Search the Community

Download this APP from the people who I went through they have a Bariatric Bistro for food list and recipes... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Now that I have lost 116 pounds it sticks out pretty good. I can feel it easily. It is about 1 inch from my belly button and I hit it on everything. I have not had any problems with it but my bariatric PA said that if I do there is a smaller profile port. The one I have looks like a small volcano from the side. Just curious if anyone else has heard this.

Hi everyone. Just wanted to put down my experience for that first week for those who need lifting up. =) My personal experience was hell. Now that doesn't mean yours will be. I see people on here all the time who have truly stellar experiences! But for those of us who didn't. Here I am! Firstly, if you've read my story, you know I"m a liver patient, more than a bariatric patient. In the hospital I had trouble with pain control, blown IV's and pretty much just existed on Water. I was there for two days. I had made my own bone broth and Jello and brought it with me. I didn't even use it I was sick. However, after I got home I felt somewhat better. I had to find a comfortable way to lay on my back. That never happened. In the OR while laying on my back something shifted. It still isn't quite right. I attribute that from my Spondylitis in my SI joint. Chiro hopefully and my massage therapist will be able to help. Anyway, I was nauseated quite a lot the first few days and in a drug induced stupor. I threw up the second night home. That was a horrible experience. I am not one of those people who "ralph" very well. I think it was s combination of taking my liquid pain meds too fast. THEN I did my incentive spirometer, but I think I sucked in air. And out everything came! So be careful with that. That was day two, at home. I pushed through day three with a vengeance, because my grandmother always told me day three of a surgery is always the worst. And it has been. Day four was better....everything seemed clearer and I was able to drink more effectively and even take a few liquid supplements. Not all, but some. Day five. I felt this burst of energy. It was crazy. Mind was willing, body was not! So I walked around the house. Did try to bend, not a good idea... LOL. I was able to get all my Vitamins down this day. I was really proud of myself. But I was still short on the liquids. Day six. Weakness.... I just felt like a wet noodle. I think it was from not getting in the requisite amounts of Protein and liquids for as many days. Day seven. One week post-op. Woo! I finally "felt" hungry. Liquids didn't seem to be cutting it and I started craving fish. Which is a big deal for me because my liver disease had taken all hunger pains away for the past two years. I called my doc's office and asked if I could tolerate the foods on Phase 3 if I could have them? They said yes. I was over the moon about that. Not knowing what I was getting myself into. LOL Day eight. I decided to order the fish. I got sea scallops. And mashed potatoes. I was able to eat the scallop and about a teaspoon of mashed potatoes. It was heaven, it was also hell... I felt way full. I can tell you what they say about "real" food protein staying with you longer, is the truth. These Protein shakes don't last long. I am still drinking two a day to get enough protein in. Day nine. Same weakness. I just feel so weak. All over. And thirsty all the time. Ate scallop and potatoes again for one meal. Still got in all the vitamins. And today, day ten. I still feel weak. I'm hoping this will pass when I am able to actually get in all the protein at least a week in a row. I'm thinking the body has gone into survival mode or something. Two things. I had a bowel movement without taking anything on the second day home, and then again on day five. So I'm not going to take anything unless I have to. Second thing. I found this protein supplement called Reserveage, they taste awesome! Mix very well. Come in vanilla and chocolate. So that has become my go to supplement for protein. I still get individual packets of different flavors to shake things up a bit. I have an order into unjury that hasn't shown up yet. I'll let you know how that tastes when it gets here. So I hope this helps someone. Keep pushing though those first days. It does get easier. I'm excited about the future. =) Have a great day!

Well.....my Doctor who is in the top 5% of bariatric surgeons in the U.S. didn't even have me do a pureed diet. I was drinking full liquids right after surgery for one week. Which included Jell-O, pudding and sugar free popsicles. I am now 12 days out eating a soft diet. Every Doctor is different and it doesn't mean something is going to go wrong. I trust mine completely. Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using BariatricPal mobile app

**I can tuck my shirt in and wear a belt! **I actually look forward to shopping for clothes size medium **I look forward to renewing my drivers license and tell the attendant to change the weight on it **I actually look forward to my nightly bike rides **The plane seat feels comfortable **Can't wait to wear a 2 piece bathing suit this summer

Yes!! My dr called it " bariatric brain" she said it will pass. It's also coming from lowering your carb intake as well. The brain uses carbs. So if you are not taking in a lot of carbs- this happens. I have it too.

[8/12/10] I realized today as I was getting dressed that I always seem to go the “extra mile” when it comes to my appearance on days I go to the doctor. Today I meet w/my bariatric surgeon & dietician on the path forward. Sept 21 will be here before I know it! But back to appearance – it just dawned on me that I think I go all extra on days I know I’m going to the Fatty Doc, bc I feel like my “cute” will somehow overshadow my “fat” – which is often…or at least SOMEtimes the case in the real world. But at a bariatric Dr.’S office – they rarely see the “cute” – if at all, and mostly only see a person that they are glad had sense enough to do something major, about a major health crisis. *sigh* I’m good at being fat. Have been fat my entire life. And though after all is said & done a year from now, for all intents & purposes – I’ll still be a fat girl…but a lot healthier one (and 75-100 lighter). It didn’t hit me until today that this will most likely be my last “uncomfortable, morbidly obese, disgusted with myself and how big I’ve gotten” summer. This time next year – I won’t be so cramped in the metro seat as I blog by crackberry, ill be walking taller w/a lil more pep in my step, AND I will have ridden the rollercoasters that I haven’t been able to get on for the past 5 yrs – at least a thousand times. While still struggling with some future vanity concerns and how ill feel in my new body – I’m still excited. & optimistic that this was the best decision for ME. I know I’m cute (most of the time)…but for so long the magnitude of my good-lookigness has been overshadowed by my weight. Get. Ready. Here she comes… *doin my Geyonce dance* uh oh uh oh uh oh…

I've recently had a horrible experience, need to vent, and wondered if anyone else went through something similar. This past Sunday, I got stuck and vomited. Not the first time it's happened, so I expected to spend the next couple days on liquids. Monday morning I tried a couple sips of warm tea and it came up almost immediately. I called my MD's nurse and explained the situation; she asked me to come in Wednesday at 1PM and she would get me worked in. (My MD is in the clinic all day Monday and half a day on Wed/Fri, other days he is in surgery, doing rounds at the hospital, or at a nonbariatric clinic right on the same block as the bariatric clinic. Also, he is the only person who does fills/unfills. He has no partner or another person trained.) I agreed with her suggestion thinking that the band would loosen up enough to dring at least by Tuesday morning. Unfortunately, I was wrong. I couldn't swallow my own spit much less Water. So, I called the clinic again on Tuesday. By this time I'm desperately thirsty, I've lost 10 lbs since Sunday, I'm vomiting up what little spit I'm producing and accidentally swallowing at least every 2 hours. My temperature is over 100 and my skin turgor is getting worse; my eyelids and skin over my knuckles would stay up in a little peak if I pinched them. I was peeing in small amounts sporadically. I knew I was dehydrated and voiced my concern to the nurse. She responded that he was in surgery all day, and she would try to get ahold of him. And, if she didn't call back, come in the previously arranged time on Wednesday. I responded that I didn't think I could wait that long. Her answer to this was to go to the ER. I was astounded! During the year and a half that I've been a patient, the MD and staff have constantly hammered into me to just give them a call if I need anything . I take this to mean that if an urgent situation like this arises, I can call and get their help quickly. I was very wrong. She did call back and told me to be at the clinic at 0830 Wednesday morning; the MD would come in between hospital rounds. I was so tired by this point and agreed. The next morning my husband drove me to the clinic (by this time I'm very weak, I'm down 12 lbs d/t Fluid loss). I check in and am told that it could be one hour or even three hours before he comes by. By this time I'm so tired and dispirited that I can hardly think. I burst into tears and say I'm going to have him take out all of the fill, I haven't had anything to drink in nearly three days, I've tried to get an appointment for the past two days, my husband has to be at work at 10, etc... I can't even completely remember everything I said, my brain was so clouded. I sit and the desk clerk tells me he has been paged. By the time I see him, it's nearly 11AM!! I had him take all of the fill out although he was initially going to just take a bit out to "decompress", but I insisted. I have a one-month appointment made, but I'm really debating going back. I love my band and don't regret having it done, but don't wish to risk a repeat of this experience. I am about 20 lbs away from my healthy weight and have learned a lot of great habits, so I don't doubt that I could do it. It would just be more slowly. Has anyone else had an experience like this? How did your doctor respond? Sorry so long and thanks for reading:redface:

Anyone out there who is just starting their entire process? I've just seen the 1st doctor / 1st doctor visit that will do my surgery once all the other doctors have reviewed and tested me / my medial history etc. Just looking to see how it went for others out there? I have private insurance and I've contacted them directly to see if I had bariatric benefits, which I did and they referred me to where I need to go so it can be covered.

Hello All, my name is Steve Hudson, I am 43 and pre op gastric sleeve. I weigh about 340, im down from 261 for my pre surgical weight loss. Anyway I write a blog called cutting the fat with a knife. I will post the address at the bottom. What I am trying to do is im going to keep this blog very blunt in cases telling people the things that I feel men need to know. The reason is that I have seen many cases where men avoid the life changing and potentially life saving surgeries because of the stigma that other men have. The macho peer pressure that I am sure many of you have gone through. 1 year post op I will compile this blog into an E-book for men who are thinking about WLS. I even have a few hospitals and weight loss centers that are asking for copies when it is complete. So far almost all the books out there are by women and deal with a lot of womanly issues. I was reading one book and there was two chapters on bras and panties another on pregnancy etc. Not at all a help to me. My surgeon is actually going to appear on the blog as an ask the Bariatric Surgeon byline once a month. OK all this being said, I would like to ask you al some thing now and then to see how your experiences coincide with mine etc. So the first question I would like to ask , I will post it maybe in a top ten type list and give credit to each contributor of course unless you wish me not to, keep it a couple of sentences if you would please. Here's my first question. Was there a final straw, event or moment etc. that made you move from thinking about WLS to actually taking the steps to have it done? If so what was it? Thank you for your help. Even if you do not wish to contribute but wish to check out the blog, I do many video taste tests of various Protein powders, ready made drinks etc, with even more to come. Thank you all for your time. Oh and this book will not cost anything it is not a money issue it will be free to all. I am absorbing any costs myself. http://cuttingthefatwithaknife.blogspot.com

Your replies eased my concerns. I went for my post-op checkup yesterday to meet with the surgeon, but he wasn't there. I met with the nurse instead, but she wasn't concerned about Protein at this point. She said in that first week the important thing was getting in enough liquid. While 64 oz of Fluid is the goal, the real danger zone is when we drink less than 40 ounces a day. I usually get in 50-70, but the other post-op patients I was talking to at the bariatric meeting were not able to hit goal--ever. Today I get to start pureed foods. Looking forward to it...I think.

I'm writing because some of you have been so great to answer my questions and told me to keep you updated as my first consultation was yesterday 7/11! I went in and my doctor was so kind and helpful. He answered a lot of my questions before I even asked them. We agreed that the sleeve is the best surgery for me, and he said my BMI is 49 which is SO weird because last week another doctor said mine was 39, and when I checked it said 42. Maybe they use different BMI charts? Lol. Regardless I qualify. They sent me to a bariatric coordinator. I have Affinity and we went over what they would approve before surgery. I have to do a ton of appointments but the only thing holding me back is the fact that Affinity requires me to see a nutritionist once a month for 4 months. So all of my other appointments are in July and August but seeing that nutritionist for 4 months has me going into October. After my approval, she said that she will book the surgery out 2 weeks. I have to say it's a little frustrating that's the only thing holding me back.... Now I wanted to get people's opinion about scheduling, I'm a graduate student that travels a while to and from both my internship and school. I was wondering if I could do the surgery during my Thanksgiving break (about a week) or if I should just wait until my winter break. My doctor said I would spend one night in the hospital and then start the special diet. He makes it sound doable for my Thanksgiving break, but if I need extra time I want to make sure. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You will get sick of the same tasting shake every day...get a variety..that way when one starts to turn your stomach...you can turn to a different one. I started with Bariatric Advantage vanilla so I could mix different flavors in. But the smell started to get to me...so I turned to GNC brand for a bit. Vanilla, is a good base flavor..I have changed the flavors using sugar free Jello mix...or sugar free syrups down the coffee isle.

I was in terrible pain last night at 2am after throwing up from 430pm that I decided to try the ER. My surgeon is 5 hours away and this was friday might so I called a few hospitals and asked if they had a bariatric doctor if I come in and of course they had no idea what I was talking about. Then I called one and there was actually a recording advertising for bariatric surgery. I took my chances, went there and the bariatric doc was the on call doc. I felt so lucky cause nobody else had any idea what I was even talking about. So anyways the doc took out all my fill to let it heal from the swelling. I was in so much pain and immediately after he took out the fill I had instant relief. I'm doing better but gonna be on liquids for a few days.

Do not go to Italy and only eat shakes and jerky, that would be heartbreaking and tragic. I say just order whatever you want and then eat whatever portion you feel like eating. The good thing about vacationing is that nobody knows you, so who cares if the waiter is horrified there's food left on the table? Tell every single one of them that you're both just getting over a stomach bug but HAD to try their food because you'd heard it was so good. And if you go somewhere and eat at the bar, they're less likely to flinch at small orders. Client meals are a minefield. There's only so long I can con people into going to tapas joints. I'm finding I have more success with soups than anything else, because the plate at least looks big most of the time. And I've also been known to say "I'm just ordering something light because I might have to get back to the office for a call" which is a filthy lie but takes the spotlight off. Basically I'm saying bariatric surgery has made me into an unabashed, gleeful liar.

Thanks everyone. I started with 30 minutes walk starting today. Hopefully can be strict with myself to follow the regime. I realize that I also need to be tuned to the forum to be in touch with all you wonderful people who are so supportive and help me stay motivated. I was always into fad diets before the VSG and I think that my BMR is all messed up! So am happy so far to have lost this much as long as it does not come back again with vengeance. Will have to be patient with the last leg progress, I guess @feedyoureye - Am taking 1 tab of Bariatric Advantage daily and a monthly shot of Vit B12 injection. Else diet intake is under control...though caffeine (with splenda) intake should be reduced and Water intake increased instead !

Hello... my name is Rhonda and I am a 38 yr old lady from NW Pennsylvania. I live with my boyfriend and have a 13 yr old son. WLS was always in the back of my mind, but the ignition point was my gall bladder crapping out in late Feb of this year. My doc wasn't the general surgeon I had requested, but rather his partner. They say things happen for a reason & my finding Dr. Kalim this was def divine intervention. Yes, it's his business, but he was very tactful in addressing my weight even before I had my lap chole. Upon my post op from the lap chole, Dr. Kalim again mentioned my WLS options. I have to tell you, I work at the same hospital and the bariatric program is relatively new. I had worked with some of the key players in various roles before. So when he asked me to go to a seminar and walked me into the program coordinator's office... I felt I HAD to go out of professional courtesy!! Eventually I got my mind right and realized that I wanted to pursue this for ME!! My gb issue and being assigned to Dr. Kalim was the path laid before me. I have to say it's a joy to be so close to my care team!! They work extremely hard to make EVERYONE feel comforted and secure. At the 1st visit we mapped out the first three months and all of the extras (ie EGD, psych, dietary, sleep study, etc.) At the 3rd month we mapped out preads, consent and clearances and surgical date. I have one more nutrition class (out of 3), preads, my 6th monthly visit and final pre-surg visit with my doctor to go. I would be lying if I didn't claim my fears of all this not working or my OWN failure, but I am trying to stay positive and keep working hard now to adopt good healthy lifestyle changes!!

Check out BariatricEating.com - BE, Inc. The number one bariatric website for protein, vitamins, and success. for a slew of recipes.

I had to do tons of pre op tests like sleep studies, upper GI and even my gallbladder out. After that my insurgence said they wanted 6 month supervised diet. THEN after that my insurance denied me. My BMI was a 52 and then still denied. Luckily I have a great bariatric center and they appealed it and FINALLY I got approved as medically necessary and 3 days later got banded. It's different for everybody but definitely look into what your insurance covers . Good luck

Guys i need some help. I have tried getting more specific answer from UHC and they literally only spit out the policy at me verbatim. My policy states i need 6 months minimum before surgery for dr visits and/or weight loss logs from a structured program. So my question is, how far back in my medical history can i go to get 6 months? Also, it says and/or weight loss logs so does that mean i can getapproved on 4 months dr visits and 2 months worth of weight loss logs? Ive gotten no help in clarification from UHC and the bariatric coordinator at my surgeon is hell bent on 6 straight months of dr visits and she dont wanna hear anything about my weight loss logs or my gym check ins my coworker under the same policy got hers approvedby her just logging 6 months without dr intervention! Thoughts? Suggestions? Anyone had similiar experience with the coordinator at ATL Bariatric Surgery - Dr. Hart?

Every surgery has risks and loved ones often get concerned when they hear that. It might help your daughter if she understands the benefits and risks beyond what a doctor can explain in a short meeting. And it might help you be more comfortable as well. Here are some great online resources to get you started. There are many more. The bottom line for me was that the odds were overwhelmingly in favor of my surgery being successful. I would do it again in a second. You're gonna love the new you!! http://www.hsph.harv...vention-source/ (Harvard School of Public Health) http://www.webmd.com/ http://asmbs.org/ (American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery) http://iom.edu/Repor...Prevention.aspx (Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Science) http://www.wlslifestyles.com/ (This is a digital magazine with an ENORMOUS amount of information on weight loss surgery. Cost is $19.95 for a one year subscription and imho that's a real bargain.) http://www.mayoclinic.com/

Hello everyone, I'm new here. I'm getting lap band next month at bariatric solutions on Decatur TX, anyone have some good advise for me? I've talked to a few people that have had it, but just want some great advise from some other people. Thanks!

I had mine done in Philadelphia but go to Dr Peter Leport in Fountain Valley, they have a bunch of doctors in the office. I know there is a Bariatric doctor at the hospital in the Hillcrest area which is where my sister had her bypass. Worst case my doc for cash pay charges 250 for a fill and then the office visit of 35.00.. My insurance is paying for my fills now. Which is far better than one of the doctors locally here that required me to pay 3,700.00 just to get an appt with him, then pay for the fill, then pay for an office visit. Even if insurance was to have paid they would make you cough up cash up front just to see this ROCKSTAR!! lol.. I don't think so

Is there anyone else going to have surgery in Las Vegas with Dr. Umbach? i am having my surgery at Blossom Bariatrics on Friday June 18th. gonna fly on the big metal bird Tuesday. (i'm a litttle scared :thumbup1:) we will be in Vegas for a week. will miss my hubby and kids soooooo much!!!! but im happy i am doing this. wish me luck....

LAP-BAND,laparoscopic banding,bariatric surgery,obesity Tracy's FAQ LAP-BAND: Surgery Technique Weight-Loss Surgeries Compared You could also join his egroup and talk to lots of other patients. It's really a great group. Dr. Aceves is the VP of the Mexican Bariatric Assoc., and the Secretary of the International Bariatric Assoc. Both those positions are voted on by members so he is even respected by US docs. Things that you want to look for are issues such as... does your doc do surgery in a clinic or hospital? Mexico is not the same as the US, if you were to have a complication in a clinic and needed to be transported to a hospital it is not as easy as calling 911 and they are there in minutes. It's a whole different ballgame. I preferred to be in a fully equipped hospital with an ER, ICU, CCU, PICU, OR, etc. What kinds of procedures does the doc do? Does he ONLY do banding? Banding is the easiest of all procedures. I chose Aceves because he can do the tricky stuff, the bypass to band revisions, sleeve, etc. Many docs won't touch the hard stuff. How close do you want to be to the border? Some have a preference, some do not. I wanted to be close to the border. Just my personal opinion but I think the best two docs in Mexico from my research are Rumbaut and Aceves. They are who others refer to for the more complicated procedures. They both work out of a hospital, they don't do assembly line surgery, they both open the patient, place the band, and close the patient unlike other docs who have the asst. surgeon do most of the work. They are both well respected in the Mexican medical community, they both train US docs in banding, they are both safe surgeons. When people talk about how many bands someone has done, keep in mind that many times the docs strive to do 10 procedures a day. They have the Asst. Surgeon do most of the work, they spend about 15 minutes in OR with the patient, the asst. does everything else. Personally, I wouldn't want to be the 10th OR patient in the day. Rumbaut and Aceves limit their surgeries to 4-5 daily because they are doing the entire procedure. Lots of things to think about and consider when going to Mexico. It can be a very safe experience, but research is essential.