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Thank you all for the support. I think talking with a bariatric therapist is probably a good idea. I'm just not sure how to find one. I am planning to attend a support group (hosted by my nutritionist) later this month. I will ask her if she can recommend anyone. It's good to know I'm not alone. I still feel a little crazy though.

Hi, Does anyone have a list or a site to recommend that has high fiber foods you can eat on a bariatric diet? I rather the "old fashion" why of softening my stool then using a bunch of pills. Thanks in advance!

There is few if any instant gratifying things in Bariatrics. You truly are in for the long haul. That said, the rewards when they come are WONDERFUL!💕👍💕

Just heard back from my bariatric coordinator. If I go with their nutritionist and psychologist (paying out of pocket) the nutrition appt is 30 minutes and the psych is 1 hour. I think I'd rather do that since they will be sure to get the info needed for the surgeon and insurance. Weird how the appointment durations vary so greatly!

August 22, 2006..I remember that day like it was yesterday. I arrived at the hospital so happy so excited so full of joy and ready to prove my doctor WRONG. You see my pre-op weight was 416lbs and the surgeon wanted me to undergo a gastric bypass or a duodenal switch (which I don't think they do anymore) because my BMI was so high. But at that time I was only 20 years old no serious medical issues and my mother didn't want me to have either of those surgeries so lapband it was. Moreover, my bariatric doctor made it very clear that I wasn't going to lose any weight and in two years I'd be back for a gastric bypass. Fast forward a few years and I was making tremendous progress. I'll never forget when I walked into Dr. Prachand's office in August 2008 for my two year post-op appt and I was down 138 lbs. And he looked at me with a smile and said "well Liqui you proved me wrong" that was the best feeling I ever felt. I was on a mission..I had a point to prove. Needless to say a few years went by and the weight slowly stop coming off...I was getting discouraged...I was losing my motivation and I had to switch doctors (I started a job and my health insurance changed). In 2011, I started seeing a new bariatric doctor (who I'm stilling seeing today) and it was like starting all over again at the time I had gained some weight back and I was about 310. At my first appointment with Dr. Mihil he told me to tell him my journey to this point...although he had my huge file in front of him. I told him my story anyway and he said "so let's start campaign prove Dr. Prachand wrong again." I laughed through my tears of disappointment and agreed. He proceed to say "I don't know Prachand personally but I want you to succeed because he wrote everywhere in your file. Placed band despite better judgement." When I tell you that doctor was AGAINST the band he was AGAINST the band and if I'm not mistaken he doesn't place them anymore at all. Moreover, my motivation started to come back I was checking in regular with the new doctor, losing weight, then BAM in 2013 I found out I was pregnant with TWINS. I was sooooo happy and excited yet sad because I knew I was going to gain weight. Well needless to say I gained more weight than I and the doctor expected. During my pregnancy I gained 73lbs I was mortified. I delivered my twins 4weeks early so I can't imagine how much more weight I would've gained if I carried them full term lol. My babies were born completely healthy but I was left with almost 60lbs of weight to loss. I avoided the bariatric doctor for two years...I kept saying "I wanna loss the weight before I go see him." I hadn't seen him since I was 4 months pregnant and he removed all my Fluid from my band. Then one day a few months ago I realized that I wasn't going to lose the weight on my own (which is why I needed weight loss surgery in the first place). And I finally made in appointment to go see him. I felt like a dead man walking.. I weighed in at 359. Which I was okay with considering I was 374lbs post babies. So I had lost weight but I still wasn't where I started. I was sitting in the room so nervous I thought the doctor was going to chew me out for waiting two years to see him and gaining so much weigh. He came in the room, gave me a hug and asked to see the babies. I just started to cry. I felt like I let him down. But he reminded me that "you're doing this for YOU and now those babies not me." That visit was such a breath of fresh air until he tried to give me a fill and to our surprise my port has flipped around. We played around with it for a while but no luck he couldn't get the fluid in. Another doctor came in and tried to give me a fill as well... No luck So I left that day with no fill but gained my sense of hope back. I have an appointment in the 26th of this month. And we're going to try it again or discuss possibly going in for a revision surgery which I really don't want. But I know something has to be done because right now I have no fluid in my band and feel no restrictions. I know everyone feels differently about the band and although weight wise I'm not were I want to be I'm still pretty happy with it because I haven't had as many complications like I hear about from the other WLS. And when I have fluid in my band it works of course with exercise and eating right. Moreover, I just really hope at my next appointment they can find the top of my port and give me a fill. Has anyone had a lap band revision surgery? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am 1 week post op today and I can say im down almost 10 pounds. I am drinking the different protein premium drinks, sugar free Gatorade and water. Trust me when I say its a struggle at times getting 64 oz in if I dont start drinking by 6am. But what I hate so far is this nauseous feeling. Also I hate these muxed berry chewable vitamins by bariatric advantage. They are nasty as hell and makes me want to puke. The wild cherry chewable calcium citrate vitamins not too bad. I call myself getting bariatric specific so i want have to take alot of pills. Im thinking now I probably have should went with the flintstone vitamins.

Do you have a required psych evaluation? Many people do. I don't know what the requirements might be with someone 5 years into substance recovery....but I know that crossover addictions are a huge concern with bariatric surgery. If you have not talked about this issue with your doc, it would be a really good idea to broach the topic. Also to ask if your healing stomach will be able to handle methadone, or if your blood serum concentration would have to be carefully monitored to adjust dose....I suspect it would be. Best wishes.

Happy New Year! I love this time of the year. This is the time for renewal and setting new goals. 2009 was a great year, but I am excited about what 2010 holds for me. This is the year that I will reach my weight loss goal. I am so determined to get there by May 2010. I will Celebrate my one year anniversary with the band. My daughters gave my husband and me a wonderful Christmas gift. It was a picture catalog of our lives over the last 20 years. Looking over those pictures brought out so many emotions. I was so thin for many years and I loved flipping through the pages until I got to the last page. It was a picture of our family on vacation in June 2008. I gasped. I did not recognize myself. I was so FAT. My husband and 2 daughters looked great. I vowed then and there that our vacation pictures in June 2010 will show a much thinner me. My goal for the month will be 50 miles. Good luck to all who take the challenge.

Well, my program with our military insurance gives me full access to a nutritionist, and labs pulled at 3,6,9, 12 months out, then yearly labs are pulled. That is the standard procedure for all bariatric patients through our military hospital here in Florida. My surgeon likes to do a endoscopy between 9-12 months out, earlier if there are any issues. So, there is another anesthesia procedure plus the scope cost. My PCP (is a civilian), and while he is not well-versed on VSG, I can easily go to him, have him pull my previous labs, or take him one of my copies, and have him pull my labs again if he thinks they need to be. I just dealt with this situation bc I've been having low blood pressure issues. Not really related to a complication of the VSG, it's essentially just my body trying to adjust to my drastic weight loss. Also, there are several patients that dealt with severe nausea post-op. It hits some of us, and others aren't bothered by this. Everyone is different. I honestly think if you can be that close to home, have that follow up care, and love your surgeon, there is NO pricetag that you can give you that reassurance. I'm super picky. You couldn't pay me to have this surgery, or any other major surgery, where they are removing 75% of a major organ in a "surgical clinic" without an ICU, and emergency facilities and capabilities on the premises. A lot of PCPs are willing to do follow up labs for patients that travel to Mexico, but those labs can run patients without insurance a few hundred bucks. The labs we need pulled are more extensive than just a normal Chem 12 and CBC. So, the out of pocket cost can be astronomical.

I'm set to go to Mexico next month for my surgery, since I'm self pay, but when I initially started into the process my pcp simply suggested that I consult with a bariatric specialty clinic (preferably through a center of excellence program) and to follow their process. I later found out my insurance wouldn't cover the surgery, so I went an alternate route. I'm in Denver, so can't really suggest anyone in your area, but I would do some online research and talk to people you know who've been through the process. Also, feel free to contact more than one clinic and compare programs to see which one works best for you. Good luck!

Hello, my name is Julie. I am a wife and the proud mother of 3 wonderful children. I am also a Lucky patient of Dr. Thomas Byrne at MUSC’s Bariatric Surgery Program. My journey truly began in 2010; I weighed in at 226 pounds. I had spoken with my general physician on several occasions about my weight and the attempts that I had made (weight watchers, Jenny Craig, etc). My doctor suggested that I call MUSC’s bariatric surgery program for a consultation. I went home that day and researched weight loss surgery. I called that same afternoon for a consult appointment. My first sign that I was doing the right thing should have been the caring voice of Lisa Jackson. She helped get my consult set up and all of my questions answered. My consult went awesome. Dr. Byrne made me feel so welcome and most of all I felt that he cared about me, I was not just another fat chick in his office telling him "I am fat, please fix it". We went over the three different surgery options available, along with the risks and benefits to each. We discussed my goals and expectations as well as spending a great deal of time going over my health history. I also got to meet with one of the Registered Dieticians on staff. After consulting with Dr. Byrne, we decided that the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy was my best option for me. I felt so prepared after this appointment; all I needed to do was to set the date. After several months of research and red tape with my insurance I had the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy surgery in August of 2011. I had a slight bump in the road during recovery but nothing that Dr. Byrne and his amazing staff could not handle! I had developed a small blood clot in my abdominal cavity. Dr. Byrne and his physician’s assistant Diana quickly had me on the mend with the utmost care and compassion! Every day was better and better! I am now 7 months post VSG; I must say that I have never felt better! I wake up every day thankful for Dr. Byrne giving me this amazing "tool" to help me to become a healthy ME. This "tool" has worked so well for me with the help of Dr. Byrne’s team of registered dietician’s as well, Debbie and Nina. I have learned how to make healthier choices at home as well as at the supermarket (thanks to the supermarket tours and monthly support group meetings). I can’t say thank you enough! Thank You!!!! I am so happy to say that I have lost 70% of my excess body weight! I have lost 75 pounds and feel amazing. I am riding my bike at least 3 times per week, I go to an awesome Zumba class (Zumba with Alma) two to three times per week, and I am doing the 10 minute trainer videos at home. I try to stay current with support group meetings and other activities when I can. They are so informative, even for non surgical folks. I will tell anyone that asks me; Dr. Byrne and his staff (Diana, Debbie, Nina, Lisa, and the amazing nurses) are the best!!! I have seen other surgeons talk about weight loss surgery so I can truly tell you that I would send anyone to see Dr. Byrne! I actually did send my mother and my sister in law. My mother had Gastric Bypass in July 2011 and my sister in law is planning to have VSG in the next couple of months.

I too had a severe case of Gerd prior to surgery and I went in wanting the sleeve for all the same reasons you mentioned. When I was told that RNY was the best surgery for me I actually got a second and third opinion. Every doctor told me I would be making a huge mistake to have the sleeve given my Gerd situation. I actually have psoriatic arthritis and my spine has been deteriorating since I was in my early 30s. It had nothing to do with calcium deficiencies. I have had 5 back surgeries and am looking at another in the coming months. Here is the thing RNY has literally given me my life back. I take the calcium that is perscribed to me and have my labs checked regularly, The folks that struggle with malabsorption are the folks that do not take their Vitamins and do not follow up with their bariatric team. Seriously don't be afraid to do what is going to keep you healthier in the long run. RNY is the best thing that ever happened to me besides my kids and hubby. Do some more research, it will help you through this. I also have never had dumping syndrome and can eat what I want. I choose to eat very healthy. Good luck to you!

Hello... my name is Rhonda and I am a 38 yr old lady from NW Pennsylvania. I live with my boyfriend and have a 13 yr old son. WLS was always in the back of my mind, but the ignition point was my gall bladder crapping out in late Feb of this year. My doc wasn't the general surgeon I had requested, but rather his partner. They say things happen for a reason & my finding Dr. Kalim this was def divine intervention. Yes, it's his business, but he was very tactful in addressing my weight even before I had my lap chole. Upon my post op from the lap chole, Dr. Kalim again mentioned my WLS options. I have to tell you, I work at the same hospital and the bariatric program is relatively new. I had worked with some of the key players in various roles before. So when he asked me to go to a seminar and walked me into the program coordinator's office... I felt I HAD to go out of professional courtesy!! Eventually I got my mind right and realized that I wanted to pursue this for ME!! My gb issue and being assigned to Dr. Kalim was the path laid before me. I have to say it's a joy to be so close to my care team!! They work extremely hard to make EVERYONE feel comforted and secure. At the 1st visit we mapped out the first three months and all of the extras (ie EGD, psych, dietary, sleep study, etc.) At the 3rd month we mapped out preads, consent and clearances and surgical date. I have one more nutrition class (out of 3), preads, my 6th monthly visit and final pre-surg visit with my doctor to go. I would be lying if I didn't claim my fears of all this not working or my OWN failure, but I am trying to stay positive and keep working hard now to adopt good healthy lifestyle changes!!

I hit 270lbs in 2004. I have fluctuated since then, but never got under 240lbs. I was the type of person who felt like I could do it on my own. I had the mindset that if I could stick to the strict diet after surgery, why couldn't I do it right now without surgery? Last November, my dad talked with me about my weight. He asked me to consider seeing a bariatric surgeon about the LapBand. I knew very little about weight loss surgery, but I made the appointment. Told the surgeon that I was just considering it, and I talked to him about all the things I didn't like about the LapBand. He told me about the sleeve. I told him I would think about it, and that I wanted to try diet and exercise again for one year. If it didn't work out, the I would have surgery. The surgeon said that at my BMI of 51 that he saw very few people (about 1 in 100) who were successful in losing weight and keeping it off. He also told me that my PCOS which caused insulin resistance would hinder my weight loss). Well, I signed up for Weight Watchers (again) ad even went to a doctor supervised weight loss center. Needless to say, I didn't stick to either one, and six months later I had gained 9lbs. In that time, I had been reading in the forums. Saw that people were losing lots of weight in the same six month period. I didn't want to wait another six months. I was sleeved on June 28th. I am three weeks out, and the diet that I wasn't able to stick with before surgery comes so easily now. My head hunger isn't bad. I can eat mini meals throughout the day that are high in Protein. I drink more, and I take better care of myself. It is a world of difference in trying to eat right before and after surgery. As far as giving up things I love... I made a spaghetti dinner for my cousin's family while I was still on liquids post-op. I felt remorse that I would never eat a huge plate of spaghetti, 4 pieces of garlic bread and two sodas again. Then, I realized that didn't sound right. I would be able to eat spaghetti, but I would be able to stop at the amount my body needs and be satisfied (probably a child's size portion). As for sodas and bread, I craved them pre-op, and I haven't even desired them post-op. Once I made my mind up to have the surgery and told a few people, I let them know that I was not coming to them for an opinion. I was having this surgery, and I want their support. It worked. I got the support I needed. Good luck.

I just met with my Primary Care Doctor and had my annual check up. He took me off one of my meds for Diabetes. He also half dosed my BP med and Metformin. He said without a doubt I wont need to be on any meds except for one by the time I have surgery with my Bariatric Surgeon in late Aug or early September. (as long as insurance approves!) which both doctors think it should be a no brainer about the approval since I am doing so good losing during my 6 month supervised diet.. I SEE THE END OF THE OLD ME COMING and the START OF THE NEW ME!

Tamatha222 I have Aetna federal, you can call to see if your employer pays for the Bariatrics coverage. What I'm finding is you can have the same insurance but it's if your employer opted for the coverage. Best of luck.

@@leag78 Hang in there---MANY of us have crazy stories like that, here's a synopsis of mine: --Hubby's work policy has specifically excluded WLS for at least 10 years --Last fall (early Oct), I looked into purchasing a policy for just me on the Affordable Care Marketplace ("Obamacare") --I'm in AZ, and all Marketplace policies must cover WLS -- not a well-known fact. I think it's 23 states ACA policies must cover WLS. Who knew? A fluke I found out... --Found a policy thru BCBS of AZ that costs about $600/month, but we save about $200/month by not included me on hubby's work policy. Expensive, kind of, but $3500 out of pocket max, after that, all is 100% covered. --Waited for open enrollment; purchased policy --BCBS sent me bariatric guidelines -- said 8-week pre-op diet; covers band, sleeve or bypass --Surgeon's office said have to do 6-month dr-supervised diet. Went round and round w/them since BCBS told me 8-week diet, not 6 months. --Yada, yada, yada -- finally, BCBS told me that they accidentally gave me the wrong guidelines. --UGH UGH UGH --'Real' guidelines say 6-month dr-supervised diet (which I'd done elsewhere, so that was ok for me), but only cover band and bypass, exclude sleeve. I have no idea why. --I get everything set up w/surgeon's office, have them change my file from wanting sleeve to bypass. They confirmed they had done that so when submitted to BCBS, it would say bypass since they don't cover sleeve on my policy. --Surgeon submits paperwork, I get call that my sleeve is approved. Yes, sleeve. --Dead silence on my part, then I ask 'so they now cover sleeve on my policy?" --Surgeon's office: "yes, they've specifically approved sleeve." I said, BUT IT'S NOT COVERED. --Surgeon's office checks w/BCBS again and lo and behold, sleeve is not covered. they were extremely apologetic, but I could have had sleeve surgery and they could have said 'oops', you're not covered for that!!!! --Plus, my surgeon's office had confirmed they'd changed my file to say bypass, but they obviously hadn't, and submitted me for sleeve (mistake) which BCBS approved (mistake) --Bottom line: Bypass surgery scheduled this Friday, day after tomorrow --Other bottom line: YOU have to be in charge of everything and know what's covered, what's not, get it all in writing, and triple-check EVERYTHING. Not to discourage you AT ALL, just offering advice. HANG IN THERE and keep your eye on the prize! Feel so very fortunate to have bypass covered, but what a huge hassle!!! I keep a spreadsheet of "to do's" and who I spoke with, etc. Names, dates, etc.

Depends on what "normal" is. No, you won't be able to eat everything you used to eat. That's what got you here. But, you will be able to have a wide variety of food that can taste great. If you prefer breads and pastas and pizza, that sort of thing, then you are not going to be doing that anymore. But stick with lean Proteins, some veggies, a small bit of carbs/grains and you are good. Luckily, you can't eat as much anymore anyway. Get a bariatric cook book--they are filled with tasty recipes!

They gave me swabs for dry mouth, so I didn't need anything for it. If you are going to a good bariatric hospital, you really need almost nothing. When I was in recovery and didn't have my lip balm, I asked the nurse for something for my lips because they were dry and she put Vaseline on them for me. I don't know how long your pre-op diet is, but after 10 days on liquids, and the last day just Clear Liquids then a whole 36 hours of nothing. I didn't have the strength to stand for a shower. I walked because it was the best pain relief, and I can't sleep on my back, let alone in a hospital.

You know, I have been like that for the last year. I can only do liquids and mushy foods on good days. There are days where I can't even keep water down. My band has been empty for months. It started out as not tolerating fills, then not tolerating an empty band, now not tolerating the band at all. It turns out, after 14 months of tests, imaging, and appointments, I have a hiatal hernia. It was missed on 8 fluro's, 2 scopes, and by 2 other bariatric surgeons. It finally performed for them and without a doubt I have a hiatal hernia. They said once I get that repaired, all my symptoms will be gone. Unbeliveable. After this long, they finally saw the hiatal hernia. It is a sliding hernia, so it wasn't "performing" at the previous tests I guess. I'm just glad to know it can be fixed. I can't tell you how band I have missed salad!!! Last time I ate it, I landed in the hospital for 2 days for intractable vomiting. 5 weeks after my repair... I will be eating salad again!!!

you are correct - i called the insurance company today -they keep saying I have to contact my bariatric nurse...and she NEVER answers her phone....auggh - I wish I could check the website....and see what's up....so freaking frustrating. I'm no damn inpatient.....

I have been tossing this idea around for 6 months or so. I had checked with my insurance and they did cover bariatric surgery so I went to a seminar tonight. I found out that with my insurance that they require you to have a BMI of at least 35(mine is 37) for the past 5 years. I have not checked with my previous dr. yet but I have been playing with numbers on a BMI calculator and I am doubting I have had a BMI of 35 for 5 years. I have been excited that I might have finally found the one thing that would actually work for me and now I think I may not get approved. Anyone ever had this experience and got approved? I go to my primary doctor tomorrow to get results on blood work and they will probably be putting me on cholesterol and trycliceride medicine. I am already on blood pressure meds and I want to be healthy again!!!

Also wanted to add, that there is also a LOT of incorrect information given when one participant of one type of bariatric procedure discusses details of another procedure. My advice would be to reap the information they relate about their OWN experience, not what they have been told by someone else. It is always very easy to find studies to support any side of the point of discussion.

Lit studies are some of the best groups! If you want to, once we get our stuff, we can do a little topic study each day, which will definitely attract others. I ordered the 12 OA Steps, the workbook, meditation and stdy book. That could keep us busy a while! I am so happy to be working a piece of this into my bariatric experience! I trust the Higher Power of my understanding and am alive so far...

I have blue cross blue shield of michigan thru my husband's employer, my bmi is 35 with some other health issues, and I am told by the bariatric surgeons office that it's the best insurance to have, she said we can "work around" the 6 month diet requirement before surgery and told me to write on paper documenting all the diets I have tried over the years, maybe that will suffice for the 6 month requirement? Does bcbsmi still even require that? Plain & simple..I am anxious, not just to get the wls but being in limbo and waiting just makes me deal with the stress of my weight problem, bad eating habits & failing diets even longer..and actually my stupid mentality about it causes me to just want to wait until my preop diet and surgery to start the process of trying to lose weight, therefore I eat like a dummy in the meantime, feel like crap and the vicious cycle goes on for now. Idk if anyone can relate? From what I can gather, it might be around 1 month before I can get my procedure done..not bad of course ..I just hope nothing holds it up or goes wrong, my primary dr is already giving me the impression that he'll take his sweet time getting the letter of medical necessity letter (whatever it's called) & cardiac clearance together for me :-/ Between wanting this chapter and change for the better to happen sooner than later in my life..and the fact that I am in my mom's wedding in june, summer activities are coming ..etc. I want to recover and get my new journey and goal started without interfering with it all. I was very pregnant during last summer lol..I want to enjoy this one with the family! So..I need advice on the insurance, time frame to get surgery, and any of the other stuff I rambled on about lol Thanks :-)