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2 months out and I'm still exhausted
Oct517 replied to Oct517's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Not enough water but I've been working on it. Unfortunately, only hot beverages seem to go down nicely and I hate tea. I've been stuck drinking the bariatric hot chocolate and warmed up water. Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app -
stricture problem or just food sensitivity
Frustr8 replied to Lynnash2323's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
I was on Dexilent next, took it faithfully, felt results were good, was faithful up into my bariatric surgery time. Afterward what should rear it's ugly head but omeprazole. Oh no no, I told them THAT doesn't work for me. Their excuse: you can open those capsules and pour it on food or stir into applesauce. Moot point on the capsule opening, I was willing to cut the Dexilent capsules open if that was the rationale.Why not give me something that works instead of that stuff. But they insisted and I finally bent,to their will. 2 weeks in I stated THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG, and at first I was poo!pooed, You're swollen, give yourself time to heal, you're imagining things, my favorite We Are The Bariatric Weight Team, We Know What Is Best For Your Body, yeah Your Degree- My Body! Finally, I suspect, to shut me up they scheduled me an endoscopy, an EGJ, because of course, a bypassers duodenum is never easily visualized again, only the jejunem can be, the price RNY pays. And who was right? ME ME ME! I have lived in this body many years, give me a little credit please! And in addition to the stricture I thought I hand who should be there except 5 new nasty little ulcers 2 in the pouch near the stomal openings and 3 more on the back wall of the,jejunem, all grown with daily dosing of omeprazol. I have had scoping 12th October, 26th October, 9th November and another 23 November, just don' t have designated time yet. And,last time Dr Noria stated the ulceration is worse, I cannot longer be in the presence of an active smoker, indeed not even someone who has tobacco residue on their clothing, I am not yet bleeding or ready to perforated but who knows? Of the precipitating risks? Ischemia from the operation, Roux limb tension, dehydration, difficult to move past when Precious Pouch accepts no more than 3 ounces of anything without active rebellion. And after 10+ weeks it is emotionally wearying, so I have gone back to mini-cup therapy every 15 minutes, manage to get medications, vitamins, minerals in , thing,i may be living on them instead of effective calories. And since I am still on a limited Stage 2 diet it is difficult to be dietarily indisecreet. I have been on Zofran 3 times daily, now have added Carafate every 6 hours around the clock. James I would like to receive some,joy by now! I am dropping weight like an anorexic sailor, I'm tired, dizzy if I exercise very much. Clothes much looser, some people have noticed my weight loss, the average person can't be bothered to care. And I keep on keeping on and yearn for a change.😙😉😳😜 -
Glad to hear that your recovery is going well! That sharp pain near your sternum could have been from repair to a hiatal hernia which is pretty common for surgeons to fix while performing bariatric surgery. You might ask your surgeon if there was a hernia repair during your procedure. In any case, glad to hear the pain has subsided. I hear you loud and clear on the Protein shakes. No matter how many flavors I had, I dreaded the next shake!! I did find some water-based Protein drinks that really helped as they had different flavors and textures than the shakes. About Time Prohydrate and Isopure were 2 that really helped offer a variety. Also, adding Protein powder to Soup broth was a good alternative. Glad to hear things are going well and welcome to the "other side"!!
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Bunch of questions
mamachef82 replied to Adrianabelle's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
I'm still preop- but I've met all my insurance's requirements and now just have to get cleared for surgery by the psychologist, pulmonary specialist, nutritionist and physical therapist. Once the surgeon puts in the request for final approval from the insurance company, they say they make the decision in 2 weeks. My insurance only required me to talk with my doctor 3 times and get weighed- that was considered the 6 month medically supervised diet. No weight loss required. I also had to talk to a case worker with the insurance company's bariatric program every month. Once I completed the six months, I was referred on to the surgeon. I was in a situation a similar to yours- I had a baby and gained 40 pounds pretty quickly after he was born. I realized pretty early on in the six month "program" that I had developed so many habits to reinforce my dependency on food. I'm a chef by profession and used every excuse to eat and graze throughout the day, and never really have a meal, but ate nonstop after getting home from work. Now I have breakfast lunch and dinner, and track every single bite with My Fitness Pal. Even when I go 1,500 calories over my goal, I still track it. Who else am I lying to besides myself when I don't track everything? I'm trying to do everything I can to form better habits before the surgery so it's not so hard afterwards when I'm already struggling with my limited food choices. I see it as being nice to future me. Be proud of every good thing you do, and actively make good choices to reinforce that positive self talk. And most importantly, everything takes time. My surgeon requires Full payment of the copay before surgery. -
Anyone have procedure at UPMC Altoona Bariatric Center?
queenoscots posted a topic in Weight Loss Surgeons & Hospitals
Looking for details and experiences. I plan to have my procedure at this facility in February. Thanks! Sent from my SM-T813 using BariatricPal mobile app -
Choosing a Protein Powder
LisaMergs replied to missvee's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
The person to ask ideally is your nutritionist. That said, the BEST Protein for bariatric patients is 100% whey protein isolate. Unless you have another reason to avoid whey (vegan, allergy, etc.) don't stray from that. The isolate version is different that plain whey protein. It is better absorbed in the body, and quicker. Blends of whey protein ( contain other types of proteins) are a distant second. Plant based Proteins and soy proteins- for soy, again, choose the isolate. It has less carbs and fat as well as less cholesterol. There is also casein- protein powders. These are absorbed much slower- like over 6 hours. And here you want to be sure the ingredient is "Calcium casein"- so you're getting a pure form. The casein protein powders are less soluble, so they don't mix as well into milk or Water. But they keep you feeling full a long time. My suggestion would be to start with the whey isolate first. Many stores sell individual packets of different brands and flavors which allow you to try before you commit to a whole tub. Your other alternative in "shakes" are clear drinks- Isopure and Protein2O, for instance. Isopure is 100 % whey isolate, and each bottle has somewhere in the vicinity of 40+ grams of it. That's a lot! It does taste very whey-like, but hey, we're in it for the protein right? Just my .52 cents worth... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App -
VSG cramping after purees, otherwise I'm a bottomless pit for fluids
MysteryJess replied to jason2483's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
YALL!!!! OK, I am hoping someone can give me some advice. I was banded in 2009, lost 100 pounds, was at my goal weight for about 9 years. Then around Christmas of last year, I started having trouble keeping ANYTHING down. My surgeon said the band was properly placed and had not slipped. He removed all of the Fluid from my band and I gained 40 pounds in a matter of months. My insurance finally approved a revision and I had that done 4 days ago. I had no real pain, just some gas pain in my shoulder and neck. They laid out these tiny little cups and told me to "sip sip sip every 15 minutes". It didn't take long before I had both small bottles of Water drank. I was released the next day and was able to drink 2 cups of beef broth, I ate an entire cup of sugar free jello---last night I ate an entire can of thinned down cream of chicken Soup in the amount of time it would take someone who had not had bariatric surgery. I have not had my post-op follow up yet but my mom had the VSG about 18 months ago and she can only eat about a cup of food. She told me it took her an entire day to drink 1/2 of a Protein Shake. My goal weight is 145 and I am currently 169. (I am within a normal BMI and have no co-morbidity factors but the revision was approved because of all of the issues I was having with the band.) My fear is that surgeon might have been super conservative and made my sleeve/pouch larger than it should be because I don't have a ton of weight to lose. I am just hoping that someone reading this had a similar experience but felt restricted once solid foods were reintroduced. I feel like this surgery might have been a waste of time. Is there anyone out there that was successful after not having drinking limitations immediately following surgery? -
Self-pay and to BLIS or not to BLIS?
SnohoGal98296 posted a topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Ok, so I am Self-pay. I have narrowed my surgeon search down to two. Each is from a different surgical center, one provides BLIS coverage the other does not. I am torn because I like the place without the BLIS coverage more than the place that does provide it. Here are the specifics: 1) Their prices are very close to each other. 2) I called my health insurance provider and asked them their policy on self-pay procedures and the possibility of complications. The general jist is this - if you have a problem that requires additional surgery to fix, correct or otherwise revise the original self-pay procedure it will not be covered. If, however, you go the emergency room for dehydration and that is what they code - you are covered. If I later require gall bladder removal - covered. So still a huge risk if I have a leak, infection, or bleeding due to the VS procedure itself. 3) Both are within 30 mins of home - so no travel issues. 4) The place without BLIS does VSG as outpatient, you go home the same day and come back in the morning for iv fluids and leak testing. The other is an overnight stay. 5) They both have all of the certificates and awards, centers of excellence, etc. 6) Both have fans here at Bariatric Pal - saying the center is awesome, loved the people, loved the surgeon, etc. 7) I am terrified that I will have a complication and bankrupt my family. But I never have never had complications in the past Self-payers in the US - what have you done? Did you have BLIS? Did you make your decision based upon the availability of BLIS? Has anyone had a complication that BLIS paid for? How did it go? I thought I remembered a previous post where BLIS was difficult to work with but I couldn't find it again via the search.... -
Depends on your insurance requirements, as well as the bariatric program you choose. I just had my initial consult this Friday and found out my insurance does not require PCP clearance, but lots of plans do. Some bariatric programs may still require it even if it's not required by insurance. I also second suggestions to find a new PCP.
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There are many complications that can happen during and after any major surgery. The main ones that people worry about after bariatric surgery are: Bleeding, infection, blood clots, leaks, strictures, gallbladder problems, and malnutrition. There are probably 100 other things that could go wrong.... but keep in mind that significant complications only happen about 5% of the time for good surgeons. Malnutrition is an issue both close to surgery and years later. (Close to surgery, there can be a rare complication that keeps one from eating. While years out from surgery (usually gastric bypass or DS)... malabsorption can result in deficiencies (thus the need for lifelong routine bloodwork checking vitamin levels). Heart, lungs, and kidneys shouldn't be more affected by bariatrics than by any other major surgery.
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Anyone else use flinstones vitamins?
kokooned_butterfly replied to Taranurse 1's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
I was advised by my Bariatric team to take 2 Flintstone's Complete everyday along with my b12, Vitamin D3 and Tums. Sent from my PH-1 using BariatricPal mobile app -
Hello All! My band to RNY revision is scheduled for 9/13. Honestly, my decision for bypass was 2 fold: 1. Complications due to band failure. Even today, after having all of the fluid removed four years ago due to recurrent gastritis and esophageal spasms, I still struggle daily with never knowing what will get stuck, terrible reflux, sliming constantly with every meal, the chest pressure with eating anything, the nightly gas pains under my collar bones, vomiting, and belly pain. All this while eating way smaller portions than most, just to almost be back to my pre-lap band weight, plus all the problems I didn’t have before the lapband. I feel like I’m a Prius in the metabolism race. I apparently hold onto every single calorie I ingest, so malabsorption as a tool might be a more effective option for me. And removing the ban will take care of the issues. 2. My surgeon prefers band to bypass when there is a history of GERD. From my understanding gerd after sleeve is quite common. Enough so that one of the local research hospitals is currently doing clinical trials for a procedure to treat reflux specifically for post sleeve patients. I’m already experiencing a life of reflux and anything I can do to make that better instead of potentially worse is where I’m looking. I really don’t want the acute gastritis and spasms again! Nothing like heart attack like symptoms to get you started:( My revision was requested as general surgery instead of bariatric, due to all of the complications, and approved 2 weeks after being submitted. I will be having my revision in one surgery. I specifically requested that from my surgeon. He is comfortable with and has experience doing it all at once, so that is my plan. I’m very adverse to two rounds under anesthesia and post op recoveries. One of the folks who post on the forums has a favorite saying: YMMV. Your Milage May Vary. Basically, your journey is your journey. Whatever decision you and your surgeon make whether bypass or sleeve is the right one for you. You have to feel confident and empowered in the decision process. It’s your health! Educate yourself, don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and make the best choice for YOU. Good vibes to us all!
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For forum and group purposes I do the whole breakdown.... High Weight, Pre Op Weight, Day of Surgery Weight.... For everyone else I just do a total. I hate feeling like it is necessary to break it down. A loss is a loss, why does it matter if it came from surgery or before surgery? Honestly my highest was around a week before I had my first bariatric appt. I have lost all of my weight from my highest since starting this journey, part of it was required (a 5lb loss before paperwork was submitted) but I was already down 7lbs from my heaviest when I met with the clinic. Granted what he doesn't know is that during my 6mo pre op diet I actually gained to my heaviest at one point.
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At my goal weight a week away from 7 months post-op
AlteredReality replied to AlteredReality's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
I take bariatric melts (vitamins and calcium citrate). Had to start a zinc supplement, because I was a little deficient. My meals always consist of a protein (seafood, ground turkey, chicken or beans) and vegetables. I don't eat any bread, rice or regular pasta (I do zucchini noodles) and absolutely no sweets, caffeine or carbonated drinks. Starting out my exercise was just walking about a mile a day. I still walk, but do low impact strength training and will begin jogging soon. I do still have an occasional protein shake after I have finished exercising -
May want to ask your PCP about a proton pump inhibitor like protonix. Put a 2X4 under the front (casters/stand) of your bed. Build up to a 4x4. Stop going to Red Lobster, they're overpriced. FYI...if you go just order from the appetizer section...my wife had a bypass, me a lap band, three small appeizers or two large ones is our limit. One of the perks of bariatric surgery should be cheaper checks at your favorite feed bag establishment. Remember nothing tastes as good as thin feels.
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Day 2 of pre-op diet
BypassTheBS replied to BypassTheBS's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Yes! you hit the nail on the head with that one. So excited for this new chance at life with out joint pain! I hadn't even thought about a bariatric trainer. I'm definitely going to look into that now lol -
Hi-- I was also banded on 10/07 and these first five days have been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster! Last night I was in tears, I think just because of a combination of discomfort, hunger, and emotions-varying from excitement, fear, shame... and I don't know what else...... However, this morning I feel better physically, and the scale shows 10 lbs lost since surgery, so I feel renewed. Anxious to make friends to share this journey with--- and equally anxious to have some cream of wheat or applesauce or scrambled eggs! LOL Going to go look for how to add a ticker!
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CIGNA - supervised diet requirement
kar12345 replied to nightcheese's topic in Insurance & Financing
Cigna here also. 4 months from start to surgery. September kicked things off with the Bariatric program information session and scheduled my first nutritionist appointment the same week. I did the same thing and checked with Cigna on the requirements. Cigna said I could do 3 months supervised diet with a nutritionist and they gave me some names of those in their network. I had to do at least one nutritionist visit with the Bariatric surgeons office, but it was not close to my home. So I picked a nutritionist close by to meet with me 4 times (September, October, November, and December), and she documented my diet, exercise and weight. In parallel, my surgeon let me do all the pre-op appointments and tests. So timing wise, it worked out well and i had my nutritionist send my 3-month supervised diet chart notes to the surgeon immediately after my 4th appointment. By that time, I completed all the other Cigna and surgeons prerequisites and just needed the last piece from the nutritionist. Paperwork submitted week before Christmas, and approved in one week!!!! Then was able to schedule surgery mid-January. I will say it was a very very busy time, particularly because I also had to get appointments and clearances from 4 other specialists. So right away I started scheduling those. In the end, the 3 months worked out to be just the right amount of time to fit everything in ( oh and work full time and have a family, etc). So knowing your insurance requirements up front is the best thing to do!!! Best of luck!! -
Welcome to the world of the banded. You have taken the first step. Work with your bariatric people & listen to their people. We will cheer you on & try to inspire you & wish you a future of good health & happiness! :wub:
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Standard bougie sizes in the United States range from 32-50F. The bougie size is not the same as stomach size, although it does influence the size of the sleeve. Generally, the smaller the bougie, the smaller the new stomach size, but the same size bougie does not always create the same size stomach. The finished sleeve size is determined by how close the stapler gets to the guide and whether the surgeon oversews the staple line and if so, by how much. While the gastric sleeve is now widely accepted as a primary bariatric procedure, there is not yet unanimous agreement on an ideal bougie size. The decision is trying to find the size that will provide the safest results with the most amount of weight loss. With a smaller bougie size, the smaller the sleeve and greater the restriction, but greater the risk of leak and stricture rate.
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Hi! I am currently a patient at OHSU in their bariatric program. I am two months in. Hope to have suegery in early June as my insurance requires a 90 day supervised doctor program. I have met with the dieticians, program coordinators and nurse practitioners. They are all amazing. I have no doubt in my decision to choose OHSU. I have not met with the surgeon yet but I am leaning towards Dr. Mattar simply because of his extensive experience. He is the Professor of Surgery and Chief of the OHSU Bariatric Services Program.
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1st appt with Surgeon next week - What do I say?
bandedtigerlily replied to mbomba's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I also have tricare prime I just basically said id like to have bariatric surgery for my health and quality of life, I said I was ready to commit to it and understood the decision I was making. I honestly didnt have any issues when I went on base, I just said I want to have bariatric surgery for the reasons I just stated and the doc was like ok lets get things started. Im not saying your doc may be that easy but I couldnt see why they wouldn't put a referral in at your request to better your health. If you have any questions plz ask me ill try and help. I have had lap band surgery already here in Oklahoma on friday I have a revision to also have the plication done... I guess it would be no better of a time for me to write out my journey on here to help others like yourself who have tricare! -
Dr. Gould Elliot Hospital Manchester Nh.
QuilterGal replied to Candace D. Fedders's topic in Weight Loss Surgeons & Hospitals
Dr. Gould's program is a Bariatric Center of Excellence. -
I was given samples of unjury Protein powder. I ordered some online for post-surgery (I get banded 3/29). You can add it to Soups, sugar-free puddings and Jello, etc., and it is unnoticable. Be careful not to add it to anything over 130 degrees, though. (You can use a meat thermometer to measure liquid temps). When choosing protein supplements, I was told to MAKE SURE it is a whey protein isolate. I was also told to avoid GNC because they are often uninformed about protein needs for bariatric patients. If you google "unjury" you can find more info.
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I am 6 1/2 months post-op and found out Friday that I need to have my gallbladder removed. I am wondering what kind of effects, good or bad, this will have on me, my diet and my weight loss post-sleeve. Has this surgery had any effect on your average weight loss? How do the pre- and post-op diets for surgery fit with the sleeve's diet plan? Will this help with the constant gas and belching I have? What is recovery like compared to the sleeve? Anything you have found that helps with symptoms and attacks before surgery? The good thing is my bariatric surgeon is doing the gallbladder removal as well. I don't have to worry about someone in there who isn't familiar with my "compromised" anatomy. Since I've been going through this most medical professionals I've come across are not at all familiar with VSG and that worries me. I'm not looking forward to another surgery but I am relieved this pain is going to go away. (I'm in the middle of an attack right now and it's hell!)
