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I am on day 10 of my preop diet. I am only allowed the Bariatric Advantage shakes and Clear liquids. According to my documentation, I am allowed to use milk in my shakes. I have been consuming mass amounts of Crystal Light. Mr. Smith is right ... you have to get that ketosis to kick in and carbs prevent that. I am surprised that your surgeon didn't define exactly what you can and can't have. I have lost 18 lbs. in the last 10 days.

Hi, I did not end up having my surgery in the Quad City area, but I have dealt with both bariatric centers-Trinity and Genesis. I work at Trinity so I was going to have my surgery there, and I had an AWFUL experience with them. The bariatric center is incredibly disorganized. The only advantage with Trinity is that they only have you put a down payment of $7000 down, and you can pay the remainder on a payment plan in 6 months. You do have to pay the surgeon upfront, which is $4500. All said, after talking with the Genesis bariatric center, I would definantly choose them. I think their preop teaching and postop follow up is much more thourough. I simply did not go to them because I was self pay and I had financial constraints. However, I was MUCH more impressed with their program. Please PM me for any further information you would like!

I have a different Blue Cross plan. Under my plan, the out of pocket max is the max I'd pay in a year for all services - its intended as a safeguard if you have a catastrophic injury or illness. That was different than what I paid for any given service. Does your blue cross plan have a SErvice Benefit Brochure online? If so, it will likely list bariatric surgery and say what you need to pay depending on if the doc and hospitals are preferred providers or not. Also, note that this cost is JUST for the hospitalization. I ended up with costs for the hospital, surgeon, anesthesiologist, and lab work. It was far lower than my out of pocket max. I saw three surgeons before I decided on surgery, the only one that would have required me to make such a big payment up front was someone who did not take insurance and was covered as a non-participating provider. Again, my insurance may work differently than yours.

I was told one bariatric advantage ultrasolo for vitamin then at one month to add calcium citrate 500 mg (3 a day)chews from bariatric advantage

I have vitamins chewable from bariatric advantage my surgeon gave them to me they are watermelon cant say they taste good though :smile:

If you're going by yourself, try to contact a coordinator, I used Bariatric Pal, they give you full service, they can even pick you up at the airport and drive you back, you won't need to look for a hotel, after two days in the hospital, they take you to a really nice recovery house with 24 hours valet service, cable, long distance calls, wifi.. etc.. I had a great experience with them, my doctor was Dr. j. Lopez, but they have more doctors in their team, they are all well experienced, but most important of all, you won't have to worry about anything.. GOOD LUCK

At summa bariatric center?

Today was my last monthly appointment of the six required by insurance so my doctor's office will be submitting to insurance in the next couple of days. Fingers crossed. Surgery is scheduled for July 18. We also used today as my pre-op appointment and went through everything. Thanks to this forum I felt very prepared to have this meeting and came prepared with lots of questions. One thing I have noticed is how much variety there is on surgeon preferences. Here are some highlights of how my surgeon handles things: Pre-op Diet: One week liquid only, 800-1000 calories and 60-80 grams of Protein. Incisions-uses steri strips so no need for stitches to be removed Does not use a drain unless necessary based on how things go, averages one every two years so low likelihood Does the leak test during surgery rather than next day before you go home. Says he would rather know during so can fix right away than have to put me under again to fix. Should be released by 3-4pm day after Will be released with pain pills, anti-nausea pills and pill to help prevent ulcers Will not give bariatric specific Vitamins. He said blood work will determine any deficiencies over time but as long as eating a proper diet a multi-Vitamin should be sufficient Can't wait!!

I'm am just starting a bariatric diet. I am 245 lb and hesitant about the surgery but need to lose weight.i am doing well with everything except that I cant get motivated to go for a walk and at night I get bad food cravings. Any help is appriciated. Sent from my LML713DL using BariatricPal mobile app

Hey Everyone! I will be getting my sleeve this Monday! I am using KC Bariatric with Dr. Kowalski. I have been very happy with this group. The staff is amazing! So kind and supportive. Always willing to answer all my many questions. I also was impressed with the staff I meet at Hospital Specialty and Spine where I will have my surgery. Nice to see some more Kansas people. I live at the bottom of the state but work up in the KC area often.

My pre-surgical appointment (if that's indeed what this is for you) consisted of a nurse asking me a lot of health questions, a meeting with an anesthesiologist, and a trip to the lab for them to take vials of blood and a urine test. Oh, and of course BP/temp/pulse. They didn't weigh me, and I didn't see anyone from my bariatric team.

I hear you about the drive to Richmond. I work on DC, so I was doubly worried about being so far away. However, MWH wasn't doing bariatric surgery when I had mine. They just brought in a new team this year. They had been doing them in the past and got into trouble because there were so many problems. This new team is supposed to be good. I just love Dr. Brengman though. I think the real problem is that there are so many people clamoring for this surgery that not only are they overwhelmed, but I think the idea of customer service is a non-issue since they have more business than they can shake a stick at. Stay after them. You know what they say, the squeaky wheel gets the oil.

I think you're fine. I think bariatric pal has some chili for the early stage. I had it because that was the most difficult part of the journey for me (other than pre-op diet) and it was pretty good. lol

I'm going to give you the most precise answer you can ask for....It's a crAp shoot. There is no definitive answer or study to back it up either way. Some with reflux still have it after, some will have it worse, some will lose it Same goes with people that NEVER had it... Some will get it after the sleeve to varying degrees. Some, it will still not be an issue. Some bariatric Drs will not perform the sleeve on someone with bad reflux but really the reasons behind it are neither confirmed or denied by stats and studies.. Luck of the draw..,

Everyone is so right about the waiting time being a time for soul searching and information gathering. In the beginning, I was going for the Lap-Band because it was the only option that I really knew about. I knew of successful "Banders" that were pleased with their results. After the information seminars and meetings with the staff at my Bariatric Center I switched to the sleeve. The 6 months prepares you emotionally and physically for the changes that are about to occur. I definitely agree, you need that time to prepare.

Hi, I used Dr David Kim in Colleyville, TX. He also has a office in Frisco. Not sure where you are located. He did my inverted sleeve 3 years ago and he is a great doctor. His staff has been extremely helpful to me as well. I haven't had any complications at all other than having to have my gallbladder out. The after surgery support has been incredible. Kim Bariatrics has monthly support groups, fitness events, yearly patient Christmas party, 5k/10ks, along with many other get togethers. If it wasn't for the after surgery support I would have not been successful. If you have insurance with a bariatric exclusion there is a Making Bariatrics Affordable discount program for $4900 if you have a hiatal hernia. Do you have insurance? He also works with travelers as well. You may give them a call to get more details.

It might make sense in your mind to take 2 100% vitamins, but if you do, don't take them together, certain vitamins in some forms are not bio available easily, I have heard shaklee is great, I ended up purchasing a liquid vitamin from Nashua Nutirition, I take a brand called Bell, Liquid multi vitamin complex, I also got bariatric advantage calcium citrate carmel chews and Celebrate brand B-12 sublinguals. I have no problem taking them everyday. I was self pay in Mexico, so i did not get a lot fo direction as far as what brands they recommend etc, but I will be having my blood work done this week probably, and will know if I am deficient in anything then.

@@FluffyWW, you have much to do, but think how good the timing is. You'll be so nicely shorn of fluff in time for summer. Your surgeon is at Montefiore? I'll be posting the next Greater New York Bariatric Surgery Clothing Exchange info in a few minutes. Watch for it in the lists of topics screen right. You certainly will be welcomed if you're free. I hope you'll also be notified at your surgery practice, as some Montefiore bariatric staff are on my contact list. Welcome to BP. It's a great place for support. Fun, too.

I have not been to seminar yet. I called my insurance and they said that my policy doesn't cover bariatric surgery at all. I have bcbs- Illinois. .i am saddened by this. Does anyone else know if there is differences in the coverage that makes a difference. My bmi is 51.

Shay, I have been back on track now for the entire year. I have literally went back to basics. I went back to Protein Meal Replacements for the entire month of January. After that it felt like my pouch was back to post-surgery say 6 months. I have a definite stopping point now or I am sick. The other night I had some watermelon and dumped. It hurt like crazy but that is back and for that I am grateful. I joined a group through WLS Success Matters (on-line) called Back on Track. It is 6 weeks long and there is a fee that covers the 6 weeks plus materials. It was like $199. It was worth every penny. I started this after I had been on Bariatric Advantage Meal Replacement (recommended by my surgeon) for a month. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Already posted this in the pre op category, but I think it belongs here more! I'm Nicole, I'm 19, and I'm waiting on approval for my RNY! You are probably thinking, “Wow, she’s only 19, why they heck is she getting a Gastric Bypass surgery so young?" so I just wanted to make this post to kind of give you guys an idea of why I am getting the surgery, why I think it’s the best choice for me, and what has been happening lately! So, originally I opted for the Sleeve Gastrectomy, because I liked the fact that they didn’t mess around with your intestines and all that jazz like they do with the bypass, so I went to my surgeon, and I did all of my pre-op stuff, like my nutritionist visits and psychiatrist visits,and it turns out I was diagnosed with binge-eating disorder, so I had to do a month of group therapy before she would clear me for surgery. You have to make sure you are mentally prepared before you put your body through anything, which I get. I started this whole process the first of December. After all of my tests and appointments and stuff got finished, and I had lost enough pre-op weight, they sent away to the insurance company at the beginning of May. I waited and waited until just this week when my mom was finally like we should call and see what’s up. So she called the insurance company, and it turns out that my insurance doesn’t cover sleeves, but I was a clear candidate for bariatric surgery so I would have to re-submit for the bypass or the lap-band, So I made an appointment with my surgeon and we decided to go ahead and switch to the Roux en Y. So now I have to wait for this approval and to schedule a surgery date! As for my age, and having surgery, I have a lot of medical problems that no 19 year old should ever have to deal with. I take 7 pills in the morning and 4 at night. I have high blood pressure that I am on two different types of medication for, just to maintain it, I have asthma, I have poly-cystic ovarian syndrome, which causes me not to ovulate, and my OB-GYN said I may never be able to have children. I’ve been medicated for it in the past, but bariatric surgery has been proven to take this away in most cases. Also, when I was 18, i suffered from kidney failure and was in the hospital for almost a week. It just sucks to know that your body is so unhealthy that your organs are beginning to shut down. At this point, I know if I don’t make a change I will just end up getting worse and worse. I’m going to have to work my ass off every day, and my new stomach pouch is only going to be a tool to help me get to where I need to be, not an easy way out, and everyone who thinks that is horribly wrong. It’s not going to be easy, but it’s going to be worth it. Peace & Love

Take a very deep breath and decide if you are truly ready for this to happen. If you are, none of the other stuff should matter at all. Take things one step, one day at a time and that is how it all becomes less overwhelming. This includes the 3 week diet. It really is not that bad and will kick start your weight loss, ensure you have a healthier liver and make things safer. I can tell you that every bit of this is worth it in the end. I am 14 months post op, down 135lbs and 10 lbs from my goal. I thank god everyday for putting the Bariatric community on this earth to help us get healthy. When you feel the stress practice breathing very deep, it can be calming. Good luck to you!

Awesome! what company did you go with if you don't mind me asking? And who is your coordinator? I've talked with several... Ready4Achange, alighterme and Mexico bariatrics.

Good luck! It has been nothing but positive for me. I am two months out and down about 50 lbs! You are going to be full of questions for the next few weeks, but before you know it you will be on the loser's bench. I did the Bariatric Advantage high protein meal replacement drinks for my 2 week pre-op diet. Whatever you drink you just have to remember that you will get through it, and the whole goal of the diet is to shrink your liver so you will have a safer surgery. That was all I though about and cheating was not just not an option. Good luck again!!

I used Dr. Ahmad from Mather. First, it a bariatric center of excellence. Second, I checked his background, no lawsuits, no leaks, etc. He and his wife are very nice people. When you are going through the approval process, you need to pick someone close because doing the pre-op is like a part-time job. I would recommend him, although I think his practice is expanding so much, there is office waits & clerical errors (like same last name, apt confusion.) But, his surgical background and how many times he has done this far surpasses any of those other things.