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Basic Cheesecake 1 8-ounce container fat-free cream cheese ½ pound soft tofu ½ cup egg substitute 6 packets artificial sweetener ½ teaspoon vanilla ¼ teaspoon almond extract 6 tablespoons egg white substitute ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar butter flavored cooking spray 1) Preheat oven to 350 F 2) In large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together cream cheese, tofu, egg substitute, sweetener, vanilla, and almond extract until smooth and creamy 3) In a small bowl, using an electric mixer, whip egg white substitute with cream of tartar until it forms stiff peaks 4) Gently fold whipped egg whites into cream cheese mixture 5) Coat an 8-inch square cake pan with cooking spray and pour in batter. Place cake pan into a baking pan until it reaches halfway up the sides of the cake pan. Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes 6) Let cool for at least 4 hours. Calories: 59.13 Protein: 7.98 g Fat: 0.84 g Carbohydrates: 3.91 g Cholesterol: 5 mg Fiber: .34 g Sodium: 185.46 g I got this recipe out of a cook book for bariatric surgery patients (Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery by Patt Levine and Michele Bontempo-Saray). This cookbook has some great recipes and breaks each one down into the amount of calories, fat, etc. You can buy it at any Barnes and Noble or online.

Get the most from your Bariatric procedure.

I have wondered about the "limit" thing. I have a friend that currently has lapband. She was trying for revision through her new insurance. She found out that they have a "1 per lifetime" limit on bariatric surgery even though THEY didn't have anything to do with the original surgery. It would seem to me that it would be cheaper on the insurance company to go ahead and cover the surgery rather than paying for the multitude of specialists that she would have to see to deal with the affects of obesity on her body. As for recovery, it is VERY similar to getting the band. I am on lifting restrictions for 4 weeks. I work at a pretty physical job so I am actually off work on short term disability for the entire time. I have heard of people going back to work soon after surgery (like less than a week). The hardest part, to me, is getting my fluids in. It is very easy to get dehydrated post op. I struggle to get in 5 cups of Water a day. I working on it, but it can be tough. I'm in contact with a few revisioners. They still VERY happy with their decision to revise. They inspire me daily. I will admit that it was their sucess that made me finally talk to my doctor about revising.

Hello all! I was directed to this site by my surgeon. She is part of a very comprehensive bariatric program based out of Shady Grove Hospital in Maryland. I had my first pre-op consultation last week, and am in the beginning stages of getting all my testing done. I have Federal Blue Cross insurance, and am told it is a piece of cake to get this procedure approved through them, with no "red tape" so to speak. Im very excited to finally have this surgery done (have been looking into WLS for over 15 years). Im still on the fence about whether to do RNY or LapBand though- and could sure use any personal stories, research links, ect to help me decide. Im worried the LapBand wont help me... My pitfalls seem to be skipping meals (sometimes I wont eat all day), sweets, and/or eating after a certain time of day (I sometimes like to have Cereal at about 8pm). Im never hungry as it is, and try to eat healthy... But, Ive always been overweight- even as a child that grew up in a very restricted home (no sweets, soda, chips, junk of any type). Im currently 5'10" and 290lbs. I am 18 months post partum with my only child, and have not been doing anything to loose the "baby" weight until now since I was breast feeding. Before my pregnancy I was 270lbs. In any case- to me, my appearance is a bonus on this road. Im scared of dying prematurely and leaving my husband and daughter. The though consumes me... I want to break a family cycle of the women in my family dying of heart disease at an ever increasingly young age. My cholesterol is slightly elevated, as is my BP- and that was enough for me to want to make a permanent change. So after many years of battling my weight and yo-yoing, Im ready for some help... I hope to find lots of great information and support here!

Hi all, I had my surgery on Dec 30, 2013. I am in my 7th week this past Monday, and I've lost 37 lbs. I feel that I'm behind. I feel great though! I used to experience pains throughout my entire body, and now, not so much! It's a miracle. It's amazing what a difference that dropping a few pounds can make. I thank God for the opportunity to have this procedure done because my insurance didn't cover this procedure for a long time. Then, I kept praying and my husband's company was purchased by another company that provided insurance that covered bariatrics. Ohh, the power of prayer! I have a very supportive husband and family. In fact, my hubby has dropped 30 lbs himself because he has changed his lifestyle as well. My hubby is a large guy also, and he has started the process of seeing my surgeon for the procedure. He may be able to lose the weight on his own with the way that he's been losing thus far. I needed the procedure because I surely would return to my way old habits if that restriction was not in place. I'm looking forward to chatting with some of you because I would love to hear about your journeys. I get discouraged sometimes because right now, I feel that maybe I should be losing more weight, or that I may not be doing enough.

I know it’s so, so common, especially for Bariatric patients and alcohol. I drink a glass or two of wine a night most nights but that was normal for me before and I don’t think it’s excessive. I definitely don’t drink to get drunk and rarely even get tipsy. But I used to be only a social smoker and I am now up to a pack a week 😕 I think it’s called addiction transferance? I want to cut back.

Research as much as you can. Go to reputable websites for bariatric centers of excellence, major research WLS hospitals and respected medical journals. Attend some free weight loss support groups and a weight loss seminar at a local hospital. Keep great notes. Narrow down your options and discuss your concerns with the surgeon you choose. Congratulations.

Welcome. I was fortunate in that my PCP referred me to an outstanding surgeon at a Bariatric Center of Excellence. I highly recommend that you put together a notebook (if your surgeon's office doesn't give you one), to keep up with all of the paperwork, educational information, and appointments. Write everything down!

All my Vitamins and Protein shakes were delivered to me today. These are the brands that I decided to use. I bought the variety pack of Premier Protein Shakes which include the flavors chocolate. Strawberries and cream, and vanilla I also ordered Premier's Mixed berries smoothies in a 4 pack. The vitamins I decided to use are Bariatric Advantage Multi Ea, and Bariatric Advantage Calcium Citrate Chewy bites in the caramel flavor which came highly recommended by Kaiser. Also, The Blender Bottle, and Isopure liquid Protein in the flavors Grape Frost, and Fruit Punch which is not pictured. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using Tapatalk

I have been drinking Bariatric fusion but want to try something else. Where do you buy the premier protein shakes Sent from my SM-G530T using the BariatricPal App

I should note my insurance doesn't require any weight loss before surgery. The Bariatric place, however, has said they would like to see some kind of weight loss and they can choose not to do the surgery. :-( No, they just want to see an effort made.

My pre-op journey has seemed to drag on forever. Monthly weigh-ins, a very occasional appointment. I was all psyched up as I finally had my cardio appointment scheduled, labs scheduled, next nurse practitioner appointment scheduled. Then came the phone call. A very strange phone call from the cardiology department, sounding like they had no idea why I was even coming in. Then another phone call. This one from the Bariatric Department. It seems that when cardio got my referral, they made my appointment with the WRONG DOCTOR!!! How does this happen? It seems to me that if Bariatrics is making the referral that it would be pretty obvious why I'm coming in. So, now, my cardio appointment has been pushed back a month. Because it got pushed back, my nurse practitioner appointment got cancelled! So, I went from full speed ahead to still in the Water (my famine). Very down, wanted to eat everything in sight. But!!! I stuck with my diet, kept going to weigh-ins. And this morning...another phone call. Due to my last weigh-in being in November and the holidays coming up, the patient advocate didn't want to take a chance of my appointments being "lost in the madness" (his words). So now I'm feasting with three appointments in September, two in October and my last weigh-in and follow up in Bariatrics to send everything to the insurance company in mid November! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for December surgery. It seems that it would make a nice circle as last December is when I decided to have RNY surgery.

Bailey bariatrics. What about you?

Hi Lovingdavid! Yes!!! I too had my sleeve on July 30, 2014! At first, it took some great adjustments (getting use to quantity of foods, etc). Doing really well now. Exercise in gym 2 to 3 times a week. I am a slow loser (weight), but I lost over 70 lbs! I will visit my bariatric team later this month for my one year anniversary! Hope you are doing well!

So, I am moving to Oregon on Friday and had found a fill doctor in Portland. Not such an easy thing to do being a patient that was banded in Mexico. Anyway, I got a call from Dr. Eubanks scheduler this afternoon saying that all appts and fills for bariatric patients are on hold indefinitely. I guess that his liability insurance has excluded all bariatric patients so until they figure out what to do, he isn't seeing anyone for fills. I am really bummed. I was really looking forward to my fill. Now I have to find a new doctor. Oh well....this too shall pass.

I'm on day4 of the liquid shakes, Bariatric Cream Soup, I put 4 Oz of pure Protein bonless chicken in soup at night and I'm good. My nutrients said ok but my Dr said liquid. Anyway it's mother as bad as I thought. Surgery Jan 31. I lost 7 lbs already. 2 lbs by myself and 5 since tuesday. ????sonkat5355???? Typos sorry! ????sonkat5355????

Hello, all! I am getting ready to schedule my surgery for sometime in October. I started my "journey" (actually feels a lot like the road to Hell!) in May, 2005. It took a long time for my insurance company to finally deny me for surgery. I will be going to the Mid-West Institute of Bariatric Surgery (Lenexa, Ks.) next week to make my appt. with Dr. Jessie Lopez. Does anyone have any experience with this Doctor or his office? So far, I have had a lot of trouble getting them to return my phone calls when I was trying to make the appt. I will be paying for the surgery on my own---it seems like a LOT of money! BTW-I am 215lbs., 5'4', hoping to get to 130.

I had my surgery with Dr. Wilhelmy at Mexicali Bariatric Center. I am very happy, it was a GREAT experience, the hospital is impeccable and the team wonderful! I have lost 40 lbs in 7 weeks so I couldn't be happier.

I'm a 25 year old woman, which is a far cry from a 34 yr old man, but I decided to home in anyway. My surgeon has me on the Bariatric Advantage crystals that dissolve in Protein drinks post-op for the first 3 weeks. I'll be able to take regular chewables after that time. Centrum vites are good but ill be sticking with the Bariatric Advantage. Make sure whatever you use is a "Complete" Vitamin.

On the days where I have made my band angry with me I know I need to go on liquids for awhile. Well the soups at the Bariatric center cost me an arm and a leg and my doctor has told me I can just get other soups at the store and add my Pure protein to it. He never has been specific as to what brand of soup I can use.....sooooooo what brands of soups have you all used? Snacking. Yeah yeah yeah I know, biggest rule they tell you is no snacking. BUT on the days that I am not in my home state and need a fill, I know three meals aren't going to satisfy me throughout the day. Normally, I'll eat a handful of sugar snap peas if I feel a little hunger pain before the time I need to eat or maybe some frozen berries. But that gets kind of monotonous and makes me feel sick to my stomach. So suggestions on that as well? Thanks everyone![:

Let me start with saying the band is the MOST invasive surgery, not the least because the complication rate is so high (around 50%) that you could require more surgeries...that is my definition of pretty invasive. I can can post a link to a whole host of those studies if you would like, I had to have my band removed and revised to rny. I chose rny because it is the gold standard been around for decades and proven to work. Sleeve hasn't been around for 10 years yet, so after my mistake of using the band when it was still new...wasn't gonna do that again. Also I developed acid reflux from the band and I knew the sleeve could make it worse and rny often cures it. Also I liked the extra insurance with malabsorption...most sleevers don't dump, the majority of rnyers do with the rny. I liked that it was insurance should I make bad food choice. I don't ever plan have another bariatric surgery. Both sleeve and rny require additional Vitamins. I like the Patches..easy to use and don't know they are there. Having said all this the sleeve is getting close to the 10 year mark and looking like a good alternative to rny. It was my backup if the band had done too much damage and an rny couldn't be done.

Anyone ever have him? He used to be in New Mexico and Texas, I believe. Now he is in elmira, ny. (Arnot bariatric) He is doing my surgery on 9/26. Haven't heard any reviews or anything about him.

Southwest Bariatric Surgeons - Lap Band & Gastric Bypass Weight Loss Surgery - Austin, TX located in austin

I use Bariatric Advantage, which was recommended by my surgeon.

Since you mentioned you've posted several times about already having a "stall", I will respond with a excerpt from an article written on Bariatriceating.com because it may be of interest to you: Your internal surgical wounds must heal – this is no time to go to the mall, out to dinner, visiting friends and on vacation. Sew what? In terms of food, you must stick to your surgeons program for post op food stages. You need time to allow the tiny pouch cut and sewn from the fabric of your giant floppy stomach to heal itself closed. We have all glued something only to have the seams pop open. The liquid & soft food stages are to avoid stressing pouch seams and give your stomach a break from the process of digestion. Is ice cream a puree? Sirloin steak is not a soft food. Ice cream is NOT a puree. You can’t eat popcorn, raw carrots or celery ten days after surgery. People ask if we think they could have a pork chop, we say ‘no’, they eat it anyhow, then tell us ‘they didn’t have a problem’. NO alcohol for a year… NON-negotiable… but people push back saying their surgeon said five weeks was okay. Folks… we know better and we are trying to help you. General Tso? NOT your friend The post op dietary stages are not a suggestion, they are a requirement for you own safety. You cannot eat Chinese food the week after surgery because you ‘chew it well’. A ‘craving’ for Orange chicken landed one support group member in the hospital! It’s a very bad idea to push. Being ‘released’ to ‘regular food’ does not mean what you think it does, but you already know that. How long until you can have pizza again? “Pizza is not a food for someone having obesity surgery.” (that’s a quote from Dr. N on My 600 lb Life) Every single week in our support group, these actions land new post ops in the hospital. Sip sip sip sip sip… If you had a back injury, you would not tile your kitchen floor the same week. Yet, people think nothing of making a trip to a theme park when they should be at home resting and taking in fluids. People ask us ‘Do you think I would be able to go on a cruise two weeks after my sleeve?’ (Nooooo!) As high as 30% of post ops are dehydrated enough to land back in the hospital with a Fluid IV. Not drinking enough Water after surgery can cause heart damage. Dehydration is the most common bariatric complication, yet it’s largely avoidable. Stay home and heal… drink hot water, cold water, broth, Diet Snapple, herbal tea, eat sf ice pops and Jello. (We have a free bariatric water app called HY, click for GetHyApp.com) Vitamins are critical It is impossible for you to have your stomach surgically removed or reconfigured and take in the nutrients needed to run your body. While your surgeons group has mentioned Flintstones, that is so you will possibly take something instead of being one of the 67% of post ops who take nothing. They are not optimal and won’t prevent long term problems like broken bones from simple falls and losing teeth, but may keep you from dying in the short term. The idea behind supplements is to prevent issues from grabbing you in twenty years when it’s too late to change the path. Take them! Protein from food? What a novel idea! Yes, yes, yes, we’d all like to get our protein from food and that’s what you want to hear. However, if you are unable to take in 70 grams of protein per day, you can either weaken and lose your hair or you can figure out another way until you are able to learn and eat the right foods. Protein drinks make up the difference between what you can eat and what you need. They are not simply a tasty beverage for your enjoyment for you to be all picky and ridiculous over. They are the antidote for your disease of morbid obesity. Morbid means death and obesity surgery only slows and reverses the disease IF you follow your plan. I personally like their no-nonsence approach to this life altering surgery we've all had. Also, yes to wait staff looking strangely at us but it won't last long. I found it harder for them when I wouldn't want to order anything to drink since we can't drink while eating. Now I tell them, "No thank you, I don't drink when eating". I've been asked "why?" many times. I then tell them how no one should because it doesn't allow your food to be properly digested when liquid is present. 95% of them tell me they're going to try it. I wish you nothing but success