susansilver

I agree Miranda, I met with Dr. Yau personally. He was great. Everyone is different so every one reacts to the different personalities in a different way. Feel confident in your decision. They are both really good surgeons.

Miranda - Last week was also the Bandster Bash - both Jill and especially Kathy were heavily involved in organizing that. Yesterday I did not feel well at all. I started having pains on either side of my lower abdomen on Wednesday of last week. By sunday it was really bad, especially when I walked. I had a very impt meeting on Monday so went to work. I called TLBC (Daryl, the head nurse) to ask if this could possibly be related to the band. I left a message and she called me back with 10 minutes! She told me it could be gas etc. I ended up in emerg because by 2:30 I ws doubled over in pain. The Dr. was a bit of an a$$hole when I told him about the band, (why didn't you go there? why come here?) but they did bloods, xray and ct scan. Everything is fine with my band, but I did not realize that I wasy EXTREMELY constipated. Backed up so to speak. I have been taking prune juice but I think it is not enough. I will get some benefibre today. Anyways, the point is I have received great Customer service. Do not be afraid to call reception and ask if someone is in, or if it is a surgery day and that they might be very busy. Do not hesitate to tell them if this is an emergency or whatever you feel that you might need. Good luck Miranda - in my opinion you have chosen a great clinic and it will be great. p.s. I am glad I am not the only patient with this huge crush on Dr. Yau! LOL

I bought a pair of cotton capris - about a size bigger and drawstring to wear afterwards. You don't want anything tight on your abdomen at all.

I am not a picture taker either. Also, I didn't go for the whole weekend - just Saturday. Loriely, I was looking at all the couples there woondering who you were. but I was shy to start asking...

As you have already said - your feelings are very normal Leslielee. I am so excited for you. Tonight I had a few ounces of salmon andsome veggies and even though I have no restirction yet, I was satisified. I even left a couple of veggies on my plate (following bandster eating rules - protein, veg & fruit, starch). I was at the Canadian Bandster Bash on Saturday and there was a fabulous psychiatrist name Barry Simon who spoke and he compared "buying" the band to buying a very rare and expensive Stadavarius violin. He asked us to think about how long it would take to learn to use such an instrument. So the band, it takes time to learn just how to use it effectively. So be patient, be good to yourself and enjoy the journey. (My lessons to be sure).

Jannet - any other day would be great, but it is my daughter's birthday so right after the seminar and fill I have to run downtown to pickup some treats and bring them to her class. :cry

why are you not taking your cute dogs for a walk???

Jannet My fill is on June 18th as well. What time are you going? My appt is for 9:30 am

YES!!! That is why I got the cleaning lady!!! I hated feeling that anger and resentment.

Congrats Ginger! Good for holding on about the date and making the right decision.

Wow Mr. Y! That is fabulous news.

I second that and I LOVE your website. Just have to get the cc from DH!

Hey Donn D - no Unjury yet. I emailed them and said I would wait until Tuesday. They were very nice. If you got yours, then I am hoping mine will comein in a few days. Doddie- very good points about weight prejudice.

I totally agree with you Andrew - they suck at running that program. I hope Big Medicine profiles the band as well as bypass. I also reawlly hope they do a good and balanced job of it!

Last night - watched the show on TLC - Brookhaven OBesity Centre. Yup, no cheating last night for sure. Has anyone else seen it? I can imagine myself, if my life were somewhat different being in that same situation. I have LOTS of issues with how they run that clinic, but I do hope that people who see the show will have more compassion for the morbidly obese and a little more understanding of food addiction.

Hi Rob, I have found that it is difficult to reach someone right off the bat by telephone. I suspect that the clinic is very busy with patients. What I have found that works best is to leave a message on the voicemail with a call back number and your question. I have always gotten a call back with the answers. re: Email - also found that very efficient. Will usually get a response within 2-12 hours. Take a deep breath and try again. I would explain calmly that you are not happy with their level of service and ask what YOU can do to ensure that they are more responsive to you. I am sure you will see a difference. Let us know.

When I was working out my budget to see if I could afford the lapband surgery (self pay in Toronto), I told my husband that the only thing I will NEVER give up is my cleaning lady. We are only three people, so although my 9 year old DD is messy, our condo doesn't tend to get too dirty. She comes once every two weeks and I will only do something in between if there is a spill etc. Otherwise it's all hers! I do laundry once a week and that is my big chore in the house besides cooking. DH and I no longer fight wabout housework because we don't have any! I no longer resent all the hours I used to spend cleaning only for it to get dirty again! My house is clean, mostly tidy and we are VERY happy! It is well worth the expense!

Mandi, I love reading your posts because you give such a well rounded representation of what living with a band is all about. Your weight loss is fabulous!

Had a good day yesterday sticking to proper portions and mushies. Last night I did alot of reading in the complications section to scare me back to proper pre op diet! LOL

Ah LL, I would have loved to come to meet you at some point, but Mississauga is quite a ways from downtown Toronto, where I live and work. However, PM me and I will give you my numbers, maybe we can at least talk on the phone.

I agree with the last two posters above. I have been on anti-depressants for the last five years and most likely will stay on the rest of my life. I have chronic depression and anxiety and being obese just makes it worse. I don't think that losing the weight will get me off the meds - I do have a chemical imbalance and just as I take insulin for diabetes, I take my anti-ds for my depression. Mental illness is an illness, a physical illness of the brain. So, I would suggest you get your meds straight so that you are feeling good regardless of the band. To me that is a separate issue to deal with. HAving said that, if I were not on meds, I don't think that I would be able to do this. It is not easy and you have to have a good sense of yourself and your goals to be successful. I wish you the very best of luck whatever you decide.

I am so happy to see this thread! I thought I was the only one. I gained 2 lbs this past week, but am NOT going to change my ticker! LOL

Yoda. I knew about the 3/4 of a cup combined, but this weekend I definitely went over that. Today was much better though I did your refried Beans with a layer of homemade guacamole and mushed chicket breast. It was good and filling. I agree that beans are a good option, nutritious and delicious!!! I am hanging in....

Hi Wheezy, I live and work downtown, so I never use the GO - however this is the website and it will also give you the times for the schedule. GO Transit Home Page

Green - My first fill is June 18th and I can't wait. I know it will just have to be easier than this! Fortunately or unfortunately I heal very well so I have not had any swelling to feel restricted since I started full fluids!!! That was about May 8th.... I think this hunger has been building for a while and that is why I let myself go.... That bowel infection sounds nasty, I do hope that clears up soon. LL - you tell that Matt that he is a sweetie! He is proud of you with good reason! Those pickles sound good! When do you fly into Toronto?