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They didnt take any blood or run labs. My bariatric doctor hasnt ran any blood work since pre-op. They gave me labs they want done and sent to them for my year check up. Luckily I have a great primary care dr and we have monitored things and other than my Vit D being a little low all labs have been great. I think my surgeon is a great surgeon and has a very very low complication rate and I am thankful for that but the follow up stinks!

Confusion can be caused by a variety of problems. This website lists 80 causes. https://www.healthline.com/symptom/confusion The ones I would focus on are numbers: 1, 7, 27, 28 and 62. #1 Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Many people develop a type of hypoglycemia after bariatric surgery called reactive hypoglycemia. https://www.ridgeviewmedical.org/services/bariatric-weight-loss/enewsletter-articles/reactive-hypoglycemia-postgastric-bypass This can also occur if you were diabetic prior to surgery and did not reduce your prescription medicine after surgery. #7 Low blood pressure. If you had high blood pressure prior to surgery and were taking prescription medicine for that condition. This may be an indicator that you may need to come off some of that medicine. # 27 Hypokalemia (low potassium levels). Make sure you are taking vitamin/mineral supplements for potassium. # 28 Hyponatremia (low blood sodium). Make sure you are getting enough electrolytes. # 62 Beriberi (B1 deficiency). I would also lump B12 deficiency into this one. After Gastric Sleeve surgery, my surgeon recommended 100 mg. Thiamine (vitamin B1) weekly and 500 to 1000 micrograms sublingual B12 weekly. While you were in the hospital, you were probably given a shot of B12 which is good for one month. Since you are 4 weeks post-op that is probably wearing off and you need to begin taking B12 weekly. I am not a doctor, so take everything I say with a grain of salt. But those are the areas I would explore.

Depends on your insurance requirements, as well as the bariatric program you choose. I just had my initial consult this Friday and found out my insurance does not require PCP clearance, but lots of plans do. Some bariatric programs may still require it even if it's not required by insurance. I also second suggestions to find a new PCP.

had a gastric sleeve a year ago tomorrow. Lost a bunch, put some back on. Starting to make the transition to plant based for my health mostly (reflux, diabetes, etc). I have read lots of good information and have seen Forks Over Knives, it was informative. My questions is on Supplements. Of course our bariatric doctors say Multi-Vitamin and Calcium supplement forever specifically for bariatric patient. Plant Based information says don't take any supplements. What do you all do? Trying to find a good middle ground. I'm on day 3 of my transition of trying to go plant based, what is your advice?

My surgery is approved and I am scheduled for November 22nd! I couldn't be happier! I thought I would share the news and my steps that it took to get here. While I only signed up on Bariatric Pal recently, I have read along to many of your stories since May. It's nice to hear the steps to the process and I know it helped me so here goes my process so far . My journey started on May 25th, my file was submitted to insurance on October 31st, I was approved by Cigna on November 4th, and my surgery is now scheduled for November 22nd. May 25th=Attended seminar, heard from the surgeon, and learned about the different types of bariatric surgery. June=Had my first appointment with the surgeon where we discussed my background, family history, and what type of surgery I was interested in. August 3rd=Psychologist visit where we discussed what type of support I have for the surgery, my background, and my feelings towards the surgery. August 3rd, September 2nd, & October 7th=Monthly dietitian visits. We would go over my food log for the month, any questions that I might have had, and discuss my progress. July, August, September, October=Monthly appointments with my primary doctor where we discussed what I am doing to lose weight. November 11th=Pre-surgery testing including an upper GI test, chest x-rays, EKG, and blood work. November 11th=Pre-surgery dietitian visit where we discussed what I will be eating post-surgery.

OhSoNique, I had called the insurance to see what the requirements were and was told only "medical necessity." I specifically asked during the phone call were there any requirements such as psych eval, weight counseling, nutritional counseling and was told that medical necessity was the only requirement. The Bariatric Coordinator for my surgeon had also verified (by phone) what were the requirements and she was told "medical necessity" was the only requirement. So, that was the information we started with and then they came up with the nutritionist thing. Another girl at my work who had the band had to have emergency gallbladder surgery and the surgeon unfastened her band because it had slipped. Evidently, once they slip the likelihood of the band slipping again is much greater. She is looking to do a sleeve. When she had the band surgery she only had to have a sleep study. Same insurance now wants her to go to nutritionist before they will approve the surgery. It appears the rules change at their discretion.

I take procare bariatric its only 10.00 a month

So, I called my insurance Tuesday to see if they had received the request to approve the surgery and they did not have a record of it. Ok, so I called the Bariatric Coordinator and she resent it with a note "2nd Request" and the next day she received a voicemail from the insurance that I met all criteria but I had to go through nutritional counseling. I was so frustrated! Both she and I had called and there were no pre-requsites only medical necessity. So, she called the insurance company back and they have not returned her call as of this afternoon. I have also reached out to our HR Benefits Director to check on this as both myself and the Bariatric Coordinator were told that there were no pre-requisites. I specifically asked was there anything else needed such as psych eval, nutritional counseling, etc. and they say no...just medical necessity. So, still waiting for an answer. Please keep me in your prayers that this will get cleared up quickly.

Has anyone had any experience with Dr. Yoo out of Duke Bariatric? They're a "center of excellence" and are (obviously) closely tied with Duke Health. My surgery's the 18th but so far has had an awesome experience with them. I'm just starting to get a bit nervous about the actual surgical part! lol

you're what we in the bariatric community call a "lightweight" (I don't know what the actual weight requirements are to be considered a "lightweight", but I'd say under 250 lbs). Lightweights lose slower than us heavier folks because they have a lot less to lose. I know you read about people losing 30 lbs the first month, but those folks are few and far between and usually weigh over 300 lbs. Your body's going to lose at the rate it wants to lose. The only control you have is to stick to your program. I was a "slow loser", and I have lost 227 lbs. It'll come off, whether fast or slow, if you stick to your program.

I arrived in Mexicali on Sunday afternoon, 10/2. I rode in with 2 other patients and we all visited and shared our stories. After our labs at the hospital, we were taken to the hotel and checked in about 4:30 pm. Since we were all really hungry, we met up in the hotel restaurant a few minutes later and had a really wonderful dinner. For a large plate of chile rellenos , Beans, rice, tortillas, chips and a margarita......my bill was $13.00! With a full tummy and a sleeping pill from Dr. Aceves, I had a very relaxing night at the hotel. Ernesto picked us up at 7:00 am, Monday morning and drove us back to the hospital. Since my surgery was the 2nd of the day, I was given a sedative to relax. The rest of the day is a blur. I remember people coming in to get me....blur........I remember looking up at the ceiling as I was being wheeled to surgery......blur.........I remember someone telling me to turn on my side and bend my knees for the spinal block....blur.....and OUT. I don't remember recovery at all. The next thing I remember is being back in my room, thinking it must be over and then falling back asleep again. I was in and out of sleep for the rest of the night, knowing that nurses came in and out, taking my temp and blood pressure, but not really ever becoming fully alert. Sometime early Tuesday morning, I told one of the nurses I needed to use the bathroom. Although I stumbled a bit, I made the trip successfully and immediately fell back asleep. Later that morning, they brought me those infamous 4 little cups of blue "apple juice." They weren't good, but they were tolerable. I sipped and slept, sipped and slept, sipped and slept for hours. Several times that day, Dr. Aceves, Dr. Campos and the nurses came in and told me to try to get up and walk. I'd answer "Sure, ok." with every good intention of doing it, but I'd always fall back asleep. I really had a tough time coming out of all that med-induced sleepiness. By late afternoon Tuesday, I finally got up and walked the halls. I was completely pain-free (yes, really.....it must have been the spinal block), but I felt unsteady on my feet and climbed back into bed about 5 minutes later. Tuesday night was pretty much the same as Monday night, but I woke up Wednesday morning feeling alert and energetic. I took a shower and even put on a little make-up! Wednesday, I walked several times, visited my neighbors, sipped tea and finally got a bowl of that wonderful chicken broth everybody raves about. Yes, it IS that good. By the time I left on Thursday morning, I felt pretty good - minimal pain and absolutely no nausea. It may have been this sense of well-being that caused me to completely overdo it on Friday. BIG Mistake! I met up with a friend Friday afternoon to do a "little" shopping that turned into a 5-hour shopping spree. I thought I was listening to my body.......I sipped Isopure all day........I took sitting breaks pretty often, but by the time I got home, I felt awful. My abdomen was completely swollen with Fluid and gas. I looked 9 months pregnant and felt equally uncomfortable. That was the first time all week I broke down emotionally. I remembered reading somewhere that Day 4 after surgery is the worst..........and that was definitely true for me! So, I sobbed myself to sleep Friday night and woke up Saturday with renewed energy and renewed resolve. I really took it easy that day. I stayed in all morning, sipping Protein and napping. By 3:00 pm, I felt good enough to take my son to a birthday party. It was a huge event, and EVERY single person there must have told me to eat......twice! But I politely told them I had eaten before I came and continued to sip on my bottled Water. The party lasted about two hours and I was definitely ready to come home by then. I went to bed about 7:30 pm, slept pretty soundly, and here I am at 5:00 am on Sunday, finally getting on the Internet for the first time since surgery. To sum up, I've really had a fairly easy recovery. Considering the mess my Band had made of my stomach and liver (Dr. Aceves told me it was NOT and easy revision) I've had very little pain except for the incision sights. I've experienced none of the shoulder "gas" pain I had with the Band surgery. I've had no nausea or stomach pain......just a lot of gas and gurgling. No doubt about it, those first four days kicked my butt, however, I think I'm over the "hump" now. I have one more week of recovery before I have to go back to work and I'm sooooo glad I didn't try to rush it and go back any sooner.

I just returned from TJ this week. No need to worry if you're working with the main groups. They run first class packages that take care of all of your needs so you can rest easy with Daddy at home with the kids. I used Tijuana Bariatrics and from landing in San Diego to my departure they were available and there for me 24/7. Even at the Marriott hotel the entire staff knew my nurse coordinator and had her on speed dial. These guys have it together. I promise you will also meet and bond with others in your group and you will spend a lot of time supporting each other.

Hi Cupcake. I originally was on the Beaumont diet and got a referral for that. Then I switched over to the process for the sleeve and never got another referral since its good for so many months. I just got the referral renewed. I went to my primary doc when i was sick and told him I was getting the surgery. He OK'd the test for the scope and I told him it was for surgery clearance. No one told me I had to have an OK from him. I assume they think its OK since he renewed my referral for the visits. What hospital are you using and why do you have to wait two months for surgeon?

I'm glad I searched before posting my issues with Omar. I first spoke with him in early 2016. Found out I was pregnant again so had to postpone. He was really nice and tentative. I even joined the Facebook group they have. Fast forward. I had my baby Dec 2016 and reached out again. Omar failed to tell me that he no longer works forBaja Bariatrics. He dismissed my questions, questioned me when I told him I was considering having the single incision sleeve and kicked me out of the Facebook group. He seemed extremely shady so I contacted Baja Bariatrics directly. Henry (Omar's replacement) and Dr Illan both called me next day to explain what was going on. I'm very happy I didn't give him any money or proceed via Omar's website. He has NO affiliation with Dr Illan. Please do not give him your money.

I'm going to Mexico July 15th because my insurance excludes all bariatric surgery. My BMI is 37. Out-of-pocket here would be almost $20,000 after all hidden charges. In Mexico, it is $7,000 and that includes EVERYTHING except airfare to San Diego. I am going to Dr. Aceves and believe me I did a LOT of research before deciding on him. Maybe you should check it out. Lots of info online about Mexico. Christine

My first appointment with my surgeon is on July 14th, so I have a good 5 weeks. I would like to use this time wisely. I don't feel the need to go on weeks of food funerals, though I am sure I will have 3 or 4 favorite meals during this time. But how else can I best use the time til mid-July? Here's what I am in the process of doing now: I have read several books and am well versed on the different surgery types, am uncertain btw. sleeve and RNY, will rely on physician input once he sees the whole health picture. I am seeing my primary care doc on this month to officially record starting weight, and let them know I am getting WLS. I will attend support group meetings. Am getting my psych eval done this week. Trying out different protein products. So I guess the big question is, do I start serious, low carb, dieting now, in the meantime? I am the type who can lose 20 pounds fairly easily, but then....I stall, and I stall HARD, and then I usually get sloppy and start slowly regaining. So I am a little worried about losing my 20 easy pounds, showing up to the surgeon mid-July and he says, hey lose 10% of your body weight before surgery please, and then I am stuck "starting over" right in the really hard part of every diet I have ever been on. Maybe I am whining here? I would like to do everything I can to get a head start before that first surgeon appt, since I'd like to do the surgery as soon as I can bc of work cycles (I work in college administration). I supposedly have no mandatory diet and exercise waiting period (we'll see on that....). I figure that starting to lose weight now will just mean it's some weight at least that I don't have to lose later, so maybe I should just jump in and diet? Try bariatric recipes? What do you recommend? Thanks for any input or advice.

You can find out for sure by doing the cottage cheese test, which is a valid test in the bariatric community... http://www.bsciresourcecenter.com/proddetail.php?prod=A4

Honestly? After talking to dozens and dozens of post-op bariatric surgery patients, it depends more on your genetics and your luck than anything. And I hate to say that. It's kind of like the loose skin issue. I wish I had a magical trick for the huge number of people that have asked me about my lack of hair loss and loose skin, but really - I got my protein in, I drank my water, I used bath and body works lotion a few times a week. 170 lbs lost, never lost any hair, barely any loose skin. I have no idea how, or why - neither does anyone else take your biotin, get your protein, drink your water - you could try to find some biotin shampoo! But honestly, I don't know if it makes that much difference. It seems that some people just lose the hair, and some don't. Good news? It will grow back!

OKay, first post for me, banded 10/15/10 have had hypothyroid since i was a slim & fit 40 yr old, am 66 1/2 now. Endo doc always had me at mid-higher levels of Synthroid, but at 50 my weight just kept adding on, 10 lbs a year at least. Good results from LB intil about 14 mos ago, i plateaued-out--but have kept same weight while exercising & not exercising. Last 6 mos, my thyroid has been fluctuating an unusual amount. I take .150 mcg Synthroid, which is 2 below the top amount, of about 10 dosages. I test again in 6 weeks. My band was put back to 10 cc after a painful 6 month journey discoverying my reflux had returned with a case of gastritis, just diagnosed by the gastro doc. Oh yes! NO Contrast die for people like me because I am alergice to the IODINE used in the contrast! A good thing to know at my age, but i am not complaining as I have really enjoyed health so far with all my parts intact! But, the pouch was dilated & sagged over the band, i think, because gastro doc sucked food particles during the endoscopy. So now, i am talking to my pouch to heal and not be saggy so Dr Stahl at Kirkland Clinic in Birmingham Alabama can put some restriction back. I just had to give a promo to the doc & the clinic is pretty well organized & fantastic & everything I have had done there. I live 45 milies south of Birmingham, the great medical mecca of the area. And, I had stopped my wellness visits at least 6 months ago, so this is my fault for not being more in touch--i knew something was really really wrong when i could no longer drink 10 oz of water at a time, it just took 3 weeks for me to get diagnosed & treated. Anybody even considering of voting for Obama, just realize that people like me will have to wait many more weeks of pain & discomfort to get treatment for stuff like this w/Medicare because the number of docs will radically thin out! will post again after i see the endo doc & the bariatric doc Stahl. I just pray my pouch can recover its elasticity--but I'm an older bird, so maybe not. Oh, also, with plateau, the skin & muffin top in jeans seems to be reducing slowly...somewhat. But, i am still a happy grandma & very thankful for what the band has helped me do...so far!

{sigh} This is not just about a birth certificate. From the lawsuit, here are some of the claims: - Obama was adopted by a Foreign Citizen, Lolo Soetoro, M.A. a citizen of Indonesia. - Obama has or had a passport from the Government of Indonesia. - Indonesia did not provide for dual citizenship when Obama received his passport there, which means he had to give up his US passport. - Obama would have needed to be an Indonesian citizen to enter the school he was enrolled in in Indonesia. - Obama traveled to Pakistan in 1981 with his Pakistan friends, stopping in Indonesia on the way to renew his passport. - Pakistan was a no travel zone in 1981 for American Citizens. Pakistan was not allowing American Citizens to enter their country, and therefore Obama traveled on his Indonesian Passport to Pakistan. Regardless of whether the Hawaiian birth certificate is real or not (or, I guess, the second one, because the first one was a fake), these are still legitimate questions to be answered. If Obama gave up his citizenship when he was a child, that makes him ineligible to be President. I know if you're an Obama supporter you don't like this issue, but that doesn't make people who have legitimate questions idiots or conspiracy-nuts.

Keep in mind that not all of your initial losses are fat pounds. In the realm of bariatric surgery, fat loss is what matters. The nurses at the hospital or surgery center probably infused several bags of intravenous fluids into you before, during and after your procedure. These IV fluid bags weigh a substantial amount and make it appear as if you've gained/lost more than you truly have due to water weight. Also, you lose weight and volume as swelling decreases. Don't worry...this will probably be the last week you ever lose 16 pounds.

Good Morning, I take the bariatric multi vitamin that is on supply at the hospital that I had surgery so it makes it easy for me and its a one a day pill. That is SUPER easy for me because I take it at 5 am before work and no worries through out the day.

Let's see if I recall enough about kosher eating. meats and dairy are supposed to be separated from other and pigs have cloved feet but they don't chew cud. Nope not kosher! Bariatric kosher though, as I recall it is Protein first so... Beef, yep. Shrimp, yep. Bacon, yep. Cream cheese, yep. Rosemary, nope. Lime juice, nope. The yeppers have it for the bariatric kosher win!

For those that have bariatric surgery benefits with United Health Care, they now approved Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy!!!! Hooray!!!! Here is the language from their Bariatric Medical Policy, dated 12/20/2007 that was in effect before 9/17/2009:The gastric sleeve procedure (also known as laparoscopic vertical gastrectomy or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy) when done alone and not a part of the full operation to complete a biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch is unproven due to inadequate clinical evidence of safety and/or efficacy in published, peer-reviewed medical literature. Here is the language from the UHC Bariatric Medical Policy dated 9/17/2009: The gastric sleeve procedure (also known as laparoscopic vertical gastrectomy or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy) when done alone and not a part of the full operation to complete a biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPDDS or DS) is proven in adults for the treatment of clinically severe obesity as defined by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Hooray hooray hooray!!! I've been so busy doing research, drafting appeals and feeling frustrated and miserable. On Monday I am calling my surgeon back to get a DATE!!! Luanne

My best friend is an ER nurse and works in a hospital where the main doctor is a bariatric surgeon, so she sees the complications that can happen. When I was researching WLS initially, I kept everything on the down low because I had similar feelings to the OP. Then I had some major health complications, including pneumonia and pulmonary embolisms that put me in the hospital three times in two months. My regular doctors told me that if I didn't lose at least 100 pounds in a hurry, I wouldn't live another year. I didn't like the WLS doctors I was researching and finally asked my RN friend about whether she though WLS was right for me, and she immediately recommend the doctor that she worked with, Dr Domkowski. I was sold from the first seminar I attended with him. For me, WLS was the right choice. I had all the same doubts and fears that it wouldn't work for me, or that WLS was somehow cheating. But, 19 months later, 120 pounds lighter, I DON'T CARE if WLS is cheating. I just care that I have a new, improved life and my health prognosis is once again normal. I still have more weight to lose, but I'm not in the red flag danger zone I was living in before. Thank God, Dr. Domkowski and whomever invented WLS! Your family needs to be supportive, or at least keep their mouths shut. Would they rather you wait until you're in the position I was in pre-sleeve? I applaud you for making a life-changing decision for yourself and for your ability to be resolute in the face of their disapproval. But, when it comes down to it, YOU are the person in charge of making decisions for your life. Their opinion is just that, their opinion. You are the person who has to live with the consequences and you are the one who gets to make the choices based on your own research. Oh, and as for having children, Tiffykins has two of the most adorable littles you'll ever see. Both were conceived and born after her sleeve...and she's been able to get back down to her goal weight fairly quickly, even after having two babies in quick succession. It is possible to have healthy children without sacrificing your own health after the sleeve. BTW, I apologize that I cannot seem to make paragraph breaks in my posts here lately.