downsdc

Hi Slim-in-TN, Just got back from my conference with Dr. Ponce. I took my CamelBak bottle with me and he said it would be fine. Unfortunately he won't operate on me until I get my blood sugar average down below 180 (I am a diabetic). So they are going to refer me to the Memorial Hospital Diabetes/Nutrition program to get it down. They said that they could possibly coordinate it with my pre-op diet so it won't cause too much of a delay. So no surgery date yet. I got printed confirmation that my fills will be $50 the first year. Also, since I am self-pay I don't have to pay the $95 for the nutrition/psyc eval (it is included in the price I was quoted). My upper GI diagnosed that I have a Hiatal Hernia. It will be fixed during the surgery at no extra charge.

This is the reply I got back from SportProtein.com when I ask about the egg white protein powder they sell. ----------------- Yes, it will be good for ten months. No, it does not have to be kept refrigerated. The main thing is that you need to keep it dry. Most people just keep it in the cupboard or pantry, and this works fine. I think you will be pleased with the value of the product. Also, it is lab tested, and USDA approved before shipment. Please let me know if I may help you further. -Thanks, Ryan

Hi tree9148, I just realized by going deeper into the website that I can also buy a 2LB trial size and a 5LB size of the egg white Protein powder. Does this have to be refrigerated after the box has been opened? The price looks really good.

Hi tree9148, Looks like the eggwhite Protein is sold in a 10lb box. What kind of shelf-life does it have? It would take me a long time to use 10lbs a tablespoon at a time.

Ambraberger, The grape New-Whey (half of 42g tube), a stick of Crystal Lite lemonade and 24oz Water is great! I bought a tube of Orange and Blue Raspberry also, so I'll be trying those the next two days.

Jarrow Formulas Whey Protein Unflavored. It comes in a 2LB container and cost $18.95 plus shipping from Amazon (retail is $24). You get 40 scoops from each container, so if you ignore the shipping cost, it costs about 47 cents a serving. I stopped by my local Vitamin Shoppe and they didn't have it in stock, so they have ordered it for me. I hope it is really unflavored - if not, I'm going to take it back (Vitamin Shoppe policy will let you do this). The manager at the store said Jarrow Formulas is a really big supplement company, so I'm hoping for the best. Here is the link at Amazon.com: [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Whey-Protein-Unflavored-2-lbs/dp/B0001TO8NU/ref=pd_cp_hpc_2?pf_rd_p=413863001&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00028O77W&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0P8KQATPYEAMHJ4MZFKV]Amazon.com: Whey Protein Unflavored 2 lbs.: Health & Personal Care[/ame]

Hey guys, I have my consult on 10/14 so hopefully I'll be banded in the next month or so. Glad to see the mens forum - I appears that most of the people on lapbandtalk are women. I'm from Ooltewah, TN (just outside of Chattanooga) and Dr. Ponce from the Gastric Band Institute is going to do my surgery in Dalton, GA (30 miles below Chattanooga). When they did my upper gi, they found I have a hiatal hernia but I've been told that it would probably fixed while the band was being put it (I'll find out at my consult). Any else had this issue?

Hi Kim, I'm from Ooltewah too. I don't know when I'm going to be banded yet - I have my consult with Dr. Ponce at the Gastric Band Institute on 10/14. I'll let you know how it goes. Do you have your surgery date yet? Also, who is you surgeon? Craig

I forgot to add that I HATE the taste of diet sodas (we call them soft drinks down here in Tennessee) because of the aftertaste, so I'm really pleased that I've found something that I like to drink and that gives me protein also.

I agree, $3.50 is high. But looks like I'm going to have to get some type of Protein supplement, and I don't really like the milkshake type drinks. I haven't been banded yet (my consult is this coming Tuesday), but since my wife and I eat out alot, I figure by the time I eliminate my eating-out meals (we'll be sharing food), carbonated drinks, etc it will proably be a wash. I've also ordered some unflavored protein power that I can add to Soup, yougurt, etc that prices out to about 50 cents per serving (18g protein). In larger quantities you can get the price down to as low as $2.19 per (96 vials) at (www.bariatricchoice.com) . I haven't tried grape yet, but it should be good. No funny taste as long as you mix HALF of the 42g vial with 24oz Water. I tried the whole 42g in 24 oz and it did have a slight aftertaste. I'm experimenting with different flavors of crystal lite (actually the Walmart brand) to see what flavor combinations I like best. I don't think I could stand drinking the 42g straight. It has the consistency of cough syrup.

I get my IDS New-Whey 42g Protein bullets at the Vitamin Shoppe here in Chattanooga. You can find them cheaper on the internet in larger quantities. I've been adding half of the 42g tube (fruit punch is my favorite) to 24oz of Water along with a "stick" of crystal lite. No bad taste at all - just taste like fruit punch. I drink two 24oz bottle a day, so I get 48oz of water and 42g of protein just from this drink. You can make up the rest of the protein you need pretty easily. Here is a link for the IDS New-Whey at the Vitamin Shoppe website. New Whey Liq Protein 42 Fruit by IDS Sports - VitaminShoppe.com

I bought my IDS New-Whey 42g Protein "bullet" at the Vitamin Shoppe (next to McDonalds on Gunbarrel Road). $3.50 for one (already refrigerated), or you can buy 12 for $36. You can find them cheaper on the internet. I bought some Walmart Brand Cherry Limeade and Fruit Punch sugar-free "stick packs" tonite. The Cherry Limeade is really good in 24oz of Water. I'll add half of a 42g fruit punch flavored bullet tomorrow in my CamelBak bottle and see how it tastes.

What is your favorite unflavored Protein powder? I'm looking for something I can add to Soups, yogurt, etc. We have GNC and Vitamin Shoppe both here in Chattanooga, but something from WalMart or Sams Club would be fine also (actually better if it is cheaper). thanks in advance for the responses.

Has anyone had any experience with Jarrow Formulas Whey Protein Unflavored? Looks like the cost per serving ratio is pretty good. 40 servings for about $19 (2LB bottle at Amazon.com) so it is about 50 cents per serving with 18G protein and 85 calories. It is also sold at the Vitamin Shoppe, but I haven't checked that price.

Thanks slim-n-tn about the heads-up about straws. I haven't had my conference yet with Dr. Ponce so I hadn't heard the rules. I bought the CamelBak bottle today, and the straw is integrated into the underside of the screw lid, with a special flip-up bite valve that you bite while you sip. So there couldn't be much air getting into the straw. I'll bring it with me Tuesday and see what Dr. Ponce says. The bottle at Rock Creek was $13 and the insulated sleeve was $10. First time I had visited Rock Creek since they moved - the store is huge and very nice. I tried pouring the entire New-Whey 42g Protein bullet into the 24 oz (.75 liter) CamelBak bottle and topping off with Water - it does have a slight aftertaste that I don't remember from the 25g bullet. I think I'll probably put half of the bullet into the bottle twice a day - that will give me 48 oz of liquid and a total of 42g protein. Also, I'm going to try adding crystal light also. Maybe by the time I start my pre-op diet I'll have this down.

I told my wife this morning about the CamelBak Better bottle and she asked if it was insulated - I hadn't thought about that. So I went back to www.rockcreek.com and found out that CamelBak also sells an insulated sleeve for the bottle. But the sleeve is only available for the .75 liter (24oz) bottle. So I guess my wife and I will buy the .75 liter version (she wants pink). Here is a link to see what it looks like: CamelBak

My consult with Dr. Ponce is this coming Tuesday (10/14) at Memorial Atrium on Gunbarrel Road. I'll let y'all know how it goes. I'm planning on having my surgery done in Dalton, GA. By the way, I've been google searching for a 32oz BPA-free water bottle, and Rock Creek Outfitters (North Shore Chattanooga) sells what looks like a great one, the CamelBak Better 1 liter bottle (spill-proof, dishwasher safe, and it comes in several colors). About $12 if I remember correctly. I'm probably going to buy one tomorrow. You can check it out at rockcreek.com.

Just got my EOB back from BCBSTX for my upper gi. They paid all of it! At least I got the insurance company to pay for something...I still have to pay over 15K myself.

Unfortunately I don't carry a purse. :-) But I've been thinking about mixing the bullets with water and drinking that throughout the day. That way I get my water and I also get the protein. I've only tried the 25g New-Whey and I hear that the 42g version is a little thick, so diluting it should work.

I attended a Gastric Band Institute seminar at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo and I have my first consultation with Dr. Ponce Tuesday 10/14. I'm from Ooltewah, TN (just outside of Chattanooga).

I like IDS Sports New-whey Liquid Protein. It is a premixed drink in a container that looks like a large test tube. 3.1 Fluid ounces in 25g and 42g protein versions. My favorite is fruit punch. You can drink it straight (no weird taste) or mix it with Water, etc. Here is a link to see what it looks like. I bought mine at the Vitamin Shoppe. IDS Sports New-Whey Liquid Protein, 25 g Protein (2.9 oz. vial)

I just googled and found this ideal body weight formula. Better than most because it tells you how to calculate your frame size and takes frame size into account. Ideal Weight Calculator

Thanks for the formula on calculating our daily protein intake. What is the best way to determine my goal weight? I'm 5'6" and I've been over 250 pounds for at least 20 years, so I'm not sure what it should be at my age (54 tomorrow).

I have flown alot with my C-PAP and it has never been any trouble. I put it in a carry-on so it is easy to open up if they want to swab it - but usually they don't. Sometimes they ask what it is and I tell them it is a C-PAP. Shouldn't be a problem at all. I don't take it out like a laptop and they have never asked me to remove it from the bag.

I was told my consult is $250 and I also have to pay $1000 down to schedule my surgery. As far as I know the $1000 reduces the cost I was quoted ($14,900). But I'll be sure and check. I don't want any surprises.