Search the Community

I agree with the Celebrate grape (but NOT cherry) and the Calcet calcium chews -- prefer the chocolate. I also tried Bariatric Advantage multivit first and hated it. (but as a kid... Flinstones were my absolute fav -- haven't had them in quite a while)

I am 20 days out from VSG surgery and just started taking the Bariatric Expert brand multi-vitamin, Biotin and D-3 gummies last night. I tolerated them very well. Do anyone else have any experience with these?

Hi everyone, Does anyone know of a chart that tells us how much protein, kcals, fats, carbs, fibre and salt we should eat as post-bariatric patients? Since I’m writing everything down, I feel like I should at least check that I’m not going over the top on salt, for example. I also suffer from constipation and I would like to try and manipulate my food to help - so it’s good to have base lines! The recommended daily allowance that we get on food labels in the U.K. is for standard diets of 2000kcals per day. Maybe I should just quarter that but I wonder if there’s a calculator out there that takes different sizes of people into consideration? Hope this isn’t a silly question. My brain is still very fogged up! 🌸

what caused me to look into this elective insurance option is I noticed that Dr. Kelley in Tijuana offers the cover for $250 but I later found out it only covers complications during surgery or while you are recovering in Mexico. It does not cover complications when you return to the U.S. I'm signed up with Corvala at Hospital Angeles. They said that they have looked hard for insurance to cover post op complications but haven't been able to identify any policies that would make sense for patients. That caused me to look at my own health insurance policy fine print. I am fortunate to be covered by two health plans but neither covers bariatric surgery. The first plan is silent as to whether it would cover post bariatric surgery complications. The second plan does cover post surgery complications for elective surgery but I had to dig through the fine print to find it and the insurance company rep I spoke to orignally gave me the wrong answer over the phone and I had to correct her leading to her eventually agreeing with me. If you are going to have elective bariatric surgery and are under a health plan you may want to check to see if your plan will cover post op complications(i.e. leaks or strictures) from elective surgery. If it doesn't cover post op complications and you are one of the unlucky ones that develops complications it could obviously lead to very large out of pocket medica bills.

Here is another company with the type of insurance policy I'm referring to and there are several other companies that offer this coverage. What put me onto this is that Dr. Kelley who is a bariatric surgeon in Tijuana does VSG surgery sometimes at Hospital Angeles and other places in the TJ area offers Medical Tourism insurance as part of his package for an extra 250 dollars. It seems to me that it would be money well spent to have this coverage in case I get back to the u.s. and develop vsg related complications. I have a feeling my primary and secondary health insurance companies in the u.s currectly covering me would give me a hard time about paying for any complications related to an elective vsg. i would have better piece of mind having surgery in tijuana if I had a policy like this to cover large unforseen medical bills due to vsg complications when i get back to the u.s. https://www2.sevencorners.com/medical-tourism-insurance/ MEDICAL TOURISM INSURANCE Why Buy Medical Tourism Insurance? Whatever the reason you decide to pursue Medical Tourism, complications are always a possibility. When a medical procedure is performed abroad, there is normally no insurance coverage to protect you if you have complications. Bordercross WorldwideSM medical tourism insurance is the first plan to help with the needs of a medical tourist. Our plan protects you for medical complications and provides travel assistance services. Maximum Trip Length: 60 days Bordercross Worldwide Key Highlights: Medical Complications Up to $50,000 Trip Cancellation Up to $40,000 for you and your traveling companion for travel accommodations, including non-refundable expenses paid to the medical facility scheduled to perform the procedure, in the event you need to cancel your trip prior to your scheduled departure date Medical Coverage Up to $50,000 for acute illness and injuries for you and your traveling companion, which may arise on your medical tour Medical Evacuation Up to $100,000 Coverage Available for medical procedures performed outside the United States Travel Assistance Services Included- Available 24/7/365 Underwritten by Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s of London. Virtual ID cards available immediately after purchase. View the Bordercross WorldwideSM Brochure for details, restrictions and the schedule of benefits. View the Bordercross WorldwideSM Program Summary for full details and restrictions.

I am in the East Bay. I had my surgery in Pleasanton. We have NO BARIATRIC WEIGHT LOSS SUPPORT GROUP in Walnut Creek- crazy!! I've been wanting to start one but it seems so hard to find people to come!

Hi!! So exciting to meet neighbors!! I am going to Dr. Schmit in Bismarck. I live here in Bismarck and I have had him before. He did a biopsy on my breast in November. He was so kind. My sister had passed away a week prior (cancer) and I was really sad. His bedside manner just touched my heart. So... I am sticking with him. The coordinator for bariatric surgeries there is really great too. Mexico huh? How much less did it cost there? Best Wishes, Tarra

Yep, 2 shakes a day and then 1 meal from the list of acceptable meats/veggie in very small portions. I am using the Nectar chocolate protein powder in milk. I am continuing to see my bariatric therapist that my bariatric center had me go to for my evaluation. She's amazing. I'm so glad to hear that it normally gets better for most. This week has been tough. I don't know how people do it for longer than 2 weeks or even stricter diets pre-op.

§ Start getting in better shape. I walked, lifted, and did as much as I could 5 times a week getting ready for surgery. § Started practicing eating slower for lunch. § Watched many videos, talked to people who had been through it. § Oh, but best work was preparing for the mental changes with my therapist and worked through this book: http://www.amazon.co...=bariatric book § I drank a great deal of alcohol so I weaned myself off and slowly cut the caffeine. § Followed the pre-op diet to the letter § Shopped two weeks before surgery for the foods I would need for the first two weeks. § Revised my will and power of attorney just in case something went wrong § Tried pureed meal ideas before surgery so I had some meal plans.

The best reassurance I can give you is that anesthesiologists who are associated with bariatric groups generally have extensive experience with obese patients and are probably your best bet for a safe anesthesia episode. If you share ever aspect of your health with them, being 100% truthful about the good, bad and ugly, they can do the job they need to do. They need to know if you have sleep apnea or suspect sleep apnea, your drug/alcohol usage (both prescribed and OTC drugs as well as any herbal/vitamins/etc), your activity level, and so on and so forth. There's no guarantee for any of us, but we can up the odds we'll get through surgery safely but being honest and trusting our caregivers with all of our information. Good luck to you!

First of all---WELCOME! Why not talk your surgical fears through with a therapist? Couldn't hurt, right? A therapist should be able to see you through and out of your fears. He/she should also be able to teach you some "calming" techniques you can use to ease the stress and anxiety the day of surgery. What goes on "while you're asleep" is best left to the professionals who have spent many many years training --becoming expertly capable of performing your WLS. You will be "napping peacefully" while they are hard at work ensuring the rest of your life will be ever changed for the better. Do all of your pre op research. Read, view, attend, discuss and FOLLOW YOUR PRE-OP PLAN TO THE LETTER. Include in those weeks and months consultations with a bariatric friendly therapist to work through your surgical fears. You can do this. You know it. You have much to do. Get moving! Keep posting and letting us know how your progress is going. I for one, am looking forward to following your successful WLS journey. Best wishes, and WELCOME, Friend.

I'm so confused... the scales at every doctors office I go to are so different that I can't tell if I'm losing, gaining, or staying the same! Family doctor: 216 Week later at bariatric clinic: 206 3 weeks later at Psych doctor: 220 1 week later Pre-op hospital testing: 220 5 days later at bariatric clinic: 209 Seriously?? My bariatric doctor says just go by their scale... but WHY are most places all weighing me so differently? Another thing: Why does my bariatric doctor measure my height at 5' 4" (which I thought I had been since I was 15) but the hospital measures me at 5' 3" and at home I measure 5' 2.5"?? Why do some.plaves measure with shoes on and others with shoes off?? So frustrating! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

@cristina.banks , I am in a situation similar to you. Although I am considered very obese at 225 pounds, there are people at my surgeons office who clearly have a lot more weight to lose than I do. Did you have any difficulty getting your surgery approved through your insurance? I'm still terrified that I'm going to be denied. I'm afraid that they're going to say"you are not obese enough". I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and have been using a CPAP machine for a month now. My surgery is already scheduled for one month from today but I'm still in the preapproval process with my bariatric office.

I have scheduled my Revision surgery (Sept. 10) with Dr. Ortiz and Obesity Control Center in Tijuana. His clinic has designated as an ICE (International Center of Excellence). Dr. Ortiz was selected by Newsweek Magazine as one of the top Bariatric surgeons in America. I had my lapband done with Dr. Ortiz in 2007... and was completely impressed with him and his center. My Mom went with me (she's a nurse) and she was blown away by their professionalism and first class operation. Unfortunately, the Lapband didn't work for me... so, I am choosing to have the Revision surgery to Vertical Sleeve with Dr. Ortiz also. Every question that I have asked has been answered in a timely and understandable manner. I researched and researched... and have decided to stick with Dr. Ortiz and Obesity Control Center. They might be a little more expensive than some other surgeons... but, I believe he is worth every penny. Good luck to all and I hope to meet some of you in Tijuana! Cheers, Dottie

Hello fellow Pal I am on the pre-op journey along with you, I just got scheduled for my surgery Sept 15th! I have been researching all the most budget-friendly options as well. Protein shakes & all the supplements are definitely pricey & a big consideration when you're on a small budget but I'm hoping purchasing less in groceries will help offset the cost. I found a few things for myself that may help... First off, each doctor has different guidelines and requirements, many doctors require you to purchase a specific brand protein and Vitamin supplements for pre/post op. Unfortunately, the doctors requirements are often quite expensive & must be factored into your surgery cost & as far as I know, most insurances do not cover this portion. You'll have to check with your own Dr/insurance. Early on, I checked into the "Insure" program I found on this site that offers to get your protein shakes covered by insurance & gave the info. to my Dr & nutritionist who checked into it & discovered they are largely a scam! The protein shakes they offer are "Premier Protein" anyway, widely available at costco (cheapest) & I've found them at Walmart, Winco & many other stores, depending on your area. I tried the Premier Protein shakes (30 gm protein in 11 oz), I like the chocolate one pretty well, tried the strawberry too & just didn't like it as well. This is one of the most inexpensive brands I've been able to find. The cheapest I've been able to find works out to be about $1.20-$1.50 per shake (that's for my area in Northern California). I've also tried the Syntrax nectar (personally I like having fruit flavored options better than most the other powders). I discovered something not widely advertised, the company offers a "variety sampler" of 1 packet of each of their 15 flavors for $17. I ordered this & got it, tried only 1 so far (not horrible but I tried the cherry & that just won't be my flavor), but that's when I started hearing all about how my taste-buds could change after surgery so I decided to wait to try the rest of them after surgery. 23 gm protein each. If I decide to go with the Nectars, it will be cheaper to purchase online, about $35 or more for a 2lb/30 serving canister. If you want to order the "Variety Sampler" you order directly from the company - you can take a look at their Facebook ad here: https://www.facebook.com/officialsyntrax/photos/pb.139333966120689.-2207520000.1440194636./770066349714111/?type=3&theater However, one of my favorite recent finds is LiquaCel, it's 16gm protein in only 1OZ! In fruit flavors, it's a concentrate that you can either take straight if you just can't choke down more (especially post-op), or dilute in liquid. You can get them in individual packets for $1.50 each or 32 oz bottles for $34. So far I like these the best for taste! I've tried the orange (undiluted) & the lemonade mixed in Crystal Light lemonade & I liked them both far better than the powdered protein shakes. I have the other 2 flavors too, just haven't tried them yet & I just ordered more. However, I know that after surgery taking it straight in the concentrated form may be too strong for me, but it can be diluted in less liquid than traditional protein shakes. You can find them here: http://www.procarenow.com/search.asp?keyword=LiquaCel&search=GO As far as vitamins/supplements, this has taken even more research... for me, I found ProCare Bariatric Multi-Vitamin chewable, very similar ingredient amounts to Celebrate brand, only $12 for a month supply & it includes Iron. I checked them with my Dr. & she was good with these. They are from the same company as the LiquaCel: http://www.procarenow.com/Bariatric-Complete-Chewable-MultiVitamin-Once-Per-Day--Formulated-for-Roux-en-Y-Vertical-Sleeve-Duodenal-Switch-30-Day-Supply_p_10002.html For Calcium, I am having a really hard time with the soft-chews, they all taste like chalk to me. Once I am able to swallow pills again, which my Dr. is OK with shortly after post-op, I found Puritan's Pride calcium citrate +D "miniatures". Smaller pills than the the more common huge horse pills, if they're still too much for me after surgery, they can be cut, crushed or disintegrated in applesauce. It works out to be 200 mg per tab, so I'll need 3 tab 2x day to get 1200 but I can handle tablets better than chews. 3 bottles $17.50 6 for $35 (6 mo. supply). Available here: http://www.puritan.com/calcium-citrate-337/calcium-citrate-vitamin-d3-miniatures-033195 I'm also going to be adding Biotin gel tabs from Costco post-op, hoping to prevent hair loss & the Dr. will let me know if anything else needs to be added after blood work is done post op. These have been all my best finds so far. Hopefully some of these can help. This is definitely no easy journey and affects every aspect your life, including financially, but I'm trusting it will all be worth it & at least I'll have a life! My mother & grandmother both passed away in their early 50's & both morbidly obese when they died -- I am planning on breaking that cycle! It is such a big help to get support from all the others who are going through the same thing or have been there! Just imagine how much better life will be at this time next year! All the best on your journey! Warm Hugs, Kristina

You are so right. Today I have been working in renewing my heart about this. I think I was also doubting my ability to do this, whether I desire this process. I am putting a lot of pressure on myself.

Yep, very true White Scale! Nerves are all a part of it to. Everyones journey is different and I take my hat off to anyone who has tried all means to lose weight and become healthier, then feel bariatric surgery is their last option. No judgements here! I wish you all the best but please know its a process after. I did so much research, did everything I was told but it didnt prepare me to what a process it truly was after the fact. I guess you have to do it to let it totally sink in. In saying that, I dont regret it. Hey we are all different just go for health first because the weight WILL come off! Sent from my SM-G925I using the BariatricPal App

UNJURY has vitamins "formulated" for bariatric patients and all chewable.

After going back n forth with Kaiser to get an appointment for the Options Program orientation I finally this morning I got one for the afternoon. Feeling very nervous as I sit here waiting for the orientation to start. I thought I was so ready for this possible next step.

It's funny but the coordinator of the bariatric program where I had my surgery called just yesterday to ask me how I was doing. Two of the questions she asked was "how much can you eat" & "are you feeling full?" I was banded on June 8th and have been on full liquids this whole time. I have not had a fill. So basically she was saying the opposite of what you all are saying. The issue here is that I was the second person they banded, the first person they did an hour before me. I figured it was ok to be done on their first day because a rep from the company that makes the band would be in the Operating Room. Now I am slowly but surely finding out that there are many reasons that you shouldn't be first.

​I am a bypass patient but I had a stricture that developed same time frame. It was awful. By the time we figured it out, it was because I hadn't held ANYTHING in for 4 days. When they did the first procedure, I had only a tiny pin hole left open so nothing was going down. As the day went on, food / Fluid built up in to my esophagus and it had to come back up. I had 2 balloon dilations about a week apart and I feel so much better now! Do you have any insurance at all? I was always told any "Complications" would be considered covered by insurance. I wonder if you go to a GI specialist, if the insurance would consider it differently than procedure from bariatric surgeon? As far as losing weight faster, clearly that person did not have a stricture. it is horrible and being malnourished is a real possibility and awful.

It's a plate for bariatric surgery, it divide your food comes with little fork , spoon made out of tubberware , take it with every ware ! Look up bariware .com

I wish I had good news!! Long story short...appeal Kaiser's 24 weeks in San Diego program. Reasoning is the OC is only required 12 weeks. I did 12 weeks much to my dismay as the entire class was like a bad sorority meeting weekly and I had also lost my job. Appeal was approved and basically Positive Choices BS'd me and sent me to Pacific Baritriatric knowing full well that the surgeons would make me finish the whole classes. Waited 5 weeks to get the surgery consult and in the mean time was told I could not continue the classes until the surgeon decided when they knew full well that the surgeon would would say return to classes. Pacific Bariatric is a mess!! They are unorganized; rude; condisending; they forgot to give the surgeon the notes about my appeal so I started to leave there thinking I was moving forward when the doctor didn't even know he had to appove my appeal!!! Basically the office staff is punishing me because I appealed. The doctors reasoning is that Kaisers long program is successful. So I said "you see multiple patients with all different kinds of insurance correct"? he said "yes that is correct". "so are you saying that all the other patients you see don't have the same success rate as the Kaiser patients because we have to wait a year?" Or rather, "that the Orange county Kaiser patients are less successful than the San Diego Patients even though they cover the same exact material in 1/2 the time?" I left in tears...I swear I wanted to slap the girls at the front. It was really ugly how they were basically treating me like I was cheating on a test or something. I was being punished because I exercised my rights to the same level of care as the people kaiser patients that live to the north of me!!! I am so upset!! I was soooooo excited thinking I may be able to change my life soon all to be let down and told I have to attend a class of bickering nasty women in order to get the care I need. It just makes no sense to me!!!! NOW I AM BEHIND EVEN LONGER - IT SEEMS LIKE THEY DID THIS TO ME ON PURPOSE!! Many hours of driving for nothing!!

Just some random thoughts... So I'm excited and stressed... with excitement! After searching for months I was finally offered a new position in my home state, Massachusetts! My last day at my job will be next Wednesday on 5/20/2015 and then I hit the road shortly after. I'm still not sure of which will be leaving but I at least want to be in Boston by Memorial Day. In my opinion, there is no point in prolonging my time in Colorado! I can't wait to get back to the East Coast and to city life again! But I'll have to find a Bariatric support group and follow-up doctor in the area (which should not be difficult at all). So if you have any suggestions, please feel free to let me know. On another note, I went to my 6 week post follow-up appointment today. Apparently I'm on target and cleared to eat all foods! Yaaay... kinda. Lol. I have been able to get all of my Water and Protein in but hardly any fruits and veggies. She suggested that I eat more often and change my protein portion sizes when I have a meal. Hmm. My response back was that I may not fulfill my protein requirement if I lower my protein (meat) intake. I asked the dietitian about this and she assured me that I'll be able to eat more as time goes on and suggested finding protein in things other than meat. But I don't know. It's easier for me to have a 3 oz piece of salmon or chicken at 20+ grams of protein at lunch or dinner opposed to have less an eating more throughout the day. I'll consider it, but still on the fence. Next, I went on a roadtrip last weekend. It was my way of seeing this region of the country for the first/last time ever. I have no plans to come back and visit this area again, so I figured I'd drive, hang out, and take photos of everything I saw. I went to the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, The Four Corners, and the Grand Canyon (FINALLY!!) and it was gorgeous! I took awesome photos, got plenty of rest, talked to strangers and stayed at 2 very different but cool hotels. So, yeah. it was the perfect way to say goodbye. Colorado, its been.... interesting,

Well, that all depends on your doctor. Some let you eat up to two days before the surgery. Best thing for you to do is call and ask. They know all about one last suppers and last hurrahs. One of the young ladies that works at my doc's office is a bariatric patient herself. She told me she went on a food tour all over Texas and said I should do it before my surgery. I said, "Ma, that kind of thing takes energy, I'm too old for that." lol! Best bet is to call and ask.