argon

I think if you see anyone in the first month, a GP would probably suffice. You're not going to be getting a fill as soon as you get home, or each week for the next couple (so no need to charge you $200 anyways) .... I bet whatever happened when you sis saw her dr. so much in the first month, it was probably just for a quick 'how are you doing?" from him... maybe some stitches or staples out, if she had those. You probably would be fine to not see anyone (except if you have staples/stitches) until around 6 weeks out, when it's time for your first fill, if you need it. By the way, Hi! And Welcome! Mandi

Devana and Paulax, I sent you PM's, but it's being weird, and I can't tell if they actually sent or not... if you don't get 'em, let me know! Oh, and Irishmist, you should be getting an 'invitation' from them. Mandi

I crave anything and everything. Mmmmm... sweet, sweet shrimp.

Awesome, Yoda!

Give me SOME credit.... it's pretty small, don't cha think!!?!

No, not a Johnny Cash thread. Although... that would be cool! I'm wondering... is it totally abnormal to have some 'burn' whilst ... umm.. releasing the previous days very spicy food ? Ok, ok... burning poops! I always get this when I, say, have some 'hot' salsa the day before, or just anything that's pretty spicy. Is there anything you can eat along with spicy foods or soon after, or something, that will make following bowel movements NOT burn ya, or is this just something that's gotta go along with eating that stuff? Thanks in advance :eek:

I'm a step ahead of ya.... I already have them! I used to refridgerate them!!!! (who's blushin' now?!)

That's awesome... I might have to use that too... 'caca caliente' ! I will try the dairy, definitely! I've never seen charcoal pills... or heard of them!? I'll have to check it out.

LOL ... you found me! I'm doing my colon cleansing the old fashion way! No, no, not my mom

Thanks guys :hug: And Yoda.. about going to see him personally... he's 180-ish kms away in a city I've never been... hmm... what if I called and asked to talk to him personally? Probably won't let me. I want to make sure that they knew who I was, cause from the time I sent my faxed 'request' letter, and the time I called them, there was a big gap, so maybe, even though she 'thought' she'd seen my request, they thought I was someone new asking for it, and didn't remember my story? I don't know. If no luck there, yes.. I'll try Marie and/or Dr. Cobourn. Getting a GP is SO hard, nevermind one that's understanding about WLS!!! I know a lady here who had the lapband... I'll ask her who her family physician is... that would probably be good. LOL, Cloe, that self-filling gal IS looking pretty good!

Umm... no, the 6" LOL No sub talk on the Challenge thread!!

I know... it's bizarre. No, there's no one (professional, anyways) in the Maritimes. Dr. Cobourn said that he was working on getting someone in Halifax, but last I heard, that was a no-go so far.

(oh yeah, and pretty much the whole format of Yahoo Groups is stupid, and a real pain to use! LOL Be warned!)

It's unfortunate that she doesn't post more often, but when she does, they're usually pretty good. There's lots of other 'big losers' on there too. Thing about that site that sucks is that there's no 'built in' signature thing like we have here, so to hear how much someone has lost, or how they're doing, they pretty much have to say, or you have to ask.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/canadianlapbanders/ Here you go, good luck! LOL and since you're a Cobourn patient, there's this too: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/cobourn-mumford_bandits/ Ooooh... so exclusive !

Hey Kim, I hope you didn't think that *I* thought you were insane, or would harass me! I'm sure someone's already gotten back to you about this, but if you still need someone to talk to on the phone, tell me. I'll have to give you my number, cause I don't have long distance! :omg: lol I'm wondering if you're thinking that you'll be able to lose all your weight, get your band 'deflated' and then go back to normal... is that what you mean? I can honestly say that I don't think you'd ever be able to eat like you do now, again, after you've been banded. It's very likely that if you did have your band defilled all the way after losing all your weight, that you'd gain it all or at least some back. Not necessarily FOR SURE, cause as I've seen here, some people who've lost their bands for various reasons are able to keep alot of the weight off. But don't count on that.. or plan on it. You won't be able to (or shouldn't be able to) get a complete defill, because you're going on a cruise or something, and wanna be able to hit all the buffets and eat as much as you'd like. Even when I was 'empty', I couldn't eat as much as I'd like to, or as much as I used to. But you know what, you don't need to eat alot... the amount you're able to eat after you get banded will eventually become the NEW normal to you. You can go out with friends, and eat! You just don't have to eat alot. You won't take hours to eat a plate of food, cause most likely after 20-30 minutes you'd be so full you wouldn't be able to eat anymore... you'll be full, and won't WANT to eat anymore. You are going to have to chew well... always. There's no getting around that one. I don't think you're setting yourself up for failure, but I think you need to know that it's not going to be the same afterwards... even before your fill. Even if you can eat more than you think you should be able to, you'll still have to chew everything, eat slowly, and thoughtfully ... or you'll have consequences, like getting something stuck! I hope that kindof clarifies some stuff. This is all up to you. Do whatever you feel is right. :hug: Mandi

Yeah, what she said! Give it a try!

You know what... I had originally contacted Marie, and asked her if she could contact/send my info to them. She replied saying that they had done that for another patient back in December, and were replied to by fax, told that Dr. Beausoleil was too busy with his own patients right now, and could not take any new ones. So Marie said that until she heard otherwise, she would not be trying that again. :|

So... I just got home, and had a message on my phone from that Dr's office. I've just finished having a good cry... It was his nurse, saying that she'd spoken to the Dr. and he "feels that I should continue my aftercare with Dr. Cobourn, and that he does the same thing with his patients, still takes care of them if they move away..." "So if I can continue seeing Dr. Cobourn, or find someone closer by, but Dr. Beausoleil will not do it." WHAT? He expects one of his patients who moves to Saskatchewan to come back to New Brunswick every time they want a fill?!??! Really?? He wouldn't want a lapband Dr. in Saskatchewan to take his patient? (not that there are any in SK, but if there was.) So, I am many things... MAD, SAD, and PISSED... all at the same time. WTF!? I am NOT the only person to ever request this, and he DOES have other patients that are not his own! I'm not seeing Dr. Cobourn... I haven't for months, and I'm not because I can't! I explained in the letter I sent that that I wasn't going to be seeing Dr. Cobourn for my aftercare, because I just couldn't.... that I was going to be going to Calgary for fills, because it was the most feasible. It's not like I've been seeing Dr. C, and just want something more convenient! AHHH! Oh man... what do I do??? I was going to call back, and try to plead my case some more, but I need time to think through what I need to say. I know I'm gonna cry on the phone, and maybe having the weekend to let it sink in will lessen that chance. AHHHHHHH! :eek:

Are you guys serious? I don't know what you could have possibly submitted that wouldn't be acceptable... you're Canadian, and banded and/or what to be banded. That's all it should take. If you're still interested, you could PM me with your email addresses, and I could send an email or message to the moderator, and ask "what's up with this?!", and tell them to send you an invite or whatever. Devana, who were you banded by? IrishMist, I know you're a Dr. Cobourn patient... I'm just wondering if Devana and you are both Dr. Cobourn or Mumford patients, if maybe there's some bias to TLBC people only? If Devana, you're from TLBC, then I just don't know what the problem is, it must be a mistake. But anyways, let me know ! :eek:

Hmmm... yeah. Maybe I'll give drinking a glass of milk after my meal (an hour later, of course :eek:) a try, next time and see if that does anything.

Happy Belated Birthday! Did I miss something!? Did you tell us?

Woo! Congrats! I think I can safely say I've gotten 2 x 30 minutes of exertion this week so far. As long as I do once more this week, I'll be happy.

Hey Patti ! Yes, it is a hard wait! Mine was about 3 months from the time I decided to DO IT... so you've got a bit longer. It sucks. Have you researched like nuts? Do you feel like you know almost everything there is to know? If not, start doing that. Read as much on this board as you can, get some books on it, start eating, or try to, like you were already banded. Practice the small bites and super-chewing. The time will probably fly by, if you keep yourself busy. I was lucky enough to have alot to occupy my while I waited, so it wasn't so hard. Then POOF! it was time ! And maybe by the time your see your family again you WILL be 60lbs lighter! Good luck :eek: Mandi

Have you guys seen this? I think this is a good thread for it! [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmgLOKRl5J0]YouTube - Fear of Girls[/ame]