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Victoria, BC Canada Support Group?
rainbow_runner replied to Curlycat3's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hi Su. Yeah, I'm not surprised nobody at Dr. Amson's office got back to you. Their office admin is a mess - in fact it's one of the reasons I gave up on having gastric bypass. All worked out in the end, though - I am deliriously happy with my band and soooo glad I didn't go the RNY route, even if I did have to pay for the band myself. Worth every penny! In any case, it's possible that the support group offered specifically for Dr. Amson's patients might not accept patients who have had lapband or bypass done by another doctor (Amson only does RNY). However, there have got to be other, more generic bariatric support groups in your area, and it's just a matter of finding them. Hopefully if you can reach someone at Amson's office they can give you some info on that. Are you aware that there is a bariatric conference going on in Victoria the weekend of March 27-28? First of its kind on the island, apparently. It's called Beyond Bariatrics, I think, and anyone who's had any kind of bariatric surgery can go. Registration fee is $120 and includes dinner Saturday night. I'm attending. Google "beyond bariatrics victoria" and you'll find the link. -
Haha - yay! I now have a bariatric sistaaa! I'm no longer nervous about anesthesia. I'm sure I'll start freakin out again in a few minutes. *zennnnn*
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Nutrition plan share away.
thisfathasgot2go replied to OneLostJourney's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hello. I am 5 days post op too (sleeved on 10/7). I am following the Kaiser plan given to me by my nutritionist before and again given to me at the hospital before my discharge. You can print out the PDF's from the West Los Angeles Kaiser site online https://xnet.kp.org/misg/bariatrics/after.html They are very helpful and include shopping lists and portions to get 60-75g of Protein through this liquids only stage we are in for about 10 more days. Good luck! -
Iron Supplements & Nausea
MidwestGirl replied to MidwestGirl's topic in Protein, Vitamins, and Supplements
Hey Thin! Thanks for the advice. I just called my dietitian because after googling the Bariatric Advantage iron supplements, I saw that they come in three different flavors, each is a different amount/dosage, so I wasn't sure which one they suggest. But they said they sell the lemon lime flavor which is apparently 60mg in each chewable. I am going to get some on Monday & am so excited! She said that people who do the chewables usually have less constipation too, sorry TMI. :blushing: Wow, I'm really excited about the whole not-having-nausea thing. And I like that the supplements include Vitamin C so I don't have to worry so much about eating them with the vitamin C foods. Thank you again! :crying: -
Iron Supplements & Nausea
thinoneday replied to MidwestGirl's topic in Protein, Vitamins, and Supplements
Hey Midwest, I take a chewable iron and they are really yum. . . they are bariatric advantage iron Passion Fruit. . .I really like them, my doctor sells them, I think Tiff actually posted a website for ordering BA vitamins. . . I also take 2 chewable vitabands, 2 calcium citrate, B12 sublingual, and of course the iron. . . no problems with nausea here. . . good luck, hope you find the chewables. . . -
Bcbs of texas
Bufflehead replied to Mrs.Fixurspeech's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Many people with bariatric surgery exclusions save their money and go to Mexico as self-pay for the surgery. There is a whole forum here for it. You can get a package deal for $5K or less. -
HOLY BANANAS!! Fast Track and I am still debating
cmandrews13 posted a topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
So I met with the surgeon's office today. Had the first meeting with the dietician, filled out the gigantic pile of paperwork and met with the doctor. Got some super amazing news from the coordinator of the program, which is not only does my insurance pay for the psych eval ($200), but also pays the program fees for the meetings and everything ($600). I was blown away. Then the super awesome amazing news - while my insurance carrier normally requires a documented 6 month dietitian/food class, my particular group does not. So that requirement is waived. On top of all that, when I went to check out and make my psych eval appointment, the nurse said - "Can you do today? Like in 15 minutes? She has an opening and she is right across the street." I said "sure!" and off I went. So in one day, I got my first appointment, first dietitian meeting, most of the paperwork and the psych eval done. Basically, I just have to attend one informational class/workshop/meeting and I am good to go! I feel like I at the wheel of a speeding train! As far as the debate, I had pretty much decided on Sleeve. I didn't like the idea of the bypass and I knew there were more complications with that procedure. But I do have Type 2 Diabetes and the RNY is this particular surgeon's gold standard for bariatric surgery. They said ultimately it is up to me, but now I am not sure. Anyone have any thoughts one way or the other? I am 44 years old, have approximately 150-170 lbs to lose and plan to live at least another 50 years. So for me it's mostly about the long term effects and while I know there is way more data about RNY, I just get skeeved out at the idea of re-routing my guts. -
Does anyone know Dr. Spivak in Houston, TX?
misskitty84 replied to antiquejunckie's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Last year I went to a lap band seminar hosted by Dr. Spivak. He had a very informative powerpoint presentation and answered everyone's questions thoroughly. I thought he was very nice and enjoyed meeting him but in the end I picked a different surgeon. Not that anything was wrong with Dr. Spivak; I just preferred to use my bariatric specialist's recommendation. Hope this helps a bit. :thumbup: -
Hello everyone, First post and I am right out of the gate with a rant. I have come here to learn more about my bariatric surgery(VSG) and To make a long story short i am PAYING CASH !!! I don't know the rules yet on listing the business by name but I had some questions i would like to get answered. My Story is that I am doing this surgery (VSG) with my Fiance. So we are PAYING OUT OF POCKET for two surgeries. I was cleared this past week and the surgery scheduler called me and asked when i would like to perform my Sleeve. I told her i am holding off till my Fiance is cleared--meaning she passes her Psych evaluation and we are getting it done together... Fiance was cleared this past Friday for surgery and as of Monday we never even got a call??? Thinking really nothing of it my fiance called on Tuesday and she was kinda given the run around and no one there in the office could really asnwer some pretty basic questions. We had placed a total of 3 calls and one email and nothing !!! This company was not like that though?? they always had answers and they always returned phone calls and email till Tuesday. WE finally got an answer and that was the company was going to call us today at 0900 and tell us some things. 0900 comes and no phone cal. 09:20 comes and stil no phone call so I called them and spoke with a Lisa. Long story short--she said that she didnt think that her company "BS" is the best fit for us?????? i am blown away and said i was just scheduled this past week and i waited on my fiance to get cleared and now your telling me i cant have a surgery i am PAYING CASH FOR???? WTF ???? I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ANYTHING SO ASANINE IN MY LIFE AS THIS ??? MY QUESTION IS HAS THIS EVER HAPPENED TO ANYONELSE WHEN YOU WERE PAYING CASH????
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The bariatric clinic could really give a flying bleep if u should happen to develop complications. I've experienced nothing but trouble. I knew complications were a chance but never thought I'd be the statistic. I'm dealing with an infection and open wound in my abdomen. I'm having to pack twice daily and change dressing as needed, since its draining a lot. Yea well the hell with me they may as well told me! Can't get my supplies cuz they want to be complete buttholes! I'm si pissed! I just want all this behind me so I can actually be happy about my WLS decision.
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Keep on plugging you will get there! I eat: Breakfast - either - one package of oatmeal mixed with fat free yogurt or egg beater omelet( 2 or 3 servings of beaters) with one slice fat free cheese and some veggies or a few fake bacon bits in it. Lunch- usually a protein shake with strawberries skim milk and Bariatric (sp?) Advantage or Unjury. - Sometimes no berries but ice cubes, instant coffee and sweet & low. Dinner - lean protein and veggies Snack- one bag of 100 calorie popcorn, Two 60 calorie string cheese and two 25 calorie diet hot chocolate. Also vitamins, water & ice tea. I eat about 1000-1200 calories per day and about 80 grams of protein. This keeps me full all day. Hope this helps
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Depression after Lapband?
BirdGirlEm replied to hopsing's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
There has been some research recently on this topic. I read an article that talked about depression in bariatric surgical patients and indicated that a large number of patients suffer from severe depression in the first two years. People who have traditionally used food as a coping mechanism may be at a loss for how to deal with stress or negative feeling, combined with the loss of their comfort and "friend" they often find themselves very unhappy. One would hope the reward of weight loss would be adequate compensation for that grief, but it isn't. I would encourage you to get your husband professional help ASAP. Men who are depressed can often hide their more severe symptoms until it reaches a critical stage. The study I read was primarly about suicide rates in bariatric patients, which is much higher than the general population. Please talk to his (or your) doctor about this. He deserves happiness after all his hard work, and so do you. -
What Should I Tell My Boss
Frederic replied to thick2slim's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Personally I would advise against telling a lie. My reasoning is that the act of telling the lie implies you have something to be ashamed of and the first person you need to convince that isn't true is yourself. Bariatric surgery is not something to be ashamed of and the longer people treat it like something to hide the longer people will think of it as vanity surgery. You should feel no more guilty about WLS than you would about getting a tumor removed or getting a pacemaker. You don't need to introduce yourself by your procedure but there's no benefit to pretending you didn't get life altering surgery. If anything there's a lot too gain by helping people be informed and dismissing the myths. It's a personal choice and I would never "out" a WLS patient but I know I could have benefitted from this surgery a lot sooner if I'd known how common it really was. Now if someone would please bring me a step stool I'd like to dismount from this tall horse. -
Fighting Depression and Anxiety - Waiting for upcoming VSG in 11/2015
Miss Mac replied to vsgbeccab's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
You are having what we call a food funeral. It's hard to eat less when you still have a regular stomach. By the time you lose the first thirty pounds you will start to feel the difference in your gait, your posture, your digestion and flexibility. My surgery improved my blood pressure and cured chronic diverticulitis. If you are not already on a medication for depression, ask your doctor about. My bariatric physician prescribed Wellbutrin at my first visit. My appetite went down and my libido went up. Just this past Monday my primary doctor increased the dosage to help with my appetite and I could feel the difference after the first day. Hang in there, the waiting is actually the hardest part of this whole deal. -
I can sooo relate. Five years ago I was over 320 pounds and I cried as I walked around my yard for my first exercise. I slowly lost weight and pain. I began on the elliptical the first month. It probably was 3 months and 50 or so pounds before I felt significant drop in pain. The next two years were great. I lost 135 pounds and LOVED working out. I was running for the first time in my life. I was biking over 50 miles a trip. Mountain biking became a passion at 50. Endorphins are wonderful things. I had a significant hip injury and exercise came to a halt. I was devastated, depressed and ate. I got back up to the 270's and reinsured my hip just due to the weight. Knees kill me, back pain is affecting my other passion of gardening. About 2 months ago I said enough and made first appt at a Bariatric clinic. I have until December or January until surgery and can't wait. Memories are fresh of how good my body felt. I never made it to goal but I felt great in the 180's. I know this time I have done additional damage to my body and arthritis is progressing everywhere so I am sure I will still have some pain. But I know it will be nothing compared to now. I likely will have to have hip surgery again and want to give my hip the best possible situation for recovery. You are not alone!
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I am so sorry . You might contact a bariatric center and ask them to contact your primary. I am not sure how govt. insurance works but surely you can get help. I know you are frustrated but don't give up, sometimes the squeaky wheel gets the oil. keep bugging your Dr. too.
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Be mindful that the liquid pre-op diet is solely for the insurance companies. It does NOT need to be done for your surgery. This was explained to me by 6 bariatric surgeons in a seminar. Dont stress about it. Docs just need to document that you "tried" to lose weight and are able to do so on a liquid diet. Has nothing to do with your surgery.
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The following recipe for Chunky Winter Soup is one of my favourites for lunch on a cold winter day.Chunky Winter SoupMakes 4 cupsOil spray½ onion1 small or ½ large leek, thinly sliced2 cups salt reduced chicken stock1 small or ½ large zucchini, diced1 small or ½ large carrot, diced1 cup no added salt, chopped tinned tomatoes½ teaspoon curry powder1 tablespoon no added salt tomato pasteFreshly ground black pepper2 tablespoons macaroni1 cup cooked red kidney beansHeat a saucepan that has been sprayed with oil. Add onion and leek and cook until they are starting to soften. Add the stock, carrot, zucchini, tomatoes, curry powder, tomato paste and season with pepper. Bring to the boil then simmer for 20 minutes, until vegetables are tender. Add macaroni and kidney beans and simmer for a further 15-20 minutes until the macaroni is cooked.
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I found this on a bariatric for lapband website for your info i'll erase this soup recipe if it is bothering you so much you smart ass b***h!
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I started by going to the seminar held at a local hospital that has a bariatric center. and I called my ins co. to find out their requirements. Ended up a self pay.
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My office recently submitted my paperwork to CIGNA for approval. I received a decision within a day but the claim was denied due to where I’d be having the surgery. Cigna stated the location where they wanted to perform the surgery as outpatient is not on the 2019 Bariatric Center of Excellence list. I checked and the surgery center is in fact on the list. I actually had my EGD performed there and they paid that claim. I called CIGNA and the rep stated that the ruling they gave is not accurate and outdated. The rep also stated that the case manager is reaching out to my office to rectify the issue. I am frustrated but trying to remain hopeful. Has anybody ever been initially denied by CIGNA and then approved?
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Pre-Op Lab Work
BeanieandRosie'smom replied to Territravel's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
TerriTravel, As I said, I did my band in Mexico (and will do the same with the sleeve). I actually contacted a bariatric surgery center in my area and they accept business from people who have surgery elsewhere. My doctor told me that they'd be stupid not to because of the number of people who go to Mexico or wherever to do their surgeries. They have a fabulous psychiatrist there who has had weight loss surgery. My insurance covers 80% of my visits with her (so odd since I have that specific weight loss clause!) It also covers consults with a nurse at the weight loss center. I would check into it---the counseling has been the best thing I ever did in relation to the band. (HATE the band!) Best of luck to you! Erika -
Hi. I will answer what I can. 1. I don't drink coffee, but I do drink tea. I had to change to decaf because of reflux, but that has not been a problem. I could have it pre and post op. 2. My sleeve was my 12th surgery, and was the least painful of all. I was on pain meds for two days, and that was it. There was some discomfort to be sure, but tolerable. By the end of the first week I was bored. Think of the surgery this way: They give you a nice nap, and when you wake up you have a new lease on life and are free to re-invent yourself. The spot that hurt the most was the largest incision (which by any standard was still a small incision which they closed with surgical glue and a steri-strip). That is the one they took the remnant of my big ol' stomach through. I slept in my lift recliner for a couple of nights so that I would not pull on it getting in and out of bed. I did not have the shoulder gas pain that some people get. 3. I was allowed to do all the walking I could tolerate, but was told not to lift anything more than five pounds for six weeks. I am retired but I know that if I were still working, the fatigue and recovery from serious surgery would have flattened me. Coming off of ten days of liquids pre-op and 2 1/2 weeks of full lliquids post-op left me pretty much wiped out. When I started soft foods, I started to feel much more alert and mobile. 4. I took waaaaay too much stuff to the hospital for a two day stay. You can bring pretty much what you want to entertain yourself, but I mostly slept off the anesthetic. Don't take anything you will miss if it is stolen. 5. food... I am blessed to have a Mediterranean chef in the house, but if my food prep was entirely up to me on a lazy day, I would be batch cooking in the crock pot. The more you prepare your own food, the more control you have over it's content. Unless you are totally unteachable, this is a good time to learn how to cook from scratch. You can go a long way with a Foreman grill. Grilled meats are easy. Canned veggies are better than no veggies. There is not much work to boiling eggs or cutting off a piece of cheese. Since fruit is the peach and not peach pie, there is zero prep there. 6. Reading material.....if you mean concerning learning about bariatric surgery and recovery, look under the Resources tab at the top of this page. Congratulations on the decision you have made, and I wish you the best.
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Hi my name is Tim and I'm new to the site. I'm really beside myself whether to go for surgery or not. Well in a nut shell. At my heaviest I weighed 365 pounds. I have tried many diets and fitness programs in the past. A few years back I dropped to about 273 pounds. Then I went back up to about 343. Last year my wife began her journey with the bariatric sleeve. At the same time I began a medical weight loss program.. I did good for awhile and dropped down to 285 pounds. in the last two months I stopped losing and gained 10 pounds. I have a bariatric information session appointment on 10/6. My wife said I shouldn't do it, I guess basically she misses eating a lot. coming from an Italian back ground it is a little tough. however she looks awesome. She lost 125 so far. should I do it? I think I is a good move, basically I can handle intense workouts. my problem is that I just don't know when to stop eating. even with healthy food I eat in excess.
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Hanging my head in shame :think Well Chantal... I feel horrible... feel like I let myself down and you down. I gave in and bought a pack. Not that it is a good excuse... but the frustration of dealing with the bariatric team has been unbelievable. Last week they told me they FORGOT to call me after their review... they decided they wouldn't approve my seeing Dr. Chua until I faxed my food records (two weeks worth) AHHHHHHHHHHHHH... so... I faxed them yesterday... they called me back and said that I am eating too much and too often (duh) and that they want me to be successful so they want me to record two more weeks. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH This is not what they told me at my appointment and I met every single goal they set forth. THis is the first summer I have had off with my daughter... EVER... I wanted so bad to be able to lose enough weight that we could do things like swimming and biking and rollar blading... things I either feel to self-conscious to do or just can't handle physically. So... I am powerless in the bariatric situation and now obviously the smoking. THey knew that I had just quit smoking but it is apparently more important that I adhere to a bandlike diet... it seems they would have taken that into consideration when looking at my food records. Sorry for venting... it did make me feel better and sorry for puffing... but as GOd as my witness... I will quit smoking if it's the last thing I do! I hope you hang in there Chantal... if you can do it... then I know there is hope that I can too! I consider this a setback... not a failure. I just reek... shame on me. Darcy
