Mvpo8961

FD are you lactose intolerant? Myra

They even make a lactose free CIB. But it is RTD and high calorie. Although you could add soymilk to it to cut the calories. You still would get a good dose of Protein. M

One serving of CIB has 5 Gms Protein. One cup of skim milk has 8 - 9 Gms depending on the brand. This gives you 14 gms of protein per serving. Isopure RTD has 40 Gms per 20 ounce serving. Same amount of CIB/Skim Milk has 35 Gms. Isopure is touted to be one of the highest Protein drinks. I personally can't stand the taste of Isopure or other protein drinks but like CIB/Skim milk. M

Ditto on the CIB with skim milk. That's all I could tolerate after surgery. M

Rebecca contact your insurance company first to see if it is a covered procedure. It if is and you meet the requirements it would be best to start out with a doc that is approved on your insurance plan. It is a lot of trouble switching docs in midstream if you go to one initially who is not approved by your insurance. If it is not covered by insurance or you don't meet the requirement criteria then it is a wide open selection for you. Just from reading various posts the band with a year of followup care tends to be around 15,000 for us in Texas/Oklahoma area. This is just a ballpark figure. Good luck and keep in touch. Myra

I thought some of you old timers could lend a hand for our discouraged fellow bandster. The following is a copy of four posts between my self and ZooMama. Newcomer <HR style="COLOR: #d1d1e1" SIZE=1><!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->I'm a newcomer to the forum--or to any online forum for that matter. I was banded by Dr. Benavides at SCOR in November '04. I have an Inamed band and I've had two fills. I became very discouraged because I've lost only 25 pounds with the band and experienced a lot of difficulty incorporating the lb into my busy professional life. I've also had a lot of difficulty with acid reflux since the lb surgery. I have taken some time off from worrying about the lb and I've been advised by my other physicians to have the lb removed. However, I am making another attempt to get the weight loss that I need with the lb since nothing else seems to have worked. I would appreciate any advice anyone can provide about how to handle the emotional issues, acid reflux, etc. I am in awe of those of you who have succeeded with the lb despite minor setbacks and problems, and I am determined to make this work now, more than ever. Thanks for being there and sharing your experiences. I just wish I had come across this forum a long time ago. :huggie: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Hi ZooMama I have only been recently banded but I do have a question. Have you had any GI xrays done? Such as an EGD (upper GI endoscopy) or anything else to check placement of the band and to make sure it hasn't eroded? How often do you see your surgeon? Are you on meds for reflux? Have you sought a second opinion from another lap band surgeon. If not check the link in my signature for mine in Dallas. He has banded several members on this board and I haven't heard anything negative about him. How has your eating patterns changed? Do you see a nutritionist? What about the nurse educator at SCOR? Do you go to any support meetings? Give us a little more info on your situation if you don't mind. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ haven't had an endoscopy yet, but I have an appointment with a gastroenterologist in three weeks to discuss the reflux symptoms and I'm almost certain that he will order an endoscopy. My surgeon sent out a form letter to all of his patients several months ago telling them to schedule an endoscopy which I thought sounded peculiar unless it was medically indicated. Almost like a money-maker for his radiologist friend. I have confidence in my gastroenterologist and will follow his recommendation. If he thinks the band should go-it will. My internist has been harping about my need to lose the band since I started seeing her about a year ago. I am on the following meds for reflux: Prilosec 2x daily, Zantac 300 mg. 1x daily, Mylanta extra strength evening and Rolaids evening. I also take Simethicone tablets in the a.m. and p.m. and that also helps a great deal. I sleep upright in a semi-sitting position and I don't eat anything 3-4 hours before bedtime. I have lately tried drinking a lot of Water before bedtime and that also seems to be helping. My eating patterns have changed considerably. I don't eat whole cuts of meat, and I eat more Soups and minced chicken, Protein shakes, egg salad and I guess foods that you would call the "mushies." What I don't eat anymore is bread, Pasta, uncooked veggies, and absolutely no carbonated beverages. My dietary choices during the weekdays have been greatly influenced by my need to avoid pbs or vomiting at the office or around my co-workers. None of them knows that I have the band, and I would prefer to keep that private. I haven't been back to my surgeon since the first post op follow up visit, and until the reflux symptoms started, didn't need to see a doctor. I haven't consulted with the nurse/educator at the SCOR, but I think that is a good idea and I will do that. Thanks. After finding this forum, I am also considering having the band unfilled to see if that helps the acid reflux before I have the band removed. Thanks for taking the time to respond to my post. I will follow up with your suggetion to contact the nurse/educator. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ WOW no wonder you are discouraged. That's a lot of meds and discomfort. Did you have reflux before banding? I can't believe you have only been back to your surgeon for one post op visit. I had lap band May 19 this year and I have been back to see him at least three times. I just got a fill yesterday and he requires a follow up visit four weeks after a fill. Please consider seeing another lapband surgeon. It does sound like you have picked up on what seems to be the most common reasons for your symptom which is an overfill. I think you are right on track about the unfill and would do it asap. But bear in mind that overfills aren't the only cause of reflux. When did you last have a fill and was it at SCOR. I don't know about the past but fills/unfills are done under flouro now. That in and of itself lets them get a view of band placement. Some docs routinely do endos to keep an eye on their patients bands. I haven't got that far with my doc of course.:nervous I am going to copy your posts onto the main forum so the really smart folks can offer some advice also. Keep in touch and let me know how things go for you.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=22937 ZooMama the above thread is the one I posted on the General Lapband forum. Myra

WOW no wonder you are discouraged. That's a lot of meds and discomfort. Did you have reflux before banding? I can't believe you have only been back to your surgeon for one post op visit. I had lap band May 19 this year and I have been back to see him at least three times. I just got a fill yesterday and he requires a follow up visit four weeks after a fill. Please consider seeing another lapband surgeon. It does sound like you have picked up on what seems to be the most common reasons for your symptom which is an overfill. I think you are right on track about the unfill and would do it asap. But bear in mind that overfills aren't the only cause of reflux. When did you last have a fill and was it at SCOR. I don't know about the past but fills/unfills are done under flouro now. That in and of itself lets them get a view of band placement. Some docs routinely do endos to keep an eye on their patients bands. I haven't got that far with my doc of course.:nervous I am going to copy your posts onto the main forum so the really smart folks can offer some advice also. Keep in touch and let me know how things go for you. Myra

Okay ya'll long timers I have a question. Was there a point during the time that it took you to reach optimal restriction that you noticed you were doing LESS BURPING and more TOOTING? If so when would you say you made the ?switch over. Myra

tonjasm insurance can be very frustrating. There can still be additional delays if they have to request more info from the docs, etc. So don't get too bent right now. It could be worse in that you could not have insurance at all. Waiting is definitely the hardest but it will pass. Let us know how things go. Myra

Well I went for my second fill yesterday and my port went from perfectly flat to standing on its side like a quarter. I suspect it will go on and flip eventually. They were able to access it by pushing a certain way and holding the needle at a very low angle. Like other poster's I no indication of a problem. Oh well that's life. Myra

Thanks for the info ya'll. That is kinda what I was thinking. Got fill #2 yesterday and I already notice things that previously made me burp aren't now. So I know what that means. Myra

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!! The time will fly by and then you'll be on the losing side. Myra

DrewsLou sounds like you and I could be getting revisions about the same time. Let's hope NOT. Hopefully when they have you under flouro they will see that they MISSED the port and it really is okay. I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed for ya. Myra

Diane you should be in the hospital now in between surgeries. I want you to know we are thinking of you and awaiting news of your successful outcome. Myra

Wow congrats to you and your sister. Hasn't it been nice to have a pal in your weightloss journey. Best wishes. Myra

Wow that is great. Do you think thunderthighs might not be an overstatement now? Congrats. Myra

Well I had fill #2 today and my port is in the process of flipping. For my first fill it was level but today it was clearly standing on edge. They were able to manipulate it and get 2cc in but I won't be at all surprised when I go for my next fill if it is flipped on over. I never had any pain like a stitch pulling out. Never bumped it or anything. Oh well if this is the worst that happens I am doing okay.

Well I had fill #2 today and my port is in the process of flipping. For my first fill it was level but today it was clearly standing on edge. They were able to manipulate it and get 2cc in but I won't be at all surprised when I go for my next fill if it is flipped on over. I never had any pain like a stitch pulling out. Never bumped it or anything. Oh well if this is the worst that happens I am doing okay.

Hi ZooMama I have only been recently banded but I do have a question. Have you had any GI xrays done? Such as an EGD (upper GI endoscopy) or anything else to check placement of the band and to make sure it hasn't eroded? How often do you see your surgeon? Are you on meds for reflux? Have you sought a second opinion from another lap band surgeon. If not check the link in my signature for mine in Dallas. He has banded several members on this board and I haven't heard anything negative about him. How has your eating patterns changed? Do you see a nutritionist? What about the nurse educator at SCOR? Do you go to any support meetings? Give us a little more info on your situation if you don't mind. Thanks Myra

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will keep my fingers and toes crossed that everything continutes to go smoothly and we have a new baby bandsterette? soon. Myra

Well I had no saline put in during surgery. First fill - July 6th was four cc. I am sure at least a cc was used for priming the tubing. Second fill today we will see how much is actually in it. I personally think my band is drinking saline on the sly. Went to supper last night with the DH & DD and ate 4 thin piece of catfish, 1 baked potatoe, 5 small hushpuppies, about 1/2 cup peach cobbler, drank a glass of coke and it was the real thing baby. Burped like a sailor and it was GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So am able to eat way too much. Usually don't but this was a special occassion and I knew everything would change today so I just did it. Myra

3loves I'm in the same boat. scale hasn't moved down in six weeks. Bonus is that it's not going up. Going for fill #2 tomorrow. I have known for a while I needed but doc wanted to see me at the end of this month before having it. Not looking forward to the liquids but oh well. Just have to grin and bear it.:heh: M

gadgetlady I believe mysherrijo was approved by insurance but chose to selfpay and went to Mexico. M

Well my husband has been reading about negative calorie foods. I know there is controversy over this but that's not the point. So I made him a plate of stir fried veggies and he really liked them In a very LARGE skillet over medium heat 1 - 2 Tbs of butter with 1 Tbs canola oil First stir fry Vidalia Onions and Bell Pepper strips (about five minutes) Second add Broccoli Florets (about 2 - 3 minutes) Third add One can Whole Kernel Corn (about 2 - 3 minutes for these) One can Whole Green Beans One can Sliced Carrots One can Sweet Peas Add one box of sliced Mushrooms Sprinkle with Black Pepper. Continue to stir until everything in soft. Add olive oil if you need more oil. I added Olive Oil two or three times. Sprinkle Garlic Salt and or Cajun Seasoning when done. Also you could put some shredded cheese or Parmesan cheese on it. I sliced up Cubed Beef Steak and added some brown rice. Very filling. Myra