Alex R.

Just reading some of Mr. Yoda's posts about that funny feeling at the back of your throat - like a hair or something is stuck there. I had that too. Interesting that there were a few posts saying they too had this feeling. Did you ever figure out what what was? I thought perhaps is was a "soft stop" signal.

Faux chicken parmesan: Use whatever cooked chicken you have - or quickly saute a boneless, skinless chicken breast. Grind that up in your blender. Add whatever tomato sauce you like. Add some cheese - parmesan or whatever nuke it in the microwave. Not bad.

I chose the band for all the usual reasons - 10X lower surgical mortality rate, no bits being removed or rerouted, no malabsorption, reversability But the biggest incentive for my decision was that the band would always be there for me. I don't want to regain the weight I lose, and I'm told it is less likely to happen with the band if we keep at appropriate fill levels. It will be slower to lose, but my greatest hope is that it will stay off.

<p>Excellent post. I hadn't realized that having OHIP cover banding would be counter-productive for the doctors - but your argument makes sense.</p> <p> </p> <p>In the alternative, how would we go about getting our extended health plans to cover banding - ie Great West Life, etc.</p>

Where is your port located? Did the surgeon have to do any repair, or are do you just have to let yourself heal?

Forgot to mention - it has 25 grams of protein, and 120 calories.

I didn't have a clue what kind to buy either. I walked up to my local drugstore, which happens to have a health food section. By a stroke of luck, a girl was demonstrating this Protein drink product, and was able to give me lots of information about all kinds of Protein drinks. I bought InterACTIVE whey - in two flavours, Bavarian chocolate Mousse and vanilla Clouds. Takes very good. Like a milkshake. It does mix better in a blender however, but you probably could get a good result just shaking it in a jar. Add the milk first.

Tracy - you should just be fine. I was banded a little more than 2 weeks ago and I didn't have any gas pains at all. My surgery was Thursday, I had the long easter weekend to recuperate, and back at work the following Tuesday. I know I was lucky, and it can be quite different for others, but hopefully you'll be lucky like me. When I told the post-op nurse how I was doing, she said - the women who tell me that they are feeling great, usually have had children (especially if by C-section).

....oh yeah, and non-fat lattes.

The diet is not that exciting, but it is do-able. Initially, I ate quite a lot of yogurt (sugar free, low fat, with tiny bits of fruit) and less cottage cheese. Not a huge fan of the cottage cheese, I got permission to add bits of chopped jalapeno peppers to the cottage cheese - but stopped that by the second week. Started to worry about the hot peppers irritating the stomach, and thus defeating some of the effects of the diet. Towards the end, I didn't need that much yogurt to get filled. But I lost 15 pounds.

I agree with faithmd - I used a jar that had originally held spahetti sauce on my blender. Works great. Same size as a Magic Bullet.

I had two weeks of yogurt and cottage cheese only. Lost 15 pounds.

I know this is too late to help - but I cooked a turkey last week, just to make the broth. I knew that the Soup I would make would have way more nutrition than anything canned or dry. And I have been craving that soup all through my pre-op diet. I am 3 days out and looking so forward to that turkey soup! Alex 3 days post-op feeling pretty good

I was originally going to cop to an embarrassing female problem to cover for the surgery and odd post-op eating behavior. However, I felt I owed my boss the real story, just in case something went wrong or I needed help while at work. His response was overwhelmingly supportive, "You must be so excited" he said. I then felt that it would just be easier to tell everyone. Keeping track of who you've told, and who you haven't, or wondering if someone who knows told someone else....oh, it was just too complicated. Better to be open about it. For me, at least. Alex 3 days post-op feeling pretty good

Hi Susan, I am being banded at the TLBC in three days - and have been on the yogurt and cottage cheese diet for almost two weeks. Its not very exciting, but remarkably doable. I am not hungry. And I've lost 15 pounds. A nice start. I received the pre-op diet sheet with the other materials when I paid my deposit. It was further discussed at the pre-op seminar.

Hi Leslie, I chose lap-band over RNY for several reasons. In order: 1. Safer. Statistics show that RNY is 10 times riskier (1/200 RYN vs. 1/2000 band I believe) 2. No malabsorbsion. 3. Less invasive - no cutting, stapling, re-routing or removing. 4. Less likelihood of regaining weight - which is my particular problem area. 5. Time - I could have lap-band in 3 weeks, instead of having to wait 3 years. I had to deal with this now. 5. Reversible Downside: Cost, slower weight loss. Some may find that the necessary follow ups, ie fills, can be problematic - but my clinic is extremely convenient, within walking distance of my office so it was not an issue with me. Hope this helps. Alex

We are also advised not to take any Vitamins, aspirin, etc. during that time as well. I believe it is to avoid any stomach irritation, but someone else might be able to speak to that. I have just completed the first week of the two week pre-op diet and remarkably, its not that bad. Surgery is next Thursday. I've been ready for this - psyched - and excited to be finally there. I agree with Doddie - its a state of mind. Like you, I have thought about this for a very long time. Did my research, made the decision. I'm ready. Alex

Hi Angie, Yup - yogurt and cottage cheese. Low fat, sugar free. The clinic used to do Optifast, but find that this works just as well and is a lot less expensive. I have been prepared for this for several weeks, so amazingly, I'm doing ok. I've lost about 11 pounds. Kind of nice, because it spans 3 "tens" or middle digits on the scale. Looks more impressive than it is, but what a lovely feeling to be losing. Just don't ask about the constipation.....

Hi Everyone, My surgery date is April 5th at the TLBC,Toronto Lap Band Centre, with Dr. Yau. I'm on day 6 of a two week pre-op diet. Strictly yogurt and cottage cheese. Not very exciting, but do-able. I'd love to join your group. Thanks, Alex

My intention was to only tell my immediate family - but before long, I was telling more and more people. I have three daughters - 15, 19 and 22. My two youngest are very happy for me - but my eldest. Wow. She is very angry with me. I am stunned.

Hi Leslie, I am being banded on April 5th at TLBC. Here are some links that might help you in your research: http://obesityhelp.com/forums/LapBand/a,messageboard/board_id,5359/ message board for Lap-Band. Most users are US - but there is good info about banding and they are a friendly bunch and very helpful. Obesity Help has also has local forums - look for the provincial ones that are applicable. I find however, that those boards don't have many bandsters and mostly discuss insurance issues relating to RNY. (at least thats the Ontario board) http://obesityhelp.com/forums/AB/ Alberta forum. https://login.yahoo.com/config/login_verify2?.intl=us&.src=ygrp&.done=http%3a//health.groups.yahoo.com%2Fgroup%2Fcanadianlapbanders%2Fmessages This link "should" take you to the Canadian Lapbanders - but you will have to sign up first. Dr. Cobourn - http://www.obesitysurgery.ca/index.php I've only heard excellent things about him. Dr. Klein - http://misgroup.ca/ Toronto Lap Band Centre - http://www.tlbc.ca/index.php I chose this clinic based on experience and convenient location. I can walk there from my office for fills, etc. Dr. Tin - http://www.tcclinic.com/?gclid=COzIi-aNlYsCFRPdPgodSjztWQ only just heard about this one yesterday. Hope this helps. Alex

BMI 40 I'm on day 5 of a two week pre-op diet - only yogurt and cottage cheese. sigh.....

No, my surgery is April 5th. I'm going to TLBC - Dr. Yau. However, I didn't book the surgery that soon. I had a vacation planned, and booked it for after that.

I was initially alarmed when told that I could have surgery with 3 weeks. We are so used to long wait lists for medical procedures that being able to have something done this fast seems almost unnatural.

I'm being banded there on April 5th. The clinic is lovely, the surgical suite is very modern and immaculate. All the people I have met there have been great. Its quite a different experience with private medicine, rather than OHIP. Its like being treated as a valued client.