Search the Community
Showing results for 'renew bariatrics'.
Found 17,501 results
-
Some ideas here perhaps, but a lot depends on tolerance to certain foods at this stage, but if she can't tolerate now, she may in another week or so or even a month down the track. https://www.upmc.com/services/bariatrics/surgery-process/post-surgery/diet/pureed https://www.taylorbariatric.com/bariatric-surgery-guide/first-few-weeks-after-surgery/diet-stage-3-pureed-foods
-
Lost about revision
CarleneD replied to RachelShepherd's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
I don't think you should be at all concerned with doctor shopping - we look at different cars/dealerships, different realtors when we buy a home. A doctor should be no different. But it looks like you have made your way through and yay for getting a revision! I had the Lapband in 2011. I never really felt restriction after my pouch healed (2 weeks or so) and I lost 60 lbs. I've kept it off but every time I try to lose more weight I end up gaining it right back. I've gone vegan for 2 years, then went keto and promptly had to have my gallbladder removed last summer - doc said it was directly related to keto. I've lost 40 lbs on my own and gained it right back. So in July I decided that since my insurance now covers bariatric I'd see what could be done. Boy have things moved fast. I went to my PCP (also a NP and I love her) and she referred me to a bariatric surgeon. I had my first consult with him on July 12th and he scheduled me for all the tests. I got them done in record time, sometimes two doctor appointments a day, and got done last week. Had my 30 day follow up today and although they're just submitting to insurance now, he's confident they're going to approve so I have my surgery date for October 24th. Here's to revision and another chance! -
Hey guys!!! I'm new here, honesty had no idea that Bariatric Pal had a Forum haha. I am 6 weeks post-op, RNY on 6/27/02022. I am down 33lbs since the surgery date and am in an awful stall!! is anyone else going through a stall?
-
These are theprotein ones I use: 1) AGN Roots Grass-fed Whey from Amazon - you can heat it in soups, or blend into smoothies, too and it does not have any flavor https://www.amazon.com/AGN-Roots-Grass-Whey-Protein/dp/B07X9V8718 2) Pre-protein liquid protein - You have to make sure that it has the L-Tryptophan ingredient in it to be a complete protein. Bariatric pal sells it here on their website and it is available on Amazon. I have been running into out of stocks lately because it works so well. I dissolve it into my water and it actually tastes good instead of that funky protein flavor. I also dissolve it into my jello. https://www.amazon.com/Pre-Protein-Predigested-Hospitals-Nutritional-Grape-Flavor/dp/B09JBDGKBW/ref=sr_1_5 They also have cherry and peach flavors. I like them all. Since there are out of stocks on a few items, I have just recently ordered ProSource Neutral Flavor to mix into my jellos and waters. I sure hope that helps! I am still in pre-op clear liquids, but I can easily average over a 100 grams of protein a day with the help of the liquids and unflavored versions.
-
Hi all! I just had VSG last Wednesday. I was really nervous leading up to it, but am incredibly grateful that recovery has been amazing! Like...dare I say, almost seems too easy? I haven't thrown up, was really only nauseous the following day, pain has been completely tolerable without any pain meds, I'm down 5lbs and i only get gas pains a couple times a day. I'm hitting my protein goal through shakes and bariatric soup and today I even had unsweetened applesauce. Took me a bit to eat, but I had no problems thereafter. I'm not complaining, but I guess I assumed recovery would be more difficult and I would be turned off by food (or thought of food) completely. So many people say how they have to force themselves to eat and it's just not my case. Has anyone else had a similar recovery? Did you still get great results? Is this something I should be worried about. I know this question probly seems silly..and again let me reiterate, I am fortunate and grateful to not be having any serious issues.
-
New here - Gastric Sleeve Bypass & Pre-surgical weight loss
SpartanMaker replied to schla73's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Here's a list of the ASMBS approved surgeries. https://asmbs.org/patients/bariatric-surgery-procedures If you're planning to have something done that's not on this list, I'd recommend asking your surgeon why they want to do this different surgery. Keep in mind too that insurance companies likely won't pay for it. They want proven techniques. FYI, if you scroll all the way down to the bottom of the list of forums, there is one for "Mini Gastric Bypass". -
Average time off from work?
SpartanMaker replied to AmandaD.'s topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
I work from home, so at first I was thinking a week at max. I asked the United Healthcare Bariatric Program nurse this question (she works exclusively with bariatric surgery patients), and she recommended 2 week. She said it wasn't due to pain, but just because I'd be extra tired and likely would be suffering from brain fog if I tried to start back any sooner. Hopefully that works, but I won't know until next month! -
Acid reflux at nightime
SpartanMaker replied to skinny44's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I think only your health care team can advise you, but I doubt it will be worse post surgery? One of the most common reasons for acid reflux is overeating. Certain medications such as NSAIDS can also lead to reflux. Having reflux at night is very common. When laying down, it's a lot easier for the food/acid to overcome gravity. Many people that have this issue find they need to sleep propped up to get the problem under control. It's also possible that one of the contributing factors to your reflux is something called a hiatal hernia. Up to 40% of bariatric surgery patients have this issue pre-surgery. This is where part of the stomach actually pokes through the diaphragm. Heartburn is a common symptom of a hiatal hernia and is something your surgeon will fix during your procedure. Best of luck. -
My program allows straws right away (I’m still pre-op, surgery is the 16th) - but I asked them about that because some days I just drink better with a straw. We were given a list of several vitamins to choose from. I opted to start with the Flintsones Complete (or the Walmart brand version - both are on the list) because I knew I could tolerate the taste and I prefer chewable or ez-melts (my b complex is an ez-melt - I was taking that long before my bariatric program vitamins, along with a chewable vitamin C). My program doesn’t recommend starting calcium until after the surgery, once I have blood work done. I’m hoping I don’t need that one - but I will have to look at the list to see the options. I remember my mom taking a chocolate chewable one that wasn’t to bad. I thought about the patch vitamins, but my program doesn’t allow those.
-
I had Celebrate Multivitamin with Iron chewables, Celebrate B12 and Calcium chewable until 6 weeks post op. I didn't take the calcium chewable because they just made me nauseous. Now I'm taking Celebrate Multivitamin with iron capsule (warning it's huge), Celebrate b12, Celebrate Calcium tablet (another not so small pill and I take 3-2x a day separate from my multi) and Bariatric Fusion B-50 complex. I haven't had any nausea but I have to be careful with my night dose of Calcium because it's also with my meds and I've learned it needs to be at least 2-3 hours since dinner or I'll be uncomfortable for a 30 minute to an hour because it's a lot. I'm off most of my medical meds but I have mental meds, Progesterone, colace and the Calcium and that takes like 4-5 swallows with a couple pills at a time. I think I'm doing well on them though. I've had better energy and not as tired as pre-surgery.
-
Pre qualifications for surgery
SpartanMaker replied to Readyforchange75's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
It's pretty normal for it to take 6 months to a year to get through all the steps. I'm going on 2.5 years, but I know I'm an edge case. Keep in mind that this is life changing surgery. Not only do you have to jump through a lot of hoops, but I think it's good that it takes a while because you need to mentally prepare yourself for this change. If you go into this thinking bariatric surgery will "fix" you, it's won't. Surgery is a tool, but the hardest part is the mental changes needed to be successful. -
September surgery buddies!!
SpartanMaker replied to Slwhurst's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I use MyFitnessPal. It's not bariatric specific, but works for me. Just avoid the forums, they tend to be anti surgery. I like that I can scan anything with a barcode to add that food to my log. It also has a huge database, though sometimes that can be a negative because you may find 30 different entries for one thing. Recipes are pretty easy to enter, but I find that work better on a PC instead of the app. It has both a free and a paid version. The paid version has some extra feature, but I don't miss them personally. -
How to get information before acquiring specific insurance
RickM replied to AmandaD.'s topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Most insurance companies will have a "policy bulletin" (or some such term, that was Aetna's) for weight loss or bariatric surgery on their website that spells out the details of their requirements to qualify. BMI of 40, or 35 with certain comorbidities, and a psych evaluation are pretty much industry standards - they all do that. More specifically, they will get down to what procedures they cover (and maybe some that they specifically do not) and what other hoops they want you to jump through - a three or six month diet program of some kind is fairly normal, but not always, and they will spell out what they require from those. Some companies or policies may limit you to one bariatric procedure for a lifetime, and others don't. Beyond that, your surgeon or PCP may have other requirements to sign off on depending upon your health history - clearance from a cardiologist, pulmonologist or other specialist - and the surgeon or hospital program may have specific diet requirements or nutrition classes of their own. While being eager to get this over with, I wouldn't necessarily shy away from a six month diet requirement, depending upon how it's structured. Done well, either with a good RD's guidance or self guidance, correcting old bad dietary habits and establishing new healthier ones pays off in the long run, as that is really what helps to keep the weight under control in the years ahead; a quickie diet to lose a few more pounds (maybe) the first couple of months or pre-op isn't of much long term value. -
I had to research vitamins myself, too! I watched a lot of YouTube videos about bariatric surgery and nutrition. Very informative stuff out there! I decided to go with Barimelts vitamins since I’m horrible at taking pills. I like the Barimelts since I can just chew them up. And they taste pretty good, too! I’ve had excellent bloodwork since my surgery so I know they help. I adjust what I need based on what my bloodwork results are. I also decided to add the chewable probiotic since I figured it couldn’t hurt.
-
IIRC, I used a straw in the hospital - one of those little juice boxes. I never used any particular bariatric vitamins as the sleeve doesn't really have any special requirements that a normal good quality multivitamin doesn't cover. I did use the Bariatric Advantage chewable calcium for a while as the normal pills tend to be so large, but I used them a lot longer than I needed to because I bought such a large box of them.
-
Finally made it to this point
SpartanMaker replied to gina923's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I have not had my bariatric surgery yet, but have had almost 20 other surgeries of various sorts including open heart surgery in 2020. The running joke in the family is that I collect surgeries. I've had at least one surgery a year since 2014. One thing I'd say is critical is to keep up with your pain meds. keeping the pain under control is a lot easier if you are constantly taking something, vs. waiting till the pain is really bad. You should be able to take Tylenol in addition to the oxy (check with your surgeon first though!) Tylenol won't make the pain go away, but it may take the edge off enough to make it less intense. I'm going to take the opposite approach on movement than the previous poster. I know it hurts, but moving increases blood flow, which means you'll heal faster. I can almost guarantee your surgeon told you to walk a certain amount and you need to do that religiously. One of the main reasons is to prevent blood clots, which can be fatal. Don't mess around and skip the walking just because it hurts. I'm also not sold on duct tape. I'd be worried it would pull on the staples? My preference would be a nice cushioned, non-adherent pad over the staple line. These can be taped (and the tape is away from the staples), or if you don't want to use tape, look into something called "cohesive wrap". It sticks to itself and in this case you would wrap it around your whole body. The slight compression from the wrap might also help with healing. If nothing's helping, talk to your surgeon! They may have other options for you. Good luck! -
How to get information before acquiring specific insurance
AmandaD. replied to AmandaD.'s topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
I have looked at the breakdown of my jobs medical insurance policy and it says that it covers medically necessary Bariatric surgery 80%. So I know it’s covered (for the most part). I was just hoping to get the break down on what the individual insurance policies include for pre op requirements, etc. My jobs break down is very vague. All it says is that it covers it if the BMI is 40+ and I get nutritionist and psych eval… then it says “and also complete what the insurance provider states…” but I can’t get specifics I guess until I enroll?? Thank you! -
How to get information before acquiring specific insurance
KimA-GA replied to AmandaD.'s topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Ask if there is a bariatric exclusion or allowance to the insurance broker handling your insurance for your company. Many (most)insurance plans have an exclusion for bariatric surgery meaning that it will not cover it at all. My main insurance through my employer is is unitedhealth choice plus and there is an exclusion to bariatrics on out policy so I have zero coverage through my primary insurance. My husbands insurance allowed bariatrics for the first time this year to members and he put me on his insurance and I will be able to have covered surgery. -
Ooh good idea. My nutritionist gave me samples of bariatric advantage that my surgeon recommended. I later showed them the literature for the pro care health and they said those were fine as well but the bariatric advantage was convenient immediately post op because the multivitamin is chewable and so is the calcium.
-
Swallowable bariatric vitamins
Alex Brecher replied to fourmonthspreop's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
I use BariatricPal Multivitamin ONE “1 per Day!” flavorless capsules from https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/bariatricpal-multivitamin-one! BariatricPal has a special offer that will cost you only $99 for an entire year's supply! Check it out at https://store.bariatricpal.com/99 You can view a large selection of bariatric-friendly Calcium supplements at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/calcium. -
I just got sleeve on 7/25 How long did it take for you guys to use a straw? Also, what’s the best recommended bariatric brand for vitamins
-
I assume that your bariatric surgeon is in the loop on this, as elevated liver numbers are not unusual for a while after bariatric surgery - all that extra fat being metabolized by the liver puts extra stress on it - but I would expect that your surgeon would now what is "normal" elevated vs. abnormal, while a PCP may be freaked by any elevated numbers. If this is beyond the comfort level of your bariatric surgeon, then a consult with your GI doc, or a hepatologist (liver guy) would be in order. My bariatric surgeon was also a biliopancreatic transplant surgeon, so high liver numbers were second nature to him, but if he was concerned, then that was something to be concerned about! Good luck in getting an answer to this...
-
Procedure done at hospital or specialist?
RickM replied to AmandaD.'s topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
It sounds like a surgery center, which are usually set up on an office building or industrial park, and are good for minor outpatient procedures that don't normally need full hospital services, including overnight stays. It's not too unusual to see VSGs done outpatient and go home the same day; I'm not sure I would want to plan on anything more complicated than that in that setting. My concern is that, while in the nominal setting the procedure and recovery may go well enough to go home the same day, but if it doesn't, then they need to transport and check you into the hospital. If there is a "minor" concern, will they go through the hassle to do that rather than take their chances and send you home? if you're already in a hospital, then the decision to stay the night is an easy one. Usually, outpatient in a hospital is anything under 24 hours, so an overnight is an easy decision if necessary. I've had a couple of orthopedic procedures done as hospital outpatient, and the first one I did stay overnight, as I was still running a bit of a fever and felt it would be better to stay there until that settled - if I went home and it got worse, then I would have to go back and check in again as a new patient. It didn't and I went home in the morning. The second one I went home that afternoon as all felt fine. I would rather have the option. When I had my VSG, I was definitely not ready to go home that same night; the pain of straightening out to roll our of bed, even with assistance, and IV pain meds, was too high. The next day it was fine (but I was kept another day after that because the hospital was slow in doing some of the routine post op tests that the surgeon had ordered - he was not amused.) In short, unless your doc's clinic or surgical center has provisions for overnight stays, I would much prefer a hospital environment for a bariatric procedure, particularly with the slightly more complex ones where they are slicing and dicing the intestines as well as the stomach. As an added note, I did have my plastics done at a surgery center, which is a much bigger deal than the original bariatric procedure usually is, but that included transportation and stay at a private nursing facility as a planned part of the package, so that can be an offsetting factor if that is part of the deal. -
Swallowable bariatric vitamins
KevinS62 replied to fourmonthspreop's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
I was told to take the calcium at least 2 hours before or after the mutivitamin. So, I take a Bariatric multivitamin when I get up. I have an alarm set for 9 AM to take two Citracal + D3. Then I take two more Citracal + D3 in the evening before bed. It seems like a lot of Calcium + D3 to me, but I'm going by the guidance I was given. -
Hey! I was wondering for those who have started taking vitamin capsules instead of chewable vitamins, how do you take your calcium? I know you can't take iron and calcium together so if I get some capsules when should I take the calcium chewable? I will ask my doctor but I want to know what you guys are doing/what's worked with you and your blood tests. Thanks!
