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It's perfectly normal and logical to be apprehensive. Although I love my doctors, my bariatric program, I love to feel I am contolling my future and being put to sleep, you are relinquishing all control. Didn't Shakespeare say something about " What dreams may come", although this is a dreamless slumber, I do prefer being awake and the Mistress of My Life.

Hello All, I am a second time poster on this board. The first time being 3.5 years ago. I guess one stays away as long as things are going well. 40 years old male. I had the lap band surgery almost 9 years ago now. I am posting now because I am wondering whether I should have my lap band removed and if so, how to go about it. Weight loss wise, the band has not failed me. I have lost about 90 pounds with it and have maintained that (despite some yo-yoing in the middle). In fact I am now at my lowest weight ever now because of having to adjust my eating (see point #1). But I am considering removing the band for a number of reasons. 1) Acid reflux. Had it bad for a couple of years (and gained weight on those years) until I changed my eating habits (lower volume, not eating close to bedtime) about a year ago and the problem is now gone (and gone with them the extra pounds). 2) Gas/ bloating/ indigestion. Gas has been a problem from day 1. When everyone usually complained about trapped gas for a few days or a week or two at most after surgery, I remember having trapped gas for a month and half after surgery! And since my surgery, most gas has tended to come up (through my mouth). But I have noticed recently that gas (which I assume comes from indigestion) is becoming a real problem and that I have been spending sometimes hours after a meal suffering from excruciating abdominal pain because of trapped gas that needs to be released. 3) lack of follow-up support/ care. I live in Canada and because I was considered a low-BMI at the time, I had to go the private route for it. A year following surgery, I moved provinces and was thus thousands of kms away from the clinic where I had my surgery. 5 years later, and my surgeon no longer practiced at that private clinic and only now works in the public system exclusively. There are no private bariatric surgeons in the province I live in, and all attempts to follow-up wit a local surgeon through the public system have failed miserably. For fills, I used to either go to my original surgeon or to a fill doctor I know (flying thousands of kms away for both). In the 9 years, I remember I had my band checked once with my original surgeon about 5 years ago, and once at my local hospital here (where they do the public weight loss surgeries) only through x-ray when I thought something was wrong with the band. 4) the increasing stories on the forum and elsewhere about people opting to remove their bands. Very sad and depressing but understandable. I feel I am living with a ticking time bomb that will go off at some point in time (and maybe it already has and I don't know!). So it's a question of when rather than if. I am still debating when and how to go about this. Do I do it ASAP or do I wait a bit more until things are worse? Do I pay for it privately and fly again thousands of kms away to have it removed? or do I try to remove it locally? Is it even possible to do it locally without having to wait until I am dying for the public hospital here to remove it for me? I should mention that my family doctor retired a year ago and so I am now with a new doctor who I haven't had a chance to discuss all of this with at length yet. One thing I know for sure is that I am not revising to any other weight loss surgery privately because I will not repeat not having proper follow-up care locally like I did with the lap-band. This is very hard to live with and I guess I am now more risk averse now that I am older (and hopefully wiser with that lap band experience). Many thanks, Seldom

Well Good Luck and let's hope things are going to work out well for you! Somebody mentioned on another thread it's always the same class of Bariatric Pals on here, but you have been among my favorite posters.😝📝🌈

It's normal to be afraid before major surgery. But it'll be okay. The surgery itself is safer than getting a hip replacement (.08% vs .4%). And major complications only occur in about 2.4% of patients. You'll be okay. Sources: https://asmbs.org/resources/studies-weigh-in-on-safety-and-effectiveness-of-newer-bariatric-and-metabolic-surgery-procedure https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/treatments/joint-surgery/types/hip/hip-replacement-mortality-rates.php https://obesitynewstoday.com/gastric-sleeve-complications/

I had my final pre op nutrition class today and was told — don’t start bariatric vitamins before, just keep taking a good multivitamin and start the bariatric ones the first day you are home. So I got a one month supply today also.

Double and triple check with your insurance and the bariatric program you are having surgery with that it's not necessary for surgery (get it in writing even) then say no thanks. Some programs will not proceed without it whether or not you have comorbidities. It's a prerequisite for surgery. It was for me. I had no comorbidities. Your level of obstruction predicts chances of issues with general anesthesia and sleep apnea can form at any time whether you had in the past or not. Safe Journey 🎈

One more thing...hair loss is one of my biggest fears next to loose skin. Most bariatric multivitamins I've seen have a good amount of these things already. Here's an interesting link I saved the other day...Supplements That Help Avoid Hair Loss https://www.tijuanabariatriccenter.com/blog/2018/01/30/supplements-that-help-avoid-hair-188771

Did anyone here start their bariatric supplements before surgery to get a head-start? If so, did you find it helpful in the end? Not only would I like to be as healthy as I can be before surgery, but I'd like to establish this pill-taking routine so once it's time to start supplementing however long after surgery it won't be a scramble to figure out where to start. My dietician is on-board, but I'd like some real-life feedback LOL Thoughts?

Oh my gosh you have given me such great information and I really appreciate this. I have looked and can not find any support groups in my area so this forum has basically become my support group. I do see my pysch next week. And will pick on him to see what he knows about bariatrics as I have a feeling he is not so practiced in this. When we talk he always refers to another patient who doing really great and had started the special diet before the surgery and is now below her weight. Other then that he hasn't spoke much about Bariatrics so this is why I am questioning his skill here. I have been with him for a few years to be treated for Anxiety, Panic Attacks and Depression which he says is medically related - whatever that means. So the information you just gave me is invaluable and I will try to find more information on the web to self help me. Thank you.

Congratulations on your upcoming surgery. Like you said "It is the lesser of the two evils." The fear can be vainity or health related. Weight lifting can help minimize. I don't have much faith in creams, pills and supplements. I have had no sleep and it's now 5:24a. I'm envisioning a bariatric excess skin commercial. Someone rubbing skin reduction cream on their right arm and not the left. Then showing the bat wing comparison after weight loss.💪 Ughhh it's been a long night. How much loose skin you will have is an unknown outcome of surgery. Age and how long you have been overweight will be factors in excess skin. Some insurance companies will help cover plastic if you have documented rashes or the skin causes mobility issues. You can also research self pay methods.

I take bariatric fusion. They’re all-in with iron so I only need to remember to take one type Of vitamin.

Missed the last 2 days but here we go: Day 8 - My fitness plan was just walking on the treadmill I have at home and I was walking 50 min a day. I now signed up with BeachBody On Demand and and starting the first workout today, I'll still try to add some 30-min walk every other day though. Day 9 - How I'm keeping on plan, meal prep is major for me. I haven't done it this week because I worked everyday last week but I have a bunch of healthy stuff I ordered from the Bariatric Pal Store so I'm not making bad choices at all, I will prep this Sunday and already have my meal plan for the week so I'm pretty excited hahaha...going grocery shopping tomorrow. Day 10 - On plan recipe. My meal plan for next week will include a ricotta bake that is delicious. Recipe is attached...I make it all in one small rectangular pyrex and divide into 7-8 pieces totaling 120-150 calories each and 12-15 grams of protein...I use everything fat free and add vegetables (shredded zucchini, butternut squash) and it quicks it up a notch. Shellys Baked Ricotta Recipe - Genius Kitchen.pdf

Maybe you can research the products on this site and buy them from Amazon? I originally bought directly from Bariatric Advantage because there is a huge upcharge to buy that brand on Amazon. But I am finding some items on this site to be cheaper than Amazon but I am in US.

Also Celebrate vs Bariatric advantage?

You should go to a bariatric doctor to see if all is well with your band and your stomach. Also, do some pondering on whether you are now ready to commit to living within the rules of post-bariatric surgery life.

I just bought a bariatric multi from this site and it is nice to take 1 capsule of the multi instead of the 3 capsules of the bariatric advantage brand. Cheaper too. I bought the bariatric advantage brand chewies calcium. There are a lot of flavors and they are really a treat. They are too sweet/ candy like for my taste now and are higher in carbs than they should be imo. But I liked them before surgery. This site has a lot of options and information if you go into their online store. I alternate my leftover calcium chewies with Citrical. Those kind of suck because you have to take 2 pills 3 times a day and even though they say petite they are big. The chalky chewable type of most pills taste nasty to me so I steer away from them. Sometimes I use vitamin b drops. Sometimes I drink a yakult (probiotic drink). I take melt in your mouth biotin to try and keep my hair.

Hi I'm new to this site. I was denied coverage for Gastric Bypass by my insurance due to my employer excluding WLS from our policy. I cannot afford $20K for surgery in the US so I'm looking at Mexico Bariatric Center in Tijuana, Mexico. Has anyone had WLS surgery through this company? Any suggestions for another group? I want the best care possible, please help.

You're suggestion that "if we all found that diet and exercise easy to follow, then we would never have needed bariatric surgery" is misplaced and defeatist. I think a lot of bariatric patients are great dieters. I followed strict diets and went to the gym five times a week for years. I couldn't lose weight because I had T2DM and insulin resistance made weight loss really difficult. If had a sleeve or bypass and think that those alone will do the trick and you're not following your nutritionist's instructions and aren't getting real exercise (where you actually sweat and get your heart rate up), you're going to be disappointed. You only have a year or two in the honeymoon phase to get your sh!t in order and if you don't take advantage of that time, you're going to regret your choices. You're only a year out--you still have time to get back on track and actually get the most out of this surgery!!!

I dug around and found this really great PDF called How To Support Someone During the Bariatric Surgery Process. Mom is getting this PDF! It looks really helpful and simplified. https://www.uhn.ca/PatientsFamilies/Health_Information/Health_Topics/Documents/How_to_Support_Someone_During_the_Bariatric_Surgery_Process.pdf

Yessss! Now that you mention that I remember her telling me once before..."Well, you're not 600 lbs, you don't need that kind of surgery, do you?" I'm the most overweight person in my entire family. Everyone else is naturally skin and bones. I'm approaching 40, never known what "skinny"/healthy weight feels like and I know that if I don't make an impactful change now, it'll progressively get more difficult to manage as I get older and approach menopause. When I was 28-29, I dropped about 100lbs on my own in about 9mo. by just eating like a person that had Lap-Band. Gained it all back after a pregnancy. Tried the same approach at my current a few years ago and got fatter! I'm like whoa...ok...this is nuts. Tried keto for 2 years, lost 45lb then got stuck. Then boom, my employer changes insurance plans that covers bariatric...things happen for a reason! There's no way I'm turning back now. You said "They have a hard time untethering their view from the individual in front of them who might be fat, but is coping."...that really makes sense. Thanks so much for your help with perspective.

Howdy, I’m scheduled for surgery on 1/30/19 and am on day 9 of my 4 week liquid diet. The diet consists of 4 Bariatric Advantage shakes, 2 Bariatric Advantage protein bars, and either a small banana or 1 cup of skim milk per day. It’s been hard, but I’ve stuck to it and found I’m not hungry or hangry like I was the first 4-5 days. I lost 14lbs in the first week, yay! However, both yesterday and today I’ve gained a pound back. I’ve been told it could be water weight or a number of things, but it is so dang frustrating! Has anyone else encountered this? To try and help myself from going crazy I’ve decided to stop weighing myself everyday. But I’m worried if I gain anymore I’m going to mentally snap and go binge on nachos! Any advice, support, or encouragement would be greatly appreciated!!

Howdy, I’m scheduled for surgery on 1/30/19 and am on day 9 of my 4 week liquid diet. The diet consists of 4 Bariatric Advantage shakes, 2 Bariatric Advantage protein bars, and either a small banana or 1 cup of skim milk per day. It’s been hard, but I’ve stuck to it and found I’m not hungry or hangry like I was the first 4-5 days. I lost 14lbs in the first week, yay! However, both yesterday and today I’ve gained a pound back. I’ve been told it could be water weight or a number of things, but it is so dang frustrating! Has anyone else encountered this? To try and help myself from going crazy I’ve decided to stop weighing myself everyday. But I’m worried if I gain anymore I’m going to mentally snap and go binge on nachos! Any advice, support, or encouragement would be greatly appreciated!!

First thing you need is a good support group of other DS patients. This forum is ok but there are Facebook groups that are helpful and necessary to staying mentally healthy. Your family and friends will be important too but they won’t know what you are experiencing. Next you will regret your decision almost immediately after surgery but remember “It gets better”. The healing process is different for each person. Be kind to yourself this is major surgery. For the first few weeks/months the most important thing is Hydration. You should get used to carrying a large cup (30oz is a good size) everywhere you go. And Sip, sip, sip. When you get on solids you can start being concerned with protein and such but keep hydrated, always. Dont get down on yourself if you land back in the hospital for dehydration. It’s common and normal. Stay in contact with your surgeon and don’t hesitate to report anything happening to you that doesn’t feel right Do NOT WEIGH yourself EVERY DAY!! Stop doing it now. Post Bariatric weight loss does not happen in a smooth decline, your weight will fluctuate and it will drive you nuts if you weigh constantly. Once a week is a good idea but remember the number on that scale is just your relation to gravity, your body will be changing radically and these things happen gradually. You will lose scale weight and size sometimes separately you’ll notice your clothes fitting different even though the scale hasn’t changed. This is just the process. You may at some point need an anti depressant, hormonally you are going to feel weird and overly emotional. Don’t wait to get a little pharmaceutical assistance. It will help you get through the rough spots. There’s no shame in it. Good Luck Remember you are saving your life! This is a huge deal. But you are not taking the “easy” way (there isn’t one) and life is about to get very different. It Gets Better!

For years I had thought about having bypass surgery but the insurance plans my employer offered didn't cover it. A couple years ago they changed plans and it was now an option. I was 4 months into the required 6 month process, had met and was approved by the psych doctor and was about to have my appointment to have the scope of my stomach done when my employer changed insurance providers again and it was no longer covered. After having to drop out of the program I attended different educational weight loss programs and different diets but still couldn't lose the weight on my own. About a year later insurance providers changed again and again it was covered so I jumped in and started the 6 month process all over again. Needless to say by the time my surgery date got here I was so ready for it. I was not nervous at all, I was very educated on what to expect and had my post surgery plan all mapped out. I remember telling the dietician at my last appointment that I was going to become the "Poster Child for Bariatric Surgery". My preparedness and knowledge made the process very easy. I am very grateful for the path I was forced to take to have my surgery, I think it is why I have been so successful. To make a long story short, do your home work, get smart on the procedure, diet and lifestyle so you are prepared the best you can be for this life changing surgery. Good Luck and best wishes.

Maybe try a different type of workout, if you're doing cardio, add in some weights? Increase your walking, cheapest exercise there is.If it is too cold outside, mall walk. I think you might be in the Pacific Northwest, skiing and other snow sports? Its like your body has got complacent, change your diet up. These are ideas I have gleaned on here. And maybe this is where your body wants to be, maybe you have swiched into maintenance and no longer in active weight loss. My own goal is 175, I'm still in the mid- 200s, but my bariatric team member states at my age I might break the Onederland barrier, and the last 20 never goes away because of my age(73), could I live with that? Yeah, I said but I still want to try for the 170s if I can.😝📝😝