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I've been using My Fitness Pal for over two years and highly recommend it. But like most food logging apps on the market, MFP uses a "one size fits all" formula for calculating calorie goals. And that formula was NOT developed for bariatric surgery patients. The good news is that MFP is extremely flexible and you can adjust values for just about everything - calories, macro nutrients (Protein, carbs and fat), even micro nutrients (Vitamins and minerals). So the key to using MFP is to experiment a little until you find the calorie goal that results in the weight loss that you are trying to achieve. There really is no "one size fits all". For example, if your goal is to lose two pounds a week, you can configure that weight loss goal in MFP and it will give you a calorie goal. Try that goal for a week or two and see what happens with your weight. If you lose two pounds a week, great. If you lose less than that, adjust the calorie goal down, nice and easy, try a 100-200 calorie reduction. Then try that for a week or two and see what happens with your weight. It's a great way to customize MFP to your goals, your body and all the variables in your lifestyle. And it works like a charm! I lost 130 lbs in 14 months averaging just under 1300 calories a day. That was my number. With a little experimenting, you can find your number. You can make some adjustments in the app on your phone. But the real power in customizing MFP is on their website where you can enter customized values for practically everything. Give it a try and if you have any problems post your questions or PM to me and I'd be glad to help. Congratulations on your weight loss so far. You're gonna love the new you!

I stayed in a horrible marriage subjected to isolation and humiliation for ten years becuase I did not want to fail at a second marriage. It nearly cost me my life when he mistook me for a pinching bag and threatened to kill me. (He kept five loaded guns in the house). Never again will I let the fear of failure keep me from acting in my own best interest. The only thing you need to worry about is failing to take control over your health, happiness, and future. Do what you have to do to get healthy. Bariatric surgery has been a life saver for so many of us.

Don't be nervous, you'll tie yourself up in"nots", no regrets, no doubts, no sorrowful thoughts, victory is just over the horizon for YOU. You can do this, make yourself a "can do" person and very soon you will be. Your healthier future awaits you, move forward and claim it. All of your Bariatric Pals are cheering you on!😛

We had Sams and Costco but when it came time to renew, we kept Sams because they offer a military discount on their membership. They are both the same distance for us. I just got a Costco membership because I did the numbers and with the shakes alone, it will pay for itself in three months, with the price difference. I will pay for Costco and my husband will keep Sams. Sams Club has free shipping on orders of 99.00 or more.

I think those are what I took during the first month or so after surgery. I then switched to the soft chewables from Bariatric Advantage but only took those for a very short period of time. I now take a calcium citrate capsule that I get from Vitamin Shoppe and haven't had any problems. I've been taking them since October without any problems. They are only 250 mg so I take 2 capsules, 3 times a day. I also take Vitamin D in the morning as well. I hated the taste of the chewables!

I haven't seen any studies. That said, although I am a researcher by nature and profession, I didn't really care if there were studies or not. I was on liquids for four weeks post-op, too, so I feel your pain! But I had to tell myself, if I could research my way to good eating habits and a healthy weight, I would have done it and not ended up over 350 lbs and needing bariatric surgery. I decided to put my faith in the professionals who do actually have proven success in getting people from morbid obesity to health, and who I trusted to do major surgery on me, and not on my own apparently faulty ability to make informed decisions about eating and health. So I put me head down and followed orders . . . and it worked for me

Most clinics have their own patient forum so you could get the one from your clinic if they have one. There are a few Yahoo groups just for Canadians as well. The first one is the general one, 2nd one is for people under 35 and the next ones are regional. canadianlapbanders : Canadianlapbanders youngcanadianbandsters : Young Canadian Bandsters maritimes_bariatric_patients : Maritime Provinces Bariatric Patients manitobalapbanders : Manitoba Lapbanders calgarylapbanders : Calgary Lap Banders

You are so right. Today I have been working in renewing my heart about this. I think I was also doubting my ability to do this, whether I desire this process. I am putting a lot of pressure on myself.

I used the bariatric shakes. Protein is what you really need and they really helped me. Along with the broth but watch the calories in it. And watch the sodium in it as well because of it messing up your water intake. Make sure you're very hydrated. Good luck

we get rebates from our health insurance if we do something like approved three activities a year. One choice was having a handful of telehealth appts with a dietitian (note this was not the dietitian I usually see annually at my bariatric clinic - this was just a regular dietitian who works for the insurance company). She suggested I cut 1000 calories a day from my diet to lose the weight I wanted to. I maintain my current weight on about 1700 calories a day. So cut 1000 calories from that? Is she f***ing kidding? So I cut 200-ish calories, knowing it'll take months to lose some microscopic amount of weight. But that's how it goes when you're at or close to a normal BMI. You're pretty much equilibrium as far as calories in/calories out, so there's not much to cut - and that weight loss is going to be S-L-O-W! (note that 700 kcal/day is fine during the first months post-op -- but not when you're as far out as I am..)

I had no problems, but a couple weeks ago I guess I had what you call dumping syndrome. And like you I was scared to death. I had a Bariatric friend to call and text, and she was very helpful. After awhile I lit had gotten worse and I ended up throwing up. I thot I would be miserable all night, and slept with a garbage can beside the bed, but I went off to sleep and in the morning I felt fine. But I was afraid of hurting my insides. I don’t ever want to do it again, and I expected diarrhea but nothing more happened from it so I’m thankful.

Holly, I had plastic surgery on tummy, breast lift these done together then 4 months later had my arms done and didn't have to have any fluid removed. I guess everything depends on the plastic surgeon and their experiences with weight loss patients. I didn't have any problems. The plastic surgeon wasn't sure if she would have to reposition the port or not (she didn't) however my bariatrics surgeon said if she did that she could call him (they work at the same hosptial) and he would pop in and do it. He popped in anyway during the surgery just to see what was going on

Fat shaming? I realize I might be one of the only ones, but that's truly a phrase I despise. I have had random people make rude remarks about my size when I was at my biggest, but it was rare. I didn't consider it "fat shaming" any more than I call bullying every time someone says something to me I dislike. Like I said, it's just me, but that phrase is like nails on a chalkboard to me. That said, insurance companies don't choose to cover or not cover WLS, your EMPLOYER does. It's truly a bum rap that insurance companies take when people take their ire out on them because they can't get the medical procedures they want. ***IT'S NOT THEIR FAULT*** No, I do NOT work in the insurance industry, nor does anyone in my family. I don't have stock or any other investment in insurance and I don't benefit in any way for sticking up for them. It's simply not true. BCBS VA covered mine 100%. BCBS VA denied my bestie because her company chose a different package. Our old insurance Aetna would only cover 75% five years ago. When our renewal came up, they covered 90%. For some people they cover 100%, for county and state employees in my area they do not cover it at all. Companies pick insurance packages based on the cost to them. If they choose not to cover WLS, that's on them. Your insurance company will cover anything the package covers. No fat shaming involved.

Hey Steph I do think *maybe* I need to stop loosing weight. I am 158 and 6". BUT I don't think I am sick or too thin, or my tailbone is too skinny, what ever it was never fat. BTW, she saw it when I was trying on my dress for the Bariatric Ball, I was wearing a thong but why she was looking at my ass is beyond me. I will post a pic of me I took this am, lol so none of you worry about me... I do have to confess though, I am going to see a Body Image councelor. I can't do it anymore. I see the fat girl still no matter what I do, and I can't handle it anymore. I do need help in that respect. No matter what ANYONE says I see 323 pound Brandy, not me.

Bariatric cookbook as a free download: www.chicoweightloss.com/cookbook

Doctors' philosophy on this vary from a few weeks to never again depending upon their experiences. The basic issues are: Healing - alcohol is somewhat corrosive to the stomach lining so one needs to give things a chance to heal first, Alcohol tolerance - rapid stomach emptying means it tends to hit faster, and with less (i.e., a "cheap drunk") so care must be taken there, Transfer addiction - we can no longer satisfy whatever addictive tendencies we have with food, so it is easy for transfer that addiction to something else, like alcohol, drugs, shopping, gambling, etc. What was a casual habit of a glass of wine with dinner occasionally can easily turn into full blown alcoholism. Liver health - starting as morbidly obese, or worse, our livers are not usually in very good shape to begin with (hence the "liver shrinking" pre-op diets that are often prescribed) and the liver is further stressed from its role in metabolizing all that fat that we are rapidly losing. It doesn't need any more stress from ingesting a known liver toxin like alcohol (not a judgemental thing, just our physiology at work). My surgeon is also a biliopancreatic (livers and pancreas) transplant surgeon, so he is in the no alcohol as long as we are losing weight camp (and ideally forever) and indeed we sign a contract to that effect - he doesn't want any of his bariatric patients coming back onto his transplant table! Those are the issues in play, and some aspects bother different surgeons to different degrees, so they have different policies. Check with what your surgeon's policy is, and decide for yourself - we are all adults here.

My Pcp helped me with my first Migraine headache, but from then he has been Useless. Even my Surgeon told me find some one else at their hospital. My doctor has never ran one test on me and my lasted problem is probably gonna cost me time off from work unpaid. It could get awkward being off work if i I need a surgery before my WLS. Don't know how to juggle that? Getting time of for both without seriously delaying the WLS. Fmla? Weight loss surgery looking like elective surgery. If just the WLS I m ok with that. then later have an elective WLS because since now I'm approved waiting on the Approval letter. Yea If my PCP listened to me could had the first problem fixed months ago. Luckily I have a great Bariatric program some where else!

Good morning Made! Most insurance companies seem to require a BMI of 40 or higher to qualify for RNY (or any bariatric surgery with the possible exception of the band) OR a BMI of 35 or higher with at least two "co-morbidities" such as sleep apnea, diabetes, hypertension, etc. So based on your BMI of 41, I don't think you would have a problem qualifying for RNY or the sleeve if you and your doctor decide to go that route. You must be a very special person indeed to have six children, four cats and a dog and still not have high blood pressure! LOL!! An observation if you will - you seem to be under the impression that RNY is a much more significant surgery that the sleeve. RNY is more "invasive" and takes somewhat longer to complete. But having said that, my surgery started at 7:35am and was completed shortly before 10:00am. I was out of recovery and in my room by noon and was up and walking by 2:00pm. I had virtually no pain (until the next afternoon and even then it was quite manageable) and went home on the second day. Keep in mind that we're all different and my experience is no guarantee that yours will be the same. But I encourage you to read others stories on the forum here and I think that you'll find that for most, not all but most, their story is similar. RNY has been performed for many years both in the U.S. and in other countries. There have been lots of changes and advancements over time. Based on my experience I have to say that they seem to have pretty well perfected!!

@@My Bariatric Life.... My insurance won't pay. I have already been turned down twice. :-( Had i knew then what i know now i would have had it at the same time as the TT. But so many people said how "painful" the TT was and i back out... :-( But we live and learn... My TT was pretty pain-free... I slept in my recliner the first week, started walking as soon as i could and was back at work with in two weeks. But then again, im no stranger to surgery. 2 c-sections, gallbladder, hysterectomy, WLS... i also have a high tolerance for pain...thank god

Wow! @@bayougirlmrsc, you look amazing! I do not have before and afters because I have yet to have plastics. I am having my third consultation this coming Monday. I am planning to get a tummy tuck, breast augmentation and a spiral upper thigh lift. Thank you for sharing! Your pics inspire me!!! @@My Bariatric Life, it would open up the link but the video would not play.

I have been struggling with my weight since I gave birth to my first kid. I will never forget; I was 185 lbs when I left the hospital (19 yrs. old) and it’s been a roller coaster since. When I left the hospital they put me on the Depo Provera birth control shot and I blew up. I figured that was the best option since taking my BC pills daily was a concern. I was too busy enjoying life lol. My weight at that time increased to 260 so I went on a serious diet and was able to lose 48 lbs. I went down to 212 lbs. and that was my lowest weight in my adult years. My weight gradually increased again but I never went over 260 lbs. I was always lucky enough to maintain that weight. I would occasionally go on diets to lose weight when I had something big coming up or going on vacation, but of course nothing last. I tried Weight watchers, Curves, Phentermine 37.5 mg, Zantrex 3, and the Lemonade diet. I was able to lose the most with Phentermine but I think my body got too used to it in the end. Up until my I had my 2nd child I didn’t really worry much about my weight. I figured as long as I don’t go over 260 I’m good. Well that quickly changed when I had my son. I was 240 lbs. when I got pregnant and only gained 20 lbs. during my entire pregnancy. I was active and tried my best to limit my calorie intake. However, after I gave birth it was a wrap, my weight increased to a whopping 270, and when I got laid it increased to 313. My highest ever! I started thinking about Bariatric back in 2012 but it was going to be the lap band. After speaking to a few ppl I realized it wasn’t for me. My son is now 5 and weight is something I think about constantly. It’s hard for me to keep up w/ him and I find myself missing out because I pretty much hide in my house. He spends a lot of time w/ his father or his sister because it’s hard for me to move around. I get tired quickly, my body starts to ache, and I just don’t want to be seen. I told myself this is not a way to live life and I’m missing my son grow up so I finally make the decision to do something about it. First it was the Sleeve, but after further research and speaking with ppl that had both surgeries done I decided to change my mind to the Gastric Bypass. My surgeon’s office submitted for approval last week and I’m been impatiently waiting. I’m scared to death, but I know in the long run this is the best option for me. When I started the weight loss journey I was 306 and now I’m at 280. Once we get the approval I will start the pre-op diet and hopefully will be able to lose another 10 lbs. before surgery. My goal weight is 175 but my doctor wants me to get down to 150. Personally I think that’s a bit small but he knows best.

Good Morning everyone...I need to ask some questions bc I am having trouble with the approval process....can everyone that has kaiser southern ca answer this please? 1. When did options class end and location? 2. Were u able to do your labs before the option class ended? 3. Were you able to chose the location you wanted you surgery done at? I am trying to see just how different the locations are from ours...mine was done at Corona and ended Sept 28th we had to wait til classes were over and to meet with a specialist then we were sent to do our labs...I am not able to pick were I go...kaiser said I would either go to Pacific bariatric or Crown. Thanks everyone!!

I really appreciate the encouragement! And I need it. The last few days ahve been uber frustrating. I'm blogging the experience, mostly for my personal venting and keeping track of info, but I also want to share my recent frustrations here. 3/7/11: After an overnight fast, I went to DO's office for pre-supervised diet/exercise program blood work. Later that morning, I partipated in scheduled meeting via phone with my UHC case manager, Jill. She instructed me to 1) tell the folks at SM that she is my case manager, 2) called her with any questions at (866) 534-7209 x65559, and 3) check in with her in June to let her know my progress. In the evening, I attended the seminar at the Bariatric Center of Kansas City at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. Delivered my paperwork and insurance and ID copies to the staff. I also met Connie - what a sweetheart! 3/10/11: I was excited about starting my supervising diet at the appointment with my DO that evening. I called Jill, my case manager, in the morning to check that the 6 months worth of dates I meant to schedule with the DO will work within the parameters of the requirements. I had to leave a message and wait for a return call. About 2:00 pm I received a phone call from Jan at The Bariatric Center. She called to tell me that my insurance only pays for a maximum benefit of $10,000 of weight loss surgery expenses, not nearly enough to cover even just the expense of surgery, let along the additional office visits and evaluations required. We decided not to set my appointment with Dr. Hoehn until I sort out if/how I should proceed with this new information. She explained that Dr. Hoehn's surgeon fees alone are $5000, and that to get the cost of the hospital stay, I should call Shawnee Mission Medical. Of course I flipped - and it only got worse. Next, I called and left another, frantic message with Jill. My first appointment was scheduled in just a few hours with my DO to begin my supervised diet. At this point, I couldn't be sure it was even possible to pay for the surgery and all of the appointments associated. After waiting a few minutes, I decided to call the member phone number on my insurance card to check if the $10,000 was accurate. The lady I spoke with assured me that the cap existed and was not subject to my yearly out of pocket max of $1000, so all excess costs are mine to bear. I started to ask which office visits would be billed against the maximum benefit, knowing that if the supervised diet, the psych eval, etc, etc were all debited from that bucket, there would be no money at all to pay the surgery. She wasn't sure of the answers, so she transferred me to the UHC bariatric specialists’ location where Jill is located so that I could ask more detailed questions. By this time, it was 15 minutes until I was leaving for my appointment. I tried to explain my problem to the operator. She wanted to know "what my question was" and I tried to explain that I had many questions, all relating to how my benefits work, and that I really needed answers before I left for my appointment. She insisted on knowing what my appointment was, and assured me that if I told her what appointment I was going to, maybe she could get my question answered. I told her the appointment had nothing to do with my questions. The operator (who had been extremely rude and could barely be heard over the constant, furious clicking of her plastic fingernails typing as she spoke) told me that elective procedures are not considered urgent by UHC and I would have to leave a message and await a phone call. Waiting for my work phone to ring (oh, yeah - all of this is happening on my work phone, where nosy co-workers can easily overhear, my bosses keep coming by for one reason or another and find me still on the phone, red-faced and frantic...it wasn't pretty or good for my career), I took out my cell phone and called Shawnee Mission Medical. I was directed to Patty at (913) 676-7736. Patty explained that the actual cost for the hospital stay in considered outpatient, though I would be observed overnight, for a average total of $39,000. However, UHC's contract allows them to bill about $7500 ($5735 + observation hours). Then she dropped the bomb - this did not include the fee for anesthesiology. My heart sank. Even with a sizeable chunk in my flex account, there was no way I could afford this surgery. $10,000 isn't coverage, it's a tease. My stress level and psychological health would have been better served if my policy didn't claim to have any benefit for weight loss surgery. I said as much to Patty, who cheerily replied, "At least you don't have to pay $39,000!" Some consolation. Patty was kind and helpful, even if she did not understand my predicament. She gave me the billing code all of the docs will use for the surgery expenses (43843) and the name and number of the anesthesiologists’ office so I could call them to see how much they would charge. (Anesthesiologist Midwest Anesthesiology Group (913) 234-1600). In the meantime, it was time to leave and I didn't receive a call back from UHC or Jill. I did begin my 6 month supervised diet, despite the turmoil. After all, a supervised diet that included accountability with my doctor was better than taking no action for my health at all, right? She prescribed daily caloric intake under 2400 calories and to resume my training with Bethanie at the gym where I currently belong. 3/11/11: Received a phone call from Jill fist this in the morning. I explained what happened. She assured me (numerous times, at my insistence) that there is no $10,000 cap on my weight loss surgery benefit. There is a $10,000 cap on travel and lodging expenses, if I were over 100 miles from the nearest approved Center of Excellence, but that is not the case. The promised she would call Jan at the Bariatric Center to clarify the insurance terms and she would ask Jan to call me to set up my appointments. *cue sappy soap opera type music* At this point, I'd like to ask for something in writing. But first, I am waiting to see what happens if/when Jan from the Bariatric Center calls me. After so many dark moments in this process that has only barely begun, dare I hope it will all work out?

Yes.. During our pre-op education class.. We were given an response and restaurant card..I thought everyone received on as a Bariatric patient?

I was sleeved July 2012. Forty pounds ago I past the surgeon's goal. I just said my body will decide. I follow the rules. I eat clean. I train or dance 6 days a week. Well, I just didn't stop losing weight. I feel I've probably been "at goal" for a few months but I still lose at least 2 pounds a month. The plastic surgeon (who works frequently with my bariatric surgeon) told me to stop, increase my calories and I'd be thrilled with my results. I just really have very little fat on my body. (She showing me as she's manipulating my hanging skin.) So I asked her about "how long" she wants me to be stable. She said it's not about how long before I can have surgery, it's about eating more and not losing anymore. Okay. I get it. It's not easy but I will lose a minimum of 5 pounds of skin/fat in surgery and my BMR will triple in recovery!!! Spin will lose weight, too. To triple my BMR results in a really high calorie need. Higher than I can imagine and I eat 1800 calories now. This is why consults are so important. They can really look at YOU and what you need to do.