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Found 17,501 results

  1. cbarreto

    I Need A Band Buddy Upstate Ny

    Hello guys Im from orange county ny...did any of you use tri state bariatrics?
  2. Freebird14

    Looking for Dr in Mexico

    I'll give you an update on the ScarAway strips after using them for a bit--I think they're scheduled to arrive today! :-) Cathy is SO WONDERFUL! I scheduled my surgery in early April and between then and my Aug. 13 surgery date, I probably contacted her every few days with one question or another (I didn't find the Bariatric Pal website until about 3 weeks before my surgery--LOTS of questions are answered here) and she was ALWAYS patient, helpful and in good humor.
  3. Throw the bread and the ice cream in the trash (in the outside trash not the kitchen trash where he will see it). And also you might want to start therapy, going to support groups there's the support group sponsored by your doctors office, for military wives, and also there is Overeaters Anonymous, which I cannot recommend highly enough. Now post surgery you will have to deal with letting other people eat what they want to. And not letting that effect you (if you feel tempted by what he eats for dinner, then just excuse yourself from the room and go do something else like start typing like mad to your bariatric pals). If you are going to cheat on pre op diet at least make it a healthy high protein nutritious cheat. Do not cheat with carbs or sugar or white flour. If you stay solid on your diet for 3-4 days the hunger pangs will go away, but every time you have sugar/flour/carbs it will bring the hunger gremlins back. We've all cheated so don't beat yourself up but honestly you're cheating yourself if you continue to sabotage yourself in this way. Big hugs! You can do this! You got this! And ALL of us are pulling for you[emoji41]
  4. Hey.....it's possible that he wanted the bread and ice cream for himself ???? The pre-op and short term post-op liquid times filled my family with trepidation and concerns. They voiced concerns over this being how I'd be living......and not grilling and cooking for them anymore. Their concerns were eased up, as I advanced through these stages and onto the real way of eating that I've settled into. I cook and grill often and the main entree's are what I enjoy, while making additional side dishes and Desserts for them. I stayed outa the kitchen during my liquid diet phases, though. And outa the grocery stores. All totaled this was a 5 week time period.....just Protein powder or protein pre-made shakes. You'd not believe the stuff they stocked the shelves with during that period.....all sorts of sweets, chips and junk food that could have been insanely tempting.....at a time when I really wasn't needing temptation. It all worked out. Reaching past the family's junk food to grab my canisters of powder soon filled me with pride. I'd become galvanized and singular in purpose. That 6 weeks was a major turning point for me. Weight started falling off at a great rate.....5 pounds/week.....double the rate I'd already been losing while on my bariatric program's diet leading up to that point. I'm grateful for that time frame. Fighting the temptation battle within the safe confines of my own home.....facing that and coming out on top.....at home.......forged my willpower and made facing the same temptations out in public, at work, at play around strangers, in restaurants, etc.....made me stronger and better for it. As cool as it would be if our families fell into step with us in those early days......it is simply not realistic. They have fears and act out. My wife and son are normal sized. They fit the height/weight charts. Heck, my son is undersized and needs to eat significantly more, in his doctor's opinion. I've read time and time again of our the tales of friends on here at Bariatric Pal......case where their families went the opposite direction than they did.....really amping up the temptation. Guess what? Most of those BP friends went on to be the most successful at their wls results. Some of them even continued to shop and prepare meals for their family during their own liquid phases. I couldn't do that particular act, but have huge respect for them. Just consider it a mini-test that you are able to address within the safety of your own home. Nobody there to judge you for simply standing there with the fridge open.....looking that junk food in the eye.....and cussing out loud at it.....flipping it the bird.....and reaching past it to get to your Protein Shakes.........
  5. Montana Gal

    Surgeon Contact

    ​My bariatric team was wonderful, but so busy! It seems like I was the one that always had to keep in contact with them. I saw my surgeon three times before, the first initial consult, the pre op visit then a few minutes before the actual surgery. I received the information about the surgery first at the educational seminar, then more detailed information about diet guidelines ect., at the pre op visit. No, I don't think you are expecting too much too early. June 1st isn't very far away, if you haven't heard from and are becoming anxious...definitely give them a call. Good luck to you and welcome!
  6. Oh Boy!! I'm so sorry I have been gone from here!! There has been very difficult family drama going on. Unfortunately, my role is always the "calm" one who can handle anything. So, I suffer inside for what everyone around me is going through. This time it has nearly pulled me down. I'm sure this is part of my problem. I would rather suffer than see anyone I love hurt. When I do that, it doesn't matter what I eat, or if I sleep, or if I run. Well, friends, your voices were all in my head, telling me to run. So I did. It is the only thing that has kept me alive. I ran my fastest first two miles this week. Though I have not checked in, each one of you has been in my thoughts every day. Betty, you are such a wonderful woman. You are warm, fun, loving, brilliant, and have created such a beautiful home and life for everyone to enjoy. Seriously, you would be worth moving to Portland to be near. When I saw you, I thought that you should at your weight. It was helpful for me to eat out with you. It was a first time that I had ever eaten with another bandster. At this stage, we might be taking leave of the rules a bit. I need to review what my doctor specifically ordered regarding portion sizes, food choices, and fork breaks. I know you can do this. We are not immune to holiday eating or food vices just because we are banded. Thank you for your honesty. It has really helped me to look at my own wayward actions. Dawn, you are like the mailman. It does not matter what the weather or hardship, you are determined to be disciplined. Your steady improvements in speed and distance inspire me to play the "Rocky" song and push myself further. YOU really do give me a push out the door when I would rather watch "Project Runway" instead. I think I can feel completely satisfied and proud to brag of my 6 mile runs. But I have not yet arrived at my destination. You and Julie have shown that there are higher heights to which I can reach. Thank you for that inspiration! Julie, what can I say? You are so completely honest in this journey, sharing your pics and highs and lows (mainly low BMI!!) You have no idea how many women you have helped to succeed because you have put a face, mind and heart on this procedure and experience. (Oh yeah, and great legs, stomach, arms and b**bs, too!) People can relate to you because of your honesty. When you have slightly fallen, or encountered obstacles, you have stopped to reflect, renew your commitment, but then have moved forward. This has been a great help to so many of us. You also give excellent advice in the kindest way. Thank you! Now my turn. There are so many ways in which I long to improve. First is in my honesty about my problems. Here I am a ghost, scared to reveal myself to the world on this site. My friends don't even know. I had a close friend ask me if I had any weight loss surgery. I didn't even respond, because I won't lie, but I was actually offended that she asked!??! How is that for honesty? I am the least honest with myself. I have issues with food that have been in my life since I was a little girl. Even though I have passed for very thin my entire life, the food demons finally caught up with me about ten years ago. I tried to think that mirrors didn't matter and that numbers on the scale could easily be reversed. It was just too hard to believe that my worst nightmare had become my life. Even now, after a good weight loss, it is hard to face the reality. I want to think I am at a good weight, immune to temptation. But I will never be immune and need to be on alert every day. Ohh.... sorry for such a long post. I am just feeling quite thankful for all of you. ANd for the others that have come and gone. Let's see where this next year takes us all! By the way, I am weighing in at 166. The 7 pound gain came in 2-3 weeks after my unfill in September. I've maintained since then. Even with a slight fill, the weight has only maintained. There are at least 20 pounds to shave off, so that is what I want to do!!
  7. Hi Ladies. It is nice to see some posters over 50 (age not BMI). I am not sleeved yet but my op is booked for 3 April. I won't use numbers for the date because as you can see from my username I am in the UK and we write our dates the other way round so 3 april is 3/4/12 which I believe for you reads 4 March 12. It causes me great confusion when I am reading posts. Anyway I will be 53 when I have my op. I am very calm about it all at the moment but no doubt the nerves will kick in closer to the time. Sleeves and wraps are not so common here in the UK yet though the sleeve market is growing. That is why I follow a US forum as there are more people giving feedback. I am a self funder as bariatric surgery is very limited (on the nhs) in the UK and usually you need a BMI of 50 to be considered or have health issues. My BMI is 43 and I did not want to put more weight on just to get in the maybe line. This is my first post but I have been looking for a month or so. Cathy
  8. Any one out there want to start their Mon to Fri out with a great start by touching base between 7:30 and 8:30 AM and be each other's accountability partner? Help each other with such things meal planning and other bariatric and non bariatric things?
  9. If u have GERD, the sleeve is NOT recommended because it will continue or be made worse with that procedure. GERD is all but eliminated with RNY because the part of the stomach causing the GERD is removed. Next, no way would i get such a major surgery in Mexico when u have insurance in the US. I too have Aetna and among other things, the only way they would pay for my RNY is if I chose a facility and doc that was certified as 'Institute of Quality'. Reading all the threads showing such drastic differences in post op care, diet, education, etc, I am so grateful Aetna guided me to the facility and doc they did. My surgeon was director of bariatrics at Mayo for many many years, for example. My point is, jump thru the "Aetna hoops"! You won't be sorry AND you'll have your doc in your town, not in another country, esp if something goes wrong after. Good luck with ur decisions! [emoji4]
  10. ahb08

    Having problems and need some feedback!!!

    oh my goodness....i just replied to ur other thread...but i know see ur problem.....have u tried going to a major hospital in AZ and visiting their bariatrics division or something....im assuming if its a major hospital...they wont deny u of assistance regardless if they did ur surgery or not.......u definitely need to take action asap!! sounds like u been dealing with the pain for almost 5 mnths now.
  11. yllwrose

    And so it begins...

    Two Weeks Pre-OP Weight: 304.9 BMI: 45.5 Let me first begin by introducing myself. My name is Leslie, I’m 29, and have been overweight pretty much my entire life. I am a customer service manager at the local grocery store chain in Chicago. I have had two back surgeries in the last 4 years and have foot & joint pain. I decided to start this blog because I thought it might help me to put my feelings into words. I also hope that maybe someone reading this will get know that what they are feeling is normal and they aren’t alone. I know that reading about other people’s experiences has helped me along the way so far. Bariatric surgery was first suggested to me after my first back surgery. I’ll be honest, I was insulted. I thought it was an easy way out of losing weight and for people that had given up. A year and a half later I had to have a second back surgery because my disc has degenerated, mainly due to my weight. I started serious dieting, lost about 40lbs, and got stuck. Getting stuck caused me not to try so hard, and as time went on, I gained all the weight back plus some. The surgery was suggested to me again. This time I took some serious thought about. It took a year, but after another trip to the back doctor, where I was told that another disc was beginning to degenerate. If I didn’t lose weight I have another back surgery in my future, and probably more after that. That’s when I started the process. I realized that going down this road would not be easy. That it probably may be the hardest thing that I do. I had my consultation appointment in October of 2013. I decided that I would have the sleeve gastrectomy. And then I got the laundry list of things that needed to be done before the surgery can even be processed. Blood tests, ultrasounds, sleep studies, checked out by multiple doctors. But finally the surgery was scheduled: May 19th. So here I am, two weeks until surgery, when the real fun begins. The start of the pre-op diet. A mainly liquid diet with one “real meal” a day. The meal consists of 2-3oz of protein, 2cups of veggies, and the optional 1 serving of carbs. Not something that I have been looking forward to. In addition to the diet, I had to discontinue the anti-inflammatory that helps with the foot & joint pain. This morning I woke up and had the feeling of a kid on Christmas morning. I woke up 45mins then I had to, and usually have to drag myself out of bed. But not today. I knew that today is the beginning…the beginning of the rest of my life. I’m ready to change, and I’m excited to experience the journey to the new me. I won’t lie, today was tough. I was hungry most of the day. But I got through it. And I know that with each day, it will get easier and easier. And before I know it, the day of surgery will be here.
  12. After being denied by my insurance I too decided l go to Mexico since out of pocket in Mexico was so much cheaper then the states. I had surgery with dr Garcia in February at hospital MI (wish Florence was an option then, it sounds nice) I was so pleased with my experience, that If I had to do it again I would still choose Mexico. The thought of only being in the hospital one night in the states when you are there for 2 nights in Mexico then an extra 1 or two in the hotel where doctors are checking in on you, To me that made all the difference in my recovery. I loved all the ready for a change staff and dr Garcia and his entire team! I found telling surgeons in the states before you leave they will deny you aftercare because they want you to stay and have it here. When I got home, I already had a two week check up set up with my primary care doctor just in case. I did call around to numerous surgeons saying I had the sleeve and needed post op care in the area. They were willing to see me when needed. (I already had the surgery they couldn't change my mind at that point) I have decided to just continue to see my PCP since she has numerous bariatric patients and understands much about the procedure and what is required post op. I saw her 2wks post op to check on my incisions and to address some heartburn issues I was having, then saw her at 3 mos. I go back every 3 months for a year. Good luck with your decision, and I will give my 100% recommendation for dr Garcia if you choose to go.
  13. Liznewman

    Oklahoma?

    Hello ladies im from wichita ks travling to oklahoma for surgery, my insurance does not cover so paying cash any pointers on thst or financing?, theres oklahoma weight loss or bariatric center of oklahoma have you heard anything about them? Like I said im self pay hit all the roadblocks so just looking for advice thanks!
  14. zabby

    Vitamins

    Have you tried putting the bariatric chewables in yogurt ( crush them) or blend them with a protein drink?
  15. CheleLynn45

    Vitamins

    I was sleeved 10/27. My doc had me start my Vitamins about 2 1/2 weeks post op. I am taking the Bariatric Advantage capsules. I am able to swallow them (they are a little big). I have never been able to swallow pills no matter what size they were. It did take me a few days to figure out what time of day was best for me to take them. I was doing after Breakfast and dinner but found I was waking up in the middle of the night tasting them. yuck!! So now I take them after breakfast and lunch, I find if I take them when there is something in my tummy then all is good. I know there will be people who will have advice for you. I have seen many who have helped so much on here. I just wanted to let you know what worked for me. Hang in there as they days go by it will be easier for your to get your Protein an Water in.
  16. Bufflehead

    What vitamins are u taking ?

    I take Trader Joe's Chewable High Potency Multis (bought at Trader Joe's of course). I pick up whatever Vitamin D supplement is on sale at Kroger or CVS. The rest I get from Amazon - Wellesse liquid iron, Citracal Petites (for the first 4 weeks after surgery I used Wellesse liquid calcium instead), and Bariatric Advantage Chewable Probiotic. I buy the Equate brand of sugar free fiber supplement -- same fiber as in Benefiber but fewer calories and carbs, also cheaper -- and add it as needed to my protein shakes and yogurt. Wellesse also makes liquid multivitamins and B complex if you prefer liquid to chewable or gummy.
  17. Greetings from Michael, My story begins with research, research and more research. Like everyone I was a hound when it came to getting my gastric sleeve and wanted the best place so I checked all over the US and found out pretty quick I didn't have the time to jump through all the hoops since I was self paying. I contacted a friend who had a lap band done in Mexico with great success found out her doctor and hospital. I checked it all out had everything set to go there and something didn't set right with me. I looked again and came across Bariatric Pal Deals. I put in a request and got a call almost straight back from David Lopez. He told me he could get my surgery done at less than half the 8650.00 I was going to spend. He gave me the name of a doctor they use and hospital I researched it and it wasn't for me because I wasn't comfortable made my wife the same way. I talked to David again and he said they have other doctors and hospitals they use but it would cost more ( I thought here we go ) he gave me information on Dr. Zavalza and Hospital of the Oasis ( florence Health Systems ) and a price still less than half what I was going to pay. I researched the doctor and hospital and the only negative was the Oasis was an old hospital but being updated. I cancelled with the other company and went with all David had promised pick up at the airport in San Diego, Ca., ride to their condo, accompanied to the hospital with a translator, ride back to condo for recovery, ride to the airport to leave. What my wife and I got was so much more!!!! Robert picked us up at the airport on Sunday evening took us by a store to pick up a few thing we couldn't carry on the plane and then took us across the border to the condo. I thought it looked like a compound at first but that's where we met Juan ( aka Johnny ) he got us settled in and said if we needed anything he was right next door. My wife was hungry so we asked where we could walk to get something to eat for her Juan insisted that he go with us because some places he would need to translate we went for Chinese walk out short walk to stretch our legs and bring back to the condo. Just our luck we picked the coldest time ever in Tijuana to make this trip Dec. 28, 2014 and the rest of the week I don't think it ever got above 50 in the day and was low enough to snow yes snow in Tijuana. We settled in my surgery was scheduled for the afternoon of the 29th. Next morning my wife wanted coffee so we asked Juan and he walked with us and was the best ever tour guide since he grew up in this neighborhood along with David. We walked to Starbucks got my wife her coffee then continued to walk around the neighborhood with Juan showing us some of the best views. David and Juan took my wife and I to the hospital that afternoon for my blood work and medical history where I met Dr. Jose Luna he took all my information got everything cleared for the surgery. While I was doing all this David and Juan took my wife to a late lunch and when they got back I was almost ready for the surgery when I meet Dr. Zavalza and he comes in to see if we have any questions and let my wife know he was going to take good care of me. Put her right at ease. The whole staff at Oasis made us feel so comfortable that we told Juan we didn't need him to stay we where fine. After my surgery was complete Dr. Zavalza went and told my wife everything went as planned and I would be back from recovery soon. When I got back from recovery Dr. Luna was there to check on my vitals and get me up for a short walk around the room and make sure of my comfort. He stayed telling my wife until I was sleeping well he would not leave and ended up staying till 1 am when my blood pressure was down and I was sleeping. He came back the next morning after I had already been up walking the halls ( Big Key walk, walk, walk ) helps to get rid of the gas. The Hospital of the Oasis had to be the best choice ever because the have 3 nurses each shift and the do their hand off in the room with the patient all friendly and smiling. Wednesday we went back t the condo and again went for a walk with Juan to get stuff from the market that I needed to eat and drink. Thursday we ( Juan, my wife and I ) walked to Starbucks and continued to walk because I felt comfortable came back by the market and picked up dinner for my wife and Juan I wanted to say a little thanks to him he was such a great person. Later Thursday Dr. Luna came by to check my incisions and my lungs and got on me for doing to much. We sat and talked about the protocol he had put together about the next 6 months how to progress and what to eat and when and not to try and jump steps it doesn't work. After he left us not more than an hour later Dr. Zavalza came by the condo to check on us and go over his commitment to the next 2 years following my recovery and steps to make sure all this will be a success how we will Skype and keep in contact. I never had 2 doctors that cared so much to make themselves feel like family. I really was nervous at first going out of country to have surgery but would do it again in a heartbeat if I could be promised the kind of care I received with all these people I now call friends. I want to thank David, Juan, Robert, Dr. Luna, Dr. Zavalza, and the entire staff from the front desk to all the wonderful smiling nurses. Best group ever put together !!!!!!! We are back in Memphis, Tn. now and still doing great no pain. I don't gush over many things in life but I will over Drs. Zavalza and Luna and Hospital of the Oasis if you have the chance and are looking to find great people trust in prayers like we did because we got the best !! Much love for these folks.
  18. Jean McMillan

    What is your go-to sweet?

    I think it's great that you and the hubster are doing a major food overhaul. That will be a great benefit to you and your family, but I have to ask... You're only 3 weeks post-op and allowed to eat anything you want? I'm not a medical professional and not employed by your bariatric surgeon, but at 3 weeks post-op, I wasn't allowed to eat brownies and graham crackers. I was allowed to eat liquid and pureed food. The reason for that is that the post-op period is all about healing and not so much about weight loss. In order to digest stuff like brownies and graham crackers, your stomach has to expand and contract to break the food down enough to pass into your intestines. That movement can disturb the position of your band against your stomach. In fact, one of the most common causes of band slips (which could require more surgery to fix) is failure to follow the post-op diet progression (Clear liquids, full liquids, purees, soft foods, solid foods). But...if your surgeon's post-op regime allows you to eat anything, so be it. And now I'll go on to answer your question about go-to sweets. The failure of sugar-free pudding cups to satisfy your sweet tooth doesn't surprise me. I felt the same was as new post-op, mostly because I was accustomed to eating 1/2 gallon of ice cream every night, plus Cookies and donuts and candy whenever I wanted. Most successful WLS patients find that they need to go through an uncomfortable period of weaning off sweets before they can give up that stuff forever. I'm not saying that you can never eat sweets again, but if sweets are your weakness, your ability to limit them may be totally absent, and if you want to lose weight and maintain that weight loss, sweets may be something you need to give up for the foreseeable future. The more you eat sweets, the more your body depends on and craves them. For a while I played with eating candy like sugar-free Reese's PB cups. I found that it was just as easy to eat a dozen of those as it was to eat a dozen of the regular stuff, so I ended up with a bad case of diarrhea from the sugar substitutes and (guess what?) stalled weight loss. Then I tried Atkins indulgence bars (or whatever they're called), especially one that tasted like a Mounds bar. I would tell myself I'd eat just half...ha! And then I'd have the diarrhea again and tell myself again that I'd never eat that stuff again. Finally I found some treats that worked. Now, you may be able to eat any amount of this stuff now, but may not be able to eat that much later on when you've had some fills, so I'm afraid you're going to have to exercise some self-restraint. Your band is not ever going to jump out of your throat and fling that naughty food aside. It's not going to ring alarms or flash red warning lights or scream, "Leepers! Cease and desist!" OK, finally I'll get to the sweet stuff. Thank you for bearing with me this far. When I'm in the mood for chocolate, I eat 1/2 of a chocolate Protein bar. Be sure to read the nutritional info on the package because a lot of Protein Bars are meant to appeal to body builders who want to gain weight. If there's more than 15 grams of carbs or sugars in a Protein Bar, I give it a pass. When I'm in the mood for ice cream, I peel a banana, put it in a zip-lock bag, and stick it in the freezer until it's very cold. It might look kind of brown after that, but once I stir a sprinkling of mini chocolate chips into it, it tastes like fabulous. You could even stir it into that blah sugar-free pudding, top it with sugar-free Cool Whip, and have yourself a choco-banana Sunday. Even better, combine 1 tablespoon of Peanut Butter with the banana, and you have a choco-monkey treat. If you're truly allowed to eat any food now, including solid foods like fruits and veggies, I can give you some more suggestions. Just let me know. Jean
  19. BigGirl2014

    Protein shakes

    Before my surgery, I tried out different companies & their Protein shakes so I would know what I liked before my guts were rearranged. I found that I like this peach-mango Protein drink the best, followed by the chocolate protein drink. http://www.bariatricchoice.com/bari-wise-bariatric-health-fruit-drinks-peachmango.html I like the chocolate one as it also aspartame free. http://www.bariatricchoice.com/wonderslim-aspartame-free-pudding-shakes-meal-replacement-chocolatecream.html I usually mix up one or the other in the mornings & put them in the fridge so there is always something ready to go when I get hungry.
  20. Armygalbonnie

    No more weight loss

    @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.
  21. This may have been discussed before but for anyone covered by CIGNA or one of its affiliated companies, they have abandoned their prior formal requirement of a specific duration (e.g. 3 months) in favor of this language: • A statement from a physician/physician’s assistant/nurse practitioner/registered dietician (i.e., other than the requesting surgeon) that the individual has failed previous attempts to achieve and maintain weight loss by medical management. This is the old language: • Medical management including evidence of active participation within the last 12 months in a weight-management program that is supervised either by a physician/physician’s assistant/nurse practitioner or a registered dietician for a minimum of three consecutive months ((i.e., ≥ 89 days). The weight-management program must include monthly documentation of ALL of the following components:  weight  current dietary program  physical activity (e.g., exercise program) Programs such as Weight Watchers®, Jenny Craig® and Optifast® are acceptable alternatives if done in conjunction with the supervision of a physician/physician’s assistant/nurse practitioner or registered dietician and detailed documentation of participation is available for review. However, physician-supervised programs consisting exclusively of pharmacological management are not sufficient to meet this requirement. Anyone covered by CIGNA now and going through a mandatory weight loss program under the old medical policy should request their surgeon/bariatric program to submit their request for approval NOW and not wait to finish the supervised diet. You might get some push-back from crusty bariatric practices or surgeons, but hopefully they will help you. The new policy is more favorable to patients, and because it is the medical policy in effect for anyone having surgery after October 9th, we take the position this is the operative medical policy - NOT the policy at a patient's "starting point". Call us at 1-877-992-7732 if you have questions about this or are in need of any information about what you need to do if you have been denied by your insurer - whether it is CIGNA or any other payer. Good luck to all! CIGNA medical policy effective October 9 2018.pdf
  22. BigSue

    Is duodenal switch too drastic?

    I started with a BMI over 60, and nobody even brought up DS as an option for me. To be honest, I thought DS was an outdated surgery that's not really being done anymore because of all the risks. I didn't realize it's still popular for high-BMI patients. The surgeon who did my RNY doesn't do DS. He recommended RNY to me rather than sleeve because of my high BMI, since RNY patients statistically lose a bit more than sleeve patients. My understanding is that the sleeve is basically the first step in DS, and that's how the procedure was developed -- surgeons would do the DS in two separate surgeries for high-risk patients, and a lot of them didn't even need the second surgery because they lost enough weight with the sleeve alone. So, that is one option: get the sleeve first and have it revised to DS if necessary. You could also have a sleeve revised to RNY. I remember seeing a bariatric surgeon on YouTube say that he recommends the sleeve to all patients because you can always get it revised, but to me, that's crazy because I don't want to have more than one surgery!
  23. By nature, I'm a fairly impulsive person. I decided to look into bariatric surgery after seeing the gastric balloon on Instagram about 3 days ago, from there I went down a rabbit hole of research and decided if it went down a bariatric road, then the sleeve seemed to suit me most. I'm now looking at clinics and checking procedures, reviews, surgeons etc it's only been a few days and I'm fairly sure I've made up my mind I want this done. (I'd dismissed it the past as my best friend, sister-in-law, mom and nan all had problems with lap band surgeries, now I know the differences between surgeries) How long did you research WLS before you decided you were definitely going to go for it? Are there any specifics you'd suggest really looking in to?
  24. OMG, my latest phone call to my doctors office this morning must've lit a fire under their bums. I GOT MY SURGERY DATE! Theyve been dragging their feet for 3 weeks scheduling my pre-op testing and surgery. Looks like I will be begining my new life Aug 5th! i am sooo incredibly excited. and nervous. i could probably puke lol YAY!!!! *doing my happy dance*
  25. 4LoveOfLife

    What is everyones favorite Protein Drink?

    Premier Protein Strawberry (tastes like strawberry Quik) and Bariatric Advantage orange cream flavor.

PatchAid Vitamin Patches

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