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My program requires 60-90 grams of protein per day. 64 ounces of water (or non caloric liquid). It can be very difficult to get your liquid in, so keep in mind that you can always add some type of flavor to make it easier to drink. It is common for WLS patients to develop nausea to plain water after surgery. I recommend crystal light, caffeine free tea, Stur drops, or even fruit infused water. Stay away from the following foods: white breads, pasta, fried food, caloric beverages, carbonation, alcohol (for min. 6 months), and foods with processed and refined sugar. Getting in at least 30 minutes of exercise 5-7 days per week. Vitamins- I attached a guide that lists what the ASMBS recommends for a daily intake. I achieve this by taking a bariatric vitamin and I also supplement extra Vitamin D/Calcium and biotin. Also, my program is BIG about only eating 3 meals a day, with 1 snack if needed. So it is important to eat your protein first, then your non-starchy vegetable, and if you have room... a fruit OR starch can be incorporated 1 time daily. I eat approximately a 1/2 cup per meal, sometimes a up to a cup if it is soup. BariLifeVitaminGuidesm.pdf

Hi Mike I'm just evesdripping on here this AM, the nearest Center of Excellence to me is 50+ miles, the one I'm now strongly considering is 54.1 miles, if necessary I'll bring that up to both Medicare and Medicaid. Power to all my Bariatric Pals! Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

I was searching for information on my own insurance and found your post. I'm sorry for the late reply but wanted to provide some info. Have you checked Integris Baptist Medical Center's program? They are a Bariatric Center of Excellence; my insurance requires it, too. Best wishes to you for approval and a successful procedure.

Some of my friends have said they wish they could have it done but can’t afford it, for them it’s the cost. In the uk just about everyone has to pay for bariatric surgery, the nhs will only pay if it’s life threatening and then you have to wait years. Private Insurance won’t pay so for me I had to pay $16,000. Luckily I had recently retired (early) and had a good pay out so my husband said it was the best thing we could use the money towards to make sure I lived longer to enjoy my retirement and the grandkids. I am proud I had it done and my friends all seem to support me.

Hello Everyone. My name is Erica but in the social media world I go by the name Bariatric Butterfly. I’m a WLS Sister who had the Duodenal Switch in 2009. At my highest I weighed 399 lbs. On the day of surgery I weighed 384 lbs. Surgery got me down to roughly 210 lbs or so, but I managed to get myself back up to 230 lbs before getting real with myself. As of today, I’m weighing in at 164 lbs and have been able to maintain for a while all without starving and drinking shakes all day every day. Throughout my journey I’ve been asked many times how I’ve managed to maintain a healthy lifestyle and continue to be successful so many years out. I would say perseverance, dedication and commitment to myself regardless of the circumstances. So many have asked about working with me. I didn't want to do it unless the time was right and I had something of value, substance and structure to bring to offer. Well, I am excited to announce that I am working on a 30 day online program that offers fitness, nutritional, and lifestyle coaching to post weight-loss surgery (WLS) women who are at-least 18 months post op.. Since this is a new program and I have some kinks to work out, I’m looking to work with 8 women for 30 days beginning 04/01 in exchange for both a written and recorded testimony. I want to ensure that the 8 women I select are serious and committed to PERMANENT lifestyle changes. Here’s what you can expect: - Daily check-ins for accountability - Weekly shopping list - Weekly workouts with videos (gym or home) - Weekly diet - Weekly skype or zoom q&a - Lifestyle modification tips - Direct access to me via WhatsApp - Private group community I don’t subscribe or promote quick weight-loss or any reset diets. If this is what you’re looking for then this is not the program for you. I’m for changing the mind to achieve weight loss success. If you’re ready to make the commitment and get off the yo-yo wagon for good, let’s chat to see if this is the right program for you. Please complete the form via the following link: http://bit.ly/beautimorphisis-intake If you know someone that would be a good fit for, please share.

Hello Everyone. My name is Erica but in the social media world I go by the name Bariatric Butterfly. I’m a WLS Sister who had the Duodenal Switch in 2009. At my highest I weighed 399 lbs. On the day of surgery I weighed 384 lbs. Surgery got me down to roughly 210 lbs or so, but I managed to get myself back up to 230 lbs before getting real with myself. As of today, I’m weighing in at 164 lbs and have been able to maintain for a while all without starving and drinking shakes all day every day. Throughout my journey I’ve been asked many times how I’ve managed to maintain a healthy lifestyle and continue to be successful so many years out. I would say perseverance, dedication and commitment to myself regardless of the circumstances. So many have asked about working with me. I didn't want to do it unless the time was right and I had something of value, substance and structure to bring to offer. Well, I am excited to announce that I am working on a 30 day online program that offers fitness, nutritional, and lifestyle coaching to post weight-loss surgery (WLS) women who are at-least 18 months post op.. Since this is a new program and I have some kinks to work out, I’m looking to work with 8 women for 30 days beginning 04/01 in exchange for both a written and recorded testimony. I want to ensure that the 8 women I select are serious and committed to PERMANENT lifestyle changes. Here’s what you can expect: - Daily check-ins for accountability - Weekly shopping list - Weekly workouts with videos (gym or home) - Weekly diet - Weekly skype or zoom q&a - Lifestyle modification tips - Direct access to me via WhatsApp - Private group community I don’t subscribe or promote quick weight-loss or any reset diets. If this is what you’re looking for then this is not the program for you. I’m for changing the mind to achieve weight loss success. If you’re ready to make the commitment and get off the yo-yo wagon for good, let’s chat to see if this is the right program for you. Please complete the form via the following link: http://bit.ly/beautimorphisis-intake If you know someone that would be a good fit for, please share.

Hello Everyone. My name is Erica but in the social media world I go by the name Bariatric Butterfly. I’m a WLS Sister who had the Duodenal Switch in 2009. At my highest I weighed 399 lbs. On the day of surgery I weighed 384 lbs. Surgery got me down to roughly 210 lbs or so, but I managed to get myself back up to 230 lbs before getting real with myself. As of today, I’m weighing in at 164 lbs and have been able to maintain for a while all without starving and drinking shakes all day every day. Throughout my journey I’ve been asked many times how I’ve managed to maintain a healthy lifestyle and continue to be successful so many years out. I would say perseverance, dedication and commitment to myself regardless of the circumstances. So many have asked about working with me. I didn't want to do it unless the time was right and I had something of value, substance and structure to bring to offer. Well, I am excited to announce that I am working on a 30 day online program that offers fitness, nutritional, and lifestyle coaching to post weight-loss surgery (WLS) women who are at-least 18 months post op.. Since this is a new program and I have some kinks to work out, I’m looking to work with 8 women for 30 days beginning 04/01 in exchange for both a written and recorded testimony. I want to ensure that the 8 women I select are serious and committed to PERMANENT lifestyle changes. Here’s what you can expect: - Daily check-ins for accountability - Weekly shopping list - Weekly workouts with videos (gym or home) - Weekly diet - Weekly skype or zoom q&a - Lifestyle modification tips - Direct access to me via WhatsApp - Private group community I don’t subscribe or promote quick weight-loss or any reset diets. If this is what you’re looking for then this is not the program for you. I’m for changing the mind to achieve weight loss success. If you’re ready to make the commitment and get off the yo-yo wagon for good, let’s chat to see if this is the right program for you. Please complete the form via the following link: http://bit.ly/beautimorphisis-intake If you know someone that would be a good fit for, please share.

This is a topic that I can relate to, because I have a Lapband that slipped twice and now has a leak. It was a great tool and worked well for approximately 11 years, but the last 2 years have been a struggle. Since my band can no longer hold saline fluid, I've regained the 135 pounds and a bit more of weight that I lost with my Lapband within the last 2 years!!! I was so frustrated and continued beating myself up until I realized that I can't control the fact that my band is leaking. Since bariatric surgery is an exclusion in my medical insurance benefits, I've opted to go to Mexico for my revision surgery. I'm scheduled for revision surgery (Lapband to VSG) on April 4th. I'm quite nervous, but it's something that I feel I must do. I know that there are many Lapband to Gastric Sleeve success stories & I just pray that I'm one of them. Good luck to you

So how many months long was it for you? My son has Caresource, he has gone to seminars etc with me, went to a seminar for program #2, this wiil be at OSU-Wexner Medical Center in Columbus Ohio. He technically would qualify himself with a comorbidity of 37BMI, found out he would have to go 9 months. Thought he might follow me through bit he says Not Yet. If he's not ready I'm not going to pressure him. If he has a "come to Jesus" moment he knows the steps because he got a bariatric folder also. Good thing because I have been known to misplace things. Well I know they are here, I just forgot where I laid them down. Worst was the day I thought,i had lost my glasses and they were on the top of my headm. But I was prepared to get frantic if necessary! ,,,,,,,,if ou have any questions to ask, please feel free to, if I don't have an answer someone on Bariatric Pal will. Welcome again, please stay and be our friend! Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi susunorm, welcome to this forum and welcome to Bariatric Pal. We are here to help, we hope you'll like us and want to stay with us a while. If you have any questions, just ask, if I can I'll be happy to answer, if not someone else may have an insight on that subject. We are all individuals but,we each bring a perspective to the travel along the Bariatric Highway, we are co-journeyers to health, fitness and a lower weight. Aren't any of us perfect but we do give it our best shot and doggone if we don't hit the dang- blasted target most of the time. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

I am a horrid housekeeper. Family joke: if the police came in they'd find evidence of a struggle. My project for tonight--- clear off the couch. I have bariatric papers lying on one end. Thought I'd better put them in the file cabinet before they got lost or thrown out with the newspapers What are the newspapers doing there? My son and heir to my miniscule fortune put them there when he was finished reading them. Why are they still there? Because last night was trash night and he didn't want to fill up another bag. Ah- life at Chez frust8 is like a soap opera, its cluttered but its warm and it's home. Besides he assured me nothing is on the floor so I'll fall down on it, of course not,its there on the flippin couch. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

I do too, that's why I hang out or lurk, whatever you call it, on Bariatric Pal, a lot of times when I share advice it reaffirmed the truths in my own mind. I do know better nut I am imperfect at times. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello it’s been years since I have written anything or commented. I had a lap band in 7/2012 & removed 8/13 due to nausea, choking& vomiting. Extreme psi entire time where port was ! This was a hard year. I vowed never to revisit Bariatric surgery again. Well - I started a new journey oct of 2017.... now on the road to a sleeve procedure my 6 months is up in April ... I am a nervous wreck but I have many health reason to try to do this!!! I will keep you updated. I personally would never recommend a lap band But that being said it had worked for some .. best future to all!!

Charlie Fen I'm still fighting at the other end of the age continium. I am 72, went completely through one Bariatric Hospital's courses and prerequirements then got kicked to the curb. The 3 surgeons had a commitee meeting and decided not to perform my surgery. The other excuse I was given, not true. I have been eligible for MENSA every since it was formed back in this country's DarkAges, although I am high functioning Aspie I am also level-headed and fully understand everything about the process and what it entails. If you can read between the lines you can deduce the insult that was given me. I have enrolled in another program at OSU-Wexner Medical Center in Columbus Ohio. Oh-- I thoroughly researched these 2 surgeons, both professors as well as Bariatric Surgeons. One has done 70 year olds, his young female associate has done 68 year olds. If they grant me the chance I'm sure I can convince them I am healthy enough, worthy enough, and committed enough to make this a success.You're worried about being profiled, well so am I! In the meantime I try to be the Bariatric Godmother to all I can.I've had a lot of life experiences so can relate to almost everybody on here. Keep your chin up Kid, you're going to do fine with this all! Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

We were given a list of vitamins and they are all chewable as they are the most absorbed after surgery. Definitely NO gummies allowed. Also, centrum chewable was ok but not silver as they don't have enough iron. I chose Opurity Bariatric Chewables Sleeve and Bypass optimized from Unjury.com They are one per day and only other viatmin I need to take is calcium citrate. They are only $30 for a 90 day supply so it was a great deal for me.

My surgeons NUT gave a list of chewables. Included in list is the Trader Joe's brand, Bariatric Advantage, Celebrate Vitamins, and a couple of others I can't recall. I asked about gummies, and was told they aren't complete enough. I'm struggling with the chewables, they make me nauseous, so I looked up gummies. It looks like my NUT was right, not nearly as many vitamins and minerals as the chewables.

Charlie--- I'm no longer working but when I first started this journey I was, I worked for a Big Box store. Not very inderstanding, when I tried to explain bariatric surgery to my immediate supervisor, her answer was "Why would you want to do THAT at your age?" The same place that when coworker was rushed to local hospital with chest pains, called them at the hospital and asked "well will she be able to come into work tomorrow?" and also told another coworker who also was a close friend " would you mind coming in as soon as you get through vomiting?". I miss my former customers, I miss my coworkers, I do not miss the supervisors who put their own and the company's self interests first. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

I started those. I tried the bariatric fusions and blech...I almost threw up and I haven’t even had surgery yet!

You know all colors matter All colors are beautiful. Even all people's packaging is beautiful if you are happy with it and it doesn't imperil your health. I am sad I didn't see the risk to my health at a lower weight and younger age. Even my PCP who I respect and even enjoy 99% of his consult told me today the reason my last surgeons "chickened" out was possibly because I'm past 70, true but I was just below 70 when I first darkened their door, did they expect me suddenly start subtracting years? Yes I am 72 and 1/3rd years old but my body organs are very fit for my age, Dr PCP admitted at a past appointment I was a 45 year old trapped in an obese 72 year old shell. My BP better than his, cholestrol lower, no sign of diabetes, heart and lungs both passed their clearances , aside from weight and arthritis and a touch of depression I'm pretty good. The depression is from being told my efforts are unvalid, I'm unworthy and not giving me a solid chance. That does weighs heavy on your emotions. I am a victim of profiling, I believe. Just because some people die at 72 it doesn't follow I will. I have had a death at 31( my son) 28 and 29 ( 2 cousins) in my family, on the other hand my late mother's last high school classmate died recently at 102. Age is not always a predictor. The new surgeon I am hoping for has handled 70 year olds before, his young female partner did a 68 year old, if they will give me the chance I'm sure I can be a success. If I do die, and this sounds cold, better I die happy for the chance at surgery than continuing to live as I am, fat, slowing down until I die in this body. Yeah I may not be an average age for WLS, but by all that is holy, give me a chance!!. I could be both a bariatric & geriatric poster child for you-- if I lose enough you won't have to use a wide angle lens to get all of me in! If I am __"Silver"___, that also is a very valuable metal. Please give me a chance, I can ask no more!!!! I'm wiping my tears now and getting on with my life. I can't stop now. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

Yeah, the nurse practitioner who works with the bariatric patients wasn’t too thrilled that I use them but she told me just to make sure they are completely macerated before I swallow. They are the only ones that don’t make me sick so I chew, chew and chew and then chew some more! Sleeved 8/7/17 HW: 256 SW: 248 CW: 188 on 3/7/18 5'7" GW: 150

I’m hypersensitive to nausea and the bariatric ones put me over the edge, bad. I take a women’s gummy that has biotin and calcium. My 4 month blood tests came back great so despite them having a small amount of sugar in them, they’re the only ones I can tolerate. Sleeved 8/7/17 HW: 256 SW: 248 CW: 188 on 3/7/18 5'7" GW: 150

I will ask my surgeon as well, but what vitamins do you take? Brand? Bariatric? Gummy? thanks!

I've already saved up for TT...it's not bad but loose enough. Depending on local price may do the Bariatric Pal MX travel surgery. Also considering some Lipo around my chest too. I'm doing it for me to feel good and to be comfortable taking my shirt off in the summer. May be a bit vain but I didn't come this far too only come this far. I want to look in the mirror and see 100% of the payoff for the hard work. VSG 10/11/17 HW = 360 SW = 292 GW #1 = 220 3/7/18 Final GW #2 = 210 (6'5") [emoji256]

Adding my bit....I have UHC Choice Plus. The only requirement noted in my specific plan is a BMI of 35+ w/two comorbidities or 40+ without. I don't have to use the bariatric resources or undergo a supervised weight loss plan for any duration of time. From what I've noticed from other posts, it seems the nuances of your specific coverage is really driven by your employer. That said, I still have to complete a number of pre-approval things that my surgeon required; you know, the standard stuff that everyone else seems to be doing like psych eval, nutrition consult, and GI imaging.

It is no secret that protein is important after bariatric surgery. But for many of my clients, eating enough protein after surgery is challenging due to their smaller pouch size and less interest in food. Even though you have the right intention you may be discouraged if you cannot meet the protein goals that your surgeon set for you. Here are 10 simple ways to boost your protein intake. Chew your food thoroughly Digestion begins in the mouth. Your saliva contains important enzymes that begin to break down food in your mouth, so it will be less work on your stomach. Ideally, you want to chew your food until it reaches applesauce-like consistency. Chewing more thoroughly also helps you to slow down. For many of us, it is a habit to take a bite, chew a couple of times and then swallow it down with a chug of water. But after bariatric surgery, you can no longer do that so it is even more important to chew your food. Use a baby spoon While it is important to chew your food thoroughly it also helps to take small bites of your food. Using a baby spoon or chopsticks may slow you down and regulate your bite sizes. If you are having a difficult time tolerating chicken, try smaller bites before giving up. When you eat smaller bites, less food will reach your stomach all at once and it may prevent nausea. Eat every 2-3 hours Since you can no longer tolerate large portions at a time, it is important to eat small amounts of food every two to three hours. This will give you more opportunities to eat enough protein. You can have protein drinks or eat a high protein snack like string cheese. Eat protein at every meal By building your meals around protein you will be more likely to hit your daily protein goals. Every meal or snack is an opportunity to help meet your daily protein goals. Pack high protein snacks Having high protein snacks on hand is key to meeting your daily protein goals. Examples include cottage cheese, string cheese, tuna, hard boiled egg, and sliced deli meat. These are portable snack items that you can store in the fridge at work or in a thermal lunch container. For more ideas on what foods to eat after bariatric surgery, please be sure to check out my Top 10 Dietitian-Approved Foods to Eat After Bariatric Surgery. Experiment with different types of protein Everyone has different tolerances after bariatric surgery. I have met some people who never had any issues with food, while others need to avoid certain foods for a period of time. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of protein. After surgery your taste preferences may change, so be willing to try foods that you previously didn’t like. If you cannot tolerate chicken then try yogurt. If you don’t like yogurt then try white fish. For other ideas on different protein sources to try download my free guide, Top 10 Dietitian-Approved Foods to Eat After Bariatric Surgery. Eat protein first The cardinal rule after surgery is to eat your protein first. This may seem counterintuitive because you may have been programmed to eat your vegetables first. But after surgery, your pouch size is so small that you need to make sure to fill it with protein first because you may fill up quickly. Yes, vegetables are important too. but you will be able to eat more of them as your pouch size expands. In the meantime, please make sure to take your multivitamins. Add PB2 to protein drinks PB2 is a peanut butter powder, but it is lower in fat and calories than your traditional peanut butter. Although peanut butter can be a healthy source of fat, it’s usually not recommended right after bariatric surgery due to its high calorie and fat content. PB2 can be a flavorful addition to your protein drinks, smoothie or yogurt and be a sneaky way to get more protein. Use protein drinks Including protein drinks in your diet is essential to meeting your protein needs in the first few months after surgery. Even if you ate protein at each meal you would likely not be able to meet your protein goals because of your new pouch size. Most surgery centers recommend using a protein drink during the first 6 months after surgery. As your pouch size expands you will be able to get most of your protein from food and reduce your protein drink intake. Experiment with different protein drinks to identify which one you tolerate best. Although whey isolate is usually recommended if you cannot tolerate it then try a different one such as egg white protein. Use Quinoa as your grain If you have started to include grains in your diet then quinoa can be a good choice after surgery. It is higher in protein than other grains and high in fiber. You can have a small amount with a stir-fry or add to soups. Please join my Facebook group if you would like to receive Dietitian-Approved Bariatric Recipes on your weight loss surgery journey.