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Try not to be discouraged and remain positive and committed to this lifestyle change that you have entered into. The band is only an aid to weight loss though and we each must do our part in order to make it successful. Every doctor is definitely different. I was on liquids for a full six weeks post-op. As for pills, the bariatric coordinator at my surgeon's office advised of the need to crush what could be crushed and to substitute liquid medicine options where possible for other meds at our preliminary visit a good six months prior to surgery. It was at that same visit that I was given a document with dietary guidelines that outlined what foods would be difficult if not impossible to include in a post-band diet plan. I'm grateful for receiving that information early on and wish that other physicians would share at that same level. Good luck.
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Dr. Pomp in NY anyone - looking for references!
rathsog replied to liz09's topic in Weight Loss Surgeons & Hospitals
Hi. I'm new here and having Lap Band surgery with Dr. Pomp on 2/24...one day after your fill :tt2:. I'm really nervous about the whole thing but know Dr. Pomp is a more than a well-respected surgeon. He was promoted to Chief of Laparoscopy and Bariatric Surgery in April of 2008 and he (and his staff) have been nothing but helpful. Good luck on the fill. I will be interested to hear how it goes! Ruth -
Wee update..... Lower body lift done 09.01.10 - unbelievably sore, worse pain ever, but would do it again!!! (had vacation in Florida 6 wks after surgery - flying from Scotland - 9hr flight - did theme parks, wore bikini, felt fabulous!) 7lbs of loose skin gone 14cm at front 10cm at sides, 2cm on back. Band slipped 03.17.11 - no pain but couldn't eat or drink for 4 days. was awful..... Went to operating theatre that night, and band was put back into place. Have gained 25lbs in 2 months.... not happy...... Bariatric Team told me a patient put on 14lbs in 10 days so don't worry about my 25lbs......!!!! Band now has 3mls in it..... another fill tomorrow....... I REALLY need restriction. This extra weight is annoying the hell outta me..... although everyone says I look better, healthier etc. I admit I feel better, permanent heartburn is now gone....no night reflux.....feeling permanently cold is gone and DH prefers me like this! Gonna get rid of this 25lbs over the next 6 months.... BTW Brachioplasty hopefully in the next 6 weeks..... yay! Sadie
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Thanks! I have Health America insurance and I called last year to inquire of coverage and they have an exclusion for all bariatric procedures..as you can imagine i have a lot of questions and find it easier t0 ask someone direct...do you mind sharing how long you were in the hospital and the recovery time of when you could go back to work? i appreciate your feedback thanks, tim
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Dr. Jooyeun Chung at Capital Health Hospital in Hopewell, NJ
locjewel posted a topic in Weight Loss Surgeons & Hospitals
I haven't even been to my first consult yet but I am so excited to start the wls process. I know Dr. Chung taught at Harvard med and put together the bariatric program at Capital Health just a few years ago. I was wondering if any of you are her former patients? I'd really like to hear about your experiences good or bad with Dr. Chung as your surgeon. Thanks in advance! Sent from my VS985 4G using the BariatricPal App -
Not hungry but TIRED.
Miss.Bunny447 replied to Miss.Bunny447's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Wow, no vitamins? Not even chewables made for Bariatric patients? Geeze that's rough. I know I'm not getting enough vitamins and minerals from these Protein drinks alone. So that's why I added these in. My Pre-surgical nurse said all my meds were fine. Except I can't take my metformin the morning of and I am not allowed NSAIDS either. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App -
Tricare Retiree Beneficiary Vs. Sleeve Gastrectomy
Char replied to samakar1516's topic in Insurance & Financing
When you said you read you didn't have to go through Tricare to get a VSG, you were probably reading my post. I did not mean you didn't have to go through one of the Tricare systems, only that you didn't have to go through your regular local channels if you are retired and the MTF is outside of your 99-mile zone of treatment. There are two separate and distinct divisions within Tricare's funding sources. One serves the active-duty, MTF hospital system and the other serves anyone seeking treatment via civilian channels. It's a budget issue. The military hospital system operates on funds the government allots to the military defense budget. Tricare insurance coverage for services off base through civilian facilities reimburses hospitals and physicians is paid out from government funds allotted solely for the purpose of insurance coverage in a non-military environment. So while you do not have to go through the normal Tricare channels if you are retired, you still have to go through the active-duty, on-base Tricare office. Instead of sending your referral to the civilian system you're used to going through, take it directly to the on-base Tricare office. Anyone wanting bariatric surgery at an MTF, active-duty or retired has to go through the Benefits Management's (Tricare) Specialty Services department office on base. The only people you bypass are the people you get stuck talking to on that 1-800# that are pretty much clueless regarding bariatric surgery, especially when it comes to the VSG. Here's how I did it: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/12138-tricare-prime-anyone/page__st__40__p__366787#entry366787 -
Tricare Retiree Beneficiary Vs. Sleeve Gastrectomy
NewMeLinda replied to samakar1516's topic in Insurance & Financing
Hi Susan, I see that you were approved for the Sleeve in July at the MTF on Bragg. Congratulations! I am the spouse of a Retiree. I was referred to Womack MTF in Oct 2012, but was approved to see a off-post civilian doctor. As we know, that won't work bc Tricare will not pay for the Sleeve off-post. I spoke to the bariatric clerk at Womack and she said one of their surgeons have been deployed. The doctor is expected back this Spring, but it may be some time before she take referrals from civilian doctors. (They have other drs, but they are not taking referrals.) Can you tell me who I need to talk to in order to get into the program now. I am tired of waiting. I am also afraid that if I wait until the doctor returns, they still may not take me. -
United healthcare choice plus.
KocoShanell Harrell replied to melissa1104's topic in Insurance & Financing
I hope you all can help me...I have Bluecross Blueshield blue options with my job and the Bariatric office called me to tell me that my insurance was denied due to my job opting out. So I called them and spoke to my HR person and they told me that was correct that they opted out of it. So I've been searching online for other insurances companies. Then a lady from Healthcare.gov called me and said that I qualify for there insurance. So I told her I was looking for good insurance for me and my daughter and I am looking for the insurance to cover bariatrics surgery because its medically necessary. So she search around the market and found UnitedHealth Care Gold Compass 1000 and she said it would cover it. Now my question is has anyone had this insurance and do they cover the surgery and its medically necessary. I am so scared that I will be denied again. My first appointment is June 23 which is consultation but there going to run it under my BCBS insurance which is a 50 copay. Yup they cover the consultations but don't cover the surgery. My Unitedhealth care doesn't go into affect until July 1 and my other insurance will be dropped. I am so scared. -
Bypass surgery at Mt. Carmel West Columbus Oh.
MrBig311 replied to musicgirl's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
The Doctors and staff are very good. I had my bypass with Dr. Page and I would recommend him highly. Much of the process depends on your insurance. The Bariatric Nurse Navigator (Amber McNulty) and Nutritionist/Dietician (Andrea Mattison) are always there for you if you have questions or need support. Mt Carmel also has various support groups you can attend before and after surgery. http://www.mountcarmelhealth.com/bariatrics -
Sample puréed diet
danaymacklin replied to nursedennise's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Download this APP from the people who I went through they have a Bariatric Bistro for food list and recipes... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App -
P.S. people used to throw this statistic around on these boards all the time, and i have no idea if it has any hardcore medical research behind it, but common belief was that about 30% of RNY'ers dump. It's less common in sleevers, but they can dump, too. I don't know how accurate that statistic is, but just from what I've been able to tell from hanging out on various bariatric boards for the last six or seven years, that wouldn't surprise me. It seems more people DON'T dump than do.
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Follow up psych eval
Healthy_life replied to lifeasfaith's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Surgeons use different methods for the psych eval. Also depends on the Psychologist you have been referred to. (different standards of practice and policies/procedures ) Evals are basic to rule out mental health issues and eliminate liability for the surgeon. My two cents on getting denied. (most of us get approved) Some people are not screened properly. Bariatric surgery may exacerbate mental illness. It may be a good thing to get denied. The psychologist can refer you to restart the surgery process after mental health issues are resolved. -
Anyone hitting a slump with gastric sleeve?
EDMUND replied to mmartinez213's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
ALM.com https://www.ALM.com/how-to-avoid-weight-loss-plateau-after-bariatric-surgery/ -
You need to see a gastroenterologist. That could be a stricture or scar tissue build up. Can you reach out to your bariatric surgeon first? They probably know who to send you to. Your pcp is not the right person to see. Sent from my SM-A102U using BariatricPal mobile app
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I recently vomited up my vitamin for the first time in my life. Have been taking chewable bariatric vitamins for six months, but these particular ones that are capsules for about a month already (with no issues). It was definitely the vitamin though. It was the same yellow color and gave me a taste aversion for the vitamin. Anyways, I always drink a shake in the morning too and I now have been waiting till after I got the whole thing down and it seems to coat the stomach enough that it hasn’t happened again.
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Insurance help
2muchfun replied to phewforaminutethere's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Jersrose is right. Your employer chose the plan without bariatric benefits because it was most likely less money. No need to dump on UHS. But there are many states that do not offer WLS even under Obamacare. Alex posted a topic on this last year btw. -
Insurance help
2muchfun replied to phewforaminutethere's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Skinny, Fully insured does not mean the sky's the limit. There's a basic policy available and then there are riders the employer can add to the policy. Each rider has a cost associated to it and is added to the monthly premium the employee pays. Riders include: Bariatrics, DME(durable med equipment), cosmetic surgery, dental, eye care, infertility, self inflicted injuries and so on. Each employer designs a plan that is affordable and fits the patient population of the existing employees. Your "Fully insured plan" must have had the coverage you needed but it's still up to each employer to purchase the coverage it feels will fit their needs. No argument on UHS being the evil, amoral company you describe. -
Just google resting metabolic test plus your city. Some bariatric centers do it. Some high tech fitness and training centers as well. I think I paid $120 to have that plus my VO2 max test. The VO2 max is basically the same test, but you're running hard on a treadmill or in some cases, a stationary bike. That test will tell you exactly how many calories you burn per hour while working out at a given heart rate. Problem is, they have to push you to your max heart rate. It's 5 minutes of hell.
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I went to Fusco's seminar. When he through that $3700 "Program Fee" out there I knew he wasn't for me. I just don't have that kind of cash laying around and I can't see getting an equity loan for it either. Besides, per my Insurance I have to go to a "Center of Excellence" for my ins to pay "In-network" amounts. And the closest one is Dr. Jawad in Ocala, he also does lap band and he includes the cost of the fills in the surgical fee, so that the ins will cover it. He has no program fee either. Only a $250 consultation fee. My surgery will be there but my follow ups will be in Orlando. After the initial post op visit, I will only have to go every 6 months. For me the drive was worth saving the $$ that Fusco charges. I hear he is a good Bariatric Surgeon, I just couldn't afford him. I also decided that GBP was a better option for me after talking to my PCP. I have read many positive and many negative things about both surgeries, but for me, having to continually get the fills was just not something I wanted to do. I need the restriction all the time, because I know me. I would just say, "Well maybe I'll go next week for a fill". Something would happen and I would put it off. So a GBS is my choice. Best of luck to you!! How much have you lost?
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How much weight will i lose (about) in 5 months?
Tiffykins replied to jasleeve's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
How much do you have to lose???? I had over 100 pounds to lose and around 5 months out I had dropped around 90-95lbs. There is no average since the percentage of weight loss is the primary indicator for weight loss surgery patients and not actual pounds lost. A patient that has 100+ pounds to lose might lose more number of pounds as someone with only 70 pounds to lose, but it's the percentage of weight loss is what is used to figured "average weight loss" for bariatric patients. -
Hi all! I'm new here. I'm 24, 5"2 and weigh 267 pounds. Ive been researching VSG and other bariatric surgeries for some time now, and it looks like the Sleeve would be the best choice for me. My family is trying to talk me out of it based on the fact that my mother a lot of complications after her gastric in 2001. My dad says "You two have the same genes, you will have complications too and you will regret it." Part of me is afraid that I will regret my decision. I'd like to hear from as many people as possible that have had VSG! Do you have any regrets whatsoever? Any complications? Would you recommend it to other people? What advice would you give someone that's going to have it? Thank you in advance!
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Why do we have to diet?
Inner Surfer Girl replied to Ghada's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Did your surgeon provide any post-op nutrition guidelines? Do you have a NUT? This is how I understand the reasoning. First, we have post-op stages (clear liquid, liquid, soft foods, etc.), because the texture of what we intake is very important to help us heal. Second, we require three macronutrients: Protein, carbohydrates, and fat. Our bodies are very good at storing energy (carbohydrates and fats), the reason we had surgery in the first place, but cannot store protein. Protein is critical for healing, maintaining our muscles (which includes our organs, skin, and hair), and losing weight. If we do not get enough protein our body thinks it's a time of famine and stores every bit of energy it can (even if we already have hundreds of pounds of fat stored) and consumes protein from those organs and muscles. Vitamin supplements are important because we cannot eat the volume of food required initially to get all the micronutrients. Lastly, but most important, we need to have enough Water to make everything work. I hope this helps. Please see if you can find a good bariatric NUT. Even if your surgeon thinks you don't need it, I would make sure he or she gives you the post-op support you need. I am surprised you weren't provided with at least a post-op eating plan. -
Does it always take 6 months to get a date?
Clementine Sky replied to Tina4heath4ever's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
My husband is a physician, and I had anticipated him balking at the idea of me having surgery in Tijuana. He did at first, but then he mulled it over, did some research, and willingly got on board. It's actually quite common for SoCal residents to go to Mexico for medical care because there are qualified surgeons and doctors, and reputable facilities there for a fraction of the cost. My parents are the only other ones who know about it, and they had the same reaction. They became fully supportive once I laid everything out. We live in LA, and the surgeons I consulted with here charge between $29,000 and $35,000 for the VSG. We're relatively young and still paying off his massive med school loans, and it was just too hefty to be feasible. Insurance wasn't going to pay for a cent of it because I didn't meet the criteria with my BMI. If they had covered it, my out of pocket expenses would have been around $5000, and it would have required a minimum of a year to get approved and land a surgery date. My surgery in Mexico was $4200, and that included my hotel stay at the Marriott before and after the surgery, and all medicine. We are just a couple hours away, so we drove down there and back easily. If you're not within a reasonable driving distance, you'll have to factor in the cost of flights. My parents came with me, and we also paid for their hotel room. It was reasonable, and they enjoyed the hotel. They could have stayed in my room at the clinic for free, but they were more comfortable at the Marriott. My follow up has simply been through my endocrinologist, who was the one who'd suggested the surgery to me because of its ability to help women my size (14 before surgery) and age (early 30s) with fertility. She arranged for me to see a nutritionist who has consulted with bariatric patients who have PCOS. Those costs are covered by my insurance, so my only expenses are my $35 per visit copay. -
nyteacher125: I thought the same thing. All being medical professionals, I was hoping for a little more understanding in scheduling with the Bariatric Center office. My chief/boss seems happy for me, which I'm grateful for his understanding and willingness to work with me. But I work in Anesthesia, and we are require to have so many CRNA's during certain hours of the day. So leaving early and/or coming in late is really hard to accomplish. Valentina: Thank you so much for the info! I feel a bit better knowing that maybe I can figure out doubling up (or more) my one on ones on the same day. No hernia or ulcer to complicate scheduling further. I'll definitely ask about multiple surgery dates, that's a great idea. The Bariatric Center near me is a Center of Excellence, but it does not offer on-line seminars. I'm hoping to find someone in their office who is willing to work with me. The ladies I talked to at the info session were less than helpful. I'm trying to remain hopeful that I can find just one person at the center willing to understand my scheduling issues. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App
