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I don't take bariatric specific vitamins. I take Spectravite (CVS generic for Centrum) multivitamins daily, plus Nature's Way B12 and biotin.

What's your favorite brand of Bariatric Vitamins and supplements and why ?

Bariatric Advantage Chocolate/ Raspberry Iron chewy bites! Tastes like a tootsie roll. And my multi vitamin isn't bad either, Centrum Silver Chewable Citrus Berry flavored!

I have attended about a half a dozen bariatric surgery support group meetings prior to surgery and about a dozen after surgery. When I first started going to these, it threw me for a loop. It was one horror story after another. I was almost at the point of rethinking the operation. But then I realized that those that attended these meeting presented a distorted view of the surgery. Most regulars had problems and some were significant ones. Most individuals who had surgery and didn't experience problems by and large did not attend these meetings. If everything was going well, why go to the meetings! I turned some of this negativity around by adding solutions when I brought up problems and by informing new members that the discussions were somewhat distorted. Has anyone else experienced this problem?

I just from the monthly Bariatric meetings I go to and it was very supportive. I've never have heard anyone being really negative about any of the surgeries they've had. I look forward to going every month and sometimes I go to a second one. So no problem here.

Bigger from Birth…And Then College Hit Michele was always big. She was at the top of her height and weight charts from the time she was an infant. She remembers times in her childhood when she couldn’t or wouldn’t participate because she was so big. She didn’t like physical education or sports, and the other children teased her. Food was a comfort. Michele describes the situation as a vicious cycle. The more kids teased her, the worse she felt. The worse she felt, the more she ate. The more she ate, the more she weighed. The more she weighed, the more she got teased. College was a disaster in terms of her weight. Forget about the freshman 15. What about the freshman 40? And the sophomore 40? Add to that the junior 40, the senior 40, and, for good measure, the super-senior (fifth-year) 67, and you now know how Michele Elbertson got to be 427 pounds at the age of 22 years. A Young Weight Loss Surgery Patient with New Relationships Michele made the decision to get the lap-band on her own. She needed a tool to help her control how much she ate, but understood that it was up to her to control what she ate. She only told her parents about her decision after she was sure about it. They were supportive, and have been since then. Michele has taken full advantage of and responsibility for the band. She has lost 260 pounds – 260 pounds! – in less than four years. As she says, she’s a determined person who will accomplish anything she sets her mind to. Michele began to “eat to live” rather than “live to eat.” As her relationships with food and exercise changed, so did her relationships with some friends. She lost some friends whose relationships centered only on food. She gained many more, though, through her new activities. She says the friends she’s gained through running and fitness far outweigh those she lost by changing her lifestyle. An Athlete Is Born Michele ran her first 5k after losing 100 pounds – when she was still 327 pounds. She was hooked. She loved the training, the atmosphere of the race, and the accomplishment. She has never looked back. Since then, she has run countless other races, including 38 half-marathons, 6 marathons, and a 50-miler ultra-marathon. She has also competed in triathlons. Now at an athletic 159 pounds, Michele has her sights on even greater challenges. In the near future, she wants to run a 100-miler and complete an Ironman. Both are feats that most people wouldn’t even dream of. Marathons, Ultras, and Ironmans Now, not everyone’s a distance runner or triathlete, so to understand Michele’s accomplishments, here are a few facts about these endurance sports. A marathon is 26.2 miles. All marathons are 26.2 miles. An ultra-marathon is anything over 26.2 miles. Michele’s recently completed ultra-marathon was 50 miles, and she is training for a 100-miler. A triathlon includes swimming, biking, and running. An Ironman triathlon consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile marathon. Fitting It All in Every Day Michele works out 6 days a week. Currently, she’s training for an ulta-marathon and is running 5 days a week and lifting weights 3 times. She also does Zumba classes. She takes a rest day once a week. Michele has built her life to be able to accommodate her training schedule. She recently quit her teaching career to focus instead on helping others achieve their fitness and health goals. She is a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. Working at a gym is pure genius – it leaves her with no excuse not to get her workout in! Eating Like a Bariathlete How do you have energy to train like an athlete and work full-time while losing over 200 pounds in 4 years? Ask Michele. Here’s how she eats and works out in a typical day. 7:00 a.m. breakfast: almonds and yogurt or eggs/romaine lettuce 9:00 a.m. snack: protein bar Workout, such as running, lifting, or group fitness class, such as Zumba or bokwa Noon. lunch: soup or salad, usually the largest meal of the day 2:00 p.m. snack: cheese and crackers or something small, equivalent to 200 calories (may include a fruit or vegetable) 4:00 p.m. snack: hot tea 6:00 p.m. dinner; lean protein, veggie, possibly a carb 7:30 p.m. snack: lemon water/hot tea. The number of calories Michele eats during a day is 1,800 (her resting metabolic rate) plus half of the calories she burns through exercise. So, if she runs 10 miles and burns 1,200 calories in exercise, she’ll eat 1,800 plus 600 calories, or 2,400 calories. She allows herself an occasional treat meal with junk food, but still counts those calories. The Accolades Michele is more than your typical bariatric patient, and she’s been getting the recognition she deserves for her extraordinary achievements. These are a few recent examples. Runner’s World magazine Cover Contest Finalist. Makeover on the Rachel Ray Show. Local feature on 6ABC Action News in Philadelphia. Dealing with Negativity – Don’t Worry About It One of the most striking things about Michele is her drive. She has worked very, very hard to get where she’s at today. She’s lost 60 percent of her body weight through being very disciplined every day. And, she has run marathons. Anyone who has run a marathon can tell you that it is was harder than they had ever imagined. Anyone who hasn’t run a marathon cannot imagine how difficult it is. But with all the publicity, Michele has receive a lot of nasty comments. How is she supposed to react when people slam her? They say she hasn’t accomplished anything, that the band has done it all. In fact, they basically say what a lot of weight loss surgery patients hear all the time from people who don’t know any better. So how does Michele react to negativity? She doesn’t want to respond directly and add “fuel to the fire.” She knows they don’t know anything about her, and she’s probably done more exercise and worked harder than they ever have. So, she just goes about her business. Leading by Example Michele says she hopes her successes and story will give others hope. She describes herself as a “real person” and “very down-to-earth,” and she hopes others will see that they can accomplish what she has. In the future, she would like to travel to seminars as a motivational speaker. In the meantime, we congratulate her on her amazing story and wish her well in her 100-miler this spring!

Has anyone ever used or heard of omnifast? I have to be on 4 weeks of liquid meals (3 a day) prior to surgery and that is the name of the supplement I have to purchase from the bariatric clinic. I was wondering about cost and taste/flavors. Also, I have a flex health spending account through my employer that I think will pay for the omnifast as it is required for surgery, although I suspect it will require a medical necessity letter from my dr.

I just started using frutis fall fight shampoo and conditioner. So far less strands in my comb. I sure hope this works. It has biotin in it and the bariatric vitamins have 150 per cent of biotin everyday. The vitamins were not working but this shampoo seems to be. Will let everyone know after a few weeks.

My visit with the doctor went well. I had a whole bunch of blood work done. We decided that the rny would be the best procedure for me and discussed their history with Medicare. After talking with him I feel fairly sure Medicare will pay but there are some hoops to jump through. One is I have to have a dietary consult. I was going to do it close to home but decided to go ahead and set up an appointment with their dietician as she would have a better idea of what is needed to meet Medicare's demands. Doctor also wants my cpap settings and/or a copy of the bill where I bought the machine. That one is a little harder as that was two moves and six years ago. But I finally remembered who I bought it from. I called them and they confirmed it and told me the settings. However, to be on the safe side I have gone to a local home health care facility and asked them to request my sleep study, etc (all the stuff Medicare needs) so that I could use Medicare for my supplies going forward. Also when the hone health care facility gets the info they will furnish it to the bariatric clinic. I have the dietary consult the 15th of Oct. So it appears this is really going to happen. I've created a new daily plan to start tomorrow. I've already started limiting my caffeine (that's a hard one) but Tylenol helps. I plan on getting up earlier and doing a half hour of exercise with the rubber bands before I get ready for work. Then I'm doing six small meals during the day following post bariatric guidelines. I'm also cleaning out the kitchen and take the things I shouldn't be eating do the food bank or to the garbage. And I'm going to go check out the Y tomorrow. Our local Y has a first Saturday of the month free program. It will give me a chance to see what all they've got. They have a free seniors walking pass and I want to see what kind of walking track they have. Now I need to start seeing Dr. Harden on a monthly basis. We have a lot to talk about in addition to getting through the weight loss.

A lot of weight loss surgery patients struggle with weight for their entire lives before deciding to get surgery. The same is true for Michele Elbertson. The difference is that Michele was only 23 when she hit 427 pounds and got her wake-up call. She got the lap-band, changed her lifestyle, and dropped 260 pounds. She’s run 6 marathons in the past two and a half years, and is training for her first Ironman triathlon this spring. Bigger from Birth…And Then College Hit Michele was always big. She was at the top of her height and weight charts from the time she was an infant. She remembers times in her childhood when she couldn’t or wouldn’t participate because she was so big. She didn’t like physical education or sports, and the other children teased her. Food was a comfort. Michele describes the situation as a vicious cycle. The more kids teased her, the worse she felt. The worse she felt, the more she ate. The more she ate, the more she weighed. The more she weighed, the more she got teased. College was a disaster in terms of her weight. Forget about the freshman 15. What about the freshman 40? And the sophomore 40? Add to that the junior 40, the senior 40, and, for good measure, the super-senior (fifth-year) 67, and you now know how Michele Elbertson got to be 427 pounds at the age of 22 years. A Young Weight Loss Surgery Patient with New Relationships Michele made the decision to get the lap-band on her own. She needed a tool to help her control how much she ate, but understood that it was up to her to control what she ate. She only told her parents about her decision after she was sure about it. They were supportive, and have been since then. Michele has taken full advantage of and responsibility for the band. She has lost 260 pounds – 260 pounds! – in less than four years. As she says, she’s a determined person who will accomplish anything she sets her mind to. Michele began to “eat to live” rather than “live to eat.” As her relationships with food and exercise changed, so did her relationships with some friends. She lost some friends whose relationships centered only on food. She gained many more, though, through her new activities. She says the friends she’s gained through running and fitness far outweigh those she lost by changing her lifestyle. An Athlete Is Born Michele ran her first 5k after losing 100 pounds – when she was still 327 pounds. She was hooked. She loved the training, the atmosphere of the race, and the accomplishment. She has never looked back. Since then, she has run countless other races, including 38 half-marathons, 6 marathons, and a 50-miler ultra-marathon. She has also competed in triathlons. Now at an athletic 159 pounds, Michele has her sights on even greater challenges. In the near future, she wants to run a 100-miler and complete an Ironman. Both are feats that most people wouldn’t even dream of. Marathons, Ultras, and Ironmans Now, not everyone’s a distance runner or triathlete, so to understand Michele’s accomplishments, here are a few facts about these endurance sports. A marathon is 26.2 miles. All marathons are 26.2 miles. An ultra-marathon is anything over 26.2 miles. Michele’s recently completed ultra-marathon was 50 miles, and she is training for a 100-miler. A triathlon includes swimming, biking, and running. An Ironman triathlon consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile marathon. Fitting It All in Every Day Michele works out 6 days a week. Currently, she’s training for an ulta-marathon and is running 5 days a week and lifting weights 3 times. She also does Zumba classes. She takes a rest day once a week. Michele has built her life to be able to accommodate her training schedule. She recently quit her teaching career to focus instead on helping others achieve their fitness and health goals. She is a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. Working at a gym is pure genius – it leaves her with no excuse not to get her workout in! Eating Like a Bariathlete How do you have energy to train like an athlete and work full-time while losing over 200 pounds in 4 years? Ask Michele. Here’s how she eats and works out in a typical day. 7:00 a.m. breakfast: almonds and yogurt or eggs/romaine lettuce 9:00 a.m. snack: protein bar Workout, such as running, lifting, or group fitness class, such as Zumba or bokwa Noon. lunch: soup or salad, usually the largest meal of the day 2:00 p.m. snack: cheese and crackers or something small, equivalent to 200 calories (may include a fruit or vegetable) 4:00 p.m. snack: hot tea 6:00 p.m. dinner; lean protein, veggie, possibly a carb 7:30 p.m. snack: lemon water/hot tea. The number of calories Michele eats during a day is 1,800 (her resting metabolic rate) plus half of the calories she burns through exercise. So, if she runs 10 miles and burns 1,200 calories in exercise, she’ll eat 1,800 plus 600 calories, or 2,400 calories. She allows herself an occasional treat meal with junk food, but still counts those calories. The Accolades Michele is more than your typical bariatric patient, and she’s been getting the recognition she deserves for her extraordinary achievements. These are a few recent examples. Runner’s World magazine Cover Contest Finalist. Makeover on the Rachel Ray Show. Local feature on 6ABC Action News in Philadelphia. Dealing with Negativity – Don’t Worry About It One of the most striking things about Michele is her drive. She has worked very, very hard to get where she’s at today. She’s lost 60 percent of her body weight through being very disciplined every day. And, she has run marathons. Anyone who has run a marathon can tell you that it is was harder than they had ever imagined. Anyone who hasn’t run a marathon cannot imagine how difficult it is. But with all the publicity, Michele has receive a lot of nasty comments. How is she supposed to react when people slam her? They say she hasn’t accomplished anything, that the band has done it all. In fact, they basically say what a lot of weight loss surgery patients hear all the time from people who don’t know any better. So how does Michele react to negativity? She doesn’t want to respond directly and add “fuel to the fire.” She knows they don’t know anything about her, and she’s probably done more exercise and worked harder than they ever have. So, she just goes about her business. Leading by Example Michele says she hopes her successes and story will give others hope. She describes herself as a “real person” and “very down-to-earth,” and she hopes others will see that they can accomplish what she has. In the future, she would like to travel to seminars as a motivational speaker. In the meantime, we congratulate her on her amazing story and wish her well in her 100-miler this spring!

Try a laxative suppository. When I have got constipation really bad, that did the trick in about 20 minutes. Then once you get that taken care of, take a probiotic and stool softener daily to keep everything moving. The walmart generic stool softener works great, and I like the Bariatric Advantage probiotic. We all know that pain and hope you get it resolved soon.

Also surgeons talk to us like we wont understand if they go into detail. When they learn that you too are a professional in the medical field, they they are more candid in conversation. They dont tell you everything because people tend to panic with too much info. Dumping syndrome is the reason they want us on low sugar everything. Also many bariatric patients are diabetics too and are very prone to dumping syndrome even before surgery. Every case of diarrhea is not dumping syndrome of course but post gastrectomy patients are at higher risk for it.

Hello all - was just sleeved on the 27th and am one week out tomorrow. I've only just come home from Mexico and am on my last pain pill (which is little - 10 mg of Supradol). It does not make me groggy or loopy at all, just take the edge off a little bit of post-op discomfort, which usually feels like an uncomfortable internal tugging sensation when I've been up and around too long. I think a regular dose of Tylenol would do the same trick, so I'm just wondering if that's okay to take after 1 week? Should it be children's Tylenol? Is there anything I should NOT take? Second question - do Syntax nectars and hot chocolate mixes (the Protein ones from Bariatric Pantry) count as full liquids, Clear Liquids or what? My nutritionist keeps referring to full liquids as ones with "residue." Anyone? Sorry if this is a bit disjointed, I literally just came in from the airport and had no Internet all week! Just questions I know I'll be asking myself in the morning...

barkatt - I think it's great that you want to support her in every way you can. Believe me that in itself is helping her more than you know. How about looking up different Protein shake recipes to help change the flavors for her? Making sure she has all her Vitamins set for when she can start taking them again. Perhaps getting her set up with a bento box for when she can eat, some pretty measuring cups and spoons, food scale...all things to make getting the right portions right for her. How about buying a Bariatric cook book for when she's ready to eat regular foods and both of you can cook through the cookbook together That's what hubby and I are going to do. Good luck to you both

Today my mom and I went on a small day trip to a nearby city. It was fun. I had my official last meal. We went to Texas steakhouse. In the morning I will start my liquid diet. My doctor only asks that we go on a liquid diet 2-3 days before the surgery. However, after hearing that everyone else is going on a liquid diet sometimes several weeks in advance, I have become a little nervous. My surgery will be Monday August the 1st. I am excited and nervous and scared all at once. I am missing my ex-boyfriend even more these days. He had promised to be with me during my surgery and take care of me. I really wanted him to be there for me. …Giant piece of crap. Anyhow, my mom gave me this great bariatric surgery recipe pamphlet. It has several different kinds of protein shakes that can be made with chocolate and vanilla protein powder. I am pretty excited about that. She also gave me several diet and exercise books to read during my recovery. She bought me a big green exercise ball. Mom has been very supportive these days. My step dad isn’t too thrilled about the idea. After reading about it mom was considering VSG herself. She is 260 and diabetic. My step dad now has her convinced that she is too old. She plans to be with me while I am in the hospital for three days. She will drive me the two hours back home. I am thankful for her help. I am hoping my step dad might reconsider once he sees how awesome I do. (also hoping that I do actually DO AWESOME). I worry about my mom. A quiet stillness has settled in over me. I have to work 2 days this coming week- then I will be off Wed to attend the Dietitians education class and register at the hospital. Thursday I took off to finish up some of the little things I have left to do before surgery…and Friday is my preop appointment. This time next week- I will be packed and waiting to leave for my surgery. I cannot wait until this is over. I am hoping that once I have had the surgery I will be so focused on what I need to do- that I won’t miss my ex so much.

Today I faxed my medical record release request to my pediatrician's office, in hope that the woman whom I spoke to the other day, who'd told me they didn't have them, was wrong. I never signed for them to go anywhere, so I'm praying! I'll call the Bariatric Clinic tomorrow and see if they got my files. Now comes the insurance approval wait...

I'm new to the whole idea of chatting on a forum like this so I hope I make sense. I've not yet been able to schedule my surgery but m hoping I can do it mid-May. I decided in December that surgery was the most viable path for me with my co-morbidity. I attended the orientation meeting but didn't sign up to start the process because I was concerned about the lack of enthusiasm from my primary care doctor. Turns out she was fine with it and thinks I'm a good candidate for it. In any event, as a federal employee I only have to be in the program for 3 months before I have the surgery. I've completed all the preliminary steps but have one more meeting with my dietician and the "learning" session with a bariatric nurse - those are this coming Friday. I've managed to lose about 11 pounds on the 1200 calorie diet they put me on but I'm concerned about maintaining the weight lose since I do a lot of traveling with my job. It is this traveling that causes me to write this post. I generally don't have to travel all that much but this year is unusually busy - I'm scheduled to travel three of the next 4 weeks and then again 7 weeks later. So this 7 week interval is when I'm trying to get things scheduled. I'm not feeling too confidant about it just now but firmly believe that things will work out for what needs to be, will be. Anyways, so my question is: how long has it taken before you traveled? I'll only be packing a small carry-on - really small carry-on - it only has to cover three days total. Any suggestions, concerns, tips that I should consider?

So many changes in one week to report......... First, my tentative scheduled sleeve date changed - instead of August 19th, I'm doing it on August 5th - two weeks earlier!! When I start to think that at the end of next month, I have to start the pre-op diet - it just sort of blows my mind! Today, I went to my regular doctor, so he could write the "Letter of Medical Necessity." He offered these words of hope, which really put my mind at ease: "Ten years ago, I would have never written this letter for you, because it was mostly for the bypass - but, the sleeve surgery has been so perfected and is the least invasive - it is truly safe." Then, he looked at me in the eyes and asked me a question that sort of shook my psyche: "Just how much longer do you think your knees and hips could hold up your weight anyways?" "Not much...." I replied meekly. So, here's the weekly progress: June 2, 2013 9 weeks post op - Current weight: 316.8 Goal weight: 172 Height: 5'10" My weekly diet modifications: Incorporoate one small, healthy meal in this week. My weekly behavioral modifications: Trying to eat dinner, minus the television - needs more work. I really need to try harder to do this... Pre surgery tasks - Today - I went to my regular doctor to get the "Letter of Medical Necessity." Tuesday - second appointment with the nutritionist Wednesday - monthly Bariatric Support Group meeting

On Friday I went in to see the doctor only to learn that I only had 2cc in band versus the 3cc they had been telling me I had. I have been struggling with weight loss - due impart to my own devices - and had become discouraged. Yet at that moment of learning about my band I asked myself "will you choose frustration or motivation?" With motivation I had so much more to gain - a renewed hope and kick (my doctor is the) ass attitude. It's all part of the journey... Realize that you are on a journey to higher consciousness & embrace it. Expand your awareness through meditation & contemplation. ~Deepak Chopra

The Lap Band Zone II: "Dealing with civilian response" By Aaron Grossman, Babyboomers.tv staff writer, "More Salt than Pepper" I had Lap-Band surgery six weeks ago. Since then, I’ve lost 45 pounds and my doctor has eliminated the massive dosage of blood pressure medication I was taking. For more information on what Lap-Band Surgery entails and my reasons for opting into it, click here . I’ve encountered mostly positive reactions to my decision of taking the somewhat drastic step of bariatric surgery in order to arrest my compulsive overeating. Actually, I’ve encountered only overwhelmingly positive feedback to my significant weight loss. That’s natural: I look better; I’m starting to resemble the person I used to be before I blew up into a medically obese creature; and, my sunny demeanor is returning in place of the cynical, clearly frustrated persona I had adopted during my long descent into “fattitude.” However, there are other reactions with which I find myself contending. Most commonly, there are many folks who just don’t know what Lap-Band surgery is. Or, others who mistake it for full-scale bariatric bypass surgery. My surgery was laparoscopic -- 5 small incisions used to insert the Lap-Band itself along with a “port.” Once explained, they silently nod their heads and I can hear them thinking … “Why would he choose this invasive technique just to lose weight?” Or, “What’s the matter, he can’t stick to a diet?” These observations belie the more extreme reaction which I have actually had said to me personally … “Surgery? That’s the easy way out of dieting.” In fact, there are just such reactions to news from Australia that the government is considering paying for Lap-Band surgery for morbidly obese patients who can’t afford the procedure. This, in an effort to forestall the exorbitant medical insurance costs of the consequences of obesity: high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiac conditions, strokes, etc. Click here for more details. But, when you dig a little further or just Twitter reactions to the news from Australia, there is a range of vitriolic (anonymous) email responses: • “Why can’t these fatties just stop their whining and shut their mouths?” • “This is such a f_ _ _ ing easy way out and a waste of taxpayer money for those of who really should lose weight by shutting their traps.” • “Why are governments looking at lap band surgery for obese people? Why not start by censoring what they put in their mouth first???” The diet / fitness / healthful eating discourse has never been serene. Witness Oprah Winfrey berating herself for her recent weight gain in the January, 2009 issue of O: “I'm mad at myself. I'm embarrassed. I can't believe that after all these years, all the things I know how to do, I'm still talking about my weight. I look at my thinner self and think, "How did I let this happen again?" There are many of us who were born into the “lucky gene club” --- they eat as much as, if not more than, the rest of us but their metabolism burns white hot and they go through life without fat (or guilt.) There are others who successfully work hard at achieving the balance of sensible eating, a fitness plan and a moderate lifestyle. However, Reuters reported in January, 2009 that “the number of obese American adults outweighs the number of those who are merely overweight, according to the latest statistics from the federal government.” • Numbers posted by the National Center for Health Statistics show that more than 34 percent of Americans are obese, compared to 32.7 percent who are overweight. Speaking for myself, I had reached my personal point of ‘no return.’ I had been on too many diets only to gain the weight back. While I knew I was capable of great discipline and had spent thousands of hours in the gym, the lure of food as an anesthetic to life’s woes had proven too great for me. After much research, attending numerous support groups and speaking with many post-operative Lap-Band patients, I concluded that the surgery would be right for me. The notion of inserting a tool which could physically signal that I was too full to eat more food resonated with me. So, off I went. To those who say it’s the ‘easy way out,’ here’s my reply: I went through both abdominal surgery and the attendant recovery from its unpleasant discomfort; I no longer drink coffee, carbonated beverages or distilled spirits; I will probably never again eat hard, crusty bread, well-done meat or anything else that can’t pass through an opening the size of a toothpaste cap in my ‘new’ stomach; if I do overeat, I’ll get sick, nauseous or vomit; in the worst scenario, I’ll be hospitalized from eating the wrong food or the wrong amounts. This is the ‘easy way out?’ On the other hand, in 6 short weeks, I’ve lost 45 pounds and have eliminated virtually all of my blood pressure medication; I can walk 6 ½ miles without getting winded or having to stop from joint pain; and, I am happy to do chores around the house again. I achieved this, in no small fashion, with the love and support of my family and, yes, relying on good old fashioned discipline to consume the right foods in the correct proportions. At the end of the day, Lap-Band surgery has empowered me to take control of my food intake and regain my sense of self. It has not always been easy and it is definitely not for everyone. But it’s working for me right now. The very best part … and it didn’t happen as a result of the ‘easy way out’ … is hearing friends and loved ones tell me “Welcome, you’re back again.” F. Scott Fitzgerald famously said “There are no second acts in American lives.” He was wrong – I’m living it right now.

The Lap Band Zone II: "Dealing with civilian response" By Aaron Grossman, Babyboomers.tv staff writer, "More Salt than Pepper" I had Lap-Band surgery six weeks ago. Since then, I’ve lost 45 pounds and my doctor has eliminated the massive dosage of blood pressure medication I was taking. For more information on what Lap-Band Surgery entails and my reasons for opting into it, click here . I’ve encountered mostly positive reactions to my decision of taking the somewhat drastic step of bariatric surgery in order to arrest my compulsive overeating. Actually, I’ve encountered only overwhelmingly positive feedback to my significant weight loss. That’s natural: I look better; I’m starting to resemble the person I used to be before I blew up into a medically obese creature; and, my sunny demeanor is returning in place of the cynical, clearly frustrated persona I had adopted during my long descent into “fattitude.” However, there are other reactions with which I find myself contending. Most commonly, there are many folks who just don’t know what Lap-Band surgery is. Or, others who mistake it for full-scale bariatric bypass surgery. My surgery was laparoscopic -- 5 small incisions used to insert the Lap-Band itself along with a “port.” Once explained, they silently nod their heads and I can hear them thinking … “Why would he choose this invasive technique just to lose weight?” Or, “What’s the matter, he can’t stick to a diet?” These observations belie the more extreme reaction which I have actually had said to me personally … “Surgery? That’s the easy way out of dieting.” In fact, there are just such reactions to news from Australia that the government is considering paying for Lap-Band surgery for morbidly obese patients who can’t afford the procedure. This, in an effort to forestall the exorbitant medical insurance costs of the consequences of obesity: high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiac conditions, strokes, etc. Click here for more details. But, when you dig a little further or just Twitter reactions to the news from Australia, there is a range of vitriolic (anonymous) email responses: • “Why can’t these fatties just stop their whining and shut their mouths?” • “This is such a f_ _ _ ing easy way out and a waste of taxpayer money for those of who really should lose weight by shutting their traps.” • “Why are governments looking at lap band surgery for obese people? Why not start by censoring what they put in their mouth first???” The diet / fitness / healthful eating discourse has never been serene. Witness Oprah Winfrey berating herself for her recent weight gain in the January, 2009 issue of O: “I'm mad at myself. I'm embarrassed. I can't believe that after all these years, all the things I know how to do, I'm still talking about my weight. I look at my thinner self and think, "How did I let this happen again?" There are many of us who were born into the “lucky gene club” --- they eat as much as, if not more than, the rest of us but their metabolism burns white hot and they go through life without fat (or guilt.) There are others who successfully work hard at achieving the balance of sensible eating, a fitness plan and a moderate lifestyle. However, Reuters reported in January, 2009 that “the number of obese American adults outweighs the number of those who are merely overweight, according to the latest statistics from the federal government.” • Numbers posted by the National Center for Health Statistics show that more than 34 percent of Americans are obese, compared to 32.7 percent who are overweight. Speaking for myself, I had reached my personal point of ‘no return.’ I had been on too many diets only to gain the weight back. While I knew I was capable of great discipline and had spent thousands of hours in the gym, the lure of food as an anesthetic to life’s woes had proven too great for me. After much research, attending numerous support groups and speaking with many post-operative Lap-Band patients, I concluded that the surgery would be right for me. The notion of inserting a tool which could physically signal that I was too full to eat more food resonated with me. So, off I went. To those who say it’s the ‘easy way out,’ here’s my reply: I went through both abdominal surgery and the attendant recovery from its unpleasant discomfort; I no longer drink coffee, carbonated beverages or distilled spirits; I will probably never again eat hard, crusty bread, well-done meat or anything else that can’t pass through an opening the size of a toothpaste cap in my ‘new’ stomach; if I do overeat, I’ll get sick, nauseous or vomit; in the worst scenario, I’ll be hospitalized from eating the wrong food or the wrong amounts. This is the ‘easy way out?’ On the other hand, in 6 short weeks, I’ve lost 45 pounds and have eliminated virtually all of my blood pressure medication; I can walk 6 ½ miles without getting winded or having to stop from joint pain; and, I am happy to do chores around the house again. I achieved this, in no small fashion, with the love and support of my family and, yes, relying on good old fashioned discipline to consume the right foods in the correct proportions. At the end of the day, Lap-Band surgery has empowered me to take control of my food intake and regain my sense of self. It has not always been easy and it is definitely not for everyone. But it’s working for me right now. The very best part … and it didn’t happen as a result of the ‘easy way out’ … is hearing friends and loved ones tell me “Welcome, you’re back again.” F. Scott Fitzgerald famously said “There are no second acts in American lives.” He was wrong – I’m living it right now.

I’m 62 pounds lighter since my May 28th LAP-BAND® surgery. In eighteen weeks, there has been such significant weight loss and, more relevantly, so much positive change in my health that I can hardly remember the time when I was medically obese and “lost.” First, let’s dispense with the formalities. Need to know exactly what LAP-BAND® surgery involves? Click on The LAP-BAND® I : "Entering the zone" | Babyboomers.tv. Want to know how civilians react to news that I’ve elected to have surgery? Click on http://babyboomers.tv/content/LAP-BAND®-zone-ii-dealing-civilian-response. Interested in hearing about my status and what happens next? Read on. In addition to monthly post-op visits with Dr. Gellman, my bariatric surgeon, -- click on www.northshoresurgical.net -- I’ve lived through 4 months now as a post-operative LAP-BAND® patient. It doesn’t feel that much different than following Weight Watchers, Atkins, and other weight loss programs. Except … I’ve had laparoscopic surgery to help cure my lifelong addiction to food; There is this device inside of me banding the upper portion of my stomach; The LAP-BAND® is a “tool” to help me cut down on food consumption; While my 62-pound weight loss has been sensational, the doctor reminded me this week that the band was inserted for a reason and it’s time to tighten it now. So, this is a different reality for me. The band will be tightened in a few days by injecting saline solution into a port which has been surgically inserted on the inside of my stomach epidermis. The net result is that the band will be tightened and my little stomach pouch (the “stoma”) will feel full with less food. I’ll have to go back on a liquid diet for a few days to allow the stoma to adjust to its new tighter reality. Aside from my regular visits with Dr. Gellman, I also attend a monthly support group with other post-op patients. These groups are enormously helpful for both the camaraderie of those who have been through my same experience as well as for the practical advice I get from participants. At the last group, the topic was “How have you changed for the better or worse following surgery?” I believe life is drastically different (and better) since surgery. However, I’m still a LAP-BAND® rookie so I asked the group “do you all tell people that you’ve had LAP-BAND® surgery?” Interesting responses: “it’s none of anybody’s business”; “nobody has to know”; “they don’t understand”; and, “I only tell my closest friends and relatives”. I understand. Even though I’ve gone public on this website for the entire world to know my story, there are specific people in my life who don’t know about my decision to go through with LAP-BAND® surgery --- most importantly, my mother and father-in-law. They are in their 80’s and they just wouldn’t understand the surgical procedure (or the need for it). Mind you, they are each thrilled to hear about and see my weight loss progress. The best advice to come from the support group, however, has been “If anyone asks how you lost the weight, tell them you’re on Weight Watchers.” This echoes a similar sentiment from Dr Gellman, who reports: “so many of the patients in our practice simply default to “Weight Watchers” when asked how they lost the weight. There is logic here … the final phase of post-operative eating adjustment encompasses a diet that is very much like the Weight Watchers protocol: Eat fruits and vegetables liberally; Follow portion control: 1 ounce of meat = size of a matchbox; 3 ounces of meat = size of a deck of cards; 3 ounces of fish = size of a checkbook; Medium apple = size of a tennis ball. [*]Use little, if any, sugar; [*]Choose lower fat foods; [*]Avoid fried foods; [*]Eat 3 meals a day; [*]Exercise regularly, preferably 3 or 5 or 7 times per week (I walk 4 miles every day;) Who, among us, has not seen this movie before? And yet it really is unlike the thousands of diets I’ve previously been on. I think it has a lot to do with my commitment to a new way of life once I agreed to the surgery. And, I strongly believe in my ability to do this. Also, there is the reality that the little stomach pouch won’t hold the huge quantities of food I had become accustomed to eating. But, if we’re honest, I believe it’s that I don’t want to betray the promise I made to myself: this time, it’s for good and will be different than before. At our tender age when death and illnesses are dodging us, who is gonna argue? I’ve learned from my support group that the post-op fellowship strongly resembles Alcoholics Anonymous: it’s critical to keep sharing your feelings and to report any incident(s) of falling off the wagon. Fine with me, so far. But then, I’ve never really had a problem losing weight --- it’s maintaining my goal weight that has always done me in. For now, I take it one day at a time. The weight loss has been thrilling and I’m extremely grateful for my newfound health and mobility. I’m off blood pressure medicine, I don’t need the sleep apnea machine and my knees have magically stopped hurting during my 3-4 mile daily walks. As for the outside world and how to respond to the queries about “how did you do it?” … I smile like a Cheshire cat and reply that my answer lies in a renewed commitment to exercise and a diet of fruits, vegetables and healthy proteins. I guess my real shorthand answer can be “I’m going to Weight Watchers.”

I have been told by other posters that the protein shots Char mentioned should not be taken because they contain collagen. I have only been able to find one company that sells protein shots made for bariatric patients with 42gm per serving. I think it only comes in a few choices, but I figured I could put the Lemon-Lime or Watermelon in a Crystal Light Lemonade. Protein Bullet Shot http://bulletnutrition.com/medical/ Can be found at: http://www.supplemen...xc=4&sh=1&ing=1 but may also be found at other supplement stores Hope that helps. I'm going to order some soon.

Wow I really love the bariatric foodie web site...thanks for posting, I didn't know about her site until now!!

Wonderful! You really sound good. I am jealous of your puree stage. LOL I have 4 more days of juice and broth. I'd almost rather not eat by now, but I know I have to. Look on pinterest for bariatric meals you should find some good things there. I was looking before my surgery and some of the foods looked really yummy. So keep us posted!