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Hello! I am a fourth year psychology student doing my thesis on bariatric surgery success and I need some more participants! Thank you to all who have participated so far - we have most of our data, but need a few more people who have had counselling after surgery. Results will be posted here as soon as we have all our results! The survey is totally anonymous and there are only about 20 questions, so it doesn't take long. Please help us make a difference!! Ashley Ristanto James Cook University Cairns, Australia. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PP2CLF9

I apologize if this is too much information, but I need to figure out how to end this horrible constipation I'm experiencing. I'm in my 5th week after gastric bypass and I'm just starting small amounts of food. I am not taking any pain meds, nor have I after day 3 of the surgery, but I am taking all my vitamins, which includes Bariatric Advantage soft chew multivitamins (2 a day) and Celebrate's Iron + C and Calcium Citrate softchews (1 each per day). I drink two Premier Protein drinks and day (60 grams of protein total) and approximately drink 60 ounces of water. The foods I have been eating are unsweetened applesauce, cottage cheese, and mashed potatoes. It takes four days for me to feel like I need to go and then it is MISERABLE. I am chockerblocked to the max. I have had to resort to laxatives and enemas because taking Colace and drinking Smooth Move tea regularly is NOT working. The laxatives only work some of the time and they cause bad cramping. Has anyone else suffered like this and what has worked? Are my vitamins causing this horrific experience and has anyone found a better type of vitamin that helps with constipation? Is it my protein intake? I feel as if I'm drinking enough water.... would love to know if others have experienced this and how it was solved. Thanks!

Hello All, Some of you know, that after sending in my labs prior to going to Mexico I was cleared even though my blood count was 10.2. The day of surgery my surgeon did not preform the sleeve on me because my blood count was not the minimum of 12. I feel like doctors should put the care of their patient before anything else. My concern is that I paid extra for rooms, paid all the drivers to and from the hospital, like I would if I was talking a cab and paid my driver to cross the boarder to take me to the airport. This was supposed to be all included. My question is has anyone else been rejected and if so, did you get a refund?? I was told I was going to get a refund, but I haven't had any contact from time after call my US coordinator. I am with Mexcio Bariatric Center.

And some testimony from the Elder of the Pack. Like🐭🐺(mousecat) I too had to be there at 5Am for a 7AM surgery time, first thing on my Dr Needleman's surgery schedule at Ohio State University Hospital- Wexner Medical Center, sound like a big name- You ought see how area it really takes up. But they made me feel like I was the most important, indeed like I was the only patient. Signed in at front door, had my own person to deliver me to the designated pre-surgery area, once there I changed out of my clothes and in to their patient gown. And then I tinkled, see we had a pact going, if I would void as much fluid out as possible, I would not have to be "cathed", worth it to me. Got comity in my bed, and then, since I was Surgery #1 Dr Needleman brought in the bulk of. the surgical team. That was so very nice of him, in the back of my mind was the niggling worry since this was a teaching hospital I might be someone's practice dummy. He promised it would be him and him alone doing what needed done. Promised when they bring you in I'll wave. Didn't have to do that for me, but it was so cool he wanted to allay my fears. And my anesthesiologist was named David, said I could him Dave if I liked. Stayed until I was relaxed, Dave might have slipped so Happy Juice in while we were talking, but it was okay. And in deference to my age there would be a pulmonologist and cardiologist also there, you see I was and maybe the only 72 year old patient he would have. His bio said he had done 70s before, one of the reasons I chose him. He is also the chief of Bariatric Medicine and Metabolic Weight Loss, a full Professor in the College of Medicine, trained many bariatric surgeons in the Midwest. I had said to myself" Frustr8 You are going to have this chance, your one chance, you deserve it, grant yourself THE VERY BEST possible. Like my buddy above I also have had multiple surgeries, but OSU was the first place to have non-swerving, non-wobble gurneys. Now others have said the Operating Theatre was cold, mine wasn't, that they are going to strap you down , strip you, place your arms in a crucifixion postion, nope none of those things happened. They offered to help me slide over onto the Operating table, nope this old girl can still do a few things herself. And this was the first one I ever encountered that I didn't feel I would immediately roll off the other side. And although they were super efficient, it was still quite relaxed. There was Dr Needleman over to my left,waving vigorously, yeah he really WAS THERE! And over on the other side sitting on stools was my cardio and pulmo guys, and they saluted. Then Dave tu led blankets that were warm around me, said Are you comfty, and called me by name. I said" Yes I believe I am" and that quickly I was asleep. The very next thing I knew I was in my room on 10 Doan, stretched like I was waking up from a summer,nap, except I had oxygen on and EKG leads on, but I felt good, no nausea, no tenderness, being a little of a Doubting Thomasina, I flipped my gown up to make certain they had done surgery. Figured if they had I would be heavily bandaged, nope no ABD, just 6 little criss-cross steri- strips and one in the top of my navel. Now I knew why they told me to scrub my navel well, he likes to use them. Since I had a scar on the bottom from my tubal ligation some 30 years ago, he used the top, until the swelli,g went down a little I had a kissing navel. Never had pain, my tummy was as flat as when I went in so no residual gas to expell. And I was expecting to feel like too many sit-ups, can't say I had that either. I did get to stay until Friday, because of my advanced age(on paper- I am not that old physically, PO's my PCP greatly, think I didn't break down and fall apart yet. All his Gloom and Doom was for naught!) But mine was so good I would not fear another, but Praise God a RnY is One and Done. Yeah the thing I used most was 10 foot long charging cord I got at Staples, comb, brush, chap stick and Biotene. And I will also Welcome You to the Kangaroo Klub. Why Kangaroo, you might ask ? Because, honey, we all now have pouches.😝👼😝

"I do not know what is better, the Gastric Bypass or the Vertical Sleeve." I would ask your doctor that question. Based on his/her exam of you, your mental health history. and eating patterns. Your bariatric team should have a recommendation. "If I drink nothing but Protein shakes for 4 months along with Water, would I lose faster while exercising?" Sure, you could do that right now and lose weight but if you won't commit to shakes and exercise now, will you after surgery? "Oh I know I got to do it for myself, I have a wedding coming up in 2019 and I want to be able to fit in my wedding dress and to live a healthy life" Actually every answer you gave was an external or short term reason on why you want WL surgery: your mom, a wedding dress, prove to others that you can lose weight. If you really want to live a healthy lifestyle, you wouldn't think that drinking nothing but Protein Shakes for four months is healthy. If you were doing this for you, you would talk about you. So here's my suggestion, start going to a counselor who specializes in weight loss. It's not that you shouldn't have surgery but when all those short term goals or your need for approval from others is met, then what? Best of luck to you on your journey.

pretty much all clinics require a few months of classes and clearance testing. The insurance company should know this since they've covered bariatric patients in the past.

Like everyone else, I can so relate. I went to the information session on 3/3/10 and have thought of nothing else since. I am doing my 6 month diet that is required and I need about another month and a half. I want to have everything set to send hopefully by the second week in September. I have had my nutritional consult. Tomorrow is my Psych eval. I have a cardiologist appt next month (the nurse at the bariatric office said I will most likely need cardiac and pulmonary clearance since I have High blood pressure and sleep apnea and asthma). So those are scheduled and ready to go. My husband is really supportive and wants me to do whatever I think is best. But, I can tell he get tired of the "when I have surgery______" commnets. So I try to tame it down a bit. These boards certainly help. Good luck to you.

I had to have my surgery in a hospital 5 hours away due to the lack of bariatric surgeons where I live. I had to go by myself since my husband is unwell and can't travel. I took an Amtrak train and stayed in a hotel a half mile walk from the hospital. I walked in the day of surgery and then after discharge I took an Uber back to the hotel and stayed another night. The hospital tried to say I couldn't take an Uber but it was either that or walk back to the hotel since I was alone. They finally okayed that after some phone calls. As far as being alone in the hospital I actually prefer it. I like to be left alone and not have anyone hovering over me when I don't feel well. I love my hubby but I'm glad he wasn't there. Good luck, you'll be OK if you have to fly solo!

Survey on Bariatric Surgery and Body Contouring Surgery – Yale School of Medicine Help science by completing ANONYMOUS online questionnaires. We are interested in the opinions of adults who have had bariatric surgery and body contouring surgery within the past five years. http://yale.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_2blFHEywu0OsYDP 1 in 20 participants will win a $50 electronic Amazon.com gift card Sponsored by the National Institutes of Health HIC: 1501015172

that's great that Bariatric Advantage is releasing some! i was taking the viactiv multi and the calcium b/c i hated all my chewable options, but my nutritionist (at the surgery center) said viactiv is junk and a waste of money. he has me on the bariatric advantage vitaband chews and the calcium. my only problem is taking them on a regular schedule! multi, calcium, Iron, and Vitamin D = a lot of Vitamins to take!

Hi I went to a Bariatric surgeon for consultation who did not recommend surgery due to my low BMI 34.5 but recommended the gastric balloon only. I went to a different surgeon who stated I qualify for surgery due to my obesity related condition (PCOS) and Acid Reflux. + I have spent so many years trying to lose weight to no avail. I am now 10 days post op gastric band. I would recommend seeking a second opinion. Good luck!

I tested positive after surgery (removed stomach was tested) in Mid March, bariatric surgeon wanted me to wait a little while before starting treatment. I started today - seven days (twice a day am and pm) of 2 x amoxil 500mg, 1 nexium 20mg and 1 x klacid 500mg.

The Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery estimates that 18 million adults in the U.S. qualify for weight-loss surgery, but only about 1 percent actually do it. The length of recovery and cost concerns are the main reasons more people don't have such procedures. Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty is a non-surgical weight loss procedure that is commonly referred to as ESG and also known as the incisionless gastric sleeve or the accordion procedure. Instead of incisions, stapling and removing parts of the stomach, a tiny camera and tools go down a patient's throat with a needle and thread. Specialized tools mark out guidelines in the stomach, sutures are placed in triangular patterns and the area is cinched together. Stomach size is reduced by 70 to 80 percent. ESG works by reducing the space inside your stomach and by slowing down the rate at which food empties from your stomach. Unlike the band, sleeve, and bypass, however, which are surgical procedures, the ESG procedure is non-surgical. Access to the stomach is gained not through incisions in the abdomen but endoscopically, i.e. through the mouth. Like the surgical procedures, the ESG is performed under general anesthesia, and it takes about 1 hour to complete. A device called the 'Overstitch' is inserted into the stomach and reduces the stomach capacity from the inside by stitching the stomach together with a series of approximately 6 stitches. https://www.healthierweight.co.uk/non-surgical-gastric-sleeve/esg-or-gastric-sleeve/ https://www.mooremetabolics.com/weight-loss/endoscopic-sleeve-gastroplasty/ http://bmiclinic.com.au/endoscopic-sleeve-gastroplasty/

Many of them are Google ads. They pick up on things that you have searched for in the past in an attempt to target you. They also track your location. Right now I have ads for a New York bariatric group and Amazon Mom which is where I order diapers for my 2 year old.

Funny the plastic surgeon didn't have an opinion. But I called my bariatric dr and he said absolutely have the unfill as did the anesthologist... Go figure. I am really nervous about it...

I agree with KCgirl. Your employer has chosen not to include Bariatric surgery as part of what they purchade insurance coverage for. Definitely reach out to HR. An appeal won't work. Sorry. Hope you eventually get it covered and get your surgery ! Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I have UHC and was referred to their Bariatric Resource Services program. In addition to the 6 month diet, I need to provide a 5 year weight history of morbid obesity. The nurse from Optum I spoke with said BMI of 40 or higher or 35-40 with one co-morbidy. I am freaking out a bit that I won't be approved. Currently my BMI is 42 and I have HBP but over the past 5 years I have been on/off dieting and my BMI has been between 36-38 for the most part. I was only recently (last year) diagnosed with HBP so the previous years where my BMI was hovering around 36-38, there was no documented HBP. Will it still count since i have the HBP now? I also have GERD but not sure that'll count and was only diagnosed with it in 2014. I want this so badly and am nervous I'm going to be denied b/c I didn't meat the insurance criteria for weight history. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I am writing this to help those whom have United Health Care. Here are the following things to know and tips: Before reading these tips, contact UHC for confirmation that Bariatric surgery is covered under your plan. Confirm the requirements. Confirm that your surgeon and his associated hospital is In-Network (if they are not, it will be like paying for the surgery without insurance). Make sure you have an understanding of what the insurance wants to see or have done. 1) You are eligible if you have a 40 BMI or Higher / Greater than 35 BMI with Co-Morbidity. 2) Once you find your surgeon, you will have to do 6 months worth of testing, dieting and education. 3) You will have to make 6 visits (once a month). This does not include your consultation. 4) One of your visits will be with a Psychological Evaluation. This will determine your surgeons view and the insurance company's view of your case. They take a look at your mental and emotional health. They ask about your family and your support systems. They may ask you how you feel about yourself. Stay away from the negative views you may have of your body. Understand that they have seen hundreds of people like you and may have some prejudice in regards to whether you will succeed or not. Remind them that you are a person, not a statistic and bring some human to your discussion. 5) Your surgeon may require you to keep an eating and exercise journal. I use MyFitnessPal and I have a FitBit. 6) You will be asked to do an EKG to see how strong your heart is. 7) You may be asked to do a sleep study. Depending on your surgeon, it can be a requirement. In my case, the insurance company denied it. They did not deem it as a necessity. 8) You will have to do an Ultrasound which is to see if you have any issues with your liver (fatty liver disease) or other organs. 9) The next thing is an endoscopy. This requires you to head to an outpatient clinic, be sedated and have a tube stuck down your throat. (Update: You will need to have lab work done no more than 1 month prior). I learned that I had an hiatal hernia (where part of the stomach enters the diaphragm). This can cause you heart burn. Be aware of H. Pylori. This is a bacteria that can cause ulcers and heart burn as well. It takes a lot of antibiotics to cure. Be mindful that your throats will be sore and some sharp pains may occur as they most likely scrapped some samples from your digestive tract. 10) In between these visits, you will see an dietitian and nutritionist for further help. They will slowly walk you through changing your eating habits. Be honest with them. It is very important in the long run. Also try to keep your weight lost in small amounts. If you lose too much in a short period of time, the surgeon and insurance company will feel like you can lose the remaining weight alone. 11) Your last visit will consist of an overview. The surgeon will check your weight and may discuss further with you about your feelings towards the surgery. Hopefully you are approved by the surgeon. My surgeon was great during the process. I met with him more times than anyone else. He literally kept giving my information and sites to read to understand this tool. 12) They will then submit your information to the insurance company. Now it can take up to 2 - 6 weeks for approval. I was approved in one week. My fellow UHC Members, I hope this assist you in your endeavors. 6 months will fly by so quickly you won't even realize it. Remember education is the key to success. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Ang - I didn't have any tips for you as I am pre-op... I hope it will click for you soon. It is tough with the Lap Band - especially since we can pretty much eat whatever we want, just slower. For one, we don't get the caloric malabsorbtion like with other bariatric surgeries. AND we don't get the dumping syndrome like the the bypass - which is a major deterrent to cheating. We do - occasionally (from what I have read) get things "stuck". But there is a way around that - chew more. Some banders (I know 2 personally) don't even get that full feeling. Bottom line, Lap Band patients need to work harder to lose weight. When I went to my appointment for pre-admission testing, my nutritionist said something that stuck. She told me to treat my "how to be successful with the Lap Band" book - like a bible - live it and breathe it - DO IT. Think of it as a new start. I am being given an opportunity to have what I have always wanted. Why would I mess it up? What would I do something that can possibly stop my dream of being healthy and "normal" from becoming a reality. I HAVE THE CONTROL. That stuck with me. I posted reminders around my house with the word CONTROL. That's what it is all about. The tool will be there, but it is ultimately on me. I know it is just too easy to eat the wrong things, especially for us - we have always been able to pig out and get away with it - while gaining weight. It may take more planning and regimens. I hate cooking too - my husband does most of it - but you may need to cook and plan more...it is probably a requirement. You will then have CONTROL over what you are eating. Planning will be important too. I know for a FACT I will need to plan my meals for the week and pack lunch everyday. I am an executive assistant and I pretty much pick up lunch and coffee for my team everyday. Without my "own meals" and snacks, it will be too easy to eat something bad. I refuse. Hang in there! I wish you success - I have been following your blog, you are doing really well! You are losing weight. I can't wait to be where you are. I have never been able to lose more than 20 pounds EVER! - at least with the band, we will achieve weight loss!! It will click - have faith. :thumbup:

Yeah, that's how I was reading it too but yesterday when the bariatric office called to set me up with my first meeting with the surgeon, I again asked about insurance coverage and what tests and whatnot was covered. The nurse told me that depended on the insurance and that I should call them to verify right after getting off the phone with her. So I did. Even though I reminded her that her office told me they were going to do that a week ago before anything could get started. Anyway, no one was in the insurance office, or they were busy with others, so I left a message and they emailed me back right away. But they were not helpful either. LOL The insurance rep said yes, it's covered but requires prior authorization? Um, aren't THEY the ones to authorize? She then says, that my provider (where I will have my surgery done) would be able to tell me what is needed and required before surgery. SMH So they tell me to ask the doc office and the doc office tells me to ask the insurance company. I'm pretty much ready to give up. I mean, if I can't get straight answers now I can't imagine getting into this thing and having to deal with uncertainties then. SMH

Don't be fooled. He works at Slimband. See below. I find it really sketchy that when I call Slimband and ask where I can go to get a fill (because they will no longer support me) they say go to Hazati at the GreenStone Health Clinic. So Slimband won't treat me and give me fills and defills but one of their doctor's will?!?!?!? To me, it seems that not only is Slimband not honouring our agreement for a lifelong support system but one of their surgeons is taking even more of our money for fills. Ali Hazrati MD, MSc, FRCSC's Experience Medical Director, Staff Bariatric Surgeon Slimband Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Health, Wellness and Fitness industry January 2013 – Present (1 year 4 months) Toronto, Canada Area Minimally Invasive General & Bariatric Surgeon The Scarborough Hospital & Slimband Clinic Nonprofit; 1001-5000 employees; Hospital & Health Care industry 2011 – Present (3 years)

Here is my 7 inch bariatric plate with measurements recommended by my dietitian. I measure and weigh my food.

I went to see the dietician yesterday and now feel more irritated, confused, depressed and defeated... She said: DON'T weigh food! DON'T count protein or calories or carbs! She said I just have to use the 'bariatric plate'. I find this (attached) completely confusing as I could load up the plate to many different amounts of food and types of food so how was that helpful. She told me not to get so hung up. She personally doesn't have a weight issue (or perhaps she does have a thin issue!), she had no empathy and just sent me on my way making me feel I was making a mountain out of a molehill! I asked her about the wisdom of using sugar free options as I am very suspicious of them as there has been so much written about the negative effects of splenda, sucralose, aspartame, etc ... when I was on Atkins, I kept right away from anything sugar free. But, she said it was fine. I've been told by my surgeon that my weight loss is too slow and disappointing, but as I have Atrial Fibrillation, I have to take beta blockers that slow down the metabolism and cause weight gain. I'm trying to be really strict with my counting and she said it sounded like I was making the right choices. But, she said that she and the surgeon expected me to lose another 16lbs by the end of this month!! She said my food choices look good so I should stop worrying... Feeling exasperated and down-hearted. VSG - Bariatric Plate.pdf

Thank you, I'll need to try to stick to stricter guidelines. I wish there was a bariatric bible all doctors had to follow so everyone was on the same page...lol

I had my gastric sleeve over a year and half ago. It has been wonderful. My mom has finally decided to have the surgery too!! We were so excited. Then she calls her primary insurance that she has through her employer and they do not cover weight loss surgery. She has Medicare as a secondary insurance because of her age, however the bariatric center said Medicare doesn't cover the surgery either. She has called Medicare twice to check for herself, but keeps either getting transferred around to various people or getting put on internal hold. I thought I could reach out to this community to see if anyone has had experience with Medicare paying for this. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks