Search the Community

@@MsUjima Thank you so much for filling out the comment and for your kind words. Pass it around so I can hit that 100 comment goal! It means the world to me to have a community of people behind me supporting what I am doing. I hope that a lot of good will come for the bariatric community from putting myself out there. Keep up the awesome work with the FitBit. It is my go to tracking system. Keep working at adding just a few extra steps each day. You will be surprised how quickly they add up.

You can take a look at several "bariatric vitamins", e. g. Celebrate or FitForMe. There are chewables and pills available and you don't need to take a whole heap of them. They are usually taken two times a day.

Yes just call the customer service number on the back of your card and ask if bariatric surgery is covered and what are the medical requirements.

Well that was new...I called UHC to check on the status of my paperwork and I was transfered to the bariatric resources department. I had to enroll in their program and set up an appointment for their nurse to call me next Monday at 1:00 to go over my paperwork. The surgery is approved on a case by case basis. Anyone else go through this?

Have you called/been seen by your surgical group who did your surgery? Aren't we supposed to be seen by them at least once per year after surgery? I would start there...if you've moved away, I would find a new bariatric surgical group and go to them. Good Luck!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009 Look for the Smilemarkers A sliver of moon was showing in the sky the other day while I was playing outside with my grandson, David (4yrs). As usual he wanted to know why. I told him the moon wanted to play with him. Later he was drinking chocolate milk on the front porch and said, "The moon is drinking chocolate milk. He has a chocolate milk mustache." I love it when a four year old can use his imagination and make a joke. I love it when a four year old accidentally amuses me. David was riding in the van with his dad when he announced, "I want my crocs (sandals)." His dad stopped the car and asked him what he was wearing on his feet. David replied in all seriousness, "Dad, I'm wearing my toes." Children and laughter go hand in hand. I love being a grandmother and not having to do much of anything when I babysit but enjoy the kids. My two year old granddaughter loves to play hide and seek in her house. She always hides in her closet and she always tells me she's going to hide in her closet. When I try to go home she frequently tells me I'm hungry and I need to eat in order to keep me there. LOL. She already knows my weakness. There's a lot of evidence that laughter is good medicine. The Reader's Digest knew that before there were studies proving it. I use a lot of silly humor when I teach. To teach the ang sound I have a picture-card of a vampire with fangs showing. I'll put on my best Transylvanian accent, make my hands into claws, and say," I vant to bite your neck; I vish to suck your blood." The kids all shriek and laugh and are more likely to remember that ang makes the sound you hear in fang. I have a game that involves tossing a soft ball back and forth between me and a group of kids while saying math facts. I love to watch for the kid who stops paying attention and I'll look at another child while throwing the ball at the daydreamer who frequently gets hit by the ball which cracks everyone up and serves notice to pay attention. Today I was on Lapbandtalk, which has become my on-line support group and one of the women told a hysterically funny dream she'd had about another member of the group. Can't repeat it here because it involved partial nudity and showing off a well-shaped body part. Jokes were still flying hours later when I checked back in. Some of the best and funniest speakers I ever heard were recovering alcoholics telling their stories at open AA meetings. Some of the things they did and the situations they got themselves into were, in retrospect, hysterically funny. Without the humor, they'd have been too painful to tell. The funniest stories I tell on myself involve my ADHD and some of the things I've done as a result. Humor makes pain palatable. I'm not talking about sarcasm or angry ranting expletive deleted humor. Frankly, I don't consider that humor because it tends to be at other's expense. I'm talking about self-deprecating humor. Humor that gently pokes fun at the human condition but doesn't denigrate others. One of the funniest stories my deceased mother-in-law told involved driving off to work with her teeth on top of the car. One of the funniest stories my son tells is what happened when he tied our 6 month old 75 lb. Chesapeake Bay Retriever to a lightweight charcoal grill in my parent's driveway. Thank God for the passing motorist who chased down the dog and stopped him before the grill chasing the dog down the street caused the dog to drop dead of a heart attack. These stories and jokes we tell each other can only happen in community. We weren't created to live in isolation. And I firmly believe that God laughs with us. We're created in his image and he loves us with all our foibles so he must have quite a sense of humor. Humor is his gift to us, a gracelet that allows us to be refreshed, renewed, re-created and ready for the next thing life throws at us. So, even though food addiction is a serious disease, I try not to take myself too seriously. Life is a journey. Look for the smilemarkers along the way.

I personally have always taken Bariatric Vitamins, I tried the chewables even Flintstones YUK YUK!!! I buy Celebrate Capsules for $15.00 for 90 capsules. I buy 4 at a time so I don't have to pay S/H. I was told that you can open them and add them to food if you can't swallow them. I was told from the beginning that I needed to take a Bariatric Vit. I know that Dr.'s don't always agree. But I figured I would rather be safe than sorry. Thats just me tho.

...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.

I'm having my procedure on March 24th and was wondering if anyone had their procedure done at Abington Bariatrics? I have a few questions, especially about nicotine testing????

I am currently going thru the process w/BCBS FEP at the start of the process I had a bmi of 40 (which is lower now), I current have high blood pressure, high cholest, and severe sleep apnea (just diagosed 03/30/09). BCBS FEP will cover 70% of the surgery which means I'll pay the remainder which is 5000.00. It's been a very long process and at times I forgot about it completely but then I get an appt letter. I have no idea what the next step in the process is. my bmi and co-morbs alone should be enough. Havent been hassled by BCBS but this Hospital is giving me hell (Scott&White, Temple TX) time line 6/11/2008 orientation 12/2/2008 initial appt plus finance (BCBS FEP approved) 12/4/2008 psych evaluation (passed) 01/16/2009 (cardio pulmonary exam/refer to sleep study) 03/30/2009 sleep study (sleep apnea confirmed) 04/03/2009: still waiting, no date as of yet, called bariatric coordination who said they are waiting on the sleep lab results. honestley these appts are a nuisance

So I met with the surgeon's office today. Had the first meeting with the dietician, filled out the gigantic pile of paperwork and met with the doctor. Got some super amazing news from the coordinator of the program, which is not only does my insurance pay for the psych eval ($200), but also pays the program fees for the meetings and everything ($600). I was blown away. Then the super awesome amazing news - while my insurance carrier normally requires a documented 6 month dietitian/food class, my particular group does not. So that requirement is waived. On top of all that, when I went to check out and make my psych eval appointment, the nurse said - "Can you do today? Like in 15 minutes? She has an opening and she is right across the street." I said "sure!" and off I went. So in one day, I got my first appointment, first dietitian meeting, most of the paperwork and the psych eval done. Basically, I just have to attend one informational class/workshop/meeting and I am good to go! I feel like I at the wheel of a speeding train! As far as the debate, I had pretty much decided on Sleeve. I didn't like the idea of the bypass and I knew there were more complications with that procedure. But I do have Type 2 Diabetes and the RNY is this particular surgeon's gold standard for bariatric surgery. They said ultimately it is up to me, but now I am not sure. Anyone have any thoughts one way or the other? I am 44 years old, have approximately 150-170 lbs to lose and plan to live at least another 50 years. So for me it's mostly about the long term effects and while I know there is way more data about RNY, I just get skeeved out at the idea of re-routing my guts.

Ask about complications... All the what if's and has this happened to you. Research the hospital my ensurance would only allow me to go to a hospital that was a "center of excellence/disctinction center" in bariatric surgery. Just know you can ask questions up until they put you out for surgery Blue Distinction Centers are available for: Bariatric Surgery Cardiac Care Complex and Rare Cancers Knee and Hip Replacement Spine Surgery Transplants

I really need help. I just started a new job and it's time to sign up for my insurance. Called the company to see if my insurance will cover surgery snd they say I have no bariatric services. Is there anyone out there that knows any other way to get help to pay for surgery? I need this for myself and I can't pay it out of pocket. I'm so upset because when I started HR said they thought it was something I'd be able to get. So I had my hopes up. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I got a Blender Bottle from amazon.com and use it 2-3 times a day. Also, I use the small thermometer that unjury sent me when I ordered their bariatric starter pack (and I now have them sending me Protein cannisters on a monthly basis). Also, I like the Bariatric Support Vitamins (multi, Calcium and B12) that I get from the Vitamin Shoppe. I also bought two thermoses off Amazon - an 18 oz and a 28 oz version - I use both daily for work. I can fit 2 shakes into the 18 oz bottle with ice, and fill the other with my water/apple juice blend (can't do Water by itself right now). Would recommend that you consider baby-sized bowls/dishes and spoons as well. If you don't have a good blender/food processor, that will help you too. Protein preference is incredibly personal, as you will see. I like Unjury because it doesn't get as thick or foamy when blended as other powders - this is especially handy the first 2-3 weeks. My favorites are chocolate Splendor (with almond milk) and strawberry Sorbet (with water). I also like their chicken Soup, and need to try their cheese sauce, which is only available in Autumn/Winter. I also like Chike's Orange Creme flavor. I buy both Chike and Unjury directly from their websites.

Can you say yum??? Ordered Bari wise hot chocolate from bariatric choice and it is delish, about 80cal no fat less than 5gm carbs and 15grams protein!! I miss my coffee and hot chocolate this time of year and this really hits the spot!! I purchased a few of the variety packs (about $11) for 7 and love the mint and raspberry chocolate trying the amaretto and its yummy too!

In complete agreement with above posters. Meet with Bariatric surgeon and team. Learn all that you can about the procedure. I was able to gain information by following medical twitter and the bariatric thought leaders that post some of the latest data on metabolic changes that surgery brings. Also I found a great podcast by Reeger Cortell ARNP, called "Weight Loss Surgery Podcast". In the past 6 months I only experienced one unprofessional encounter, and that was with Cardiologist during appointment for cardiac clearance. Was scheduled for this next Monday but got the call today to postpone 2 weeks as I'm just getting over bronchitis. Reset for 11/4. Good luck to you! Let us know how things are going!

My insurance doesn't cover Bariatric Services either, but because my BMI is higher than normal they overrode my plan and it is covered. Check with your PCP to see if they can put in a referral to see if they will cover it. Good luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

No caffeine!!! Geaux, seriously no Caffeine, I about died when I heard that roflmao! One thing with Myfitnesspal.com since you know how it works. If I followed their suggestion for Protein, Carbs, sodium and calories I would end up gaining weight! Almost all doctors recommend the same thing with gastric sleeve and that's 80 grams of protein, 45-75 of carbohydrates and try to stay at 800-1200 calories a day (if you exercise and it tells you to add more calories and it says your aren't eating enough) ignore it. I quit doing Desserts like yogurt etc. and I started incorporating Peanut Butter on a teaspoon. I always ate my meat first, chew like 20 times and then go for your vegetables second, then and only then eat your carbs. Also, you have to learn not to drink with your dinner. I was a "choker" especially when I went out to eat. Something about eating in public, I always end up choking on my food and I am used to drinking Water with my meal. I learned that about an hour before dinner if I drank something hot like hot peppermint decaff tea I would be less hungry. I learned once I took away my drink with dinner, I chewed slower and chewed more thoroughly. I learned to wait at least 1/2 hour after I eat to then drink my water. These are all suggestions that were given to me in my packet and I spent 6 months practicing them. Not all doctors are that thorough, but it's worked for me when other things haven't. The reason for no caffeine is that it promotes stomach ulcers and more importantly, it causes dehydration. After surgery it's a struggle to get all your Fluid intake in and your liquid Protein in. Dehydration is a real problem. It's easier to quit caffeine before surgery than right after surgery because most people have withdrawals and headaches. I waited until I got approved to quit, so I had time to get used to it before I started on pre-op shake. Surgery is a week from tomorrow. A bit tired of drinking protein shakes and I decided not to have a big Memorial Bash because truthfully it would be hard having a huge party while on protein shakes, but my parents are going to swing by tomorrow to do some wii bowling. Good luck to you and can't wait to hear how your plan is going to go. All bariatric centers are different, mine seems to be one of the strictest compared to most. After surgery 2 weeks of Clear liquids, then 4-6 of full liquids then pureed, then soft, then regular. With pre-op diet, that's 10 weeks of no real solids.

Hi Veronica, I went to Mexicali for surgery with Dr. Wilhelmy too! You will be in great hands , he and all the staff at the hospital are awesome. I did have to call quite frequently the first couple of weeks mostly questions on the diet. You will meet with Dr. Campos who has a sleeve, is a bariatric dr and nutrition specialty too. He can answer your questions I just did not know what I had to ask when I was there. Do not worry too much the office staff will answer your questions you forget to ask there. Do not be nervous about going to Mexico, at least not to Almater hospital and wonderful medical team at Mexicali Bariatric. You will feel well taken care of and safe in their care. i would not change a single thing and would take my own mother for surgery there if she needed it.

There is few if any instant gratifying things in Bariatrics. You truly are in for the long haul. That said, the rewards when they come are WONDERFUL!💕👍💕

Hello, I am on the 2nd day of my two week diet. I am drinking bariatric advantage meal replacement . The doctor recommended. Is it normal to gave alot of gas and diarrhea

Medical issues related to what? I mean, I have psoriasis, but even a dermatologist would be hard-pressed to blame that on bariatric surgery. So, do you mean medical issues as a result of having a gastric band? Or medical issues (co-morbidities) that would help one qualify for bariatric surgery? Or what?

I was not told how much to eat, and the doc and dietician at the bariatric center told me different things as well. I have had less than 700 calories today, and actually had two eggs (over easy with 0 cal spray). My hubby mentioned that two eggs was a lot. I know I probably shouldn't have had eggs on the full liquid diet, but I needed to eat something different. I am having no restriction. Thanks for the response on the healing not loosing. I actually haven't lost anything in the last couple days, and thought it might be due to eating the oatmeal, cot. cheese, and soup. One other question. I see a lot of people talking about jerkey. I would have thought that would be totally off the menu. what's up with that?

I use Bariatric Fusion Vitamins. If you go with these, they're the only vitamins you need to take. They're chewable & you take them three times a day- a little pricey, but I get them through my doctor which is cheaper & then no shipping costs... I take those, biotin & my antacid prescription. Good luck to you.

No need to worry, just pulling myself out of the fog..... My surgery was Monday, 10/3 with Dr. Aceves. Since my surgery was the 2nd of the day, I was given a sedative to relax. The rest of the day is a blur. I remember people coming in to get me....blur........I remember looking up at the ceiling as I was being wheeled to surgery......blur.........I remember someone telling me to turn on my side and bend my knees for the spinal block....blur.....and OUT. I don't remember recovery at all. The next thing I remember is being back in my room, thinking it must be over and then falling back asleep again. I was in and out of sleep for the rest of the night, knowing that nurses came in and out, taking my temp and blood pressure, but not really ever becoming fully alert. Sometime early Tuesday morning, I told one of the nurses I needed to use the bathroom. Although I stumbled a bit, I made the trip successfully and immediately fell back asleep. Later that morning, they brought me those infamous 4 little cups of blue "apple juice." They weren't good, but they were tolerable. I sipped and slept, sipped and slept, sipped and slept for hours. Several times that day, Dr. Aceves, Dr. Campos and the nurses came in and told me to try to get up and walk. I'd answer "Sure, ok." with every good intention of doing it, but I'd always fall back asleep. I really had a tough time coming out of all that med-induced sleepiness. By late afternoon Tuesday, I finally got up and walked the halls. I was completely pain-free (yes, really.....it must have been the spinal block), but I felt unsteady on my feet and climbed back into bed about 5 minutes later. Tuesday night was pretty much the same as Monday night, but I woke up Wednesday morning feeling alert and energetic. I took a shower and even put on a little make-up! Wednesday, I walked several times, visited my neighbors, sipped tea and finally got a bowl of that wonderful chicken broth everybody raves about. Yes, it IS that good. By the time I left on Thursday morning, I felt pretty good - minimal pain and absolutely no nausea. It may have been this sense of well-being that caused me to completely overdo it on Friday. BIG Mistake! I met up with a friend Friday afternoon to do a "little" shopping that turned into a 5-hour shopping spree. I thought I was listening to my body.......I sipped Isopure all day........I took sitting breaks pretty often, but by the time I got home, I felt awful. My abdomen was completely swollen with Fluid and gas. I looked 9 months pregnant and felt equally uncomfortable. That was the first time all week I broke down emotionally. I remembered reading somewhere that Day 4 after surgery was the worst..........and that was definitely true for me! So, I sobbed myself to sleep Friday night and woke up Saturday with renewed energy and renewed resolve. I really took it easy that day. I stayed in all morning, sipping Protein and napping. By 3:00 pm, I felt good enough to take my son to a birthday party. It was a huge event, and EVERY single person there must have told me to eat......twice! But I politely told them I had eaten before I came and continued to sip on my bottled Water. The party lasted about two hours and I was definitely ready to come home by then. I went to bed about 7:30 pm, slept pretty soundly, and here I am at 5:00 am on Sunday, finally getting on the Internet for the first time since surgery. To sum up, I've really had a fairly easy recovery. Considering the mess my Band had made of my stomach and liver (Dr. Aceves told me it was NOT and easy revision) I've had very little pain except for the incision sights. I've experienced none of the shoulder "gas" pain I had with the Band surgery. I've had no nausea or stomach pain......just a lot of gas and gurgling. No doubt about it, those first four days kicked my butt, however, I think I'm over the "hump" now. I have one more week of recovery before I have to go back to work and I'm sooooo glad I didn't try to rush it and go back any sooner. I hope all my fellow October sleevers are well, whether you are just home from surgery or about to have it. Take it easy and follow the rules........you'll do great!