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I just had two CAT scans last month. Ask your surgeon but I had to get totally UNFILLED for the CAT Scan. I was at two seperate hospitals (both Bariatric Centers of Excellence) and both told me the same thing. No CAT scan with fluid in your band.

I'm not even sure who to contact, but I was thinking...wouldn't it be a great idea to have bariatric size meals ready to go for people. When I went to the grocery store, even a lean cuisine or atkins meal is just too much to eat. Who would want to venture into a business doing frozen and fresh meals and Snacks for wls patients? Does anyone know how to go about this and who to contact? It would be great to have small portion sizes or even 2-3 portions in a box that are separated. It would have to be great tasting food and many varieties! I for one don't eat red meat or pork so using ground turkey and chicken would be ideal for me. I know others eat meat so having thinks like a regular chili and a turkey chili and a vegetarian option would be awesome. Anyways this is an idea that I'm floating around because regular food is just too much.

Has anyone had surgery with Dr. Wilhelmy, and if so how was your experience?

my doc gave me a list, first 3 days after surgery = liquid diet days 4-7 full liquid days 8-10 = puree days 11-14 minced week 3 soft week 4 bariatric regular not a whole lot to choose from on the list, everything is fat free, sugar free, and you got the Protein first cottage cheese, mashed pototes, pureed meats, pureed veggies, sf yogurts, cream of wheat, oatmeal, then on week 4 you can pretty much eat anything just cut into tiny pieces, some things like raw veggies, tough fruit and hot peppers are to be avoided for like 6 months hope that helps good luck

If you are concerned for your health and safety - Ask your bariatric surgeon and your cardiologist.

Hey Sleevers! I have a question for anyone in the New York area: Can anyone suggest any bariatric-surgery friendly doctors in the city? Unfortunately, I've had a lot of negative feedback as I've been searching for a primary care doctor in the city: a lot of eye rolling, judgement, and smug faces as they react to my telling of my surgery in December of 2011. I'm tired of it and just want to find a doctor that supports what I've gone through, and go on to become my primary care physician. I was away from the city for a couple of years since surgery and now that I'm back and settling my life here, I'd like to find a friendly PCP to stick with. **I'd prefer an office anywhere in midtown for an easy commute from work..but if its a great doctor, I frankly don't care** THANK YOU <3

Hi, I am an intern Psychologist currently studying the long term effects of Lap Banding surgery. The purpose of the study is to assist is to improve our understanding of the social, physical and psychological outcomes of bariatric surgery. Our aim is to learn from your experience and find out about any issues that need to be addressed in order to improve the quality of life of people who choose to have lap-banding surgery. If you have the time, I would really appreciate you partaking in the survey which takes about 30 minutes. All you need to do is click on the attached link and the survey should open up automatically. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=8V2cU9TcyFKkWaIOcBFyrg_3d_3d If you have any issues or suggestions, please feel free to email me (Email: Kerrie.Woods@student.griffith.edu.au). Many thanks, Kerrie Woods. (Griffith Ethics Code – PSY/B4/08/HREC)

Ohhhh, all the more reason your friends needs to find a band doctor and get in ASAP. She could be serious trouble I'm afraid. Btw, the specialist she must see immediately is a bariatric surgeon not another internist. Every day she goes without seeing one the greater the risk of major damage and complications with her band.

I thought I better start writing about this journey now so I don't forget. I had lap band surgery November 3, 2007. I actually lost about 60 pounds with the lapband at one point but gained most of the weight back. For the first four years of the lap band I was in constant flux. I dieted more in that four years than in the rest of my life. In December 2011 I was back up to 255 pounds. At that point I realized the lap band had failed me and I needed to consider other options. Through a long drawn out process I was accepted by my insurance company to get a revision to the Sleeve. On December 27 I decided to make a radical change in my lifestyle and eating. After confirming with my bariatric surgeon that I qualified for the revision I decided to become a raw foodist for the next five months. It was a very positive experience and I learned a great deal about health and nutrition. I have to say I read everything I could get my hands on regarding raw foodism, veganism, and the like. I finally understood what it is to make a very real lifestyle change. Understanding that eating processed, boxed, bagged food was not the answer, it finally dawned on me that what I was missing was the live enzymes of fresh fruits and vegetables that no one seems to think are important, or simply don't know that they're absolutely necessary and needed in the body. I watched quite a few documentaries and I'd like to recommend that you also consider watching these few. Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead was the first documentary I watched; that became life-changing. Foodmatters, Food Inc., The Gerson Miracle, Burzynski, Forks over Knives, and The Beautiful Truth. Sorry more than I thought... Anyway I guess what I'm trying to elude to is that we've all had an eating problem to the point where we've had to have surgery once or twice and for some of us it is still escaping us as to how we can actually make a real change that will ultimately save us. So many times I have heard people say I could never give up sugar, coffee, meat, wheat, bacon, soda, etc... When I hear this I think then a lifestyle change for you is probably not something that is going to happen for you. How much do you truly want good health? Maybe it's time to start pushing yourself in new and different directions, maybe there is new and exciting information to be gleaned that will help you to a better and healthier you. For me being a 80-10-10 raw foodist wasn't for me. But I did adopt eating a high fresh fruit and raw vegetable diet into my new lifestyle. I have decided to include cold blooded sea creatures in my diet as well as cooked Beans and rice in moderation, but also to maintain a balanced healthful diet for me. Please understand I am writing this as much to myself for my own remembrance as I am sharing my experience with you. The day of surgery I weighed 204 lbs. Two days after surgery I weighed 213 lbs. that was disappointing but the Water weight gain from th IV was to be expected. Today is 7/1/2012 and I am at 202. So from December 27th 2011 to June 25th 2012 I lost 56 lbs. I am so excited about where I am going... God bless us and keep us! Mardee

I'm in Summerville/Charleston area. I'm going in for surgery this Tuesday 8/25/15. I visited all three of the bariatric practices here in the area before deciding on Dr. McDevitt with coastal bariatrics. He is based out of the Summerville medical location and he's absolutely phenomenal

For most...lapband is an outpatient procedure. My starting weight is 265. I would be satisfied if I just lost 70 lbs....(very obtainable with the band). I know that within a couple to few years most bariatric units will also do the plication with the lapband...would be interesting to see more long term results with it to see if it has a higher success rate than with just lapband.... this incisionless procedure just sounds like a temporary fad to me.

I am new to the whole lap-band experience, but I have been in your shoes a couple of times in my life in regards to regaining weight that I worked so hard to lose and then just not having the motivation to restart that struggle. I do have a question. Do you still have your lap band? Is it not giving you any kind of support or are you just fighting against it? The advice I see most often to regain control is to start over with the beginning diet. Go back to protein shakes, soft foods, etc... This seems like a good way to get rid of the healthy habits and cravings and just reset your mind and body for the work ahead. I think I would also go back to a bariatric center and see if the band is still filled or might be something that has happened over the years to make it less effective for you. Best of luck!

Holy firetruck! Putting it nicely that is! It's a new year obviously and with new years comes changes. Last year we met our deductible and our prescription drugs were very cheap. So, it was time today to fill my prescription for oxycodone er 40mg. The cost for a 30 day supply - $538! Yes that is correct, 60 pills, 538 buckaroos! I checked and last year before deductible was met the most I paid was 140. So tell me, how the frig does the cost go up that high in 8 months? This doesn't include the fact I have to physically see the Dr every month before he will renew the prescription. That visit is blood work and urine sample each time. So in reality it's well over 1000 a month for just one med. I have 2 plates, 12 screws in my back, 2 spacers in my back, a fake knee which has been done twice in last 7 years and arthritis in every joint. My options are few! Stop taking pain meds, suffer horrible withdrawal and possibly kick the bucket to get off these meds to then be wracked with debilitating pain and not function in life, or....continue taking the meds, sell my house, go bankrupt, get a divorce and live in my van. I've never been so low in my life, this is the first time I've ever thought that my family would be better off without me. It makes me sick to think how much money is being made off people's misfortunes and poor health. I regret now having had wls because it will prolong this shit life I'm going to have to lead. I drive a piece of shit car by the way, and my clothes come from goodwill and hand me downs from friends. Pretty sure this will be the straw that breaks the camels back with my wife. She is tired of working 60 plus hours a week at a very good job only to come home to nothing. I'm so pissed and hurting, I'm already suffering withdrawal after 1 day of no meds. Really hating myself and life in general right now!

Ugh, I have super restriction on liquids only. I'm intentionally not moving on to many mushies because I still have to make choices like, "Hmm, Vitamin or Water?" because one is going to fill me up too much for the other. I do know that with most bariatrics the restriction comes with solid foods. That's part of why we're encouraged to get our Protein from solid sources as early as allowable. (It also keeps you filled up longer.) Things hang out in our stomachs for different amounts of time. And that's another reason why we are encouraged not to drink with meals - the consistency can trigger the pyloric valve to open too soon. As said by a previous poster, if your medicine is a time release or "enteric coated" medication you do not want to crush it. If you have any questions, just call the pharmacist. They can tell you. If they're crushable, they're also breakable. Even with my restriction I can take a huge horse pill in thirds, I just bite off about a third and then have to wait about 5 minutes for the next piece. You can also slurry meds with water, or in applesauce, etc (provided they're crushable). You won't want to with some meds, but with others it will barely be noticeable.

I felt like I was literally going to faint during the last week of full liquids, I added in a few pureed/soft foods in conjunction with the full liquids and immediately felt better. I don't want you to deviate from your plan, I shared this information to say that my body needed a little bit more at that point in my journey. I would also consult with your bariatric team to determine whether or not you are ready. Ariel (my stomach) loves refried beans and a scrambled egg. Not cooked together, in separate meals. Protein is our friend. The cream soups were delicious, but didn't givr me the substance and nutrients that I needed. I'm still drinking protein shakes, I only had my procedure on 3/3/20.

My insurance didn't cover any form of Bariatric surgery so I paid out of pocket $4250 plus airfare and went to Tijuana Mexico through Medical Tourism. Best experience ever! Michelle

Hi -- I'm from NC and was self-pay. I searched extensively in many states and finally decided to travel to Dr. Kirshenbaum in CO. There's a lengthy thread of information about him by his patients on LBT. Here's his website Lap Band Surgery in Denver Colorado | Lap Band Surgeon in Denver | Gastric Band Surgery Denver | Bariatric Surgery Total cost for me was $9950 and that included fills for 3 months afterwards; fills after 3 months are $15. (These amounts, of course, did not include travel expenses.) I have absolutely no regrets and would go back to him without any reservation. I have the APS band and have had no complications whatsoever. Good luck in your journey!

I'm glad to hear that you are walking a bit. Hoping your pain lessons so you can rest without the meds. That sucks about the milk. Unfortunately lactose intolerance is common after bariatric surgery. My doctor told us if it happens in the beginning to try it again in a couple months or use Lactaid milk. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I only have thrown out one canister: of Syntrax nectar Roadside lemonade. I use the Inspire line from Bariatric Eating. I'm not wild about the two flavors mentioned above, but their dutch chocolate is very good, and I like the Pom Razz Sangria if mixed with Crystal Light lemonade. Their flavorless PURE powder is the best I've tried--I rely on it a lot. The flavored ones are intended to be mixed with just 4 ounces of liquid--if you find them bland, and mixed with more, that could be the reason. That said, my post op tastes have changed enough that I use far more--I mix the dutch chocolate with about 8 ounces of almond milk, and the Pom Razz with about a liter of Crystal Light lemonade.

There are several online sites that sell them but the cheapest way is to call Syntrax and order it directly from them. Just tell them you are a bariatric patient. You get 11 different flavors for $9.99 with shipping included. The # is (866) 333-SI03 (7403)

I have kidney stones but probably started growing them pre-surgery since I was treated for a bunch of UTI for blood in my urine the year prior. I didnt feel like I had a uti, no painful pee etc. But passed 2 after surgery and had the tell tale back pain to go with them so that pointed to kidney stones. And then I started filtering my pee and there was enough sand to fill a bucket. Not really but peeing sand feels bad too. I have to have surgery next month because I have a 1.5 centimeter one that is too big to pee out. I came to snoop the forums because the kidney stone diet is totally nuts. And doesnt mesh with after surgery diet. Going to a new appt with new bariatric docs (since I now have kaiser) to figure out wtf. Kidney guy doesnt want me to take any vitamins over 100% RDA and non protein powder and no collagen. He is deferring to the bariatric docs whom I assume will refer back to him. Basically I'll follow bariatric stuff because I dont want to die from too little protein etc. So be prepared when the urologist hands you the most absurd diet you have ever seen. Only corn, squash, kale, parsnips and 6oz max total all day for animal protein: chicken, pork, fisg, low fat dairy. No spinach, no fruit, no anything. They actually said sugar was ok wtf. I am sort of freaking out.

The type of surgeon who does the lapband and gastric bypass is called a BARIATRIC (bear-ee-ack-tric) SURGEON. Just be sure that the one that he refers you too is covered by your insurance. Mine tried to refer me to a specific surgeon and I think it was because he gets a cut for referring patients.....lol. Best of luck!

Thanks Alot for the info. i will surely tell him about my coveraged. So after u got refered to a bariatric surgeon is he the one whos gonna guide u to the psyc and seminar and all those good stuff?

@@Holysaro87 I agree with the poster above. Take a deep breath and try to relax. I am going to sound a little harsh with you for a moment here. When you FIRST had signs of something not right it was the time to go and see the Dr. Never mind how you were before your band. You are now a banded patient and vomiting no matter how small. food being stuck, acid reflux, night coughs all of these are signs of trouble and they are NOT normal. No one with a band should be throwing up after eating EVER if they can help it. If you follow the proper band guidelines then you would not be having these issues AND if you are then you need to see a Dr. ASAP a Bariatric Dr. who specializes in the Lapband. OK now all of that said....take another deep breath. I am on your side here. One of the reasons your Dr. may be telling you take the band out is because you are not being compliant with the band rules. There are very specific rules to being a banded patient and you are not following them. Yes we all get caught up with family and friends and FOOD. I totally understand, BUT you must ALWAYS remember that you are a WLS patient and that you have a band around your stomach and it is there and it will not be overlooked and it will cause you trouble if you ignore it. I am compliant in all ways with my band, all the time...? No not all the time, and that is how I learned to make sure that I am now ALL the time. When I am full I stop eating, if I am stuck I pay the price and feel sick and learn that next time I need to cut and chew chew chew and then chew some more. I need to slow down and eat my food and not be stressed while eating. A few months ago I had a mild pouch dilation and had all the Fluid removed from my band due to medications I was taking from being in a car accident that irritated my stomach. I did the 4 week liquid diet and the dilation resolved itself and I am not back on track to getting fills and losing weight. OK take another deep breath... Ask yourself is this band something you want? Why do you have it if you are not going to use it and take care of it properly? If you want to keep your band, follow the Dr.'s orders. Take the fill out, and start from band basics. Go back to the days of early banding. Get yourself some Protein powders and shakes and go from there. You will start to lose weight and you will feel better. Tell your family and friends you MUST be on this diet and not to derail you because doing so is going to cost you and you will ultimately have to have the band removed and worse you can cause permanent damage to your internal organs. So make sure you are ready for this commitment and settle in for a month of liquids, and gaining your health back. You have to take time to put you and your band first. You are right now both at risk.

Thanks for the replies, everyone! Right now, I'm in a holding pattern, because I found out last week that my employer's policy with United does NOT cover any kind of bariatric surgery AT ALL. This, despite me calling UHC on three different occasions and each time giving them the procedure code as well as my group and subscriber numbers. Each time, they told me that our policy covered it at 90% with an in-network doctor. I was going to the seminar with Dr Hitchcock at KC Bariatric, and thanks to the advice of their front office, I contacted my HR to get a copy of the coverage details of our insurance. It was only when I spoke with HR that I was told that our policy doesn't cover bariatrics. Even if I were to have a BMI over 40, and co-morbidities, they will not cover. So right now, I'm stuck. I really want to do this, but self pay isn't an option. I could more easily deal with paying off 10% as opposed to 100%. I kind of don't know what to do next.