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I personally have always taken Bariatric Vitamins, I tried the chewables even Flintstones YUK YUK!!! I buy Celebrate Capsules for $15.00 for 90 capsules. I buy 4 at a time so I don't have to pay S/H. I was told that you can open them and add them to food if you can't swallow them. I was told from the beginning that I needed to take a Bariatric Vit. I know that Dr.'s don't always agree. But I figured I would rather be safe than sorry. Thats just me tho.

...something comes up to likely stop it altogther. Finally, after waiting 3 weeks for the initial wls seminars in my area for the 2 drs I'm considering (& getting my DH on board for me to get lap band (self pay) ) we just found out that DH may be out of his job! More than me getting wls, I'm so sad for him. The worst part is that he's not getting laid off. His industry isn't bad. Its literally like they just are letting him go for no reason. Well, they haven't officially yet but its looking that way. He spent yesterday refreshing his resume & contacting other firms. We'll see what happens. I haven't worked in almost 4 years. Its a little embarassing to make a student loan payment on a degree you don't use but I hope to work one day again. I always used to feel like I was overlooked, underused, and unappreciated because I was fat & frumpy. (Technically, I still am! ) Anyhow, I don't currently bring in an income to help. Fortunately, dh is an excellent saver & we can live for almost a year if he was out of work. Unfortunately for me, it was to be some of that savings for lapband. Now what do I do? Dh and I are supposed to go to wls seminar #1 tonight (for the Davis Clinic here in Houston.) I already know my insurance doesn't cover any bariatric surgery (but even if it did- my husband's insurance is now precarious as it is.) I was so excited at the prospect of lap band before the holidays. Now I feel guilty. Dh said we could still go to seminars and if his employment situation changes, it may still happen that I get 'banded' (someday.) I hope tonight brings some good alternatives & ideas for payment. On the one hand I really feel this surgery will save my life. On the other- how do I reconcile taking food off our table if given the option? I'll update post seminar.

I mentioned before that Lexie, my only friend I've told about me getting bariatric surgery, told me that she heard the "sleeve" was better than the "band." My gastroenterologist said the same thing and wanted me to look into it and talk to the surgeon about the sleeve option. I mentioned it to the counselor today and she briefly said that she sees very few Gastric Bypass patients any more as most patients are choosing the band or the sleeve. She said it's been 50/50 on band vs. sleeve patients. She admitted that there's been more WL issues with the band patients (slower loss, not any loss, and band failure) in HER practice but she was quick to state that it doesn't mean that it isn't good and won't work. She simply said that in her practice there that the sleeved patients lose weight faster and have fewer WL issues apparently. She agreed with my gastro's advice in speaking with the surgeon and deciding what would be best for me. She told me to research both, have pros and cons, and analyze the options. Then have a list of questions for the surgeon when meeting with him. I planned to do that any way and I didn't get the feeling she was pushing sleeve. I think she was being very honest with me about her experience with both sets of patients which I appreciate. Here's my initial PRO/CON list for Sleeve and Band... (after I research more, I'll likely update and/or change and fix my list!) SLEEVE Pros: 1. One surgery, no "fills" (so I won't need to tote my toddler with me in for regular fills.) 2. Decrease in "ghrelin" hormone that induces hunger due to stomach portion removal 3. Faster weight loss (more immediate results) 4. No "bandster hell" 5. Much higher success rate associated with this procedure. 6. My friend and one of my dr's recommended this procedure and thought it might be the better option for me. Cons: 1. No way to fix or reverse at all 2. Staples may pop, cause leaking, or fail 3. No long term data including effects on pregnancies 4. There is still a possibility/likelihood that the sleeve will stretch out and may need revision later. 5. Hernias apparently more common with this procedure lately. 6. I haven't researched the dietary guidelines post op so I have no idea what the longterm eating management includes. (Maybe I'll research that next and do a post on the differences of that.) BAND Pros: 1. Reversible/removable 2. No removal of anything 3. Necessary dr appt followup (with fills) will cause constant analyzing of program/plan and communication with surgeon 4. As I need it, I can go in and get it adjusted tighter to meet my needs. 5. Two doctors recommended this procedure over sleeve or GB for me due to my medical history. Cons: 1. Possibility of infection of band OR port 2. Regular followup and fill appointments 3. Bandster Hell and the months it will take to get to Sweet Spot. 4. Possibility of necessary revision to sleeve or whatever..(have read several posts online of 3 and 4 year post banders going in for gastric bypass, sleeve, etc.) 5. May not solve my hunger issue. 6. Have heard from more than one person that as they got closer to goal- their port site or actual port became more visible- yikes! 7. Over fills.. this sort of worries me. I don't want to get overzealous and get over filled and then have to race back in to get unfilled and then wait weeks to get filled again. 8. The waiting between fills. I understand why it is set up that way but it doesn't mean I have to like it. This is just my preliminary thoughts on both. I'm not an expert, I haven't decided yet, and I don't even know if the surgeon will think I'm a candidate for the sleeve. I'm starting to consider it as an option though. I've got some research to do.

I'm calling GOAL! Was sleeved 8/31/13 with Baja Bariatrics in Tijuana Mexico (Dr. Illan) and went from 326lbs to 155lbs! I originally had said 150lbs would be goal but I truly don't feel like I need to lose anymore weight. Now the fun part of maintaining begins. I still have A LOT of restriction in my eating. I've been very determined to work this tool as best as possible and stayed on my high protein/low carb eating plan to the best of my ability. The support I've received from my sleeve sisters/brothers have been a big key to my success as well. My daughter has lost 115lbs and my hubby has lost 65lbs. This by far was the best decision of my life. I eat to live now instead of live to eat! ((hugs))

I worry about folks who think that healthy eating and having VSG rather than RNY will protect them from deficiencies. I consider my intake to be very healthy, AND I take good quality bariatric Vitamins, and still ended up with deficiencies. Maybe it's just marketing hoo-ha, but I'm willing to believe it matters which brand of vitamins you take, because the source of the nutrients differs, and some are more readily absorbed than others. We were all told to take Calcium CITRATE, not CARBONATE, right? So it makes sense to me that other nutrients in a multi-Vitamin may also differ. I'm willing to pay more to take a Multivitamin that's formulated for post-ops. And while it's true that we don't have the same risks of deficiencies as RNY post-ops, we still have smaller stomachs, and many of us are on PPIs long-term, impacting absorption of nutrients that require an acidic environment. I'm vigilant, but I still ended up extremely low in thiamine and Iron. I keep up with my tests, and I focus particularly on calcium, since I can't check that with a blood test. I had a bone density scan done along with a DEXA scan a couple of years ago, but since most women in their early 40s don't have bone density scans done, my PCP tells me there's not good data to compare my results to. I'll test again in a couple of years so I can compare to my prior results.

And like the line from an old Roger Miller song "You Can Be Happy If You've a Mind To" My dream goal 175 my Bariatric Table Goal 140, what I would really think doable

Yeah on mine, James M. it said " vomiting of a prolonged period" well I called my Bariatric Clinic in such a case, was told by one of their Nurse Practioners I was delusional, I knew dang well there was NOTHING WRONG with me and to stop bothering them. Oh I have not called them again, I will be 10 months on Friday next and I don't believe I should still have frequent episodes of emesis My local community hospital, knicknamed "the BandAid station" is even worse, sad to say. They are not sure WTF to do with me, maybe they hope for constipation, fever, headaches and other "easy peasy "things, something within their competences. But a bypass patient, like a purple- spotted giraffe, interesting to look at, but what DO YOU. REALLY DO WITH one?👈👩👉

My first appt. was with the bariatric doctor in April and I had one in May, June and July. I didn't go to a PCP (didn't have one) until June and she sent me for the blood work and did the EKG, etc. She also signed the required letter stating she recommended me for the surgery. Keep in mind, if your insurance is like mine, you have to have 90 days elapse between the 3 physician visits before submitting. For example, you can't go for the first on June 30th, next on July 30th and last on August 1st. I am thinking you will have to submit in Sept which is right around the corner. My surgery is tomorrow. Woo Hoo! Good luck to you and stay positive!

People need to take self accountability and not ask enablers to validate their poor behaviors. I need to lose some more weight and have fallen back into some old bad behaviors, but I take full responsibility for my actions, regardless of what the stresses may be; recently they have been quite significant. I like to paraphrase and modify what Harry Truman said: "The fork stops here". As in, I ultimately control what food I eat. Bottom line, everyone should have been briefed on the basics of pre/post bariatric surgery lifestyle changes. If someone is not sure, they can easily research the information from reputable.sources on theinternet or ask their doctors and nurses. Unfortunately enablers and people validating their bad or dangerous behaviors can appear to some of the readers as acceptable. We can't save the world, but we can help people who want to be helped.

You are not old! And you are certainly not to old for this surgery...in my endeavor to get bariatric surgery I had to go through a 6 month process. An entire group of us started at the same time. About 60 people...at 37 I was one of the youngest in the bunch. Those who fell between 40-50 were the largest group by far. About 90% female. I have kept in touch with some of the gals and none have said it was a problem with there surgeons. I actually met someone in there 70's who did it. I'm sure there will be others posting after me that will encourage you and assure you that you are not to old! Best of luck to you!

Since you mentioned you've posted several times about already having a "stall", I will respond with a excerpt from an article written on Bariatriceating.com because it may be of interest to you: Your internal surgical wounds must heal – this is no time to go to the mall, out to dinner, visiting friends and on vacation. Sew what? In terms of food, you must stick to your surgeons program for post op food stages. You need time to allow the tiny pouch cut and sewn from the fabric of your giant floppy stomach to heal itself closed. We have all glued something only to have the seams pop open. The liquid & soft food stages are to avoid stressing pouch seams and give your stomach a break from the process of digestion. Is ice cream a puree? Sirloin steak is not a soft food. Ice cream is NOT a puree. You can’t eat popcorn, raw carrots or celery ten days after surgery. People ask if we think they could have a pork chop, we say ‘no’, they eat it anyhow, then tell us ‘they didn’t have a problem’. NO alcohol for a year… NON-negotiable… but people push back saying their surgeon said five weeks was okay. Folks… we know better and we are trying to help you. General Tso? NOT your friend The post op dietary stages are not a suggestion, they are a requirement for you own safety. You cannot eat Chinese food the week after surgery because you ‘chew it well’. A ‘craving’ for Orange chicken landed one support group member in the hospital! It’s a very bad idea to push. Being ‘released’ to ‘regular food’ does not mean what you think it does, but you already know that. How long until you can have pizza again? “Pizza is not a food for someone having obesity surgery.” (that’s a quote from Dr. N on My 600 lb Life) Every single week in our support group, these actions land new post ops in the hospital. Sip sip sip sip sip… If you had a back injury, you would not tile your kitchen floor the same week. Yet, people think nothing of making a trip to a theme park when they should be at home resting and taking in fluids. People ask us ‘Do you think I would be able to go on a cruise two weeks after my sleeve?’ (Nooooo!) As high as 30% of post ops are dehydrated enough to land back in the hospital with a Fluid IV. Not drinking enough Water after surgery can cause heart damage. Dehydration is the most common bariatric complication, yet it’s largely avoidable. Stay home and heal… drink hot water, cold water, broth, Diet Snapple, herbal tea, eat sf ice pops and Jello. (We have a free bariatric water app called HY, click for GetHyApp.com) Vitamins are critical It is impossible for you to have your stomach surgically removed or reconfigured and take in the nutrients needed to run your body. While your surgeons group has mentioned Flintstones, that is so you will possibly take something instead of being one of the 67% of post ops who take nothing. They are not optimal and won’t prevent long term problems like broken bones from simple falls and losing teeth, but may keep you from dying in the short term. The idea behind supplements is to prevent issues from grabbing you in twenty years when it’s too late to change the path. Take them! Protein from food? What a novel idea! Yes, yes, yes, we’d all like to get our protein from food and that’s what you want to hear. However, if you are unable to take in 70 grams of protein per day, you can either weaken and lose your hair or you can figure out another way until you are able to learn and eat the right foods. Protein drinks make up the difference between what you can eat and what you need. They are not simply a tasty beverage for your enjoyment for you to be all picky and ridiculous over. They are the antidote for your disease of morbid obesity. Morbid means death and obesity surgery only slows and reverses the disease IF you follow your plan. I personally like their no-nonsence approach to this life altering surgery we've all had. Also, yes to wait staff looking strangely at us but it won't last long. I found it harder for them when I wouldn't want to order anything to drink since we can't drink while eating. Now I tell them, "No thank you, I don't drink when eating". I've been asked "why?" many times. I then tell them how no one should because it doesn't allow your food to be properly digested when liquid is present. 95% of them tell me they're going to try it. I wish you nothing but success

Surgery is June 3rd! My dietitian said gummies do not have Iron. I used to take them. She said after surgery Flintstones chewables are fine 1 week after surgery. I also will be taking b12 sublingual (they dissolve) and citrical chewables. I tried the bariatric Vitamins and they made me nauseated.

You said, "i'm not into weighing so i just eyeball everything." Have you not been given guidelines for eating from a bariatric nutritionist? If so, why are you "testing" your sleeve so early in your recovery period. Has no one given you any guidance on eating plans at all? This early in your stage you are not supposed to be eating until you feel full or stuffed.

I take bariatric advantage berry. It's pretty good and specifically developed for us. Good luck!

Just trying to help - I am lucky enough to live in Salt Lake City, where there are numerous bariatric surgeons, and for self-pay I recommend Dr. Daniel Cottam or any other doctor at Bariatric Medical Institute in Salt Lake City, because they have their own surgical center, so you end up paying less than if you were going to a hospital. They are across the street from a major hospital in the event of an emergency, but he has done thousands of successful surgeries, myself being one of them. My surgery in August 2021 was $15,000 total for both doctor and surgical center. You could drive to SLC from Oregon (or have someone drive you), so no airfare either. I did not need to be near a bathroom after going home for anything other than what would be considered normal.

Okay...I wasn't going to mention this, but guitarman is right. Three years ago, I read that the New Zealand LapBand doctors had their patients undergoing a liquid diet to "shrink the liver." BTW, it was not as strict as what's being done now. Little by little, doctors started adopting this procedure. I wrote to the NZ doctors to ask about the diet. They were doing a study at the time, to "prove" their theory. But part of their answer was that if patients were not ready for the diet, they didn't have the necessary self-control for the surgery. (Asses.) Well, I still can't find the results in the literature...and I know surgeons who never have had such a protocol and have records as good or better than those Kiwi docs, so...IMHO.. The shrink-your-liver diet is a bariatric surgeons' urban legend. Not only is the proof that this accomplishes much more than giving patients the runs not easily located...but funny how none of the other surgeons I've mentioned this to have even heard of it. Relax. Oh yeah, post-op, I asked my surgeon about it. He said, "Your liver goes 'this-a-way' instead of 'that-a-way,' so it wouldn't have mattered." Oh, well.

Dr. Jalil Illan and his team at Florence/Oasis of Hope Hospital is absolutely the only way to go for bariatric surgery in TJ.....hands down the best experience from beginning to end - I am 2 weeks post-op and down 15 pounds - I was comfortable and felt like family the ENTIRE time - I was in constant contact during the pre-op portion of my journey and all the way through to my first step back in San Ysidro - and they have checked on me several times since my surgery as well (what American doctor does that??) I felt safe and secure and now am on a pathway to a healthier life ahead of me - Dr. Illan was so assuring and kind - I am a very talkative and inquisitive person and he answered all my questions and made me feel at ease - I work in a hospital in the States and I know what to look for - the hospital staff was courteous, attentive and took wonderful care of me - I had a friend with me but when I woke up from surgery, my coordinator, Omar, was the one just reading in the chair in my room until I was awake - he notified my husband when I was out of surgery and kept my family "in the loop" - which of course made it moved smoothly at home. The private, clean rooms at Oasis are definitely a bonus and I even had a beautiful window view! Please feel free to message me if you have any questions - I am happy to help!

I can't speak to specifics on the MGB, but when my wife and I first started looking seriously at WLS some fourteen years ago, it was an offbeat procedure looking to gain respect and legitmacy. Since then, both the DS and the VSG have gained general acceptance by the ASMBS, the insurance industry and Medicare as routine, mainstream bariatric procedures, while the MGB remains on the fringes. I would focus your research on understanding why this is. Usually the reason lies with some combination of effectiveness and complications. No one goes into this planning to need a revision (excepting the few cases where two step procedures are planned from the outset,), but having a viable "plan B" isn't a bad idea, and some procedures are more flexible in this regard than others.

Any time you tinker with digestion, it can affect how meds are absorbed (especially with the bypass or duodenal switch). Your bariatric team should have reviewed your meds to identify possible issues prior to surgery. Hopefully they will get it figured out quickly for you. My team did a good job of reviewing my meds and discussing the likely affect of my WLS but I still ran into trouble with the blood thinner I was taking (Xarelto). My hematologist tried to switch me to another med since the Xarelto requires a lot of food to be bioavailable but my insurance refused to cover it. So wouldn't you know it, I got a blood clot six months after surgery. Now I take injectable Lovenox because there's no requirement to have food with it. The Lovenox is more expensive than the drug my insurance refused to cover, plus they had to pay for my hospital stay when I had the clot. Go figure, right?

Does anyone from the Boise area have any idea if the St Lukes Bariatric doctors have certain days they do surgeries and certain days they are in clinic? I am wondering if Dr Valentine has a schedule. I will be having surgery the end of May and was hoping that I could have it on a Monday or Tuesday, but someone told me that certain doctors have certain days they schedule surgeries on and that my doctor usually does them on Thursdays and Fridays

Hi, I live west of Alexandria on Hwy 27. I started a Minnesota site but have no action so far. I'm a 7 year Lap Bander and I would not part with my great little tool. Let me know how you are doing. I'm actually looking for a Bariatric Doctor, mine is in Abbott NW, Minneapolis, and I want to transfer to someone who really takes time with you & has a pleasant personality. I have had Cancer & Breast Removal in 2012 and Minneapolis is pretty far to drive to just be hurried through when I have a Lap Band ckup appointment. Would you have a recommendation? I am an internet Lap Band Forum Fan. Folks here are so helpful.

I only visited the one... it probably would have been a good idea to visit 1 or 2 others but I had gotten his name from another bariatric patient and was anxious to get the process started. I had the sleeve done because I was insistent upon it but he was kind of pushy about bypass and didn't listen much to my concerns wrt how bypass would affect me as a college student in particular... and his APN (who I have all my post-op appointments with) seems really against me being on sites like this which I think is kind of weird. So I think I might have been happier with another surgeon/team but my results have been pretty good so it's whatever. If you think the commute might be an issue I'd visit the closer surgeon just to get an idea for it.

Congratulations! Glad to hear another person is doing well. Listen to your body, follow the instructions from your bariatric center & walk, walk & walk.

:thumbup: Hey I was called today by Dr. Idhe's office in Dallas and told my insurance (UMR) does not cover Bariatric surgeries, so sorry thats it...$13,000 all inclusive cost:svengo:. Can anyone help me find a Doctor in Dallas that will go to bat for you. Or a doctor that finances. I dont have the means to get hold of that kind of cash. My BMI is 54.4, my knees are bad, I tore my achellies tendon and I have a job that requires me to be on my feet all the time.HELP... HELP..... HELP!!!

Hi all---I have two more appointments in first week of November and I think that I have met all of my presurgical requirements for insurance. Do you think I could get a surgery date during my appointment with the bariatric doc? I am a little nervous in the "not knowing stage" and wondering how long it took to actually get an appointment......I am in my fifth month of dietary waiting period---that is with documentation--I am planning my surgery at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh......anyone else????? also....how do i get one of those weight loss progression things to show my weight loss? I started at 42 bmi, currently at 40---presurgery