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Good luck! I know that the people in the Drs. offices , both at the family Dr. and the bariatric office are so slow and mixed up. I will have to go through this again ,because my husband wants to get banded next year. I will start taking his paper work months before.

Man they r nasty!!!!!!!!!!!!! I use flintstones complete. Much better. Just take 2 daily :rolleyes2: my nutritionist gave me samples of the bariatric advantage..i could have died lol.

Try this link KOMU.com - The Skinny On Bariatric Surgery - Improve Your View

Abuse is abuse and shouldn't be tolerated. As for relationships and WLS... Even strong relationships can be tested by the changes that come from major weight loss. Formerly comfortable spouses/partners may feel threatened by their newly trim SOs who have more self-confidence and feel more appealing than before. Those of us who have lost weight, need to recognize the pressure this can put on them, and make sure we keep reassuring them that we love and value them and have no interest in moving on from the relationship, no matter how much flattering attention and how many compliments we may receive. It can be really hard on our spouses/partners as we transition into "someone new" and they may fear that we will change in other ways, including how we feel about them. If we want to maintain our relationships, we need to make sure they know that we still find them attractive and that we love them unconditionally (assuming that's true). This is a bigger deal than most of us realized when we decided to have WLS. My wife suggests that bariatric doctors should provide information about the strain it can put on marriages and relationships as part of the pre-surgery education process.

@@kelly lynn I hear a lot of people who share in your struggle. I'm glad to see you're reaching out as that is the first step back to success. There's a wonderful website called bariatriceating.com. They also have a Facebook page with thousands of people in your exact same situation. The website was started and is hosted by a woman who is 15 years out so she knows all about the regain. I hope you'll check it out as there's a world of great information on the site. I just love it! I wish you the best and know you will succeed!!! They have a program called BOT (Back on Track): Information is pretty thin stuff unless mixed with Experience. Just one year ago I had a closet full of clothes. AND. NOTHING. FIT. ANYMORE. I was ashamed, astonished, upset, despondent and had to do something. I’m older and my body is different but I figured it out again. The Secret to Losing Weight AFTER Weight Loss Surgery is Diet & Exercise. Yes, the big bad ‘Fad Diet’ that the negative Nellies are up in arms over is Diet & Exercise! (that’s okay, let them wallow in their Oreo and Tortilla eating while we lose regain weight) The secret sauce of a plan is simply Old Fashioned Diet & Exercise fueled by Bariatric Surgery, Inspire Protein drinks, small workout routines and our Kick Butt Bariatric Eating Support Group on Facebook! Thousands of members in our Facebook Support Group excitedly post their ‘BOT’ or Back On Track successes. People are losing a lot of weight again. ‘BOT’ works! It is hard to get the ball rolling but you have what it takes to dig in and do it. I know exactly how you feel and what you face and so do BE Team members on Facebook who are there to help you! Make up your mind and lets get moving. There are two parts… follow both and you will see that it is like flipping on the switch for weight loss. No kidding. Nothing like a fast ten pound weight loss for an amazing attitude adjustment! 1. DIET – 5 SMALL PROTEIN MEALS A DAY Reality Check. IF we made good food choices before bariatric surgery, we would not have been Morbidly Obese. The same denial works against us now. I tried telling myself I was not eating differently than I was ten years ago! You are trying to float that by folks too. Get real with yourself. I gained weight back because of my food choices. You know you are eating differently. Say it out loud. Admit it. Own it. There are bariatric groups all over Facebook where they talk about how much they can eat, that sugar doesn’t make them sick, that Mountain Dew or drinking soda doesn’t hurt them, they compare notes on how many slices of pizza they can fit and how much of a Subway Sandwich they can eat. Until you admit YOU are the problem and take ownership of the situation, it’s pretty certain that you will continue along the same path to where you started. This is where we split into two groups – the Dreamers and the Doers! Solution? Removing choices to limit calories, carbs and sugar. Five Small Protein Meals a day – 4 of those consist of Protein Drinks and the last is a Healthy Protein & salad Meal – this will limit your total caloric intake. This premise of protein drinks throughout the day paired with a healthy protein and vegetable supper is the cornerstone many successful diet plans, including world renown Johns Hopkins Hospital medically supervised weight loss programs. (there is a $6000 program fee to join the JH plan and it’s an amazing program that shepherds many to large weight losses, but ours is free so you might want to try us *first*) #InspireLiquidWillpower You can use any brand of Protein Drink to follow the plan but we recommend and use Inspire Protein powder and my current pantry contains vanilla, strawberry White chocolate, banana Smoothie and Peanut Butter Cup. The satiety or ‘fullness factor’ of Inspire protein drinks is off the charts and they taste fantastic. Inspire is liquid Willpower for me, it is applauded by nearly all in our Support Group and it should do the same for you! One bag of Inspire makes 20 drinks & at 4 per day, you will need 3 bags for your 2 week commitment, or 6 bags for your 4 week commitment. A smaller investment than Nutrasystem! We do recommend a 5th shake to be used after supper IF nighttime snacking is a problem for you as it is for me. I drink an Inspire Peanut Butter Cup drink while watching The Real Housewives so I will stay out of the fridge. It’s a 100 calorie indulgence that works like a charm. My Day Breakfast – 1 scoop Inspire protein powder blended with about 6 ounces of Almond Breeze Unsweetened Almond Milk or Skim Milk or Water. TIP: I am a reformed *lifetime breakfast skipper* I fix myself a huge mug of black coffee and at the same time blend an Inspire protein drink. Inspire is like a glass of chocolate milk, small and thin: and allows me to ‘break the fast’ with protein. No Blender Needed. Glass – Milk – Powder – Stir – Sip Mid Morning Protein Snack – 1 scoop Inspire protein powder blended with about 6 ounces of Almond Breeze Unsweetened Almond Milk or Skim Milk or Water lunch – 1 scoop Inspire protein powder blended with about 6 ounces of Almond Breeze Unsweetened Almond Milk or Skim Milk or Water Mid Afternoon Protein Snack – 1 scoop Inspire protein powder blended with about 6 ounces of Almond Breeze Unsweetened Almond Milk or Skim Milk or Water Healthy Protein Supper – Bariatric Eating Menu for the Week The easiest meal plan is Protein FIRST, followed by lower carbohydrate vegetables, fruits. Our ultimate goal is to transition to a really sensible healthy diet that you read about all the time. For Back on Track the nightly meal consists of a grilled, broiled, pan seared, roasted or poached protein such as salmon, shrimp, cod, halibut, chicken, beef sirloin, turkey tenderloin served with seasoned lower carb vegetables or salad. IMPORTANT: 1. No bread, no potatoes, no tortillas, no rice, no rolls, no Pasta, no high carb foods. 2. Do NOT drink with your meals. If you have been drinking with meals. STOP IT. 3. Drink 8 cups of water or zero calorie liquid daily. If it’s difficult for you, download our free Hydration app at GetHyApp.comHere is your first week of evening meals. All recipes are linked on our site. Monday – Salmon with Mango Salsa, broccoli Tuesday – Asparagus omelet, lettuce tomato salad Wednesday – Chicken Cutlets, baby spinach salad Thursday – Cheesy Meatball Skillet, romaine tossed with lemon, olive oil and parmesan Friday – Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps Saturday – Warm Shrimp Salad with Avocado Sunday – Grilled Marinated Flank Steak, lettuce tomato salad 2. EXERCISE – THE NEW ‘EASY WAY OUT’ OF OBESITY There's a whole plan laid out on the website for this! The Skinny It’s a beautiful thing and you’ll be So Proud when the fat begins to slowly melt away, almost as it did when you first had surgery. The clouds clear and the sun shines more brightly when you’ve got your Groove Back! In just a few days you will feel better and notice a difference. In two weeks your clothes will fit differently and this great feeling will begin to pull your through this plan with EXCITEMENT instead of the PUSH that it will take right now. This plan for weight loss after bariatric surgery is proven to work for either first time or regain. I have lost over fifty pounds that ‘I found’ after all these years, but more importantly I redirected my life. I am talking ‘tough love’ because I am the person who put away her skinny jeans that no longer fit and ignored the problem until I had to do something. I was the one in danger of failing. My experiences can help you if you truly want to lose more weight or take control of a gain. This plan turns on the fat burning engines. No kidding. Let’s roll. The only reason not to begin right now is fear of failure and I promise if you follow this, YOU WILL NOT FAIL. We got this one.

Jen, I was very hungry last night possibly because everything came out (sorry to be so blunt, lol) I have a followup appointment tomorrow, and besides a minor headache from time to time, I am doing well. Just staying in the home and relaxing, walking, drinking water (ughhh), broth, etc. My only issue is the carnation instant breakfast (yuck!) Maybe its the vanilla flavor but a e-buddy told me to get slim fast and that should suffice. There is also this bariatric shop by my home so I may go there, they blend drinks to see what you like before you make a purchase. They take online orders if you are interested heres the link http://www.bariatriceating.com/ Good luck on the rest of your journey and I hope you have great success!

I had the lap-band done back in 07, and while I don't have it anymore (long story) I was blessed with a good doctor and support function. My friend got one in 06. He hasn't seen as much success as he would like. The doc and support staff are inaccessible and refuse to admit there may be anything wrong despite years of adjustments, pain and disappointment on his part. We have found it impossible to get any other physician to take him on as a patient. We get the same story everywhere: if we didn't put the band in, we cannot touch it. "Liability, don't ya know." Right now he's having all the symptoms of a too-tight fill (reflux, vomiting, coughing, etc). We contacted the emergency rooms of the two local hospitals. Both do bariatric surgery. Both told us that their bariatric doctors would NOT do an unfill on someone who hadn't been banded there. God help you if you get a physician who moved, closed, is incompetent or died.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/find/bariatric-surgeon/WA/ BTW here is a list of Bariatric surgeons in your area.

I had the sleeve done at the end of November, 2013. It was a band to sleeve revision. I was what I would have called a "slow loser" but found out some things I was doing wrong. So, I changed some of what I was doing - went to 1000 calories/day, added fruits and vegetables to my diet instead of just Protein and began walking and working out some. Now, I know you're going to say, "If you're working out you're adding muscle which weighs more than fat." Ok, I'm not working out THAT hard. A couple of weeks ago I had an NSV by getting into size 20 clothes from a size 26/28. I hit the 40 pound loss mark in 4 months. I was feeling really good. But things have changed. I'm still in a 20, which I'm happy about. But I'm losing my hair. The one thing that I have ALWAYS prided myself on. Even when I was over 300 pounds, my hair always looked good. It was healthy, bouncy and in really good shape. Then, pieces of it started coming out when I showered. I'd go to soap myself up and have to remove strands of hair from the bar of soap. I thought, "Well, that's the price of bariatric surgery I suppose." I started taking Biotin after reading some messages on here. I also made sure I got at least 60 grams or more of protein a day and have been averaging over 60 grams a day for over a month now. I thought it probably wasn't as bad as I was making it out to be. Then, I went to my hair dresser for a cut yesterday. She started washing my hair and said, "Oh my, you're really getting thin." My daughter is getting married in 2 months and my hairdresser said we may have to get a hair piece to help cover up some of thinness if it doesn't get any better. What?!?!?!?!?!? Are you frickin' kidding me? Oh, and it gets worse. I stepped on the scale this morning and was 3 pounds heavier!! WHAT?!?!?!!?!?!?!? I've been following my diet strictly and haven't gone over 1000 calories. I've looked at the snack cakes in my daughter's snack drawer and walked away. ARE YOU FRICKIN' KIDDING ME?!?!?!? 3 POUNDS?!?!?!!?!?!? And this is after a 2 week plateau. I'm ready to give up. I know this weight didn't come on over night but I really expected more than 40 pounds in 4 months. And, I know that we all have weight fluctuations but mine have only been a pound here and there. 3 pounds? Higher??? That's crazy. If I was cheating, sure, I can see that. But I'm not. I'm a bit fed up. I don't want to hear about losing inches vs. pounds and changing things up. I've done that. I guess I just want to bitch and complain. Has anyone else gone through this mental torture and how did you get your HEAD back in the game? I'm beating myself and my sleeve up right now. I need a mental kick in the ass. Any advice?

When I saw the heading Kaiser Nor Cal, it sparked my interest. I live in the Sac area and was sent to SF Kaiser because I was trying to get them to pay for band removal and revision. This was about 4 years ago. Frankly the doc was a jerk. He told me it was waaaay too dangerous and if I had my band removed and a revision, I would probably end up dead or in a nursing home. Yes! He actually used those words! He offered to remove my band and have me go through the whole new patient process all over again and ..."then we'll see". I was just wondering if anyone here has had Kaiser approve and pay for any type of bariatric revision surgery?

Hi Chef, Nice to see your posts again I also had my 3 month check in with Dr. Alami recently and requested for him to renew my PPI. It definitely helps me, although my acid issues are so much better now than even a month ago. How are you doing with your weigh loss, exercise, diet, etc.?

I am taking the centrum chewables right now but I found CVS has a chewable and they are cheaper so I will try those when these run out. I asked my nutritionist about the gummies and she said they are not absorbed real well but if that is what people can stomach it is better than nothing, maybe take 3 instead of 2. As far as calcium citrate vs carbonate, once again she said citrate is absorbed much better then carbonate. I used the Bariatric Advantage chocolate chewy bites, they are ok but they get real gritty at the end. I tried some chewable chocolate calcium citrate at GNC and it was much better (sorry I forgot the name but they only have one kind) so I'll try them next time. My nutritionist also said to take the multi vitamin and calcium a couple ours apart, as the multi has iron and it willfight the calcium for absorption with the calcium. :cursing:

I also waffled back and forth about having the lap band surgery. In fact, this is the 2nd time I am going through the bariatric program in Binghamton, NY because I was "convinced" by what others said to me about the band failures (people gaining all their weight back). I am still consider myself a newbie and only at the beginning of my journey. But as I read this forum and some others, I see that the success totally depends on you being able to follow your program. This time through the program, I am more than convinced that this is the tool I need to drop 120 lbs I have been desparately trying to lose in the last 20 years. Another thing I've discovered is that the lap band (or any other surgery option) is not the answer by itself -- you have to be willing to work with it to accomplish your goal. You sound like the kind of person that is committed and knows what is good for your body. Keep searching for information and whatever your decision, make it your own and do it because you know you can stay with it. Good Luck!!!! Phyllis326

I changed jobs and my new (crappy) insurance doesn't cover anything bariatric- and on top of that, my doc decided to stop practicing. I found a new doc, and for self-pay patients he has you pay $500 flat for a whole year of fills under fleuroscopy. You might shop around for something like that- and you could pay that out of an HSA or flex spend account. I went in to see him, and one fleuroscopy later he discovered I had a hiatal hernia, which I had surgery for about a month ago. Previous doc didn't use fleuro. If you go with the lower priced insurance, maybe you can use some $ for HSA or flex spend for out of pocket expenses. Good luck! Nicki

Bad habits Before... holding in burps and gas because it wasn't ladylike. To my discomfort. After... letting it loose to ease my discomfort. Before...wearing all black to disguise my size. After...wearing all black because I think it's chic. Before... picking up fast food every Friday night. After....picking up fast food every Friday night. (Bariatric friendly)

Low carb is amazingly effective. When I entered my bariatric program, I decided to completely overhaul the way I eat. I figured I am going to have to change how I eat after surgery (almost all protein) so I might as well get used to it and make it a habit while I can still afford to slip up and cheat occasionally (which I did). I eliminated sugar from my diet, as well as pretty much all simple carbs like white bread, Pasta, and rice. I also didn't shy away from fat. I ate tons of cheese, and used real butter and cream in my cooking. Because the meals were so filling, I ended up eating less, whereas with carby meals I could eat a ton, then be hungry again in an hour and ready for more (or dessert). The carb cravings were horrible for a while, but they went away. When I did slip though, they came right back, so I learned it's better to just stay away. Personally, I can't do carbs in moderation. If I have some, I will want more and the cravings will intensify. In the 7ish months it took to fulfill all the requirements to get my sleeve, I ended up losing 110 lbs! I seriously considered not having surgery, but I have a LOT of weight to lose, and maintaining is another beast altogether. Also, while I was eating less (and much healthier), I was still eating way more than I should have been. I would just fill up on salad or veggies. Much healthier, but my years of overeating meant that I was still eating 2-3 times a normal serving size.

We have a couple of really GREAT doctors who do the fills at my clinic that arent the surgeons. I'm perfectly happy with it, they know what they're doing, they've worked with banded patients extensively and are empathetic and experienced. If I want to see the surgeon at any point in time, I can make an appointment to do so without a problem, I simply dont see the need. My doctor knows all that is necessary to supervise me, he just doesnt operate, is all. He's actually a sports medicine specialist too and has helped me quite a lot with my ankle and been supportive of my running, referred me on to a great podiatrist in ways that my surgeon, being a dedicated bariatric surgeon really couldnt have. The act of a fill is not so complicated, the major possible complications are not so many that I feel exposed in any way. If anything unusual occurred, they'd have me straight back into the surgeon anyway, its all in the same building. So I'm fine with it. And I dont pay a cent for fills anyway, its all bulk billed.

I don't think he's done that many lap bands (in comparison) probably around 200 but he done many other bariatric surgeries. I know he did some training in El Paso and then his fellowship in Fresno, CA (I think). I liked him and feel really comfortable with him. Do you know the cost of his fills? I get 6 months of free fills and then I have to pay for them. Are you going to do the band? If so, do you have a date? What facility? Cindy

I have no idea your insurance stipulations or the surgical group, but they are in the business of bariatrics and you will probably be approved even if you continue to lose weight. The psych visits are to help your head match the sleeved stomach because unless you address the binges you will circumvent the sleeve (eat around it and not lose or keep it off). We all have to face whatever food demons we have in order to make it work. I am pre-op and needed the 6 months to evaluate my relationship with food. I have a month left, it goes fast.

You know what the same thing happened to me just 5 days ago. I did final post ops 2 days before scheduled surgery. everything seemed fine headed home to find message from Bariatric nurse saying they set me up with the cardiologist for next morning, because the preop EKG came back with a possible problem on it. So I freak out just a little. Go in at 10am. They do the EKG on their machine then the doctor calls me in and says the preop EKG, from yesterday, someone had written "heart attack" at the top. He says his machine didn't say that but let's do these other tests so we can clear you for surgery. 4 and half hours later I walk out with a clearance for surgery the next day and I only had to pay a $25 copay, but here it comes....they billed my insurance about $4000 for the days tests! I think it's all a scam. Needless to say, I had my surgery and didn't have any problems. Good luck

I'm close to one year out from RNY and the past few months, I've been feeling really tired and lightheaded. I kept brushing it off and thinking it was something else, like I had a touch of a cold or needed to double down on Protein. At my six-month visit with my bariatric clinic, they did bloodwork and my Iron saturation was low (10 percent). Right after I got the results, I messaged them through their patient portal and the fill-in nurse acted unconcerned and blew me off. My PCP recommended I start taking iron supplements (my surgeon told me to stop taking them two weeks after surgery because they were upsetting my stomach). I called my nutritionist and was at least able to get a recommendation for another formula to take that's easier on the stomach. I started taking it once a day. Fast forward through months of feeling like crap. I was feeling tired and kind of foggy last Tuesday afternoon, but pushed myself to do my BodyStep class anyway. I ended up falling and spraining my ankle. Swelling has gone down, but still hurts. I also still have a knot and bruising on my lower back where I hit the step. I called the bariatric clinic and thankfully the regular nurse is back. She's sure I'm feeling bad because my iron is low and told me my surgeon recommends taking iron three times a day with meals when it gets low like that. I started doing that on Thursday and felt better for about a day before I started my period. For those of you who have dealt with low iron, how long did it take you to feel better? Did you feel worse when you had your period?

Bonjeanie, as I understand it the MGB is really not considered a safe and effective surgery. It's not done much at all these days. However, there are lots of other options and almost all of them can be done laparascopically. I know there are many, many doctors who do both RNY and lap-banding who will do one on top of the other if necessary. Your best bet is to find an experienced laparascopic gastric surgeon and talk with him about your specific case. It may be a good idea to talk with more than one, if you can. You might start by looking at the OH website (obesityhelp.com) to locate bariatric surgeons in your area. Good luck!!

Hi Benny and all the others on this thread. I commend each of you for your courage and for setting boundaries that feel right and comfortable for YOU. These boundary lines may or may not be the same for everyone. While others are not entitled to know such personal information I find it can be more uncomfortable to carry around secrets and tend to "over-share" as a result. So, when it came to this very personal journey I've made a conscious decision to exercise a greater level of discretion than I might otherwise have done had this been another type of surgery. I stumbled upon Bariatric Pal just in the nick of time and have been searching for this particular topic for a few days. My Feb. 3 surgery date creeps ever closer and I'm struggling with whom to tell and NOT to tell about my news. It took over a year to make my ultimate decision to move forward with my VSG and I've done tons of research as it's my nature to do so. I've also watched many YouTube videos of other sleevers. They've each made my decision SO much easier. I work in close quarters in an office setting with only about 9 administrative staff at my location. One of these co-workers had a Gastric Bypass many years ago. So far, I've told my husband, two teenage children, my mother, two sisters, my boss and one co-worker who also needs to know. These seven people have ALL been at least neutral if not outright supportive. They have expressed concern, a healthy dose of skepticism, and caution; but ultimately have been supportive - even those naturally slim ones who've not walked in my shoes along the arduous path of being overweight for years. Today, after more careful thought, I decided to open up to the co-worker who had Gastric Bypass. She smiled and hugged me. In her embrace I felt an immediate sense of camaraderie and acceptance. She told me how happy she was for me. I knew I had made the right decision. I'm sure she was also delighted to have a new "bariatric buddy" to commiserate with now! Unlike my family and co-workers, my husband's family is large (in number), rather opinionated and controlling. Once I broached the subject of weight loss surgery with one of them and she immediately responded, "NO! YOU'RE NOT DOING THAT!" I just brushed her comment aside and said I was just taking the 12-week preparation class to educate myself about the options 'out there.' Despite the controlling nature of that side of our family, we are close and they are loving and supportive of our family in many ways. I know they will feel truly hurt if I wait until after surgery to spring the news on them. I believe they will eventually come around once the realization sets in that this was my decision to make, not theirs. The partial explanation approach: "I'm just eating a healthier diet and exercising more." will never fly with this group. They all know I've tried EVERYthing to lose weight and they'd never buy it. They're far too astute. I suppose time will tell. I'm leaning toward spilling the Beans about a week before surgery so they have time to process the concept; but I'm still not 100% sure when the "right" opportunity will present itself. I'll suppose I'll just have to follow my heart and trust my own instincts ... Like most others, my decision was based primarily on the priority of extending my life and to ensuring my children and husband will have a mom/wife around for a long time; one who will soon be physically able to keep up and participate fully in our lives together. Blessings to all of you and my gratitude to those of you patient enough to read my posting. It's much longer than I expected it would be!

I'm new to here on this forum. Hello I got couple questions that may have been asked couple times on forum but here it goes..... My insurance is Blue Cross of CA (PPO) My BMI is 48 :embarassed: I have Diabetes, High blood pressure, High cholesterol, sleep Apeana, and just plain fat for over 15year with many diet try So I visit my doctor and he recommend me to Bariatric Surgery for Lapband. So now I have a appointment to talk to Surgeon and also appointment for required seminar. So what are the requirements I need do to guarantee surgery from my insurance? and.... what is the length of time before surgery?

Hi Devotedwife, Welcome to Bariatric Pal, I had Dr. Scott who is a partner with Dr. Minkin. I hope your husband is doing well since his surgery. There is a site for family members getting information for their spouses. It is new just launched last week. Here is the url. http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/1016-family-and-friends-new/ Hope to hear from you soon and how your husband is doing.