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I don't like pain. Surgery is painful, and gastric bypasses are major surgery. If I were in your shoes, I would try to find another surgeon in my area who would be willing to take on another surgeon's patient. If I couldn't find one, I'd go back to my original doctor. You might get a disapproving look. You might not. Explain that you were discouraged and afraid, but now you're ready to do what you can to make the band work for you (but this part applies only if you are really ready). I'm newly banded, but I've done a lot of reading and have learned that fills are fickle things. The first one doesn't usually give restriction to people. I was told to expect four to six fills (or more!) before mine would be where I need it to be. Maybe one fill wasn't enough for you. Don't forget that nutrition is important, too! If your surgeon didn't give you instructions on how to eat after you were banded, do research or call your surgeon's office! There's a wealth of information available in this and other forums. Find a nutritionist who specializes in bariatric surgery. Exercise!! If I did all of this and the band still wasn't helping me, I would consider other surgeries, but not before. Mainly because of the anesthesia, cutting, and recovery time :confused: Really, this is how *I* would approach it. You have to weigh your options and consider what is best for you. Lap-bands don't work for everyone; neither do bypasses. Sometimes it's because, for whatever reason, the particular method was incompatible with the patient's body. Sometimes it's because the patient cheated the system, which is possible with ANY weight loss procedure. You HAVE to follow the rules or you're not going to be successful. You HAVE to go to follow up appointments to make sure you're doing well and things are working as they should. *hugs* I understand feeling out of control and spiraling into a bad place. That's how I got to be 300 pounds. There came a time when I realized that what I was doing wasn't helping me at all. I had to pull myself up by my bootstraps (that was hard), admit to my mistakes (even harder), and decide what to do about the situation. It sucked! But I did it. And you can too. (Sorry for babbling and/or incoherency. I'm tired!)

Hi All, I know most surgeons and literature around bariatrics discuss losing 'X%' of your 'excess weight' however what do they class as excess? I'm assuming they are using the BMI, but what do the class as your 'ideal weight' to then calculate your excess? Is it the highest BMI point you would be classed as in the health range or is it the mid point of the healthy range for your height/gender, the lowest point or something else? It's just i'm trying to set up my weigh loss journal and app and set goals etc but i'm at a loss as to what this mystical calculation is based on Thanks in advance - and yes I would be amused if this like everything else varies between surgeons!

Hi I recently saw a few groups that have meetups in the area they live in. I think we need this in Mass. Not sure if this is the best way to go about it or if there is already something in place, so I thought I would give it a shot. Dawn Marie

Whether you’re reading this as the patient who needs bariatric surgery, someone who loves that patient, or the provider committed to caring for the patient, there are at least three important lessons coming out of this experience that should be taken away for future benefit. Three takeaways coming from beating CIGNA and winning another bariatric surgery appeal

Well I have a leaky port that's going to be fixed in a few weeks! I found out that Phoenixville Hospital has a new bariatric center and a doctor who will fill me even though I'm not a patient. A 15 minute drive compared to the 2+ hours to Gaspar! Thank god. Pages - Bariatric Surgery Dr. Kaczmarski 610-983-1975 I have lost some of the weight I gained, but have decided that post-op I really need to get a local support group together. So I hereby would like to announce I'm forming a Chester/Delaware county support group!! I'd like to meet my fellow bandsters in person every now and again, have meetups, etc. I think a huge problem for me is I am a solitary eater. When I'm with other people I talk a lot and am not interested in food. When I'm alone, I'll peck at something for 2 hours unconsciously, so, having people around will really help me stay on track. I've been isolated for a long time, and now that I work from home, it's becoming imperative that I meet with other people! We can share recipes, stories, shoulders to cry on, go out and do things when the weather is nicer if we like. Anyone interested??

My bariatric doctor said that for every one band they were putting on they were taking two off due to complications. RNY is the standard, it has been around for decades. I have absolutely no complications, I couldn't be happier with my decision.

You are not alone, there are soooo many of us out here, looking for advice, support or just someone to listen, that understands what we have gone/are going thru. My bariatric team seems to ‘be done’ with me since the surgery. I’ll ask a question, and they will return the message with ‘you may need to see your PCP’. I feel abandoned by them. My insurance company even placed a call to them to return my call, and they still have not. I’m 10 days out, still bloated, minor pain, but I’m probably ok. 😊

It usually means something like they only pay for one bariatric surgery in your lifetime, or there is a separate dollar max, something like that. But only they can tell you for sure. I would try calling them rather than emailing, I find my insurance responds super slowly (if ever) to email. Good luck!

Mark, A huge congratulations on getting the surgery behind you! The toughest part is over. On exercise: Like you, I started walking pretty much immediately after surgery and gradually ramped up from there. Now I do a regular mix of cardio and weight training. It's so much easier and more enjoyable to exercise without all the extra weight and you can really see the results. On telling others: I choose to basically tell no one. My experience is that the general public views bariatric surgery as some sort of extreme, unnatural decision. I'm not embarrassed but I just didn't want to explain VSG to everybody. When people ask how I lost the weight, I tell them that I eat and drink a lot less and exercise more (all true). When they hear that, they lose interest and change the topic! Anyhow, I'm really excited for you. Send me a message anytime you want.

holy hell! I'm frustrated. I'm above my bounce weight of 130's for maintenance . It's not a good feeling. I'm getting things reigned in before they get out of hand. Some days I need to shut my inner voice off. I'm telling myself It's my new medication, My sports injury, I might as well eat this because I'm already at a higher weight. The scale is not moving. I'm pressing on! I'm tracking food and I have increased my workout for the last 5 days. Keeping up all the things I have been taught by my bariatric brothers, sisters and professionals. Waiting for the scale to move again.

If the Protein you are using doesn't agree with you, I would try another kind. I am drinking the premier Protein shakes (2 a day) and that is about all the protein I can get in. I do make my meals (2 oz) with added protein if I can and that adds a little bit. Protein is important. You may want to try some of the engineered foods that are designed for bariatric patients as they have added protein. I have seen Soups, puddings, oatmeal etc. I have not purchased any of these yet myself, but it might help to use those for meals so that you are making sure to get more protein. Also, you can use the unflavored protein to mix into a beverage that you like to give you more variety. Mix it in crystal light or another zero calorie beverage. If you body does not get enough protein it will take what it needs from your muscles. This is not a good thing. Your heart is a muscle also. Hope some other members can suggest other types of Protein drinks that might help but I would definetely try some different brands. Its tough because everything is done so slowly (eating and drinking). Seems like every waking hour is consumed with remembering to constantly sip. Good luck to you!

I don't know if I can answer the original question about how far you can push it. There is one individual in our area who is called Chef Woody. He was a Chef as an occupation and after surgery he decided to create meals designed for those who went through Bariatric Surgery. He was probably as old as me (age 65) and he got into exercise in a big way. His passion was bicycling. In a competition, he rode across the state of Indiana from end to end in one go. When he reached the finish line, he had no energy left. He couldn't even physically move. So I think you can push it pretty far. "Do I need to cut back a little bit on the activity?" I don't know. You started out at 234 pounds on January 2014 and you have dropped 42 pounds since then. That is a good weight loss but you are still in the middle so you still have many fat cells that can act as a cushion or buffer. I would not recommend holding to 900 calories per day when you have reached your bottom weight, especially since you are exercising a lot.

Just another before and after pic to inspire my bariatric pals wherever they may be on their journey. I don't like to dwell on what was but I can't help but think what my granddaughter and I missed out on because of how my size interfered. I try to make up for it with my grandson by staying healthy and doing as much as possible with him.

The focus of 2016 for me will continue to be centered on my health and weight loss journey. I plan to reach my goal weight by my birthday in March, but even if I don't I will continue my eating plan. I'm a bit of a foodie and love good food and wine but now realize that alcohol may need to drop off the menu along with the recreation of trying out new restaurants. My husband wanted to take me out for a big New Year's Eve dinner at a highly acclaimed restaurant, but when I saw the menu I realized I would be overeating ( several courses were being served) and over drinking. I didn't want to feel the regret of going off my plan and trying to eat all that food or the sting of him paying for food / wine I can't eat / drink. We opted for a fun evening with friends and I was able to take a few healthy appetizers for their buffet. Their celebration was alcohol- free. Surprisingly, neither one of us felt deprived and we had a great time. Even though this is sort of unrelated, I have been the recipient of some of my mom's estate - antiques and household items. Although I really love her, I'm not an antique kind of person contemporary and minimalist is more my style. The realization came that all stuff has been in my garage and storage for about 5 years, cluttering my space with its physical and emotional weight and costing extra money to store. My resolution is to find a way to let go of her things ( keeping the great memories of course) and lose the burden that having it entails. Having surgery has helped me to become lighter in so many ways that I cannot imagine the act of divesting myself of all the stuff I've been holding onto will not further enhance my journey going forward. So many things about having VSG have come as a surprise. I'm looking forward to more NSVs, optimizing my health and helping my hubby as he begins to lose weight too. Looks like we're off to a good start????????????????Happy New Year and wishes for your success to all my Bariatric Pals!

Prices of Protein vary widely, depending on brand, quality, and where you buy it. Some of the best deals are online. All Proteins are not created equal. Some have sugar, some are high carb, some have fillers, some are not whey isolate. Some are for weight gain, some are for loss (depends on the needs of the individual). Read the labels, ask your nutritionist if your not sure. unjury and I think some others are created for bariatric patients. Beware cheap products - sometimes they are cheap for a reason. Don't stock up. Your tastes change after surgery. What you like now, you may not like then. Also, on the website "The world according to egg face" there are many , many protein shake recipes that are amazingly awesome. Check out the website. Egg whites can be bought in powdered form to add protein to foods and drink. It's safe and tasteless. My son (a marine and a body builder) uses both powdered egg whites and whey protein. You may not need to have whey protein forever. A lot of us learn to LIKE it. I also have Atkins shakes for breakfast. I prefer a liquid breakfast in the morning. If I'm low on my protein for the day I'll have another shake in the evening to make up for it. Sometimes I'm just too busy and forget to eat. If that happens a shake is a quick easy meal. Usually I can get the protein I need from my foods. I like fish, seafood, Greek yogurt, chili w/beans, cheeses, and on rare occasions beef. I have trouble with poultry still. You'll get it all figured out. It's an adjustment but not as hard as it seems. :-)

Oh, and who cares if you have to take an antacid pill each morning?? That ain't no thang!! And you WILL be eating in restaurants again - Where are you being told you can't????? Yes, you are physically only able to ingest about 1/4 of a cup to 1/2 of a cup, but it's amazing how quickly each of us figures out our routines at the restaurants. It's not going to be easy, there are all sorts of accommodations that you will make, but then it will all just become routine and your new normal and it won't be hard or difficult at all. It's just going to be new at first. Yes, there will be weeks where life sucks right after the surgery, there will be tears and there will be fears. How old are you? I was on no medications, no "co-morbidities" up until I was 41. Then I woke-up in ICU. My gallbladder went bad due to my years of high fat diet. That then threw a gall stone into my pancreas duct which caused my pancreas to back up, start digesting itself, ruining the cells the produce insulin, putting me into a six month acute pancreatitis and now I'm diabetic, have no gall bladder and get to have tests every 6 months. There are horror stories from either side. I really hope that you are able to find peace today in whatever decision you make. This is your life and this is one means to take control over our weight, but there are other ways. You could do the liquid fasting for a year or two, you could spend the next couple of years restricting yourself and basically following the bariatric diet without the surgery and exercise. It's all possible. Whatever you decide is the path you were meant to take. I know it's terrifying, I'm sending you a massive hug!!

HEllo everone!!! 2day is my 3rd day home! I have been well. I am still on my Clear liquids. My hubby and family/friends that come and visit have been very supportive. I am able to have homemade broth, sugar free jell-0, gatorade, and apple juice. My bowels started returning When Igot home Saturday. As expected,they were loose and dark. I swear I spent more time in the bathrooom that night! I got a call from the nurses to ask how things are going. It was good to know they were concerned and helpful. I mentioned the whole loose stools and they asked what I was drinking. after I explained I felt it was the apple juice, they told me I might have been experiencing my first "dumping syndrome" even though my apple juice is 100% fruit juice it still contains high natural sugars. I was told to try and dilute it 50/50 with Water. SO far this has helped. Pain management is going well I walk at least 5 min 3 times a day. Somedays I feel a litte more pain and other days I feel good. I have my post op tomorrow, I am anxious to know if and what I have lost since surgery and what amount was water wieght. I will then be able to move up to the full liquids. I will be able to have my yogurt again! Cream of wheat, shakes! I will do this for 3 days. Then By friday I should be able to start on my pureed! I cant wait, I have so many recipes i mind I have found on various bariatric sites! I know the food might not look so pleasant but At least it would have the taste of real foods again:) I still cant believe my waiting and surgery are now over! Let the weight lost begin DOes anyone know where I can make a weight lost tracker?????? THanks!!!!!

My goal was to lose weight to be healthy....then have a baby. My weight was not the overriding reason we could not get pregnant. I was always told getting pregnant would be a challenge for me for other health issues and because my husband is a diabetic. I have not been to my regular OB yet because I am still under my RE's care. We did IVF and I will be released from them at 8 weeks. This is my RE's concern and I still have to contact my regular Endo and bariatric doctor. Just was hoping to get an idea of a time frame first.

Hello everyone. I started my journey for the surgery way back in September of last year. I hadn't been able to start the process officially because my insurance didn't kick in until December. I attended my Bariatric Seminar at Englewood Hospital in NJ, which just re-affirmed my decision to go through with Gastric Sleeve Surgery. I scheduled my first appointment with the doctor. To my surprise after all the excitement I walked into the office for my appointment and the doctor that I had researched extensively and was referred to me by family and friends, didn't take my insurance tier. I was almost heartbroken. I thought "am I not doing this right?" Luckily, I had indeed selected a great group of doctors. The client relation specialist quickly told me, "no stress we will handle everything with you all the way through. The Dr that will be operating will be Dr.Botvinov but Dr. Vaimakis will be there also." That quickly alleviated some of the anxiety. We scheduled my appointment to meet with him in a different office and to be honest, I was happy I chose this Dr. he walked into the room and just asked me "why?" And I couldn't help but to divulge every reason why It was time for this for me. He told me then perfect. Let's get you started and change your life. They gave me a scheduled day of March 14, 2017, so a little over a month away. I have met with the nutritionist of the facility which was great and promised me that this would be the summer to remember. Of course, being the emotional wreck I am, I cried and all I could think of is finally marrying my partner looking and feeling great. Everything has been pretty smooth since. Scheduling my psych evaluation and my endoscopy then I should be good to go. Any advice or feedback would be great so please feel free to submit your input. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Sleeve surgery..... my bmi is over 40 and I have hypertension. I've met all requirements and done everything they've asked. Now they want documentation that my obesity is not endocrine related and want my mild reflux treated..... which is weird cuz it's not bad enough to need treatment.... I'm waiting for my bariatric office to call me back with the next steps. I'm about to file a complaint with the state commissioner because this is a covered service and they are denying me for irrelevant reasons. Insurance is the most frustrating thing. Why I pay thousands of dollars a year for them to deny coverage over and over again.

definitely have to renew your vows now!!!!!!

Samuel Butler, Victorian era English author once said , "Self -preservation is the first law of nature." Taking that leap to have bariatric surgery was a brave act of self-preservation. There are many other steps you can take now to refresh your new lease on life. (And we are just temporarily leasing our human container). One of those steps is to get back on track, starting with your next meal. I will be thinking of you, and wish you good luck and good health.

Happy Veterans Day to all our Veterans who have had or are thinking of having bariatric surgery. My goal after having my RNY is to me able to fit into my DCUs and Class A's by Memorial Day. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Hi Everyone, I have been reading posts and doing lots and lots of research. My journey started in March when my lung specialist suggested I have bariatric surgery done. I am a state employee and just this year, the legislature voted to allow 100 bariatric surgeries to be paid for by insurance. When I booked the appt and saw the doctor, there were still openings in my area. I didn't have to go through all of the other required procedures because I had already had them. So getting to the actual appt day was very fast. Once all paperwork was submitted to insurance co. I get a call from the BCBS nurse telling me I was qualified to have the surgery, but I wasn't qualified for the state program because of a small glitch. (15 year state employee, switched for 2 years to Blue Choice and I just switched back to state standard 18 months ago. The requirement is two years as state standard policy holder.) She also said had I been qualified, I was number 18 on the waiting list for my area and that is would probably be at least another year. The one good thing that came out of my visit with the Dr. was the fact that I was leaning toward the lap band and he mentioned the sleeve and I didn't really know much about it, so hadn't considered it. He told me, that if they had to choose just one surgery to perform for bariatric patients, it would be the gastric sleeve. He said it is the one that has the least amount of complications and if most successful. THAT 10 minute conversation cost me $485! We are still fighting to get back part of that money because they should have prequalified me before scheduling me for an appt. Finding this information out, set me on the path for other options. Unfortunately, when I checked into cash pay with that doctor, I was told the cash pay price was 20,000. I also have to have a hiatal hernia repaired, which insurance does cover. The BCBS nurse, suggested I talked to him to see about doing the hiatal hernia surgery with the sleeve surgery on the side to reduce the cash pay amount since insurance would be paying for everything else. So, I called to find that out and was told it would still be 20,000 for the sleeve surgery and they would bill my insurance company for the additional hernia surgery and I would still be responsibly any additional costs with that like my 20% that insurance does not pay. Lets talk greedy! My research led me to Mexico. I have done a lot of research and I decided to go with Dr. Ortiz with Obesity Control Center. I must say, I am having my doubts after seeing so much being said about Dr. Aceves. (not that there is anything bad about Dr. Ortiz, Dr. Aceves just has a big following.) I even called them after I booked with Dr. Ortiz, but something keeps telling me to stay with Dr. Ortiz. There doesn't seem to be too many patients on here that have had Dr. Ortiz ao I think that is where my doubts are coming in to play with my mind. I have been on the pre-op diet of liquid Protein shakes and a lean cuisine meal a day. I have lost 9 pounds in spite of having to attend a family reunion and 2 birthday parties without cheating, so that is pretty exciting but I must say it isn't how I want to eat the rest of my life. My surgery is the 27th, and we will be flying out of SC on the 25th so we will have a couple of days to do other things before the surgery. I think I am starting to get a little anxious, but I am hoping that is normal no matter where you have it done.

I was given a 6 week no swallowing whole pills restriction, but every surgeon is different. The hospitalist tried to tell me I'd have to crush pills forever because the new stomach is too small to quickly break down a big pill and you'd just poop it out. I'm ultimately going with my own doc's advice, as the hospitalist was not strictly a bariatric doc. I'm just wondering about time released stuff. Can't crush that.