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Go to NYtimes.com and read the Jan. 3, 2006 article by Elisabeth Rosenthal - "Europeans Find Extra Optionss for Staying Slim" - It's very interesting and talks a lot about the US surgeons and why they think the way they do. Also quoted in this article is Minnesota's very own Dr. Sayeed Ikramuddin (surgeon) from the Univ. of Mn Hospital - Chief of of bariatric surgery is quoted in this article. Read it! Patti

Hello. My name is Kim and I am mow almost 5 months post. I has lost 89lbs and going strong. I decided to do this journey last Oct and had surgery om Dec 18th. It can be a quick or lengthy process. I wish u luck. Im hoping in the last couple weeks u have found something out. Keep me posted and any help or encouragement i can offer let me know. Good luck and i hope u get to get on this journey with the rest of us. Hello Kim!!! I'd love to be Bariatric Buddies! I've just hit 4 months Post Op & I'm around 46-47 pounds & I want loose at least that much more. I was doing so good; first week, 18 pounds, & then my Gallbladder went crazy! Nothing would stay in my body! I had to get fluids, & my Potassium was so dangerously low I was at high risk for a Heart Attack. It's been at battle but I think I'm finally getting on the right track! I'm taking my Proteins shakes, that I actually don't mind, & eating healthy. If you're interested please respond on here & let me know b/c I'm not sure how the in & outs are of the group! Hope to hear soon! Alicha

Probably... I have one at the surgeons office that I see every few months now, but she really doesn't help that much...or maybe I haven't felt the need for her. Between the sites here and the monthly bariatric meetings I attend, I get a LOT of nutritional info/insight... so you are not really alone on this!

You are a brave one, Heather! My RNY was on September 19th and "bread" is not anywhere on my immediate horizon or the program laid out for me by my Doctor and Bariatric team.

Hello everyone. Haven't been around for a while--real busy w/work, etc. But I'll try to stay more connected. The revision went fine, did I tell you that they were able to use the same holes that were used for my band? The recovery was longer than after banding, 2 weeks home; 3 would have been better. I'm doing well. So far I've lost 35 lbs, which my doctors insists is good, but I feel like a slow loser. I know it's because I "only" weighed 210 lbs. at time of revision. Still, I'm pleased with my ability to eat, believe it or not, more normally than I did w/the band & I think if I stick to my food plan, which is basically the same as when banded, I can get to goal within a year. If you go back & read my posts, you'll see that I had an unusual condition that necessitated being unfilled, and even then I had problems w/a lot of foods (tuna, chicken, hamburger & others). So, now I'm on a full foods diet. I can eat chicken, chile, hamburger, sushi (no rice, I have it rolled w/cucumber), cooked veggies & most fruits. I haven't tried steak yet, but I will next time I'm around it. I need to get 60 grams of Protein a day & 2 liters of Water. I supplement my food a whey Protein Drink most days. Also must take bariatric multi-Vitamin & extra Calcium every day. A huge treat for me was a grilled tomato topped w/melted cheese on a piece of whole wheat toast. I would have PB's on that w/my band. I had one minor complication, a stricture, which is is caused by scar tissure & causes a narrowing where the stomach & intestine meet--2 painless endoscopies later (they use the scope & inflate a small balloon at time of endoscopy) , 3 weeks apart & I was fine. I'm not one of those people who gets full after a bite or two of food, but my portions are small. I feel satisfied after 1 scrambled egg w/melted cheese on top. The denser the protein, the faster I get full. One very interesting thing: things that I didn't find sweet enough before, i.e. sugar free Jello pudding, now is just fine. That's really the only sweet "treat" I have, I don't crave sweets at all. Not ice cream, not Cookies, not cake. gone. It has something to do w/the bypass procedure; not sure it lasts forever, but for now it's very good. I'll take it while it lasts! (that's not to say it doesn't look when I see a candy bar or ice cream, but it's a passing thought, not a craving at all.) I love my surgeon. He does bands too. All his patients love him, he answers emails within 24 hours & if one has an urgent problem, the office connects you to him or his partner AT THE TIME OF YOUR PHONE CALL. Amazing, huh? I go to a support group @ the hospital he & his partner operate ,and the group is split between bandsters & RNY'ers. And guess what? We all get along. So, that's my progress so far. Take care, my friends. Karen

I had my surgery done through Dr. Wilfred Aguilia, and he is amazing!! First of he owns his own practice called Surgical Bariatric Centers. He does his surgeries through Memorial Hospital in Tampa, Fl. I cannot say enought good things about Dr. Aguilia. I am self pay and there is no way I could have afforded the surgery if it were not for him. He charges 15,200 for the surgery and that includes fills for the first year, 3 personel training sessions, a dietician, and psychologist. He is very knowledgable and banding and has a no nonsense approach. His staff treats you like family and hugs you everytime you come in. I would highly recommend him! If anyone wants to know more just message me!

You can also contact a bariatric surgeon's office directly rather than go through your PCP. Google bariatric surgery in your area, read up on the available programs and call and make an appointment. They will guide you from there. Also, read, read, read as much as you can!! Good luck :)

hi, I have just found out that my op will bee in 4-5weeks time and I am really happy that I know the approx date. my first appointment was in March 2011, I attended the seminar in June, then I had all the test, physiology etc and then a sleep apnea test, I had sleep apnea and got my cemap machine, which I hate wearing. I had to wait 3months to see if the treatment was working, it was ans the specialist would send this info off to the bariatric surgery team, only, he didn't. finally after no contact from anyone I asked my dietician if she could find out what the delay was. 3 weeks later was told they were waiting for results from apnea clinic. I felt abandoned and depressed that it was one delay after the other. finally in May got an appointment for signing the consent form, it was horrendous I had put about 5 lb back on and was told that i could not sign the consent and would go to the back of the list, devastaed is how I felt. I got an appointment for another consent signing In 6 weeks, and at this one had lost 12 lbs, so was able to sign consent. I had to have an endoscopy and they remove 2 small polyps from my stomach, at which point me and hubby decided I would go for the sleeve rather than the bypass.At the meeting tonight we e sat next to a man who had the sleeve last Oct and he was 22stone on the day of his op and is now 13stone and was very encouraging, I asked him dozens of questions as did hubby, lol, and we came away happy that we have chosen the right op for me.I cannot exercise due to fibromyalgia and other health issues at this weight, but will be going swimming as soon as I can. to get fitter. It has been such a long wait and at times felt like I had to jump through their hoops, but now only concerned with getting as much weight of as i can before the op.that is it for now . x

I just got off the phone with my insurance company. I have been approved!!!!!! The paperwork was submitted on Monday and approval on Thursday! I don't have a surgery date yet but I will as soon as I talk to the bariatric liaison. HOORAY

I was very lucky to have a nutritionist who was used to serving a diverse populations of people with very different nutritional preferences and cultural diets. (Kosher, Halal, Vegan, Vegetarian, Etc.) She asked me what my favorite diet was....I said Mayo Clinic/Mediterranean....and we looked at some key factors of the diet and made a few adjustments to prepare for bariatric surgery, but mostly I was able to stick to my preferred plan....and even praised for it. (I do hit a higher protein goal than I was used to, but I do half of it in plant protein) I also reduced my carb side dishes to 1/4 cup instead of 1/2 cup. If it's a Vegan main dish, that's different....but a side of rice or potatoes with a protien is a much smaller portion now....and often omitted. I'm discouraged when I hear about dietitians who only offer one approach and doctors who believe Keto is the only way to go. It works very well...but it doesn't work for everyone. I think patients are more compliant with plans they are comfortable with, and can maintain for a lifetime. Glad to be working with a group that offers more than one way up that mountain! Jersey, I'm a big fan of apples with natural peanut butter, too Had some for a snack tonight. LOL...I understand chicken fatigue! Maybe try to switch things up with fish or turkey? Congrats on your 14 pound loss!

We at Henry Ford Bariatric Center are put on "FLINSTONES COMPLETE WITH CHOLINE" Now don't laugh to hard,, They happen to be one of the best vitamins out there for Bariatric patients. They are chewable, they are in a orange box not to be confused with the regular chew ables. These contain CHOLINE, and it is very good for you. I do about 4 a day, and no bruising. If I start to forget to take them, the bruises come back. Takes about 2 weeks to a moth for all to go away, and not come back.

Baptist bariatrics in Jackson, MS Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I attended Dr. Titus Duncan (Atlanta Bariatric) seminar on wls three weeks ago. The only call I have received from his office is to verify my insurance member number. I know my insurance cover wls because I called and checked myself before pursuing this journey. The only thing left to say is either Dr. Titus Duncan staff is not doing what they suppose to, Dr. Duncan is just too busy or he is not interested in treating me. Either way I am not going to let this discourage me because I am on a journey to better my health and life. I am now looking for other surgeons to research and get you all opinions on in the Georgia. I feel I have wasted enough time waiting on Dr. Titus Duncan and his staff to get in touch with me. Please share your surgeon and experience in the Georgia area with me if you don't mind. Thanks

Hi imojen18, I don't know much about Tijuana Bariatrics. But BP does accept most major credit cards for the payment of your deposit and balance. We also offer direct deposit to our Chase bank account or bank transfer to the same account. As a BP member and patient, you would stay at one of our Recovery Houses as part of your package. Please contact me if you have any questions.

I use Bariatric Fusion Vitamins. If you go with these, they're the only vitamins you need to take. They're chewable & you take them three times a day- a little pricey, but I get them through my doctor which is cheaper & then no shipping costs... I take those, biotin & my antacid prescription. Good luck to you.

That's the bariatric surgery center my insurance company (Anthem Blue Cross HMO/Monarch) would have me use. Interested in feedback about each of their doctors, or the one you're familiar with: if you have preference for one doctor (& why?) patience? responsiveness if there's a problem or concern? Will one or both doc's really go to bat for me with the insur company if I only want the band, or just make a half-hearted attempt to appease me? if its not the insurance comp requiring it, do either of these doc's put you thru the hoop with 6mos or a yr of dieting beforehand, psych eval, that esophegeal test I've read about, etc? Any other thoughts about them, negative or positive, all appreciated. If you had any complications, what were they, and who was your doctor? Did you have to have band removed? What is your age, gender, your starting weight, time since surgery, and current weight?

That's great! I just saw Dr. Patrick Chiasson @ Northwest. His name was given to me by a few people on Bariatric Pal.

So whats this all about? Number of recent posts? Quality of Advice? Or perhaps friendliness or months active on Bariatric Pal?

Your replies eased my concerns. I went for my post-op checkup yesterday to meet with the surgeon, but he wasn't there. I met with the nurse instead, but she wasn't concerned about Protein at this point. She said in that first week the important thing was getting in enough liquid. While 64 oz of Fluid is the goal, the real danger zone is when we drink less than 40 ounces a day. I usually get in 50-70, but the other post-op patients I was talking to at the bariatric meeting were not able to hit goal--ever. Today I get to start pureed foods. Looking forward to it...I think.

Gummy vitamins are not good for many reasons. The most important thing is that we need vitamins specifically made for bariatric patients. There are non chewables we can take. There are liquids and capsules. Bariatric Advantage and Celebrate Vitamins are made for us. Anything you get at the store isn't going to be sufficient in the long run.

Help! I need some renewed motivation. I had my LapBand surgery on 7-7-06. To date I have lost over 80 pounds. I am very proud of the progress I have made so far, but lately I have been slacking and the scale has has been yo-yoing for the past month or two. I am fully aware my yo-yoing is the result of my own actions. I have been eating beyond the full point, and making some bad choices from time to time (April is a bad month for me - 5 birthdays in the family... and where there is cake....) and because my daughter is going through a "no gym Mommy!, no gym Mommy!" phase, (she's 2) I feel guily taking her there and leving her in the gym daycare while I work out. So needless to say, my gym time has also been less than optimal. Anyway... I know what I have to do, I just need some kind and harsh words to kick me in the a#@ and get me back on track! My goal was 100 by my bandiversary on 7-7-07 and I'd like to think I can still do it.

Ohhhh, all the more reason your friends needs to find a band doctor and get in ASAP. She could be serious trouble I'm afraid. Btw, the specialist she must see immediately is a bariatric surgeon not another internist. Every day she goes without seeing one the greater the risk of major damage and complications with her band.

http://www.newlifebariatricsurgery.com/uncategorized/medication-absorption-after-bariatric-surgery/

Jenna I have about 100 pounds to lose as well. Im super excited though I've done my hw and feel great about my surgeon and the hospital and all the after care available for free afterwards (visits to the bariatric nurse at no charge, free support groups initiated by the bariatric program). Its also a baratric center of excellence and makes me feel good about the stringent requirements by the surgeons and hospital.

Most surgeons have an information session where each of the procedures are reviewed and explained in great detail. I would suggest taking your husband to one of these meetings. He can also research the different procedures online. There's a lot of good information on the web. If your surgeon's office or local hospital has a support group for bariatric patients, this would be an excellent resource. You and your husband can actually talk to people who have had the different surgeries and hear their stories. I know my husband was nervous about me having such a major surgery, but he was also incredibly supportive. I did my best to educate him about the different options, which helped alleviate his fears. These boards are also very helpful. There are so many helpful people here. Good luck to you both. Keep us posted on your progress.