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What vitamins and supplements do you use?
BgR72 replied to ColleenErin1974's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
My bypass surgery is May 12. I will be using celebrate vitamins & bariatric advantage. Also, celebrate essential 3 in 1 drink mix. Great taste. CW: 319 SD:May 2017 GW: 128 -
What vitamins and supplements do you use?
GrrlAnn replied to ColleenErin1974's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I take two chewable Flintstones, sublingual vitamin B and biotin every morning and three Bariatric Advantage Caramel Calcium Citrates every afternoon (spread over 3-6 hours). Postop I became very sensitive to flavors and the Flintstones chewables have been the only multivitamins I can tolerate. The vitamin b and biotin taste great and I look forward to my calcium citrate chews every afternoon. You should not take any gummy vitamins but the chews are OK. Also you need to take calcium citrate not just regular calcium. You may also need other supplements depending on your blood work. -
Anybody out there from Long Island NY know of a good plastic surgeon that doesn't rip you off
Cococat replied to kymmiej11's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I am an old Long Island Girl living in FL now. Sleeved in FL on Sept. 10th. Good to see you are going for bariatric surgery. I have cousins on L.I. who are interested in my operation. I will tell them about Brookhaven. I don't know if they will ever do it. It it is not for everyone. Wishing you good health and great happiness. -
Hi there. I have Aetna and am 6 days post op. Sounds like you may need to start from the beginning unless you have seen your physician on a monthly basis with weight documented, as well as a dietician and therapist. I used TMH Bariatric Center- wonderful group. I have a bariatric MD, dietician and therapist all in the same building. Once you complete the three month plan, and are not gaining any weight, the MD submits a letter of medical necessity and refers you to your surgeon. Once your surgeon gets the referral, they submit your paperwork to Aetna and from there is a waiting game. It was less than a week before I received my surgery date. You can call member services and they may be able to help you see where you stand. From start to finish, it took 5 1/2 months for the entire process. Good luck!
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dont expect to be working or using laptop. you probably wont even read a book. between sleepies from pain meds and post anesthesia, not much will be happening in brain land. I was really glad I had loose pants with drawstring, warm crocheted vest, sleep mask, ear plugs, warm slipper socks. everything else was not really needed. oh, and some nice smelling lip balm, think it was coconut almond or something. I had a little fleece blanket that was bright colored that was homey to come back to after my walks, and helped me know I was going in to the right room. just think bedtime and hall walks. I had a roomie so it was nice to be able to tune out that side of the room. of and comfy old bra and tshirt with loose sleeves. you will have an iv so dont have anything with long tight sleeves. I had a little firm pillow that helped me move around, better than the bariatric teddy bear with advertising they gave me. oh, and I loved having my airline pillow since I have neck problems. love sara
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Hi Im 8 days post op and confused w pain.
ChattyPatty posted a topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Hi. ChattyPatty from Wisc. Im a newbie here. Pre op weight 226 post op so far 221. If my stomach hurts after full liquids meal (4-6oz)- does that mean too much? If my stomach hurts after not putting anything down (busy shopping, etc) dies that mean Im hungry. I want to make sure Im doing the right thing. After my surgery, I went to ICU for one night then to heart floor for one night. I did not have the advantage of being on a bariatric floor or with staff. That is at a sister hospital. I do use chewable Prevacid. I am still in post op pain outside (sutures) and inside - tummy. Im so afraid of stretching my pouch. Thank you for your help. -
Bariatric Fusion Chewable Vitamin & Mineral Supplement
pamie40 posted a topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I haven't had my surgery yet (hopefully by end of month), but I met with my nutritionist for the final visit yesterday. She went over everything I would need to know for after surgery. She said I would need to take 2 Flintstone Complete Vitamins, Calcium Citrate with Vitamin D 3-4 times a day, Vitamin B-12 and Biotin daily. My sister had gastric bypass surgery last year and her doctor only has her taking fusion chewables 4 times a day. I looked at the bottle on line (www.bariatricchoice.com) and it seems to have everything that I was told to take. Does anyone else take Fusion? I would rather take just one thing than all that other stuff. -
My insurance pretty much gave me this surgery for free with no catch (i.e. no minimum weightloss, or comorbidities necessary), and I'm relatively young so I barely needed any tests. BUT it still took me 6 months, probably due to COVID, but also every department related to Bariatrics is honestly so antiquated. I've been through the process in NY and Boston and it's always been 5-6 months.
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Well, I think it went very well, however, the DR. Said I may be disqualified because I take cymbalta. We'll see what the surgeon says. My BP was 145/94:faint: The dr. freaked out because it has never been that high before. He asked if I had eaten alot of high sodium foods and I told him that could be the problem. He stated that if I didn't get approved for the band he will have to prescribe RX. Don't want that. I told him I would let him know as soon as I knew something. There happen to have been to residencies in the room with me and the dr. explained to them that studies have become available this year that it is impossible for anyone weighing more than 100lbs over their ideal weight to keep the weight off without some form of bariatric procedure. That's the first I've heard of that. It stated that if it works for me, he may have to get a lap-band himself:phanvan . He didn't appear against it, however, I'm sure he would prefer I continue coming to see him with migraines, high blood pressure, fatigue, and borderline diabetes.
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Anyone know the name of a good book for bariatric sleeve patients? Thanks Sent from Dee~Dee via BariatricPal "The big book on gastric sleeve" or something to that effect, I believe is sold in the Bariatric Pal store.
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Post op 13 yrs & maintaining
rperchard replied to rperchard's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
ttn: walking into this bariatric experience, I heard alot of stuff I've heard before (e.g. portion control). What was new, & novel, to me: using smaller dishes, smaller silverware. I literally switched to pediatric size utensils; sandwich plate replaced standard size dinner plate. I didn't care what it looked like, or what people said..all I knew was that it slowed me down. Altered the previous engrained behavior of "shoveling" it in, if you know what I mean. Imagine my surprise when I actually began to savor food! OMG, no lie. That goes for chewing thoroughly as well (a daily conscious choice). It seems the world has gone super-size. Eating out, I divide those huge portions in half as soon as the plate is put in front of me. No doggie bags go home with me. Meals w family/friends....the comments that inevitably arise ("have another, you've hardly eaten", or the killer "you've gotten too thin"). My responses of choice: "just takin' a break", or, "maybe later". No thank you's didn't seem to work. Over time my tastes changed. I find fried, greasy, high fat foods (a previous staple)aren't palatable any more. As has red meat. Go figure. I was raised on beef, butter, & potatoes. All if which smothered in gravy. Your health is the priority. It's not about getting thin, or size 10 or beauty, or pleasing others. It's a process, fer sure. But it's entirely do-able. (Apologies for the rant). -
I am seriously considering the lapband surgery because of my struggles with my weight my entire life. I am trying to get my ducks in a row now so that when I decide to move forward with the surgery and pursue it, I know what will be expected. I have been reading on the BCBS of AL website about the bariatric surgery requirements. One says that you have to be at their required BMI for a 3 year period. Well...I have been overweight since I was married in 2001 and even throughout my teenage years (except when I went on WW at 15 yrs old only to gain it all back and more) but in Sept. 07 I began a strict diet of 1300 calories and exercise that just about killed me but I lost 20lbs and got to the 200lb mark. After that I stalled and couldn't lose a thing so I began a doctor supervised weight loss program that included the low cal/low carb/low fat diet and adipex (phentermine) and lost another 25 lbs putting me at 175lbs in Sept. 08. In November 08, I wound up in the ER due to atrial fibrillation and it was suspected that the adipex was the issue. So, I stopped it and of course the weight began to creep back up to around 190lb when in August 09 I found out I was pregnant. Unfortunately, the baby passed away and I miscarried at 15 weeks. At that time I was up to 210lbs. Now, I am at 215 and cannot seem to get my weight to budge. I am tired of the yo-yo dieting and really want to change the whole situation. I am afraid that having done all the dieting a few years ago may mess up my chances of moving forward in the next 6-12 months w/ bariatric surgery b/c of the "three years of obesity" required by my insurance company. None of the diets that I lost the weight on was covered by my insurance and I paid out of pocket for this the entire time. Does this period in my life have to be reported to the insurance company? How do they "document" that I have been obese for 3 years? I rarely go to the doctor other than my OBGYN for my yearly check b/c I am never sick. What records will they pull??? I am hoping (probably to no avail) that maybe these months of being a lower weight might not have to be included in documentation. I should also tell you that I have documented severe sleep apnea if that helps! Any advice??? Thanks in advance! Leigh:smile:
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@@Gucci & @AnnaDmom3 you both are doing great! Everyone is SO different when it comes to how long it takes to drink fluids/soups after surgery. Both of your bodies are adjusting and balancing out after surgery. If you follow your bariatric team's post op plan, before you know it the pounds will start to fall off. Best wishes to both of you.
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Newbie...first seminar 8/3/13.Louisville, KY..been researching...researching...
slimKim14 replied to slimKim14's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
I have attended seminar 8/3/13. Turned in my paperwork and medical records 8/15/13. Now waiting on nurse to call to schedule my appointment at the bariatric center by suburban. How did you decide on Dr. Gellar? Dr. Tanner was the one who did our seminar and I liked him. Haven't met any of the others. -
i started 2 years ago at 425. Through a successful bariatric program at my hospital and one of the top surgeons I am currently at my goal and maintaining at 220 pounds. My journey was one for ME.
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Try not to be discouraged and remain positive and committed to this lifestyle change that you have entered into. The band is only an aid to weight loss though and we each must do our part in order to make it successful. Every doctor is definitely different. I was on liquids for a full six weeks post-op. As for pills, the bariatric coordinator at my surgeon's office advised of the need to crush what could be crushed and to substitute liquid medicine options where possible for other meds at our preliminary visit a good six months prior to surgery. It was at that same visit that I was given a document with dietary guidelines that outlined what foods would be difficult if not impossible to include in a post-band diet plan. I'm grateful for receiving that information early on and wish that other physicians would share at that same level. Good luck.
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I called today and found out that I would be covered for skin removal (tummy). But they have "conditions". I've had the policy emailed to me. I'll have my bariatric group review it and go from there. I have had rashes in the folds, but wonder if that's enough. It's been recorded at my last appointment. I'm just curious if anyone has dealt with these folks before to know if there are major hoops to jump through - or if simple documentation is enough. If they cover the panni removal...I could probably pay for a full tummy tuck. Which would be awesome.
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Weight loss journey
Briswife15 replied to Felicia Leader's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Well, all I can say is that bariatric surgery was the right decision for me. I am no longer diabetic! No longer have high blood pressure! Can walk up stairs without dying, and feel so much better. My weight loss is not fast, but I have lost 90 pounds since my high weight, and 73 pounds since surgery. I still have a ways to go, but it's progress! Good luck to you!! Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app -
OKay, first post for me, banded 10/15/10 have had hypothyroid since i was a slim & fit 40 yr old, am 66 1/2 now. Endo doc always had me at mid-higher levels of Synthroid, but at 50 my weight just kept adding on, 10 lbs a year at least. Good results from LB intil about 14 mos ago, i plateaued-out--but have kept same weight while exercising & not exercising. Last 6 mos, my thyroid has been fluctuating an unusual amount. I take .150 mcg Synthroid, which is 2 below the top amount, of about 10 dosages. I test again in 6 weeks. My band was put back to 10 cc after a painful 6 month journey discoverying my reflux had returned with a case of gastritis, just diagnosed by the gastro doc. Oh yes! NO Contrast die for people like me because I am alergice to the IODINE used in the contrast! A good thing to know at my age, but i am not complaining as I have really enjoyed health so far with all my parts intact! But, the pouch was dilated & sagged over the band, i think, because gastro doc sucked food particles during the endoscopy. So now, i am talking to my pouch to heal and not be saggy so Dr Stahl at Kirkland Clinic in Birmingham Alabama can put some restriction back. I just had to give a promo to the doc & the clinic is pretty well organized & fantastic & everything I have had done there. I live 45 milies south of Birmingham, the great medical mecca of the area. And, I had stopped my wellness visits at least 6 months ago, so this is my fault for not being more in touch--i knew something was really really wrong when i could no longer drink 10 oz of water at a time, it just took 3 weeks for me to get diagnosed & treated. Anybody even considering of voting for Obama, just realize that people like me will have to wait many more weeks of pain & discomfort to get treatment for stuff like this w/Medicare because the number of docs will radically thin out! will post again after i see the endo doc & the bariatric doc Stahl. I just pray my pouch can recover its elasticity--but I'm an older bird, so maybe not. Oh, also, with plateau, the skin & muffin top in jeans seems to be reducing slowly...somewhat. But, i am still a happy grandma & very thankful for what the band has helped me do...so far!
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Lisa you are going through stages of grief. This is a process and I hope you can find a therapist to help get through this. It's not just about eating. It's about depression. Perhaps you can talk to your PCP or bariatric doctor about the depression. It is really super hard to lose a person you love so much and to see him fight as hard as he good and to lose the battle at the end. I'm talking as a therapist bc I am a therapist.... talk to us as much as you need too. Everyday.......
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and I figured it was time to check out Bariatric Pal and see if it is a good fit for me..being as I have tried lots of diets and lost lots of weight and gained it back every time plus..well, to put it mildly I go into this very cynically. It's a drastic move for me and I feel as if it is a last ditch effort. Its' exciting to look at before and after pictures and read the stories behind them but I don't want to get my hopes up. This will probably be more of an emotional situation for me then just a dieting thing- I can do diet with the best of them but hate limiting myself forever. I don't sit around eating bags of chips or quarts of ice cream or pkgs of oreos but I could eat healthier and exercise more except I have gotten into a rut as I've gotten older-eat out too much and I have so many aches and pains that I shy away from serious exercise. So..what's the success rate with this attitude? I have 6 weeks before the big day,I've read a BUNCH of books on the sleeve-recipe books,spiritual readiness,and a couple of funny ones about personal experiences and how they dealt with the ups and downs of this life-changing step (no pun intended) Look forward to learning how to navigate around this site and meeting some kindred spirits, gmalinda
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After the surgery, I developed a serious problem with constipation. I tried several things to resolve the problem including Probiotics, Metamucil, and laxatives; without success. The only thing that was effective was using glycerin suppositories. I just couldn’t accept inserting a suppository up my rectum every three days for the rest of my life as a viable solution. This was a serious problem. Then almost by accident I stumbled on a simple solution. I found that eating an apple or two each night before I went to bed corrected the problem. But it was important to also eat the skin of the apple. I have followed this regiment for the past 10 months and no problems. My mother who did not have surgery also suffers from this type of problem. I suggested she eat an apple each night before bed. But she says she can't because she has false teeth and the skin gets stuck. I was at my monthly bariatric surgery support group meeting yesterday and another person said they experienced the same problem because of her false teeth. She wanted to know if I had any solution. I thought about it and decided that perhaps one could blend the apple. I experimented today. I cut the core out of the apple and blended it with the skin to the consistency of apple sauce in my Ninja blender. I soon discovered that I needed to add a little liquid to make it blend properly - about a quarter or half cup of (no-sugar) apple juice. It seems like it might work. But since I still have my teeth, I am not able to perform a complete test. So if you suffer from constipation and if you have false teeth and are up to an experiment - try blending an apple a day with the skin (but not the core) and let me know (1) does this type of apple sauce get stuck in your teeth and (2) does it solve your constipation problem.
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Hi everyone! My name is Jenn and I am 21 years old living in Iowa! I am 6'2" tall and currently 317 pounds. My highest weight was 335. Two years ago I was diagnosed with high blood pressure at the age of 21. I knew deep down it was weight related but tried to stay positive. I tried dieting and lost 30 pounds but soon my new hypertension meds made me unable to exercise like I was used to and I gained it all back. Last year my sister was talking of getting gastric bypass and actually went through with it! She had surgery in February and has dropped more than 70 pounds since then. I wanted to wait and see how she did before I asked about surgery and seeing how she did gave me the courage to call my main doctor and ask for a referral. He gave one and I had my first appointment March 26th with the surgeon and nurse practitioner. Everything went great and after meeting with the health insurance rep I was pleasantly surprised that the only things I needed to do were the psych eval and a nutritionist eval before being able to have surgery! I saw the psychiatrist and nutritionist on April 16th (my birthday). They called a week later and set up my surgery. I'm currently on the Bariatric Advantage Protein shake diet until my surgery and have dropped close to 15 pounds in just about a week! My main goal is to rid myself of this awful hypertension so that I can live a healthier, longer, more beautiful life! I'd love to hear advice and stories and see pictures of progress so I know what to expect ???? the attached picture is me at 320 pounds!
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Why did you switch from band to VSG/choose VSG instead of the band?
Tiffykins replied to BlackBerryJuice's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I've had the band, and over a 2 year period the band is more expensive than the sleeve due to follow up appointments, fills/unfills, and the other issues with the band. With the reoperation rate of the band, it's actually way more expensive than the sleeve. Hug your doctor, and thank them for being honest and giving you an option. Some surgeons prefer the band because it's the real money maker of the bariatric surgeries. I've had both the band and the sleeve, and my personal opinion is that the sleeve is superior over the band for several reasons. The band has the lowest and slowest loss stats, highest rate of long term complications even outdoing RNY with the exception of Vitamin deficiencies. The food restrictions alone with the band are horrific. I couldn't eat meat, any type of breads, lettuce, raw veggies, and most fruits caused major issues. The less ghrelin thing is true. Just because you fill up your little pouch with the band doesn't mean you are satisfied. That hunger is still there, and once the food slips through, you'll be hungry again, and really aren't supposed to eat because you're on a forced diet. The maintenance thing is true. You don't even need to go to a general surgeon. Your family doctor or primary care doctor can pull your labs, and monitor your levels. This is a post I share often when people ask about VSG vs. Band, or VSG vs. RNY, or VSG for a revision from band vs. band to band revision. At the very bottom, you'll find some research links that I enjoyed reading for research purposes. Hope this helps. This is directly from the band manufacturer so there is no skewing facts or stats here. This is their own study. -
Why did you switch from band to VSG/choose VSG instead of the band?
BlackBerryJuice posted a topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
So I was pretty set on getting the band, but as I called the Dr's office to book the surgery, they really encouraged me to get the sleeve. The sleeve costs more, so there's definitely some financial motivation in it for them. Plus it's a more invasive surgery, so I'm more concerned. I'm gonna list the reasons they gave me to go with the sleeve. Can someone comment on these/discuss their personal experience? Thanks. 1) Less ghrelin = less hunger 2) No post-op maintenance (repeated fills, etc) = no need to find bariatric surgeons (there are none in my immediate area) as you can just be cared for by any general surgeon 3) no leaks, slips, erosions or infections that can take place with the band, etc 4) Apparently, lower odds of regaining weight
