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Interesting GradyCat. So strange how our primarys say it’s too much in these bariatric vitamins yet we are told we need more. Did you feel off?

I had never heard of this but someone else recently posted about having a red, inflamed face and chest. She said her bariatric team referred to it as a "Sleeve blush" and apparently it's not uncommon. I'd definitely mention it to the surgeon and see what he/she says.

I had lap band in 2005. Lost 80-90lbs, but it was a struggle. Shortly after I was banded, my gallbladder acted up and I was misdiagnosed with "esophageal spasms" for about 6 months before I demanded to have my gallbladder checked. Had it out, but I was never the same. TERRIBLE reflux. About 4 years later, I changed lap band doctors who found that my band was slipped (likely due to violent vomiting related to the gallbladder episodes). So, I had it taken out in 2009. In 2014, I had some major life stresses and managed to gain all of my weight back over the course of 2 years. Long story short and after a lot of thought, I was sleeved in 2018. The surgeon said that my lap band caused a lot of scar tissue and it took him extra time to perform the sleeve because of it. I think his words were something like, "you really made me earn my money today." Today, I am nearly 3 years post-sleeve and very happy. I had some tough episodes with GERD in my first year and was seriously considering a Stretta procedure when COVID hit. Forced to manage GERD on my own, I am now VERY well controlled with it and am glad I stuck it out. @Heather RN Chambers I wish you the best. You didn't say where in Texas you are, but I'm sure you can find a reputable bariatric surgeon closer. However, I would advise you to stick with someone you trust, regardless of the distance.

Yep, I used to take 3 bariatric multi's with iron because that was the norm for my surgery. My iron was wayyy too high so it got lowered to 2 and then 1 without. It was STILL too high so now I take 1 bariatric multi WITH iron and 2 bariatric multi's WITHOUT. Mine was borderline dangerous but since yours is at a dangerous level you should probably just take multi's without iron for a while and have your bloodwork monitored. When the iron levels lower if it's needed then take a lower dosage separate iron supplement. But maybe your body just processes iron really well. My surgeon said that's probably my case.

I take a bariatric multi vitamin and have been taking the same brand since sleeve in 2017. I am very fatigued these days so went to my primary. My iron levels are dangerously high so my primary doc told me to stop taking iron supplements. Has anyone experienced this?

Welcome! I’m glad you found us. This forum is extremely helpful. Feel free to ask any questions that come up. It’s great that you have your mom as a resource, too! Duodenal switch is not nearly as common as RNY or VSG. I don’t think very many bariatric surgeons do duodenal switch, so if you are seriously considering that, it may be harder to find a surgeon who offers it. It’s too bad that your insurance won’t pay for it, but the good news is that you should be able to get the surgery more quickly since you won’t have to jump through as many hoops. You might want to look into practices that specialize in fast-track bariatric surgery for self-pay patients (such as Blossom Bariatrics and Mexico Bariatric Center). I can’t vouch for any of those, but there are people on this forum who have used them.

I had no problems, but a couple weeks ago I guess I had what you call dumping syndrome. And like you I was scared to death. I had a Bariatric friend to call and text, and she was very helpful. After awhile I lit had gotten worse and I ended up throwing up. I thot I would be miserable all night, and slept with a garbage can beside the bed, but I went off to sleep and in the morning I felt fine. But I was afraid of hurting my insides. I don’t ever want to do it again, and I expected diarrhea but nothing more happened from it so I’m thankful.

I have had to get rid of a lot of food since my surgery. I cleaned out my cabinets and filled three boxes with unopened cookies, crackers, candy, chips, popcorn, pasta, rice, soups containing pasta or rice, full-fat salad dressings, ice cream toppings, etc., and donated those to a food bank. I threw away opened food items that I couldn't donate. I still have a bunch of perfectly good food in the freezer that I can't eat, like my favorite flavor of Ben & Jerry's, Magnum ice cream bars, french fries, eggrolls, and meals with rice or pasta. A lot of these are perfectly good and unopened, and I can't bring myself to throw them out, but I need to get rid of them, both to make room for my bariatric-friendly foods and so I don't have to look at them and feel sad (and tempted) every time I open the freezer. I live alone, so there's no one else here to eat this stuff, and I have chosen not to tell anyone about my surgery, so I can't really offer this stuff to other people with the explanation that I can't eat it because of my surgery. I'm thinking about bringing it to work and putting it in random freezers in hopes that food thieves will take it. So, what did all of you do with the food you can no longer eat?

that's not normal - you said you talked to your doctor - was it your PCP or your bariatric surgeon? Something doesn't sound right..

I HAVE heard of RNY patients who've had issues with SIBO, but I don't think it's all that common (I've been on a couple of bariatric forums for the last six years and don't see many posts about it - maybe three or four a year). It sounds like your system might be reacting to sugar - and/or the artificial types (especially sugar alcohols, the ones that end in -itol) those are notorious for setting some people's G/I tracts off like that). I'd lay off on those and see if it improves.

Hey, congrats on your surgery. ❤️ I am a southern girl myself. For soft food, you have a few options. You can always look up bariatric recipes (there are a lot of good ideas floating around the internet, and you can modify a lot of them if you have allergies or intolerances to anything). Cottage cheese, ricotta bake, turkey burger (well cooked and crumbled), scrambled eggs (oooh, I LOVED scrambled eggs when I was in my soft food stage!), tuna fish (honestly, I cooked a lot of fish during this stage and just flaked it really well... I did a lot of salmon and tilapia)... there are a lot more options than you think. I know it's overwhelming to feel so limited. Make sure you take your time when introducing new foods. Sometimes, your pouch might be a little silly and not like something (or vice versa!) from before surgery. When I introduced new foods, I would try it by itself (so scrambled eggs, then trying to add cheese, and if my stomach agreed with that, I would add some spices or something). I stopped protein powder right after I was off my liquid diet (I can't physically stomach it), so I had to get protein in with food. It's quite a journey, but hang in there, and you'll do great. ❤️

I do protein 2o Bariatric unflavored protein powder Sent from my U693CL using BariatricPal mobile app

Below you will find the policy handbooks for both plans as there relate to bariatric surgery. Please call each to confirm that the information is still accurate I request an updated handbook or any information in writing as covered procedures can change from year to year. As you dig deeper into the info, consider if the surgeon(s) you are interested in as well as the hospitals that they practice at will accept these plans. Also consider which of these plans you more easily fit the criteria for when it comes to bariatric surgery as well as all the other need to may have from a healthcare plan. Good Luck ♥️ Arizona Complete Health Care Plan (Centene Corporation) https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.azcompletehealth.com/content/dam/centene/policies/clinical-policies/CP.MP.37.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjr88aa7vrtAhVSo1kKHZFQDIsQFjAAegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw1XctHghCiUX2TLzovi3tq9 United Health Care Community Plan. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.uhcprovider.com/content/dam/provider/docs/public/policies/medicaid-comm-plan/bariatric-surgery-cs.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjD5-e77_rtAhWIm1kKHWiFDVsQFjAIegQIHxAB&usg=AOvVaw3L7W5fDPWwQVoJALmHBXK3

I tend to eat a lot more vegetables than fruit (with the exception of dates, raisins, avocado and watermelon but even then it's seasonal) I am not avoiding any vegetables except broccoli and cabbage which give me horrific gas and bloating. I also don't avoid legumes or starchy roots but I try to balance those by eating them with leafy greens. I think that most non starchy vegetables are still fairly low calorie especially if you prepare them yourself and don't add much fat/sugar to them. Most vegetables are a natural form of fiber which plays a crucial role in post bariatric surgery health, so I wouldn't necessarily call them "empty calories" as they can serve can serve a purpose plus if I'm being honest, I like the way they taste 😁

It's normal to be anxious before the surgery, some bariatric patients may feel even more anxious because the results do not become apparent on the day of surgery

Did you exercise this much before surgery? Have you resumed exercise again after the pain subsided? I know it sounds terrible but if it isn't Bariatric related your team may not see you (they are specialist) When all else fails, definitely go to your Primary who can refer X-rays, CT scans and MRIs. Because those are usually expensive they may want to rule things out first with labs. But if you are truly in significant worsening pain and really believe something is wrong trust yourself and see someone.

Does anyone know which plan is better in AZ? They will both be under Medicaid but I am able to choose the plan due to new enrollment. Plan 1) Arizona Complete Health Care Plan (Centene Corporation) OR Plan 2) United Health Care Community Plan. I am currently at 38.8 BMI w/ a couple of "almost" comorbidities. High cholesterol, pre- diabetic, and joint pain w/ arthritis in lower back with scoliosis. Between these two plans, does anyone know which is better on approval rates? I am just starting to inquire about this WLS journey. As soon as I choose a plan, I will ask my primary for a referral to a bariatric surgeon. My primary isn't the nicest, so wish me luck with that one too! Thank you for your help!

I don't know. How does a normal skinny person eat? And what is a bariatric recipe?

I've been in maintenance for four years. I eat about as much as many of my never-been-obese women friends who are constantly watching what they eat. In other words, if I go out, I'll get something like a salad or an appetizer. Or if I order an entree, I'll take half of it home (or maybe 2/3 of it if it's enormous). If I'm out and we order a pizza, I'll eat one or two pieces. So yes - I'd say I eat like your normal "light eater". No one would be able to tell at this point that I've had bariatric surgery, just by observing what I eat. this is NOT true the first year or so (and definitely not the first few months). But once you're in maintenance, yes.

I do know someone who had that issue and it was a vitamin B-12 deficiency. I don't know if that's your exact issue, but it may be some kind of vitamin deficiency. A bariatric doctor may not be able to see you but your PCP can order the blood tests to check your vitamin levels.

For the last 9 mths the tip of my tongue feels slightly numb. Since I had my surgery in Mexico I can't be seen by a bariatric Dr in the states. Nothing tastes right. I crave foods and get hungry but never eat much of them because I can't really taste them. Anyone else dealing with this and gotten help?

I’m looking for any feedback or review of Oasis of Hope Bariatrics. I’m looking to go to TJ for gastric sleeve and looking at the best options. Any advice is appreciated!

I am in the pre-surgical stage for a sleeve. My question is after you are healed and able to eat solid food do you eat like a normal skinny person or do you always have to follow bariatric recipes? Does meal planning get easier?

Thank you for sharing this. I just decided that I’m going to get bariatric surgery and I’m trying to get as much info as possible. My Mom is a baker and sweets have been tied into my childhood and emotions my whole life. I’m just now coming to terms with not eating my Mom’s food again but in the back of my mind I’m thinking I can do this!

Apps are something I'm still having a fuss with but only because of my personality. Myfitnesspal is actually a good one-you just have to kind of not end your day out on it or it will give you warnings of too low calories. Lots of peeps have asked to add a bariatric setting for those of us with surgeries but they've said it would be unhealthy for others. I've liked carbmanager best honestly-it's non-intrusive but has everything I need. Bariastic is really a great app but it's not something I like with all the groups and the notifications-again, I'm pretty basic. I've actually just been happiest putting everything on good old fashioned paper. I never recommend this to anyone but I've been doing calculations for decades on my own and it's just easier for me to grab my daily things with the meds, vitamins, etc when it's sitting on a notebook next to the fridge. BTW-my Dr and NUT get CRAZY for this preference lol. So, I'm 4 months out and gotten over the holidays. I've now lost a bit over 100 lbs and think I have a good understanding now of my eating, etc. My kids are 19 and 23. My daughter is losing weight with me naturally so we kind of go together on what we eat (mine is just smaller portions and a bit varied for the day-some days are better then others with food). My son buys his own stuff and eats on his own but we all work at different times and college so we don't eat together normally. He keeps his stuff in his room with a little fridge and microwave (commonly called the man-cave). My daughter requests he keep his snacks out of her sight but I have no problems with that. I still can't eat a whole lot but what I can-it's limited anyhow or I feel sick. For Christmas, we did get a pizza and wings (cause this chick did NOT want to work and cook!). I was able to have a small bit of very thin crust veggie pizza. I can eat pepperoni and beef sticks are a treat after work for me- I eat them very slow and chew a lot. If it's on pizza, I will eat the toppings of a small slice as I did on Christmas. I will try anything like the cake or cheesecake that I make or my daughter makes but I only have a bite then spit it out-seems to do the trick. The minute it hits my mouth, I like the flavor but get a nauseous feeling so it's no biggie. My family all do everything they can to help out. If you have teenagers, I would say it is the same. They are old enough to be able to plan their meals while you recover and get comfortable. I get 24/7 support from hubby and kids with regards to exercise and eating. If I'm getting sick (which happens, I had complications and my new job is very physical-we all work at the same place), they are on me in seconds helping me breath, curl up, lay sideways, etc and always ask if anything they are eating bothers me. Just be open with everyone and even let your teens read some of these forums along with the forms you get from your Dr. to help them understand and help out.