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Our regular doctor. But we are trying to get into a bariatric program with a nutritionist, so we can have our follow ups with someone with more experience on VSG

Hi There: I'm happy to find this group for March 2013 Post-Op new-lifers. Somehow I kept missing it when scanning the Group Listings. Now I have a home I am located in Indiana, outside of Indianapolis, and had my RNY surgery at St. Francis Hospital on March 22, 2013. My excellent surgeon is Hazem N. Shamseddeen. I had a 3-day hospital stay, from which my daughters kidnapped me for 10 days to monitor my progress, and make sure I was returning to a bariatric-friendly home. My grandkids knew where all of my stashes were and and also worked with their mom to clear-out my pantry. The 2-week AM and PM shots, Protein supplement powder, and chewable Calcium Citrate vitamins have been my greatest challenges so far. I have always hated shots and can't stand the taste of the Protein & Calcium. I recently obtained recipes for mixing the protein powder in meals and snacks, which sounds more workable. My favorite drink for years has been water with ice. I miss being able to drink it the way I'm used to--which I realize now has been turning-up the sippycup and guzzling big portions of that cool refreshing liquid. Now when I forget--I suffer with a big freeze and pain. My weight in March was 334 & now one-month later it is 304. I look forward to our exchanges of information and encouragement.

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

Hi, I got the Realize band June 5, lost some weight was doing good and then on June 23 I got a blood clot in my leg, when I came out of the hospital, even though I got very little to eat, did the bariatric diet, I weighed as much as I did in the beginning. I can not get back on track, I am about to pass my pre surgery weight. And to top this off, I am losing my hair, even though I am eating a regular diet. Any suggestions?

Spoke to a great bariatric surgeon today who will take me on as a patient. Just have to get all the paperwork sent to his office from my other doctor...thanks for the great suggestions everyone. Will keep you posted on the outcome.

Hi, One could get lost in this forum. I have been spending hours reading everyone's posts. I no longer feel alone. I am 5'4,236 at surgery time(thanks to all the men that took me to dinner presurgically...that would be "Carl", the "Colonel","Jack" and lets not forget the "king" and his whopper of generosity!!...). Blue Shield has this funny thing about being a certain BMI before they will pay for Bariatric surgery so I feel the need to thank these fine food establishments for assisting me in meeting Blue Shiled's requirements. It is amazing however to see the differences in how we all are handling postop issues such as exercise,diets. I was fortunate to have my band surgery at Stanford in Palo Alto on Dec 27th. My surgeon, Dr. Rivas, was very competent with my surgery. I only have two incision marks.One right below my sternum and the other at the belly button. Not sure how they pulled that off but probably dont want to know. The only gripes I have was the fast exit from the PACU,I can't swear but I think the transport guy was holding me up to the back of the chair so I wouldn't fall out.VERY groggy and even vomiting as I left. The first two days were hell.Vomiting while walking around with a pillow pressed to my two little scars murmuring cuss words. My poor kids (single mom of 4) following me with buckets feeling totally helpless and knowing things weren't right. FInally post-op day 2 I gave in and let myself be taken to local ER for IV fluids. For those of you who are worried about dehydration...you SHOULD be! This is very serious and totally impedes the healing process. Today is post-op day 7 and I am just now able to keep an entire days worth of full liquids down.That "tightness" in the chest is there and fast position changes bring on the reflux issues but I am just hoping that in time all that will dissapear. What I have learned from this is that we bandsters are definitely NOT taking the easy way out! I have been forced to write out my diet every day,take Vitamins and Calcium,exercise and hold myself accountable for every penny I spent on this "elective surgery". I did not start down this road to be a band failure" and those of you that are worried about this, you need to change your thinking! If the weight isn't coming off,see your doc.If he says you need to change something,diet or exercise, then change it...no big deal! How is it that we women (and some men) can raise babies that become beautiful people but yet cannot take care of ourselves? Don't give up...fight for what will make you love yourself when there is nobody else around! Well, sorry for the soap box.Obviously my energy level has increased..lol. Please ,you december bandsters, keep posting your stories and day to day experiences as I am learning a great deal from it all and appreciate the insight.

If he continues to refuse your request? Then get a referral to another doctor connected to your bariatric surgeon. I am sure you can work this out. It might push your date back. However, you can get it done. Sent from my SM-J727T1 using BariatricPal mobile app

no problem. Not I think most ppl on here are from the U.S and many have gone to Mexico for bariatric surgery. Best of luck.

Further to my post a while ago, I had my first micro needling session about a month ago but I had derma pen which is deeper & more precise. My reaction lasted about four days instead of the usual 1-2 days of redness. I spoke to my cosmetic physician & she’s going to do subsequent sessions more lightly as my skin is more sensitive. I’m expecting to have 4 sessions in total six weeks apart. It takes about three months for your skin to go through a renewal cycle & therefore to see any results. I decided to try it because of my cystic acne scaring & open pores. If it helps with loose skin that would be a bonus. My doctor also recommends a maintenance session every year. This pxt is about 6 hours after it was done. It was more rash like in the following days & no makeup didn’t cover the rashy blotchiness.

Ok so even before I read the post from Irmabeck, I switched doctors only because I had my Gyno refer me to another group of surgeons closer to my home. Just yesterday I went to the Flemming Island Surgical Center for a day surgery procedure and I really liked this facility. Everybody was so warm and friendly, the fixtures were very posh and upgraded in every fashion possible. I had a great experience all over. My gynocologist who did my procedure yesterday is a part owner is this private facility, both the Bariatric Surgeons her refered me to also work out of this surgical center, so I'm quite pleased. I can say that my Gynocologist is the best doctor I have ever ever met as far as listening to his patience and his over all bedside manner; if he is referring me to a colleague of his and he knows me, I'm quite certain they will provide me with the same service. The Bariatric Surgeons names are Stankard and Brinkman. Anybody who reads this and has hear anything at all about the please message me. I have full confidence in my gyno so I'm not expecting any bad news. Just wondering if anybody has seen them before. Anyway, thanks for all the info and the alerts all. Have a blessed week then weekend. Kerrie

I agree that Norton Bariatric Center AND Suburban Hospital are AWESOME! My physician was Dr. Jeff Allen. I have no complaints at all.

Holy Moly, Renewed, you look awesome! I can't wait till we can see you post op ps pics. I am sending good thoughts your way, hoping for a speedy recovery.

renewed - have you in my thoughts for tomorrow & look forward to GG's update.

So glad to hear the surgery went well and Renewed is feeling good.

Renewed, you look great! Completely amazing!

Best wishes Renewed!

Thanks for the update Georgia! Renewed so glad to hear all is well!!! Looking forward to hearing from you soon! Big healing hugs to you!!! :thumbup::smile:

YIPPEE! My band date is July 16th. I just purchaseed my pre-op liquid diet from Bariatric Advantage. I hope it tastes good. I start on it July 2nd. I am ready for this new journey!

I was banded in October of 2008 and had the band let down in November of 2010. I am finally ready to try it again but it does seem like the Bariatric centers are pushing the bypass more now. I got tired of throwing up all the time. Foods that were band friendly seemed to turn against me and not be band friendly. I am ready to measure foods, chew much slower and try this again.

Renewed: I have alot of itching as well and have a difficult time sleeping. I take half a dose of bendyral at night at it helps the itching and the sleeping. I was getting really weepy and found that if I can get a good nights sleep, I don't feel like crying as much. Anyway, that's my tip for the day!

Happy Bandiversary Renewed!!! I commented on the other thread, but I think it's worth mentioning again. You look FANTASTIC!!! You really do inspire me. I'm sending up prayers for you.

All these ideas are good. But wow, I buy Bariatric Advantage meal replacements in a bag and only pay $60 a bag. I order it straight from them. I generally add frozen blueberries and cinnamon and it comes out like a brilliant blue cinnamon streusel ice cream. I guess I will get tired of it but haven't yet. It is still pricey but I figure it really isn't bad, with the things I add it works out to about $2 a serving, which is a meal. I use the greek yogurts as they have so much protein, but I love yogurt and the Greek is so much more 'yogurty'. You could add one to your shake mixes to change the flavor some. I started doing that because I tried to go vegetarian and my hair started falling out.

Just remember the body can process no more than 30 grams of protein at one time and anything over that will be stored as fat (from everything I have read).The Bariatric surgeons in our program recommend low fat low sugar low carb less than 15 carb gms per shake.300 calories is a lot unless it is a food replacement.

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

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