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Sorry everyone I don't go on here much... Facebook has some great groups to check out Bariatric Living & recipes and Sassy & Sleeved Sisters Support Group. Check those out and I am on Facebook too!

Starting my preop diet tomorrow. 2 bariatric advantage shakes, 2 skim or milk unsweetened almond milk or a Greek yogurt. 1 protein snack 1/2 c fruit and 4 oz lean protein with 1-2 cups non starchy veggies. Getting excited

Scars are not the issue with most men. Some of us have them from skin removal surgery and I haven't heard of a lover really rejecting someone over the scars. You mentioned you have always been trim, so what brings you to bariatric pal?

You'll have a burger next year. I had a burger yesterday. No bun, topped with a small piece of cheese, onion, tomato and pickle. It was delicious! The best part? I was too full to eat anything else. You'll get there. I know it doesn't seem like it, but you'll be eating bariatric versions of normal food in no time.

Cleveland clinic is one of the top Bariatric surgery centers in the world and Dr. Schauer is one of the most well-respected weight loss surgeons in the world. Hope that answers your question

No, I didn't think it was a magic solution and I entirely know it is a tool, but at the same time - bariatric surgery has been criticized by many for the supposed rapid weight that occurs that isn't normal, which is one of the reasons why people have a whole set of new problems with hanging skin. The body can't bounce back that fast. I think there has been some "marketing" in this industry that have contributed to the expectations that some may have too - especially with before and after photos of people who may be the exception to the rule. Like I said, I don't regret the surgery at all and I am never going back, but I expected more of a woosh of weight loss at least initially.

Hi everyone, I am new to this community and looking forward to the journey! I have been thinking about and discussing lap band with my fiance and our doctor for about a year now. I am finally getting around to a seminar in our area (Philadelphia), now that insurance issues are straightened out. I am getting excited and nervous! My fiance and I are both going next Friday to the informational seminar at the hospital and then we will make our initial consult appointment. I decided to do the lap band versus other bariatric surgeries because it is reverseable and we are looking forward to starting a family as soon as we can! :confused: I hope to find some good information on here and hear about all of your experiences with the band.....and I can't wait to be banded!!!!! Stefani

I had my Lap Band done in Mexico and I know that there are some fine Dr.'s there, but the thing that is really bothering me right now about Mexico is the crime problem. In fact, I just read this morning that kidnappings are up nearly 10% this year alone. Mind you many of these kidnappings involve wealthy Mexicans, but this problem spiraling out of control indicates to me that the crime situation is deteriorating rapidly there and the government is somewhat powerless to get it under control at this time. Police corruption is a huge problem there -- understandable when you have an underpaid police force in a poor country and wealthy drug/crime lords willing to pay HUGE bribes, a very bad combo indeed. The Mexican people are some of the sweetest, nicest people on the planet and I have nothing but good things to say about my bariatric surgery experience in Mexico, but if you do decide to travel there at this time, be very careful............

The Post Op: Sounds ominous, doesn’t it? Just what are these questions? Can you flunk the test? The good news is, this isn’t a test, but the questions can test your patience a bit, and might be challenging to answer. The goal is honesty, so just do your best and don’t worry, we’ll go easy on you. It won’t take long to figure out that there are many more questions where these came from (and the answers will likely be the same!) What the Nutritionist told you (and hopefully the psychologist, your PCP and the WLS surgeon, as well): 1. In some way, shape or form, during your pre-surgical preparation, the dietician told you that in order to keep your weight off over time, you are going to have to eat “healthy” portions of the right foods (and by “healthy” we do not mean “healthy” = huge; we mean “healthy” as in nutritionally healthy portions = measured/reasonable amounts of food). Questions: a. Did you get this message during your pre-surgical preparation for WLS? b. Did you agree that you would, indeed eat “healthy” portions of food after the surgery (with an implied, forever more)? c. Did you mean what you said when you agreed to maintaining “healthy” portions of the right foods after surgery? (I’m fairly certain you did mean it.) d. ARE YOU DOING IT? Are you maintaining “healthy” portions of the right foods ever since you’ve had WLS? a. If not, what’s up??? b. If not, what are you willing to do in order to get back on track with this? 2. In some way, shape or form, during your pre-surgical preparation, the dietician told you that in order to keep your weight off over time, you need to eliminate or reduce/minimize the simple carbs that you eat (meaning white rice, white potatoes, pasta, white bread, most “baked goods,” “junk food,” and sugary foods (most “baked goods,” candy, soda, sweet tea, cake, cookies, etc.). Questions: a. Did you get this message during your pre-surgical preparation for WLS? b. Did you agree that you would, indeed eliminate or reduce/minimize the simple carbs that you eat (meaning white rice, white potatoes, pasta, white bread, most “baked goods,” “junk food,” and sugary foods (most “baked goods,” candy, soda, sweet tea, cake, cookies, etc.)? c. Did you mean what you said when you agreed to eliminate or reduce/minimize the simple carbs that you eat (meaning white rice, white potatoes, pasta, white bread, most “baked goods,” “junk food,” and sugary foods (most “baked goods,” candy, soda, sweet tea, cake, cookies, etc.)? (I’m fairly certain you did mean it.) d. ARE YOU DOING IT? Have you eliminated or reduced/minimized the simple carbs that you eat (meaning white rice, white potatoes, pasta, white bread, most “baked goods,” “junk food,” and sugary foods (most “baked goods,” candy, soda, sweet tea, cake, cookies, etc.)ever since you’ve had WLS? a. If not, what’s up??? b. If not, what are you willing to do in order to get back on track with this? What the Physician told you (bariatric surgeon and/or primary care physician): 3. It is important that you utilize the first 12 – 18 months (the “honeymoon period”) to establish healthy lifestyle habits regarding food and exercise. a. Did you get this message during your pre-surgical preparation for WLS? b. Did you agree that you would, indeed utilize the first 12 – 18 months (the “honeymoon period”) to establish healthy lifestyle habits regarding food and exercise? c. Did you mean what you said when you agreed to utilize the first 12 – 18 months (the “honeymoon period”) to establish healthy lifestyle habits regarding food and exercise? (I’m fairly certain you did mean it.) d. ARE YOU DOING IT? DID YOU DO IT? Are you/Did you utilize the first 12 – 18 months (the “honeymoon period”) to establish healthy lifestyle habits regarding food and exercise? a. If not, what’s up??? b. If not, what are you willing to do in order to get back on track with this? 4. It is important that you engage in and maintain some form of physical exercise (keeping in mind your physical conditions) more days of the week than not, in order to maintain your weight loss. e. Did you get this message during your pre-surgical preparation for WLS? f. Did you agree that you would, indeed engage in and maintain some form of physical exercise (keeping in mind your physical conditions) more days of the week than not, in order to maintain your weight loss? g. Did you mean what you said when you agreed to engage in and maintain some form of physical exercise (keeping in mind your physical conditions) more days of the week than not, in order to maintain your weight loss? (I’m fairly certain you did mean it.) h. ARE YOU DOING IT? Are you engaging in and maintaining some form of physical exercise (keeping in mind your physical conditions) more days of the week than not, in order to maintain your weight loss ever since you’ve had WLS? a. If not, what’s up??? b. If not, what are you willing to do in order to get back on track with this? What the Psychologist/Mental Health Provider told you: 5. It is important that you fully understand that unless you do what the doctor and nutritionist tell you to do for the rest of your life, you can (and most likely will) regain your weight. Are you willing to follow through with the nutrition and exercise guidelines after surgery in order to keep the weight off? (And if you’re lucky, they encouraged you to seek therapy if you struggle). a. Did you get this message during your pre-surgical preparation for WLS? b. Did you agree that you would, indeed, do what the doctor and nutritionist told you to do for the rest of your life, or you could (and most likely would) regain your weight? c. Did you mean what you said when you agreed to do what the doctor and nutritionist told you to do for the rest of your life, or you could (and most likely would) regain your weight? (I’m fairly certain you did mean it.) d. ARE YOU DOING IT? DID YOU DO IT? Are you doing what the doctor and nutritionist told you to do in order to prevent regaining your weight? a. If not, what’s up??? b. If not, what are you willing to do in order to get back on track with this? ARE YOU WILLING TO GO TO THERAPY? The Post Op & The Doc: Above we have noted five topics basic to nearly every surgical weight loss program in this country: 1) the need to eat healthy portions of healthy foods, 2) the need to minimize simple carbohydrates, 3) using the first year to learn and implement healthy habits, 4) engaging in, and maintaining healthy support, and 5) it is possible to regain weight after WLS if you don’t follow what you were advised to do. The Post Op & The Doc have seventeen years collectively working in this field. We have seen and talked with thousands of patients who have shared with us that they did hear this information before surgery, they agreed to do what they learned, and they meant it. Yet many have been unable to follow through. That’s normal. It’s difficult to make the behavioral changes needed to keep weight off. If you start to regain, you can catch yourself and get headed in a healthy direction. Many people are doing what it takes to get back on track so that they can get and keep their excess weight off. They do what they set out to do when they decided to have weight loss surgery: Improve their health and have the ability to do more of the things they want to do. The best way to get into the habits needed to maintain a healthy weight or to get back on track is to use the Gotta Do Em's. The Gotta Do Em's are what it takes to get and keep weight off: 1. Make Healthy Food Choices 2. Maintain Portion Control 3. Exercise Regularly 4. Drink Water 5. Eat Breakfast 6. Plan Your Meals and Follow Your Plan 7. Keep a Food Diary 8. Keep an Exercise Diary 9. Use a Healthy Support System 10. Get Individual and/or Group Therapy There are lots of excuses for not following the Gotta Do Em's. It would be easy to say that you were overwhelmed with all of the information you were given pre-surgery and couldn’t possibly understand everything you agreed to. It would easy to say that you were just trying to get your forms completed so you could qualify for surgery and you therefore agreed to whatever you needed to. It would be easy to say you didn’t know then what you know now, so you were committing to things you weren’t prepared to honor. Well, none of that matters because, the truth is, you can do what you said you would do and, if you really want what you say you want (improved health and a better quality of life), you must do those things you said you would. The good news? You don’t need to do them alone. In fact, as A Post Op & A Doc always say, “No one can do this for you, but you can’t do it alone.” We all need support to sustain the Gotta Do ‘Em's. So utilize the support offered by your medical team, your program’s support group, and the people who love you and do the things you said you’d do! You’ll feel great about yourself and will get the results you were looking for as you headed into weight loss surgery. A Post Op & A Doc have a copy of the Gotta Do ‘Em’s (and a lot more free handouts for you) at www.conniestapletonphd.com/apod and on our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/apostopandadoc . Cari DeLaCruz (The Post Op) cari@apostopandadoc.com www.conniestapleton.com/apod Connie Stapleton, Ph.D. (The Doc) connie@apostopandadoc.com www.conniestapleton.com/apod

Been researching and have pretty much settled on these 3 surgeons in Mexico: Ariel Ortiz, Obesity Control Center Guilleremo Alvarez, Endobariatric Dr. Lopez, Specialized Bariatrics Any info on any of them would be GRATEFULLY appreciated. If you don't want to post it here, please PM me. Dr. Lopez is the cheapest then Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Alvarez. Money is not the only consideration though. I am looking at having Lapband removed and a sleeve put in place. I go see my primary care physician on Friday, 1/31/13 and if I get his blessing want to move on it as soon as I can. TIA

I know the question was not necessarily directed at me, but my guess would be to get in touch with a good bariatric surgeon in your area. They could at least point you in the right direction if nothing else.

This!!! They did not play and sent me in immediately for endoscopy after I was diagnosed. I found a bariatric dr that was willing to listen to my concerns...

this is my hospital's diet plan. its very specific and will tell you exactly what you need to know. it is a center of excellence. somewhere there is a thread with lots of links to post op diets. but i dont know where. http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/highland/departments-centers/bariatrics/bariatric-diets.aspx if you follow this, you should be good!

just bought it last night and started reading it The Emotional First Aid Kit: A Practical Guide to Life After Bariatric Surgery, Second Edition

Risk for Alcohol Abuse Intensifies after Bariatric Surgery: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/887243 Food for thought.

I know you didn't direct this question at me, but some surgeons have a limit as to how many hours they'll spend on a surgery. I know Dr. Zachary doesn't like to operate for more than about six hours - and some surgeons are good for more or less than that. So I had my procedures done in two separate surgeries. I was OK with that as I didn't want some tired guy with a knife cutting on me. But yes - some surgeons are willing to operate for several hours. Someone on this or another bariatric site said she was under the knife for eleven hours with Dr. Sauceda. But you're right - his safety record is good, so he's evidently good to go for that long. btw: Dr. Sauceda was the only one of my consults who said he'd do everything in one day. Dr. Zachary and Dr. Shifrin both said they'd do my LBL in one surgery, and my breast lift and arm lift in a second surgery. I had one other consult in Chicago - the surgeon's name escapes me at the moment, but he was also going to split it into two surgeries (I think he was going to do them in different combinations and/or in a different order than the other two, but still - two surgeries)

Hi Chef, Nice to see your posts again I also had my 3 month check in with Dr. Alami recently and requested for him to renew my PPI. It definitely helps me, although my acid issues are so much better now than even a month ago. How are you doing with your weigh loss, exercise, diet, etc.?

Hi, I'm a patient at Hopkins as well. Dr.Schweitzer will be my surgeon my paperwork was just submitted to Aetna last Thursday so I am anxiously awaiting approval and hoping for a date in May for my sleeve:) I actually completed all the requirements this time last year but changed employers and my insurance didn't cover bariatric surgery. I was praying I didn't have to start all over and luckily I only had to have a refresher with the nutrionist and psych which were scheduled on 3/21 & 3/29. I'm so nervous but very ready for this!!

I called Dr. Bellanger's office and was informed that he doesn't see other surgeons' patients. Dr. Hargroder told me the same thing. I'm hoping they aren't the only two in town, to where the only way I can see one of them is if I go to the ER in excruciating pain and tell the ER I may need to see a bariatric surgeon, that it's possible any pain I'm having may be lap band-related.

When I saw the heading Kaiser Nor Cal, it sparked my interest. I live in the Sac area and was sent to SF Kaiser because I was trying to get them to pay for band removal and revision. This was about 4 years ago. Frankly the doc was a jerk. He told me it was waaaay too dangerous and if I had my band removed and a revision, I would probably end up dead or in a nursing home. Yes! He actually used those words! He offered to remove my band and have me go through the whole new patient process all over again and ..."then we'll see". I was just wondering if anyone here has had Kaiser approve and pay for any type of bariatric revision surgery?

Ok guys. I'm an ER nurse at a large hospital that is also a Bariatric Center of Excellence. I also have a sleeve. I can tell you that in all of our Bariatric education that we have to do as a BCE the sleeve was never mentioned. ER nurses have to know a little bit about everyone at every age, we cannot know everything. I have always asked my patients about their condition if I'm not familiar with it (I don't always have the time right then to look it up) but as soon as I get a chance I educated myself. For those of you the have the unfortunate experience of needing an ER just tell them you had a partial gastrectomy and everyone will know what you are talking about. It's relatively the same thing. Ok. Off my soapbox rant. Sorry. ????

The Bariatric center and your insurance carrier will have the best answers. I know for myself they used my initial weight when submitting to my insurance for approval. I was borderline too. If you have things like high blood pressure, sleep apenea, your bmi requirement might be less. Sorry can't give you exact info but this was my insurance requirements.

Yeah, Texas seems to be the hot-spot for bariatric surgery!

We are so lucky here in North Texas to have so many top bariatric surgeons. I was very happy with my surgeon and experience as well.

I have not been to seminar yet. I called my insurance and they said that my policy doesn't cover bariatric surgery at all. I have bcbs- Illinois. .i am saddened by this. Does anyone else know if there is differences in the coverage that makes a difference. My bmi is 51.