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!