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I thought this might be of interest to the community: http://www.medicaldaily.com/permanent-weight-loss-bariatric-surgery-most-effective-treatment-obesity-396598

@mousecat88 bread is a tough thing for me too. I haven’t had it in a long while but it’s an issue Because of my chronic illness and constant nausea and gut issues as well as loss of ability to taste properly. But even as a kid I’d want a bagel with butter over any other foods , plain and simple. I struggle with metabolic disorders and inability to exercise. Back in let’s say 2008 my weight was up to 215 + lb but bariatric surgery was not an option back then. I fought so hard to lose I fought the sugar addiction and went strict low carb and low calories. The lowest I got was 124lb. But my illness kept getting worse as it still is. It’s chronic and lifelong. And I have many medical conditions. At some point when we moved states I needed to restart my efforts after so much stress. I found a low carb bread and it was great. they make low carb bread, bagels, thin pizza crust, pastas. the ingredients are good, it’s a balance of fiber and protein. Their website is: http://www.greatlowcarb.com i was losing weight. Until I wasn’t. I can’t say it had anything to do with their products. I was eating healthy, counting carbs and calories, eating healthy fats, etc. my worst thing was loving sweet kale salad with Gardein veggie foods like crab less crab cakes or cauliflower rice, etc. here I thought I was eating healthy things and my weight made a sudden jump. Actually it started while I was still strict low carb, low calorie. Went from 130-160 in weeks! Tried to get help from doctors and nothing. Decided to add more veggies and less meats. I mean who gets fat on veggies? And healthy fat like avocado? apparently me? So it scares me to dip into those foods even the healthy options. It’s hard finding foods when my tastebuds don’t work normally and haven’t in a long time and never got answers and plain toasted bagel with butter for some odd reason was always a comfort food. The low carb version actually tastes better. i end up limited on foods due to food allergies and eating foods that trigger it just enough to make me ill where I pass out Asleep from low oxygen and swelling, but not anaphylaxis. I think we all have a food we crave for certain reasons. I’ve dealt with my addiction in a way. And just put on my plate what I’m going to eat. But still don’t understand what caused the past gains when my eating was good. I probably veered way off topic. Sorry.

Hi: Nervous today. I am scheduled to meet with a surgeon today. My lap band surgeon (has started doing sleeves 6 months ago) suggested that I meet with this surgeon because he has more experience than the surgeon that did my band. My hopes are that he thinks I'm a good candidate and that he says that I should have my first surgeon do the surgery because I'm really not much higher risk than other sleeve patients and that I can have the surgery in April. I know it will take a lot of good fortune for these things to happen. Appointments so far completed 12/20/13 Consult with first (and preferred) surgeon. 2/11/14 - Upper GI (mild gastritis, small hiatal hernia, still had food in stomach after more than 11 hours), 3/1 bariatric emptying study (abnormal - slowly emptying), 3/13 second opinion. First Lapband 7/26/07, Second Lapband 7/23/10, Erosion and removal 7/30/13, Post-op infection 8/11 and hospitalized 4 more days. Positive thoughts and good wishes please. I'll keep you posted. Thanks. Sue

andycharris mentioned the Matrix line by the same people who make the Nectar. I have to agree it is pretty yummy. I ordered sample packs of both the Nectar and Matrix from bariatric pantry(they had them on sale so I went for it) and am working my way through the samples and making a list of the ones I really like, sorta like, etc. So far I tend to like nectar for my fruity and mixed with water drinks. It can be a bit foamy and settles easily. But the taste outweighs the maintenance (frequent shaking). And I like matrix for the sweet ones I mix with almond milk.

@@Rocky1 regarding Calcium and Iron I was not happy to see them combined, as you noted. opurity (unjury) does, too. i did not find any info on the website for studies on the Vitamins. but they are worth further consideration. one of these days when i have more energy i will compare the nutrition facts and route of delivery for the multis across several bariatric brands and the ASMBS guidelines. good catch on the calcium citrate. i did not notice that. The vit D exceeds ASMBS guidelines. What is your issue with it? i have been taking D3 2000 iu twice daily but my labs came back that I was high. so I felt comfortable trying what is in the patch. we shall see! i take a ton of vitamins because i feel better when i do. it would be so nice to reduce the amount of pills i take and just use the patch. but if i begin to feel lethargic etc then it is proof to me that my body needs more.

I had Cigna *** and it covered my surgery. I had a BMI of 42.5 when the paperwork was submitted, I got the approval on Monday August 22 and had surgery Auguest 24. The approval for the surgery was all we were waiting on because all the other requirements had been meet. Here is an a passage from the Cigna policy: CIGNA covers bariatric surgery using a covered procedure outlined below as medically necessary when ALL of the following criteria are met: • The individual is ≥ 18 years of age or has reached full expected skeletal growth AND has evidence of EITHER of the following: ???? a BMI (Body Mass Index) ≥ 40 ???? a BMI (Body Mass Index) 35–39.9 with at least one clinically significant obesity-related comorbidity, Also your surgeon must recommend the surgery and gives them the CPT Codes for the sleeve procedure. I had the codes for Morbid Obesity and Sleeve Gastrectomy in the letter of medical necessity from PCP. The only problem I had was Cigna had asked the surgeon' office for their clinical notes on me and there was some confusion on whether Cigan was going to calll or not. Cigna finally sent a fax and when the information had been provided I got approved in 2 days.

Ev, I too work in the medical field. I am not a doctor or a nurse, but I am around them every day. I also have access to all the medical literature, but I have purposely chosen not to look at it. I did not want to freak myself out. What I have done is I watched the surgery on YouTube (which I found totally cool), I have talked to many people who have had VSG, I have prayed about it, and I know I have made the right decision for me. One thing you have 100% control over is when or if you have this surgery. If you are having doubts, put it off for a little bit. Make sure this is something that is right for you. Only you can say that for sure. Schedule appointments with a bariatric surgeon, ask loads of questions, become as informed as possible. I think what I would do is stop looking at medical journals and statistics. Find out from people who have gone through it. And if you decide this is not for you, you are no worse off. Just take your time. I hope you come to find peace in whatever decision you make for yourself. Hugs, Sheila

Also, just from (very) recent experience, make sure your bariatric clinic's insurance coordinator knows their stuff. I got a letter from my insurance after they submitted saying "hey, we need X, Y, and Z before we can determine," except I know for a fact X, Y, and Z were submitted. So when I called the insurance coordinator, she said this is normal, what happens is they open a request online which generates an automatic letter to be sent with what's needed, but it happens before the process allows them to upload the clearances, so it appears "missing". I had my answer back in 3 business days.

What variety will you be having? in the long run, you'll have,our friendship no matter what. So welcome, tell us more about you. And don't be. scared, I had a very bumpy road to my surgery, but you,know what! I'll never be sad I did it. I am 72, red-headed, pretty spunky, still it beats death all hollow and I feel I dodged that mortal bullet. I had an RnY on September 5th, 7AM at the Ohio State University Hospital-Wexner Medical Center in Columbus Ohio. . My surgeon was Bradley J Needleman MD, chief of Bariatric Surgery and Metabolic Weight Loss, full professor in the Medical College, the Top Dog in a wonderful,kennel of supporting doctors. And I cannot help but sing the praises of them all. I had a rough bumpy road getting my surgery and it still is not Total smooth sailing⛵I developed a Stomal Stricture and 5 evil post-surgery ulcers which are being difficult to resolve, but they are resolvable. My surgeon , my endoscopist who is his junior partner and myself are a team and we will beat this yet. Am I sorry I didn't have a VSG? Nope, I already had history of GERD, gastroenterologist had already discovered 1 baby ulcer whom I named Hector while on average PPI, so swiched to what he called the Ferrari,of PPI,Dexilant. Why would I want an surgery that would worsen my GERD? Why would I want to throw away the vast majority of my nautral stomach to do it? And although I now am functioning with a reduced in size, a turkey egg in truth, I could be rejoined back together back together, worse case scenario. Oh a stricture is not fun, won't tell you it is, but still is far better than dieing on an operating clinic table at the Cleveland Clinic , my 1st cousin JuneEllen , GERD can lead to Barretts Esophagitis which can and often does lead to Esophageal Cancer. So another mortal bullet my surgery helped me dodge, been 2 years, she was 68, would have been 70 the 18th of last month, when I turned 70 we joked about it, made plans about how we would celebrate her 70th, God I miss my JuneBug! Nobody should have to die like that! And thanks to my RnY I won't. Sad someone has to die to help secure your own life. Strong history of diabetes on my Daddy's side, weaker on Mama's but both died diabetic. 💓disease,yes that also, my son , my older boy, died at 31 of an undiagnosed asending aortic aneurysm, so that was another loaded gun aimed at me. He did not have full Marfans but a Marfanoid-syndrome, possibly. True Marfans is a dominate entity, neither my late husband or I had the disease, but in a rare sequence of events, he and I both. had subtle flaws that added up to this conclusion. I have an aortic root dilatation, one of the facets I passed on to my son, I have a very good cardiologist who's keeping an eye on my cardiac health. I married a man with hereditary kidney disease in his family tree, my 2 remaining children get checked often, but my family tree is not straight trunked there either. One first cousin almost lost a kidney because of a kinked kiney artery, his daughter had also problems, so did another first cousin in California's son. Both my parents had 3 kidneys, as do I. And all my kidneys are functioning right now but have an urologist watching mine. I tease him and tell him. he's" on retainer" but he is very good. It is nice to be able to joke about such things. My PCP gets peeved with me Cholesterol-low side of normal Thyroid -a little low but doesn't need replacement yet BP- low normal Heat rate nice and smooth Lungs-asthma, some COPD, and sleep apnea. My dad had it bad, look up Pickwickian syndrome, this is the type of apnea surgery doesn't cure, if so, Uncle Snuffly and I have been a couple for over a year, have him on as I text . I had bad nightmares before him, maybe when I stopped breathing? My Blood Sugar is always on the low side of normal. And the esteemed Frederick Charles Carroll MD puts his hands on his hips. " I am less than 50, my test values are worse than yours. It isn't right, I tell you, it isn't right! YOU SHOULD BE BROKEN DOWN BY NOW!" But like the Energized Bunny🐰(snicker snicker) I just keep going and going! Last time, in August, right before surgery, I smiled sweetly and said "Sorry-y about YOUR LUCK!" So if you ever want to talk more, I hang out,on Bariatric Pal a lot. Almost always find me near my cellphone, use it instead of computer, most,of the time works well.

Hi all! I am new to the forum as well. I started my journey in July 2015. I had my sleep study done and signed up for a weight management class which is required by my insurance which is Kaiser. I had to wait until November to start because the classes fill up fast. It was an 8 week class. After that I attended the orientation on January 27th. Then I had to have a hour appointment with the nutritionist and social worker for the program. I had that appointment on 4/20 and had my blood work done. Now I am waiting for the bariatric team to review my chart on 5/4 and call to set a consult with the surgeon. I have lost 41lbs since starting my class in November. I am so excited to get the call for my next step! Thanks for reading this and I am so glad I found this forum! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My uncle tried hypnotism. I think his version was aversion therapy where the hypnotist/therapist trained his mind to think food tasted terrible. He's in bariatric surgery counseling now!

This isn't a site, but a booklet, but I like it: http://www.muhealth.org/documents/bariatric/Bariatric%20Booklet%20VSG.pdf OP, what are some of the best you've come across?

Swampdoggie-thanks for asking. I'm feeling good. The pain isn't too bad. We've been getting so much snow that I've been cooped up in the house all week. I take my dog outside when I can but don't feel strong enough to stand for a long period of time. I do get some acid reflux - have been taking tums. While I'm cooped up I've been constantly on my tablet reading the posts on Bariatric Pal. It seems like the people that had the revisions do better with the food than the first time Sleevers. I'm wondering if it's because we know when to stop like we did with the band? I can't wait to start the mushy food phase but am nervous also. Lori

I just started the process of looking to get DS Surgery in Mexico. I know there are a lot of different organizations that can coordinate this process for you, the one I filled out the Health form for is Tijuana Bariatrics, using Dr. Fernando Garcia at Hospital CER. I got a response that I have been cleared for surgery. I am an RNY Gastric Bypass member (10 years out) and want to do a revision to the DS (I gained all the weight back in the last 3-4 years). When I first submitted my form, their response was they wanted to "revise" my gastric bypass because they don't recommend the DS because of gas issues? Has anyone else heard of this? I want the surgery, but only if I can get the DS. Also, my coordinator Karen seems very quick and anxious to get my deposit (this is self pay because the insurance I have through my work doesnt cover bariatric surgery at all). I am worried about getting scammed?! This all seems too easy. Hoping that someone here can lend some advice? Also, wondering if anyone has used any of the financing options listed on their website? Citerra Finance, Medicard, Medical Financing Solutions.. I guess I got a lot of questions..ha ha Sara

I had my lap band put in on June 12 th. It was a long process. I finally decided to pursue it after being rejected by a fertility clinic due to my weight which at the time was around 150 and because I was 40. I started going through the process of getting the surgery authorized when I decided to get a second opinion from another fertility clinic. They were willing to work with us. I am using my younger sister's eggs. Thank you sister! Any way because I was fearful of failure of either procedure failing I went through the process of both without informing one of the other until I knew for sure. I had to go through several appeals and hoops to get the lap band approved and as luck would have it they both were coming to fruition in June. So it was time for disclosure and Decisions. I went first to the lapband team at park nicollet in mn. I had had a very brief conversation with a nutritionist ptior to my second opinion and eas somewhat hopeful. The response from the surgeon once ascertaining my reasonings for waiting was that life is complicated, that the main concerns with bariatric and pregnancy is directed at nutrition. My surgeon noted minimal nutritional issues with the band, that the females bodies put needed nutrition to the baby first, and that people in poverty have healthy births. also noted was the majority of healthy births to women with lap bands. It was also pointed out that with the band that less weight gain during pregnancy the healthier. The fertility doc didn't care as long as the surgeon stayed away from my pelvic area. So. Surgery was completed and I am feeling geat and in about 7 days I will ( hopefully) have my Ivf implantation. I wanted to share my story to give a different experience or prompt new conversations with your treatment team. I wish you the best. Sorry for the length of this. I just ran across this site and was so excited.

geesh , i appreciate your prayers , the herinia is form so many opertions on stomach area it is wearing and has a size of a baseball that pouches out but stomach under right breast is size of football and about 1" bigger thank left side i thought that was just from the scaring where they cut me open 4 times on stomach does not hurt i think its a insisional hernia, but i just got apt for cardiac doc next fri and waiting on phyc to call back and doc for apt for cat scan and then i get blood work done so i will know with in a few weeks i guess, my doc put on paper of referal for bariatric surgery for me (quote ) This is to certify that Ms Smith is under my medical care. She has hyuperlipidemia and worsening type 2 diabeties. she has failed a number of diest and has tried to lose weight unsuccessfully over the past frew years, she has asthma and memorrioids tthat have been exacerbated by her condition as well, while her blood pressure is currentyl controlled, i do not expect her other conditions to improve without some weight loss. i think that she is a good candidate to undergo bariatric surgery. ( end quote) now with him saying that i i have been with him for a few years trying to loose weight will that be sufficent enough for the six months ? i am so depressed, :help:

I have a consultation scheduled with Dr. Manuel Castro on Wednesday. After my previous experiences with Bariatric Surgeons, I'm not sure exactly what to expect. My hubby keeps telling me not to get too excited or hopeful that Dr. Castro can help us. Yes, us. I want to eventually get my hubby approved for the VSG as well. He is only 20 pounds smaller than he was at his highest weight 5 years ago when he was banded. I went to my primary care doctor, Dr. King and he was upset with me over my blood pressure. Apparently it has become more and more difficult to control and I hope that if it comes downt to it he will write that down in a letter. I'm now on two seperate anti-hypertensive medications. Dr. King ordered labs to check my liver, kidneys and heart in order to see if there is a cause to my high blood pressure. Kidney disease runs in my family. So who knows? I'm trying not to think about anything else "bad" happening to my body. I already have depression, fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease, some herniated discs, sciatica and apprently high blood pressure. I believe a few of those could be helped with me losing the remaining 80 pounds that I need to. I know that the Sleeve is simply a tool and I have to stay on course and be good. I did great when I intially got the band having lost 140lbs. That was until Pamela (aka the band) decided to go all bitchy on me. :thumbup: That's it until Wednesday....

Get the book, "The Bariatric Foodie Guide to the Perfect Protein Shake" by Nikki Massie

I’m going to be self pay in FL. I found 3 surgeons in FL that were more “affordable”. Dr Radecke, Dr Shillingford and Dr Wizman. These are all around 10-11,000 for sleeves. 2 of those Dr do you surgery at bariatric centers of excellence. Other Florida Drs quoted me around 15,000-17,000 for sleeve. I will be cash pay up front. I am very concerned about self-pay complications though. I have United Health for insurance but Dr office told me my plan doesn’t cover bariatric AND I’m low BMI. I also have disc degeneration issues and following weight loss I also want to get a breast reduction. I have numerous herniated disc’s and a broken vertebrae. I think you are just going to have to google and call around like I did to find surgeons in your area. It was time-consuming but I wanted to make sure I knew all of my options.

I got bariatric pal so much easier once you figure it out!

Hello friends, I have been here for a while now. In 2009, I had the lap band but like most I had it removed in 2014. I am still diabetic and still have HBP and cholesterol. With the band I had lost only 45 lbs and have regained 15 lbs back. I've always feared having another surgery no matter how bad I've always wanted it. My diabetes is getting worse and I've been put on an additional pill and it's still not controlled. I've finally come to my final decision as I sit here very tearful, to go ahead and have another surgery. I know RNY is better for me, but b/c of my weight (215) I'm choosing the sleeve. I guess it just really hit me today that due to my health I need to do this ASAP. I'm 60 and feel time is running out for me. I only hope that I haven't waited too long. Feeling sorry for myself and realizing that I want to pick myself up and live, I called my bariatric center and said " I'm Ready". I'm awaiting a return call.

I recently changed them. Can't stomach the bariatric ones I bought a few weeks ago. I'm sure it will be fine, but I am super nervous with everything. Lol.

You've done a great job so far and as much as we all hate it...things do slow down from time to time. Hang in there though. Try switching things up...stop doing your same old exercise routine and try something new or change up your food choices...usually a "shake up" will spark renewed weight loss.

Now see...I think your refusal to acknowledge and respect these people....is as offensive as you find women who post in the men's room. World is an interesting place, isn't it? If you'd like to be educated about them, look up the term genderqueer or non-binary gender identity. But again...I don't care what Alex does about these rooms. Ultimately, I think he'd care a lot more about them if they produced LOTS of sales of bariatric products. LOL:) By the way, have you tried the Flapjacked Mighty Muffins? They're amazing:)

I'm considering this surgery after researching all the bariatric surgery options. It seems it has the least amount of side effects, a great initial weight loss, and a decent long term weight loss. It all sounds really great, but I need to hear the "dark side" of it all, before I make the decision. I need to know the worst of the worst before I move forward with this plan. A little about me, I'm 31, 5'10", 280lbs. my BMI is 40. I've just had my second child 4 months ago, and my post-baby weight is the same as my pre-baby weight...which, as it happens, is the weight I've been for the last 6 years. I've always been an athletically built girl...never super skinny...but at my best shape, I was a size 10 and weighed 170. I also didn't have 2 kids, a husband, and a career, so it was a little easier to take care of myself. Weight problems run in the family; my mom and younger sister are both morbidly obese, as are all the women on my mom's side of the family. No one really sticks to a diet or exercise program, they just like to complain and blame their lots in life on their weight. I'd like to break the cycle while I'm still young, and can enjoy an active lifestyle with my family, etc. I feel like the surgery could give me the boost I need to lead a healthy, active, confident lifestyle I so desperately want. BUT, I'm concerned about the post-op world I'll live in. Here are some questions I have: 1. since you can't eat much, is your energy really low? I have to take care of 2 kids, so low energy is not too appealing 2. will you ALWAYS only be able to eat small amounts? Or, will your stomach stretch back to normal size eventually? 3. once you get past the first few weeks of liquid and soft foods, what dietary restrictions are there in your normal, day-to-day life? 4. I've heard you can throw up if you eat too much, what other physical side-effects can I expect post-op? 5. any regrets??? Thanks in advance for all your feedback. Some days I think this is the best idea ever, and other days, I think I'm crazy to consider it... just looking for answers either way at this point.