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I had lap band surgery in August 2013, everything was going well. In October I joined a cross fit training class (mon- fri). About two months ago I started having issues with keeping food down! Never did I imagine that my band had slipped!! My dr told me that if it doesn't go back in place in one mth I will need to surgery!!!!! Obviously he unfilled me, my appetite is back (I'm concern that I will gain my weight back) and not sure if should cont cross fit training so I renewed my membership a hath club. I thought I could do cardio but now I'm having second thoughts. What if I make matters worst!! Anyone has any idea what's the best thing for me to do?!?!?! Your feed back is highly appreciated, thank you!!!

Yay on your date! I'm April 17th as well! I'd definitely check with the dr about the bruising. The bariatric nurse that gave the seminar I attended said that beside a leak they were equally concerned about blood clots. Good luck

I had Bariatric surgery to help me with portion control. While waiting for surgery in pandemic I did Noom. Lost 30# with portion control and 80% good food choices. At 8 wks post op I just started all foods. I'm testing a food each day. I was proud that I haven't had any dumping. I have not tried any high sugar. I still measure what I eat. 1/3 c protein, 1/8 c veggie but once a day it is carb and a fruit. 5 meals, every 2 hours. I just put my goals in Myfitness app to monitor my protein and calories, carbs and fat. It is not a diet anymore, a way of life. Plan to progress to 1 cup by 9 months to one year. Maintain that.

The Unjury website www.unjury.com sells Opurity vitamins. They have a bariatric multivitamin customized for gastric band patients. Would these vitamins be good for VSG too? I'm thinking they would since both procedures are restrictive with no intestinal bypass. Also has anyone tried these. I'm wondering what they taste like.

We went over his "basic" stuff, and answered my questions...and then we would have to do it again because hubby had been out of the country unexpectedly the first time. It is OK, however ti gave me time to think of things I would have asked the first time, but did not because I didn;t think of them till I had my first set of answers. One thing I did have was a good Bariatric Coordinator, and email, and she would answer my questions over and over again sometimes...

There's a new product at the BP store, BP's Multivitamins....for 6.99. No reviews on it...seems to have all the vitamins needed, etc. Has anyone seen this or tried these yet? For 6.99, wow...that's a great price! https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/multivitamins/diet-type_aspartame-free

I think it's very normal to feel down in the early stages, it's a huge lifestyle adjustment which can be scary and have us question if we did the right thing. I remember one day after my third fill I walked out of my Bariatric centre feeling really happy and on my drive home started to get really teary and by the time I got home I was crying like there was no tomorrow. Took me a few hours to figure it out and it was fear of failing yet again, mourning of my previous way of eating, mourning of food, mourning the fact that I could no longer eat a two course meal and sometimes three course when going out with friends. Food had control of me in so many ways and from that day on I developed an attitude that I would no longer let food control every aspect of my day to day living. I needed food to live not live to eat food. So feeling down is a normal part of this process and it will get better.

I have called my insurance company and was told they do cover the lap band surgery and that I do qualify as far as weight ( BMI 38 ). I have my appointment for the seminar at the bariatric clinic and will be getting my referral from my PCP on the 25th. They did mention somthing about requiring that I have tried a 4 month weight loss program through my physician but would look at my last years history with him and possibly accept teh weight loss I have already had being monitored by my Dr. Ayway, I am excited to get things going and have realy learned a lot from all of you out there. Looking forward to chatting with you all and looking for support. Thanks :wink_smile:

I had my first appointment with the bariatric team today. Filled out paperwork, got weighed and had my blood pressure taken. Met with the two NP's and talked about surgical options. They feel (as I do) that the vertical sleeve is for me. Gastric bypass may have been difficult after my gallbladder surgery - something about scar tissue. The sleeve was what I wanted. I had about ten vials of blood drawn. Next step is meeting with the nutritionist, psych evaluation, barium swallow, EKG, ultrasound and Echo, and a sleep study. I have to lose 15 pounds on my own before hey will send in the paperwork to request surgery. Post op diet is a regular diet - not liquids. They said they don't do full liquids pre-surgery because it makes patients miserable and we have to learn how to eat less. I'm going to have a hard time with no drinking right before and after meals but I know I can do it. Feeling good about making the first step.

It depends on your insurance. My policy has an in-network out of pocket maximum of $2000 per year. By the time the surgery came around (September 28), I had already spent $600 over the previous almost 10 months in co-pays and a couple of other items that my PCP asked me to do (abdominal ultrasound, chest x-ray, etc.). So, I had to pay about $1400 for everything. (The hospital submitted their claim to insurance first, so that money went to them. Insurance covered everything else at 100%.) My doctor didn't have any "doctor fees." My parents had bariatric surgery over the past few years in Alabama, and their surgeon charged a $300 administrative fee per patient. I personally think that is kind of dirty, but apparently a lot of them do it.

$300 fee is nothing. Drs do have costs associated with submitting your case to insurance company. People like me, who required 3 full submissions and 2 peer to peer appointments cost more than easier patients/insurance companies so the fees balance out. My first surgeon had a $2500 "lifestyle management fee" that had to be paid in advance of the surgery being scheduled. And that was on top of all the other costs that insurance was covering 100%. Supposedly that was to cover support groups/classes and the doctor coming out to visit you in cases of extreme need, but considering we lived 50 miles away and the support programs were all during business hours we would never have used any. Plus, if we coukd afford $5000 we wouldnt be on medical. The surgeon also refused to work with us on the fee. The surgeon who did my sleeve (and who i recommend if in CA) is Dr. Richard Nguyen of Lifetime Surgical. He charges $300 and i didnt find out until after I paid it that that fee also includes the bariatric diet food for the 2 weeks preop. That makes the portion that goes to them more like $150-200. I find that very reasonable for all they did. HW 385 SW 359 CW 344 Sleeved 10/5/16

Kevin, call the customer service number of your insurance. let them know what you have done and ask them to tell you what they require. once you submit everything to the bariatric center, ask them who to contact in their office for an update as to when they send in your paperwork and what their experience is. Follow up with the insurance and learn their process. I took my waiting time form 3-4 weeks to one week processing time. I have BC/BS of CA though. Please continue to do your research. Know that hunger is sometimes felt with the band until you obtain your "sweet spot" . Hope this helps you and I wish the best in this journey you have just begun.

that's incorrect. Visalus is a tri-blend of protein. So 3 different types or protein - yes one of those is soy. However, it's specially processed to remove isoflavones that can impact estrogen - so it's not a problem for those who worry about figroids, etc. You can research more of this to find out the exact process. The shakes seem to be a little lower in protein grams than other shakes, but it's a much better blend. plus, look at the sugar. less than 1 gram of sugar. i was looking at some of the shakes that many people post about drinking and they are drinking 20 grams - 200 grams of sugar! WHAT!?!?!!? plus low fat, low sodium, gluten free and lactose free. i dont know if these shakes are good for bariatric patients. i hope so because i have my surgery on the 21st and love these over about anything else. either way, the comment of them being only soy protein is incorrect, and the little soy that IS used isnt your typical soy.

Hi, My lapband surgery is today, so I'm not a bariatric expert but, I have the same problem and I found if I chew on a plastic drinking straw, it helped satisfy my oral fixation for awhile. Hope it helps.

So my very good friend that is going through this process with me had her surgery yesterday morning and I am officially one month post-op! The first few weeks I after I was doing spectacularly... meeting all of my nutritional goals, getting in all my fluid, and getting in a ton of physical activity. I was healing like a dream. The pain was luckily minimal in my own case beyond the usual discomforts. However, given all of the outside stuff going on and also being away from work for so many weeks I've just got way TOO much time to myself to focus on other less important things... and this has really been getting to me and grating on my nerves as I am dealing with quite a lot of stuff aside from just needing to focus on me and recovering from my RNY surgery. I've also been a bit depressed. I know being a bit depressed is also normal. I just can't seem to shake it and it's driving me nuts... I decided on a whim to go back to work way earlier than anticipated merely to get myself out of the house more, back to work, and just back into a regular routine (plus it's nice to get paid to do stuff too, lol!). I've been a little stressed too with the random bills coming in from the surgery, plus the bills I am going to have to pay my employer once I get back for my medical benefits while I've been out... etc, etc... so anxiety, depression, stress... I'm not my usual bright ball of sunshine. It's been really bad this past week since starting on the "soft food" phase of my diet. I know I am not getting enough protein , I am not eating enough period. I am getting all of my vitamins, yes. But I am not getting enough food or fluids. SO, I may just need to stop and go back to square one with my soups/puddings and whatnot from the liquid phase just to re-kickstart things... that is the general advice from the support group at my bariatric program; if you feel like you're having trouble, just start back at step one and slowly go from there.... I think I can do that and get back to where I need to be without sacrificing too much. I know most of it is this freaking depression that I've let overcome me... but I'm gonna try to start kicking it to the curb. Hasta La Vista, Babay!

I want to hear from people who had the band removed and how they cope with gaining weight back despite diets and exercise. I do not have an option for any other bariatric surgeries unfortunately!

Hi. ChattyPatty from Wisc. Im a newbie here. Pre op weight 226 post op so far 221. If my stomach hurts after full liquids meal (4-6oz)- does that mean too much? If my stomach hurts after not putting anything down (busy shopping, etc) dies that mean Im hungry. I want to make sure Im doing the right thing. After my surgery, I went to ICU for one night then to heart floor for one night. I did not have the advantage of being on a bariatric floor or with staff. That is at a sister hospital. I do use chewable Prevacid. I am still in post op pain outside (sutures) and inside - tummy. Im so afraid of stretching my pouch. Thank you for your help.

Hi, my doctor is Dr. Dean at the Bariatric Center. You have done great! It is so nice to read success stories like yours. I can't imagine that there is really something that will help me! Who was your doc? I have a friend who used Dr. Spivak in Houston. Talk to you soon!:rolleyes2:

At summa bariatric center?

Hi, I'm a newbie here from the other land Down Under (New Zealand). I had roux en y gastric bypass two years ago and while the lead-up to my surgery wasn't without its hassles, my recovery and life since has been almost boringly easy. Touch wood! I've been overweight nearly all my life: I arrived kicking and screaming into this world weighing a healthy 9 pounds and was pretty much "normal" weight until I hit my early teen years. It was then the weight just piled on, and stayed there. I managed to lose a decent chunk of weight a couple of times through old-fashioned healthy eating and exercise, once in my late teens and then again in my mid-30s. But as we all know, losing it and keeping it off are two entirely different things and as much as those who have never struggled with their weight like to insist it's simply a matter of eating less and doing more, that is so much easier said than done. And let's face it, if it was really as easy as all that, there wouldn't be a multi-billion dollar industry built around weight loss. We have free major medical care here, which is funded by our taxes, but because demand far outstrips availability of surgical care, there are waiting lists for pretty much everything and even if someone has been scheduled for a particular surgery, they can still be bumped from their spot by emergency procedures (accidental injuries etc). Aside from that, some of us do have private medical insurance, often subsidised by our employers. However, our major insurers have weight-loss surgery listed as one of their exclusions. I was fortunate enough to have chosen an insurer that does fund it with some qualifications (basically at the recommendation of your primary doctor). There are a very small number of procedures done on the public health dollar (in my region, with a population of around 50,000 people, I believe about a dozen cases are funded per year). Most people I know who have had the surgery have actually self-funded via personal loans or extending their mortgages. About 8 years ago, I developed gallstones and had my gallbladder removed. While organising the claim with my insurer for that hospital stay, I noticed a one-line mention of weight-loss surgery in my policy and phoned the company to ask about it. I was told I didn't qualify because I needed to have at least one co-morbidity. I was still recovering from my emergency gallbladder surgery and was also probably a little naive, so I didn't question their response. Then, about three years ago, I was looking over my policy again and decided I should go back to my insurer and question them further ... demand some answers and justifications on why the co-morbidity was needed when it wasn't actually mentioned in the policy. Interestingly, the person I dealt with immediately agreed that yes, they would generally fund the surgery if a bariatric surgeon recommended it. At that point, there was no bariatric surgeon in my home city so I booked an appointment with one a two-hour plane trip away and started counting down to my initial consultation. During that time, I'd been feeling a bit unwell and things got a lot worse very quickly: I became incredibly short of breath and tired and just felt terrible. As it turned out, I'd developed dilated cardiomyopathy with a bundle branch blockage, incredibly high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes for good measure! Yep, I felt like death warmed up: heart failure will do that for you! That meant the surgery was, of course, put on hold. My cardiologist reckons the cardiomyopathy was probably caused by a virus and that the heart condition was likely what caused the diabetes because I'd been tested just a few months earlier and had been fine (family history ... mother was type 1, father type 2) so I'd gone from healthy blood sugar to HbA1c of 85 in just 4 months. The next year was spent dealing with the heart problem and I have to admit, I was a bit stunned by the whole situation: I really just wanted to survive at that point, to get well enough to have the heart surgery my cardiologist said I needed (an implanted cardioverter defibrillator) but was at that stage too sick to have done. A year later I'd had quite a remarkable turnaround, still in heart failure of course, but my heart had reduced in size and everything was looking a lot brighter. Bright enough, in fact, for my cardiologist to decided I perhaps didn't need the defibrillator surgery after all. I was about then I decided to push ahead with the bariatric surgery. I'd lost quite a bit of weight when first diagnosed with the heart condition but had come to a screaming halt, I just couldn't shift another pound. I had to get a cardiac clearance from the anaesthesiologist, which he was happy to do (said my blood pressure, blood sugars and cholesterol were better than those of his marathon-running, vegan wife!) Meanwhile, a New Zealand surgeon who has spent several years working in America as a bariatric surgeon had returned to NZ and set up shop in my home town, so I was able to have my surgery much closer to home. I got had my consult, phoned my insurer, got approval that same day and was booked in for three weeks later. It all happened so fast my head was spinning! The surgery itself had one little hiccup: my heart went out of rhythm and gave them all quite a fright. However, they phoned my cardiologist and she told them that so long as it went back into rhythm on its own, they were good to go ahead (I knew nothing of any of this until after the surgery of course, I was already knocked out). Aside from being incredibly tired when I woke up, and for the next day (they reckon because of the heart rhythm thing), being left with a lineup of fist-sized bruises across my ample tummy from the blood thinning injections, topping off those bruises with some impressive red welts after a cracking delayed reaction to those same injections on day 4, and developing a weird all-over itch for just one day a week after surgery that we never found a cause for, my recovery was pretty good! I wasn't able to sleep in my own bed for about three weeks because our bed is quite high (I'm 5ft 4 and it's hip height on me), so I have to climb on to it. However, I just slept on a recliner chair and it was all good. Oh good lord, and sorry for what turned to be something of a novel!

Hi there My name is annette. I have only 4 days to go , and like you im pretty worried about the surgery too, I think this is probably normal. Im worried about the whole hospital stay and yes also about the life changes afterwards, I will certainly answer any questions you may have after I go through my surgery , Annette Hello my fellow Bandmates, I am so excited, nervous and slightly apprehensive at this time because this is a new chapter that is about to begin in my life. I have never taken a risk my whole life that would essentially change me from the inside out. I am excited because finally I get the chance to become healthy while losing weight. I am nervous because I am scared of surgery in general and the risk associated with it. I also feel a little apprehensive because this is a significant life change and I wonder will I be successful. I went to a support group last week and many said that this is hard work, but they all felt motivated to get healthy. It also encouraged me because I know that I can do it now and that everyones weight loss is different. Dr. Enochs wants to do a Gastric Plication in combination with the LapBand which means to fold the stomach in on itself and stitch it up. Gastric Plication (LGP) as a bariatric procedure. It promises to be a method that gives weight loss results as good as sleeve gastrectomy without the risks associated with that procedure. He says that I would require a liver reduction diet two weeks prior to surgery and he wont know until he opens me whether or not he can do it. This is basically an experimental procedure that is supposed to increase weight loss so I hope it works for me. Im just asking for your prayers and advice that may help me right after I am banded. Your comments will be appreciated. Thanks-FeFeButterfly <BR class=spacer_>

I used Dr Sonny Cavazos who's head of bariatrics at Northeast Baptist; there's a section here for surgeons (it's a forum, you can scroll down) but I don't think anyone has posted there about Dr. Patel.

Hi everyone. Just wanted to put down my experience for that first week for those who need lifting up. =) My personal experience was hell. Now that doesn't mean yours will be. I see people on here all the time who have truly stellar experiences! But for those of us who didn't. Here I am! Firstly, if you've read my story, you know I"m a liver patient, more than a bariatric patient. In the hospital I had trouble with pain control, blown IV's and pretty much just existed on Water. I was there for two days. I had made my own bone broth and Jello and brought it with me. I didn't even use it I was sick. However, after I got home I felt somewhat better. I had to find a comfortable way to lay on my back. That never happened. In the OR while laying on my back something shifted. It still isn't quite right. I attribute that from my Spondylitis in my SI joint. Chiro hopefully and my massage therapist will be able to help. Anyway, I was nauseated quite a lot the first few days and in a drug induced stupor. I threw up the second night home. That was a horrible experience. I am not one of those people who "ralph" very well. I think it was s combination of taking my liquid pain meds too fast. THEN I did my incentive spirometer, but I think I sucked in air. And out everything came! So be careful with that. That was day two, at home. I pushed through day three with a vengeance, because my grandmother always told me day three of a surgery is always the worst. And it has been. Day four was better....everything seemed clearer and I was able to drink more effectively and even take a few liquid supplements. Not all, but some. Day five. I felt this burst of energy. It was crazy. Mind was willing, body was not! So I walked around the house. Did try to bend, not a good idea... LOL. I was able to get all my Vitamins down this day. I was really proud of myself. But I was still short on the liquids. Day six. Weakness.... I just felt like a wet noodle. I think it was from not getting in the requisite amounts of Protein and liquids for as many days. Day seven. One week post-op. Woo! I finally "felt" hungry. Liquids didn't seem to be cutting it and I started craving fish. Which is a big deal for me because my liver disease had taken all hunger pains away for the past two years. I called my doc's office and asked if I could tolerate the foods on Phase 3 if I could have them? They said yes. I was over the moon about that. Not knowing what I was getting myself into. LOL Day eight. I decided to order the fish. I got sea scallops. And mashed potatoes. I was able to eat the scallop and about a teaspoon of mashed potatoes. It was heaven, it was also hell... I felt way full. I can tell you what they say about "real" food protein staying with you longer, is the truth. These Protein shakes don't last long. I am still drinking two a day to get enough protein in. Day nine. Same weakness. I just feel so weak. All over. And thirsty all the time. Ate scallop and potatoes again for one meal. Still got in all the vitamins. And today, day ten. I still feel weak. I'm hoping this will pass when I am able to actually get in all the protein at least a week in a row. I'm thinking the body has gone into survival mode or something. Two things. I had a bowel movement without taking anything on the second day home, and then again on day five. So I'm not going to take anything unless I have to. Second thing. I found this protein supplement called Reserveage, they taste awesome! Mix very well. Come in vanilla and chocolate. So that has become my go to supplement for protein. I still get individual packets of different flavors to shake things up a bit. I have an order into unjury that hasn't shown up yet. I'll let you know how that tastes when it gets here. So I hope this helps someone. Keep pushing though those first days. It does get easier. I'm excited about the future. =) Have a great day!

The support groups are the best place to ask questions from people that have already been there, don't waste your time not asking questions, no questions are stupid and usually some one else is wondering the same but also afraid to speak up. This is important so use your voice and learn all you can you can never be prepared too much. I also recommend the big book on whatever procedure you're having I found in the Bariatric store and its well worth it Sent from my N9519 using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi everyone, I have finally made the decision to move forward with weight loss surgery. I am in my mid-40s and married with two college age kids. I was that skinny kid growing up that could eat anything. Getting pregnant was like flipping a switch. Each year, I gained more weight until reaching my highest today at 263. I have tried Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, Nutrisystem, diet pills, Vitamin shots and even denial. None have worked for me. I have a BMI of 42.4. My inner skinny girl is anxious to come out! After extensive research, I am considering the sleeve gastrectomy. So far, I attended a seminar. My appointment with the surgeon is June 18. Looks like my insurance is requiring a psych consult and nutritionist consult. Nutritionist will be done the same day. This site has already been extremely helpful. Thank you all for sharing such personal information. It really makes a difference. I will try to follow your example and do the same. Hospital - Emory Johns Creek/Atlanta Bariatric Center Surgeon - Undecided, probably William H. Johnson, MD, FACS