Puddy

I am part of the "Shrinking Violets", a group of men and women banded in April 2007 who communicate via LapBand Talk, and there are a few women in my group from Texas who are planning to get together for coffee. I thought that was a great idea and thought it would be nice if I could get together with some fellow LapBanders from the GTA. Please reply to this if you are interested or feel free to send me a personal message. Wishing you all contiued success!!

Thank you Donna. I too think us canadians are a pretty friendly bunch. :peace: Lisa, I am from Toronto and I would love to join the July 27 luncheon. Are there any other details you can give me. For example, who are reservations under? Is there a thread for this luncheon?

Sorry ladies I didn't mean to exclude anyone. All are welcome. My main objective is to communicate with those close to me.

Are there any shrinking violets from Toronto, Ontario? I am envious of the fact that the Texas people are getting together and would like to set something up with those who live in my area.

I would like to be part of the July exercise challenge. Could someone please brief me on what this months challenge is...it would save me the time of going back some 100 pages to find it. :nervous

The preop diet used by Dr. Cobourn and the SWLC is a 2-3 week diet which consists of 3 Optifast shakes per day plus an extra 225 calories worth of green vegetables. Drink lots of Water. coffee and Tea with no milk, cream or sugar added. Calorie wise dressings...fat free preferred. People tend to lose alot of weight in this period. I was on the 3 week diet and lost 23 lbs. The postop diet is water only for the first 24 hours after surgery. A liquid diet for 2 weeks after surgery. A puree diet your third week after surgery. A soft food diet your fourth week after surgery and from that point start introducing foods to your diet gradually.

Hello everyone, I was banded April 3, 2007, at the SWLC by Dr. Mumford, and would like very much to be part of this group. I've been working out with a trainer since the middle of May and find that I have been loosing inches, alot...15.5 overall, however the weight loss seems to be a little slow...10lbs overall since May 17. I've been told that this may be do to the fact that I am building muscle which weighs more than fat. Regardless of the reasons I am getting frustrated. I have been at 222 lbs for the past 2 weeks despite the fact that I am working out 5 hours a week, feeling more restriction and that I am eating less then before. Has anyone else been through this? Does anyone have any suggestions? What do I need to do to get into the teens?? :help:

For the first time since surgery I feel full. I am soo excited I wanted to share this with others.

Congratulations on your upcoming surgery Carla. I too am from Toronto. I wish my pre-op consisted of yogurt and cottage cheese. I was banded at the SWLC in Mississauga and their pre-op diet consists of 3 Optifast protein shakes and 225 calories of green vegetable a day. It was a rough time but at the end of it I had lost 23 lbs and it was well worth the struggle. As Susansilver said, once you're done the pre-op diete you tend to brag about your success. :clap2:

Babs, I suggest you be frank with your "exercise specialist" and tell him although you appreciate his opinion you have realized that your weight is a problem and that despite the fact that you diet and lose weight you are unable to keep it off and you would appreciate he/she assist you in whatever way possible so that you may prepare for your upcoming surgery. I don't see why the surgeon would send you to someone who is trying to talk you out of surgery??? I understand your frustrations because my GP did not approve of the surgery either. I did it and don't regret it. I'm down 44 lbs and feeling great. I also did not have to wait long after my consultation...I was banded a month and a half after...unfortunately I had to pay $16k CDN...after seeing the results that no longer bothers me.

I just ordered my bracelet. I am going away on vacation for a month and thought of getting one but didn't really think they had one for lapbanders...I now feel alot safer. Thanks for bringing this up Donna.

By satisfied I mean looking down at your plate and not wanting anymore of what is on it. I've learned to do that since I still do not get the full feeling. If I were to eat until I felt full I'm afraid I'd be over eating. My post op diet mainly consists of a piece of protein the size of a deck of cards and vegetables on a small plate. The first thing Dr. Mumford suggested I do was change the size of my plate. He said it's important for your frame of mind. I now use a small plate and fill it as opposed to using a larger one and having it half empty. When I eat pasta I use a small cereal boul. I'm going on day 3 after my second fill and find that I can feel the slightest restriction...that's very exciting for me.

Most people I've spoken with have had and continue to have problems with digesting bread. I am unable to eat a whole sandwich. I can eat, at the very most, one slice of whole grain bread...and I don't do that often. When I'm in the mood for it I substitute it for 3-4 pieces melba toast. When I do attempt to eat bread I make sure I am at home so that I can deal with any illnesses that arise from the attempt.

I, much like Andrew, stop eating when I am satisfied I've had enough. The most uncomfortable feeling happens when "I knew I should not have had that last bite". :rolleyes I just had my second fill on Tuesday and am feeling a little more restriction than I did before but still have not had the "full feeling"

Lor, I had my first fill, 4cc's, on June 1 and my second fill yesterday, 1cc. The nurse was hesitant to fill me up seeing as I had lost 7lbs in the 3.5 weeks. She gave in when I told her that I was not feeling any restriction. I think it's important to make an appointment for a fill as soon as you realize you do not feel restriction. I guess each doctor/clinic is different interms of how soon after a fill they give you another. I'm not sure where you live or where you had your surgery but I'm from Toronto and I had my surgery at the Surgical Weight Loss Center at the Plastic Surgery Clinic and I've know of others who have had fills within 2 weeks of each other.

Hi Consafo, I know the feeling. When I went in for my 2 week check up the nurse told me I could try the puree diet a few days early but to stop if I was experiencing any difficulties. I started on pureed foods 3 days ealier. I started with mashed potatoes and I was fine. My suggestion to you is that your puree/mash the food thoroghly. Good luck and continued success!! :clap2:

Dr. Mumford was my surgeon and I would recommend him to anyone. He said he would call the next day and he did...not typical of most men. LOL On a serious note, the clinic you have chosen is by far "A World Class" Center. On the day of my surgery they made sure to make me feel comfortable and at ease. Honestly, I was not nervous at all. From the moment I walked into the clinic to the moment I lay down on the surgery table I was never alone. Dr. Mumford met with me before surgery to go over any questions and to instruct me on what would happen over the next 48 hours. When I woke up, in pain, he was there within minutes to say hi, tell me everything went well and to perscribe me liquid codene. I can't say enough good things about Dr. Mumford or the Staff at the clinic. To this day, they are all very helpful and extremely cordial.

After 3 months of weight loss, yesterday I emailed my family and friends before and after pictures. I could hardly believe it myself...the difference was amazing. Everyone emailed me back to tell me how proud they were of me and to wish me continued success. The subject line was titled "My Success". At this point, it truly is the most successful I have ever been at losing weight. I am down 40lbs!!! It wasn't while writing the body of my email that I realized this is the I will never have to worry about gaining it back. My personal goal, for the time being, is a total weight loss of 100lbs. I've always prayed and dreamed of losing that kind of weight and now I am. No one is prouder of myself than I am. :clap2:

After 3 months of weight loss, yesterday I emailed my family and friends before and after pictures. I could hardly believe it myself...the difference was amazing. Everyone emailed me back to tell me how proud they were of me and to wish me continued success. The subject line was titled "My Success". At this point, it truly is the most successful I have ever been at losing weight. I am down 40lbs!!! It wasn't while writing the body of my email that I realized this is the I will never have to worry about gaining it back. My personal goal, for the time being, is a total weight loss of 100lbs. I've always prayed and dreamed of losing that kind of weight and now I am. No one is prouder of myself than I am. :clap2:

Congratulations on your upcoming surgery. You've chosen an amazing clinic. I was banded on April 3, 2007 by Dr. Mumford and both he and Dr. Coburn and the nurses and staff were and have been terrific. I went in on Friday for my first fill, 4cc's, and was more nervous then the day I went in for surgery. I told Tammy, the nurse, this and she told me to rest assure because there was nothing to worry about. We talked a little longer and then before I knew it, it was over. Any time I've called or emailed the nurses they have called right back. After surgery Dr. Mumford followed up with a personal phone call twice and both times he was in no rush to hang up. He answered all my questions and made recommendations for a speedy recovery..the service truly is fantastic. Good Luck and God Bless.