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I never crushed pills. I was told I could take anything the size of a pencil eraser (or smaller) the regular way. That covered all my pills except for two - my calcium tablets and some other pill that I can't remember at the moment. So I bought chewable calcium to get around the first issue. For the second, the PA in my bariatric clinic said I could either crush them, or just not take them for about two weeks (which he said should be OK), and then give it a try to see if I could swallow them whole. I went with option 2 and WAS able to swallow them whole at two weeks out.

I, too am in my 60's and periods are a thing of the past. I suspect though that surgical teams deal with that all the time, and you will be up and down to the bathroom a lot after surgery, so it won't be as much of an issue as you may think. Today is day 7 of my pre-op and I'm doing great. I have fleeting thoughts of foods that aren't allowed, but honestly if I drink a protein shake every few hours, with lots of water/tea/broth in between, I'm golden. I gardened yesterday and noticed I don't have as much stamina, and I attribute that to the low calorie diet. I'm also not yet taking the bariatric vitamins I ordered, and probably should be as they contain more iron and folic acid and such than what I usually take. Surgery is a week from tomorrow! It is so great having all of you May surgery folks to chat with. Keep the faith all. It is so worth it!

I haven't done weight watchers in a long time, but have you considered a habit tracker? You can do these on paper or as an app. It didn't work for me but I am in a bariatric support group on Facebook and many people there swear by them as a way to stick to habits. You could give it a shot. You might also try "rewards" for getting your water or exercise in for two weeks in a row, like a manicure or a piece of jewelry, or a movie night (without snacks!).

The surgery itself takes only about 20 minutes for VSG, from what I heard from an interview with a bariatric surgeon.

Hi! This is my first time ever doing this so bare with me! I started my process with trying to get bariatric surgery officially April 2021! My first meeting with the doctor is on May 7th 2021. I’ve done all of my pre op tests that are required for me to meet the doctor and I’ve done my nutritionist appointment ( I have independence blue cross ppo, not too many requirements with this insurance). I am very nervous because one of the requirements I have to provide for weight loss surgery is medically supervised documented weight loss attempts. I’m only 21 years old and tbh the job I’ve had now is my first full time job and before that I didn’t have insurance. I have done weight loss attempts but they weren’t medically supervised at all because I didn’t have insurance or a pcp since 2016. I’ve done multiple attempts of weight loss supplements, dr fisher pills, planet fitness, intermediate fasting, I even did Herbalife for a year. Has anybody else had a issue with the documented weight loss? does anybody else have independence blue cross ppo and can give me some pointers? I meet all of the other requirements for surgery. A very high BMI and high blood pressure but idk I’ve never done anything like this before and I’m scared that insurance will reject my attempt

How do the chips taste? I have a hard time thinking they’ll be appetizing not being “real” chips. I take the procare bariatric multi vitamin and it can’t be cut in half.

I really love Procare bariatric vitamins with Iron. They have everything I need on 1 capsule, besides the calcium of course, and I do take some extra Vitamin K because I had a Loop DS. They are also fairly reasonably priced. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello everyone and welcome to my very first post! (READ ON TO LEARN A BIT ABOUT ME OR SKIP TO LAST PARAGRAPH IF THIS IS TOO LONG, which admittedly, it probably is lol. 🙂 ) I've been a reader for about a year now, and now that I'm seeing a light at the end of the bariatric tunnel, I decided to join the forum. I've been wanting to do surgery for a long long time, over a decade at this point. In my early twenties my parents even considered sending me to the Dominican Republic (my birth place) to be with family and get the surgery there with a known doctor. Ultimately the cost was prohibitive for a young girl in college and I was still attempting to lose weight on my own. Now, my new job has (thankfully) doubled my previous salary AND has a great insurance that actually provides WLS to qualifying patients. I have Cigna and I know their requirements have recently changed, around summer 2020. I'm no longer required to partake in a 6-month monitored weightless plan. All I need are the following: - Psych eval (took April 27th and was recommended for surgery) - Blood work (took April 28th, everything came back normal, which always shocks doctors since I'm 300 lbs. creeping toward pre-diabetes but not there yet. - EKG (came back normal, also taken April 27th, no issues there) - Gallbladder ultrasound (recommended by my surgeon, taken same day, they said possible sludge but no stones. Kidney and liver looked normal, no lesions.) - Nutrition consultation (just one, already had it April 28th) - Letter of necessity from another physician. Herein lies my biggest issue. My consult was April 21st and all of my appointments were done a week later. Everything is working out so smoothly that it's scary. BUT my PCP recently switched offices so I don't really have one, and with COVID, I saw specialists if I had an issue or a yearly exam and not a general MD. I have sleep apnea and see a neurologist who treats me for it. My surgeon's office said that since I have PPO insurance, the letter can come from my specialist, doesn't have to be a PCP or general practitioner. I called her office to see if she' be willing to hear me out or if I'd have to go in for an appointment. She wants to see me and I understand she wants to be paid for her time. But when I asked the receptionist how she took it, when I asked if she'd be willing to write me my letter of necessity, the receptionist said "do you want the truth?" (of course I do, or I wouldn't have asked.) "she seems... iffy... but... but... just, just come in and we'll see." I'm seeing her on Monday. I'm so nervous that she will say no. My cousin's a doctor and she gave me some great tips on how to ask (which I'll gladly share if you want me to) but I'm so concerned that she'll require a monitored diet plan or she will straight up refuse to write the letter. Has anyone gone through this? What are some ways you spoke to your doctor, and did you get any push-back? I feel like doctors insist on weight loss but look down on WLS. Such a stigma. Any tips are appreciated!

My story started in 2018 after becoming my father's legal Guardian due to him having a stroke followed by a heart attack. That woke me up, and I began to take my morbid obesity and skeletal issue more seriously. But in reality, I should have said yes the first time. My VA doctor suggested Gastric Bypass Surgery in 2013 while discussing my morbid obesity, skeletal issue, and being borderline diabetic. Now let's jump to September 2020 While visiting my PC VA doctor, I decided to get enrolled in the Bariatric program. 26Apr2021, I finished my last phase 1 checklist step, and on 29Apr2021, I received My Bariatric Bypass Surgery Date of 14 June 2021. During this time, my starting weight was 306lbs; to date, my weight is 289lbs. What did I do? Drank more water half bodyweight in OZ Cut out All Fast foods for Lunch Cut out all processed foods Cut as many GMO's as possible Cut soda's Switched to a 75/25% Plant-Based Diet (Mosaic Foods Subscription for all Lunches) Substitute more Alkaline foods in my diet Switched to Non-Dairy Milk's (Allergic to Cow Milk) Plant-Based Shakes for Breakfast (Truvani & Garden of Life Raw Organic Fit Protein High Protein for Weight Loss) I did a lot of research on here and other places. Thank all of you for your knowledge and support.

Btw, when my insurance packet was submitted by my bariatric surgeon, I called the insurance company to see how things were coming along. The lady asked me if I wanted them to put a rush on it? I didn’t even know that was an option. She said that then I would have an answer in 48 hours. So I did and now I’m two weeks post-op!

this is the first time I've ever heard of this (and I've been active on this site as well as other bariatric sites for 6+ years). I'm not sure it's related to your surgery - I'd check with your PCP.

Weren’t you just in the hospital a few days ago? I’ve seen a few posts you’ve made regarding unhealthy food choices or what seems like more severe issues post sleeve. I would definitely encourage you to speak to your nutritionalist and/or doctor’s office so you have a better feel of their post op plan so you’re not getting sick and taking the best care of your body possible. A Bariatric therapist may be a good choice as well if you’re struggling with food or alcohol issues.

I’ve tried doing quite a few searches and can’t seem to come up with any studies done with Bariatric patients and what the stall actually is and what makes it stop. I hypothesized what the above posted mentioned on starvation mode ( I know quite a bit about this from my bodybuilding days long ago) but generally that has to be remedied with a calorie increase that doesn’t happen post surgery. I also know that leptin and ghrelin play a huge role in starvation mode as well, but those areas of the stomach that produce the most are removed with VSG.

I went in the first night because I threw up brown stuff and couldn’t manage the nausea. Looking back I don’t think I was tolerating water very well. They said I was dehydrated, gave me fluids, I think morphine, consulted with the bariatric dr on call and sent me home saying I’m not gonna die. I’m still having gas pains and still kind of dizzy but I think things will get better once I get different sources of protein and liquids. Hang in there!

My surgeon discussed the various bariatric surgeries but I had thoroughly researched them and had decided on the gastric sleeve before my first appointment with my surgeon. I knew 3 family and friends who had had the bypass surgery and all 3 have regained a large portion of their weight loss.I had one friend who was successful with the lapband surgery but another friend who spent nearly two months in the hospital and had to have the band removed. I am 18 months post gastric sleeve surgery and down 145 pounds from my heaviest weight. The difference in my life has been AMAZING. I have gone from a 3X to a size large in clothing, my energy level is up so much that I exercise five times a week for at least 30 minutes but usually one hour and I went back to work part time after 4 years of retirement. I was on 3 medications and was still not able to achieve a earthy BP. My meds have been cut in half and my BP is nearly perfect. Lol, when I went to my PCP the first time after my surgery, I thought he was going to do a jig because he was so excited by the amount of weight that I had lost and how much my BP had dropped. My only regret is that I hadn’t had the surgery sooner.

Boy, I'm right there with you. Finding a healthy substitute for food is the biggest challenge of all. I think of the surgery as a tool, but getting my head straight with food is really the journey. A friend who had surgery some years ago recommended a book that I am currently reading. It's called The Emotional First+Aid Kit (a practical guide to life after bariatric surgery) by Cynthia Alexander, PsyD. It has some useful guidance.

So on day 4 (of 7) I began to feel lightheaded and dizzy. I had been sleeping most of days 1-3 so didn’t consume much of anything. Talked to the bariatric nurse (day 5) who asked me about calorie count. I told her I’ve (like you all) I’d been focused on trying to get the 64 oz liquids/60g Protein in. She basically told me to vary my diet and try to get more calories. So, drank some liquidy butternut squash Soup, and watered down some yogurt. The soup is only 80 calories per cup. The chicken broth we have has 1g of protein and even fewer calories. She suggested I could have sugar free popsicles, so looked and they’re a whopping 25 calories each. So, I’m finding all this very challenging because My stomach isn’t big enough to drink all the fluids, consume protein, and worry about calories! Gaaaah (exasperated yell) This is why I asked my question. Lol!

Update on the whey protein. I was sensitive to 'milk concentrate" whey protein. This includes the bariatric pal soups, puddings, and gnc lean shakes. It caused a lot of very foul gas and bowel discomfort. Whey isolate, Genepro, and several GNC shakes have been fine. I was not sensitive to the milk concentrate whey shakes before. The cottage cheese also gave me issues and I had to cut it out. Greek yogurt has been fine. So if you are stocking up before surgery I highly recommend making sure you get whey isolate, especially the Genepro as it has no flavor and can be added to anything to boost your protein intake.

I was told by my Bariatric nutritionist that meats did not have to be pureed, but rather chopped finely and moistened with broth, fat free gravy, or low-fat Mayo. As long as you chew properly, the food is pureed before it hits your stomach. Chicken salad and tuna were staples of mine. I also did shredded crock pot meats that were chopped prior.

I am protein shake, bariatric soups, and sugar-free liquids only. I am on day 10 of the pre-op diet, and I agree, the protein shakes are so sweet. I can only handle 2 a day. I add unflavored protein powder (GenPro) to my soups to get enough protein. Good Luck with your surgery—I am the day before, so I will be thinking of you from my hospital room!

My bypass surgery is scheduled for this Monday (May 3rd). I am on Day 10 of my pre-op liquid diet. The first 3 days are the hardest—I had body aches, hunger, weakness, and fatigue. Now, I don’t really notice being hungry, and I have more energy than I did last week. I have lost 15 lbs! I bought the bariatric soups from my surgeon’s office, and I find mixing them with flavorless protein powder and broth make them better—I also added a little black pepper and garlic seasoning. My best advice is to keep busy and keep drinking water and sugar-free Gatorade to help! My motivation for getting through these two weeks is constantly reading about what happens when you don’t follow the diet. I don’t want my surgery cancelled or my health at risk, so I drink the soup, the protein shakes, and the sugar-free liquids and count the days until Monday! I am both nervous and excited. Anyone having a bypass? Most of the people I know had the sleeve, but I have severe GERD so my surgeon recommended bypass!

Exactly! Instead of beating ourselves up for not reaching our goal weight, we should focus on how much we have accomplished! And for most of us, the original goal weight was a fairly arbitrary number. The important thing is that you are way healthier than you were two years ago. Congrats! Well if we’re doing confessions, I’ll admit that I can have mimosas (yes, plural) and not suffer. Weird story, but I actually ran into my bariatric surgeon at a padel ball tournament last fall. Weirder still, my husband and I got paired up against him and his wife. Mimosas and breakfast burritos were flowing and my bari-surgeon himself poured me a mimosa after our match! I told him I either had room for the mimosa or the burrito and his response was “damn surgeons, can’t trust ‘em” Lol, I chose the mimosa 🤣 Hope everyone is doing well So far I’m hanging into the high 130’s and I too think that I look much better now with 5 extra pounds on. I seem to be in constant flux-regaining then losing the same 5-7 pounds. I’d like it if I had a bit more consistency, but as long as I can keep within my window I’ll take it.

Greetings Coexister, i does seem that I am not a dumper either because I’ve tested this several times. I did get a bad reaction from drinking whole milk kefir. I got a stomachache. I wonder is this a form of dumping syndrome? When I drank low fat or non fat kefir, I absolutely had no problems with the kefir. However, when I had a frozen yogurt, I didn’t experience any sickness in my physical body. In terms of losing weight, for the last three weeks, I have stayed the same weight. I haven’t gained or loss weight. I guess that’s a good thing. You know something, Coexister? I have often wondered if my Bariatric Surgeon actually did the RYGB on me. My recovery is very similar to when I got the VGS in 2016. I control my snacking by putting everything I eat in my dietary journal. My dietitian gave me a calorie target and I rarely go above my calorie target. If there’s a particular snack I want to have, I budget for it within my calorie budget. I also read these forums for insight and inspiration as everyone that uses these forums have pearls of wisdom to offer each other. I have no regrets that I proceeded to revision to the RYGB because I my weight is coming down again and I have no more GERD & heartburn anymore. I also can’t risk get throat cancer from the hideous GERD I suffered from before I had my RYGB. 😃 I am six weeks post op and today was my first day back on solid food. I’m going back on solid food slowly - introducing each new food slowly back into my diet.

Interesting responses here. There are indeed some insurance plans that have requirements of things they want you to do prior to approval for the surgery. Yes, the medical WLS program requirements are separate. Indeed some people have insurance that do not require anything. But if you do a search on this site, it's not just about hoops from the medical staff. Folks indeed report that their insurance required 3 months, 6 months, weight management, etc. And, for some of the "hoops" reported, some can be regarded as helpful in some ways just for your own medical care perspective and preparation for surgery. You can tell which programs prepared folks and which did not when you read posts on here. But, people also have all kinds of programs and insurances. Plus, some folks are self-pay and move through the process faster. From the medical program perspective, blood work and an EKG seems simple to me. Plus, some do EGDs before to see if you have a hernia that needs repairing or if there is anything internal that might cause a problem with the surgery. That's cool with me. I haven't had a lot of other surgeries, but getting information beforehand and tests that provide information about my health seem like a good deal to me. I guess that's also because from my perspective I wasn't trying to race through this process. Man, after surgery you certainly can't race through the process either. I think that if I had to wait more than 6months, I would be annoyed, but 3-6 months seems tolerable to get info, prepare mentally, prepare physically, fully understand what the program does and does not do, etc. I think one of the better "hoops" that people report is meeting with a therapist who understands bariatric surgeries, food addiction, eating disorders, etc. For folks on here who report not meeting with a therapist prior, many times it is recommended after. This is not a fast process. I'm glad that I had time to really fully understand and know what I was getting into. I recommend a good therapist for everyone going through this process. Good luck

Definitely take it to the hospital. You are required to have it there, especially for surgery. That said, I kept mine plugged in next to the bed but didn’t put it on. The nurses didn’t enforce it. Granted, I stayed in the orthopedic wing rather than the bariatric wing. Not sure why.