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Hi Donia, my name Sonya... This is funny...... I'm 11 month in and your a newby teaching me lol.... But this is the first in the last month or two, that I've taken the time to be on line with bariatric pal. And I'm still learning lots of things . Sent from my LGL84VL using BariatricPal mobile app

My question about the Patches is: I noticed there was a bariatric set (from this website). It has a multi-vitamin, Iron, B-12, and Calcium (therefore 4 different patches). The question is, I've read a lot of people who take multiple vitamins per day, especially calcium. How does this work? Does one (4 total) patch have all the vitamin needs for the entire day?

Hey! So I totally agree about getting the sleeve first then revising it to DS if you feel you need it. I started out at 540 pounds at my first Bariatric appointment. I had Surgery at the end of May in 2016 at 480 pounds. Now almost 18 months later I am 240. I've been 240ish since about September but I've been crazy busy and haven't been staying as strict on my plan so that's really why. The sleeve helped me get there. My goal is to just get out of plus size clothes, I don't have a number goal. I went from a size 38-40 to 16/18. My life is a million times better. As to your question about the vitamins, I have taken meds for most of my life so it didn't add much more. Once you develop a routine it's easy!

Has anyone here gotten the bariatric at UF Shands in Gainesville? Wanted to know your experience?

Quick update - insurance approved today. In New Zealand we have free (tax funded) universal healthcare, but the threshold for bariatric surgery is really high. So I am going private. About US$30,000 for lapband-to-bypass, and my health insurance pays 1/4 of that. Woo hoo - smaller bump on the mortgage!

Hi everyone, I’m a good healthy condition but I’m fat. I’m interested on getting the bariatric sleeve done, i have struggled with my weight since i was a kid. Anyway I need to have high blood pressure and cholesterol in which I don’t have I don’t know what to do. The nurse told me that I needed to have sleep apnea in order to go forward with the process. Can I get any suggestions????? Thanks

Hello everyone, I'm new to the forum and have recently embarked on my journey through bariatric surgery. I've been obese most of my life and am now 503 pounds, miserable, and ready for a change. My surgeon has recommended the DS to me. I've been doing a lot of research and the procedure seems to be quite popular and effective for long-term weight loss. While I have no problem committing myself to being religiously devoted to taking in plenty of vitamins, minerals and protein everyday, I am concerned that I will not be able to live a normal life as a result. I'm afraid that I will be obsessing over taking supplements to the point of having anxiety (which I already have) and not enjoying day-to-day living as much as I would if I had another procedure. Am I worrying over nothing? Making a mountain out of a molehill as they say? lol No matter what, I am having bariatric surgery and am strongly leaning toward DS but I would appreciate any additional help you all may be able to provide. How has your life been affected by having to take so many supplements? Do you feel like your schedule revolves around taking your supplements? Thanks so much!!

I was sleeved on the 11th, so we are kindaaa close together. I am the same way right now but with water!! I hate it and have to really be in the mood to drink it. I have started to dislike the Bariatric Advantage protein powder, so I've switched over to Premier Protein and the Slimfast generic brand.

A few weeks ago, my doctor referred me to see a bariatric surgeon. I had never considered weight loss surgery, but I took a chance and did my initial consultation already. The doctor said I would be looking at getting surgery in March. However, I am currently in the process of building a home. The closing date for my house will not be until late May. I have yet to experience the stress everyone mentions, but I heard that it is sure to come. For those who have had surgery, would you recommend I put off surgery until after the house is completed?

Today I am just feeling overwhelmed by this whole process of qualifying for bariatric surgery. I'm also feeling sorry for myself and down in the dumps which is aggravated by the fact that I cannot turn to food for some comfort. My brain wants to eat a large pizza but I steadfastly refuse. I'm also physically hurting so I don't feel like walking - my feet hurt something fierce. So, I am down 10 pounds since starting the process at the end of October and I was hoping that the scale would move a little bit more at my weigh in today. Nope, stuck strongly at 356 and this is despite cutting back calories appropriately so I guess this is also part of blood sugar not being as well controlled as it should be. The psych eval was exhausting, particularly because it is revisiting a sad, lonely, and ostracized past. Normally, I don't cry easily but all I feel like doing is breaking down. Time is something not easily recaptured and when I see the time and health that I lost due to obesity, I just feel a whole lot of emotional pain. At least the psychologist concurs with everyone else's thinking that bariatric surgery is a good option. At least that hurdle is cleared. One week until the 2nd nutrition appointment.....

HI... I'm new here too. My journey started last January when I first talked to my GP about getting a referral to the bariatric program at our local hospital (things work a little differently here in Canada), and my doc was so excited that I asked about it I thought he was going to fall out of his chair. It took a few months to get into the program, but now I have appointments once a month with different people (my nurse, my surgeon, nutritionist, mental health, etc). I know there are a lot of hoops to jump through ... just had my gastroscopy last week. All good! ... but I'm hoping that I'll get a surgery date sometime in the spring or summer. I have a wonderfully supportive husband and 2 great kids (7 & 5). Most of my friends and family are supportive, but some have accused me of 'taking the easy way out' (haha... as if). I'm looking forward to getting to know people on here, and following their stories.

I ordered mine on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/BraceAbility-Bariatric-Abdominal-Binder-Circumference/dp/B00QLYYWUS/ref=lp_8274310011_1_2_a_it?srs=8274310011&ie=UTF8&qid=1510771578&sr=8-2&th=1

Hello! I am visiting this board for the first time in quite a while, and I just came upon your post. I won't mince words or be apologetic for getting my surgery at such a "low" BMI (some can be judgy!). I was not quite a 30 bmi when I had my surgery (almost exactly 2 years ago). I had it done in Mexico. I had zero comorbidities. I got the surgery because I have always been very active, but struggled constantly with being overweight and binge eating. It cause a large amount of depression and anxiety. I was tired of dieting and not keeping it off. I was 37 years old with 3 young kids. Getting the surgery was the very best thing I have ever done for myself! It is two years later and I have kept the weight off. I also don't believe people need to wait until they are super obese with failing health to get the surgery. I was only getting older, continuing to gain weight, and I wasn't going to wait any longer! Since the surgery I have become a black belt in Taekwondo, run more miles than I can count, changed my career, moved to a different state, and made lots of friends who like to be active too. The weight loss has helped me in these things by either just plain being physically smaller (exercise) or moving and making new friends and starting a new career (confidence). I am a huge proponent of bariatric surgery, even at a "low" bmi. Good luck with your decision!

My programs is a minimum 3 month programs that includes a set number of support groups, visits with a NUT and a Bariatric psychiatric nurse, an exercise component and an Upper GI. I was entered the program 7/19/16 and had surgery 12/30/16 but I pushed my surgery back a month from approval because I wanted to do it after the holidays when my time off at work resets.

I use an app that my dietician told me about called Baritastic and really like it. It is very user-friendly! It calculates protein, carbs, calories, fat, etc. and is specifically for bariatric patients.

When I had my EDG done, I was told I had stage 2 Barrett's disease, I told my parents who automatically assumed I have stage 2 esophageal cancer. At that moment I decided that is what I am telling people, because when I mentioned to some that I am considering bariatric surgery I got the "Oh your taking the easy way out huh?" and they all make me feel horrible. ALL of them are in great shape and do not have a weight problem, and I didn't either until I got kidney cancer. So, I told my parents that I am having the section of my esophagus removed and a portion of my stomach to keep any cancer from spreading. which is true, but I have Barrett's not cancer. (though I was told if I do not I can get cancer since I have had cancer elsewhere) Amazing attitude transformation about my surgery. My father has Barrett's, and takes meds it. at first he was skepticam until I mentioned the big C, now he is all for the surgery, when 2 months ago he thought I was being lazy. I will never reveal it, but your idea makes me really chuckle. you can use this idea too if you want. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using BariatricPal mobile app

I really think just the program and the preference of the surgeons. You are very lucky. Mine, I was required to buy through my program. It's all Bariatric Advantage products. I'm allowed 4 shakes and two bars daily, except the day before surgery I am not to have the bars and to replace them with shakes. The only other food allowed is one banana or 1 cup of fat free milk daily and sugar free jello/pops. Best of luck to you.

Hey Sherry, ESG is a new bariatric procedure that is considered noninvasive. It stands for endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty which basically means sewing or stitching up your stomach like a gastric sleeve but without any incisions. They go through your mouth with the suturing device. You are put under anesthesia and it is outpatient so you go home same day. There are only a few doctors performing this. However, this procedure looks promising so I think more and more doctors will be offering it soon. I am looking to get it done but I have not had it yet. Hopefully more people who have actually had this procedure done will chime in from this forum. My BMI is 32 and I’m 43 years old. This procedure is only for patients with a BMI from 30-40. Hope that helps you. Good luck with whatever you decide.

The RV been on patches for almost two years. Love them. Numbers are good, and cheaper that bariatric vitamins. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Had a lap band, it slipped so I had it removed last week. I’m leaning towards Mexico Bariatric Center for a sleeve...want to hear your thoughts! Good or bad experience, I want to hear it!! Thanks!

Regardless of how marijuana is taken (i.e. smoked, inhaled or eaten) the effects are the same. The majority of people who use marijuana describe a sensation of relaxation and euphoria (the “high”). Some people however react badly to the drug which can result in a state of panic, anxiousness and fear, or in some cases even hallucinations if they take too much. Of particular relevance to bariatric or weight loss surgery, is the fact that marijuana impacts the part of your brain that controls appetite. Have you heard of the “munchies”? Yep, that’s right, the “munchies” are a real thing! Marijuana can increase your appetite, causing you to eat more, which obviously is not great if your goal is weight loss. Interestingly, a recent study on weight and marijuana use actually showed that marijuana use may very slightly (and we mean VERY slightly) reduce body weight (about a 0.5% reduction in BMI) (1). This study however was conducted on a group of people with an average BMI of 27 kg/m2, which is way below the average bariatric or weight loss surgery patients’ BMI pre-surgery. This unfortunately means that this mild weight loss effect cannot be applied to the typical bariatric or weight loss surgery patient. We did however find one recent study done in 2016 that is more relevant to the bariatric or weight loss surgery population (2). The study was run on a group of 50 patients (62% being RYGB patients) all 2 years after surgery. The results of the study showed that the patients who had smoked marijuana within the last 30 days and the patients who had started smoking more since surgery, were all more likely to have disordered eating habits, specifically “loss of controlled food intake” (2). Although the study did not look at weight outcomes related to marijuana use, we know that disordered eating habits such as grazing and bingeing are risk factors for weight regain after bariatric or weight loss surgery. We asked a Canadian-based bariatric surgeon for his opinion on the subject of marijuana use after surgery. Here is what he said: “Although currently there is a lack of available research on the effects of marijuana on the bariatric surgery population, there are a few concerns to note. Regular marijuana use could increase the risk of postoperative complications including bleeding, infection and pulmonary embolism. Secondly, THC increases feelings of hunger, thus the degree of weight loss post-surgery may suffer due to continued marijuana use.” Dr. Simon Chow, Bariatric Surgeon, MD MSc FRCSC FACS In conclusion, we do not yet fully understand the effects of marijuana use after surgery with respect to weight loss and longer term weight maintenance outcomes. The field of research is still very young (3). Regular marijuana use however may pose medical risks after surgery, therefore speak with your surgeon if you have been prescribed marijuana for medical reasons. Furthermore, if you choose to use marijuana for recreational reasons on a regular basis, it is worth discussing this habit with your bariatric nurse and dietitian. – Monica & Lisa ******* Join our monthly newsletter to receive access to all our blogs and exclusive dietitian-approved tips to optimizing your weight loss and maintaining your weigh long-term! http://eepurl.com/c-qfcL ******* References: 1. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hec.3267/full 2. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1550728915002063 3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24913244

Thank you so much! This helped a lot especially coming from a bariatric Veteran to a bariatric virgin here haha! I will keep fighting that head hunger with all I got!

No matter which surgery you get.. you will experience some of the same things. I put this information out there to let people know they are not alone and you may not receive the support from your family/friends. You will receive 100% support from the bariatric community. Losing the weight is easy, but their is no way to truly prepare for the mental challenges ahead of you. Keep in mind that we all go through the same challenges and we are all fighting obesity together. Best of luck to you! And Congratulations on getting your surgery date!

Depends on what insurance you have and which type of bariatric surgery you choose. I have friend where the only thing he had to do was lose some weight in 3 months, no other visits with specialist. Sent from my XT1650 using BariatricPal mobile app

No, if I see the nutritionist before Jan. 1 I'd have to pay for it out of my own pocket. The only reason they paid for my initial consult with the bariatric surgeon is because he coded the visit as severe GERD as the primary complaint. But I don't mind waiting until the start of the year as I've got enough stuff going on at the moment. And while I don't care one iota about the holidays, I do have a tradition of cooking up a nice, expensive feast for the family on New Years, so that will be my last hurrah.