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Southwest Bariatric Surgeons - Lap Band & Gastric Bypass Weight Loss Surgery - Austin, TX located in austin

Hi. I am using medicare. they, like most insurance had some requirements and I've met all of them. You have to have a BMI of 35-40. If its under 40 you have to have some co morbitities. You have to have 6 months of non consecutive weights. Like Jan 05, April 06, and so on.... You have to have tried a lot of other ways to lose weight before....I had a long and dr documented history. You have to have your surgery at a bariatric center for excellence....you have to have a letter of medical necessity. I had all of this information faxed to my surgeon because my doctors had been documenting everything for me for a long time. They had been recomending me have this surgery for two years before I was ready. Now my surgeon has the complete chart, and I am having surgery Wednesday. They will then send it all in to Medicare and the surgeons office staff knows what will work with each insurance company so they make sure they get everything right. Hopefully, I will get a bill that says medicare paid their part. Its a process.... just like everything..... I called Medicare and asked them specifically what their requirements were before I saw my surgeon. Some people have to have a lot more things done....I was surprised medicare was so "lenient".... Good Luck, Meg

Just a side note: Does anyone else take Calcium citrate!?!?! I just picked up some yesterday and those things are horse pills!!! lol. I am lucky I'm one of the few in my bariatric program to only take 4/day rather than 6 but still, swallowing these bad boys are sounding pretty scary.

Have you tried the chewy bites from bariatric advantage

I also like the chewable calcium citrate from Bariatric Advantage. They come in 500mg each so I only have to do 2 a day.

I just got a cookbook for protein shakes on Amazon and it has totally improved my life. I'm not kidding, I couldn't choke another shake down no matter what it was. At least now I have some variety... Sent from bariatric pal app

We always focus our anger and hatred on the insurance company, but I've come to understand that it is ultimately the employers choices that affect WLS. Insurance money is collected from the employee's wages and pooled and someone like Aetna or BCBS, etc. is contracted to MANAGE and disperse the funds according to how the employer sees fit. I was denied four times -- on the 5th (and final) try my WLSurgeon requested that someone specializing in bariatric surgery look at my file. I had approval in 3 days! Six months out I've lost a total of 65 lbs and am off of EIGHT meds I would've been on for life. The meds alone would have totalled over $5K just for MY co-pay, not sure what it would cost the insurance. They'll end up saving money on me now that I'm banded. Employers need to be made aware the healthy benefits of WLS...I'm sure most of them still look at it as cosmetic.

Regarding your family who says you don't need to lose weight....doctors figure your 'need' for weight loss based on your BMI (body mass index). (google BMI calculator)....at 4'9" and 235 lbs your BMI is 51....that is classified as "morbidly obese." So, yes, you do need to lose weight. I'm betting you are quite young and look really cute and cuddly right now, especially to your family. But along with obesity eventually comes poor health....we don't retain the cute and cuddly when the health begins to go. Your family loves you like you are, but you love yourself enough to want to be the best you can be in the future and to have a long and happy and healthy life. Dallas is a great place to find an experienced, competent weight loss surgeon....some of the most respected ones are right there - Dr. Wade Barker, Dr. Richard Benevides, Dr. Joseph Cribbins, Dr. Steven Hamm are all very well thought of - as well as others. Methodist Hospital and Presbyterian Hospital are both Centers of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery and have outstanding programs and staff for weight loss surgery. However, none of them work for free....not many people do. You say you don't have insurance or any credit at all....are you on Medicaid by any chance? They cover weight loss surgery. If not, you need to begin trying to establish credit of some sort....just a credit card or a store account with a small limit is a beginning - making payments, never be late in making payments (that's the key) to getting a good rating. I hear your frustration about dieting. It's easy to diet, easy to lose weight - and even eaiser to gain it back ....I 'dieted' myself up to 350 pounds.....so much yoyo dieting that my metabolism went haywire and eventually only went one way - UP- on the scale. I hope you can find a solution to your weight problem soon, whatever it may be. Best wishes to you.......

Most people who have bariatric surgery have poor dieting history (meaning yo-yo'ing). Typically a BMI of 35 or more qualifies with a comorbidity, and 40 or more without (ALTHOUGH MY INSURANCE was picky). I think weather or not you're a good candidate will be between you and your surgeon.

See a bariatric therapist. What you are going through is pretty common. Two years out, a lot of the real mental/emotional work happens. You've fixed your body, now you need to fix your brain to maintain. Identifying your triggers and coming up with alternate ways to get what you need (and fix what you're using food to medicate)....is essential for maintenance. Least it was for me. Don't panic. There is time to figure this out, but you need to take baby steps toward doing it today. Don't go into a denial spiral and ignore your hard work coming undone. A lot of folks do that...when therapy could have really helped keep them on track. Wishing you the very best.

It is soooooo important to STAY HYDRATED. I found that the minimum 64 oz of Water was not enough for me and experienced severe constipation and also dehydration of the discs in my back. Very painful. The high Protein diet is very dehydrating. Keep sipping and sipping and sipping (not during meals obviously). Check the skin on the back of your hand. When you pinch it, is it elastic and bounces back? If not, you may be dehydrating. Be sure to have your doctor check this when you do see him. I understand dehydration is one of the most common reasons bariatric patients are re-admitted to the hospital.

Not to take away from the original post, but my program considers bariatric surgery elective as do those from everyone I've spoken to about it at both of the support groups I attend. Regardless of the classification, my insurance covered part of the cost, though I had to pay a great deal out of pocket. All of that said, I'd do it again in a heartbeat, regardless of cost. After getting to the point I am so far (still 19 pounds from my goal) I've been given a new lease on life and even if I were forced to pay hundreds of thousands (instead of just tens) I'd do it again without question. It took me a little longer than SugarFreeMe to get from Obese to Overweight, but then again I started my journey at almost double her weight. I'll never get into the "healthy" category according to the BMI calculators, but without a doubt I definitely feel and act healthy. I'm now able to do many physical things I would never have been able to dream of the last 15 years.

Cardio is good and like the name suggests....it benefits your heart. So some cardio will always be beneficial. I also second what many posters are saying........it's better to add in weight training as well. Especially if you're one of those interested in aiding loose skin issues, physique, that kind of thing. And it (muscle) also helps to burn calories when you're resting....so many good benefits from lifting. If you're not familiar with lifting, a trainer would be very beneficial.....especially early on until you get some experience with resistance training and how to perform the different lifts. Just make sure to get a trainer that is a good fit for you and knows about your bariatric surgery history. Good luck and keep us posted!

I think you would be hard-pressed to find a responsible doctor willing to prescribe you a weight loss drug (there are newer ones than phentermine on the market now) so soon after having bariatric surgery. I am assuming that you are eating very few calories right now, which is the point of both bariatric surgery and WL drugs. If you, say, cut that in half, your body wouldn't be able to function and would go into starvation mode, which would actually backfire and slow down your weight loss--not to mention messing up your metabolism. I would focus your energy instead on trying to get more exercise and making sure you get in your protein and water.

Bandsters have alot of responsibility for their weight loss success or lack thereof, so it's imperative for you to center your thoughts on what is different now versus when you first had your band placed. What is different in your thinking today? Are you measuring your portions? How healthy are your food choices? Do understand the differences between authentic hunger and "head" hunger? I agree with others who recommend using a food journal...many times we are surprised at what we are putting in our mouths without being aware of it...and seeing a dietitian who works with bariatric patients is definitely helpful... The other, to me, equally important part is for you to refocus yourself on weight loss...and empowering yourself to regain control over your eating patterns. No one but you is there to monitor your choices 24/7. Only you can make those changes...Best wishes...

Tiffany posted this as a comparison of Vitamins. You also want to keep in mind that you need to space your Iron and calcium citrate at least two hours apart. I've been very pleased with Bariatric Advantage Multivitamin, BA iron, and BA chewy calcium citrate. Hope this helps! http://verticalsleevetalk.com/vitamins-supplements/3739-all-vitamins-not-created-equally-excellent-comparison-chart.html

My surgeon recommends that any store bought multivitamin will be fine. I read the labels carefully and chose the chewable with the most nutrients in one pill. It's difficult to find any with enough calcium, so that one has to be separate. Right now, I'm using some samples from the docs office that are Bariatric Advantage chewable calcium with Vit D. They kind of have a sourness to them and are cherry flavored. They are huge so I hate to be bothered sucking them down but the taste is manageable. I'm on the hunt for a store brand that I can use when those run out. I guess I need to check the iron level in my multivitamin because I can't remember if it's high enough...

And @GotProlactinoma I am very happy to know you. I yearn for and am working towards the day when i am no longer morbidly obese. If I end up in the overweight ranking where my personal weight goal will still put me, I will still be grateful for the chance bariatric surgery will give me, I will use my tool,to the good of ME. And bottom line that is who I'm working for, although my family may reap some benefits, the surgery is still mine.😝👍

Some patients that undergo weight loss surgery experience reactive hypoglycemia. The following are a few links to this condition. https://www.ridgeviewmedical.org/services/bariatric-weight-loss/enewsletter-articles/reactive-hypoglycemia-postgastric-bypass/ http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/060415p48tip.shtml https://www.stjoes.ca/patients-visitors/patient-education/f-j/PD 7972 Reactive Hypoglycemia after Bariatric Surgery.pdf

I know I am posting this all over but I want to make sure everyone see's it in case it is somthing they have been looking for. Enjoy!

Hi everyone! For those of you (like me) who can't wait to get our own manuals/plans from our surgeons or for those who have gone to Mexico and/or otherwise feel they did not get enough information for aftercare, I found an online PDF to a patient care manual from Peachtree Bariatrics here in GA. Several people on this board have used this doctor, Dr. Titus Duncan. Although I will certainly follow MY surgeon's plan, it is nice to see a complete example of what to expect. It has useful info for before and after surgery. It gives food plans for the different stages. It also lists different medications that are okay or not okay. It is in PDF form. Hope others find this as helpful as I do! http://www.peachtree...ient-Manual.pdf

If you don't get any more clear instructions on the pre-op liquids, here is the break-down of what is required from Loyola University Medical Center: 1) 4 1/2 cans of "High Protein" Slim Fast daily OR 2) 5 1/2 packets of "No Sugar Added " Carnation Instant Breakfast Drink with fat free or 1% milk daily. OR 3) 5 individual cartons of Atkins Advantage daily OR 4) 4 1/2 bottles of "Glucose Controlled" Boost daily. Notes: a) Each selection is approximately 800 calories and 60 grams of Protein. These instructions also allow Crystal Light, Water, decaf tea, sugar free gelatin and sugar free popsicles. c) Paragraph about diabetes: **If you have diabetes and are taking oral medications and/or insulin, you will want to discuss this with the doctor who manages your diabetes. You may also choose to use products that are NOT "low carbohydrate" versions. Make sure to monitor your blood sugars more closely as this is a very drastic change in your diet. Call your doctor if you experiencing high or low blood sugars. Caveat: My bariatric team is not your bariatric team, but you asked, so I put this out there as an example. It worked well for me, but your mileage may vary. Good luck with your surgery.

It was important to me to choose a doc who had many years of bariatric, laparoscopic surgery experience. Don't be too impressed with the representatives that tell you their surgeon has done 1500 or 2000 or 5000 sleeves. Numbers are easy to throw around. Rather, ask how old the surgeon is, what year he started to do laparoscopic procedures, what year he started doing bariatric surgery, what bariatric procedurers does he do, when did he start doing sleeves who (what doctor) assists him in the operating room. Keep in mind that the more experienced doctors will probably charge a bit more but your future is on the line. Good luck.

My sense of taste was out of whack for a few months post-op. And I've seen the question about changes in the way food tastes come up quite often on the board. This article was posted on WebMD - a UK hospital has evidence that it is pretty common to experience changes in the way things taste and smell after bariatric surgery. My personal theory is that since we are literally forced to give up sugar (between the pre-op diet and going through the food stages post-op), our sense of taste is reset and we're no longer under the influence of sugar and processed foods. Taste Changes Reported After Weight-Loss Surgery Sense of smell also altered for some patients in British study WebMD News from HealthDay By Robert Preidt HealthDay Reporter FRIDAY, April 18, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- After weight-loss surgery, many patients report changes in appetite, taste and smell, a new study says. One positive aspect of these changes is that they may lead patients to lose even more weight, the researchers suggested. The study included 103 British patients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, in which the stomach is made smaller and the small intestines is shortened. Of those, 97 percent said their appetite changed after the surgery, and 42 percent said their sense of smell changed. Taste changes occurred in 73 percent of the patients, especially when it came to sweet and sour tastes, the researchers found. They especially noted changes in the taste of chicken, beef, pork, roast meat, lamb, sausages, fish, fast food, chocolate, greasy food, pasta and rice. Nearly three-quarters of patients said they developed a dislike of certain foods, especially meat products. One-third avoided chicken, minced beef, beef steak, lamb, sausages, bacon or ham. About 12 percent had an aversion to starches such as rice, pasta, bread and pastry and for dairy products such as cream, cheese, ice cream and eggs, 4 percent to vegetables, 3 percent to fruit and 1 percent to canned fish. The researchers also found that patients with a newly developed distaste for certain foods lost an average of nearly 18 pounds more after their surgery than those whose taste wasn't affected, according to the study recently published online in the journal Obesity Surgery. Although the study found an association between weight-loss surgery and sensory changes, it did not establish cause-and-effect. The taste and smell changes experienced by many patients after weight-loss surgery may be due to a combination of gut hormone and central nervous system effects, according to lead author Lisa Graham, of the Leicester Royal Infirmary. She noted that patients considering weight-loss surgery are typically told about the possible loss of taste and smell. http://www.webmd.com/diet/weight-loss-surgery/news/20140418/appetite-taste-changes-reported-after-weight-loss-surgery

Dr.Fox has retired and I'm now looking for a new surgeon for follow up appointments, may I ask who you used and if you liked the progress w/ that Dr.? My records were transferred to Dallas Bariatric Center, but if I have to pick a new Dr., I'd prefer they be closer to Arlington.