GayleTX

www.bariatriceating.com carries the best quality and best tasting protein products on the market IMO. All of the products they carry are for bariatric patients unlike the products at places like GNC and the bodybuilder gyms. BE sells a basket of samples of many different brands and they've got good recipes for using them on their website. My personal favorite brand is Whey Gourmet powder (23 grams per scoop) and my favorite RTD is Labrada cartons (17 oz), 35 grams per carton.

Crackers are not mentioned in your literture because they are really not a good choice for people who want to lose weight. They are considered a white starch (one of the evil carbs) and just not something we need to waste our valuable pouch space on. Yes, they go down well, but that's not the point. We need to eat protein first, then good carbs like veggies and beans and cheese. That's part of the retraining we've got to do for ourselves.

The closest two that I can recommend (knowing reputations) are Dr. Warnock in Wichita Falls and Dr. Stewart (Stuart?) in Decatur. Both are very experienced and those hospitals and staffs are very familiar with bariatric patients and their needs....and they have the large size equipment, etc. that are necessary. There may be some closer to you, but you need to make sure they have done lots of lapbands, not but RNY's. I had mine done in Decatur by a Dallas surgeon who goes there every two weeks - that's the hospital my insurance approved because of their experience, etc). I was impressed with the facilities and with the nurses - they do several a day there and know what they are doing.

There will be others who can give you much more information that I can, but I just wanted to say that yes, medicare will approve the surgery...however, there are very few doctors that will accept medicare insurance for weight loss surgery - at least in my area, it may be different in other areas. You and I must be about the same age....I hope you are able to have surgery and that it improves your life as much as it has mine. Best wishes to you!

There have been several gastric restriction bands, but the Allergan (Inamed) Lapband (and Lapband is a brand name) has been the most common for a few years. About a year ago they came out with a 'new and improved' Allergan AP. It is very similar to the J&J Realize Band, which just came out a few months ago in the US (altho it has been used in EU and Australia for years under another name). Many doctors are certified by the manufacturers to do both, some one or the other.

Wear something that you can just pull up and show your port area so you won't have to get undressed.....like pants and loose overblouse....no longline bra, highrise girdle, etc.

Most surgeon's offices have support groups or they can at least refer her to one in her area. However, I'll warn you.....many support groups are not all that...uh, supportive. Many of them are just gripe sessions or people sharing 'tricks' on how to get around the rules. Not all - it depends on how well it's run and by whom. Many people have found the message boards such as this one to be much more helpful than groups......and much more accessible. The ideal situation would, of course, to have a good local support group with accurate and helpful information combined with a good involvement in a message board....it's 24/7 access to support and information. I'm glad your sister is doing well, but the first few weeks are the easy ones....other than being hungry after the swelling goes down from the surgery. After she begins to get fills, her eating and lifestyle habits will get a little more difficult to manage, especially since she works away from home. People react differently to fills, and she will need new ideas for appropriate foods, drinks, proteins, and managing the way you feel when you actually begin to get some restriction (sometimes it takes 2-3-4 fills). She's lucky to have a caring sister....that's more than a lot of people have....but you are right - she needs to get a connection to some successful bandsters who can guide her through the changes she's facing.

You guessed right........it's normal to feel sore and irritated after a bad episide.........after you have a stuck episode, you need to go on liquids for a day or two, let the swelling and irritation in the esophagus heal, then start back on mushies and see how well you tolerate it. And while it still tender, just take small sips, not big swallows.

Everyone's experience is different, but I experienced no pain at all.....never even had a gas pain. I was at the hospital from 10 a.m. to 2:30 pm then made a 2 hr car ride home. I was beginning to wonder if they really did anything to me while I was asleep but they did something that worked - I lost 160 lbs. Now I have a pretty easy life....I wasn't having to go to work or clean house or chase a baby like you do and I'm sure that makes a lot of difference.....you should really plan to have someone around to help you out with the baby and your chores so you can heal well and be able to spend some time preparing your foods correctly. I know that some people have a more difficult experience, but in reading the boards for 3 years now it seems most LB patients are back in full swing in less than a week.

If you have a Realize band, your best online support is going to come from the Realize website.....the surgeon should have given you a code or password to get into that website. If not, please call them and ask for one....it's very helpful. Of course, you are also welcome to read and post on any of the other boards, too, any time......just wanted to make sure you are aware of the Realize board.

Got mine at age 62....didn't have so much as a gas pain. Came off all diabetes, blood pressure, etc meds within just a few months. I lost 160 lbs in 18 month......BMI went from 62 to 34. I feel better than I've felt in decades!! BUT you have to eat right and use your head along with your band....it doesn't work by itself! I choose to eat by the guidelines that a gastric bypass patient has to eat....it's worked for many people I know.

Usually when you have a stuck episode or PB episode, your esophagus will swell or be irritted.......it's best to stick to liquids for a day or so and let the swelling go down and the irritation heal. I find that a good thick protein drink is soothing when you're irritated inside.