Search the Community

This is a little off-topic but if you like WW cookbooks, check out this site: BariatricEating.com Health & Nutrition - Bariatric recipes Great recipes there!

Hi, My name is Lisa. I live in Michigan and work as a Bariatric Center Manager and Certified Group Support Leader. I am married and have 2 children, a step daughter and 2 grand children by marriage. My husband didnt want me to have surgery because he didnt want to chance losing me on the table. He went to one of our informational sessions so I could explain why this is important to me. I want to be around!!! And with the weight I am carrying, my time here will be shortened. He understood and is now one of my biggest supporters. I am blessed. I had the Lap Band done in 2008. I had complications, my port moved which meant second surgery. From the beginning it was hard for my band to be filled the pokes ranged from 15-27 even under floroscopy. I went to another doctor, the one that eventually I would work with. He did some testing and found my band had moved. I had to have another surgery to take the band out to stop erosion on my stomach. I had lost in total 110 lbs but over time had gained alot back. My New Surgeon Vasanth Salin MD performed a sleeve gastrectomy on 1/7/13. To date I am 30lbs down and feeling great!! I can definately tell the difference in the surgeries because I feel very restricted. I coach and help patients on a daily basis and my job is very fulfilling. But I am human too and need guidance and support. That is why I joined this forum. For support and also topics that I can present to our patients that attend the group support we offer. I look forward to the new friends I will make. Lisa

I thought it was just me. I take the bariatric advantage multis and have gotten sick after taking them twice. I am trying to find the best time to take them .... sticking with them because they have B Complex in them AND the biotin level is amazing. Would like to know the answer as well.

I was sleeved on March 5th at approx 0800. My journey started a few years ago. I started tossing the idea of bariatric surgery around when I kept gaining and gaining weight. My dr kept doing test to see if there was a reason, and adding meds to my regimen because I was being diagnosed with different things. I talked to my dr about it and went through the initial seminar that the local bariatric surgeon has. That's as far as I went that time. I met my wife and realized that I wanted to be healthy. I wanted to be around for her and my children. Her and I talked and she pushed me to go back to the dr and start the process again. I am a paramedic for the city we live in and she is an EMT. A nurse at one of the ER's had recently had gastric bypass. My wife spent about an hour one night talking with her and her experience. She recommeneded the surgeon she used. He had practiced at the local trauma hospital and done the gastric surgeries there. Our friend had had great success and had nothing but great things to say about Dr. Allen. I did some research into the different types of surgeries that were being performed and decided that I really wanted the sleeve. I contacted Dr. Allen's office and scheduled to go through the seminar again. By this time I had almost completed the 6 month weight loss study with my primary dr. After the seminar I submitted the appropriate paperwork and was pre-approved. I met with Dr. Allen and informed that at that time he was not doing the sleeve. He suggested the bypass for me. I decided it was the next best thing; I was NOT having the band done. lol Dr. Allen wanted a few approvals from my primary physician before surgery. I had to have a EKG, and Pulminary Function Test. The PFT came back obstructed at the dr's office so I was sent to a pulmonologist. I was very discouraged. I met with the pulmonologist he sent me to and was told there was a chance I had COPD. Again, more discouragement. The pulmonologist was not about to sign off on letting me have surgery since the intubation could be bad for me. He wanted me to use an inhaler and CPAP at night for 6 weeks and come back for a follow up PFT. 6 Weeks later I was back. The PFT was enormously better, and I felt ENORMOUSLY better. Best of all, he APPROVED ME FOR SURGERY. My primary physician signed off ok'ing it as well. It was time for the waiting game with the insurance company for approval. A few weeks later on Feburary 5th at 1300, I recieved a phone call from the surgeon's office that I had been approved and my surgery date was March 5th. They gave me the date and time for the pre-op meeting and test. And the best of all, the information on the 1500 calorie diet I was to follow for 2 weeks prior to my surgery. 2-weeks prior to surgery my wife went to the store, stocked up on slim-fast shakes and frozen lean cusines and I started this crazy 1500 calorie diet. I was approx 390-400 lbs. It wasn't as bad as I expected. The day before surgery a few of my friends from work and my wife took me out for my "last meal". I went to the local BBQ shack and had a full rack of ribs. Normally, before the diet I could clean them off and still be hungry, however, I ended up sending almost half of them home with a co-worker! We then had a small desert and sat and talked for about an hour. It was the last time I really ate "real" food. The next morning my wife and I were up at 0430 getting showers and packing bags for my hospital stay. I was told to be prepared for a 3 day hospital stay. Surgery began at around 0900 and I was out and in recovery by 1030. No problems with sedation or intubation. However, I was slightly oversedated and sent to the ICU for the night because they were worried about the sedation and my sleep apnea becoming a problem. I don't remember much of this. The most I remember is having a cathader that I kept asking to be taken out and waking up with the CPAP mask on at one point. The next day at around 0800 I was taken for a swollow study (worse tasting stuff in my life). Everything looked great! Cathader was taken out and I was released to drink clear liquids! A few hours later I was moved out of ICU up to a regular floor bed. My wife spent hours with me at the hospital, encouraging me to get up out of bed to walk and get the gas off my stomach. She made sure that I was getting adequate nutrition as well as enough Water to drink. She even brought me fat free milk! On the Friday after surgery I called her to come get me. They removed my JP drain and got me ready to go. I was able to go home and get a FULL NAP!!! I actually felt good enough when I woke up to go to the grocery with her to get some broth, Soups, and yogurts. Since then, I am down to only 1 pain pill a day if I go out for a long period of time. I haven't gone back to work, but don't have a follow up until Monday. I'm hoping to get the staples taken out of the incisions on Monday as well. They itch like crazy. And I'm super excited to start the mushy stage of my diet. I'm ready to get back to the gym and start walking and riding the bike and lose some of this weight a little quicker. I'm amazed at the little amout that I'm eating and it's keeping me satisfied. I already have more energy than I did before the surgery and I am able to stay awake longer during the day. I did cheat yesterday and had 1 lean hotdog. I ate it very slowly and didn't drink anything with it or afterwards. I didn't get sick, but I felt 100x's better afterwards. Guess, we're not all perfect lol Hope everyone else that has been sleeved is doing well also, and everyone getting ready to be sleeved is excited!

@@MisforMimi That's so unfortunate. I'm lucky to not have to deal with that. I know here other hospitals have support groups from their bariatric program and I could technically go to any. It would stink to have to go to another hospital but maybe that's where everyone else went that left your hospital meeting. Also might not hurt to give some private feedback to the doctor's office about how you feel about the support group not feeling very supportive.

My primary physician and the bariatric physician both submitted separate letters to my insurance stating the necessity for the surgery along with medical records of past weight loss attempts and I had a failed lapband that was eroded into my esophagus. They both estimated my life span without surgery at about 5 years. I was approved within 2 weeks. I still had to fast track through the meetings and psych evaluation though.

First I was told 3 months supervised diet, then my insurance at the time required the following: 6 months supervised diet with physician or qualified nutritionist Had to use a Bariatric Center of Excellence Phyche eval sleep study or in my case latest history from bi-pap EDG study Cardiac Clearance The whole process actually took 9 months and at the time I was told 6 months I was very ill with kidney disease. It did not matter and I can remember being both pissed and scared to death all at the same time. I wanted to do it right away. I am so very glad that I had that time to prepare myself. The classes and research I did was instrumental in my success so far. I likely would have chosen the wrong surgery and would not have had the time to build excellent habits. It allowed me to focus on small changes and follow them through. I still believe that the most important habit I built was tracking absolutely every thing I put in my mouth. I know exactly where my Protein, calories and carbs are from the moment I take that first meal in the am. I use myfitnesspal and I track it good or bad. It allows me the opportunity to know what is in my food and to make better decisions throughout the day. I definitely make better choices because of this and I also have such an excellent understanding of nutrition because of it. People think it takes so much time, it literally takes just a moment or two and your food is logged. In the beginning I used to measure everything, over time you learn how much a couple of ounces of meat or a real 1/2 cup of cottage cheese. Also, learning to pay attention to my body while eating was an important tool as well. I used to mindlessly eat and of course when you pay attention you actually savor the food you do eat and can recognize when you are full. Many good habits to learn and you need the time to truly make them habits which will set you up for success. Best of luck to you!

Just have a heart to heart talk with the surgeon and your PCP, but refrain from getting emotional (even though it feels like an emotional situation). Give facts - I am obese, obesity is a challenging disease and the future without the surgery will lead to diabetes and this surgery has an 83% resolve factor for that and 92% for high blood pressure. Then say do you not want those successes for me? Go into the meeting all dressed like a business meeting -because that is what it is.....he is in the business of bariatrics and you are the client - it is your RIGHT to get what you want.

Nope,i'm kinda part of her group here. She's scheduled February 20th for a RnY & she's been posting about her journey on the Out with the Old In with the New thread on Bariatric Pal. I'd be the first to tell you she can be a hoot but she also has all her basic facts straight, one of my favorite people. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi I went to a Bariatric surgeon for consultation who did not recommend surgery due to my low BMI 34.5 but recommended the gastric balloon only. I went to a different surgeon who stated I qualify for surgery due to my obesity related condition (PCOS) and Acid Reflux. + I have spent so many years trying to lose weight to no avail. I am now 10 days post op gastric band. I would recommend seeking a second opinion. Good luck!

That all sounds great - I do think that is a pretty reasonable price. Dr. Domkowski that I am going with is $12,500 and Dr. Kim at Florida Hospital Celebration was around $16,750 for self pay. I, too, considered Mexico and really thought long and hard about Dr. Aceves as he has been doing WLS for so many years and is very respected in bariatric circles but in the end, I just didn't feel great about traveling to Mexico and then not being close to my surgeon if I would have complications later. Plus, I feel SUPER confident in my Dr. He is wonderful and his former patients have nothing but wonderful things to say about him, as well as the nurses from the hospital that he does his surgeries in. I believe I have to do a one-week liquid diet before my surgery but of course I will have all the ins and outs next week when I meet with him again! I am so very excited to get started. It can't get here fast enough for me. I am SO up for the challenge.......... I just can't believe where I have let myself get to....It truly affects every facet of my life, both physically and mentally. I let it interfere in everything. I have about 127 lbs. (from my highest weight) to lose to get to my goal weight of 160 - although, to be honest, I have no idea where I will actually be at that weight because it has been so many years since I saw that number. I think I will have to wait till I get closer and re-evaluate. I'm tall (5'10") so I have to keep myself from looking so much at what other people's goal weights are and know that I just can't go that low.....really I just want to be healthy and comfortable in my own skin. I'm lucky enough to not have health problems (no high blood pressure, no high cholesterol, no sleep apnea, etc...)

Dr. Spivak is the most experienced doctor in Texas. He has performed hundreds upon hundreds of bariatric surgeries in the Houston area. Dr. Hadar Spivak also is one of the spoke persons for the "Lap Band" and trains other doctors as to how to perform this surgery. He has been highly recommended by every person I know who has had bariatric surgery. He and his staff care very much for their patients. 2 years ago I went to one of his seminars and he actually remembered my face. Now I can say that being one of Dr. Spivak's patients, I am personally glad to recommend him! Banded 5-23-08

honestly i generally don't get too many cravings but i have been at several catered luncheons where something 'looks good' and i will go ahead and take the tiniest little try of it (EXCEPT for sweets, sugar, pop, desserts). none of those. something like the 1/2 tsp potato salad i had the other day, or a tpsp bbq baked Beans i had yesterday. both sat well. scale is still moving. TINY amounts seems to be key for me. i am truly following my bariatric program and eating all foods as directed so i don't feel like i'm cheating, but it's funny because i have found myself counting and tracking like crazy on days when i choose a 'looks good' option!

YES! Tomato soup is my go to right now as well. Which kind are you having? I actually enjoy the Bariatric Pal brand.

I also have tricare prime I just basically said id like to have bariatric surgery for my health and quality of life, I said I was ready to commit to it and understood the decision I was making. I honestly didnt have any issues when I went on base, I just said I want to have bariatric surgery for the reasons I just stated and the doc was like ok lets get things started. Im not saying your doc may be that easy but I couldnt see why they wouldn't put a referral in at your request to better your health. If you have any questions plz ask me ill try and help. I have had lap band surgery already here in Oklahoma on friday I have a revision to also have the plication done... I guess it would be no better of a time for me to write out my journey on here to help others like yourself who have tricare!

My daughter had the bypass surgery. She lost 100 pounds in 6 months. However, she did have a dumping problem and unknown to her she had ulcers in the part of her stomach that was bypassed. This is a real issue for people who have a tendency to have stomach ulcers. Her ulcer went undiagnosed. They thought the horrible pain was a gall bladder attach. She had her gall bladder removed on a Thursday and died on the following Saturday of a perforated ulcer in that part of her stomach. So, for my husband (who had the sleeve done in August) and myself, having the sleeve on January 16th, there was no problem deciding. We went with the sleeve. Not everyone has this problem, but if you have severe pain, even years after, it is imperative that you get to an emergency room and have them call your bariatric surgeon. It could save your life.

This is about what the orthopedist I saw recently told me, too -- he was incredibly supportive of my decision to get bariatric surgery. I have OA, so my knees/hips/lower back hurt, too. I just finished 4 weeks of PT and then I slipped and fell -- sigh. My poor knees.

You could use the time to get your head straight from the addictive thoughts. That would be necessary anyway for you to keep weight off long term. I recommend the book, "Emotional First Aid" (the bariatric one) by Cynthia Alexander.

Cleveland clinic is one of the top Bariatric surgery centers in the world and Dr. Schauer is one of the most well-respected weight loss surgeons in the world. Hope that answers your question

I don't have them. I was dumb enough to trust them and started reading and researching. They are a Center of Excellence also. There were some mistakes made, which is something I try to tell everyone about. Just because everyone else is doing it, doesn't make it right. When the thing is to get people to commit to surgery, a big $$$$ item, and no one really has common sense, studied a good number (and the outliers like me) of those with the surgery over 2, 5 years out, its the profit from the surgeries that drives things. Bariatric surgery practices run 40-45% profit. I found that out when I checked. The conflicts of interest are there to get you in. To do after care, not really. Seen people dumped right after surgery.

Thank you everyone for your helpful responses. I didnt even ask if any post op surgical, fills etc would be included and they didnt say they were.. i am calling a hospital tomorrow that has their own bariatric center to see about a consultation. ill keep all you posted.. i really dont want to wait too long to get this done and start this new chapter in my life.

What kind of Vitamins do we need? There isn't like a Bariatric Vitamin that has everything we need in it and is chewable and tastes great since that's what we all want?? Lol.

For the last 12+ years I've desperately wanted and sought bariatric surgery. Now that I'm less than 30 days away from my dream coming true, I find myself full of fear and dread Last week, I was approved for surgery and my wife was denied by the insurance company. We planned to do this together. Her surgery would have come only weeks after mine; now I'll be taking this journey alone. I know she'll be there to support me but somehow, it doesn't seem the same. Logically, I know that I will come through this with flying colors. I completed the 4 month, supervised diet without a hitch. I surprised myself by losing 22 lbs. In 4 months I proved to myself that I could drastically change my eating habits and my lifestyle. I expect to have the same success in the months/years after the surgery. The source of dread is the immediate aftermath of the surgery. I've never had major surgery before. I've never had a catheter and the thought of it makes this big manly-man want to run and hide. I've never been afraid of doctors, hospitals and needles but this is a whole different ball game. A few weeks ago, on YouTube, I watched a video of the procedure being performed; BIG MISTAKE!!!! Now, that the day is near, I can't stop thinking about how painful it will be when the meds wear off. I'm assuming that my expectations of pain and suffering is greatly exaggerated. Can anyone help me set some reasonable expectations? Thanks, Treb

Did your surgeon not provide a plan or a nutritionist to help you plan your post-op eating plan? I ask because doctors/nutritionists vary quite a bit in what they recommend. @@roundisashape gives a really great plan. But if your doctor/nutritionist did not give you a specific plan, you can do a web search of "gastric sleeve eating phases" and you'll come up with many medical websites so you can see the different recommendations. I'm just concerned that your surgeon would perform a surgery and not give you a list of foods to eat that he/she wants for their plan. This is the link to my surgeon's plan. You can see the different phases and recommended foods and eating times: http://www.360bariatrics.com/360-process/bariatric-diets/

I got mine from walmart! My nutritionist wants us to take 2 flinstone completes, calcium citrate (which I got a big off brand bottle at Kroger for like 8 bucks), a sublingual b12, iron (if you're a women and have your period still),and vitamin D. I got all of mine at either Walmart or Kroger, and the good thing about Kroger is most of the time certain brands are buy one get one free! From my support groups, the only one I see people actually buying from bariatric advantage is the calcium citrate as chews. They made me nauseous though, so I take mine as pills. I feel great, I just had blood work done, so I'll know at the end of next week if they're working!