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Hey y'all! I'm Alicia from Chattanooga. I'm hoping to get sleeved soon since BlueCross is finally covering bariatrics in 2013. I plan to have surgery at Centennial in Nashville but I haven't picked a doc yet. I've done the seminar and started trying to shed some pounds already. I'm planning to get the psych eval over with in the next 2wks...and whatever other hoops I need to jump thru to get this done ASAP. Wish me luck!

I have a high BMI. My BMI is 71! With my insurance I don't need to have any co morbidities due to it being over 40, however I have plenty co morbidities It really depends on your insurance, but when doing my research on weight loss surgery on a lot of bariatric websites I have seen what most have said here, BMI of 40 without co morbidities and between 35-39 with 1-2 co morbidities Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

As you age, your metabolism slows down. Older people also tend to have less muscle mass than younger people, which also reduces metabolic rate. This is why we encourage older patients to add light weight-bearing exercise to their fitness routines. So how do you keep that furnace burning in order to burn calories, even if you’re already achieved your goal weight? There are many simple tools to accomplish this task. I’ve outlined my favorites below: Exercise This weapon is key to maintaining and increasing metabolism. Seniors, take note−The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends people 65 and older get 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week and perform weight-bearing exercises on all the body’s major muscle groups at least twice a week. At any age, indoctrinate a 30-minute daily work-out, just like brushing your teeth and eating lunch, into your daily routine. Sleep To increase the chances of boosting metabolism, adults should get seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Getting too little shut-eye can significantly alter your body’s processes enough to predispose you to gain weight. (Do you ever feel hungry for no reason when you’re exhausted and then reach for the wrong foods to boot?) De-Stress When you’re tense, your body releases cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal system that is linked to weight gain. It can also significantly weaken your immune system and open the door to acute and chronic illnesses. Turn to regular physical activity, deep breathing, a quiet evening stroll, or professional help from a psychologist or counselor if you are experiencing chronic stress. Eat and Drink (First and foremost, follow your bariatric practice's instructions on post-op nutrition.) Eating the right foods−clean proteins, fruits and vegetables−fuels your metabolism firing on all cylinders. As soon as you awaken, charge-up those calorie burners by feeding them a protein and a fruit (think omelette with feta cheese, spinach and veggies and a cup of berries). Eat small meals throughout the day but stop by around 7 p.m. Staying hydrated is key to maintaining good health. Keep a glass or refillable water bottle with you throughout the day. You are properly hydrated if your urine is nearly clear. Other than choosing the right foods to eat and finding spiritual solace in your life, these tools serve as a roadmap to good health, including maintaining a healthy weight. Best of all, once you’ve adopted these tips, you will look and feel better--sooner than you think.

If all goes as planned, I should be having my surgery June 30th with Dr Tersigni and Bay Bariatrics! I'm so nervous, but excited too!

I have been using bariatric fusion strawberry and chocolate, isopure cookies and cream, and bariatric advantage vanilla. I'm on day 9 of my 12 day preop liquid diet. I don't have to do a clear liquid diet, thank god. But averaging 500 calories with 3 shakes a day, 4 cups of broth, and 2 sugar free 20 calories each popsicles. I think I will try the unjury unflavored, thanks so much!

I had Type II diabetes and was taking 2 prescription medicines prior to RNY gastric bypass surgery. When I left the hospital 2 days after surgery, I was off all my blood sugar medicines and haven't taken any since. I am 4 years post-op and once per month check my blood sugar levels to verify they are still normal. It was that quick. Some diabetes patients do not experience this effect, but many do. Some see a reduction in the amount of medicine they are taking for the condition. From what I can see, it somewhat depends on how long you have been suffering with this condition and if you progressed to insulin to treat the condition. Generally right after surgery, the volume of food is so minimal that you will not experience constipation at the beginning. At least that is my experience. You may not have a bowel movement in the first week but that is due to a lack of solid food. As time goes on and you transition to solids, constipation can appear. Sometimes I became so compacted that I had to use a glycerin suppository and place it up my rear end for relief. This worked effectively but I did not want to do this for ever. For me, I found a simple solution. I ate an apple a day just before bedtime and the next morning would generally result in a bowel movement. But there is a trick to this. I had to eat the skin in addition to the pulp. So apple sauce would not work. These are the recommendations from several individuals on this site for dealing with constipation after surgery. Smooth Move Herbal Tea Prune Juice (warmed) Prunes (4 in the morning and 4 at night) Magnesium citrate Insoluble fibers (Garden of Life Raw Fiber or Renew Life Triple Fiber). Haribo Sugar Free Gummy Bears (be careful with this one because it can cause the runs) Aerobic Magnesium 07 Ground Flax Seeds (but don’t try to grind it yourself). Use 2 tablespoons per glass of water every night before going to bed. Bowel Clear (herbal blend) Low Fat Bran Muffin (recipe). 80 calories each 1 cup flour 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon cinnamon 2 cups bran cereal 1 ¼ cups milk 1 egg ½ tablespoon applesauce optional: banana, berries, mini chocolate chips Bake 400° F for 22 minute

I actually just bought a bariatric cook book. I'm not a good cook, so the recipes are a must! It was my surgeon that told me to move on. I guess I just expected to go through "stages". Sent from my SM-G930T using BariatricPal mobile app

http://www.laparoscopic.md/bariatric-surgery-diet/puree-diet-after-bariatric-surgery Also found this website really useful for ideas. I'll shut up now.

Ahh.. I see. First off, you are very petite. 1500 calories is appropriate for a 6'4 male bariatric patient (and most of THEM don't eat that much during weight loss). Your new nut sounds much more knowledgeable. Did she recommend a calorie count? 900-1000 is probably a good level for you. (If she recommended less, that is ok too.. time is of the essence at this point). You will need to stay away from grains for the entire weight loss period, and possibly forever. Starchy veggies (beans and potatoes) can take their place when appropriate. (Some people have problems with potatoes, but I suspect it isn't the potato that's the problem.. its the butter, sour cream, bacon, and cheese they load onto said potato.) When we tried gluten free, we were starving All. The. Time. This time we aren't hungry. I'm not because of the surgery, but my hubby isn't hungry, and he didn't have it. The only difference I can tell is beans. We now eat black, kidney, or pinto beans every day. (He eats 7oz, I eat 3.5oz, drained). We eat them with eggs (me 1, him 2) and salsa, no added fat other than what is in the eggs. We were pleasantly surprised to find that when eaten every day, gas isn't an issue.

Yesterday I had my first post-op dr. visit (surgery was 8/19). When asked what protein shake I was drinking, I told the PA "Premier Protein". She nearly had a heart attack. While she was never rude or nasty, she was very firm and clear that I should NEVER drink that "junk" and I should ONLY be drinking Unjury Unflavored powder - which she made me order during our visit! I thought this was so odd. I went thru the bariatric program at another hospital before changing at the last minute, and PP shakes were not only acceptable with that program, they were encouraged, so I bought two cases of it at Costco pre-surgery. I didn't want to waste it, so that's why I'm trying to use it up. Any idea why this program is being so incredibly strict about only being able to drink a certain protein? I realize programs vary, but this seems unreasonable.

You can use any whey protein isolate. I might be slightly biased but Premier Protein shakes are not great for most bariatric patients. They have less than 1% whey protein! Check the nutrition facts. I was shocked too when I read them. With the poor choice of casein instead of whey as the main protein source, you might want to seek another source for your protein. Here’s a little article on this topic at https://store.bariatricpal.com/blogs/news/premier-protein-not-premier-for-bariatric-patients

It seems to me like she might just have a personal preference due to what ingredients she might think are unsavory in the Premier? That's odd. Premier are pretty popular among the bariatric community.

I believe every Bariatric program/surgeon is different but my doctor did prescribe them. Never thought I would be able to do it on my own because I hate needles but I had a great nurse when I was in the hospital and she helped me get comfortable with it (or as comfortable as humanly possible Lol) The injections are a blood thinner that helps yo prevent clotting. If you are active that is a huge help to prevent clotting as well. The waist trainer helped me too. I haven't been wearing it lately but I use it when I go for walks.

I know what you are thinking. Who would eat food from a dollar store? Can food that only cost $1 be good? The answer is yes! Not only is it good, but their is a good selection of high Protein food sources. I live in central Missouri and shopped at my local Dollar Tree store for some inexpensive food for my post of Bariatric Eating plan. Yes, the food brands are a little obscure and come in small packages, but I didn't notice any taste difference compared to a large grocery store. Some of the canned meat was average to below average. Below is a list of exceptional food (for only $1) that are also high in protein: 1. Frozen Salmon Fillets-4 oz., 21 grams protein, 120 calories 2. Frozen Flounder Fillets-4 oz. 18 grams protein, 80 calories 3. Frozen Scallops 4 oz., 18 grams protein, 60 calories 4. Frozen Shrimp (I ate this already, so I don't have the label) 5. Butterball Smoked Turkey Sticks (1 long stick is 60 cal., 8 grams protein, you can also purchase these in a 12 pack at Wal-Mart) 6. Turkey Bacon 9 slices (1 slice is 30 calories, 5 grams protein) 7. Deli Meat (ham, turkey, pepperoni) American, Swiss, mozzarella cheese (These are tasty Dollar Tree protein sources that I frequently buy for my kid to eat) 8. Canned Sardines (in Water, no label) 9. Canned Mackerel Fillets (4 oz., 14 grams protein) The Dollar Tree website does not list food that is carried in the store and I'm sure not the same food is carried in every store. What is your experience eating dollar store food? Do you have any dollar store protein favorites?

First, I am not a shrink. Second, I've lost 100 pounds -- from 235 to 135. I've maintained for over a year now. I think all these so-called perceptions (or misperceptions, if you will) are pretty common. The advice I'd give you is to just relax and keep losing weight. It takes a while for our minds and feelings to catch up with our body's rapid changes. And believe you me -- no matter how slowly you may think this is all happening it is happening FAST. Interestingly, my *misperceptions* went like this: 1. I am fat, and I look fat to myself. 2. I am losing weight, and I see the weight loss. 3. I am still losing weight, and I think I'm losing weight too fast. (This is when I was losing 6-8 pounds/month -- ha!) 4. I have definitely lost too much weight. I look weird to myself. 5. I'm still losing weight -- I'm a skeleton (I was 145 pounds and 5'5" about this point -- ha!) 6. I'm down to 135 pounds -- this is cray-cray. I don't look like myself. I should gain 5 pounds and see how I look then. 7. Many months later I still weigh 135 pounds. I think now that I look a little plump. I don't -- ha! Honestly, I think most of this is just us trying to reconcile all this disparate information (mirror reflections, selfies, other photographs) with our memories of ourselves fat. BTW, I've been seeing a shrink for 2 years now about bariatric, self-care, self-image and identity issues -- he's very helpful. And believe me, he's never expressed any concerns about my misperceptions as I've lost and then maintained weight. In other words, I think everything I've gone through around this old/new body reconciliation process is pretty normal for WLS patients. tl;dr We're not crazy. Our bodies are just changing a lot in a short period of time. It's no wonder we are having a hard time recognizing / understanding what's going on and seeing ourselves in this new light.

Congrats!! You're inspiring me! We're the same size and I'd like to get my arms done and breasts lifted. Do you mind saying how long it's been since you had your Bariatric surgery? Mine was 6/30/16, and I'd be surprised if I lose anymore weight. I'm feeling pretty good where I am.

What doctor are you using? I'm using Dr DeWitt at Princeton Bariatrics Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

well my PICC line is gone, I am back trying to eat enough to justify its removal, my surgeonthinks i can do it, his CNP Valerie thinks I can do it, even my ombadswoman Kelly at Option Care,my former TPN. company, even Tomkitten my son tho,is I can do it, seems like only 1 person. thinks I can't- ME! Oh well I will keep on with my vitamins, minerals and whatever. Try to eat my mini- meals, and pray I am going to be okay for my endoscopy which isn't until April 12th. Nobody seems to really care or give me any emotional support until then, so I will do what i can, if I can, for myself,by myself and cry myself if and when it all goes wrong. You see, I feel I'm beating my head against a brick wall, and everybody else who should be paying attention is dancing around, patting each other on the back, and telling each other what a great job they are doing for Frustr8 and not a one ever looks my way while they're doing their little Victory Dance. I don't even have a clue what I weigh now, counted on that monthly weight check-in,I am hoping 260, 265 tops. I am Apathetic toward food, nothing tastes good, nothing sounds appealing,might as well eat 2 oz of metamucil every 3 hours, I sip 2 oz of fluid every 15 minutes in between and wonder how I got locked into this life of futility. Not what the shiny fancy Bariatric Folders said this would be . And my food mood is not very happy today. 6 months on Tuesday and I think I still resemble the barrel more than the barrel racer. I know we have each our own path but today it's mud and pea gravel. This Cowgirl has the Blah Blues and I don't see a Happy day of Joy in my immediate future.

I'm back! And the beat of my life goes on and on. Decided to post here because I was the OP and started it beck last summer. Well, the Fe Infusion wasn't too awfully bad, when I told PCP I had it done, nary an apology about failing to schedule me one in Mount Vernon, just reminded me I could end up on a quarterly schedule. Well that would make the next one within a day or 2 of Tomkitten's birthday and that's a warm pleasant time in Central Ohio. Now back to the Infusion and its side effect. Well early in the evening of the next day I was able to do #2 with a minimum of grief. Every since surgery except when I had my PICC line in, my stool is very reluctant to leave me, have to be on twice daily Miralax and when not even that works, the Trusty bottle of M.O.M. the cherry- tasting agitator of all things fecal💩. Okay I said to myself, small amount of stool, still fine, I do not eat that much. And then the tsunami hit, black viscous stool, the kind I rationalize as double or triple wiper. And it went on and on, each movement the same until the last 3 which ended about. 3 AM that were nothing more than black profuse water. And before each movement I was cramping in the same area as childbirth pains, I had 3 9+ pounder, last 2 Lamaze, that is an sensation one does not forget. Well, I says if your uterus does fall on with all this straining , we can push it back in , slap an ABD on it and see the doctor in the AM. If this is gonna happen every time, I would rather be unmagnetic, obviously my body didn't feel we needed or wanted that much iron so got rid of it as best it could! Now I don't know if I mentioned but when I had my Chest MRI at Mount Carmel East to check the status of my Thoracic Aortic aneurysm, the one my Cardiologist conveniently forgot to mention, maybe she thought it would depress me? OMG, my middle child and first son died in 2008 of an Ascending Aortic aneurysm which exploded in his chest and within a few seconds bled out and died at 31. This takes it from a horrid one in thousands freaky happening to be possibly genetic and. I , a mommy who loved him with every breath of my being, may have had a part in his destruction? I cried when I saw in Black and White, " to rule out ant enlargement of existing Thoracic Aortic aneurysm, current measurement____cm" , did not go into depression, because maybe my baby's death might somehow save me? Happy to report it is still holding at under " must do surgery" have to keep faithful on BP meds to reduce stressors. But I can do that! And now the results show I have a Renal Cyst also present, don't know which one of my 3 it's on, urologists office not as worried as me, said no need seeing you right now. Then next, about 10- 12 days ago I woke up with a stiff neck, not a "oops I strained something ", I could not turn it to either side, and I had a degree of nucal rigidity. Oh I am a Medical Geek, scary cause that can be a sign of meningitis, a disease that doesn't take hostages, and can kill if neglected. So off I go to E.R., it of course happened on a day PCP was taking off. After beaucoup levels of tests even I hadn't been through before and 2 I didn't even have book knowledge of, I received a diagnosis of cervical arthritis, okay-bee, the bad part I have a thyroid nodule approaching 2 cm on left side of thyroid. They suggested getting it checked-out by ENT, endocrinologist, or at very least PCP in very near future. Well , I just so happened to have an appointment with PCP coming up, so I mentioned it to him, at first he said" many geriatric patients have these" could shorten that man's life span, I am not geriatric I merely am in Late Middle Age and I've told him that! Says" maybe I should go to that portal and read what they said" and then had to admit We GOT to do more testing, so last Wednesday I had both thyroid screening and Doppler of my carotid because I also am having periods of double vision, it is bad enough seeing Donald Sr and Donald Jr on CNN , don't need them 2 at a time! Then to round out my week I had a Reclast INFUSION on Friday, in deference to my inability to chug down liquids, Thank You Ms. Precious Pouch, I can't have pills or capsules so get this treatment yearly because my osteopenia is rounding the corner towards osteoporosis. I am grateful to be alive, thankful for the extra years my bariatric surgery has granted me, really I am, but is every flippin' test got to have a " by the way"? I knew I had dings in my bodily chassis, but does the jalopy that is me have to have engine failure too?💦

Oh I am sorry TX4everLinds maybe they'll give you some stuff at your Pre-op appointment. OSU calls it a peri-operative but same dang thing. Got weighed, talked an Internal medicine girl doctor, she went down the list from hades medical checklist, each and every bodily system,swear we started with the head and brain and worked out way down. Wished I could have told her I had. twin aunts that died from the hiccups, anything to brighten up the litany. Then I had a nurse-practioner,who was supposed to teach me how to scrub myself with Hibaclenz, except,i am allergic to that so she had to go to Plan B D8al gold liquid soap. Second,of two showers I have to leave the suds on for at least 5 minutes and be sure to clean my navel.Hunnh? Don't shave,don't pluck my belly, double Hunnh? Dress in clean clothes afterwards. Promise not to get sick or take antibiotics before your surgery. We went down the list of my,medications, what I had to stop taking, what I could take morning of with teensy sip,water. Brush my teeth so,no germs in mouth, moot point, I have dentures. Don't break any bones before surgery.Yadda Yadda Yadda! Then I went and had X Ray , 1 front , 1 from left side. Didn't make me hold a sign , so I guess I wasn't arrested. Then it was off to the lab. Funny I didn't know I had an excess amount of blood, must have because the took out a pint. Now I had swore an oath that I don't drink, smoke, do recreational drugs, hasn't to the best of my knowledge been exposed to communicable disease, and that Promise I would not get sick. But shall we,make sure of that, let's run some tests. CBC, BUN, creatinine, glucose, some nobody else knows about. And letsvtype it, I said I know I am A rhNegative, didn't care, apparently me and the American Red Cross,know NOTHING! Then they presented me a red legal sized envelope is a green plastic bracelet with important info. This is my Golden Ticket into the WONDERFUL WORLD OF SURGERY. No tickee, no surgery! This envelope is in my safe. I will not leave home without IT! That card that RnY Bet got and I have yet, entiles you to eat off the children's menu. And I have heard some have a notation about being able to box half your entree. On the other side it usuall states you are a bariatric patient. Neat thing to Have.

During a group session with my bariatric surgeon someone mentioned that he was exploring new things that he could eat after surgery. The nutritionist asked him why was he exploring new things to eat when he should be learning what foods to stay away from. She said you got this surgery to get a new way of life as it pertains to your eating why are you looking to test your new stomach with foods that have harmed you in the past. She said get in your proteins, water and vitamins and you'll not only lose the weight, you'll be more healthier and you'll have a better chance of maintaining the weight loss. People who experiment and try to work around their surgery have a much greater chance of weight regain. This is not what you wanted when you got the surgery. I tend to agree with her on many points such as getting your proteins first, hydrating (you can't go wrong drinking water) and taking vitamin supplements. At 4 weeks out I was on pureed food going into soft foods. I stuck to the menu I was given since it was the start off point for my future eating. I was afraid of exploring foods because I knew that I would go back to my old bad eating habits very fast. I got the needed reset in my food consumption and with the weight loss and better health I see the benefits of not exploring foods as the nutritionist puts it. Like 2Bsmaller said, I have no plans to try these foods.

I was in the same place as you are now. That's when I met Stacy with Bariatric Pal team MX. She talked to me about surgery in Mexico and let me know that the stigma that is attached is not true. I loved that Stacy and Bill lived there and knew the doctor's and hospitals. I knew they had actually lied eyes on things and could tell me the ends and outs of the Mexico medical tourism. I paid less than$5000.00 including my plane tickets. Best decision I have ever made! The support system is awesome! The preop and post op care is amazing! I couldn't believe that the whole experience was so great! You will know when the time is right for you. Do your research. Talk to different people about their experiences. Know what your getting into. It's not easy. Food is no longer comfort. I eat to live not live to eat. I was sleeved 3/8. If you have any questions just message me.

Nothing but compassion for people that have weight issues. I have walk in the shoes of an obese person. I never want to lose that perspective in life. It would turn me away from WLS if someone came up to me preaching how I need to do this. Most people don't want weight loss advice.....Especially from a bariatric patient.

I love Bariatric Eating Inspire as well, but I like the vanilla. I also like the PB cookie, the butter mint, cafe amore, not the Mexican Chocolate vegetable protein based one though. I recently bought their unflavored one but haven’t tried it yet.

My surgeon recommended hpnr bariatric advantage