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I had lapband surgery in March of 2004 and now am exploring the idea of a revision to gastric bypass surgery. I have been very fortunate not to have any complications from the band, I just haven't used it the way it was meant and since I'm so far into the game the chances of me losing more weight are very slim. I just discovered that my health insurance plan will exclude bariatric surgery beginning April 1, 2012. so, on a whim I decided to attend a surgical weight loss seminar sponsored by the healthcare system that I work for. The surgeon seems optimistic that he can remove the band, get my 3 month medically supervised diet complete, and get an authorization from my insurance for the gastric bypass surgery. I'm interested in hearing about everyone's experience with RNY surgery, whether you started off banded, or not. I'm also looking for a community of support and ideas. I haven't been an active participant of a weight loss forum for quite a while, so I'm excited to be back and to make some new friends.

Thank you for replying! I have had IBS-d severely for thirty years and to be honest, like you, I just dealt with the runs as you do. Over here treatment varies but I have a home colonic kit prescribed by my GP to be used to empty my bowels so I can leave the house. I don't have any enema medication, the system just uses Water. I feel that if I could just calm my bowels down, soothe them. Things would be better. I do have Gaviscon and lansoprazole for the upper parts. My stomach feels okay, not even gassy or burny, it's just my intestines. I can feel my stomach empty, the noises start, then the minute Fluid gets lower, cramp and spasm starts. I do have imodium for diarrhoea but it stops everything and I can't get fluid in so I have taken the codeine phosphate only 15 mgs) the incontinence clinic prescribed for the diarrhoea hoping it might calm things down. Unfortunately, my bariatric team are overloaded and a bit disjointed so it might be a couple of weeks before I can see anyone there to discuss things. I am also trying to heal before they insist on removing my gallbladder. I think that I will make an appt with my GP to see if there is anything he can do or try to get a referral back to the incontinence clinic. How did you find out that you had gone from IBD to ulcerative colitis? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

What I find to be so frustrating is that a person that has never met you and you sit down for an hour can give a diagnosis like that. That's BS! This whole process is emotional even for someone that doesn't normally wear their emotions on their sleeve (like me). Trust me, I almost verbally assaulted an ultrasound tech today which is not in my character, but this whole hoop-jumping process has gotten me slightly on edge! (Laughing but TOTALLY serious!) I would honestly go for a second psych eval with someone else. Why am I depressed? Duh! Because I'm fat, you idiot! And who doesn't grow up with some form of emotional issues nowadays? That's no reason to make someone start to take anti-depressants unless YOU feel you need them! What a pill-pusher! I do agree that everyone pursuing WLS would benefit from counseling to get to the root of why we overeat, however other than that I wouldn't take one word of what she said to heart. Does she deal with bariatric patients? The person who did my psych eval did and I think that is helpful.

It's so common that Bariatric TV did a podcast about it! :tongue_smilie:

Cashley, That line "Just because you can, doesnt mean you should" was quoted by Jessie Ahroni who is a bandster and published author, diabetes specialist, Phd nurse practitioner who is located in Washington and works for a well known bariatric practice. It was used out of context here, but holds very true for many bandsters who say they can eat a whole pizza pie and then complain they aren;t losing weight. Now in this case, it really didn't apply because the person was asking a legitimate question about having first bite syndrome followed by a bottomless pit scenario where they were still able to eat a portion which they felt was too large for a person with proper restriction. I guess what I am saying is you have a point, but you were rude in making it Gayle made some good points and you were extremely disrespectful. Babs in TX 334/180 ish -154 ish

Globe and Mail - Tues March 13th, 2007 There's a downside to obesity surgery SHERYL UBELACKER Canadian Press TORONTO — When people with obesity have surgery to help them lose weight, they can also lose something else — the ability to properly absorb certain nutrients, in particular Vitamin B1. And that deficiency can potentially lead to permanent brain damage if left untreated, researchers say. In a review of the medical literature, researchers at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine found 32 cases of bariatric surgery patients who developed symptoms of Wernicke encephalopathy, a condition marked by memory loss and confusion, an inability to co-ordinate movements and rapid eye movement. Wernicke's is caused by a deficiency in vitamin B1, also called thiamine, and these classic symptoms are usually seen in alcoholics, said lead author Dr. Sonal Singh, an internal medicine specialist at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C. “But interesting to our study, we found that these people also had other symptoms, like hearing loss, convulsions and tingling and numbness of the arms and legs — symptoms that have not been previously described with Wernicke's,” Dr. Singh said in an interview. That made the researchers wonder if these bariatric surgery patients were suffering from more than just a B1 deficiency and may have been experiencing a deficit of other critical nutrients or had developed immunological problems. Strangely, almost half of the patients with the neurological symptoms showed no brain lesions when given an MRI scan, said Dr. Singh, whose study is published Tuesday in the journal Neurology. Of the 32 patients — who had one of four weight-loss surgeries, including gastric bypass and gastric banding — 13 made a full recovery. Eighteen others were left with various levels of dysfunction and one patient, a 33-year-old woman, died. Most had experienced vomiting prior to onset of the neurological symptoms, said Dr. Singh, noting that patients ranged in age from 23 to 55, and 27 of the 32 were women. (In the United States, 75 per cent of bariatric surgery patients are women, he said.) The vomiting could have been caused by any of several factors, including the anatomical changes created by the surgery; blockages caused by swelling around the surgical area; and ulcerations or other erosions of the stomach developed following the operation. “When people who have had weight-loss surgery start experiencing any of these symptoms, they need to see a doctor right away,” stressed Dr. Singh. “Doctors should consider vitamin B1 deficiency and Wernicke encephalopathy when they see patients with these types of neurological complications after weight-loss surgery. If treated promptly, the outlook is usually good.” The average point at which patients began exhibiting Wernicke's symptoms was four to 12 weeks after surgery, although one patient developed problems two weeks after the operation and another 18 months later. Dr. Singh said his study could not determine how common Wernicke's encephalopathy is among people who have surgery to help them lose weight, and he said studies that follow patients are needed to establish how often it occurs. While some doctors prescribe thiamine supplementation after bariatric surgery as a matter of course, Dr. Singh believes national standards should be set for physicians to follow. “This is an emerging risk which is going to become more important in the future as more people get surgery,” he said.

So we are currently at Fort Carson and since there is a bariatric program in place here at the hospital I don't need to have anything approved through tricare which is nice. They have a minimum of 3 months process here and I'm currently balls deep in all my nutrition, wellness, and psych appointments. @laurato if you could have switched to prime you could have gone through the bariatric program they have at Madigan. We just moved here from Lewis end of June. My surgeon also said that they work hand and hand with the other bariatric programs at other MTF's so that we can make sure to have consistent care afterwards. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My surgeon's office had the ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrates. I also got them online through Bariatric source. You might also check the new BariatricPal Store. I got a sample pack of the Syntrax nectar directly from the manufacturer. Drugstore.com also has it by the tub. Most GNCs and other health-food stores may have what you need, too.

Betty please write me about Dr. Provost(msp) - I would LOVE to visit with you! Marie - I have annual renewal for insurance. I currently have Cigna HMO and they will not cover it. We have tried. My BMI is below 40 and I have not been on a structured monitored Physicians diet for 1 year. I am looking at renewing our insurance with UHC PPO or PPO Plus one has a deductible of $400 and the other has a deductible 1000 - so far the exclusions have not been identified. I probably will not know until the year begins. I do know that no matter what after the deductible I will pay 80%. Do you know which insurance you have with UHC? I have heard that UHC no matter which plan you have unless specifically excluded covers it and they are great about it! That makes me excited! I just dont know which one to choose. My husbands company is putting the plans together now wo I will probably have no idea until it is too late :cool: I am on lots of boards hoping someone has any insight!

My wife has been in Dr. Davis's program since the first part of this year. We have Aetna and they required the 3 month program along with medical records from the last five years, a letter from her primary doctor, etc. Unfortunately, Dr. Davis's office has not been much help in this process. His office staff seems overwhelmed. Basically, my wife gathered all of the info they needed and gave it to them. They have botched the internal process every step of the way. Dr. Davis has changed office managers and other key employees at least once this year. The change didn't seem to help. They consistently assure my wife that things are being taken care of (like submitting the paperwork to Aetna for final approval) only to find out a couple of weeks later that they have done nothing. It's very disappointing that Aetna has chosen Dr. Davis as the only bariatric doctor in the Houston area. I am sure they wouldn't be happy with his performance if they knew. His whole program is very impersonal. The patients get treated like a number from day one. It seems that the entire goal of Dr. Davis's office is to process patients through the system (mental health visits, nutritionist visits, & all the other things required by insurance) in order to get them approved rather than really creating a program that educates the patient on what they need to know pre & post surgery. If you use Doctor Davis I believe he probably does a good job on the actual surgery but everything else about his practice is greatly lacking. You'll need to do your own research to equip yourself properly for the aftercare program. If my wife had a choice she would take her business elsewhere. Repeated calls to Dr. Davis's office to resolve these issues fall on deaf ears. It seems he doesn't really care if he has a disgruntled patient or loses one here & there. After all, he's got a line of 'em out the door waiting to get in. Its kind of like Wal-Mart losing a customer....so what, who cares? There's more where they came from.

So I am in the process of getting approved for bariatric surgery. The Doctors I use do not expect you to make a decision on which surgery until closer to time. I was looking into the Band, but I have a VP shunt and according to MD it increases my chance of infection to one or both appliances to have both and has reccommended I look into the sleeve gastrectomy. I am doing research and like what I see, but have had a general surgeon tell me not to do it. I would like to hear from people who have had a postive and negative experiences. I am a single mom, ICU RN, and BSN student. My life is very important. I want to be a role model for my childre and patients.

The bariatric coordinator told me to not expect a BM for several days following surgery, and even then it wouldn't be solid. Hope this helps!

The three month period is suggested, not required. Big difference. the three month period is to allow for preparation and education - things like preop testing, sessions with an RD, that kind of thing. Do you have H M O or P P O? Just be aware, many surgical offices CALL Blue Shield to verify that you have the bariatric benefit and to verify requirements. Unfortunately, many of their Provider Services reps don't both to look up the policy and will say you need to do six months because that's what they're used to. Demand (politely) that the office refer to the policy online directly for policy requirements.

Thank you so much. Everything you said is 100% right. I’m so glad I have come back to bariatric pal for some support. I’m trying to go back to bariatric basics. No water while I eat. Protein, protein, protein. Getting to goal is nowhere near as hard as maintenance. I have to accept that always going to be dealing with my “food issues”. Have to be vigilant!

Hi Brittany1225, Regardless of the outcome stay positive. Besides being a Bariatric patient, I was lucky enough to have worked in their office for a while and was able to learn and understand a lot. Stay positive, let me know the outcome and I will help you through it as best as possible. Tranquila!! 👍

Syntrax Nectar fuzzy navel...premier protein chocolate shakes...Bariatric advantage chewable multivitamin ( for first 2 mos) then I switched to Centrum. ..

I'm four months post-op. Like others here, I was freezing up until the last month. And now in the last month I'm not. I am eating more now (between 800 and 1000 calories/day) at the urging of my bariatric P.A. who says it's time to get my calories up. I'm also doing an aquarobics class three times a week, which kicks my ass (you wouldn't think it would, but it does). I don't know what else I could credit the body temp change to. Any insights, fellow WLSers?

I am a 45 y/o female. I am a conglomeration medical problems. They all culminated in a trip to the ER in an ambulance for a strained back due to coughing caused by congestive heart failure. I knew that day that I had to do something about my weight. I slept 1-2 hours a night due to sleep apnea. I heard of this surgery that could help 80 percent of the problems wrong with me. I could not be cured because nothing cures bone growth or arthritis, but it could slow the progression of my disease. I had a consultation with Dr Awad in Palm Springs, and found my BMI to be 53 and weighed 270. He thought it would be simple to get my insurance to pay for my procedure. They fought it. Finally, after running and jumping through all the fiery hoops they threw at me, I was able to set a date for my surgery 6 months after I first spoke to the surgeon. I had my surgery done 08/26/15 and I am sleeping now. I did not have any problems for my first 3 weeks, but now that I have reached the 4th week I have problems. I have difficulty getting fluids and Proteins in on the same days, and I am having difficulty eating enough times in a day to keep my hypoglycemia under control. I wake up sick, nauseous, and vomiting from not eating for more than 6-7 hours just from sleeping. Sleep was supposed to be a good thing. The bariatric team is great. I can not complain about how they have supported me through the last 40 pounds. I still have 90 more to go.

I had the bariatric advantage they made my stomache hurt every time I took it

I’m having a revision from sleeve to bypass on July 5th. I had a hard time with protein shakes when I had the sleeve, they tasted so chalky. Can anyone recommend protein shakes from Bariatric Pal that are good and not chalky tasting?

Hey there.. I know of a Medical Tourism facilitator that helped me seek my cosmetic surgery in Thailand and they helped my cousin with her bariatrics in Mexico (Tijuana).. They are called Healthbase at www.healthbase.com.. Check them out.. They might be able to help you as well.. They have great service.. Good luck!!

I started my process Last July and was very quick in providing EVERYTHING my insurance co. asked for. My surgery is tomorrow. I was approved (this time) quickly, at least I think so. I would advise anyone thinking about this to NOT expect anything in less than a year. I'm afraid a lot insurance companies use the taking forever tactic to try to discourage you and for you to quit trying. But dont! If you follow the rules and are in the guidelines for the surgery it will happen. It will be worth it. I started trying to get any type of bariatric surgery in 2003. Have been denied up until now.

Idk if they're on Bariatric pal, but premier protein shakes are pretty good. They've never had a weird taste to me. (atkins, slimfast some of fairlife's make me pretty sick) Quest protein are also pretty good if you can find them. One that I've found that's also good is Fairlife High Protein shake in Vanilla. It tastes like melted ice cream. I like to pour it over some chilled decaf Chai Tea to make a chai tea latte/type drink. it's nice and sweet without the calories of a reg drink.

I recieved my lap band on January 31, 2012. I am an Army Wife and so I had my surgery at one post as 6 months later moved to another post. This new post does thing WAY differently than the last post. I like how they do things here much, much better than the last post. Anyway, my bariatric nurse here said that some surgeons will place mesh on the port to stabilize it. I, apparently, have no mesh so my port will move a little. Sometimes when she is giving me a fill it will tilt a little side to side. I can also "massage" it a little and feel it moving some. It's kind of weird... Lol. But, it's a reminder on who I used to be, and the decision I made to be who I am now. It also sometimes moves when my jeans hit it a certain.

I'm actually going to Barker Bariatrics. I considered Nicholson. When is your surgery? Hopefully January for me!