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NO. 250lbs is not 650lbs. I can understand the emotions and comparisons, but 250lbs is still an independent person that can take care of themselves, not yelling from a bed for thier family to bring them more food and needing full time caregiving. Don't freak out, I am not lacking in compassion. It is painful to watch the emotional and physical struggles that go with being 600 pounds, but 250 is not 650. And is no one else offended by this casting call? I picture producers in a room plotting were they can find obese people. Ah ha! Bariatric pal! And then they post: "Hey fatties: Are any of you fat enough for our show? Give us your stats"

JSan if you aren't full up on new friends let me offer! Do you need a Bariatric Aunt or Godmother, here I be! I am literally,old enough to be your mamma, I am 72, 5ft8in tall, 323lbs that makes me only slightly,beytrr off BMIwise. Depending on which resource,table used,it is between 47-49. At my age you tend to have a slower metabolism, your body decided it's going to be nice to you that way. Problem being it doesn't give,up weight easily, I have lost 30 lbs since last October, and now I am rather stuck there. My body is happy FAT nut I am not. I have had arthritis since 25, yes you read that right. As a child I was double-jointed, could clap the souls of my feet together. Sound like cute thing? In. the long run this joint laxity gives you an 85% chance of deveoping,early,onset athritis. And I did, all kind of cute little bodily tricks. I have had 2 knee replacements because I went bone on bone,plus assorted bony spurs. I have multiple allergies, sleep apnea, asthma, 3 different " Isis" in my spine, scoliosis, kyphosis and lordosis. Want those in layman's terms. I have a twisted spine, hunchback but not terribly bad, my,lower spine has a definite curve inward above my rump. Makes my booty,look even bigger than it is. Fracture? Top down: 1 broken nose, broken right and lower arm, wrist and right thumb, right lower leg spiral fracture, left lower leg and ankle, fracture v there called an avulsion fracture, I broke the bottom tips of my tibia and fibula right at,the point where they change from bone to joint cartilage plus small bone in,left,ankle and 7 of my 10 toes. And YOU think,you're,a WRECK? Occasional panic attacks and a healthy scoop of depression. Widowed for,almost 6,yesrs, youngest of my child my very wonderful Bryan known on Bariatric Pal as Tomkitten, my,middle child Kevin died 10 years ago at 31 almost 32, he had. undiagnosed,heart diseasr, we were told after his death from birth, but he died of a ruptured aorts, basically bled to death. internally. and,my oldest, a daughter known on here as Rotten Daughter or RaD. She lives maybe 6/10th of a,mile from me, calls as often as a solar eclipse, texts me infrequently, we share,the same middle name, she has altered the spelling on Facebook, my theory? She hopes no one will,guess we are related. There is a strong family resemblance between my late mother,myself, RD and RD's oldest daughter. In pictures mothers eyes, storm cloud gray, mine hazel green, RD,blue-gray the color my late grandmother, and RD's daughter pure blue. Otherwise our pictures lifelike think,the same,person dressed in different,era clothing. So I am the regretful,mother to the only 49 year old spoiled,brat in current history. Everyone has one of those in their family tree, I gave birth to mine. I am planning a RnY bypass, hopefully in May or June in Columbus Ohio, I do not know my surgeon, it will be Dr Noria a very pretty but extremely competent female surgeon or her partner Dr Needleman, th e chief of Bariatric surgery and her partner. I would happily accept either but I suspect it will be Dr N he's been in the business longer and usually,does the older patients. Hey I didn't mean this to be as long as War and Peace, I get a hold on a subject and I run without. If you have any questions,about surgery or anything else just ask. If I don't have an answer somebodybelse,on Bariatric Pal will. And we all,love helping people❤😝💙

well we'll and a Welcome Home to you!😛 So happy to hear from you again and sad to hear you're having a few problems. It is important getting your fluids in. Have you tried the baby cup idea? Get 4 baby medicine cups , fill each,with wster, try to drink,it down by sipping every 15 minutes. That's an hour to Get it down . Do that in the,8 hours you're up and you've made your quota. Are you eating any sugar free popsicles? They count as fluid as does the skim milk, water, almond milk you are using to mix your powder into. Do you,like tea? You're. a Texas gal, probably raised on sweet tea, well no more sugat, but you might be able to use a little stevia, monkfruit or agave in it, doesn't have to be strong, justvweak green or herbal teas, some,people do,better with warm or cold liquid,better than room temprature. Do you have any mio or Crystal light in the house? That might be a possibility.Okay let me tell you,my future plans. I will make up one of those above liquids. I will put it in a bigger container. In the bottom I will put a slice of lemon or possibly lime. I like lime,myself, I have heard someone put a slice cucumber in hers, another put sprigs of mint. Whatever floats your boat. Every hour I will fill my little 2oz cups with the flavor-infused water and gently sip every 15 minutes because I am not into bland warm wster. If I have powder I may even make it half strength or use an alternate to water if I can. Maybe I'll go the week green tea route, it will depend on what works best for me. I have started,my own in-case shelf of items in case I get a favorable report and start moving forward fast. I have my first. 4 pack. of Premier Premium,Peachs and Cream premade there. I swore I wasn't going to,plan ahead but you having your surgery has inspired me, given,me renewed hope. My,local Wal-Mart just got,those new flavors in so I invested $7,27 in the project. I'll probably,add in a few more flavors,later. I can't have chocolate, and some many kinds have that as their primary or only,flavor. Can you use those clear Isopure, Protein 2 o, sugar free Gatorade or Powerade drinks? That might be a possible. Have tried instead of drinking out of a yuppie just using a teaspoon. I'm trying to help remember some of the other tricks people have used. If the protein powder is plain chocolate or vanilla, Maybe add a little flavor to that. I like strawberry-kiwi in things that might be a thought. I hope maybe some ideas you can use. Do you have any little Dixie cups? Take some of your made up and freeze it, either to slushy or hard like an ice cube. I wouldn't,be giving you all three ideas if you didn't matter. You do matter, both to your kiddos and to us here on BP. You're our bud and we've thrown to love you also. Now darlin'give yourself permission to test and heal in between your other duties. Every day you sre going to feel a little better, a little stronger and hopefully next month you'll, be able to say Hey Frust8 remember how you told me to do this? Now you try it too! Because the Little Engine That could might get derailed herself at times! I'll need help just like everyone else😝❤😝

I tried four different vitamins and the ones I settled on were the bariatric advantage chews. They are a little spendy but they don't give me any trouble if I eat them when there is food in my stomach. I mixed the three flavors and put them in a pretty glass jar next to my sink… It somehow makes me want to take them a little better![emoji23]

Following. I was sleeved on 03/26 and I’ve yet to find a Bariatric multivitamin that doesn’t make me want to puke. HW: 420 SW:320 PRE-VSG: 301 CW: 274 GW: 185 Sleeved: 03/26/18

Have any of you tried the Barimelt multivitamin smooth fruit flavor or Bariatric Fusion Soft Chew mixed berry? I have an anaphylactic allergy to shellfish and nuts and these are the only ones that are manufactured in a facility not with these items that I can find. I did contact my allergist and was advised not to even test the waters per se even though they follow rigorous cleaning. Thanks for any help you can provide. I have read different reviews.

Well, I know you need work but...looks like to me that you have the ability to go forward. Like I said your mind is thinking straight because you came to get help and not just jumping into it. Like myself I was always what I cal B***S to the wall or nothing. This has been a part of me forever. Like so many on hear I had TRIED everything I was very successful losing the weight but no way could maintain it for long. Up untl I decided that I WAS DONE!! The 1st Dr I seen treated me like I was stupid and lied about my not smoking for 8 yrars, he then told me that he would do a nicotine test and because I had Psoriases he would only do a Lap Band. My hubby had his for 13 yars and lost 100#'s then it malfunctioned thats another story. LOL So when I went to an Bariatric surgeon for his band removal. They told me that they could do the RNY. Which I felt that had one chance left!! I took it. I figured that I needed to go big or go home. I had my surgery and lost 134#'s but went really lower than even my team wanted. I did develope an ADVERSION to food due to having strictures and having 5 endoscopes wtih 4 dialations, starting 3 months after my surgery and went until Jan 2015. Al is great now. Besides my stress making me want to eat more than I should. But I have been very lucky that my mind has changed along with my weight loss. It is NOT the cure all for sure and it takes hard work with commitment to do it. I think due to my hard time begining after surgery has been my saving grace plus exercise. For the entire time since my WLS up to the last couple months I exercised at first 6 days a week until I became physically sick if I missed one day. But now I am having a hard time getting back at it. I KNOW I have it in me to continue my journey. I hope this helps and I want to say that support is almost a have to in this. Sorry I wrote a book. LOL Take care and KEEP ON KEEPING ON!!!

And, if I'm reading that correctly, those stats are for if you eat EIGHT wonton wrappers, not including the filling/toppings. I highly doubt most bariatric patients are going to be doing that!

Interesting that you all found bariatric recipes using these. Just this morning I came across an article that said won ton wrappers are a no no because they are just like pasta. All the conflicting info out there drives me nuts! How is anyone supposed to know what to eat?! ~Emily

Me? What more would you like? Bariatric Advantage is a brand. I used their chewable multi without iron.

I had the sleeve done in Mexico with Dr Garcia at Tijuana Bariatrics in 2012... no problem and no issues other than why did I wait so long!! It took a bit to finding my new normal but with education and being prepared, I’m loving my life. I am however going back to Dr Garcia to revise my sleeve to bypass distal as I have plateaued for the past year and I’d like to loose more and my sleeve has got bigger, I’m noticing I am eating more again... this is my choice, I am learning that there are many people out there who have had the gastric sleeve and years later or going back to have it revised because it does stretch out we’re going to bypass, I wish I had just done the bypass to begin with it will cost me more money to go back and revise it but again my experience with the sleeve has been excellent and what is most important to know is that you are educated,prepared and you must have your head in the game.

Not crazy at all. I only met one Bariatric surgeon. I set up five plastics consults when I met with them and knew right away with the “right” one (3rd). could easily have skipped the final two wouldn’t have changed my decision a bit.

So most of you know that I'm obsessed and maybe even have the heart of an engineer. Gotta love my number crunching and data! I've been on the quest for the perfect low carb, healthy egg mcmuffin for many years and have come up with several on my blog fluffychixcook(dot)com. But they aren't really bariatric friendly. The bread is way too filling for a bariatric patient and tends to swell in the tummy. Great for a normie trying to fill their tummy up--bad if you have suture lines and seams! So I've been trying to create a satisfying "sammy" cuz I miss my egg mcmuffins. It needed to be heavy on protein and light on bread, cals, and carbs. I've made it with crispy lc tortilla rounds and with cheese crackers but it didn't really appease the egg mcmuffin gods. You know? But this morning I think I've come almost there. I'm about 90% of the way to the ball. Egg McMuffinless Brekky Sandwich (8weeks) Serves 1 (about 1/2c volume) 75g egg whites (HEB Real Egg Whites) 1/8 tsp granulated garlic 1/2 tsp Taco Bell Mild Sauce (or your favorite) s/p 1 slice Hillshire Farms Naturals Black Forest Ham 1/2 slice 2% DeliDeluxe Cheese (Kraft) Pour egg into a 4oz ramekin. Add next 3 ingredients. Stir. Cover with plastic wrap and poke 3 holes in wrap. Nuke in intervals until done and egg is puffy and almost dry. (I do 30-10-10-10). Remove from ramekin. Split like a biscuit. Blot with a paper towel and fill with your favorite breakfast sandwich filling. I used 1/2slice of American cheese (2%) and a slice of HSF ham. I stuck some spinach leaves in it cuz green makes me happy. It's VERY filling! Nutrition: 90 cals; 2g fat; 13g protein; 2g carbs; 0g fiber; 2g net carbs; 0g sugar

Like I said, my bariatric vitamin meets the ASMBS recommended amount for calcium and Vitamin D. I was taking the Caltrate to go above and beyond, and if I only absorb 50%, 20%, OR 10% then I've went beyond that much. But I'm pretty sure I'm getting what I need from food consumption PLUS that bariatric vitamin. BEWARE of Calcium Carbonate everyone! I didn't know that it wasn't a good option for Bariatric patients. My doctor told me to take with a meal.... but FOLLOW YOUR PROGRAM RULES. Don't listen to me!

Your story of facing your doctor in the supermarket made my morning. I’m sorry that you were made to feel that way too. It’s awful. My doctor is also biased and sadly misinformed about bariatric surgery. Thank you for sharing your story ❤️

Great! Just didn’t want you developing a false sense of security based on the blood test. We tend to think what shows up in our blood is a measure of the adequacy of our diet but for things like calcium and protein it isn’t. Protein in the blood is actually a bad thing (poorly functioning kidneys)as is too much calcium (over production of parathyroid hormone). Those things can’t be assessed with a blood test. I don’t doubt you are getting enough calcium, I just think it’s important for future readers to have all the facts available. When I had my parathyroid surgery my surgeon wasn’t familiar with bariatrics and told me to use calcium carbonate to supplement. I wound up in the ER with tetany and I agree... OUCH! He upped my calcium carbonate and prescribed active vitamin D. Tetany subsides but when I had a bone density test they not only found osteoporosis but intestines full of undigested calcium. They asked me if I had recently done a barium swallow bc they couldn’t figure out what all the white stuff showing up in my intestines was!

Try this site— https://www.bariatricadvantage.com/item/calcium_chewy_bites_250mg/bariatric-advantage-calcium-chewy-bites-250mg

I switch around but none of them have any calories or carbs. I am at the point where I don’t need chewables though. But when I did I used the Bariatric Advantage ones 10 calories, 2 carbs.

I am more concerned about complications than I am about actual death. Part of putting my fears to rest was to ensure I had complete confidence in my surgeon (based on his experience, reviews, empathy towards me and my fears) as well as confidence that the hospital I would be in had a dedicated bariatric unit so I would receive the level of care I needed and deserved. Lots of research helped as well and following all the rules you're given for before and after surgery reduces the risk of complications.

Many years ago I used to make a really nice low carb pizza that had a base made mostly from egg. If I ever manage to find the recipe I'll post it if I think it's suitable for bariatric eating.

I had my tests done 2 weeks ago and got a call yesterday from the Bariatric coordinator - my EKG came back showing a right bundle branch block. It shows up sometimes in healthy patients but also with cardiomyopathy. Is it dumb that I’m kinda hoping for the cardiomyopathy diagnosis to have better odds of getting approved? I have other symptoms that I’ve just shrugged off as part of being obese - swelling of the feet and shortness of breath. Has anyone else had the surgery clear up cardiomyopathy?

I appreciate your concern, but my bariatric vitamin technically has enough calcium and Vitamin D in them, I choose to supplement with the Caltrate for my own piece of mind. I'm confident that between what I consume in food, the bariatric vitamin, and even if I only consume 50% of the Caltrate.... I think I'm doing okay. I appreciate the clarification on how they measure calcium.

The one thing that tipped the scale for me and led me to me surgery was the number of people in medical fields that have bariatric surgery.

Yeah, we're getting a few more decent low-carb options and supplements available here now, it's just frustrating to see so many things available in the US, often with free shipping options etc, yet shipping anything here costs a darn fortune. I have already ordered bariatric multivitamins, but I was hoping to at least find some better tasting options for calcium citrate supplements (most calcium supplements I can find listed in chemists here are other forms of calcium). I shall keep looking though. And yes, it's 9:30pm, Wednesday night here in the land of Oz, and I'm a right grumpy **** today - probably a combination of VLCD, my kids being on school holidays and goading each other ALLLLL DAAAAYYY LOONNGGGG, and Aunt Flo being about due (hopefully to arrive and bugger off again well before surgery 2nd May!!!).

@HopefullXOXOXO Yes it is true they nomally tilt your head back for the endo-t tube but as long as it is stable inside and secured outside as well I would see no reason your neck would have to be kept hyperextended. Now this is my semi-educated guess but they may also,place,a sandbag on each side of your,heaf to keep things stable. Your anesthesiologist and surgeon are your bestest, to quote my 5 year cousins favorite word, friends in that operating theatre. Neither of them will imperil your health for they want a positive outcome to your surgery eqaully with you. I am 72, have a history of scolious, lordosis and hypnosis and have,lost 3,inches in height from my youthful high,of 5ft11in. If you want to hear more of my story go to my posting in the Calcium section, so I won't repeat it here . But this a concern I will mention to my own anesthesiologist for my surgery. Remember your friends at Bariatric Pal will be wrapping you in a warm blanket of love on Surgery Day. Those of us who are believers will be praying for you, those who are not will still be wishing you a smooth healing. Come along with me, my generation sister, for the best is yet to be! Sending love and a hug. 😛 Karen aka Frust8