Bboop

Tawanda, I was banded in May by Dr. John Touliatos with Advanced Surgeons in B'ham at Trinity Hosp. I had known three people, who had Dr. T and had no problems. In their seminar(all groups have one) I learned that Trinity is the ONLY hosp. in Alabama that has been given the "Center of Excellence" label for bariatric surgery. That helped me decide where to have surgery. The group is wonderful. In fact, my husband needs hernia surgery and was referred to them by his Dr. AT Medical Center East. That says a lot about Dr. T. Good luck with your decision. Betty

Nancy, Wow, I'm glad to hear that! It is too late for me. I was a private pay on May 31, 2007 at Trinity hops. in B'ham with Dr. Touliatos. While there have been absolutely no problems, if there had, it would have been quite expensive. Still in all, I am so glad that I did it when I did. I was disappointed that PEEHIP would have paid for the more extensive bypass, but not the easier Lapband procedure. Betty

L!nds@y, I get ISOPURE at my local GNC. They are my best answer to protein problems for me. I cut them with water and, that way, get in more water. Once you go to GNC, you can join as a "Gold Card" member for discounts. I also get emails from them with discount coupons. ISOPURE has been great for me since banded on May 31st. Bboop

Keith, I was banded by Dr. T. on May 31. I have had a couple of fills and have lost about 38lbs. You know how scales are every once and awhile it says -40. It really doesn't matter because I feel so much better already. I have had NO problems at all with the surgery and Dr. T. has been wonderful. Hope all goes well. Betty

I live in Trussville, Alabama. Banded 5/31/07 Dr. Touliatos, Trinity Medical Center

Hello to all of you Alabama folks. I was banded by Dr. Touliatos at Trinity hospital on May 31, 2007. I have lost between 25-30lbs(you know how different scales are). Touliatos was wonderful. I have now had my second fill and can feel some restriction for the first time. Glad to know that you're out there. I was also a self-pay and do not regret it at all!!

I am a self-pay, too. To be honest, I have not thought about this-I tend to be optimistic. During my May 31 surgery, we found that I had a hiatal (?) hernia. My insurance paid for all things associated with that part of the surgical procedure. I do know that I would not go back, no matter what. It has been wonderful so far-even though I have a long way to go.

Hello to all of you May Bansters!! I go for my first fill on Monday, July 2. It is a good thing, because I get really hungry and could eat much more if I wanted to do that. So far, on my scales I'm at 21 pounds lost since the 31st(band day). I am just ready to feel more "fullness". I also have had no trouble with any foods. I don't think that I have, thus, taken the care to chew all the time as I should. The fill will help me remember that-or at least I hope that it does. Otherwise, this has been a great experience thus far. I have been on two short trips and have not gained-a miracle for me!!

Hello to all of you. I am a retired public school speech pathologist and now teach ESL in an Adult Ed. setting at the local community college. So good to see so many educators. All of us are accustomed to those 15-minute, eat as fast as you can lunches. I don't have such a problem now, due to my schedule of 8:00-12:00 classes. My students have been very supportive, after asking what kind of soda my Isopure protein drinks were. I go for my two-week post surgery check-up on Monday, so we'll see how I'm doing. Think the weight is down, but my scales are just so-so. I plan to check them against the doctor's scale after Monday. Good luck to all of us!!

I was banded on May 31 and am glad to join you May bandsters. Yester day was the end of two weeks and I began soft foods, according to my dr. I see him on Monday. I am continuing with the protein. I went to my dr.'s support group this past Tuesday and there were band parients form longer ago who stated that they have more success when protein is added, not just the amounts in food. When those people who've lost over 100 pounds tell me what has worked for them, I tend to listen. For now, if I really want mashed potatoes, I just watch my portion and count the calories so that I don't creep up too high.

I was banded on the 31st, too. My doctor is on vacation, so I'll see him on Monday. He told me to move to mushy at the beginning of week three. Yesterday I went to a teacher's inservice with lunch provided-I was terrified. I got a small piece of baked chicken, cut it up into very small pieces and added the salsa for wet. That plus three small cubes of cantalope chewed well all went down fine and I felt "totally" a part of the group and not "unusual" in any way. So just take it a little at a time and see what works. I also love the Isopure liquid at GNC. It is fruit flavored, not creamy and has 20 oz. water and 40 oz. protein. I just sip it along through the morning at work and have much of my protein done.

Hello. I'm 57 and had my surgery on May 31. Too bad that I was not aware and the procedure was not available years ago. I have oster-arthritis and that is all, but other problems were just over the horizon. I know that, and consider myself to be most lucky.