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I have been having HORRIBLE acid reflux at night. I went to the dr and got totally unfilled and he put me on some medication and it is still happening. I have no other signs of a possible slippage and im just totally freaking out bc thats the LAST thing i need right now. I have been trying to eat better and i have noticed when i do the acid reflux doesnt bother me. I have also tried to stop eating/drinking after 7pm and that seems to help too... but every once in a while i will eat something that will irritate it or eat too late and i wil be up all night! I was just wondering if anyone knew if acid reflux could be a sign of something else other then a slippage? I know most of you are going to say go to the dr again...and i will... i just wanted to know if anyone has had a simmilar experience or has heard of anything like this and it not be something as serious as a slip. thanks

My surgeon palpates your abdomen in the pre-op appointment and has you go on the liquid diet if he feels a fatty liver is going to be an issue (in my case, I didn't have to do it--I think it's more common for people who have a lot of abdominal adipose tissue, which is usually genetic as related to some people having more of an "apple" shape). However, if my surgeon had told me to do a liquid diet--I definitely would have followed it religiously. Two weeks pre-op is not really the time to be doing food funerals (I didn't do that bc I didn't want to have to work harder after surgery to take off weight I would have surely gained). I don't agree that it's the surgeon's "opinion" that matters--it's the evidence-based medicine that matters, and hopefully we all have surgeons that follow the EBM. Mine did, and that's one of the reasons I chose him.

The 15/10/5 is a good idea, but does your RD include a snack too? Bc that would only be 45 g of protein/day, which isn't a lot. My RD recommends 20 g of protein per meal and if you have 1 snack, to make it something like a 10 g protein snack....

Tips for Improving Your Body Image: Accept your genetic body type: Remember that your weight, height, and bone structure are strongly determined by your genes.. Healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes. Stop comparing yourself to others. How others look has nothing to do with you. Be media conscious. We are bombarded with media messages telling us our bodies are not perfect… Most fashion and women’s magazines focus on an ideal of beauty that is just not something that anyone in real life can be. Remind yourself that the body images you see are manufactured by make up artists, hair dressers, airbrushing specialists, fashion designers, lighting specialists, and cosmetic surgeons. Also know that many fashion models have eating disorders and are not able to maintain their low body weight in a healthy manner. Create a Why I Like Myself List. Think about all the things about you that you like… are you Funny? Creative? Honest? Intelligent? Think of all the reasons you deserve to love yourself and write them down. Remind yourself of all the things you are besides a body. Read this list daily and add to it every time you think of something else you like about you. Create a Body Appreciation List. Think about how your body has continued to show up for you no matter how much you fed or starved it, exercised it or not. Write these things down. Remember that your heart has continued to beat, your lungs continue to breathe, and your liver continues to detoxify your body. As well, maybe your body has learned a new skill, gotten stronger, taken you to the top of a hill, rejuvenated during sleep, or allowed you to comfort a child, share love with a spouse, or go shopping with friends!. Celebrate your body and the marvelous things it can do. If you’ve had Weight Loss Surgery note all the things that your body can do now that it could not do before. How has your life changed because of the changes your body has gone through? Read this list daily and add to it every time you are grateful for something your body has done. Stop thinking that thinner thighs are the answer to all of life’s problems. When you find yourself hyper focused on your body stop for a moment and ask yourself what you would be doing, thinking, or feeling if you were not obsessing about your body. What is this preoccupation stopping you from being present to in your life? Are you in anyway benefiting from focusing on what you believe to be your physical flaws? Commit to feeling the feelings that arise as you ask yourself those questions and really listen to the answers you hear/feel. “Act as if you” were comfortable in your body even If you are not quite “feeling it” yet. How would you walk, what would you wear, how would you speak to people, what kind of self talk would you be speaking, what kind of eye contact would you make with others? Use these questions as a guide for “acting as if”. Notice how it feels to carry your body with an air of love and respect. Speak (and think) only kind and loving words and thoughts to and about your body!! If you find yourself being critical of your body, stop and acknowledge that this will not support you feeling good about yourself. Then, respond to yourself as you would to a best friend. For every negative thing you catch yourself saying about your body, apologize to your body and say 2 loving/ appreciative things about your body. Make a decision to truly “nourish” yourself. Read a good book, take a bubble bath, schedule a massage, get a haircut, dance to your favorite song, make plans with a friend, take a nap, ask for a hug, give yourself permission to say “no”, meditate, pray. Make it your intention to move and enjoy your body: go walking, swimming, biking, dancing, do yoga, tai chi, etc… not because you have to but because it makes you feel so good. Your body deserves to be treated well. Surround yourself with people who celebrate and appreciate you. Say “thank you” to compliments without discounting them. Know that you can control your experience of your life by the thoughts you choose to think. How you experience your life is a direct consequence of your predominant thoughts and feelings. By making a decision about the thoughts you choose to think (which are the precursors to your feelings) you take responsibility for creating your reality. So if you decide to think about what is not good about your body you will attract to you experiences of your body not being good enough, and more than likely will live in a state of “waiting till things get better (i.e. my thighs get thinner)” before you can really be happy. If you choose to think about what is good about you, what you like and appreciate about you, you will feel gratitude and be more likely experience your life as abundant and joy-filled! The next time you find yourself being critical of a particular body part, sit down and write a letter to that body part telling it exactly what you don’t like about it and how it makes you feel. Then have that body part write back to you telling you how it felt to read that letter. Then write back to that body part…….. and just notice what happens………. If you have any thoughts or comments about this blog I would love to hear from you. You can respond below to this blog or email me at louisa@louisalatela.com.

But he never mentioned anything about spitting!!!! Why are you trying to drag other people's comments into this? Maybe you need to go suck your mans wee wee bc I think you are hungry!

Your very welcome. I have been speaking with quite a few people who have been having difficulty with their protein Intake bc they're so fresh from surgery that I thought if this has helped me drastically finally get in all my protein I need to share it so it may be helpful for others to do the same. I actually look forward to drinking it!!! What a difference from four days ago lol.

Anthem BCBS of PA here... Live in NJ and doc in NY. Anthem rep - Anna, who was contacting me every step and was very helpful. Got a phone call from Anna when BCBS did not receive request from doctor's office, then when she did not receive the only form they require in the pile of papers doc office sent, then when she got everything, and back in 30 min with approval. VS Surgery coordinator in Doc's office (nothing good to say about her - she made the pre-approval hell for me) told me I will need 6 month pre-opp diet, 5 years medical history in order to be approved - BS Insurance provided 25 page doc with no mention of 6 month diet or 5 years of med documented 'trying to loos weight' history. She never returned my phone calls, and took for ever to fax paperwork. All the frustration with that one person in doc's office definitely worth the way I feel today.

I thought I replied to this yesterday but I guess I didn't. Just wanted to say I've had a rough couple of weeks with head hunger myself. Bouncing down into Onederland and back up and out. I'm being gentle with myself. And staying aware that the head hunger does not get fed with food. Or drink. The stresses I'm feeling from a pending divorce and my younger daughter leaving for a semester in Europe in a couple of weeks, on top of an edgy relationship with my mom (I'm living there for now and feel like I'm 20 again, and not in a good way) are all stressing me out in a big way. Food was on my mind all week, even though with my latest tiny fill I'm probably at the perfect green zone for now. WLS does not fix our brains. But the good news is that I have the power to recognize the underlying issues now, and the strong desire to work on them. No distractions from an emotionally unavailable and outright hostile and mentally abusive spouse. I can self-care without self-medicating. I'm kind of grateful that I'm not at goal weight yet during this first Christmas after leaving my home, because it gives me a physical goal to continue to strive for as well as the emotional goals. I hope this makes sense. I feel like I've grown a thousandfold in the nine months since my surgery. There's so much more to do, but I've got time.

Banded 3/19/2012 this summer had to get all fluid taken out. Lost total of 40 lbs, gained back 30 recently. Dr wanted to do revision, bc of stomach coming up over band. Insurance wouldn't pay for new wls so, I said to keep my band. I'm all good now, it went back down with unfill and liquid diet. I go next week for another fill(3rd since unfilled), right now I still have no restriction. With my Dr hating the band now, and not doing them anymore, I feel so isolated. Started local support group this week, but no one has had the band. I feel like I'm on my own. Could anyone give me an encouraging lapband story?

I have $25 but since I'm revision I got very used to all my old vitamins and supplements. I'm willing to give it a month but pretty much know I will go back to my old stuff. Not big on the B12 nasal spray or taste of new ones Sent from my XT1254 using the BariatricPal App I have $25 but since I'm revision I got very used to all my old vitamins and supplements. I'm willing to give it a month but pretty much know I will go back to my old stuff. Not big on the B12 nasal spray or taste of new ones Sent from my XT1254 using the BariatricPal App Sorry $25 copay not sure what insurance pays BC do not know total Sent from my XT1254 using the BariatricPal App

I will never forget day one sitting in the hospital room thinking, what the hell did I just do to myself. When I went home I couldn’t swallow water it hurt too much, I would dip my tongue into the little medicine cup and absorb it I guess 😂. They gave me liquid oxy for home and it helped the pain but you will need to take something to help prevent constipation if you can’t get enough fluids bc that’s miserable in itself. But best advice is set a timer, tell seri or Alexa to to remind you to drink. Walk, walk walk, don’t try to go hiking when you are still barely able to get food in bc you will feel good but if you over do it too quickly you will feel like or possibly pass out.

You may be sick of them now, but protein shakes are also an option. I am also in class/ labs and the protein shake has been a life saver bc they don't req refrigeration and you are not technically "eating" in class... Good luck to you!

The only pain I experienced was with the drain after surgery, after it was taken out I felt much better! I'd check with your doctor about the pain bc it could be something that needs attention. Hoping all is well soon!

Whatever you are looking for you will see… AND... When you change the way you look at things the things you look at change! Tips for Improving Your Body Image: Accept your genetic body type: Remember that your weight, height, and bone structure are strongly determined by your genes.. Healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes. Stop comparing yourself to others. How others look has nothing to do with you. Be media conscious. We are bombarded with media messages telling us our bodies are not perfect… Most fashion and women’s magazines focus on an ideal of beauty that is just not something that anyone in real life can be. Remind yourself that the body images you see are manufactured by make up artists, hair dressers, airbrushing specialists, fashion designers, lighting specialists, and cosmetic surgeons. Also know that many fashion models have eating disorders and are not able to maintain their low body weight in a healthy manner. Create a Why I Like Myself List. Think about all the things about you that you like… are you Funny? Creative? Honest? Intelligent? Think of all the reasons you deserve to love yourself and write them down. Remind yourself of all the things you are besides a body. Read this list daily and add to it every time you think of something else you like about you. Create a Body Appreciation List. Think about how your body has continued to show up for you no matter how much you fed or starved it, exercised it or not. Write these things down. Remember that your heart has continued to beat, your lungs continue to breathe, and your liver continues to detoxify your body. As well, maybe your body has learned a new skill, gotten stronger, taken you to the top of a hill, rejuvenated during sleep, or allowed you to comfort a child, share love with a spouse, or go shopping with friends!. Celebrate your body and the marvelous things it can do. If you’ve had Weight Loss Surgery note all the things that your body can do now that it could not do before. How has your life changed because of the changes your body has gone through? Read this list daily and add to it every time you are grateful for something your body has done. Stop thinking that thinner thighs are the answer to all of life’s problems. When you find yourself hyper focused on your body stop for a moment and ask yourself what you would be doing, thinking, or feeling if you were not obsessing about your body. What is this preoccupation stopping you from being present to in your life? Are you in anyway benefiting from focusing on what you believe to be your physical flaws? Commit to feeling the feelings that arise as you ask yourself those questions and really listen to the answers you hear/feel. “Act as if you” were comfortable in your body even If you are not quite “feeling it” yet. How would you walk, what would you wear, how would you speak to people, what kind of self talk would you be speaking, what kind of eye contact would you make with others? Use these questions as a guide for “acting as if”. Notice how it feels to carry your body with an air of love and respect. Speak (and think) only kind and loving words and thoughts to and about your body!! If you find yourself being critical of your body, stop and acknowledge that this will not support you feeling good about yourself. Then, respond to yourself as you would to a best friend. For every negative thing you catch yourself saying about your body, apologize to your body and say 2 loving/ appreciative things about your body. Make a decision to truly “nourish” yourself. Read a good book, take a bubble bath, schedule a massage, get a haircut, dance to your favorite song, make plans with a friend, take a nap, ask for a hug, give yourself permission to say “no”, meditate, pray. Make it your intention to move and enjoy your body: go walking, swimming, biking, dancing, do yoga, tai chi, etc… not because you have to but because it makes you feel so good. Your body deserves to be treated well. Surround yourself with people who celebrate and appreciate you. Say “thank you” to compliments without discounting them. Know that you can control your experience of your life by the thoughts you choose to think. How you experience your life is a direct consequence of your predominant thoughts and feelings. By making a decision about the thoughts you choose to think (which are the precursors to your feelings) you take responsibility for creating your reality. So if you decide to think about what is not good about your body you will attract to you experiences of your body not being good enough, and more than likely will live in a state of “waiting till things get better (i.e. my thighs get thinner)” before you can really be happy. If you choose to think about what is good about you, what you like and appreciate about you, you will feel gratitude and be more likely experience your life as abundant and joy-filled! The next time you find yourself being critical of a particular body part, sit down and write a letter to that body part telling it exactly what you don’t like about it and how it makes you feel. Then have that body part write back to you telling you how it felt to read that letter. Then write back to that body part…….. and just notice what happens………. If you have any thoughts or comments about this blog I would love to hear from you. You can respond below to this blog or email me at louisa@louisalatela.com.

I'm Trish. I'm 40 years old and live in Longview, TX. I am married and have a 16 year old son who just got his driving permit . I was a photographer for 12 years, a newspaper reporter for 6 and got my BS in Criminal Justice for forensic psychology a few years ago. I am a licensed chemical dependency counselor intern and am currently staying at home and working on me. I have been over weight all of my life but generally enjoyed it because it seemed to keep certain mean people away from me and those that knew me were my closest friends. I am short (5'11"), opinionated, friendly, funny, a hard worker, and a very compassionate person. I have had a really good life until about 8 years ago when my mother committed suicide. My baby sister tried, my brother broke his neck, two grandfather's and a grandmother died, my best friend's mother died, and my first husband walked out on me. Since that time I have done a lot of soul searching and decided no body can take care of me like me and it was time for me to start. I get up each day now and spend some time with my lord, then I do some house cleaning and it's off to exercise. I've decided that I really enjoy exercising and it's not nearly as bad as I thought. I'm not sure what I will do on my next phase of my journey but I sure am enjoying the one I am on now. I was banded on 2/23/11 and have had one fill and am scheduled for another one on 4/25. Not sure I need it but am looking forward on finding out. So far, I am down 32 lbs and am feeling great.

Love this! Can u give it wife a handicap bc of female fluctuations? I have to bet on good health and a fantastic relationship with u and ur wife! Enjoy and rock that sleeve!

im 4wks out, and i'm doing really good. It seems that im more careful abt what i put in my mouth these days. I have my ups and downs when it comes to exercise. I do 20mins on the treadmill, and 15 on the elliptical. And if weather permits, im outside doing something. I just try keep myself busy. Since having my surgery, im off diabetic medicanes and will eventually get off high blood pressure pills. Im still having a bit of trouble with my liver enzymes. The count is really high. Im just hope'n that its bc my liver WAS really fatty. If not, i have some damage from diabeties. but i will not let that get me down. My family has seen the change and so can i. I used to be quiet, and try to be unseen. I have offically found my voice and i'm not putting up with anyone's BS. *LOL* I suppose that is enough for today, I need to get moving this afternoon.

My mind is spinning! I heard yesterday that my surgery had been approved - the doctor's office had only submitted it on Thursday! The processor took my case out of turn thinking it was something else and went ahead and processed it even though it wasn't what she was looking for. Thank you BC/BS processor!! The doctor's office called back today to schedule my surgery. My new life begins on April 11 and I can't wait.

I attributed this to cessation of CPAP use... But I felt like my sense of smell was more acute than I expected. Combined with a stomach bug in my 3-4th weeks and I had to keep reminding myself "NO. You have an IUD. You haven't done anything. It's not possible." What's sucky is my partner does have a particular odor to him that I never really liked, but between CPAP use and sinus surgeries, I thought I had no sense of smell left!! Three years without smelling anything and suddenly now I can smell EVERYTHING and I'm not happy about that.... My partner leaned in for a casual kiss one time and his facial hair smelled like he'd been going down on an armpit. I feel like I am showering constantly and washing all my BO parts... And then we'll be in the car and he'll put his arm up and I'll be like OMG IS THAT ME WHEN DID I BATHE LAST DID I FORGET DEODORANT OH LORD I SMELL TERRIBLE... I'm trying to not freak out bc part of me knows it's HIM but it's making me crazy esp. if I DID forget deodorant right then. One of my friends assures me it's not just me feeling that way, but now idk how to deal with all that.

8 months? People drop a 100 pounds in 8 months. I know it's hard to "dream" that way, bc it's impossible for me too lol but I don't think you'll be down a "few sizes" in 8 months. Buy 2- a "safe" size and a "fuck yeah I'm gonna do this" size lol excuse my language

I knew I had a fatty liver bc my sleeve surgeon took my gall bladder out 3 years ago. He mentioned it at that time. I think they can also see it on an ultrasound sometimes. The funny thing is that even knowing that fact, I had NO pre-op diet at all!

four ducklings wow! Most surgeons who are accredited have awesome stats. Complications can always happen of course but obesity can kill you too. So can driving a car...or crossing a street.. . I guess surgery just puts it in our faces because it's new territory for many of us, you sign your life away on forms and everyone tells you horrible stories! I've had general anesthesia anniversary if times and many procedures and a couple if surgeries. It's always a bit scary but I do remind myself if what I started out saying... obesity comorbidities are deadly, and life activities can kill you too so that might help you too I did ask my surgeon how many patients he has lost on the table and it was zero in many years and a small handful from drastic complications like pulmonary embolism often bc people feel symptoms and don't seem medical attention until it's too late! They do a lot to prevent clots, infection, etc these days...

This is my story: I didn't really want to bad mouth, but I had limited funds and am out $200. I AM happy with my surgery, and Dr. Kelly, but it wasn't the experience everyone else spoke of. I saw Dr. Kelly maybe 4 times, all in a professional capacity only. Let me start from the beginning. I scheduled my flights and days just as Omar had told me. I was flying in on Aug. 22 and returning home Aug. 27. Since I couldn't get an earlier flight, Omar said he would pick me up from the airport, do some sightseeing in San Diego, then check into the hospital that night, surgery the next day. The day before I was to leave, I got a call from Omar saying Dr. Kelly was going to do my surgery the same day I arrived at around 7pm, could I get a flight home Sunday. Called my airline and was told there would be a $180 each charge to change a flight, so $360 fee. I called Omar back, and said I would pay out of pocket for ONE night at the Lucerna $92.00. This was for THEIR CONVENIENCE, not mine! So, left the hospital Friday to stay at Lucerna. Was to stay there Saturday night, as a part of my $5500 overall price, and pay out of pocket for Simdau night. Cecy insisted I cross the border Saturday, because she didn't want to have to cross it Monday morning. The couple that was there when I was, was leaving Saturday. I did not have a choice in the matter AT ALL. Omar mentioned something about a conference they were attending. So my question/answer is they shouldn't have let me book it on the date I did. Since I had to leave Lucerna two days early, that is also additional food I had to buy. Because you are supposed to get free broth at the Lucerna. To top it off, I get an email Sunday from Cecy, his wife, saying I didn't check out and they got charged an extra night, but they are ok with that, not to worry. WE DID CHECK OUT SO I HAVE NO CLUE WHERE THIS IS COMING FROM. They have been very unsympathetic to my plight, and I really feel I was treated unfairly. So basically, surgery, hospital, 1 day in Mexico with Omar the whole time, then a cold and impersonable trip over the border with Cecy. Not to mention, Omar made it sound like he was going to pick up and drop off. If you were told this, it isn't a fact. He doesn't have a green card or something so can't transport across the border. To top it off, Cecy speaks VERY LIMITED English, so good luck!! OH...Cecy WOULD have put me up at a Quality Inn in San Diego where I would have been stranded for two days, unless I wanted to pay more money for a cab...but if I was being kicked out of a 4 start hotel to go to a Quality Inn, that's just BS!!! If you're going to kick me out early, then put me in something equal. That's what was paid for! To add to this, all I was given was a little 5 page information "manual", no future verbal instructions or resources from Dr. Kelly. I will go to my regular doctor in about a month, but I just feel stuck and do not know what to do from here. Omar has emailed me asking for my full name, for Western Union, but it's not just about the money. Dr. Kelly has never responded to my email voicing my concerns, and that bothers me. I am two weeks post op as of yesterday, and have only lost 5 pounds. Yes, part of that is MY fault, because of Hurricane Isaac. I couldn't eat what I was supposed to, and had to eat what was available, and just chew it to mush. Things are getting back to normal..,finally. I also need to start incorporating exercise. But if you're looking for the after care, Mexico is not for you. You will not receive any. I feel like they didn't even care about my future. I see on his facebook page, there is a nutritionist involved, and some people met her. Not me! Everything felt rushed. I am glad I am sleeved. I am glad I am feeling good. I am glad I have not had any problems (so far).

I sure would like to know as well! I have BC/BS of AL too. I'm in the middle of compiling my 6 month diet information and all documentation I can think of to try to get this procedure approved. It is currently listed as investigational under their policies so I'm thinking it's going to be quite the fight. I would love to hear other BC/BS AL stories too!

I had surgery on Tuesday and honestly on Thursday I was feeling hunger. In a way I felt ok about it Bc I felt somewhat normal as weird as that sounds. But I am home and I get small spurts of hunger from time to time as well. I can honestly drink something or have a small snack and I am ok. I live in Germany and had my surgery here. I found it very weird that as soon as they sent me home they said I can eat puréed foods and anything I can chew very well for the next 3 weeks. I was very surprised seeing that I see everyone was put on a strict liquid diet for the first 2 weeks and then puréed food. But I still don't take it over board but I do curb my hunger in between with a couple sips of some type of liquid or drink and I am fine. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App