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I believe their chewy bite vitamins are like the calcium citrate chews (the packaging looks the same). I have been taking the calcium since I got home from the hospital without any problems. I know bariatric advantage has samples of their vitamins. I got them from my nutritionist. Perhaps yours has them or if not the company could send you one. If not, I know that I tried one flavor of the calcium chews I didn’t like and they took them back no questions asked. Hope this helps.

Could be a stomach ulcer. We are prone to them after surgery. Or gall bladder. Get into you primary care doctor, gastroenterologist or possibly you bariatric surgeon. Good luck!

Here is a link to an article on reactive hypoglycemia post–gastric bypass. https://www.ridgeviewmedical.org/services/bariatric-weight-loss/enewsletter-articles/reactive-hypoglycemia-postgastric-bypass The three most important things after surgery are fluids, Vitamins and Protein. Since you said that "when I drink Protein I throw instantly", have you tried MILK. 32 ounces of 1% milk fortified with 1 cup of powdered milk will give you 56 grams of protein. You cannot drink this all at once but spreading this out throughout the day will help you meet your daily protein requirement.

My visits to BariatricPal are very rare, as I'm a poor navigator. I just posted, however, a notice of the next Greater New York Bariatric Surgery Clothing Exchange (October 22). I'm so glad I did, or I wouldn't have made my way to this notice for the October 17 Face to Face meeting. It's now engraved on my calendar. Since the Face to Face is for our area, I hope I'm not out of bounds with the following link to the clothing exchange info? Laurie http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/351620-greater-new-york-bariatric-surgery-clothing-exchange-free-10222015/

Does anyone go to TEAM bariatrics? If so what has been your experience?

Is it true that weight loss with the band is basically the same as weight loss with a diet? And if it is, why have surgery at all? From time to time, a bandster will comment (sometimes in the context of a complaint, sometimes just in surprise or confusion) that weight loss with the band is basically the same as weight loss with a diet. They’re disappointed by this. They expected WLS to make weight loss easier than it is with dieting, and while that's true, it's only part of weight loss success. They may hold the mistaken belief that the band itself is what causes weight loss, but that’s not true either. The band is just a piece of plastic. Although it’s inside the patient’s body, it does not directly affect the way nutrients from food are ingested or metabolized. It releases no weight loss instructions into the patient’s bloodstream, nervous system, or endocrine system. It doesn’t directly affect the patient’s eating behavior or exercise habits. It doesn’t compel the patient to make good food choices, limit portion sizes, eat slowly, or resist the urge to graze or binge because of boredom, stress, cravings, etc. After reading that long list of what the band doesn’t do, you may be thinking that it’s a mighty expensive and not very helpful weight loss tool. Why go through the risk, trouble and expense of WLS when you could achieve the same results with plain old dieting? HALF EMPTY OR HALF FULL? Here’s some news that may shock you: I lost 100% of my excess weight by dieting after my band surgery. My dietitian gave me a food plan to follow, and I followed it. It never occurred to me to do otherwise or to complain about that because my bariatric team had made it clear that I, not my band, was going to have to make some significant lifestyle changes in order to succeed. It wasn’t until after the excess weight was gone, after a big unfill to treat an irritated esophagus and stoma (after swallowing a large, corrosive antibiotic capsule), that I realized how much my band had been helping me by reducing my appetite and giving me early (if not always prolonged) satiety. I had been taking my band for granted – out of sight, out of mind. I suppose it’s possible that I had been experiencing a placebo effect; that my band worked for me simply because I believed it would. If so, it was a remarkable and long-lived placebo effect. It wasn’t until my band was being refilled after a complete unfill (to treat a band slip) when I was 3 years post-op that I experienced a stunning, “Oh, so this is what it’s all about!” aha moment. My experience of restriction then was quite different than it had been the first time around, because I understood more about my band’s effects and how to optimize those effects, and because my body had changed so drastically since my surgery. Whether your 8-ounce water glass is half empty or half full, it still contains 4 ounces. Getting the most out of those 4 ounces is largely a matter of attitude adjustment. You can accept that you have 4 ounces, then make the best of it, or you can give up all together and spend your life in wistful regret. You can find another way to fill your WLS glass – complain to your surgeon, or the band manufacturer, revise to a different WLS procedure – or give up altogether and spend your life in angry regret. Taking the “half full” viewpoint may be easier for me than for others because I’m an opportunist who actually enjoys making a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. Webster defines “opportunist” as one who uses the art, policy, or practice of taking advantage of opportunities or circumstances, often with little regard for principles or consequences. Since I do have immense regard for principles and consequences, perhaps I’m not a classic opportunist. But I see nothing wrong with taking advantage of opportunities and circumstances when my own careful plans aren’t working or have led me into unknown territory. Resourcefulness has been a handy life skill for me. BUT I WANT IT TO BE RIGHT THE FIRST TIME I do know what it’s like to be disappointed with a purchase, though, be it a band, a blouse, or a bicycle. I want the item I purchase to be suitable, if not perfect, for its intended use. During a shift at my retail “day job” the other day, I helped a customer whose garment size wasn’t in stock. She didn’t want to order that garment – she wanted it now, so much so that she considered buying the wrong size and having it altered to fit her. Before I could volunteer an opinion, this woman uttered the very words I was thinking: “I hate to pay good money for something new and have to alter it. I just want to buy it and wear it.” If I were a better (or pushier) salesperson, she might have bought that garment, but I’m not and she didn’t. If your adjustable gastric band hasn’t (yet) lived up to your expectations, you do have my sympathy. It’s not easy – if even possible – to return a disappointing medical implant, and it’s maddening to have to “alter” it (by dieting, for example) to make it work for you. I could tell you (unhelpfully) that your expectations were not realistic, but it’s also possible that your surgeon educated you well, you’re a “compliant” patient, and yet your band just isn’t up to snuff. According to Doctors Jerome Groopman and Pamela Hartzband, authors of Your Medical Mind, “Medicine is an uncertain science.” No one, not even your doctor, can say with certainty what impact a condition “will have on an individual’s life or how someone will experience the side effects from a particular treatment. Each of us is unique in the interplay of genetic makeup and environment. The path to maintaining or regaining health is not the same for everyone.” Doctors Groopman and Hartzband go on to describe what they call the ‘focusing illusion’. “In trying to forecast the future, all of us tend to focus on a particular aspect of our lives that would be negatively affected by a proposed treatment. This then becomes the overriding element in decision making. The focusing illusion neglects our extraordinary capacity to adapt, to enjoy life with less than ‘perfect’ health. Imagining life with a colostomy, after a mastectomy, or following prostate surgery can all be skewed by the focusing illusion. We cannot see how the remaining parts of our lives expand to fill the gaps created by the illness and its treatment.” Despite carefully-devised formulas and scoring systems (intended to direct resources and money to those most likely to survive) for calculating a patient’s chances of surviving a treatment or illness, doctors are lousy at predicting outcomes. A study in England found that one out of 20 ICU patients who doctors predicted would die actually lived, and most of those who survived had a good quality of life. I don’t think that’s a sign of medical incompetence. I think it’s a sign of the unquenchable human spirit and its enduring will to survive and even thrive against all odds. One of my life goals is to survive and thrive, no matter what. That’s an ambition you can’t get from a medical device or bottle of medicine. It comes from within you, and if you think you don’t have it, or not enough of it, I suggest that you look again. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Raptly reading this all, I won't be a sleeve but many of these things could be me in the future. Your biggest forest scar is where they pulled your stomach remnant out, I would not be exempt because in. bypass the same place is where surgeon puts his bigger gauge instruments.,I guess you'd have to have an endoscopic sleeve to avoid,this, but I guess they have their own cast of problems. No free rides in Bariatrics, are there?😓

New Jersey....has he applied for NJ medicaid yet? IN NJ, Medicaid has gotten out of the Heath Insurance business and now contracts with 4 Private ***'s...all NJ does is pay the premiums and manage the system. You need to check with Dr.'s who do Bariatric surgery and find out who accepts what ***...not all of them are good, and not all Dr.'s accept all of them. There are a few people left who are enrolled on Straight Medicaid anymore.

Is anyone using North Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, New York? I've heard they offer everything from lap band to DS and SIPS in their bariatric program. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

I see no one answered your post. All I can add is that I would stick with what your surgeon wants for you and his dietician. A primary care doc may not be well versed in bariatrics and the new normal for is patients. Just call your clinic and speak with a nurse they are your best bet. I hope you find the reassurance you're looking for. Good luck. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Your bariatric surgery team. Mine has follow up, for years, and if I need to talk to a dietician or psych about stress eating or whatever, I can.

Too true, too true, but we will do with what tools we have. I just felt bad you weren't given credit for all you have done already. Rather like " If you still think I'm too large, you should have seen where I came from!" GSVguy, I look at my pre surgery pictures,I cry because I didn't realize the size of me I was presenting to the world🌎! And I thought I was looking good, really I did. But out of that train wreck I built and am still building a NEW ME! I am still legally obese at 31.1, almost ready to drop into Overweight, but I started at 52, that is Abundantly Morbid Obesity, probably within death in a couple years if a ❤attack , stroke or cancer didn't carry me off first! That is a very Scary Larry circumstance, Bariatric Surgery was my best hope and almost my last hope, so even on my discouraged days , I might bad-mouth myself but not my surgery! It gave me back hope, I just got to stay the course until I can take a VICTORY Lap. If you have read my past postings you'll notice I haven't always had sunshine , flowers and bluebird singing in the trees. But I will still prevail, I HAVE COME TOO FAR TO JUST COME THIS FAR! I am not a quitter, I am Red-headed, stubborn, and I'm gonna hang around till the finish. If I die in process, so be it, but I WILL HAVE TRIED. And the Gold Ring may still be mine!

Glad you have therapy to help with all the things you’re dealing with. I’m sorry you’re not getting your back issues/pain resolved. The Dr’s statement “You just need to lose weight, that's really the only thing that will help." was unnecessary, ignorant and less than helpful. We all know things are not that simple. Food may be the lesser of the evils now, but you also know its just as damaging to keep in this cycle of food to cope. I don’t have answers. I know how dark of a place that has been for me in the past. My heart goes out to you. You’re not alone in not exercising. It’s your situation. Some bariatric patients are in wheelchairs. Many exclude exercise due to mobility issues/pain. What is your physical ability currently?

Here’s a quick summary of what to expect for your short- and long-term post-gastric sleeve diet: Immediately following surgery: Strictly regimented by your dietitian or nutritionist Liquids only for the first few days, starting with only about an ounce Introduce powdered Protein for a week or two Slowly transition to thicker foods through week 6 or so (completely pureed – NO solid foods) Solid foods usually begin between 6 and 8 weeks out, after which your “normal” long-term diet will begin Long-term bariatric diet after gastric sleeve surgery: Consists of three 4 ounce meals per day Learn and avoid foods that will cause problems, including difficulty swallowing, poop problems and/or vomiting Must “eat healthy” – only natural foods cooked with healthy ingredients Daily protein must come first – you’ll need a lot of it Avoid simple carbs and eat “good carbs” in small portions to keep your blood sugar steady Drink a lot of Water (about ½ gallon), but don’t drink during or after meals Don't snack unless it's a scheduled part of your diet Staying on track can be difficult, so it’s best to find and religiously use a good food journal to plan and track your diet. FitDay and MyFoodDiary are two good options. Good luck! Jeff Source: Bariatric Diet, Bariatric Eating, the Top 5 Long-Term Success Factors and 12 Tips to Keep You on Track

According to the research, the magic number is 50. When a surgeon has done more than 50 LapBands (not just more than 50 bariatric surgeries and not just more than 50 laporoscopic surgeries, but more than 50 LapBands), the patients have fewer complications.

I haven't been on a pre-op diet which I think is really weird. The only instructions I've been given is clear liquids the day before surgery and nothing after midnight. My appointment went really well! The bariatric nurse went through everything in detail, she was really funny and reassuring. I definitely agree, it's a whirlwind! How's your liquid diet going? I've never been on one but that'll be my reality next week!

That is pretty close! I just had my last appointment with the bariatric nurse today and she went through all the specifics of the surgery. Have you had to do a lot of prep?

Hospital Angeles with Dr Covala is the only surgeon hospital combination I can get comfortable with. There are many fine bariatric surgeons but IMHO most of the facilities they operate at are not on par with hospital angeles with the exception of almater. The regulatory and legal framework in mexico is obviously different than the u.s. Which does some create a degree some degree of risk.

One of the individuals in our bariatric surgery group meetings went from a lapland to bypass and lost about that much weight. His band started to eat through his stomach so he had to have it removed. He was pleased with the RNY surgery results.

I just found out today that my insurance, United Healthcare choice plus, doesn't require a supervised diet or psychological evaluation. They only require a bmi over 40 and a bariatric center of excellence. I feel so fortunate. Now I just have to get approved.

I bought mine from my surgeon and online at Bariatric Choice. Now that I think about it, my favorite is actually WonderSlim Dark Chocolate that I got from Bariatric Choice. I like it as is or with the addition of PB2.

Hello there I have the same problem. I asked the bariatric dr. about this and she says it's because of weight loss. She said when we are over weight the weight holds us up better and then when we lose weight we tend to slouch forward. She said it's very common and she said to try to pay attention to our posture and sit and stand straight. It's easier said then done though. I hope it gets better for the both of us.

I have been having the same problem along with nausea. I had an ultrasound, which showed a fatty liver due to obesity, had an X-ray of my abdomen, they were looking for blockage in my bowels, which was negative and then I had a hidascan. All were normal and my lap band is fine. I returned to my bariatric surgeon and he tried to order a CT scan but my insurance denied it. Now I am not better and there are no answers. I am very frustrated. I know how you feel. Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

My Dr and RD have always suggested that most proteins come from food, and most of mine do with the exception of breakfast as I cannot eat eggs which is a great source of protein. Prior to my surgery I was a frappachino-holoic and found that I LOVED the believe cappuccino (bariatric eating site). They are a bit pricey as well as the s&h, but they helped me get over my frapp addiction and it was a taste I got use to. Best of luck to you.

yes, there is a no-no list and I didn't find out about that until the day of surgery... how did I miss that in my research?? Here is a link. Its not a page Im familiar with, but its basically what my doc told me too: http://www.drchampion.com/latest-news/medications-after-bariatric-surgery/