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Be glad your insurance pays. I had Aetna when I was working, and my plan covered bariatric surgery. Then I quit to be a stay at home mom 2 years ago, and my husband also has Aetna. But his company refuses to pay for bariatric surgeries. So same insurance, different coverages. So I ended up being self pay. So $500 and a few months is way better than being out the $12,000 I paid. Could have gone to Mexico I suppose, but wanted to do it stateside. If there's one thing this surgery will teach you (before and after!)...it's PATIENCE!! Good Luck!

I am interested in having a monthly meeting in San Rafael. Is anyone in Marin? Any thoughts? I wonder if I contact Kaiser if they might have a room where we could meet, and possibly anyone to lead it. They don't have a bariatric center there. Please let me know if you would be interested. Thanks!

You are getting advice from some Very Wise Folks here! I'm a recovering binge eater too. I was bulimic for 15 years then 'upgraded' to the binging only. :-) Vsg has been an excellent tool for me so far. My tastes have changed, esp with regard to sweets and chocolate. I actually took a bite of my song's Bosco stick the other night and ended up spitting it back out. Weird, funky, yeast nastiness. It's literally just how I felt when I was pregnant, during my first trimester. I have had a few minor binges, but we're talking a tiny fraction of what it used to be. Not be able to alternate between sweet and savory REALLY puts a damper on things for me. I used to chase pizza with soda or ice cream. Now I cant imagine the stomach discomfort of drinking soda, and ice cream just reminds me of a frozen protein shake! Who needs that? Of course, the head hunger issues have to be dealt with constructively. After all, I just spent 45 years medicating all possible unpleasant emotions with food. Now I do things like getting on Bariatric Pal. I also find that exercise, my increasing strength, huge decrease in physical pain, better sleep, and increasing confidence are fantastic mood boosters. I am so glad I made this radical commitment to my health!

Hi guys! My ankle feels much better today. I actually did a 2 mile walk on the treadmill today! YAY! It's good to be moving again! Renewed....I know it's gonna be hard, but take a rest girlie! You probably just overdid it! You don't want to risk an injury though, so take it easy for a couple of days. Feel better soon.

Take chewable bariatric. Vitamins, 3 a day and calcium citrate, 1 a day.

I changed jobs and my new (crappy) insurance doesn't cover anything bariatric- and on top of that, my doc decided to stop practicing. I found a new doc, and for self-pay patients he has you pay $500 flat for a whole year of fills under fleuroscopy. You might shop around for something like that- and you could pay that out of an HSA or flex spend account. I went in to see him, and one fleuroscopy later he discovered I had a hiatal hernia, which I had surgery for about a month ago. Previous doc didn't use fleuro. If you go with the lower priced insurance, maybe you can use some $ for HSA or flex spend for out of pocket expenses. Good luck! Nicki

I am 7 weeks out and 40 lbs down. In Nov 2015, we are renewing our vows on a beach in Galveston, a place where I spent much of my childhood and is very special. So I took a chance and on a whim bought a dress that I have no idea will fit. But it is a vintage 1940s dress, and in today's sizing, a large. I could not pass it up. I have all the faith that I can make it as I have gone from size 22 pants to size 16. It was crazy and impulsive. But I can't contain my excitement so I went for it. Spread your wings and fly, everyone! Love to all of you from Texas!

The code for the tricare service of the sleeve is Code 43775 43775 Code definition is: LAPAROSCOPY, SURGICAL, GASTRIC RESTRICTIVE PROCEDURE; LONGITUDINAL GASTRECTOMY (IE, SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY) Number of pocedures allowed without a overide code is: 1 Tricare Benefits TRICARE covers gastric bypass, gastric stapling and gastroplasty to include vertical banded gastroplasty and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (Lap-Band surgery) is covered only when the beneficiary meets one of the following conditions: Is 100 pounds over ideal weight for height and bone structure and has one of these associated conditions: diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cholecystitis, narcolepsy, Pickwickian syndrome, hypothalamic disorders or severe arthritis of the weight-bearing joints Is 200 percent or more over ideal weight for height and bone structure Has had intestinal bypass or other surgery for obesity and because of complications, requires another surgery (takedown) TRICARE does not cover: Nonsurgical treatment of obesity, morbid obesity, dietary control or weight reduction Biliopancreatic bypass, gastric bubble or balloon for the treatment of morbid obesity Note for Active Duty Service Members: Bariatric surgery represents a major and permanent change in your digestive system that requires strict adherence to a specific dietary regimen that may interfere with operational deployment. A history of bariatric surgery is already a bar to military service and receiving bariatric surgery while on active duty may be grounds for separation. For more information, view the Health Affairs Policy 07-006.Should I have surgery to lose weight? Recent research indicates many patients are unable to achieve and maintain large amounts weight loss without the assistance of weight loss surgery. Along with the burden of obesity often times these patients are plagued with diseases associated with excess weight. These diseases are referred to as co-morbidities and include: hypertension diabetes sleep apnea GERD joint pain Co-morbidities may be reduced or eliminated by weight loss. The goal of the bariatric program is to provide assistance to patients who may benefit from significant weight loss and have had little success with more conservative treatment methods. Tricare Prime retirees and dependents who meet specified criteria are eligible for the bariatric surgery program. What surgeries are available? The bariatric procedures currently being performed in the program are laparoscopic gastric banding, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and open or laparoscopic gastric bypass. All procedures are very effective but differ in surgical technique, dietary modifications, lifestyle changes, medical monitoring, and risk to the patient. Each patient is unique and in consultation with the bariatric surgeon will determine the best surgical procedure. Laparoscopic Gastric Banding is the least invasive but effective weight loss procedure. It is the safest procedure. In this procedure an inflatable silicone band is placed around the upper portion of the stomach. The band is tightened around the stomach by injecting saline into the adjustable band. The tightened band creates a small pouch of the upper stomach which restricts the amount of food the stomach can hold, resulting in weight loss. Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy is another very effective surgical weight loss procedure in which the stomach is stapled and part of the stomach is removed. The remaining portion of the stomach is called a sleeve. The sleeve remains attached to the small bowel and digestion occurs normally. The small stomach fills quickly allowing the patient a feeling of fullness, reducing the food intake resulting in weight loss. Gastric Bypass is the most invasive and most effective weight loss surgery. In this procedure the stomach size is reduced to a pouch, and the upper portion of the small bowel is bypassed. Weight loss occurs by reducing the amount of food intake into the smaller stomach and by the GI tract's reduced ability to absorb calories and nutrients. Following bypass surgery, the patient will require lifetime medical monitoring for nutritional deficiencies and supplemental Vitamins and minerals. http://www.uptodate.com http://www.webmd.com/diet/weight-loss-surgery/gastric-bypass Do I qualify for the NCA Surgical Weight Loss Program? The eligibility criteria for a consultation with one of our bariatric surgeons are as follows: BMI is a method of classifying body mass into categories used to predict morbidity and mortality. BMI is calculated as follows: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. BMI Criteria: BMI of 35 or greater with co-morbidities BMI of 40 or greater without co-morbidities We currently do not perform surgery on patients with a BMI of 50+ or >400 lbs. Calculate your BMI: http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/ [*]Active duty personnel cannot have weight loss surgery as mandated by BUMED http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmcp/Patients/GenSurgery/Documents/ BARIATRIC%20SURGERY%20POLICY_20070326160507_924C6A1B.pdf [*]You must be between the ages of 20-64 years [*]We only accept patients with Tricare Prime [*]Retired military [*]Dependents of military members (Active Duty or Retired) [*]You must not be pregnant or lactating [*]Without multiple serious medical complications related or unrelated to weight How do I begin the process? The road to weight loss surgery begins with an appointment with your Primary Care Manager (PCM). Your PCM is going to play a vital role should you and he/she decide weight loss surgery is the best choice for you, and you should keep in close contact with him/her. If you meet the criteria above and have been unsuccessful with all other methods of weight management, have your PCM enter a consult to the General Surgery Clinic. On that referral, your doctor will need to include the following: your actual weight at the time of the visit, highest weight, height, BMI, and co-morbidities (other conditions caused by obesity). Also, have your PCM put in referrals for evaluations for bariatric surgery: nutrition (Wellness CL BE, 3 visits) exercise physiology (at WRAMC, Wellness CL WR) psychology You will also need orders for the following: blood work: CBC, CMP, Vit D (calcidiol/25-hydroxy) sleep apnea study (guidelines for requirement of test TBD) endoscopy (require EGD for reflux symptoms and require screening colonoscopy for age >50) If you can get all these referrals and orders now, it will help the process go more quickly and smoothly for you. Once the referral is received by the surgery clinic, it will be screened for eligibility requirements and appointment availability. If appointments are not available, the consult will be sent to the Referral Management Department and assistance will be given to locate a Bariatric Surgeon outside the Military Treatment Facility. An overview of our process For more information concerning Tricare Benefits please refer to the website below: http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/jsp/Medical/IsItCovered.do?kw=Gastric+ Bypass&topic=Men Exercise Physiology and Physical Therapy (WRAMC) 202-782-1249 Required Consults: Exercise Physiology and Physical Therapy Our Exercise Physiologist and Physical Therapist are members of the multidisciplinary team caring for you in the NCA Bariatric Surgical Weight Loss Program. Through research in their field, their expertise lies in evaluation muscle response to activity and maximizing its positive effect on the body. This information enables them to formulate exercise programs for professional athletes as well as with patients suffering from cardiac conditions, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or bariatric patients with various limitations in their ability to exercise in the normal sense. In collaboration with your surgeon and other team members, they develop a customized exercise program for you. Their program will assist you in developing techniques and movements to improve your mobility and body strength. Exercise, as a requirement of the weight loss program, is a key element in achieving and maintaining long term success in managing a healthy weight. This program will assist you in incorporating exercise into your lifestyle. Services are available at WRAMC. Please call 202-782-1249 for an appointment or more information. Support Group Information NNMC-Bariatric Surgery Support Group Every Wednesday Time: 1530 Location: Conference Room A, Building 7, 4th floor POC: Behavioral Health (301) 295-0500 Stating: Support Group Status: Temporarily on hold until May 2010 or June 2010 WRAMC-Lifestyles & Viewpoints (Behavioral Health group) Wednesdays (except 2nd Wednesday of the month) Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm Location: 5th floor, Ward 53 WRAMC-Monthly Weight Loss Surgery Support Group (Nutrition Care group) 2nd Wednesday of each month Time: 4:30-6:00pm Location: Ward 73 Conference Room (Rm 7347) POC: Beth Triner 202-782-5466 DeWitt Army Hospital 1st Tuesday of each month Time: 4:30pm-5:30pm Location: Main Conference Room To sign up for Support Group please call 703-805-0604 or email Becky.Campbell@us.army.mil The February meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 9th at 4:30 Handouts Nutrition and Exercise Log Websites (PDF) Pre-op eating behaviors (PDF) Nutrition for Bariatric Surgery Presentation( PDF) Bariatric Infomation Session Presentation (PDF) Nutrition Guide-Sleeve Gastrectomy Booklet (PDF) Nutrition Appointment Numbers (PDF) February 2010 Bariatric Support Group flyer (PPT) Forms New pre-surgical assessment (PDF)

Try calling a few bariatric surgeons in your area, some support groups accept other doctors patients.

like Ilene says, it does have the rep of being a kind of bariatric mill, and the last two times I've been there I have to wait out in the hall for an hour as there were no seats. that said, the care is excellent. i had my surgical consult with dr. ren this last week, and she was wonderful. i think it may have been the best, most respectful doctor's appointment i've ever had. i almost cried with gratitude at being treated like a human being!

I just got my bugg today and got set up online. I'm wearing it now and learning to use it with the wrist sensor. VERY COOL!!! When I registered, it asked if you had bariatric surgery and then said you had to contact their dietician. I did that, but am wondering what that entails when she gets back to you? Does it change your plan or something? Thanks for the info!!! I'm SO excited to have the BUGG!!!

I was also banded by Dr. King in April and have really been VERY pleased with my care. I live and work in Tupelo and our hospital has just launched a brand new bariatric center with Dr. Terry Pinson as the surgeon. They use a team approach and many of my friends have now been banded by Dr. Pinson and are having wonderful results with great support by the team. Look into both programs! I would highly recommend either one!

First day of the stall hit while still on liquid diet phase. I consumed 184 calories that day. Second day was 1st day purées. I had 1/2 egg and 1/4 cup low-fat cottage cheese for 2 meals and all I had was the 2 meals. Yeah that’s all I had that day but I was so sick and tired of “sweet” tasting protein drinks I didn’t care. Yesterday I branched out and added a third meal of the Bariatric oatmeal. I double checked all my macros and I’ve only had about 20gm carbs for the 3 days combined. I did skip walking on the treadmill one of those days bc I had dr appts all day. Man I hope skipping one day on the treadmill doesn’t put me into a stall...

You're going to have to change your eating behavior whether you have bariatric surgery or not. Especially the part about wolfing down your food. That will cause big problems (and possible complications) when you're banded. You asked if you're crazy to have surgery and then answered defensively when other members gave you an honest answer. I don't want to intentionally hurt anyone's feelings, but I have to tell you that getting hurt feelings is pretty common in online groups like LBT. You just joined today, but I've been doing this for years, so take my word for it. And because I've been trashed far, far worse than you've been on this first post of yours, I'm not afraid to tell you that unless you have a medical condition that would be helped by weight loss or bariatric surgery (like diabetes), I think that bariatric surgery is a high price to pay for your vanity, even if it only cost you $1.00. That's because success after bariatric surgery has a very high cost in terms of education, lifestyle changes, aftercare, plus the time and expense of getting fills & unfills. Just my opinion, mind you.

There used to be links on Contreras's bariatric web site to his scam cancer clinic (actually, it's his father's clinic) and a link on that web site to his bariatric site. There was also a picture of him on both sites and it was the same guy. It is also well-known that he worked for Betancourt. There are plenty of posts around the web from people who went to him via Betancourt. For you to continue to insist that Contreras didn't work for him or that there is no proof of that suggests to me that you didn't research him at all because these facts are easily found with a very minimal of effort. As for complications, even hack surgeons (like Huacuz) only kill about 1-2% of their patients. Therefore, 98-99% live. The fact that some live doesn't prove a surgeon is not a hack. It's the fact that too many die that proves he is one. The same with complications such as leaks.

Of course her opinion is bothering you....she's your friend! Avoiding her is OK, but if truly value her friendship, at some point you may want to ask her how she feels and if there's something you can do (besides sabotaging your own weight loss) to help her and to renew the friendship.

Belly button update all!! It has finally scabbed over and is beginning to fill in!! WOOO HOOO!!! I am so happy that saga is nearing an end. I go to the Bariatric surgeon on Wednesday to talk to him about the port. I am also debating a fill. I know it sounds nuts, and I don't want to loose more, but my food is not staying in my pouch for very long. I think I "drop" in like a half an hour and then I feel starving again...

Hurley bariatric center in Flint is great! Docs are all great!

Hello, My name is Ellen and I was so pleased to find a forum all about the lap-band! I'm 21 years old and have been trying different diest and eating plans for the past 10 years, with only temporary success. My doctor, who normally is more conservative methods and does not always advocate bariatric surgery, has decided it's time to look into this. My weight has affected me for a long time, physically and mentally, so the thought that this may be more helpful is very exciting. I know it's going to be a huge lifestlye change, and it's a little scary, but I'm excited too. at almost 280 lbs, I'm tired of being big! So I decided to join here in the hopes i could learn more about this procedure, how people like it, and maybe use this as a source for support as well. So i guess first off.. those of you who have already had the procedure, what do you think of the lap-band and the new lifestyle that goes with it?

Congratulations! I was banded by Dr. Wolff last week. All is going well and I am so happy it is finally done. After all the preparation work, the day after surgery I still couldn't believe that I had gone through with it! Good luck to all my fellow MMC Bariatric bandsters! maybe I'll run into you at one of the support group meetings! :thumbup:

I always have some Bariatric Advantage calcium chews around - they're great for traveling or carrying in my purse so I can pop some calcium when I'm away from home (although I suppose I could just lug some calcium tablets around, too...). Anyway, they're pretty good! here are the ASMBS (American Society of Metabolic & Bariatric Surgeons) supplement guidelines (you have to scroll way down to Table 6). As long as your supplement meets (or exceeds) the guidelines, you're good: https://asmbs.org/app/uploads/2017/06/ASMBS-Nutritional-Guidelines-2016-Update.pdf

We loved Dr. Garcia and the experience at Hospital MI Doctor on TJ and would use him again. We went through alma at Ready 4 a Change and she was great. My daughter feels like she never had surgery other than the fact she is never hungry and can only eat small amounts of food. She's lost about 50 lbs all together. She's very happy with her decision on both Dr. Garcia and having the VSG instead of any other WLS. I've heard really good things about Dr. Kelly also. Just deal with him directly. Either will take good care of you. Take a look here http://www.obesityhelp.com/profiles/bariatric-surgeon/fernando-garcia/#profile_procedures You'll see Dr. Garcia has a lot of experience doing WLS. Good luck making your choice. I don't think you can go wrong with Garcia or Kelly.

I had a great surgeon in Knoxville, TN and I am sure they work with you being out of town to do as much as possible in as few visits as they can. His name is Dr Stephen Boyce @ New Life center for Bariatric Surgery, and they are a Quality Center. 2/7/11 pre-op - 254 2/22/11 surgery - 243 Today 3/6/11 - 228 down 26 lbs

Check your insurance policy. It will say whether weight loss/bariatric surgery is covered or not, and if it is what it will cost you out of pocket. For example, in my policy is it listed under Surgical Procedures in Section 5b. You can also call customer service at the number on the back of your card and ask them what your policy says about weight loss surgery. Schedule an appointment with your Primary Care Physician (PCP). Ask them to please refer you to Nutrition Services to be considered for for weight loss surgery. They will probably mail you some forms to fill out and return. Then they will send you a letter. If you qualify you will be on the program waitlist. Unless they pick up the pace you will wait 6+ months to get into the pre-surgery program. You will have 8 weeks of classes plus blood work, program specialist and psych visits, etc. If you pass the classes you will be scheduled to meet for final checkoffs with psych, pre-op bloodwork/physical, and finally to meet with your surgeon of choice. You'll also have to do either a 3-day or 14-day pre-surgery diet. I'd recommend the 3-day, so lose some weight before and/or during the 8-week program, that way you're more likely, but not guaranteed, to get the 3-day diet vs. the 14-day diet. You will get to choose from one of two surgeons: Dr. Husain or Dr. Chae. I chose Dr. Chae, but I have heard good things about both surgeons. The differences: one is female, the other male. One is younger, the other a little older and probably has more bariatric surgeries under his belt. One doesn't use a post-surgery drain tube (from what I've heard), the other does (from what I experienced). Ask for details so you can make an informed decision that you are comfortable with. Maybe you feel comfortable with a surgeon of the same gender as you. The choice is yours. My surgery was at Saint Joseph Hosptial in Denver. Yours probably will be as well. NOTE: When they discharge you, make sure they send you home with prescriptions for pain (probably liquid Lortab), nausea, acid reduction (acid reducer/PPI), and blood thinners (if you need them after you are discharged, I didn't. This seems to vary based on your condition, medical history, etc.). Have your family or friend fill them before you are discharged so you don't have to stop on the way home. You might not need the pain meds to mask unbearable pain, but they are great for a couple/few days after discharge if for nothing else than to ween off the morphine drip and to help you get some sleep. If all goes well, you'll get your surgery. My plan covers sleeve. Apparently some don't, but most people I was in groups with had the option. Depends on what your policy covers, I guess. The bottom line is, the wait and process is long but well worth it. It took me almost a year to get through the entire waitlist and pre-surgery stuff. Be patient, but if four or five months passes on the waitlist and you don't get a call, be proactive and call Nutrition Services to ask where you are on the waitlist. If you need to contact Nutrition Services directly: Kaiser Permanente offers gastric bypass, vertical sleeve gastrectomy and adjustable gastric banding (also know as the Lap Band) procedures. Not all benefit plans cover weight loss surgery. Please call 303-788-1154 for more information. http://www.kphealthy...for-adults.aspx

For those of you who are being switched to Dr. Zavalza, rest assured, he is one of the most kind, considerate and very experienced, bariatric surgeons on here. You will be in excellent hands! Brooke L. VSG Dr. Zavalza 4/16/15