smiley

Thanks yoda. Didn't know they give different people different pre-surgery diets. I thought it was the same for everyone. I was even allowed, only once a day, the cottage cheese with the fruit bottom. Tropical fruit being the best. Cottage cheese is not my favorite either, but the fruit really helped. I have never tried the optifast, but the bottom line is the TLBC pre-surgery diet is cheaper. All the staff is great, and the fact that most of the staff have been banded and have the before pictures to prove it. That alone was very comforting to me. I had done lots of research before hand, but seeing their pictures really convinced me this was the right thing for me. I didn't know about these web sites until just recently, and have learned so much from everyone on both sites. I wish I had known about them earlier, then I wouldn't have felt so alone being from a rural area about 2 1/2 hours from Toronto. Thanks again. Smiley

Another point is that at the TLBC you do not go on optifast, for your pre-surgery diet is yougurt and cottage cheese. At least it was 13 months ago. If needed you can have Broiled skinless boneless chicken ( I cooked in a George Forman Grill with garlic and lemon juice) once a day. That would save the cost of the others pre-surgery diet food. Sounds like it would save you about $140. from other posts. I am not sure of the true cost of their optifast, but at least the TLBC foods gives you some different flavors and foods so your are not so sick of the same thing every day. Good luck with your choice. Smiley

Hi Yoda: I have to admit I can't sleep without my cpap either. I take it everywhere too! We should start a survey of how many people have a cpap and how many people really want to get rid of it if they could. I don't know if I could. Smiley

Must be nice to be off the cpap. I still have a lot of weight to go before I think I can rid of the machine. I have had it now for about 5 years, do have to admit I sleep way better with it than I had in years. So I am not sure I will ever get rid of it. Glad to see everything went well for you with your surgery. talk soon. Lil :clap2:

Glad to hear nothing happened to your machine the way they handle checked luggage. My husbands bag looked like it went through a war in 4 short hours. They really don't care if they run over it with the plane. I never pack anything breakable in my checked luggage. You were very lucky. CPAP machines are very expensive as you know, think twice before packing it with you checked luggage next time. Did everything else go ok?

A cpap machine is for sleep apnea. In case you don't know what sleep apnea is, it is a sleeping disorder. Generally you stop breathing when you sleep. If you have every woken your self up gasping for air, you got it. The machine is worn while you sleep and forces air into you so keep breathing. Since getting mine, I have the best sleep in my life. I use to wake tired, now every night is a great night's sleep! Hope this clarifies it for you. Smiley

I traveled to Mexico in January on vacation. I traveled with Transat, and I took my cpap machine in its case and another carry on. As long as the case is under the size restrictions that you carrier has you will be fine. The total weight of the 2 bags should also be under the carry one limit. good luck, Smiley

Yea, what is PB? The nurse at the office told me the excess saliva sometimes is caused by our glands reacting to very flavorful foods. Like when you smell something really good and you want to drool! I get it all the time, no food in it, just very thick saliva. Lil

Hi Mandi, Yes I was banded in Toronto, at the TLBC on Mar. 9, 2006 Lil

:canada: :canada: Hi everyone! Banding is the greats thing since sliced bread, ( which we don't have anymore-right!) :clap2: It is almost 1 year and have lost 60 pounds YEA!! still have about 125 pounds to go. Been stuck lately, band I think is at a good restriction, because I cannot eat very much at once, problem is I am looking for "goodies" now. Anybody in the same boat as me? I am bored with what I am eating and need some new food ideas! If anyone had found some new stuff or recipes that have helped you, please share with the rest of us that are stuck. I was banded at the TLBC on March 9 2006. Another question is how do you get the graphs at the bottom of your notes? I am fairly new at computers stuff - so be gentle! I just joined this group, like it much better than the "other one" with all the bickering. thanks in advance for any help, Smiley

I am just new to this site and wish I had found it before my surgery. I live about 2 1/2 hours from Toronto, and don't have anyone to talk to about this and can't just run into the office. These message boards are great to ask questions, read other peoples problems and get answers. When you go in for your surgery, pop your head in to Nisirine's office and ask to see that photo. She use to weigh it think about 295. Hard to believe! She looks great. I think that is why I liked TLBC because most of the people there have gone through this too. If you see Kathy P she has a before photo too. I helps with the pre-surgery fear we all go through. Good luck on the 21st! Let us all know how you did. Lil

Dear Melenie, Add the GST to the 16,000. If you have Sleep Apnea you have to stay overnight and that will be a little extra too. I had my band last March and they are very good for their care and asking questions. Nisrine is lovely, ask to see her before picture as she had this done too. Post op care is wonderful even after almost a year. I have lost about60 pounds, should have been more, my fault! good luck Lil