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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

My surgeon did the first fill (he operates on Thursdays and Fridays) he has a bariatric clinic that does the rest of them, but they don't do them on Fridays either...only unfills if needed. I think most places are set up like this...the only thing you can do is ask for an exception to the rule...or like you said work around your husbands schedule. So sorry to hear about his health issue...I will keep him in my prayers okay...monkeysnana09!!! Take care!!!

Hi there, I guess it's true that Time flies when you're having fun; I've been having a lot of that. Honestly, I cannot believe that two years ago today I was waking up from surgery and beginning a new chapter in my life. I had no idea then of the many ways my life would be reshaped aside from the shape of my body. I'm forever grateful the band was available to me as it has been the perfect choice for my situation. We are all different. I was 52 at the time and had never been an overnight patient in a hospital before. I can barely tolerate going to the dentist. Getting a band was a big decision but I was fortunate somehow to just know that that's what I wanted to do. Thank goodnes there are so many different surgery choices available to us; we live in marvellous times. Two years ago I was 250+ and now I'm in the seventies. I'm a little tall and like my curves (oh my goodness, do I LOVE having a waist!) so I don't want to get too thin. But a word about collarbones: YIPPEE! And hips. Wrists. You know how it is -- I'm celebrating this new body every day. I was wearing size twenty pants and am now in tens. No more Plus Size anything. I would not have predicted that I have a thing for clothes, but oh yes, I sure do. It's so much fun to be able to just try something on without all of that angst. I have been an exerciser for many years (arthritis - have to move) but in the last two years I have ratcheted up to being more of an athlete. I feel ridiculous even typing that out as it's such a foreign concept. I used to work out for 45 minutes 3-4 times a week; well, it turns out I am some one who needs more like 75-90 minutes 5-6 times a week. There's the faking it until making it thing and that's what I did. I pretended that I liked it, that I was one of "those" people until I actually have become something resembling one of those lucky people who truly look forward to exercising. Like I said, resembling. I'm not quite there but I raise my hands up in that crossing the finish line pose and I go do what I need to do and I feel like a million bucks afterward. Food. I am happy to report that I still like food. I can taste almost anything and be quite satisfied. That is a miracle. I love to cook and one of my weird non-scale victories (NSVs) is being able to tie my apron double around my waist. I love that. All those years in all those kitchens with my big fat Winnie-the-Pooh belly in an ill-fitting apron or Chef's jacket. No more. Silly, but that just feels so good. I was very restrictive in my former life so I am careful to not be on a diet. I make good choices, which I can do because my appetite is dimmed and I know what good choices are. But I also let myself have a little bit of whatever I want, whether that's a square of chocolate or cheese (behold, the power of cheese). This is why I still have a little weight to lose but I'm okay with that. I do drink alcohol and we have a lot of dinner parties, go to restaurants, etc. Practically no one knows I am banded; I'm extremely private about that. What people do see, however, is how much I'm exercising and how good I feel. It was important for me to go a bit slowly because I wanted the weight loss to be incremental and I didn't want to have saggy skin. Well, that's about it. I am tremendously grateful to all of my Lapband Talk friends and now Bariatric Pal. You know who you are -- the encourageers. Virtual friends. This has been my first experience on a forum and it's been great. Best wishes to all of you wherever you are in the process. For new people, a few words: don't get too hung up on what kind of surgery you had; we have much more in common than not. Don't try to give or take advice from strangers on the internet. Have a good working relationship with your doctor and show up for all your appointments. Show up for yourself! I really had to put myself first to get the surgery and choose my own well-being over taking care of other people's needs first. I don't do that any more and, guess what, every one else benefits from that. Here's to our health!

Do the bariatric soups have enough protein and veggies in them for the first two weeks? Sent from my SM-S550TL using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello This is my first post. I hope I put it in the right forum for "April Surgeries". It's nice to meet everyone. I have been on this journey since April of last year. Im excited, anxious, all the feelings. I am still trying to cut back and make life style changes. I am also trying to go ahead and cut to one smoothie a day. But my smoothies are yummy, the sample smoothie the Drs office gave me. Does is matter what brand? I tried a sample: Bariatric Fusion:Meal Replacement orange cream...IT was ok but a terrible after taste. I have seen people saying they tried Premiere or other drinks, are these allowed? I also see people saying broths, when did you start broths? Pre or post? How is everyone's significant other with their surgery? Mine hates the idea, but finally starting to show support. I wish I could truly get him on the same page as me though. My consultant for surgery is March 31st,

@TomC i don''t think so.' most docs say not to drink soda, but i don't think it effects weight loss or gain. Just not good for you. Slapping your hand telling you to stop! LOL "we" all hate the word stall, but unfortunately its highlighted in the Bariatric Dictionary you are doing great with your weight loss - i think you are at a basic horrible stall that happens to all us. Three (3) months+ is a long time, but i've seen others that have stalled longer!! horrible, horrible - this too shall pass. Agree with OP, you should always track your food, drink etc. PATIENCE (easier said then done) good luck kathy

Haha, my appointment didn't go as well. My doctor said that I don't qualify for the referral at all. She said even if I did Kaiser requires like 50 weeks of a weight management class (only offered in Panorama City or South Bay) and if you miss one then you are out of the program. It is pretty apparent to me that I need to switch insurances or pay for this out of pocket. I ONLY weighed in at 252lbs and that wasn't FAT ENOUGH...are you kidding me? It made me sick... I really hope your appointment with the bariatric dept goes well and I hope we can keep in touch and track each others progress. Gabi

Does your doc recommend any Vitamins? My plan listed Centrum chewables, Flintstones Complete, the Bariatric Advantage Multis. I tried the Opurity chewables and couldn't handle them so I went to the Flintstones. I feel like I'm 8 again, but I can easily get my two in per day. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@copper146 Every day is a chance for a fresh start! For that matter every moment we breathe is a chance to make a choice and to choose to take care of ourselves. Shame while a very valid feeling is a reaction to an emotion that defines how we feel about ourselves and our value in the world. To say that you are ashamed is to say that you feel less then worthy, that you are not as important as another. The truth is that you are VERY important! You are as important as the most important person you can possibly think of! To you and those you love you are even more important. As a VIP you deserve that very special treatment and extra TLC!! It's not a gift or a luxury it is your right! (As it is for everyone who is reading this post! You too are a VIP and you deserve extra special treatment and TLC) Changing our habits as TMF said starts within. We can't change our outside if we don't change what's on the inside. If we put ourselves down and keep telling ourselves that we are failures then that is what we will be, so even if you don't believe it mind body and soul today, start telling yourself that you special and you are worthy and you are a VIP! The first step should be to forgive yourself, not to punish yourself. You are where you are, no shame there. If you want to be someplace else, and your ready to get there take the first step. Give your doc a call, let them know you've been hanging out in one spot for a bit, and your ready for a reset and to start moving forward on your journey. Let them give you a thorough check to make sure your band is all good and in working order and maybe tweak the fill if you need it. Then take it back to band basics. Start again as if you just got your band that day. Once in a while when I find myself going off the rails for what ever reason, for me it's mostly stress and drama in my life. I will "reset" mind and body and go back to the basics. I'll do a day of Protein shakes and liquids, and move to soft foods and practice taking the small bites using my knife and fork. Eating in places that are appropriate for eating like the kitchen/dining room table and not in front of the TV or at my desk working. It really helps me to reset my mind to get back to what I want to achieve with this band and why I had this surgery to begin with. This space right here at Bariatric Pal is a great place to start! This is a HUGE community of people who are caring and supportive of each other so check in often when your doing great, not so great or just feel like saying Hi! Best of luck to you!!

I had my surgery with Dr. Rawlin's a week ago. Didn't have much interaction with him prior to the surgery; only the initial meeting in May. At the time he had a student with him so I met with both the student and him. He seemed nice and reassuring when I asked day of surgery questions. Of the three physicians in the office, DH had Dr.Spitz, and a friend had her surgery with Dr. Bright on Monday. My interaction with Dr. Spitz as the spouse of a patient was good. He kept me in the loop while in the waiting area for DHs surgery, and then for a recovery room to come available. As for Deaconess, their nursing staff varies. The nursing staff that was on duty during my surgery was different then those on DHs surgery. Mixed reviews there. As for the recovery rooms, there are 4 bariatric rooms on the floor and there is no guarantee that you'll get one. I had a cramped recovery room. No recliner to sit/sleep in like in the spacious room DH had. Had to repeatedly request a cot for DH to sleep in. I think the hospital staff assumed that he would just sleep on the limited floor space; especially as they had to search multiple floors for a cot. BTW, not everyone on the floor is there for bariatric surgery.

I am currently 23 days post VSG and down almost 27lbs. I was a complete rockstar with my liquid diet protein, and water goals, but I started the pureed portion last Wed, I was shocked that I had absolutely zero pleasure or “this tastes good” after eating. I’ve been highly surprised by this and have looked up quite a few studies how Bariatric surgery alters hormones in the gut and brain that cause this satisfaction from meals. I was never a large overeater, but I did consider myself a Foodie. My tastebuds have also completely changed and things that I used to love such as coffee and certain protein shakes all taste horrible to me. Has anyone else experienced this? I know some of my meals would normally taste good to me, but everything is completely unappealing and I force myself to eat. Has anyone experienced their tastes coming back to once they once were, or feeling satisfied with a meal? On another note, it appears that some of the studies show that patients that had these taste changes were more successful in the long run keeping the weight off and the total amount lost was higher.

I use BariatricPal Multivitamin ONE “1 per Day!” flavorless capsules from https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/bariatricpal-multivitamin-one! BariatricPal has a special offer that will cost you only $99 for an entire year's supply! Check it out at https://store.bariatricpal.com/99 You can view a large selection of bariatric-friendly Calcium supplements at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/calcium.

Chunky all my life, most of my excessive weight piled on after the birth of my second child. After several failed attempts at losing the weight with Weight Watchers, Slim Fast and other programs, I decided to see a bariatric doc & a nutritionist. Under their care (and diet pills) I was able to lose 60lbs thru self control and exercise. I started at 260 and got down to 200, never getting into blessed Onderland. I fell off the wagon as far as exercise goes last June and the weight started creeping back up when the diet pills lost their effectiveness. By last October, I had gained back 40 of the 60lbs I had lost and was disgusted with myself. I knew I needed more help in controlling what I ate than I could give myself so I started exploring WLS. At the end of January 2011 I went to a local seminar and begun researching my options. I decided I wanted VSG because it was the best fit for me. Discovered that insurance wouldn't pay and even if I appealed the decision, they only covered 50% of the allowable charges anyway. Hubby & I talked it over and decided that we wanted to avoid the wait, hassle and expense of the appeal, nut and psych visits, etc. and made plans for me to go to Mexico as soon as possible. There is quite a bit of heart disease in my family - my oldest brother dropped dead at 44 from a massive heart attack, my dad died of complications of open heart surgery and he had congestive heart failure and suffered his first heart attack at 56, both my other brothers are over 300lbs, cousins weigh in at 400 and just last month another cousin dropped dead of a heart attack at 52. The writing on the wall couldn't have been any clearer for me. I turned 40 this year and I'll be damned if I spend the second half of my life trapped in an unhealthy and gross body.

My bariatric clinic gave me a business card that says, "This person has had surgery and is required by doctor's orders to restrict the quantity and types of food consumed. Please allow her/him to order a smaller portion or make a selection from your children's menu." I carry it with me everywhere I go and no one has balked about it.

I know your asking about UIC but just a little north at Rush there is a great bariatric program and Dr. Myers has done 500+ sleeves and over 5,000 bands just some info

Dr. Moazzez did my surgery in February. He is absolutely FABULOUS and I would highly recommend him. The whole Fair Oaks office staff is great and I just can't say enough good things about Dr. Moazzez and the Inova Bariatrics group.

People seem to have strong negative opinions about bariatric surgery, don't they? My PCP recommended this to me -- my initial reaction was pretty negative, too, but then I started researching and changed my mind. Unfortunately, if your husband won't bother to do his own research in order to support you, you are going to be stuck doing it for him. Just out of curiosity -- is he overweight, too? What I am surprised about is your statement that your doctors think you are nuts -- why?? What kinds of doctors are they?

I am using Dr. Hart at Atlanta Bariatrics and have not had any problems with the process. Surgery will be at Emory Johns Creek - a Center of Excellance. I am still in the 3 month program required by my insurer.

Doctor offices get a cut of the sales of the bariatric advantage products. As for protein drinks with real high protein content... The body can only absorb around 25 grams at a time. You have to wait at least 2 hrs in between servings.