psichikel

try allthewhey.com especially the whey isolate, it is low carb, no sugar and high protein 25g a serving. I like the choco mint so far, I bought the sample packs so I'll be trying the others during the week. I am figuring out which ones I like, so when I do have my surgery in Jan I'll be prepared. I am going to buy some isopure clear to try out for my post-op surgery, I hope it tastes alright.

I am in my trial period of getting protein drinks. I bought the sample packets of AlltheWhey.com's Whey protein isolate. As far as I know, Soy leaves an after taste from what I have read from other people. I tried my first shake today as a snack and let me tell you it filled me right up. It has 25g of protein in it, fat free, no sugar and all the amino acids. The place is online and is very reasonable. www.allthewhey.com I tried the chocolate mint packet...it was good. Even my roomie who is very finicky liked the drink, he gave it a 6 on a 10 scale, and I mean he is very picky about what he drinks/eats as in taste. Give a whirl! Good Luck to ya.

Thanks for posting such a sensitive topic. I will be getting my band in Jan and I want to know everything up front. I have to do a pre-op diet, so I am now trying out protein shakes, which I found some that I absolutely love so far...though I am using 1% milk, need to get it down to Non-Fat. I am using Allthewhey.com's protein drinks...25grams in one drink!!! I've noticed a change so far in just my trying out different drinks with my bm. But, I am glad to hear it's normal and some remedies like warm apple juice...apple juice just normal works for me...so I wonder what warming it up will be like :paranoid

Hey Noinoi, I just wanted to send you my thoughts and prayers!! I am sending positive thoughts to you as I type this message. Surgery is a big, no HUGE decision but you did it out of love for yourself to get healthy and to be able to live life to its fullest potential. You'll be sore, but each day you hang on is another day closer to losing all that weight FOREVER!! We are all here to cheer you on, give you hugs and pray for a speedy recovery. I have yet to have my surgery, Jan 27th will be my surgery date. I know I have to face the same pain but with help of the wonderful people on this board, I'll make it and so will you. Take it one day at a time, put in a favorite dvd or cd and let your mind take you away from the pain. I've used meditation when my knee was all messed up from an injury, music works wonders. I'd put on the cd player and just focus on the music. Anywho, I'm wishing for you a speedy recovery. Take Care, and PM me if you need to talk.

Yea, I agree with you on losing the weight before putting yourself out there with prospective employers. I know my confidence will go up with the weight off. I've always done well in the interviews, nailing each question without a problem but I have a feeling it's the image deal. It's been proven through research that those that are significantly overweight have difficult times getting into the job market even with excellent skills. I've had friends apply for a job being overweight being denied, then after losing the weight their hired for the same job they applied for. It would be nice to nail these people for discrimination but it is hard to do so in the case of weight. Discrimination exists whether by skin color or weight, it's a sad world we live in.

I had done some research as to who they had hired and the person did not have near the experience or qualifications as I had, was a younger and slimmer person. It could be though, that perhaps it was someone who worked on the job that wanted to push their kid through...don't know. I have applied a different positions besides this one, one was very entry level with no experience necessary...yet, it was given to someone with no experience whatsoever...whereas I had the BA and experience working in this particular area. I've heard different things from people that work there, if you have weight problems they are more inlikely not to hire you...it's all about an image. So, I was able to work it to the fact that I am significantly overweight, which I was told by a professor that it will be a problem. She being an outstanding professor, makes lots of $$$ had done the RNY surgery because she knew it was a constant problem in her line of work.

Hello Everyone and Fellow Students!! I am a graduate student in Psychology. I am currently working on my thesis, which I must say is a pain the butt. I hate reading nowadays and trying to get my brain onto actually writing it has been a chore. I will be getting banded in Mexico on Jan 27th. I personally believe that these last couple of years, where the weight has really packed on has been my worst years in school. I cannot concentrate, I'm depressed and I've lost my zeal for my thesis which was not the case a few years back. I really think weight and depression has taken over, so I have to say I am really looking forward to getting banded and begin my new life losing the weight. I'm glad to see a section for students here, because I would like to ask this question: with all your education have you been discriminated by your weight when applying for potential jobs? I have had 5 interviews, all of which I am very qualified to do and yet, I have been turned down. Now, one job I did apply for and was told I had great qualifications, and that my interview was great but I was turned down...is now rehiring for that same position. Have any of you been in this same dilemma? I am not sure if I should reapply again, or just wait till I lose enough weight so they can get past that and see my qualifications as a potential employee. I think that is part of my depression, is now I am seeing full on how weight discrimination is going to keep me from the jobs I am qualified and have went to school for...it's frustrating that we live in a country were your *weight* is the only thing they see. Sorry, for being such a downer...I'm just really down on this. Thanks for letting me vent!

Hi there DCox! I live in CV, close to Merced/Turlock area. I am going to be banded in Jan. I'd like to keep in contact with you if you would like to. I'll be up in that area for Thanksgiving, my family lives in Rocklin/Lincoln area. Good Luck on your appt and wishing you all the best on a great losing streak (isn't it nice to finally be called a Loser but for a positive reason!)

I'm in the CV, Modesto area....perhaps we can have a midpoint to meet that everyone in our neck of the woods can meet.

Hi Mickey, Yes there is plenty of information on Dr. Aceves. In fact, I am having my surgery Jan 27th. He has a great reputation, his skills are excellent as well as his personality and caring for his patients and their families. The lapband costs $8,200. you get free fills for a year, he has even started transporting patients from SDiego airport for their fills now, before he would just do the transportation for the surgery. They are very patient oriented, he has the upmost concern for his patients and his cooridinator Nina is awesome. We have a forum online at yahoo: To learn more about the Dr-Aceves-bandsters group, please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Dr-Aceves-bandsters Also, check out mexicolapband.com (this is his official site). If you have any questions feel free to ask them. If you want to see one of his patient's website go to: tracyslapband.com (she is a post-op patient cooridinator). If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me as well....psichikel@sbcglobal.net

I am going to Dr. Alberto Aceves in Mexicali, MX. He has a very wonderful reputation and is a very thorough surgeon. I've have talked to many of his patients some of which are patient advocates and others that are just his patients. From what I have heard he is very dedicated to helping people lose weight. He keeps in touch with his patients 1 year after the surgery, in which he requires that you email/call him to let him know how you are doing. He provides information for his patients to receive care back in the US. We have a forum that we go to and have a chat room that is open on Fridays around 7pm EST where we can talk to one another and to his assistant Nina. Everyone I have talked to has given him glowing reports about his ability as a surgeon, his bedside manners and his overall personality. The advocates that work for him have never mentioned what they get for working for him. They are very imformative, and they answer questions that new people ask, those that are pre-op/post-op often ask questions as to how to eat properly, type of exercise...etc. One thing that impressed me was that there were no gimmicks, special deals (which I am not faulting, but sounds weird when you are wanting surgery)...he has an upfront fee, willing to work with patients individually on how to pay and gives detailed information as to what he provides the patient, and what will happen pre surgery and post surgery. If you are a patient of Dr. Aceves you are considered family as many have told me. His number one goal is to provide a safe weightloss tool that will help his patients stay healthy for the rest of their life. If you are interested in his background, please check www.mexicolapband.com also check out tracyslapband.com to view her experience as one of his patients. There are many more out there, but start with these websites as they will lead you to others.

It's just another ploy to get people afraid of going to other doctors besides those in the United States. If people really looked into it, the reason why surgery and other services are high is due to the malpractice suits here in the US. Mexico does have their problems but those in bariatric surgery are professionals not some hack job wannabe. I think the US wants us to just fear anything that is not within our own borders, yet some of the problems that plague people today come within our borders. Do your homework whether its in the US or international.

Hi Kat, So did you get the whole package deal where you fly there and stay for one nite? It sounds like he is about $1,000 cheaper than Dr. Aceves which is who I was seriously looking to go to. How did you like his mannerisms, staff and the general clinic? Please feel free to email me at: psichikel@sbcglobal.net Thanks!:banana

Anyone in the Central Valley Area? I live in Merced area and I am looking to get a band sometime in Dec/Jan. Would like to meet with someone close by.

I've been researching different sites about the Lapband and how much each person has lost. Now, on one site everyone seems to be losing 70lbs within 5 mths but then coming to other sites such as this, some seem to be losing only 20lbs in 5 or 6mths. I am just wondering if those whom are losing greater amounts are exercising more or if they were younger when they got the band. I do realize that if you are younger you can lose the weight easier than when you are older especially for women after age 35 or so. I guess I am just curious as to why there are some saying they've lost so much within a just a short period of time and others not as much. I mean I want to lose weight but kinda wondering why some are losing alot more than others, if it could be the band they have, or they've had more fills than others...etc.

Try going to Obesityhelp.com to South of the Border they have some information about Dr. Joya. I am now reconsidering going to him since he has a price that is the cheapest and will even pay for a rt air tx and 1 nite stay in hotel...can't beat that price. I have read some of his patients testimonies and they all are impressed although theres only 7 of them.

I was just wondering how many out there have had their surgery done in the Mexico? Please name your doctor and what your loss has been postop. Thanks! I plan on going to see Dr. Aceves in Mexicali, Mx.

Thanks for the idea...someone had told me about the Magic Bullet but I about died when I seen how much it was. I will go to Walmart this weekend and get it. I like fast, easy and without alot of gadgets...I dont have the room

Sorry none of those suggestions have worked in the past. You're right about just walking away. You've got to just live your life the best way you know is possible. Just know you have lots of support here and you can talk to us whenever you need to. I know my mother harped on my weight when I was a kid, she died when I was 15 and I wonder what she would have said today knowing that I am really big. However, I know that I can only have control in my own life, I cannot control what others think even when they are hurtful to me. All I can do is learn not to become like them. So, keep your spirits up and we are all here to help you out! Take Care!

I think what we need to remember is that accidents can happen anywhere, just because you go to the US doesn't mean you will not find trouble. Sometimes these things happen, in fact I watched an online lapband surgery they even mention that slippage/erosion is all a part of some of the problems that may occur...no matter where you have the surgery! All I would say is do your homework, research as much as you can and talk to patients that had the surgery by the doctor you are interested in...any surgery can be a gamble. Remember this type of surgery has been done in Europe, Mexico and other countries before the United States...so US doctors had to learn from other doctors as well. Just do your homework!

Great Job! Your on your way to be a "loser" in a positive sense of the word Take Care

I hope my psychology degree will help here...somehow your mother is displacing her guilt, anger and whatever pent up negativity she has in her own life and putting it out on you. Perhaps, it's because you actually "care" about what she has to say, or you take it to heart that she knows she can continually use you as her scapegoat for not living the life she perhaps wanted to live in the first place. Perhaps, you may ask her "Why" she became a parent, if by her actions she seems not so happy about her life. I have come to find those that pick on others are not happy in their life, that somehow the victims are a mirror of what they don't like about their selves. Maybe you have a great family life, good husband, you like your job and you are independent whereas your mother was stuck home with 7 kids...I mean I can't be the judge of what is going on since I do not know the whole story and just basing my opinion according to what you have provided. First, you can stop taking it personal....somewhere there is something down deep that is causing your mother angst and she is taking it out on you. You know who you are and if you are okay with yourself then allow her hurtful words to bypass you. Maybe when there is a time where things are not so hectic you can ask her why she feels so impelled to call you on your weight or always say something negative...if she doesn't believe that she does this then secretly record her and then play back the tape. People who say hurtful things honestly have no freaking idea of what they are saying is hurtful, but once you play it back...boy, do they realize!!! I've done this before and it works. Second, if after you have kindly talked to her and if to no avail she doesn't get the big picture...then do as THUMPERS MOTHER SAID: If you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all....perhaps your mom will understand something as simple as that. Remember, it's not you...it's her! She has a problem, she's unhappy and unhappy people rarely have anything positive to say. Try and find out the key that will open up her pent up feelings and perhaps you can go from there. I wish you all the best and I hope you can learn not to take to heart your mothers negativity. If you allow yourself to be hurt all the time, chances are you may do this to your own children later on in life...its a nasty cycle so be the one that breaks it. I hope I didn't cause other stress because this is not what I wanted to do, I just wanted to let you know that you are not at fault but that your mother has underlying issues that needs attention. Take care of yourself...you are a beautiful person!!! It's the heart of a person that shines before others! Peace be with you! Kelli

Hello Everyone! I just wanted to introduce myself to the forum. I hope to meet others in California as well as around the country. I am interested in getting the lapband, whether I have it done in the United States or Mexico determines on my new job and it's benefits!:banana

I think the band will soon take place over the RNY because of all the complications with that surgery. I would rather have something that I can control, and God forbid if I need a revision at least that is something that is possible where as with the RNY it's not the best option. I think replumbing your body is quite drastic, especially since there's hasn't been any long term studies as to the effects of the rny. I've made up my mind to do the lapband because I wont have to worry about the excess skin and possibly have to have another surgery to remove it like many of the rny people have to do. In all honesty, losing weight should not be so excessive but a slow process to allow the body to adjust, being lapbanded you are losing weight at a healthier pace. Don't worry, you'll do just fine

If you want to check out what the surgery is actually like, go to this website: www.or-live.com/BrighamandWomens/1372/ I really feel comfortable doing the surgery now after watching it. Its a very easy looking procedure. Hope this helps.