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Hey Tully, I went to The Avenue and they were great. I have only been out of hospital for 2 days. My Surgeon was Paul Burton from the Centre for Bariatric Surgery and he was fantastic as well. I have private health and my Out of Pocket Expenses were $3440 for the Procedure and $50 excess for the hopital stay. I know $3440 sounds like a huge amount of money - I ummed and aaahhed for MONTHS!! But you do have to take into account that all your follow up appointments are bulk billed for LIFE!! I am so glad that I have done this now. We didnt have the money lying around - we skipped a house payment and extended our credit a bit to pay for it and it was all worth it. Choose Life!!! DO IT!! Megan

Bariatric advantage chocolate or Caramel chews. I think they taste really good. I haven't tried the lozenges.

Hi, I'm new here and not sure how to post either. I'm from Burlington and have just been approved for the VSG surgery. I am having my surgery on Aug. 28th. Dr. Wasserman, South Jersey Surgical Group will be performing my surgery at Virtua Center for Bariatrics. I am nervous about the diet changes and I need as much info as I can get. How does everyone handle the menu planning when you still have to prepare meals for your family?

Thank you all so much. I have researched for SEVEN years and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I've chosen the best surgeon possible. His practice is a bariatric center of excellence and he fellowship trained for bariatric surgery for 2 years at Duke university. So I'm good there. It's just my crazy anxiety. (I take meds for it... it's out of hand) Good thing I told my husband back before I got scared "Look, I'm going to freak out at some point... I don't know when, but do NOT let me back out" and so far he isn't.

I am now on Bari Active Vitamins. My bariatric center put in a prescription for them for me. The company mails them to me every month. I get Calcium, Multivitamins, Iron and b12 spray. The vitamins are much easier to take than the others I tried. They dissolve on your tongue. Sent from my SM-G935P using the BariatricPal App

Has any pne used this Center. So far very impressive, but would love feed back

Uh well I have a list of ten things that getting the weight off will do for us. check my link: Get Banded Now provides Lap Band Bariatric Surgery, Weight Loss Surgery and Gastric Bypass Surgery Oh and dress like a slut ? Pictures please!! JK

I suppose at some level, most folks have a bit of judgmental views about wls. At some level. It's been a learning experience for me. Sure...learned lots about nutrition and such.....but learned heaps more about myself. I was one of those who was ill informed over wls....even though I have a close family member who has been highly successful with it after their surgery 15 years ago. Highly successful. It took a unique set of circumstances to stack up in my life for me to seriously consider wls. I't temporarily lost the ability to "just go to the gym and diet and get the weight off" as I'd done in the past. The health issues mounted....and it became abundantly clear that losing a huge amount of weight would be the first step towards addressing the issues. Here's the bottom line for me.....I've done well in losing and getting temporarily fit before. I can kick into gear with the best of them.....until I couldn't. I became interested and focused on the wls as an aid.....educated myself on it as best I could......went through a couple surgeons and found the right one.....and took his advice on the optimum surgery for me. Everything has unfolded as he predicted. I'm very grateful. The coolest thing about all this is that I've already passed the point where I've stopped in the past. I'm more fit now. I'm more lean. I feel better. My health metrics are much better. I'm in a great place.....yet I am not satisfied. I will continue to get to my goal fighting weight and live there. I look at myself and do so much differently than I have in the past attempts when I'd gotten 2/3 this far. Then I was happy and ready to enjoy myself. Now....I'm grateful for the progress, sure.....but it's just a pleasant observation on the way to where I'm really headed. I couldn't see the intricacies of wls.....couldn't really understand it.......did pass judgement on it.......until I lived it and my eyes were opened by my own experiences. I'd always kept my opinions to myself....glad I did as they were based on ignorance. I feel that on balance, there is insufficient mental preparation for patients prior to surgery. The nutritional part is fairly straightforward.....but the mental game is one that must be the foundation and build on solid ground. I am tremendously grateful for Dr. Stapleton. She works with the patients in my bariatric center and is a vital resource. Her pre-op training is thought provoking and really helped me prepare. I'm being educated in wls each and every day and have been humbled by the experience. I now see my back injury some 13 months ago as a gift. It was the final straw that gave that last push I needed. WLS followed 7 months later and I'm significantly lighter now and can see maybe hitting my goal weight prior to my one year surgiversary. Cool thought.......

LOL, yes. It's not a bug, but a feature ... in a way. The medical side of things look at your physical structure. The psychologist understands how obesity impacts you mentally, socially, and devises (if they're good) a way for you to accept yourself and work positively towards change. I've enjoyed both sides once I became my own (and honest) patient advocate. My therapist is right that our worth really isn't determined by our weights; that we should eat until we're not hungry regardless of weight, and that the biggest gift you'll give yourself is making peace with the negative self-image. The medical team is right there's a diet that works with surgery. That being said: it's becoming increasingly settled science that going hungry - as in hungry-hungry, not 'mmh I'd like some ice cream' - has profound hormonal, mental, physically negative effects. You should not go hungry. And that's where you as your own patient advocate comes in. ----- EDIT: I'm sorry, I'm an idiot. And so is your psych! I'll leave the above for general thought sharing, though. I thought the psych said eat and the medical team said don't eat. . Your medical team has it right here, and that's the same position your psych should take. I bet they're just telling you that because they don't want to give you advice that extends beyond their field of expertise (that being said, "hunger" as a state of being should be part of a bariatric psychologist's field of knowledge).

In terms of fluids if you talk to your surgeon they should be able to arrange for you to get fluids as an out patient. Perhaps they can just schedule this ahead given your situation. I only needed to go one time and I was able to drink the full 64 ounces shortly after surgery but not everyone gets there that quickly (it depends on swelling I think). i was also told no gummies. I did the bariatric advantage chewable multivitamin just after surgery but switched to the capsules the next month or so. Everyone is different on this too but I was swallowing small pills on the hospital the day after surgery so I had no issues with the capsules.

So, my bloodwork has been excellent for years. Last time (December) it was still good, but not as good and I am just curious of others experienced that. Annoyingly, I I need to go to the doctor AGAIN for something so I will inquire if this is normal/typical. My primary doc thought my results were great, but I want to talk to the bariatric doctor about it because it is the trend of "not as great" as the last several years that concerned me. I am down to annual checks, but the number of surgeries, procedures and general medical mayhem, i seem to have had a lot of tests lately.

that's incorrect. Visalus is a tri-blend of protein. So 3 different types or protein - yes one of those is soy. However, it's specially processed to remove isoflavones that can impact estrogen - so it's not a problem for those who worry about figroids, etc. You can research more of this to find out the exact process. The shakes seem to be a little lower in protein grams than other shakes, but it's a much better blend. plus, look at the sugar. less than 1 gram of sugar. i was looking at some of the shakes that many people post about drinking and they are drinking 20 grams - 200 grams of sugar! WHAT!?!?!!? plus low fat, low sodium, gluten free and lactose free. i dont know if these shakes are good for bariatric patients. i hope so because i have my surgery on the 21st and love these over about anything else. either way, the comment of them being only soy protein is incorrect, and the little soy that IS used isnt your typical soy.

So I know I probably sound like a big whiner, but I am feeling really frustrated at the moment! A week and a half ago I got the call that I was approved (this was a Friday). I was so excited! On Monday I went to my PCP to pick-up the original referral (I have *** insurance) and noticed that the referral was just for the consult appt! Talk about the wind getting knocked out of my sails! Then there was some run-around with the surgeon's office and my PCP regarding the referral. The bariatric program that I am using normally has you see the surgeon, bariatician, nutritionist and psychologist all in the 1st appt. so since my referral was just for the surgeon my insurance required a letter from the surgeon's office stating how exactly their program works. OK fine. I called yesterday to verify and I have a referral for the surgeon and an EGD to be done. I guess I have to complete all of the "clearance tests" and then if the surgeon recommends that I'm a candidate for surgery then my insurance will approve me for the surgery and refer me to see the other specialists. I know this is all formalities, but I'm frustrated because I am afraid I could be denied. Thinking I was approved already was such a great feeling and now I feel like I am in limbo! I feel very fortunate that my insurance covers WLS and I will jump through whatever "hoop" they tell me to, but it just stinks when you're so excited and then you feel discouraged! I am just so scared that something will go wrong and I won't be able to have the surgery. Financially I can't afford to go to Mexico or be a self-pay.

I just want to hear from others how long after they did what the insurance needed them to do. Like the 3 or 6 month supervised diet. How long after that was done did you have a surgery date or your surgery? My final weigh in is May 16 and paper work will be sent to the insurance. I should be approved fairly fast i would assume. I talked to my Bariatric Coordinator today and she said once the approval is back to her it will take me 3 weeks to get in to see the surgeon, then i will start my presurgery stuff and will take another 6 to 8 weeks for complete all of that. Does this seem unreasonable to anyone? 3 Months after my insurance approves me before I have my surgery???????

Hi Laney. I don't know if I have much to offer you, as my surgery was 11/29 but my bariatric RN said to wait till Monday to introduce the chewable vitamins. She said one a day for a couple of days then increase as tolerated. She did say break it up in your protein shakes. Maybe that will help? Hope you feel good today. I've been told every day is a little better than the last!🎉

I’m self pay and am going on a short Mexican vacay. My ins sucks as far as Bariatric coverage. Contrary to popular belief, I had to jump through hoops as well, to get approved. Who knew, right? I just got approved after submitting my EKG. I am scheduled for 10/1/19 (my choice). I’m so excited! And I am excited for you. I can’t wait to hear about your experience and new life adventures!

My DS surgery was april of 2018 with Dr. Bruce at Bariatrics of NC . All has been good, but then I rate having stomach pains really bad that lasted a long time when it happened just two months ago. It has only happened about 3-4 times, so naturally I went back to my surgeon and spoke to him about it. I thought maybe I was dehydrated , but he said NOPE, you have an internal hernia going on... and that I would need surgery as soon as I can make the appointment. Sooner than later he stressed! He could not do the surgery which disappointed me but he referred me to Dr. Lindsay Sharpe. So 1 week later I made an appointment which I had surgery done with Dr. Sharpe just yesterday 6/17/19 lasted about an hour. It started out as a diagnostic lap surgery to see exactly what was going on , and indeed it was the hernia that they found. They fixed it and I went home today and I feel a lot of pain but otherwise I just have to rest and no lifting for 3 weeks and no exercise for 6 weeks. They said because of the weight loss that it opened up a gap around my intestines causing blockage and this happened. Not sure on all details until my follow up next Tuesday but once I know ALL the details , I will post on here. Its funny now when you have surgery , you don't see the surgeon afterwards... you have to wait until follow up appointment to really get full details. his Medical assistant filled me in but not totally, so I am kinda in limbo on details. I cant wait for Tuesday to find out what he did exactly ! Has anyone had this happen to them after DS surgery?

I am a big fan of the plant-based diet approach. The bariatric gospel on the other hand, tends to condemn that but I think it is a very doable thing. In fact, there is a bariatric surgeon on YouTube who has a video called "eat your veggies first" where in he makes the argument that we have always eaten the Protein first, and if we can get in the habit of eating my vegetables for us we will be healthier and be more likely to keep the weight off. I think in the very beginning, vegetarian diet could be very challenging because the restriction is so significant due to swelling. But I would say 6 to 9 months out, it's quite feasible. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was required to have chewables at first (still on them). My regimen for now is: Prilosec on applesauce upon waking Chewable calcium at breakfast Chewable calcium at lunch, and a B12 melt every other day Two Flintstones Complete at dinner BP med at bedtime (and my calcium if I missed one during the day) I tried the Bariatric Advantage Calcium first and it *ahem* upset my stomach quite a bit. I was glad I had tried it before surgery ha. Although, to be fair, I was also taking major vitamin C in the run up to surgery so that combo might have created the tummy/bathroom issues. I'm now taking the Celebrate calcium and while it isn't fantastic tasting, I try to just tell myself it tastes like a smartie 😅 not too bad.

I'm looking at the vitamins online and I was wondering if those of you that either originally had the bypass, or those who revised to it, can tell me which of these looks better? I know vitamin needs for bypass are different than the sleeve. Thanks!! https://www.bariatricadvantage.com/item/ultra-multivitamin https://www.barilife.com/product/just-one-chewable-once-daily-bariatric-multivitamin-iron/ PS - I will be adding additional biotin to whatever vitamins I end up with. like I do now. Just throwing that out there because neither of these provide the amount my surgeon recommends.

I use the Bariatric Pal One Daily multivitamin with iron. I also supplement with calcium chews and a collagen/biotin gummy. So far, so good.

It is somewhat common for individuals that have gastric bypass bariatric surgery to experience hypoglycemia even if they were not diabetic prior to surgery. Most people can detect when an episode is coming on and take something to snap them out of it before their blood sugar gets too low. This condition can be treated by consuming: 1/2 of fruit juice 1 cup of skim milk 1 tablespoon honey (put it under your tongue so it gets absorbed into your bloodstream faster) 2 tablespoons of raisens, or glucose tablets

Hey, so, here's my situation. All the various people have signed off, so now it's just off to insurance. I talked to the team member doing the insurance submissions, and she said her goal was to submit to the insurer Blue Shield of CA, not BCBS) by the end of business yesterday. My insurer has a 5 business day turnaround for responses on bariatric pre-auths. So, here's my question: is it okay to call the insurer and ask if it's been submitted? Can I call after the five days? I ask because we're trying to get me on the schedule before the end of August, but they can't schedule my pre-op apt and surgery until they get the approval. I'm going on vacation for part of August, so if I'm going to be on liquid diet then (my doctor will do 2 weeks) then I will need to be doing that while on vacation. I am putting all that into place (have to have my preferred Protein shakes delivered to my hotel, etc...) but I'm maybe a little impatient about the approval. :-) Do you all call your insurer a lot? Is it okay to do it?

Check out this bariatric surgeon's vids https://www.youtube.com/user/DrMatthewWeiner/videos He pushes a high veggie diet. Now, veggies usually aren't on the diet progression until several weeks after surgery, so be sure to follow your surgeon's diet progression plan until you're fully healed and released to a full diet, but I think this guy has some good advice for long-term weight maintenance.

Thank you all. I want to especially thank you who recognized what a great doctor/practice I chose. I went to Puget Sound Surgical Center and feel like they really brought so much together for me - not just the surgery, the whole education and support "package" that I felt I needed. It was a Godsend to literally stumble across them after the first surgeon I went to told me I should get the rny since i failed with the lapband. I wrestled with that and then ruled out the rny and was exploring nonsurgical weight loss solutions when THAT center told me to talk to the good docs at PSSC. I have been at times quiet about singing their praises because there was a very active poster on VST who went to that center and had a leak. She did not have a positive experience and unleashed alot of her frustration and anger right here on this forum which tended to make me sorta feel ... well I don't know how it made me feel. Without disrespecting her point of view, my experience was over the top positve and I think the surgeons were awesome and I trust their integrity and committment to their patients like I have never trusted another doctor. I honestly feel that I had good results because I went to them - I don't know the nuts and bolts of why - maybe surgical technique, alot of hand holding and a huge amount of education combined with really believing in me. Somehow, that team was just exactly what I needed. Anyway, my level of gratefulness is probably so off the scale because i failed with the lapband and failing at weight loss after bariatric surgery is a heartbreak that I hope no one goes through... it is emotionally devastating and makes you question yourself. You question your own abilities and mental health at a pretty freaking deep level - like what is wrong with me that I can have WLS and still be fat? To be finally free from carrying around basically two people (I lost 150#) is both a release of a physical, but also emotional burden.