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Hi, my name is Ronda. I have been a bariatric patient for 10 years now. Initially, I had RNY done and lost 85 pounds with it. My maintenance was steady for about 5 years, but started declining--regained weight, bone loss, anemia, circulatory and cardiac problems. I have hypertension, but am severely allergic to those drugs for treatment. Weightloss and management is the only way I have of keeping my health in good shape. In 2007, I went to a new bariatric surgeon to seek an evaluation on my prognosis; he said revision surgery was needed to attend to severely stretched stoma. Insurance always held strong opposition to any treatment for my problems. This visit, Dr. tried 2 times to appeal the insurance for treatment--failed both times. Some time passed, and I had changed employment status and my healthcare needs were being covered on State Medicaid. This time, I learned that my bariatric treatment was covered under my Medicaid plan, but would need evaluations from the pulmonologist, cardiologist, psychologist, and dietician/nutritionist, in addition to following a dr-supervised weightloss plan with my pcp--I started all of this last September. It took solid 9 months of negotiating coverage and ultimate surgery that I had with my doctor on May 31st here in Phoenix. AZ. I am 3 weeks postop now. My loss is 23 pounds, and still mostly blender shakes and some pureed foods. I find that I don't really like what I ate preoperatively. Most of the foods taste too sweet--even if sugarfree. I had laparoscopic surgery so the healing is great--just unable to lift anything yet. I am driving, and doing most of my chores as long as I don't lift anything over 15 pounds. I walk the malls, and try to keep busy per dr's orders. Yet that is a challenge now that we have 110 or hotter days coming this summer. I still keep at it, tho. I know my surgery was a gift from God--in every sense of the word, as was the initial RNY procedure back in 2001. Both surgeries saved my life! Forever, will I be indebted to the Powers that Be.

For anyone in the DFW area looking for these products, they carry them in stock in Midlothian at the US DRUG MART. They can get anything, but have a good supply on hand and will carry anything that you ask them to. Stephanie there had the sleeve about a yr and a half ago and is very well versed on what things work, at least for her. She will give you samples to try to see if you like the taste. Just super helpful.

I have PCOS as well, am insulin-resistant and have thyroid issues. I take medication for both plus HBP meds. I am 44. I wear a size 22/24. I have been going to monthly support groups since the Summer of 2014 and going through all the insurance requirement visits with my last nutritionist appointment just last week. I am struggling so much with which surgery to go through. My surgeon said RNY is best for anyone with sugar issues. I am not diabetic--yet! I do, however, take Metformin every single day since TTC 12+ years ago (have two children now). I don't want to end up with diabetes--this is my biggest fear. But my sister had RNY in November 2014 and has been in the hospital three separate times for dehydration. I'm really struggling. At the support groups, it seems like all the newbies have gotten or are getting the sleeve. It seems so much easier to deal with after the surgery to have the sleeve. Also, I believe if you get the sleeve, you do have the option to later 'upgrade' to the RNY if needed, but who wants to count on that?? But I believe there is more risk of putting weight back on later with the sleeve and my nutritionist said I would lose more weight with RNY. Uggh. It is so tough. You talk to almost anyone who has gone through with RNY, all say they would do it again in a heartbeat--even my sister I think! This is just so hard. I am really struggling. But then wonder if my worries are just another excuse which all of us who struggle with weightloss are so very good at--making excuses. Problem I am experiencing is that I don't really think these bariatric surgeons truly understand PCOS. I no longer see a reproductive endocrinologist for my PCOS because I am no longer TTC, but I do see a regular endocrinologist. I wish I could see a study of PCOS patients who have undergone the surgery and really see their long-term results--like over one to two years out? I will be mortified if I get this surgery and then stretch out the sleeve or pouch only to get fat again.

Well my OBGYN and bariatric team strongly encouraged RNY because of my PCOS. This surgery is really supposed to help with symptoms and get rid of it all together, part of my symptoms are completely irregular periods and never ending periods like unless i used depoprovera mine would never stop so I'm 2 months post opp RNY and as of yet no changes in my symptoms I've been on my period almost since surgery with only 2 weeks free, but i feel it's almost gonna stop. Now my current issue now is i can no longer use the depoprovera needle cause of osteoporosis so I'm still working with my team as to what birth control/hormone treatment will work for me with Rny. Also i was told by my team that as more weight comes off the symptoms should disappear. So here's hoping they are right.

Can anyone tell me if they submitted for the bariatric choice vitamins for low income? If so, about how long before you received your shipment. My doc sent off today and surgery date is Oct 5th. Would like to be sure I have vitamins on hand.

All: I hear your concerns and very much support your choice of which surgery is best for you, as only you can decide what is best for your body. While my surgeon was equally partial to both surgeries, I really liked the idea of great weight and rapid weight loss with bypass, but didn't like the idea of being completely rerouted internally. However, instead of gastric bypass, I really wish I had known about VBG or the gastric sleeve as both of these procedures produce great weight loss with less complications than bypass. I am by no means trying to sway you into a surgical procedure, only stating that I myself only thought there were two bariatric options (being bypass and lapband) and wish I had known there were other options that were combination restrictive/malabsorptive. Bottom line: learn about as many options as you can and make the decision that is best for YOU, regardless of what the surgeon wants/pushes.

Hello, everyone. I am a long time stalker, first time poster of this forum. I got the lap band in 2012 at 302 pounds (my heaviest ever, at the time.) After getting banded, I lost 35 pounds but I had to fight for every ounce to come off. I never felt like I was in the ‘green zone’ that the clinic continually talked about. I went in religiously for fills but never felt like I could eat small portions only three times a day and be satisfied. I even questioned my sanity and if head hunger really had that much control over me. After a year and only 35 pounds lost, when I needed to lose at least 150 pounds, the NP told me that I could not get any more fills. I was experiencing some stuck episodes but the NP said that my band was already at 8cc’s in my 10cc band and it wouldn’t hold any more fluid. So I left bawling. Here I was – a year out from surgery, having paid out of pocket for this device that didn’t do bunk to help with the hunger like it claimed to. So, I quit. I stopped eating healthy, I stopped trying, I stopped caring. I did that for a year and kinda maintained my 35lb loss but that was it. I eventually went to my primary care doctor who wanted me to start Metformin ER, but they are massive horse pills and because I needed the extended release, I couldn’t crush them. So I went back to my clinic and had all the fluid removed to take the Metformin. Well, long story short, I’m now sitting at 325 pounds. So I’ve gained back the 35 I lost in 2012 and have since packed on an additional 25 pounds. Last month, I had family in town and many people taking pictures - full length, unflattering angles, kinds of pictures - and posting them online. I had a coming to Jesus moment when I literally didn’t recognize myself. I’ve never seen myself as big as I am. Last year, I had two friends get the vertical sleeve and both get phenomenal results. I’m finally ready to take care of myself and finish what I thought I started in 2012. I’ve contacted the clinic that both of my friends went through and have a consult set up for next Monday. Does anyone have any advice or a similar story? I am almost frozen in fear when I start thinking that because the band failed for me, the sleeve will too. I cannot pay out of pocket for a second bariatric surgery and not get results. I don’t think I can mentally survive that.

Dump the band. Seriously though, my bariatric program isn't even doing them anymore

For a while, I could only have one serving per day, either applesauce or canned peaches. At three months I was more able to eat raw fruit. Now, I am 17 months out. When I make a smoothie I will be liberal with berries, but cautious with bananas. Most days, I will eat one piece of fresh fruit or the berries. Last week I read A Pound of Cure by Dr. Matthew Weiner. He is a bariatric surgeon and recommends that once we are several months out and hit an arduosly long stall of several weeks, a person's diet could be adjusted by eliminating processed sugars (white sugar, corn syrup, powdered sugar, molasses, etc) and artificial sweeteners including Stevia (which I have mentiond many times is my one vice in this whole process). He also recommended eliminating wheat and grain products, but I am already there a long time ago. He implies that since sugar from fruit is natural, the body processes it differently than processed sugar and should be embraced months out from surgery. Based on his theories in the book, starting on Friday morning I eliminated Peanut Butter, milk, cheese and sweetener (I was up to 30 a day) from my diet. I added more greens and veggies, and made a huge bean salad with cuke, tomato, mushrooms, green pepper, celery and salsa added to mix in with spinach and greens cold salad. I have also had a pear and an apple each day and either apricots or cherries at bedtime. I am also drinking 80-100 ounces of Water in between all that. I was skeptical, since the scale has not moved for months in spite of my best efforts and an aggressive exercise program. I should not be surprised that my bowels are moving properly like crazy without laxatives, stool softeners and prune juice. But from Friday morning to Monday morning, I have lost three pounds. When I get to 135, I will be recommended for a panni. Although I was checking in ok on water, Protein, carbs, and calories, my Fiber was very low. These adjustments certainly add fiber and reduce fat (I lovvvvvvve cheese and could eat it all day). My one year labs were excellent except that my bad cholesterol was off the charts. I have a doctor visit and blood labs coming up on June 23rd I think.....well it's that week anyway. I am hoping that this added fiber add reduced fat will help. I am still not off of my blood pressure meds. Even though I have have good numbers at the doctors office, he will not take me off of my blood pressure med cocktail until I get my cholesterol down. I can see his point since I already had a stroke when I was heavier. If that visit goes well, I will keep eating fruit and Beans and greens.

Each bariatric group has different limitations so you'll want to follow what your group recommends for you. I believe most groups thought, prefer our proteins to not be covered in crumbs, crackers, flour etc because they tend to want to keep the carb count pretty low and the protein count high. Best bet is to call your nutritionist or surgeon's office. Good luck!

I did liquid vitamins for the first 4 weeks after surgery, then switched to Trader Joe's High Potency chewables. I take a double dose to meet ASMBS guidelines. Even with a double dose they are much cheaper than specialized bariatric vitamins. They are very low calorie and low carb. I have my labs drawn regularly and they are always great.

sounds exactly like my program (US Bariatric-FL) I'm 1 week postop and would really like to chew something! My appt is next Fri; I'm hoping he'll ramp up the program for me, though doubt it - regardless of how many times I promise to chew!:hungry:

My Bariatric program at Beth Israel used to do clothing swaps for their WLS veterans, but they stopped because nobody ever needed the clothing that was being donated and they didn't have the clothing that newly transformed people needed because no one was obese anymore! Hehe... I have some experience with swaps in the "normal world" (maybe I should say average world?). I never could fit into anything that the other girls brought and no one ever picked up my stuff. They weren't all that fun. I do sell some of my things and buy some things on eBay.

If I may, another resource is http://shrinkyourself.com whether you opt for the free or pay version. It's about emotional eating, not bariatrics or any particular method of weight loss.

Go directly to the bariatric surgeons practice you will be using and chevk if they use a dedicated pcp list for process approval. A lot of practices will have something like this set up to help the process along. Good Luck 💜

I would say combine both. Choose low fat and lean meats, low fat dairy, have a variety of vegetables and fruits, avoid high calorie liquids and sweets. Keep portion size appropriate and it should be about 1,000-1,200 calories. I haven't moved onto bariatric stage 5 diet yet, but I've looked on Amazon and have several WLS/bariatric cookbooks in my shopping cart that I'm interested in.

It boggles my mind that for all the people who go to Mexico, we could PAY for the surgeries at the waste that is in here. Just sickening. I'd go for people paying for the plane fare, but we could pay for the costs of surgeries, including plastic surgeries down there. That would take some punch out of "surgery mills" up here. Bet they would get their act together too, some of these ones are just money hungry here in the states. Jumping into it for the money. Really torks me. We could support good docs across the border, our own American people, and get them healthier. Any one else agree? I feel a better use of our dollars is giving that and say a limit on plastic surgery after bariatric surgery ($40K limit, must be 1 time for loose skin removal). http://www.realitybase.org/journal/2009/10/12/the-dysfunction-and-corruption-of-our-healthcare-system-its.html

Can't buy Bariatric Advantage in UK, anybody happen to know a good alternative in this country, thanks.

Hello Tseeks You all going to laugh! So I was re-reading the pre-op liquid instructions from the book that I was provided by my surgeon and guess what! It said very BOLD & w/CAPS Bariatric Advantage it's the MANDATORY pre-op liquid diet for our pts to use.....so I guess I'm going to have a little trip to GNC tomorrow after work to return the 3.5 boxes I bought lol I guess I'm so anxious that I totally forgot that I was told plus that I READ that part of the diet...and I was feeling so weird after I bought them and now I understand why, b/c they went the right ones lol Thanks for the positive support, I hope all the best for all of you. I'll keep y'all update w/my progress

The warning bells that I hear is that you have a PB 3 times a week bc you are going too fast. If you have another fill before you address this the PB's will only get worse and you will be more prone to eating the ice-cream, which is easy and soothing after a PB. I would recommend you manage things to reduce the PB to 1/fortnight the most then determine if you need or can manage another fill. If old habits are sneaking in, yes a little amount of Fluid will help take the edge off, but as others have commented (great to see), re-address your total food intake and exercise levels. Hope this helps Helen Bauzon Specialist Bariatric Dietitian

I read many posts here from day to day...and every so often I feel I need to get my story out there...if anything, a declaration for my own edification... Before this WLS, I literally had one foot in the grave, there were so many medical issues and my prognosis was very bad...I'll not get ino it now, but I have in the past...in the 3-5 years prior, I had to bury my Sister, and my Brother...both who died too young from complications from being Obese...and I was walking right in their footsteps... My PCP seriously talked to me, more as a friend, to be sure I had some funeral plans in the way of expenses, and also asked me if my family would be Ok and taken care of.... ANY type of WLS, (in my case it was Lap band), was a LAST RESORT....DO OR DIE (maybe that explains my aggressiveness...no fooling around, dam the torpedoes) That was 3 years ago, I am now 100% successful with my body determining what my weight should be....very low body fat %, in the "Athletic" range...I simply have no more excess weight of fat to loose...any more would be unhealthy...a true starvation mode not unlike the psuedo one everyone talks about. ALL my medical conditions have completely reversed, (other than the permanent damage to my heart muscle from a heart attack), no more Med's, all bloodwork #'s perfect right down the middle.... I am a Poster Child at my Bariatric center, often asked to talk at support and first time introduction meetings...(I'm careful to explain ALL people are different and choose their different weight loss paths) I'm 61 soon to be 62, run 5 miles a day...go to the gym 5 days a week...I feel like I am 30 years younger... I have NEVER had a single complication....I DO NOT consider this a "TOOL"...I consider this corrective surgery...I cannot over eat no matter how hard I may try...I am never hungry 24 hrs a day with no cravings and actually, have very little interest in food altogether....It's a mental thing for me because of the placement of the band.... A "TOOL" is something I can control...I cannot control this, it has complete control of me....If I was in control, and can "Use" this as a tool, I would surely screw it up and fail.... I DO NOT count calories, measure portions, keep logs, etc...in other words, I have been set free from DIETS!! I now live a Normal LIfestyle, I eat, work and play the way a person is supposed to do, not the abnormal gluttonous lifestyle I once used to live that made me sick and fat... But now, I find this the easiest thing there is..absolutely No work or struggle.... of course, during the first post-op phase, which took me 4-6 months of adjusting, was pure hell and frustrating to say the least...but I did not back down, and fought through it...it was that important to me......it has now become day to day, a way of life I do not think about that much anymore...as if I had my gall Bladder taken out 3 years ago... Of course there are things I need to know and certain rules I must follow...but they are new habits...no longer a list....I don't have to think about what foods I can or cannot eat...I just know...I don't have to remind myself how to chew and take my time...I just know..and if I should forget, the band is there to immediately warn and remind me... IF I should ever encounter any complications, I will deal with them when and if they come.....better than being dead! One thing I have noticed to be a truth...the lap band is adjustable, and it seems all people have different levels as to where they want to be with this...for me, nothing less than maximum "Green Zone" life will do...and my Dr. understands....IMO that does not mean one person is right or wrong...as long as you're successful in your path, that's all that matters....I HATE IT when someone says the way they are doing it is the ONLY WAY, then goes and instructs people just starting out...doing more harm than good...no matter there are so many confused people....all anyone should ever do is give their own personal experience in any given situation...if they have none, then keep quiet and let someone who has experience speak...I love it when someone who has been banded for 6 weeks is going to tell me how I should be doing things... Anyway, It's 5am, I'm off to the gym soon when they open at 6 on Saturdays. ALL THIS because I chose to have the Lap Band Surgery....it could have been one of the other procedures, I don't know...this is he only one I have any experience with....so this is the only procedure I can talk about....

Just an update. I joined WW 3 weeks ago. I am suppose to eat 27 points plus 35 points a week free. Well, that is too many calories. After going down to 20 points a day and 35 extra the weight is really coming off. That is becuase that is 1k a day plus about 200 extra which is 1200 calories. Bandsters typically take in 800-1k no more than 1200 so my guess is you MAY have to lower your points if they give you too many. I have perfect restriction, still stop when I am full and am really enjoying the program now. It really keeps me straight throughout the day as far as consumption goes. I did tell the Leader that I had bariatric surgery and she didn't say anything about me not being able to make lifetime. Also, given the fact that the success rate with lapband is 62% of your excess weight my doctor is fine if I go 20 lbs above goal weight of 162 and hit 185. I would still be considered overweight but truthfully speaking I look terrible at 165, not thin. With a doctor's note I can still become lifetime. I however, would not be able to work for WW if I hit the 185 goal because it is not there standard weight. Let me know how you do. I weigh in this Saturday and I know I am down at least 2 lbs this week eating most of the day. Its nice to implement more fruit and vegies into my diet!

I couldn't handle any of the chewables. My surgeon recommended the bariatric advantage chewy bites and I love them - all 4 flavors.

There's an app called bariatric timer my NUT told me about, when you eat something tap the bagel and when you drink, tap the wine glass and a countdown clock appears telling you when you can eat or drink next.

It is also important to remember that bariatric surgery is not a magic weight loss solution. It is simply a tool to help keep you on the right path. Everybody is different. Everybody will have different results. Your body has gone through a huge change. Give it time to do it's thing. Just follow the program and it will happen! It WILL happen! Don't get discouraged. Don't worry about it. Just do it! Good luck!