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amf1025, Well, he had the lap band for 13 years. He did lose 100#. But his starting weight at the time was 515#s. The Surgeon said he wasn't strong enough for the RNY. Which wasn't true because at the time he was still driving log truck and long haul trucking. He was 50yo. So after the surgery, they kept having problems putting in the fill and finally ruptured the port. Back into a day surgery got that fixed. So in 2013 it malfunctioned and he couldn't hold anything down. The VA suggested that he see a Bariatric Surgeon which we did. they said he needed to have the band removed. And they would do the revision at that time to an RNY. When they got in there the band had eroded into his liver. They couldn't do the revision but removed his band and gallbladder (due to him having stones) they told him that in 3 months when he was healed they would do the RNY. He ended up getting abscesses and was deathly sick for 9 months and 3 months he doesn't even remember. So now he is healed up so we go back to the Surgeon, he tell us he won't do the WLS because he said, he was a "PROBLEM CHILD". But he did refer him to another surgeon in Portland Oregon. Now they would do his surgery when he lost 25#'s and got his A1C (he is diabetic) down to a 7 or 8. Which if he lost weight his blood sugars would go high and if his blood sugars were down he gained weight. He just couldn't get it done. So then we get the news that he has Cancer on his kidney. Which the VA didn't tell us for 3 years. Now he has to lose 150#'s before they can do anything about the kidney cancer. So then we get the money up and off to Mexico we went. On June 3, 2013 he has surgery and is supposed to get the RNY. When they got in there they found that his whole right side is solid scar tissue. They can't do the RNY so he gets the Sleeve. So here we are now he has lost 60#'s but just can't seem to get any more off. This could have all been avoided if the first surgeon would have done the RNY. When he was strong enough to go thru it. They gave him 4 years if they can't do anything about the Cancer. Maybe 2 good years but the last 2 would be HELL!!! It has been a year already. Now I just found the KETO diet so I'm going to try it. We are both going to do it. You can do it to lose or to maintain. I feel like if I can do it wth him it might make it a little easier on him. I feel almost desperate like time is running out for us. So this is how the Lap-Band has been for him. Plus we have heard that most Dr.'s don't do them hardly, but the do many revisions. Please think hard before making your mind up on which way to go. Good luck!!

She introduced herself as a bariatric pain management psychologist. I guess that's what I get for accepting an 'alternate psychologist' to clear me for this requirement.

I know it's frustrating, but most likely this is just water weight. When you start dieting, the amount of glycogen stored in your muscles and organs drops pretty dramatically since you're not taking in enough carbs to replenish the glycogen. This depletion of glycogen also causes scale weight to drop in the form of water loss. Over time, those glycogen stores are renewed, which also causes you to put the water weight back on. This phenomenon is even worse if you also add in new exercise, as your body needs extra water in your muscles to help repair the micro damage that exercise does to your muscles. If you feel sore muscles, you can know for sure that you're storing extra water. I suspect there's another factor at work here: stress. Elevated stress levels causes you adrenal glands to make and release a hormone known as cortisol into your bloodstream. Among other things, elevated cortisol levels can actually slow down your metabolism, meaning you're burning fewer calories at rest.

Vertical gastric sleeve (VGS) to Mini Gastric Bypass (MGB) ? I was sleeved about 7 years ago in Mexico. The operation added about 90 pounds of weight loss over 18 months. However unfortunately, after several years and a couple of babies, the weight has come back on. I’m exactly where I was seven years ago. 😔 I feel my pouch has been stretched slowly over the years and my metabolism is shot. Not uncommonly, one of the side effects of the sleeve was terrible heartburn. I’ve been taking a prescription grade antacid since my surgery. I recently read that this particular bariatric side affect has been linked to stomach cancer. 😳 I recently consulted with bariatric surgeon in Mexico to see what my options are and he suggested I convert to a mini gastric bypass. He said it would resolve the acid reflux complication and also I would lose the weight I have regained. Has anyone gone from VGS to a MGB that could share their experiences with me? Either here or privately? I’d really appreciate it. 🙏🏼

I have a different Blue Cross plan. Under my plan, the out of pocket max is the max I'd pay in a year for all services - its intended as a safeguard if you have a catastrophic injury or illness. That was different than what I paid for any given service. Does your blue cross plan have a SErvice Benefit Brochure online? If so, it will likely list bariatric surgery and say what you need to pay depending on if the doc and hospitals are preferred providers or not. Also, note that this cost is JUST for the hospitalization. I ended up with costs for the hospital, surgeon, anesthesiologist, and lab work. It was far lower than my out of pocket max. I saw three surgeons before I decided on surgery, the only one that would have required me to make such a big payment up front was someone who did not take insurance and was covered as a non-participating provider. Again, my insurance may work differently than yours.

Thanks for replying, RDK and all the rest. I'm not Orthodox, but I do keep glatt kosher (I'm not shomer). I also did a huge amount of research before I was banded to find good tasting kosher certified Protein powder and vitamins. As RDK says, they are clearly available, but not in many of the sites that the bariatric centers guide patients to. Also, there are places to purchase these things online where they will send you samples much of the time. That is how I knew I would be able to enjoy my protein "shakes." My sister, who had gastric bypass, has found that there aren't any protein powders she can take, but I want her to try mine. I can't drink milk or use soy products. I found a kosher certified powder that is whey protein but lactose free, and I use rice milk with it. (chocolate - Yummy!) I did ok during the HH this year. I get my fills on Thursdays, and only passed on challah once (I don't consult a Rabbi on this, sorry). I'm pretty good at liquifying challah in my mouth, even on the second day after a fill. Growing up my Orthodox rabbi, who was very well known, always told us that if you couldn't fulfill a mitzvah or law because of a health issue, that your health came first. I take that to heart. I consulted with my doctors about fasting on YK, and they asked me to stay hydrated. I didn't have to have my protein or vitamins for the day. I only sipped Water two or three times during the entire day and only when I felt I was truly dehydrated. This year I was in bed with a heavy head cold and fever during YK, so that probably helped. Has anyone started to think about what to do during Pesach? I know I can go a couple days without the protein, but don't yet know whether I will be able to eat enough to get sufficient protein for the full eight days. Now THAT is a concern for me. I can live without a Vitamin or Calcium supplement for a week, but am not yet sure about the protein. I may be anticipating a problem that doesn't exist, but it is something I'm thinking about now, well ahead of time so that I can plan what to do. Especially because I follow Ashkenazi tradition for foods I can eat. I'm really enjoying this process overall. I hope everyone has a wonderful Shabbat and a successful outcome with your bands. B'shalom,

My family were totally against my having the vsg. Their fears were that I was not well enough (I have fibromyalgia) to survive the surgery itself and that I might have post op complications. They also felt that I could actually lose weight without bariatric surgery. Unfortunately, I did have post op complications that required re admission to hospital, then contracted clostridium difficile. It was very serious and obviously all of their fears were justified. But four months later, the drama is history. They do learn to live with your decision and they still love you. I did try and explain my reasons for going ahead with the surgery during the three years or so that I was in the pre op bariatric program, but they all really were just dead set against it. They felt that I was risking my life having elective surgery. Now that they can see that I will live and now that they see that I can sit with the family during meals and eat some food (I mostly just fake eating), things have calmed down. Even if they stay against the idea, I definitely think you should always inform your family that you are having surgery. It is upsetting, I know. I had no idea how frightened they actually were that I might not wake up from the actual surgery, until the day after. I feel that I didn't understand their specific concerns. Maybe I wasn't listening well enough. Regardless, my relationships were not permanently damaged because I went ahead with the vsg. As long as you feel comfortable with your decision and have done your best to inform them, you will be okay. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks for the support everyone; this is exactly why I love this board! Jack, the waiting does/has renewed my dedication; "I'm patient", but ready Magic, I have United Health Care thru my employer.

I was 30+ BMI with no hope of it staying down even after losing successfully through diet & exercise multiple times up to 50 lbs. The ASMBS has a paper/study advocating benefits of bariatric surgery for ppl with 30-35 BMI. Look it up. Sent from my Pixel XL using BariatricPal mobile app

At this point I've spent a couple thousand hours looking at bariatric related stuff. I've watched the actual surgeries on youtube, read a lot of studies, and watched the likes of Dr. Matthew Weiner and Dr. Duc Vuong. I'm always excited to see a new piece of information (and I am still learning new stuff all the time). I don't work at the moment, so this is like a job/hobby. And if I can help others, all the better. What is a self-esteem boost is y'all listen to me better than my own family. (Funny how that works). But, the problems are always the same. My MIL (who lives with me) started trying to lose weight.. is doing well. She has lost about 30lbs, and suddenly it's the dreaded stall/scale bounce up. So now I hear her moaning and groaning, just like everyone on this board! Aaaahhhhh! Lol! Both hubby and MIL lose 30 or 40lbs (they were both 100lbs overweight to start).. and then the scale stops budging, they lose heart and stop watching what they are eating as closely. I'm watching WHY DIETS FAIL unfold, right before my eyes. They refuse to weight/count/measure. It's ok to drink a few calories or grab fast food. Just this once. I was in a hurry. I was out of town. Yup.

Welcome Terri7225, there's a thread on the bypass forum for February 2018, you might even find a surgery twin there. At any rate you're among friends we all are fighting or have fought in the diet wars and are committed to better health and a longer lifespan. Bariatric Pal is a great resource, I've learned so,much from others experiences. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

Im going to henry ford. It has thw rating of "center of excellence". I have heard a lot of positive comments about dr. KRAUSE at beaumont, royal oak. I did meet a lady in my nutrition class who works in the bariatric dept. for beaumont, and was having the sleeve done at HF, instead of beaumont bc of the center of excellence accreditation. I found that interesting. Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

Here's a list of questions (with recent updates) that I posted quite some time ago. Since you're coming up on your last appointment you'll likely have answers to some of these already but hopefully you'll find others that will prove useful. What are the risks? How often do patients have complications following surgery? What side effects are the most common? What are the benefits? What should I expect after surgery? Realistically, what weight loss should I expect following surgery and over what period of time? What are "stalls" or "plateaus"? How long do they last and if I do experience them, what can I do to shorten their duration? Will any new technology be used e.g. robotics? Is the hospital and surgeons office accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP)? This is a combination of the programs formerly offered by two highly respected surgical societies - The American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Beginning in 2012, this accreditation replaced the former Bariatric Centers of Excellence. Are you board certified in bariatric surgery? How many roux-en-y gastric bypass surgeries have you performed? Have you experienced any surgery related mortalities? Do you have patients that are willing to share their weight loss surgery experiences, positive and negative? What types of support groups and counseling will be available post-op? What information can you give me to help family and friends better understand the surgery? How often do you see your patients following surgery? What is the significance of Protein following surgery? Does your practice offer support services for psychological needs? What assistance is available for helping me secure insurance approval? Who should I speak with regarding insurance related questions? What pre-op testing will be done? What post-op testing will be done? Will I need Vitamins after my surgery and if so, what types? When can I start exercising after my surgery? How likely is it that I will regain weight after surgery? Think of the meeting with your surgeon as an interview. You're looking for an answer to "Why are you and your team the most qualified for the job?" You're gonna love the new you!!

Did your surgeon recommend one? There are so many! I am starting pre-op on 12/3 and I am using Bariatric Advantage. Unjury is also super good. Some people like Premier Protein, and others like IsoPure

Alex has graciously allowed me to sneak into the mens room to tell you all about something exciting! I've started a dating website for bariatric patients. I wanted to create a safe place where men and women who've had surgery can meet people with similar goals. I can't think of anything more awesome than finding someone to share this journey with. Our website is TOTALLY FREE! It features profiles with up to ten pictures, private chat, private email, blogging and more. We are just getting off the ground so it will take some time to build the membership but you can help make this a success. If you are single or have other single friends, please send them to check out the site. We've got a fair amount of women to get started but we need men! Please visit www.loveafterwls.com for more information and to get your profile started. http://www.loveafterwls.com

Hi-I went to a seminar back in January, which was free. I went to my first Bariatric Center consult about a month ago. It cost $100 plus my $20 co-pay. It included a video, nurse consult, nutritionist and psycholgist consult. I see the surgeon this coming Friday, and at that time they will collect $250, which will be put into an account to go towards any more pre or post off office visits. If I don't use all of it, the rest will go towards any hospital or Drs fees that arent' covered by my insurance. The hospital co-pay will be $200. I'm sure that there will be more fees somewhere, but for me, my health will be well worth it. I have United Heathcare Insurance. The best advice I can give you is research, research, research! One more thing-Have faith!!! Hang in there, and good lick!

I'm surprised your surgeon didn't put you on calcium citrate + D3 post-op. That seems to be pretty common practice for bariatric patients. I would definitely add D3, especially because it's winter. As for iron, pretty much any multivitamin should at least get you your daily recommended dose. Have you had bloodwork done recently?

Portion suggestions: 3 to 4 oz lean protein 3 meals (goal 60-100 grams) Vegetables until you reach the point of full then stop. two small snacks throughout the day. My instructions were add carbs after I lost 75% of my weight to slow or stop weight loss for maintaining. I still ate plant based carbs. If you are instructed healthy carbs (whole wheat, brown rice sweet potato...Nothing white or proceed) two table spoons. Recipe and menu ideas below http://insidekarenskitchen.com/bariatric-friendly-recipes/

My surgeon shares the following poem with all of his WLS patients. I was shocked so much of this was true for me and I think this helped me come to terms with some of my issues. There were also a lot of tears shed as I tried to read it to my husband. LISTEN TO THE LIFE OF THE MORBIDLY OBESE Author Unknown LISTEN to the embarrassment we encounter in our everyday life. The name-calling, stares, rude comments and looks of disgust we endure battling the last acceptable form of discrimination. People we meet that give us a far wider berth than we need when passing us on the street, in the hall ... in life. Afraid that somehow our disease of obesity might be contagious. LISTEN to our apprehension as we expertly eye the chair. Will we break it, or will we fit. Will we ever fit into life, as "normal" people know it? LISTEN to our agony as we just walk and perform the simple activities of daily living on joints screaming in pain from an incredible burden they were never meant to carry. LISTEN to the pain of our humiliation when ridiculed by a doctor for "allowing" ourselves to get so fat. Realizing even the doctor's office is not a "safe" place, we tend to neglect our health even more. Hey doctor, didn't you take an oath to help? LISTEN to our hopelessness after being turned down over and over for a job or promotion because we don't "match the corporate image" of the person they envision for this position. LISTEN to our guilt. Because of our size, we feel we've cheated those we love out of the parent, spouse, child or friend we feel we should've been. Our embarrassment has now become theirs as well. LISTEN to our anticipation as we eagerly embark on yet another diet. THIS will be the one. This time I WILL SUCEED! LISTEN to our frustration as once again we fail at another attempt to lose weight, reinforcing once again our feelings of worthlessness, failure and defeat. LISTEN to our fear for what life holds if we don't have surgery. We try to ignore it, to stuff it down, but when we are brutally honest with ourselves, we realize an early death is an almost certainty. LISTEN to our indecision as we do extensive research, trying to outweigh the risk of complications (up to and including death) versus the chance of a new life. A chance to improve our health, move without pain, play with our children, the opportunity to just "fit in" to society. LISTEN to our indecision as we second-guess our decision to have surgery. As we ask ourselves, "Should I try just one more diet?" ... And tell ourselves, "If I only had more willpower." Knowing that willpower isn't the whole answer. LISTEN to us as we eagerly meet with the surgeon, with our five-page, single-spaced, list of questions in hand. Let down by the medical profession in the past, can I really trust this person who looks at me with compassion, as he assures me I'm a "good candidate" and he can help? Please God, I want to believe him, tell me I'm not setting myself up for failure once again. LISTEN to our feelings of helplessness as we place our future in the hands of an insurance company. Fully aware that with a simple denial letter, all the work we have done to this point, may be pointless. This surgery is not without cost, physical, emotional and monetary. LISTEN to our joy as we open the long awaited "approval letter" or obtain financing to make this dream a reality. LISTEN to us as we grasp for a chance at improved health, of moving with ease and just living life as a "normal" person. LISTEN to our renewed hope of living long enough to see our children grow up, get married, play with grandchildren and grow old alongside our mate. LISTEN to our fear as we roll into the surgical suite. The sights, the smells, the needles, the faceless people behind the masks. Do you care? Do you understand, or will you too make cracks about my weight once I'm asleep? My life is now in your hands, please take care of me. I have a brand new life ahead of me, and so much to live for. LISTEN to the Sigh of relief as we wake up in pain ... but alive! Stand up, walk a few steps, cough and deep breathe. Sure nurse, whatever you say, I can handle it ... because I'm alive! LISTEN to our delight as the weight starts to drop off, realizing this is for real. We are actually on the losing side. LISTEN to our misery as the body we once knew so well, now betrays us with nausea and vomiting when we attempt to eat. LISTEN to our frustration as we attempt to do something as simple as drinking a glass of Water. LISTEN to our panic at the first plateau or weight gain. As that little voice inside tells us, "Once again I'm a failure." LISTEN to us relax and let out our breath as we watch the numbers on the scale edge down once again. Plateau over. Renewed hope. Maybe I will make it after all. LISTEN to our efforts to move as we slowly and painfully attempt to exercise in a body that is still morbidly obese. LISTEN to our confusion as our emotions wreck havoc with us. Why am I crying? Why do I feel depressed? Why am I mean and snapping at the ones I love? I don't like this person that has taken over my emotions. LISTEN to our sense of accomplishment the first time we walk a mile. It rivals the high of any runner completing their first marathon. LISTEN to our depression when we realize we can no longer soothe our emotions with food. We now have to learn to feel and deal with these emotions. LISTEN to our tears as we mourn the loss of that brief but satisfying sensation of gratification we once obtained from the "comfort foods" we can no longer have. LISTEN to our obsession surrounding the scale, Vitamins, Protein drinks and carb counts, determined not to fail "this time". LISTEN to our sense of accomplishment as we pass up that calorie laden, high carbohydrate treat, telling ourselves, "My new life is sweeter than any dessert." LISTEN to our elation as we reach that "century mark" that once seemed so distant, but now is a reality. LISTEN to our resolve to reach our goals. Moving the weight on the scale down another notch, reaching a new "century" of numbers, wearing the dream outfit and attaining our "goal" weight. LISTEN to the gratefulness in our hearts as we thank our surgeon for not only their technical skills, but equally important, their understanding and compassion for the morbidly obese. Thank you doctor for the opportunity to rejoin society and live a fulfilling life. LISTEN to our amazement as we come to the realization that "reaching goal" wasn't the most important thing in life. It was the lessons we learned, the friends we made and the sense of accomplishment we gained along the way. LISTEN, don't talk, don't give advice, don't judge, just listen. And then, maybe then, you will start to understand the life of a morbidly obese person.

Hello, I have read this entire thread on your story and I am here to tell you that now you are one of the ones helping others for sure. I have not had my surgery yet, I hope it will be soon. As soon as they get my Psych. Eval typed up and sent to the Bariatric Center then it will be turned in to insurance to see if I get approved. I am getting closer and closer. Everytime I read a story such as yours, I am always encouraged to hang in there. I had a total knee replacement 1 1/2 years ago, so I didn't want to have surgery again, but here I am hoping to have VSG surgery soon. To hear that you have already lost 10 pounds and you are already home gives me more hope and faith that I am doing the right thing. I keep coming on here to get help and each time I always find someone's comments that lift me up whenever I need it. One of these days soon my experience of having the surgery will help others just like your story and other's have helped me. I hope and pray for the best for you and everyone else on your journey!!

I agree with Gretsada, the premier protein shakes in my opinion are the best tasting ones. I buy them when they go on sale at Costco or Sams, which are a great deal. I like the Banana and Strawberries and Cream the best but the Vanilla is pretty good too. I didn't care for the chocolate one but the others have been really good. At 30g protein and 1 carb for 160 calories, I don't know of a better option I've found. Also, my surgeon suggested the premier shakes and bars by name for post op as well and they align nutritionally with the Bariatric Advantage pre-op shakes nutritionally. Hope this is helpful.

I just bought the bariatric advantage chews in strawberry watermelon, they're pretty good and the chews are soft and go down easy.

I have tried all the Bariatric Advantage vitamins. I prefer the chews. The capsules I had a very hard time getting down and I would find myself skipping them. I tried the chewable tablets - they made me gag. The chews are my choice.

You can find the BCBS-Illinois medical policy regarding bariatric surgery here: http://medicalpolicy.hcsc.net/medicalpolicy/home?ctype=POLICY&cat=Surgery&path=/templatedata/medpolicies/POLICY/data/SURGERY/SUR716.003_2010-07-01#hlink Their requirements are: BMI greater than 40 OR BMI greater than 35 with two of the listed co-morbid conditions that have not responded to conservative medical treatment Documented Three month supervised, comprehensive weight loss program which includes counseling in dietary, physical activity and behavioral changes. Phsychological Evaluation and Clearance Be sure to confirm with BCBS to make sure that your plan follows this medical policy. There are some plans managed by BCBS-Illinois that are self-funded and are able to set their own criteria for medical necessity.

I looked into both Dr. Ortiz, Dr. Aceves, Banajor and several others. I would agree Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Aceves have great reputations and are great surgeons without a doubt. I however, have decided to go to Banajor and have found a few previous Banajor patients that have been very happy with their experience on this forum. There surgical team consists of three bariatric surgeons, anesthesiologist, and nursing staff who do surgery on each patient, the lead surgeon is Inamed certified. I am very happy with my decision and will be banded 4/3. I'll be back the 5th and happy to share my experience with others. I've been banded before in France but couldn't afford the cost of going back there. I like that I can get a mid-band instead of being only given the choice of the inamed. I unlike many Americans do not believe, just because the Inamed is the only FDA approved band, that it is the best band for everyone. Thanks for your input and replying to my post-April