Search the Community

style="margin:0;padding:0;background-color:#d8dde8;color:#5a5a5a;font:normal 13px helvetica, arial, sans-serif;position:relative;"> Hey BariatricPal Members! I hope you’re having a wonderful summer and making good progress towards your weight loss and health goals! As our country and the world have been hit in recent weeks by devastating news of senseless deaths, it can be hard to stay focused on the “little things” in life – like health and weight loss. But you can do your best by staying strong and dedicating yourself with even more commitment to achieving your goals. Hopefully this newsletter can help a little; here’s what you’ll find. Got a Buddy? Your Key to Better Weight Loss Getting More from BariatricPal Let The BariatricPal Store Make Weight Loss Easier After you go through the newsletter, we hope you will login to the BariatricPal forums to catch up on all the discussions. Thanks for all of your support, and Happy Independence Day! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder, BariatricPal Got a Buddy? Your Key to Better Weight Loss A weight loss surgery buddy can do wonders for your weight loss. You can motivate each other to stick to the diet, to exercise, and to stay strong in the face of the criticism and judgement that often comes with weight loss surgery. Face to Face Friendship Someone you see regularly can help hold you accountable with your WLS diet, and you can do the same for them. It doesn’t need to be a WLS patient if you can find someone else who’s losing weight and just wants the same things you do: weight loss and a healthier life. Some good possibilities are a work colleague or a friend who is ready to commit to weight loss and healthy living. Working Out Together A workout buddy can be just what you need if you’re not always eager to get out the door for your workout. It’s a lot harder to shut off your alarm clock and go back to sleep if you know you have a friend waiting for you at 5:00 a.m. It can be a buddy for gym workouts, walks in the neighborhood, or any other workout you want to do. Find an Online Buddy A virtual friend can be just as good for weight loss as an in-person friend. Where can you find a friend? Logon to BariatricPal, of course! Be sure to introduce yourself if you haven’t already, and let everyone know that you’re looking for a weight loss surgery buddy. You may want someone with a surgery date near yours, or maybe you’re looking for a WLS veteran. Just see who responds to your post! Insure Nutrition We are always thrilled to welcome a new newsletter sponsor into the BariatricPal family, and this month, Insure Nutrition is giving us the pleasure of doing just that. Our latest sponsor, Insure Nutrition, is an online company that specializes in getting health insurance coverage for nutritional supplements. Its Post-Bariatric Surgery Nutrition products includes Premier Protein shakes in chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors and OptiSource High Protein drinks in caramel and strawberry flavors. Checking if you are eligible is easy. Insure Nutrition encourages you to use its online form to find out if you qualify. Our sponsors help make BariatricPal newsletters and other services possible. We encourage you show your thanks by considering them first for your bariatric needs. unjury and Opurity BariatricPal is proud and excited to announce two new sponsors for our newsletters. The new sponsors are Unjury, a supplier of wonderful tasting, highest quality protein supplements, and Opurity (from the makers of UNJURY), highest purity Vitamin supplements for bariatric surgery patients. Their support lets us keep BariatricPal newsletters coming to you each month. Unjury was founded by a master’s degree dietitian who has been helping patients since 1974. It is committed your health. You know the importance of getting enough protein after weight loss surgery, but you also know that meeting your protein goals can be challenging. Unjury makes your task not just easier but actually enjoyable. Product flavors include Chocolate Splendor, Chocolate Classic, Vanilla, Strawberry Sorbet, chicken Soup Flavor, and Unflavored. These ready-to-use protein powders come in single-serve and multi-serve containers, and contain high-quality whey protein to keep you full and nourished. Launched in 2007, Opurity is dedicated to using the purest ingredients in its supplements. Opurity Bariatric Multivitamins have two unique big advantages: First, each multivitamin requires only one tablet per day*. Second, Opurity is so dedicated to quality that it is unique in using no ingredients from China. Choose from chewable orange-berry multivitamins for gastric bypass and gastric sleeve patients or for lap-band patients.Opurity also sells chewable calcium, vitamin D and folic acid/vitamin B-12 chewables. All supplements come with a 100% satisfaction guaranteed. They return policy is: “Yes you can return it.” Support from Unjury and Opurity helps us continue to bring you the services you enjoy on BariatricPal, so please support these two brands! When looking for your bariatric surgery supplements, first visit Unjury.com and Opurity.com. Purchasing from these companies helps support BariatricPal. Thanks to Unjury and Opurity for your generous sponsorship, and thanks to BariatricPal members who support our partnership! *You still need calcium and sublingual B-12. Getting More from BariatricPal BariatricPal is here for you to help you through your WLS journey. From our supportive and informative forums to our online store with bariatric food, Snacks, and supplements, we’re doing what we can to help you reach your weight loss and health goals. Better Boarding: Please Promote a Courteous Environment! BariatricPal is unique because of our friendly and supportive environment. We believe that everyone has the right to post their questions, doubts, and opinions without fear of being ridiculed or put down. Recently, a few members have been violating our zero-tolerance policy for rudeness. This must stop, and you can help make sure it does. First, you can help by reporting any posts that violate our Forum Rules. You can report anonymously, so there is no fear of retribution. You can also help promote an encouraging environment by making sure you are a positive influence. Answer other posters with respect. If you are unable to respond respectfully to a poster, please just refrain from answering. Thanks to the vast majority of you who make sure to maintain a positive environment on the forums! Saving Money at The BariatricPal Store What’s better than getting great-tasting bariatric foods and Vitamins delivered to your door? How about knowing you’re getting the best price on them? The BariatricPal Store guarantees the lowest prices anywhere online with our price matching program. To save even more, we have a special offer for new customers, too! Save 15% on your first order just by using coupon code ILUVBP16 at checkout! Let The BariatricPal Store Make Weight Loss Easier Staying strong on the weight loss surgery diet is tough, but it’s a lot easier when you have the bariatric foods you need on hand. When your low-calorie, high-protein drinks and foods are at your fingertips, you’re more likely to get the filling protein you need without diving desperately for junk food. And when your vitamins are formulated for your needs and they’re easy to take, you’re more likely to stay nourished as you lose weight. The BariatricPal Store has the weight loss surgery essentials that can make your job easier. Here are a few of our most popular products this summer. Summer Refreshment: Protein Fruit Drinks On a hot summer’s day, a fruit smoothie can sound awfully tempting. Don’t do it – at least, not from a smoothie shop! You can wind up with close to 1,000 calories and over 100 grams of sugar. BariatricPal fruit smoothies are the smarter choice to satisfy that sweet tooth and refresh yourself. They have the fruit flavors you love, such as pineapple, mango, strawberry, and lemon raspberry iced tea, but without the sugar and calories of regular smoothies. Each low-carb serving has about 10 to 15 grams of protein and 80 to 100 calories. Hottest Items – Vitamin Patches Our vitamin patches are flying off the shelves, and for good reason. You don’t have to swallow pills when you have a convenient topical patch to get your vitamins and minerals. Just wear each patch for 8 hours a day to get the nutrients you need. Pick the individual patches you want, or take a look at our Patch Packs for Lap-Band, Gastric Sleeve, and Gastric Bypass patients. Don’t forget to browse through our Patch Packs Plus section to pick up extra nutrients for specific benefits. Snacks for a Day Trip Heading off to the beach? Planning a weekend getaway? Pack a few high-protein snacks so you know you’re set. Protein bars are a great go-to, since they’re convenient and come in all kinds of great-tasting flavors including chocolate, Peanut Butter, caramel, and lemon. Bars aren’t your only choices, though. You can try pretzels, chips, and even a box of cereal! These may not sound like good candidates for your WLS diet, but they are! They’re all packed with protein, low in carbs, and in single serving packs to make portion control a no brainer on the road. Thanks for reading the newsletter and for your continued support of BariatricPal. Enjoy your summer, and know that you’re always welcome at BariatricPal to share your questions, advice, encouragement, and concerns about weight loss surgery! · Unsubscribe from all BariatricPal E-Mail.

My sister loves her lap band. She got it in '02, so this summer will be 10 years. she lost her weight slow and steady, going from a size 28 to a size 7. She had to have a tummy tuck and has hanging skin on her arms and thighs and has not had a single issue with her band BUT has said numerous times that if the sleeve had been an option then she'd have had it. She'd have lost the weight faster and wouldn't have to live with that "stuck" feeling. plus she has seen so many others having scar tissue built up/revisions that it would have turned her to the sleeve.

Im sure my answer will be met with strict criticism (as it should be cuz after 2 1/2 yrs of doing so caused my band to slip): the only thing I've found to relieve the pain of being stuck is to somehow bring the food back up (fi ger, toothbrush, etc). Now that's not permission to go willy nilly and vomit frequently. As I said, after 2 1/2 yrs of vomiting 3-5x a wk, my band slipped. Im soon to be revising to a sleeve cuz I ruined my band. Maybe I shouldn't have even answered, but I thought it might help in knowing how it does cause damage long term. I never found anything to relieve that stuck feeling. I would break out in a sweat, start shaking, and would HAVE to bring it back up. Never thought of actually preventing being stuck in the first place. That's actually the best way to relieve it. Avoid it Good luck Marci

She's pretty much self-weaned now, so I'm not as worried about it as I was about six months ago. That's why I completely unfilled again. I've never been able to tolerate any fill in my Band following my pregnancies, and have been waiting on a revision. Thing is... everytime a revision is planned, I end up getting pregnant. We're thinking about having one more, and I really don't want to go through a pregnancy with any other WLS. As much as my Lap-Band has driven my crazy in the past 7 years (or so), I've been grateful for it when I was preggers. So...I'm hoping that I can do this for a few months and lose a bit of the baby weight before becomign preggers again. I'm also wondering if doing this for a month or two might ease the transition to solids a bit and make it easier. No idea. :thumbup: slimmy.... I did that during my liquids phase...because I hated the protein drinks! :eek:

My bypass surgery is May 12. I will be using celebrate vitamins & bariatric advantage. Also, celebrate essential 3 in 1 drink mix. Great taste. CW: 319 SD:May 2017 GW: 128

My sister had a Bypass, I got a band many years later. She had severe complications which resulted in about 5 surgeries to try to fix and almost died because of the complications. She is thankful she did have the surgery, however they do repipe your insides which if you eat things with too much sugar or something that doesn't agree with you then it can cause "Dumping"syndrome which is a massive case of diarrhea and it just comes out, or at least it did in her case. She also is not supposed to eat various foods, corn, sodas, and some other things too. It alters the absorption of both foods and medications, now when she has to be medicated it takes a Horse's dose for her to feel anything. Having the band, alot of people can eat whatever they want but you are restricted on the amounts. There are some that cannot eat certain foods, but for every one person who cannot eat something the other 10 seem to be able to. It also does not alter the absorption of medication or nutrients in your food. There is no repiping of your insides, it is just restricted which can be reversed if needed. She also after a huge depression issues overdosed on a medication intentionally. With the bypass they are unable to pump your stomach in this situation. The Gin she washed down the pills with is what saved her life because that somehow kicked her liver into overdrive to help her body burn through the medication. However she was OUT for several days. I will add that this was after the death of our Dad, her fiance cheating on her and dumping her in the hospital on two occasions (what a winner huh) and being told she would never be able to have children because she couldn't have babies. I will also note that she has son that will turn 5 in October!! With a band they can remove the Fluid in order to get to the stomach in case they need to pump the stomach.. however.. hopefully NObody needs this info.

For me, I still crave foods, but I know many don't. However, I generally can't eat the same portions of those foods, so that's the plus. I can have a bit of what I want without overdoing it. There are many who have lost lots being banded....I think the band is more of a tool. Realistically you can still eat anything (I think there are certain things you just can't eat/absorb with bypass), so there is a lot of work on your part still with the band.

Dear LapHappy, I too have fallen off the wagon. I was banded 11/07 I started out at 225 lowest weight with band was apprx 183 now I am back to 195 after losing 5lib over the last fw weeks. I will admit I have cheated, drank h2o while eating so I can eat more etc... I never really felt restriction. Approx 2 mths after i had the lapband surgery, i started with so GI issues. I was told I had IBS Irritable bowel sydrome. This was/is very difficult to deal with. i have not see my dr in about 18mts. I too am afraid of wht he will say. I am afraind he is going to tell me that i hve to have the band removed due to the IBS, but then i think maybe i want it removed because of the IBS... It is fustrating. I am soo sorry to just go on and on about this. I dont know anyone who has the band. I have one friend that had the gastric bypass she lost 150lb looks andfeel great and just doesnt understand or remember being overweight, etc... may be we can start the process over as a group of banders who are recommiting? LEt me know how you do and keep in touch RiceChex:crying: (christina)

Hello wright616, My band to sleeve revision was last July 28. My band and my sleeve were performed by the same surgeon and he put in the band for "eternity." Unfortunately, that worked against me when it had to come out 6 years later. The band did not slip but I couldn't keep down anything by the end and the vomiting caused serious problems with my esophogus. I had a significant amount of scar tissue around the port and my surgery took 3 hours (about 1.5 hours longer than anticipated). In spite of the more extensive surgery, my hospital stay was the standard 36-hours. I can tell you that I felt very little "general" pain. Actually, the whole experience would have been very easy on me with one exception: there was a lot -- A LOT -- of discomfort where the port was removed. It was about the size of a grapefruit. I made the pain worse because I pulled the area once trying to get off the hospital bed to go to the bathroom on the first night. I pulled it again, badly, when I tried to get off the couch on the second day I was home. After that, the area hurt for about 2 solid weeks and then was just sore for another week after that. Walking helped for all the reasons that you've probably heard: pain management, accelerating the anethesia out of the body, weight loss, etc. I had absolutely no trouble walking from the first time that the nurse got me out of bed. That localized area burned while I walked but it wasn't unbearable, just persistent. Honestly, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. No hesitation. No regrets. I wish you all the best with your surgery. Good luck! Embrace

Tweedhill - You must not be a Dr. Bobby patient as he is the one who gave me this info and I have attended the 1st meeting Lapband only group on 2/5 Yes - Desert Hospital (Palm Springs)has labpand only support group on the 1st Tuesday of the month - 3/4 - 4/1 - 5/6 & 6/3 At the Stergios Building at 6 p.m. to 8 p.m - Call Marsha Yosef program member - 760 323 6346 There is also support group at the JFK medical center on Washington in Palm Desert on last Monday of the month - this is for everyone - banded & bypass it's at 6-8 too 2/25 - 3/24 Strenght Training) - 4/28 (new coping skills)- 5/26- (eating onf vacation) 6/23 Joining Life- they have actual speakers at these meetings. There are a few of us from the Coachella Valley on this board. I love LBT as it is open 24/7 - and support group is only once a month..

Success with weight loss is dependent on getting the upper hand with your relationship with food. There is a psychology behind eating patterns which have taken WLS patients into the realm of obesity. Though I am not a physician, I do feel that you would benefit to see a nutritionist to devise a healthier eating plan. As a psychology professional, I can say that the other part to your equation is to reign in on your choices of food, and accept that we must adjust our beliefs about food. We must revise our thinking to "eat to live" rather than "live to eat" if we want long term success with weight loss and maintenance. I have found it useful to use sipping Water or other no calorie drinks and distraction to keep my thoughts away from feelings of hunger. And I also use "self talk" and ask myself prior to eating anything which I know I should not have, do I really want this, or would I prefer to continue to move towards my weight loss goal? The band is around your stomach, not your mind. You have an incredibly self empowering tool to use for weight loss... Best wishes....

I had band to bypass revision on 3/28. I had my band removed on 12/17 due to complications. I had no problem getting approved, just had to stay above BMI requirements, which wasn't a problem around the holidays, lol. Good luck! Sent from my LG-H631 using the BariatricPal App

If you've done your research then you probably know which one 'fits' you best. Good luck with the decision, I know the LB isn't for everyone. My reasons for the LB over RNY: - Safer surgery - Unfill at any point needed and Reversible if needed for other health reasons - Less complications (dumping, hair loss, etc.) - Slower weight loss (easier to explain when you're not 'telling' others, and easier to get proper nutrition) - Continued interaction/accountability to the surgeon (ie. I had to sign that I would continue seeing my surgeon for 5 yrs. post-op, he covers 6 fills as part of the package so it's not for more $, he wants you to be successful long-term) - Continued adjustments to stoma for life (RNY- can stretch the stoma, some need revision surgery) - I need portion control, not reactions to bad foods. I already know I can diet successfully so I'm not worried about counting calories etc. (I don't think I need the malabsorption). If you haven't found it yet, there's an RNY/Other surgery group on LBT HERE. You might want to ask the RNY'ers why they chose (there's a group there that went from Band to RNY). Good luck! -BG

Come on Kristol you weight 188? that was lower than where I started. You can absolutely work your band. I personally would not want bypass surgery unless it was an emergency. Breaks ups and life in General suck sometimes but you have to love yourself enough to want to be healthy and thin.. Get back on that horse honey and you will be way better off than having a major surgery. Carnie Wilson had bypass and ate her way back up to her original weight and then some.. She now has a band over the bypass. There is no fool proof system. Your Surgeon wants to make $$$$ ....

Ok Kate that made me both laugh and become scared lol. I think when I go out tomorrow looking for bras I will bypass the sales person and just take one of every size in the fitting room. ( I say that but I can bypass A-C ) At this point I am not looking for anything pretty just practical..ok industrial even. I just want to be able to adjust the straps like a pulley "higher, higher, higher"! <wink>

The band won't do much to cause you to lose weight; to be honest, my weight loss about the same post-op as it was pre-. It will, however, train you in portion control, which will help you to lose weight on your own, and to avoid gaining it back later which is where many of us have the biggest problems, and why surgery is a good option for us. If you're diabetic, I'd suggest bypass over band.

My surgeon is going to do a band removal and revision. He's letting me decide if I want the sleeve or bypass. I'm confused.. Help! Why is the sleeve better? Just looking for some thoughts and opinions.

I was told by my surgeon that IF you were successful with the band, the sleeve will work for you, too. But if you tend to want to eat a lot of sweets and things that were NOT stopped by the band, then maybe bypass would be better (for the dumping and the fact that you won't absorb everything you eat). I chose the sleeve because I did get to my goal weight with the sleeve. Plus, I'd like to minimize changes to my "innards" as much as possible. I'm already minus a gall bladder, appendix, and now part of my stomach! LOL!

It might be beneficial to you to locate an informational seminar in your area and attend. Due to your neurological issues you would likely still need to have a consult with a bariatric surgeon but WLS would help you to lose weight with minimal exercise. It would just be a question as to whether or not your condition makes you a good candidate for surgery. As to the decision for bypass vs sleeve, currently the sleeve is so popular that for many it's just a matter of preference. For me I didn't want to reroute my internal organs and I was not thrilled at the idea of dumping syndrome. I also had not issues with heartburn or reflux prior to surgery so the sleeve was a better fit for me. I don't think one is better than the other. A good friend of mine had bypass. She is doing well and is very pleased with her results. She was even one of the lucky few to not have issues with loose skin.

I was hoping my insurance would pay. If I had to pay for a trip to mexico from the east coast I mind as well pay in country. My sister had bypass and I do billing for bariatric surgeons so I am aware of the complications. I am scheduled for the seminar tomorrow. I hope I have a better idea what i want tomorrow.

So, did/do you have to go through the same process to get the gastric bypass (primary care approval/referral, etc.) I had been getting gall stones pain about a year ago (i had no gall bladder, though). Turned out i had band dilation so they emptied it. I gained about 35 lbs back (UGH). Now, I'm starting to get that gall stones pain again (still no gall bladder ) and was told i may have a slipped band. I've been thinking about switching over to gastric bypass but don't want to have to go through the entire process again. I hope all goes well with you. God Bless Andrea

So my mom had lapband October 2006. I had lap band November 2009. She has lost like 65lbs total. Well she was down to a size 14, and became severely anemic and was told to either have a blood transfusion or gain weight. So she took all her fill out, gained 20lbs, and hasn't taken it back off. Back when she was a size 14 she was working out pretty much every day and eating a lot better. Well now she's going to see a revision specialist to talk about getting bypass. Even though she wouldn't let me get the bypass or the sleeve, told me she wouldn't support me, nor pay for it. Now she eats candy all day/every day, doesn't work out, nothing. She wouldn't even play wii Fit w/ me. A lady in her office had bypass and has lost like 95lbs, but she also lost some of her hair and has sagging skin. What can I say to convince my mom this is stupid and she's not giving her lapband a chance? Besides saying exactly that, because I tried that. She smirked and ignored me.

I had insurance but it is the PCIP insurance through the govt, the pre existing condition plan . The dedictible was $2000 maximum out of pocket was $4000. I would call them ! I was expecting for them to bill me the 20% post op , and they did NOT , they billed me up front. After my deductible its 20% which came out to $3800 total w/ the dedct. I was only expecting to come up with $2000 which i did , I actually had a fundraiser to come up with the $2000 ( mine was a revision that i needed my band out NOW ) . They called me the DAY BEFORE surgery to tell me how much it would all be and I would nee the additional $1800 since i had $2000 already they let me make payments on the rest . $75 a month for 2 yrs ! UGH . So if your worried i would call them .

Hello new friends, I am probably on here super early. I don't have a doctor, surgery date, or any of that yet. I can only tell you that about 4 days ago, I got to a point where I was disgusted at the weight I've gotten to. I began crying to my mother (who by the way is 100 pounds and tried to tell me she understood) and I haven't been able to stop crying since. I hate that I can't bend over to tie my shoes, I hate that I can't keep a pair of jeans for longer than 4 months without getting holes in the crotch from the rubbing, I hate that I can't cross my legs, I hate having rashes and the way I smell, and most of all I hate that my poor kids are always bored because I never want to get up as I don't have the energy to do much more beyond getting myself to work every day. You would think that all of this would give me enough motivation to just take the weight off but it doesn't. Instead I get even more depressed, and I eat even more. I know it's wrong yet I keep eating and eating…3 helpings sometimes and then I proceed to eat what is leftover on the kids's plates because I can't bare to waste food. I'm sick. I don't know why I can't stop but it's really spiraling out of control and I need to do something. I got to talking to a couple of friends both of whom I've known for many years. One has had a lap band with much success and the other has had gastric bypass with much success. They both recommended the sleeve ironically. I'm trying to read up on all the surgeries and I guess I feel it may be the right one as well. I've been reading non stop for 3 days now and my next step is to see a doctor. What are the opinions of others on the differences between the three surgeries? My other dilemma, and I know I've read this already from others on here, is am I taking the easy way out or should I just do it with diet and exercise because I have done it before? I've struggled with weight since I was a child. I come from an Italian family where everything revolves around food. I remember my grandmother would make ravioli and at the young age of 6 years old, she would encourage me to eat 10 of them. Then when I ate 10, she would encourage me to eat another 2. Then there was dessert…and never just one choice. It went on like this for years until finally I moved away from my family and decided to try and see what I could do to lose the weight now that food wasn't around every corner. I did everything from good old diet and exercise to fasting. I could never keep it off longer than a month or so. Finally, around the age of 25, after my first son was born, I took most of it off and got down to 125 pounds, which is still heavy for a 5 foot tall woman. It took so much effort that my life had to revolve around diet and exercise. I took Xenadrine, which is now off the shelves (hmmm, I wonder why), I walked to and from work, was on my feet at work teaching all day, ran 4 miles or more each day on top of that, ate absolutely no dairy and very few carbs, ate 5-6 tiny meals each day, and never ever ate after 4pm. I followed every diet tip known to man and was still considered overweight for my height and build. All that work and all it took was me taking a desk job for it to all go to crap. I had lost my teaching job and began working in an office that I couldn't walk to, sat all day, and immediately the weight gain started and I was back to 180 in a matter of months, even though I kept doing most of the other things. Xenadrine was taken off the shelves and there went another 20 pound increase. My lifestyle now would not even allow for part of that. I have three children, barely have time for myself, and I work at a desk for at least 10 hours each day. I get home at 7:00pm starved and just start shoveling the food in. I am really just doing a lot of venting here and would love for someone to tell me I am looking in the right direction with the option of surgery. I plan to make an appointment here in the next few weeks with a doctor but it always helps to have the support of others who understand. If someone thinks I should just suck it up and get myself to diet the normal way again, please say so Thanks for hearing me out and I will be around reading more and more and educating myself as much as possible. I will keep everyone up to date on what the doctor says once I get the appointment.

I'm in Newnan. Just starting the process. Will be using Emory Johns Creek. I'm still deciding between the sleeve and bypass.