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I was just stating what my doctor told me, a person who has performed over 4000 bariatric surgeries. He was also Duke fellowship trained. They are one of the best bariatric programs in the country. So I think he may know a little something. I oozed and absolutely had no problems.

I pushed "post" too quickly!! Sorry!! At Bariatric Advantage I am on the auto ship plan....they send it automatically however often I specify, and therefore I get free shipping. There are 60 chews in each bag, and I take 4 per day. (1000 mg total) I have them send 2 bags at 9.99 monthly. So it costs me $20 per month.

My nut insisted on Citrate. Here is the one I buy/take: http://www.bariatricchoice.com/bariatric-advantage-bariatric-chewable-calcium-270ct.html

You know what I'm going to suggest-----CALL YOUR BARIATRIC TEAM!! Enough is enough, don't you think, Friend. 26 days out and your are this ill?? Call your team and GET SEEN. FEEL BETTER!!! Post back and let us know how you are doing and what your team said and did. We care, really we do.

I'm going to an information seminar next week at a Center that does Bariatric Surgeries. You are required to go to one of the seminar's to get the process started.. For those that have gone to similar, what should I expect?

Here's to a smooth surgery and recovery!! There are some soft food recipes on the Baritastic app (if you use it). Check with your nutritionist as well. My nutritionist gave me some recipes compiled by my bariatric program- I didn't use any. I must admit that I was not adventurous with food in the first few phases. I stuck to the basics - shakes, yogurt, soup, etc. During the pureed stages, I added tuna and other soft fish.

Here is the link for the current policy with criteria for bariatric surgery. Good luck! Yep.. that's the information my insurance provider gave me. Thanks;) Hey I appreciate the information:)

I have struggled with my weight my entie life! My birth family was a red hot mess. Father was a Vietnam War Vet and as a result became an alcholic, a very violent one at that. He beat us and was emotionally and verbally abusive. Quite the monster, but that's what war does to people! My mother was mentally ill and very young. She had 12 kids all less than 10 months apart. Unable to cope with all the abuse and all those kids with no help, she abandonded us after my father took off. I was in foster care most of my early years. The sexual abuse began then. Fortunately I was adopted at age 8. That's when the food addiction began. Fearful that I would be moved again I ate any and everything in sight thinking I may be back in a home where food was scarce. But the family that adopted me was pretty great. They were so patient with me. My files had been sealed so they really had no idea what I had endured. Due to the sexual abuse I donned the "fat suit". It was my protective mechanism to keep any and everyone away from me. At that point I was very athletic and participated in MANY sports. I wasn't really that heavy. My adopted family are all very small framed skinny folks. I'm talking size 0's with no eating issues whatsoever. I on the other hand am 5'8" with very large bones. Never been a size 0! So I was dubbed the "big" one, which is code for the fat kid! My adopted dad, who as a doctor, constantly harped about my weight. He called me gross and would take food out of my hand. My adopted mom always made me wear beige clothing and I wasn't allowed Levis jeans because "big girls can't wear those!" I know they didn't mean to be humilating and demeaning. They had never dealt with a weight issue in their family. They thought it would get the desired results. It did not. I look back and I was not even heavy just had a solid, muscular build. So I entered into the neverending food cycle. Eating when I was depressed. Being depressed because I was fat. So what did I do? Ate more to comfort myself. It was maddening. I've been on every diet known to man. Lose but gain double back and feel more like a failure everytime it happened. I always thought bariatric surgery was the easy way out. Little did I know just how wrong I was! After being diagnosed with diabetes I decided enough was enough and began to research the surgery. I made an appointment with my pcp and she thought I was an ideal candidate. My bmi wasn't high enough so I honestly didn't think I would get BCBS approval. But praise God I did get approved! My surgery was April 20th. I chose the RNY bypass because I wanted to be sure the diabetes and GERD would be resolved! This has by far been one of the most challenging and difficult things I have ever done! The assessments, classes and diagnostic testing has been grueling. I have had to take a long hard look at myself and there were lots of things I didn't like. But it's been such a freeing journey. I have had counseling over the years and I have allowed the Lord to work out many things and bring healing. Now it's time to free myself from the fat suit that my abusers have held me captive in all my life. I have allowed them to steal enough of my life and now it's time to bury them forever. I have stirred up a lot of emotions and unresolved issues during this process. I am working on those and I know the Lord will continue to lead me on this journey toward complete and total healing! I am ready to live free and unhindered! I am ready for my body to reflect the freedom my spirit is experiencing! This is not the end of my journey but it is the close of a chapter. It's also the beginning of a beautiful new one. I am hopeful and so, so grateful to the Lord and everyone who has been a part of my healing. God has been so very good to me! I am blessed beyond anything I ever thought possible and more than I could ever deserve. But that's the beauty of grace and mercy, isn't it? And that's the preciousness of my God! Sissy Austin

Thanks everyone for the great advice, went shopping bought veggies and fruit not a lot of fruit cuz I know myself, I now discarded all candy, ice cream, and the cake I decided to take the advice of a bariatric pal I was sabotaging and for what purpose, so I cut it out immediately thanks friend,

And it may sound sneaky but I have known of cases that are billed as Hiatal Hernia repair instead of bariatric surgery especially if you have one of the insurance plans reluctant to cover VSG or RNY, and sad to say even in this enlightened age, there are insurance providers that think Bariatrics are only "Vanity Surgeries". Wish they could walk in my moccasins, they would quickly see the error of their ways! Oh I was fortunate that Medicare/Medicaid only asked for need and a BMI over 40, I sure didn't need the co-morb I already had, my presurgery BMI at first consultation was nearly 52. And not to be rotten about it, my current one is 31.1 9 months out. So your could say my life turned around JUST in Time, now at edge of mere overweight, instead of obesity and morbid obesity. 👍🌸😝🌺, as small or smaller than I was in 1967 when I got married. Long Time Ago!

Never been to one of their sites, but maybe check their terms and conditions -- if they're smart, they'll say that people who have had bariatric surgery can't participate. If they don't, well... that's their own fault, I guess.

Another point to consider is if your insurance limits you to one bariatric surgery per lifetime. If that’s the case, you should consider RNY over VSG, cut once, as there are a number of people that are requiring revision surgery after VSG and you would hate to have to self-pay for a 2nd surgery. As well, weight loss is typically better with an original surgery than a revision surgery. Long term use of PPIs is also not recomneded as they cause risks for serious health issues/diseases.

I just started my pre-op diet, and I purchased several Soups from Bariatric Pal online. They delivered in about two days., and you get a discount on your first purchase. The creamy veg is really good. I have chicken and tomato on the way. I honestly could not make it without this Soup option for my Protein. I am sick of chocolate and vanilla shakes. There is a new product I bought at Wal mart called LIFT protien drinks. It is more like a lemonade made by Atkins. My nutritionist said it was good pre and post op. It is clear liquid w/ 20 gms protein. I eat roasted chicken or turkey or lean ham on spinach leaves with tomato and vinegar, or stir fry or grill chicken with yellow squash and zucchini for my meals. I go to a Olive Oil/Vinegar specialty shop ( in our local upscale shopping center) and buy exotic vinegar ( strawberry, champagne pear, apricot walnut, etc....) They are super yummy, and I do not miss dressing at all this way. I hate the fake low cal/fat dressings in the market. It is pretty limited. You can get sugar free popsicles at Wal Mart really cheap. and SF Jello. I can honestly say by Blood Sugar is now normal. Good Luck. I really do not eat very much to begin with, so I have not had a hunger problem AT all...just an " I want" problem. LOL! I cannot say enough about the protein soup on this site's product line. It is saving me flavor wise! I will probably buy this for many years to come after surgery!

I am waiting for a surgery date (maybe they will tell me when they call with the date), but the advocate for the bariatric center and the surgeon himself have never mentioned pre-op diet. Do some doctors ask you to do that and some not? Or, does it depend on your weight?

just wondering how you're doing after 2+ months? i'm going to nj bariatric as well! i saw montes first, but my second visit was with glassnap. i'm hoping to set a surgery date this week for sometime in june. great to see jersey folks on here. i'm from garwood.

Katalin.e., I did not go back very far in the posts so I don't know what kind of problem you are having, but your insurance has to cover any tests that you need to have for any problem that you are experiencing if it endangers your health. EVEN IF they did not pay of the band and EVEN IF the problem you are having now is related to the band. As for a doctor, try Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore, they take almost every insurance and they have a good bariatrics department. There is also a Dr. Gail Wynn at Christiana hospital that I understand is very good. Christiana is near Wilmington, Delaware, just north of Baltimore and south of Philadelphia. Just go have the test done and let them bill your insurance. If they deny the claim (which I doubt), appeal the decision, and if you have to take the matter to the insurance commissioner's office for the state. By the way, there is a law in Maryland that any company that has 50 or more employees MUST cover bariatric surgery. So just get the problem diagnosed and treated and then fight with the insurance (the provider will often be more willing to help you argue with the insurance company if it is their money on the line too). Good luck, Laura

Dear Gail Ann I too had the Gastric Sleeve, mine was on December 11, 2014 and I was FREAKING out because I dropped 25lbs in less than 2weeks and STOPPED!!!!! It has been almost 2 full weeks and I am teter tottering at 260 to 265lbs. The only reason I think that I dropped so much right away is because my Dr. keeps you on Clear and Bariatric liquids for a full 3weeks. The Good news my friend, is that when I saw my nutritionist this past weekend she assured me that it is "Normal" to come to a slight hault in the 3-4th week, again in the 3rd month and once more in the 6th month. She said that your body is So used to being a certain weight that it is hanging on to everything you are putting in from shock and thinking that you are starving yourself even though you are not!!! Girl, Stay Strong, I promise if you do I will too because I am feeling exactly what you are feeling but I have to believe that if I am following the diet, which I am, step by step then WE MUST LOSE!!!!!! I am interested in your progress please keep me posted!!!! Luv ~T~

I would definitely try to get the surgery and consult done at a Bariatric Center of Excellence.

I don't know how open you are to traveling but there's a place in San Antonio, TX that advertises the sleeve for $9,990. It's Sage Bariatric. https://www.sagebariatric.com/sleeve-surgey-9400/ They have a ton of accolades and awards and John Pilcher has some really great YouTube content. Their office was one of my top choices. The only reason I didn't choose them is because I didn't want to travel after surgery and found a wonderful surgeon closer to home.

Well, it's been a while, but with all of your suggestions and encouragement, I've finally begun to loose as you can see from my ticker. In December 2011 I finally talked my bariatric surgeon to give me another x-ray to see if my band had slipped. It had not. The nurse practioner would not give me any more fillings. She said that I was at 7 cc and I could have no more even though I had a large band. She said that I wasn't doing my part. I just felt that there was more to the story. The band should be helping me, but I could not even tell I had a band. After getting nowhere with my bariatric center, I went back to my primary care physician and asked for a consultation/second opinion from another bariatric surgeon. My appointment was January 5th. The difference in their attitude was huge. They drew out my filling and found that I actually only had 6 cc, so they gave me another one. The difference was amazing! I could feel the band. Wow! I didn't know that's how it would feel. I had lost my 1st 8 pounds from the Friday before Christmas until I went to the new doctor's office, and that was a huge struggle. Since that day, I've lost 4 more pounds and it is so much easier. Granted I am taking the antidepressent, but I can tell the band is working now. When I eat meat 1st, I can't eat very much. I've been off of sweets since then, and it has been easy because I'm not hungry all the time. I have had no problem saying "No" to sweets - even donuts!! What a relief, not to be craving sweets all the time. The new doctor said that I still have some wiggle room with my band. I'm so glad he took me as his patient. Thank you all for your help.

Hi everyone! Had my PCP appointment today. I asked for a referral for bariatric surgery and he put in a referral for it, and he referred me for the health classes (I'm assuming and HOPING the Options program?) he says its a process, which I know. Anyhow, just wondering how long it took for them to call you to get everything going? He said they would be in touch with me. I'm getting my bloodwork done tomorrow as he said it would be good to have that done and over with. *edit: spelling

Well I have my psych eval on Thursday the 24th that the bariatric surgeon requires. Now my insurance company doesnt require this stuff..but I just was able to make an appt to get in to talk to my PCP about seeing if he would recommend the surgery as well. I also called my ob/gyn that diagnosis me with PCOS and Insulin resistance to write a letter also. So I'm covering all my basis before I send this in to the bariatric surgeon along with my packet they want me to fill out about my medical history etc to get a consult. I'm making sure there wont be any question of me getting this surgery. That way the insurance company has no problems seeing that I have issues and need this surgery. My PCP has seen me more times than I can count about having chronic bronchitis and just being sick all the time and my asthma getting worse. I am also quitting smoking...I'm down to 4 cigs a day. Mostly at work and on the drive home. Of course you realize with quitting smoking I'm gonna gain more weight...which will also help with the surgery not that I really need any with being over 250 now and only 5'5! So whatcha think..have I missed anything that might be required?? My insurance co and the surgeon dont require the 6 month weight loss program...just lots of diet history with the packet you send in. Is there anything else that I havent thought of yet? :rolleyes2:

Sounds like I'm in the same boat as you. I have Standard so I have to go off post. Sent from my SM-N920T using the BariatricPal App Yes I do. I'm in VA beach Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I am at Eustis. I am just starting the bariatric program at Portsmouth. Before I received my referral, I considered going standard and through the bariatric program at Sentara. I went to the orientation last week and see the surgeon on the 10th. There is a facebook group, I believe it is called Weight loss surgery with tricare. All of the women in that group are so helpful! They explained the entire process to me beforehand, so that I'd have a greater understanding of tricare and the bariatric programs. There are locals in there too. One just had the surgery in July and she is standard. She is very helpful and helps me with all of my questions. She went through sentara. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I have been seeing preparing to have surgery and have completed all my insurance requirements.... I want to have surgery as soon as possible! My surgeon is requiring me to have a sleep study done and then IF (you know they will) they say I have sleep apnea they are going to make me sleep with the cpap for 14 nights straight before being cleared for surgery.... WELL there is another center of excellence bariatric surgery place here that DOES NOT require a sleep study that my friend works at and I could possibly have surgery with him within 2 weeks.... I am seriously thinking about switching surgeons... What would you do??

try lookin for a different insurance company..does ur ins cover any other bariatric surgery?? u might wanna look into that? i had to switch companies when i found out aetna didnt pay for my surgery so i went with personal choice which covers it in philadelphia..also keystone cover it 2 and they both have plans for people to pay on there own...good luck