Question:
So many questions!

I have been reading through this site and I have yet to see anyone talk about long-term post-op conditions. I am really nervous about having this surgery done because I cannot find a specific answer to the following questions: 1) What food will I be able/unable to consume once post-op? 2) What supplements will I need to take once post-op to maintain a healthy life? 3) Are there any limitations that this operation will put on my life other than food? 4) Is the "tummy tuck" usually covered under my insurance? 5) What exactly should I take to the hospital? Will they have gowns my size? I have so many more questions but I find it hard to remember them all at once. Does anyone know where I can get this information? Several people I have talked to said that they did not receive any post-op nutritional guidance. I need help if I am going to do this.    — milehigirl (posted on December 7, 2000)

December 7, 2000
Jessica, you asked: 1) What food will I be able/unable to consume once post-op? --I had gastric bypass and I stay away from sugary, fatty foods and carbonated beverages. Other than that, and a mild problem with milk, I can eat anything else -- in much reduced quantities, of course. I feel like I eat "normally" and no one notices my eating behavior as being different or odd. 2) What supplements will I need to take once post-op to maintain a healthy life? -- I was told I needed to take 500 mcg. of B12 daily and a good multi-vitamin for the rest of my life. I am also supposed to make sure I get my calcium in or else take supplemental calcium. I don't take extra iron (though there is iron in my multi-vitamin) as I am past the time of having menstruation. 3) Are there any limitations that this operation will put on my life other than food? --None that come to mind 4) Is the "tummy tuck" usually covered under my insurance? -- you'll need to check your own policy, however, not everyone needs a tummy tuck, I know I won't need one. 5) What exactly should I take to the hospital? Will they have gowns my size? --- take your tooth brush and paste, your comb or brush, deoderant, lotion, slippers and some lip protection (your mouth and lips will get very dry). Yes, they have gowns in your size. Take one or two of your own, if you wish, along with a bathrobe, if you wish. If you don't have a robe, you can wear a hospital gown backwards as a robe and be covered up. Also, Jessica, your surgeon should either provide postop guidance or refer you to a dietician who will do this job. Your surgeon may have a brochure or booklet he can mail to you with this information. Call and ask them about it. Each surgeon has their own procedures and methods and timetables for disseminating information. Best wishes.
   — Cindy H.

December 7, 2000
Hi Jessica... I have answers to most of these questions on my website, including: what to take to the hospital, postop food, insurnance & much more. It depends on your policy if insurance will cover your TT. I am boarderline about needing one or not, so why not go with it? :>) My insurance is paying for it. As far as limitations & postop food goes, this really varies, depending on the surgery type you choose & your surgeons postop orders. But you can read these answers as they pertained to me on my website at <a href="http://www.mywls.com">http://www.myWLS.com</a>. If I can answer any more questions, please feel free to email me... take care for now~~
   — [Deactivated Member]

December 7, 2000
Hi Jessica, Your questions are those common to all of us. Like others, I am fortunate to be able to eat all regular foods w/no probs. I DO NOT attempt sugar though because of dumping. My surgeons are in San Antonio, I am in Dallas. They have an excellent website you might want to check out. Arrow to the bottom of the first page and click on one of the topics, from Diet to Risks, etc... The website address is: WWW.SABARIATRIC.COM.......good luck!
   — Thom C.

December 7, 2000
I am 6 yrs post-op. Yes, there are nutritional deficiencies that we will deal with long term. But there are ways to head them off. There are 8 specific problem areas for us. Protein, iron, calcium, A, D, E, zinc & B12. We can TRY to eat round them, but unfortunately, it doesn't work. We need to take only the most concentrated absorbable forms of protein, calcium and the others. For example, we don't do Tums, we only do calcium in Citrate for with Vit D. The price for this is osteoporosis, though it takes awhile to show up. We don't do high calorie protein-type drinks, like Ensure or Carnation Instant Breafast with milk. We do real protein without sugars--we only want to maintain muscle, not add fatty tissue. I had plenty of that of my own, thanks! I eat everything except milk or sugar. I watch the sugar g on everything I eat. I do eat cheese and other non-lactose containing dairy products. Some of us are able to get the tummy tuck covered as reconstructive. Part of it depends on the ins., part of it depends on how your letter is written. Mine was covered. What I lost was 150#, sleep apnea, asthma, high BP, high cholesterol, shortness of breath, various rashes and other pain, my size 28's became size 3's and so on. It was WELL worth it. Except for the little calcium issue, I have really not had any ill effects thus far, but I have been very well supplemented.
   — vitalady