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First, get a list of the PCP's from your insurance co. Then call the insurance person at you bariatric surgeon's office and ask them for some suggestions of PCP's on your list. They see who is easy to work with/does a good job with the letters needed, etc. all the time. Good luck! -BG
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Looking for Fills in Atlanta Georgia
ThinSeeker replied to Dunatl's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Hi Dunatl - There are several doctors in Atlanta that work with the lapband. I'm just not sure if they'll give fills to patients banded elsewhere. I see Dr. Duncan at Peachtree Bariatrics. You could always call their office and ask. Good luck! -
Carbs are one of my pet peeves. Not all carbs are created equal and removing complex carbs from the diet can set a person up for potential problems, including ketosis, memory loss, and issues with muscles and nerves. So many people just say "carbs" and lump them all together. As a general rule (I used to teach nutrition for preschoolers and low income parents) we tell people to avoid "white" food...white bread, white Pasta, refined sugar, potatoes and so forth. Substitute whole grains for processed white flour, brown rice for white, sweet potatoes for russets...etc. Also, you'll find you won't have the stomach for breads and processed foods anymore. You might want to have your doctor and dietician clarifiy their definition of "carb." I've seen some even tell patients not to eat fruits and vegetables, which are our major sources of Vitamins you just can't equate by using a Vitamin. Also, it seems that most bariatric patients end up constipated. The fibers in whole grains and produce prevent this; they're also a major deterrent to colorectal cancers and heart disease. I hate to see people lose a lot of weight while compromising their health and nutrition. Aren't we doing this to be healther? LOL! My current favorite meal is cheese, turkey or chicken, apple and whole grain crackers. But I agree, you are in the early stages and should stick with your program.
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Back and torso discomfort 16 days post-op
Daydra replied to blackfalls's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I agree, I hope the bariatric clinic contacts you soon as well. So, the constipation... (here comes my barrage of questions... not necessarily to answer, but to think about and consider) How long has it been since you had a bowel movement? They didn't find impaction? The enema was ineffective, did you hold it long enough? So, there is a bariatric clinic near you and you're waiting for a call. I would call and pester them. If you have to suck it up and pay out of pocket for an appointment, it will likely be worth it at this point. This is not something that you can just ignore, all potential serious problems aside, there is no reason you should have to sit around in pain just because you haven't been able to figure it out. If there is any confidence that it truly is constipation and the enema didn't work, you could possibly try a colonic (I make no claim to the safety or medical appropriateness of doing a colonic while you are constipated, definitely run it by your doc if you think about doing it) (I've done a couple. They're weird and somewhat unpleasant, but once you get over the mental squeamishness, they're not a big deal). If all your testing is clear, I think constipation seems like the most likely culprit. The tylenol 3 is only keeping your peristalsis slowed down, so it helps the discomfort, but also could be exacerbating the problem. During all this, are you continuing with a stool softener? (docusate sodium or Miralax, or whatever?) I really don't know... I think I'm tapped out of advice. When I was constipated, I hit it with everything I had. I started on the softener, used a stimulant laxative, followed up with a suppository, and then followed that up with an enema. Even that only got me about 1/2 way to where I needed to be, but continuing to thoughtfully hit it with additional treatments and sticking with daily Miralax eventually got me back on a reasonable schedule. Good luck! Pester that bariatric clinic. They aren't going to feel any pressure to quickly contact you, you are the one suffering. I really hope that you get it figured out and start feeling better soon! -
Back and torso discomfort 16 days post-op
peachie86 replied to blackfalls's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I pray the bariatric clinic contact you soon! -
I am going to seminar on 12/03 in Denver hosted by Dr. Neil Wolkodoff (www.cochss.com) on aerobic exercise and weight loss. Limited to 25 people and it's a hands on learning situation at a very large fitness store with lot's of aerobic equipment. The store is closed and he is doing the seminar just for us! The link is: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/exercise-and-learn-cardiovsacular-exercise-for-bariatrics-patients-tickets-9152205493?aff=es2&rank=1&sid=db587e05571011e3bad512313d095975 I have had really good experiences with testing and exercise consultations with him, so I highly recommend you do this if you are in the area!
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I am almost 5 years post-sleeve surgery, and last fall, in a Covid-Cleaning frenzy, I threw out all my old, post-surgery information. As usual, as soon as one pitches something, they need it. I have just had hiatal hernia surgery and am on a full liquid diet, but on Wednesday I can move up to the post-surgery soft diet- except I don't have my food lists anymore! Can someone list what's on a soft food diet, or describe what types of foods I can or cannot have (probably easier)? I've looked this up online but didn't find any soft-food diet that seems to be specific to bariatric weight loss patients, and I'm not sure our soft food diet would be the same as what is prescribed for the general public. TIA!
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Hi and welcome! When you get your insurance, call the number on the card and ask about bariatric surgery. They will tell you things like what types of surgery are covered, what tests they require if any, etc. Every insurance compant is different in what they require before they approve you. They may have a list of doctors they want you to choose from, or you might be able to choose your own.
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Trying out bariatric vitamins..
cvm replied to BgR72's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I use the Bariatric Pal patch vitamins. They work well. I bought the ones suggested for the gastric bypass. I had surgery 11/11 and have been using them since. Works great. -
Feeling better about liquid diet
sonya139 replied to Hollisterfan27's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Get the book, "The Bariatric Foodie Guide to the Perfect Protein Shake" by Nikki Massie -
Anyone been to Good Samaratin Hospital in San Jose?
peacebaby replied to Daleharley's topic in Weight Loss Surgeons & Hospitals
I was banded last week, 10/23/07, by Dr McKeen at Good Samaritan in San Jose. I was very well cared for by every member of the staff that I met. They do a lot of these surgeries and are very supportive and skilled. I really can't say enough good things about everyone from the admitting clerk to the anesthesiologist and the pre-op/recovery nurses. Good Sam was selected as a bariatric "center of excellence" by Blue Cross, whcih had a lot to do with my decision to have surgery there. But after I started looking into my choices, I became really encouraged by all the extras they offer for ongoing support (free support groups, classes, forums, etc.) Good luck! -
i went to the bariatric clinic first. they did all of the paperwork that i needed. then i went to my pcp and he ordered bloodwork and wrote me a letter of support. there are several different policies for BCBS-just make sure you've covered all your bases before submitting to them! the bariatric clinic will help you jump through the hoops! good luck with your journey---keep in touch! ~courtney
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KKAY - every surgeon is different. I went to the surgeon first - for the "seminar" then they told me where to go next - pysch eval, get Jenny Craig info and see my dr to get detailed letter of why she felt I needed the surgery and five years of obesity charts. Call around and check with other people in your area to see if there are any recommended surgeons. The bariatric clinics are very helpful - LOL they want your money!
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New insurance - no coverage
jbhedge2 replied to jbhedge2's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Thanks to all that replied. All good pieces of advice. I went to my HR and she is looking into it. Says she didn't realize they didn't offer it... My bariatric office is getting the appeal paperwork and I will go that route, also... If needed, I will try to negoiate being a self pay patient...last resort!! I need my band and need the support and help from my docs and fills!! Nelsonn, I have no clue what your post was about .... Happy New Year to all! -
We saw a surgeon at the Mayo. He said that it does need to come out and for now surgery is scheduled for August 14th. And yes, it does seem to me exactly like it should be considered basically removal of a foreign body type of thing instead of bariatric. But the surgeon said that it is still considered bariatric. But he was willing to write a letter to the insurance company and push to have it covered and will file any appeals necessary. He also said that even if they have not approved it before the surgery, we can keep fighting it after the surgery also. We will also be speaking with a lawyer next week. I am hoping that since he is part of such a large organization he might get a little further. I just don't want the hospital to say they won't do the surgery because we don't have insurance.
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Why are so many stages different?
Djmohr replied to ChunkyMonkeyGoneSlim's topic in Food and Nutrition
@@summerset WLS are not on liquids for so long to promote fast weight loss. In fact, most Bariatric surgeons prefer you lose at a consistent pace. It is safer and healthier. Did you hear that somewhere? I am just curious. The real deal is because our stomachs have been cut and stitched and require a long period of time to heal. That is also because we can only tolerate so much Protein which assists in healing and in the beginning weeks, you can barely get a whole Protein shake into your tiny swollen tummy. Those that lose that quickly and cannot get their protein in end up having more complications down the road. These are words my surgeon used with me. And it is also why when you have a patient that cannot tolerate anything for the first few months, they lose a a lot of weight but end up sick in the process. -
Health issues (high BP and Cholesterol)
GotProlactinoma replied to ahpowers's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I've thought about bariatric surgery for years. I only did it this year because my blood pressure was going sky high. I had a lot of stress and I thought that was it. The Meds for BP made me so sick. well, I was sleeved July 19th. Two weeks before that, of course I was on the pre op diet, which I called a starvation diet. Two protein drinks and one meal of a piece of meat with some veggies. During those two weeks, I kept taking my BP every day, and it went way down. It went into the yellow on the graph and no longer always up high in the red zone. Amazing. And now it has been two weeks since surgery, and nearly every BP reading (I do twice a day) is in the normal range. What?? I haven the even lost that much weight yet. It is AMAZING and it is a huge relief for me. i have six months of BP charts all RED with really high BP. Then boom, the pre op diet dropped it into the yellow "moderately high" range. And post surgery all but one lone reading has been NORMAL. We want to live long and healthy. So glad I took this step. -
Why are so many stages different?
Djmohr replied to ChunkyMonkeyGoneSlim's topic in Food and Nutrition
Some patients simple suspect it. Others said something like "Ok, they maybe want us on liquids for two weeks but because the doubt our compliance they tell us 4 weeks so we're doing it for 2 week". Same thing with e. g. tumor surgery where most of the stomach has to be removed. They also need time to heal and yet they're on solid food much earlier (of course some patients need longer because they don't tolerate it) - but I bet there are different protocols regarding this out there as well. So from your response, I am getting that this is an impression or a guess and not fact? The reason I am asking is there are a lot of people new on this site and many times want to hear what they won't from their Bariatric team. If your surgeon puts you on liquids following surgery I am certain it is not to make your weight loss faster, it is to allow the time for it to heal given the limited amount of protein you can consume. I cannot speak for ulcer patients, but having researched post WLS diets for the last 3 years and speaking with multiple bariatricians and surgeons, and Bariatric nurses and Bariatric nutritionists. The first several weeks following are all about healing and NOT weight loss. Weight loss just happens because the change is so significant and the lack of food volume. -
I can't answer re: the staples. I do know I had them and stitches. I didn't have a drain. Some surgeons use it, others don't. Some have you wear a binder (mine didn't) others don't. Some put you in ICU (mine didn't). Just depends on the surgeon. As for the Protein. It was hard for me, but YMMV. The rule of thumb is 30 grams in 30 days, 60 grams in 60 days, etc. I couldn't make that for anything. I was at 50 grams at 6 mos. and that was drinking at least 1 Protein shake a day. Then things loosened up and I was able to eat more. But everyone is different. You might be able to eat a lot. But if you can, don't fret. Just ensure it's protein and you'll be OK. I didn't love Protein shakes but I drank them. I liked Muscle Milk and Myoplex the best. They came in premade 4 packs. I never used powder. BTW, I looked at the ingredients of the Pure Protein Shake. They are low sugar so that's good. They're very high protein. While that's good in a protein kind of way; when things are very high protein, they're often very dense. Give it a try postop, and see if you can live with it. The Vitamins are a lot. I won't lie. Certainly in the beginning there were many fewer than I take now. It's all based on your blood work. That's why it's so important to do it annually or semi-annually (depending on your doctor's preference). Concerning chewables, we only used them in the very beginning. We then moved on to Centrum. Might I suggest a Dexa bone density scan before you have the DS? That way you have a good baseline. Also, keep all your bloods from preop on. That way you can watch trends and be your own best advocate. (I have them all and it's helped me). If you PM me your email addy, I can send you the docs. my surgeons and bariatric team distribute to new patients. Might give you some more ideas.
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You won't get many responses here. This is the blog section of the site where people talk about their experiences. Click "forums" at the top of the page and post your questions there. That said, there are some great recipes at BariatricEating.com - BE, Inc. The number one bariatric website for protein, vitamins, and success. and flabby skin looks a lot better and is a lot healthier than obesity.
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Cruising with your band
ndwife replied to SaraJaneQ's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I was banded on May 28th and just returned from the Dominican Republic. It is not a cruise, but a little more dangerous. They tell you don't drink the Water or eat too many veggies and fruit. I had no problems at all. I was overly prepared. I spoke with my bariatric nurse and she gave me a lap band needle as a just in case. If I needed to have an unfill while in the Dominican I could. I also looked up a lap band doctor over in the Dominican. So many people go overseas for these procedures and I found a really good one. Did not have to use him. I lost 4 pounds on vacation. I kept with my walking 2 miles a day and really watched what I ate. Skipped the salad and Soups and had the entree with veggies and then a little desert. I did not deprive myself. I was able to enjoy my vacation more. Have fun on your trip. -
Went to my seminar out here in San Diego this week with pacific bariatric. I have blue shield of ca ppo. I am 5'11 275lbs male with High Blood Pressure, high cholestorol, sleep Apena on CPAP, Gerd, reflux, joint pain. I am hearing bad things about blue shield. I was in kaiser options about 3 years ago but chickened out of the surgury. But I have all my records from kaiser as well as my primary physician now recommending me to do the Rny. Looking for advice, really don't want to have to wait 6-7 months for a surgery date if I can help it Thank you!
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Has anyone purched or used these cookbooks? Which ones would you recommend? Thanks
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Ok will the insurance company just agree to send it out or will they try to tell me they can't? Also just ask for my complete detailed coverage or just bariatric
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Hi Baileym, I originally saw my PCP in June 2003 to "talk" about weight. I wanted to get a feel for his thoughts on WLS (all types) and to also request a referral to a nutritionist. I was hoping that someone could test for my true basil metabolic rate because I swear I have stunted my metabolism from so many years of yo-yo dieting. Anyway, he referred me to a dietician and I was a bit miffed, but I went anyway. I ended up sharing ideas with her and teaching her a few things about foods I currently eat that are high Fiber, low fat, etc. She taught me absolutely nothing and I think she realized that. During my last visit we spoke about WLS and she encouraged me to go back and talk to my PCP. She thought I would be an ideal candidate for Lap-Band and my Medical Group had recently contracted with a Bariatric clinic, so she thought he would be more receptive than when I originally spoke to him. By this time it almost November, so I did some research on the Bariatric clinic and attended their informational seminar. That night they gave me a bunch of paperwork to fill out; over the next week I filled that out and met with my PCP. He put in the referral request on Nov 4th and I was approved to meet with the surgeon less than 2 weeks later. I met with the surgeon and she submitted the request for insurance approval back to my PCP and I was approved for surgery just after Christmas. If you are interested in a “generic copy” of my WL Resume, provide your email address or email me at sassaay1@yahoo.com and I will forward you a copy. Hope this information is helpful.
