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I am forever talking up my favorite product, herbalife Protein drink mix. its like crystal lite consistency (the peach mango is the best) and has 15 gm protein per serving. I drink it all day long. I dont sell or otherwise endorse herbalife, I just happen to really dig this one product. Also, at my bariatric support group last nite some vets were talking about a flavorless Protein powder they sampled that was really flavorless. I think it was called bipro.

Hello everyone. I was referred to a Bariatric surgeon for Lap Band surgery and/or GBS. I go to the seminar this Tuesday. But I wanted to know what are the cons and pros from people who may have had it already. I think I want the GBP, although I have to admit I'm scared. I have several questions also, I'm currently about 85lbs overweight, my BMI is 34. But I have Graves disease, PCOS and fibromyalgia. I'm concerned about whether I should be still trying to lose weight in the meantime, or forego trying until I get approved by insurancel, or whether I should try to gain 15lbs just to be 100 lbs overweight. I have BCBS of Alabama and BCBS of New Jersey. I was told by both insurance companies that I should qualify but, I know insurance companies and one rep doesn't make my approval. I've had 2 years of consecutive medical supervision in dieting, documented by three doctors. I've lost and gained and lost and gained. It's just difficult with Graves disease. I've been trying to lose weight for atleast 8 years now. I'm more inclined to the GBS because it's more restrictive. I prefer the rigidness of dieting as oppose LB and knowing I can go overboard without more severe consequences. If that's makes sense. Any thoughts would be so helpful. Thanks so much.

Congrats to you!! What an accomplishment!! I'm scheduled for surgery on the 22nd, but thinking ahead I have some of the same questions as you do. I've had 4 friends have the surgery...none of them have had plastic surgery yet. They have all maintained their weight at this point. My one friend says when she starts to put a few pounds on she starts focusing better on Protein and cuts back her wine for a week or so. She says its about balance. I recently read a great book by a woman who had the surgery and is a trainer and she talks about how to not regain the weight. It's an eBook and only 5$ 'Piratical Advice for Lifetime Maintenance after Bariatric surgery' by Pamela Harrelson Wishing you well!!

I am on day 9 and was struggling. Went to last preop appt and like that my NUT said I can have no starchy veggies and broth! I felt like I hit the food lottery!!! Am on Bariatric Advantage shakes and bars (yuck!)

Ok so Tues Jan 24th I was on Clear liquids only-had Water and chicken broth throughout the day. I was so excited and felt prepared mentally and physically. I’m a Kaiser baby and my doctor didn’t require a 2 week liquid diet- just clears the night before 10oz of magnesium citrate. Around 6pm I took that and it tasted awful but whatevs. Around 11pm I went to go take a shower and scrub with the antibacterial scrub the bariatric team provided and I remember I had a quick urge to release and couldn’t. I went back in the shower and the water felt so good from straining and I couldn’t wait to fall asleep. I raised my head to wash my face and closed my eyes…and woke up on the floor of the tub with my mom shaking me up (my brother heard me fall and woke up my parents), she’s talking and I can’t hear her or the shower. I was like-I fell asleep? I realized I fainted. The water was warm and I just felt so tired. I wanted to sleep there to be honest. I got up and told her I must have dozed off and needed to use the scrub before I get out (I can’t believe I still wanted to scrub lol) so I got up reached for the scrub and fainted again!! Mom caught me and slowly brought me down. I woke up and this time was worried, mom dressed me and my brother called 911. I was freezing and my dad was holding me keeping me warm. Paramedics said my blood pressure was very low and I was dehydrated, the put an IV in me and drove to Kaiser ER where I had 4 bags of Fluid before I could go home. My dad did not want me to get the surgery after this but I was like if I’m not getting it tomorrow, I’m never going to put myself through this again I won’t get the surgery. Got home at 3a, slept till 7 then headed to Kaiser by 8:30. Greeted with more fluids! I was definitely not dehydrated anymore lol. Mom stayed with me till the ‘end’ of my old self. Surgery was scheduled at 11 but surgeon was concerned and kept me on fluids till almost 1, I was going crazy waiting!! My mom- she is my angel and rock. She kept me calm, patient and relaxed. Kaiser surgeon team- super friendly, polite and to the point. I felt ready and prepared…until 5 mins before surgery…Slowly I started feeling anxious, then worried, then panicky. The nurse dropped a bag of IV fluid and for some reason I thought they would make a mistake on me and I was going to die! I started crying and shaking and I don’t fully understand why I got scared-I just did. I kept wondering-is this a mistake? Am I going to not wake up? My mom was trying so hard to help without her crying too because she wanted to ease my fear. The team came in one by one and introduced themselves and were very kind. Two of the girls walked me into the op room, held my hand and were extremely nice and honest- yes there is 1 in 100 chance of leaks but the surgeon has had none with his patients. The surgeon talked to me and said that there is no pressure, they want me to feel safe and know they will take care of me, they want me to be comfy, most of all they want me not to feel forced. They made me feel like I was not crazy and I appreciated that. I woke up in my hospital room and didn’t feel much pain, just sore like a truck ran over me. Didn’t really talk much at the hospital. Mom and dad were there and let me relax, slept the first day. Kept waking up nauseous and only slept every 2-3 hours or so, waking up to dry heave. At night the nurses had me walk and I did a lap, go back to bed and press the pain med button only after every walk. Other than that I didn’t need it. Went home the next night. Really sore, tender, it was a struggle to walk but gets easier. Every day gets better. I do not regret this AT ALL super happy and ready for my journey. It’s been a crazy beginning but I learned that if I can do this, I can do anything I set my mind and heart to. I’m journaling my wl through youtube and recording my inches. I hope of your thinking of this, I would recommend the sleeve and if you have any questions I’m happy to help, let’s be friends!

i have had the bariatric xray i dont know how many times and every time they say there is nothing wrong with the band. no slippage or anything.last time i had a check up from my lap band doctors though has ben about two years. i quite going because i dont like my surgeon or the place, true results. my surgeon acted like he didnt really care. as long as he got his $$$ he was ok. i unfortunately never had a nutritionist. i dont have insuranc so i didnt have to go through the same procedure everyone else does to get the sugery who has insurance. all i had to do was get my bmi down and have the surgery. which i regret because i dint have the right counsoling when going into this. i do still drink carbonation. i know i shouldnt. one of my biggest weaknesses. my family is always getting onto me about that. i have had a complete unfill. i do have a little bit in right now. its not the fills that get me sick. its just that whenm i get sick i have to take it out.

Well... today is day 9. Now I am not going to lie, there were a few hard times in these past 9 days, but those were due mostly to behavioral issues. Actually, today I had my first growling stomache (thanks to a staff meeting when I would have been drinking my shake). In actuality though, I have been alright. I am supposed to be doing 5 shakes a day and can have broth... I do not think I have done 5 shakes yet... usually 4 and found some bariatric low-carb, high protein soups (85 cals w/15g protein) that halp me make my day complete. I even work out throughout the week (By the way, that only works if I have about half my shake before and then the remainder right after). I have a SF jello cup whenever I want a treat, H2O and plenty of SF drinks (like Crystal Light). I have to call in and verify my weight in 3 days and if my surgeon is not happy with my progress my surgery will be post-poned. This is what I think about most of the time. I can not even work because I am so caught up in the what ifs. It feels good to say it though. All you posters help me to keep going. I wish every one the best of blessings, and will keep you posted! ~Real

hi im just looking for anyone who may have been banded by fairfield county bariatrics i have a seminar with them and just wanna know how they are is all

Good morning Vietnam! .. I mean VST... No... I mean bariatric pal... We are still bariatric "pals" today right?? Sigh.. Well I'm glad you girls are finding your way back to the 5:2. I too have bookmarked it because even though I have subscribe to it a million and one times, it insists on kicking me off.

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Written 12 June 2009. Ok, despite being told that I would recieve a letter this week for my pre -assessment date, believe it or not, today still no letter. I was fumming, this roller coaster ride is getting to me, I wont to get off. Anyway, I calmed myself down and phoned bariatric admissions and spoke with Pauline the administrator -co-ordinator. It wasobvious she was familiar with my name and asked me to hold on whilst she checked. She then returned and stated that she had not yet sent the letter out. She explained that she was still dealing with people waiting since December 2008. Anyhow, she preceeded to inform me that my pre-assessment date will be on 3rd of July at 9am. I was a little upset but held that to myself. Alright, so the 3rd July, what do I need to do now. The bad news is that i've spent the last 2 weeks backsliding. Firstly, I think I was really good last week Friday on my birthday, I had a mushroom risotto, and tomato juice. That was it for the night, I think I was too excited to eat anything else. However, at the weekend, I indulged myself with my birthday cake, OMD, it's soooo nice. I've helped myself to quite a few slices this is not the norm for me as I not really a cake person. I also had a KFC hot wings at least 3 times over the past 2 weeks and a McDonalds cheese burger and milk shake. I don't even eat McDonalds. What's going on I hear you ask, well I think this a little comfort eating going down here, frustrated with the whole surgery situation, plus Aunt Mary from Red Hills, (monthly cycle). To top it off, I've not been to water aerobics for 2 weeks neither tai chi. I didn't go to tai chi because I did not want to pay the fee for a whole month - if I was going to hospital for my surgery. That's a joke. I really need to get back on track. I need to start my exercise, right now I need to muster some self motivation. We'll see. Hyacinth.

For my protein, I eat eggs, refried Beans, cheese sticks (sometimes wrapped in a slice of light deli ham or turkey if it's a meal rather than a snack), salmon or fish in general, a bit of chicken, quinoa (sometimes a tbsp as a side dish if I'm still hungry after my meat portion at dinner). I currently don't eat anything (other than the SF popsicles, which count as a liquid) that doesn't have protein in it, because I just don't have the room. I hit between 45 and 60 grams of protein daily at 5 weeks out, which the doctor said is fine at this point. He is more concerned with me staying hydrated and said the protein will come as I'm able to eat more food (and he said VERY firmly to not rush this point but take it very slow...which is okay with me) My sleeve doesn't tolerate milk products or Greek yogurt, but it's fine with cheese (but not cottage cheese. It just tastes funky post-surgery. I loved it pre-surgery). Protein shakes make me gag because they're so sweet...although I did okay with the Chike coffee protein when I was still full liquids. For more protein/recipe ideas, check out According to Eggface or the Bariatric Foodie. They have a lot of suggestions (that's where I go to look for recipes)

Some folks in chat have asked me about the vitamins, shakes and suppliments I take. I wanted to post the website. Bariatric Advantage - Nutritional Supplements, Vitamins, Proteins, and Help for Gastric Bypass, Distal, Lap Band, Realize, Stomaphyx and Duodenal Switch Surgery Patients

Your Grandma may have given you a hard time, but it looks like she is coming around. Show her some extra love when she gets her knee surgery. A knee replacement is as painful as a surgery can get, the physical therapy is torture and the recovery is long. Maybe Grandma will be convinced now that bariatric surgery would be instrumental in relieving joint pain.

If Aleve is OK with your bariatric surgeon.. that's fine. However, it is a NSAID and many bariatric docs prohibit or severely limit the use of NSAIDs. They are thought to contribute to the possibility of erosion. Just wanted you to be aware of this if you weren't already.

i got a call from a doctor on base, calling to give me some info from the wonderful young doctor i saw a week or so ago. APPARENTLY, the surgeons on base didnt approve my surgery because i hadnt been to any bariatric classes. (im assuming this is to talk about the procedure, the band and the lifestyle change that it requires?) so in short, my doctor put in a referral for bariatric classes at the David Grant medical center general surgery clinic (the hospital on base). supposedly, after i attend the classes, i can get a referral to the surgeon i want off base. if this is the confusion im facing now, i cant wait until i have to deal with Tricare! :wink:

I think that losing your hair and it's texture change is directly related to not getting enough protien in your diet. Protein drinks are good but they still are not as good as eating meat or fish. With protien suppliments and powders your body does not absorb as much protein as it does from real food. Step up eating protein and see if it helps. My MD always harps on eating your protein first and then worrying about veggies and starch if you can fit it in. Also, my good friend had the gastric bypass and she lost a lot of hair. When it grew back in it was wierd for a while but eventually went back to normal so hopefully it is a temporary situation. Finally, to the others talking about companies not having WLS on their plans. Unfortunately. this is becoming more and more common. My insurance has no coverage for any Bariatric anything...period. This is more cost effective for companies and what they pay in the short term for their employees health coverage. Unfortunately, they never seem to realize they will pay out more in the end with their employees having Diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart problems related to their obesity. My company is now even talking about making the employee pay more out of pocket for their health insurance if their BMI is over a certain percentage. I hear many companies are thinking about resorting to this. I think it is still an acceptable form of discrimination!

Just got back from the bariatric clinic weigh in. This was my first week with eating real food and even though I was eating around 700-850 cal a day, I still only lost a pound this week. Guess my system is not used to eating real food after so long on watery stuff and mush:( Hopefully next week starts to pick it up. Other than that, I'm feeling really good. Already started to pack up a couple outfits I can't wear anymore to give a friend of mine that is getting lap band soon. Time to start shopping again

I am eating greek yogurt, Atkins shakes, High Protein oatmeal from Bariatric Choice, and High protein Soup I got from Bariatric choice. Frankly very tired of all of these things. Girl I would jump into mushies if I could!!! Maybe just try one new different mushie per day since you are concerned. Maybe that ricotta bake from eggface or something like that would be a good start!

I have currently located one doctor in Coos Bay, Dr. Tersigni (Bay Bariatrics) who is reasonable priced. Does anyone know of any other doctors in Oregon or Washington that only charges $10,000 to $12,000 for the Lap Band? I am not interested in going to Mexico!!! I live in Newberg which is about 20 minutes from Portland. I am unfortunantly going to be a self pay. I don't mind going to Coos Bay, but If there are any doctors that would preform the surgery for that cost and is closer to me that would be outstanding. Has anyone negotiated the price with the doctor? If, so, how did you do it who is the best person to talk to.. Kathy

I use Bariatric Advantage calcium citrate lozenges in the cinnamon flavor. They're chewable and taste great!! I've been fortunate to be able to take regular multi-Vitamins that I swallow, but I know Bariatric Advantage makes them also in a chewable form. As for the stretch marks, I can't help there. I just try to ignore mine...ha! Knock wood - they haven't been too bad so far.

Hi there-I have UHC and they don't cover bariatric surgery...however, the surgery center I went through has a little trick they use. Since I needed hiatal hernia repair...they billed the insurance for the repair and not the band....which got my procedure covered for $8k. I financed the remaining $3k and am on a monthly payment plan (200/monthly) I don't know if thats an option for you, but it sure helped me get a bulk of the cost covered. I hope this bit of information helps...good luck!

I'm not trying to be funny, but maybe a new Dr. If they are not there to make sure you understand everything, you don't want them. My bariatric center is there to see that I succeed.

It is very normal for people to feel exhausted and weak for several weeks after major surgery. Keep working on your fluids -- you may want to double check the rules with your bariatric practice, as most don't limit water/fluid intake so soon after surgery, especially if the only real nutrition you are getting is liquid protein shakes. Getting all your fluids in will definitely help you feel better, but time and rest are also essential for post-op recovery.

The seminars I'm familiar with start out with a nurse describing the various bariatric surgeries performed by the practice (RNY, banding, whatever). This is a general description of the way the surgeries work and an overview of the aftercare and what makes a good candidte for which procedure. Then there's a discussion of insurance issues, followed by testimonials from post-operative patients. At the end the surgeons get up and answer loads of questions from the audience. Your seminar may be different, but it's probably aimed at the same goal: to make sure that the patients have a good grounding in the information they need BEFORE they get into a room with the doctor, and waste his very expensive time asking about the basics. If you already know which surgery you want to have, this seminar may feel like a waste of time to you. But it's a great time to get a better feel for the surgical practice, get to know the people and see how they treat patients. Meet some postops in person and ask them what their experience has been like. You'll think of loads of questions as you listen to the seminar, and in the end you'll be glad you went.