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I take the bariatric advantage capsule ones (opened and sprinkled on yogurt for the first 2 weeks---yuk) and such pain...it is the closest I have came to throwing up in this whole process. I now take one at a time, wait 30 minutes and drink at least 8 ounces of water and then take the second one. Much better. P.S. Looks like we are ticker twins

Well, I had my appointment of appointments yesterday. Met more of. my bariatric entourage and I am encouraged I can do this. I met and talked with: Nurse Practioner Valerie Dietician Roy- yeah,young good- looking slender dude. Exercise Physiologist-Kelly. Each of them gave or refined on what I'm doing already, some hefty challenges in place there. But I think, oh I really think this tired old ME can do this. They already gave me credit got,the changes I've made in my life, some merely need modified, others Whew but even for Me-do- a- ble. I feel they "have my back" in a way that my,previous program did not. These people care n that reaffirms I'm on b the right path. for my life and future. Maybe everybody would not have the same conclusions but for my personal plans and future life it is perfect. And isn't that What,if should be? A Frustr8 type program for a Frstr8 type person and leading to a Frustr8 future. Don't see how I can ask or committ to something better for me. Have to do a little more fine- tuning, I had to call and have both. Cardio and Pulmonary submit notes and observations so that my clearances are revalidated, since they were in another hospital system. My Cardio agreed to fax it immediately, my Pulmo was not in yesterday so left message with his medical assistant exactly what I needed. That saves me having to not do everything once again. Now when it comes to my EGD I do have further problems. They would like a little more details than the report my gastroenterologist sent hospital #1. Okay he folded up his practice in my town the beginning of April, he found he didn't like being in solo practice so " folded his tents and went I'm not sure where. Possibly Newark where he was in partnership previously, might even relocated to Columbus or Cleveland, all I have is a PO box # to submit to if I want to transfer my records to another gastroenterologist, I filed it away and until I find it I'm not even sure how long it was valid for. Is that his or is it just a temporary records system? I wasn't able to talk one on one with Jessica my, are you ready for this title? Bariatric Nurse Facilitator/ Case Manager/ Patient- Program Liason.Makes her sound like a whole commitee in human form. Sort of like Arnold Swartzenegger, Supreme Court Chief Justice and decent President of the United States, Not Donald J Pumpkin-faced Trump he is a MODEL president, one of definitions of Model is a "small imitation of the REAL,thing". Jessica was in a training seminar/ conference yesterday, she and I will have a phone consult either today or Tuesday/Wednesday due to Monday being celebrated as Memorial Day. But my case is travelling down the Bariatric Train track🚝 kachug kachug. I could have sworn I booked for the bullet/express train instead of the local commuter one. This is the one that stops for every dog🐶pony🐎and goat 🐐 that ventures into the track. OMG a flock of chickens🐥just showed up, what next? If I have to undergo another EGD, the third in less than 3 years because nobody can find Dr Mujtaba, that will slow down things a little, otherwise Jessica schedules me a PreSurgery consult with the surgeon and in 3 weeks or less, it's "cut, slash and poke" time when I get remodeled and reconditioned for the future. Hello Scalpel!🔪 And I Am Excited for the Future and What it Holds😝🌈

I've never heard of bariastic! I currently use my fitness pal but something that is designed for bariatric patients has a lot of appeal. Sent from my SM-G920T using BariatricPal mobile app

I have Aetna and just had my surgery 5/11. Aetna is serious about the no net gain. My weightloss coordinator at surgeon's office made that very clear. I had to do the 90 day ( 3 months) and actually gained weight also, but my WLS coordinator told me to do all I could do to have no net gain and come in 1 lb less than my original weigh in. Between my 1st weigh- in and 2nd weigh- in, I was going through a very stressful rough time and unfortunately gained alot of weight. See my stats below. With weigh ins the only two that count is the 1st and the last. Also sleep apnea regardless mild or extreme is still sleep apnea ( I did not have a 40 BMI to get approved for initial consulation. I got approved for initial consultation with bariatric surgeon after I had a sleep study test, which showed I have mild OSA and help of DMHC to overturn Aetna 1st denial) Aetna loves to deny so its important to follow the instructions to the T. I only had two shots lefts to lose weight and went gung ho on a crazy zero carb plan, and did a boat load of cardio to drop weight. I even took water pills 2 days before weigh in to shed any water weight. Do what you have to do to make sure you come in under 1 pound than your initial weigh in The purpose of the regimen is to show you have control and Aetna wants to see this control. FYI You don't have to maintain 40 BMI after the regimen to get approved for surgery because obviously you were a 40 / + BMI when approved for initial consulation with your surgeon. 1st weight in 197 2nd weight in 212 3rd weight in 199 4th weight in 193 If you start over, your weight will be the new weight...Like in a previous reply, I would have a peer to peer and ask your surgeon to explain it is water weight or something.

My team is on board with a modified Mayo Clinic Diet being a terrific post surgical diet. I hit the protein goals set by my team (60+ grams a day) and hit the calorie goals set by my team (1200 per day). That's pretty much all I worry about. (and exercise goals) I do eat some very lean meat, but I also eat beans, whole grain bread, brown rice, white potatoes and a lot of fruits. A lot of people gasp because Mayo is very carb heavy....but it's good carbs...and there's a difference. There are some great ways to get protein from food people think of only as carbs. Whole wheat english muffin= 120 calories and 5 grams of PROTEIN. Baked Idaho potato= 160 calories and 4.3 grams of PROTEIN. Legume protein pasta= 190 calories and 10 grams of PROTEIN. (this stuff is SO good and you won't miss regular pasta, I swear) One cup of black beans= 227 calories and 15 grams of PROTEIN (black bean brownies made with splenda, oats and almond flour are fantastic with strawberries and raspberries) One cup of cooked oatmeal = 150 calories and 6grams of PROTEIN I don't really eat simple refined carbs as part of my daily diet anymore. They're special occasion sweets and I have some strict rules about them. (tiny portions, witnesses, out of the house, special occasions only) But yep...eating a balanced bariatric diet doesn't have to mean never eating carbs again. You have to be careful about the refined simple carbs for sure....but not all carbs are bad nutrition. I also eat tofu, mushrooms, nuts and seeds for protein. I like to get at least half of my protein from plant based sources. Mediterranean diet and Japanese Diet are heavy in plant based protein, fish, nuts and seeds, complex carbs, fruits and veggies...just like Mayo Clinic....and they are associated with the people who have the longest lifespans and the least heart disease and cancer. And you do have to count calories. My calorie goal is 1200 per day. I try not to fudge it. Most days I'm on target. Also, my team stresses exercise almost as much as diet. My exercise goals are written on a prescription pad at every visit. We're told to consider exercise essential medicine. Don't skip doses. LOL:) Most important thing is working with a nutritionist who is on the same page you are and a team that is invested in your long term success.

Today was a rough one. I'm 8 days post op and I think my hormones are going a bit crazy. My inscisions hurt today. ALL DAY. Which didn't help my mood. I am also feeling overwhelmed with keeping track of everything. Liquids consumed, protein consumed, solid food eaten, bariatric vitamin taken, calcium taken x3 and separately from the bariatric vitamin, Prilosec, my other daily medications. Has anyone found a good app to keep track of all this? Are there other tracking methods I should try? I have 3 kids and work full time and my brain is fried. Hoping for a better tomorrow. Sent from my moto x4 using BariatricPal mobile app

I have been waiting for over a week for Dr V nurse to call me to set up my surgery! My navigator was so good to help me through the program fast so I could get my surgery before our vacation. I really zen they are busy but Wednesday I was told there was 3 people ahead of me and she would call me this week. How much you bet I don’t get a call tomorrow either!!! I’m about ready to call this all off. FRUSTRATED!! Anyone else take this long to get a surgery date???

The Mayo Clinic diet looks really good. How do you do the portions? Just follow bariatric guidelines set forth by your team and then follow the Mayo food plan? I am also looking for my forever diet... Fad dieting was part of what led to my weight gain over the years. Any tips?

Hiya Bariatric buddies and Peeps!Just little sweet me checking in. Well I had my appointment at OSU today, yes the self-same one I have babbling about for a whole month. Saw my nurse-practioner Valerie Dietician-Roy, yeah a young good-Looking slender guy. Exercise physiologist-Kelly Didn't get to meet Case Manager Jessica, she was in another conference but will call me tomorrow or Tuesday, because Monday is a holiday. Per Nurse Valerie I have to have Cardiologist and Pulmanologist both fax notes and observations or I have to go through both again. Dr Karve( cardio) did it today after I spoke to them, had to leave message with Dr Hussein (pulmo) medical assistant since he wasn't in today. Once that is filed where it's supposed to be, no more than 3 weeks until surgery. Alas no iron-clad date, I'm betting on June, my son Tomkitten says July, and he tends to be psychic about betting and such things. When his late dad was alive and would take his advice they "cleaned up" at the races frequently. At least I should be done and starting to,lose before my high school class reunion August 11th. I hate to tell you how many years it has been , if you remember how old I keep telling people I am , you can figure it for yourself. 😪 But things are still moving kachug kachug along down my bariatric track toward the finish line. I had hoped to book on a bullet or express train, not one that goes at 3mph and stops for every dog,🐶 pony🐎 or goat🐐 that ventures onto the track.🚝

Went for my first consultation with bariatric surgeon today. And he said I was a complicated patient, partly because I take several psych meds and am interested in bypass rather than sleeve because I have GERD and Type 2 diabetes. He's worried about managing drug levels after bypass. Anyone have input into this? Do they monitor levels of psych meds? Thanks. Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi Co-Ash girls, pulled up your profiles, another thing you have in common, you're both Big 10 girls like me. I'm in Central Ohio, one of you is in Illinois and the other in Minnesota. And we are all are happy bariatric chicks. Congratulations Ash Ash12,on getting your date, I hope to have mine soon, just back,forms trip to Columbus and tying up more loose ends. Met with Nurse Practioner, Dietician, Exercise Physiologist and had labs drawn . Got to make sure of cardiology and pulmonary findings forwarded as they were done by different hospital system. Then if they don't need repeated because they were within 6 months ago, it's full speed ahead to the PreSurgery visit with Surgeon and surgery time. Don't see it any later than July? ,I would do it tomorrow if I could. Everybody treated me very nice which,is in contrast to previous place. I like these people and want to work with them.🌺😝🌸

There is a type of low blood sugar problem that can occur after gastric bypass surgery. It is called reactive hypoglycemia. Here is a link to the condition. https://www.ridgeviewmedical.org/services/bariatric-weight-loss/enewsletter-articles/reactive-hypoglycemia-postgastric-bypass Generally this problem begins to occur several months after surgery. Since you are only a week after surgery, I suspect this is not the cause. These are the symptoms of hypoglycemia: An irregular heart rhythm * Fatigue * Pale skin * Shakiness * Anxiety * Sweating * Hunger * Irritability * Tingling sensation around the mouth * Crying out during sleep As hypoglycemia worsens, signs and symptoms may include: * Confusion, abnormal behavior or both, such as the inability to complete routine tasks * Visual disturbances, such as blurred vision * Seizures * Loss of consciousness If you were diabetic and taking medication for the condition, the medication might be driving your body into hypoglycemia. If so this is a sign that you need to cut back on the diabetic medicine. But if you were diabetic then you probably have a glucose meter and could test to see if your hypothesis (low blood sugar) is a correct one.

I know some anti-depressants cause weight gain, not all but some. Has anyone taken their anti-depressants after surgery and fight to lose weight because of the meds or are things different after surgery? I take Effexor, which isn't known for weight gain but I was just curious if that's something anyone here had to worry about.

Interesting article! https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/12/19/16742884/weight-loss-bariatric-surgery-pros-cons-stories

Well it's 1 AM , I really should go back to sleep but I can't. This is the day for my Big and I think Important appointment with 4 people, I meet with my nurse practitioner, case manager, dietician and exercise physiologist, between the 4 wise ladies maybe I'll get a further clue as to when my surgery will be. If anybody has read my past postings, and there are many in the last six months, you know I have completed not once but twice basic requirements for bariatric surgery. Why isn't it done yet? AskDr Ding Dong, the rotten excuse for a surgeon who decided he was no longer in the mood to perform it. So I am enrolled in another and better program where I'm not a number but a person. who wants and deserves the surgical tool,to help achieve her proper weight loss. I actually like the people in this one, odd, when I look back,i never did like the other guy, he was more like the mechanic you ask to repair your car but don't have any other relationship with.. Maybe my inner gut was right. Oh well you,live and learn, I'm just not into the kind of put down I got there! And his loss will mean my long term gain🌺😛💕🌸

This is why basing your life around your diet (instead of your diet around your life) is a very bad idea. It can go too far. It can cause harm. You can trade one eating disorder for another. Don't let your diet become your life. You're more than food and fitness. Trying your best, celebrating every victory, and working hard toward a balanced healthy lifestyle are terrific things. Becoming fixated on diet, making it your whole identity....not so much. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3596455/ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/publications/psychiatry_newsletter/hopkins_brainwise___winter_2015/bariatric_surgery_and_eating_disorders Turn obsession into compassion. Turn extremism into balance. Live and let live. You'll live longer.

Hello again, and many thanks to all of you for your thoughtful and helpful responses. I have been on other forums in the past where veterans were unhelpful or even downright mean to newbies, so I am very grateful for all of your generous hearts. Maybe I do have head hunger, cravings, etc. But I am also HUNGRY...as in shaking and light-headed...as in it's a good thing I still have 11 more days off from work...as in I don't know how I'm ever going to have the energy to go to the gym again. I think the biggest problem is with my lactose intolerance and irritable bowel. I am not exaggerating...every little thing I eat or drink goes straight through within minutes. Yes, I am remembering not to eat and drink at the same time. But I am emptying immediately and then getting hungry all over again. Maybe I failed to explain to my bariatric team just how severe my lactose intolerance and IBS were, but honestly I feel they thought I was exaggerating and didn't take me seriously enough. They did not work with me to develop a post-op plan that wasn't milk-based, and I guess I didn't insist strongly enough. Or I chose to be satisfied with their explanation that their standard plan works for most people. Or I heard what I wanted to hear; I guess we all do that at times. The bottom line is that I am HUNGRY and I'm having trouble keeping anything in my stomach long enough to be satisfied. I am clearly not having the "no ghrelin=no hunger" effect. I will have to keep trying new things, and I will ask for a different dietitian the next time I call my bariatric clinic for help. I am disappointed that this process became difficult so quickly; I really believed I would have a honeymoon period where the weight would drop off without hunger. Again, many thanks to all of you. I hope tomorrow will be better.

Hello, Ladies and Gents. It's time for a May 25th roll call. We won't' be at the BBQ this year but--we're still having a party!: Have you?: Taken your before pics Purchased everything you need Packed Re-reviewed your surgeon's instructions regarding the day/night before surgery

Gastric bypass or VSG??? I had my first visit with my bariatric doctor and he advised me that I should do bypass. I'm confused and I don't know what I should do? Please help? Btw I'm 25 year old Male weighing in 298 lbs height 5'7.5" tall.

I have Lincare, they have been super, not one problem anywhere. The tech, Chico, who taught me the little ins-and-outs my sleep,lab forgot, clear through the misc. little monthly changes of. nose pads and filters. The new items are here just when promised, they check,with me monthly to make sure everything ok. Now if my bariatric care team functions as well I will be a super happy camper.😛

No advertisement, just a recommendation. Bariatric Mindset Success 6 month accountability workbook. This workbook I found on amazon is helping a ton. Keeps everything in one place. I’m feeling more in control and less stressed. It’s not just about food. It’s about your mental health. Also listen to the Weight Loss Surgery podcast by Reeger Cornell.. huge support Sleeve 4/26 Hw:215 Sw: 215 Cw: 191 Gw: 145

Well when I was in my mid 200s I thought I was fated to live out my life at 245-250, sure I knew it was,how the healthiest of sizes but at that I'd vary ⬆and⬇ the famous 5 pounds, then suddenly I ballooned out over 300 pounds, what happened? I really didn't get that much less active, then the pounds started sneaking on, I was holding uneasily at 325 pounds, Frussie old girl, I said we must bring the PCP into the mix because decreasing portion size and walking more was not helping. So off I marched my plump drumsticks,into the doctors office. Doctor Dear,I said , I think its time to enlist the help of a diet drug. So I got a script for Phenteramine and set out to use It. Oh I used it religiously, ever time I said "Oh Lord, Please make this work!" at the end of the month I marched into the office and climbed into the scale. Had I lost weight? Oh, no I had gained 30 bubbly pounds-- In strolled Dr PCP, took one look at my chart, uttered the professional equivalent of WTF and said I was going back to the Bariatric Surgeon, did I want him to make the appointment or would I go quietly and willingly? So off I went to Columbus, humbled myself and resumed with the same one I already went,through before, did everything over again and then still I got denied my surgery, so I'm,trying again once,more at perhaps where I should have been at the beginning, these people seem to truly want me, work with me and things look good. Have I lost bundles of weight? No just the evil 30 lbs and a little more, but I'm still sticking to it, even while it is so wearing. I have been in this fight since August 2015, Hector was a pup then and now he's a full grown dog. And people who started long after me receive their surgery, and like the world's oldest cheerleader, I wave my pompoms and urge them on. And they climb,to the top,them slide downhill on the other side into the future. Just a flash of light and then yet another ones gone. Thursday I find out,when, how soon and whether there is anything more to do, cause if there isn't give me the verdompt,surgery, give me a date. I'll hitch a ride if necessary, just give me a date to hang my hopes on. PLEASE?😪

I’ve been a registered nurse for 11 years. I round on patients in the hospital for an internal medicine group, and I can safely say I’ve seen quite a few things. Compression stockings and/or pumps can be literal life savers. Some doctors avoid the compression stockings by giving a low dose heparin shot (lovenox) to help prevent blood clots, and this is typically only given in the hospital. The risk for a blood clot is HUGE. Not just for a Bariatric patient, but any patient. It’s called “best-practice.” You will be wearing the compression hose and pumps the entire time you are in surgery. You don’t have to have any other medical problems to be at risk. I have sadly seen several patients who were supposed to be wearing their hoses and pumps and refused who ended up with blood clots. These clots in the leg can travel to the lungs or brain and can be deadly. As a bariatric patient myself and a medical professional, I would respectfully suggest making this investment. This is one of those “better safe than sorry” practices that just really needs to be followed. I’ve seen too many patients suffer when they didn’t comply. I hope this is helpful.

The Bariatric Surgeon's are breaking up that Old Gang of Mine! Congratulations Skinnygirl04😪 you're gonna be gone too! Take me with you,🙏 Please take me with you!💦

I am in the beginning of my journey and obviously changing eating habits. What are some of your favorite recipes or websites to find bariatric friendly recipes. Thanks in advance.