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Haha. My license has been renewed so many times that I actually finally weigh about what it says on my license: 180. Which was a lie: I'm sure I actually weighted around 200. But you can bet I never once heard anyone say "Man you have gained weight since you got that license"!! Lynda

Each bariatric team has its own rules. Contact your team & ask specifically why no black coffee. Advocate for yourself. If they give you an answer you don't like or understand, challenge them. Remember that what happens in your home is ultimately up to you. Good luck! You are not alone.

I'm right there with ya! I had my band for five years and I HAD to eat slider foods to survive. Otherwise, I would have starved to death. Literally honestly - I could not eat real food. My esophagus was so irritated that it simply would not fit down. I talked to my bariatric doc about it and she told me early on that there is a type of brainwashing or conditioning that we have from the band days and that it is really a struggle to overcome it. By the end with my band, my doc told me I had the Vitamin and nutrition profile (from my bloodwork)that they only really see in people from third world countries. That is how malnourished I was but I was till 240 pounds the day I got my sleeve! I was also pre-diabetic from all of that darn junk food. We have to work really hard at this. I often find myself wanting to reach for a slider so I keep them out of reach and dense Protein within reach. I also really have learned to enjoy all of the real foods I missed all of those years! I can't believe the joy I now find in eating a grape, apple, orange, vegetables.... I'm becoming a fruit eater and I never really was before. We don't have to be perfect, but we have to do better. We are conditioned to eat crap but we don't have to anymore! I know we can both do this!

I knew nobody in real life who had WLS. I knew our insurance would cover it. I googled and started looking at surgeon websites. One of the first I found was a center of excellence. I checked and he was covered in my insurance plan. I went to an orientation seminar and the team impressed me a lot, although the surgeon wasn't there that night. I booked an appointment for a few days later, met him, asked a ton of questions, and decided it felt right. Six months later I was banded. I'm happy with my experience and haven't had any complications. I will say that I haven't seen my surgeon since my six week post op. My NP does all my fills under fluoroscopy. She's wonderful and actually sent me away without a ninth fill two weeks ago with gentle advice to change up my diet and exercise instead. I think I've been fortunate, but I'd probably do it the same way if I had it to do over again. Matter of fact, I had a minor unrelated (not bariatric) surgery last January, and chose that doctor in a similar fashion.

I really feel you. I was terrified of being put under. I know I drove everyone in my life crazy leading up to my surgery because I was 100% convinced I wasn't going to make it. I even didn't renew my AAA membership because I figured I'd die I talked to my surgeon and asked him how many sleeve patients he'd ever lost. None. I talked to the anesthesiologist and asked how many patients he'd lost. None. I saw how this surgery has no more higher rate of mortality than any other and I started feeling better. You're going to be better than okay. You're going to be awesome and on your way to being healthier.

@@anywon I have BCBS Federal, and I only had 3 months on mine. My surgery is on 11/8. I would call your member services # that's on your ins card tomorrow and ask them about your bariatric benefits. Also for my policy if I used a Blue Distinction Center I only had to pay a copy of $150 for my surgery, and $35 doctor co-pay. I wish you the very best of luck in this.

I ordered sampler/variety packs from everyone... Bariatric Pal, Bariatric fusion, Syntrax, unjury, GoTein all had variety packs or samplers available (GoTein actually sent their three flavors for free). I went to Vitamin Shoppe and picked up several flavors of IsoPure to try. So far, I'm working my way through all of the samplers and rating the brands/flavors so I can figure out what to buy. However, I've read a lot of warnings that our tastes change after surgery, so I'm not stocking up on anything yet. I'm actually considering just getting another round of variety packs to taste-test after surgery again. Ordering from Bariatric Pal (their brand, Fusion, and Syntrax) and Unjury were both painless, they were prompt with the delivery and I had no issues. I'd order directly from them for those brands. And the Syntrax tastes so good that unless the IsoPure is significantly better, I'll just go with Syntrax because the IsoPure comes in glass bottles and I don't like getting those shipped, and don't want to have to go to the store for them. I have found that nonfat powdered milk is awesome for making the powdered shake mixes more portable, as some of the flavors don't taste right with just Water. That I'll probably just grab from Amazon.

WELCOME to LBT! Suggestions- Spend some time here looking at the stories and all the stickies on the home page. Call your insurance company now and ask for a copy of your bariatric policy so you know your requirements for approval. Attend more than one places seminar so you can make the best choice for you. Good luck! -BG

Hey. My story is a little different but more personal but I don't mind sharing it. I grew up in a very abusive household. My dad was obsessive about fat. He made me start dieting at the age of four. I was drinking slim fast around the age of four or five and he would make me get up at five a.m. to exercise everyday. I was on dexatrim at seven. He was always merciless and it got worse as I got older. Looking back at older pictures of myself I realized I wasn't even big. I had gotten body dismorphia. I believe I was so stressed about being thin that I actually begin to binge and diet on a regular. By the time I was 14 I had gotten up to 245 pounds and was wearing 20 and 22 sizes. I got on ww and lost 100 pounds in high school but the cycle continued through my adult life after I had kids especially. Well my father and I got our relationship together and I forgave him and shortly after we mended our relationship, he was murdered. This was four years ago. I went through a majorly low depression, got involved with an abusive man, and my weight shot up in 2014 to 345 pounds. It was the biggest I had ever been in my life. And I decided to take my life back. I got on ww again and lost 30 pounds but couldn't lose anymore. And I remember crying out of frustration and praying about it and I said I'm going to do the sleeve surgery. (I had already researched it years before but didn't go through with the requirements) . So had to do a six month supervised diet and ended up losing almost 60 more pounds. So I've lost almost 100 before surgery. I just knew I had to do it for myself. I stopped smoking, dropped that loser I was with, and renewed my relationship with Jesus Christ. As far as my family I only told two people in my immediate family. I'm not telling anyone else.

First my hubby had a Lap Band for 13 yrs. He had problems with not being able to eat or drink even wagter. So we went to a Bariatric Center of Excellance. He was going to have his Band removed and revise him to a RNY. When they got in the band had eroded into his liver and they couldn't finish the revision. He was deathly sick for 9 months with abcesses and had 5 differant bacterias. He can't remember 3 months. Fast forward to his DR that performed his removal dropped him!! Finally he had a ablation and a wound vac was put in. Last June we went to Mexico and he was supposed to have a RNY but...NOT!! His right side was totally scar tissue so he ended up with the Sleeve. It has taken him a year to finally figure out how and what to do. His mind tells him he can eat more than his body will allow. But he has lost 135#'s!! But he is still sad he didn't get the RNY. Things are ok now he still deals with mind hunger and I think he is figuring it out. May he continue to loose even more weight. Congratulations on your journey. I look forward to your future posts.

Ok so I am confused. In my nutrition class it was a mix of lapband, gastric, and sleeve patients so sometimes it was hard to tell what was meant for who. Ok so in the class the lady said that we could have all the liquid we wanted during this "full liquid" post op diet. (I am 4 days out) But when I was in the hospital they kept only bringing me 2oz. of soup at a time. So I am only eating a 1/4 cup of soup at a time. Now that I am feeling better this is not really doing much in the way of making me feel satisfied. I know it is going straight through. So can I eat more? I remember her saying the soup at hands were perfect. But I am thinking the hospital just clumped all of the bariatric patients together with the same diet. I really don't want to make a mistake but it is saturday and obviously the office is closed. Any advice?

Congratulations! Dr. Rodriguez was my bariatric surgeon too (April 30th at Star Medica). You've made a wise choice.

Hello! I posted about a month ago, asking questions about banding. From there I prayed, and researched (more) and decided the band is exactly to tool I need to succeed with my weight loss goals. I've so confused about all the insurance stuff. I called member services and they said the surgery is coverage and gave me a link to the clinical policy bulletin which reads... Aetna considers open or laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), open or laparoscopic biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) with or without duodenal switch (DS), or laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding (LASGB) medically necessary when the selection criteria listed below are met. Selection criteria: A. Presence of severe obesity that has persisted for at least the last 2 years, defined as any of the following: Body mass index (BMI)* exceeding 40 My BMI is 53 (good lord), and I have high BP. It also says naturally that you have to over 18 and done growing, attempted weight loss in the past without success in long term reduction, and meet either criterion 1 (physician-supervised nutritional and exercise program) or criterion 2 ( multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen). I am working with a weight management and bariatric surgery center near me. I have to complete consults, and tests with all sorts of different people on the team including attending support groups, and lose 5% of my body weight before surgery - it's a 3m process. So I'm assuming this meets criterion 2. Aetna words it like this: Criterion 2. Multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen: Proximate to the time of surgery, member must participate in organized multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen of at least three months duration meeting all of the following criteria, in order to improve surgical outcomes, reduce the potential for surgical complications, and establish the member's ability to comply with post-operative medical care and dietary restrictions: Consultation with a dietician or nutritionist; and Reduced-calorie diet program supervised by dietician or nutritionist; and Exercise regimen (unless contraindicated) to improve pulmonary reserve prior to surgery, supervised by exercise therapist or other qualified professional; and Behavior modification program supervised by qualified professional; and Documentation in the medical record of the member's participation in the multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen at each visit. (A physician's summary letter, without evidence of contemporaneous oversight, is not sufficient documentation. Documentation should include medical records of the physician's initial assessment of the member, and the physician's assessment of the member's progress at the completion of the multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen.) Sounds like my program right? I called my Aetna AGAIN to be sure they cover this surgery and she again assured me that it is covered so long as I meet the criteria and to bring the criteria to my NP consult. I know I have to wait to be approved after all my testing etc, but I'll (like anyone else) be so gutted if I'm denied. Anyhow, I'm waiting for June 30th for my NP consult and I'm so excited!! I've been reading everyone's stories and looking at before and after photos and I'm so impressed with the lot of you!! So inspirational. :confused:

I was told by my surgeon's office manager that my doc was having a peer to peer review with my insurance yesterday and that it is common. She assured me that I would get a phone call from the office in the afternoon. She made it seem as if my surgery date should not be affected. No phone call. I called and the answering service was on before the end of their hours of operation ended. I tried calling this morning, again answering service was activated during hours of operation. Finally, I reached an office rep and she told me the two ladies in charge of bariatric are not in but will be shortly. I just called and the answering service told me they are in a meeting until 1. I am so angry! My supervisor keeps asking me when am I leaving and expected to go out and I don't have a confirmation from these morons. I understand some patients don't work, but dammit I do. I can't just get up and leave my work piled up for someone else. I am trying to do as much as I can before I leave but this worrying and stressing is giving me a focusing issues. My mind is everywhere. I can't wait to get ahold of this office manager and I will definitely be complaining to many higher ups. UUUUUgggghhhh!!!!

We all know exactly what weight gain is; the scale goes up in numbers, our clothes start to get tight, it takes more effort to get out of a chair, the seat belt is tighter and we just don’t feel as well. We all know what weight loss is; the scale shows us a lower number, our clothes hang funny and fall off of us, people start complimenting us about the way we look, we feel better, and we need less medicine. But weight maintenance is something that we all have failed to understand. We have gone up and down in our weight our entire lives, struggling to keep the weight off, gaining weight over and over again. Gaining it has always been easy, I just look at brownies and I would gain two pounds. I never understood my neighbor who was always a perfect size 8 and ate everything in sight. We all know people like that. What has always been missing, is weight maintenance – it was something that I had never achieved. It was elusive to me. I was a constant yo yo. I would lose the weight and thought I could maintain my weight loss but those old habits would sneak back in and sabotage me one more time. The frustration grew every time that I would go down and then back up again and many times with a bonus extra pounds. Each time getting more and more frustrated. When you buy a new car you shop around to get the best deal and then you pick the one that best suits you and your lifestyle. When you pick it up, it comes with a manual, a set instructions and guidelines. You need to put gas into the gas tank to make the car move and every 3, 0000 mile change the oil. Then every once in a while you need to take it in to the dealer who opens it up and looks inside. They make some adjustments and then they give you a bill. You pay the bill and then you are on your way. You need to wash and wax your car so it always looks good. Well, if you think about this is the same as having Bariatric Surgery. The new car is the same as your new pouch. You decide what kind of surgery that is best for you and your lifestyle. You shop around for the best surgeon. You are given a set of instructions from your surgeon, just like you received with your car. You need to feed yourself protein and water to keep you going. Every few months you need to see the surgeon, to check under your hood to take sure your blood levels are good to keep you going in the best condition. You doctor will give you some suggestions to keep you running well and keep you on the right road to weight loss. You exercise and continually add more fuel. But then one day you stop checking the oil and washing the car. A rattle appears out of nowhere and you get used to the new noise coming from the right front of the car. A door ding shows up and you do not even notice the second or third one. You forget to check under the hood. For the bariatric patient this is the time that they start to stray from their doctors program, they start to gain a little weight, we go back to some of our old habits without even thinking about it. This is where we all start to get into trouble. We think we do not need support group anymore, after all we have lost a lot of weight and we think that we are doing just fine. Then all of a sudden we have a wreck, we got on the scale and it is up by 20 or 25 pounds. It is time to call the Auto club tow truck. We need to get towed back to the right road. The Maintenance Road. We all have heard the new Weight Watchers ad campaign, that diets do not work, every one of us know that diets do not work. We have tried them all and look where we ended up; heavier and more frustrated. The only thing that will have lasting effects on us is when we are ready to make lifestyle changes. These changes will make us not only lose the weight but to keep it off for life. To lose weight and keep it off, the best approach is to focus on lifestyle changes and develop an eating plan that's enjoyable, yet healthy and low in calories. This approach will result in weight loss that you can live with - that is, that you can maintain over a long period of time. We need to attend support groups and get a constant stream of positive motivation to keep us on the Maintenance Road. It is easy to get lost and to end up in a dead end; your support group can direct you back at anytime. We are here to help you achieve the goals that are important to you. We each need to learn to make it a Lifestyle that you can live with and enjoy day in and day out to continue to maintain your weight loss. Successful Make it a Lifestyle weight-maintenance strategies Now that you have lost the weight, you can't stop your hard work. Weight maintenance requires daily exercise, healthy eating, a long-term commitment and constant attention. The following habits are essential for you to develop to achieve long term weight maintenance: Healthy snacks and meals - Focus on low-calorie, nutrient-dense foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Keep saturated fat low and limit sweets and alcohol. Remember that no one food offers all the nutrients you need. Choose a variety of foods throughout the day. Remember to eat two bites of dense protein to one bite of anything else. Exercise program - One of the most important things you can do for weight maintenance is to continue a aggressive exercise program. Studies suggest that it only takes 30 to 60 minutes of moderately intense physical activity daily to maintain weight loss. Moderately intense physical activities include swimming, fast walking, biking, and hiking. Know and avoid your food traps - Know which situations can trigger you’re out-of-control eating. The best way to identify these food traps and emotional eating is to keep a food journal. For as long as you find it helpful, write down what you eat, how much you eat, when you eat, how you're feeling and how hungry you are. This will help you understand and stay in control of your eating behaviors. Regularly monitor your weight - People who weigh themselves at least once a week are more successful in keeping off the pounds. Monitoring your weight can tell you whether your efforts are working and can help you become aware of small weight gains before they become larger. Be consistent - Sticking to your new lifestyle plan during the week, on the weekends, and amidst vacation and holidays increases your chances of long-term maintenance. Attend Support Group - Getting support is critical, whether through a friend, family member, trained professional or support group, can ultimately mean the difference between your success and failure.

I am on day 8 pre op diet . I am having 3 protein drinks, using a lemonade flavor I bought at bariatric choice.com. I also can have 1 lean cuisine a day until days 12 &13 then just liquids. I have lost 8 pounds so far, hoping for at least 12. My surgery has been moved up a day due to having to change hospital because of insurance coverage! UGH! No problems with stools yet, hope it stays like that! Good luck to you!

Hopefull,do you need an older perspective? I am 72, [emoji70]going to have RnY surgery within a few months and anticipating it being great. Yes I too read the" coulda" list, like the others said,there is more danger walking downstairs and you might fall, you could choke on your Breakfast, get run over by a bus or car, none of that has happened yet? Good, and the likely-ness of any of the others happening, even less likely. Life is a gamble but with all the advances in science and medicine you are holding a winning hand. I too will have my surgery in a teaching hospital, that doesn't worry me because those are the best cutting edge facilities. Shoot when I'm sprawled out, if I can help with their instruction, okay. I'm sure my doctor will have me surrounded with the best of the best, if there are junior doctors they will also be trained well or they won't be allowed to be present. Those bad things you've heard about are more likely to happen to someone my age. Am I concerned? Heck no, my life with surgery will be vastly superior to the life I currently live. I have had arthritis since 25, every bone is or has ached, I have had 2 knee replacements, I have a plate and 12 screws in my upper right arm that fixed a fracture. I have had a bunch of minor breaks that ache, they ache more because I am and have been obese for years. You do get sick and tired of being sick and tired. You have an opportunity to have your body repaired, realigned and made better. Do not wait as long as I have---please. Your skin will go back into shape and smooth out as you lose weight. Mine will probably look like a Shar pei, but guess what, its better to be a loose skinned puppy than lie dead in a casket. I may not have too many more years on this earth but I want to live them healthier fitter and smaller. The trade off for me: surgery and a renewed life vs. obesity and the chance of death? I chose life, [emoji13]my journey started in August 2015, many bumps and twists in the road there,but I'm sticking through to the finish. I feel I can do naught else. If you feel scared,if you feel nervous, talk to me. I have had a lot of life experiences, some scarred me but most have made me stronger. I am a tough old female [emoji70]who's going to win this battle. The world will not vanquish [emoji626]Major General frust8, I will fire every gun and cannon at my disposal until.[emoji606] my war is won[emoji121]. Can you do any less? Come join me if you can.[emoji14][emoji14][emoji14] Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

Surgery should always be looked at as risk -vs- benefit. If you don't believe that the benefits justify the risk....you shouldn't do it. If you do believe the benefits justify the risk...you should. It's really that simple. To me....this looks like you're not yet ready to accept the risks. About fatty liver disease. Most people getting surgery (greater than 75% of obese people) already have fatty liver disease. I'm guessing the biopsy would be to stage it, if you have a particularly unhealthy looking liver at the time of surgery. Weight loss surgery generally helps to treat it. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5061986/ If you have questions about any of this....talk to your doctor. It's what he/she is there for. This surgery is safer now than gallbladder surgery. Particularly, with the preventative labs and imaging you'll be doing, (chest x-ray, ekg, imaging of your stomach, lab work)...there shouldn't be too many surprises. At a major hospital like Mass General, you'll be in good hands. When weighing your benefits vs risks... make sure you include the risks of obesity: increased risk of heart attack and stroke, increased risk of several cancers, increased risk of loss of mobility, increased risk of cellulitis, diabetes, sleep apnea, etc...etc... You really do need to be 100% sure that you're comfortable with the decision you're making. My first bariatric surgery consultation was almost 20 years ago...and I had my surgery almost 4 months ago:) Part of me wishes I'd done this years ago...because I'm feeling fantastic and believe I made the right decision. The other part of me is glad I waited because time and research opened up more options, and I found a group I absolutely love and feel comfortable with. What ever you decide....best wishes:)

Hi Everyone, Just got back from the surgeons office & I have a surgery date!! I will be getting banded on Monday, November 26, 2007 with Atlanta Bariatrics at Emory Johns Creek Hospital!! Yeah! Yippee, I am so excited to get this process started!!! :whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo:

I've used Pinterest. A huge amount of Bariatric diet sites post there and you'll find yourself still looking through all of them hours later. Congrats on your success!!!

fatality rates on these surgeries are extremely low. 0.3% for gastric bypass, even lower for sleeve. That means you have a 99.7% (or greater) chance of making it through. The techniques have improved so much over the last few years and they do so many of them now that they've pretty much become routine surgeries. People have died having their tonsils taken out. But seriously - what are the odds of that happening? Same with bariatric surgery. It's not the same as it was 30 or 40 years ago. I would not worry about dying on the operating table *at all*. You're much more likely to die from an obesity-related condition than you are from the surgery. In fact, doing it could save (and extend) your life!

If you are concerned about your energy level call your surgeon's office. Your body is still adjusting two months out. Give yourself time. Don't worry too much about your sex drive...It comes back for most of us as you get further out from surgery. Some questions for you... Are you logging your food to know if you are hitting your calorie and protein goals? If you are instructed to take bariatric vitamins are you taking the correct amount? How much are you exercising?

@@Tiffanyw What are you allowed on your diet? I'm only able to drink Protein shakes (Bariatric Fusion) and 3 Snacks of broth, sf Jello, sf popsicles or watermelon. I start the diet on 10/4 - and I'm not looking forward to it! LOL

How do you guys deal with Vitamins? I have been really bad about taking mine for at least 6 months and need to get back on track. One of the things that I need to do..... My doctor prescribed prenatal chewable vitamins... I am just not sure how many to take considering the bariatric part... I am also supposed to be taking folic acid because of my methotrexate. The only other thing I take are b12 injections because of another deficiency.. I am trying to get back on track... Have been dealing with a lot and things have gotten away from me.. I have been experiencing some odd symptoms that I haven't dealt with before... I have been bruising a lot and then breaking out on my face- I have never had acne at all... Maybe my hormones are out of wack.

yes he's with the bariatric group at memorial.