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I eat like a sloth very slow. And I eat on a butter plate too lol and use my 2 year old granddaughters fork and spoon. I don’t ever feel empty or hungry. I have to make myself eat. I want to work out a lot. That’s awesome that you do that. Oh and I hate my bariatric advantage vitamins and calcium chews and my doc says I can’t change to pills until I am 6 months out.

I went through Bariatric Medical Institute in Salt Lake City, UT. Dr. Cottam and Dr. Medlin performed my surgery. The whole office is great. They did a great job taking care of me before, during and after surgery. I am now 7 months out from surgery and I have lost almost 90 lbs. I fall off the wagon and the dietitian and physical trainer are always there with support and guidance and NEVER judgmental or harsh with me. The approval process with insurance was frustrating. There was a lot of lack of communication. I had to be the squeaky wheel but that is my only complaint for this office. I recommend them so much that my husband is now having his consultation with them in two days. http://www.bmiut.com/

Yes Do your research. Ask questions. Choose a facility that is classified as a "Surgery center of excellence" (USA ) AND a surgeon who has a title of "surgeon of excellence". This is is YOUR LIFE. DONT BARGAIN SHOP CAUSE YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. Your not going to get A ROLLS ROYCE ON A SKATE BOARD BUDGET. Get a loan if you need to. Purchase a health insurance policy that covers bariatric surgery (just long enough to get your surgery) if you need to, set up a GoFundMe.com account if you need to, sell stuff on eBay if you need to. State Medicaid may pay for it. It does in some states. Look into that. There's a good book called weight loss surgery for dummies. It covers ALL aspects including financial issues. It's available on eBay, Amazon and may also be available at your local library. I recently saw a segment on "The Doctors" about people going to Mexico for plastic surgery. OMG! I wouldn't get a pedicure there! It's ok to bargain shop for your shoes... Your clothes... Even your groceries... But not your health... Not your very life and certainly not your child very future. Believe me I understand your weight struggle. I'm 53 and have been fighting for 35 years... Maybe longer than you've been alive perhaps??? I've Just now been approved for surgery so I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. But ten years ago my insurance didn't cover this. Even then I WOULD NOT have stepped foot into Mexico even if THEY paid ME.

My surgery was 12/26/2018 . I have also experienced a stall since advancing from liquid diet to soft/puree however have noticed my clothes fitting looser so I don't think it is all about the scale? I have seen post where people can't get in past 400 calories and am wondering how that can be? I have to drink a minimum of 2 protein drinks a day and the Bariatric Advantage powder (because these have 200% of DV vitamin requirements needed) itself is 150 calories along with 80 calories for the fat free milk (Mootopia) I mix it in with so that's 230 for each shake and a total of 430 along with all the required vitamins & supplements that total 120 calories just for those alone. So for me to get the minimum required vitamins and proteins ( which I will make sure I do per less chance of loosing hair and other problems with deficiencies) that's 580 calories by itself. Throw some food in there and it's easy to get almost 800 or more calories in a day. I don't always walk like I should per bad weather and I think if I would remain consistent here it would help me get out of this stall. I am also diligent with drinking a minimum of 64 ozs of water a day and many times go beyond this. I am not having much trouble keeping any food down but usually find that I can only eat about a 1/4th cup amount of food. I haven't pushed much beyond this unless it's applesauce or yogurt. I am still trying to figure out what all the grumbles and noises my digestive system is all about? Not sure what hunger pains feel like or if it is just digestive unease? It is like me and my body are getting reacquainted and I am forced to now listen to it more and decipher what is actually going on?

Thank you very much for all those who responded. It really made me feel better getting this support, even if only online. I have some good news. In a moment of desperation, I gave the bariatric group of the public health system in my city a call, not expecting much. I left the coordinator there a voice message explaining my situation. She got back to me a day later asking me to go to my GP and ask him for a referral to the group so that they could take me on as a patient! I can then decide then with the bariatric surgeon(s) that will see me what to do with the band. Monitoring it and keeping it in. Taking it out. Revising to another surgery, etc... I was so excited I couldn't believe my ears!!! I expected them to turn me away like they had done when I first moved here 7 years ago. Back then, they asked me to go back to my original surgeon as they only looked after their own patients! I suspect that with the high failure rate of the band, they realized it would just be unethical to turn patients who had done it elsewhere away when some of the band complications can be deadly. In all cases, I have an appointment with my GP in 10 days to ask him for a referral to the group. I really can't wait and for the first time in years feel like I will finally get the care and support I need. Given how things work here in the public health system, it may take a few months though before I am seen by the bariatric group, but better later than never I guess! On the negative side, I seem to have developed a chronic bad breath problem that I never knew about. My mom who has been staying with me for the last two weeks noticed it. No matter how much I brush my teeth, eat or not eat, it seems to be there. I suspect I have had this for some time without knowing it as I live on my own. I am pretty sure it's related to the band.

I did an accelerated bariatric program just so they could teach me how to eat and that I have all the knowledge I need for gastric bypass. The surgery is 100% for the GERD and hernia repair. I’m in Illinois and they’re saying BCBS is taking up to 8 weeks!!

oh yes - absolutely - follow your bariatric team's plan - that is first & foremost. I was referring more to outside support. I think the advice on a lot of the FB groups is really bad, and rarely gets corrected. At least on these more traditional forums, *usually* someone will correct bad advice. But yes - absolutely follow your team's plans and instructions. (p.s. by "you" I mean the OP - not you, GreenTealael!!)

Best Advice I can think of: Follow your team's plan for best results instead of 467825357802356 strangers without medical degrees specializing in Bariatrics...

I have Kaiser in Colorado. I am not sure if there are different coverages within it. But my experience was as follows: 1. I went to my PCP and we discussed bariatric surgery. 2. The PCP sent the referral to the Weight Loss Program. They contact me to make an appt. 3. On my 1st appointment I was approved and that was that. 4. However, there are some hoops you need to jump before the surgery is actually scheduled. You have to meet with a counselor a couple of times. You have to the pre-surgery classes. There might also be other tests you have to take depending on your health. I had an upper GI but I heard others had to have a sleep study. 5. Once you have completed all the things they ask you to do, you get to schedule the surgery. All in all my process took about 8 months but the timeframe was expanded by scheduling and having the upper GI and then waiting for the next classes to start, and the surgeon's schedule.

I've never heard that. I've been cleared for surgery and I have bipolar. I've been seeing a psychiatrist for years but the length of time was NEVER an issue. What was the main focus was.... Was I STABLE. AS long as my condition was stable and I passed the standard psych eval that everyone must go thru.... I was cleared to proceed. Your bariatric clinics will put you through all the standard testing and make the determinations. In fact they never even contacted my psychiatrist. They asked for a letter of medical necessity from my primary care Dr then they put me through a psych eval with their own psychologist. I bet if you call the clinic and ask them directly if you will be automatically denied if you haven't been seeing your psychiatrist for at least a year for your bipolar you'll be denied....I bet dollars to donuts they'll tell u that's not true. Go ahead.... Call them. That's the best place to get the info u want.... Straight from the horses mouth. Sent from my moto e5 (XT1920DL) using BariatricPal mobile app

I have been searching for an app that is tailored to bariatric patients. Something I can use to track nutrition intake and has a timer to remind me, etc. I hear Baristatic is the best but it not available on PC. Every app I see out there is for mobile phones. Does anyone have any suggestions? I did a search in the forums but did not find any suggestion for PC.

I think its odd they didn't let you use your current therapist for your eval. S/he knows you and your capabilities best. My therapist (who, granted, specializes in weight management/bariatric issues) was able to do my eval and write my letter. I saw three docs before I chose who I'd ultimately use and all 3 said my current therapist could write the letter.

In my FB group, someone mentioned the need to occasionally shock your system, and people are recommending carbs or sweets. I have never been told this, and I stick to my plan 100%. Has anyone heard of the need to do this for any reason? To break a stall? It seems like cheating on this regimen is setting yourself for failure if you became overweight due to lack of control or moderation. I would never eat a brownie or cookie this early on - we are all 2-3 months out (or ever, unless it was bariatric friendly). Advice? Sent from my SM-G930R4 using BariatricPal mobile app

Lolo, what will be your 70% protein intake source? I'll try the cucumber water. I like Glaceau smart water for hydration. Still detest the protein shakes, chalky and artificial. Try to get proteins at mealtime mostly. By nutritionist, do you mean Peacock? I have yet to meet or speak to her. Never had any bariatric pre-op nutritional counseling with her - did you? My surgery date was quick pace. 206 is good! That's 3 pounds off 209 stall! And, 4 pounds closer to 200! Be patient with yourself, Ms. "A" type... You're doing fabulous! Maybe onederland mid-february instead? ;] I am down from 225 now to 220. Happy weekend!

Hello! I'm new here and have been stalking the forum, but decided to post so I have a place to unload and not feel judged. I'm a very private person IRL. My husband is the only person who I've discussed WLS with in person besides the doctor/surgeon. So I began this journey on Jan 8th watching a webinar I signed up for with my surgeon. My first visit with the bariatric team was Jan 10th. My last several random Dr appts over the past year I have had high BP. I always chalked it up to being nervous. The high BP was confirmed at this appt and I'm now diagnosed with hypertension. I started on a med for that. My BMI is recorded at about 41%. Because I know I snore loud and have woke to gasping a few times, they had me do an at-home overnight oximeter test. The results were that I'd had over 600 events () and at the lowest my saturation reached was 59%. So now I have the full at home sleep study kit on its way to me. I'll probably be diagnosed with severe apnea and have to use a CPAP. (Ugh!) I have quite a bit of acid reflux that I need to admit to my Dr as well. Hoping it's not GERD, but I'm leaning toward asking for a bypass rather than a sleeve because it seems to be getting worse. Next Tuesday, Jan 29th I have 4 appointments back-to-back. Metabolic testing, Labs (bloodwork), DEXA scan and then a NUT consult. My insurance company is BCBS and based on the wording in my policy, it looks like I'll probably have to do the 6 months of "attempted weight loss" before my surgeon can send off for approval. I'm hoping that somehow it will be sooner! It's been a little overwhelming facing all the health issues I've been in denial about, but I'm extremely focused on getting WLS and steering toward a much healthier future! Thankful to have found this group!

I wouldn't call my diet a true therapeutic keto diet, since I am basically doing 1:1 fat to protein. I would call it more of a keto inspired diet. It's the best I can do keto, while I am limited to about 1000-1200 calories a day at this point. Since I still have to get around 120-150g of protein to meet my daily needs (since I am working out a lot), I just can't eat enough fat and still stick to my calorie goals (and I don't want to go too high on calories this early post-op). Nevertheless, I am still in ketosis, but I get kicked out if I have too much protein in one meal. Since I am hitting my protein goals daily, I do try to prime the pump by eating some good fats first (like avocado) before I eat my protein. As for keto sticks, they aren't the most reliable tests, but if you're in your first month to 6 weeks of a very low carb diet (20 or less grams), they are helpful in letting you know if you're in ketosis. However, if you get a reading on them doesn't show acetate (which is a by product of ketosis) in your urine, that doesn't mean you're not in ketosis--so, in the sense they aren't reliable. Of course, they are only reliable in the beginning. Once you become fat adapted, you shouldn't have any acetate in your urine. The blood test is obviously the most accurate way to check, but I am just not up for spending $60 bucks for a blood meter kit and just 10 test strips, since the test strips are so freakin' expensive. The keto sticks are good enough for my purpose and there are plenty of physical signs that you're in ketosis after the 6 week mark anyway. Frankly, with or without a ketogenetic diet most early bariatric patients are going to be in ketosis anyway because they are consuming barely any calories. A ketogenetic diet essentially stimulates the benefits of a fast, without having to actually fast (although you would want to mix in intermittent fasting with keto if you want to maximize losses---if you are NOT a bariatric patient or are more than a year post-op). Also, even you are a bypass patient, you can still do keto--but you have to start a little differently by phasing in fats over the course of a few weeks rather than making sudden transition which a non-bariatric patient might do. There are plenty of resources online for bariatric patients (including bypass patients) that would like to transition to a keto diet.

Simple, but true. Attribution here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2018/10/22/what-happens-after-bariatric-surgery-makes-a-big-difference/#7fa2c4ec29b1 "What Happens After Bariatric Surgery Makes A Big Difference"

I just wanted to share about my experience in Mexico. I arrived at the San Diego airport on 1/16/2019 and I was scared to death. A very nice young man named Robert picked us up as soon as we got our luggage and was very polite and encouraging on the way to the hospital which starting calming me down. We arrived at the hospital and they were ready for us. The Valet (which is the person that takes care of my husband all week) unloaded our luggage and took us to register. After I filled out the paperwork we were shown to my room. All of my preop testing started (blood work, vitals, EKG) and my IV got hooked up. Everyone was so nice and accommodating. My nerves were finally starting to calm as they explained the processes throughout the day to me. They brought me "dinner" and my husband ordered off of the menu which he said the food was good all week. ($8 for dinner and $5 for Breakfast. He asked for a Coca-Cola and the Valet actually went to the store and bought. I was the first surgery in the morning 1/17/2019. It went great. They kept my husband informed. I slept off and on most of the day but was in no pain and got up and walked every time I was awake. This day I could only chew icechips and spit the Water out. They don't want you to drink anything until you have another "leak" test. Friday 1/18/2019 consisted of my leak test which was fine. Then they brought me a tray of juices and broth. I mostly sipped water and a little juice as I was very bloated from the gas during surgery. I walked as much as I could in between Netflix (the tv has an Amazon Firestick). Later in the day, the Nutritionist brought me a care package that had a bunch of drinks and samples from the BariatricPal Store. She went over the post-op diet and what to expect. She gave me a folder with detailed instructions and a Bariatric Help Book. I was given all of the meds that I would have to take at home with an instruction sheet, Multivitamins, pain meds, Maalox, antibiotics and shots that I have to give in my stomach every night for 7 nights to prevent clotting. I have to admit the shot the first night scared me to death but the needle is so small that I didn't even feel it. Saturday 1/19/2019 morning our tour guides arrived and I was discharged from the hospital. They took us to our hotel. (Real Inn) and they checked us in and escorted us to our rooms. At 11am we met in the lobby and went on a guided tour of Tijuana. It was a lot of walking but it was needed. They took us to Caesar's restaurant which was nice. We were seated immediately and the companions ordered off of the menu and the "Sleevers" ordered Soup. The Soups were strained so we just had the broth but OMG it was the best French Onion broth I have ever had. I couldn't eat it all and ate very slow but it was amazing. We went shopping along the strip and bought souvenirs. After our tour we went back to the hotel in which I pretty much passed out. Sunday 1/20/2019, our flight was at 10:30am so the driver had to pick us up at 6:30am in order to cross the border and give us time to go through TSA. This process when flawlessly. We had a 4 1/2 hour nonstop flight home and I paid for comfort seats in the front row. This enabled me to stand up every hour and go to the bathroom to prevent blood clots. The flight wore me out and I pretty much went to sleep as soon as I got home. Since I got home, I have learned that very small sips are better because I am 8 days post op and although I have had no pain, Gas-X has been my friend. Yesterday was the first day I was actually able to get all of my recommended amount of liquids down just because I feel every time it hits my stomach. Each day gets better and better. I know this is a long post but I wanted to share my experience in Mexico to help anyone that might be scared or hesitant. The nurses, doctors and all of the support staff were very nice. The care was amazing compared to the hospitals in my home town. The only suggestion I would have is to make sure you either speak Spanish or have a translation app on your phone because it is helpful with the nurses and that way you don't have to have the Valet translate every time. They speak English but very limited. I would highly recommend BariatricPalMx!!!!!

I just wanted to share about my experience in Mexico. I arrived at the San Diego airport on 1/16/2019 and I was scared to death. A very nice young man named Robert picked us up as soon as we got our luggage and was very polite and encouraging on the way to the hospital which starting calming me down. We arrived at the hospital and they were ready for us. The Valet (which is the person that takes care of my husband all week) unloaded our luggage and took us to register. After I filled out the paperwork we were shown to my room. All of my preop testing started (blood work, vitals, EKG) and my IV got hooked up. Everyone was so nice and accommodating. My nerves were finally starting to calm as they explained the processes throughout the day to me. They brought me "dinner" and my husband ordered off of the menu which he said the food was good all week. ($8 for dinner and $5 for breakfast. He asked for a Coca-Cola and the Valet actually went to the store and bought. I was the first surgery in the morning 1/17/2019. It went great. They kept my husband informed. I slept off and on most of the day but was in no pain and got up and walked every time I was awake. This day I could only chew icechips and spit the water out. They don't want you to drink anything until you have another "leak" test. Friday 1/18/2019 consisted of my leak test which was fine. Then they brought me a tray of juices and broth. I mostly sipped water and a little juice as I was very bloated from the gas during surgery. I walked as much as I could in between Netflix (the tv has an Amazon Firestick). Later in the day, the Nutritionist brought me a care package that had a bunch of drinks and samples from the BariatricPal store. She went over the post-op diet and what to expect. She gave me a folder with detailed instructions and a Bariatric Help Book. I was given all of the meds that I would have to take at home with an instruction sheet, multivitamins, pain meds, Maalox, antibiotics and shots that I have to give in my stomach every night for 7 nights to prevent clotting. I have to admit the shot the first night scared me to death but the needle is so small that I didn't even feel it. Saturday 1/19/2019 morning our tour guides arrived and I was discharged from the hospital. They took us to our hotel. (Real Inn) and they checked us in and escorted us to our rooms. At 11am we met in the lobby and went on a guided tour of Tijuana. It was a lot of walking but it was needed. They took us to Caesar's restaurant which was nice. We were seated immediately and the companions ordered off of the menu and the "Sleevers" ordered soup. The soups were strained so we just had the broth but OMG it was the best French Onion broth I have ever had. I couldn't eat it all and ate very slow but it was amazing. We went shopping along the strip and bought souvenirs. After our tour we went back to the hotel in which I pretty much passed out. Sunday 1/20/2019, our flight was at 10:30am so the driver had to pick us up at 6:30am in order to cross the border and give us time to go through TSA. This process when flawlessly. We had a 4 1/2 hour nonstop flight home and I paid for comfort seats in the front row. This enabled me to stand up every hour and go to the bathroom to prevent blood clots. The flight wore me out and I pretty much went to sleep as soon as I got home. Since I got home, I have learned that very small sips are better because I am 8 days post op and although I have had no pain, Gas-X has been my friend. Yesterday was the first day I was actually able to get all of my recommended amount of liquids down just because I feel every time it hits my stomach. Each day gets better and better. I know this is a long post but I wanted to share my experience in Mexico to help anyone that might be scared or hesitant. The nurses, doctors and all of the support staff were very nice. The care was amazing compared to the hospitals in my home town. The only suggestion I would have is to make sure you either speak Spanish or have a translation app on your phone because it is helpful with the nurses and that way you don't have to have the Valet translate every time. They speak English but very limited. I would highly recommend BariatricPalMx!!!!!

Hi, I had my DS surgery on December 13th, 2018. It was performed by Dr Jon Bruce, MD of WakeMed Bariatric Specialists Of NC In Cary, NC. I had lost 20 lbs prior to surgery and have lost 50lbs since surgery. Dr Bruce is the best! While in there doing my surgery, he spotted something on my liver, took a biopsy, sent it off and it came back stage 4 cirrhosis of the liver! If not for him, I would have never known it. I have to go see a liver specialist next month for options. Please pray for me! Thanks in advance!

SO worth the drive. Google Mercy bariatrics springfield mo and you can take the seminar online to start the process then they will send you a packet through the mail to fill out. Once they receive your completed packet it takes about 4 weeks for them to review it and get back to you with your first appt. Things move really quick then. They received my completed packet Dec 18th. They called me Jan 15th and set me up with an appt to see my surgeon the next day. While I was seeing my surgeon they called to set me up to schedule my psych eval for the next day. Now all I have left is a dietician and exercise therapist consult then we submit to insurance. Looking at a late March or early April surgery. So from start to surgery will end up being 3-3 1/2 mos Sent from my moto e5 (XT1920DL) using BariatricPal mobile app

And we will be looking for an update from you when it does occur. Get everything in working order, you're entering the final preliminaries, the last month- 6 weeks go pretty fast. Start making a list, how will you be setting up things for your immediate post-surgery, do you have family members you need to make sure they are taken care off? How about any pets? Do you want your hair trimmed up? All these piddly things need care of, do you have a tote packed for the hospital, I must have packed and unpacked 6 times. I would hear on Bariatric Pal what others found useful. so I would add that, someone said I didn't use X item, and I would pull it out. And some things I still didn't use at all. Who do you want to call, who do you want to tell, and if you had some of my kinfolk, who would you not tell anything to even if they held a gun to your head? And please believe , the surgery is far easier than you thought it would be. If you have a good surgeon, that's half the battle right there!

Ok seriously it sometimes takes having a 'come to Jesus meeting' with yourself... I've been there. For REAL. I had the regain. I had the 'I can eat everything just in small amounts' self talk. I had the people come up to me 2.5 years post VSG and ask me if I was pregnant!!! Now at 4.5 years post, I've lost my regain, lost even more and am getting ready (finally) for my skin surgery. For ME, it took an ugly health issue to get my act straight. It's different for everyone but you have GOT to find your "WHY". Once you do that, then you need to just get back to the VERY BASICS. attend some bariatric support groups. track your water, activity and intake. empty ALL the junk food out. start taking your own food to EVERYTHING so there is no temptation. Go back to your surgeon office. talk to them. seek out EVERY form of support you can find. attend an Overeaters Anonymous group in your area, or a Food Addicts meeting. Do WHATEVER it takes. Sadly, statistically the regain odds are not in our favor. Let's all prove those odds wrong.

I had to do 5 nutrition appts. My first one immediately after my first visit, then once a month for 4 months. I did blood work, ekg, Dr letter confirming support amd a psych evaluation, which I paid cash for, because medicare was so hard to find a Dr through. You are right about the advantage plans carrying bariatric surgery. They have to cover it. I'm on disability and very happy they cover it, as my insurance nor my husbands never covered it.

I sent in my first application to see if they would even accept me into the bariatric program on Dec 18th 2018 (they accepted me 4 weeks later) and I will have my last appt March 5th 2019 and ready to submit to insurance. It will take up to 30 days for insurance to approve so I'm looking at an April Surgery. So from Start to surgery day it will be 4 months roughly. Sent from my moto e5 (XT1920DL) using BariatricPal mobile app