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We figured out it was actually my vitamins! I was taking bariatric fusion chewable 4x per day and I had recently started an additional D3 and iron supplement. Posting so if anyone searches for something similar they can see this.

I live in the metro Atlanta area and I went with Wellstar Kennestone Bariatrics. The surgeon there is Doctor Fritz Jean-Pierre. I've felt very supportive by his team and him. He has a very calming demeanor the few times I've seen him (including the day after surgery), and a good sense of humor.

The Swedish Metabolic and Bariatric Center has a support group that gets together a few times a month that might make a great starting off point for you to meet people. I'll be heading to a meeting in the near future (just had surgery this week).

Thanks for sharing. I'm going to check out the collagen peptides. I already take B12, so I plan to keep taking it after surgery, along with Biotin. I am old, 57, and I ordered bariatric multi vitamins. Like you, I am scared about hair loss. My hair is my best feature!

Bariatric wise, I am allowed 1-2 glasses of caffeinated coffee in the AM, and tea is also permitted throughout the day, but they prefer herbal/non-caffeinated teas. Cardiac wise... I have given up caffeine altogether. Just as well, my biggest source of caffeine was colas which of course are NOT good for a bariatric patient!

I have feeling of accomplishment and relief. I completed the Medicare criteria for my revision surgery this week. It has been a journey, stressful at times. In 2005, when I was preparing for my Lap Band surgery, I worked through all the pre- op requirements at the Bariatric Dept. Back then it was my PCP who gave me the biggest grief, as he was not a proponent of weight loss surgery of any kind. This time it was much different. The psychiatric evaluation and initial nutritional assessment I had done at the surgeon's hospital. But, since I live about 2 hours including a ferry ride from the hospital, I decided to do the Medically Managed Weight Loss Program with my local PCP. In hindsight, I think I should have done it with the nutritionist at the surgeon's hospital. My PCP and his PA have been wonderful, but they have limited understanding of bariatric surgery and Medicare requirements. In the end, I think we helped each other through the process, but it took a lot of explaining and back-tracking each visit. The good news is they are both very supportive. Looking forward my revision on February 27.

kc892020, Thank you for the information, it looks like we are having our surgeries a day apart, mine is the 14th. My bariatric team is also the ones treating my PCOS so I am lucky in that respect. I will be happy to get rid of the metformin, I have not seen any real difference with the spironolactone and I do not take progesterone. I was taking Victoza but ins quit paying for it. I also saw that you are from Ohio, I am originally from Ohio too. I hope you have great success, please let me know how it goes and if your PCOS symptoms subside.

According to ASMBS guidelines, "Q: Do I need to avoid caffeine after bariatric surgery? A: Caffeine fluids have been shown to be as good as any others for keeping you hydrated. Still, it is a good idea to avoid caffeine for at least the first thirty days after surgery while your stomach is extra sensitive. After that point, you can ask your surgeon or dietitian about resuming caffeine. Remember that caffeine often comes paired with sugary, high-calorie drinks, so be sure you’re making wise beverage choices." The BariatricPal Store carries a large selection of bariatric friendly coffee options at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/coffee .

I stocked up too. I wanted to be prepared, especially since I knew I shouldn't be lifting big cases of vitamin water or protein shakes and things of that nature post op. Overall, I was glad I was prepared. BUT... The only caution I will give to others pre-op who are reading this thread... be careful not to stock up too much! There were several things I had and liked pre-op that did NOT sit well with me post-op. For example: Chocolate Premier Protein Shakes and Premier Protein Water. I liked and drank them pre-op. I hated them post-op. I forced myself to finish the chocolate shakes, but I gave the protein water away. And that stuff is expensive! I also didn't like the bariatric soup mixes I bought and some of the goat cheese crackers Still have them, but they aren't getting used up. The protein oatmeals are way too much for me to eat, so I don't eat those. Luckily my daughter likes some of them. I bought WAY too much jello and Popsicles. Still have the jello, but the popsicles were taking up valuable freezer space so I threw them out. Oh... and I have an abundance of tuna/chicken packets which I will use, but I was using them much more in pre-op diet mode and I am sick of them now.

@momotrips3 My band experience is similar to yours! I never found my sweet spot so it never worked for me I went to the doctor complaining that I could clear my pouch with a burp (unintentional) and I'd be hungry again so he tightened me just a little bit but then I couldn't get water down so he had to take it out. Told me I was at my highest tolerance for tightness so it didn't do much to help me... I'd get stuck on healthy foods (any fibrous fruits/veggies and lean proteins) and I never felt good with it. After seeing all these GERD stories I'm heavily leaning toward RNY. At first it sounded scary but it's been done for many years now and is apparently the gold standard for bariatric surgery... I'm gonna schedule a consult soon after I research doctors in my state. I had twins last year in April and ever since my body is just a mess. I walk like I'm 80 even though I'm 37, and I went to the trampoline park with my oldest kid last weekend and I couldn't jump with him because it was too hard 😭 I'm too damn young to not be able to be active and play with my kids! That's when I decided I need to do some research and figure this out. I don't want my kids to look at me and think old fat mom can't bike with us, jump with us, go down slides and play with us because she's too out of shape.

I will post my prescribed 6week to 3month Bariatric diet on a new thread

sounds like constipation - sometimes a lot of gas gets trapped behind it which can cause a lot of pain and bloating. chronic constipation is actually pretty common in bariatric patients, both sleeve and bypass. A lot of us take a capful of Miralax every day to help with it. Others take things like stool softeners, Smooth Move tea, etc. Just experiment with what works for you and keep on top of it. I wouldn't mess with harsher laxatives except for during the times you really need them (like when you've been blocked up for three or four days). Those aren't made for daily use. But stool softeners and things like Miralax can be used regularly. even with the daily Miralax, I still get backed up once or twice a month. When it happens, taking Milk of Magnesia for a night or two usually does the trick.

I’m so sorry ur experiencing this with the LB n it’s unfortunately cuz u’ll continue with all those symptoms until u make the right choice in removing it n instead settling for a revision. I can fully relate to ur experience/symptoms cuz I too had the LB for 11 yrs n all my symptoms started a few months after getting it. So, I just put up with all the symptoms n tolerated the band cuz it was a nice little tool that DID the JOB in helping me loose weight by not OVER EAT or able to eat anything at all. I was 210 lbs when I got it. I went down to 135/40 lbs n loving/liking the way I LOOKED even though the symptoms SUCKED. I became ANEMIC n at one time got an AWFUL BACTERIAL infection that I DON’T wish on anyone. Believe me it was a SACRIFICE having the band. But unfortunately n cuz I had no other choice; in 2018 I had the band removed due to LOTS of problems with the port after getting a tummy tuck n too was tired of all the TERRIBLE/AWFUL symptoms that came with it. If I would’ve FULLY RESEARCHED n known of all the LB symptoms; I would’ve instead OPTED for a bypass. Unfortunately I did gain ALL my weight back but that was only due to lots of medical issues once I entered MENOPAUSE n being put on medication. So now, due to all my weight gain I REFUSE to let myself go n NOT EXHAUST all options for OVERALL BETTER HEALTH. Therefore, I’m currently being monitored by a nutritionist n dietician along with my bariatric doctor for a possible GASTRIC BYPASS that was recommended by my doctor. Hope my sharing helped n u make the right choice for ur OVERALL HEALTH. May God illuminate/bless you in DOING THE RIGHT THING.🙏🏽

Keep a daily log of weight, food I eat, calories and protein to constantly remind myself of why I started this journey. And if I forget slap myself, take mental note of it and remind myself it’s not worth it. But also remind myself letting loose a little once in a while is ok as long as it’s within certain rules I set (getting my daily protein, vitamins and not breaking my maximum calories) I know it’s hard. To add to the book suggestion. Look for the book on audible audio book and listen to it while you take a walk. Also if you can try to just go on a quiet walk somewhere to clear your head and think about why you had bariatric surgery and how to get back into the groove again ... And thankfully you have a lot of support here too.

Using that to compare sleeve to RNY ... I don’t think sleeve was intended as a first step surgery but as a stand-alone procedure while RNY is gold standard. Duodenal switch is very rarely done but uses a sleeve type method with gallbladder removal and intestinal rerouting. I was interested in DS because I needed cholecystectomy due to chronic inflammation but sleeve isn’t good for GERd. I agree @FluffyChix as well as it seems many people who get sleeved end up getting RNY due to developing acid reflux (GERd) I’m still perplexed by some things about the procedures, like how they can go from sleeve to RNY. I do agree that a lot of problems arise from gastric banding. But sleeves also can stretch and people can ignore the restrictions and rules of the tool they were given with whichever surgery they chose. So you have skepticism when mentioning any type of bariatric surgery. But modern day surgery, with the right surgical team, along with a good nutrition plan and mindfulness can change the outcome a great deal. As usual fluffychix is right. We also need to sometimes let others weight comments roll off our backs, and walk away. this kind of thing is hard for me, I’m can’t read people. But I notice when I was gaining no one says anything not even my doctor when I’m pleading for help. I don’t get out often but now people see me and I get the occasional comment on how Skinny I’m getting or I’m disappearing. Which ... well is a double edge sword since I’ve spent my life invisible. I’m losing weight for me not for commentary. Although yes we don’t want to look at our reflection and dislike what we see and other people tend to act as mirrors. And their comments as well. ultimately the journey is never linear no matter how we want it to be but in the moment someone asks you just say exactly as it is, you had bariatric surgery, your goal is to be successful no matter what happened to whomever else had surgery. And maybe, they are a bit jealous that you are succeeding. It’s sad that people need to be that way. it does scare me that despite all my fight I won’t hang on to the weight loss because I can’t exercise and my health gets worse. I’m using my tool though and following rules. Even when the people around me don’t understand them. Or why in the rare times I go out to eat I’m so restricted. sorry. Not only did I answer backwards but went off on a tangent. But the op question is on a lot of minds I’m sure for those unlike me with actual lives around actual humans. But those humans can be rather harsh when it comes to things like food and weight. I will never understand it.

Potatoe potato . While true true, the first was in reference to DS, thereafter original proving ground test subjects were RYGB. Regardless is was conceived as a "first step" for the morbidly obese to allow for easier follow up Bariatric surgery, with less complications. i believe the sleeve alone has the highest 5 year rate, for those with a starting BMI of under 40.

Honey, this is exactly what the band is SUPPOSED to do. You WANT to eat, but the band stops you. The "wishing you could eat more" is a whole other subject. The area of the stomach that is responsible for satiety is in the top portion of your stomach. The bottom portion isn't calling out to you. This is your head thinking you didn't eat enough, aka "head hunger." When I was banded, I could eat small amounts (usually about 1/2-1cup) of food. The amount of time before I felt hungry again depended on what I ate. If I ate a cookie or cupcake, I was hungry again in about 15 minutes. If I ate solid meat and vegetables, I wasn't hungry for hours. With the lapband, if I ate too quickly or didn't chew my food well enough, it felt like razors trying to pass through that stoma. It hurt so bad and I didn't want to have to experience THAT again, so I'd go back to my chewing/eating slowly/etc. Then I'd forget and the RAZORS would quickly remind me. I never had the "burp" and I'm cleared thing other than once when I had something stuck in the stoma (I hadn't chewed a piece of meat well enough). When my gallbladder went crazy, I had a lot of violent vomiting and my band slipped. I didn't have it out because it failed me. I had it out because it slipped and was giving me reflux for years before the doctors found the slip. With the sleeve, it is much the same. I eat small amounts, about the same as the band. The amount of time before I feel hungry again is exactly the same as the band. If I eat junk food or high-carb food, it doesn't satisfy me and I'm hungry again very quickly. If I eat a meal with substance, I could go 3 or 4 hours without being hungry. EX: for lunch today I had a small salad and some tomato soup. I ate it about an hour ago and I'm still as full right now as I was when I stopped eating. This will probably last me at least another hour or 2. I still have the razor feeling if I eat too fast or don't chew well enough. I get a "hard stop" if I've reached my max capacity, which I try not to do. It's painful and I can get thick saliva that foams. In comparison between band and sleeve, I'd say they were very similar. I have a firmer "hard stop" with the sleeve, but that's OK. Otherwise, the satiety and consequences of not chewing well enough are the same. I'm still of the opinion your problem may be related to what and how you're eating. I wasn't able to tolerate fills at all in my band, so I never got the full benefits of having the adjustable restriction, but I never felt like I was starving. Go back to the basics of your bariatric diet. Chew well and eat s-l-o-w. Log everything you eat, so you know how many calories you're getting. If necessary, contact a nutritionist for a diet plan. If you're still struggling after all that, maybe a counselor? disclaimer: My comments are not intended as medical advice. When in doubt, always contact your doctor.

We are bookends, your surgery is on Monday/27th and my surgery is on Friday/31st. Costco has Premier protein on sale (2 cases max) for 19.00 each until 01/26 I believe. Wal-Mart grocery store is good for our Jello and Sugar free Popsicles, Trader Joe's has plenty of broth varieties. I've been shopping as I go, building my supplies and getting ready for the transition to bariatric surgery. I also live alone and don't want to be without my needs during recovery time. My focus is going to be on rest, hydration and walking in the proper time intervals.

Hi! Got my date yesterday - 1/28/2020. Having RNY - Overland Park, KS (Bariatric and Metabolic Specialists; surgeon is Dr. Roger de la Torre). Surgeon said it's the best option for a newly-diagnosed Type 2 diabetic. Nervous, excited, everything all rolled up together for the life change! Pre-OP requirement -1 week liquid diet. I may have more pre-OP requirements when I see the nurse-practitioner Jan 16th. Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi Yall! I'm new to this forum and just inquiring if anyone has recently dealt with Medicaid and their prerequisites for approval of bariatric surgery?

I took a few pictures of some of my pre-op goodies. I went to the Obesity Help Conference and was given so many different kinds of free samples, especially when I shared that I'm pre-op. There's a variety of products ranging from protein shakes, vitamins, bariatric foods (vegetable pizza crust not pictured and purchased after tasting), post-op food from unjury and etc. I know our tastes may change, but I'm getting these protein drinks down. I have spices, extracts, decaf teas and I will add ice to make smoothies...lol !!! Long story short, a few more cases of water, gas-x , miralax , a good mouthwash for dry mouth and a neutral toothpaste... I'm ready. I didn't take pictures of everything, I didn't feel like pulling out all of the boxes of broth, Bariatric Advantage Vitamins full size, water bottles, Better than Bullion jars, other pill organizers and etc. Who else is ready or what does your maintenance look like?

Oh, here we go again. It never fails to amaze me that we all had bariatric surgery from different doctors, and their post op rules are vastly different from practice to practice. I've said all along that they should have a conference, and print a book with the rules that MOST of us should follow! My doc allows caffeine as long as it's not excessive. I went decaf on my own for the first three weeks, but was sooooo happy to switch to regular. Decaf tastes like a$$ to me.

Anybody else in the Atlanta & Marrietta area using Wellstar Comprehensive Bariatrics Services? I've just finished my initial consultation with Dr Jean- Pierre and am now working on my clearances and presurgical requirements. Looks like it will be a busy few months! Best Kevin

There is also a place in Vegas called blossom bariatric that is supposed to be good and much less expensive. If it comes down to self pay.

This list may help you as well https://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/insurance-that-covers-bariatric-surgery.html nit sure if you would be open to going to Mexico for surgery but many, many people that don’t have coverage do just that. There are very competent drs there.