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First – I don’t want this to deter anyone from surgery. Everyone’s experience is different. You have to make the decision for yourself. My battle is in no way an indicator of how you will respond, even if you identify with my experience. Don’t let this post influence you to do it or not do it. No one is a poster child for or against bariatric surgery. Anyone who claims to be is doing a disservice to all who struggle with obesity. I was banded almost 4 years ago and I stuck to the program religiously. In 2003 I started thinking about surgery. It took me 2 years to get the courage to do it and was intent on success. Besides being obese I am also a manic depressive. It comes and goes and I have always aggressively perused treatment. I tend to fall in to periods of depression and have to climb my way back. I usually do. The Lapband worked for me. I went from 307 lbs to 230 lbs in just over a year. I was working on the last 20 lbs when my depression returned in the fall of 2007. I immediately increased my treatment so I could stay on course. Treatment wasn’t working. In December of 2007 I lost my Grandmother to a stroke. I spoke to her in the morning, she was fine. By 10PM that night I was in an E.R. She died the following day. Already in the midst of a depression her death coupled with business problems sent me in to a tailspin resulting in the worst and longest depression of my life. This fall will be 3 years and I have yet to come out of it. I changed my course of treatment in 2009 and have improved some, but still have a long way to go. As a result of all of all of my progress has been erased. I re-gained 68 lbs of the 77 lbs I lost. I am back at 300 lbs again, a number that invokes pure horror for me. I am still severely depressed but hopeful my improvement will continue. Logging in to this site is a step for me. I’ve started to consider going back to investigate getting an adjustment. I don’t know if that even is possible after so long. I know that the band doesn’t retain all of the fluid over time, but I was almost maxed at my last fill. I’m not ready to do it yet; any adjustment would be in vain right now. I need to get to a place where I can follow the program. I have also started thinking about a second surgery for a gastric bypass. Apparently this is becoming more common with people who have had not had success with banding. I haven’t made that decision and won’t really consider it until my depression improves dramatically. Bypass is much more dangerous and doing it now would be useless. Either way I am terrified that this will be an ongoing cycle. I have little control of the onset of depression or its severity. I just have to recognize it and fight, but losing a bunch of weight only to gain it back when my brain gets chemically out of whack is a horrible thought. Losing 77 lbs might have been the hardest thing I have ever done. The prospect of doing it over and over is horrifying and does little to motivate me to start again. What’s worse is the new weight came back differently. My waist is bigger than last time I was this heavy. My reflection appalls me. All of that time and effort only to be back where I started, it was so hard to get to a place where I could do it. I don’t even know where that place is now or how to get back there.

Thank you... I definitely plan on seeing an endocrinologist to rule out some other issues, and I am planning on seeing a different bariatric Dr. to get another opinion. My dr rarely has time to meet with patients unless it's the consult visit and I really dislike his PA, so I'm hoping to have some productive discussion about my options Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I finished all the paperwork and have been excepted into a Bariatric Sugery Program in Maine. I haven't gotten my first appointment yet and am trying to be patient about it. I am seeing a dietician at my lipid Drs. office, but haven't done very well this past two weeks..:sad: I have had some really strange hunger pains since changing my reflux meds. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with things, making excuses as to why I didn't exercise everyday, mostly because my kids were gone and I didn't have anyone to motivate me. I have an appointment for a weigh in on Monday and am dreading it.On the other hand, I walked 1.5 miles in a parade for my daughters softball team after admitting that the only reason I didn't want to go was because I didn't want all those people I never see to see me. I admitted it to my friend and fellow coach and I think she was shocked. My other excuse was my still healing broken leg which is a valid complaint, but I survived it.:smile: I am getting some mixed reactions from people about the upcoming surgery. I have had very few reactions of "go for it" from the people closest to me. I know most of it from my family is just general concerns, but isn't that the whole point of the drastic life change?? I'm already seeing the effects of being overweight. I hate that look that people can't hide that says,, well why don't you just stop eating.. I think I have thought that before myself, but obviously if I could do it and stick to it I wouldn't still be fat right? I have started the conversation right off with " I am going to have the Lap Band Surgery,,, because I don't want to have a stroke or heart attack" It pissess me off that people have to be so judgemental before they even listen to what you have to say:cursing:. My other struggle is finding a support person who is supportive not a food police. Every non essential bite I take brings on guilt and self beatings, I don't need anymore of that verbally. I want someone to say, "you ready for that walk?" or hey I found a great place for salads!.. lol I do have one friend who wants to walk with me, but I can't talk to her about the surgery because she truly believes I can just do it all on my own. In a perfect world that might be true, but I really need some help. I had an appointment with shrink that I had made on my own to talk about anxiety attacks. She doesn't want to put me on meds which I am happy about, but wants me to see a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist to help me work through them and control them on my own. I am also trying some Omega-3's and multi B vitamin to see if it helps.. Its been a week and I feel a little less tense, but my kids were also gone for a week for the first time for more then 2 days ever so I didn't have that kind of stress to deal with. I am going to work harder this week to be better about the amount of food I am eating, and will not eat out at all if possible..

Ok my dear, I've read a couple of your blogs and I have to reach out and encourage you to renew your mind to all of this. Until you do, it won't work! 1.) Weight loss and gain is personal, there's no need to seek other people's approval or acceptance. 18lbs is GREAT, it's 18lbs closer to goal and 18lbs less fat than you were. Men, especially Dad's opinions mean a lot to us, but remember the only opinions that matter right now are yours and your health professionals. From your posts it seems like you're just now starting to realize the "fat" of the matter.. yes I said fat, in place of fact. It seems like you're just now truly starting to see yourself as fat which is a GOOD thing, even though it doesn't feel like it is! When you're able to look at yourself with such a critical eye, it will serve as motivation to do something about it. 2.) Renew your mind. Ok so you're fat, you don't like the way you look in pics, you think the band is going to fail you, there's "no way it'll help you lose 100lbs". Stop right there my friend...can we say self-sabotage? When you speak defeat, you've already lost. You might as well eat twinkies and ice cream - they slide right through. So I urge and encourage you to renew your mind to a positive mindset. Take everything day by day, meal by meal, choice by choice. You didn't gain this weight overnight and you're certainly not going to lose it over night. The band is a TOOL, we hear/read it all the time and that's true. It's a tool to HELP YOU, but if YOU aren't ready for the help it won't do YOU any good. I really think you're at a pivotal moment in you're journey. You're awakening to the new you, change is never easy and it's so much easier to just give up. But YOU CAN DO THIS! Just think of it this way... just like in life, your path is yours and yours alone, your lapband journey is the same. Don't compare yourself to others, do what works for you and live your life. You didn't report the multitude of pounds you gained to anyone, so why report what you lose to anyone? Let them see for themselves. Yes the fact is, the bigger you are the more you have to lose for people to notice, but let them notice...Just go on with your days going down your path and doing what's right for you. Remember the only approval you need is yours and it'll feel SO much better when those "Wow you're really losing weight huh?" comments and compliments come your way because they'll be real and honest, not fished for or charity out of seeking approval. Stick to what works for you and in a year or so's time when you've lost that 100lbs and everyone is ooo'ing and ahh'ing you'll have nobody to thank but yourself. Do this for you, nobody else. Renew your mind...renew your mind....renew your mind! Accentuate the positive!

Top 10 Bariatric Mistakes! I needed reminding!!! http://www.bariatriceating.com/2015/03/02/top-10-bariatric-post-op-mistakes/

I am very fortunate that all my co-workers and my boss are very supportive. That being said, people in life have no filters an seem to not have any problem judging others to their face. I agree, I would ask them what do they know about bariatric surgery that makes them think it is easy. They definitely don't know anything if they think it is easy. You can always shut them down by ignoring them if you choose or you can try to use it as an opportunity to educate them on the fact that the surgery is only one tool. They may listen but don't get your hopes up. Good luck!

Yeah it's definitely worth checking into. My bariatric surgeon is Ashley Mooney with TGH.

Try Profect protein vials by Bariatric Advantage. They are 50g of protein 0carbs and fat in a 3.2 ounce vial. Almost a full days protein in 3 ounces!!

Heard from the Drs office today that my insurance denied my surgery and then denied me after the peer to peer review. I cant' get to the bottom of the issue. The Drs office is saying that they have done everything the insurance has asked. However, the insurance called and requested information from the Drs office 3 times. The "only" person that handles bariatric surgery was out of the office for 6 days, and no one else could send it in apparently, so that was the first reason I was denied (lack of paperwork). Last Friday they were supposed to have the peer to peer review, but the Drs office said the insurance medical director called early and he wasn't available, so it didn't happen. The insurance company is claiming they talked to the Dr and he had no new information to submit, so it was denied again. I have no idea WHO to believe! They now want me to go through the Lindstrom Obesity Advocacy to submit an appeal. I've seen a few good things about them, but still can't help to think if the Drs office had been on the ball, none of this would have happened. I did check with my insurance company (UHC) who initially told me they cover LapBand for a BMI over 40, and no co-morbidities were needed. My BMI is around 44. so I fit into the range. I was hoping to be a Nov Bandster since this was started on 10/3, now I don't know if I'll ever be a bandster :-(

Hi! I have a consultation scheduled for weight loss surgery at Johns Hopkins Univ. hospital. I know it's one of the best hospitals in the country, but I was wondering if anyone has or is planning to have their surgery with their bariatric team. If so, what were your thoughts? How did your consultation go? Thanks in advance!

I'm 9 months out from VSG, saw the bariatric clinic follow up staff, and am so GRR now. I never had that "I'm never hungry" feeling once I recovered from the surgery but shrugged it off. I could drink 2 oz. fluids at once literally the day of surgery so I was like... OK, cool. Weight loss was slow despite being diet compliant and exercising, stopped at 25 pounds after 3 months, then gained 10 back after a foot injury (off again since getting back to my daily 5k jog). I've been having reflux for ages despite avoiding trigger foods/drinks and I get hiccups 20+ times a day regardless of how I'm eating, drinking, or not doing either. So they referred me back to the surgeon's office. Last week I had an upper GI study. The radiology report says I have mild decreased lower esophageal motility and mild outpouching at the fundus... um, I shouldn't HAVE a fundus after gastric sleeve. The weakened esophageal muscles explains the fluid that backs up when I drink sometimes, especially if not sitting straight up or standing, and the chest lock I feel when eating dryer foods or meats. I'm confused about the fundus. Is the radiologist mistaken and unfamiliar with VSG anatomy? Did the surgeon leave part of my fundus? The surgeon's office is awful at communicating so I'm in limbo. They didn't even call me before ordering the upper GI, they just had the radiology department call to schedule me without notice. All I can think about is where I go from here. Meds for the reflux and live with the hiccups? Revision surgery for the reflux and basically start over (the big GRR)? Anyone else have anything similar like a retained fundus, outpouching, or GERD with esophageal motility disorders like weakened muscles after VSG surgery?

Of course it is. It is extremely possible with every kind of bariatric surgery.

The guidelines for eating with a sleeve really haven't changed much in the last five years, so what you learned then should be helpful now. You may want to consider contacting your bariatric center (or another if you don't feel comfortable), and ask for a referral to a psychologist/psychiatrist who specializes in eating disorders and bariatric patients. This person can help you deal with the issues you're faced with and help you get back on track. Best of luck.

I hadn't even heard that Flinstones chewables was an option. My doctor told me to take Bariatric Advantage only the first few months after surgery. I will have to research further about it. NieMarie I am like you and am not sure what to take! But I know my Dr said I should take liquid Vitamins for some things. I am getting nervous that if I don't take the right things afterward then I will get sick. When is your surgery?

Someone on another blog recommended syntrax from Bariatric choice website. I personally love premier protein and so did the other person who recommended Syntrax, so maybe you will like it maybe not.. I guess it's all trial and error.

My Bariatric program at Beth Israel used to do clothing swaps for their WLS veterans, but they stopped because nobody ever needed the clothing that was being donated and they didn't have the clothing that newly transformed people needed because no one was obese anymore! Hehe... I have some experience with swaps in the "normal world" (maybe I should say average world?). I never could fit into anything that the other girls brought and no one ever picked up my stuff. They weren't all that fun. I do sell some of my things and buy some things on eBay.

Hey yall , I got my surgery booked for August 22nd at Mexico Bariatric Center, with Dr. Rodriguez. Has anyone had surgery with him? I'm super excited and just all around curious. Hw:271 Sent from my SM-N970U using BariatricPal mobile app

Not to be blunt, but I don't know how you can practice this. It's just something you don't do. You have to consciously decide you're not going to drink while you eat. I know what you're thinking because I was someone who'd take a sip or more with/after each bite. When you get bariatric surgery, it's just not something you can do and expect things to work well. Drinking with your food causing it to wash through faster negating the benefit of whatever procedure you're having done. In this video, the demonstration begins around the 2 minute mark. It's really not as hard as you think it is.

I can understand your frusteration. I have Tricare prime south . I had 2 other insurnces but after TRICARE said they woiuldnt cover bariatrics if I had other insurance I quit the other two. I saw surgeon who said I am an excellent candidate. EVERYONE in my family has died of diabetes, including my dad at 45 and my son is very brittle t 26.The surgeons office submitted everything and I was denied for not having physician supervised diet, I called Tricare to find out exactly what that meant and I was given the reply of "oh I don't know!" On my own I saw my ob gyn who has it documented since2007 weve discussed weight loss diet exercise weight watchers etc (ive been a member of ww since 2007) the doc wrote me an excellent letter and resubmitted. please cross your fingers.

That's a good idea! Thanks for the suggestion. My insurance should cover a repair that isn't actually bariatric surgery. I wonder if the surgeon could do a bypass and my secondary would pick it up when my primary doesn't. I'll have to research more about it. I have an appt. with a surgeon in a couple weeks. Who is your surgeon?

I am going to OSU Bariatrics. Not for sure which surgeon either Needleman or Mikami.

I had a hysterectomy 7 years ago. I take the bariatric advantage multi vitamin with iron and my blood work has been fine. The only other thing I take is the calcium chews.

Hi everyone! So I am just in the begining stages of my journey towards a healthier me but I have a few questions. Now I understand that even though others may have BCBS of MI, plans and requirements along with coverage can differ. With that being said I am just checking to see if any of you fellow BCBS of MI members have ever went through a similar situation. I am 24 years old with a BMI of 52 along with hypothyroidism, pre diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and PCOS. I have already spoke with the insurance company and verified my coverage, and the sleeve along with RNY and lap band are covered if deemed medically necessary. Which with my comorbities I meet that. Also, I was sent a paper from BCBS stating that a 6mo. medically monitored weight loss is required UNLESS your BMI is documented to be over 50. So there we go, I meet that requirement. I have my inital appointment with the bariatric program on the 29th of august along with my psych eval......just wondering if any of you have been through anything similar and if so how long did you have to wait after your inital appointment to have surgery.....I understand that after the 29th they will review my medical information along with the psych eval and determine if there are any further tests I need done prior to submitting to insurance. then after approved I will go for a preop appointment.......I have no problem doing a special eating program for awhile if my suregon requires it but I have tried 8 different diets in the last 10 years..... all of which I have lost weight and been unable to keep it off......sooooo ready to get this tool to assist me in my weight loss journey! I know it will be hard work and a lifetime of change but I am definitely ready for a healthier happier me!

Here's the video of A Lighter Me Surgeon, Dr. Elias Ortiz. Dr. Elias Ortiz is the number one provider of Bariatric surgery in Mexico! A Lighter Me has been in this business for over 11 years. Gastric Sleeve surgery starts at $4,600 unless there is a special of some kind.