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Has anyone tried the chewable vitamins? I am taking the Vitaband multi vitamin from Bariatric Advantage that is designed for lap band patients. They have chewable iron, calcium, and various products that are also chewable. I had problems with swallowing pills before my surgery so these have been a lifesafer. You can now buy them on Amazon and Ebay and it makes it so much easier for me to get them in the mail. My doctor recently put me on iron and the chewable grape has a great taste.

Wow! Fantastic post! I know I do that too, I still project my "fat girl" thinking onto myself and sometimes onto others too. Losing a massive amount of weight truly messes with your head. I didn't see the show, but I've seen plenty of very confident and beautiful plus sized women (and men). I'm always a bit envious of their confidence. I think the mental side of losing weight is often neglected - at least once you get past "food issues" it seems like surgeons and bariatric teams assume you are good to go. Anyway...Great post, thanks for sharing this. ETA: I just saw the video clip (at the bottom of the link posted above) and I thought it was awesome that the audience really got behind her. I didn't look as good as her when I was of a (likely) similar weight!

Gift Card to The BariatricPal Store Gift cards are all the rage. They avoid the possibility of giving an unwanted gift and forcing the recipient to go through the hassle of the returns process. You could opt for a generic gift card to one of the mass merchandisers, but why not get one that’s a little more personal? A gift card to The BariatricPal Store may be the answer. It’s good on any product in the BariatricPal store, from high-protein pretzels to single-serve packets of low-carb oatmeal and pasta to bariatric vitamins. Weight loss surgery patients can stay nourished and save time using The BariatricPal Store. Oh, and by the way…it’s a great last-minute gift. It’s delivered electronically so the recipient gets it instantly. A Comfort Basket Everyone can use a little extra comfort after weight loss surgery. A comfort basket can be a great gift, and it’s even better because you can customize it with special treats for the recipient. Here are a few ideas. A cute blanket because some weight loss surgery patients get cold as they lose weight. Some gourmet protein soup, broth, or bouillon to stay hydrated and get warm. Some recipe cards with high-protein, low-carb healthy recipes…and maybe some of the ingredients that go into those recipes. A nice bath soap to encourage the recipient to just…relax. Some bariatric treats like sugar-free cheesecake or all-natural turkey jerky. Product Subscriptions from The BariatricPal Store Once you become a bariatric surgery patient, you’re no longer a great candidate to be a member of a Wine of the Month, Chocolate of the Month, or Cookie of the Month Clubs. So how can your friends and family give you a gift that you’ll remember all year long? Try a subscription at The BariatricPal Store! When you sign someone up for Subscribe and Save, the order automatically ships to their door every 1, 2, or 3 months. You can have The BariatricPal Store bill your credit card. It’ll keep going until you cancel it, so there’s no need to remember to pay a bill or order the next delivery. The recipient will think of you every time they receive a great-tasting batch of bariatric chocolate cake, or a time-saving variety pack of hot and cold breakfasts. Gym Membership for Two This kills so many birds with one stone. It is a gift that says, “I love you so much that I’m willing to go to the gym so we can be healthy together.” It gives you the chance to get fit, and it comes with a built-in motivator: a workout buddy. Say goodbye to excuses when both of you have a gym membership. You can’t let that money go to waste. And when you work out together, you can push each other, encourage each other, gain a little more respect for each other, and, yes, even have fun together. That’s a great gift! The BariatricPal Big Book Pre-op or post-op, and band, bypass, or sleeve, there’s a Big Book on Weight Loss Surgery that’s right for you. The big books have tips, hacks, and recipes for every stage of the weight loss surgery journey, from choosing a surgeon to moving into maintenance. Order a hard copy for curling up near the fireplace on a cool evening, or get an electronic version so you can read the Big Book whenever you want. I.O.U’s Remember back in grade school when you’d make a coupon book for Father’s Day? You might have included things like washing the car, mowing the lawn, or making lunch. Those things may not seem too special, but here’s a hint that they were: your dad may have kept those coupons around for decades. Well, you can create something just as special now. What about some of these coupons? A workout together at the gym, in a group fitness class, or outdoors. A meal that you cook together, so both of you can understand what it’s like to count protein, measure every bite, and put together healthy meals. An afternoon shopping for clothes…which is so much more fun when you can fit into them after losing weight. (For a pre-op patient) Help cleaning out the unhealthy foods from the kitchen, and restocking it with healthy foods. Each of these coupons says, “I like spending time with you. I want to share my world with you, and I am so thankful for your interest.” We hope these ideas are helpful and make your holiday season easier. If you have any gift ideas, please share them in the comments section!

Thank you... I definitely plan on seeing an endocrinologist to rule out some other issues, and I am planning on seeing a different bariatric Dr. to get another opinion. My dr rarely has time to meet with patients unless it's the consult visit and I really dislike his PA, so I'm hoping to have some productive discussion about my options Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thursday, April 17, 2008. So how important is this to me, really? I saw my doctor, and I don't know what I was expecting, but I didn't get it. I guess I was hoping she'd submit a referral for the surgery. What she said was that she wasn't sure how much Pacificare would pay for, that she could refer me to surgeons but she didn't think anyone at the medical center where I see her had experience with bariatric surgery, and we both agreed that it would be best to have someone who knew what they were doing. It's not that she wasn't supportive, but she wasn't as happy as I thought she would be, and she was the one who brought it up during my last visit. She did agree that it might be the best way for me to go, but she also encouraged me to talk to my therapist about behavioral modification. I almost feel that she wants me to try other things before I decide on the lap band or maybe she'd rather I do something else altogether. It just seems like she should be more involved, to me. I told her about going to OA, but not my entire weight loss struggle, or journey, or whatever you'd call it. Maybe she can only submit requests to my IPA, maybe it's because I'm scared, and that's why I'm letting her reaction bother me. I don't know how to explain to someone who's never been there, that I need something that's going to give me portion control. Sometimes, yes, I can have a piece of something, but most of the time that ain't hapenin. Chewing gum, drinking water, not buying the stuff doesn't work with, as my doctor said, any consistency. I feel like just giving up. All this time I've been researching, and now--just like that!--I give up? Did I really want it? I felt some excitement, and hope, too. I was seeing myself thin. I have the names of two doctors, one has been banded, the other, I know, offers free seminars. I wrote down the address and phone numbers. I just assume Pacificare won't pay. Do I want to? What a sorry son of a bitch I am! I went to the vending machine at work, because I just had to have something sweet. Thinking I'd bought three packages of Oreos, and it turned out I had three packages of corn nuts! One of my co workers bought them from me because she loves them, and I got my Oreos, but jeeze! what atrip! I've just eaten two. It's no problem for me to eat twelve cookies just like that! There's a song by a singer-songwriter with the title, "Look Within." I know as I'm crunching down on those suckers that even though they taste good, I'm trying to erase feelings? Looking for instant gratification? I guess I feel like I want to jump out of my skin. Sometimes I want to scream. I wish I could be satisfied with one cookie, or a piece of cake or pie. Well, I'm still going to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Something just won't let me do otherwise. Debbie

Had a lovely christmas and the most peaceful happy new year eve. Have put about 7lb on but so ready to eat healthier food, meed to banish the nuts and choccy, we didnt buy much and there is not a lot left so that should be easy, ha haa, she says. Hope everyone is well and feeling positive about this new year. I am at peace knowing that God is with me and am believing that this lupus will be treated quickly and correctly so that i can have my sleeve. It is my bariatric support group ntomorrow night and i am looking forward to being there as i have got to know a few more people on fb and at a coffee morning. I am in a fibromyalgia support group on face book and am finding it such a blessing to be able to talk with people who understand what living with fibro is like living with it every day. Am seeing my diabetic specialist this afternoon and will be asking him how the lupus effects diabetese if at all, and discuss how i feel really yuk when i dont eat much and my blood sugar goes low, and will this be the case after my op and how they help with it etc. I am the first person with lupus to have the op at the new centre at dri, so it is a good learning curve for them and i have told them i will be willing to speak at the meetings when i have lost my weight to help others who may also have lupus and be disabled. Hoping to see the heamatologist this month, will report back when i have a date, bye for now, xx

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Since the band is a much slower process of losing weight, I would say that the percentage of people who need their gallbladder out after bariatric surgery is HEAVILY weighted toward the bypass patients. Since their weight loss is SO fast and since the mal-absorptive process would say to me that the liver and gall bladder have to work extra hard. I would talk to your doctor again. Unless he can show you where tests reveal your gallbladder is having problems, I would have HUGE issues with them taking it out "just in case". It is your RIGHT to push back on your doctors to make sure you get the very best care. Your doctor should go in VERY conservative on this.

your pouch probably has not stretched. try doing the pouch reset Plan. the first day drink a Protein shake for breakfast snack lunch snack dinner and snack on the second day have a shake for breakfast one for snack one for lunch and then do not eat until about 6pm cook a 8 oz chicken breast and eat it slowly. when you start to feel full measure what is left. that will tell you what your pouch is holding. should be about 6 oz. good luck the plan is on the Bariatric Eating.com site along with two different plans to get rid of the regain.

I'm not sure how long it has been since your surgery. The challenge I found in the first couple of months when going out to dinner was getting enough protein with very limited capacity. As a result, I brought along my own protein when I traveled (powdered shakes) and had them in the hotel before going out to eat. I would then have just a small appetiser or something to drink at the restaurant while others were eating. You could do the same at family events, although I realize that's easier easier said than done. In my case, family and friends kept insisting I eat things because they were low-calorie, without understanding my need to prioritize protein and not fill up on other foods. It can be quite challenging to keep telling insistent relatives that you really don't want to eat more. For the road, there are some wonderful snacks in the Bariatric Pal store than you can bring along. None of this is ideal, but it's worth the effort!

Today I received my first denial for lap band surgery. While I was told by friends to expect a denial the first time, I am disappointed. I thought I did everything correct. I am now going to appeal, but first just wondering what others experience has been with appeal and humana. The denial states "available documentation does not indicate that this patient has a primary care physician who has followed her pre-operatively, agrees that she should have the procedure performed, and will follow her post-operatively after procedure is performed." This to me sounds like maybe some information was not submitted to them. I did the 6 month supervised diet, and have the bariatric referral form from my primary care doctor. Any comments? Thanks.

My first consult appointment with the surgeon is Friday!!! And trying to decide how to document my process. What did you do? Blog? Vlog? Written Journal? Facebook? You main page or a private group? Pictures? Instagram? Flipogram? Weilos? Bariatric Pal only?

I just found out yesterday that my insurance has no bariatric benefits. I have my initial consult today. Anyone go through financing or trying to find a different insurance? I'm bummed. SmileyLG

You need to spend time asking yourself why you are "fat" . There are reasons we are fat, and the problem with the lapband and ANY bariatric surgery is that the surgery WILL NOT CHANGE WHY you are obese. You will skirt around the band and form maladaptive feeding patterns, just as you have being overweight. I say this with all the love and respect of a fat person myself! I've been banded for 10 mths, 55 pound weight loss. There is alot of mental stuff that you have to fix along with the diet. The weight is all symptoms of something else. Food should be a source of nutrition and not emotional fullfillment. Good luck! God bless...I struggle with this EVERYDAY!

Insurance may not qualify you based on BMI? I am 5'3 and don't think I would have done this at 200lbs UNLESS I had serious medical conditions associated with the weight. Many bariatric offices offer medical weight management programs (special shakes and usually Phentermine) as alternatives to surgery. Schedule a consult! Sent from my SM-G930R4 using BariatricPal mobile app

I agree!! Love reading these topics. Although my surgeon told me to stay off the bariatric surgery forums until surgery is finished...yeah, like THAT'S gonna happen! Lol

One thing that you will find out about bariatric surgery, is that it not only facilitates losing weight - it will make you stronger emotionally. Your relationships will morph as you become someone that your people don't know. Give your Mom a steak knife and ask her to stab you in the back. Hopefully she won't, but maybe she could make the connection that her words cause damage and hurt just as much. Hugs from Chicago.

Hi Paige, I lived and worked in Europe for ten years and understand the healthcare system. My husband is Dutch and I DO understand that you cant have immediate service . I am also not suggesting that the US system of health care is better. Regardless based on what you told us, your band is TOO TIGHT. You do not benefit mentally or physically from a too tight band. I don't see how barfing and living miserably (which is not what the band is about) is productive and helps you in any way at all. If it aint working of course you will be depressed. Anyone would be. However, you have not had enough fills by a competent professional to say that you really know that there is a problem with the band. Here in the states, the increments are much smaller for first and second fills and even third. Most docs are really conservative and it seems that the biggest losers are the bandsters who have the least amount of fill in their bands and do lots of head work as they build up restriction. So empty it, (not all of it) work on your head and healing your esophagus and giving it a rest and then fill it up really really slowly to find your sweet spot. Regarding your mental health issues, I understand that the band is causing them or exacerbating your mental health issues. The band is not for everyone. It doesnt work for everyone. But having some other bariatric surgery such as a bypass or DS may not solve your problems either. Its really a lot of work having a band, both mentally and physically. There are days I DO wish that I had some other procedure. I was always a volume eater and still to some extent dont know when to stop. My band makes it harder, but you can quite easily eat around the band. I know it to be so. I gained back some of my losses as a result of pouch packing and dilation. ALL of us here to some extent carry some major psychological luggage as obese or formerly obese people.. I lost a lot of weight with the band and sought therapy for the new problems of being thin, more attractive and desirable. I was miserable as a morbidly obese person, but I was also very very sad about some of the developments I encountered as a thinner person. I lost friends who really werent friends and people treat you differently. My point is Who cares whether the cart is before the horse? I would tell an alcoholic if one treatment is not working, then to try another, so I dont get your analogy. With the band LESS IS MORE. You dont have to be restricted to the point of daily barfing to lose weight. Does it really matter whether the band caused your mental health to deteriorate further because it hasnt worked for you? Having your hair fall out and not getting Vitamins coupled with not losing weight would make anyone depressed. Feeling healthier with a less full band will help you to think more rationally. Hugs, Babs in TX 334/190 ish

Your list of symptoms included: * Extreme fatigue * Feeling dizzy upon standing * Feeling fainting when standing up too long * Feeling weak after eating. Several individuals that undergo RNY gastric bypass surgery experience a condition called Reactive Hypoglycemia. It is a form of low blood sugar. This occurs in individuals that had diabetes prior to surgery but also in those that don't. You experience a large drop in blood sugar around from 1-3 hours after a meal. It catches some people by surprise because they faint, dropping onto the floor. But it can also be corrected by recognizing the signs of low blood sugar and reacting or by modifying the way you eat. https://www.ridgeviewmedical.org/services/bariatric-weight-loss/enewsletter-articles/reactive-hypoglycemia-postgastric-bypass This link describes some of the symptoms of the condition. http://www.weightlosssurgery.ca/before-after-surgery/reactive-hypoglycaemia-post-gastric-bypass/ If this matches some of your symptoms, you might read up on the condition using the internet. I am not sure about some of the other symptoms but you are taking quite a bit of medication (vistaril, remerom, zoloft, wellburtrin) and you may have some bad interactions happening. The most important elements after RNY gastric bypass surgery is to meet your Protein, Fluid and Vitamin daily requirements. food is secondary because your body is converting stored fat into the energy that drives your body. Thus you lose weight. Weight loss is achieved by meal volume control. At 10 months post-op, this should be around 3/4 cup per meal. So back to basics, reverify that you are meeting the prescribed requirements for protein, fluids and Vitamins. This article describes my experience after RNY gastric bypass surgery. http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery.pdf Life is full of trade offs. In my case I had high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea and severe acid reflux (GERD) prior to surgery. I traded my love of food for good health. At 3 years post-op, I am content with that decision. I have been able to find some pleasure in eating again. I found mixing food groups together provided some flavor. I also found that softer foods such as chili and Soups went down much easier than harder foods such as steak. I hate Protein shakes and no longer take these. But I did this by fortifying the protein that I consume in meals. "Protein First". Anyways at the end of the article, I have included some recipes if you care to try them.

I think most people just don't know the difference between gastric bypass and gastric sleeve. I feel like most of the world thinks bariatric surgery is a big huge terrible horrifying thing you do to lose weight because you give up. People are just not informed and even the media screws up the message. Ugh!

While I agree that selecting the right tool is important (right for your needs, health & medical considerations, lifestyle etc.) getting your head right is equally as if not a more important part. Not everyone loses their appetite after surgery & if you do it’s temporary. We all say, the surgery changes your body but it doesn’t change your thinking. It doesn’t stop your cravings, emotions, habits. They’ll still be there when your appetite returns. You have to do the head work as well. It is possible to eat around your tool, to make poor food choices & then not lose or regain your weight. Changing your relationship with food, understanding why you eat (habit, emotional support, craving, boredom, etc.) are essential. It’s like getting a gym membership or buying a treadmill, how successful you are depends upon you changing your behaviours & actually using the treadmill or going to the gym. Many people find working with a therapist extremely helpful in understanding & developing strategies to manage what motivates or drives our eating & the food choices we make. Unfortunately, life does tend to throw crap at us at times, & knowing how to manage the emotional turmoils that usually come with it & not fall back on old eating behaviours will help you continue your weight loss & maintain in the future. As @NickelChip said, Dr Weiner & Dr Pitcher have amazing resources but I do encourage you to consider seeking counselling. Your doctor, surgeon & team should be able to recommend someone with experience in disordered eating & bariatric patients. (Many insurances require at least one visit as part of your approval anyway.) All the best.

And my Bari-Bud @Orchids and Dragons in Texas, a shout -out here! She was my friend Presurgery , she is my friend still. She has perked me up when I am full of Whim-wahs, she is a cool head of reason in the Bariatric wars of life. May you all find your own Orchids and Dragon, sure you can go through all this aline, but it is SO MUCH BETTER when you have a friend, especially, one who has gone through the same things.

Very discouraging! I didn't really even tell my PCP until she received some labwork that was abnormal from my pre-op testing. When she asked me about it, and commented on such a thorough work-up, I explained that I had it done as part of the WLS program and that I was getting the lap band. She was both excited and curious. She's relatively new and wasn't completely "up" on bariatric surgery. I've seen her once since surgery, and I had lost 35 lbs, and she was SO happy. If this doctor is an important part of your care, I would either 1) sit and talk with her, let her know that this was an important choice you made for yourself and would appreciate her support, or 2) give her one last try before switching. I've worked along side doctors for the past 8 years and the one thing that I've learned are doctors are people too. They come in a wide variety, but you should never be afraid to speak up to your physician. You've essentially put them in charge of your care, and your opinion deserves the right to be heard.

I've read that a lot of bariatric pal users, including myself, had to do a sleep study as part of your pre-op stuff. Agree with @@Margie122 . The more comorbidities the better, in a way :-(

Ok my dear, I've read a couple of your blogs and I have to reach out and encourage you to renew your mind to all of this. Until you do, it won't work! 1.) Weight loss and gain is personal, there's no need to seek other people's approval or acceptance. 18lbs is GREAT, it's 18lbs closer to goal and 18lbs less fat than you were. Men, especially Dad's opinions mean a lot to us, but remember the only opinions that matter right now are yours and your health professionals. From your posts it seems like you're just now starting to realize the "fat" of the matter.. yes I said fat, in place of fact. It seems like you're just now truly starting to see yourself as fat which is a GOOD thing, even though it doesn't feel like it is! When you're able to look at yourself with such a critical eye, it will serve as motivation to do something about it. 2.) Renew your mind. Ok so you're fat, you don't like the way you look in pics, you think the band is going to fail you, there's "no way it'll help you lose 100lbs". Stop right there my friend...can we say self-sabotage? When you speak defeat, you've already lost. You might as well eat twinkies and ice cream - they slide right through. So I urge and encourage you to renew your mind to a positive mindset. Take everything day by day, meal by meal, choice by choice. You didn't gain this weight overnight and you're certainly not going to lose it over night. The band is a TOOL, we hear/read it all the time and that's true. It's a tool to HELP YOU, but if YOU aren't ready for the help it won't do YOU any good. I really think you're at a pivotal moment in you're journey. You're awakening to the new you, change is never easy and it's so much easier to just give up. But YOU CAN DO THIS! Just think of it this way... just like in life, your path is yours and yours alone, your lapband journey is the same. Don't compare yourself to others, do what works for you and live your life. You didn't report the multitude of pounds you gained to anyone, so why report what you lose to anyone? Let them see for themselves. Yes the fact is, the bigger you are the more you have to lose for people to notice, but let them notice...Just go on with your days going down your path and doing what's right for you. Remember the only approval you need is yours and it'll feel SO much better when those "Wow you're really losing weight huh?" comments and compliments come your way because they'll be real and honest, not fished for or charity out of seeking approval. Stick to what works for you and in a year or so's time when you've lost that 100lbs and everyone is ooo'ing and ahh'ing you'll have nobody to thank but yourself. Do this for you, nobody else. Renew your mind...renew your mind....renew your mind! Accentuate the positive!