JLB

I know we will all do great! Just keeping focused on the real reasons we are doing this and how much healthier we will be is definitely going to help. Doddie: I'm sorry to hear about your sister and her response. I can relate, this is exactly why I'm not telling my family, I envision the same response. Keep your head up, you know the truth and only you are responsible for your own actions, you are not responsible for the actions of others. Hopefully she will come around once she sees how hard you are working and how positive this has been for you. :welldoneclap:

Thanks Maggiec! Reading your post really helped me. I haven't told anyone in my family or most of my friends. I only confided in one friend who lives in another province so we talk on the phone. Probably explains why I am having panic attacks every day - too much time to think about it in my own head and not verbalize my emotions. Writing in this forum and reading other posts really seems to help me cope with the worry. I know we'll both probably be writing in this forum in about two months, conforting someone else in the pre-op stage, encouraging them and explaining how their feelings are warranted but they are definitely doing the right thing for their life and for their family. I can't wait till I'm on the other side of the banding date! Glad to be going thru this journey with you too!

I expect I will go thru lots of different emotions and probably right up until the last moment. Thanks for the encouragement. It's nice to know that there are other people out there who know exactly what I am feeling and what I will experience. I've read in other posts as well that people often look back and wonder what they were so worried about. In retrospect, alot of people say that it wasn't as bad as they expected or as painful. I guess I'm just panicking abit. :omg: (Taking a deep breath)

Maggiec: I would push it especially since you were told you could in the first place. I on the other hand was informed right from the start because I asked how I could pay and they told me what their requirements were. Maybe you would need to get pre-authorizations from MC like Andrew mentioned. Just call them and explain your situation. If I was getting airmiles on my MC then, yes, I would push it. Hope this helps.

This makes me think of the time my dad told me not to put lettuce down my sink garburator because it will swell and plug my sink. Be darned if that isn't exactly what happened. Go figure! Not to mention bunnies - they are very plump and round, maybe they're just swollen. Hmmm.... :eek:

I made the down payment for surgery, Optifast, shipping and consult fee by Mastercard but Dr. Cobourn's office does not accept the final payment two before surgery on credit card. They asked for it by daft or money order or certified cheque only.

Wow! I'd say you've worked hard!! You look fabulous - way to go. You certainly inspire me!!! I could only hope to look that good. I see what you mean about exercise - you have great abs.

Has anyone here tried protein bars since being banded? I am a fan of bars as a quick solution to a meal replacement when pressed for time. Some have better ingredients than others and some are much higher in protein than others. I haven't been banded yet so I'm not sure if I will still be able to tolerate them or not. What do others think?

I agree with Gaffer, the after care is very, very important. I thoroughly questioned Dr. C during my consult to be sure I understood what the clinic was offering me for support and for further care if something went wrong. I was completely satisfied with his answers. I also know that I have several doctors to choose from for fills in Calgary. Having post-op care in place before surgery is extremely helpful and, for me, it is piece of mind. :welldoneclap:

I am really happy with Dr. C and I hear the TLBC team is great too. That's where Brookalaney is having surgery. Sorry Brookalaney, I can't answer your question about how much time to take off work as I am a student so I'm not currently working. I've read other posts and I think it really varies with each individual. Some say 3-4 days, others say 3-4 weeks.

Funny you should say that. I just bought a 2L diet code on Friday and finished it on Saturday. A record for me! I think it's psychological. I expect I'll be over indulging on a few things between now and my surgery date. I'm already planning my farewell meals - farewell to my trusty old friend FOOD!

Congrats on your surgery date! I just booked mine as well with Dr. Cobourn so I know exactly how you feel. I'm nervous too but know this is a good decision for me. I agree on the diet pop thing - I love my diet coke! However, I've been trying to kick my pop habit for years so I'm glad that it's a no-no after the band.

Congrats on your banding date Susan. Where are you having your surgery done? Janice

Congrats Dave! I'm sure you'll do great!! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Janice

Thank you everyone for your good wishes. I'm really excited to start this journey. I've been trying to lose weight for 30 years to no avail. :hungry: :faint: I think it'a about time to stop beating a :deadhorse: and :kiss2: this extra weight goodbye. :whoo: Janice

I'm just curious. As I've cruised around different postings, I've noticed that many people, including myself, choose not to disclose their decision to have lapband surgery with others (friends, family, co-wrokers, etc). It is definitely a personal choice. Most celebrities and other famous people make it their business, literally, to remain slim. I know most have trainers and private chefs but I really wonder if any of them have had lapband surgery but have managed to keep it quite. What do you think? :guess Janice

Thank you Kat. That makes sense. Really nice of you to share your experience of saying goodbye to an "old friend" - food. Congrats on your success so far. It really does give me hope! Janice

Susan, I can relate to you. I recently have made the decision to be banded as well and even though I've been cruising around this forum for the last two months I am suddenly terrified. I question myself everyday... Am I doing the right thing? Is this too drastic? What the heck am I doing? OMG!!! I love your question about the best and worse and look forward to reading everyone's replies. I see Kat mentioned binge eating which I am also guilty of. I wonder how a binge eater makes it through this surgery. If a person can no longer use food as comfort what happens...??? :cry Janice

I am just starting my process with Dr. C. Can't wait to see the new clinic! :clap2: Janice

Congrats Andrew and Becca!!! It sounds like all went well for both of you. You're happy bansters now. Some people say it's like a rebirth so... Happy Birthday!!!!!! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Janice P.S. - Get lots of rest:notagree

Wow, you guys are doing great!!! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: You're great inspiration for us wannabe's. :confused: Janice

You should be able to buy sugar free vanilla at Star Bucks or 2nd Cup. Some grocery stores may stock them as well. They were much more plentiful when the low carb craze was going on, since then many grocery chains have discontinued stocking low carb items. You can also purchase them online, just search "low carb syrups or sugar free". I've tried most of them, Chai Tea, chocolate, Vanilla, Cherry, Caramel, Almond to name a few and they are terrific. Good luck to all the pre-op Optifasters starting this week! Just think - you're another day closer to surgery - now that's a good thing! :clap2: Janice

Hi Julie, when you say the dietician has aceepted another position are you referring to Nannette. I just spoke to her two weeks ago and she didn't mention that she was leaving. Janice

Hi Maria, I haven't commited to any clinic yet. I've only recently started researching this as an option for me and happened to come upon this forum just before Christmas. I must say I am excited so far in what I have learned about the Lapband as I have struggled with my weight all of my life. I was so excited to learned about Heritage House (and I'm sure there may be other places like this). You're right it does solve my problem of having no one to accompany me for surgery. :nervous Janice

Thank you Green and Yoda. This really helps me understand the distance much better. Green: "City stop and go driving" - boy can I relate to this. Calgary is an infrastructure driving nightmare, especially right now with all of our construction trying to eleviate the problems of not enough ample roads to allow traffic to get to main thoroughfares (sp?). Anyway, yes, I thought Heritage House sounded really nice and a very good option for those of us who have the delimma of not having a surgery companion. Janice