Nikaweez

If you're considering LapBand, you must start with your GP first. Lapband.com has excellent resources and how to get started advice. Check it out.

The Buried Treasure liquid tastes citrusy. It's made in a base of pineapple juice and there are also strong orange flavors. There is a lingering irony taste. Overall, it's not bad! and I occasionally will mix it into some citrus juice just for something different. Usually, i just do a shot of it and be done. I've been using it for just short of a year now and it's very complete. In fact, the liquid is so easy for my body to absorb that w/in an hour, i can smell the vitamins emanating from my skin! Liquids are good that way for anybody (men, women, banded, not banded). It's very easy for the body to absorb them when they're in that form.

I use "Buried Treasure DHA Complete Prenatals". It's a liquid and i buy them from amazon.com: Amazon.com: Buried Treasure - Prenatal Plus Dha Complete, 16 fl oz liquid: Health & Personal Care

I just noticed this thread after i posted the following in a new thread: I see this thread was created well over a year ago. Can anyone give me an update? How did things go w/ your port discomfort?

Hello All! I'm currently 23 weeks pregnant and have been having port discomfort for a couple weeks now. I'm fairly certain it has everything to do w/ my musculature changing, but I was curious if anyone else was experiencing this. I've often had port discomfort even before becoming pregnant whenever I introduced new strenuous activity into my life. I'm pretty sure that Pregnancy is definately a strenuous activity for the body! My port is located just under my right breast a little off center. I've had 2 follow-up care doctors aside from my Surgeon that have commented on the odd placement of my port - so, again, i fully believe that the port discomfort i feel stems from the location and how active that area of the body is. I'm not at all worried about the discomfort as it goes away with rest - but i'm curious if you feel this too. thanks!

Tina, I will PM you to share my experience. Stay tuned.

Tina, welcome to the jourrney!! Congrats on your approval. You and I haven't spoken before, but please feel free to email me w/ any questions you might have. I HIGHLY recommend getting the book "weight loss surgery for dummies". This was required reading by my surgeon (in the US) before he would approve for surgery and it answered so many things. from the technical stuff, to lifestyle stuff. It's very affordable on amazon.com. Again, shoot me an email if you have any burning questions: n.l.watson@hotmail.com good luck!

Please don't feel guilty for depriving your baby. The baby will rob mom of everything that he/she needs. That means, if you weren't consuming enough Calcium (for example) the baby will not hesitate to take it from your body (i.e. your bones). Also, it is well documented that you only need an additional 300 calories/day to grow a baby and that need exists mainly in the 3rd trimester. Finally, excess weight and too fast weight gain is stressful to both mom and baby. I think you made a good decision for yourself and your baby. IMHO

I started taking Buried Treasure Prenatals about 6 mos. before I got pregnant (i'm now a very early 7 weeks preg.) It is a liquid and VERY complete. I showed it to my OB/GYN and her eyes got big "WOW there's a lot of stuff in here". So I knew I made a good decision. Order it on amazon.com for the best price: Amazon.com: Buried Treasure - Prenatal Plus Dha Complete, 16 fl oz liquid: Health & Personal Care

No, i've not called yet. But I will certainly post an update when I do visit the new doc.

Katja, Yay, i'm so glad you found us!! Yes, Prof. Dr. W is a german doc in a german hospital (Frankfurt). Thankfully, i got a new doc's name last week. So, now, I just need to call them up and schedule a follow up visit. I'm sort of holding out right now, as i'm not in need of another doc visit yet. But at the same time, i'd like to call and find out what the wait time is. When i get back to work (where i've left this doc's name) I'm definatly posting again to see if anybody knows him/her. All i can remember right now is that he/she is in Mannheim. Sadly, Stuttgart is too far for me to drive...unless I try the Mannheim connection and find it equally as distastful. Ok, now you're thinking, geez, this Nikki is a Bi*ch...but no, i just have needs, and I"m not going to pay 600$ for my needs to be ignored!

Excellent! Thanks M, I'll be calling TriCare today!

armywife4life - don't be bummed!! Form your own opinion of your doctor. Perhaps he dislikes bringing on fill patients (the people he didn't operate on). Perhaps he was having a bad day. Don't you worry. You've made the best decision in your life! And stay with it. Just remember to inform and educate your self. Become your on subject matter expert and ask LOTS of questions (of the doc, of the proceedure, of life post banding.) Be your own advocate and surround yourself with people who will help you - including Dr. Weiner if he continues to satisfys your needs. Congrats on the weight loss and for having the courage to take responsibility of your life!!

My last fill with Dr. Weiner (Mon, July 28) was a horrible experience. This was my 2nd time seeing the doc and I have to admit, the first time wasn't spectacular either, but not nearly as bad. I first saw Dr. W and had the chit-chat part in his office/exam room. I expressed that I had reached a plateau and that I was beginning to gain weight again. He started lecturing me about snacking and eating habits, which is always good to hear and reinforce. However some of his advice was opposite what my original surgeon and his support staff told me. So i was confused. Then he put me up on the exam bed to ultrasound my gallbladder. At which time, he saw that my port is on the right side. He lectured me about my port being on the wrong side! I just wanted to shout "Uh, dude! I was UNCONSCIOUS when it happened. I had nothing to do with it and my surgeon does hundreds of bands each year!!" We talked for a bit more after the quick ultrasound and then he asked me "so what do you want ME to do?" My jaw dropped...i paused...then I suggested that I get a fill. He said, "well, do you think you need it?". *grumble, grumble, grumble* Eventually he sent me off to radiology where he later came to do my fill. The first time I had visited, a different doc did the fill than Dr. W, this time it was Dr. W. Let me say, it was horrifying! He couldn't find the port, he stabbed me several times and moved the needle around inside of me. Long story short, i nearly fainted when i got off the bed and I have 2 dracula like holes w/ bruises in my abdomen. I got my fill and i've since lost more weight. In fact, today is my 5month mark. I've lost a total of 37 lbs and a BUNCH of inches. I had a non-scale victory this morning when i pulled a pair of trousers out of my "skinny clothes bag" and they fit better than anything else I've got in my closet now.:w00t: In the mean time, I search for a new fill doctor.

Hey my K-town bandsters! How are things going for you?? I am desperately searching for a new Fill doctor. Can anyone help out? I'm currently seeing Dr. R. Weiner out of Frankfurt and am simply unhappy with his service. I'd love to hear about your docs!!