Anthony

Starting weight: 315 At my lowest weight, 240, when I would usually do about 6-8 hours of weightlifting in the gym.. Usually I would consume 6-10 scoops of Champion Nutrition whey Stack per day. This was always mixed with Water. I am not lactose intolerant. 200grams was the average, 400grams would happen only once in a great while. If I were still hungry I would eat lean, grilled chicken. My doctor and nutritionist had no problem with me consuming 1 gram of Protein per body pound, given my age and weight training schedule. I remember when I had my labs drawn 1 year after my surgery date, my protein values were at the upper range of healthy... My surgeon pointed this out and inquired about what type of protein I was cosuming and how much. I told him, his reply was something along the lines of "That's great, just make sure you drink enough water". 1-2 grams of protein per day per pound of bodyweight is the norm for serious gym freqentuers these days. The extra protein truly decreases your recovery time, but each additional gram consumed beyond a certain point results a diminishing rate of returned benefits (somewhere around the 1g/lb ratio, this should be based upon IDEAL bodyweight, which sets me up for 200g/day). It was either consume more protein, be hungry, or consume fat. ***I should add in that I only maintained this plateau for 8 months, afterwhich, I finally gave in to the fattier or more carb loaded foods. I could never break the 240 limit for any longer than a week, because at this point I would get so hungry that I was distracted from nearly everything else*** I have now cut back to about 100 grams of protein per day since I am not in training.

Constant hunger pangs while my pouch is full is one of my main quibbles with the band. At my lowest weight, I would be hungry, even with 400grams of Protein per day, yes, 400grams (approximately 200g from whey protein, 200mg from lean chicken or fish). I'll hopefully see this vanish when I'm converted to a VG.

Dr. Oliak is my LapBand Surgeon. He is awesome. I wouldnt see any of the other doctors in his old group, though (I believe this is why he seperated from them). Also, I've heard praise about Dr. Leport Check this link for lap band docs in Cali: http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/bariatric+surgeons+performing+Lap+Band+in+california.html

On March 1st I will be having my band removed, which will be revised to the Vertical Gastrectomy. I'll let you all know about my back pain after I recover enought to type, although I may not have computer access until a week after the procedure. I'll keep you all updated.

So I've been shopping around for band removals, as is my mother, who is getting hers removed as well. We have both been told by our doctor who implanted them that it is a simple procedure that can be performed as outpatients. Other doctors have told me outpatient or overnight depending on current health. However, this depends on WHICH removal procedure is being performed. I have been told that there are two procedures. The first, and least complicated is where the stitches are simply cut and the band is removed. This procedure is fast, but leaves bits of the stomach overlapped, since the stomach is essentially folded back on itself in order to stitch the band in. If you're not getting another band put in, you're probably having this. The second procedure involves removing the band and then revising the "overlapped" stomach. This is much more complicated and risky than the first option, and will require a much longer recovery time. If your doctor is planning on rebanding you, he will probably be doing this at the time that the new band is going to be implanted. This "revision" is also performed before other gastric surgery conversions can take place.

I am in no way affiliated with this product, I just wanted to share information about the best shaker cup that I have found. Buy them here: http://www.hsn.com/cnt/prod/default.aspx?webp_id=1683488&web_id=1683488&sz=0&sf=&dept=&cat=&subcat=&gs=&attr=&ocm=sekw or here: http://www.blenderbottle.com

I'll have to look into the magc bullet. Is there a portable version? The one thing I like about using shaker cups (versus powered blenders), is that they incorporate very little air into the final product, which means less gas!. Of course, they can NOT be used for blending. Their best use is for mixing powdered drinks.

For those of you have had, or are looking into band removal. Can you please provide me with information about surgeons/pricing? I am in California, and have been quoted a cash rate of $6,500 for removal. I have heard from a select few around the country (on other boards) about how inexpensive removal can be. I am willing to travel basically anywhere within the US.

Geezersue: thankyou

I have experienced uper/mid back pain since the day after I got my band put in. It has been consistent, and is one of the main reasons why I am having it removed.

Wow, this thread has become hijacked beyond belief. Starting weight: 315. I got down to 230, but at that level of fill, I had such extreme gas that functioning in any sort of environment where I had to sit for longer than 45 minutes (such as college) would be incomprehensible. I am now back at 270. At 6'1, this is nowhere near an ideal weight. As far as burping goes, it's a matter of band retention, when my fills are tighter, I can swallow air, but cannot get it to come back out, something that is a known problem with the band, albeit a rare one according to my surgeon. I am on a "regular" diet, regular in the sense that I can eat most common foods as long as they are not bready, or resistant to easily breaking down, such as raw fruits, raw vegetables, or meats, unless they are stewed or processed. I simply avoid all foods that make me "slime".

It's not gas pain. GAS-X usually clears that factor up pretty well.

mrsgdmc: You know, this reminds me of my first visits where I complained about the pain. My surgeon said it sounded alot like kidney stones and gave me a 3month vicoden script. I was also taking vioxx, which helped more than the vicoden. Ask the doc for a muscle relaxant instead of the lortab, it might help more. The best one that I've used thus far is Baclofen.

Tizag: Thanks for the input.

SouthTX: As far as the mattress replacement and sleeping pad adjustements go, been there, done that. As for the sleep meds and muslce relaxants, been there too. Also, I only WISH I could find a surgeon in the US who would remove this thing for less than my quoted $6,500. On tuesday I will be calling as many surgeons as possible to get price quotes.

The pain started within the first week of surgery. One theory of mine involves the fact that I sleep mostly on my left side/stomach, where the port is, so I figure that I could be compensating for it by contorting mildly in my sleep. Activity has not made a difference in the pain. Until I recently pulled my hamstring, I had impressed myself with my backpacking endeavors (16 miles in a day...an endeavor for me at least). The back surgeons that I have visited have tested my core strength and flexibility, nothing abnormal. At this point I just want it out.

Gallbladder was removed in 11/03. Pain persists regardless of fill levels. Pain is constant. I've been to my surgeon, hius solution was vicodin. Then went to 2 back surgeons as well as one chiropractor, all 3 have diagnosed it as muscular spasm with an unknown cause. The solution. Exercises and stretches for 2 years, which haven't helped. The spinal surgeons have suggested a longterm regimen of muscle relaxants and opiates, which help, but I'd prefer not to take these for any extended period.

My reasons for removal: Inability to burp and moderate-severe upper/mid back pain. The back pain effect happened immediately after surgery and has endured. The burping effect leads to severe gas, since the air has to take the long way out.

Thankyou for the reply Penni! Unfortunately, I have to pay cash for mine.

Inability to burp and moderate-severe upper/mid back pain. The back pain effect happened immediately after surgery and has endured. The burping effect leads to severe gas, since the air has to take the long way out.