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I feel so badly for you. Just making the decision to have surgery and preparing for it is a pretty big deal for us even when everything goes the way it's supposed to. For you to have gone through all those preparations and the pre-op diet only to be bumped for a patient who was more important than you (ok that's a bit dramatic I know).... I go along with the others here who say always trust your gut. You absolutely deserve a doctor you have the utmost faith in, and, you are going to need to be able to depend on him AND his staff to be there for you in the coming months. I hate to think it might delay things even more for you but I'd think about switching doctors too. I would only go with bariatric doctors, and if possible, one who specializes in lap band. That was important for me and I think it's the best way to go. But as with everything on this board, it's all personal opinion. Good luck to you.... you haven't been treated fairly and I hope that changes for you real fast.

Just wanted to say Hi All! I'm new to this app and to the Bariatric journey. I'm still in process of trying to get my sleeve. Hoping it happens this summer! I joined here in hopes of making friends and support from those that "get it" any and all advice/suggestions are more than welcome! Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Two weeks ago I was in the same boat. Was I taking too drastic a step? Would I be shitting my head off? I even started a thread here for some positive poop outcome stories. I'm only two weeks post op, so time is a factor here - but my BM's are behaving and gas is controllable and no worse than before. As I introduce solids more that will change but at this early stage there has not been the nastiness described elsewhere. I spoke In depth with my dietician and surgeon about it, I called it an irrational fear but they were really responsive and gave me reassurances. Firstly, the ADA in Oz are really into fibre supplements from day one (which is different to other countries for bariatrics) and fibre is essential to keeping regular and firm BM's, provided you stay hydrated. It's also food for gut bacteria, and they think gut biome is a key aspect of the tiny percentage of people that have totally intractable bowel issues after surgery. Secondly, they said gas is controllable. With some careful planning and food watching you can identify the foods or behaviours (gulping) that cause the gas or terrible odour if it becomes a problem. Similarly with loose stools - lactose is the common enemy for some. Ultimately, even if I do go downhill in the next week as I take more solids in I am confident this will be worth it. I also work in an office, in close quarters with lots of people. I'll just have to get creative about it. But so far, so good. Out of interest, is the Bris in your name for Brisbane? I'm just west 40 minutes if so. Small world. Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using BariatricPal mobile app

Not sure if this has been posted before or not, but this is probably the best article that I have read since having surgery. http://www.bariatriceating.com/2015/03/why-everything-in-moderation-is-bariatric-baloney/?utm_campaign=Everything_In_Moderation_Support&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=3-10-16 Prior to surgery, I thought that I would be able to be an "Everything in Moderation" kind of person, but knew right away that that would never work for me.

I am so sorry. PPI's are Proton Pump Inhibitors. They're drugs that reduce stomach acid. They can interfere with B12, so that's why for bariatric patients, you need to be VERY careful of them. VERY careful. For a short period of time, fine, but any length of time, B12 is not a Vitamin deficiency you want. You want a GI who knows about these things or willing to learn so that you're careful of them. I'd be very leery of any one who uses them over the counter constantly too. I don't find that simple things like this are noted to bariatric patients.

One of the things that contributed to my stress about this surgery was not knowing what was going to happen. (What can I say, I'm a control freak.) So here is the play-by-play as it pertains to me of my surgery. Your mileage may vary! I'll try to come back and update it. Hopefully it'll be of use to someone—"and knowing is half the battle." Day before surgery Liquid-only diet; two bowls of phở broth, some Protein2O, apple juice, and sugar-free lemon jello. Got about 830 calories in. Had to take a shower with a special CHG (chlorhexidine gluconate) anti-septic body wash. It made my skin a bit "slippery". Packed my bag with my CPAP hose, a book, a spare shirt, some chanclas for walking, my cell phone charger, and my reading glasses. Put out the two pills I was supposed to take (no losartan because it interferes with anesthesia). Day of surgery Took another shower with CHG as required. Reported to the hospital at 0630 as requested. Was checked in and taken to pre-surgery holding. My fiancé was allowed to go with me as an exception, because I'm hard of hearing and rely on lip-reading which is impossible with so many masks and partitions in the way. A surgical RN came and told me to wipe my abdomen with CHG wipes, then put on my surgical gown (which was HUGE on me—I understand I'm a bariatric patient but I literally couldn't keep it on my shoulders). Then he put an IV in the back of my hand, took my vitals (I lost 10 lbs in the two weeks between my surgeon's consultation and surgery day), went through all my medications, put an anti-nausea patch behind my ear, and gave me a blood thinner in my IV. My surgeon came in and asked if I was ready, went over a few things, then went to scrub up. My anesthesiologist came in and asked if I had had anesthesia before (yes), and if I had any questions. I asked him to give me a TAP block at the end of surgery, which is a localized nerve block, like an epidural for your abdomen. It lasts 12-18 hours. I was whisked away and the next thing I knew I was in the recovery room, where I was given cognitive tests (what is your name, what hospital are you at, who's the president, etc.) and given ice chips. Once that all proved satisfactory, I was wheeled to my room. I don't remember it, because I fell asleep. Once in the room they put leg compression stockings on me and gave me water, Crystal Light made way too sweet, chicken broth that tasted like a salt lick, and a thicker vegetable purée soup. I couldn't get the vegetable soup down. I forced the chicken broth, Crystal Light, and water. I felt very, very hungry and it was frustrating not to be able to just eat something. I took 3 or 4 laps of the surgical unit floor in my fetching anti-slip socks, and kept falling asleep. The pain from the gas was pretty bad and I spent a good 30 minutes just burping, much to the chagrin of the man in the other bed in the room (though he was moaning so he doesn't get to say anything). Around 1730 the nurse came in, saw that I had drunk what I could and had peed sufficiently (you pee into a graduated container), and that I could walk. She asked my surgeon's permission to discharge me, and I was in the wheelchair going out the door at 1830, exactly 12 hours after I arrived. When we got home, I pretty much washed my hands and face and went straight to bed. I got up probably every 2 hours or so, would have a couple of sips of protein shake or water, along with Gas-X (simethicone) or, as needed, Tylenol. I did get about 7 hours of sleep, in various chunks. I was able to lie, carefully, on my side, which is how I prefer to sleep. My CPAP did increase the gas pressure inside a bit but it was tolerable. Day 1 post-op My first bout of the 'foamies'. I tried to drink a CorePower protein milk way too fast and spent an hour and a half wandering around whimpering. It was actively painful and it felt enough like I needed to vomit that I had a lined bucket at the ready. Eventually, though, it subsided. Gas pain is still here and very real, but better. We went for a walk which absolutely tired me out—and it was barely 500 meters! Right now I am using the timer on my cell phone to remind me to drink 1/3 oz. of fluid every 5 minutes, and I feel full but it's manageable. I am alternating full ounces of regular water and protein water. I also made some Jell-O with extra protein powder but the thought of eating it leaves me cold. If I can get these bottles down plus the shake I had earlier, I'll be pretty close to 48 oz. of fluid which is my surgeon's requirement for the first week (bumps up to 64 oz. after that) and 41 g of protein which will have to do for the first day unless I manage to get some of the Jell-O down me. I have been taking Tylenol, Gas-X, and my ondansetron—the nausea is there but it's in the background, like when you step off a ship onto land at the end of a cruise. I haven't had enough pain to necessitate anything stronger than Extra Strength Tylenol. My incisions are clean (I took a shower).

For me, my insurance (BCBS TX) has a bariatric surgery exclusion.

yes he is a contracted provider with Tricare but he is telling me he is not contracted for "bariatric" with tricare however he did accept payment for my Bariatric eval from tricare. What a mess

Dump the band. Seriously though, my bariatric program isn't even doing them anymore

Anyone, who has any (or no) bariatric surgery CAN lose all of his or her excess weight. But there is NO DATA supporting the concept that any surgery will cause us to lose ALL of our excess weight. The best outlook appears to be the DS at about 75-80%, then the RnY and the AGB at about 65%. We can all STRIVE to lose all of our excess weight, but to EXPECT to do so would leave an awful lot of people very, very disappointed.

Yes, yes and yes! I was told by my spine surgeon that they see a lot of Bariatric surgery patients. There a few reasons why: 1. All the fat actually supported your spine and now that it is gone your posture changes. 2. You are likely much more active which is obviously a good thing 3. As the weight leaves, everything sort of falls down, that changes the way you you walk, sit and stand. I have been battling a degenerative spine ever since I was in my late 20's which was when I gained a lot of weight. Unfortunately I waited too long to lose my weight. Recently I had to undergo a 3 level spinal fusion in my cervical spine. This was my 4th spine surgery in the last 14 years. The reality is, obesity really damages your body if you wait too long to do something about it. Oh, by the way once you lose the weight in your butt, your tailbone sticks out and it hurts like heck to sit for too long.

Diet pills are at best a temporary fix and dangerous on your heart. I would start with seeing a bariatric doctor and getting their opinion.

Ummmmm. United Healthcare does cover Bariatric surgery. It depends on what your employer (if through work) elected to have covered. My experience with UHC has been top notch and they covered everything but about $500-700 of deductibles.

First, make sure bariatric surgery is covered with the new company. While you're on the phone with them, you can ask them for surgeons in your area. I strongly suggest you create an account on your carrier's website and search through there. If it helps at all, Cigna covers but United Healthcare does not. Also, I wish you the best of luck in your search for a new provider!

I take Bariatric Advantage and don't mind them at all right now. I have the same problem where I can take vitamins for a while and then all of a sudden they start making me sick and I don't know why, so I regularly change my vitamins. The very first one I took as a sample made my stomach upset, but after that, they haven't bothered me at all. I hope you find something that works for you! Maybe your insurance has some other options that may work!

Thank you, Hannah83! It has been a roller coaster ride. Nutritionalist did blood, urine, stool & saliva test that shows I’m not absorbing some nutrients & amino acids well, but bariatric surgeon says everything is fine. Based on some research I did. Bariatric doctors are well aware of post mental health worsening, especially in patients w/genetic predisposition. Why Bariatric practitioners & mental health practitioners ignore this correlation is beyond me, unless it’s all about the $$ for bariatric surgeons.

So this is me. My name is Kathi, 28 years old, 165cm tall and 143kgs. I've been tooing and froing about getting bariatric suregery for 2 years now. I have been big most of my life. Teased by kids as I'm sure many of you can relate to, and even worse have been discriminated against in all areas of life due to my size, including being passed over for promotions and postings to foreign climes. So not fair! So 2 years ago I got on track to get a lapband... I was scared and had a lot going on in my life at the time: Broken up relationship, job going weird, and many other things, so I chickened out after seeing the surgeon. Now, I have matured and come to know myself more (its amazing what you find out about yourself when you lose the deadwood of a bad relationship and a bad job). Now I have realised that I need this tool to stop me becoming what I see my whole family becoming. I dont want Diabetes, or heart problems, I dont want to be immobile, I dont want to be prejudiced against anymore. I have tried everything! fad diets, weight watchers, diet pills, you name it So here I am, Surgery booked in for 30 November. My Parents are giving me a loan to have it done (not that they can really afford it though, but they know its what I need...), and I will be paying it off for the next 5 years. But I feel its worth it. I now have 6 weeks of preop diet in front of me, plus learning to eat, exercise, and change the way I think. Its a hard road, but I'm hoping at the end of it, the rny will be a life saver. I'm on Day 2 of pre op diet. I think taking all things in context it's been successful. Minor slip ups, but I'm proud of my salmon, bok choi and broccoli in the face of others eating a mountain of pizza around me that I was pretty strong to only steal 2 bites of pizza. Still not ideal, but better than caving and eating a half pizza like I normally would. Plus going to 3 pubs this weekend and only having a tiny taste of beers that the others bought. I have the motivation, I just hope I can hold onto it! 40 minute wii dance workout this evening - so shattered. My cat thinks I'm crazy, but what does she know, she's a cat! I'm looking forward to sharing my journey with all of you, and sharing in yours along the way

Did he/she appear,to be aloof or approachable. Do they welcome questions? Will they be accessible or will you be palmed off on ED doctors who are not familiar with Bariatrics? Do they practice in a partnership or are they lome doctor for this speciality.? Are their admitting privileges at a Center of Excellence hospital(in US) or with a teaching hospital.? Does his hospital routinely book in private or semi-private rooms? How long his patients remain in hospital or does surgeon do only surgery on an outpatient basis? Is surgeon board certified or merely board eligible? When are visits booked presurgical and postsurgical? How many surgery done yearly, how,many daily? Do they have a favorite surgery or they willing to discuss it with the patient? Are all surgeries laprascopicaly or are there occasional open procedures done?

I am fortunate as the surgical team that did my reversal is the same team that will do the sleeve. When they did the reversal they had to remove a portion of the fundus was already removed. Sounds like similar rules... My biggest fear is that i won't feel the restriction. I am in Canada and because the reversal was deemed medically necessary and because sleeving me was part of the entire plan at the time of reversal, the sleeve will be covered here. I have been considering going self pay to re-RNY me (since undoing the rny did not resolve the issues, I could conceivably re-RNY with no additional impact) but if there is a chance I can achieve my 35-40 lb re-lose to goal with just a sleeve, then I (and my body) would be ok with the less drastic. I think the RNY was great and it did help me lose well over 120 lbs. I see that a lot of people also go from a sleeve to an RNY so its likely an option, if I need the stricter controls of the RNY, that this is something that could be explored later but I would really like whatever option I go with in June to be the last step. I went so far as to start looking into RNY surgeons as self pay last week but I think I need to get more feedback from the bariatric community (to be honest I was happy with the RNY being the only step and it makes me sick to my poor overly abused tummy that it was reversed...)

I think you're fine. I think bariatric pal has some chili for the early stage. I had it because that was the most difficult part of the journey for me (other than pre-op diet) and it was pretty good. lol

Tring to find a cheaper place to that a product called bariatric advantage meal replacement plz any idea will help Sent from my moto e5 cruise using BariatricPal mobile app

I see it on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Bariatric-Advantage-Replacement-Chocolate-Servings/dp/B004WQJUCC?th=1

Here is what I wrote in a previous thread, I hope this helps: Posted August 23, 2013 - 12:30 PM I agree that some of the "bariatric" Vitamins are way over priced! I decided to continue w/ my pre-surgery regime with some additions. I just had my blood work done ( 3 months post surgery) and everything was great (Vitamin levels too) except I am low on Vit D. Here is what I am taking: Centrium Silver Chewable Multivitamin (Daily) - $6 / month Celebrate Chewable Calcuim w/ Vit D (Daily)- $7 / month Celebrate Chewable Iron + C (2 - 3 times per week) - $6 / month GNC Biotin 5000 mg (Daily) - $ 7 / month GNC Vit B-12 Lozenge (Daily) - $3 / month I will be adding a GNC Vit D-3 tablet to my daily pills starting tomorrow. I have always resisted taking any vitamins, but I realized with this surgery and the reduction in food, that it was necessary. I put all of these pills in a 7 day pill holder and it really seems to be working for me. One thing to watch out for is the number of servings required to get the vitamins listed on the bottle. Some I looked at (gummies especially) require you to eat 3 or 4 to get all the required vitamins. That raises the overall price dramatically. I think $100 per month is excessive.

You need a calcium citrate supplement not one made with calcium carbonate. The citrate is better absorbed by your new stomach than the other type. We lose the optimal area of calcium absorbption when we have the sleeve. I buy the Bariatric Advantage calcium chews online from Amazon. There are other Vitamin threads on this site that have a lot of good information if you search for that topic. Good luck with your surgery!