kittyforet

Hi! My band date isn't until June 20, but I'm trying to absorb all I can between now and then! I appreciate the feedback and support this site has offered. I wanted to find out about medicines, OTC stuff after banding.... 1. Vitamins...any suggestions? The last time I had a chewable was Flintstones brand, more than 20 years ago, and even then they tasted like flavored cardboard....gross!! Are they still that way today? Anyone tried the adult vitamins like the Centrum, etc.? Or the gummy vitamins? I'd love to hear everyone's suggestions and ideas. 2. OTC and/or prescription painkillers....how bad do the liquids taste? I can't even drink Nyquil due to the taste so I'm worried about getting pain relief. Has anyone tried taking the children's dissolvable tylenol products? Drinking my medicines makes me gag!!! How about the gas strips that dissolve on your tongue? The only liquid I've ever been able to drink was Mylanta cherry supreme while pregnant, and I carried bottles of that in my purse to swig when needed, but it wasn't the best-tasting stuff either!!! Anyone had the pharmacy add flavoring to your prescriptions? 3. The incision areas...are they taped or stapled after surgery? Anyone use any type of scar cream on them? I've had my gallbladder removed laproscopically and still see those scars; between those and the c-section scars, I never really saw a need to try to minimize the scars. Battle wounds... 4. Anyone use a belly band or some type of restrictive device after surgery? After my c-sections I loved that feeling of getting strapped in and secured....wasn't sure if this surgery would warrant one. Thanks!!

Thanks dk4k and Mandyb! I will write down your suggestions and look for them the next time I'm at the store. I really appreciate it!

I'm using Dr. Reilly at True Results in Houston. Met him the other day for pre-op and he seems really nice and answered all my questions. I've also heard good things about Dr. Hollis (at True Results) and Dr. Spivak.

GRRRR TAKS!!!! It seems like it's been a full moon all month!!! I teach high school too!!!! So ready for summer!!! Congrats on your success and your co-worker needs a kick in the rear!!! so happy that the student recognized your awesome success and had the brains to speak up!!! It's gotta be nice to have people you don't interact with daily notice your hard work! Keep it up, and TAKS is almost done!!!! quote name='Mrs.Doxie' timestamp='1303386862' post='1603620'] I teach high school. This is the spring. I teach high school. We've had a full moon. I teach high school. We have TAKS (state mandated standardized testing) next week. I teach high school. OK, so now that we've gotten the basics out of the way... After school today a very well-meaning co-worker asked me what size I have gotten down to. I tell her a 12 and she responds with "Back when I was chubbier, I got this dress that I only wore once that is a size 12. It is just sitting in my closet and I'll never wear it again. I just wanted to offer it to you if you'd like it." GEEZ!!! I've lost 65 pounds and dropped from a size 20 to a 12 and you want to start off with "back when I was chubbier" in reference to a size 12?!?!?! Come on people, THINK before you speak!!! Not 10 minutes later, a senior boy (who I've never taught) stops me as I am walking by his table and says "Mrs. Huebotter, I just wanted to tell you, you look amazing!". At this point, I am shocked and just stop and look at him. As I realized he is starting to get embarrassed, I have to check myself to say "thank you, I've been working really hard at it." He responds with "I can tell." Sometimes God knows what we need right when we need it. I sure needed an "amazing!"

Forgot to mention that I ordered it from mybariatricpantry.com

I opened my sample pack today and tried the "Caribben Cooler" one....it tasted like a watered-down pina colada!! I only mixed it with Water, but next time will try adding it with crushed ice and maybe add some pineapple juice or coconut milk.....it wasn't as bad as I expected!!! Might even add some fresh or frozen fruit.... looking forward to trying all of the flavors except the capuccino (don't care for coffee) and the fuzzy navel (don't like peach).... I bought the sample pack for maybe $15 including shipping, it arrived FAST, and has 10 flavors. I didn't get to pick the flavors though. Each sample packet has 20 g Protein if you mix the entire packet with 8 oz. water.

Hi Johnelle! Congrats on the surgery and your progress so far!! I too have 3 kids but I'm 38....scheduled for surgery June 20th in Houston....the wait is killing me but I'm a teacher so it's best to wait until I'm off for the summer..... I started in March at 222 and when I went for pre-op this week was already down 5 pounds...I've started replacing 5 meals per week with a Protein Shake and hopeful to lose more weight before June. I too would love to be 120!!!! Haven't seen that since high school!!! How was your surgery? And your recovery so far? Any tips for either the pre-surgery diet or post diet? I'd love a buddy if you want to add me!!! I don't know if you send me a message here or an email.... still new to this forum!

I ordered the sample pack and can't wait to try it!!! I've gotten sample sizes from several different brands so I can have some variety.

Hey Sandy1! How are you doing?? How's recovery going??? How did you like Dr. Hollis? I had pre-op at TR yesterday and met Dr. Reilly and he seems nice...cleared for surgery, but had to move the date to June so I don't have to miss work, as it's impossible to get a sub teacher!!! Keep me posted on your results!!

CONGRATS!!!! Rest and take care of yourself!!! Today is the start of a new you! Keep us posted!!!

Good luck!! you're only a failure if you don't try or use an excuse for everything!!! Please keep me posted!!! Best of luck to you!!! You've made it this far!!

I've been told NO carbonation, but that you can take a coke and let it go flat, then drink it. I have a banded friend that still drinks Dr Pepper daily with no problems, but she is also not losing weight..... I too am horrified about no longer having a daily COKE but if it means that I will finally lose the weight then it will be worth it!! Who knows, maybe tasting a flat coke will turn me off of them anyway!! Good luck!

Thanks for the info and good advice. I don't get my band until June but I am soaking up all I can between now and then. I'd love to have your recipes if you will share. Thanks and wishing you the best!!!

Glad you made it home and that you're ok. Keep us postede!

GOOD LUCK!!!!! Keep us posted!!

Hi everyone! I'd like to hear opinions on protein shakes/drinks....everyone has their favorites so I'm hoping to find out what tastes good, what you've tried, what NOT to try, etc. I love milkshakes and like chocolate milk, but I want to find things I can buy that will get me through my pre-op and post-op..... Also, if you recommend something, please list where you purchased it in case I'd like to try it too! I'm trying to get a varied diet of protein and other "liquid" food sources so I can have it handy!!! Thanks!

I am going through True Results in Houston, Texas, and their self-pay is $9900.00. During my individual consultation, they were able to perform many of the pre-qualification steps, like an office visit, stress test, etc. and I only had to pay my insurance fee of $50.00. Then I had to do a psych eval, and that was $65.00, since I still owed a little on my deductible..... I just finished my 2 sleep studies, and haven't gotten the bill for either of those yet, but I'm estimating my out of pocket total for those will be about $600, not including the cost of renting a CPAP machine, which I've been told I will be required to do, so add another $300.00 to that... I think they said my fee for surgery also includes fills for the first year..... So, all of the above, plus the Protein shakes, Vitamins, etc. mileage for driving all over town, will be around $12500.00........ IF insurance would have covered it, I think out of pocket would be about $3000.00. Not exactly cheap, but if it will help me be healthier, live longer, and be happy with my own body, it's worth it. I don't remember my BMI but i am 5 foot tall and weigh 222. Being banded will be my 6th surgery in 10 years....3 c-sections, 1 ear surgery, gall bladder removed........ Good luck!!! I go meet the surgeon Thursday, hoping for the best!!!

My insurance (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas) specifically EXCLUDES weight loss surgery, even if it were to save my life. I've heard SOME people that have BCBS get it covered, but I've had it checked 4 times now, and it is still excluded on our policy....gotta love my husband's policy thru work!!! So, I am a self-pay. Getting the surgery done instead of trading up for a better mommy-van..... I too was worried that I wasn't "heavy" enough and that the doctor's office would deny me, but NOPE!!! If your BMI is low enough to still be considered obese, then most doctors will consider you, especially if you're self-pay. They won't turn down guaranteed money....IMHO. Good luck!! I don't live in NYC, but in Texas, so I can't offer advice as far as doctors. Keep us posted.

Thanks amyjotnj. I have a sample of the unjury unflavored....I will try your pudding suggestion. I also purchased some store-brand "Silk" milk today since it was on sale, so I will try that with my samples of Unjury chocolate and vanilla.

I go on April 21 to True Results in Houston to meet with Dr. Reilly....banding is planned for May 12, 2011! I'd like a buddy or group of buddies too!!!!!

Best of luck to you. I know that you've made a change in your life for the better. I'm going to look up the books you suggested. Keep us posted on your progress!!!!

Thanks rosiej. I've ordered some of the unjury powder sample pack but never tried silk......might have to buy some of that since I just found a coupon for it!!!

Thanks Asherscrashers. I acutally purchased a sample pack of nectar brand powder, but I didn't get to choose which flavors....but the names sure sound good!!! Can't wait to try them! Do they fill you up? So far I've ordered a sample pack of Nectar brand powder, unjury powder, and the Ideal chocolate Milk Diet.... I also asked my mom (a nurse) to ask the dieticians at her hospital which they recommend, and see if they had any samples for me to try. Hoping I like them all!!!!!!

Thanks for the information AND inspiration!!!!

I will meet Dr. Reilly on April 21 for pre-op. I've heard good things about him as well. Rachel is also my patient coordinator.....