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Stay away from slimfast if at all possible. There is usually a very high content of sugars. Even Ensure is way to high in that respect. There are plenty of product our there that will fit your needs as a new bandster that is low in sugar and carbs. Bariatrix makes a good product. You can find quite a few different things at Bariatric Advantage. (Nutritional supplements for Gastric Bypass Bariatric Surgery Patients from Bariatric Advantage) Hope that helps.

Good luck with Kaiser in San Diego. I went to their information seminar in May and decided to go with my other insurance. While I was at the seminar I learned that you had to have a bmi of 50 which clearly I didn't have and that you have to go through their weight loss program which takes about a year. Back in May they didn't have a contract signed yet with Pacific Bariatric since their surgeons didn't do lapband at that time. Best of luck to you and hopefully the process doesn't take as long.

Bariatric Advantage Chocolate/ Raspberry Iron chewy bites! Tastes like a tootsie roll. And my multi vitamin isn't bad either, Centrum Silver Chewable Citrus Berry flavored!

There are a few bariatric keto plans out there..... What I've been told is for keto do High protein 60 -80g or whatever your doc recommends. Moderate healthy fats and low carb and lower calories. Just search for bariatric keto truth and groups like that on facebook Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

What's your favorite brand of Bariatric Vitamins and supplements and why ?

Hi Kitty, Glad I can help (I do tend to have quite an opinion and do tend to lean towards my dr being one of the best...so take my advice as you'd like to. I don't mean it in a bad way or mean that you're wrong and I'm right! Everyone is different in what works for them. A few things...you said you got creamsicles and fudgesicles – check with your nutritionist on when and if you’re allowed to have these (even though they’re SF) they’re not a clear liquid, you would need to be on full liquids. Creamsicles and fudgesicles are also quite a bit higher in calories than SF popsicles. (Just a thought…it’s still up to you though). As far as the syrups, walmart and bed bath & beyond have sugar free snow cone mixes that are good in the blenders. (If you want a snowcone machine, go for it! I personally love my magic bullet and I can use it for lots of other stuff too!) I LOVE iced tea as well! I drink mine with truvia and it is so good! The truvia is quite sweet, so generally you won’t need as much as if you were using actual sugar. It is a little pricy but when you see how much you’ll actually use, it’s not too bad. Also if you didn’t know, crystal light has some REALLY yummy iced tea flavors (the regular is 99% decaf and the decaf is 99.9% decaf – so not much difference, regular should be okay). I love the lemon decaf iced tea by crystal light, it’s so good! Any type of stevia should be okay to try, but I do love truvia so I haven’t tried any others at this time. J The chewable Fiber is pretty good (IMO) I buy fiber choice (I’ve had 2 flavors – the orange is very good and there is also one for weight management and it’s strawberry flavored) Both of them are good. Amazon has some great deals on fiber choice if you find one you like. I get my Vitamins through Bariatric Choice, they have great prices and quite a variety of items. The liquid Tylenol isn’t that bad, they don’t have an “adult” option, just get the children’s Tylenol and calculate the dose of acetaminophen that you’ll need. I think I take 4-6 tsp of the children’s Tylenol (double check on my math for that…I use a pre measured thing and figured it out the other day). The bubble gum isn’t too bad.

Kitty, No problem, if you have questions, feel free to private message me as well if you'd like. Any advice on here should be run by your dr or NUT to find out what they would like you to do since everyone has different ideas on what works best. I've read a lot of people on here use sweet & low without a problem, my NUT said it was fine as long as we weren't using sugar. If you like any flavored teas, all of crystal light's teas are great! They have a peach tea, a red tea, etc and they're all very good. Full size blenders are just obnoxious unless you're having a margarita party! LoL I don't know how people use those or have room on their counters for them. I think BB&B would have more options for snow cone machines and if you get one of those 20% off coupons in the mail, even better! The chewable fiber really isn't that bad, it does stick in my teeth a little bit, but swishing with a little Water takes care of it. A person above recommended using the dissolvable fiber, I personally can't go that way! I'd rather chew it and get it done with. I don't take a calcium supplement, I'm on a bariatric Vitamin for lap band patients and my dr said if you take a high quality vitamin, you won't have to worry about additional supplements. He also does regular blood tests to make sure the levels are acceptable. Multi Vitamins this is heavily debated on here! A lot of people on here talk about taking kids chewables and adult gummies etc. If you compare the amount of nutrients with vitamins that are made for a bariatric patient, you will see that they are really lacking in some areas! My Dr is very against just using kids vitamins and the gummies but does not require that you buy vitamins from him. I go through bariatric choice for my vitamins, they have some great prices and lots of flavors and options. The dissolving Tylenol tabs should be fine! Just use the recommended amount of acetaminophen for adults on an adult package. I'm not sure of the strength difference, I just thought the liquid was slightly cheaper (had more per bottle than the package of dissolvable). I had read so much on here about people having issues with swallowing and recommending the liquid, but now I'm just using it to get rid of it. I can swallow pills just fine. The dr had me on 500 mg vicodin tabs and I'd just break them in half and I took them just fine. So if you can swallow pills after and you prefer pills, go for it! My Dr. let me go back to meds as regular the night of surgery (none were liquid or chewable, except my fiber). If you decide to just try swallowing the pills and they seem too big, break them in half or 4ths and you should be fine with 1 at a time.

Yea call the insurance..I was required to do 6 months evaluation, pyshciatric eval. They sent my med recds for the last 5 years. It's mainly about documenting... Who is your Bariatric doctor...they could better advise you than your PCP.

Well, I didnt have to do one. But I thought I would anyway, for all the reasons you've got running through your head. I did last 3 days. Before i started fainting every time I stood up! Called my doc, he said I was mad to do that to myself if it wasnt even necessary and pointed out that its an extreme measure for an extreme circumstance and NOT a healthy way to lose weight at ALL. He said if it was difficult, made me feel sick and had me passing out, then stop doing it. I knew for a fact my liver was not particularly fatty and not enlarged at all and it wasnt going to be a problem for surgery. So I just ate sensibly in my last few weeks again. Not doing a liquid diet does not mean eating everythign not nailed down either. Cutting out the white carbs, getting rid of carbonated drinks and for me a huge one was cutting down drastically on caffeine (knew I wouldnt have the stomach space for my normal coffee intake afterwards) is going to help enormously. I have renewed respect for those that do do it. I've never done such an awful diet in my life. I couldnt do it now WITH a band.

the EGD (in my case)is not required for insurance approval. It is a requirement of the Bariatric COE to look around for infection, or hernias.

@@crazywomanincage - I'll try to find that post with resources and send it to you directly by a DM. In my short-lived BariatricPal experience, I feel that feeling like you trust your Bariatric Team is the gauge you should follow on where you ultimately have surgery. I too had concerns about just coming to Mexico for surgery. However, my doctors have been very involved in my pre-op stage through the post-op transition through Skype, phone calls, emails, and not just because I'm related to half of my BT, but I have the sense the right team care this deeply about their patients regardless of blood ties! Keep in touch and good luck!

Hi everyone! I am new and SO glad I found this site! I have already gained so much knowledge reading through the forums. So. I got really excited because the company I work for added the bariatric surgery benefit to my coverage this year. However, they require a TWELVE MONTH supervised preoperative weight loss program. I have been overweight since elementary school. I have tried almost every diet known to man. I lose weight, then gain it all back-PLUS MORE! I have been researching bariatric surgery for years, so I expected a 3 to 6 month required diet. I just wasn't expecting a year. Has anyone else had this as a requirement and somehow got the time frame shortened? My BMI is in the 60's and I have comorbidities of sleep apnea, and I am borderline diabetic. My medical records show a steady increase of weight over the past 11 years. Help!

Texas rooster and Sammy just read and re-read,your storys. First thank you both for serving. Without young men like you 2 I'd be bebopping around in a burkah or worse and since I'm already shaped,like a pup tent.... Rooster if anyone tried to get in your face remind thIem Don't mess with Texas! Sammy" oorah son" proud to know you both on Bariatric Pal. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

Honestly? That's what got a lot of us this fat to begin with. I'm planning on avoiding those foods as much as I can til I'm in maintenance. They're trigger foods for me. My nutritionist/surgeon puts their patients on a strict low-carb, high-protein plan, and that seems to be the case for most bariatric patients, from my research.

Hello everyone. I am Barb from Oregon. I have worked at the Good Samaritan Hospital(for 19 years) here in Portland that is the National Institute of Health's center for excellence for bariatric surgeries. We have insurance coverage for the bariatric surgeries. However, it only covers person over the age of 25. I joined this site to try to get help for my daughter who has decided she would like to have the surgery. Does anyone have words of advice for me on trying to get our insurance to cover her surgery? I will try to appeal approach and have already emailed our VP. I heard there was a lawyer out there that works for the lap banding manufactor that helps people who have insurance problems. Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thanks alot! Barb

Hello everyone! My name is Doris. I live in in Alamogordo, New Mexico. I've been throwing around the idea of lap band surgery for 3 years now. I went to my second informational seminar last night and I'm ready to do this. I'm soooo sick and tired of being sick and tired. I weigh 284 lbs. and I'm 5'5". BMI is 46. I have type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, plantar fasciitis, back pain, chronic heartburn, etc. I have my initial consultation appointment with Dr. Acosta from Del Sol Bariatrics Surgery in El Paso, Texas on July 23rd. I'm so excited. I just signed on today so I haven't had a chance to really read any posting but I'm looking forward to learning from everyone and eventually being able to contribute to the discussions.

I was banded six years ago. Lost 70 pounds. Two years ago I began vomiting, etc. Saw the G I guy who has done all my colonoscopies. After all those barium tests he said my band had slipped and I should call my bariatric guy. When I did, he informed me that his bands do not slip and he made me take the tests all over again. His conclusion was that the band had "repositioned itself". I chose not to ask how that is different from slippage. At any rate, he replaced the band. I lost another 30 pounds but have had a lot of nausea. More G I tests. Apparently they show Barrets and a structure at bottom of esophagus. I am terrified that I'll have to have the band removed and I'll gain 100 pounds or maybe even more. I have one more test, then see both doctors in early February. Meanwhile, the proton pump inhibitor that the G I prescribed last month really helps. I guess I had GERD, but didn't know it because no pain. Also, I've given up bedtime snacks. I've eaten them all my 70+ years and I miss them, but no more.

I copied and pasted, below, some of my early posts from the first few months after band surgery. I was so enthusiastic and on board with my new lifestyle. I was fully committed to learning everything I needed to know in order to succeed. I did not want to hear anything from anyone who was saying their band didn't work out. There were people who posted that they followed band rules and lost their band due to slips, erosion or esophageal dilation. I countered that very few complications are band caused. I suggested that perhaps they over ate, ate too fast...you get the picture. I was wrong to do that. It's true that early in our band journey we NEED to hear positive reinforcement that we made the "right" decision. That's why you won't see me post negative information on a post from someone who is doing well, newly banded or had decided to band and isn't asking for help deciding. If I posted in a way that seemed insensitive or overtly negative anywhere but on the complications forum, I apologize. I try to avoid that, but I'm human. I believed, as many of you do, that if I did all the right things, I'd keep my band for the rest of my life. I cannot convey the disappointment and even grief I'm feeling over the impending loss of my band. I'm also feeling a lot of anxiety about post removal. That might be bleeding thru in my posts. I'm in constant discomfort, unable to eat much of anything and generally not feeling very well at the moment. My point in this post is to encourage everyone who has WLS to listen, sympathize and file away posts about band complications. As I've stated in more than one post, the information might help you save your band one day. I don't want to scare anyone. I just want to share my experience within a community that might benefit from it one day. Don't be afraid to read my message. It can't hurt you. This was 2 months post op: Tonight I am going to a play with friends...I subscribe and we go out about every two months Nov-July. Yesterday I figured I should try on some of my smaller (size 24) clothes to see what I should wear. NONE OF THEM FIT! THEY ARE ALL TOO BIG! I am between a 20-22 so all the 24-26 and 3x are going to the donation pile or to my ebay collection. I went to the Talbot's outlet and bought two pairs of 22 WP shorts, very nice for $27 including tax. I now have one pair of jeans, a pair of capris and two shorts that I can wear. We always go to Maui in October and was trying on my dresses that I take with me and got into some of my Blue Ginger dresses I haven't been able to wear for a long time...some of the others are way too big.... Any way enough rambling on! Happy day for me! My first fill: I got my first fill today and it went very well...no pain and so far so good with water. I lost 5 lb in almost 5 weeks and due to travel plans in September and October opted to go ahead and get it now. My surgeon's office does them under flouro and it took about 10 min to do...port was flat on the abdominal wall and very easy to access. It did feel weird as she was numbing me up, but other than that couldn't feel it. I am hoping to up my loss to about 1.75 lb per week or 7-8 lbs per month with this fill... whew...glad to have that under my belt! A post on accountability: This morning it occurred to me that I have not lost any weight since the 30th of August. My first impulse was to post something on the forum regarding a stall, frustrated, etc, but then I got to thinking about it HONESTLY. I have not logged my food since the middle of July! I looked back and I remember thinking that this is so easy, I don't have to log every bite! WRONG! I lost consistently (even without a fill) 1-1.5 lbs per week while logging. Since I stopped logging I have lost a total of 6 lbs in 6 weeks, but nothing for the last two weeks. I don't think I am eating as much as I am burning, but how do I know??? This could be the 20% stall, but without documentation of my intake, I cannot really tell. My highest weight was 290 about 2 years ago. 20% of 290 is 58 and I am down 51 lbs from that weight so it is close enough to be called that, but most likely it is what I am eating, rather than how much. I have been eating more carbs... There have been numerous social events, so I have been drinking a bit of wine... And I have had some dessert... here and there... So now I recommit to journalling my food intake so I can assess why I am stalled and what to do to change it WITH SOME CERTAINTY.... I have lost an inch or so since the stall started, so it isn't really a stall, but a great opportunity to refocus my efforts towards meeting my goal of 1.5 lbs per week on average. I do have restriction and I need to do a better job of utilizing it to my advantage. Me, defending the band: Many folks who are anti-band will use a study that was published in 2003 and followed lap-band patients from 1997-2002...that would be like car and driver only reviewing cars made from 1920-1970 and holding them to today's standards of road-worthiness... The bands in use today are much more "user-friendly" and the surgeons who "install" them know a lot more about the causes of complications like those cited in the early study and MOST complications are caused by overstuffing the pouch and eating around the band (grazing, sliders etc) as well as over zealous docs who overfill bands. Go to the WLS failure forum, complications forum or regrets forum and read about the issues the people who have chosen many different surgeries experience, then you can be satisfied with your decision, whatever it may be. I also question why certain individuals feel the need to hang out here and tout their surgery. If they were as knowledgeable as they claim, they would be publishing a book on their surgery, pointing out the benefits vs the risks, and it would speak for itself. Here is an example of a study on VSG and it's failure rate...I found this doing a quick search and now it is out there and will be quoted by the VSG haters to support their position.... The exact failure rate of sleeve gastrectomy is unknown. Using the Spanish National Registry for bariatric surgery, Sanchez-Santos et al[7] reviewed 540 patients who had undergone SG either as a primary or staged procedure over a six-year period. The authors reported excellent overall outcomes; however, 15 percent of the subjects were considered failures based on weight recidivism in the first three years, with 3.3 percent of patients submitting to a second bariatric procedure. Younger age, lower body mass index (BMI), and thinner bougie size were attributed to improved sustainable outcomes. Similarly, Himpens, in an article by Deitel et al,[8] presented his early five-year results after sleeve gastrectomy at the First International Consensus Summit for Sleeve Gastrectomy in 2007. In 46 such patients, he reported a disappointing 37 and 23 percent inadequate weight loss and second procedure rates, respectively. More recent unpublished presentations by Himpens indicate failure rates as high as 30 percent in five years.[9] Studying the Austrian experience with SG as a stand-alone operation, Felberbauer et al[10] reported a seven-percent failure rate at three years based on a cutoff of 25 percent excess weight loss (EWL). Applying the traditional 50-percent EWL criteria, the failure rate increased to 25 percent.[10] Me supporting a struggling poster: Good for you Tanya....that is why the forums are here, to share and hopefully keep us from getting too complacent and not utilizing our chosen tool. The side note that I have been meaning to post since the day after I wrote this is that though I haven't lost pounds, I have lost a full size, so it isn't about just the weight. Perhaps it is time for a fill or a talk with your nutritionist to help you to get back on track... Congratulations on your recommittal and I will look for you to post your success!! This was me the first year. I was afraid to hear what might go wrong, just like many others. This is a support site for ALL banded people, not just those who don't have complications. Seeing the words can't hurt you, but ignoring signs of trouble can. Just an FYI to those who keep calling me a "basher", "full of bs as usual", "100% incorrect"...every time you call me a name, I will respond politely. I will also continue to post. I don't back down when attacked, but I refuse to attack back.

So happy to hear from you and you will love the lapband. You are so beautiful. The first thing I did was go to a surgeon, they usually have a list of things you have to do first. ie: go to a pycologist (sorry for spelling error.I usually use a spell check but don't see one here.) I had to have a gallbladder test. I think they checked my stomach.Oh wait a minute. tht was because I first was having a gastiric by-pass. Then I found out that my insurance would not cover it because my boss got rid of all BARIATRIC coverage. . Ok back to lapband. i had a ekg. and blood work. also a dietiian I spoke to a shrink. Since I paid $10,000.00 cash. they didnt put me throu the ringer. Some of those insurance companys want you to have had 6 months of TRYING to get thinner before they pay for it. So it all depends on what you have for coverage. I do want to recomend that you ask how much the ins will pay for the fills. You will be getting about 5- 6 fills before you get filled up. I got 1 fill every 1 month. Now they are charging others $200.00. So check that out. They might not even pay for fills so also find out what the doc charges. ASk about the support group they offer or don't offer. That is most important. Before you have the surgery. you will have to lose some weight with a liquid diet. They will probablly charge you for shakes or powder to make them. Have a positive attitude about what is before you. DONT be scared..Be happy that you are going to do this. You can email me anytime at lizybird@aol.com I live in south florida. I will also give you my phone # if you want it. just ask...I will help you with what ever you need. I hope that I answered your question. Probably gave you more info than u wanted. So happy for you..Consider me your friend. Do you skype...ilene.falley please keep in touch.

I have BCBS of AZ and they require 6 months of supervised Dr visits, weekly visits to a nutritionist && documented proof of excercise at least 3x's a week. Really!! Ok, the 6 month wait I can uderstand and even the proof of exercise but weekly visits??!! We have lives!! Luckly I'm going through Scottsdale Bariatric Center in Scottsdale, AZ, and they have a physician on staff who is also a nutritionist and so for a fee I can get both done at once. And my boss (he's great) thinks it will be ok for me to leave work in the middle of the day 1 day EVERY WEEK so I can drive 25 miles one way!! But what about going under the 40 BMI? Has anyone every experienced being denied for losing too much weight? I want to feel beter and lose weight now but don't want to lose my chances at getting the surgery. Has anyone sabatoged their weight loss (wearing heavy clothes, rocks in pockets, etc)? Don't like the dishonesty but...? Any info will be helpful THanks!:eek::confused::confused:

i like the Quest bars.... check out their website or u can purchase them from GNC. Also Bariatric Advantage TD41

It sounds complicated. Maybe get a 2nd opinion from another bariatric surgeon.

I did not have any tests with the psych, just guided conversation about my issues and how the bariatric team can help me be successful. I will have one more psyche appointment just before my surgery. I was told today it would be sometime between November 14th and Thanksgiving. I already had a liver ultrasound,, but I guess I will just keeping following instructions and see how this plays out.

Bariatric Advantage has good chewables too. I was taking the Flintstones and the nurse in my office said that ONE of the Bariatric Advantage multi's equals SIX Centrums. So, since I was taking Flinstones, I'm sure that number is a bit higher. So, I've switched, I take the Bariatric Advantage Multi's, Calcium and Chewable Iron, which I had feared would taste real bad, but it doesn't at all.

Thank you all for the prayers and well wishes. I am on anti-nausea meds. I have zofran that melts and another that starts with a "p" I can't remember the name off hand. Some times they help sometime not at all. I try calming my stomach with peppermint tea and peppermint oil rubbed on the outside. That helps calm the throw-up spasms a bit. My nurse called and said she is going to speak to my Dr but she is thinking they will just keep me on clear liquid until my appointment. There has been no mention of moving it up I have asked for an earlier one to no avail. I do have to travel 4 hours to the area I had the surgery for my first post op. So I doubt an earlier appointment is in my future. Yesterday I tried a Sucralose sweetened clear drink to try an up my Fluid since I am having a hard time with Water and kept it for about 30 minutes then sent me running to the restroom with diarrhea. As of now I am waiting on instructions from my bariatric team.