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I am having my surgery in Sarasota on October 29th. That is only 45 minutes/1 hour from Tampa. The Sarasota Memorial Comprehensive Bariatric Program is amazing. My surgeon is Dr. Nora. The entire group at the program has been so supportive.

I have been having the same problem along with nausea. I had an ultrasound, which showed a fatty liver due to obesity, had an X-ray of my abdomen, they were looking for blockage in my bowels, which was negative and then I had a hidascan. All were normal and my lap band is fine. I returned to my bariatric surgeon and he tried to order a CT scan but my insurance denied it. Now I am not better and there are no answers. I am very frustrated. I know how you feel. Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

Thanks guys, and I'm glad you posted Tiffkins. I knew you had a revision also, but couldn't remember the details. So, Tiffkins question for you as you seem so knowledgeable about the different surgeries. I'm really leaning towards the Sleeve, but I feel I really need to understand the other options out there but scooping information up from this website and that website and on and on is getting overwhelming and still not really giving me a really good way to understand what my best option would be. I understand speaking with a Bariatric surgeon is a good start, and I will do that as soon as I finish a couple of their hurdles- but a concern I have is that that surgeon typically will specialize in certain procedures which is fine- but then I'm still not going to have all the facts on all the different WL procedures. I'm considering calling my PCP tomorrow and see if he might be any help with helping me digest the information- but as a GP, I'm not sure that's going to yield me the results I want either. I just don't want to hop on the latest fad because its popular right now and then regret it later. Keep the comments coming.

I am currently on bariatric advantage. I'm on day 6 of preop diet. I have to say...I can't stand the thought of another protein shake.

Today, my friend Steph called the Plano Surgery Center, and they've already set up her 1st appt for this Wednesday at 2pm. I am soooo excited for her. I had called the UT Bariatric Center last Friday, and they said they would call me this week to set my appt. If they don't call this week (or they set my appt out in to December), I am going to call the same place Steph did. I have already met all my deductibles for this year, and would like to get banded this year.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009 Look for the Smilemarkers A sliver of moon was showing in the sky the other day while I was playing outside with my grandson, David (4yrs). As usual he wanted to know why. I told him the moon wanted to play with him. Later he was drinking chocolate milk on the front porch and said, "The moon is drinking chocolate milk. He has a chocolate milk mustache." I love it when a four year old can use his imagination and make a joke. I love it when a four year old accidentally amuses me. David was riding in the van with his dad when he announced, "I want my crocs (sandals)." His dad stopped the car and asked him what he was wearing on his feet. David replied in all seriousness, "Dad, I'm wearing my toes." Children and laughter go hand in hand. I love being a grandmother and not having to do much of anything when I babysit but enjoy the kids. My two year old granddaughter loves to play hide and seek in her house. She always hides in her closet and she always tells me she's going to hide in her closet. When I try to go home she frequently tells me I'm hungry and I need to eat in order to keep me there. LOL. She already knows my weakness. There's a lot of evidence that laughter is good medicine. The Reader's Digest knew that before there were studies proving it. I use a lot of silly humor when I teach. To teach the ang sound I have a picture-card of a vampire with fangs showing. I'll put on my best Transylvanian accent, make my hands into claws, and say," I vant to bite your neck; I vish to suck your blood." The kids all shriek and laugh and are more likely to remember that ang makes the sound you hear in fang. I have a game that involves tossing a soft ball back and forth between me and a group of kids while saying math facts. I love to watch for the kid who stops paying attention and I'll look at another child while throwing the ball at the daydreamer who frequently gets hit by the ball which cracks everyone up and serves notice to pay attention. Today I was on Lapbandtalk, which has become my on-line support group and one of the women told a hysterically funny dream she'd had about another member of the group. Can't repeat it here because it involved partial nudity and showing off a well-shaped body part. Jokes were still flying hours later when I checked back in. Some of the best and funniest speakers I ever heard were recovering alcoholics telling their stories at open AA meetings. Some of the things they did and the situations they got themselves into were, in retrospect, hysterically funny. Without the humor, they'd have been too painful to tell. The funniest stories I tell on myself involve my ADHD and some of the things I've done as a result. Humor makes pain palatable. I'm not talking about sarcasm or angry ranting expletive deleted humor. Frankly, I don't consider that humor because it tends to be at other's expense. I'm talking about self-deprecating humor. Humor that gently pokes fun at the human condition but doesn't denigrate others. One of the funniest stories my deceased mother-in-law told involved driving off to work with her teeth on top of the car. One of the funniest stories my son tells is what happened when he tied our 6 month old 75 lb. Chesapeake Bay Retriever to a lightweight charcoal grill in my parent's driveway. Thank God for the passing motorist who chased down the dog and stopped him before the grill chasing the dog down the street caused the dog to drop dead of a heart attack. These stories and jokes we tell each other can only happen in community. We weren't created to live in isolation. And I firmly believe that God laughs with us. We're created in his image and he loves us with all our foibles so he must have quite a sense of humor. Humor is his gift to us, a gracelet that allows us to be refreshed, renewed, re-created and ready for the next thing life throws at us. So, even though food addiction is a serious disease, I try not to take myself too seriously. Life is a journey. Look for the smilemarkers along the way.

Like others said, it'll be different for everyone. I usually have between 800-1200 a day, but I'm still on soft foods. What would be a normal day's worth of food for you? I'm curious exactly what you're eating and how much Protein and carbs you're taking in each day. Also, I don't know how much you have to lose... the less you have to lose, the slower it'll go. What's the diet plan on sparkpeople? Is it geared towards "normal" (ha!) people or for those who have had bariatric surgery?

I HIGHLY recommend the Bariatric program at GBMC (Greater Baltimore Medical Center). it is top notch with an amazing endowment. Dr. Moeinmolki is unbelievable. Please PM for additional info. I'd be happy to give you insight into all the programs in this area. I live in Takoma Park, MD and spent time researching/meeting/interviewing surgeons at Holy Cross Hospital (silver spring), Shady Grove Adventist (Rockville), Frederick Memorial (Frederick) and GBMC (Baltimore).

I had seven months of Binge Eating Disorder therapy about a year before my RNY surgery, October 15, 2013. I'm not sure I'd be as successful at 4 months out as I am if I didn't have some of that training to fall back on. The following 3 books are great ones to read to arm yourself. The books aren't very long and are easy reads. You need to know what your triggers to eat are so you can be very vigilent for signs that a trigger situation is coming your way. Of course, nothing beats therapy with a professionally trained eating disorder therapist. If you have access to one, use it now. If you haven't had surgery, this is what you could be doing in the months prior. 50 Ways to Soothe Yourself Without food, Susan Albers Crave: Why You Binge Eat and How to Stop, Cynthia M. Bulik, Phd The Emotional First Aid Kit: A Practical Guide to Life After Bariatric Surgery, Cynthia Alexander My triggers are all social interaction or disappointment in myself. I may have Asperger's, a highly functioning form of autism that makes social interaction hard. My nephew was diagnosed 12 years ago and I see so much of myself in him. I've struggled to learn social cues and was puzzled by how to interact with others. At 56, I still occasionally have difficulty, but I've learned to compensate and even laugh with others when I stumble. I have about 5 good friends, something I never had until College. Anyway, my fear of how to act socially as a child was often soothed by food. And, food was a way many well-meaning relatives showed me love. I've had to learn to soothe myself with talking to a friend, music, baths and positive self-talk. I wish you all the best as you learn how to find comfort in things other than food. Food is really not your friend. Friends don't let friends eat themselves to death.

Each surgeon/bariatric group has different guidelines really. Most have you move on to mushies after 3 weeks. Then solids after 5-6 weeks post op. They didn't limit me on my protein brands as far as protein shakes other than to watch the sugar content. Is that the food list they gave you?

Hello Luvmetru, Have you considered calling your nutrionist from your bariatric center and starting up with them again? Maybe a few visits to get you started on the right track again so you can lose the weight? I know it's not easy, we're all here because it's not easy, that's for sure. I wish you the best and hope you find what helps to kick things back up for ya.

Have you tried putting the bariatric chewables in yogurt ( crush them) or blend them with a protein drink?

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.

Hi all..... i haven't been on here for a bit. I got a little frustrated back in March when I finally met with my surgeon and he told me that he would try and do my surgery but that because I had previous abdominal surgery for a different issue (benign pancreatic tumor) that he wasn't sure he would be able to do it. Basically, I could go in, have them put me under, have him make some incisions, look around, and then not be able to do anything because of adhesions and scar tissue. I really appreciate that he's being honest and that he wouldn't do anything to hurt me -- I mean, safety first, right? Has anyone successfully had bariatric surgery after having previous abdominal surgeries? Is he just being cautious and not trying to get my hopes up or is this a real possibility? I have finished all of my clearances and am just finishing the required nutritionist appointments.

Colds can definitely hose up your senses of taste and smell. I haven't noticed this yet myself, but a lot of the people in my bariatric support group have mentioned their tastes in food changing after surgery, so that might also be a culprit. Is it a metallic taste in your mouth? That could be a result of being in ketosis, which is generally good for weight loss but does leave a funky taste in one's mouth. I hope you get over the cold soon. Best wishes!

I was NOT able to get my procedure covered by my insurance last year even with 2 comorbidities. My policy stated that there was a Bariatric Surgey Exclusion. My medical necessity did not matter. My company did not pay the premium to include bariatric surgery on our group policy, making it an exclusion on our policy. So no, they would not cover it and I had to wait till open enrollment to drop that policy.

So Bariatric surgery is not covered on my insurance but with all my health issues my doctor seems to think my insurance will cover it.... Has anyone's insurance covered it even though it's not listed??

Show of hands....how many folks only eat special foods marketed to Bariatric Patients? For example, Bariatric Choice, Bariatric Advantage, ProtiDiet.... I'm just wondering if it's worth the investment or is it just as good as picking and choosing foods from the local grocers. I do use a protein powder, but I it from WholeFoods and it has 4g of carbs, 32g of protein and 80 cals and it's usually around $22 per container. Lasts about 6-8 weeks.

Absolutely! For 4 months before surgery and still seeing her at almost 6 months post-op. I will see her for 2 years post-op (though eventually only once per month. Right now it's every other week). This is a HUGE deal and I commend you for considering it. If you can find someone that deals especially with bariatric patients and/or food addiction issues then all the better. My therapist has been the biggest part of my journey and I could not have gotten this far without her and don't expect that I will be able to maintain without continuing to see her.

I don't think you were ready nor appropriately prepared for a lifestyle change This is a way of life not a diet. Not temporary. I hope the new clinician helps you. Find a nutritionist who is experienced with bariatric patients and maybe they can provide the eating support you need. And finally join an eating addiction group. I never considered myself a candidate but guess what. I sure as heck am. I see it and I want to eat it!!

Yes it was BCBS I had. BCBS covers the surgery it depends on what coverage employers select. My employer did not select Bariatrics under their plan.

I'm banded since Summer 2008 and am down 62 pounds. I have had 3 fills and 1 unfill. No problems and no re-gain. I can truly say my only regret is that the surgery was not available 30 years ago. I'm not quite at goal (20 pounds to go), but having experienced no problems I am more than willing to let it take as long as it takes. Because I will lose that 20 pounds. I am very confident of that. The way I think about food has changed: the way I eat - very slowly ...what I eat - less garbage (although I could eat garbage if I wanted too...I just don't really want to)...where I eat - at a table not standing in the kitchen or sitting on the couch...how much I eat - amazingly so much less that what I used too and enough to be just fine with that. I was a very slow to lose the weight and was somewhat disgruntled, but now, I would not change a thing. I feel great and I like how I look. If you have health insurance that does not specifically exclude bariatric surgery, I would say to you please think about finding a "Center of Excellence" doctor's group. They coordinate everything for you, make sure you get all the tests, and will really go to bat with your insurance company. You meet with a doctor and together you decide how to proceed, The value of this surgery is becoming more evident everyday, you just may qualify. GOOD LUCK!

I am using Bariatric Advantage. The vanilla flavor has 27 grams Protein, 7 grams carbs, 1.5 grams fat and 150 calories per 8 oz serving. I actually do not find the taste offensive as I do other high protein Meal Replacements. I buy on Amazon for $63 for 35 servings. I have the chocolate flavor as well and that is also good. I was told that after surgery I could add powdered milk to up the protein. Not sure how that would taste!

Well after a phone call this morning to my bariatric center I was told there were no suggestions for treatment on my psych eval. No I am trying to get in touch with my surgeons office to confirm they have the correct report. Nothing like sitting on pins and needles. I just hope it gets cleared up. I will not be happy if this sets back my timeline. Crossing my fingers Momof2sn

Good question. I hadn't located a Dr. up here because I planned on going back to Dr.Ortiz. I routinely go on his web site and chat board and have his book and knew that at a year post op he advised patients to have a flouroscopy. This happened to be when I found I was six weeks pregnant. I work for 2 different hospitals up here and am surrounded with physcians, the one bariatric Dr. I first approached was very negative about low BMI peaople having the band...so quite frankly I decided I only wanted to deal with Dr.Ortiz. I'm pleasantly suprised by this new Dr. and his views, I'd rather not have to head back to Mexico with a new born.