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Yep constantly in touch with the bariatric nurse and since im off lactose products i feel like a million bucks ....energy level is up and they advanced my diet to include yogurt so i had a wonderful 2 oz of yogurt today with no complications ...and i zumba'd with the kids (big hug!)

Just make sure that whomever you choose to do the VSG---that the doctor is well trained and has a Post Graduate Fellowship in doing bariatric surgical procedures.......the surgeon that had has been doing a variety of gastric procedures for approx. 15 yrs...and he has a Fellowship( a surgical Fellowship of 3 yrs) training in bariatrics.....all the best for much success for good health.......!!

I'm a straight-and-narrow bandster. Doing things my way placed me in the position of requiring bariatric surgery. I have no reason to believe it would serve me any better now that the band is in place. I eat the way my doctor recommends. I exercise each and every day---at least once. Whether I want to or not. Motivation and enthusiasm don't even play in. Like any other job I have to do, if I have an off day, I just put one foot in front of the other until I get done what needs to be done. The rewards are FAR greater than most jobs I do--which tends to feed enthusiasm. But really, I generally don't feel in the least bit deprived. I feel incredibly fortunate to have this opportunity to become healthier and happier in my own skin.

You should definitely consult your doctor on his/her plan for your first couple of weeks. I know that some doctors do only clear liquids the first two weeks, and then "full liquids" the second two. My doctor, on the other hand, does anything liquid during the first two weeks, as long as it is the consistency to be sipped through a straw (BUT DON'T USE A STRAW - TO MUCH AIR/GAS). Of course, protein needs to be FIRST PRIORITY. I have been doing lentil soup put through the blender, and fat-free greek yogurt. I have also been doing drinks that I ordered through American Bariatric - both their clear fruit drinks (a little like Crystal Light), and their cappucino mix (delicious - I mix it with warm coffee - 15 grams of protein and 90 calories!).

I had a client who is a bariatric sergeon and he would just randomly start telling me how I would never be able to lose weight and keep it off on my own. This was unsolicited, so I thought he was a jerk. Turns out, while he has poor social skills, he was a gift from God. It took me 4 years, but I finally gave in and had my vsg with him in October last year and at almost 9 months out I'm down 95 lbs. You just never know what forms special gifts will come in.

I should have stated this that in 2008 I weighed 350 lbs. In May 21st 2013 when I started my journey with meeting the surgeon I weighed 282 lbs. On the day of surgery which was September 25th 2013 I weighed 242 lbs. As of yesterday I weighed 160 lbs and we agreed that I was close enough to a normal BMI and that I felt great at this weight that this is where I'm staying. The bariatric hypoglycemia is different then regular hypoglycemia and is treated differently from what I was told yesterday. I will meet with my nutritionist to figure out a game plan. I have sagging skin but I don't care because I am so much healthier now then I've ever been after being overweight and obese most of my life. This surgery saved me I truly believe that.

My mom makes mashed cauliflower at least once a week! You can switch it up by seasoning it differently too, one day she will make it garlic and the next she will throw some squash in the mix to make it sweet. Also! Fun fact! Google cauliflower recipes, you can make roll it out with wheat flour and make fake bread or with Parmesan cheese and pretend it's pizza crust. Very versatile! Also, I see a lot of bariatric sites making cauliflower Mac and cheese, with no noodles- omg I'm going to be all over that when I can hahah.

It is soo important to take vitamins that are designed for bariatric patients - we don't absorb some forms of important vitamins like we used to. This woman is incredibly knowledgeable http://wlsvitagarten.com/ and has so much information - she is willing to answer many questions also. I hope that helps!! Also, I suggest emailing success@celebratevitamins.com and requesting samples - they send a very nice packet for free, takes about 3 weeks.

I'm getting ready to start my liquid diet on Thurs, 2/26. My surgery is scheduled for Thurs, 3/12. Frankly, I'm more nervous about this part of the process than anything. I tried a liquid Protein diet sponsored by Beaumont Hospital a few years ago and it about drove me crazy. I got so depressed. I hope this is different because I know that in the long run I will be having food again just in much smaller portions. My surgeon uses the Bariatric Protein powder. We taste tested one yesterday and it was just okay, but that was just a sip. I think if I had to drink the whole thing it would have made me gag. I did order a few of the unjury samples today and hope those are better based on what I've read on this site. If anyone has any creative ideas for their powder please let me know. Slimfast, etc. is not an option with my doctor. I'm also trying to make some slow changes. I had my last diet pepsi yesterday. Wanted to get weaned off the caffeine before I start the liquid diet.

Oh it will, but we all want what we. want and we want t9 see results Right Now. Its just Bariatric Human Nature to feel like that.

While I have not yet had my bariatric surgery, I have had three open abdominal procedures for other reasons. All three went through the same area, from just above my belly button to just below my belt line (below my muffin top) in my upper groin. The first one was not bad, since my skin was just skin and not scar tissue like it is now. The first one was in 1995 and they sewed it internally and stapled the outside closed. The second and the third were last year, in May 2017 and in August 2017. The one in May was mostly healed when the surgeon had to open me back up again through the same place. The one from August 2017 took over four months to heal. As for pain, the first one hurt the most of the three (but it was still tolerable with pain medicine) because it was on virgin skin. The second and third did not really hurt much because scar tissue usually does not have as many nerve endings in it. You will likely have what is called a "wound vac" installed over the incision dressing after they close you in the operating room. This is a dressing covered with sponge material and adhesive-backed plastic wrap with a tube going from the dressing to the wound vac. It looks like Saran wrap, sort of, but it is a bit thicker. What this device does is keep a constant negative pressure on the wound to draw out any fluid and blood, which if left to pool within the wound could cause an infection. The wound vac does not hurt at all and really speeds up the healing process. When I had my surgery back in 1995, wound vacs were not widely used and I did not have one. Both surgeries last year used them. The wound nurses will change the dressings every couple of days and depending on how long you stay in the hospital, you may be sent home with a portable version of the wound vac. My surgery in August last year did just that. I had to carry the wound vac with me everywhere I went, but it was small and rechargeable and not very intrusive. After a while, I forgot it was even there. I had to come to the hospital wound care clinic every three days to get my dressings changed and I had the portable vac for two months. I was in the hospital for over three weeks so overall, I had the wound vac for almost three months. It sounds much worse than it is, believe me. I did not have the choice for any my surgeries either.

Well I have had as far, as I lnow, still have a stomal stricture and ulcerations in my jejunem, the portion of the small intestine the pouch is connected to. Officially diagnosed October 12, 5 weeks post- surgery but I believe it started 2-3 weeks in, they kept saying I was merely swollen, I kept saying No Something is wrong! to shut me up , we'll by golly I was right. They might have the fancy,degrees, I have lived in this body for many many years, I had inate wisdom,on the subject. Why did it happen? They told me it was an unexpected occurance, no o e I KNEW IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. You see my gastroenterologist had discovered gastritis and a small stomach ulcer I had named Hector while on Omeprazole therapy, he switched me to Dexilent and Hector went peacefully to sleep. Flash forward to September 5th 2018 when 8 had my RnY surgery, what did they started me on guess what, yep Omeprazole. I told them then We gonna have problems, it may be a lovely medication but it Is Not Gastroprotective for me. Nurse Practitioner stated the medical equivalent of Shut up and let me do what I do bestm So I was a good little patient, took what they gave me , and looky what happened! I have had 6 endoscopies, twice they have attempted to stretch out that opening, first time in late October it snapped right back shut, next endoscopy it was like Dr Noria had done nothing, okay last one I had January Senior Bariatric resident Dr Noah Switzer did it, he stated I dialated you part way but enough you can eat soft solids, ha ha diddly ha , both times I have had emesis , the first time I kept it down 15 minutes after still cheing it down to the smooth applesauce pulp consistency. And yesterday was the second attempt and it went worse than the first. I was so protein anemic and malnourished I had dropped 25 pounds in 3 weeks, and had my miserable self hospitalized at OSU for 6 days to try to build me back up, yeah at high 200s it wasn't GOING to be apparent to others but I was literally starving, they were afraid my body was going to start breaking down muscle to keep me akive, and guess what muscle they were most concerned about yeah , my ❤. The second day they put a PICC line in my arm and it remains there still. NPO, everything through the feeding catheter, immediately regained 13 pounds, but I was back on my road to healthy again. Lost 3 pounds mid December to Mid January, then dropped another 6 pounds in 2 weeks, on doctors scales, don't currently own a home one. I was to be rewarded with 1 token meal a day, odd days a Protein shake, do you realize I have been at liquid diet level since August 1st when I went on my liver shrinking diet? That is a LONG LONG time. Then even days homemade soup with extra protein powder, and if there are veggies line carrots I don't have to strain, just puree it in. But the vast majority of my nutrition is via TPN, 12 hours on,12 hours off. And every day or 2 I have a smallish greenish black sticky BM due to the extra iron supplement I routinely take plus I'm still on prenatal vitamins and there is iron in there too. Before all this I was fighting constipation, the one tiny blessing of all this, no more. And foods in the past came up so often I am not hungry anymore. I only ate yesterday because I was supposed to, not from any need. Have they checked you for C Diff? That's something your symptoms call to mind , my daughter has it and has been on Flagyl for flares. Is she on it? Can't say for sure, her code name in our family is RD for Rotten Daughter, she usually calls me when she wants something otherwise she doesn't talk, she will text her little brother when she's in the mood. WHEN I told her I was having major surgery, she said "whatever" and flat out did not care. Sure I still love her, she was my first child, but I don't much like her any more, she has hurt her little brother emotionally more than a few times, and that's hard to forgive. Eat as bland an diet as possible, and I hope you get some real answers soon, don't want you in the hospital like I was, it may be a good place for somethings but it is not HOME! Let me know what happens next, I do care.

Find a surgeon to talk with them about your options of type of surgery and to discuss the steps with you. Many of the hospitals have days where you go to a seminar about weight loss surgery as well, I know Northwestern has them twice a month or so. Or ask your primary if he knows of a bariatric surgeon to refer to you.

According to my research he is one of the pioneers in the AGB. Anyone have any personal experiences? He is with Southwest Bariatric Surgeons.

Whether you’re reading this as the patient who needs bariatric surgery, someone who loves that patient, or the provider committed to caring for the patient, there are at least three important lessons coming out of this experience that should be taken away for future benefit. Three takeaways coming from beating CIGNA and winning another bariatric surgery appeal

Hi Theresa, Sorry to hear you are having problems with the band. But I also agree that the sleeve will be a great choice for you. I did lots of research and found a good surgeon that I'm going to at the end of the month for my sleeve. There is another member "Ms Lady from NC" who just went through the surgery with the same doctor and had great reviews. His name is Dr. jaime Ponce de leon in Tijuana. He teaches on bariatrics, he often assists other new doctors on the procedures and is very reasonably priced. "Ms. Lady from NC" said that while she was there she found out that Dr. Ponce does a lot of community service for those who really need the surgery and can't afford it. His patient coordinator is Tommy Lopez and he is speaks perfect English and is very reachable. He even returns my emails at night when I'm on sending him information as well as known to give me a call on the weekend. Dr. Ponce is running a special for the sleeve, its $4,500 (that includes all pre-opt, and post-opt, hotel, transportation, meds etc) and although that is a great price it was not my deciding factor. Tommy's number is 866-774-3002 /619-730-4161 if you are interested. I hope your insurance covers you, that way you could stay close to home. Best of luck to you Theresa. Keep in touch girl.

I just went to the seminar with a Dr. Brown. Anyone been there before? I'm wanting to know what is it you can drink right after surgery?

First of all, welcome to BariatricPal and welcome to the losers' bench! You are right that you have made a great decision for yourself and your future. I think most of us have those nagging voices in the first few days saying "what have I done?" and "will I ever feel normal again?" But hang in there. It does get better every single day in the beginning. You will not regret this decision in the long run and while you may never feel the same "normal" you did pre-op, you will find your new "normal". Are there any local bariatric support groups you can join? I haven't felt the need for any since I got SO MUCH support through this web site and the people I have met here. But having some real life interaction with fellow bariatric patients might also prove beneficial to you if you have access.

My husband is registered for the seminar in Columbia, Mo with Dr. Pitt. I was wondering if anyone has used this clinic and Dr. before that might offer some insite. We dont go to the seminar until Feb. 23, but I am anxious for information. Thanks

So anyway, Today I had my big meeting with my surgeon and the nurse practitioner. Well because I have some issues with the company I work for, we are in a time constraint. My surgeon knows this and is working with me to move fast. So his team that deals with the insurance, (great people by the way) asked me to see if I could get the office notes from my primary care physician (pcp) for the past two years and a letter saying there was no reason he could think of medically why I shouldn't be a good candidate for bariatric surgery. Well ive had my PCP for nigh on 20 years. I knew I would have no problems. So I drove to the doctors office and sure they gave me the office notes but then there was a problem. My pcp who had been a friend even for years refused to write the letter. Not for any medical reason, but because his practice is affiliated with a different hospital than the one im having my surgery in. The hospital he is affiliated with couldn't get me in to their program for 9 months at a minimum and I would have to have ll my tests done in boston, a good distance from my home, and expensive to park etc. Also the surgeon I chose has done over 100 sleeves, and theirs has not. So I talked with my team and they basically said we will go without his letter and we should be ok. I ask , have any of you dealt with affiliation issues and your PCP?

Thanks Tropical! Since that post I have upgraded to one of the new Horizon BCBS of NJ plans that will in fact cover the surgery. If I didn't do that, I would have had to wait until April 1 which is when my current plan would renew and it would be the one year I needed to be eligible to have any pre-existing conditions covered. Originally HBCBSNJ was not going to renew that plan, but I recently got a letter stating that since President Obama had promised us that we could keep our current health coverage, they decided to allow the policies to be renewed. I didn't want to take any chances, so I went ahead and got one of the new policies. It's way more money, but when I file me taxes in February, I'll be able to apply for a subsidy (which will lower the cost). One more week of pre-op stuff in January, then I can submit!

Next month I will Celebrate my 2 year surgiversary and I'm not happy with my current weight...but I am working on it. I've gained 8 pounds in less then two months. I am now wearing size 12. I was happy at size 10 but my goal size is an 8. I am not too concerned w/the numbers on the scale but more interested in the size I wear. Last week I had my 2 year f/u with my bariatric team and requested the RMR test ( basically this test determines how many calories I can eat to maintain and to lose weight). When I first had the test done I was at my heaviest and was told to lose, I had to stay under 1600 calories. I expected the amount of allowable calories to be less (since I lost weight) but to my dismay, it went down to 1000-1200 calories to lose and 1300-1600 to maintain. It was a significant drop, my exercise physiologist was also surprised and said it was more then he wanted. He was hoping for 1400 calories. I also lost more muscle mass. Admittedly, using weights was a hit or miss for me. After reviewing my exercise plan, turns out I was not working out at my target heart rate. He suggested I work out 3 to 4 days a week and make sure I stay within my target rate. Additionally, two of the four days should include weight training w/intervals of Hiit training. I've heard of target heart rate but had no idea how important it was nor did I realize how important weight training is to keep my metabolism revved up. I share what I've been told to help those battling regain. Takeaway: * be mindful of your target heart rate * incorporate weights It's definately not a one plan fits all but an option. I'm also curious if anyone has had a repeat RMR & what was their result?

It was easier for me to decide. i was 47 years old. I'd had plenty of experience losing and regaining weight. I'd lost as much as 120 lbs in a health kick at 45 years old.....only to regain after an injury and surgical repair that kept me outa the gym for a while. I healed but turned that "while" into way too long. Anyway.....a bulging disc at T-12 knocked me on my arse. Outa work for an extended period trying to heal it and avoid surgery. Back surgeon suggested bariatric surgery and that losing a significant amount of weight would allow my back to heal itself. Suffice to say that pain is a powerful motivator. That back injury was the most painful thing I've ever experienced....and that includes knee surgeries, broken bones and two prior hernia repairs......those back spasms were a beyotch. Within a month of having my VSG my back started to heal. At five months I was taking vacations and having an absolute blast. Live was good again........and has been ever since. Weight is coming off nicely. I can eat anything I choose to eat, just choosing weight loss friendly foods now. I can eat smallish to normal sized portions at meals. Nobody I'd meet today would ever know I'd had wls if they didn't see older pictures. Nothing in my daily life would reveal this. Living like a normal person......eating normal foods......normal portions. What, exactly, is your fear ?????????????????? A better life awaits you. Get lean. Enjoy the results. Gotta run. 14 hour shift awaits me.....and I have tons of energy to burn. Will even hit the gym during lunch break. VSG life is good !!!! Edit: VSG life is GREAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Has anyone been banded by or heard anything about Dr. David Rohrer, Dr. Amy Elizabeth Martin, or Dr. Dale Mortenson from Benifis Bariatric Institute in Great Falls Montanna? I'm from Alberta and waiting to get in to a Dr. here, but concidering self paying if the wait is too long. How long did it take to get in and how much $ if you did. thanks, Marie