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I have tried a bunch of different Vitamins and they are all just not palatable for me. I have had samples of optisourece, Celebrate and several of the Bariatric Advantage flavors and types. I just cannot tolerate any of them. I am wondering if I will be able to use Centrum chewables. are they different than the others I have tried? Are they smaller? I like the centrum flavor burst but my nutirtionist I cannot use those, she also said no gummies of any kind were acceptable.

You need to follow a special diet before and after surgery, and you may need Vitamin supplements. Some patients limit their special products to the bare minimum, with maybe a few Protein shakes and powders for the pre-op and post-op liquid diets, and some Vitamins to prevent deficiencies. Others find it easier to follow their WLS diets when they buy a few more bariatric products. You might depend on specialty products such as low-carb, high-protein oatmeal, Pasta dinners, and Snacks, for example. Or you might choose only those vitamins labeled as specially formulated for bariatric surgery patients. Which bariatric products do you buy, and where do you buy them? Do you find them at your local grocery store? Maybe they’re at a supplement store. Online stores are definitely popular, too. How do you decide where to get your items?

yes, each doctor gives you a list... you may qualify for free bariatric Vitamins (along with Protein shakes and scar cream) by filling out the form at InsureNutrition.com... I didn't qualify for the multi-Vitamin, but they sent me a bottle as a "sample"...a months worth!

<TABLE class=wide cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD> I saw this post on another WL support site and did find it veryinteresting. Some of the things this guy says really DOES make youthink. I know I AM quilty of several of the things he wrote about.Remember, this is NOT me writing the following stuff ... It is justsomething I copied from somewhere else. I hope reading it can helpUS all out.Sherri*****************************************************Enough is enough... the truth about the bandI've been reading a lot of the posts lately, and noticing a fewtrends. </PRE> I thought I might address them. </PRE> Many of you are not going to like it, and I expect to get flamed. Iam not trying to peeve folks off, but I feel it is time for someoneto post a frank discussion on the band. Take my words with a grainof salt. This is not directed at any one person in particular, butat a general trend of threads appearing lately. If you're pissed atme after this… OK, but then again, maybe you'll get something out ofit in between the anger. </PRE> Here it is… </PRE> Quit your whining. </PRE> The band is not a miracle. It does not magically make caloriesdisappear from food. It is a tool you need to work WITH not AGAINST.If you work against it, you'll fail. End of story. </PRE> Let's clear up a few misconceptions about the band. </PRE> The band is not malabsorptive like the gastric bypass. The GB worksby allowing the patient to eat less, and more to the point, toabsorb LESS calories from the food they eat. The band ONLY restrictsthe QUANTITY of food, not the QUALITY. If you continue to eat high-calorie crap, you'll lose nothing… period. What this means is thatyou DO need to change your eating habits. You need to eat healthierfood, and less garbage. Some folks will lose some weight with theband because of the smaller quantities without changing their eatinghabits, but that loss will slow or stall, and WILL NOT BESUSTAINABLEunless they learn new habits. Face it folks, what we eat is what gotus fat in the first place. If you don't wanna change that, then youcan stay fat, and don't complain that you aren't losing. </PRE> Yes, you can have occasional treats. I am not saying that you haveto live a deprived life with no treats ever again, but keep themoccasional, and keep them small. Dessert every day is NOTOCCASIONAL. Once a week, maybe. Start looking at your favorite foodsand look for ways to make them healthier. Maybe use less fat, orhealthier fats, leaner cuts of meat, more veggies etc. Try to treatyourself with healthier foods as well, fruit instead of pie, bakedpretzels instead of fried chips, try those rice cakes you see in thestore. When you do have a treat… have ONE SERVING. Look at thelabel… if it says that 9 rice cakes are 1 serving… count them outand only have 9, not the whole bag! Use the sugar-free versions ofthings, the lower fat versions, and the lower carb versions… eatmore fresh foods, and less from packages. Yes, I know that freshfood is more work… too bad. You wanna get healthy? Then do it right.Kraft in the box might go down fine, but is it the right thing todo? Make the effort to cook healthier. It takes more time, butaren't you worth it? </PRE> RNY and Gastric Bypass patients need to diet too. If you think thatthey lose faster, you are right. In essence from malabsorbtion, theytechnically starve to lose initial weight, and lose a lot… morequickly than we do. SO WHAT?!?!? The human body is an amazing thing.It is smart, and learns to compensate. If the GB/RNY patient doesnot learn new, healthy eating habits, then they WILL GAIN THE WEIGHTBACK. In the long run, we have the advantage, as we do not lose atALL without new habits. We have to learn from the get-go, and in theend… our system willl adjust with us as we lose… not giving oursmart body a chance to get used to the new "arrangement" andcompensating for it. RNY/GB might look like a miracle, but it isn'teither. You still are the one in control, but the complications forit are much worse. I'm not dissing it, it is the right choice forsome, but for those who which to switch, simply because they havenot been doing the band with TRUE lifestyle changes… well… they arefooling themselves. Wisen up, and realize YOU need to change to makeany bariatric surgery a long-term success. </PRE> Head hunger, and stress eating are real. They are some of the thingsthat got us here. If it happens to you… GET HELP. Don't just standthere and say… duh, I don't know how to stop. Get on a program, seea therapist, join a bandster support group. Don't just cry aboutit…, DO SOMETHING. If you know emotional eating is an issue, thenyou have an EMOTIONAL PROBLEM, best dealt withby a therapist. Guesswhat folks, that is part of a whole weight loss program! Some maynot need it, but if these issues plague you, then get the help! Thatleads me to the next one… </PRE> Yes, you DO NEED TO EXERCISE. If you think you don't, then you arebeing foolish. Exercise does not mean a formal program at a gym witha personal trainer (although that is a GREAT IDEA). It means gettingout there and moving… biking, skating, swimming etc. Move… move…move!!! A sedentary life is another of the things that got us here.If you think sustained weight loss will happen without it, then youare again fooling yourself. Don't forget, that other than ahealthier life, the number 2 reason we got this done was to lookbetter. Folks, diet alone will not give you a better bod, exerciseand diet will. </PRE> This is not a liquid diet. Yes you will have periods of being onliquids, before and after surgery, and right after fills, but thisis not meant to be liquids for life. The band works by allowing asmall amount of food to stay in the pouch for a while, keepinghunger away. If all you have are Protein shakes… well frankly, theypass right thru, and give NO sustained satiety. You'll be hungry.Period. If all you can get down are liquids, then you are TOO TIGHT.It will NOT HELP YOUR WEIGHT LOSS TO BE TOO TIGHT! In fact, theopposite is true. If you cannot eat solid foods you will likelygain, because LIQUID CALORIES ARE MORE DENSE. You have GOT TO eatsolid food. </PRE> Low carb does not mean NO carb. Should you restrict carbs… yep. Weeat too many. This does not mean eat only protein. You cannotsurvive on only protein, you need veggies and carbs too… just lessof the carbs than you have been having. For one, try using healthiercarbs… want a potato? Eat a small baked red-skin new potato, withsome butter spray on it… instead of fries. Try Dreamfields low-carbpasta for Sunday spaghetti dinners, try brown rice instead of MinuteRice. Avoid the carbs in packaged foods… Mac and cheese, rice a ronietc. If you want mac and cheese, make it from scratch with lower fatcheese and Dreamfields or whole wheat Pasta. Use wholegrain bread,not Wonderbread. And… eat carbs last. Eat the protein first, thenveggies, then if you have room finish your carbs. Lastly… eliminatethe sugar… get it out period </PRE> Fast food is bad. End of story. Stay away from it… all of it. </PRE> Is a pre-op liquid diet important? You bet your boots it is. No, Iknow not all doctor's ask for it… but that doesn't change the factthat they should be asking for it. First off, it shrinks the liver,making it easier for the surgeon to perform the procedure. Second,it begins the weight loss process. Third, it speeds up recovery byhaving the body have less solid waste in the digestive tract, itwill work less, and not stress the points where the band is attached. </PRE> Is the post-op diet… liquids… mushies then solids important? Seeabove. This is for healing. Yes you can eat solid food sooner, and Iknow that this varies from doctor to doctor, but that doesn't meanit should. The stomach needs time to heal, and even though you CANeat solids earlier doesn't mean you should. Heal properly first. Asmost docs will say, any weight loss during this phase is a bonus.This is not the time for loss but healing. May folks WILL gain whengoing to mushies. Expect it. If you don't, you are one of the luckyfew… not the norm. Most folsk do not see real weight loss forMONTHS. This is how it is, deal with it. </PRE> You WILL NOT LOSE ALL YOUR WEIGHT IN A COUPLE MONTHS. Especiallythose of you with under 75 lbs to lose. Less to lose, the slower itwill be… that's it folks. If you got the band with 60-75 lbs tolose, do NOT expect to lose as much a month as someone who has200lbs to lose. Won't happen. If the doc told you it did, he lied.Most successful band patients lose 75% of their excess weight in theFIRST 2 YEARS… yep… years, not months. Deal with it… you are notgonna lose it by summer for swimsuit season. This is not intended tobe SPEEDY weight loss… if you don't get that, see #3 above. </PRE> It's OK to go to a foreign country to get my band because it is moreaffordable to me… Hmmm this one is debatable, and I will keep myopinion of foreign docs out of it. First off, when it comes tosurgery for my body, I don't want the lowest bidder, even though Iwas also self pay… but let's put that aside. I see too many folksgoing to places like Mexico for this procedure because they say thedoc is a brilliant surgeon… this is only 10% about the actualsurgery folks! It is the pre and aftercare provided that makes itwork. If you do NOT have an aftercare doc set up locally BEFORE yougo to Mexico for the surgery… then you are making a HUGE MISTAKE. Iam getting tired of seeing folks say…" I just got my band lastweekend, anyone know of any docs I can see for fills around here?"Geez?!@?!? What are you thinking? Didn't you have this all set upbeforehand? How could you have such a procedure done to your body… aprocedure that requires constant attention (and it is not just forfills folks!) and not be prepared before you do it? If this is yourplan, then I am confused on what you are doing. Aftercare with theband is not just fills, and you need access to a band doc locallyfor any problems. Sure you can get the procedure done in Mexico, buthave preparations for aftercare BEFORE they cut you open. </PRE> Look at the whole program. This is NOT just a surgical option. I'vesaid it before and I'll say it again, the surgery is only 1 hourlong… the rest of my life will be losing and maintaining myhealthier body. Nutritionists, exercise physiologists,psychologists, dieticians, support groups, a good fill doc… theseare ALL necessary to lose and maintain our health. If you only dealwith some of them… you'll fail. When you scout out docs to do thisprocedure, see how they deal with ALL of these factors…not just arethey a good cutter. Then, after the surgery, follow through with allof these. </PRE> If you don't know… ASK! The doctor, not the web group. Sure, it'sgreat to get support and ideas here, but I am amazed how many peopleare on here soliciting medical advice… ASK YOUR DOC! If he won'tgive you a straight answer… then he's not a good doc, and you needto seek out a better one. I mean COME ON!?!?! Now that we have thatstraightened out… let's say your doc tells you to do something… likestay on liquids for 2 weeks… DO IT. If he is a good doc, then thereis a reason to do what he says. This is NOT about you making yourOWN… UNEDUCATED judgment calls… he's the pro here… do what he says.If you don't understand why… then we go back to… ASK. </PRE> I'm sure I could say more, but I am also sure that I've pissed offhalf the folks who have read this. </PRE> Just had to get it off my chest. It is HARD WORK. Anythingworthwhile is. If you thought it was gonna be easy, then you wereeither lied to, or deluding yourself. </PRE> Work hard… get healthy… have a good life. We are ALL worth the time,effort and yes money, to be better healthier people. </PRE> __________________ Big Paul Banded Nov. 17, 20051st fill 1/3/2006: 3.2cc 2nd fill 2/7/2006: Removed 3.0cc, replaced 4.0cc 3rd fill 3/6/2006: Removed 3.6cc, replaced 4.0cc Unfill 3/14/2006: Removed 4.0cc, replaced 3.2cc 4th fill 4/3/2006: Removed 3.2cc, replaced 3.8cc 371/236/189135 lbs lost! 47 lbs to go! </PRE> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></P>

I have a different Blue Cross plan. Under my plan, the out of pocket max is the max I'd pay in a year for all services - its intended as a safeguard if you have a catastrophic injury or illness. That was different than what I paid for any given service. Does your blue cross plan have a SErvice Benefit Brochure online? If so, it will likely list bariatric surgery and say what you need to pay depending on if the doc and hospitals are preferred providers or not. Also, note that this cost is JUST for the hospitalization. I ended up with costs for the hospital, surgeon, anesthesiologist, and lab work. It was far lower than my out of pocket max. I saw three surgeons before I decided on surgery, the only one that would have required me to make such a big payment up front was someone who did not take insurance and was covered as a non-participating provider. Again, my insurance may work differently than yours.

You,know My Surgery is Next Wednesday SEPTEMBER 5th, do you suppose,if I asked SWEETLY Ken S. or some nice person could enter IT? On A Beta Android Bariatric Pal app. I have not A Snowball's,Chance in Hades of getting thongs updated. For a reason known only to God and Ken my profile (I amTold) thinks I had surgery in 2004 or 14, wasn't even a Bariatric Newbie the!

Overeaters Annonymous is the best book I have read to prepare me for WLS. Everything else you can get from google searches, youtube videos from Drs and Bariatric centers, and your own program if it is a good one. Having the right frame of mind about food is the most important thing before surgery, it makes everything easier.

Hi Pookie, I have Kaiser in California and I'm just starting the process as well. I asked my PCP about the Lap-Band and she referred me to the bariatric department. I received a letter from the bariatric dept. within 2 weeks stating that I'm scheduled for an orientation on May 22. It also said that I'd need to go to my PCP beforehand for some blood work, a urine sample, chest xray and an ekg. I had all of that done last friday, so now I'm waiting to attend orientation. I can't wait! I'm not sure what to expect with any of this, but I want to get the ball rolling as soon as possible! I'll let you know how orientation goes after next tuesday...

UGH! we both are having such good luck with our preop stuff-NOT! i've been telling my bariatric center since last november that i would love my surgery during spring break (april 2nd) and here it is march 6th with no date yet! hopefully we can both laugh about this later!!! hang in there-i see a light at the end of this long darned tunnel!!!!! ~courtney

An interesting read on why hair loss happens: https://www.drdkim.net/ask-the-dietitian/understanding-hair-loss-after-bariatric-surgery/

Cardio is good and like the name suggests....it benefits your heart. So some cardio will always be beneficial. I also second what many posters are saying........it's better to add in weight training as well. Especially if you're one of those interested in aiding loose skin issues, physique, that kind of thing. And it (muscle) also helps to burn calories when you're resting....so many good benefits from lifting. If you're not familiar with lifting, a trainer would be very beneficial.....especially early on until you get some experience with resistance training and how to perform the different lifts. Just make sure to get a trainer that is a good fit for you and knows about your bariatric surgery history. Good luck and keep us posted!

We live in Texas. She had her gall bladder removed years before the bariatric surgery. The bariatric surgeon has done an endoscopy on her about 8 weeks after the surgery and he said there was no issues whatsoever. I am having so much trouble getting her to a new dr for a second opinion because she is on Medicaid and no bariatric drs accept this insurance. The only reason she was able to have it done in the first place is that her PCP deemed it medically necessary. Her surgeon works at Texas Tech University Health Science Services, so I thought they would be a legitimate resource, but her dr doesn’t seem to wanna even treat her anymore. She is actually in the hospital right now admitted. I had her in the ER on this Sunday past, and they did emergency surgery to remove a kidney stone, and they still havent released her yet because they haven’t got her potassium and magnesium levels correct plus they are attempting to correct her nausea issues once again (not her bariatric dr treating her btw even though his office is across the street). The hospital drs said they spoke to bariatric dr and he said it’s all in her head. thanks for all the responses, it is truly appreciated

Since my band I see a physician that does my fills. He works with the surgeon as well. He is a natropath as well as other things and ordered a lot of tests for me. He has put me on some caps. called Gluco-support that I take with each meal to help with the insulin. I have found out that I have a dairy,wheat and soy intolerance so I was fighting a losing battle with weight loss before. He also ordered a stack of caps. from the US from the Health Institute for me that are packed with vitamins. I had low Iron, Magnesium, Zinc and too much copper,oestrogon and insulin. I take heaps of caps. but it will only be for a couple of months to get everything working again. I have heaps more energy so something must be working. I am just lucky that this man was employed by the Bariatric surgery to do these tests on lap banders to help diagnose any problems. Good luck seeing your Dr today. Yes a fatty liver can be helped by diet. Saleel22

I have the Fitbit Aria which is not only a lovely design, but syncs with many apps and auto recognizes you by weight. Fun fact, the battery had died on it (it told me for a month but I was lazy) so it forgot the last couple months. I got on and had lost so much it didn't remember who I was! Gotta love bariatrics.

My nut said we were not allowed to drink them after surgery because of the high sugar content. I was on them for a month before surgery and ended up throwing out 25 cartons of it. I was ticked because the bariatric center put me on them and I had to prepay. I wondered how their count could be so off! I drink the Premier very good!shakes and just got the new strawberry flavor....

Ok, I've got an update to this thread. I did join WW. I am doing the flex points so that I can eat some things I want and some core things. I may switch to core if it slows or stops. I LOST 7 LBS MY FIRST WEEK!! I told the gal that the scale was wrong and that I needed to step off and back on. She laughed ... but I WAS SERIOUS. I almost cried right there on the spot. I have been on a plateau for over 5 months. Watching that :thumbup: scale go up a pound, then down a pound then up a pound then down a pound. I switched things up, I increased my exercise. I did lots of stuff. The difference? 1) I am in a positive environment... unlike my doctors office, very negative "you're going to fail if this..." blah blah blah ... Here they are excited when I lose and when I had a gain, she said, "Hey it happens, over all you are still down! :thumbup:" 2) I'm accountable. I am weighed by someone else. This would not work if I were at home. I find myself really making GREAT efforts that I was not doing when I only had to face myself on the scale. 3) The meetings, the sharing. Being with others and sharing recipes, strategies, etc, is very refreshing. I'll keep ya posted if things change... but I broke my plateau and it has given me renewed hope, and energy!!! Just in time for the Holidays too.

Yea, Center of Excellence. Have it at a hospital not a surgery center. Ultimately, I'd just make sure you feel comfortable with your surgeon. It's a fairly simple procedure.. You want bariatric surgery to be their main practice. So they know what to expect, how to do fills properly, they know about nutriton etc...

Why won't you OB/GYN write the letter? My endocrinologist wrote mine but honestly I see him more than PCP. Cigna approved right away (thank goodness). Otherwise I would consider setting up a physical with a new PCP. Would agree getting a recommendation from your bariatric surgeon is a good idea.

Im 6 days post op and Im wearing mine everywhere. To bed, when I wake up, I literally have it on at all times. My left side is the main side the work was done on and I can tell a major difference in pain when I don't have it on. Ive linked this previous but this is one I bought, LOVE IT! Its thicker in width and length so it covers the entire area pretty well. Several sizes. https://www.amazon.com/BraceAbility-Bariatric-Abdominal-Compression-Circumference/dp/B00QLYZ1DK/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1533334829&sr=8-3&keywords=braceability%2B3x&th=1

I remember reading that warm liquids can help to make a tight band feel loser...I'm so sorry, that must be awful. Have you called the doctors office, my hospital has a 24 hour bariatric on call doc at all times...maybe yours does too? Hope you get help! Take care.

I would start with your physician also. My doctor and I discussed WLS and referred me to a bariatric surgeon in my area. Even after I had my referral I researched the surgeon and read a lot of reviews to make sure he was a good one. This isn't something I would trust to just anyone.

I was so so nervous and discouraged about the 1,200 calorie diet the surgeon wanted me to do, but it has turned out to be okay. I go over the calorie limit much of the time, but not by much, and I am able to take it in stride and not beat myself up over it. But lately it has been easier to control my eating (I almost feel like the promise of surgery is bolstering my spirits), but half of the days I still have that deep deep hunger that just won't seem to go away. I'm not sure how long I'd be able to keep up this diet without the eventual help of the surgery, but I seem to be doing okay with it for now. YAY! In other news... wow, it is hard to get a bariatric psych evaluation. All of the qualified individuals in my provider network are extremely backed-up, and many of them are not taking new clients. It is frustrating because I will be done with all of the other requirements by the end of July, but my psych eval appointment is at the end of October! I can't even get a surgery date set until after I've had the evaluation. I'd rather not have to wait that long, but I don't know of viable alternatives... ...Except I was googling and I saw bariatricpsychevaluations.com - I am not sure what to think about it... if I could get it done more quickly, paying $150 seems like it would be worth it, but is it legit? I was able to find a few reviews, and it seems to be split half-and-half - some people are happy, but other people never got their evaluation sent to their surgeon. Hard to know what to do. To be safe, I should probably just be patient and wait until October, but I need to have this surgery, and now that I've made up my mind about it, I don't want to wait. I need to be healthy YESTERDAY.

Ah! Needed to hear this. Spoke with my bariatric coordinator and i found out i wont have the surgery till next year, so im feeling your pain with that. This post is very encouraging, thank you so much!

Getting excited and nervous! Surgery approved and scheduled for September 4th with the possibility they may move it to the 3rd due to a cancellation. All my pre-op lab work and testing is done and without any concerns. Same for my psych eval, barium swallow, chest x-ray, EKG, and EGD. Did all my pre-op nutrition appointments (I was fast tracked, so there weren't as many as most of you had). Did the pre-op group class where they explained my pre-op diet and what to expect at the hospital and post op. Started my bariatric vitamins last week. Purchased any food/supplies that I think I might need for the first couple weeks post op (my husband even told me to get him a new bigger TV so I can have a TV in my room the first couple days lol... and he got a 65" screen out of it lol). Today I did my final pre-op weigh in and doctor visit. Saw another doc first (teaching hospital), then my real doc. Signed my surgery consent. Too my surprise, the doc also told me that it doesn't matter how much weight I lose now, I am totally approved for surgery (before I had to be careful I didn't put myself under a certain weight and disqualify myself). YAY! I also asked him about how much time I can take off work (I have 14 weeks of sick time saved up and a supportive employer- not that I actually want 14 weeks off, just didn't take all my sick time over the many years I worked there). He said a minimum of 2 weeks but up to 8 since I do have a fairly physical job. YAY! I could probably get away with going back early, but why push myself when I have the time and support? I would rather heal, adjust to my new diet(s) over the next month or so, and slowly build a new fitness routine before going back to the craziness that is work. Not sure how many weeks I will actually take off, but good to know I have options. And then finally, I went to a pre-op anesthesia appointment. Answered all of their questions and signed their consent. So... all that is left is to call and confirm the time of my surgery the afternoon before! And how did I celebrate? I got my last meal of my favorite Indian food. Yum! And my husband is TRYING to be supportive of all of this, but he really doesn't want me to have what he considers to be elective surgery. I understand where he is coming from, especially since every one of his surgeries has had some sort of complications. But my surgeries have all been routine and without complication. And I really need to improve my health and this seems to be the only way to get me there.

Anyone, who has any (or no) bariatric surgery CAN lose all of his or her excess weight. But there is NO DATA supporting the concept that any surgery will cause us to lose ALL of our excess weight. The best outlook appears to be the DS at about 75-80%, then the RnY and the AGB at about 65%. We can all STRIVE to lose all of our excess weight, but to EXPECT to do so would leave an awful lot of people very, very disappointed.