Doddie63

UNCLE ALREADY. This was not intended to be a debate on which is better but to point out the downside of going out of country. I have put my best viewpoints out there, now it is up to the individual. Doddie

tmostert: I am for one not anti american. I am pro american in everything even support the US in Iraqu. You are far to sensitive and should reread what I am saying. Going to a foreign country 5, 10, 15, 20 years down the road when you may not be as healthy as you are now could cause problems. I was pointing out the negatives in leaving your Country which has a medical system that at leasts prevents you from encountering huge debts that could bankrupt you. At no time did I make any asperations against Mexican or American doctors. As old shakespeare said "me thinks you protest too much". Which means I think I struck a weakness in your reasoning to go to another land. Doddie

Yes a two hour wait may be a LGH or any other hospital but what if you have serious band issues and have to be hospitalized. the band is for life, you won't always be in good health to travel to the states and don't count on the medical in Canada to help out. They take the position that if you are in a hospital bed in the states, you won't get priority here. But as I don't know your financial stability maybe you can pay $100,000 per day in the states. My choice and recommendation is to stay in Canada where you get health care for life not matter how serious because I don't have the resources to pay my own way. Insurance remember does not pay for related issues or if anything in your health has changed and a fill is a change. Also again, most insurance companies expect you to pay up front then apply for refunds. Too scarey for me to go to a foreign land, good luck to you. Doddie

Hi Ann: 1 lb a week is excellent and yes the heavier you are the faster the weight should come off. However, at a higher weight most of us have joint problems and other physical difficulties so must start exercising with as little joint impact as possible. As you loose weight, you should become more physically fit and increase your exercise. I guess you could say 1 pound is a slow looser, but the general guidelines are 1 - 2 lbs per week. Also, remember 1 lb per week is better than a 1 lb gain. You are doing fabulously well. Give your self some slack and keep up the good work. Doddie

This is what I have from my clinic. 1. Exerecise, 2. Proper nutrition, 3. FOOD EVERY 4 WAKING HOURS Protein is the main nutrient. 6-8 oz of solid food every meal on and bread and butter plate only. 3-4 oz snacks. The amount is a cup. 3 oz of protein the rest in veggies and fruit. Hope this helps. As for the sneeze, it is true but why I don't know. However my signal is a hiccup and if I keep eating, I get a throbbing pain. Doddie

You should soon hear from Donna D. She had her changed. But from what I understand have no fear because it is a simple procedure. More to the point, if you are nervous, contact Dr. Yau and talk to him. Doddie

good heaves, 76 lbs since November. give youself a bit of slack. That is a huge loss. I have been with the band 1 year and I have only lost 59 lbs. You ain't a slow loser in my books. Congratulations.

candy: You are looking at the mother of excuse makers...me. How far is the gym. Simply starting out to walk there 1/2 way and then turn around and come home is a good start. Have stairs in your house --- walk up and down them until you are puffing and sweating. Watching TV....wiggle the toes, stand up walk around the house. I can go on and on forgever. If you want to exercise and put yourself and your health first, you will find a way.I have a friend who e mails me and kicks me in the butt (verbally) if I don't go to exercises. I have heard all the excuses and that is what it is when you don't exercise - excuses. I try to convince myself that I am too busy or will exercise in the afternoon. Amazing how I can find a way out. So no excuses, please let's hear how you find something to do. Doddie

The two clinics should band together (no pun intended). Doddie

Band Chick: Whoopee! well done. One day at a time "just for today do something". Hope to see you post again tomorrow. Before you know it, as you get into the habit, you will miss doing your routine. I feel so happy for you. Doddie

Andrea: I am at my sweet spot at 5ccs we are all different but it you may in fact have a leak in your tubing or band. Good luck. Doddie

I like the after care of Jill the dietician. She calls me long distance every month. I chose once a month she was willing to call every week. Jill also has the band and lost considerable weight so she knows the ups and downs we go thru. Dr. Yau I found was a very approachal doctor but i find I don't need him as much as dietician's information, etc. Doddie

JProtein is what curbs the appetite and maintains muscles and veggies create sugars and sugar makes you lethargic and hungry. Think as a furnace, you stoke the furnace with kindling (sugar) for fast burn then you put longer burning coal (protein) on. So stoke up on protein. The other thing is, I lay you odds that all of us are hooked on soda drinks. They were our comfort soothers. To get rid of an addiction or habit take time and effort. Keep on saying no to yourself. As for you less than displomatic know it all friend, find another friend. With friends like her who needs enemies. Doddie

Andreal: You are not a twit. I have never had one, but I think it is like an X Ray and they watch the fluid to see if you have a leak in the band or tubing. It also helps them find a port that may be difficult. Hope this helps until someone with more knowledge gets back to you. Welcome ton bandster land. Doddie

hi First off Joboo YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE. I defy any bandster to tell me that they have not had their ups and downs in their journey to attain their weight goals. You are just at a bad moment right now. If your doctor is true to his profession, he will want to help you not chastise you. If he does find another doctor. Look at your ticker. YOu need to loose 102. Just imagine only 3 lbs and it will be in the 90 range. So say to your self "just for today, I will do something that will burn a few calories". Park your vehicle a bit further away from the building you work in. Try and get into an exercise class. I told my aqua fit instructor before I joined that I was embarrassed to be seen in a bathing suit at 303 lbs. She laughed and said "don't worry honey, we are all too worried about our own bodies". Now I have no problem wearing a bathing suit but I still have the problem of getting their consistantly. As for you bandchick, I will keep you to your word. If you both want to e mail me to check in feel free. I am retired and on this site most days and check my e mail daily. If it helps fee free. Doddie

Hi Marcar. Nothing wrong with eating the head and giving the rest away. Glad you didn't eat the rest and give the head away. LOL

I can't think of anything more difficult than eating slowly, small bites. I try so hard but sometimes I get rushed and gulp it down and then have to gulp it back up again. Since January, I am averaging .75 lbs per week. But what the hey, it is still a loss. I will be up front and say "I dislike exercise with a passion but I do force my self on the treadmills a minium of 30 minutes 3 times a week. My fear is what happens when I reach a lower weight when the exercise has to be upped in order to loose weight? Something I try to take my mind off with "I will worry about that tomorrow". I think this thread is terrific for slow loosers as we all seem to have similar issues and the support and advice we give each other can't be duplicated by the fast loosers. Doddie

Hi: Just a word of caution on having too many liquid meals. The whole purpose of the band is to help us eat small but normal healthy meals. By chewing the food, we help ourselves feel full. Many people can't eat at breakfast, fair enough, but if you can't get down fish, chicken as protein, you may have to tight a restriction. Sometimes having a small defill such as .25 cc allows more solid food to go thru the band to the stomach proper thus feeling full longer. Many posts seem to indicate that their weight loss started up again after a small defill. Just my observation if it helps anyone. Doddie

Hi: My Valentine was not chocolate as my DH took my glare of warning about even thinking about such things. So instead, I got a peck and a Happy Valentine wish. Not bad for an ole married couple of 35 years. But the chocolate man sounds great. Doddie

Oops! got carried away with my post above. I meant over 1,600 Sorry. Doddie

Hi I am taking it by email and correspondence. So far, my weight has been going down slowly for the last year. I am putting into practice what Jill has sent me and I know the weight loss has increased a bit. I am now going for another fill of 1/2 cc. Yes I wish I could attend in person the clinic because what I have seen it is information we all know but with a twist to include the band. I think it is the deadlines and challenges that Jill throws at you that gets you going again. Take the challenge, I think you will enjoy it. Doddie

Roby: I went back and found the article and I am madder than ever. It is in the Vancouver Sun entitled "I'm a big loser and did something about it" by Shelley Fralic. the link is www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/arts/story. I am so sorry I don't know how to send a link. This has got to be the vilest and mean spirited article I have ever read. Doddie

Hi Bert. The only link I know is the Vancouver Sun, then editorials. I have since thrown away the article. If I find it again I will get back to you. Doddie

Hi In response to your question on the abbreviations, they are the names of the clinic, Surgical Weight Loss Clinic, Toronto Laproscopic Clinic, CIBO is a new clinic I do not know what the letters stand for. I only one I could and would recommend based on my knowledge are the first two. You will have to go to all the websites and make your decision on your research. Doddie

You are in a catch 22 scenario. Your week is obviously very long and you are exhausted by the end of the day. Now, understand this, I am not an exercise freak, in fact I hate exercise. What I have been told is: I must make time for myself. Exercise will give me more energy. So I bought a treadmill and I do the 30 minutes before I do anything else. If I don't, I never do the walk. I have a friend who was banded and arranged with her boss to come in 1/2 hour late and went to aqua fit classes. She works long hours as well and finds doing the exercise first thing in the morning gets her moving and she arrives at work fresh and full of energy. I am sure that you will get all sorts of advice, so my little two cents isn't much because I dislike exercise. There is also a bandster who has sina bibiflo (sp?) and can't exercise and has still managed to take off over 100 lbs. I guess what I am saying is if want to you can find a way. Doddie