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I have regained a ton of weight back after Covid. I would like to find a great doctor, Nutrionist to help me evaluate my diet and get back on track. It would be nice if they did hormone evaluation too, but not required. Any referrals in Dallas, Richardaon, Plano, Frisco, Allen, or DFW metroplex is appreciated!!!! I want an accountability physician or Nutrionist or dietician. I want to hear your stories. Thanks everyone! Melanie Kirk

Need some help.... Day 4 post gastric bypass and I just can't stomach the broth. I bought a variety of different types, also bone broth and bariatric soup broths as well as pre made and froze my own. I hate everything!!! Its literally that dramatic for me right now... I can't even stomach the thought of drinking any of it. Send help I'm having a lot of regrets at the moment. Sent from my SM-G986U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hey there! I'm in a bit of a predicament. I am running low on vitamins and just ordered more but I leave for a trip on Thursday. The vitamins might get here after I'm gone. I have some different leftover vitamins but they don't have iron in them. While I'm gone for 4 days, do you think it'd be okay to take the bariatric vitamin without iron and an over-the-counter iron supplement just for those 4 days while I'm away? I will say I am slightly anemic since surgery so I'm not sure what to do. I don't want to go into the office to buy them because they upcharge them by 200% (26 online, 60 in the doctor's). Anyone try a non-bariatric iron supplement for emergency cases? Thanks!

I am 10 yrs out of bariatric sleeve get the slimes ALL THE TIME , to many different foods gained 45 lbs hiccups hurt like hell can’t drink fluids makes me feel to full ALWAYS Constipated the new life is not what I expected I was happier FAT

Yeah, I honestly struggled the most in the beginning of the journey (a bit before my initial consultation) and then extreme struggle right at the end (just weeks before my pre op diet) because of that constant fear that eating was over and done with forever. Yeah...not the case at all but damn does it harbor the food funeral. I honestly wish bariatric centers would offer more emphasis and support in that. I think a lot of people go into it believing surgery means no more enjoying food at all in any capacity...not the case. I had a lot of trouble with overeating a month before my surgery. I was working out like MAD so I didnt gain weight but I wanted to eat everything delicious because I believed that was my last chance. It's literally maybe a month to two months until you can eat relatively normal foods again and it goes by fast. I had my surgery in February and I'm already eating everything again accept bread, raw vegetables and refined sugars. I feel plenty satisfied and enjoy what I eat. One can probably argue all day how to see food post op and how that can benefit your weight loss and weight maintenance but im talking more so about realistic, day to day stuff. For some the all or nothing approach works but for most, it's okay to admit to yourself that you still "enjoy" food while also not letting it take over your life or your weight. I can't stress enough how temporary the extreme dieting is. It's not meant to last. No you can't overeat post op, but you likely won't want to anyway and you can still enjoy a variety foods just like before. When I needed to get back on the horse pre op, it helped to remind myself that it's not a goodbye forever from food, it's a goodbye forever to overeating. Its merely a "see you in a month or two" to solid foods and complex carbs. Lol Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

while my program was a all liquid diet. They did say that in the event of extreme hunger i could have 1 meal of lean chicken or fish, baked or grilled with a small portion of non starchy veggies. So typically i would choose sockeye salmon and asparagus. to replace one of the 5 protein shakes i have to drink daily. I am on day 14. My surgery is in a few hours. I hope you start to feel better. Make sure you are drinking your shakes. Call your bariatric center to see if they allow this 1 meal that you are struggling.

My obesity was a major cause of my depression. I was able to move from 300 mg a day of Wellbutrin to 75 mg. When I tried to drop the WB altogether, I started feeling the symptoms again. I don't have any need to up my dose at all. You will want to find a therapist, because binge eating is in the head, not the gut. You will simply not be ABLE to binge eat for a while, but if you keep trying, you will eventually fit more food in there. I will say that I have a totally different outlook to food now. I meal prep and just eat that, and if I do snack it's not the diet-busting binges I once went on. Initially (immediately post-surgery) the gas was painful. That lasted 2-3 days. After that, it was the loss of strength from eating so little—some of my work is physical and I was no longer able to do it for a while. That also passed. Also, the bariatric diet from my clinic was written for sedentary people, and I am most definitely not sedentary. I got in a huge fight with the bariatric nutritionist (she tried to shame me for eating 800 cal a day instead of 400-500 at three months out), fired her, and hired a nutrition coach who now has me eating 1600-2000 cal a day depending on activity level, and I'm still losing.

Hi Carrielee, Seeing a bariatric surgeon and getting into a pre-surgical program has been life-changing for me. I am scheduled for a SADI-DS procedure on May 5. I have high BP requiring multiple medications, am nearly a diabetic, and am tired of yo-yo dieting. I also don't want dumping syndrome, which can happen after the traditional gastric bypass. Meanwhile, after seeing the dietician and therapist and getting on a plan, I have lost 48 pounds so far during my preop. My starting weight was 330 lb, now 281.5 lb. My pants size has gone from a 28W to a 22W. My advice is to find a bariatric surgeon you trust. Work with the dietician and therapist. You will lose weight. The surgery becomes another tool to make it more effective. Good Luck!

Hi all, I I have done some research and am considering this to be my best option. I am pre op and have my very first appointment with a Bariatric Surgeon on 4/25. I am currently 278 pounds and am 5 ft tall with a BMI over 50. I’m 31 and suffer from liver disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, gastroparesis, angina/chest pain, have had a TIA, limited mobility, sleep apnea, type II diabetes and most recently diagnosed with multiple pulmonary embolisms. I am slowly killing myself and I am done. I am considering other options, but feel with my BMI and myriad of co morbidities, that this is my best option.

I second keeping busy and getting rid of all the temptations. I ordered adult crafts from Amazon but you could do anything. Read a book, binge watch Netflix, organize a cabinet, literally whatever you have to do to distract yourself from food. If it’s a serious problem you may want to discuss with the bariatric therapist but if it’s just mild head hunger you can just keep busy.

Correct. That's my understanding. That's the exact reasoning for using gelatin based capsules for bariatric capsulated medications.

Somebody needs to do their sociology PhD thesis on this thread "The Transatlantic Divide: Examining Cultural Differences Through Attitudes to Alcohol Consumption After Bariatric Surgery" Fascinating.

I have a really weird eating plan. I was given yoghurt and jelly while still in hospital,( I eat about 1 ml!) My plan is smooth puree food from 2 days to a week after surgery. No period of clear liquids or liquid food. Suggestions are just revolting,tinned tuna mixed with cottage cheese,🤢 chop chop chicken (I have no words to describe this foul tinned white blobs) mixed with cottage cheese, 🤮scrambled egg, weetbix breakfast cereal mixed up with milk. I can’t stomach anything that isn’t really liquid, like watery soup texture. So I’m kind of doing my own thing and following a plan I found online from a UK based bariatric specialist dietician. My dietician is properly qualified over here (NZ) but as far as I know not a bariatric specialist, the surgery is very rare over here really, I don’t know how experienced she is. Not sure what to do really as I feel i’ll be onto the puree food in about a week anyway, just not yet 🤷‍♀️Any suggestions?

The difference between bariatric friendly capsules vs the standard type is that bariatric capsules are vegan (made from gelatin) non-bariatric type capsules aren't vegan and made from collagen. Depending on which surgery you choose, for instance, in gastric bypass, the capsule passes through the pouch and straight into the intestine, thereby bypassing the remnant stomach where the stomach acid is produced, and where the capsule would begin digestion. They prescribe medicines that are FDA approved. Because they're familiar with them because of the studies and probably for liability purposes also. Supplements and natural drugs aren't FDA approved so they steer clear. I would say that doctors in North America are largely trained in western medicine and western medicine has a large emphasis on pharmaceuticals, of course. You would probably have to find a Naturopathic doctor that is more familiar with natural medicines if you're set on taking natural therapies. Traditional Western doctors just aren't trained in that type of medicine.

Hi all, I'm 6 months bypass post op. I am striving to live as naturally as possible and do not believe that pharmaceuticals are the answer to everything the way the medical industry does. I can't seem to get my team to answer the question - what's the difference between bariatric friendly capsules (such as my multivitamin and the prescriptions they love to write me) and the capsules for other products such natural forms of supplementation? When I look at the inactive ingredient list, they're identical. So why must I take Omeprazole (which has the long term side effect of dementia among others) and not Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice Root Supplement with Aloe Vera (link below)? Last I knew licorice (as in the root not the sugary treat) and aloe don't give you dementia and have studies that show they can prevent and treat ulcers. My team says no to the natural supplements due to the capsules but then say it's ok to take Omeprazole, Colace, and other drugs that are capsules. Since they won't tell me the difference (which makes me suspect there may not actually be one), I was hoping if there is one, someone here could explain. I have a background in medical research, teach evidence based medical practice to medical students, and am a faculty member of a university. I'm very intelligent, have a decent understand of anatomy and this surgery, so please hit me with the science! I love science. I'm good with finding alternatives but I hate it when people tell me what to do but refuse to explain why especially when we are talking about the potential for me to literally lose my mind. I've been reading this forum and have found it to be a great source of solace. Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all!! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00062IF54/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_C2HWJST3NRWAR5661YAE?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Ugh, that sucks! I can't help you with the specifics on the blood panel, but throw the feeling of being angry at yourself away. We do our best, we really do. Sometimes, it's not good, but it's our best in the situation we were in. You're doing something good for yourself now and you will get there. One thing, though: if diabetes is a concern, strongly consider any type of bypass surgery. Oh, and: I never understood why American doctors won't perform bariatric surgery on patients with high A1C levels when we know the best intervention for that is ... bariatric surgery. Nobody would ask someone with a broken arm to try and set it themselves first.

Who's your favorite YouTuber or Podcaster? I really like mylevel10life on YouTube and Dr weidner, who's name I'm sure I just butchered. As for podcasts I really haven't found any relating to bariatrics that I liked. Sent from my SM-N986U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

Could you get down from 390 to 200, or even lighter, and then keep it off? Yes, absolutely. Anyone can, with or without surgery. However, there's a difference between can and will. Obviously, I don't know your physiological intangibles such as your muscle profile, body type, genetics, ability to stick to goals, follow a bariatric diet, etc. BMI doesn't account for these things. Because of this, we can crunch some statistics, and assuming you're average when it comes to the intangibles, we can begin to get an idea of the odds for you. Based on the BMI chart, every pound over 154 pounds is excess for your height, which leaves you with 235 pounds of excess weight. Now with sleeve statistics, the average person loses between 60 and 70 percent of their excess weight. Obviously, some lose 100 percent or more of their excess weight, and some lose much less than the 60 to 70 percent average, but again, let's assume you have an average surgery experience and lose 60 to 70 percent (we can call it 65 percent as an even marker). 65 percent of 235 pounds of excess weight is 152.75 pounds. 390-152.75=237.25. So, by math alone, 237.25 would be your most likely outcome, which is obviously 37.25 pounds over your goal. To meet your goal, you would have to exceed statistical expectations when it comes to average amount of excess weight lost for sleeves. Instead of losing 65 percent of your excess weight, you would have to lose approximately 81 percent to hit 200. I'd certainly say this is doable, albeit not easy. Now the unfortunate thing about losing weight is that your body fights you on it, and it has various forms of ammunition. Cravings, plateaus, and different types of phantom hunger are all in its arsenal. Bariatric surgery depletes our bodies' weapon stock to an extent and limits the damage should we fall into one of its traps. It's something we can lean on. It won't do the job on its own, but we've essentially enlisted reinforcements that swing the odds of success in our favor. However, the one thing that bariatric surgery won't change as we get closer to our goal weights is adaptability, and this is probably why your weight loss has stalled in the past. Our bodies learn our tricks. They adapt to low carb and low calorie diets, and thus, the weight loss stalls until we give up. So what do we do? If a plateau occurs, we have to change our tactics (even slightly) to catch our bodies off guard again. Change the diet and eating patterns slightly. Try a little intermittent fasting, or maybe switch out your carbs for fat for a bit. Same thing with exercise. If you're exercising (let's say running for example), switch things up and go to HIIT training or swimming for a while. Once your body adjusts to that, then go back to running. It's a little weird to be "at war" with ourselves, but the reality is that we are. Got to be smart and merciless when it comes to confronting the weight monster.

I have BCBS of Illinois. I had to have the clearance letter from my PCP, bariatric bloodwork, an ECG, 1 dietician appt, the psych eval and either have a bmi of 35 with at least 2 comorbidities or 40 and up with none (I am 40 and up with 2, so I definitely qualified). From the time I started the process on Feb 28th to the time I completed everything and it was submitted to BCBS it was 1 month. They approved it in 48 hours and my surgery is scheduled for May 3rd. I don't think they will approve it if you are under 40 bmi and have no comorbidities at all. I was told the acceptable ones are diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, and osteoarthritis.

So I have BCBS of Illinois (PPO) and I had my normal $25 copay for the psych eval, my $40 copay for the surgeon visit, the dietician visit was covered, and my only out of pocket was the $500 deductible and $1000 out of pocket cost. I also didn't have many hoops to jump through. I had already tried a number of diets so my PCP was more than happy to do the clearance letter. I had to have the clearance letter from my PCP, bariatric bloodwork, an ECG, 1 dietician appt, the psych eval and either have a bmi of 35 with at least 2 co-morbidities or 40 and up with none (I am 40 and up with 2, so I definitely qualified). From the time I started the process on Feb 28th to the time I completed everything and it was submitted to BCBS it was 1 month. They approved it in 48 hours and my surgery is scheduled for May 3rd.

Hi, just seeing anyone else in WA kaiser is currently going through the program. I talked to my pcp in Jan for the referral. Took a full month to get an answer and approval to the bariatric in bellevue. Then it took till the beginning of April to get the bariatric to even schedule me for orientation. Which isn’t even till may 10th. So to even just do the 1.5 hr zoom orientation about what the program is took 4 months from when my pcp sent the referral. Anyone else going through this? Or has recently and can give me an idea on a time line to expect.

as long as your insurance covers bariatric surgery, I'd be very surprised if you were denied.

Vivis, the clear liquids is hard work. But staying in line with your doctor’s instructions is the foundation of the success you want for a lifetime. Congratulations on gathering ideas for the journey! I am on my post op clear. I like the Isopure Dark chocolate. 25 GM of protein in a scoop, dissolves in a shaker cup of water, does not leave grit on my teeth or an aftertaste. I also like the Bariatric Advantage Strawberry and Orange Cream. Torani SF syrup is ok. Gatorade zero is a must have! I bought packets on Amazon and saved a ton of cash and plastic waste. Tried Bone Broth for the first time. Game Changer!! Favorite brand was Fond because of all the different flavors. But it’s a lil expensive. I’m worth it! Best of luck to you! Tina

Judy…I think it is good for support from people who have been down this road. I know if you keep in touch with your bariatric program whenever you need, I mean whenever you need, they are there for you. You will get through it on the other side feeling so much better. I know what you mean. I was worried if the pain, not enough support, and the fear I was going to mess up. But know we are all here for you and feel reach out. Follow your program advice.

Hello Skins657, I had the lap band placed in 2010 (self-pay) and although I specifically chose the band, from almost the beginning I recognized that it was a big mistake. I was constantly hungry, and I found the band to function erratically. Sometimes I had almost 100% restriction, but most often I had 0% restriction. Insurance did not cover adjustments and they ended up being very costly and did not help. I lost some weight but gained it all back during my decade with the lap band. It was only recently (during the pandemic) that I learned that I could have the band removed and undergo a different bariatric procedure. Unfortunately, my only option was a gastric bypass (covered by insurance) since the band had caused so much damage to my esophagus. I picked a surgeon who had a lot of experience with conversions from band to bypass. I had my bypass on 4/5/22 and so far, so good! For what it is worth, I wish that I had never chosen the band.