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I am glad you are finally discovering this. My concern/question is why have you not been tracking your protein with the goal of meeting your protein goal all along? Did you not receive any nutritional education from your surgeon, NUT, and/or bariatric team? This is such a vital part of post-op nutrition it is still amazing to me that so many people seem to not know this. I really am just curious. Edited to add: never mind, I just realized that it was your surgeon giving you this advice. SMH.

We are in violent agreement, if your goal is to maximize muscle mass, control appetite, typical bariatric patient goals- spread it out. I figure no more than 30 at a meal but in truth it rarely exceeds 20-25. So i eat 4, maybe 5x a day and hit about 90-100 g daily. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using the BariatricPal App

Hi there! I’m 38 years old in Central California. Married to my absolute best friend with the most awesome little dudes (ages 4 and 2). I’ve battled with my weight my entire life. No joke, my mom put me on my first diet in the 3rd grade, which likely set off the years of self hatred and body shaming. About 6 years ago I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia (via endoscopy), and as of late it’s really gotten significantly worse. I just had another endoscopy on Tuesday and I am awaiting results. Anyhow, since my gastroenterologist suggested I might consider bariatric surgery, as that’s the only way they will repair the hiatal hernia at my current weight (304.6)...it’s all I can think about and am doing as much research as I can. I also signed up for an online seminar at the bariatric office at my local hospital. They do three surgeries at the hospital, lap band, sleeve, and gastric bypass. I’m leaning toward the sleeve, but honestly I just don’t know which is the best option (I don’t want to do lap band, just because I’ve read that it’s not as effective at losing weight). Anyhow, can you tell me a little about your experiences with sleeve or bypass. I only know two people that have had bariatric surgery, and they both have glowing reviews... But I know it’s not all sunshine and lollipops for everyone. Thanks in advance!

One thing that you will find out about bariatric surgery, is that it not only facilitates losing weight - it will make you stronger emotionally. Your relationships will morph as you become someone that your people don't know. Give your Mom a steak knife and ask her to stab you in the back. Hopefully she won't, but maybe she could make the connection that her words cause damage and hurt just as much. Hugs from Chicago.

Does anyone know how far back bariatric Dr's will look at medical history? I met with a nut about a year ago and have been through 4 weight loss programs since 2008. I already was diagnosed with sleep Apnea so I feel like all I need to do now it see a psychologist, but not sure if they will accept me seeing the nut a year ago? Anyone else? Thanks Jen Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It's a glitch for us. I hope they can find a way to set it for bariatric patients Sent from my SM-G920T using the BariatricPal App

@@LittleBill they've heard it all from bariatric patients. It's in their FAQ. They know that some people, including WLS patients, are under doctor's supervision and are cleared to eat VLCD, but they will not change their program. It's not worth anyone's time to bug them about it.

I was kind of horrified that I had to tell my surgeon’s office this. Seems like something they should know, given how many bariatric patients have thyroid issues and take biotin.

I am using Centrum chewables (the ones with iron), I use fish oil which are large so for after surgery I bought two flavors of liquid fish oil that I can add to food I eat (lemon & pina colada), I bought a Bariatric Advantage b-complex which I have yet to receive in the mail so am not sure what that is like, I use the Bariatric advantage Calcium chewables (my Dr. recommends calcium citrate not calcium carbonate)...I think that's it. I currently take glucosamine chondrotin or however it's spelled....for arthritis in my knee. I bought a mortar and pestle to crush them but then found they are available in liquid. Haven't worried about that one as it isn't as crucial although once I am cleared to work out, I will need to start it back up.

Not on dialysis SandiJ but I just wanted to say hello, and wish you the best. Hope that you find the answers you need! My sleeve was done outpatient in a great hospital, and I was home in 8 hours. I think you need to consult with the finest Bariatric surgeon you can find.

Hi, I got the Realize band June 5, lost some weight was doing good and then on June 23 I got a blood clot in my leg, when I came out of the hospital, even though I got very little to eat, did the bariatric diet, I weighed as much as I did in the beginning. I can not get back on track, I am about to pass my pre surgery weight. And to top this off, I am losing my hair, even though I am eating a regular diet. Any suggestions?

I have been in the position of responsibility for infrastructure and upgrades and I was a paid full-time employee. I never had to endure the amount of abuse and bitching that has happened here in the last few days. If I had, I would have gone straight to my boss and HR. The amount of abuse that has been heaped upon Alex and his colleagues due to this upgrade has been downright ugly at times. I just hope people realize that he could decide to just close the site completely and do something else with his free time, and that we should all be grateful to him for the time and money he has thrown into this site, just to educate people about bariatric surgery. This is not a government-sponsored website and it is certainly not our right to have access to it. It is our privilege. SydneySusan, fair enough, keep giving feedback. But can't we all be a bit nicer about it?

I have a quick question. If I order some bariatric vitamins that are for helping to stop hair loss will this effect my bariatric multivitamin? Like will I get too much of certain vitamins? Also has anyone tried these and did they help or not? I am losing tons of hair after 3 and a half months out from surgery, it’s scaring me I need some advice!

I called my claims administrator today, I was starting to get panicky about the timeline, and someone offered me some solid advice and calmed me down until I could call. I'm very concerned about being able to have my sleeve done before the end of the year. Effective January 1st, my insurance will change, and I will lose my bariatric surgery coverage. I started this process officially end of July, but had seen my PCP in June and July to try and see what could be done about my weight. So, I called. We rearranged my appointments a little bit to get about another week squeezed into my timeline. I'm up for team review the 25th of September, from there, I schedule my consultation with the surgeon. I'll have two more visits to meet insurance requirements, the last one is on November 1st. After my appointment I call this gal back and she submits everything to my insurance. She said it should take a week, but we'll have an answer by November 8th. After that, it's just a matter of pre-op, and scheduling surgery. Could be all said and done as early as December 6th. SQUEE

What an experience! Thanks for sharing. I really hope you can see a therapist in addition to your renewed efforts. So much of this process is emotional. Maybe having someone talk your binging and emotional eating through with you will help with your journey this time around.

This might be late information to this thread, but hopefully it will help someone in the future. If you're from Ontario, Canada you can check out all the information at http://www.ontariobariatricnetwork.ca Just have to get your doctor to refer you into the registry, then you'll get a letter in the mail about 1-2months later telling you when your orientation date is... from there you're on your journey! There are bariatric centres in Hamilton, Toronto, Guelph, and Ottawa that you can have the surgery at. The bypass & sleeve surgeries are both covered by OHIP!! So rejoice!! I sure am!! :purplebananna: :not_ripe: There's a and shares some of the out of pocket expenses she had, so this might help you as well when saving money for this surgery. Hope this helps my fellow Ontarians! :cornut:

Hi Mollsy I too have no follow up for six weeks, although I had a telephone call from the specialist bariatric nurse, and I too can call, which I have, if needs be. I have my first follow up appointment with the surgeon and then an appointment with the dietician in another four weeks. I had my procedure with the NHS with Shaw Summers team in Portsmouth.

If they fill your body cavity with gas, how does it get into your intestinal tract? I'm just curious how that actually works. It's not like they fill your stomach and intestines with gas, right? My understanding of things, is this...you have a shortened length from food entering and exiting. Hence the extra gas coming much sooner after eating a meal. In my case, I have an even shorter distance for it to travel, since I'm missing a foot of colon as well, from a previous colon resection. So, when I eat...20 - 30 minutes later, I'm heading to the bathroom. If it doesn't improve, they want me to see a G.I. Dr. soon. I've had diarrhea ever since the surgery (6 weeks ago). Negative for C Diff. They tested me for that. I think it's best if you are having issues, and it's bad, let your bariatric team know. It might be a food allergy you didn't have, or an intolerance to something you didn't have before. Or they might be able to prescribe something to help.

Just wondering if anyone has Lumenos insurance and how fast/slow they were with the process of approving you. The bariatric coordinator says that they usually gove approval but wasn't really sure on the time frame...I'm just so ready and waiting is very hard(you all know this though:rolleyes:!!).

When I had my psych consult (pre-op), the therapist said I hadn’t failed those scores of diets over the years; the diets had failed me. Having had the bariatric surgery, I have to say this: No, it has not been easy, but I feel like my body is my friend now, and I’m not always fighting it to get my weight down.

Congratulations on your amazing success and progress. I wish you much luck in your renewed efforts and achieving your goal weight!

I can't commiserate with you on the severity of the acid symptoms you're experiencing, mine were much less severe. However, I can offer a suggestion on the change of insurance issue. I moved to a different state after I was sleeved. Therefore my bariatric practice was no longer available to me and most bariatric practices don't want to pick up bariatric care after someone else did the surgery. I was having some GERD issues and was concerned about the long-term use of PPIs, so I went to a gastroenterologist. He is good and understands the issues surrounding VGS. So, if your insurance prohibits you from going to your bariatric surgeon, go to someone who specializes in stomach issues (gastroenterologist).

No advertisement, just a recommendation. Bariatric Mindset Success 6 month accountability workbook. This workbook I found on amazon is helping a ton. Keeps everything in one place. I’m feeling more in control and less stressed. It’s not just about food. It’s about your mental health. Also listen to the Weight Loss Surgery podcast by Reeger Cornell.. huge support Sleeve 4/26 Hw:215 Sw: 215 Cw: 191 Gw: 145

Very interesting article that I thought I'd share. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Some of the most firmly held beliefs about weight loss are unproven or downright untrue, according to an analysis comparing concepts promoted in the popular media with data from the scientific literature. The findings were published online January 31 in a special article in the New England Journal of Medicine. "False and scientifically unsupported beliefs about obesity are pervasive in both scientific literature and the popular press," write Krista Casazza, PhD, RD, from the Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and colleagues. The authors discuss a total of 7 myths, along with refuting evidence. Here are some examples: Small changes in food intake and/or exercise will produce large, long term weight changes — This idea was based on the old idea that 3500 kcal equals 1 pound of weight. But it does not take into account the fact that energy requirements change as body mass changes over time. So, as weight is lost, it takes increasingly more exercise and reduced intake to perpetuate the loss. Realistic weight-loss goals will keep people motivated — This idea seems reasonable, but it is not supported by evidence. In fact, several studies have shown that people with very ambitious goals lose more weight (eg, TV's The Biggest Loser). Slow, gradual weight loss is best for long-term success — Actually, a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled weight-loss trials found that rapid weight loss via very-low-calorie diets resulted in significantly more weight loss (16% vs 10% of body weight) at 6 months, and differences in weight loss persisted up to 18 months (Int J Behav Med. 2010;17:161-167). A bout of sexual activity burns 100 to 300 kcal per person — With intense sexual activity, a 154-pound man burns approximately 3.5 kcal per minute. However, given that the average amount of time spent during one stimulation and orgasm session is about 6 minutes, this man might expend about 21 kcal total. But, he would burn about 7 kcal just lying on the couch, so that amount has to be subtracted, which gives a grand total of 14 kcals of energy expended. The article also explores 6 "presumptions," or widely accepted beliefs that are neither proven nor disproven. Among them: Eating Breakfast prevents obesity — Actually, 2 studies showed no effect of eating vs skipping breakfast. Adding fruits and vegetables to the diet results in weight loss — Adding more calories of any type without making any other changes is likely to cause weight gain. Eating fruits and vegetables is healthful, however. Weight cycling, aka "yoyo dieting," increases mortality — The data are from observational studies and likely confounded by health status. Finally, the authors offer 9 facts about obesity and weight loss that are supported by data, among them: Moderate environmental changes can promote as much weight loss as even the best weight-loss drugs. Diets do produce weight loss, but attempting to diet and telling someone to diet are not necessarily the same thing. Physical activity does help in promoting weight loss and has health benefits even in the absence of weight loss. For overweight children, involving the family and home environment in weight-loss efforts is ideal. Providing actual meals or Meal Replacements works better for weight loss than does general advice about food choices. Both weight-loss drugs and bariatric surgery can help achieve long-term weight loss in some individuals. According to Dr. Casazza and colleagues, "The myths and presumptions about obesity that we have discussed are just a sampling of the numerous unsupported beliefs held by many people, including academics, regulators, and journalists, as well as the general public. Yet there are facts about obesity of which we may be reasonably certain — facts that are useful today." And they conclude, "While we work to generate additional useful knowledge, we may in some cases justifiably move forward with hypothesized, but not proven, strategies. However, as a scientific community, we must always be open and honest with the public about the state of our knowledge and should rigorously evaluate unproved strategies." Original article: http://www.medscape....warticle/778600

The health insurance bill covers MORE people for MORE things, not less people or less stuff. :001_tt1: Your fiance should be able to call up Aetna and ask them if his plan has a "rider" for bariatric surgery. Aetna should be able to tell him over the phone. If not, he should be able to ask his HR. Aetna does now cover VSG (it was considered experimental under their policies until just a week or two ago), however VSG is not explicitly listed under the surgeries covered for a revision... so you may have to ask about that once you are covered. I hope everything aligns right for you!