Dream4tc

Thank you so much for all of your responses! It was very helpful I kinda thought they went by starting, but wasn't sure. Is there a set weight they require people to lose? I didn't ha e a requirement with my previous surgery and I don't have a requirement with this one either. I did set a goal of 5 pounds each month. That may be low, but I don't want to set unattainable or unrealistic goals since I currently have no restriction and relying on diet and exercise only. It is so much harder to lose weight at age 41 versus age 20!!!! Lol. Thankyou everyone, this forum is the best!!!

Yes it is completely normal to have gain immediately post op. They pump you with lots of fluids. Most of the fluids they give you are isotonic which make you retain Don't worry, you will lose it quickly.

Currently that procedure is still very new , within past 2 yrs and there isn't enough data for long term sucess rates yet. I actually posted a similar thread over the weekend about this. My surgeon recently started performing this procedure and currently he has a patient that is 3 months out. This procedure only provides better restriction from stretching of pouch, however as always... diet and exercise will make it successful. Here is an a great link for a neat animation video. If accessing via mobile, animation will be on bottom of page. If by desktop or laptop top right. I also asked if this was covered under insurance and my surgeon said yes but depends on insurance. In addition, he also said this is a cheaper and less invasive versus revision surgery http://apolloendo.com/procedures/outlet-pouch-reduction/

My insurance used to require 3 months of physician supervised diet, but now they require 5 months. Usually when we start this process, we get weighed with a beginning weight. Then we get weighed each month under supervision. When we get to the end, which weight and BMI do they submit to insurance company? What happens if you lose weight to the point where your BMI is no longer 40? Can anyone help with this answer?

I have tried the Isopure mango peach and it didn't taste like that at all. The bottles are very expensive. I have a blue raspberry in the fridge that I am afraid to try. I heard pineapple was good. I never thought of mixing with powered zero, that's a great idea

Oh love Halloween dress up! Your outfit sounds super cute! Are you going with that color?

I guess you can puree just about anything. Haha. Pureed bacon egg and cheese biscuit doesn't sound too awful. Haha!

@@OKCPirate - that looks yummy! I have heard quite a bit about the Genepro. Does it mix well? What's the taste like? I haven't tried any of the Greek yogurt yet, but planning to

ByHey all, please be careful. I was banded for 4 years. I got to the point of where many of you are at now. I had my band too tight on many occasions, with terrible night time cough with reflux and sleeping nearly sitting up with 8 pillows behind me. I had aspirated a few times with acid while sleeping, I was scared to go to sleep. Vomiting about every thing I would eat, eating unhealthy slider foods thinking that I would lose weight. I finally realized, that my esophagus, and my teeth were way more important than another pound lost. Ultimately my weight finally didn't go any further down than the 80 pounds I lost because with my symptoms, my body was starving. I ended up being on Zantac max strength twice a day plus Prilosec twice a day, drinking milk all the time to help with constant heartburn. Not to mention Tums. Eventually it caused esophageal dilatation and damage to my esophagus and teeth, and finally prolapse then later slip. Please don't have the mentality that it won't happen to you. if you are having those symptoms, please go get an unfill and start over with basics. I am just lucky, that I didn't develop Barrett esophagus, gastrointestinal bleed, or esophageal cancer from the acid. Please please listen to your body.

Try keeping feet warm. I have a hard time regulating my body heat. I actually use a heating pad on my feet when I get in bed. If my feet are cold, I stay cold and can't sleep. I have tried fuzzy thick socks but that doesn't help. The heating pad works.

Have you tried requesting a different appointment so that you can see your surgeon? Doctors now rely heavily on Press Ganey scores for reimbursement due to patient satisfaction scores. You can try escalating this to the office manager or higher. You can also argue the bill for the office visit. The only other option, is to change doctors.

@Erron1970- I am sorry to hear about problems with your band, I completely understand. Do you still have the band in or did you get it removed? So glad you are with us! I am sure you are just as excited as I am!

This is for thise who had band removed...then had to wait for bypass revision. Laparoscopic-gastric-bypass-surgery.html How many incisions do they do for bypass? Do they use the same incision site (that they used for port removal) again for bypass? If so.....Has anyone had any difficulty with incisions healing, after they used the port incision again? I understand that when they use the same incision sites, that the tissue and muscle can become weaker and healing might be a problem. Please share any info. Thanks!

Try using sensodyne toothpaste. That will help until you get talk to your dentist or physician.

@@kimmoffit as long as you are passing gas, and there are bowel sounds, then your bowels are moving, that is probably why he isn't worried. It is when there are no bowel sounds or passing gas...which could be worrisome for bowel obstruction.

I have insurance that covers bariatric surgery. It paid for my band and will also pay for my revision to bypass. I have a 500 deductible which I already met. My out of pocket max is 1000. I admit my insurance is pretty good and so glad I have it. Surgery is expensive and the biggest fees are for the hospital, not the Dr. I had thought of getting sleeve cash pay and got a quote of 18 K and that included band removal and hernia repair. The surgeon said his fee was only 3000 and the rest went to the hospital....ridiculous!!! This is why so many people go out of the country. Not everybody can afford that much.

Thanks for sharing your story! I initially was dead set for sleeve but after speaking to my surgeon, he said I would have worsened reflux due to the high pressure it causes. I never really considered bypass out of fear. However, I did plenty of research, and grilled my surgeon with tons of questions. I also had 4 years of horrible daily heartburn and reflux and wasn't looking forward to that again. I didn't want to have the sleeve and have that problem because then I would have to revise to bypass. So ultimately I am choosing bypass and happy with my decision. I have tons of support. Have you considered some dates of your surgery yet? Any specific month? Regarding sugar...what about trying light Agave nectar? It is really yummy and doesn't cause a jump or drop in blood sugars.

Even though honey is natural sugar it might be too sweet. Have you tried light Agave nectar? It is yummy and it's low on the glycemic index so it won't cause the blood sugar levels to fluctuate.

Walking is a great start. We have to do it anyways to get anywhere right? Try small 5 minute walks several times a day and then keep adding minutes for a goal of 30 mins a day. Once you reach that goal, you can add more minutes, incline if on treadmill or small hills if outside, small hand weights. Once you reach those, add in different exercises to keep things fun. I do Zumba and love it. I also do Kinect (similar to Wi), biking, dancing, hiking etc. My doc told me walking to start then once my incisions healed, I could start adding more. Listen to your body.

I am hoping for you!!! You already have alot of documentation to support your surgery I know I am making the thread a little early, but November will be here quick!

Biotin is helpful, usually you will need to start this before surgery because it takes a few months before it really gets into your system. I take a chewable version that I bought at Walgreens. 5000 mcg. http://healthydelights.com/hair-skin-nails/

Ooh yeah I forgot about the SF Torani syrups, they are yummy!!!

The high protein helps with satiety , but also prevents the loss of muscle and helps burn the fat instead of muscle when combined with exercise. More muscle= more fat loss. More protein= less muscle loss. There are alternative protein options. Unjury or Genepro can be added to food or soups. Please try and get your protein in, it will help your weight loss much faster, gives you energy, and helps with hunger.

I thought I would share this because it really helped me and I still continue to use this method which prevents me from taking big bites. I bought some toddler forks and spoons years ago when I was banded. It helped me take smaller bites especially after WLS. I also use small saucer type plates so that I don't put too much. Measuring cups, spoons and a scale is a must in my kitchen. Dining out tips, 1. you can bring those toddler forks and spoons with you. 2. I also request half portions or child size portions. I also have a Bariatric Dining out card that I show and request cheaper smaller meals. 3.Ask for doggie bag at the time of ordering. 4. Bring your own low calorie SF drink mix and just add to Water. Anyone else have tips or ideas? Please share

I live in North Central Arkansas, not too far from Missouri border in the Ozark Mointains. I work in St Louis, MO which is where my surgeon is.