Search the Community

Insurance approved surgery for 8/6. Day 3 of pre-bariatric diet and I still do not think in ketosis. Getting closer!

I just postponed my surgery by 3 weeks switching my decision from RNY to DS. I feel the DS will help me maintain the weight loss, where many RNYers battle regain after a few to several years. Since you're revisioning, you may find weight loss more difficult than someone who is getting a new fresh surgery - so you may want to opt for the more powerful bariatric procedure. If it were me, I'd weight and get the superior surgery (for you). Your surgeon told you he feels the DS is better for you - I'd go with his professional recommendation.

Well it is THAT morning for 3 of my Bari-Buds. Thinking of you @gr8ful 1 in Virginia, @ Laura7 in Delaware, and especially my young Bari-bud @mercmerc at Nationwide Children Hospital in Columbus Ohio where my surgeon Dr Bradley J Needleman is scrubbing with his friend Dr Marc the chief of Adolescent Bariatric Medicine there. Just a tiny wee bit " jelly" mercmerc gets to use Dr Brad's services before I do! But I trust that he and Dr Marc will work their magic and give our mercmerc the beautiful perfect RnY she needs and deserves. Having had my own pre surgery chat with Dr Bradley I can reassure the world she is in the hands of a wonderful surgical team. So today I am lifting all 3 of you up in prayer, wrapping you in a blanket of love, and trusting in 3 different surgical teams for 3 different ladies in 3 different cities United in the search for new renewed health and wonderful futures ahead. And a teeny tear- today would have been the 75th Wedding Anniversary of my parents Clifford and Aleta Week let. They did their best to raise their one little chickadee- me- to strong healthy albeit plump adulthood. Although the diet I received from them by today's standards was over- abundant and calorie laden they did their very best with the knowledge of that times so I can't fault them for that. And I am grateful to God I did have 2 parents who stuck by me and tried to raise me right. So I still shed a few tears, I wish they could be here to watch and emotionally support me as I inch toward my bypass surgery. I can only hope they would be so proud of me , their little Frustr8, the sunshine of their lives. And since they are no longer with me , I share the love they gave me with others and pray it is sufficent for each ones needs. And in that way I honor both of their lives.💦👼💦

I agree with that it is a personal choice. Just know if you tell one then I am sure most will eventually find out. For just the time off work you don't have to tell them anything. Just put in your time for personal reasons, vacation or what ever you want really. Even if you don't tell people at first down the road when they see your progress you can then if you feel comfortable tell them that you had bariatric surgery. Don't need to give details or anything that may make you feel uncomfortable. At the start of my journey I did not tell anyone. I had already gone through my 6 months once before and was originally scheduled for surgery in Feb of 2018 but two days before my insurance denied me. But right before I was due to go off work and I didn't know about my denial yet I did tell two of my coworkers. Kind of felt a off when I didn't have it and I told them I was but they didn't treat me any different. But again it all depends on the person. So now that I am due to have surgery next month they are supportive. So in the end it is your choice and whatever you feel comfortable with. Just know once they know they may ask questions so be prepared for that whether it is a positive or negative response.

Checking in at the hospital. I am first of SEVEN bariatric surgeries here today. Four surgeries with my surgeon Dr Fitzer, and three with Dr Trad.

Lol your right. I just wanted to see if anyone had been in my position. I'm willing to make the drive if need be but i'd still rather go to a local. I wanted to see if anyone knew whether your average psych has bariatric knowledge or if it was an elective for them. I know its not their specialty. Just curious i suppose.

Well in my state the reimbursement rate for people on state aid is horrid, hence the overcharging of people with insurance - not exactly a great way to recoup money, but our state requires all insurance to cover bariatric surgery. People on state aid insurance pay a whopping $386. I pay insurance premiums plus deductible, plus meet out of pocket cap - about $7800 total for the year (last year) - surgery total was over 60,000 billed to insurance.

I'm planning for Nov. My bariatric insurance benefits become effective in October. I have met with nutritionist, had fitness and psych evaluations, informational class and scheduled for EGD on Aug 1.

I used Bariatric Advantage and would use a pill crusher and turn them to dust.You could try taking a little at a time.Im not sure if it’s acceptable but maybe crush them and put them in some water.I hope you get relief soon.

I had to use vitamin patches because the chewable made me throw up and I still can't swallow a vitamin because I need a lot of water to get a pill down. I still use them and I am 4 months out. You can get them here through bariatric pal.

It was hard for me to swallow my actual medications at first. I take two women's Once A Day Gummies. It's almost like a little sweet treat! Haha! Also, make sure that whatever vitamins you get have iron. A lot of multivitamins do not. I also take a tiny pill iron supplement, and a biotin dissolvable that I got from Bariatric Pal.

Hi! I had the sleeve on July 16, I've been doing ok with trying to get my shakes in but I'm having a terrible time with my vitamins. I'm not sure if it's the brand or just taking vitamins in general. I got my vitamins from bariatric advantage both the multi and the calcium. Aside from them tasting terrible, I feel like vomiting shortly after taking just 1. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!!

@Luzbella I know right? Im "nesting" also. Cleaned out my entire pantry, fridge, cleaned my house. Making room for the new protein shakes, jello, broth, phase 1 and 2 ready to go! Bought all the necessary products for later such as pyrex dishes, toddler utensils, sippy cups, got me a bariatric compression garment off amazon, some walking fuzzy memory foam slippers to make my rounds in the hospital. My surgery day is the 30th also! Weve got 6 DAYS!

To update all of you on what my plans are. On 7/17/18. I received my diet plan from my surgeon and his office. Mine says Ohio State University Bariatric Liver shrinking diet. Second line says suitable for females weighinging less than 400 pounds- well I don't weigh quite that much but if I hadn't started a bariatric program I could have been there. Third line is a disclaimer-that this diet should not be used for casual dieting but only under medical supervision. Then it goes on to say it is inadequate in calories, vitamins and minerals for daily use. Hunnnh? Never the less, OSU gives you a choice of 2, 3 , or 4 weeks on it. The 2 weeks is okay, but they recommend 4 and spell out why. Quicker Healing, Maximum Liver Shrinkage Smoother Surgery Less nausea and Vomiting Well that sounds cool, think I'll opt for that, at 72 I need all the perks I can get. Breakfast: 1 high protein shake , with above 10% protein, below 10% carbs below 10% fat below 200 calories, brand is your choice, but they give several option Snack,1 fruit must be small apple, orange or banana. 3/4 cup unsweetened berries may be substituted. Lunch vegetable salad , 2 T low calorie or fat free dressing No eggs, nuts, meats or cheese & 1 meal replacement shake Snack 1 meal replacement shake Dinner Frozen Entree dinner must be under 300 calories and under 30 grams fats- then they give suggested brands to choose from or you may substitute 3 oz meat (this can be chicken, Turkey fish,or lean pork) and 1 cup non starchy vegetables- no corn, peas or potatoes 64 oz or above of no calorie no caffeine drinks or water So you go bibbety Babbitt booing along until the last day before then it's clear liquids, that evening before you go NPO, You drink a special bottle of clear goodies made by Abbott Labratories, located in , guess, Columbus Ohio. I smell a kick-back here but what the hey, I'm Game! Then before you leave home so a least an hour before your arrival you drink another bottle of this magic elixir. So you may break your NPO dry out for this and this alone. And this is what your humble correspondent will do to prepare for her magic REBIRTHDAY September 5th 2018. 👈👼👉

Drinking water after surgery can cause some discomfort (like a rock hitting your stomach), sometimes it doesn’t taste right because of taste changes after surgery, and sometimes the temperature of the water can leave you feeling uncomfortable. Other times, you may simply just forget to drink and you just don’t feel as thirsty. Not drinking enough water can leave you dehydrated. How do you know if you’re beginning to get dehydrated? There are 3 main ways of figuring this out: Do I pee 3 times per day, or less? Is my pee dark yellow in colour and smells more than usual? Do I get dizzy when I stand/sit up or bend over? If you’ve had bariatric surgery and answered yes to one or more of these questions, there’s a chance you may be dehydrated. Some of these symptoms can be related to other causes as well, so check with your doctor, bariatric dietitian, or nurse if you’re unsure. Here are our tips for drinking more water after surgery: Make water more convenient by… Buying a fun new water bottle for work and home that gets you excited. Ideally, something colourful that catches your eye; Keeping a water bottle or water glass within arm’s reach at all times, regardless of where you are (e.g. at work, in the car, on the couch, in bed, etc.); Keeping cold water in the fridge at all times. Buy a water pitcher or a water filtering jug and place it at the front of your fridge. It needs to be visible and easy to reach to be convenient; Knowing your environment. Do a tour of your workplace to remind yourself of where the water fountains or coolers are. Check if the cafeteria charges for hot water or if there’s a vending machine that sells water bottles close by; Buy a smaller water bottle to carry in your purse or backpack for when you’re on the go. Ideally, it should hold no more than one to two cups. Large water bottles are often intimidating and if they are too heavy or bulky, they’re more likely to get left behind; Leave a reusable water bottle in your car at all times so that you always have some on-hand. Get excited and add some flavour by… Trying infused water. Add one of the following combinations to your water pitcher or water bottle: Sliced cucumber + fresh mint leaves; Sliced strawberries + fresh basil leaves; Sliced lemon + fresh lavender; Blackberries + fresh thyme; One cinnamon stick (for best results leave overnight in your water bottle); Using flavoured ice cubes. This idea involves freezing concentrated fruit purees, spirals of citrus rinds, and/or fresh herbs into ice cube trays. Adding one to three of these ice cubes into your water not only adds a fun flavour and keeps your water colder, but it’s also a colourful touch. This is a great alternative to store-bought water enhancers that contain artificial sweeteners. Example: puree two cups of chopped watermelon with the juice of one lime. Freeze the mixture in ice cube trays. Add two ice cubes into your reusable water bottle; Making a homemade tea with an added twist. Add eight ounces (one cup) of boiling water to the combinations below. Drink hot or refrigerate overnight and enjoy cold. 1/2 sliced lemon + 1/2 inch piece of peeled fresh ginger + 1 tsp honey; A green tea bag + fresh mint leaves; A black tea bag + orange slices or peach slices; An earl grey tea bag + sprig of lavender + lemon slices +1 tsp honey; A white tea bag + mint leaves + dash of lime juice; Treating yourself to some loose tea leaves or flavoured tea bags at specialty shops. Set reminders by… 1. Downloading an app. There are countless free apps out there to help you track your daily water intake and even ones that will send you constant reminders throughout the day to drink; 2. Add a sticky note to your computer monitor. Be sure to change the placement of the sticky note every week so it doesn’t blend into the background; 3. If you’re someone who does repetitive tasks at work, use this to your advantage! For example, challenge yourself to take three sips of water every time you read a new email and every time you send an email; 4. Buy a ‘time stamped’ water bottle or simply recreate one by writing the hours of your work day down the side of your bottle with a permanent marker. For example, evenly space 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 12 a.m. down one side of the bottle and 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. down the opposite side of the bottle. This strategy will also help you to pace yourself throughout the day. – Lisa & Monica, your bariatric surgery dietitians

And this is your business why? Do you own Bariatric Pal? Bariatric Police? No one is holding a gun to your head making you read anything on here if you don't like it or if it bothers you. Next....

I think the amounts are half that of most Bariatric vitamins, at least that is what I was told.

MIZ, I have to ask...as a nurse practitioner, do you advise all bariatric patients to drink vodka and taquila SIX WEEKS after surgery...or just the ones who like it? One or two drinks a day is great, right?

So, counting from my first "real" visit (not the initial information session), I began this process in early January of this year. My insurance requires only three months of a supervised diet, but the program I'm in is a six-month process regardless of how you're paying. Fine. So I've been going along, hitting all my milestones on time, dropping the weight they asked for. I got slowed down a bit over the summer by everyone taking turns going on vacation, but finally, last week, I went in to see the surgeon again. He sees my progress, sees that I've fulfilled all the program requirements, and he says he's going to submit me for approval to my insurance company. Mind, I'm currently in month seven of a six-month process. Great, doc, what are we looking in terms of timeline? When do you think this might happen? And the answer was November. Some factors worth noting: I live in a very rural state, and this is the only bariatric clinic supporting essentially the entire northern half. This clinic has exactly two lead surgeons. So I'm not really surprised that it's going to take a while... but it was a bit frustrating to think I was getting close, only to find that I'm still months away. And it's frustrating to hear that people who started after me are going to get to go soon, while I'm still waiting around. And fine, that'll give me more time to work, etc. But man, I'll be on month eleven of six before I actually get the surgery done. Anyway, yes, let's estimate eleven months for me.

After surgery, I switched over to Unjury Protein powders. It is a whey protein isolate especially formulated for bariatric surgery as is better absorbed by your new sleeve. I was on Premiere protein prior to surgery, but it felt to thick. I enjoy their unflavored and classic chocolate the best. They have a starter kit which is perfect for your first order. It's a sample pack of flavors so you can see which you like. They sell online or at some pharmacies.

You do not need to take chewable or bariatric-marketed vitamins post-op. You can take regular vitamins and if they’re too big use a pill cutter to make them smaller.

Bari'Pals , I love, well as much love. as a little caplet engenders,my prenatal vitamin I am taking pre surgery. If what I am reading is correct, after my upcoming surgery my little bottle of prenatal vitamins is going to,be pried out of my unwilling hands and replaced with chewable vitamins. And gummie vitamins are a no-no because of their sugary corn- syruppy (yikes what a word) base. My cause for worry, I am a denture wearer. Now for you natural teeth people out there; dentures only chew at 65-85% the efficientcy of your choppers you grew yourself. Certainly better than being toothless and gumming everything but still not as perfect as the showroom fresh bundles you still have. So I soak them in warm water, hope they dissolve? Do I just hold them. in my moth and hope my salliva will either soften or dissolve them, do it put them in my handy pillcrusher, crunch them into submission and stir them into either applesauce or sugar free cool whip? What is a prostetically enhance person to do? On a fixed income not sure I can afford Tespo or Patches from Bariatric Pal. H*E*L*P!!!!

I have been to 2 separate programs. Program#1 Coordinater- Facilitator got involved very early in process, served as you ombudsmen between you and doctor/office staff. Follows you all the way through and visited you in hospital post-surgery, definitely a reasource person. Prgram# 2 Got involved at point of schedule and rescheduling of consults with different medical specialities, nutrution, life coaches and such. Once she made certain. you had completed these levels, you were passed back,to surgeon who scheduled your presurgical visit/exam with your surgeon and assigned you your surgical date. Also scheduled a pre and post-surgery bariatric support class among your peers. You never spoke again to Program #2's Coordinator. Two Different Ways of making your surgery smoother, less stressful and all it could be! 👈😙👉

No, you're not the only one. There's a pretty good explanation, too. I did a little research: Researchers at the University Hospitals of Leicester looked at the relationship between taste, smell, and appetite among 103 patients who’d undergone gastric bypass surgery between 2000 and 2011. Nearly half of the patients polled reported their sense of smell changed following weight loss surgery and 73 percent noticed changes in the way food tasted. Topping the list for patients experiencing taste changes is increased sensitivity to sweet foods and sour foods. Reduced tolerance and cravings for sweets and fast foods are common changes are reported by many patients. Some patients may become so sensitized that even Protein Shakes and powders taste overly sweet and are difficult to tolerate. (Some tips that may help include thoroughly chilling the Protein shakes to improve taste.) Food aversions usually develop immediately following surgery and may lessen or disappear over time. In studies, animal Proteins top this list with patients steering clear of chicken, steak, ground beef, lamb and cured meats like bacon, sausage, and ham. eggs, dairy products including ice cream, cheese and milk and starches such as rice, Pasta or bread also ranked high on the list of disliked foods. Interestingly, very few patients reported aversions to fruits or vegetables. Some patients even report loving veggies like broccoli or cauliflower even more. Patients may feel turned off to foods for a variety of reasons including smell, appearance, texture or consistency. Sometimes a change in preparation method can help improve tolerance. Simple adjustments like stewing meat instead of baking or grilling and poaching eggs instead of frying may prevent the often-reported feeling of food “sticking” on the way down. While the exact cause is unknown, many experts believe sensory changes occur as a result of fluctuating hormones in the gut and their effects on the central nervous system. This gut-brain axis as it’s known and its relationship to bariatric surgery is a subject of much research and speculation. In a nutshell, the nervous system relays countless transmissions about your hunger, satiety, and cravings each day between your GI tract and your brain. Because the carriers of these messages are affected by changes in weight and the removal of a portion of the stomach, it is highly likely they have an impact on taste, smell, gratification and other sensory perceptions. Leptin and ghrelin are hormones that are known to have a prominent role in the relationship between hunger and satiety. Ghrelin also plays a role in determining how much of what we eat is burned for fuel versus stored as fat. Weight loss alone results in an increase in ghrelin, which explains why we tend to feel hungry as soon as we restrict calories and begin to shed pounds. Surgically induced weight loss, however, in which a portion of the stomach is removed or bypassed, reduces the production of ghrelin while restricting the volume of food consumed. This unique combination explains, at least in part, why bariatric patients are able to eat less but not feel hungrier as a result. Leptin also plays an important role in telling your body when you are full and how calories are stored. It is believed that weight loss improves the body’s sensitivity to the messages leptin delivers to the gut and brain. This, in turn, may result in greater food satisfaction with smaller quantities and less flavor intensity.

Sadly, "normal" is super subjective. Some folks take longer to feel normal than others. And it's not always related to healing. I've seen/heard of folks that should be all healed up, having some issues with things still. It's a learning process overall, but it does get easier to deal with and with each passing day, barring any issues or complications, you should notice things getting easier. Tespo information can be found here https://gettespo.com/ PatchMD here https://www.patchmd.com/ Both can be purchased from the Bariatric Pal store.