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Hi there, I'm a health reporter at VICE News and MedPage Today working on a story about a JAMA study that found bariatric surgery patients are more likely to self-harm after surgery than they were before surgery. I'm hoping to report beyond the study numbers and talk to a few patients about the mental challenges that can arise after surgery and how they got past them. Would anyone in this forum be interested in doing a brief phone interview with me? What would YOU want to share in a story on this topic? What experiences would YOU have found useful to read about that you can share? How do support groups, blogs and forums like those at BariatricPal help after surgery? My deadline is end of day tomorrow, but I'd like to do interviews this afternoon and early tomorrow morning. Please send me an email so we can set up a time to talk. Thank you so much! And thank you, Alex, for granting me permission to post here. I'm really looking forward to hearing your stories. -- SYDNEY LUPKIN Health Reporter VICE News/MedPage Today sydney.lupkin@vice.com s.lupkin@medpagetoday.com

Does anyone have a promo code for Bariatric Advsntage? My nutritionist gave me one, but I can't find it and I need to order some calcium asap!!! Thanks!

Bariatric surgery is not a quick fix for severe obesity. What comes after the actual surgery matters a lot too. Weight regain is normal and is not something to be ashamed about. But, hopefully, the amount of weight regain is minimal and can be managed. Bariatric surgery isn't like shopping at a convenience store. It requires a care team that appreciates and addressed the nutritional, psychological, physical activity and other challenges that occur in the years after the surgery. https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2018/10/22/what-happens-after-bariatric-surgery-makes-a-big-difference/#4e3dce3c29b1

Hey Everyone! Does anyone know of any good Bariatric apps that icon download OUTSIDE OF MY FITNESS PAL? Just interested in other options for tracking. Thanks!

I got the results from my EGD and some additional testing they did as a result (Gastric Emptying) and I was diagnosed with Gastroparesis though I'm not 'presenting' with the more severe symptoms... (Yet?) I was originally slated for the sleeve. My doctor said he is still leaning towards the sleeve but it's important that I understand that if the portion of my stomach that is left is not functioning properly I would have to then have the sleeve converted to a bypass, probably within weeks of the initial surgery. Scared. Worried. Feeling like my shot at a real life change just got really complicated if not shut down... Anyone else hit this particular hurdle?

Blog Post 2: The bariatric psychological visit for my Gastric Sleeve. Or what I remember of it. http://youtu.be/-vm3fe9R3gk

North Suburban Medical Center Center for Weight Loss Surgery Monthly Bariatric Support Group 2012 Meetings held monthly 6pm – 7:30 pm in NSMC Basement Classroom: Aspen, on the 3rd Wednesday All patients who have had or are preparing for weight loss surgery are invited to attend. Significant others, family, and support persons are welcome too. All meetings are free of charge and do not require registration. January 18th February 15th March 21st April 18th May 16th June 20th July 18th August 15th September 19th October 17th November 14th (moved up one week due to Thanksgiving the usual week) December 19th Questions? Call bariatric coordinator, Nora, at 303-453-2201.

Hi Everyone, My surgery is scheduled for December 26, 2007. I am scheduled for my pre-op testing this coming Thursday, December 6. On my list for that day, they have me down to attend a Bariatric Pre-Op Class. I wanted to see if anyone had to attend a Bariatric Pre-Op Class prior to surgery? If so, what kind of information were you given during this class. Thanks for your help, Marie

Can anyone tell me if they submitted for the bariatric choice vitamins for low income? If so, about how long before you received your shipment. My doc sent off today and surgery date is Oct 5th. Would like to be sure I have vitamins on hand.

Anyone else here from Banner Gateway Bariatric? I had Dr. Schuster but I know there's another doctor there, Podkomeny or something like that. Anyway, I'm trying to find the support group schedule and I've misplaced it. I can call the office on Monday but was just wondering if anyone knows when the next support group is being held. Thanks.

Hi, I'm new here. I'm sticking a toe in the Water of lap band surgery for all the reasons that have been said on these boards a billion times before. Anyway, Bryn Mawr Hospital is reasonably close to me, and they've had a bariatric surgery unit since 2009. Has anyone gone there? What was your experience like? Any feedback, both positive and negative, is welcome. Thanks.

I just found out yesterday that my insurance has no bariatric benefits. I have my initial consult today. Anyone go through financing or trying to find a different insurance? I'm bummed. SmileyLG

This is a link to the ASMBS's page on FAQs post WLS. https://asmbs.org/patients/life-after-bariatric-surgery Many of the same questions are asked over and over, here's a one-stop source to some of them.

Have any of you gotten your surgery done at NMCSD? If so can you tell me what are the requirements. I'm enrolled in the class, and have an appointment for the introduction class for bariatric surgery and have been seeing a nutrionist at NMCSD for 3 months. I want to make sure I am prepared. Thank you!

This is a quick question, I'm rereading my letter to meet the surgeon and says "initial assessment for bariatric surgery" I'm from the UK so may be different from other places but does anyone know what this means/what I'll have to have done? I'm just so nervous, I feel like I just need to know everything when meeting them.

My surgeon uses a robot to perform the surgery. It is totally manipulated by the surgeon but is supposed to be more precise and recovery is faster. Sent from my SM-N975U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi, Ive just found a doc in central IL I've talked to the office of sidney Rohrschieb in Clinton, IL. He'll also do lap-banding at Carle Surgi-center in Champaign. His office charges 14,500, and it includes the first fill, preop physical, and nutritional consult. The rest of the fills will cost $78. I know that some of the mexican doc's include fills for life, but the cost of getting there will be more than $78, so I'm thinking of getting mine here. Has any of you heard about Dr Rohrschieb? I don't know him and am hoping he's ok.

Hi my name is Jackie. I am working through all the hoops that are required before I can have bariatric surgery. I had my psychological evaluation and there was concern about my suffering from depression and my obsessive eating. I was wondering if anyone out there had the surgery and had the same problem I have, depression and obsessive eating. How have things worked out for you? Any help is greatly appreciated thank you

With one third of the adult American population being obese, it is no surprise that there are florence, Italy, Austrian researcher Philipp Hohensinner and his collaborators discussed the role of bariatric surgery in improving and possibly reversing the premature aging phenotype of previously morbidly obese patients. http://acsh.org/news/2016/07/28/bariatric-surgery-may-reverse-obesity-associated-premature-aging/

JULY SUPPORT GROUP MEETING Date: July 19, 2008 Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm Event Details: Meet at Regina Holiday Inn at 1800 Prince of Wales Avenue Room: Hector Room Speaker TBA __________________ “There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them.” Denis Waitley

Hi everyone, I have my surgery date on January 12th, 2015. YAY! I have been looking for shakes & vitamins/ supplements. The shipping and exchange rates from the American sites are outrages (158USD in product plus $40 shipping plus the exchange rates. So I am wondering where Canadian Sleevers buy their products?

Vitamins, minerals and other dietary supplements are important for staying healthy when you’re a bariatric surgery patient. Not every patient receives the same advice and some patients don’t know the best options. This forum is a great place to let everyone know which bariatric supplements YOU take. Can you please take a few minutes to share which dietary supplements you take? Thanks for spreading the word! 1. Do you take a bariatric daily multivitamin/mineral supplement? Which brand and formulation specifically? For example, you might take Centrum for Women or One a Day Women’s Active Metabolism. 2. Which bariatric vitamins and minerals do you take each day? What is the brand and formulation of each? For example, you might take Puritan’s Pride Calcium Magnesium Vitamin D or Nature Made Iron 65 mg (ferrous sulfate). 3. Which other supplements (including herbals) do you take, and what brands are they? For example, you might take Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omegas fish oil.

The holiday season always comes up faster than expected. That is even true this year when so many other things have been different. It is time to start thinking about gifts for the people you love. If they include bariatric surgery patients who are pre or post-op, we have the perfect gifts for you. First up are something your loved one is sure to love: favorite desserts. If they are missing creamy, starchy, sugary foods, you can be the one to give them their faves without guilt. Here are just a few favorite desserts you can gift this year! Gingerbread Cake Mix Nothing says, “Happy Holidays!” like gingerbread, but can your bariatric surgery friend really afford to be eating gingerbread this year? Yes, she certainly can if you give her a high-protein, low-carb version such as BariatricPal Gingerbread Mug Cake Mix. It has 130 calories, 12 grams of protein, and 1 gram of sugar. Even better than giving ready-made gingerbread cake or cookies, giving Gingerbread Cake Mix lets the recipient make it herself, which means the delicious smell of cinnamon and ginger can waft through the house. It is easy to make just by mixing a packet with water and microwaving it. Each box contains 7 packets. Creamy Cheesecake Cheesecake is not the standard choice for a smart dieter, but BariatricPal High Protein Creamy Cheesecake is no standard cheesecake. It has about half the calories, saturated fat, and sugar as the same size serving of regular cheesecake, along with 12 grams of protein to make it more filling. If cheesecake isn’t cheesecake without the graham cracker crust, you can easily make your own without adding the 20 grams of carbs per serving that a traditional one has. Just crush sugar-free Catalina Crunch Keto Cereal - Honey Graham instead of graham crackers to use in the crust. Each serving has 10 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber. You can make an entire cheesecake using 7 servings of Creamy Cheesecake mix, or make your cheesecake in muffin cups for single servings. Each box has 7 servings. Pumpkin Spice Blondie A bariatric surgery patient could feel a little down after an entire autumn of passing up pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin lattes, and pumpkin muffins. How about giving a gift of a pumpkin dessert that comes without guilt? Eat Me Guilt Free Pumpkin Spice Blondie knocks the socks off the competition in taste and nutrition. The entire blondie has only 170 calories and 4 grams of sugar, or 90% less sugar than a slice of pumpkin bread from a bakery-cafe. With 22 grams of protein, it has as much protein as chicken and can be eaten for a meal, snack, or dessert. They come in single and 3, 6, and 12-packs. There is no shortage of desserts that are suitable gifts for bariatric patients and anyone else who is on a weight loss journey. By the way, remember that your favorite bariatric surgery patient can be...yourself! Go right ahead and give yourself the gift of weight loss and pleasure all in one with your favorite low-carb desserts!