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Old habits can be hard to break. Throw in a sale and the temptation is fierce. Bariatric dietitian Elizabeth Anderson gives you some tips to stay strong. Perhaps you're not like me. Perhaps you're not a bargain diva or czar. Perhaps you don't have a sweet tooth, never have. Maybe you never went into a drug store to buy a greeting card and came out with 3 for 1 bags of candy? Perhaps you always share big bags of treats with others, never squandering it all for yourself... on the drive home! However, if ANY of this sounds a little like you. Read on. You're in good company. Easter is over but the candy is not. Are there marquees or sale flyers in your world advertising deep discounts on the leftover candy? It's tough to resist, especially if you have a history of overdoing it during the holidays. If the Peeps are literally calling your name consider the following: 1. There are No Peeps left! They were sold out a week before Easter. The only thing left is candy so icky, they're selling it for 70% off. (No doubt those licorice jelly beans.) 2. This isn't Christmas wrapping paper people. If you stash away these deeply discounted items, you might have lots of chubby vermin in your attic making making nests out of that holiday wrap 3. Splurge your bargain urge this weekend at one of the first yard sales of the year. Be honest with yourself. Is your weight up a little after the holiday? Maybe in a downward spiral of negative thought you've said to yourself, 'Buy the damn candy. What difference does it make? You're fat anyway?' I'm here to tell you it does make a difference because YOU matter!! There is no lasting love, lasting relaxation, lasting peace in the discounted candy. Yes, it soothes momentarily but at a very, very high price to your peace of mind, your confidence, your well-being. And those are the things I'm most interested in protecting. No two WLS clients are the same, but I'll bet most would agree that having bulk candy around the house or office is an invitation for stress. Save yourself the grief, drive on by the candy sales and aisles and discount bins. Focus on the fun springtime clothes, bike rides and outdoor walks you're now enjoying. Now that is something to PEEP about!
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I was miserable the first two days. Then I used spanx to keep the loose stuff inside still so I wouldn’t feel pulling. I’m four weeks out and still sleep with spanx. I avoided the couch because it was too low and couldn’t get up without pain. I also bought a raised toilet seat to be independent. It was $20 on Carewell.com . Do whatever you need to do to get through it, no shame. You will get through! Talk with your bariatric professionals. They know what’s normal.
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Has anyone tried these? They have the little banner ads that appear all over these forums. You can buy them at Costco. I compared labels, and they are right in line with these Bariatric Advantage shakes I have now. And surely nothing can taste worse than what I have now ....
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Waiting Instead Of Living
joyful noise replied to Giselle3264's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I remember "Clicker"; good movie! I like to visit the "Bariatric Foodie" site; got a lot of good recipes for "after". -
A question for veterans about coffee..
swimmom replied to JessicaAnn's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I totally drink coffee without a problem! However, I have noticed that I can't stomach it black anymore (I used to drink it straight before surgery). Too acidic. But now, I just make protein lattes and knock out two birds with one stone - my coffee/caffeine fix, and some much-needed protein! I like the cappuccino mixes from American Bariatrics - I mix it with my coffee. But just plain ol' non-fat milk is just fine - and protein-rich as weill. Non-fat lattes at Starbucks are a great source of protein and caffeine and zip! Love them! You just need to log it in as calories. -
7 weeks for first fill is this normal?!?!
IndioGirl55 replied to lisafire's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
What are your doctor's instructions??? Each are diff and just cuz mine had me on mushies at that stage (I had to do 10 days each stage full liquids - mushies - soft - regular) so by 21 days out I was moving to mushies.. Refried Beans (fat free with a little 2% cheese) And at the end of my full liquids I was eating about 1 cup of soups. Are you getting 60 grms of Protein in daily??? Or I should say what are your doc's instruction on protein - but I would say that most want you to get 60 grms a day - and on the 1st 3 phase I had to incoporate clear Protein drinks (like crystal lite but with protein - ck out Bariatric Choice - they have the clear protein drinks - 70 calories and 15 grms pt... -
What Should I Expect In An Informational Seminar?
Izzybeff posted a topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I'm going to an information seminar next week at a Center that does Bariatric Surgeries. You are required to go to one of the seminar's to get the process started.. For those that have gone to similar, what should I expect? -
That very patient and nice lady that gives you the fills isn't too smart, though. I don't blame YOU, as you're not a bariatrics specialist and you're learning as you go. But SHE should know better than to have you back & forth making your already difficult journey harder than it should be. You CAN'T keep allowing this to happen. Just imagine if something goes wrong- GOD FORBID!! Sooooo, when you go back in try to speak to the surgeon or request that the surgeon do the fill.
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Lots of questions about the BodyBugg. Do you have one? Can I have your 2 cents?
me1234 replied to Brandy~'s topic in Fitness & Exercise
I just got mine a week ago but I gotta say this is the piece of the puzzle I have been missing. When I am working hard at weight loss I always log my food. The part that i couldnt ever figure out was how much am i really burning. I always obsess over ALL of the numbers and i think this helps me to obsess way less. I lost 3.6 lbs in the first week. I do not think that will continue as a constant however I now I feel like i have more flexiblity now that I can SEE the actual numbers. I do not think this device will work for people who do not log or keep a realistic log of their food. I do not think their web app is as good as it could be. It's a bit klunky and could be improved on. However, I am just sitting patient to see what happens when they release the next version. I do wish it would take the heart rate, however I have heard that will be in the v3 model. I am a swimmer so it would be fantastic if i could wear it while I swim. I read somewhere that they are having problems with that feature because of the usb port. I also saw a thread where a guy had a waterproof sleeve made so that he could use it with his water sports. So I may look into doing that. I have been wanting one of these since last year but because of the cost, I didnt want to buy a new toy that i may not use. I got lucky because one of the guys here at work was selling his used one, so i got it for $120. We based that number on the numbers we were seeing on Ebay. Apex has the subscription right now for $99 and that included a 3 month subscrition to the site and 1 session with the coach. Then after that you can renew for a much lower cost. They also have different eating programs that you can select from. Which gives you more options when you hit different goals. Anyway, for having used it a week, I gotta say this was totally worth the money and I love it. -
Required Shake Brand?
OldMomOf3 replied to OldMomOf3's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Very good input. Thanks everyone. I will give a few of those a try. Soccer, Bariatric Advantage is the product my doctor is pushing. I wonder if the kick back he's getting is good, or if he really believes it's the best? He gave me a free sample. Yuck, but it fits the limitations HONK was mentioning above. -
I Got My Date 6/18! For The First Time It Felt Real... Real Scary!
CraftyV posted a topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
This whole time I had been so confident about this surgery. I am No. Cal but I have to drive 1.5 hours to Richmond Kaiser because they specialize in Bariatric Surgery. First, I always dislike going to Richmond. The staff their is rude and tacky! I am an educated person, yet they have spoken to me in a derogatory tone. Yesterday, one of the staff spoke to me slowly as if I was dumb! Their Registration person ignored me when I asked her if she was open... Honestly, I am a no nonsense type of person and I felt very vulnerable at that moment. I called my husband to express my feelings and as soon as I heard his voice I started crying!! WTH! In front of everyone! Then I called the staff ghetto and rude, and they heard me :s To be honest, I just wanted to go home! I was hungry and sleepy (office being audited, I have not been sleeping well) and I still had a long drive home + traffic. I don't regret calling them rude and ghetto because they take advantage of our vulnerability. Every time I come to that horrid place, the staff is talking about their personal issues, eating, and ignoring me when I have a question... So, long story short... I am scared and I feel vulnerable! Sorry for the rant! Good luck to all of you! Veronica -
2 months out and I'm still exhausted
Oct517 replied to Oct517's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Not enough water but I've been working on it. Unfortunately, only hot beverages seem to go down nicely and I hate tea. I've been stuck drinking the bariatric hot chocolate and warmed up water. Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app -
What Should I Ask My Dr?
Wheetsin replied to Gene1970's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Dr. Sabapathy is the PsyD (clinical psychologist) associated with the program. He does testing, generally required for insurance approval, but I don't know if self pays also have to see him just for the benefit of the mental health side or not. He's nice, a bit too positive IMO (kind of cheerleader-ish), but that's probably exactly what a lot of people need. He's very rational and he was part of the program when I had my first surgery there in 2006 so he is definitely well-versed in the bariatric neuroses. His specialty is pain management, though, IIRC. Here's the third listed: http://www.shawneemission.org/health-services/bariatric-surgery/our-physicians.html -
Hi DuranFan1969 There is a good reason more and more insurance companies like BCBS are accepting and paying for bariatric surgery. I have diabetes and other co-morbidities. In the long run it is cheaper for insurance to cover this large bill for WLS, because over the years insurance will have to pay much more for medical supplies and medicine for people with such ailments as high blood pressure and diabetes, sleep apnea etc. So getting the WLS makes sense to the insurance company. I don't think insurance is paying for WLS out of the "goodness of their heart" it just makes good business sense. Good luck with you upcoming sleeve you will be very happy kathy
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What Is Your Pre-Op Diet? Did You Have One? If So What Did It Entail?
drea_206 replied to LosingItForMe2011's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I am on day one of a 1200-1600 calorie diet and I don't even have a surgery date yet. I have to lose 5% of my starting weight before I can even get an appointment with a surgeon. My insurance company has approved me and makes all bariatric patients pay $1450 for a nutrition program that helps you stay on track. They help you lose the initial 5% and then monitor you after to help you for the months following surgery... I hope to lose 15 pounds in the next month so I can get in with the surgeons and get a surgery date. Today I had 2 Meal Replacement shakes blended with frozen blueberries. Almonds,low fat string cheese, roasted pork loin and green Beans, toasted seaweed Snacks and mango. I plan in staying within this calorie range until surgery just do I can adjust to the extreme diet changes I will be making. This could potentially be 3-4 months away still, but I'd rather be over prepared than not. -
Looking to go from sleeve to either bypass or DS
RickM replied to Megxelizabeth91's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
For treating a regain problem, I prefer the DS as it is stronger metabolically than either the VSG or RNY - the RNY is too close to the VSG in strength to reliably offer a significant improvement in weight loss, from what I have seen over the years. Figure maybe 20lb loss on average - about what one would expect from going through all the intense dieting associated with going through surgery again. (There are some who do significantly better, bit it seems to be more a function of their determination to "make this work" or "not screw it up again" than the actual surgery itself. Call it something like a surgical placebo, lol.) By your surgeons not finding the codes for the DS implies that they are talking about the newer SIPS/SADI/"loop DS" which is a single anastomosis adaptation of the traditional BPD/DS (biliopancreatic diversion) which has been routinely covered by US insurance and Medicare for the past 14-15 years, but is a more complex procedure that relatively few bariatric surgeons perform. Some practices that do the SIPS/SADI use the BPD/DS billing codes which is technically insurance fraud, but if they're comfortable doing it, that's their concern. Revising the VSG to a DS, of either flavor, is straightforward as each use the VSG as its basis (some don't even consider it a revision, more a "completion" of the ultimate configuration.) The strong point of the BPD/DS is its regain resistance - regain is possible as it is with any of these procedures, but it is harder. I know many with the DS who are 10-20 years out (my wife included) who are still maintaining a healthy weight; some are up a bit more and working on losing their "Covid 19" - just like "normal" people but major regains are relatively uncommon. The SIPS/SADI type of DS seems to fall somewhere in between the VSG/RNY and the BPD/DS - I have seen a few in the various forums who have had it and seem to be doing well with it, but it doesn't have as long a history. Any of these procedures - the RNY, DS or SIPS - will be somewhat fussier and less care-free than your VSG when it comes to supplements and follow up; the RNY is maybe a bit less so, but one can get into some serious trouble with any of them if one slacks off. If keeping up with supplements and annual labs is not an issue with you, then any of them should be fine. -
Anybody Trying To Quit Smoking Pre-Op?
Bronxbubbles posted a topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I've been doing a lot of reading and research and in everything I've come across, it says that you must quit smoking before getting any type of bariatric surgery due to the possibility of ulcers. I'm a little surprised and confused because both my doctor and surgeon know that I'm a smoker and have not said anything to me about this... Of course, I'm trying to stop anyways (I have at least 6 months to wait before I can schedule the surgery due to my insurance requiring the supervised diet) so might as well try to get completely healthy before then. I guess my question is has anybody else been told to quit smoking pre-op or has anybody just taken it upon themself to quit? I'm a little bit scared because smoking has been my crutch during other diet attempts and now I won't be able to eat or smoke my blues away, LOL. I know that my health matters more- I guess it would just help to know that others are going through this as well. -
H-Pylori - Negative
mufasas-mom replied to mufasas-mom's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
you are correct - i called the insurance company today -they keep saying I have to contact my bariatric nurse...and she NEVER answers her phone....auggh - I wish I could check the website....and see what's up....so freaking frustrating. I'm no damn inpatient..... -
Is The Best Case Scenario Really Realistic?
Disneytikifan replied to Ready4success's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Everyone is different. The first day of surgery was miserable , but I walked 2 miles on the bariatric floor. I was cleared for liquids and was on lorcet on day 2 - not as spacey as the morphine made me feel. I took no narcotics after I went home the next day. I went back to work at 2 weeks, at a reduced schedule and easied back into full speed by 4 weeks. I lost weight quickly at first but am losing 1-2 pounds a week currently. It will take a long time for me to get to goal but I feel so much better I rate it a success. This is not as good as some , but I am not ketotic and miserable. I hope this helps. -
Don't give up...appeal, appeal and appeal. When you call them make sure to ask for the bariatric coverage in writing. Some times over the phone they will just say "oh we don't cover that". It happened to me and sure enough it was covered as long as certain criteria is met.
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I would call them first to see if they pay for any bariatric surgeries. I have BC/BS of Texas they do not. Thankfully I had different insurance at the time I had mine done. Just call them they will tell you up front so you know ahead of time.
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I got the sample pack and so far I've had Perfect chocolate, Milk Chocolate, vanilla and mint cookie. They are really good. Even better than the Syntrax. Especially the vanilla in my iced coffee. I may be ordering that one next time. The mint cookie is good but almost too sweet. The perfect chocolate seemed to have a little of an aftertaste, but not bad. Milk Chocolate tastes just like chocolate milk. And I mixed it with Water. It mixes well in a shaker cup. A lot better than the stuff I got at Walmart (Body Fortress). No yucky clumps or gritty-ness. They do have a few more calories and carbs than Syntrax. They are between 110 - 140 cal and 2-6 grams of carbs and 23 g. Protein per scoop. The ingredients are: Protein blend (whey protein concentrate, milk protein concentrate, egg albumin, hydrolyzed wheat gluten), natural and artificial flavors, soy lecithin, salt, acesulfame-K, sucralose, FD&C red #40. Got them at Bariatric Pantry. About $20 for the sample pack. The 28 serving tub costs about $25 + shipping.
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Ball's (Finally) Rolling - Band To Sleeve Conversion
iwannabslim replied to Daisalana's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I have wondered about the "limit" thing. I have a friend that currently has lapband. She was trying for revision through her new insurance. She found out that they have a "1 per lifetime" limit on bariatric surgery even though THEY didn't have anything to do with the original surgery. It would seem to me that it would be cheaper on the insurance company to go ahead and cover the surgery rather than paying for the multitude of specialists that she would have to see to deal with the affects of obesity on her body. As for recovery, it is VERY similar to getting the band. I am on lifting restrictions for 4 weeks. I work at a pretty physical job so I am actually off work on short term disability for the entire time. I have heard of people going back to work soon after surgery (like less than a week). The hardest part, to me, is getting my fluids in. It is very easy to get dehydrated post op. I struggle to get in 5 cups of Water a day. I working on it, but it can be tough. I'm in contact with a few revisioners. They still VERY happy with their decision to revise. They inspire me daily. I will admit that it was their sucess that made me finally talk to my doctor about revising. -
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!!
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Are you ill with symptoms you feel are band related, or do you just feel the band isn't helping you? Honestly I know the band isn't for everyone and as Nanook correctly said, it can be removed and many insurance companies will pay if there is a medical necessity. HOWEVER, may I ask if you have been getting adequate follow-up care? If you don't have a physician or surgeon who specializes in the band, but also don't have symptoms of erosion/slippage/etc, it's possible you just need an attitude adjustment and a band adjustment. I don't mean to negate your fears, just offer another opinion/side of things. The band requries aftercare, no doubt about that, and it sounds like you haven't really had that, at least for a while. Odds are you'll regain what you lost if you have it removed (sad but true) I don't "know" you, your story, your situation, so I don't mean to be presumptuous. But something convinced you 3 1/2 years ago, that the band was for you. Since then you lost your specialized care and any impetus to use the tool you have. Slips and erosion are possiblities but most of us don't go day to day fearing that. I know, though, my good doc is a phone call or a short car ride away. It's possible a good bariatric surgeon could help you. At the worst, a good bariatric surgeon can help you see if insurance will pay for your band removal.
