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My Dr has me on a 12 day protein shack diet, called Bariatric Advantage. Its has been hard with no real food. I broke down tonight and had two eggs.

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

Check out the following website. It will give you a list of Medicare approved bariatric facilities. Bariatric Surgery

Hello All! My name is Kimberly. I am 24 yrs young, married with no children, and currently a pre-Nursing student. I am 5'7, 354lbs with a BMI of 55.4. I started the lapband journey just over a year ago. I have Humana EPO, and they have been terrific. To qualify I had to have: Medical records with recorded weights for the past two years, (one a year was sufficient), Letter of Medical Necessity from my PCP, and 6 consecutive months of nutrition/exercise advise from my PCP (each month I went to the doc, she typed in something along the lines of "advised Kimberly she needed to lose weight, follow low-carb high Protein diet and exercsie 3x per week..yadda yadda yadda). I turned all of that into my insurance and received an approval less than a week later! (This was after my father, who is the primary insurance holder, forgot to renew me on his insurance last January..thus having to wait another 6 months until his open enrollment, then another 3 months for my insurance to become effective again, so this prolonged everything by 9 months :-/) But alls well that ends well, and now I am anxiously awaiting my surgery date. I am having it January 25th with Dr.Rehnke at the Palms of Pasadena Hospital in St.Pete, FL. I start the Optifast on January 11th, and really am NOT looking forward to it. What helps me is the fact that my mother had the surgery with the same doctor a few years ago, so she has a bunch of tricks that she has passed on to me. One of which is to buy a BUNCH of different flavored extracts, like banana, Coconut, Almond etc. to add to the shakes. I'm hoping that will help with the variety. I guess the main things I'm nervous about are: 1.) I have bad acid reflux when I don't eat. Will I have this while on optifast? 2.) Anesthesia. I've never been under before, so I'm frightened of what my reaction will be. 3.) Just generally nervous about something unbeknownst happening to delay or prevent the surgery such as bad preop testing, complications in surgery, and various of other possible scenarios that have to come to mind. I want this so bad, I feel like I've been dreaming of it for a very long time, and now that my dream is being realized I'm afraid I will wake up! I look forward to continuing to post as I experience this new journey in my life and I look forward to reading all of your stories as well! Happy New Year!

I can share my experience with hair loss through RNY but not lapband. I've made several posts on this as it's not something that's really talked about in depth. People say, I'm losing "alot" of hair. Define "alot"! I knew going into RNY surgery I might lose some hair. I obsessed over it! I took hair supplements months prior to surgery and thought if I took all my Vitamins, Biotin and proten, I'd be fine. Uh uh. This article won't make you happy, but explains why it happens: https://www.drdkim.net/ask-the-dietitian/understanding-hair-loss-after-bariatric-surgery/ I have very thick, dark coarse hair. I began shedding at 3 months and it's just starting to slow down at 6 months. If I put my hair in a ponytail, it's half as thick as it used to be. I don't have any bald spots but I can see area's where it's thinned. GOOD NEWS!!!! I've been using this spray on color that's made for touching up your roots in between hair coloring. I spray it in the thin area's and don't see my scalp. There's also products you can spray on that have fibers that attach to your hair making the thin area thicker. I even looked into wigs, wiglets and extensions if it got really bad-it hasn't. BEST NEWS!!!! It grows back. I'd do it again in a heartbeat if needed-best decision I've every made.

Neither is my surgeon. He left the worst scars on me. Considering he does bariatric surgery, you would think he would know you can't tape together a fat woman's stomach incisions and expect it to heal well. Each incision spread apart much wider than they would have if he would have used something else. I think I would have rather had sutures and the marks they leave than the scars I have.

I am six weeks post op and have been living on this stuff. Sugar free, 15 grams of protein, and you mix it with water so you get your water in. Tastes exactly like real hot chocolate and comes in a bunch of different flavors like marshmellow, chocolate raspberry, and cinnamon which are my favs.

This is my first time posting but I have been lurking for a while. I also have Aetna and did my program thru Dr. Pennington at Advanced Bariatrics in Mountain Brook, AL. They have a psychologist/fitness instructor/nutritionist on site and I seen them for 3 months, as required by Aetna. My last appt was July 15, my paperwork was submitted July 25 and I was approved last friday, August 5. The fitness lady I seen just showed me different ways to do exercise, mainly after surgery. she also measured me for my file.

Hi! I received my band last Tuesday (May 7) in El Paso at Southwest Bariatrics with Dr. Bruce Applebaum. I had the best care, and was up and moving only hours after the proceedure. There are NO bariatric surgeons here. Closest ones are in El Paso, Lubbock, Phoenix or Colorado. Good Luck!! If your insurance covers it (mine did) they propably have a network surgeon in mind that they use.

As always, follow your surgeon's advice. My surgeon said no NSAIDs on a regular basis, but once in a while is OK for me. They are rough on the stomach. I also read on a bariatric surgeon's website that he doesn't have a problem with his band patients taking them as their stomachs haven't been cut the way bypass patients' stomachs have been. For what it's worth.

Hi Marty, I agree with everyone else. You are human...we succeed, we fail and we get back up and try again! You will be successful again and this is a great forum to come to for support. The people here are non-judgemental, truthful and inspirational! Good luck as you renew your committment to this journey!!!

Hi there - I'm worrying if anyone has had success in attaining WLS, when your insurance policy has a WLS exclusion put in place by the employer. My husband (and I) have excellent insurance through Aetna, but his employer has placed a bariatric surgery exclusion on the policy. I have spoken with Aetna, and they say no way, unless it's a'life or death' situation. Any information would be very helpful. Thanks

I only had to get an EKG and then my cardiologist asked me if I could walk without being extremely out of breath. That was it and they sent that in to the Bariatric center as my cardiac clearance needed. I even have a slight heart arrhythmia I got diagnosed with last year but he still said I am clear and ready for surgery.

I think you will be okay if you have lost weight you are probably shrinking your liver. It just depends on how big it was to begin with I imagine. The smaller it is the safer your surgery will be though so definitely don’t do it again. The more important thing I would be asking myself is if you can do the post op diet without cheating. No judgement here if you can’t but you really need to be certain you are prepared for it because one little cheat post op and you can seriously hurt yourself. If you aren’t ready there is no shame in that. Only you know if you are really ready for the post ip changes. If not, Perhaps a bariatric therapist can help you explore why you are “cheating”.

My surgeon told me that the pre-op liquid diet is to help shrink my liver. I am not sure why your surgeon requires less of you. My two weeks begins on the 26th and my surgery is on January 9th. I also see my surgeon for one more visit on the 6th. With BCBS Federal if your BMI is 40 or > you do not have to do a six month diet and while you are not required to provide 5 years worth of history either the more documentation the better is what a BCBS Federal Bariatric person told me. This is going to be the longest month of my life. I plan to keep myself so busy I have no time to think about it. My cousin and sister were so excited when I told them I was approved. I celebrated with my cousin and a good friend on Saturday at a great vegetarian restaurant in NYC and then we went to see the tree and it started to snow when we got there what perfect timing.

Hi Toni. Like you I am also worried that i will be denied by my insurance company. As of last week I have completed all the required PCP visits, testing and attendance at support groups. Now the waiting begins. My bariatric surgeon seems confident that it will be approved and said if it's not we will appeal. I'm hoping the first time is a go. I need this surgery for so many reasons. Good luck to you.

I FOUND IT!!!!!!!!! Why? Here's an explanation I copied from another WLS support site. It's really good info: Vagus Nerve: The Vagus nerve is the longest of the nerves. Its name is derived from the same root word as "Vagrant," and "Vagabond." (A wanderer; a rover. - Wandering from place to place and lacking any means of support.) From the Middle English vagraunt, probably alteration of Old French wacrant, present participle of wacrer, to wander, of Germanic origin. This "Vagabond" originates in the Cranium but wanders from the brain stem through organs in the neck, thorax and abdomen, all the way to the first third of the colon. It has motor functions in the larynx (voice box), diaphragm, stomach, and heart, and sensory functions in the ears and tongue. It has both motor and sensory functions in the pharynx (sinuses) and esophagus. Stimulation of the vagus nerve is thought to affect some of its connections to areas in the brain that are prone to seizure activity. It is a "Hot Topic" for research in areas of Depression, Obesity, Epilepsy, and is responsible for some phenomenal sensory and motor responses even without WLS. Emotions running high? Feeling a lump at the back of your throat that you didn’t put there? That’s the Vagus Nerve at work. Can’t tickle yourself, except the roof of your mouth? (try it) Because when you try to tickle your armpit-The same nerves that perceive the tickle also "know that it’s coming," and thus the "surprise" aspect that allows "tickling" to occur have been preempted. But- Roof of the mouth? Different selective dumping of info prior to reaching the brain. That’s the Vagus nerve "sharing" some info with sensory and motor controls while "not telling others." The Vagus nerve is known as a "mixed nerve" meaning it both receives input from the body and sends signals to various muscles and organs of the body. It is the primary nerve of the Parasympathetic Nervous System. It isn’t an even mix, though, about 80% of the axons inside the vagus nerve are sending signals from the body to the brain. The Vagus nerve consists of Five Components with distinct functions: --Brancial motor: (special visceral efferent) Supplies the voluntary muscles of the pharynx and most of the larynx, as well as one extrinsic muscle of the tongue. --Visceral motor: (general visceral efferent) Parasympathetic innervation of the smooth muscle and glands of the pharynx, larynx, and viscera of the thorax and abdomen. --Visceral sensory: (general visceral afferent) Provides visceral sensory information from the larynx, esophagus, trachea, and abdominal and thoracic viscera, as well as the stretch receptors of the aortic arch and chemoreceptors of the aortic bodies . --General sensory: (general somatic afferent) Provides general sensory information from the skin of the back of the ear and external auditory meatus, parts of the external surface of the tympanic membrane, and the pharynx. --Special sensory: (special afferent) A very minor component. Provides taste sensation from the epiglottis region. A simplified explanation to describe "how it works"- Rather than sending signals out from brain, or bringing sensory info back to the brain, it does both, and it allows "pieces parts" or "stations" along the way to communicate with each other without directly routing through the brain. It controls much of the movement of the mouth and let’s the esophagus "synch up" with back of tongue motions in order to make swallowing possible. And signals the lower organs of the digestive tract to adjust activity when "food is on the way!" The Vagus nerve also sends signals to and for those "unconscious" or reflex reactions- such as swallowing when not thinking about it consciously. Often the example given is- "swallowing while sleeping so you don’t drown in saliva." It is associated with Nausea governing factors, Relaxation, (particularly pulse rate) digestion synchronization, etc.. It’s "Fence-sitting" behavior as both Voluntary and Involuntary signal provider, makes it a key factor in most Bio-Feedback processes for reducing stress levels. How does this effect or associate with Bariatric Post-Op patients? Signals from the Stomach are "distorted somewhat" and often Disrupted or damaged by the Gastric Bypass. The signals from the pouch often trigger the Vagus nerve to "fire" unique reflex responses. The Vagus nerve transmits the signal to the brain when we are full. It seems to "drop off" some info to other stations on the way to the brain. It is responsible for Diaphragmatic "Dry Heaves" that some experience in the early days following Bariatric Procedures, and longer term is often associated with rapid gastric emptying. Many Post-ops claim to have their nose start running when they take "that last bite" just before feeling too full. Some experience sneezing or hiccups if they eat a bite too much. Both are actions inextricably bound to Vagus nerve signals. Many claim to get a "runny nose" with one bite too much food for their pouch, and hiccups from eating too fast. Many Gastric Bypass Post-ops have similar odd signals associated with the connections that the Vagus nerve makes along it’s wandering path. Complements of DxE...he originally posted this on March 5th, 2007 & I found this very helpful. He is a wealth of information.

OMGosh, a remote control adjustable band?!!!!!!! You have GOT to be kidding?! How exciting is that??? WOW! Okay, here's the basic US info in regards to banding. If you have private insurance and WLS is a covered benefit, a local bariatric surgeon can do your banding. If you don't have insurance, or if your insurance does not provide such benefits, you have to pay cash for your band (like me) and if it's too expensive, you can go to Mexico (like me) and have it done for a bit less cash. Some Americans will travel to Europe or other places to get banded. The only US FDA (Federal Drug Administration) approved band is the Inamed. So even if Americans get banded in another country, many times they will be sure to get an Inamed band so that local aftercare can be found. Many many bariatric surgeons will not provide fills or other band care for bands that are not FDA approved. However, we do have a few folks here with the Swedish Band, or the French Mid-Band, although I am still unsure about the differences. For the most part, the folks on this board have one of the Inamed bands. As for hospitals, it seems banding is taking a turn and being done more and more in outpatient surgery centers. In the past, they have been done in hospitals with 1-2 overnight stays. hmmmm, does that begin to answer your questions? Wow, a remote control band...that is soooooooooo cool!

For the last 12+ years I've desperately wanted and sought bariatric surgery. Now that I'm less than 30 days away from my dream coming true, I find myself full of fear and dread Last week, I was approved for surgery and my wife was denied by the insurance company. We planned to do this together. Her surgery would have come only weeks after mine; now I'll be taking this journey alone. I know she'll be there to support me but somehow, it doesn't seem the same. Logically, I know that I will come through this with flying colors. I completed the 4 month, supervised diet without a hitch. I surprised myself by losing 22 lbs. In 4 months I proved to myself that I could drastically change my eating habits and my lifestyle. I expect to have the same success in the months/years after the surgery. The source of dread is the immediate aftermath of the surgery. I've never had major surgery before. I've never had a catheter and the thought of it makes this big manly-man want to run and hide. I've never been afraid of doctors, hospitals and needles but this is a whole different ball game. A few weeks ago, on YouTube, I watched a video of the procedure being performed; BIG MISTAKE!!!! Now, that the day is near, I can't stop thinking about how painful it will be when the meds wear off. I'm assuming that my expectations of pain and suffering is greatly exaggerated. Can anyone help me set some reasonable expectations? Thanks, Treb

I was also a mild case - like you. In fact, I think I was also a 5.5. It was pretty borderline. The sleep physician said I should get a CPAP machine, but when I brought it up with the PA at my bariatric clinic, he said he wasn't sure if it would be worth it, since the sleep apnea would probably disappear after I lost the first 20 or 30 lbs, so I skipped it. I don't know if you have that option or not. But I felt the same way - I didn't want to fork over a lot of money for something I was going to use for maybe a month or two tops.

Hello, I used The team of Valenzuela/Cabrerra and I have 100% confidence in this team. I could have chosen other more well known doctors for the same price, but I chose THIS team and have no regrets! My Primary care physician has been impressed as well. She said my incisions look fabulous and all of my bloodwork is perfect so I should continue to follow the instructions of my surgeon. I will say there have been recent posts about Mexico Bariatric Center which were not so favorable. (not getting back with people in a timely manner, telling incorrect information etc) These complaints seem to involve new coordinators.. but when I went through them I had CHRISTY as my coordinator and she was AWESOME. So I guess, I'm going to change my recommendation based on new information from other patients.. I still recommend the team of Cabrerra/Valenzuela without reservation BUT I only recommend MBC if you are using CHRISTY as your coordinator as the other coordinators through this company don't seem to be getting good reviews recently. Edited to add: The doctors do a leak test during surgery and then after surgery as well. This team also uses a drain which is what I felt most comfortable with.

Hi I have BCBS-MA. They were very helpful and informative when I called to inquire about bariatric coverage and promptly emailed me the relative policy which I brought to my consult. I was told at my consult that they are extremely easy to work with. They also base their approval on your starting weight. Unlike some insurance companies that go by your weight the day of surgery. This would be relevant if you are at a 35 BMI and just qualifying - you would then have to be careful not to dip below that. Not with BCBS-MA. I've had lots of appointments/tests going through the program, and they've paid for everything (minus appropriate co-pays). That's about all I've had to go through with them so far.

I tried the bariatric advantage chocolate shake and love it. i bought the wrong shake mix at gnc listening to the clerk i bought a protein blend.

Hi Ladidi and welcome! It is not uncommon at all for 60+ folks to have bariatric surgery! I was sleeved last year at age 67. No adverse events, and I had a successful recovery. Go for it!

I agree that the Syntrax sample pack is a good option. I'm not sure if there are 'brick & mortar' stores where you can buy it, but I know you can order from BJ's Bariatrics: http://www.bjsbariatrics.com/ They have online ordering available (I'm lucky that their storefront is in my town, so I was able to go in there and browse when I was still doing Protein supplements). I liked the roadside lemonade mixed with a little lemonade crystal light and Water. I also liked the cappucino flavor mixed with decaf (but it was pretty sweet).