Doddie63

What I am concerned about is that at present, with no fill, I have restriction when I eat mushies (probably too fast). When I am told the usual first fill is 4 ccs (Fr. Midband) I wonder if that will be too tight. It has to be correct when I leave Toronto, as my doctor has never done it before and he is not open on the weekends. Doddie

Hi: I was given the French MidBand. It is supposed to be wider and softer. Dr. Joffe and Yau are the two pioneers of the banding process in Canada and they use all types depending on your stomach. They make the decision at the time they are inside you. The doctors you have chosen are excellent as well. email me privately if you wish at doddie63@hotmail.com. We can carry on a more private conversation. Doddie

Hi: Have you ever tried the Canadianlapbanders website. They are all patients from the TLBC and/or Dr. Coburn and Mumsford. They are a great group and very helpfull. What other forum have you been using. Yes the Canadian experience is different because our gov't has approved 4 different types of bands where in the USA I think there is only one. Also, their insurance problems are different. Doddie

Hey Mommy202: Where do you live now. Congratulations on your banding date. Any questions about the surgery just post and I bet you will get a lot of help. Doddie

Hi: noticed the comment about buffie and just want you to know she is my "buddie" that was set up by the clinic on the TLBC website. She is doing extremely well and she has been a great support to me. Although I live in North Vancouver, I was born and raised in Yorkton and my family live in Saskatoon. So having a "buddie" from 'toon' is great.

Hi; I have been reading the posts and noticed you all are doing exceptionally well. I am too new on my journey to have much to contribute but I sure enjoy hearing about all your experiences. Doddie

Hi Bandiva: Excellent thoughts but one seems to be missing. Being alone. One of the most dangerous triggers. Have you experienced being alone for long periods of time? There are a lot of overweight people who have little or no friends but the TV and Internet which is not a script for weight loss. Doddie

and safe too. Old premises tend to develop nooks and crannies that harbor nasty little bugs, etc. and I would think the sanitizing of the old place would have been pretty difficult. New is definately better.

Hi Mandi: Know you are right. I should enjoy how I am feeling for the moment. Get my first fill April 24th and wondering how it will go. I am comfortable and to interrupt my comfort zone and maybe have problems does give the worry wart sydrome. Your 102.4 looks absolutely great. Have you had serious problems in your journey? Doddie

I am on mushies and loosing 2 lbs a week, but the time seems to be dragging before I go on solids. Funny though, I am not hungry and haven't had my first fill yet. Wonder why I would need a fill if this keeps up. How is everyone else making out? Doddie

Welcome to the journey. I know you will do great. Doddie

Hi banded Feb 01/07 by Dr. Yau at the TLBC I am from N.Vanc. BC

Thanks Argon. You are right about the exercise. At the moment I can only walk. I opened one incision by walking too fast (belly jiggled to hard) so had to tone it down a bit. Still it is an inspiration to see how well you have done. I love sucess stories. Doddie

Hi: I guess it is the way I posted but I too never meant to offend. Just to point out that the TLBC does not use knockoffs but uses different bands to ensure the patient has the most suitable one for them. Quite true everyone must research out what they will be doing before surgery, but in Canada anyway, all these bands have been approved by the Govt or they could not be implanted.

hi: I was banded Feb. 01/07 by Dr. Yau at the Toronto clinic. Dr. Joffee and Dr. Yau are the two doctors that pioneered the banding procedure in Canada. There is a news article by CNN Matthews on these two doctors and I assure you they do not use "knockoffs". I was given a French Mid Band because it fit my stomach. The doctors decide at the time of implant which band would be most suitable for the patient. Dr. Colburn is an excellent doctor but so are the two most experienced Dr. Joffee and Dr. Yau. For Canada anyway.

hi Dame J. Try some Lentil soup pureed. Also, 1/2 banana and a 1/2 cup of skim milk pureed makes a pretty good drink and gives you the fruit in your diet. As I said I am not much of a cook so these ideas came from others. Doddie

Hi Yoda: I always tell my husband he must of married me for love because I certainly can't cook. That is why I was eating baby food and it tasted good to me. When I read the baked beans I immediately went and made some for lunch. Oh sooooooooooooooo good. Thanks.

Hi: Don't get me wrong about my appetite. I am definately full when I eat my 1/4 cups but it is not very long before I am hungry. I understand that in order to combat these hunger problems to eat protein so I have a protein drink. Also, if it is not snack time, I drink hot chicken broth although high in salt, it satisfies fairly well.

Argon: Just noticed your loss at 102. congratulations and you certainly do give me hope as I am just starting out. Any hints?

Hi: Seriously, the best is baby food. any type of casserole you make for your family can be pureed. I purchased a book on blender receipts but mostly, I use baby food. Doddie

Hi rosi: What are you worried about. Post and we will try to help. We all had our doubts and worries before the band and I personally wouldn't hesitate to do it all over again. I am still on mushies. The discipline of staying on the clincis diet until I am healed has been very hard but while I fight the good fight, I and the band are becoming close friends. I actually didn't heat the whole 1/4 cup of cream of wheat today. Doddie

Hi Wheezy: Depends on the clinic and the fills are not necessarily for life. You can fill and defill depending on the circumstances. For instance, if you swall too large a peice of food you may have to have a defill to allow it to get into your larger stomach from the pouch. Bostom Bruins - yaeh, Bobby

Hi Jcinabita: Be patient. As long as you are sticking to fluids the weight will come. You are placed in starvation mode to allow the stitches around the band and port to heal. Drink hot tea or hot chicken broth if you are feeling wobbly. The time now is to heal, after your first fill, you then get ernest in weight loss and changing your lifestyle concerning food.

Hi Green just saw your previous post on comfort food. Right in with you. I am so cold most of the times (guess I should get up and move around) also, I miss my comfort food. Love the A&W teenburger or the Burger King Whopper with fries. You are right about the mind disconnect. I can't speak about now yet, but I do know when I lost 100 lbs on WW, I just couldn't see the weight loss, I still felt like a fatty. I am hoping the band will be my conscience when I get into mind disconnect, because that was usually the time I went onto comfort food. Now that you have had the comfort food, be sure and get back on the bandwagon. OK.

Hi Green: You were right. I got the answer now I have my own ticker. Love it. I am feeling great. Still on mushies . Have my moments when I am cooking my hubby his meals so I put a surgical mask over my mouth. Looked stupid but it works. So far no problems with the band. It and I are becoming fast friends. Think I will give it a name. any ideas