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If you go to Me general's website, you can look at their calendar, or call the Bariatric center for a schedule. The schedule they handed out at a meeting the other night looks like there are 2 meetings a week, as well as 1 excersize class taught by Nate. Don't give up! Were you "reversed" or do you still have your band? You can still go for fills and try again! Me General and another Bariatric center in the area merged about 2 years ago. That may answer your questions as to why things arent as they were when you were banded. They also now refer Psyc evals out to K valley Psyc I think they said. Hope this helps

Clarification on "Full Liquid" - I just googled this and found this link: http://www.livestrong.com/article/213702-bariatric-full-liquid-diet/ Does that agree with what everyone considers a full liquid diet? Again, my surgery was on 11/2 and I am still on more or less clear liquid diet

my premium was lowered but my ded. went from 2500.00 to 3500.00, I mean who can reach that for Pete's sake. Yes I reached my ded. this year due to health probs and in/out of hospital and also I will be losing all lap band aftercare with Anthem BCBS KY, they will no longer cover any bariatric surgeries or any aftercare so I will be paying out of pocket for fills from Jan on, sux! I'm not in the green zone yet and I see my surgeon once a month still. When 2014 gets here and all gets into play, I believe everyone will be singing a different tune about ACA/Obamacare. I mean what happened to Pres Obama promising me that I get to keep my ins, NO I DIDNT, Anthem BCBS changed my policy to something totally different and I pray it covers as good as I've got now on prescrips and dr visits. If I wanted governed healthcare I'd live in Canada!

Hi guys mr shaw somers is my sergen too and he no longer works for the HG. THIS IS HIS CONTACT i hope it helps.:help: he is a real gent. Shaun :clap2::clap2::clap2: info@shawsomers.com Main Contact Bariatric UnitSt Richards HospitalChichesterPO19 6SEUnited Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0)1243 831655 Other Contacts The London Clinic, Devonshire Place, London W1G 6BW Suite 1, Queen Anne Street, London, W1G 9LG Secretary: 0207 636 9804 BMI Clementine Churchill Hospital, Sudbury Hill, Harrow, HA1 3RX Secretary: 0207 636 9804 Also at: Clare Park Hospital, Crondall Lane, Farnham, GU10 5XX Sarum Road Hospital, Sarum Road, Winchester, SO22 5HA

So many of your issues are contrarian to what I've read and experienced myself? Being too tight and still able to drink pitchers of Water to force the food through just flies in the face of how the band operates. If you are too tight, and food is stuck, how can you drink pitchers of water or even a sip? Most of us cannot drink any water when we are stuck unless we want to excasorbate the problem with more sliming and pain? Have you told your surgeon or nutritionist about this problem? These all sound serious enough that any bariatric surgeon would want to know why this is happening? tmf

No, I'm in Oklahoma. Bariatric Advantage shakes are what my Dr office uses but we don't HAVE to use them. Especially if they make us so sick.

@@Miss Mac - As much as I like this forum I would never recommend it for pre-ops. The horror stories outweigh the happy successes and if you aren't someone who has had previous positive medical experiences it can be intimidating. I've seen far too many post of people who perseverate on worries about the gas, nausea and pain. I found the support groups my program offers to be much more helpful. I wanted to get my pre-op questions from the my bariatric team. Thankfully they were a tremendous support and of course, I had the handbook my program offers that I was able to use a my bible.

@@dmw0621 - yes, I haven't had a stomach discomfort at all, but my bariatric team modified my liquids so that I only drink water, clear broth, herbal tea and jello. I was told that for me, the blander the better but I'll let you know if anything changes tomorrow as I start my phase two which is shakes although my doctor isn't pushing the protein powder yet. I'll be able to drink non-fat milk, shakes with natural fruit , yogurt, thin cream of wheat or rice and pumpkin and sweet potato soup.

OH OH!! I just met with Dr. Kim today!! Did the Bariatric U and pre ops and surgery will be Monday!! Woo Hoo!! When's your day?

Jewels, Before I made the decision to have my surgery, I did a LOT of research. My first cousin IS a bariatric surgeon. He didn't do my surgery (insurance wouldn't cover my surgery so went to Mexico). He said that he has done Lap Band, Roux N Y s and Vertical Gastric Sleeves. In his experience, he says he has had almost NO complications with his VGS patients. No leaks, almost no problems at all. His recommendation for me was the sleeve. His feeling is that most surgeons have found that the complication rate for sleeves is far below any other type of procedure. He trained at Mayo Clinic and continues to do his continueing education at Mayo in Rochster, MN. which is a center of excellence.

I'm sure you'll be inundated soon with denials to what you read, RMC. I've been going to a support group for bariatric patients (even though my own surgery isn't for another 10 days) and we ocassionally have pot lucks, and it's really wonderful to see how everybody eats a small little portion of several different things, including chile, casseroles, pumpkin bread, etc. Whatever you read, it was WAY WRONG. Make a smiley face and be happy! The worst thing you might have to face is that a few people seem to develop an intolerance to dairy products, or something like that. (I'm hoping I do, because I just love cheese and ice cream too dang much!) I'm not your doctor or nutritionist, but I'd guess that you will probably start on creamy Soups pretty soon, including tomato -- yumm. And congratulations on your 24 pound loss!

Finding research on this issue is very hard and most of what I have found is very vague. I found this a few minutes ago but it doesn't explain why. I am going to keep looking. I seen something yesterday that said black women have more of a Type B fat cell than other's (not more fat but more of a certain type of fat) studies show that we actually have 10% less fat than our counterparts when we go in for surgery. I am assuming with this Type of fat it may be better to do a malabsorptive type of procedure instead of the band? My theory so don't quote me on it. Comparison of outcomes after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding in African-Americans and whites Parikh, Manish; Lo, Helen; Chang, Christopher; Collings, Dinee; Fielding, George; Ren, Christine 2006 Nov-Dec;2(6):607-10; discussion 610-2, Surgery for Obesity & Related Diseases BACKGROUND: Race may affect outcomes after bariatric surgery. This study compares outcomes in terms of weight loss and comorbidity resolution between African-Americans and whites after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). METHODS: Data from 959 patients undergoing LAGB between July 2001 and July 2004 were prospectively collected and entered into an electronic registry. Propensity score matching analysis was used to match whites to African-Americans on the basis of age, gender, and preoperative body mass index (BMI). Preoperative comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia) were also compared. Operative time (OR), length of stay (LOS), comorbidity resolution, and percent excess weight loss (%EWL) at 1, 2, and 3 years were analyzed. All data were updated through May 2006. RESULTS: A total of 65 white LAGB patients were matched to 58 African-American LAGB patients on the basis of age, gender, and preoperative BMI. The preoperative mean age and BMI were 37 +/- 19 years and 47 +/- 7 kg/m2, respectively. A total of 55% of the white group and 64% of the African-American group had one or more comorbidities (P = NS). Median OR time and LOS were similar in both groups: 50 minutes and 23 hours, respectively. The majority of patients in both groups had major improvement or resolution of one or more comorbidities (61% whites vs 77% African-Americans, P = NS). There was, however, a significant difference in %EWL between whites and African-Americans at each time interval (49% vs 39% at 1 year; 55% vs 44% at 2 years; 52% vs 41% at 3 years; P < .05 for all values.). CONCLUSION: Despite the disparity in weight loss with the LAGB in African-Americans and whites, both patient populations experienced a similar improvement/resolution of obesity-related comorbidities id: J0125081, year: 2006, vol: 2, page: 607, stat: Journal Article,

Everything was great. The aftercare was fantastic. I had one nurse that did not speak english and that was not a big deal because all the other ones did. The facilities were top notch. Laura came by two or three times a day to see if I needed anything. Dr Valenzuela also came in three times a day to ask me and the nursing staff about my recovery and check my chart. He was with me in the O.R., in fact, the last face I remember before I went under was Dr. Valenzuela's. The first face I saw when I woke up from anesthesia was Dr. Valenzuela. Dr.Gonzalez came by before the surgery, assured me everything would be ok and also came by three times a day after the surgery. I was amazed. Simply amazed. I have never seen that level of personal care in the U.S. Here I've felt like I am a "case", or a "condition". With doctor Gonzalez and his team I felt like family, I felt something nice and comforting that is hard to put into words. In those hours or minutes that are right before you go in the O.R. doctors Gonzalez and Valenzuela just made me feel secure. Miles away from home, in a foreign country, in an unknown hospital I felt ok, I felt it would turn out fine. And I was right. I've received at least three emails from doctor Valenzuela and one from Laura asking about my surgical wounds, if I'm following my diet and if everything is ok. Here I was used to having to contact doctors or their office not the other way around. Doctor Gonzalez gave me a gift when I left, two books: The emotional kit for bariatric patients and a 200 page book with diets for the lap band patient. They are excellent. Today is one week after my surgery, I did go through some pain the first 2-3 days but it went away with the pain meds. Maybe it all sounds to good? Well I lived and experienced it. . At this time knowing that I am on my way to a nicer, slimmer and healthier me, if you were to ask me if I would do it again the answer would be YES, I would. I hope anyone looking to get lap band surgery takes the time that I did to do some looking, some asking, some writing and some phone calls. There are great and not so great surgeons out there, so do your homework. Go to the one you feel comfortable with and you know is reputable and skilled. Don't go to someone on other people's recommendation, do your own research. If you end up with the wrong doctor on someone's recommendation, that someone is not going to be stuck with a problem much less solve it; it will be you the one that will have to deal with the consequences. Love you all, and please do whatever it takes to be healthy. Christine.

I think there's many signifigant others that have underlying issues with their other 1/2s being banded. The renewed confidence can and is surely intimidating to the less confident.

I really don't consider Coke Zero "cheating" because it has no calories and it's a liquid. I do realize it's a terrible concoction of chemicals, the acid in it is bad for me, the artificial sweeteners can make me crave more carbs and the carbonation fills me up too much, but as far as a bad choice numerically, it's not. The fish sticks. maybe? I bought reduced fat, whole fillet and ate 1/2 a serving size for less than 200 calories. They were actually a good choice as far as protein is concerned and best of all, something different. Not justifying, just clarifying. I do "cheat" occasionally, usually by sneaking a mini kit kat from the kids' bags of deliciousness or a few chips from the bag but overall, I stick to high protein, low carb, and I don't worry too much about fat -- that just sort of follows. I am generally under 800 calories and while I am not quite meeting my protein goals yet, I am getting better. I've been in a stall for almost a month, staying between 192 and 188, so I don't know how good I'm doing as far as weight loss, but that said, I am doing better than I ever have as far as aggravation. My pants are getting looser despite the non-budging number, I am exercising more than ever and I am not freaking out by the scale even though I (bad girl!!!) weigh every day. If I stayed where I am forever, I am in a much happier place in loose size 14s and large tops over where I was in tight 20s and 2x tops. I would like to lose 30-40 more and I know I will get there eventually, but if I don't, I am healthy, I am active and I just did a 5k mud run complete with huge obstacles to haul my chubby ass up and over and never got winded. Oh gosh...you didn't ask for all that, did you? HA! What do I eat? Usually an egg and 2 pieces of bacon or a piece of turkey sausage in the am. $2 worth of salad fixings off the grocery salad bar for lunch (my NUT had the best advice, she said, don't get salad, you will get too full, get the toppings only and you get the tastes you want and some protein, too!), and lean meat for dinner. I snack on beef jerky, OH YEAH bars, and some protein chips I got at bariatric direct. My diet is boring, but good enough for now. If you want $20 off your first order from bariatric direct you can follow this link: https://www.bariatricchoice.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/113387/ I got some awesome stuff in the mail last week. The chips are like pop chips but with lots of protein and they solve my salty/crunchy need.

Ok, yes! Be hard on yourself. WTF? Seriously. Call your surgeon and get a referral to your RD and to the bariatric counselor. Start therapy now. This may sound harsh? But you are 4 WEEKS post op! This is the "easiest" and the "hardest" you will ever have it and the time you will feel LEAST like eating in your entire journey. Cuz barring complications like it sounds like you're asking for, your restriction will get increasingly less and less as the months go by and you continue to heal and evolve. You either take care of your food/behavior problems now? Or you could be doomed to either never see goal, or regain. Tough? Fu*k yes. I am being tough and shocking. I hope it shocks you into getting a grip and getting real with your bad choices. It begs to be asked...Why did you have this life-changing surgery if you weren't ready to get serious about living a new life? Ask yourself, WHAT IS YOUR WHY? WHY did you want the surgery? WHY did you want a new lease on life? How important are YOU? How important is your marriage? Your LIFE? (Seriously one of the saddest posts I've ever read and I've read a bunch including a post-op eating pizza at 4 days.)

I have no sense of time. This is my 2nd go around but always battling my weight against metabolic disorders and chronic illness. I started out on my own my highest weight over 215lb and reached 124lb. It didn’t last no matter how hard I fought to eat right. At some point it just kept climbing until I was nearly back where I started. I lost height due to spine problems (and hysterectomy apparently does it too) I also used to be big boned as a teen but now (due to my medical conditions) my bones are very small. As big as I still am my wrists and fingers are bony. It’s weird to me. Sometimes I am afraid to fail after all this. Sometimes I wonder why I just couldn’t do it on my own anymore and just eat like a normal human being. But apparently my body has the metabolism of a sloth. I’m still not tolerating anything but protein drinks, and maybe a little bariatric pal soup. Even those are hard to stomach or swallow. Water? I used to love drinking water, I’d get 8 glasses before lunch. Now it’s painful. So I barely drink. Im 5’ 0” my weight day of surgery 203lbs that was almost two months ago? So far I am down around 30lbs. I stagnate and then it drops a little. I’ve been marking a calendar each day. I have a lot more to lose ...

I've had wicked reflux and vomiting over the past few months, down 13 pounds which I think is from vomiting dinner almost every night. Anyhow, I had my endoscopy today and it's as the bariatric surgeon suspected. I have a hiatal hernia (6cm, not sure what that means in relation to the hernia) and they stretched my esophagus starting with a 10mm balloon, up to a 16.5mm balloon. Endo-doc says the pylorus is definitely narrowed but he could get the scope in there. SO... I am scheduled for the hernia repair and "anchoring" my sleeve in place on 6/22/21 and then... I don't know. My surgeon said if the pyloric opening was too narrow I might need a revision but I don't know if she'll do that on Tuesday or not. If she does, I have no idea of what a post-op recovery period or diet would be like (and we have summer vacations planned). I guess it's wait-and-see. I am just SO looking forward to being released from the horrors of the hernia, waking in the middle of the night with my throat and mouth filled with acid, and keeping my food INSIDE me, where it belongs!

hey all. I'M SLEEEVEEEEDDD! I was sleeved on 8.8- i came out of surgery screaming and moaning "omg it hurts so bad, my chest, i feel like im having a heart attack" they assured me i wasn't and it eventually got better. I was walking less than an hour after they put me in my room, b/c i couldn't stand the shoulder pain. everyone was great, the endoscopy was fine (a little sore throat after) didn't see dr washington thurs but emily discharged me. I didn't like the feeling of the drain coming out...everything else was fine. I would recommend coastal bariatrics to everyone. Today, 4 days out...i'm still having a little trouble bending..i kinda need help putting my pants on. but im kinda milking it too I still have some intense gas pains here and there but they are getting better. Getting out of bed is hard, i need help...but im in the hotel bed and i have nothing to hold on to. Trying to get down a whole bottle of isopure a day is torture. I got liquid multivitamin today.....tastes like ass. As of this morning I was 257.4 I'm down 23 lbs from my highest of 280.4 (july 11) and 6.6 from surgery on wednesday (aug 8) I can proudly say BYE 280S, BYE 270S, BYE 260S!!! i'll NEVER EVER see you again!!!

Yeah, Texas seems to be the hot-spot for bariatric surgery!

Hi! I'm from New Haven IN - am having surgery July 30th in Mexicali, Mexico. Does anyone from Fort Wayne know if Lutheran Hospital has a Bariatric Support group. Being self-pay I don't have to go through all the pre-surgery hoops. It would be nice to have a group locally.

My insurance required that I enter a 6 month medically supervised weight loss and exercise program. In the program I kept a journal of what I ate and met with a nutritionist/doctor once per month and went over my diet and exercise. Monthly weigh-ins. I was also advised to go to monthly Bariatric Surgery group meetings. I received a signed form at each of these that showed I attended. I lost 20 pounds during the process, primarily by giving up my 6 diet coke a day habit. My nutritionist/doctor then wrote a letter stating my progress and this went to the surgeon's office who then wrote a letter recommending my surgery. I did not have a set weight loss requirement to qualify for insurance. Obviously gaining weight during this period would set off some alarm bells. Watching "My 600 pound life" which is a TV series about individuals undergoing bariatric surgery, those that are very heavy seem to have a set weight loss amount pre-surgery by THEIR SURGEON. I think this is because they need to prove to the surgeon that they have the capacity to lose the weight and maintain the weight loss after surgery. It may also have to do with the fact that too much fat may make it difficult to perform the operation (no working room). Some individuals who do not need this 6 month diet and exercise program to qualify for insurance undergo a liver shrink diet for the same reason.

I would like to imagine that anyone with a modicum of active brain cells would have either the wit or the wisdom to notice that this thread has plumbed the depths when it comes to the absolute tripe being spouted by what appears to be a troll who thinks it's clever to boast that she has fooled her way to surgery! What an introduction to any newcomer to this site who is looking for serious information and/or advice on bariatric surgery. Ignorant trolls (such as we have found on this thread-you know who you are) are dangerous, especially to people who are vulnerable due to real, not imagined, issues with their weight. People who have a legitimate reason for WLS surgery DO NOT need to read hearsay shite from some who who lies to medical professionals to get her own silly way. Rant over. Right, back to the humour from the sensible souls whose opinions and posts I shall continue to take seriously but who have the ability to make me HOWL with laughter. There are some really clever people posting on this site who luckily have great wit (humorous) with their wisdom (real and not picked up from some trashy web page).

It is a very difficult adjustment at first, but after a while it becomes second nature. Remember that this is a process that does take a great deal of time to get used to because you are changing years and years of eating and drinking habits! As my bariatric team says, "Inch by inch, it's a cinch...yard by yard, it's hard." Take it day by day and bit by bit and you'll get there in the end!

You can still eat things you want.. but the point is moderation.. and everyone should be carrying around a water bottle all day long.. the point is.. this was designed to be a tool! It's not a fix.. those holidays were ruined because your head was in the wrong place.. you made the choice to make those holidays about food instead of the company.. now it's time to make holidays about the company and not the food which it was supposed to be about anyhow! and why dont you make something you can eat to contribute.. so what it takes you a while.. you can eat and talk at the same time.. let people think whatever they want.. and sad to say.. this surgery is actually quite the norm.. if it wasn't Dennys wouldn't have a healthy place on their menu and except a bariatric surgery card and same goes for other places. I dont know about you but food I like got me to weighing 262 pounds because I liked it a little too much! And taking 20 minutes, eating and drinking at the same time.. that's stuff our generation was taught growing up, old habits are hard to brake.. but it can be done. I'm sorry you are frustrated.. but I hope I give you a new prespective.. maybe it will help put you in a better place.. Sent from my SM-J337AZ using BariatricPal mobile app