Michee

I had surgery in August, and made a similar extensive shopping list based on tips I read on from different posters. A lot of the stuff was not necessary for me personally, so I would suggest waiting until after surgery, and asking someone to get the items that you feel you need. I had surgery on wed, and could definetly drive myself to the store by Saturday. I was a self pay, so the few dollars I would have saved in shopping could have gone towards my 16 thousand dollar doctor bill. Here are some examples: Pill crusher: I take metformin, and found out that it is not to be crushed, I was just told not to take it by doc. Liquid Motrin: Doc gave me a script for liquid codieine which was much more powerful Pillow/Ice Pack: I had these items but didnt use them/need them timers/pedometer: I like to buy gadgety stuff then never use it. I used a clock to indicate time, and set walking goals such as "twice around the block" Gauze/Tape etc: Clinic told me that bandages would fall off in a few days, then leave the area uncovered to get some air. Didnt need to apply more. Protein Shakes: My clinic gave us a script, requiring a specific Meal Replacement shake that we had to order from a pharmacy and have shipped. Clinic did not want us buying random products. Not all clinics do this, but I would hate to buy ones the clinic didnt recommend as they are pretty expensive. Medicine cups/cough drops: did not need, I dont see the point unless you have a cough Sports Bra: I dont think everyones incisions are in the same place, I had no problem wearing my reg underwire bras S/F Items: after surgery I had an aversion to artificial sweeteners, i think the sweetness of the Breakfast shakes turned me off for the entire day. Rest of the day I just wanted broth/soup. I am still not finished using all the s/f popsicles and Jello I bought pre-surgery Chewable Vitamins: they have weirdo smell that makes me gag, just buy a small bottle in case you hate them. I switched to the gummies which have no smell. The items I needed/used were: bottled Water, chicken broth, my prescription for liquid codeine, gas X strips. Oh and 48 hours after surgery I went to the spa for a mani, pedi, and massage. I highly recommend the spa visit!! Good Luck to all the newbies You are gonna luv your band

I bought one for 6 bucks at the pharmacy, had it engraved. It was great for travelling, I recently got back from a trip, took bottled water and shakes on the plane. I told them they were medically necessary. Worked like a charm. Totally worth the 6 bucks, although not sure what that says about airport security

For the second year in a row I am having a SPA party on dec 28th. I have three estheticians come over and provide mani, pedi, facials, etc. I purchase one treatment for each guest but people can purchase additional ones for themselves. I provide dinner, dessert and cocktails. Those who cant come dont get no prezzy. The kids I buy for are all little girls so they love the above also

Stickers, rolls of pennies (then a trip to the dollar store), nightlights, small flashlight, batteries, funky socks. I would strongly caution against sugar free candy for children (unless they have diabetes). The chemical sweeteners probably do more harm than sugar, and one of the common sweeteners called sorbitol works as the worlds best laxative if eaten in large amounts. I found this out the hard way.

Today I shovelled 4 times, We had a total of 30 cm or 12 inches here (just west of Toronto, on the shores of Lake Ontario). I had no port pain, but I hope the shovelling counts as a workout because my gym was closed today due to the snowstorm.

Hi Julie YOU CAN DO IT I quit smoking in April of this year. I had smoked for 11 years, but on and off for about 25 years. I see that you have lost a lot of weight. Losing that much weight is a billion times harder than quitting smoking. It is gonna be a cinch. What worked for me was OTC sleeping pills: I went to bed around 7:00pm for the first 4 days just to get over the hump. I never smoked in my house only in the garage, so the first week I went out to the garage and had a sugar free popsicle. Congratulations on your decision.

Wait and See Not all docs require a liquid diet pre-op. My doc did, but he gave me a prescription for a specific one (optifast). The prescription was enough for pre-op and one week post op. After that he has a "no liquid calories rule" so Protein shakes are a no no. Every doc is different, my advice to you is not to spend any money on protien shakes until you have been instructed by the doc or clinic.

Thank You Although it is really hard right now, this former friend deserves a big thank you. Despite her strange writing style, she has indeed broken up with you. Some people would not have had the courage to do that, instead they would have remained in your life and tried to sabotage your success. She has decided to "step aside" and has given you the gift of being able to fill the role of "good friend" with someone who is supportive, and can walk with you on this exciting journey. God bless you and your former friend.

For facial hair removal I get threading done. I had electrolysis years ago on my brows, it was really expensive and eventually the hair grew back. The threading is not permanent, but then again it only costs 4 bucks for brows, or 8 bucks for the entire face, including neck and upper lip. The nice thing about is I dont get any redness (unlike waxing) and threading is very very quick. I would love to get laser on my legs and pits, but I used my line of credit to pay for the band, so money is kinda in short supply at the mo

That Optifast diet is damn hard!! I was so sick of the taste of aspartame......... Thank god for the veggies. I would make the worlds largest bowl of grilled veggies for dinner. you can do it, the optifast diet did seem to get easier as I went along..... Best wishes on your journey

My story I started considering the band in January 2006, I did the research etc, but I wasn't 100 % sure if the band was right for me. I started walking every day, and then started eating vegetables every day, I stopped buying lunch out etc etc. I managed to lose about 20 pounds. Then in April 2007 I was diagnosed with diabetes. I quit smoking and decided to get serious about my health. I wanted a permanent weight loss solution, I knew I could lose weight on my own (as I have done many times before) but I didnt think I could face the part where I regain it all back, plus some extra. By July 2007 I knew the band was the right thing for me. I was banded on August 15th. The band is about maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding the health risks associated with morbid obesity. The skinny jeans, are the bonus prize. Good Luck on your journey

I just bought Orville Redenbocker (sp) microwave popcorn that is 100 calories per bag. I have never been a huge fan of popcorn, but I have been craving crunchy/salty Snacks. I bought some kernels white cheddar topping to sprinkle on it, and it is really satisfying the craving. Obviously popcorn is not a nutritious good for you type of food, but I can't imagine a little bit now and then could hurt.

I can relate I am in the same boat. The 14+ from the fat store are too big........The 14 in the regular store are too small. My size at the moment is 16 regular. The problem is that here (Ontario Canada) most regular stores do not carry size 16, or they only have one or two items...........in most cases these items are in styles that look good on a size 2, but just made bigger. OH yeah, XL t-shirts are big, and look sloppy, but the L t-shirts look tight and show unsightly bulges.......... I have also been stuck at this weight for about 3 weeks!!! YIKES

Ever since I got the band, I have completely lost my sense of humour, and take myself ultra seriously, I also find myself being extremely judgemental and making offensive comments to others....................Is my band too tight, it seems to have stretched my a-hole and made it bigger, because everyone around my calls me a "big a-hole"

I am really glad that certain people didn't comment when I GAINED the weight, I was hoping they didnt notice....

My surgery is scheduled for tomorrow but today my neighbour told me that her sister=in-laws hairdressers aunt had the band and didnt lose in any weight, should I cancel my surgery ?? Please help I dont know what to do

No bleeding or bruising I just feel a slight pinch, ripping the bandaid off later, is what hurts the most, so I've asked the nurse not put one on. Is it possible you have a flipped port?

If a person requires a fish recipe and they look for one on a Lapband site, instead of........wait for it..........a cooking site, what does that say about the person??

We had a sailboat a few years ago that came with the name Quixote, we didn't change it cos we heard it was bad luck, I really wanted to name it "Wet Dream"

I have been buying protien bars for breakfast, i have tried slimfast optima (good) proti-life (good) and Body for Life (blechh). I was a protien shake in the morning person, but my band doc, insists on NOT drinking calories, or drinking food. I am finding The protien bars a little more portable, and there is no washing of cups involved !!

When there is cake and donuts or candies that are not wrapped, I imagine people going to the washroom and not washing there hands properly, or people having a good ole nose picking session before they handled that food, and that it is riddled with germs from snot and feces............works every time. Sorry for the nasty visual

I too have manulife, and I asked this question at the clinic where I was banded, I was told that it has NEVER been covered by a private insurance in Ontario. It is considered a cosmetic procedure here, like a brow lift, or nose job.

I was banded at The Surgical Weight Loss Clinic in Mississauga, cost was 16K

I am confused, the day does not get longer or shorter, its just that the hours of daylight slightly change. Apparently it is good for the environment if it gets dark later, as there are less traffic accidents when rush hour is in daylight, and people are not turning on lights until an hour later. Do not ask me to quote the study, it is something that I read in the paper last year. I don't get the family time comment, I mean if the family spends time reading together from 7:30 to 8:30 pm, I would assume they would continue this activity, whether night falls at 8:00 pm or 9:00pm. Maybe I missed the point.

Wasa I think you have been sending telepathic signals my way....... I was banded Aug 15, and MY goal is to get TT/Boob Lift, and possible a nose job next Aug 15. I have even been doing the math to see when all this will be paid for, (probably 10 years, that;s what the line of credit is for). I think your goal was inspired, your success has been phenomenal, and it really sucks when the universe doesnt cooperate with your plan. In the long term however I think Jachut is right, in 2 years the surgery date wont matter. Right now however, it still sucks!!