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I got some good protein drinks that are tasty and 15 grams of protein in 8 ounces. Forget where but just Google Bariatrics drinks or something like that. Good luck

This is my 5th bariatric surgery and I’ve had to drink the magnesium citrate very time the day before. Never had an issue. But this is also the first time I had to take dulcolax and that hit me hard within an hour after I took it. I think between that and whatever I kept down from the MC, I should be ok for tomorrow. Thanks for all your replies! I was definitely in panic mode.

Bring your bariatric program manual with you to the hospital. I read through mine numerous times before the surgery, but when I woke up from the surgery, i was exhausted and in pain and not in a good state of mind to remember everything. Also, this may not be true for everyone, but I had my surgery in a big hospital with a small bariatric program. I think there were only 4 bariatric surgeries the same day as mine. There is only one bariatric nurse and I only saw her once before I was discharged. The other nurses who took care of me have patients from many different types of surgery. They do not specialize in bariatric patients, so they don’t necessarily remember all the details of recovery from bariatric surgery off the tops of their heads. So it is a really good idea to have those instructions from your program and make sure you’re doing what you need to do. Don’t be in too much of a rush to get out of the hospital. I am having so much trouble drinking enough fluids. At least when I was still in the hospital, I had an IV continuously pumping fluids into me. It is scary not to have that safety net anymore.

My bariatric team specifically recommends using crystal lite to hydrate if you can tolerate water. Take that for what it's worth.... Sent from my SM-G986U using BariatricPal mobile app

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the average weight loss for a bariatric patient is about 70% of your excess weight, so that's what they'll often give you as a goal since statistically, that's likely where you'll end up. But as with any average, there are people who lose more or less than that. You'll find several people on here who've lost much more than that - even 100% of their excess weight. It takes a lot of work, but some people do manage to get there. I should add that there's a line of thought (and my PCP happens to agree with this) that a 23-27 BMI is the healthiest range for adults, esp for older adults (and I'm one of them....) - so it could be that your surgeon is one who's on board with that opinion, too. in either case, if you put your mind to it and really work at it, you can probably do better than that (if you want to...)

I have BCBSIL and just went for my first appt. last week. From what I understand, you have to check that bariatric surgery is covered on your specific policy. If it is, a BMI between 35 and 40 requires you have other health issues such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Before I went to my appointment, the surgeons office checked my insurance coverage for me, which was very helpful.

The hotels are very near both a Walmart and Target. Easy, quick Uber trip if you need anything. I agree, way too hot for walking! The companion care is great! I had to hire one too bc I went at Christmas time and no one could come. My gal was so sweet and made sure I walked. Plus, I liked that she worked for Blossom and was experienced in taking care of post op bariatric patients. Good luck!

Hello, I started my 2 week pre-op diet on Monday.. Weighed myself Sunday night, and was 283. By Tuesday I was down to 278. Yesterday I was 276 and today I'm back to 278.. how the heck did that happen? I'm on two bariatric shakes plus one healthy meal a day. Usually 3oz chicken or steak with brocolli or green beans. I drink a crazy amount of water and I'm using Metamucil like the doctor asked.. What am I doing wrong? Sent from my Z982 using BariatricPal mobile app

I had a sleeve and hernia repair done and then 45 days later had hardware removed from my knee. I would have the one that takes the longest to recover from first and then do the next one while still on leave. My bariatric surgeon wanted to wait 6 weeks after hardware removal to do my sleeve but I was able to reschedule the hardware to later as the recovery time for that was only a couple weeks.

I have Cigna through my employer and it all depends on how the policy is written regarding Bariatric surgery. My policy shows one thing when you look it up online but when anything is submitted it gives not covered by policy. Putting my medical billing & coding to work i did little digging and found that it actually was in the underwriting of the policy that it excludes weight loss surgery. Yes i have been under my PCP care for health issues related to my weight along with weight management (meds/diet/etc) my surgery is also a medical necessity as i have OSA, NAFLD, & PCOS. Even after both my PCP & OBGYN gave the "medical necessity" insurance still will not cover any form of bypass surgery and has left me to figure it out on my own. After lots of medical practice locations/surgeon research, i decided to proceed with having a Vertical Sleeve which will be done by one of the surgeons at Blossom Bariatrics (fast track program). They will utilize my insurance for all the Pretesting labs, stress test, upper Endoscopy but i have to cover the surgery procedure part out of pocket. Between my husband and i we were able to obtain a medical loan to assist in the remaining amount we needed and my surgery date was scheduled for week of Sept 7th so my countdown is on!!!!!

I get a lot of my stuff at Walgreens or CVS. I'm sure the bariatric-specific vitamins are great, but lots of them ARE pretty pricey. As long as whatever you get meets the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery requirements, you're good (note that some bariatric-specific vitamins may contain the amounts that we need (and we do need more of some vitamins than normal people need), so you may end up only taking three or four supplements a day with your multi is a bariatric-specific vitamin, but you can duplicate these guidelines with just normal drug store vitamins, too - you might just have to take more pills to meet all the requirements. But you may still come out ahead price-wise). scroll down to Table 3 to see the requirements: https://asmbs.org/app/uploads/2008/09/ASMBS-Nutritional-Guidelines-2016-Update.pdf

I just wanna know if anybody has had very bariatric surgery at the same time as another procedure? I know people will sometimes say they are having abdominal surgery or gallbladder surgery when they're really having weight loss surgery. I need a thumb joint replacement and the recovery time would be close to 3 months and I can't help but think that I should really consider bariatric surgery at the same time.

I have reached my goal weight and was wondering how and when will the weight stop coming off! I have lost my boobs, butt and walking hasn't helped with building it up! I love the new me but scared I am going to look like Olive Oil from Popeye before it's all over! My last visit, I discovered the passing out episode was d/t blood pressure dropping to low and all of my blood work came back FINE! I am currently now in a 12 and wearing size Med in my capris! Again, I am so happy with my New Me but will I every stop losing the weight!? I am up for any suggestions, for my athletic bariatric family! Thanks in advance!

Hi Julie! I'm still around too...I am 6 yrs post VSG. Wow, how the time has passed. Initially I had the typical loss of the 'surgery doing the work' and felt great. Followed the rules to a T. But about 18 months post op I made major changes in my life, left a long-time career, moved, went to grad school, took a night position, etc. I started slipping little by little and although it wasn't too bad initially, as time went on I started having regain. Then I lost a parent, graduated grad school, went back AGAIN for a Doctorate, changed jobs again, etc. Finally about 2.75 yrs post op I got some super sobering health news (a condition that my surgery had corrected was back) and had to get real with myself. I had to seriously have a 'come to Jesus' moment with myself and realized the TOOL was still there. I went strict Keto and never looked back. I now have successfully lost my regain, am back where I was at my lowest post op, and am working to maybe drop another 20. No, I can't and probably never will again, eat what I really want to. I'm ok with that. My health condition is hopefully under control. I feel good. I have remained on track. I consider myself a bariatric success and I know a LOT of folks who weren't as fortunate.

I went thru that the day of my surgery. the nurses on the evening shift were not good at all- I didn't get my spirometer until the next morning when my head practitioner from my bariatric program visited. she was not happy. my nurses that came in in the morning were soooo much better and attentive. hopefully that'll happen for you too

I have an appointment with a bariatric surgeon next week. Does anyone have any experience with getting approved with Blue Cross of Illinois ? My BMI is 38 and I have recently torn my meniscus . My A1C is 6.2 so I’m not sure if they will approve me or not ? Thanks

He thinks people are offended because of his "tough love". True, some people don't like "tough love", but I think those who are generally OK with it aren't willing to take it from someone who's only six months out and is still in the honeymoon phase. Wait until you're at least a couple of years out and have spent some time in maintenance and know the daily struggle - and have been hanging out regularly on bariatric boards for 2+ years and therefore have seen a lot of things and sucked up a lot of useful information. the problem isn't the "tough love". The problem is the bragging and constant need for attention. It gets old. and yes - I've thought all along that it wasn't just the (former) obesity that was turning off women...

Today is day 9 since surgery and I have been struggling hard mentally and emotionally pretty much all week. It all kind of crashed down directly after my post-op appointment on Monday. Part of the program was getting the "bible" as part of the education process. The "bible" is the program's bariatric handbook that details out every single step in the days leading up the surgery, the day of surgery, and the weeks following. It's a road map for how things will go. My doctor...is the medical director for the program. And on Monday, he pretty much told me that he doesn't usually follow the handbook and that I should not pay attention to it. So, while right now I am still on a liquid phase (clear fluids and 3 protein shakes a day), I was anticipating the follow up at week 3 to progress to pureed foods as tolerated (protein shakes are never going to really go away). Instead, my doctor wants me to stay on liquids for 8 weeks. And while I understand his rationale for it as it will continue to provide an accelerated weight loss for a much longer period of time, it completely shattered me because right now the only thing I do with my time every day...is consume fluids. I am only allowed to drink 1 ounce of fluids every fifteen minutes. I am supposed to spread that ounce over the course of 15 minutes. Literally every waking moment is me sipping from a little 1 ounce medicine cup. The thought of doing this for 7 more weeks? I spent pretty much all day Monday and Tuesday crying because I just don't see how this can be sustainable. I'm getting 52-56 ounces of fluid in me every day at this point, but I am also waking up pretty much around 3am with my mouth completely dry, so it feels like I am barely managing to keep hydrated. And my doctor did say that at any point if I decide that I want to start integrating appropriate food into my diet, that I just have to let him know and he will work with me and adjust my diet. I just hate that he's putting that burden on my shoulders because it feels to me that when I make that decision, I am tapping out on accelerated weight loss and admitting defeat. I forced myself to go back to work onsite yesterday for a few hours just to get myself out of the house. It helped my mood and mindset some, but I came home really wiped out, so it may have been pushing things a bit much (on top of what is probably too aggressive an exercise plan so soon after surgery). Today I'm feeling a little bit better mentally and emotionally, but still pretty ragged. I'm tired of drinking these tiny little sips from these tiny little cups, but there's not really anything I can do about it. The best I can hope for is get through another week and a half and then ask if I can do 1 ounce of fluid every 8-10 minutes.

I had my band-bypass conversion by Dr Fitzer almost 8 months ago. I stayed two nights, but I had not just the conversion but also a hernia repair. If I lived locally I might have been able to go home after one night, but since I had a 5 hour train ride they approved staying an extra night. Now there is a new bariatric surgeon in a city only 30 minutes from where I live. But I was happy with Dr Fitzer and especially his whole staff. A good surgeon is of course important, but how the rest of his staff works is also very important since you only see the doctor that one time but all the follow up is by the office so they have to have their act together!

hmmm....doesn't sound like it. Hopefully someone from your clinic will contact them to see for sure. The insurance people at bariatric clinics are pretty good at this - after all, they don't want to lose a patient, especially after sending them through all the other clearances!

I need a little help from others that have been approved with CIGNA. THIS Is the most up to date policy (see below). They actually update their policy on the 15th of July so it was revised and updated today. No changes were really made. Anyways, I do meet the requirements but my question is regarding Cigna coverage. Most plans require a monitored 3, 6 or 12 month diet/nutrition/weight loss management through PCP or somewhere similar. Cigna's policy says NOTHING about this, only that "a statement from a physician other than the surgeon, that the individual has failed previous attempts to achieve and maintain weight loss by medical management" - it gives no other requirements or indicators. I called Cigna and two different reps confirmed that it is not required. Although when I went to my Drs appointment they told me they thought it was six months worth of supervised diet! I think they are confused bc of the “within the last six months” part. SIGH! They said they will look into it more So, for those of you that have been approved in the past few months, do I have to have a letter from my primary that recommends bariatric surgery? Would this be the same letter or separate from the on where they state I have made several attempts and failed? And what did you submit/have your PCP write to say that you had failed previous attempts? Thanks in advance for your help! Sorry I just know Insurance’s are so picky! below is link to coverage https://static.cigna.com/assets/chcp/pdf/coveragePolicies/medical/mm_0051_coveragepositioncriteria_bariatric_surgery.pdf

Agree. Everyone is struggling, and it's not just limited to those of us who have had bariatric surgery. Do the best you can and don't beat yourself up. These are extraordinary times, and better days are ahead. It's important to make sure you have friends and family who can act as a support network, even if it's only virtual.

I ended up shaving my head due to the amount of hair loss. My hair was already thin prior to surgery. Biotin did not help. I kept it buzzed for about 9 months. Unregulated vitamin levels are the biggest contributing factor up to a year post op. I am 13 months post op and it is starting to grow in and not be brittle and is truly healthy. It is a completely normal side effect of any bariatric surgery. Sent from my SM-G973U using BariatricPal mobile app