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My surgeon just closed his practice. He was a wonderful and amazing resource and very easily accessible since he was just a couple miles away from my house. He closed his practice because of local hospital restructuring and lost a lot of general surgery patients, who comprised most of his business. Now I'm left without my surgeon, the PA, and the awesome staff at his office and the nearest bariatric center is 1.5 hours away My biggest fear is having complications or needing help and not being able to access it anymore.

Hi Everyone, I have been reading posts and doing lots and lots of research. My journey started in March when my lung specialist suggested I have bariatric surgery done. I am a state employee and just this year, the legislature voted to allow 100 bariatric surgeries to be paid for by insurance. When I booked the appt and saw the doctor, there were still openings in my area. I didn't have to go through all of the other required procedures because I had already had them. So getting to the actual appt day was very fast. Once all paperwork was submitted to insurance co. I get a call from the BCBS nurse telling me I was qualified to have the surgery, but I wasn't qualified for the state program because of a small glitch. (15 year state employee, switched for 2 years to Blue Choice and I just switched back to state standard 18 months ago. The requirement is two years as state standard policy holder.) She also said had I been qualified, I was number 18 on the waiting list for my area and that is would probably be at least another year. The one good thing that came out of my visit with the Dr. was the fact that I was leaning toward the lap band and he mentioned the sleeve and I didn't really know much about it, so hadn't considered it. He told me, that if they had to choose just one surgery to perform for bariatric patients, it would be the gastric sleeve. He said it is the one that has the least amount of complications and if most successful. THAT 10 minute conversation cost me $485! We are still fighting to get back part of that money because they should have prequalified me before scheduling me for an appt. Finding this information out, set me on the path for other options. Unfortunately, when I checked into cash pay with that doctor, I was told the cash pay price was 20,000. I also have to have a hiatal hernia repaired, which insurance does cover. The BCBS nurse, suggested I talked to him to see about doing the hiatal hernia surgery with the sleeve surgery on the side to reduce the cash pay amount since insurance would be paying for everything else. So, I called to find that out and was told it would still be 20,000 for the sleeve surgery and they would bill my insurance company for the additional hernia surgery and I would still be responsibly any additional costs with that like my 20% that insurance does not pay. Lets talk greedy! My research led me to Mexico. I have done a lot of research and I decided to go with Dr. Ortiz with Obesity Control Center. I must say, I am having my doubts after seeing so much being said about Dr. Aceves. (not that there is anything bad about Dr. Ortiz, Dr. Aceves just has a big following.) I even called them after I booked with Dr. Ortiz, but something keeps telling me to stay with Dr. Ortiz. There doesn't seem to be too many patients on here that have had Dr. Ortiz ao I think that is where my doubts are coming in to play with my mind. I have been on the pre-op diet of liquid Protein shakes and a lean cuisine meal a day. I have lost 9 pounds in spite of having to attend a family reunion and 2 birthday parties without cheating, so that is pretty exciting but I must say it isn't how I want to eat the rest of my life. My surgery is the 27th, and we will be flying out of SC on the 25th so we will have a couple of days to do other things before the surgery. I think I am starting to get a little anxious, but I am hoping that is normal no matter where you have it done.

Thank You for that I do get that alot of people on here are new to the sleeve and some are still in debate about the surgery.. I was super frustrated at the stall and I needed to vent. I wish now I wouldn't have done so considering some of the hateful hurtful things that are being said. I turn to the forum because I do not have a support group in my area that I can attend. We have bariatrics here yes, but unless you have surgery at this hospital the support groups are pretty much closed off from other surgeons patients. I had surgery an hour away that's not a drive I can make 2-3 times a month. This is my support group and to have certain things answered and others not is aggrivating. I am better now and my scales have started moving again on there own!!

Protein waters are by far my favorite. I couldnt stomach anymore shakes after a while. My go to choice: Isopure Zero Carb Grape, Isopure Infusions, Bariatric Pal Fruit Drinks in Variety Pack, and Bariatric Pal Peach Tea

Hello, I am from Saginaw Mi. Getting my sleeve done May 29th at Hurley Bariatric in Flint Mi. I have Dr. Farhan. Getting nervous and excited too. I am on my 2nd week of the liquid diet (UGGH)I cant wait to find a different protien shake to use. The ones they have us taking are horrible. Any suggestions? Just thought I would introduce myself. Lori

I am suppose to be drinking 5 Bariatric Advantage shakes a day. I can't.. I drink 3, with lots of Water in between. I also have to have some solid food in my stomach some.. thus I eat the turkey Jerky. it is soft and really lean. I have eaten a small amount of food each day, so far it has always been very lean Protein. I am trying my best to just eat protein and no carbs and no sugar. I work at a High School as a secretary and in the morning usually mid morning I am so hungry. I have had my jerky this morning and right now I am about to go to lunch and drink my shake... I am not hungry so just drinking the shake while my friends eat their lunch will not be too hard. My doctor will do surgery, I will be on full liquids the first day, then starting the 2nd day I will be able to eat "mushy" stuff. I will be required to eat mushy for 4 weeks. I really don't worry too bad about the musy, I know it will get BORING but I can live with that. It is this liquid only I can't live with. Lets exchange e-mail and keep up with each other that way also. mine-- rchitwood@gcbe.org Rhonda

I've been doing as much research as I can about Dr. Veninga, and like you, I've come up empty handed. There are a few members on obesityhelp that have used him for other procedures, just not the sleeve. The good news though is that I haven't found anything negative :confused1: fyi- he's also part of the TLCedge surgical group. More than likely, I will end up using him too as he has an EXCELLENT cash price and he operates at a bariatric center of excellence. Good luck to you, and if I find anything else out or actually schedule my consult ( I want the money in hand for the surgery FIRST. Don't want to get my hopes up and have them dashed b/c I'm a bit short. I REFUSE to finance) I'll keep you in mind.

Hello I'm new in the community I recently had my first consultation and I have to go through the 6 month process to get bariatric surgery I'm interested in this procedure and have many questions. Has anyone here had a Hiatal Hernia repaired with the VSG and if so how was the process did the insurance also cover this along with the VSG and how was recovery. Thank you very much for your responses looking forward to your answers :)

If you're going this route, I'd highly recommend attorney Walter Lindstrom Jr.. Here's his contact info: Walter Lindstrom, Jr. Lessons Learned: Celebrating 20 Years As A Bariatric Surgery Patient PRESIDENT & CEO LINDSTROM OBESITY ADVOCACY 601-C East Palomar Street, #480 Chula Vista, CA 91911 WWW.WLSAPPEALS.COM Toll Free: 1-877-99-APPEAL (877-992-7732) Fax: 888-992-1188 Let him know I sent you his way and please do keep us updated on any progress you make!!!

Hi, I'm looking for opinions on the best vitamin brands. Trying to get my ducks in a row before my May surgery. ????

I'm booked in with him on 26th Sept. Tijuana Bariatrics?

Note also that the maximum follow-up was 9 years. Chances are things go awry for traditional interventions much sooner than that, and I've read studies that say 90% of people put every pound back on within 3 years. These are grim statistics, and I would hope it would only cause more insurance to cover bariatric surgery, and above all, I hope that in time the "eat less and lose more" rhetoric becomes as backwards as racism and gender discrimination.

This is like bariatric Facebook has anyone ever thought that? lol

Hello I had a great sleeve experience with Dr. Aceves on June 16. Can you please tell me what are your follow up plans with a local bariatric specialist in the us now that you are home? Did you have any trouble since you had the surgery in Mexico? I am asking this because I was in the ER two nights ago (internal hemorrhoid not related to surgery) and the ER doctor was asking me all sorts of questions as to my aftercare I have planned now that I am home. He made it clear to me that although I can get a referral to a bariatric specialist, the doctor may not accept me as a patient since I had surgery in Mexico . Thoughts?

Hi all, Brand new here and a little paranoid. Just got off the phone with Brenda at Specialized Bariatrics as my emails were not being received. Feel a lot better after the talk.......just don't want to be the guy that gets taken advantage of because of a perceived desperation to get this surgery! Mine is upcoming in Puerto Vallarta in June with Doc Lopez............I feel somewhat relieved with the above responses and am always looking for more information. Any input is appreciated.

This has probably been posted before but it is relevant here and might be new to some. I might just go and add it to the Headhunter thread too, for the benefit of the newbies who are reading that. LAP-BAND: Statistics subframe <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=530 height=60>Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding In 2000 Consecutive Obese Patients: 12-Year Results </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=565 colSpan=2> Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB) with the LAP-BAND is the most commonly performed surgical procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity in Europe, Australia and South America. Since FDA approval in 2001 the LAP-BAND has ranked second among all bariatric procedures performed in the U.S. and, to date, approximately 300,000 LAP-BAND procedures have been performed worldwide. Background: The purpose of this study was to examine 1,791 consecutive laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) procedures with up to 12 years of follow up. LAGB is widely accepted but its efficacy in the long run is questioned since long term results with a high follow-up rate are not common. Between September 1993 and December 2005, 1,791 consecutive patients (75.1% women, mean age 38.7 years, mean body weight 127.7+ –24 kg, mean body mass index (BMI) 46.2+ –7.7) underwent the LAP-BAND procedure. All operations were performed by ILOST surgeons, Dr. Franco Favretti and Dr. Gianni Segato, part of the multi-disciplinary team that developed the laparoscopic application of the LAP-BAND back in 1993. Results: The ILOST team of surgeons has performed the LAP-BAND procedure on more than 6.000 patients. Dr. Franco Favretti and Dr. Gianni Segato have just published the long term results (more than 12 years) of their own series of 2.000 patients. These results are unparalleled. There are no similar reports in the scientific literature. Results measured over 12 years included mortality, complications, weight loss and resolution/improvement of co-morbidities. Life expectancy was evaluated in an additional study of LAP-BAND vs. medical therapy. Patients were followed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-operatively and yearly thereafter. Band adjustments were performed with barium swallow under fluoroscopy. Zero surgical mortality in the entire series. A mortality rate of 0 in 1,791 consecutive LAP-BAND patients attests to the benign nature of the LAP-BAND surgery. Re-operation rate of less than 5%. Major complications requiring re-operation occurred in 106 (5.9%) patients. These included stomach slippage + pouch dilatation in 70 (3.9%) patients (band removed in 20 patients–1.1%, repositioned in 50 patients–2.8%), erosion in 16 (0.9%) patients (band removed), psychological intolerance in 14 (0.7%) patients (band removed), miscellaneous (HIV, infection, mircroperforation) in 5 (0.27%) patients (band removed) and gastric necrosis in 1 (0.05%) patient (gastrectomy performed). If we exclude the 31 major complications of the learning curve period (first 100 patients), the complication rate is reduced to 4.4%. Unprecedented 12-year follow-up rate of 91% allowed ILOST surgeons to report reliable data. Most common co-morbidities were hypertension (35.6%), osteoarthritis (57.8%), diabetes (22%), dislipidemia (27.1%), sleep apnea (31.4%), depression (21.2%), hyperuricemia (27.1%), gallstones (8.7%) irregular menstrual cycle (4.9%), heart failure (1.4%), sweet eating (22.5%) and binge eating (18.5%). Average weight loss in the entire series of 1,791 patients. Weight loss (kg, BMI, %EWL) for the entire series is represented in Figure 1. At 10 years the average weight was 101.4 ± 27.1 kg (loss of 26.3 kg), the BMI 37.7 ± 9.1 (loss of 8.5 points) and the %EWL was 38.5 ± 27.9. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

I am in the Liver Reduction portion of the plan, so I'm drinking 5 Protein shakes a day. What I do is buy Jello sugar free / Fat Free pudding mix flavors to mix it up some. I have Vanilla Bariatric Advantage shake mix, Water, then add a couple of ice cubes, then a teaspoon of the Jello mix (they have chocolate, lemon, butterscotch, cheesecake, white chocolate, etc). That little teaspoon really changes the flavor of the shake and keeps it from being so boring.....works for me at least!! Just be sure to buy the sugar free/ fat free version!

First of all, anything is,possible...trust me. My story is very similar to yours although I really didn't have any issues with the band. My doc said that the band failed me, I did not fail the band! Lost about 100 lbs starting in 2007. It took many fills and tweeking to get me to my sweet spot. Found it and worked with it. In the summer my port started shifting so I went in for a port replacement and woke up with the entire band being removed due to erosion!!!! I was shocked, sad and feel like someone took the only thing that had ever worked for me in 30 years away just like that, snap!! I immediately began the revision proceed but with a BMI of 26, there was no way. I tried, I truly did to keep the weight off but at 50 lbs additional and 2 co mortalities I was approved for the sleeve. Had it done 1 week ago from tonight and it was the best thing ever. I have CIGNA and I had a tough time, but other people have had smooth sailing with CIGNA...I just can't figure them out. Make sure you find out if your ins will only cover 1 bariatric proceedure a lifetime. Sleeve is fantastic so far

Hello! I new here and going through the process with the bariatric center and now at the decision of lap band or bypass. I first inteaded to do lap band but now am in the middle. Have anyone wished they did gastric bypass instead why? and if not what are you reasons for lap band? I need people that are going through the process cuz right now i can only hear what the doctor and my family are saying:redface:

I've told everyone who talks to me. Amazing, the more people I tell, the more people admit to considering it too. Two of my co-workers are going to my bariatric surgeon, and I never would've known had I not thrown it out there first.

I had a great experience with the hospital and the Bariatric team. My bad experience was with the anesthesia team, and the customer service people afterward. I woke up in recovery and they told me that they chipped my teeth taking the breathing tube out. I was told a dentist would visit me before discharge. That didn't happen. I shouldn't have left the hospital without a plan to get them to commit to the repair(turned out they broke two crowns). Calls in the weeks afterward got me promises to look into it with no return calls. Later the hospital denied there was any problem and even went to far as to engage in lies and cover ups stating the teeth damage were noted in a report prior to anethesia. When I stated common sense would state that if such a thing happened that I would probably have been required to sign this prior to surgery, their tune started to change. After Surgery the surgeon came out and told my wife that this had occured. Next I had my dentist fully document the damage and give detailed records of my visits. I have great dental insurance and take full advantage of it. The damage would have cost $1200 to repair. After continous delays, I finally wrote the hospital a letter stating I needed their decision by a specific date or I would persue other methods of compensation. This finally got them to authorize the work by my own dentist. That was completed in June. The Hospital was great, the Bariatric staff was also great, but I wouldn't trust the administration one bit. I'm glad my wife was with me.

I had surgery June 25th as well. I used Gas X strips while in hospital and now am using duel action acid controller complete. You can get it at Walmart or Target for about $10. Both things I mentioned have been approved by the bariatric nurse and surgeon, feel better soon.

A lot of it has to do with what your programs really prepare you for, I feel. I went through a very comprehensive program at Mayo Clinic, and a friend went through a very short program at a weight loss institution here in Phoenix and was under the knife in less than 2 months from his first visit. My process was a good deal longer and required four visits with a psychologist before they would clear you. Alcohol dependence was a big part of the discussions. The suggestion from the surgeon was at least a year, but the team basically said that it was all about balance. One every once in awhile was not going to harm you, as long as you are mindful about the rest of the things that go into your body (and NEVER drive after even one drink. Things hit us a lot faster and a lot more strongly after surgery). Living in NYC, I would drink often socially, but not to excess. Moving out to the desert, I went out maybe once or twice a month. I've had the occasional drink since surgery, but I'm mindful of how much and what I drink (a vodka and diet cran, normally) and I never feel the need to drink more, or more often. However, I know if I feel like I had the inclination to drink more or more often, I'd have to stop myself and make an appointment with the bariatric group, as I know this is a real concern among weight loss patients. So much of our successes (or failures) are due to not being mindful of the choices we make. The good thing is - the roadblocks that stand in our way ALWAYS have a detour.

I got this in Kindle version. There are pureed recipes in the book if it helps... Gastric Sleeve Cookbook: Easy and Delicious Recipes for Every Stage of Recovery Following Bariatric Surgery https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DWJYHWV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_PZJNCbE6GGPBG

I'm using bariatric advantage its okay I have strawberry chocolate and Orange cream