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I've heard great things about the bariatric surgeries at Monmouth!!! I work at jersey shore and I'm having my surgery at soch on sept 20th!!! Only reason is because it is 100% covered!!!! I've looked into a few surgeons in our area and found dr Fresco and Reich! Sent from my iPhone using VST

If a chewable tastes good, then there's a good chance they've left something out! I'm loving my bariatric advantage capsules. They're small and the cost is about $12.00 per month if you take the full dose... but some argue that VSG patients don't need the full dose, so you can take fewer capsules. The dose is 6 small capsules a day. I take 4 capsules. (2 capsules, twice daily with a meal.. which is easy to remember to do because I have to take my calcium citrate tablets at this time as well)

My sleeve surgeon just did a gallbladder removal for me a couple weeks ago. I saw him today for follow-up and he chatted a bit about a bariatric surgeon conference he just attended in Sydney, AU. Just as background, my surgeon does mostly sleeves and the occasional bypass. He used to do a ton of bands but now only does the band if the patient insists. He still maintains a lot of bands. He said that the band is way down in Australia and whole areas of the country have no band surgeons anymore. He also said that the re-operation rate (for all types of re-operation) is as high as 40% with the band. He said that the band has a lot of potential points of failure, including that the port can flip, the needle can puncture the band during a fill and cause a leak, or lots of other ways that are not really direct failures of the band. He seems pretty down on the band now but wants to give his existing band patients the highest standard of care. He also confirmed that Allergan has sold the lap band to another company, Apollo Endosurgery. I googled that and found a story in the Wall Street Journal. http://m.asia.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303471004579165961441181356?mobile=y He said that the sleeve is gaining massive popularity because of the low complication rate, high success rate, and that they are starting to feel really confident about the long term prospects of the sleeve, starting to see some patients with more than 10 years sleeved. He said that the sleeve may stretch 3-5% over time but then it stops. He said it is like taking a t-shirt and cutting off a sleeve. You can stretch the sleeve but it will never be nearly as big as the shirt. The bypass is going to be around a long time and is still very well regarded. It is the #1 choice for people with reflux or bowel diseases and it is the best salvage surgery for people who have reflux problems after the sleeve. The DS is very uncommon these days because the sleeve works so well on its own. This is my surgeon's summary to me about the state of bariatric surgery in Australia today from the point of view of the surgeons.

Hey! I haven't had my pre-op surgeon appt yet but at the nurse practitioner appt I definitely had a bunch of questions. Here's a few: - Based on my body type, etc...what percentage of excess body weight could I expect to see in the best situation? - What exercises are best post-op? Do you usually suggest Water aerobics, yoga, etc? Which are better than others to help promote healing? - Is there an emergency line that I can call specifically for bariatric patients? - What type of clothing should I wear post-op at the hospital and at home following the hospital? - How long do you expect me to stay at the hospital? - How much movement can I expect to be doing during the first few days post-op? - What are the signs and symptoms of something going wrong post-op?

Hi everyone, I wondered if anyone out there has had their surgery delayed 6 months due to a medical complication found during pre-op testing? I was in the final stages of my Doctors bariatric program and had a date for my surgery. Their program is 6 months long and involved pre-op testing and nutrition counseling etc. My surgery date had been set for 11/3/2014. The Dr. ordered one last test when he saw me at the pre-op appointment : a "baseline" ultrasound of my legs because I had a prior DVT 4 years ago. Surprise.....there was a DVT in my leg again. I saw a Vascular specialist last week and he recommended that the surgery be delayed 6 months to place me on blood thinners and allow the DVT to heal. The major complication of an acute DVT is having a PE (pulmonary embolism) during or after surgery. I was so close, had worked so hard--lost 20# etc, and now..... wait 6 more months?!! It just seems so far away, all my clearances will have to be redone, etc. Plus, I was just ready mentally to do this. Anyone else out there in the same boat? How do you stay motivated? Thanks, ~Annie

It isn't an essential part of the process, but more of a preference on the part of your surgeon. The extensive pre-op diets that some docs impose doesn't really shrink the liver, but is said to help reduce the fatty/slimy coating that is often present on us fatty liver/obese patients. My doc doesn't do the major pre-op diet program, just the day before clear liquids bit, but then he also does liver transplants aside from his bariatric practice, so I guess he is used to dealing with livers in crappy condition. He said my liver was in good shape when he was in there (and I gained a little in the weeks leading up to surgery, for what that's worth!)

To all of you saying that you "failed" with the band - try to see it in a different light. Unless you knowingly ate too much or ate incorrectly, irped the food back up, then tried again until it stayed down, you didn't fail. Unless you opted to eat ice cream all day because it's what you wanted, then you didn't fail. Having a mechanical device that is supposed to give you fast satiety, but never does, is not failure. In reality, it's having gone through surgery with high hopes, and finding you still have to "diet" to maintain weight or lose weight. Having a band that maybe worked for a while, then failed, is also not you failing - it's you not having the ability or resolve to "do it on your own" but why would having had surgery change that? If we could do it on our own, we would have long before surgery... and definitely would have long before a second (or third, or fourth...) surgery. The sleeve cannot have the same issues as the band. The sleeve cannot slip (prolapse), it cannot erode through your esophagus, etc. It can limityour intake. You will still have to work at it. Since it is not (or maybe just lightly) a malabsorptive procedure, you will still have to own what you eat. If you cannot own what you eat, then frankly the sleeve might not be the best option. I'm pretty far post-op by band standards. I know a lot of people in the 5 - 7 years post-op range. Those who still have their bands, shouldn't, but are too afraid it will be removed to seek the medical care they need. It has let down a lot of people, and mentally is about a 30x magnification of the standard diet "failure" emotions we've all experienced more times than we care to count. I suspect I will spend the first 6 months with my sleeve "just waiting" for it to somehow fail. I mean, 100% of my bariatric experience tells me that eventually, it stops working, right? But try to focus on the fact that the band is not PERMANENT. Ok, in theory it's intended to be a permanent device. I'll give it that. I don't know anyone 5, 7, 10 years out who still has theirs, so it's not THAT permanent. Every sleeved person I know 5, 7, 10 years out still has their sleeve. I understand your fears, and I share them. We have "failed" at weightloss most of our lives. We "expect" failure again, it's what we've become conditioned to. But if you didn't at least have hope, you wouldn't be here, so run with it.

I've been asking myself that same question and it prompted me to begin posting some bariatric friendly recipes and cooking tips here: https://www.pinterest.com/RonnieBob428/boards/

I haven't been on in a while and just see this post regarding surgeons in South Florida. My surgeon is Dr. De La Cruz with University of Miami. I had my surgery Feb. 2014 and have lost 218 lbs! Words will not describe how amazing he and his team truly are. I went to see all, and I mean ALL of the main bariatric surgeons in Miami before I chose Dr. De la Cruz! They have taken EXCELLENT care of me! The hospital staff and nurses are top notch! Please do yourself a favor and schedule a consult and go to their seminar!

My wife was right around 60 when she had a lower body lift and thigh lift in two procedures. I'm 55 and just had an extended TT and manboob reduction. Overall, count on a rougher journey than with the average bariatric procedure due to the extensive amount of cutting and scarring involved.

Hello, I am new to this site. I am 40 years old with a BMI of 39.6. I have been overweight for most of my life, with the exception of high school and a couple of years after I was married. Right before my wedding, I had dieted down to 130 pounds with the help of Phen Fen. I had my daughter when I was 30 and gained over 60 pounds that I was never able to lose. In fact, the weight kept creeping up after that, and I now weigh about 10 pounds more than I did when I was full-term pregnant. I have been trying for the past 10 years to lose the weight, but I can only lose a little bit at a time, then I gain it all back plus more. You all know how it goes. I have lost and gained the same six pounds for the past year or so. I can never make any long term progress. I got fed up and started considering a lap band, because I thought that was the only option besides a gastric by-pass, which I am not willing to do. When I called Bluegrass Bariatrics, they suggested that I consider the gastric plication. They said they had had a lot of success with it, and it was the cheapest option, which makes a difference for me because my health insurance won't cover a dime. I've read all the posts here, and I am both excited about the prospect of having the surgery, and terrified all at the same time. I want my life back, I want to be able to do all the things that I can't or won't due because of my weight. Part of me still thinks this is ridiculous, that I should just be able to knuckle down and diet and exercise and lose the weight without any surgical intervention. But I've read the statistics, that only about 3-5% will actually succeed with this approach. I went to a seminar this past weekend and met Dr. Oldham. I really liked him, and he's gotten good reviews on this site. I have my intake appointment on 2/15, and when all those results are back, I will have my surgeon consult. I am going through the process, with the knowledge that I can still back out if the fear gets to be too much for me to go through with it. I am terrified of severe pain and complications, although I have been through a c-section with a vertical incision. My husband is also very scared for me to do this, and people keep telling me that I'm not big enough that I should be considering surgery. Is what I'm feeling pretty normal? I would love to hear from some others who have been through this, and also folks who have had their surgeries wiht Bluegrass Bariatrics. I am looking forward to talking with you all, and I thank you in advance for sharing your experiences with me.

There are several non-prescription and prescription medications that you should not take unless you receive permission and instruction from us in how to take them. Among the medications in this category are all arthritis medications, aspirin, and aspirin- containing products, including many cold medications. Alka Seltzer®, BC powders®, Goody powders®, Bufferin®, Ascriptin®, and many other medications that contain aspirin or salicylate compounds are prohibited. These can greatly irritate you stomach pouch and cause a number of serious problems. You should also avoid taking Nuprin®, Advil®, Aleve®, ibuprofen, or other over-the-counter arthritis pain or menstrual cramp medications. If you have any questions about whether a prescription medication or a non prescription medication contains aspirin or other stomach-irritating compounds, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not take any of these medications unless you have first spoken with your surgeon or someone from the bariatric surgery team for permission and instructions on how an exception might be made in your case.

I Have United Health Care And They Have A Rider In Our Policy That Says No Bariatric Surgury Is Covered

@@dreamingvsg, You'll be fine and I'm not annoyed in the least. Whatever you decide to do, please take some time to do your research. I've been researching VSG for 9 months and I still feel ill prepared because there is so much to learn. Use your eagerness and desperation for answers as a time to learn. The bariatric program here has a support group and I'm sure Madigan does as well. It's something you might enjoy and can get first habd information from those who have done what you are trying to do. You don't need a referral to attend the group. Just call the nutrition clinic on Ft. Lewis and ask when the next meeting is. You may also want to look on fb for an online support group specifically for Madigan. Ft. Stewart has one but I didn't join it. All of the people in the group had weight loss surgery well over a year ago and they still look like they are pre-op. I've learned way more on this site than the group and I dutifully write down the suggestions I find most helpful. Good luck to you.

@@Karlnjax I used North Florida Bariatric, my Advocate was Amber. After insurance approval the Surgeon's office schedules the surgery day. They were ready to schedule. The first available appointment was three weeks out, which isn't bad.

Congratulations for making the jump! I too, have opted for the sleeve in Mexico. I'm going with Dr. alejandro lopez (Specialized Bariatrics) at Hospital MI Doctor on January 20. I honestly think that there are so many good surgeons out there that as long as you have made your best effort to research everything you can about them, the surgeon you ultimately choose will be the best for your situation. :-) I also decided not to deal with my insurance company in the States. By the time I jumped through all of the ridiculous hoops, denials, appeals, denials, appeals, etc., I would still be paying around $8k out of pocket, even if it was "covered" by my insurance. No thanks. I did my due dilligence and feel completely comfortable about going to Mexico, and hope to be able to be an advocate for it when all is said and done. Good luck to you! :-)

Hi everyone! I'm very close to the end of my WLS process and my surgery coordinator said that all I'm missing is medical clearance from primary doctor , weight chart for last 5 years and a new bariatric referral because the one I had expired a month ago. Now I called in the referral but I'm wondering what tests are done for medical clearance by primary doctor and what happens when my regular primary doctor leaves the clinic and is replaced by a new doctor? does the new doctor fill out all my clearance paper work? I'm confused

Weight gain happens to many of us. Glad you recognized the behavior. It's never too late to turn it around. Great advice above. Go back to bariatric basics. Log, protein and water goals. Continue your workouts. I also used my weight training to justify my calories. I'm cracking down and starting to lose weight again. If you are interested we have a holiday weight loss challenge going on to keep you motivated. Here's the info https://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/405183-holiday-challenge-time-lets-do-this/ https://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/405476-holiday-challenge-spreadsheet/

My WLS journey has been at a Bariatric Center of Excellence in a major Medical Center. The Weight Loss Center here has done thousands of surgeries in the last ten years. The program is discouraging patients from pursuing the lap band procedure because of the risk of complications. In my classes, I met two lap band revision patients that have had multiple issues. After talking with them, I am very comfortable with my decision to do the sleeve.

I am not here to beat a dead horse. I do agree with much of what the previous respondents said. Your reaction was an overreaction but - BUT it felt/feels real and absolutely true to you. I am sure I am not the only one to recognize some of myself in your post. I most likely would have had a similar reaction a year and a half to two years ago while I suffered from very low self-esteem and major depression. We all embark on this journey expecting to lose weight; but this is not just a journey of just weight lose but a journey of the mind, body, and soul. Most of us achieve major weight lose along with a huge helping of self-discovery and an emotional roller coaster which can be quite nightmarish at times. My suggestion to you is to start seeing a counselor if you do not already do so. This counselor does not need to be through your bariatric center but should be someone familiar with bariatrics and bariatric surgery because many challenges still lie ahead. I wish you all the luck on your journey since it truly is your journey and your journey alone because everyone's journey is different.

Honestly, I am not at all sure what she was expecting from us. I know this much, when I went to schedule my very last appointment with the team psychologist, he did not have a single appointment available for over 2 months. I was completely peeved that here I was at the end of my 6 month supervised diet and this guy decided he wanted 1 more follow up before he would sign off. I had never changed or missed or was late to a single appoinment in that 6 months because I was so ready to go and bummed that I had to wait so long. Given my commitment to moving forward, My surgeon, nut and bariatric nurse team tried to get him to do a last phone interview instead and suddenly his schedule opened and he found 15 minutes for me. I still had to wait 3 weeks but it was better than 2 months. I cried for a whole day because I was so sick and so ready to move forward. I just wonder how many of his patients did not bother to show up during that period of time. My appointment lasted 15 minutes and in my opinion was a complete waste of time. He just needed to feel important, I think. I ended up getting a different psychologist post surgery. Anyway, I have a very hard time feeling sympathy for people that don't follow the program. If you want a life altering change, you have to be willing to change. Or wait until you are so others that are ready can move forward.

If I may, another resource is http://shrinkyourself.com whether you opt for the free or pay version. It's about emotional eating, not bariatrics or any particular method of weight loss.

I’m sorry you are having this issue. I wish I could advise you of what to do but I have similar issues w my dr. His office would go days without returning my calls. I complained to the office manager and things got better. I used to work there when I lived in Auburn. But the dept I was isn’t related to bariatrics.

I hope pre op diet instructions and guidelines were given to you. No one should go into WLS uninformed. If you did not receive any guidelines, please call your bariatric team and ask for them. You deserve to know what you're getting into, what to expect from your surgery as well as from yourself. There are many many WLS programs within the WLS community. You need to find the guidelines that are YOURS. Others on this site can only give you what THEIR guidelines were/are. You're special and deserve to know your special "road map". You will feel much better equipped when you have YOUR facts. Have an exciting WLS journey!, but remember to stop every now and then, and enjoy the moment as well as the journey.

Has any one had VSG or any other bariatric surgery with Dr. Sunil K Sharma ?