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that's pretty universal, from what I've read (i.e,, two if it's an over-the-counter brand). Here are the guidelines from the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (see below). If one Costco supplement meets the requirements, then you're fine. With most drugstore and grocery store vitamins, you have to take two to meet the requirements. my clinic has both RNY and VSG patients on the same vitamin regimen, but yours may be different https://asmbs.org/app/uploads/2017/06/ASMBS-Nutritional-Guidelines-2016-Update.pdf?/app/uploads/2008/09/asmbs-nutritional-guidelines-2016-update.pdf

My 5 year surgery date is September 2021. I had an unremarkable recovery from my sleeve surgery. I lost 110 pounds but have put about 15 back on (or had... I have lost 9 of those). The biggest "issue" I had post-surgery was either hiccuping or sneezing when I was full. About a year ago, I started having acid issues. They've progressed to the point of significant GERD. I had been taking a PPI but it stopped working at all... seriously, I wake up at night coughing and gagging because there is stomach acid pretty much in my back teeth! Anyhow, for the last year I've been taking the PPI until it stops working, go off of it for about a month, take it again and it helps a bit but then stops working... wash, rinse, repeat. Four or five months ago I started having horrible pain with eating on occasion and would sometimes throw up. The vomiting has become almost a daily occurrence although not with every meal, and with no predictability. SO I called my surgeon, she listened to my complaints, and sent me for an upper GI swallow. The films show that I have a hiatal hernia and a narrowing of my esophagus. They could tell this because the 12mm barium coated sizing-pill that they had me swallow, to track it through my system, wouldn't go through the esophageal opening into my stomach. There is also narrowing of the pylorus, at the bottom of my pouch, but they can't tell how narrow because the stupid sizing pill was stuck in my esophagus! When I talked to my surgeon after she saw the films, she had me scheduled for an endoscopy (on 6/18) and surgery (on 6/22) to put my pouch back where it belongs, close the enlarged opening in my diaphragm, and to open up my esophagus. She also said- rather offhand- that depending on what she sees in the endoscopy/surgery that I might need a revision. I believe this was in referral to the pyloric narrowing, but I'm not sure. I'm not sure I really know what a revision is. My surgeon is a leader in robotic bariatric surgery, but she's not much for communication and "bedside manner." Anyhow... I don't know what to expect from all of this, what post-op requirements would be, etc. Surgeon scheduled the surgery as she said it clearly needs to be done, just wants the endoscopy done so there are "no surprises" once she gets in there. She also said to expect to be in the hospital for a couple of nights. I really don't know what to expect and have called her office for clarification but so far, no response. I guess I am sharing here to see if anyone has had anything like this happen this far out from surgery, has any advice or guesses, experience with this to share, etc.

You lost 55 pounds in six weeks (down 125 pounds total) and you’re questioning your decision? That’s an amazing weight loss already! Remember, the less you weigh, the slower the weight comes off. I definitely understand being obsessed with the scale but I encourage you to focus on NSVs also. And think about long-term goals. I know it’s going to take me about a year to lose 115 pounds, so I am taking it day by day. I recommend working with a bariatric therapist or seeking behavioral strategies from Overeaters Anonymous or a mindful eating program to learn to stop eating when full. It can be really tough especially when you love the food you’re eating. But, this is a journey and a battle and we have so many resources to help us. Good luck!

that's a question for your bariatric clinic. Some allow it, some don't.

I've been taking specialist bariatric vitamins, but I agree the cost is huge. I've been working to the specification of vitamins from the website recommendations of the ASMBS, and if I could find those specifications in over the counter vitamins I'd take them. I couldn't find any here in the UK though so still paying out...

I've actually never taken bariatric vitamins - I've taken over the counter ones like Centrum since day 1.

Have any of you that are least where I am now (9 months) stopped taking the bariatric vitamins and started the over the counter ones? I looked into the Centrum Silver and I may start taking these instead now that I am this far out. The price difference between these and the ones I have been buying thru this website is huge.

I'm scheduled for June 16. Doing the pre-op diet. 2nd day and it's driving me nuts mentally. I'm trying to stay busy AND positive. I've been meeting my friends outside, wearing a mask at all times because the last thing I need is to get sick before I'm "renewed!" Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

The closer you are to goal, the more slowly you lose but in saying that you may have reached your balance & are in maintenance. That is the calories you are consuming are equal to the calories you are burning. To lose more you either have to consume less or increase your activity. Whatever weight you end up at has to be sustainable. Many bariatric patients end up at a weight that is higher than what they may have initially wanted. But they’re at a weight they can maintain while still enjoying & living the healthy & happy life they want. It’s fine to eat several smaller meals across a day or graze on three meals as long as caloric intake is constant. It just has to work for you. I eat three meals and about 4 nutritious snacks every day because I can’t physically consume enough in three meals to maintain - my restriction kicks in & I can’t eat any more. My total caloric intake sits at about 1200 calories a day. Another path you could look at is Dr Matt Weiner’s videos & books about resetting your basal metabolic rate which could enable you to lose more if you are interested. The intent is to reset your metabolism to run faster so your body burns more calories just to function. I guess the big questions are do you want to have to take appetite suppressants for the rest of your life to maintain at a lower weight? Do you want to live your life consuming fewer calories &/or maintaining a higher activity level to stay at a lower weight? You may say yes to either of these questions & that’s fine. It’s your decision. Congrats on your weight loss & good luck whatever you decide.

I was told straws were forbidden and I could never use one again. I’ve seen so many varying opinions on this and the fact that there is so much fallacy with Bariatric s in general, I gave them a try last week at almost 9 wks out. I’ve had ZERO issues with too much air or pain. I go back and forth between shaker cups, straws, and mugs and notice no difference. If anything, I find I swallow more air with a regular cup.

a lot of insurance companies do cover it, but unfortunately, some employers don't want that coverage for the policies they offer their employees because the rider for bariatric surgery is pretty expensive. In other words, even if we had the exact same insurance company, if we worked for different employers, my employer might not have included that coverage to their employees' plans - whereas yours might have. So it's often more an issue of the employer not wanting that rider than it is the insurance company not offering it, if that makes sense. some people who are self-pay end up going abroad for it since it's often much cheaper outside of the US. Mexico is a pretty popular destination for it. If you decide to go abroad, though, be sure to really research surgeons - there are some excellent ones and some not-so-great ones...

Hello! My name is Meagan, I'm 34 new! I've struggled with my weight since...well...pretty much as long as I can remember. I've always been plus size but was an athlete in high school so I was really fit and toned at 150lbs, but would still dread going clothes shopping because 9/10 times it resulted in me crying in the dressing room. Since HS, its been a non-stop struggle to lose weight. I've tried every diet there is to try, gym memberships, work outs, trainers, medical fitness programs, supplements. You name it, I've tried it. Not only am I dealing with genetics (my paternal side of the family is very much overweight and has a host of medical problems because of it) but I also was diagnosed with depression and anxiety about 10 years ago. My current weight is the largest I've been at 265. I'm tired, y'all. I'm tired of working so hard, of following the meal plans and doing the work outs and seeing zero results. I've always struggled with my self esteem because of my weight and this past year it hit an all time low. I started to research bariatric surgery options a few weeks ago and am ready to start the process. However, I just found out that surgery is not covered by my insurance (through my job) and the bariatric program I want to go through, requires insurance before I can start the program. What insurance company have you all seen that covers surgery? Supplemental plans? Help.

I've taken Centrum Silver (or the generic equivalent) since day 1. I started with the chewables and then switched over to regular tablets when I was about six months out. If you take grocery store or drug store vitamins, you'll probably have to take two a day to meet the requirements. With some bariatric-specific vitamins (but not all...), you only have to take one (but again - check. With some of those you also have to take two (or more) a day...)

Good evening, so I did not do the surgery but I did join a weight loss done right program in my area on January 5 and as of today I have lost 68 pounds, (only 32 more to go) the program is very strict, but very easy and the food is quite good!! When it comes to eating out which we do, I am very committed and I basically tell the server immediately, I am sorry to be a pain but I am on a very strict diet so can you please relay to the kitchen staff that my food can have no seasoning, no butter, no oil, everything needs to be completely plain. Also I ask as many questions as needed, such as actual ounces, sauces etc. I actually use a brown bread that I purchase from bariatric pal, and I bring one or two slices with me, I either bring my own seasoning or I just use their salt and pepper. When it comes to salad dressing again I bring my own or I order just plain white vinegar. I usually order a 6 ounce steak or the 8 ounce salmon, again no butter, no seasoning, no oil. I get a double order of plain steamed broccoli and a side salad with only lettuce, tomato and cucumber. I will sometimes bring my own cucumber and hearts of palm. lol just carry a larger than usual purse, honestly no one cares and you should be very proud of yourself for loosing the weight and especially proud of adhering to the food restrictions because that shows your strength. I am not embarrassed or ashamed of ordering specifically as I know I am a healthier , happier and skinnier me. LOL i wish you the best of luck, you’ve got this!!!!

I have been seeing the GI and he did the endoscopy and told me to drink boost and go to the Bariatric dr. I went to 3 ERs and got fluids and sent home and told to see GI or Bariatric dr.

Keep pushing. Every. Single. Day. You clearly need urgent help and it makes me very sad you are not getting help quickly. A feeding tube (J-tube) might be needed to get you some nutrition and I am truly surprised no one seems to have discussed this with you. If you are not getting help, keep going to the ER. Follow up with the bariatric specialist, but you might need a GI specialist for the feeding tube. They are temporary and “easy” to put in/take out. Hope you feel better soon! 💕

Hey everyone in Internet Land. I’m just someone looking for information for someone else and stumbled over this article. If the public article remains posted, then the author is responsible for the forum until the owner of the website or moderator closes the thread. If people want to know about the current events of Dr. Duc Voung, he’s not hiding. His books are on Amazon. His YouTube channel is vibrant. He has a Facebook Group. (Do not click on those links. The website inserts them. I don’t know where they lead.) I cannot defend him because I don’t have the facts. There are two sides to every story. Someone called me last night with their side of the story about an event in their life. Then the other person arrived in person and told their side of the story. One person made a clear lie. The other person made a damaging response that hurt the liar’s feelings. Who do we pity in this story. I decided that I needed more information. This story about Dr. Duc Voung is similar because I only have one side of the story. What happened to the patient? Dr. Voung cannot say due to HIPPA restrictions. The patient’s side reads like a made for TV movie. I’ve seen those bariatric surgery reality shows on TV. The patients are traumatized. It’s awful. I’d like an update. Why do people seeking information about bariatric surgery need to leave the thread when they have questions about a bariatric surgeon? Instead, questions should be welcomed, right? Jac

I am 9 years post op and about a year ago I started vomiting after I ate a few times a week. About 4 months ago I started vomiting everything I ate. I've lost so much weight I look like death. I had an endoscopy done and they said my pouch was almost completely closed and they ballooned it to open it. It was better for 2 weeks and then I started vomiting again. In 4 months I have went from 175 to 120. I have had to leave work and can barely walk around I'm so weak. Has anyone else dealt with this? I finally found a bariatric specialist and will see her soon. But it's killing me that my kids are literally watching me die. I'm so malnourished its crazy

Many self pays in the US go to Blossom Bariatrics in Vegas. No hoops to jump through, check out their site. 

yes - it's simplistic. It may give you a ballpark, but ideal weights will vary a lot depending on so many things. My mother-in-law and I are both 5'6". She's always weighed in the 115-125-ish range. When I got down into the 130s a couple of years after my RNY, I looked like hell. No way could I have looked healthy if I weighed what she does. I actually look my best at around 150. But I have big, heavy bones and I'm very muscular. She has these little bird bones. She's probably look fat at 150. That's probably why BMI ranges are so wide - I think the normal range for someone my height is 114-154 (I know the top number for sure - not sure on the 114 because there's no way in a million years I'd ever be there, so it's irrelevant to me) also, my dietitian said that she doesn't pay that much attention to BMI ranges with bariatric patients because a lot of us have heavier bones and muscle than people who've never been severely obese since we needed that infrastructure to hold up all that weight. Of course, you lose some bone and muscle during the weight loss (and it's fine - you won't need all that anymore) - but you'll likely still have some of it when you get to goal - or moreso than someone at the same weight who's never been obese before. And of course, that extra bone and muscle means extra weight...

Bada beans are something I ordered from Amazons. I had had something similar I got from a grocery store or trader joe's one time, but I've also had toasted chickpeas from the grocery store that were flavored and pretty good. The Bada Bean Bada Boom (I looked up the full name) I got are in 100 calorie packs, which works well for me. I know the nutritionist is from your surgeon's office, but there are other bariatric-focused nutritionists out there. Try a google search or go to a dietitian or nutrition society page and see if you can do a "find a nutritionist in my area" and see if they have a way to select a specialty, or just call a few to see if they have this specialty. ALso, SX is surgeon.

I don't drink anything other than water. Tea or protein cocoa in the wintertime on occasion. I do not drink alcohol at all. I have not tried Lactaid pills. I may have to try that. Bada beans sound awesome. Where do you get them? I never heard of them. Funny thing is that this nutritionist is from my bariatric surgeons office. TY

Even caffeinated beverages count to your fluid intake. It's outdated thinking that caffeine dehydrates you more than the fluid hydrates you. They've done new research on this. So, if you drink coffee or tea, include this. The only drinks that would NOT count would be alcohol. Have you considered taking lactaid pills with your dairy? For some people that completely solves the problem (you have to take it each time you have dairy). Or drinking lactose free milk? It depends on the person, because some people have a slightly different lactose-related problem. One of my friends can eat dairy just fine as long as she has lactaid pills with it, or uses lactose-free milk, but my neighbor can't have dairy at all. I agree with adding beans if you can digest them, and foods like farro, quinoa, chia seeds, vegan protein powder (it doesn't have dairy - only if you decide to increase protein again), etc. There is also a snack I've found called Bada Bean (I don't think that's the exact name), which is toasted fava beans in different seasonings, and I think they're great. They are high in fiber and have some protein and fat. I agree with others who say to find a different nutritionist, but I would suggest finding one who specializes in bariatric needs. I'm so sorry you had this experience.