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I'm looking for everyone scheduled to have their wls next month. Getting a little nervous? Well I am! I'm scheduled for 10/1 with Dr. Illan at Bariatric Pal Hospital in Mexico. The time is really flying by now. I'm looking for other October surgery folks out there. I know you're there.....where are you?

I had VSG on 11/30/2012 and have kept off about 110# in the 6.75 years since then. I am ~ 25# overweight but right about at my original goal. I'm 5'11" (male), 195#, 34" waist, very fit and active, etc. I was down to 175# when I ran marathons but have had a few hip issues that are now resolved and had a minor regain. I actually really like how I look / feel at this weight as I looked a lot older at the lower end. I'm pretty happy with my weight loss. But since about 2 weeks out I've had ridiculously bad GERD. I get an annual endoscopy (familial cancer syndrome) and ever since VSG, I have had erosions show up from the reflux. This last time it was diagnosed as Barrett's Esophagus, which is a pre-cancerous syndrome. I cannot control it fully with meds. I either take 5-6 PPI (200-240mg esomeprazole magnesium) or 6-8 extra strength Zantact (900-1200mg ranitidine). These are of course way above the recommended limits and in the case of the PPI there are long-term risks associated with it they don't want for me as I need good bone density for my hip implant. The bariatric surgeon (University of Wisconsin) has recommended for years that I convert to RNY and after the Barrett's Esophagus diagnosis, my PCP and the genetic cancer team both strongly recommended it as well. So I'm going to do it despite not really wanting to. I have been approved by my insurer and have an early November surgery date. I have several concerns, most notably that I don't really have more than 25# to lose or I drop to the < 18 BMI range and I don't want to be there. The surgeon says he will make a larger pouch and a smaller bypass portion but it's still there and I work out all the time so I already know I will lose more than I want in the beginning. I guess I have a bunch of questions. Feel free to answer any and all if you've had this type of revision: 1. How long did you take off work? I'm told 2 weeks. I usually work from home at a computer. Was there much pain? 2. How long before you could work out again? 3. Did you lose more weight than you wanted? 4. Did it resolve your acid reflux (if that was the reason)? 5. Were you able to enjoy good food at special meals (holidays, etc.) with RNY? I'm terrified of losing ability to have a nice meal with family. What does a normal meal capacity look like at a year out? 6. Are bowel movements normal at some point? 7. Could you drink alcohol again? I'm fine going months without but at some point would like to enjoy a glass of champagne again. I can't right now as carbonation is brutal. I'm just reluctant even though I know I have to do this. Any re-assurances would be helpful.

Thank you both, Orchids&Dragons and MsBosse! I appreciate your insight. I really have no clue what the policy will look like until open enrollment since it was previously a written exclusion and this is the first time they've covered it. I'm a state employee with group health insurance/uniform benefits, so I'll be curious to see if each plan will have the same language regarding revision, or if they'll be different. I spoke to a nurse with the bariatric program last week and felt a little defeated because I felt like she was pushing towards the idea that if there's nothing wrong with the band, I'm SOL. Now, whether or not that is true, I don't know. That may just be me being hyper-sensitive. Again, I appreciate the feedback from you both! Once the plans are out, I'll start digging, calling, and consulting. Thank you!

Had my first phone consult the other night. This surgeon also specializes in post bariatrics, and uses some different techniques, such as a flankplasty vs a LBL. He publishes about these techniques extensively as well. I loved what he told me he could do to my body. He talked a lot about body contouring, narrowing my waist, creating a shelf booty, etc. Hr then sent me the quote, and it was on the lower end. I was excited.... Then I went back and took a good look at his photos. Everything he talked about did not show in his pics. He actually had a lot of outcomes that I wasn't impressed with at all. I'm feeling a little like Goldilocks right now. I think there are several surgeon out there who can give me a flat stomach and improved thighs. But finding surgeons who excel at body contouring in addition to skin removal, are few and far between. I don't want to make this investment of money, time and pain, and then be unhappy with a boxy figure and flat butt Here's where I'm at on consults Dr. NB - The only surgeon so far I'm confident can give me the figure I want, but pricing was astronomical. Benefit of being local Dr. B - Local, probably the front runner so far. He wasn't enthused about doing any butt contouring/fat augmentation. Need a revised quote, but more reasonable then the other local surgeon Dr. P - Not at all impressed with his result pics, out of the running Dr. N - Phone consult later this week. I'm very impressed by how lean and taunt his results are, but all results have a flat butt Dr. B2 - Local consult next week. Need to look at photos more closely Still need to look at and potentially schedule consults with a few of the other surgeons mentioned on this thread.

We started carrying the entire Bariatric Advantage line. They're the original bariatric vitamin company and most popular by a long shot.

Do you have access to a bariatric nutritionist or counselor? Uncontrollable eating, especially this early when you still have ample restriction, is a red flag. If not, maybe you can find an overeaters anonymous meeting near you or online? You've gone through a lot of pain and expense to be successful. Do whatever it takes now to keep that success going. Good luck to you.

I agree with everyone that replied. I found a book titled “Bariatric Mindset Success” by Kristan Lloyd and it really digs into the emotional part of this journey. She is very relatable because she has had the surgery. I originally bought the book as audible and listen to it at work, but since I like it so much, I bought the paperback. Check it out you won’t be disappointed.

I really hate seeing morbidly obese on my medical records, it just hurts me. When my GP recommended me to the Bariatric program last September, I cried and felt shame. However, I was crying out for help and my GP knew I had health issues due to my excess weight. I'm tall and my weight is pretty evenly proportioned, so ppl didnt know that I was 280. I cried uncontrollably and I have been on this journey since last September 17th, 2018. I'm 249 pounds now and having surgery (vsg) in January 2020, I get my date tomorrow. The Dr. wanted to perform the surgery in October or November, but I have to wait until January to assure I have enough paid time off on the books...I'm going to be working on my fitness routine and mental health, while I'm waiting. It will be here before I know it, time is going quickly.

Hi, All: I was banded in 2009 and never had much success with it. Any time I got restriction, it came with a lot of heartburn (which manifested itself as nausea). I also struggled with a lot of food intolerance. Eventually, because my insurance switched and I have a written exclusion regarding bariatric surgery, I had the band mostly unfilled due to too much restriction and cost. At any rate, in January, my health insurance plan will now include bariatric surgery, although it’s unclear as to what language looks like regarding revisions. One concern I have is how to make a case to the insurance company deeming the revision medically necessary. I have had many EGDs, which showed mild irritation in my esophagus, but nothing extreme. Grandest, it’s been almost 10 years since anyone’s looked at the band and who knows what the current state of affairs is—I will have an evaluation once my insurance kicks in. Does anyone have any suggestions or tips in dealing with insurance companies covering revision when severe symptoms, slippage, erosion, etc isn’t present?

I talk about WLS when someone is genuinely interested. My first year out, I had to realize my enthusiasm about bariatrics is not at everyone’s level. Learning the basics was eye opening and life changing. IDK. I would be offended by someone approaching me about WLS when I never asked about it. Grocery shopping - When I see a cart of unhealthy stuff. It’s a sad reminder that I used to shop and eat like that.

Good look to you! I am going through INOVA Bariatric Center in Fair Oaks Va. Not to far from Reston. Wishing you the best and a speedy recovery

My day 22-36 SOFT diet says 700 cals/day, all foods on pureed diet. Separate fluids from meals (30 minutes before and 30 minutes after), aim for 90 grams of protein, meal replacement protein shakes, grits, soft, moist, diced and ground protein items, fruit (without seeds), canned fruits or cooked fruits, 4-6 small meals per day, chew chew chew, 64oz water, vitamins. Maintenance starts at day 37, adding one food item at a time and 1000 calories per day with 90-100 grams of protein, meal replacement shakes, all foods on pureed diet and soft diet if needed, separate fluids from meals, 5-6 small meals per day, 3 meals with 2-3 snacks, scrambled eggs, creamy peanut butter 1 tbsp, use calorie app, 64 oz water, bariatric vitamins, chew chew chew, use baby spoon/fork/plates, each meal should be 1.5 cups or less in volume. No straw/carbonation/alcohol, no rice/bread/tortilla/pasta/popcorn, no fried foods or high fat meats, no raw fruits/dried fruit, no seeds/nuts, no celery/broccoli/corn/cabbage. I would definitely check with your own surgeon as they may have a different plan... but maybe this will help~!

Yes i am meeting with my GP and yes I need a referral from her in order to go see the bariatric surgeon. I'm not sure why I'm so nervous. I'm still in that state of mind that maybe I'm just not qualified even though all the numbers say I am. [emoji28] Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Are you meeting with your GP? Mine actually mentioned the surgery to me before I had considered it. Do you need approval from your GP, or just from a bariatric surgeon? I would just be brutally honest, tell her that you've tried diets in the past that have failed, that you're sick and tired of being sick and tired, and are looking to better your future! I'm pretty sure she'll be supportive. If by some chance she does say, no, and you need her opinion, I'd find myself a GP who was on board with the whole thing. Good luck, and please keep us posted! Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

@Mikeyy Short and sweet answer to your question is YES i was never an exercise person. (the real "down and dirty" stuff) I do walk - which definitely counts, and is good for you i did a total 180 with my food/drink/moderation etc All the things i learned in the Bariatric Bible☺️ i lost 105 lbs GOAL - 7+ years later, i fluctuate 5-7 lbs. good luck kathy @AZhiker - you are the bomb - your post says it all.☺️ who loves ya baby!!! kathy

Loved that you showed up in your size 24’s to your appointment. You have done phenomenal.🏆🎖️ A triathlon! You are a bad ass. How are you currently fueling while you train? I know nothing about how to fuel for that type of event. I’ve been running for years. (Half and full marathons) some things I learned from other Bariatric Athletes on fueling after surgery. I’m sure these are things you already know.( Feel free to skip the rest of the post) Fueling will be trial and error to find what works for you. (1) Hiring a sports medicine dietician may help. (2) Food on a pre event tapper link below https://www.triathlete.com/2019/01/nutrition/a-7-day-race-week-meal-plan-for-triathletes_338482 I modify my tapper. Carb load seven-days pre-race. it takes more time to fuel my glycogen stores with the sleeve. I do sports drinks without sugar. (NUUN tabs saved me from dehydration) I replace real sugars with fruit. (3) Pre event tapper training link below. https://www.triathlete.com/2016/09/training/triathlon-taper-tutorial_136524 (3) Food on event day Some people do fine with a meal in the morning. I can’t run with food race day. (The last thing I need is to make porta potty stops on the route) Instead of food, I use powdered carbs. I add them for calories in my water/hydration vest. I carry the powder in a zip lock baggy. I add more cytoCarb when I refill my vest on the route. Hope you figure out what works for you. I would love to see photos of your events.

Is it possible to lose weight without exercise? There are bariatric patients with medical issues that don’t have the ability to exercise. Weight loss is more dependent on strict diet without exercise/activity. Factors you have no control over that will affect how much and the rate of weight loss. Age, genetics, hormones, medical issues, medications metabolism. You CAN control how you work your surgeons plan. Food choices, logging, exercise and hydration. Decide what will keep you healthy and successful long term. Where does the fat go when you lose weight???? Video below.

Hello. I've recently just started looking into possibly getting approved for surgery after many failed attempts at numerous diets and such. Is anyone on here from Bend, OR and can give me any info on the bariatric program with Dr. Archer? Also I do have OHP (Oregon Health Plan) and was curious if anyone had any experience with them as far as getting approved. I have a BMI of 42 and hypertension, pre-diabetic, and just tired of my body not cooperating. Any insight is appreciated. Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I gave up some foods on my bariatric dieticians weight loss food plan (sugar, breads rice pasta, processed food, carbonation) Maintenance phase no foods are forbidden. I can indulge within reason. I still eat mainly healthy. Sent from my SM-G930T using BariatricPal mobile app

It's ever so nice to be able to write. "1" in the front part of your weight, isn't it? For me, it gave renewed commitment to keep on toward Goal, it no longer seemed so hopeless an undertaking.😝👣😝

Hi, I have an appointment with the bariatric surgeon on 9/10. I hope this will lead to the surgery, hopefully this year! I was wondering, are there any foods you ate before that you can no longer eat since your sleeve surgery? And if you can't eat certain things, why not? Just curious Thanks, Maureen

You don’t need the additional stress, I’m sorry you are dealing with this. The surgeon in this video does a really good job explaining weight loss/gain and surgery. I learned a lot by watching it, if you think it would help ask your daughter and husband to watch it with you. Dr Weiner metabolic Dr. Weiner has a lot of good videos abut bariatric surgery. Best of luck to you.

My doctor/nutritionist do not want me to ever eat any product that contains yeast. Not sure why yeast specifically, but I know they do not want me to have most breads and similar products. They also do not want me to have any rice and only limited portions of wheat pasta. I CAN however eat 6-10 whole wheat crackers, so I am using that as my "bread". I think I am going to just have to do my best to do a mostly keto"ish" diet. I also just ordered cheese crisps to substitute crackers and add a little protein in their place. Not sure how I will like those yet. Ordered a variety so maybe I can find something tasty. Pre-packaged food: I am going to do my best to avoid all processed pre-packaged food. It usually isn't very healthy for you. But, if I do need something quick and easy I am not opposed to using them occasionally. But instead of frozen meals, I will try to get some fresher versions from local delis. Haven't tried the bariatric site meals, but I did buy some bariatric soups for after surgery.

I’m sure. I use a Bariatric calorie ap every day. I count everything, and read and log labels.

I was given samples of different vitamins to try from my surgeon and the bari melts were awful the bariatric advantage were good, fusion was good lil bit of after taste but the ones I found the best which I order 3 months supply from celebratevitamins.com I have my mutli, calcium, iron and b12 which are all chewable and taste good( they come in different flavors) Good luck on vitamin hunting I hope I have been helpful