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Thursday, April 17, 2008. So how important is this to me, really? I saw my doctor, and I don't know what I was expecting, but I didn't get it. I guess I was hoping she'd submit a referral for the surgery. What she said was that she wasn't sure how much Pacificare would pay for, that she could refer me to surgeons but she didn't think anyone at the medical center where I see her had experience with bariatric surgery, and we both agreed that it would be best to have someone who knew what they were doing. It's not that she wasn't supportive, but she wasn't as happy as I thought she would be, and she was the one who brought it up during my last visit. She did agree that it might be the best way for me to go, but she also encouraged me to talk to my therapist about behavioral modification. I almost feel that she wants me to try other things before I decide on the lap band or maybe she'd rather I do something else altogether. It just seems like she should be more involved, to me. I told her about going to OA, but not my entire weight loss struggle, or journey, or whatever you'd call it. Maybe she can only submit requests to my IPA, maybe it's because I'm scared, and that's why I'm letting her reaction bother me. I don't know how to explain to someone who's never been there, that I need something that's going to give me portion control. Sometimes, yes, I can have a piece of something, but most of the time that ain't hapenin. Chewing gum, drinking water, not buying the stuff doesn't work with, as my doctor said, any consistency. I feel like just giving up. All this time I've been researching, and now--just like that!--I give up? Did I really want it? I felt some excitement, and hope, too. I was seeing myself thin. I have the names of two doctors, one has been banded, the other, I know, offers free seminars. I wrote down the address and phone numbers. I just assume Pacificare won't pay. Do I want to? What a sorry son of a bitch I am! I went to the vending machine at work, because I just had to have something sweet. Thinking I'd bought three packages of Oreos, and it turned out I had three packages of corn nuts! One of my co workers bought them from me because she loves them, and I got my Oreos, but jeeze! what atrip! I've just eaten two. It's no problem for me to eat twelve cookies just like that! There's a song by a singer-songwriter with the title, "Look Within." I know as I'm crunching down on those suckers that even though they taste good, I'm trying to erase feelings? Looking for instant gratification? I guess I feel like I want to jump out of my skin. Sometimes I want to scream. I wish I could be satisfied with one cookie, or a piece of cake or pie. Well, I'm still going to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Something just won't let me do otherwise. Debbie

Just got back from the bariatric clinic weigh in. This was my first week with eating real food and even though I was eating around 700-850 cal a day, I still only lost a pound this week. Guess my system is not used to eating real food after so long on watery stuff and mush:( Hopefully next week starts to pick it up. Other than that, I'm feeling really good. Already started to pack up a couple outfits I can't wear anymore to give a friend of mine that is getting lap band soon. Time to start shopping again

On the days where I have made my band angry with me I know I need to go on liquids for awhile. Well the soups at the Bariatric center cost me an arm and a leg and my doctor has told me I can just get other soups at the store and add my Pure protein to it. He never has been specific as to what brand of soup I can use.....sooooooo what brands of soups have you all used? Snacking. Yeah yeah yeah I know, biggest rule they tell you is no snacking. BUT on the days that I am not in my home state and need a fill, I know three meals aren't going to satisfy me throughout the day. Normally, I'll eat a handful of sugar snap peas if I feel a little hunger pain before the time I need to eat or maybe some frozen berries. But that gets kind of monotonous and makes me feel sick to my stomach. So suggestions on that as well? Thanks everyone![:

Any recommends for good recipe apps for bariatric patients?

So, there is definitely something going on with me. This morning I felt fine. I had breakfast- about 2 teaspoons of thin grits with cheese around 6 am. I felt fine and great and was thinking that today might be a good day to go do some walking this morning. I left the house to take my daughter to school on the other side of town and halfway there- at a red light I suddenly - felt shaky, off, my hands got clammy, and I got the sort of mental fog again- like mental confusion- and I felt like I was going to pass out. I got tunnel vision and I had to keep blinking my eyes and shaking my head to sort of stay with it. You know, I had my daughter in the truck with me- the last thing in the world I'd want- is to pass out while I'm driving. It scared me half to death- I managed to tell my daughter what was happening and informed her that I might have to pull over to the side of the road but that I was going to try to make it to a 7-11 about 2 blocks away. It was not a good area of town to break down.. for sure. I got to the 7-11 and by then I was sort of having panicky feelings about what if I passed out and I was trying to think of what to get to try to help my blood sugar- with the mental fog going on - it was very difficult to think- coherantly- I grabbed a bottle of orange juice after glancing around to see what was available- I opened it before I even got to the counter to pay for it- my hands were shaking as I opened the bottle and I was worried that I might not remember my pin number when I paid for it with my debit card because I had no cash. I managed to get two sips down me in the car and tried to call a family member to let them know where I was just in case- just in case I needed to call for an ambulance or just in case.. I needed someone to come get me. My Daughter's school is very close to the hospital and also my surgeons office. After 20 minutes and fretting about the fact that my daughter was already late for school and we were just under a mile away- I decided I should at least try to get her to school- I ran back in to the 7-11 to see if I could find something other than the orange juice because I'd been having problems with acid- and the orange juice reminded me of that and the idea of orange juice coming back up my already burning esophagus unnerved me. I grabbed an apple juice and looked around for some protein- still fuzzy headed- I saw the lunchables and grabbed one thinking either I could try to chew a bite of the turkey or if not then I could try the cheese. Then I slowly pulled out onto the street and attempted to make it to my daughters school- and we got there- course by then I was just barely holding it together for my daughters sake- but feeling absolutely positive that I really could have passed out while driving and killed us both. I let my daughter out of the truck to go to school - she was clearly worried about me and I tried to ease her concerns by telling her that I was just fine and the juice helped..but.. that wasn't entirely true. I parked on the side of the road there and tried to call my surgeons office since I was so close- much closer to there than home. The nurse came on to speak to me and - she seemed to indicate that I could come in- if I felt like I might pass out but- she didn't seem promising as to if they might could check to see what was going on with me. I felt like if I went in and she could SEE what was going on then at least they might send me over for some lab work- maybe iv fluids- something to try to figure out whats going on- or to help me to feel better. I got to the office-somehow- grabbed my juice which I'd taken 2 tiny sips of and nibbled on the piece of turkey there but it tasted terrible so didn't get more than a bite in- tho nibbled on a cracker more easily- just twice- around the edge - When the person came out..and i'm not even sure if it was a nurse- she told me they'd tried to slide me in around 10- it was then 8:45 or so. She said they had 2 big cases coming in and something going on at the hospital and she scolded me for having the apple juice in my hand- and asked me WHY WAS i DRINKING THAT- AS THO IT WAS A MORNING RITUAL OR SOMETHING. I tried to explain to her that clearly I'd had less than 2 sips of that juice- the bottle was still full and that 7-11 doesn't cater to bariatric patients in a situation of low sugar- she also scolded me for having the lunchable- I mean..really? I Haven't ANY JUICE- since before my pre op diet. I haven't had anything remotely similar to a lunchable since before my pre op diet. If I could ordered salmon or tuna- at 7-11 ..surely I would have but..as it stood.. I had few options.. lunchable..or .....donut.. I figured....I made a rational and good choice..by choosing the lunchable to try.. it's not like I ate a whole cracker..it's not like I ate a whole piece of the turkey..because I didn't come anywhere close to that. She suggested I ditch the lunchable- and maybe the juice or dilute it and go down to the first floor to the cafeteria and find some protein- and relax until 10 ish..when the might could slide me in but was sure to let me know that they couldn't do anything there- that they'd have to put in an order for me to have whatever they wanted done..somewhere else. So, I went down to the first floor- and began to look for the cafeteria- right away I noticed a generic starbucks called the espresso cafe but it was closed. So, I kept walking- you know- it's not easy to walk around when you feel shaky and off- There was a small sense of relief that if I passed out in the hallway that someone would find me tho.. that was better than sitting at a red light- and passing out. Small comforts- So I kept walking around..looking for this cafeteria or some sign showing the way to no avail and I saw a tech coming down the hall way and stopped him to ask where the cafeteria was and he said there was no cafeteria there- only the espresso cafe which I'd seen a half a mile back down the other hall way.. and of course it was still closed. Somewhere in all of THAT- I began to get ANGRY. Angry that I'd be waiting for another hour and a half..to MAYBE BE SLID into the schedule.. and that MAYBE.. some tests would be ordered but probably not done today- since fasting might be required. And angry that I'd been sent away to find a nonexistent cafeteria while on the verge of passing out- and scolded no less.. regarding the juice and stuff.... And Angry because I'd thrown out the apple juice and lunchable and now there was no place open for me to get ANYTHING. Angry enough that I went out to the valet parking attendant and asked for my truck- thinking I could at least get the orange juice I'd left in there and evidently angry enough to get into my truck..and decide to drive my self HOME... I called my mother on the cell phone and put her on speaker so that she could talk to me - as I drove home to make sure I had not passed out in route. Got home- managed to find some Protein mushie babyfood- ate a bit of that and sat down- called the dr's office to tell them that I LEFT..AND I'M HOME NOW..AND IF THEY WANT TO CALL ME.. THAT WOULD BE GOOD. The program coordinator called and said I needed to eat PROTEIN- SHE SAID IT LOUD AND SLOW AS THO I MIGHT BE HARD OF HEARING OR LEARNING CHALLENGED. I wanted to say something sarcastic in my defense- but I didn't- I honestly don't remember what else she said- I don't know if she said she'd make me an appointment or anything.. the conversation is a blur.. I have no idea what the woman said to me- I do remember her name tho. So- that's what's going on with me.

OK - quick recap - banded almost 5 years, stomach dilation, converting to Sleeve - Insurance approved and surgery scheduled for 9/7/10. I made all of these plans before really getting to question my surgeon about the sleeve so I had an appointment on 7/14 and we spent quite a bit of time talking about sleeves. He usually uses a 36f bougie and oversews. I'll be in the hospital for 2-3 days and I will have a drain - yuck. I will be his 6th or 7th sleeve but as he put it "in Boston that may be the most any one surgeon has done", now I don't know if that is true but I do know that my surgeon is GOOD. I have full confidence in his surgical abilities - he is the Cheif of Minimally Invasive Surgery and Bariatrics at BIMDC in Boston. Am I a little nervous - Yup - but he has done hundreds if not thousands of lap RNY, the guy knows his stuff and was very fluent in explaining the Sleeve process so I know I'll be OK. We discussed the possibility of switching from lap to open if there was a problem and that I may end up with a modified sleeve (a little larger on top) due to scarring from the band. All in all the risk seems very acceptable and I'm really starting to look forward to my new stomach. In the mean time being unfilled in murder and I've stopped gaining but I am sitting about 25lbs heavier then when I had Fluid - our goal right now is to pamper my stomach and let it resume as much of its normal shape as possible so that I can has as close to a normal sleeve as possible. Fingers crossed - the up side - 3 weeks off of work!!!!

Hi Juniper, I was in about the same situation. I got my band in 2012 and started having significant reflux last summer. I had my band unfilled which helped the reflux but I packed on 40 pounds. I went to Inova Bariatrics and talked about revision to bypass; they said I had to go through the whole program again, which I did. I did not have the supervised diet part and I continued to gain weight until I went on the 2-week liquid diet just before surgery. I had the band removed and the bypass done March 21. I have Federal Blue Cross and they approved as soon as I met the requirements, including cardiac clearance, primary care physician clearance, etc. I don't quite get where your diet supervisor is coming from; I had comorbidities in addition to the high BMI - reflux was one of them (high bp was the other). I think your doctor is right that the reflux should be enough because reflux is one of the signatures of the band. I wish I had known that in 2012 - I would have done the bypass then instead. If you stay with that practice you might be stuck (pardon the lapband pun) doing as the diet supervisor commands. Different practices have different rules. I like my practice very much but they're in Fair Oaks and Woodbridge, likely a huge trip for you. Remember, even though the pre-op diet is very difficult the reward will be worth it. You can do this!

Will you ever upgrade to the,point you can change and upgradebinfo on a Android or even IOS phone? I am sick of that erroneous date on my profile following me around. First and may we pray, last Bariatric Surgery was September 5 2018 not 2014 or whatever else. In 2014 I was obeses, without hope, sitting in my wide-seated armchair waiting for the Death Angel to come claim me or struggling along at Wally World, trying to convince my supervisors I could work circles around the younger employees. And did they care? Not so you notice!

I'm just about done with my two week preop diet regime of two Bariatric Advantage Protein Meal Supplement shakes and one "sensible" meal per day. I don't mind the flavor of the shake; I ususally mix it with crystal light lemonade or add cinammon with the powder. I blend them with ice to make a cool, frothy and filling shake. Only issue is GI upset since the first day of the shakes. After a week of running to the bathroom, I got some Immodium and things seem to havve slowed down. Anyone else have this experience from the Protein Shakes? Wanda

I would check with your bariatric team. Higher protein may be fine since you are newly banded. I know that excessive protein can cause kidney stones etc....but the protein grams would be super high and I doubt you could exceed once you are on solid food. You are drinking lots of water which is very important.

I have not had lap band but I have had two prior bariatric surgeries that failed. I am now going to have RNY Gastric Bypass revision at age 73. I have learned a lot since I started on this path 6 months ago. Good for you for moving forward toward a healthy weight. However, I'm concerned that you have not learned how to eat differently yet. Consider the possibility that you are a sugar/food addict. If you are, Keto is not the answer for you. You need to change your habits entirely. I strongly recommend some reading for you. Choose at least one book from each of these groups. Finally, conclude with Success Habits of Weight Loss Patients. Get started now. Apparently you have already had the surgery, so there is no time to be lost.

I actually bought a few bariatric books when making my decision. I’m reading Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies right now. Losing weight and keeping it off is definitely in our head. The surgery is only a tool. If we don’t follow the expected guidelines that come with the surgery then we set ourselves up for failure. Those books are perfect to help us on our journey to become healthier. Thank you.

So I went on vacation to Europe for a month. I know, you don't feel sorry for me! There was a lot of sausage, bread, and beer to be had! I did not have any problems with getting stuck...at first. Two weeks into my trip, I fell off a horse. OW ow ow ow ow! I did a few things wrong after that: 1) I took Aleve because I knew I was going to hurt like hell later, and 2) Later, my hosts forced me to drink the Polish medicine, which is normally vodka but they thought I needed something stronger so it was cognac, and 3) I proceeded to eat a normal sausage-y dinner. It was not long before I was stuck and sliming. I've never been stuck before, only had an uncomfortable feeling when I eat too fast or too big a bite. The sliming eventually led to vomiting, and there were streaks of blood in it. Oh how scared I was! I was in a foreign country, vomiting blood, and I just knew that if I went to the hospital, they wouldn't know what to do with me. So I only told my husband, who was freaked out but agreed to stay quiet and keep an eye on me. I sipped Water for the rest of the evening, then just ate soft stuff for 24 hours. I felt fine the next day...well, my stomach felt fine. My body was extremely sore! I had to be more careful with food after that, I seemed to feel tight/stuck more easily. I visited my bariatric doctor when I got home, who checked my band with the x-ray and everything looked great. I ate basically whatever I wanted for a month and gained a pound. Not bad! We walked a LOT, and I was not the person everyone else had to wait for, as in past trips. 7 months of exercise allowed me to be the person in front for a change! So other than the horse fiasco, I had a really great experience.

as you said, others must be in the same boat. I'm in Elkhart, IN -- I know there are bariatric places within an hour drive -South Bend - but it seemed like a lot of time and $ to go to someone new, hassle with all the records transfer, and the various indigities of medical prodding and disrobing for someone who has no issues for the past two years. Still, the "just in case" idea seems logical. But I'll call the office --perhaps they are referring everyone to the same place --won't know unless I call --on the other hand I did receive a letter about the new doctor and how he won't be doing any weight related surgery . . .

One-A-Day Gummies and Bariatric Eating.com has chewable iron tablets! Congrats!

My insurance required 2 years of weight history and diet attempts and then the 6 month requirement was through my bariatric DR and a nutritionist. Can you call your insurance and ask or do you have a member handbook to refer to??

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

Well I just got home from my new bariatric doctor. He did a shielded X-ray (to protect baby) and discovered the tubing from my Lapband to my port hangs loose very low and is attached to my uterus by scar tissue and the reason for my episodes of severe pain is that the tubing is wrapping around my intestines and then it let's loose again.....there's a 1 in 20 chance it can permanently wrap around my intestine and I would have to have emergency surgery but for now until the baby is born it is just a wait and see game......just glad after 2 years of this pain I finally have some answers

I am so sorry you are having difficulties again. I would see if there is some way you can get an emergency unfill. Maybe a bariatric doctor where you are vacationing??

Nicole, I'm so sorry you had to go through that. Please don't beat yourself up over regaining weight. I had to say goodbye to my band 3 weeks ago and I've regained also. My band was removed because of a congenital problem with my esophagus that contraindicates the gastric band, so eventually (when my esophagus is sorted out) I hope to revise to the sleeve. People often say that the band is the least invasive of bariatric surgeries, but let's face it. Any surgery that requires the patient to be anesthetized while a surgeon cuts holes in their abdomen, pokes instruments into those holes, and implants a medical device, is pretty invasive. People also say that the band is good because it's removable. Well, that's true, but it doesn't mean that removing it is easy and safe. RNY is reversible, if need be, but that doesn't mean it's easy or safe. So I guess you have to choose the lesser of the evils. I think we'd all like to say we can lose and maintain our weight on our own, but if we had a big enough problem that we qualified for weight loss surgery, it's not likely that another attempt to do it "on your own" is going to work longterm. On the other hand, presumably you've acquired some healthier habits since being banded, and can rely on those now, at least until you're healed and ready to consider a different surgery. Good luck!

Dear patients, Our support group meeting the first Saturday in April will be in conjunction with the recent opening of the Metabolic Fast Track Weight Loss Center. We will be touring the facility, demo'ing the equipment, and getting some fitness tips from Donna Isaac, a registered nurse and fitness specialist. Our group is open to all patients no matter what surgery or who your surgeon was. Please come and check it out! The Center for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery 10475 Reading Road, Evendale (Cincinnati), OH 45241 Trace W. Curry, M.D. Lap Band and Realize Band surgeon Cincinnati, Ohio Your Page Title 513.559.1222 / 877.442.BAND DISCLAIMER: Any information contained within is meant to be general medical advice only. Please consult your surgeon on your specific problem!

Of course her opinion is bothering you....she's your friend! Avoiding her is OK, but if truly value her friendship, at some point you may want to ask her how she feels and if there's something you can do (besides sabotaging your own weight loss) to help her and to renew the friendship.

I am about 4 months post op and my scars are pretty dark because I tend to hyperpigment. I have 5 of them!!!! Dont know why the surgeon cant do the single incision gastric sleeve through the belly button. That would've been my preference but the only two surgeons in the US that do that were not near me. Anyway, I went to my dermatologist and he mixed up a prescription strength formula to fade these things and happy to say it is working. But honestly, I think it is something the bariatric surgeons should address.

I am planning to have sleeve surgery in January with Dr. Ariel Ortiz at OCC. My insurance won’t cover bariatrics or weight loss and I am planning to switch in Jan. But I am also trying to lose weight as soon as possible to be considered a kidney donor for my sister, so I’m doing Weight Watchers (again!) until January when my schedule is open for surgery in MX. 1) My PCP is un-supportive. Is there anyone from the Tucson, AZ area with a wonderful doc that embraces bariatrics? 2) What were your pre-surgery preparations that you recommend? Books, etc. Finally, this is a dumb question, but is there any way to sort this forum so that I see newest posts first? Thanks!

I am having my surgery in Danville on August 19th. Docs name is Jon Gabrielse. Are you having a full incision surgery?I have been going to danville since November 2013. The horrible winter caused some delay in attending all the sessions i had to go to, but am now fully ready...I think I learned a great deal from each member of their team, and they are easy to talk to. we drive over 2 hours to get to Geisinger, but its been worth it. Are you going to the main hospital or one of the clinics? that doctor isnt one on my list from the bariatric center.