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We have to make a 7ish hour trip on Sat, and then turn around drive it again to come home on Sun (my daughter is a competitive gymnast meet is on Sun) On Monday due to some reflux issues they made me go back on liquids, my surgeon told me to slowly start adding back some solids. I have some crunchy protein snacks from a bariatric site and I am thinking some drinkable yogurts (light and fit kind) Other than that right no I am completely blanking on what I should pack for the drive. I have been able to have deli meat moistened but somehow that turns my stomach just thinking about eating it while we are driving. I'm also not sure how things like jello would be while driving. Have any of yall had drives like this? What did yall pack to eat on the way. I'll be 4 weeks post op on Mon. TIA

I have been taking gummy vitamins, I researched which ones I thought were best and ordered them ahead from vitacost.com I have shopped there for years and filled my cart and waited for them to send me a coupon before I ordered. They seem to be keeping my labs good, I’m not sure vitamins can totally stop hair loss but they do help overall. I can’t speak for energy but these vitamins do work for me. I spread them out throughout the day. This is my list (one month supply) 1. Garden of life my kind organics women’s multi 40 plus Whole Food gummies, organic berry 120 gummy drops four per day (2 in the morning and 2 in the evening) 2. Natures way hair skin and nails with collagen strawberry 60 gummies two per day one morning one evening 3. Natures way alive clacium plus d3 cherry strawberry, 60 gummies two per day one morning one evening 4. Hero nutritionals slice of life omega 3 and chia seed, adult gummy vitamins, Cran orange 60 gummies- Three gummies i take mid day. Though I take two and supplement with another fish oil gummy I got in target so the bottle lasts the month. 5. Ollie probiotic gummy 1 in the morning. I got in target to see if it helps my gut (so far not really) 6. I’m including b-complex on the list, it’s a good vitamin but I stopped taking it since it wasn’t helping me. And I get enough from my multi. You might benefit from it though. And they aren’t expensive. Natures way Alive B complex gummies, 60 gummies two gummies, one in the am, one mid day 7. I also take a natural heartburn chewable, natures plus nature sec natural peppermint 90 chewable You might also benefit from coenzyme q10. Hyaluronic acid. Prebiotic fiber. A lot of people take bariatric vitamins but they contain added iodine and since I’m allergic I had to find a multivitamin that didn’t have it. Any vitamin that is Whole Foods based will be utilized better by your body. I attached a screen shot of some of the vitamins. I rely on getting coupons since I’m on a tight disability budget. Best of luck to you on your journey!

@Torriluv02, thank you so much for such detailed account! I’m so happy to be back on the app and taking everything in. Everyone’s response has helped me sooo much in getting focused and remembering why I had the surgery in the first place. Not an excuse, but it’s been so hard with work and family and life happening. No one knows I’ve had Bariatric surgery. I have kept it a secret because experience with my people has taught me its best this way.

Is this a binge like with Bulimia or is it a binge where you just scoff all the junk food you can and think 'stuff it' because it makes you feel better while you do it? Can you get any help from your bariatric team? Do you get long term help? I get 2 years but know others don't. If not can you organize some counselling for yourself. When the urge to binge starts can you force yourself to go out for a brisk walk or try and do something to distract yourself whether it is arts or house cleaning or running as far away from any food stuff as possible? This is a hard one isn't it because it is all head stuff. Have you got another job or some interviews lined up? Sorry I don't have any decent advice, our brains can be right pains in the neck with this kind of thing!

https://amihungry.com/programs/mindful-eating-for-bariatric-surgery/get-started/

I am excited to announce our participation in the 5th Annual National Obesity Care Week (NOCW) which takes place September 15th to 21st and I am honored that our office is considered a Champion supporting this powerful national awareness campaign dedicated to making sure access to comprehensive obesity care is available for anyone affected by obesity. Today, more than 93 million adult Americans are living with obesity. Many do not know obesity is a disease and that their healthcare provider can help them with weight-loss and maintenance. Others do not have insurance coverage to help them pay for these healthcare options or they have to FIGHT just to access coverage they paid premiums to have! Now, more than ever, people affected by obesity as well as healthcare professionals and policy makers and all persons who care about this injustice must pledge their support for ACCESS TO CARE WITHOUT BARRIERS. Alongside the founding partners – the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA), The Obesity Society (TOS), and Strategies to Overcome and Prevent Obesity Alliance (STOP) – Lindstrom Obesity Advocacy believes that everyone should have access to obesity care that is not limited by a person’s size, weight or economic status and we've been fighting for this cause for over 23 years! Please visit ObesityCareWeek.org/Action to pledge your support as well.

How tall are you. More info please about the first surgery. Why do you think that eating cereal and milk is a recipe for anything other than regain (and then some) and hellah GERD? I had RNY and before and after surgery, if I ate a meal like that I have hellah GERD. Just asking cuz there are no magic surgeries. And typically revision surgery doesn't imbue the type of weight loss you see in virgin surgeries--especially if there are emotional food eating behaviors that have contributed to the regain. Regardless of which surgery you choose, the main question should really be--where can I find the best RD and best bariatric counselor to work with on my eating program? Welcome! And I wish you all the best.

I've been doing to the docs since July 24 (first appointment was made in June, but, as we all know, it's a waiting game). I have my endo (re)scheduled to 10/3 (the first facility didn't take my insurance 😠) and my pre-op with my primary on 9/30. My surgery is set (as along as all tests are good), for 10/28/19. I've lost 36 plus pounds on my own. I watch everything that goes into my mouth and I exercise. I also obsessively go on this site and facebook grounds about bariatric surgery and watch my 600-lb life when I'm not feeling motivated enough (I will tend to go for a nice, long walk after seeing their struggles). I read stuff every day. I feel like I'm obsessed! The date seems so far, yet so close. What is everyone else doing to prepare for the big day?

Hi ALL! I haven't posted in some time due to life has been crazy busy in a good way. It has been 2 years since my surgery! When I finally got to my 200lb mark (after 1 year which was 81 pounds down ) the doctors & staff were ecstatic and they were comfortable with that progress and me maintaining that weight. Well, I wasn't settling for that goal because I had/have my own personal goals. In 2018 I had to have emergency gall bladder removal which caused me to tweak my diet even more. I was determined to get to my "first" goal weight of 150lbs. I am happy to say I only have 18 more pounds to go! What do I do? I continue to follow a healthy lifestyle of diet and exercise. I work out about 5 days a week and I am a black card member at Planet Fitness. I still follow the drink wait 15 mins to eat or eat wait 30 mins to drink rule. I call it the 15/30. Some think weight loss surgery is one's way of a "quick fix", well, I'm here to tell anyone that statement is far from the truth because I have worked hard over the past 2 years to get to this point and I will continue to grind at it until I reach my 1st goal weight of 150lbs and will strive to reach my ultimate weight of 130. I know I can do it and if I fall somewhere in the middle between the two well then, I guess I will just celebrate that too. When I initially met with the surgeon I told him I will do the work and meet my goal. He said, "Everyone says that initially and most don't follow through". I said that day that I will prove him wrong. When I went back later after surgery I brought that conversation back up to him and I told him to not make general statements to me because my mindset and determination is mine and no one else's. He apologizes and told me that I was right. ( I don't entertain negative statements nor allow others to make negative comments concerning my health & wellness. I don't allow negativity nor negative energy in my space. It doesn't matter who it is they have to go) What people say and feel about your journey means nothing. What are you determined to do to reach your goals? I now have to go buy new workout clothes because my Under-Armor "stretch" pants that were tight are beginning to sag! lol In just this past 3 weeks I have lost 7lbs. I was stuck in the 70s for a long time. If you find yourself stuck don't despair, kick up the workouts and tighten up on those extra carbs and your body will eventually respond. Continue to do the work and you will see the results. Never give up on yourself, your health, nor all the possibilities your future holds besides, your life does depend on it. I hope this has encouraged someone and if you are considering surgery, I hope this will give you insight on the possibilities ahead. Many Blessings, Michele

Go directly to the bariatric surgeons practice you will be using and chevk if they use a dedicated pcp list for process approval. A lot of practices will have something like this set up to help the process along. Good Luck 💜

I'm in the not-telling-I-had-surgery camp where only close family and friends know I was sleeved last Aug 2018. Now at 100 lbs lighter people have been coming up to me more often asking questions. This post isn't up for debate on whether I should tell others about my surgery. Rather, I'm just wondering if a non-surgery patient could be successful by following some of our bariatric guidelines, e.g. logging food (at a calorie deficit), focus on protein first to feel full, limiting carbs, drinking lots of water, etc

I didn’t know what to title this. My surgery was April 29th, I ended up in the ER the day after my release from the hospital with pneumonia, critically low potassium and acute UTI. I was also diagnosed with esophageal dysphasia. Because of that my follow up appointments got thrown off course. I had two appointments close together. The second appointment he had me go for a upper gi fluoroscopy and endoscopy. Which found stoma stricture, Schatzki ring, sliding hiatal hernia and ulcers. TBH after the endoscopy I didn’t want to schedule my next follow up appointment. And the doctor hadn’t said when. It should have been 2-3 months post-op but it’s almost 4 1/2 months. I see my surgeon on Thursday and because I need medical transportation it turns into practically an all day affair. I am actually dreading this appointment. He is a great surgeon but my communication skills, especially when I’m fatigued are sorely lacking. I’m at a loss what to say since I feel like I can’t do anything right. While yes my weight has gone down (rather slow) and I think I’ve hit around 53lb loss - I haven’t been able to progress in certain things and have to keep my calories very low otherwise I stall. Due to the esophageal dysphasia I’m not drinking a lot of water. I haven’t attempted purées again and should probably even be into regular foods by now. The most I’ve been able to manage is yogurt mixed with protein powder for breakfast (sometimes a shake) cottage cheese, BariatricPal protein soup (if I have any) juice flavor protein mixes, and sometimes soft boiled egg but I get kind of sick from it so not too often. It’s more an allergy thing with that. My surgeon never really said anything after the endoscopy. I read on the results that he balloon dilated the stricture which it seems to me he did it too much at once and I don’t feel better. The fluoroscopy showed it at 3mm and he dilated 10mm and assumed it was ok because the scope passed? I find it perplexing. And maybe they think the other issues too minor? I don’t. I don’t want to be stuck on proton pump inhibitors. They cause constipation and are not safe long term for things like magnesium, bone density etc. which I have enough bone density loss as is. I told My gastroenterologist about new issues with this of course they said talk to the surgeon and also my PCP. I’ve been having crushing chest pain. And weird strong spasms below my ribs on the left side. Of course I forgot to mention it to my PCP I was too annoyed by her attitude when I caught her up on the surgery and everything after it (she was on maternity leave a few months) well that’s a long story I won’t bore anyone with. My gastroenterologist scheduled me for a colonoscopy the end of this month to rule out possible colitis (a ct scan result said colitis) I was supposed to have had it before my RNY but it didn’t work out that way. I’m not sure how I’ll manage prep. They gave me a prescription for one that is less to drink but I’m allergic to it. Ill have to do clear liquids two days prior to the colonoscopy. Does clear protein count as a clear liquid or do I not have protein? I’ve had colonoscopies before but this is my first after RNY. Also. I have endometriosis and it’s possible he won’t see the problem in the colonoscopy since that won’t show up if it’s on the outside. I worry it won’t answer the problems there. As for endometriosis. I saw my uro/gyn because of hemorrhagic cysts on my one remaining ovary. Which also has endometriosis on it. I guess it’s time to have it out now and I’m scheduled for that October 14th. Which means .............. menopause. But I’m hoping it will ease the endometriosis and pcos symptoms. He had removed my other ovary that was covered with endometriosis during other procedures he was doing at the time. I’m too chicken to ask him about an issue with one of the other procedures he did. Just like my follow up with my bariatric surgeon. I’m at a loss what to say and when I’m exhausted I lose my words. Also doesn’t help that I speak to several people before he enters the room. I feel like they expect me to be cured of all my ailments after surgery, even my pcp had that attitude but with lifelong chronic illness it doesn’t work that way. In fact I knew things likely would get worse for me but this was my last chance at a tool to fight my out of control weight gain. You can only eat so little calories without help of some kind. My surgery wasn’t reliant on comorbidities since my BMI was 40. I have them. But most wont just go away with weight loss. But it doesn’t mean I regret the surgery. (My pcp had the attitude of why did I have it if it didn’t help those things ... well I was already at least 208lbs and BMI 40 (height 5’) like isn’t that enough of a reason? Im sorry I just wrote a very long rant. My memory is so terrible I don’t remember when my last two appointments were and what was discussed at the last one. I don’t think they even mentioned my bloodwork. All I know is that was when he scheduled the tests. Now I’m following up on that. I almost don’t even want to go. I feel like I won’t be able to explain anything. And honestly surgeons just want to hear that you lost a huge amount of weight and that you’re doing great not “it’s complicated. “

It's a bit early to consider but, in a few weeks, if things are not progressing, you could try the VSG Sleeve Reset ... Ask and I'll cut and paste it for you if you can't locate it on Bariatric Pal.

Rainbow Warrior- it's Great to Hear from YOU once again. You were one of my Inspirations when I started on Bariatric Pal- and now I am 1/2 the size I once was , if my calculations and equivalents are correct I am 4 kg from my GOAL at 5 days past my One Year anniversary- thank you for making this scared lady believe She Also Could Do This- and I DID! I am at X-Large going into a straight L and I am now the Junior Sized person I was at High School Graduation 56 and 1/2 years ago! SO Celebrate the Re- Birth of "Frustr8 "although I started with the Pen Name of "kkatlady"😝, it's still ME through it All!

It's entirely possible. Have you tried the recommended "GASTRIC SLEEVE RESET"? Here is a cut 'n' paste: Complete Five-Day Bariatric Reset Diet The Five-Day Pouch Reset is a "reset" diet for people who have had gastric bypass surgery and might be starting to regain weight. Step 1 Drink only liquids for the first two days of the five-day diet. You'll need to drink at least two litres of water in addition to low-carb protein shakes. You can drink as many shakes as you want; the point of the first 48 hours is to take a break from your eating habits. By getting all of the nutritional needs from liquids, you'll be forced to pay attention to how often you were eating, snacking or simply grazing. Remember: The goal during this phase isn't weight loss, but mentally re-setting your habits. You can't make your pouch smaller through changes in diet, but you can learn portion control. Step 2 Eat only protein the next three days. On day three, you'll eat "soft protein" such as eggs and cottage cheese. On day four, you'll eat "ground meats" -- such as meatloaf and hamburger. On day five, you'll eat "solid proteins" such as chicken breast or a piece of fish. Limit condiments, such as salsa or mayonnaise. Foods should be as dry as possible -- which will help you gauge how full you are. You're allowed to eat as much as you'd like and as often as you like, but you must stop eating 15 minutes after you start. Do not sit and eat for longer than 15 minutes at any point during the final stage of the diet. Step 3 Do not drink any liquids 30 minutes before eating or with your meals. Liquids can help push foods more quickly through your pouch, allowing you to eat more than you should. Many facets of the five-day bariatric pouch reset diet are similar to the post-op diet followed right after surgery. Tips Plan ahead because the diet restricts the types of food you can eat. Make sure you have the foods you need on hand. The goal of this diet is to make you conscious of your food choices and stop mindless eating. Warnings According to the National Institutes of Health, "bypass surgery alone is not a solution to losing weight. It can train you to eat less, but you still have to do much of the work. You will need to follow the exercise and eating guidelines that your doctor and dietitian gave you."

Wow. Just found this. I too have Aetna and they did a VERY similar thing to me. Thankfully I found out they weren’t going to cover my initial place just 3 months into the process, but I had to start all over again right around this time last year. I started right after July 4th at bariatric clinic #1 last year and had to switch in late September and then didn’t get approved until mid-January 2019. Had surgery on 2-6-19 (7 months after starting the journey) and I felt so “behind” and “cheated” of time. There are still days where I tell myself that I’d be at goal by now if I’d only been able to have my sleeve in early November 2018, but the important thing is I got there eventually. Hang in there, do the steps, and take advantage of the extra time to research and work on your head game before surgery day.

Oh, tic tacs, those delicious little 2 calorie mints can cause some serious issues if you're thinking about having them. Serving size: 1 tic tac, Calories per tic tac: 2. Sugar, according to the box: 0 g. But my title isn't a lie. That 0g of sugar is a sneaky little brat. It's actually 0.5g of sugar. So, the more tic tacs you have, the more sugar you're taking in. Also, the calories do add up, but with how little calories you're taking in per day as a bariatric patient, that matters far less than the sugar. Guess who had a blood sugar crash due to an insulin spike due to too much sugar...

Good Luck and your Bible verse motto should be "THIS TOO SHALL PASS! " The Benefiber is a Good Idea, should get me some MORE, I actually was using it past its Use By Date, maybe that's why it was not as effective. And maybe I too should look to Chia Seeds as Well. Been over a Year and I'm still Learning- you can pick up very good Tips on Bariatric Pal- but I do Fight the War Also.

As the title says it was approved. Now I just have to see the surgeon at the bariatric center I will be going to. I just have to jump through the hoops to get approval for the surgery. I just hope they use my starting weight for the approval. I'm teetering at a 41 BMI so if I have to lose too much I might not qualify. Anyone have any experience with that? Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Ditto what Alpaca said, YOU are A Bariatric Super-Star, you always have a new insight as you go through this Experience we are sharing. As for NATURAL it was NATURAL for me to have Arthritis since Age 25- but I don't recommend IT and would just💕to Download IT on all my Enemies! Got me a New Motto IF IT TASTES THAT SWEET- IT WON'T BE MY TREAT!

chronic constipation is a pretty common problem among bariatric patients. A lot of us take a capful of Miralax every day. That usually works for me, but I still get backed up once or twice a month. When I do, I just do a night or two of Milk of Magnesia. other people take magnesium tablets, or stool softeners, or things like Smooth Move Tea. You just have to figure out what works for you and keep on top of it.

Thanks! I had the same arguments. However, I looked at some of his studies. He is one of the first doctors I can trust, "well a little." Tips so far, "eat slower, move more (I been counting my steps for awhile) I had stopped pushing forward and remember why I did this in the first place. Well, I added the last one. I will tell him if things get worse. They are monitoring me monthly starting Tuesday. I have an appointment with gastroenterologist bariatric specialists. This is my journey: HW: 283 CW: 226 GW: 155 Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using BariatricPal mobile app

Also, just FYI, the gastritis is a very very common finding in EGDs on bariatric pre-op patients. I'd maybe put that at around 80% or so? Maybe higher...but it's scary to read it. Right?

Okay, I want my sleeve revised or maybe not? I have to go through a 6 month process. I am beeing seen by one of the top bariatric surgeons. So here are some positives: (1) I have not gain all my weight back. (2) Having another procedure does not guarantee my GERD will be completely eliminated. (3) I will work with a specialist for WLS patients with GERD. (4) Following this lifestyle, I can get healthier and lose more weight. (5) I am willing to do this for at least 6 months. (6) My hernia will continue to be monitored. (7) I will increase my exercise. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using BariatricPal mobile app

I had surgery 7/24/19 with Blossom Bariatric in Nevada. It was smooth for me no pain, no discomfort, no nausea, no vomitting 2 days after my procedure I flew home. So far I'm down 35lbs but in the last week i hit a stall. After surgery I was a little tired it lasted about 2 weeks now i do Zumba 3 days per week and I walk (3 miles ) 3 days per week. The best decision I could have made