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Hi - I had my lap band with Blue Cross / St. Joseph's Bariatric. I now have Kaiser. Dr. Edward Mun will be performing the surgery in Jan. They have a bariatric surgical center in Harbor City.

I did keto for a long time pre-op and even before I thought about bariatric surgery. My program is different, I guess, in that we don't do purees or full liquids and move onto soft foods like cottage cheese and yogurt, etc. on day 10. We are allowed chicken salad, even. She said to start with Greek yogurt, which I did.

Calcium carbonate (the type found in Tums, the chocolate chewables Viactiv) is not fully absorbed without an acidic environment, and since I take Prilosec (keeps my stomach from producing acid), the calcium would not be absorbed, and is not going to protect my bones. Plus, calcium carbonate can cause some rebound reflux so I avoid it. Calcicum citrate does not have to be taken with food, and has high absorption rates without needing an acidic environment so it's the recommended calcium for bariatric patients.

Apologies in advance for my "brain dump" but there is a LOT to consider as you research surgeons in Mexico. Everyone who has posted on this thread have very specific and valid personal reasons they have selected their surgeon. Based on their high level of research, I have every confidence they will have a great experience because they know what to expect before they arrive. And that is what I hope for ALL of us, we do the research so we can have a good experience. When I began to consider Mexico as an option for weight loss surgery, I learned a lot. There were several factors important to me in selecting a surgeon: 1. A surgeon who has performed a lot of weight loss surgery. 2. Member of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery (i.e. I wanted to be able to verify their credentials) 3. The doc should have a lot of positive internet “buzz”, or testimonials on weight loss surgery forums so I could contact those and get some independent feedback. 4. Would like to go to a part of Mexico WITH NO TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS from the US State Department 5. The icing on the cake would be if they were at an International Center of Excellence as designated by the Surgical Review Corporation – same body that designates US bariatric Centers of Excellence 6. Oh, and I wanted to contact the surgeon DIRECTLY, not through a surgery coordinating company THE SHORT LIST 1. Dr. Guillermo Alvarez in Piedras Negras http://www.endobariatric.com/doctor.htm 2. Dr. Alberto Aceves in Mexicali http://gastricsleevesurgeon.com 3. Dr. Pompa in Tijuana http://www.limarp.com/en/dr_liza.php 4. Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana http://www.obesitycontrolcenter.com I checked prices. I spent a great deal of time on each website to understand the process, review photos, verify credentials, etc. Both Dr. Pompa and Dr. Ortiz are practicing at International Centers of Excellence. And I liked the fact Tijuana does not have a travel warning from the US State department. Dr. Alvarez wrote a book about the sleeve. I purchased his e-Book. It’s an easy read and provides a great deal of information about the sleeve procedure, how he performs it, and what you need to do pre-surgery and post-surgery for diet. Ultimately, I selected Dr. Ortiz. Why? • He has a TON of YouTube videos available. I watched many of them and learned a lot about the surgery, recovery, diet, his philosophy, got to see the surgical team working together, pictures of the facility, etc. Also, he has a great video about the difference between healthcare in the US vs. Mexico and was spot on. This video actually made my decision for me. (He even addressed the sombrero issue. I’m in! Ha ha!) Check the video • Confirmed they are a International Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery http://www.surgicalreview.org/locate/cmcoem/ • Confirmed Dr. Ortiz is a member of the American College of Surgeons http://web2.facs.org/acsdir/public/DetailMember.cfm?CHKDGTS=88010816878 • Confirmed Dr. Ortiz is a member of the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery http://asmbs.org/member-search/ (search for last name Lagardere, as in Ariel A. Ortiz Lagardere) • Tijuana is in Baja California, the only Mexican border state that does not have a travel warning from the US State Department. http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5815.html All other border states have a “defer non-essential travel” warning My hope is that you find a surgeon and location that are right for YOU! Just by being on these forums and becoming educated on your options - I have a feeling you will have GREAT results.

I saved like crazy for the surgery. I'm not gonna lie, cost WAS a factor in deciding which doctor to go to, but I didn't just go to the cheapest doctor I could find. If money was no object, I would have gone to Dr. Alvarez... but I realized that there were many well qualified and competent doctors in Tijuana that were about half the price of Alvarez. You'll find that many of the doctors who using the major booking companies (R4C, ALM, MBC, MT) are well qualified and have done a LOT of surgeries before they are accepted by a booking company and begin working on American/Canadian patients. One of the single biggest determining factors of complication rates, is number of bariatric procedures that the surgeon has performed. Higher volume surgeons/hospitals have lower complication rates. (no a point, you don't want a doctor who does 15 surgeries a day, but you don't want one who only does two a week either) on average, a doctor who has done fewer than 200 bariatric procedures has more than twice the complication rate of a doctor who has done more than 1000 procedures.

Dont think its necessary to mention minorities, they did not deny you!! Your case wasnt not properly presented therefore it was denied!! I am a registered nurse and provide service to bariatric patients who are approved by medical and end up being noncompliant and are gbgb's!!

Your doctor may be disappointed, but you shouldn't be. If you are eating the right things, that's the majority of the battle - I had been eating the right things, too - I had evolved into a good healthy diet over the years before surgery, but couldn't get the volume down enough to lose any more, which is why I needed the surgery. It's good to start the good postop habits early and experiment with new compliant foods - what Protein drinks do you like best, etc. Some docs claim that they use the preop diet to shrink or prepare the liver for the procedure. My doc is a liver specialist outside of his bariatrics and he doesn't have a specific preop diet, so that should say something about the validity of that claim. I gained a bit in the month before surgery from the serial last suppers (we won't be able to eat here for a while, and as long as we're out for this preop medical appointment, why not...) and it hasn't effected my weight loss postop - I'm 2/3 to goal weight in three months. Don't add any more stress to your life at an already stressful time (and hopefully your doctor won't, either) Good luck with it all,

If anyone needs a bariatric surgeon in Jacksonville, please give Dr. Sharma a chance. He took over the old office of Dr. Cywes. The number is the same, 904-399-4004. Dr. Sharma really listens to you has awesome bedside manners. FYI, Jody is there too!!

Hi Young, I am mid-process and have not had to do a 6 month medically supervised diet. However, I do have history of a 5 month liquid diet 2 years ago that was medically supervised. I think one of their guidelines includes documentation that you have tried dieting with no long-term success. Have you been to a seminar yet? In this area prospective patients are required by the bariatric practices to attend a seminar to get basic information about WLS. You would have a chance to ask your questions there, and get the real scoop. Just be sure you are going to a Center of Excellence, or Medicare will not cover it. In my note above I included a web address for the Medicare site that lists the Centers of Excellence in each state. Also check to make sure your surgeon accepts Medicare assignment as Sharon160 said.

I see you've already scheduled your appointment, but my surgeon was able to bill my initial consultation to insurance so I only paid my co-pay. I also had my pre-surgical testing done via my PCP (blood work, x-ray, EKG, etc) and that was covered by my insurance as well. I was self-pay for my surgery, as my insurance company wouldn't cover any sort of bariatric surgery. Just wanted to put it out there as an option!

Yes. I will call the bariatric nurse and/or my doctor. This is really scaring me. I just took a glucose tablet and ate half a protein bar and feel better. I just want off this roller coaster ride!

Sorry you got a NUT with attitude a couple good websites to check out are Bariatric Foodie and World According to Egg Face both these women are years post op and have wonderful recipes and ideas for every stage.

Hi Jaffa, I agree, I "feel" like I have very little to gain from telling people, even those close to me. I have gauged this based on observation and listening to those around me, and their "rude" comments, of the nature that were mentioned in this article. I also found that one of the most interesting notes from this article was that those who tell ANYONE often share this only with someone who has already had WLS, or who is also considering it, which is basically what we're doing here. As for sample size, this being a qualitative study, which also included quantitative data from outside studies of larger samples, 14 people is actually very acceptable. This is more an "initial" collection of data and info, and thus, many more hypothesis could and should be explored in the future, regarding this issue. Real qualitative research is very complex and time consuming, and I believe the researchers did a good job utilizing the proper methods in this study. Ok, can you tell I've done this type of research before? Sadly, I could talk about this "boring" stuff for days and days! :wink0::wink0: I'm glad you guys thought this was interesting... I really think there is a ton of good research, data, and information being published over at Bariatric Times, so hopefully more will check it out. best to all! :biggrin0::smile::thumbup1:

Hi Everyone in So Cal. I'm new to the site, I was banded in December and still waiting on my first fill. I had surgery in Wyoming (my childhood best friend was my surgeon) but I live in Los Angeles. I am looking for a local support system. I'm near LAX. I hope some of you are still interested in meeting locally. I think it's such a good idea to have a suppory system...I don't know anyone else who has had any bariatric surgery, much less the band. Please contact me if you're interested. Katie

I am having mine on 12/18. My bariatric Dr said he could install a low profile port. My plastic surgeon said he didnt think it was necessary that he could work around it.... so I am going to leave it alone and hope for the best. My port isnt very visable all the time... just occasionally.

thanksLuckily my plastic surgeon does a lot of work with my bariatric dr so both know each others work.... I am hoping the port doesn't stick out too badly. I have a frowning belly button and a few folds I am so excited to get rid of The excess skin and a taught tummy will be the crowing jewel

Your paperwork is being sent next week but you don't know if your plan covers bariatric surgery. I'm confused. Have you or your docs office talked to a UHC rep yet? Generally you need to do that before you initiate the process and they would have told you then if it was covered. I had to go through Bariatric Resource Center before I could do any of the preop requirements.

I’m just beginning my second week of my pre op learning and it’s been a fun, interesting week (for me anyway!) I started eating a little better, getting more protein in to my daily diet and logging everything. Good news is that I’m 9lbs down in the first week so I will take that win thank you very much. I’ve also been practicing mindful eating too. My approach to eating was to hoover food up as quickly as possible but, after reading about WLS and what I need to concentrate on post-surgery, I have made sure that every meal has taken 20 mins to eat, that I eat off a plate, put my cutlery down between bites, don’t put more food in my mouth when I already have some food in there etc. Being a sceptical kind of person, I wasn’t really sold on the benefits of this but I gave it a whirl, just to see. I will definitely hold my hand up and admit that my scepticism was misplaced. My head and stomach now recognise that I have actually eaten something and it’s registered with them. I now have a feeling of fullness that I didn’t have before, which really is an eye opener. I know it probably sounds strange but I honestly cannot remember having this? Disordered eating has been such a part of my life for a very long time. I’ve also been giving different sources of protein a try, not for post-op as I’ve really taken on board people’s findings of tastes etc changing after surgery, but for the liver reduction diet and to give myself some variety now as I move towards that. I have tried protein water (a bit sweet but doable) protein yoghurts and protein puddings. Hubby recommended some PHD whey protein but I haven’t tried that yet. The bag isn’t yet open and all I can smell is overpowering vanilla 🤢 I will try it at some point this week, just to see if it tastes better than it smells! I’ve also ordered some 0%-everything flavour drops to try in Greek yoghurt etc, just waiting for those to arrive. My Bariatric plates arrived this week, plus measuring cups and spoons. I’ve been consistently taking my multivitamin, vitamin D and folic acid (because of pre-existing meds) have taken the dreaded ‘before’ photos (and managed not to cry) and generally had a positive week. I know my surgery may be a long way off but things are moving in the right direction and I’m happy about that. Onwards and downwards!

Sad part about Alli marketing...it only 'encapsulates' part of the fat you eat...so, if you're a carb addict like me, Alli would do very little for you. Just like every diet aid out there, including bariatric surgery, its more about changing your approach to food than the diet aid.

Do you have any bariatric stores near you? The one by me allows you to try samples of all of them for a small price. Vitamin Shoppe has quite a few sample packs to choose from (next to the big containers on the shelves) and GNC has Quest protein sample pouches to try.

So, my doctor is a great surgeon, but not great on the nutrition part and I'm a little lost. I'm 4 weeks PO and trying to get ready for the months ahead. Looking for a nutritionist with experience in bariatric surgery that I can consult with if anyone has any recommendations. Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

Had my 6 month follow up today with the nutritionist, and surgeon (it will be 6 months tomorrow). They were both extremely happy with my success. I was told that I have done exceptionally well thus far, and to keep up the good work. I have lost 76 lbs., and 77% of my body fat!! All my labs came back good, except I am anemic, but have always been. So now I have to take the bariatric vitamins with 45 mg of iron. I was told to do was to add in some exercise, just light stuff with the tension bands. Only 15 minutes, 3 days a week, then slowly work my way up. I have fibro, so I have to be careful or I will be in too much pain to do anything at all. I am so happy! My journey is far from over, but I am well on my way to being a healthy, productive, active person. My only regret, if any, is that I wish I had this done 10 yrs. ago.

I received an email with this article today. It discusses three long term studies of the MGB in France. http://www.bariatricnews.net/?utm_source=Bariatric+News&utm_campaign=0495caff80-BN+Gen+24%2F02%2F14&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_99b9868979-0495caff80-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&ct=t%28BN+Gen+24%2F02%2F14%29

I haven't booked yet but I know my mom would kick and scream and guilt me till I got on the plane and then send me texts. On the other hand My mom In law has had been through bariatric surgery and 100% me and why I don't wanna tell my mom. My husband supports me in this, he just wants me to be happy and I appreciate that. A good friend of mine from high school is maybe 100 lbs soaking wet. She told me her secret was green tea. Yup! That's the secret for it. She has 3 kids and still her thigh is the size of my wrist.. Irritating. My mom and aunt are such weight watchers freaks it's more like a brain washing cult. I'm ready.

YES! Can't keep them down either and have tried several of the bariatric brands in addition to a generic CVS children's chewable. I'm going to go get some children's Flinstone's chewables or gummies (but my bariatric center at Stanford says chewable only - I think better to get them down than not though) and see if that works. I'm also not able to keep down the calcium citrate (Celebrate brand) and will look for an alternative for that.