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As a paramedic, you don't have anything to worry about with your current weight! I've had all ranges of ages and weights. Average weight of the patients I transport is about 250lbs. Our standard stretcher is rated to 750lbs and our bariatric stretcher is rated to 1600lbs. We can, and will, lift you!

I realize how fortunate I am. Our techs are amazing. Actually, I work on a med/ surgical floor which specializes in bariatric surgery. I was on my own floor postop. so my coworkers have been on my journey since day one.

I did not go to these doctors but here is some information. I actually had the procedure done by some doctors in Manchester, Ky. Hope this helps!! Center of Excellence ® Designated Bariatric Surgeons in Lexington, Kentucky Dr. George Derek Weiss Rate This Doctor 2716 Old Rosebud Rd Suite 350 Lexington, KY 40509 859-543-1577 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 859-543-1577 end_of_the_skype_highlighting WebsiteDr. John Samuel Oldham Jr. Rate This Doctor 2716 Old Rosebud Rd Suite 350 Lexington, KY 40509 859-543-1577 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 859-543-1577 end_of_the_skype_highlighting WebsiteDr. Joshua Powell Steiner Rate This Doctor 1401 Harrodsburg Rd. Suite C-100 Lexington , KY 40504 859.967.5520 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 859.967.5520 end_of_the_skype_highlighting WebsiteDr. Thomas H Greenlee Rate This Doctor 1401 Harrodsburg Rd. Suite C-100 Lexington , KY 40504 859.967.5520 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 859.967.5520 end_of_the_skype_highlighting Website<BR clear=all>

Dr. Smith once told me that HE is very sensitive to fills, so I would have thought he would be more understanding. Your insurance should pay for the scope, no matter who does it, because the issue isn't weight loss, it's esophagus irritation, which is nothing to mess around with. Smith is a general surgeon, by the way - not just a Bariatric doc. I know this because we were in his waiting room and people were talking about how far out they were and pounds lost, etc. My DH decided that one lady was being ignored, so he said to her, "How much have you lost?" She said, "I had my gall bladder removed."

I never went to a seminar. I didn't want a doc telling me how wonderful he is and talking me into anything one way or another. Some docs do that, some don't. The only real problem I have with seminars is the more personable the doc, the more a patient is to swear how "good" he is. Really nice and a skilled surgeon are two very different things. One person was talking about how her surgeon is superior to other surgeons because he takes the time to "sew the band to the stomach." YIKES! They ALL do that! But he made it sound as though his technique is better because he takes the time to do that. One would hope he takes the time to add a few sutures. Or if the doc has written a book that somehow makes him a leading surgeon in bariatrics. ??? What the heck does writing a book have to do with being a leading surgeon in bariatrics? I call that advertising, not everyone would agree.

I'm 8 days post op. Since coming home I've had some big issues with gurgling and very runny stools. It's about once a day that a session begins about 4 hours after I've had my Protein shake. I will be gurgling and volcanic for about an hour. Take immodium. Drink Water then be fine until 4 hours after my Bariatric Pal shake or Soup. I've had loose stools all my life. Is this ok at this point? I'm taking Probiotics and Vitamins from Bariatric Pal. I don't take any lactose products. Tips or recommendations? Tom

I'm in the pre-op stage of being SLEEVED. I've been BANDED twice. First in 2010 then again in 2014. The first band slipped twice so I replaced it instead of being SLEEVED because #1 I was afraid of being SLEEVED (although it was suggested) #2 I lost 100 lbs with the BAND & thought why would I switch. Now after a year & few months I'm having issues with tightness & gerd. I keep going up & down with the fills which is not good. My BMI is under 30 but my Insurance will pay because I'm having same symptoms as first time plus more & I cannot tolerate fills. So all ins & my Doctor requires is an EGD (my last one was 2010) also Labwork & EKG. My EGD is on April 30th. I exercise & still eat small portions & protein shakes everyday. My PCP & Bariatric Surgeon calls me their star patient, because I'm not giving up or giving in to old bad eating habits. Sooooooooooo that's my story & I've done lots of research on the SLEEVE & I know this is for me. I've also been to two support groups which wasn't asked or required. I felt that "I" needed to do that for me.

Two weeks ago I was in the same boat. Was I taking too drastic a step? Would I be shitting my head off? I even started a thread here for some positive poop outcome stories. I'm only two weeks post op, so time is a factor here - but my BM's are behaving and gas is controllable and no worse than before. As I introduce solids more that will change but at this early stage there has not been the nastiness described elsewhere. I spoke In depth with my dietician and surgeon about it, I called it an irrational fear but they were really responsive and gave me reassurances. Firstly, the ADA in Oz are really into fibre supplements from day one (which is different to other countries for bariatrics) and fibre is essential to keeping regular and firm BM's, provided you stay hydrated. It's also food for gut bacteria, and they think gut biome is a key aspect of the tiny percentage of people that have totally intractable bowel issues after surgery. Secondly, they said gas is controllable. With some careful planning and food watching you can identify the foods or behaviours (gulping) that cause the gas or terrible odour if it becomes a problem. Similarly with loose stools - lactose is the common enemy for some. Ultimately, even if I do go downhill in the next week as I take more solids in I am confident this will be worth it. I also work in an office, in close quarters with lots of people. I'll just have to get creative about it. But so far, so good. Out of interest, is the Bris in your name for Brisbane? I'm just west 40 minutes if so. Small world. Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using BariatricPal mobile app

don't know a thing about LV area, but I am in reno and we have a great team at Western Bariatric. They are part of the centers of excellence, so if s.nev doesn't work come see these guys. Western Bariatric Institute :: Home i believe, or just google it.

I didn't cook one darn thing this year. I just couldn't. But I did enjoy some hot chocolate (the bariatric pal stuff in the store)! At least that's something I can enjoy. I tried to focus on the people and the events more than the food. It's a re-thinking of our holidays. I liked not having a bunch of crap around that I feel like I had to eat or it would go to waste!

Good question! I'm on 2-3 Protein shakes a day and 2 small meals of lean protein and vegetables (for 3 weeks). However, I will only have clear liquids 3 days pre-op. I've been in contact with my nutritionist about what I've been eating so far, and she recommended staying above 1200 calories a day to avoid my body going into starvation mode. Which makes me wonder about extended clear liquid diets that some people have to go through. My BMI is not low...I am (or was) pretty close to 50, after which doctors often recommend bypass and/or it becomes much more expensive. Here's my question about the liver shrinking part: do they measure your liver before you start your pre-op diet? How will they know that you've been successful? You might have a huge liver on the operating table, but maybe it was even bigger to begin with. I saw an episode of Fat Doctor on YouTube with 3 sisters - one had a perfectly normal liver, and the other's was huge (they didn't say about the 3rd). What was the difference? Compliance? The amount of drinking done in the years beforehand? The interesting thing too about the surgeon is that he recommends a milk diet for the pre-op phase, and I know others here can have dairy products as well, but I can't (because of the extra sugar). Why? Why!??!?! Doctors, please come up with something standard, or at least explain what your decision making is. I sort of feel like we are all guinea pigs for the surgeons who do bariatric surgery.

Thank you, thank you, thank you---your post was JUST what I needed. I'm a very slow loser and always have been. I thought the lapband would be my answer and the pounds would fly off. Not so. I am going to try every hint you gave. I can hardly wait to stop at the store on my way home and get the "proper" groceries. You've renewed my hope! A Washingtonian!

You said they did a CT scan, but did they do a barium swallow? Did you go to your bariatric surgeon rather than another doctor? If not, you definitely need to get into your bariatric surgeon ASAP.

Samantha, The difference is, this time that 16 lbs is forever. Obviously the other times you regained, or you wouldn't have landed in the waiting room of a bariatric surgeon!! 16 lbs. Wow. I llost 23 lbs before surgery. I reached goal in 5 months....losing the final 55, that averages out to 11 lbs per months. I think that is pretty damn awesome! Now I'm 14.5 lbs below goal and wearing a size 4 jeans! I never thought I was losing slow....maybe I was dense....had the bar set to low but the surgeon and everyone else was thrilled. I never once cheated, I treated this surgery like the most important diet of my life...I could continue to lose, it is a struggle to get in the 1200 calories per day that I need to maintain. I hope it's like this forever. 16 lbs the first month. That's amazing. Granted, when I went to WW, I could drop 20 in a month, way more than I lost with my sleeve....and I could re-gain it pretty fast as well. I did it three times, losing 50 at one point. Counting points works, but who the heck can do that forever??!!!

Are your choices really that limited in the UK? I've been looking for a small business opportunity that allows me to help other people at he same time. I would definately consider opening an online bariatric store to serve the UK.

I saw my therapist every week for the first 4 months and have now switched to every other week. She says eventually we will switch to once a month for at least 2 years post-op to be sure to stay on top of any maintenance issues. I visit with (phone call) my NUT once every 4 to 5 weeks but am able to email her and get quick response if needed (though at 5 1/2 months post-op this more urgent need for contact has slowed down if not stopped). My surgeons office had 10 day post-op follow-up, then at 1 month then 3 months post-op then 6 months post-op. Not sure if the visit after 6 months is at 9 months or waits until 1 year. I have been in contact with them on other occasions up to about 3 months post-op for some complications (Stricture). They (including the surgeons) were extremely and amazingly available. My clinic did not have an exercise physiologist but I sure wish they had. I think that would be a great addition to any bariatric team. I am going to a personal trainer who has no clue about WLS and am really frustrated with the nutritional "advice" she keeps trying to give me. I just ignore that part.

From your most recent post it sounds like you now have the information needed, but I'll copy and paste below what Tijuana Bariatrics sent me last year (it could have since been updated) in case anyone else is seeking it: Pre-Op Instructions Gastric Sleeve, Plication and Lap Band Use any prepared canned or powdered Protein drink. You may purchase these in any health food store or many grocery stores. Please be sure it contains at least 15 grams of protein per serving. 1 Protein Drink at Breakfast 1 protein drink at lunch Dinner: salad with Protein (chicken, fish, egg, etc), small amount of low fat dressing, or fat free dressing or olive oil and vinegar. 1 protein drink in the evening if needed You may also take 1 Metamucil capsule per day if needed for hunger. Start this phase the day before surgery: Do a light breakfast the day prior to surgery and take only Clear liquids after that. This consists of broth, Jell-o, sugar-free juice, any clear liquid You may have nothing to eat or drink after the midnight preceding surgery or 8 hours prior to it. If you are a Same Day Surgery arrive with an empty stomach and wear compression stockings during your trip. You may take needed medications (such as heart or blood pressure medications) with sips of Water the morning of surgery as directed by our Doctors. Do not take any aspirin, Advil, Nuprin, Aleve or any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication for 7 days prior to surgery. These medications cause unnecessary bleeding after surgery. This includes baby aspirin and most arthritis medications. If you are not sure, please check with our Doctors.. For headache or minor pains you may use Tylenol. You may restart these medications the next day after surgery. Do not take any herbal medications for 7 days prior to surgery. Bring comfortable shoes and slippers to Mexico, you will be asked to walk several times per day. Please bring your medications in properly labeled pharmaceutical bottles for documentation of dosages. You will be on a liquid and soft food diet for two weeks after surgery. Stock up on sugar-free liquids: Crystal Light, sugar free fruit juices, apple sauce, yogurt, sugar-free pudding, sugar-free jell-o, thin Soups and caffeine-free teas. If you do not like the flavor of chicken broth, make chicken noodle Soup and strain out the solids. Avoid all carbonated beverages (fills the stomach with gas). Avoid sugar (extra calories that fight against weight loss). Caffeine makes you urinate more and can lead to dehydration. You will need to drink plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration after surgery. Sport drink bottles with measurements on the side will help ensure you are drinking enough liquid. You will need to drink at least two quarts (2,000cc) per day to prevent dehydration. You will not be able to gulp liquids so you will want to drink small amounts throughout the day. RNY/Bypass, Mini Bypass and DS Start this phase 2 days before surgery: Take a laxative (any laxative that you usually use). Take only clear liquids after that. This consists of broth, Jell-o, sugar-free juice, Gatorade and any clear liquid. You may have nothing to drink after the midnight preceding surgery or 8 hours prior to your surgery. If you are a Same Day Surgery arrive on an empty stomach and wear compression stockings. *Please follow the pre-op diet as instructed below 1. BMI’s 30 to 31 no diet-only clears liquids the day prior to surgery 2.-BMI's 32 to 39 - 7 days 3.-BMI's 40 to 49- 10 days 4.- BMI's 50 to 59- 14 days 5.- BMI's 60 to 69- 21 days 6.-BMI's 70 and over- 1 month

Insurance may not qualify you based on BMI? I am 5'3 and don't think I would have done this at 200lbs UNLESS I had serious medical conditions associated with the weight. Many bariatric offices offer medical weight management programs (special shakes and usually Phentermine) as alternatives to surgery. Schedule a consult! Sent from my SM-G930R4 using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello there, Longtime lurker, first time poster here!🖐️ I had my stomach stapled (vbg) in 2003. Went from 320 lbs to 189, I don't remember in how long. But I was never comfortable eating, threw up most of the time(due to in part no education pre-op whatsoever back then, but also as it turns out a stricture). could not tolerate meats of any kind and soon after realizing how easy it was for me to tolerate "sliders", I started gaining weight. So over 15 years I gained back up to 276 lbs. I started being ok with myself, started buying cute clothes( well as much as I could) and stopped dieting. Over the years I developed fibromyalgia, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis and a few other choice chronic conditions, so I decided it's time for me to get serious about my health(without dieting) and my biggest concern at the time was the ridiculous acid reflux, that would sometimes wake me up by rushing into my nose!! And I had started developing more severe symptoms that resembled gastritis . Anyways, a year ago I started seeing a gastroenterologist, who after further exploration discovered the stricture and budding gastritis. He told me right then that the position of my stricture is not going to be helped by dilatation, and my only way is a revision. Of course, 1- I did not think insurance would pay for it, so out of the question. 2- I did not want to have any more "elective" surgeries. 3- I had just started being ok with myself and advocating for big people, remember? So, I chose to do a dilatation and my doctor was willing to try. Did NOT work! Big surprise! My doctor made an appointment with a revision bariatric surgeon, without consulting me. Gotta love how things work out! Anyways, long story short...er😉, here I am jumping through insurance hoops to get approved for a revision to rny bypass. My question is, in people's experience, did the fibro pain get any better after weight loss? Thanks for bearing with me through the long post and thank you, all for the vast wealth of information on this website!

Today I loved my shake!!!!!! I did the bariatric advantage chocolate plus skim milk and peanut butter blended into a paste then added ice and blended.... yummmy....... way better than the chalk I've been eating. ........ thanks everyone for the tips.... helps so much.... ♡♥♡

This is all my bariatric advantage shakes prior to surgery... I called my doctor and they didn't recommend I use pre made shakes... why is that????? So basically I can use powder milk ice water plus a fruit... I'm tryin to be very strict and not cheat but I feel like I'm drinking chalk... gotta find another way to like this.... 0_o

Every Dr does something different, but I haven't heard of one that won't recommend RTD shakes. Did they give you a reason? I don't do powders at all and never do anything put the Premier brand of RTDs. IMO Bariatric Advantage isn't one of the better brands, so you might want to think about switching to nectar or really any other one. Go to GNC or Vitamin Shoppe and see if they have samples. You can also get unflavored Protein from unjury (Google it). Isopure comes in bottles and has flavors other than chocolate and vanilla and can be mixed with Powerade zero. In the mean time, when making your shake, put the powder in the cup, put about 1/4 the liquid in it and stir really hard to make a paste. Then add the rest of your liquid. You can also try adding some dry milk powder to it as well. What ever you do don't stop trying. /

I have attended seminar 8/3/13. Turned in my paperwork and medical records 8/15/13. Now waiting on nurse to call to schedule my appointment at the bariatric center by suburban. How did you decide on Dr. Gellar? Dr. Tanner was the one who did our seminar and I liked him. Haven't met any of the others.

Make the Protein shakes, yogurt taste as good as possible. I recommend the book, "The Bariatric Foodie Guide to Perfect Protein Shakes."

Greetings from snowy Ohio. I feel you're making a good step for your future health, if she couldn't support in this she wasn't the right person to share a future with. I know my late husband would have been the same way, sad isn't it? I'm going thru RnY in a few months and I'm probably old enough to be your grandmother. Shoot there are days I think I could be Methuselah s granny dragging this fat body around but I'm gonna have a good tool to,help me continue on living. Let us all know how your surgery goes you've got a worldwide Bariatric family here and we groove on success. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app