Questions for Lap-Banders

Hi all- I'm finally scheduled for my lap-band on 11/30/04. Yeah! I'm going with Dr. Rantis of New Self Bariatrics at St. Alexius. I've thought of some questions I'm hoping you all can answer. Anyone had their surgery at St. Alexius? How was it? Did the nurses seem to know what they were doing? Anyone had lap band with Dr. Rantis at St. Alexius? I'm a RN so I get paranoid about these things. As for eating the first few weeks, I'm a pretty picky eater. I don't deal well with horrible smells and tastes. Example: I tried Carnation Instant Breakfast the other day and how god awful it was. It smelled like vitamins or something and tasted just as bad. I've heard that taste buds may change but did anyone start out with my pickiness before surgery? What sort of liquid protein things have you been able to tolerate? Someone said a product called Necter-where do you get that? Any other ideas of things that either don't taste like anything at all or that are more tolerable? Can anyone recommend a decent flavorless protein powder that you can add to things such as broth or Crystal Light? Have you had to have your band tightened or loosened? A few people I've talked to are about 3-4 months out and said they haven't had a need. How about the weight loss? About how much do you lose the first few months? I'd appreciate input and/or advice from any other fellow Lap-Banders out there. Those are all my crazy questions for now. Thanks all. Debi

Hi I was banded 10-29 at St Alexius. My surgeon was Dr Van Wagner. They were very nice at the hospital, but seem to be short staffed. I tried the carnation instant breakfast and did not like it. I have been drinking the Atkins atvantage shakes, I like the low carb slim fast but was told not to drin****il 8 weeks out due to the fiber. I was on thinned liquids and did not have any problems, today I started full liquid and still fine.There is a protein called unjury it is unflavored and tastelss you can add it to foods for extra protein, I am going to try it tomorrow. I would sugest you go to the lap band message board they are very helpful. Just go to galley upper left hand corner, then member forum then go to lap band. Email me anytime. Tina

Thanks Tina for the info and support. I'm a little nervous but hanging in there a few more weeks. Sort of wish surgery was sooner.

Hi Debi: The only question I can answer for you (since I'm RNY and had surgery at Univ of Chicago) is about the nectar drinks. I got my nectar from vitalady.com. They have at least six flavors. My favorite (this week, anyway!!) is Roadside Lemonade. Best of luck to you on 11/30/04 ... and enjoy your LAST pre-op Thanksgiving dinner!! Nancy

Thanks Nancy. I do like Lemons and lemonade so I'm going to order a sample from vitalady. Is it true that your taste buds change after surgery? Are you finding that your taste buds change week to week since you said lemonade was your favorite this week? Debi

While acknoweldging that everyone is different after surgery, I find that a LOT of people experience the "taste bud change" after surgery. FOR ME, there are foods I used to love and now can't stand; and vice versa. And yes, my tastes seem to vary from week to week ... Best of luck to you! Nancy

Hi, neighbor! I do drink the Carnation, but with a packet of Splenda mixed with it. I then add a few scoops of Resource Beneprotein flavorless protein powder (walgreens.com) and it ends up being about 25 to 30 protein grams. The trick is to use a blender (like a handheld) to get it all whipped up nicely! I drink one every morning and it keeps me full until lunch. I had the lapband about six months ago, and love it!

Thanks neighbor. I've got the Beneprotein on hand already. Hopefully it won't smell. I also bought a blender which should help. If you don't mind me asking, how much weight have you lost thus far? Have you had to have a readjustment yet? Does it hurt a lot? Do you have to have an upper GI after a readjustment? So many questions. Thanks again & best wishes for continued success with your journey. Debi

No problem, I love to answer questions about the band! My six month mark is the 13th of November. My high weight was 252, and right now I am at 195. I have had one fill at 2.0ccs, and, it did poke a bit. My doc does it with the flouroscopy, so he could see what was going on. I was very nervous about the fill but of course, it was worth it. After the fill, I had to drink some of that chalky stuff, but, again, it wasn't so bad. I had the fill in July, and I still have pretty good restriction. My body has plateaued a few times, but I just try to confuse it with eating and exercise changes. I would do the lapband again in a heartbeat, and I never could have imagined the change it would make to my life! Let's keep in touch! If you want to chat by phone, just email me and I'll give you my number. Sunshine