Woofay

Hi! H-pylori is the bacteria that causes gastric ulcers. (stress and foods were once the thought that caused them) I believe, I could be wrong, that you never get rid of it completely. But, I would imagine that the total count would have to be reduced before surgery would be done for gastric bypass, since they completely cut your stomach. Don't worry, lots and lots of us have this bacteria! Glad they are able to go through with your surgery as scheduled!:tt1:

OH YA~~Disclaimer...this is just my opinion and my experience. No references to other's or their experiences is intended or implied. (hee hee! Sorry, just being silly) Also, who told you to not pick a surgeon who has not performed at least 500 lap bands? Wonder where that kind of stuff comes from? Have a great day!

Hi, Want2bmeagain! Congrats on your decision to be banded. It's a huge one. Dr K doesn't just do lap band surgery. He is a regular surgeon. He is one of the leaders, pioneers and perfectors of all laproscopic surgery. He has changed and perfected his band placements to the point of really no errosion or slippage. I did allow myself to get too full with one of my fills and it was a nasty reaction! I called him at 8 in the morning and he returned my call at 8:05. I'm not kidding. He had me meet him at the hospital that he was performing surgeries at that day at 10:00, which really was as soon as I could possibly make it. (I'm in the Springs and his surgerical center is in Parker) My problem was fixed right then, right there. Just like that. The first three months of adjustments and fills are free, whether that be three fills or 10. After that you pay $15.00 for a fill. If you just go in for an appointment after your three months and you and he decide that you don't need a fill, you pay nothing. There are a few things that are a factor, though. It's a very busy office. So if your appointment is at 1, the chances of you being seen at 1 are slim ("slim" get it? Hee hee!) (sorry ). Probably partly because of the amount of people he sees in one day and the fact that he is very responsive to his patients and if someone (like me!) calls with a problem, he calls them back. It all takes his time. Plus if a consult needs more info and takes an hour of his time, he gives it. I, however, have never had any kind of doctor appointment, regardless of office or reason, that I was seen within an hour of my appointment. That's just how doctors' offices are. (I've seen some people just blow a gasket over this!) Also, his waiting room and consult rooms are small and not overly fancy. I know, this sounds fairly petty in the realm of surgical experience and care, but believe it or not, someone on the board was put off by this. So if ambiance and size of the office matter to you, take that into consideration. There are no fancy chandeleirs, vaulted ceilings, or plush leather couches to wait in. It's a doctor's waiting room. Period. I have heard rumor though that he is planning to move his practice. I don't know how much truth is in that. It's just what I've heard. I wouldn't care if it was in the basement of a factory. I've had the best care that I could have ever hoped for. But that's just me. I'm not an aesthetics person. Having banding with him also gives you a monthly support group free of charge. (like Mal said) It can be very helpful for some people. (not sure how much you would utilize something like this as 6 hours is a long time to drive!) I have made the hour and twenty minute drive for it. Its just a matter of where you are mentally with your weight and what effects a large weight loss will have on you. My surgery was April 13th, (a friday!!! lol) and I recovered very quickly. I've had serveral previous surgeries (unrelated, years ago) and I have never come out of anesthesia so easily or recovered so easily. I did have one issue. I had a reaction to the adhesive that is used for the tape over the incisions. Man did I itch! But with my sensative skin, I would have been surprised if something didn't happen. That's about it. I've tried to be partial about the info, but I'm so pleased with his office, that it's hard for me not to be prejudicial about it. There is no psych eval or huge panel of medical tests to go through. He is the final decision on whether you recieve it though. You know, the certain criteria needed to have obesity surgery. BMI, health factors, stuff like that. Let us know if you have any other questions. Hope that we can help! :bounce:

Yeah! That is absolutely amazing! You are absolutely amazing! Congratulations! :clap2:

There is also IDS liquid protein vials that are 42 gms of protein per 3.1 oz. They come in grape, fruit punch and orange. If you dilute half a vial in about 10 oz of water and ice, its not too bad. Or, I mix 1/2 a vial in diet cranberry juice and it really isn't bad at all. (Diet cranberry juice has 5 cal per 8 oz) I'm not a big fan of protein supplements...yucky! They seem to be more affordable than isopure. They run me about $2.65 a vial compared to more than $3.00 per isopure. Doing 1/2 vial between bfast & lunch, and lunch & dinner (1 full vial/day) supplements my day pretty well. Good luck with finding the protein supplement that works for you!

I'm only a little over 7 weeks out from surgery, but yes, I would do it again. So far it's worked very well for me.

Hi! I'm in Colorado too. I've been doing a bit of research too. I'm in the Springs, how about you? I found Dr. Smith in Pueblo and I'm going to the seminar on the 20th. He has a great web site at Colorado Lap Band.com. Have you found anything worthwhile? I also found some doctors in Denver, but not sure where I'm going yet either. Let me know if you find anything good. Dr. Smith posts his fees on the web site. I'm new to the post also. Good luck to you, and welcome.

Hi, this is my first post also. My seminar date is March 20th and they said they usually are able to perform surgery within 4 weeks of that. Little scary! I'm in Colorado and looking to have it done in Pueblo. Anyone from Colorado with good advice with doctors in this state? I'm self-pay, so I'm looking for best payment options. This surgery seems to range from $13,000 - $19,000 here. I'm not exactly looking for the best deal/price. This isn't something to give to the cheapest bidder. But if surgeons are equally quilified, I'm also willing to keep the extra $4,000 or so for myself. I'm glad that there are people like THODIE55 and others that I can go through this with. This is quite the adventure! I've pretty much been heavy my whole life. I managed to lose a hundred pounds my first two years of high school, but I did it so wrong...every bad thing in the world I could do to myself to lose weight I did. And slowly gained weight from there. 22 years of 7 pounds more really adds up. Well, here's to us and the decisions that are right for us!!! Look forward to getting to know you all! Woofay