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Hey Tully, If you ring the Centre for Bariatric Surgery (95209520) they will tell you when their next information night is on. It is usually held on a Tuesday night at the Royce hotel on St Kilda Road. During the night they discuss ALL aspects of the band pre and post Op and you can ask questions. they have success stories come in and speak as well. They also give you a book which has all the information regarding the Lapband and it is a great reference point. I was re-reading mine today. You cannot see a surgeon from centre of bariatric without having attended the info night. you also need a referral from a GP. I suppose that weeds out people who aren't really serious. If it helps to know, I was REALLY stressing about the money. One main income and 2 small kids,mortgage, blah blah blah. But I still went and saw the surgeon for the initial consult ($100) just to start the ball rolling and take the first GIANT step towards what I wanted to do. My surgeon discussed going on the waiting list which I did. His opinion was, that if I was going to have to wait until I had the money to go private, that I may as well go on the list for the off-chance that a spot appeared in the public list in the meantime. What I found after having that first consultation was that I didn't want to wait at all and I researched EVERY possible way to get the money. One of the things you can do is access your Super to have the Op. I think it is a bit of stuffing around, but ultimately worth. The nurse at the CBS told me about it. At the end of the day, if a Doctor/s told you that you needed Heart surgery, you wouldnt think twice about finding the money! It is an investment in your future!! IT is not a vanity/cosmetic procedure - it is for your health. It took me a long time to get my head around it (I researched this for 18 months before I took the first step), but it is honestly the best thing I have done for myself ever. I will now get off my self-elevated Lapband high horse and let you think about it!! Feel free to tell me to jam it if you think i'm a bit too full on. SeeYa Megs

sounds exactly like my program (US Bariatric-FL) I'm 1 week postop and would really like to chew something! My appt is next Fri; I'm hoping he'll ramp up the program for me, though doubt it - regardless of how many times I promise to chew!:hungry:

Oh, another thing - any good surgeon will have a whole pre-op team... Mine included the bariatric GP, exercise physiologist, dietician and psychiatrist. And the care doesn't stop there - they are available to me when ever I need. Like I said, I am in a remote location so I have all their mobile numbers and can call if needed. They are there at my disposal, and for you who struggles with emotional eating, then the psychologist may really be of help to you. Also, with the pre-op liquid diet - I almost cried when I found out I had to do it. Not cos I am worried about sticking to it, but because I HATE Optifast, which is what my surgeon wants me to use, it has made me vomit before when I tried it to lose weight previously. But after talking to the dietician, she gave me some great tips to get through it and the psychologist really put it into perspective - its only for two weeks and then I never have to do it again! My surgeon has also had me on a strict "three meals a day while sitting at a table, 10,000 steps a day, minimal alcohol program" (not diet - I am still allowed to eat what I please, he is just trying to get me to learn to listen to my body - when it is full etc) and it has been a real eye opener for me. Especially as I was a massive drinker before, it wouldnt be unusual for me to put away more than a bottle of scotch in a session! If you really want it, you'll be able to do it. And if you choose a good surgeon and support team, you'll have all the support you need. Good luck.

I have tried this and OMG delish! The mushroom is about 26 calories so once your cleared for full foods it is bariatric friendly and so good. I think I like it more than regular pizza!

I'm almost out of my Flintstones and bought a bariatric vitamin. I can already tell I don't like the taste much (or the price) so I will be yabba-dabba-doing again after I'm done with the new ones.

This is for the pros...How long after your surgery did you feel the ability to go ahead and be up and driving again and working a clerical job (paperwork kinda job)? Thanks in advance! Bariatric Barbie Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I signed up to this forum solely to pass along our story in hopes others can learn from our experience. Please read (It IS a long read) As soon as I picked up the phone & heard her crying, I knew it was bad news. Her Specialist had diagnosed her with advanced Liver Fibrosis. Between her tears & what she said, I felt like I had the wind sucked out of me. So what now? Almost as quickly as I took in the news, a sense of defiance started to spring up within me. I had waited 45 YEARS to meet my soulmate & I was damned if I was gonna lose her now. "We have to tell Dr. Kantner" I insisted to her. Her Obesity Specialist. Yes, my wife is Overweight & has type 2 diabetes. And to be hit with this news on top of everything else... Through fate or fortune, she had stumbled into our specialist's care through me, as I was already seeing the specialist for my own weight issues & shortly, after we met, I told her about my Doctor & thankfully, Dr. Kantner took her on as well. Through her own program, Nancy was scheduled for Bariatric surgery. Specifically, Gastric Bypass. We prepared to wait up to possibly 2 years for her surgery, but now the situation had changed. Would she even be able to make it that long? She did tell Dr. Kantner & somehow, through her influence, was able to fast track Nancy to having her surgery within six months. Still a bit of a wait, but a lot better than having to wait two years! So now the waiting. And being the anxious personalities that we are, it seemed to take forever. But as the days drew closer to the date, it began to get more & more real, until finally that morning, when we were up at 4am, we knew this was happening. Finally! I had spent that last few months emotionally supporting her, reassuring her how everything was going to be just fine, while at the same time trying to convince myself of the same. It had finally reached zero hour & we were on our way to the hospital. Her surgery was scheduled for 7:45am, so we had to be there at least two hours prior to prepare. I gave her as much encouragement as I could until she was told to change into her hospital gown & I followed alongside her on the stretcher till the last possible second when our tightly clasping hands reluctantly separated and she disappeared into the Operating Room. For the first time, I felt helpless as her fate was now in the hands of the Surgeon. Perhaps I was being a tad overdramatic as the procedure usually takes anywhere from an hour to 90 minutes. Counting on this, I went over to the McDonalds across the street, where I figured I'd pass the time by having a long, leisurely breakfast. So, as I enjoyed my Sausage & Egg McMuffins & Hashbrowns, I watched the time go slowly by. 8:00, 8:45, 9:10... Still no word. I couldn't sit still any longer, so I went into the Mall & wandered around. 9:30, 9:50... still no word. Now, I was getting worried. Maybe she was already done & they didn't have my phone number to let me know to come & pick her up? 10:00. I stopped by the Pizzeria & had a slice & tried to make it last as long as I could. 10:20, I had another slice. Finally, at 10:40 I felt my phone vibrate. It was the hospital. "Well," The Doctor said. "It wasn't easy, but we got it done." Apparently, her previous surgery from 20 years ago for Acid Reflux had caused some "challenges" for them. But, even though it had taken longer than anticipated, it was finally done. I could pick up my wife & we could go home. But when I got back to the hospital, she still hadn't been moved to the Recovery Ward. What's going on? About an hour later, I'm let up to see her in a room that felt entirely too small & too hot. I looked into her exhausted face & when she opened her eyes, we both felt it. That mutual spark of joy we bring to each other. "Hi Honey," she said in a weakened tone. She HAD been through something. But it was finally done. Her Surgeon soon arrived & filled me in on the particulars. Because it had been a "complicated surgery" They would have her stay overnight for observation. Great. I have to go home without my wife. I stay with her till the evening & I go home around 8pm. I call a taxi & indulge in McD's Drive through on the way home. I wake up in the unfamiliar position of not having my Nancy beside me. I don't like it. I get up & get dressed first thing. I can't wait to pick her up & take her home. I call the taxi & return to the hospital & grab a Starbucks, conveniently located in the main lobby. I get upstairs & there she is. Looking much chipper than yesterday. She is understandably weak still, so we wait patiently for the doctors to give her the all-clear to go home. Once again, 11am..., 12noon... she ultimately wouldn't be released till 2:30pm. But, she was finally released. We taxi home & I assist her to our suite & I deposit her on the couch. She is still in some discomfort, despite having taken painkillers that morning. We both figured having a good night's sleep should help. The next morning, having barely slept & taking painkillers all night, she is still in pretty rough shape. Still sore & not even able to swallow even a drop of water without experiencing pain. In her recovery plan, it says to expect some "discomfort" immediately following surgery, but I'm beginning to wonder if discomfort includes burning dry pain whenever she even tries to take a breath. Fortunately, I had booked the whole week off work, so I could be home to help her through her recovery. But after 5 days, things don't seem to be getting any better. If anything, in fact, they were getting worse. The Doctor gave us his private number & encouraged us to update him every day, which we did. Despite our relating her situation to him, he dismissed it as being normal. Now I may not be a doctor myself, but I can tell when something's not right. Especially when it comes to my Nancy. By the time came for me to return to work, I was an anxious ball of nerves, as I checked in with her whenever I could, and whenever she wasn't napping to try & deal with the pain, she would tell me of how bad it was getting. Then... SNOWMAGEDDON 2019. It had dumped nearly 20 cm overnight. NOTHING was moving. Even the busses had been grounded. I figured I would get a pass from work due to the situation, but when I called in & pleaded my case, they were so determined to have me show up for work, the president of the company himself drove out to my place in snow chains to drive me to work. I was not only astounded they would do such a thing but genuinely enraged. That they would put such effort into manning their shift, when the rest of the world had pretty much shut down. On this particular morning, Nancy was in more pain than she had ever been in. I really didn't want to leave her to go to work. I explained this to the President, to which he turned a blind ear. So, after an hour's commute which by taxi would ordinarily take about 20 - 30 mins, I am deposited at my site, to which anyone around was astounded there was someone working the shift. Trying to hold my anger at my company at bay, while dealing with all the problems that the snow was causing, & would continue to cause throughout the day, I soon found out that I would be working a double shift because my relief was unable to make it to work? Strange how the president wouldn't also give that person a ride to work... When I finally was able to check in with Nancy at 5pm. She was NOT doing well. She was in so much pain, she couldn't stand it. We both agreed something was VERY wrong & we called the Ambulance. So. Now I have the prospect of working still another 7 hours in the WORST snowstorm I had ever been in. My wife was home waiting for an Ambulance & I'm stuck here. Helpless. I call my boss pleading how I need to leave because my wife was on her way to emergency. After he practically cut me off in mid-sentence with an abrupt "NO. You have to stay till the end of your shift!" I snapped. I couldn't hold back any longer. I BLASTED him, screaming obscenities in a rage-filled tirade telling them how they were a bunch of heartless fucks who only cared about making money & how they didn't give a flying f**k about their employees. I got home just as the Ambulance had arrived. I have no idea by what miracle she was even able to get one as it was a frozen tundra outside. But an ambulance did show up, festooned in chains & 2 saints who would answer the call of duty on this disastrous night. My Nancy was doubled over in pain sitting on the computer chair. So much pain that we had to move her in the chair, into the elevator & down to the lobby as there was no way to get the stretcher upstairs. Not even a stokes could be used. But with the help of some god-sent residents, we are all able to transfer her into the stretcher outside & finally into the Ambulance. To give you an idea of just how bad the snowstorm was, ordinarily we would be no more than 5 minutes max from the Hospital as we lived not even 2 blocks away. But even with chains, the Ambulance struggled through the impassable road & we got to Emergency in about 15 mins. As we unloaded her, the inevitable throng of Crachkeads, Junkies & other Mentally Ill people that clog up our system was crowding the area. But again, we were fortunate enough to be fast-tracked & she was in the ward within the hour. I never spent a more uncomfortable time than when I sat with her there. I stayed as long as I could, but was exhausted & could no longer stay awake & trudged through the snow back home. I really didn't sleep a wink the rest of the night. How could I? My Wife was in Hospital, & I was alone at home for the first time in 5 years & I hated it. I couldn't think straight, I couldn't even eat. I certainly couldn't sleep. In some ways, I was worse off than she was. For the rest of the night, I sat anxiously, wondering if/when I should phone to find out her status. Finally, around 10am the next morning, I called, only to find out she had been transferred to Richmond Hospital. Holy ****. What now? I called the Taxi immediately & raced out to Richmond Hospital. Like everyone in this life, I too have had my share of sadness & sorrow. Even Heartbreak sometimes. I don't know HOW to label the feeling I felt when I got to see Nancy in her own tiny room in ICU. But seeing her there, with all kinds of tubes & wires running in & out of her looking like something from Star Trek. I felt weak. PHYSICALLY weak. Like I was going to pass out. I had never seen my Nancy this way. My mind couldn't process what I was seeing. Quickly, I stepped out. I couldn't hold back. Tears just exploded out. I never knew a person could feel this depth of sorrow. I told myself, Snap out of it man! You've GOT to be strong! If not for your sake, then for HER sake! I don't know how, but I gathered myself together & re-entered her room. Her eyes were closed. The nurse told me she was heavily sedated & that she might not recognize me. But when Nancy weakly opened her eyes & she saw me standing over her, she knew. WE knew. that look of love we share was there. Again, fighting back the urge to bawl my eyes out, I said: "Hi Honey." My hand around hers, she weakly gripped my hand. I closed my eyes & just sat with her while she came in & out of consciousness. I had never felt such sorrow. Such a feeling of helplessness. I stayed as long as I could until it became clear she needed to rest. Taking the Taxi back into town, I stopped by McDonald's & loaded up on comfort food. I didn't care. I needed something, anything to feel better. To at LEAST, not feel what I had felt in that room. I won't even speculate how much money I was throwing away on Taxi rides to & from Richmond & the West End. I only know that with an average of $30.00 per trip, I was rapidly cutting into our bank account. Needless to say, I returned the next day. Although still upsetting to see her this way, it wasn't as shocking as yesterday. I still felt like crying, but I was able to at least put more of a brave face on. Although I knew she knew what I was feeling. I returned again the next day, only to find she had been moved to the Recovery Ward. THANK GOD! The first positive since this whole thing began. This time she was in a bigger room with 3 other patients. When I saw her sleeping in her spot, I quietly as I could pulled up a seat to her bedside & within a minute, she opened her lovely eyes and when I saw how they lit up, I felt like crying all over again. She still had all her tubes, including Breathing in, but now she was able to speak. She was still heavily sedated & communication was difficult, she looked a whole lot better & at this point, this was all I could ask for. I stayed with her until around 8pm, althewhile the Nurses tended to her as I could never imagine. I'd like to mention here just how special these people are. As I write this, we are in the midst of the COVID 19 Pandemic, and living just 2 blocks away from St. Paul's Hospital, we are privileged to be able to not only see & feel the love for the incredible Medical staff, but we are able to lend our small voices to the raucous applause in appreciation every night at 7pm. As nice a gesture as this is, I still don't think it's enough. These people are heroes in every sense of the word. I was already blown away by how well they took of my wife through the entire ordeal, but seeing these brave souls risking their lives each & every night. There is simply no possible way to ever thank them enough. But back to my story. I won't outline each & every visit I made out to Richmond during Nancy's Recovery. Only by the time she was FINALLY released, it had been nearly TWO MONTHS since her initial surgery, which was supposed to be a day surgery with an overnight for observation. During this time, she had undergone a total of 4 surgeries & 2 "procedures" SIX bodily invasive procedures in total. Not the least of which included the placing of a Stent on her stomach, due to a rupture caused by the initial surgery, which would end up causing leaking from her stomach to further complicate things. But today, this was it. She was finally coming home. There was no particular time set for her release.. I didn't care. I was there before noon & as soon as I got there, I packed up all her belongings & sat with her anxiously on the bed, just waiting for the word. 1 pm. No word. 2 pm, 3 pm... she ultimately wouldn't be released until 10 pm. The Taxi Driver was most courteous & helpful in assisting us with our many bags, including a Walker. I held the lobby door as she hobbled in, escorted her to the elevator & when I opened that door to our apartment and she crossed the threshold, an indescribable sense of both joy & relief washed over me. My wife, my Nancy was home! BUT... Our story wasn't over. Not yet. Despite the stent being applied to her leaking stomach and having to carry around what can only be described as a miniature Colostomy bag that more looked like a grenade than anything, her suffering was STILL not over. Along with the awkwardness of carrying around the bag, who's smell is something you have to experience to believe, she now had to contend with not only being able to physically FEEL her stent inside her but the resulting gas, nott o mention involuntary heaving due to her body trying to reject this foreign object would make the next several weeks nothing short of challenging. Imagine having to put up with the urge to throw up, several times a day, but never projecting anything, but waking up in the middle of the night because of it. This, accompanied by substantial gas pains, which also added to her struggle. Yet through it all, she bore it. I could tell just how much pain & discomfort she was in & at some points, wondered if maybe she had been released too early. But somehow, this exceptional woman endured for weeks. To their credit, the Hospital didn't leave her high & dry. She was being checked in on & her doctor had even given her his private number, asking her to text him every 2 days with an update to how she was doing. She even had weekly appointments at the Wound Care specialist, to ensure her leakage bag was functioning properly. Weeks later, her drainage bag was not only NOT slowing, but seemed to be getting WORSE. Bad enough so that once AGAIN, she had to go to Richmond Hospital. Although this time, not only was the procedure successful, but they even removed her stent, which only made sense as she was already there. She has been 1000 % better ever since. She is STILL leaking from her stomach, but there is considerably less now & most importantly, she is pain-free for the first time in months so she can enjoy the rest of this Pandemic Lockdown in peace. BUT... Our story isn't even anywhere NEAR done. It's now March and not only do we have to deal with this Pandemic/Lockdown, Nancy's tube had become dislodged. Another trip to the Doctor. One positive that came from this, was that they decided to not only remove her colostomy bag but to ALSO remove the stent, despite it not being scheduled for a few weeks. With the cursed thing FINALLY removed, she instantly felt %1000 percent better. At LAST. The whole ordeal is finally over. Or was it? Of COURSE not. After her stent was removed, Nancy would get the best news yet. She would have to GO THROUGH THE WHOLE DAMN THING AGAIN! Yes. You read that right. Whatever sport god was having with my Nancy, he STILL wasn't done toying with her. In short, the sleeve around her stomach had come loose, in effect, undoing the entire surgical procedure! I couldn't believe it. My sensory perception can only process so much. Are you f**king KIDDING??? At this point, I'm convinced I'm just having a nightmare. Because there's just no way possible this much bad news can happen to anyone. It's just not humanly conceivable. As I resign myself to this, we follow the plot of this terrible dream who's storyline now plays out that she will have to re-book a new surgery date sometime within a year, so with little choice, I submit my will to my apparent dream-state & can only hope I, that WE wake up soon to escape this nightmare. SO, Why do I tell this story? Simply as a warning to all those who are considering undergoing Gastric Bypass, or any other kind of Bariatric surgery. Granted, this is probably an extreme case in the negatives column, but it DID happen & I ask you to please read this before you make your decision whether Bariatric Surgery is an option for you, or not.

YAY! Another Flinstone kid, like me! hahaha I swear, finding out I can take those was the best thing ever. Those giant bariatric vitamins are the worst!! Taking two was like torture for me.

I like muscle milk, and Atkins . I did soup, and added protein to them all. Just make sure to dissolve the protein first and do not add while it's hot. I made sugar free cooked pudding, and it's wonderful!! You cannot taste the protein. I used Unjury. I also got protein water at bariatric eating.. It's not bad. My staple is instant real potato with boullion or gravy. You can thin it out and it satisfied my need for something savory.

You have to be a little careful when reading studies that quote average weight loss percentages. Some will indicate a percentage of "body weight" meaning total body weight. Others, like the one in your example, will indicate a percentage of "excess body weight" - generally considered to be the amount of weight that would need to be lost to reduce your BMI to less than 25. Obviously, excess body weight percentages will be higher than total body weight percentages. I lost 130 lbs which was 45% of my body weight, but 100% of excess body weight. Averages should be considered with some caution. A 70% average says that some lost considerably less than 70%, and some lost considerably more. One of the most amazing things about bariatric surgery is that it puts you in control. Follow your plan and there is no doubt that you will lose weight. The laws of science and the universe cannot be denied. Sometimes you'll lose quickly, sometimes more slowly and sometimes not at all for a period of time. How much you ultimately lose is often a combination of your doctor's recommendation and your personal preference.

Hi all! I'm not a big fan of any of the Bariatric shakes at all. I've come across a brand called Vega that's vegan and is the most tasty to me. I add in collagen bone broth Protein by Dr Axe and it's simply delicious, fat and sugar free and is one the only brands that does not use soy or whey as their source of protein. The added collagen helps with skin and hair issues as well as lubricates the joints for so many extra benefits. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You know, the mind is powerful. I don't know what your religious affiliation is, but I too had some of the same worries cross my mind. I say cross, because I chose to only let them be brief. We are told to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. We may have little control over what come across our minds but we can use them to pray for the opposite if the thought is of something such as a blood clot that could harm us, and then meditate on the fact that we prayed for help on our weight loss journies and we received it. At the end of the day, when you have done all you can do, just thank God that you are on your way and have his protection to see you through. I had several friends and family members who were a little concerned for me to have this surgery but I feel that God moved a lot of things around to make it happen. It was also the help that I have been praying for all of these years. I know the inability to lose on my own was a stronghold in my mind that I couldn't get past. Each day I have been telling my body thank you for it's ability to renew itself and heal. If you really think about it, someone put holes in your stomache just a few days ago and already your body is healing and changing into the new you that you have accepted. Regardless if you have to take an extra day off from work. Help me celebrate today that we did this. Take a nap, turn on the radio and walk a few steps in place and just allow yourself to giggle and be happy that you took such an important step towards your goal. It can all be down hill from now.

Hey Tully, I went to The Avenue and they were great. I have only been out of hospital for 2 days. My Surgeon was Paul Burton from the Centre for Bariatric Surgery and he was fantastic as well. I have private health and my Out of Pocket Expenses were $3440 for the Procedure and $50 excess for the hopital stay. I know $3440 sounds like a huge amount of money - I ummed and aaahhed for MONTHS!! But you do have to take into account that all your follow up appointments are bulk billed for LIFE!! I am so glad that I have done this now. We didnt have the money lying around - we skipped a house payment and extended our credit a bit to pay for it and it was all worth it. Choose Life!!! DO IT!! Megan

Thanks guys, appreciate the support. Well, I've taken the plunge and booked into an information seminar on 5th May 2009, followed by an appointment with the surgeon on 12the May 2009. Am getting excited at being able to do something about this excess weight. :thumbup: I've booked with the Centre for Bariatric Surgery - has anyone used this group? How did you find the experience?

I really can't complain about my primary.. he's really been an excellent Dr. to me for many years (and he's super test happy - checks EVERYTHING). I think perhaps he's simply ignorant to enough information about the procedure. For the last couple years he has suggested WLS to me, but always the RNY of course. I just can not, and will not do that. I think it's a wonderful thing for people who are comfortable with it - I simply, am not. He didn't give me a hard time or anything, just really is set that he doesn't believe in the band from the literature he's read. He did give me the referral to the surgeon with no complaints, and he is pleased that I want to take control of my weight. Maybe I can be the patient to enlighten him and open him up to a new idea. I *BELIEVE* with all that I have inside of me that this is the right choice for my life. I *KNOW* in my heart of hearts I will succeed.. and then he'll have to see it for what it is. I'll be the proof, sans pudding ::grin:: I am determined to do this, one way or another. Luckily, the surgeon I'll be seeing is a good one, and he's also the only one in my HMO plan that does the band. I've checked him out pretty well, no complaints/malpractice/reprimands on his record. He's actually highly regarded and the head of the bariatric program through my HMO. That certainly makes me feel better. It was hard getting shot down today, but you all have succeeded in lifting my spirits and re-enforcing that this is the right choice in my mind. Thank you. And again, I think my Dr. is simply ignorant to the potential - I'll show him! El

I'm sitting here holding in the tears, the fears, and the upset. I'm sorry to dump this out here, but I need to let it go, and hopefully gain some wisdom from those of you who have been here. The good part - I saw my primary today and presented him with a nice little worksheet I'd done showing my previously failed weight loss attempts, co-morbidity factors in addition to my 46 BMI, my questions, my concerns, my choice of the lap band and the surgeon to perform it. He looked it all over and said I made a good choice for a surgeon for me - that was nice to hear. It's good to know my primary respects him in the field. Now, the bad part - He doesn't think the band is worth it for me. He admits that he's not overly experienced with band patients, but he does have RNY bariatric patients. He said he's read a lot of literature on the band (so have I!!!) but just doesn't think it's going to be what I need because portion control isn't my problem. He wants me to go with the RNY because he's seen it work fast in his other patients. I feel like I just got kicked in the face - even if it was done politely. I've put so much time into researching, reading, and educating myself about the band. I have spent probably 25 hours in the last week reading and learning all I could find. I felt like this would be the right choice for me for all the following reasons: 1. I don't really want my guts re-routed (God made them this way for a reason) 2. There's so much less risk, and with 2 kids I can't afford to have major problems - especially not death 3. It's reversible *if* there was a problem 4. Easier recovery and less hospital time 5. The band wouldn't require me to be on special Vitamins, etc. for the rest of my life (what happens if I lose insurance?!? then what?!?) 6. So many people have found success with the band it gives me hope Are we seeing a pattern here? I really don't want the RNY, for so many reasons. And yet, this is what my primary wants for me. I'm scared, I'm confused, and I'm heartbroken. I did get the referral to the surgeon and I will of course discuss all this with him, but - pardon my trucker mouth - but WHAT THE F*$#?!? Have any of you gone through this? Any sage words of wisdom? Thoughts? I'm sorry to have dumped all this, I just really need some support through this tough night. Thanks for listening El

Thanks guys. I'm taking my Bariatric calcium 4x day and it has all that in it, plus my Flinstones daily vits. Also, since the surgery EVERYTHING 'make me itch. I even break out in welps and hives... Any idea? It's driving me insane!!!

Very dramatic story, very detailed, NICE TRY to dupe people. So many details piled up together (grenade-looking drain, colostomy bag, stomach stent, many bags taken out of the taxi on return from hospital - like returning from Caribbean vacation etc etc). BTW there is NO Dr.Kantner as bariatric specialist anywhere in Virginia...hehe...and another 20 or so discrepancies i found in this story.

You can pay a lot for bariatric vitamins for either procedure...or you can be cheap like me, buy store brands (buy one get one free) and your nutritionist will still clear them for use:) I don't get fancy chewable calcium. I get the rock hard june bug sized Calcium citrate monsters....and just hold them in my mouth with a swig of hot coffee until they start to errode. Then, I just munch them up into paste and swallow them. The taste isn't that bad, and the cost is exponentially less. I used to put them through a pill crusher and eat the dust with sugar free Cool Whip. My multi vitamins are Store Brand (equivilant to Flinstone's Complete) kid's chewable vitamins in animal shapes...lol. I take two a day. I don't mind them. I also take extra B Complex, B12 and D (because I'm deficient living in the north). I buy whatever's cheapest or pick up a sale on Amazon. B12 and D...you can chew, they're bland and not offensive. But B Complex? Yikes...you don't ever want to chew that. Bleh!

So I have a question, my surgery is December 20th, and I know the incisions will be on the upper half of my stomach and hen in the middle and such. Did anyone ever have trouble with bras? Or do you know of any solutions to be had with them? I bought a Bralette that wouldn't be as much pressure on that area but I didn't know if anyone had a better solution! Thanks! ❤️️ Bariatric Barbie Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I went for my upper GI today. The tech said that he was not suppose to tell me, but he let me see and I have a hietal hernia. I am not to worried because my bariatric surgeon he could repair the hernia during the lap band operation. The tech also told me that it looks like a have a prolapse. I don't know if he meant a stomach prolapse or a esopageal prolapse. He said the liquid I drank was taking a little long to get through. Has anyone else had this problem.

Call your insurance company and find out which bariatric doctors in your area they cover. Call said doctors and ask if there are any "transfer fees," etc to become a patient. Because you are moving on to your second doctor, I would be thorough in finding out how their practice is run, how patients are treated, etc. During my time on these boards, I have read of many people switching surgeons post-op, some for the obvious reason the doctor relocated, some because they had surgery elsewhere, and others because they found after surgery their doctor's bedside manner/availability did not provide the support they needed. good luck!

I use PB2 by the suggestion of my Bariatric Dietician. I love it! I can't add a lot tho because the flavor is a bit overpowering. A little bit goes a long way.

The Protein shots are not at all the same quality as isolate protein. Its certainly good if you can't get the other Proteins in but whey and isolate proteins are best as they have the essential amino acids. So while this may be ok to help get numbers up, you might want to consider high quality protein for most of your intake. Found this on another post - Collagen based protein is not a great choice for bariatric patients because it just simply doesn't have the essential amino acids that we need to survive. In other words, its just junk, pretty much like potato chips and soda. There's just not enough nutritional value in it to meet the high demands for protein that our surgery requires to keep us healthy.

Hi Jess, I'm thinking that your doctor is saying that you are ultimately responsible for his bill if it isn't covered by insurance. I believe you will get an approval letter in advance from most insurance companies. I don't see how a doctor can say for sure whether your insurance will cover it - ALL policies are different. It isn't just that some companies cover it and some don't. For example, I have Aetna. Aetna covers bariatric procedures under some of its policies but not under my policy. On the Vitamins - follow whatever your doctor recommends. I just ordered and tried the Celebrate chewable vitamins in pineapple strawberry and they tasted ok and didn't upset my tummy at all (mind you - I haven't been banded yet). Best wishes and good luck for a speed approval!