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I'm going to Mexico July 15th because my insurance excludes all bariatric surgery. My BMI is 37. Out-of-pocket here would be almost $20,000 after all hidden charges. In Mexico, it is $7,000 and that includes EVERYTHING except airfare to San Diego. I am going to Dr. Aceves and believe me I did a LOT of research before deciding on him. Maybe you should check it out. Lots of info online about Mexico. Christine

Try some other blogs, like Bariatric Foodie, Dashing Dish, and The World According to Eggface. My surgery was on June 19, so I'm right where you are. This week I'm planning to try some short ribs in the slow cooker & some roasted cauliflower "mashed potatoes", because I'm craving comfort food. We also have some salmon fillets that I think I can handle. I saw a crustless spinach quiche the other day that looked really good, and I can make individual ones in a muffin tin. I know that's eggs, but maybe it's still different enough from what you've been doing?

Hi I am T. I am a 33 year old teacher. I am happily married with two young children. I have been stuggling with my weight for my ENTIRE life. I am very interested in the lap band and I have made my first step by making an appointment at temple university hospital. One of my friends was banded there last year and has lost 70 pounds. Her success is my inspiration. I am also looking into the Bariatric Clinic in Langhorne, PA...does anyone have any postive or negative information about either place? Any info would be appreciated! Thanks!:biggrin2:

At the seminar, my Bariatric Center said a girl would be calling with my 7 appointments-- I almost freaked!! Yep, 3 hospital tests, psych eval with psychiatrist, two visits to the pulmonologist, one to the cardiologist (plus the stress test back at the hospital!)--then I had to schedule my six monthly visits to the nutritionist my insurance company required. Mix in two visits to my PCP trying to get my letter, and then another complete battery of tests at the hospital before surgery. Your story, as Jack so aptly stated, is OUR story. And yes, the co-pays (PTL for insurance) were wretched--in a year when gasoline is at a premium, the Bariatric Center is 50 miles from home, with the majority of the doctors at least that. And yet none of it will be enough to claim on the income tax... :think My final words to you are: IT IS SO WORTH IT!!!

I have been on lisinopril myself, not a bad med at all. Don't stress, that won't do you any good. Relax, it sounds as though you have a,pretty good cardiologist who's right on top of things. Only cardiac anomaly my cardio and I are watching now is I have a slightly dialated aortic root but since it's still within normal range she cleared me for my bariatric surgery. My cardiologist is absolutely wonderful, I would recommend her to anyone. I was fearful as there are heart issues running in my family, I've been through ultrasounds, stress tests and even heart caths and so far (at 72) I am doing very well. I am praying your issues straighten out, I believe they will . Let's get you straightened up,so you can join me this spring or summer in surgery! You are going to get better, now smile and relax because things are getting set right.[emoji14][emoji14]I am always here for you, Okay? Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

I had my banded plication in July of this year and it is wonderful. No problems so far and agree with RayLandry about serving size. I also have had no saline in my band. I think I have the super-sleeve because I can eat almost anything, I only have minor problems with eggs. But my bariatric surgeon said that is very common. Hope this helps.

Serum fat-soluble vitamin deficiency and abnormal calcium metabolism after malabsorptive bariatric surgery https://link.springer.com/article/10.1016/j.gassur.2003.09.020

Ok, here's some thoughts and perhaps some tough love.... Yes. I'm wondering if your doctor didn't tell you this? A lot of posts I read here I'm finding that what doctors do and don't tell their patients varies wildly and I find a lot of folks maybe didn't really understand what they were getting into. I fear this may be the case for you...you had certain expectations that weren't properly set by your surgeon. Here's the take from my doctor. Yes, you can eat around the band. You can eat pretty much all the stuff. That's why the band isn't for everyone. The band takes work. It's about a 50-50 match of you and your band, the weight doesn't just "fall off" while you happily eat whatever you want. It was never designed to do that. I'm pretty sad because I think your surgeon left out some details in the pre-screening. This would be true of any surgery. There is no surgery out there that takes this away. For some of us in this world, sadly, we were given the burden of always obsessing about food and our weights. So is this all bad news? No, because over time with some work, things can improve. I believe if you've "got the demon", you always will. It's basically an addiction.... But there are times the demon can be quieter than others. I know this is a rather unpopular thing to say...but from my own experience, the only way I've ever been able to get that damn demon to hush a bit is through talk therapy with a trained counselor. There is a lot behind food addictions and food issues. A LOT of mental and emotional stuff. And for better or worse, having a bariatric surgery makes you have to take a real good hard look at that.... It's up to each of us to decide how to work with that..... If you are eating chips and crackers and not Proteins and veggies, then no, the band isn't going to work for you. And if, as you mention later, that what you are supposed to be eating hurts too much to eat, then I have news for you..... You Are Too Tight. This falls right into my surgeon's rules regarding fills. If you are overfilled, you will make bad choices and not lose weight. He's seen this time and again. It's counterintuitive, I know...but it's true. I was overfilled and I gained weight. The rule is "I'd rather see you be too loose and eat too much chicken than too tight and eat around the band (ie chips, crackers, ice cream)" (<-- loosely paraphrased) No. I think you should make an appointment with your doctor and talk to him/her about what you've said here. And how frustrated you are, and how you think you might be too tight. And you have to look deep within yourself and remember what your motivation was to be banded in the first place..... See, now I'm beginning to be suspicous about this doctor of yours....is there another dr anywhere nearby that you can go to for fills because that type of attitude is just crap, in my humblest of opinions. Yeah. I really do think you need an unfill. Hate to break it to you....gastric bypass...you would be having the exact same problems you are now. Sure, you would have lost like a banshee for the first year while you "dumped" and freaked out your body's insulin for the first year from all the carbs from chips and crackers..... And then after the first year, all loss would have stopped....and if you kept eating like you are, the weight would start coming right back on. Because there is NO surgery in the world that allows you to eat anything and everything you want and NOT diet or exercise or work through food issues. No, that's exactly right. And it sounds like your doctor never told you that. And THAT is very concerning to me because everyone should get a long detailed and rather stern lecture about this very point. The band is not a magic bullet. Neither is gastric bypass, or "the sleeve" or verticle gastrectomy or duedenal switch or ANY of the bariatric surgeries out there. There is no magic bullet. There, I've said it. I've spent a lifetime looking for it and would sure love to find it....but it just doesn't exist. What exists is a lot of us with a lot of pain and sad thoughts and troubles with food. And everyday we have to fight a little harder. And you, my friend, are one tired soldier today. I get that. I really do. Ok....now...you've had a chance to think about it. I'm holding out my hand...are you ready to stand up and give it another try?

My surgeon/ endoscopic person wanted me at 90-120 for ulcer healing, 1/2 9f my goal weight would be approximate a. little less than 90, wasn't getting it P.O. so I am on TPN, working it all out. And how long this all goes, in the hands of the bariatric Gods, the Saints in Heaven, my doctors, my body's reactions. This is. a story📖 still being written📝, a lot of plot twists and I have no clue how it all resolves.💻

Hi gang! I'm not sure if you guys remember, but I have BC/BS PPO Michigan, individual coverage. They just removed all bariatric procedures from their coverage this past January 2009. They said it is just not covered. My doctor CALLED them this past Friday, and I'm not sure who he talked to, but my status moved from "denied" to "pending".... my agent who is my liaison with BC/BS told me they don't cover, no exceptions... however, it looks like they might actually consider this? I'm not going to hold my breath.... I'm probably going to have to pay somewhere about $6-8K for the procedure (I'm getting hiatal hernia surgery along with it) out of pocket, which I was prepared for... but can I actually HOPE that my insurance company is going to do what's right, and cover this for me?? I am not getting my hopes up... but it sure would be nice not to have to pay that much $$ for my surgery! I'm taking prayers where I can get them! Karen

Hi, can you tell me what happened with this? I had the same thing happen with UHC in February. Last week I exhausted my final appeal and the bariatric center told me I'd have to go somewhere else, because they do not offer a self pay or financing option.😨

That is the common coverage for bariatric surgery, having a BMI 40 or over or a BMI of 35 or over with two comorbidity factors. The surgery has to be medically necessary for them to cover it under insurance. They're not going to pay for someone who doesn't need it to have it.

Marc Zare is Dr. Marc Zare, bariatric surgeon in San Jose, CA.

help help i accidently posted a new thread about 4 times 60 years young, 2 yrs PO, GOAL please delete 3 of them thanx kathy

I had my surgery with Dr. Wilhelmy at Mexicali Bariatric Center. I am very happy, it was a GREAT experience, the hospital is impeccable and the team wonderful! I have lost 40 lbs in 7 weeks so I couldn't be happier.

@Goodlife1206: My apprehension has abated some, now that I've talked to my psychologist. The more I think about it, the more I realize that my positive attitude and determination will give me the strength to help me see this journey all the way through. I cannot let the fear of the "unknown" or fear of "failure" stop me from doing what I know is right in my heart, which is living a healthy, successful lifestyle. I, like you, have tried a 'gazillion' times only to tell myself, "This is just too hard, can't do it." But I have come to the conclusion that if I can quit smoking cold turkey after 30 years of putting my body through unnecessary sickness, then I can spend the next 30 years trying to make up for it by treating my body right. Attitude is everything, my friend. Thank you for your post and good luck with your journey. I am here if you'd like to talk further. Well, I went for my psych evaluation today and just as I suspected...I am certifiably crazy lol. Actually, It wasn't quite as bad as I thought it would be. Dr. and I talked for about 30 minutes, then I took a computer test and two short paper tests, which consisted mostly of common sense questions, my opinion about myself and basically making sure I had the good sense to follow instructions and maintain my weight and health with serious dedication. After all was completed, Dr. let me know after evaluating all my tests that his recommendation is "I am a good candidate for this surgery". Again, the only apprehension I have is the fact that 85% of my stomach will be permanently removed and I just want reassurance (especially from previous patients) that, provided I follow instructions and recommendations, there won't be any "ongoing, major complications". After all, once I do this, there's no turning back. I believe in my heart and soul that I have the desire, determination, will power and support to make this a successful journey. I've done my homework through research, reviews, asking a lot of questions, weighing my options, etc. I quit smoking cold turkey on May 27, 2014 and have lost 17 pounds from 06/25/14 through today's date (07/17/14) simply by following the 'pre-pre diet' my bariatric clinic recommended to help me get used to the upcoming pre/post surgery diet. So far, so good. I plan on keeping a journal and updating everyone so that if anyone has questions, just as I have, maybe my personal experience can help them through and make their transition experience a little easier for them. I will post pics soon. Again, feel free to question or comment on your personal experience so I can get a "heads up" on your trials and tribulations of the sleeve surgery. Thanks for all your input!

I get getting ready to order some samples from My Bariatric Kitchen. I have a nectar sampler in my cart and a Pantry Selections hot chocolate sampler. 1. Any additional items I should try? 2. Suggestions for other sites to get samples? Thanks

The surgeon is Dr Fielding at NYU in ny... He's supposedly one of the world leaders in all bariatric surgeries... For him it's a numbers game. Having a leak is HORRIBLE and possibly fatal, and the band has nearly equal weight loss over a 5 year period... I don't know, I'm really upset.

I am scheduled to have my sleeve done with Dr. Umbach and I am curious what experiences others on this forum have had with him and his office Blossom Bariatrics?

I've stuck to only getting weighed at my bariatric follow ups and PCP visits. So, I really only see my weight every 3-4 weeks. It's sometimes more if I'm sick. I'm actually anxious now about my current weight because I want to know if I've dropped below 200. However, I'm going to hold off until my three month follow up on Thursday. When you don't weigh yourself as often, then you aren't even aware of the stalls. It's not like you can do much about them anyway. Just keep following your plan and it will happen.

Let's see if I recall enough about kosher eating. meats and dairy are supposed to be separated from other and pigs have cloved feet but they don't chew cud. Nope not kosher! Bariatric kosher though, as I recall it is Protein first so... Beef, yep. Shrimp, yep. Bacon, yep. Cream cheese, yep. Rosemary, nope. Lime juice, nope. The yeppers have it for the bariatric kosher win!

Thanks to the many responses back in January when I first posted this topic. The short version: On day of surgery I was 1 pound 2 oz. below 35 bmi and Hospital Bariatric Director, refused to honor the approved procedures from Aetna. I was in the pre-op room in my surgical gown, being made to pony up $9,000 to still have the surgery that day. So I Did,and had the surgery When I had first complained to Aetna,in January, the person from Aetna said rules are rules and sorry but you no longer met the requirements for Insurance payout. After beating my head on the wall and shedding a few tears in frustration, I called and talked to Aetna Supervisor the next day that told me to submit it.Surgery was December 16th, 2015 and on March 21st Aetna, three months later,said the $9,000 has been paid out to the hospital / Doctor. The hospital has told me that a credit to my card account is pending, yah! But the Dr. office, NO SURPRISE, is saying "We don't know anything, yet" .I know without a doubt, that they are going to be a p.i.a. to get my money back. I will update this topic as it unfolds. I talked to the nicest lady, EVER, at Aetna that called the hospital for me, to first verify the payout this Tuesday, and yes, she called the Dr. office,also, but the billing girl was out of the office . [What a Surprise].The Dr. office, when I called today, said they would call me right back, [they didn't], so next week will try to get the Aetna 'Nice Lady' back on the phone to call the Dr. office for me. Moral of this Topic, Don't give up on what you know is right, get the right people involved and by all means, post your problems and your rewards here to share and to gain input from others that may have gone thru what you have.

Starspring--Sorry to see that you are struggling. But this is now June and, assuming you are healing well physically from the surgery by now, it's pretty important that you are nourishing yourself better than it sounds like you are. Have you said these words to the bariatric team in charge of your post-op care? It's their job to help you--bug them until you are on the right track. If you feel you need help with depression, talk with a therapist. It might be that a short-term anti-depression could help you. Or, if you have ever looked into relaxation techniques such as meditation or just simply belly breathing, those things can help alot. You probably have no energy and are irritable and feeling depressed because neither your body nor your brain are getting the nutrients they need. It's hard to fight for ourselves to do what we know we have to do, especially when we're not feeling up to par, but it's what we HAVE to do. We are the ones who have to find a Protein drink that ISN'T too sweet for us; we have to find a way to get the liquids in that we are required to have. If swallowing Vitamins are a problem, there are alternatives--there are bariatric approved chews and liquids. The challenges of bariatric surgery are MANY. But you CAN tackle them. You must begin tackling them, and the other ones that will come up, so that you can have the good quality life that you expect as a result of choosing to have WLS.

In doing research to stay one step ahead for after surgery I came across this website on vitamins after bariatric surgery. It explains symptoms of vitamins deficiency. Hope this helps you and a lot of other people with the very same symptoms now and in the future. http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/111412p50.shtml

I do a lot of meal prep! I go shopping usually on Sundays (sometimes a separate trip to the farmers market). I get meat and veggies. I cut everything up in one day. I put it in zip-lock baggies and use them to marinade or spice the meat at the same time. Sometimes I do skewers, which are fun. I will mix up the veggies this way. I like to do a brussel sprout, chicken, and cherry tomato skewer. I make my own bariatric friendly marinades as well. I just play around with different options. I will cook more meat on Sundays and Wednesdays for lunches. I make salads as well, with added protein source. I usually use chicken or soy meat. The most important thing, I always go to the store with a list. I never allow myself to browse. In fact, I really don't go to the grocery store ever anymore. I utilize grocery pick up and order online. It keeps me from getting things I don't need.