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Calm down. Milk has sodium and sugar in it naturally. Your body, believe it or not runs on sugar. Sugar is to a human as gasoline is to a car. Your blood is a saline solution, meaning that it is a salt Water solution with red and white blood cells, and many other things dissolved in it. To coin a "Star Trek" phrase, without sodium and sugar, "Humans would cease to exist". The idea is not to ingest large amounts of either sugar or sodium. Modern diets which contain "fast food" and processed foods are rife with excess sugar and sodium. Ask your doctor or his nutritionist (or another nutritionist who works with bariatric surgery patients) to give you a set of guidelines for sugar and sodium intake per day.

My PCP didn't have to do anything to my knowledge. She knew about it because I told her I wanted to work with a Bariatric Center but I haven't even seen her since February.

I've recently had a horrible experience, need to vent, and wondered if anyone else went through something similar. This past Sunday, I got stuck and vomited. Not the first time it's happened, so I expected to spend the next couple days on liquids. Monday morning I tried a couple sips of warm tea and it came up almost immediately. I called my MD's nurse and explained the situation; she asked me to come in Wednesday at 1PM and she would get me worked in. (My MD is in the clinic all day Monday and half a day on Wed/Fri, other days he is in surgery, doing rounds at the hospital, or at a nonbariatric clinic right on the same block as the bariatric clinic. Also, he is the only person who does fills/unfills. He has no partner or another person trained.) I agreed with her suggestion thinking that the band would loosen up enough to dring at least by Tuesday morning. Unfortunately, I was wrong. I couldn't swallow my own spit much less Water. So, I called the clinic again on Tuesday. By this time I'm desperately thirsty, I've lost 10 lbs since Sunday, I'm vomiting up what little spit I'm producing and accidentally swallowing at least every 2 hours. My temperature is over 100 and my skin turgor is getting worse; my eyelids and skin over my knuckles would stay up in a little peak if I pinched them. I was peeing in small amounts sporadically. I knew I was dehydrated and voiced my concern to the nurse. She responded that he was in surgery all day, and she would try to get ahold of him. And, if she didn't call back, come in the previously arranged time on Wednesday. I responded that I didn't think I could wait that long. Her answer to this was to go to the ER. I was astounded! During the year and a half that I've been a patient, the MD and staff have constantly hammered into me to just give them a call if I need anything . I take this to mean that if an urgent situation like this arises, I can call and get their help quickly. I was very wrong. She did call back and told me to be at the clinic at 0830 Wednesday morning; the MD would come in between hospital rounds. I was so tired by this point and agreed. The next morning my husband drove me to the clinic (by this time I'm very weak, I'm down 12 lbs d/t Fluid loss). I check in and am told that it could be one hour or even three hours before he comes by. By this time I'm so tired and dispirited that I can hardly think. I burst into tears and say I'm going to have him take out all of the fill, I haven't had anything to drink in nearly three days, I've tried to get an appointment for the past two days, my husband has to be at work at 10, etc... I can't even completely remember everything I said, my brain was so clouded. I sit and the desk clerk tells me he has been paged. By the time I see him, it's nearly 11AM!! I had him take all of the fill out although he was initially going to just take a bit out to "decompress", but I insisted. I have a one-month appointment made, but I'm really debating going back. I love my band and don't regret having it done, but don't wish to risk a repeat of this experience. I am about 20 lbs away from my healthy weight and have learned a lot of great habits, so I don't doubt that I could do it. It would just be more slowly. Has anyone else had an experience like this? How did your doctor respond? Sorry so long and thanks for reading:redface:

I take Bariatric Advantage Calcium Citrate Chewy Bites. I got 3 bags from Amazon...Chocolate, Caramel, and Raspberry. I mixed them all up in a cookie jar & take 2 a day. I haven't been as good about a Multivitamin yet. I've tried several brands, but I just seem to have trouble sticking to one.

I recently tried the Celebrate Multi-Vitamins - HUGE mistake for me. I had horrible stomach issues, gas, and diarrhea all day. Then I read the ingredients - first two are both sugar alcohols! Some people are more sensitive to sugar alcohols than others, but these vitamins CLEARLY did a number on my system - instantaneously! I have switched back to a Target (Up&Up Brand) multi-vitamin/mineral - it is in gummy form, and it works great for me! I am not switching again after the Celebrate episode... But you will need to try things out for yourself. In my support group, everybody has had a different exerience with the vitamins - it all boils down to what your body will or will not tolerate. Most of the Bariatric companies offer free samples if you email them - it is a great way to try them before making a big investment.

Heres another one. He is the leader of bariatric surgery something or other at the moment in france just google his name dr jerome dargent lyon He is superb and very easy to contact for after care and advice etc Dr jerome Dargent polyclinique rillieux lyon email. jerome.dargent@polyclinique-rillieux.fr

Im doing plenty of moves on puree so far but if i wasnt i would do miralax i used it in the past and you can get by usually with a spoonful in your flavored water a day. I would make sure bariatric nurse knows they may have something else for you

My husband and I both used Dr. Jayaseelan at Dallas Bariatric Center. Loved, loved, loved him and his staff! We had wonderful experiences and still enjoy going in for follow up appointments.

Hi Nina, You are 100% normal! Most people have fears before any major operation, and before any major change in their lives. That is what this surgery will be for you if you choose to go forward with it. Lapband or any other Weight Loss Surgery (WLS) requires 100% commitment from you. It's not an easy fix, it is a tool to help you better guide yourself into a healthy weight and more importantly to a healthy life style. There are some who are unfortunate and experience complications from surgery at no fault of their own. This can happen with any surgery, for any number of reasons. It is the risk we take when we need to have any surgical procedure. That said there are also some that do not comply with their doctors orders and do not follow the protocols as outlined for them by their healthcare and surgical teams and there for fail and create further complications that did not necessarily have to happen. Often these are the very people you will hear from and who will post comments about how this surgery failed them. Keep an open mind when you read comments as you never can tell where someone is coming from. My best advice to you is to go back to your bariatric surgeon or surgical group and have a one to one talk with them about your concerns. They will be able to tell you what their success rate is of compliant patients who have done well with the band and/or other WLS as well as the rate of complications they have seen in their patients who had complications and what type of complications they had. If you are confidant in your Dr. and you feel that you are ready to make this life change and be 100% compliant with your surgery and your Dr nothing anyone has to say especially if they have not had surgery will enough to cause you any irrational fear. I wish you all the best, as you get closer to your date.

I have been talking the adult gummy vitamins that are sold at Costco and have had no problem. Costco also sells a chocolate chewable calcium supplement that seems much like the one sold at Bariatric Eating for about 20% of the price.

Took the time to jot down my 3 day food diary this morning. I'm excited to meet with the bariatric team and surgeon this morning. Not sure I have an appetite for breakfast. LOL I will be sure to keep you all posted on how things go.

Hi fellow UK sleevies! I'm having my sleeve surgery on April 24th in Leeds, I'm a revision patient as had a band which went horribly wrong after 18 months and I slowly gained the weight back as I was living abroad and couldn't get sleeve revision until I got back:( Looking forward to getting my sparkle back! Got some great chewable centrum from America off eBay so much cheaper than the bariatric chewables! So all set! Hope everyone is well, B x

Mimi, Was wondering what happened with you, did you get your surgery date yet? I'm a newbie too...So Cal Kaiser patient living in Los Angeles. I just finished week 2 of the Options program. I got into the program almost right after my PCP referred me. I've seen the bariatric doctor and he has approved me to move forward for VSG. I first wanted lap band (like you) but you know, the more I read about it, the worse it sounded. My niece has it and she has had a lot of problems eating. My best friends wife also has it, but she stalled out on her weight loss after 40 lbs. and also had irritation issues near the port. It is my understanding that right after surgery we will be having a clear Fluid diet, then move toward regular fluids - Soups and such, then pureed food, then soft diet until completely healed, and then move toward more natural eating, but of course at much smaller portions. Because of the portion size, we will have to be sure to get the most out of our food nutrition wise - and lots of Protein. I'm excited to be in the program and look forward to a healthier future! Katie

I've been using Nectar and Bariatric Fusion protein drinks - they taste really good to me. I only use them as I need to - most of my protein actually comes from food now - chicken, turkey, buffalo meat, fish, etc. My dietician recommends at least 60 g of protein a day and I've been doing that from food alone for the last 4 weeks.

As much as your situation sucks and I'm sorry for your troubles, I would look at some other options before taking the fatalistic approach. How about switching insurance plans during open enrollment? Mexico? Obamacare: Obamacare prohibits lifetime limits (A cap on the total lifetime benefits you may get from your insurance company) on most benefits in any health plan or insurance policy issued or renewed on or after September 23, 2010. In 2014, Obamacare prohibits new plans and existing group plans from imposing annual dollar limits (a cap on the benefits your insurance company will pay in a year) on the amount of coverage an individual may receive. http://thanksobamaca...index.php?id=11 Good luck.

ty for all of your responses i cant afford to self pay thats the problem...im already 7000 in debt thanks to insurance not letting me know i even had a lifetime maximum. this has been the worst journey i have ever been on and quite frankly there is no where else to turn yes i have an attorney we just started the lawsuit this could take upwards of how many years? in that time what do i do just get fatter as i go on and like i said all my comorbities are back so how long can i really last. just so sad...i have no choice but to give up the dream because it is so unrealistic to me now. the new law doesnt go into effect until 2014 and its only for "essential" surgeries and in case no one has noticed bariatric surgery isnt considered "essential" and never has been. just lost thats all.

I'm in the very beginning stages, and live in NM. I guess there are no bariatric surgeons here?

Thanks all for your information. I do agree that this is definitely the jitters while at the same time, I am trying to be as informed as possible about my surgery and the Internet is a wonderful and scary place. I love Dr. Vallina as he inserted my port a cath to receive Remicade IV treatments for my Crohn's and he removed my gall bladder just 3 weeks after my twins were born. I have all the confidence in the world in him. This process has been a year in the making but now that insurance has approved it, it's more "real" than ever. I am a pretty active heavier person. Licensed to teach Zumba Fitness so exercise has never been an issue. The darn food has. I agree that this is something we all have to deal with in our heads too. Look at Carnie Wilson. She had bariatric surgery but still gained all the weight back. Have to change the way we think about food. My motto is "Eat to Live and not live to eat." As for the bowel perforation, it can occur during the surgery when the surgeon nicks the bowel during the operation. Thanks again all! Keep the comments and advice coming!

I am vegetarian AND do not tolerate gluten, whey or lactose - so you can imagine how daunting this whole thing was for me!! But I have never been healthier and never had a better diet in my life - and I am 100% satisfied with what I eat. Mandatory nutrition counseling was a part of my bariatric program, as it should be for everyone. I spend at least an hour a month with my nutritionist, which is a lot more than most folks have to, but I need her, and she totally gets it! She has suggested many new foods and combinations. Hidden gluten was causing my skin condition (boils, blistering, peeling, redness cracking etc) and it is almost 100% cleared up now - I have little minor flare-ups once every 6 weeks or so, but nothing like the full-time misery I had before. Believe me, the band is 100% friendly to a gluten-free diet! I could not eat bread even if I wanted to (yes, I have tried, more than once!) but potatoes are no problem. I am on modified carbs - almost 100% from fresh fruits and vegies - and I manage to net between 40 and 60 grams a day. I also easily get at least 60 grams of Protein a day, and that's no Protein shakes cause I can't tolerate whey. I do use a lot of soy milk (soy slender to be exact) and sometimes a soy Protein powder, but rarely - extra protein is stored as fat just like extra carbs would be. Actually, having a restricted diet sort of helps explain why you are eating funny if you don't want folks to know about your band. I told only those I had to before, but when you lose 1/2 your body weight in a year, people are going to notice! I am now a walking billboard for the lap-band and for the healthy lifestyle that goes with it. No one can argue my results! You are the perfect candidate. the lose/regain cycle is common to almost all bandsters. Look at this as a weight maintenance surgery: you have to lose weight to get your band, then as you lose each 10 lbs more, they tighten it up to "lock in" your loss. It's the perfect tool! Best of luck ~ Riley :biggrin:

Quick question.... I've just started my process and have only seen my PCP and the bariatric dr. that I will be doing my procedure(I've only been to see him once) my insurance requires a 9 month pre-op and I'm now receiving bills from my PCP which I've never had a problem with caresource covering. I'm wondering if my doc saying anything about bariatric anything in the submissions to insurance is causing them to deny those visits. Should I count on paying for those visits or should I contact my insurance and see why they are denying?? So confused!! TIA.

I revised from band to sleeve in 2011. Best decision EVER. I have been maintaining a 150# loss! However, I am concerned about long term statistics regarding GERD. Just because I have won the bariatric lottery (no reflux, great results, no complications) - as an objective person, I think the bypass should be seriously considered. I don't really understand the risks of the bypass, but I do know as a procedure it is being improved all the time. Listen to surgeon and do your research. Not just reading forums, but actual scientific studies of outcomes. When I was sleeved the data was all very short term....I would be looking for studies at the 5 year plus mark. I don't bother looking - I am fully committed to my sleeve and have no regrets! Sent from my KFJWI using the BariatricPal App

Here is my bariatric study: My brother died of a heart attack at age 47, when he weighed 420 pounds. My mother died at age 67 (just three years older than I am now) of an abdominal aortic aneurysm when she weigh 320 pounds at 5'2" tall. Her mother, who was not overweight died at the age of 98, and she would have lived longer if she had not broken her hip and gotten pneumonia. Other grandparents, aunts, and uncles who were not overweight lived well into their mid-eighties and early nineties. Many of my 60 first cousins have already died of overweight-related health issues in their late forties to early sixties. My older sister weighed about 300 pounds when she graduated high school in 1968 and gained another 100 pounds after that. She got a gastric bypass 15 years ago and is still doing well at age 67 (the age Mother died). I had the sleeve at age 62 because I just do not want to be done yet. I have grandchildren that I want to see grow up. One of my younger sisters who weighed close to 400 pounds got a band three years ago. She lost enough weight to get to a size 12, got a tummy tuck, breast lift and all that - and looks awesome! She is healthier and happier than she has ever been. So, my family is my example for life-span. I know I have greatly increased my odds for a longer life with good quality of life.

Please consider the statistical validity of this one study and its conclusions before getting your panties in a wad..... "In their retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort study of 443 patients who underwent bariatric surgery at the university hospital between 2006 and 2013, the percentage of excess body weight lost had dropped from 77% in 241 patients with available data at 1 year to 56% among 39 at 5" Which means they are basing their "findings" on just 39 out of 443 patients from ONE hospital. That's not even a 10% followup rate of their own patients. What happened to the other 90% at 5 years out? Tens of thousands of people have had VSG and they are telling us what happened to 39 of them! It's more than laughable as far as statistically relevant conclusions are concerned.

Did you also see your PCP once per month or just the dietician? My bariatric center gave me a form that my PCP had to fill out every month. Plus, I had my PCP scan my food log into my medical record every month. I was approved after six months, but I had 3 comorbidities (HBP, cholesterol & sleep apnea) & a so maybe it had nothing to do with the medical record? And I didn't have BCBS but I dunno...I thought I'd throw it out there... just trying to help? So sorry! /P2P

I'm betting that in this particular study the non-response error was negligible. The study was conducted in Israel on Israeli patients by Israeli bariatric surgeons. I figure Mossad hauled in the ones who didn't voluntarily come in for their follow-up interviews.