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Welcome to the forums! I am currently 2 weeks pre-op but have found the experiences and knowledge shared on this forum over the past month to be hugely helpful to me in my planning and preparations. There are a great many discussions new and old about so many dimensions to bariatric surgery and how it intersects with our varying experiences. I have seen mention of some people having worsening depression for a few months post surgery (possibly because of medications behaving differently and major hormonal changes with the rapid weight loss, however long term depression symptoms tend to greatly improve with the weight loss. Be alert to changes in your mental health and keep your primary physician in the loop, especially if you get suicidal feelings or anything similarly alarming. Also talk with your support team about your addictive nature and any tools they can put in place to make sure you don't move into other harmful addictions post surgery. Some people who have been using an addiction to food or eating behaviours can fall into other harmful addictive behaviours such as drug or alcohol abuse once their ability to medicate their feelings when food is taken away by surgical restriction. Keep being involved with your alcoholics anonymous support groups. I think there were some recent posts on here regarding alcoholism that may be useful, or at least put you in contact with other sleeve patients dealing with alcoholism. That's about all I can think of that might be relevant. But thank you for putting yourself out there with this posting and coming to these forums as they can be really helpful to pre and post op sleevers.

1st let me say I am glad to have found this Forum. I found it yesterday after google 'ing bariatric support groups at the suggestion of my nutritionist. Along with a list of "what to start doing to get used to it" items she said I should find a support group for obvious reasons. I have very little knowledge on the subject bariatric surgery other than what I have learned from my visits with my surgeon and his group so far and what very little i learned from my brother having lap-band several years ago. Well gotta figure no better way to learn than to ask those that have gone through or are going through what I plan to. I've been reading topics here since yesterday and have come across some things I didn't know or even think about. So I figured I'd give details of my current situation and see if others have anything in common and if they could give me some ideas of what to expect. It's been just over a month since I first saw my surgeon and came to the decision to go through with the sleeve surgery. I did not initially go to see him for it though. His name was on a list I received from my primary care doc after she told me the lump on my belly button was an umbilical hernia. When I went to see him he said he could repair the hernia but there was a high chance of either it reopening or another opening somewhere else due to my weight and big ass gut (not his words). After his, what I 1st felt was a sales pitch, He showed me some videos gave me some info to read and suggested I take some time to think about it and talk it over with my wife. We read, I showed her the video, we talked about it and decided it was probably the smart thing to do. Over the past few years I've put on a significant amount of weight and it seems every time I try to diet it off, I pack more on. A little bit of medical history for ya...... According the old trusty BMI system I've been heavy since my late teens early 20's but that is because of my height. I was pretty fit and muscular back then. Stayed pretty fit but did gain weight heading into my 30's and put on more the older I got. I've had back issues since my late teens due to a vehicle accident but it was never anything more than a good cracking my back couldn't relieve. My line of work has always been very physical, so along with getting older and the weight gain my back issues became worse. Now about to hit my mid 40s I've been out of work for going on 3 years due to osteoarthritis, slipped/herniated disks and sciatica. I have very limited movement and seem to be stuck in my "snowball". Also because of the weight I am on blood pressure, cholesterol and get happy meds. I do not take pain killers other than occasional 800mg ibuprofen. I have an addictive nature and am terrified of getting hooked. Speaking of which I am an "alcoholic". On the wagon and have it under control but still might as well mention it. Damn I am one F***ed up specimen. Well, I'll leave it at that and hope for any feedback, experience or suggestions/advice that any of you care to give. Thanks so much in advance for reading and feedback. Sorry this turned out so LONG. J

Yikes!!! That sounds awful. Thank you for sharing! I have my post op bariatric multivitamin sorted, but still need to arrange the Calcium - am considering the caramel chews mentioned earlier as I think I'll do much better with those than the dissolvable ones that are similar to vitamin C tablets

https://skyridgemedcenter.secure.ehc.com/service/bariatric-surgery-procedures-vbloc-neurometabolic-therapy- They are offering this procedure in Colorado now. This article has a few patient reviews and explains the procedure. The lady interviewed lost 50 pounds. The results of course do not compare to the invasive weight loss surgeries we are familiar with here on BP, but I really do like the fact that the complications are LESS because this surgery really only affects the vagus nerve; its really so much less invasive and the changes made surgically are minimal. I think this is a pretty great way to lose weight, if you don't have a lot to lose.

So doesn't your insurance cover the visits to an RD? If so, that's all you need for medically supervised diet. You would get the referral for the RD from your surgeon/bariatric team. Call their office for one. Bypass your PCP. Make the bariatric team contact the PCP for her letter of rec. She's biased, but work around her. You will benefit the MOST by going to your RD that works directly with the doc and the bariatric team. I would have been in worlds of hurt if it weren't for my RD helping to streamline the process of getting all the docs to send to insurance.

Love your euphemisms😛. As long as you don't feel like a rabbi in a mosque or a mouse at a kittycat convention we just might make it through okay. And maybe there is a Buzzmate just bout there somewhere looking for you. Wonder if there are senior level Bariatrics at the next Bariatric Convention, we over 50s get lonely too.👵👨

I will pipe in. I had RNY September 6th 2017 and I never had a problem. Yes there were times at first that I either ate too fast or two much and instead of feeling miserable I decided to throw up. It didn't come up on it's own, I actually had to use my fingers down my throat but after it came up I felt so much better. I haven't thrown up in a couple months now, I have tried to throw up after eating too much but it just doesn't happen. I was on a 1 week pre surgery liquid diet but with the protein shakes I never felt hungry. I actually lost about 25 lbs that week. After surgery I was on liquid diet for about a week and then moved to soft foods for 2 weeks and then ate what ever I wanted as long as it was all protein. 1 month after surgery I was told to get off the protein shakes and eat normal foods. The last 4 months I have eaten 4 oz of cottage cheese for breakfast, a Lunchable (just the meat and cheese) for lunch, an all protein snack when I get home from work and then normal food for dinner (just a smaller portion). I choose to stay away from Bread, pasta, and potatoes (I do have them occasionally but not very often). I don't eat much fruit or vegetables I depend on 2 chew able Bariatric vitamins and 2 calcium capsules to get my nutrients and have done very well on my blood tests. My diabetes is cured, I used to take 6 injections a day to control it. I am off my blood pressure medicine and high cholesterol meds. I am also off the omeprazol that I took for gerd. Currently I do not take any prescription medications. 16 years ago I blew my knee out for a 2nd time and was told I would never run again. I hate to prove the doctors wrong but 3 weeks ago I started running again. My first run was a little over 3 miles in 40 minutes (non stop). I started out at 265lbs and for the past 4 months have been at a steady 193lbs. I wanted to get to 165lbs but to be honest I could care less if I ever get there. I feel great, look great and am very happy with my life. The RNY surgery was the best choice I have ever made, I would do it again in a heart beat.

My personal experience with Smart Shape wasn't the greatest. This was my first foray into private health care and I wasn't super impressed. Pre-op everything went ok; however, on the day of my surgery, the surgeon came in to see me just prior and said, "So we have you booked for a gastric sleeve..." I was for a mini gastric bypass, so this was a little unnerving that he had me down for the wrong surgery in his notes, but I guess it's good he checked! The surgery itself went alright which I guess is the main thing. However, post-op care was not spectacular. I found pain management to be an issue as they prescribed dilaudid IV push every 4 hours for the first 24 hours. Push drugs work for immediate relief, but they also wear off really fast, so it didn't hold me for 4 hours. They never offered pain relief on a regular basis, so I felt like I was badgering them for it. Nobody wears an ID tag, so I wasn't sure if they were actually RN's or LPN's and I found it strange that when I mentioned I was experiencing a some urinary retention/hesitation (ie. "a sleepy bladder") post op, the nurse didn't seem to know what I was talking about. This is a very common complication after a general anesthetic (up to 70% of patients). I didn't have a proper call bell and I had to let them know that my oxygen tank and IV bags were empty (these should be monitored). Months later, I began to experience significant reactive hypoglycemia and sought guidance from Smart Shape nurses and nutritionists. However, they really didn't know much about this and weren't very helpful. I requested a consult with my surgeon to discuss it and was told by the nurse that I needed to follow up with my own GP (who knows little about bariatric surgery). Eventually, I was referred to an endochrinologist who tells me that this is a well known and potentially serious complication of gastric bypass. I'm disappointed that this possibility was not part of the "informed consent" that I gave for the procedure. I'm a health care professional, so perhaps my standards are high, but I think we all should have high standards when considering our health and safety. And for many of us, it's a hell of a lot of money. So, if I had to do it all again, I'd go with a different organization. Best, Kerri

I would ask Dr. Ringley if he's board certified in bariatric surgery, if his facility is a center of excellence, and how many bariatric surgeries he does each month.

I had my surgery on April 12th and everything went well. I had a hiatal hernia which was fixed during the operation. I am home and still dealing with the gas pains in my left upper quadrant and wondering what else I can do besides walk. The pain gets so bad sometimes I feel that maybe there is something wrong. I also would like to know about the calorie intake. I drink one Premier Protein Shake a day for the 160 calories and 30 grams of protein and I also consume a protein-rich cream chicken soup from the HMR program. So I am getting in at least 35 grams of protein a day plus as much water as I can drink. When I chart it today in the bariatric app I noticed that my calories are under 350 for a day. Is this normal and I doing something wrong? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920AZ using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you all for sharing your experiences. It is so helpful to hear from others. I am going to a seminar at the Bariatric center on 4/23/18. This is a requirement for my local surgeon and will hopefully be a good way for me to get some more information on what I might expect. I am still on the fence about the surgery. Part of me really wants to do it but another part of me says this is taking the easy way out, why have an invasive, elective procedure when you can just have more self-discipline. IF ONLY IT WERE THAT EASY, AM I RIGHT??? lol

No problem telling you, and why truly should I protect them for what they inflicted? Mount Carmel,in Columbus. Their chief of Bariatric Surgery Marcus Miller MD was my doctor of record. They are rated a Center of Excellence hospital and, sad to say, on very many other Bariatric websites he is ranked as the best or only worthwhile surgeon in that locale. This is a city of 3/4 million people, if you doubt me go to one of the other websites with Bariatric or Obesity in their names and his black-hearted self will pop up. I had gone through their program not once but twice. 5 months In first time , my job was terminated and I lost insurance coverage, the insurance I had at that time United Healthcare required 6 months of consultation. I considered Cobra-ing.it over but it would have cost $700 out of the $900 Social Security I had to fall back on, because I was unemployed , and at 70, not too many jobs available. Unbeknowned to me, Medicare's requirements were much less stringent, I had fulfilled all Their Requirements and could have been scheduled then and there. Was I made aware of this? H*** No! I only found this out as one of their parting shots fired at me. So last Autumn after being put on Phenteramine and gaining 30 pounds in 1 month instead of losing, upon the advice of my PCP who threw up his hands at this weird reaction of my body to this lovely medicine, I drug my fat 300+ body back to Columbus and humbled myself. I completed all Their prerequirements including 1 they hadn't thought of before, finished all of them 3 weeks into January. And I started waiting and waiting, when I hadn't heard anything after 10 business days and knowing full well I had completed all of Medicare and Medicaid's requirments so which ever they submitted it to, I was covered, I started calling and bugging them. I was raised with the proverb "The Squeaky Wheel Gets The Grease!" sol I started squeaking so loud they could hear me 50 miles away on the West Side of Columbus. First I was told I was lost in a pile of paperwork,second week I had been Submitted,and we should wait calmly and everything would be okay, third week the paperwork was,back, they would review it and give me a date. Sounds good so far? Yeah I thought so too. Then I get the Call Of Calls. Suddenly the woman on the phone says "We've reviewed everything and the psychologist, who had shook my hand, told me (in the presence of my son who is an adult) I had passed all her questioning with flying colors and wished me well on my coming surgery, had sent a report that I was emotionally& psychologically unstable and could not mentally comprehend the ramifications of surgery. Not to toot my own horn but I am and always have been Mensa-level intelligent, and you've read my postings on here, do I come across with a lack,of understanding or emotional orientation? So the 3 surgeons, Marcus Miller and his 2 partners had themselves a meeting and decided they didn't feel like doing my surgery, with,no more caring than you turned to DH and announcing "I don't feel like going to Rochester today". What what what? I kept saying, then she said in a smarmy tone "Poor dear,maybe you should get some theraputic help locally" Why? What on earth did I DO WRONG? So,i cried a few days for my dreams had been dashed to the earth and stomped on, then I picked myself up, looked myself in the mirror and. said " Karen, old girl, are you going to have an attack of the vapors or are you going to prove them wrong?". then I called the other 2 programs in Columbus, one at Riverside Methodist and the other at the Ohio State University, for although my,local hospital has started a limited Bariatric program, they only do,lapband and sleeve and with my degree of GERD I require some form of bypass. Arranged an appointment for their next seminar in Early March. Went, liked what I heard so filled out my application on the spot, signed a release of information form for I had found out all my precredits transfer. Within 5-6 business days I got a callback and was given an appointment with Dr Kramer their staff psychologist on April 25th, the soonest I could get in. Depending on whether I pass and I will accept no intimation that I will not, and whether any further requirements are needed because every program has different ideas on what prepares you best, I could be looking at a May Surgery date. And that is my long tragic yet hopefull story!😛

Hello everyone, I'm new here, I have started the process for having bariatric surgery! I love how everyone is positive and encouraging! Sent from my Moto E (4) using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm afraid what I have to say isn't probably hopeful. I have a best friend and we were both overweight and unhealthy. She was super supportive throughout the process. She traveled with me over 3 hours to my bariatric class. She went to orientation with me, ect. She was my rock during my pre op diet. We talked about her getting the surgery as well. She seemed genuinely interested. Although, she has a husband that holds her back tremendously! And the sad fact is that he needs the surgery worse than she does. Anyways, after surgery it was bizarre. She started this new health regime. She was researching about healthy dieting. She was obsessed. More so than me, and I just had major surgery to change my life. It was refreshing though. She did a "juicing fast" for the two weeks I was in my full liquids and pureed phase. We lived breathed and died talking about health trends. Then her husband sabotaged her, and I mean..... seriously and maliciously sabotaged her. She caved and it was over quicker than it started. From that point on we went to talking every day to not talking for over 2 weeks. I didn't see her for over a month. I think ultimately she was ashamed for me to see that she fell off the horse. I even remember going over to her house for the first time and she tried hiding a soda from me. We eventually recovered, semi. We still don't talk but maybe weekly now. We hang out every other week. Our lifestyles are so different now. I don't think it's jealousy, but rather, that I am a reminder of how she'd like her life to be. The sad thing is that she could make all the changes I've made if she'd just commit and put her husband in the trunk of their car for a few weeks until she created a habit. I don't know if we will ever be the same again. Our friendship revolved around very unhealthy habits before. I've kicked those to the curb. I hope you and your best friend weather the storm. Good luck! Xo -Ashley

Hey I am even older than you, I'm 72, and also going through this weight loss journey. You can and will handle changes, we have a commitment some of the young dudes and dudettes don't. We are still of the generations that believe once,you give your word you follow through with what you said. You'll find a lot of support here at,Bariatric Pal. All of us are either going through all these stages. or have been through them and give advice freely. As an example a few months back,I was having trouble,with a problem, shared It on here and another Bari-friend had just the answer I needed and i felt so much better for the help. I have,made some good friends here and I hope you will too😛

Oh really? I joined Facebook a long time ago, started getting friend requests from some very strange people then had some weird women bending over pictures sent to me, Gosh I'm 72, didn't think I needed,that kind of noise so I removed myself. This was about a year ago hut now I see Bariatric Pal has a Facebook page. Is it worth it for me to dip my toe back into the murky water? 😭

I had that feeling from day 1. I went to my surgeon to see about him fixing a hernia I currently got (1st time) and he suggested the sleeve because he could fix the hernia but because of my weight there was a strong chance of it just re-opening or another opening somewhere else. I had talked about bariatric with my Primary Doc but it was nothing more than a suggestion from her and a nod "i'll give it some thought" from me. After getting a bit excited when I left the surgeon it hit me. Would be just my luck go through everything and insurance says No Go. I'm sure all will go well for you and all others waiting to hear, myself included (fingers crossed). Either way keep up posted on updates and best of luck!!!! J

I go tomorrow to see when I will my Bariatric surgery. As of today my highest weight is 272lb and I am 5'5. I am 48 yrs and I hope can handle all of the changes that are coming surgery. Sent from my H1611 using BariatricPal mobile app

Maybe they think you are dying, more likely they think you have cancer and don't want,to embarrass you by asking. Me and my big mouth , I actually asked my friend T if she had cancer and what stage she was at? Turned out she had a VSG 3 months before. Facepalm to the forehead! Oh did I felt a dolt! 😁 And now I'm going to have bariatric surgery myself. Lucky for me,she has a forgiving nature and is cheering me from the sidelines as I make my run💃 for Weight loss Glory.😁

I know I’m Post-Op now, but I seem to get more info from everyone in this group. So I’m on my 5th day post-op. All I can eat is liquids till the 30th when I meet with my doc again and he hopefully moves me to more solid food. I was looking into the Soups on the Bariatric Pals Store. Has anyone tried any of them and if so, are any of them good?

This has happened to almost every bariatric patient so don't get discouraged keep the good work and the weight will come off.

1. Bariatrics not covered in ins plan 2. Did not meet criteria. Ex. <40BMI no comorbidities, or <35BMI w comorbidities; Did not follow a 6 month supervised plan diet and exercise plan; fail tests - pysch eval, stress tests, or any other physical reason surgery is contraindicated. Those are the main reasons you could be denied, or postponed until you are compliant.

Unless your job has some really incredible benefits, or you're extremely rich. I would try to work out a way to have them close to each other to reduce the amount of time you're off work and maximize your time available to recover. I'm not really sure why your shoulder surgeon would have to "clear you" for bariatric surgery. I've done bariatric surgery on patients days after having orthopedic surgery and vice versa. Hell I've done bariatric cases on patients with casts boots etc etc. Is it common no. But shoulder surgery will have no bearing on your ability to walk or drink fluids. True you won't be able to take anti inflammatories or steroids after, but many bariatric patients can't have those anyway Edit ID say it really depends how long you'd have to be out of work from the shoulder surgery. If that's only a few days I guess it's not a big deal. If that's longer, you might have to evaluate the benefit time/financial aspect

I take the Bariatric Advantage chocolate peanut butter chews. They're roughly $30 for 90 chews, which lasts me about a month. More expensive than I'd like, but it's the only expensive medicine/vitamin I'm taking now (as opposed to before surgery), so it's a trade-off.

I think the answer to this will be "sometimes". after a few years with a lap band things were comfortable and i didn't much think about it. When things started going bad, i was reminded of it every meal every day. I imagine with bypass, things will settle into normal routine and i will think less and less about it. During the losing phase, and even the early maintenance months it is a constant preoccupation with the scale and your body. For me, anyway, it consumed a lot of time. Daily board visits, chats with other bariatric patients, daily weighing. As time goes on, daily weighing becomes weekly, which becomes whenever I remember to or am curious to see. Board visits have already dropped from daily to weekly and sometimes monthly as other things occupy my mental headspace. I tend to spend more time on facebook these days so interact quite a bit with others there. but let's face it. 30 posts a day bemoaning a 3rd week stall or complaining about "only" losing 30 lbs in a month becomes exhausting after a while...so i find myself posting less and less, been hanging more in the plastics groups lately but that will wane too...eventually I'm sure I'll be drawn back to the community groups I hung out with pre-op where people occupy themselves complaining about neighborhood dog poop instead of weight loss stalls or post plastics swelling. This time around though, I doubt I will disconnect completely. I have made bariatric friends I still check in with and will be quick to return for support if I need it.