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Hi all, I figured it was time to join the group. My name is Tana and live in Yonkers. After looking at several programs I decided to go with Dr. Weber at White Plains Hospital. It's a small bariatric program but it felt like a good fit for me. I have done all my pre-op appointments, just waiting for a couple of notes to make it into my chart and then they will submit to insurance. I have Empire BCBS and my policy doesn't require a 6 month supervised diet. So weird how different policies are from the same insurance company. I am anxiously wanting to schedule a surgery date asap. I have such horrible back pain from old herniated discs. They weren't bothering me for years and then I put some more weight on and BAM, the pain was back. I also want to lose a good amount of weight before the summer so I can be active with my son. He's 3 and deserves a mom that can keep up! So that is all for now, I wish you all the best!

I guess I view revisions for whatever reason to be at the discretion of the surgeon and patient. Everyone's story is different, but even if it is not "medically necessary", who am I to say another isn't worthy of a second chance? I am a nurse and have taken care of addicts of all nature and see the rate of recidivism/relapse. I know that it takes more than one round of treatment some times... yes, surgery is a major intervention and there are risks associated with it, but to say a surgeon is "unethical" for performing them as revisions is a bit judgemental, regardless of whether or not there is perceptible tone. Pray you never find yourself in a position where you have "eaten your way through" your surgery. We are all human and not infallible. I lost 115 lbs the "natural" way and kept it off for over 10 years. I NEVER thought I would gain that weight back. I thought my food issues were resolved. But here I am, typing this post on the bariatric pal thread. I gained all the weight back and then some. Went from 165 lbs to 362. I needed surgery to help with this. We all did, right? That's why we're here. I'm here to find support and offer it to others... if I had a revision and came here looking for support and was reading this, I think I'd cry. There are those that judge us because we had to have the surgery the first time... let's not do the same to someone who found themselves here twice.

So i called for my psyc evaluation appointment today here in Florida and was told next available appointment is at the end of March... 3 dang months. No way to skip it. I tried going with a online psyc bariatrics evaluation doctor and my hospital rejected it and said no because they dont do it their way. I didnt think i would have to do this since i am paying cash and not using insurance. Endo Hospital in Mexico doesnt require a Psyc Evalucation.

I never cared one way or the other for her, because I don't like the"view" to begin with and she was just the token fat black woman...they killed three affirmitive action birds with one stone by having her on the show! And they tried to manufacture her into a star. No doubt in the world that she had some form of bariatric to acheive her weight loss, but who gives a crap...and why should it be anyones business....least of all Rosie o' (mac) donnel...I mean really talk about the pot calling the kettle black! If they think star is tacky wait'll they get a load of rosie trying to be real. One other comment...My sister bought that book that star wrote and I agonizingly managed to drag myself through 75% of it before the nausea became to much to bear. That book is the biggest load of ---- I have ever had the misfortune of wasting my eyesight on! I mean think of all the perfectly good trees that were wasted! It takes women back 100 years..please "I don't let my man see me without makeup ever...that's what you gotta do to keep a man" o my goddddddd! What a bimbo! Star I admire you for your weight loss, but girlfriend ya got the wrong idea about most everything in life.

SHe announced today that she would not return for the fall season. She was told in March or April that her contract would not be renewed. They said that people didn't trust her anymore. After the way she did with the wedding and the non-discussed weightloss. There was "different feeling" at the table. Here is the yahoo story link http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060628/ap_on_en_tv/tv_the_view_reynolds What do you all think? I know she has been a hot topic here before and thought I would see what the opinion was here. ~Mandy

Has anyone used Dr. Borland in New Iberia, Louisiana? I had been researching going to Mexico for surgery as I am self-pay. But I came across his name on this forum and looked up his website. For only about $1000 more than the surgery I was getting done in Mexico, I can have it done in a neighboring state only 4 hours away rather than 13 hours away. I've only seen one reference about him on this forum, but he is the Chief of Surgery at the hospital he performs the surgery at and has been a bariatric surgeon since 1982. I guess the only thing I find a little odd is that he performs the surgery as an outpatient procedure; a few hours after your surgery they release you from the hospital and have you stay at one of the local hotels for a few days where the doctor makes several "house" call visits to check on you. I'm assuming this is why the procedure is cheaper than most U.S. doctors; no hefty hospital bill from being admitted. I called the office today and the staff was very nice and informative. I asked if doing as outpatient is safe and she said yes, he has done over 200 sleeves. Is that comparable to U.S. doctors? The mexican doctors that I had researched had done closer to 2000 sleeves... She also said that because of it being outpatient, they do not do any high risk patients (very high bmi, heart disease, etc.), I am healthy and only 29, so I am definitely not high risk. Anyway, just wanted to see what you guys think about .

So, I went to the Kaiser Weight Loss Surgery Class 1. Here's a run down of what happened: We signed in showed our member cards and our drivers licenses. The NUT began going over the paperwork that was in folders they gave us. Pretty much a snooze fest here. Asked us to start recording our food and beverage intake and to fill out the homework forms for our next visit one on one. Pretty much a brief overview of serving sizes of fruits and vegetables, showed us the plastic food, etc... Nothing exciting. There were hand outs on exercising and dieting and healthy changes to make. Then the big guns: we had to lose 3% of our current body weights by the end of the 6th months or else our paperwork would be on hold until then. (as mentioned by another poster) She laid out the kaiser visits, they must be no less than 1 month apart (one a month was how she said it): Visit 1- was the class we were at Visit 2- Nut appointment just for you Visit 3- Nut appointment just for you Visit 4- Weight loss surgery class 2 Visit 5- Nut appointment just for you Visit 6- Nut appointment just for you Somewhere in there you must call and do a phone screening for the psych eval. If they aren't satisfied they'll have you come in or they'll clear you over the phone Also, you must have taken the Weight control class at some point during the 6 visits, or in the past year- which is a one time class about general weight loss for everybody. I'd already taken it but it was over a year ago so I get to go again! yay She went around the table and asked everyone what they were leaning towards. Then took us over to OB/GYN and weighed us one by one and took our height measurements. The NUT then calculated a "goal range"/ expected weight loss amount and final weight. She put me at 170-180 ( loss of 55-65 #) That seems like not enough loss. I think they're overly conservative with their numbers because I see people on here and in real life who get down to much more loss of excess weight. Never even asked us where we'd like to be. Anyways, They did say as another poster commented that if your bmi dips below the kaiser cut off (bmi of 40) during the loss of the 3% it won't disqualify you. However, my bmi was 39.1 a few years ago and she said that she wasn't sure if I'd be approved due to that and she'd submit me to the obesity work group for a pre-approval or denial based on that pre-requisite.Then later that night, she eneded up emailing me back and saying that she checked my file and saw that I did have my pcos & high bp documented and that I was all good. She said for Virginia they use the Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, They have an exclusive floor just for kaiser patients. Not sure if that's good or bad. The local hospital Inova FairOaks is an Center of Excellence in Bariatric surgery, and it irks me that they're going to make us go to a less awesome hospital. Nothing I can do about that though, so I guess I'll stop whinging about it. Anybody have Dr. Salameh or Dr. Mayes ?

I think the fact we had bariatric surgery is part of why people talk. Let's be honest here, it is still considered a "dirty little secret" by many. It isn't right or fair, but it is. People judge and condemn a person for being obese, wondering how on earth we let ourselves get in such condition. There is little empathy or compassion from non obese people for those who have simply lost control. ( for whatever reason) Yet when we choose to finally take back that control, do something real and meaningful to get our health and lives back, tongues start wagging. I think there is a whole host of reasons why. Everything from believing we are lazy and taking "the easy way out" to jealousy and envy. But you know what? We are probably some of the strongest people in the world. We aren't weak for having doubts or fears, we are warriors for caring enough about ourselves to get up and DO something! This is far from a simple, easy road to take. It is a mountain to climb each and every day. But we are on the mountain, so why not enjoy the view? Yes, they notice. Yes, they talk. Because in their small world you are the biggest "new" thing to discuss. I just encourage all to hold your heads high and be proud you are you. Our lives have all been turned upside down and inside out from all the change we are experiencing, but continue to have strength in knowing you are worth caring about yourself. The rest of the world be damned!!!

I am going through Specialized Bariatrics for my sleeve in November. Here is their website. Cathy is the contact person and she is great. It's costing $4500. http://specializedbariatrics.com/

United Health care. But if you are using a bariatric center of excellence, they generally can help you with these hoops. Yes I had hoops, too. My requirements were that it was a bariatric COE, my BMI was over 40 and I attended a dr's supervised diet for (an undetermined amount of time). No specific months. AND.....no past BMI from the last 5 years or whatever.....They used to require that as well, but most Insurance companies have dropped that requirement. Best of luck to you. I know I wouldn't be able to lose the weight without this surgery. I have only lost 20 pounds, but I wouldn't have been able to do that. I was on Nutrisystem for 6 months and couldn't lose 20 pounds. I lost these 20 pounds in the past 3 weeks.

I would ask you bariatric team if you could have an ablation of your uterus. You'll no longer have a period and you will still have your ovaries to continue producing hormones. That is, of course, if you plan on not ever having children. Sent from my SPH-D710VMUB using the BariatricPal App

I suggest going to the library, ordering from Amazon and studying every forum or article you can get your hands on to help make this decision. Also, attend a seminar or get a consultation with one or two (depending on availability) bariatric surgeons. Only you can make this life-changing decision yourself, and everyone has your history or something similar. It took me 5 years to make my decision, and I just had surgery in December. I am quite happy, and the surgery was minor from a physical standpoint. The toughest part will be staying committed and understanding the life changes - which is why it took me 5 years!

The mental aspect is the major component as the disordered eating behavior is accompanied by a distorted self-image. Anorexics can. literally, be starving and look like they are starving but continue to perceive themselves as fat. You might consider their beliefs delusional as they fit the definition--an unshakeable belief not shared by most other people (i.e., that they are fat). Many anorexics feel out of control is many areas of their lives and use food as the one area where they have the power to control intake. People who have bariatric surgery generally don't have disordered eating behavior--they are not surviving on 2 saltines and a cup of tea. After post-op restrictions are lifted, most WLS patients follow their doctor's orders. Although it may take some time, their self-images also adjust so that they no longer see themselves as fat. And WLS surgery patients don't use food to give themselves a feeling of control, although many report feeling pride in mastering formerly out-of-control impulses to overeat. (Sorry, don't mean to lecture, but I'm a psychologist!)

I had already been doing dr assisted weight loss for over a year so that wasn't an issue for me. If I had not done it already and if my PCP wasn't willing to just say I did then I would have had to wait 6 months. You can call and ask to speak to the coordinator or the person that handles all the paperwork in the office and that person should be able to tell you something. You can even call your insurance and ask a rep. I did that before I went to see the surgeon to make sure my policy included Bariatric surgery.

If I am reading the original post correctly....the OP is looking for "medical clearance" not a referral. Totally different. Medical clearance is your primary physician telling your bariatric surgeon that surgery will be safe. I had to have blood work, chest x-ray and EKG. Has nothing to do with a letter recommending WLS. OP.....do you see any other doctor that can order these tests? Gyno? Endocrinologist? Maybe your bariatric surgeon can recommend a doctor who can help you. Your primary doesnt have to agree with your decision to have surgery, he/she just has to agree that your are health/stable enough to undergo the procedure. Hope this helps!

While I was going through the prep, I only told two people. When I was approved and a surgery date scheduled, I told a few more people, figuring the gossip line would let everyone else know. Not until about 50 loss, did anyone comment. I readily told them I had bariatric surgery. Their first response generally was "I know someone else who had that surgery and they had _____ complications." Now after five months and 80 pounds, I want to discuss my surgery with anyone who has an interest. I want to be an advocate for WLS. People are going to ask how you are losing so quickly. And as in my case, those who didn't ask, assumed I had cancer or some other bad thing wrong with me. Don't fool yourself by thinking no one is going to notice or ask. I think the biggest struggle with telling or not telling is the fear of what feedback you are going to get. Most of it will be positive. But then there are uneducated (uneducated in bariatric surgery) people who will say something stupid or hurtful. When this happens, you have one of two choices. You can either allow that stupid/hurtful comment to chip away at your self-esteem or you choose to realize that this person has no clue as to what they are saying. Trying to educate them more than likely will be useless, because they know everything about everything. But you can try. Don't give these negative people the power to make you feel bad about yourself. The most hurtful thing someone can say to me is that I took the easy way to weight loss. This has only happened once. My response was "I respect your opinion, but you have no idea what you are talking about." And I left it at that. I did not give that person the power to make me feel bad. I put a lot of hard work into my weight loss. My surgery is only a tool. Generally, when someone belittles you, they are trying to make themselves feel better and more superior to you. They themselves suffer from low self-esteem and the only way they can feel better about themselves is to belittle someone else. This is not your issue, but theirs. Don't allow this to be your issue. I was married to a bully for 17 years who made me feel I was lower than the grunge build up at the base of the toilet. It took a divorce and five years of counseling before I finally realized that there was nothing wrong with me - it was him all along! Just don't give away your power to anyone who doesn't deserve it.

It isn't an essential part of the process, but more of a preference on the part of your surgeon. The extensive pre-op diets that some docs impose doesn't really shrink the liver, but is said to help reduce the fatty/slimy coating that is often present on us fatty liver/obese patients. My doc doesn't do the major pre-op diet program, just the day before clear liquids bit, but then he also does liver transplants aside from his bariatric practice, so I guess he is used to dealing with livers in crappy condition. He said my liver was in good shape when he was in there (and I gained a little in the weeks leading up to surgery, for what that's worth!)

I'm just starting the 6 month program required by my insurance (BCBS NC). I am currently working in PA but I live in NC. I'll be in PA through the end of this year and into 2015. Because of work and the travel I have to do, this is the best opportunity for me to have surgery because this is the longest I'll be in one place. My surgeon's office is aware of the fact that I will not be here long post op and I will be transferring my post op follow up care back to NC for long term. Has anyone else had a situation similar to this? There is a very, very slight possibility work could require me back in NC before my surgery. Has anyone else had their 6 month program in one place and surgery in another? I'm going to talk more about this with my surgeon but I'd like to hear from actual patients as well. The PA hospital I am planning to have my surgery at is a Blue Distinction center for bariatrics and there is one in my home town as well so insurance covers both locations.

I did not mourn food. The closest I got to that was during all liquids when I got to the point where I just wanted to chew. I like to cook and I'm okay with trying recipes that have the same flavors but are more nutritious and have fewer calories. I wonder if it's because of where I was at in my journey to health when I got sleeved. I had already changed a lot about my diet by the time I decided on WLS. Having food allergies that land you in the ER or in a medical coma changes how you view food. I'm okay with eating the smaller portions on a bariatric diet. Even better now that I am sleeved I can actually have 1 cookie and be okay.

Well SHOOT!! I typed all of my stuff and lost it!! I have heard people say that my WLS didn't work. I don't totally agree with this. But like was said it is the choices that we make. Now the Lap Band failing I have 1st hand in knowing about. As you see my hubby had his for 13 years. He lost 100#'s with it but never met his goal. Yes, he did eat around it but it also was damaged during a fill, more surgery. Then in 2013 he went in for a revision to a RNY. It had eroded into his liver. Failed surgery. Then he got abscesses. Was deathly sick for 9 months 3 of which he doesn't remember. His Surgeon dropped him in the middle of his treatment, told him to go to his PCP or the ER. But hubby was so desperate he went back to this Dr again. Then he told him that he was a PROBLEM CHILD and he wouldn't do the surgery. He referred him to Portland, Oregon OHSU one of the best Bariatric Centers. They said they would try to do the RNY but he needed to lose 25#'s and get his A1C down to a 7 or 8. Which doesn't sound to hard right. He couldn't do both, if his Blood Sugar was good his weight went up and the same for his weight down BS up. In the mean time we find out he has Kidney Cancer but there is nothing they can do until he loses 150#. So down to Mexico self paid surgery. When they get in there he couldn't do the Rny because his whole right side is solid scar tissue so he gets the SLEEVE. This was June 3, 2016 to this day he has lost 60#'s. So pardon me when I say it isn't always easy to get another WLS. It makes me so mad when I hear someone say well, I'll jus ge a revision if it doesn't work out. We don't always get what we want. Now I'm not saying he did everything he could to lose his weight but darn the problems his weight has caused us!!! So I guess I'm saying in some cases yes a revsion is in order but if it is just because THE WLS didn't work, then they do need to go thru more counseling to make sure that their mind is on what needs to be done!!

OK Alex...looks like folks are interested. Lisa and I have been discussing the topic offline and we can certainly help with whatever you might need from us. Yes, an agenda driven meeting would be better than just sitting and chatting. It worked for us because we were a small group. Larger numbers and it runs into issues where people bunch up into smaller groups and it's just a gabfest. I very much like the idea of guest speakers from the medical community, nutrition and exercise community, and even psychological community. We could have discussions around topics we talk about here..not just what should I eat and what should I be losing but things like body image, spousal/family/friend support (or lack of) stress and avoiding emotional eating, how to deal with nosy coworkers...oh gosh there's so much out there to talk about. Have you discussed any of this with Dr. Ren or anyone else at the practice? I'm thinking in terms of a resource of both medical professionals and bariatric patients. I understand Dr. Fielding used to take folks out to dinner to give them hints and guidance on how to eat out. Alot of people are afraid to eat out and I thought it was a great idea to take people and show them that they can eat out successfully. I don't know if I'd want to be a leader or co-leader especially as I couldn't speak to the majority of bandsters with fills, but I'd be more than happy to work more behind the scenes in terms of organizing. I seem to be pretty good at that as long as I call ahead to make sure the cafe is actually open.... OK then...just let me know what I can do to help.

Turquoisekaty, thanks for the tip of mixing instant coffee with your shakes. That is a GREAT idea! My surgery is on the 14th, and I've been on the protein shakes for a week now. I am really missing my Starbucks!! Carriekos, My doc told me to get either Premier Protein shakes or Bariatric Advantage. I got the Premier Protein shakes at Costco, and they're good, so I haven't tried Bariatric Advantage. My doctor lets me have sherbet in the preop diet, so what I've been doing is mixing a little orange sherbet with the vanilla shake. It tastes like a Creamsicle! So good!!

Hello I had a great sleeve experience with Dr. Aceves on June 16. Can you please tell me what are your follow up plans with a local bariatric specialist in the us now that you are home? Did you have any trouble since you had the surgery in Mexico? I am asking this because I was in the ER two nights ago (internal hemorrhoid not related to surgery) and the ER doctor was asking me all sorts of questions as to my aftercare I have planned now that I am home. He made it clear to me that although I can get a referral to a bariatric specialist, the doctor may not accept me as a patient since I had surgery in Mexico . Thoughts?

you're what we in the bariatric community call a "lightweight" (I don't know what the actual weight requirements are to be considered a "lightweight", but I'd say under 250 lbs). Lightweights lose slower than us heavier folks because they have a lot less to lose. I know you read about people losing 30 lbs the first month, but those folks are few and far between and usually weigh over 300 lbs. Your body's going to lose at the rate it wants to lose. The only control you have is to stick to your program. I was a "slow loser", and I have lost 227 lbs. It'll come off, whether fast or slow, if you stick to your program.

I would LOVE to help out by leading or co-leading a Bariatric Pal group in my local area. I used to attend support group meetings in a small city about 20 min from me, but they were all bypass patients and the group wasn't very band-friendly. There is a local support group (new surgery center at our local hospital), but they don't deal much with post-surgery life. They do have good sessions on cooking, etc, but deal mostly with that subject and sometimes Q&A. I am VERY interested in the certification program as well - I believe that would help others in the support community take us more seriously. Here are the more organized answers to your questions: Would you be interested in attending regular local chapter meetings in person? Absolutely YES Would you be interested in being a leader (or co-leader)? Yes - I believe I can be helpful Would you like BariatricPal to provide agendas for meetings? Yes - a framework can be very valuable What additional support could BariatricPal provide to encourage your participation and/or leadership? I love the idea of the certification program Should there be limits on the minimum and maximum numbers of members that each Local Chapter can have? Minimum - perhaps 5, built up over a specified period of time. It would be helpful to have the Chapters promoted here, and possibly through the surgeons in the area. Certification would help with their comfort level on this. What other ideas do you have? Incorporate activities like a Clothing Swap within each group; Shopping trips or having someone come in to discuss where to find clothing while transitioning; coaching / training on how to discuss your decision with family and friends; role-playing to help patients deal with bullies, saboteurs, etc; alternatives and plans for exercise based on patient's current physical condition - often standard "gyms" and trainers can be very intimidating; alternatives to grocery shopping (one of my local grocery stores has a delivery service and a pick up service - could be very helpful for avoiding temptation in the stores).