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Well Made it to Vegas went through y’all the test for preop ,surgery tomorrow it’s real now Dr Tom Ulmbach will be performing my surgery called the “safe sleeve “he is the only one who does the safe procedure ,blossom Bariatrics ,it’s is being performed as outpatient and tht makes me nervous 😬 but I’m hearing good reviews from the limos drivers ,I’m on preop diet protein and unlimited veggies two shakes a day ,NPO by 8 pm tonight limo pick up at 10:15 said I will be at the warm springs surgical center for 5-6 hours then back to my hotel then in on sat for IV therapy to prevent dehydration and they are going to check for leaks ,prayers for me and I will pray for you all good luck my SW 228 was what I weighed yesterday can’t wait to see where I am at 8months from now 🤣

Let me tell you about protein shots! Lol Bariatric Choice has them for 3.79 and it's 42g of protein per shot. I just ordered 4... I'd rather drink a shot than to sip on Isopure all day.... It doesn't taste so good and I bought a whole case of them. Ask me where it is lol

Thanks Sheri for the sample tip! I just ordered one from bariatric choice and will look around further. I'm having a problem finding something that is pre-mixed and fits my surgeon's criteria that it be whey isolate and less than 3 grams of sugar. I'm supposed to be drinking four of these a day right now but have barely managed to choke down 3.

You should see dr Wiljon Beltre in Orlando. I had my surgery May 12th 2021, now it’s two weeks later and I’m down 17 lbs & I’m in my 50’s. He’s great and has done thousands of bariatric surgeries over the last 20 years. He’s very confident and I was out of the hospital after only one day. His prices were the most reasonable of all. Good luck

I googled bariatric cooking and found this: The Everything Post Weight Loss Surgery Cookbook

More than this, thank you for your comment, I totally agree with what you said. I'm a medical surgical nurse with experience in the cosmetic and bariatric surgery department. I did my surgery 2 weeks ago, and I was checking the net for more informatio mainly about post diets ideas. When I saw the forum, I thought it was good idea to share and help other people. My knowledge is not absolute, as we have seen, every doctor has it's own methodology and protocol. But our info. merged together can help a lot of people

I have been banded almost 3 years. never had any restaurant refuse to let me order small portions. you have to ask to see the Manager if that happens. I do have a card given to me at the bariatric center but have never had to use it. I just tell them I had weight loss surgery and need either child portions or smaller portions . I even had a server @ Red Robin say oh I had weight loss surgery too and have lost 100 lbs. so he was so accommodating.

This. My surgery is going to be done through a "Bariatric Center of Excellence" and they don't do the DS. They actually refer out to the University of Minnesota or the Mayo Clinic if I remember what the surgeon said correctly.

Can someone please tell me if they are having trouble with Bariatric Pal today. I am not able to access emotions (happy face icon)

I know this has absolutely nothing to do with bariatric surgery but my new neighbors (moved in August) have had Halloween decor out since last Sunday. It's really nice. Orange light up witches hats on a tree, skeletons with blinking eyes and orange spot lights lighting the entire facade. A bit early I would say but very cool. Then, I realized just a second ago when I responded to Karen, I'm going to be coming home for Halloween. Guess who is going all out this year on the decor! Watch out VA, I'm coming out

I think most of us were prescribed ursodiol for the first few months to lessen the chance of gallbladder issues. my surgeon prescribed omeprazole for a year, but I had surgery back before the downside of PPIs were widely known. From what I can tell (by hanging out on bariatric forums), most surgeons just prescribe it for around 3-6 months post-surgery now.

@@dc0520 I am not sure what WLS you are thinking about but lets look at this in a nuts and bolts kind of way. In all Bariatric surgeries your stomach goes from the size of a football to the size of an egg. What do you think? Are you likely to lose weight under those circumstances? Sometimes a visual is all I need. This is going to be easy peezy. The hard part for me is going to be how likely is it that I am going to like my new circumstances. I'll have to figure out a way of having fun because an egg sized "fun" is not enough. I do have something to add to this, I did take a wonderful Special Education class in College that talked about classroom behavior modification. In order to successful change a students behavior you have to : 1)reward the new behavior. 2)replace it with something else. For example, the student gets free time or a token for computer time after accomplishing class work. But also if you want a student to stop doing something annoying you have to give a replacement, like you can't kick the chair in front of you but you can kick the chair wide rubber band under your own chair. Think replace/reward. We probably should talk about this as a group. We needs some good ideas.

Thanks to Jeni, I too had my surgery performed by Dr. Shayani at St. James Bariatric Center in Olympia Fields, IL last week Sept. 2nd, 2008. It was by far the best decision I've made regarding my health in a long time. There was practically no pain, just some discomfort. My incisions look like a series of 5 paper cuts,with the exception of the port site -it is the longest and deepest cut. I've lost 15lbs. since my starting weight 1 month ago. This included the 2 week pre-op diet and the 1 week post op check today! I'm so excited but hungry now - no fill scheduled for 6 weeks by Dr. Shayani. He is absolutely amazing -the best bed-side-manner you've ever encountered! I highly recommend him.

Hi, I posted on this before and guess I am looking for some encouragement. For those of you who did not see my original post. I was banded on May 1, 2009 at 300/lbs. Join a jym with a trainer and nutritionist in July of that year and have been working out ever since. I dropped 30/lbs quickly and the last 20 have been a struggle. I have been hovering around the 250 - 258 mark for almost a year. The Nutritionist at the gym had me eating around 1700 - 1800 calories. With this weight was fairly stable around the 258 mark. Went to the Bariatric Nutritionist who says I was eating far too much. And after I loose the weight I can work on increasing calories, she cut me back to around 1300, and under 100 carbs a day. The GYM Nutritionist says 1500 is ok and maybe a few more carbs. So Here I am. So I have been sticking to around 1300 calories, not much fun. And wondering if the rest of this weight will ever come off. Still working out 3 to 5 times a week. Need to go at least 5 times but all this working out has hurt my knees so I have been going to PT twice a week. I have been keeping carbs around 100 a day. Went a bit crazy on a month long vacation and when I returned in early Aug was up to 258 again. Today down to 247 in like 8 weeks. but it is slow. I do not need a fill as I cannot eat in the Morning and having some PB Issues 3 or 4 times a week. The Bariatric Nutritionist said not to worry yet about this and to get this final 22/lbs off. Any suggestions. I was thinking to move up to around 1500 calories and increase my work outs a bit. Also a friend is going to Metabolic Research center. which is also low carb and supplements for Metabolism and doing quite well. Just want to get this last 20 lbs off!!:smile:

HI Theogillis7, Re: not to loose weight -- well, if you choose high calorie "slider" foods - cookies, candies, ice cream, high-fat things - you can still eat too many caloires and not loose weight. Regain - same story. Loose weight before surgery? - well, it depends on your program/bariatric center/surgeon. Some require (and insurance companies often do) a pre-op diet like 3 - 6 months supervised diet - to show that you can follow the diet changes. I had to do 3 months, and lost about 40 pounds. However, medically, you may not need to loose weight - some surgeons want you to loose some weight to decrease the fat around the liver and make the surgery easier, but not all do. Talk to you surgeon! A happy story - Christmas Eve my brother and sister-in-law who I have not seen for a year came home. I email them occasionally, but I guess the topic of the band and weight loss never came up with them -- I assumed our mother told them, or somebody else in the family. Well, apparently, he wasn't sure who I was and was about to ask, when I guess it dawned on him that it was ME! He didn't say anything, but told my mom afterwards that they were blown away with the change. Pretty funny! :-) I guess I do look a bit different now! What a difference a year can make.

i'll be having my surgery with dr. sherrod from southwest bariatrics. he seems very nice and i've found that he really listens to what you have to say rather than giving you canned answers. i've got a very high bmi so i've had to have quite a few pre-op tests (sleep study, ekg, echochardiogram, exercise, nutrition, and blood work) so i've been just sort of plugging away getting things done. i just finished the last of them on friday, so i'm just waiting for the results to make it to dr. sherrod so i can schedule my very last pre-op appt. with him and schedule this dang thing!

I would listen to the Bariatric Nutritionist advice about lower calories. The only way to loss body fat is to eat fewer calories than are burned. Get rid of all starchy carbs, and don't overload on protein.

I had the flu in March and I'm thinking I slipped. I am in Alaska too - Anchorage and unfortunately my surgery was many years ago in CA so I have to wait 6 weeks to see the bariatric doc here - he's gone the entire month of July. I'm going to have a miserable 6 weeks. VERY frustrating. I want my band removed. It's been crooked for 5 year and I've limped along and now this is just the final straw for me. Time for it to go. I too am about 40 lbs from goal and I've been here forever since eating "good" food is really hard and I resort to stuff that isn't necessarily great for weight loss or health.

Hey everyone, i just recently got insurance that covers bariatric surgery through the state. Im having a hard time deciding which plan i should choose to run with during the bariatric process. They put me with coordinated care to start with, i have since switched to molina which starts april 1 2021. I scheduled my first dr visit with my new pcp for this coming Monday to hopefully get the ball rolling to get accepted into the program. Ive got so many questions, but i guess ill start with does anyone have advice on which plan is better for the bariatric surgery process? Coordinated care, or molina?? Thanks for reading my book [emoji51][emoji854] Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

The code for the tricare service of the sleeve is Code 43775 43775 Code definition is: LAPAROSCOPY, SURGICAL, GASTRIC RESTRICTIVE PROCEDURE; LONGITUDINAL GASTRECTOMY (IE, SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY) Number of pocedures allowed without a overide code is: 1 Tricare Benefits TRICARE covers gastric bypass, gastric stapling and gastroplasty to include vertical banded gastroplasty and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (Lap-Band surgery) is covered only when the beneficiary meets one of the following conditions: Is 100 pounds over ideal weight for height and bone structure and has one of these associated conditions: diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cholecystitis, narcolepsy, Pickwickian syndrome, hypothalamic disorders or severe arthritis of the weight-bearing joints Is 200 percent or more over ideal weight for height and bone structure Has had intestinal bypass or other surgery for obesity and because of complications, requires another surgery (takedown) TRICARE does not cover: Nonsurgical treatment of obesity, morbid obesity, dietary control or weight reduction Biliopancreatic bypass, gastric bubble or balloon for the treatment of morbid obesity Note for Active Duty Service Members: Bariatric surgery represents a major and permanent change in your digestive system that requires strict adherence to a specific dietary regimen that may interfere with operational deployment. A history of bariatric surgery is already a bar to military service and receiving bariatric surgery while on active duty may be grounds for separation. For more information, view the Health Affairs Policy 07-006.Should I have surgery to lose weight? Recent research indicates many patients are unable to achieve and maintain large amounts weight loss without the assistance of weight loss surgery. Along with the burden of obesity often times these patients are plagued with diseases associated with excess weight. These diseases are referred to as co-morbidities and include: hypertension diabetes sleep apnea GERD joint pain Co-morbidities may be reduced or eliminated by weight loss. The goal of the bariatric program is to provide assistance to patients who may benefit from significant weight loss and have had little success with more conservative treatment methods. Tricare Prime retirees and dependents who meet specified criteria are eligible for the bariatric surgery program. What surgeries are available? The bariatric procedures currently being performed in the program are laparoscopic gastric banding, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and open or laparoscopic gastric bypass. All procedures are very effective but differ in surgical technique, dietary modifications, lifestyle changes, medical monitoring, and risk to the patient. Each patient is unique and in consultation with the bariatric surgeon will determine the best surgical procedure. Laparoscopic Gastric Banding is the least invasive but effective weight loss procedure. It is the safest procedure. In this procedure an inflatable silicone band is placed around the upper portion of the stomach. The band is tightened around the stomach by injecting saline into the adjustable band. The tightened band creates a small pouch of the upper stomach which restricts the amount of food the stomach can hold, resulting in weight loss. Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy is another very effective surgical weight loss procedure in which the stomach is stapled and part of the stomach is removed. The remaining portion of the stomach is called a sleeve. The sleeve remains attached to the small bowel and digestion occurs normally. The small stomach fills quickly allowing the patient a feeling of fullness, reducing the food intake resulting in weight loss. Gastric Bypass is the most invasive and most effective weight loss surgery. In this procedure the stomach size is reduced to a pouch, and the upper portion of the small bowel is bypassed. Weight loss occurs by reducing the amount of food intake into the smaller stomach and by the GI tract's reduced ability to absorb calories and nutrients. Following bypass surgery, the patient will require lifetime medical monitoring for nutritional deficiencies and supplemental Vitamins and minerals. http://www.uptodate.com http://www.webmd.com/diet/weight-loss-surgery/gastric-bypass Do I qualify for the NCA Surgical Weight Loss Program? The eligibility criteria for a consultation with one of our bariatric surgeons are as follows: BMI is a method of classifying body mass into categories used to predict morbidity and mortality. BMI is calculated as follows: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. BMI Criteria: BMI of 35 or greater with co-morbidities BMI of 40 or greater without co-morbidities We currently do not perform surgery on patients with a BMI of 50+ or >400 lbs. Calculate your BMI: http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/ [*]Active duty personnel cannot have weight loss surgery as mandated by BUMED http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmcp/Patients/GenSurgery/Documents/ BARIATRIC%20SURGERY%20POLICY_20070326160507_924C6A1B.pdf [*]You must be between the ages of 20-64 years [*]We only accept patients with Tricare Prime [*]Retired military [*]Dependents of military members (Active Duty or Retired) [*]You must not be pregnant or lactating [*]Without multiple serious medical complications related or unrelated to weight How do I begin the process? The road to weight loss surgery begins with an appointment with your Primary Care Manager (PCM). Your PCM is going to play a vital role should you and he/she decide weight loss surgery is the best choice for you, and you should keep in close contact with him/her. If you meet the criteria above and have been unsuccessful with all other methods of weight management, have your PCM enter a consult to the General Surgery Clinic. On that referral, your doctor will need to include the following: your actual weight at the time of the visit, highest weight, height, BMI, and co-morbidities (other conditions caused by obesity). Also, have your PCM put in referrals for evaluations for bariatric surgery: nutrition (Wellness CL BE, 3 visits) exercise physiology (at WRAMC, Wellness CL WR) psychology You will also need orders for the following: blood work: CBC, CMP, Vit D (calcidiol/25-hydroxy) sleep apnea study (guidelines for requirement of test TBD) endoscopy (require EGD for reflux symptoms and require screening colonoscopy for age >50) If you can get all these referrals and orders now, it will help the process go more quickly and smoothly for you. Once the referral is received by the surgery clinic, it will be screened for eligibility requirements and appointment availability. If appointments are not available, the consult will be sent to the Referral Management Department and assistance will be given to locate a Bariatric Surgeon outside the Military Treatment Facility. An overview of our process For more information concerning Tricare Benefits please refer to the website below: http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/jsp/Medical/IsItCovered.do?kw=Gastric+ Bypass&topic=Men Exercise Physiology and Physical Therapy (WRAMC) 202-782-1249 Required Consults: Exercise Physiology and Physical Therapy Our Exercise Physiologist and Physical Therapist are members of the multidisciplinary team caring for you in the NCA Bariatric Surgical Weight Loss Program. Through research in their field, their expertise lies in evaluation muscle response to activity and maximizing its positive effect on the body. This information enables them to formulate exercise programs for professional athletes as well as with patients suffering from cardiac conditions, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or bariatric patients with various limitations in their ability to exercise in the normal sense. In collaboration with your surgeon and other team members, they develop a customized exercise program for you. Their program will assist you in developing techniques and movements to improve your mobility and body strength. Exercise, as a requirement of the weight loss program, is a key element in achieving and maintaining long term success in managing a healthy weight. This program will assist you in incorporating exercise into your lifestyle. Services are available at WRAMC. Please call 202-782-1249 for an appointment or more information. Support Group Information NNMC-Bariatric Surgery Support Group Every Wednesday Time: 1530 Location: Conference Room A, Building 7, 4th floor POC: Behavioral Health (301) 295-0500 Stating: Support Group Status: Temporarily on hold until May 2010 or June 2010 WRAMC-Lifestyles & Viewpoints (Behavioral Health group) Wednesdays (except 2nd Wednesday of the month) Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm Location: 5th floor, Ward 53 WRAMC-Monthly Weight Loss Surgery Support Group (Nutrition Care group) 2nd Wednesday of each month Time: 4:30-6:00pm Location: Ward 73 Conference Room (Rm 7347) POC: Beth Triner 202-782-5466 DeWitt Army Hospital 1st Tuesday of each month Time: 4:30pm-5:30pm Location: Main Conference Room To sign up for Support Group please call 703-805-0604 or email Becky.Campbell@us.army.mil The February meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 9th at 4:30 Handouts Nutrition and Exercise Log Websites (PDF) Pre-op eating behaviors (PDF) Nutrition for Bariatric Surgery Presentation( PDF) Bariatric Infomation Session Presentation (PDF) Nutrition Guide-Sleeve Gastrectomy Booklet (PDF) Nutrition Appointment Numbers (PDF) February 2010 Bariatric Support Group flyer (PPT) Forms New pre-surgical assessment (PDF)

Hi Shana55, I'm Peter member of BariatricPal MX and gladly I can help you with your question, we have four Bariatric Surgeons as part of our staff: Dr. Carlos Altamirano Cano, Dr.Jesus Martin Lopez Dominguez, Dr. jaime Ponce de leon, Dr. Francisco Zavalza, you can check them at: http://teammx.bariatricpal.com/, or you can call us for more information. 619) 900-7345 Office Number (844) WLS-DEAL / (844) 957-3325 Office Hours: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday thru Friday

Let me preface this by saying I'm one of those crazy Scandinavians. We get put outside to sleep when we're babies, for hours, also in sub-zero temperatures. I love the cold, love sleeping in a bedroom so cold I can see my own breath. You just sleep so well. This didn't change while getting fat, obviously. Then, bariatric surgery happened. 1) Immediately. Had to change my bedroom temp from 40F to 78F. No, literally. 2) Yes. A week ago. 13 months out. Bedroom temp is down to 60F. 3) It's not just lack of insulation, but that's part of it. What you're experiencing now will get worse, and then it'll get better. 4) See above. Your body is busy with other things.

I am not a patient of Dr Cunneen’s, so I cannot speak to any experience with him specifically, though I have met him, and he was present in the operating Room when I had my Lap band installed. However, having said that, I WILL tell you that my experience with that Medical Group, and Cedars-Sinai in general was absolutely horrific. The “surgeon” who installed my Lap Band was Theodore Khalili, who is now the Chief of the Cedars Bariatric group. Just THAT fact alone is enough to make me advise people to STAY AWAY from Cedars, and particularly Khalili. He did an AWFUL job on me, and when the problems surfaced, he ran like jackrabbit. No support whatsoever until I threatened a lawsuit, and then he acted like a three-year old whose toys had been taken away. In addition, Dr Cunneen was present during the surgery to oversee Khalili’s work….and the surgeon who REMOVED my lap band stated that the band had been installed INCORRECTLY. So, I would have to question Cunneens skill if he oversaw a procedure that was performed incorrectly. HH

Chargers56, Every Kaiser does things differently. I have a friend who just finished the classes and she had to do alot more than I ever did. She went through the Kaiser in Hollywood. She had to get a psych eval and nutrition eval and some other things. I never had to do that. You will have to take tests during the course of the 6 month classes. They need to see if you are difficent in somethings. YES when I went to my consult with my Surgeon I was told that they are taking referrals from the pts in San Diego. I think you will qualify with the hypertension and cholesterol. Dont worry, if you get to orientation you are basically in. I know that after orientation the chief bariatric MD reviews the packets (what they will send in the mail) to see if you are eligiable. Make sure that you put down all the diets that you have tried. The more the better. They want to see that you have made MANY attempts at losing weight. Even if you only took pills that were over the counter. EVERY effort should be written down. If you only have 1 or 2 they wont take you. YOu will be fine and I am sure they will accept you. Good luck ... its so worth it:thumbup:

You are so welcome. I know that when I first started this process I felt completely lost. I am glad I can be here for you. Pacific Bariatrics only does the RNY for Kaiser. I think that by the time you are finished with the classes, they wont have that contract anymore, as Kaiser is performing their own surgeries now. They used to contract with UCLA too for the RNY and Sleeve. They no longer have a contract with them. Kaiser is doing ALL surgeries now.