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I agree. Everyone needs to do what's best for them. Frankly, you don't have to tell anyone anything. I don't discuss my health condition with anyone that doesn't need to know. When it comes to close family that loves me, they are going to notice significant difference in my lifestyle as well as my appearance (eventually), so I think it made sense to share this information with them. P.S. You are wrong about one thing though. In the medical professional labels matter and these procedures are being called "metabolic surgery", not just weight loss (or bariatric) surgery. That's why the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery changed its name to add the term "Metabolic" a few years ago. This is the case because these procedures, which were originally popularized for weight loss benefits, are now being used to treat many different illness that are not necessarily related to obesity. Even the American Diabetes Association strongly supports the use of "metabolic surgery" to treat Type 2 Diabetes. This surgery is also used to treat very thin people that suffer from treatment resistant gastroparesis and other GI and metabolic illnesses. Sure, a large number of people are having these procedures done primarily because they are tired of being overweight, but to call it weight loss surgery does make it seem like "the easy way out" to the outside world. Metabolic surgery has a different connotation to the layman's mind as well as the minds of insurance companies. So, I suggest getting away for the use of the term "weight loss surgery" as much as possible.

Start at one size down from your pre-surgery size.. if it's too big, go down another size. No need to stress! Clothes shopping is the fun part! If you had your surgery done at an accredited hospital, contact the bariatric surgery coordinator; they might have a clothing exchange, so you don't have to buy new clothes every time you drop a size - you can supplement your wardrobe from stuff donated by other surgery patients!

Transference addiction is completely a real thing. I have already noticed a habit of me going from overeating to purposefully undereating. Basically one eating disorder to another. It's something I'm trying to keep tabs on, since I am so soon post-op. A coworker's family member began drinking after surgery and later moved to heroin. Your brain looks for new ways to cope with underlying stressors that caused you to overeat or eat unhealthily to begin with. My surgeon and the rest of the team stressed that the rate of alcoholism is much higher in bariatric patients. They also said that patients are much more likely to engage in high-risk activities, like adrenaline sports (which I did find a little amusing). I was super-screened for any past history of alcohol or drug use. I was not much of a drinker beforehand, maybe a handful of times a year. I'm not sure I will ever try it, personally, because I am worried I may enjoy it a bit too much. I wish you the best of luck! My best friend is currently in inpatient rehab for alcoholism and is doing very well.

I lost the majority of my weight on elliptical and a bit of weights. My goal was to do a 5K in memory of my mother. (race for the cure) Exercise and activity level is a personal choice. No wrong or right way to get activity in.. I look at it this way. I was already eating well and exercising. I was stronger than I gave myself credit for.. What we do as bariatric patients is not that different from weight lifters and people involved in sports. My health issues gone. Seeing the results of nutrition and exercise was amazing. After a year of living this way, I asked myself could I take this further? Yes, I lift, I distance run, snowshoe and hike.

My surgeon said that if I experience hair loss he will double my dose of bariatric vitamins and increase my protein requirements. I personally don't care about it either way. I take Biotin occasionally. I have an hourglass figure. I'm really not even sure I 100% have PCOS. All these docs just said that because I struggled so much losing weight and gained it VERY FAST. I don't really have any other signs except the acne. I guess we shall see when the labs come out. I had estrogen and testosterone tested a few months ago and those were normal.

Weight loss is mostly about eating or lack of, but excercise isn't necessarily about weight loss, its about health and fitness. What is the point of losing a whole of fat and not being at least healthy with it. Improved fitness can bring additional health benefits. I haven't watched the video (I don't want to add to his views, I am not sure I like that he pushes MLM products and using his 'bariatric' platform to sell them), so don't know why the doctor is saying not to exercise, but imagine to start with would because of the low calorie consumption, lack of sufficient calories to meet the calorie demands of exercise. But what exercise is he saying not to do? Cardio or resistance? Or both? Cardio may help with fat loss, resistance at sufficient weights/reps/set, if consuming sufficient protein, will help build lean body mass.

Soo I know it sounds crazy right? But I just watched a super informative video and it made soooooo much sense. I found this Dr on YouTube who is famous for weight loss surgery’s. And he gives really really good information on why you shouldn’t work out after surgery and when your truly ready to work out it’s like 30 mins long but it was really good check it out. “;Dr. Duc Vuong is an internationally renowned bariatric surgeon and a leading expert in education for the bariatric patient”

Do you eat yoghurt? My hubs does keto (he's not a bariatric patient tho) and I'm thinking of moving more that way but I love me some 0% fat yogurt for breakfast. I dunno if i can give up my lovely yoghurt. Sent from my SM-G930F using BariatricPal mobile app

I didn't tell many people. When I told my brother and SIL, I thought they might not be fully supportive. So I armed myself with data. As a percentage, how few people my size are able to lose significant weight and keep it off. The stats on how bariatric surgery works where diets don't. How rare complications are. How much I'd thought about it and tried every other way. In the end, I know they wish I hadn't had to do it, but they understood that it was the only way forward for me. Other than that, I told 2 friends and my boss. Just not anybody's business.

That’s awesome, we’re surgery siblings! Is your pre-op diet the liquid one? The Bariatrics program that I’m doing doesn’t require the two week liquid pre-op diet, they do require you to eat similar to what you will be eating like when you’re all healed up and I’ve been doing that since April.

Awe you are getting close to your surgery day! I'm so excited for you. My surgery day isn't until Feb 1st because my surgeon is just booked out that far. My mother in laws comment was just off putting to me because I thought she would be happy for me. And it did hurt my feelings for 2.5 secs because I know how hard I worked to get where I am now. I actually have lost weight during this whole process because I'm learning healthy eating habits and exercise for my body. I've had the support of the bariatric unit at the hospital.

I'm having an internal struggle about telling people that I am having bariatric surgery. My husband has been so supportive so has my parents and 3 really close friends. But when I told my mother in law after I received my official surgery date. She said well why can't you just follow a diet. I don't think she meant it to be as hurtful as it sounded but its comments like that I don't want to hear. It was already hard enough to make the decision to start my weight loss journey and to get to this point I am now. Its an accomplishment that I am proud of but I feel like I am keeping it a secret. After my mother in laws comment I don't think I will tell anyone else. Has anyone had the negativity with telling people in their life?

Ketosis by definition is pretty much HIGH fat, MOD protein and VERY LOW carbs. It goes against much what we are told as bariatric patients. That said... YES I LOVE KETO!!! I have been strict keto for over a year and maintain these daily macros: 85% fat, 5% carb and protein takes care of itself. Keto can be a little tricky if you 'dump' from fat- it takes a little while for your system to adjust- but once you're there, it's great. I had a 40 lb regain from my lowest and used Keto to lose the regain successfully in about 6 months time. I am 4.5 years post VSG and did the whole 'bariatric' type low carb, low fat thing for the first year. I have found that for the regain, Keto worked really awesome and my body LOVES being in ketosis. I have boundless energy, seriously clear brain function, etc. There are SO MANY metabolic benefits that can be researched in the NIH database. You will get mixed reviews, but for someone who is longterm post op, it is a great option. I'm all about following your surgeon's guidelines during loss phase, but after a couple years most of us are 'done' with our surgeons. Keto is such an awesome tool to use along with bariatric surgery. Feel free to PM if you have questions!

While working on an appeal to the Office of Personnel Management for someone denied a conversion of an LAGB to VSG, I noticed a very significant change that may help anyone who is going to be covered in 2019 under the Federal Employees Benefit Plan (FEP). For many years their criteria for surgery used to require a TWO-YEAR history of morbid obesity. That is changing to ONE YEAR. That is a big deal and might be very important for many folks covered under the FEP plans. Here's what they say about the change: "We now provide bariatric surgery benefits for members who have a diagnosis of morbid obesity for a period of 1 year prior to surgery. Previously, the requirement was a diagnosis of morbid obesity 2 years prior to surgery. (See page 69.)" This is a important for anyone who cannot prove they meet the BMI criteria for two years regardless of whether they are (a) trying to get FEP to approve their first surgery OR (b) anyone seeking a revision / conversion for reasons other than a "complication" related to their original surgery. I'm attaching a copy of the 2019 Service Benefit Brochure and here is the link: 2019 FEP Service Benefit Plan I hope it helps. Happy Holidays to everyone! 2019_SBP_ Brochure.pdf

You know it is great to read these threads, not saying surgeons and the bariatric staff generals aren't great, they are but sometimes the humble footsoldier in the Weight Wars has the Best Ideas!💊

Bariatric Advantage vitamins are so expensive too. There are so many equivalent and better options out there. Celebrate is decent, but a bit expensive (much cheaper than BA, though). I have some Celebrate wafer calcium vitamins I haven't tried yet, and immediately post-op I took the Celebrate powder multivitamin, but it was too much to drink and kinda sour, so I switched the Unjury chewable.

Jacie, honey, I am So So happy for you. As someone who almost left it until too late , I congratulate you for doing it at a much younger age. Your son will be getting a new improved model Mommy, one that will have fun , play games with, and generally be fun to be around. Not saying you were all those things before but mobility does mean a lot. You'll now be the express train instead of the Huff and Puff model. And I want to be kept updated as time goes along because I do believe in the operation and its benefits. And mine has not been a textbook recovery, ask anyone who has followed me, but I find much to be upbeat and hopeful about, and I will not die soon from obesity, as once was predicted. I WILL MAKE IT AND DO A GREAT JOB DOING IT! This is my vow before God and all my Bariatric witnesses!😝🌺🎶🌸

I was afraid of that too, but I realized that these doctors wouldn't be bariatric surgeons if they didn't believe in the benefits of the surgery. Just be honest, you will be fine. The insurance companies are harder to deal with.

Hello. I’m in the preparation stages of having surgery with Dr Vallina who is affiliated with Northwestern Medicine and also DuPage Medical Group. He practices at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield IL. I would absolutely recommend him! During the process of seeing the other doctors for the pre-surgery visits, I’ve been told that he is very highly ranked in the bariatric world and based on my interactions with him, I sincerely believe it. He has a great personality and is very attentive while you’re speaking with him.

Love it! Would love to see competition photos. If you are doing this competitively you may want to invest the money. Bariatrics makes things interesting for food to fuel fitness goals. i am not a powerlifter or at any level of competing. I know of a few power lifters on this site. I hope they respond.

You are entitled to a freak out. Most of us have experienced the emotional bariatric rollercoaster. This is one of many weight loss mental battles to overcome. Hang on for the ride.

Hahaha... my surgeon is chubby. Not bariatric surgery size chubby. But he is definitely a round-faced dude (pic of him on my profile). Several of his staff have had WLS. Most are average-sized... but I'm not sure which have had the surgery and which haven't.

Anything in yellow txt was required by my insurance carrier and anything in blue txt was required by my program/surgeon. June 13, 2016 - Referral to Weight Loss Surgery Seminar @ Ohio State University by PCP July 26, 2016 - Attended Seminar Nov 03, 2016 - Submitted application to begin weight loss surgery process Dec 19, 2016 - Entry Psych Eval (All patients have to pass a consult w/ MMPI psych eval prior to entry into the program) Jan 2017 - Therapist pushed referral to see psychiatrist to discuss medications Mar 14, 2017 - First of 9 monthly PCP visits per insurance Mar 20, 2017 - Second Psych Eval @ OSU - Passed and entered program My insurance requires a consecutive 9 month weight loss monitoring program with a PCP and they counted the visit prior to passing the second psych eval as 1 of 9. April 5, 2017 - Initial visit with at bariatric clinic with dietitian and nurse practitioner ALSO required EKG and labs May 2, 2017 - Required Endoscopy to check for h. Pylori (negative results) May 3, 2017 - 2 of 9 PCP visits June 7, 2017 - Dietitian follow up June 8, 2017 - 3 of 9 PCP visits June 19, 2017 - Cardiology Clearance July 13, 2017 - 4 of 9 PCP visits July 30, 2017 - Initial Psychiatrist appt for Mood stabilizers Aug 16, 2017 - 5 of 9 PCP visits Sept 14, 2017 - 6 of 9 PCP visits Sept 9, 2017 - Pulmonary clearance (I have thrombophelia) Oct 2, 2017 - Gastroenterology Clearance (I had Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome) Oct 3, 2017 - Required Sleep Study (passed... no apnea) *Had I had apnea I would have then began 6 months of mandatory CPAP usage, followed by another sleep study, etc... this would have extended the 9 month requirement well into 15+ months) Oct 18, 2017 - 7 of 9 PCP visits Oct 25, 2017 - Dietitian follow up Nov 22, 2017 - 8 of 9 PCP visits Nov 29, 2017 - Dietitian follow up Dec 12, 2017 - Third Required Psych Eval (Psych Eval had to be within 6 months of surgery so a third one was required) Dec 12, 2017 Required "Life After Surgery" consult with nurse practitioner *Required my program NOT insurance Dec 19, 2017 Dietitian follow up Dec 21, 2017 Required "Life After Surgery" consult with family (husband plus children) with dietitian and nurse practioner. *Required by my program NOT insurance Dec 27, 2017 9 of 9 PCP visits - ALL paperwork was submitted on this day to insurance including 5 years of weight history (I had to get records from other doctors where applicable and email them to the patient coordinator) > Began 4 weekly online video conference courses on "Life After Surgery" that had to be completed as a requirement of program Jan 4, 2018 Insurance Approval!!! Surgery tentatively scheduled for 1/31/18 Jan 15, 2018 Began Liver Shrink Diet (5 protein shakes, 1 300/cal or less frozen meal, 1 salad, 1 small fruit, unlimited non-starch veg) Jan 23, 2018 Initial meeting with surgeon PLUS dietitian follow up > Surgeon was changed the next day due to scheduling conflict Jan 29, 2018 - Pre-Op Assessment with anesthesiologist, blood typing, and labs Jan 31, 2018 - Surgery Day!

Hi, I’m hoping to find some suggestions about Bariatric surgeons that perform the sleeve. It’s difficult to know who is competent and who I should not go to. Any surgeon suggestions in Chicago or Northwest Indiana would be greatly appreciated. Thank You

Oh ok Thank... Did you do your surgery at the Southwest General Hospital? Also, Were you told you HAD to buy their Bariatric Advantage Kit at the Pre-Op Class?! Asking because I have preop tomrrw and was told that I Have* to buy the Bariatric Advantage Kit *($300) at the class or they will cancel/Reschedule surgery.... 😕 (I really dont have the extra funds due to the holidays) Ive seen a few ppl that have been through them, but they said they weren't forced to buy it....just asking! Did they give you a Binder for stomach, or do I need to buy one before?! Thanks!