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Hi! I'm not in KC but did travel there for sleeve on February 6 with Dr Hoehn at KC Bariatric. You will not regret it. Dr, his staff and surgical staff are beyond great!! The care I received after surgery at the surgery center was really amazing!! I can't say enough about what a great experience it was for me. I'm excited for you!!

I love these responses. I myself am going through the process of being banded. And these responses just renew my hope that I will be getting banded soon. I been through many ups and downs so i'm just ready! Congrats on all who have had such success on the band.

Hi I havent really found my sweet spot yet either,I have the luck of having two bariatric nurses that have also had the band so they have wonderful ideas that work rather well. They told me to eat about 3 baby carrots or carrot sticks before my meal to fill up as they seem to take longer to pass thru,I have been doing this for about a month and have lost 7 lbs. Prior to that I was really at a stand still. I had my band 10/21/08. My Dr is a firm believer in keeping the band semi loose, I will see him again 1/09 I sure he will not give me a fill, I had a .5 fill the day of surgery and 4cc Nov 23. It sure has been tough during the holidays. New eating habbits are hard enough but all those goodies to avoid were TERRIBLE.

Which band to go with? The Realize or LAP-Band? I'm sure I'll talk it over with the surgeon but it's definitely something to think about. I had my big 4 hour appointment today with everyone under the sun. The dietician was super nice. We first did the informational session on life and diet post banding. I then saw the Internist/Endocrinologist for an hour. He was nice...reminded me of Rain Man but very thorough. After hearing my symptoms that I've dealt with my whole life, he wants to do one additional lab test (24 hour urine collection - yippee!) to test for a Phenochromocytoma (benign tumor in the adrenal gland)but decided I didn't need any furter pre-op testing. Whew! I then had the 1:1 with the dietician. Not surprisingly, my method of skipping meals then ravenously eating isn't the best. After that I had the 1 hour Physical Education class which was interesting but nothing I didn't already know but still, another check mark off my list of To-Do. After my psych appointment March 27 then April 2, I'll be ready to schedule with the surgeon! Super excited. I start my pre-bariatric surgery diet tomorrow. No, not the scary 2-4 week skim milk diet, but the very low calorie, balanced, high-protein diet. They gave me basically a list of foods from 4 food groups to pick from for each meal, and two protein drinks as snacks between meals, and that's it! I do really well with a regime, and it's expected that I lose weight before seeing the surgeon, so it looks like my journey begins tomorrow!

I'm officially done with all of the pre-work. All I have left is to meet with the surgeon and have the pre-op class, then surgery! I'm so excited. I've been following the Pre-Bariatric Surgery eating plan for about a week and a half now (3 meals a day and 2 protein drinks, eating out of only 4 food groups) and I'm down almost 7 lbs. Today I finished up with the psychologist and reviewed the scores from the MMPI test. Although she cleared me for surgery, she suggested that I meet with a psychologist locally to follow up for another session or two. My scores were great in most areas except two, self-image and emotional coping. The self-image I totally get, and need to improve because I'm afraid that even at my goal I'll still see the fat girl in the mirror. The emotional coping - I thought she was crazy until she explained what it meant - and there is no way I could have argued. I went through some childhoold trauma and my parents had an explosive, horrid divorce about 7 years ago that I was in the middle of. I guess you don't make it out of that without some emotional baggage and surprisingly enough, ignoring it was not the correct thing to do. So I have some work to do, but not work that will hinder me having surgery. Besides, I want to be healthy and part of that is mentally, not just my body. The psychologist asked for a few days to get her report to the surgery coordinator, then I should be hearing from the nurse to set up the appointment with the surgeon. The good news is, I've almost completely satisified my deductible so my surgery should cost me next to nothing. I've managed to get about 10 weeks worth of pre work done in 4, so as long as I keep moving at that pace I should be able to be banded by the end of April or early May.

I have 100% bariatric coverage, but how do I know how long that will cover fills if at all, I put this under general so I could get other's experiences. Thanks. Will it be an office visit? Or is it still part of bariatric benefits? Thanks. I called my insurance and they told me they weren't sure (they lady didn'teven know what a fill was) .

I'm doing terrific.. Dr Ganser with Western Bariatric is fabulous! I had to do a 4 week pre-op liquid diet. Thought I was going to die! Did have some cheating during that month but nothing to drastic. Lol. I managed to lose 20lbs during that time. Since surgery I've lost an additional 35lbs. It has definitely been an eye opening experience. It's true though that each day that passes things do become easier and you feel soooo much better. It's been hard at times trying to figure out your new tummy. I think that's been he hardest thing for me. Learning how much your body will allow and how to recognize when you've had enough and ect. I've just got my gym membership. That's been interesting so far. Luckily the people I've encountered at the gym are very supportive. I'm not one to sweat with an audience. Lol.

I'm doing mine in Reno through western bariatrics. They have been amazing. For pre op I had to do a psych eval, steps to success class, meet with a nutritionist, an upper gi, and get a letter of support from my doctor. The diet was a gradual step down from meal replacements to full liquids two weeks pre op. there was another class to that I had to attend where they taught us what post op eating would be like. I'm ready, mostly, for surgery tomorrow

I'll be praying for you.I started my journey at 286 pounds.I am 36 and a mom of 6.I am part of a bariatric program that encourages you to follow the south beach diet.I have lost 40 pounds pre op and am having my gastric sleeve done on Oct 1st.Something just seemed to click for me, especially once I knew hope wason the horizon.You can do this, don't lose hope.Keep us posted on your progress, I know you'll do great

It wound up being a pretty major ordeal for me. With less than 2 weeks before my surgery, I was still getting prices that were all over the map, some of which were unbelievable because I knew that i had both a $5000 bariatric co-pay and then a $2000 additional out of pocket max. This meant that I knew that I would owe at least $7000, plus any amount above the $13000 maximum that my insurance would pay. Finally, I just went to the hospital and asked to speak directly to the patient account director. Once I had there information, I knew that my out of pocket would actually be $18,000. As a result, I had to switch surgeons and hospitals and do some shopping around. I'm now scheduled for November 10th.

I have uhc through my job, I work for the city i live in. I had to wait 6 months, and have been approved to have the surgery. We scheduled it for 10/26, hopefully nothing changes. I am also getting cigna (I'll be double covered) through my husband's job, but his plan says cigna doesn't do bariatric. That's why I'm keeping my uhc coverage. Anyway, I'm still so nervous that somehow uhc isn't going to cover it even though I was told it was approved.... I guess it's just jitters, this is my first time having any kind of surgery, other than a cesarean section...

IVe been asking this question a lot too since my BMI is right at 40. All the answers I’ve received - even from the Bariatric program coordinator at my surgeons office - tell me no, the BMI they look at is your starting BMI. That being said, I’ve had a couple people recommend that you don’t lose any more weight than the insurance company’s required percentage. Good luck!

i email the Alberta health care and i got this. Alberta Health and Wellness does cover medically required bariatric surgery for weight loss for extremely obese patients with medical complications from the excessive weight. There are two procedures, stomach stapling and gastric banding. Alberta Health and Wellness does cover both surgeries if the physician performing the surgery feels the patient meets the program requirements. These procedures are now being done in Edmonton by 2 surgeons (Dr. Douglas Davey and Dr. Dan Birch), as part of the Capital Health Adult Bariatric Surgery, at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. Patient selection includes: age 18 years and older; Body Mass Index greater than 35 with two co morbidities, or greater than 40 with or without co morbidities; and some other criteria. If you wish to calculate your body mass index, there is a web site: http://www.halls.md/body-mass-index/bmi.htm where you can have the body mass calculated automatically. Patients have to be referred to the two surgeons performing this surgery. Once they have seen the surgeons, the patients go through the Bariatric Clinic to be further checked to determine their eligibility for surgery. Only after it is determined that surgery is the best option, will surgery be booked. After the surgery is actually booked the wait is usually less than six months for the surgery to be performed. If an Alberta resident goes outside of Canada for this surgery, the physician’s fees and hospital bill are usually paid by the patient and submitted to Alberta Health and Wellness for consideration of payment later. Alberta Health and Wellness does cover the surgery, at the same rate as it would be paid in Alberta. The hospital in-patient charges are only paid at $100.00 per day. The fees charged by physicians and hospitals outside of Canada will be significantly higher than the fees payable by Alberta Health and Wellness. The patient would still have to be medically eligible for this type of surgery for payment to be considered. I trust this is the information you require. well today i had to go and see my doctor for the mix up from last year when the apply for the bypass and they weigh me and messure me im short 5.4 my bmi is 45 thats bad. He told me he was going to talk to a surgent and see what they could do for me if the lab band would be better I need a new doctor he makes my blood presure go up and on the way out the nurse said to me so after all of this is this going to help your husband to lose wait and pete is not over wait he could lose 20lb but thats it and i cant believe she said that this nurse is 2 times my size. andree

The denial letter is a bit confusing but if I'm reading it right it was on grounds of depression and having acid reflux disease. Both thing I made clear in the beginning to the whole bariatric team that I have been seeing. I have had depression for years but it's under control with medicine. My dr did not see a reason why it would be denied.

Oh the other thing that's weird but actually was how I was pre surgery as well. When I hit a stall if I eat a tiny amount of carbs the next day I'm down 2 lbs. so before surgery whenever I did a low carb or no carb diet my body just never responded ... it did the first few times I tried it but then nope. So I don't know if all that resets after surgery. My Bariatric surgeon has zero suggestions for this in fact they tell me to look for it on my own and then find a therapist on my own. Extremely glad I had the surgery so I don't want to sound ungrateful. I just am needing for lack of better words... friends who know what this is. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am taking Bariatric Advantage brand for all of my vitamins. They are chewable and some are very tart which is not my preference. I cannot take the multi-nutrient right now as it makes me throw-up. I'm hoping once I can start eating more solids that I can stomache them. However, I would prefer to move to a gummy type vitamin(s) after I run out of this 90 day supply. Any suggestions for the Calcium, Multi-Nutrient, B12 and Iron.

I had a one month follow up visit with my NUT yesterday and she had me bring my Vitamins in. I had bought Caltrate chewable vitamins with Vitamin D and apparently didn't realize they were calcium carbonate instead of calcium citrate! I am having a difficult time finding reasonably priced chewable calcium citrate. My NUT said they must be chewable, and not gummies. I think I might try Bariatric Advantage 500 mg chewies, but they are so darn expensive!

Hello, my name is Julie. I am a wife and the proud mother of 3 wonderful children. I am also a Lucky patient of Dr. Thomas Byrne at MUSC’s Bariatric Surgery Program. My journey truly began in 2010; I weighed in at 226 pounds. I had spoken with my general physician on several occasions about my weight and the attempts that I had made (weight watchers, Jenny Craig, etc). My doctor suggested that I call MUSC’s bariatric surgery program for a consultation. I went home that day and researched weight loss surgery. I called that same afternoon for a consult appointment. My first sign that I was doing the right thing should have been the caring voice of Lisa Jackson. She helped get my consult set up and all of my questions answered. My consult went awesome. Dr. Byrne made me feel so welcome and most of all I felt that he cared about me, I was not just another fat chick in his office telling him "I am fat, please fix it". We went over the three different surgery options available, along with the risks and benefits to each. We discussed my goals and expectations as well as spending a great deal of time going over my health history. I also got to meet with one of the Registered Dieticians on staff. After consulting with Dr. Byrne, we decided that the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy was my best option for me. I felt so prepared after this appointment; all I needed to do was to set the date. After several months of research and red tape with my insurance I had the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy surgery in August of 2011. I had a slight bump in the road during recovery but nothing that Dr. Byrne and his amazing staff could not handle! I had developed a small blood clot in my abdominal cavity. Dr. Byrne and his physician’s assistant Diana quickly had me on the mend with the utmost care and compassion! Every day was better and better! I am now 7 months post VSG; I must say that I have never felt better! I wake up every day thankful for Dr. Byrne giving me this amazing "tool" to help me to become a healthy ME. This "tool" has worked so well for me with the help of Dr. Byrne’s team of registered dietician’s as well, Debbie and Nina. I have learned how to make healthier choices at home as well as at the supermarket (thanks to the supermarket tours and monthly support group meetings). I can’t say thank you enough! Thank You!!!! I am so happy to say that I have lost 70% of my excess body weight! I have lost 75 pounds and feel amazing. I am riding my bike at least 3 times per week, I go to an awesome Zumba class (Zumba with Alma) two to three times per week, and I am doing the 10 minute trainer videos at home. I try to stay current with support group meetings and other activities when I can. They are so informative, even for non surgical folks. I will tell anyone that asks me; Dr. Byrne and his staff (Diana, Debbie, Nina, Lisa, and the amazing nurses) are the best!!! I have seen other surgeons talk about weight loss surgery so I can truly tell you that I would send anyone to see Dr. Byrne! I actually did send my mother and my sister in law. My mother had Gastric Bypass in July 2011 and my sister in law is planning to have VSG in the next couple of months.

Call your bariatric team and ask -- each has their own rules. I wasn't allowed raw veggies for six months.

I am also on bariatric advantage it's a multi with iron, but I also take 3 calcium chews, a probiotic and a vitamin d. Along with that I take its ursodiol for gall bladder prevention, nexium and my thyroid meds. I take pills all day!

I am 10 years out from my sleeve surgery. I came to give an update (I used to love them when I was new!) and a warning. Update - I weighed 275 at surgery and now weigh 177. My weight varies within a 5 pound window. I don't worry about it, don't think about it, and rarely weigh except at the doctors office. It took several years to relax and get to the point of stepping away from the scales. My stomach has not stretched. I can eat approx 1/3 to 1/2 cup at a time and eat 4 or 5 times a day. Cautionary tale - I have eaten as I was told to do, always putting protein first. I take vitamins. I try to go for nutritious veggies after protein. After 2 years of feeling awful I now know that I AM MINERAL DEFICIENT! It's a long story about how I found out, but I now have concrete results from hair tissue mineral analysis plus extensive blood work. Mineral deficiencies are rampant in the population, not just bariatric patients, but we are more susceptible due to our diets. Our soils are depleted of minerals so our food is as well. It's not just about, for example, being calcium deficient. It's about the ratio of all the essential minerals like magnesium, iron, etc. They have to be in balance for them to work. So taking calcium supplements or iron or whatever aren't doing any good if the rest isn't there for them to work with. (hope that made a little sense) You aren't going to hear this from most doctors, it usually takes a functional doctor to be willing to dive into this. One symptom was passing out whenever I got hot. I was taken by ambulance to the hospital twice for this. My "regular" doctor kept telling me I was dehydrated and to take potassium. (Note: I still drink 100 oz a day since surgery, how am I dehydrated). He was looking at basic blood work. Under his treatment I got worse. Once I had all the tests done, I have almost too much potassium but practically no magnesium and low salt, both are needed to interact with the potassium. Good news - This can be reversed. I am telling everyone I know to start supplementing trace minerals. It's easy, I use a few drops of trace mineral concentrate in my water all day. Due to my deficiencies I take some other mineral supplements but that is the main secret sauce. And it's so easy! I feel like I have come back to life!! That's probably way more than you wanted to know. I'll be quiet now. LOL I just hope I help to keep someone else from going down this path.

Dr Illan and Bariatric Pal are awesome! They sleeved me on Nov 18th and it was an amazing experience.

Thank you. I love my doc! The place I go is a bariatric place, its all they do. There are 6 bariatric surgeions who do LapBand and Gastric. They have been doing it 20 yrs. I really dont feel like its them... it must be me. I asked about pre-op diet and he said it was not necessary. He said all my labs were good, workout routine was good and I was on the small side ( for this type of surgery). I totally realize I needed to change my ways of eating, which is why I chose this proceedure. Again, I though it would limit the food I ate so that I could lose weight. That hasnt happened. Im still gaining weight. Like I mentioned, Im not snacking on ice cream and cake at all. I feel like I eat pretty well. I do eat carbs though. Doc said that should be ok because of how hard I workout. I dunno....Im stick and feeling like this was a huge waste of money. Im so envious of all of you who say how much weight you are losing and how you can only eat little bits at a time. Im just not there. I think I will call him to see if he can put another few cc's in. He is very confident that I will lose weight and says Im his "star pupil" because of how ell I have tolerated everything so far. Well, thats all well and good.... but I would like to lose some darn weight, ya know?

I personally did not find that any of the three nutritionists I consulted with offered anything I didn't already know. They were mostly coming at the consultations from a background of consulting with diabetic patients. Although one was more intelligent than the other two, I didn't think they were very well prepared to work with bariatric patients. The best nutritional advice I've received has been from my surgeon's physician's assistant who is extremely well educated about all things bariatric. Her best advice was not to eat so little during the weight-losing phases that I wound up having to eat very little to maintain my weight long-term. She was right -- I now average 1,800 calories/day to maintain my weight of 135 pounds. Ultimately, you have to learn a LOT about nutrition (macronutrients, calories, Vitamins and minerals, trace elements, etc. to learn how to feed yourself. For me, this has been one of the best things I've done to sustain my health long-term.

No, you need to follow the plan your team gave you. Don't look to a message board of internet strangers to grant you permission to go against medical orders. If you feel like you are ready to progress to mushy foods, you need to call your surgeon, dietitian, bariatric nurse practitioner -- someone from your team -- and discuss it with them and see if they think you are ready.