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Hi everyone! I’m already on my pre-op low carb, high protein diet but don’t yet have a date. I’ve done my bloodwork, met the surgeon, EKG, dietician consult, psych consult, financing (I have no comorbidities -yet- so insurance won’t budge) I’m 40 years old, 42 BMI and crazy ready. I’ve completed the sleep study and will get my results tomorrow so here’s hoping no apnea, but if I do have to get a cpap the doc said he thinks a few days with the cpap will suffice for him to write his recommendation for the go ahead for surgery! (He’s a bariatric surgery success story himself and I work in the medical field so he’s willing to clear me more quickly than the norm.) I’m getting the VSG along with hernia repair and a couple other tweaks my awesome surgeon is willing to do. I find this whole process is like that line from When Harry Met Sally, modified and paraphrased-when you find the thing you want to do with the rest of your life, you want the rest of your life to start right away! I’m hoping for a late October surgery date. I am instructed by the surgeon to take 4 weeks off and the only time I can do that is the month of Novemeber, so the sooner the surgery the better. I’ve started stockpiling bone broth (high in protein!) from sales and am studying my new instapot to figure out how to make supersoft soups and such. I got tiny bowls and utensils and have been doing a lot of reading and YouTube lurking. Im excited to find others who are just about to change their lives too! We will look much different in 6 months time!

I ordered a bottle of the bariatrics chewables already. So I have one. I was trying to wait till after my surgery to see if I could tolerate the taste. I don't have a date yet so I still have a while to go.

I have scheduled my ESG for sept 28th and am also a low bmi (30) and didn't qualify for traditional Bariatric surgery. This procedure is covered by my insurance as well. So stocked!! I called all over the country for weeks to finally locate a facility in California that performs this new procedure. Perhaps call some of the more established hospitals that perform it and ask if anyone in TX is doing it. Johns Hopkins, UCI, Mayo Clinic, etc. Good luck and keep us posted!!!

Hey everybody, Been chatting with folks here on LBT since I made my decision in November. It was supposed to be easy with my PacifiCare insurance which covers both procedures..... my choice. When in on Janurary 26(magical day) they decide to change ALL the requirements for bariatric surgery. Those of us who had already started the process had to add 5-6 extra appointments..... like Psych eval and 4 follow-ups and Dietcian and 3 follow-ups..... whats up with that? Anyway, instead of getting stressed with it I'm just knocking them down one at a time. Now, if the job and kids and ex-husband would just keep quiet for a while I could concentrate on this task (ha-ha)..... (I just crack myself up sometimes)! Thanks for the great thread, hope to make lots of new friends,

Cripes. The total bills submitted to my insurance totaled $50K. Fortunately I had already met my deductible for the year and only had to meet the remainder if my out of pocket max of $2K so I only had to shell out $895 total. Was banded on 12/21/12 and have yet to pay anything for any of my follow ups or bloodwork. I had my surgery at St. Alexis in Hoffman Estates by Dr. Kane jr. From the Kane bariatric center.

I just bought the Fresh Start Bariatric Cookbook (there is s kindle version on Amazon) and I love it already!

I can completely relate to your post. I heard...I don't think you qualify for that, you're just big! That (bariatric surgery) is not for people like you, you're very overweight but not that bad, well I say screw them too! I got the surgery and you know what...I don't walk around obessessed about being an overweight out of control person any longer. I am totally at ease with who I am now. Have I lost as much as I should after 8 months ...no ...but it was just enough to make me feel okay about myself. Was it easy? NO NO NO....I vomit, I get sick...I used to have an Iron stomach and maybe that was the problem. If you are totally committed to lving life as a healthy thin(ner) person you will take the punishment. It is not easy. I am not a compliant person so having my body change without my mind there can be a challenge but the body rules and your mind will follow ...it has no choice. All the best to you! Marg in Ny

Hi folks, I am also from Illinois. I am having my psyc. appointment April 16, 2008 and then I should get a date. I am having my surgery done at Peoria Surgical Group through St marys OSF bariatric surgeon. My Doctor is Dr. Marshall. If anyone has used him as a doctor, I will be interested in hearing how they did on their lap band and if their fills are going okay. I am kind of nervous but can't wait. I have heard that this group of surgeons are good. Any replys will be welcome. Becky

Oh, I'm so excited in my new-found confidence and I just have to share with my bandster folk. I have been with a guy for 7 years, on and off because I love him dearly and thought of him as my best friend and my future, in spite of his problems and the imperfect things in our relationship. We've been through a lot together and I used to think it just made us stronger as a couple. But I still had so many doubts and uncertainties -- though I never followed through with really, fully, FINALLY breaking up with him. Part of it (probably bigger than I realize!) was that I didn't think I could really find someone to love me after him, so I always took him back, even with what I suspected were great betrayals. Tonight I've discovered that the awful things I suspected for years were actually true. I ended it, FOR GOOD. I think the new lap-band confidence I have, the renewed self-esteem, the renewed love I have for myself and my life helped me tremendously. Tonight I type this with my heart full of gratitude that I have had enough of a life change to END it FOR GOOD. Thank you, lap-band! THANK YOU! In addition to my 24 pounds lost, you've helped me to lose 190 pounds in the blink of an eye! I love you!

Thank you for this! While I am very committed to this massive life change, I'm also in the pre-surgery jitters stage. 5 more days! So, my anxious litte brain is fixating on any and all of the worries and complications associated with bariatric surgery. Nice to read some positive stats while in this frame of mind. Obviously, I have all the evidence I need that this is a great choice for me and lots of others (hello message boards). But, whew! I underestimated this anxiety in the home stretch. I think it's less about the actual surgery than is it about the fact that I absolutely hate being touched by strangers and especially in a medical setting. I'm also horrible about speaking up for myself because I'm trying to be the perfect patient. Therapy topic for this week perhaps?

Yep. Further, at 9 months post-op, I renewed my passport early (2 years before it was set to expire) because it was getting annoying/stressful having to explain that i was in fact me at airports. Im 3+ yrs post op now and a few months ago, I renewed my driver’s license and its nice to not have to explain my appearance to the people at the liquor store when I get carded. Though getting carded at all is an NSV in itself cuz im like 50 years old. Lol. Congrats, and enjoy the broken face!

First thing in the morning: sublingual Vitamin B-12 - 1x per day (1 total) calcium citrate plus Magnesium - 2x per day (4 total) > I take the second dose before bed. Vitamin D3, 5,000 IU - 1x per day (1 total) Potassium, 3% RDA - 1x per day (1 total) With Breakfast: Multi Vitamin plus Minerals - 1x per day (1 total) Ferrous Sulfate (Iron) - 1x per day (1-2 total) One hour before dinner: Calcium Citrate Lozenge from Bariatric Advantage (I forget half the time!) Omega 3-6-9 (4x per week or when I remember) Before Bed: Last dose of Calcium Citrate, 2 Pills Biotin, 2,500 mcg That is a lot, but it has kept me healthy with all of the rapid weight loss and my hefty workouts. There are a lot of vitamins/minerals in all Protein shakes too! In time I plan to reduce the amount I'm taking, especially one dose of calcium and the biotin as well since my hair loss has stopped, finally.

Excited to start the pre-op diet, as it's one step closer to surgery! Not so excited to be starving, but I'm committed! Wondering...Bariatric Advantage sells a Pre-op kit (bars, shakes) that I think will last 2 weeks. It's expensive--$200. But, I'm thinking it might be worth it just for convenience and peace of mind (knowing I'm eating correct amounts). Have you tried it? Your thoughts on it? Thanks!

My sleeve surgeon was Dr. Brebbia, Medstar Montgomery Hospital in Olney, Maryland. I don't know the exact percentage of stomach removed. My understanding is that, in general, around 85% is removed. I was just sleeved a few weeks ago, so can't answer the long term question. However, my surgeon said I needed clear fluids for the 2 or 3 days after surgery. It's hard to get much down then, so I had stocked up on a few bottles of Isopure clear flavors. A large bottle has 40 grams of Protein. I'm not sure having protein right after will help with the hair loss, but I figure there would be no huge drop off in the amount of protein I'm taking in, so no shock resulting in hair loss. I get all my Vitamins from Bariatric Advantage: 1 Calcium citrate caramel-flavored cube in the morning, 1 Ultra Multi Formula with Iron in the middle of the day, then another calcium citrate in the evening. That way, the calcium and iron won't negate each other... they will always be more than 2 hours apart.

Do you have a e-reader like Kindle? There are TONS of free or low cost books that will help with your meal planning and the different stages of eating. As far as pain, I think you will be surprised at what a small amount you have. The hospital should stay on top of your pain relief the first day or two so the worst pain you will have will most likely be the gas pains from the surgery. My doc doesn't even send anyone home with pain meds because it's usually minimal! If you feel like you aren't getting guidance from your bariatric team you might have to get sorta pushy about it. Make a list of questions that you have and when you go in for a visit be sure to bring your list and get them all answered. Be proactive about your care and you'll get a far better outcome!

Brandy from Eugene checking in :wink_smile: I am using the Sacred heart bariatric center... Dr. Umbach/Dr. Yarbrough.

Good morning! So my surgery date is 3/28/19 and I started my 2 week liquid diet yesterday. I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes last year in June before I started pursuing bariatric surgery and this diagnosis actually pushed me to go through with it so I decided to not go on insulin since this surgery has such a high rate of success in putting diabetes into remission. I'm getting nervous though since my fasting glucose result just came back and it was really high, 170 to be exact, and I'm worried my surgery might be delayed because of this?

Kim, thank you for posting this! Right before I logged on Bariatric Pal, I was checking my BMI again and your post was the first I read! The entire reason I changed my goal weight was based on that dang chart. I love this forum. When I have questions, feeling upset, unsure, etc. I come here and you all NEVER let me down. I hardly ever post, but I have been an active reader for awhile now. I find more peace reading on this forum than I do speaking with friends. Don't get me wrong, my friends are extremely supportive but they will never understand the way all of you do. THANK YOU!

Hi all Came across your board while researching options for bariatric surgery and think its a great resource not to mention everyone is so friendly! I am 32 and have a BMI of 45. I live in NYC and I am originally from the South. I have a dog that I adore and a really great group of friends that are like extended family here in the city. I was considering RNY surgery before I had heard of Banding and as an option I now cannot imagine having the by-pass. My one problem- I have Aetna for my insurance with no other options short of taking out a personal policy which I cannot really afford. I am taking the appeal process to its end but I am now considering doing a self pay. I am going to start searching the board here for information about having it done in Mexico and the cost differences- any advice on the subject would be greatly appreciated. Its nerve racking to say the least and I am a little scared but in the end after reading all the great things most of you have to say I can tell it will make such a huge difference in my life that I have to do it. Thanks for being here! mags

I've never bought any bariatric foods from here or any other place. Doing just fine and my grocery bill is tiny even feeding two adults. I don't eat much any pre-packaged/prepared foods after I realized they were part of the problem (most are crammed with fat/carbs/sodium). I cook from scratch with whole food sources about 75% of the time. Things like marinara sauce or turkey pepperoni I do buy prepared, but I get the lowest carb/highest Fiber versions, and avoid high sodium, and other questionable things. I read nutrition labels of everything. It also works to help me put things back if I'm suddenly craving them and want to buy - one look at a package containing 50 grams of carbs per serving and I can't stick that sucker back on the shelf fast enough! I buy lots of chicken and fish. We eat on a chicken drumsticks or thighs at least once a week, and I usually do them in the slow cooker so I can create broth from the fat/bones and then make a lovely Soup with it later in the week. We eat lots of veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, turnip greens and spinach, okra, brussel sprouts, (not so much of the carby veggies like carrots, potatoes, peas). eggs, milk, yogurt, cheese, Beans (kidney, black beans, pintos, great Northern), and brown rice. High fiber wheat bread on occasion. Pork rinds are a great snack substitute when I'm desperate for the crunch of chips (but eaten sparingly since they are so high in sodium). I have a very large variety of awesome recipes that are low carb, high Protein and moderate fat.

I've been battling my weight since I was 6 years old. I've been big for as far back as I can remember. I did just about every diet there was and not a single one worked. Eventually I just gave up. I had looked briefly into WLS in my 20's but I didn't think I'd be able to change my eating habits so drastically. I didn't think I had that kind of willpower. Plus, potential complications scared me and the permanence scared me. So I stopped looking into it. When I was 21 in May of 2009 my eldest niece was born. I was still in pretty good health despite being over 300 pounds. So I didn't really have the determination to go through with WLS. However, when her sister was born in February 2019 my health was very bad. I was 389 pounds, I have two permanent back injuries (one caused by my osteoarthritis), high blood pressure, tachycardia, hypothyroidism, the aforementioned osteoarthritis, I was pre-diabetic, have EoE (an autoimmune disorder), and I'd had brain surgery in May 2017 for my trigeminal neuralgia. When I held my new niece I was hit with the realization that if something didn't change, if I didn't find a way to get myself healthier and lose weight, then I likely wouldn't be around to watch her grow up. I cried, because watching my eldest niece grow up has been my greatest joy. It broke my heart that I may not be around to watch her sister grow up. That made things more real for me, I suppose. It pushed me into making that change and taking it seriously. I was referred to a bariatric surgeon and had to do a 6 months of monitored weigh-in's per my insurance. I didn't actually have to LOSE weight. I was just told not to GAIN weight. But, I took the initiative to try and make myself as successful as possible by using that time to prepare myself for a new way of eating. I used the first month to cut out seconds and cut my portion sizes down. The second month I cut out soda. The third month I cut out rice. The fourth month I cut out pasta. The fifth month I cut out bread. The six month I cut out potatoes and beans. The last two months before my surgery (they were overscheduled and pushed me back) I just maintained that diet and on my surgery date I was 321 pounds, meaning I'd lost 68 pounds on my own. I'm still very proud of myself for that. For me, the final push was my family. My family is my strength. They are what pulled me through the absolute worst time in my life (August 2016-May2017 when I had a 10 month TN flare that led to my brain surgery) when I KNOW I would have given up without them. Since my weight loss surgery? I have a new niece (from my brother and his wife) and my first and only nephew (from my sister and her husband). Now that I've lost over 200 pounds I don't worry so much that I won't be there to watch them grow up. And when I see my 2 year old niece light up when she see's me I know I made the right choice, the best choice, to have this surgery because now I get to watch her and her brother grow up just like I've got to watch her 12 year old sister grow up and just as I'll get to see her cousins grow up. Everyone has a different reason for why they do this. Sometimes it's for family, like myself. And sometimes it's personal. Every person who goes through this has a different journey, different experiences, and a different story to tell. And I wish you the very best on your own journey.

As a diabetic, I do not buy anything that is fat free, they usually have more sugar in them and I do not like the taste. I do use Hellman's lite mayonnaise, been using it for years and it is good. My nutritionist gave me lists as guidelines and on it is 3 oz. tuna with 2 teaspoons lite mayonnaise. The list she gave me is from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery center at Brigham & Faulkner Women's Hospital in Boston, MA. Hope this helps.

Hi- thanks for all the responses. As luck should have it, my local MTF is starting to do bariatric surgeries next month. I have already met w the surgeon. :0). He will be doing the sleeve hopefully next month. I am finished w all my preop stuff so it's just a waiting game at the moment. It won't seem real until I get a date though. :0)

I really feel you. I was terrified of being put under. I know I drove everyone in my life crazy leading up to my surgery because I was 100% convinced I wasn't going to make it. I even didn't renew my AAA membership because I figured I'd die I talked to my surgeon and asked him how many sleeve patients he'd ever lost. None. I talked to the anesthesiologist and asked how many patients he'd lost. None. I saw how this surgery has no more higher rate of mortality than any other and I started feeling better. You're going to be better than okay. You're going to be awesome and on your way to being healthier.

Thank you for your comments. Beef is back on the menu six months after surgery for our patients at The Center for Bariatrics at Bailey Medical Center. We understand that some patients can tolerate beef earlier than what is recommended by our guidelines. Beef is no more special a Protein source than other meats like poultry, fish, seafood or pork. It does have more Iron than the other meats, which might help a patient whose iron stores are low. Beef is an option if you can tolerate it. This really speaks to customizing your meal plan to what works best for the patient.