kab1278

Thanks, MoreThanJustaPrettyFace!!!

I use the Syntrax nectar Natural line.. The peach is my favorite. They're made with Stevia so there are no artificial sweeteners in them. It's whey Protein isolate, but I don't get any aftertaste with them. 23g Protein, 90 cal, 0 carbs per scoop. I buy them online at supplementwarehouse.com.

The strawberry mousse from the regular line (sweetened with Splenda) is amazing too.

Hope that helps!

After a 9 month depressive period (seperate from any Band issues), I am in need of getting a lot of Protein into my system. I am focusing on lean meats...fish and chicken...but need a protein shake/water suppliment to get things going. While watching calories, I want to be sipping protein 24/7!

The only problem I seem tohave with have with Protein shakes is that whey protein seems to cause a weird, sweet after-taste in my throat and mouth an hour or so after I drink it. I used soy protein during my soft-food period after surgery and that seems to help. But I am looking for any suggestions.

I have seen that Ensure has a Protein shake now. Any good? How about the Water additives?

Thanks!!! Trying to get back on the losing-weight Band wagon!

Hi everyone! I haven't checked in FOREVER and have realized that I really need to get back on the Band wagon!

I haven't lost any weight in about a year and know that between off-limits food and no exercise, it has been a matter of choices (and illness) that have caused me to pause in my journey. The good news is that I haven't gained any weight. =)

Since last October, I have been fighting a major depressive period that has taken a real toll (have had depression/bipolar issues for years). I was unable to make actual meals and started living on Ritz, PB, and milk. Not exactly a Protein and Vitamin rich diet. Then, in January '12, I started ECT treatments that caused me to, more or less, lose 3 months of memory. I do know that I had 3 or 4 actual meals in that entire time because, with recovering from the ECT and the anesthetic, I was physically unable to make meals, let alone mentally able.

But...I am feeling better now and wanting SO much to start exercising again, putting me first again, and losing weight again. I have about 50lbs to go, so I need to visit for support. I am hoping that reconnecting with this forum will help me do so.

I wish everyone the best of luck...hope everyone with Band issue find resolution...everyone choosing a new surgery find health and weight loss, and that we all find some joy!

Hi there! I was banded 8/24/10 and am looking for online support to get back on track after a hard summer. I have gained back 7 pounds of the 60 I originally lost, and I would LOVE to have someone to discuss this with, along with ideas of how to refocus. I would also love to pass along words of encouragement and little facts I have learned here and there that have helped me, if they might help you!

I would love to meet a female, age 30ish-40ish, or even start a group for support. Wouldn't it be great to help each other?!

Send me a message! Let's talk soon! Good luck with your goals!!! :welldoneclap:

Commerical for the CAMC Weight Loss Center, where Dr. Sam Rossi now works.

Surgeon picture:

http://www.camc.org/body.cfm?id=18&action=detail&ref=147

Contact Info.:

Northgate Business Park,600 Tracy Way

Charleston, WV 25311

(304) 388-4965

My port flipped too, but since the hospital billed my insurance wrong the surgery ended up costing me $7000 instead of $2000, so there will be no more surgery for me. I had to just forget it. Gosh thinking about paying $7000 for losing 10lbs is so depressing I can't even tell you how disappointed I am. I never ever felt full within the limits of the intact they said I should eat. I can't exercise and they don't understand that either. It's not a matter of it just causing pain, it's a matter of me falling down and hurting myself. I think I've worked thru all this emotionally and then I find myself going thru all if it again. Probably every time that big monthly payment comes in. :>) Forgive me for being so negative. I'm really not that type person, but this has really thrown me for a loop. I was in such high hopes that I would be able to move without so much pain.

I too have "port pain' when I move especially bending over to pick something up. Oh well, no use crying over flipped port. LOL I'll go drink another Protein drink and try to work thru it one more time.

Have you spoken to the hospital about the codes used for the surgery? Hospitals can resubmit corrected claims very easily. I used to work for CareFirst BCBS and we allowed providers to resubmit corrected claims all the time. I would check your EOB for codes (sometimes, certain companies provide them on EOBs) and then track down what codes were used successfully for others on this forum. Then take those codes to the billing department of the hospital, or better yet, your surgeon, and explain the situation. The more you push for things to be corrected, (if there was indeed a mistake), the more likely it can get rebilled, so you have more financial opportunities. Hope this might help.

:welldoneclap:

Something I didn't consider when I had my LB surgery was the medication I took. I took an antibiotic (nortorious for hurting a normal stomach) and it irritated my pouch so much that my eating ability was difficult for over a month. It took a few weeks to realize that the antibiotic was just too much for my tiny pouch. Since my dermatologist (the prescribing doc) switched me to a time-released antibiotic, I have had no problems. Just something to consider and not learn about the hard way.

Something I didn't consider when I had my LB surgery was the medication I took. I took an antibiotic (nortorious for hurting a normal stomach) and it irritated my pouch so much that my eating ability was difficult for over a month. It took a few weeks to realize that the antibiotic was just too much for my tiny pouch. Since my dermatologist (the prescribing doc) switched me to a time-released antibiotic, I have had no problems. Just something to consider and not learn about the hard way.

While I have never accepted cutting out everything bad from my diet, I have certainly fallen off the "Reasonable Wagon"! :rolleyes2: I did the biggest no-no by not journaling what I eat and not exercising much. Add those two big puzzle pieces to family illness and my own depression, and I have the issue of feeling as though I am starting all over.

So...to jump-start my way back to better habits, while not totally denying myself, I am going to go back to Protein shakes and lean meats. I have to start watching my sugar intake as well as emoty carbs in general! It is going to be boring for a while, but it will serve as a good reality check.

I refuse to beat myself up because that will just make issues worse. I haven't gained any weight...just REALLY slowed it down. I am going to have to visit here more often to keep me grounded!!!

Good luck to everyone who is starting again with me!!! I am ready to do this again!

Kelley

.

I have wondered this myself because often when I eat a 6 oz. yogurt at 9am, I am not ready to eat anything until 5pm (while sipping liquids through the day, but not nearly 64oz.). I assumed it was because my food was taking so long to pass through, but that seemed a little ridiculous. My doctor doesn't give much support in my post-op appointments. I usualy get the same answers from him that I can get off of the LapBand web site...very generic and general. I think I am going to ask for a small unfill to see if this helps. I need to be able to eat and drink more because I am not getting my liquids or Protein. But then again, 1 or 2 days a week, I can eat and drink pretty well. Who knows. :myscared: LOL

Good luck!!!

I was banded Aug. 24th, 2010 and a lot of things still taste odd to me. I also seem to have a greater sense of smell. My husband is always commenting on how well I catch scents...not always a good thing! Sometimes things taste good and sometimes they don't. Can be very frustrating.

Good luck!!!

The hospital provided this product to me right after surgery.

I am having a lot of trouble meeting my Protein needs, so I am reordering the Hormel™ Healthy Shot® Double Protein Beverage Peach - 24/2.5 floz. They also have a Tropical fruit flavor with 12 grams of protein.

The peach is a very concentrated taste, so I chill well and chug. But if you like peach tea, it would be a great flavor addition and sweetner for unsweetened tea. Also a great Water flavorer! They are a little expensive, but for our health and retainment of hair, it is worth it!

"Recognizing the many issues and problems with current nutritional beverages, Hormel Health Labs developed Healthy Shot® High Protein. Healthy Shot® is fruit flavored, clear, clean and refreshing. Due to the small serving size and refreshing flavor, it does not create unwanted early satiety. You can still encourage food first and provide patients with 12g or 24g of protein in a single 2.5 Fluid ounce serving."

Lots of other products too!

https://www.homecare...m/HHL/NXCLI.NSF

I sometimes get a sour stomach feeling in what I believe is my pouch. However, I have been wondering how medicines like Maalox would help because we have no stomach acid in our pouches. I went through a TERRIBLE time with antibiotics that burned my pouch something awful and only milk helped...but didn't help too much. My dermatologist (the antibiotic prescriber) gave me a time released antibiotic which fixed everything. But still wondering if antacids can help us. Have any answers? :confused_smile:

It's a Bracelet that I have I add a charm for every 10lbs lost...it's sterling silver and I have so much fun picking out my charms cant wait to fill it up!!!

Where did you get your bracelet and charms? I have found some on the web, but they tend to be very expensive. Any websites you could pass along?

Thank you and good luck everyone!!!

Kelley

Since I was banded in August '10, I have had periods of an odd sweet taste for no apparent reason. I have searched "sweet taste", "odd sweet taste", etc. in this forum and on the net but haven't found any information. I have read about Ketosis, but that causes a metallic taste, not sweet. I have a doctors appointment in a few weeks, so I check with her, but in the meantime, thought I'd ask here.

Thanks and good luck everyone!

Kelley

Although I have lost about 60 pounds, I am just now seeing the weight loss. I've had ups and downs as we all have...and I have an appointment tomorrow with the doc. I can't exercise at this time, but wish I could as I know this would speed everything up. I have tried to get to 199 for soooooo long. I have been going up a few pounds and down a few. But so happy to have reached this spot at last!! I am finally starting to see a difference in the way my clothes feel and I feel a bit lighter!!

I keep you all in my prayers and have been so thankful for everyone's advice. I still don't know what the sweet spot is, but I am not getting as many nights of getting sick. Funny thing is that I can eat a lot of salad, but hard Protein is more difficult for me. Thank goodness for cheese!! I am joyous today!

Congrats!!! I am currently at 204.4 and am realy wanting to see 200, let alone 199! I started out weighing 245 and can now buy new clothes. I basically went straight from 20/22 to 18 (for only a few weeks) and jumped to 16, where I am now. But when I see myself in the hundreds again and get into a size 14, I am going to go wild.

We are doing it!!! Keeping the faith...you go girl!!!

I've been reading this and I'm not the type to think I have everything, but for the past 5 years I've been suffering terribly from headaches, some lasting months at a time that no medicine seems to help, My ears feel clogged all the time, my hearing varies and I can hear my ears contracting from noise, I've had two sinus surgeries and been treated for sinus infections so many times with NO success, I've got floaters in my right eye. My optometrist couldn't find anything. How do you get this checked out. I swear sometimes my head feels OVER FULL of Fluid. It makes me neck hurt at times. Just wondering...

Bren

Hi Bren!

Here is some information on diagnosis from the The Intracranial Hypertension Research Foundation at http://www.ihrfoundation.org/intracranial/hypertension/info/C72.

How is Diagnosis Made?

The Modified Dandy Criteria for Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension is the official criteria used to diagnose IIH. According to the Dandy criteria, an IIH diagnosis is appropriate if a person:

• has signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure, such as papilledema and headache;

• has no localizing findings on neurological examination (Localizing findings are findings that point to injury of specific brain areas. For instance, a localizing finding could be the inability to move a certain muscle.);

• has a normal MRI/CT scan with no evidence of venous obstructive disease;

• has high intracranial pressure of 250mm/H2O or above on a spinal tap, with no abnormalities of cerebrospinal fluid;

• is awake and alert;

• has no other cause of increased intracranial pressure found.

A secondary IH (SIH) diagnosis generally pinpoints the cause of the elevated intracranial pressure. Consequently, there may be abnormal findings, in addition to the signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure and a high opening pressure on a spinal tap.

What is a spinal tap?

A lumbar puncture (or spinal tap) is considered the gold standard when it comes to an IH diagnosis. This test measures the pressure of the cerebrospinal Fluid that circulates in the sub-arachnoid space, which surrounds the brain and the spinal cord. When intracranial pressure is high, that pressure is transmitted through out the entire sub-arachnoid space. Diagnosis is usually confirmed after a spinal tap reveals a high opening CSF pressure.

How is a spinal tap performed?

The typical position for a spinal tap is to lie on your side, with knees slightly bent forward. Local anesthesia is given to numb the lower back. Sometimes, an x-ray (fluoroscopy) may be used to help guide the needle connected to the manometer, the device used to measure intracranial pressure, into the subarachnoid space. Once the spinal needle is inserted, the physician may have you extend your legs and ask you to relax in order to obtain an accurate reading. Holding your breath, bearing down (Valsalva maneuver), or sitting, rather than lying on your side, can produce an inaccurate reading. The opening pressure must be measured before any CSF is removed. (The amount of CSF drained during a spinal tap depends on several factors: the opening pressure, the desired closing pressure and the amount of CSF the physician requires for lab studies.

Intracranial pressure can be measured in millimeters (mm)/water or centimeters (cm)/water. For example, a reading of 200mm/H2O is equal to 20cm/H2O.

For adults:

Normal pressure readings are generally below 200mm/H2O.

Borderline high pressure readings are between 200-250mm/H2O.

Anything above 250mm/H2O is considered a high pressure reading.

Hey I'm 30 lbs down as well....we're doing just fine! it's 30lbs less then we had 6mos ago.... I welcome every single once lost he he...

Hey I'm bipolar too!! R we sisters??

Hello zeniada and all family members!

I am feeling a little better today, and I thank everyone for their responses. I guess what upsets me is the stop in weight loss because I haven't been doing what I know I need to. I haven't lost anything since the beginning of January. Being ill with Bipolar or any mental illness just is no fun.

But I am getting myself psyched up and hope to get that changed! Exercise, exercise, exercise! That is what I need to remember! :Dancing_hmm: (This is me exercising...grimace and all. LOL)

And zeniada, I'll be your sister any day if we get each other's back when we fall of the wagon!!!

Take care everyone!!!

Kelley

Wondering if anyone is familiar with this. I was suffering from severe headaches, visual distortion, a weird sound in both my ears and feeling as tho my ears were clogged. I assumed it was a sinus infection and went to my doc they put me on antibiotics. Four or five days in I was getting worse and I just happened to have an appt to get new rx for glasses...thank God I did. The eye doc said I had edema in both my eyes and referred me to a specialist, she explained that my optic nerves were swollen and it could mean I had too much cerebral spinal Fluid, this was Tuesday, got an appt with specialist on Thursday morning. Well that night I just couldn't take I. Couldn't sleep felt like my head was going to explode. Called specialist as soon as they opened and they fit me in. The doc confirmed the edema and sent me directly to a neurologist, who sent me for a MRI and right then at the hospital and schedule me for a spinal tap first thing the next morning to relieve the pressure. Now I'm home and wondering....wth??? They say this pseudotumor cerebri is most common in overweight women who are in child bearing age....great. any experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Jerseygirl581 and everyone else!!!

I talked to my friend today and found out, as has been pointed out since my post last night, that Intracranial Hypertension and pseudotumor cerebri are one and the same. And being that it is still considered a "Rare Disorder", I can't believe how many people are coming out to say they suffer from it. Wow!

My friend is taking Topomax and Diamox...and maybe something else I am forgetting. Her pressure is greatly affected by the weather and stress. Her vision is really only affected by flashes of light in her peripheral. Her meds don't seem to be working as well as hoped, so she may have to move on to other treatments as I explained last night. But I told her about you and asked if she could recommend any good websites for information. She really likes http://www.ihrfoundation.org/. They have a lot of great information. Also, she asked me to tell you about the IH registry. It is a registry of people suffering from IH, which is used for research purposes and the more people registered, the more grant money organizations can get for IH research. One of the goals is to get enough people registered to get IH to not be considered rare because obviously (and unfortunately) no one wants to study anything that doesn't affect tons of people. To learn more about the registry, you can sign up at http://www.ihrfoundation.org/intracranial/hypertension/info/C36. There are also a couple of good Facebook groups to join.

And finding a doctor who knows a lot about IH seems to be a difficulty in the IH world. But there are doctors at the Cleveland Clinic who specialize in it! The doctor she is seeing isn't on the CC website but if you call, they make appts. with him. His name is Stuart Tupper (I believe), and he is the only neurologist they have who specializes in IH. They also have an neuro-ophthalmology surgeon. His name is Gregory Kosmorsky, D.O.

Well, I hoped I helped! If you have any questions, I'll patch you through to my friend. She has done a ton of research and loves helping people.

Good luck everyone and here is to a low-pressure day!!!

Kelley

This is so sad. I am only 30lbs pounds down and so many of you are near your goals. I am really happy for you, I just want to be with you.

I did really well from banding until Thanksgiving and then went into a depressive episode (I am Bipolar) through mid January. That completely threw me off. While my eating has been pretty good, I haven't exercised much, and I know that is what is wrong. I just wish I could get what I know to kick me in the butt!

Hopefully the warming weather and extra hour of daylight will help my modd and energy levels. And a few posts from people encouraging me...please? :smilewinkgrin:

Thanks everyone and good luck!!!

Kelley

Right now i'm 11 days post op and I can eat soft foods. My stomach does growl occasionally to say "hey put a little fuel in here!" but I never feel "hungry". I've read on this forum that people often don't feel hungry at first because their actual stomach is swollen and once the swelling goes down they are hungry unil they get their first fill.

Could my stomach still be swollen? My doctor doesn't fill the band during surgery, so right now I have nothing in my band... I would LOVE to think i'm one of those people that can feel restriction with no fill but I don't want to get my hopes up.

Hi agdunkle! Congratulations and welcome to the family!

I can't say how long the stomach can stay swollen. I looked on lapband.com for you but nothing that I can find is specific. However, I do know it can be weeks (if not longer) because your stomach not only has a new band to get used to, but stitches were placed above and below the band to help keep it in place (cool videos on lapband.com show a virtual surgery...stiches and all!). And since we can't just let our stomachs sit dormant and heal, it takes longer for it to heal.

Be careful to follow the time frame for advancing your eating because while it may not hurt at that moment, it can cause damage to your healing stitches. I was actually eating ahead of schedule (my oops!) because I read my papers from my surgeon incorrectly. Luckily, it was only things like Cream of Wheat and yogurt, so I didn't mess up my expensive new belly! I was so grateful I didn't hurt myself.

I do hope you are one of the lucky people who manages to lose weight without fills...they are out there! And I am jealous! But just know, fills themselves aren't too bad. The actual, physical fill has taken me no longer than 5 or 6 seconds from needle in skin to pulling it out. Don't be afraid to ask for more anesthetic in the injection site if you need it and stick to liquids and mushies for a day or two after fills as fills usually irritate the stomach and can make it swell a little. My doctor forgot to tell me that! Yikes!

But my #1 advice is always ask your doctor first about pains or things you know are just "wrong". I have seen people come here to ask questions before calling their doctors about pain and even bleeding! It scares me for them. I paid my doctor too much not to put him to work!

Okay...now that I have bored you to death (LOL), I leave wishing you all the luck in the world! There are a lot of really nice people here to help, so ask anything!

Be blessed!!!

Kelley

P.S. I hope it ok that I talked about things other than you asked. No pushiness intended!

Yes!!! The courteous, supportive people are banding together! I love it!!! No pun intended.

I started taking Doxycycline for acne a few months ago. My dermatologist originally suggested I take it with food and in doing so, I had no trouble with taking it. However, as time went by, my stomach and esophagus started burning, even with food...kinda like I had swallowed...oh, what is that minty stuff you rub on sore muscles?...Icy Hot or Biofreeze. The burn only happened when I took the Doxycycline originally. Now, the burning happens sometimes when I eat, no matter the food.

What I believe has happened is that the Doxycycline very slowly irritated my stomach until, even with food, the dose caused the burning. Last week, the burning was so bad that I even considered the ER! I have an appointment with my surgeon next week (wish it were sooner) and my guess is that I'll end up with an Endoscopy. I also have an appointment with my dermatologist, so I hope we can get this figured out.

So, long story short...anyone else had this kind of problem???

Thanks everyone!

Kelley

Hello, my name is brittani and im 22 yrs old. I was just banded on 03.10.11 and i feel i need to start off with a little help im really worried about making wrong decisions or doing something wrong. Im hoping someone out there can go along with me if im in need of some question answering because i dont know anyone else that has been banded. Im not in too much pain the worst for me was the gas bubble and trying to lay down, but im feeling alot better now. I would appreciate someone willing to email me or even talk on the phone to help me through this. Yes i have doctors but i feel if you dont have the band you dont really know what the feelings are. I do have a great support system but again i need someone thats been banded.

Thanks

Britt

Hi Britt!

Welcome to the family!

I am 32 and was banded 8/24/10. I am still learning a lot of new things from this website myself, but anything I can help you with would be my pleasure. I know how unnerving it is to sometimes ask questions of your doctor or on this website...because I still get unnerved. But ask anything and everything here! There are a lot of really nice people here who will go to a lot of trouble to answer questions and share their experiences.

The main advice I have as a LapBand patient is...if something really hurts or just seems "wrong", call your doctor. Your doctor is your #1 expert. I have seen people say they haven't contacted their doctor but have come here instead to ask for advice about extreme pains or even blood or oozing incisions, and that scares me for them. So, while we are your #1 supporters, your doctor is the expert!

Good luck!!! And private message me anytime!

Kelley