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Ok so tonight I sat down to watch The Biggest Loser, whilst I sipped on my yummy chicken stock soup. There was a bit where the trainer got a bit heated with 2 contestants because they were under eating; having 825 calories instead of 1400. He went on to say they were destroying their bodies by dropping their calories so low and the body will only hold on to their fat, they won't lose it but they will lose muscle and they will go into starvation mode etc.... Basically he was saying they won't lose weight, they will lose muscle and destroy their bodies... Now I've managed about 600 calories on liquids today and even that was a bit of a mission! I'm wondering how our bodies react with the little calories we take in and whether it's different with us because we do have smaller stomachs and that may send different signals to our bodies. However, I've never (on a diet) had less than 1200 calories so this is a bit to get used to. Any thoughts on this topic? I do trust the bariatric team around me and know they wouldn't let us under eat. However, that trainer scared me a little!

Your list of symptoms included: * Extreme fatigue * Feeling dizzy upon standing * Feeling fainting when standing up too long * Feeling weak after eating. Several individuals that undergo RNY gastric bypass surgery experience a condition called Reactive Hypoglycemia. It is a form of low blood sugar. This occurs in individuals that had diabetes prior to surgery but also in those that don't. You experience a large drop in blood sugar around from 1-3 hours after a meal. It catches some people by surprise because they faint, dropping onto the floor. But it can also be corrected by recognizing the signs of low blood sugar and reacting or by modifying the way you eat. https://www.ridgeviewmedical.org/services/bariatric-weight-loss/enewsletter-articles/reactive-hypoglycemia-postgastric-bypass This link describes some of the symptoms of the condition. http://www.weightlosssurgery.ca/before-after-surgery/reactive-hypoglycaemia-post-gastric-bypass/ If this matches some of your symptoms, you might read up on the condition using the internet. I am not sure about some of the other symptoms but you are taking quite a bit of medication (vistaril, remerom, zoloft, wellburtrin) and you may have some bad interactions happening. The most important elements after RNY gastric bypass surgery is to meet your Protein, Fluid and Vitamin daily requirements. food is secondary because your body is converting stored fat into the energy that drives your body. Thus you lose weight. Weight loss is achieved by meal volume control. At 10 months post-op, this should be around 3/4 cup per meal. So back to basics, reverify that you are meeting the prescribed requirements for protein, fluids and Vitamins. This article describes my experience after RNY gastric bypass surgery. http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery.pdf Life is full of trade offs. In my case I had high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea and severe acid reflux (GERD) prior to surgery. I traded my love of food for good health. At 3 years post-op, I am content with that decision. I have been able to find some pleasure in eating again. I found mixing food groups together provided some flavor. I also found that softer foods such as chili and Soups went down much easier than harder foods such as steak. I hate Protein shakes and no longer take these. But I did this by fortifying the protein that I consume in meals. "Protein First". Anyways at the end of the article, I have included some recipes if you care to try them.

I'm so sorry for you. I know how mad you must be, and I would feel the same. it's a huge emotional undertaking, and then, to be cut off at the last minute??? UGH!! Unfortunately, I think we're going to be seeing more & more of this due to Obamacare. Many insurance plans are dropping bariatric coverage all together, so the hospitals supporting it will take a hard hit. It sucks! Again, I'm so sorry. Please don't take this as a sign that you shouldn't be having the procedure. This isn't the universe telling you anything. It's f-ing Obamacare that has changed insurance coverage. If you want to file a grievance, file it with the White House

I think there is a thread. Mine was far from a horror story. The Bariatric process and personnel were great, but the Anesthesia team broke two of my crowns when they put the breathing tube in or took it out. Later they tried to deny it and even tried to cover it up. Fortunately I had just visited the dentist a week before surgery so she wrote a long letter on what condition my teeth were in before and after surgery. She also stated that it would have taken excessive effort to do that kind of damage. Only then did the hospital relent and pay for the repair of my teeth.

In a bunch of products for post-op? Everything is sealed and within date. I have calcium chews and multivitamin chews in sealed canisters/bags, high protein shakes, gelatin, soups, oatmeal... ALL bariatric brands. Please contact me directly for more info. I bought a lot post-surgery during my recovery and then moved shortly after and I didn't even realize how much I had until now (a year post-op)... I was unable to get through it all and would love to see it go to a good home. Ideally I'd like to just have it as one big package and we can negotiate out the price. You will NOT find these products online for a quarter of the price. Email: brookebonic@gmail.com Will ship via USPS. Serious inquiries only. I'll list out the inventory for anyone interested and send photos to anyone interested once I'm able to. Payment via Venmo or PayPal only and you must pay for shipping prior to shipment as well.

You need to call your surgeon's office and see what they say (and let them know that you took it and how much). As a general rule, ibuprofen is not allowed after bariatric surgery.

The gowns come in larger sizes on most bariatric floors so that helped me feel more comfortable. And you can ask for 2 (one on backwards and everything gets covered) I still had the IV on so I didn't do the pajamas over my head, arm, but I should have put underwear on. On no, I do not remember doing that. OOPS. I'm not sure when they pulled cathedar out but that was taped to my thigh. I would pack pjs and see how you feel. Always better to have.

Hi =) I actually just went through the same thing.. After talking to my family and initially deciding on the lap band I went to a seminar in Dallas at a well known bariatric doc there. The seminar was so informative and I decided for lots of reasons to do the sleeve instead of the band. I left there so excited and feeling like WOW! Why haven't I done this sooner?!? Anyway, I left there all ready and willing to get the surgery behind me and then they called a week later and said that there was an exclusion on my policy that prevented them paying for the surgery at all. =( Soooo cash pay it is! After the seminar, crazy amounts of sleeve surgery research and soul searching, I knew that nothing could stop me!! The cash pay in the US is $12500 or more and they don't work with you at all.. I couldn't quailify for a unsecured loan for that much and it would take me a year or more to save it so..... Mexico was my next option! I would NEVER have thought I would would EVER go to Mexico for a surgery! Preconceived notions of organ harvesting and infection LOL! But after getting in contact with a company called Belightweight, they financed me even with my imperfections on my credit so I started researching docs... I have chosen Dr Rodriguez in Juarez =) his reviews are amazing, the hospital is StarMedica and I am super stoked! This is not an easy decision and definitely not to be taken lightly but I think that when your body tells you it's time, it is time!! My date is set for June 29 and I honestly could not be happier =)) I am starting to blog my journey today and ran across your post... I am excited to follow your journey!! I think we have similar journeys with this weight loss and hope we can keep in contact!! =) Let's do this!

Hi everyone. I'm starting the same adventure. May 26 Date, go for my pre-op info on the 6th. Very nervous and try to research all the info I can. Would like to stay in touch and know what apps are being used for tracking. I found one caloratio that was developed by a bariatric surgeon. Has anyone tried it?

Excited for you. January will be here before you know it. You will be well taken care of by your team. Read through the forum. (Search box on the top left) it will help you with the good and bad stories. Sleeved 5 years ago. Unfortunately, it took a major health crisis to admit my weight was slowly killing me. The same year I lost my mother to cancer. I investigated bariatrics to get my health in order. I was ready to get this done. More than willing to go through pain to get my life back. I had prior surgeries and experience childbirth. I had a good reference of pain. The side incision took longer to heal (its where they remove the stomach) Medications managed pain. I bounced back and healed quickly. I had a drain for a few days. Yep, it was gross. Took a deep breath and he pulled the line out and it was over. I can’t say I had anything bad experiences with surgery. My health issues are all resolved. It was all worth it and I have no regrets. Wish you the best! Jenn

If you're going this route, I'd highly recommend attorney Walter Lindstrom Jr.. Here's his contact info: Walter Lindstrom, Jr. Lessons Learned: Celebrating 20 Years As A Bariatric Surgery Patient PRESIDENT & CEO LINDSTROM OBESITY ADVOCACY 601-C East Palomar Street, #480 Chula Vista, CA 91911 WWW.WLSAPPEALS.COM Toll Free: 1-877-99-APPEAL (877-992-7732) Fax: 888-992-1188 Let him know I sent you his way and please do keep us updated on any progress you make!!!

I am so to hear you are going through these problems, however I have to be honest it will be tough to get another lap band surgeon who will be willing to remove someone else band, especially if there are complications involved due to liability issues and many surgeons just don't like to deal with other surgeons problems. But I am sure there have to be some surgeon that will remove your band, if things get really bad and if you have insurance and if you go to the ER they must assign a lap band surgeon to remove your band. Also you can contact some medical associations and tell them your problem and they may be able to locate and find a lap band surgeon that is willing to removed your band. Some people go to Mexico to get their bands removed, if you are cash pay it's far less expensive, I believe the cash pay in the US will cost anywhere between $15,000 to over $80,000 depending on complications, where you live and what has to be done. If you owe your current surgeon money, I guess that would be a toss up if they will help you, some surgeons will still help you out if you call and explain the situation, but some surgeons have their "nursing staff" to do the dirty work and say you have to pay outstanding bills before they can help you. And no, not ANY surgeon can remove a lap band, it actually takes more skill in removing the band than installing because sometimes they have to carefully and methodically "dig it out" and there is scare tissue/adhesion's involved and sometimes the port is very deep, so no -- any general surgeon cannot remove a lap band, IT MUST be a lap band surgeon. Bariatric surgery is a specialized skill and no one but a lap band surgeon can remove your band. I hope things work our for you.

@ it would be unethical, but that doesn't stop it. My psych is tied to my bariatric hospital. I think you see where I'm going here. No one at my hospital has ever been denied by the psych. He told me so.

Get for after your surgery? Protein shake powders, egg beaters, greek yogurt, SF popsicles, SF pudding, anything your bariatric group or surgeon lists on their food list for your first week home.

@chanti...I have read on some posts that there is a bariatric surgeon in red deer but the waiting list is very long and the cost is like double or something like that then Tijuana so and somewhere I read that the procedure in Toronto is like 22,000. :/

Hello everyone, I have decided to see a patient advocate at TrueResults in Phoenix to see if I am qualified for the gastric sleeve. I gave all my insurance information to them before my appointment (I have Highmark BCBS through my employer, Centene Corp). The patient advocate informed me that they verified my coverage and that I meet all the requirements for a bariatric surgery. However, my BMI is under 40 and I do have one of the co-morbidity mentioned in the insurance requirements which is HBP. My dilemma is that the patient advocate said that I am required to be on two blood pressure pills in order to qualify - which I am - but the customer service people at Highmark BCBS keep telling me that I need to be on three HBP pills in order to qualify (they even sent me a hard copy of the requirements). I don't know who is right and I don't want to start this journey and to find out that I am denied. Has anybody else experience something like this ? I would think that the insurance people at TrueResults have accurate information, but I doubt it right now. The customer service rep at Highmark gave me the requirements for Highmark BCBS in general, but I know every employer might override these general requirements. Please help ! Thank you. Isabella

Hello, I have just begun the process of getting approval for bariatric surgery. My PCP submit a request for me to begin the process of surgery, and have since attended a group information session, and have scheduled my first meeting with the physician. I'm curious as to what experiences people have had with Group Health and their bariatric surgery coverage. Thanks!

It depends on the plan. If you are paying for insurance out of pocket, look at plans that offer bariatric coverage as part of the plan. Not all do. Speak with a broker or check healthcare.gov.

Hi! In the last few months I finally came to the decision to undergo bariatric surgery. I've been driving myself a little crazy with all the research I've been doing into the possibility of doing it here in Denver, or going to Mexico, since the costs are much lower. My HR director had assured me that bariatric surgery was not excluded under our company plan... except that I found out today that she was wrong. I've heard of instances in which companies will sometimes pay for someone to get it done in Mexico, rather than having to add it to the insurance. Has anyone done this? If so, how did you approach your employer, or was it just offered? I'm just curious. Storykpr

I just got back clearance on my nicotine test. They've submitted my claim for surgery to GA medicaid. Any idea on how long before they call with a surgery date? I am have gastric bypass surgery at Emory Midtown by Jamil Stetler of Emory Bariatrics. TIA Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

In the first 6-8 weeks it was definitely a challenge to eat anything more that 1/4-1/2 cup at a time. Now that I'm 12 (almost 13) wks out I am up to about 3/4-1 cup at each meal. I'm Canadian and had my rny surgery via a bariatric centre where I live. It has a whole team that has supported me throughout the process, and my dietitian has assured me that my intake amount is right on track. She stresses that when eating, the focus should be on getting the Protein consumed first. So I do just that. I've been eating a lot of peanut & almond butter lately, lol. I also love cheese so I try to have some of that everyday too. Tuna is something else I've been enjoying. My dietitian said that at this point any deficiencies from not being able to eat any or very little veggies & fruits should be balanced out by the daily multi-Vitamins and calcium/Vitamin D supplements that I've been prescribed to take. I stopped drinking the protein shakes (powder & liquid) at about 3 weeks because I couldn't find any that I liked. I then focused on Protein Bars (the soft, brownie consistency kind, not ones with nuts) and ate about 1/2 a bar at a time. Again, my dietitian said this was fine as long as they were sitting in my tummy fine. Now that I'm further along I make my own protein shakes using unflavoured Protein Powder. There are quite a few good recipes online - I just googled "high protein smoothies for gastric bypass surgery". One of my faves has soy chocolate milk, protein powder, 1/2 banana, 2 tbsp. Peanut Butter & ice. I admit that I don't really keep track of my protein count so I may be falling short. I have my 3 month follow up in a couple of weeks, and just went to get my bloodwork done for that this morning. So I'll be finding out where all of my levels are at - hopefully all is good!

I have GHI as well and it was a 6 month supervised diet (it would have been 3 months if I was able to use a bariatric center for the monitoring which mine didnt have available) Hope you figured it all out...the insurance requirements are a bit much but we must follow them....ugh! My surgery date is set for 9/19...will be starting preop diet 9/4...if you ever want to chat message me!

I was NOT able to get my procedure covered by my insurance last year even with 2 comorbidities. My policy stated that there was a Bariatric Surgey Exclusion. My medical necessity did not matter. My company did not pay the premium to include bariatric surgery on our group policy, making it an exclusion on our policy. So no, they would not cover it and I had to wait till open enrollment to drop that policy.

It usually means something like they only pay for one bariatric surgery in your lifetime, or there is a separate dollar max, something like that. But only they can tell you for sure. I would try calling them rather than emailing, I find my insurance responds super slowly (if ever) to email. Good luck!

Basically what happened is.....I have UHC, but this particular plan does not cover bariatric care at all. So, I paid for the surgery myself. Well, in order to get insurance to pay on the surgery, they billed "unlisted liver procedure" instead of wedge liver biopsy...."unlisted procedure, stomach" rather than gastric bypass...."adhesion repair" rather than lap-band removal...and also charged for a (hiatal) hernia repair. Mind you, all of those things were to be INCLUDED in my revision surgery (that's why it's more expensive than a "virgin" bypass), but they had my insurance information from my (original) consultation and submitted it. Since the coding "appeared" medical, UHC covered a pretty significant portion of it. Thinking I should get a refund for anything that insurance DID pay, I phoned the office to find out when I'd get a refund check and, to my surprise, they said they would be keeping BOTH payments! Adhesions were expected, due to the band; I've had a hiatal hernia for OVER 10 years, but the op report reads as if it was "discovered" during surgery!!! Adding what they billed insurance PLUS what I paid up front, my surgery was nearly $58,000!!! That is ridiculous. The average for bypass is $22,000, which is what I "self" paid prior to surgery. Just a side note....I had NO complications, NO unexpected/unplanned procedure and the hospital and anesthesiologist both wrote off ALL charges except what I paid up front...only the surgeon billed/was paid by my insurance company. I tried to "appeal", but UHC wouldn't since it was not a denial. The insurance commission only regulates insurance, not MD's. The Medical Board only cares if you have "injuries" (for malpractice), they don't care about how the MD codes the surgery. Most patients don't mind because, had UHC NOT paid, they would not have billed me anything....they would have just " settled" for what I paid them up front. Because the patient usually doesn't get a bill, most don't mind and/or don't complain when the doctor submits "medical" codes and gets payment. It is a common practice by bariatric surgeons (even the "good" ones!), but it's wrong, wrong, wrong. I am continuing to pursue it because I work in the healthcare industry and I am just so infuriated by all the fraud, abuse and waste in "the system" that I am not going to let them get away with this, even though almost all of them do it!! Sorry to go on and on, but I am just SOOOOO frustrated and angry that I go on a rant when I discuss it. I asked all the right questions, reviewed the contract, etc., etc., and I STILL got "used". I am still trying to work with UHC to either ask the doctor for a refund or else tell him he needs to refund it to me...even if I don't get it, I don't want the doctor paid twice. If your insurance doesn't cover your surgery and you end up paying yourself....BE SURE that you have an "iron-clad" contract and understanding with your physician about what will be billed and HOW it will be billed. As a side note, even my PCP said it's "illegal as hell" (quote, sorry for the language) the way they billed it; it's not just me being upset because I didn't get a refund.