Doddie63

sorry I missed it. I'll let you in on a little secret. I have had my 3rd year anniversary and I find I need the personal contact even more. As the novelty wears off, old habits start to creep back, such as trying to by pass the band by eating high calorie type foods. I will be at next months for sure.

Thanks for the invite to be a friend. I accepted. I use the vanilla ISO-PRO from Popeyes. I find it doesn't have an aftertaste. It is expensive, but when I think about the problems that could be encountered if I didn't stay off solids after being so sore, and the surgery bill itself, the shake price is the least of my worries.

Anyone know if there will be a meeting at Lions Gate in March? There have been so few attending I am concerned we may go the way of the dodo bird.

I have to agree with Vanilla as I can do so many flavors. Unfortunately, the stage is not gone for me, because I forget to chew and throw up. I am sore so for the next few days, I have vanilla shakes, strawberry,blueberry, etc.

Hi: I had my band at 63. Flew to Toronto had the surgery, rested one day and flew home to Vancouver,BC with no problems. Had no gas, pain etc. My weight loss has been slow due to health issues but still I am loosing. The greatest part, off all - no longer on BP pills except diaretic, no longer on diabetic medicaton and have normal readings on all blood tests. Am walking better with less pain. If your doctor gives you the go ahead to have the band, I would not think twice. Best decision I have ever made when it comes to weight control.

Wonderful news. Keep up the great work. What are you doing differently and how much fill?:biggrin:

Grouse Mtn North Shore

If you are in vancouver, please e mail me when and we can meet up. If it is not during the Olympics, I would be happy to show you Vancouver (volunteering my better half as he is the knowledgable one).

The reason I got the band was because of constant failures over the years. By pass was too drastic for me so I opted for the band because it is reversible. The band to me, is terrific. I still must work hard at correcting my choices of food and exercise consistantly, but the band keeps me on track. As for the mental side of it, I am constantly struggling. My clinic has a psychologist on staff, but I am too far away to take advantage. I find that I still have low self esteem so have decided that a private psychologist will take priority over PS. I am now saving for my next step. I assure you, you are not alone in your feelings. I have found that the emphathy on support on this site is terrific.

Yes very much so and I have had the band for 3 years.

Hi: This article written by two doctors in our Vancouver Sun may be of interest. They talk about colas and other caffeinated drinks. "Quote: It is not the carbonation, it's probably the 16 phosphates in caffeinated drinks that rob your bones of calcium. So for every 12 oz caffeinated soft drink and every 4 oz cup of coffee you have, add 20 more miligrams of calcium to your day on top of the recommended 1,500." Further down Quote:"A protein heavy diet can make your blood more acidic and your body steals calcium from your bones to neutralize that acid. Don't count on supplements to pay down the whole deficiit, it is better to eat right. Eat no more than one half gram of protein for every pound you weigh." At last an reason why I should stay away from colas that I can believe. As for the protein, I can eat (based on my weight) roughly 101 grams of protein per day, sounds good to me. Thought this ariticle may be of interest.

Hi Nativetwinkle. Of course you would be welcome at the Lions Gate monthly meeting. Researchers are very welcome as we have all gone through that phase and know how important it is. You will meet some people that have gone to Mexico, others banded locally and others banded in Toronto (me). contact canadagirl33@hotmail.com and she will put you on the reminder list. If I can give you any assistance, feel free to e mail me.

went to your site. It is great. Will follow with interest whether or not your future plans for a support group will include all.

Hi: Congratulations for your successful start to your journey. Give yourself time on restriction, It took over a week for my last one to take and it proved too much I had to have some removed. The Lions Gate meeting was sparsely attended, two pros from the FCSC and three bandsters but the conversation was balanced and I felt refreshed. Something about personal meetings that are so much better than the web. Hope more come out in the future.

Conratulations - this is the start of a new life. Will mark you day down. Keep in touch. :thumbup:

Hi: I used to be on facebook, but felt my privacy was being invaded. I think they have made some improvements since the news article, but I haven't felt the need to go back to it.

Happy birthday twice. One for the band and two for your birthday. What a terrific present. Good luck on your journey. As for your hunger, try sipping on some form of tastey drink like nestea. That way you get your water as well as helping the feeling of hunger dimenish.

Hi Madegraw: I am 66 also. Tell us a bit more about why you think you are stuck for the past few weeks. Have you been recording food and exercise to give you a picture of your weight pattern during the month. For Instance, I gain up to 5 lbs in the monthly cycle so I know if I have lost by seeing the highest weight decrease along with the lowest weight. Yes, I still gain Water even though menopause has long since come and gone. The other thing you may try is to increase your Protein intake and decrease carbs. Are you eating 6 mini meals? If not try it. I drink a Protein supplement for lunch with 3 ozs of shrimp. Just a few ideas and I am sure others will chip in.

Check out the Vancouver Area meetings are posted there for the Lions Gate Hospital, Also, someone is trying to start up informal cafe meetings in Richmond/Surrey. He is also on the Vancouver Area site.

Post on Vancouver Area - we have a few members that have had their surgery at the FCSC. If you want to attend our meeting on Wednesday next week at the Lions Gate Hospital you will be very welcome. The FCSC usually have a nurse attend as well. You can ask all the questions you like in private then.

Hi: I did not reply to your thread because you said you would be moving back to Vancouver soon. I thought it best to wait until you are back and know where you will be living before giving directions to the Lions Gate Hospital. Patricia did respond to your request for a fill doctor. In the meantime, if you require support over the site just post. I watch every morning for any new postings.

Congratulations Antonella. I understand they have a great aftercare program. The Lions Gate Meetings are always open every third Wednesday of the month, if you can't attend anywhere else.

I have sent you a personal email.

Unshackled, you "have" done extremely well, but the secret is to look forward not behind. Make small goals and work toward them. I have not lost weight since July but my recording of what I eat is consistant with 1500 calories daily. Analyzing this information I realized that my lower weight requires less calories to maintain. So now my goal plan is to reduce my calories to 1200 a day with exercise at least 20 minutes daily. Exercise is the issue with me and I need to work on that. The NewYear is a great time to set new goals. Keep posting and I am sure someone will be able to help you be positive. This site is for slow losers and we all know the suffering we go though as we see the scale staying the same after a lot of effort. Happy and successful New Year.

Rather than a formal meeting place, why not a restaurant whereby a few could meet. My TO clinic has meets every month which moves from place to place at the convenience of all. The meet is posted and people respond so the organizer knows how many will be coming. This type of meeting would need an organizer though which my clinic has in Tom. Good luck in your quest.