Search the Community

I'm curious about that as well, because when I had my medical appointment pre-op, I was told I'd be taking Actigall (different doc in the Bariatrics dept)... but my actual surgeon never said anything about it or prescribed it for me. I have my first followup on Jan 3rd, I plan to ask him then.

I am one week post-op, and feeling well today. I went out with my Mom, sister, and some friends, and did quite a bit of walking, and even some shopping! Took the train home, and when DH picked me up at the station, I was a bit tired and sore, but really not bad at all. The worst is behind me! Weight-wise, well, I'm copying from a post I just made: Holy canoli, what a difference a week makes! Even though I was only just banded last Tuesday, check this out!!! The first pic is from last Monday (1 day pre-op), the second set are from today. This gives me renewed energy to keep on with the liquid diet!!!

I didn't use Dr. Goldstein because I had already chosen a doctor, who actually was very good but he is a general surgeon and doesn't have all the support stuff afterwards. I hear great things about Dr. Goldstein. His office is in Voorhees, but does surgery in Virtua, Marlton - not too far from you. Also a Dr. Patel in AC has a great reputation. I know a few from him and they all love him. My doc is Dr. Manigat in Voorhees and he did an excellent job, but like I said, he doesn't just do bariatric surgerys so if you want all the glitz and glam from a center, I wouldn't use him. But he did great for me. Good Luck

I use the Bariatric Fusion in Orange Cream. The chews aren't bad either. Sometimes I will just blend them up in my smoothie so I don't have to chew them.

@@Anniel2015 I did have Dr. Valenzuala. Although I only talked to her for a few minutes, she seemed nice, but more important I seem to be doing good. My experience with the Mi hospital and the Mexico Bariatric Centre was terrible. First, just watched my pajama pants 3 times as the black on the bottom from the filthy floor. I found the driver to the coordinator heret was sketchy. I have travelled enough to know that Tijuana is shady to begin with but they take you to a few stores in a shopping location and only let you buy from their "friends"...we went on our own but it is a good way to walk. Hyatt was ok, no one spoke English, rooms were nice, popsicles were just ice Water on a coffee stir stick. My nursing care was bad. But yet I hear rave reviews and that confuses me. Its not a hospital, its a very very small clinic with construction going on and really no hall ways to walk through post op. I was inventive and just went from one floor to the next...not what the brochure says. They gave me morphine, which I cant handle and I told the "nurse"t understand me and gave it to me any way. MY IV wasn't working most of the time, so keep an eye on it. I had blood all over my bed and they never changed it from them attempting to get the IV in my left hand. I demanded the them to try the right hand as my left one was size of football. Now this is just my opinion, a few ladies at the same time had minor issues but were satisfied with the MI hospital. There is another doctor who spoke English and he was good, he checked up a lot and if it wasn't for him I probably would be more upset. We left a day early to get the F out of Tijuana ( hate it) but 8 days out I have to think of the operation itself......and it was good.

This link was very informative about several different kinds of insurance and what the requirements were for each. Hope it helps! http://www.stvincents.org/healthservices/bariatrics/informationinsurance.cfm

Though you may both have plans through the same insurance,it's true that benefits are based on the amount of coverage the employer wants to pay for. Unfortunately, if there is no coverage in the policy for bariatric surgery, even an appeal for medical necessity is not going to get it reconsidered. She should check with her employer or read her benefits book to make sure it is truly not a covered benefit. Many times an insurance will give incorrect information over the phone until you question them or can prove them wrong. Good Luck!

MANY people have a bit of a stall when transitioning from pureed food to solid food when they're about three weeks out. Google "Bariatric Surgery Three Week Stall". It's super common, and super disheartening. But don't be overly concerned! It's normal and if it happens, you're not necessarily doing anything wrong. Our bodies have amazing defense mechanisms developed over thousands of years to prevent starvation. When our calories suddenly dip very low we hormonally and metabolically adjust to maintain our weight as much as we can....so...ya know...we don't starve to death. And yes, this defense mechanism SUCKS for weight loss. But the good news...is that if we stay the course....and stick to our plans consistently...eventually, we do overcome it and the scale starts moving again. I promise. Dthomas....if you're not exceding your calorie goal, if you're journaling what you eat and choosing good food...your mind IS right. Your body is just throwing you a curve ball as a defense against starvation. It's temporary! Stick to your eating plan. Have patience. And have realistic expectations. Most folks are not going to have the 50 pound losses you see on My 600 Pound Life in a few weeks. Also...losing a job and the financial crunch it brings... can be really discouraging and depressing. Exercise really will help you, even if it's just walking a few miles a day. Hang in there. It gets better.

Wow. My dr will do sleeves for 10k. It's done at a really nice surgical facility they were just day surgery but have started to keep people overnight for Bariatric surgery

Bariatric fusion. Take 4 a day and its all the Vitamins u need. They are chewable HW: 360 SW: 323 CW: 282 RNY: 10.31.2016

Hi Everyone, I would like to be the Nebraska Bariatric Pal support group leader. I am a lap band patient who has lost and has kept it off. I am very passionate about helping people get to their weightloss goals. It doesn't matter what surgery you chose. What matters is that you are doing what it takes to get healthy. I live in Western Nebraska and would be willing to cover this area. I also oversee several support groups in this area. I wish everyone the best of luck in their journey. Mona

Do you have a required psych evaluation? Many people do. I don't know what the requirements might be with someone 5 years into substance recovery....but I know that crossover addictions are a huge concern with bariatric surgery. If you have not talked about this issue with your doc, it would be a really good idea to broach the topic. Also to ask if your healing stomach will be able to handle methadone, or if your blood serum concentration would have to be carefully monitored to adjust dose....I suspect it would be. Best wishes.

Exactly what she ^^^ said. I am 5yrs out (today) and have been taking Vit. D, B12, B complex, Calcium and a Multivitamin ever since and will continue to do so. Not a bad sacrifice for all of the rewards I've received . Call your bariatric team about whether a surgery postponement will be necessary. Only they will know what's right for you and your hubby. Keep us posted. Prayers going up.

Use google shopping search if you know the name of the product. Bariatric Pal has a lot of products, but there are many other bariatric sites selling products. Amazon carries a lot of bariatric products, too.

ok, so I had my surgery with Dr. Kirshenbaum in Denver because my insurance would not pay for the surgery and I had to pay cash. I wanted someone with experience but not someone who was out to rob me blind. So... Dr. K was both and about $15K cheaper than anyone else I could find with his experience. One thing I found at my first fill was that he wasn't so good at after care. He didn't know how to tell me to know that I was filled correctly...so frustrated and water logged, I left with only 1.5 ccs in a 10cc band. That was 10/31/08. ON 11/07, I decided to call Fill Centers to find out what doctor they had available in Las Vegas for fills. They set me up with Dr Ricciardi a "Bariatric Physician", not to be confused with a "Bariatric Surgeon". I chose the annual plan with the promise that if I didn't like him that I could go to anyone else in the Fill Center network. Cool. Appt set for 11/20 at 9am. I was very impressed by his staff and by him. Turns out he is experienced and young and he trains other doctors across the country to be "aftercare" providers for bariatric surgery. How Cool! He listened, talked for about 30 minutes about what I've been trying and told me that I come to his office now for all aftercare. Awesome! So, he fills it 1.5 cc's and is amazed that I can chug a full water bottle with 3.0 ccs after only 8 weeks. I personally felt like he should put more but thought I should trust him and see how it goes. Next day all is well and I am eating around 1/4 - 1/2 cup depending on how much water I've had that day already. I think I need a little more so I'll set up an appt to go back in another week. Let's see how much I can lose this week without much restriction. I see many others who had surgery the same time as me are at 3.5 or 4.0 and have good restriction so I don't want to waste too much more time waiting for something to work... I'll give it til after Thanksgiving to see and then I'll make an appt. All in all, I was very pleased with my fill center experience. They gave me a lifestyle guide, access to recipes and other things on their website and called me for a follow up to see how everything went. I am pretty impressed.

The sleeve keeps your digestive system intact, no long term dietary supplements except OTC Vitamins, much quicker recovery AND my surgeon said it is the most performed bariatric surgery he performs at this point in his career. I really didn't want my digestive system "replumbed" and the band wasn't even worth discussing due to it's long term failure rates.

I dont know anything about fill costs but traveling to mexico must be kinda pricey, too. Maybe you could explore options to see if you find someone you feel comfortable with...id feel better having familiarity with a bariatric practice nearby anyway, in case of an emergency or something like a much needed unfill. Im going thru insurance so I cant entirely empathize but I hope everything goes well with your surgery and that restriction comes easily for you!

Yes, Actually, I am taking Bariatric Advantage Vita Band Lemon Flavored Cream, 2 X per day. They are just for lap banders. Also I am on extra iron and b12. But I am old. So I think the older you are the harder this is. Dot

I haven't tried the K20, but if you are looking for a real bang for your protein buck, Worldwide Protein Shakes are great. They have 35g of protein, 1g sugar, 3g carbs, 1g fat (0.5g sat/fat)and 160 to 170 calories. It comes in Chocolate Cream, Vanilla Cream, Strawberry Cream, Banana Cream, and Cookies 'n Cream (tastes like Oreos). They are sold in Vitamin Shoppe for $2.75 individually and $27.99 for a 12 pack which is about $2.33 each. Worldwide calls it a protein supplement, and says not for use in weight reduction, but I have been drinking them for over a year (I saw a link here once to Brigham Womens Hospital Bariatric Program, and these shakes were on their list of protein drinks for patients). They also come in 29g drinks but I have only seen them at Trader Joe in Vanilla and Chocolate. They were $1.69, and the Vanilla and Chocolate 35's were $2.29. GNC has the 35s in Vanilla and Chocolate but they are $2.99 a can. Vitamin Shoppe (and GNC) also sell them online and sometimes you can get a free shipping deal depending on how much you buy. I really like them.

I was just thinking about this the other day... My weight was 250lbs for years...I was well above it... then...when I went over 300, I figured it was too high to be 50lbs less...so i made it 280... well, I'm now 224...and I have a year until I renew...hopefully I'll be at goal and not have to tell a weight fib! Rain

@@wascott I used to use Renew Life Organic Triple Fiber (flax seed, oat bran and acacia fiber) which worked great. But now I use a mixture of Bob's Red Mill Ground Flax Seed and Now Foods Apple Fiber. It works just as well but is cheaper and I can buy in bulk from a local whole food store. I used Garden of Life Raw Fiber for awhile and it worked, but it was expensive and gave everything I mixed it with a thick, gummy texture.

Your lettter has a lot of good content. I particularly like the next to last paragraph about the insurance company itself discriminating against you. I did not have to write a letter, but I included one in my packet anyway, just for extra justification. In it I mention the family history of obesity and how it affects my life and all of my medical conditions that have resulted from being overweight. Feel free to use some of this content if you want to. I wish you good luck and good health. Here is my letter. I Xd out proper names for this post. This letter is a heartfelt request for BCBS to approve bariatric surgery to help me lose a significant amount of excess weight that has caused me many chronic health issues and has seriously affected my quality of life. My adult life started at 108 pounds at graduation, at a time when I was both anorexic and anemic. The reason for that was deliberate. I did not want to be morbidly obese like the rest of my family, many of whom weighed over 300 pounds. My oldest brother died of a heart attack at the age of 47 – at a weight of 420 pounds. My mother died at the age of 67 because of an abdominal aortic aneurism. She was 5’2” and weighed 320 pounds. My father survived two heart attacks and eventually died from a stroke. Two of my sisters have been large from childhood and currently weigh over 300 pounds as do many of my cousins. Since my late 20’s I began having problems controlling my weight and I consequently yo-yo dieted for three decades. Boy-oh-boy, I feel like I tried everything that came along, from South Beach, Sugar Busters, food Combining, Weight Watchers, Richard Simmons, even the Dolly Parton Diet, among many others. Remarkably, I did have 50 pounds of success with the Atkins Diet twice, and gained it all back much quicker than I lost it. For about 15 years I have been taking medication for chronic high blood pressure while working physically demanding jobs. On 9/11/2010, I suffered a Cardio Vascular Accident. Due to outstanding care at Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Hospital in Xxx Xxxx, Illinois (where I met Dr. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx and changed to his medical practice), damage was minimized. The most significant lasting effect was loss of balance and altered proprioception. This has rendered me to be a moderate fall risk and forced me into an early retirement from federal service. I am unable to leave my home unassisted and can no longer drive because even though I can see, people and curbs and cars are not where I think they are. In 2007 my right knee had to be replaced. At that time, my weight was around 180 pounds. I gained even more weight during recovery and eventually had to have a partial replacement of my left knee on 11/7/2012. Osteoarthritis is another issue that has hijacked my health. My vertebrae have degenerative disc disease and my body is failing to support my current weight which fluctuates from 220-235. On 2/14/2013 I had a three level ACDF. I also am being treated by the Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Pain Clinic for thoracic radiculopathy, sciatica in my left leg, and femoral nerve impingement in my right leg (which is exaserbated by my overhanging 53” belly). In order to get around, I must use a cane, my walker, or someone to assist me because I cannot stand for more than a couple of minutes without high levels of pain in my back, sides, hips and legs. Also, this belly has affected my posture so much that standing up straight, although it can be done, is painful in its self. Turning over in bed is painful because my weight is difficult to maneuver with this pendulous belly. The skin under the overlap gets red and irritated, so I am using medicated powder per doctor’s orders. At the time of the CVA, I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes, another condition than not surprisingly runs in the family. I am still taking meds for this condition to prevent transfer to full-on diabetes. My cholesterol is chronically high, so I am taking Lipitor for that. Due to chronic digestive troubles and reflux, my primary care physician, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, ordered an EGD on 2/22/2012. The findings then were: Irregular GE junction, Hiatal hernia, Acute gastritis, and Reflux esophagitis. The attending physician, Xxxxx Xxxxx, prescribed Omeprazole to relieve the reflux. Since the stroke, Dr. Xxxxxxx has had me on a 1200 calorie USDA Pyramid diet (allowing for a Mediterranean chef in the house). Dr. Xxxxx asked me to follow a 1000 calorie diet with adjustments for preventing reflux (i.e. no soda, citrus juices, caffeine, fried foods, etc . In spite of my best efforts at diet and exercise, my weight continues to rise. I am in pain every day, and my home has become my prison. I am taking Bupropion to battle depression and anxiety as I tend to have much worry about becoming a wheelchair-bound invalid. My weight issues have not been resolved even under my doctors’ care and concern, and I fear that I am becoming my mother and facing a premature death like hers. Surgical intervention will certainly produce positive outcomes for me. I am not big-boned, but a naturally petite person who is carrying another person around her waist. I will follow my doctors’ orders and be the best patient ever. Your consideration is appreciated and I look forward to being a much healthier me in the future. Thank you so much - you are saving my life.

No means no. Your employer made the decision to exclude bariatrics--and there's no way around what is stipulated in the contract. You can, however, lobby for a change in policy---if you make enough noise (and point out the costs of NOT providing the care--because obesity tends to cost tons more than WLS)--your company may choose to change their insurance contract when it's time to renew/change. The insurance company will give you what your employer has agreed to pay for. The place to focus your attempts for change is your employer.

I don't go back to the bariatric doctors until December 30, but I am seeing my primary physician next Tuesday. I will definitely be upfront with all of them.