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Good luck in the morning, see you on the otherside. Mine was at 830 and it all went fast. Are u having surgery at your hospital where u work? I work at HCA east and had surgery at HCA west because they specialize in bariatric surgery and my dr goes there.

Gay here !!! Anyone do their surgery in Mexico with Bariatric Pal? Any issues from them with the gay thing

Last of my insurance requirements...done! Today I had my psych eval and it went great. I filled out the normal new patient paperwork while waiting. The appointment ran a little long, as we both discovered that we had something in common...mother's to 28 weeker preemies. Anywho, just all the basic questions. Making sure I have good support from family and friends (I told them yes, PLUS the great support on Bariatric PAL!), that I don't make rash decisions, etc.. All is good, she is faxing her letter over to my dr this afternoon. Here is my timeline (for BCBS Anthem): January 27th, 2014: First appt with surgeon. February 5th, 2014: Nutritionist Appt (telephone) February 7th, 2014: Pulmonary Clearance Appt February 11th, 2014: Cardiac Clearance Appt February 23rd, 2014: Physical Trainer Appt February 25th, 2014: Psych Eval I am all set for a last week of March surgery. Should know later this week for sure. BCBS is apparently very fast with their approvals.

I understand that I need to make reasonable goals so I don't feel like I failed and I would honestly be happy at 200lbs. But with that being said I also know if I set my mind to it I could loose enough weight to be at my healthy weight for my height. I just didn't like the way she said it. Working for a bariatric surgeon shouldn't she be more positive?

I was reactivating into the program so the process for me was a tiny bit different. I got my referral July 13. I had a health education class July 27 that covered general details about bariatric surgery and the program. After that you need to talk to doc again and say you're interested they then refer you into the program. August 4 was my orientation (4 hours long!!!!!) This where they weigh you and only this weight and their scale will be the one that matters. Since I'm reactivating I had to take 4 bariatric lifestyle class (extremely helpful). They are every Wednesday. On my 4th class day I called to schedule my psych eval, I was SO lucky I called when I did because it was either the next day September 8 or all the way until October 4, I took the 9/8 because I would be on a trip for the next available appt. Dr. Z (psych) cleared me and scheduled me for my surgeon appt w/ Dr. Mostaedi October 11 (where I'll get my goal weight) I've already lost 23lbs so that must be why Dr. Z cleared me quickly. I have to wait till December for surgery because of school but I would have to wait anyway because I was a vaper. If you are a smoker you will have to be 3 months nicotine free before surgery. If I wasn't a vaper and didn't have school I would probably be having this surgery in October.

Hi. I've been lurking on here for weeks as my hubby and I finally committed to embarking on this sleeve journey together. I'm still waiting on my referral to bariatrics but my husband already got his and his first appt isn't until 12/2! I've scoured everything I could to try and find out the process for this location...do they swear folks to secrecy because I can't find anything. We were hoping to work magic and have our procedures this year as between our 3 year olds issue with seizures and my husbands diabetes we are close to our out of pocket max this year. Anyone gone through the process in this location and have insight into the process? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

What you are experiencing isn't right, but you do have some choices. Have you had any tests to see why you are having these problems? If not, and your surgeon isn't willing to look into it, then you'll need to look elsewhere. Your regular family doc can refer you to a gastroenterologist. The GI doc can order tests. There is also the possibility of switching bariatric doctors. There is a program in Annapolis that you could check out. (I don't know anything about it.. just that it is there). If things become an emergency, like you can't drink, then you can go to the emergency room at Hopkins. Always choose an ER of a hospital that has bariatric surgeons so you have the chance of seeing one of them. Not saying you will.. but at least the possibility exists. Physical therapy is nice, but if you can't keep down food, that is your problem, and exercise won't fix it. Please be proactive getting some help. Don't wait so long that it becomes a life-or-death situation.

Okay Alex the next time I order from Bariatric Pal store I will order the Cinnamon Swirl, I promise. As a 6 week old bypass I do want something that works for me and I truly could use the extra fiber. So far everything I have ordered I have❤except for one thing. I cannot abide the cheesecake flavor pudding/shake, maybe I can disguise it with peanut butter powder? Oh well--- 99.99% Happy Camper!

Ah yeah this does seem to be a common theme for the UK. For the protein I am making sure at the very least it is half to 2/3 rds of each meal with lean protein like chicken, fish or lentils and then vegetables for the rest of it like carrots, potato & peas. I found a cook book here on Amazon that I am going to buy today, so hopefully that will have some ideas, its called: Gastric Sleeve Cookbook: Top 100 recipes for every stage of bariatric surgery recovery by Shannon Henderson Looking at guides from the US: https://www.drdkim.net/ask-the-dietitian/meal-plan/ and another one here: https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/dietary_guidelines_after_gastric_bypass/

Proudest 2018 moment: worked really hard to lose weight over 2018. In Feb I had a bariatric appointment to discuss possible revision surgery and was 143 kilos / 315 lbs. Worked really hard even with dodgy lapband that either had no effect when too lose or terrible reflux whenever it was tightened and by October got down to 127.5 / 281 lbs for revision surgery. Every pound was hard won I tell ya. So proudest moment was when I got on plane to go to Belgium for my surgery and the seat belt fit without an extender. I was so delighted and happy! First time in decades I hadn't needed to ask for an extender. Sent from my SM-G930F using BariatricPal mobile app

I am about 1 1/2 years post op and I have an issue. I lost 100 pounds, going from 305 to 205 in 7 months and then..... I started coffee again. Sugar sugar sugar. That crack like creamer, International Delight. I totally regret it because since that 100 pound loss, I've been going between 205 and 212, with no more weight loss and I have about 4 cups of coffee a day. Doing the math, that's 560 calories, 80g sugar, 80g cards a day. I have a problem and I am only just now realizing the extent of it. I'm at the point where I want to stop cold turkey today. The reason I drink so much coffee is due to self medicating for my ADHD. I didn't realize that's what I was doing until recently. I started real medication for my ADHD and it helps with it a lot, but I'm still addicted to caffeine as a byproduct. Additionally let me say this right now because I wish someone told me when I was first post-op: Sweetened coffee creamer, whether artificial or real, will increase your desire for sweets and risk your post-op health. Sorry for the scary text formatting, but this is important and I feel it needs to be said. --------------- Moving on, I now need to find a way to navigate this addiction and remove it from my life. Do any of you have experience with quitting coffee, especially cold turkey? I tell myself I like coffee not for the caffeine, but for the ritual and because warm beverages are comforting to my anxiety riddled brain. Coffee is my safe place, but I need to find a healthier replacement. What are some good bariatric friendly, creamy, hot beverages?

I’m on Nov 14th in Las Vegas at Blossom Bariatrics. I leave for surgery from Atlanta on the 11th. (Note - the last list I saw to quote was incomplete so just listing mine here.)

I’m 8 days post-op. If you are like me the thought of another protein shake makes you gag, try it warm. My doctor required us to use the Bariatric Advg. I warmed about 9 ounces of unsweetened vanilla almond milk and added the chocolate shake powder. I could almost convince myself that it was hot chocolate. I thinking drinking it hot may get me through the next 6 days until I reach purées.

Thanks! I am actually super excited. And the NP said that given my progress so far, I may be able to lose more than I'd initially thought, so that's encouraging. As for the NUT, I have asked her for recipes. She sends me to the internet. she's also the one that runs the support group - where she basically lets people yell over each other to be heard. Before I did this, i went to a local integrated weight loss practice - they have endocrinologists, nutritionists, psychologists, and exercise folks on staff (well, I still see my therapist there and go to one of the groups). Lots of great groups for different issues. The nutritionist there was awesome. We'd chat, and she'd pull up a bunch of different recipes for me to try. And was good at helping me plan for tough situations (like next week I'm at training all day for 3 days, so no access to the kitchen at work). Current NUT just pointed to the protein list and said some of these don't need to be heated. Former NUT would have helped me brainstorm meal ideas. Oh well. Just one more thing I need to do for the program. At least my therapist is starting a bariatric support group that meets twice a week starting in January, so looking forward to that

Has anyone else developed a terrible pain in the epigastric area within 15 mins after eating? First time it happened I thought I was having a heart attack because it hurt so bad. Trip to the ER and an all clear on EKG and CAT scan and labs. Pain went away within an hour and a half of being in there. Next night same problem except the pain never went away. I was going to just wait it out but after 6 hours I couldn’t take it anymore. So another trip to the ER and a diagnosis of gastritis and some gallbladder “sludge” and elevated liver enzymes. Ultrasound didn’t show any stones. Told me to follow up with my Bariatric surgeon. Has anyone else gone from tolerating most foods to barely tolerating water? I’m afraid something is really wrong.

Tripple yummy looking! I cant' wait!!! I don't know what's gotten into me but lately I've been watching all these youtube bariatric, whole30 and Keto cooking shows. Today I just bought a Instapot and a Air Fryer to get ready to eat again. I'm not craving anything, but just want to eat healthy from the start.

Katt- I know from your other posts you are an RN, and evidently one who is in some sort of supervisory role. You know from your experiences that you cannot control all of your staff, and while you may try...it's just impossible. Although I'm sure you feel that the care you provide personally is great. That is the prospective from which I choose to view the program. Dr. Hoehn is hands down THE most wonderful bariatric surgeon I believe in the KC area. I work with LOTS of doctors around the area, some of which are surgeons, and he is by far the most sweet spirited and gentle, humble, well-mannered surgeon I have ever come in contact with. His right-hand lady, Billie is absolutely wonderful too. She runs support groups and is wonderful at returning phone calls promptly and answering questions to the best of her ability, as well as telling you point blank when she doesnt know the answer...but then she tries to find out. All of us on this thread go to his LB support groups regularly. One reason we started it was to have a forum in which to discuss our day to day concerns and problems with the lap-band. Since we are tied together with the common thing being that Dr H is our surgeon, there are of course going to be things that come up regarding our experiences with his office staff, common people we know etc etc.... It's just like with any relationship, it is not always going to be smoothe sailing, and if you said it was..you would be a bold face liar. This is not like the usual doctor-patient relationship in where he fixes you or prescribes you a script and you are gone for the next 6 months or year. With bariatric surgery we are constantly having questions, problems, tune-ups (fills) etc etc where we are continually dealing with 'someone' in the office. I know MANY other people that have had lap-band in KC and NONE of them have as comprehensive or as many successful patients as he does. I truly believe it is because of the long pre-op period where they make SURE you are ready and a good candidate, NOT just do you have the money to pay. Dr H and Billie truly do care about you being successfull, and for that...even with all the 'other stuff' I wholeheartedly still recommend their program. One problem I always had with reading Dr. H's reviews on Obesityhelp.com is that EVERY single one practically says "oh he is wonderful"...and no one ever offers to say anything practical or realistic. That makes me question the validity of the opinions. We still think he is wonderful (with just a few staffing issues that he is aware of). But, at least with us, you are getting both sides of the story. None of us sugar coat anything, which is one of the reasons we chose to come together in some way to help support each other. Hope that helps, keep us posted on your surgery, and please know that you are in great hands! Good luck!

I ditto this remark. I moved to florida and was having no problems but needed my yearly lab work done. when I contacted the local bariatric clinic ( the only one in town) I was told they would not see my unless I had proof that my surgery was done in the usa. I am 13 years out and the hospital in ky only keeps records for 10 years. I finally found some old material I had that they accepted. it is great that it was routine care I needed and not an emergency. just be sure to verify that they will treat you and get it in writing as one person can say one thing and someone else interpreted it another. best of luck

I don't mean to be rude, and perhaps you're not meaning it this way, but this feels like a scare tactic. See below for why I disagree with this immensely. So yes, SOME doctors won't know what in the hell they're doing. If you're honest and open with you PCP BEFORE you have the surgery, they can prepare, educate themselves, and express any issues/concerns. There's a slim chance you'd have to change PCP's to get the follow up care you need. However, Dr. Illan and his team provide a list of blood work to have done and at what intervals. When those intervals come around, I let my doctor know, she orders the tests, I get my blood drawn, she lets me know if they're within normal range or not. It's easy peasy and isn't even related to anything bariatric when it comes to my insurance or anything. It is entirely dependent on how flexible your PCP wants to be. If they're not willing, find one that is. You can get the follow up care you need, it just might take some dedication and research PRIOR to going to ensure it's all lined up. That aside. I had my surgery with Dr. Illan on June 13, 2016. Before they made the move to Oasis. I'm actually jealous they weren't there when I went. Even so, the hospital was great, the staff was great, he was fantastic, and my boyfriend was taken care of every step of the way as well. I got better treatment and care from them and their staff than I've ever experienced in the US. I'm terrified of hospitals and was scared about going under as I never had before, but they eased me through it and got me to the other side. Now I'm sitting here at 199lbs, and 49lbs away from my goal. I don't regret it one bit, other than wishing I'd done it a couple years sooner. If I ever needed anything again in the future, you can bet I'll be going to Dr. Illan and his team again. I had no complications. I experienced a bit more pain post-op within the first 3 hours of surgery than I expected. Some people say they experience none. I, however, did have some and I have a VERY high pain tolerance. So this surprised me. Once they found a good pain medicine and coupled it with anti-nausea, I was great. Once I was released 2 days later, I didn't ever have to touch the pain meds I left the hospital with. Of course do your research and talk with your regular doctor beforehand, you only hurt yourself by not doing so.

Dr. Illan performed my sleeve on 2/8, I have no complaints. Once I got the gas out of my system I have had no pain whatsoever and my recovery appears on track as I am having no problems achieving my nutrition goals with ease. Oasis Hospital was great, the nursing care was as good as I've ever had in the states. Everyone from Bariatric Pal was great the valets are excellent, if you have a companion with you they will take great care of them. If you have any specific questions let me know.

What now? Now that’s the big question. Weight-wise, I’m going to find stabilization and probably put on the 5-10 bounce-back pounds. That’s fine. I’m still seeing a bariatric therapist, and I know to reach out – to friends, family, therapist, work – at signs of trouble. I know I take on too much work, and that’s a problematic pattern I’m still working on. I know I need to find and keep finding ways to truly love myself, because that’s the key to saying no, doing things for me, prioritizing myself. I am excited for where I am, and apprehensive about the next year. This journey has been magical through-and-through, but the compliments will stop, and this will be normal life again. What then? I’ll keep finding out, and I’ll live by the mottos I taught myself to believe when getting my mind in the right place: I have a right to be here. And I can forgive myself for anything. Even regain. Even falling into binge eating. Even losing my job. Even ending up single and lonely. I can forgive myself for anything, and that means I’m not scared of anything. Heck, for me it hopefully means I can face anything and deal with it before it becomes a problem. That’s the most important thing for Year 2. Love to all of you, thanks to each and every one of you for sharing your life with people like me, and keep being awesome!

Dayum. Did you dump? Ok, I think I know the answer to this...but your meals seem "normal sized". Does it take you a while to eat them? Or do you eat them all at one sitting? Just wondering cuz you know, mine are on the larger end of bariatric size close to normal size. I could eat normal if I let myself. And I can do it all at one sitting. So I guess I'm just looking for affirmation through comfort in numbers lol, for how much volume I can eat at a sitting! TIA!

@@Sherbear2 how are you doing on pre-op torture...I mean diet? I'm only on day 2 and I have such a headache and nausea from Bariatric Advantage shakes. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hello everyone! Today is a good day in that I am still on plan at 11:06 in the AM . . . we have to start somewhere, right :0) Landlord Installment #3 ------------------------ I got a letter from her attorney yesterday. It said that I should have given her notice that I was leaving in May of 2009 . . . and I am moving out October 31st??? He says this because she handwrote at the bottom of the lease that she would like 90 days notice if lease is not to be renewed prior to expiration (lease expired August 1st, I am leaving October 31st which is 90 days past the lease expiration and we did not execute a new lease). Anyway it is a weak argument at best on their side . . . the holdover lease clause is very specific. The lease expired August 2009 and we are now "holdover tenants - either party must give 30 days notice to terminate" per the lease." He also wrote in the letter "in non-legal terms you are sandbagging her by not giving her sufficient notice." This letter is not even on letterhead, the wording is poor and the argument is weak . . . where did she find this lawyer???? All I can say is lucky me, lol. The only thing in the letter that worries me at all is that it says she will be exercising her right to have various tradesman inspect the property for damages above normal wear and tear and I will be liable for all work performed. In the case that there is any excess of the security deposit, it will be refunded to me. So . . . it sounds like she is planning to keep my security deposit for damages - there are no damages except for an issue with a closet door that had a small divot in it from an indoor basketball hoop . . . and I already replaced it. I know the house is in good shape but I get the feeling that she is going to try to use up my security deposit. I am taking pictures of everything and my lawyer will be attending the final walkthrough and key handoff, unbeknownst to her. She has to provide an itemized list of anything deducted from the security deposit . . .if there is anything frivolous on there (what are the chances???) then I will take her to small claims court. Anyway, the lawyer I have been talking to is a company lawyer who is advising me as a friend on the side. My risk seems to be pretty small. It seems like the worst case might be the loss of a security deposit, I can live with that risk. The lawyer I have been speaking to said that this initial letter is always supposed to present the strongest case and any specific examples of issues as a scare tactic to hopefully cause me to back down and concede to any requests. There are no specific examples and anything referenced is exceedingly weak. Can you believe I actually feel more comfortable after receiving this letter, lol??? This is my first ever letter directed at me from an attorney in my life (and hopefully the last). I feel very confident that this situation is under control.

Thank you for this!! That’s what I was hoping. I’ve been happy so far too with everyone I’ve had contact with at Blossom and everyone there has been very kind. I did not experience that at the Bariatric center here in MN. 😊 good luck to you!! Keep me posted!!