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Question about eating post-op
Lady VS replied to Jen-DallasTX's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hello newbies. This is the time we call adjusting to the band. Your body does need time to heal and process the fact that heyyy, I'm not getting all that food in me. Yes, there will be many days that you're going to feel as though you're starving to death. But guess what???? You're not. You're just not used to eating and drinking this way and it does take time to get used too. Please please follow the plan of your bariatric team. They are the experts and we're your support. Congratulations on being banded and best wishes to you. -
Day 1 of my 2 week pre-op liquid diet
StephanieM posted a topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Today starts the first day of my two-week preop liquid diet. I can only have four protein shakes per day and can only use bariatric advantage. Bariatric advantage protein is so gross! I am gagging it down. This afternoon I got the worst headache and felt nauseous. How my going to do this for two weeks? When does this get easier? -
Please help debunk the protein mystery...
Catherine707 replied to QueenCityGal's topic in Food and Nutrition
I know this is very confusing. Before I became a bariatric patient, I was trying to eat as naturally as possible. I am allergic to soy and the soy isolate proteins, and avoid them like the plague. Right now I use either the Premier Protein Shake or a fortified (with whey protein) greek yogurt for breakfast to start my day off with 30 grams of protein. The remaining 45 grams I get from whole foods - cheese, nuts, beans, meat etc. My doctor wants his patients to eat as much whole foods as possible to fill up our stomachs, reduce grazing and hunger and avoid stretching out the sleeve. I think there are many ways to fulfill the protein requirements and most of it takes trial and error to determine what works for you as an individual. -
No stopping me now!
BayshoreBuddy replied to Pretty Girl VSG's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Hello, make today the first day of your new life. We all have had weight problems, some hidden, some in pain sight, and some some that made us the target of ridicule. What's important is where you go from here. You have taken an important step with joining our group. For me it was acknowledging that I AM Obese after kidding myself for years that brought me here and drove my determination to overcome my weight. A friend mentioned that before her sleeve her body ruled when it came to eating. Now, for the first time in her life, she controls her body and decides what and when she wants to eat. She has conquered her hunger, hit her target goal, and best of all is successfully managing her weight. As you read various columns and gather information on bariatric surgery you will discover this is not an easy path; but, something as important as your health makes the journey more than worthwhile - it is a life saving experience. How often do you get a chance to save your own life? Welcome and don't be shy with your postings - that is how we all learn from eachother. So Welcome again and congratulations on the first day of your new life! -
nausea still 6 days post op
jjinWA replied to itsmekarenlee's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Set up appts with a PCP who so familiar with patients who have had bariatric surgery. I am sure there are good surgeons out there who do quality follow up, as many here on this site will attest too, but honestly, there are many surgeons who simply don't give a crap about you once the surgery is done. I saw my surgeon for about 5 minutes before my surgery. He stopped in my hospital room for about 5 minutes after surgery, and I have not seen or heard from him since! He did schedule a followup appt, but when I went it was a Nurse Practitioner who saw me. I guess that was ok, but I was very weak and struggling. She did blood work, but never followed up with me with the results. In two days after that visit I was in ER due to severe dehydration. She has never once followed up since. I basically have written off the surgeon and work with my PCP. If you have a PCP start going to him and forget the surgeon! -
How close do you follow your dr's Post Surgery plan?
Berry78 replied to dathvick's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
Thank you @Amburmist for bringing this up. I did a bit of digging, and essentially it boils down to this. During the first year postop, the entire body is working hard to lose weight. The liver has often been stressed prior to surgery because of fatty liver. It continues being stressed during the weight loss period (and maybe longer if it had significant damage). Alcohol doesn't appear to be more dangerous to the liver postop than it would be in another person whose liver is in the same condition. What does happen is the alcohol is metabolized differently... we get drunk sooner and stay that way longer. We may be at risk of drinking excessively due to addiction transfer... and excessive alcohol is a problem for anyone. Our blood alcohol level goes up more on a given quantity of alcohol than that of a non-patient. More alcohol in the blood means more work for the liver. So, my recommendation is that we shouldn't drink for 6 months postop AT ALL. From 6 months until maintenance, limit alcohol to maybe once a month, and only 1 serving. During maintenance, 1 serving 2-3 times a week at most. And of course, this is assuming the doc has said its ok for the individual. Tylenol affects the liver and should be carefully controlled as well. Smoking is strongly associated with ulcers. Smoking and drinking and NSAIDS, combined, are worse for ulcers. I didn't see where alcohol by itself causes ulcers. Just as our meals need to shrink, the size of our alcohol servings should too. In the study, participants drank 5oz of wine. The non-bariatric patients had a blood alcohol level of .02. The patients' was .05-.08! Do NOT drink a 5oz glass of wine or a 12oz can of beer and think you can drive less than 2 hours later. And when I was recommending servings... you might want to consider a serving to be 1/2 of a normal one. 6oz beer or 2.5oz table wine... especially if you want to indulge more than once a week. -
Having GERD. Will insurance cover revision if BMI IS 31?
NewlySleeved12282020 replied to NewlySleeved12282020's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
The first thing my doctor said was that my BMI was at 31 and that insurance would not approve me. Then she brought up another procedure called Lynx. Some kind of magnetic bead thing that would keep the opening of your stomach closed unless things passed through. I don’t want it. I had the lapband and it’s was the worst and I feel like anything they put in your body that can be removed, it’s not going to help me. My bariatric doctor thinks I have a small hiatal hernia. They took me into radiology and made me drink the dye, but everything looked normal. In a week they are going to look down my throat to see if there is in fact a hernia. I have new insurance this year, but it’s still the same company. If I don’t have a hernia, I’m going to push for the revision or any other options. I can’t keep taking anti acids multiple times a day on top of vitamins, medications, etc. -
If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't choose lap band OR RNY bypass, but would choose DS or VBG instead. You get better weight loss with the last two and less complications. Perhaps you should look into all of the bariatric surgery options to help decide which is best for you.
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Thanks for your replies. I know the bariatric place where I'm going will handle insurance stuff, but maybe I'll do a little more digging before I go to the seminar. i'm just now learning that some companies make you see a dietician for 6 months and/or have other stipulations. Now I'm afraid this could get complicated. The research is overwhelming. Especially when I have next to no downtime (stay at home mom to 3 under 3). This forum looks very informative!
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Well I have my psych eval on Thursday the 24th that the bariatric surgeon requires. Now my insurance company doesnt require this stuff..but I just was able to make an appt to get in to talk to my PCP about seeing if he would recommend the surgery as well. I also called my ob/gyn that diagnosis me with PCOS and Insulin resistance to write a letter also. So I'm covering all my basis before I send this in to the bariatric surgeon along with my packet they want me to fill out about my medical history etc to get a consult. I'm making sure there wont be any question of me getting this surgery. That way the insurance company has no problems seeing that I have issues and need this surgery. My PCP has seen me more times than I can count about having chronic bronchitis and just being sick all the time and my asthma getting worse. I am also quitting smoking...I'm down to 4 cigs a day. Mostly at work and on the drive home. Of course you realize with quitting smoking I'm gonna gain more weight...which will also help with the surgery not that I really need any with being over 250 now and only 5'5! So whatcha think..have I missed anything that might be required?? My insurance co and the surgeon dont require the 6 month weight loss program...just lots of diet history with the packet you send in. Is there anything else that I havent thought of yet? :rolleyes2:
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Hello all! I'm just starting my research into the lap band procedure and am attending a seminar at the end of the month. I will be 33 in July and have 3 children under 3. I have struggled with weight all of my life and am at my highest weight now (I'm guessing 260 but haven't been on a scale in 5 months since I gave birth to my daughter). Anyway, our insurance says "Not Applicable" under bariatric surgery. But there are some things listed as "Not covered." Does anyone have any experience with this or know if it's possible to get it covered when the insurance says "N/A" under coverage? I'm afraid to get my hopes up.
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These are a few of my favorite (weight loss) things: 1. My iPod Shuffle. I love, love, love to listen to music that makes me want to move my body. I actually make excuses to go to the gym just so I can put my headphones on and get lost in the music while I'm on the elliptical. 2. My Polar heart rate monitor. It's a basic unit, but it's really all I need to keep my heart rate in the training zone. I don't like to exercise without it. 3. My Spinning shoes. Spinning is my favorite exercise, and somehow just putting them on says "Athlete" to me. 4. Kashi Go Lean Crunch Cereal. I have it every single day for Breakfast, and absolutely crave it. 9g Protein, 8g Fiber per 1 c. serving for 190 delicious calories. 5. Breakstones 2% large curd cottage cheese. That's my favorite post-workout snack. It's creamy and delicious, and packs in 11g protein in 90 calories. 6. Edamame. I love the frozen pods (which remind me of one of our southern staples, boiled peanuts), and the wasabe-flavored freeze dried ones. 7. My local lap band support group. We have an awesome bariatric coordinator, who does a wonderful job to get us inspired and motivated. Tami
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Has to be seriously flawed research
catwoman7 replied to Sosewsue61's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
you're right, probably not bariatric patients - but for normal people, 2000 calories a day is pretty standard. So is 225 carbs. Unfortunately, it seems like few of us bariatric types can eat like that and maintain our weight. Not fair, but, it is what it is... -
All new to this WLS from California!
amyallthetime replied to nomorequitting's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I am also in California on medi-cal. I live in the Bay Area. How about you?I was referred by my PCP to Stanford Bariatric Clinic. They had me fill out a questionnaire and I had to wait for a surgeon to review my information before they would allow me to do anything else. I just got word they cleared me to get the process started. The clinic said they would be calling me tomorrow to go over information and schedule my seminar. Good luck to you! -
Were any of you crazy hungry and craving like mad during your TOM? This is my first one and I've had pie this week and popcorn at the movies (shrinks to nothing in the stomach) and a bit of candy and I'm not feeling "full" like I usuually do. I know that my hormones and internal voice are being jerks,lol. Does this usually happen? I know it's a case by case, but sheesh. I'm starting to think my surgeon forgot to remove my stomach, lol. Also, I started taking fiber supplements becuse my pipes are a bit backed up (if you get my drift) and I would like to go on a regular basis. Is this ok, or no? Mexico Bariatric really didn't have anything mentioned about fiber. Just protein ,protein , water and more protein.
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Hi everyone, I just wanted to give you guys an update. I was sleeved on 6/18 and my weight was 246. My average before that was 255. First few days where very hard! By the end of the week was feeling great. Second week my head hunger was getting the best of me. I even cheated and ate 4 fries. I felt no restrictions and it did not make me sick. I was more ashamed of losing control than anything else. I have started WLS Group and I am hoping to start therapy to help with my food addiction. My incisions are hardly visible! They don't even have scabs on them anymore :s I never got nausea or vomited and have been able to eat whatever I put in my mouth. Well, 3 oz of it at least. Now am on pureed foods and that is going great. My favorite thing to eat is chicken breast from a can pureed with my husbands awesome salsa. For the 4th my family made me ribs in a crock pot so that the meat was tender. That was so good and satisfying. I continue to take all my Vitamins (Calcium 1500 mg a day, a multi, Iron, and b12 sub (all from Bariatric Advantage)) every day. I also take Carafate 4xs a day. I drink between 50-70 oz of Water every day. I know I am not dehydrated because my pee is light. Oh I also take something for acid reflex but not sure the name. I have no symptoms of acid rflx. I do not drink Protein drinks because my nut/case manger/surgeon said that it is not necessary but I am thinking I want to try some.. I have read a lot about Premier from costco, I think I will try those. SV (or scale victory): I now weigh 225 lbs NSV: I had to retire one ring finger because it fell off. My clothes are fitting too big My face is thinner and I no longer get sun glass imprints on my cheeks I don't think about food all day a lot energy My hubby cannot keep his hands off me... hehe! No longer take meds for diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol I can cross my legs when I sit My knees don't hurt when I sit down to use the bathroom (btw bm's are normal) My fears: tearing my sleeve not being successful at weight loss my food addiction What I am looking forward to: riding my bike... I want to do this so bad but I have not been cleared yet a new wardrobe running a marathon living longer going on a cruise and wearing short shorts! What I do to feel normal: I go to mc donalds every morning and order a decaf coffee I got to restaurants and stick to Soups If you guys have any questions, please ask! Thanks for reading. Veronica
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What do you know about Dr. Armando Joya and the sleeve?
iamchrisstone posted a topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hello, Long story short I need WLS and I don't have insurance in the US. Therefore I'm going to have to refinance my truck and borrow a little bit more money and go to Mexico. I've researched for quite some time different surgeons, hospitals and cities. I've narrowed my search to 3, and from there the top of my list is: Dr. Armando Joya Amerimed Hospital Puerto Vallarta, Mexico I have many, many questions. If you know a patient of his, please refer them to this entry and encourage them to give me feedback. If you yourself are a patient, please give feedback. I'd like to speak with patients via email before finalizing my plans. For now, I have several questions. Hopefully some of you can answer them. 1) I notice several websites for Dr. Joya, what ones are legit and if some are not legit, does anyone know why they are up? 2) Is the information at http://www.obesityhelp.com/profiles/bariatric-surgeon/dr-armando-joya/overview correct and current? This gives his experience, education, background, etc. Can someone delete reviews because almost every review has glowing and positive comments. 3) How is the hospital? Many people say they how good it is. Is it really that great? Modern? Comfortable? 4) Talk to me about the process. You fly into Puerto Vallarta, and then get picked up? how long of a ride to the hotel or hospital? How long did you spend in the hospital? How long in the hotel? If you could have stayed in the hotel longer, would it have been a better flight home? 5) What was the cost you paid for the Sleeve (or whatever procedure you had)? What all did it include? Hospital? Hotel? Flight? Surgery? 6) Did you have any health issues after? How did you handle them? 7) Any regrets? 8) How long ago was your surgery? 9) Any hidden costs? 10) What all did you need to take with you? -
Where did you find them at?Amazon has them but i got them at the hospital. They have a store the caters to bariatric patients and womens health. I just recently found them at Kroger bt the deli section and cheeses.
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I, too. am waiting for insurance approval. I requested a copy of my insurance company's policy on weight loss surgery. I reviewed it, and my primary care physician and endocrinologist agreed with me that I met all of their criteria. Letters of medical necessity from my doctors were mailed out last week. I enclosed all information I gathered about the Bariatric Program at Portstmouth Regional Hospital, New Hampshire. So now I am playing the waiting game. Next week I am meeting with the Bariatric Coordinator, Nutritionist, Physical Therapist, and Psychologist - all on the same day, as I live 2 hours away. I will be staying the night before, as I plan to attend the Support Group that evening. I am determined, and I feel I have done my homework, so to speak. I found on the website that there are sample letters of appeal you can send to your insurance company. Be strong, be determined and don't give up. Best of luck to you sweetie. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Rachel
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I didn't read all the replies thoroughly, but if it wasn't mentioned, keep in mind that not all employers purchase a level of insurance that covers bariatric surgery. You'll need to see the policy or contact your provider to see if there are exclusions for WLS. If not, then start looking for a good surgeon and find out what your are required to do to meet your providers requirements. Not all Anthem policies are the same.
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For those who had to pay a portion of cost, WHEN did you have to pay it?
Kami posted a topic in Insurance & Financing
My insurance (Aetna) will cover up to $10,000 lifetime for bariatric surgery. I'm getting conflicting answers from my surgeon's office about an estimate of how much I will have to pay and when. When I first looked into the surgery, they said that after the insurance came back with its negotiated rates, the cost would probably be $15,000, so I'd be responsible for about $5000. At my last weigh-in appointment, I asked to talk to the insurance coordinator, who was the person who gave me that info before. THIS TIME, she said that she didn't think the cost would go over $10,000. She said that in any case, at check-in, I'd have to pay my $250 deductible for a hospital stay, but that's it. Then they'll bill me for anything that goes above $10000 (that's AFTER Aetna takes the ridiculously high bill and tells them what the agreed-upon charge is). So are there others here who have had to pay a portion, either as a percentage or because the cost goes over a coverage cap? When did you have to pay? And how bad did the cost end up being? I just want to have a bit more of an idea so I can plan. -
GOT MY DATE - JUNE!
caligul replied to lisaanewme67's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Lucky you.....I wasn't able to select my shakes for my liquid diet...we have to use Bariatric Advantage. ...and my oh my can't wait to have something other than a shake, popsicles, and broth! ! #day8 -
How to deal with friends?
beckyrlnd replied to MaineJackie's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
i have the same situation with my best friend and my Cousin in Law. My best friend is at least trying. but due to a family issue with another member having bariatric surgery with a fatal result she almost refuses to look at this option. Which i completely understand. She said she would come and check on me but she didnt and took over a week for her to even text me about how i was doing. my Cousin in Law has not spoken three words to me since my surgery. i just encourage them in their decisions. But i made this choice for me and me alone. i am the one that has to look at myself in the mirror and be proud for my small goals to becoming a healthier person. now granted i have gotten down on myself but i think everyone goes through that stage. but i am doing this to be healthier and be there for my family without being out of breath or popping pills for pain in my joints because i can not hike or join in the activities my family is doing. no way! not any more. Be proud of what you are accomplishing and be patient with your friends. Love them unconditionally. God bless your decision for being a healthier you and Good luck on your journey. -
You can buy them online, I think bariatric pantry has them. You can purchase the sample pack so you can test out the flavors. I added PB2 powder to chocolate chike powder protein with high protein milk-I used a blender bottle to keep it watery. I also used a straw to drink it because the smell nauseated me.
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Got the Syntrax shakes online - BJs Bariatrics. You can make up your own sample pack - you choose the flavors you want.
