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Hello all, I can't get anything from that link. Perhaps it has moved now? I searched Kailah Ali and Lap band but no luck. (well found this forum :tt1: and an Amazon link to her book!) If anyone can find it again, let me know. Thanks, I'd just like to say, that once people research (and let's hope that they do) they will make a sound decision. I chose our wonderful Dr. Yau by checking out his rating on a Doctor site and found out from that, that he is a bariatric surgeon with a long history of doing this. That and my Doctor looking him up and his credentials cemented the deal. I just hope that others will choose their surgeon the same way. Not knocking anyone else's but no author would convince me to choose on their recommendation. When and if I need to have plastic surgery, I'll do the same sort of research. Mary

I was banded in August 2008. The surgery went well. No issues. to the best of my recollection I had my first fill 6 weeks latter. I found out fast the if you eat to fast or get aggravated you throw-up. I went to support groups but did not feel supported. I basically was on my own. I did not know how and what to eat. I did not lose any weight. I was very depressed. I stopped excessing and ate anything and everything. I gained over 50 pounds. I have diabetes and my sugar has been out of control for many years. I am sick of being sick. My blood pressures very high and I take over 10 pills 2 time a day plus 2 shots of insulin. I have one foot in the grave no support and very alone. Thank you all for your caring thoughts. I live on Long Island Nassau County, NY. Can anybody recommend a bariatric surgeon and a nutritionist other than Dr. Rajeev Vohra on the south shore. .. ... does anybos havd

I agree with the others - I've never heard of that, and I've been hanging out on bariatric boards for a few years now. It's probably just a coincidence.

I have Cigna and I started with one bariatric clinic and ended up choosing another. The first told me that Cigna is very strict and to not gain a pound or I would be denied. They also had a chart to fill out that had a box for diet and exercise, and that if both were not filled out, it wouldn’t be approved. The second clinic did not mention a thing to me and even allowed a visit with my primary care doctor to be counted as my first month. We talked about dieting and obesity, but not like I do with the weight loss clinic. I am not sure what was in the notes but I can’t imagine it was much. Cigna approved my claim in 48 hours due to being 37 and already having a knee replacement. Age: 37 Height: 5’6 BMI: 37 VSG scheduled for 4/16/18 GW: 160 MFP: Fit4LifeAR

i went through the same thing a few months ago when i decided to pursue surgery, i read through all my options and met with 2 different doctors and eventually chose the lapband for the following reasons: 1- i am only 24 and want children in the future so being able to get the band filled and unfilled through out my life will work well for the many adventures i plan to have! 2- even after a sleeve your stomach can stretch back to a larger size and when you are not going to the doctor periodically for check ups then you can quickly loose focus on weight loss. 3- i live about 90 minutes from the doctor i chose due to the limited amount of bariatric surgeons who work with my insurance, i have not really had a problem due to the fact that i absolutly love everyone in their office. 4- the thought of changing my anatomy kinda freaked me out alittle, it was more reassuring knowing that the band could be removed if necessary downt the road. hope this helps and good luck with your journey Lauren

My bariatric team contradict themselves constantly. My surgeon wanted me to take antibiotics the size of horse pills at two weeks post op. The ward staff refused to issue the tablets and I got a frantic call from the nurse telling me not to take any tablets until I was six weeks out. Just an example. I won't bore you with the other thousand. They "forgot" that I was still on fluids (8 weeks out), so I needed to experiment with foods. Using my discharge booklet as guidance, I also looked here to see what other people found successful. I have asked questions here at 2 in the morning when no team was available. I have asked questions here to see what others have actually experienced. None of my bariatric team have actually ever had bariatric surgery. They don't know how it feels. And once you don't trust your team, other humans can be helpful. I have to have a colonoscopy on Thursday which means a massively strong enema solution. At 8 weeks out, I am worried that my new stomach won't like this. Asking my surgeon is not helpful (remember the horse pill?), my nurse is on holiday. The colonoscopy team don't know. My GP says that is "beyond her". Who will I ask? I will research as much as I can, then decide what to do myself. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

First of all, I'm so sorry you are struggling. Know that you are not alone and that many folks experience some wonderful things after WLS as well as some more difficult things. That is just part of the process; its definitely not always sunshine and roses. 1- Constipation is VERY common. Are you taking an iron supplement? They are notorious for exacerbating constipation. If you're taking any additional iron, it may be worth getting your labs checked - if they are normal, maybe you can drop that? Another option would be to add a prebiotic fiber supplement. I take about 15g of Just Better Fiber daily and it is a HUGE help. Make sure you are well hydrated, especially when taking laxatives, stool softeners, etc. Lastly, are you getting in any fiber in your food? This goes with #2.... 2- The return of hunger is normal and expected. Your body is doing EXACTLY what its supposed to do. It may be helpful to start introducing more fruits & veggies, which will help you feel fuller longer and help with constipation. Also, are you hitting your protein goals? If not, definitely focus on getting that protein in. If you're hitting your goals, adding in nutrient rich fruits & veggies, and STILL feeling uncontrollably hungry, then it may be time to consult with a bariatric dietitian. Hunger is normal, feeling miserable is not. 3- I think a LOT of us struggle with body image before and after surgery. There is a trade off that happens - we lose the weight and are healthy, but it can make the physical effects of a lifetime obesity more obvious to us. Therapy therapy therapy. I can't encourage it strongly enough. Learning to cope with those feelings, learning to be kind to our new bodies, learning to love ourselves well, THAT is the hard work of weight loss and it is truly a lifelong process. Get help, and keep getting help. Outside of that - buy clothes that make you feel good, as much as you can focus on what you LIKE about your body instead of what you don't, if its practical for you, you can always look into plastic surgery, and of course, you could just refrain from looking in the mirror naked. I know, easier said than done, but if its causing your harm emotionally, then maybe hold off for now. You aren't alone and you aren't crazy. WLS is hard work and there is a lot that comes with it that doesn't get talked about much. We are rooting for you.

I am sorry about your complications. I have PB'd occasionally... but never on a regular basis like that. I agree with you though that it is not a "light" matter like some people seem to want to make it. My PB's are violent... and while they may not have stomach acid... it definitely is not a good situation. Thankfully over the 4.5 years I have had the band... I would say I have PB'd less than 20 times. I hope that this time around it will be easier for you to focus on slowing down. Make that your main focus! (once you figure out what is going to happen) It is so hard to be mindful constantly. I struggled with the decision on whether to remove my band or reposition it. I opted to reposition it because insurance actually covered it (I was self-pay due to bariatric clause). I have been up and down on whether or not I made the right decision. My hunger is starting to return and I have 2 weeks until my "first" fill. I have been measuring my portions and eating slow. Well this afternoon I ate a little faster than I would have if I had restriction... and I was able to eat my entire lunch (1/2 cup spinach, 1/4 cup ground turkey, 1/2 avocado, and a pinch of cheese & salsa). Normally I eat about half to 2/3rd's and toss the rest. When I finished my plate at lunch today... I realized that my band really HAS been helping me. So I am glad I kept it. I hope you are able to keep yours and continue on your journey to your goal. Something obviously has to change with your behavior, you realize that, or at least it seems that way from your post. It is not worth permanent damage continuing with non-compliant eating behaviors. Thank you for sharing your struggle. None of us are perfect. We all make mistakes.

Hello ladies im from wichita ks travling to oklahoma for surgery, my insurance does not cover so paying cash any pointers on thst or financing?, theres oklahoma weight loss or bariatric center of oklahoma have you heard anything about them? Like I said im self pay hit all the roadblocks so just looking for advice thanks!

Hi there & welcome! I had RNY bypass nearly 16 months ago. I chose to do it because I was diagnosed with stage 3 chronic kidney disease. I was already dealing with type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, very severe Gerd, psoriatic arthritis and severe osteoarthritis of the spine. My decision was initially about getting healthy. I chose bypass because it was the best solution for someone who has Gerd. The sleeve can make that worse and in many cases create it. Lap and was not even in my decision tree for the very same reason. I have lost 136lbs. I am about 8lbs from goal and am no longer overweight. For the first time since I was 19 I have a normal BMI. My diabetes, Gerd, high blood pressure, high cholesterol all gone with a month or two of surgery. My only regret is not doing this sooner, before I did so much damage to my spine and joints. I am 52 years young and have had 6 back surgeries and looking right in the face of 1 more. Don't wait, run as fast as you can to the nearest Bariatric center of excellence. Call your insurance company, they can tell which clinics are centers of excellence that are covered. They will also share with you the requirements. Be prepared for a period of supervised diets, most insurance companies require them. These surgeries cost a lot and you really only get one shot at it. They want to make sure you really are prepared to make changes in your life. Use whatever time your insurance company requires to start making changes now. It will help you be more successful down the road. Having this surgery is the best thing I ever did for myself. Don't wait!

So i've searched & read many of the previous "stall" threads but none seem to be similar to my issue. My HW was 387, SW 338(sleeved on 6/20/18), CW 250lbs. My macros are 1000-1200cals depending on lifting days, 90-110g protein, 50-60g carb per day. I'm lifting heavy 4 days per week with 45min HIIT cardio 5-6x/week. Per Apple Watch I'm burning between 4500-5500 cals per day so clearly burning 3x what I take in. My nut says I am were I need to be macro wise but the scale is just not friggin moving. My goal is cutting another 40lbs. I wonder if I am just not getting enough calories but don't think I can eat more. I don't want to lose any muscle mass, just burn fat. I've spoken with a few trainers who train bodybuilders & they think I am not getting enough calories but they admittedly don't have experience with bariatric surgery. The flip side is I've made a lot of progress and body has changed. I've dropped several sizes(4x to 2x), 50" waist to 40" but have more to go. Seeing people with better numbers and doing much less work is getting very frustrating. My question is- has anyone had a lengthy stall like this and was working out heavy? Was upping calories the answer? Was lowering your macros the answer? and were you able to maintain your muscle mass? TIA!

My next door neighbor works in the local funeral home so I guess he'd be OK to say this. My eval was NO questionnaire and a twenty minute chat with the doc. He mostly wanted to know if I really understood the ramifications about what I was about to do. It wasn't like he was trying to talk me out of it, but he kept harping on this being a lifetime change. He doesn't take insurance but I only paid $150 (I talked them down from $175 by dropping hints that I might go elsewhere) . I did find another one that would bill insurance but the earliest I could get an appointment was December, and my surgery was Nov 20! So it was worth the $150 to get it done. Sounds like these psychiatrists, just like the bariatric surgeons, are all over the map with their requirements.

Mari3997, Pre-op diet will definitely help you and helps get "your head" into the right place for your new fabulous healthy life. Support system? I have no one. My husband tried to talk me out of it, NOPE! My body, my life, I make my own decisions...autonomy. Find support groups here, Facebook, IG, etc, research youtube videos on bariatric surgeries. Some FEAR is normal but still wasted energy and can become crippling. Find a way to reduce fear to a reasonable concern. I responded to another post with this...it might help you, I hope so, just do it. Definitely do it! At 71, 100lbs overweight, in pain constantly, both knees destroyed by arthritis, peripheral neuropathy in both feet with hot burning pins and needles when standing and walking, back pain. My journey started in orthopedics with knees, steroid injections, worked well most of the time, but didn't stop the occasional fall [3 to 4 times a year]. I knew sooner or later something would break. I would have had knee replacement sooner except for covid & elective surgeries were cancelled for two years [socialized medicine ***] weight gain, but developed hypertension. Researched weight loss thru ***, and because I had obstructive sleep apnea, I would qualify, and found this bariatric surgery should be first before the knees. I researched, attended classes, youtube videos, surgeons, after care, supplements etc. I wanted the Roux-N-Y but at my age surgeon said no, VSG. The surgeon recommended to me, is EXTREMELY strict and no BS kind of guy, he canceled my first surgery date because he didn't like something I did, so I really buckled down to his protocol. I knew I would have nausea and vomiting from anesthesia so I told EVERYONE, to give me whatever so this didn't happen. Well...it happened, no medication, and postop recovery the uncontrollable violent projectile dry heaves started, nurse good, gave IV Zofran, the IV Reglan and within a few minutes it stopped, but it was bad. I went home the next day. I had all my foods for week two, supplements etc. I am keeping up with supplements and fluids but not hungry. Dr said eat 1/4 cup every 2-3 hours otherwise your body will try to hold on to everything and the metabolism shifts. I'm going to add the vitamin patches from Bariatric Pal to my daily regimen of chews and capsules, [ I am very fatigued] for a while and see how this works. I use Mira Lax/:axa Clear equivalent in my morning water bottle and use a stool softener at night. Find whatever works for you, the stool softeners alone did not work for me. Trying to find my new normal, I knew it would be a process. I have NO regrets, and would tell anyone considering surgery to 'go for it' and FOLLOW directions strictly. Once I pass the phase of full liquids and get into pureed foods it will be another advancement. During surgery found a hiatal hernia and did the repair. Who Knew?! I didn't, glad it's done. My significant weight loss will help me in recovery for total knee replacement. I'm looking forward to repairing the rest of my body in my older age. Best wishes to you. Surgery May 15. 

I am 1 week post op today and I can say im down almost 10 pounds. I am drinking the different protein premium drinks, sugar free Gatorade and water. Trust me when I say its a struggle at times getting 64 oz in if I dont start drinking by 6am. But what I hate so far is this nauseous feeling. Also I hate these muxed berry chewable vitamins by bariatric advantage. They are nasty as hell and makes me want to puke. The wild cherry chewable calcium citrate vitamins not too bad. I call myself getting bariatric specific so i want have to take alot of pills. Im thinking now I probably have should went with the flintstone vitamins.

Hi Everyone! It's been a couple weeks since my first consultation with the bariatric surgeon in Atlanta. I am feeling confident and focused on moving forward with the surgery. I am planning to work with my insurance company to have the procedure. My surgeon and insurance require 90 days of tests (EKG, Gast. X-ray?, blood panel, Physical Therapy, Psychiatric Evaluation and Supervised Nutrition Plan). I am following the plan and taking it seriously. I have been told that I cannot gain any weight between my consultation and my nutritionist's appointments. I don't have to lose any weight, but I cannot gain or my insurance will not approve of the surgery. Makes sense. (I figure.. this is my last resort, so let's give it 150%!) I am also incorporating more steps into my day. I work a sedentary job in an office, so I am at approximately 8K steps when I am conscious of getting up and walking. My days consist of a lot of meetings in conference rooms or sitting at my desk working on my next presentations. So- I am trying to mind my health habits while staying focused on my work goals. While I try to eat "healthy," I am accepting the fact that I am a binge eater. Specifically, on carbs (bread, bread, bread). Throughout the work day, I eat balanced snacks of high protein, low carbs and keep my caloric count in check. However, when I go home, I am famished. I am so hungry and want to feel full. This has always been my eating habit in life and over the years-- it has caught up with me. I will talk about that more in a separate post. For now, I am looking to meet others who might have the same issues who would like to be support friends? Any else work in an office and have the same issues? Did you have bing eating issues?

You have to be careful with this surgery because not everything involved in the workup is covered by insurance. Many of my blood tests were not covered, despite the fact that the surgery is. It's good to check with the bariatric center and find out every test they expect of you (get the codes for each procedure and test if you can), then run those by your insurance company to find out what is and what isn't paid for by them. Good luck!

The iron in multivitamins is what always made me nauseous. I haven't had the problem with the chewable multivitamins after surgery. I also take the bariatric advantage iron with no problems.

Yes I’m taking 5-6 different vitamins, I decided to not take b complex right now. I am on a very tight disability budget, I shop where I can get lower prices and extra savings both coupons and rebates through a site called Rakuten. But I do my best to budget in important things. I take gummy vitamins so what, we aren’t supposed to take tablets for the first few months post op. I talked to my nutritionist she said as long as there isn’t more than 4 grams of sugar in it it’s fine. They are easier to chew and I couldn’t find bariatric vitamins without added iodine. Things like centrum just go right through you. I just looked for more food based vitamins in a chewable form. Vitamins are very important after gastric bypass surgery. A single multivitamin especially just a basic one that isn’t food based or bio available won’t do much. Also your vitamins are adapted based on bloodwork and your own personal needs. if people want to rake me over the coals for what vitamins I take or what kind. Or if it looks expensive When All I did was answer a question. Then I guess I won’t comment anymore. If I could go back and remove my comments then I would.

I never worried about carbs and fats while losing, as if the calories are low enough to promote the desired weight loss, and the protein is appropriate maintaining your muscle mass (typically somewhere around 60-80 g per day for women, 80-100 g for men), then the carbs and fats will be functionally very low. A good default for calories seems to be in the 600-800 range (some with stronger metabolisms can get away with more, but it's good to start low because it's very hard to cut back once you're used to one level). RDA for fiber is around 25 g per day, and that seems to work well for most on a bariatric diet. Sugar should usually be minimized, particularly added sugar in processed or packaged food; that which is naturally occuring in our fruits and veg are less of an issue, and has a purpose for us (or nature wouldn't have put it there - the added stuff in the packaged foods is just there to sell it to us and make up for the flavor stripped out by the processing.

I was in group session at my bariatric surgeons office and one of the fellow rny bypassers stated she can feel her remnant stomach...can even burp it. I've never even thought about my other stomach thats floating around still. It kinda blew my mind. So i was wondering if anyone else feels it.

Go on Pinterest and look up Bariatric puree recipes. Tons of ideas! I get to switch to purées on Tuesday (2 weeks out) and I can't wait. I'm gagging down shakes right now. I have yummy things planned. Scrambled eggs with feta. Chili. Refried Beans with chicken, cheese, and sour cream. Ricotta bake. Ground beef and ricotta in marinara. Tuna with mayo and pickles (no peel). I see so many people complaining about being sick of Soups and yogurt. Think outside the box, people!

Long story short, I have a doc appointment today with my general doc (my lap band surgeon is in Louisville, KY, we are Army, I am in Watertown, NY) to see if she can give me a referral for my band. I had a baby 2 years ago and had my band completely unfilled when I got preggo. I had the baby :cool2: and the Army moved us to NY. 2 years later, I am having major chest pains, major restriction (remember, my band is empty), I am getting food stuck all the time now :blushing: Being that there is no local lap band doc, nor bariatric surgeons, I am looking at travelling 2 hours just to get in to see someone qualified to see what my problems are?! eeek:( The fact that I am unfilled and am getting stuck tells me there is something wrong! I don't know who to go to, who to ask to be referred to, ar anything! Anyone know who the next best surgeon would be to do an endoscopy or something?! Anyone know of an upstate, NY doc? Does this sound like a slip, or something else? I have been losing weight on my own- would that be causing the band to move around in there? Help, please Thanks in advance, karly

As a healthcare provider, I can tell you surgeons in general are notorious for having bad bedside manner, so keep that in mind. That being said, you should use someone you are comfortable with and who will answer your questions and put you at ease when you have concerns. Most WLS offer free seminars. I don't know how far along in the process you are, but maybe you should attend some at other clinics until you find a good match. My insurance would only pay for me to use a surgeon and hospital recognized as a bariatric surgeon/center of excellence. You might check into credentials such as these. The recognition is based on outcomes and patient feedback. Good luck.

I heard the same thing from two of my friends (both over weight). One of them said her moms friend had it about a month ago and had to go back in the hospital due to complications (but shes 20 years older than me and smoked for like 30 years). And my coworker says her aunt is a bariatric nurse and told her about all the complications. I just changed the subject bc I don't need to hear that crap 2 weeks pre-op...I'm scared enough. Plus ive done my research. But I'll be interested to hear what they have to say 6 months from now. I won't be surprised if they are asking for my Dr's name and number!

My physician is Dr Ruby Gatschet with Northern California Bariatric and Metabolic Institute