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I am 5 yrs post op sleeve, and 3 mons post op SIPS. I am loosing really slow in pounds, but inches are coming off. I was around 282 on day of surgery, and now I am bouncing between 263-267. Been fluctuating like this forever it seems. Although both my bariatric team and my nut are happy with my progress.

I had to do tons of pre op tests like sleep studies, upper GI and even my gallbladder out. After that my insurgence said they wanted 6 month supervised diet. THEN after that my insurance denied me. My BMI was a 52 and then still denied. Luckily I have a great bariatric center and they appealed it and FINALLY I got approved as medically necessary and 3 days later got banded. It's different for everybody but definitely look into what your insurance covers . Good luck

I just had my psych assessment and was told that she (the therapist would hold onto the assessment until I complete sessions with an eating D/O therapist. She couldn't be the therapist since she doesn't take my insurance. When I called the Bariatric Center they told me to call her back and tell her to send the assessment to them, that she can't "hold" back on this. My question is this: How long to do I have to go to therapy? Three months, six months, etc? I don't know if I will be able to afford this for an extended period. Thanks, Pangea

I think your doctor has given you a really skewed sense of what to expect. (This is not particularly uncommon, since most surgeons have not been banded, and many really do not pay a great deal of attention to their patients' aftercare, and therefore don't have a realistic view themselves.) Restriction is likely quite a way down the road for you. I have 7.3 ccs in my 11 cc band and can still freely drink fluids. Other people get restriction sooner, but I have only, with my most recent fill, experienced difficulties with any foods at all---and they've been very few and very minor. Still, in this working-toward-ideal-restriction phase, I've been consistently practicing the things I need to do---taking very small bites, chewing well, etc. (You sound like you're doing this, too.) Do try to make use of this time to build other good habits with your band (like choosing the right foods in the right amounts). I know you've only described a couple of incidents, but it does sound like you've got a tiny bit of push-the-envelope-itis going on. You say that you "don't feel anything," and describe behavior in response that seems to almost challenge your band to see what you can get away with. This is not a good idea so early on. Stick with okayed foods in the amounts recommended. If you ever do run into difficulties getting enough Protein, I think the Inspire protein powders from Bariatric Eating are really, really good.

Almost immediately after surgery I felt very hot. I had the temperature turned down to 65 degrees in the room. Freezing everyone out. It did go away though. I would have episodes everyday for a little while and it wasn't dumping as I was on clear fluids followed by full liquids. As we heal our bodies tend to run hotter it promotes healing. Sometimes we will develop low grade fevers as we heal. I just made sure to check my vitals at home everyday after surgery. Temperature, blood sugar, blood pressure and pulse. I logged it every day along with my food and liquid intake and how I was feeling that day. It is a tremendous tool. If it persists call your surgeon and express your concerns. You employed them to do your surgery. It is their job to care for you and monitor you. Utilize them...everything is going to be alright. Keep up that communication. I am now approaching the one year mark and have reached my surgeons goal weight and am almost to my personal goal weight of 135 lbs. If you should need any encouragement or tips feel free to message me. I have really enjoyed becoming a mentor and have a passion and thirst for all knowledge regarding bariatric surgery. You are going to have a lot of new and different sensations within your body but remember you are now physically different. New sounds, new sensations...you are going to do great! Take time to heal well. Don't push it, especially in regards to lifting. Let those wounds heal.

Hey Renewed! I have the same problem. It's not so much that I am hungry though, I just get the munchies. I have a lot of trouble going to sleep at night, so my "normal" bedtime is around 2:00 am. During the winter months, I would make a big cup of SF hot apple cider, diet hot chocolate, or a chai tea latte. All of these were hardly any calories and they actually calmed my cravings. Since it's not cold anymore, I've been snacking on SF Popsicles at night. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't. Here lately, I've been trying to eat 5-6 really small meals a day and that has helped some. The meals are small enough to hold me over without actually getting hungry and it feels like I am getting to eat more food. It also keeps that metabolism going. These are just a few suggestions that have helped me a little. Believe me, you're not alone. I think a lot of us bandsters have the "night eating" problem and it just takes time to get it under control, kinda like trial and error. I know I still struggle with it. Hope you get it figured out soon.

When I google, the following turns up at a Medicare site: Certain bariatric surgery procedures for treatment of co-morbidities associated with morbid obesity are considered reasonable and necessary under the Social Security Act (Section1862(a)(1)(A)) if the following conditions are satisfied: 1. The Medicare beneficiary: Has a body-mass index (BMI) > 35, Has at least one co-morbidity related to obesity (such as diabetes or hypertension), and Has been previously unsuccessful with medical treatment for obesity. 2. The Procedure is performed in an approved facility listed at Bariatric Surgery on the CMS website.

As you begin the process of weight loss by changing what you eat, you’ll quickly feel better (and lighter). For example, look at the difference in what you now purchase at the grocery store since your operation--you see much more ‘real food’ and far fewer pre-packaged items in the grocery cart now, that's for sure. But fruits, vegetables, protein drinks and lean cuts of meat cost more than pre-packaged junk food, which can be attributed to one of the reasons some lower income people lose the battle with obesity. Since you’ve made a decision to change your life, including what you eat, you’re going to be buying several of these healthier options in bulk, as they will serve as the new staples in your nutrition plan. Your dietitian and bariatric support team will prescribe some foods and drinks that you will consume just about every day so it makes sense to buy these items in volume. I love Facebook. It’s a way I can stay in touch with my patients (and their families) here in New Jersey between office visits and once they are on maintenance after reaching goal weight. I recently posted a query asking my post-op patients what healthy staple items they buy from the big warehouse stores—BJ’s, Costco, Sam’s Club--and I received many helpful responses that I’d like to share with you. Armed with these terrific recommendations below, you’ll eat healthier, save time, money and require fewer trips to the grocery store during your weight loss journey. “What "go-to" items do you purchase from warehouse stores since weight loss surgery?” · Premier protein shakes · Protein bars · Sam’s chicken sausage with mozzarella · Muscle Milk · Liter bottles of water · Optimum Nutrition protein powders · Frozen Mahi Mahi filets · Cranberry almond chicken salad in 4 oz. cups. · Chicken breasts and ground turkey · Baby Bell light cheese · Frozen veggies · Veggie burgers · Salmon fillets · Fresh spinach · Probiotic 10 and Fiber Gummies · Ready-to-eat veggie tray · Gold Standard Whey, Kirkland Fiber Caps, Opti-Fiber, Kirkland Calcium Citrate · Mini cucumbers · Bagged chopped kale salad · Kirkland plain Greek yogurt · Kirkland citrus green tea, Crystal Light · Figgy Pops, Healthy Choice fudge bars · Quinoa · Chia seeds If you are a member of these clubs, take an hour or two and really peruse the aisles in search of healthy products that support your nutrition plan. Keep in mind, many food items can be frozen and thawed when you need it to avoid spoilage. Ask your IWL dietitian for more ideas or bring in a sample of a food or drink you’re not sure of (take a screen shot of the nutrition label before you buy it). If you’d like to friend me on Facebook, I can be found here.

I do eat gummy multi vits .iI is hard for me to swallow vits. I do take a B 12 shot once a month. Multivitamins in the am and evening. In addition, Iron with C. You can go to Bariatric Advantage to order your stuff. They also have guidelines of what you should be taking after sleeve or bypass surgery. My hospital gave me my vit/ min recommendations.

Hello Everyone, I'm terrified that I have a stricture, as I've had a couple episodes of food coming up. But the last two days I have become more and more full as the days wears on and it feels like my stomach stays full. Tonight I could not get in enough food before my stomach started hurting. Does this sound like a stricture? If so, I've read an EGD and dilation is done. Does your bariatric surgeon do that? I ask because mine is on maternity leave so I'm scared of what will happen. How soon would this surgery take place? I'm hoping I can at least take protein shakes but I'm burping after every sip. Any advice or information from those who have gone through this would be great. Thanks. Laura

Recently an acquaintance told me about seeing an obese man on TV who claimed that bariatric surgery hadn’t worked for him. “How can it NOT work?!” Patsy exclaimed. There’s no simple answer to that question. In the past I’ve written about why weight loss surgery fails (read the article here: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/page/index.html/_/support/why-does-weight-loss-surgery-fail-r88). Today I’d like to revisit the topic and focus on how our expectations affect the perception of as well as the ultimate success or failure of WLS. BARIATRIC MYTHOLOGY Some powerful myths influence our beliefs about and expectations of WLS. An especially insidious one that affects both bariatric patients and the general public is that WLS is essentially magic, requiring little or no effort on the patient’s part to achieve the desired weight loss. Hence the infamous and heinous phrase: “Weight loss surgery is taking the easy way out.” This magic myth has a corollary one that purports that the weight lost as a result of bariatric surgery is weight lost forever, again without any effort on the part of the patient. Sorry, but that’s not true either. While the whole point of bariatric surgery is to make weight loss easier, it does not eliminate the need for hard work by the patient. No bariatric surgery can cure obesity, which is a chronic, recurring disease. That doesn’t mean that succeeding with WLS means you’re sentenced to a lifetime of hard labor, dragging heavy chains and digging ditches, but it does mean that in the long term a successful patient is one who takes responsibility for his or her eating behavior, weight management, and general health. Reading the paragraph above may serve to shatter some illusions that you held dear, but when would you rather face the truth: early in your journey, or later? Although I was once a bandster like you, I lost my beloved band and recently converted to vertical sleeve gastrectomy. I have to tell you that despite all my advance research and preparation, the reality of living with a sleeved stomach is giving me a bad case of buyer’s remorse, but there’s no going back now. Seventy-five percent of my stomach is gone forever, but living with what’s left and finding a way to eat and to manage my weight now is an ongoing challenge. And I’ve heard countless stories from all kinds of bariatric patients about the challenges they face after surgery. Anyone who promises you a completely sunny picture of the future is either mistaken or trying to avoid bursting your bubble. BAND MYTHS There are a number of myths related to the adjustable gastric band. One of them is that slower weight loss with the band will prevent sagging or excess skin, and that just ain’t so. A more dangerous myth, peculiar to bandsters, is that fills cause weight loss and unfills cause weight gain. While fluid adjustments are an important part of how the AGB works,the fluid is NOT what causes weight loss. In fact, there is absolutely nothing in any part of the band system (the band, the tubing, and the port) that causes weight loss. The band does not directly affect the way nutrients from food are ingested or metabolized. It releases no weight loss instructions into the patient’s bloodstream, nervous system, or endocrine system. It doesn’t directly affect the patient’s eating behavior or exercise habits. It doesn’t compel the patient to make good food choices, limit portion sizes, eat slowly, or resist the urge to graze or binge because of boredom, stress, cravings, etc. Weight loss results from eating fewer calories than you burn, and the band helps with that by reducing your appetite and causing early and prolonged satiety. Those features are related to the pressure of the band against the stomach and the consumption of solid food whose mechanical digestion triggers the vagus nerves in the upper stomach to send satiety signals to the brain. If the patient ignores those signals, the calories taken in may exceed the calories burned, slowing or preventing weight loss. And since weight is affected by many other factors entirely unrelated to the band (like medications, hormone imbalance, etc. etc.), all we can do is to concentrate on the ones that are within our control and understand that it’s a fallacy to attribute weight loss to the band or to fills. One harmful consequence of the fills=weight loss myth is that the patient seeks more and more fills in the quest for “perfect restriction” (also a myth) or the legendary (but also mythical) “sweet spot.” This patient tends to tolerate side effects and eating problems that can cause serious damage to them and their band because they’re so focused on finding that perfect but elusive fill level and believes (erroneously) that the more fluid in their band, the better. When you suggest to this person that they may actually need less, not more fluid in their band (so that they can eat healthy, solid food instead of not-so-healthy slider foods), they react with panic, so aren’t able to make a good decision and may not even be willing to tell their surgeon about the eating problems they experience. Please don’t read this article thinking that my purpose is to discourage you. I’m the eternal optimist who believes in self-fulfilling prophecies. If you’re determined to lose weight and work hard at it, you can indeed use your band to reach your weight goal. The key phrase in that sentence is “work hard at”. There’s just no getting around that, so if your expectation is that you’ll lose weight effortlessly, you’re probably going to be disappointed in your band, yourself, or both. Your band can assist your weight loss efforts by providing early and prolonged satiety, but it’s not going to make good food choices, control portion sizes, make you exercise, be vigilant with aftercare, win you cash and prizes, or turn you into America’s next top model. On the other hand, believing that you will succeed and working hard to learn and change what you need to in order to lose weight will greatly increase your chances of becoming a bariatric superstar. And when stardom comes from hard work, it is much, much sweeter and longer lasting than stardom that falls at random out of the sky!

I meant to post back in March but been busy with life. I hope all of you are doing well and staying safe. For those who got sick with the virus or lost loved ones, I offer my deepest thoughts and sympathies. I was part of the group who got the by-pass done just before everything went on lockdown last year. It's been quite the journey. I've been fortunate to have been able to work from home all of this time, although I do expect to return to the office sometime later this year. To date, I have lost 92 lbs. since the start of my bariatric journey and 104 lbs. from my highest weight. I had the surgery at 62 years of age and I was pre-diabetic, with high blood pressure and a BMI of over 44 and Stage 2 kidney disease. My highest dress size was 24 and I had severe acid reflux, back, knee and feet problems. At present, I can likely get into a size 18 and my bust size has gone from DDD to DD. I absolutely have no regrets getting the surgery -- it likely saved my life in many ways. Pre surgery I did a lot of reading on here as I wanted to know as much as I could about what to expect and I appreciated those who were 6-12 months out from surgery coming back to talk about their experiences, so I wanted to pay it forward. I will begin by breaking this into 4 sections: How I feel, What I think about myself, What I appreciate about myself now, and My work in progress. How I Feel: Physically I feel great and I consider that a blessing. I still have problems with my feet but that is mainly due my falling arches more than anything (although I did strain my ankle a few weeks ago attempting to do HIIT exercises -- don't ask). I've been most frustrated not being able to go to the gym to workout so my main exercise is walking long distances and doing online sculpturing classes. I do plan to return to the gym soon to step up the weight training. Walking up a flight of stairs without gasping for air is just simply divine! Having blood pressure that avg. 117/75? Lovely! I do still have to sleep somewhat elevated as I do have occasional bouts of reflux but nothing like before the surgery and I can't sleep on my right side for too long. But I can now sleep on my back without having severe back pain (the draw back is that my mouth is always open when I do). My blood work for the most part shows most areas in the normal ranges and my kidneys are functioning well. What I think about myself: When I was still in my 20s, I managed to lose 80 pounds and I gained it all back and then some. What is different about me now vs. then is that I still saw myself as fat, even though at that time, I was 16 pounds away from my goal weight. When I look at the pictures of me then, I couldn't see what I see of myself now. Even if I never lose another pound, I am so very cool with me being at this size right now. We are all different, especially us women, but yet we compare our bodies to an image that is not necessarily natural or realistic for most of us. Now I look in the mirror and I 'see' skinny and that's only because I'm tall and can carry more weight without 'looking' fat. That's also why the bottom line for me will always be the numbers on the scale, the volume of food I eat and the calories I ingest because the numbers don't lie. But poor body imagery can screw your mind up every time. What I appreciate about myself now: I think that it's so important to note the things that most folk who are thinner often take for granted. I try to keep a mental list of the things I can do now vs. before: Crossing my legs! I so love doing this! I can cross my legs without needing to hold my leg in place with my hand. I can keep my legs crossed for long periods of time without leg cramps; I can get a 4.5 mile walk in within 1 hr, 15 min vs. the 1 hr. 45 mins. in the past. I was able to work up to 10 miles in one session last year; Love having a resting heart rate in the 50s-60s; I can actually go to Costcos and buy some clothes! I haven't yet done so, but I will be able to start shopping for clothes in the non plus size section (that will still feel weird though); I like the fact that it can take me 2-3 days to finish a meal that I would normally eat in one meal. Volume control is a major game changer for me. I can't believe that I don't miss ice cream! My Work in Progress: The weight loss is slooooooooooooooooooooow now. I'm so close to that major milestone of onederland that I can taste it! Drinking enough water is still a struggle; Yes, sometimes I do overeat (and yeah, I pay for that!) Some foods that I like I can't really eat that much of anymore. I have to remind myself to make sure I get in enough protein. The protein drinks really helps even now. I still feel somewhat guilty when I have to throw food away because I'm full. I still snack a lot and I will on occasion, have that one sweet item that I want. I don't crave sweets and I'm so very grateful about that. Interesting that I want more savory things now. Being consistent is what I have to constantly work on. So ask me anything and I will check in from time to time to answer your questions. I would love to hear from others who had the surgery just prior to the great shutdown of 2020. Whatever you do, stay true and focus on your journey. It doesn't matter when you get there, only that you do in your time.

I like the Trader Joe's High Potency Chewable Multi's. The bariatric formulations, ironically enough, have too many calories and carbs for me to be comfortable taking them. I tried adding them up one time and it would cost me something like 60 calories and 12 carbs to get my vitamins, calcium, and iron from bariatric formulations. Instead I use Trader Joe's, Citracal Petites, and for iron, whatever is on sale at CVS or the grocery store. This gets my needs met for 10 calories and 2 carbs . . . and about a fifth of the price of the special bariatric stuff! Yes, I am cheap with my dollars, calories, and carbs. I get my labs drawn regularly and my vitamin and mineral levels have always been excellent.

I haven't been on a pre-op diet which I think is really weird. The only instructions I've been given is clear liquids the day before surgery and nothing after midnight. My appointment went really well! The bariatric nurse went through everything in detail, she was really funny and reassuring. I definitely agree, it's a whirlwind! How's your liquid diet going? I've never been on one but that'll be my reality next week!

I had both surgeries at the same time. My surgeon is both a bariatric and genral- so he does both surgeries. My surgeon explaned what they did to me and basically he fixed the hernia where it will not redevelop and the way he sews the lapband in that should not be a problem either. Most people who are obese have a hiatal hernia- very common.

I am only two months Post surgery and Since I paid cash did not have to deal with any of the Bullshit you guys did with insurance. I also have a brother 3 months ahead of me so between the two of us we got experience. To put this in perspective I got as confused and buffeted as you guys are on this site. My doctor had support groups and books and flyers and found it all to be one big jumble of a mess that was not easy to understand and Since I am a typical Male - Give me a damn list and i will follow it. So I went a different route and hired a Nutritionist in my area, one that specializes in Medical diets like for cancer! Here is the program that we got calibrated in under two weeks. Not going to give you the fluff just the program - 1. Forget Food - Food is a luxury and to painful to eat and to think you have to eat enough to meet your requirements - My view Screw food - 2. Get a Blood work up from a local lab - Full work up will tell you all your vitamin levels as you currently are - you have a baseline to work off 3. First few weeks are recovery - My view Survive, It sucks! 4. Now its time to set the Nutrition plan - 15 days after surgery 5. Protein shakes from Sams are key, Be careful some shakes are loaded with Carbs and sugar, Sams has the cheapest and the best for you. - FYI I hate protien shakes but trust me this will make your life a lot easier. - Here is my recipe but you need to set your own levels ------3/4 Protein shake, w/ 1 scoop of whey protein, Ice, GNC 50 plus vitamin Powder, Nutricost Pure D-Ribose Powder (250 Grams) , frozen fruit, 2 tablespoons yogurt, and two sugars. i drink a 8oz every morning by 10 am - You will be full of energy - 1/2 Nutrition vit and min. and No way you are hungry. ----- Twice a day i take the following pills - GNC multi vitamin and Cardio vit and Bariatric Vitamin. Around 1:00 and 3:00 - ---- Twice a day i Take a vegetable blend drink with Kale and other nutrients and mixes - I buy the pre made from Sams. That is pretty much it for me every day for the last few months - I don't need any food because i have exceeded my vit and nutrients for the day and the protein. Eating is to much of a pain in the ass to me, Hurts, and Just not worth it, I was going every week for a blood work up - after 5 days of above my levels were perfect, You will feel the difference and energy level will sky rocket! Most of the issues are mental, and i fully understand - But once you plow thru the head games and get calibrated - life is way better! Best decision i ever did

I also take 2 children's multi with Iron (my nutritionist wants me to take an adult chewable like I was before surgery, but I told her I had to finish this bottle of children's...they just seem easier to chew). I take 1,200 mg of calcium citrate chewy bites, and based on my pre-op lab work, 10,000 IU's of Vitamin D since I am deficient. I haven't actually taken all of the Vitamin D since surgery. I take a chewable form of it that gets me to about 3,000 IU's. I bought the Bariatric Advantage Vitamin D that you are supposed to swallow and it should dissolve before hitting your stomach, but I've been too afraid to take it. My goal is to start this next week.

Hey I was banded yesterday by Dr. Sim's in Waco, TX I had surgery at 7:30AM and I was in recovery around 9:00AM and went to my room at providence around 9:30AM. I never knew what hit me once in surgery. However I can say that I really hurt today and my stomach is just growling big time too! But I only desire the liquid diet at the moment. I did find out that if your not having the gastric bypass then things at the hospital are different than it states in the Patient Manual at least it was for me. I was really disappointed. The 4th floor is not just for Bariatric/Lap Band patients it is for all having surgery. Whe you have the foot pumps on well good luck when having to get them off to go to the bathroom. I was not able to bed forward so I had to wait on someone to come and help me and well after an hour of waiting last night to go to the bathroom and yes the dam was ready to break someone finally came in to help me. I was told if you had bariatric surgery not the lap band then you get 2 nurses and 2 assistants per patient if you had the lap band you get who ever you can get. Now Dr. Sims was vary nice and professional I seen him 3 times before going home. He seems to be a very nice person and I was glad to have had him as my Dr. I cannot wait for my first fill. I passed the fast food resturant test this evening while waiting for my perscription at be filled at Walmart my hubby and I went and sat down in McDonalds he ate a fish sandwich and I just sat there, trust me I had no desire to eat it much less smell it. Well good luck with your up coming surgery. Sharon

I'm Austin and will be using Dr. Faulkenberry with Southwest Bariatrics..aka Capitol Surgeons Group. They will br submitting for approval for me in mid-May. I researched him thoroughly and found no negative reviews, 0 mortality and haven't been able to find any complication stats on him either. On another site his patients are telling me they have not heard of any complications either. He is named a surgeon of excellence by the Centers gor Excellence and I will be sleeved at St. David hospital which is also a Center of Excellence and he is the Medical Director of their metabolic and bariatric program. Based on all this, my assumption is his surgical skill will be very good also.

Well I called and I meet the requirements. I can make my appt with a bariatric surgeon. I have to be on a 3 month supervised diet, get a psych eval and I'm ready to go. I can't wait. Looking for a doctor to make me an appt for consultation. There's one thing...my deductible is $5K.. Whoa!!! But I don't care. I broke down and mentioned the surgery to my friend she was kind of discouraging saying every one she knows gained weight back. If his is a tool for me. I have read so many encouraging stories on here.

Vamaid, as you see your question is a common one. I've even heard doctors' staffs express exasperation over this particular hurdle imposed by insurance carriers. But I don't think it's at all unreasonable and actually think more carriers should use it. If your BMI is 51, you should have been talking to your doctor already about how to get a grip on your weight. Not to sound harsh, but obviously you are aware there is a problem and that you need medical assistance. You wouldn't be here otherwise. Going to your PCP to get help is a crucial start. That's what the insurance carriers want to see--that you are trying sincerely to get control over your weight and that bariatric surgery is not your FIRST step. Every medical authority agrees surgery should be the LAST resort in the treatment of obesity, so there needs to be some evidence of previous attempts. 6 months is not a long time. Call your PCP tomorrow and make an appointment for a physical and a serious look at your weight issues. Make sure the diagnosis of morbid obesity is in your file (the diagnosis code is 278.01). Get a diet from your doctor (they probably have a printout all ready for their patients who ask for one) and talk about an exercise plan. Then visit once a month to report your weight and talk about whatever other issues may have arisen. It's really important that your doctor's notes show your serious interest in taking control of the problem--not necessarily that the diet is working, but that YOU are working. That will let your doctor say without hesitation that you are a good candidate for surgery and will be a success. Make a list of all the diets you've tried in the past, and if you can remember note the results. (My diet history went as far back as Weight Watchers at age 8 and diet camp at age 10.) These notes all support your medical claim of being qualified for bariatric surgery, and your current doctor's records will be the cap on this file. During this time you might also want to research surgeons, visit their seminars, get whatever pre-op tests you might need out of the way, and so on. The time will pass before you know it, and you really don't have to worry about dieting yourself out of qualifying for the surgery. But you will never qualify if you don't start this process with your PCP. So call!

Hello y'all!! I'm Kristin from Calallen and I am scheduled for my Sleeve next week June 13, 2012. I have chosen Dr. Ramiro Cavazos out of San Antonio's Texas bariatric specialist. He also has done a fellowship study for bariatrics. So I feel confident in him to treat me right! I would love to meet some people for moral support and a possible work out buddy. Would be great to have monthly group meetings as well if we can find enough people! Good luck to everyone on this amazing journey and God bless!!

Hi there! I’m 38 years old in Central California. Married to my absolute best friend with the most awesome little dudes (ages 4 and 2). I’ve battled with my weight my entire life. No joke, my mom put me on my first diet in the 3rd grade, which likely set off the years of self hatred and body shaming. About 6 years ago I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia (via endoscopy), and as of late it’s really gotten significantly worse. I just had another endoscopy on Tuesday and I am awaiting results. Anyhow, since my gastroenterologist suggested I might consider bariatric surgery, as that’s the only way they will repair the hiatal hernia at my current weight (304.6)...it’s all I can think about and am doing as much research as I can. I also signed up for an online seminar at the bariatric office at my local hospital. They do three surgeries at the hospital, lap band, sleeve, and gastric bypass. I’m leaning toward the sleeve, but honestly I just don’t know which is the best option (I don’t want to do lap band, just because I’ve read that it’s not as effective at losing weight). Anyhow, can you tell me a little about your experiences with sleeve or bypass. I only know two people that have had bariatric surgery, and they both have glowing reviews... But I know it’s not all sunshine and lollipops for everyone. Thanks in advance!

@@tinkrbll Honestly this group has been my primary support system outside of my husband. There are plenty of people who would be willing to help including myself. Also I have made friends on this site that I know I will have forever. If you think you need more, the best thing for you to do is ask your surgical team if they are aware of any local support groups. Also, a therapist at least in the beginning is a huge support. I found a nurse on my Bariatric team, her name is Dorothy and she herself had RNY 12 years ago now. She is slim, feeling great and has tons of advice. You might also find resources like that with your team but if not, I am here an would be happy to help. Just click on my pic and send me a message. Good luck with your upcoming appointment! Congratulations on making the decision to get healthy.

who is your insurance with? https://secure.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/bariatric+surgeon+profile+Roger+Nagy+rlr.html Roger Carl Nagy - Surgery, General Surgery - Colorado Springs - CO - 615-533-2644 Physician Addresses 2222 N Nevada Ave Ste 5017 Colorado Springs , CO - 80907 Phone - 615-533-2644 Fax - 615-343-1355