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I was banded by Dr. Czerniach as well. Everyone went great, but I think any of the Umass doctors would have been great. Umass is considered a Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery. I think you'll have a great experience.

Had my consultation, and I'm glad I decided to find another surgeon. I didn't meet the surgeon this time, but I really liked his staff. I didn't feel like the place was a bariatrics mill, either, and they took my concerns about my band seriously. They did a complete unfill, and I've got an appointment for an upper GI series with barium. Hopefully, we'll be able to document a slip so I can get a revision.

Luu - Yeah I ended up having to go self pay. Again I would call your Insurance Co directly and ask all questions as it pertains to Bariatric Surgery. I think each "company has different riders that can include/exclude certain procedures & have different requirements. I'm going to guess that your employer does not have the right to know that you plan on having this done (unless you tell them), the same they wouldn't if you participate in an EAP (employee assistance program - depression / drugs / etc.)...Good luck, please keep us updated on your outcome. Lulu

Asking a question is good, but I recommend you do extensive research from major bariatric surgery center of excellence hospitals, JAMA, ASMBS and other respected publications, attend a WLS informational meeting, WLS support group meetings and discuss your findings and concerns with your PCP and surgeon to address your specific medical needs. Good luck.

My surgeon has all his patients start taking bariatric level of vitamins 2 weeks before surgery to build up stores of them, because it's often hard for people to get in all the vitamins they need immediately after surgery.

www.bariatriceating.com carries the best quality and best tasting protein products on the market IMO. All of the products they carry are for bariatric patients unlike the products at places like GNC and the bodybuilder gyms. BE sells a basket of samples of many different brands and they've got good recipes for using them on their website. My personal favorite brand is Whey Gourmet powder (23 grams per scoop) and my favorite RTD is Labrada cartons (17 oz), 35 grams per carton.

@@toasty I hate that there is a discrepancy among doctors when detailing post-op diet. Just like with pre-op dieting. Trying to filter through the information can be confusing, difficult and frustrating. I have known several people who didn't have a pureed food phase. They were given the okay to have deli meats (lean), flaky fish and even shredded chicken breast at two weeks post-op. In fact a couple of the girls I follow on Youtube talk about their diets the first 2-4 weeks and they talked about having grilled chicken and sliced deli meat with soft cheese spread. Ugh, I am so confused! On my sheet is specifically details that at days 8&9 I can have thinned cottage cheese, strained cream Soups, yogurt. Then starting on day ten I begin my Bariatric SOFT Protein diet. Then that is all my diet can consist of for almost three weeks before starting the Bariatric Regular Diet. Which would add fruits, vegetables to the already soft protein diet. Does any of this even make sense? Or am I just hungry?

Tricare covers ONE bariatric surgery IN A LIFE TIME. So I have to make the best decision for me. Plus I have to convince my husband that its not a cop out.

@@beccaconaty87 Hi there and welcome! I just wanted to reach out and welcome you to this site. Honestly I don't know what I would have done without my Bariatric Pal family. They have helped me so many times when I had had questions or simply wanted to rant a little bit. There is one regret I have had regarding weight loss surgery and that is I wish I would have been brave enough to do this in my twenties. I was scared for all the reasons you listed. Instead I kept moving forward with yo yo dieting and adding more weight along the way. In the process I developed high blood pressure high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, Gerd, sleep apnea, stage 3 kidney disease. I have severe arthritis of my spine and have had now 5 surgeries to deal with that. My knees are bad, my hips are bad and I suffered from severe migraines. All of this was a direct result of being obese. I carried an extra 150lbs around for 25 years. I truly believe that having this surgery gave me my life back. I am down 111 lbs in just 9 months. all of my comorbitities have resolved but the damage to my spine is done and cannot be undone. If you do this for yourself, be brave and do your research. It really will give you that time back with your kids as well. Please feel free to reach out with questions. I suspect like others you will likely to told to go the bypass route because it will cure your Gerd where the other surgeries may make that worse. You only want to go through this type of surgery once.

Yes, I like all the fruity flavors, but especially the cherry and the crystal sky ( kind of like a fruit punch). I been have sampling these through my period and they are great if you don't want a thick heavy shake. Try the website "my bariatric pantry", they seem to always have the Nectar sampler pack available.

I've been battling my weight since I was 6 years old. I've been big for as far back as I can remember. I did just about every diet there was and not a single one worked. Eventually I just gave up. I had looked briefly into WLS in my 20's but I didn't think I'd be able to change my eating habits so drastically. I didn't think I had that kind of willpower. Plus, potential complications scared me and the permanence scared me. So I stopped looking into it. When I was 21 in May of 2009 my eldest niece was born. I was still in pretty good health despite being over 300 pounds. So I didn't really have the determination to go through with WLS. However, when her sister was born in February 2019 my health was very bad. I was 389 pounds, I have two permanent back injuries (one caused by my osteoarthritis), high blood pressure, tachycardia, hypothyroidism, the aforementioned osteoarthritis, I was pre-diabetic, have EoE (an autoimmune disorder), and I'd had brain surgery in May 2017 for my trigeminal neuralgia. When I held my new niece I was hit with the realization that if something didn't change, if I didn't find a way to get myself healthier and lose weight, then I likely wouldn't be around to watch her grow up. I cried, because watching my eldest niece grow up has been my greatest joy. It broke my heart that I may not be around to watch her sister grow up. That made things more real for me, I suppose. It pushed me into making that change and taking it seriously. I was referred to a bariatric surgeon and had to do a 6 months of monitored weigh-in's per my insurance. I didn't actually have to LOSE weight. I was just told not to GAIN weight. But, I took the initiative to try and make myself as successful as possible by using that time to prepare myself for a new way of eating. I used the first month to cut out seconds and cut my portion sizes down. The second month I cut out soda. The third month I cut out rice. The fourth month I cut out pasta. The fifth month I cut out bread. The six month I cut out potatoes and beans. The last two months before my surgery (they were overscheduled and pushed me back) I just maintained that diet and on my surgery date I was 321 pounds, meaning I'd lost 68 pounds on my own. I'm still very proud of myself for that. For me, the final push was my family. My family is my strength. They are what pulled me through the absolute worst time in my life (August 2016-May2017 when I had a 10 month TN flare that led to my brain surgery) when I KNOW I would have given up without them. Since my weight loss surgery? I have a new niece (from my brother and his wife) and my first and only nephew (from my sister and her husband). Now that I've lost over 200 pounds I don't worry so much that I won't be there to watch them grow up. And when I see my 2 year old niece light up when she see's me I know I made the right choice, the best choice, to have this surgery because now I get to watch her and her brother grow up just like I've got to watch her 12 year old sister grow up and just as I'll get to see her cousins grow up. Everyone has a different reason for why they do this. Sometimes it's for family, like myself. And sometimes it's personal. Every person who goes through this has a different journey, different experiences, and a different story to tell. And I wish you the very best on your own journey.

Agree with @vikingbeast. You need to take a big step back. You’re stressed & emotional which only enhances those cravings. You crave the foods which offered you comfort in the past & you crave the familiar of being able to eat what you want, when you want it. And the more you worry the more anxious you become. You may find a therapist who specialises in supporting bariatric patients very helpful. Ask your surgeon for a recommendation. Constipation is part of the journey. I tried to keep on top of mine by taking Benefibre at least every second day, keeping my fluid intake up & taking a stool softener if I got to day 3 or 4 without movement. I also ate very mild instant rolled oats from purée stage. Took me days to eat a full serve but it was good fibre. You may need an enema since it’s been 15 days or a visit to the hospital for assistance. Being constipated does make it seem you’ve stopped losing or have gained. Get rid of it & your weight will be lower very quickly & you’ll feel much better. Stalls are very common. They can last 1 - 3 weeks, sometimes more. And you can experience a number of them as you’re losing. The first usually occurs around week 3 give or take. You just have to ride them out. They’re just your body taking a time out to come to terms with your weight loss. Changes to your sense of smell & taste are also common. They usually are temporary but how long it lasts is individual. Are there specific foods that upset you more you can avoid? The strong body odour is from your body being in ketosis - fat burning. It’s like every bodily secretion reeks. It passes too. I took deodorant, toothbrush, tooth paste & mouth wash & body wipes to work for refreshes during the day. I was someone who frequently skipped meals in an effort to lose weight (did that for 40+years) & tried all those very low calorie diets including one I did several times that was only 500 calories a day. I still lost all my weight & more. Stick as close to your plan as you can. It may take you a little longer to reach a stage recommendation for calories, portion size &/or foods you can eat but that’s ok. You’ll get there.

After going back n forth with Kaiser to get an appointment for the Options Program orientation I finally this morning I got one for the afternoon. Feeling very nervous as I sit here waiting for the orientation to start. I thought I was so ready for this possible next step.

Hi Tapioca- I am no expert and I love the idea of a Bariatric Therapist from @Jaelzion! She sounds like a pro. It also sounds like you are doing great and are at a healthy weight! Like you, I've found myself snacking on more unhealthy things lately and a few tricks that have helped me include: 1) Going for a walk for about an hour. During this hour I naturally don't snack, and drink a full water bottle. Even if i don't want to go, I tell my self to do just 20min and I always end up doing an hour. 2) Paying attention to what I am craving when I snack- usually its salty or sweet/chocolate, so I've tried to swap for healthier salt/sweet (Salt- hummus & carrots, soup; Sweet- SF hot chocolate, protein hot chocolate, 100 Cal Chocolate bar, strawberries & whip cream) 3) I stick to an eating schedule, and eat basically the same thing M-F, so I don't get too hungry and don't have to think about what I am going to eat. 4) Sometimes I force myself to have a protein shake before a snack, and 90% of the time I don't want the snack after the shake. 5) I turn off the TV/regular shows and replace them with computer (unhealthy in other ways, but nonetheless), documentaries or books. I am easily influenced by what people on TV are eating. If they are having cookies, I want cookies. 6) Controversial but, I weigh myself everyday. It keeps me motivated. I know others say not to, but it works for me. 7) Balancing out an unhealthy day, with an extra healthy one. It was my Dad's bday recently and ya know what, we had cake, pizza & wine. I had a little of each. I think long term success includes balance. So, following a day like that (which is rare, but is life) I try to have an extra healthy few days focused on protein shakes & veggies. Again, I am no expert but hope these ideas help. I know ideas from other members have helped me a ton. Take care! You are doing great!

I've been through two evals (one for the Lap-Band and one for the sleeve revision). The second one did a great job. I believe they truly want to clear you and use this time to identify and educate. I was given an action plan with a generic part and a personalized section. Here's what is covered. 1. Specific, concrete ways to eat 3 meals per day, Protein first at each meal. 2. Strategies to manage your environment to reduce opportunities to eat inappropriately. 3. Identify triggers and risky behaviors. List ways to avoid or interrupt them early. 4. Identify alternatives to emotional and stress eating. 5. Identify your support system. 6. List activities you enjoy. My personalized section listed... 1. Practice eating slowly. 2. Practice avoiding liquids 30 minutes before/after/during meals. 3. Attend the bariatric support group. 4. Revisit this psych in 3 months post surgery. 5. Support groups a. church b. best friend c. family 6. Follow up with personal psychiatrist and psychologist. 7. Weight training post surgery when cleared by surgeon. 8. Document "hygiene issues" with PCP. This particular psychologist is the exclusive one used by my bariatrics group. She was no stranger to the content and context of obesity. I'm glad I had this opportunity.

in principle, the main points have already been described to you. so maybe I'll repeat myself a little. also faced such a situation, now I study all sorts of "hot" creams for wrapping. write that they increase blood circulation in the dermis, which in turn triggers the processes of renewal and saturation of the upper layers of the skin with oxygen. I think to try one of these creams for my belly and thighs. I don’t know for the face ... everyone talks about the need for cоllagen and retinоl, that they are excellent helpers in the fight against wrinkles, and they also talk about necessarily sunscreen (which I successfully forget😓), so I don’t use retinol creams or serums yet because i read tha it's bad combination retinol+sun. But my must have is orаl cоllagen pіlls I use an alginate mask all the time (I buy a large can at once on Amаzon and use it for 1-1.5 years, it is very profitable), it moisturizes the skin very well, I advise you reaed more about it futures and use it at least once a week

I am at the very beginning of my WLS journey and meet with the bariatric surgeon for the first time next week. What are some things you wish you had known or had asked questions about at the start?

was doing some serious crying today. ..hate eating, can't get in enough water, and it didn't help that baby was sick lol. but, I'm 6 days post op, so i figure it can only go up! I'm glad I'm not alone. I'm now forced to deal with issues i didn't know i had, and I'm excited about the renewed me on the other side of this journey.

Hooray! That is great news! I had my blood work done at 3mo, 6mo, 12 mo,18 mo and now I am on every 12 for the rest of my life. Which I just found out my new insurance does not cover it at all and it cost $2237.00. Of course I had no idea that my new Cigna insurance would not cover it as long as the word Bariatric is in the coding.....I am getting a letter from Park Nicollet Bariatric Center to indicate that this is a medically necessary testing required once annually to see if I can appeal it. I am guessing I might not be the only one that this happened to over time. Anyway....enough about that. As far as my blood work changes it really is very minimal. Now I take a few more than you. I take 1 multi, 2 Calcium citrate chews, Vitamin D3, Vitamin B1 and B12. The only one that was ever changed was they added B1 to my regimen because by the 6 month mark, that was moving into the low range. So we added it and my blood work has been stable ever since. Now if you take anything for hypothyroidism there are lots of changes that happen all along the way. They are still trying to regulate my TSH. Having lost so much weight that hormone has been reduced a lot however I still need it and likely will the rest of my life so those of you that have hypothyroidism, you need to watch that closely. Best of luck to you!

I had a client who is a bariatric sergeon and he would just randomly start telling me how I would never be able to lose weight and keep it off on my own. This was unsolicited, so I thought he was a jerk. Turns out, while he has poor social skills, he was a gift from God. It took me 4 years, but I finally gave in and had my vsg with him in October last year and at almost 9 months out I'm down 95 lbs. You just never know what forms special gifts will come in.

There is help out there for folks who have been denied insurance coverage for bariatric surgery (or want to do everything possible to avoid the denial in the first place) - http://wlsappeals.com/ . I do not have any first hand experience with these folks but would be very interested in hearing from anyone who has experience. Under the ACA, many states have chosen not to cover bariatric surgery under their plan offerings. Sadly that includes many of the states that have some of the highest rates of obesity in the country. Bravo to this young lady for speaking out. She deserves our support as do all of the victims of the disease of obesity - which let us not forget includes their friends and loved ones.

so if you go to mybariatricpantry.com click shop and it will take you to the samples page, if you go to bjsbariatrics.com and scroll down the first page you will see the nectar sample pack and you can choose your own flavors or you can call 1-866-333-7403 Ext. 803 mon-fri 8-5 central time and request the nectar sample pack for 15.99. at ohyeahnutrition.com click sample kits and they have different samples you can order pretty cheap. at bariatricchoice.com you can do a live chat and request the bariatric surgery sample pack for free. I also ordered samples of Celebrate bariatric vitamins at celebratevitamins.com they give you one of everything they sell for 3 dollars. hope this helped.

I have Cigna and I started with one bariatric clinic and ended up choosing another. The first told me that Cigna is very strict and to not gain a pound or I would be denied. They also had a chart to fill out that had a box for diet and exercise, and that if both were not filled out, it wouldn’t be approved. The second clinic did not mention a thing to me and even allowed a visit with my primary care doctor to be counted as my first month. We talked about dieting and obesity, but not like I do with the weight loss clinic. I am not sure what was in the notes but I can’t imagine it was much. Cigna approved my claim in 48 hours due to being 37 and already having a knee replacement. Age: 37 Height: 5’6 BMI: 37 VSG scheduled for 4/16/18 GW: 160 MFP: Fit4LifeAR

Can they move the port to a different location? I am not sure where might be better, but my bariatric surgeon said there are any number of locations that can be used.