GassyGurl

We drove Thursday, surgery was Friday. I paid for 2 nights in the hospital, but was discharged after 1 night. Follow up at the office 10am Monday morning, then we drove home. He only does surgery like 2 days a week, then sees you in the office the next office day. Some people stay 2 nights, but I didn't think I needed it. Nothing wrong with the hospital, I'd just rather stay with hubby at the hotel. Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

Our practice told us very specifically that all forms of nsaids reduce the protective stomach lining which can allow ulcers to form. Injectable, topical or pills carry the same risk, or so they say. There are two bariatric Dr's in my practice. My surgeon told me I could resume nsaids without any problems (no ppi required) . The other surgeon is an advocate of never, ever, ever. The nurse and staff advocate the more strict recommendation, even saying my Dr is flat out wrong. So who do I believe? Sigh.. Then, ppi's come with their own risks (long term usage). Reading up on ulcers from nsaids, and long term effects of ppi usage will scare the crap out of you. It stinks that our choices are limited. Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

I never blended anything. I was allowed to choose soft foods and chew till puree. I ate pimento cheese, yogurt, canned chicken, ricotta bake, etc. Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

My surgeon has no problems with steroids, just nsaids. Some allow nsaids if you use a ppi like prilosec. But it's still risky. I'd probably take the steroids, and see if there is an alternative for the nsaid. Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

Find a new PCP. I find my Pcp's support is critical to my success. Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

You will read hundreds of positive reviews here about Dr Illan. Not sure if I've ever seen a bad one,. You have to go with who you are comfortable with. If you can live with the bad review that caused you to cancel with belite, great. I didn't use Dr Illan, but he would be one of my top choices based on reviews, and my interactions with their team. Good luck! Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

Do you have a hernia, Gerd or gallbladder issues? Plenty of people just say they're having that corrected, then say their following a physician supervised diet plan afterwards. Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

I didn't have one. Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

Is that much iron even safe? I'm not being sarcastic, I'm curious. Isn't that way more than recommended? I think I surgeon recommends 30. Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

I asked several surgeons and they said no. If you're looking for a post sleeve Gerd solution, look up the linx procedure. I believe it's in clinical trials for bariatric patients. Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

By chance, have you taken Pepto bismol? That can turn poop black. I would ask your surgeon about this one. I can't recall seeing another person have the same issue, didn't encounter it in my education class and doesn't seem to be one of the top 10 post op questions everyone asks. My thoughts are it Doesn't hurt to ask the surgeon on this one. Best wishes! Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

Also, some insurance covers complications. I paid out of pocket, and my insurance said they would treat a complications claim like any other claims. It didn't matter where I had surgery, or whether i paid cash or used insurance. They're all different, and yours might cover complications if needed. Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

Have you tried the ASMBS website? They have a physician finder where you can search for providers who will accept other surgeons patients. Use the find a provider option, then under surgery type choose 'willing to follow other surgeons patients'. Or find a new PCP (afterwards). Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

It's a valid concern! I ended up being self pay because I had only a 2 lb buffer to work with and decided it was too risky. I was drinking sweat tea every day in an effort to maintain, but felt awful. So I decided to pay cash, switched Dr's and said to heck with insurance. Much less stressful. I feel your pain, I wasn't cut out for that level of stress Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

Plenty of people appeal, but if you can swing it, check out Lindstrom obesity advocates. They help with appeals. I've not used them, just read about them. Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

In the past, I've done minute maid diet lemonade (5 or 15 calls) and vodka, or Tropicana 50 (w/calcium + Vitamin D) coconut rum, plus DaVinci sugar free pineapple syrup. Crystal light options are good too. I seem to do best with a dark beer. I can't drink more than half, but I like the flavor and it seems less fizzy than a light beer like Bud light 55. Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

My surgeon allows one cup per day once we are getting in 64oz fluid per day on a regular basis. Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

OK, I had another thought. Maybe he feels like you would have post op heartburn, and he just feels like it's not a good option? I could maybe see that, but he would have probably worded it differently. Like if you have heartburn from hernia, you're better off with RNY. I have seen people talk about how their surgeon is pretty adamant about choosing RNY over the sleeve for heartburn patients. It would be interesting to understand his reasoning. Maybe Is he ultra conservative? Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

I don't let my surgery affect our families 'getting together' for special occasions. I do the best I can, based on where we are. At brunch, I ordered a chicken biscuit, and just ate some of the chicken. At a burger place yesterday, I ordered a cheeseburger without the bun. If I can take leftovers home, I do, but if I can't, I feel a little guilt about wasting food, but not too much. I might munch on an onion ring or a French fry, but I don't beat myself up, and am thankful I have my stomach to tell me to STOP when my head would tell me to keep going. It's life. If you enjoy it, you can find a way to work it in. Do an extra workout. Order seafood, or other lean protein. Leave the carbs on your plate. Enjoy the company and the occasion more than the food itself. Don't feel guilty. One thing I miss, is skipping lunch, in order to eat more at dinner. Our family loves dining out on special occasions and I used to skip lunch to have extra room for dinner. Can't do that anymore. Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

It seems to affect everyone a little different. Some people wake up with gas pain, for me it took 24 hours. Then it hit me like a freight train. I would just walk, walk, walk and if it starts to cause you pain, lay on your left side, expel the gas, and repeat till it stops. For me, it was 3 to 4 day, with each day better than the previous. Maybe it's all working itself out and you won't have pain. That's a blessing! Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm 7 months out and my stomach sounds vary. Some sound like Chewbacca, some like my pet pi, some like an airplane, and some sound like an alien in there. Sometimes my mouth acts like an amplifier, like if I'm on a conference call. I just laugh it off. Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

Is there any chance you misunderstood? It's just so bizarre. For a surgeon to fix a hiatial hernia during vsg or RNY surgery takes less than 5 minutes and a few stitches. I have never heard of a surgeon with your surgeons point of view. On the other hand, most surgeons will not do bariatric surgery if an umbilical or incisional hernia (from a previous surgery) is present. Good luck. Even if I didn't have a hiatial hernia, I would still not use him. Hiatial hernia fixing with bariatrics is mainstream.. Refusal to fix is not. Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

I used bariatrix Florida. I paid $9000 last August. I drove down there the night before, had surgery, stayed 1 night in the hospital, 2 nights in a hotel, had a followup and drove home. Consult was done via phone. Preop education was done via fave book live. Preop testing and post op testing was done by my PCP (insurance covered it all luckily). I had to do a psych consult, but I did it online. There are numerous Dr's with good self pay packages. Check out Dr Wizman, Dr Taggar, Dr shillingford, all in FL. Dr Borland in Louisiana. Dr pleatman in MI and Dr Umbach in Vegas. Some people also are able to go the 'hernia route'. If you have a hiatial hernia, insurance might cover that surgery, then your surgeon charges you a small fee to also do the sleeve. Mexico is also a great option. I would have used Dr Illan or Dr Ariel Ortiz. Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

I mowed using a riding mower 5 days post op. I also did other yard work like round up and fertilizer. I felt totally fine and was able to stay hydrated. I took it slow, and took a lot of breaks, as it was mid August. I think you'd be fine mowing, but maybe have someone start it for you. Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

I had the sleeve, and have thrown up twice in the first few months. The first was from dry chicken (our nurse has a saying that dry is deadly), the 2nd was eating too much at Thanksgiving. One or two bites can be a deal breaker, and it's a learning process. Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app