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I love the Bariatric Fusion meal replacement shakes. They have some great flavors to choose from and they dont leave a funky after taste when you're done. My other favorite is the Nectar drinks, especially the Caribbean Cooler (tastes like a Pina Colada) and my favorite, Fuzzy Navel! They also have a BariatricPal Hot Chocolate protein drink with mini marshmallows that is the BOMB!!

That seems to be the format for everyone that was approved. A supervised diet if required by your insurance, preoperative tests, physch eval, maybe a support group and insurance that covers bariatric surgery. The magic receipe =). Best of luck to you!

Congratulations on your weight loss and welcome to the site! I think the majority of us are food addicts. I mean, you don't get obese to the point of needing bariatric surgery without some sort of major food issue. I have a lot of respect for you for realizing this and going to OA. I'm definitely a food addict, without a doubt. Granted what works for one definitely doesn't work for all, but I have found getting white carbs out of my diet really has helped my sugar/carb cravings tremendously. I stay away from white rice, white bread, regular Pasta, or anything that says "enriched" or "bleached" on the label. I buy whole grain bread, whole wheat pasta, and brown rice, I also stay away from sugar whenever I can and I have found Stevia to be a great non-chemical substitute. You can totally do this, Christopher. Best wishes to you.

$10K is pretty much the norm these days and I think it's important to know you have a local surgeon you can rely on for advice and guidance. Most of these bariatric docs have nutritionists on staff or are available and they can offer invaluable advice if your band doesn't seem to be working. Most likely you will need fills after surgery and traveling to Mexico or India isn't really an option imo. Most all bariatric Docs hold seminars monthly so go to several before you decide. Check out how many surgeries they've performed and how long they've been practiced in your area. tmf

Hi.....I'm in Alsip on the South side. On 12/23/2013, had my surgery done at the Loyola University Medical Center on maywood, over by Brookfield Zoo. My surgeon was Dr. Bipan Chand. He was at the Cleveland Clinic from 2003-2012, being instrumental in the development of their bariatric program. He came to Loyola in 2012 and developed their bariatric program. He also teaches bariatric, gastro-intestinal, and robotic surgery at Loyola and performs some services for Edward Hines V A Hospital as well. I was totally pleased with his staff and kind manner and had a textbook recovery. Wishing you an uncomplicated surgery and quick recovery.

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.

A time to change. I guess the beginning of the story comes about three years ago. After a major change in my life, I returned to school and earned two Associates degrees. The first was in medical assisting and the second in a medical office administration. Following a series of jobs to hold while finishing school, employment was found with the sisters of St. Francis out of Michigan city, Indiana. The job was as a medical assistant with a company named Working Well. These clinics specialized in occupational medicine and I was hired as a floating medical assistant to work between the companies five clinics in Northwest Indiana. This was definitely a change of pace compared to what I had previously been used to working within the cable television industry. It was a cold fall morning in late October when driving to work, it became increasingly harder and harder to breath. A cold which had been caught was becoming increasingly worse and worse. Driving became a task that was more difficult than usual. A decision was made to go to the emergency department of St. Anthony hospital. The results from that trip was a diagnosis of bronchitis and I was sent on my way back to work. Within the next week. The symptoms became increasingly worse, leading to a visit to my new Dr. for the hospital health insurance. The doctor was booked but they got me in to see his nurse practitioner, Ms. Nicolette Alexander. During a visit with Alexander took some precautionary tests and a chest x-ray gave me some medicine and said she would follow up with me. Less than a day later I received a phone call at work from Ms. Alexander's office. Not tracking me down was no easy task because I have been bouncing around from office to office for the last few weeks. Needless to say the message from the doctor was. I need to see you now! Gary my whole life I have never had a doctor track me down and use that phrase. So I knew was urgent. You have come of that meeting has stayed with me to this day. She stated. My heart was enlarged and my symptoms were indicating a need to see a cardiac specialist. It was at that point I was introduced to Dr.Sammie Dali. He informed me of a diagnosis of congestive heart failure and a ejection factor of 24%. In layman's terms that meant my heart was operating at only 24% capacity. After that Dr. Dali began a regime of medications, cardiac rehab and lifestyle changes to correct this condition. Within a few months. My overall health improved, but not enough to make a satisfactory change. My weight, but still an issue and the doctor and I began discussing bariatric surgery as an option. After being referred to above Midwest Bariatric Institute, it was decided that I was a good candidate for bariatric surgery but there were conditions. It was necessary for me to demonstrate that I could live the program and walked the walk. So with that began a series of nutrition classes, medical appointments, support group meetings, evaluations and lifestyle changes. Physically I was beginning to improve. But emotionally it was a roller coaster. One day the motions would be highly because everything was going alright and others because a reverse to rock-bottom when things went wrong. Six months later, after various evaluations, another cardiac scare and various doctors discussing my situation, it was decided that surgery was a go. In my corner was Ms. Alexander and Dr. Dali in the opposing corner was Dr. Gerald Cahill and his team off specialist. Dr. Cahill was concerned of possible cardiac issues, but finally agreed after Dr. Dali went to bat and hit a home run. Going into the surgery was a scary proposition. I remember thinking please hurry up and get this over with so I can continue on with my life. Papers have been filed, a medical leave. Approved and most of all a long heart-to-heart talk with my wife. The date of the surgery, after a comforting visit from my pastor, and imposing on one of my good friends to stay with Kathy, my wife, it began. I remember being wheeled into the cold operating room being given medication to relax and almost choking as a breathing tube was placed then blackness came signaling the true beginning of my new life. It is now 2 years later, I have lost over 150 pounds and feel great. Now has come the time for me to get serious. Time to exercise and watch the diet. It will be a challenge.

Congratulations! Glad to hear another person is doing well. Listen to your body, follow the instructions from your bariatric center & walk, walk & walk.

There's an app called bariatric timer my NUT told me about, when you eat something tap the bagel and when you drink, tap the wine glass and a countdown clock appears telling you when you can eat or drink next.

I've never heard of night time coughing after surgery. Do you have sleep apnea? Or maybe a cold? I know that sounds like a simplified question, but trust me, after surgery, everything we feel, we relate it to the surgery. When in doubt always defer to your bariatric team Sent from my SM-G900T using BariatricPal mobile app

This will be my second TG with a band. I don't remember having trouble with anything at all last year and I was 8 months banded by then. We usually have smoked turkey. Perhaps that's a bit moister than regular roasted? If I do a roast turkey, I use a big turkey roaster that has a lid, comes out moister than just a roasting pan and tinfoil. You might consider eating the dark meat from the turkey...or putting a tiny bit of gravy on it to help it slide down. I think I made two dressings, one regular for my son and one with lots and lots of veggies in it. I made the traditional green bean casserole, but used non fat or reduced fat Soup, cut way back on the fried onions and used ff milk. I think I made some kind of cranberry/orange sauce from scratch that used splenda instead of the canned stuff. Baked sweet potatoes in their jackets (in the skins). Made spinach madeleine..used ff canned milk, soy flour and extra spinach. A hospital near me is going to have a class Nov. 9 teaching diabetics how to have a healthier thanksgiving. I asked if the class would be beneficial to bariatric patients and they said it should be. So if it fits into my schedule, I'm planning to go and see what tricks/tips I can learn. Maybe a hospital or other health group near you would have something similar. Just think about how to make food moister or less doughy and reduce fat & calories in your favorite dishes. Have fun!! We have time to try things out now before the big date. :wink2:

Hi. I'm just wondering if anyone has experienced vomiting old blood (dark, rust colored)? My other symptoms are: severe constipation, in ability to hold down food or water that only last a few days and then I can eat and drink normally again. When I can't hold anything down I have mild to moderate abdominal pain on the right side. Also, even sipping water causes bile to come up. I have only vomited the blood 4 times in 2 1/2 months. It feels nothing like the sensation of food becoming stuck and feels more like the flu without the other symptoms. None of this makes sense to the surgeon who did my lap band surgery but the general surgeon I've been seeing wants to blame the band. I really think I have a bleeding ulcer. Most recently I couldn't hold anything down for 3 days and the pain was becoming worse so I went to ER. The next day I ate fairly normally, although I took it easy and I was back to drinking my 8-10 glasses of water a day while just the day before water made me vomit? I have been unable to find anybody with my symptoms on here. If we ignore the presence of the band it all points to ulcer. I should also mention my band has been in for 1 year and 9 months, I have just over 5cc's. The nurse at the Bariatric surgeons took out 2 cc's tonight so we can rule that out. I'm not very happy about it because I was finally starting to make some progress. My surgeon will only allow very small fills each visit and it took more then a year of monthly fills to finally see some progress. I feel like I've gone back a year of this weight loss journey with the removal of fluid.

Start my pre- op diet today... 2 shakes ... Regular dinner... Wish me luck . Two weeks until surgery ! Excited but nervous.... By the way what does everything think about purchasing a bariatric pillow. Worth it? Best thing ever? Regular pillow will work ?

This is why I love Bariatric Pal! I hoped I could express my honest feelings here and find others who could understand but also help me see to the other side. And, here you all are! My favorite thread has been "what I won't miss about being fat" or something to that effect. I was making my own list and got lazy. Need to keep focusing on that. Can't imagine the freedom to go and do what I want without fear. Of being able to walk and move freely without my knees hurting all the time! Of Not living in fear of getting diabetes, heart disease. It's so easy for me to dwell in the land of "what ifs" and to think of the negative possibilities instead of all the exciting possibilities! A trip to Disneyworld unencumbered. A hiking and camping trip with friends! Swimming! White water rafting! Walking up the steps to the Lincoln Memorial! A donkey ride in the Grand Canyon! I can create a whole new bucket list. Like you have all said, I need to take it one day at a time. I've lived with disability and daily pain for the last seven years. If I had known it was coming, I wouldn't have thought I'd be able to deal with it, but I have. So whatever comes, I'll deal with it as it comes. Not saying I won't still have to come back here for cheerleading and support, but thank you for helping me to start making mental shifts. Hugs to all!

Your surgeon knows your medical history. They have read through your psych eval and blood work. The chioce is ultimately up to you. Since you asked about the sleeve I will give you my two cents. Each of us are more than the statistics. I lost 120 pounds in 6 months with the sleeve. My goal was 140. I am five years out and maintaining in the 130s. Nothing magic about the bariatric process. Follow your plan and behavior changes. Weight gain can happen to any type of surgery: Small or large amounts of weight. After a year you may see a ten to twenty pound bounce. It can be lost again. Maintaining is if you have a gain you go back to your bariatric plan and get the weight off. If you can't change your relationship with food and exercise you will not have long term success with any type of surgery. People with bariatrics have revisions due to different issues. (medical, not following their plan, mobility and eating disorders etc) Sleeve realities: Things to know. (1) less chance dumping syndrome if you eat sugar. (some will experience it) If sugar is an issue for you, you might want a different type of surgery. Lots of debate about stomach stretching. (yes it happens but it's rare) I am going to pass on reading any following angry posts about stomach stretching. (2a) Your restriction will be less as time passes. This is normal with the sleeve. Your stomach has not grown back or stretched. It's a new feeling of stomach capacity. It's rare to see revision due to stretching. Think of how much food you would have to binge and force down in one sitting to cause stretching to the point of revision. 2b) Many people confuse grazing with stomach stretching. Grazing is eating several meals throughout the day healthy or unhealthy foods. Your calories will seriously increase. It is as if you didn't have surgery at all. (google it) I also see some surgeons take advantage of gain due to grazing. It's a money maker to do another surgery. This is life long change with any type of surgery. It is still work after you get to gaol.

I work for Verizon Wireless and I was approved the first time I applied. I have a high BMI w/no co-morbidities. Do you have a case manager thru Cigna? They should guide you through everything step by step. If you are employed by VZW then you would have needed to start the 6 month pre-op diet, have a case manager, and visit a seminar prior to 12/31/07. They no longer cover bariatric surgery and the only way to be approved is if you started the whole process in 2007. You also should meet with a nutritionist, have a psyc evaluation, and surgeon consult during your 6 month PCP monitored program. My surgeons office submitted for approval on 4/25 and I received the ok on 5/20. Good luck!!

Does anyone know how far back bariatric Dr's will look at medical history? I met with a nut about a year ago and have been through 4 weight loss programs since 2008. I already was diagnosed with sleep Apnea so I feel like all I need to do now it see a psychologist, but not sure if they will accept me seeing the nut a year ago? Anyone else? Thanks Jen Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

No magic trick or hack exists to increase the rate of weight loss in the first 3 months, though some folks may certainly disagree. Adopt permanent lifestyle changes and you'll be fine. Bariatric surgeons hesitate to admit this so as to not discourage prospective patients, but genetics run the show regarding speed of weight loss with surgery in the first year. People with two favorable markers on chromosome 15 are rapid losers; these genetically blessed people can eat a dozen of Krispy Kreme donuts daily and still lose weight like a house on fire. People with one favorable marker on chromosome 15 lose at an average to slow rate, and those without any favorable markers on chromosome 15 are non-responders who usually lose less than 30 lbs. In addition, men, the super-morbidly obese (BMI 50+), and males/females under 35 years of age are normally the rapid losers. The usual slower losers are older females, 'lightweights' who've got less than 100 pounds to lose, menopausal/postmenopausal women, racial/ethnic minorities, and those with stubborn metabolic afflictions (PCOS, hypothyroidism, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance).

Hello, I have UHC and I'm from the Columbus areas as well. I am going through Barix Clinics and I am currently going through a 6 month supervised diet plan with my physician before they will approve it. Otherwise, I was told I meet all of the criteria..I am 30 years old, have a BMI of 40+ and also was just diagnosed with high blood pressure 2 months ago. So, all of that being said, my UHC nurse care coordinator has told me that I shouldn't have any problem getting approved once I meet the 6 months, which I'm half way there..My last appointment with my Dr for this is the end of April. I am expecting to get approved easily as UHC advised me this is the last thing I have to meet. It certainly depends on your employer and what they chose so you just need to call UHC and ask them what the requirements are for bariatric surgery. Good luck!!

Hey everyone! I'm 9 months post op VSG and have lost about 105 pounds so far (including pre-op liquid diet). Everything in general has been good so far, except for the past two weeks I've been experiencing a lot of abdominal and side pain after eating, and also some really terrible bloating, gas, nausea, and constipation. Did an ultrasound a few days ago and it turns out I have a contracted gallbladder full of stones. I know that the only way to get rid of gallbladder problems is to do gallbladder removal surgery, but I've been doing a lot of research and I've been finding that A LOT of people have been complaining that they experience uncontrolled weight gain after gallbladder removal. Despite eating healthy, exercising, and limiting the consumption of fats, people seem to rapidly gain huge amounts of weight, especially in the abdomen, and find it impossible to lose it. As a bariatric patient this of course scares the heck out of me! I don't want to do this surgery and ruin what I've worked so hard to achieve with my weight loss, and I still have so much more weight I want to lose until I hit my goal. What should I do? Has anyone else had gallbladder removal after wls? Did it impact your weight loss or give you any unwanted side affects after surgery? I'm so scared of having to do this surgery. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Appeal. Now. Blue Shield of CA H M O doesn't require six months any longer, and they haven't since July 31, 2015. You should never have been denied in the first place. So long as your surgeon and/or PCP documents your previous attempts to losewweight, that's good enough. Here is the link to Blue Shield's medical policies: https://www.blueshieldca.com/provider/authorizations/clinical-policies/medical-procedures/policy.sp You'll find the policy for bariatric surgery under "B". Your medical group or IPA may be unaware of the change, but they should have looked it up online before denying you. Blue Shield didn't do a good job of letting their groups know of the change. It delayed my process as well. It's your group that did the denial (Blue Shield contracts with them to process authorizations), but appeals are handled by Blue Shield directly. Good luck!

Tl;dr: just under 2 full months. I had my consult with the bariatric doctor on June 16th. I got my approval date from insurance on July 18th or 19th. Surgery date is set for August 9th. I had to do seminars, classes, a sleep study, lab work and see a psychologist. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Good morning Made! Most insurance companies seem to require a BMI of 40 or higher to qualify for RNY (or any bariatric surgery with the possible exception of the band) OR a BMI of 35 or higher with at least two "co-morbidities" such as sleep apnea, diabetes, hypertension, etc. So based on your BMI of 41, I don't think you would have a problem qualifying for RNY or the sleeve if you and your doctor decide to go that route. You must be a very special person indeed to have six children, four cats and a dog and still not have high blood pressure! LOL!! An observation if you will - you seem to be under the impression that RNY is a much more significant surgery that the sleeve. RNY is more "invasive" and takes somewhat longer to complete. But having said that, my surgery started at 7:35am and was completed shortly before 10:00am. I was out of recovery and in my room by noon and was up and walking by 2:00pm. I had virtually no pain (until the next afternoon and even then it was quite manageable) and went home on the second day. Keep in mind that we're all different and my experience is no guarantee that yours will be the same. But I encourage you to read others stories on the forum here and I think that you'll find that for most, not all but most, their story is similar. RNY has been performed for many years both in the U.S. and in other countries. There have been lots of changes and advancements over time. Based on my experience I have to say that they seem to have pretty well perfected!!

Set up appts with a PCP who so familiar with patients who have had bariatric surgery. I am sure there are good surgeons out there who do quality follow up, as many here on this site will attest too, but honestly, there are many surgeons who simply don't give a crap about you once the surgery is done. I saw my surgeon for about 5 minutes before my surgery. He stopped in my hospital room for about 5 minutes after surgery, and I have not seen or heard from him since! He did schedule a followup appt, but when I went it was a Nurse Practitioner who saw me. I guess that was ok, but I was very weak and struggling. She did blood work, but never followed up with me with the results. In two days after that visit I was in ER due to severe dehydration. She has never once followed up since. I basically have written off the surgeon and work with my PCP. If you have a PCP start going to him and forget the surgeon!

I was unable to locate specific guidelines for the BC Complete Medicaid program dealing with bariatric surgery. I don't believe they have a separate criteria but I may be wrong on that; however here are their guidelines for other plans. I've included a LINK and the PDF. Good luck! Michigan BCBS Bariatric Medical Policy I've also attached the PDF file in case the link doesn't work. BCBS Michigan Guidelines.pdf