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Part of this message is me rejoining this community, part of it is seeing what's in my profile signature., I used to have a weigh loss results bar in there. I had my surgery in 2009, almost a year after my wife did. Having a built in support partner helps. I went from around 270 to 195 in well less than a year. A large part of it was this surgery and the nutritional information. Another part of of it was re-discovering my love of running. I still had running a marathon on my bucket list when I had the surgery and I ran it in 2011 in just over 4 hours. I ended up doing six more. Life was good, my wife and I were even used in commercials as sucess stories by the Bariatric Department of The Ohio State University I will mention my wife though I looked too thin at 195, so I did go to 210 during my marathons. But after 2013 my back began to fail and I had spinal fusion surgery. That slowed me down for a year or or more, but my weight crept up about 10 pounds a year until last May 7th, I got back from a 7 day Caribbean cruise. While I only gained 1 pound on that cruise it was a new post surgery high of 244. I imediately scheduled an appointment with my clinic/hospital. Backn in 2009 I had 3ccs put into a 10cc band and never had it changed. On my visit back I had .25cc added and have lost 13 pounds in about 2 weeks. Here we go again.

Absolutely not. Have at it. As long as you're not getting smashed out of your mind (because alcohol dehydrates and can take a while to work out of your system) and its just a feed of mexican food (hopefully the balanced good stuff), it will not throw your pre-op diet off. I was reliably informed by my bariatric nurse, the pre-op diet is to stop those who are chuffing down multiple bottles of booze and eating fried everything daily. A week before surgery I went out on the lash (drinking) with some gusto about 7 days before surgery. The night before surgery I had pizza, chicken tenders and a coke. I was given permission to do so.. That being said, however, i was a relatively low BMI starter, so the liver shrinking wasn't such a pressing issue for me. Whats your BMI right now? If my BMI was very high, I might not consider having the alcohol and just have the dinner. If you moderate your intake, so you're not a total glutton (maybe max 4 drinks, with Water in between and some food), it should be all good by Monday. Just be mindful as previously stated; it might mess with your head a bit after you get sleeved. I definitely mourned what I could no longer have in the short term. But then in saying that, this could be seen as a little food funeral (and EVERYONE, has had some form of that). I say go for it. In three days your world is going to change. Dramatically. Enjoy

My bariatric team contradict themselves constantly. My surgeon wanted me to take antibiotics the size of horse pills at two weeks post op. The ward staff refused to issue the tablets and I got a frantic call from the nurse telling me not to take any tablets until I was six weeks out. Just an example. I won't bore you with the other thousand. They "forgot" that I was still on fluids (8 weeks out), so I needed to experiment with foods. Using my discharge booklet as guidance, I also looked here to see what other people found successful. I have asked questions here at 2 in the morning when no team was available. I have asked questions here to see what others have actually experienced. None of my bariatric team have actually ever had bariatric surgery. They don't know how it feels. And once you don't trust your team, other humans can be helpful. I have to have a colonoscopy on Thursday which means a massively strong enema solution. At 8 weeks out, I am worried that my new stomach won't like this. Asking my surgeon is not helpful (remember the horse pill?), my nurse is on holiday. The colonoscopy team don't know. My GP says that is "beyond her". Who will I ask? I will research as much as I can, then decide what to do myself. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm thrilled that you had such a wonderful experience. There are MANY competent and caring doctors, top notch coordinators, and clean facilities in Mexico but we don't hear a lot about Dr. Illan or Baja Bariatrics so thanks for the review.

I am getting my surgery on 4/10 with Dr. Garcia at Tijauana Bariatrics. I am both nervous and excited!

I just wanted to share the wonderful experience I had going through bajabariatrics.com for my vertical sleeve 2 weeks ago - Dr. Jalil Illan is top notch and the care and treatment I received, both before and after surgery, was more than I expected. I truly feel a greater connection to Dr. Illan and his team then I do with my PCP here in the States - and I love my doctor here - but the care and time was incomparable - the hospital was clean and private (with a great view), the doctor was thorough, knowledgable and friendly (much more approachable than many doctors I have seen in the US), and his coordinator, Omar, is someone I now truly consider a friend - he was with me every step of the way and was much needed support and source of comfort! I work in a hospital in the US and STRONGLY recommend that if you are traveling south for your procedure---choose no one but Dr. Illan and Baja Bariatrics - there is no one better and you will not be disappointed.... Please feel free to message me or ask anything I may have left out that you are interested in by the way, I am 15 pounds closer to a healthier me and couldn't feel better!

No, I didn't say that to her. I didn't talk about it actually. She asked how much I weighed and when I told her 147 she said it was too low. Go figure. She never approved of my having the surgery, but in her defense, she doesn't have much experience with bariatric patients. She's supportive, just concerned. Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I guess those seeds are small enough that they won't bother? Guess it's the same thing as some being able to eat mushy foods right out of surgery and others (me included) having to wait until week 3 post to start. You can find plenty of Ricotta Bake recipes on Pinterest along with tons or other post bariatric recipes. Just type it in search and it will pull up plenty. You'll spend hours there though so be careful.

You are averaging about 10 pounds per month, I think that's great! You have not failed. Like most have said, you may just need to tweek your eating plan to make sure you are getting enough calories, Protein and Water. Let your Bariatric team know what's going on...call them. I have noticed that sometimes family is the last to see our weight loss. In my case it seems to be people I see randomly, like the cashier at the grocery store or the dog groomer. Hang in there and be proud of what you have already accomplished!

I have Aetna, my BMI was just 40 and I had no co-morbities. I did the entire process with the bariatric surgeon's office and his insurance coordinator. They are very knowledgeable of the process. I had to complete a patient history form documented all previous weight loss attempts. I had to have 3 months of consecutive visits with my bariatric surgeon with my weight documented, a nutritionist visit and a psych evaluation. I did not have to show any proof of current weight loss attempts or exercise. I was told not to lose weight because I just squeaked by the required BMI. Each plan is different even within the same insurancs company, it depends on what your employer chooses. Get a copy of your particular plan's requirements in writing.

I live in florence and Coos Bay is just a hop away from here. There is a clinic in Eugene that does the Lap Band, but there is no way I am going there, I have never hear a thing from them, but I have hear things about this clinic in Coos Bay that they are great, and I have seen results. they have a great website Bay Bariatrics - Steve Tersigni, MD - Coos Bay, Oregon Ofcourse I have not made even my first appointment yet, but I did called and they are sending me an information packet. They have a special for December for 10,000. Unfortunally I can't have mine until January, I want the Hollidays to be over, and I am self pay so even if I probably will have it all by then, I am not wanting to deal with the tax part of it until then. But if the price goes up quite a bit more after Christmas, I might decide to pay it and just go for it. I will be making my appointment probably next week to talk to him about all this and meet him. Denise, was wondering how fast does the process from getting ready to the actually surgery goes? I am nervous, I knew I wanted to do this a few months ago, but it has been in the last two months that I finally decided for sure and told my husband,, I been saving since and I will have it I know in one month. I have two little kids with autism, I need to have energy, and this is not on ly for them, but for me :cool: well,, anywho, I said enough lol, for now :faint:

both can cause it - which is probably why it's seen more after bariatric surgery than it is after other major surgeries (because it can be a side effect of any major surgery). If you google telogen effluvium, you'll find lots of info about it and what things can cause it. Here's one article focused mainly on it as a result of surgery: https://drnichter.com/hair-loss-after-surgery-explained/

Howdy. I am Staci from Montana. I am 246 down from 260 about 9 months ago and it wasn't from delivering a child, but sometimes I think I look pregnant. This is where I got the idea for the band. My husband and I had been unable to conceive for a year and instinctivly I knew it was my weight that was making me not ovulate. Sooooo, here I am. My band date is Feb. 12. My insurance is 10% with a max $600 out of pocket and the $300 program fee for the bariatric clinic (total $900). I am 26. I have been married for 2.5 years. My husband and I have guardianship/are raising my 16-year-old brother. I work as a legal secretary for the best insurance company in the whole world in their corporate legal department. I have an associates degree and paralegal certificate. I am in school part time. My major is Business Administration-Information Systems. I AM NUTSO for doing so much at once, but oh well. Nice to meet you all!

Hi. I'm here in Fredericksburg, VA. I started my journey to a VSG in September 2010 at Washington Hospital in DC. My surgeon is Dr. Timothy Shope. I found Dr. Shope through my insurance company, he was the only bariatric surgeon in the area they would cover. The Bariatric Surgery Center at the hospital is great. There were several requirements to meet (nutrionist visits (3-6), psych eval, excercise physiologist meeting, support group attendance, and a web tutorial). The staff is truly invested in your progress. The only down side for me is the commute to DC for doctor's visits but it's worth it to have a good doctor. I am super excited and a little nervous about my surgery which is scheduled for Jan 26, 2011.

hi!! how are you doing!!?!? are you getting excited?? I have to tell you, when I only had ONE two yr old, there were days I thought I wasnt going to make it, lol!! everything is relative!! You know, you just keep doing what you do, and hope it all gets done before you fall over :cursing: my youngest son has cerebral palsy, its a mild case, but there is still some lifting that needs to be done, and even though he's only 3....he's big...not fat, but TALL and solid...so that has been tough...my mother in law was here for a week, thank God, but party's over now, right!! sooo....what have we gotten ourselves into..?? and what are you getting into??? a new you!! and us!!! and FINALLY some real hope!! like this time the weight will stay off!!!! listen, its the safest of the bariatric surgeries, no malabsorption, dumping, or slicin up your gizzards...totally reversible, but totally not the easy way out....its a tool like that treadmill...if we use the treadmill, we're good, if we hang clothes on it and never use it, well, you know...and studies show, that bandsters and bipassers...at 3 and 5 yrs out from surgery, have about the same weight loss...its not as QUICK. thats the thing...but when you lose weight quick, that can bring on other issues like gall bladder problems (been there!!) and really, err, the majority of the bipass stories I hear?? that the weight returns after a yr or 2...and then what??? and what exactly happens to that other part of your stomach you dont use if you have a bipass??? just a few thoughts. :confused: yes!! keep in touch!!! take care!

I got Celebrate chewables and they taste horrible and the Calcium vit. were huge however I was stuck with them because I didn't want to waste them. They were not expensive and I think they were like a 60 and 90 day supply. Before I even had my surgery my nutritionist and the bariatric nurse were telling us that for some people the liquid vitmans worked best. So once I was out of my 1st supply I got the liquid multi and calcium Vitamin and I have been using that every since and its by welless. Now celebrate also has these like candy chewable Vitamins and the caramel and chocolate tatse just like candy. Hope this helps.

Is this a serious question? There's no way you can accurately determine your rate of weight loss after a whopping four days post-surgery. Your body underwent trauma and it's normal to hold onto fluids before dropping pounds. For now, stay off the scale until four weeks post-op. The first month is notorious for stalls, plateaus, and weird changes. Also, weight loss after bariatric surgery doesn't happen in a predictable, linear pattern. You lose a few pounds, hold onto pounds, and sometimes stall and plateau before you start losing more weight. In other words, you won't post a daily loss. Weight loss starts and stops and resumes. I lost an average of about 6 pounds per month after weight loss surgery. However, I'm pleased with the overall outcome: I've lost 100 pounds and have been keeping it off so far. Good luck to you.

Same here. I was totally self pay and had to do all of that as well. It may have been because I had my surgery done at a Bariatric Center of Excellence, which may have specific requirements of patients to maintain that designation.

My bariatric team wants us to focus on protein first, then veggies. No fruit till 6 months because of carbs.

I find myself noticing others who might benefit from knowing more about bariatric surgery. I have kept my mouth shut thus far but it's getting harder when I see struggling,and our of breath young people. I want to tell them there is hope and answer, but in their place(where I was until I started my journey) would I have accepted a gentle suggestion? I have found 2 acqaintances who are post surgery but they didn't tell me of their plans. I'm afraid I asked one if she'd had cancer- well she was thinner and so was her hair- how was I gonna think? She is looking better now cause her is thickening back up, and most important she feels better about herself. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi everyone, First off, I would like to apologize for the length of this post, but I'm at the end of my rope here and SO upset!! Second, if anyone has ever been through something like this please feel free to add your input. Like a lot of you I've never been so motivated and excited in my life for my upcoming surgery. My husband's employer has CIGNA insurance. They have never covered bariatric surgery until what I thought was this year. In prior years they had our plan documents on their website so you were able to see the specifics of what was covered and what was excluded. We had many changes this year but for some reason they have never put this detailed information up on either the employee website or the CIGNA website this year. Needless to say, I contacted CIGNA for this information on more than one occasion. FINALLY, I received information in the mail with very detailed information saying that weight loss surgery WAS covered. Imagine my happiness!! I even contacted CIGNA via phone to verify this and it was confirmed as covered. I started all of my paperwork and submitted it to my doctor's office. The doctor's office ALSO contacted CIGNA and they were given an approval of coverage for the surgery and a reference code for the call. The requirements were for 3 months of doctor supervised weight management along with the usual psychological evaluation, high BMI, sleep apnea (check), diabetes (check), high blood pressure (check), etc. Therefore, my journey began and I stuck to the program like crazy. I went in this past Monday for my final doctor's visit and they submitted my paperwork to CIGNA. My claim was immediately denied by CIGNA saying that weight loss surgery is not a covered benefit. If you could only see the look of despair on my face. The doctor's office informed CIGNA that my surgery is scheduled for June 23rd and that I have done absolutely everything required. CIGNA told the doctor's office that they have given the case to their supervisor and that my doctor's office would have to submit an appeal (IN WRITING, which will only slow down matters). My husband also contacted the HR benefits manager who was livid that this had happened. She informed him that they have never covered bariatric surgery and that there is NO appealing this situation. I am having a very hard time believing that nothing can be done, especially on the part of CIGNA's more than one error. They informed my doctor's office that the employee who told them that I was approved would be reprimanded - do they honestly think that is going to make me feel any better? What about the others who sent me the information in the mail and by phone? I contacted CIGNA on Tuesday and said that they apparently have problems with training their employees. This is not something that can be brushed off as a slight error! CIGNA needs to pay for their mistakes! One other thing of mention is that CIGNA has paid ALL of my claims regarding this preparation for the surgery, including my BARIATRIC Vitamins at 100%!! I just don't get it. I don't know what to do with myself at this point. I am just absolutely heartbroken and numb. I've worked so hard for this and to have the rug pulled out from underneath me at the last minute is just wrong. Thanks for reading and your understanding! losinit512

He has an office in Albany, but to get a fill there it's $100+. If a patient wants the promised bariatric support and "free" fills, you have to drive to Macon. It's the hospital system's fault, not Bagnato's; but either way, it left patients in a difficult situation. I got insurance approval, which was a year-long fight, and had my fills at the bariatric center in Albany. Since I moved six months ago, I've heard the center in Albany had to close. I am glad to be out of SW GA for many reasons and getting support and care for my band is one of them. I wish you much success. I have nothing but great things to say about Dr. B as a surgeon.

Hey there I’m new too but wanting to make friends through this with... if u want Go to face book , find me Trina Carrie Robinson Stuart and then bariatric buddies i made it a closed group today so friend request me just Incase I have to add you😉☺️ I’m so excited please let me know when u do on here in case I can’t find you😍

I have NOT had good luck!!!! Banded on 4/2/2012 ... in hospital 4/4 to 4/7 because my stomache swill shut and needed to go in again to replace the band with a large band. I felt soooo much better after the repair. FYI - I am a social worker who conducts the psychological evaluations at the Bariatric Clinic attached to the hospital and the Surgeon's office... Something changed about 3 weeks ago ... I had swelling around my port and the area felt different! Yesterday, after the second unsuccessful attempt to access my port, I was sent for a fluoroscopic Xray with the MD, PA and NP present. OUTCOME -my port flipped and..... ..... AGAIN I need additional surgery to position and re-attach the port to my abdominal wall. REALLY ..... I guess it is true .. if you work along side the MD or work at the hospital ...you are bound to be the patient who encounters complications! I do not have the $ to pay for the additional surgery needed, as our family is saving for a down payment for a new house!!!!! CRAP!

After much research, I picked a surgeon and am booked! Thank you everyone who helped me out. A special shout out to zmdh39 who wrote volumes educating me about how to pick a surgeon. There were 3 surgeons I was seriously considering. Any one of them would have been acceptable to me. I also liked every coordinator I spoke with. Each of us has a 'click factor' that just makes you feel a surgeon is right for you. For me, that 'click factor' was Dr. Illan. Here is why: > He graduated in the top of his class with honors. The university he went to is widely regarded as the leading university in the spanish speaking world including Spain and Portugal. (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Autonomous_University_of_Mexico) (Yes, I am using wikipedia as a source but I saw it other places too). > He is the Chief of Emergency/Trauma surgery at a large hospital: https://www.facebook.com/pages/IMSS-Hospital-General-Regional-No1/164876160265331 He works at the ER hospital M-F from 7 to 2 pm. As chief, he does the hard stuff like gunshots etc. On days he has 3 bariatric surgeries booked, he has someone cover him at the ER hospital and does not go in. He only does 3 or 4 bariatric surgeries max a day. In other words, he is not exhausted nor doing an assembly line. (A side note: There are a lot of mentions in various places of him being an 'assistant' to Dr. Ramos Kelly. Dr. Ramos has lost privileges from several hospitals for various rumored reasons. I asked about this association. Dr. Illan wasn't an 'assistant' like he was learning from Dr. Kelly. Since Dr.Illan is also a trauma/ER surgeon, the other bariatric surgeons like having him with them - it makes things that much safer in their own operating rooms So he has assisted many surgeons around Tijuana). > He has 2 other surgeons in the room assisting him (so a total of 3 surgeons), plus 2 scrub nurses and a technician. He does the surgery himself - no ghost surgeons or students. > He closes with 3 levels. 1. He does the 3 staple on each side thing using Johnson and Johnson with covidian staples (all surgeons I have researched do this). 2. He then sews a line from top to bottom behind the staple line (many do this but some just do the junctures where the staple cartridges were reloaded, and some don't at all). 3. Then he coats the staples with bio -glue (very few do this extra step). He closes the outside incisions with sutures on the inside and glue on the outside. > He does 3 leak tests (2 during surgery and 1 the day you check out of the hospital). > Complication rate 1 in 500, leak rate 0 and infection rate 0. Talked with a patient who was standing with Omar getting ready to return to the USA where she works as a surgical scrub nurse. She said his sterile technique was excellent, and the OR has excellent technology. She said that the OR was, quite frankly, better than the OR she works out of in the USA. > He tells you in advance of any extra pricing like hernia repair that might be needed. > His coordinator, Omar, gets rave reviews as being very helpful and taking people around to shop and sight see etc. That's a bonus for my travel companion so she won't be bored, nor wandering around Tijuana on her own. Omar is well known for going waaaay above what many expect from their coordinator. Tip: Just so you know, most people tip their coordinators regardless which surgeon they go to. I have heard that the usual tip is $100.00 (some tip more and some tip less) paid at the end of the trip. People also say to bring about $100.00 extra in small bills for incidentals and minor tipping of bell hops, housekeeping, waiters, room service, the wheelchair/cart person at the airport if you get one post op, the driver to and from the airport, etc. > The package is 4,600 all inclusive: 5 nights (pre-op you stay in the hospital if you arrive in the evening), 2 more nights in the Florence hospital, 2 nights in the Lucerna hotel. The hospital has a bed for your companion -not a cot or a lazy boy. Companion pays for their own meals (as is standard). > He does not require an advance deposit. Omar, the coordinator, just asks you to send a photo of the money order once you have it to make sure the doctor's name is spelled right. You just pay when you get there. Very important tip: Plan on taking the money order or cash because the Mexican government adds a 16% surcharge to credit cards. That would mean paying an additional $736.00! That doesn't even include your own bank's charges. > Dr. Illan will do a skype conference with you to answer any questions you might have. His name is pronounced Iyyan or EEyan > He has a thriving and supportive facebook community of current, former and future patients willing to answer questions. Feel free to contact me here to get my name there (I change the display name for fun sometimes). You can find the facebook page here: Team Illan https://www.facebook.com/groups/138579759635044/ *I am editing this post as I learn more information.