CraftyLady

Well Cloe, I'm just at the beginning of my journey ... what size is your coat, maybe I can give it a new home :clap2: if you live in the GTA that is:nervous MaryPat

Andree -- do not be scared to eat -- that was not the purpose of getting banded! 4 days after surgery you can also probably tolerate a little more than Clear Liquids ... the idea is to not eat too much, or too quickly .... Did the clinic you went to give you a diet to follow?? If so do what they said!! If not, the Dr. I used has a set of "guidlines" on his web site -- they say they are for Gastric Bypass, but they also apply to the band ... so if you need something to follow, then try these (and I believe he is on the very conservative side) then here is a link: MIS Group This page tells you how long each stage lasts, and there is a link to the actual "food lists". Don't be afraid of your band -- let it be your friend I'm into the puree stage and have not had any problems with any of the foods he has recommended -- Good Luck, and keep posting to let me know how you are doing This

HI Cindy and New2TCh -- I am still doing well, now 2nd day of puree and I was told I could even add "a few" raisins to my oatmeal -- guess what? I managed to make the porridge last a full 15 mins Maybe the extra 2 T of porridge helped as well Cindy, I was on Optifast as well - and my Dr. actually had it for sale in his office. Every Dr. / clinic is different, but Dr. Klein insists that his patients have the optifast - for exactly the reason you mentioned - to shrink the liver (and also so you loose a little bit of weight too). He told me that he would be able to tell as soon as he started the operation if I had been "good" or "bad", and that if the liver was too big, he would not even risk the op, so I would have wasted my time and $$. I stuck to the plan -- 2 weeks of NOTHING but Optifast -- by the 2nd week I discouvered that adding Chrystal light made a world of difference -- I could have a different flavour and was able to disguise the chocolate (not really a chocolate fan). Tangerine Grapefruit makes a very good addition to Chocolate, and my favourites with vanilla were Summer Peach an strawberry Orange Bannana. I managed to loose 15 lbs on the Optifast. Your amount of loss will depend totally on you, everyone is different ... Nwe2tch - if you would like to see an interesting set of video clips about being banded, there is a series done by OBYGYN net that follow one of their editors on her journey into bandland -- these were done before banding became common in North America -- she went to Germany. I found them extremely interesting (and you will see the placement of the liver and how the have to lift it up before they can get to the stomach area) I am sure the link is elsewhere on this board, but I'll repeat it here so you can find it easily: OBGYN.net Weight Management Section Cindy, I want you to know that I, too, had a headache right at the beginning, and yes, I think it has to do with the drastically different diet all of a sudden -- if you were a coffee drinker, it could be a bit of cafine withdrawal -- OH, if you are a coffee person,I was also told that I could mix cold coffee into my Optifast, or even stir in some instant coffee (and since my dr. seems to be one of the "strictest" with his pre-op requirements I'm sure it should be OK for you too. Keep up the good work girls -- I'll keep posting on my progress as I go ... It is nice to have the great place to share info (and to get help and encouragement) MaryPat.

I've done it -- survived my 1st week of banded life and I FEEL GREAT!! I guess I am one of the lucky ones -- no problems with surgery -- I was up walking and peeing right away. I discouvered that one of the differences between the clinics and going with a Dr. at a hospital is you get a room for the 1st night (just to be on the safe side) -- let me tell you Humber River Hospital is really nice -- the nurses really care! and they take good care of you too (a pleasant surprise, since my previous hospital stay at Sunnybrook was a nightmare) I took everyone's advice and made sure I walked as much as I could (arthritic knees) even if it was just circles around the house (living room, dining room, front hall, and back through the living room again). Full liquids was not too bad, the biggest problem I had was spending 15 minutes eating a 1/4 cup of cream Soup ... or 1/4 cup of anything ... even using a baby spoon to make sure I did not take too much at one time, and "chewing" anything with any substance (cottage cheese) I find that I can make things last about 10 mins max. The other thing I hate is the Protein drink -- I've been mixing as directed, then measuring what I'm supposed to have, double diluting it and adding ice and Chrystal light -- I'm getting it down, but not enjoying the process -- give me nice plain Water any day. Good news it that I did loose another 5 lbs .... so onward and downward I go Big excitement is that tomorrow morning for Breakfast I'm going to try scrambled eggs (I LOVE Scrambled egg).... and for dinner I'm having mashed potatoes (another favourite food). ... and my journey continues ... Pat

HI, I'm another self-pay from Ontario -- I did check and NO, OHIP will not cover the Band only "the bypass" ... but I'm banded now (as of yesterday) so now my adventure begins again .... MaryPat.

Hi Andrea - I'm now on day 13 of Optifast -- take it one day at a time ... There is not "right" or "wrong" amount to lose ... everyone is different -- depends on how much you weighed before you started, how active you are or are not, etc. I'm getting near the end and have only been weighing myself every 3-4 days -- so far I've been losing about 5 lbs every 3 days. Keep true to the diet YOUR doctor gave you -- each place is different - some can have vegetables and pickles, others (like me) were told not to eat anything while taking the Optifast ... I really want my band to work, so I'm doing exactly as I've been told -- don't need any complications or hiccups along the way MaryPat, in Toronto

Very strange ... my family doctor sent in her referral and I heard from Dr. Klien's office within about a week ... I filled in their patient survey mailed it to them, and 2 weeks later I had an appointment. From my initial consultation 'till surgery as you can see in my signature will only be a little less than 3 months. If you have not already made other plans, check out his website MIS Group The "new patient" form is online so you will now what they ask about ... then you need the referal from you family doctor ... For me it was that simple and that fast .... since we have to pay for our surgery -- now, I am paying $17,000 and I've heard that some of the other Toronto area clinics only charge $16,000 - so that may play a part in your choice -- My family doctor was the one who suggested I look into bariatric surgery (in general) and she felt that this was the best place to refer me to. So far I'm pleased -- at my inital meeting he straight out asked if we needed to have a financial discussion or if we could have a medical discussion -- we choose medical but he still explained both types of surgery, their pros and cons, the OHIP vrs pay ourselves, and then addressed my specific problems and concerns - I never felt pushed one way or the other but rather that he truly was treating this as a medical issue -- time was my critical concern Bypass would have been 2-3 years, and I would probably be in a wheelchair by that time, so to keep my mobility (and with hopes of improving it) we decided to do the band rather than wait. Don't know if this helps any, but that's my story so far ....

I spoke with the dietitian and she suggested that if I liked coffee, I could either make the Optifast with cold coffee or add instant coffee crystals into my drink. I tried it and it turned the plastic chocolate into an almost palitible sort-of latte .... She also told me that I could add Chrystal light into the shakes -- so I've tried Chrystal Light strawberry banana which was almost yummy, and Nestea's version of "light" flavouring called Summer Peach -- that was good too So, now I'm 6 days done, and only 8 to go and with the help of strong coffee and "light" flavour crystals I'm sure I can make it through. When it comes to having to drink Protein shakes, at least I get my choice of flavour - with Optifast I was given 1/2 vanilla, 1/2 chocolate and could not change the mix to all vanilla ... the Protein powder I got is French Vanilla so will go well with any of the fruit flavoured Chrystal Light things. As for disclosure -- everyone who is important to me know what is happening - my husband (he is my biggest supporter), my Mom, 3 sisters and all their kids, all my girlfriends, the folks that I stitch with in Michigan ('cause I'm going to be going to a class 8 weeks after surgery -- my incentive to get well fast :whoo:). Everyone I've talked with have been very supportive, and some were very curious about the procedure since they did not know anything about lap banding (and were also "thin-challenged") I guess I have been very lucky that my family doctor has been very supportive -- she has been with me though a variety of diets, some she did not particularly like, some Doctor monitored, and the referral to the bariatric surgeon was her suggestion - she knew I had tried everything else. I, too, believe that we need to educate everyone about what being obese is really like -- When I was working full time and they sent around the "visible minority" survey-- I always wrote Obese beside the Other category. I firmly believe that my weight was on of the reasons it took me so long to get my 1st promotion ... after that the "powers that be" never knew who was being discussed personally, so results were used as a gauge (much fairer!) So get out there and Toot Your Horn -- I'm not getting a new car this year, I'm getting a new lease on LIFE!!!! and I am very proud of it!!!:clap2: MaryPat

I live in north-east Scarborough, and was wondering if there are any others out in this area. From the reading I've been doing it seems like all activities, meetings, etc. are out in the west end. My surgery will be at Humber Hospital (400 and Finch) because that is where the Dr works out of -- but other than that I'm generally an east-end person. Another question while I'm at it -- has anyone here had Dr. Klein?? Just curious since most folks seem to be from the TLBC. MaryPat (now on day 4 of Optifast :sick)

You will probably laugh at this, but I think what I am looking forward to most is being able to walk up the stairs (one stair one foot) Right now I have arthritis soooo bad I go one step at a time (one stair 2 feet) then the next step -- slow and sure .... Way back when I remember "bounding" or "skipping" up the stairs -- that would be so nice Your diet must be less strict than mine -- I was told not to add anything to my Optifast, and only Water (or Chrystal lite in water) should be consumed with it - i.e. no additional foods. .../mp

Since my Surgery date is July 27th, my July goal is to get through the surgery and back home healthy and happy ... This also includes making it through the 2 weeks of Optifast (not such wonderful stuff, but a necessary evil for a successful surgery). MaryPat

Hi there, I can't say I like Optifast any better than you --I'm on Day 2 (or 14) ... my surgery is scheduled for July 27th.<br /> <br /> I just keep telling myself it is only 14 days, and I CAN DO THIS!!!<br /> <br /> Remember this is the 1st step towards a new lease on life, and 1 week, or 2 weeks, or 3 weeks of unpleasantness is a drop in the bucket of of life ... I've had many, many more weeks in the past of eating wrong foods, or too much food, or .... So now I'm taking small +ve steps forward and I CAN DO THIS!!<br /> <br /> Theory is if I tell myself often enough I might even believe myself.<br /> <br /> Our surgery dates are 4 days apart, so we can keep in touch with each other and see how we are doing ...<br /> <br /> My surgery is at Humber Hospital (400 and Finch) in Toronto with Dr. Klein -- How about you??<br /> <br /> MaryPat -- now at the excited but getting a little scared stage

OK, I've seen the dietitian, and the social worker (shrink) both agreed that I am a good candidate and will be able to handle the self controls that are needed to suceed -- the Pre-Op for this doctor is Optifast ONLY -- nothing added if at all possible. Clear Fluids for only 1-2 days after surgery, then 2 weeks of "full" fluids i.e. milk based, cottage cheese and yougurt and s/f custard and pudding. then 2 weeks of pureed floods - any self made or baby food item as long as it is smooth, then move slowly into solids. In 2 week chunks, I can do this - it will not be that long!! and Non-food rewards are suggested along the way -- I might get a manicure, or buy myself some flowers :drum: - not something I would normally do ... Also recommended was to start now and watch what you eat -- the more I can loose before surgery, the better. I can do this -- MaryPat

This is sooooo interesting -- I will be taking Optifast as well, but don't know all the "details" about the diet -- my dietitian appointment is tomorrow ... so I guess I'll hear about the vegetable part -- so far all I know is 4 optifast things a day for 2 weeks .... and I start July 12th. Really glad to hear I can "flavour" them up I am not really a chocolate fan (strange I know, but I got migraines from chocolate, so it was easy to resist -- 1-2 bites = 3 weeks of agony -- definaitely enough to turn you off chocolate!!) but I really like Kahluha , so should be no problems now