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Thank you! Yes I had the gastric bypass (laparoscopic), I have 4 small incision scars and 1 small scar where the drain was. I take 2 Flinstones Complete, 4 Calcium Citrate (500mg) 3000mcgs of biotin (helps with hair loss/regrowth) and B12. I do not buy the bariatric vitamins that are sold, all of mine come from Walgreens (I would guess i spend ~20$ per month on vitamins). I do supplement my protein with Genepro unflavored medical grade protein from GNC, I go thru a tub of it about every week and half to 2 weeks, it runs about $38. However the $ i spend on not eating fast food or diet sodas more than equals out monthly. I also no longer buy a meal when my husband and I go out, I generally just get an appetizer or maybe an add on like a skewer of shrimp...so cost wise Its definitely a wash.

Mount Carmel West in Columbus with Dr Marcus Miller, he's their Bariatric Director so their Top Dog. Glad it's him, I'm a non traditional aged patient but he's still willing to do it, and yes it's a Center of Excellence rating also., I'm gonna only,do,this once so it had better be good and yes I'm also RnY I have pretty strong GERD and it is the Gold Standard surgery. Keep me updated on your journey, ok? Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

St Vincent bariatric center of excellence in Carmel! And you?

Bariatric Fusion vitamins are one of the most popular vitamin brands in the BariatricPal Store. Bariatric Fusion continues to release innovative and popular Bariatric products. They've recently released the following 3 innovative Bariatric vitamins for 2018: Bariatric Fusion Multivitamin and Mineral Supplement NO IRON Chewable - Available in 2 Flavors! This great tasting vitamin and mineral supplement was designed and formulated by a Bariatric Surgical Team to meet the needs of their patients who do not require daily iron or prefer to take a separate iron supplement. The unique formulation provides the highest amounts of what the team believes are the key micronutrients vital for weight loss surgery patients. Bariatric Fusion Calcium Soft Chew with Bone & Metabolic Support (Fruit Punch) Bariatric Fusion calcium soft chews optimize bone strength and metabolic function by maximizing absorption through a unique soft chew formulation. This great tasting chew delivers 500mg of Calcium Citrate, Vitamin D, Magnesium and Vitamin K to enhance absorption and provide maximum bone health and strength. The addition of Thiamine, Riboflavin, and Niacin will give your body the efficiency and ENERGY you need to enjoy a happy and healthy lifestyle. This is truly a one of a kind supplement. Bariatric Fusion Probiotic Soft Chew - Orange Tropical Flavor Bariatric Fusion Probiotic soft chews are designed to promote a healthy intestinal environment, regulate metabolism, and enhance your immune response. Bariatric Fusion's unique soft chew formulation optimizes better absorption and provides the results you are looking for. One great tasting chew provides 10 billion live organisms! These products are all in-stock and ready to ship same day from the BariatricPal Store.

"Within 12 months prior to surgery, a thorough nutritional evaluation by a physician, registered dietician, or other licensed professional experienced in the issues of bariatric surgery, who has had a meaningful conversation with the individual regarding the dietary and lifestyle changes required to ensure a successful outcome over time." I copied and pasted this from my policy and I did a search of 12 months and 12 consecutive months in the PDF. It does not mention12 consecutive months anywhere in the policy for bariatric surgery. I would like to know, in your opinion, how does this read to you. Call me crazy but that does not say that it has to be consecutive. Maybe a few visits but not consecutive. What are your thoughts? What is this saying in your opinion? I just don't know. if it were consecutive, I feel they would use the word consecutive.

Yes, I am a bariatric surgeon in San Antonio. Doctors generally don't share statistics on outcomes with their patients, except in a broad sense. We would be able to tell you statistical rates of complications, and if our complication rates are similar to the rates seen in large studies. I would guess that poor surgeons generally don't come out and say that they aren't any good. The best way to get an idea of a surgeon is to talk to hospital staff that have worked with the surgeons before (like nurses, for example.) If that isn't possible, then former patients are the next best thing. Just my opinion, though. Hope that helps.

So I received my pre op diet plan today but I don't have to start it for a couple more weeks which gives me a little time to shop around. My surgeon recommends bariatric fusion but is fine with a comparable protein powder. Any suggestions? I love pure protein and the premade shakes would work though they're crazy expensive when you're drink 6 shakes a day for 14 days and the powder, while just right for my budget, doesn't stand up to the stats bariatric fusion has. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I had a job switch in January last year and when my insurance switched to a different care provider I had to choose a new PCP. It turned out to be the best thing for me. My new insurance covered my bariatric surgery and the doctor I chose in my new network was very supportive of my wanting surgery. I made my appointment and on my first visit I had a referral to my surgeon, I did already have a surgeon picked out that I wanted the referral for. I was open and upfront with my doctor about how my weight has affected my life and my health. He was understanding and agreed 100% that bariatric was an option for me. Sometimes it’s hard to initiate that talk, and I think sometimes as patients people get defensive when confronted with their weight. I know I was obese for years and my previous doctor was never overly concerned, or was too concerned with what my reaction would be if he mentioned it. Good luck!

Thank you. I see you are a doctor. Are you a bariatric surgeon? Also, do doctors share their statistics on outcomes with their patients? Before I select a surgeon it would be good to know what their track record is. I'm guessing, though, that few doctors share that info.

Great to hear about that weight loss, hopeful I'll do that good. Only other people I've seen were Coshocton and New Philadelphia and they were a year or so back so probably no longer active. Keep me updated and watch for me, saw my Sleep Lab doctor today for assessment of my C-pap status, that should finish my clearances unless they throw in an additional Nutrition consult. I had started out once before, had most of my prerequirements done, my job terminated and I lost insurance coverage. I had gone through all the nutrition consulting then and I'm hopeful I don't have to attend another. I'll call my Bariatric Coordinated in the morning and make sure. I can almost see the lights in the distance ahead. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

I think he's cute- when I had my gall bladder out in the bad old days when surgeries were open I had a chicken pillow. Why did I need one, instead of a subcostal which was more or less traditional I had a right paramedian which meant I had an incision to "splint" when I coughed. Boy Chickie was my best buddy for awhile, think he's upstairs in the toy chest, wonder if he wants to go to Columbus on my Bariatric journey? Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

I'd also be hungry if I ate mashed potatoes, Cream of Wheat, and other starches at just a few weeks out. Personally, these foods don't provide me with much satiety or fullness due to the lack of protein. Are scrambled eggs, chili, refried beans with melted cheese, and tuna acceptable in the soft foods phase that has been prescribed for you? Although most bariatric food plans allow potatoes and hot cereals, many bariatric patients experience chronic hunger if they don't prioritize protein. Good luck to you.

Thanks. Gleaning new info is surely a benefit of participating in bariatric forums since our healthcare team cannot possibly teach us everything we need to know. The professionals at our bariatric surgery offices can only scratch the surface in regards to the knowledge they bestow upon patients. Figuring out the rest is entirely up to us as individuals. The learning curve is part and parcel of our lifelong journeys toward improved health.

Fatty liver disease doesn't typically cause pain unless it has progressed to cirrhosis. If you think the pain is from your liver, do you have a heptologist you see? I would make an appointment with that doctor and check in. Your bariatric surgeon probably isn't as knowledgeable in that area and this could be dangerous if it's progressing to cirrhosis.

Laughing Cow spreadable cheese triangles versus Philadelphia cream cheese? Is there really a difference? What about harder cheeses? Many of our patients seem to often choose the creamier spreadable cheeses after WLS or bariatric surgery. But are they the best options? Let’s go through the nutrition facts together. We’ve also added in brick cheese and ricotta cheese for comparison. Nutrient Laughing Cow cheese Philadelphia cream cheese Brick mozzarella cheese Ricotta cheese Portion 2 triangles (33g) 2 tablespoons (30g) 3 cm cube (30g) 2 tablespoons (31g) Calories (kcal) 70 100 90 45 Fat (g) 6 10 6 3 Saturated fat (g) 3.5 6 4 2 Trans fat (g) 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.1 Sodium (mg) 310 130 200 35 Carbohydrates (g) 2 2 1 1.5 Protein (g) 3 2 8 3 Vitamin A (%) 6 12 6 3 Vitamin C (%) 0 0 0 0 Calcium (%) 10 4 20 5 Iron (%) 0 0 0 0 Ingredients Modified milk ingredients, cheeses, sodium phosphates , citric acid. Milk ingredients, salt, bacterial culture, carob bean gum, sorbic acid. Pasteurized milk, modified milk ingredients, bacterial culture, salt, calcium chloride, microbial enzyme. Pasteurized milk and whey, lactic acid, salt, maltodextrin, mono and diglycerides, guar gum, carrageenan, carob bean gum Protein:calorie ratio 1:23 1:50 1:11 1:15 So what’s the verdict? Which cheese product is the best nutritionally? Brick-style cheese (any kind, e.g. mozzarella, cheddar, etc.) and ricotta cheese are the healthier choices compared to the creamy spreadable cheeses. And who is the winner between Laughing Cow and Philadelphia? Laughing Cow. How did we come to these conclusions? Although the brick cheese has a calorie content similar to cream cheese, it boasts more protein and more calcium. Brick cheeses are also less processed compared to the creamier spreadable cheeses, which are ultra-processed foods. Ultra-processed means that the food has been processed a step further to extend its shelf-life. Processing typically removes many nutrients (some of which are added back in in later steps) and adds a lot of salt (or sodium). Additionally, the winners can be justified by comparing the protein:calorie ratios (see our previous blog to learn more about this concept: https://bariatricsurgerynutrition.com/2017/07/07/chia-hemp-seeds-are-they-worth-the-hype/). Looking at the chart above, brick cheese and ricotta cheese have protein ratios of 1:11 and 1:15 respectively, which are lower than the ratios of Laughing Cow cheese (1:23) and Philadelphia cream cheese (1:50). This basically means that brick cheese and ricotta cheese provide more protein for less calories. This doesn’t mean that you can’t have the occasional creamy spreadable cheese with your bagels and toast, but between Laughing Cow cheese and Philadelphia cream cheese, choose Laughing Cow cheese more often. Although it has more sodium, it has a bit more protein for less calories and fat. To add a protein boost to both of these spreadable cheeses, add a couple slices of smoked salmon or deli meat. Everything in moderation! – Lisa & Monica P.S. We love ricotta cheese because it is a fairly spreadable cheese like cream cheese, but the perk is that you can flavour it however you please. Prefer salty cheese? Add a sprinkle of salt. Prefer a sweeter spread for your morning toast? Sprinkle some sugar, or a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. https://bariatricsurgerynutrition.com/2018/01/14/is-all-cheese-the-same/

ok just got back from my 3 month check and they told me I can take any one a day as long as i also add a b complex to it. This works out fine for me anything over the awful bariatric ones.

Okay, I got my samples in! I have to say, I got SO MUCH STUFF for just my $10 in shipping! I think I got at least 11-12 servings of the different kinds/flavors of vegan protein powders plus a couple little packets of supplements and the full-size green shaker bottle. That is a great value. It's really nice of them to offer such a comprehensive sample pack! The first one I decided to try was actually not the Veggie Elite protein mix but the Veggie Meal Replacement. The Veggie Elite mix seems like a workout-specific mix, like you would have with the whey powder. Basically just protein in a specific amino acid profile. The Meal Replacement has a different amino acid profile in the protein, plus Omega 3 & 6 from flax (I think it has DHA/EPA as well), plus an antioxidant blend of various herb/fruit powders and extracts, AND a probiotic blend. That packs a lot of punch! It's 190 calories with 22g protein and 8g fiber. Pretty impressive. They also included a Veggie Protein mix, which is basically the same as the Meal Replacement except without the probiotics, and it's fewer calories. So they have 3 vegan products - Meal Replacement, Veggie Protein, and Veggie Elite Protein. So the mix I made was the Veggie Meal Replacement powder in Chocolate Mocha flavor with 8oz chocolate soy milk (FULL DISCLOSURE: it is sweetened!), a couple oz water, and a few ice cubes. It's really not bad at all. It's slightly thicker than the premade Premier Protein shakes I've been trying - which I believe is true for all powders vs. premade shakes - and because it's got a tiny bit of stevia (about a gram), it's got a slight aftertaste. So, is it delicious? No. (And I haven't tried it with water or unsweetened milk yet.) But it's a protein powder. None of them are especially tasty and we're not drinking them for that reason. I don't think it would be fair to hold the vegan protein powder to a higher standard than the milk-based ones. In a whole food diet I don't think vegan protein powders would really have a regular place, because it's better to eat the actual peas and brown rice instead of just their protein - and better to eat the berries and herbs instead of just their extracts. But for bariatric patients in the early stages where volume is limited and stomach space is at a premium I definitely think these are a good choice. I'm so excited! Definitely going to be making an order of the full-size products. I also found Orgain on Amazon and at Costco, so I might give that one a try too. Apparently Garden of Life has an unflavored protein powder but the reviews on Amazon were pretty bad. So between the MRM powders and the Orgain I think I'll be okay for a bit. And I always have the Premier Protein as a backup. Sorry for the long post! Hopefully these details help someone

Hi, A search turned up JFK Med center for a location that has a Bariatrics dept. If you do a search on local groups up that way more more info might come up. If you've got any pre-op questions etc feel free to respond or pm. Where you're getting the procedure might have one available as well.

Dr. Teixeira, absolutely love him. My health insurance has a Bariatric program and recommend him or Dr Jawad.

My BMI was just barely at 40 with no co-morbidities and I got approved on first try through insurance. It was actually super easy too. Started the process with my bariatric surgeon in March and had approval by May 1st but had to wait until June 1st for an opening in the operating room. Guess it just depends on your surgeon's office and if they know the right things to say in that letter to get things pushed through. And of course how difficult your insurance is and whether or not they want to drag things out. It's definitely in their best interests to get the weight off of you and down to a healthy weight now BEFORE the co-morbidities set in, rather than to have you end up on a bunch of meds and possible major health issues that they'll be footing the bill for later.

Promotion ends on January 31st, 2018 at 11:59 PM EST Tespo is reinventing vitamins just as Keurig reinvented coffee. Tespo Bariatric Vitamin Pods are packed with high quality, powder vitamins and the Tespo Vitamin Dispenser turns that powder into a delicious, easy to drink liquid shot and Tespo-Go provides a simple and convenient way for you to bring your Tespo-Pods on the go!

According to the internet: Nausea and vomiting are the most common complaints after bariatric surgery, and they are typically associated with inappropriate diet and noncompliance with a gastroplasty diet (ie, eat undisturbed, chew meticulously, never drink with meals, and wait 2 hours before drinking after solid food is consumed). If these symptoms are associated with epigastric pain, significant dehydration, or not explained by dietary indiscretions, an alternative diagnosis must be explored. One of the most common complications causing nausea and vomiting in gastric bypass patients is anastomotic ulcers, with and without stomal stenosis. Ulceration or stenosis at the gastrojejunostomy of the gastric bypass has a reported incidence of 3% to 20%. Although no unifying explanation for the etiology of anastomotic ulcers exists, most experts agree that the pathogenesis is likely multifactorial. These ulcers are thought to be due to a combination of preserved acid secretion in the pouch, tension from the Roux limb, ischemia from the operation, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use, and perhaps Helicobacter pylori infection. Evidence suggests that little acid is secreted in the gastric bypass pouch; however, staple line dehiscence may lead to excessive acid bathing of the anastomosis. Treatment for both marginal ulcers and stomal ulcers should include avoidance of NSAIDs, antisecretory therapy with proton-pump inhibitors, and/or sucralfate. In addition, H pylori infection should be identified and treated, if present.

Several interesting articles were gathered and published here yesterday. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/currentissue Here are a few of them, the complete list is in the link above. Reimagining Obesity in 2018 - A JAMA Theme Issue on Obesity Long-term Outcomes Following Bariatric Surgery Counting Calories as an Approach to Achieve Weight Control Fitness or Fatness - Which Is More Important? Comparing the Outcomes of Sleeve Gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass for Severe Obesity Effect of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy vs Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass on Weight Loss at 5 Years Among Patients With Morbid Obesity - The SLEEVEPASS Randomized Clinical Trial Effect of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy vs Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass on Weight Loss in Patients With Morbid Obesity - The SM-BOSS Randomized Clinical Trial Lifestyle Intervention and Medical Management With vs Without Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Control of Hemoglobin A1c, LDL Cholesterol, and Systolic Blood Pressure at 5 Years in the Diabetes Surgery Study Association of Bariatric Surgery vs Medical Obesity Treatment With Long-term Medical Complications and Obesity-Related Comorbidities Association of Bariatric Surgery Using Laparoscopic Banding, Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, or Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy vs Usual Care Obesity Management With All-Cause Mortality Toward Precision Approaches for the Prevention and Treatment of Obesity Evolving Societal Norms of ObesityWhat Is the Appropriate Response?

I had my Lapband January, 2011 - it was nothing but problems the entire time. I had too much restriction the entire time and the weight gain. The last three, or so, years of that torture device, I was unable to eat and in doubled over pain most of the time. I also developed severe GERD. My gastro referred me to a different Bariatric doctor. Long story short - the Lapband caused multiple problems and I had to have an emergency revision to gastric bypass. Dr. Did not recommend the sleeve for me because a high percentage of patients that already have GERD, it makes it worse. Please see another doctor before your situation gets worse like mine did. I don’t think you will be sorry with a revision to sleeve or bypass. It was a wonderful decision for me - not constantly sick anymore!

I wish you luck with your journey. I never had any luck with my pcp. They always tried talking me out of it and telling me to keep with the diets and exercise. I eventually had to locate a bariatric program on my own. I hope you have an understanding doctor, but if not know that there are other means to get the process started