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I like Chewable FloraVantage Probiotic from Bariatric Advantage. Tastes like grape smarties.

Yes. They said it looked like a possible hernia, so I have an appt with my bariatric surgeon (he also repairs hernias) and he's going to take a look at it.

I would also recommend getting your gall bladder checked! Gall stones are very common post bariatric surgery, and can lead to nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. I would reach out to your doctor about it, for sure!

It is 1000000% normal and generally unavoidable. Your hair naturally goes through growth and shed cycles and any major trauma to your body (surgery, stress, pregnancy, etc.) can impact that cycle. You just had major surgery and now your body is losing a significant amount of weight in a very short period of time, which triggers that shed cycle to accelerate. For most folks it lasts a couple months, slows down, and then you start to see regrowth. Take your bariatric vitamins, hit your protein goals, and stay hydrated. Those are your best tools for helping minimize it and ensure regrowth comes in strong. Some people also supplement with collagen and biotin, which certanily can help, but they won't stop the shed. Hang in there, its totally normal and doesn't last forever!

What is his reasoning for all these restrictions?? I'd consult a dietician trained in bariatrics, most doctors and surgeons have NO CLUE about nutrition and come up with these odd plans that have no medical basis because they don't think about the patients who will actually try implementing them. If the dietician there supports his weird restrictions, find another one. There is no medical data saying bariatric patients should avoid cheese and protein shakes post surgery. Are they checking your vitamin and mineral levels? You'd become deficient eventually without proper supplementation on a plan like that. Early post op recs are different than maintenance when you are over a year out and your restriction has eased up some. I know some docs favor a no snack plan because they think snacks will lead to mindless eating, but planned snacks can actually PREVENT mindless eating. Anyone can hold out for an hour or two when they know when they will eat next... Again, some people can survive on this sort of plan long term after the first year, but to try forcing it when you are still healing is cruel and misguided. You will end up with a lot of fatigue and weakness because you aren't getting enough nutrients.

Thank you so much!!! I have to put it off until I finish my medical assisting program, but we're looking at January or so for the surgery. So just a few more months and then no more period!!! I do have an appt with my bariatric surgeon in Oct to see if that bulge just above my belly button is a hernia or not. If not, then we have to figure out what it is. But I can still work out without pain, I'm still incredibly healthy, and all in all I'm happy. I just want the rest of this nonsense to be finished. I never want to have another surgery, yet as I say that, I know I'll eventually have my skin surgeries lol But I actually WANT those, so maybe that'll be different.

Ugh, I'm so sorry that you have to have another surgery! I had a hysterectomy 2 years ago (cancer) and the doctor is right, it IS major surgery and man do you have to for real do nothing...and more nothing...and get really good at rolling out of bed and not clenching your abdominal muscles for things! The recliner was my best friend, along with a small pillow to brace against my tummy and an abdominal binder helped a lot! Oh and post partum underwear because you don't want anything tight on your tummy... Feel free to message me if you want some tips for surgery and recovery...or just to vent. I had reproductive issues for years before the cancer. I don't do nothing very well so I had to take up diamond painting and adult coloring books to keep my brain occupied. But, like with bariatric surgery, you only get one chance to heal well so best to go along with it. You have had so many other procedures I can't imagine this will keep you down for long. I was upset I had to have one, but now I am honestly soooo glad. It is fun to pack for travel without period gear! LOL I was one of those women who would bleed for months on end and no longer dealing with that is a huge relief...

I don't think I've ever been told that could be a problem? The surgery can make your hair fall out in some cases, but I don't think I've ever heard of anyone having issues with coloring it. Do you know why that would be a concern for a bariatric patient?

I would want to look closely at this, verifying the bile reflux and determining if there is any acid reflux component to this before getting into long term treatment options as the treatment can differ widely depending upon that diagnosis. If it is bile, then I wouldn't expect Pepcid or other anti acid meds to do much as the are treating acid and not bile, a base. I'm not sure what meds they do use but likely different ones. Bile is used to neutralize the acid coming out of the stomach along with the digested food into the intestines. Is your surgeon in the loop on these findings (I assume so, but check if you haven't heard from them yet,) as that may change his prescriptions. If it is strictly a bile problem, then a bypass will probably correct it, but not guaranteed as it moves the stomach/pouch outlet downstream into the natural path of bile secretions; the key, according to one surgeon I discussed this with, is the length of the roux limb, as that is the one that connects the pouch with the mainstream intestine and how far any bile would have to travel to reflux into the stomach. This doc noted that at 80cm or greater (IIRC) he didn't run into any bile reflux problems. The basic RNY procedure has been around for some 140 years for gastric cancer and gastroparesis (it is usually termed just a partial gastrectomy, or likely some other fancy latin names as well,) and it that use, bile reflux is a not uncommon complication. My non-MD take on it is that in those cases, they tend to keep the limbs short to minimize malabsorption and weight loss (last thing a cancer patient usually needs is more weight loss!) So, the longer limb makes sense here. Discuss this and make sure that your surgeon is up on this aspect of it. The other option if it is basically a bile problem is the DS, duodenal switch, which is pretty much a guaranteed cure for any bile problems owing to the very long path between the bile ducts and the stomach, but relatively few bariatric surgeons offer it owing to its greater complexity. Note this only applies to the "traditional" or Hess DS and not the newer SIPS/SADI/"loop" or simplified DS, which like its mini-bypass cousin has bile reflux as one of its common complications. The DS will not help any acid reflux problem as it uses the existing sleeve (though may resleeve it if it was malformed causing GERD rather than just overproduction of acid,) while adding the intestinal rerouting for malabsorption. The DS is a better choice over the RNY revision if slow or inadequate weightloss is an issue, too, as it is a stronger metabolic tool. Good luck on this - bile is surely a much less common problem with the sleeve than acid reflux, so the industry isn't quite as settled on solutions for it.

I use Vital Proteins ( currently on sale in Costco ). I mainly add it to my morning coffee - typically a protein coffee as it is. I have used it for years prior to surgery and I continue to use it. As others have said, nothing can stop the hair shed - I am still shedding at 5 months, but a tiny bit less than when it started at 3 months. However I know the collagen will help new hair growth. I take a bit of extra biotin - more than just my bariatric multi - and keep up my protein intake. I use a Biotin & Collagen shampoo and conditioner - though I know that won't truly help, lol. It's a mental thing and it was on sale at Marshall's. At worst, my hair is still clean, lol. I take the collagen more so for joints and skin since as we get older our collagen depletes. It takes a few months to even really notice any differences so it is something you have to stay consistent with.

Greetings, So as most people do from time to time - I fell off the wagon for about two weeks while on vacation and in the process of that, I noticed that I was able to eat more without any discomfort. I wasn't gorging on food like I did to gain the weight that I had, but I was able to handle bigger portions or that 3rd slice of pizza. I screwed up and I know that. I actually feel guilty, especially considering all the weight I have lost. It was just the first time where it was harder to stay focused as I wanted to enjoy my vacation. I know next time I have to plan better. Now I am aware that the stomach does stretch again, but it is my understanding that it takes years for that to happen per what I have read from doctors - which is why some people who have bariatric surgery tend to gain some or all the weight again years later if they haven't maintained their better eating habits. I am only 5 months out from the sleeve, so I was just curious why I was able to eat more than usual at this early point. I am back on track now, but just wanted to ensure that this is normal - that the stomach can stretch temporarily in the short term and things should be back to normal now that I am eating smaller portions again/proper foods. That I haven't already stretched out my stomach a bit. I would appreciate any feedback here. Thanks, HM

From what I remember they cover all obesity-related surgeries, but I do not remember ESG being on the list specifically. I also think that members in Virginia had fewer hoops to jump through than members in DC and Marylin. This is from the CareFirst site. Blue Distinction® Specialty Care The hospital you select can have a direct impact on the care you receive and your procedure results, but finding the right facility can sometimes be a challenge. The Blue Distinction Specialty Care recognition program identifies health care facilities with proven expertise in delivering specialty care. There are two designations: Blue Distinction Centers - Health care facilities recognized for expertise in delivering specialty care. Blue Distinction Centers+ - Health care facilities recognized for expertise and cost efficiency in delivering specialty care. Blue Distinction focuses on high-volume, high-risk and high-cost areas of specialty care, including: Bariatric Surgery centers provide a full range of bariatric surgical care services, including inpatient care, post-operative care, follow-up and patient education.

You can use whatever protein shakes you want. I used ready made the first 2 weeks, then I bought protein powder from Arbonne and made my own. You can take liquid vitamins as long as they have the same amount of vitamins as bariatric vitamins do. I wasn't told not to take capsules or any kind of pills with the sleeve when I had it, but I WAS told that when I had my revision to bypass. It took a little bit but I'm able to take all my normal pills and supplements like normal now.

Hello! I am scheduled for my sleeve procedure on September 26. I have yet to purchase a meal replacement shake for right after my procedure. My hesitation is the Bariatric Advantage samples I’ve tasted are absolutely disgusting. I love regular protein powder, but these are way too sweet and the flavor is so synthetic tasting to me, it’s hard to get down. I know you’re not supposed to take capsule or chewable vitamins, right after surgery, but am I able to take liquid vitamins and a different protein right after surgery? Thanks for any help!

The bariatric she is real and nothing will stop it. You need to make sure you stick to your protein amounts everyday because your hair needs it to produce new growth and grow (your hair can't produce protein but needs it). Collagen and biotin (as well as keratin_ are fantastic for helping your hair be softer, shinier, and healthier. BUT, it does nothing to actually prevent shedding or make it grow. Collagen is great for hair, skin, and nails as well as joints. For me, I use Codeage Platinum collagen powder. It has 5 kinds of collagen, biotin, keratin, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin c. It's amazing, and I've used it for almost 2 years. It's everything I need for hair, skin, nails, and joints. Another thing I take is MSM. It's amazing for joints, but it also helps thicken hair (which is something I need since I've had 2 bariatric surgeries and my hair is seriously thin). Also make sure you take vitamin E. That's another things that is fantastic for skin and can be beneficial for hair, as well. I also use Living Proof thickening shampoo and conditioner and dry shampoo. It helps give my hair volume, which I desperately need right now. Hope all of this helps!!!

Balancing holiday travel with bariatric nutrition can indeed be a challenge. When I traveled to Dubai post my surgery, I was equally concerned about sticking to my dietary guidelines. Apart from the culinary temptations, I found a unique way to stay active and burn some calories - wakeboarding! It was not only a great workout but also an incredibly fun experience. Being on the water was refreshing, and it distracted me from overindulging in local treats. If you're looking for something active to do while in Dubai or want to try something different, check out https://yeprent.com/wakeboard-dubai. It might just be the holiday activity you need to maintain balance!

It used to be that MFP had a lot of features that didn't work for bariatric patients, which is still true to some extent, but they've made updates. Like, it used to scold you if you ate fewer than 1200 calories in a day. You couldn't set goals of fewer than 1200 calories, so some of the tracking counts wouldn't really work, especially if you're focused on macros. Now I can easily set my daily goal to 800 and go from there. They've added more macro focused features and the ability to turn off "eating back" exercise calories. MFP still isn't great. You can't have more than 4 meal categories, for example. No tracking for mood or bowel movements (I def. track the latter on a separate form because of some experiences early on that I am not repeating). If I were starting food tracking anew, I'd probably use Baritastic, but after a decade I'm not switching from MFP.

Ditto to alllllllll the above. Collagen is great for hair, skin, and nails but it takes time and won't stop the "bariatric shed" from happening. I take Vital Protein's brand, I get it in a tub from Costco and throw it in my coffee every morning. It does help, but it takes time and consistency, especially for hair. As @Arabesque mentioned, hair is all dead stuff, so you won't see the benefits until it starts to grow out.

So I found out I have a uterine fibroid the size of an avocado and one the size of a jumbo egg (12cm and 6.5cm), and my uterus is apparently huge (the size of a 14 week pregnancy, I'm told). Well today was my follow up appt and I was told that my fibroids are so big, the only option I have is an abdominal hysterectomy (they are causing issues with really heavy bleeding all through the month, not at specific times for my period). We're looking at about 5 weeks out for the surgery. Apparently this is going to be a MAJOR surgery, and my doctor said I will have to do nothing, just at home, for 2 weeks at minimum but prefers me to take 6 weeks. WHAT??? 6 weeks??? She said since it'll be abdominal and not laparoscopic, it'll be 2 days in the hospital, a lot of pain, inability to sit up or do much walking during the first 2 weeks, then very slow going for the next few weeks after that. I mean...what??? ALSO... there's a part of my stomach, just above my belly button, that has always kind of stuck out. No matter what I do, it doesn't go down or get smaller. There's not really any pain, but I always thought it was because I was fat. But I've lost a lot of weight and it's still there. The gyn said it might be a hernia, but my bariatric surgeon never mentioned it during the surgery. If I have a hernia that was never found, I'd like to get it fixed. If it's not a hernia, I'd like to figure out what it is. It makes me look pregnant, and it really bugs me. The part below my belly button is my (apparently) huge uterus and fibroids. The part above my belly button is....who knows..... I'm just mentally worn out. I really thought I was done. I thought everything was going well. I don't have pain, I work out all the time, I'm thrilled with everything. And then.....boom. More crap. UGH..... This isn't a bariatric complication, so I'm very thankful for that. But I mean, SERIOUSLY??? More crap??? Sigh.... By the time I finish all this, I'm practically gonna have a brand new body. So at least there's that....

I can reheat lean ground beef no problems. But steak..... that's a big NO. Chicken too. If it's rubbery at all..nope. No matter how much I chew it, it seems to go down better if the meat is shredded and in some kind of sauce. Texture is a big factor for me to determine if it's going to stay down. At 5 months out, I seem to handle most foods better now. Reheating everything else has been just fine. But I did read on a few Bariatric websites, somewhere while researching surgery pre-op, to avoid reheating food in a microwave. I told my nutritionist what I read, and she also said like people here, that she'd never heard that before. But that info is out there, somewhere. I just don't remember where.

Also the food choices I eat are nutrient-dense for example lunch or dinner is two slices of Daves Killer thin slice bread, toasted with hummus, sprouts, avocado, tomato and either 4 slices of turkey bacon or vegan bacon. I might eat rice with shrimp and asparagus, with strawberries. Breakfast is something like one thin slice of Dave's Killer bread, avocado, egg, and everything bagel seasoning. I found that I have a McDonald's egg McMuffin breakfast with coffee and no ham and it does not negatively affect my weight. I also on the advice of my bariatric nurse, who also had the surgery eat one big meal every once in a while, it helps me drop a couple of pounds by the next day.

I was wondering (not to hijack the original thread) what is the difference between MFP and Baritastic. Is one more appropriate for bariatric surgery patients? I'm using the free version of MFP right now and it seems to be doing what I need it to, but is there important features I'm missing?

Has anyone else had a rash after surgery. I am about 4 months post-op and no real problems, and suddenly this rash develops ands spreads all over. I looked up online and found something called “keto rash” caused by high protein, low carb diet. I have now seen 3 doctors, including a dermatology consult at university hospital, and they think this is a reaction to taking Prilosec (which my Bariatric doctor prescribed). I won’t know for sure until some skin samples (biopsied) come back. I also have a history of eczema, and think this might just be a bad outbreak (triggered by the “stress” of surgery and lifestyle change). Has anyone else heard of Keto rash or had it?