Search the Community

Bariatric Solutions in the Dallas area regularly runs a special for $10,500. I still chose to go to Mexico for $5,500. It ended up costing me about 6500 total because I spent extra time there and for plane tickets.

Vitamins! if you want to order vitamins ahead, which you should, Bariatric Pal is definitely the way to go, if you like to get them reasonably priced and convenient, as I do, without the shopping hassles! Link: http://store.bariatricPal.com?rfsn=724473.84c6dd Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using BariatricPal mobile app

I also have Aetna Choice PosII, I have to see PCP for 6mos.(1visit left), attend nutritional 6hr class, get physc eval, meet with dietitian. Exercise was included with PCP visits. Bariatric center said they usually have ok within 2wks. I hope and pray!

I'm still in the process of getting the LB approved through my insurance, but I found out over the weekend that my surgeon is not just a bariatric surgeon, he is a general surgeon as well. In other words, he does things like appendectomies, colostomies, etc. I'm not sure how that makes me feel. I think he is a great doctor and I liked him right away...but knowing that he doesn't do JUST bariatric surgery has me going . It's too late to change doctors, in my particular case. How would you feel?

Have you had some blood work lately? I thought I was always tired due to sleep apnea... and then in my pre-op testing, it was discovered I also was anemic. Once I got some help to correct that, I felt so much less exhausted. The member above who suggested you see your regular doctor or OB made a good point. It's funny, reading the responses brings me to the thought, "The grass is always greener on the other side." I know that I am someone who always feels like everyone else in the world is having an easier time than I am. How do we overcome that feeling? I'm so glad that you spoke up here so that maybe you can see that you are not alone, and this frustration doesn't have to be the end of it all...or a permanent condition. Sometimes we just have to vent and work out our thoughts out loud. I hope you will get some relief and an opportunity to feel renewed and refreshed. Please keep visiting, if it helps you. You don't realize it, but your posts also help others, so you are valuable. I wish you lots of success and resolution to your struggles!! Congratulations on the new baby!!

Hi Everyone, I’m scheduled to undergo the gastric sleeve surgery next Monday, December 2nd. I’m anxious and scared about this life changing decision but I’m also excited about the journey ahead. I’m on day 4 of my 11 day pre-surgery diet and the Protein Shakes are gagging me. I’m limited to using shakes from Bariatric Advantage and Bariatric Fusion. Any tips on how to make them taste better? I’ve tried using extracts and drink mixes. I’m also hoping for some encouraging words for this surgery. I hope I’m making the right decision. I have this fear that I’ll feel nauseous for the rest of my life and I won’t be able to enjoy food ever again.

Yes, I think that a lot of surgeons are anti-band because the patient education, aftercare, and support is time-consuming and expensive. That's partly because surgeons are trained to approach surgery as a one-time fix-it thing. But bariatric surgery doesn't work that way. I would not have a band put in by a doctor who hates the band. I don't think you'd get the patient education, aftercare, and support you need from him (see above) to succeed. I hate that you've gotten this far and only now have discovered his true feelings about the band. If he or someone in his practice speaks at pre-op educational seminars, they need to make that position clear then so other people don't waste their time as you have. On the other hand, the sleeve is not as terrible as you might think. While it's scary to think of losing a big part of your stomach, people have been surviving gastrectomies for decades. Years ago I had a coworker who had lost most of her stomach because of ulcers and she was healthy and happy. And slim.

Thanks I really appreciate your help! Gives me some things to consider and think about. I am working with a therapist and I did go to Overeaters Anonymous for a short period. I would like to know if there is a bariatric support group in my area after my surgery. Have you tried asking your surgeon's office about local support groups in the area? They may have a listing of local groups in your area you can reach out to for support pre and post surgery Sent from my SM-N910P using the BariatricPal App

I got this in Kindle version. There are pureed recipes in the book if it helps... Gastric Sleeve Cookbook: Easy and Delicious Recipes for Every Stage of Recovery Following Bariatric Surgery https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DWJYHWV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_PZJNCbE6GGPBG

I honestly don't get the angst of your post in looking at your selections? I'm so sorry. I would truly encourage you to start working on reframing your reality and doing head work to work through the grief you are clearly feeling about the changes you chose to make to your body and how that is going to affect your eating. You don't see this now, but a year from now when you are 50-100lbs lighter, your life will be TOTALLY different! I promise. You will be able to feel how fortunate this is! I sometimes think surgeon's give you these limits not only to protect your new anatomy (you can do serious damage by challenging it too early), but also because they want us to break the cycle of using food for in a disordered pattern and putting too much importance on meal variability and too much on "food being good/yummy/comforty." In this early time you have the opportunity to lose THE MOST WEIGHT IN A MONTH you will lose in all of your WLS history. We lose the most weight in the first 2 months following surgery. So please please embrace this time. I swear, it gets SO much better if you relax into it, keep it simple, measure and log everything, but just keep it simple. You know? Keep it low low cal/meet your protein goals/keep carbs and crap out of it. I didn't have to do puree. I had to do soft foods that were chewed to puree. But here are things that would fit your reqs. All you have to do is put em in a food processor (mini chopper) and bam you're there. 1. Eggface Ricotta Bake (google it) 2. Green bean casserole (bariatric style) with canned chicken 3. Tuna casserole (bariatric style) with green beans instead of peas 4. Mexican beef with cheese or beans with cheese (too carby for me--made me hungry too soon after eating) 5. Broccoli, spinach or cauliflower pureed with light cream cheese, lemon juice, s/p/g (steam the crap out of it first) 6. Smashed cauliflower with bacon and green onions (put in a food processor) 7,. Any soup or chili made bariatric style 8. Fish in foil pouches with lemon and spices/herbs. 9. zucchini sauteed with onion, tomatoes and herbs and pureed--can add any kind of lean meat. 10. yogurt/cottage cheese blends with berries. I just ate the same things all the time in rotation usually. And the time went by quickly. Hang in there. The time does pass quickly.

When I started considering WLS, particularly VSG Surgery, I researched extensively. I read medical studies, case histories, personal blogs and watched hundreds of hours of YouTube videos posted by patients and bariatric surgeons. I cannot remember where I read or saw the European study called "The Three Month Marker", nor have I been able to find the article or video again. The "supposed" study was of VSG patients and their success rates. The results of the study indicated that the total average weight loss at 12 months post-op was double the amount lost at the 3 month post-op mark for patients who closely followed the bariatric guidelines. Has anyone else heard about "The Three Month Marker"? For those who are at least 12 months post-op, does this study relate to your experience?

I have been heavy all my life and just getting heavier. I have been lucky so far as to not have developed any co-morbidities. My husband and I were trying to have another child for the last 3 years. I put $5000 in my flexible spending account for this year and after being told it would be around $20,000 to do invitro with donor eggs - I was looking for other ways to spend my funds. I had been contemplating and researching this for a while. A couple of friends/colleagues had mentioned it a few times as they knew people who had done it and we worked in the medical field so they knew staff and the physicians at the local bariatric center. Once I make a decision, I don't waste time. I went to an info seminar on March 9 and I had surgery last Friday (April 23). I have no regrets and am happy with my decision. I want to be healthy for me and my family to enjoy our lives. I have spent far too long hiding from pictures and situations because of my weight and uncomfortableness. It was time for a change and I'm proud to say I did it.

Someone suggested that I post my list of questions that I brought to my consultation. Some are redundant, sorry about that. I hope this helps and please add your questions too. ABOUT THE DOCTOR: How many gastric banding procedures have you done? Is he a board certified surgeon? What types of complications has this doctor personally encountered during lap band surgery and recovery and life with band? Is there a difference among the two different adjustable gastric bands? Do you have other Lap-Band® patients that I can talk to? Do you have a video or presentation that I can watch that shows the surgery? Do you specialize in the Lap-Band® or do you perform other procedures as well? Do you perform other gastric band procedures? What is the Realize band, pros/cons of each? What are the short term issues? What are the long term issues? What is the doctor's policy when a complication occurs during a procedure? (ie: does he discuss options with family or immediately convert to bypass or other WLS). What qualifications does this doctor have regarding the specific brand of band that will be used? (Lap-Band System, by Allergan or Realize Band by Ethicon/Johnson&Johnson) ABOUT THE PROCEDURE: Lap Band vs Realize? What is the “scarless surgery?” Do you perform the procedure on an outpatient basis or will it require an overnight stay in the hospital? What kind of anesthesia will I be getting? Will an anesthesiologist be present during the entire procedure Is the surgery being done at a surgery center or at a hospital? How will you protect me from infection/staff infection during the procedure? What types of complications has this doctor personally encountered during lap band surgery? PREPARING FOR SURGERY: What tests do I have to have prior to surgery? Will I need to have a special diet before surgery? Will you notify my primary care doctor about the procedure? Do you need any of my medical records prior to surgery? AFTER SURGERY CARE AND FOLLOW UP When can I resume taking medications? How soon after surgery do you want to see me for a follow up visit? How do does the doctor determine whether or not my band will need to be adjusted? Is there a direct line in case of Emergencies? When should I have my first adjustment/ fill? What will I need to have prepared when I get home in way of food items? When can I resume exercise? How will I manage my pain after surgery? How will I have to change my eating habits after surgery? How much weight should I expect to lose in the first month? FRIENDS AND FAMILY What help can you give me to help educate my family and friends so that they can also support me? LIFE AFTER BAND: How do adjustments work and how often will I need adjustments during the first year? Ongoing? How often will I have to see the doctor over the next year and at what cost? How is it better than other forms of bariatric surgeries like Gastric c Bypass and Gastric Sleeve? What is the expected weight loss? How much time will be required for losing weight? Is there possibly a better weight surgery for me?

My goodness....God bless you Shanda and congrats! Hey Angela, it's me. I got your email, thanks it was the kind of information I'm looking for. I did look up Dr. Alanis, he accepts BCBS but w/my insurance the procedure has to be done at a "bariatric center of excellence" and there are only 3 in the area (Hou NW, Methodist and Memorial Hermann. I called his office to find out for sure but per the BCBS site, he doesn't operate in any those 3 but the person that answered the phone said he will operate out of Memorial SW, but the wife will call me back. Thanks again!!

I just want to echo what Carol has said. There's nothing special about us. Or the countless others that have changed their lives following bariatric surgery. It's about commitment, hard work, determination and the realization that if you follow your plan, you cannot fail. We don't have any secrets. No super powers. Sometimes there are incredibly exciting victories - even when you've been in the maintenance stage for some time. And sometimes there are challenges, even when you've been in the maintenance stage for some time. Defeating the disease of obesity is a lifetime commitment. Winning the battle, the victory of a lifetime!

I think most US Drs aren't keen on us going elsewhere in the world for surgery. That said I believe I had far better care in Mexico than I would have in the US. If it is the only way you can get it done research your Dr well or put yourself in Bariatric Pal Mexico's hands. They will take good care of you.

Find a new PCP. Life is too short to deal with ignorant, small minded people. My daughter is a gastroenterologist and she's the one who actually set up my surgery with Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana. VSG was still considered experimental in the US when I had mine done, so she got recommendations from her colleagues in the international bariatric community. And as an RN myself, I certainly recognize quality medical care. It's just too bad so many US trained doctors think they are better than everyone else (believe me, I worked for several of them). But there are also many out there that aren't bigots and care about their patients. Find one of them.

On April 24th I will be exactly 3 months out. I have lost 67 lbs since then and I feel great!!! I started out at 304 and today I am 237. I still have a long way to go but it no longer feels impossible. The one thing that I need to do that Im not is taking Vitamins. I know I know. I should be but I cant keep them down. I dont do well with Bariatric Advantage or Celebrate. Im just going to start doing the gummies I think. Some is better than none. I also dont eat a low fat or sugar free "diet". I do track everything I eat on myfitnesspal.com I try to stick to whole natural foods. Occasionally I have a cookie and its the real stuff. I try to drink either Water or unsweetened tea but there are days I will hav OJ or sweet tea. I do full fat cheeses and everything but in moderation. I figure that no that quality is so important why put cardboard tasting stuff in my mouth?? It has worked. I also try to workout 3-4 times a week and I do Zumba. I have been trying to swich to a mostly organic lifestyle. I have went from a size 24 to a 20. I thought it would be more? Can anyone tell me if this is normal? I have heard peopl say that the smaller you get the more drastic the change in sizes gets?? Any feedback on this??

Thanks for the referral Annie. Also, have you heard any feedback about Schumacher over at Kettering Bariatrics. My insurance wouldn't cover Cincy Weight Loss but I had heard pretty good things about Kettering. Since you live there, any info or feedback would be appreciated.

I'm in the beginning process of my bariatric journey, had my information session a few weeks ago and my big appointment with the surgeon, nurse, nutritionist, etc. is coming up in 3 weeks. So excited! I've been thinking about this health and wellness renewal with bariatric surgery for several years now. I've also been on a journey with my mental health (anxiety & depression) for about 4 years and have made some wonderful progress. I have a good support system of doctors but lately my therapist is making me scratch my head. For those of you on your journey - or that have experience - tell me about your journey with your mental health along with the bariatric surgery process. What I mean by my therapist is making me scratch my head.....so, for the past several years, my therapist has helped me get to a place where I can work on myself and my relationship with my parents (suffered mental/emotional as well as some physical abuse from parents). I made so much progress in 2 years with this...true healing, feeling so much more confident and content with myself. This progress finally led me to go forward with realizing that I was ready to commit to wanting to help myself and begin my bariatric weight loss journey. So, when I brought this up to my therapist, her reaction was not exactly what I expected. (I've read about people's different reactions so I'm of course trying not to let this bother me and feel like I probably need to either move on or realize that's her opinion, not mine). Anyway, when I try to discuss my wants/needs regarding my request for help when it comes to emotional eating/overeating/breaking that psychological connection, she's not really wanting to go there with me. She gives me very little help and keeps saying, "maybe you just won't have this surgery"...and suggests calling local weight loss places that focus on holistic methods of weight loss, etc. that cost $$$. She keeps telling me I need to read all of these books on "miracle weight loss", "medicine is bad", etc. ...ok, so....I know if someone is offering you some "magic unrealistic" guarantee if you "buy their program" they will promise you guaranteed weight loss for life....Ok, that's not for me. I've been there, done that, time and time again. You know the story...the diets we've all tried, the books we've all read, the shakes, you name it. I'm pushing 50 years old...been around the block with weight loss, like all of us here and I'm just not buying it. But, I did try to hear her out. What I'm disappointed in is that I feel that this relationship with this therapist is not helpful. I think I probably need to find another avenue of therapy. I know my hospital offers some group therapy, which I plan on doing. I'm grateful for this website and forum for help and support. If anyone has any advice - therapy suggestions, books/podcasts, etc. to work on my mental health with the emotional eating connection - I would be so grateful. I am working hard already at trying to change these things for myself now so I can be successful. Thank you again for your help!!

Samuel Butler, Victorian era English author once said , "Self -preservation is the first law of nature." Taking that leap to have bariatric surgery was a brave act of self-preservation. There are many other steps you can take now to refresh your new lease on life. (And we are just temporarily leasing our human container). One of those steps is to get back on track, starting with your next meal. I will be thinking of you, and wish you good luck and good health.

I go in Thursday to get the Bariatric Bible. I am definitely going to take advantage of the support tools KBI offers including the Facebook Group. Do I have to wait until after surgery to join?

Over all I am very impressed with BMI. I really like Dr. Cottam and feel really good about him doing my surgery. He demonstrated caring and spent more time with me than I would have anticipated. He was eager to answer questions. I arrived in the morning with about eight other patients. There was a quick tutorial on bariatric surgery. We were each then separated out into our own room. I met with a dietician, exercise therapist, psychologist, a medical office assistant, the financial lady and Dr. Cottam. I had a metabolic rate test and a H Pylori test. I also had pre-op blood work done so I had been fasting since midnight. This (my very first time even stepping foot into his office) was on June 6th. The appointment took about 2.5 hours. I really like Dr. Cottam, I didn't get the best vibes from the finance lady, she seemed a bit skeptical about my qualifying and just wasn't very friendly. I needed a physical and a letter from my primary physician stating I was healthy enough for surgery. My paperwork was submitted to insurance about two weeks after my appointment and took about 9 days. I am now doing a two week pre-op diet of clears and protein shakes, I am scheduled for surgery on the 24 of July. The whole process was very smooth and went much quicker than I anticipated. I am very excited, yet nervous for the weeks to come. I hope all goes well for you and that you will have a similar experience regardless of who you choose. I know having an in network provider really makes a difference.

I don't have one multi-Vitamin that has everything like you are looking for. Bariatric Advantage has bariatric Vitamins that may but I don't like big horse pills so don't mind taking individuals. I take a multi and a D3 in the morning. I take Iron and chewable C with a meal when I am not eating dairy/calcium. I take the rest (D+K, B-12, B-1, and calcium chews after another meal or snack. I follow my surgeon's guidelines as to amounts. I have taken all of these, in pill form, since a week after surgery.

If anyone is interested In a Welsh Bariatric Nurse. I use to work for THE and now independent. I'm very reasonable and very flexible with appointment. If you should need my services in called Gastric Band Aftercare Wales Sent from my SM-G930F using BariatricPal mobile app