Hi Katherine,

I also hated Isopure. I don't think there is anything out that that's loaded with protein and tastes absolutely delicious, but there are some other tolerable options.

After my surgery, I would mix sugar free chocolate pudding mix and add that powder to greek yogurt. Greek yogurt has tons of protein and the chocolate pudding mix makes it taste kind of like chocolate cheesecake.

However a protein shake that I SWEAR by is a combination of 2 mixes and it not that cheap, but I felt so much healthier. 

PureWeigh Vanilla - http://www.pureprescriptions.com/products/product_view.asp?ProductsID=342&ProductsCategoryID=112

Pro Blend 55 Chocolate - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EALGM2/ref=asc_df_B000EALGM21041123?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=googlecom09c9-20&linkCode=asn&creative=380341&creativeASIN=B000EALGM2

I would mix these together in water  on ice or even blended. I started with 12-16oz of water and I think I did about 1/2 scoop of each at first and sipped on it. The PureWeigh has tons of vitamins, amino acids, etc. It really helped me after 2 strictures. Then add in the Pro Blend 55 for the protein. I was paranoid that maybe I was drinking too many calories but I reached my goal in 7 months.  The PureWeigh is definitely worth the money in my opinion.  I am able to purchase each of these in Scottsdale here:

http://www.edlcofaz.com/

Good Luck!

Christina

I am so sorry for your bad experience and results. I had a RNY in 04 with exceptional results of > 200Lb wt loss. Unfortunately I developed life threatening complications 2 yrs out (2006) that to date no Dr can  fix(long story) but prior to the problems I has PS with excellent results in my biased opinion. I had  a 7 hr surgery for brachioplasty, abdominoplasty and thigh lift with obviously much skin removed and tucked after losing over 200#s. Dr Ali Mosharaffa in Phx did my surgery. Unfortunately due to my continued very poor health I can  not finish my journey but again very pleased with what has been done as far as PS concerned.  Hopefully at some point you can continue and an experienced MD can "fix" what has been done. Best Wishes Janette

Wow Leech!
I am soooo sorry you've had such debilitating results!  Have you gotten opinions from other surgeon's for possible revisions? 

Having actually watched a body lift; I've seen the utmost care taken with a special mattress that has heated water flowing under it.  Patient's are marked while they are still completely awake so that skin is not pulled too tightly or too loosely.  (often done the day before at a pre-op appt)......There are gold standards of incisions, guidelines, rules, etc. that try to give the patient the best possible outcome.  But, it all comes down to doing your research and going with a surgeon who:
1.  doesn't have any actions against him/her
2.  has a lot of experience and happy patient's to prove that experience (specifically in post-bariatric plastic surgery)
3.  Is part of the heart beat of the Bariatric community and has their special needs in mind for insured optimum health and results
4.  Offers revisions/tweaks when a patient is unhappy with their results.

I hope you can find some relief and/or some help.  Having had some "oopsie" surgery done myself, I know how miserable one can be after the fact!!!  (Mine was not p.s. surgery).

Take care!

You may want to view all of my pictures before undergoing body contouring surgery as I did.  They pretty grisly or gristly to view and I've been in great pain for 8 and 1/2 years since I had it done.  It's really a pretty crude surgery considering all the different ways the pelvis can tilt and gyrate.  So much can go wrong and it can really be (is) very painful.  Think more than twice and then don't do it. It seems to me that body lift surgery should entail special propping equipment to protect the inner groin skin from being pulled too tight.  Like place a ball under the lower butt crevice during the procedure so there could be some snoose to work with. I wanted to voice to my surgeons  my ideas concerning this propping  under the body so the groin skin wouldn't have to be pulled up so haphazardly "with out any snoose as they say" from the surgical table.  They said they had it all figured out but they didn't.  My inner groin was pulled up in an impossibly tight fashion and then hooked up to just under my hip bone.  Very very painful and disfiguring.  Too tight skin rubbing back and forth over sharp little pubic bones day in and day out.  It's taken years of my life to stretch my skin to the less tight but still very tight form it is today.  

Well, seriously I have to tell you that you should really have a consult with Dr. Mazaheri!  LOL!   He is my boss and totally the best P.S. in AZ (IMVHO)!!!

But....instead, I'll just give you some questions to ask surgeons that you are considering:

1.  How many body lifts have you done?  (less than 5?  Scary!)  Were they considered lower body lifts or total body lifts and how is that defined by you (surgeon)?
2.  Do you specialize in Post Bariatric or (massive weight loss) procedures?  (Our skin is damaged and requires specialized training and experience)
3.  If so, how many patient's have you done lower body lifts on that have lost over 100 pounds?
4.  Does your website show photos of weight loss post-ops who have had p.s. with you?
5.  Do you do any presentations to weight loss support groups? (tells about their interest level and experience with the weight loss community)
6.  Do you have any post-op patient's that I can speak with?
7.  What is your total price?  When is it due?  What does that include?  (pain pump, hospital, anesthesiologist?  pre-op and post-op care?)  Will you bill my insurance?  will I be receiving any bills AFTER my surgery?
8.  what if there are complications, do you take care of them?
9.  Do you do revisions if necessary?
10.  Do you have pre-op and post-op pictures that I can come and look at?
11.  Will I be seeing you for follow-up or other staff members?
12.  Are you available around the clock if I have an emergency?

And....some things that you can do on your own:  look up lawsuit and medical complaints on the net and post on the plastic surgery forum for some guidance....

When I had my first procedures in 06, I ended up going with the least expensive.  I went with a very nice man in Tucson but I honestly got what I paid for.  I need a lot of fixing.  The K-Mart blue light special rarely works for people who want the best for their bodies! 

Dr. Mazaheri will be doing a plastic surgery presentation to a WLS support group (Dr. Simpson's group) next Thursday.  I'm sure they'd be happy to have you or anyone else interested, join them for the meeting.  It's at 6 (I think) at the AZ Surgical Specialty Hospital on Maryland and 19th.  I'll be there!  (GREAT pictures in the presentation and p.s. post-op patient's will be there for Q & A)