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Protein drinks at Trader Joes?
WL WARRIOR replied to Nurse_Lenora's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
I went through a jug of the Pure Protein chocolate during my 2 week pre op liquid diet. It was alright. They sell it at Wal-Mart for pretty cheap. It's better than the Body Fortress brand that they also sell at Wal-Mart. Muscle Milk is pretty good if you want something milk based. They sell this also at Wal-Mart along with Muscletech. There are so many protein brands out there now. It takes awhile to find the one that you actually enjoy enough to buy again. There are some really good brands like Isopure, Syntrax, or Bariatric fusion that are on the pricy side. I go back and forth between something on sale at Wal-Mart to something more expensive. While the Premier ready to drink is quite convenient, its also more pricey than Pure Protein. In fact, the Premeir Protein Chocolate and Pure Protein Chocolate taste quite similar. -
This looks like a good place to settle in...
AmyKPonyperson posted a topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Hi Y'all! I'm Amy from Texas, I'm not yet banded but I have my first visit with a bariatric specialist on Januray 4th, 2007. So I have been out scouting around for a support system that looked fun and helpful... this place beats the rest I've seen. I will be going to Dr Richard Collier in Conroe. Al little about me... I am 35, a recently remarried mother of two bratty preteen kids (and I say that with love! hehehe no - really they are great, but don't tell them! ). I love creating art and craft projects, singing, dancing, raising ponies, cooking and baking. I am 5'1" and I am starting at about 238 lbs. I figure my goal is somewhere in the 125-130 lb. neighborhood maybe, as that is around where I was in college before all this weight started showing up. I was no skinny-minnie, but that size worked for me. But really my ACTUAL goal is simply to be able to ride my ponies again without being cited for pony abuse!:nervous I am really looking forward to having this procedure done so I can get on with my plans. I think I do have realistic goals for weightloss speed and the amount of effort it will actually take to use this tool. I know, Rome wasn't built in a day and neither was my butt! What I am hoping is that, with this tool, I will be able to remove food as an object of obsession and make it what it is supposed to be - a necessity. Trust me I DO know what I'm SUPPOSED to eat (wink), my problem has just been the "wanna" behind it and my T-Rex-like apetite! Hopefully, having physical restrictions put on my intake ability, I can refocus my head on what I need to eat and making the most of nutrition in that smaller stomach space! I look forward to meeting a lot of you on here, so you can help me through my wobbly times and cheer me when I am being a good girl! :clap2: Toodles! Amy -
Just Got My Surgery Date!! 8/23
lucie159 replied to Jason Can Do it!'s topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I got banded on 8-1-12. I understand your excitement and nervousness about the insurance. I have been trying off and on for 20 years to get some kind of bariatric surgery. I found out in April that the Cigna my company paid for this year would cover it. So I was in a crunch to get the approval and all the testing and jump through all of the hoops before they changed it again the end of August! haha. But its mine now and they can't take it away from me!!! The surgery went great, but then if you want this and need this as badly as I did, anything short of excruciating pain would be worth it!!! I am only 4 days post op and I can feel the differences already. My skin feels looser and my face looks different already. I have to lose 170 lbs to reach my goal weight. I feel better already. Good luck on your surgery, keep us updated. I'm so excited for you! -
Great advice Laura! I like Syntrax the best so far, especially the cappuccino tho I am still trying all the samples I have ordered. I really prefer one scoop even if it is a half serving of the bariatric advantage and Chike. The protein shots are kind of grossly thick and sweet but mixed with water and ice made them better.
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Just know that your Aetna policy could be different from others. They can provide you with the specifics of your plans coverage of bariatric surgery. It should say what types of bariatric surgery they cover and what the criteria is for gaining approval. They need to give you something more specific than just saying it must be medically necessary. For my insurance, it's a 6 month process. According to my surgeon, even if you are self pay, it's still about 3 months. I'm sure they are exceptions, but it's not a fast process. I agree with sweetpea - it's time well spent. I'm 4 months into the 6 month process for my insurance company. I'm trying to be very careful to meet all of the plan requirements, but I'm so worried I'll miss something that will result in a rejection.
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Denied again and surgeon's office is silent
Aggiemae replied to IMissVegas's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
My insurance company allows one bariatric surgery per lifetime. There is an exception for mechanical malfunctions with the band. They test the band and if it is functional they will not replace it. -
The long-term complications of the Lap Band have been one of my top concerns. I cannot get satisfactory answers from my bariatric program. What they have said to me is, "Do the research." So I did, in peer-reviewed medical journals. And what I'm finding is downright scary, so scary that I'm at the point now where I'm probably not going to have this surgery.
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Thank you so much Stephanie. I called Dr. Malley's office and talked to the front desk a few months ago. I told her that my insurance did not cover it, and I asked her if there was anyway for them to help me push it through. She told me that if it's not covered on my plan (bariatrics) then they have nothing to go on!! I wonder if she was just trying to brush me off, who knows? I will definately look into it more. Thanks again for your help.
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Pre-Op confusion
chelsea554 replied to ShrinkingButtercup's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
After my initial meeting with my surgeon, he set a weight loss goal for me of 10 pounds, I think because they want to see that I am trying to change my habits before surgery. I went to the NUT at my surgeon's office and she has been amazing. We are slowly removing sugar and Diet Coke from my diet and adding Protein and Water. This is to get me ready for the surgery. Ask the surgeon for a NUT recommendation, it is likely they work closely with one or two. I would follow either the surgeon or the NUT that is recommended diet as they will be the experts when it comes to bariatric surgery. Also, it sucks that your PCP isn't on board. Mine is very supportive, which I think will ultimately help with long-term success. I hope everything works out for you! -
I'm 12/18 with Dr. Hamilton at KC Bariatric Center.
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Right now I think it is still in clinical trials and doesn't have FDA approval. It is a sleeve made of some material (probably a kind of plastic) that a doctor puts in your small intestines and it blocks absorption of nutrients in the duodenum. http://www.gidynamic...er-overview.php http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/19858703 I really hope that one works out, because that is another fairly safe tool for bariatric weight control. In a way you'd assume an endoluminal sleeve combined with a lap band would give the benefits of a roux-en-Y bypass surgery but it would be reversible and have a far lower mortality rate. I have no idea if the surgeries can be combined though, or if you'd even need to do both. The clinical study said a loss of about 19% of excess weight in the first 3 months, but I've also read a 30% drop of excess weight in 6 months, and that can be doubled with something called a flow restrictor to adjust gastric emptying into the intestines (most of the info comes from sites tied to the maker, so no idea how independent they are). http://www.yourbaria...luminal-sleeve/ http://www.wlshelp.c...ndobarrier.html But if I ever do decide to do something for my weight, I want it to be something relatively safe, reversible and affordable. The lap band seems the best idea now but an endoluminal sleeve could be a good idea too when it gets FDA approval.
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Recommendations on STL area Surgeon?
MizzouGirl posted a topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
I'm looking for recommendations for a St. Louis, MO area surgeon. I'm not 100% sure which surgery I'm doing but am leaning strongly towards the sleeve. I've been to Dr. Van Wagner's seminar and was impressed. I've also been extremely impressed with the service his office has provided thus far. I'm attending the MyNewSelf seminar by Dr. J. Stephen Scott tomorrow night. I want to make sure I pick the best surgeon (most experience, least # of issues, etc) in the St. Louis area. Both are Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence surgeons. Thanks in advance for input that may help me with my choice of surgeon. -
I seem to be able to access some information easily (basic profile stuff, threads etc.) through Bariatric Pal but then when i click on More- my surgery story and to change settings (which I have yet to do successfully) it seems to open another app or something. I just found a box that shows notifications, messages etc but it doesn't seem connected to my bariatric pal homepage. I'm not very technical so this may be a silly question but are there two apps? Is there a way to have all my info accessible through the phone app? I've never used whatever is offered through the web. I seem to have an app within an app. Perhaps I'm missing an update or something? I have an iPhone 4s.
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I cannot creat a weight loss ticker. It never goes through. I think Bariatric Pal is having some glitches
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I am so grateful for the wealth of knowledge on this site. I have learned so much! I feel like BP has been an important step in my future progress, before I even begin. My surgery is April 14. I'm ready. I'm more than ready! I've seen a lot of people talking about their post-op instructions and noticed how much they vary. Some doctors require 1, 2, or 4 weeks of liquid diets, in various stages of puree or Clear liquids. After that, they move to mushies and eventually solid foods. After getting used to other plans as the 'norm', I was surprised to find out my surgeon's standards: He wants me to be able to drink a full cup of Water in an hour the day after surgery, and tolerate a puree before I leave the hospital. like, woah. Purees are supposed to be like, week 2 or 3, right?! And now, he's saying I should be able to be on 'regular' food within two weeks. But, I trust my surgeon. He was chair of a bariatric center, and now works at Mayo Clinic, specializing in gastric sleeve surgeries. He's had two leaks in his career. I'm going to work hard to do as he says and follow the plan of care he's laid out for me in order to give myself the best chance of success. We're all going to have very different instructions. It's great to be able to talk about them, compare, and share our progress on this long journey back to health. Thank you, everyone, for your input over the past few months whether it was tough love, encouragement, or just sharing in my joy of being approved and ready to go. I can't wait to be on the losers bench!
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Vitamins. Gummies, chewables, other?
ohhsosweetxvb replied to RellaBelle's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
My Vitamins must be chewables, no gummies what so ever. They're sugary and don't have the vitamins we need. And my Calcium must be calcium citrate with Vitamin d, chews, which is very hard to find. Luckily my doctor sells Bariatric Advantage Sent from my SM-G900P using BariatricPal -
VSG Surgery 3/2/2017- Clara Maas , Bellville, NJ Nervous!!!
Michelle920 replied to LuAnn Gazzana Thomas's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hi LuAnn! I'm in NJ also. I had gastric bypass in 2015, but I can give you a little advice. If you're going to be in the hospital more than one night, bring dry shampoo. I had to stay three nights and couldn't shower, so I wish I had mine! Bring Gas-x strips with you. I never had a problem drinking water before surgery but it was harder after, so I drank vitamin zero. Water just didn't appeal to me. And I haven't tried that brand of vitamins. Over the last year and a half I've tried a variety of multis, all chewable, bariatric geared, in the beginning. Now I'm able to take pills. I prefer the chewy kind. RNY 6/8/15 SW 248 LW 175 CW 197 GW 180 "Eat to be the person you want to be." -
3 months post op
Christinamo7 replied to Christinamo7's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
I am in the Nashville Tennessee area. I have a really good bariatric team (except that NUT who drives me crazy), a lovely NP as a PCP and a wonderful doctor at the oncology clinic who I think of so highly. he is a specialist. my case has them all scratching their heads - but they keep a good eye on me. they know the WBC is caused by enlarged lymph nodes where my small intestines are - I had NO idea there was tissue holding your guts together until this happened! makes sense though. there's what they call "stranding" in there too. it's inflammation. so they think it is either cancer, an infection or something called sclerosing mesnteritis which is what they think it probably is. isn't it frustrating that all of our other problems don't go away with WLS? seriously. we should only have to deal wit one thing at a time. -
Does an UNfill=party!!??
lafevretj replied to IwannaBeHappy's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I had a fill before thanksgiving (had a total of 7.5cc in my 10cc band). It was fairly tight and about a week ago I began having reflux. I should have listened to that little voice in my head telling me to make an appointment for a slight unfill. This weekend I was only drinking liquids and felt like I had something stuck. I began vomiting (even after swallowing my own saliva). I went to the ER and luckily the chief surgical resident has been working with my bariatric surgeon for the past few months and was unable to help me........a complete unfill .....to let my stomach rest until I can see my doctor this week. I am keeping track of everything I put in my mouth and will still follow the band rules. I haven't worked this hard for the past two years to start gaining back even one pound back. -
Is anyone only taking 1 multivitamin a day?
julie66 replied to mikeross's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I take Biotin for my hair loss.. and I take calcium and bariatric Vitamins that's it Julie -
It's Too Early To Be Overwhelmed Or Impatient...
makemyownluck posted a blog entry in I'll make my own luck
Patience has never been a virtue of mine. I'm already feeling a bit overwhelmed by this process. I'm starting to get the feeling that I'm doing the wrong things and that I'm wasting a lot of good money on all this medical stuff and I'll just have to start back at square one when I (hopefully, finally) get to a bariatric surgeon. So many, many steps. I just hope it's not all in vain. Guess I'm just feeling a little down lately. It's CRIMSON TIDE time, so I'm sure that has something to do with it. Also, my nut called and said she needed to reschedule my appointment. Now, instead of going the day after my bday, I'm going ON my actual bday. That should be fantastic. :\ First nut visit where I discuss all my bad habits and resolve to change them on the same day that I usually go out for an extravagant dinner and have drinks and cake. Awesome. I guess this is as good a time to start as any... wouldn't be able to indulge like that after being sleeved anyway! I'm too tired to do the perky, keep your head up thoughts afloat right now. Just gonna ride this out and see where it takes me. I'll try not to stay bummed out. *le sigh* -
nothing makes me puke
McButterpants replied to abarta83's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I have a sleeve of steel. The only thing that bothers my stomach is my bariatric Vitamins on an empty stomach. It bothered me at first that nothing bothered me. Does that make sense? I was scared that seemingly nothing is off limits for me. I would hear people say, "I can't eat steak, it upsets my stomach." Not mine. "I can't eat salad." No issues there either. "I can't tolerate sweets." Nope, no problems. It worried me because I wondered if I could control myself rather than my sleeve controlling what I put in my mouth. If I can eat anything, will I in fact, eat everything. The answer is no, I don't eat everything. The sleeve is doing it's job - it controls the amount of whatever food I'm eating and, for the most part, I've made good choices. I'm not eating crazy things or crazy amounts of things. So, while I used to be fearful of my sleeve of steel, right now, I'm thankful. I can enjoy all kinds of foods - while on vacation in San Fran last week I ate Chinese, Italian and a steak. I just didn't order my own entrée - my husband and I split every meal we ate out. It was wonderful and a little romantic. -
Comparing info... I asked my Dr. at our initial consultation if you can gain weight back after the sleeve? He told me the new stomach can not stretch more than 5%. At my psych eval, I mentioned that & the psychologist was floored; said he knew people that gained it all back after the sleeve! That scares me. Curious what others' bariatric surgeons told them about possibility of weight gain? My doctor, Dr. Kuhn, also sad the max. you could expect to lose is 80% excess body weight (on his web site, it says 70%).. Yet, on the forums, I see people who have lost more weight. Wondering if that is a rare occurrence? What did your Dr. Tell you?
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Hello all! I'm a new member here at VST. I'm in the "considering WLS" stage. I'm leaning toward doing it, and I'll be going to my required first "seminar" with the bariatric surgeon that my PCP referred me to.in just a couple of days. (Odd that "bariatric" trips up spell check here!) I've decided to actually do a blog on my - it seems that everyone is calling it this - journey. Other blogs that I found last week mostly began at the point of actually having had the surgery. See the link in my signature and tell me what you think. I'll try to keep the rambling there Is it just me, or are there hardly any men here? Is that because that many more women are doing WLS, or that we just don't largely "talk" about it? I look forward to connecting with you!
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Well, I had a call today from my primary care doctor's office and was told that the bariatric hospital said that something showed on my chest xray. I haven't been feeling well lately and think that I may be coming down with bronchitis or something. I passed the PFT with flying colors. My 02 sats are 98 percent. I'm not sure what could have shown up. I'm really scared. One lung is fine but there is a small something on the other. "SIGH"... I have to have a CT scan on Friday. My surgery is supposed to be on the 21st. I'm just so sad and worried now. I try not to put the cart before the horse, so to speak, but oh good Lord above what if its .. well..... cancer???? Well, nothing I can do but wait and see. I hope it is just the start of pnemonia maybe. Lord knows I don't want that either but its better than the alternative. At least I can get antibiotics and be well before surgery. Please pray for me. I really need it. I know you guys don't really know me but anyway it doesn't matter. Prayer is prayer. Thank you! I will blog again when I find out the results.
