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I think it is ridiculous that if you need to have a revision to a bariatric procedure from a failed initial one that you have to wait to regain all your weight before you can get another! If you met the criteria for the first procedure and had surgery and now need another the insurance company should be satified that the patient is still a candidate. Most of us had our first surgery because of health considerations and to expect us to regain all that weight to have the revision surgery is unhealthy and a waste (waist!) of time. I have to have a lap band removed and fortunately (or unfortunately) I have already regained enough weight and have two new comorbidities so I don't have to gain even more to get my revision.

I was told to take Flintstone w/ iron then calcium citrate which I got from bariatric pal its the bariatric advance chews. I have been looking into Tespo its a machine kinda like a Keurig machine that will make you a shot of vitamins daily. They have a bariatric pod two shot glasses of drink a day one in morning and one at night and that it. Rather then taking a ton of pills. But I'm the worst at taking pills so I think it would be more beneficial for me to go the Tespo route. Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

Try chef Dave Fouts out at chef Dave .org (sorry can't yet figure out how to paste the link on my iPad). He is a Chef who has bariatric surgery and gets the stages. My doctors office stocks his cook books but for like $25 for a year you can get a lot from his site. It is an option. I am going to be cooking a few of the recipes and will post. I am 11 days post op now and have stuck with natural applesauce to get the medicine down with, split pea soup and creamy type Soups. Just had my first scrambled egg yesterday be careful they can get rubbery given it takes us so long to eat but it was good. Also fat free re fried Beans blended in my bullet were the best. I had 3 tbs and was full. Good luck! Sandy

I've attended orientations through Pacific Bariatric, Sharp memorial bariatric and UCSD. During my consultation next week, I'm sure they will assist with my decision between lap band or the sleeve. I just want what will work for me and gives me the greates success in weight loss. Thanks all that commented. I appreciate your support and advice.

Hello all.......New Life Surgical Associates (Dr Sunil Sharma) formerly the Director of Bariatrics at UF Shands, has taken over Dr Cywes practice in Jacksonville..........Dr Cywes is no longer practicing in Jacksonville............ We are currently taking ALL patients no matter what surgery and what surgeon.............. www.newlifejax.com Look forward to seeing you!!!!

@@Notinks Hi there! Just noticed you had your surgery the day before I did. How are you doing? My doctor wanted me to drink three Protein shakes, along with other fluids....impossible. I can manage two which gives me my 60 grams of protein. Forget getting in 64 ounces of Water....ain't happening. Have you tried making shakes with whey Protein powder? Each scoop is 30 grams of protein. I make it with unsweetened Almond milk, ice cubes, and some sugar free Jello or pudding powder added for flavor.....delicious. Are you taking chewable Vitamins? I take Bariatric Choice...four a day. You don't need added Calcium with these. Let me know how you're doing. Hugs

I had already placed a call into my bariatric surgeon's office - the nurse was gone for the day. They should be calling me back tomorrow. I was just hoping to get a jump start on understanding.

I hear you about the drive to Richmond. I work on DC, so I was doubly worried about being so far away. However, MWH wasn't doing bariatric surgery when I had mine. They just brought in a new team this year. They had been doing them in the past and got into trouble because there were so many problems. This new team is supposed to be good. I just love Dr. Brengman though. I think the real problem is that there are so many people clamoring for this surgery that not only are they overwhelmed, but I think the idea of customer service is a non-issue since they have more business than they can shake a stick at. Stay after them. You know what they say, the squeaky wheel gets the oil.

I have completed 3 months of the 6 month supervised diet. I didnt do the best and managed to gain 15lbs but I have 3 months to lose the 15lbs and hopefully plus some. I checked in for my second doctors visit weight check and only have one more Doctor visit weight check which will be October 17th. I started the Medifast Diet to try and lose the 15lbs plus some. You eat 5 of their meals plus one lean (protein) and green (Veggies) meal. This is my second day and will jump on the scale next week. I chose this diet because they also have a bariatric diet plan for banded patients (Liquid Pre-Surgery diet and soft foods post surgery). I have attached my Pre-Surgery Pictures......No judgement...Right

I attended our bariatric support group today and we had a guest speaker talk about ways to relieve stress in under 5 minutes, including: Relaxed Breathing. (See Exercise #2 here: http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART00521/three-breathing-exercises.html) Creating. Laughing. Being still/meditating. Unplugging. Saying "No". What are some easy ways that you relieve stress on a daily basis?

Sleeve... The Bariatric center that I'm going to is no longer doing the band due to complications. They said there are a lot of issues trying to get the right amount of fluid in the band. Too much causes vomiting and issues with ulcers/esophageal erosion. And too little means slow/no weight loss because the person can eat a larger amount of food. A lot of their banded patients are now choosing to be sleeved.

So today I went back to my bariatric doctor for the first time in almost a year. Let me tell you, I was not looking forward to that and was a bit nervous. The last time I had went there I had a pretty bad experience with the nurse practioner, and decided not to go back. Since no one else would take me, and I am obviously filled too tight, I went back. It was a pretty good experience today. The nurse practioner who I hadnt liked is no longer there, which was a relief. Natalie, my new NP, asked why I was here, and was very considerate of my situation. I am 1lb heavier than I was when I got the surgery (which is 4.5lbs less than I was 2 weeks ago! ) but Im taking that in stride. Im trying my best to measure my food, and chart my food. I bought an electronic scale today from bath and body works, and let me tell ya, I think it's gonna help! A coworker (and fellow bandster) challenged me to measure my food and stay between 6-8 ounces per meal, and I said GAME ON! We'll see if it helps (I think it will). I told myself if I lost 5 lbs in 2 weeks I will get my hair colored, and I really want that done. I dunno if 2.5lbs a week is too much, but we shall see. Wish me luck fellow bandsters, Im trying to do this right now.

Thanks so much........at this juncture....it is a struggle...the primary care doctor is trying to assist me in finding out the reason this is happening.......it is truly upsetting since the surgery went well......from the reading that I have done...Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins Hospital.......there are some people who have peripheral neuropathy after bariatric surgery.......I was given a cream to apply to my feet and I am taking medication given to people to help with the pain in the feet....such as diabetic neuropathy......? Thanks.....hope that you are doing well......all the best...

Bariatric Advantage has an unflavored protein shake. It is not cheap at $60 for a large container.

I am not a patient of Dr Cunneen’s, so I cannot speak to any experience with him specifically, though I have met him, and he was present in the operating Room when I had my Lap band installed. However, having said that, I WILL tell you that my experience with that Medical Group, and Cedars-Sinai in general was absolutely horrific. The “surgeon” who installed my Lap Band was Theodore Khalili, who is now the Chief of the Cedars Bariatric group. Just THAT fact alone is enough to make me advise people to STAY AWAY from Cedars, and particularly Khalili. He did an AWFUL job on me, and when the problems surfaced, he ran like jackrabbit. No support whatsoever until I threatened a lawsuit, and then he acted like a three-year old whose toys had been taken away. In addition, Dr Cunneen was present during the surgery to oversee Khalili’s work….and the surgeon who REMOVED my lap band stated that the band had been installed INCORRECTLY. So, I would have to question Cunneens skill if he oversaw a procedure that was performed incorrectly. HH

I smoked 20-30 per day from age 17. Quit for pregnancy, quit for 48 hours once later. Quit in forever attempt for 2 years after doing the Alan Carr course before my Mum got pancreatic cancer and life personally and professionally exploded. Then finally quit cold turkey in Jan last year. Built up to it for 6 months after first bariatric consultation. Slipped once after. Got drunk with a good friend and had two ciggies. I liked smoking, but at this stage, having gone the whole 12+ month cycle of ‘first withouts’ (birthday, holiday, Christmas, pub, meal, flaming row, house move) I can look back and see how my brain chemistry controlled me and the habits I formed. Huge force of will for the time it takes for initially chemical detox, then repeated small efforts of resistance while your head tries to tell you you are hungry for nicotine. Patch/pill/other help probably makes sense. I deserve no creds for cold turkey, it was probably irresponsible. However you manage to catch your wave I wish you huge luck. Xx Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

OK, so I had my very first consultation with Dr. David Ward in Morristown New Jersey he will be my surgeon. He addressed all my questions and my husbands as well. We had pretty common questions like, how long does the surgery take, healing time, what to expect, any complications that could arise, mortality rate etc. The first thing he asked me was what type of surgery was I interested in. I did not let him know right away that I wanted the sleeve. I asked what he thought would be better. He let me know that the sleeve would be better for me. Which is what I wanted to begin with. He informed me that bypass would not be in my Best interest. Also, he does not like to perform bypass surgery on smokers. I asked him how long I need to be smoke-free in order to have surgery. He said, obviously it is better to be totally smoke free but, he does understand how hard it can be. He did say that I can use nicotine replacement such as the patch he wasn't too happy about vape only because there's not too much information on it. He did recommend that I at least cut back even if I don't use the nicotine replacement. I also asked about liquid diet and what I need to do now to start preparing. He said we definitely want you to cut back calories and carbs. you will be meeting with a nutritionist who will help you with that. My husband asked when would I need to start the liquid diet the doctor informed us it would not be necessary until much much closer to surgery. He said it is not mandatory that I lose weight just not to gain any weight but it would help if I lost obviously it would make surgery go easier. So my first of three appointments with the nutritionist will be on the 26th of this month. I still need to make an appointment with a Gastro and the psychiatrist. I did ask why does it seem to vary so much as far as everyone's diets preop and wait times. He said is far as wait times go, that's the insurance requirements. Pre-op diet really depends on the individual some of us are not as heavy as others. Some of us have different issues Healthwise. That's why it varies so much from person to person. For example he already told me that he is sending me home after surgery with a blood thinning injection. Most of you probably didn't need that or won't need that. my BMI is very high (63.7) He did warn me already not to compare what I can tolerate and what's in my program to what others have. Oh on a final note, I mentioned that we have a few family events coming up and that I'd be heading into NYC and probably eating my head off. He laughed and said get it out of your system now because once the nutritionist appointment starts it becomes very serious. So that was my very first visit to a bariatric surgeon. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have coffee every morning. If I don't have my coffee it is best for all creatures--great and small---to be afraid--very afraid.. Whenever I feel ill, I drink diet gingerale--just like Mom gave me many, many years ago. I think every WLS person has to mix and match their own needs/wants within their individual program. You'll know soon enough just what your sleeve will tolerate and what it won't. There is no template that is "one size fits all". It's up to you, your sleeve and your bariatric team to solve the puzzle as to what pieces will fit together to make your new life --picture perfect.

It’s like a corset you wear around your waist. It’s not tight tight like to shape your waist, but firm like those belts guys use for heavy lifting. It supports your tummy and keeps it from jiggling around which causes pain. It’s very comfortable and reduces pain significantly. I got mine from amazon a couple of days after surgery and it’s helped a lot. Here is a link: https://www.amazon.com/Everyday-Medical-Abdominal-Binder-Surgery/dp/B07G4N752D I highly recommend. I got the suggestion from someone else here on Bariatric Pal.

I was NOT able to get my procedure covered by my insurance last year even with 2 comorbidities. My policy stated that there was a Bariatric Surgey Exclusion. My medical necessity did not matter. My company did not pay the premium to include bariatric surgery on our group policy, making it an exclusion on our policy. So no, they would not cover it and I had to wait till open enrollment to drop that policy.

So Bariatric surgery is not covered on my insurance but with all my health issues my doctor seems to think my insurance will cover it.... Has anyone's insurance covered it even though it's not listed??

Hello! I began my pre-op diet today as well In my case it's for 2 weeks and I am on the 'Bariatric Advantage' product per my doc. It's the Protein powder shakes (I got chocolate, orange cream, and strawberry) and also the Protein Bars. I'm supposed to be on 4-5 shakes and 1-2 bars per day (plus all the crystal light I can drink). The bars look like something I might clean up after my cat (gross) but don't taste too bad. The shakes will take some getting used to, pretty chalky but not too bad. I'll have to see how I feel about it in a few days Hang in there!

@WinterFish I can relate to what you wrote. I also became reclusive as my weight increased. One of my oldest friends is renewing her vows after 25 years in the Bahamas late next spring. I want to go, made the reservations to go, but I am not sure I will be physically or emotionally ready. I have lost over 90 lbs in the past few months, but I still feel reclusive. I do not drink either and its going to be weird being around a lot of people who do....actually it will be weird being around a lot of people at all. I am not sure what it will take to be ready or even if I will go next May. I still have a lot of healing to do before then.

So I’m scheduled to have my VSG on 8/27. Because I have a fatty liver, I started my pre-op liquid diet on 8/10. For the most part I have followed the diet pretty strict (mine is the true liquid diet) except I substitute an Oikos triple zero for a shake but am still getting 80 grams of protein and staying between 60-85 grams of protein a day and 650-800 calories. When I first looked into bariatric surgery back in January of 2020, my weight was 252 and I’m 5’ 8 1/2. Prior to the diet my weight was 236 (my insurance requires 6 months of nutritional visits and I did lose some weight). Now I’ve dieted off an on for over 15 years and can usually lose 20-30 lbs but it has never stayed off and I revert back to the 250 range which puts me at a BMI above 37. I have fatty liver & sleep apnea and when I made the decision to pursue bariatric surgery it was for my health. Here is my conundrum, in 11 days I have lost 10 pounds which to me is amazing so I’m now at 226lbs and a BMI around 34. Why am I now second guessing having surgery??? I know deep down the reason why I’m doing so well and sticking to the diet is because I’m terrified of having a fatty liver during surgery because of the complications (soft livers tear easily). Have any of you experienced this?

Hi!! So exciting to meet neighbors!! I am going to Dr. Schmit in Bismarck. I live here in Bismarck and I have had him before. He did a biopsy on my breast in November. He was so kind. My sister had passed away a week prior (cancer) and I was really sad. His bedside manner just touched my heart. So... I am sticking with him. The coordinator for bariatric surgeries there is really great too. Mexico huh? How much less did it cost there? Best Wishes, Tarra