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Dr. Malley sounds awful. I would run from him. To cut someone open and tell them after that they need to lose 20 pounds to have bariatric surgery? That's monstrous.

I had a Midband implanted by Dr. Dineros at St. Luke's hospital in Manila, Philipines. I found the entire experience to be fantastic. I was in a famous U.S. hospital last year and did not get the treatment I got in Manila. My U.S. insurance company paid for everything but the plane fair and $600.00 US. My room had a TV, VCR, FAX, Refridgerator, Microwave, Computer with highspeed internet, cable, living room, it was great. The doctor is U.S and French trained. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and member of the American Bariatric Society. He has a full team including nutritionist, endochronologist, pulunary, psych,, and specialy trained aethesiologist. The whole thing was just top notch. I would highly recomend this option to anyone considering possibly going off shore or prefers the Midband. He also visits the U.S. every month or so.

Soooo , I just started my post-op full liquid diet and I spiced up my cream of chicken Soup to give it more of a tortilla soup flare. And as I am eating this ensemble of spice and cheap "add a can of water" soup, I have this thought. I don't think I am suppose to be eating spicy foods. Your thoughts?! Should I, a full liquid, fresh out the "miserable" hospital, bariatric newbie be eating spicy foods? Chime in Please!!!!

@ShelterDog64. As of Sept 30th, Fort Sill no longer does ANY type of surgery. We have changed to a super clinic. We don't deliver babies either. My PCM here at the Army hospital sent me to a bariatric clinic in Norman. The dietitian strongly believes that Breakfast should stay a MR shake because it has good Protein and Vitamins. She states that it is hard to get good, healthy breakfast foods that won't compromise the need for low carbs and fat. I'm sure eventually one could move away from the shakes, but I actually enjoy them and they are a part of my daily routine now.

I just had my surgery Thurs 8/24/23. I'm still new to all yhis but started a very small support group as well in IG at #thesleevesuite. My goal is to show before , during the healing process and any tips or tricks that can help others. Personally I'll. Be upset if I have to get another surgery bcus I def was in pain but mostly from the air. I do notice that it's like all Drs GUVE diff advice which I find odd. I'm going to do some rewatch in the actual organization if these surgeries so I can see their guidelines. Bcus if can get confusing. I've just been recouping and like I can't sleep. I have insomnia. But idk if I can sip some zquil. I don't want to take the pain meds and /or Xanax if I don't have tok. So if anyone wants to post on the ig I literally just started and haven't posted thd pics yet I'd love to get any input or help to support this journey of mine. Now iv one of my sons can just show me a few more things ( like cutting my head and face off the pics to uploads Or like I never knew they fill us s air which truthfully caused my pain. But I feel like any support given and recurved is fear. I could never now drunk 3 full protein shakes plus all the whydratio so im grateful my son got me the 39 mg protein shakes. I am craving food but I feel full I'm just already sick of 3 days of this no flavor stuff which is why I'm so happy I found this site. It appears to have a lot of variety and Monday I'm going to order a little but if as much as I can afford. I'll leave reviews on here. Idk if I can on my IG w out permission from the company but if you want me to add your tips and tricks just leave me a message on #Thesleevesuite. We are all in this journey together. Anyone who thinks this is the easy way out is def clueless. I'm happy to see such variety avail on here. I can't wait til Monday to order some items but I'm in a tight budget. Any suggestion I need ideas for salty snacks when im iff the protein /clear liquids. Oh yea and I'm located in the Us but I didn't have to do a ord op diet except moo after. Midnight before surgery and my oysche even struggled w that and I snuck and ice cream sandwich!! But my surgery wasn't until like 1:3o pm. It's def a very odd feeling though to FEEL full but STILL HAVE CRAVINGS. HOPEFULLY THIS PART PASSES. MY KIDS DIED LAUGHING CUS I 1/2 joked that I'd love to just lick a pizza. Lol I'm so scared of this dumping thing though I'm going to ply it safe for sure. I will be passing this site in to my sister who has full bariatric June 8th. They have great items on here. Thank you!

I did the surgery because I wasn't able to physically do anything and I have a heart condition. I'm only 42 and have a huge life I want to enjoy. I was terrified of surgery and the unknown of after the surgery, I'm a nurse and know what I'm supposed to tell patients, not anything I can actually speak of. I haven't lost a ton of weight yet but I feel like I'm starting to live... Sent from bariatric pal app I'm scared of being put to sleep I've never Been under, its the only thing that's giving me second thoughts. Any advice? Sent from my LGLS675 using the BariatricPal App I was terrified of that too! I even got on the operating table and told them I needed to pee! They gave me some drugs and I can't remember anything except for post op. I was worried about saying crazy things to everyone and I was so drugged that I didn't know my own name. Sent from bariatric pal app

Call your ins Co and ask before you start everything. Some reps will be nice enough to tell you the requirements for approval. With that BMI you probably wouldn't need comorbidities. You may need a referral to a Bariatric surgeon, letter of medical necessity etc.

I have decided to get a revision from a sleeve to gastric bypass. My heartburn is getting worse and i'm gaining weight. I was originally sleeved in 2017. I am ready for this second chance because I have to self pay. I can't believe I have two full-time jobs and I'm still concerned about costs for this procedure. My first job won't cover the procedure and the second contracting job won't either. Since being sleeved, I never got to my goal weight. If you have any recommendations for bariatric surgeons in the Atlanta area, please let me know because my original surgeon has since retired during covid. I've found one surgeon, but he's very pricey at $24,000 and it doesn't include post-op appointments (insurance can cover), labs (insurance can cover), nutritional visits, (not covered by insurance) or supplements. Any feedback is welcomed.

I struggle with the same thing. I am definitely still low energy. My surgery was 3/9/16. I think it is pretty common to be totes the first few months. I guess no one posts they are too tired to work out in Instagram. I have done workouts, but I was super tired the next day. Everyone keeps telling me it is still very early on. I have a bariatric small group training I do that really helps. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

if you call bariatric advantage their customer service line they will send you for free a nice sample package of their supplements and protein.

There is no comparason if you check the long term studies from Europe. In the U.S. the lap band is the new kid on the block and has gottan some bad press because so many of the U.S. Doctors are not qualified to do the surgeries, or haven't done very many of them. This procedure was only approved by the FDA in the last couple of years is my understanding. When I went to two specialist in bariatric surgery and requested banding they were both condesending about why I would choose this over bypass surgery. There was a suggestion that I was not as serious about weight loss if I chose banding. The new book on banding by Dr Ortiz "Lap Band For Life" should show banding in a more positive light. This book will answer alot of questions other Dr's have as well as the layman and seeker of help for life changes through weight loss surgery. Hopeful Brenda Banded September 24, 2004

You know, this period of time pre-op and post-op is so short in comparison to the rest of our lives. Surely you can adhere to the rules for the amount of time we're talking about? There is a reason the surgeon / Bariatric Center puts limitations on what we can have and everyone has already spelled it out for you: to allow time for your band to heal in place. Now I have to warn you that even when the stitches seem healed, there is still a ton of healing going on INSIDE you--so you have to be careful for six to eight weeks... This surgery is serious, so buckle down--it won't be long until you can have solids again.

My doctor is Dr Hamilton with the KC Bariatric clinic for Shawnee Mission. I'm going to start a video diary tonight on my iPad I want to be able to watch the highs and lows of this journey. Are you recording anything? What was day 1 like after surgery?? Sent from my iPhone using VST

Just saw this. I'm being sleeved by Dr. Hoehn at KC Bariatrics on 5/1. They've got an evening support group every other month. Dates are posted on their website. Shel - Olathe, KS

If you pick a good shake that's has lots of vitamins and minerals I think it shouldnt be a problem. But again I'm not a Dr. I had to do a two week 4-5 shakes a day plus clear liquids. I started that around 316 and the morning of surgery (12/10) I was 300.1. So almost 16lbs in 14 days. The shakes they put me on were Bariatric advantage and I had to purchase the through my center. They were ok. They got kinda thick upon blending and yiu could doctor them up with fruits and sf syrups. But Dr said it definitely did my liver some good Good luck to you and always check with surgeon first.

I had adult Gummi vitamins along with a vitamin d gummy but then they made me buy this bariatric advantage stuff that is chalky and huge. They have a vitamin d chew..like a caramel but tastes weird. Wondering if I should just try my otc stuff for now until I can try the others again. Yeah I don't get it. It was out of no where this nausea after a period of time where everything was normal...smh

Hi I'm a fellow Canadian who just was sleeved June 16, in Tijuana with the help of the great folks at Bariatric Pals. I'm making the trip home today and feeling great.

Hey Bariatric Pal is offering a deal if you join my Canada to Mexico WLS group!!! =Hey Hey Everyone, To Celebrate the New Canada Group and Bariatricpal.com group, we are going to have a $500 raffle discount on a Surgery with any of our Medical Teams, our goal is 250 members, if you win and have already had surgery, you can use the $500 coupon towards a plastic surgery or transfer it to a family member or friend Spread the word please?

@@Anniel2015 I did have Dr. Valenzuala. Although I only talked to her for a few minutes, she seemed nice, but more important I seem to be doing good. My experience with the Mi hospital and the Mexico Bariatric Centre was terrible. First, just watched my pajama pants 3 times as the black on the bottom from the filthy floor. I found the driver to the coordinator heret was sketchy. I have travelled enough to know that Tijuana is shady to begin with but they take you to a few stores in a shopping location and only let you buy from their "friends"...we went on our own but it is a good way to walk. Hyatt was ok, no one spoke English, rooms were nice, popsicles were just ice Water on a coffee stir stick. My nursing care was bad. But yet I hear rave reviews and that confuses me. Its not a hospital, its a very very small clinic with construction going on and really no hall ways to walk through post op. I was inventive and just went from one floor to the next...not what the brochure says. They gave me morphine, which I cant handle and I told the "nurse"t understand me and gave it to me any way. MY IV wasn't working most of the time, so keep an eye on it. I had blood all over my bed and they never changed it from them attempting to get the IV in my left hand. I demanded the them to try the right hand as my left one was size of football. Now this is just my opinion, a few ladies at the same time had minor issues but were satisfied with the MI hospital. There is another doctor who spoke English and he was good, he checked up a lot and if it wasn't for him I probably would be more upset. We left a day early to get the F out of Tijuana ( hate it) but 8 days out I have to think of the operation itself......and it was good.

Hello everyone!! I am also a military spouse and began my lap-band® journey in December 2009 with a visit to my PCM. She made the referral and within a few days I received a call stating that I had been accepted into the Bariatric program here in Ft. Campbell. Since then, I attended an introductory workshop and learned about all of the pre-surgery and post-surgery requirements for their program. I am very impressed with the attention to detail that they put into this program in order to have their patients succeed (short/and long term). I was told 2 weeks ago I would be called in 30/60 days with a date to meet with the surgeon, but already recieved a call this morning and am scheduled to see him on Feb 5th. Tomorrow I begin bloodwork, and also will pick up a packet with further instructions. So far, everything has been relatively simple and I am relieved about that. I assume I will have the surgery sometime before the end of March? (I hope that is the case anyhow, because my husband deploys mid-March and I would prefer to have him around when I have the surgery) General Question - How long have you had to wait between your initial surgeons visit and banding?

For the past ten days, I have been experiencing constant dull nausea in my lower abdomen. It worsens when I eat (so I'm only getting about 400 calories a day) and sometimes I have to lay in bed because sitting and eating can increase the nausea. I messaged my bariatric surgeon last week and only heard back from his nurse on Monday. She was rather dismissive, saying that I might have the stomach flu and I should write again in a few days if I'm not feeling better. I also messaged my PCP who does not have a bariatric background, and she hypothesized that it might be heartburn (I don't think so -- I have no pain in my chest or upper abdomen) but said if the nausea continued, she would see me in her office. But again, she's not familiar with the surgery and possible complications, so might not know what tests to order. I spent time researching through Dr. Google and got worried about internal hernias, which could be life-threatening if left untreated. Apparently, sometimes the only symptom is mild nausea. Or maybe I have an ulcer. Am I worrying too much? Has anyone else had a long episode of nausea (lasting over a week) that resolved on its own? Or was from another cause? As you can see, I am already seeking proper medical advice, so only would like to hear anecdotal information and suggestions. Thanks.

Hi, I'm new to the site and I am so glad I found it. I have so many questions about what other people have gone through before and after having bariatric surgery. I have been reading a lot of threads and have enjoyed reading everybody's comments. I have been struggling with my weight for many years and have now decided to have the gastric sleeve. I have done most of my pre-op consultations already and just had my upper GI done today. I just need to have an echo and stress test next week and get my doctor to sign medical necessity form as well. I'm scheduled for Jan 22, 2014 and I am nervous about failing. I love to eat, obviously....My husband is totally against me having this surgery. He thinks that it's all about self control and that I should be able to control myself and what I eat and I don't know how to explain my feelings for food and how it makes me feel, whether good, bad or indifferent. I have friends who have had the band, and bypass and have been peppering them with questions. I just don't want to fail. I would love to hear from anyone out there. Thanks...Carol

Better than sippy cup you can get about 100 medicine cups from Amazon for about $3-5. I had to reorder after my first week. And I highly recommend that you DO in fact make a serious investment in your protein. Since you will no longer be spending money on other food you can have a spending spree on your protein and liquid and vitamins and still save money. I highly recommend Premier Protein Vanilla shakes, Vitamin Water Zero, and Pacific "Bone Stock" chicken broth. You can get these all on Amazon. The Premier Protein are READY to drink...i.e. No powder. They are $7.62 for 4 or $1.90 each and if you were getting a less expensive meal pre op let me know. The Bone Stock is ridiculously expensive at about $5 for two 8 oz servings but again that's $2.50 per meal now which is NOT expensive. Just also keep in mind that you will not sit down the day you get home from the hospital and chug an entire 8oz of broth or an entire 11 oz premier protein at once. It will take you at least an hour to get down that much of either. If you are buying powder Bariatric Advantage is the highest quality and best nutrition that there is and their Orange Cream flavor is very nice. If you skimp on this stuff, you are only skimping on yourself. If you get cheap vitamins you will not absorb them so well. If you get plain Campells chicken broth, well that is more of a salty liquid than a protein because it only has like 1 gram of protein per serving. Pre op I preferred and bought lots of beef consommé and chocolate shakes but post op I did not want ANYTHING remotely beefy or chocolatey. I'm 9 months out now and will have about 1 square a day of some REALLY good dark chocolate with almonds but I was about 3 months out before I really tried any. SPEND your paycheck on your nutrients:-) Do NOT shortchange yourself, this is not the time. Short changing ourselves is what got a lot of us to need the surgery to begin with. Take care of YOU girl. YOU Deserve it!!! [emoji4]

Basic Cheesecake 1 8-ounce container fat-free cream cheese ½ pound soft tofu ½ cup egg substitute 6 packets artificial sweetener ½ teaspoon vanilla ¼ teaspoon almond extract 6 tablespoons egg white substitute ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar butter flavored cooking spray 1) Preheat oven to 350 F 2) In large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together cream cheese, tofu, egg substitute, sweetener, vanilla, and almond extract until smooth and creamy 3) In a small bowl, using an electric mixer, whip egg white substitute with cream of tartar until it forms stiff peaks 4) Gently fold whipped egg whites into cream cheese mixture 5) Coat an 8-inch square cake pan with cooking spray and pour in batter. Place cake pan into a baking pan until it reaches halfway up the sides of the cake pan. Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes 6) Let cool for at least 4 hours. Calories: 59.13 Protein: 7.98 g Fat: 0.84 g Carbohydrates: 3.91 g Cholesterol: 5 mg Fiber: .34 g Sodium: 185.46 g I got this recipe out of a cook book for bariatric surgery patients (Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery by Patt Levine and Michele Bontempo-Saray). This cookbook has some great recipes and breaks each one down into the amount of calories, fat, etc. You can buy it at any Barnes and Noble or online.

I think the YouTube videos are a great idea! I want to start photo journaling my progress. So far people have been commenting on their notice of my weight loss (about 30lbs since my first consultation 15 of which is from the preop diet) but I don't notice it. Maybe if I can show others the consist progression of weight loss and healthy living, they will see that bariatric surgery isn't the easy way out. It's the decision to change your lifestyle. They may even be inspired to have their own surgeries.