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Hmm that's a really good idea. Thanks so much!! I'll check my local GNC to see if they carry anything of the sort. I'm not one to normally say I'm starving bc I'm very fortunate and never have been, but this liquid diet has been tough, tough. My surgeon and the bariatric nurses I had to meet with post op yesterday assured me I wouldn't be hungry in a few days. I just would anything for a taco salad from my local Mexican restaurant! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am very sad and depressed right now.. half way through the six-month pre-bariatric program at my hospital, I finally met with the surgeon a month ago. He determined : 1) because I was still living on Prednisone for my Myasthenia Gravis, and had had surgical complications 4 years ago after an automobile accident left me with a perforated colon; and 2). a knee injury which left me in a wheelchair for 3 months this spring created DVT blood clots- that I was not a candidate for elective surgery at this time. I cried for days afterward. In my car, in the grocery store, in my art studio. I could not stop crying. I live with a rare neuro-muscular disease, and finally had to be placed on high dose steroids for it (100 mg/day) 19 years ago. Or should I say, 140 lbs ago? Steroids down to 10 mg/day now with IVIG infusions every 4 weeks. Evidently IV immunoglobin doesn’t effect surgical healing the way that Prednisone does. Dr. pointed out that even if I had been otherwise healthy, the DVTs alone would have postponed the surgery by 10-12 months. We made a loose date for reevaluation in June 2019, if my neurologist can get me off of the steroids completely six months prior by increasing the frequency of the IVIG doses. I was looking into this surgery 4 years ago right before the bus accident, and the possibility of finally having it got me through the multiple horrific resection surgeries. I am still eligible for the sleeve gastrectomy, but know that it will take fortitude to stick with the ‘non-surgical weight loss program’, rehab and exercising and prednisone tapering until my reevaluation in the Spring. It just feels like a dream slipping away, and I am having trouble staying motivated with my program. Has anyone else experienced surgical postponements for underlying medical conditions? Very much looking for motivation advice. Thank you.

Welcome Melbel and all the other newbies. I too am new. I go for my first appt. with the Bariatric Center February 14th. How ironic is that!! Valentines Day!! My date probably won't be until July. Meanwhile, I be online here getting support :-).

Thanks for your reply. Gastric Sleeve isn't malabsorbtion but it is very permanent. I found somewhere that will dit for 7,000 but it's in Peru. It's one of those vacation/surgery things. San Antonio Bariatric Surgery - New Dimensions Weight Loss Surgery - Sleeve Gastrectomy The only reason I am a little hesitant on the band still is because what if my body rejects the foreign object (band) inside me? I'm scared of slippage and erosion too.

My wonderful surgeon covered various bariatric surgeries and the success rates (and successful "reversal" rates) of each. He then went into more detail on the 2 he performs, banding and bypass. He described his "credentials" including how often he's done each surgery, what type of band he prefers/uses and why, etc. He discussed the procedure and life style changes required by each. He discussed the negative side effects (like hair loss and slippage, death...) and how much and how severe each is for his patients. Then he had a Q & A time (very patient) and THEN that great guy took another 20 min to just talk to my husband about it all (Husband is an RN who worked in a GI lab and was against it but was all for the band after doc and he talked and doc addressed his concerns) Afterward if we wanted we could immediately schedule a follow up appt, or we could take our time. No hard sell whatsoever. I immediately felt at ease and valued as a person, not just a patient.

I feel so badly for you. Just making the decision to have surgery and preparing for it is a pretty big deal for us even when everything goes the way it's supposed to. For you to have gone through all those preparations and the pre-op diet only to be bumped for a patient who was more important than you (ok that's a bit dramatic I know).... I go along with the others here who say always trust your gut. You absolutely deserve a doctor you have the utmost faith in, and, you are going to need to be able to depend on him AND his staff to be there for you in the coming months. I hate to think it might delay things even more for you but I'd think about switching doctors too. I would only go with bariatric doctors, and if possible, one who specializes in lap band. That was important for me and I think it's the best way to go. But as with everything on this board, it's all personal opinion. Good luck to you.... you haven't been treated fairly and I hope that changes for you real fast.

I have never heard of anyone losing their teeth. I echo what everyone else here said... as long as you take your Vitamins, supplements and Protein - there is no reason that you should fear losing your teeth. My guess is if you heard someone lose their teeth post surgery - they had some other oral issue going on that really has no correlation to bariatric surgery.

My name is Synthia McClure I had my surgery on December 30, 2014. My surgeon was Dr. Paul Macik Northside bariatrics. My begging weight was 288lbs. I am in my third week and have lost 28 lbs. My problem is learning how to get my protein in. I am still only able to eat blended food, but I can only take about four spoons before I am full. I make a protein-shake and can only drink about 4oz. I only get about 8oz o water. I have been walking about a mile everyday. I need to get a schedule of how and what to eat to get the protein,

Does your dr know that you can't tolerate even sips? My dr wouldn't discharge me from hospital until I could manage 3-4 oz within an hour. I think you should contact your bariatric team asap and let them know what's going on with your body. Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Standing outside this morning I looked about and all was quiet. Moments later a light breeze started to affect one of the Maples we planted thirty years ago. It drew my attention because it was a soft rustling noise that came from no where and sounded peaceful and pleasant. Suddenly in the distance I could hear the rumbling of thunder and it felt ominous. Approaching my peaceful moment with the ability to give me cause to worry. It hit me that the entire experience of a few moments was comparable to the journey of weight loss surgery. We get to a point where we give in and think that we have reached the bottom of our life. There is nothing left and we think there is nothing for us out there to help or offer us an option to turn our lives around. But through gentle words and in the form of encouragement by family, friends and the medical field we learn about Bariatric Surgery. We are offered a tool that can assist us to find a new path to good health and well being. A fear builds deep within us but we know inside that this is the only option left. This is make or break it time and we have no where else to go. We see our mortality and the future looks dim. We are willing to do what it takes to find ourselves on the other side which offers a new life without food addiction. We can't even imagine how that would feel to be thin and in good health. Finally having the real control of our future and our lives. Not being the object of well intentioned or intentional comments or opinions that hurt so deep we feel wounded and or scarred for the rest of our days. But it is not to be. We have an option. A gentle breeze overcomes us as we realize we do have an option. We do have a future. One that will keep us around long enough to enjoy the rest of our lives as the person we always wanted to be. Being able to watch our children grow up and then the grandchildren. Not to mention doing all the things you thought you would never do. Making a bucket list of experiences you want to have and places you want to go. Not to mention the effects this new and improved you will have in a positive way with your family and friends, work acquaintances and yes even strangers. This is the gentle breeze of realization that is engulfing your spirit and giving you hope for a better life ahead. When does the thunder roll in the distance to threaten this new found peace you are experiencing? When you realize that it will take real effort on your part to accomplish this. When you take the time to really start changing how you view food and figure out why you used food as a comfort in good times and in bad. We are conditioned to believe that food plays a much bigger roll in our lives then simply giving us the proper nutrients to keep our bodies in good working order. By well meaning parents who told us how it was so important to clean our plates to the diet industry that makes millions off of failed diets. The false comfort in the form of food related slogans that advertising companies use to make us think that food equals happiness. That food is the backbone of our lives. Here are a few. Help yourself to happiness – Golden Coral Come hungry, leave happy – IHOP Unwrap a smile – Little Debbie's Comfort in every bite – Mars Bar Life tastes better with KFC – Kentucky Fried Chicken Little nuggets of joy- McDonald's Chicken McNuggets Double your flavor,double your fun – Double Mint Gum Feels like home – Sarah Lee Get your smile on – Lay's And on and on, teaching us that food is the answer to all our woes and will bring us happiness. But we know from our own personal experiences that this is not the case. And yet we battle these feelings of needing food as the drug of choice to fulfill in us an emptiness every single day. We find ourselves reverting back to the habits that has brought us momentary relief only to find that it did not help at all. This is the thunder that we all experience in our journey. The fight to stay on course and not give into the heavy winds and booming sounds of habit or the artificial comfort of using food to make us feel better. We are in a war. We will win a battle at a time. We will get there. Maybe not today or tomorrow but we will control this disease. Weight loss surgery is our tool to learn new life long habits and choices that will once again bring the gentle breeze of hope and then success.

if you feel like you are getting no where with your bariatric team then you could ask your PCP for a referral to a Gastroenterologist and see what they think. I had those feelings in the very beginning but they went away as my stomach healed.

I was surprised that is took about 2 weeks to get the insurance OK. My GP had called the insurance before I began with the bariatric doctor and had is ok'd. After I had all my test results it was about 2 weeks. @DelongH you do have quite a bit going! Good luck with the move and the end of the year!

And I am following this thread with baited breath and a modicum of apprehension. You see I start my own prediet August 1st,and I ACTUALLY chose this length. My Bariatric program at the OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY gave me a choice of 2, 3, or 4 weeks. Why did I choose the longest? Better Healing Smoother Surgery To make it less stressful on ME Smaller Liver Size You see, although I have lost close to 40 pounds I am climbing on that surgery cart with a weight still over 300 pounds. On a 5ft8in 72 year old body that IS NOT a cool state of affairs. I undoubtedly have NASH, are you ready for his full name and easy description? Okay Here it goes Non Alcoholic Steato -Hepatitis. all it mean is "like my body, my liver is FAT" NOW my surgeon Dr Bradley J Needleman MD, uber-smart man,super skillful surgeon, and the chief of Bariatric Surgery/Metabolic Weight Loss at my hospital has a choice of a big fat blubbery liver or a nice sleek smooth happy slender liver to lift out of the way to get to my stomach, which would he and I prefer? I believe choice #2! Now the dietary plan, compared with many I have heard on here, is not SO BAD. Weird how every surgeon, be it a he or she surgeon, has their own take on things and their own path to get there. One lady I remember was on skim cow's milk and a gangoozel (one of my favorite words for a lot) of vitamins and minerals, there are some who don't even believe in a prediet and a bunch in between. Now mine, although it isn't as much fun as eating Willy-nilly is pretty Okay. So Frustr8 is signing on for a month of Dietary Purgatory, just like the Real Purgatory it takes a lot of prayer to get out of there! So while all you others are celebrating yours being over and surgery right around the corner, ME, the Brave Little Engine Who Could, will be chugging along in Central Ohio making her way towards a September 5th surgery, hopefully dropping pounds along the way. Vitamins, minerals, K-chlor, Lasix and Wellbutrin in my pill tote and Hope in My❤. Ah Folks, I'm going to make it, Yes I Am! Any dimishment of appetite, Glory Hallelujah! I'll Take It! ☕💊🍝🍶

I just found out that patients have to wait 1-2 years before surgery at the clinic I attend. I've been waiting 10 months now and have all my requirements done. I have no doubt in my mind that I'm ready and all the prep is almost to the point of overkill. I think someone would be less anxious if they have had any other type of major surgery before. There are relaxation techniques that are quite useful during high anxiety moments, such as major surgery. I had a major surgery where there were numerous unexpected complications. I had brought my favorite painting and had it placed in view so that I could concentrate on it and drown out voices, sounds of surgical tools, and pain. I also thought about the young children at St. Jude that had to go through so much more than I was temporarily enduring. Everyone is different, but I think a little mental preparation will keep you from backing out at the last moment. The newer requirements that make bariatric patients wait so long before surgery are put in place so that we are more than ready and less likely to fail.

It took me about 10 months to finally get a surgery date. Unfortunately I work for a hospital and with their insurance you are forced to stay within their facilities, forcing me to way long periods of time for some appointments. Requirement wise I had to fulfill the following: -weight loss of 5% of body weight -night oxygen saturation study -2 support groups -2 dietary appointments -psych evaluation -multiple appointments with a bariatric nurse practitioner -multiple appointments with my surgeon -pre operative class -chest X-ray -ekg -blood work I think that covers it all! Don't get discouraged by everything you have to do before surgery, it is all for a good purpose and helps fully prepare you. Best of luck!

Hello everyone... I've been lurking on here for awhile but this is my first post. I'm 26 and from Chicago and have finally decided to take the steps to have bariatric surgery. Attended a seminar a Loyola University Medical Center that was very informative. I'm nervous but excited for what's to come in the future! I was wondering if anyone on here has experience with County Care Medicaid from Illinois? I've called them several times and other than knowing that they do cover surgery, I keep getting conflicting responses about qualifications or where I can go to have the surgery. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Interesting that your surgeon should say that because it seems like I've read several times that more and more practices are switching to the bands and they expect it to be the leading bariatric surgery in just a few years! You might want to consider getting a second opinion. Will your surgeon still be there to give you fills if she's moving away from banding? If you go to the fills forum on this board, you can read about the experience of others. I've rarely heard of a painful fill. Good luck!

Your insurance policy is what you need to focus on. If you don't meet their requirements, then ...you don't meet their requirements. A doctor's office can only do so much, in terms of "creating" comorbidity. Joint pain and psychological effects of obesity are not among those covered by my insurance. The place to focus your attention is your HR department. They have the ability to request changes in the policies they offer employees. You may have to wait until they are next negotiating contracts to get approved--but between now and then, you can make a lot of noise so that they DO make this request. Fact is, with a BMI of 47, comorbidity will ultimately cost your employer health dollars. You can make a strong argument for them to change their requirements. (It's their decision; they chose the coverage based on $$--they thought it would be cheaper to restrict bariatric surgery; you need to convince them that in the long run, it's not.) Failing that, is there another health plan they offer? We have the choice of a handful---and have a window, each year, during which we can switch. If so, read ALL the policies to find which is most favorable to you, in terms of approval for the surgery you want.

I was sleeved Monday. I spent two nights in the hospital, I was supposed to go home Tuesday, but was very nauseous so I stayed an extra night. The first day in the hospital. I'm not sure how much I drank, but it probably was only like 10-20oz of water diluted cranberry juice and a diluted protein drink. This morning before I left I probably only got in like 10oz or so. But since I got home I've managed to get down an 11oz premier protein drink and about 15 oz of crystal light. It's hard taking very little sips. But I've only been home like 5 hours. So I guess that's ok. I guess it's going to take time. I'm not hungry at all so I'm forcing myself. But the bariatric coordinator and my surgeon at my hospital made sure to drive in the fact that you have to drink in order to stay hydrated or you're going to end up in the ER for dehydration. Good luck

I said goodbye to family and friends and I was crying up until the anesthesiologist came into the operating room to put me out. Death was a real fear for me. I was 23 at the time of surgery and healthy, this was my first surgery, I was afraid that I would never wake up and that it would be over all due to one decision. I woke up in a lot of pain, lol. It's natural to have fear. Talk to your surgeon and ask him for his stats on complications and deaths. My first day of surgery preop, in a class of 30+ people, I asked the surgeon how many people have died on him. Made him and everyone else uncomfortable. He said that in their hospital, 1 patient died 14 years ago during an RNY. I ended up having the head of the Bariatric surgery team as my surgeon. Ask questions, as many as make you feel comfortable. No one cares what you ask, you want to have all of them answered so you know what you're getting into

The only one I found was flinstones but my dr does not recommend them. I bought chewable iron from bariatric advantage to supplement the multi.

First of all I think you should be very proud that you didn't put all of the weight back on. In the circumstances you describe that's pretty amazing. I doubt I would have done that well. If it were me, I think I'd check with the doctor as you have, and at the same time, I'd work the insurance end. First, to find out where you stand, and second, to see if your new company has other bariatric surgeons who could see you. My advise, gather information and keep your options open. Best of luck-Gwenn

After the first night dr asked if I wanted to stay another night and I chose to stay. I was not getting out of bed too well and did not feel that I could handle all of my care at home. Is it being done in a outpatient facility? Or a hospital? My dr was a bariatric surgeon of excellence and so was the hospital. I had terrible pain that did not improve significantly for a week. But everyone is so different. You read about some going back to work in a week. You still have time to research him. Best of luck.

I can't argue with the cost issue - I think it is usual here for insurance to include lapband and VSG, but not everyone is insured, and then public hospital waiting times are long for things like this. A great many things in life are a trade off between cost and safety or cost and comfort, sadly. I have previously asked my surgeon why he keeps his patients in hospital so long (although i was personally v pleased to have it done that way) and his reply was (in part) that Gastrectomy is done for lots of reasons, not just weight loss - cancer/tumours and ulcers on the fundus can lead to an op that is a lot like VSG. It is standard to keep patients for those ops in hospital for 3-10 days... And I have seen those same times quoted on US websites too. He went on to say that many VSG patients have higher blood pressure, sleep apnea or other issues that put them in a higher risk category than the average person and he prefers more conservative treatment. And finally that it reduces the risk of complications and increases patient comfort. All very sound reasons to me. Someone said earlier in this post that the OP should discuss with her dr and be sure she is comfortable with his reasons for discharging her on day 1... Specifically why he thinks this is right for her, not just "right"... And then the OP can decide what she needs to feel comfortable undergoing the op. I think that's good advice. It's worth shopping around too, as longer days in hospital don't always mean greater cost - well where I live they don't. Every clinic I spoke to charged the same "out of pocket " cost - Insurance companies in Australia can only insure up to 85% of of a govt determined cost for a particular service - the doctor can charge more (and most do) and the "gap" between the insurance payout and the cost gets bigger... and the patient has to pay. Bariatric surgery is very competitive these days, and you too may find doctors are charging similar end costs to ensure their share of the market If you pay the same and get less care and follow up the doctor is pocketing the difference as profit. More care and follow up and he's investing in your health. It's always worth asking around.

Biotin will NOT impact hair loss. It's a placebo effect. Bariatric surgery causes Hair loss temporarily. I cringe every day at the amounts I am losing but as a scientist I know the reasons & know it will grow back. However it is not easy to watch it fall. Hang in there everyone & focus On the Lbs falling off for now. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app