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from your bariatric surgeon? No - those are tests that primary care doctors do. I think my bariatric surgeon just talked to me about my expectations and what he felt was realistic. He also talked about the different surgeries and which he would recommend for me (and why). Three hours is a lot - is the surgeon having you talk to a dietitian and/or a psychologist while you're there? If so, that would account for the three hours for sure...

I just read an article that 50% of sleeves patients regain their weight back!!! Is this true? I’m feeling some type of way. How does this happen? I just got sleeved and my insurance only gives one bariatric surgery a lifetime. I chose the sleeve, mainly because I was afraid of losing too much weight with the bypass. I will stay focused each day and do what needs done, and thank my higher power for this new chance at life.

STAY ON UR SURGEONS DIETS But this is just what my surgeon told me. My surgeon is Dr. Snyder Denver Bariatric center of excellence. ( he is the head surgeon in the US is on the board for bariatric and other things he fixes all the complications and problems from other surgeons he has patients fly from all over even out of the US to see him. Some patients come from London New Zealand etc) BUT he told me that the size of ur liver has nothing to do with it. They thought that it did in the past but new studies show the complications that arose from “large livers” where actually surgeon error 😳 so his patients and the other surgeons that work along and with him in the Denver center do not require a liquid diet etc for weeks before hand to “shrink liver” He said it’s also a mental tool the surgeons can use on us. It’s test our will power ( which he also mentioned is a reason he does not do this. It causes us a lot of unneeded stress and anxiety while we r already preparing for such a huge change we do not need this stress) he said it’s cruel to have patients on such a long liquid diet. Because the patients think they HAVE to follow this strict liquid diet due to the size of their livers a medical need in reality it is not. He explained a whole lot about it to me. And it made me really sad PLEASE FOLLOW UR SURGEONS DIET. I am not saying to go off the diet. But try not to let it control u mentally because that’s what they r hoping for. And I am so sorry that you all have to go through this. 🥺 I have listed my requirements previously. But Here they r again if anyone is interested? I have to do a clear liquid diet for 48hours to clean out the stomach and intestines ( he explained this is for medical reasons) and nothing 8 hours before surgery. That is the only requirement. For all his patients. And we all have “livers” and I’m sure they are all abnormally large due to our weight

First time using this forum, still figuring out how this works. I am new to this VSG journey and am really excited to begin this next chapter of my life. I had my first appointment with the Bariatric clinic on 12/17/19, to get the ball rolling. I have several other appointments scheduled for this month (January 2020), and many more will be coming up in the months to come. I am hoping to have surgery in the summer of 2020. For the first time in my life, I feel like reaching my goal weight is a realistic possibility. I am working on losing as much weight as possible in the next 6 months (before surgery), to give myself a greater chance of getting to that goal. Thus far, since 12/17/19, I have lost 14 lbs and I feel such a huge difference in my body already! I can't even imagine what it will feel like to lose the rest of the weight! Are there any other Newbies out there who want to walk this journey together? I would love to hear from you! I would also love to hear from people who are farther along in this journey, who can share their experience and wisdom. I place this whole journey in the hands of God, by whose grace this is all happening in my life and on whose strength I totally rely! Thank you Jesus!

First time using this forum, still figuring out how this works. I am new to this VSG journey and am really excited to begin this next chapter of my life. I had my first appointment with the Bariatric clinic on 12/17/19, to get the ball rolling. I have several other appointments scheduled for this month (January 2020), and many more will be coming up in the months to come. I am hoping to have surgery in the summer of 2020. For the first time in my life, I feel like reaching my goal weight is a realistic possibility. I am working on losing as much weight as possible in the next 6 months (before surgery), to give myself a greater chance of getting to that goal. Thus far, since 12/17/19, I have lost 14 lbs and I feel such a huge difference in my body already! I can't even imagine what it will feel like to lose the rest of the weight! Are there any other Newbies out there who want to walk this journey together? I would love to hear from you! I would also love to hear from people who are farther along in this journey, who can share their experience and wisdom. I place this whole journey in the hands of God, by whose grace this is all happening in my life and on whose strength I totally rely! Thank you Jesus!

You'll do just fine. There are plenty of options and you'll be getting lots of exercise. I'm going on a cruise in two weeks to celebrate my 55th birthday and this will be my second cruise post-bariatric-surgery. Easy peasy. So many healthy options available.

Hey everyone my name is Vicki and I live in Macon Ga. I have decided to have the Bariatric Surgery and I go in Feb for my last visit with the Dietitian and then they will schedule my procedure. Frankly I am a bit nervous about this can anyone give me some feedback about the liwuid meal plan 7-14 dau prior to surgery.

I pretty much always have to flavor my water -which I hate to do - but it’s the only way I can drink it all. Before I could down a gallon a day with no flavor. I try to do more natural flavorings or I mix a little premier water into my regular water so it has protein. I also got Bariatric powdered vitamin packets to add flavor to water to help kill two birds with one stone and it has more nutrients thank say crystal light

Thank you for the scolding, because I need to hear this as well. I'm pre-op and obsessing about losing these last 10 pounds before my last appointment with the surgeon on the 17th before surgery on the 31st. My inner enemy whispers in my ears, "your surgery will be cancelled because you have failed!" That scale sees me everytime I go to the bathroom to pee, wash my hands, brush my teeth, if I walk by, just because I can't stop thinking about it.... I just had a confession, but damn this has been crazy, I've emailed the surgeon and the Bariatric Dr. I'm so ready to get these extra 10 pounds off and get some rest, I'm going crazy. I didn't mean to hijack the thread, I'm sorry and emotional.

Hello. Just wondering if anyone had surgery here through fast track and their experiences?

my previous employer had an exclusionary policy for bariatric surgery and there was no fighting it.

I would like to thank everyone for their sincere thoughts and prayers for my surgery Monday, December 16. I woke up from surgery in relatively little pain, the procedures ended up being very routine and uncomplicated. My problems came the day after surgery, when I attempted to take in any liquids. Any liquid going down, would cause my digestive system to go into painful spasms. My surgeon decided to keep me hospitalized for an additional day to see if they could convince by body to tolerate liquids and keep me hydrated with IV fluids. Muscle relaxers were administered to help with the spasms. Additionally, my blood sugar weirdly went up and I was administered 2 doses of insulin. Never before had blood sugar issues and no family history of diabetes. The second day after surgery, Wednesday, I was feeling much better, could sip without pain, and was cleared for discharge. That night, in my own bed, I slept an unheard of, for me, 10 hours.  I have had 4 previous abdominal surgeries, 1 open, 3 laparoscopic and this is, by far, the least painful. I have not needed any of the prescribed narcotic pain relievers sent home with me. Had to go back to the hospital Thursday for a blood test. There is history of DVT blood clots, so I have to be on injectable blood thinners for 3 weeks. The blood test was to check the therapeutic level of the medicine. I spent the first few days at home taking in clear liquids and soon moved on to full liquids. Today is my 4th day on puréed foods, and I’m doing OK. It was a bit difficult, mentally, during the holidays, but I made it through. Tiredness is an issue, but I have to be gentle on myself since I’m still healing. I’ve still not had any real pain except, when I accidentally take too big of a drink or a deep breath, I get a pain in my left shoulder. At my post-op appointment, the surgeon explained that the hiatal hernia repai must have irritated a nerve that runs through the shoulder. It should go away in time. I’ve also been dealing with constipation, but just started with Miralax. I get to go back into the pool for water aerobics on Monday (can’t wait), but was ordered back to the gym to walk, do the treadmill, and recumbent bike on January 1. Weight wise, I am down 16 lbs since surgery, 72 lbs since I started the bariatric program, and 129 lbs from my all-time high weight. I have no regrets. I go back to work Monday, January 6.

My name is Yvonne , I'm 29 years old and I'm from Texas. I have one child that is 5 years old going to be 6 soon and shes my only one so far. I been wanting bariatric surgery since I was 16 because weight has always been in control of my life. I previously lost 86lbs on my own but regained it after I got out of the Army. I had the RNY gastric bypass 10/16/19 and I've lost 51lbs since. I feel great other than a occasional cramp every now and then. I dropped in shirt sizes from 3X to 1X and a pant size from a 22 to a 14. I feel much healthier and I wished I had done it sooner! Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

I am too. Doing my best to stay busy and distracted. Went and walked around the mall in Vegas yesterday, walked a mile and just did window shopping. Been playing video games and trying to do anything to distract. Been looking up bariatric recipes and stuff to try to get in the mindset of "in four-six weeks, I can eat this kind of stuff" to give me something to look forward to. So whatever normally can distract you... I know it isn't much right now to combat the jitters, but just know you can do this. It will be a good chance for you. It will help. You've got this. ❤️

It will work as long as you trust the tool , bypass or whatever, and trusting in the process. There will be times that you'll go through plateaus but losing weight after bariatric surgery is like a staircase . You'll lose weight for a certain amount of time and then you'll plateau. Then vice versa . And dont weigh yourself everyday , only once a week otherwise you'll cause yourself disappointment for no reason. Another thing , this lifelong change you'll need to be absolutely disciplined on eating healthy forever. If you decide to cheat , your body will make you pay for it trust me. If you have any questions about the bypass, I'm 2.5 months post op Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

I have the soft chews from Bariatric Advantage so they dissolve completely by the time I swallow. These are the only ones I seem to be able to tolerate for now.

When I had my bypass 9 months ago I just told everyone I was having surgery and did not elaborate. Mo one asked what kind! I wad out of work for 4 weeks. The weight came off pretty quickly, but if anyone suspected bariatric surgery they didn't say so. I don't think you have to give details! Best wishes. Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I got a giant container of unflavored protein powder, so I don't have to keep buying cases of the Premier liquid. Still learning how to add that to a good bariatric recipe. But it's always handy to have the liquid ones, when I don't have time to make something.

I told people that I had hiatal hernia surgery, which was partially true because they fixed my hiatal hernia while doing the bariatric surgery.

As a self pay Bariatric patient I had labs done through Quest Labs, and a swallow study done through Seton Hospital. I paid up front and had no issues. I then had my EKG, chest X-ray, and more labs done at another hospital that was recommended by my Bariatric surgeon’s office. If I had known this hospital was bought out by the non-profit hospital that is basically the only health plan option near me I never would have gone there. I have had issues with their billing in the past and learned to keep all my receipts. My daughter was literally refused treatment for an ear infection until I drove across town to the finance office to prove I had made my co-pays. I also paid $250 in $25 co-pays to have one wart removed off of her finger. The Dr. tried freezing it off in the office several times. We were finally sent to dermatology where they tried a laser and then at the final appointment just numbed her finger and cut it out. This occurred in 2010. I was paying $400 a month to keep my children insured and my employer paid around $200. For $600 per month 10 years ago, I expected some health care. This is also back when Doctors got bonuses for not sending you to a specialist (I could fill up the entire internet ranting about that issue). So, I paid in advance for the Chest X-Ray and EKG and was told I would receive a bill for the labs. About 4 months later I received two bills. One for the radiologist that read the chest x-ray and one for the Dr. that read the EKG. These bills came from separate offices (not the hospital). I tried to dispute them advising that I paid an agreed amount in advance. This did not work. I contacted the BBB and the X-Ray bill was written off, but the EKG wasn’t. I paid the $40ish bucks just so it would go away. Then I received another bill with itemized billing for my lab work, again this bill did not have the hospitals name on it. I paid that bill because those were the labs I had done. Then I received a bill from the hospital, this bill stated my insurance paid around $4000 and I owed them around $400. I called the number on the bill and advised them there was a mistake and requested an itemized bill. I was told over the phone the bill was for my labs and that the insurance adjustment was a mistake, but all I had to pay was the $400 Even though I already paid for the labs. So many phone calls it got ridiculous...I waited for my itemized bill, but I never received it. They just kept sending me the same bill showing that insurance paid a portion (my healthcare is through the VA and they did not pay them). I didn’t want my credit to get messed up, so I paid them $1.00 per month so they wouldn’t send me to collections. After 2 months of paying them $1.00 they sent me to collections. The initial phone call with collections started out pretty aggressive, but when I explained the situation he stated he would get me an itemized bill. The bill came and it showed that insurance covered my EKG, Chest X-Ray, and labs and the $400 was for my portion of all three of those procedures! I submitted all the bills and receipts I paid to the collections agency and never heard back from them. I decided to follow up with them and received an e-mail from their agency stating that they have closed my case. I thought it feel good to “win” but instead I just feel sad that their billing is still so messed up. I think they just nickel and dime people to make money. They got $42ish extra from me, and I am sure I am not the only one. My Dad says they started this new thing with Medicare patients where they can pay extra to be guaranteed same day appointments when they are ill and have access to their Doctor by phone 24hrs. This is crazy, his 90 year old neighbor is paying over $100 per month for this. If you are 90 and get sick the Doctor should see you!!! Umm, non-profit hospital? I also love when the health plan guy comes to our annual renewal meetings and explains how to not get billed for well patient visits. Basically you don’t discuss any health issues you might have during your routine physical because if you tell them your knee hurts and they offer you advise like icing it, take ibuprofen, etc. then they can bill you for the appointment. Thank goodness my kids are grown and I go to the VA. The VA I go to isn’t perfect, but the stress of dealing with a health plan/billing from the only game in town is gone. I used to go to premier urgent care if I had strep and didn’t want to wait 2 days to be seen and it was like $140 the last time I went. Now they passed some legislation and the VA is covering urgent care. The clinic that is doing it is a little further from me, but not to bad. Also, I am not retired military or disabled in any way. I qualified for subsidies (pre-tax) through ACA (Obama Care) due to my income. If you are a veteran and you qualify for subsidies you get the VA, choosing the subsidies and another health plan is not an option. I could get health insurance through my work, but they only pay 1/2 of employee. For those that are curious, because I am not retired and do not have a service connected disability I do pay co-pays. But they are not crazy. I was hospitalized for 5 days and had two surgical procedures to include my gallbladder removal and my total bill was around $1200. They also billed after the hospitalization (no finance people in the ER) and they let me set up a payment plan of my choosing. I paid them off earlier with my summer school check. We really need to fix our health care system...

I haven't had surgery yet--still waiting for my date. Only my significant other knows and I plan to keep it that way. Unfortunately, the lay public still does not understand the disease of obesity. Even medical professionals don't understand. When I asked my PCP for a referral to the medical and surgical weight loss program, she was skeptical and said "what do you think this is going to do for you that you can't do for yourself?" I just don't think most people can appreciate the decision we're faced with: a) stay on a path of poor health with attendant medical complications or b) have someone cut into you and fundamentally alter your anatomy and physiology. It's not exactly like "b" is an "easy" choice but for those that don't understand, I guess it appears that way. It's funny, culturally, we don't perceive other elective surgeries as the easy way out. I can't imagine anybody passing judgment on someone who has knee replacement surgery and frankly in many ways, the more I learn about bariatric surgery, the more easily justifiable it is compared with many other surgeries.

I’m preparing for revision surgery and I’m wondering what excuse people have used. I want to say I’m having surgery so people understand that I’m incapacitated for a couple weeks just don’t want everyone to know it’s Bariatric surgery. I have enough of a messed up head about my weight that I don’t need the judgement. Also I work w my mom and I woukd tell her but after my last surgery I asked her not to tell anyone and she told her friends so her priveledges have been revoked! I have sinus issues I thought about using that and I also have been having some female issues so I thought about that. Last time I told like 3 different stories and I’m sure most people figured it out. TIA for your advise and non judgement :)

I personally feel there's no one size fits all plan to weight loss. I was given 'guidelines' by surgeon and dietitian but that's what they are guides; I've personally done things my way; I didn't feel comfortable moving thru the stages so I've stayed with shakes for the most part and it has worked really well for me. Sure I've tried different soft foods and some worked others didn't agree with me. I've been satisfied with my high protein shakes and most days I actually don't crave anything else. If I do crave a little sweetness I've got high protein. Sugar free yoghurt in the fridge :) I didn't like the dietitian anyway she had no idea what it is like to be obese nor was she specialised in bariatric patients; I told her I'm happy doing things my way plus I've got over a years worth of knowledge from reading 1000s of posts on here and other sites. I've actually done really well by being strict from day 1 and not making any excuses. most days I actually don't even feel that hungry but if I do the protein in the shakes keeps me going. sure there's days where for a moment I wish I could grab a juicy burger but then I remember why I went through this surgery and then I'll go have a nice cold shake :D I enjoy coffee everyday and I keep myself occupied so that I don't even have time to think about food. I understand that everyone is different and feels the need to have variety but personally I'm pretty easy going! all I can say is what I've been doing has given me amazing results and I couldn't be happier! Thank you.

It's kinda weird that my mother who has been at my Aunt's house in Knoxville Tennessee. (around 65 miles away from me) She arrived 2 days before Thanksgiving. I asked her if she wanted to come eat with us around 2 weeks before Thanksgiving. She tried everyway she could for me not to have RNY Bariatric surgery. Needless to say that's why she never showed up for Thanksgiving. She is still at my Aunt's house and sent me a text. I am informing you that I will no longer be communicating with you. I hate you and maybe I can come to terms that my son is already thinner than me. Your a bastard. Signed your no longer mother. Go f**k yourself. Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using BariatricPal mobile app

go to a doctor and find a bariatric group where you live that will take you on as a patient.