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Thank you all for your support. After thinking about it for a while I remembered why I didn't want the bypass. For me it just didn't seem right, I just never felt comfortable with the idea of bypass. I called my doctor and the bariatric nurse a bunch of times today, did my pre admit and now I've been approved for surgery. I guess my insurance works fast lol. I will be having the sleeve this monday July 28th! I feel nervous yet excited.

I am talking to mexico bariatrics Dr. Luis Cervantes, I have done all of my paper work and pd the 500.00 down but I email them and I do not hear back from them. I paid through pay pal so I can get my money back. Just afraid of being scammed. How was the process? And congrats on your weight loss!! GREAT JOB!!

I knew nobody in real life who had WLS. I knew our insurance would cover it. I googled and started looking at surgeon websites. One of the first I found was a center of excellence. I checked and he was covered in my insurance plan. I went to an orientation seminar and the team impressed me a lot, although the surgeon wasn't there that night. I booked an appointment for a few days later, met him, asked a ton of questions, and decided it felt right. Six months later I was banded. I'm happy with my experience and haven't had any complications. I will say that I haven't seen my surgeon since my six week post op. My NP does all my fills under fluoroscopy. She's wonderful and actually sent me away without a ninth fill two weeks ago with gentle advice to change up my diet and exercise instead. I think I've been fortunate, but I'd probably do it the same way if I had it to do over again. Matter of fact, I had a minor unrelated (not bariatric) surgery last January, and chose that doctor in a similar fashion.

While I'm not in California, I had the same thing happen. I've worked for years with my doctor and her nutritionist, but my insurance needed something more. I did my six months with my bariatric doctors office and now I am FIVE days away from having surgery. I would say keep up the fight, but don't delay on starting the Six month plan. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I still don't have a date yet for my surgery, everything is sitting on my bariatric nurse's desk (and she will be on vacation ALL next week....aaaargh!), but I am still hoping for an Oct. date. Waiting for a call back from my surgeon's office on this topic but thought I would ask here too... Should I do my flu shot before surgery? I'm leaning towards yes, especially since it takes 2 week for the shot to take effect. Just seems like hospitals are such good breeding grounds for flu germs (among others.) Anyone else have some words of wisdom or thoughts on this subject?

@It's all new Did you eat very low-carb during your weight-loss phase (first year)? A pattern I think I'm seeing is that those who a year or two after losing weight begin to suffer from post-bariatric reactive hypoglycemia are those who ate very low-carb for a long time. This doesn't happen to a lot of VSG patents (less than 10% -- maybe closer to 3% say some studies). But for those to whom it happens I understand it can really cramp your lifestyle. What do you know about this kind of hypoglycemia and its cause(s)?

Just some random thoughts... So I'm excited and stressed... with excitement! After searching for months I was finally offered a new position in my home state, Massachusetts! My last day at my job will be next Wednesday on 5/20/2015 and then I hit the road shortly after. I'm still not sure of which will be leaving but I at least want to be in Boston by Memorial Day. In my opinion, there is no point in prolonging my time in Colorado! I can't wait to get back to the East Coast and to city life again! But I'll have to find a Bariatric support group and follow-up doctor in the area (which should not be difficult at all). So if you have any suggestions, please feel free to let me know. On another note, I went to my 6 week post follow-up appointment today. Apparently I'm on target and cleared to eat all foods! Yaaay... kinda. Lol. I have been able to get all of my Water and Protein in but hardly any fruits and veggies. She suggested that I eat more often and change my protein portion sizes when I have a meal. Hmm. My response back was that I may not fulfill my protein requirement if I lower my protein (meat) intake. I asked the dietitian about this and she assured me that I'll be able to eat more as time goes on and suggested finding protein in things other than meat. But I don't know. It's easier for me to have a 3 oz piece of salmon or chicken at 20+ grams of protein at lunch or dinner opposed to have less an eating more throughout the day. I'll consider it, but still on the fence. Next, I went on a roadtrip last weekend. It was my way of seeing this region of the country for the first/last time ever. I have no plans to come back and visit this area again, so I figured I'd drive, hang out, and take photos of everything I saw. I went to the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, The Four Corners, and the Grand Canyon (FINALLY!!) and it was gorgeous! I took awesome photos, got plenty of rest, talked to strangers and stayed at 2 very different but cool hotels. So, yeah. it was the perfect way to say goodbye. Colorado, its been.... interesting,

@@snickysnack78 You are making very good progress! Think about losing 27lbs in 5 weeks, that is over 5lbs per week! As you get closer to your goal you won't see numbers like that. If I lose 10 per month now that is an exceptional month for me. I just saw my bariatric team yesterday, they don't set a goal. They want to ensure you are happy with your weight loss. Well, they were extremely happy with my progress and as I said, I lose on average about 10lbs per month. I may or may not get to my personal goal before my one year anniversary which is at the end of September. The big thing is that you follow the plan. If you do that and not stray off, the weight will come off. For some it happens a little slower but in the end everyone catches up over the long haul. I would not worry about your follow up, it should go well for you.

There is a lot more variety there and they are really cute, but the portion sizes are not designed specifically for bariatric patients measured out by ounces. Those portions total to 4-5 cups of food in the example shown. http://www.laptoplunches.com/myplate.php It would be good for several meals, though.

If you are out there and have had surgery in Mexico (I'm having mine in Jan. by Dr. Kuri) and you have/had fills in MN/metro area - or even Wisconsin - please let me know. I'm able to locate doctor's or bariatric offices that do fills - but most only do them for their own patients. Also (at least on the phone) they are down on people that have had their surgey in Mexico. Any Happy-to-serve-you-and-take-your-money fill doctors in MN/WI? Along with another "to-be-banded" I am going to try and set up an appointment with a fill doctor - just to discuss the situation. I think it would be worth it in order to feel confident if something comes up after we are back in the good ol' U S of A. Imanotlean but Iwannabe!

Well, he's the one with the medical degree and 30+ years bariatric surgical experience, so I'll listen to him.

My surgeon required attendance to his seminar. It was rather informative, and there was a woman who spoke of her personal experience and it brought many people in the room to tears, myself included. I don't know of anyone who has had WLS so it was good to see. Attending seminars are usually free, and for me it was so helpful. The Bariatric office I am going thru has 2 surgeons, and I could see the differences in personality and it helped me choose the one who best suited my needs.

New study on hair loss and WLS http://bariatrictimes.com/2010/11/11/hair-loss-among-bariatric-surgery-patients/#more-1289

Hello all... I'm from the Kansas City area and have recently decided to start the process to get banded. My wife was banded in 2002, her two sisters after that and between the three of them, have lost almost 500 lbs. I swore I would never get fat. In high school and when I was in the military, I was never more than 210 lbs. I'm 5'10, but was athletic and physically fit. About the time I turned 25, I had gotten out of the military and started working for a local police department as a dispatcher. Sitting for 8-12 hours a day, talking on the phone and radios. It didn't help much that our office was right next to the break room and the vending machines. By the time I was 30, I was weighing in at 260. I got married to a wonderful cook and here I am, almost 40, and topping at 365. If I had held true to my word as a young man, I would have killed myself when I hit 300. Luckily I didn't and here I am. Eating for me has rarely been psychological. Or at least I don't think it has been. I enjoy food. I enjoy the tastes, the textures, and I enjoy a good meal. I guess I enjoy it too much. The only time emotion has ever come into play is every once in a while, when I get down on myself and down on life, I will order a pizza and finish the whole thing in one sitting. That happens about once every 3-4 months. So that's brought me to where I am now. I currently travel alot for my job and every time I board a plane and have to ask for an extension, part of me dies inside. It's not pleasant to watch people when they realize they have to sit next to the fat guy. Most people try to hide it, but many times I've gotten that "You've got to be kidding me!" look. I used to love flying. I decided to call my insurance company, Anthem / BCBS. I wanted to find out if they even covered bariatric surgery. Turns out that the plan my employer has with them does NOT cover any kind of weightloss surgery. Not the bypass, not the band, not a thing... So now, I wonder... do I self-pay or do I go thru the initial process and see if my Doctor can get them to approve the surgery? I went in for my initial consult with my local family doctor and he referred me to Tallgrass Surgical in Topeka, KS. They have a rule that before they will even see you, they require you to attend a monthly seminar for the lap-band. This is not uncommon from what I've seen. So, one Saturday morning, my wife and I packed up, drove over an hour to Topeka in the middle of a rainstorm, and got there 10 minutes late. I was turned away at the door, being told that they don't allow late arrivals. I will not do business with someone who is not only rude, but has no compassion for prospective clients. There are many other local doctors I can go to for my procedure. Anyway... has anyone had the same block with their insurance? What did you do? My credit is not the best, otherwise I would just finance it. I know I need to lose the weight, I just don't know how to overcome this $10,000+ hurdle. My name is Brian and I'm a fat guy... *sigh*:biggrin:

So the time is coming around again for the Canadian Bandster bash out in Mississauga. I am a member of the planning committee and we have rounded up some great people to come and speak. The organizers are all bandsters, but we wanted to open up the bash to all bariatric patients so we are changing the focus to wellness this year. I got involved after going to the first bash and learning so much, and having so much fun. We have some great people confirmed to speak to us including Monica Ganz of Obesity Help, Julie Janeway of Little Victories, Dr Barry Simon and a ton of others. We are focusing not just on the newly banded/WLS patients but on people in all stages of banding weight loss, maintenance, thinking about WLS etc. How do you take off the last little bit of weight, how do you maintain. How do you get over body issues all sorts of stuff to help out all sorts of people. If you are interested the website and registration is located at the following site. I can't say how much it helps people to meet others who are going through the same stuff they are and who understand. Besides we always have a blast hanging out together. www.canadianbandsterbash.com If you have any questions let me know. Hope to see you there. Heather:clap2:

It isn't the Health Plan that's your problem, it's the Medical Group or IPA that you're in. I'm confused when you talk about "my clinic" and "the doctor". which is which? Your medical group/IPA handles your day to day authorizations, Health Net just pays some of the claims and writes the policies. I changed surgeons because the first one had an office staff that was chronically disorganized. You can do the same. I don't know which surgeons are in-network for you unless I know which medical group you're with. HN B & G has contracts with the Mercy hospitals in Sacramento. Here is a link to their bariatric surgery info: http://www.dignityhealth.org/sacramento/services/surgical-services/bariatric-surgery/bariatric-surgeons Dr's Eslami, Shadle, Gatschet, and Machado all have privileges at both hospitals and are part of their program. I think they all have their own offices and staff. There are two different ways for you to see a surgeon: ask your PCP for a referral, or your PCP requesting an authorization. An authorization shouldn't be required for referral to an in-network surgeon, but in the case of bariatric surgeons, it often is. You need to go through your PCP to get the ball rolling, that's just the way it works. I know Dr. Eslami wants all his patients to have completed all health plan requirements before he sees patients for an initial consult. Your health plan isn't making the decision about your surgery, but your medical group/IPA have to use the health plan criteria in making their decision. Dr. Eslami expects PCP's to order necessary preop testing ahead of time so all that is done before he sees patients initially. His office communicates directly with the PCP's to get this done. I used to work with clients out in the Central Valley, many of who surgeries done by Dr. Eslami, so I'm most familiar with his practice. I hope this helps!

I completely agree with The Greater Fool above. It's not a matter of whether you are too young to have the surgery, but whether you have the right mindset and are ready to commit to a new way of eating for life. Some people in their 20's are ready, while some in their 50's are not. You have a tremendous opportunity by taking this step so early in your life, before you have developed a host of medical issues connected with obesity. You have the chance to enjoy a long and health life with bariatric surgery. Take advantage of it!

here are my doc's guidelines: FYI ONLY:this is the info provided by the Bariatric Clinic that i am using liquid DIET GUIDELINES PRE- WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY 1. Choose 3 "liquid calorie meals" per day. DO NOT drink liquids that contain more than 10 calories at any other time of the day. 2. Each "liquid meal" will consist of 1 cup (8 oz) of liquids that contains Protein and calories. (see options below) 3. Drink your "liquid meal" over a 30-45 minute period. 4. Drink only non-calorie beverages at other times of the day. It is important to stay hydrated. EXAMPLES OF "LIQUID MEAL" BEVERAGE CHOICES: · Skim or 1% milk · Carnation Instant Breakfast (sugar-free) made with skim or 1% milk · Ready-made liquid supplements (Ensure, Boost, Slim Fast) · Yogurt smoothie · Soy milk · Creamed Soups REMEMBER: The above liquids ARE NOT appropriate after you start eating foods again. TIPS: 1. Try having low-sodium chicken broth to help you feel full 2. Eat sugar-free Jello or sugar-free Popsicles between meals, if you start to feel hungry. 3. Avoid places and social situations where food is the primary focus, or bring your liquid meal with you. 4. Stay busy 5. Avoid watching TV commercials--most of them are about food! 6. Ask a friend to try doing the liquid diet with you. 7. Drink plenty of non-calorie fluids. Keeping your stomach full of non-calorie liquids will help to decrease hunger.

I'm new here but hoping someone can help me or give me some sound advice. I decided in Aug 2014 to have the bypass surgery as I read it can really help with diabetes which I was diagnosed with last year and now take 5 shots per day. I was familiar with the director of bariatric surgery of the local hospital as he had performed my colonoscopy last year. After attending his information class, I decided to proceed with the gastric bypass. I've completed all of his requirements then yesterday had another appointment with him hoping my package would now be ready to submit to the insurance company for approval. I've told him all along I neet to get this done by the end of the year since I've met my out of pocket maxium and because of my job. Our busy season starts January 1st and it's impossible to get PTO until June. He had previously said at my Oct appointment that if I was able to get everything done by the Nov appointment and assuming my insurance company doesn't take weeks to approve then I should be able to get it done by the end of the year. At my appointment yesterday he said he would review my paperwork at my Dec 11 appointment and I should have surgery in Jan or Feb. I left his office in tears! I'm ready to find another doctor! Any advice would be very appreciated!

Hi mimi, I have Kaiser Select. So, now I am going to GBMC. Kaiser said they only approve patients for bariatric surgery at John Hopkins if a patient has major complications prior to surgery.

You are getting alot of detailed feedback, but I think it is wise to step back and ask yourself the really big questions about your readiness for this. I too wish I could have achieved lasting weight loss when I was your age, but I have to be honest... I am not sure I was emotionally ready. Who knows? I think meeting some people in your age range, understanding their situation, discussing with a counselor or other support resources is a really good thing. Most bariatric centers have support groups and preops are welcome to them. I can't emphasize enough that you need to be "all in" to make this work. I am not talking about whether you can have a piece of bread or occasional alcholic drink (once you are goal etc) I am talking about the day after day, month after month, year after year lifestyle committment this takes. I think we all need to view WLS as the big huge hairy deal that it is and not imagine that it is just one more diet. I am NOT saying you believe that, I am just trying to get across a point strongly. I have been maintaining a big weight loss for 2 years and due to my history of ALWAYS regaining, I am still self observing with "guarded optimism" that this is finally it - I can stay trim for a lifetime. That is my dream and I WISH WISH I could have done it in my early 20s and not late 40s but that is MY reality. I just turned 50 and finally I am in single digit sizes and actually maintain the same size month after month - now that is a novel concept for me! I'll take it - beats the crap out of being morbidly obese and middle age..haha

Firstly don't worry about the fact that you haven't had many replies to your previous posts- this is such a busy forum and so many new threads each day, I couldn't keep up with all of them and most people just look at a few. I am similar to you, although I have only been banded since November and had one fill so far and pretty good restriction from it so I am one of the lucky ones. I postponed my appointment for my second fill as I am busy and I am still losing. I also don't want to experience being over restricted as the one time I got stuck it was awful and the few times I have had sliming have not been nice either. I discussed it with my bariatric team and they said that if I am still losing to wait a while for my fill. I know I can eat more than some bandsters (some seem to live on fresh air), but I like the fact that I can eat salad and veggies which some that I know can't. I don't eat ice cream and have managed to stay clear of chocolate mostly (just a few at Christmas) so I am going to wait until my weight plateaus before booking my fill. I have lost 52lbs since my pre op diet started in August and gone down 3 clothing sizes so I feel I am not doing too bad. Do let us know how you progress BSwhip, it is tough knowing what to do best and comparing yourself to other people who prefer their bands to be really tight isn't always helpful. Very best of luck, you are doing great! Sue Ps just joined a gym for the first time and going along for my induction this morning -hoping that will help boost the weight loss

Brigham and Womens Bariatric Weight Loss Center in Weymouth is a good place to start. They have information sessions twice per month. I don't know what part of the Cape you are on, but that might be a good place to start.

I know what you mean. Thankfully I have two people that support me completely so I feel like that's the main thing keeping me sane, but my roommates, family, etc are not supportive. Half of them will just be quiet about it and show their support by not talking about how much they think it's a bad idea. One I had to sit down and have a serious talk with about how their comments were hurting instead of supporting. My friend/landlord is taking their stress out on me because they're so worked up on worrying I'm ruining my life. They can't seem to comprehend that it's possible to not live to eat. We were even suppose to go grocery shopping together, but he cancelled saying I would just buy stuff for preop diet and he doesn't want to contribute or associate with it at all. No support makes everything so much harder. I suggest connecting with people who know what you're going through. I know my bariatric team has a support group every month and I've made some good friends that understand what I'm going through without feeling like I have to justify. Also one thing that has helped is becoming knowledgeable in everything I can involving the surgery. I wanted to be prepared as much as I can. Whenever my loved ones voiced their concerns I would respond back with a very informed answer. This has gained the respect of a few of my close friends so that, while they still rather I do not, they now back off and respect my choice. I really hope things get a bit easier for you. You can always talk to all of us on here. I think I would be so much more scared of this process if I didn't have this website and gastric sleeve support groups on facebook.

Not enough water but I've been working on it. Unfortunately, only hot beverages seem to go down nicely and I hate tea. I've been stuck drinking the bariatric hot chocolate and warmed up water. Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app