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Hi everyone my pcp sent a referral for me to start the process to have the sleeve done. I am 34 years old 5'2 310lbs.The bariatric center called last week and said i have to go to a seminar before i can get an appointment with the surgeon. So i go on the 5th to the seminar. After i do the seminar do they call me or do i call them and let them know i went and then we can schedule my appointment? I am in nevada and on medicaid if anyone can give me an idea of how the whole process works? Sent from my LGMS631 using the BariatricPal App

When you go to the seminar they should give you a list of requirements. Most Bariatric surgeon's offices will have a person on staff who is familiar with your insurance requirements or can help you find out what they are. You may be required to have a pre-op diet, nutrition counseling, a psych clearance, pulmonary testing, an EGD or similar, and a cardiac clearance. Just be prepared to write everything down and ask lots of questions. You are on your way! Thank you its nice knowing how things work instead of going in blind and clueless Sent from my LGMS631 using the BariatricPal App

I think I found a cool new product. Bariatric Advantage has just added a new Multi to their line. Includes 1000 mg B12. Iron Powerful nutrition in 3 capsules! Our newest encapsulated multi formula is the highest potency member of our multi family of products. Designed to meet the latest guidelines* just add Calcium and you are ready to go for the day. Contains a full 3000 IU Vitamin D3, 400 mg Magnesium, 45 mg Iron, and a unique phytonutrient blend to support good health. powder added to something ie applesauce. They seem not a bad price at $49/270 One only needs to add their calcium. If you are Canadian and at a loss, let me know I can hook you up with a supplier in Vancouver. She told me about these. I hope someone finds this helpful. I know I am sure relieved to have found something a little more cost effective. No buying separate B12 or Iron. Just add calcium. W.

Would you be willing to go to Victoria? There is a Center of Excellence for Bariatric surgery there at Citizens Medical Center. There is an entire wing of the hospital there devoted to bariatric surgery. I had mine done there and have no complaints what so ever. Dr. Craig Chang is my surgeon and my hero. He's wonderful and is CERTIFIED. Many doctors do bariatric surgery but are not certified in it. This hospital is also fully equipped and furnished with the bariatric patient in mind. Chairs, beds, gowns, pressure cuffs, etc. that actually FIT. The Center is incredible. If you can, run down there and take a tour. They are happy to do it. I highly recommend him, if you dont mind a little drive. I drive from Corpus Christi, and don't mind in the least to have top notch care and facilities. I'm doing great and have had minimal problems. Dr. Chang is very approachable and very caring.

Hi gang! I'm not sure if you guys remember, but I have BC/BS PPO Michigan, individual coverage. They just removed all bariatric procedures from their coverage this past January 2009. They said it is just not covered. My doctor CALLED them this past Friday, and I'm not sure who he talked to, but my status moved from "denied" to "pending".... my agent who is my liaison with BC/BS told me they don't cover, no exceptions... however, it looks like they might actually consider this? I'm not going to hold my breath.... I'm probably going to have to pay somewhere about $6-8K for the procedure (I'm getting hiatal hernia surgery along with it) out of pocket, which I was prepared for... but can I actually HOPE that my insurance company is going to do what's right, and cover this for me?? I am not getting my hopes up... but it sure would be nice not to have to pay that much $$ for my surgery! I'm taking prayers where I can get them! Karen

Thanks a lot for the advise, I will keep that in mind. I took the Bariatric Advantage Protein shake, it actually tastes pretty good and I was not hungry at all.

Hi everyone! I'm very close to the end of my WLS process and my surgery coordinator said that all I'm missing is medical clearance from primary doctor , weight chart for last 5 years and a new bariatric referral because the one I had expired a month ago. Now I called in the referral but I'm wondering what tests are done for medical clearance by primary doctor and what happens when my regular primary doctor leaves the clinic and is replaced by a new doctor? does the new doctor fill out all my clearance paper work? I'm confused

Do you know which of the two types of gastric lap-band surgery you had? Perigastric Technique (PGT) Pars Flaccida Technique (PFT) According to the Bariatric Surgery Source studies have confirmed that the pars flaccida technique (PFT) is safer and results in a lower rate of band slippage. When I was discussing all the different WLS options with my surgeon we discussed slippage, and he said that he has been performing gastric banding since around 2002 and now only does the PFT procedure. I suggest you talk with your surgeon about what is causing the slippage. My surgeon does my band adjustments using a fluoroscope. Because of this, he (and I can too if I turn to look) can clearly see my lapband and its placement. This gives me comfort knowing if there is an issue he will see it right away. Best wishes

KarmaandKismet; You are very wise to consider this. Personally, I feel that counseling and ongoing therapy should be a REQUIREMENT for anyone who undergoes Weight Loss Surgery of any kind, and I am kind of surprised that insurance companies do not make this a KEY part of the process, other than the initial Psych consultation. I believe that it is a KEY component of success in this area. SO MUCH of the obesity enigma is that it is a “mind game”. The Lap Band and the other forms of WLS can very effectively deal with the Physical component of Obesity, BUT unless the “mind’ component is dealt with, a very large percentage of WLS patients will not be as successful as they would like to be. It is known that a certain percentage of Gastric Bypass patients will put the weight back on within a few years of losing it. This is not a result of any deficiency in the surgical mechanism, but it is a direct result of the “mind component” of weight loss not being addressed properly, or even addressed at ALL in so many cases. It is also known that in the case of the Lap Band, a large percentage of Patients never reach their intended goal, and, again, it is because (in many cases) the psychological and emotional issues that brought the patient to the point of needing surgery have never been addressed. So, yes…you ABSOLUTELY need to make Psychotherapy an integral part of your Weight Loss Surgery experience. In answer to your question about Therapists who specialize in Weight Issues, yes, there ARE those who maintain a Specialty Practice in that field. You need to hunt for them a bit, and I should warn you that MOST Psychotherapists will say that they deal with weight issues, but the fact is that most of them do not deal with it as a SPECIALTY. And, you really do want someone who is a specialist in this, someone who has been doing it for a number of years as a primary practice. Sometimes you will see them in the yellow pages, but as is most often the case, the BEST practitioners do NOT have to advertise. It is very possible that you can get a referral from your Surgeon’s office; they very often have good links to Professionals in this field. Also, if you contact your local chapter of Overeaters Anonymous, they often can refer you to Professionals as well. Again, I have to emphasize the importance of finding someone who is very well experienced and trained in Bariatric Psychology as a SPECIALTY, and not merely an incidental part of their practice. I think if you ask most Psychotherapists if they treat people with Obesity issues, they will all say yes. But, the vast majority of them will only have a couple of patients for whom it is a defining issue, and their experience in treating this problem is not very deep. So, take the time to find someone who really IS an expert in this….you will be well-served by having this kind of professional on your Team. Good Luck with your Surgery, and please keep everyone posted on how you are progressing! S.

What is everyone doing for a multi vitamin & I am wondering if anyone has tried the swallowable pills from Bariatric Advantage? I have tried so many chewables & liquids and they are so nasty! Warning!!!! Do not buy the multivitamin from Vitamin World called "Origin of Life". Made me throw up!!! $30 wasted!

If you believe your doctor won't know about the band or won't be very willing to encourage this then reassure him that you've done your research and you understand that the lap-band will require a lot of will power on your part but that you feel this is in your best interest and you are willing to put in the effort to make it work. If he gives you a hard time after explaining that then I'd see if your insurance will let you just go ahead and talk to a Bariatric Clinic directly. (I didn't go through my doctor...I called the Bariatric Center on my own and my insurance was OK with that. But, they're all different.)

Ok, I have to vent. Anyone who saw my previous post regarding all of my preop fiascos will understand. I am supposed to have my surgery at 7:30 am tomorrow. A week ago, I emailed the bariatric center asking her when and where I needed to take my down payment as I am self pay. I never received a reply. I also called and left her a message and never received a return phone call. Since I work at the hospital doing my surgery, I just figured I would have my husband run the check to the cashier first thing in the morning while I was in surgery. Anyway, at 4:30 this afternoon my cell phone rings. It is the lady from the bariatric center who informs me that if they do not have my check tonight they will cancel my surgery. At 4:30 in the afternoon!! Are you kidding me???? I told her there was no way that could physically happen, as my husband and I were in two physically separate locations and I had his checkbook, and he needed to write the check, and the hospital closes at 5pm. She started to get really snotty with me, and I finally said "You know what, this has been a fiasco of miscommunications from the beginning, just cancel my surgery." At this point, (and I am speaking from a nurses point of view in addition to a patients point of view) she should have done anything she could have to smooth it over, as it is her job to be an advocate for the patient first and foremost. Instead, she said "Fine" and hung up on me. I immediately called the on call hospital administrator who happens to also be her boss and expressed my displeasure. She said she was going to try to fix it so we could proceed with my surgery tomorrow. The surgeons office manager just called and told me that they can't proceed because the hospital cancelled my OR slot. She said the surgeon is none to happy because they had reps from Inamed coming to assist with the surgery also. All I can think is WTF??? I told the hospital administrator that for the first time in 9 years I am actually ashamed to work for this organization, and I have always been proud of the hospital I work for. My grandpa is a retired surgeon, and I ran this all by him, and he said "Tell them to forget it and go to hell!" (Which I have NEVER heard him say...) What do you guys think of all this???????? I need some serious input!!

My doc did a preop (he said it shrinks the liver which he has to raise to do the surgery) basically it was 2 Meal Replacements with a bariatric shake and a sensible meal. day before surgery no high fat foods. Hope this helps

I had planned on going to Dr (Don't want specifics) and there are many reasons I changed my mind. I researched and can only tell you the facts of what I found out and why I changed my mind. My experience was so great, I believe everyone deserves the treatment I received (best treatment in any hospital EVER). I researched other Dr's but these were the 2 I went back and forth with. I decided that close to the Border was easy in and easy out lol,a nd I was right:) Here is a list of why I changed my mind! #1 Its a small hospital and not a walk in clinic as Dr x has his place in a strip mall and I want to be in a actual hospital. #2 Dr x does 8-14 surgeries a day, My Dr does usually 2 but up to 4. I didn't just want to be a number! #3 My husband came with me and we had our own private room where he stayed with me, Dr x had recovery rooms holding up to 4 patients. I loved my privacy and getting rested the first 2 days with total care for everything I asked for. #4Dr x sends you directly to a hotel to share with (I'm not sure how many beds) but you do have to share, they leave the IV in and transport you every day back to the Walk in Clinic to check you, I personally wanted my own room and stayed in it 2 nights without being moved around, or bothered by another patient. #5 Dr x only staples when he does the VSG, My Dr staples and also sutures to ensure no leaks. I know all have their downfall, but my Dr is 100% no leaks, and just a wonderful surgeon. #6 If you want a private room you must pay yourself, my Dr gives you a private room at a 4-5 star hotel. If your husband (or anyone goes with you they have to pay for an extra room anyways) #7 On the 3rd day I wanted to see the city as I was feeling better and they provide a free shuttle to take you shopping, and bring you what you need, I loved it! #8 As I got back to my hotel it was around 8:30 pm and my Dr came to the hotel to check on me, I thought he was great. #9 I was so well tended to, I wish I could tell it to the world, my Dr is $4500 and with so many more perks now, I figure you save $400, and if you bring someone $800. #10 My Dr is Board Certified, and Dr x is not. In fact my trained Dr x when they studies for Bariatrics! Please feel free to respond, and I also have a FB group that has 350 members from ALL Dr's and if you would like to join please give me your email address and I will be glad to add you. Sorry so long, but you asked lol. You can also feel free to call me if you like, but let me know you are from Verticle Sleeve Talk. Congrats on your decision and good luck PS I choose not to use names, I don't think any Dr's are "bad" Dr's, just different and with different styles for sure. I have friends on my FB who have went to all Dr's! Pics are 21 days out If interested in any Dr's in Mexico contact me as there is alot of information in my Facebook group about several different Dr's:)

I contacted an insurance broker in my area that delt with medical policies and he gathered all the information for the top 4 companies in my area. I asked for desriptions of the policies and what was and was not covered. I did have to pick a top tier policy (a Platinum policy) and I pay out of pocket every month but I don't pay for my group policy at work so it did even out for the most part. I chose BCBS and the plan I chose covers the sx if I met the guidlines and I did .... I completed the requirments and now I ma scheduled. I do have a $1000 bariatric surgical fee but I can live with that ...... hope this helps ...

I just wanted to say hello from Olympia Washington. I am just starting the process. I was just accepted into my insurances "Bariatric Surgery Case Management Program. I have received a checklist of things to do and get started. I am going to my first support group a week from this Thursday. I am so looking forward to getting the ball rolling so to speak. I know as I get things done and checked off the checklist I will have a ton of questions. How long did it take most people to get it all going and actually get the surgery done? Thanks Cherryl Rochester, Washington

Congrats on doing your pre-op weight loss goal! After entering the bariatric program where I was it took me 7 months to get into the mind set of 'wanting' to really drop the initial weight. Wishing you a speedy recovery from surgery, and of course, much success!

Hello everyone. My doctor recently referred me to Bariatrics. I have so many many questions. Can someone please reach out to me if they had their surgery at SAMC/BAAMC/ Ft Sam Houston Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am a week and a half post op, and experiencing my first cravings: tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots. To drink? Ice-cold fresh Water. I am, of course, still in liquids, but added yogurt this week. I really enjoy the Bariatric Pal Cream of chicken Soup as well. I never craved fresh vegetables before, so I could get used to craving something healthy!! I hope it's still what I crave layer when they are something I can eat.. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

Hospital gown all the way.. just bring a little something for underneath just in case.. I loved my hospital gown, it went to mid calf and wrapped all the way around and then tied on the side so it wasn't uh, "drafty" in the back. Of course it was MADE for bariatric patients so all 290 pounds of me fit in there comfortably! Also it had all the slits and holes necessary for them checking vitals/putting the drain through, etc.. Also incisions/drainsite can ooze a bit even through the bandages so why get your own stuff oozed on when you can just ooze on the hospital gown!

I just left Barnes and Noble sure that I would find some great books regarding "Life After Bariatric Surgery"...no. Nothing. I'm looking for some resources on ideas for eating, especially in the 2-6 weeks period. During the time I need to eat "mushies" I am traveling and I really need to know what to pack for food. I won't be hitting any restaurants at all. Plus, I want a good variety because the temptation at the resort where I am going (business trip) will be tough to handle! Is there a web-site with this information? Maybe something that could even be printed out?

Mis73. I have been working in the field of nutrition for many years and as a 'lifestyle consultant' have studied to a PHD level, if not beyond. I (we) work in the field of lifyestyle medicine addressing the root cause of the issue, not just addressing the symptom. The Dr in question has given NO nutritional guidance at all. He is happy to suggest that high Protein is not good, but not able to give a recommendation on how much is optimal. All the peer reviewed academic studies I have conducted, or am aware of suggest that the Dr is incorrect. Though his closing comment is always 'its because he's post bariatric'. The three letters PHD mean a lot and thats why I have a team of them that I work with closely at my clinic however, we have never conducted tests on bariatric patients over extended periods so was hoping to get an insight here.

Thank you! I already feel better reading that. I'll call my surgeon tomorrow if he hasn't responded to my email by then. I'll also try to figure out how many surgeries he's done and ask about his record because that would be comforting as well. I know he did his training in bariatrics when he was med school or like specialized in it. How far along are you in pre op? I will probably have my surgery between Christmas and New Years.

I had my pre-op appointment following my 3 hour nutrition class in the morning. I couldn't eat or drink all day because of a couple of tests they had to take, so I don't remember everything...just being extremely hungry and thirsty. From what I can remember, they took a few viles of blood, I met with a hospital nurse and she did an ekg and talked about weight loss surgery in general (she was certified in something related to bariatric surgery and had actually had it herself 8 years prior), I had my barium drink and they took pictures of my insides, I registered with the hospital for my stay, and I think that was all (except since I was self pay I also met with the finance lady to go over some things). It was a pretty smooth process and they kept just passing me off from person to person although there was sometimes a slight delay between things. I wish you a smooth easy day!

Ok....looking for hints. I am taking Celebrate Bariatric Vitamins. I am trying to get them all in but it's 13 pills a day and I am trying to find the right order to keep me from vomiting. It seems to be the Calcium I think that is making it horrible. They have a very "cleanser" type of smell that goes along with them. Any of you out there have any types/tips you would like to share on Vitamin taking? Because I know all surgeons can be different, my surgeon has me taking B12 three times weekly Vitamin D daily B complex with thiamine daily Calcium with D three times daily (thats 6 pills a day) Mulitvitamin (3 pills a day) the last is just my omeprazole which i may or may not keep taking--will find out friday. thanks