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Since my band I see a physician that does my fills. He works with the surgeon as well. He is a natropath as well as other things and ordered a lot of tests for me. He has put me on some caps. called Gluco-support that I take with each meal to help with the insulin. I have found out that I have a dairy,wheat and soy intolerance so I was fighting a losing battle with weight loss before. He also ordered a stack of caps. from the US from the Health Institute for me that are packed with vitamins. I had low Iron, Magnesium, Zinc and too much copper,oestrogon and insulin. I take heaps of caps. but it will only be for a couple of months to get everything working again. I have heaps more energy so something must be working. I am just lucky that this man was employed by the Bariatric surgery to do these tests on lap banders to help diagnose any problems. Good luck seeing your Dr today. Yes a fatty liver can be helped by diet. Saleel22

Draytonp- I am one week postop today. Feeling good, minimal pain, no nausea. Just feeling weak and wobbly.... I cant wait for some cottage cheese on Thursday, lol. The liquid diet pre-op, for me, was easy the first day. The second day was hard. I was emotional and hungry! The third day I was so nervous about my surgery I couldn't have eaten if I wanted to. Be prepared for diarrhea ???? I had no problems with VBSC or Fair Oaks. Everyone was great. Did you know it is a bariatric center of excellence? That means they are held to higher standards than non-excellence hospitals.

The bariatric soft chews are horrible, I need suggestions lol. They taste chalky

Sophie don’t worry about the stall. I was told it’s normal. Just keep getting in your protein and water. My nutritionist told me I should be sipping from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed. Except when 30min before and after a meal. So one of the ladies in my post op support group said she sets her alarm for every 8mins and takes a sip. I’ve been doing that since Monday and it is working. I drink my Premier protein drink and then I eat high protein food like Greek yogurt, turkey, etc. I was taking the Celebrate Complete 45mg but it made me nauseous and I would vomit within 5mins of taking it. So I talk to my nutritionist and I order the bariatric advantage multi vitamin chew and the chewy Iron 30mg. I chew two a day. I also do the bariatric advantage chewy 500mg calcium. Works well for me.

That stinks some insurance coordinators are better than most. I went to a doctor who had a bariatric coordinator who did not return calls. I actually switched offices to another practice. Life is too short to deal with ratchet arse bariatric coordinators. I am a stressor so I need someone on their job. I am sorry for your troubles, I hope things get better.

Bariatric Advantage does not taste bad they just cost too damn much

Same here with the fruit chews, but I take Bariatric Advantage...and I LOVE them...they are like a treat...well, will be when they let me take them again! But pre-op, they were great!!

Sorry that you have had a hard time. I am especially sorry to hear you are struggling with the horrible post-sleeve acid reflux. That is one of the things I hate about the sleeve: that it is basically a huge gamble that you won't be one of the unlucky ones who has hellish acid reflux after the surgery. If you are not able to get the RNY covered as a bariatric surgery, you may want to see if they can appeal it as being necessary for the acid reflux. After all, severe acid reflux is a health risk. We have had some threads here about other ideas on how to deal with the acid reflux, especially if you do in fact have a hiatal hernia :

The actual incision doesn't hurt at all for me either, but it's more about what's on the inside of that area that could be sore. They do have to go through the abdominal wall in order to access your stomach, which could be achy for some. Is the pain in your ribs also a little achy, or is it more like quick jabs of pain? I experienced post-op late stomach spasms the other day which were mildly painful (around in the area you're describing.) For reassurance, just shoot your team a message, or give them a call. Dr. Nathan Lee in Richmond did my surgery. He wasn't my initial surgeon, but I am happy that fate brought us together on this journey. The whole team for the Bon Secours Bariatric Program is F A N T A S T I C. I absolutely love my Nurse Practitioner (who I have my follow ups with.) And take it as slow as your body needs you to be; you need to push a little, but not over exert yourself. Honestly, with the weather in Virginia (and you know what I am talking about) it could be allergy related. I am on two different allergy medications to handle post-nasal drip from the weather.

You may want to check out ProCare, Celebrate, Opurity, and Bariatric Advantage. Several of them offer free or low cost samples.

I will be taking my One a Day Women's vitamin and then the Bariatric Fusion Brand Calcium Citrate along with my Vitamin D. The Women's days are gummies

Also, I think the "bariatric multi" is just another way to capitalize. My Flintstones multivitamin chewable that I get from Amazon, literally offers every vitamin/nutrient listed in a special bariatric vitamin. Perhaps not as much of it by the looks of the labels, but enough for me to reach the (or above the) necessary daily value.

NuMe2 you are so rigtht about varying calories to break stalls! I too was at a stall for many weeks but when I eat a little more and bring my calorie count up I seem to lose weight! For instance - yesterday my daughter brought home for pizza for dinner and even though I know it's a big "no, no" per carbs, sodium processing and such I went ahead and indulged in a slice and it upped my daily calorie count to 1120. I woke up this morning with a loss! I always make sure I get the minimum of 64 oz especially since I had a Shoulder Surgery this month on Feb 12th and am on pain pills as I got to make sure I don't bind up because well many of you know that although Milk of Magnesium does a great job of breaking the dam open withing a matter of hours it is still very messy. So I noticed that if I dip my calories up once in awhile it makes a difference. I vary between 800 to 1200 daily. I always, always make sure I get my minimum protein of 70 grams and am taking all of my vitamin and supplements daily. I use Bariatric Advantage HP meal replacement , Premier protein shakes and sometimes Genepro protein powder in yogurt to meet these needs. I worry about getting all the supplements and especially since having 2 surgeries in 3 months and worried about hair loss. I have also noticed that my skin is super super dry but and I am still trying to figure our that battle! If I don't feel like cooking and want something fast have been buying the Smartmade frozen dinners from Walmart such as turkey, and roasted vegetables as this is low carb and high protein, RealGood also makes a chicken crusted pizza that is also low carb high protein. I also like the Lean Cuisine herb roasted chicken but this one only has 16 protein where the others are higher carb. So these types of things help me out a bunch and in a pinch. I also still eat a lot of beans, LOL! (need that fiber). Some days I can eat more then others and other days I just can't put much in and it is so weird how it all works like that. Just this morning upon waking it was a little more difficult swallowing water then most. I think this surgery just put's you on a see-saw like that and after reading so many post in this forum I am comforted by the fact that it is not unusual and so I do not stress it anymore. I have yet to throw anything up but have eaten too fast, too much and had the sweats, chest pains and miserable feeling of needing to. Like many some days I question whether my stomach was really resized and then others I definitely know there is a restriction. I still fight head hunger and bad habits but have made great improvement here. I have been to a restaurant and ordered a full meal and then find that I barely make a dent in it too the point the waitress asked me if there was something wrong with my food, LOL and felt like "wow that was a waste of money - what am I doing!" I am so looking forward to the day of eating Salads and raw vegetables which for me is not until 6 months post op per doctors orders! So because of 2nd surgery and having my arm in a sling it has slowed me way down in exercising. I am doing my best to try and walk 30 minutes daily but when I have a bunch of doctor appointments in a day and everything takes me forever to do it falls by the wayside. I like most worry about loose skin and wish I could start some weight training but all of that is on hold for now. Once my energy levels get back up I need to figure out how to work strength training in. I just know that it will make all the world of difference. I am so grateful for this forum and you guys sharing your stories and struggles as this has helped me so much! Well guys that is my journey thus far from having a hiatal hernia repair and gastric sleeve surgery December 26, 2018. Shoulder surgery February 12, 2019 to repair a rotator cuff, SLAP and Labral tear.

Well, today is the day. SURGERY DAY. It's more complicated than when I had the gastric sleeve because not only are they doing a revision from sleeve to bypass, they are removing my entire lower and mid stomach (the part that is bypassed) because that's where all my polyps develop. It's a 2 hour surgery, and I was told I'll be in recovery for about an hour after. It's like having 2 bariatric surgeries in 1, so the recovery/healing/down time will be worse than my original surgery. I'll be in the hospital for 2 nights, so I'll be home sometime on Friday the 30th. That sucks, and is really annoying (I hate hospitals) but I know it's necessary and will be worth it. I can't wait to get my life back. Working out, feeling good, no more in and out of the hospital, being ME again. This has been a looooong road, but I'm finally almost at the finish line. It's gonna be awesome when I hit my weight loss goal (I'm 70 pounds away and speaking it into existence now that THIS TIME NEXT YEAR I will be at my goal weight). So wish me luck, and I'll see ya'll on the flip side

Lolo, what will be your 70% protein intake source? I'll try the cucumber water. I like Glaceau smart water for hydration. Still detest the protein shakes, chalky and artificial. Try to get proteins at mealtime mostly. By nutritionist, do you mean Peacock? I have yet to meet or speak to her. Never had any bariatric pre-op nutritional counseling with her - did you? My surgery date was quick pace. 206 is good! That's 3 pounds off 209 stall! And, 4 pounds closer to 200! Be patient with yourself, Ms. "A" type... You're doing fabulous! Maybe onederland mid-february instead? ;] I am down from 225 now to 220. Happy weekend!

@@bellabloom Breakfast : eggs with green pepper and sweet onion. On days I need to get out the door breakfast of jimmy dean turkey sausage Yogurt is also a favorite.( mmmm caramel apple pie dannon light n fit) Lunch: At work I eat a bento box filled with chopped chicken, snap peas, red grapes and cheese. It all finger food. I'm on the run I graze it. its visually appealing, great for portions, so many options to fill it with. https://www.pinterest.com/eggface/bento-licious/ Dinner: many things to try. http://insidekarenskitchen.com/bariatric-friendly-recipes/

Well SHOOT!! I typed all of my stuff and lost it!! I have heard people say that my WLS didn't work. I don't totally agree with this. But like was said it is the choices that we make. Now the Lap Band failing I have 1st hand in knowing about. As you see my hubby had his for 13 years. He lost 100#'s with it but never met his goal. Yes, he did eat around it but it also was damaged during a fill, more surgery. Then in 2013 he went in for a revision to a RNY. It had eroded into his liver. Failed surgery. Then he got abscesses. Was deathly sick for 9 months 3 of which he doesn't remember. His Surgeon dropped him in the middle of his treatment, told him to go to his PCP or the ER. But hubby was so desperate he went back to this Dr again. Then he told him that he was a PROBLEM CHILD and he wouldn't do the surgery. He referred him to Portland, Oregon OHSU one of the best Bariatric Centers. They said they would try to do the RNY but he needed to lose 25#'s and get his A1C down to a 7 or 8. Which doesn't sound to hard right. He couldn't do both, if his Blood Sugar was good his weight went up and the same for his weight down BS up. In the mean time we find out he has Kidney Cancer but there is nothing they can do until he loses 150#. So down to Mexico self paid surgery. When they get in there he couldn't do the Rny because his whole right side is solid scar tissue so he gets the SLEEVE. This was June 3, 2016 to this day he has lost 60#'s. So pardon me when I say it isn't always easy to get another WLS. It makes me so mad when I hear someone say well, I'll jus ge a revision if it doesn't work out. We don't always get what we want. Now I'm not saying he did everything he could to lose his weight but darn the problems his weight has caused us!!! So I guess I'm saying in some cases yes a revsion is in order but if it is just because THE WLS didn't work, then they do need to go thru more counseling to make sure that their mind is on what needs to be done!!

I can understand that, if the country's health care system is gov't based. It doesn't mean I have to like it. They are not turning out their own citizens, but denying immigration. I am a Benefits Adminstrator for my company and see our premiums jump 10% or more with every renewal, because we are forced, through our premiums to subsidize un-insured people (both citizens and non-citizens) who either can't or won't pay their medical expenses. If the couple agree to not use the gov't medical system and pay for the expenses themselves, New Zealand should let them in.

I had my initial nutrionist consultation Dec 18 with my surgeon's hospital bariatric program nutrionist. I am hoping that counts as 1 of my 'intensive' nutrionist counseling appointments. I had to provide her food journals, information on diets tried including ones where I took Phentermine (not Phen-fen), trying WW actively now, etc. She was pretty cool about things. Told me diet expectations. If I need to do one nutrionist appt for January and for February before submitting to Aetna, let me know so that I get the 3 done.

After 2 surgeries with Dr. Cobean I agree that your impression of him is correct. His surgical skills are excellent, but I found him arrogant, pompous, and difficult to communicate with. Which is unfortunate given the very personal nature of this type of procedure. Patients will do well, however, if they bypass him and go directly to the nursing staff at the bariatric center. They are an amazing team!

Hi Polly: Aetna is not paying because they say the policy doesn't cover any type of bariatric surgery. It really sucks because I have gone through almost 2 months of their doctor supervised diet. My BMI is high enough that I qualify. Of course, there was no indication on my copy of the policy that this surgery wasn't covered. I've been given misleading information when I called. I am now positive that I am not covered, but seriously pissed at all the hoops I had to jump through to find that out. I am still ticked at Aetna, but will not waste my precious time on that low life company. I am going self pay and will just have a great big refund check next year. That works for me!

I called today for the RD that is on Aetna's list for my plan and they let me know its likely Aetna won't cover the dietician visits required for bariatric surgery and that it will be about $100 for a 1 hour visit so that means at least $200 out of pocket for that for me for 2 more visits plus the one I did this month with the hospital's dietician this week. Just keep on jumping through those hoops!

I posted this in the forums, too: Ladies, Wow. Did I get a left turn on my surgery recovery! I was doing fine all up to and through last Saturday. I was even taking a few laps through Sams Club. Then Sunday I started going backwards. I couldn't sit up or even stay awake for very long. And the pain in my upper belly was very bad. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the worst it was a -- 10! Finally, Monday evening, my husband took me to the emergency room. I was in severe distress. My STOMACH had filled with gas and bloated to almost 3 times its size! YIKES! And the "anti-nausea" medicine I was taking was giving me an adverse reaction, too, making me MORE nauseous instead of FIXING the nausea! They switched my anti-nausea from phenegren to fortran (?) I think. Anyway, with a few days worth of morphine dosing, some more bariatric tests to be sure everything was okay, then some meds to help break down the stomach gas, I'm doing much better. The stomach is still bloated, but it's tolerable and seems to be improving. I finally got home this afternoon. Apparently I have what the doctors referred to as "diabetic stomach," which they either a) made up to tell me something, or really exists and is a SONuvaBEECH! Apparently diabetics can sometimes have "nerve damage" in their stomachs that prevents them from creating the movement that moves gas up and out. Then add the lap band on top of that and holy cow. Ouchies! So they gave me some meds to break it up and move it out the other way. (toot toot!) I must say, I'm feeling more human today and looking very forward to the rest of this healing! All I gotta say now is, pheeeeeeeeeewwwweeeeeee.

I said.... and I quote.... "Thank you Everyone for your prayers and thoughts yesterday. I had surgery yesterday, it was something I had only shared with a select few, more because of the nature of the process. I started the process in January and had my surgery yesterday. I had the vertical sleeve gastrectomy. It is a bariatric surgery that is intended for weight loss. I am usually quite open with what is going on in my life but because of the sensitivity of this type of surgery I chose to keep it quiet until post op. So first thing: I started this process in January. It took me 6 months and 27 days to get my surgery. I had to go through extensive medical and mental testing including blood work, sleep studies, EKG, and much much more. It is a surgery I have debated for years. As much as I did this for me, I did this for Caleb and as a future nurse, my future patients. Why this surgery? I had gone in wanting the gastric bypass (the most common weight loss surgery) my surgeon recommended the sleeve. The brief story of a Vertical sleeve gastrectomy is... They remove 75-85% of my stomach completely. It has left me with a banana shaped stomach that will allow me to consume from a few ounces to start to 1/2C later on down the road. Some may feel this is the easy way out, but the surgery is easily manipulated. I have to choose everyday to wake up and follow the rules (no drinking and eating together, Protein first, veggies second and avoid slider foods which are foods that easily make it through the sleeve such as ice cream, chips and Cookies etc...) the average weight loss is 60-75% of your excess weight. An example is someone who is 100# overweight would expect to loose 60-75#. It is not uncommon to see 100% of excess weight, the sleeve essentially does the job for the first 6 months worth of loss.... I will have to remain proactive for the remainder. I made a FB page so I can keep my FB page focused on me and not annoy people daily about this. https://www.facebook.com/SleevingIt I would love for you to go like the page, but more importantly, thank you for being a part of a special event in my life." I was totally high on narcotics at the time ha ha. I think I did pretty good though reading it now lol.

I think I found a cool new product. Bariatric Advantage has just added a new Multi to their line. Includes 1000 mg B12. Iron Powerful nutrition in 3 capsules! Our newest encapsulated multi formula is the highest potency member of our multi family of products. Designed to meet the latest guidelines* just add Calcium and you are ready to go for the day. Contains a full 3000 IU Vitamin D3, 400 mg Magnesium, 45 mg Iron, and a unique phytonutrient blend to support good health. powder added to something ie applesauce. They seem not a bad price at $49/270 One only needs to add their calcium. If you are Canadian and at a loss, let me know I can hook you up with a supplier in Vancouver. She told me about these. I hope someone finds this helpful. I know I am sure relieved to have found something a little more cost effective. No buying separate B12 or Iron. Just add calcium. W.