Soonsunny

I had band surgery April 2007. My band is currently filled to 7.75 cc's. Despite not being able to manage much more food than a cup, I am not losing any weight. To date the only weight I have lost occurred prior to surgery. I am beyond discouraged. Has my metabolism slowed to a dead stop? Soonsunny

Hi all, It's been some time since I started this question. At that time, I was so discouraged and feeling ripped off. Not losing weight when you've put all your eggs in one basket makes it feel as though there is one more failure to a long and painful list of other failures. As it happens, I am now losing weight at a rate of about 1 pound per week. I think that coming to terms with the reasons I resort to food was the single biggest reason for the success I am now experiencing. It is amazing how afraid I was to be smaller. Who would recognize me? How would I dress? What would I do with all the attention? Would I still be me? How would I handle stress? What would I do with myself when bored? Taking the time to deal with these questions, rather than turning to more food or food that is easy to eat but high in calories has been the key for me. Fortunately the band has acted as the little reminder I needed. Most often I wasn't aware that I was eating at all. The band allows me to be in touch with my body in a new way. I think we all need to be easier on ourselves. Best wishes to all. Soonsunny

Hi all, I am wondering what one needs to do when claiming the surgery in your tax return. Soonsunny

I too calculated my return for the surgery expenses at ~$5 000.00. I kept all receipts (cabs etc) and submitted them.

Thanks all who replied. I appreciate it. I was cruising around the CRA website giving myself a headache trying to find the right area. This really clarifies things for me. Soonsunny

Just yesterday I spoke to a dietician about these very issues. We discussed the fact that people who eat in a healthy way are not the people getting bands. We are people who have (and continue) to use food for a variety of reasons (most of them emotional). It stands to reason that when life gets stressful, we eat...it's how we cope. Learning new strategies for stress relief and emotions is something that we also have to learn - along with the learning of how to use the band effectively. Sadly, most of us have invested all of our life savings into what feels like a last resort. When that last resort seems to go awry, we again blame ourselves and old patterns of behaviour and negative self talk starts again. I too have not done particularly well since having the band put on. I have had times where the guilt and frustration have almost lead me to despair. I have a good friend (and coincidently, my sister) who tells me the truth. She reminds me that I am wonderful (because I am), she tells me that I am going to succeed with my weight loss goals (because she is going to encourage me without criticism), she reminds me that the weight did not come on overnight and it would be best if it didn't come off that way. She tells me that I have already done well and that I am strong and have accomplished so much - in spite of my weight. This is a journey not just a destination. What we all need is someone to encourage us and remind us of these things. In my case, because I don't feel any restriction (and have an appointment to remedy that), I have now taken to eating my meals where possible on a bread and butter plate. Sometimes the foods that make it to that plate aren't the healthiest, but I am eating less of what I would have several months ago - this is all good. I have been discouraged because many of you have rightfully shared your wonderful progress. It just hasn't been as great a story for me. I have been discouraged reading about the success stories only - I thought I was the only one that couldn't get their act together. I'm glad that susan has shared her pain, what a wonderful step forward in allowing others to support and encourage her (and me too). Susan, I wish you well. I hope in the coming days, you are able to recognize that you are able to do this. You will lose the weight that you want. In the process you will learn some great things about yourself too. Soonsunny

I was stopped at one of the security posts at the Winnipeg airport and not the others. I have never had a problem with Toronto at all. Maral (from TLBC) was saying that she used to do quite a bit of travelling and found it to be hit and miss in terms of security alarms. She thought that the machines may be differently calibrated.

Hi, I've not had any issues with the band expanding when flying. I've had a few problems with setting off security alarms with the band. It was most trying to have to try and explain with people gawking. One security person's face showed that she was so completely disgusted that I burned with anger and frustration for the whole flight. Urrghh. The good news is that not all security machines pick up on the band - it's a little like Russian Roulette.

Hi, I too have had some difficulties getting fills (I live in Manitoba). It has been quite a distressing experience. I did have a chat with the TLBC about the situation (they were very open to hearing my concerns and did make some good efforts to rectify the issues I had). There is a doctor in Winnipeg who was trained by the Missisauga clinic, but was quite willing to do a fill for me ($75.00). As we (the people from out of the Toronto area), are paying the same for the surgery and supports, but aren't able to access them, it would make sense for them to use the resources not used on us to recruit doctors in major centres across Canada to train and be available to do fills. How's that for a long winded sentence? I struggle with the fact that we are all desperate in a real sense to submit to such an invasive and scary procedure in the first place. It would be good to know that wherever you live in Canada, there would be someone who could help. I heard of a woman in Winnipeg who recently presented at one of the hospitals. She was in dire need of a Defill. She was in the emergency department for hours while dozens of people "had a go" at trying to extract saline through the port, all without success. Nothing would scare me more. My own doctor reassured me by saying that the success of this procedure is going to increase the demand for it. In time, there will be many, many patients who need fills. She asked me to be patient while the system works out the bugs. She is willing to spend her own money to go and observe the procedures in order to help her patients with the fills. How lucky am I? S

Hi all, I'm new to this site, but have enjoyed reading everyone's entries for the last number of days. I was banded on April 19, 2007 (TLBC-Dr. Yau). I am completing the first week of pureed food. I have found this stage a huge challenge as I feel nauseous after eating just a small amount of food. According to the literature, I should be eating about 3/4 of a cup of food per meal. I am uncomfortable with anything more than 1/2 cup. I tried blended lasagna the other night (1/2 cup) and I felt like I'd swallowed a cannon ball. I didn't expect this. Has anyone else had a similar experience. As for pushing the amounts of fluids, I spoke to a post-op counsellor who said that it is very important to eat only the amounts and fluids suggested. She couldn't stress enough how important the healing time is in the broader context of the banding experience. She said the biggest job for me right now is to heal. The weight loss will come in the right time. Soonsunny