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I agree with Mikeyy. This is a big deal having bariatric surgery and you should be 100% confident in your surgeon. Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

TerriTravel, As I said, I did my band in Mexico (and will do the same with the sleeve). I actually contacted a bariatric surgery center in my area and they accept business from people who have surgery elsewhere. My doctor told me that they'd be stupid not to because of the number of people who go to Mexico or wherever to do their surgeries. They have a fabulous psychiatrist there who has had weight loss surgery. My insurance covers 80% of my visits with her (so odd since I have that specific weight loss clause!) It also covers consults with a nurse at the weight loss center. I would check into it---the counseling has been the best thing I ever did in relation to the band. (HATE the band!) Best of luck to you! Erika

Hello and welcome. A_thinner_me, scanlon21 and I have met before for coffee before in the Willoughby location. We were hoping to set something up again very soon. Perhaps you can join us next time. I travel to Columbus for fills/aftercare. My doctor does accept new patients but there is a new patient fee to join the group. I go through Cincinnati Weight Loss which you can find online. When I was first looking for a new doctor, I also found that Dr. Chlysta based out of Akron General will also do fills/aftercare. However appointments were $500 each so I didn't consider going to him. There are also other groups in the Cleveland area that do bariatric care (St. Vincents hospital has commercials from time to time). Perhaps a couple of quick phone calls might lead you in the right direction. Good luck in your search. :0)

Great thread. It's always good to see where others have come from and where you currently are. I have a hard time visualizing size and weight. I am not a very good judge/estimator of weight. I am a bit different from many people. I never saw myself as an overweight person. I felt like a smaller person. I would see myself in photos and say, "Wow, I thought I was looking cute! Those are my clothes but damn...Is that how I look?" Or I would just plain hate the picture or even taking pictures.....Things are changing............ Starting size-18/20, highest weight 255lbs. Current size-12/14, although I bought a pair of 11 juniors jeans yesterday! OMG!!! I feel-Renewed and sexy!!! Somedays, still fat.... I need to work on-my stomach and toning My Goal-150lbs.... I am having the time of my life....Still learning my band.....Still loving my band.....

Yes, I've had this problem now twice. I was recently in the ER twice for gallbladder attacks and they wanted to give me an NSAID for pain relief. After I had surgery I put NSAIDs on my allergy med list. Both times I was in the ER they brought the syringe full to inject me, and both times I had to ask if it was an NSAID. Both times it was. Both times the nurse left and went and got the doctor. They insisted that the "injectable" is OK after bariatric surgery. I will be talking with my surgeon in my next appointment to see if an NSAID injectable, on these rare occasions, are ok to use?

An exclusion for bariatrics means that they don't cover any type of weight loss surgery at all for any reason. My policy has an exclusion as well. But don't lose hope! Many doctors discount their services for self-pay. I would call the surgeon's office and ask them to go over your options. In my case, it was found that I have a hiatal hernia which significantly reduced my out of pocket costs because hernia repair is a separate medical procedure covered by pretty much everyone's insurance. I know that there are lots of people who have financed their surgeries, either via care credit or a bank loan. Don't give up just yet!

Okay, thanks. My insurance company told me that there is a $5000 co pay for All bariatric surgeries that would have to be paid first, then they would cover everything after that 100%. I have a co worker who had the lap band and she only paid around $1300 out of pocket and that included money given to the surgeon, anesthesiologist and hospital stay. So I'm curious to know if the amount paid out of pocket varies depending on what doctor performs the surgery.

The infection is intertrigo candidiasis. Also be sure to take date-stamped photos for your back-up paperwork. Someone working in a bariatric practice (not mine) recommended applying Nair to the usual, closed areas if one doesn't experience the infection. The goal, of course, is to have more ammunition to get insurance to cover reconstructive surgery. I don't know what a Nair burn could be treated with and inducing a Nair burn for the purpose is unethical. No comment.

Hey folks-- I finally will have a surgery date by the end of the week for sometime in April. Here is my honest to God, unbias opinion of the Doctors and Specialists I have seen. First up, Bariatric Surgeon #1.... Dr. Moran. http://www.alasurgery.com/ The Short: $250 "administrative fee." Unsupportive Staff. Reputable and experienced Surgeon. Bad Bed side manner. Very much to the point. The Long: His office staff was rude, unhelpful, and unsupportive to my needs. They gave me a hassle about faxing my documentating to another doctor when I decided to change. I was denied by insurance because my BMI was > 50. They knew this on the first visit/consultation. Dr. Moran told me all he would have to do is call the insurance company and the denial would be overturned. After I plunked down the cash, the copays, etc, I was told by his office staff that Dr. Moran was far too busy to call me or my insurance company. They referred me to a financing company to pay for my surgery, even though I am fully 100% insured. They offered no assistance in the way of the appeals. Pharrah (office manager), Iris(receptionist), and Ann(bariatric coordinator) are the office staff that I had the displeasure of dealing with. I had to call their office constantly to receive updates on my case. It seemed as if without me calling and asking constantly, nothing got done. Dr. Moran himself was alright, though a bit cold and curt. The office staff motivated me to move to a new Doctor and never look back. Tammi Moore-- Psychiatrist: She is a wonderful woman and knows all about the bariatric surgeries. I really enjoyed working with her and talking with her. I am considering seeing her again after my surgery. Dr. Earnhardt - Cardiologist: This man was probably my favorite of all the specialists I have seen. So kind, attentive, and informative. Loved this visit. Ashley Miles - Nutritionist at Rex Wellness SHe was a total sweetheart as well. It was a joy to see her. Highly recommended. Baratric Surgeon #2.... Dr. Enochs. http://www.surgerync.com/ Angelica at Dr. Enochs is my angel. She was VERY helpful over the phone far before I paid them a single dime. She is the bariatric coordinator over there. She talked me through my issues and got me in to see Dr. Enochs as soon as possible. Luckily, in between visits, I lost the weight I needed for the BMI factor, so that will no longer be an issue. Dr. Enochs himself is a sweetheart and took the time to answer all of my questions. However, there is a $500 administrative fee here. BUT, since I had already paid Dr. Moran $250 and was so frustrated by the process, Dr. Enochs only charged me $250. Yay! It was somewhat of a lengthy wait once I got to the office (30 minutes after my scheduled appointment) and his office in Cary is a bit of a haul from my home in NorthWest Raleigh, but I think it was well worth it. Dr. Enochs also has a FANTASTIC support staff who saw me and spent time with me. I met with 5 employees while there, all guiding me through their area of expertise. Highly recommended. Please PM or reply with any questions at all.

Standard Restaurant Supply off of 3500 South and West Temple has an entire wall of Syrups. They have tons of different flavors in large bottles for the same price you pay for small bottles at the grocery store. They have both regular and sugar free so be careful when reading the labels because the bottles look alike. They are open on Saturday's too. MD Diet 3655 South State has a small store inside their office building where you can buy bariatric supplies such as protein puddings, protein drinks, flavored fruit drinks with protein, soups and various powdered protein. They are typically open Monday-Friday 8-5 but I am not sure about Saturday's. As for calling about medical records I did the same thing. They kept saying that they faxed it but BMI never said if it had come in and the site didn't update that information. Finally they received them yesterday along with my labs so now its in the criteria review stage. I certainly understand the frustration to get moving on the paperwork.

I recently had mine done at Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Portsmouth Virginia. I had wonderful care. I can't say enough good things about the Bariatric doctor.

Thank you! And thanks to everyone else for their welcome:) My insurance coordinator is wonderful and has been doing this for a long time, so hopefully that works in my favor. I'm just above BMI 35 but I do have sleep apnea, which is hopefully my green ticket in. My biggest concern right now is the physician evaluation. My PCP of 10 years retired last month and closed his office doors. I have to start seeing a new PCP and for one of my first questions to be, "Hey can you write me a letter clearing me for bariatric surgery?" I'm just nervous as to how this is going to go.

Good luck..I find most bariatric surgeons offices rather curt...busy and you have to keep on them...the doctors are so busy ...really...you have to be very diligent and persistent.

Had my first appointment with the bariatric care center. Met a nurse, the PA who I will see most. It is the PA that does the fills. I met the surgeon briefly and my coordinator. My coordinator says that I have one of the best insurance in our area. I am tentatively scheduled for surgery on October 3. I have to undergo a gall bladder ultrasound, pulmonary test, upper GI.... the group is setting up those appointments. I have to schedule my psych appointment I will also have an appointment with the nutritionist before the surgery and be taught more about the special pre-surgery diet that I need to do for a month before the surgery. It can either be liquid of their own mean and green diet. I will also meet with the surgeon again for a more in-depth consultation. What sucks is that the 15 pounds I already lost do not count even though they are listed in my doctor's letter for the insurance company. I need to lose 30 pounds in the next 3 months. I know can do it, especially if I could lose 15 pounds in the last month.

Hi: I am from North Vancouver and I chose the TLBC. I didn't do much research on the after care and wish I had, but still on reflection choose the TLBC. Dr. Yau did my surgery and I have had no problems. As I live so far away, to get a fill would have cost me a lot of money travelling. when I attended the TLBC for my first fill, I was given the name of a bariatric surgeon here and the clinic faxed my records to him. Although I will have to pay for the fill, it still is cheaper than going back to TO. Also, the TLBC has a nutrionist and she is available for one on one consults as well as seminars. I met her and she really knows what she is talking about. She read through my meal tracking recors and told me that I was not having enough protein at 3:00 pm and that was probably why I was grazing before supper. She suggested I eat 2 tsps of peanut butter on a few crackers. She was bang on. I haven't been foraging for food since. The TLBC listens to my concerns and I would not hesitate to recommend them highly. Doddie

just wanted to share. found this online today. maybe its been posted already but i wanted to pass along for those looking for some guidance. of course follow your doctors instructions. but i found it helpful because my nut didnt give me a lot of guidance. http://www.muhealth.org/documents/bariatric/Bariatric%20Booklet%20VSG.pdf

Is there no hospital in or near enough Beckley that does bariatric surgery? If you haven't actually checked, do call to ask if they have support groups. Most welcome people who have had surgery elsewhere.

I am just in the initial stages for pre op my surgeon appointment is on Tuesday but as I go grocery shopping I want to fill my fridge with the pre op diet foods, and have read most doctors diet pre surgery is keto. I have been doing the whole30 and have lost 30 pounds in the past 3 months and can transition to keto if that's what I'm going to be put on, in my research I'm seeing that keto is listed as the worst diet of 2017 and whole 30 was right with it. My bariatric may require 3 months dietician, exercise and weight loss. My insurance doesn't, Just failed attempts and need. I'm curious about keto diet recommendations, how much weight are you suppose to lose before surgery? How many carbs do you eat to be in ketosis, how do deal with the side effects? Thank you

I am one of thoses people who looses 10-15 lbs a month I am 8 weeks post up and down 33 lbs It's really frustrating. I was actually going to question it here in bariatric pal, but since I saw this post Daisee68 I'm glad i'm not alone. I really wish I would loose a bit faster, but really can't do nothing about if i'm already following all instructions. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Chike - anything but banana...and they have a really good iced coffee! Bariatric Fusion - all have been good so far Syntrax Nectar - especially like the iced tea, lemonade and fruit flavors...nice change from vanilla/chocolate

Never give up! You have already come so far. I am so glad you are renewing you committment to your goals and using this tool to accomplish your journey. Don't be hard on yourself or think too much about the weight you have gained back. Just stay on track and keep trying your best.

Yep.. Everyone pain is different and docs close the incision differently also. I had glue, a drain that was removed on second day.. As said before it was the weirdest strangest feeling. I was lucky and had no issues and was up a couple hours after surgery. Never stopped going since! I've had several bariatric surgeries and only had bad gas in my shoulders on one of them. I've had 3 ten lb babies and laparoscopic surgery is a piece of cake in comparison

My wife and I went directly to the surgeon and he is not part of a bariatric clinic. He also has annual follow-ups just like your clinic. He does have us use our PCP to gather the labs that check for nutrient or other issues.

@@jesslo First of all congratulations on your loss so far, it is excellent. If you are not hitting your Protein goals you will stall out. You need to find a protein solution that works for you. I struggled hard those first few weeks with protein until I called my surgeon and told them. That call changed everything for me. The Bariatric nurse who had RNY herself suggested that I try Premier Protein ready made shakes. Each shake has 30 grams of protein, 1 gram of sugar and 160 calories. Most importantly they don't have that nasty protein flavor or the grit from protein powders. In the first few weeks, I had to milk them down with lactose free milk to thin them out. chocolate was and still is my favorite. I am now 22 months post op and I still drink one everyday. Protein keeps you healthy and actually assists in weight loss. Besides Water, it is critical for your success. You have to find a solution that will work for you but you must get your protein in to remain healthy through this process.

Hello fellow CIGNA sleevers, Well I called my Dr.'s office this morning and infact CIGNA did change their policy on the Bariatric Surgery and they are starting the ball to file for approval. YIPEEEE