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It has gone by so fast. I was supposed to get my aircast off today at my ortho docs but a blizzard cancelled my appointment. I broke my foot the first day of my preop diet. I was looking forward to being able to move more with the boot removed. My bariatric surgeon seemed a little discouraged last week at my 3 week post op visit that I had only lost 16 pounds. He wants me to lose 10 more pound to be under 200 by the time I see him in 2 more weeks. I'm happy with my loss for 3 weeks. Of course having lower bmi, Im not going to lose 30 or 40 pounds first month along with the limited mobility of a broken foot . I am following the food program to the letter. I am sick of soups, refried beans, eggs, protein shakes and tuna at this point. I cannot wait to have a fresh spinach salad with grilled chicken and boiled egg on top. Yes I will probably only get to eat 2 bites of it when the time comes... but it shall be glorious. I'm happy I got the surgery. I can't wait to be on regular food in 2 weeks. I can't wait to get cleared to start gym again.

I'd look at it more like an investment into your health and lifestyle Vs. an expense. Then again we also sell Bariatric Advantage vitamins in our store so my advice could be a bit biased You're also (most likely) going to save a ton of $ after surgery since most people end up buying less food. There is a difference in Bariatric vitamins vs Centrum or others you buy at the corner pharmacy. Whatever you do end up using, make sure to monitor your labs on a regular basis and you'll be fine.

I just added up how much the vitamins my surgeon wants me to take after bypass. Annually it's $1,177! He wants me to take the following: Bariatric Advantage Advanced Multi EA twice day Bariatric Advantage Calcium Citrate chews 3x a day Bariatric Advantage Probiotic twice a day Biotin once a day B12 once a week I'm thinking I could probably save some money on the calcium and probiotic by finding a different brand...?

Fitzer is good. you will be fine. my advice for the first month? be kind to yourself. listen to your body (this would be my main advice at month 1 or month 6, or in perpetuity actually). if your body wants to rest, rest! eventually, your energy will come back and you will literally feel compelled to get up and move. it won't be something you have to do, it will be something you'll be seeking to do! and yes, it's all about walking. don't get crazy with working out for the first year. but walk as much as you can. i usually walk about 3 miles a day. and am still hopping around the house on top of that! as you progress in your eating, listen to your hunger signals. they have been "reset" by the surgery and are very true now. some days you will be hungry - so feed yourself as much healthy food as it's calling for. other days you won't have hunger at all - so focus on getting the minimum protein but don't force much on top of that. i remember at about month 2 i had an entire Chipotle salad w/ chicken for dinner. finished it with ease! i was shocked! but then the next day, i sat down to eat a small bowl of chili and got the most overwhelming "full" sensation after about 3 spoonfuls, so i just put it down and walked away. i personally do not agree with the typical bariatric dr's plan of "three meals a day". i understand why they do it, because a lot of obese people have food addiction issues and they are trying to form better habits. but i've never had food addiction issues. so i eat when hungry and don't when not. i have no desire for junk food or fast food. i only crave healthy vegetables and quality proteins. that's the honest to god truth. the only "goal" i have everyday is getting at least 100g of protein. that's my floor. for most women i think the floor is 80g. i've been doing this since about Month 2-3. some days i'll eat a lot of food on top of that. other days i barely eat anything on top of that. it's worked out well for me. i just go by how i feel, what my body is telling me. to get that "floor" amount of protein, i would suggest having a group of cheap, convenient, and easy-to-eat foods that you can eat every single day that is the basis for your diet. for me? every day i eat two eggs cooked in MCT oil (15g protein), an isopure zero-carb drink (40g), single serving skyr fat free yogurt (15g), and a can of black or pinto beans (30g). that's a built-in 100g of protein, with healthy carbs, fiber, and probiotics. that's about 700calories. after that, sometimes i feel like having a big dinner. or a light dinner. or no dinner. i just follow my hunger signals for that. i think it's good for the body to switch it up like that. 1000 calories one day. 700 the next. 1400 the next. etc. hope that helps. but for you, right now a week after surgery... keep drinking that broth! chicken broth, beef bone broth, miso. it will give you hydration, much needed sodium, and will resemble "real food". all that fake sweet shakes and stuff got old for me real fast.

They argue that GENEPRO doesn't have the amount of protein they advertise. They say that the Company has lawsuits against them and they lost the last case. I ask them why even BARIATRIC STORE sells it, they are a huge company and you would think they stand behind this product. I just wanted to let u know. I will always use GENEPRO. It's the best I have found for myself. So now u know if u get pounced on. Lol

I have Anthem and it was required. I don't know if there is any variation between states. My doc's office made it sound like the 6 month program was mandatory with them. Honestly I'd just let your doc's office handle it. They'll know all the ins & outs with the various insurance requirements. If I recall correctly Anthem requires the following: 1) Must be over a certain BMI (if you actually fall under their mark they won't approve you) 2) If under a certain BMI you must have certain comorbidities that would justify the WLS 3) Must complete a 6 month supervised program I had a hard time trying to get an answer when doing research on my own. Their website made sleeve surgery look way more expensive than a bypass and/or didn't cover it at all with certain bariatric programs in the area. When I did my first appointment with my doc's office they had the answers I needed. Kind of sad that you'll get more solid info from your doc than the insurance company itself.

I think a lot of us to. The bariatric ones are nice but it's still cheaper for me to just take an extra multi of my old standby. If you have bloodwork done a few times after surgery they'll be able to tell if you're deficient in anything. I'm coming up on my 1 year mark so I'll likely be due for another test. Helps give some peace of mind knowing that my levels are okay.

I am in Kentucky and have Anthem Blue insurance. I have called my insurance several times and keep on getting different answers when I ask about their insurance approval policy for bariatric surgery. They say they cover bariatric surgery and say that I just need my doctor to say it is medically necessary. All the information given to me about the details of BMI, and weight loss program information varies each time I speak with a person. One person said whether I can get surgery depends on my BMI. Hoping to get details, I asked how. They said that if my BMI is very high then I'd need to lose weight for the doctor to perform the surgery (I think she just made that up, having a very high BMI shouldn't affect insurance approval). I tried to confirm with them the bariatric policy on their website https://www.anthem.com/medicalpolicies/policies/mp_pw_a053317.htm and accidentally gave them the wrong document number and they said: "Yes, that's it." I requested to be sent a copy of the policy and they said: "I can't do that because we don't keep copies of all of the policy info here because the paperwork takes up so much space". Anyway, I have had more productive conversations with my dog. Has anyone with Anthem Blue had their surgery covered without having to do the 6-month pre-op weight loss routine?

My doc said to plan on them for life. I was taking the special bariatric vitamins that they sell out of their office, but came to hate the taste and went back to my regular ones. They don't pack as many vitamins/minerals but when I had my subsequent blood tests done to monitor levels I was looking good so I've stuck with them. I try to take a regular multi twice a day and my calcium twice a day. With the bariatric ones they wanted me taking those 3x day but I get a lot of calcium in from my yogurt and other sources.

My RD was a blessing. The best thing she did was give me The Bible at my first visit - it was a binder put together by the RNP, Surgeon and RD with everything I needed to know about having the sleeve done - my pre-op plan for the three months prior to surgery and all the testing necessary, sections about exercise and diet and nutrition, a section to be filled with the pre-surgery liver shrinking diet when I attended that three hour class two weeks before surgery, and sections for my post-op diet. There were areas for me to complete and record things (or I could use My Fitness Pal and show my logs at visits) and I had to bring the Bible to every visit. It was super helpful because I was able to share all the information with my husband and say - no I can't do that - here - see - it's in the book. My team recently launched an app with much of that information for patients in the program. (I haven't downloaded it because I'm 17 months pot op.) Making sure you understand the process of the surgery and understand that people who make the decision to finally investigate bariatric surgery know they are fat. They know the basics of nutrition, but being told eat less and exercise more doesn't work - if that had worked, then they wouldn't be in your office. Recipe ideas, suggested menus for that 1200 calorie a day diet, ideas for using protein shakes and powders, visual aids of portion sizes are all important.

Submitted request for bypass today. Really hoping for a quick approval. I am having my surgery done at St Vincent bariatric center of excellence in Carmel, IN. Anyone else had/having surgery there? So anxious!!

Thank you!! Yes, being consistent with recommendations and staying with the same provider is a key aspect to keep in mind, in the case of bariatric surgery being so personal having the same nutritionist during follow-ups would better help patients.

My surgery was on the 27th. Today is a week post op and I'm so tired of liquids. I had a lot of nausea the first few days. I'm looking forward to the maintenance stage. I have so many low carb bariatric meals that I can't wait to try.

I had my first appointment scheduled with a bariatric surgeon on Tuesday, January 9th. This particular bariatric center was highly recommended by my brother in law, and they provide services to our local area and surrounding cities. The one problem though is that I have had difficulties getting appointments at the clinic in my city, although there always seem to be openings in the surrounding areas, so really it wasn't too bad. There is another bariatric clinic in our area and I decided to give them a call, just to get a vibe. I figured that I would chat with them, and perhaps meet with both clinics to see which was a better fit. To my surprise, the new clinic was so much more involved, especially in the educational process before the surgery. We scheduled an appointment on Monday already, to start the program. They also provided me with a personal website that I can use to track documents needed for insurance, required classes, vitamins, etc. Right away, I felt so welcomed and so excited. They had a series of 5 videos that I had to watch before the appointment on Monday, so I watched those today and they were very informing. I am also required to attend a series of 6 educational classes with them, before my surgery. Those classes consist of pre-surgery nutrition, post-surgery nutrition, vitamins and supplements, and exercise. I will also have my regular psych. appointments and other appointments as needed for the surgery. The thing that really made me feel good about them though was reading the glowing reviews online. I think the choice was pretty clear at that point. I am so excited to get this all going. I start a three-month supervised diet on Friday, so when I think about it, there is a lot to do in those three months. Time is going to fly by!

My NUT said if you take Flintstones chewables that there are 3 other supplements you have to add... B12, Thaimin, and something else. BUT after starting my Bariatric one-a-day chewable today it might be worth it.

After y RNY I had Strictures and had 5 Endoscopes with 4 Dialations. Along the way, I developed an aversion to food. I was afraid to eat anything but the bare minimum I was eating: Oatmeal, beans, and cheese was basically all I could eat. I also developed a bad habit of eating CHEETO's. When I told my Dr what I was eating he told me that he didn't care if I ate Oatmeal 10X's a day, that I needed my protein. So I think that was when it all transferred in my head that I couldn't eat regular things. The Endo's started in NOV of 2013 then I had one in Dec 2013, next was Jan of 2014. July of 2014 with my last one being Jan of 2015. I finally went to see a Counselor, but she had no idea how to help me. Finally, I went to a Bariatric Nutritionist. I drove 1 and 1/2 hour for her to tell me to eat every 1/2 hour I was awake and to drink Boost for my snacks. I felt like I had traded one eating disorder for another. The fact was she should have dealt with me differently. A person that has gone thru WLS and to be told to eat every 1/2 hour is TOTALLY SCARY for someone that has fought her weight hard for many years!! I don't know if that was her idea to help me but she defintly hadn't helped me. Sorry if this isn't exactly what you wanted but there it is. LOL I can now eat a variety of proteins, some veggies and a little fruit once in a while. I still don't have physical hunger and I am not interested in food now. By the time I eat my Protein I don't have much room. Thank you for reading my weird life. LOl

Hi all, I am a bariatric surgery dietitian/nutritionist and would like some feedback from any of you that is willing to share your valuable thoughts or experiences through this journey so that I can provide the most helpful resources and care to my patients. As a current or past bariatric patient, are there any things you wish your dietitian/nutritionist had done better to help you before, during or after your surgery? Has anything your dietitian/nutritionist done or provided to you that has been particularly helpful? Has there been something that was certainly NOT helpful to you? Any particular resources, pages, ideas, recipes you were provided with that were the most helpful? Any preferred method of obtaining all the information in preparation for or after surgery (written, oral, in groups, individual, etc)? Thank you in advance for anyone willing to share!!

Small containers, good kitchen scales, myfittnesspal on my phone, a bariatric plate and small cutlery.

I have just restarted keto after a 1 month trial before Thanksgiving. My lap band history is that I had the surgery done about 12 years ago (Nov 2005). I lost about 60 lbs and have put about half of that back (keeping in the 200-215 lb range). I felt good at my lowest (~175). My bariatric dr. did an initial fill post surgery (winter) and I had another fill a couple of months later. I had a partial unfill 2-3 years after the 2nd fill from a nurse that was doing them in the Marysville WA area (I was about 190 lb at the time, but had a hard time keeping dense food down especially protein). She has since closed down her fill/unfill business. As I was self pay it has been difficult to find someone to do fills/unfills (I can't afford $300+ each time, probably much more now plus the price of a fluoroscope exam). I would actually like an unfill (partial or total), but am now on medicare so can't afford an unfill unless I can find someone like the nurse. My daughter who also has a band is glad she had it done (she was substantially more overweight and had many more health issues including type 2 diabetes). However, I wish that I had not had it (I only had high cholesterol, slightly high blood pressure and sleep apnea). The band has made it very difficult in social situations (eating food) and I get stressed and then it is harder to keep food down and I usually have to excuse myself and go to the restroom to BP (vomit). As far as keto, it is not really a high fat diet unless you make it one. You should be eating good fats (olive oil, avocado, some nuts, I make keto mayo with olive oil). Since I can't eat a ton of protein, I don't feel I'm getting an overabundance of saturated fat and I try to eat leaner/cleaner cuts of meat and grass fed hamburger. I don't eat much bacon, maybe once a week I'll have a slice or two. The most important parts of keto is keeping your carbs low (20 g or less my preference or typically 20-30 when trying to lose weight) and moderate levels of protein (0.8 gram per kg of ideal body weight or you can scale down as you go if using your current weight; or see https://www.livestrong.com/article/535738-how-to-determine-protein-requirements/ to determine requirements). Too much protein converts into glucose. Look up Jason Fung (one of the "diet doctors" on youtube). Dr. Jason Fung completed medical school at the University of Toronto and a fellowship in nephrology at the University of California. He founded the Intensive Dietary Management Program in Toronto that provides a unique treatment focus for type 2 diabetes and obesity. He has an enlightening book called "The Obesity Code:...". He is an advocate of the keto diet and intermittent fasting. Another good source for inspiration is youtube's "Keto Christina". She has lost over 100 lbs and is very knowledgeable. She eats a lot of Irish bacon (very lean, not much fat compared to US bacon). P.S. I had my gallbladder removed at time of lap band due to stones and my daughter needed her gallbladder removed about 6 months post lap band surgery.

I'm taking... 2 bariatric formulated chewables 3 bariatric calcium chews 2 biotin gummies 1 vitronC (iron) 1 probiotic

They have done research...lol. But different clinics have different objectives. (some health, some profit, some trying to get their clients as thin as possible as fast as possible to generate more business, some actually even want to practice good medicine and shoot for well researched outcomes) Different doctors pay attention to current research...differently...and bariatrics is an emerging science. Some doctors don't keep up with continuing education like they should, and for now there is no standard that forces the issue. There are a lot of practices that base their instructions on outdated and controversial ideas. We're sort of at the mercy of the slush pool of ideas currently. This will improve....eventually. Probably too late for us. LOL.

I hate to break it to you, but the shakes don't go away completely after week 2. At least for me, anyway. I'll probably still be having 2 shakes a day until I've progressed to soft foods (the start of week 5), and I expect to have one a day after then for at least the last two weeks. The good news is, my wife got me this for Christmas, and there are some recipes for shakes and protein drinks in there. The coffee one is good, and all you're really adding is decaf coffee and cinnamon. https://www.amazon.com/Fresh-Start-Bariatric-Cookbook-Weight-Loss/dp/1623157730/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1515000880&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=bariatric+surgery+cookbook&psc=1

Ok, so I know all post op instructions are different. My doc says two weeks full liquid before surgery and two weeks after. I’m one week post op so I’ve had nothing but protein shakes and broth (I don’t do jello) for three weeks. I’m very sick of protein shakes to the point where it’s very hard to get enough protein. I found a bariatric surgeon who makes videos for patients on line and see that he has recipes for making post-op protein shakes from scratch. PB2, Banana, Greek yogurt, flavorless protein powder. I tried it yesterday and it was so much better and didn’t hurt my stomach. The only ingredient that my doc doesn’t allow is banana. So I guess I cheated. My question is if you all were allowed fruit in your shakes 1 week post op (well blended of course). I do not need to be told to follow my doctors orders. I know I should. But if this one change is acceptable to other doctors and is just enough to get me through the next week, I may do it. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Hey ladies, i'm at a disappointing place and looking for some guidance. I had my lap-band put in in '05. I had it for 10 years (lost 100 lbs the first two years and maintained it for the other 8). My stomach randomly slipped up through the band and i had to have it removed June '15. So, it's been two and a half years and i'm 47 lbs gained. I'm super disappointed in myself. I loved my band. It kept me from overeating, which i'm inclined to do on a regular basis. I don't want to get to a point where i actually qualify for bariatric surgery again (for insurance purposes) but I really would like my band put back on. I know the band is a thing of the past.

I am from Connecticut. I’m guessing because of my insurance my process is slightly longer (7 months of nutrition instead of 6). I go to my 3rd nutrition class this month and I also have to schedule my 3 month check in with my surgeon’s office as well as scheduling my psych eval I believe. Next month is my upper endoscopy, March is my cardiologist appointment. My surgeon is Dr Neil Floch of Fairfield Bariatrics and if approved my surgery will be at St Vincent’s. Best wishes!