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If you have any kind of sense of smell stay away from the Bariatric Advantage chewable. They smell like an actual peed in diaper that was left sitting out. Vomitous. The taste is not great and they are huge but the smell is the worst thing. I told the nutritionist and she said yeah I think they are gross too. I had some on my table laid out a few days post surgery (because my place said to get going on vitamins right away) and my daughter sat next to me and said ew what is that smell, it smells like a pee diaper?! I could smell it on my fingers long after I chewed them. I still have a nearly full bottle and I'd rather lose the $ than open the bottle and smell it again.

My hospital bariatric center holds one every second wednesday of the month. There's one coming up this wednesday. I love going to them and always feel inspired and comforted when I go to them. I started a month before surgery and have gone to every meeting since. Lucky for me my hospital is about 45 seconds drive away from me, just two blocks. XD

I attend monthly support meetings held at the hospital's wellness center sponsored by the bariatric group. There is an information session for people considering surgery from 6-7pm (attended by one of the bariatric surgeons). That is followed by the support group meeting from 7-8pm. The monthly support group meetings have a theme and sometimes there are guest speakers. Some of the guest speakers included a bariatric psychologist and a trainer from the medical integration program. The meetings are attended by about 40 people and I will continue to attend until I no longer find them useful.

Yep, Donna is right, best to see your bariatric doc about this one.

Hi. I am a Oct 16, 2011 Sleever and have to say that I am "doing ok" and "not doing ok." That is, I still have an OVERALL weight loss from start to now of 70 lbs, but have gained 30 lbs since my lowest weight which was in May of 2012. I have just updated my profile now since the new Bariatric website, so you can look at the pictures. I am REALLY struggling with not regaining weight. I have continued periodic appointments with the psychologist at the Mass General Weight loss Center and also am working with another psychologist because this is so difficult. I need to start connecting to others again through this website. I have just been reluctant since everything seems to have changed since the original VSG site which I was very active in. So that is me so far, HOW ARE YOU DOING? You didn't mention anything. If you want others to reply, you need to say something too! Please? Phyllis aka Still (somewhat) hopeful Spirit

I met with the dietician last week and will be doing my dietary consult on 9/19. The dietician explained that they advise use of Bariatric fusion Meal Replacements. Has anyone used these and if so which flavors are good? Just want to know what to buy on 9/19! Thanks!

I decided in the very beginning that I was going to be very open about what I was doing. I've always had a personal philosophy that it's usually better to be open about things (assuming you are the kind of person that can handle any negativity that decision might bring... it's definitely not the right decision for everyone) because you never know who might be struggling with the same problem and feel like some kind of freak or need someone to talk to about it and not know where to go. Being open about my surgery is already paying off in big ways, in my opinion. Benefitting myself in that I've been having some challenges, and it's much easier to miss work to deal with them since my boss and coworkers know exactly what's going on. There is no chatter in the background that I'm somehow taking advantage of our leave or FMLA policies. More importantly, though, the other day, a friend at work brought another one of our coworkers down to me to talk about what she's going through as she's trying to navigate all the decisions she needs to make as she decides to have bariatric surgery. I was really pleased that I was able to provide help and camaraderie to someone else that is going through this. I feel that being open about it was just the right decision for me, and it feels good that my being open might help someone else.

I am 33 years old, a RN, and a mother of 2 daughters. I weighed 237 as of this morning. I actually work on a surgical floor that performs hundreds of bariatric surgeries a month. I have struggled with my weight since I was in elementary and have a huge "fluctuation" problem. Just last week (yes last week) I weighed 231 and three before that I weighed 242. It just hit me one day that I was fed up with struggling with my weight and dealing with diabetes, so I made the call. I started my pre op liquid diet yesterday.. Man it's a head game for real!! My surgery date is 12/16/14. I am nervous and excited at the same time. I really enjoy reading all of your posts! So inspiring. I just pray I have success with this as I would like to watch my children grow old, and live to enjoy their children too!

Just as long as people don't follow Marie Antoinette's diet advice: "Let them eat cake". Now it makes sense. It must have been the 1 week, post bariatric WLS French peasants on their liquid diets who executed her by guillotine.

There's a difference between the belief that a food is banned for a lifetime and asking for an okay to have it at 2 weeks post-surgery. I was very diplomatic in answering with alternatives that might help satisfy the craving. She is in our program, and in our program we are still on just liquids at 2 weeks. Our NUTS and bariatric nurse are very thorough in the materials they provide to help us be successful. In those materials, and at every appointment, they clearly outline allowed foods at each stage. And I took no offense to the peasant food comment at all. I love peasant food.

I don't have a surgeon yet....about the only thing I've done is pass the verbal pre-screening to join the program and schedule my first call with the bariatric nurse. I DO have high bad cholesterol and low good (I forget which is which), and sleep apnea. I know this isn't a comorbidity, but found out today I will be having a knee surgery April 3....and I know that it is partially due to my weight....so I gotta lose it so I don't need the other done. Hopefully that will be a contributing factor for approval.

I am writing this to help those whom have United Health Care. Here are the following things to know and tips: Before reading these tips, contact UHC for confirmation that Bariatric surgery is covered under your plan. Confirm the requirements. Confirm that your surgeon and his associated hospital is In-Network (if they are not, it will be like paying for the surgery without insurance). Make sure you have an understanding of what the insurance wants to see or have done. 1) You are eligible if you have a 40 BMI or Higher / Greater than 35 BMI with Co-Morbidity. 2) Once you find your surgeon, you will have to do 6 months worth of testing, dieting and education. 3) You will have to make 6 visits (once a month). This does not include your consultation. 4) One of your visits will be with a Psychological Evaluation. This will determine your surgeons view and the insurance company's view of your case. They take a look at your mental and emotional health. They ask about your family and your support systems. They may ask you how you feel about yourself. Stay away from the negative views you may have of your body. Understand that they have seen hundreds of people like you and may have some prejudice in regards to whether you will succeed or not. Remind them that you are a person, not a statistic and bring some human to your discussion. 5) Your surgeon may require you to keep an eating and exercise journal. I use MyFitnessPal and I have a FitBit. 6) You will be asked to do an EKG to see how strong your heart is. 7) You may be asked to do a sleep study. Depending on your surgeon, it can be a requirement. In my case, the insurance company denied it. They did not deem it as a necessity. 8) You will have to do an Ultrasound which is to see if you have any issues with your liver (fatty liver disease) or other organs. 9) The next thing is an endoscopy. This requires you to head to an outpatient clinic, be sedated and have a tube stuck down your throat. I learned that I had an hiatal hernia (where part of the stomach enters the diaphragm). This can cause you heart burn. Be aware of H. Pylori. This is a bacteria that can cause ulcers and heart burn as well. It takes a lot of antibiotics to cure. Be mindful that your throats will be sore and some sharp pains may occur as they most likely scrapped some samples from your digestive tract. 10) In between these visits, you will see an dietitian and nutritionist for further help. They will slowly walk you through changing your eating habits. Be honest with them. It is very important in the long run. Also try to keep your weight lost in small amounts. If you lose too much in a short period of time, the surgeon and insurance company will feel like you can lose the remaining weight alone. 11) Your last visit will consist of an overview. The surgeon will check your weight and may discuss further with you about your feelings towards the surgery. Hopefully you are approved by the surgeon. My surgeon was great during the process. I met with him more times than anyone else. He literally kept giving my information and sites to read to understand this tool. 12) They will then submit your information to the insurance company. Now it can take up to 2 - 6 weeks for approval. I was approved in one week. My fellow UHC Members, I hope this assist you in your endeavors. 6 months will fly by so quickly you won't even realize it. Remember education is the key to success. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm going through the bariatric center at the local hospital. I did call my insurance and it is covered, but I never asked what are the requirements for the procedure. The bariatric center has asked me for all my medical history. I recently had a endoscopy just to get it out of the way. I hope they don't require some type of diet before they approve me. I have been on all the diets our there and I just can not stay on a diet to save my life! My mother and sister are not supportive of the surgery. They are thin and have never struggled with their weight like I have. My sister is always on my case about not having will power. I made a decision not to include them. I have my husband's full support and that's all that matters at this point. I want this so bad. I am just so ready. I want to feel good about myself. I will call my insurance company and ask what the requirements are. thank you all for your support through this journey!

Finding unflavored protein in a single serve packet will allow you to sample a brand without having to buy the larger container first. Single serve packets of whey protein isolate are available online with Bariatric Fusion, Jay Robb and Unjury. Whey protein powder is also found in the bulk bins at Sprouts Farmers Market. You can buy a small amount to taste test. Our patients have also liked the larger containers of unflavored whey protein by brands like Inspire , Isopure (GNC, online) and online (online). Keep in mind, whey protein must be kept under 140 degrees, otherwise, it will curdle. Soy protein isolate is also available. Brands include GNC and brands like NOW Foods and Genisoy, which are available online and some natural foods stores. These will be in larger containers. Sprouts Farmers Market also has soy protein in their bulk bins, so that you can buy a small amount to taste test. Sometimes you can get a sample taste of unflavored protein in stores that sell natural foods, supplements and sports nutrition products. Ask about the return policy if you don’t like the product. There are many other brands of unflavored protein powders on the market. If you have a group of bariatric buddies, perhaps the buddies can buy different brands to try and share. This cuts the cost of taste testing. May your protein status be awesome!

They said the 1000 dollars was for "Administrative fees" when I asked what exactly that was they said things like vitamins, support group costs, and something about the doctor's fee for some bariatric program. Can you tell I am confused? It really wasn't a straight forward answer that I understood...

Mine does not have a weight, but the picture is too funny. I had my credit cred picture changed, but not my license yet. It is due for renewal this year. I love to whip it out and have people look at me and then the picture. After 100 lbs, it is a big change. Karen(kll724)

Mine isn't due for renewal until 2013, but might have to have it done sooner.. I look very little like my picture since -180 lbs. I've talked to others who've had problems because they changed so much.. Police & Airport Security didn't want to accept the ID.

In my state, when you get your license renewed, they don't take the old one. So I have my licenses from the last 20 years. I happened to pull them out the other day and was horrified! I had no idea I looked as bad as I did. In one, my face was as round as a balloon with no neck! It's now stuck to my refrigerator door as a reminder. Every time I look at it I want to puke. .

Wow Karina, they have you going around in circles. It looks like yours is going to the top for approval/denial. You have the 100lbs. to lose how about the one health issue? Whey you called Travis, did you talk to A Mrs. Frazier. She is the go-between for bariatric patients and the surgeons. I'm sure she would be very helpful to you. Well keep on trying you will get it sooner or later. Maggies:shades_smile:

Thank you...it's funny, but my doc just asked if I'd speak at both his seminars and the bariatric support group. I'm kinda nervous but I agreed.

@@galadriel535 - I would ask them about that. My handbook mirrored my verbal instructions and the tray they brought me only had what I was allowed to eat. There are many variations of bariatric diets. However I notice most of the differences are about when to re-introduce fruit and veg. The basic rule of thumb is still Protein & Fluid first and 30 mins spacing between eating and drinking..

I went with Dr. Richard Nguyen at Lifestyle Bariatric in San Jose. His bedside manner is great. His staff worked with us for months as we fought for insurance approval. The only flaw was it took hours for discharge because of his busy schedule. For most it wouldn't be a big deal but we had a 4 hour drive. I don't think that the surgeons need to have been through bariatric surgery but they do need to treat us with respect and dignity. We stopped by the hospital where we had surgery to check in with our bariatric nurse. Our program gives us access to her for 2 years post surgery. Good Samaritan has an section just for bariatric patients. The nurses were so happy to see us. They help all the patients post surgery but never get to see the successes. If you had a good relationship with your nurse, you should stop by and show off your success.

I know that the Last Supper idea is very tempting, but my bariatric nurse told me not to do that because it makes it so much harder to handle the liquid diet. Therefore, I'm trying to cut down on food portions and have even begun to have a protein shake instead of breakfast. I plan to transition to protein shakes for breakfast and lunch before I go on full liquid. I sure hope that plan will ease the shock of liquids only.

Well guys I ended up selling some land to get 11k and then used a credit card for the rest. Surgery date is scheduled for 4/21 and I gave the cashiers checks to the bariatric coordinator today

DE Area Bariatric Clothing Swap? Does anyone know if there is a clothing swap for our area ? It would be nice to have if there is an interest - I know I have stuff that I'd like to swap out. I hear it's better not to buy too many things in each size since you'll keep getting smaller Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App