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those are the 2 classes I have to take thru Bridges Bariatric center before my surgery

hi, I have just found out that my op will bee in 4-5weeks time and I am really happy that I know the approx date. my first appointment was in March 2011, I attended the seminar in June, then I had all the test, physiology etc and then a sleep apnea test, I had sleep apnea and got my cemap machine, which I hate wearing. I had to wait 3months to see if the treatment was working, it was ans the specialist would send this info off to the bariatric surgery team, only, he didn't. finally after no contact from anyone I asked my dietician if she could find out what the delay was. 3 weeks later was told they were waiting for results from apnea clinic. I felt abandoned and depressed that it was one delay after the other. finally in May got an appointment for signing the consent form, it was horrendous I had put about 5 lb back on and was told that i could not sign the consent and would go to the back of the list, devastaed is how I felt. I got an appointment for another consent signing In 6 weeks, and at this one had lost 12 lbs, so was able to sign consent. I had to have an endoscopy and they remove 2 small polyps from my stomach, at which point me and hubby decided I would go for the sleeve rather than the bypass.At the meeting tonight we e sat next to a man who had the sleeve last Oct and he was 22stone on the day of his op and is now 13stone and was very encouraging, I asked him dozens of questions as did hubby, lol, and we came away happy that we have chosen the right op for me.I cannot exercise due to fibromyalgia and other health issues at this weight, but will be going swimming as soon as I can. to get fitter. It has been such a long wait and at times felt like I had to jump through their hoops, but now only concerned with getting as much weight of as i can before the op.that is it for now . x

http://s3.amazonaws.com/publicASMBS/GuidelinesStatements/PositionStatement/ASMBS-SLEEVE-STATEMENT-2011_10_28.pdf There are so many replies to this thread, there is not enought time to go through them all. I wish there was. So while I am sure I risk the chance of a repeat thread, I do so knowing it is hard to go through all the posts, and easy to miss any given post. So if I repeat a thread(s), sorry! This paper goes into the most recent studies on comorbidity improvements, including diabeties. With that said, this is the formal statement from ASMBS on October 28, 2011, regarding their update on their position statement regarding the sleeve gasterectomy as a bariatric procedure. It is detailed, and interesting. If you do not follow the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, I encourage you to do so. The Vertical Sleeve Talk is an social network that is focused to the patient, but the medical institutions such as ASMBS make statements and positions that will affect the Metabolic and Bariatric studies (and therefore procedures, and related issues as whether or not they should be funded by insurance, etc.). If you speak to a doctor and they cannot refer to recent findings or position statements of these orgenizatons, it is a red flag to the quality of care you will recieve. It affects advocacy, understanding, implementation of new procedures, etc.

Each person has their own "negatives". I personally had an extensive, exhausting and mentally/physically draining recovery because I was a revision patient with major complications. The negatives for me were: 1) Trying to sip enough early out seemed impossible 2) Taste buds changing 3) Developing a whey protein intolerance and mild lactose intolerance post-op 4) Lack of energy early out, but it was temporary Of course, the positives far outweigh the negatives especially since everything I experienced was over within a few weeks to couple of months, and I have a very normal, active, fun social life. There are plenty of us out here that "get WLS" there's others that don't. Unfortunately, the sleeve only does so much. I still have to be mindful of what I put in my mouth. I can still suck down a 3000 calorie milkshake if I wanted to so the point is making a permanent, and lifelong commitment to better food choices, and to honestly change your relationship with food. The sleeve makes this process much easier. Every WLS has failures even the heavily touted Platinum standard Duodenal Switch. I've read several stories of regain, or DS'ers not getting to goal, and their surgery is far more drastic than even RNY. I take 4 vitamins a day. That's it, nothing major, 2 multis, 2 calcium citrate. Make it a habit, it's really not that big of a deal. To address some of your concerns: 1. Death - huge I know. Ask your surgeon their mortality stats. If it's more than 1% get a new surgeon, and find out the details. 2. A Leak - also very risky. Same as above 3. My head hunger issues will be brought out huge. Start working on it now, get a new coping mechanism in place before surgery, therapy is a great tool especially if you can find someone that works with bariatric patients, along with support group meetings and using online support groups, find a buddy that has surgery around the same time to share ups and downs, get a mentor that you trust, and can talk you off the ledge when you're wanting to take a dive in the pool of caramely goodness of Girl Scout Samoa cookies. 4. My "food to cope" tool will be gone! Same as above 5. possible acid reflux... what's worse being fat or popping a Prilosec or Nexium to prevent reflux? 6. Gaining the weight back Establishing better habits, measuring portions, staying within your caloric intake guidelines is the best options to avoid gain. It's easy to gain weight, I won't lie, but for me, it's still super easy to lose it by following the rules. 7. not really losing anything that's pretty rare, I've read plenty of slow losers, but you have control of how you lose weight. Some do it differently than I did and that's okay, some do not want to give up carbs, I did because I knew I'd lose fast and hard. That's the path I chose, and I couldn't be happier with how I did it. Some have metabolic issues that slow weight loss down, and that has to be taken into consideration as well as activity level, and each individuals needs. One thing you have to remember is that the VSG is not some miracle that is going to cure it all. They operate on our stomachs, not our brains. So, getting ahead of the curve by establishing some good habits NOW will go a long way post-op. Eating slower, chewing your food more, sit your utensil down in between bites, do not drink with your meal, eat protein first, stretch your meal out to at least 20 minutes. Don't sit in front of the TV to eat, focus on what you are putting in your mouth/body and see how your body responds. Best wishes! ! !

It's funny. I saw BBK at my daughter's house on her lap top. On my computer, up at the top it says Lap Band Talk then a big ad for New Hope Bariatrics. I am glad I got to see her earlier!

Hi Paula, I was taking pepcid complete more and more frequently for the discomfort, but it wasn't helping. I go back to Tijuana November 11 to have it removed. I have found a few studies that say it actually is safe to be rebanded after erosion. There of course is no guarantee that it won't re-erode, but in the studies I found, the incidence of re-erosion is pretty low. Then again, erosion with the midband is pretty low...and here I am... I won't be able to go back before christmas for rebanding so I'll have to wait more than my dr's recommended 5-6 weeks if I do decide to have another band placed. After what I've read, I'm leaning in that direction for the moment. My insurance doesn't cover squat for bariatrics, I'll be self pay all the way, and I am currently still paying for the loan part of my first band. The idea of a second loan to pay for more expensive, more invasive procedure makes me queasy. Are there any eroded bandsters on here or that anyone knows of that has been rebanded? I'd love to find someone who's been there before I have to decide.

I know for a fact that she has done a lot of lapbands. In the spring I was referred to her by my family doctor, as she was doing a clinical trial at st Joes. She was involved in a study where she would do 50 gastric bypasses, 50 lapbands, and then 50 people would just receive nutritional counselling. Results of success would be measured monthly for 6 months. The purpose was to study the effects of weightloss on diabetes. Anyway I applied for the study, because it would have meant that I could have got the band for FREE!! However I did not meet all the criteria for the study, and you couldnt choose which treatment you received. I think when people here "study" they dont realize that involved performing surgery. Presumably she had done other bariatric surgeries prior to heading up this study, and getting funding for the study.

Please think twice on going for lapband. Stay on diet and exercise instead if you must. Why borrow trouble and take a chance of more surgeries. With all due respect to those who have had lapband and have found success, it's long term viability is being questioned. Here is a recent article and conclusion: http://www.soard.org/article/S1550-7289(14)00141-5/abstract "Conclusion Morbid obesity is a chronic disease that can be resolved with bariatric surgery. One of the treatment options is the LAGB, which in the short term shows good results in terms of EWL and co-morbidity reduction. In the long term, however, EWL and co-morbidity reduction are disappointing, and the LAGB does not seem to live up to expectations. Besides the decrease in EWL over time, the number of reoperations required is alarming. In total, less than a quarter of patients still had a functioning band after a mean 14 years of follow-up." Also WLS is not about losing weight. We can do that on our own. It is about having a tool to keep most of it off. The tools are restriction, hormonal changes and new habits we build while going thru the losing phase. From my own experience I would recommend that you still strongly consider it as the best chance of a lasting treatment. Notice I did not say cure. There is no cure. I am at goal but I still have the disease of obesity if not the symptoms. Similarly I have been treated for another disease, breast cancer. I am not cured. There is no cure. But I had a tumor surgically removed, chemo, and radiation. I did not wait for it to get worse before getting treatment. When there are successful treatments for a disease, you must weigh the benefits vs risks and decide what is the best way to keep the disease from escalating. I did that for breast cancer when I opted for chemo since I was a borderline case. It may have damaged my heart slightly but I wanted to nuke that cancer. In the same way I wanted the best treatment for my morbid and eventually deadly obesity. That was my thought process but you need to do the same risk benefit analysis for your own case. For me I am glad I did this in my 40s and didn't wait till I had comorbidities. My 50s and beyond will be great!

I got a fill this past Thursday. It seems to have a little more, but I'm finding I still feel I'm not feeling satisfied and I eat a bit more and don't feel full at all. But like I said, I feel a bit better. My doctor was still pleased cause I still lost in that month. She said I'm being too hard on myself! She's probably right! ???? I tend to get hard on myself more than I should! I'm glad I did this though. I've lost 30 lbs since my surgery, so that makes me happy. I do feel better and healthier already and I don't want to go back to the way I felt again. I'm seeing an eating disorder psychologist. She's more about anorexia and bulimia, so I'm here first bariatric client. But she did tell me, if I want results I have to realize that to obtain that I cannot use old habits for new change. I honestly allow some things I shouldn't have, but it's more of a small bite. I realize I'm not perfect and if I do well, I eat a tablespoon of sugar free ice cream. I eat it slow and let the little licks totally melt before I swallow to savor, to make it seem longer and have more of a lasting feeling. My psychologist also reminded me, I'm not perfect, but I don't want to live in those chains anymore. I'm 43 and this weight has robbed so much of my life! I've got to learn to give up one or the other and bei mg overweight has caused depression and loss of joy. I don't want wrong choices to run me anymore

I got a sample pk of 10 i think through bariatric pantry for 19 bucks..i haven't tried any of them yet ..only the chocolate premier shakes which i like.

Thanks MisforMimi I'm doing the Premier vanilla and Chocolate. I will probably get the Bariatric Advantage shakes too. I liked the vanilla didn't like the iced lattee. Still have to try Choclate and Orange Creme. I bought a couple different flavor packets to try out. Best of luck with your recovery.

The Bariatric Pal store has some very tasty vitamins. The Melts work well for me. Iron+D tastes like a bite of real orange. Calcium chews ate very good, too. Their protein drinks (pinapple orange) are delish, as are their other foods. Give them a try.

While I agree, it's not so easy. I mean how many times do you see posts on here about somebody eating pizza or a cheeseburger one week after having bariatric surgery (not to suggest you can't incorporate them in a balanced diet) . Unfortunately most of us have addictive behavior, and to get ahead of the curve you just have to acknowledge it and actively attempt to improve it. The OP acknowledges this, and I think was trying to justify their behavior as not that bad. But at least she's willing to learn and hopefully will use that knowledge to make better decisions going forward. I mean there's a big difference between thinking smoking will just delay your healing, and learning that it could cause a perforated ulcer causing you to completely get cut open possibly septic and have a visit to the ICU for a few weeks. Honestly I've seen that ****, and I'd rather them just kill me than put me through it.

I really liked Dr. Krook and the rest of the bariatric staff are wonderful too. I first started my WLS journey at Park Nicollet several years ago and it never worked out because I was never ready, and I was hesitant about going to HCMC too, but I was very pleasantly surprised by the whole staff. The main reason I went to HCMC instead of going back to Park Nicollet though was because I work for the county and the surgery was 100% paid for by my insurance.

To anyone who may be considering LapBand: don't. I had the procedure done in February 2008. I lost roughly 30 pounds during the first eight months, but spent the entire time vomiting back at least one meal in three. I plead with my bariatric surgeon (a man evidently so incompetent that he stopped practicing due to all the malpractice suits he was losing) to do an adjustment under flouroscopy to see how the band was functioning. He refused each time I asked, and after eight months I had an insurance coverage change that made seeing him a financial burden. My change in insurance coverage (to United Health Care, whom I recommend to NO ONE) resulted in an inability to be administered any form of bariatric care for eight years. The 30 pound weight loss was as good as it got - over the time since, I regained it all plus six pounds, all the while still vomiting about one meal in four. On August 1st my insurance coverage finally changed (to BCBS), whereupon I initiated a new round of bariatric care, the ultimate goal of which will be to remove the band, probably in favor of a duodenal switch. But just since then, I've heard of so many stories and outcomes similar to my own that I can't help but chime in and repeat: if you're considering a LapBand? Don't.

Hello Krista and welcome to LBT! Research is a great first start. I would also contact my insurance to find out their requirements and what bariatric doctors are in the network. As far as giving up certain foods forever. I was never told that by my doctor. I was always told I can all foods types, but just in modification. Now I know there are some people who are not able to eat certain foods because it does not agree with their band. I am not one of those people and I am able to eat small portions of all food types. Good luck with your research!

ok - just got off the phone with my bariatric nurse who works for United Healthcare - luckily they use the initial BMI taken at the first visit - so that's ok. Second about the surgeon - she said he was in network but the surgery center needs to be in network as well. the surgery center the surgeon is affiliated with is NOT part of the network - so i have to reinforce with True Results of matching me with a surgeon who is in network and who's is affiliated with an in network surgery center/hospital. this is 'my' surgery - and it's up to ME to make sure I have completed all the legwork and requirements of my insurance - the dr,s' office certainly won't.... time to print out acceptable surgeons and such to have with me for the 2nd visit at true results. thanks again everyone...

My Bariatric center gave me a form where my doc had to check a box stating cleared for surgery and sign it.

Teresa, you're such a card! Lisa, it's so nice to see you in good spirits and wishing everyone a Happy May when you must really be so frustrated inside. It is a beautiful day here in Boise, Idaho. Sunny, cool breeze and I'm inside. Doh! I think it's time to get my tuckus outside and do something constructive! Happy May Day everyone! Anyone want to dance around the Maypole with me? The ceremony of the maypole and maypole dancing, is symbolic of renewed life. In folklore, the common practice was to bring a new pole into the village every year representing that year's incarnation of the spirit of all growing plants - hopefully encouraging a good harvest. The tradition of dancing around the maypole is widespread through the UK, North America and Europe. Each dancer holds a ribbon and by dancing around the pole and weaving in and out of one another, the dancers gradually wind the ribbons in an intricate pattern down the pole.

Hi everyone! So I am just in the begining stages of my journey towards a healthier me but I have a few questions. Now I understand that even though others may have BCBS of MI, plans and requirements along with coverage can differ. With that being said I am just checking to see if any of you fellow BCBS of MI members have ever went through a similar situation. I am 24 years old with a BMI of 52 along with hypothyroidism, pre diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and PCOS. I have already spoke with the insurance company and verified my coverage, and the sleeve along with RNY and lap band are covered if deemed medically necessary. Which with my comorbities I meet that. Also, I was sent a paper from BCBS stating that a 6mo. medically monitored weight loss is required UNLESS your BMI is documented to be over 50. So there we go, I meet that requirement. I have my inital appointment with the bariatric program on the 29th of august along with my psych eval......just wondering if any of you have been through anything similar and if so how long did you have to wait after your inital appointment to have surgery.....I understand that after the 29th they will review my medical information along with the psych eval and determine if there are any further tests I need done prior to submitting to insurance. then after approved I will go for a preop appointment.......I have no problem doing a special eating program for awhile if my suregon requires it but I have tried 8 different diets in the last 10 years..... all of which I have lost weight and been unable to keep it off......sooooo ready to get this tool to assist me in my weight loss journey! I know it will be hard work and a lifetime of change but I am definitely ready for a healthier happier me!

I am going to OSU Bariatrics. Not for sure which surgeon either Needleman or Mikami.

Same exact thing happens to me & my husband. I use the desktop computer a lot and we both access Facebook through there. My husband would NEVER "like" Bariatric pal but it showed on my feed that he did. I also had a minor freak out since I haven't told anyone. I got over it, but i was really annoyed initially.

Hun, you have to eat. There are some great examples on here of different bariatric meal plans and guidelines that you could maybe pick from. If your surgeon literally said "eat whatever you want" then you might have to do some research on your own. Right now, your body is starving. So start off slow. Try drinking 3 protein shakes per day and maybe some protein water or protein gatorade or protein juice. Most important is getting in your protein and hydration. Try that for a week or 2, then go down to 2 shakes per day and add in a meal of maybe hummus and avocado spread, or refried beans, or cottage cheese. After 2 weeks, I was having a tbsp of hummus and a tbsp of avocado spread for a meal. After another week, go down to 1 shake and add scrambled egg, greek yogurt, and some soft (steamed) veggies like green beans, peas, carrots, or broccoli and cauliflower. By week 5, you can add in some chicken (it's a slider food, so don't over do it), black beans, cheeses, soft fruits (raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, etc). Banana is you really want, but those can be higher in carbs, so go very easy on them. By week 6, you can eat normally, but you tastes will likely change, and things you liked and tolerated before may be different now. So go slowly when trying new foods. This was the plan I followed. I also got a food scale to measure out my portion sizes until I learned to eyeball it and tell just by looking roughly how much I could have of something. You can do this...just go slow, do some research, and ask all the questions you want. That's why we're here

It sounds like you are starting to mourn the loss of your friend (food). And may be having a little pity party because you want things you can't have. I know it's easier said than done, but don't let it get you down. Focus on the long term of what you're gaining. Are your friends not supportive, or do they not know about your VSG? You could also try to find things on the menu that meet your restrictions. E.g. if you take the onions out of french onion soup, it's broth. Same for any broth-based soup, or even au jus. Chef Neil - wow, sounds like you have been to some extremely inflexible places. I don't ever ask for special deals - the price is the price and if I'm not willing to pay it, then I don't order it (that's just my take, I know others feel differently -- heck, a friend of mine likes to whip out her "I've had bariatric surgery" card and asks if they will discount her meal... usually they do not...) And I prefer not to order off the kid's menu because those are some of the least healthy foods around, usually. But I've never had a hard time ordering an appetizer, or a kid's meal when I have gotten one. If they won't sell you less soup at a lower price than what's on the menu, why not just get the regular soup and have leftovers? You're able to eat a grilled cheese sandwich less than two weeks post-op? What does your post-op food stage plan look like? (I'm researching VSG and haven't seen a post-op plan that moves that quickly -- I'm interested in knowing more).

Hi I am Rachel Voll. I was sleeved in June 2013. I have lost 54 lbs and 41 inches from my body total. I am writing a book about my journey and I have also opened The Fabulous Bariatric Closet. I have a Facebook page and we also have an online closet as well, The Fabulous Bariatric Virtual Closet. I am an Army wife at Fort Bliss.