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Do you just eat what you want, but in tiny portions? That's what i'm finding...and am still losing, I tend to think it's still about calories in vs out....And i've cut back on almost all of my carbs.Hi Joshua - here's my question's for you in this order: 1) where do you live? I have an endless list of "honey-do" home improvement projects that never get done. I need base baseboards, a full bathroom remodel, a new light fixture hung... The list could go on and on. Of course all of this will likely be put on hold in favor of a tummy tuck and a new set of knockers now that I'm living life at goal weight and I had to choose how to spend my money! 2) Do you have access to the Internet? Of course you do! You're on here! I find it concerning that your receiving minimal after-care post-surgery. It is bothersome that your surgeon and his/her team are not available to you for support. However, there is a wealth of information about the Bariatric lifestyle available online including food stages and timing. May I also suggest the book our buddy Alex of BP wrote? I think it's called The big book on the Gastric Sleeve. It's available on Amazon. Just google his name. To answer your question about eating whatever you want - yes, during the entire 14 months post WLS, I have been pretty much able to eat whatever I want in smaller quantities. Does this mean that I CHOSE to eat whatever I want? We will save that for later. I DID however follow the rules regarding the progression from liquids to puréed to soft foods, etc. This is SO important as your stomach has been cut open and it is trying to mend itself. Do you really want something sharp in there risking you to develop a leak?!? I tried to find my WLS binder to take pictures of the food stages and suggested meals. It's MIA. Maybe someone else can do that here for you. Also get on the Internet and do some research!!! Here's the other reason why I'm going to tell you not to rush into solid foods - it's during these first few weeks specifically that you will lose the greatest amount of weight. As you start to introduce more food into your diet and as time goes on, your weight loss WILL slow down. It's the biggest mystery here. I'm 14 months out and living life at goal weight, but there's plenty people on here who are exercising like crazy, taking in less than 1200 a day and their weight loss has hit a plateau. They SHOULD be losing weight if it was all about the input vs. output theory. So yes, right now, so early after surgery, you are in what we call the "honeymoon" phase. It's when you can eat like crap if you chose and still lose weight. It's an awesome feeling, huh? Can I make a suggestion? Read this forum. Often. Perhaps visit the veterans board. The process begins to change the farther you get out from surgery. At some point you WILL stop losing unless you start putting some effort in. WHEN exactly this occurs is different for each of us. For me, the process was a tad easy. I suspect it was because I started the process at a lower BMI. I considered myself a slow loser, but I had no issue reaching my surgeon's goal for me and surpassing it by 10 pounds before a year's time. Now with that being said, my personal stretch goal is another 10-12 pounds from where I am. My body is quite content in staying exactly where I am IF I continue doing what I have been doing the past 14 months since surgery - eating what I want and exercising (sporadically.). Some people have to put more effort in to work their "tool." My time has come. What I can tell you is this time in the journey is really tough for those who haven't developed healthy lifestyles. This requires that we are honest with ourselves and take a look at the reasons at how or why we were significantly overweight. At 14 months out, I still have restriction, but I could easily eat around the sleeve if I wanted to. Regain at this stage is really common. I wasn't always over weight and gained weight as a result of poor work-life balance after having children. This past year I have made efforts to plan meals ahead of time to eliminate eating on the go and take out. I never really considered myself an emotional eater, but I've always known there are certain foods I can't have in my house so I've never bought them - Cookies, chips, soda, crackers are foods I would easily binge on. Why risk it? I went into this process already implementing a lot of the lifestyle habits they require post-WLS. I believe this may be in part why the process has been so easy for me. I didn't find it a struggle to adapt at all. I track everything I eat on the loseit app on my phone. This helps me with accountability. I don't really view any food as taboo at this point as long as I account for it and don't forgo Protein or other import nutrients. I stay away from carbs as much as I can. My post is getting long and this point I can't even remember your original question! ????????????????

During my visits I always felt that I was treated very well. The staff is amazing specially Bariatric Dietitian - Melissa Sullivan and Physician Assistant - Jason Reese. I would absolutely recommend this Dr. Barba to my family and friends. I felt my lap band surgery was an amazing success! BTW - They are also bi-lingual for any Spanish speaking patients.

@vsgann and @@feedyoureye you are both right, as i asked on another thread topic what was the tracking app that people most used and, you guessed it, My Fitness Pal was the resounding reply! I downloaded it yesterday and love it! It also synchs with my Apple Watch, so i am beyond happy. As an aside i have lost 3 pounds in as many days since re-dedicating myself to going back to basics, and will keep doing so until i hit goal, and will no longer check in daily to this thread. Thanks to everyone here, what an amazing community of people here at Bariatric Pal. Xo Wynnie

I would check the insurance forum here too. What I do know is very little but like the other person here said yes they do cover this surgery. They also require that you go to what they call "Centers of Excellence" in Bariatric Surgery. If you do not then they will not cover you at all. Here is a link to locate a Center of Excellence in your area: Surgical Review Corporation I would call Medicare to find out exactly what they require. But here's what I found for you. http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcd/viewdecisionmemo.asp?from2=viewdecisionmemo.asp&id=160&

Medicaid is definitely different from state to state. I work at a hospital in Virginia and we can only see patients from Virginia and West Virginia. West Virginia is covered in Virginia because they have such limited options for medical care in parts of their state - many of them drive 6+ hours to see us. Otherwise, no other state's Medicaid program is accepted in our state. Additionally, there have been recent changes to Medicaid programs and many states are now contracting Medicaid benefits with regular HMO companies. (Medicare is different - that's generally what we all get when we're 65 and over. That works anywhere in the country.) I do know that Medicaid even pays for Viagra, so I would be really disgusted if they didn't cover something like banding. I would do what someone advised above - call the number on your card and ask a) if bariatric surgery is covered and :tongue: which providers in your state participate. Good luck :cool2:

Hey Kesia! I too live in Ga. and have medicaid. And MA does cover the Lapband. I rcvd my approval on Monday, but u have to go to a Center of Excellence, and you need to sign up with Peachstate as your carrier. The center I am using is Peachtree Surgical and Bariatric at Atlanta Medical Center. They have a seminar on June 21st. the website is peachtreebariatric .com . Check them out and if you have any other questions feel free to send me a private message.

I don't know if you have this information, its the bariatric policy for Wellcare https://www.wellcare.com/WCAssets/corporate/assets/ccg/hs_ccg_bariatric_eng_10_2014.pdf Hopefully it will help answer some of your questions. Best of Luck

Hi Everyone! Has Anybody Out There Heard Of Bariatric Surgeons In Louisville, Kentucky? Please Let Me Know If You Have!

I cant wait!! The smallest I have been was a size 12 and that felt fantastic, cant even wait to be back there again!! Wow size 9/10 must feel incrediable!! I found a lot of good reviews on Dr.Pompa on line ... and see you soon on the losers bench!!Bariatric Surgeon Profile - Liza Maria Pompa Gonzalez M.D., Ph.D.

Spoke directly with my Bariatric Director this afternoon about Medicare's VSG decision. She reviewed the CMS memo decision and agreed with my interpretation that this decision was a good one and coverage appears imminent. While the fine details for Medicare contractors (ie hospitals) have not yet been released, she did say everything looks like a go and I will be the first patient she submits for Medicare approval next month! For those of you who have not yet had the opportunity to get a personalized nod of approval from your hospital, read this and you should feel better. This is a summarized analysis and decoding of CMS's VSG memo from The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). A true authority in all matters concerning Bariatric's. http://asmbs.org/2012/06/access-to-care-alert-the-cms-final-decision/ At long last the wait is over! If you have state Medical Assistance (Medicade) this is good news for you as well. With very few exceptions, coverage and requirements for Medicade mirror that of Medicare. I suspect that state MA will recognize the VSG no later than October when coverages for all states go through their annual update. If you have not already begun taking the necessary steps to complete the requirements to be submitted for Insurance approval, NOW is the time to get started!

Today I had my first consultation with the ReStart Bariactric clinic in Merrilville, In . I did contact my medicaide insurer and before my appointment and was told that they would cover the sleeve however today the coordinator and the medical assistant both told me that Indiana was not paying for this surgery and tried to talk me into the RNY. Now after reading these thoughtful and riveting post provided by my diligent sleevers, how can i present this info to the staff and get them to at least try to bill for it. Any suggestion? Tommorow I am going to call bariatric clinics around the state and see if any has had approvals with my insurance. Regards, Ciara aka Hopeful Hoosier!

When my husband and I met I was overweight but since we have been married I have put on a lot of weight, He loves me anyway. He has had a lot of serious health issues that we got through together. When I first talked about having WLS he was not totally on board because he was worried about the risks but after our first visit at the Bariatric center he felt much better. He has been right by my side through it all,I had RNY on 6/24, and I do not see that changing.

I've never heard of needing another surgeon. When I had my surgery, there was a surgical assistant that was used who was not covered and that cost me $500, but I've never heard of needing a second surgeon. In fact, some places are doing the sleeve via robot now, so needing 2 surgeons does seem a surprise. Are you going to a Bariatric center of excellence? If not, you might want to consider transferring to one.

Found this at the local bariatric specialty nutrition store. OMG it is absolutely delicious! Has a very gritty texture from the flax but it is so yummy. So much better than Peanut Butter.

The doctor I am going to does fills for Mexico patients I think... It's West Penn Bariatric... And Dr Curry is just about 3 hours west on 70 so that is an option as well... Hope that helps... Heather

Hi Lisa, i have a similar problem. Three hours to see my surgeon, lunch, and three hours back! i called another bariatric surgeon's office today and they said if i would transfer my records etc.that he would take me as a patient and give me my fills. This office is only 45 mins. away. i am going to pray about this, do some research and think!!!! Mostly pray! Hope this encourages you. cal

I was curious if any of you post op people have had problems drinking this particular shake. A FB group I just joined was saying it was the wrong type of Protein & suggested it can cause dumping. Yet Kaiser's bariatric pgm highly recommends it. Just curious if this is just a certain group bashing other drinks in order to sell their's or if it's truly not the best option. Thanks. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I received my surgery date.. It's on September 6.. Already started the ketogenex diet. Start all Bariatric shakes on Wednesday..

@@395Ron I didn't know they made bariatric protein products? Where can I get those? I just got kroger brand lol

Phantompouch, have you been evaluated by someone who knows what malnutrition is by the *medical research*? If you have problems, feel free to message me. I'll help in any way I can. I've had enough retaliation from doctors from some miscues from the bariatric surgeon, I know what the situation feels like.

So I have done almost a year of Nutritionist visits. I have lost 26lbs. I went Wed for my psych bariatric eval and passed. Then yesterday I went for orientation and my consultation with the surgeon. Everything went well, they said I should be able to be approved. They gave me a checklist of things that both the doctor and possibly my insurance would require. Nutritionist eval and documentation 6-12 months ^done Psych bariatric evaluation and recommendation ^done Letter from me outlining why I want surgery and what I am suffering from ^done Cardio clearance- EKG, stress test Gall bladder Ultrasound Blood work Endoscopy sleep study and pulmonolgy clearance ^need referral and scripts for the above from PCP My surgeon is in Ocala, my PCP is in Clermont and I live in Orlando. I decided to stop in my PCP office on my way back to grab the referrals and scripts (he works in a walk in clinic) and he asked that I get written documentation from my INS company of what they wanted to have submitted for approval of surgery before he sends me for clearances to have the surgery. Called insurance company and NO one will give me written info because the procedure is only done in times of medical necessity and each case is decided on a case by case basis. I go back in with the PCP and he says he will not give me any referrals or scripts for tests until I am approved for the surgery through my INS company. INS company verbally said I had to have "6-12 months diet documentation from a nutritionist/physician, Comprehensive pre/post op plan with a Bariatric program, clearance from Cardiologist, Gastroenterologist, Documentation of No Endocrine issues that could be causing the morbid obesity and a BMI of over 40, documentation of any co-morbidities". They said if all the appropriate documentation is not submitted it is an AUTOMATIC Denial. I told the doctor this. I showed him the emails between me and a supervisor at my INS company with telling me that "There is no written procedure to follow for a MAGICAL approval". I have the option of changing my INS plan with a good enough reason. Should I just change it, find a new PCP and INS? I already checked with my surgeon and they take all of the other insurance options I have to switch to. Ugh I am so frustrated. I feel like no one wants to help me. :-(

Wow! I just watched this documentary called Food Inc. It's much of the same info as the book, Fast Food Nation. I had tried to read the book in the past but just couldn't get into it. I am so glad they made this documentary. I am pretty informed about factory farming, especially where it concerns animals. I was a vegetarian for 13 years and did my share of pamphleting, protesting, and lobbying for animals but I really didn't know the extent of the Nation's food problem until I watched this documentary. It has changed me and will change the way I shop for food. Now that I am able to eat less food, I can afford to switch my family to whole, natural, locally-produced foods and that is what I am going to do. My husband is happily on board (rare since we usually disagree on "green-hippie" issues like this). He watched the film with me and is appalled at the state of our country's food processing methods. Watch it as soon as you can! It will change the way you look at food and what you learn from it could be a good companion to your healthy new lifestyle. Meanwhile, I had another good day with the band. For breakfast, I renewed my childhood love affair with Cream of Wheat. Man, that is good stuff. I added a little varietal (blueberry) honey to it and it was incredible. Later, I made chili for dinner and just ate some of the sauce. I am still having trouble getting all my water and protein, though. My Grandma stressed me out again today and for a second, I felt the old twinge to eat my feelings away. Instead, I just sat there feeling what I felt and then I felt better. I also had a ton of energy and felt like my old self. Since my car accident, I have not been able to do all the things I used to. My house stays messy because I can't keep up with it and it that been a constant source of guilt and anxiety for me especially now that I stay at home and feel it is my job to stay on top of this house. Today, I was able to do a lot of chores and chase after my kiddo and critters for 12+ hours. I even finished cleaning 3 rooms! That hasn't happened in 2 years when, before the accident, I could clean my entire house in a couple of hours. I am really really really happy that I got the band.

I'm laughing as I re-read this thread. I was bored and just looking through, reflecting on the past year of my life. (I just got a renewal notice for my apartment....) I still haven't gotten to Onderland yet, but am working hard to do so. I've run two 5K races, rather than just doing the initial one in May that I planned. I competed in the discus (my college sport) in two track meets in June and July and eventually hurt my knee. I haven't been able to run since July, but am meeting with my trainer on Tuesday and keeping up with PT. I spent yesterday with friends from growing up. We have an annual wiffleball tournament that is all eating and drinking, from early in the morning til late at night, and I had a huge "lightbulb" moment. (Think 120+ people with a bonfire, food tables and a farm!) I cannot believe how much more I enjoyed the party without the push of needing to eat everything offered. I'm still single (but dating up a storm!) so I didn't bring anyone with me....however, an old friend brought a few of her friends and I really enjoying getting to know one of them. I realize now how different life is without my ex. The winter was a truly transformative time, when I realized he was not the "man" I thought him to be, but a boy playing a role....I am still stunned to hear about his past and who he apparently really is. He has a criminal past and has tried to cut back his visitation with his two young boys. (After being with all of my friends' kids for the day, I can't imagine how any parent could do that....) Everything truly does happen for a reason. I'm facing challenges and doing things I never imagined I'd do. I hate running still, but I LOVE the challenge of getting to the finish line and of wanting to better my time with each race. There will be more when the weather cooperates and my knee heals. If not for my leaving my ex, this life would not have been possible. Thank you all for your encouragement. I shared with you things I never could have told my family or friends. (Incidentally, I've finally started telling people that I was banded!) I have learned to love being single and living alone. I am truly a better person for having had this experience. I'm still single and not any closer to being married BUT I'm enjoying being me....finding what makes ME happy and spending time with the people I love. When Mr. Right comes along, I'll be ready.

I dont know if this has been discussed here yet, but I wanted to inform you all a Medicare medical review is nearly complete pertaining to official coverage of the VSG. If all goes well, we should have a peliminary decision at the end of this month (3/30/2012)! A final binding decision will be made no later than 6/28/2012. Offical documentation can be found here.... https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/nca-tracking-sheet.aspx?NCAId=258&fromdb=true I spoke with my Bariatric Surgeons P.A. today and discussed the Medicare coverage review of the VSG. He told me based on his attendance at the annual Bariatric Surgeons convention he was told coverage for the VSG is very likley to be approved for Medicare. He did not want to cite names, but did say his information came from very reliable sources close to the review process. He went so far as to say (without prompting) "He would be shocked if the review panel rejected covering it this year". Im starting my 6 month required supervised diet (ie Nutritionist) consultations now to be ready for submittal come October when Medicare updates it's coverage. Those of you on Medicare and Medicade who have been holding out for VSG surgery coverage I strongly suggest contacting your Hospitial's Bariatric cordinator and starting the nessicary legwork now. Starting now, I will have everything needed for insurance approval ready to go the moment coverage goes live. ~Greg

Spoke to the bariatric center today and they said all my test came back good that i am approved for the surgery. Appointment number 2 with the surgeon tomorrow which will go over some stuff and then i go next door to schedule my surgery and they will let me know how long of a liquid diet i will be on before the surgery and also i can buy the protein shakes there they said which i will buy a couple since i have no idea what they taste like. Then comes the very sad part... I start writing checks to pay for this surgery. I'm gonna cry watching nearly $18,000 come out of my checking account lol.