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I learned a lot about myself. Some people self-medicate with food and to some degree that was me but mostly I was just a glutton like so amny Americans are these days. I was also a victim of the clever marketing of food and the addictive nature of today's food. I realized that most of what is sold in supermarkets is not fit for human consumption. Pets get better nutrition. Another reason why I did not go with surgery is because I had gotten great counseling. I knew that it was within my power to reform my behaviors and doing such was very empowering. It made me a better husband and better parent. Another important reason was the risk. bariatric surgeries have a significant mortality rate and many people have the side effects such as mal absortion, leaking and dumping to name a few. I was asked to name all the valid reasons for why I could not eat 40% less calories and I had no reasons. I asked the person helping me why I wasn't and he let me off the hook by explain what is if to be sated and how the brain has to catch up with the body. Big people have big appetites. Because of how I eat now I don't have gnawing hunger. I now eat the way nature intended humans to eat. I eat the foods that we were designed to eat. I had to eat mindfully. I selected the right foods in the right amounts and lost the weight. I reduced calories gradually so I was never really hungry. I ate 6 times a day and now I eat larger meal 4 times. What I learned mostly is that food can no longer control me. The pesky free floating anxiety that most of us have vanished. I took control. I learned that with the right tools things that seem impossible are actually pretty easy. I now enjoy food... real food more than ever but I have gone from a hedonist to an epicurean and the whole thing was quite spiritual. I did this for a higher purpose. Sure vanity was part of it as was health but I did it mostly for my loved ones and for society as a whole.

Bariatric Breakfast—Protein Pancakes Bariatric vanilla protein low carbohydrate pancakes recipe Ingredients Yields: Four 4 pancakes Serving size: 2 pancakes 2 scoops BariNutrics™ Vanilla Protein 1 tsp. baking powder 1 pinch salt 2 Tbsp. unsweetened almond milk, milk, or water 2 large eggs, beaten Directions Prep Time: 5 minutes In a medium-sized bowl, combine first three ingredients. In a small bowl, beat eggs and add milk. Add eggs and milk mixture to dry ingredients and mix until completely combined. Heat skillet or electric fry pan to medium. Once hot, add ¼ cup of pancake mix. Cook on first side for 3 minutes. Flip and cook 1 additional minute.

Just got the clearance on my nicotine test. Will be having my surgery at Emory Midtown by Jamie Stetler of Emory Bariatrics. They've submitted my claim for surgery to GA medicaid. Any idea on on how long before they call with a surgery date? Has anyone used Jamie Stetler before? TIA Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

From my sayings app; BEFORE ANYTHING TRULY GREAT HAPPENS EVERYTHING FALLS APART! Hi there from another Boomer(73) in Central Ohio. I have gone from 28-30W at 5ft8in to a 20, and teetering on the brink of 18.HW365+, Currently at 224, losing 2-3 lb each week, bariatric clinic is forecasting I will achieve Onderland at or slightly past my one year anniversary on September 5th. Boobs a tragedy like yours , gone from 48 DD to 42C, my goal is to be 175 and a 15 junior, why do I specify that? Because for a BIG Girl I am not overtly busty, I am a Fat Athletic build, my ortho who is also a Sports med specialist says "Impossible" I told him You are looking at one now. Had 2 knee replacements, partly due to fact I caught softball and baseball, because that was the only way my neighborhood could field a team, played center or power forward in basketball, none of my boy cousins would challenge me to horse after age 12,,i was good and I left them in the dust but I was chosen among the first when choosing sides cause nobody wanted me on the other side. I was merciless on court! Now I am an arthritic has-been who shrunk 4 height inches after menopause, I was 6 feet if I didn't flatten down my hair. And I am ambidextrous, so I switch-hit in one kind of ball, and was deadly in layups and,free throws. We were somewhere and one of my kids was playing around with a b-ball, I said give me that basketball, shot from centercourt , sunk it , no rim needed, Whaaat said my offspring, how can you do THAT? Mama had a life before you guys came along, and I still have secrets. I have bat wings and also flying squirrel thighs, maybe they go together? A scrawny turtle neck, I wonder who I will look like when this is all over, I certainly barely resemble myself anymore. Recently I have gone from Looking like my,Mama, her older sister Aunt Grace and today I look like their mother,Grandma Cora. And this is a shock, she never was above 5ft4in even on tippy toes. I just pray I still look passable and don't frighten people in the street too badly. My bit of glory, my rump is going away, I used to be a Baby who had Back, now I have gently rounded butt cheeks. Harder keeping my pants up, they have nothing to hang from anymore! And the stretch marks, low flesh and different ways my body is, those are our battle ribbons, we took our place in a deadly war and We Won!

on the table. I had pneumonia and ended up in the hospital for 8 days and went home on oxygen. When I finally healed Well it has been 4 years since surgery. I technically have lost 8lbs, but I can go up and down that much daily my whole life. I originally had the inamed band put in and when I woke up in recovery it has been my worste nightmare since. The band was too small and I had to have surgery #2. #2 was the VG band. I woke up this time in ICU after aspirating I thought things would be better. After my first fill the doctor left the practice (good ridence I was done with his arrogance any way), but the doctor that took over for him had virtually no experience in fills. So fill number 2 she had me sit on a table with the needle in my gut and drink Water as she added and subtracted until I could get water down. LOL I felt like a side show act and when I left had no restriction, but have had ravenous hunger every since. I decided I was not going back to that practice even if they paid me to do so. Three years go by with no sucess and every time I would start a meal I would PB, and sometimes flat out vomit. I would always party after the puke and be able to eat as much as I ever have, until my shoulder hurt. Fast forward 3 years and my primary care doctor recommended me to UC bariatric group. I had to pay an up front fee and then they began taking my insurance. I had the flouro upper gi done and they said everything looked fine but I have a small hernia. The diagnosis was lets fill it. I went back multiple months with fills happening each time with little to no restrictions. I have approximately 9.5 cc in a 10 cc band. About 9 mos ago my appointment for a fill was canceled and I have never rescheduled it. I can eat like a horse, (ie... full burrito bowl from Chipotle with a bag of chips) I can guzzle diet coke, water, eat bread, steak, pretty much anything I want. I no longer have the PB every since I started getting it filled again, but no restriction. I am at my wits end. I spent a lifetime of dieting with no sucess, and when I finally go for help it almost kills me and the tool does nothing but make me more hungry than I ever was before. So the only way to lose weight is diet and exercise, and the tool is no help, so why have it? I am depressed all the time now and medicate for that. I am not sure what to do, gastric bypass is probably not an option because I had the band and I am sure insurance will say no. Any Ideas?:tt2::smile2:

You are doing a really great job. I am a Medical Assistant to a bariatric surgeron so I see sucess stories 5 days a week. I recently had the sleeve on 07/30/13 (by the surgeon I have worked beside for 2 years now) so I am 2 months out today! Keep up the great work you should be at your goal in no time! Best of luck to you!

I am writing this to help others plan for their surgery. It's August 12 and I started on my journey in mid-May. I am a self pay patient. I have chosen Puget Sound Bariatric Center. The clinic is over an hour away from my house, but has an excellent reputation. I was worried about commute times, but thought I would only have a few pre-op appointments at the clinic per my discussions on the phone with their rep. I have to plan that every appointment will include 3 hours of drive time round trip. When I first called them, I was told if I completed my tests soon, I would be scheduled for surgery within a month. The initial representative misspoke. Therefore, I wasn't fully prepared for the amount of time it would take to qualify for surgery even though I was self-paying. It takes several months. Unfortunately, I canceled all of my summer plans and now regret that. I wish that clinics would be more accurate in setting expectations. In June, I met with a Dr. and got my lab orders. The first meeting lasts a few hours because you meet the rest of the team, fill out paperwork, etc. Next, got all of my labs done and returned to office. Then spent nearly a day at the office meeting with all of the specialists. I had a lab request for a sleep study, ultimately, this required 5 trips to the pulmonologist and an overnight stay. My advice to people who are self-paying is to plan for this to take 4 months and estimate about 18-24 hours of appointments (including the sleep study). You will also need to chase everything down. People don't follow up like they are supposed to, results don't get faxed to the right place, you think things are being processed but they are languishing in someone's in box. I still don't have a surgery date. Maybe some time in September? In the end, my hope is that it is all worth it. But had I known how much time this process would take, I would have taken a 2 week summer vacation to relax. This is all very stressful. I still feel good about the Dr. and clinic, but they are not nearly as organized as they believe. I've communicated my concerns to them and they are working hard to correct things. Some of this is out of their control due to errors made by a sleep center. I hope this information is useful to others.

I was banded in August 2008. The surgery went well. No issues. to the best of my recollection I had my first fill 6 weeks latter. I found out fast the if you eat to fast or get aggravated you throw-up. I went to support groups but did not feel supported. I basically was on my own. I did not know how and what to eat. I did not lose any weight. I was very depressed. I stopped excessing and ate anything and everything. I gained over 50 pounds. I have diabetes and my sugar has been out of control for many years. I am sick of being sick. My blood pressures very high and I take over 10 pills 2 time a day plus 2 shots of insulin. I have one foot in the grave no support and very alone. Thank you all for your caring thoughts. I live on Long Island Nassau County, NY. Can anybody recommend a bariatric surgeon and a nutritionist other than Dr. Rajeev Vohra on the south shore. .. ... does anybos havd

Okay, so my PCP referral came through on Saturday for the bariatric surgeon and I had to work on my patience to wait until Monday to call for an appointment. The surgeon had an opening on Wednesday morning, so I am headed there tomorrow to do my intake appointment. The nurse said it will take 2-3 hours. Can anyone help me with what to expect?? I am so nervous, I don't want to mess it up somehow. I know I am a "good" candidate (High BMI, T2D), and I want to have the surgery so badly. I am just afraid of being turned down. Anyone have any tips, or even words of encouragement??? I haven't told anyone about this journey yet, so I am sort of out here alone. Thanks!!

Yep, I used to take 3 bariatric multi's with iron because that was the norm for my surgery. My iron was wayyy too high so it got lowered to 2 and then 1 without. It was STILL too high so now I take 1 bariatric multi WITH iron and 2 bariatric multi's WITHOUT. Mine was borderline dangerous but since yours is at a dangerous level you should probably just take multi's without iron for a while and have your bloodwork monitored. When the iron levels lower if it's needed then take a lower dosage separate iron supplement. But maybe your body just processes iron really well. My surgeon said that's probably my case.

Hey Kimmie I Was Banned On 9/5/07. Doing Great Iv'e Lost 20lbs. I Haven't Weighted In Almost A Week So It May Be More. Wanted To Warn You About Cravings. I Had Them Really Bad Around Week Three. Now They Are Pretty Much Gone. This Will Be Easier Than I Thought!!! Congrats On Your Weight Loss. I Celebrate Every Pound. I Am Also A Bariatric Nurse So If You Have Any Questions Feel Free To Ask. Good Luck And God Bless!!!!!

I'm new here and have been looking for help with some of the problems I'm having with my band. Here’s part of my story. I got banded 6-12-06. I was 400 lbs and in a really bad place. I got down to 314 lbs in about 5 months. Unfortunately, I haven't been doing very well and now I'm back up to 360 lbs. I had a fill in March 2007. This was my 4th fill, now up to 6cc out of a possible 10cc. Prior to this fill it seemed the band was having no effect on me. I was able to eat like I had no band. After this fill I had mixed experiences. Eating Breakfast and lunch was often very difficult. After one or two bites of food it seemed to get stuck. I would take small bites and chew it well, at least most of the time (sometimes I’d forget and put too much food in my mouth or I’d eat too quickly). I would experience pain in my chest and then throw up. Sometimes I forced myself to throw up to try and relieve the pain I was experiencing. Usually this helped but I would be unable to eat anything for the remainder of the morning and afternoon. By the time I would get home from work I’d be really hungry. Now for some reason that I can’t explain, I had no difficulties eating (or some minor discomfort). There was no pain and I would be able to eat just about as much as I wanted as if there were no band in place. Obviously this was the worst time to stuff myself, it being that close to bedtime. This pattern continued for a while and I started putting the weight back on. I went to see my bariatric doctor and he said I was just eating too much at night and the food was just sitting in my pouch all night into the afternoon of the next day so that when I tried to eat there was already too much food in the pouch and I’d throw up. I agreed I was eating too much food at night but I never really bought into the idea that the food was just sitting in the pouch all night into the afternoon of the next day. I tried working with a nutritionist but the problem continued. The doctor sent me for a barium-swallowing test and the results showed I had severe refluxing going on. They prescribed Nexium and after a few months there was still no relief. I still can’t understand why I would experience such problems during the day but by night it was as if I had no bad. Has anyone else ever experienced this? The day problems aside it was my understanding that the band was supposed to prevent you from overeating. Yet in the evenings I could just go on eating until I felt full, which was always after consuming a huge quantity of food (for example 6 slices of a large pizza or almost a pound of pasta). I never could get an explanation as to why I could eat so much with the band. I feared getting another fill because I was already having too much trouble eating during the day. I stopped eating breakfast and tried to have a sensible lunch. Sometimes this worked but too often it didn’t. I couldn’t point to a particular food item either as the cause for pain and throwing up. meat, vegetables (raw or cooked), fruit, grains or other starches have all at one time or another caused this problem. I’ve tried drinking some hot tea or coffee before eating lunch. This seems to have helped in some cases but doesn’t always work. Finally my doctor performed an endoscopy to see if the band had shifted. Everything looked fine is what he told me. On Friday, October 12 I went for another fill, now at 7cc. Friday went ok. I had lunch and a small dinner (at least small compared to what I was usually eating at dinnertime). Late Friday when I was taking my evening medications I experienced a fair amount of pain again. I didn’t throw up but was in discomfort for a while. On Saturday I tried eating about 1/3 cup of celery salad (just shredded celery root in Water, vinegar and sugar liquid) for lunch. Well even after counting 30 chews before swallowing I felt pain in my chest as if something was stuck. After a short period I threw up several times, not food just a clear mucus type of liquid. After an hour or so I felt better but I couldn’t eat anything else the rest of the day. I tried several sips of Crystal Light but this was very uncomfortable. I didn’t dare try taking my medications. Now it’s Sunday. I was able to take my AM meds without problems. For lunch I tried ½ can of tuna (in water) with some Miracle Whip Light on a small potato bread roll. Spent about ½ hour eating it and now I’m experiencing some discomfort and refluxing. Has anyone out there experienced this or know of anyone else who has? I’m just at a loss as to what to do. Any help would be appreciated. Sorry for being long winded and thanks for listening.

I'm in the same boat. I knew my insurance required the 6 months. I tried to get them to count my recent months doing Weight Watchers but since I didn't see my PCP each month it will not count. That really bummed me out. So I have my first appointment with the bariatric dietician/nutritionist this coming Monday. I'm probably looking at September for soonest possible surgery. I am weaning off diet soda now - have gone from about 5-6 every day to only about 1-3 a week right now. Drinking lots of water (never did that before) and experimenting w different protein drinks. I hope these 6 months go fast!!!

<TABLE class=wide cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD> I saw this post on another WL support site and did find it veryinteresting. Some of the things this guy says really DOES make youthink. I know I AM quilty of several of the things he wrote about.Remember, this is NOT me writing the following stuff ... It is justsomething I copied from somewhere else. I hope reading it can helpUS all out.Sherri*****************************************************Enough is enough... the truth about the bandI've been reading a lot of the posts lately, and noticing a fewtrends. </PRE> I thought I might address them. </PRE> Many of you are not going to like it, and I expect to get flamed. Iam not trying to peeve folks off, but I feel it is time for someoneto post a frank discussion on the band. Take my words with a grainof salt. This is not directed at any one person in particular, butat a general trend of threads appearing lately. If you're pissed atme after this… OK, but then again, maybe you'll get something out ofit in between the anger. </PRE> Here it is… </PRE> Quit your whining. </PRE> The band is not a miracle. It does not magically make caloriesdisappear from food. It is a tool you need to work WITH not AGAINST.If you work against it, you'll fail. End of story. </PRE> Let's clear up a few misconceptions about the band. </PRE> The band is not malabsorptive like the gastric bypass. The GB worksby allowing the patient to eat less, and more to the point, toabsorb LESS calories from the food they eat. The band ONLY restrictsthe QUANTITY of food, not the QUALITY. If you continue to eat high-calorie crap, you'll lose nothing… period. What this means is thatyou DO need to change your eating habits. You need to eat healthierfood, and less garbage. Some folks will lose some weight with theband because of the smaller quantities without changing their eatinghabits, but that loss will slow or stall, and WILL NOT BESUSTAINABLEunless they learn new habits. Face it folks, what we eat is what gotus fat in the first place. If you don't wanna change that, then youcan stay fat, and don't complain that you aren't losing. </PRE> Yes, you can have occasional treats. I am not saying that you haveto live a deprived life with no treats ever again, but keep themoccasional, and keep them small. Dessert every day is NOTOCCASIONAL. Once a week, maybe. Start looking at your favorite foodsand look for ways to make them healthier. Maybe use less fat, orhealthier fats, leaner cuts of meat, more veggies etc. Try to treatyourself with healthier foods as well, fruit instead of pie, bakedpretzels instead of fried chips, try those rice cakes you see in thestore. When you do have a treat… have ONE SERVING. Look at thelabel… if it says that 9 rice cakes are 1 serving… count them outand only have 9, not the whole bag! Use the sugar-free versions ofthings, the lower fat versions, and the lower carb versions… eatmore fresh foods, and less from packages. Yes, I know that freshfood is more work… too bad. You wanna get healthy? Then do it right.Kraft in the box might go down fine, but is it the right thing todo? Make the effort to cook healthier. It takes more time, butaren't you worth it? </PRE> RNY and Gastric Bypass patients need to diet too. If you think thatthey lose faster, you are right. In essence from malabsorbtion, theytechnically starve to lose initial weight, and lose a lot… morequickly than we do. SO WHAT?!?!? The human body is an amazing thing.It is smart, and learns to compensate. If the GB/RNY patient doesnot learn new, healthy eating habits, then they WILL GAIN THE WEIGHTBACK. In the long run, we have the advantage, as we do not lose atALL without new habits. We have to learn from the get-go, and in theend… our system willl adjust with us as we lose… not giving oursmart body a chance to get used to the new "arrangement" andcompensating for it. RNY/GB might look like a miracle, but it isn'teither. You still are the one in control, but the complications forit are much worse. I'm not dissing it, it is the right choice forsome, but for those who which to switch, simply because they havenot been doing the band with TRUE lifestyle changes… well… they arefooling themselves. Wisen up, and realize YOU need to change to makeany bariatric surgery a long-term success. </PRE> Head hunger, and stress eating are real. They are some of the thingsthat got us here. If it happens to you… GET HELP. Don't just standthere and say… duh, I don't know how to stop. Get on a program, seea therapist, join a bandster support group. Don't just cry aboutit…, DO SOMETHING. If you know emotional eating is an issue, thenyou have an EMOTIONAL PROBLEM, best dealt withby a therapist. Guesswhat folks, that is part of a whole weight loss program! Some maynot need it, but if these issues plague you, then get the help! Thatleads me to the next one… </PRE> Yes, you DO NEED TO EXERCISE. If you think you don't, then you arebeing foolish. Exercise does not mean a formal program at a gym witha personal trainer (although that is a GREAT IDEA). It means gettingout there and moving… biking, skating, swimming etc. Move… move…move!!! A sedentary life is another of the things that got us here.If you think sustained weight loss will happen without it, then youare again fooling yourself. Don't forget, that other than ahealthier life, the number 2 reason we got this done was to lookbetter. Folks, diet alone will not give you a better bod, exerciseand diet will. </PRE> This is not a liquid diet. Yes you will have periods of being onliquids, before and after surgery, and right after fills, but thisis not meant to be liquids for life. The band works by allowing asmall amount of food to stay in the pouch for a while, keepinghunger away. If all you have are Protein shakes… well frankly, theypass right thru, and give NO sustained satiety. You'll be hungry.Period. If all you can get down are liquids, then you are TOO TIGHT.It will NOT HELP YOUR WEIGHT LOSS TO BE TOO TIGHT! In fact, theopposite is true. If you cannot eat solid foods you will likelygain, because LIQUID CALORIES ARE MORE DENSE. You have GOT TO eatsolid food. </PRE> Low carb does not mean NO carb. Should you restrict carbs… yep. Weeat too many. This does not mean eat only protein. You cannotsurvive on only protein, you need veggies and carbs too… just lessof the carbs than you have been having. For one, try using healthiercarbs… want a potato? Eat a small baked red-skin new potato, withsome butter spray on it… instead of fries. Try Dreamfields low-carbpasta for Sunday spaghetti dinners, try brown rice instead of MinuteRice. Avoid the carbs in packaged foods… Mac and cheese, rice a ronietc. If you want mac and cheese, make it from scratch with lower fatcheese and Dreamfields or whole wheat Pasta. Use wholegrain bread,not Wonderbread. And… eat carbs last. Eat the protein first, thenveggies, then if you have room finish your carbs. Lastly… eliminatethe sugar… get it out period </PRE> Fast food is bad. End of story. Stay away from it… all of it. </PRE> Is a pre-op liquid diet important? You bet your boots it is. No, Iknow not all doctor's ask for it… but that doesn't change the factthat they should be asking for it. First off, it shrinks the liver,making it easier for the surgeon to perform the procedure. Second,it begins the weight loss process. Third, it speeds up recovery byhaving the body have less solid waste in the digestive tract, itwill work less, and not stress the points where the band is attached. </PRE> Is the post-op diet… liquids… mushies then solids important? Seeabove. This is for healing. Yes you can eat solid food sooner, and Iknow that this varies from doctor to doctor, but that doesn't meanit should. The stomach needs time to heal, and even though you CANeat solids earlier doesn't mean you should. Heal properly first. Asmost docs will say, any weight loss during this phase is a bonus.This is not the time for loss but healing. May folks WILL gain whengoing to mushies. Expect it. If you don't, you are one of the luckyfew… not the norm. Most folsk do not see real weight loss forMONTHS. This is how it is, deal with it. </PRE> You WILL NOT LOSE ALL YOUR WEIGHT IN A COUPLE MONTHS. Especiallythose of you with under 75 lbs to lose. Less to lose, the slower itwill be… that's it folks. If you got the band with 60-75 lbs tolose, do NOT expect to lose as much a month as someone who has200lbs to lose. Won't happen. If the doc told you it did, he lied.Most successful band patients lose 75% of their excess weight in theFIRST 2 YEARS… yep… years, not months. Deal with it… you are notgonna lose it by summer for swimsuit season. This is not intended tobe SPEEDY weight loss… if you don't get that, see #3 above. </PRE> It's OK to go to a foreign country to get my band because it is moreaffordable to me… Hmmm this one is debatable, and I will keep myopinion of foreign docs out of it. First off, when it comes tosurgery for my body, I don't want the lowest bidder, even though Iwas also self pay… but let's put that aside. I see too many folksgoing to places like Mexico for this procedure because they say thedoc is a brilliant surgeon… this is only 10% about the actualsurgery folks! It is the pre and aftercare provided that makes itwork. If you do NOT have an aftercare doc set up locally BEFORE yougo to Mexico for the surgery… then you are making a HUGE MISTAKE. Iam getting tired of seeing folks say…" I just got my band lastweekend, anyone know of any docs I can see for fills around here?"Geez?!@?!? What are you thinking? Didn't you have this all set upbeforehand? How could you have such a procedure done to your body… aprocedure that requires constant attention (and it is not just forfills folks!) and not be prepared before you do it? If this is yourplan, then I am confused on what you are doing. Aftercare with theband is not just fills, and you need access to a band doc locallyfor any problems. Sure you can get the procedure done in Mexico, buthave preparations for aftercare BEFORE they cut you open. </PRE> Look at the whole program. This is NOT just a surgical option. I'vesaid it before and I'll say it again, the surgery is only 1 hourlong… the rest of my life will be losing and maintaining myhealthier body. Nutritionists, exercise physiologists,psychologists, dieticians, support groups, a good fill doc… theseare ALL necessary to lose and maintain our health. If you only dealwith some of them… you'll fail. When you scout out docs to do thisprocedure, see how they deal with ALL of these factors…not just arethey a good cutter. Then, after the surgery, follow through with allof these. </PRE> If you don't know… ASK! The doctor, not the web group. Sure, it'sgreat to get support and ideas here, but I am amazed how many peopleare on here soliciting medical advice… ASK YOUR DOC! If he won'tgive you a straight answer… then he's not a good doc, and you needto seek out a better one. I mean COME ON!?!?! Now that we have thatstraightened out… let's say your doc tells you to do something… likestay on liquids for 2 weeks… DO IT. If he is a good doc, then thereis a reason to do what he says. This is NOT about you making yourOWN… UNEDUCATED judgment calls… he's the pro here… do what he says.If you don't understand why… then we go back to… ASK. </PRE> I'm sure I could say more, but I am also sure that I've pissed offhalf the folks who have read this. </PRE> Just had to get it off my chest. It is HARD WORK. Anythingworthwhile is. If you thought it was gonna be easy, then you wereeither lied to, or deluding yourself. </PRE> Work hard… get healthy… have a good life. We are ALL worth the time,effort and yes money, to be better healthier people. </PRE> __________________ Big Paul Banded Nov. 17, 20051st fill 1/3/2006: 3.2cc 2nd fill 2/7/2006: Removed 3.0cc, replaced 4.0cc 3rd fill 3/6/2006: Removed 3.6cc, replaced 4.0cc Unfill 3/14/2006: Removed 4.0cc, replaced 3.2cc 4th fill 4/3/2006: Removed 3.2cc, replaced 3.8cc 371/236/189135 lbs lost! 47 lbs to go! </PRE> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></P>

I have a good friend that does approvals for BC/BS. While they are not my insurance carrier, it was interesting to see the process from her perspective. She said that she rarely if ever denies bariatric surgery if the BMI is over 35. The rest of the hoops you jump through are just a formality. My surgeons office knew exactly what I needed to do and how to submit each part of the requirements. I needed a letter from my primary doc stating she had supervised my diet and exercise for at least 6 mos. They didn't require a log or any notes. There was no minimum weight to be lost prior to surgery either. Your surgeon's office should be your best resource.

My husband is in the Air Force and I had lost all hope in having Lap Band done. Then I went to my initial consultation. The base apparently has a great bariatric surgeon. We discussed my reasons considering WLS. Thats when he Hit me with " You have three choices Gastric Sleeve, Gastric Bypass, OR Lap Band." He then began to explain that they were getting ready to learn how to do the procedure and that the first few they would be flying in another surgeon to assist. All I could think of was "MY PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED" As few days later it hit me. No had discussed Tricare coverage. I called the surgery clinic and asked about Tricare's restrictions and how it affected me and my choice of surgery. I was told that since I was having the procedure done by a surgeon at the MTF tricare has no involvement. So Here i go JAnuary 23 is m surgery date. I just keep hoping this isn't going to come back on me in the form of a bill.

:biggrin: Hello all. My name is Jenn and I am new to this site. I have started my journey with VSG but have not had the procedure yet. I have had the initial consultation, insurance approval and dietitian meeting. I am new to the Texas area and am wanting to get some more information on my doctor, Dr Jerome Schrapps with Southeast Texas Bariatric Beaumont location, preferably by someone who has had the procedure. I have the diet class and psych eval next week so it looks as if things are moving right along. My family is very supportive but I am extremely nervous.

Just got the call from my surgeons office. My insurance does not cover bariatric surgery it's a plan exclusion. What are my options at this point? They said I can finance it and that there are other options. I need advise. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am in my early 20s and just got the band. I was similarly concerned about how it would change my social life. I am only a few days into being banded, but I think the real changes for me on this topic came about a month ago, before I had the band. The truth is, you can have fun in moderation. I am a big drinker and social eater and often plan outings surrounding these things. The thing I have found out from being on my preop diet and being restricted in eating and not drinking is that people don't really care if I am eating fatty foods or drinking alcohol with them. As long as they can do those things, and I am not making my not-participation the focus of what is going on, then no one really minds. The bigger change will not come from your friends, but from you. You will have to learn to be fun and jolly and entertain yourself without the food/alcohol. No one is going to care if you order a Soup instead of a Pasta dish, or if you have a cranberry juice instead of a vodka tonic if you are still being fun and normal. Your friends like you for you, not for how much you can drink or eat. It is a hard transition though. I have added other things to my social life too, like doing-non drinking activities, like seeing a movie or going kayaking with a friend or going shopping, as a replacement to some of drinking/eating related things. I also went to a BBQ at my friends house where people could bring food but I provided food that I knew I would be able to eat without feeling deprived (I brough lots of grilled veggies, veggie burger and crab stuffed mushrooms and propel zero-- no one cared what I was eating or that I wasn't drinking and it was a ton of fun. I enjoyed myself way more not feeling guilty about over eating or worrying if someone counted how many chips I had had and was judging me and I felt the need to drink less). It will be different for every person though. These life changes are good ones. The sooner you start the sooner you get the band you will be able to have control of your life, feel good about yourself, and show other people how confident you are. Being able to have fun without alcohol is an awesome skill, and being able to having conversations and socialize without using food as a crutch will only make you a better friend. I just work hard not to make my new eating habits or band anyone else's problem. It requires planning and has changed my life, but for the better. I have had to really look at what is available on menus before getting to a restaurant and I always carry something that will curb my appetite in a pinch (although there are some fast food options that aren't awful, just look at nutrition and do your best to stay high, Protein and low carb). These things aren't hard though. I think it is good you are asking these questions and if you aren't ready to make some changes inside yourself with how you cope with social situations (not drinking or eating your way through them) then it probably isn't the time for you to get banded. It would be worse, in my opinion, to get banded now and feel like you are failing then to wait until you are mentally ready to give up some of the social comfort and let your friends still have it. The band won't be a cure for any of your bad habits or mental reasons for eating, so those changes need to either come first or you need to be prepared enough to fight them when the cravings come. Doing the 6 month preop nutritionist consults, meeting fellow bariatric surgery patients, being on this site, watching youtube videos, reading blogs and meeting with a therapist have all helped me realize that I don't use food in a normal way and in some ways that hinders my social life more than it helps. This is all just me though. I don't know if it relates to you, but as a young 20 something, the sooner you are happy, the better. It just might take more work mentally if you don't want to change your lifestyle 180 degrees, because the triggers and reasons to eat will still be there after the band. Good luck deciding and feel free to message if you have more questions.

I started the 5 day pouch test because I needed to break the habit of eating slider foods like popcorn. I love that I'm doing it. Because I so got away from the basic rules that we learned after Surgery! i too was disappointed that I didn't loose the "100lbs" by now soon to be 6 months in 3 1/2 weeks but now I'm feeling a since of renewal day 2. I'm finding that I'm reaching for protein first. Yay You can do it!

Anyone used emory bariatrics for their vsg surgery? What was the first initial appointment where you have to pay $300 for like? What did the surgeon require? How was the experience? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Sounds like we are in similar boats. I had my band placed in 2012. I weighed 292 and got to 165 about a year ago. Since having the band placed, I went to the bariatric center monthly. I met with a nurse practitioner to discuss strategies and to weigh & check blood pressure. In the last six months, we've made a major move and I no longer have the bariatric center because there isn't one in my new area. Unfortunately, since the move, I have been stress eating and have gained enough that my pants are TIGHT. I don't know the number because I no longer weigh, but use my clothes as a judge of gain/loss. I like to stay in my 10s and 12s. Thanks to the bariatric nurse, I have never bought any bigger clothes, so I've got to get this off or wear pjs in public. I'll choose to get this weight off. My band is in the sweet spot, has been for over a year, and just need to listen to it and control what I put in my mouth. I do Protein (Syntrax Matrix) shakes for Breakfast and lunch and eat a small portioned dinner with my family. It just works better for me and my nurse practitioner agreed since it keeps my protein levels high. What I seek is an accountability partner. I'd like somebody to check in with daily, to hold me accountable, and discuss ideas and strategies. As a veteran bander, I think I have some tips to offer and I'd love to partner with another bander. Interested??

Hi everyone! My name is Anthony and I'm 31 years old. I've struggled with being overweight all of my adult life. I am just about 5'9" and currently weight 245 lbs. It may not seem like I have to lose as much as some others and a lot of people tell me that I don't look like I weigh that much, but I know that I don't like the way I feel or look. I have back and knee pain, especially when I am standing for too long. It's also difficult for me to exercise at this weight. I've lost weight in the past via diet and/or medications but it always manages to come back on. I'm strongly considering the gastric sleeve. My only worry is that I did have my colon removed when I was 16 due to severe Ulcerative Colitis. I now have what's called a "j-pouch", which is basically when they form a new bowel out of your small intestine so that you don't need an ostomy/colostomy bag (I did have one for 3 months in between the 2 surgeries - first surgery to remove the colon, second to reverse it and make the pouch). I've checked with my doctors and one of the colorectal surgeons said he doesn't recommend the gastric sleeve and a couple of others said their only concern would be having urgent bowel movements due to having less of a digestive tract, but told me to check with the bariatric surgeons to make sure. The bariatric surgeon said he thinks it would probably make me have LESS bowel movements since I would be eating less and the food would be moving slower through my system. Wish me luck, I am having another virtual consultation next month!

Hey there- Do you mean a bariatric referral letter? Or do you mean the lovely letter that goes to the insurance company, hoping you get approved the first time? As for the bariatric ref letter, my PCP simply put down my lifelong struggles w/ being obese & if you have any co-mordibities. Sorry that probably isn't much help. However- once you are in seeing your bariatric surgeon ask him/her for a sample letter that your PCP writes to the insurance company. It's pretty detailed (atleast mine was). My surgeon gave me on at the informational seminar that he required everyone to attend in the beginning of the process. Goodluck!

Wow! I just watched this documentary called Food Inc. It's much of the same info as the book, Fast Food Nation. I had tried to read the book in the past but just couldn't get into it. I am so glad they made this documentary. I am pretty informed about factory farming, especially where it concerns animals. I was a vegetarian for 13 years and did my share of pamphleting, protesting, and lobbying for animals but I really didn't know the extent of the Nation's food problem until I watched this documentary. It has changed me and will change the way I shop for food. Now that I am able to eat less food, I can afford to switch my family to whole, natural, locally-produced foods and that is what I am going to do. My husband is happily on board (rare since we usually disagree on "green-hippie" issues like this). He watched the film with me and is appalled at the state of our country's food processing methods. Watch it as soon as you can! It will change the way you look at food and what you learn from it could be a good companion to your healthy new lifestyle. Meanwhile, I had another good day with the band. For breakfast, I renewed my childhood love affair with Cream of Wheat. Man, that is good stuff. I added a little varietal (blueberry) honey to it and it was incredible. Later, I made chili for dinner and just ate some of the sauce. I am still having trouble getting all my water and protein, though. My Grandma stressed me out again today and for a second, I felt the old twinge to eat my feelings away. Instead, I just sat there feeling what I felt and then I felt better. I also had a ton of energy and felt like my old self. Since my car accident, I have not been able to do all the things I used to. My house stays messy because I can't keep up with it and it that been a constant source of guilt and anxiety for me especially now that I stay at home and feel it is my job to stay on top of this house. Today, I was able to do a lot of chores and chase after my kiddo and critters for 12+ hours. I even finished cleaning 3 rooms! That hasn't happened in 2 years when, before the accident, I could clean my entire house in a couple of hours. I am really really really happy that I got the band.