Search the Community

The error word in the above posting should read" inspiring" because it is, to finally find such a bariatric home in this desert of disregard I in the past have encountered.

I wanted to share my personal story because I've recently found that I'm not the only one that has struggled with these issues and it was really encouraging to hear that I'm not the only one. In November, 2010 I contacted a doctor to see what were the options I had for weight loss surgery, I was then sold on the idea that the gastric lap band would be my best option due to me not wanting to do invasive surgery on my stomach by having it cut. I was banded on November 26, 2010, at my heaviest weight of 383. As soon as I came out of surgery within 30 minutes I was sent home, and began my liquid diet. I’m not going to lie but the results were amazing within the first 2 weeks. In those first 2 weeks I lost 20 lbs something that I never thought I would. I rapidly began to shed the pounds and inches from my body and went to my lowest weight of 274lbs. Soon I began to experience some REALLY bad side effect (ex. Acid Reflux, port-site pain, unable to tolerate certain foods and/or liquids). Every two weeks I went to my doctor and he would adjust my band .5 cc or 1 cc and those effects continue. My doctor would continue adjusting me telling me those effects were normal, and noticed that weight began to creep up. My daily routines began by feeling nauseous and not being able to eat or drink anything till around 11am (my stomach wouldn’t tolerate anything early in the morning, I would immediately throw up as soon as I would eat or drink anything). By lunch time I would only be able to eat a kid size portion and no matter what I ate I always had to go to the bathroom to throw up. I began to feel like it was a must and began feeling like I had an eating disorder. No one ever understood how I would even eat Soup and had to throw up because I felt like I was drowning. Even with solid foods - I felt like I was choking. The feeling of food being stuck had become one of my normal feelings during any meal of the day. I wouldn’t enjoy any dinner or lunch meetings because I would always have to be excused after any bite of my meal. After 2 years I knew that there was something that had to be done so I went to get a second opinion and saw Dr. Ara Keshiahian. He’s a bariatric surgeon with over 20 years experience with bariatric and weight loss surgeries. He listened to me. He genuinely was concerned about my pain and suffering. And after hearing my story he began educating me on what was happening and why. I was informed of the many different kinds of weight loss surgeries available and their different short term and long term effects. Dr. Keshishian doesn’t perform Lap Band surgeries (because he doesn’t believe in its effectiveness and knew its side effects made him feel like it would be irresponsible to do) but still knew about it. He told me about the Sleeve Gastrectomy, the Vertical Sleeve, and the Duodenal Switch. After my consult, I went and did more of my own research. I learned that I wasn’t the only one with a terrible Lap Band experience. I learned how many people around me had Lap Band surgeries and it seemed like that was what everyone was doing. It was like most of the weight loss doctors in the area just cared about the money and not their patients. Little did I know that 90% of all Lap Bands have fail within 10 years. Why would anyone do these procedures if they’re so bad for us? I’m currently working on getting better insurance so I can have my Lap Band removed and have the Duodenal Switch procedure. I’ve done a lot of research and I really believe this is what I need to do. Kinda regret not getting the Duodenal Switch in the first place…

Hello My Friends 💜 I had Gastric Bypass in July. So far I am doing pretty well, feeling great, I have my three month check-up with my surgeon the end of the month! But today I wanted to talk more about something else I am a thyroid cancer survivor, I was diagnosed, had my thyroid removed and did radiation in 2012. Every year my oncologist alternates between doing a chest x-ray or a Thyroid uptake scan to check that the cancer is not back. I am due for a Thyroid uptake scan soon. I WILL be talking with my surgeon at my appointment about it. But was curious if any of you wonderful people were also Thyroid Cancer survivors or have done a thyroid uptake scan post-op. My main concern is that while the dose of radiation you take for an uptake scan is not as high as when you are doing actual radiation I will still be swallowing a radioactive pill, which they request/suggest you take with a full glass of water all at once. I know I can not drink that much water all at once, but I am also concerned that if I am discouraged to consume caffeine for six months post-op (which is what my program suggests I know not all of them do) that consuming actual radioactive materials is probably not advisable either. Anyone here who does Radioactive Thyroid Uptake Scans? Any suggestions on how long you waited post-op? Again I will talk with my doctor's both my Bariatric Surgeon and my Oncologist about my concerns and imagine that I will just be pushing the Uptake scan out at least a year post-op but I am just checking to see what other peoples experiences were...

I am in the Nashville Tennessee area. I have a really good bariatric team (except that NUT who drives me crazy), a lovely NP as a PCP and a wonderful doctor at the oncology clinic who I think of so highly. he is a specialist. my case has them all scratching their heads - but they keep a good eye on me. they know the WBC is caused by enlarged lymph nodes where my small intestines are - I had NO idea there was tissue holding your guts together until this happened! makes sense though. there's what they call "stranding" in there too. it's inflammation. so they think it is either cancer, an infection or something called sclerosing mesnteritis which is what they think it probably is. isn't it frustrating that all of our other problems don't go away with WLS? seriously. we should only have to deal wit one thing at a time.

@@Ashlegal speaking for "most" bariatric pals of course we care silly head!! do you have a spare ticket? you are buying!!! enjoy the concert kathy congrats

We have a huge selection of Bariatric vitamins in the BariatricPal Store! If you subscribe to any products on a regular basis, you'll receive prices that are less expensive than purchasing directly from the manufacturer or purchasing via Amazon. As an example: PatchMD Multivitamin: $16.87 Bariatric Fusion ADEK: $33.24 All orders over $59 always ship super fast, free of charge. You can use code BPNEWCUST2017 to receive 10% off your first order.

Hello All : ) I just started going to my nutritionist for my pre op approval process and she told me to start trying out Protein shakes. I wanted to ask you all which ones are your favorites? I have used Pure Protein in the past, not sure if that is a good one for Bariatric surgery though. Thoughts?

1) My insurance had a 'no wt gain' stipulation and it was from my starting weight and I had 6 months required supervision. 2) My insurance approval was sent in after my last NUT appt. , I already had my physical clearances but had not had my surgery labs and EDG - those are scheduled after approval. 3) N/A - had Humana 4) If your insurance requires PCP approval, then yes a PCP can be biased and could stall your chances. BUT you can change primary physicians, or fight through the PCP's supervisors - everyone answers to someone. This has happened to people on bariatricpal, and they changed to another PCP. Mine wanted to send me to a Humana bariatric physician 2 hours away and I said NO. I will petition my insurance to go out of network - at in-network cost because that is a burden to go that far and it was approved. Good luck.

Just have a heart to heart talk with the surgeon and your PCP, but refrain from getting emotional (even though it feels like an emotional situation). Give facts - I am obese, obesity is a challenging disease and the future without the surgery will lead to diabetes and this surgery has an 83% resolve factor for that and 92% for high blood pressure. Then say do you not want those successes for me? Go into the meeting all dressed like a business meeting -because that is what it is.....he is in the business of bariatrics and you are the client - it is your RIGHT to get what you want.

I got an appointment at the Bariatric clinic for the Orientation session! FINALLY! It's amazing how that little piece of mail just make me SOOO HAPPY! lol I'm on my way at last!

I'd go to urgent care. I've never heard of people reacting to the surgery like that, but some people are allergic to certain meds or to the surgical glue or tape they use. Are you taking ursodiol? (the med some surgeons put their patients on for a few weeks to help prevent gallstones). Hives can be a side effect of that (not a common one, but I know it's a side effect because I was one of those people who got hives from it). Or it could be some other med you're reacting to. Just check with your PCP or go to urgent care. I reacted to either the surgical tape or glue when I had plastic surgery (although I didn't react to it with my RNY, oddly - but maybe it was different brand of tape/glue) - they put me on prednisone for a few days so I'd quit reacting to it. With the ursodiol I was taking after my RNY, the PA at my bariatric clinic just had me quit taking it. anyway, I doubt it was the surgery per se - but it could be some med or something that you're reacting to. They'll know what to do.

It is tough to lose the weight under that pressure with a time constraint, and as others have said, most of us have struggled to lose modest amounts of weight for years and years before coming to the decision to have weight loss surgery. That being said, even if it took you an extra month to lose the weight the surgeon wants you to, that’s still only four months and many of us here waited six months or much longer even for a surgery date so you still would be in good shape. And it would still likely be less time than joining a new bariatric program. Focus on lean proteins, vegetables, and fruits, and stay away from processed foods and soda. Incorporate some modest exercise into your week. These are changes you will need to implement post op anyways. You can definitely lose a few pounds and show progress to the surgeon in another two months just by making those changes. Best of luck!

They give you two bariatric discs since you are taking them twice a day. And one disc of the multi vitamin.

These are recipes that were in my SSM Weightloss Institute Center of Excellence Bariatric Surgery Binder. (Spelling it all out so they don't say I'm infringing on any copyrights if they own it ) If you click on the picture, then click again, it will make it larger for viewing. Haven't tried any yet, but I plan on having my hubby (he's the cook!) make a few of them for me soon!

Hi! What is the Bariatric app called? I’ve been using the MyPlate app HW 242 SW 236- December 20, 2017 CW 197 GW 160

I have the best reason of all: the five year outcomes of diet and exercise alone vs. with weight loss surgery. Check out this page and scroll down to Obesity Treatment Options and Effectiveness: Results of Five-Year Follow-up. Be sure to read the footnotes. Without surgery, you are far more likely to be obese again in five years (after weight loss). With surgery, you are more likely to have maintained a significant amount of your weight loss. http://www.surgery.usc.edu/uppergi-general/bariatric-amiacandidate.html Obesity Treatment Options and Effectiveness Results of Five-Year Follow-up Treatment Weight Loss (% of Patients) Diet and Exercise* 2% to 5% Medication** 0% Bariatric Surgery*** 50% to 70%< * Success measured as a loss of 10 percent of initial body weight. ** Weight loss is not maintained once treatment ends. *** Success measured as a loss of 50 percent of excess body weight (equivalent to loss of approximately 20 to 25 percent of initial body weight).

I was super worried going into my surgery yesterday, going through all the what-ifs...I had signed a medical directive and did my will, all that, as a lead up to the surgery, and I think that got me in the wrong state of mind. But the neatest thing happened! When I checked in to the admissions desk at the hospital, the man who signed me in saw my surgeon's name and said, "Dr Halpin was my surgeon, too -- 5 years ago." I confided to him that I was a bit worried, and so he took a break and escorted me to the surgery prep room, and told me his story. He lost 110 pounds and has kept it all off. He told me that he sees bariatric patients come through all the time and reassured me that they all come out! It was a wonderful contact, and just the reassurance I needed. I went into surgery very calm. It all went well and I was discharged this morning. Am off the pain meds and feeling positive. Happy New Year everyone!

I have not been on this forum for a while, have been really busy getting ready for my surgery and now I'm here in beautiful Tijuana and it's done. I want to tell everyone how wonderful the whole team of Baja bariatrics have been to me. Florence hospital care was supreme, the facility is nice and the nurses here are so attentive and kind. The surgical team is superb and Omar Lliles Acosta who is the coordinator for Dr Illan makes sure of it. His number one priority is patient care and maintaining there record of zero complications. I came alone and he was there right by my side when I awoke. After the surgery when you are released from the hospital, he will take you to the amazingly beautiful Hotel Lucerna ! Omar will make sure you have broth, Gatorade, water and anything else you might need and he will take you sight seeing and shopping for souvenirs as well. This is something that you truly do not get with other companies. Dr Illan is an amazing surgeon, I had a lot of scar tissue from a previous surgery and he was totally prepared to handle that. Because he is also a well experienced trauma surgeon, that made me feel secure knowing he could handle my situation with ease. I did months and months of research and I know without a doubt that I made the right decision to choose not just this Dr but this team at Baja Bariatrics. If any one is considering surgery I encourage you to check them out, you can go to their web site and join the Facebook group of Team Illan. The support I received from his patients/ fellow sleevers is like none other. We are like a family and continue in our support for new patients and those who are considering having there surgery done here in Tijuana MX. If any one has a question, feel free to send me a message and I will do my best to reply.

I worked with the pre-op classes in my clinic for about three years (until COVID hit and they went online). Yes - tons of people have their surgeries in the 300s. It was unusual to see someone who appeared to be 400+ (I saw maybe a handful the whole time I did it - and I don't think they were *much* over 400..or didn't appear to be. Certainly no one approaching anywhere near the size of the folks on "My 600 lb Life"). I'm guessing my clinic had a cut off, but I'm not sure what it was. I was over a 60 BMI at my heaviest, so I think my surgeon had a slightly higher ceiling than yours. Whatever they're comfortable with, I guess. But yes - I imagine at some point they refer patients to someone like Dr. Now, who specializes in high risk bariatric surgery.

And although you and I don't always agree, YOU ARE AN ASSET TO BARIATRIC PAL, and your advice tends to Be Spot On. Sometimes it pinches but , hey you're a Truth Teller, and it just maybe was WHAT I needed to👂 Hear!

I had been Struggling at over 300 Pounds since I quit smoking back in 2008. When I quit I was @ 275 and ballooned to over 300 in months. I looked at bariatric Surgery in 2010 and actually took my insurance required classes and decided not to because of the restrictions of certain foods and told myself I could drop from the 315 i weighed at that time. In 2016 I had got to my heaviest at 366 pounds. 2017 was the year I said i was making changes and dropped to 333 I also started looking at bariatric surgery to help me, then i started taking the weight loss surgery classes again from Kaiser. After the 12 weeks of classes I had dropped to 310, and by March 2018 I was 306 on surgery day. Now I do say why didn't I do it sooner, we all end up saying that after, but I do recognize that mentally I was not ready 9 years ago. I did meet one guy who decided not to have surgery and has lost 60lbs on his own, to date and I commend him on his hard work and changes. I know that the surgery was the tool to help me make the correct choices to keep myself at a healthy weight. Good luck with your decision. 👍

One of the biggest barriers to getting weight loss surgery is the fear of complications. From mild ones like nausea and constipation to more serious ones like obstructions and leaks, complications are common among bariatric surgery patients. Did you have complications after Weight Loss Surgery? Nope, aside from a little soreness during the recovery, things went great! Yes, but nothing serious. I just had some stomach issues. Yes, somehow I developed some nutrient deficiencies. See below for which ones I had and how I fixed them or whether I’m still dealing with them. Yes, I ended up back in the hospital. See why in the conversation below. I haven’t had weight loss surgery yet, but I’m crossing my fingers that nothing serious happens to me. Other. Read my answer in the discussion below. Mark your answer and give us the details in the conversation below. Sharing your experience can help other members who are making their own decisions about weight loss surgery.

My name is Kerri and I'm a 37 year old wife and mother of 2. I've been battling PCOS since 1999, gaining weight, losing weight, gaining more...blah blah blah, you know the story! I've been on Metformin for more than 10 years, but my a1c keeps creeping up. Doctors have suggested that I look into bariatric surgery, so I went to two seminars. That was two years ago, when I found out that our insurance doesn't cover a dime of bariatric surgery, under any circumstance. In the meantime, I prayed that we could come up with the money. I have all of the support of my husband and family, but the funds just weren't there. To make a really long story short, I got some blood test results recently that gave me an official diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. I'm feeling pretty crappy with headaches and horrible, throbbing leg pain. I decided right then and there that I need to make this happen sooner rather than later. WE HAVE THE FUNDING FOR MY SURGERY! I'm currently scheduling my scope, then I will have a surgery date! I'm hoping for end of June. I am so excited to go on this journey with you all! Now I'm off to explore this fun site!

hey Guys thanks for the posts, when i woke up this morning i threw the rolls out i really didnt miss them as much as i thought i did when the impulse came. I started a low carb diet today!!!!!! Ive been a excellent patient for many years with all my injuries, so if the doctors say do this i will to the T. As for me doing diets and weight loss ive failed for one reason or another and after staring and stoping a diet Ill start again monday or after the holiday im just tired of it all. two years ago i walked into a bariatric doctors for a consultation he talked to me and pushed the Lapband, at the time i had three friends who had it done and it worked for one out of the three (the husband and wife) had complications not from lapband. So after leaving his office and talking to family who of course said just lose the weight you dont need another surgery, i put all thoughts of bariatric aside. All this time my mom has been suffering with Lymphoma (3yrs) and while helping her i popped a umbilical hernia and didnt tell anyone except my doctor and wife and maybe a close friend. I had been taking her to chemo and radiation for about 2 1/2 yrs and i just couldnt do it anymore i needed to help myself i forgot all about me and my needs, thats when i knew it was time to see another gastric doctor and get the help i needed for me. I seen my doctor this summer at the same time mom calls and says my aunt has pancreaitic cancer and not much they can do for her, she doesnt live close and mom and grandmom dont drive so ive been doing all the driving a few times a week back and forth 80 miles round trip and if theres traffic....ugh Id do anything for my family as you can see, had a talk with my aunt while she was in bed already thin and in pain but still smiled to see me and knew i love her, i told her what i was doing and she said its the best thing i could do for myself and wished she would be around to see my transformation, i cried she cried and she said she will always be around watching me and i know she will, last night i visited again and she only has days left. As you can see im a caretaker im not ashamed of what ive done always putting family or friends before me but if your like me and are thinking of bariatric help, DO IT and dont look back you have to put you first take your life back as im doing. Sorry for the long winded post i got off track a lil with my family issues andi was going to delete but there might be that other person who is in same spot and it might help...if not it helped me write it down! God Bless Joe

Thanks for the support Jim and congratulations on your success! Sometimes I get cold feet and think 'is this the right thing to do?', but your enthusiam is contageous! I agree it would be nice to get this group going.... do you go to support groups? Or have you ever visited obesityhelp.com? My dr.s office recommended that one. One little gripe I have with that one is it is for all kinds of bariatric surgery, not just lapband. Take care S.