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first of all, yes, you're not as big as a lot of bariatric patients, but I've been working with patient groups for the last three years, and they come in all sizes. There are always some in your BMI range (or at least who appear to me to be in your BMI range), so you won't feel like the lone ranger. as for food volume, a lot of us (not all - but most) lose their sense of hunger for several months, and many don't have much interest in food for awhile. It was a magical time...at least for me it was. No interest in food? Ha! I wish it had lasted forever! So you may not miss the volume as much as you think you will. Plus you'll fill up pretty fast on not much food. I had RNY rather than VSG, but it's similar - I used to be able to eat half a large pizza at one sitting, and it would be physically painful for me to do that now (even though I can eat much more than I did during those first few months post-op). So unless something is REALLY great and I want to eat it with abandon, it doesn't bother me that I can't stuff my face anymore. Plus I'm very used to eating around 1500-1700 calories a day now (but I'm in maintenance - I didn't eat that much during my weight loss phase). If I eat much more than that, I feel horrible - like a stuffed goose. So anyway, it's not very often anymore that I wish I could eat like I used to. a lot of bariatric patients who have serious food addictions work with a therapist - so you may find that helpful if you're still having issues with that after surgery. It seems like many bariatric clinics have a therapist on staff....and if not, they can refer you to one who's familiar with food issues. EDITED to add that I agree 100% with the poster above - if you can't get a handle on the addiction, you're not going to be successful with this, so definitely seek counseling if you're still having problems with it after surgery.

I think this must be very common...same happened to me, nothing with the suppository. Surgeon had prepared me this may happen, and if so, try Fleet enema. If we overdo our electrolytes get off whack, though. I’ve been struggling with constipation too. Have tried about everything, Miralax daily, stool softener every other day, Milk of Mag, etc. Bariatric nurse practitioner suggested I try Metamucil, Sugar Free. The psyllium husk adds fiber, which my body was always used to and not getting in these early restricted limited eating days. She said first month post surgery no one should use Metamucil/psyllium because it can gum things up, but 4-6 weeks out it’s fine and likely what I need to get over the rock hard stool that won’t move.😓 Bought Metamucil Orange Sugar Free and past 2 days I’ve had very good luck! It’s also quite palatable. Ordered it on Amazon, but everywhere carries it. I do drink about 80oz of water, Propel, etc. Good luck!💖

Hi All. I just found this site and am looking forward to reading everything! I'm hoping to be scheduled for late June. I'm working quickly through my requirements. I've started changing my eating habits to prepare for post bariatric life.

Which Vitamins do you use for bypass (revision)!? I bought some on amazon 4m ago as I thought I was having the revision in March But COVID has other plans for me :-(  So I bought Bariatric Fusion - vitamins: chewable and Iron chewable soft chews. Omg. horrendous tasting.  What do you like?  I was thinking of doing Flinstones again like I did with my sleeve. Maybe some gummies. 

This Bariatric Multivitamin 45 on Amazon has everything but calcium and only costs $19.99 per month. Sent from my SM-T580 using BariatricPal mobile app

Bariatric FUSION is missing two important vitamins. Folate and Vit K. Amazon has Folate 800 IU which is amount recommended. But cannot buy Vitamin K by itself. They are all D3 with K2. None of the Bariatric brands CHEWABLE vitamins (for first 3 months) are complete with all recommended at proper dosages. WTF. Sent from my SM-T580 using BariatricPal mobile app

I would go directly to the bariatric surgeon. They will take care of the insurance and then all you have to do is go to your PCP for a clearance. At least that's what I've known people to do. Good luck! It's MY time!

Hmm. I don't think I got that... my doctor referred me to the bariatric clinic and that was that. I did six months of weigh ins and nutrition and got cleared for surgery. But it took them a month to approve the surgery and they had to schedule me another month out because they had too many in December. But then again, I was 385 pounds so... it was kind of obvious that it was medically necessary when my BMI back then was 62... I hope everything works out for you!

Depending upon what surgery you're having that may work for you, but probably only if you're having the sleeve. I WAS taking 3 Bariatric Complete Multivitamins and 3 Bariatric Advantage Calcium Citrate, but due to certain... circumstances (overabundant iron and raised calcium) I now only take 2 Bariatric Complete Multivitamins, 1 Celebrate Multivitamin WITHOUT Iron, and 2 Bariatric Advantage Calcium Citrate a day. The Bariatric Complete is $20 and with 60 pills only taking two a day means it lasts for a month. Celebrate is $22 for 60 pills and since I only take 1 a day that's a 2 month supply. The Bariatric Advantage Calcium Citrate is $25 for 90, but since I only take 2 a day that's a 45 day supply. So roughly that'd be $472 a year which is about $1.29 a day. It's really not that bad...

My PCP would not refer me either. I was “healthy” and young and just fit the criteria barely. I told her that I needed support and that the bariatric program I was joining could give me services to help in my weight loss that I needed. I told her I’d try the program out for the other benefits and come back to her before my surgery and discuss if it was the right decision if I wanted to do it. I knew all along I was going to do it and never went back to her- maybe I should have because I told her I would but I really dislike my PCP so I didn’t mind.

My bariatric center sells Fusion vitamins. You have to take 4 times a day but don't need to buy calcium/D3. It has everything you need in one chewable tablet. Any of you tried this? I think it's about $25 for one month's supply (120). Seems cheaper than buying multivitamin plus calcium chews.

During coronavirus pandemic, I would be cautious about going to Mexico. Very little data is available on how widespread it is down there. And no testing being done. Another thing to consider is any complications you may have as a cash pay patient will not be covered by insurance, Some complications can require long hospital stay and cost 5 times the price of surgery. Also, patients need lifetime care with bariatric team to watch for vitamin and other deficiencies. Do you have a local bariatric center that will monitor you for years to come? Sent from my SM-T580 using BariatricPal mobile app

A lot of people have given great advice. Another left to say, bariatric surgery is not just "cutting away your stomach". This is a metabolic reset. As you diet, your body actually sends out hormones to get you back to your "set point" which is generally a heavier weight. It increases hunger, decreases your metabolism, etc.. making it harder to lose weight or stay at a healthy weight. This hormone reset is why some diabetics can go off medication so quickly after surgery. These surgeries really do change more than just your portion size. You SHOULD be able to eat more than chicken and vegetables and still be healthy. Your diet should not rule your life to that extent. And trust me, if you keep piling it on and taking most of it off, but not all, your weight will continue to become a bigger problem over your lifetime and you will NEED that metabolic assist. Take the chance, even if its scary. Get healthy. Use the tool of a smaller stomach, and the disconnection in that chemical signal chain, to give your body a new reset point. Break the cycle of putting weight on and taking (most) of it off. You can do it!!

Congratulations! No one would understand the excitement except us Bariatric family! I’m getting closer too!

those are averages. The average bariatric patient can expect to lose 70% of their excess weight. However, as with any average, there are people who fall on either side of that. There are plenty of us around who have lost much more than that. If you're committed, you can too.

I think it's probably real, but I think it gives a lot of people - including WLS patients - the wrong impression about WLS. First of all, those people weigh over 600 lbs. I've been working with pre-op groups for the last three years - at least one a month. I have NEVER seen anyone nearly that big in any of the groups. Never. I would say most people in those groups are around 250-ish lbs - and there are always a handful that are probably 300-400 or maybe 450 lbs tops. Most surgeons refuse to operate on patients bigger than that, so they go to high-risk specialists like Dr. Now. But people think most bariatric patients start out at that size, because that's all they've seen on TV. I think the show also features people with a lot of weird issues (as opposed to basically normal people who happen to be morbidly obese, like most WLS patients) because it juices the ratings up. anyway, among the wrong impressions it gives people about bariatric patients: that we all stuff our faces with pizzas all day long, that we all have bizarre mental "issues", that we drop massive amounts of weight every month (I can't even tell you how many new post-ops here on BP and other forums worry themselves sick because they didn't drop 40 lbs the first month. Good Lord. It's because it's very unusual for someone who starts out at 250 or whatever pounds to drop that much weight. I'm pretty sure they have this expectation because they watch "My 600 lb Life"). I also HATE the fact that they show these people in the shower - or sitting on the toilet. What is the point of humiliating these people? anyway, not a fan. At all. I guess a "pro" is that it's exposed a lot more people to what WLS is all about, but I think it gives them very inaccurate impressions of it, too.

Hey everybody, I just started my journey this week! The good news is Aetna, my insurance company, and probably many of yours, has revised their obesity surgery guidelines effective May 1, 2020. They have removed the need for weight loss or maintenance of 3 months or 6 months, and now only require 12 intensive appointments in a multi-component program that you are most likely already in the middle of :) So great news... I also talked to the insurance peeps yesterday and asked specifically about the 12 intensive appointments, and they said, it was just a number to guarantee that you were an established bariatric surgery patient following a program, but that the new guidelines were now just based on approval of completing your doctors program!!!!!! Spread the word, you could be a lot closer to a surgery date than you thought :) I have attached the url to the medical bulletin below :) http://www.aetna.com/pharmacy-insurance/healthcare-professional/documents/obesity-surgery-precert-form.pdf On April 21, 2020 this revision was made on the medical bulletin and can be found here http://www.aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/100_199/0157.html#dummyLink2, under the review history on the right side bar, then look for 04/21/2020 "This CPB is revised to state that bariatric surgery is considered medically necessary when criteria are met and member has participated in an intensive multicomponent behavioral intervention designed to help participants achieve or maintain weight loss through a combination of dietary changes and increased physical activity. The intervention must be intensive (12 or more visits) and occur within 2 years prior to surgery. This CPB is revised to remove the requirement that the member maintain or lose weight during this program. This CPB is revised to state that bariatric surgery for is considered medically necessary for adults with a BMI greater than or equal to 35 with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and for adolescents with a BMI greater than or equal to 40 with NASH, when criteria are met. This CPB is revised to require cardiac clearance, obstructive sleep apnea screening, and optimized glycemic control as prerequisites for obesity surgery." I SOOOOOO Hope this makes someones day :) So glad to be here! Aetna PreCertification.pdf

Hi, @NovaLuna, Sorry that you are having a bathroom issue. I know that its not fun or easy. I have the Loop done too, almost 1 year ago. I never had bathroom issues all that much until I started taking iron for the anemia that showed up a few weeks ago. I have always taken only 1 bariatric multivitamin for the past 7 months or so. I say this because for me I really think that the extra iron has been an issue. The only reason I went with one bariatric multi is because I didn't want to take anything more than what was necessary and all of my labs are great so, yea, take what is necessary based on Dr. and your blood work. Try lessening whatever has iron, especially if this was DR. orders, also how much protein are you getting? It could be a combination of too much protein, too much iron, and not enough natural/healthy fiber like veggies/fruit. Personally I had a diarrhea issue in the very beginning. then everything seemed normal until the added iron a few weeks ago. I was told that iron can cause constipation and that any WLS in general, constipation can be a side effect. It is all about trying what works for your body. Good luck!

This book really addresses the issue you’re concerned with. Dr. Weiner helps you work through whether you have the burning desire to succeed at WLS, and if not, it’s best to wait a bit and try to get it right the first time. I respect your fears, it shows you’re aware of the pitfalls and are taking it seriously. For $13 something on Amazon, and an afternoon easy read at 150pgs, I believe you’ll gain valuable information and perspective from his bariatric surgeon with 2 decades of experience, determining which ones were ready, which ones were not. Be gentle with yourself...we’re walking the same journey with you!

I had my surgery March 9th, then all the lockdown started. The surgeon did a brief tele conf, a couple of times. Was really abrupt. The office was closed to questions. I had shakes and soups for the first two weeks. The first month the scale hadn’t moved, except one day to go up two pounds, that stayed for three weeks. Very frustrating, to say the least. I got a free app for my phone, called ProTracker. Counts calories and nutrients. I found when I went to 1100 calories, things started moving. I eat very small portions of Greek yogurt, chicken, lean pork chop, tuna, garden meatballs, for main meals. Supplement with small fruit portion, or the bariatric bars and snacks. Absolutely no support. Need someone to tell me I’m doing this right.

no regrets at all - I'd do it again in a heartbeat. In fact, I'd do it every year if I had to! I've never heard of any correlation between WLS and pancreatic cancer. Most people have no complications at all or only minor ones that are easily fixable. And I've never heard of people getting pancreatic cancer from it. Once in a great while you'll hear of something like a bowel obstruction (this would be considered a major complication, but fortunately, it's very rare), but cancer, no. I've never heard or read about that anywhere, and I've been pretty active in the bariatric community for the last six years. On the other hand, I was facing all kinds of complications when I weighed 373 lbs, including an early death, most likely. WLS very likely saved my life.

I almost gave up...again. I almost decided that my health wasn't worth waiting another month. I almost did, but I didn't this time. An inconvenience that would not phase almost anyone else made me second guess myself for the billionth time. But this time I stuck with it, even though I was disappointed, even though deep down I wanted to use the fact that my first (of seven) doctor supervised “diet” appointments was made into a telehealth appointment that I subsequently did not attend due to some idiocy on my part and therefore had to push my timeline back another month. I wanted to give up, I wanted to cancel every single appointment the bariatric department had made me already. But rational, 30-year-old Amanda kept focused that it was a minor setback, easily remedied by making an appointment for October for the last visit. Also, my first doctor supervised appointment was last week and it was in clinic, gained 7lbs(I call them pandemic pounds -_-) and forgot how much I like my doctor! Actually had a conversation about what changes to make, how things were going and goals for my next visit! Also also, today is my 90 day mark of having quit smoking! WOOHOO! I am in the process of making a playlist for days like that(because really, the most doubt was only around for at most a day or two) to get me through the self doubt of my decision even though for 99.999% of the time I am 120% committed to doing this for me. No pressure from anyone else, no real (or imagined)judgment(s) from others to do what I feel like they want me to do. This is on me. A playlist that will incite courage and faith in the journey, to remind me that the process isn't a sprint but a marathon that must be paced accordingly. --If you have suggestions, I'd love them!--- I did my psych evaluation today. Going into it not knowing what to expect was only mildly nerve wracking. The possibility the answers I gave on a 300 some odd questionnaire with stupid statements will preclude me from having surgery does weigh on part of my mind. And let me reiterate the stupidity of the questions, many of which could easily be changed from 'true' to 'false' and vice versa depending on my mood or how my day had been going. If that is how it goes, then I guess that is how it goes. And plan B will have to be found—Mexico maybe? Each month I am trying to focus on changing a habit, getting into a new mindset. I have incorporated more water and protein. This month (after being weighed at +7lbs than my last weight at my doctor's visit) I have re-started logging food and am gradually cutting out the sugar(cookies, candy etc). My highest weight used to be 320, now, with embarrassment it is 347. I was speechless and upset. I luckily do not have any comorbidities...right now...and like I told a coworker, play with fire for to long and you will get burned. In my case, I'm going to get burned badly. With diabetes and high pressure lurking in my family lines it is only a matter of time not to mention my poor knees. That's all the musings I have for tonight. Have courage, keep the faith, Amanda

I didn't feel that way BUT I was already on antidepressants when I had my surgery and I have heard many people talk about having similar feelings. Some people feel even worse and completely regret their surgery. I think depression, anger, sleeplessness, etc. are also quite common during the pandemic, especially for women. I don't know if you are open to this but my insurance is offering many options to talk to a therapist online via Zoom. You might find that helpful if it's something yours offers. I would think someone with bariatric surgery experience would be best. Maybe your surgeon's office can recommend someone? Feel better! You're doing amazing.

My original surgery time was suppose to be the around the end of March. Like many others I was postponed until further notice. On April 25th I started having horrible abdominal pain. It got so bad that I ended up going to the emergency room late that evening. Well due to having some of my pre-op testing already done (in January) I had found out that my gallbladder was in what the nurse referred to as “yucky conditions” and she was surprised that I wasn’t having any pain then. So after a quick google search the only thing I could assume was wrong was I was having a gallbladder attack! I had never experienced anything like it before, it was awful! So, while in the emergency room I found out that my Bariatric surgeon was the on-call surgeon for the night and he said wanted to see me in his office on Tuesday (April 28). So the ER doc prescribed me antibiotics and pain medicine and sent me on my way. On Tuesday my husband takes me to see my surgeon and we discuss taking out the gallbladder. When my husband says that he should just go ahead and do my surgery AND take out my gallbladder at the same time. When my surgeon says that he would like to do it that way but gastric bypass is considered an “elective surgery” and he can’t do that. So my husband says he just doesn’t see why I would have to go under anesthesia twice when it wasn’t really necessary. So my surgeon makes some calls and tells me that he has been approved to do both the gallbladder removal AND the gastric bypass because the president of surgery doesn’t find it necessary to undergo anesthesia more than one time if it could be avoided! So they finished my pre-op testing and schedule me for next Thursday May 14th. The only thing that could stand in the way was my H Pylori test....I’ve been waiting to hear my results from that for a week. Well I just got my results today and I am cleared for surgery!! I AM HAVING MY SURGERY NEXT THURSDAY!!!! I am feeling so many different things right now....I am definitely scared and nervous...but more than anything I’m excited!

Thank you SO MUCH for suggesting that those of us who have UMR to contact the bariatric team there. I have learned so much in the past couple of days . . . the most important thing I have learned is that UMR / United HealthCare Choice Plus have done away with the 6-month requirement. I was told that giving them documentation from my doctor concerning the many different ways I've tried to lose weight over the last 15 years will be sufficient. This is HUGE (no pun intended). Once I choose a surgeon and center, UMR suggested having my PCP send over my entire chart to them for review. Apparently you can never have too much detail. Their policy is to give a decision within 30 days. I feel so validated. I was really getting irritated at having to go through some 6-month kabuki theater exercise to satisfy a bureaucratic requirement when I've had so many failed attempts (Weight Watchers, Medifast/Optavia, Mayo Clinic Online, and tons of exercise). This feels so much more reasonable. Thank you, UMR! And thank you, Chris NH!