I was just curious.....what are the supplements like and how far in advance are you supposed to start using them?

I am having the hardest time getting the staff at Dr. Collier's office to answer questions.

I have been approved by my insurance co. and they have spoken to my Dr's office, so they know I am approved. But I still keep getting treated like a stranger!

Thats BS, maybe you should look for another doc. I was getting the same crapy treatment from Dr. Alvarez and his people and I just dropped them and moved on. Im much happier with my new doc. If they treat you like this now, whats going to happen if you start having problems after surgery, once they have your money? If you have insurance that will cover the procedure, then you can have your pick, there must be 100 docs in your area.

I was just curious.....what are the supplements like and how far in advance are you supposed to start using them?

I am having the hardest time getting the staff at Dr. Collier's office to answer questions.

I have been approved by my insurance co. and they have spoken to my Dr's office, so they know I am approved. But I still keep getting treated like a stranger!

Hi There Jenny,

Congrats on your insurance approval! I am a patient of Dr. Collier's and I haven't had any problems with getting my questions answered. Sometimes the nurse is busy, but she will call me back if I leave a message with the receptionist or leave her a voicemail with my phone number.

The supplemental Protein powder Dr. Collier uses is called AmazeRX and it's really good! It is $48 and comes in many flavors. You can read about it here: http://www.amazerx.com/index.html.

I was banded on 5/31 at Journey Lite in Houston. I live in Houston and it takes me awhile to get up to Conroe to pick up (more) Protein Powder, but it's not too much trouble.

I hope that you'll have a better experience soon. The staff and Dr. Collier are top notch, and I'm so sorry to hear you've had some troubles.

Cheers!

Toni

Hi Jennyl i'm also a patient of Dr. Colliers I was banded June 22 at

Conroe Regional.

Yes the Staff is very busy but will get back with you and if not just stay on top of it thats what i did just keep calling.

For me it was a 2week pre-op diet.

Dr. Collier is really nice too.

Hi Juleeann! Thanks for responding to my question. Do you mind if I kept in touch with you from time to time to see how you are doing? I don't know anyone personally who has been banded and I'm really really really nervous. How do you feel so far? Was the two weeks pre-op diet difficult? Are you happy you did this? I can't wait and, at the same time, I'm scared to death. Thanks, Jenny

No i don't mind keeping in touch. I really wasn't nervous about the surgery until the day of just for a little while and that soon passed i was more excited than anything.

The 2 week pre-op was pretty tough in the beginning but as it when on it got easier i had a hard time with the drinking the protien but i've come to like it I mix mine with 1% milk (taste better to me than the water)

I'm feeling pretty good now the surgery really isn't that bad i took the pain med for 2 days where your port is being attached to your stomach was the soriest part. I had no problem with gas pain either. Getting up and down for a few days was uncomfortable but other than that it was fine i had it on Friday and went back to work on the following Wed. my Best friend had hers right behind me and she went back to work on Tue.

I have several friends thats been banded and one of them has lost 103lbs she is on the Dr Spivak commercial. I'm am very glad i did this i'm still in the healing stage but very excited to move on to the really loosing weight period i will get my first fill in about 3 more weeks. And of course post op your also on a diet of liquids for a while but your kinda swollen and bloated and you just don't get hungry. I would eat a pudding and be full it is crazy. My hunger is slowly returning but nothing like pre surgery. If you have any more questions let me know i'm kinda a newbie to but i will help you with whatever i can.

I used EAS high protein, low carb drinks sold at Walmart 4 for 4.99. about 100 calories each 17 grams protein 2 carbs

I've been using "body fortress 100% whey protein" from Walmart. Very inexpensive and tastes relatively good. Virtually no carbs. I mix a scoop in about 8 oz milk in am and pm to get my Protein while in the liquids phase. I expect to use this the rest of my life. That "whey" I get all the protein that I need. Sometimes you might mix it with Slim Fast optima or another powder if the taste bother you.

Also use Dannon light and fit yogurt and cottage cheese. One thing I learned from others here was to start in the am if your tight with a warm liquid. I use 8oz of broth when I take my liquid IB gel caps in the am.

Congrats on insurance approval. I am just starting my liquid stage today. My doc requires a 2 week pre op of clear liquids and a 2 week post op of clear liquids. They suggested Boost Breeze to me because I just can't handle slim fast and those kinds of suppliments. They also suggested Bene protein because it has no flavor. I have made some jello and added the beneprotein to it and it really doesn't taste so that is what I will be using. The boost breeze are not bad at all. They come in 3 different flavors (mixed berry, orange and I can't remember the other) They are really convenient too because they come in fruit juice boxes (like a kids juice box) and they each have 9 grams of protein. I only have to drink 3 of these a day and eat 1 cup of jello with beneprotein and I have the 30 grams of protein daily. It still has a little bit of after taste but not bad and nothing like those other shakes I tried.

Good luck to you.