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I have a GREAT psychologist whom I'm seeing privately. He is also the person who did my bariatric intake interview / testing / interpretations. But I swear that some of your stories sound like there are some incompetent buffoons out there doing clinical psychology work for a living who don't know how to interpret psychometric instruments and don't understand the strengths and weaknesses of those tools. Those tests should not be used like Tarot cards. (joke) S.M.H.

I suggest you go to a bariatric nutritionist. They will have the knowledge to get you where you want to be and still have the calories for Peyton. Congratulations!

One of the individuals in our bariatric surgery group meetings went from a lapland to bypass and lost about that much weight. His band started to eat through his stomach so he had to have it removed. He was pleased with the RNY surgery results.

I just had a very poor experience with Dr. Ortiz's office (Obesity Control Center). I have no reason to personally discredit their surgical work- this is about customer service and fairness. I had to cancel my surgery at OCC because my husband had to have immediate surgery on his esophagus on Sunday that has forced us to divert our funds (I'm actually selling my car as well). Unlike any other surgical center, they male you sign a form that your deposit is non-fundable. I was reminded that it was "NON-REFUNDABLE" (in all caps) when I requested the gesture of getting a courtesy refund, as I'm canceling surgery, and it would be a great help. I know they don't have to, they don't have to abide by the same medical contract standards as the U.S., but- from the standpoint of a person imterracting with another person, what's kind and fair- I think it would be proper to give my deposit back. I have made one appointment with them in the past and cancelled. I don't have a history of calling with multiple fears and questions- but I've cancelled one time before in 2010. Since then I have referred 2 patients who actually booked and had lap band at OCC. I figured this may have made up for canceling and being a burden before, but I was reminded I have a "history" multiple times. Perhaps there are (natural) doubts that my cancellation is due to my husbands circumstances, but even if so...I don't feel theres any reason so trivial or offensive to cancel that warrants keeping an entire 500$ for a surgery that will not be performed. I miss hearing my husbands voice. We used to talk quite a bit, and this is a hard time for me and my family. I hope he recovers well. I just feel a bit tender and stepped upon after this. The funny thing is, if they had given my deposit $ back, I'd likely happily make an appointment next year for myself and my husband (who has accepted he needs bariatric help too). After this, regardless of them having my $, I don't feel they will do more than they are legally required to do by contract, and that offers me no peace of mind in my recovery and trip back to LA. Again, this is no personal discredit to their medical practice or surgical capabilities. The two ladies who had lap band on my refferal did just fine and continue to. This is merely my experience asking for compassion and my deposit back, and being shot down, in a tone that treats me as a contract, not a person who could use help.

Beverly Hills Post Bariatric Surgery- Dr. Timothy Katzen, MD, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Yep, I am having the same issue. I go see my PCP on Friday and I'm going to tell the nurses they need to use the same scale every time they weigh me because they have been using different ones AND especially since it is being recorded for bariatric surgery. It's never been 21 lbs off though

Anyone use New York bariatrics ?? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@Susan.davis, I suggest you go to a Bariatric Center of Excellence for a second opinion, bringing the results of all the tests with you. I don't think it's a good idea to go back to the same surgeon for a "do-over".

I did get the Vitamin list - and she was able to give me a sample of the Bariatric Advantage chewable today and also a Calcium chew sample - glad to have them and will be making a list very soon of what I need! It seems so much more real even though I am still about 3 months out! Congrats on your surgery date!!

You have to change your eating habits postop anyways, so it is a good test to see if you are willing to do that. If you aren't committed to change, then your surgeon is right to not move forward. Does your medical team have a therapist you can meet with? Maybe working with him/her could get you on track. I was self pay, so no therapist for me. But Cynthia Alexander's book "The Emotional First Aid Kit: A Practical Guide for Life After Bariatric Surgery" really helped me understand what to expect both pre and post op and to get my head in the right place. Being mentally ready is even more important for long term success than all the preop medical tests and insurance hoops you have to go through.

im not at all worried about the procedure or anything like that, in fact i cant wait! i have a great bariatric surgeon at a grade a+ facility. i just dont understand why theres always the "debbie downer" in every group? i guess theres always the experts out there no matter what the surgery is, just gotta give them their minute to speak and ignore what they may say lol

I'm going to my first appt at my doctors office on the 16th to bring up bariatric surgery. Any questions I should ask or things I should mention?

Well..she told me that they usually just refer to Crown Bariatric if you don't request PBSMG. I told her specifically that I wanted to go to PBSMG. She then asked me did I know which doctor? I gave her Eugene Rumsey who is the same doctor that conducted my mom's RNY back in Dec.2009. He's awesome!!! She was able to put that into the system so that the case manager sends the referal to PBSMG.

Thanks for the info. I heard Dr.Suh was really good as well. In fact I heard the two choices for the Corona program are either Crown Bariatric with Dr. Suh or Pacific Bariatric that I previously mentioned. Three weeks is what I've been hearing concerning the referral. I have attended the Pacific Bariatric Seminar and have completed all their paperwork. They're just now waiting for Kaiser to send them the referral and then I can get started on their process. I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think you've definitely come to the right place. This cite is perfect for asking questions, getting support, and just plain ranting (in a positive way) to yourself out loud. Think of it as the Facebook for Bariatric support. The stories, support, and wealth of experiences here has truly been invaluable.

Hey Guys, Well I AM NOW A BANDIT! OR A BANDSTER..whatever. LOL Surgery went well; I was in at 7:00 am Wednesday and out by 12:30 pm that day. I will give you all the details from a guy’s point of view, I haven't read that many men's stories, more women's stories than men. Okay, here goes: I arrived at 6:45 at the hospital. Was told to sit in the waiting area in the lobby until the pager thing they gave me buzzed. About 5 mins later it buzzed. I walked to the desk and they took me to my room. The nurse handed me a gown and told me to go to the bathroom and change, she said I was to take EVERYTHING off! I tried to bribe her with a 10 spot to let me leave my boxers on, and well she was not having it. Oh well, I changed into the gown and tied the back. I came out and she said, "Sorry, you need to leave the back open, you are going to be moving on and off alot of beds/tables." She then said she was going to give me a shot in my stomach, Heparin, and that it might hurt a bit, a sting while going in. I must say it was the most painless shot I have ever had, I didn't even feel it, just a warming of the injection site. The nurse then found a good place to poke me on my arm, it was a pretty big needle, she also said, "I'm sorry this is going to hurt alot!" It didn't though; she drew three vials, and started me on an IV. Also I got the BP done too. It was HIGH, must have been nervous. It is normally, 129 over 68. It was 159 over 90! I chilled out in my room, watched some TV and waited. Next a man came in, older guy with slicked back hair. He had a blue jacket/smock on and said, "Let’s take you on down to preop." I said, "Sweet, I am ready to go" So he pushed my bed all the way down to the preop room. It was COLD AS ICE in there! But I like the cold, I guess because I am so fat I am hot and sweaty all the time, the cold was nice. The guy parked my bed, and asked me if I needed a blanket, I said no, this is nice. I sat in the room there for a bit and got to listen to the preop staff talk all about politics, and much I did not agree with, and I started getting pissed. I wanted to jump into the convo, but hey, if I piss them off it might not be good; they are after all the ones going to be changing my IV. LOL A male nurse came over introduced him self and said he was going to start the IV antibiotics, I made sure it wasn't the penicillin derivative, that it was in fact the erythromycin derivative; I am allergic to penicillin. He already knew that and it was all good. My doc came by and spoke to me, he was very nice and I told him that I was looking forward to the surgery because my nuts are turning into ice cubes, he laughed pretty hard. He told me that I would not be getting the average band, that many men require the "large" band and that is what I am getting. I told him I was used to having to have large everything, clothes, seats, etc. He just shook my hand and said see you in the O.R. Next the anaesthologist came over with his assistant. He asked me if I had ever been put under before. I recounted my list, wisdom teeth, appendix, 12 times for ECT. I told him I had violent vomiting when I had the appendix out. He then said, okay, we won't use those drugs then. He put a motion sickness patch behind my ear. Then he said he was going to start some versed to make me relax and feel good. He injected it into my IV and I started feeling awesome!!! I hate to admit this but for some reason I was sexual aroused, and started saying some not so innocent things to the nurse, she just laughed. Then he injected me with more drugs. At this point I was higher than I kite! I never felt so good and sleepy too! They rolled me in the OR and made me move. I was so sleepy at that point it was crazy. The nice nurse from the bariatric center came over and held my hand. They then placed a mask on my face and said, breathe some oxygen and I was out! Next thing I knew I was being rolled down the hall, my eyes really would not open, I started talk and they it was okay. I fell asleep again, and woke up in recovery, yelling! I needed to piss badly!! I told them I need to walk to the restroom, they said no, I had just had surgery, they handed me a pee bottle and I filled that thing up! The nurse there said, well you have already urinated, you are almost ready to go home, just rest a bit and you can go. I told her, "I demand to sit on the edge of my bed." She said okay. So I sat there, and they asked me if I was ready for x-ray. I said yes! So they took me to x-ray, that went quick!! Before I knew it I was back in recovery and walking around. They said I was the third to have that surgery that day, and the first to leave! LOL They gave me my clothes, went into the restroom, and changed. They went over all my instructions with my parents while I sat in the lobby. I got in the car with my dad and headed home. BOY I WAS SORE! MY port area especially! The next days were a blur...of pain meds and lots of sleeping. I could barely eat!! LOL I am drinking the EAS drinks, some CIB, Lots of tea! I am also into cream soups as well. I don't eat much though; I am burping much and farting alot too. I didn't have a BM for almost four days! The longest time in my whole life! Here I am on day six, still feeling a little weak, sore, but I am at work! Don't want to be here, I could use a day or two more off.

I had my first gallbladder attack 10 days after my sleeve surgery. My bariatric surgeon removed it (full of gallstones) 18 days later. When I asked him if he had ever removed gall bladders during VSG surgeries, he said that he used to do that, but insurance companies no longer authorize gall bladder removal for a GB that has never acted up before.

This is not meant to sound harsh but I invite you to seriously reflect on why you would chose to eat pizza 1) so soon after WLS and 2) after all you did to GET surgery. You are not on Weight Watchers here. You've chosen voluntarily to have major, invasive surgery because your weight is impacting your mental and physical health. To be 20 days out and to eat pizza? Please consider adding a mental health person to your bariatric team. You want to have your head in the game in order to be successful with the tool. Don't put pizza into your body, at least until you are securely at goal, if then. Don't waste this gift.

I know this is all new to you and is extremely upsetting, and I am sorry you are having to go through this right now. However, I bet this is not your bariatric surgeon's first denial for one of his patients. His office will have a "plan B" ready to go for you. --like the one they suggested and is working on--the sleep study. Talk to the office Medical Secretary/co-ordinator. She/he will be the person "in the know" about this. It probably won't, but if "plan B" should fail, then a "Doctor to Doctor" direct phone call will get the approval. You have had another hoop to jump through, and I'm sorry about that. Just remember that the people who approve or deny procedures sometimes are not doctors or sometimes they are not even medical people. Sometimes their expertise is in finance. Sad but true. Try (I know that's a huge task right now) not to worry. Let this play out. Prayers going up for you!

Who should submit the prior authorization? Me, primary physician, or surgeon? My insurance policy does not include bariatric coverage, so I was going to appeal the expected denial but I need a denial first. Has anyone ever had experience or heard of anyone getting coverage when their policy excludes it? Thanks!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The one thing that tipped the scale for me and led me to me surgery was the number of people in medical fields that have bariatric surgery.

I would reach out to them or your bariatric doctor. I was told no prednisone. I have RA and used to have to take pred a lot. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

check out bariatrix. I'm picky as hell, but they have some tastey products that were designed with the bariatric patient in mind.

Hi all! I am scheduled for revision of my bypass on March 16! Original stats : 260lbs pre-op RNY Bypass : November 2009 Lowest : 135lbs Plastics - Abdominoplasty; Panniculectomy; Thigh Lift : June 2011 Divorce - Remarried - Regained Sept 2020 : Re-entered Bariatric Program at 279lbs Current : 245lbs I will have my pouch resized and reconnected distally for a little bit of malabsorption. Hoping for ~ 70lb weightloss and then to maintain.

First - shop in your closet. Anything that you used to be able to wear that will fit again? SOmething you bought earlier that didn't quite fit but you never had time to return? I found a TON of clothes in my closet that are 1-2 sizes smaller than my surgery size. Dresses are my go-to - especially belted ones. Those can be worn for about 3 sizes because you can belt them in so they don't look so loose. I tend to like the fit and flare ones with belts. I also watch for clearance/sales on staples (jeans, black work pants, work tops) and buy a couple sizes when they're on sale. If you're plus size, Lane Bryant has some decent sales at the holidays. For example, right now they have $20 sweaters (don't buy too many because winter won't last long), 40% of most clothing and clearance. I think I got jeans for like $30 at Thanksgiving. Old Navy also often has sales and Target is a good place for basics. Some folks also shop at Goodwill/Salvation Army, etc. I don't, just because my area doesn't have a lot of plus size offerings, but its a good place to start. Finally, some bariatric surgery support groups will have a clothing exchange. Its worth asking your surgeon's office. Or, maybe start one?