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Thank you for your kind comments. It’s been a heck of a month. I’m Glad I verbalized what I was thinking because it seemed to open up a gate. After I posted, I downloaded a journal app and I made four huge entries. I’m seeing my surgeon tomorrow for follow up and I will address what happened with him and see if he has a therapist that specializes in both grief and Bariatric surgery follow up. I have been blocking my grief this past month because my daughter had become dangerously depressed and even expressed a desire to die. I was keeping myself from feeling everything fully in order to care for her. I will take care of myself from now on. I will also stay engaged here on the forum so I can stay focused on my own journey after surgery. I think it will help me a bunch. So appreciative for this place. Thank you all so much for the kindness.

Looking for recs for dietitians and therapists who specialize in bariatric patients in Austin, TX. Anyone like theirs?

I use BariatricPal Multivitamin ONE “1 per Day!” Bariatric Multivitamins from https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/bariatricpal-multivitamin-one! BariatricPal has a special offer where it’ll cost you only $99 for an entire year supply! Check it out at https://store.bariatricpal.com/99 With just ONE convenient & affordable BariatricPal Multivitamin ONE each day, you can get the bariatric vitamins and minerals you need to stay healthy! BariatricPal Multivitamin ONE was designed and developed by a team of the world’s leading Bariatric medical professionals. Please take a calcium supplement separately to prevent interference with absorption of iron. You can view a large selection of bariatric friendly Calcium supplements at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/calcium. You can also find many other brands of bariatric multivitamins at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/multivitamins.

here are the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery guidelines. They list what supplements all WLS patients should take, as well as those specific to each surgery (they call the sleeve "SG" or "LSG" here) you don't necessarily need bariatric-specific vitamins, although they do make things a bit easier. But any vitamin routine is fine if it fits into these guidelines. I've never used bariatric-specific vitamins. My multiple vitamin is just two Centrums (or the generic version of Centrum - both CVS and Walgreens have them - as well as some other places). I then take a few single-vitamin supplements that are required for RNY. https://asmbs.org/app/uploads/2017/06/ASMBS-Nutritional-Guidelines-2016-Update.pdf?/app/uploads/2008/09/asmbs-nutritional-guidelines-2016-update.pdf

I'm 4.5 years out and completely stopped taking my vitamins. I have no idea why, just a fact. I had the sleeve. The last time I got some they were different brands that I just picked up at Walmart. So not even sure if I got the right ones. I would like to purchase them through here so I know that I'm getting actual "bariatric" vitamins. But I don't even know where to start or which ones I need. I remember taking a daily, a B12, calcium and I don't remember what else. Any thoughts on where to start? Thanks!

Can we have protein soups in the first two weeks if we strain them? I tried a few from a bariatric liquid diet and I like them WAY more than shakes. https://www.nashuanutrition.com/collections/high-protein-soup/products/healthsmart-soup-chicken-bouillon-7-box

That is really helpful, thank you for sharing your experience. Over about a week my pains subsided and kind of moved around. After talking with a nurse and a few other bariatric patients I assumed it must be gas since it moved slowly. Now it's mostly gone, but im having a really hard time getting enough water every day. Different day, different challenge 😄 I hope you get comfortable and your gas pains fade quickly!

Any bariatric specific vitamin is a safe choice since they are formulate for the WLS community.

@rtl1234 Aw thanks! Today was better. Head hunger is a real thing! Woo. And to make you feel better, yes. I am still seeing what satisfied and full feels like. I’m not sure how to describe it, sometimes I’m like “Oh man, I have to eat now because I feel sick with hunger” or I will not feel hungry at all. Or I just feel like “Okay, so that was 1.5 oz” but I don’t feel full. That was until I accidentally drank some water then I felt that lump and kind of bad after I ate fast. I feel like most protein I eat sits kind of heavy. Not sure why. Do you have a hard time falling asleep? I do and my counselor (who is a bariatric counselor) said it’s normal. It even says it in my book from the hospital. I went from being sleepy all the time to not. My counselor said it was because our metabolisms are revving up. Not sure. Going to try to sleep now. :)

Hi I haven't been on one of these forums in a looong time. I had a sleeve done in 11/2010. It has gone well and MOST of the time I hovered between 185-210 (which was fine with me as I was nowhere near my high of 300). about 1.5 yrs ago I started having trouble keeping some foods down...I figured I was just eating too fast or too much. I was losing weight but not too fast. I had post-menopausal bleeding in 12/2019 so we did the whole cancer check thing (esp with the vomiting becoming more of an issue). Everything came out fine so I was referred to a GI who found a hernia. Had this repaired in 6/2020. Since then I have done well to keep anything but liquids down. I had an upper GI done and my stomach is the shape of a barbell. (1/3 normal sleeve, middle 1/3 severely narrowed, last 1/3 normal sleeve). Referred to another GI who did another EGD and colonoscopy and found I had almost a complete blockage in my stomach (11/2020) (he also got a good view of how I look like skin and bones without clothes which I think REALLY concerned him). He sent me straight to the ER to be admitted and I had surgery 2 days later which ended up being them taking the scar tissue that was wrapped around my stomach out. Still no improvement. My new GI had his nurse call me because he wanted to have an appointment (12/28) and see how I was doing post surgery (5 weeks out). He immediately ordered ANOTHER upper GI (12/30) which looked exactly like the one from October. We discussed going to a different surgeon and I picked a new bariatric surgeon (I tried a few but they wouldn't take me since they didn't do my original surgery in 2010 and the one who did is no longer in network). Once the surgeon saw my upper gi results he had his nurse move my appointment up a week. (1/5). My GI sent a message to the surgeon prior to my appointment so he had a heads up about me. First he wasn't happy I hadn't been referred earlier to him by my first GI. He said there is no fixing the middle part of my stomach and the only thing to do is revise to an RNY. He wants to do it as soon as ins approves. (Today I spoke with them and it is marked high priority and I should have an answer by tomorrow). I made sure they knew I could only keep liquids down and it had been thing way since June. I also mentioned I have gone from a size 14/16 in Dec 2019 to 4/6 now. (I just bought a size 4 straight skirt and it fits perfectly). I have a TON of loose skin but clothes hide it. In July I just bought a new bra 36 B now I am a 32A. The guy on the phone at Aetna took these notes to add to my file in addition to the ones my surgeon sent (the upper gi series, etc). Originally my file wasn't marked high priority until someone on the clinical team looked at it. SO, now you have my LOOONG backstory. I am kind of scared about the RNY. How is the recovery? This will be my 3rd surgery in 7 months. My body has not been getting the calories it needs for quite a while now (even protein shakes take a long time to get through). It's actually probably a miracle that I am still able to function as well as I have been at work. All of the covid changes have been kicking my rear but it has been a very productive year for me despite this whole mess. Thankfully I have an amazing admin assistant and colleagues who have been pitching in here and there to help when I absolutely needed it...but I am a workaholic so I have taken very little time off for recoveries. What can I expect of an RNY rather than the sleeve? Has anyone had any complications like this so far out from the original surgery? Obviously I am not doing this to lose weight...I am actually doing it to gain weight. This has really been crazy mentally after all those years worried about losing weight. sorry for the book. I would love input from anyone :)

Well, I did it. Instead of waiting for approval from Aetna, which I heard can take four to six months, I thought I would just do it now and see if I could get a jump start on my weight loss during Covid times. I booked today with Blossom Bariatrics for the end of February. I can't believe I am doing this! I have researched and researched but I just don't want to wait. Let's get this DONE!!!

I don’t have a history either. I believe He said Bariatric patients are more likely to have clots. He just called to check in on me. “All is well!!” So glad. No nausea after surgery bc I asked them not to give me gas. Makes me super sick. They just did IV drugs to keep me asleep. Think I’m the Anesthesia world it’s called TEVA.

This is what I posted in the post op section. I have to say, being day 3 after surgery I have asked myself a number of times what the hell have I done....then I have moments of comfort which removes all concern. It took me nearly 12 hours to come out of the anaesthetic properly, and I had the awful sweats and nausea, but no vomiting. I remember only the Ice packs put behind my shoulders and the cold towel on my head.....ooh it felt so good. The nurses were just smashing and I'm going to send a thank you hard to them at the ward. I came home the day after surgery. I've had two bad nights, but last night felt so much better and slept 8 hours straight. I am already 4kgs down since surgery so that gives me hope. My first night home I was worried about my intake of Fluid. I struggled to consume even one cup of liquid a day. Yesterday I got through an entire Optifast shake, one cup of warm coffee, and about 500ml of Powerade zero. What has worked for me through trial and error (haha that auto corrected to "terror") 1. Don't drink laying down. Try and sit upright as possible, it reduces the chance of pain. 2. Small sips mean exactly that. Wet the inside of your mouth, and don't do more than two at a time. 3. Room temperature liquid gives me less issues 4. Make a shake in the morning and aim to complete by midday. Same for the afternoon 5. Keep on top of standard pain relief. Here in Australia we have panadol which is safe for bariatric patients. I tried dissolvable ones but the contain effervescent bubbles... not a great outcome 6. When pain is felt, stand up tall, take s deep breath through the nose and slowly out through the mouth. At most it has been two breaths and the pain is gone 7. A cool shower, clean hair, clean jammies and clean sheets make everything feel better [emoji16] 8. My headaches are likely to be caused by coffee withdrawl. I added 1tsp instant (powdered) coffee to a choc or vanilla shake. Voila!! Headache gone Just my thoughts, and hope some of these ideas can help others just having had surgery. Day 1 I was 7/10 discomfort, and full of unfounded regrets. Today, day 3, 1/10 discomfort, totally happy with my decision to have taken this route. How are you all doing? Sent from my SM-G950F using BariatricPal mobile app

I have to say, being day 3 after surgery I have asked myself a number of times what the hell have I done....then I have moments of comfort which removes all concern. It took me nearly 12 hours to come out of the anaesthetic properly, and I had the awful sweats and nausea, but no vomiting. I remember only the Ice packs put behind my shoulders and the cold towel on my head.....ooh it felt so good. The nurses were just smashing and I'm going to send a thank you hard to them at the ward. I came home the day after surgery. I've had two bad nights, but last night felt so much better and slept 8 hours straight. I am already 4kgs down since surgery so that gives me hope. My first night home I was worried about my intake of fluid. I struggled to consume even one cup of liquid a day. Yesterday I got through an entire optifast shake, one cup of warm coffee, and about 500ml of powerade zero. What has worked for me through trial and error (haha that auto corrected to "terror") 1. Don't drink laying down. Try and sit upright as possible, it reduces the chance of pain. 2. Small sips mean exactly that. Wet the inside of your mouth, and don't do more than two at a time. 3. Room temperature liquid gives me less issues 4. Make a shake in the morning and aim to complete by midday. Same for the afternoon 5. Keep on top of standard pain relief. Here in Australia we have panadol which is safe for bariatric patients. I tried dissolvable ones but the contain effervescent bubbles... not a great outcome 6. When pain is felt, stand up tall, take s deep breath through the nose and slowly out through the mouth. At most it has been two breaths and the pain is gone 7. A cool shower, clean hair, clean jammies and clean sheets make everything feel better [emoji16] 8. My headaches are likely to be caused by coffee withdrawl. I added 1tsp instant (powdered) coffee to a choc or vanilla shake. Voila!! Headache gone Just my thoughts, and hope some of these ideas can help others just having had surgery. Day 1 I was 7/10 discomfort, and full of unfounded regrets. Today, day 3, 1/10 discomfort, totally happy with my decision to have taken this route. How are you all doing? Sent from my SM-G950F using BariatricPal mobile app

late to the party here surgery date -- 20 January pre-op diet starts today -- woohoo we've prepping and practicing for this so I expect it to go off without much trouble concerns -- I sometimes feel as if I've somehow failed at life for going down this path. I've successfully gone through all the mental evals and meetings with the bariatric team ... but still no worries forward to a thinner healthier me!

Northwest Bariatrics is great! I saw Dr. Patrick Chiasson and he was super. His office was easy to work with and they have a good education and support system.

Does anyone have any suggestions on sugar free vitamins without Maltitol...especially calcium chews? I can’t seem to find very many bariatric brands that don’t use Maltitol. Thanks!

Does anyone have a recommendation for a primary care doctor to choose for Sutter Health Palo Alto to finally get a referral? I meet all qualifications, but as you know, insurance won't do it without so many hoops. I finally got on Sutter Insurance and don't want to fight anymore. Any help of a name of a good PCP that will refer to Bariatrics? Thank you!!!

Anyone else have to get lovanox injections after surgery? They said it’s bc I was a past Bariatric surgery patient. They want to make sure I don’t throw a clot. I don’t want that either! I also ordered SCDs from Amazon as recommended by my surgeon.

Hi all, I had the RNY (revised from gastric band) 7 years ago and had amazing success. I got to my goal weight in 5 months and kept the weight off for over 5 years. In the last 18 months, I've had some medical issues that have resulted in me regaining almost all of the weight. Now that I have resolved those issues, I am maintaining my weight, but finding it impossible to lose again like I did before. There has definitely been some stretching of my pouch, which my surgeon has confirmed. So I guess my question is, has anyone out there had the Edoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty done? I have an appointment with my surgeon next week to discuss non-surgical options and I think this will be one of them. All of the research I've done shows it's a great option for regain after bariatric surgery but I'd love to hear from someone who has had it done. If you have had it, how did you recover? Did you lose as much weight as you did with your initial surgery? Did you keep it off? What was the post op diet like? Any and all feedback and comments welcome! P.S: I'm in Melbourne, Australia

I had GERD before I had surgery, which is why I went with the bypass. It went completely away for two or three years. Now I get heartburn occasionally. I wouldn't call it GERD, like I had before - but I occasionally get minor heartburn like you do. Over the counter stuff will usually do the trick. I was having issues with high calcium levels so my endocrinologist told me not to take Tums anymore (and to cut back on the calcium citrate that I was taking because of my bariatric status), so now I take another tablet that's magnesium-based instead. One or two of those will usually do the trick.

I'm sorry you're going through this. I can certainly help interpret the language (being an attorney and patient advocate who has handled over 10,000 bariatric surgery appeals over the last 25 years or so). Sorry to say I am pretty sure this Rider is an attempt to exclude all bariatric surgery that may have previously been covered. If you'd like to contact our office for an analysis I'd love to sift through what you're dealing with so you know your coverage from the outset. As mentioned by other folks responding to your question, I would want to see the existing coverage booklet (as a PDF) that this rider is attached to so we can piece together for you what's going on. You are correct in being cautious about moving forward and our office is here to help. Call us at 1-877-992-7732 and we can discuss this in detail - - - it's going to be a complicated puzzle to put together, but nothing we haven't been doing for a couple of decades!

Actually I think your experience is normal. It's possible that you're more likely to hear or read about outliers at either end of the bariatric "success" spectrum on help sites than from people who had unremarkable surgeries and recoveries as there is little to mention. Vets like @catwoman7 who have been around a lot longer than me may be able to confirm but there's usually a pattern to the posts you'll see and it's almost always someone seeking information or help for a concern or unexpected response to surgery. People who are fine check in less frequently. Good Luck and Congratulations ♥️

I'm Excited! I had my first visit with my bariatric Doctor. Now just trying to not gain no more weight in next 3 months...Eekkk! I've been eating and drinking my Organic Pure Protein Shakes & Atkins Protein Shakes, Eggs, 15 grain bread, cottage cheese, High Protein frozen meals. Is there anything else I can eat that will help keep the weight off that's high protein? Sent from my moto e (XT2052DL) using BariatricPal mobile app

I hate insurance companies. Yours seem to want you to become Sherlock Holmes, a Bariatric surgeon, a contract Lawyer and then draw venn diagrams to figure this out. It appears that this means that only Roux en Y gastric bypass with a roux limb longer than 100 cm is allowed under your benefits plans IF you fall into the category of morbid obesity. It outright excludes the antiquated vertical banded gastroplasty (stomach stapling) and short limb Roux en Y by name. You will have to look at the materials it says to refer to and find examples or call and ask for clarification on accepted procedures, but get it in writing. It seems that no gastric restrictive procedures are covered unless they are also malabsorptive. So your choice would have to be a Roux en Y gastric bypass with a roux limb longer than 100 cm and your BMI classifies you as morbidly obese in order for it to be covered. You will have to pay for every other procedure (Vertical sleeve gastrectomy, Lapband, ESG, *maybe* mini RNY, and *maybe* DS/SIPS but the language is not clear on the last 2) Below is a link to various types of Bariatric surgeries perfomed. Hope this helps ♥️ https://asmbs.org/patients/bariatric-surgery-procedures