Search the Community

Tiffany posted this as a comparison of Vitamins. You also want to keep in mind that you need to space your Iron and calcium citrate at least two hours apart. I've been very pleased with Bariatric Advantage Multivitamin, BA iron, and BA chewy calcium citrate. Hope this helps! http://verticalsleevetalk.com/vitamins-supplements/3739-all-vitamins-not-created-equally-excellent-comparison-chart.html

I am in new jersey but didn't use any of those doctors. I can SUPER HIGHLY recommend my doctor.Her office is with a bariatric center in the Union are

So.....stop. Just stop. Quit sabotaging your ability to gain results. It's not too late to get realigned with the suggested methods your bariatric group instructed you on. You use the term, "I can't ". I'm calling BS on this. You can, you simply choose not to. You've had weight loss surgery.....altered your body in order to set yourself up for losing weight. It's not to late to make the mental adjustments needed to support this. People the world over are flooding their gyms and diet centers this month in hopes of fulfilling their New Year's resolutions to lose weight. Be a joiner, lol. Follow along.....or better yet....lead the way. You've had a head start on them.....now leave them in the dust. Or don't. Your choice. Keep doing as you've always done and be content with not getting the most from your surgery. Or follow the rules and thrive with the benefits that will be forthcoming.

Hi Rhonda. I actually am on regular foods now, with the exception of starch. The clinic that performed my surgery has patients progress quicker than most other bariatric centers. I eat mostly grilled chicken breast, lettuce, eggs, and various fruits. I had my first fill last week though and it seems like maybe I'm not tolerating raw veggies very well.

Thanks for your replies. I know the bariatric place where I'm going will handle insurance stuff, but maybe I'll do a little more digging before I go to the seminar. i'm just now learning that some companies make you see a dietician for 6 months and/or have other stipulations. Now I'm afraid this could get complicated. The research is overwhelming. Especially when I have next to no downtime (stay at home mom to 3 under 3). This forum looks very informative!

Hey guys has anyone tryed the Jay Robb egg white vanilla protien powder? I am having a really hard time getting my shakes in cause it makes me gag...I have the bariatric advantage chocolate. I used to like it until after surg...I am 1 month out and I need to figure out something cause I am far from my protien amount that I need. Ugh!

Some of the individuals on this website did have that condition and it caused them problems. It is important to get this condition treated before surgery. According to the internet: Therapy for H. pylori infection consists of 10 days to 2 weeks of one or two effective antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, tetracycline (not to be used for children <12 yrs.), metronidazole, or clarithromycin, plus either ranitidine bismuth citrate, bismuth subsalicylate, or a proton pump inhibitor. Another article says: Nausea and vomiting are the most common complaints after bariatric surgery, and they are typically associated with inappropriate diet and noncompliance with a gastroplasty diet (ie, eat undisturbed, chew meticulously, never drink with meals, and wait 2 hours before drinking after solid food is consumed). If these symptoms are associated with epigastric pain, significant dehydration, or not explained by dietary indiscretions, an alternative diagnosis must be explored. One of the most common complications causing nausea and vomiting in gastric bypass patients is anastomotic ulcers, with and without stomal stenosis. Ulceration or stenosis at the gastrojejunostomy of the gastric bypass has a reported incidence of 3% to 20%. Although no unifying explanation for the etiology of anastomotic ulcers exists, most experts agree that the pathogenesis is likely multifactorial. These ulcers are thought to be due to a combination of preserved acid secretion in the pouch, tension from the Roux limb, ischemia from the operation, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use, and perhaps Helicobacter pylori infection. Evidence suggests that little acid is secreted in the gastric bypass pouch; however, staple line dehiscence may lead to excessive acid bathing of the anastomosis. Treatment for both marginal ulcers and stomal ulcers should include avoidance of NSAIDs, antisecretory therapy with proton-pump inhibitors, and/or sucralfate. In addition, H pylori infection should be identified and treated, if present.

Hi All, Someone posted this website on our Bariatric forum, so I thought I'd introduce myself. My name is Viki and I had the lapband in January 2006. I've only lost 50 lbs since then, but it's 50 lbs I'm happy with. Now I've got to lose some more, but an at a plateau and can't get out. I exercise 3-5 days a week in the summer and 6 days a week in the winter. I'm going this Friday to have my band refilled and will probably get it tighter. How tight is everyone's bands????? how many cc's does everyone have???? Maybe mine isn't tight enough yet.

Have you tried putting the bariatric chewables in yogurt ( crush them) or blend them with a protein drink?

yes and that's one reason why I decided to take all of my multi vitamin at once. Those Bariatric Advantage are no joke. The first time I took them, it was on an empty stomach and I'll never make that mistake again. I eat lunch and then finish with a sip of water and 3 capsules. Then, I set a 2 hour timer for my calcium. My other doses of calcium are when I wake up and when I go to bed.

You might lose more than you intend - but if you do, you increase your calories until you are in maintenance. That's totally preventable and not something to worry about. You're not going to starve yourself. Some people lose hair, but some don't. The most important thing to do is follow your docs guidelines regarding protein and take your bariatric vitamins. Even if you do lose some hair, that's a small thing and isn't worth sacrificing your long-term health over.

:redface:I started my journey towards bariatric surgery the end of November 2007. I'm being worked up by James Harris, MD in Wilmington, NC. This past Friday I finished up all my preop requirements and I'm waiting now for my second appt with the surgeon...I'm somewhat undecided between which procedure that I want to have. This particular MD have done over 300 gastric bypass procedures (with a high success rate) and just started doing the lap bands. I'm curious to know if anyone out there has heard of this surgeon or been banded by him.

I have a friend doing this exact thing. Her OB is going to coordinate with the Bariatrics surgeon. It can be done pretty easily.

@@diane1 -- Is that something your bariatric surgeon said he does or will do? Tubal ligation isn't an area of expertise for me, but I'd never have thought a general surgeon would perform the procedure. @@Anilyn -- Is tubal something you want? Vasectomy is a simpler procedure. I suppose you and your husband have at least begun discussion. Would he/does he claim the fictitious, fabled male entitlement or to be a partner in birth control? He'll benefit down the road from your RNY -- you'll be around longer. What is he offering for your benefit -- as a partner in life, that is, not as a begrudging martyr? Just tossing it out for your consideration; don't wanna know any intimate details.

After having some sobering health problems and a family history of diabetes and hypertention I decided that I needed to do something sooner then later to alter the course I was going down. I have done my research/homework and felt strongly the band was going to be the “tool” I needed to achieve permanent weight loss. A few months later and I’ve finished almost all of my labwork/appointments, next month I have a few more and I am half way to loosing the pre-surgery weight loss required for the surgery. <o:p> </o:p> I attended orientation and a support group and look forward to attending more support groups with my bariatric program. So I’m a little sad that I am having second thoughts. I don’t know if this is normal??? I am terrified that I will not succeed or be able to maintain loss. <o:p> </o:p> I met with the Nutritionist, she was personable and I enjoyed our meeting. But of course she got me thinking. I understood that this wouldn’t be easy but that it would be different then other weight loss attempts in that I would have something to help me build healthy eating habits. I’ve done easy fixes and none of them worked long term. I want to be around for my kids, I have a wonderful understanding husband who I plan on sharing a long life with. It is no longer about being thin and pretty (motivation for past weight loss attempts), albeit a nice side effect, I am worried about my long term health. So I called my mom, who is my number one supporter, we talked for awhile. She lost over 100 pounds after having 5 children and has kept it off for over 20 years. This has not been easy for her and I have always admired her stamina, she works at maintaining her weight loss every single day. She told me she wished she would have had the option of the Lapband. Anyway we talked about my concerns and fear that this will just be another thing I fail at. She mostly listened, I could sense she is afraid for me too. She knows how hard this is. <o:p> </o:p> I can loose weight, I’ve lost 60-70 pounds several times in my life not once have I maintained the loss for more then a few years, and recently not for more then a few months. I am terrified I will go through a surgery, loose the weight, and not be able to maintain. Or even worse not be able to loose weight. My confidence in my ability to lead a healthy lifestyle has I guess I need some reassurance that this will help me find it easier to maintain, that I won’t repeat my cycle of loss and gain. <o:p> </o:p> For those of you who have been yo-yo dieters, do you find the band significantly helps you maintain? I am ready to make permanent lifestyle changes. I don’t mind doing the work for the rest of my life…I just want to know this will allow me to have the willpower that has become more and more nonexistent.

Hello all. I'm 34 and just starting my journey. I've looked into the surgery for about 7 years but never had the insurance or the money to cover it. My husband finally got a new job with killer UHC benefits that cover the surgery and I couldn't be more excited. I go to my consultation on August 11th but the nurse said she knows she can get me in earlier thru cancellations. I have to go through the clinics three month program and see all kind of specialists. The bariatric nurse said she loves working with UHC because they are the easiest to get approved through. She said at earliest I should get my surgery by end of year but at latest February. Seems like an eternity away, but what's a few more months after waiting years already. So I guess my question is? How do you mentally prepare yourself for what is about to come? And has anyone worked with UHC choice plus Ohio and how was the approval process? I think my BMI is 44 so I fit the criteria. Also will I have to quit smoking? That is part off journey to quit but will I have to do that before surgery? Thanks????????

I think we all go into this with doubts and fear of failure. It is what many of us have experienced with traditional dieting our whole lives. A little bit of that fear is probably healthy. What has worked for me so far is to: Decide to do everything my bariatric team asked me to do, even if I thought I couldn't and/or if I was afraid. Follow my surgeon's instructions (pre- and post-op). Track my food. I use MyFitnessPal. Get at least 64 oz of Fluid every day. Get at least 100 grams of Protein every day. Avoid (for the most part) added sugars, starches, and fried foods. Take my Vitamins and supplements as directed. Exercise regularly. Practice eating mindfully, taking small bites, and chewing thoroughly. Participate in BariatricPal. Attend support groups when I am able. Weigh infrequently, especially in the first few months after surgery. Avoid carbonation and caffeine. Practice creativity. Manage stress the best way I can. Celebrate my successes: my favorite rewards are things like massages and mani/pedis. And, most importantly, embrace the inevitable stalls. Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

Today I would like to talk about exercise. First, I would like to say that if your doctor or bariatric team has set an activity plan for you, you should do your best to follow their plan. This blog entry is more about those who are out there who have not started exercising and have no plan. Maybe you have never had an exercise regimen in your life, maybe you have tried exercise before but hated it and couldn't stick with it. This is just one girl's opinion and it probably goes against anything a personal trainer would want you to do. The thing is, I'm talking about starting from ZERO. So many times, the people who are telling us where, how, and how long to exercise are probably not people who have started from zero. They may have never been overweight. They may not know what it's like to be obese and have very little activiity and very little muscle. Now, you may look at my profile and say, where does this girl get off, just four weeks after surgery, weighing 270 pounds, acting like she knows something about exercise? Well, O.K., I'm not a personal trainer. I did, however, lose about 70 pounds 12 years ago. I got up to the point where I could jog 3 miles! I had never even jogged a mile in my entire life. This blog entry is to let you know how I did it back then. How I found what worked for me. And how I am pretty much approaching exercise the same way this time too. About 12 years ago, I found myself at what was then my heaviest weight ever (250). I decided that I had to do something. Being a young single woman, I just wasn't ready to go on a food diet because I had done those before. I decided I would try exercise. (Watching what I ate came later after I was seeing the success of exercise.) Don't try that with WLS. Please, watch what you eat! I thought about what had kept me from being a successful exerciser over the years. A few things came to mind: being the fattest, slowest, person at the gym; starting out gung ho and having sore muscles that made me not want to exercise the next few days and therefore falling of the wagon; doing things I didn't enjoy. I decided that I was just going to get out and walk. I didn't have a length of time. I didn't have a set distance. I wasn't going to be concerned with how fast I was walking. I wasn't going to be concerned if I got my heart rate up. I didn't need to have exercise outfits. I was just going to walk around the neighborhood. I was going to take a stroll. Look at the houses. Check out the neighbors. Get away by myself and give myself time to think. Time to work out my issues. It was wonderful. I didn't go home exhausted. I went home happy. I was happy that I did SOMETHING. I kept doing this for a few weeks. Eventually, when I was ready, I decided to walk a little faster. If I got tired, I slowed down. I didn't push myself. I was new to exercise. I wasn't gonna be Florence Griffith Joyner. I reeaaallllly eased myself into exercise. And every now and then, I upped the pace. After a few months, I measured out a mile around the neighborhood and I walked the full mile. And so on. Until miraculously, about 9 months later, I could jog 3 miles! Why do we feel impelled to push ourselves so hard, only to fail? I'm sorry, but C25K (Couch to Five Kilometers) is not for people who were really laying around on the couch. Unless those people were not overweight and had underlying muscle tone. Find something you enjoy. Don't feel like you have to spend money on a gym membership that you might not use. Walking is free. Hiking is free. Riding a bike is free (if you have one). Spend just a little bit to join the Y. They have a pool. Do a little swimming. Dancing to music in your house is free. Some cable companies have cardio and yoga sessions on demand. Hell, youtube has everything you could ever possibly want. Start in the privacy of your own home if you're worried about being embarassed about coordination. And if you can only do that video for 10 minutes....that's fine! Only do that video for 10 minutes for the next two weeks. Then up it a bit. Another thing I did, early on, was focus on my breathing. A lot of people who don't exercise are very shallow breathers. While you are walking or even lying in bed at night, practice filling your lungs to capacity when you breathe in. Feel not just your chest inflate, but your abdomen too. Increasing your lung capacity will help you get that vital oxygen to your muscles when you decide to up the activity. I also focused on breathing with a rythm. Sounds funny, but it really helped me keep from getting out of breath. I would inhale with so many steps and exhale with so many steps. It really made a difference to me. You'll have good days and bad days. But it will start to get easier and maybe, hopefully start to be enjoyable. That satisfaction from having done SOMETHING. You feel good about yourself. It shifts your mindset. You don't have to push yourself so hard. You're already worried enough about WLS and changing your eating habits. Just find SOMETHING that works for you. Do it at least three days a week. Plan it and do it. Your self esteem will love you for it.

@@snickysnack78 You are making very good progress! Think about losing 27lbs in 5 weeks, that is over 5lbs per week! As you get closer to your goal you won't see numbers like that. If I lose 10 per month now that is an exceptional month for me. I just saw my bariatric team yesterday, they don't set a goal. They want to ensure you are happy with your weight loss. Well, they were extremely happy with my progress and as I said, I lose on average about 10lbs per month. I may or may not get to my personal goal before my one year anniversary which is at the end of September. The big thing is that you follow the plan. If you do that and not stray off, the weight will come off. For some it happens a little slower but in the end everyone catches up over the long haul. I would not worry about your follow up, it should go well for you.

When I went for my psych evaluation, the Dr. suggested 2 books: Eating Mindfully: How to End Mindless Eating and Enjoy a Balanced Relationship with food and The Beck Diet Solution: Train Your Brain to Think Like a Thin Person. They also have this on CD and there's a workbook you can buy that goes with it. He said they are both good since they don't focus on a specific diet but on changing the way you think about food and yourself. I have both but have only started reading the first one yesterday. I also have The Sleeved Life and that was a good book, depending on how much research you have already done. If you are far into the process, you may not learn too much but it's still a good read. I also ordered recipes for Life After Weight-Loss Surgery, Revised and Updated: Delicious Dishes for Nourishing the New You and the Latest Information on Lower-BMI Gastric Banding Procedures. I reviewed it and have begun to mark recipes that I'm going to test. The best part of this book is that it associates each meal with which phase you are in. So it has liquid, puree, soft, mechanically soft and regular meals. It also gives you eating tips for the type of bariatric surgery you are getting. This is one of the few that specifically discussed The Sleeve. Hope this helps.

@@Swamprat hey Tex welcome welcome welcome to Bariatric Pal i've been waiting for you clean/put on your glasses look straight ahead sleeveland is right around the corner!! age (and weight) are just numbers i've seen younguns in their late teens, 20's etc on the board and more "mature" people in their 50's, 60's + "we're" as young as we feel, right!!! one month post op i turned 58 years OLD 4.5 years later i am 62 years YOUNG absorb a lot of good info from these boards plenty of books to read that will help you through WLS process ex. - "Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies" good luck enjoy the ride kathy

I am a few days from surgery and have the same worries. I love good food. I have eaten countless meals in exotic places in every corner of the world and hope to do it all again (in small bites). I could be a producer for Anthony Bourdain. If it wasnt' for the sleeve procedure I wouldn't have considered bariatric surgery. My wife had a bypass 10 years ago and I would not have opted for that will all the dumping and such. I am banking on the idea that this surgery will get me to a better place and help me maintain a new balance for the rest of my life. As for my preceding existance....It was a Hell of a ride. Every pound has a story. Time to turn the page. We are going to be OK