Search the Community

My hospital experience with my VSG was great. I went to Parker Adventist hospital in Parker Colorado and it was honestly the nicest hospital I've been in. The nurses were attentive and caring while still getting the job done. Pretty much everything I needed was available to me there. This hospital didn't permit heating pads since they can cause burns but when I complained of gas pains in my shoulder blades they immediately brought me heated towels to put on my back. The room was private (all the rooms on the bariatric floor were), there was a couch, bed, and a super comfy recliner. They kept on top of my pain meds, always coming on time to give the next dose (which I definitely needed). Since they gave dialudid instead of morphine to me (I can't handle morphine) I didn't get a pain pump but they never let me go past 4 hours without a new dose. I actually felt rather pampered while there. I loved it. Not all hospitals are as nice as this one though. The year prior I had my gallbladder removed unexpectedly at a hospital near where I live and my experience was the complete opposite. I felt ignored, like I was an inconvenience to the nurses. I had a lot of pain and anxiety and if I asked for my next pain med dose I was looked at like I was a drug seeker, even if it was past time for it. They let me go 12 hours without pain meds once. It was a horrible experience. So check out the hospital you're going to ahead of time if you can.

I am working on my pre-op diet, I am about two months out from my surgery. Has anyone here used Sentara Martha Jefferson for their gastric sleeve before? I'm just curious as to how they did for you? Thanks! Sent from my SM-G970U using BariatricPal mobile app

Yea my insurance excludes it too, so I’m trying to do my homework and get the best deal. The kicker is, I am a physician assistant who works for a Bariatric physician (non surgical) and have been on a vlcd for 5 years with little success. So all I really need is the procedure... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Your gastrointestinal system has no conscience, feels no guilt, you just had a warning free-fall, didn't you? Gosh I'm so sorry, of course, I haven't had it. The way Precious Pouch and my rerouted intestines are, maybe never will? I get so upset and yes Frustr8-ed at the turn of events, but my nutritionist Roy, yeah got a MALE one, and the rest of my bariatric staff are NOT WORRIED, they say Frustr8 you're plowing your own pathway to success, you will be fine, you will be healthy when THIS is all Over! Me? I'm. NOT SO SURE !😧💦😥

Thank you so much for starting this thread!! My surgery is scheduled for 6/18. I am so equally excited and scared poop-less!! I'm 5'6 and SW 326. I am married with an 8 year old daughter and I am most looking forward to playing with my daughter...and my husband too! Good Luck June Surgery siblings!! Here's to life renewed!!!!

My reasoning on not using robotic is because the surgeon is not right there, They are not scrubbed in and (Correct me if i am wrong) if something does go wrong and he needs to do something beyond the capabilities of the robot they would need to get scrubbed in which takes time. Also and correct me if i am wrong, Robotic surgery would probably cost a lot more and with bariatric surgery many of us including myself are self pay.

Bariatric surgeon here! Looking to gain insight into patient perspectives on surgery. If you could choose how your bariatric operation was going to be performed, what technique would you request? Please leave any additional comments as well. Thank you for your insights!

Cat, Welcome and congrats! One thing I will say is you may still be on pain meds at that point so you will not be able to drive. I would plan for the following week. Also, that will give you time if you have complications. I did and there was no way I could go back in two weeks. Also, I am Sr. HR person with my company and a lot of companies have medical leave options if you are not yet qualified for FMLA. I had mine at 6 months. I know you are excited to have your surgery but make sure you plan for complications and contingency plans if you maybe not reacting well to the surgery. I did not tell really anyone at work, not even my manager. However, she did see my return to work note from the bariatric center.

Starting my preop diet tomorrow. 2 bariatric advantage shakes, 2 skim or milk unsweetened almond milk or a Greek yogurt. 1 protein snack 1/2 c fruit and 4 oz lean protein with 1-2 cups non starchy veggies. Getting excited

Hey.....it's possible that he wanted the bread and ice cream for himself ???? The pre-op and short term post-op liquid times filled my family with trepidation and concerns. They voiced concerns over this being how I'd be living......and not grilling and cooking for them anymore. Their concerns were eased up, as I advanced through these stages and onto the real way of eating that I've settled into. I cook and grill often and the main entree's are what I enjoy, while making additional side dishes and Desserts for them. I stayed outa the kitchen during my liquid diet phases, though. And outa the grocery stores. All totaled this was a 5 week time period.....just Protein powder or protein pre-made shakes. You'd not believe the stuff they stocked the shelves with during that period.....all sorts of sweets, chips and junk food that could have been insanely tempting.....at a time when I really wasn't needing temptation. It all worked out. Reaching past the family's junk food to grab my canisters of powder soon filled me with pride. I'd become galvanized and singular in purpose. That 6 weeks was a major turning point for me. Weight started falling off at a great rate.....5 pounds/week.....double the rate I'd already been losing while on my bariatric program's diet leading up to that point. I'm grateful for that time frame. Fighting the temptation battle within the safe confines of my own home.....facing that and coming out on top.....at home.......forged my willpower and made facing the same temptations out in public, at work, at play around strangers, in restaurants, etc.....made me stronger and better for it. As cool as it would be if our families fell into step with us in those early days......it is simply not realistic. They have fears and act out. My wife and son are normal sized. They fit the height/weight charts. Heck, my son is undersized and needs to eat significantly more, in his doctor's opinion. I've read time and time again of our the tales of friends on here at Bariatric Pal......case where their families went the opposite direction than they did.....really amping up the temptation. Guess what? Most of those BP friends went on to be the most successful at their wls results. Some of them even continued to shop and prepare meals for their family during their own liquid phases. I couldn't do that particular act, but have huge respect for them. Just consider it a mini-test that you are able to address within the safety of your own home. Nobody there to judge you for simply standing there with the fridge open.....looking that junk food in the eye.....and cussing out loud at it.....flipping it the bird.....and reaching past it to get to your Protein Shakes.........

Hey! So I've left dieting behind. I no longer weigh myself. I don't count my calories or macros or protein grams. I have no idea what I eat in a day, it's always different and I actually forget. I exercise for fun and enjoyment but not for weight regulation. If I don't feel like working out, I don't. Bariatric surgery helped me lose 100 lbs but it also caused a great deal of pain in my life. I struggle to this day with food getting stuck, vomiting, and dumping. I have rejected dieting because after my weight loss I realized I was just as miserable and unhappy as prior to my weight loss. Living a life centered around food, dieting, weight and body imagine was taking all the joy out of my world. I didn't feel at ease- I felt the same amount of stress and anxiety around food as before weight loss- maybe more So now that I was thin and felt I had more to lose if I regained. Basically I was still stuck in an eating disorder and diet mindset and it was ruining my life. I now eat by INTUITIVE EATING. It is a book I read and a way of eating that was presented to me when I went through eating disorder therapy. I eat by my hunger.. if I'm hungry I eat and if I'm not, I don't. Well.. sometimes I still do. [emoji4] Basically these days I just don't think about it that much. I just eat. I can eat normal to large portion sizes now. I eat a wide variety of foods including sweets and fried food. I don't love processed snacks but sometimes I still eat those too. I'd say I eat a fairly healthy diet nutrition wise- I eat my fair share of veggies and fruit but I definitely don't ponder about it- I just eat what appeals to me. I like salads as much as I like cake and protein. I initially gained about 10lbs, but I was underweight at a BMI of 17. My weight has remained stable for about a year now, as far as I know. If anyone wants to know more feel free to get in touch. I'm happy to talk about my experiences.

I totally understand. I wanted the Duodenal Switch and did not get a response when I asked if he did it. I was able to research and find Dr Alejandro Lopez at ALO or Bariatric Surgeries is his Facebook group. He has experience in all surgeries and has a very responsive staff.

All these ideas are good. But wow, I buy Bariatric Advantage meal replacements in a bag and only pay $60 a bag. I order it straight from them. I generally add frozen blueberries and cinnamon and it comes out like a brilliant blue cinnamon streusel ice cream. I guess I will get tired of it but haven't yet. It is still pricey but I figure it really isn't bad, with the things I add it works out to about $2 a serving, which is a meal. I use the greek yogurts as they have so much protein, but I love yogurt and the Greek is so much more 'yogurty'. You could add one to your shake mixes to change the flavor some. I started doing that because I tried to go vegetarian and my hair started falling out.

You're going to have to change your eating behavior whether you have bariatric surgery or not. Especially the part about wolfing down your food. That will cause big problems (and possible complications) when you're banded. You asked if you're crazy to have surgery and then answered defensively when other members gave you an honest answer. I don't want to intentionally hurt anyone's feelings, but I have to tell you that getting hurt feelings is pretty common in online groups like LBT. You just joined today, but I've been doing this for years, so take my word for it. And because I've been trashed far, far worse than you've been on this first post of yours, I'm not afraid to tell you that unless you have a medical condition that would be helped by weight loss or bariatric surgery (like diabetes), I think that bariatric surgery is a high price to pay for your vanity, even if it only cost you $1.00. That's because success after bariatric surgery has a very high cost in terms of education, lifestyle changes, aftercare, plus the time and expense of getting fills & unfills. Just my opinion, mind you.

I also have tricare prime I just basically said id like to have bariatric surgery for my health and quality of life, I said I was ready to commit to it and understood the decision I was making. I honestly didnt have any issues when I went on base, I just said I want to have bariatric surgery for the reasons I just stated and the doc was like ok lets get things started. Im not saying your doc may be that easy but I couldnt see why they wouldn't put a referral in at your request to better your health. If you have any questions plz ask me ill try and help. I have had lap band surgery already here in Oklahoma on friday I have a revision to also have the plication done... I guess it would be no better of a time for me to write out my journey on here to help others like yourself who have tricare!

Giiirl, this is about rebirth and renewal! It's ok for it to be about grieving too.....about letting go of something that once mattered a whole lot. Allow the grief to happen.....get those tears out...years of backed up gunk...let it flow and imagine it like washing you clean...baptizing you anew. I have a good feeling about the next steps! And you have a wonderful man to be your cheering section!!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! Thanks so much for such delightful visions of what it is really all about. I'll be driving over to my most special brother's house. This will be my second banded Thanksgiving and I hope I do as well this year as I did the last. I recall leaving without that 'stuffed' feeling and really proud of myself that I didn't devour everything single thing available. I made myself a small plate with spoonfuls of most of the things I liked. I also had Desserts, but they were small in comparison to years before and I left feeling completely satisfied and NOT GUILTY for having eaten like there was no tomorrow. I was able to actually sit back and observe my loved ones and actually 'see' that sparkle in their eyes, enjoy their laughs and their warmth toward others. I left feeling truly thankful for so much. My own life and health returned, my totally dysfunctional, but awesome family, new generations, new traditions, renewed faith in a God who got us as far as we have come. Finally, what Thanksgiving is all about. Bounty IS more than food, and it is far more visible to one who is not in a food induced stupor.lol

i have kaiser, so my pcp had to refer me to the bariatric dept. all referals have to go thru your pcp. he was supportive tho and knew it was good for my health! best of luck to you all! Kelly

I am in the Houston area, too. My insurance would not cover any type of bariatric surgery, so I ended up going to Tijuana, Mexico for the sleeve. I used Dr. Ismael Cabrera and paid $4,500 for the surgery last month. I had a great experience. If you do decide to go the Mexico route, you will need a passport. Good luck to you! Tijuana felt safe to us. Not once did we feel that we were in danger. Everyone said that TJ was bad 6 years ago, but has calmed down since.

We all deserve a treat, and this time of year is when many of us exchange gifts, whether for Christmas or Hanukah, or simply out of family tradition. It’s a good chance to ask your loved ones to pitch in for something you need, or for something that is a bit of a luxury that you would not normally get yourself. I’m wondering what is on your holiday gift list, and whether your wishes have to do with weight loss surgery. food journals, memberships to health and fitness app sites, and gift cards to bariatric food and supplement stores make great gifts at any stage of your WLS journey. If you’re pre-op, you might be hoping for a blender for your mushies stage, or an IOU to redeem when you need help in the kitchen, taking care of your children, or cleaning the house as you recover from surgery. If you are post-op, your list might include exercise clothes and shoes, a gift card to your favorite healthy restaurant, or some Protein bars to have on hand. What is on your holiday gift list that can help you lose weight and keep it off in the coming year?

Honestly? That's what got a lot of us this fat to begin with. I'm planning on avoiding those foods as much as I can til I'm in maintenance. They're trigger foods for me. My nutritionist/surgeon puts their patients on a strict low-carb, high-protein plan, and that seems to be the case for most bariatric patients, from my research.

Hi everyone! I have been toying with the idea of a band for a few years now. I had started the process again in early March of this year then got diagnosed with Stage 1 Breast Cancer. I've gone through surgery, radiation and now I'm on a hormone blocking pill for the next 10 years. My cancer was 100% estrogen positive and we all know that fat stores estrogen. Right now weightloss is my top priority. My MO, PCP and Bariatric Surgeon all agree. I just wondered if anyone else has been in a situation similar to mine? I expect to be banded early October regardless of whether insurance covers it or not. A generous friend has offered to cover the cost for me. Weightloss can help prevent reoccurance and even with knowing this I still can't control my food on my own!

Hi there.. I am too nervous that I won't get approved also. Although TriCare (Prime) approved 4 doctors visits. My PCM has filled out the Letter of Medical Necessity Paperwork, Clearance for Surgery and Blood Work. I go see the Bariatric Surgeon on Monday. I am hoping that everything will go smoothly !!! My BMI is 39-40 with a history of hypertension, high cholesterol and lower back pain. Just wish me luck for MONDAY !!

September 24! Have to lose 10%first..insurance requires it! Any suggestions? 9 more pounds to go been doing the bariatric shakes and one light meal a day.

I also take my Vitamins religiously. VIT D--5000 u/day---I was super deficient prior to surgery. (Level was 15, low normal is 30, my level now 58) Bariatric multi Biotin B-complex B-1, it's not in the complex and I was on the low side of normal when I just had my labs checked otherwise they were all great. .