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I am also in Bucks County....I was sleeved on 10/26, you ?

On the small incision I picked it off after 10 days and they were completely sealed and healed by then. Now I have little dots on my belly!

I have struggled with constipation since surgery on 10/13/2015. I had black tar like stools for about a week and then back to normal appearance. My surgeon said this is normal and from dried blood from surgery. For constipation I started taking probiotics and a fiber that contains both solvable and insoluble made by Pinnaclife called Olivimine 10 Max Prebiotic Fiber. This regime seems to be helping.

The issue with the donor violations is that in this new era people can donate $10 every week through the internet and put whatever info down they want. Both campaigns are dealing with this issue, but Obama more so because he's got more small donors than McCain. All these guys can do is comb through the records looking for suspicious donations and return the ones that aren't legal. And that's what they are doing. Most of the ones we here about are found first by the campaigns and have already been returned before the press even gets wind of it. So I don't see it as a !skandal! The voter registration thing, OTOH...

Since all the Protein powders I've tried stink (except for PURE protein in a can which is actually smooth creamy and great tasting) I am going to the Vitamin shopee today to pick up the new 3 OZ whey protein bullet by IDS which=42 grams of protein! Gals, guys, try this if you are having a hard time getting the protein in. I will let you know how it is after I buy it today. Hope this helps! By the way, last night at about 10 Pm, I felt God awful, alomst passed out--I had the cold sweats all over my body, dizzy, shaking, felt like I was going to throw up (but didn't) I breathed through it and it passed within about 5-6 minutes. This sounds like dumping syndrome, right? Does anyone know what would have caused this so late at night? I drank some Water and chewed on some ice cubes about 30 minutes before, could that have caused it???

Here's what we do: Since I don't always feel like having what anyone else is having, I'll typically buy what I want a'la carte, then I'll pick stuff off everyone else's plates, mostly DH's... LOL Me and my family are very close like that and it's something we've always done - so it's no big deal. Caring is sharing! I'm not really big on bringing home any leftovers, I really prefer to cook the meals at home because I know exactly how it's being prepared (and I'm a really good cook *toot* *toot*). So once I leave the restaurant, I leave the food there too. I haven't really been to any type of buffet what so ever since being sleeved, I just have it in my head that paying $10 bucks for one piece of chicken and two bites of something else is just a big waste of money... not to mention that I have a weird phobia wondering who's dirty hands might have been touching the food...

Hey girl, I just read your entire journal, & it was awesome (I just turned 39 & YES we can still use that word). I am to be banded on June 19th, 10 days to go, and I as super super excited. You have really inspired me & you are TOOOOOO funny girl. Keep up the great work!

I have BSBC and was banded 4/29/10 For the 5 year history I just had to fill out the paperwork and I guessed alot on the dates, diets and weight. They did not ask for actual documentation. They do ask for and need prove of a 6 mos. medically supervised diet in the past year. It does not need to consecutive. I had only 4 mos. and I did that diet with my PCP 6 mos before, so they let me do a 2 mo diet with the Lap Band Dietition. BSBC accepted that. They approved me the very first time my Doctor summited the paperwork. I am in California so hopefully it will be the same. Call BSBC and request the requirments for WLS. They should send you a packet describing exactly what they cover and the requirments. My consult was in Jan and banded 3 mos later. I am still in shock. Good luck, and keep us posted! Feel free to PM me if you have any more ???

What a decision! Im with Kaiser South Sacramento. Things movin fast! I have to drop 15lbs pre-op. Im down 10 & waiting for my Sike(physcological) Dr, appointment. They then schedule surgery and I have to lose 5 more LBS. before. Total looks like 3-4 months from start to surgery. On a 1200 calorie now. Not bad but not easy. Man I want a cheeseburger and fry or fish N chips. LOL. Good news is I want a NEW ME MORE!! I was originally sold on the lapband but have been won over by the Gastric Sleeve bypass. Lap band longterm did not appeal to me. Why go through all this to fail. Plus,Insurance only covers 1 surgery so If it failed and they had to take it out I have to pay for the next one. I also found out that It is approx. $100.00 each time they have to fill the port. Insurance wont cover. Anyway I cannot wait to get this ball a rolling. Ive been practicing chewing my food,small bites,taking my time and no liquids when I eat. Started the vitamin supplements too! My Dr. has done over 1000 surgeries with awsome success. So im comfortable. Good luck to all my other newbies!! and Pre-Oppers! Love to stay in touch and share our progress! Email anytime!

Thank you for sharing that information. I am tired of feeling I have to defend myself for the choice I made of Realize vs Lapband. I guess my question is why are people who have the Lapband care and why do they continue to getting in these forms and debating the choice we made for ourselves. I am sorry but I keep seeing one person responding to the Realize band in negative tone and unless you have it how can you comment. I am VERY pleased with my Realize Band. Many are discouraged on the amount of weight they have lost but keep in mind with either band the weight loss will (or can) be slow but steady. I choose the band over RNY because I didn't want it to come off so quick that my skin would not have time to respond to what the heck was going on. As my Dr. said to me one day . . . "you banders want the band because if comes off slower but when you don't a 10 - 15lb loss a month you get upset and complain". He is correct we just have to hang in there for the long haul. Be postive and think of where you would be if you hadn't made the discussion to get band at all. This is a journey on a short road trip. Thank you for letting me vent!!!!

I have Humana PPO and they covered me. I had my surgery on 10/16

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Hi there! I had my gastric sleeve procedure on 10/30. I lost 10 lbs before the procedure and 10 lbs following it (first 2-3 days). It's been over 5 weeks and I haven't lost a single pound. I don't exercise, get about 500-600 calories a day. Not enough Water though. But I've attempted fixing all that and still nothing. I'm hypothyroid and insulin resistant. Have you any words of advice for me? I'm going crazy here. The doctor's office wants me to wait until next week to "look over the diet". That is not going to help. I've been following the diet. Just hasn't worked.

My lap-band will be removed on 4/14 and my sleeve will be done on 5/19. The past couple of months have been quite the whirlwind for me!! My story: I had my band placed in Oct 2008 and lost 45 pounds during the first year . I have been able to maintain the weight loss mainly because the band made me bulimic - unless I ate slider foods. I did not go for a follow-up for almost 2 years because I knew I was not on track or following the program. I also had multiple ankle surgeries over 2011 & 2012 which put my band on the back burner) So in Jan 2014 I decided to go for a follow up just to make sure the band was not slipped etc.I had no issues other than the ability to eat anything of substance. That was on 1/30 and two months later here I am scheduled for band /sleeve revision. I had no intention of doing the sleeve when I went to see my dr ..I really did not even know what it was. But after a lot of research I have decided this is the path for me. I have been lurking on this forum for months, but decided to come forward because I wanted to thank everyone for posting their stories and taking the time to answer everyone's questions. This forum was an incredible resource for me !!

I start my 10 day pre-op diet on Sunday. Can't say I'm looking forward to it, but I'm almost to the point where I'm so sick of "I'm eating this (insert bad food) for the last time" phase that I am ready for the pre-op diet. I've gained 10 pounds since I scheduled my surgery! So pathetic! Anyway, for whatever reason I am worried about my pre surgery appointment with my primary care. I don't know why, but I'm scared that they will find something that will delay my surgery. I hope not - so I'm trying to focus my mind that it is going to happen on the 3rd. Anyway, to all those out there jumping on the pre-op diet I wish you well!

There is no way shedding a ton of weight is not going to help your back issues! Last week me and my two teanage boys were at the grocery store - I handed both my kids just half of what i lost 80 pounds of potatoes and ask them to carry them around the store, They could not do it. That is 4 20 bags and it wore them out after 10 minutes. Now to try and carry 7 20 pounds - That will not be good for the back - Bottom line less weight will help you back out

My phrenic nerve pain was real bad for months. It then became my full signal for awhile. It stopped being as severe after I lost about 45-50 pounds. At 19 months post-op it still comes back now and then. I found that putting a cheap OTC menthol pain patch on my shoulder helps. They have them at walmart for about $4 a package.

Thanks for the reply! I feel much older than 38 as I have had 3 back surgeries and also suffer from severe fibromyalgia, but I'm hoping I will muster through it. I live at a constant 5-6 out of a scale of 10 pain rating, so I am used to dealing with pain. My husband can help in the evening, but goes to work super early and doesn't get home until 7:30PM. I really don't want him to take more time off of work if possible because his job is actually offering overtime for once and we could use the money.

style="margin:0;padding:0;background-color:#d8dde8;color:#5a5a5a;font:normal 13px helvetica, arial, sans-serif;position:relative;"> Hey BariatricPal Members! I hope you’re having a wonderful summer and making good progress towards your weight loss and health goals! As our country and the world have been hit in recent weeks by devastating news of senseless deaths, it can be hard to stay focused on the “little things” in life – like health and weight loss. But you can do your best by staying strong and dedicating yourself with even more commitment to achieving your goals. Hopefully this newsletter can help a little; here’s what you’ll find. Got a Buddy? Your Key to Better Weight Loss Getting More from BariatricPal Let The BariatricPal Store Make Weight Loss Easier After you go through the newsletter, we hope you will login to the BariatricPal forums to catch up on all the discussions. Thanks for all of your support, and Happy Independence Day! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder, BariatricPal Got a Buddy? Your Key to Better Weight Loss A weight loss surgery buddy can do wonders for your weight loss. You can motivate each other to stick to the diet, to exercise, and to stay strong in the face of the criticism and judgement that often comes with weight loss surgery. Face to Face Friendship Someone you see regularly can help hold you accountable with your WLS diet, and you can do the same for them. It doesn’t need to be a WLS patient if you can find someone else who’s losing weight and just wants the same things you do: weight loss and a healthier life. Some good possibilities are a work colleague or a friend who is ready to commit to weight loss and healthy living. Working Out Together A workout buddy can be just what you need if you’re not always eager to get out the door for your workout. It’s a lot harder to shut off your alarm clock and go back to sleep if you know you have a friend waiting for you at 5:00 a.m. It can be a buddy for gym workouts, walks in the neighborhood, or any other workout you want to do. Find an Online Buddy A virtual friend can be just as good for weight loss as an in-person friend. Where can you find a friend? Logon to BariatricPal, of course! Be sure to introduce yourself if you haven’t already, and let everyone know that you’re looking for a weight loss surgery buddy. You may want someone with a surgery date near yours, or maybe you’re looking for a WLS veteran. Just see who responds to your post! Insure Nutrition We are always thrilled to welcome a new newsletter sponsor into the BariatricPal family, and this month, Insure Nutrition is giving us the pleasure of doing just that. Our latest sponsor, Insure Nutrition, is an online company that specializes in getting health insurance coverage for nutritional supplements. Its Post-Bariatric Surgery Nutrition products includes Premier Protein shakes in chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors and OptiSource High Protein drinks in caramel and strawberry flavors. Checking if you are eligible is easy. Insure Nutrition encourages you to use its online form to find out if you qualify. Our sponsors help make BariatricPal newsletters and other services possible. We encourage you show your thanks by considering them first for your bariatric needs. unjury and Opurity BariatricPal is proud and excited to announce two new sponsors for our newsletters. The new sponsors are Unjury, a supplier of wonderful tasting, highest quality protein supplements, and Opurity (from the makers of UNJURY), highest purity Vitamin supplements for bariatric surgery patients. Their support lets us keep BariatricPal newsletters coming to you each month. Unjury was founded by a master’s degree dietitian who has been helping patients since 1974. It is committed your health. You know the importance of getting enough protein after weight loss surgery, but you also know that meeting your protein goals can be challenging. Unjury makes your task not just easier but actually enjoyable. Product flavors include Chocolate Splendor, Chocolate Classic, Vanilla, Strawberry Sorbet, chicken Soup Flavor, and Unflavored. These ready-to-use protein powders come in single-serve and multi-serve containers, and contain high-quality whey protein to keep you full and nourished. Launched in 2007, Opurity is dedicated to using the purest ingredients in its supplements. Opurity Bariatric Multivitamins have two unique big advantages: First, each multivitamin requires only one tablet per day*. Second, Opurity is so dedicated to quality that it is unique in using no ingredients from China. Choose from chewable orange-berry multivitamins for gastric bypass and gastric sleeve patients or for lap-band patients.Opurity also sells chewable calcium, vitamin D and folic acid/vitamin B-12 chewables. All supplements come with a 100% satisfaction guaranteed. They return policy is: “Yes you can return it.” Support from Unjury and Opurity helps us continue to bring you the services you enjoy on BariatricPal, so please support these two brands! When looking for your bariatric surgery supplements, first visit Unjury.com and Opurity.com. Purchasing from these companies helps support BariatricPal. Thanks to Unjury and Opurity for your generous sponsorship, and thanks to BariatricPal members who support our partnership! *You still need calcium and sublingual B-12. Getting More from BariatricPal BariatricPal is here for you to help you through your WLS journey. From our supportive and informative forums to our online store with bariatric food, Snacks, and supplements, we’re doing what we can to help you reach your weight loss and health goals. Better Boarding: Please Promote a Courteous Environment! BariatricPal is unique because of our friendly and supportive environment. We believe that everyone has the right to post their questions, doubts, and opinions without fear of being ridiculed or put down. Recently, a few members have been violating our zero-tolerance policy for rudeness. This must stop, and you can help make sure it does. First, you can help by reporting any posts that violate our Forum Rules. You can report anonymously, so there is no fear of retribution. You can also help promote an encouraging environment by making sure you are a positive influence. Answer other posters with respect. If you are unable to respond respectfully to a poster, please just refrain from answering. Thanks to the vast majority of you who make sure to maintain a positive environment on the forums! Saving Money at The BariatricPal Store What’s better than getting great-tasting bariatric foods and Vitamins delivered to your door? How about knowing you’re getting the best price on them? The BariatricPal Store guarantees the lowest prices anywhere online with our price matching program. To save even more, we have a special offer for new customers, too! Save 15% on your first order just by using coupon code ILUVBP16 at checkout! Let The BariatricPal Store Make Weight Loss Easier Staying strong on the weight loss surgery diet is tough, but it’s a lot easier when you have the bariatric foods you need on hand. When your low-calorie, high-protein drinks and foods are at your fingertips, you’re more likely to get the filling protein you need without diving desperately for junk food. And when your vitamins are formulated for your needs and they’re easy to take, you’re more likely to stay nourished as you lose weight. The BariatricPal Store has the weight loss surgery essentials that can make your job easier. Here are a few of our most popular products this summer. Summer Refreshment: Protein Fruit Drinks On a hot summer’s day, a fruit smoothie can sound awfully tempting. Don’t do it – at least, not from a smoothie shop! You can wind up with close to 1,000 calories and over 100 grams of sugar. BariatricPal fruit smoothies are the smarter choice to satisfy that sweet tooth and refresh yourself. They have the fruit flavors you love, such as pineapple, mango, strawberry, and lemon raspberry iced tea, but without the sugar and calories of regular smoothies. Each low-carb serving has about 10 to 15 grams of protein and 80 to 100 calories. Hottest Items – Vitamin Patches Our vitamin patches are flying off the shelves, and for good reason. You don’t have to swallow pills when you have a convenient topical patch to get your vitamins and minerals. Just wear each patch for 8 hours a day to get the nutrients you need. Pick the individual patches you want, or take a look at our Patch Packs for Lap-Band, Gastric Sleeve, and Gastric Bypass patients. Don’t forget to browse through our Patch Packs Plus section to pick up extra nutrients for specific benefits. Snacks for a Day Trip Heading off to the beach? Planning a weekend getaway? Pack a few high-protein snacks so you know you’re set. Protein bars are a great go-to, since they’re convenient and come in all kinds of great-tasting flavors including chocolate, Peanut Butter, caramel, and lemon. Bars aren’t your only choices, though. You can try pretzels, chips, and even a box of cereal! These may not sound like good candidates for your WLS diet, but they are! They’re all packed with protein, low in carbs, and in single serving packs to make portion control a no brainer on the road. Thanks for reading the newsletter and for your continued support of BariatricPal. Enjoy your summer, and know that you’re always welcome at BariatricPal to share your questions, advice, encouragement, and concerns about weight loss surgery! · Unsubscribe from all BariatricPal E-Mail.

I had a sleeve 7 years ago and am revising to bypass with a surgery date of March 1st. The process after approval for my sleeve was bittersweet. I was working with an elderly man who died suddenly, we were very good friends. He died just a few hours before my final pre-op appointment. My surgeon's final appointments are LONG (2 hours, one with the nurse and one with the surgeon) and as much as I tried to be happy, I just couldn't because I was so sad. This followed me to surgery day too. Here I am, surgery day #2 coming up on March 1st (68 days away!!!). I'm trying my best to enjoy this pre-op period. As a team, they decided I don't have to do the 10 day pre-op diet, but I'm going to do one anyhow. I'm going to do a week of 2 shakes and one lean protein, low carb meal per day, as a way of getting my mind in the game.

I have been on the pre-op diet for 3 weeks and only lost 10 lbs is this normal or should I be losing more? My advocate told me I needed to lose 10 lbs prior surgery or the Dr. want do the surgery and I have done that but I was hoping for more. I am on the border and hoping I can go down more and not up, which would delay my surgery.

Hi all, I am going for surgery next week 9/13/06, and not looking forward to Clear liquids for 10 days, so I was excited to hear about this bouillon that was so good and high in Protein, like 32gm. It does come in some interesting flavors, but I don't see the protein. I just bought the beef and it says 1gm, so, am I missing something? I'm looking for the person who posted about this who might can fill me in. I love this forum and all the info. I've gotten. Heading for bandland. Down 8lb on preop diet. Excited. Leaving tomorrow for TJ. Thanks for any info. Jewel

I did the pre-op diet but compared to others mine was pretty easy...but not easy for me!! 3 shakes per day, with 2 lean/healthy meals per day. A lot of restrictions and stuff, but I lost 10 pounds in 2 weeks. My friends/family that did not approve of the surgery were so quick to say see - if you just change your diet you will lose weight without the surgery. But the pre-op diet and post-op diet are not diets that you can live by...it's preparation/healing. Because trust if I could do this on my own, I wouldn't have spend $15K of my own money to have the surgery! If anything the pre-op diet encouraged me and I was able to see that I have the power to do anything I want...and the surgery is helping me get to where I want and need to be. So stay positive and good luck!!!

I finally made it under 200!! It's been 10 years since I've seen a 1 in the front of my weight. Never thought I would be there again. So thankful I decided to go through the surgery. My HW was 247.4 I lost 10 before surgery which was on 1/31/17. So I am currently down a total of 48lbs!!

Thanks in advance - I was banded 10/11/12 with 6 cc placed at time of surgery into my 10 cc band. I had my first fill last week - 0.2 cc. At mealtime, I can only eat about 1/2 cup, which is very satisfying. I have had no stuck episodes or PB. However, at about 2 hours after I eat, I'm ready to gnaw off my arm, so I'm having to have frequent high-protein Snacks - still staying within my daily calorie allowance, but I'd like to be satisfied for the 3-4 hours expected, rather than HAVING to eat every 2 hours or so. Do I need another fill? Thanks!