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Thanks! Med school has always been a dream of mine. I started the application process prior to getting the band, but I think that getting it has helped me increase my confidence. Also, it will be easier to go through the stress of all of it without an extra 80 lbs stuck to my body! I have considered doing bariatric medicine, but I really do not want to go through the general surgery residency.

Bigpapa. I learned a long time ago that you don't give advice unless someone specifically asks you for it. If they wanted to talk bariatric post care with you they would have.

What about instead of paying hundreds every month for a 3rd ins which may or may not cover bariatrics, or taking out a line of credit- you just put that money into a bank account and go self pay without getting yourself into a financial situation?

B-12 shots for me, for sure! I found Nature's Plus Source of Life Liquid Gold multivitamin when I could not tolerate the Bariatric Advantage multivitamin. A compound pharmacist recommended it. I wrote down and compared every ingredient in each vitamin, and the liquid won. I wanted the best vitamins I could find, to keep myself healthy. I even like the taste. Don't forget the Biotin, for your hair. Good luck!

I would give the Dr. office a call, you have nothing to lose. I have had paperwork misplaced. I am impatient also, but I think by now you should have an answer. Can you check the insurance company activity on line? I know I can access all of my BCBS info on line. Unfortunately in SC they don't pay for any bariatric surgery. Luckily I am eligible for medicare because of my MS and there isn't any pre authorization required. I was scheduled for 7/23 but just got a great new job working for an airline so I postponed it until 9/3 after vacation season is over...... I can't wait!! Good Luck!!

Just an update. I joined WW 3 weeks ago. I am suppose to eat 27 points plus 35 points a week free. Well, that is too many calories. After going down to 20 points a day and 35 extra the weight is really coming off. That is becuase that is 1k a day plus about 200 extra which is 1200 calories. Bandsters typically take in 800-1k no more than 1200 so my guess is you MAY have to lower your points if they give you too many. I have perfect restriction, still stop when I am full and am really enjoying the program now. It really keeps me straight throughout the day as far as consumption goes. I did tell the Leader that I had bariatric surgery and she didn't say anything about me not being able to make lifetime. Also, given the fact that the success rate with lapband is 62% of your excess weight my doctor is fine if I go 20 lbs above goal weight of 162 and hit 185. I would still be considered overweight but truthfully speaking I look terrible at 165, not thin. With a doctor's note I can still become lifetime. I however, would not be able to work for WW if I hit the 185 goal because it is not there standard weight. Let me know how you do. I weigh in this Saturday and I know I am down at least 2 lbs this week eating most of the day. Its nice to implement more fruit and vegies into my diet!

I know I am posting this all over but I want to make sure everyone see's it in case it is somthing they have been looking for. Enjoy!

I have struggled with my weight since I was five years old. Late in 2016- at 28 years old at my heaviest weight- I had my first appointment with a bariatric surgeon in Akron, Ohio where I live and began the steps towards gastric bypass. I was so scared. But I knew that I would rather risk my life than live like this forever. I feared that my parents would bury me in 20 years and that my sister would become an only child. I knew I had to do something. I had tried everything. Between the ages of 8-28 I had tried everything under the sun. I could not lose/maintain the weight loss. On June 26, 2017- I had gastric bypass surgery. I have lost/maintained 180 pound weight loss. I have a whole new life. It is quite beautiful. I look forward to living everyday. I share my journey on Instagram - (my name on there is Maddie5088) and I also have a public Facebook Page called Mornings with Maddie. I created a blog almost a year ago that focuses on sharing my journey, creating/sharing healthy recipes. You can find it here - foodfitnessandbeauty.com I share body positivity, kindness, self love, inclusivity, healthy recipes, grocery hauls, I do monthly giveaways, how to meal prep, affordable/easy meals for bariatric patients and I do Q and As for Bariatric patients. I have felt very called to share my journey with the bariatric community! I hope you come follow along my story! It’s been a heck of a ride! Xoxo Maddie

So I bit the bullet today and told someone I work with about having bariatric surgery. She mentioned to me her doctors have recommended it to her. The next thing out of her mouth really shocked me. She said she knows she can do it by eating get right and exercising. Do people really think that having bariatric surgery is a miracle and you wake up the next day skinny. Don't they realize it us a tool in the journey and you still have to eat better and exercise. Just had to vent... Sent from my SM-G920T using the BariatricPal App

I was told I would have to stop taking vitamins a few weeks before surgery. But, why would you want to take them? The only reason to take bariatric vitamins is because you can't absorb vitamins due to a malabsorptive procedure or you can't eat enough of a variety of foods due to a restrictive procedure. otherwise, mostly vitamins just aren't necessary

Considering moving my aftercare to another bariatric practice - if they'll have me. Could use some feedback - as in am I crazy to consider doing this? Here's the deal: I had gastric banding in early March and lost 27lbs in prep for the procedure. In the two weeks following the surgery I lost 12lbs. Since then, I've had four fills giving me 4.8cc in an 11cc band. My weight has not changed give or take 2lbs - so I'm 238-240 - regardless of activity level and apparently, what I consume. I'm hungry within 2 hours of eating and can eat pretty much anything, but since my surgeon's practice states "No in-between meal snacks" I really try to hold the line which means there are quite a few meetings in which my loud, literally howling stomach is the source of discomfort for me and an amusing distraction for others. Couple this with the fact that I'm a Type II Diabetic who controls her blood glucose with a small amount of medication, diet and exercise. By the time I do breakdown and eat the forbidden "snack" rather than waiting for the next meal, I'm often sweating, hands shaking due to my blood sugar having dropped too low. Thus there's a chance I'll eat too quickly - we know what happens then or I eat the wrong, but safe items like ice cream or candy that melts quickly, and raises my glucose so I feel normal. Beyond the obvious problem of not making progress with my band is that I'm not getting through to my Bariatric Practice. 1) I haven't seen my surgeon since the operation - he doesn't "have time" as he's busy with new patients. 2) I see a PA for my fills. She's almost always overbooked and frazzled. When she complimented me on losing 25 lbs between fill #1 & #2 without even looking at me and I said, "Excuse me? I haven't but a pound or two!" She had to check the chart - "Oops! My bad - I read it wrong!" 3) I keep telling her (see above) and the reaction is basically, "Uh-huh...well, let's get this fill in". After fill #3 she told me I had 5.5cc in the band; last week she advises me it's only at 4.8cc?! 4) No labs have been ordered, the saline hasn't been removed to check the band is holding what it should, no fluoroscopy - and no concern that I'm getting nowhere - just "see you in four weeks!" Last week's trip in for my big 0.6cc fill was the same experience as fills 1-3. I arrive on time and wait for over an hour and a half - and it's an hour drive each way, so I've had to take at least a half-day off from work. While I wait in the over-crowded waiting room, wishing I'd brought something, anything to eat, I watch the single PA juggle fills and consults for pre-surgical patients, have a melt-down because the surgeon has asked her to squeeze in another post-op having problems. Meanwhile the bariatric nurse is ranting at another pre-op patient about his "failure to lose weight" on Medifast, when in trots a pizza delivery guy with two large pies for the staff...right through the waiting room of starving bariatric patients. When it's all said and done, I leave with a raging headache, a long drive and the need to find a convience store for OJ - not a "clear liquid" but better than having a hypoglycemic incident on that hour drive home. Thoughts? Comments?

Agree 100%. I called my insurance to ask if I was covered, and they provided the full coverage policy for gastric sleeve. This helped a ton! When my bariatric place did the initial check on the insurance they said that I was not covered and would have to be self pay. I told them that I had already checked with my insurance and that they should try again. Come to find out I was covered and the person she spoke to thought she was checking on plastic surgery vs. bariatric surgery.

Excellent! Congratulations mickally! What an inspiration for me...I'm making good progress but you have made GREAT progress. Very happy for you and feeling more motivated. Congrats to you as well KristinaRnY! The forums on bariatric pal are very helpful to me and especially so following the surgery. Best wishes!

I had surgery 10/22/09 and felt ready in every way for this. I was @ 230lbs and miserable. But, truthfully, I never really tried and stuck to a diet. I am one week post-op and really wish I had not done it. I only told my mom, husband, 2 of 5 siblings, and one dear friend. I am not planning on telling anyone else. I had thought about the lap band since I first heard about it a couple of years ago. The idea has rolled around in my head until I finally made the decision to do it. I paid for it myself b/c I did not want to go thru process for insurance and then they possibly deny (but, I might try to get reimbursed now). I am struggling emotionally WAY more than I thought someone like me would. I don't know, ask me in a year if it was worth it and I may have a whole different attitude. But, I will say this, if you know deep down that you could have done more to improve your health - don't have the surgery. You can do it, and you're so young!! Try components of the bariatric diet to cut calories, b/c this surgery is not the "easy" answer. Good luck to you either way.

I've only taken Bariatric Advantage CHEWY multivitamin, calcium, & iron vitamins since my surgery 12/1/16. Do you know of any equivalents that are not as expensive? I don't mind making a switch as long as the quality is there AND they MUST taste good (don't want to feel like I'm eating chalk) Please offer any advice you have. Thank you!

Pre surgery here but I just bought the Bariatric Advantage Multi Vitamin with Iron and a bag of their calcium chewy bites. Hoping to find good alternatives after this first batch.

I had the gastric sleeve June 18, 2014. I was very nervous when I arrived at the hospital. The nurse talked to me and then the Bariatric team talked to me, while I was given the Iv i never felt a thing. They also gave me 2 Nerve pills to help with the anxiety. I am not gonna lie to you, but you will be in pain. I tolerated it fine. The day of my surgery I weighed in at 500 lbs and now I weigh 325 lbs nd still losing. It is a hard journey, but with support from family you can achieve your goals. Good luck and prayers being sent.. My name is Samantha...

She's probably not bulimic, but her band may be a bit too tight and food cannot get through. When this happens there's no place for the food to go but up. Also, the foods you mentioned are "slider" foods that go thru even a too tight band easily. She needs to see her bariatric surgeon.

Yes I couldn't do the chalky chewables either, but I have been using the Bariatric Advantage soft chews in Strawberry, and I love them! They are like starburst chews and the strawberry flavor is amazing. Just 1 idea to try! https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/bariatric-vitamins/products/bariatric-advantage-calcium-citrate-chewy-bites-500mg-bag-of-90

I completely agree with all of the above. Buy only what you think you'll need for the first few weeks. My tastes change almost daily but there are some protein powders that I never could stand. Also, vitamins. Ughh. I can't tolerate any of the bariatric vitamins so far.

Wellbutrin, I take that , have for a while every since I was thrown into depression when Surgeon#1 up and refused to perform my surgery. I did not want to live, no not active enough to kill myself, I was willing to sit apathetic and decline, if I ate is was fast food, not going to intervene enough to actually cook.I take 100 mg of the SR formulation 3 times a day, and it has No Bad Effect on my RNY pouch. I am out of the deep blue almost black pit of depression, having my surgery went a long way towards my cute. Approached my PCP about cutting down or eliminating it since I am 9 months out, hasn't happened yet. Maybe never will? Yes hormones do have an effect, and what really is a Royal Bummer for you and myself, as you go into ketosis and your fat layer starts to melt, all the stirred chemicals including hormones get released and you can become a Storming Norma, a Weeping Wilds or Freddy Kruegers little sister. Let's see if I remember the sequence another Bari-Pal told me Puberty... but you aren't covered with zits Pregnancy ...but you don't get a cute baby with it Menopause except that finally ends and you're not certain this will but you either have not flashes or freeze to Death. But life does go on ,it does resolve, usually with time. And tho yet feel stuck permanently in dark clouds and rain, there is still a Sun that will shine for you. I'll close with something from a Motivation App Anxiety is worrying and being fearful about almost every thing . Depression blunts and smothers all the joy in your life. And if you have both, at the same time, it is a Living Hell! Yes I have been through it, doing much better,but like an alcoholic, even in recovery, is still internally an alcoholic I will always have the tendency toward depression. All I can do is live well to the best of my ability, and if I get to the point of needing therapy again, to not be Too Proud to ask! I'm almost always on or near Bariatric Pal, PM me anytime, I will Talk The Talk because I also have Walked the Walk. And although you may not feel it now, you are an incredibly STRONG woman to have come THIS FAR.😝👍🍀

I've never bought any bariatric foods from here or any other place. Doing just fine and my grocery bill is tiny even feeding two adults. I don't eat much any pre-packaged/prepared foods after I realized they were part of the problem (most are crammed with fat/carbs/sodium). I cook from scratch with whole food sources about 75% of the time. Things like marinara sauce or turkey pepperoni I do buy prepared, but I get the lowest carb/highest Fiber versions, and avoid high sodium, and other questionable things. I read nutrition labels of everything. It also works to help me put things back if I'm suddenly craving them and want to buy - one look at a package containing 50 grams of carbs per serving and I can't stick that sucker back on the shelf fast enough! I buy lots of chicken and fish. We eat on a chicken drumsticks or thighs at least once a week, and I usually do them in the slow cooker so I can create broth from the fat/bones and then make a lovely Soup with it later in the week. We eat lots of veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, turnip greens and spinach, okra, brussel sprouts, (not so much of the carby veggies like carrots, potatoes, peas). eggs, milk, yogurt, cheese, Beans (kidney, black beans, pintos, great Northern), and brown rice. High fiber wheat bread on occasion. Pork rinds are a great snack substitute when I'm desperate for the crunch of chips (but eaten sparingly since they are so high in sodium). I have a very large variety of awesome recipes that are low carb, high Protein and moderate fat.

I called a few doctors looking for a fill doc before I found the one I use. One doc told me a thousand plus to get accepted then $500.00 I hung up so fast LMAO.This is what I did I went to Realize website did a search for certified docs in my area and started calling.I found a great doc that way. HERE IS A FEW Eric S. Bour MD, FACS UMG Bariatric and Minimal Access Surgery 2104 Woodruff Road Greenville, SC 29607 Phone: 864-676-1072 Fax: 864-676-0729 Marc C. Antonetti MD The South Carolina Obesity Surgery Center 146 North Hospital Drive Suite 430 West Columbia, SC 29169 Phone: 803-791-2828 Fax: 803-791-2824 James D. Givens MD The South Carolina Obesity Surgery Center 146 North Hospital Drive Suite 430 West Columbia, SC 29169 Phone: 803-791-2828 Fax: 803-791-2824 Edward J. Rapp II M.D. Premier Surgical Services PA 105 Vine Crest Court Suite 500 Greenwood, SC 29646 Phone: 864-227-8932 Fax: 864-227-8973

I would love some feedback for purchasing protein powder and other pre/post op items on-line. Has anyone used the bariatric pantry? Coupons anywhere? Specials? Customer service issues? Thanks!

Hi Chris, first you should call Aetna Customer Service and tell them that you need to check your contract for bariatric surgery. Make sure you plan does not exclude this procedure. Also, ask your doctor's office to give you the CPT billing code for the surgery and double check with your insurance carrier on the rules associated to receive approval for this code. Aetna tends to be one of the insurance carriers that requires you to jump through alot of hoops to get approved so be prepared. That's why we call it a journey. Visit your PCP and make sure he/she can document your weight progress over the past two years. Then document all your attempts at losing weight utilizing OTC pills, Jenny Craig, WW, etc. This should give you a good head start on your road to insurance approval. Good Luck!