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Man, I wish I had some good advice for you. I COULD say "well, what kind of friends are they if they don't support you in this" but that doesn't make it any less hurtful. But hopefully some of them are TRUE friends an will support you through thick and thin (😁) and your appearance or eating habits will not affect your friendship in any way. Do you have bariatric support groups near you? That is a great place to meet lots of people who are going through what you are so they will understand the changes, and you may have some new best friends among them. And I know we all can't go out for a (small) bite (byte?) over the computer, but don't forget you have friends here! Come visit often.😘

Everything you go through Is and Always will be Temporary!! Subject to Change, Depending on How You Look At the Situation!!! If You have Belief and have Faith that Your Issue is Not Spiritual but Carnal: Worldly!! Then You Know that You Need to Renew Your Mind Your Thinking!!! Once You see the Situation as Worldly Not the Life You Want Then You Change It!!! Philippians 4:13: I can Do All Things Through Christ Which Strengthens Me!!!

Dr. Cardenas is an excellent plastic surgeon and is quite well known in the bariatric community. Lots of bariatric patients have had her do their plastic surgery. That price for the two body surgeries is much lower than what I paid in Chicago. The facelift piece isn't any cheaper than what you'd pay stateside, though (although maybe less than California prices - I'm not sure). I actually went to a someone who specializes in facial plastic surgery for my face, though (for the body ones I went to someone who specializes in body contouring for massive weight loss patients) Dr. Francisco Sauceda in Monterrey also specializes in massive weight loss patients and a lot of us have used him. I don't know how his pricing is now - when I got an email quote from him, it was very reasonable (I think $16K for all the body stuff (I didn't ask about a facelift)) - but that was four or five years ago)

Hi! There is a doctor in IL that will do fills. He is in Downers Grove, IL. His name is Dr. Vitello. I emailed him, and he responded quickly. This is what he said: Yes I still perform lap band fills. The fee without fluoroscopy is $75, assuming I can get access to your port without xray. If we ned xray the fee is $150 plus the hospital bills you $125 for the use of xray. If your interested just email me. DrVitello His contact info is: Dr, Vitello (Downers Grove, s.w. of Chicago) contact by email at jvituic@comcast.net Also Midwest Bariatrics in Nina, Wisconsin supposedly will do fills. I don't have a phone number. I've also heard about this one, but have had no luck contacting them: Surburban Surgical Care (n.w. Illinois) 888-639-7353 $250 Where are you located? I'm in Iowa City, Iowa. Hope this helps, Donna

Thanks for letting me know that. Saves me from wasting money. Yes food and shakes seems to be the most practical and it'll taste so much better. Right now I'm not worried about getting in extra protein or a certain amount either. Reading different posts had me thinking I needed to do more. Started driving me crazy lol. Called my bariatric partner and talked to her which clarified how I was feeling and just went back to working my surgeons plan for me. I mean I did chose him for a reason, so why be concerned what others are doing. I feel better for it VSG 6/17/2016

IDK. I think you are a fairly unique lady and VET. Maybe in the top 1-3% of people/"types". You DID learn your lessons while losing. You DID incorporate your doc/RD instructions and adapted them to work for you long term. And when you experience regain for any reason, you've set a protocol that is inspiring and amazing to watch. And it gives me hope for my future--that I'm not doomed to regain it all without being able to maintain. Because you quickly and efficiently go back to your roots and get rid of the regain. I feel like the OP has not done the work. Or maybe the surgery was the wrong surgery for him/her? We are all so unique, one solution won't fit all. They claim the reason for the regain and for not getting lower to their goal was based on undisciplined behavior. But if you lack discipline before, what will change this time? How will you magically change for good? Any of us can do things for short periods of time. But being "habilitated" sometimes, even more than being "RE-habilitated" is important. Not all of us can do that on our own. Not everyone learns things the first time. Maybe some of us DO need the surgeon revision or the RD new plan/accountability that meetings provide? Maybe we DO need bariatric therapy to discover what is driving us to self-harming behaviors? It usually isn't the short game that's the problem for any of us...it's playing for the long game. It is about changing lifelong behaviors for long term success. And that's a TALL order for most of us (the other 97%). Dunno...just spit balling here.

I'm new to this forum... I am currently 2 1/2 weeks post Gastric Sleeve surgery. My question is... Is it normal for my bariatric surgeon to tell me to crush all my pills, after my surgery? And if it is. How long do they normally have you crush them? Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

I have been taking probiotics and a bariatric pill with iron in it. I wasn’t sure if this could also cause this pain/discomfort. I feel like I can feel my insides. If that makes any sense.

I have 45 bars left over from my pre-op diet. They all taste very good, but I found I have an allergy to one of the ingredients. For my pre-op diet I was allowed to have 2 of these a day as a snack. Here is the listing on ebay in case you are interested. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-45-Bariatric-Advantage-KetogenX-Snack-Bars-Asorted-Flavors-Metagenics-/280868542722?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item416511d902#ht_500wt_1156 Let me know if you have any questions!

Im a little confused, is it Bariatric Pal Hospital or Hospital BC? I have heard that it is referenced as both names. If I have acid reflux is it ok to have the Gastric Sleeve or would I need the Gastric Bypass? Thank you Tammy Weller

Hello all! I just went on my Kaiser website and logged in and saw that there was an appointment for me scheduled there for Fremont Bariatric orientation. I kept staring at the appointment like it wasn't real because I've been waiting four months and battling the process every step. It's true you have to be very pushy and keep calling or else you get forgotton about. I'm just wondering if this means that I am definetly in for the surgery or if I still have to wait for approval. Hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving dinner!!:thumbup:

I have had an upper Gi and the radiologist said it was normal but the bariatric surgeon still needs to look at it. I am having similar symptoms again--most particularly the reflux at night--Ugh, I hate that the most! My band is very tight and a lot of foods hurt and I can't eat too much.

Thank you! I already feel better reading that. I'll call my surgeon tomorrow if he hasn't responded to my email by then. I'll also try to figure out how many surgeries he's done and ask about his record because that would be comforting as well. I know he did his training in bariatrics when he was med school or like specialized in it. How far along are you in pre op? I will probably have my surgery between Christmas and New Years.

No judgment, Glad you are asking for help Gains can happen to any of us. (I’ve had one) Weight loss mode and maintaining is work. None of this is easy, right? Reality is its not going to be easy. But you can do some things to turn this around. Therapy and counseling may help you address your relationship with food, why your discipline is lacking and getting back on track. Your surgeon can talk to you about all your options. Doing this on your own or with help is a mental battle. Except that you will feel crappy and have cravings while you detox off the extra calorie’s carbs and sugar. Many go back to bariatric basics, keto paleo vegan. Log your food is the only way you will know if you are eating your weight loss calories and macros. Joining a weight loss challenge can help you stay on track. Keep us updated. Your battle with this is going to help others dealing with the same situation. Many come here looking for solutions and then disappear from the site. I hope you stay around and give people insight from your experience.

Mine was 2 weeks. It's hard the first few days, but then it gets WAY easier, I promise! I thought it as "Bariatric Boot Camp" . Some surgeons (nutritionist, really) can give you super specific instructions, some basically a list and how many calories, protein, carbs, etc (that was mine). It's super important to shrink your liver and also you'll get used to post op "eating". But everyone is completely different but I've seen 2 weeks kind of as the average.

I've taken Trader Joe's High Potency chewable multi's and Wellesse liquid calcium since surgery. My labs have always been great and I don't miss paying tons of extra money for special "bariatric" vitamins. One thing, if you are looking at Calcet or Caltrate make sure you are getting calcium citrate, not calcium carbonate. That is something that sleevers need to be very aware of! Calcium carbonate doesn't work well for us.

Thank you for this information. I'm 2 weeks out and just saw my surgeon yesterday. They said they don't want me to start vitamins (except B12 - I got a shot) until my next visit in 2 weeks. Still, I looked at some of the "bariatric" vitamins and they do seem pricey. Do you take a sublingual B12? If so, may I ask which one?

I was self-pay in NJ. Total was $14,500 including 3 months of aftercare/fills and one night in the hospital. I went to Mehta Bariatric Center in New Brunswick. I live in south jersey and it only takes me an hour and 10 minutes to get to his office.

You are very welcome and yes to meeting you once you settle down here. And if you do end up going to my Bariatric centre I will be more than happy to schedule our appointments at the same time so I can give you a lift.

It sounds to me like you need follow up with a bariatric surgeon desperately.

Its a problem to have a non medical licensed person practicing medicine. You need to do what you have to do to get surgery done, be smart and consult your pcp, get a bariatric nutritionist, know you and how you react. This is the beginning of our reinvented healthcare. Be Cautious and be aware. Protect you. You have come along way to change now... Always make a call or appointment if you dont get info you need.

Okay, so i finally got serious about this in August of 08... I had been completely out of control and had given up.... The only thing that was getting me up every morning, was the drive-thru - anything cheesey with a big ole' diet coke was all I needed for motivation to get up and go :smile2:! Lunch was whatever the school cafeteria was slopin' that day...the cafeteria lady really liked me so she gave me double portions or extra cookies-woohoo!!!:cursing: My afterschool snack was a couple to a few Little Debbies washed down with a - you guessed it - big ole' diet coke....:thumbup: Dinner was a scavenger hunt for the largest portion I could find - didn't really matter what it was, as long as it was alot of somethin'!:sad: I now know, (and am pretty sure I knew at the time) that I was trying to eat away some pretty negative feelings. What I was actually doing was eating myself to death... I had moved away from my home, my firends, my church family and completly severed my relationship with the Lord. Thankfully, He never left me:tt1:. This went on from about January till well, about August. I joined a gym in July, but my eating was still out of control.... In August, we started school and my job had changed.... I was again working with kids that I loved, but quickly discovered that I was not able to perform my job the way I wanted to.... I was sitting in the floor with a little boy, who was having a very difficult time and all these people were watching... Now, the audience has never bothered me before, my students' meltdowns often attracted attention. But this time I was humiliated because I couldn't get up out of the floor! And I don't mean "I couldn't get up gracefully", I mean I actually couldn't get up. Thankfully, I discovered the doorknob behind me and heeved myself up... I left work that day and went to see a trainer...:w00t: She was precious and got me started that day (I'm pretty sure she heard the desperation). Over the course of the year, I struggled with my eating, exercise, my purpose - and my relationship with the Lord. I came through with a renewed faith, 30 pounds lighter and a new shunt for my brain (long story). 30 pounds isn't alot at my size, but for the first time in my life - I hadn't gained:wink2:. And better yet, I was no longer angry...:thumbup: And although that 30 pounds is a great accomplishment, it isn't the end of what I need to do.... So here I am, 3 days into the preop for LapBand surgery... I wasn't sure this was the path for me, but left it in the Lord's hands (huge for me) and he opened doors that I never thought was possible...My sugery will be paid 100% by my insurance. I was given a surgery slot on a non-surgery day 14 days from now in a practice that is booked three months out....:tt2: This is one of the few things in my life that I have totally let go of and trusted Him with.... I did not beg, bargain or try to manipulate the situation...(again - huge for me) In fact, I had pretty much given up on the idea and decided to try diet pills (not a good idea) when I called my insurance company "for closure." Fast forward 3 days and here I am!!! I start back to work tomorrow, and still have to be approved to be off, but I am not worried.... I trust that it will all work out... Becasue I know who is in control....and it's not me:wub:.

Okay, so i finally got serious about this in August of 08... I had been completely out of control and had given up.... The only thing that was getting me up every morning, was the drive-thru - anything cheesey with a big ole' diet coke was all I needed for motivation to get up and go :tt2:! Lunch was whatever the school cafeteria was slopin' that day...the cafeteria lady really liked me so she gave me double portions or extra cookies-woohoo!!!:biggrin: My afterschool snack was a couple to a few Little Debbies washed down with a - you guessed it - big ole' diet coke....:thumbup: Dinner was a scavenger hunt for the largest portion I could find - didn't really matter what it was, as long as it was alot of somethin'!:eek: I now know, (and am pretty sure I knew at the time) that I was trying to eat away some pretty negative feelings. What I was actually doing was eating myself to death... I had moved away from my home, my firends, my church family and completly severed my relationship with the Lord. Thankfully, He never left me:tt1:. This went on from about January till well, about August. I joined a gym in July, but my eating was still out of control.... In August, we started school and my job had changed.... I was again working with kids that I loved, but quickly discovered that I was not able to perform my job the way I wanted to.... I was sitting in the floor with a little boy, who was having a very difficult time and all these people were watching... Now, the audience has never bothered me before, my students' meltdowns often attracted attention. But this time I was humiliated because I couldn't get up out of the floor! And I don't mean "I couldn't get up gracefully", I mean I actually couldn't get up. Thankfully, I discovered the doorknob behind me and heeved myself up... I left work that day and went to see a trainer...:w00t: She was precious and got me started that day (I'm pretty sure she heard the desperation). Over the course of the year, I struggled with my eating, exercise, my purpose - and my relationship with the Lord. I came through with a renewed faith, 30 pounds lighter and a new shunt for my brain (long story). 30 pounds isn't alot at my size, but for the first time in my life - I hadn't gained:wink2:. And better yet, I was no longer angry...:sad: And although that 30 pounds is a great accomplishment, it isn't the end of what I need to do.... So here I am, 3 days into the preop for LapBand surgery... I wasn't sure this was the path for me, but left it in the Lord's hands (huge for me) and he opened doors that I never thought was possible...My sugery will be paid 100% by my insurance. I was given a surgery slot on a non-surgery day 14 days from now in a practice that is booked three months out....:tt2: This is one of the few things in my life that I have totally let go of and trusted Him with.... I did not beg, bargain or try to manipulate the situation...(again - huge for me) In fact, I had pretty much given up on the idea and decided to try diet pills (not a good idea) when I called my insurance company "for closure." Fast forward 3 days and here I am!!! I start back to work tomorrow, and still have to be approved to be off, but I am not worried.... I trust that it will all work out... Becasue I know who is in control....and it's not me:wub:.

With all due respect, your doctor sounds like an idiot. Your body needs Protein to repair itself. How much WLS experience does he have? Is he part of a Bariatric Center of Excellence or is he a regular doctor who just does a few of these now without providing adequate follow up and support? Every doctor has their own program (as you will see from reading the letters here) but yours is so far from the norm, it is very worrisome. I suggest you look at the guidelines published by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (the leading national organization of bariatric doctors) at asmbs.org and discuss these with your doctor. If he is not up to professional standards, try to find another doctor.

I am curious if anyone here goes to this support group (which meets on the first Tuesday of the month). I'm probably going to go to it next week and would love to meet people from bariatric pal in person. Brenda (Bree)