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I saw a bariatric patch vitamin. I think I am going to order some. Is the hair loss from lack of certain vitamins?

I had been Struggling at over 300 Pounds since I quit smoking back in 2008. When I quit I was @ 275 and ballooned to over 300 in months. I looked at bariatric Surgery in 2010 and actually took my insurance required classes and decided not to because of the restrictions of certain foods and told myself I could drop from the 315 i weighed at that time. In 2016 I had got to my heaviest at 366 pounds. 2017 was the year I said i was making changes and dropped to 333 I also started looking at bariatric surgery to help me, then i started taking the weight loss surgery classes again from Kaiser. After the 12 weeks of classes I had dropped to 310, and by March 2018 I was 306 on surgery day. Now I do say why didn't I do it sooner, we all end up saying that after, but I do recognize that mentally I was not ready 9 years ago. I did meet one guy who decided not to have surgery and has lost 60lbs on his own, to date and I commend him on his hard work and changes. I know that the surgery was the tool to help me make the correct choices to keep myself at a healthy weight. Good luck with your decision. 👍

So its been interesting reading so many people saying bad things about the gastric balloon, because for me, even though its very early days, it is going really well. I have lost 8kg since my procedure on May 21st (starting weight 134.9kg which I think is just under 300 pounds?, height 5'6), I am, as advertised, not hungry at all, and while the first week I was cramping somewhat, I haven't vomited or had any nausea at all. I haven't had any issues in the puree stage and am already finding some soft foods are okay too, though I do still feel more comfortable on liquids so I am dialing it back a bit and taking the transition slower as the fullness is hard to (lol) stomach. Speaking of stomachs, even though I intellectually knew better, I think my mind always associated my stomach with my belly, so intestinal pains or discomfort sometimes translated as hunger pains for me I think. I have never been so aware of my actual stomach before and I think that's hugely important to learning how to change my lifestyle going forward. I can hopefully do a better job listening to my hunger and fullness cues because this balloon is taking me to actually listen to the right body part! I wonder if this is something anyone else has experienced as part of their bariatric weightloss journey? I must say I did a LOT of preparation in the lead up to my procedure, I created a folder with all the info I needed for my different stages, as well as recipe ideas, info about possible health issues and troubleshooting for anything that might come up, tracker sheets for water and medication, weight loss, exercise tips for recovery, measurements etc (like you might have in a bullet journal) and I am referring back to my folder and adding to it constantly - which is actually super fun and keeps me motivated! I got some info from my surgeon and dietician, as well as the usual orbera booklet (in digital form, so i printed only the relevant bits - why there are whole pages of slim people who have never needed to consider weight loss procedures in these things I will never know lol) and I also scoured the internets for resources from other hospitals, much of which is more aimed at surgical patients but is still really relevant for me. I think it's a mindfulness thing, because I find that adding to my folder is great way to keep my mind busy and get out of old habits (And I have cute stickers that I put in there too). I was an emotional eater all my life but recently I am realising I am also a boredom eater - so trying to replace those boredom triggers with other things is my main goal, sometimes I find myself even though I am FULL, thinking about eating something out of boredom so I am learning how best to divert my brain with new fun things. I think a lot of people go into the gastric balloon thinking is going to be a quick fix and obviously that isn't the case. Its a tool like any other. They say the average amount lost is around 15kg but as I am halfway there already, and I have at least a year of this, I am quietly hopeful that my goal is in reach ( I want to get below 100kg, so the total amount I want to lose is 35kg over the time I have this balloon). It's still early days for me but I feel hopeful. I can do this. Honestly I'm not sure if my lack of vomming is because I am being so careful with how much I have at once, or because I am tracking the medication and taking that regularly as a preemptive thing, or if I am just one of the lucky ones. Along with not being hungry (at ALL), I am not having any of my regular cravings. I tell people the fullness feels like.... say you stuffed yourself eating a huge meal then someone put a slice of chocolate mud cake in front of you and even though you KNOW it would taste good, the idea of even getting it near your mouth is the last thing you want. Or say you've had a big holiday dinner and now you need to go have a mid-afternoon nap to sleep it off. I feel like that almost all the time right now so there really is no room for temptation. I'm happy to talk about my experience with the balloon insertion, why and how I chose the balloon (and why Orbera), how I put my folder together, or generally answer any questions. And I hope to come back and update on my progress to help keep myself accountable. Sent from my SM-G965F using BariatricPal mobile app

I also went with Flintstones. I compared them to Opurity and two Flintstones were very similar to the Opurity Bariatric vitamins, except I'll need to supplement B12 and Vitamin D.

Be sure you know exactly what is required first and make sure Dr is documenting what needs to be at each visit. My visits were with my Bariatric Team (Nutritionist).

This is a great topic, even if it's an old thread. I've been at / below goal for 14 months now. And I definitely take notice of heavy strangers when I'm out and about -- probably more now than I used to. (BTW, I don't pay much attention to the size of people I already know, because I'm focused on what we're doing together or discussing.) It would be hard for me, as a WLS patient who recently lost 100 pounds, not to notice others' sizes and wonder if they look as big as I used to be, or bigger, or how our sizes compared before I lost weight, or how our sizes compare now, etc. The thoughts and emotions I have about these heavy strangers are all over the place, depending on my mood, how they present themselves, and so many other things. Do I feel superior to them? Honestly -- sometimes, I do. But that feeling is immediately coupled with immense gratitude to the fates / my surgeon / my PCP / my own efforts / whoever invented the sleeve / etc. that I'm no longer in their shoes. I'm also overwhelmed by how much change I've undergone in the last two years. Often I project my old memories of obesity onto these heavy strangers. I think I know the pain in their joints and back. I think I know the mental exhaustion they go through just finding the energy to go to the grocery store and the resolution it takes to keep moving their carts toward the back of the store and finish their shopping lists. I think I know from their lack of eye contact how frustrated / embarrassed / mortified / angry they are about their situation, their appearance, their health concerns and how disadvantaged they feel at work and in their personal relationships because of their growing weight. Sometimes these encounters are emotionally overwhelming. For me, being obese was brutal. It was an awful way to try to live. It's hard to see others in that situation. On a related note, I recently started being a guest lecturer at my bariatric surgeon's all-day educational seminars for patients now prepping for their own WLS. When I'm standing in front of those folks I feel like I'm with my tribe. I try to tell my own WLS story in a way that makes it easy for them to identify with the "skinny bitch" I now look like at 135 pounds and to imagine they could soon feel renewed health and social freedom. I show slides of myself over the years -- of unflattering weight fluctuations, aging, with obvious growing exhaustion and health challenges. From their head nods and strong eye contact and smiles I know we're connecting. I wouldn't walk up to a stranger and offer them some version of "WLS could save you, too." But those pre-op patients are sitting where I sat three years ago. I know how badly they NEED TO FEEL that their hope is not irrational and that they really can escape the prison of obesity. I feel so honored to give back this way.

You mean Eduardo Zonta. He's currently Dr. Luis Cervantes's personal assistant. Eduardo Zonta used to be Dr. Carlos Altamirano's personal assistant. It's a small world......Dr. Cervantes used to be Dr. Altamirano's surgical assistant. Hospital Guadalajara is covering up this death as they've covered up Dr. Altamirano's patient deaths at the same facility. Please don't select your bariatric surgeon based on price. I suggest doing more research before selecting your surgeon.

I have BCBSNC. I called them before starting this process and was told I only had to have 6 mth of documented weight loss attempt. But it did not have to be submitted to insurance only my dr had to approve it. And this is what my policy states. My pre-op coordinator said the surgeon accepted my WW log because it was about 9 months straight within 2 yrs. So after going through all tests, etc. my file was turned over to the insurance coordinator for filing. She emails me the next day and says she cant submit without my 6 mths supervised visit & if I dont have it, I need to get started. I explained my policy doesnt require it only requires that my dr approved whatever I did and pre-op said dr approved it. She said she has been doing this a while and even if dr "approves" it doesn't mean insurance will, but she will submit "as is" if I request. I can't do 6 months supervised now because my policy renews June 1 & my deductible etc will apply all over again. We met our out of pocket is the only reason I can have to now. So it was submitted Friday. We will see. I hope she doesn't mess it up. Is bcbs asking for you to have 6 mths documented?JWow1 I just had my consultation with the surgeon's office on the 28th I had about 8 months of attempts but was told per my insurance a 6 month supervised diet is apart of my requirements. My first of 6 appointments will be on the 25th of February. One thing my coordinator told me is that it has to be a consecutive 6 months if you miss a month you have to start over. To come this far and have met your oop max I really hope they will accept your attempts. I hope so too! We'll see.

Betty, your fall sounds just awful but I'm so glad you've already lost so much weight that you were able to catch yourself and not break any bones. It's a victory, no? I'm glad you're on the mend. I just have a second to write because I'm at home with my family and it's Christmas night, but I did want to check in and say I've been keeping up with the exercise even while on vacation. I walked 35 minutes (largely up major hills) for the last 3 days and I ran 2 miles this morning on my step mother's treadmill. I'm looking forward to getting back home and having some time to get back on my regular schedule, but I'm doing ok for it being vacation. Don't know what my weight is, but I'll worry about that when I get home. I'm pretty sure I'm not gaining and that's all I can ask for this moment. My uncle is a bariatric surgeon (he didn't do my surgery -- I actually didn't even know he did bands, I thought he was exclusively bypass) and I saw him today for the first time in a year. He's not the most tactful chap and his questions were uncomfortable, but I'm pretty happy with how I handled them, so that's that. It's one of the things I was worried about this season -- one of the stresses of coming home, and I'm glad it's behind me. Take care all. Check in with you soon. Julie

I live in Desoto County. My insurance prefers St. Francis, covers more if I use them. I just switched PCP a few weeks ago. She is willing to refer me to a bariatric surgeon. I asked her to help me with the 6 month documentation....she told me to go see a dietician to do that. I will be her 1st ever WLS patient. What do you think? Should I be more agressive with her or go see a dietician? Thanks

hi everyone :thumbup: this is my first post. my surgery day is june 11th! yay! my doctor wanted me to lose 20lbs before surgery, so i've been on a diet of 2 protein shakes and a small low-carb meal a day since my initial consult on the 10th. i went last friday for my dietary consult and started my 2-week liquid only diet. so far i'm down 14lbs. my doctor sells bariatric advantage in his office, but i've been using the isopure dutch chocolate i got from gnc. i went ahead and got a pkg of the ba banana at my appt friday.....disgusting! isopure is muuuuuch better!

Hey there Eileen, glad your here :confused: I don't know those to doc's sorry. My doc was from Hackensack Medical University... He's the head of bariatric surgery there. Dr. Garth Ballantyne. So far so good and I like him very much. I don't know if he takes Medicare....you'd have to call their office. Here's the link to his website and the phone # is there some where. http://www.lapsurgery.com/index.htm GOOD LUCK !!! Point Pleasant is the only beach I go to in the summer.... Love Jenkins !!!

For my multi, I take either a Vitamin capsule my doctor's office sells or Bariatric Advantage chewable multis. I also take Vitamin D, Cal-mag, Biotin, a B-complex, additional pantothenic acid, selenium, Co Q-10, and chewable Iron on alternating days. Everything listed is something I found I simply did not meet minimum requirements for over a long period of time. (I track nutrients on Fitday.) Now I meet or exceed the USRDA for everything but potassium, which my doctor monitors (and will Rx supplementation for if needed). The Co Q-10 is a supplement he suggests all patients take daily---preferably for life. ETA: Since surgery, I have not been able to tolerate pills---at least, not pressed tablets. So, every supplement I take is either a chewable, a powder-containing capsule (breaks down before it tries to pass through the stoma) or a gelcap (same idea).

Hello all! I'm so excited to find some friends from Ft. Hood. I was banded on Dec. 14th. Yep, during R&R. lol I go to Southwest Bariatric's in Austin. My Dr. is Dr. Marquez. She is wonderful. The hospital I choose was Seton Williamson in Round Rock. The hospital is new & full of wonderful experienced nurses. :laugh: Ok, now for the questions! I was doing well till Tuesday. I was feeling sore/very uncomfortable on the way to & back from DFW(taking Hubby back:cry_smile:). I stopped this side of Dallas & threw-up. I was dizzy & was really hurting. :confused_smile:I debated on trying to make it home or stay the night near by. I also wondered if I may be so hungry but didn't really know it. McDonalds was next door. I decided to try my luck & eat the most forbidden food in our new dictionary of foods to eat, french fries & a hamburger. I ate a small amount of fry's(approx 6) & 1/4 of the burger & felt better right away. Yes, I felt guilty but I made it home with 4 kids in tow...Please don't tell me I shouldn't have done that because it was the only thing near when I felt so aweful. I don't plan on doing it again... Will my first fill(Dec, 4th) help with feeling so aweful? I also have so much indigestion & diarrhea is horrible! My diet right now is lots of vegetables, jello, soup etc... My other questions are is anyone hurting under their left rib cage? Does anyone feel their port? My feels just like when I was pregnant & could feel my child's knee! What does a slip feel like?Please let me know what you all have been experiencing. Jean:confused:

My surgeon is David Martin at Huntington Hospital Pasadena. There is also California Bariatric Associates at Arcadia Methodist Hospital, Dr Troy LaMar. I like him and his staff but he will not do a LapBand on anyone with BMI over 45.

I think there's many signifigant others that have underlying issues with their other 1/2s being banded. The renewed confidence can and is surely intimidating to the less confident.

Oh you and your logic..... Sigh, sure I can't fix it myself???:lovechoc: I was going to call the Bariatric nurse, she gave me her cell number. Just waiting for a reasonable time. As I am nightshift and she is days... Thanks for your input.

Stranger138: I found it all a clever (or cruel) irony that I went to a bariatric surgeon and was put on a diet. LOL! What the heck??? The logical-thinking individual in me can totally see what their reasoning is. It's all very smart and wise to get your brain conditioned to the notion of smaller amounts, chewing longer, etc. blah, blah, blah. However, the food adoring, chip-munching, coffee-drinking, compulsive-overeater in me looked them square in the eye and said, "You have GOT to be kidding me???" All I have to say to your splurge is "Tomorrow is a new day, sister!!" You know, I think the fact that we've had ANY bit of success on our pre-op diets is AWESOME!

Hello all, I'm new to this site. Just wanted to make myself known. Im a 25year old female from nc who has been overweight all my life. I'm a also a RN on a bariatric surgery unit. So i work with patients that have had this type of surgery everyday. So, now I have started this journey. I have my first consultation with my surgeon on Jan. 21, 1983. So wish me good luck!!!!!!!

I am in North Florida but more like Central North.. Lake City area.. I would ask the bariatric nurse if there is a support group. We have one that meets once a month and some of us have exchanged email, cell #.. I am sure there are plenty of Jacksonville bandsters around.. Good Luck on your journey... It has been the best thing I have ever done..

I had my surgery in Tijuana April 2nd by Dr. Fernando Garcia, he is with Tijuana Bariatric. He has done around 5000 of these surgery's. He has moved to a brand new hospital my care was excellent. On the hour every hour someone was checking my vitals. I am down 12Lbs in one week. I went to Mexico because my insurance would not pay even though I suffer from degenerative arthritis and a torn meniscus. If you have any questions let me know I am here to chat.

Doesent bariatric pal have a singles forum they just started maybe you will have luck there..

Oh wow. Someone who lost weight from bariatric surgery on Skin Tight! ????????

You add something to your diary in order to get over 1k calories (the minimum) and finish your log, then go in and edit it to remove the calories so you get an accurate count. Not completing the diary doesn't affect your streak of logging or anything though. I did 1 year 3 months straight last time and I'm on 117 days since I entered the bariatric program and started logging again, and I've only completed it a few times. I always forget by the end of the day.

Where is everybody????????????? Speed Racer here. Saw my bariatric surgeon last Tuesday she was very upset felt like she has let me down. I told her to stop that or she's was going to make me cry. She said she would be more then happy to switch me over to the bypass but the insurance companies have stopped paying.??????????? She said they are cracking down on patients that want to switch. She said I would have to gain weight to be considered go figure. I don't want to gain weight for any reason at all. Anyways, she wanted to try something with me and see what would happen. What she did was took all of my fluid out. If I was pain free after then it would mean it's the band and she would go back in and put another one in a better one with softer edges (I need to get more information about it). If still in pain then she would just go in and take it out. Well, guess what people??????????????? Speed Racer is pain free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So I see her tomorrow and will go from there I will keep you all posted.:thumbup::confused::thumbup::wink2: