Cindy_D

How are you doing Michee? I am so looking forward to getting to that stage.... Cindy

I will be there too! Looking forward to seeing everyone again. Cindy

I will be there too Laurie - it's been a long time! Cindy

Sister C it occurs to me that you may be feeling hungry early because you are eating foods that are able to slip through the opening to your larger stomach. You really need to be concentrating on getting enough hard Protein (chicken, fish, beef, pork or legumes if you are vegetarian). The softer foods like yogurt, Jello, puddings are not going to stay in the upper stomach long enough for you to feel full. You may want to touch base with your clinic dietician to review your intake - and then get another fill if you are still not reaching satiety. Good luck - it does take time. Cindy

Sister C - maybe you should have a look at the consistency of what you are eating. smoothies, yogurt, yellow, cheese are all pretty soft and will easily slip through your pouch opening. If you aren't eating firm Protein like chicken, beef, pork the food will pass through quickly leaving you feeling hungry. I am now at the right level of restriction and have to watch what I eat - chicken is great as is small portions of beef and pork. That is the food that keeps me satiated. In a pinch I will have yogurt and fruit for Breakfast - the fruit seems to help the yogurt stay put and usually gets me through to late afternoon. You will find your right level, but watch the consistency of the protein and vegetables - the firmer the better.. Cindy

Heather do you know the name of the bill passed in December? I'd be interested in reviewing it. I have mixed feelings about potential coverage for the band - very few of us who are self-pay are wealthy and it has been a stretch for most. For the gov't to cover it would require an adjustment of available OR times that are currently used for Cancer surgeries and other more imminent life threatening procedures. While obesity will result in decreased longevity, death for most will be a result of illnesses as a result of obesity. I found a way to finance the band surgery and have a resolved committment to ensure this works. Would it be the same if I could have simply had the procedure covered? Not sure - but I would not have wanted to join a two to three year waiting list if that had been an option. Thank God I didn't have to make that decision - the only choice I had was to do it or not - no complications with trying to decide if I could afford it - I could not afford to not have the surgery. Just my thoughts. Cindy

Mandi so far the only people who have posted here (to my knowledge) have used either SWLC or TLBC. Why not contact the NS gov't on Monday and see if you can find something about bariatric surgeries in NS and what is covered. Likely he is looking at a long wait if it is indeed publicly funded. If you went the private route, you know what you will be looking at - financing issues, and fill challenges - but you did it, so maybe it is Dan's turn...Good luck with the fact finding. Cindy

Betty good luck with your surgery tomorrow. I certainly understand that you don't want to alienate anyone prior to your surgery, but I really have to question the rationale about the increase fees, especially for something you neither want nor need. Unfortunately it appears as though it is too late to get a refund and rebook elsewhere - that would be my advice to anyone else who may not feel as comfortable with spending the extra money - I have to wonder why the price difference between the two main clinics as well. The services are, on the surface, similar - options should be discussed and chosen. Regardless, the consensus seems to be that you will be in good hands. Cindy

There are very few contraindications for having a lapband inserted. The "hoops" people have to negotiate are related to insurance company regulations for those who are lucky enough to have that sort of coverage - to the best of my knowledge, there are no private insurance companies that are covering this in Canada (extended health benefits). Some provinces are starting to provide some surgical spots, but the wait lists are long and they too are requiring lots of extra testing to "qualify". Securing an OR spot is not something that cannot be changed if for some reason you cannot have the band inserted - I'm sure the clinics would refund your money. Having a partiality to the Surgical Weight Loss Clinic in Mississauga, I would say that if that is your choice, you have made a good one. Likewise, I don't think you would have any worries with booking with TLBC - it is preference. Good luck and keep in touch - we're all here for support. Cindy

Thanks for asking Donna: - Jason was transferred to the Pediatric floor and yesterday was finally allowed up in a wheelchair. This has made all the difference to him and once he was moved to a private room it was even better - still lots of pain, but quite likes the pampering he is getting - when I warned him it would be different at home, his response was "who's going home?" Actually it has been a rough go for him - at 16 they think they are all grown up, but in times like this you sure realize how much of a child they really are. I should be able to have him home on Monday, but no idea when he will be able to get back to school - it will be reduced activity for another 4 - 5 weeks. Cindy

Well done Donna - 5 pounds on you is significant. Mid May sounds fine by me. Just got a small fill today and hope to see the evening restriction last a bit longer. We shall see - want to get this show on the road again too. Cindy