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So, I've been researching this quite a bit and, after much thought, I began considering working with one of the reputable doctors in Tijuana (though I am still looking into a doctor in Alabama and one in Florida that can do it at lower cost). While I have the money to do it stateside, it would cause a significant delay to my upcoming plans, which include a move across the country, going back to school and purchasing a home. I reached out to one of the TJ doctors with great reviews and had the stark realization that I could have this surgery within a month or 2. They sent the preop diet info, the liquid diet info, a long medical history form to fill out. That scared me. It scared me with the idea of how soon my life could change. And in that moment, I realized, I'm not yet ready for the surgical path. I still want to try one more time on my own. I want to give it one more go. And in the event I really cannot do it on my own, I feel comforted by the fact that I am able to get help through bariatric surgery when I feel ready. I have options and that feels good. Moreover, another few months of savings will allow me to feel more comfortable spending a chunk of money. Anywho, thanks all for your responses to this thread. I'll def still be around, mostly lurking. Hopefully you don't hear back from me. But if you do, by that time I'll be ready. Ciao.

first I was going to oasis of hope now im going to mexico bariatric center arrive on 5th . surgery the 6th come back on the 8th..are you have binge eating issues ..i sure am..ugh. Where are you haveing yours done?

I have an autoimmune issue that causes dry mouth and in the past have used a sugar free chewing gum to help produce some saliva, but haven't for a while. Thing that comes to mind for me is I have always felt a little hungry after chewing gum. Not sure why, but maybe the chewing stimulates the stomach and it starts with the stomach acid to help digest the food it is expecting but doesn't receive. i certainly wouldn't be chewing gum within a few months of having WLS. I am guessing you are going to get a lot of differing opinions, but initially the most important one will be your surgeon's and then a number of months after surgery will possibly be your experience of it. There is this but no idea who wrote it, could be just your average punter. https://www.gastricsleevedietguide.com/top-6-gastric-sleeve-surgery-myths-fail/ There is this, at least a doctor https://www.drshillingford.com/blog/why-bariatric-patients-should-stop-chewing-gum-18203.html And another blogger, not a docter, there is a section on chewing gum https://thegastricguru.com/chewing-and-digestion

I like the Wonderslim brand of shakes from Diet Direct.com. They have many flavors. My wife likes the chocolate cream flavor. I like the dark cocoa cream, which I usually prepare as a hot protein cocoa. The same place also sells bariatric vitamins, by the way. Dave

I had to cancel my surgery for unseen circumstances. Now I have a new date. June 6th leaving the 5th..going to mexico bariatric clinic...i believe things happen for a reason. So far they seem to be more thuro on their process which makes me feel more confident in my decision.

Haha... thanks! I don't know... I am finally back in what I consider my real body. When I was obese, that was the nightmare for me. Couldn't for the longest time figure out WHY I suddenly gained so much weight, or how to regain control of my weight and health. We now think sleep apnea was my trigger. Took care of that, and bariatric surgery to reset my weight... and the great health is following.

My surgeon had me on the Bariatric advantage HPMR shakes for 2 weeks. I just started eating yesterday. I’ll be honest though...by day 9 of the shakes it got pretty rough i just couldn’t handle the taste or texture of the shakes anymore....it got to the point I was getting sick when I drank them. I haven’t felt hungry since surgery, but my mind thinks I am when my family is eating lol I just try to find something to occupy myself until they are done :) my surgeon said my goal is 173 because that would put me at losing 70% of my excess weight, but my personal goal is 160 We never talked about my bypass length. All they told me was that my stomach is now the size of a plum.

The BariatricPal Store carries a huge selection of Bariatric friendly Protein drinks at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/protein-powders. Here are some popular options: BariatricPal Protein ONE: MultiVitamin, Calcium, Iron, Fiber & Meal Replacement Single Serving Packet - 9 Flavor Variety Pack from https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/protein-powders/products/bariatricpal-protein-one-multivitamin-calcium-iron-fiber-meal-replacement-single-serving-packet-9-flavor-variety-pack Syntrax Nectar Protein Powder Sampler Variety Bag - All 17 Flavors! from https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/protein-powders/products/syntrax-nectar-protein-powder-sampler-variety-bag-all-17-flavors GENEPRO Medical Grade Unflavored 30g Protein Powder - 2nd Generation! from https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/protein-powders/products/genepro-medical-grade-unflavored-30g-protein-powder-2nd-generation Bariatric Advantage HPMR High Protein Meal Replacement - Available in 8 Flavors! from https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/protein-powders/products/bariatric-advantage-high-protein-meal-replacement Single-Serving Protein Powder Packets - Super Jumbo "60 Flavor" Sampler Pack from https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/protein-powders/products/single-serving-protein-powder-packets-super-jumbo-60-flavor-sampler-pack

I agree 100% with all of this. I personally liked Unjury and Syntrax products (Unjury products are only available through their Web site; Syntrax can be found through a number of online sites (including the Bariatric Pal store, I believe) as well as a few regular stores. But as Summerset said, YMMV. People's tastes are all across the board.

I see some others mentioning the preop diet. My program has this second diet only for when you have the second consult with the surgeon and you are a week from the surgery. This varies by program/center/hospital mine is bariatric advantage shakes one week prior to surgery and two weeks after.

I am required to purchase a special kit from bariatric advantage of meal replacements combined with vitamin bottlex2 and chews as part of the hospitals program here

The opposite. I went through a civilian bariatric program. I sent you a message

So I’m going thru Tricare Prime and Loma Linda Bariatric program (because the base we are attached to does not have medical facilities.) my husband retires next year and I’m praying to get surgery scheduled and done this summer before school starts for my daughter in August. Since there is a good chance I’ll be homeschooling. So if I’m understanding your response, you went thru a military medical facility? Is there a way to message directly via this app - id love to know more about your experiences.

Hey there, I did. I was approved and has VSG on 12/9/19. Are you going through a military bariatric program or a civilian bariatric program? I believe this may make a huge difference. I moved away to a different state and no longer see my surgeon for follow ups. I see a medical assistant from a bariatric program run by the military hospital. I am sure that if I would have moved here before the surgery, the program would not have allowed me to do it. My comorbidities were major depressive disorder and chronic back pain.

Our bariatric center wont do WLS unless you are nicotine free for 3 months. They do urine tests 2 weeks before and the day of to make sure you are nicotine free or no surgery. I had been a smoker for 30+ years and quit because I wanted this more then smoking. Its really a win win . I quit by vaping with non nicotine vape . Then a year later I started back up. Then I quit again for my breast reduction ( same thing no breast reduction with nicotine in system}You would think that would be it but no I am relentless and started yet AGAIN. I quit for this revision ( yes this is the 3rd time in 3 years) and I will never go back. Its just too hard to keep doing to myself and I actually like being a non smoker !

Hi Everyone! I'm from NW Indiana, and I started my journey nearly 18 months ago! After pills, diets, exercise, etc. I finally got a referral from my family doctor to see a bariatric surgeon last July. I called my insurance company and they said my insurance was covered if I met their prerequisites. I let the surgeon know and they of course called after my first appointment and they got the list of prerequisites. Although I had spent 6 months on a supervised diet with weigh ins twice a month, I had to do 6 months with the doctor and nutritionist, maintain my weight, have a 5 year history, show previous attempts to lose weight, etc. So I did all the standard things, and it was time to submit to insurance in February of 2020. I got a call from the nurse at UHC to check on me after my procedure, but I had not yet had any procedure. Nothing was approved yet! So the nurse checked and the procedure was denied - it was excluded by my policy! I was upset and appealed. My surgeon appealed, because they had a preapproval number from September. Still, UHC refused to cover anything. I was upset, and researched it. I found a website for my state that had information about Healthcare complaints, so I filed a complaint and included information about their calls with me and the doctor's office. I suggested that they review the calls and retrain their employees to properly look at a caller's insurance, because they always say to "Call the number on the back of your card to verify benefits." Then COVID 19 closes everything. The doctor's office closed my case, and I started researching self-pay. I found Blossom Bariatrics in Las Vegas, and I paid my deposit and scheduled surgery for June. Yesterday I received a letter from UHC. They are paying for my surgery with my original surgeon. I thought it was an error, a joke, a dream?!?! I called my surgeon's office and sent them a copy of the letter. They called me in shock and asked what I am doing in July. Well, I think I'm having my Gastric Bypass and hernia repair in July now - close to home and without traveling. I'm worried something will happen to change that. I am out $550 because I paid a deposit to Blossom and for an appointment. I called today to reschedule for now - I don't want to cancel and have my other surgery fall through and be left with nothing. My surgeon's office said I am only the second person to successfully battle UHC over their error and actually win. I am worried the bill will exceed the $40,000 limit that was not a condition of the original guidelines, and I am scared they will find a reason to refuse payment. I am anxiously awaiting surgery in 6 weeks and 4 days.

Hi Everyone, Just wondering if anyone has been to Parkview Bariatric Center in Fort Wayne IN ? My first consultation appointment is set for June 19th and I'm trying to do a little background if possible. Thanks

I was also a mild case - like you. In fact, I think I was also a 5.5. It was pretty borderline. The sleep physician said I should get a CPAP machine, but when I brought it up with the PA at my bariatric clinic, he said he wasn't sure if it would be worth it, since the sleep apnea would probably disappear after I lost the first 20 or 30 lbs, so I skipped it. I don't know if you have that option or not. But I felt the same way - I didn't want to fork over a lot of money for something I was going to use for maybe a month or two tops.

Hey y'all, got my sleep test results back...mild sleep apnea. And I mean like the range is 5-15 and I scored a 5.5....has anyone else dealt with such a low level apnea? I don't feel the apparent effects of it but now apparently I have to get and use a cpap machine. I am going to talk to my pcp and call the bariatric surgery department, there is no part of me that wants to pay money for a contraption that looks horribly uncomfortable...anyone have any thoughts or use a cpap for such mild apnea that has seen life changing changes for the better? Thanks guys! [emoji4] Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I was biting my tongue on this but it’s not smart to suggest candy bars or junk food. When there are plenty of healthy options out there. Like avocado, protein shakes like labrada lean body which are higher calorie and protein range but still very low carb and sugar. I’m a little confused I guess, I know you are 6’ 3” which is far off from my height of 5’ but even at your height a healthy weight range is considered 150-190lbs According to BMI charts which is BMI 19-24. You would have to weigh 140 or less with a BMI of 18 to be underweight for your height. maybe you aren’t getting enough protein for your weight rage. Try calculating your daily protein based on your weight. 0.36 grams protein per 1lb body weight, minimum. im not trying to offend anyone I apologize in advance. But sugar and junk food is a terrible idea to turn to after bariatric surgery. If you have stricture, I’d think these would be difficult to eat too.

Howdy to anyone and everyone out there! I have my own personal blog that I could post these fun things into, but right now, I like the anonymity that I have here from friends and family. While the vast majority of those I want to know, know( I do not plan on keeping it a secret for long after I have the surgery), there are things that I'd rather not put out just yet for all of my social media. Also, I ramble...a lot, just as warning. I hope to one day post all of the posts on my more public blog hopefully to help those that have questions or doubts about the surgery and what kind of process to expect(mentally, physically, spiritually and insurance-ly(?)). Case in point: most of today's post revolves around the steps I have thus far completed towards the insurance requirements. 1) I have completed my first supervised weigh in visit(or whatever it is called) and had gained a staggering 7 pounds since my consult with my surgeon. Holy balls. I refer to them as my 'pandemic pounds' and I vowed that every visit I had there on (with my pcp or other provider) I would not be heavier than my last visit...guys, that 7lbs put me at 347...my HIGHEST EVER WEIGHT. I was mortified. My highest before I had been at was a measly 320- and I'd been at that weight for YEARS. I digress. I got back onto the count-every-calorie-and-log-it train and I have slowly lost around 5-6 of those pounds. Which brings me to another point, if I count every.single.calorie.ever I will usually lose the weight, stop once or twice and get out of the habit of not tracking and BAM! all that weight back plus more. Ugh. I have upped my protein and water intakes drastically and I most admit, protein keeps me from being hungry and thinking about food all the damn time and I look forward to having the surgery that will go hand in hand with that as well as making it impossible to scarf down 4,000 calories in one sitting---done it, hated myself for it and have really started trying to tune into the brain and stomach signals when I'm full to stop and when I want the world to burn, to PUT DOWN THE ICE CREAM AMANDA and take a breather....it's a learning process, and while I'd LOVE to be able to get surgery tomorrow, I am happy for the 7 months of putting into place coping mechanisms as well as upping exercise(and by that, I mean finding things I like besides the long hikes I do in the winter). Step number 2: I have completed the psych evaluation, it was a 15 minute chat with a psychologist on Zoom or whatever telehealth platform they were using and then a 300 questionnaire that I have issues with--I hate the stupid things with vague, sometimes true and sometimes not true statements that you have to say you agree or disagree with. My paper says that the visit was supposed to also potentially discuss the results, but the guy told me once I'd turned them in he would write a report that goes to whoever needs it. I would like to know my results...guess I will call the bariatric department and make sure I'm not doing all this only to be denied in 6 months because of my evaluation-if that's the case, I've already decided I would find a place like Blossom or maybe Mexico to self pay. I digress. Step 3) Had to do a sleep study, had the consult with a nurse practitioner who decided since I have no major ongoing issues I could complete a home sleep study. Guys, it pretty much sucked balls(see pictures). Got that done, turned it back in and Thursday I have the results visit(I wish they could just tell me if I have sleep apnea or not--I will be kind of surprised if I do) AND weigh in #2 with my PCP! BTW guys, I can't stress this enough, if you don't have a PCP that you enjoy going to see and that will root for you, get you a different one. My PCP supports my decision to pursue bariatric surgery and I enjoy our conversations we have had thus far. Will be even happier if Thursday I am down a good 10ish pounds or so. Last item of business, I went to Michael's this past weekend (it was glorious!) and found this sweet box that I have come to refer to as my "You Got This!" box. My book with all my surgery info is in it, I also plan to write myself notes and put inspirational pictures in it(things I want to wear, places to go, things to do etc) to look through when all I really wanna do is eat 5 pounds of chocolate. I attached a picture if anyone is curious, I like having things like that. I should probably call it a night, it's already after 11pm and I have to be up for work here around 5am. Look for more of these hot mess blogs, they make me feel good putting it all (well, most) out there. -Amanda

I had really bad experience with Neurontin (gabapentine). Took it for a month for neuropathy after bulging spinal disk. I wet the bed every night on Neurontin but didn't now it was the med until one month followup with doc. He said that is a known side effect. Had good conversation with bariatric center RN about my concerns about both Celebrex and Neurontin. He made not in my electronic medical record and said to be sure I tell my surgeon before. RN suggested they could give me Toradol (ketorolac). Good immediate postop pain and nonnarcotic. Sent from my SM-T580 using BariatricPal mobile app

All my labs have returned EXCEPT the PTH and iron. But all the rest were perfect. I'm really trying to get back on the vitamin bandwagon. The bariatric office was just like "we can't recommend not taking vitamins". And then they wanted to schedule an appointment with the dietitian but I don't need to pay someone 50$ to tell me what I already know. They still have my chart showing me eating 600 calories a day because the last time I saw her in person was like 8 months ago. I eat 600 calories a meal now, usually. It's just weird that I don't gain. I ate crap on Sunday and got sick 4 separate times so I am really going to work on eating better.

Hi all! I will be getting my VSG with Dr Jorge Green at Renew Bariatrics this July. Any past experiences or testimonials from patients would be greatly appreciated

Hi All! I'm excited to say this is my first post. After a lifetime struggle of being overweight, I made the decision to have VSG. I'll be having surgery in Mexico this July. I've been doing my research and am motivated to keep myself accountable throughout my VSG journey. I have very little support in my personal life and understand it's an important resource to have throughout the journey. I am very happy to come across this ultra supportive site and thank you all that have contributed to the plethora of information available here. I was wondering if anyone could share advice/their story regarding their struggle with emotional eating and/or food addiction? How did you cope pre and post op? Any suggestions as to forums/support groups specifically dedicated for bariatric patients who struggle with emotional eating or food addiction? Thank you all and I look forward to getting to know the bariatricpal family!