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I have Type 2 diabetes as well. I remember seeing an interview on 60 Minutes a couple years ago where they were interviewing a group of people who had gastric bypass surgery. They mentioned that one of the effects of bariatric surgery was immediate "curing" of diabetes. It seems that the removal of the lower portion of the stomach causes a hormonal change which has a positive effect on blood sugar and how your body processes it. I think I am remembering correctly.

Here's a list of questions (with recent updates) that I posted quite some time ago. Since you're coming up on your last appointment you'll likely have answers to some of these already but hopefully you'll find others that will prove useful. What are the risks? How often do patients have complications following surgery? What side effects are the most common? What are the benefits? What should I expect after surgery? Realistically, what weight loss should I expect following surgery and over what period of time? What are "stalls" or "plateaus"? How long do they last and if I do experience them, what can I do to shorten their duration? Will any new technology be used e.g. robotics? Is the hospital and surgeons office accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP)? This is a combination of the programs formerly offered by two highly respected surgical societies - The American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Beginning in 2012, this accreditation replaced the former Bariatric Centers of Excellence. Are you board certified in bariatric surgery? How many roux-en-y gastric bypass surgeries have you performed? Have you experienced any surgery related mortalities? Do you have patients that are willing to share their weight loss surgery experiences, positive and negative? What types of support groups and counseling will be available post-op? What information can you give me to help family and friends better understand the surgery? How often do you see your patients following surgery? What is the significance of Protein following surgery? Does your practice offer support services for psychological needs? What assistance is available for helping me secure insurance approval? Who should I speak with regarding insurance related questions? What pre-op testing will be done? What post-op testing will be done? Will I need Vitamins after my surgery and if so, what types? When can I start exercising after my surgery? How likely is it that I will regain weight after surgery? Think of the meeting with your surgeon as an interview. You're looking for an answer to "Why are you and your team the most qualified for the job?" You're gonna love the new you!!

I am using Dory Ferara at the Long Island Bariatric Center. She's a Nurse Practitioner and was a coordinator for Lap Band trials. She works with several NY area MD's as well as Dr. Gabriel & other Mexican Docs. She has offices on LI, Westchester & NYC & sees people from all over the northeast. She charges either a flat fee for a year's care (about $1,250) that includes as many fills as you need) She performs fills either under floroscopy ($100 for radiology center's fee) or without. After having my first fill in TJ under floroscopy she had to unfill me a little then add some. She did it w/o the flor. & was totally fine. She also sees patients on a per diem basis, first time she charges a little more (maybe $350) & meets you at the radiology center for floroscopy. Then you can choose with or without for the next fills (I THINK $250 - $257) per, but don't quote me, cause I'm using the flat fee method) Anyway, her # is 516-579-0094. The sec'y there can give you her NYC or Westchester #'s. Sorry this is so long, but I really like her a lot. Hope this helps someone.

I wonder, has anyone been approved for ins without co-morbidities but with BMI above 40? I'm in NY and insurers can't exclude bariatric surgery. I know that bmi above 40 meets NIH standards for WLS, but HAS someone actually gotten an ins co to pay? Is this a stupid question? I hope not! Barbara

Anybody had success getting approved with this particular plan? How long did it take to get approval? If you were denied what did they require to get approved? My doctors office has never dealt with this particular plan so they sent in my stuff earlier then normal just to see what they came back with for a response. I have spoken to 3 different agents and gotten a copy of their pre auth form and their bariatric medical policy but all are very vague about what they want for proof of previous attempts and number of dietician appointments they require for approval.😕 thanks!

As others have discussed, some of the supplements commonly taken by bariatric patients such as Biotin and B12 can cause acne breakouts or exacerbate existing skin problems. I have stayed far away from biotin since it caused a horrific breakout two years ago when I took it to try to speed up hair growth after a hair cut. My dermatologist told me that biotin and excessive B Vitamins can cause acne breakouts in many people. Hormonal fluctuations can also cause breakouts, and losing weight can cause your hormones to fluctuate. For the most part, my acne has gotten better since having surgery, though. I have PCOS and have struggled with acne because of that for a while. I was taking medicine that cleared up my skin, but caused weight gain. I gradually went off that medicine post-surgery, and had some breakouts along the way. Some things that have helped me - - Simplifying my skincare routine. In the past I was using so many different products in a desperate hope for it clearing up my skin that they caused more problems than they resolved. Now I use rose Water on a cotton pad to clean my face in the morning, and only La Roche Posay products. I use their Effaclar face wash at night, and the toner a few times a week. I put a very thin layer of the spot treatment on as needed. Overdoing it with these products can lead to peeling, so I've learned to be careful. I also use a serum and moisturizer by this line. - Being very careful with all vitamins and supplements. I read through the labels and make sure they don't overdo it with B vitamins. The ones I've responded to the best are Garden of Life's Vitamin Code Multivitamin and Flintstones Complete with Iron (one or the other, not both). I take a multivitamin, and Vitamin D, and peppermint oil supplement (for acne and other PCOS issues; you can find it on Amazon inexpensively). About 4 months post op I took a B-12 supplement for a week when I was trying to bounce back from being sick, and it caused a month's worth of acne. I've had very little hair loss. - Not using heavy makeup, creams, or anti-aging products. I'd been using some Lancome anti-aging products that came in a gift with purchase bag, and my dermatologist said it was far too heavy for my skin. He said to use lighter weight products and avoid ones designed to be anti-aging. - Using fragrances sparingly. At the advice of my dermatologist I use fragrance-free laundry detergent and fabric softener because he said they can cause breakouts. I avoid putting things with fragrances on my face. - Changing my pillowcases three times a week. I bought extra sets so I can change them out quickly. - Using SLS free products. SLS in toothpaste and hair products can cause breakouts in some people with more sensitive skin. Loreal has an inexpensive, readily available line, and you can find many other options as well. - Having a facial once a month by a reputable esthetician.

I appreciate it im at my wits end lol Sent from my LGMS330 using the BariatricPal App I do appreciate the recipes the only thing is I can't afford the bariatric stuff so I have to eat whatever I can I'm on disability and I live on a fixed income so it's kind of hard to buy bariatric stuff but thank you very much I appreciate your input Sent from my LGMS330 using the BariatricPal App I'm on a budget too so I really don't have a variety of foods to eat or to go get the Protein shakes they are so expensive so I basically have eggs veggies and drinks like G-2 or water that's about it. Sent from my LGMS631 using the BariatricPal App

I don't have any bariatric products either. I made the chili with a can of Rotel brand tomatoes with green chilis and didn't use any tomato Soup as it called for. I had to improvise. Honestly I like chili but hate tomato soup or tomato juice. There's an idea too use tomato juice instead of tomato soup. But cumin spice and chili powder would be a must. Read the recipes, get some ideas and improvise with other stuff. Just watch your sugar and fat grams. Remember your eating a small amount so it should be fine. Lori

2/13 here. I am doing well. Maybe TOO well. If "sleeve of steel" wasn't taken already, I think I'd change my name here! Unfortunately, NOTHING bothers my stomach except those rotten chewable vitamins from Bariatric Advantage. My capacity increased way too quickly for my liking. I am hungry all the time unless i've JUST eaten, so I have to be super duper careful. I too wanted fast and thrilling, since I started at 340. I think I've lost somewhere in the neighborhood of 45 if you count some pre op diet pounds. My scale is acting weird, and the scale at the gym says I've lost more than the one at home. I've only lost about 4 pounds in the last month, according to my wonky home scale. I go to the gym 3 times a week and do cardio and weight lifting. (Maybe I'm gaining muscle?) So....anyway....doing well. I'm just very very impatient.

This is a great topic, even if it's an old thread. I've been at / below goal for 14 months now. And I definitely take notice of heavy strangers when I'm out and about -- probably more now than I used to. (BTW, I don't pay much attention to the size of people I already know, because I'm focused on what we're doing together or discussing.) It would be hard for me, as a WLS patient who recently lost 100 pounds, not to notice others' sizes and wonder if they look as big as I used to be, or bigger, or how our sizes compared before I lost weight, or how our sizes compare now, etc. The thoughts and emotions I have about these heavy strangers are all over the place, depending on my mood, how they present themselves, and so many other things. Do I feel superior to them? Honestly -- sometimes, I do. But that feeling is immediately coupled with immense gratitude to the fates / my surgeon / my PCP / my own efforts / whoever invented the sleeve / etc. that I'm no longer in their shoes. I'm also overwhelmed by how much change I've undergone in the last two years. Often I project my old memories of obesity onto these heavy strangers. I think I know the pain in their joints and back. I think I know the mental exhaustion they go through just finding the energy to go to the grocery store and the resolution it takes to keep moving their carts toward the back of the store and finish their shopping lists. I think I know from their lack of eye contact how frustrated / embarrassed / mortified / angry they are about their situation, their appearance, their health concerns and how disadvantaged they feel at work and in their personal relationships because of their growing weight. Sometimes these encounters are emotionally overwhelming. For me, being obese was brutal. It was an awful way to try to live. It's hard to see others in that situation. On a related note, I recently started being a guest lecturer at my bariatric surgeon's all-day educational seminars for patients now prepping for their own WLS. When I'm standing in front of those folks I feel like I'm with my tribe. I try to tell my own WLS story in a way that makes it easy for them to identify with the "skinny bitch" I now look like at 135 pounds and to imagine they could soon feel renewed health and social freedom. I show slides of myself over the years -- of unflattering weight fluctuations, aging, with obvious growing exhaustion and health challenges. From their head nods and strong eye contact and smiles I know we're connecting. I wouldn't walk up to a stranger and offer them some version of "WLS could save you, too." But those pre-op patients are sitting where I sat three years ago. I know how badly they NEED TO FEEL that their hope is not irrational and that they really can escape the prison of obesity. I feel so honored to give back this way.

OK folks, what's your plan for food today? Breakfast - Cinnamon Bun Protein shake (Bariatric fusion brand, I give it a B+. Good taste, no texture) lunch will probably be 1/2 cup chili with a sprinkle of cheese. dinner will be homemade hamburgers (actually turkey, and no bun) with veggies on the side. Snacks will be cherry tomatoes and peas from our garden with some deli chicken. What do you plan to eat today?

not only is it acidic, it's carbonated. Not a good choice at less than a month out. You're still healing. Plus transfer addiction is unfortunately a real thing - some people develop issues with alcohol after bariatric surgery. So I'd be careful. we were told to wait a year after surgery to indulge - some people are told six months. Some may not have to wait as long, but 3.5 weeks is way too early.

Girls, I'm wondering what the hell is going on with this too!! My bariatric doc referred me to my gp, so seeing her on Thursday. And I don't mean to be totally gross, but do any of you notice an odor? I might have a uti or a bacterial infection but if it's just from surgery and other people are experiencing it too, I wouldn't worry so much. Plus, I'm due for my period any day now and have had such awful cramps for about a week now but no bleeding.. I'm a mess downstairs! Lol.

I use the bariatric advantage calcium chews. They come in lots of flavors, wild berry, lemon, chocolate, caramel, etc. and I am on auto ship. Every month I get my calcium chews and multivitamins via mail. So I don't have to worry about going to pick them up.

Humana has different plans that cover this surgery they have one where I am in GA and it's the national pos open access plan the other is Humana Hmox plan! I was in the open access plan but there wasn't a big difference except I didn't have to have a referred to see a specialist , which means I could go without a pcp referring me, however this plan was almost 350.00 a month and I had a 3,500 max deductible that had to be met!!! VS the plan I have now is the Humana hmox and I have a 750 out of pocket max I have to have a referral to see anyone outside of my pcp but all the qualifications was the same!!!! My insurance I pay a month with this plan is 150 and too me it's better!!!! If I was anyone I would call around and ask questions I even called Humana and asked to speak to someone in there bariatrics department to see what all I needed and to see if I met the qualifications!!!! BlessedBeyondMeassure

Hi Liz, I would call, you have nothing to lose. Mind you, his secretary is not the best one to ask. I remember when I call she told me things that weren't true. I would call the bariatric clinic instead. The no. is: 544-3710 Let me know if they give you any date. I have one of my friend who went in December too and she's wondering like you when they are going to call her. clempier

I'm in the very beginning stages, and live in NM. I guess there are no bariatric surgeons here?

The only one I had trouble with was the Bariatric AE Multi-Vitamin which would choke a horse. I cut them in fours and tried to mash it up in cinnamon applesauce, but the bitter taste made me puke. So, I ended up switching to a Walgreen's Women's Over 50 multi and take two instead of one. Some folks have even taken Flintstones Chewables until they got past this hurdle.

Some insurance carriers (many, as it seems!) just flat out refuse to cover bariatric surgery period. Some will cover the RNY but not LapBand.

I just got mine a week ago but I gotta say this is the piece of the puzzle I have been missing. When I am working hard at weight loss I always log my food. The part that i couldnt ever figure out was how much am i really burning. I always obsess over ALL of the numbers and i think this helps me to obsess way less. I lost 3.6 lbs in the first week. I do not think that will continue as a constant however I now I feel like i have more flexiblity now that I can SEE the actual numbers. I do not think this device will work for people who do not log or keep a realistic log of their food. I do not think their web app is as good as it could be. It's a bit klunky and could be improved on. However, I am just sitting patient to see what happens when they release the next version. I do wish it would take the heart rate, however I have heard that will be in the v3 model. I am a swimmer so it would be fantastic if i could wear it while I swim. I read somewhere that they are having problems with that feature because of the usb port. I also saw a thread where a guy had a waterproof sleeve made so that he could use it with his water sports. So I may look into doing that. I have been wanting one of these since last year but because of the cost, I didnt want to buy a new toy that i may not use. I got lucky because one of the guys here at work was selling his used one, so i got it for $120. We based that number on the numbers we were seeing on Ebay. Apex has the subscription right now for $99 and that included a 3 month subscrition to the site and 1 session with the coach. Then after that you can renew for a much lower cost. They also have different eating programs that you can select from. Which gives you more options when you hit different goals. Anyway, for having used it a week, I gotta say this was totally worth the money and I love it.

Wow Debbie ... I think you should post the name of the bariatric physician and hospital. Sounds like you've come out on the other side, but so sorry that happened to you. CC

I was on clear liquids for one week, then I was able to add protein shakes for another week before I went to purees. In regards to the original question, I ordered a sample pack of Syntrax Nectars from BJ's Bariatrics and just got them yesterday, I have tried the Cappucino and Double Stuffed Cookie and both are very yummy.

Anyone else get one of these? We each got this weird stuffed bear with instructions on how to hold him against our bellies to brace for coughing. He's made to kind of fit against you and provide support. He's kinda fun....wears a little teeshirt that has illustrations of your procedure on it so you can show people with a visual. Weird, but kinda sweet. He has no butt. LOL And he's kinda ugly.

My insurance Blue shield of CA paid for 6 months of the Vitamins, bariatric multi, c and Iron, and, Calcium, and b12 by nose. After about 2-3 months I could not tolerate the sweetness of the chewables, so I went to Centrum. My insurance would not cover the shakes, good luck.

Yes..There was a promotion for $2000. I have Aetna but did not want to do the 6 month tracking to qualify for them to cover at 80/20. They found heital hernia and billed insurance for majority of surgery costs that way. Then billed me with easy payment plan a bariatric fee to cover the sleeve.