Doddie63

You will go through all the emotions known to the human race. Everything from second guessing yourself to fear, to joy, to excitement, anticipation, frustration, on and on and on. I was banded in Feb and even after PBing, I would never give up my band. It has made me "normal". I eat small amouants, know when I am full. I have had periods when no weight has come off but at first I concentrated on learning to eat small bites and chew. Now as of the 1st of July, I am exercising on the treadmill. I couldn't change all my bad habits at once so have been doing one at a time. So hang in there. I would be very surprised if you didn't become a convert like the rest of us. doddie

Yes, we can buy all the booze we like privately, but can't get surgery privately in BC unless approved by a gov't agency such as WCB. Go figure.

Puddy: What exciting news. Would you explain what your feeling of fullness is? It is interesting how we seem to differ. Doddie

What do you experience. For me, I get what is a pulsating feeling in my stomach (like a heartbeat) then I feel a tightness. If I continue, I feel pain. Sometimes if I eat really small, I get a feeling like a small pea is logded in my throat. Anyone else like me??? or is there another feeling I should be experiencing???? Doddie :eek:

We were audited and challenged the IT people that they had made 13 errors in their calculations. After 1 year of proving our claims, and demanding an apology, we got a letter telling us we owed zero. Nothing more. All of the errors were data imput errors by their own staff. So if you did our homework and have all your receipts try not to let their superior "we never make mistakes" attitude get you down.

Right on Donna I didn't see the weight loss. Hey Woodys, congrats.Doddie

Yes I will. Good luck. Doddie

TLBC asked what would be the weight I wanted to reach pre op. I picked a "mid weight" to give me a more realistic goal. When (not if) I reach 180, I will then ask my doctor what would be ideal for me. In the meantime, it gives me someting to shoot at.

Why do we make fun at ourselves? when it hurts so much!

Yasmina: Go in and let Nancy decide that is why the clinic has a fill nurse.

Yamina: Yes she wouldn't be too concerned because she is good at it. However, having the port on its side make it very difficult to fill. Assuming you had Nancy, she is very efficient and a port on the side is not difficult for her. However for others that may not be the case. My doctore out her tried 20 minutes and numerous pokes before he called it quits and sent me back to TO. When I got there, Nancy did the fill in two tries, but the head nurse who tried first couldn't do it. It cost me $1,000.00 just to be told everything is OK. I go to my doctore on July 12 and if he has trouble again, I am going back to TO and make them straighten out the port. I don't know about others living long distances away, but I can't get to TO everytime I need a fill or defill.

PS: Sorry about the typo errors, but for some reason, I can't edit. Doddie

Hi: I agree with the thought your should have mushies for a few days. You are not that far away from sugery and the instructions I got was clear fluids, fluids, mushies and solid food after one month. You have a lot of healing to do with the stiches holding the band and scar tissue has to develop to hold the band. Don't rush the solids, better to eat mushies more often than to PB. If you like eggs, try "poached". I never have a problem with them. Doddie.

Hi: Ask Donna D. She told the Dr. she wanted the port mear the bikini line and the Dr. decided against it and put it in the area that is considered the most comfortable, which is under the breastbone and down a bit. So even if you ask for it, there is no quarantee the port will be placed where you ask. Mine is in the usual place and I feel very comfortable with it being there, but it has turned to an awkward position making fills very difficult. Doddie.

Hi: Welcome to the world of the bandster. You will go thru every emotion there is but in the end, you will have made the right decision. If you feel hungry and start the grazing, immediately go and do something, take a bath, go for a walk, go on the internet, whatever just don't eat. I am sure you have been advised how important it is to shrink the liver as it is a very delicate organ and can be damaged when it is moved aside for the band. The smaller it is the easier for the doctor. Doddie

The fear is a wonderful back up until you are able to get comfortable with small bites, small portions and chewing your food. Believe me you get to forget you have the band until you make a boo boo then it bites. Doddie

It is hard to keep ones spirit up because it still takes as long to loose a pound as it did before the band. Some have advised to never get on the scale unless at your docors office. The weigh scale is the depressent but I still can't help having a peak. I too overeat and I am shocked how I can sabatogue the band if I let myself. Still, I can stop myself easier because of the restriction which I couldn't do before. The head games continue. Doddie

Great article thanks for the link. Doddie

Thanks Puddy. I think I am in the proper proportions. For instance, I had 2 oz of chicken breast, 1/2 cup broccoli and 1 small potatoe. I did not eat the potatoe. Agan I got the pulsating feeling so I stopped. I think it is what you mean by being satisfied. In the past, when I felt the feeling, I continued to eat until I felt the pain. Thanks again. Doddie

Puddy: What is satisfied? Sorry but I know nothing else but eating until "full". Doddie

Hi: I track my daily intake on the Spark website and find I am eating between 1,000 and 1500 calories a day. With exercise that amounts to about 1 lb a week or less which is what I am told I must be accomplishing. Measuring the food 3 0z protein and 1/2 cup carbs or 1 cup protein,veggies in my opinion is more important than counting calories. Doddie

What happens if you loose the key? And would the paramedics know to look there. Sorry, but the only safe way is wearing the medic alert. Plus getting it from the US, your health details would not be registered. The medic alert bracelent,anklet,necklace, carries a serial number that the ER teams can contact for the nitty gritty details. You do not have to carry a yearly subscription with the Canadian Medic alert programme but if you have a rapidly changing health pattern, it is best to have the subscription. Doddie

Hi: Don't go overboard in whatever you do. Over the years with all the weight loss programs I was always "gung ho" lost weight like made then fell back into old routines. Now, I am trying to change one bad habit at a time and as my doc says the weight will fall off as a result. To change a bad habit takes six weeks approx. consistantly doing the correct way. Initially I focussed on eating and not PBing. Now I have that down to one PB every 2 weeks or so now I have started the treadmill. I am told I must do 15 minutes a day to avoid joint problems and as my muscles strengthen then increase to 20 minutes a day. Do you have anyone giving you advice on how to plan an exercise program?

Hi: This is a great topic. Although the problem can be "difficult", the laugh lines are super. I get a good laugh everytime I check into this topic. Doddie

Hi MSRobby: Really happy to hear you are back in the ring and fighting the bad guys. Depression is no easy problem to solve but with the "gang" we can all help each other. Doddie