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Hey everyone, So im trying out a new endeavor. I have created a new YouTube channel dedicated to people like us: Baritric surgery patients who now want to be more athletic. What should i do for a workout? What should I eat for performance? What foods fuel muscle growth? Questions like these and more are what I will try to answer through some simple little videos. Its not bout money or sponsors, its about creating a bariatric fitness community. I only ask that you guys watch, comment, and maybe give me some suggestions on topics to talk about for future episodes. No one seems to be able to give us good answers on this stuff so I figured I should seek them out myself. You can check out episode 1 here - https://youtu.be/2NvPVKE_kv0 - and feel free to subscribe to you know when new episodes come out. and as always...stay Baritric Strong!

Look for an obesity practice that is tied to a large teaching hospital. They are generally ranked as Centers of Excellence and will have a very broad spectrum of care. My practice here includes: Appts with Surgeon Post Op: 1 week 2 weeks 3 weeks 4 weeks 6 weeks 3 months 6 months 9 months 12 months 2 year 3 year 4 year 5 year ***** Additionally--I can see my RD for free whenever I need a touchstone or am struggling. I just make an appointment and it's covered as part of the surgery treatment. **** I also have access to bariatric counselors. There are appointment fees/associated with this, but well worth it! **** I also have 2 free support groups per month that I could attend. I only go to 1 per month. ***** Studies are showing that the breadth and width of the follow-up care program is instrumental in long term compliance and success for losing the most weight and keeping it off long-term. It's all about compliance and following the plan laid out by your bariatric team.

Probably pure spasm, possibly a stricture, been fighting it for over a year, trying to remain patent/open, I'm told now ( late September 2019) that my stoma is small in size, that my jejunem is open with visible scars from where last year's ulcers were, so thin foods do go through slowly but they do finally go through. Still. have not graduated to any more than moderately tho k pureed chew as I may. Precious still provides me with emesis on a frequent basis, 3-5 times weekly, keep extra gray Wal-Mart bags in the wastebasket near my Recliner so I can tie off and dispose of what Precious Pouch declines. On the Good Side I am regaining the size I had as a late Teenager- never expected to be under 300, under 200 and we'll into Onederland, after a starting BMI of 53.6, finally found my Ist Visit Summary from O,S,U, Bariatrics--- a BMI of 28.3 seems like achieving an Impossible Dream. And after Size 30W, a Size 16 to 18, majority 16 is a definite WhewBaby. So perhaps there are benefits to the Whole Shebang I have gone through. Just for my Own Peace of Mind, I wish somebody would be honest and stamp "Gastrointestinally Crippled" because at coming up to 13 months, I wonder if I will ever be "RIGHT" again, will I still have a "Healing Day" IDK When, IDK in what Manner, but nobody told ME yet to stop praying👼🙏so I continue till my breath leaves ME SomeDay. Maybe I trusted in -All Things Will Be Made New- perhaps for ME only a Bible Verse. But, you know, I AM still better, healthier and thinner than I started out so perhaps I should be praying for Placid Acceptance at This Point.

Hey there! I did. Did the 6 months of nutrition visits, the physch appt and got pre approval! Great, right!? Nope. I didn’t have a COE either and went to one out of state. Still have a bill of 11k because with my plan Bariatric surgery doesn’t count under the out of pocket max. So make sure to triple ask that. I called and was told it was however did not get an official estimate and am now appealing. It’s been 3 months of appeals and all answers are no. I’m sure I’ll be on the hook for it. Ask and get written verification for it all.

Azlanie I Do Like Your Surgeon's Thinking- wish all Bariatric Surgeon's would do That- sometimes I think my PCP could use all the guidance he can get- the NEXT TIME he says " You're such a Different Beast Now!" I AM going to stay in Beast Mode, slap him with my Grizzly Bear Paw, Claws and All and make Him Bleed! Okay Okay I REALLY probably won't but don't KILL that dream just yet! I may be Different but I am still HUMAN after all, not asking him to become an Large- Animal Vet!

You can still submit a written request for your medical records, you have a right to those. I would call around to the bariatric offices (or whomever you are seeing) in your area and inquire if they could help you out. If you find one that works with your insurance (if you are insured) make an appointment and get their phone and fax number. Provide that information to your old surgeon's office and they can fax them over so you do not need to worry about carrying to the appt

Sadly, they are unwilling to talk to me on the phone, I have to have an appointment to get any medical advice/support from my surgeon's office- and no longer live anywhere within range to do that. It is such a pain in the butt. I wonder if I found a bariatric surgeon locally, if they'd be willing to support me? Probably not. uggg.

Well my memory is terrible but I had surgery April 29th and I stayed in hospital two nights, I had a rough time of it since I was bed bound. I was also not doing well. Yet they sent me home day three, maybe they shouldn’t have and I wasn’t sure what was going on. I hated feeling so out of sorts and wanted my own bed. I got home late into day three, and the next day I tried to do some normal things, to get my body moving but I was having a hard time breathing, I managed an errand and laundry but started having intermittent fevers. But because I have chronic Illness (immunodeficiency) my body doesn’t have fevers normally when it should. I tried to ignore it until it went up at night over 102. Now mind you this likely won’t happen to you but I ended up at the Er and admitted for pneumonia, acute uti and critically low potassium. I got stuck there another three days. They were going to make me stay longer. They had no clue about bariatric patients. So maybe your doctor is just being extra cautious and if you do well after surgery and are up and walking about soon after and once you can tolerate small amounts of liquids, they will give you the ok to go home. It could be much sooner than the doctor estimates but since you won’t have help at home they just are extra cautious. Maybe inquire with your insurance if you can get a home visit from a nurse a few times. All the best to you in your journey ahead.

some people just go to their PCP after the first year or so. Most of them have enough understanding of bariatric surgery these days that they can help with this.

5'2", ♀️10m PO, maintaining 118.3 lbs this morning. So yesterday I decided to go on a pre-vacay-food-intake-plan (i.e., my old WLS diet, lol) in anticipation of all the mangiare bene that will be going on next week. It's weird that I find eating "bariatric-ly" easier than eating "maintenance-ly". It just feels like there is so much less effort, stress and thinking involved, you know? (or is that just me?) Menu for Yesterday, Thursday Sep 19: Totals --- 546 cals --- 62g protein --- 11g NET carbs --- 25g fat 9:00am (0 cals) black coffee + ½ packet Stevia 1:30pm (120 cals) protein shake: 1 scoop powder + 2 tsp Benefibre + 17g Clearlax + 2 tsp instant decaf coffee 6:00pm (421 cals) salad greens + vinaigrette >>> @MarvelGirl25 ..tried the cumin, not sure it went very well with my mix, lol, will have to try it with yours. 1 fl oz pumpkin seeds 100g grilled shrimp 1 poached egg avocado smoothie: 50g avocado + 38g spinach + 25g cucumber + lemon juice + garlic powder + cilantro + mint + black pepper + Greek yogurt + ice >>> @FluffyChix ...my first crack at this was too watery so I added some Greek yogurt. Then I added some mint and black pepper. Pretty yum ❤️ Yesterday's Exercise: 1hr hot yoga 30 mins on treadmill 15 mins strength training (arms)

I'm one year post sleeve surgery and am ready to start looking into having some plastic surgery to clean up the horrible excess skin. Although I'm happy with the Dr who did my sleeve, I'm not really impressed with the plastic surgeon he has teamed up with in his office. Any suggestions on how to find a good plastic surgeon? I would think I want someone who has a lot of experience with bariatric patients, right?

I really think it would help you to have an advocate. I find it wrong for the I really think you might benefit from an advocate. I don’t think the psych is being fair to you. I live with my mom but my having surgery is not reliant on her support. While it’s true, other people’s eating habits can effect your own this shouldn’t be a deciding factor. It’s also unfair for her to shame you for having a piece of cake. Change takes time and surgery will be a tool to help with change. My first surgeon appointment went horribly for me. Like your psych, he talked at me and made assumptions instead of listening. I could barely conceal my utter and total meltdown when I left the office. It was the combination of constantly telling my pcp about my weight loss efforts and my finding a better endocrinologist (the first endocrinologist was also a disaster) but the second endocrinologist listened to my history and medical issues and referred me to Cleveland Clinic, she said the whole bariatric surgery process was easier and she ended up being right. I know some require psych clearance and yes you need to do the head work, dealing with eating habits, cutting carbs and sugar, etc. but you are working at it and it’s that pre surgery diet that is what prepares you for what comes after. For me I had already fought hard some years ago to deal with sugar and carb addiction due to metabolic disorders. Even with my strict changes in my eating habits I ended up back to square one with my weight. I got to where I knew I needed extra help of bariatric surgery. I wish I had better answers but keep fighting. Try to find an advocate and if possible see another psych and try to write down exactly what your goal is with bariatric surgery and the steps you have taken so far. I know it’s hard when options are limited. See if you can talk to the nutritionist or have an advocate talk to them and ask why the psych is clocking you from getting clearance for surgery and if they have the right to do that to you. Someone in the bariatric surgeons office might even be able to help you with the process.

I had gastric bypass on 8/28 and have lost 23.2 lbs since. My highest weight was 275 when I went for my consult but I had a very active job over the summer so I lost some weight before the surgery. HW: 275 Surgery day: 266 Current: 242.3 I've been back at work since a week after surgery, with permission, since I'm just on orientation right now. Overall I feel fantastic. A week after surgery I felt completely normal, like I didn't have surgery at all. I was shocked at how quickly I bounced back. My only complaint is ridiculous hip pain at night that wakes me up. My physical therapist said that people who have bariatric surgery are at risk for hip and core problems because the body can't adjust as quickly as the weight comes off. I'm seriously considering going once a week to get this under control, I'll see what my surgeon says when I see him next week.

@Mikeyy 100g a day is fine for a man. Some kidney pain can be normal in the early days of a keto diet as they are working a bit harder than usual. I start my male clients on 80-120g a day and 20g carbs. (I trained under Professor Tim Noakes and am certified to coach people in keto- fit in with my specialist interest in training as a specialist nurse in diabetes you see & certified in dietary advice! Yep having all that knowledge isn't always enough, hence me being here post-surgery!). You really do need a good amount of water to help flush stuff out as Fluffy already said. If it continues for 2 weeks or gets significantly worse or you feel unwell go and see your Gp. Healthy kidneys can handle it fine, people with a history of kidney issues have to have much less, but a week on that amount wouldn't cause an issue. However, what can cause an issue is bariatric surgery and that can cause kidney stones to suddenly appear seemingly out of the blue, hence my comment about seeing your Gp if you get severe pain.

I’d find it upsetting that it’s a therapist deciding if you can handle the surgery and not a surgeon and nutritionist. A bariatric nutritionist would be better at setting the pre surgery goals to work on calorie intake and carb intake. I had letters from my pcp about my efforts at low carb, low calorie approach and a letter from a endocrinologist about metabolic disorders. But never would I trust a therapist to decide what’s best. It’s that initial pre op diet that is the true test of how you will function after surgery. I didn’t have support, I’m living with my mom. She is much smaller than me and never had food issues. I can’t say how long it took me to fight sugar and carb addiction many years back and yet I ended up back where I began. It’s a hard road but I think you need an advocate to help navigate the system and get on the right track. Start with gradually lowering calories and carbs and cutting sugar. Look for healthier alternatives. I wish I had better to say. My first visit with a bariatric surgeon was a train wreck and yes I had a breakdown and knew it wasn’t going to happen. The doctor then refused to help me. I kept pushing my pcp to record my efforts and finally saw another endocrinologist who recommended Cleveland clinic where the process was much smoother and the staff their extremely helpful. it wouldn’t have happened without their help. It’s not an easy road. Though they do need to know you won’t fall back to bad habits. I don’t think a therapist is as good a support system as a bariatric care team with a nutritionist. ugh. I’m sorry im too tired to make sense today. I’m sad that you felt so bad during the appointment and couldn’t get your words across. I deal with that all the time and have to try to push down as hard as I can if I start crashing into a total meltdown. It’s not easy. But I think at some point you will get where you need to be. Try to seek out an advocate. You need a bariatric care team working to help you through this fight.

Me Me Me BrisWife, I have to take a 10,000 unit liquigel once daily and look for a prenatal or bariatric multi that contains at least 4,000 units in it. Asked on one of the other threads, waiting to see if anyone answered. And FYI they didn't cancel either my Carafate, Zofran, iron and Vitamin D. So I'm still bumbling along Great Shape for the Shape I'm In, aren't I ?👈😣👉

Does anyone know of a bariatric or prenatal vitamin with 4000 units or more of Vitamin A, when my current bottle runs out I have to switch. Yeah I now have to take a 10,000 little liquigel once a day, maybe I should also ask Alex Brechler if the Bariatric Pal Store stocks such an animal THERE.

Ooh crying in front of her wasn't good maneuver- now she can write "Emotionally Upstable". You should have made a list of these points so you could refute each step she used. High Calorie count? Show the steps you are taking to solve this. What you tapering down, what you have stopped. Not Ready?- then tell me what steps I need to take to achieve This Goal. We are not people dealing in gradients, we do not accept shades of grey as much as definate black versus white. Check how long your already passed specialist consults are valid for? I had to repeat all mine for program # 1 twice because I had let over a year elapse between leaving and re- entering the program ; hate for that to happen to you- then I was denied because apparently I did not make him feel " Warm and Fuzzy" denied because of feelings instead of any logic,Well I am well rid of HIM , second program was more what. I needed anyway and I am GLAD I went there. Perhaps a bariatric consoulerto help you work through the steps, you have done so much toward this to be stopped. Maybe your family needs to attend a bariatric meeting or 2, that way they will see commitment and Right purpose on YOUR part, not a passing whim but something you are trying to earn the right to. You couldn't have called November 1st because it is only the middle of September, did you possibly mean September 1st? Go ahead and do your Sleep Study, might turn out you'll think better after wearing a C-Pap, and there is a chance maybe you won't require one. Of so, at least you'll know. But THAT might be a valid point to bring up with the surgical office, that YOU are trying. for surgery to cure or at least diminish breathing and sleeping difficulties- maybe they will give you CREDIT for attempting change. Make a list of positive ways you are going to lower down your calorie count to an level they will okay- maybe work with a dietician that understands Bariatrics and preparation for it- NOT all DO. Can you work with a Bariatric friendly person to help re- prepare you? Just a few observations and suggestions, I myself have started going to a Bariatric Support Group meeting in my town, my own Surgical Center had only evening meetings and I really felt welcomed and hi gained new approaches even at this post- surgical state and a few more people going through with this challenge in Life. But Vent if you like, this IS A PROFOUND CHANGE TO ACHEIVE- not easy, sometimes not quick but if You Can Stick It Out- So So Worth it All!

We are well within safe ranges on a bariatric diet (exception may be if you already kidney issues) Consult your medical professionals on safe levels to consume. Most dietitians’ plans are 60 to 100grams of protein.. Our diet instructions give the mantra “protein first” in the first stages. It’s because your stomach has limited room. As your diet progresses you will easily hit your protein goal along with other foods to meet your nutritional needs. articles below give examples of safe ranges of protein. 80kg/ 176-pound person – 176 grams protein. 140lb person – 125 grams per day. Athletes – Higher protein intake https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16779921 https://www.health.harvard.edu/diet-and-weight-loss/when-it-comes-to-protein-how-much-is-too-much So, when it comes to protein, how much is too much? It's hard to provide a specific answer since so much is still uncertain and the experts themselves don't agree. However, for the average person (who is not an elite athlete or heavily involved in body building) it's probably best to avoid more than 2 gm/kg; that would be about 125 grams/day for a 140 pound person. New information could change our thinking about the maximum safe amount, but until we know more about the safety, risks and benefits of high protein diets, this seems like a reasonable recommendation. Abstract Considerable debate has taken place over the safety and validity of increased protein intakes for both weight control and muscle synthesis. The advice to consume diets high in protein by some health professionals, media and popular diet books is given despite a lack of scientific data on the safety of increasing protein consumption. The key issues are the rate at which the gastrointestinal tract can absorb amino acids from dietary proteins (1.3 to 10 g/h) and the liver's capacity to deaminate proteins and produce urea for excretion of excess nitrogen. The accepted level of protein requirement of 0.8g x kg(-1) x d(-1) is based on structural requirements and ignores the use of protein for energy metabolism. High protein diets on the other hand advocate excessive levels of protein intake on the order of 200 to 400 g/d, which can equate to levels of approximately 5 g x kg(-1) x d(-1), which may exceed the liver's capacity to convert excess nitrogen to urea. Dangers of excessive protein, defined as when protein constitutes > 35% of total energy intake, include hyperaminoacidemia, hyperammonemia, hyperinsulinemia nausea, diarrhea, and even death (the "rabbit starvation syndrome"). The three different measures of defining protein intake, which should be viewed together are: absolute intake (g/d), intake related to body weight (g x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and intake as a fraction of total energy (percent energy). A suggested maximum protein intake based on bodily needs, weight control evidence, and avoiding protein toxicity would be approximately of 25% of energy requirements at approximately 2 to 2.5 g x kg(-1) x d(-1), corresponding to 176 g protein per day for an 80 kg individual on a 12,000kJ/d diet. This is well below the theoretical maximum safe intake range for an 80 kg person (285 to 365 g/d). Dietary protein for athletes: from requirements to optimum adaptation. Phillips SM1, Van Loon LJ. Author information 1 Department of Kinesiology, Exercise Metabolism Research Group, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. phillis@mcmaster.ca Abstract Opinion on the role of protein in promoting athletic performance is divided along the lines of how much aerobic-based versus resistance-based activity the athlete undertakes. Athletes seeking to gain muscle mass and strength are likely to consume higher amounts of dietary protein than their endurance-trained counterparts. The main belief behind the large quantities of dietary protein consumption in resistance-trained athletes is that it is needed to generate more muscle protein. Athletes may require protein for more than just alleviation of the risk for deficiency, inherent in the dietary guidelines, but also to aid in an elevated level of functioning and possibly adaptation to the exercise stimulus. It does appear, however, that there is a good rationale for recommending to athletes protein intakes that are higher than the RDA. Our consensus opinion is that leucine, and possibly the other branched-chain amino acids, occupy a position of prominence in stimulating muscle protein synthesis; that protein intakes in the range of 1.3-1.8 g · kg(-1) · day(-1) consumed as 3-4 isonitrogenous meals will maximize muscle protein synthesis. These recommendations may also be dependent on training status: experienced athletes would require less, while more protein should be consumed during periods of high frequency/intensity training. Elevated protein consumption, as high as 1.8-2.0 g · kg(-1) · day(-1) depending on the caloric deficit, may be advantageous in preventing lean mass losses during periods of energy restriction to promote fat loss

Motherland of Carbs ... I know that place ... I love that place 😍 I took a trip to the Motherland when I was 8 months post op. I had every intention of fully enjoying the food, and not trying to follow a bariatric diet in any way shape or form. I had pasta, pizza, gelato, pastries, wine, beer every day, sometimes all in one day. I enjoyed every minute of it, no regrets. I was still in WL phase and I lost over a lb that week, and didn't bounce back up. (26 BMI at the time) Couple of things: Since your sleeve seems to be sensitive at times, I would definitely do a test run of foods you anticipate eating while on the trip. You will do lots and lots of walking, so that will offset some of the calorie intake You seem to have a pretty high and flexible BMR, and don't appear to be carb sensitive, from what I've seen you post I can't speak to your fear of carbs, because I don't share it, but the trip doesn't need to be a carbfest, if you don't want it to be. Carbs and proteins and nicely separated out into different courses. You can simply order a secondi & not a primi. I mean, that's insane, but an option 😂. Also lots of options for charcuterie meals, where the main carbs would be wine. To answer you questions: Question #1: How much carbs do you eat in Maintenance? What kind of carbs? Did you even track carbs??? I'm most likely a special case, but I eat lots of carbs, like lots and lots. I eat mostly refined carbs. I track carbs because I track everything. Question #2: Do you plan for indulgences? I am thinking of going back on my weight-loss diet for the next 5 days to offset the inevitable gains during our trip. Thoughts? IMO, this sounds like anxiety talking. I don't think a gain is inevitable. No matter how far off the rails you have gone, diet wise, you have continued to lose/maintain. And if you do have gains, you know what, bfd! You know how to get the couple of lbs off again. But on the other hand, I don't see any harm is eating clean, low cal, for the next 5 days. We all have high and low days. So that would just be a few low days followed by a few high days, nbd. Have fun! I'm envious! 🍝 🍷

Was wandering if anyone goes to Dr Brown. I have my EDG set up Oct 3rd and the surgery for Oct 9th. I still have to set up the blood tests and Bariatric class but was told the hospital calls and sets it up. Anyone know when they call? I have 3 weeks til surgery. Wandering if they tack it on to the day I get the EDG done or do it a different day.

Bariatric Strong

I honestly can’t remember the last time I posted to this board, but I wanted to share my story. I was banded 9/7/11. It worked great for me for the first few years. I lost a total of 120 pounds. Then it stopped working so great. I couldn’t keep things down and so we took all the fluid out with the assumption that we would try to slowly fill it back up. Unfortunately, my port flipped and was only attached by one prong. Even though I didn’t have any fluid in my band, it was a gamble if I could keep down meaningful protein. I resorted to things that would go down easily and as a result, gained back 95 pounds. My instance at the time would not pay for any bariatric procedures and so removal was not an options. I have since changed jobs but I am so busy I just went on with life. Fast forward to about 8 weeks ago and things suddenly felt “different “. I had acid reflux for the first time ever, sometimes I couldn’t keep water down and I just had this heavy feeling where my band was. I went to a surgeon who said it needed to come out and he scheduled me very quickly. I had it removed yesterday and the scariest part about the whole thing is that the tubing had become attached to my liver. He had to cut it off and cauterize it. He said it looks good considering, but it has me freaked out. I am in so much pain today but so happy it is gone. I ate some lunch meat with cheese and a touch of honey mustard today and did not have any issues for the first time in years.

I am thrilled and looking forward to having my VSG surgery on January 6, 2020 with Dr. Ariel Ortiz at the Obesity Control Center in Tijuana! After a lot of research and deliberation, I'm am incredibly on board with this decision and now I'm spending my time preparing my mind and body. I'm continuing with Weight Watchers, developing a walking routine, listening to podcasts, reading, and learning as much as I can about life before, during and after bariatric surgery. I'm also reflecting on my past weight loss attempts to dissect lessons learned. 2020 will be a turning point for me!

Anyone have their sleeve surgery scheduled for next month? I will be traveling from the MidWest to have mine at Blossom Bariatrics in Las Vegas on 10/9 😤 Also will be my first time in Vegas! Starting the pre-op diet next Thursday and I have to admit...I'm just feeling like having a food funeral for all of my favorite meals. Scared I will develop complications and be super far away from my surgeon/medical team. At the same time, I am SO excited to have this tool to get ahold of my life! I would love to keep in contact with some fellow October newbies.....