Cindy_D

Hey folks we have to remember that a defill doesn't mean the end of the world. We still have our bands and getting the physical issues under control is a priority. Then we can move from there. I guess we're all likely scared of having the weight come back on if the band is loosened, and while some weight increase may happen - once the issues are under control we move on. Lori last night was an eye-opener. I broke all the bandster rules, but for one night it was worth it. This was a fund-raiser for the Greek Fires Relief Fund. It was a seven course food and wine matching. Oh my word was it wonderful. We were at dinner from 5:30 to midnight. I brought home 2 of the 7 courses, and couldn't eat a 3rd. The other four were wonderful - drinking the wine helped move the food through, and there was no PBing or anything getting stuck. Luckily the portions were very small, but I sure am no hungry today! (A bit hung over, but not hungry). Back to basics now. Cindy

Bandiva you know you need a de-fill. Can you contact your fill doc and get that done? If you don't the consequences can be nasty. Good luck... Cindy

Lori it's not just the food, but the wine and food together with a special night for just my husband and myself. We haven't done this in a very long time and we think we deserve it... Cindy

Lynda I live in Peterborough and don't mind driving. If you would like to get together for coffee I'm sure we can pull together a few folks. Lori is in Trenton and there is NancyC in Peterborough as well. For that matter if you would like to just chat on the phone send me a PM and we can try to connect. Cindy

Much better now thanks Lori - it seems to be getting there. Jason (my 16 year old) is getting very used to finishing my meals! He informed me that it is his contribution to helping me reach my goals. Hubby and I have tickets to a 7 course wine and food matching dinner Saturday night. For $195.00 each, I plan on thoroughly enjoying myself, but bringing every ounce of food home that I can't eat - the wine however will be another matter, we are taking a cab.... Jason will be in 7th heaven. Cindy

Andrew I love butterflies - do you sell them on-line? Cindy

Oh you poor thing - hang in there and stay very close to your doctors - if the fluids don't start to leave in the next few days you need to have some kidney function tests done. I'm sure they are watching you, but kidneys are very fragile and don't like a lot of abuse. The fact that you have an ileostomy is a huge trigger that you will need to monitor your diet and intake very carefully. Good luck and this is just a blip - the band is still there waiting for the go-ahead to start doing it's job. Cindy

Do be sure to do your research - you need to be clear what you are buying, what is the follow-up you are getting and how long will they be with you. You may have been referred to CV, but you have the final say and the folks on this forum are overwhelmingly positive of both the SWLC, and TLBC. Both have impeccable reputations and hundreds, if not more, of successfully placed bands. You may want to ask what type of band they use and why - be very clear in that you are doing the consulting - not the other way around.

Lori that is really too bad - I was really hoping you would be able to start moving forward this time. Hopefully with a small de-fill you will be able to stabalize a bit. It shouldn't matter how much is in your band, just as long as it is enough to help you control your amounts. Cindy

The fill went well for me too - Tammy is wonderful and it was over in a second. As far as today goes - it's early, but I did seem to be much more satified. I'm going to give it the full two weeks before making any decisions. Hope to see everyone Saturday. Cindy

Donna your daughter is a sweetheart and I wish I had one like her. Hope, please join us on the 4th - I need these get-togethers too - they are the tonic that helps give me the added inspiration that I find I need right now. Cindy

Debbie how are you? I've been wondering how you've been doing. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone Sunday - I'm sort of stalled right now and have an appointment for fill number 3 on Monday afternoon. See you Sunday! Cindy

I am really just starting out on this journey, but I thank goodness that I am close enough to Toronto to get back and forth when I need to. I have had a few issues with my port incision - nothing serious, but just some slow healing. I have lost some weight, but I'm just not at the right fill level yet - it does take time. I'm off for fill Number 3 on Monday. Andrew I envy you your progress and of course the determination that has contributed to that progress. I guess what I'm thinking is that no matter where we choose to get banded, the follow-up care is going to be really important and needs to be figured out ahead of time. Having the determination to work at increasing activity levels is also going to make huge differences. Good luck to all of us. Andrew I'm waiting with bated breathe to hear your news! Cindy

I'll be there too folks - thought you already knew that so didn't respond again. My apologies Donna. Cindy

Hope everything is okay Rob - you've been doing so well and it must be discouraging to have to slow down a bit. Good luck finding a local person to do your fills - that will certainly make life a bit easier. Cindy

LOL that was my thought Doddie - keep the fat away from me - maybe clothespins would help??? C.

Marnie the SWLC provides follow-up care, dietician consult, access to the surgeon and nurses both during business hours, and after. They will cover issues with the band for up to 5 years post-op. There are web-cast seminars as well. I have only been with the clinic since July and cannot say enough good things about the experience or support I have received from the surgeon. It is not unusual for him to drop into the clinic chat rooms just to see how we are doing. Their website is: The Surgical Weight Loss Centre Forum :: Index Cindy

Good for you Mandi - I can't wait til I can plan my massage days - leg waxing you can keep - and I don't even want to think about the bikini/brazilian - too old for that stuff. The extra skin will just have to be coped with. Green I envy you your face lift - I'm sure it must have hurt, but to know what you want and go after it is a marvelous thing to do. Maybe someday I can talk my other half into seeing the benefit, but parting with more money will always be an issue. Cindy

My clinic does not either - I believe if you are able to go to the clinic where you were banded all follow-up is free - including problems that happen with the band down the road. The secret of success to this procedure is the follow-up - I am very thankful for the personal attention I have received from my surgeon and his staff and collegues. I do believe that the majority of the Toronto clinics follow the same philosophy - it helps. Cindy

I guess it doesn't take much to upset some folks - the power of the written word. I fully support everyone's right to their opinion. Saying that one clinic is "the best" does not mean that other clinics are not - Every one of us makes their choice based on what is right for them. I happen to think that the choice I made in my clinic was the best - for me. We are very lucky to have choices and enthusiasm for those choices is a wonderful thing to behold. Have fun folks, and let's not get into petty arguments. Cindy

Sherry Mandi is right - I am really impatient too - but the weight didn't come on all at once - it will take time and work to get it off. Let it happen - good idea to book your fills for 2 weeks apart, easier to cancell if you don't need them, but it must be frustrating to have to wait so long. Hopefully your doctor thinks about training some of his nurses to complete the fills. Cindy

Where were you banded Sherrylynn? At my clinic, if hunger has returned and weight loss stopped, they will start our fills at 4 weeks. The physicians and staff have recently updated the post-op progress and diets. I had my first fill at 4 weeks, and the second 3 weeks later. I will be trying to arrange my 3rd fill for later this week - it will be a smaller increment, but I'm not quite there. The weight loss really won't start until you have reached a proper retriction - this takes time. Hang in there and check to see if you have to wait another 3 weeks before your first fill - it seems a bit long. Cindy

Congratulations Bella - you won't regret it. The support offered by the staff, nurses, and physicians at the TLBC clinic is wonderful! Cindy

Sheila the fill went well and I think I can feel a bit of a difference right now, but I will wait and see. I stuck to soft foods at lunch time and had a baked potato and small bit of steak for supper - I wasn't able to eat much of it (about 2 oz) so here's hoping. Good luck. Cindy

I'll be thinking about you Lori - I have an appointment at 9:10 at the SWLC for my second fill - let's hope it takes - this is still quite a struggle. Cindy