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@@cutee1985 what kind do you drink? I was using Bariatric Advantage for preop and liked them but now I can't stand them! I got some Isopure drinks today to try, and someone had suggested GNC protein shakes (thank you to whoever that was!) I just drank 1/2 of a chocolate peanut butter one. It wasn't bad. I haven't been able to drink a whole one yet and not enough water but getting better. Follow up tomorrow and hopefully get to start purees. Yippee!

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.

So next week is my first appointment with my doc for lap band and ive read everywhere that its required to do diet for 3 months prior to getting scheduled for surgery. My question is, is it neccesary? I was working with my personal doctor for 6 to 9 months on loosing weight and I did loose some but gained it back very quick so thats when he referred me to this bariatric doc. So basically I just want to know if I have to diet again for another 3 months if ive tried for 9 months already and my doc is giving me a letter that says all that? Any answers would help a lot

I was sleeved (self pay) in the states, my husband in Mexico (3 weeks apart). My fee was $14k almost equally split amongst the surgeon and hospital. I went to one of the leading surgeons in my area. He chose a surgeon in Mexico with loads of experience in the bariatric field and did pay more for that knowledge. He was also accredited by medical associations in both countries, which gave us piece of mind in case something did happen. He said his surgery was very similar to mine in experiences of patient care and stay. It honestly comes down to budget and comfort. Originally we were going to wait a year apart and he was going to use my surgeon but after seeing the process and the recovery he felt more than comfortable saving almost half and traveling for surgery. Some can not afford the US prices and Mexico is viable, some do not want the hassle of traveling post op and that is understandable. Either way we are both losing and bettering our lives. I will be considering Medical Tourism for plastics when that time comes.

INSTA AVENTURER you got your educational Masters now you are going to receive your Bariatric Masters. Although you didn't have to compose and defend your thesis for this one, I bet you could have! Two Masters in less than a year, Cool to the Max and it couldn't have happened to a better more WONDERFUL person. I Dilute you for What You Gave Gone through and hereby convey this trophy 🏆to YOU!

Future RnY person in July 2018 Reasons and comorbidities Arthritis since age 25 both varieties 2 knee replacements Family history Cardiac-received clearance Family history Diabetes-since child of 2 diabetics- always ranked as prediabetic Moderate GERD with accomplifing gastritis and small gastric ulcer Verified sleep apnea, pulmonary and sleep medicine clearances in place BMI approaching 50 and 72 years of age. And unlike my sleeve siblings I prefer potential,of dumping and perpetual vitamin/mineral supplementation to losing 3/4 or 7/8 of my natural stomach . They are already too many portions of me in pathologist jars And without my surgical tool for assistance facing the specter of my own demise within very few years. This is,my once and only bariatric surgery and I want to best and most proven type for myself. I will be having my surgery in a hospital which is a cutting edge teaching institution as well as a Center of Excellence. I fear surgery much less than continuing my slow and steady downhill slide toward death. Although I am into my 7th decade of life I find I have many things to achieve, many places to visit, much more accomplishments , I want the health and endurance for them all. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.😟 So I reach,out boldly and with confidence in my choices at this time.🌈😛

I ordered Bariatric Choice chewable vitaband multivitamins, calcium citrate, and iron. They shipped the order the same day with free shipping. Tasty in flavor.

I tend to agree with this. You’re not going to dump on water. I’ve never dumped but had the foamies countless times. The sides are very similar to dumping but take a look at what you consumed to know the difference. Also, I wouldn’t put much faith in ER doctors when it comes to bariatric surgery. Take this as first hand experience from working in an ER for 10 plus years as a nurse and being a bariatric patient myself.

So you cheated a little on your post-op diet. When you were supposed to be on liquids, you had a few spoons of mashed potatoes or a swallow of yogurt, both nice and soft. Maybe you ate a few Cheez Doodles, but what’s the big deal? They’re like eating flavored air, aren’t they? And the McNuggets you tried during the puree phase? You chewed them really well, and you could only eat three instead of your pre-op portion of six – isn’t that great? No, it’s not great that you could only eat three McNuggets. And yes,cheating is a big deal, and I’m going to tell you why. You’re not going to get away with this one. Miss Jean has eyes in the back of her head. She sees the cookie crumbs on your face and the neon orange faux cheese film on your guilty fingers. SOME DEFINITIONS OF CHEATING The word “cheat” has two main connotations. One is cheating in the sense of lying and deceiving. It’s intentional dishonesty. You know what you’re doing is wrong, but you do it anyway. The other connotation of “cheat” is unfaithfulness. Unfaithful to a vow or promise you made to another person or to an organization. When someone cheats you, do you just shrug and say, “Oh well, he was having a bad day”? Let’s say you bought a car that you thought was brand new, and later discovered that the dealer had fiddled with the odometer and charged you full sticker price for a car with 1200 miles on it. Would that be okay with you? And what if your spouse, the person you trust with your life, cheated on you by sleeping with your best friend, would you be able to just shrug that off? If your child got a B+ grade by cheating on a test by copying answers from the student at the next desk, would you be proud of him or her? And what if you found out that a coworker betrayed you by using the great idea you confided to him or her and taking credit for it when it worked out splendidly? Would you still be eating lunch with that coworker? Or what if you donated money to a political candidate who you admired, and he or she spent it on a vacation in the Bahamas instead of on re-election expenses. Would that be okay with you? Would you vote for that candidate ever again? I’ll take a guess at your answers to these questions. In none of the situations I’ve described would you be happy or proud. In fact, you’d be disappointed and angry. So just how can you think it’s no big deal to cheat on your post-op diet? EXCUSES, EXCUSES I can hear grumbling in the room. I think I just heard someone saying, “I had to eat that mashed potato. I was so hungry and miserable and cranky from being on liquids for a week, I couldn’t stand it another minute.” I do understand very well how you felt, but in the big picture of world hunger, where babies die because their mothers eat so little that they don’t produce enough milk for nursing, your and my hungry misery is a big So What. And someone else is whispering, “My best friend’s surgeon let her eat mashed potatoes on her third day post-op, so it must be okay for me to do that too, even though my surgeon told me to wait until my 15th day post-op. It’s not my fault that every surgeon has a different post-op eating protocol.” While it’s true that surgeons’ eating instructions vary widely, you signed on with your surgeon, not your best friend’s. Presumably you chose your surgeon because you and/or your insurance company believe that he or she is well-qualified in laparascopic bariatric surgery. During your psych evaluation, you affirmed that you understand what the surgery involves and that you can and will follow instructions. You nodded when the shrink asked if you’re ready to make all the lifestyle changes needed for success. You nodded when the dietitian asked if you understood your pre- and post-op eating instructions. You scribbled your own name on a sheaf of release papers to indicate that you were informed about the risks involved and despite those risks, gave your surgeon permission to perform surgery on you. In addition to all of that, you spent weeks or months jumping through hoops to prove your need for bariatric surgery. Perhaps you suffered through a six-month pre-op diet. You had lots of medical tests and evaluations, most of them not much fun, because you were so eager to get your weight loss show on the road. You had surgery, suffered some degree of discomfort from your incisions and gas, and finally heaved a sigh of relief because all the struggles are over now. But then you discovered that there are still more struggles to survive because of that stupid post-op liquid diet. Yet despite jumping through all those hoops, in less than 60 seconds you blow it by popping a Cheez Doodle in your mouth, and justify that with the aforementioned misery excuse. And man oh man, that must have been some really serious misery, because evidently it drove out of your mind all the very good reasons for faithfully following that post-op diet progression. You forgot that one of the most common causes of band slips is the patient’s failure to follow the post-op diet. You forgot that food can get stuck in the stoma or esophagus and cause an obstruction or vomiting. You forgot that vomiting can disturb the position of the band, especially when you’re a new post-op and your stomach is still healing from surgery. You forgot that in order to move mashed potatoes or Cheez Doodles through your digestive system, your esophagus and stomach must expand and contract, which can disturb the position of your band and cause it to slip. You forgot all the promises you made to your bariatric team and to yourself about healthy eating and weight loss success, because you were so miserable and just a few little cheat bites are no big deal. I’ll try to give you the benefit of the doubt. Maybe you thought that being able to eat the Cheez Doodles without having any uncomfortable side effects or complications like a stuck episode, a PB, sliming, chest pain, esophageal dilation or spasms means that it’s okay to eat the Cheez Doodles. Well, I’m here to tell you that’s a wrong assumption. Cheating eating can cause problems without you ever knowing it until it’s too late. Cheating eating is just plain foolish. YOU’RE NOT ALONE Now here’s the good news. You’re not alone. Nobody enjoys the post-op diet progression. If any of us were good at following diets, we might not need bariatric surgery in the first place. And only infants enjoy a liquid diet. But in a sense, as a new post-op you’re a bariatric infant who must consume liquids because your body isn’t ready yet to handle anything else. Cheating on your post-op diet is cheating your health in a major way. If you already cheated once or twice or ten times, that’s not a good reason for continuing to cheat, so don’t do it again! I believe we should begin any project as we mean to go on. If you can’t follow your post-op diet, exactly when are you going to begin your healthy post-op lifestyle? Are you going to wait until after your first fill, or your second fill, or at some hazy time in the future? If so, don’t come running to me when your scale stays stuck on a number you hate. NOW is the time to begin your healthy lifestyle. NOW is the time to practice good band eating skills and making good food choices and controlling portion sizes. Doing that may not be easy, but it’s not impossible either. Losing a massive amount of weight is a big, tough project, but if you respect your band, it's going to be easier than any of your past weight loss attempts. Let me clarify that: it's going to be easier if you follow instructions. In addition to that healthy lifestyle, there’s another very good reason to stick to your diet. At some point you’re going to have to face up to your past and acknowledge that food and eating have been a major problem for you. The fact that you’re struggling with your post-op diet is a symptom of that. There’s no shame attached to that struggle. As mentioned above, if we didn’t struggle with eating, we wouldn’t need bariatric surgery at all. So I suggest that you look at the post-op diet (and your pre-op diet too, for that matter) as a rite of passage. During this rite, you’ll be painfully aware of just how many food devils you possess, because without food to shut them up, they’re going to be jumping up and down and screaming for your attention. But their wish is no longer your command. You’re going to send them a clear signal: that you’re not going to submit to their demands any more. From now on, you’re going to follow your surgeon’s and dietitian’s eating instructions no matter how much commotion those devils make. You’re in charge now. As the saying goes, today is the first day of the rest of your life. Do yourself a favor, and make it a day without Cheez Doodles!

Hello...I am stressing a bit I have UHC and my policy required me to have 5 years of history of BMI,etc. I have all years except 2005! I even called my insurance company to ask them for all insurance claims from 2003-2007 and it is not here yet! I sent everything in today and am wondering if I am going to be okay since I found out my UHC plan will change in 2008 and will not cover any bariatric surgery. I am trying to stay focused, and I have put in a call to my coordinator with the surgeon to see if she has ever prepared a letter when one year was missing. Getting nervous, but hanging in there. Has anyone had this issue?

So I am pre-op on a liquid protein diet. Right now I am drinking Bariatric Advantage the chocolate flavor. I like it a lot, it is just the right thickness for me. I make them with water and a couple ice cubes in a shaker cup. I do not like the other Bariatric Advan. flavors at all. I'm sure there is a thread somewhere about all this but I can't find it. I was going to order some Unjury flavors but I don't know how thick they are. Any help is good help. I don't feel like I can be succesful if all I drink is chocolate bariatric advantage. It's getting boring at 4 shakes a day. HELP ME! Thanks!

Flintstones used to be on my doctor's accepted list but no longer. I take Centrum chewable with Iron. They aren't too bad and I prefer them over the Bariatric advantage brand. I take Viactiv chewables for calcium.

I wish!! My first consult with the Bariatric clinic was June 30th. They made me jump the hoops of NUT, psych, sleep study, and blood work - all before I could even get an appointment with the surgeon. I do understand the reasoning behind it all so that I will be successful. However, the wait time just to get into these appointments has been long and frustrating! I'm now "penciled" in for October 13th as long as my insurance approval gets back by then. I'm told that my process was quick. LOL From some of the posts here, I would agree with that. I have no worries about my insurance approval as we are self-funded and I meet all the criteria. Just tired of waiting. I can hardly wait - the anticipation is killing me.

I have read so many articles and talked to several Bariatric doctors who continue to tell me that my pouch will not stretch however your brain somehow adapts allowing you to consume more. At about the one year mark I noticed depending on what I choose to eat, I can eat 1 cup of food max. I am now 19 months post op and I still have that same restriction. I can eat 2 to 3 ounces of dense Protein and a bite or two of veggies/fruits and I am almost overly full. However if I eat a bowl of cream of wheat, I can eat almost a full serving. I believe what I have researched, that we adapt, our brains do that. Our stomachs don't stretch. Incidentally I have also learned that I can over indulge in things like Cheezeits! I do eat them but if not careful I can mindlessly nibble way over a portion! I know this because I gained 2 lbs eating the wrong stuff for about 2 weeks. Boy was I pissed at myself. I got back on track and within 1 week I lost those 2lbs eating the right foods and never feeling hungry. Also, I noticed when I was eating too many carbs those 2 weeks I had several episodes of hypoglycemia! It came on so very quickly that it was scary. It became a vicious cycle. Eat too many bad carbs your body will crave it. So now that I know what not to do, I think I will stick to the plan and if I want Cheezeits, I will measure out one serving and watch my carbs the rest of the day!

Hi Congrats to you and hope you are feeling well after surgery. If you have facebook, you can look for Boston Bariatrics which has people from all over MA. There are threads on here as well. I live in Holden north of Worcester. I got sleeved on the 31st of Dec.. almost 6 weeks out. I feel back to myself. It gets better with time.

If you're on the north side of Denver, there are two support groups that I regularly attend. One of them is through Kaiser, though they are open to anyone (I believe most who show up are non-Kaiser folks). It is moderated by an Exempla nurse from St. Josephs and typically meets the last Wednesday of every month at Exempla Good Samaritan. The next meeting is the 29th @ 4:30 The other is actually a Bariatric Pal group. That one typically meets the 2nd Monday of every month in Broomfield at the Mamie Doud Eisenhower library @ 6:00. Here's a link to the thread about it: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/303740-co-denver/ But as to the original subject, I also found a thread with a couple of Co Springs people looking for a group too: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/309864-co-colorado-springs-area/ As well as a South Denver specific one: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/309185-co-south-denver-aurora-parker-areas/

So I’ve done everything I was supposed to do with surgeon and they submitted to bcbsnc and now insurance is saying I need 12 month consecutive with weight loss. Why?!?!?! Would the surgeons office review all my paperwork at initial appointment have me do everything only to not have what I needed. I’ve paid for anesthetist endoscopy psych nut ultrasounds only not to use any of it if I have to wait 12 months. My pcp sent letter how I’ve been under his card for the last year and have not been able to lose weight and that it’s s medical necessity The language from insurance is obscure. Can anyone help with this. The last sentence is what gets me “In advance of a commercially insured member receiving a bariatric surgical procedure, BCBSNC will first need to review the member’s medical records, including documentation of 12 consecutive months of active engagement in weight related treatment, as described above. Judgement regarding the scope, depth, and adequacy of pre-surgical treatment during the 12 months prior to surgery is at the discretion of the multidisciplinary weight loss surgery team, and BCBSNC does not specify the content of the treatment. “

I think it all depends on your insurance and the bariatric center and what they both require. Im 1 week out. My BMI was around 40 as well. I did not have to do a liquid diet either, just the 1200 cal diet. BUT I did do a 3 day liquid diet right before the surgery anyway just becuase I wanted to be safe and also start shrinking my liver which supposedly makes sugery eaiser.

Understandably, you'd feel defeated. It sounds like you've had one frustration after another. I'm sorry for that. I like LoveSimcha's idea of finding a student health plan that covers the surgery. If you can make it work, that's a great option. Even if your insurer won't pay for surgery, they may pay for preop assessments if the provider is in-network. Getting a sleep study, labs, psychotherapy, dietitian visits, and a medically supervised weight loss program covered, your physician just needs to prove medical necessity for those services. Do you have a Health Saving Account or a Flex Spending Account? If you do, you could use this. I know it wouldn't cover it all but it could soften the blow. Medicaid covers weight loss surgery if the facility has the Bariatric Center of Excellence designation and the recipient has a BMI of 35 or higher with one comorbidity and a previous medical weight loss attempt. Do you or your partner's employer offer benefits to part-timers? If not, you could request to temporally reduce your hours and apply for Medicaid the day after your coverage expires. Medicaid coverage begins the day you apply. Income limits depend on if you are single or married. You'd need to determine yours and reduce your income enough to meet eligibility. Lastly, you could check your state's marketplace for a private insurer or pull from your 401(k). I know it's not ideal, and you could take a financial hit, but it could be an option. I hope this helps. I know this situation is disappointing. Please don't give up, you can make this happen. 😊

So I am in the very beginning. I just got a referral from my doctor. I have nutrition class tomorrow and my intro to bariatric surgery on the 1st. I also need to get a sleep study for sleep apnea. I am going through Kaiser and it is covered by my insurance. Hopefully it goes smoothly.

Dr. Wade Barker is one of a select few weight loss surgeons to perform both the LAP-BAND procedure and the Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y) and he holds privileges at several Dallas/Ft. Worth hospitals including: Doctors Hospital, Pinecreek Medical Center, and Forest Park Medical Center. He has performed over 2500 bariatric surgery procedures at his center in Dallas/Ft. Worth with great success. http://adjingo.2cimple.com/web/camp/publishpreview/2962

So, $7,000 is the total cost for VSG at Rockwood Spokane? Does that include hospital stay and anesthesiologist fees? My insurances covers 80% of bariatric surgery cost (after my $3,000 deductible), so if I understand correctly- my 20% out of pocket = $1,400. Plus my $3,000 deductible. For a grand total of approx $4,400? I am crossing my fingers this is correct! My surgeon consult appointment and dietitian appt are both on June 6th. So I suppose I can find out for sure then.

I am located in Charlotte NC and I am thinking of starting a meetup group for anyone who has either had or is planning to have Bariatric surgery. I would like to do weekly or bi-weekly meetups, something simple like a park walk, meetup for coffee or tea etc..... Would anyone be interested in this? If so comment below and I will update you

Well, all I can say is that bariatric surgery was the right decision for me. I am no longer diabetic! No longer have high blood pressure! Can walk up stairs without dying, and feel so much better. My weight loss is not fast, but I have lost 90 pounds since my high weight, and 73 pounds since surgery. I still have a ways to go, but it's progress! Good luck to you!! Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

My paperwork has not been submitted...I am just starting out on this long journey. Cigna has been good to us in the past, but I downloaded the 35 page guide to getting approved for bariatric surgery and read thru the entire thing. I am planning on having to wait the 30 days and if it does happen sooner YEA! Did they make you do a 6 month diet?? My GP wrote to them stating that I have done several supervised diets with him over the past 3 years...I am hoping that appeases them and I don't have to do a 6 month diet...If I do then I am willing to accept this...what's another 6 months..lol. I hope you hear from them soon...no news is good news...What is your BMI? Is there any reason you think you may be denied?? My prayers are with you! Kimberly