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I've been in a bariatric program since May. Got everything done on my checklist....one problem ; not making weight. They have you do south beach diet. O.k. been doing that since January. Losing 1-2#/month. My God , this will take forever. Have to loose 14#. So frustrating. I've always lost or maintained, can I get credit for that?? Lol. Sent from my SM-G930V using BariatricPal mobile app

Good question. My original band surgeon told me that neither the stomach nor the band are fixed, unchanging objects like metal pipe with welded joins and closures. Dr. Paul O'Brien, an Australian surgeon who is one of the pioneers of clinical use of the band and author of The Lap-Band Solution, there can be a slight loss of fill over time (his example: 7.0ml can drop to 6.7ml in 6 months - a loss of about 4%), not due to leakage. In his book, Lap-Band for Life, Dr. Ariel Ortiz Lagadere reiterates that the band can lose up to 4% of its fill over the course of six months because some fluid can evaporate. Has anyone ever proved this fluid loss due to evaporation to be scientifically accurate? I doubt it. I mentioned the possibility of evaporation in Bandwagon and the book was vetted by a bariatric surgeon, Dr. Ross McMahon of Swedish Weight Loss Services in Seattle, WA. I hope that his failure to contradict the evaporation theory gives it a kind of backhanded credence, but it could be that he overlooked it.

I was advised by my Bariatric team to take 2 Flintstone's Complete everyday along with my b12, Vitamin D3 and Tums. Sent from my PH-1 using BariatricPal mobile app

I would give the Dr. office a call, you have nothing to lose. I have had paperwork misplaced. I am impatient also, but I think by now you should have an answer. Can you check the insurance company activity on line? I know I can access all of my BCBS info on line. Unfortunately in SC they don't pay for any bariatric surgery. Luckily I am eligible for medicare because of my MS and there isn't any pre authorization required. I was scheduled for 7/23 but just got a great new job working for an airline so I postponed it until 9/3 after vacation season is over...... I can't wait!! Good Luck!!

How do people going about dark sad feelings when doing the gastric bypass diet when you have zero friends or family who support you? I've been having this problem and it has been a struggle. I feel very alone and when I'm lonely and sad I want to eat but I know I cannot emotional eat. On top of that my wls surgery is May 15th so I cannot afford to do that. I feel like I've been feeling a million emotions at once. It's very hard for me these few weeks between not being able to eat much, only liking water and ice and it hurts to swallow due to my bad allergies, I'm just miserable! I just feel like I wish I had more people to vent to about these feelings besides my bariatric journal or my psychologist. I notice when I talk out my emotions it's better instead of feeling them because they derail me tremendously.

It depends on your insurance. For me, I did not even get to see the surgeon until after I did everything my insurance wanted (6 months with a total of 12 dietician visits, exercising at least 30 min a day, sleep study, psychosocial visit, a total of 10 doctor-supervised weight checks and weight loss of at least 5%). After that, I met the surgeon ( at this point my insurance had approved me for surgery). The surgeon is part of a bariatric team and my guidance now comes from them. I had to get a set of labs, a gallbladder ultrasound, and an EKG. I passed all of those and now I am simply waiting to be scheduled. That was all finished by July 11th, 2023.

Under the right care, with the right education and with an ethical doctor I could see this being beneficial. But some quack could open a clinic in LA and advertise this device to hungry women with a little pudge promising a thin, taut body while being able to eat as much cake and ice cream as they'd like. I guess you could argue the same thing for bariatric surgery, but there's just something that seems off about this type of procedure. To me, it's the moral wrongness of consuming more food than you need to purge it later. Certainly, I'm guilty myself of eating more food than I need which is why I got fat in the first place. But I had the sense to feel terrible about it later just because I felt like I was feeding my hedonistic pleasure centers rather than nourishing my body (partially why I sought a restrictive procedure in the first place). I still don't understand how this would effect long-term change as well. If I had to take my lap band out I'd do a revision at the same time because I know if I don't have my band I will go back to my old ways. This seems similar to the balloon in that sense (though the balloon doesn't cause food waste). I'm not sold on it but I could see its applications being beneficial in certain cases. I just worry about abuse because even though there are safeguards in place, I'm sure someone out there could tamper with it and turn it into an efficient bulimia device, market it to people who shouldn't have it, and make a bunch of money.

I just received this response from them: -----Original Message----- From: customersupport@eesus.jnj.com [mailto:customersupport@eesus.jnj.com] Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2008 4:09 AM To: bert99 Subject: RE: Technical Question Request from www.RealizeBand.com SR1-3LC6EO <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Dear Roberta: Thank you for visiting us at www.RealizeBand.com. In regard to your inquiry about logging in to Realize mySuccess™, Realize mySuccess™ is available only to US resident patients who have their Realize™ Adjustable Gastric Band surgery performed in the US by a surgeon that has completed the US based professional training program. However, it is possible, if you have aligned yourself for post-op care with a US practice that has been REALIZE™ trained to get you enrolled. You will need to request a New Patient Code from the REALIZE™ trained practice to get access to the pre-op part of Realize mySuccess™. Then, if you do not have the Patient Card ID number which came with the Realize™ Adjustable Gastric Band, you would need to call us to obtain another Patient Card ID number by calling us at 1-866-REALIZE (1-866-732-5493). We would need to verify that the US practice is responsible for your post-op care. <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Please call 1-866-REALIZE (1-866-732-5493) for more information or to request a free REALIZE™ Patient Guide. The REALIZE™ Patient Guide contains information regarding the REALIZE Band and how it helps you lose weight, as well as information on what to expect before, during, and after surgery. <o:p></o:p> Sincerely, <o:p></o:p> Bariatric Technical Support<o:p></o:p> Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc Phone: 1-866-REALIZE (1-866-732-5493) Email: customersupport@eesus.jnj.com Website: www.RealizeBand.com

Hey Gill, For right now I am just trying to get all the information I can from the site to see if it is really something I want to do. Am going to try going to a seminar on April 7th put on by a bariatric Doctor that I know is a provider approved by my insurance, and then try to make a decision. Something has got to change. I want so bad to lose this weight! Went to my regular Doctor today and talked to him about it, and he didn't have anything good to say about the lap-band. Just told me that I could have the same exact results if I would just stop eating as much. But with him being a very fit skinny guy I could not really get accross to him that it is NOT that easy for us people with this problem. He asked me what I thought the lap-band would do for me, and I hate when I am in situations like that, because I have all kinds of reasons that I believe the lap-band is just exactly the tool I have been needing all this time, but when put on the spot like that all I could say was "It would keep me from eating as much" which of coarse was not a good enough reason to him. Granted he is an all natural holistic doctor, so of course he is not going to approve of anything un-natural like having a foreign object placed inside you. So after that little visit I left feeling more like maybe I should give it a try myself again. But I know that is not going to happen. I'll lose about 15 pounds at the most, then fall right back into eating just as much and gain 20 back. That's just been the cycle throughout my life, and I am sick of it. My dad is 340-350, my mom is about 280, my sister is about 280 and I am 308. My mom and sister have been pretty strictly following a diet given them by the same doctor I visited today, and they have lost only a few pounds in the past couple years since they've been going to him. I think my whole freakin family needs this lap-band. We all eat too much right now and we all have a huge desire to make a change, but need a tool to help us do it!

Hello, I used The team of Valenzuela/Cabrerra and I have 100% confidence in this team. I could have chosen other more well known doctors for the same price, but I chose THIS team and have no regrets! My Primary care physician has been impressed as well. She said my incisions look fabulous and all of my bloodwork is perfect so I should continue to follow the instructions of my surgeon. I will say there have been recent posts about Mexico Bariatric Center which were not so favorable. (not getting back with people in a timely manner, telling incorrect information etc) These complaints seem to involve new coordinators.. but when I went through them I had CHRISTY as my coordinator and she was AWESOME. So I guess, I'm going to change my recommendation based on new information from other patients.. I still recommend the team of Cabrerra/Valenzuela without reservation BUT I only recommend MBC if you are using CHRISTY as your coordinator as the other coordinators through this company don't seem to be getting good reviews recently. Edited to add: The doctors do a leak test during surgery and then after surgery as well. This team also uses a drain which is what I felt most comfortable with.

I did not feel hungry for a couple of weeks after surgery. Frequently the hunger early on is head hunger or reflux. Are you on a PPI or antacid? My bariatric "bible" suggested not sitting and watching TV with all the food commercials on. Try to keep busy mentally to distract from head hunger. Walk as much as you can. If you like to read then find a good book or magazine. I would skip Bon Appetite or the like. My stomach is frequently grumbly. That is just the nature of the sleeve. It grumbles and gurgles especially after I eat or drink.

Is the entire $10,500 due up front or can you make payments? Call Nancy the front office manager she can fill you in. I know it had to be paid in full on the day of surgery. You could probably set a date with her and make prepayments to fit your budget and when it is paid you will have your surgery. He really is a great surgeon and Nancy is fantastic. Goodle Dr. Shillingford and you will get his number. I actually called the two cheapest options (outside of Mexico) that were posted. Here's a little info for those looking for a cheaper surgery. Dr. Borland's office (New Iberia, Louisiana) - $9,800, but doesn't include the lab work, EKG or chest x-rays. Payment is required before surgery in the form of 4 cashier's checks. The original consultation with the doctor is done over the phone - you don't see him until surgery. The lady didn't give me much more information because apparently she was busy. Dr. Schillingford's office (Boca Raton, Florida) - $10,500, but includes all the lab work, x-rays and EKG as well as a 2 night stay in the hospital. Payment is required before surgery and they take pretty much all forms of payment including credit cards and Care Credit. The consultation is directly with the doctor and after that, you can go ahead and get the lab work and such done and if all is well, they will schedule surgery for the next day, which is great for those of us coming from out of state. Nancy (who was very sweet and helpful) also said the surgery was performed at a "real" hospital and it's one of the Bariatric Centers of Excellence. After weighing the two, I'm going with Dr. Schillingford. It seems like a better value and it gives me a good chance to dip my toes in the surf before my appointment! Thanks to all for the info and suggestions! I am so glad you chose Dr. Shillingford he really is a good person and an excellent surgeon. After my surgery and I came back for my post op check he literally spent an hour plus with me answering every question that I had. At no time did he ever make me feel like I was taking his time. The hospital that does the testing was done so quickly I couldn't believe it. I might have hit it at a good time but literally I was taken from dept to dept and done within and hour and a half at most. The other nice thing is Dr. Shillingford doesn't keep you on puree and liquid forever after the surgery. He gets you back on food pretty quick and everyone I know that had him for their surgeon did not have any trouble doing this. There is a restaurant there called BJ's on the Beach and you absolutely have to go there before surgery!! It has a beautiful view right on the beach and the food is really really good! If I can help you with anything please don't hesitate to ask. Nancy is amazing and will answer your questions and help you with absolutely everything! Good luck to you!!

Protein pudding and Greek yogurt are so good not sure if you tried them. I also like the genepro couldn't Tate it at all I'd try mixing it in a coffee drink or crystal light. Look on bariatric pantry website for some other yummy drinks not protein shakes then try to add a little of the genepro? U can find proteins that taste better than protein shake I know I have. Good luck to you!

Hello everyone, Since DS has my computer and playing games on it DH let me use his laptop so I can be in the livingroom with him and play with you folks too hee hee. I'm not used to this keyboard so bare with me and my typos lol :guess Lets see if I can get some personals done since it's been a while :confused: Cindy - I think it's really nice you're going to have dinner with your dad on Sunday. Pulling together, being together is probably the most healing thing that you all can do. Know that I'm thinking of you and saying a prayer for your family. Sounds like you're having a good day of cleaning and getting things done today. I know I peek at LBT too when I'm cleaning etc lol It's addicting...better this than eating hee hee Mary - Aren't PBs unreal? Every time I have one I think why the heck didn't I take a smaller bite, eat slower, chew better, eat less....hmmm....maybe 42 years of training the bad way? Slowly but surely we'll learn what we need to do. I was so scared after my first fill because I was PBing daily I swear but, it's gotten better. Knock on wood :kiss Betty - I have a blister? hee hee I have no idea what you mean. Anyway, I'm glad the swelling went down but, why does it still hurt hmmmmm. Thats terrible and I do hope you find relief soon. I know for the longest time and sometimes still my right heal hurts when I get up. That first step is a doozy. Did they take xrays? Have you tried a chiropractor? Kat - I think you're right. Keeping busy, grandson visiting might just be what your DH needs until he has his procedure. Sounds like that's going to be good medicine. When is his procedure? I'm keeping you all in my prayers as well. How is your fill going? Patty - Sorry about your news. I was denied as well by my insurance for about a day or so. They needed some other kind of tests etc but, the office new exactly what they needed to do and I didn't have to do anything. Maybe all they have to do is list in a better way all the diets you've tried and how long you were on them. I know that's one of the first things my physician required me to do. The years, weight loss, weight regained and name of each diet and duration. Let me tell ya I filled pages lol. Keep your chin up....we'll all routing for you here! Diane - Whats wrong with DH besides the migraine? Sorry he isn't feeling well. Sorry you're not sleeping well either. That certainly doesn't help with eating when you're tired either. You've got me worried over here. Did I miss you saying what it was? If you did I apologize...I'll need to check back. Bean - It's always nice to have a day of laziness sometimes. But I do understand how you feel about not getting your deck garden done too. I enjoy the time relaxing until I realize what I could of accomplished had I took the time to do the work. Ohhh well life is too short to be working all the time right? hee hee Do you ever travel to MA for work? If you girl...look me up! Doc - So sorry about DH's DA. It's just never easy no matter who the relative or friend is but, knowing they are in good hands and at peace helps some. Lately I've found myself looking up at the stars thinking about my grandma. Remembering her cute laugh and how short and cutesy she was makes me smile. *sigh* I think it's great you and DH can go to the beach and spend that time together no matter the reason. Helping each other through things is just the best feeling. Eileen - UGH tires. Don't ya just love it. Seems just when things head in the right direction sometimes bingo...something comes up. Kinda like me having to buy a lawnmower. YUCK I'd rather take the money and do something fun hahaha. Anyway, they are necessary evils for sure. Need the new treads to take us to the fun places right? I'm loving my pool too. Doesn't feel like exercise when you're having fun hee hee Pat and Anne....where are you two? I'm missin ya. Welcome new NJ posting folks. Stick around and join in the fun! Chris - Have you found the new July Chat yet girl? I sent you the link so you're not lost like I usually am every 1st of the month hahahaha. I'm going to spill your Beans if you don't post in here soon lol. (psssssssssst Chris has her first appointment coming up with the Bariatric center at BIDMC hee hee shhhhhh don't tell her I told ya lol) Well I've had enough of this laptop and retying every single *&*^% wird, ya ok word I type hahaha. Love you folks and I hope you have an awesome day tomorrow!

Kat, good luck on your journey to the doctor with your dad...it's nice of you to go with him. Maybe if you get a Rubbermaid container, put your DD's stuff in it, she'll get the hint? LOL! Diane, about the fill...well, I guess I'm just extra-cautious. I am losing weight at a little over 1 lb/week average, and decided that was just fine. I was also concerned about pushing the band and over-restriction, which seemed to cause problems in some people, like erosions and excessive PBs and stuff like that, and did not want that. A more practical reason is that I did not have any "sick days" left, and the place I get my fills is kinda far and I have to take time off from school...so, now it's summer and I don't have to take time off from school, I'm kinda stalled in weight loss, and I think I can eat lots of food...feeling more hungry than I have been, etc. I've taken some "relax" time, and feel ready to take a renewed effort again. That's probably a LOT more than you wanted to know, huh? LOL! Definitely, I'm in the cautious group, I guess that's the bottom line. I'm planning to go the first week of August. I know what you mean about being in a more controlled environment, too...when I'm at work, I'm so busy, I don't think about food as much. Good luck tomorrow! Cindy

My Psych. Eval. is done and all typed up. I am hoping that it is faxed to the bariatric . I am going to check on it today. The woman who takes care of the insurance told me as soon as she receives all of my information and tests that she will submit it to see if I get an approval. She said it usually takes about up to a week to hear back from the insurance. I am really getting more and more anxious. I have fell off the wagon a few times and my eating got out of hand, but I just try to do better afterwards. I have been going to the Y to exercise and I went to my first AQUA-FITNESS SWIM CLASS. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to going again. I haven't lost much weight. My clothes are fitting better. I weighed 242 the last time I weighed at the doctor's office. With my clothes off in the mornings, I have been weighing under 240 pounds. Two days I weighed 235 and it goes up and down. After swimming on Oct.22 I weighed myself on some doctor office type scales in the locker room after getting dressed and my weight was 239. If I get approved for surgery and get a date I will be starting on the Pre-Op diet so I am sure I will lose some more before surgery. I will let everyone know what happens with the insurance.

Quick question.... I've just started my process and have only seen my PCP and the bariatric dr. that I will be doing my procedure(I've only been to see him once) my insurance requires a 9 month pre-op and I'm now receiving bills from my PCP which I've never had a problem with caresource covering. I'm wondering if my doc saying anything about bariatric anything in the submissions to insurance is causing them to deny those visits. Should I count on paying for those visits or should I contact my insurance and see why they are denying?? So confused!! TIA.

Final update: Even if classified as medically necessary, it will not be covered. Bariatric surgery must be a part of your KP plan to have bariatric surgery performed, and not all KP plans have that option.

My hubby had his surgery in Mexico and OHSU Bariatric Center will provide him with medical care. It isn't as hard as people think to get a DR. I had my surgery in Coos Bay, and they took me on right away without a problem.

Hello! I posted about a month ago, asking questions about banding. From there I prayed, and researched (more) and decided the band is exactly to tool I need to succeed with my weight loss goals. I've so confused about all the insurance stuff. I called member services and they said the surgery is coverage and gave me a link to the clinical policy bulletin which reads... Aetna considers open or laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), open or laparoscopic biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) with or without duodenal switch (DS), or laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding (LASGB) medically necessary when the selection criteria listed below are met. Selection criteria: A. Presence of severe obesity that has persisted for at least the last 2 years, defined as any of the following: Body mass index (BMI)* exceeding 40 My BMI is 53 (good lord), and I have high BP. It also says naturally that you have to over 18 and done growing, attempted weight loss in the past without success in long term reduction, and meet either criterion 1 (physician-supervised nutritional and exercise program) or criterion 2 ( multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen). I am working with a weight management and bariatric surgery center near me. I have to complete consults, and tests with all sorts of different people on the team including attending support groups, and lose 5% of my body weight before surgery - it's a 3m process. So I'm assuming this meets criterion 2. Aetna words it like this: Criterion 2. Multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen: Proximate to the time of surgery, member must participate in organized multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen of at least three months duration meeting all of the following criteria, in order to improve surgical outcomes, reduce the potential for surgical complications, and establish the member's ability to comply with post-operative medical care and dietary restrictions: Consultation with a dietician or nutritionist; and Reduced-calorie diet program supervised by dietician or nutritionist; and Exercise regimen (unless contraindicated) to improve pulmonary reserve prior to surgery, supervised by exercise therapist or other qualified professional; and Behavior modification program supervised by qualified professional; and Documentation in the medical record of the member's participation in the multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen at each visit. (A physician's summary letter, without evidence of contemporaneous oversight, is not sufficient documentation. Documentation should include medical records of the physician's initial assessment of the member, and the physician's assessment of the member's progress at the completion of the multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen.) Sounds like my program right? I called my Aetna AGAIN to be sure they cover this surgery and she again assured me that it is covered so long as I meet the criteria and to bring the criteria to my NP consult. I know I have to wait to be approved after all my testing etc, but I'll (like anyone else) be so gutted if I'm denied. Anyhow, I'm waiting for June 30th for my NP consult and I'm so excited!! I've been reading everyone's stories and looking at before and after photos and I'm so impressed with the lot of you!! So inspirational. :confused:

Gosh my doctor has done hundreds of lap bands and hundreds of sleeves and over 200 band to sleeve conversions. The only complication he has ever had, in all that time, was when one patient took a handful of vitamins (several months after surgery) and aspirated them. It became a very life-threatening situation and he had to be opened up to get the vitamins out. I have no data from a hospital or clinic where hundreds of bariatric surgeries are done each week, but I'd be willing to bet that they do not have a large number of incidents of wound infections. Perhaps it would be smart if someone who has a vested interest could do some research and see how many complications are considered "acceptable" and how many are condsidered "excessive." I do not even know how many actual posts there were of patients who had contracted infections or who had a leak who posted here. Perhaps Can. can tell us. If the doctor is doing a lot of surgeries per day, then Sandy might be right when she says that the clinic has not experienced an excessive number of problems.

The other thing to be aware of when you're comparing Multivitamins is that it's not just the amount of each Vitamin / mineral, it's the source. As I understand it, Bariatric-formulated Vitamins are manufactured using the most easily accessible forms to maximize absorption (just like we absorb calcium citrate better). Of course, if you can't keep them down, or they're irritating your stomach, that's obviously no good, I'm just noting that there can be differences beyond the straight mg counts on the labels. I did read recently that one company has started making Protein powder with the multivitamin built in, but it might irritate your stomach just as easily. I think it's Bariatric Advantage - it was mentioned recently on the World According to Eggface blog. It's pretty pricey, but if you add the cost of regular protein and the cost of the vitamin together, it may price out reasonably. Have you spoken with your surgeon? I wonder if it could be that your stomach is irritated, and you just need to pause in taking the vitamin for a week or two to let it get back to normal. Good luck!

Seeking Health is one of the few with methylfolate and methylcobalamin. Those are the only ones recommended by the heme/oncologist I have. This is not bariatric, this is the only one that my MD/PhD recommended and I sat for 1x for 5 weeks with his chemo patients since I had to get IV Iron. Only one was rail thin. The rest were healthy looking and dang sure weren't no 20-30 years old.

I use my highest weight. I lost 24 during COVID on my own, then regained 10 before I started with the bariatric clinic. That high figure represents the beginning of my journey, not the weight when I started at the clinic.

Bariatric Advantage Released a new Program called "Icomply" Its actually pretty cool it sends our reminders via text message directly to your phone. on when to take your Vitamins. Take a look at this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN6IJsXR6Bg&hl=en&fs=1&