to be 1/2 hour before eating, nothing while eating, and nothing until a 1/2 hour after eating. So if I have the surgery... it will end up being in March or April. Does any of this sound familiar to anyone who has been through pre-op? I have seen a lot of people on special diets for 2 weeks prior to surgery (mostly Protein shakes)... but haven't heard anyone state they needed to be on a 6 month 1500 calorie diet.[/quote']

It appears they are having you do a medically assisted diet before you're approved for the 6 no 1500 cal diet

However everything else you listed was everything I had to do before insurance approval.

Good luck.

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Drea m I also have six months too, so 5 more months to see doc , have to see nutritionist 4 times, pych eval, I and just try to lose weight in the mean while . I'm thinking in March will be getting mine and that's if the insurance approves it..

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    • BabySpoons

      Sometimes reading the posts here make me wonder if some people just weren't mentally ready for WLS and needed more time with the bariatric team psychiatrist. Complaining about the limited drink/food choices early on... blah..blah...blah. The living to eat mentality really needs to go and be replaced with eating to live. JS
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      1. Bypass2Freedom

        We have to remember that everyone moves at their own pace. For some it may be harder to adjust, people may have other factors at play that feed into the unhealthy relationship with food e.g. eating disorders, trauma. I'd hope those who you are referring to address this outside of this forum, with a professional.


        This is a place to feel safe to vent, seek advice, hopefully without judgement.


        Compassion goes a long way :)

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