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Has anyone else utilized Hamot Bariatrics in Erie, Pa? :tongue_smilie:

1st let me say I am glad to have found this Forum. I found it yesterday after google 'ing bariatric support groups at the suggestion of my nutritionist. Along with a list of "what to start doing to get used to it" items she said I should find a support group for obvious reasons. I have very little knowledge on the subject bariatric surgery other than what I have learned from my visits with my surgeon and his group so far and what very little i learned from my brother having lap-band several years ago. Well gotta figure no better way to learn than to ask those that have gone through or are going through what I plan to. I've been reading topics here since yesterday and have come across some things I didn't know or even think about. So I figured I'd give details of my current situation and see if others have anything in common and if they could give me some ideas of what to expect. It's been just over a month since I first saw my surgeon and came to the decision to go through with the sleeve surgery. I did not initially go to see him for it though. His name was on a list I received from my primary care doc after she told me the lump on my belly button was an umbilical hernia. When I went to see him he said he could repair the hernia but there was a high chance of either it reopening or another opening somewhere else due to my weight and big ass gut (not his words). After his, what I 1st felt was a sales pitch, He showed me some videos gave me some info to read and suggested I take some time to think about it and talk it over with my wife. We read, I showed her the video, we talked about it and decided it was probably the smart thing to do. Over the past few years I've put on a significant amount of weight and it seems every time I try to diet it off, I pack more on. A little bit of medical history for ya...... According the old trusty BMI system I've been heavy since my late teens early 20's but that is because of my height. I was pretty fit and muscular back then. Stayed pretty fit but did gain weight heading into my 30's and put on more the older I got. I've had back issues since my late teens due to a vehicle accident but it was never anything more than a good cracking my back couldn't relieve. My line of work has always been very physical, so along with getting older and the weight gain my back issues became worse. Now about to hit my mid 40s I've been out of work for going on 3 years due to osteoarthritis, slipped/herniated disks and sciatica. I have very limited movement and seem to be stuck in my "snowball". Also because of the weight I am on blood pressure, cholesterol and get happy meds. I do not take pain killers other than occasional 800mg ibuprofen. I have an addictive nature and am terrified of getting hooked. Speaking of which I am an "alcoholic". On the wagon and have it under control but still might as well mention it. Damn I am one F***ed up specimen. Well, I'll leave it at that and hope for any feedback, experience or suggestions/advice that any of you care to give. Thanks so much in advance for reading and feedback. Sorry this turned out so LONG. J

@@TracyBar 2) I've read a lot about the fact that your calories should come from Protein for the most part. But what about vegetables and fruit? what about a balanced diet, with nutrients and Vitamins from lots of different foods? How does one thrive on a diet rich in protein but deficient in veg and fruit and some carbs? I'm two years out. Salads/vegetables combined with my protein helps to keep me satisfied. I feel the sensation of full better. Also Fiber and nutrients. You will learn so mush about how to fuel your body correctly.All of the old ways that didn't serve us well will change over to eating healthy. You have a better understanding of a new relationship with food. Food is still amazing.Eating becomes normal. Attached are recipes of what food will look like. http://insidekarenskitchen.com/bariatric-friendly-recipes/ My instructions were after 75% of weight loss to add plant based or whole wheat carbs. Here is an example of a bariatric plate.

I registered to receive my copy of the Fresh Start Bariatric Cookbook, but when I received the email and click the link for the download, The Best Bodybuilding Cookbook downloaded instead. I'm waiting to hear back from the publisher as to why this happened. There should still be some good recipes in it and let's face it, we are in the bodybuilding business as we adjust to a new live with our sleeves.

If you have type 2 diabetes currently, you might find a surgeon willing to do surgery. What are your specific current comorbidities? Have you done your research and thoroughly weighed the benefits -vs- risks of permanently altering your anatomy? Has a bariatric surgeon agreed to do sleeve surgery for you? There is nothing "easy" about weight loss. With the sleeve, or without it.

This program does things differently than others I have looked at. You go through the classes and tests - once you get through everything then you pick your surgeon and schedule to meet with them - so they can review everything with you. So I won’t pick my surgeon until after my final class (this week) and I was told all the surgeons have varied schedules (some do more than just bariatrics if they specialize in other digestive diseases) so the schedules vary. She did recommend that when they schedule with me I ask about which surgeons have availability in our targeted timeline (if any) - so I suppose that is what I will do. They did great with getting my tests scheduled and completed - I just wish they were able to schedule to meet with the surgeon once the tests were scheduled - rather than wait until the last class … then contact you at some point after. Leaves the timeline to open and uncertain.

It really does depend on your policy... some might cover complications even if they didn't cover the surgery -- most don't, it seems. My policy specifically excluded anything related to weight loss, including surgery, AND including any complications resulting from bariatric surgery. Call your insurance company and see what they tell you to be sure!

There are past threads with a lot of information. The search feature here is so=so. For expediency sake I will post my lists. They are a bit wordy. Some thing I already had. I still use everything. I may have overdone it on the Protein powder (I bought 1 ea 5 lb bag of chocolate and vanilla). Oh well, I still drink Protein shake now and again. You can mix them into batters and things so it's not a waste. What to Have at Home for liquid and Puree Stage Cottage cheese Ricotta Cheese Pasta Sauce broth (chicken, beef, vegetable beef, egg flour Soup, Lipton cream of chicken) Soups (Progresso Chicken Cheese Enchilada, Chicken, Potato, Asparagus, Broccoli, Mushroom, Tomato (mix with Vons Tomato Basil), bean & bacon, hot & sour egg flour) Chili Crystal Light Refried Beans Mashed potatoes Low-fat Greek Yogurt sugar free pudding Hummus Chocolate & vanilla Protein Powder (Max Protein from SEI) Flavorings for Protein shakes (Torani SF Syrups, SF Jello and Pudding powder, etc.) Sugar free popsicles and Fudgsicles eggs Vitamins Frozen and canned fruit Fat free cool whip 2% milk Avocado La Victoria hot sauce Canned chicken Chuck roast (crock pot) Pork butt shoulder (crock pot) Isopure liquid in Apple, Orange pineapple, Grape and Blue flavor Cheese Small 1 cup and ½ cup size containers for storage 1.5 cup sized mini food processor Small kitchen scale that measures in grams and ounces Measuring cups Small plates and utensils Blender Onesource Active Kids Complete Chewable Multivitamin Bariatric Advantage Lemon and Raspberry Calcium Chews 1500 mcg B-12

I'm in the same boat. I knew my insurance required the 6 months. I tried to get them to count my recent months doing Weight Watchers but since I didn't see my PCP each month it will not count. That really bummed me out. So I have my first appointment with the bariatric dietician/nutritionist this coming Monday. I'm probably looking at September for soonest possible surgery. I am weaning off diet soda now - have gone from about 5-6 every day to only about 1-3 a week right now. Drinking lots of water (never did that before) and experimenting w different protein drinks. I hope these 6 months go fast!!!

All of those foods sound like they'll be fine if they're permitted on your plan. The only thing I would add is that when you are trying new foods, try a small bite, chew it well, and then wait for a few minutes to try another so you can clearly see how your new sleeve will accept it. Also, as far as the wendy's chili is concerned, I'm not sure how it is. I would probably elect to make my own instead. You can control what goes in it, make healthier Protein choices (my hunch is that they don't use the leanest beef), and get something that will most likely taste just as good, if not better....and you'll have plenty left over! There are several recipes out there for "Wendy's style" chili that have been adapted for bariatric patients. Also, look for the ricotta bake if you like italian food. It was a lifesaver for me during the soft food phase. Congrats on your success so far! Keep it up! Best of luck!

I have spoken with the Bariatric Nurse and I am waiting on a prescription to address the present situation. Let’s hope this one works Thanks

HI Ada, I am glad you only have to pay 40.00. I hope I will only have to pay my required 30.00 office visits. I am still not totally sure. I was a little bummed because I started the ball moving in November by having my bariatric coordinator appointment, also my blood work, chest x-ray, ekg, echocardiogram and stress test. Then, after I do that my employer sends a notice 2-1/2 weeks away from them changing all of our insurance. In this insurance, I went from not having a deductible to having a deductible, my copays going up, and not having to have a supervised diet to having to have one. So, I was upset when I found out I would have to do a 3 or 6-month diet, but actually since I have calmed down and thought about it, I am actually a little thankful because I figure this is going to benefit me in the long run by getting used to certain expectations. I hope you have a smooth supervised diet and you are approved without hesitancy. ) Good Luck!!! :thumbup:

Hi! I'm Chris and I am new on vertical sleeve talk. I'm currently pre-op with my surgery scheduled on September 4th. I am both extremely excited and completely nervous. I know that the VSG is the right move for me but I am nervous about the potential complications. I have had a lifelong issue with my weight. I remember going on my first diet in the third grade. I got to a point when I turned thirty that I was considering weight loss surgery, but I wanted to try and give it another shot on my own. I didn't really like the idea of the Lapband or the gastric bypass for myself, so I didn't really want to do surgery at that time. I worked with a bariatric doctor and a nutritionist and went from 326 to 207. But then the my portions grew again and the scale started to creep back up. Now at age 35, I knew I had to do something and talked with my doctor who gave me a surgical referral. When I began talking with them they told me about another surgery I didn't know about, the sleeve. After some research, I realized that was the surgery for me, it was the one I was waiting for. When I began this process I weighed 301. Right now I'm at about 270. I appreciate anybody who has advice, encouragement, or even complications to watch for. Thanks! Talk to you guys soon!

Congratulations,!!! You should really be proud of your accomplishment. I'm still waiting for my primary physician's referral to a surgeon and the bariatric clinic. I think that it's going to be a long journey. Stories like your's inspire me. Keep up the great work!:thumbup:

I find it amazing that a Kaiser dietician would make such a ridiculous statement. With a very short list of exceptions, I eat anything I want to eat. The success of the surgery is not about what you can or can't eat. I find it unforgivable for a healthcare "professional" to suggest otherwise. It's about what you choose to eat. Or not eat. Lifestyle changes. Apparently Bariatric Pal should be required reading for bariatric dieticians - for life!

Hi Everyone! So I've been in this process since June, gotten all my blood work done for the sleeve, had my psych evaluation, met the surgeon, had my one nutrition visit and up to now I was so sure I wanted the sleeve! I'm an RN, and I'm doing my surgery in my hospital system just another hospital! I happen to speak to the Bariatric Coordinator at my hospital and she told me DO THE BYPASS! If you're going to have he surgery done, get it done right the first time! She was explaining to me that she's seen the results with the sleeve and they're not as great as the bypass! She also mentioned that the long term results are much better with the bypass! So me as a nurse, I'm taking everything she said into consideration but now I'm stuck and I don't know what to do! My BMI is 46 and and I don't have any comorbities. I explained to her that I'm terrified of dumping syndrome. She also went on to tell me that having dumping syndrome is GOOD because it will remind you to not eat that food again and it will keep you from being in a hospital! Has anyone else gone through this last minute? Was it an issue for insurance purposes? Did you have to change your surgery date? My surgery date is scheduled for October 6! Please any insight will help! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The closer you are to goal, the more slowly you lose but in saying that you may have reached your balance & are in maintenance. That is the calories you are consuming are equal to the calories you are burning. To lose more you either have to consume less or increase your activity. Whatever weight you end up at has to be sustainable. Many bariatric patients end up at a weight that is higher than what they may have initially wanted. But they’re at a weight they can maintain while still enjoying & living the healthy & happy life they want. It’s fine to eat several smaller meals across a day or graze on three meals as long as caloric intake is constant. It just has to work for you. I eat three meals and about 4 nutritious snacks every day because I can’t physically consume enough in three meals to maintain - my restriction kicks in & I can’t eat any more. My total caloric intake sits at about 1200 calories a day. Another path you could look at is Dr Matt Weiner’s videos & books about resetting your basal metabolic rate which could enable you to lose more if you are interested. The intent is to reset your metabolism to run faster so your body burns more calories just to function. I guess the big questions are do you want to have to take appetite suppressants for the rest of your life to maintain at a lower weight? Do you want to live your life consuming fewer calories &/or maintaining a higher activity level to stay at a lower weight? You may say yes to either of these questions & that’s fine. It’s your decision. Congrats on your weight loss & good luck whatever you decide.

Generally during surgery, the patient receives antibiotics to prevent infections from the surgery. This kills not only the bad bacteria but also the good ones. So therefore after surgery it is generally recommended that you restore these colonies in your gut. That is what probiotics do. Many people experience constipation after surgery. Some of this is due to the fact that some patients do not drink enough fluids each day. These are some of the methods individuals have recommended to counter this problem. * Eating apples with the skin * Smooth Move Herbal Tea * Prune juice (warmed) * Prunes (4 in the morning and 4 at night) * Magnesium citrate * Insoluble fibers (Garden of Life Raw Fiber or Renew Life Triple Fiber). * Haribo sugar free Gummy Bears * Aerobic Magnesium 07 * Low Fat Bran Muffin (recipe). 80 calories each 1 cup flour 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon cinnamon 2 cups bran Cereal 1 ¼ cups milk 1 egg ½ tablespoon applesauce optional: banana, berries, mini chocolate chips Bake 400° F for 22 minutes But since you are still within the first 30 days after surgery, some of these options will be currently unavailable to you.

I lost a lot of hair starting 3 months post op and it was VERY upsetting even tho I knew it was going to happen. I had a hysterectomy in 2015 and also had hair loss after that surgery so I knew what to expect. My hair stopped falling around month 5 and I noticed a LOT of baby hairs sticking up everywhere. Now I shed the normal I usually would. I only took my regular bariatric vitamins prescribed. I don't really think all of the Biotin really makes a difference with stopping hair loss.

just bought it last night and started reading it The Emotional First Aid Kit: A Practical Guide to Life After Bariatric Surgery, Second Edition

I wish I had the opportunity to do this in my 30s. How different my life would be now! I feel like a person has to be all in to get wls. If there is doubt then I'd say don't do it. I first started thinking about wls about 15 years ago. But I said no....I just need to workout and make wl a priority. And I did...I lost a good 70 pounds ..then put it all back on again. I started looking into wls again about 3 years ago when two of my cousins had it and lost over 100 pounds each....and are keeping it off. It wasn't until I had a comprehensive physical in August with blood work and organ testing did I find out how my body is starting to break down after 52 years of carrying so much excess weight. That is when I asked for a referral to the bariatric clinic. Nothing can convince me that I can lose weight and keep it off without this surgery. I have been overweight since I was 9 years old and it is going to end on February 24th!!!!

I will check I am hoping since they have special bariatrics suites for recovery that the beds are bigger and more comfortable.

I'm sure you'll be inundated soon with denials to what you read, RMC. I've been going to a support group for bariatric patients (even though my own surgery isn't for another 10 days) and we ocassionally have pot lucks, and it's really wonderful to see how everybody eats a small little portion of several different things, including chile, casseroles, pumpkin bread, etc. Whatever you read, it was WAY WRONG. Make a smiley face and be happy! The worst thing you might have to face is that a few people seem to develop an intolerance to dairy products, or something like that. (I'm hoping I do, because I just love cheese and ice cream too dang much!) I'm not your doctor or nutritionist, but I'd guess that you will probably start on creamy Soups pretty soon, including tomato -- yumm. And congratulations on your 24 pound loss!

Welcome and kudos for making such a decision. And for the very best of reasons. There is a wealth of support and info here so dive right in. I am so happy for you starting on this journey to renewed health and a longer life,

Hi there-I have UHC and they don't cover bariatric surgery...however, the surgery center I went through has a little trick they use. Since I needed hiatal hernia repair...they billed the insurance for the repair and not the band....which got my procedure covered for $8k. I financed the remaining $3k and am on a monthly payment plan (200/monthly) I don't know if thats an option for you, but it sure helped me get a bulk of the cost covered. I hope this bit of information helps...good luck!