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Been working on getting a Lap Band for over a year. My sister got her's about 18 months ago and is doing great so I've been working on getting Banded too. UnitedHealthCare said NO. Said it's got to be IMMEDIATELY LIFE THREATNING condition. I have diabetes, sleep apnea, osteo-arthritis and high colestrol but nothing immediately life threatning so....NO GO. But now I am on Medicare because I'm disabled with arthritis. Several Weight Loss Centers in Tucson and Phoenix have applied to be able to take Medicare but none have been approved yet. So I decided, "to heck with it! I'm tired of waiting. I'm going to fly to Detroit and get the surgery done there." I can get follow-up care from one of the Bariatric centers here in Tucson. Medicare doesn't pay for fills anyway so that would have to be out of my pocket even if I could get the surgery locally. Is there any info on long-term effects of the Band? I would like to hear from people that have had the Band more that 5 years. Horsetrainer

Hi Denise, my name is Liz, aka Houston17. I'm also hoping to get the lap band. I've just started this process. I actually attended an education seminar at the Bariatric Center last Friday. During the seminar, they explain all of the different surgeries, go through the pros and cons of each as well as cover other info on what to expect. There are several steps that this Center requires to go through the process. I went to a support group meeting at the center on Tuesday night and today I went to a group meeting with the dietician. I'm scheduled in the morning to see the nurse/manager of the program. I'm not really sure what to expect with that visit. I've started this journey a little in the reverse of what you are doing. I have an appointment with my primary doctor next week. I've never talked to him about this and I have no idea if he will be supportive or not. I've only been going to him for the last 5 years due to relocating. So, I'm excited and nervous about getting through each step! Good luck with your visit! Btw, I just joined this site today and this is my first post!

I sit here reading all of the blogs on here and all of the crazy medical crap people have to go through for their insurance to even consider them for bariatric surgery and I can only think that it is a complete waste of time! Save yourself time and money and just to go Tijuana and get banded by Dr. Pompa. I paid $5000 for a total package. I didn't have to screw with insurance crap, thousands of dollars worth of tests or all of the maybies that come with the insurance hassle. They were awesome over there. They treat you like royalty and the package includes everything including all of your fills. I hate reading the blogs of people who want and need the surgery so badly but their insurance treats them like someone trying to cheat the system. Do insurance companies not realize how much this surgery can save them in the long run?!?! This kind of crap is exactly what's wrong with our country right now. Sorry, I'll get off my soapbox now but I wish I could find a way to help the people who are struggling so hard to get approved.

I sit here reading all of the blogs on here and all of the crazy medical crap people have to go through for their insurance to even consider them for bariatric surgery and I can only think that it is a complete waste of time! Save yourself time and money and just to go Tijuana and get banded by Dr. Pompa. I paid $5000 for a total package. I didn't have to screw with insurance crap, thousands of dollars worth of tests or all of the maybies that come with the insurance hassle. They were awesome over there. They treat you like royalty and the package includes everything including all of your fills. I hate reading the blogs of people who want and need the surgery so badly but their insurance treats them like someone trying to cheat the system. Do insurance companies not realize how much this surgery can save them in the long run?!?! This kind of crap is exactly what's wrong with our country right now. Sorry, I'll get off my soapbox now but I wish I could find a way to help the people who are struggling so hard to get approved.

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!

I have prime. I already have the referral to bariatrics. My doctor has been wanting me to look into this for some time now. I already have lab work done (unrelated but current) and a upper and lower scope procedure scheduled for early December which I'm told is part of the process. My PMC says that they have two of the top bariatric surgeons in the country on staff at my facility at the moment and if I am going to have it done, they are the best ones to do it.

Gummy vitamins have a sugar base, so ⬆raises your carbs, supposedly not assimilated smoothly, most put you on chewables, I guess if you're like me , wearing dentures , and can't chew,the concrete critters, you can crush them, you can then,put them in sugar free pudding, unsweetened applesauce or sugar free cool whip, and spoon with your little baby spoon those suckers in, and most chewable vitamins taste atrocious. That's why you look for one that tastes least obnoxious. Look for reviews from others on here, I think As part of their training bariatric surgeons should taste the things they tell others to ingest. Most never have, and need to be brought down a peg or two. Just Saying!😏

I'm fairly new to this whole process and right now I'm finishing up my 6 month doctor supervised diet (last appt in Sept) and my bariatric surgeons are beginning to send me off for the pre-op testing. I have been scheduled for a pulmonary function test which is no biggie since I've done that before. They are also doing the labwork that day which is no big deal. My question is about the cardiolite stress test and echocardiogram they have ordered. I've googled them and know what they are, but I'd like to know from a patient's perspective what its like to go through them (don't hold back). I'm a little concerned about the camera they use for the stress test. The picture from my doctor's office website shows a machine that resembles a CT scan or MRI machine. I am claustrophobic and have pretty severe panic attacks (even had one 2 days ago going through an automated car wash!!) What should I expect? Thanks, Tina

Amazon and costco are my besties!! I am extremely choosy, and I dislike EVERY Protein shake. I replaced Protein shakes with Oikos Triple Zero Greek yogurt (120 calories, 15g protein), but you'll have to check with your nutritionist if that's okay pre/post-op. I seem to be like the ONLY one who hates protein shakes so much. Costco does have Premier at a great price, but Walmart also usually has 4-packs if you want to sample (the price is not nearly as good). My nutritionist also had samples of items. I have spent a FORTUNE trying to find one I like, and there are just none that I like. As for Vitamins, I get most of mine between Amazon and Costco. Costco has great prices on sublingual B12, Biotin, and Iron (and I also bought chewable vit C to help iron absorption). On Amazon I got a multi called Vita-Mini at an exceptional price, but they don't seem to be available now (I ordered several but will be sad if they don't come back in stock when I need more)...they are super-tiny swallowable tabs as I hate chewables. I also got Calcium citrate in powder form from Amazon, again because I don't like the chalky chewables. My nutritionist also recommended Citrical Petites for people who don't like the chews. I have found that Costco and Amazon are far better priced than even Target and Walmart. Know that products that are specifically marketed for bariatric patients tend to be very heavily marked up, and for the most part you can avoid them unless you really don't want to.

@sassy14 Was your ventral hernia repair, ab wall reconstruction and panni covered by insurance?? I will be having a ventral hernia repair sometime this year once I get some more weight off. I am not looking forward to the recovery from that. That ventral hernia is what started the ball rolling with me getting sleeved. My bariatric surgeon said he could do my hernia repair when I was ready and when he was in there pull my muscles or tummy area in tighter. not sure what that will do but figured it couldn't hurt.

Hi there! This thread has been helpful as I am also struggling to make sure I get in the protein and vitamins to prevent hair loss. Right now I'm 3 weeks post op and am moving onto thicker liquids like creamy soups and more protein drinks. I've already started taking a chewable biotin and the calcium citrate chews from bariatric advantage (they are delish!), but I haven't been able to stomach the bariatric advantage or Flintstone multi vitamin. I try sucking on them for a few seconds, then throw it out because it makes me nauseous. But seeing as I'm finally getting some protein in, I thought I'd give the chewable multi vitamins another go, but they really upset my stomach and it's the first time something hasn't agreed with me at all. I couldn't keep it down. Now I'm worried I won't be able to get in my vitamins. Any suggestions???

You won't be able to do a bariatric diet as after surgery you can only get about 500 to 600 calories per day which is waaaaay to low with a normal stomach. I just did a reduced calorie diet using MyFitnessPal to track everything I ate. I started out with 2400 calories per day suggested by MFP to lose two pounds per week in July of 2019. After about a month I dropped down to about 2000 calories per day and was able stick to that. By November I was able to go to 1600 to 1800 calories per day. I did have days where I had a ton, I went to Vegas in September and took a break, but I got back after it when I got back home. I also started exercising 4 to 5 days a week. That also helped. Working on good habits prior to surgery will help you after surgery. So do what you can and build off of that.

I have friends who have had the Sleeve and they have been very successful. One friend who had the bypass had lost 100 lbs. but did not maintain due to lack of motivation and stopped going to the gym. I know I had done it before without surgery but I also realize that I'm a little older at this point. I thought it would be silly for me at this point to consider surgery but I need to do something to improve my health. Does anyone recommend a specific diet at this time? Has anyone started a bariatric surgery diet before their actual surgery and how long before?

Here's mine http://pinterest.com/ladylaura75/bariatric-infofoods/

Dr. Cribbins and Dr Hamn in Plano are who Im using and it has been a great experience so far. Cheryl the bariatric coordinator is WONDERFUL!!!

Hi there! I'm a 27 year old in Minneapolis, MN getting ready for vertical sleeve surgery come sometime in early 2016. My friend inspired me to pursue Bariatric Surgery after seeing her amazing results and I'm glad I did. Since going to the doctors, I've lost 13lbs (in about 3 weeks) adjusting diet and using portion control etc. I'm fairly early in the process. Met with my nutritionist, met with the psychologist, and I'm two months into my 6 months of required diet supervision. I've also started to attend the support group "Images" in Fridely, MN at Unity Hospital. I'm going head on and full speed into this. I was incredibly inspired and invigorated that I just started plastering myself all over social media and the Internet. So, if you're interested in following my journey at all you can: Go to www.bariatricbro.com Follow me on Twitter at TheBariatricBro Like My Facebook Page Follow me on Instagram at BariatricBro_VSG Looking forward to engaging with you in here and hopefully on some of those platforms as well. Shoutout to my fellow twentysomethings, guys, and Minnesotans! FISTBUMP!

Welcome Whitney, I'm sorry to hear about your back problem. I hope everything works out well,with your surgery. Tell your mom we have several over 50 and over 60 forums on Bariatric Pal if she wants to join in. I myself am 72 and planning a RnY surgery. But I am a very good person,to talk to about any problems or questions you or she may have. You, as a teacher, are a very important person for you guide future generations. I salute you. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

I said.... and I quote.... "Thank you Everyone for your prayers and thoughts yesterday. I had surgery yesterday, it was something I had only shared with a select few, more because of the nature of the process. I started the process in January and had my surgery yesterday. I had the vertical sleeve gastrectomy. It is a bariatric surgery that is intended for weight loss. I am usually quite open with what is going on in my life but because of the sensitivity of this type of surgery I chose to keep it quiet until post op. So first thing: I started this process in January. It took me 6 months and 27 days to get my surgery. I had to go through extensive medical and mental testing including blood work, sleep studies, EKG, and much much more. It is a surgery I have debated for years. As much as I did this for me, I did this for Caleb and as a future nurse, my future patients. Why this surgery? I had gone in wanting the gastric bypass (the most common weight loss surgery) my surgeon recommended the sleeve. The brief story of a Vertical sleeve gastrectomy is... They remove 75-85% of my stomach completely. It has left me with a banana shaped stomach that will allow me to consume from a few ounces to start to 1/2C later on down the road. Some may feel this is the easy way out, but the surgery is easily manipulated. I have to choose everyday to wake up and follow the rules (no drinking and eating together, Protein first, veggies second and avoid slider foods which are foods that easily make it through the sleeve such as ice cream, chips and Cookies etc...) the average weight loss is 60-75% of your excess weight. An example is someone who is 100# overweight would expect to loose 60-75#. It is not uncommon to see 100% of excess weight, the sleeve essentially does the job for the first 6 months worth of loss.... I will have to remain proactive for the remainder. I made a FB page so I can keep my FB page focused on me and not annoy people daily about this. https://www.facebook.com/SleevingIt I would love for you to go like the page, but more importantly, thank you for being a part of a special event in my life." I was totally high on narcotics at the time ha ha. I think I did pretty good though reading it now lol.

Our number one priority is to lose weight. In search of a new healthy lifestyle, we often self sabotage our well-intended efforts by investing in diet myths and misinformation about weight loss. Don’t fall into the trap! Check out these 8 Diet Myths. 8 Diet Myths Debunked! Our number one priority is to lose weight. In search of a new healthy lifestyle, we often self sabotage our well-intended efforts by investing in diet myths and misinformation about weight loss. Don’t fall into the trap! Check out these 8 Diet Myths. 1 Negative-calorie foods Some high fiber foods like celery and citrus fruits are claimed to be negative calorie foods. The presumption is that it takes more energy for the body to digest these foods, and thus burns more calories than the calories in the food itself. The truth is that the amount of calories it takes the body to digest food are minuscule compared to the calories in the food. Read a counter-viewpoint and decide what is true for you, “Eating Foods that Burn More Calories.” 2. Muscle weighs more than fat Don’t fool yourself. A pound of muscle and a pound of fat weight the same — 1-pound! However, because muscle is more dense than fat, having more muscle on your frame will make you look leaner. Also, 1-pound of muscle burns 50 calories a day whereas 1-pound of fat burns only 2 calories — so muscle increases your metabolic rate. Learn about “Metabolic Syndrome and Weight Loss.” 3. A diet is the best way to lose weight In the short-term “dieting,” that is following a prescriptive plan of eating fewer calories for a period of time, results in weight loss. But the weight loss is only temporary and weight is regained when former eating habits are resumed. Instead, find a way to eat healthy forever. That’s the way to lose weight and keep it off. More articles on Eating Healthy after weight loss surgery! 4. An entree salad is the low-cal choice on the menu Salads can be a very healthy choice — or a very unhealthy choice! A general rule of thumb might be the yummier that you make a salad the less healthy it becomes. Watch those toppings: cheeses, candied walnuts, dressing — yikes! Panera Bread’s Fuji Apple Chicken Salad has 580 calories, and 30 grams fat, 7 grams saturated fat. Compare that to a McDonald’s double cheeseburger with 440 calories, and 23 grams fat, 11 grams saturated fat. More Unhealthy Foods we think are healthy! 5. Skipping meals speeds up weight loss Not eating actually slows down metabolism. So to keep your metabolism going eat a healthy breakfast, followed by healthy lunch and dinner, several hours apart. Not eating also can cause ravenous hunger later in the day, which may drive you to overindulge. Check out this Healthy Lunch Solution after Bariatrics! 6. “Light” foods are better Light foods may contain fewer calories or fat, but not without increasing sodium, sugar, chemical additives, or artificial sweeteners. A serving of fat-free cream cheese is only 15-calories less than the real, full-fate version. But the sodium content is 11 milligrams more. Sodium is a major cause of bloating. Add to that, when people perceive a food as light they tend to eat more of it, sometimes consuming more calories than if they had eaten the real version. Read “The Bitter Truth about Aspartame” 7. A gluten-free diet will help you lose weight A gluten-free diet is assumed to be a no-carb diet. That is not true. A gluten-free product replaces gluten-containing grains like wheat flour with non-gluten-containing grains like rice flour. Both wheat flour and rice flour are high in carbohydrates — and gluten-free pastries are high in calories. A gluten-free diet was designed for people with Celiac Disease, an autoimmune disorder in which the small intestine cannot digest gluten. Read “Gluten-Free is Unhealthy and Expensive” 8. Over-the-counter diet pills help weight loss The Federal Trade Commission charged four weight loss companies with fraud. The companies charged with deceptive marketing practices include diet products we’ve all seen nationally-advertised: HCG Diet Direct, Sensa Products, LeanSpa, and L’Occitane. Talk to your doctor about your options for safe and effective medications for weight loss, combined with dietary and physical activity improvements. Learn about Getting Active after weight loss. This information was sourced from authoritative sources and is shared for informational purposes only. Use your best judgement and consult with your trusted healthcare provider before changing your diet and exercise habits. Living larger than ever, My Bariatric Life

Yes. My insurance company Medica required it and for me there was no getting around it if I wanted it covered. I too had started with a doctor that was not a part of a center of excellence and had to switch. I will say I am very happy that I did because of the enormous care system put in place by my center of excellence. For me I think it was a blessing. So much so that I have moved states and insurance companies and bought insurance that has my center of excellence in another state covered in network. I just did not want to change because they are so good. So now, I drive 6 hours for an appointment but am thrilled with the care and level of service I get because they are a center of excellence. Some of the benefits for me were: a team of bariatric specialists who many have gone through this surgery themselves. I have a nurse assigned to me and she herself had bypass 14 years ago, my nutritionist, psychologist, bariatrician and surgeon are all right there in the clinic and speak to one another. . The clinic is set up for bariatric patients in a way that makes it more comfortable. Larger chairs, examine rooms, equipment. Even the hospital where they performed my surgery. They have a bariatric wing, each bariatric suite private. I was shocked how well I was treated and how comfortable they made me. I am not sure if they are all like that but I know they had to earn their status. I hope things work out for you and you are able to work through it in a way that makes you happy.

i love the recipes from Bariatric Eating www.bariatriceating.com great stuff! high Protein, low carb. and the Desserts are good too!

I heard the same thing from two of my friends (both over weight). One of them said her moms friend had it about a month ago and had to go back in the hospital due to complications (but shes 20 years older than me and smoked for like 30 years). And my coworker says her aunt is a bariatric nurse and told her about all the complications. I just changed the subject bc I don't need to hear that crap 2 weeks pre-op...I'm scared enough. Plus ive done my research. But I'll be interested to hear what they have to say 6 months from now. I won't be surprised if they are asking for my Dr's name and number!

I have medicare. Even though they covered me they didn't actually pay for much of the surgery. I payed mostly out of pocket. I believe your BMI needs to be atleast 35. Here is an article on it. Medicare Issues Bariatric Surgery Policy Guidelines — DOC NEWS

I use myfitnesspal. I've used it for a number of years and generally find it's the best and easiest to use. There are a couple of things you have to get used to: Anyone can add a new food, This can be a blessing if what you find in the database does not work for you. Don't find what you need? Add it. The downside is that some common foods have dozens of entries and a fair number of them will be wrong. The entries that have been verified as correct by staff have green checkmarks, so you'd be well advised to look for those. It's not as easy is log small portions accurately of some foods because not all entries have weights in grams (or even ounces). They may only have a "serving", so you're stuck estimating a percentage. This is compounded by issue #1 in that you may have to look through multiple entries to find a "good" one. The flip side is that if you do find an accurate entry that is properly entered by weight, our small portions are fairly easy to accurately enter. Both Meals and Recipes can be built and saved. This generally works well, except that when building a recipe, you can't see all the nutrition info for an ingredient. This can be a problem again due to issue #1 above. What you find you have to do is check after you add the entry if it looks right. if not, it's back to editing and finding a different ingredient entry. Lately I've been seeing a lot of glitches, especially around my water consumption. I'll add water, then check again later to find that it's missing. Finally the biggest gripe: this program is not customized for bariatric patients. At the end of the day if you "Complete This Entry", you'll get a nasty message telling you that you're not eating enough.

I am in the Liver Reduction portion of the plan, so I'm drinking 5 Protein shakes a day. What I do is buy Jello sugar free / Fat Free pudding mix flavors to mix it up some. I have Vanilla Bariatric Advantage shake mix, Water, then add a couple of ice cubes, then a teaspoon of the Jello mix (they have chocolate, lemon, butterscotch, cheesecake, white chocolate, etc). That little teaspoon really changes the flavor of the shake and keeps it from being so boring.....works for me at least!! Just be sure to buy the sugar free/ fat free version!