Buffy1

Dr Kim and Dr Nicholson indicted. It's on WFAA in Dallas. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Yup. Mine are gone and droopy. Boob job in spring for me. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Retired military wife. I agree, Tricare (standard) zipped it right through, paid everything plus 2 days in hospital. Had surgery Sept 1 this year. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I doubt if the surgeons in the US would do a DVD because of malpractice concerns. My surgeon did take some pics for me though. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Very unprofessional of this "nurse" to tell you what you need or not need. She's probably a medical assistant but still inappropriate. Esp if your physician is supportive. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I feel your pain. I also had a lot of nausea and what I thought was hunger pangs, was just gas. It didn't resolve until 10 days out. I was on full liquids for 5 weeks and my stomach didn't like anything. I lived on pudding, not fat free or sugar free, they made me sick but just the regular individual cups. Premier Protein went down well because it's thin. I used the 2oz med cups they gave me at the hospital. Drank 2 oz of protein or Water or Gatorade every 15 min all day except when I had pudding. Had to use Zofran, Tums, etc for several weeks. The NP at my doctors office said the stomach is inflamed and "angry" from being cut and if takes about 6 months for it to heal. Sept 1 was my surgery and today, just over 3 months out, I still have those days. When I first got the go ahead to eat, my stomach didn't like anything. I just drop back for a few days to fluids until I feel better. Take my Vitamins religiously and sip the fluids. But I also have days that I can snack all day long. Very important not to get dehydrated. I agree with previous posts in that you should see your surgeon and find a support group. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Yes! I used my granddaughters little toddler spoons. Glad to see others are doing this. Great minds. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Working in a legal office I had access to information others didn't. I wouldn't say Texas is quite as bad as you think and has improved over the years There are bad doctors everywhere but it's still a good start checking courthouse records, can't lie there, word of mouth and anyone who has to advertise on TV is a red flag to me. Of course they are for profit. I've never worked for free, wouldn't expect my doctor to. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

If people ask I tell them. They always think it's cool. They usually are thinking about it or knows someone who is. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Omg, you look wonderful. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

If you live in Texas and are looking for a doctor you can get on the Texas State Medical Board website to see if they have any judgments against them or suspensions etc. You should be able to get on the website of the county you live in and go to civil cases and see any cases filed as far as malpractice, financial , etc. When I worked as a RN Paralegal for a medical malpractice firm, that is where I started when checking out doctors. Since the Feds are after these docs it's serious because insurance fraud is huge. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Nice hospital. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Yes the article says it was financial. Forest Park was physician owned. I was a patient there for four days and it was a fantastic hospital. So not only did these guys help to take down and close this hospital, they also ripped off their colleagues who had a financial stake there. As an RN that worked in hospitals for 25 years doing patient care and dealing with doctors, I can tell you that any doc who would pull that stuff has zero integrity as a physician. Dr Kim's reputation is well known among the medical community here. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I was one who is denied by insurance and required to jump through hoops. They required 6 months physician supervised dieting and two visits to a psychologist. My doctor was getting ready to put me on medication. Since I already knew I didn't tolerate statins, I was going to self pay to get it done. My secondary, Tricare, stepped up and paid every dime and all that was required was one visit to psychologist and two visits with a nutritionist which could be done in 4-6 weeks. My doctor was booked up that far anyway so it worked out well plus you have to do your pre op testing and diet. I was 80 lbs over, 61 y/o, high BP, high A1C, high cholesterol. Sept 1 was my surgery and today I am 50 lbs down, which includes my 2 week pre op diet. BP down and my primary care said everything else would normalize since it was diet and weight related. They are many people that just dropping off that 50/60 lbs, or less, is enough to get them off their diabetic meds. Several people I know have had bands and have problems with it so sometimes a revision to the sleeve keep their weight off and maintain their health is necessary. My dr was Dr Cribbins in Plano, Texas. My daughter used him as well and was self pay because her insurance had an exclusion for WLS. Yes, you can schedule quicker if they have room on the schedule because of the time it takes going through insurance. Tricare approved me in just a few days. So, that being said, not everyone who has WLS has to weigh 250 lbs or more. Then again, a good surgeon knows who needs the surgery. I had taken one year of medical records from my primary with me to my first appointment. Everyone needs to do their research before choosing a doc!! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

You look fabulous. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

You are adorable! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Gas x strips and walking. Man they are bad. I had mine for a week. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Try the website Theworldaccordingtoeggface. She has tons of recipes and ideas Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

My pre op diet was lo fat, lo sugar, vegetarian diet. Incl no eggs or carbonated drinks. Plus 2 Protein shakes a day. My surgeon said the purpose of the pre op diet is to prevent people from having "last meals" the last couple weeks prior to surgery and to shrink the liver since it overlies the stomach, making surgery easier. After surgery I was on Clear liquids for 3 days then full liquids for five weeks (I have 2 weeks left) then you go to regular food. My doc took pics of my surgery, very cool. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

There are no malabsorption issues with a sleeve because the small intestine is not altered. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Isopure. You can buy it at GNC. No carbs. 40 grams Protein. It comes in different flavors. I personally don't care for it by my daughter drinks it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Because you're not firing up your body with food. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

My doc told me it actually helps it Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I think it depends on the insurance. Tricare waved me right through in just a couple days. Also depends on the doc office. My sleeve was last Thursday at Baylor Frisco by Dr Cribbins. I cannot say enough about this hospital. Dr Cribbins is great!! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App After getting the runaround by most of the other big names in the area I realized that my BCBS plan recommends Hamn/Cribbins. They also do surgery at Plano Presby, which is 5 minutes from my house. I have seen Dr. Hamn (loved him) and done my psych eval. All I need now is for it all to be sent to BCBS for approval. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

After your surgery you can deduct your costs for Vitamins and Protein drinks, mixes etc. because they are both required for a medical condition. This is addressed on the IRS website and I confirmed with my CPA. Save your receipts !! And just add them right into your medical expenses if you itemize. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App