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Procedure done at hospital or specialist?
catwoman7 replied to AmandaD.'s topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
what's the bariatric specialist setting like? Is it in his/her office where you get the surgery and then get sent home after a couple of hours? If so, I know some people do that - although personally I'd rather be in a hospital that first night in case anything happened. -
Procedure done at hospital or specialist?
AmandaD. posted a topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Hey everyone! I am just starting out my process trying to get all my ducks in a row before January when my insurance kicks in and everything begins… is there any significant difference when choosing a hospital setting over a Bariatric specialist setting to get gastric bypass procedure? I would assume maybe billing might be easier going through a hospital but any other pros/cons? Thank you! -
Agreed, your team should be telling you which vitamins you will need to take. Then, adjusting based on your blood work results. I get my multivitamin from Amazon and my Calcium from Walmart. (That is all I take) But there are tons of places, just google "bariatric vitamins". I can't say I have ever seen them at my pharmacy though but never looked VERY hard or asked.
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New Here! I was approved for the sleeve from Kaiser (Southern Ca)but took the classes over a year and a half ago.
ShoppGirl replied to MyDogsLoveMe's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
In terms of fluids if you talk to your surgeon they should be able to arrange for you to get fluids as an out patient. Perhaps they can just schedule this ahead given your situation. I only needed to go one time and I was able to drink the full 64 ounces shortly after surgery but not everyone gets there that quickly (it depends on swelling I think). i was also told no gummies. I did the bariatric advantage chewable multivitamin just after surgery but switched to the capsules the next month or so. Everyone is different on this too but I was swallowing small pills on the hospital the day after surgery so I had no issues with the capsules. -
Starting new journey what was your timeline
SpartanMaker replied to JourneyOfRabia's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
I would first recommend talking to your insurance company to find out if they cover bariatric surgery, and if they do, what all is required/covered. One thing I learned is that even at the same insurance company, the coverage and the requirements to qualify can vary widely. This is because most larger employers actually are "self-insured". This means the insurance company just administers the health plan and your employer is the one paying the bill. As a result, the insurance companies let the employers have wide latitude in what they will and won't cover and what the qualification requirements will be. For example, I have United Healthcare. I was also on United Healthcare last year, but with a different employer. The bariatric programs are quite different in terms of what they required and what procedures they'll cover. Note that some insurance companies also have specific providers they recommend. Once you clarify all that, check with your bariatric program/physician. The bariatric program I chose required a psyc eval, an upper GI scan, and three months of meetings with their dietitian, even if the insurance didn't require those things. -
I have decided to get a revision from a sleeve to gastric bypass. My heartburn is getting worse and i'm gaining weight. I was originally sleeved in 2017. I am ready for this second chance because I have to self pay. I can't believe I have two full-time jobs and I'm still concerned about costs for this procedure. My first job won't cover the procedure and the second contracting job won't either. Since being sleeved, I never got to my goal weight. If you have any recommendations for bariatric surgeons in the Atlanta area, please let me know because my original surgeon has since retired during covid. I've found one surgeon, but he's very pricey at $24,000 and it doesn't include post-op appointments (insurance can cover), labs (insurance can cover), nutritional visits, (not covered by insurance) or supplements. Any feedback is welcomed.
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SpartanMaker's Long and Winding Road
SpartanMaker posted a topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
I’m not sure why since I’m a pretty private person, but for some reason I want to share my story here. Honestly even if no one reads this, I think just writing it will help me feel better? This first thing people should know is that weight loss surgery has saved my life and I have not even had surgery yet! How? Well it’s a long and winding story. Grab a protein shake and settle in… In January 2020 (you know, back in ancient history pre-covid), my insurance changed and started covering bariatric surgery. I had thought about surgery before, but my wife was set against it and especially considering the out of pocket cost, had decided it wasn’t for me. With the change, I decided to investigate it more. In February of that year, I booked an info session at the biggest bariatric center in the state. They let me know all the things I’d need to do before I’d be approved, so I started the dietitian visits, started booking appointments with all my various doctors, and just generally trying to be as prepared as I could. Among the approvals I’d need from my various doctors, one was with my cardiologist. I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve, which can mean nothing, or can very serious. The biggest challenge is that over time, the valve can become calcified, causing an already reduced blood flow to become much worse. Since we knew it was potentially dangerous for me, my surgeon insisted we get full approval before proceeding. At the cardiologist appointment, he decided further testing was needed. By early April 2020, I had some CT procedures to get a better idea how badly the valve was blocked. Things were not looking good, so I was scheduled to undergo a cardiac catheterization procedure to see if I was a candidate for valve replacement via cath. Here’s where things take a turn for the worse. During the cath procedure, the doctor noted that my left anterior descending artery was 90% blocked. In the medical world this artery is known as the “widow maker” because blockage will cause a heart attack and the survival rate for widow maker heart attacks is only about 12%. I’ll stop here for today. (Yes it’s a cliff hanger, but spoiler alert, I’m still alive!) I think you can see how I can rightfully say bariatric surgery saved my life, even though I have not even had surgery yet. Had I not decided to have the surgery, I probably would never have had that cardiology visit, meaning I would not have known about the blocked artery.- 8 replies
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10lbs of regain is COMPLETELY within the normal/expected bounds of maintenance weight fluctuations. Most all folks will regain a handful of pounds after hitting their lowest weight and going into maintenance. I am shocked that any doctor would prescribe weight loss meds, particularly Plenity, for a 10lb regain at 18 moths post op. You are exactly right in that it expands in the stomach to limit your intake, which is exactly what WLS did (limit intake). I would be concerned about malnutrition, blockages, and all other sort of potential complication. Was the prescribing doctor your bariatric surgeon? Have you discussed this with your bariatric team? Have you tried working with a registered dietitian who specializes in bariatrics? Additionally, the resurgence of hunger after WLS is very normal and often coincides with maintenance. All that to say, it sounds like you are actually exactly where you should be given your status post-op and weight loss meds are probably not the best solution.
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Out of pocket payment before Insurance??
AmandaD. replied to AmandaD.'s topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Ok, I’m sorry for all these questions I’m just new to all of this… so theoretically I’ll get bills throughout my mandatory procedures (therapy, dietician, appts, etc) that will be my deductible that I would need to pay when due. Then I would tell my Bariatric specialists office that I will pay them after insurance processes the claim? Is the out of pocket maximum part of that small chunk bills that I’ll be getting throughout my appts, etc or is that after the surgery as well?? -
it does go by fast. Spend time online on this and other bariatric forums, reading everything you can. I did this to pass the time, and by the time my surgery rolled around, I felt I was very prepared for it...
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Sleeve Post-Op Calorie Intake
I♡BypassedMyPhatAss♡ replied to KevinS62's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I am right at two weeks post op, and during the liquids phase my paperwork says nothing about calorie goals. My goals are 60 - 90 grams of protein and 64 ounces of liquids. Liquids for me is three, long weeks. Pureed and soft diet stages I have a calorie goal of 650 - 800 calories. Protein and liquid goals are the same as the liquid phase. Full bariatric diet has a calorie goal of 1000 calories for the first six months and 1200 calories from six months onward. Protein and liquid goals are the same as the liquid phase still. Hope this helps. -
It drives me nuts to throw things away. I donate what I can and try to find other people who can use the items. I am now 6 trash bags deep into clothing donations! So, I have some bariatric "liquid/drinkable" vitamins that I liked when I tried before surgery but could not stomach after surgery. I am in Baltimore MD, so if you are local I will gladly pass them along to anyone who wants them FOR FREE! If you are not local and are willing to pay the shipping expenses then I will also ship them. I have single serving packets of the raspberry lemonade. I also have 1 unopened tub of the 4 in 1 chocolate shake mix and 1 OPENED tub. Both pictured below. If anyone is interested in any of them please let me know, I would hate to throw them away! BOTH WERE APPROVED BY MY BARIATRIC TEAM!
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Doubting Whether I Should Proceed
ShoppGirl replied to djhobbes's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
If I were you I would seriously consider bariatric therapy. You can work out what’s right for you in terms of surgery or not at this time, get the tools to deal with your food pusher either way and they can help you to address this person when and if you decide to tell them you want surgery. You will most likely be required to see one to get an evaluation at some point during the process anyways and many people swear that they help them tremendously to deal with food issues that Some of us have. -
Doubting Whether I Should Proceed
Smanky replied to djhobbes's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I have to say, that is raising a lot of red flags. If they're a treat pusher, they have an ulterior motive here and I'd be vary wary. So you've been losing weight on the pre-op diet. This is a STRICT diet, and if you were to cancel surgery and try to keep losing the old fashioned way, that is still a diet and you'll have to go without eating the comforting/fun bad things your relative is dangling over you with their "reservations". Are they anti all-diets for you for this reason? As I said: RED FLAGS. You WILL have to stick to a restricted diet while you heal, and there is a plan you must follow while you're losing, but contrary to what your relative is claiming, you WILL eat fun/interesting things again once you hit maintenance, just in sensible portions. If there is a chance that you will suffer any emotional issues with the surgery, please get bariatric counseling. They will arm you with the tools you'll need to push through any mental health hiccups. -
Vitamin suggestions liquids are awful [emoji20]
I♡BypassedMyPhatAss♡ replied to Blue432's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I think most of them are awful until you get to the point post op that your surgeon allows you to take pills. I take Bariatric Fusion chewables. I can't take vitamins in pill form until three months post op. They're not super terrible, but they're not great either. I just suffer through it, keeping in mind that it's temporal and will pass and soon I can have the pill form. -
I had mine in May 2022 the first time was in December 2022. My reconstruction was 6500. It's on the high end for MX but I was in a hospital. Dr Campo was one of the surgeons. If you will look up Mexicali Bariatrics you will see they have a few surgeons. They had two to do the surgery and a doctor that puts you to sleep. Each day I was there I had at least two visits from the doctors. They did three leak test. The surgeon explained to me they did not do the surgery tight enough but also only did the middle of the stomach. He said it was an old technique. I had mild qerd. I had a barium swallow there to confirm the best option was to have it reconstructed. If it had been done correct the first time and it was just that I ate to much and stretched it they might suggest a by pass
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Doctors in Mexico who perform on lower BMI?
Ninabnina77 replied to ESGSkinnyLegend's topic in Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty Forum
Ummmm, bmi of 25 is normal weight. I don't think anyone in the world would perform bariatric surgery on a bmi of 25. Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app -
Hi Nina I had a revision or reconstruction for the same reason as dream believe. I went to Mexicali MX to a hospital. Mexicali Bariatrics did the reconstruction. It's been a slow process and I am 11 weeks. I feel very satisfied with limited food. I am exercising a lot more this time. I have more energy. I had to have a barium swallow and I had xray from the first sleeve. He told me it was not my fault for the weight regain. The did a barium swallow after revision checking for leaks and to show me the difference in the restriction. I lost 60lbs really fast the first time. I gained 25lbs over 6 years. I have lost 26lbs so far. The first time I lost a lb a day the first month. If your not happy get the second opinion.
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Surgery Date 7/27/22, New Life in Progress!
SurfingMama posted a topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Hey Y'all! Brand new to Bariatric Pal, and three days post op! I am already down 30.3 pounds since starting the pre op diet, which is super encouraging! Yesterday was probably the hardest pain wise after waking up in terrible pain, on top of acid reflux from hell! Thankfully, got on some antacids prescribed by doctor, and the pain meds helped with the pain immensely! Most of my pain isn't actually from my stomach, but from my biggest incision by my liver. Also trying to stay hydrated, which has been so much harder than I ever thought! So, I actually got the VSG for two completely different reasons. The first is the obvious, to lose weight and get back to a healthier lifestyle! The second... three weeks ago, I was told that I have precancerous and cancerous cells in my stomach. After talking through all of my options with my gastro doctor, my best move was to get the VSG as the cancer cells would be completely eradicated as they were in the portion of my stomach getting removed. Honestly, I had already been researching VSG anyways, so this was kinda a no brainer for me, two for one! This did move up my surgery date from mid September to this past Wednesday, and I am honestly completely okay with that! I didn't want to go through any sort of chemo or radiation, so time was a bit of the essence. Anyone else get/is going to get the VSG for medical reasons beyond weightloss/morbid obesity? HW: 293 SW(before pre op diet): 289.4 CW: 259.1 -
5 Days before surgery (in Turkey)
Ninabnina77 replied to jshaw007's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
How was your experience getting bariatric surgery in Turkey? Who was your Dr and what procedure did you have? Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app -
5 Days before surgery (in Turkey)
Ninabnina77 replied to jshaw007's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
How was your experience getting bariatric surgery in Turkey? Who was your Dr and what procedure did you have? Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app -
Medical tourism
Sleeve_Me_Alone replied to Softtacocrumbs's topic in Weight Loss Surgeons & Hospitals
I had VSG in Tijuana, Mx. at HospitalBC with Dr. Illan, so I can only speak to my own personal experience. I did about 200 hours of research before my surgery and based on that research, finances, and other personal considerations, decided to go the Medical Tourism route and have been very happy with that decision. These hospitals ONLY do bariatric surgeries and are geared towards medical tourists. They run a VERY well oiled machine from intake to discharge. The process was so smooth, I was completely confident going alone. The surgeon I chose is highly accredited, has done thousands of WLS procedures, has relationships and mentorships with some of the most well known US bariatric surgeons for continuing ed, is board certified, etc. He is just as qualified, if not more so, than many of the bariatric surgeons in my area. The reality is, there are amazing surgeons in the US and just as many in Mexico and other places. Conversely, there are terrible surgeons here and everywhere else. There are pros and cons to each, and every person has different needs. Ultimately it boils down to doing your research, finding a surgeon you trust, and a program that fits your needs. Definitely check out the Mexico & Self Pay forum for helpful info! -
I used Alabama Bariatrics in Huntsville, AL and it was $8995. I was nervous to go to Mexico and this pricing made it a good alternative for me. Might be worth looking into.
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This is the what one Hospital provided me for Gastric Bypass Medicare costs and requirements. One thing I noticed is "Consecutive diet counseling within 1 year of surgery" but did not specify a duration time for the diet. Anyway, thought some might derive some useful info from this. TRADITIONAL MEDICARE Insurance Requirements Primary Bariatric Surgery - covered benefit? Yes Revision/Conversion Surgery - covered benefit? Yes - BASED UPON MEDICAL NECESSITY Special Facility Requirements? N/A Specialty Referral or Authorization required from PCP? ● No referral required for clinic ● Policy Copay Fees Registered Dietician (RD) ● One on One Counseling Session ● Diet Class $0 DX: DIABETES $30 Psychology $0 Specialist ● (Surgeon, APP/NP/PA, Cardiology, Pulmonology, Obesity Medicine Specialist) $0 ● BMI requirements ● BMI >= 40 - OR - ● BMI >= 35 with 1 of the following: ● OSA on CPAP ● TIIDM ● HTN ● Nutrition Education ● Consecutive diet counseling within 1 year of surgery ● Documentation includes weight, diet education, supervised by an MD ● Must meet weight goal set by Dietician to return to see your surgeon and schedule surgery ● Psychology Evaluation ● Clearance within 1 year(s) of surgery (Special considerations may apply, to be discussed if needed) Medical Evaluation ● Letter of Medical Necessity by ANY medical provider Yes ● On his/her letterhead ● Signed and Dated by the MD/DO/RN/ARNP/APP ● Documents previous failed attempts at weight loss ● Lists co-morbid conditions related to obesity ● Additional Medical Clearances no
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Weirdest None-Scale-Victory - I'll go first
fourmonthspreop replied to chiquitatummy's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Another weird NSV but shopping less and having a fuller pantry. Because of how little I can eat, I don't need to buy groceries like I used to. I use to spend so much money on groceries and go through them within a week because I ate so much. But now I'm spending less money and my pantry is fuller longer. It almost feels like a bariatric super power as I see my roommate buy hundreds of dollars worth of groceries and go through it within a week! I can make one 100 dollar trip last 20 days! Of course I spend a fortune ordering my fairlife shakes online hahaha Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app
