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Ask your Bariatric team. They are the ones that have the correct answer for YOUR situation. I was 3 months out before I had any.

I went to my orientation today. I met with the bariatric head of the hospital. The hospital has performed over 7,000 lapbands and are a center of excellence. With that said, the lady was banded 7 yrs ago. Her husband and son are both banded as well. And on top of it, she runs hundreds of support groups so has a LOT of experience. Today she mentioned she orders a shot of vodka and then a glass of Water. Then she mixes her crystal light into the water and add's the shot. She also said she DOES have carbonated bevvies. Not often and she said it much slower because you have to let the bubbles go down. But she said every once in awhile she craves a diet orange soda or a beer. So with all of her experience, I trust her in not giving out bad info as she keeps pretty up to the minute. Anyways, champagne may be tough to drink and may not be your regular go to, but I am sure a few sips here and there will be ok just like having a martini every so often.

Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern has a support group in Rockland County I realize that is a ways from you, you could also look it up on their website. They are also affiliated with Bon Secours in Port Jervis. I had my lapband done at Good Sam.I live in Rockland. My doctor also works out of Goshen Bariatrics. Good Luck!! Irish

Hi Everyone, Happy Saturday  I'm in the process of ordering online. I'm really feeling Procare bariatric chewable one a days vitamins . Instead of advantages bariatric vit... Is there anyone with frist hand knowledge of this brand? How long should I wait before wearing compression waistband?

I was banded 12/11/08. Up until last week, I have been that extremely LUCKY one that had never felt hunger since banded. On 1/19/09 I had my 1st fill 2.5 cc in a max 4.0 cc band. I know my eyes want more than I need so measuring is a must 1/2 cup per meal is what I eat. Since 1/22/09 I caught a case of whooping cough...turned into bronchial inflamation... 4 trips to GP 2 antibiotics, then Prednisone(10 days) and steroid inhalers... This past week I have been STARVING. My meals aren't doing a thing for me ... thank heaven for work ... I can't get to food and my DH is trying to help by distracting me... when I can't take it anymore I get a prepackaged piece of string cheese or some type of protein. It hasn't helped my mental state that the scale keeps going up ...6 lbs this week. I'm trying hard to stay on the program and I feel I'm not that far off. I did call and talked to my support bariatric nurse today. She said it is the result of the Prednisone and I still have as many days as I was ON Prednisone that I will be feeling the side effects that many days OFF and could continue to gain. Encouraging ...yuck. She encouraged me to keep doing what I'm doing...if I have to stick with the solid protein...Once the Prednisone is out of my system my body will turn lose of everything it was hanging on to. All this said I still have the urge to eat everything and the kitchen sink! I want to scream, rant and rave. So thanks for keeping me at the keyboard right now...It is so nice to have all of you that understand and help me out. I keep telling myself this is only a short term situation and it will get better... I guess I kind of got spoiled with the no hunger thing! Anyway thanks for letting me spout off. Deb Highest lifetime wt. 386 1st visit to dr. 376 Surgery 343 Today 315

Hello Everyone, I just had my gastric sleeve done on 02/28. To date so far I have lost 13 pounds in on week. I have about a 130 pounds to lose but I am happy I am on my way. I really dont have much pain. I am little slow moving around because I still have a little discomfort. The first week was a little difficult because whenever I would eat or drink I would get a bubble feeling in my chest. After reading many of the posts I started taking prilosec. It has helped tremendously! I am getting ready to start walking everyday and once I am feeling better I will start running. I am not starving but the smell of food I used to eat does attract to me but I am still staying on course. My only problem has been the Protein shakes. I was taking the Bariatric Advantage shakes but they are just disgusting to me now. I also tried the Isopure but I cant stand it. So now I am doing the Atkins and muscle Mlike shakes. At first I was having some regrets but after seeing my weight loss in the last week I am feeling much better.

I'd definitely look into sublingual B12 if your surgeon hasn't Rx'd injections. Intrinsic factor is required for our intestines to absorb B12 and they removed the portion of our stomach that produces intrinsic factor. This means you can't absorb the B12 you swallow (from food or vitamins). And I agree that 1 multi is not enough at this point. You should also be taking Iron, (which again, poses absorption issues and can't be taken at the same time as a multi Vitamin or Calcium), extra vitamin D, calcium and B12 sublingual. Iron and B12 are the most common deficiencies seen in bariatric patients, and my PCP says he sees a lot of Vitamin D deficiency in the general population. I would normally say talk to your surgeon, but since he didn't get you on the appropriate supplements in the first place, you may want to talk to your PCP. Just tell him your symptoms and he can order bloodwork. (Full chemistry, CBC, iron panel, Vitamin D, B12, calcium, folate and zinc is what my surgeon wants to see) You don't have to be a bariatric specialist to pull blood and understand the results. And remember 60g Protein and 64oz Water are MINIMUMS.

Hello, I have just begun the process of getting approval for bariatric surgery. My PCP submit a request for me to begin the process of surgery, and have since attended a group information session, and have scheduled my first meeting with the physician. I'm curious as to what experiences people have had with Group Health and their bariatric surgery coverage. Thanks!

The longer you participate on this forum, the more differences you will read with instructions given by surgeons to their patients...each doctor has their preferred protocol. My surgeon required a 2 week pre and post op diet, so I was on liquids for 4 weeks. And post op, I could not even have the fresh veggies! The low carb liquid diet is prescribed to shrink your liver, to allow the surgeon to have better access to place your band. Obese people tend to have more fat in their livers. So, I hope you are using the sugar free jello. You really should find a Protein drink that you like, because likely periodically post op you will return to drinking Protein Shakes after fills. I have to return to a liquid diet for 2 days after getting a fill, then 1 additional day on soft foods. I would continue to search and try several more brands until you find at least 1 that you do like...and be certain to read the nutritional values/ingredients label. You should look for shakes which have a minimum of 20gr protein per serving, and the best protein for bariatric patients is whey isolate protein. There has been some heated discussion on the forum about whey protein, but it is still considered to be the gold standard for bariatric nutritional needs. I use the Wheybolic Extreme (1.5 scoops) from GNC (chocolate and cookies 'n cream flavors). When mixed using 1% milk, I get 37 gr of protein per shake. You should also have been given a number of protein grams to have every day...try to meet that goal. BTW, the day before my surgery, when I could only have Clear Liquids, I had to host a luncheon (I had agreed to do that 6 months prior to having a surgery date) for my woman's club. While everyone was enjoying their chicken salad or quiche, I enjoyed sipping my iced water...you do what you have to do. My band surgery had been delayed for over a year due to unplanned medical complications, so when I finally received medical clearance, I ran with it before anything else could happen to delay it again! Best wishes as you continue on your journey...

Only idea I have is to buy several mixes and take dosage of each. Vitamin A D E K together is commonly available even in bariactric formulas Vitamin C alone very common You can get each Vitamin B separate to avoid Folic Acid Avoid Vitamin B Complex as all have Folic Acid. I would check with your bariatric center to figure out necessary mineral supplements.

It's one of the common things that happens post-bariatric surgery, but I think it only lasts for a short period of time. I'm taking Biotin and using Rogaine and Nioxin.

Two things to look into if you're comparing having the surgery at a base hospital or with a civilian surgeon: 1. Who is going to perform the actual surgery? (Many military hospitals have Interns, not fully-certified bariatric doctors.) How many surgeries has this intern/doctor/surgeon actually performed? What is his/her success rate? How long have they been performing the surgery? And if military doctors, are they up for transfer anytime in the next year? (The last thing you need is to lose your doctor in the middle of your follow-up aftercare because they got transferred. You want continuity in aftercare.) You should ask who will be doing your fills, too. 2. How long is the wait time for surgery? Here in Washington, there is a lengthy waiting list at the military hospital, and a person can wait months to get their surgery. A civilian surgeon may get you in much sooner than that. You'll pay the same, regardless of where your surgery is handled. Good luck! Dave

I recently had to dig up some "before" pics for my bariatric group, as I am going to be speaking to prospective bariatric patients soon-- hard to believe how we can change is just one year post band. The prior me seems so long ago, and I am so loving the new me. Have to pinch myself when I catch myself in the mirror; every time I get into medium (instead of 3X) tops, etc etc.! Do you have any before and after pics? I just posted this "after"; will re-dig up the painful "before"-- super congrats to all of us for making this great decision for ourselves! Keep up the good work!

Same glowing experience. He hired an American post-op assistant named Lora. The contact info above is still correct. I loved Lora, I texted her nonstop. His price is now $5500. It includes the upgraded leak test at Hospital Angeles and the Lucerna hotel. You can book through Mexican Bariatrics but my fellow post op across the hall was MAD at them for downgrading her hotel post op without telling her. Their price is $5200.

I went through this also. It is very normal and you are not alone. You are proabably just soooo over the foods you have been eating which is where I was at. I called my bariatric nurse and asked her if I could try some other foods and she gave me some suggestions which helped. I think once you have more options and maybe get to eat something you actually enjoy you will have more self control. Try calling your surgeon or your nutritionist and ask them if you can try a few new foods. My nurse just told me the stages are just a guideline to go by but everyone is different and some peoples pouches can handle more than others and to try somthing but chew chew chew and see how your stomach reacts. Hope this helps. Def listen to your surgeon though. They are all different. Good luck girl.

At my support groups they have talked about this book: The Emotional First Aid Kit: A Practical Guide to Life after Bariatric ... of the eating programs for Lap-Band, gastric bypass, and Duodenal Switch k: I was told it is available on amazon, I want to buy it soon!

I had my first appointment scheduled with a bariatric surgeon on Tuesday, January 9th. This particular bariatric center was highly recommended by my brother in law, and they provide services to our local area and surrounding cities. The one problem though is that I have had difficulties getting appointments at the clinic in my city, although there always seem to be openings in the surrounding areas, so really it wasn't too bad. There is another bariatric clinic in our area and I decided to give them a call, just to get a vibe. I figured that I would chat with them, and perhaps meet with both clinics to see which was a better fit. To my surprise, the new clinic was so much more involved, especially in the educational process before the surgery. We scheduled an appointment on Monday already, to start the program. They also provided me with a personal website that I can use to track documents needed for insurance, required classes, vitamins, etc. Right away, I felt so welcomed and so excited. They had a series of 5 videos that I had to watch before the appointment on Monday, so I watched those today and they were very informing. I am also required to attend a series of 6 educational classes with them, before my surgery. Those classes consist of pre-surgery nutrition, post-surgery nutrition, vitamins and supplements, and exercise. I will also have my regular psych. appointments and other appointments as needed for the surgery. The thing that really made me feel good about them though was reading the glowing reviews online. I think the choice was pretty clear at that point. I am so excited to get this all going. I start a three-month supervised diet on Friday, so when I think about it, there is a lot to do in those three months. Time is going to fly by!

I had a coworker that had bariatric surgery and she didn't tell anyone. When asked, she said she had her gall bladder removed. When you make a lifestyle change, eventually people will put the puzzle pieces together. Whether they ask to be supportive or just to be nosy and gossipy, remember that this is YOUR journey. Don't let anyone make you feel uncomfortable because you decided to do a great thing for yourself. Most of the time the opinions that matter, aren't from the people you work with. XOXO Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T337A using BariatricPal mobile app

I don't know what your sweet tooth craves, whether it just be something sweet or something like a candy bar. I went into my local Vitamin world the other day and was looking at the powders and Protein drinks they have available (because that is the ONLY place in my town other than Smith's grocery store & Wal-mart that has anything I will be needing for surgery) and I ran across these OhYeah bars. They had 4 different bars the one I tried was chocolate Caramel Candies I was surprisingly shocked at how good it tasted and reminded me of "Candy" It has a soft filling with tiny M&M looking candies on top and covered with chocolate. It says "Good Grab right size right choice" (it's a little smaller than a payday bar) It has: 180 Calories, Total fat 9g, Carbs 19g, Sugars 8g, Protein 14g I know calories and sugars are maybe a little high but if you do it once in a while it shouldn't be to bad, I figure with 14g of Protein it makes it ok ;}~ Also I just got the Bariatric Choice Catalog and it has some "candy bar" like Protein Bars. The SF chocolate Dream Protein Bar that looks just like a candy bar says it's similar to a Nestle's crunch bar it has: 160 cal, 10g Protein, 12g fat, 6g carbs, 0 sugar. So these are a couple things im planning on looking into. I hope this helps ya a little bit.

My program offered it along with other things for a $150.00 lifetime bariatric club membership fee. I'm due for another in a month at my six month check-up (not sure if I have to pay again). I am a big advocate of them. I found it extremely helpful to have a goal weight range based on my body, bone density, and body composition. With my DXA I ended up with a goal weight range of 170-177. So technically, I am one pound from my doctor's goal weight. I still feel that I can lose quite a bit more so I am not going to stop. But, my weight loss has slowed considerably and this helps me to understand why. At this point I see every pound I lose as a bonus and don't view myself as a failure because I am not in line with standard BMI charts. I'm in Michigan.

it would be the exception, not the rule, for someone at your starting weight to lose 30 lbs the first month. If you weighed well over 300 lbs, then yea - but I'm very surprised she told you that with your starting weight. Not that it couldn't happen, but it's not very realistic. I hate to question your doctor, but I've been hanging out on bariatric forums for over seven years, and also volunteered at my clinic for about four years. As I said, that's definitely not impossible, but it'd be the exception to lose that much weight given your starting weight.

My surgeon said there is very little literature on the efficacy of vitamin patches for bariatric patients and he does not recommend them based on the lack of research.

Hi Erika, congratulations on choosing yourself and your healthy future -- I really think that's what weight loss surgery is all about. The band was a gift -- a way of stepping up for myself -- and it has enabled me to get my life back. I am 53 and had spent decades struggling with my weight. My only regret is that I was not able to do this before. The weight loss is great and I am SO happy but for me the most amazing thing has been getting out of food jail. I had so much chatter in my head all the time about whether to have whatever and when and what will I have next and round and round I'd go. The lapband works by dimming the appetite, and having that appetite monster off of my back has been such a relief. I feel at peace with food. Let's see, to answer your questions -- weight high of 252 prior to surgery and now I'm in the eighties (yippee!). I wore a size 18 Lee long jeans and am now in size 10 the same brand. Was in 1X and mostly 2X tops and now wear larges and sometimes a medium. My profile was like Winnie-the-Pooh -- belly weight -- and now I have a relatively flat tummy. I feel GOOD. Strong and healthy, sassy clothes. I even cut my hair very short and am back into funky jewelry, colorful tights -- the things I used to love but had given up because I was trying to hide out all the time (jeans and a black top -- slimming, right?). I never considered anything but the band and I don't believe there is one surgery that is better than another -- there's the surgery that's right for ME and that's all I can address. I love my band. It requires an ongoing relationship with the surgeon particularly in the first year. There's a learning curve. Because the band is adjustable, we have to learn how to really listen to our bodies and getting the right fill is key to the whole thing. I don't think it's hard to get there but we're all different -- some of us don't get fills at all (those are mostly plication people -- plication plus band is something I would think about if I were starting off now, did not know about it before) and some of us have had several fills. I look forward to going to my surgeon's office. My next visit is about a month from now when I'll be celebrating my first year "Bandaversary." I don't think I need a fill but it seems like when I drop a chunk then an adjustment is required. I chose the band because it is a reversible procedure -- it's not permanent and if ever needed it could be removed. I don't worry about twenty years from now because I'm sure there will be a lot of advancements in bariatric care. I like it that the band is around the outside of my stomach and the inside is not cut, etc. But that's just me. People who are anti-band talk about how weird it is to have a "foreign object" installed inside but that doesn't bother me at all. I love my band (have I mentioned that, lol!). Hope this helps. You may get a lot of back and forth responses -- just know what is important is that you are choosing to do something about your weight and that is an amazing thing. The tool you choose is not as important as the fact that you are facing your issues and getting help. Reclaiming my life has been so exciting -- I feel as excited today as I did a year ago when I was waiting for my surgery. Get ready for a wild ride!

I have Empire BCBS, and like Nikkirose, my doc's office made it sound like they didn't actually need 'pre-approval' either. Because it can be done on an outpatient basis, no pre-cert was needed. And if I decide to stay overnight in the hospital, or if the doc makes that decision, then it will be up to the hospital to get the approval for that. I thought that most BCBS plans worked about the same in every state? It seems odd to me that BCBS in PA will cover it, but another state won't. Hmmmmm. Maybe you could go to their website and see what you can find on coverage for Bariatric surgery.

Just another before and after pic to inspire my bariatric pals wherever they may be on their journey. I don't like to dwell on what was but I can't help but think what my granddaughter and I missed out on because of how my size interfered. I try to make up for it with my grandson by staying healthy and doing as much as possible with him.