JLB

Well I'm one of those sick people who actually loved the Optifast. I had both vanilla and chocolate and liked each equally. I added SF syrups and sometimes berries (just a few) and it went down really well. In fact, after my surgery I contacted my clinic to see if I could buy more of it but they said they preferred people not use it post band. Since I usually have a Protein shake once a day anyway (great way to get protien in) I thought it would be okay. The thing I like most about it is the fact that it taste great in just Water (yes, i said "tastes great"). Very few other protein mixes taste good with just water (at least that's my opinion). :car:

Andrew, congrats on your success thus far! You have been such an inspiration to me and many others on this board. You look like such a happy daddy. I'm so thrilled for you and your family as you find the new happier, healthier and improved you!! Enjoy the journey!!!! :whoo::clap2:;)

Hi I was banded by Dr. C in May and I am out-of-province. I did have an issue after surgery and Dr. C was wonderful with my after care. Of course it was all done by telephone and email but he was very caring and thorough. He ordered tests thru my GP and kept in constant contact with me until it was resolved. I'm sure he is extremely busy, as most surgeons are, but I was very pleased with how much time he spent with me. In reading your post I am unsure as to whether you have a problem post-op and need to see him or if you think you should see him as part of your general post-op care. If you need to see him, then most definitely make an appt but if you just want to see him just to chat then I'm unsure about that. Afterall, he is a surgeon not a GP. Dr. C is a really nice guy and would probably see you to just chat if that's what you need. By the way... didn't you see him right after the surgery in recovery? That's where I saw him and asked questions about my hernia repair. Granted I was pretty groggy so when he called me the next day I asked him more questions. The nurses at the clinic love to hear from you but if you want to talk to Dr. C just ask them and I'm sure they will arrange it for you. Good luck with everything and happy banding!

Congrats Cindy! Welcome to Bandland!! It's a very exciting time. Take care of yourself and be kind to your body. Take it easy and follow the instructions from the clinic and I'm sure you will do very well. The staff at Dr. Cs clinic are very caring and helpful people so if you have any questions or concerns don't hestitate to contact them. They are always glad to hear from thier patients.

From what I understand they are quite common, only for the most part, people aren't aware that they have a hernia. My surgeon repaired a large one on me when he did the lapband surgery. I had absolutely no symptoms and was totally surprised when he told me. He also mentioned that he sees them in about 80% of his patients and that it is very common for him to do hernia repairs with lapband surgery.

It really can be unpredictable so I feel it is better to be prepared than to be sorry (embarrassed). I carry a ziploc bag in my purse, have a cup and bags in my car and usually have some kind of bag on me at all times. I hope to get better at this band way of life as time goes on but now I feel I am still in the learning phase (obviously, I'm a slow learner ). This weekend I am flying to Vancouver Island and I was just thinking the other day that I will be taking the barf bag with me when I leave the plane.

I love the Curry Chicken.

Hi everyone, thought I would finally post this question since the issue has not resolved itself as I was hoping it might. Did anyone else experience pain in the throat after surgery? It is hard to describe what I am feeling but I will try. I am 9 weeks post-op and have felt this pain in the back of my throat ever since surgery, especially when I lay on my back. When I go to bed at night and am lying on my back I can feel it. If I breathe deeply the pain intensifies. I had a bad experince a couple of weeks ago when I went for a massage. I started out on my stomach and everything was fine but when I turned onto my back, the pain in my throat was very bad and I immediately got very nauseous. I sat up immediately and managed to control the urge to spew everywhere. I have been discussing this with my surgeon and he has never heard of this but is still working on figuring it out. Has anyone else ever experienced this? Thanks for listening.

Thanks Andrew. I can't tell you how happy I was that it finally started to get better!!! PS - I was wondering where you were. I had PM'd you and emailed you but didn't hear back.

Hi Lisa, sounds like you have alot on your plate this last while. I hope your parents get well soon. From my own personal experience I know that it can be a very emotional time. I hope you have alot of support around you. Don't worry, you'll know your sweet spot when you hit it. As you progress thru your fills you get to know what restriction really is and how to manage your food intake accordingly. Mostly just make sure you are eating enough Protein like meats and dairy products, balance this with veggies and fresh fruit and you'll be doing well. Of course restrict Desserts and treats but I don't think you have to eliminate them completely, at least that's my opinion. Others may choose to if sweets trigger uncontrolable eating patterns. You can use Fitday.com to help you keep track of what you're eating. Hope this helps. Sounds like you are taking great care of your parents but don't forget to take care of yourself as well.

Thought I would update everyone on my throat pain. A couple of weeks ago it started to feel better. Now it's at the point where I can easily lie on my back and not experience pain. I am so happy that it has started to resolve itself. Whatever the pain was from, I guess my body just needed time to heal after surgery. Thank you to everyone who replied to my post. Your caring thoughts and ideas really helped me during a very worrisome time.

Hi Leslie, so glad your vacation went well. It sounds like you are doing really good with staying on plan considering all the changes in your life right now. Way to go! :whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo:

Well I'd say Andrew about covered everything that was running thru my head when I read this post. I would hope that gov't does recognize the benefits to the lapband sooner rather than later, however, I'm not going to hold my breath.

Congrats Mandi, I'm so happy for both of you!!! Very cute pic!!!!

Hi Gurlygirl, my surgery was done in Ontario and I live in Calgary. Dr. Cobourn, my surgeon, has trained many doctors throughout Cda on how to do fills. I use Dr. Botha in Calgary (ph:252-7277). He charges $99 per fill.

Congrats and welcome to bandland! I was also banded by Dr. C. The clinic should have given you a pre-op package, in there you will find a list of the foods you can eat at each stage. The liquid stage can be difficult. Mostly I drank chicken broth, just a half mug at a time, sipping slowly. If you are a tea toddler, a nice mug of tea can be very soothing. Also, try sugar free popsicles or Mr. Freeze. Most importantly. don't forget to drink lots of Water. Crystal light or ice tea can also be refreshing. As you move onto full liquids, I also found the Signature Soups at Safeway to be fantastic. The Tomato Basil is very good which surprised me because I don't typically like tomato Soup. Protein shakes can be another lifesavor as it is hard to get in enough protein during the liquid phase. You are starting a new life now and you will get to know yourself all over again. Good luck and enjoy the journey!!

I think enjoying a drink once in awhile is fine, if that's what you choose to do. I had a glass of wine yesterday afternoon with my brother who was in visiting from out of town. However, I noticed that the wine affected me more that it did pre-band. I assumed it was because my stomach was likely more empty than it would have been pre-band. I stay fuller between meals now than anytime in my life before. Anyway, since I felt the wine more this time I ended up drinking less. I didn't go for the second or third glass.

Thanks Val. I'm sorry to hear about her having to have her thyroid removed. I'm not having trouble swallowing. The pain in the back of my throat started 10 weeks ago, right after surgery. It is kind of always there but I notice it the most if I lie down on my back. The pain also intensifies when I'm on my back and breathe in deeply. If I breathe shallow it's easier to control.

Thought I would update everyone. I went for my ultrasound and chest x-ray and the results were normal. I have my CT scan scheduled for Monday. I'm also going to go for my 2nd fill on Monday afternoon. I'm curious to see if the pain changes after the 2nd fill like it did after the 1st fill.

Hi Cindy, congrats on choosing a procedure and a surgeon that are both superlative. It's interesting what you said about follow-up. When I was doing my research on the Lapband I spoke to Dr. Leung's office in B.C. and the nurse there told me the same thing. She said it was amazing how many lapband's they did and never saw the patients again. At the time, I remembering thinking the same thing you did -- how the heck could people spend 16k not to mention the psychological preparation for this kind of surgery and then not do anything at all to help the band help them. Seems crazy to me. Oh well, to each his own.

Leslie, you are such an inspiration! I like your positive attitude. The mind is very powerful - believing you will succeed is half the battle. I have no doubt you will succeed at anything and everything you set your mind to. Have a wonderful trip and give Dr. C a squeeze for me. :confused:

Thanks Andrew! So do I, it's been a real pain - literally!!

Funny you should mention thyroid. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease about 25 years ago and have been on synthroid for most of that time. Esophageal spasm is another possibililty, I'll mention that to my doctor. Thanks,

Hi Was, overall the pain is an ache like a headache but when I lie down on my back at night it is like a sharp knife pain. If I turn over on my side or sit up it usually shuts it off. It's very weird and very irritating. Any ideas are very much appreciated. We're all just shooting in the dark at this point.

Hi, thanks for your replies. No, I don't think it's from the tube. I discussed that with my doctor and it is unlikely that it would still be bothering me over 2 months after surgery. I had a fill at 6 weeks post-op and actually the pain kind of got better for about 3 days then it returned with a vegence. I've noticed the pain is always kind of there whether I'm standing, sitting, lying on my side or whatever and unless I have to breathe very deeply it is not terribly noticebale. However, my biggest problem is that the pain gets very severe whenever I lie down on my back. It so bad a times that I really don't think I would be able to get dental work done or anything that requires me to be in a reclined or flat-on-my-back position. It's really amazing how many things require one to be on their back. It's been a real pain - literally. Hope someone, anyone can help me figure this out. I'm scheduled for a chest x-ray and ultrasound and am waiting to get in for a CT scan. Any ideas would be very much appreciated! Desperately seeking answers....