JLB

Wow, you sure are motivated - that's great! Don't forget to give yourself time to heal. I'm not banded yet but I think I read somewhere that you weren't suppose to do any strenuous exercise for the first month or so. I understand that we're all different and have varied experinces with the band, just remember... listen to your body. Sounds like your body is screaming - give me exercise.

Welcome Holly. I have my surgery scheduled with Dr. Cobourn on May 9. The cost of 16k is correct. This is what I have paid so far: Phone Consult with Dr. C - $200 Deposit for surgery date - $500 Optifast (2 wk supply) - $140 (this varies, some people get 3 weeks) Shipping to Calgary - $28.45 The balance of $15,300 is due 2 weeks prior to surgery I didn't know about the $500 deposit ahead of time so it was quite a surprise. I think they have changed their poilices lately as I know from reading previous posts that you didn't have to pay for the surgery until the day of the surgery. Now it's due 2 weeks prior. Anyway, good luck in your decision making. Do lots of research and pick the surgeon and clinic that you feel will best suit your needs. Sounds like you will be going to the surgery clinic for followup, support and fills so make sure you are comforatble with them. I am from out of province so I will not be getting follow up care at the surgery clinic.

Susan, I'm going it alone too. I will be going to Dr. Cobourn's clinic alone in the morning for surgery but they have told me that I MUST have someone pick me up after surgery. I'm staying at Heritage House in Toronto so someone will pick me up and they have 24 hour nursing care. I think it really depends on the individual with regards to recovery. I know you don't want to disrupt your child's schedule but do what your gut tells you that YOU need. Also, have a backup plan in place in case it doesn't all go as you expect. MacDaddy - unlike Yoda I was drinking and reading - big mess to clean up!!! Although I'm not one for confrontations, I think sometimes they are very appropriate. I applaud your wife :clap2: . Hey... when the shoe fits...

Great news Leslielee. I have my surgery with Dr. Cobourn on May 9. I think he is a really good surgeon. I was also so excited when he gave me my surgery date and I was also very nervous. Suddenly it felt so real. The time will fly for you and before you know it May 30 will be here. I'm so happy for you!

Hi Susan, I am 5 weeks pre-op and I have many, many second thoughts everyday - several times a day. I think it's just nerves which is perfectly normal. I have had many conversations with myself about this and I tell myself: 1) You have reseacrhed this extensively and know it is the right thing to do for yourself 2) You have read many posts about others who have second thoughts before surgery and it is perfectly normal to be scared and questioning if I am doing the right thing 3) Do you want your life back and do you want to be healthy - heck yes! 4) You have read about the good and the bad regarding the lapband, weighed the options (no pun intended) and know it is the tool you need 5) You know you are probably going to have many second and third thoughts post-op as well - so be prepared 6) Remember... go back to the forum and read, read, read because there are many people out there who feel the same things I feel and have had the lapband working for them postively in their lives - gain strength from them 7) Be thankful that I have this option to help me regain my health :confused: :cry :tired :guess :biggrin1:

I'm with you Andrew! However, I think the healthcare system in this province needs a makeover first. Plus, we need more hospitals! I hear they are going to start work on the south end one soon - finally!!! Even if they approved more lapband surgeries I'm not sure where they would perform them or with what staff as both of these seem to be lacking as well. Just my two cents worth.

Wow, six per year! It should be about the year 2090 when I get a call from them! I'm glad I decided not to wait also!!

Jurema, please do not stop taking any of your medication prior to surgery until you have double checked with a nurse at the clinic where you are having surgery. I have had my pro-op discussions with Dr. C's office and I was told to continue taking the meds I have (including birth control) right up until and after the surgery. The only things you shouldn't be taking are meds or Vitamins that are blood thinners. For example, NSAIDS (anti-inflammatories), some heart medications and other types of meds that thin the blood; vitmains A, C, E and multi vitmains all are considered to be blood thinners. This is not an axhaustive list and I'm not a professional but I do know it is not wise to discontinue meds unless absolutely necessary. I can't see why you would need to stop taking birth control pills but I could be wrong. Anyway, give them a quick call and double check. Better to be safe than sorry.

I think health was the biggest issue for her. Hopefully, her health issues were resolved or at least improved since her weight loss.

Hi Andrew - just curious... what did the doc tell you about wait times in AB? Did he give any specifics?

Hi Delphine - you've had great success thus far, you really give me hope! LeslieLee- I live in Calgary and Doddie is right, the waitlist in this province can be quite long as far as I can tell. I've chosen to self pay and will be getting my surgery in Toronto (Dr. Cobourn) on May 9. Can't wait. Anyway, you'll find tons of informatino on this board, just cruise around for a few days and do some researach. Also, surf the web and make some calls to clinics you locate. I'm sure you wil have most of your questions answered and what you have not found answers for, come back here and start a new thread. Lots of helpful and caring bandsters on this board very willing to share their experiences. Welcome to you both!

I just booked my lapband surgery with Dr. Cobourn for May 9. I'm soooooo excited but also very, very nervous. It's suddenly very real!!! I began my research last fall and joined this forum in Dec. '06. After reading many posts of other people's experiences and asking lots of questions, I decided this surgery is the best decision for my health. I can't wait to be a bandster and get my life back! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Janice

If you have a GNC store nearby you can buy a protein powder and if you don't like it you can return it.

Chester-girl - I agree with Doddie. If they ask, then decide at that point what and how much you want to tell them. I'm not sure who I'll tell after the fact or what people will notice. I guess I'll have to eventually face it at some point. I've been a chronic dieter all my life so I don't think my family will be surprised when I start losing weight but it might be an issue if I PB in front of any of them or quickly run off to the bathroom during a meal. I'll just face it when I need to. Good luck!

Congrats on your first fill Andrew. You are doing great with the weight loss. Smart strategy! You might as well take advantage of the quicker weight loss now as it will probably slow at times, especially during plateaus.

Welcome Mr. Yoda. Nice to hear from the other half! Good luck on your banding journey.

Mandi, my thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. It's hard to lose someone you love and admire but take solace in the fact that she is in peace and at rest now. Cherish the memories.

What a great idea Andrew! I'm going to try that!!

I have one and they are great. Does a good job on frozen stuff like fruit. Much easier to clean than a blender and more compact for traveling. You got it for a really good price.

I'm not a professional but I had an elevated CRP test come back a few years ago and I remember my doctor saying that it was likely because of my neck and back injuries. I suffer alot of chronic pain from injuries I had years ago to my spine and soft tissue. If there is swelling in the body anywhere from any reasons - it will show up on the CRP test.

Congrats and keep us up-to-date on how you're doing. I wish you all the best for a quick, smooth recovery. :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Hi Maggiec, yes I saw that Oprah show. It was on addiction transferance. I really felt for those women, they had to deal with many different addictions in their lives not only food. I also wondered if these women would have struggled with these addictions at some point in their lives without having gastric bypass surgery. Just a thought that crossed my mind as I was watching it. As someone else had mentioned in another post, if you have an addictive personality you are more susceptable to abusing substances or other activities that are addictive. It could be drugs, alcohol, food, sex, gambling, exercise (I wish) or anything that gives you the high. What kind of bothered me about the show was that it was presented as if these women's lives got much worse after WLS and it was the surgery that made them get addicted to the other stuff. They didn't deal with the whole issue of addiction in their lives separate from the WLS but -- I guess that was the point of the show. I wonder if they'll do a show about people who low fat diet and get addicted to other things - I doubt it. Just a thought.

I'm right there with all of you! I am totally addicted to food. It's my friend, my confidant, my savior and my worst enemy. Gawd, I love it and I hate it! It's destroying my health and my life. I have researched the lapband quite extensively and believe it is a tool that I can use to help me break my addiction to food. I know I am an emotional eater and I have been thinking of ways to address this as I approach my banding date. I registered for a short course on Food and Mood through the Health Region in Calgary. This is my first step. I also plan to seek out counselling with a professional who has experience with food issues. If anyone knows of such a counsellor in Calgary pls let me know. I'm also hoping to get addicted to exercise. I actually like to exercise and expect I will like it even more as I lose weight and mobility becomes easier.

Believe me Andrew you are not the jerk in this situation. There is only one d!ck in all this and it's wearing a dress. Good for you for standing up and saying she's a d!ck. I bet if others get burned by her (and they will), they'll understand how it feels. I have a nasty SIL as well and my family thinks she deserves more of my time and consideration (but they haven't been burned by her like I have) -- it's only a matter of time. :flame:

Wow Andrew. I'm sorry the sister-in-law blabbed. Not cool!!! What was she thinking! If the roles were reversed, I bet she wouldn't appreciate her personal information being broadcasted. I have only told one friend but I think I'm going to have to tell my mother because we often have supper together, etc so she might suspect something. I really don't want to tell her because she is the worst gossip but I don't see any other way around it. :faint: