Jacklyn55

Hi All, I have not been on this board in a while so thought I would check in! I had my 6 month bandiversary this week. I can say now 6 months later that this band was the BEST decision I ever made for myself. I feel better than I ever have and am SOOOO close to twoterville I can taste it. I have been in the 300s since my teens so to be so close is exciting. I fly for the 1st time in a LONG time on May 4th, it will be a tear filled moment if I can sit in that seat and not need a belt extender... that will be my 1st huge moment....wish me luck!!

I live in Toronto but grew up in Edmonton during the GREAT years of the Oilers... Wayne, Paul, Mark, Grant, Yari, Kevin.... so many.... They are now and forvever the greatest team in hockey....even though Toronto thinks the Leafs are the greatest team lol... no one beats the Oil!!!!!!!!!!!

I am 6 weeks or so post op and had 1 fill (5cc in a 10cc band) and I feel like I can anything and everything. Today I had a bowl of cereal for breakfast, a full chicken fajita for lunch and tonight a large peice of low fat lasagna and salad. The odd thing gets stuck if I do not chew but other than that I see ZERO difference. I have to struggle all day not to snack. I am having more than a cup of food per meal and it scares me as I should not be eating that much. I am losing weight but I excercise hard an hour a day. I want to have that little plate with the tablespoon of potatoes and a few bites of meat but that is just not enough...is this normal to still feel??

WAY TO GO!!! I am hoping to hit that this week... I wont have a prayer if I do not get my butt out for a walk today :smile:!! Good for you... isnt everyday so fun now? So exciting!!!

Woo hoo SWLC!!! They are the best! I should book a fill soon too. When you go do not expect to see Dr. C at all. I was banded on October 16th there, and I have not seen Dr. Mumford since. The nurses are the ones you have the most contact with now. I have only dealt with Tammy and she is AMAZING... so kind and willing to take time with you and answer any and all questions. Just lay back on the table, relax and she does it. I have never had any bariums etc. only a slight needle prick while laying flat on the table. You do not even need to take your top and pants off. EASY :clap2:

I had my first fill to 5cc in November and had no restriction. I could eat as much as before the surgery. I went 2 weeks later to get another fill and ended up gaining a pound. This scared the hell out of me and my nurse said I must stick to eating only a cup of food 3 times a day. She gave me another full cc so I am at 6cc in a 10cc band and let me tell you what a difference. I am eating only that cup 3 times a day and it is great. Be patient, it will hit you soon enough. We are all different.

Thank you so much! You have made me feel better.... I just hate it! Especially when those around me who know I am banded keep saying "wow, I did not think you would be able to eat that much".... I want to scream!!

HI!!! You will do fine on Opti the first few days are the hardest. My fav was the chocolate blended with lots of ice and instead of water use cold black coffee and a bit of vanilla, tastes like an ice cap! I live in mississauga and there is some great shopping. The closest mall for designer goods is Sherway Garden Mall. It is not far from the clinic, the girls there can give you directions or take a cab. It is a high end mall with great stores. There is a Holt Renfrew for Louis Vuitton, Channel, Prada etc. and The Sporting Life for Lacoste, Ralph Lauren etc. It is close by and perfect. Another highend mall is Yorkdale, it is further away but a good one too. Google both for store listing etc. Then there is the Yorkville area of downtown Toronto, that is where the movie stars etc. go. and Bloor st. Where the designer shops are (prada, hermes etc. Hope that helps! Sherway is you best closest bet!! Good Luck!

<p>I know it is hard. I did it for 3 weeks and never cheated once. Not because I was so strong willed but because I was terrified of losing the state of ketosis. After a miserable forst 3 days it is way easier as the hunger honestly goes away. </p> <p> </p> <p>As for liquid phase... I had a lot of heinz Tomato soup as it was the only one I like. The Gardenay Tomato and Roasted Red Pepper Soup was great too.</p>

I love those cheesecakes!!! Dominion has them as well..... I am now and forever addicted to the Kozy Shack Tapioca as well!

LOL..... can you tell I am a Madonna fan by that title!! Well I am 3.5 weeks banded and have not had any fills yet ( my first is next thursday). All food has been going down really easy. I thought, before I get filled I am going to have some bread one last time. NOT a good idea. I was worried how I will know when something gets stuck, but now I know there is no mistaking it. It is the worst feeling ever and the sliming on top of it all... UGH!!! I guess you only have to learn that lesson once. Bread and I will no longer be the close friends we once were...

I think if I had taken a smaller bite and chewed better I would have been fine. I had a moment while reading the paper where I forgot the band and to chew really well. 3 big bites not chewed enough turned into a ball of dough and felt horrible. I am ok with wraps but the bread was too much. I too can eat as before I can just feel some of the heavier foods more than others move through it. A cup of food is nowhere near enough at this stage. I cannot wait for the fill next week!

Hi! I was going to go to Credit Valley as well after reading an article but like you I saw nothing on any sites about them. I decided to go to the SWLC instead and met Dr. Mumford. You will love it there and will not want to go anywhere else. The office is fancy and clean and everyone is SOOOO nice! I had my surgery 3 weeks ago and could not be happier. Good luck and feel free to PM me with any questions!

I was banded just over 2 weeks ago and went for my follow up appt. I met with Tammy the nurse whom I find delightful and kind. I would love to see Dr. Mumford but I don't really have the need. She answers all my questions with ease so I am happy with that. I know how dedicated they are and that if at any point I do want to speak with him I can just call.

Thanks, it is so cool as people at work are really starting to notice the loss. I went to the clinic at 9am that day and was home by 2pm. I will not sugar coat it as it is still fresh in my mind. It was a hard 3 days. I had never had surgery or any major illness so it was all new to me. Don't get me wrong it was so worth it. Right after I woke up I was really sore in the abs, sorer than I thought but once I had some delicious codine it was fine :notagree. I never had that much pain from the incisons really. The gas pain on the 2nd and 3rd day was really hard. You just have to walk and burp and all of a sudden the pain is gone. The rest of the week I just took it easy and walked. I had the surgery Tuesday and by Friday I drove myself to Wal Mart and walked for an hour, Sat I spent the day downtown Toronto to see a play and walk around and Monday was back to work feeling 100%. I look back now and it was easy. 3 days of uncomfort is SO worth the pay off. I just think in my head I under estimated it all. Those who have been through worse or given birth will probably laugh at me but I am a wimp I admit it! Trust me... really look into it and trust your instincts and listen to all the people here, they are honest and know what they are talking about!

I live in Toronto but was born and raised in Edmonton.... GO OILERS!! Just had to say hi :clap2:!!

I was banded on the 16th at the SWLC by Dr. Coburn's associate Dr. Mumford. The clinic is AMAZING and I recommend them highly. I go for my 2 week post op check in the morning and I cannot wait. Do it for yourself you will not regret it!

Well I made it through 3 weeks of Opti Fast and it was not that bad. I would just kill for a pizza though.... lol. I have my operation tomorrow at 930 am with Dr. Mumford at the SWLC!!! I was scheduled for 1130 but they called and got me in earlier which I am fine with... just get it over with! I have never been under anestisa (spelling lol) so am a little nervous. I hope the gas pain is not that bad either.... wish me luck and thanks to all for the advice over the past few weeks!

Thanks to all. Well I am 2 and a half days post op and man am I sore. I really think I underestimated the pain... my shoulder aches like mad and my stomach is constantly rumbling... I am scheduled to be back at work on Monday and hope I can make it. Those of you who travelled, I am in awe of you I could not be on a plane today I barely want to get out of bed....

Anyone who did the optifast pre diet eat pickles? I have to do it for 3 weeks and I am so sick of veggies, jello and optifast, well I do not mind the Optifast, but I would love to have a pickle. Did anyone eat them on the SWLC pre op diet?

Hi All, I am ready to get the band and have made a step in the process by visiting my family doctor and getting his blessing. I was going to see Dr. Lance Tin at Credit Valley but he has not responded to the referral. Also the more I read here, the more I see a lot of you have been to Dr. Mumford in Mississauga. For those who have been to Mumford or his colleauges can you please list a detailed step by step of what you had to do from consult to surgery date? Include any forms you had to fill or have filled out, any tests you had to have, any diet you had to go on and how long between each passed? I am just curious on what the steps are and what I can expect. I just hate surprised and would like to know exactly what I am gettting into. Thanks so much in advance!

Hi All, Well I am on day 5 of the pre op 3 week Optifast diet, I am into Ketosis I believe as the hunger pains have quit and I do not have so much of a headache. I was cruising along until the weekend. It is not so bad at work where you have other tasks but a relaxing weekend at home is MURDER. I am not hungry but I miss eating so much. Hard to believe how much we have come to rely on food. It is all I think about! I am enjoying the shakes and playing around with them. What all have you done to make it more palpable? And the Veggies... I am trying with stirfrys etc but am getting bored so any ideas are appreciated to flavor things etc... My favorite now is a bit of strawberry sugar free Jello powder in the vanilla shake and tons of ice in the blender... very good!

Thanks LeslieLee... I live in Mississauga Ontario... but I grew up in Edmonton!! I will try to find somewhere here..

Hi all, I am in the Optifast stage starting today. I am liking it so far but I know I will have to add some variety to it later on. I read somewhere that there is a sugarfree brand of flavor syrups by Da Vinci. Can anyone tell me where to get them? Are they available in Canada? Any info is appreciated. Thanks!

Oh my gosh I was just in that room yesterday! Great pics! You look fan freakin tastic!