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I did - I had my surgery at St. V's Bariatric Center of Excellence with Dr. Diaz. It went wonderful! Where are you having your surgery done?

I live in Minden NV. Had surgery 7/22 through Western Bariatric. My surgeon was Dr Watson (he's..um..motivating..) Is this thread still alive?

I'm doing mine in Reno through western bariatrics. They have been amazing. For pre op I had to do a psych eval, steps to success class, meet with a nutritionist, an upper gi, and get a letter of support from my doctor. The diet was a gradual step down from meal replacements to full liquids two weeks pre op. there was another class to that I had to attend where they taught us what post op eating would be like. I'm ready, mostly, for surgery tomorrow

yes bariatric fushion makes life simple.//////

When I spoke to the coordinator for Dr. Garcia she told me "there days when he has 1 and days when he has five or six, but on average he only does about 3-4 per day". This information was from Michelle Medkoff at Tijuana Bariatrics. She was really nice about answering questions.

That's kind of my point (re: doc's being soooo different), and I'm sorry what I said couldn't have been said nicer. It IS VERY frustrating to read how even though it is the same three bands (Mid, Realize/Swedish or LapBand), the diets vary GREATLY. I know when I was in that first few weeks post-op I was quite flummoxed as to why someone else was allowed mushies at a week out and I had to wait until week three. The reasons are as varied as the surgeon's opinions. Here's a couple, and some of these the surgeons will likely never admit to. 1) Experience, either loads or lack of. For example, some docs who have been banding for years and following the same diet for years will always follow that diet. Other docs who may have only done bypasses may tend to keep their bandsters on more of a bypass-type diet just because that's what they know. Some docs may have little experience (more and more and more surgeons are jumping on the Bariatric Cash Wagon) and are going with what they read in a journal article that says it's okay to advance faster through the stages because the bands today are wider and *shouldn't* be as likely to slip. Some docs just simply don't know. 2) Surgical technique: Almost everyone now uses the pars flaccida technique, studies have shown it to be the most secure and have less slips than the older way. With Pars Flaccida some docs think the "extra" stitches should prevent slips. 3) Here's the tough one: Docs are probably sick of us calling and begging to "chew something" and that we will "die" if we can't eat. So they relent earlier and earlier thinking that as long as they tell us to chew really well, hopefully we'll be alright. 4) It's what they learned from whoever trained them. Did you know that in order to be considered proficient and able to train others (proctor) to place a band, a surgeon only has to have done 100 her/himself? That's not that many. Hope this helps answer the question about why it is so different. I'd love to see stats for slippage and erosion in a couple of years with these faster stage diets. We simply don't know, but we do know the slippage rates for those who use longer liquid stages and they are lower than those who didn't. But then again, it could be argued that those numbers are with the older, smooth, narrower bands.

From my sayings app; BEFORE ANYTHING TRULY GREAT HAPPENS EVERYTHING FALLS APART! Hi there from another Boomer(73) in Central Ohio. I have gone from 28-30W at 5ft8in to a 20, and teetering on the brink of 18.HW365+, Currently at 224, losing 2-3 lb each week, bariatric clinic is forecasting I will achieve Onderland at or slightly past my one year anniversary on September 5th. Boobs a tragedy like yours , gone from 48 DD to 42C, my goal is to be 175 and a 15 junior, why do I specify that? Because for a BIG Girl I am not overtly busty, I am a Fat Athletic build, my ortho who is also a Sports med specialist says "Impossible" I told him You are looking at one now. Had 2 knee replacements, partly due to fact I caught softball and baseball, because that was the only way my neighborhood could field a team, played center or power forward in basketball, none of my boy cousins would challenge me to horse after age 12,,i was good and I left them in the dust but I was chosen among the first when choosing sides cause nobody wanted me on the other side. I was merciless on court! Now I am an arthritic has-been who shrunk 4 height inches after menopause, I was 6 feet if I didn't flatten down my hair. And I am ambidextrous, so I switch-hit in one kind of ball, and was deadly in layups and,free throws. We were somewhere and one of my kids was playing around with a b-ball, I said give me that basketball, shot from centercourt , sunk it , no rim needed, Whaaat said my offspring, how can you do THAT? Mama had a life before you guys came along, and I still have secrets. I have bat wings and also flying squirrel thighs, maybe they go together? A scrawny turtle neck, I wonder who I will look like when this is all over, I certainly barely resemble myself anymore. Recently I have gone from Looking like my,Mama, her older sister Aunt Grace and today I look like their mother,Grandma Cora. And this is a shock, she never was above 5ft4in even on tippy toes. I just pray I still look passable and don't frighten people in the street too badly. My bit of glory, my rump is going away, I used to be a Baby who had Back, now I have gently rounded butt cheeks. Harder keeping my pants up, they have nothing to hang from anymore! And the stretch marks, low flesh and different ways my body is, those are our battle ribbons, we took our place in a deadly war and We Won!

I had ventral hernia repair three months after VSG. My bariatric surgeon performed it. To make this repair at the same time is considered a "dirty procedure". If you develop a leak from VSG, for example, you can imagine how bad that'd be for a second surgery site with several incisions. Also, the hernia repair heals better after some weight loss, as fat is plugging the hole now and distorts the opening. Again, not hiatal hernia so that matters. It took nine tacks and several internal stitches attached to muscle to close my hernia. It was a small hernia. Finally, I would in no way would i want to be recovering from both surgeries at the same time. OMG! Hernia recovery is 2-4weeks. The surgeon isn't making more money either. The same procedure codes are billed. The hospital might make more, though do to two preop/postop stays. HTH. Good luck to you! life is a journey, not a destination; so, stop running -H.D. THEROUX

I too used Dr Kim at Kim Bariatric Institute! He performed my gastric sleeve in 2011 and I've since lost 100+ lbs. Great office staff and wonderful aftercare! We also have a private support group for 24/7 support along your journey. In regards to the gentleman who lost his legs.....yes, a very sad story reported on TV/online....but unfortunately....not the whole story. Dr Kim was not at the hospital and a new Dr hired by KBI was there to assist/observe Dr Holden....unfortunately she chose to start the procedure on her own. Fortunately for the gentleman, Dr Holden came into the OR and saved his life!!! The other Dr is now practicing at another facility. Please, do not judge KBI by the story that has not reported all the facts. We wish you all the best with whoever you use!!

We concentrate so much on weight ! Sometimes it's the inches lost that really shows up in your success! As one our bariatric veterans has once posted. " It's called Weight loss surgery but it should be called Fat loss Surgery" I'm ok with the inches lost ..

There are therapists that specialize in bariatric therapy. They help the patient manage expectations, emotions, dealing with head hunger, etc... It's actually a really good idea. Many of us on here have used them at one time or another. I have to have a revision and while I'm concerned about the rate of loss, I'll be honest, I mostly just want to feel better. I had my sleeve in May 2022 and I've lost 108 pounds. I still have 80 pounds to go to get to goal. I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing with my diet and working out, and it may take longer than it did now, but I know I'll get there. You will, too. Just keep in mind that stalls happen a lot, 25 pounds lost in 6 weeks in excellent, and just stick religiously to your surgeon's plan and you'll get there in the end. The main goal is better health, anyway.

I'm doing terrific.. Dr Ganser with Western Bariatric is fabulous! I had to do a 4 week pre-op liquid diet. Thought I was going to die! Did have some cheating during that month but nothing to drastic. Lol. I managed to lose 20lbs during that time. Since surgery I've lost an additional 35lbs. It has definitely been an eye opening experience. It's true though that each day that passes things do become easier and you feel soooo much better. It's been hard at times trying to figure out your new tummy. I think that's been he hardest thing for me. Learning how much your body will allow and how to recognize when you've had enough and ect. I've just got my gym membership. That's been interesting so far. Luckily the people I've encountered at the gym are very supportive. I'm not one to sweat with an audience. Lol.

I purchased mine from Bariatric Pal and I use the patches. Best decision I could have made!

I contacted my local hospital, and asked if they had a bariatric program. They transferred me to the bariatric program director who helped me every step of the way. I had mentioned it to my regular doctor, but she wasn't a fan of wl surgery. So she wasn't any help. Best wishes on your journey.

That's something you need to clear with your bariatric and primary. It will depends on your levels.

I went through SW Bariatric and had a great experience. Lots of support and loved my doc and nurses. My doc did the surgery at NAMC and U highly recommend that hospital.

Annie - I'm with you and I've said that several times on this board. There should be a dietary standard that bariatric surgeons have their patients follow. And there should be sound medical reasons for it. And the patients should be told what they are. I am a patient who asks a lot of questions and gets copies of every test. I also thought they attended symposiums and topics like this were discussed. While I am not a fan of one size fits all medicine it seems like from doctor to doctor that is the approach each uses. If it is a strict doctor - all his patients are put on the most restrictive program, etc...I would like to see more uniformity among these surgeons. There are standards of care for cancer patients, why not bariatric patients?

Hi Hoosiers! I was banded on Dec 30, 2013 in Noblesville. We have a support group that meets on the first Thursday of every month. Glad to see so many places around the state have bariatric practices. I've read so many stories of people traveling hours to have their surgery.

I have the same reaction to Tylenol 3 and Tylenol 4 - my bariatric surgeon chalks it up to an increased sensitivity to Tylenol. What about straight hydrocodone or oxycodone, or even dilaudid or morphine? I'm not sure what the culprit in Tramadol is, as I take it PRN for herniated discs and a shoulder injury and have had no issues with it. Does it help to "sandwich" pills in some cheese or yogurt? Take a bite of the food and swallow, take the pill, then take another bite. I did that in the past while taking anti-depressants, since they can cause minor stomach irritation and I have had problems with ulcers (TWO emergency perforations; and two ulcers in between - I have bi-annual EGDs to keep track of them, and am on lifetime prescriptions of Protonix and Carafate).

Hello, I am having my first meeting on Wed the 24th with Dr. Brenda Cacucci in Carmel, Indiana at the Bariatric Center of Excellence. Has anyone heard of her? Anyone had their band put on by her? Any comments good or bad would be appreciated!! Thanks, momof2sn

Hi Cindy, first - just because your plan (insurance) covers bariatric surgery does not necessarily mean it's available to you. You will need to check your SPD (should be an "Exclusions" section), and may also want to check with your employer directly on employer-enforced exclusions. You will also want to call your carrier and ask them about specific requirements: e.g. weight history, medically supervised diet, etc. With an HMO you will need to find a primary care physician. Considering your age and that you've not been seeing a doctor regularly, you'll most definitely need a very comprehensive physical, gyn, immunizations, etc. Medically necessary, by insurance standards, usually means a BMI of 40+ or a BMI of 35+ with 2+ co-morbidities. Often the 40+ requires documentation of co-morbidities as well, more and more it seems. Co-morbidities will have to be found/documented during your physical.

Hello everyone! I have been dragging my feet for a while and decided it was time to just in here and introduce myself. I have been so inspired by so many of you ~you guys are amazing. OK, well a little about me. I am 41 years old and have been married to the love of my life for 20 years. I have a 19 year old daughter and 17 year old son. I was diagnosed about 10-12 years ago with lupus and fibromyalgia. My PA at the time tried many different medications to try to relieve some of my pain without much success and I spent a lot of time either in bed or on the couch. I was over weight before this, but a combination of the meds and lack of exercise I gained over 100 pounds. I have since found a new rheumatologist and feel like a new woman! OK, so fast forward three years ago. I work for a hospital and have worked there for 20 years. For our entire married life, our family has been covered under my husbands insurance. My husbands insurance was horrible and we were paying high premiums, so I decided to check in to obtaining health insurance through the hospital. Well, as it turns out, we now have amazing insurance and I don't pay a dime in insurance premiums. The other nice thing is that any procedure or test that is done at our hospital is completely covered-no out of pocket expense for us at all. I quickly decided to check in to our bariatric program at work. I went to my first seminar almost three years ago and found out that my insurance had just changed the policy for covering WLS. You have to have our insurance for three years before they will cover it...great just my luck. At the time I was planning on having the lapband done. In addition to my aches and pains, I had high blood pressure. So I have been waiting for the last three years to have my surgery. Meanwhile, earlier this year, I was diagnosed with both sleep apnea (I wear a CPAP at night) and most recently diabetes. My three years will be up on September 15th. I started my 6 month supervised weight loss in April and will finish that in September. I finally was given the ok to have my surgical consult, so I am ecstatic about that. It finally feels like this just might happen. Oh, I almost forgot to mention. On my first appt. with my primary care, I told him that I was there for my 6 month supervised weight loss for lapband and that I was afraid of the bypass. He said well why don't you do the sleeve? That is when I found out about the sleeve! I had never even heard of it before that! It turns out that my insurance just began covering the sleeve on the 13th of this month! I really think it was meant to be. I feel much more confident regarding the success of the sleeve compared to the lapband. I was worried to put about my body rejecting the lapband because of the lupus. Honestly, I am just so ready for this. I think the 3 year wait turned out to be a blessing in disguise for me! Anyway, this week I have my surgery consult and I will take it from there. I am super excited to get to know everyone and learn everything I can about how I can have the most success when I finally have my surgery. Take care, Becky

Here's the diet and shopping list we were given for the first 90 days after surgery http://xnet.kp.org/misg/bariatrics/after.html I did like the Premiere Protein Shakes in Choclate from CostCo and Sam's.

I haven't been to my local bariatric office for two years, but decided to tuck my tail and go back considering I've gained 30 lbs since I was there last. The nurse took the saline out of my band to make sure I had all 3 cc in my band that we had when I last saw her and she was only able to get 1 1/2 cc, then she had me stand to see if it was positional....she only got two total. SMH. She's trying to figure out if my band is leaking or if she miscalculated last time I was there. I really hope that she didn't take proper notes, I'll be devastated if my band is broken.

I am a little over two months out until I have my revision with Dr. Aceves. Are there any books you would recommend and why? I have bought one for my Kindle already called "The Emotional First-Aid Kit: a practical guide to life after bariatric surgery". I have also been checking out "The Gastric Sleeve" by Dr. Garcia (I believe). Any recommendations would be highly appreciated.