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I use building blocks Vitamins, Bariatric chewable vitamins. I take a multi-BAND Vitamin, Calcium and anti-ox. Here is there website: Building Blocks - Essential Bariatric supplements. They also have shakes but I don't use their shakes. I really like the EAS shakes or Atkins Advantage shakes already mixed, the mocha one is great, chocolate is good too. Wal-mart also has a Protein powder by Body Fortress that is good (and really reasonable)- the chocolate is way better than vanilla. A banana or DaVinci syrups (coffee flavoring) are great additions, Kahlua and Peppermint are my favorites in the chocolate. You can get the syrups through their website online or you can usually find them much cheaper at Marshalls, TJMaxx or Ross. It sure is a great adventure, isn't it!

I love these responses. I myself am going through the process of being banded. And these responses just renew my hope that I will be getting banded soon. I been through many ups and downs so i'm just ready! Congrats on all who have had such success on the band.

Me too want, have a 10/22/13 date with Mexico Bariatric Center, Dr. Valenzuela... Anyone with experience please?!?!?

Howdy, Cindy. Yes....the answer to your question is a resounding YES ! Had a back injury at work and finished it off at home later that day on April 3, 2015. The developing spasms were enough to take me out of work and motivate me to follow my spinal surgeon's advice and have bariatric surgery. You can see from my profile pics the way I carried my weight.....beer gut that was pulling down on the injury and prolonging the healing. Surgery in October.....relief began showing up soon after as I had lost a good bit of weight during my pre-op days, too. So very grateful for the results that are showing up more and more each day.

Hi MsRhonda, Your port can be sensitive for a little while. Have you overdone it? Other than walking most docs tell you not to start exercising until the 6th week. I know I did around the 3rd week and wasn't a good idea as I did feel it in the port area and my bariatrics center told me to stop as I was in the healing phase. If you are concerned then call your surgeon's office and def. call if it gets worse.

HAD MY SLEEVE- 12-27- 3 DAYS POST-OP- The surgery was at 1:30pm on tuesday- I remember being wheeled into the operating room- it was cold- the nurse introduced me to the staff...like was I supposed to remember their names...was there a quiz later???? Well, after that I was out like a light remember waking up as they were moving me from recovery to my room. Lots of chest pains- thought I was having a heart attack- they gave me nitro pills under my tongue and dilauden for pain. Really bad the 1st three days- heavy acid and pain, everywhere- couldn't stay in the bed- slept in the chair for 2 nights. got more x-rays- too swollen liquid not going down- xray doctor concerned. my doctor- not. finally this morning I got steroids for the swelling- by 2pm felt like a new person. Why couldn't I have gotten them yesterday? went home at 5pm with dilauden, vicodin, zocor, lavaxor?- daily blood thinner injection. and 2 things for acid reflux. some nurses were great- others were ok- some were downright idiots- I thought there were too many nurses with degrees- how they found these few morons I don't know- i.e. bariatric floor- she gives me a straw and tells me to take big gulps so the pressure of the Water will flow through- are you kidding me???? or one tells me to lie flat on my stomach to push out the gas (incisions and all!). and fyi I didn't ask for anything...stayed very low key. So far- best day I have had. Very supportive family- came home to crystal light, broth and diet Jello all lined up for me and all of my medicines in a daily pill box. After going through this I don't know if I would recommend it yet- will keep u updated/

Hi I have Blue Precision HMO I chose this because this was only plan i could some what afford with my part time income. And it said they covered bariatric surgery. Then the insurance person at the place I will be getting the surgery done called me on Friday and told me there is an exclusion and it not covered.... I know it is a HMO i know I need to go through my PCP first but why is it saying it's not covered when i went through the exclusion packet part and it does not say anything about it. And right before I bought the insurance the reps said it is covered on my insurance, this was only reason I bought the insurance and paying a whole paycheck for it... idk any info or insight would be nice. I have 8 days to opp out of this insurance if i don't like it so kinda running on time.

I just got back from Tijuana and my gastric bypass surgery. I went through BariatricPal TeamMX and Bill Yanez. Dr. Illan is one of the best bariatric surgeons in the entire North American continent! And the other doctors, nursing staff, and valets are the best. Oasis of Hope Hospital is a great place with spacious rooms and the nurses come quickly if you push the nurse button. A doctor comes in to visit you at least two times a day to check how you're doing, check your incisions, and answer any questions you may have. Then, you go to Puebla Amigo Hotel and Casino and the rooms are wonderful. One of the doctors you already have met comes every day to check on you. The valets are available to help you during your stay there. They will take you out to tours and shopping and to eat. I have had zero complications since my surgery. I also like the post-op diet phases. I have 9 phases. I feel it allows me to slowly get back to a normal diet, while allowing my pouch to heal. I know I can call the doctor or send her an email if I have any questions. I can also call or email my nutritionist there with any questions. I have two weight loss sisters and I know we will keep in touch. I just wanted to share my experience. I hope this helps. Please get in touch with Bill Yanez if you have any more questions. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Hi dear Bandsters and future bandsters... Looking for 411 about the lap band procedure? You have just found the right person, find me on facebook www.facebook.com/kfrancolapband or email me anytime at kfrancolovelapband@gmail.com and I will answer any of your questions, provide support and even find you an awesome bariatric surgeon near you! Thanks Karina!

Okay I am as tight as Scrouge McDuck today. I have had a TERRIBLE time with TERRIBLE pain everytime I eat. I called the doc today to reschedule my fill (they wanted me to come in on Jan 21- uhhh NO!) and talked to the nurse about how tight I am. Her suggestion is that I should come in. Again I am 5-6 hours away with a terrible snowstorm blowing in to the mountain passes as we speak. However there is a bariatric surgeon in the neighboring town so I may call them tomorrow and see how much it would cost for a tiny unfill. If it is cheaper than flying over, I may do it. After eating my egg this morning I thought I was going to die. I just got through with dinner and it wasn't much better. I was doing fine for the last few days, but today this band just tightened up like there was no tomorrow. I usually am not hungry but today I actually got hungry (growling tummy and everything) because I just couldn't get food down. It is funny, I don't normally feel hunger in my stomach, but I can tell when I need food because it feels like my eyes are starting to sink in to the back of my head. I know, BIZARRE! Hey but I am an odd duck anyways! I was at 348 calories before I got some chicken pureed in alfredo sauce down. Normally I wouldn't eat as much alfredo sauce, but I wanted some calories! I am going to go to mushies for a few days and see if I can get that to work. If I have to go to liquids at any point I am going in to get an unfill. I really don't see how people would want to be this tight. I guess to each their own. Pizzicato - So I think you got my opinion on being too tight. I just can't do this way tight thing. I think you are doing MARVELOUS! We are always going to have mental lapses and times when you are feeling down. I had that feeling just this weekend. Today I feel much better...well except the fact that I can't eat anything. GRRRRR Well I am going to sit and watch tv. I am taking a night off from exercising. I just don't have any energy after the first day back at school!

So nice to have good friends at work! Schwans has mini pot roasts, 4 to a box. They are expensive, but I think they will be perfect. I plan to order those for the soft phase coming up. One will probably be 3 meals, so they will last awhile and be worth the money for me. I've been staying at my sister's house cat sitting since Monday, and I'm starting to miss my own place. I'll go home tomorrow. My bariatric hot chocolate should be waiting for me, and I'm anxious to try it! Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Hey folks-- I finally will have a surgery date by the end of the week for sometime in April. Here is my honest to God, unbias opinion of the Doctors and Specialists I have seen. First up, Bariatric Surgeon #1.... Dr. Moran. http://www.alasurgery.com/ The Short: $250 "administrative fee." Unsupportive Staff. Reputable and experienced Surgeon. Bad Bed side manner. Very much to the point. The Long: His office staff was rude, unhelpful, and unsupportive to my needs. They gave me a hassle about faxing my documentating to another doctor when I decided to change. I was denied by insurance because my BMI was > 50. They knew this on the first visit/consultation. Dr. Moran told me all he would have to do is call the insurance company and the denial would be overturned. After I plunked down the cash, the copays, etc, I was told by his office staff that Dr. Moran was far too busy to call me or my insurance company. They referred me to a financing company to pay for my surgery, even though I am fully 100% insured. They offered no assistance in the way of the appeals. Pharrah (office manager), Iris(receptionist), and Ann(bariatric coordinator) are the office staff that I had the displeasure of dealing with. I had to call their office constantly to receive updates on my case. It seemed as if without me calling and asking constantly, nothing got done. Dr. Moran himself was alright, though a bit cold and curt. The office staff motivated me to move to a new Doctor and never look back. Tammi Moore-- Psychiatrist: She is a wonderful woman and knows all about the bariatric surgeries. I really enjoyed working with her and talking with her. I am considering seeing her again after my surgery. Dr. Earnhardt - Cardiologist: This man was probably my favorite of all the specialists I have seen. So kind, attentive, and informative. Loved this visit. Ashley Miles - Nutritionist at Rex Wellness SHe was a total sweetheart as well. It was a joy to see her. Highly recommended. Baratric Surgeon #2.... Dr. Enochs. http://www.surgerync.com/ Angelica at Dr. Enochs is my angel. She was VERY helpful over the phone far before I paid them a single dime. She is the bariatric coordinator over there. She talked me through my issues and got me in to see Dr. Enochs as soon as possible. Luckily, in between visits, I lost the weight I needed for the BMI factor, so that will no longer be an issue. Dr. Enochs himself is a sweetheart and took the time to answer all of my questions. However, there is a $500 administrative fee here. BUT, since I had already paid Dr. Moran $250 and was so frustrated by the process, Dr. Enochs only charged me $250. Yay! It was somewhat of a lengthy wait once I got to the office (30 minutes after my scheduled appointment) and his office in Cary is a bit of a haul from my home in NorthWest Raleigh, but I think it was well worth it. Dr. Enochs also has a FANTASTIC support staff who saw me and spent time with me. I met with 5 employees while there, all guiding me through their area of expertise. Highly recommended. Please PM or reply with any questions at all.

Those are not all mandatory prior to surgery. Insurance may require it before they pay but not if you are self pay. I had my surgery in Dallas and was self pay. Didn't have a psy visit, didn't need one. Didn't have a RUQ ultrasound, don't even know what is, nor a sleep study because I don't have sleep apena. As far as the other tests, they were all included in the self pay price of $12,200. That included everything, plus follow ups for life and NUTs. Included ALL hospital fees as well. Not to mention the awesome 2 room suite they put me in. All this done with a top bariatric surgeon. When it was time to leave the hospital, it was a 12 minute drive. All that to me, adds up to a very reasonable price. The fact that there are becoming more places like this across the US is very encouraging. People who choose not to go to Mexico do so for lots of reasons. I think it's great there are becoming more choices here and other countries. I also don't think the original OP is advertising,

Soooo I have Anthem BCBS and their policy is similar. They do not cover diet or exercise programs. However, when the Bariatric center I am using billed my insurance for my nutritionist appointment, it was completely covered. These places know what they are doing. I was also able to use my primary for my 6 month requirement which is always covered as a normal office visit. They just need to make notes that you discussed surgery, diet and exercise and weight loss.

I am about 1 1/2 years post op and I have an issue. I lost 100 pounds, going from 305 to 205 in 7 months and then..... I started coffee again. Sugar sugar sugar. That crack like creamer, International Delight. I totally regret it because since that 100 pound loss, I've been going between 205 and 212, with no more weight loss and I have about 4 cups of coffee a day. Doing the math, that's 560 calories, 80g sugar, 80g cards a day. I have a problem and I am only just now realizing the extent of it. I'm at the point where I want to stop cold turkey today. The reason I drink so much coffee is due to self medicating for my ADHD. I didn't realize that's what I was doing until recently. I started real medication for my ADHD and it helps with it a lot, but I'm still addicted to caffeine as a byproduct. Additionally let me say this right now because I wish someone told me when I was first post-op: Sweetened coffee creamer, whether artificial or real, will increase your desire for sweets and risk your post-op health. Sorry for the scary text formatting, but this is important and I feel it needs to be said. --------------- Moving on, I now need to find a way to navigate this addiction and remove it from my life. Do any of you have experience with quitting coffee, especially cold turkey? I tell myself I like coffee not for the caffeine, but for the ritual and because warm beverages are comforting to my anxiety riddled brain. Coffee is my safe place, but I need to find a healthier replacement. What are some good bariatric friendly, creamy, hot beverages?

That’s really interesting. I never had metabolic syndrome, even when I was 300lbs. My blood sugar levels were always fine. I did have cravings for sweets, etc. And I overate in general. Now I can eat in moderation. I can have a bit of carbs without it turning into a need for more. Yesterday I had a few bites of pasta. It was no big deal, and I’ve not felt the desire or need to have anything carby today. That’s been my experience post-surgery, My dietician is fine with it, she is interested in patterns and trends. In fact, some of the work I’ve done with her and with the bariatric psych was to accept moderation, and not panic every time I eat part of a cookie. I think it’s really neat how different everyone is.

As newme0617 pointed out, this coverage decision is so new that it has not yet made it's way into the system Medicare phone reps work out of. Don't bother calling them, instead contact your hospital's Bariatric Coordinator. Additionally, coverage for VSG will be determined "case by case" at a local level. So VSG is covered, but not for everyone at a national level like the RNY or Lapband is. I Spoke directly with my Bariatric Director this afternoon about Medicare's VSG decision. She reviewed the CMS memo decision and agreed with my interpretation that this decision was a good one and coverage appears imminent. While the "fine" details for Medicare contractors (ie hospitals) have not yet been released (billing code, guidelines for submitting, etc) she did say everything looks like a go and I will be the first patient she submits for Medicare approval next month! For those of you who have not yet had the opportunity to get a personalized nod of approval from your hospital, read this and you should feel better. This is a summarized analysis and decoding of CMS's VSG memo from The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). A true authority in all matters concerning Bariatric's. http://asmbs.org/2012/06/access-to-care-alert-the-cms-final-decision/ At long last the wait is over! If you have state (MA) Medical Assistance (Medicade) this is good news for you as well. With very few exceptions, coverage and requirements for Medicade mirror that of Medicare. I suspect that state MA will recognize the VSG no later than October when coverages for all states go through their annual update. If you have not already begun taking the necessary steps to complete the requirements to be submitted for Insurance approval, NOW is the time to get started!

Those of you who are just taking Flintstones chewables or no multivitamin at all, what do your surgeons and doctors have to say about that? How are your bloodworks looking? My surgeon insisted I take, at a minimum, a bariatric multivitamin, calcium+D3, B12, and a probiotic.

If you are concerned for your health and safety - Ask your bariatric surgeon and your cardiologist.

mb_11 Do call Henry. Bariatric Pal is incredible and they will help you every step of the way, before, during and after your procedure.

Well, really just based on my own research and info session. Lower BMI, no history of GERD, experience of a friend that was of similar stats and had VSG. Haven't had consult with surgeon yet, so actually meant as I move forward and have that appt, I'll certainly trust the Doc opinion. (Dr. Baranov at Saratoga Bariatrics, Saratoga Springs, NY) Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi, I have a Band that I've had for 7 years. Time went by and I slowly stopped changing my eating habits and I gained weight. Pretty stable for most of the time, but recently I've gained a LOT of weight. I'm strongly focused on my food addiction. You know, "I HAVE to have this or that so I don't go crazy.!" behaviours. .And I'm doing surprisingly well. I have a LCSW-R that I work with, she's a huge help. Anyway, I "think" my pouch has shrunk because I find I cannot eatan average person's full meal, like I used to. I'm losing weight, and respecting the Band again. I'm changing Surgeons, and will be discussing with him about having the RNY. I've been a member of Bariatric Pal for a few years, and have been studying, learning and changing due to all the great people on here. I bought Alex's book on RNY, it's fascinating! I read that some people , when they have the RNY, they revision to the band as well as contnuing with their RNY life. Has anybody ever heard of this in face to face world? I mean, I'll ask my future surgeon, but I was just seeking some info here, from you guys. It kind of makes sense to me, but I've never heard of it. I was looking into having the band removed and having the RNY. But now I hear of this. What do YOU think?

i drink diet soda every day no issues. and still losing weight...also i take nexium every day... just in case,,for any heartburn issues...my bariatric doc said i can drink diet soda i have to live my life he said.. just don't overdue it.. he also said on occasion i can take nsaid for pain..i had the sleeve 8 months ago...

My friend's surgeon agreed to do my fills and he's charging less than the fills centers and another dr wanted to charge me for the first visit. I have to pay $150 for each visit/adjustment and the fill center wanted to charge me $350 for the first visit and $160 for every visit/adjustment after that. Bariatric Surgery Treatment | Gastric bypass surgery | Lap Band Surgery Houston, Texas | Sleeve Gastrectomy Texas I got 1 cc and he made me drink a bottle of Water before I left to make sure it wasn't too tight. After about 4 sips I had to go throw that water up and he had to take half my fill back out again so I have only .5 cc's in right now. I was really adamant before I got there that I was gonna push for at least 3 cc's to start with and thought it was pretty funny that 1 cc was too tight LOL I think I've been able to eat so much because I've been drinking with my meals and I thought the only reason why you're not supposed to is because it might be painful BUT he told me today that drinking with meals actually makes the food mushy so it doesn't stay in the little pouch as long and negates the purpose of the band. I'm glad to know that and I'll stop drinking with meals now and hopefully get back to losing weight!

Becca i spoke to directly to the bariatric coordinator and she is the one that gave me the info about all money being paid up front because it is considered "elective surgury" i will not give up someone on the site said they are going through a program right in NY which is no where from me the function within the Aetna network so i may look into that. i also signed up to be notified about grants for 2011 so i will keep all my options open and see what happens. thank for your support.