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And another update was coming and here it is. Yesterday was a bad day, One week past surgery. Not OMG WHAT HAVE I DONE? nope none,of that it was WHY BODY,ARE YOU FAILLING ME AGAIN? I had went unexpectedly for a visit with my Surgeon due to the Strange Purple Rain. Sunday afternoon. I was lying on my bed watching,baseball and my belly. Okay strange but my Tummy likes fresh Air!. I noticed a strange purple mottling on my left subcostal area not THAT close to any incision areas. Hmmn I think, might bear some observing! Before that had startled in my own semi- imaginary guide, okay mostly,my journal of clippings, but I do have a dynamite title "DR,RNY'S GUIDE FOR THE APPREHENSIVE". Okay,i know,a little bruising around the trocar wounds/slashes/incisions is okay but this is like an alien has gotten under my skin and is having a party. And weirdly as it advances across my body I have a white circle around each incision. It feels warm, not hot, but distinctly,warm, it is slightly swollen to my eyes, and every stretch Mark on that side looks glowinly. back-lit.. Now in the once upon a time past I carried 3 different 9 pound babies,each laid in my body at a different angle, individuals even prenatally. At its best my stomach looks like to roadmap to Indianapolis with all the county roads marked. And this is not,one of TumTum's happiest day. Do I call my surgeon, would he want to be disturbed on Sunday for what might be only a visual problem? Do I trot myself,out to our local BandAid Station? The self-same community hospital who offered my cousin with gallbladder colic a Pap Test? I won't tell you her retort today, but if you look you'll probably find it on another thread. Besides if you,trusted them THAT much you would not,gone 48 miles for Bariatric Surgery. No super pain, so play the odds nothing is twisted, besides in 70s the amount of friends still with a license and driving diminishes daily. And meanwhile Evil Landlord Jerk Mc Gurk is sitting in his ivory palace 136 miles from here near the Indiana border, worrying that this widow might have 2 pennies to rub together and hasn't remitted them to him. I have rented from his family in this location for 18 years, 10 and a half from him,personally. Never had a written lease, didn't think I needed one. The Old adage of "If something,aint broke, don't try to fix it" Notified him when my finances took a plunge, ok we will work with it, one,month I was able to secure assistance from a social,service agency help make the balance, told me at that time We will help you once but not again. And I told him that. Next month, he demanded full payment, now if I told you the amount you would say,that's not SO Bad, but it is 46% of my Social Security stipend , if I pay my utilities, my insurances and the water and trash, neither of which,is pays it leaves my son and I $22.75 for food a week plus our transportation around town. Pretty dismal! I do have a Workmans Comp settlement looming in the future, oh I won the case, verified by BWC And the Industrial commision of my state and Demand for Settlement was submitted over 90 days ago. The problem : opposing party is an self-insured entity. They are sitting on their fat treasure chests saying Nah Nah we aren't in the mood to do anything . I was theur,loyal minion for over 11 years, even worked when I should have stayed home sick, in fact when we parted company I had 4 broken ribs and was still trying to work. Their feelings of responsibility towards me Pfft. And I feel certain Jerk Mc Gurk thinks I have my money and just don't want to share. So mean Mona his wife plunked a for Sale sign in my front yard. She has decided she wants to sell whether or not I am here, whether,or not I am recovering from Major Surgery, She Wants 💰 MONEY! Last day of August J.McG calked, said he would forgive me if I would remit him $1900 by cashiers check,yet that day he would condesend to forgive my manifest sins against him and his checkbook. OMG I said, I don't even make that much in Social Security monthly! He,then said maybe as a joke Why don't you just sign it over to ME this month? So the 24th of this month I have to go to my county courthouse for an eviction hearing . Lovely isn't it!

Have you tried a bariatric therapist? Getting to the root of my disordered eating habits was critical for me to reach goal and maintain. Are you tracking every crumb you eat? I know that sounds critical, but it isn't meant to be....I genuinely thought I was eating a LOT less than I was until I started measuring and tracking absolutely every calorie that went into my body. Yes, it's a hellish pain in the ass. And sadly, it's necessary. You have lost 215 pounds. That is a HUGE accomplishment! I'm crazy proud of you and you should be, too. Sometimes when your body loses a metric feck ton of weight in a short period of time....a starvation defense mechanism kicks in and it plateaus for a while. Be patient and stick to good lifelong habits, a good balanced diet. If you're tracking, measuring and mindfully watching what and why you eat....you'll get there. Hang in there!

If you have good reason to believe this is really an exceptional bariatric surgeon, I would give extra leeway. But, if they are just *a* bariatric surgeon, and if you are upset by interacting with them, I'd find someone else. You don't need to be best friends, but you need to be on good working terms with each other and you need to trust them.

I have coffee every morning. If I don't have my coffee it is best for all creatures--great and small---to be afraid--very afraid.. Whenever I feel ill, I drink diet gingerale--just like Mom gave me many, many years ago. I think every WLS person has to mix and match their own needs/wants within their individual program. You'll know soon enough just what your sleeve will tolerate and what it won't. There is no template that is "one size fits all". It's up to you, your sleeve and your bariatric team to solve the puzzle as to what pieces will fit together to make your new life --picture perfect.

Yes there are 3! My insurance wanted me to use one of them b/c they are all "in network". Amy Elizabeth Martin Great Falls (406) 455-2821 More InfoRNY, LAP-BAND® Benefis Bariatric Institute 37Dale Mortenson Great Falls (406) 452-0877 More InfoRNY, LAP-BAND®, Revision Benefis Bariatric Institute 12David Rohrer Great Falls (406) 771-8411 More InfoRNY, LAP-BAND®, Revision Benefis Bariatric Institute 96

I was in the "First batch" of people in my area to get the band 2 years ago when it became available. I was wondering if anyone has regrets, would you do it again? why/why not? how supportive and accessible is your bariatric program's after care (i.e. for fills, etc)? The last time I was seen by the Bariatric center, the CNP asked me if I"d do it again, and i told her my answer varies depending on how im doing and what day of the week it is.....but seriously after thinking about it, I wish i wouldve done more research and gone for the bypass or sleeve instead (which wouldve been out of state). I have constant issues (i.e. daily) with PB and usually some form of vomitting, regardless of how fine i chew my food down to. i stay away from carbs, i push my protein and veggies....I'm just tired of feeling like i have less a life now than almost 60lbs ago. any feedback is welcome........tgif.

HI all, I had my second fill and am definitely feeling restriction. Need to watch the consistency of what I eat and slow way down. But Aza, I have heard and read that sodas ( anything carbonated is a no no as the carbonation stretches the pouch and is bad after any kind of bariatric procedure. My doctor said to stay away from it for 6 months to a year.

I had mine done at BAMC Ft. Sam Houston, TX- in San Antonio. They have a new bariatric clinic there- recently moved from the Air Force hospital -Wilford Hall. Tricare covers all of it if you have a BMI of 35 or more. (For the Lap Band, I believe it is a BMI of 30. ) You will get a bill afterwards for around 35 dollars for the meals.....if you can call them that.

My Bariatric Center's instructions never mentioned giving up coffee and I must admit that I never did! Egads, how traumatic!! :grouphug:

The ones that I tried are Bariatric Advantage they are good, you can visit thier site and check out for your self, you can actually also give them a call they give out samples as well. Its worth a look. www.bariatricadvantage.com. Good stuff IMHO.

I just started my pre-op liquid diet and so I went to the Bariatric Fusion online store to order. They are really pricey! Alot more than the Unjury. I really like the taste of the Unjury, but they don't have the same variety as the Bariatric Fusion. Although I've been mixing the flavors with crystal light to get more varied tastes.

I met with the dietician last week and will be doing my dietary consult on 9/19. The dietician explained that they advise use of Bariatric fusion Meal Replacements. Has anyone used these and if so which flavors are good? Just want to know what to buy on 9/19! Thanks!

It isn't an essential part of the process, but more of a preference on the part of your surgeon. The extensive pre-op diets that some docs impose doesn't really shrink the liver, but is said to help reduce the fatty/slimy coating that is often present on us fatty liver/obese patients. My doc doesn't do the major pre-op diet program, just the day before clear liquids bit, but then he also does liver transplants aside from his bariatric practice, so I guess he is used to dealing with livers in crappy condition. He said my liver was in good shape when he was in there (and I gained a little in the weeks leading up to surgery, for what that's worth!)

Who has a So Cal PCP that will give thema referral. My PCP says he will not refer anyone for bariatric surgery. So I ahve to find a new Dr!

Happy Friday Everybody! I live in Oswego KS (down past Pittsburg) in SE KS but I work Mon-Wed in Overland Park. I am having my surgery this Monday (Aug 1st) with Dr. Kowalski at KC Bariatric. Started my preop diet today and I am ready to roll for Monday. How is everyone doing? Do you have your dates? How is the preop/postop phase going?

Hi! I love Dr. Ortiz and would go to him or recommend him in a heartbeat for bariatric surgery. And I was planning on going to the Ariel Center... but, after doing my due diligent research... I decided that Dr Sauceda in Monterrey, MX was the one for me. I couldn't find any info on the plastic surgeon at Ariel or find many of his patients to talk with. Dr. Sauceda has a group on ObesityHelp.com and Facebook page... so, I have gotten alot of great information and support from them. The aftercare with Dr. S seems more hands on. And when you email or call... you are talking to Dr. S himself... not a coordinator. I also like the idea of flying directly into Monterrey instead of San Diego and crossing the border. Hope this helps! I am scheduled with Dr. S this Fall... August 29 to be exact. Good luck with your journey! Cheers, Dottie

Wow, sounds like we have a similar exciting day planned! 8:20 with my bariatric center internist, followed by a dietitian appointment followed by my PCP for my annual physical at 11:30. I was released by my endocrinologist about a year ago along with my sleep disorders specialist, lucky me! I don't expect too much in the way of changes needed, just need a little boost to get past the last pounds needed to move me to my initial goal weight. Hoping for a good workout today too. I have been sick for the last five days and have missed my routine, but am hoping for the energy to get a little exercise in! Good luck on the appointments!

I'm new to this and want to here from anyone who is having surgery or have had surgery with Southeast Bariatrics. I'm doing all my pre-op testing and hope to be finished by the end of the month. I cant wait to have the surgery. It seems like the more I read all the sucess stories, the more I really want this. Tell me about your experience..how long did it take from seminar to surgery?

I have used the BariMelts Multivitamin (chewables) as well as the Bariatric Advantage Multivitamin (chewables). The BariMelts melt in your mouth, flavor is pretty decent with only a hint of a vitamin'y taste. But the Bariatric Advantage is like eating Starburst candies

Many times, what we see in the negative posts about Mexico is that the poster knows someone whose cousin heard of someone whose sister read about someone who went to some unnamed clinic in unnamed city with unnamed doctor and had complications. I have read many posts on this forum about our bariatric brothers and sisters who went to Mexico and had no trouble at all........about the same as folks who get their surgery done in the states. I don't recall in the last two years of anybody being vilified for getting their surgery done in Europe or elsewhere. It's just easy to pick on Mexico, I guess. And no, I'm not from Mexico. I was born in Wisconsin.

Congratulations @ mrs. bunch.... I was sleeved on dec 5. I'm feeling better and I thank god I purchased the variety packs of flavored Protein from bariatric pal prior to surgery. It's like I'm drinking juice and I love it. I also add Water flavor packs tinny water because regular water makes me gag. Did your surgeon prescribe you protonix or nexium post op? My surgeon prescribed me protonix to cost my stomach and to prevent GERD. I am to take it for two months only though.

Of course we checked on you, you are one of us on Bariatric Pal and we take care of our own!

I'm a firm believer that husbands wives and young children sign up for the bariatric package (some dietary changes have to occur in their lives too) everyone else like mothers, fathers, adult children, sisters, brothers, roommates, etc they can support in other ways VSG2017 HW 249 SW 238 CW 167

If you're caught engaging in the following practices, you'll be disqualified: Binging Purging Excessive fasting Hydration or dehydration for the sole purpose of manipulating your weight Undergoing any kind of bariatric surgery, liposuction, or other weight-loss procedures

I know that I wouldn't have been ready to do the surgery when I was a teen, but that doesn't mean that he isn't. But it's a lot of work. Here is an article about teens having bariatric surgery from the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/24/health/obese-teenagers-bariatric-surgery.html If you can't access it, let me know and I will try to summarize. There are also medications that can help that could see if he's ready... but he'd have to be compliant with the medications, and in order for them to work, you have to eat less, so if he has bingeing issues, it won't help. It is certainly better to have surgery when you're younger and don't already have co-morbidities, but you have to be mature enough to change your eating habits, which can be hard if all your friends are stuffing their faces with junk food. Good luck!