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Hello my friends! (Admin please delete if not allowed) I am in a life coaching training program and am in need of practice clients for my certification. If you are interested in a free coaching session please comment or message me. I’d love to chat with you. 🩷 I am hoping to specialize in working with bariatric patients when I am certified. (I am 15 months PO from RNY) For those who aren’t familiar - coaching is not therapy and I do not diagnose or treat any mental illness. Coaching is future-focused strategic facilitation. Examples of things we can talk about: - goal setting - confidence building - mindfulness - accountability - decision making skills - anything else! 😊 Sessions are 30 minutes and done virtually. Let me know if you are interested or if you have questions!
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Recently sleeved - with leg cramps
SpartanMaker replied to Janina__sleevingitallbehind's topic in Protein, Vitamins, and Supplements
So glad to know you did talk to your surgeon! One of the reasons people responded to your post the way we did is because we see way too many people on this board who ask people here for advise when they have a medical issue after surgery. The reality is even if someone here had a similar issue, that does not mean you are having the same issue. While most people here are really grateful they had bariatric surgery, the risks of complications can be high. We're not doctor's here and we just want people to be safe. As to your multivitamin, It's likely there is potassium in it, since almost all of them I've seen have potassium iodide as an ingredient. If yours does not, then it might be a good idea to switch to one that does have that in it. Just because it's combined with iodide, does not mean that the potassium is not bioavailable. Certainly follow your doctor's advice regarding your hydration and magnesium supplementation needs. I did want to point out that 70 oz of water per day sounds a bit low to me, especially since you live at altitude. All patients at my bariatric clinic are told to try to hit 100 oz and we're down on the plains at roughly 1000 ft. I also wanted to mention that magnesium is a common sleep aid, so while the effects of a lotion may be different for you, higher doses of magnesium might make you sleepy, so are typically best taken later in the evening. I agree with @Arabesque that an electrolyte drink might not be a bad idea. I started taking one pretty early after surgery and still use them quite a bit now that my exercise routine is quite strenuous. Just keep in mind, the point in your case is to help you retain water, not really replace lost electrolytes. This means your sodium levels will rise above normal and if you're not used to them, they can cause some weight retention. (It's just water, which is what you want.) If it freaks you out because the scale stops moving for a while, keep this in mind. I should also caution you that if you have edema, upping your sodium intake might not be a good idea, so it would be best to check with your doctor first. Best of luck! I hope you get it figured out. -
I found some good bariatric recipes on Pinterest. I love bread, but a recipe I discovered in my preop days is really good. It’s called cloud bread, no carb and high protein. I also found a great book online by Megan Moore called the Complete Bariatric Cookbook and Meal Plan. It’s broken down by recipe category and even lists the stages.
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I'm still evaluating my options (Keep dieting with my RD exericing with my trainer and Zepboundng, Endoscopic Gastroplasty, SG, RNY). I've met with two different medical teams, and my RD. I'm in one surgical in take program. Nevertheless, while I continue to research procedures, I wanted to ask about something that I won't be in any study. Is going through a bariatric procedure something people can do w/o support or consistent support. I have to plan to be on my own. How fragile are people after these procedures? How much help do people typically need? Can these procedures be done completely alone aftercare? Alone as in no one is available to help. Is it safe to be alone days weeks after the procedures?
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My Florida Blue (BCBS of Florida) policy excludes bariatric surgery; however, I am eligible for coverage with an approved application for “medical necessity”. Florida Blue defines medical necessity as: Adults Severely obese with a BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2, OR Severely obese with a BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2, with at least one comorbidity refractory to medical management (e.g., type 2 diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, obstructive sleep apnea, GERD, osteoarthritis, pseudotumor cerebri), AND Does not have a medically treatable cause for obesity (e.g., thyroid or other endocrine disorder), AND Has made multiple attempts at non-surgical weight loss (e.g., diet, exercise, medications), AND Has received psychological or psychiatric evaluation with counseling as needed, prior to surgical intervention. I have a BMI of 49 and a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea for which I utilize a CPAP every night. I also meet all the other requirements listed above, AND my Primary Care Physician is writing a letter recommending bariatric surgery as a medical necessity. Regardless, I am still nervous that my insurance will deny me. Has anyone else gone through the application/appeal process for bariatric surgery under a medical necessity? Any advice on navigating that process would be much appreciated. Thanks!
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Believe it or not, low blood glucose can actually be a symptom of prediabetes. Below 70 mg/dL is considered hypoglycemia and needs immediate treatment, so if you see regular readings in the 70s, that might be considered borderline hypoglycemia? There is a condition called hyperinsulinemia that happens because you become insulin resistant. The body tries to compensate for this resistance by creating even more insulin, but this can push blood sugar too low. Again, not trying to diagnose you, just throwing out things for you to consider and discuss with your doctor. I brought it up because low blood sugar (potentially caused by caused by not eating or not eating well), can cause nausea, excessive tiredness, etc. Since these are some of the same symptoms you mentioned and diabetes or prediabetes are common among obese people, I figured it's at least worth checking out. The good news is if you are diabetic or prediabetic, bariatric surgery will often put that into remission (you are never "cured" of diabetes). The bad news is that this does sometimes cause long term hypoglycemia issues and can be challenging to manage when on a severe weight loss diet. Best of luck.
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Heartburn and hernia--time for bypass?
RickM replied to ajb1029's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
The basic procedure upon which the RNY is based has been done for some 140 years for a variety of GI maladies, so it's mostly a matter of billing codes, and some minor variations in configuration, that make it a bariatric procedure vs. one for cancer, gastroparesis, etc., so insurance shouldn't be a factor if that is what is needed. As to whether the "RNY" is needed for your case is a judgement call; try to avoid self diagnosis and let the doctors make the recommendation as to what is appropriate to treat your particular case. GERD is a classic symptom of a hiatal hernia, and given that you didn't have any particular problem with it for some years post op indicates that it is the hernia and not the sleeve that is the primary problem. Again, let the experts weigh in on this. My preference when considering something like this would be to seek out an opinion from a bariatric practice that is associated with a regional cancer center, as they tend to treat a broader range of GI maladies than a general bariatric practice, and will probably have a wider range of options to consider. If you come across a surgeon who quickly determines that you have GERD and a sleeve, therefore you need a bypass, without looking at any imaging, I would tend to move on to someone else - they probably don't understand the sleeve as well as they should to make that determination. My philosophy is to try to avoid going to a bypass is possible, as it does present some diagnostic and treatment limitations down the line should they be needed as we get older. The blind stomach and duodenum that can't be readily imaged or manipulated endoscopically and medication limitations (of which NSAIDs are the largest class,) are the primary things that come to mind. They usually aren't big deals if that is what is needed, but I don't like giving up options unnecessarily. RNY patients can develop GERD later on, and occasionally (though rarely,) such a revision does not correct a GERD problem, so we're talking more of a statistical improvement rather than an outright cure. If that happens, then where does one go - the bypass is something of a one way street surgically (though is can technically be reversed)? So, my inclination is to go one step at a time and treat the hernia and then go from there is that doesn't correct the problem. -
Recently sleeved - with leg cramps
SpartanMaker replied to Janina__sleevingitallbehind's topic in Protein, Vitamins, and Supplements
Agreed. It's always best to talk to a health professional whenever your health is involved. It's never a good idea to self-diagnose issues, even if it's something you've had going on before. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is potentially life threatening, so not worth taking a risk. While the risk for DVT is highest in the first few days after surgery, it can happen even weeks or months later. If it's not DVT, I do find it odd that you seem to struggle so much with dehydration and think you really need to double-down on drinking more water and not so much on supplements. Hopefully you're taking a bariatric multivitamin as recommended by your doctor? These typically already have potassium and magnesium, so it seems unlikely to me that you'd need additional supplementation of these particular electrolytes. (I assume that was the rationale for eating bananas and avocados). Sometimes people that sweat a lot exercising can actually lose too much sodium and cause an electrolyte imbalance since sodium is the primary electrolyte in your sweat. I suspect if you're only 3 weeks out, this is also unlikely. -
Welcome to getting old! I doubt this has anything to do with your bariatric surgery. Declining appetite as we get older is really common. in fact it's so common, they coined a term for it called the anorexia of aging. Obviously being really sick can drastically reduce appetite, but even in otherwise healthy people, there are multiple things that lead to appetite reduction. Common things are slowed gastric emptying, hormonal changes and impaired sense of smell and taste. Certain medications can also reduce appetite and since older folks are a lot more likely to be taking these meds, that can also contribute.
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This is a new video Dr. Weiner (bariatric surgeon in Tucson) put out through his podcast this week. He is one of the best resources out there for reliable information on bariatric surgery and the science of weight loss. This 55-minute video is all the most up to date information to get you started with all the basic questions you might have (and if you want more in-depth information, he has hundreds of other videos that dive deeper). He talks about nutrition, exercise, surgery, and GLP-1 meds.
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Hey guys, brand new here. Halfway through my bariatrics process, and just a general question, hopefully from people who are around my same size? Started this process at 373 pounds. Goal weight to achieve was 345.6 pounds. Im currently at 337 pounds and still dropping, as I cut everything out of my diet first day after consult. Started fasting, portion control, intake control with what I was choosing to eat, and hitting the gym 5 days a week for resistance training. I am 6ft tall. Mainly posting to see what process yall went through in how much expected weight loss. I know all bodies are different, but trying to get a better idea to compensate for loose skin. Still have 3 months to go until im scheduled for surgery due to insurance requirements, and im not stopping now. Im ready for the better side of me I can find. Any information is greatly appreciated! Currently looking at getting the gastric sleeve done.
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Does gastric sleeve make Cyclic vomiting Syndrome worse?
Nellie D Perron posted a topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I had a failed lap band, and decided to get a gastric sleeve. I suffer from Cyclic vomiting Syndrome.It is an uncommon disorder, many doctors know little about it. There are 4 people on my CVS support group who had bariatric surgery and now their episodes are out of control. Two of them went from episodes once a month to daily, and are now in wheelchairs due to malnutrition.I asked my surgeon, but he didn't say there were increased complications with CVS and gastric surgery.I cannot find any info out there, but there aren't many of us CVSers who are obese. Does anyone know ANYTHING about this topic? -
2 Weeks Post Insertion Need Advice Please
summerseeker replied to Kez6670's topic in Gastric Balloon Forum
Contact your surgeon's office for advice. For your peace of mind you need to know whats, what. I don't know nothing about balloon weight loss but some bariatric patients have hunger from the outset and some need secondary surgery. Some people feel hunger when they need some form of stomach medication to cope with the ammount of acid in their stomach. Excess acid can make you feel hungry -
Hey, I understand everybody knows their limits! Also miss the cookies right along with you! I spent a lot of time tweaking recipes to be bariatric friendly. These cashew buttercup like I can eat 2 to 4 of these a day and be fine and I cook big big batches and I don't go back for more so that's some real self restraint to be honest. Let me see I think the calorie content is. I think they are about 100 cal per cashew butter cup. People can adjust them to be lower switching out ingredients.
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Wegovy not working
audaciousmarie replied to wendywitch7's topic in GLP-1 & Other Weight Loss Medications (NEW!)
Thank you so much for your response. It’s perfect timing that I saw this as I just left the Bariatric surgeon’s office. My experience with GLP-1s was quite discouraging. I was just about ready to give up trying to lose the weight I regained. However, my appointment with the Bariatric surgeon was quite encouraging. He agrees that I qualify for a revision surgery. He laid out the revision surgery options: Bypass, SADI-S or SIPS. Apparently the final revision surgery method will be determined during the surgery when he is able to assess my intestine length for the bypass/malabsorption effect. So for now, I’m going to focus on completing the program steps (Barium swallow, Psych appointment, Nutrition appt, support group, etc) so they can submit the PA for revision surgery. So I’m going to focus on completing the insurance requirements -
Bone Broth Powder Protein vs. Whey Isolates
NickelChip replied to KimBaxleyWilson's topic in Protein, Vitamins, and Supplements
Every doctor I've seen recommends whey isolate, but you should check with your dietician. Bone broth is collagen and that is not the same type of protein, at least as I recall it being explained. I was told I could have bone broth but that it doesn't count the same way. I do know, however, that certain brands might be making versions that have the missing amino acids, so that could be an option. Definitely ask a registered dietician or your bariatric team. -
19 Month Post-Op Weight Gain
Spinoza replied to irreverentgamer's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Sorry that was the easy answer and what has (at least temporarily) worked for me. The hard but probably more effective in the long term answer is to address our relationship with food if it's in any way dysfunctional. A bariatric counsellor might be an excellent investment (I am currently considering but they're expensive and not easy to find). -
Just wanted to share since i'm new
WendyJane replied to EmilyFlowers's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Welcome to the Bariatric Group! Diabetes is a strange critter. With diabetes, you have to remember that your liver will push out glycogen and convert it to glucose overnight, that is why you have differing numbers with the same breakfast. It is also dependent on what you ate the night before. I still get strange numbers, but I'm off all of my medications and insulin for diabetes and I'm only 7 weeks out from surgery. I haven't taken any meds or insulin since the day before my surgery. The highest I have been is 137, and I don't go below 83 mg/dl. I got rid of my Dexcom 7s to a needy friend, and will be giving my syringes and unopened bottles of insulin to my endocrinologist who I see next week on Thursday. Already, it has been quite a ride. From the hormones flying about, to not having to inject insulin and reduced medications, I'm moving better, walking a lot and recently was released to go back to the gym where I swim, cycle and lift weights. I can't imagine my life any different now, best decision I've ever made. Ask me in a year how I feel. LOL -
11 years later, major issues
SpartanMaker replied to Healingenergy987's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Oh wow, yes a serious B12 deficiency is a big deal, but I'm a little surprised for it to show up 11 years later? Also, did your other doctors not do any blood tests? A typical blood test called a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), is really common and should have shown a B12 deficiency if you have one. A B12 deficiency is fairly rare in most developed countries because B12 is found in high quantities in meat and dairy. For obvious reasons, it's more common in vegans, though most vegans know to consume foods high in B12 or to take a supplement. Speaking of supplements, are you not taking a multivitamin? Really everyone should take one since there's very little downside compared to the risks involved in vitamin & mineral deficiencies. Bariatric surgery patients especially should do so for a lot of reasons. If you really think this might be your issue, go pick up a multivitamin from the store and start taking it ASAP. You could just get a B12 supplement, but it's potentially possible it's something else, so a multivitamin should cover more potential deficiencies. -
Good point. People need to be careful when making comparisons. The good news is (at least in the US), as long as you look at the "Iron" content on the supplement label. it's all been standardized based on the elemental iron amount. In other words, if it lists Iron specifically, even if it has the source listed in parentheses (ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate, iron carbonyl, etc.), one listing of 45mg is roughly the same as any other 45mg listing even if the sources are different. This is required by US law. Now there are individual differences between people in terms of how well we absorb iron from various sources and as I mentioned before, all bariatric surgery patients don't tend to absorb iron as well as the gen pop. That said, I'm not sure any of us will know how well we absorb iron from these different sources unless we're doing frequent blood tests and trying various forms. For most of us (as has already been said), the most important thing is to get regular blood tests and not to make any changes unless directed by your doctor.
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August 2023 Surgery Buddies!
Angela Read replied to kayhay0714's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hello everyone, just wanted to post an update about me. I had my Gastric bypass surgery August 16, 2023. My heaviest weight was 260 lbs, documented weight starting the bariatric program was 249lbs and weigh in on day of surgery was 235.6 lbs. I managed to drop down to 176lbs and I stopped losing between the 6-9 month mark fluctuating between 183-186 lbs and now I did a weigh in at 189lbs. I noticed now I am experiencing more digestive issues like everything I eat is causing bloating, indigestion, heart burn, hyperglycemia episodes and feeling lost of coordination some days. I don't have medical insurance to get a thorough check up from surgeon but the only thing I can account for is me not taking my vitamins, not being as active, still snacking and mentally always ready to eat even when I don't want to because I will feel stomach cramps or light headed, How are you all during your journey? -
@FifiLux I got teary eyed during this read! I love it, it's such a Joy! I hope we both continue to be active in the bariatric community and would love to hear your new adventures in the upcoming new year and years to come. The disease of obesity is lifelong so many ups and downs. We got this!
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SO Thirsty-NOTHING quenches my thirst!!!!
QuirkyTurtle replied to nikkib's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
HOW Long does this thirst thing last???? So 3ed week after total gastrectomy, similer to bariatric surgery; but the whole stomachs out. My body is telling me thirsty All the time, it lessens when i eat something but i am going insande. I will try popsicles and ice. -
Burn sensation when having a bowel movement
doxaholic posted a topic in Duodenal Switch Surgery Forum
So sometime ago i posted about this to see if anyone was expierincing these problems basically when i poop it burns. Well it finally got so bad i went to er they said its proctitis he did not give me anything at all just left me in pain. then went to see my doctor said the same thing but he gave me some muscle relaxers and stool softners and valium and of course doing sitz baths but still nothing helps. I keep telling them i think its my poop burning me but they just disregard me even my bariatric surgeon said it was not an issue with the surgery so he is not concerned. I am so worried waiting on a gastroenterologist to see me but in the mean time i have to go back to work and no changes. I dont know what to do i had blood work done was low in zinc and iron and d i asked the nutritionist if this would cause the problem she said she did not know. Oh great these people cant seem to help me pain is severe just want to be able to go without glass shards coming out. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app -
I have 8 days to go until my GS and am beginning to really struggle with headaches, tension, dizzyness and flushes. I have called the NHS hospital that I going to's bariatric ward, but no response to my message... I am really finding 2 litres of milk a day + 1 litre of water (coffee!) hard. I never drank much before and this is a quantum shift for me, never mind the grumbly tummy