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When I went to be with my brother and his family for Christmas 2014 and my 16 year old niece begged me to wait in the car while she ran into the grocery store. I realized she was embarassed to be seen with me. My heart broke that day. I contacted the nearest Bariatric Clinic when I got home. She graduates this June and it will be 3 years since I have seen her and hope to be down 100# by then. My heart still hurts when I think about it.
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Orlando/Central FL Local Support group for sleevers
shelleyjohn replied to Laura1014's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I went to Dr Texeira with Orlando Bariatric -
nyteacher125: I thought the same thing. All being medical professionals, I was hoping for a little more understanding in scheduling with the Bariatric Center office. My chief/boss seems happy for me, which I'm grateful for his understanding and willingness to work with me. But I work in Anesthesia, and we are require to have so many CRNA's during certain hours of the day. So leaving early and/or coming in late is really hard to accomplish. Valentina: Thank you so much for the info! I feel a bit better knowing that maybe I can figure out doubling up (or more) my one on ones on the same day. No hernia or ulcer to complicate scheduling further. I'll definitely ask about multiple surgery dates, that's a great idea. The Bariatric Center near me is a Center of Excellence, but it does not offer on-line seminars. I'm hoping to find someone in their office who is willing to work with me. The ladies I talked to at the info session were less than helpful. I'm trying to remain hopeful that I can find just one person at the center willing to understand my scheduling issues. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App
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My Pre Op Vitamins and Minerals? Converting to Post op...
catwoman7 replied to A. Dixon's topic in Duodenal Switch Surgery Forum
a lot of surgeons still recommend Flintstones, but the ASBMS now recommends adult multivitamins, not children's. Some patients use fancy bariatric vitamins, but a lot of people on another forum I'm on just use Centrum or the generic equivalent. scroll down to Table 5 for vitamin recommendations. It specifically says to avoid children's vitamins: http://asmbs.org/resources/integrated-health-nutritional-guidelines -
My wife has been in Dr. Davis's program since the first part of this year. We have Aetna and they required the 3 month program along with medical records from the last five years, a letter from her primary doctor, etc. Unfortunately, Dr. Davis's office has not been much help in this process. His office staff seems overwhelmed. Basically, my wife gathered all of the info they needed and gave it to them. They have botched the internal process every step of the way. Dr. Davis has changed office managers and other key employees at least once this year. The change didn't seem to help. They consistently assure my wife that things are being taken care of (like submitting the paperwork to Aetna for final approval) only to find out a couple of weeks later that they have done nothing. It's very disappointing that Aetna has chosen Dr. Davis as the only bariatric doctor in the Houston area. I am sure they wouldn't be happy with his performance if they knew. His whole program is very impersonal. The patients get treated like a number from day one. It seems that the entire goal of Dr. Davis's office is to process patients through the system (mental health visits, nutritionist visits, & all the other things required by insurance) in order to get them approved rather than really creating a program that educates the patient on what they need to know pre & post surgery. If you use Doctor Davis I believe he probably does a good job on the actual surgery but everything else about his practice is greatly lacking. You'll need to do your own research to equip yourself properly for the aftercare program. If my wife had a choice she would take her business elsewhere. Repeated calls to Dr. Davis's office to resolve these issues fall on deaf ears. It seems he doesn't really care if he has a disgruntled patient or loses one here & there. After all, he's got a line of 'em out the door waiting to get in. Its kind of like Wal-Mart losing a customer....so what, who cares? There's more where they came from.
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I went to my orientation today. I met with the bariatric head of the hospital. The hospital has performed over 7,000 lapbands and are a center of excellence. With that said, the lady was banded 7 yrs ago. Her husband and son are both banded as well. And on top of it, she runs hundreds of support groups so has a LOT of experience. Today she mentioned she orders a shot of vodka and then a glass of Water. Then she mixes her crystal light into the water and add's the shot. She also said she DOES have carbonated bevvies. Not often and she said it much slower because you have to let the bubbles go down. But she said every once in awhile she craves a diet orange soda or a beer. So with all of her experience, I trust her in not giving out bad info as she keeps pretty up to the minute. Anyways, champagne may be tough to drink and may not be your regular go to, but I am sure a few sips here and there will be ok just like having a martini every so often.
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Thank you to everyone for your support & suggestions. I have been back on track for 5 days now & I think the sugar cravings are about gone. I swear it felt like withdrawal...not that I know what that feels like, lol. I plan on seeing Fat Sick & Nearly Dead if I can find it at the library. I made an appointment with my old therapist for the 25th of this month. I fessed up to my partner about going to the store almost every day & getting junk to eat & then hiding the wrappers in the trunk of my car. It went well. We had a long talk. I went to my bariatric support group meeting Thursday night & that helped a lot too. One woman there is having the surgery next month & she weighs over 400 lbs. I looked at her & thought to myself, "If you keep going the way you are, you will end up back to where you were & you do NOT want that" I think once I get a few things off my chest in therapy, I will feel better. I did go for 1 20 min walk, used my punching bag one day & have used my pedal cycle twice for 30 min each time. I am trying to work up to either going to the gym or going back to Zumba. I HATE exercise so it is hard. I know all of you can relate in some way or another. Once again, thank you!
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REGAIN! I feel out of control and I need help and advice, please no judgement.
Born in Missouri replied to kat__p's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
You're brave. I could feel the pain in your words, but I could also feel a renewed sense of hope for better things to come. LIFE has kicked you around long enough. Now it's your turn to kick LIFE in the nuts!! Continue to vent. It helps you to get rid of a lot of the toxic "shame" that has been holding you back. -
I'm scheduled for March 8, 2011 now and would love to hear experiences with the Scottsdale Bariatric Hospital and Dr. Blackstone. I read somewhere that Dr. Blackstone offers a massage on the 2nd day post-op. Does she still do this?
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Too Depressed For Surgery... What?
shellbell125 posted a topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Follow up with the program's psych today. He thinks I'm on too many medications and that I'm too depressed for surgery. He, the psychologist is questioning my psychiatrist? Uh, who's the medical doctor here? According to his psychological tests I'm off the charts in depression. His "tests" say that I am passive dependent (wth?), gives up easily, oppositional, pessimistic and a poor candidate for surgery at this time as compared to other bariatric patients. Boy I sound like a real winner, who here wants to be my friend now? (oops that's sarcasm and pessimism) So my first reaction was to cry, then scream and tell him what to do with his tests, but I thought he would probably make note of that. It took everything I had, but I sat there and listened to his recommendations which was to go get a second opinion and start all over with my meds, get a "clean slate". Are you kidding me? My psychiatrist knows my history, knows what medicines effect me how and he's the one who helped me when I was face down on the floor. That was 12 years ago. Since then my weight has gone up, but my moods have been pretty steady, lower then the average person, but we are all different. I just can't believe this. I finally make this decision then bam right in the face. Like I'm going to get happier being this miserably overweight and in pain? Anyone else gone through this? Help? If I wasn't depressed before, I'm devastated now. Way to start the weekend. -
Tricare Anyone?
Robin Lanzoni replied to BZButterfly79's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Newbie here... I sure hope I don't sound stupid but, how do I find an MTF? I live in Cape Coral, FL (Near Ft Myers). My husband is in the National Guard. He's home right now but is leaving for Afghanistan in February (he's already deployed 3 times to Iraq before this). I'm on Tricare Standard right now but I think I could have Tricare Prime when he deploys. When I started the journey to decide what was best for me, I first called local Bariatric surgeons asking if they accepted Tricare at all. "No no no" was all I got so I finally called Tricare and the closest Bariatric Surgeon that accepts it is in Tampa (about 2.25 hours from here). Originally I wanted the lapband but, as I've researched, it just does not seem like the right choice. I work full time and it would be extremely difficult to drive to Tampa every 6 - 8 weeks for fills for the rest of my life. I've been to a seminar locally but the Dr in Tampa won't see me until I've been to HIS seminar. Understandable but, when I called his office to ask them if they know if Tricare covered the sleeve, they wouldn't answer the question. They just kept saying that I had to attend their seminar first, then I could make an appointment and insurance/options would be discussed. I said, "I don't want to drive over 2 hours to attend a seminar just to find out the procedure I think I want will not be covered. Can't you just tell me now?" Nope. I have an autistic child and getting away from the house for extended hours is difficult. I've read about people getting the sleeve at MTF but I don't know where to find one. MacDill AFB is also in Tampa but I don't know if there's an MTF there. Even though my husband has been deployed so much over the years, I feel left out of the loop of the normal, full-time military wife. I don't have any other military wife friends. Can you give me any advice? Robin -
My process was smooth
healthy & fit replied to KLM1959's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hi I'm new here I'm having my Bariatric bypass surgery Aug 26th -
Contact Customer Care line and they will tell you who does the surgeries in your area. Kaiser really does not let you choose and they centralize everyone into one location in your area. Did you try going to www.kp.org? There you can view the available services and doctors in your area and find more information about the bariatric program. My close friend, and she is also a nurse for Kaiser, is using them for her Lap Band and it is a long process. She first had to get some lab work done and an EKG before her doctor would even refer her. While she was waiting on that she did attend the seminar for bariatric surgery with Kaiser, you can attend that without a referral it think and there you will be able to get all the information you need. After all she told me it sounds like she will not be able to have her surgery until next spring with all the classes she needs to attend and the waiting list. I also have Aetna and I went that route for my surgery instead of Kaiser. Good luck, start with the seminar at Kaiser first and write down all of your questions to ask when you are there. Keep me posted please.
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I am from Abilene and was banded and then abandoned by Dr Einspanier. I have had an absolutely MISERABLE time since then --> NO ONE WOULD TAKE ME ON FOR AFTERCARE. I'm sure those from Abilene in the similar situation have had the same problems and will breath the same sight of a relief because... CARE IS COMING BACK TO ABILENE Have you seen all those big green bulletin boards around town for "Bariatric Solutions"? I didn't really take them seriously... how good could a place be that needs to cover a town almost 200 miles away with giant boards advertising 'seminars with door prizes' and 'summer lapband specials.' BUT they do actually take a lot of insurance plans so I thought I'd give them a shot. I visited them yesterday in Dallas and was delighted not only by how nice everyone was, but by the news they gave me: they are soon to begin deploying something to Abilene called a "BandWagon" (ha, right?) - for FILLS!! And yes, it bears repeating, they take insurance!!! I didn't get the timetable for this because I was too busy dancing for glee. My only question is: what took them so long? Abilene has been a completely untouched market crying for care for a YEAR now. C'mon!! I'm legitimately surprised that no other enterprising dr/facility has swooped in to fill the need before this. ... though I guess I answered my own question: it's ABILENE. Oh, well... but good news, yes???
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Kaiser Southern California Pays for Lap Band
caligirltt replied to missbossyboss's topic in Insurance & Financing
Who has a So Cal PCP that will give thema referral. My PCP says he will not refer anyone for bariatric surgery. So I ahve to find a new Dr! -
Anyone what the right goal percentages are for a bariatric diet? Like how much fat, carb, Protein? Putting 100% protein is unrealistic because everything has some kind of fat or carb. Doing so will throw your numbers off.
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Anyone else been sleeved at Baptist Memorial North in Oxford?
Msa662 posted a topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
My surgery date is March 4th and I'm really looking forward to it. And I have become very comfortable with Dr. Michael King, he definitely knows his stuff. Any other persons been to Oxford for bariatric surgery? What was your experience? -
Overwhelmed with nutrition information!
Rainydayz replied to Rainydayz's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
But do you still feed your family the same way you did before you got healthy yourself? I just worry that my poor eating habits have gotten us all into a rut of unhealthy and high-carb foods. I'm just looking for ways to sneak more healthy into my family's diet as well. I don't my 3 kids to grow up to have to have bariatric surgery like me. -
I would be inclined to agree with you but everything I have read and researched eventually indicated otherwise. Here is a link to a study that was done and the results showed better weight loss after VSG for patients that maintained at least 90 gr of carbs per day based on an 850 calorie diet. That is between 40-45%. http://bariatrictimes.com/recommended-levels-of-carbohydrate-after-bariatric-surgery/ Personally I have set my daily goal at 40% carbs; 45% Proteins and 15% fats. I absolutely agree that proteins are the priority. The major problem with getting too few carbs is that once the body runs out of our daily carb intake, it starts to burn up our protein intake which is counter- productive. It's definitely very interesting and quite the learning experience
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Has anyone been reimbursed after self-pay?
ML in VA replied to ML in VA's topic in Insurance & Financing
Wow! Insurance really is a tough nut to crack. I have Cigna Open Access as well, but since my employer has a bariatric provision, I was able to at least submit the auth to them. They denied due to lack of consistent BMI and 6 month diet (i had docs for 4 out of 6 months). I appealed and they approved. I think it starts with the employer and how your insurance plan is written. -
Dr. Fernando Garcia?
CandyPants81 replied to amytug's topic in Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery
When I spoke to the coordinator for Dr. Garcia she told me "there days when he has 1 and days when he has five or six, but on average he only does about 3-4 per day". This information was from Michelle Medkoff at Tijuana Bariatrics. She was really nice about answering questions. -
How long did your insurance take to approve ?!
lindsaygotsleeved replied to need2bthin!'s topic in Insurance & Financing
I have Anthem BCBS and the insurance approval took just over 48 hours. I completed all the testing requirements on Friday, August 23 at 4:30 pm.The surgeon's office submitted my claim on Monday, August 25 at 9 am and Wednesday, August 27 at 5pm I received my confirmation that I was APPROVED. I was really impressed with my insurance company. They have even assigned me a case management nurse that is familiar with bariatric surgery to coach me through recovery. -
Lap band or sleeve? Why did you get revision to sleeve?
chris73 replied to okaykay's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
Bariatric Legend ? How does someone proclaim themselves such?? -
Big decision to make....Help!!
WASaBubbleButt replied to nurselori73's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Banding is the easiest procedure in bariatrics to do. With that said, there is a learning curve. The sutures can't be too tight, they can't be too loose. The band can't be too high, it can't be too low. The sutures cannot be too many in number, nor too few. Once the learning curve is over things are fine. But complication stats (erosion, slips, etc.) are indeed higher for newbie surgeons. Something as simple as scratching the back of the stomach can possibly cause erosion years down the road. That is the biggest reason I wouldn't personally go to a newbie surgeon. This was my last shot at weight loss and I wasn't going to screw it up. I gave myself every opportunity to do this the right way. It's kinda like crocheting. The first project is probably pretty fugly, not even. But with practice it's just about perfect. Same concept applies to the band. I can't say that I would go to anyone with less than 250 bands myself. If someone didn't have any money at all and having a newbie do it was the only shot they had it might be different. I wouldn't do it, but many would. Another issue is aftercare. Fills are an art, not a skill. Anyone can measure out a cc or two. But to get good restriction without absolute misery is hard to do. The problem with banding is that all the bad stuff usually happens after surgery or after the fills. It's not like a minor complication in OR that you fix right then and there. Our complications often times don't happen (from surgery) until down the road. So you have to weigh money vs. skill. You have to do what is right for you. -
How soon after your last pre op requirement was complete did your surgeons office file for insurance approval
joatsaint replied to volsfan82's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
My doc submitted the papers before I did any tests. I have BCBS of Texas and they are very bariatric friendly. My approval was completed within the week.
