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I know Prescot well! I used to live in Manchester and did a lot of work with an arts organisation in Preston. It’s possible to get bariatric surgery on the NHS, but the waiting list is years long. So I’ve gone private! My surgeon recommended the RNY as the sleeve can make reflux worse, and that’s something I already struggle with. Surgery is on Monday 😅

Hey guys! I haven't been on in a while but I am trying to get into a slightly more intense work out routine to build muscle, so of course Bariatric pal was my first source for advice. Google doesn't have much for sleevers. I'm having problems "tiring" too quickly into a workout. It's hard to eat enough food for the stamina required in a good workout. Hope everyone is doing well. Any advice is appreciated. I'm down 80 lbs - 4 months post and op and I'm ready to look good naked! Lol Kyle

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.

Those Kim's Magic Pops look delicious and are probably something that would trigger me - I am very much a salty, crunchy person The faux cheese nip has long been a favorite in our house, both among those who have had their tummies removed and those that still have theirs intact. Have you guys ever tried these? I know there are all sorts of videos here and on Youtube with how to make these. Take a Kraft single (I use the Sharp flavor) Slice said cheese and make 3 slices each direction to make 16 little squares. Place little squares on a piece of parchment paper. Microwave for about 50 seconds - squares will puff up, deflate and then harden into a crispy 'cracker'. Nutrition: 16 crackers/one slice of cheese 60 Cals. 4 Protein 2 Carb 4.5 Fat You must use parchment and the microwave - using regular cheeses and the oven makes those nice crunchy, flat (and greasy) things like Parmesan crisps. I try and stay away from wheat or baked goods as much as possible because I turn into a raving carbohydrate monster - so these work for me as a vehicle for other delicious things I don't track fat - I think it is good for us. I made these for my monthly bariatric support group meeting one time last spring and you would have thought I was the second coming of our lord with how popular these were - I even had fairly newish posts ops with tears in their eyes over a little crunchy snack they could enjoy lol.

There are support groups here but I've never been to one since they are offered by the various bariatric groups and I had my surgery in Mexico. I never felt comfortable just showing up at one. I assumed they only want patients from their specific groups at them. I would like to have one here sponsored by BP but I don't want to be in charge of it.

Its been a long time since I have checked in - as usual Looks like there havent been a lot of folks responding lately on this thread but thought I would give you guys an update. As it turns out I have been having some ongoing problems that will require som more surgery. I have always had terrible gerd prior to and it seemed to get worse after the sugery. My lucky husband had his resolve completely after his vsg and hernia repair. I started seeing another bariatric doc last year, as my doc had moved to another practice and we moved as well. To make a very long story shorter - and the number of tests I've had done dwarf the first surgery - I will be having revision surgery on 11/22/16 - 11 days from now. I have a significant hiatal hernia, a stricture, and various other sundry things that will be repaired - gallbladder out and removal of stray sutures (which is goofy but that's what the photos after the last egd) My new surgeon is going to revise my sleeve a traditional Duodenal Switch. I had gained back about 30 lbs from my lowest weight. And it took just about a year to recover from the total knee replacement - what a nightmare that is, but at least I can walk again. Hopefully the hips and back wont hurt as much soon. Wishing everyone well and hope everyone is happy and healthy

The issue of someone like swimbikerun is truly interesting to me; I believe it points to our underlying insecurities and our almost universal need to seek therapy, when the one thing that has been your focus, your shame, your hope, your everything goes away, what do you do then? I'm not the youngest on these boards but I am on the lower end of the bell curve, so there are a lot of people here (bariatric pal) who have spent 20, 30, 40 years morbidly obese and now "suddenly" aren't, some people handle it better than others and some people are affected by it differently than others. Sounds like she doesn't know what to do with her intensity!

I was asked a couple of days ago if I would model for my bariatric centers yearly fashion show fund raiser. Nothing like the thought of having to model to make the 5:2 easier to follow! I have mixed feelings about it... I haven't outright lied about having surgery in the public, but have not put it "in the press" either... They think I am one of the most successful patients from their clinic......

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