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And if you are not a WLS candidate, I don't think you do. Sure it's wonderful to have support people, everybody should-- even if Bariatric Pal is it for you, but unless you have walked in our shoes and on this path, you just can't. Sure you can observe it but you just don't know all the feelings that come with it. Some bad, majority good --but like parenthood the hardest,yet rewarding, thing you can do with yourself. And please believe me, when you,are on here YOU ARE NOT ALONE, we know the struggles, the benefits even the "Oh what have I done to myself?"moments. And the veterans walk in the sunlight of better health and ask us to join them there.[emoji67][emoji68][emoji69][emoji70][emoji13] Sunshine and Smiles my friend. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

Yes! It's absolutely about finding the sweet spot! And not going cray in the trying. LOL! (at least for me) So if you're losing steadily, why are you cutting cals still and stressing over 1oz or 1/4c? And I am so happy with my RD. I would wish for everyone that they could find that exact person who can work with them. Cuz they really can allay fears. Mine works most exclusively with bariatrics but also with some kidney and liver patients. So I do trust her feedback and direction. You know?

Sinusitis which has persisted for close to a month. On my 4th antibiotic to try to clear it up. When I blow my nose and I do that fairly frequently, I think that Barbie woman was right--i am rotten inside. Ah but she was the only pile of bovine excrement I've ever,met on Bariatric Pal. Most people on here are beautiful people who are very helpful to everyone. Am I closer to surgery? Not really but the wheels are still turning but not with much speed. I have a 2. hour psych appointment at OSU with their staff psychologist Dr Kramer 10AM-Noon at Martha Morehouse Pavilion in Columbus. My PCP says to just act like my wonderful,self and things will be fine. What if they screw me over like the other program did? How,much sorrow and frustration am I supposed to accept? Since I completed all of the prerequirements from the other program will they accept them all? So many questions So few answers--- what next?[emoji31][emoji13][emoji31] Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

Ok, yes this helps. The RD at my doctors office was not helpful for me- I've found out since that I'm not the only one who is unhappy with her... I have the name of a new RD who has her own practice for Bariatric patients and I'm scheduling an appointment next week with her. Hopefully that will help me. I'm still losing steadily- down 20 lbs so I'm not too worried. It's funny that I've cut me calories by 80% 75% and now I'm stressing over eating 100 calories or 1 oz or 1/4 cup too much! I have noticed that if I do not eat enough my energy drops dramatically and my intestines back up. It really is about finding the sweet spot.

So coachy71 how are things going for you? Miss seeing your postings, guess I like to keep all Bariatric Ducks in a row.[emoji213][emoji625] Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

So I’m “saving money” by spending the amount I would have on a full size box, but by not getting the full size? Thankfully I had a coupon which will make me keep the order, but I probably won’t renew unless they get better. Yes, I received the box which is why I was wondering where the $50 dollars was coming from. I’m not trying to be harsh, but very little product (in my eyes) was in it.

If you’d have purchased all the items individually for our last box (which you can’t because you normally need to buy them by the case). Your total actual cost would have been exactly $49.37 + $6.99 shipping for a total of $56.37 per box. Not only are you saving good money, you’re also getting the opportunity to not commit to large amounts per item, you save an extra 10% on any items you’d like to re-order that you enjoyed. There are a few other benefits that I have t mentioned as well. Did you receive your first box yet? So far the feedback we’ve received has been fantastic. Unlike other bariatric boxes, we actually purchase the items we send each month. Most of the other players get vendors to “donate” items to their box in order to garner publicity for these products. You generally get products that aren’t truly bariatric friendly or they’re the least popular products these vendors would be disposing anyway. We don’t cut corners and would LOVE any and all feedback you have.

I suggest you consult the physician prescribing the meds and that he/she contact the bariatric surgeon and get educated on the impact of malabsorption of this med. I cannot give any experience for RNY, I had the sleeve - I briefly went to a crushed IR version of Wellbutrin after surgery but went back to SR after a few weeks of healing. (You can't crush any extended release medication)

Thanks all for your advises and recommendations! My confusion was not about arguing whether to take vitamins or not! I am already taking vitamins and not planning by all means to compromise on any requirement! I heard that there is a brand called “Fusion” specific for those who did Bariatric surgeries! My question does it have everything needed or shall I add more! Sorry my earlier message was not clear! yet thanks for the care reflected in all responses

I have UHC Choice and was required to call them myself and I am glad i did. They appointed me a bariatric nurse that will be there to answer all my questions as well check on me after surgery. I did have to go to a COE and they gave me the numbers of places close to me. They also told me all of my requirements a head of time so i knew what to expect before I even called to Center to make an appointment. You want to go to a COE anyhow because they specialize in weight loss surgery. So you know you are in good hands:)

Maygoddess, I know exactly how you feel!!! I have a Lap-band that has slipped twice (one required surgical re-positioning and the other a complete un-fill) and it now has a LEAK!! It was a great tool that worked well for approximately 11 years, but the last 2 years have been a struggle. My appetite returned vengeance and I regained the 135 pounds and a bit more within that time period. I have tried countless times to get fills in hopes that somehow it will fix itself, but of course that was wishful thinking. Depression, disgust, embarrassment, and frustration set in and I felt so lost. I continued asking myself how could I let this happen , but I honestly couldn't control my hunger. To not have an appetite for over 9 years and then wake up feeling as if I could eat ANYTHING scared the crap out of me. I even went to the weight management doctor in hopes to be prescribed an appetite control suppressant, but my blood pressure was too high so the answer to that was "NO." I was so angry at that point and I knew I needed help, but didn't know what to do. Did I mention that bariatric surgery is an exclusion in my medical insurance benefits? The money that I've spent going back and forth to doctors for fills, un-fills, upper GI testing, follow-up appointments, anesthesia, etc.. was getting ridiculous. I couldn't afford it anymore. It was taking a toll on me financially and mentally. There was no one for me to talk to because no one knew what I was going through. When I would see family members that I haven't seen in a while, I would hear things like "what happened?" "you're bigger than me," "I didn't even recognize you," "you got soooo big," and the hurtful comments went on and on. Although I knew the comments weren't a deliberate attempt to hurt me, EVERY word felt like a dagger poking at me. In February, out of despair and desperation, I contacted a friend that had VSG surgery in Mexico with excellent results and explained my nightmare to her. She told me about her great experience and I was sold. Long story short, I'm scheduled for revision surgery (Lap-band to VSG) on April 4th in Mexico. I'll be travelling alone and I'm nervous, but I have to do this for me because I'm miserable. Some say that revision from Lap-band to Gastric Sleeve doesn't always have the best success rates , but I refuse to believe that. I CAN NOT AND I WILL NOT FAIL! Maygoddess, I'm so sorry that you've had this experience, but I'm glad to know that you have options. You are not alone in this struggle. Now I can't tell you whether or not to stay California for surgery or travel to Mexico, but I advise you to follow your heart because it won't lead you wrong . Sorry for the long post. Best of luck to you. Please keep us posted.

Hi C~Morse! I had my sleeve done in Fort Worth at Ultimate Bariatrics. HW 240 SW 217 (1/10/18) CW 185

Yes. Every person I encountered was specific to Bariatric surgery. They were very well prepared and knew exactly what they were doing.

I went to my pcp on 12/13 and got the referral to see a bariatric surgeon. She was against it due to my low BMI, but my orthopedic surgeon was all about it due to my osteoarthritis (knee replacement at 36 years old already, it’s really bad). Anyhow, went to the bariatric surgeon and had to wait 3 months to submit to insurance due to pre-op diet requirements. I finished my 3 months on 3/13 and was approved by Cigna by 3/15. I am scheduled on 4/16 for VSG. Age: 37 Height: 5’6 BMI: 37 VSG scheduled for 4/16/18 GW: 160 MFP: Fit4LifeAR

I’m new to all this. Going to Bailey Bariatrics in Owasso. They are so nice. I’m just curious how I will feel after surgery. We have a vacation planned for July 15th so I hope my surgery is done in May. I plan on going back to work in 2-3 days after surgery. I have a desk job that doesn’t require lifting. Anyone able to return back to work this soon?

Did you have your ventral hernia repaired at the same time as your bariatric surgery? How was recovery?

That’s good to hear. I’m going to the location in Fort Worth. I want to do RNY, but also have hernias and I saw that he specializes in both types of surgeries. Plus my insurance will cover the hernia surgery and most likely pay out of pocket for the bariatric surgery. Hope everything goes well for you!

Do they have a special unit dedicated to bariatric surgery?

Hi. It’s great that you’ve joined us. You have begun your Bariatric Adventure and it will have its highs and lows. Frustration slips in sometimes while working through all that’s expected in order to be approved. But...this is all worthwhile. Joy replaces the low times when you hear your approved and again when you get your surgery date. It feels great! I applaud you for taking this massive step toward great health. Way to go! [emoji259]

And where are you located? I call myself the Bariatric Godmother since I'm about the oldest(72) active and have a strong sense of helpfulness. My advice: look for a Bariatric High Risk surgeon at a Center of Excellence hospital, preferably attached to a teaching university with a medical school. They are the creme de la creme in their field, you have to be up to date to teach future doctors and surgeons. Let me use ME as an example. I don't have a diagnosis of CHF but I do have lymphedema and venous stasis in both legs. Although I'm not the star pitcher I am playing on that ball-field. I live in Central Ohio, I will be having my RnY surgery at Ohio State University-Wexner Medical,Center in Columbus, our state capital. OSU is a Bariatric Center of Excellence hospital, has been since the early,2000s. One of the pioneers in minimally invasive laprascopic surgery if I remember correctly. I'm not sure which of the doctors will be mine, I suspect the Chief of Bariatric Surgery because of my age. I am not as high risk,as you,but my age would give some doctors pause to reflect. I am in good to excellent shape for my age, my PCP calls me a 45 year old trapped inside a fat arthritic 72 body. My BP, heart, lungs, and diabetes status are better than his and he's in only his mid-40s. I passed all the prerequirements for another program, they "kicked me to the curb" after being in their program since August 2015, very rare occurance so no worries for you about that. My records were transferred to OSU where I probably should have gone in the 1st place, I have a 2 hour psych appointment with OSU staff psychologist Dr Kramer April 25th, then depending on whether they require additional testings, it could be as soon as early May, might be June sure hope it won't be July. My high school reunion[emoji621] will be August 11th, I had hoped to look so good nobody would recognize me![emoji14][emoji626]Oh but que sera sera, whatever will be will be. In the,meantime I'll stay the course in an upbeat frame if mind[emoji304] If I can help any other people on their journeys, hurray!!÷ Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi Mattymatt. Thank you for sharing. I have found a surgeon. Going to Loma Linda University, Dr Scharf. It's a really good hospital here in the Inland Empire area of CA. He is the lead bariatric surgery there. I have a 2 hour meeting scheduled with him on April 4 to go over all of the tests I've had so far. He had told me that he worked on someone who was at 10% EF which I thought was incredible. The risk is with the anesthesia. I'm told that the EF will fall even more and could lead to cardiac arrest. I interviewed 4 other doctors before choosing Dr. Scharf. I feel like I'm in good hands but still pretty scary.

According to the internet: Nausea and vomiting are the most common complaints after bariatric surgery, and they are typically associated with inappropriate diet and noncompliance with a gastroplasty diet (ie, eat undisturbed, chew meticulously, never drink with meals, and wait 2 hours before drinking after solid food is consumed). If these symptoms are associated with epigastric pain, significant dehydration, or not explained by dietary indiscretions, an alternative diagnosis must be explored. One of the most common complications causing nausea and vomiting in gastric bypass patients is anastomotic ulcers, with and without stomal stenosis. Ulceration or stenosis at the gastrojejunostomy of the gastric bypass has a reported incidence of 3% to 20%. Although no unifying explanation for the etiology of anastomotic ulcers exists, most experts agree that the pathogenesis is likely multifactorial. These ulcers are thought to be due to a combination of preserved acid secretion in the pouch, tension from the Roux limb, ischemia from the operation, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use, and perhaps Helicobacter pylori infection. Evidence suggests that little acid is secreted in the gastric bypass pouch; however, staple line dehiscence may lead to excessive acid bathing of the anastomosis. Treatment for both marginal ulcers and stomal ulcers should include avoidance of NSAIDs, antisecretory therapy with proton-pump inhibitors, and/or sucralfate. In addition, H pylori infection should be identified and treated, if present. In your particular case it is important to know how you were tested. If this is the result of blood test, the negative result may not mean much. Tests and procedures used to determine whether you have an H. pylori infection include: Blood test. Analysis of a blood sample may reveal evidence of an active or previous H. pylori infection in your body. However, breath and stool tests are better at detecting active H. pylori infections than is a blood test.

Definitely a great idea! My Bariatric surgeon, gyno and pcp are in same hospital network. My gyno referred me and my primary has been very supportive. He’s even excited for me! He’s hoping to learn from my experience because he has other patients he thinks the Bariatric clinic could really help.

This is the first birthday in your new and renewed life. What a beautiful day it will be! Congratulations also on your new teaching position. You're right many good things are starting to happen for you and it is my belief they Will only continue on and on. Best wishes to you and your family.[emoji14] Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

One thing I will say about bariatric surgeons today is it still the same thing, a money game for them. They won't even talk to me because I am on Medicare. I even wrote to one in this state that does this surgery supposedly one of the better ones. His assistant got back to me and said pretty much, you don't have cash, you don't have good insurance (Medicare) see ya. When I did have good insurance they were falling over each other trying to get my business and cut me up.