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Showing results for 'renew bariatrics'.
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Did anyone drink the Special K protein shake for pre op diet...I am drinking bariatric advantage and can only drink 4oz a day its that nasty....anyone have any other suggestions?
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Unlike other WLS, lapband usually does not mess with absorption of nutrients because you have not had any anatomy removed. Like the above poster stated, most traditional Vitamins are huge, which poses a problem for someone who can only swallow certain sizes. Also, bariatric vitamins do have a lot of extra nutrients compared to traditional vitamins. Some people at restriction cannot eat such a varied diet that is necessary to get all the different nutrients, so Vitamin supplements would be important there as well. My surgeon said I could use Centrum chewables and do a Calcium chew daily.
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Gym post-surgery - how long did you wait?
laurileet replied to AEdoesRnY's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Check with your bariatric team. I was allowed to take walks for the first 6 weeks.. had to wait until they gave me the OK to go back to the gym. -
Hello! My name is Denise from California. I am 62 & waiting to see my surgeon hopefully in 2 wks. I'm having the sleeve. After seeing what my younger sister (50ish) & 40 yr old daughter experienced after having the sleeve I thought I would try loosing my weight naturally. I have been attending a Healthy Balance class afford by Kaiser since Dec. 2016 & have lost 10 lbs. Something I haven't been able to do in years after trying several diet plans. Anyway I saw my bariatric Dr. Who mentioned that since I was diabetic that having the surgery would be good for my health since it can bring my diabetes into remission. I was diagnosed with diabetes about 6 yrs ago. He said the longer I have this disease the more likely I can develop complications with my diabetes. Does any have any thoughts or suggestions on this matter? I would appreciate any feed back. Sent from my SM-T530NU using BariatricPal mobile app
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Some people just don't take to change well. They like it the way it's aways been and when that dynamic is threatened they rebel and repel. Those who are large, seem to be definitely envious, especially those whose insurance won't cover the surgery. They want soooo much to be in your shoes, or for you guys to buddy in the weight loss... but change is happening. It's very difficult for some to be happy for others when the change is that dramatic. Like in divorce... those who used to be friends with the married couple are not split over whom to associate with... no matter how long the friendship. In weight change friendships... many people feel powerful when they believe they one-up someone else by their looks. As if suddenly, that power will either evaporate, or change, or even be transferred. That powerful one, if he/she doesn't know how to deal with that change, will live a life of resentment and that friendship may be doomed. I lost several what I thought were close friends when I started gaining weight. I lost a friend (she and I were pregnant together) and she lost her child. Though we remained somewhat friends during her next pregnancy, she ended up saying something about mine that cut through me like a knife... I asked her to clarify what she meant and she meant what she said and the friendship was over. So, I decided not to tell any of my friends. I'll just say I'm on Atkins or something and that will be that. If for any reason surgery pops-up, I can confidently say, "Of course I didn't have Gastric Bypass Surgery, that's wayyyy too radical for me." No one things of banding first! I could even say that I decided to go to a Nutritionist who put me on a diet, and I joined a gym. I'm not in the mood to be teased or to test their friendships. Maybe I'll come clean in 2 to 3 years, maybe I won't. As for banding surgery being "cheating to lose weight", HA, they don't know. They don't have a clue. Heck, I didn't have a clue and I thought I researched it thoroughly. Good luck everyone and I hope your friendships survive and become renewed. If you need a friend in Pennsylvania, I'm in South Central. Would love to hear from anyone in Maryland, too. Maybe we can be new buddies?
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My nutritionist say that there are no essential carbs - especially if we have weight to lose - if you can get into ketosis - ketones is a prime fuel for our bodies and brains - ketosis - not ketoacidosis (which is a whole different animal) is where I wish I could be all the time. Just my bariatric Vitamins, calicium, and Protein Shake can bring me to about 15 g of carb so it is tough to keep it that low right now, but I sure feel better the lower it is. Now once we are closer to goal and are exercising, working out a lot - I think that upping the carbs is a good thing. PDXman here is an athlete and he always has fine information btw. I did as close to Atkins 72 as I could pre-op - which is trying to get carbs to essentially zero.
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Coffee confusion...need some more experienced advice
McButterpants replied to Tamosy's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hi, I'm McButterpants and I'm a coffeeholic. I was self-pay, so I have a surgeon and what I call my local doc that is a bariatric surgeon that is providing my aftercare. The two are polar opposites when it came to reintroduction to food - the local doc being much more conservative than the surgeon. My surgeon required me to be caffeine free when he operated. I struggled with caffeine withdrawal, but go thru it and 2 weeks before surgery I was caffeine free. My local doc said no caffeine for 2 months, then we would address it. The reasons she gave me for no caffeine directly after surgery is the diuretic affect of the coffee, so you can get dehydrated quickly - a real issue right after surgery. Also the acid on caffeinated coffee can upset your new tummy. I honestly had one cup of real coffee per week before my two months was up - coffee helped me with some mild constipation and it always worked when other things didn't. At my two month meeting with the local doc she approved ONE cup of real coffee per day and made me pinkie promise to not go back to my old habit of 3-4 cups per day. It was a good compromise. Most days I only have one cup of real coffee. Best of luck you to you my fellow coffee-lover! Bean on. -
honest desires....
stephL replied to readyanxiousscared's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I think you are so used to being overweight that it is hard to accept the new you. I have the same fear. I have been a size 22 for so long that I can not even begin to have the image in the mirror be thinner. I think some visits to the psychologist is a good idea. Do they address issues like this in the pre-op process? I have a lot of issues (more like luggage) that have caused my weight to be my shield and losing that, honestly scares me. I am currently going through "trauma therapy" that has been very helpful so far. I know I am not ready to go under the knife yet but, I know this is the right decision for me. I have done a lot of research on the psychology of weight loss and it's insane the info out there. I am going back to college this fall to get my degree in psychology and hope to be in a bariatric setting. Hope all this makes sense, sorry for the random thoughts. -
Thanks McButterpants! I have a lot of things that I want to do too! I don't feel that the weight has held me back too much but I know my confidence will grow and I just really want to feel healthy and not so sluggish all the time. Finally broke the news to my parents the real reason I'm going to Mexico and was very surprised and relieved that they were somewhat supportive and didn't freak out. Considering it is a bariatric hospital and they specialize in these surgeries I feel like I'm in good hands. Don't even think I can get it done in Canada and if I could it would be expensive and with a BMI of 37 they aren't going to look at me. I have the apple shape and my mother is diabetic and I don't want to go down that path. I have just started showing signs of fatty liver disease and the only thing that is going to help that is losing the weight. My docotr here is supportive of it which helps convince my parents. At 41 I shouldn't be concerned with what they think but just got out of a long term marriage (21 year union) and they are my support.
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Initial appointments today! Meeting with my Bariatric surgeon at 10:30 am, appointments with the dietician and exercise specialist after!!!! I’m so anxious, excited, nervous. Ready to do this, been waiting a long time. The health issues have piled on as of late and my weight keeps climbing. Starting weight today of 284.2 pounds, height 5’1” and BMI 53.7.
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WEDNESDAY, JAN. 5, 2011 - DAY 3 OF PRE OP DIET - WELL I SLEPT IN UNTIL 8:30 AM TODAY. A LITTLE RESTLESS LAST NIGHT DUE TO MY 9 AM APPT. WITH DR. MARLEY RE: PRE OP SURGERY. I LOST 5 MORE LBS. FOR A TOTAL OF 10 LBS. LOST SO FAR IN MY JOURNEY. NOT BAD CONSIDERING I THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE GAINED WT. OVER THE HOLIDAYS. YEH ME! I HAD LABS DONE AND AN EKG. I GOT TO TALK WITH THE ANESTHESIOLOGIST RE: MY SURGERY. HE ASSURED ME THAT I SHOULD HAVE NO PROBLEMS IN RECOVERY DUE TO MY SLEEP APNEA. DR. MARLEY HAD ME SWITCH TO THE BARIATRIC ADVANTAGE PROTEIN SHAKES 3 TIMES A DAY ALONG WITH 2 CONTROL BARS. (INSTEAD OF THE CARNATIONS DRINKS AND LEAN CUSINE DINNERS) SO THAT I WILL GET MORE PROTEIN AND LESS CALORIES. I WAS NOT AT ALL HAPPY ABOUT THAT! I THINK THEY TASTE TERRIBLE. YUK! I LOVED THE LEAN CUISINE DINNERS AND SOME OF THEM WERE LESS THAN 200 CALORIES. GO FIGURE??? OH WELL. I HAVE TO COMPLY I GUESS. I AM SCHEDULED FOR AN EGD DUE TO HAVING GERD FOR OVER 5 YRS. AND BEING ON MEDICINE FOR IT. IT IS NEXT TUESDAY. HOPE ALL GOES WELL. CAN'T WAIT TO HAVE EVERYTHING OVER AND DONE WITH AND BACK TO NORMAL AGAIN. ENJOYED MY CAFFEINE FREE HOT TEA THIS AM AND AGAIN TONIGHT. ALSO WENT FOR A WALK WITH MY HUSBAND OUTSIDE THIS AFTERNOON. WE WALKED 2 BLOCKS AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD AGAIN. IT SEEMS TO GET EASIER EACH DAY. I WAS THINKING ABOUT TRYING TO DO THIS TWICE A DAY MAYBE STARTING TOMORROW. WE'LL SEE!
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Loss of feeling in stomach and legs.
kate3811 replied to kate3811's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Well I went to the doctor and had blood drawn to check my b12, thyroid and Iron levels, all came back fine though my iron was a little low. I'm waiting to hear back from them to see what to do now but I've done some research and found that Anesthesia can linger in the body for a while but it doesn't make sense to be that because it didn't show up until I noticed the shingles popping up, and that's only in one spot. I've called my Bariatric surgeon to inform them of this issue I'm dealing with but they kept insisting that it's no way related to the surgery... which honestly makes me suspicious lol. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App -
Hello everyone! My name is Doris. I live in in Alamogordo, New Mexico. I've been throwing around the idea of lap band surgery for 3 years now. I went to my second informational seminar last night and I'm ready to do this. I'm soooo sick and tired of being sick and tired. I weigh 284 lbs. and I'm 5'5". BMI is 46. I have type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, plantar fasciitis, back pain, chronic heartburn, etc. I have my initial consultation appointment with Dr. Acosta from Del Sol Bariatrics Surgery in El Paso, Texas on July 23rd. I'm so excited. I just signed on today so I haven't had a chance to really read any posting but I'm looking forward to learning from everyone and eventually being able to contribute to the discussions.
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Good luck! It has been nothing but positive for me. I am two months out and down about 50 lbs! You are going to be full of questions for the next few weeks, but before you know it you will be on the loser's bench. I did the Bariatric Advantage high protein meal replacement drinks for my 2 week pre-op diet. Whatever you drink you just have to remember that you will get through it, and the whole goal of the diet is to shrink your liver so you will have a safer surgery. That was all I though about and cheating was not just not an option. Good luck again!!
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How did you decide your goal weight?
justmel2003 replied to pik's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I'm very heavy right now, but tall - my starting weight is (currently) 373; my surgeon asked me what I wanted for my goal weight (possibly to feel me out about how realistic I am), I said 160. His reply was "let's shoot for 180 and negotiate from there," which I thought was a great answer. Given my age (46), height (5'8") and size I might have a hard time with the extra skin, etc. I visited Dr. Wolkodoff here in Denver, he's a PhD in exercise physiology and is very involved with pro sports medicine. He did an in-body scan to get an accurate picture of intracellular/extracellular Water, where my muscle is located, where I need to gain muscle, etc. It was actually surprising to hear that my lean body mass is currently 167, and he suggested a goal weight of 210 (adding the average 24%-ish body fat most women should have). He gave me a BMR (basal metabolic rate), and told me to gain 2lb muscle in each leg but that I had plenty of muscle in the upper body; he gave me some basic information and suggestions as to an exercise regimen. It was a great consult, and I'll be following up with him post-surgery at 1mo. 3mo. and 6mo. This is something i would suggest everyone do, not just bariatric patients, and I'll be bringing my 24-yr old daughter with me next time - she's not heavy but doesn't really exercise and I'd love for her to have an outside perspective on her body composition so she doesn't land in the same boat as me. My surgery is 7/21 - good luck to everyone on here, both pre- and post-surgery. Mel -
I am really horrible at keeping up a blog, but I am really going to try to with this one, because this is an important journey I am about to embark upon! So many things will start to happen once I really get started, and I want to keep record of it. I had heard about the LAP-BAND® when I saw the commercials on tv, but never really gave it much thought. I was once thinking about having a gastric bypass, but the idea scared me so much that I never pursued it. Last October 2009 I was at my Dr's office, and I saw that there was going to be a seminar about the LAP-BAND®, so I decided to go and see what it was all about. It was a really informative seminar, I got to see and hold a real LAP-BAND® in my hands, and I learned about the differences between gastric bypass and the LAP-BAND®. That really cemented the idea that a bypass wasn't for me! But.... when I found out about the cost of the durgery, ($16,000), I was thinking that there was absolutely NO WAY that I could pay that on my SSDI income. So I went home kind of dissapointed. I again put the idea at the back of my mind. In January, I found the folder that they had given me, and I started reading the information inside....my interested renewed once I saw that there was a way that I could pay by CareCredit. I talked to my SO about it, because he would have to be the one to sign up for the credit, but he was not at all receptive to the idea because of the cost of the surgery. I kept bringing it up, but to no avail, he wasn't going to listen! Then last week, he was reading our insurance benefits, and saw that surgery for morbidly obese people was covered (at least hospital costs) and the other diagnostic procedure would be covered like regular benefits. At that point, he has been supportive of my starting this process. I have even convinced him to go to another seminar with me on April 1st, so he can get the information on the LAP-BAND® himself! I have made an appointment with the WLIA already, for the 6th of April to go over with them exactly what the insurance will cover, and I imagine they will tell me what the precertifications are that I will need to complete. After I know all that, I am going to hit the ground running.!
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Top 10 Bariatric Post Op Mistakes
sleevemom88 replied to *Lexie*'s topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
thank you for the website for the vitamins!!!! i have been using Bariatric fusion but they are 4 chewables a day and they taste like chalk.. and remembering to take them all day long has been anything but easy. I never remember them all... this is going to change EVERYTHING! thank you again!!!!! -
Top 10 Bariatric Post Op Mistakes
WL WARRIOR replied to *Lexie*'s topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Yes, I forgot about calcium citrate. It is not included because it interferes with the Iron in the bariatric one-a-day. You are suppose to take your calcium citrate a few hours before or after the one-a-day bariatric Vitamin. My recent blood work showed that my calcium levels were above normal range, so I haven't actually started taking calcium citrate supplements yet. My bariatric doctor recommended adding it eventually to be on the safe side. Calcium supplementation is recommended for everyone, even if you never had surgery. So, I know it is important. I am having trouble finding the high dose calcium citrate for under $10. Like most people, I'm on a budget and I already spend more than enough on Protein powder. -
Insurance changing at the last minute!
elforman replied to laurileet's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Just because the surgeon is in network does not automatically imply that your new coverage will include bariatric surgery. I strongly suggest that you consult your HR/benefits team to ensure that bariatric surgery and weight loss services are not excluded in the new policy. On the right side, there are times when one company will continue to cover you for a procedure like this that is already underway so that you do not experience an interruption in treatment. This may not qualify because those arrangements are usually reserved for treatment of severe injuries or pregnancy, but it never hurts to ask. -
To scale or not to scale
Sherrie Scharbrough replied to Nhope's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
I have been just not weighing at all. Because my emotional well being needs the break. I obsess over my weight so much. The sad thing is I have actually canceled my Dr appointments (before WLS) because I knew I had to step on those hated scales. While I was in the weight loss mode I looked forward to weighing, Not so much now!! I will weigh but not everyday!! BTW did you know that you can refuse to weigh a the DR's office. When I go to my Bariatric Dr of course I weigh. But not at my PCP. I don't feel like my PCP needs me to weigh unless I need med's that go by weight. Any how we all GOTTA do WHAT it takes ro be ok with ourselves. Good Luck -
I have not been around as much lately and several LBT friends have asked why…… I was banded in February of 2012, lost 80 pounds in 10 months and have maintained that weight until I had a tummy tuck on Halloween… After the surgery I had 2 drains, they were removed after 2 weeks. Within 5 days, my tummy filled up with fluid and my doctor drained it (this is like drilling for oil with a really BIG needle….. not fun!). Within about 5 days my tummy was full again so my doctor put a drain back in. The next week the area above my belly button filled up with fluid and I had another drain put in just below my bra line. About a week later I had the upper drain removed & that issue was resolved, BUT…. I was still accumulating over 50cc of fluid a day from my lower drain. Doc said the magic number was less than 20cc a day for 2 days in a row, well that wasn’t happening. So on Monday doc flushed Ethanol thru the tubing of my drain into the pocket in my tummy (100cc total). This is supposed to irritate the area between my skin & abdomen wall and cause it to stick together. Today (Thursday) I am still getting 30cc of fluid a day from my drain…… I go back to the doctor Monday. My options are, do the flush again and if that doesn’t work…..another surgery. Ugh Complications happen, I know that. But, how has this affected me mentally? Well, I can’t exercise (every time I do the amount of fluid goes up), I can’t go in my hot tub with my husband (open incision), Have this glamorous drain to carry around in my pocket….. IT SUCKS! And I have gotten very depressed over it. I have disconnected from my life lines (Local support group, LBT wait I mean Bariatric Pal, and my family) Yes I looked to food for comfort. (We won’t even add the holidays on top of all this….) So you wonder….how is my weight? I am about 10 pound over my original goal weight (I weigh between 177-180, depends on the day). But even more important is how I am mentally? I will be honest, I am struggling. I am pissed, why is this happening to me? What did I do to deserve this? WHY? Oh WHY? OH WHY????? Full on pitty me party here!!!! This is my confession, I am not the perfect role model. I struggle, I have pitty me parties, I ask why me…… and so I stayed away from my support. Too many people saw me as inspiration. How can I be inspiration when I am like this???? I am taking my complications day by day. I am not giving up (& yes the tummy tuck was worth it). I just don’t think I can motivate anyone right now.
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Honestly I feel like I jumped in so quickly thinking this would be a magic fix. It wasn't. I don't really understand what restriction is. I do get food stuck ever so often so wouldn't that mean I have restriction? But I am constantly hungry What kind of dr do I see? There are no bariatric surgeons anywhere within 2 hours of me and to go see the on two hours from me requires $2500 for them to start seeing you for a Lapband they didn't do I think the place where I can get a full could help though.
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I'm overweight and loving it!!!!!
Meadow76 replied to ChubRub's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Congratulations! No one would understand the excitement except us Bariatric family! I’m getting closer too! -
Girl, I would be getting my money back from that doctor!!!!! He blatantly lied to you, and if you can prove it, you could have a lot more than just the consultation fees (for your mental anguish and emotional hardship!!) I would seriously talk to him about it, and keep pressing - the amount isn't the issue, it's the principle...how many more hopeful bandsters has he done this to?? I can't believe the lines they will use to get patients - you must be from an area with choices in bariatric surgeons. Where I am from, we have very few in the field, so it is not easy to get in. They don't have time to feed you lines of bull, and I guess they don't need to!! I am so sorry about this whole situation for you - don't lose hope that you will make it into bandland!!! My insurance didn't cover it either, but we figured the financial hardship now is a better option than any of the foreseeable other options!!! Good luck with the whole process, and visit anytime you need to vent!!!! ~cheri
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Freakin' Out in Michigan
faithmd replied to Pam in MI's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Pam, at 0800 tomorrow morning, I want you to go and get your insurance card, then go to your telephone and call your insurance company. Tell them you want to have adjustable gastric banding done and ask if they have a special procedures case manager who takes care of the bariatric cases that you can speak with. If not, then speak to whoever can help you figure out what the requirements are. Have a pen and a pad of paper handy, write down the name of every person you speak to and note the date and time. Make notes of what they say. Most big companies have case managers that deal exclusively with special procedures like this. If not, then with the codes below, you should be able to get somewhere with the rep you talk to. The codes to ask if they are covered are: laparoscopic surgical adjustable band:Procedure code 43770; diagnosis code 278.01 Once you have found out from them what the requirements are, ask them to snail mail (and email if they can) you a copy of those requirements.
