Doddie63

HI; Because the only person with the initiative to start a support group is from Pemberton and Lions Gate is giving the room free. She will drive down and back the same day. We are hoping the support group will expand into others but it takes time and effort because the few banders there are, are scattered all over.Doddie

If you are on liquids, why do you need any help? There is nothing there to come out. A BM every two or three days is not uncommon and the notion one has to have a BM every day is not necessary. Benefibre is great for when you are on solids. I use it also, but as I am eating less, I don't expect a BM every day. Check with the clinic and see what they recommend.

I tried to send you an e mail but you are listed as not wanting to receive any so if you would contact me, I would be able to give your the e mail of the lady who has started the banders. She could put you on her reminder list. The meetings take place at The Lions Gate Hospital Conference Room C North Vancouver, BC. The meetings will be every third Wednesday between 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm. You can find the room by coming in the main entrance, walk to the gift shop turn right and then left. Walk down a short corridor and turn right. We are the first room on the right. July 24th is the next one. At the moment, four turned up at the first meeting, but we have had interest from more people. We just chatted about anything of interest to us all. Would welcome you. Doddie

ConSaf: LOL after paying $1,000.00 too fly to Toronto for "free fill", I would hate to live around all the private booze joints as I need one after that airplane trip with my fat backside. I live in North Vancouver. Any chance you can make the Lions Gate Banders Meeting every third Wednesday between 7 - 8. Love to see you if you are interested. Doddie

Hi Lapband all the way. It is reversible. Recovery from surgery within a few days. Can adjust the band to allow as much food as you think you need. For instance if you have the flu, you can take out fill, if you are gaining, you can put fluid in. Gastric by pass & stapling have serious side effecs such as vitamin deficiency that can cause paralysis, hair falls out, death, etc. Doddie

Hi Devana. Just checking in. Saw Dr. Woodhead and he could not get a fill in my port. He thought it had flipped and referred me back to Toronto. It was not flipped just at an awkward angle. I see him again July 12. If he can't get the fill in I imagine I will have to fly back to TO for fills. Also, someone posted on the net he is not longer taking another doctor's patients. Quote "he doesn't like fiddling with other doctor's surgery". Don't know if it is true but will ask on July 12th. Doddie

Hi: I have 3 ccs in a Fr. Midband. I think it takes about 10 ccs but i have some restriction now so don't think I will go over 5. Like yourself, Nancy, as long as I am loosing weight and a nice even pace, I don't want to get caught up in the fill and defill routine. My doc out here has not been successful in doing fills so to fly to TO for a fill then have to go back for a defill will put me in the poor house. Doddie

Hey you are just a bit over surgery so don't rush it. Your stitches have to heal and you should still be on full fluids or mushies. Your stomach (pouch)is a muscle. We all know that muscles are stiff and unresponsive when cold but after a warmup they operate much better. Drink a bit of warm liquid before eating and don't forget to go slowly. But above all, don't try solids whenyou are feeling tight. Doddie

Hi Argon. I am from Yorkton, Sask. moved to Vanc. 1970. Miss Sask in many ways and sometimes dram of moving back. Doddie

Hi msrobby73: So glad you have touched base with us again. Depression is a hard thing to combat but hopefully the band remained your friend until you wond the battle. I was banded in Feb as well and have lost very little, but the fact my eating patterns are changing and I find that I rarely look to food to console me I feel I have won half the battle. I am now starting to work on exercise program. Hope you are taking on your battles one at at time. Makes them a bit easier to conquer. Where are you getting your fills. I also have that problem. Doddie

Good morning, it is 8:51 am in Vancouver BC. I noticed that you have approximately the same amount of weight to go as myself. Are you planning on another fill? I go July 12 to the vanc. doctor who last time failed to insert the fill because the port was offon an awkward angle. I flew to Toronto and they filled it immediately. I sure hope I don't have to fly back to TO because of the costs $1,000.00 Pretty expensive for a fill Doddie

Bandito: With all that you have on your mind, you are tremendously successful. To not show a weight gain is awesome. Think of what would be happening if you did not have the band. Emotional eating can get out of hand, but your band is working. Doddie

Hi: I am Canadian, and our medical alert bracelet has the symbol of the medical profession (it looks like a snake wrapped around a staff). I agree with the thought you should stick to what the medical professionals will recoganize otherwise you defeat the purpose of the bracelet. I purchased mine from the medicalert.ca for $35.00 Cdn. Doddie

Argon where are you from? It seems we are on the web at the same time, we must be from the west??? Doddie

Nancy C: Where are you from. I am from N. Vancouver BC

Yessssssssss~! I like that. My bracelet is starting to be too large. Love it. Better than stepping on the weighscale. Doddie

Argon, they don't require a yearly subscription. YOu can order only the bracelet. I have the yearly subscription because I need to update the medical problems and medication frequently. Also, there are other benefits if you go to the website you can read them. Doddie

I have the basic stainless steel and it is featherweight light. If you go on the website, you can see it. The front is a very styleish (sp) medical symbol and on the back are listed the band, diabetes and up to 5 medical problems. A medic would recoqnize it instantly but no one can read what is on the back unless you let them. And I eat, sleep and shower with it on. I even go to the aqua fit classes with it on. It never comes off. It is so "unnoticeable" that I had to point it out to our aqua fit instructor and lifeguard. Frankly, if you have the band, the literature recommends you have the medic alert bracelet or necklace or broach. It gives me a very nice reassured feeling of safety. Doddie

Another point I should make, I wear the bracelet and not one single person had asked me what it is. In fact, I had to point it out to my doctor and he said "what is that ". When I told him it was medica alert he said great. It is feather light, and I never take it off even going thru airport security. Hope I have convinced a few of you can be a life saver. Doddie

The website is "medicalert.ca". doddie

Hi: I am wearing the bracelet and got it specifically for the band, although I am diabetic, high blood pressure etc. In fact when I ordered it, the technician called me and told me he couldn't get it all on the band.LOL. Anyway get one. You can get all sorts like broaches, necklace, gold bracelets, silver bracelets just go to the website. They are terrific people to deal with and everytime you go on line and make changes, they send you a new wallet card as well if you are in an accident, the doctors name are on record to be contacted. Doddie

Good thing we were out like a light. What we don't know won't hurt us. However they did it, I am glad they did. Doddie

Don't know if they were standing or not I was out like a light. I have seen TV where the doc is sitting with the computer scope and arms and assumed they sit. I guess putting in the band is like using a joystick.

djhickm: You are posting messages. There is such a thing as a live chat room but you will need someone to chat to on the other end. You can sign on and "talk" to someone instantly as they respond instantly. With posts, I can post, log off and you will still get my message. Chat room are like you and I sitting in a livingroom chatting only we type. Take a look at the top border and you will see "chat". Click on that and see where it takes you. Doddie

They told me as I got on the table, but I was so busy trying not to fall off, I never thought about where anyone was sitting. There fault if a little gas came floating by. doddie