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You need to follow their plan! I wouldn't risk it for some veggies. I have to do 5 Protein shakes (bariatric fusion) and 3 Snacks of either broth, sf popsicles, watermelon or sf Jello. Sent from my KFFOWI using the BariatricPal App

I've had wicked reflux and vomiting over the past few months, down 13 pounds which I think is from vomiting dinner almost every night. Anyhow, I had my endoscopy today and it's as the bariatric surgeon suspected. I have a hiatal hernia (6cm, not sure what that means in relation to the hernia) and they stretched my esophagus starting with a 10mm balloon, up to a 16.5mm balloon. Endo-doc says the pylorus is definitely narrowed but he could get the scope in there. SO... I am scheduled for the hernia repair and "anchoring" my sleeve in place on 6/22/21 and then... I don't know. My surgeon said if the pyloric opening was too narrow I might need a revision but I don't know if she'll do that on Tuesday or not. If she does, I have no idea of what a post-op recovery period or diet would be like (and we have summer vacations planned). I guess it's wait-and-see. I am just SO looking forward to being released from the horrors of the hernia, waking in the middle of the night with my throat and mouth filled with acid, and keeping my food INSIDE me, where it belongs!

Well, I am 5-8 to 5-9 and weight about 268. I think I want to get the band, but am not sure. I know I weigh WAY too much, and know that I have tried every diet I have ever heard of, with the most success coming from traditional diet and exercise (lasted about 5 months, and I went from about 255 to 220). Now, I weigh more than when I started that diet (2 years ago) and am constantly gaining. I def feel lost with my weight problem (I think I am a binge eater/emotional eater/bored eater), but I dont know if the problem is bad enough to warrant surgery. I dont know if the Doctors are going to say "You're not nearly big enough for bariatric surgery." I mean, I would like to get the surgery if it was available, but I dont know that I will be a candidate. Anyway, I have insurance so that is a plus, and I am scheduled to go to a meeting Thurs night to get a consultation at the local hospital. So, just looking for advice from people who know more about it than I do. Thanks in advance.

Agree with the why from above posts, but thought I also add the how. I've been getting my calcium citrate from a variety of sources. I'm supposed to have 1500 mg in divided doses (you can't absorb it all at once). So I take two citrical petite, 400 mg each (much easier to swallow), one Bariatric advantage chewable, 250 mg, after lunch, and one Calcet Chewy bite, 500 mg after dinner. Having a couple of the chewables is like a treat, but the pills are more portable and efficient. There is a slow release citrical on the market, but sadly, it's not all calcium citrate. That would have been so much easier!

I measure everything I eat, but I had to google bariatric plate out of curiosity...lol It's a nifty looking plate. I may have to get one so I know it is MY plate http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.dryadegar4life.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/bariatric-plate.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.dryadegar4life.com/tag/bariatric-plate/&h=600&w=600&sz=43&tbnid=gfCnayOXNwUzCM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=90&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dbariatric%2Bplate%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=bariatric+plate&usg=__XO3HddZnw2zPXlEJguKKiaYxVuw=&docid=YYMI1kvCAQoinM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=0luAUYeeKfHW2wXko4GQBw&sqi=2&ved=0CEcQ9QEwAg&dur=2376

Hi guys this is the only cardiac thread I found so,I'll post here for my peeps to read. I'm still collecting my requirements for RnY and went thru several cardiac tests. Visited my cardiologist Friday, only thing she found was a slightly enlarged Aortic root; since it was high normal she cleared me for bariatric surgery and I don't have to,see her for a year unless something,unforseen turns upon. Whewee what a relief. There is cardiac problems in my family tree but I seem to have dodged them. Everyone be happy for me I can see the Bariatric lightshows shining for me ahead. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

I just typed in Bariatric Plate and got a lot of results so they do make a plate with portions on it , just google bariatric plate

Source of Life liquid Gold has made my lab results perfect and I love the taste. Hated the chalky Bariatric Advantage multi. I wanted the best Vitamin possible and a compound pharmacist friend recommended the Source of Life. I do add calcium citrate and Biotin.

I am 4 weeks post op and use Bariatric fusion. They come in multiple flavors. Dh prefers cherry and I prefer Wild berry or strawberry. I buy them at my surgeon's office. http://www.bariatricchoice.com/bariatric-fusion-bariatric-vitamins-172.html

I was banded in October or November 2010, and lost about 80 pounds. By 2012 I'd had all the fluid removed due to regurg, pain, etc., even with minimal fills. Even with the band unfilled, foods still got stuck and some things were completely off limits. I just dealt with it for a few years, ignoring the problem. Earlier this year, I finally decided to do something about it and saw a bariatric surgeon here in Minneapolis (my band was placed in Omaha). In June of this year, I had a barium swallow xray done, and I was diagnosed with esophageal dismotility, a complication of the band. So, the band needed to come out. (For anyone reading this curious about the insurance approval process, I have Blue Cross Blue Shield and it was pretty straightforward, I just had to show proof of getting fills done (got my records from my old surgeon's office) and proof of a complication (the barium swallow showing dismotility).) I had the band out in August, and will be sleeved on December 7, in just 2 days. My surgeon does the revision in two different procedures because she feels there are fewer complications this way. Though there are other surgeons in the same group who do the revision in the same procedure. Waiting in between is not exactly easy on the pocket book (though I would have hit my out of pocket max either way), and my sick time at work has really taken a hit, but I understand the reasoning. Looking back on it, I'm really glad I've had the time between getting the band out and getting sleeved. I've had time to unlearn all the unhealthy habits I developed while dealing with my failed band. (And yes, I realize the failure was likely partly my responsibility, too, for anyone looking to jump all over me for that one.) I had to sip with my meals to get food past the band, and I definitely wasn't getting enough protein because that was likely to stick, too. Basically, I've had time to practice the "way of the sleeve" to replace the "way of the failed band". Between the band and the sleeve, I also have been hungry. My stomach hasn't rumbled this hard in years! (Maybe because it couldn't physically do so?) Protein shakes have helped, and paying attention to whether or not I'm actually hungry (or have any right to be based on what I've already eaten) or if it's just mental "hunger" have kept me from gaining weight. I've actually lost about 20 pounds now, and not just from the liquid diet I'm on before surgery. While it's frustrating to have to do two procedures, I hope you find the time in between helpful. Good luck! Wishing you the best.

If you have a *** it's more managed. Do you need to get your complete summary of benefits and read the bariatrics portion or obesity portion or call you insurance and ask hours that department and they can tell you.

Has anyone heard anything or experienced southwest bariatrics? I just found out the hospital my doc uses isn't on my insurance company's approved list. So now I've got to start over with consultations and whatever this new doctor may require.

A bariatric doctor would know. Here's a link to the symptoms: http://www.obesityaction.org/educational-resources/resource-articles-2/weight-loss-surgery/dear-doctor-i-think-my-band-slipped-what-are-the-signs What do you mean you're having trouble eating? What kind of trouble? What are you eating? Many people gain weight if their bands are too tight. They tend to gravitate to slider foods that won't benefit or aid in weight loss. Some people find it difficult or impossible to adhere to the band eating lifestyle and also eat the wrong foods and eat like a Bandster. A good doctor can help you get back on track but it's still your responsibility to follow through with the plan. Good luck and I know where you're coming from. I too gained weight the last 6 months but an adjustment has me back on track again.

Here is a part of one of my postings on this forum in the insurance threads: the Duodenal Switch was being performed on patients, but if the patient had a very high BMI and health problems which made it more risky to have the Duodenal Switch, then doctors would perform the Sleeve (Which is the First part of the duodenal surgery and only restrictive), hoping that the patient would lose weight down to a SAFER, LOWER BMI, then the other part of the Duodenal surgery which is Malabsorptive could be performed without all the risks that were present before the Sleeve, so that the patient could lose more weight to reach their goal. ------------>>>>> What many doctors were discovering was that many patients continued to lose the weight and was reaching their goals with only the Sleeve, and the second part of the surgery did not need to be performed. So then many doctors started performing The SLEEVE as a STAND-ALONE RESTRICTIVE PROCEDURE. Now the sleeve is becoming a more sought after surgery by doctors and patients, because it is a less expensive, less evasive, and less risky surgery. Also the doctors know that there are less complications and healing time is faster with the Sleeve vs. the other procedures.--------------->>>>>>>> Medicaid and Medicare are now approving some Sleeve procedures. I hope this helps to explain the sleeve and how it came to be. Some insurance companies and doctors still consider it to be an experimental surgery. The procedure has been performed on many patients as the first part of the Dueodenal Switch for quite some time. Now it is a procedure that some doctors and some insurance companies are willing to have patients to consider having done instead of having the more evasive surgery. Maybe as time goes by and more understanding of this procedure takes place, then more insurance companies will cover it and more doctors will perform this procedure. Then we will possibly see more advertizing of this procedure. I live in Somerset Ky and my surgeon is Dr. Husted. He has a commercial on TV during the show "THE BIGGEST LOSER". He lets people know that he does different procedures. Some doctors only perform the Band and some do other ones. Dr. Husted created a new procedure called "THE VERGITO". It is a combination of 3 different procedures, using some of each to do one New Procedure The Vergito from what I understand it to be. Before I had the sleeve on Dec. 2, Medicaid here in Ky did not cover the sleeve until in November. Also the sleeve was done with 5 incisions laprascopically up until right before I had mine done, then Dr. Husted started doing the sleeve with only one 2 inch incision right above the belly button. I was his 2nd patient which he performed the one incision. The only pain I had was from gas pain after surgery, No pain at the one incision site. They are constantly learning more and more about bariatric surgery and different procedures. I hope I have helped you to understand a little more about the sleeve. I wish you all the best and a happy journey.

Sadly, they are unwilling to talk to me on the phone, I have to have an appointment to get any medical advice/support from my surgeon's office- and no longer live anywhere within range to do that. It is such a pain in the butt. I wonder if I found a bariatric surgeon locally, if they'd be willing to support me? Probably not. uggg.

When my Nutritionist told me it was time to begin the 21 day pre Op Bariatric diet, I did not think much other then this was getting me closer to my surgery date. No one told me that those liquid Protein Bullets and Shots tasted like the something from Planet MARS. I quickly learned to hold my nose and downed them, followed by a flavored water, so not to taste that nasty bullet.:w00t: Three days into this, the "brain extracting" headache fell upon me. Oh my and nothing releived it! After three days, it passed and the south end of the digestive track was having issues.Another thing no one warned me about.:tt2: Oh and by the way, I was told this south end issue will last for about 8 weeks since nothing solid is going in. I believe I have been so focused on the headache and south end issue that I did not realize I am into day 12 already and I only have 9 more days to go before my surgery date on March 25th.:thumbup: If I can do this, anyone can! It may be tough in the beginning but remember the reward in the end and that is priceless.:cool2:

Abstract Vertical sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive surgical technique that involves resection of a significant portion of the stomach by means of stapling the greater curvature. This procedure is rapidly gaining popularity and acceptance as a primary bariatric procedure with good results on weight loss. The other restrictive bariatric procedure is the adjustable gastric band. As the results on the vertical sleeve gastrectomy and the adjustable gastric band vary, there is still a gap that can be fulfilled by another procedure. The authors present an alternative procedure that is under investigation that can be as restrictive as sleeve gastrectomy with no staple line or prostheses. This procedure is called laparoscopic greater curvature plication, which is similar to vertical gastric banding, but without the need for gastric resection. The stomach is reduced by dissecting the greater omentum and short gastric vessels, as in vertical sleeve gastrectomy, then the greater curvature is invaginated using multiple rows of nonabsorbable suture over bougie to ensure a patent lumen. This article includes the background, method, initial results, and a brief discussion on this new procedure. Introduction Traditionally, the primary mechanisms through which bariatric surgery achieves its outcomes are believed to be the mechanical restriction of food intake, reduction in the absorption of ingested foods, or a combination of both.[1,2] Adjustable gastric banding (AGB) and vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) are restrictive approaches commonly used in bariatric practice.[5,6] Although these procedures have proven to be good therapeutic options for some patients, they are not without significant complications, such as erosion or slippage of the gastric band or gastric leaks in VSG.[3,4,7,13,14] Leaks in VSG pose a particularly difficult challenge when they occur near the angle of His, potentially generating severe clinical conditions that require reoperation and may even cause death.[4] Since 2006, the authors have been evaluating the safety and initial results of the laparoscopic greater curvature plication (LGCP™), a restrictive bariatric surgical technique that has the potential to eliminate the complications associated with AGB and VSG by creating restriction without the use of an implant and without gastric resection and staple. Methods Using the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) inclusion criteria for bariatric surgery (patients with a body mass imdex >40kg/m[2] or BMI over 35kg/m[2] with at least one comorbidity), all patients underwent a multidisciplinary evaluation (endocrinologist, cardiologist, psychologist, and nutritionist), blood tests, abdominal ultrasonography, and upper endoscopy to establish baseline. The study design was a prospective, noncomparative case series that received approval from the local ethics committee with patients signing informed consent. From January 2007 to March 2010, 62 patients (44 female) were submitted to LGCP. Mean age was 33.5 years (ranging from 23 to 48 years) and mean BMI was 41kg/m2 (ranging from 35 to 46kg/m[2]). Technique Patients were placed under general anesthesia in supine positions. A Five-trocar port technique, similar to Nissen fundoplication, was used. Trocar placement was one 10mm trocar above and slightly to the right of the umbilicus for the 30-degree laparoscope; one 10mm trocar in the upper right quadrant (URQ); one 5mm trocar also in the URQ below the 10mm trocar at the axilary line; one 5mm trocar below the xiphoid appendices; and one 5mm trocar in the upper left quadrant (ULQ). The procedure began with angle of His dissection and removal of the fat pad, followed by careful dissection of the gastric greater curvature using the Harmonic™ scalpel (Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio), opening the greater omentum at the transition between the gastric antrum and gastric body. Once access to the posterior wall was achieved, the greater curvature vessels were dissected distally up to the pylorus and proximally up to the angle of His. Posterior gastric adhesions were also dissected to allow optimal freedom for creating a greater curvature flap. Gastric plication created by imbrication of the greater curvature over a 32-Fr bougie applying a first row of extramucosal interrupted stitches of 2-0 Ethibond™ (Ethicon, Inc. Somerville, New Jersey) sutures. This row guided two subsequent rows created with extramucosal running suture lines of 2-0 Prolene™ (Ethicon, Inc., Somerville, New Jersey). In the final aspect, the stomach was shaped like a sleeve gastrectomy but slightly larger. Leak tests were performed with methylene blue in all cases. No drains were left. Patients were discharged as soon as they accepted a liquid diet without vomiting. They also received a prescription of daily proton-pump inhibitor (PPI; single dose) for 60 days. Ondasentron and hyoscine (anti-spasmodic) were prescribed for seven days. The postoperative diet was a customized liquid diet for two weeks, with progressive return to solid foods in a stepwise fashion. Dietary restrictions were removed after 4 to 6 weeks, depending on patient adherence. Follow-up visits for the assessment of safety and weight loss were scheduled for 1 week and 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months in the postoperative period. Endoscopic evaluations were scheduled for 1, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Results All procedures were performed laparoscopically without conversions. Mean operative time was 55 minutes (40–110 minutes). Mean hospital stay was 36 hours (24 to 96 hours). On average, patients returned to normal activities seven days (4–13 days) following surgery. Mean percentage of excess weight loss (EWL) was calculated to be 20 percent at one month, 32 percent at three months, 48 percent at six months, 60 percent at 12 months, 62 percent at 18 months, and 61 percent at 24 months. No intraoperative complications were documented. All patients had lost at least 10 percent of total body weight. In the first postoperative week, however, nausea, vomiting, and sialorrhea in occurred in 22, 14, and 33 percent of patients, respectively. In all cases, these symptoms were resolved within two weeks. There has been no record of weight regain in any patient to date. Postoperative upper endoscopy and radiologic evaluation were performed on 12 patients at one and six months and in seven patients at up to 12 months. Qualitatively, the upper endoscopies suggest that the initial greater curvature fold is smaller at six months when compared with the initial fold size at one month, but appears unchanged at 12 months. Mild esophagitis (Grade A of Los Angeles classification) occurred in four patients at one month postoperatively; these patients were symptomatic (nausea, vomiting, and sialorrhea) and were kept on PPI, following the standard protocol. The six-month endoscopic evaluation identified no lesions or symptoms. Lumen size appeared stable (e.g., no dilation) based on upper gastrointestinal (GI) radiologic series performed on these patients at one and six months Discussion Reducing stomach capacity to promote mechanical restriction to food intake is one of the traditionally accepted mechanisms used in bariatric procedures to promote weight loss. There are at least two surgical procedures that appear to rely on this principle in current clinical practice, AGB and VSG. AGB achieves around 50 percent EWL, but unsatisfactory weight loss occurs in more than 20 percent of patients with failure rate requiring surgical revision in up to 25 percent of patients.[7] VSG as a primary bariatric procedure shows medium-term results to be adequate (>60% EWL), with improvements in comorbidities.[4,14] These promising results are associated with some complications, however, such as esophagites, stenosis, fistulas, and gastric leaks near the angle of His. These leaks and fistulas are reported in nearly one percent of cases and can be very difficult to treat.[4,14] LGCP is notably similar to a VSG in that it generates a gastric tube and eliminates the greater curvature, but does so without gastric resection. Initial clinical reports by Talebpour and Amoli[10] and Sales[11] demonstrate satisfactory weight loss up to three years. Brethauer et al12 reported increased weight loss in patients receiving LGCP when compared to plication of the anterior surface. The present series, compared to findings reported in some series involving AGB, has the lowest early complication rates among all bariatric procedures. Even with no major complications to report in the present series, Talebpour and Amoli[10] report one case of a gastric leak associated with a more aggressive version of LGCP, which they attributed to excessive vomiting in the early postoperative period. Adverse events described by patients were minor, lasting up to two weeks. These events may be related to the restriction induced by the invagination of the greater curvature and/or edema caused by venous stasis. Qualitative endoscopic findings suggest that the greater curvature fold gets smaller. This may be related with the resolution of the initial edema, although the radiological findings did not reveal significant dilation of the LGCP at six months. The percent EWL achieved a satisfactory 61 percent at 24 months in eight patients, with all patients achieving at least a 10-percent loss of initial weight. This can be favorably compared with results from VSG. This series is limited by the low number of patients, the simple study design, lack of a control group, the noninclusion of patients with BMI >50kg/m[2], and the incomplete follow-up period. This limits the broader acceptance of these results. These limitations limit the broader acceptance of these results. In order to better study this procedure, an international multicentric trial with centers in the United States, Chez Repuplic, and Brazil was designed (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01077193). LGCP seems to be feasible, safe, and effective in the short term as a promising bariatric procedure on this initial series Acknowledgment Experimental evaluation was provided by Fusco et al8,9 that had published two articles about gastric plication on anterior wall and greater curvature of wistar rats achieving good results in weight loss analogy and significant better results of the greater curvature group. Recent clinical experience with variations of this technique has been described by few surgical groups. The authors’ initial experience was sent to the journal Obesity Surgery and was accepted for publication. More actualized data are described in this present paper. Original source can be fund here.

I've never heard that specific phrase before, but "auto-decline" would seem to mean that in situations where medical underwriting is done, people who are less than 10 years out from bariatric surgery would be declined for health insurance coverage. SKbishop, what state are you in? The laws vary considerably from state to state, so what's true where you are may not be true elsewhere. "Guaranteed issue" refers to situations where insurance policies MUST be issued, regardless of medical or other circumstances. Some states, like New Jersey, have laws that guarantee access to health insurance for all individuals regardless of health status. Yes, it's true that those policies aren't cheap--$300 or $400 for a single person is about right--but they are guaranteed to be AVAILABLE. Generally, insurance companies will decline as many people as they possibly can given the laws of the state they're operating in. They will charge as much as they can for people who are higher risk or decline to write those policies entirely. The only protection we have as consumers of insurance is to know what the laws are in our states. Snowhard, generally speaking if your employer provides your health insurance, it's a GROUP plan and as such your personal medical situation is probably not relevant. But again, the laws in your state may differ, so do check that out with a licensed broker or your state insurance department.

That's perfectly fine to drink the shake in 30 minutes. The swelling in your stomach has gone down and allows the liquid to pass right through. However, you now have absolutely no excuse not to get your water in every day! You won't really start feeling restriction until you start eating soft foods That's also when you start being able to feel "full". One tip for the hunger: Sugar-free jello, DON'T CHEW IT WELL! It will be slippery enough to get into your stomach all right, but it will take your stomach a while to break it down, so you feel full for a while. The little ready-to-eat cup is the perfect size! Good luck! p.s. In my area, bariatric support meetings are open to everyone, even if you didn't have surgery at their facility. Maybe you can find one near you?

At 9 1/2 months out I stll seem to be alternating between diarrhea and constipation - having a hard time finding the balance. So glad I am retired. I cannot imagine going through bariatric surgery and having to go to work, or raise kidlets at home, or having to do both and be expected to pull it together. To those of you in that position: you are my heroes.

I guess my questions to the bariatric surgeon would be - is it advisable to have this type of surgery 6 months out from vsg? How do I cope with recovering and meet all my nutritional needs for it? Can you test me for any deficiencies prior to knee surgery to make sure I can sustain another surgery so soon? You know how TKR recovery goes, physical therapy, etc. I found the bone healing pain to be excruciating from TKR.

I looked at getting the bariatric bear, but ended up using a stuffed bunny that I already had. Definitely helpful to have a pillow/stuffed animal to help you through the early phase when standing up hurts like mad, and to create barrier between the sore tummy and the seatbelt on the way home.

Does your bariatric surgeon have you lined up with a Nut? I have learned so much taking with her about what kind of food to eat after the 6 week post surgery diet. The good thing about the 7 month supervised diet that I'm on is that I'm already putting those things into action. Do a lot of research and ask your doctor a lot of questions. Especially with the post surgery diet and required supplements. Join a support group. If you haven't already find an exercise partner. Hopefully your doctor has recommended some Protein for the 6 weeks post-op, unjury is good and I love the Premier Protein chocolate It sounds like you've been through a lot so best wishes for you on this next phase of your journey

I was Banded at HENRY FORD HOSPITAL. Center of Excellence in Bariatrics. Detroit, Michigan. By the Chief Surgeon. The only one to ever touched me. was my Surgeon.

Hi is it possible that you can make an appointment with your primary doctor and get a referral for a bariatric doctor? Are you willing to sleeve if you can be converted over to the sleeve or bypass?Sending you prayers and please look into this with your doctor and good luck my friend.