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Hello I just went to my first appointment to the bariatric clinic and start my 6 month diet process for insurance requirement tomorrow .. With hopes to no complications in the process but i am willing to learn or hope to find people that are also just starting and maybe looking to chats about up coming events with the process ...I am very excited but feel very scared all at the same time any advice? thanks in advance

Hi, I'm new here. I'm pre op and still trying to decide on sleeve or bypass. The surgeon suggested bypass but I'm nervous about that and wanted to know if anyone is familiar with this center. Im 5 ft 10 263lbs with two co morbidities. Any suggestions?

I'm only adding this post because I hope someone searching gastric bypass sees it. Everyone must make their own decisions about this surgery, but the overwhelming information out there sends the message that gastric bypass is a good thing. Please know that it is not right for everyone and anyone thinking of doing this should take a lot of time to research both the positive and the negatives. Gastric bypass is not the answer to lose weight. It's not realistic and it's not in line with society. If gastric bypass was just a way to eat half of what you normally ate, that would be one thing. I hate that I did this. I'm so mad at myself for listening to everyone else and not listening to myself. Gastric bypass is a bunch of rules and restrictions that make life miserable. You can't drink when you eat, so you have hours a day with no fluids. However you have to still get in 64 oz of water or you get sick and your weight loss slows. It's ridiculously impossible unless you look like a fool carrying a water bottle around all day long! Then there is the vitamins and medication to protect your stomach. I never took a pill before this surgery and now I'm supposed to be taking almost a dozen a day. Who has time for that? Then there are the limits to what you can eat, not just how much. Try going anywhere and it's nearly impossible to find something to eat that you like and want . Nine times out of ten you have to eat something you can eat, not something you want to eat or even like. I'm literally choking down food I hate just because it's the only thing I can have. Again, I have to pack my own food anytime I go somewhere or just not eat all all and I look like an idiot! What forty year old do you know that carries a lunch box around everywhere she goes? I didn’t pack this weekend when I went to my daughters lacrosse tournament and I paid the price because there was not one thing I could eat even though there were six or more vendors and food trucks! We don't have family dinners any more, I sit in another room to spend my twenty minutes eating four lousy spoonfuls, Mother's Day was ruined because for the first time in 21 years we could not go out to breakfast or take my own mother out to dinner. I sat home alone on Memorial Day and skipped the family BBQ all because of this surgery too. I can't be around normal people enjoying normal things because I'm not normal anymore. Just chewing the food for a ridiculous amount of time and waiting twenty minutes to eat four spoonfuls of something makes me look like a fool. People actually stare and waitresses ask if something is wrong. Yes, something is wrong! I’m angry that I was not told that life was ruined by this surgery. I was never told all of the rules, restrictions, or possible side effects. Every appointment I went to was about what questions I had but no information was given. How could I have questions about something I was obviously so poorly informed about. It’s my fault because I did it I’m stuck and my life is ruined. There have to be others out there that feel the same way so I hope they step out and share so people who are thinking about this surgery can see both sides. This surgery is a money maker for surgeons and it’s advertised way to much with a positive slant. Hindsight is 20/20! If I knew then what I know now I would have gone to Weight watchers and a gym and never ever would have done this. This surgery has ruined my life!

Who do you recommend ?

Has anyone had gastric bypass surgery at this facility within the past couple years? Just looking for some feedback on your experience.

Hello Folks, First I would like to request moderator not to consider this post as Spam. My moto behind posting this topic is just to inform and help all the members here who are problem with obesity and planning for bariatric surgery. The surgery is very cheap in India in comparison with other countries globally. Is there anyone who had its bariatric surgery in India? Is there anyone who is planning for bariatric surgery in India? Please visit Asian Bariatrics Obesity Center - NABH accredited Asia's largest single specialty hospital for bariatric surgery. Thank You,

Hi guys, I'm jay. I'm just starting my wls journey. I've interviewed several amazing doctors in my area. But i'm still struggling to decide what surgery option is best for me. I'm torn between the sleeve and gastric bypass. One dr. Recommended the sleeve for me, and another recommended the bypass. So with that said i wanted to hear from everyone. How did you decide which surgery was best for you? If you're already post op what side effects did you have, if any? I just want to know exactly what to expect. Thank you all in advance for taking the time to read this and answer any of my questions. Best of luck to all of you on your journey. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am so incredibly frustrated... Over the last 2 weeks, since going through the mental debate of going through with surgery, I finally decided to take the steps towards LapBand. The very first thing I did was call my insurance company. For various reasons, I have spoken to 3 different people - ALL of whom told me my benefits for weight loss surgery, the coverage criteria, etc. Every single one of them said it would be covered at 100% after a $350 hospital deductible. Sounds great, huh? I went to the seminar and everything- got home - and find a letter awaiting me from Health Partners stating that weight loss services, including bariatric surgery, is excluded from our contract. I called and explained that I have spoken to 3 different people and the woman said they must've overlooked it... that my husband's company opted out of these benefits. I am heart broken and angry. Does anyone have experience with this? My husband and I considered buying a seperate policy for me for the rest of the year-- but if Im going to do that, I might as well to gastric bypass d/t the long term expenses that my insurance is not going to cover with LapBand.... I could just scream. :smile:

Legal Trouble for Premier Protein Premier Protein sells all kinds of protein shakes. The ones whose labels state that they have 30 grams of protein per serving are the ones in the settlement. Analysis has found that they have 26 to 29 grams. The flavors that are in the settlement are Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberries & Cream, Banana & Cream, Peaches & Cream, Cookies & Cream, Mixed Berry, Organic Chocolate, Organic Vanilla, and Caramel. While the company is not admitting wrongdoing or ceasing the sale of these products, there is a class action settlement. You may be eligible for a cash payout if you purchased any of the misleading shakes in the past 7 years, since 2011. Pre-op or post-op, you need to know how much protein is in your shakes. Not Best for Bariatric Patients Every gram of protein counts, but the deception in amount of protein per serving is not the only problem. Even if you are willing to overlook the shortfall in the amount of protein, Premier Protein has a problem with type of protein. Read the ingredients carefully, and you will see that less than 1% of the product is “whey protein concentrate.” Whey protein is the type of protein that you should be looking for because it absorbs more quickly than casein. Whey protein has been shown to increase weight loss and body fat loss in bariatric surgery patients. Another glance at the list of ingredients of Premier Protein shows that “milk protein concentrate” and “casein” are the major sources of protein. Casein is slow-acting. If you had a bariatric surgery type, such as gastric bypass, that interferes with absorption, you may not get all the benefits from casein. What’s Better? We know that you need a protein supplement, so what can you find that has the amount and type of protein you need and the great taste that will encourage you to take care of your needs? BariatricPal Protein One gets our vote. 27 grams of whey protein. 28 vitamins and minerals. Great-tasting French Vanilla, Cinnamon Swirl, and Double Chocolate Fudge. It has a few more advantages over Premier Protein. Over twice as much dietary fiber for fullness and digestive health. Choose from convenient single-serving packets or multi-serving tubs. Comes in powder so you can add water or your favorite beverage. Has an “unflavored” option so you can add it to anything, from soup to smoothies. When it comes to bariatric products, quality counts. Any purchase you make should be from a trusted source because there are a lot of poor-quality or misleading products out there. The few grams of difference between Premier Protein’s claims and reality may not be a lot, but along with the poor choice of casein instead of whey as the main protein source, you might want to seek another source for your protein. Look for a trusted vendor and name brand as you make your choice. What you put in your body really does matter.

I’m looking for any feedback or review of Oasis of Hope Bariatrics. I’m looking to go to TJ for gastric sleeve and looking at the best options. Any advice is appreciated!

Hi all, I'm having my procedure on the 26th...a few weeks away ***wink*** I'm reading my workbook and I know we have to take Vitamins afterwards. I called Bariatric Advantage to order a sample pack. Right now they are sending sample packs for free. If you're interested, call 1-800-898-6888. Good luck!!

Funny start, it does sound like a bad joke. I had lunch with a friend who had GB surgery 10 years ago. We were discussing how to identify when you are getting full / shen to stop eating. We pretty much agreed that at the point you think "should I take another bite" ~ you are full. For what it's worth...

Hi everyone Has anyone here tried or currently using any products from the website bariatriceating.com ? I am wondering about the taste and texture and different flavors offered. I am really picky about protein and can't stand the gritty, chalky texture and taste of some of the protein out there. Please let me know your experience with these before I order. Thanks and have a great week....

I'm curious which WLS social media influencers our members are following on Instagram and YouTube?

I receive many private messages from members inquiring about Bariatric Protein, Supplements & Vitamins. The most frequently asked questions are which bariatric protein, supplements & vitamins products and brands are best suited for Gastric Bypass patients and where to purchase them - at the best price, online and offline. Please take a moment and share any and all you have on this topic with your fellow members.

This is my review of mexico bariatric center Cliff notes: I would absolutely recommend them. Dr. Lousinana Valenzualla A++++ MBC hospital facility B+ not the fanciest but clean. MBC nursing staff A++++ very nice and attentive This review is long and detailed. I am a late 40's male about 5'11and over the course of the last year my weight balloned to 255. Enough to the point where life just wasnt as fullfulling as it used to be. My weight was definately limiting me. I had a friend have the gastric sleeve surgery at MBC about 5 years ago and she had zero complications and lost around 140lbs. She reached her goal weight. She highly recommended MBC. 3 years ago i actually scheduled the surgery with MBC but then i made the big mistake of getting on the internet and only looked for horror stories about what could go wrong. 2 weeks later i was so scared i chickened out and cancelled my surgery. Giant mistake on my part. So in april of this year i decided to go through with surgery. One of the hardest parts of making this decision is bringing up the subject with your spouse. I eventually got the nerve to talk to her about it and she was wonderfully supportive. That should not have suprised me. So i made the decision and sceduled the surgery for June 11th and bought my airfare. But i made one other important decision and that was to get off the internet and stop reading about complication and stop playing the "what if this goes wrong game". My bmi was around 34 so i only had to do a 1 week preop diet. In those 7 days of all liquids i lost no joke 20lbs. I went to my surgery on June 11th at 235lbs. Was it hard to be on an all liquid diet for 7 days, not as hard as living with the shame of obesity i have felt all my life. Mexico bariateic center had there driver call me the night before my flight and confirm the flight info and my pickup time. When i arrived in san diego i called the driver and he showed up promply in an unmarked white chevy van. The van was just a passenger van nothing fancy at all but it was clean and the driver drove responsibly. He took me straight to my hotel. The hotel in my opinion was 5 stars. Very very nice. Probably one of the nicest hotels i have ever stayed in. Rooms were huge. The place had a lounge in the lobby that served all kinds of broths. A+ place. I was told that i would be picked up at 730 the next morning to go to the hospital. The next morning i went down to the lobby at 715. There was a very nice unmarked van waiting for me and 1 other patient. The driver was well dressed, friendly, helpful and pretty funny. He took us straight to the hospital where he escorted us into the building and brought our bags in for us. We checked in and waited in the lobby for about an hour for a nurse to come get us. Apperently some of the patients that were checking out were slow and that was the cause of the delay. Eventually a nurse came down and escorted both of us up to our rooms. On a 1-10 scale i would give me room a 7. It was clean but no frills. Small tv, older style medical bed. Just dont expect any fancy room when you go. This isnt a vacation. My room was located right infront on the nurses station. That i thought was a good thing. So they told me to put on a gown and compression socks and then promptly did a 12 lead ekg on me that came back normal. I asked what time my surgery would be and she said within an hour. Here we go I thought. Before the surgery happened and after the ekg i met with 2 doctors the first one came in and asked me all the screening questions i had already filled out. He was thorough. He spoke good english, he was polite and was able to answer any of my questions. The second doctor to come in was my surgeon Dr. Lousiana Valenzuella. She was very kind and professional. I told her that i had gallstones and that i wanted her to take my gallbladder out to if it looked like it wouldnt be too complicated. She in own words told me it wouldnt be a problem. She answered all of my questions and then left to prep for my surgery. 20 minutes later a nurse arrived with a wheelchair and i was off to the OR which is on the 4th floor i think. I was wheeled into to the OR which was clean and a buzz from all the people ready and prepping for my surgery. I laid down on the table and the anathesioligist quickly introduced himself and said he was giving me something to relax and that is all i remember of that. Out like a light. I woke up in my room a few hours later and my thoat was just a little sore and my stomach had a touch of discomfort but really overall i felt way better then expected. The nurse promptly came into me room and gave me some pain meds and anti nausea meds. I went back to sleep. When i woke up the second time i felt pretty good. It was time to do some walking. When i got up to walk i felt great. Really no gas pains. My stomach was a little sore from the incisions and drain but not bad at all. I spent 2 nights in the hospital. The nurses came onschedule to change my iv bag, give me meds, and change me dressing. The nurses were great and very attentive to my needs. Long story short the recovery was way easier then i thought it was gonna be. Your result may be different but those were mine. Before i was discharged on day 3 i met again with Dr. Valenzuala. She tild me the sugery went perfect, that my liver had shrunk frim my preop diet as intended and that she removed my gallbladder without complication. She also told me she used a 34 fr bougie on me and that i would be skinny very soon. I kinda giggled when she said that. I would definately 100% recommend Dr. Valenzoula based on how good i felt after the surgery. On the day i was discharged they took all the patient being discharged and brought them to the lobby. Karla went over all the discharge instructions thourghly. She gave us helpful tips on what medications to get at the pharmacy. Karla was great. I would describe her as the mama bear who does her best at herding cats. She looks out for everyone at the same time trying to keep everyone moving in the right direction on time. From there we all went to the pharmacy together to fill our perscriptions. I think i spent 135 us at the pharmacy. Then the driver took me to the hotel and got me a room for just a few hours were i could rest till my flight. When i got home i was 142 lbs. I had actually gained 7 lbs after surgery. Easily explained though. They gave me a ton of iv fluids well i was there to keep me hydrated. Those extra 7 lbs came off in like a day and a half. By the end of clear liquids week i was down to 229lbs. Clear liquids week was tough, i felt pretty weak. I took lots of naps. I was very carefull to keep my incisions clean and bandaged up. I had very little pain or nausea. That was a win. I moved on to thick liquid week which included protein shakes. I felt way stronger. My incisions were healing nicely. Thick liquid weeks wasnt that bad and at the end of that week i was down to 223. I am currently on puree week. I still feel good. I walk 3 miles every morning. I dont lift anything heavy. My incisions a nearly fully healed. I can tell my stomach is small because when i try to eat anything i can on take about 3 bites before i start to feel full. Past 5 bites it can cause some discomfort. That is the tool you will use going forward is my thought. Tips for anyone considering using MBC 1. Just do it, dont get on the internet and look for reasons not to. You will end up scaring yourself and backing out. Sure there is a very low complication risk leaks, blood clots, gerd. Accept it and move on. 2. Follow the preop diet and doctor instructions to a T. 3. Walk and stay hydrated Thats all i got folks. Good luck. I will answer question. Save any negative comments cause i just dont care.

The Numbers Task Force of the American Society for Obesity and Metabolic Surgery (ASMBS) has released its most recent numbers on the most common types of weight loss surgery in the U.S. The “ASMBS Bariatric Surgery Numbers Estimation 2016” shows figures for total procedures, plus a breakdown of each type. You can compare the values annually going back to 2011. How many surgeries were done? The data show that there were 215,666 total bariatric procedures done in 2016. That is a lot if you compare to 2011 – it is an increase of 36.5% over the course of 5 years, but it is not much if you compare it to the over 20 million Americans who are eligible for bariatric surgery based on criteria of a BMI over 40 or a BMI over 35 plus a related condition. In fact, only 1% of eligible Americans get weight loss surgery. Why is the gastric sleeve taking over? The gastric sleeve is gaining momentum, and quickly. It has leaped from 28,124 procedures in 2011 to 125,318 in 2016. It has jumped from making up 17.8% in 2011 of the total to 58.1% in 2016. Why has the gastric sleeve become so popular, so quickly? There is a lower risk of nutrient deficiencies and dumping syndrome compared to gastric bypass. It helps fight hunger by lowering levels of the hormone ghrelin. It is relatively safe for higher-BMI patients. It has similar weight loss as gastric bypass, and lower reoperation and complication rates than gastric band. Why would anyone not choose the gastric sleeve? The gastric sleeve may appear to be the choice du jour according to the numbers, but even so, not everyone chooses it. These are some hesitations with the gastric sleeve. It is so new that there is no long-term research on it. We just do not know if it stays effective for years and decades. It is permanent. Done. There is no going back, even if the patient really, really begs. Some patients have trouble getting enough calories and protein and continue to depend on supplements for a long time post-op. What are the non-sleeve choices? While 58.1% of patients opt for the sleeve, the other 39.9% do not. In fact, nearly 1 out of 5 patients opt for gastric bypass, and biliopancreatic diversion/duodenal switch (BPD-DS) has held steady at 0.6%. These are some reasons to consider other types. The gastric bypass has a long history. It can be successful long-term with weight loss, and it is famous for its ability to resolve diabetes quickly. The lap-band is reversible. Even though the band has dropped 86.93% since 2011, there were still 7,310 new bands in 2016. The BPD-DS may still be the best for higher-BMI patients. What does the research say? Good news – weight loss surgery works! At least, that is what the majority of the research studies conclude, whether they are looking at the sleeve, bypass, band, or another method. All surgery types have a risk of complications, and all have a risk of mortality of under 1%. BMI can drop 7 to 14 or more kg/m2, and diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension, and other obesity-related conditions can get better. Is the gastric balloon going to be a factor? Time will tell whether the gastric balloon is going to be a factor in the overall bariatric surgery statistics. The FDA approved it only in 2015, and it jumped from 0 in 2011-2014 to 0.3% (700 procedures) in 2015 to 2.7% (5,744 procedures) in 2016. The balloon is not a true bariatric surgery; it is not permanent, it leads to less weight loss, and it is intended for lower-BMI patients. This means that it may not be in competition with the true bariatric surgery procedures, although it is likely to become more common as it becomes better known. What is the deal with so many revision surgeries? If weight loss surgery techniques are always advancing, why are revisions becoming so much more common? They comprised 6% (9,480) of the total in 2011, but 13.9% (30,077) in 2016. It could be because some of the previous (failed) surgeries were done using older techniques, and are now ready for serious help – a revised procedure. Why are 99 out of 100 eligible Americans not getting Weight Loss Surgery? There are a lot of reasons eligible Americans are not getting Weight Loss Surgery. They include: Cost. Fear of complications or death. Not knowing where to start. Lack of support from family, friends, and healthcare providers. Fear of failure. Lack of long-term commitment to lifestyle changes. What can health professionals and patients do to help eligible patients get the Weight Loss Surgery they need? Surgeons and other bariatric professionals can help by making sure they reach out to eligible patients. They can explain their options, and promise to provide the nutritional and psychological support patients need for success and to feel confident in their success. They can organize support groups and provide additional resources for patients to get advice and encouragement anytime. What can health professionals and patients do to help eligible patients get the Weight Loss Surgery they need? Patients can do their part by asking questions to learn about their best options. They can express their doubts and fears to surgeons to come up with strategies for success. They can reach out to friends, acquaintances, and online groups for support.

For 48 hours, BariatricChoice.com has free shipping on any size order! If you go to: https://www.bariatricchoice.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/105673/ and register you'll receive a $20 credit off your first order of $30 or more! So if you just order $30 worth of stuff and get free shipping it will all be only $10! Check it out, I just did it myself! The free shipping code you have to use at checkout is SHIPFREE48 Free shipping deal ends on Sat, July 13, 2013 at 7pm Eastern time. Enjoy! Kristie

How many surgeries were done? The data show that there were 215,666 total bariatric procedures done in 2016. That is a lot if you compare to 2011 – it is an increase of 36.5% over the course of 5 years, but it is not much if you compare it to the over 20 million Americans who are eligible for bariatric surgery based on criteria of a BMI over 40 or a BMI over 35 plus a related condition. In fact, only 1% of eligible Americans get weight loss surgery. Why is the gastric sleeve taking over? The gastric sleeve is gaining momentum, and quickly. It has leaped from 28,124 procedures in 2011 to 125,318 in 2016. It has jumped from making up 17.8% in 2011 of the total to 58.1% in 2016. Why has the gastric sleeve become so popular, so quickly? There is a lower risk of nutrient deficiencies and dumping syndrome compared to gastric bypass. It helps fight hunger by lowering levels of the hormone ghrelin. It is relatively safe for higher-BMI patients. It has similar weight loss as gastric bypass, and lower reoperation and complication rates than gastric band. Why would anyone not choose the gastric sleeve? The gastric sleeve may appear to be the choice du jour according to the numbers, but even so, not everyone chooses it. These are some hesitations with the gastric sleeve. It is so new that there is no long-term research on it. We just do not know if it stays effective for years and decades. It is permanent. Done. There is no going back, even if the patient really, really begs. Some patients have trouble getting enough calories and protein and continue to depend on supplements for a long time post-op. What are the non-sleeve choices? While 58.1% of patients opt for the sleeve, the other 39.9% do not. In fact, nearly 1 out of 5 patients opt for gastric bypass, and biliopancreatic diversion/duodenal switch (BPD-DS) has held steady at 0.6%. These are some reasons to consider other types. The gastric bypass has a long history. It can be successful long-term with weight loss, and it is famous for its ability to resolve diabetes quickly. The lap-band is reversible. Even though the band has dropped 86.93% since 2011, there were still 7,310 new bands in 2016. The BPD-DS may still be the best for higher-BMI patients. What does the research say? Good news – weight loss surgery works! At least, that is what the majority of the research studies conclude, whether they are looking at the sleeve, bypass, band, or another method. All surgery types have a risk of complications, and all have a risk of mortality of under 1%. BMI can drop 7 to 14 or more kg/m2, and diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension, and other obesity-related conditions can get better. Is the gastric balloon going to be a factor? Time will tell whether the gastric balloon is going to be a factor in the overall bariatric surgery statistics. The FDA approved it only in 2015, and it jumped from 0 in 2011-2014 to 0.3% (700 procedures) in 2015 to 2.7% (5,744 procedures) in 2016. The balloon is not a true bariatric surgery; it is not permanent, it leads to less weight loss, and it is intended for lower-BMI patients. This means that it may not be in competition with the true bariatric surgery procedures, although it is likely to become more common as it becomes better known. What is the deal with so many revision surgeries? If weight loss surgery techniques are always advancing, why are revisions becoming so much more common? They comprised 6% (9,480) of the total in 2011, but 13.9% (30,077) in 2016. It could be because some of the previous (failed) surgeries were done using older techniques, and are now ready for serious help – a revised procedure. Why are 99 out of 100 eligible Americans not getting Weight Loss Surgery? There are a lot of reasons eligible Americans are not getting Weight Loss Surgery. They include: Cost. Fear of complications or death. Not knowing where to start. Lack of support from family, friends, and healthcare providers. Fear of failure. Lack of long-term commitment to lifestyle changes. What can health professionals and patients do to help eligible patients get the Weight Loss Surgery they need? Surgeons and other bariatric professionals can help by making sure they reach out to eligible patients. They can explain their options, and promise to provide the nutritional and psychological support patients need for success and to feel confident in their success. They can organize support groups and provide additional resources for patients to get advice and encouragement anytime. What can health professionals and patients do to help eligible patients get the Weight Loss Surgery they need? Patients can do their part by asking questions to learn about their best options. They can express their doubts and fears to surgeons to come up with strategies for success. They can reach out to friends, acquaintances, and online groups for support.

I had my Gastric Sleeve surgery done May 21, 2020. I had the bariatric vitamins, iron, calcium, and vitamin d supplements I was advised to take post op. I have tried repeatedly to take the bariatric vitamins (liquid, chewable, and capsule forms) and immediately vomit ( tried with and without food) i have now resulted to taking a women's one a day and supplemental iron. I haven't had my labs redone but was curious what other experiences yall have had? Sent from my SM-N975U using BariatricPal mobile app