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i use them and they arent new,that hospital just became a center of exxcellence for bariatrics,they were sending us to monclair for the surgery.i had dr.reich do my surgery and his team are awesome.good luck with your appointment

I have Kaiser in Southern California and my PCP was VERY unsupportive! All I needed from her was a referral to the Health Ed dept and the Bariatric program takes over from there. Don't let the first DR discourage you! She's obviously closeminded and shouldn't be in a field where she helps people!!

@@Alex Brecher love, love, love The Good Wife (drama) you deserve/need a break after seeing/and hearing from some of those weird people on bariatric pal ohhhhh can anyone else see that i wrote that?? have fun catching up on your shows kathy

My bariatric team has advised me to find a new pastime since I watch way too much tv, but can't stop me from watching the series finale of my favorite show tonight, parenthood!!!! I don't want to say goodbye to the Bravermans!!!!!!

The bariatric coordinator told me that I could not leave the hospital unless someone was there to drive me home but there were no other requirements for anyone's attendance while in the recovery room. But I didn't ask about that either.

Thanks for the replies, everyone! Right now, I'm in a holding pattern, because I found out last week that my employer's policy with United does NOT cover any kind of bariatric surgery AT ALL. This, despite me calling UHC on three different occasions and each time giving them the procedure code as well as my group and subscriber numbers. Each time, they told me that our policy covered it at 90% with an in-network doctor. I was going to the seminar with Dr Hitchcock at KC Bariatric, and thanks to the advice of their front office, I contacted my HR to get a copy of the coverage details of our insurance. It was only when I spoke with HR that I was told that our policy doesn't cover bariatrics. Even if I were to have a BMI over 40, and co-morbidities, they will not cover. So right now, I'm stuck. I really want to do this, but self pay isn't an option. I could more easily deal with paying off 10% as opposed to 100%. I kind of don't know what to do next.

I had gotten the starter kit from unjury and sample packets from (bjs bariatrics website )Syntrax. I also have pure Protein powder(store bought). I tried them all while on my pre op diet...they saved me and kept me going each day..the different tastes they all gave were a nice change. Post op, they all tasted the same to me. But you won't feel up to much of anything besides clear thin liquids for a few days or a week or two. All depends on your sleeve and recovery. I had and still have a very tight sleeve..even at 3 months post op. It was swollen shut post op for the first couple days and I couldn't take anything in.. (that doesn't seem to be the norm tho) I started to feel human again about a week n a half 2 weeks. I wasn't a fan of the Clear Liquids stage at all..but trudged threw it and followed the plan. Once I was allowed the shakes again was when I felt better for sure. I never had buyers remorse as they say...I just really disliked the clear liquids stage. I have followed my plan to a T and have had great results so far. 3 months post op and I've lost 48% or 68 pounds. Now, for Breakfast I have either a rtd pure Protein shake (target or walmart) or I will add a scoop of syntrax cookie flavor to my cooled coffee. Good luck with your journey!

I had AGB surgery, but on some level lap surgery is lap surgery. Here's what helped me the most: Recliner! It was a solid 4 - 5 days before I could comfortably get into bed, and even then I had to be careful and support my abdomen with a pillow. It was about 2 weeks before I could sleep "normal" (I'm a side sleeper, and was quite overweight -- my pannus & stomach shifting to the side "pulled" on my primary incision (for AGB, this is the incision they use to insert all the silicone parts and it is quite larger than the rest) something terrible). Having a recliner by the tv to sit/sleep in was soooo nice. I don't know when you start with the Protein supplements, but find a powder/source you like before your surgery and have it ready. I know a lot of people wait until after surgery for this, and then have a hard time finding one they enjoy. If you use a laptop or netbook, have it handy. An extra pillow helps. Have it with you when you head home from surgery - it can help stabilize you during road bumps, and can also help during the first few days of recovery. Whatever your food progression looks like, I would recommend having about 2 weeks' worth of it on hand. It may take a while before you're ready to hit the store. I went for a very slow walk the eve of my 2nd day, but it was not pretty. Good thing Target is fairly empty late at night. If you're able to use them, a heating pad may help alleviate any discomfort that your pain meds can't take care of. If you're a "virgin" to bariatrics, you may find it helpful to use baby utensils to moderate your intake, even for things like Water. Trust me, how we chew & swallow is COMPLETELY habit. Most people don't realize how little they chew, and how much they swallow. The first time I could have something that needed to be chewed, I was amazed at how much I had to fight the urge to swallow just 2 or 3 bites into it. You will have to be very careful & very thoughtful. Sipping water from a baby spoon will really help moderate "sips" until you are more comfortable with doing it on your own. Same when you're able to progress to something like a Soup or yogurt. Baby plates or saucers also help with the mental side of it -- looks like more food on a small plate than large. Both of my parents had AGB after I did, and I made each of them a care basket to being to the hospital. I included some creature comforts like oversized cotton pajamas, memory foam slippers, etc. liquid Tylenol, liquid ibuprofen. Jello, freezer pops. Baby spoons/forks/plates and even a sippy cup (don't laugh it works wonders). Drink mixes. Electric blanket (it didn't take too much weightloss to reach the "perpetually cold" state that never has gone away). Etc. Different surgeries, but HTH.

I couldn't choose which vitamins to take. The Dietician recommended Bariatric Fusion Complete. And if I want to try something else, she has to approve it. So this vitamin that I take, you chew two in the morning and two at night. And that's it. It's complete. I asked her about the ProCare Chewables with Iron... she said I would take one chewable plus I would have to take calcium citrate chews 2-3 times a day beginning a few hours after the vitamin, and also the calcium has to be spaced out throughout the day. Your body can only absorb 500 mg of calcium at a time and you can't take it at the same time as you take any supplement containing iron. So I decided to stick with the Bariatric Fusion Complete, because it's easy and I don't have to buy extra calcium. It seems like less of my life would be revolving around supplements all day long too. So the regimen column is indicating how many vitamin chewables you take, then how many calcium chews you have to take also. B12 is included in the multivitamin.

I began this journey towards a healthier life in March. Finally I have a date, August 1, 2012. Today I spent the morning at the Barix clinic in Pennsylvania. I had preadmission testing. After agreeing to give them my first born child if I couldn't pay my bill, (haha, no one wants a .22 year old journalism major), the fun began. I stepped on the scale. I was down 6 pounds from my consult. This is only about 1 1/2 pounds a month, but apparently was not expected. Everyone who entered my room started with "Wow, you've lost weight already." I thought this was the expectation, after all we all want a tinier liver before surgery. In my exam room I was given a gown that actually met in the back. Wow, love a bariatric specialty hospital. Next came the blood draw. My phlebotomist was excellent. As she says, "I do this every day" Thank God, because I really hate when people go fishing for my veins. Next the nurse came in to do an H & P, however the computer put a hate on her, so on to xrays. Had a total of 5 takes for 2 pictures, the first was fine, view 2- into the developer too soon. Repeat of view 2- artifact on the film from the developer. Shot 3 of the second view, I coughed which is not a good idea during a chest xray. Shot 4 after juice and a break=success. Next up- Respiratory therapy. First up, she did my EKG- no I am not confused, small hospital- every one has multiple jobs. Lesson for the day- Powder and EKG tabs don't mix. Then on to spirometer practice. You get to bring this home to practice before surgery. One more thing on the list- looks like a hooka attached to a piston. Next pulmonary function tests or PFTs. Does anyone ever realize how hard it is to exhale forcefully over 10 seconds? Apparently the 4th time was the charm. Yeah! Jen the nurse is back and has conquered the computer gremlin. She does a history, then gives me my preadmission and discharge instructions. What a great system. Patients should know what to expect before every surgery. My next visitor is Elana. She is the dietician. I am now the proud receipent of a glossy magazine style book with all my rules and recipes for taking care of my sleeve. She also reviews how to read a label and gives protien shake samples. I wish you could sample all, because some taste like medicine instead of food. My last hurdle- the independent physician exam. The good news, I passed, the bad, I still have low iron and ferritin levels as well as low B-12 levels. Back on supplements. How can someone who weighs almost 300 lbs now have enough nutrients? One of life's ironies I guess. After 3 hours I am on my way with a very heavy tote bag, B-12 tablets and overwhelming information. Now to digest everything in the next 2 weeks.

I haven't had a slip, but from what I understand, if your band has slipped you usually can't get down any food or even liquids. It sounds like you are just still having pain from healing. As always, any concerns-call your surgeon or bariatric support center. Good luck!

My surgeon required me to stop taking everything for the first two weeks. After that, everything has to be chewable for 60 days. I will be taking Flintstones Multivitamin with Iron, Bariatric Advantage chewable calcium citrate, B-12 that dissolves under the tongue and a chewable Biotin. P.S. I took chewable Gas-X after surgery for the gas pains. It was a life saver, so ask your surgeon about taking that.

Sparrow specializes more in the Gastric Bypass as did Ingham at the time I made my desicion. I was actually enrolled at Ingham when the cut the Bariatric program there. To get surgery at Ingham you have to go through a place called Minamally Invasive Surgical Associates. Its somewhat small right now, but is growing rapidly!!! My doctor was Dr. Lane and she is a no non-sense Dr. that will give it to you straight! I like that and she is an overall good person. Some people I bet are turned off by her because she stays with you. She just doesn't do operations and then forget about you. I guess it just came down to who I thought would take care of me more and Dr. Lane was it.

Funny thing at my bariatric center we've been having this conversation a lot and both surgeons and nut have all said that it is impossible to stretch out your pouch. What can with time open up more is the new stomach/intestine connection. So ask your team.

Hey Renee, My Aetna policy has no coverage for bariatric procedures. I do see others on this site that do have coverage and get approvide pretty quickly. Read your policy to see if there is actually coverage - if you haven't done so already. I hope it comes through quickly for you...

Many people think they are a "slow loser" but in fact they just have unrealistic expectations from shows like My 600 Lb Life, which features people who lose "fast" because they are much bigger than your average WLS patient. You may still be a slow loser; I can't tell how much of your 33 lb weight loss was before surgery, but I lost about 9 lbs on average per month for the first 6 months after surgery, and my surgery center said I was doing great! Try to focus on things you can control, like eating and drinking and exercising the way your surgery center recommended, and don't worry about the scale. You might also focus on how your clothes fit or other "non-scale victories". You might also consider reaching out to your surgery center to make sure you're on track, and consider seeing a bariatric therapist. Good luck!

I always buy decaf now it was a switch I dreaded due to my heart doctors orders then for this bariatric surgery coming up 6-4-18 but I find now it's satisfying, of course I buy Dunkin Donuts from their shop but Wal-Mart has it or their store brand of donut shop kind or breakfast blends are good too or just look for samples of decafs try them you may be surprised. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using BariatricPal mobile app

is anything you're drinking have food coloring,or have you been drinking grape juice, that gives you green poo, keep on with your liquids,bariatric patients fare better on Fluid drive just like some cars.!

To those who are beyond immediate post-op. Is there anyone here who wishes you had never undergone bariatric surgery?

10/17/2017 was surgery date. In 2003 had original Rouen-y. Kept it off year last incisional hernia due to open procedure. About 2 years ago someone who meant the world to me died out of the. I went into deep depression. Stopped exercising (I did 5 miles a day 6 days a week). I had control of protein and diet. So I gained all weight loss plus an additional 30 pounds. Three months ago started having extreme nausea and vomiting. GI doctor found a large hiatal hernia. Called my old surgeon since in different state and was advised to have hernia repaired by a bariatric surgeon. Found wonderful doctor who said he’d fix the hernia but that my pouch had spread to almost 3 times it should be. So with a great deal of hesitation I had both procedures on same day. I’m was sent home on day 2. Am in pain and exhausted constantly I can’t seem to keep broth down but fine with shakes and water. I was unable to crush my meds because they were so vile I threw them up every time I tried. So I slowly swallow a pill st a time. I guess the gist of this since it’s been 12 years are these symptom and experiences common after bypass. Must note my doctor told me this surgery was one of his most difficult ever because he had to cut out massive amounts of scar tissue and cut up some of the mesh that was placed during incional hernia repair

Jillypie, My nutrtionalist said that if they deny you 2 times, appeal again and it goes to a Bariatric/Lap Band surgeon for a decision. and more than likely you will get approved. I hope this helps, and you are in my prayers!:crying:

I reached out to my bariatric care team, who was made aware of my visit to the ER last Tuesday and said the normal oral tablet medication would be fine. Here is my communication to them today, and their reply. Me: So, the response was lacking, since a number of my concerns (medication absorption, weight stall, not being able to hit my nutrient goals) were not addressed. I will assume positive intent and say they have probably dealt with dozens upon dozens of people with concerns/fears/complaints post-op that do not amount to anything, so perhaps I've been lumped in that category. We'll see what the doctor says today (he's a rheumatologist) although he may just refer me back to my PCP or the ER (in which case you all have permission to say "I told you so!") I'm going to ask for blood work too just to ensure I'm not septic, and to see where my WBC is.

I've looked through some other past posts, mostly 3-5+ years ago, and Googled to my fingers were numb, so I'm going to post this here and see if anyone has thoughts/suggestions. I'm just about 6-weeks post op, great weight loss, and was cruising right along until last Tuesday 9/7/21. I ended up in the ER for what I thought was a blood clot in my right leg. After a sonar, they assured me I had no clot, but I did have moderate cellulitis. The doctor put me on generic Bactrim 800 2x/day, and Cefalexin 500 x4/day, for 7 days. I have had cellulitis once before pre-op, in the opposite leg, and was on a much smaller treatment of antibiotics (just the Bactrim), and within 3 days (out of the 7 day treatment) it was practically gone! So, when this past Friday rolls around and my right leg isn't better at all I start to freak out b/c it's been 4 days of double the amount of antibiotics I've had for the same issue in the past, and when I put my sock on it still cause me to "yelp" in pain, not to mention the entire shin/left calf in hot and swollen. I call my PCP and he graciously humors me and puts me on the Oral Liquid version of Bactrim, for 10 days b/c I think the tablets aren't being absorbed. So, I've now had 6 doses of the Bactrim Liquid antibiotic, and I'm on my last day of Cefalexin, but really only feel like the leg is maybe, 10-15% better than it was a week ago? I will say that I do not have a fever, so I don't think I'm septic or anything, but it's getting in the way of my exercise and weight loss during the peak period of time when I should be working towards losing as much as possible. Should it still be this bad? Has anyone else had this issue? Any suggestions or things I should talk to my PCP or bariatric surgeon about? Do you think it will just take longer and I should hold my horses and take a chill pill? 😅 Thanks for your time and thoughts everyone. -Josh

The only Protein drink I actually enjoy is Chike mocha or regular. Each serving has 20 grams of protein, 140 calories and only 3g sugar. I will caution you, there is caffeine in it and most doctor's suggest not ingesting caffeine. I had to weight caffeine intake vs not getting enough protein-I don't eat meat, fish or eggs. I was about three months out when I starting drinking it and no issues. If you enjoy broth, mix some plain Protein Powder with a little cold Water and add to broth. If you add the powder to hot liquid it clumps up and is disgusting. I found the bariatric soups a great alternative from Protein shakes but after a while, they're pretty awful too.

I like the cinnamon roll and the banana nut bread. Vita coast has the best price.. like 14 bucks for a 18 scoop container. I love them... But some of the other flavors I tried are nasty... they seem bitter... I would go to bariatric Eating and buy the sample pack.. they send me a ton of flavors to try...