Newbie, pre-op questions

[della street 213]

HI all, I'm just starting this journey--have wanted to have WLS for YEARS, but insurance didn't cover it. Now am purchasing an Affordable Care Act plan for 2015 that DOES cover it--and unfortunately (fortunately?) I meet all the criteria. Of course, not approved yet since new insurance effect 1-1-15, but gathering info, researching, etc. I've read a lot about pre-op diets, and I know everyone's case and surgeon are different, but is it usual that you go on a two-week liquid diet before surgery? Also, do most surgeons recommend colonoscopies before surgery? And on a completely unrelated note, but one I've wondered about--nail polish, lol. Many years ago, when I had my gallbladder out, they made a big deal about no nail polish because they can tell your oxygen levels from the color of your (not polished) nails. Anyone heard of this? Again, I'm sure these have all been answered a zillion times, but searching didn't seem to get me the answers I'm looking for -- much thanks in advance!

[#9grammy 274]

Hi Della street, nail polish...my surgeon said none even on toes! I love my nails done, so going to get a manicure and pedi before surgery with no polish

[Summer Rain 245]

Welcome Della! My surgeon is not requiring me to do a two week liquid diet. I just have to make healthy choices (I am a lower BMI). I did not have to have a colonoscopy but did have an upper endoscopy where he found a hiatal hernia which he will fix when he does my sleeve. I have not been told anything about nail polish. Good luck. This is an exciting time for all of us

Summer

Edited October 18, 2014 by Summer Rain

[thesuse2000 698]

Congrats on getting a plan that will cover WLS!

Yes - most surgeons require a pre-op diet. Diets vary, but most common is 2 weeks of high Protein, low calorie shakes. It's meant to shrink your liver which allows for a safer surgery (because the stomach sits under the liver, and so a smaller less fatty liver will allow the surgeon to more safely lift it out of the way).

I've never heard anything about pre-op colonoscopies. In some cases an endoscopy is done - but that's more for people who formerly had a band or have other stomach issues.

I was told no fingernail polish for surgery (for reasons you mentioned) but toe polish was okay.

[JustWatchMe 7,117]

Congratulations! Some answers and a question for you.

Correct. No nail polish due to being able to view the color of your nails during surgery. Secondly, my pre-op diet was limited to five days of Clear liquids. That is unusual. Most people have a longer pre-op diet that includes Protein shakes. My post op diet was six weeks of full liquids. Hard to do, but it really started off my weight loss great. I've learned early on not to question my surgical team's recommendations. They haven't steered me wrong yet.

I had a colonoscopy at age 50 so I'm not sure if that would've been required for me or not because I already had one. I did need an upper G.I. before surgical approval even though I had one of those at age 50 as well.

It was determined that I do have a small hiatal hernia. My surgeon told me he would repair it while doing the lap band if he thought it was necessary. Turns out it was not necessary.

I have a question for you. I will need to change insurance after my divorce becomes final. Going from basically a Cadillac plan to a plan that doesn't cover much of the bariatric stuff. My choices are limited if I want to keep my own surgeon. That will end up being a very costly change for me. So what I wondered was, what state are you from and what kind of coverage does your marketplace plan have? I've learned on my research on this forum that having a center of bariatric excellence is really important. I'm very happy to have gotten my surgery with such excellent insurance, but as we all know, LapBand requires a lifelong commitment. I would love to stay with my current team, but I simply don't know if I'll be able to afford the insurance plan where I work unless I go H M O. That particular H M O does not cover my surgeon's office.

Thanks, keep sharing here. There's so much good information on this site.

Edited October 18, 2014 by JustWatchMe

[ProudGrammy 8,322]

wanted to have WLS for YEARS

@@della street

welcome to sleeveland

glad insurance finally covers WLS

we are anxious to hear all your questions

you'll get many good responses

my doc didn't require a pre-op diet

but many othe docs do

time periods for pre-op diets differ - anywhere from a couple of days to two weeks (or more? )

i also never heard of needing a colonoscopy pre-op

you got the correct answers about the nail polish

may your biggest problems PO be about your pretty nails and toes

good luck with everything (even your nails)

speedy recovery

kathy

[finediva 979]

@@della street. Had endoscopy, had two week died. Sadly, no nail polish on fingers and toes, sad face.

[della street 213]

Thanks all! Like I said, I'm sure these have been answered a zillion times, but I couldn't find the info condensed anywhere, so I really appreciate you taking the time to offer info and advice --

Debbie, re the question about insurance: I'm in Arizona. The Marketplace has about five companies (maybe 6-7?) and as with all states, they each offer Bronze, Silver, Gold and some offer Platinum plans. Of course, the lower-level plans have high deductibles generally and usually higher out-of-pocket maximums - but they are cheaper per month on premiums and great to have in case of serious illness/surgery. That said, I don't know whether they all cover WLS or not, but I went to an insurance broker (free to the consumer; they're paid by the insurance companies that they sell policies for...), explained what I was looking for (a policy that covered WLS, had a reasonable monthly premium, and the lowest out-of-pocket maximum I could afford. Yada yada yada - he did some searching and we found a BCBS plan that will keep my out-of-pocket max to $3000/year. Premium is about $550/month -- but -- by not having hubby include me on his employer plan (which specifically excludes WLS), we save about $200/month on that, so the net cost to us is about $350/month. I am going with a Center of Excellence, for either the sleeve or bypass -- not sure yet. There have been many years when the extra $350/month would not have been do-able financially, but fortunately, we're at a place right now where it is. I feel like the brass ring is within reach and just want to get it all finalized -- the insurance, the surgery to-do's, the surgery itself...

[Wendyfm 494]

I had to have an endoscopy and a colonoscopy as part of pre-op stuff. For me this was a good thing .i had polyps and ulcers.which were treated, I al

So had sleep Apnea,and so use a c-pap machine. Two weeks before surgery I had to go on a thousand calorie high Protein low carb diet. Then three weeks of full liquid diet after, then two weeks of soft/puréed food and then normal diet.

[finediva 979]

@@della street. Had endoscopy, had two week died. Sadly, no nail polish on fingers and toes, sad face.

correction. * diet*