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It's true that any weight loss surgery has the potential to work, but that doesn't mean that they are all equally good options. There's a reason most bariatric surgeons no longer offer the Lap Band. Although gastric banding was a promising treatment for obesity, its high long-term complications and significant failure rate have caused a significant decrease in LAGB insertions.7 This trend is also seen at our institution, where LAGB has been essentially abandoned. With this decline in band insertion comes a steep increase in LAGB removals. At our institution, the rate of band removals increased from 1 per year to more than 50 per year within a 7-year period (Fig. 1). The literature supports this trend.1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7006354/

The BariatricPal store has these cards, too. They're offered as a free gift option if you spend a certain amount of money. I have no interest in something like that because I have kept my surgery private. I haven't told a single family member or coworker. I'm definitely not going to divulge it to a server at a restaurant. I haven't actually eaten at a restaurant since my surgery (I've had takeout a few times, but that's easy -- I just save the leftovers), but when I do, I will either order something small like a side salad or just eat a little and take the leftovers home. I have heard that it can get awkward because the restaurant staff worries that you didn't like the food if you don't eat much, but I think most people just say something like, "It's really good, but I'm just not very hungry today." I've seen a lot of diet tips (for non-bariatric patients) suggesting that you ask for a box as soon as you get the meal and pack up half of it to take home as a way to avoid overeating, so you could do that and they wouldn't even be able to see how much you ate.

I just want to share my experience with the Lap-Band. I had it put in in 2014 and removed in 2019. I had horrendous reflux, I was constantly clearing my throat, and I gained back almost every pound I initially lost. I had it filled, completely emptied to “start fresh” and give my esophagus a break from constant vomiting, and then filled again. My Bariatric surgeon told me how unusual it was for someone to return for a fill after 4 years with the band. What he did not tell me was at that point HE knew, as well as the rest of the Bariatric community, that the Lap-Band had been considered a medical failure. Very few surgeons will put them in. I did some research, figured the truth out for myself, and went to see a new Bariatric surgeon to remove it. Initially I felt like I failed the lap-band but now I feel it’s more likely that the Lap-Band failed me. I’m very happy some have had great success with theirs. I do believe it works for some. To those who have had bad experience with the band, it’s not your fault. Best of luck to all.

What are your favorite Bariatric Air Fryer recipes, hacks, tips and tricks?

It can be scary, but reach out to your OBGYN as well as your bariatric surgeon. Take a deep breathe and just take it day by day. Above is my experience and I was closely monitored. In the end I had a healthy baby girl.

Mental hungry is serious and it is something I went through until understood it. I read a book called Bariatric Mindset Success by Kristian Lloyd and it help me understand how mental hunger wasn’t just me. But, ask your self “is it pouch worthy?” Now I think it was a good book. Check it out see what you think.

When I told them I 'dumped' after eating a low carb wheat bread they tested me for the allergy because you're not supposed to dump with my surgery. However, they just told me to avoid wheat and never told me that it was an actual allergy until I saw my gastroenterologist and THEY told me that I'd developed a wheat allergy due to my surgery. I wish the bariatric surgeon had MENTIONED it was an allergy and not just 'avoid wheat'. Like, really? But, apparently it happens. My gastroenterologist said I'm just lucky it wasn't Celiac Disease because WLS can cause that.

You will definitely be able to eat more later. And you're being medically supervised through this process, right? Your doctor will be checking your bloodwork regularly to make sure your nutritional needs are being met. You have protein goals to hit (and you can track your food to make sure you get there every day). You're taking a bariatric multivitamin. Also, you don't have to eat more at one sitting to up your calories. You can add an extra snack or even an extra meal, if necessary. You shouldn't have to live with so much anxiety. Have you talked this over with your doctor? It might be a good idea to track your food carefully for a few days, then call and go over it with the nutritionist or nurse on your bariatric team. Any surgical intervention carries risks. But there's risk associated with remaining the size you are now too (said by someone who had a BMI of 47 not that long ago). At least the risk you've taken will pay off down the road with better health, a better quality of life and hopefully a longer life.

Thank you. I think you’re right and I will talk with her again to clarify some of things she mentioned. She didn’t tell me to run out to Mickey D’s and get a double quarter pounder meal. But I also think that she probably meant that I should do the “testing” when I’m actually on regular foods after I’ve healed. She’s been extremely successful and leads a very large Bariatric help group. I should’ve had her clarify before posing the question here. I feel like a little kid getting scolded for having candy before dinner lol

Contact your surgeon or their office. They are the only ones who know what you've been through. I had some gastritis over the weekend and my surgeon called to talk to me on Saturday. I think it's safer to speak with someone who knows about Bariatric Surgery and the recovery.

Bariatric Fusion Chewable. It contains everything you need so you don't have to take as many pills, unless you have a deficiency. You can also crush it up and add it to water or food.

I actually just purchased a year worth of the bariatric pal multivitamin one w/iron chewable to be stocked up. It was 140.00 after the 10.00 off coupon which isn’t too bad. I am going to order the calcium chews as well. I was hoping to find them somewhere else cheaper as 32.00 monthly seems very expensive or the calcium tabs. Does anyone else have any advice on the calcium tabs? And did anyone start these vitamins before the surgery?

It has been many years since I checked into Bariatricpal. My surgery on 9/1/2011 was at the INDIANA University Medical Center Bariatric Dept. The decision was made for weight loss and diabetic control. Over the years of owning two businesses, raising two sons, getting my husband through dental school then music school, while practicing my own career as an artist, my struggle with healthy eating and controlling diabetes was eventually too much. At the weight of 299 lbs and age of 71 yr and the consistently worsening sugar control, to the point that I was giving myself daily insulin shots, was a wake up call. It isn't an easy decision to jump into a serious surgery, like this if you don't have access to the specialist medical practice like the IU Medical campus. The Department offered lectures and programs to educate people about their obesity and ways to get help. I never felt pressured to sign up for the surgery but after a few appointments with the surgeon and nutritionist, several medical tests reassured me that my basic health was able to handle the surgery, I followed through with the required initial diet and weight loss. I lost 45 lbs in the first 4 months. It was rather easy to do by following the diet prescribed and I even thought about forgoing the surgery, except for the diabetes issue. Going ahead with the recommended RNY and strictly following the diet, I got down to 165 lbs. That was higher than I thought would be ideal but the sight of boney neck, face and arms seemed fine. For anyone who is older like me, I strongly encourage that you research your area for a surgery clinic that is recommended and consider your options. The following advantages that I received: 1. Loads of energy. 2. Longer life, (said my cardiologist) 3. Feeling younger. 4. More interest in going out for travel and exercising. Having recommended it I must say that I don't recommend it for young people who are doing it for vanity alone. Why? 1. You have to follow strict regiment on vitamins and follow up care. 2. You have to absolutely restrict your food intake. You have to be prepared for a complete change of food choices. 3. You have to be psychologically prepared to be successful over all temptations. ISSUES that I have encountered may be due to lack of nutrition. My current medical care is concentrated on low hemoglobin , anemia, kidney function. The good news is that my diabetes is under control and I haven't needed insulin or any medication since surgery. After years of sticking to the rules for eating, I cannot overeat. A couple of bites of protein, tiny veggies, a bite of fruit fills my stomach to the point that I can be in pain. This is one issue that I wonder about and if other long term RNY patients have experienced. You comments are welcome.

I tried the Aetna website too and it was awful, but it did mention that they required an "Aetna Center for Excellence" cert, so I googled "Aetna + Pittsburgh, PA + Bariatric" and looked for those centers, since obv. they'd take Aetna insurance.

Does anyone use or have experience using Humapro Protein Powder? It was recommended to me but not by a bariatric patient. Tomorrow, I’m 6 weeks post op from gastric sleeve. Thank in advance.

Also any suggestions for Multivitamins for Canada?! Bariatric Pal and Opurity seemed like good choices from theor labels. Has almost all of that is needed except both of them charge shipping for Canada! Any free shipping types for Canada which are just as good!

I found these: http://www.aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/100_199/0157.html https://www.castleconnolly.com/top-doctors/giselle-g-hamad-surgery-81cc043162 https://www.excelahealth.org/Services/Weight-Management-Center https://www.upmc.com/services/south-central-pa/bariatrics/surgery/choose

I am working on trying to find a bariatric surgeon in my area (Pittsburgh, PA) who is considered In-Network for my insurnace (Aetna), and having a little bit of a hard time. I don't know what exactly to search for on my Aetna member portal that will provide me with a list of In-Network bariatric surgeons, and so far doing a google search for local bariatric surgeons, finding the names and then searching for them in my Aetna member portal, isn't providing me with much of anything. Is there an easier way to do this? What am I doing wrong? Or is it just that there are no In-Network bariatric surgeons near me? TIA for any help..

Thank you all for the advice. I greatly appreciate your input on what to do. My bariatric support team is broken and I am stressing my family out so much. My providers said if i went back to weighing on a scale and not by volume that I would stretch my sleeve. I feel like my body is accustomed to this 1/3c now because now I can barely swallow only a few bites of solid food without it hurting my chest and I am losing more weight. I always wanted to be "pretty and skinny" 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️ and now I can count all of my bones and look like a Halloween skeleton. I poked myself the other day and was like ow what'd I hit?! ...JUST A SHOULDER BONE!😭😭😭 I missed bread so I found these mini Bob Evans bread and sausages, they're tiny about the size of my 1/3c. Mentally I thought I'd start slow because I don't remember the last time I ate bread and that went down just fine but made my abdomen feel full of air and the sausage was good. I couldn't finish it though even though I was still hungry because the way my stomach felt. I was excited to eat more and I couldn't even finish it. I couldnt even finish cottage cheese because I felt full and the dairy didn't set well

People will whine about though how 98% of the recipes are not "bariatric friendly", lol. 😂

a lot of people have had WLS in their 60s. There are a few here on Bariatric Pal, in fact..

Hi! I’m new on here but I have a question. I had my sleeve done January 2020 and was very happy with my results and so glad I did it. I have lost 135 lbs and want to loose another 20-30 lbs more. Now being out 15 months I have developed heart burn, acidic reflux which at times is horrible. I have had heart burn in the passed but infrequently. The GI doctor has done an endoscopy and took biopsies plus stretched me as pills and food were getting stuck in my throat. Now I have this horrible pain after I eat anything like chicken, pork, fish and red meats. I don’t cook with spices, onion, or garlic. The doctor has given me different meds but nothing has worked. Right now I’m on Protonic 40 mg 2 times daily and Pepcid at night. I had an abdominal ultrasound which they found no gallstones but an minimally enlarged spleen. By the way had my gallbladder was removed 37 yrs ago. I was told by her nurse practitioner that the next step is to have a revision. Is this correct? Is there anything the GI doctor or Bariatric surgeon can do before this? Can anyone tell me about the revision? Does it hurt worse than the sleeve? Everything is basically the same as the sleeve except of course the surgery itself? Thanks in advance.

Hi Ladidi and welcome! It is not uncommon at all for 60+ folks to have bariatric surgery! I was sleeved last year at age 67. No adverse events, and I had a successful recovery. Go for it!

Thinking hard about getting bariatric surgery but I’m 67 years old and worried I’m too old. Had lap band unsuccessfully in 2008. Just wanna feel good about myself again. Has anyone had surgery over 65 years old.

I feel like you need a dietitian for our specific bariatric surgery need. I’m only 4 weeks out and I can’t fathom getting in that much protein. Especially with you having previous liver issues. Too much protein can also shut down the kidneys. I would seek a second opinion for sure.