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Mine was done at the Weight Loss Surgical Center with Dr. Niazy Selim. Get my fills at KU where he does his surgeries now. He is the head of bariatrics at KU.

At two weeks out I was consuming less than 1000 calories per day. I know that's not precise, but my bariatric aftercare program didn't require me to count calories, fat grams, carbs, or anything other than grams of protein and ounces of water. Here was their theory: as long as you get 80+ grams of protein a day, everything else falls into place. Protein has a very high thermic effect. In other words, our bodies expend a remarkable number of calories to process and digest the protein we consume. If your protein intake is more than adequate, you'll continue to lose weight. On the other hand, you might stall and plateau long and hard if you don't eat sufficient protein. Good luck to you.

Each person has to decide for themselves what is right. Personally, for me, I felt that the bypass was way to aggressive for me. The malnutrition issue was a big concern for me. I was not comfortable having my plumbing rerouted and risking other serious complications from messing with things that didn't need to be messed with after all. I tend to be a grazer too, but I have worked very hard to keep those kind of habits in check. Really, bariatric surgery is just a tool to help you achieve success it is not a permanent fix. What you do with your tool determines your success. Just know this, whether you choose a sleeve or bypass, you must work to be successful at the weight loss and maintenance. One doesn't come easier than the other. Just my 2 cents---

We saw a surgeon at the Mayo. He said that it does need to come out and for now surgery is scheduled for August 14th. And yes, it does seem to me exactly like it should be considered basically removal of a foreign body type of thing instead of bariatric. But the surgeon said that it is still considered bariatric. But he was willing to write a letter to the insurance company and push to have it covered and will file any appeals necessary. He also said that even if they have not approved it before the surgery, we can keep fighting it after the surgery also. We will also be speaking with a lawyer next week. I am hoping that since he is part of such a large organization he might get a little further. I just don't want the hospital to say they won't do the surgery because we don't have insurance.

There's a great solution do not tell ppl that act this way ppl that don't have the weight problem cannot understand if it was simple as just stop eating and go to the gym there wouldn't be a need for bariatric surgery it's the same as drug or alcohol addiction just stop drinking and taking drugs we gee that's so easy why do we have rehab then? I know it sucks but sometimes you just can't confide in ppl you must be your own cheerleader remember it's only your opinion that matters they aren't living in your body or with whatever issues you may have because if it they don't have to live with it you do don't listen to the opinions of ppl who cannot possibly understand the issue

People always ask how I have lost so much weight....I tell them that I have had bariatric surgery. They always ask how it is going-I tell them, great, I am only 7 months out and still have 40 lbs to go. Then they ask if I ever had trouble-I tell them that I am lucky and have no problems.

I use the bariatric advantage, i crush them up and mix it with 1/4c of Greek yogurt, this way my yogurt taste tropical, i get protein and i can manage them better! Becuz they are DISGUSTING! It takes me 30 min to eat it but it works!

IVe been asking this question a lot too since my BMI is right at 40. All the answers I’ve received - even from the Bariatric program coordinator at my surgeons office - tell me no, the BMI they look at is your starting BMI. That being said, I’ve had a couple people recommend that you don’t lose any more weight than the insurance company’s required percentage. Good luck!

Thank you all for the support. I think talking with a bariatric therapist is probably a good idea. I'm just not sure how to find one. I am planning to attend a support group (hosted by my nutritionist) later this month. I will ask her if she can recommend anyone. It's good to know I'm not alone. I still feel a little crazy though.

From your screen name.. are you still covered under a parents insurance or are you gainfully employeed with your own? Don't be shy when trying to find out info..... if you call your insurance company ask them WHAT EXACTLY do they need for your/your parents company SPD to approve the procedure. Also, start by finding out if you have any bariatric surgeons IN network of your insurance.. go with them first, because if they are a provider for your insurance company they will know better how to deal with them.. but getting info from the HR Benefits person is KEY... get to the bottom of any exclusions FIRST. GOOD LUCK

I think it's interesting you put it this way because a few years ago I had a similar epiphany about dieting. If my dieting, losing weight but then gaining it all back and then some, was instead a "bad boy" boyfriend that I kept leaving and going back to, all my friend would be lecturing me and begging me to cut out this destructive behavior. But whenever you go on a diet, people get all excited for you and give you all kind of "atta boys". That is how ingrained it is in our society that fat people have brought their problems on themselves through their own bad behavior and all they have to do to not be fat is have a little bit of self-discipline. The idea that there is a biological component to our condition is rejected outright and us bringing it up is seen as "making excuses" and "not taking responsibility" for our actions. That's also why bariatric surgery is seen as "cheating" instead of a tool to break the destructive cycle of failed dieting.

does your bariatric center have a support group? Do you have a therapist, and one that understands and knows how to help you?

Well I have had as far, as I lnow, still have a stomal stricture and ulcerations in my jejunem, the portion of the small intestine the pouch is connected to. Officially diagnosed October 12, 5 weeks post- surgery but I believe it started 2-3 weeks in, they kept saying I was merely swollen, I kept saying No Something is wrong! to shut me up , we'll by golly I was right. They might have the fancy,degrees, I have lived in this body for many many years, I had inate wisdom,on the subject. Why did it happen? They told me it was an unexpected occurance, no o e I KNEW IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. You see my gastroenterologist had discovered gastritis and a small stomach ulcer I had named Hector while on Omeprazole therapy, he switched me to Dexilent and Hector went peacefully to sleep. Flash forward to September 5th 2018 when 8 had my RnY surgery, what did they started me on guess what, yep Omeprazole. I told them then We gonna have problems, it may be a lovely medication but it Is Not Gastroprotective for me. Nurse Practitioner stated the medical equivalent of Shut up and let me do what I do bestm So I was a good little patient, took what they gave me , and looky what happened! I have had 6 endoscopies, twice they have attempted to stretch out that opening, first time in late October it snapped right back shut, next endoscopy it was like Dr Noria had done nothing, okay last one I had January Senior Bariatric resident Dr Noah Switzer did it, he stated I dialated you part way but enough you can eat soft solids, ha ha diddly ha , both times I have had emesis , the first time I kept it down 15 minutes after still cheing it down to the smooth applesauce pulp consistency. And yesterday was the second attempt and it went worse than the first. I was so protein anemic and malnourished I had dropped 25 pounds in 3 weeks, and had my miserable self hospitalized at OSU for 6 days to try to build me back up, yeah at high 200s it wasn't GOING to be apparent to others but I was literally starving, they were afraid my body was going to start breaking down muscle to keep me akive, and guess what muscle they were most concerned about yeah , my ❤. The second day they put a PICC line in my arm and it remains there still. NPO, everything through the feeding catheter, immediately regained 13 pounds, but I was back on my road to healthy again. Lost 3 pounds mid December to Mid January, then dropped another 6 pounds in 2 weeks, on doctors scales, don't currently own a home one. I was to be rewarded with 1 token meal a day, odd days a Protein shake, do you realize I have been at liquid diet level since August 1st when I went on my liver shrinking diet? That is a LONG LONG time. Then even days homemade soup with extra protein powder, and if there are veggies line carrots I don't have to strain, just puree it in. But the vast majority of my nutrition is via TPN, 12 hours on,12 hours off. And every day or 2 I have a smallish greenish black sticky BM due to the extra iron supplement I routinely take plus I'm still on prenatal vitamins and there is iron in there too. Before all this I was fighting constipation, the one tiny blessing of all this, no more. And foods in the past came up so often I am not hungry anymore. I only ate yesterday because I was supposed to, not from any need. Have they checked you for C Diff? That's something your symptoms call to mind , my daughter has it and has been on Flagyl for flares. Is she on it? Can't say for sure, her code name in our family is RD for Rotten Daughter, she usually calls me when she wants something otherwise she doesn't talk, she will text her little brother when she's in the mood. WHEN I told her I was having major surgery, she said "whatever" and flat out did not care. Sure I still love her, she was my first child, but I don't much like her any more, she has hurt her little brother emotionally more than a few times, and that's hard to forgive. Eat as bland an diet as possible, and I hope you get some real answers soon, don't want you in the hospital like I was, it may be a good place for somethings but it is not HOME! Let me know what happens next, I do care.

When I went to be with my brother and his family for Christmas 2014 and my 16 year old niece begged me to wait in the car while she ran into the grocery store. I realized she was embarassed to be seen with me. My heart broke that day. I contacted the nearest Bariatric Clinic when I got home. She graduates this June and it will be 3 years since I have seen her and hope to be down 100# by then. My heart still hurts when I think about it.

If you want there is a Facebook group with lots of Bariatric recipes that might help you make better choices. It's called Rock's Kitchen find it and ask to be included and I have found lots of very good recipe choices. Best of luck. Brian

Go on to Thinner Times - thinnertimes.com - and look for the thread "Caffeine after sleeve gastrectomy" with a lengthy and clear response from the bariatric surgeon who oversees that forum. In a nutshell, he says that there is limited research to support any position, but good evidence that both coffee and caffeine promote acid production and GE reflux; he suggests avoiding both if you have problems of that sort but thinks moderate use is probably OK if not. Hope this helps.

Have you seen any of the YouTube videos by Dr. Matthew Weiner? He's a bariatric surgeon who has some unusual ideas about metabolism. In one of his videos (I forget which) he says that the biggest determining factor in how many calories we burn every day is how many calories we eat every day. In other words, if you eat low cal, your body will slow down your metabolism. You should check him out; I think he makes a lot of sense.

So, who's the psychic genius who thinks they can tell who bariatric surgery will work and who it won't? I had very slow metabolism, too...and lost slowly..but I am losing and now in sight of my goal. Keep up hope and follow doctor's orders.

You need to find a way to get unfilled. For one, you're begging for a slip with it being too tight for months. The fact you're using alcohol as a way to eat is downright dangerous. It's not horribly uncommon for people to have transfer addiction, or essentially trade addictions, after bariatric surgery. By drinking as a way to eat you're putting yourself at high risk for alcoholism. More than just your band is at risk, your overall health is at great risk. Find a way to get an unfill before you do serious damage. Best wishes.

Hi dear Bandsters and future bandsters... Looking for 411 about the lap band procedure? You have just found the right person, find me on facebook www.facebook.com/kfrancolapband or email me anytime at kfrancolovelapband@gmail.com and I will answer any of your questions, provide support and even find you an awesome bariatric surgeon near you! Thanks Karina!

I'm nine days post-op and I've not reached the point where I'd say "oh yes, I'd do it all over again for sure!" But that makes complete sense to me. Right after surgery you're the most miserable and have the least amount of reward. Down the road, you feel much better physically and experience much greater reward (weight loss). I'd never had any kind of surgery or been in the hospital for any reason. This may sound overly dramatic to some, but I feel like I went through hell and back in the hospital. Lots of pain and I had a reaction to something that made me itch so badly all over my body I wanted to just skin myself. It's been so much better since then, but I've still had some rough moments. I know one day it will be worth it, when I'm fully healed, the weight is off and I'm living life with renewed vigor.

I like Chewable FloraVantage Probiotic from Bariatric Advantage. Tastes like grape smarties.

Hey! I lived in Indianapolis for 8 years :-) I am there every weekend... Bariatric Weight Loss Center of Excellence St.Vincent Carmel Hospital 13430 North Meridian, Suite 168 Carmel, IN 46032 Phone numbers: (317) 582-7088 Toll-free 1-877-831-1582 This might be a good place to start. If they won't do fills for patients that had the surgery else-where... then they certainly would know who to send you to. :-) Good luck to ya up in my Indy home!

I have PCOS as well, am insulin-resistant and have thyroid issues. I take medication for both plus HBP meds. I am 44. I wear a size 22/24. I have been going to monthly support groups since the Summer of 2014 and going through all the insurance requirement visits with my last nutritionist appointment just last week. I am struggling so much with which surgery to go through. My surgeon said RNY is best for anyone with sugar issues. I am not diabetic--yet! I do, however, take Metformin every single day since TTC 12+ years ago (have two children now). I don't want to end up with diabetes--this is my biggest fear. But my sister had RNY in November 2014 and has been in the hospital three separate times for dehydration. I'm really struggling. At the support groups, it seems like all the newbies have gotten or are getting the sleeve. It seems so much easier to deal with after the surgery to have the sleeve. Also, I believe if you get the sleeve, you do have the option to later 'upgrade' to the RNY if needed, but who wants to count on that?? But I believe there is more risk of putting weight back on later with the sleeve and my nutritionist said I would lose more weight with RNY. Uggh. It is so tough. You talk to almost anyone who has gone through with RNY, all say they would do it again in a heartbeat--even my sister I think! This is just so hard. I am really struggling. But then wonder if my worries are just another excuse which all of us who struggle with weightloss are so very good at--making excuses. Problem I am experiencing is that I don't really think these bariatric surgeons truly understand PCOS. I no longer see a reproductive endocrinologist for my PCOS because I am no longer TTC, but I do see a regular endocrinologist. I wish I could see a study of PCOS patients who have undergone the surgery and really see their long-term results--like over one to two years out? I will be mortified if I get this surgery and then stretch out the sleeve or pouch only to get fat again.

Thanks for your support Daisee68. I met with two surgeons here in Dallas, but I am going to Nashville, TN to have the surgeries, I think. I met with several surgeons in Nashville and it's going to be easier for me to have the surgery there and stay with family for the recovery. Also, the quotes from the Nashville surgeons were much less... almost on par with a quote I got Dr in Mexico (but without the aftercare)... I just worry about going to Mexico and the surgeon I spoke with back-pedalled on things he said previously when I asked extra questions. He also wasn't too confident about how many surgeries would be needed nor some special work I need done that others were confident about fixing. (And he is one that is well regarded on this board. ) I never heard back from my inquery into the BariatricPal associated surgeon's group after an initial 'We got your email' message. In Dallas, I met with Dr Ben Tittle and Dr Jeffrey Kenkel. They both seemed like very good doctors and we're referred by my sleeve surgeon, but Dr Tittle seemed in a hurry and I wanted someone to explain things to me better. Dr Tittle also wanted things broken into 3 surgeries - I think I prefer only going through two. I really liked Dr Jeffrey Kenkel a lot. However, he was very expensive - like 15k-20k more expensive for everything than the two I am considering in Nashville - although he did include 2 nights of aftercare. I'm not pinching pennies at the sake of my health, but that's quite a bit when the Nashville surgeons have bariatric experience and were referred by a bariatric group there. I did look at Dr Fisher's website and considered talking to him, but thought I'd go locally (where family could stay with me) or Nashville (where I could stay with family). I don't know about traveling to San Antonio...how long before you would want to be in a car long enough to drive (or fly) back to Dallas? Sent from my SM-N900T using the BariatricPal App I see you are having surgery today here in Nashville. Here's praying for your speedy recovery! When you do recover can you elaborate on which surgeons you met with and which one you chose? Costs? Recovery time? And all else that would help! Thanks!