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The bariatric nurse in my doc's practice suggested only weighing in once a month at the doctor's office. This worked for me, especially since the scales I could get for home couldn't weigh me. It was difficult but it was a good hting because rather than seeing 1/2 pound at a time I got to see bigger nmbers which were very motivating and I used my clothes and how I felt the rest of the time. I must say for a while at 3 months or so out I did weigh once a week at the doctor's office, but that got old so I went to once a month. As you get down there - you may want to weigh a little more often if it helps "keep you honest" It really is a personal decision.

I hate to break it to you, but the shakes don't go away completely after week 2. At least for me, anyway. I'll probably still be having 2 shakes a day until I've progressed to soft foods (the start of week 5), and I expect to have one a day after then for at least the last two weeks. The good news is, my wife got me this for Christmas, and there are some recipes for shakes and protein drinks in there. The coffee one is good, and all you're really adding is decaf coffee and cinnamon. https://www.amazon.com/Fresh-Start-Bariatric-Cookbook-Weight-Loss/dp/1623157730/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1515000880&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=bariatric+surgery+cookbook&psc=1

I know somebody that had by-pass. He lost almost 200 pounds in a little over a year. 3 Years after that he had gained it all back thanks to Budweiser. The surgery may work for you but need to look at cutting back a little more on the alcohol. It's empty calories. All carbs and sugar. I binge every few weeks or so but not on a regular basis. Another thing to keep in mind is that alcohol causes the loss of inhibitions and if you get a good buzz on you may decide to hit the buffet. I'd definitely discuss it with a bariatric surgeon and nutritionist.

I am from Florida and I used Dr. Valenzuela and had a fantastic experience. Her and all the Drs involved were great. Christy from Mexico Bariatric Center was my coordinator and she was very helpful and always available if I had any concerns. I am 4 weeks post op and have been feeling great since day 2 w/ no complications. If you are considering Mexico, I would definitely look into Dr. V. Best of luck to you:-)

If you employer is providing your health insurance preexisting conditions are usually not a problem. More of an issue is if your company insurance covers bariatrics. If they don't you will have to pay for fills on your own.

Hi everyone !!! I'm getting my things ready and making sure I have everything I need .... and I haven't been able to find a list of the Vitamins I will need ... Any suggestions ? I have already started taking Biotin and have bought bariatric vitamins but I'm not sure if I will need to take anything else? Thanks

Are you the one he gladly comes home to at night????? If so, I would not worry so much about it. Besides, it looks like you need to see yourself through his eyes instead of yours. Anxiety can eat away at you and affect your quality of life. There is a lot of happiness out there waiting for someone to grab it up. So, if you can focus on happier days gone by or the amazing next year coming up you will feel better. I am telling you, this process will evolve you into a whole 'nother person you may not recognize. For example, I went out yesterday and got a sassy new hairdo (like Rita Moreno's at the Sag Awards) and...I bought new make-up, too which I have not worn for years. I would not have done it pre-op. If one can feel this good after only 38 pounds, just imagine how much we are all changing as we enjoy our non-surgical victories. Your bariatric team may have a psychologist you can talk to. They can offer insight into what makes you tick and how to break poor eating habits. Wishing you good luck and good health.

Hello! My doctor has a weekly support group that is conducted at a few different locations in Northern Illinois. I got confirmation today that it is open for any bariatric patients, not just his patients. So - if any of you are interested in joining any of the meeting - come on down! Tonight will be the first meeting I will be attending. The address of the locations are at the bottom of the schedule. NORTHSHORE UNIVERSITY HEALTHSYSTEM Bariatric Surgery Support Group 7–9 pm – Patient facilitated and/or discussion guided by specialist October 2008 Oct 6 Vernon Hills Colleen Diamond, Physical Therapy Student Oct 16 Glenview Colleen Diamond Oct 22 Glenview Robin Ross, Ph.D. Lap Band Group Oct 27 Highland Park Colleen Diamond November 2008 Nov 3 Vernon Hills Group Run Nov 19 Highland Park Woody Denham, M.D. Lap Band Group Nov 20 Glenview Dr. Karol Gutowski, Plastic Surgeon Nov 24 Highland Park Dr. Karol Gutowski, Plastic Surgeon December 2008 Dec 1 Vernon Hills Group Run Dec 18 Glenview Dec 22 Highland Park LOCATIONS Vernon Hills 225 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Vernon Hills (Near Kohl’s and Sam’s) Glenview 2100 Pfingsten Road, Glenview, Conference Room A on 2nd floor Highland Park 777 Park Avenue West, Highland Park, Meeting Room 1B Evanston 2650 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, Meeting Room G954 Contact Information Dr. Woody Denham – Bariatric Program Director (847) 570-4120 (office)

They have a fabulous bariatric program. I hv Aetna and they cover it all. All my surgery cost was my copay of $125. Dr Hallowell is awesome and so is his whole staff. I asked him bout plicaton n he said he does it with every band because the band company recommends it for better results.

I had my open enrollment meeting at work today. They are no longer covering bariatric surgery under our health insurance plan effective January 1. I was going to wait until next year for my sleeve, I am so thankful I didn't!!! I am loving my new tummy!!

First of all, I did not say I supported Saddam Hussein. I said he kept the country stable while he was in power, and that is a fact. And, while I have never personally "supported" Saddam Hussein, the United States government, in the person of Ronald Reagan, certainly did. The following is from the George Washington University's web site. U.S. DOCUMENTS SHOW EMBRACE OF SADDAM HUSSEIN IN EARLY 1980s DESPITE CHEMICAL WEAPONS, EXTERNAL AGGRESSION, HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES Fear of Iraq Collapse in Iran-Iraq War Motivated Reagan Administration Support; U.S. Goals Were Access to Oil, Projection of Power, and Protection of Allies; Rumsfeld Failed to Raise Chemical Weapons Issue in Personal Meeting with Saddam Washington, D.C., 25 February 2003 - The National Security Archive at George Washington University today published on the Web a series of declassified U.S. documents detailing the U.S. embrace of Saddam Hussein in the early 1980's, including the renewal of diplomatic relations that had been suspended since 1967. The documents show that during this period of renewed U.S. support for Saddam, he had invaded his neighbor (Iran), had long-range nuclear aspirations that would "probably" include "an eventual nuclear weapon capability," harbored known terrorists in Baghdad, abused the human rights of his citizens, and possessed and used chemical weapons on Iranians and his own people. The U.S. response was to renew ties, to provide intelligence and aid to ensure Iraq would not be defeated by Iran, and to send a high-level presidential envoy named Donald Rumsfeld to shake hands with Saddam (20 December 1983). The declassified documents posted today include the briefing materials and diplomatic reporting on two Rumsfeld trips to Baghdad, reports on Iraqi chemical weapons use concurrent with the Reagan administration's decision to support Iraq, and decision directives signed by President Reagan that reveal the specific U.S. priorities for the region: preserving access to oil, expanding U.S. ability to project military power in the region, and protecting local allies from internal and external threats. The documents include: A U.S. cable recording the December 20, 1983 conversation between Donald Rumsfeld and Saddam Hussein. Although Rumsfeld said during a September 21, 2002 CNN interview, "In that visit, I cautioned him about the use of chemical weapons, as a matter of fact, and discussed a host of other things," the document indicates there was no mention of chemical weapons. Rumsfeld did raise the issue in his subsequent meeting with Iraqi official Tariq Aziz. National Security Decision Directive (NSDD) 114 of November 26, 1983, "U.S. Policy toward the Iran-Iraq War," delineating U.S. priorities: the ability to project military force in the Persian Gulf and to protect oil supplies, without reference to chemical weapons or human rights concerns. National Security Decision Directive (NSDD) 139 of April 5, 1984, "Measures to Improve U.S. Posture and Readiness to Respond to Developments in the Iran-Iraq War," focusing again on increased access for U.S. military forces in the Persian Gulf and enhanced intelligence-gathering capabilities. The directive calls for "unambiguous" condemnation of chemical weapons use, without naming Iraq, but places "equal stress" on protecting Iraq from Iran's "ruthless and inhumane tactics." The directive orders preparation of "a plan of action designed to avert an Iraqi collapse." U.S. and Iraqi consultations about Iran's 1984 draft resolution seeking United Nations Security Council condemnation of Iraq's chemical weapons use. Iraq conveyed several requests to the U.S. about the resolution, including its preference for a lower-level response and one that did not name any country in connection with chemical warfare; the final result complied with Iraq's requests. The 1984 public U.S. condemnation of chemical weapons use in the Iran-Iraq war, which said, referring to the Ayatollah Khomeini's refusal to agree to end hostilities until Saddam Hussein was ejected from power, "The United States finds the present Iranian regime's intransigent refusal to deviate from its avowed objective of eliminating the legitimate government of neighboring Iraq to be inconsistent with the accepted norms of behavior among nations and the moral and religious basis which it claims." Edited to add....

Hi All, I am back! I am having my Lapband removed. The port has been an issue. I’m having the band removed and vertical sleeve revision on the same day, February 2, 2023. I have been dealing with Fibromyalgia since 2014 and take three different medications for it. The meds just for my fibromyalgia number 12 throughout the day. If I don’t take these fibromyalgia meds I cannot get up out of bed and function. And I work full time. I asked my Bariatric doctor can I still take my meds right after surgery and he said I could with liquid. 😱 Those 12 fibromyalgia pills, doesn’t include all the other meds I am on and the pain pills he will prescribe. Some of the pills cannot be crushed and some cannot even be taken with food. I feel like I am going to have an issue with all the meds and fluids, and God help me me if I have any strictures. I take a total of 15 pills a day, so I would like to hear from people who had a vertical sleeve and lots of pills/meds they had to take everyday during the first four weeks of their surgery. Thanks! TQ

Okay so I seen a page on Facebook for Bariatrics it works wraps and I don't know if the person I'm talking to has even went through the surgery so what I'm wondering is if there's anyone on here that's used it and what they're doing was only drinking a little amount of water that makes it successful I'm 4 weeks post op and I wanna start at I have six left from a while ago can anybody let me know what they're doing

My surgeon told me it was not common for me to have diarrhea. He told me there are two important things you need to know about when you go home : stay hydrated, and also that you will be very constipated. So naturally when the opposite happened I called. No one answered. I also think it was unprofessional for him to say " If you cry wolf no one will call you back, I mean someone will eventually but you won't get good care." It also hurts that you would call it mundane. This is my only body. My only life. Taking care of it is important to me. It's scary when things are happening that you don't understand and you get yelled at for asking questions. I understand that I should have been more informed about aftercare. They told me I would be in little to no pain and be fine when I got home. I just figured I would have to go to the hospital if anything urgent happened. I just don't feel like anyone takes mental health into consideration. Like it's a joke. I'm on medication and go to to a therapist. I do think though that a bariatric team of nurses, PA's, my personal liaison, nutritionalists, exercise coaches, etc. should have shown more care after the fact.

Thanks for your response. This will be my 4th abdominal surgery and second bariatric procedure. I think it is safe to say that there is some period of recovery no?

Congrats and welcome! Protein protein protein! Your new "best friend"! Get in as much as you can, and then some more! Same with liquid, popsicles, whatever you can, you need it. As far as the move goes, be careful! You don't want to end up back in the hospital, and lifting, especially heavy things can put you back there. You have had major surgery, so you will be tired. Give yourself time to heal, and if you're like me and had hiatal surgery at the same time as your sleeve, you shouldn't be doing anything that may harm you. I was told (and it may be just me) not to lift anything over 10 pounds for at least a year, to allow everything to heal properly. If you need a bariatric pal, let me know. Good luck to you!

While you may have overreacted, I'm sure many people would have done the same if they had been given the same info you had about constipation and keeping hydrated. Diarrhea strips your body of hydration. I can understand that being scary. And you are justified in your reaction to the doctors comments. What he said was harsh and uncalled for. Some doctors just have lousy bedside manners and I've learned after having a child, that many of them really don't like being bothered during their off time. I'm sorry you had a negative experience. If it's still bothering you, I would recommend giving feedback to the office manager at the bariatric practice. It may not going anywhere, but it might. Follow up care is important, so don't let that experience discourage you from continuing with it. Best of luck!

Thank you everyone! I have decided to go with a different surgeon. Not to mention I was basically removed from the surgeon I saws service. They require a $2,500 fee for an after care program, but want $7,000 for the same exact program for a revision paitient. They didn't like when I asked why/had questions about the policy. It just felt like they didn't want to deal with anyone who had any concerns about their program. Thankfully I already started seeking other surgeons and am now dealing with my PCP to get a new referral, but now they're slacking too :-/ I'm literally in their waiting room as I type having a sit in to get my referral. It's been over a week of unreturned calls and messages, I even ended up with an appointment to talk to my PCP directly. I made very clear the hospital I want to go to only does a phone referral service and even gave them the number to call the referral in. They ended up faxing a referral to somebody but certainly wasn't the bariatric program I'm planning on going to. So to insure they call it in and I can get an appointment with the surgeon next week I'm sitting here waiting. I also have decided that I don't mind between RNY and VSG. Well... Yes I would prefer the sleeve but I'm just as at peace with the RNY. I'm essentially going to leave it up to my surgeon to determine what's best for me and whatever the condition of my stomach is once he knows what it looks like.

I have been searching for an app that is tailored to bariatric patients. Something I can use to track nutrition intake and has a timer to remind me, etc. I hear Baristatic is the best but it not available on PC. Every app I see out there is for mobile phones. Does anyone have any suggestions? I did a search in the forums but did not find any suggestion for PC.

You are averaging about 10 pounds per month, I think that's great! You have not failed. Like most have said, you may just need to tweek your eating plan to make sure you are getting enough calories, Protein and Water. Let your Bariatric team know what's going on...call them. I have noticed that sometimes family is the last to see our weight loss. In my case it seems to be people I see randomly, like the cashier at the grocery store or the dog groomer. Hang in there and be proud of what you have already accomplished!

27 from Long Island...using the ny bariatric group as well...just curious how long did u have to wait for approval after all things were submitted?

I know this is a long shot but I am looking for anyone in the Appleton, WI area that has had surgery or thinking about it. I have been told that the two surgeons here know their stuff. I did go to a meeting to meet them but of course they are always going to put out the best of themselves......lol.

Hey everyone I just wanted to share that I had the gastric bypass one week ago today and so far so good! I think the preop diet really helped me to prepare for this. The surgery went very well and I didn't need much pain meds in the hospital. I made myself get up and walk and was released the next morning. I had bloating and gas as expected but not too bad. I really want to thank the Methodist Hospital Bariatric Program (Sacramento, CA) and my surgeon Ruby Gatschet for such a smooth process. I referred to my postop eating booklet once I got home and have lost 4lbs so far. I am looking forward to progressing in the booklet and changing my life to better my health.

I am starting to schedule my lapband and after following along here for months, I am getting nervous about doing this surgery to lose weight when I don't have any REAL health issues. My BMI is 39 but all my bloodwork & everything else is good. I am worried that I might be creating problems by getting this surgery when, right now, none exist. My weight has controlled my life since I was 12yrs old, I'm a major yo-yo dieter & have never kept weight off like everyone else who has tried. I hate being fat. BUT I just read a book called "weight-loss surgery, Everything you need to know about Bariatric Surgery" by the former president of the ABS and it has freaked me out. The book keeps saying over & over that it's a last resort & you should be willing to accept death as a possible consequence. I know all surgeries have that risk....blah blah blah but if we really thought we were going to die I'm sure we wouldn't do it. I'm worried I will be running to the doctor now for life because of slips, erosions, overfills, underfills etc. Who else had the lapband that didn't have serious health issues? Has it complicated your life? I am worried I might be better off fat then slimmer & having all sorts of eating problems with the band in place.

I've been super busy the past 3 weeks and have slipped into some "grab & go" habits that aren't serving me very well. No loss for 2 weeks and today got on the scale and was up almost 2 pounds. I'm close to goal but it's been very elusive because I've gotten lazy about my choices. Anyone have some good standby meals that are quick and easy when you're on the go? One of my problems has been not making time for meals so I've noticed I grab a little of this and a little of that......which really translates to grazing all afternoon. Old habits die hard............ What are some favorites for healthy, high protein, low carb, bariatric friendly choices? Think it's time to clean out my kitchen and start over. Easy to get a little cocky since I've gotten closer to my goal weight.......which is exactly what I don't want to do!! Thanks for any input!!