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Some warm ginger ale. Also, if you could just hold some ginger root in your mouth to suck on---, that will help. I keep candied ginger in the house--always have for nausea. Tiny bites. Did you see you bariatric doctor when you went in? Do you think that the steroids might be raising havoc? Just a thought. Why not give your bariatric team--if you didn't see them--and ask for their guidance and/or suggestions? Couldn't hurt, right.? Feel better, my friend. Let us know.

I'm glad to see this article. In my opinion, not enough attention is paid to the consequences of Vitamin deficiency. Only rarely are the potential problems described in any detail, but the fact is that Vitamins are really crucial for all our bodily systems. Bariatric surgery--hell, even a general low-calorie diet--can lead to vitamin deficiencies if we're not careful. So take your vitamins!

Ah, September! The renewal of hope is in the air as kids go back to school with the promise of straight A's and I with my promise of exercise!! I didn't like the pressure I felt last month with the 'specific' goals I outlined and it made me feel bad when I didn't measure up exactly. So I'm going to relax them just a little bit and break it down into Cardio sessions and Weights sessions, like many of the other Violets do. 8 - Full Body Strength Training Sessions 10 - Cardio Sessions of at least 45 mins. -------------------------------------------------------------------- This book is so awesome! This Year I Will.....How to Finally Change a Habit, Keep a Resolution, or Make a Dream Come True by MJ Ryan. I plan to buy several for Christmas gifts this year. I'm almost finished with it and when I am, I'll start it over again. Awesome. 8/30 - Got back to the gym today after my little sebbatical and it felt good. I actually had a hard time getting my heart rate UP! Could the quitting cigarettes only 11 days ago improved my performance that much already?? I did quit hacking and couging by day 3. Hmmmmm. Cool. :eek: 9/1 - Tried the rowing machine today! I like it!!! I especially like the idea of a total body workout on one machine and in less time. Was getting soooo bored with the other cardio machines. time to play racquetball!! 9/2 - Rowed again today for about 15 minutes and then the elliptical for 10 mins. I feel like I've lost something...can't seem to get a good workout in. Maybe I need to build up to it. 9/8 - Just had one of the most stressful weeks of my life and it was HARD to get thru it without cigarettes, food or booze. I think this Chantix is messing with my moods too....I can't wait to get off of it, but I'm not nearly ready. Exercise went by the wayside again this week. I think I got 3 workouts in. Pitiful. Discovered a 'fitness test' on the stationary bike computer and it said that I have low-very low O2 volume. I should have never taken that test. Here I felt like I was getting into pretty good shape and this computer tells me I suck. Well, whatever....I'm fast approaching 30# gone and that feels great!! 9/20 - Got back from a week in Vegas and California - ate anything I desired while there and gained 2#. Lost it all by Thursday. Yea! Got back to the gym last night by doing 30 mins on the stationary bike and reading. that worked out nicely - the time flew by! Scale at 186.6 Day 31 of not smoking!

Hi all!!! I am Cyndi in (near) Atlanta, if you live in Atlanta, you know what I mean. I am just starting to look into the possibility of this. I have been up and down all my life. Highest weight with my last pregnancy was 300 5 1/2 years ago. Lowest adult weight 163, 3 years ago. Lost 112 lbs on WW, had lower body lift, ran the Disney half marathon and then proceeded to gain all but about 15 lbs back. Have tried to get back into WW but it just isn't happening. BCBS this year for me states covers "bariatric services", whether this means GB or LapBand or just help with dieting remains to be seen. I am here to find out what I can, good and bad.:help:

Hello! My first post... BRAND NEW here! Hi! I'm (almost) 48 and went in for my surgery back in September of this year. They put me to sleep, woke me up, and said "we can't operate. You have a large mass in your stomach." WHAT??! Long story short, they referred me to OBGYN and I found out I have a cantaloupe-sized cyst parked on top of my good-for-nothing uterus. The OBGYN said she would consult with the bariatric surgeon and if her surgery is without any complications, they could both operate on the same day. She will be the lead surgeon, as the hysterectomy takes precedence, and if there are no adhesions/nothing unexpected, the bariatric surgeon will begin his procedure once she is out. I've googled quite a bit and it doesn't seem as though there is much information out there addressing this type of procedure. I'm a little nervous but I trust that these surgeons will be safe and do what is in my best interest. But it's scary... surgery is scary, regardless. Anyway~ that's my introduction! I'm 5'7", 260 pounds, and expect to look like a 30 year old supermodel this time next year. Or an "improved me." I'm happy either way!

Kathy, sorry its taken me so long to reply. Thank you all so much for you thoughtful suggestions and guidlines and sharing what has worked for you. I still haven't implemented these tips yet but I definitely will. The hardest part for me, I think is coming to really face the reality that I cannot continue to deal with food the way I did before surgery. I have to, for the first time in my life really, start grocery shopping and preparing my own food. This is a huge transition for me. Its hard to get started. I am researching a dietician or nutritionist who specializes in bariatric patients so I can get the guidance I so badly need. Thanks again to everyone who has responded to my pea for help and keep the suggestions coming. I'm sure I'm not the only one who will benefit from them! Questions: Which is more food: 2oz of meat measured in a measuring cup or 2oz. of meat weighed on a scale. How do you measure salad?

Thanks for your response. Were you able to research your doctor at all? I am not having much luck finding board certification type information in the Domincan Republic. The surgury is $7650. They work with www.fillcentersusa.com for fills and there is a location local to me. In some ways I would prefer a bariatric center for the fills, but I am aware of what you say--that they may not accept me as a patient. Did you get a fill while you were in Mexico or did you wait until you came back to the US? Thanks again.

I think my insurance will cover the surgery, but it has a history of not covering stuff 100%. For my mom's knee replacement surgery, for example, it only covered around 80%, and she had to have the surgery or be put in a wheelchair. Of course, I don't know if that was their usual practice for every surgery, or if it was just because the doctor wasn't a participator in their insurance program (don't know if he was or not). I have found several bariatric surgeons that do participate in my insurance program, so I am hoping to get it covered 100%. I am just hoping they consider my health conditions that are caused by my weight to be severe enough to cover it.

I heard the same thing from two of my friends (both over weight). One of them said her moms friend had it about a month ago and had to go back in the hospital due to complications (but shes 20 years older than me and smoked for like 30 years). And my coworker says her aunt is a bariatric nurse and told her about all the complications. I just changed the subject bc I don't need to hear that crap 2 weeks pre-op...I'm scared enough. Plus ive done my research. But I'll be interested to hear what they have to say 6 months from now. I won't be surprised if they are asking for my Dr's name and number!

I began my pre-op liquid diet on November 26, 2018. I am scheduled for surgery on 12/12/18. I knew that I would lose weight during the pre-op stage, but I didn't know it would be such a mind screw. The liquid diet can result in rapid weight loss, and when you begin to see the pounds fall off, you may begin to rethink having surgery. (Well at least this thought did cross my mind). You begin to think, "Wow, I have lost, so many pounds already, maybe I don't need to go through with the surgery." "Maybe I can just stick to a diet plan and keep losing the weight." But just as this thought went through my mind, the parallel thought of, "if you could just watch your diet and loss the weight, why haven't you been able to do so and keep up with it?" This truly a mind screw. Don't get me wrong I know weight loss surgery is not a miracle. It's a tool to help you reset your lifestyle for weight loss. I am definitely going to continue my preop, and have my surgery, but I that mind screw was something I hadn't prepared myself for. I asked a few friends that have already had, different forms of bariatric surgery if they felt this way anytime during their preop, and all of them said YES! One of my friends even talked to their surgeon about it, but lucky for them the surgeon knew this was a phase and asked my friend to think it over for a few days before they took any steps to cancel the surgery. Another friend said a lady in per surgery group had cancelled their surgery for this exact same reason and had to start their 6-month supervised program all over again...twice. I even found previous VSG patients on YouTube, who stated they felt this way. Has anyone here felt like this?

I haven't been on in a while and just see this post regarding surgeons in South Florida. My surgeon is Dr. De La Cruz with University of Miami. I had my surgery Feb. 2014 and have lost 218 lbs! Words will not describe how amazing he and his team truly are. I went to see all, and I mean ALL of the main bariatric surgeons in Miami before I chose Dr. De la Cruz! They have taken EXCELLENT care of me! The hospital staff and nurses are top notch! Please do yourself a favor and schedule a consult and go to their seminar!

$35,000 for a sleeve is crazy, even in the US. I only paid $17000 and I live in one of the most expensive areas of the country! This is something that has always bugged me about bariatric surgery -- the wide difference in prices and how you don't always get what you pay for.

My surgeon has all his patients start taking bariatric level of vitamins 2 weeks before surgery to build up stores of them, because it's often hard for people to get in all the vitamins they need immediately after surgery.

I don't say this alot, because it seems its not the "norm" among bariatric patients...but i consider myself one of the "lucky ones", who can seem to eat whatever i feel like and am still able to maintain my weight with little to no effort (my food log is packed with "non-diet" foods...which i need to do because my restriction is still very much in effect). i too was concerned about continually losing weight to the point of death, but it turned out all right in the end (so far). not having to worry about calorie intake (based on my natural eating habits) is something i will forever be grateful for...even if it doesn't last forever. you will find yourself hard pressed to find someone who lost too much weight to the point of medical concern around here. i can think of exactly 1 member on here who self-identified as going below healthy BMI for an extended period of time (dont know what her status is now, as she has since dropped off the forums...and at the time she was at 18 or so BMI...which was at the "top-level" of underweight...) anyway, this is my long winded way of saying enjoy the ride and try not to worry (unless of course your team is worried?)...more often than not, your worry will become a non-issue when things are all said and done. if u continue to be one of the "lucky ones" who put little effort in maintaining weight and health in the long term, yay it really is a blessing and not a curse, years out. good luck! ❤️

I found some titles on Amazon: The Emotional First Aid Kit: A Practical Guide to Life After Bariatric Surgery (ordering this) recipes for Life After Weight-Loss Surgery: Delicious Dishes for Nourishing the New You (this one too) WLS for Dummy's (I have heard great things about this)

Congratulations on your surgery! I agree with @Arabesque , but I might check in on Monday. My reasoning is US doctors take the weekends off and lovely young doctors in training, who do not have experience or specialized training in bariatric care, will possibly put you through 100 nonsensical tests to cover their backsides in case your symptoms are serious. Just keep an eye on your health, but wait if you can, to ask your surgeon on Monday.

Has anyone ever used or heard of omnifast? I have to be on 4 weeks of liquid meals (3 a day) prior to surgery and that is the name of the supplement I have to purchase from the bariatric clinic. I was wondering about cost and taste/flavors. Also, I have a flex health spending account through my employer that I think will pay for the omnifast as it is required for surgery, although I suspect it will require a medical necessity letter from my dr.

I have the band and I'm getting ready to have a revision to the sleeve due to issues with the band. My insurance won't cover anything bariatric related so I'm looking at going to Mexico. Anyone recommend a good surgeon or have good advice for me? Thanks.

I had this surgery solely to be healthy when husband and I want to start trying to have a baby. Did any of you have trouble finding a doctor who was well versed in bariatric patients?

Hi! I'm a Bariatric Dietitian and I can answer this question for you. With shakes the protein is already pulverized, and your stomach has still had a large protion removed, only allowing 20 grams of protein to be absorbed per meal. If it's a high quality protein food like meat, cheese, milk, etc. You will absorb 90% of that product. If it's a low quality protein like 1-5gm per serving. The stomach will absorb less. Hope this makes sense! Shoot for 20 grams of quality protein per meal or shake and you'll do just fine!

not me. Although supposedly it can happen after any surgery - but you probably see it more in bariatric patients since you're taking in so few calories those first few weeks and months post-WLS. But that won't be the case after plastics, so your chances are probably not as great. My plastic surgeon did recommend really increasing my protein for the first few weeks after plastic surgery, though. I usually average around 100 grams/day (I have to because I malabsorb it), but after plastic surgery there were some days I was up to around 150. But anyway, no - no hair loss.

I have anthem bcbs and it was listed under gastric & intestinal when I tried bariatric it wasn't listed buy I found the lapband under gastric & intestinal

I know what you mean. Thankfully I have two people that support me completely so I feel like that's the main thing keeping me sane, but my roommates, family, etc are not supportive. Half of them will just be quiet about it and show their support by not talking about how much they think it's a bad idea. One I had to sit down and have a serious talk with about how their comments were hurting instead of supporting. My friend/landlord is taking their stress out on me because they're so worked up on worrying I'm ruining my life. They can't seem to comprehend that it's possible to not live to eat. We were even suppose to go grocery shopping together, but he cancelled saying I would just buy stuff for preop diet and he doesn't want to contribute or associate with it at all. No support makes everything so much harder. I suggest connecting with people who know what you're going through. I know my bariatric team has a support group every month and I've made some good friends that understand what I'm going through without feeling like I have to justify. Also one thing that has helped is becoming knowledgeable in everything I can involving the surgery. I wanted to be prepared as much as I can. Whenever my loved ones voiced their concerns I would respond back with a very informed answer. This has gained the respect of a few of my close friends so that, while they still rather I do not, they now back off and respect my choice. I really hope things get a bit easier for you. You can always talk to all of us on here. I think I would be so much more scared of this process if I didn't have this website and gastric sleeve support groups on facebook.

So, yesterday was my last appointment with the surgeon before surgery (see previous blog). I basically met with the surgeon, he had me sign some papers, explained a few things, told me I did NOT need an endoscopy (yay!), and took me off to see the insurance coordinator. That's when I had my little scare. First she tells me that I will will have to go in for pre op 3 to 4 days before surgery, and that they will call me the Friday before to tell me what time I have to be at the hospital for surgery. THEN she tells me that I have to front 20% of the surgeons fee before the surgery. I'm thinking 1,000's of dollars and I start to freak out on the inside. I just stared at her until I finally stuttered that I didn't think I could come up with 1,000's of dollars in two weeks. She then told me it was only going to be around 250. Thank God!! I almost hyperventilated and felt soooo much relief when she told me that. Not that I enjoy paying 250 either, but it's certainly better than what I thought and better than what a lot of other people have to pay. Other than that, everything seems to be going smoothly. She said that once I'm finished with my last Nutrition class (on the 9th) that she will send everything to the insurance. She said she may also call them ahead of time just to make sure everything is on track. Hopefully THAT goes well. I asked her before if she thought I'd get approved and she said she was almost positive I would. However, still fearful after reading the stories on here. I'm praying hard that the last 6 months don't end up being a waste of time and money!! After speaking with her, I stopped in to see the nutritionist as I wasn't sure which protein shakes I could have. I have a choice between four: Bariatric Advantage, Bariatric Fusion, Unjury or GNC 100% Whey. I need to have 6 servings a day for 9 days. As of right now (unless suggested otherwise) I think I'm going to go with GNC. It seems to be the cheapest out of the 4, plus more convenient as there is a store right down the street and I won't have to pay for shipping. Even as the cheapest it's going to cost almost 60 bucks because I need the 5lb jug to get me through the pre op. I also made my appointment with my primary care doctor for Monday to receive his approval. The insurance coordinator made me feel a little better because she said that they have faxed over all my stuff to him, so I know he knows I'm getting this surgery. It shouldn't be a problem receiving the approval thank goodness. p.s. While waiting the surgeon, the nurse who took my blood pressure was telling me that she saw a segment about the Sleeve on Goodmorning America that morning! She said it was all positive things. She also said that I was lucky because I'm young, that my skin should bounce back to shape while losing the weight. I know however, that it also depends on genetics, but a girl can hope!! Haha. She also stated that she was going to call in all the medicines I will need to my pharmacy so I won't have to wait for them, just go pick them up. Very nice lady and I'm loving my experience at the center I'm going to! Seriously excited! Only 16 days away!!