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Hi All, I am new to this this community. I am happy to find a place where I can receive the support and knowledge I need. Here is my situation: In January of this year, my Kaiser PCP and I discussed bariatric surgery. He agreed to send the referral and to get the ball rolling. A few weeks later, I went to an information meeting and completed the psych exam a few weeks later. Since February of this year, I have heard nothing from the Kaiser Fremont, CA Bariatric center on my status regarding my referral. My doctor said that I qualified, and the psych dr. told me that my evaluation looked good. In the summer, I e-mailed both doctors. The psych dr. told me to talk to my PCP. The PCP told me that the program has over a year long list. However, I feel like this is too long to wait to hear about the status of my acceptance into the program. I knew that this would be a lengthy process...but jeez...just to get my orientation appointment or get the current status of my application. This process has left me discouraged and frustrated. If I am not being accepted, I would like to know so that I can plan my appeal or jump through more hoops or whatever. No one at Kaiser will give me a straight answer. I have asked to speak to the bariatric department directly to get more information, but the doctors tell me that will get me nowhere closer to moving the process faster. I could see reacting this way if I expected everything to be done in a month, but I have waited over eight months to even hear from Fremont. Has anyone else had this problem. Any suggestions? All help or any advice would be greatly appreciated!:thumbup:
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Need help finding a bodyshaper / girdle / stomach squisher
tstarkey704 replied to betrthnever's topic in The Gals' Room
http://www.contourmd.com/Bariatric-Garments -
Question about vomiting
LoserHeather37 replied to spoiltmom's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I had a stomach virus this past week and immediately called my bariatric doctor. They told me that once I stop vomiting and can start eating again to just have warm liquids the first couple of days and then move to mushies for a couple of days. I'm not a doctor, but seems to me that if you have a stomach virus, it's best to get it out of your system and not just take meds to make you not throw up. I know the dangers of vomiting, but you can't go the rest of your life popping a pill to keep from throwing up, can you? I don't know, this, like almost everything else having to do with the band, is different among doctors. -
I called this morning and I have my first fill on the 18th with esophagram! The Long Island Bariatric Center will accept patients from Mexico. Their website is www.doryferraro.com.
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Feeling like quitting before I begin
Jaelzion replied to Kelchicky's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Everyone's experience is different, but I haven't found managing nutritional needs to be difficult after my sleeve surgery. I'm not cooking these days either but I'm able to get enough protein with basic things like rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, eggs, yogurt, cheese and so on. I eat a little weird because I don't often eat a whole meal but I'm managing to get my nutritional needs met (I know because I'm still keeping track of everything). And of course I take my multivitamin daily and B12 weekly as my doctor prescribed. My bloodwork always comes back fine, the only suggestion the doctor has given me was to start taking Vitamin D, which I did. And there's no malabsorbtion with the sleeve, so that's not a factor. I do find that my appetite is significantly reduced. I know hunger comes back more quickly for some people, but 20 months out I'm still hungry less often and less urgently than I was before. One of the BEST side-effects of surgery for me is that things that used to be "comfort food" for me no longer have that emotional kick they used to have. I can eat a pancake with syrup and it tastes good, but whatever that emotional hit was that I used to get, that's gone. And that's a VERY good thing for me. I mostly avoid the carby, sweet stuff but I do allow myself a treat every now and then. And then it's RIGHT back on my eating plan because I don't want to wake up cravings for all that stuff. I still don't keep sweets or junk food in the house. When I have a treat, I have to make a special effort to go get it and it's planned. And I only get enough for one serving. When that's gone, I'm done and it's back to protein, dairy, nuts, eggs, etc. I'm an apple shape like you, so I know exactly what you mean. I've lost 11 inches off my waist, which my doctor is ecstatic about. Only you can decide if weight loss surgery is right for you, but I wouldn't let malnutrition fears be the deal-breaker. Your bariatric team will give you a diet designed to meet your nutritional needs and they'll be monitoring you. All the best, whatever you decide! 🤗 -
13 Days til Banding!!!
CrochetGranny commented on CrochetGranny's blog entry in CrochetGranny's Journal
Today is day 3 of pre-op. I stayed within my calories yesterday, but overdid it on carbs!! I thought all the dinners in my freezer were less than 20 grams carbs; I cooked one then looked at the carbs: 43!! oh no, should have pitched it but I went ahead and ate it. Then had blueberries for snack, and they are higher carb too. Some friends came over and brought a watermelon, I went ahead and ate some because I didn't want to have to explain. She asked twice what kind of diet I was on and I said predominantly liquid, she wanted to know what kind, blah blah, so I finally went ahead and told them I was going to have lapband surgery in two weeks. (Wasn't planning to tell very many people, but I'm not good at making up stories as I go along) Anyway, I was surprised, she said it would be good for my health; I about fell over in surprise. Another protein review: 1) Whey Gourmet Creamy Orangesicle Swirl - just 'ok'. Too sweet tasting for me. I mixed it with ice and water; maybe should have used a little more water. I wouldn't buy it but others would probably like it. (It came in my Bariatric Eating sample pak. My goal for the rest of the diet: STICK TO IT!! Don't overdo the carbs. I am feeling full; however, the day I had my regular meal at lunchtime, I was hungrier in the evening, so think I will stick to having the regular meal in the evening since I feel fuller longer. -
I met my doctor on Wednesday and I've lost 18kg/40 pounds!! I was so happy. And he was very happy with me. He didn't want to give me a fill since I'm doing really well. He also said I'm putting too much pressure on myself. That he was happy and I should be as well. I should read too much about how much other people are loosing because our bodies do not work the same. But I'm incredibly happy. Also this is kind of a milestone. This is the second time I've lost 40 pounds in one run .... and well then I gained weight again. But this time, I'm going to get further, I'm going to loose more so ever pound after this will be a new milestone yay. This Friday I was sooooo hungry at lunch that I was dreaming of all kinds of food I was gonna eat that day. I had an omelette at work. I ate a bit too much. I ate until I was full and I never do that. But hunger does that to you. I was full all day! I couldn't imagine eating dinner even. I did but just a little. Before the lap band, if I got full, I could begin to eat again in 2 hours but not now. And guess what, I love it. This rarely happens that I eat so much. maybe happened 3-4 times in 6 months. I told my doctor that I was still learning and he understood that. I will do mistakes and learn from them. Ok 3-4 times eating to much haha, ok I might be a slow learner hehe But I'm so happy now. I tried on a dress I wore last Christmas and it's too big now And my panties. Seriously, I need to renew them! They are a size too big. My bra is still the same size ugh! hate that. But I was telling a coworker how much I'd lost and she told me that she noticed my hips ass getting smaller and yay again! soooo happy! I've always hated my hips and ass. I would do the Kardashians proud. They were even large when I was in a normal weight. But so far so good! loving my new life
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Quick and easy high protein healthy snacks/meals?
maxcimax replied to miss_smiles's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Bariatric Choice sells a Jello type desert. It has low calories & a good amount of protein. One box gives me 2 servings. I keep it on hand for when I want something sweet. I also put 2 packs of Splenda in the mix because I like sweet stuff. -
Syntrax Nectar fuzzy navel...premier protein chocolate shakes...Bariatric advantage chewable multivitamin ( for first 2 mos) then I switched to Centrum. ..
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I have UHC, but my employer has chosen a plan that excludes bariatric surgery. It all depends on what your employer has chosen.
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My evening treat is two Bariatric Advantage Calcium chews. They are caramel -- delish! I take calcium and magnesium in the evenings because they help with sleep.
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Hi Marty, I agree with everyone else. You are human...we succeed, we fail and we get back up and try again! You will be successful again and this is a great forum to come to for support. The people here are non-judgemental, truthful and inspirational! Good luck as you renew your committment to this journey!!!
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Hi, everyone. My name is Candy and I've just become a member. I've been struggling with my weight all my life but it's been worse after I had back surgery around 10 years ago. I have chronic back pain, costochondritis (arthritis in the chest ribs), diagnosed degenerative disc disease, Type 2 diabetes, arthritis in the body back at the incision site for my surgery. There's more but I don't want to take up everyone's time listing it all. My primary doctor at Kaiser finally agreed to refer me to the bariatric department. I haven't had my first appointment yet but feel relief from the referral. I plan on being a regular on the board, especially once I'm seen and evaluated by the department. I'll be a lurker till then. There's a lot of good information on this site so I'll be doing a lot of reading and pop in occasionally on some thread. I don't want to be a bother so help me out when I go on too long. Looking forward to getting to know everyone.
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It seems like everything has simply stalled for me and as a result I have lost focus..lost my mind..lost my excitement. I have been eating like I have a bottomless pit for a stomach. I do have see the bariatric surgeon again until the middle of next month and the sleep study the week after. I keep telling myself that I will get back on track tomorrow and find myself sidetracked. Work has been very stressful and co-workers and I have been going out for drinks and as a result have found myself the next morning trying to eat down hangovers the next morning or working through breakfast or lunch because it is so busy then going overboard at the next meal. Just picking up alot of the bad habits that got me to where I am today. The little bit of wieght I lost I am sure I have gained back and I feel my distractions have come easier because I am not moving along in the process to getting the surgery at the initial pace which seemed to have me doing something once a week when I first started my journey. One of the other concerns I have is making sure I have the money I will need for the psych and nutritionist appts that will cost me close to $500. With my oldest daughter in college and my youngest starting high school in a couple of weeks, my husband wanting to complete home improvement projects and no overtime at work my money is very "funny". So in a sense, the delay is somewhat of a blessing since it gives me some time to save but at this point and pace, I don't see myself getting a date until the end of the year or beginning of next year. From the beginning I have told myself if it is meant to be, everything that I need will be available when I need it and I will be just fine. My faith is all I have. So its another Sunday, and again I promise myself to get back on the horse of developing more positive habits, that will simply get me prepared for what I will eventually have to make a permanent part of my life.
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My wife has been in Dr. Davis's program since the first part of this year. We have Aetna and they required the 3 month program along with medical records from the last five years, a letter from her primary doctor, etc. Unfortunately, Dr. Davis's office has not been much help in this process. His office staff seems overwhelmed. Basically, my wife gathered all of the info they needed and gave it to them. They have botched the internal process every step of the way. Dr. Davis has changed office managers and other key employees at least once this year. The change didn't seem to help. They consistently assure my wife that things are being taken care of (like submitting the paperwork to Aetna for final approval) only to find out a couple of weeks later that they have done nothing. It's very disappointing that Aetna has chosen Dr. Davis as the only bariatric doctor in the Houston area. I am sure they wouldn't be happy with his performance if they knew. His whole program is very impersonal. The patients get treated like a number from day one. It seems that the entire goal of Dr. Davis's office is to process patients through the system (mental health visits, nutritionist visits, & all the other things required by insurance) in order to get them approved rather than really creating a program that educates the patient on what they need to know pre & post surgery. If you use Doctor Davis I believe he probably does a good job on the actual surgery but everything else about his practice is greatly lacking. You'll need to do your own research to equip yourself properly for the aftercare program. If my wife had a choice she would take her business elsewhere. Repeated calls to Dr. Davis's office to resolve these issues fall on deaf ears. It seems he doesn't really care if he has a disgruntled patient or loses one here & there. After all, he's got a line of 'em out the door waiting to get in. Its kind of like Wal-Mart losing a customer....so what, who cares? There's more where they came from.
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Well, there's cheap and there's good. My doctor recommends Whole Foods for Vitamins because they care about what they are selling. Quality tested, products rotated when expired, etc. My second choice would be Vitamin Shoppe. I bought many of my vitamins from Bariatric Advantage because they had the chewables. My doctor wants all vitamins to be chewable. But things like Vit D, Vit E are small enough gel caps to swallow. For Fish Oil, I use a gel pack from Coromega. Avail at GNC. For cheap, I would think Walmart or Target would be the cheapest. Or, you can keep an eye on the sales at Walgreens -- they have lots of 2 for 1 deals. Don't know if I would trust the quality. Here is my vitamin regimen: 1. Chewable Mulit Vitamin from Bariatric Advantage 2. Biotin capsules from Bar Adv 3. B12 Reditabs from Bar Adv 4. Chewable Calcium from Bar Adv 5. Vitamin D capsules from Whole Foods 6. Vitamin E capsules from Whole Foods 7. Magnesium Citrate capsules from Whole Foods 8. Plant-based Iron (Ferol) capsules from Walgreens 9. Fish Oil gel pack (Coromega) from GNC
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I remember seeing brochures in my Dr.'s office about loans for surgery. There are companies out there that give loans for this type of surgery. I would go to a search engine and type in Bariatric loans and you should find some companies that you could apply to. Good luck!
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I have a consultation scheduled with Dr. Manuel Castro on Wednesday. After my previous experiences with Bariatric Surgeons, I'm not sure exactly what to expect. My hubby keeps telling me not to get too excited or hopeful that Dr. Castro can help us. Yes, us. I want to eventually get my hubby approved for the VSG as well. He is only 20 pounds smaller than he was at his highest weight 5 years ago when he was banded. I went to my primary care doctor, Dr. King and he was upset with me over my blood pressure. Apparently it has become more and more difficult to control and I hope that if it comes downt to it he will write that down in a letter. I'm now on two seperate anti-hypertensive medications. Dr. King ordered labs to check my liver, kidneys and heart in order to see if there is a cause to my high blood pressure. Kidney disease runs in my family. So who knows? I'm trying not to think about anything else "bad" happening to my body. I already have depression, fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease, some herniated discs, sciatica and apprently high blood pressure. I believe a few of those could be helped with me losing the remaining 80 pounds that I need to. I know that the Sleeve is simply a tool and I have to stay on course and be good. I did great when I intially got the band having lost 140lbs. That was until Pamela (aka the band) decided to go all bitchy on me. :thumbup: That's it until Wednesday....
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Type 2 diabetes and the sleeve
thisfathasgot2go replied to StartingOver1118's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
My pre-op consult with the bariatric surgeon I was referred to, suggested RNY for diabetics and GERD sufferers over the GSV. I would bring this up with the surgeon you selected. Ask for a surgeon who has experience with both the RNY and GSV, and also consider a second opinion. -
And just when we start the process... Posted 10-07-2009 at 04:32 AM by everleigh
everleigh commented on everleigh's blog entry in Blog 75517
...something comes up to likely stop it altogther. Finally, after waiting 3 weeks for the initial wls seminars in my area for the 2 drs I'm considering (& getting my DH on board for me to get lap band (self pay) ) we just found out that DH may be out of his job! More than me getting wls, I'm so sad for him. The worst part is that he's not getting laid off. His industry isn't bad. Its literally like they just are letting him go for no reason. Well, they haven't officially yet but its looking that way. He spent yesterday refreshing his resume & contacting other firms. We'll see what happens. I haven't worked in almost 4 years. Its a little embarassing to make a student loan payment on a degree you don't use but I hope to work one day again. I always used to feel like I was overlooked, underused, and unappreciated because I was fat & frumpy. (Technically, I still am! ) Anyhow, I don't currently bring in an income to help. Fortunately, dh is an excellent saver & we can live for almost a year if he was out of work. Unfortunately for me, it was to be some of that savings for lapband. Now what do I do? Dh and I are supposed to go to wls seminar #1 tonight (for the Davis Clinic here in Houston.) I already know my insurance doesn't cover any bariatric surgery (but even if it did- my husband's insurance is now precarious as it is.) I was so excited at the prospect of lap band before the holidays. Now I feel guilty. Dh said we could still go to seminars and if his employment situation changes, it may still happen that I get 'banded' (someday.) I hope tonight brings some good alternatives & ideas for payment. On the one hand I really feel this surgery will save my life. On the other- how do I reconcile taking food off our table if given the option? I'll update post seminar. -
The surgery itself went well; unfortunately, I was held hostage until I could pee on my own My surgery was at 10:30 AM Monday. Really the pain was light and I was only dimly aware of the pain from the incisions in the recovery room. What bothered me in recovery was a very sore throat and dry mouth; the nurses on Dr on staff made sure that I was given something to help me with it right away. I didn't get transfered to the floor until late (around 9:30 PM ). Walking was easy, I took a walk around the recovery room and then later before I went to sleep I took a spin around the bariatric ward. It was easier each time I walked, but I did take the wrong corner on my Tuesday morning walk and met a number of office workers. Poor people I was not a pretty sight! I experienced a problem with the iv drip on the bariatric ward. Unlike the recovery room, the bariatric ward combines the pain killer and the fluids with one drip. I did have a hard time with the dual iv-it made my fingers swell and the pain killers didn't numb that pain. My night nurse was sympathetic and helped me by switching the iv to another hand. My day nurse was another story (I swear why do people who lack empathy go into medicine?) I was part of the Nurse Cynthia show! I'll stop right there because I'm praying for an answer about how to handle her. But in a nutshell, I had had my swallow test and had passed i; I don't know why she waited to get permission to get the iv taken out; I was in pain for hours longer than I needed to be and it wasn't because she couldn't find a doctor. Being on fluids and the iv just made matters worse. By the time she finally asked the Dr on duty my hands had swollen to the point where I couldn't hold my cell.The more liquid that went in me the bigger my hands got. Once the iv was out and I was only on the fluids the swelling in my hands gradually went down. Everytime, I eliminated the swelling got better although it did take over 24 hours. My hands were not normal until around 7PM. That's the one thing I hadn't read about on the site; all of my experience (except wicked Cynthia) were described by someone else. So maybe my sharing will help a future sleever. I'm on percocet at home; it works fine, but I'm determined to only take it at night. I have a huge fear of being adicted so I can't wait until I pour the pills in the toilet. I praise God for a successful procedure and I look forward to getting stronger each day. Cheers!
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9 Days to Fiance's VSG
HappilyHeather replied to HappilyHeather's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Thanks very much. The support group at the bariatric center gave us a bunch of information and tips, but it's very vague. I have a lot of little questions, mostly about the pureed phase, I think I'm pretty clear on the clear and full liquids. But, like, how do we handle avocados within any purees? It's a fat, but a healthy fat. Ya know what I mean? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App -
9 Days to Fiance's VSG
JamieLogical replied to HappilyHeather's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Thanks very much. The support group at the bariatric center gave us a bunch of information and tips, but it's very vague. I have a lot of little questions, mostly about the pureed phase, I think I'm pretty clear on the clear and full liquids. But, like, how do we handle avocados within any purees? It's a fat, but a healthy fat. Ya know what I mean? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App In the puree phase, the focus should always be on Protein, protein, and more protein. So it's going to be pureed meats (a little broth to moisten it), soft cheeses, Beans, eggs.... Probably won't be much "room" for veggies or fruits of any kind, because he'll be able to eat only tiny amounts (about 2 oz. at a time) and will be struggling to meet his protein goals. All through my liquid, pureed, and even some of my soft food stage, my husband and I just ate completely separate things. We made no attempt at preparing meals we could both eat. Once I was on to solid foods, it became really really easy. I just always had the meat from whatever my husband was cooking for dinner. I usually had about half of the meat portion he had for himself and saved the other "half of my half" as leftovers o have for a lunch later in the week. So if he was having chicken and rice, I just had the chicken and about half as much as he did. If he was having Pasta and sausage, I just had half the sausage he did. If he was having shrimp and veggies, I just had shrimp. If he was having meatloaf and mashed potatoes, I just had meatloaf. You get the idea. We eat dinner together almost every night and I just have the protein portion. It works out great for us. But, again, that was only really manageable once I was back on solid foods. -
Day 3 post surgery and I think I've lost 5 lbs!
BarbaraWM commented on BarbaraWM's blog entry in Big Blog Girl
CURRENT MOOD: :confused: My neck is feeling better after getting some percocet last night. I still have no idea what they did to it - maybe some vigorous adjustments when they put in the breathing tube? I did something wrong today. I'm not sure exactly what it was but probably coffee and vitamins at the same time. I took my time drinking the coffee and had only chewable bariatric vitamins...didn't matter. I got pain like really bad indigestion and it lasted and lasted. Finally after a couple of hours I decided to try a little yogurt and that seems to have worked to cut the acid. I've just come back from a walk and think it may be the cure for gas. Had the best burp while out walking and felt instant relief. But, maybe I didn't take the surgery thing seriously enough - got a bit winded and sweaty and now feel more tired than I should from only walking a mile slowly. Hoping tomorrow will be better when I get to start the day with some food. It would be nice to poop again some day too. -
Hormonal or medical setbacks?
NothingUpMySleeve replied to NothingUpMySleeve's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
My bariatric clinic reaches out to me about once a week. They are so nice but they're in mexico, so I need to find a local dr for follow up blood work.
