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Someone is bound to know the answer to this one. all the Protein powders my nut recommends are whey protein isolate. We were looking at the different brands and types today,, and the carbs, sugars and protein contents were close. what are the differences between whey protein isolate,whey protein concentrate and soy protein...other than the obvious soy-milk base. how will they affect the bariatric patient. i am 6 weeks out and have no problem with milk or soy. thanks

OK, met with the bariatric surgeon today. I really like him! Dr. Hargroder in Baton Rouge, LA. He said one view of my films it looks like a "normal" sleeve, but on another view, it looks like it is larger from the back. He said he knows of possibly two reasons I may be having trouble. If my sleeve surgeon did not dissect the stomach far enough, it would have left a bulb-like protrusion on the back side, which he thinks he is seeing on the film. This would mean I have a much too big pouch. The other problem my be the hernia repair surgery he (Dr. Hargroder) performed on me when I had my band. He said it was a Nisson fundoplication (sp?) in which the upper stomach is wrapped around the esophagus. My sleeve doctor may not have unwound it and just "sleeved" (stapled) around it making a larger pouch. He also may have unwound it, cut/stapled the stomach and not wound it again - also resulting in a larger pouch and explaining why the hernia came back. So, he proposes that he look at it while removing my gallbladder and repairing my hiatal hernia. If it looks too big, he will resection it - just like the original surgery. But it would have to be pretty big to have enough room to do this. The other possibility is he may be able to do a pliacation (pleat the upper, enlarged pouch - fold it over on itself). He really won't know until he get in there to see what was done and if it looks "unusual". I think I'm having it done on 8/2 or 8/4. They will confirm with me tomorrow. Thanks, Monica

When I called back in June, she said I could get in in July. But I had to wait until my season was over. I actually just booked Thursday for November 25th. I was told to go at the beginning of the week to avoid longer wait times the day of surgery. Not sure if its a real concern or not. I have to renew my passport aswell, lol. I should get on that.

I was miserable the first two days. Then I used spanx to keep the loose stuff inside still so I wouldn’t feel pulling. I’m four weeks out and still sleep with spanx. I avoided the couch because it was too low and couldn’t get up without pain. I also bought a raised toilet seat to be independent. It was $20 on Carewell.com . Do whatever you need to do to get through it, no shame. You will get through! Talk with your bariatric professionals. They know what’s normal.

I have been taking Bariatric Advantage Protein bars and shakes for my pre-op diet and because of all the stomach issues I have been having my NUT recommended a dairy-free version. Does anyone have a soy protein they can recommend??? Thank you!

@ I'm so sorry that your insurance does not cover bariatric surgery. I know that must have been devastating for you to learn, especially after getting your hopes up. If my insurance hadn't covered it I would never have been able to afford it on my own. I'm holding out hope that some day soon the insurance industry will come around on the WLS issue, so that more people will have a chance at a healthier life. I hope you get your chance some day too!

With the sleeve you will still need Vitamins the rest of your life. YES! With either surgery you need vitamins for the rest of your life otherwise you will feel crappy and get sick!! So ... I just gotta throw my two cents in here ... I am a sleeve patient, so I cannot speak to the other bariatric procedures. It is possible to get all of your nutritional needs in through eating balanced meals and not have to take vitamins the rest of your life. Some folks who get WLS do begin a route of being very conscience of nutrition. They understand what they are putting in their bodies and feed their bodies what it needs. I am a work in progress and at this point am only doing the Vitamin B12 shots. I was doing a sublingual, but my blood tests revealed I could not get my levels up even taking them daily. But I had B12 issues even before my surgery, so ... I guess the bottom line is we are all different in our approach. Early out, it is impossible to meet your body's nutritional needs and vitamin supplementation will be required. But once you are able to eat the "normal" sleeve life and have the desire to not be on vitamins, you can get what you need through a good, balanced diet. Some folks get the sleeve just so they can lose a bunch of weight and get the restriction it offers. Eat the same way they did pre-op occasionally consuming nutritionally irrelevant foods, just less of them. Which is totally fine, but these folks would most likely need vitamin supplementation. So, for all the noobs and researchers reading this, your program will determine your need for vitamin supplementation, not the sleeve procedure.

I agree it is a long wait. There are so many various requirements which differ depending upon the bariatric center, insurance company, and surgeon. I started the process in January 2008. Between Jan and October 2008, I had to complete many, many, many requirements before I could even meet with the bariatric surgeon. I finally saw the surgeon October 8. I completed the H-pylori on October 10 and completed the upper GI on October 14. All paper work was sent to the insurance company on October 15 and I recieved approval on October 16. Looks like my surgery will be November 11, but I am waiting confirmation. Don't give up hang on. You can do this!:smile:

Wow, guys, that sounds really bad! I do know there are bad tenants out there (I've encountered them) but it really is crazy the things people will do. A friends father is a landlord in another town in this area and they have a 13 page lease....it's actually famous among my friends because pretty much everyone has rented something from him at some point before--usually right out of college. Anyway, I saw it once and was laughing at the stipulations in there (can't remember specifics but I'll ask) thinking that he must be the most paranoid man on earth. Nope, they said. All of that comes from specific experience. He has a million crazy stories, apparently. But I'm just not one of those people (as far as I know anyway...this whole thing has started to make me worried that I'm some horrible tenant that no one would want). I always pay on time, and have never complained about a thing. Only times I've ever called them is when my toilet was broken (and I couldn't fix it) and when a window air conditioner needed replacing because it was blowing hot air--in three full years. I'm not silent but I'm not loud (I play music while I'm cooking, and am often up late and need to walk through the apartment). I used to smoke in here, but had I known anyone was complaining would have stopped immediately...I....I don't know what else you could complain about me about. Oh well. What's done is done. But good news.... I'm off to sign a lease! In a building kind of like the one I'm in now. Not nearly as old or historic--this one I live in is 220 years old and on a cobblestone street while the new place is (I'm guessing) just over 100 but age and historic factor were never the issue, I'd have moved into a brand new construction just as easily--I'm just pointing out the differences. Anyway, it's a converted townhouse, one apartment per floor. On the same street, but 6 blocks up. I have the ground floor this time instead of the old attic which is different but nice. I loved living up here even with the 4 flights of stairs because it's cute and pokey and the ceilings are slanted and it feels very cottage-cozy. But with the ground floor, I have no more grocery issues (planning shopping trips around weight and size of purchases is not fun), and "possession" of the little backyard area--mostly a patio with paving stones but some dirt areas in which to grow things (the landlady said, when I asked, "oh please do...I'd love for someone to get some good use out of this"). It also comes with a parking space in the alley behind the building which is a godsend around here. Where I live now is very close to the river, bike trails and the tourist stuff so getting home past 7pm means a loooong time circling for a space, and moving the car at all on weekends in summer usually means parking in a parking garage when you get back because there's no point in even trying. I have the parking enforcement number in my cell phone to report when things get bad (it's supposed to be 2 hour parking only for everyone but residents. That never happens). Size wise it's practically identical--one bedroom plus a den that many people choose to use as a bedroom (here that wasn't possible because of the location of the only bathroom so the den is a den). It's about $150 more per month than I figured they'd raise my rent to this year had they renewed, and $50 more than the kind of ugly one bedroom I looked at farther away and on the busiest intersection in town (all of this includes utilities too). Because it's share-able though, and I've given the option to several friends of mine who are looking to move to this part of town, my costs will actually wind up lower than they have been in 4 years.... So basically....I'm still sad to leave but this will be a great move physically and financially. I love this place and this couple of blocks (the waterfront, the cobblestone etc) and my neighbors (not the ones in the building--the ones who love up and down the street) but I can easily come down for visits. Hey, I can plan my daily walking regime to come by here :tongue:. I've been spending the afternoon researching shade-loving plants and debating climbing roses (for the fence not the house) or jasmine :tt2:

Great thread. I would love to be a patient advocate for bariatric surgery but that does not exist where I live. (So I compensate by talking quite liberally about my own experience to everybody who will listen to me. Poor things.) I am greatly interested in obesity research and, had I been younger, certainly would have pursued this as a career. It is such a rich field of research and there are so many avenues to explore within this area. But I'm far too old to go to medical school now. For me, my WLS has me rethinking so many things...some with regret (the road not taken because I was so fat) and some with pride (the road I took anyway, despite my fat). I will say that I'm better in my chosen career (academic research) because I'm more confident and energetic. I am much present at conferences, always pitching to lead a session, whereas before I would just be a passive audience member.

My Primary Care PHysician and Bariatric Surgeon recommended the Lapband.. Thank God they did. I have several people in my support group who were sleeved, they are having reflux and/or dumping . The leader of our group had bypass years ago and has lost 250 lbs but lives on Protein Shakes and vitamins.. not sure about your history or how much you want to lose or how fast you want to lose it.. al WLS have good and bad points. For me I did not want my stomach stapled off or re-arranged. My lapband is something that can be emptied should I need nutrition (in case of illness).. All options at your age are to be seriously considered.

Hi all. I'm brand new here and brand new to the whole surgery thing too. I have a BMI of about 60 and also have high blood pressure. I haven't yet spoken to my primary about weight loss surgery but I know she'll agree. I am just having a hard time finding out if it's even worth it. There is zero chance I can self pay and I have medicaid in Colorado. Does anyone here know for sure if Colorado Medicaid covers bariatric surgery? If so, any chance someone knows the procedure they require? Thanks.

That's really going to be a question for your bariatric team. The pre-op diets vary greatly! Some surgeons don't even have you do one. Some have you on liquids only for up to two weeks prior to surgery. My practice didn't require liquids only but for the two weeks leading up to surgery wanted us getting at least 80grams of Protein while staying at or below 800 calories a day - so lots of lean protein and very low carb to achieve that. This two week prior to surgery phase is often referred to as the liver shrink diet. If your bariatric center or your insurance requires you to lose weight or at least not gain weight between 1st appointment and surgery, your center may have you making other dietary changes now to achieve that. So add the pre-op diet to your list of questions to ask at your appointment next tuesday! Good luck on your journey!

I use bariatric advantage protein shake mix from my surgeon office. It comes in a 3.3 pound bag Sent from my SM-J727U using BariatricPal mobile app

Syntrax Nectar shakes have been my saving grace...drinking Roadside Lemonade right now! I got my last batch from BJ's Bariatrics - you can make your own sample pack so you can just get the flavors you like.

I agree: attend a weight loss surgery seminar in your area. Many of your questions will be answered. I found it helpful to read The Big Book on the Gastric Sleeve: Everything You Need to Know to Lose Weight and Live Well with the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. There are books from the same author on the other surgies, too. I have another book I havent read yet, Mindset Breakthrough: Achieve Weightloss Surgery Success. This last one was written by a bariatric surgery patient, so consider her individual results when reading. Youve made the decision to do something, so thats a big first step! God luck in your journey[emoji4]

Board makes changes for PY2011 :: Employees Retirement System of Texas Actually, I read this and believe this to mean they are covering bariatric (not sure which) surgery effective September with a $5000 deductible in addition to the normal charges, but you have to have 5 years of state employment history to qualify. It is a very exciting development!! Now, if they will just show me which hoops we're going to have to dive through...

Yea the shakes are what the bariatric office provides but i was free to buy any other shakes i want. I do have a case of fairlife and i am going to get premier protein here in the next couple days as i do like those. Nutritionist said to use premier protein or any other protein shake i like as "Creamer" in coffee lol

Hi. I'm going in next week for surgery with Dr Greenslade at Greenslopes. Has anyone any experience with him? Thanks

It sounds like you are starting to mourn the loss of your friend (food). And may be having a little pity party because you want things you can't have. I know it's easier said than done, but don't let it get you down. Focus on the long term of what you're gaining. Are your friends not supportive, or do they not know about your VSG? You could also try to find things on the menu that meet your restrictions. E.g. if you take the onions out of french onion soup, it's broth. Same for any broth-based soup, or even au jus. Chef Neil - wow, sounds like you have been to some extremely inflexible places. I don't ever ask for special deals - the price is the price and if I'm not willing to pay it, then I don't order it (that's just my take, I know others feel differently -- heck, a friend of mine likes to whip out her "I've had bariatric surgery" card and asks if they will discount her meal... usually they do not...) And I prefer not to order off the kid's menu because those are some of the least healthy foods around, usually. But I've never had a hard time ordering an appetizer, or a kid's meal when I have gotten one. If they won't sell you less soup at a lower price than what's on the menu, why not just get the regular soup and have leftovers? You're able to eat a grilled cheese sandwich less than two weeks post-op? What does your post-op food stage plan look like? (I'm researching VSG and haven't seen a post-op plan that moves that quickly -- I'm interested in knowing more).

So I bit the bullet today and told someone I work with about having bariatric surgery. She mentioned to me her doctors have recommended it to her. The next thing out of her mouth really shocked me. She said she knows she can do it by eating get right and exercising. Do people really think that having bariatric surgery is a miracle and you wake up the next day skinny. Don't they realize it us a tool in the journey and you still have to eat better and exercise. Just had to vent... Sent from my SM-G920T using the BariatricPal App

Those are terrifc questions, genia. I don't think that seeing your PCP for your supervised weight loss will hurt your odds...but he/she really should do some research for you on the appropriate things to cover. Hopefully your PCP is willing. Your bariatric surgeon should be on board, too. At my visits, my dietician did a lot of documenting the kinds of meals I was eating and going over everything in my food journal (where I was expected to write down literally everything I ate). I was quizzed on portion sizes (dietitian gets out measuring cups and says....which one is an appropriate serving of veggies/potatoes/protein?) We were given resources and recipes, snack ideas, talked about the role of protein in post bariatric surgery diet....talked about vitamins and started taking them presurgically. The big thing...was getting weighed, and having a medical record of that weight.

Thanks for the reply Brightfaith I have worked with a bariatric nutritionist for almost a year now. I have met my surgeon. I am currently in therapy for the binge eating and once they sign off then it will be up to the insurance. So far insurance has given me all the hoops I have to jump through before they’ll give me an answer.

Any time you tinker with digestion, it can affect how meds are absorbed (especially with the bypass or duodenal switch). Your bariatric team should have reviewed your meds to identify possible issues prior to surgery. Hopefully they will get it figured out quickly for you. My team did a good job of reviewing my meds and discussing the likely affect of my WLS but I still ran into trouble with the blood thinner I was taking (Xarelto). My hematologist tried to switch me to another med since the Xarelto requires a lot of food to be bioavailable but my insurance refused to cover it. So wouldn't you know it, I got a blood clot six months after surgery. Now I take injectable Lovenox because there's no requirement to have food with it. The Lovenox is more expensive than the drug my insurance refused to cover, plus they had to pay for my hospital stay when I had the clot. Go figure, right?

Hi, Congratulations! You are in the same position I was a few weeks back. Do you use Pinterest? I have found recipes on that, but be careful and make sure the recipe is within your program. One very simple one was one bariatric meatball, 1 tsp. ricotta, 1/3 tsp parmesan cheese and meatless sauce for the moisture. I would puree to baby food consistency, then just before eating heat it up in the microwave. The meatball recipe i found on an internet search. Good Luck!