tapshoes

Too bad every doc has their own requirements. My instructions: eat normally until the time of your fill; liquids 24 hours post; then back to usual eating. Following this set of instructions: I had my 2nd fill yesterday at 1030am, I had my normal Breakfast (chewable Vitamin, oatmeal with berries, coffee to follow), then had full fluids for lunch and supper and breakfast. Today's lunch - a normal one. You just have to wonder about all of the conflicting instructions...

The brain-stomach-band relationship is too new for me to trust myself at a restaurant yet! For now, I continue to brownbag lunch and have carefully measured, slowly consumed suppers under the watchful, but non-judgemental, eyes of DH. I know I will have to 'get out' and resume normal living including dinners out etc, but as I don't yet trust myself not to open wide and vacuum everything is sight, I will take it slowly.

Tara Talking doesn't work - they don't listen! Brute force is something they understand - flash an electric drill or hammer at 'em! My scales and I parted ways a LONG time ago...I decided I didn't need such an instrument of torture in my life; something to mock me, to insult me, to glower its LCD glare at me....

Fabulous! You radiate confidence.

Oh a trip down memory lane.... Staying outside 'until the street light came on'...yes, I remember it well. And of course you knew the streetlight was on as you were outside playing...kick the can, hide and seek, riding your bike, skipping..anyone remember the little skipping 'ditties'? Girl guide, girl guide, dressed in yellow? or blue? The first microwave..and being warned to stay out of the kitchen while it was on in case of radiation. Manually turning on and off the TV...which was in the rec room and the sole 'ownership' of it was my Dad. One stepdaughter just last week when her father asked what she was going to do when she finished university next year replied: Travel or maybe go for my Masters. I asked: What about getting a job? Her response: That just seems so grown-up. I don't want to go to work and be responsible or old! :ohmy: I was SOOOO tempted to say something, but discretion is the better part of valour and marital bliss!

Where to start?? I live on a secondary road in small-ish univeristy town; my home has a public path to the river beside it (high fence all the way), and is across from a cemetary and a church. Shouldn't be too much hassle, right?? HUMPH!! She snorts!! Moved into the home in July, started renovations immediately. First thing to do is the kitchen...ripped out the cabinets etc, but as I was keeping the sink, I put it at the side of the house well back from the road. While I was in the house in the middle of the afternoon, someone steals the sink...who steals a sink??? My driveway is semi-circular (which is handy so that I don't I have to back out of or into the driveway during rush hours)...well...apparently neighbours, taxis and other riff-raff have decided the driveway is for their convenience...and have driven onto the little bit of lawn I have if I have parked my car blocking 'their' way..and been yelled at by a few drivers because of it!! But it isn't just 'big city' folk...I moved from a house on a gravel road backing onto wilderness and facing the ocean with lots of acerage. Damned if someone didn't come by at xmas and chop down 6 of my groomed trees. I love people....from a distance!

See, I never thought of her grabbing her boob (although now that the idea is in my mind perhaps she is doing a fully clothed breast self exam...but I digress), I thought she was getting ready to hack up a fur-ball! PBing as a header...what an idea! I'm sorry I am a late joiner - I missed the ghost arm apparently. Of course, my imagination is working overtime with that! Before and after pics...I like that idea.

Oh no, Indio...was I supposed to have learned things in my life?!?!?

Home made lasagna with real cheeses (not of that lo-fat crap), accompanied by a hearty garlic bread dipped in oil..........

I guess I am the token Canadian! Born and raised in Toronto, lived in bunches of places since then including Newfoundland (ok, what does anyone know about Newfoundland?), and New Brunswick (same question), and now back to Ontario, living in London ON.

I am going for my second fill tomorrow - I sincerely hope that does something for me! I am losing (slowly) but that is more because of my will power (albeit that has taken a beating recently) than because of 'restriction' or PBing or port issues or any other good thing!:biggrin2: Come'on sweet spot!!

So glad I found this thread! I made it through bandster hell - no problems. Made it through Easter - no challenges I couldn't overcome.:purplebananna: HA! me thinks. I can do it. Positive thinking, keep busy, you are stronger than your 'need to feed'....blah blah blah.:cool: Then, my mother arrives for a visit...First night, watching an old movie, and I make a snack (peanuts/popcorn/pretzels/shreddies with a carmel coating) for her, Crystal Light for me. Then, I started...first I tasted a few peanuts (good protein, a snack is ok). Then a few more, then a few popcorn bits (one at a time, chew thoroughly, that's ok)...before I know it, the 6 cups (which were to do 3 movie nights for my mother) were gone...OMG!!!:eek: Becca - I am so impressed with your weight loss - congratulations! I am too busy feeling guilty for my excessive eating to feel jealous!

You are looking great! I don't see any change in me, but apparently others do. Guess those blinders that kept me from seeing how fat I was getting, are now working to stop me from observing any changes!

Janet You look fabulous! Your determination, persistence, and positive affirmation have done you proud!

Those tops with the bow and 'flowing from the body' - yes indeed, maternity style. A co-worker who is a mid-sized person loves them and believes they are very flattering as they 'skim away from the body'...to each her own! Me, I'm sticking with my tailored shirts and have purchased several belts...this way the tops that are slowly becoming too big (YEAH!) are less obviously big when a belt is worn. I refuse to spend a lot of money on new clothes when I've so much more weight to lose.

It is such a glorious day, the snow is gone, and there is WAY too much raking and pruning to be done. Outside - no food tempts me; inside - food is lurking! So, outside it is!

Ahhh menopause! Although I too had a hysterectomy at an early age, as the ovaries were left, I maintained normal hormonal functioning...that means the usual menopausal conditions kicked in...and are still kicking me!! DH can't understand how I can be cold and hot at the same time...I have the electric blanket on for heat, but stick my feet out so that "I can breathe"! Mood swings haven't been an issue, but my memory is shot. I'm calling things by odd (but creatively related) names....for example, I referred to the vacuum as a lawnmower, and the oven as the refrigerator...you can see the connections, right? :cursing: I have been reassured by my gyne and GP and my health care connections that it is not Alzheimers, but rather normal menopause. Am not doing any hormones or home remedies...yet! In so many ways I am like my mother, but not this one. According to my mother, she didn't have symptoms - she just realized she hadn't had a period in about 5 years and her skin was dry, so she said, must be menopause!

Thanks Fousilly (Seinfeld fan?) Even with that, in the last 2 years I have lived in 2 cities, and within one of them 2 different addresses. This is such a revelation to me. :cursing: Maybe that opportunity I was thinking of in Edmonton (another province another job) can wait for another year...man, it sounds like I can't keep a job, but that isn't it, honest!!! So many opportunities and my career motto is 'Have a better offer, will travel. thanks for this insight.

Candle...a peanut butter cup sounds good. How much PB2 do you add, and dry or mixed?

Good question. Before my first fill, I could eat anything in any quanitity BUT I didn't. I knew I was soon going to have to eat the 'bandster' way, and thought of it as training. So, I immediately began (and was committed to) measuring the food, taking itsy-bitsy bites, chewing until the food was mush...all in anticipation of that first fill which was going to force this lifestyle. I successfully did it - no cheating, no 'just a little taste of', no compromises. Then eagerly had my first fill but first fill didn't 'do it'...no change in my body's response to foods or point of being satisfied with the amount of food, and still I persevere. I am going for my 2nd fill next week - I hope that is the one that becomes the emergency 'brake' for my stomach. I'm still in control, but just in case I fail, I really want that back-up system in place.

I have had lots of surgeries so I do have some familiarity with processes and procedures. There are some (a few) differences if you are having it done as in-patient (that is, admitted to a hospital), or being done at a clinic (no admission). But either way, you are not parading around naked.:smile: Hospital gowns are provided (and most places have the gowns that are made for larger people - no butt hanging out the back). You will walk to, or be taken to by gurney or wheelchair depending on the facility's practice, either a pre-op room (where you will be asked to lay on a bed) or go directly to the OR (operating room), where you will be asked to lay on a bed. You are STILL wearing your hospital gown, and maybe some goofy looking paper slippers. The anaesthetist will start an iv (usually in the back of the hand, but it can be other places), and sometimes the OR nurse will put a mask over your nose and mouth and ask you to breathe deeply. Within seconds you are asleep. You will awaken later with bandages and pads over the incisions, the IV may still be in, and depending on how quickly you become alert, the IV will be removed, you will be assisted to sit up and, if you are going home, someone will help you to get dressed. Some people are fearful of having a tube stuck down their throat - this process (intubation) is done after you are asleep and the tube is removed before you are awake. Everyone's pain threshold is different, and everyone's recovery is based on their body, their response to drugs, etc. Generally, you will be offered drugs for pain control immediately after you wake up. If in pain, use them. If not, don't. Key points - you won't be walking around naked, and as the other respondents have said, the Dr/nursing staff have seen a thousand bodies,and they are not judgmental. If at any time you have a question, ask the nurse, the dr, anaesthetist...it is your body, so you have the right and responsibility to understand what is happening. Final words from me (and I did go on, didn't I)...try to relax as much as possible before surgery - and if the mask is put on your face, breathe deeply! Congratulations on your decision, and good luck.

I didn't know about the changing addresses affecting my credit rating. As someone who's career path includes changing jobs and location about every 3-5 years, this is news to me! I have lived in multiple provinces, and many cities within each province, and this is the first I heard of this. Interesting. My financial advisor has never mentioned this - and she has been my advisor for 20 years. I must ask her this month when I participate in that one and ONLY experience in which all Canadians have the same opinion....doing my taxes! :smile:

I researched and researched and researched - the procedure, the tool, the company making the band, the complication rates, the clinics and the Drs. I lurked on this website and went to information sessions. As a self-payer, and someone with health experience, I wanted to be as sure as I could be. After all that, I booked with TLBC and have only 1 regret... ...should have done it a LOT sooner!!!! :smile: The surgical experience was simple - but then again, as someone who has had lots of surgery, in my past I was prepared. A 'meet and greet' with the surgical nurse, the anaesthetist, and Dr Yau, then a walk to the OR suite, lay on the table, let the anaesthetist insert the iv on the back of my hand, had that so-familiar-but-horrible onion taste in the back of my throat, and woke up in recovery. From check-in to walking out (assisted by DH) took 4 hours in total. Good luck:thumbup:

Misery does love company! I too have been frustrated with the 'success of the scales, but not the clothes'! It couldn't be that my clothes were so tight that breathing was optional! I suspect it has to do with dark closets...after all, wire hangers multiply in there, so maybe our clothes shrink! :smile:

It is disturbing/fascinating to me how friends and family believe that somehow they have the right/authority to provide unsolicited opinions. It is YOUR body, what you do with it, is your business. 'Butcher yourself' - I suppose none of those supportive friends/family have tattoos or piercings or any number of other things done to their bodies which 'change' their natural body. 'Easy way out' - where to begin??? 'Waste of money' - Money on vast quantities of food, insurance premiums, clothing from 'specialty' shops, etc were all free, I guess. Congratulations on your decision and your attitude!:smile: