lizster2007

Hi Rose, sorry I didn't reply before this. I cannot go to the luncheon tomorrow but am considering going to the one on Dec 8 @ The Bluestone Bistro. Maybe I'll see you there? Hope you are keeping well, Rose.

Hi Wendell, I took a look at your before and after picture collage and you have done unbelievably well. What a great role model!

I'm so sorry that you had this unexpected delay in your surgery. I know I psyched myself up for my surgery and I can only imagine how disappointing it would have been if it had been rescheduled. Not to mention annoying because I took specific time off work. I suppose in the scheme of things another 2 weeks seems like nothing to the Dr. and maybe someday you can look back and say it was just two weeks. But...you're not there yet and it hurts. Best of luck on Oct 2. I'm sure October bandsters are as great as the September ones!

Hi Ryan, I used a home equity line of credit for the $16,000 I paid. I'm in Canada and there is an outfit (Credit Medical) that finances 'cosmetic surgery' procedures (which the band is mistakenly classed :angry). I don't think they require collateral but probably would need to have a good income/steady job-I'm sure the interest rate is on the high side. I don't know if there is a similar type of company in the States-most likely there is. It seems that a number of folks travel to Mexico to get the procedure done at a significantly reduced cost. I think someone considering that would need to research that option well because either you go back to Mexico for fills/de-fills or you'll need a local doctor willing to do them-no doubt for a significant fee. Good luck!

Hey Rose, my appoint is for 1:30 so maybe we'll cross paths! Hope you feel better soon.

Hi, My husband was home with me for 2 days (the weekend) but it really wasn't necessary, at least in my case. I spent quite a bit of time sleeping and didn't have to be helped to bathroom or helped up or down stairs or anything remotely like that. I don't have kids and don't know if you do. If I did have kids, I'd probably not want to have to deal with them for a day or so but I've read a lot of posts here that indicate that people have not had problems even with that. Congratulations on being a soon-to-be bandster!

Hey Mermaidpuppy, I figure you probably can't read much on the computer right now so I googled anesthesia and blurred vision. Several websites do indicate that blurred vision can be a side effect of anesthetic drugs. The couple I looked at didn't make it sound as if it was anything to be concerned about. However, since who knows what's real on the internet and also I don't know what actual drug was used in your anesthetic, you probably should call your doctor/lapband clinic just to be on the safe side. Good luck!

Hi Rose, I don't know if you recall but in another thread we 'met'. I had surgery at TLBC same day as you thus I have my first fill on Oct 1 too. It does seem like an awfully long time away but as another poster said, it will come fast (at least in retrospect it will ). I too have been somewhat more emotional than usual-I'm on antidepressants as well, have been for many, many years. Normally (that would be pre-band) I have a relatively flat mood. That's not necessarily a great way to live life but I've been used to it so these additional emotions are disconcerting to me, to say the least. I'm very sorry that your husband is not helping the situation. Sometimes men just don't seem to get it. I don't know why. Hopefully as time goes by he'll get on board. I'm pretty jealous of you that you've lost 19 lbs. since surgery! I've maybe lost 8 lbs. and I'm not tossing back milkshakes or anything. I did do relatively well on the pre-surgery diet so I'm happy with my weight loss overall in the last 5 weeks but a bit disappointed about it specifically in the last 3 weeks since surgery. I hope your depression eases a bit. As I well know, 'getting happy' is rarely something that is within your total control when you have clinical depression- time (and drugs ) can help. I hope we do run into each other on Oct 1 at TLBC. I'd like to meet you. Liz

Hi Docsdeb, I am pretty much a newbie myself to the band-my surgery was 3 weeks tomorrow. Unlike you (and other smart people), I didn't start reading posts on this site until after I'd had the surgery (of course I did research on websites but just not on message boards). Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea after all because I didn't have the same opportunity as you to have all the pre-surgery doubts you are having, although I did have some, certainly! Naturally some of the posts I have read have caused me concern but I think we have to remember that often we're reading posts from different people who have had different issues. One can only hope that all of the various problems don't happen to a single person. I'm fairly certain that there are many, many people who have no 'issues' at all (other than the expected 'breaking-in' period for the band and the learning curve about eating with it). As we all know, there are risks in life and we have to weigh them against each other. In my case it was, do I live in misery with my excess weight-constantly being tired and unmotivated to move or do anything much but go to work/come home/eat (lots of course)/sleep repeat. While I didn't have any serious health issues (amazingly), they were just around the corner. Comparing those things to something that had a comparable long term rate of success similar to the more invasive surgeries but far less percentage of serious complications and could be reversed in the worst case scenario, I chose the band. Time will tell whether it turns out to have been a great choice, but I'm hopeful. Bottom line is you have to feel comfortable yourself with this choice or it will truly be nothing but a stressful weight (no pun intended) around your neck if you proceed. I wish you much luck in your deliberations! p.s., I have sleep apnea and my clinic said that while complications with anesthesia are very rare, they did want me to stay overnight (at an extra cost, of course) so they could just make sure all was well.

Hey Wasabb, just wanted to say that your reply to the OP is most insightful and wise! Hi Rabid, I too can relate to the issue you are going through. I know how upsetting it is but as many others have said, you'll soon show them! I have found as I get older (am 47 now), it becomes easier to accept things as 'it is what it is' -- something that might have bothered me greatly when I was younger may not even register on my emotional radar screen now. I can, however, still remember the pain those types of things did cause then. All the best with your band!

Best of luck to you Judy. You have an extra added bonus for losing the weight. I wish you every success!

Hi puppy, was banded by Toronto Laparascopic Band Centre (Dr. Yau) 3 weeks ago. Cost was 16K plus 530 for overnight stay (sleep apnea). The 16k covers lifetime fills/defills. Good luck to you!

Hi there sour gurl, I was banded at TLBC in Toronto and cost was 16,000 plus 530 for an overnight stay due to my sleep apnea. The 16,000 covers lifetime fills/defills. No insurance coverage for me. I just was banded 3 weeks ago so can't comment about whether it is a good choice in the long run, but so far I'm glad I did it. Good luck to you!

Well, I'm pretty sure it was attributed to you but, of course, I can't find that post. Maybe I'm hallucinating (from hunger ?!?) Thanks anyway.

Hi Wendell, I've read many of your posts and it seems to me you are very knowledgeable. Someone somewhere mentioned you have a list of 'advanced' band eating rules. I've used search and I've read several screens worth of your posts and I haven't gotten lucky in finding it. I'm wondering if you'd be able to post the rules again (or point me to where they reside, if there is a permanent place) I'm sure it's annoying to have to repeat yourself but I hope you'll take pity on me :eek: Thank you Wendell!

I was fortunate that my DH supported my decision. I've only told one good friend and while I didn't get a ringing endorsement I believe I did get acceptance. I wonder if part of your husband's feelings are due to a certain amount of fear about the procedure that he might not want to admit to? I think there has been a fair amount of press about what can go wrong in Gastric Bypass surgeries and those who haven't researched the band may not differentiate the two procedures. Of course no surgery is without risks and there can be complications with the band but in general, I'd have to say (in my very non-medical opinion) that it is a relatively safe procedure. I know that my husband sometimes has trouble articulating his feelings so I'm wondering if there might be some of that going on with yours. In any event, best of luck with your banding and, I truly hope your husband will, eventually at least, get on board.

Hi MsDad/Eddie, I've read some of your posts on the Gay, Lesbian et. all thread and you seem to have a great sense of humour. I'm one of those straight people (probably more asexual/nonsexual-whichever it is-just ask my husband) but from what I managed to read, I liked the community you set up. Because your thread has been so successful, I can't read through the whole thing, so I wonder how you've made out with your band. I hope very well and that you and your DH are having a hoot in life!

I can relate to you. I was banded Aug 17/07 and am hungry and trying my best to not over eat (which would mean eating great quantities of blended Soup, however, because I'm just starting on the mushie phase today). I'm definitely no expert but have read a number of posts on this site and it seems that until you get your fill (or multiple fills to find this 'sweet spot'), the band is not providing all the support it eventually will. Until then, eating smaller portions of healthy foods is based on 'will power' which I would venture to say is a problem for many of us here and could be one of the reasons we pursued the band in the first place. Hopefully this catch 22 will disappear once when we get to our sweet spot fill level. One other thing that I've read on this site that seems to make sense is in the first 4-6 weeks, your body is apparently healing from the surgery (even though we may think we're perfectly ready and able to eat anything in sight earlier than that!). If we eat too much or eat solids earlier than we're supposed to there is some chance of complications (e.g., slippage). That thought helps me, at least some of the time, to not over eat. Best of luck to us both! :eek:

In the "pre-band" dieting world, there seemed to be a number of opinions on how frequently you should weigh yourself. Sometimes a daily weight check was advocated as you could supposedly take corrective action immediately. Others recommended no more often than weekly as normal fluctuations in daily weight might cause one to obsess and stress about a slight gain that would be gone the next day. Does anyone have any opinions /best practices on how often to weigh yourself with the band?

Thanks all for sharing your points of view! I've deliberately not weighed myself for 5 or 6 days (which has been very hard!) because last time I did I was most annoyed to see only a nominal weight loss since the surgery. As Wendell notes, I've read a number of posts that indicate I'm not alone in wondering how that is possible given the low calories I am taking in. In my pre-op 2 weeks of Protein shakes and yoghurt I lost just shy of 20 lbs (which I've managed to maintain thankfully), but in the 15 days since the surgery, eating less, I'm nowhere close to that kind of weight-loss (well I guess I can only say 10 days post surgery because I haven't weighed myself for 5 or so days). I guess there is something to the theory (or proven fact whichever it is), that the less you eat, the more the body holds onto it thinking a famine is underway. Maybe now that I feel more like eating it will help. Again everyone, thanks for your replies!

Hi Mommy2five, No doubt everyone is different but my post op recovery is going like this (banded Aug 17): -had relatively little incision pain (stopped pain meds 2 days after) but had quite a bit of nausea for the first 5 days. Now am dealing with some itching around my incisions which isn't too surprising as I've got sensitive, touchy skin. -the gas pains were bothersome but not intolerable and are resolved for the most part now. -went back to work a week after surgery and the first day I was a bit slow but now am back into the swing of things no problem. -first week I didn't feel overly hungry and did my best to stay hydrated (which was a challenge because of the nausea). -second week to-date am getting hungrier so am looking forward to my first fill on Oct 1 (which is still quite a stretch away which is worrisome from a weight loss perspective). -haven't lost a bunch of weight since the surgery despite eating much less-probably in the range of 6-8 pounds. I did do well on the pre op diet and have at least maintained that loss. Congrats on your banding. I'm sure hoping we'll both find it a useful tool in the never-ending (at least for me so far) Quest to get healthy and down to a reasonable weight. Liz

Hi Gaffer/Andrew, thanks for the info! I wish you well on getting to your goal weight by Christmas. If you can do in 4 more months, what a great achievement!

Many thanks Cindy for your complete account!

I've read a few posts here and there that indicated that the surgeons/clinics advise patients not to drink coffee (at least with caffeine). Is there a band related issue with coffee or is it just the general nutritional advice that too much (or any depending on who you talk to) caffeine is not a good thing? Just wondering because I've not gotten that message from my clinic (and happily drink coffee with my band) but would be interested in understanding if there is a specific band issue. Can anyone help? Thanks

Hi all, I was banded at TLBC and I wasn't required to get a physical or anything filled in by my family doctor (which I was very surprised by). I filled in a medical history questionnaire and was required to get blood tests, a chest xray, and an ECG and have the results faxed to the clinic. I am curious about how the Mississauga clinic operates so I wonder if you'd mind answering a couple of questions? Note, I'm not at all dissatisfied with TLBC, it's been fine so far-just curious... Did you folks have to get any medical tests or was the form signed by your doctor sufficient? Does your surgeon meet with you before the day of the surgery (Dr. Yau only met with me a few minutes prior to me going into the operating room)? I've read other posts that seem to indicate there is a 2 week post op check-up performed which is something not done (at least for me) at TLBC. Does the surgeon do the check or a nurse or someone else? Any info to satisfy my idle curiosity would be great if you don't mind sharing. Thanks!