Feeling unprepared!

[kcru0626 0]

I first met with my surgeon in late October. Had my psych eval per my insurance in Nov. and was approved by my insurance on Dec. 5th. I have been told by my Dr.'s medical assistant they just received my chart back from the billing dept. I am told from here the Dr will sign off on it and then I will be scheduled for surgery. A week before surgery I will go for my pre op testing and see a nutritionist and then have surgery.

I am feeling immensely unprepared! The only instructions I received at my first appt were to stop smoking (which I am really having trouble doing) and lose some weight (no amount given). The next time I see my Dr is A WEEK BEFORE surgery and that is the FIRST and ONLY time I will see the nutritionist.

By nature I am planner. I always plan ahead and have two back up plans. BUT I have no clue even how to prepare myself for a post op diet. I have tons of questions I need to ask my Dr but am told that I have to wait... I am freaking out!

Is this normal procedure? Should I seek out my own nutritionist?

[Fullofitx3 146]

Every dr is different, also insurance plans also differ, on an previous insurance plan I had you had to be on a supervised diet plan for 6 months along with all of the other approvals, also had to see nurturist 2 along with going to support group. I had so much paperwork from meal plans to pre approvals I thought I was gone drown in it, but almost a year post op I couldn't be happier with my progress, I have truly been blessed and my life has turned around completely.

Best of luck to you on your journey.

[kcru0626 0]

My insurance co only required a bmi of 40 or higher and a psych eval. I'm really excited and I have been looking for good sites for support and diet help but haven't had much luck! Any diet tips?

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

I was given a handbook of the entire process from start to finish. It had everything from contact info to brands of Protein shakes, sample menus for each stage, brands of Vitamins and supplements. For the first few weeks post op I referred back to it religiously .

Different programs do things differently. One of the most helpful things I learned was:

Practice now eating slow and taking small bites. Each bit should fill no more than ¼ of the spoon or fork. Chew each piece of food until it dissolves in your mouth. When you think you are eating slow, go even slower. This will be helpful when you are post op and need to sip slowly.

Start testing out Protein Shakes, powders and liquid Proteins now. They are available everywhere; drug store, Vitamin shoppes like GNC, Whole Foods and online. Buy single serving packs and try them out before committing to a large size of anything. I was told to look for products with either whey or soy isolates, at a minimum of 15gms of Protein per serving, lowsugar (no more the 6 gms) and low carb.

Quit sodas and smoking. Smoking can impede your healing so if you can't do it on your own, get a patch or something. Do what ever you need to quit.

Edited December 18, 2014 by BLERDgirl

[kcru0626 0]

Do you have any suggestions on Protein Shakes and where are the best places to get them.

[becweaves 67]

Do you have any suggestions on Protein Shakes and where are the best places to get them.

The best shakes that I have found are Premier Protein and you get them at SAMs club

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Do you have any suggestions on Protein shakes and where are the best places to get them.

"Best" is a subjective term since everyone is different. I found Premier Protein insanely sweet & it triggered my allergies. I am allergic to stevia so I had to read labels. Many of the popular ones use that instead of sugar. I am also allergic to food dyes & artificial flavorings which ruled out a bunch of other brands. I choose 3:

CVS whey powder. It comes in vanilla and chocolate and was pretty inexpensive.

Orgain organics RTD shakes

sugar-free.html" rel="external nofollow">Prosource Liquid Protein. I used both the orange cream flavor and the unflavored. The unflavored was good to mix in Soups and broths. I mixed the orange cream in herbal teas.

Like I said everyone's taste is different. You need to try out a few before deciding.

[Elode 8,093]

@@kcru0626 I don't know if Your route is "normal" but it sounds like it's what your going to get so my advice to you is to write down EVERY single question you have on a list (yes a piece of paper) and Take it with you to both your Surgeon and Nutritionist! I don't care if it's 50 questions you sit there and go over every question/ concern you have! Your surgeon is expecting to do major surgery on you and they haven't given you any office time to ask questions and be prepared so I can see why you would be nervous. It's a crappy system they have set up (if you ask me) I wouldn't let them TOUCH me without having a clear understanding of what to expect and what your suppose to be doing! I know some people can Be intimidated my DRs and if you are DONT BE! Your surgeon is being paid a hearty fee from your insurance company and just like the insurance company expects you to be cleared and ready they expect your surgeon to do his/her part also. Good luck and get to writing!!!

[largeininc 16]

@@kcru0626, sounds like you are experiencing the same thing I am. I was told I need to have this surgery by my gastro doc, then sent to three wrong doctors before getting to the one I have now. That took a month. Needless to say, when my current doc told me I had to wait another four months to have this surgery, I was less than pleased with that news. I will not see him again until March. I wont see my PA until Feb. There is problems communicating with my doctor's office and since he has two, and they don't coordinate at all, I get doubled scheduled for things. My PA is awesome but overworked. I have her email address because I am a special case (massive hernia...) and she uncrossed some wires for me. I will parrot those like @@Elode who say do not be intimidated by doctors, nurses, admin staff. You are the consumer as well as the patient and deserve the answers to your questions. Let us know how things are going please

[peki31 37]

At first I wasn't happy that I had to to the 6 month schedule for approval. Looking back it gave me the time to be ready for the surgery. I also had to stop smoking. I smoked for 20 years. I asked my physician for Wellbutrin. I quit 10 days later, couldn't believe how easy it was. If you aren't quite ready, can you schedule the surgery like a month later?