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I take 2 bariatric fusion Complete in the morning and two at night. Chewable, taste good and has everything that I need instead of taking multiple pills. i do take good probiotics and extra biotin as well.

The great thing is, I have a few bariatric friends who I can share with if needed. Also, the theory of the vanilla drinks, can be a base and interchangeable with different extracts flavorings, teas, and smoothies. I will push through these.

Tastes dramatically change after surgery, and the smell of some foods might send you hurling. I still can barely handle chocolate.... during soft stage had sf chocolate pudding OMG It was so bad I shudder thinking about it. Bone broth was a savior. Premier protein shakes have been nearly everyone's shake that they managed to still tolerate. I switched to ready-made blue raspberry Isopure with some crystal light lemonade to survive liquid stage. Good luck. If you still have 'stock' once you are past using it, I donated mine to the bariatric support group.

complications aren't that common, and most of the ones people get are pretty minor and easily fixable, like strictures. About 5% of bypass patients get a stricture, making it one of the most common complications. I'd hardly call something that 5% of people get "common", but that gives you some idea on how common complications are. They're not. I think a lot of people you're listening to are remembering what bariatric surgery was like 20+ years ago, when it was fairly risky. It's just not anymore. These have come a really long way since then and have become pretty much routine surgeries. On the continuum of "not risky at all" to "super risky", they're WAY on the side of "not risky at all". They're much safer than hip replacement surgeries, for example, and they do those every day. Honestly I think my plastics were probably riskier than my RNY, as far as surgeries go. you are at greater risk staying obese than you are having this surgery. It's when I realized that that I decided to go for it.

I apparently have an unusual insurance question on my hands because my insurance company doesn’t seem to be understanding my question. For surgery approval, I am required to do six months of weight loss appointments with my general practitioner. At my initial consultation my bariatric surgeon told me to be very careful with how I do my six months of appointments because he’s had patients mess up and not get approved because of the how they did their 6 months due to their insurance companies being very strict. What I’m wanting to know is do my appointments need to be spread out 30 days apart, which is going to be really hard to do with my doctors busy schedule, or can they just be once a month without regard to the number of days in between? All of my appointments are pretty much at least 20 days apart except for one appointment that’s I think 17 days apart. I did reach out to my surgeons office first but was told that I need to contact the insurance company to find that particular detail out and when I call them I get the runaround. I have Anthem BC/BS. I’m sorry if this is a really stupid question. I’m terrified of messing this up!

@ms.sss Thank you for your insight. It's definite things that I need to bring up with my bariatric surgeon. @catwoman7 I will bring this up with my bariatric surgeon and let it weigh in on my research.

The microbiome and that change in it is the very reason they have found bariatric surgery more effective than say the Band- because it changes most peoples microbiome... its isn't about calories restricted as much as it is about the fact that you are changing your microbiome radically or circumventing it all together depending on your surgery type. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6343052/

Deep breaths it is soon BUT you need to tell your DRS asap... and they need to get you on the right diet and vitamin plan ASAP. I have seen some people have healthy pregnancies this soon out but they had DRs who were super involved early on. Its is possible to have a healthy pregnancy but there are risks... But congrats to you and your baby just talk to an OBGYN and bariatric teams ASAP.

I will be moving to Georgia in a few months. Can someone recommend a reputable bariatric surgeon preferably in southeast Georgia. Sent from my SM-N975U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

Update, so I received a packet from one of the Hospitals that I contact which requires me to get it filled out from a physician recommending me for the surgery. I have an appointment with my Primary Care Doctor tomorrow to discuss my decision to pursue bariatric surgery.

you won't die. These fears are based on bariatric surgeries that were performed in the 1960s and 70s, when they WERE high risk. Almost no one dies anymore. Techniques have vastly improved, and these have become very routine surgeries. Gastric bypass has a 0.3% mortality rate, sleeve is even less. So that means you have at least a 99.7% chance of pulling through just fine. This is one of the safest surgeries there is - much safer than a hip replacement, even, and they do those every day. My surgeon has been at it 30 years and has yet to lose one patient...

"My 600 lb Life" is both good and bad - good in that it's exposed the general public to weight loss surgery, bad in that it gives actual bariatric patients unrealistic expectations about how much weight they're going to lose in the early months. One of the biggest factors in your rate of weight loss is your starting BMI. At 320, you're still an average weight loss patient. The people on that show start off at over 600 lbs. With that high of a BMI, they're going to drop 30-35-40 lbs that first month. Although that occasionally happens with some of us "normal" bariatric patients, that is the exception, not the rule. If you only lose 20 lbs the first month, or even 15 lbs, you are NOT a failure. You're experiencing a pretty average first-month loss. I've been hanging out on this and other forums for about five years, and I've been working with pre-op groups in my clinic for the last three years. So many people seem to get down on themselves because they don't lose 40 lbs the first month - and I'm sure that's due to the fact most of their info comes from "My 600 lb Life". Although I've never seen actual research stats on this, I've been involved with the community enough to wager that most of us "normal" bariatric patients lose in the 15-25 lb range that first month. Just something to keep in mind...

I’ve had salmon sashimi twice so far and was surprised my pouch handled it better than cooked fish or tuna. Of course each experience is different. I had already give. Up pasta for years prior to RNY. I was using shiritaki, (better than rice makes a good shiritaki rice they also make a sushi rice) i had also started subbing cauliflower rice, occasionally veggie based pasta. I’d mix better than rice, shiritaki rice and a protein (usually something vegetarian) all pre-surgery. But things change and I am still learning to adapt. But for me personally certain foods are off limits. Unless there is a healthy, but just as tasty alternative. but one month out. It’s way too early to worry about a plate of pasta or sushi. Better question is, how has your relationship to food changed and how will you adapt going forward. Go through the appropriate phases and try new things slowly and one at a time. And put thoughts out of your head about what you might eat in the future. For now it’s hydration, protein and nutrition. but that’s life. And yes sometime down the road as you start getting closer to goal weight you treat yourself to little things as long as you meet your target protein, and don’t break the calorie bank. Of course you can do this early on just set standards and don’t break past them. of course everyone is different but we all started the bariatric surgery journey for a reason.

So I’m almost loath to admit that at least 50% of my days open like this. The coffee/protein goes down around 11-12 pm, then I hit the p3 about an hour later. After that sometimes I don’t care to eat til 3-4pm and then by 6-7pm, I’m not extremely interested in dinner. I’ve got to get better with not only variety, but with quantity. Anna, I’m so sorry you’re struggling to get in those calories and I totally feel your pain Sweetie give yourself some time and some TLC. you started this journey at 35% BMI so you’re in a scarier place, but I’m convinced you’ll figure a way out of it. Keep in touch with a NUT. They should be able to help. This week I’ve made a renewed effort to get in up to 1100 cals daily. I’ve failed both days, but I’m logging food again in the hopes that will give me accountability and own the fact that I’m not eating as much as I should.

Just got a call and my surgery has been switched from 7:30 am to 9:45 am tomorrow. I am OK with that because I originally needed to be at the hospital at 5:30 am, now my time is 7:15 am so I can sleep a little later. As to pre-op diets my surgeon gave me the following list of protein drinks to use: Premier Protein, Bariatric Advantage Protein Powder, Muscle Milk Genuine, Unjury Protein Powder and/or Protein 2O. Powders could be mixed with water or skim milk. The goal was to get 80-90 grams of protein each day. I could have 1 cup of fruit or vegetables two times a day. I could also have low sodium chicken broth along with sugar free popsicles and jello. I did 1 week of liquids with day before surgery just clear liquids. This is done to shrink the liver so doctor can lift the liver off of the stomach to allow better access to it.

I feel like telling someone who just got bariatric surgery that you know someone who gained it all back is comparable to telling someone on the gurney that you know someone who died in surgery. It is just in poor taste... I am also one who didn’t share my surgery. It is my personal health information. That being said, I do feel dishonest sometimes when people comment on my weight loss and I don’t divulge. I just don’t want to be defined by my weight loss surgery so I haven’t opened that can of worms. I don’t care if people figure it out or assume because I’m not embarrassed. If someone came to me for serious advice, I would consider sharing to be helpful.

So I'm in the process of working on the requirements for my insurance to cover surgery. I start class 1 of 6 bariatric nutrition classes tomorrow. I have to do these classes once month for 6 months. But probably in a few months, I will be moving to another state. Has anyone moved to another state in the middle of trying to complete the insurance requirements? Was it easy? Did you have to restart the requirements in the new state? Sent from my SM-N975U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

It's been a long process overall. We have an accredited bariatric surgery center located in my local hospital. That has been a huge help, insurance wise. Insurance required 6 months of doctor visits, but they did not have to be new. They could have used previous doctor visits where we discussed weight loss and issues surrounding it, I'm mostly getting the surgery for the severe GERD starting to cause Barrets esophagus. Then I needed three consecutive months with the nutritionist to prove that I can make the changes that would be required after the surgery. Once that was completed, insurance was approved. That was 3 months ago, so it took about 3 months to get it approved. However I ended up dislocating my wrist and needing a complete wrist repair and tendon graft. So I pushed my surgery out till January. Then it was about selecting the surgery date. Two weeks ago I got blood work done, and I ended up being a little bit low in iron and vitamin d so they called in a prescription for that. The pre-op appointments I had this week I met with the following: yesterday I met with the nutritionist to discuss everything again, then the nurse to go over any health changes, and then the pharmacist, who helps you with your medication, which ones you need to chew, which ones you need to dissolve, and if you are on any extended release ones they change it for you. She also gave me all of my vitamins. This is included in the package through the medical insurance. Today, I met with the physical therapist who had me do a 6-minute walk and took my blood pressure and heart rate before and after. I'll repeat the test in 6 months to make sure everything is improving. She also gave me exercises to do while in the hospital and after to prevent blood clots. Then I finally met with the surgeon who basically just looked at my chart signed it and said see in two weeks. Our local bariatric center has monthly meetings, and I follow up with the physical therapist, nurse, and nutritionist consistently for the first year. sorry this was long and not exactly sure if this is what you were looking for but feel free to ask anything else! Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

FluffyChix, Thank you so much. Yes, my Sleeve still works and gets restriction to food. As far as the fatty liver, it is Non-Alcoholic. I know without a doubt that I have a vitamin deficiency, and wanted to keep taking my vitamins until I can schedule an appointment to meet with the Doc. I just am not sure how long I should wait?? At the present time, I'm taking the OPTISOURCE Post Bariatric Surgery chewable tablets (& I absolutely hate them), but I force myself. I'm looking to make the switch to perhaps a 1 a day capsule (BariatricPal 1 a day Multi-vitamin).

Just bumping this thread again to see if anyone else has already completed a post-bariatric surgery thru hike or long distance pilgrimage? Would like to know how you handled nutrition along the way. Especially if you completed the Camino de Santiago in Spain. But experience with long distant (many day) hike would do. I am now 4 1/2 months post op. Below my doctors goal weight. Not far from a "normal" BMI. I will be leaving in late May, just over 9 months post op. I am trying to figure out how to stay hydrated, how to get enough protein, how others did with carbs (need to increase for the hike, but don't want to have to withdraw afterwards and am afraid it will be hard to go back to my non-hiking bariatric diet). I have tried asking some questions on Camino forums, but the average hiker just doesn't understand the challenges that many people face if they have medical issues that affect their diet/nutrition/hydration health. For example, a question about "Are you able to buy electrolytes along the Camino" gets responses like "there are water fountains everywhere, just drink more water". Um, yeah. I would love to do that. But I am still lucky to get 60 ounces in. What I need to know is if I can easily buy electrolyte supplements along the route. If yes, I am good. If not, I need to come up with a plan for hydration. Or someone else asked questions about vitamins and people replied "Just eat fruits and vegetables, vitamins are a waste of money". Um yeah... doesn't work for those with vitamin deficiencies. This person, like me, needs very specific vitamin supplements to maintain her level of health. While we can find a normal mulit... we may not be able to find the right dosing of each vitamin for our needs. And heck... I even talked to my nutritionist about my nutritional concerns for the hike and she tried telling me "just bring all the mulit-vitamins, calcium chews, and individual packets of protein powder and electrolytes with you for the entire trip". Um... sure... that would work for a normal travel situation. But I am packing a backpack with my clothes, bedding, hygiene essentials plus medications, first aid, and other necessary supplies. I will be carrying that bag on m y back for at least 7 hours a day, every day, for up to 7 weeks straight. Yeah.... can't pack enough for the entire trip. She at least understood when I put it that way to her.... but those who have hiked the Camino before and don't have my medical issues just don't know how to reply in a manner that is actually helpful to me. And US thru hikers send themselves care packages to local post offices along the path... but since I would be mailing things from the US, I risk packages getting stuck in customs and not arriving as scheduled and thus I might have to move on without dietary essentials. Anyhow.... if anyone has experience they can share, i would love to know how you dealt with some of these issues. Or if there were other challenges you faced because you are a bariatric patient.

Yes, she survived and gave me the courage to get a referral to a bariatric surgeon. She also convinced her husband to do the surgery. While I was at UMC getting my surgery, he was at TMC getting his (also with your doc). My friend is 4 years post op and looks great and has been in maintenance mode since year one. Her husband is down 75 pounds since surgery and 8-10 inches off his waist. I am down 75 pounds since May 20 (surgery Sept 4), am below my surgeons goal, and near MY goal. Anyhow, I know others who also had your doc and they have all been happy with their results. I only went with a different doc because my PCP referred me to a different doc. Anyhow... he may not be a female with big boobs... but sounds like he is good at what he does, and I would prefer a skilled doc than a hot doc (although the hot doc is always a bonus).

Hi Suburban Boston. I've been with my bariatric center for a year. I think its fear. I've had a few co occurring medical issues I was focusing on and those have mostly been addressed. I really need to do some deep thinking over the next few days...

Early out drinking feels like aquarium gravel, try different temperatures and flavors, bone broth, sf crystal light diluted, warm decaf tea, etc. I liked ready-made blue raspberry Isopure, if you can find it in the UK. Staying hydrated is very important as it can be hard to catch up once you are in that state. If you find yourself getting light headed increase liquids and salt. Your will be emotional on and off during this journey, hormones get wacky and you will miss food, right now you miss chewing. This all passes in time. Hang in there. Find a new hobby, go to a bariatric support group if you can.

That is the common coverage for bariatric surgery, having a BMI 40 or over or a BMI of 35 or over with two comorbidity factors. The surgery has to be medically necessary for them to cover it under insurance. They're not going to pay for someone who doesn't need it to have it.