Paulax

racergirl, does Dr Amson do lap band surgeries? If so I will add him to the list.

That is interesting. I read on some doctor's website that if the band is removed, the stomach generally goes back to it's origional state. I guess by using the word generally, he means he really doesnt' know.

See now THAT Is interesting. I'd really like to know more. What is TLBC? Does that mean my regular doctor can give fills?

I am scared too. Surgery date July 21. I sometimes have to remind myself how scary my life will be if I dodn't take this very brave step. To make myself feel excited again, I go look at the Before and After pics at the top of this page. Good luck and you will be fine. hugs

Well, I for one more, am feeling better about being a closet 'bandster', having read all your responses. My parents are both gone and I just don't feel like divulging my surgery to my inlaws. I love them very much, I know they respect me a great deal, but they just don't have to know about my insides and out. I have chosen to keep this to my husband, a friend who is banded and a friend who I trust and supports me completely. I have 3 precious children, aged, 6, 8 and 11 who I choose not to tell. I just feel like they are too young. I have kept our meals clean and so far all are all thin, very healthy and they get a lot of exercise. If one day I feel like they would benefit from my experience, then I will tell them. I also had breast reduction surgery. I really didn't think my children would benefit from knowing that either. Again, if in the future any of my kids would benefit from such information, I will be more than happy to share. I don't work outside of the home, so I can't see too many people questioning me, pointedly. And quite honestly, I can't understand why people are so darned nosey. I am not keeping this to myself to be deceptive, I am just a very private person and this is my journey.

I live in the Okanagan. Hope you are liking Calgary. Come back for the holidays.:biggrin1:

Thanks, where do you live T2L?

Thanks for your respnose and good luck with your surgery on July 8............oooooooooooooo getting close hey? exciting. Hey, who is doing your fills in Calgary? A surgeon getting trained? or your regular doctor?

Can someone tell me why a banded person can eat toast and not bread? tia

Good for all of you. I am pre op, did the teeth whitening, did some nice hairdo. Gonna get new clothes as soon as I need a new size. How about some pics of your makeovers.

I like recipes you don't have to write down. Here is what I made last night and my 3 young kids loved it and it was stoopid easy. Bought boneless cod fillets. Put in a baking dish with a bit of butter, layed sliced lemons on top sprinkled it with asaggio cheese. Takes very little time in the oven served it with veggies and rice, voila. It is amazing the lemon taste that seeps in to the fish. Another one my dear friend uses all the time. No recipe recipe. 8 eggs 2 pkg frozen spinach, thawed and pressed handful of feta dash of dill Bake in pie plate until knife comes out clean, Eat warm or cold. my kids love this too. I don't tell them it is good for them.:biggrin1:

Yep, good for you. It is SO hard to really see ourselves the way others do. Don't let your mind play tricks on you. Enjoy your success. Sometimes it helps to see yourself in a 3 way mirror, or a window. But congratulations on your obvious, even for me to 'see' successes.

SEE? It's slim pickins in British Columbia. I can't believe how hard it is to find someone, and not feel like you have to travel to another province or another country.

I am pre op, but my goal weight is based on experience. I am sure my doc or some height/weight sheet would put me lower. But I am not after a bikini body, I am after a healthy weight that I know I can maintain.

Stunningly beautiful!

Good decision. My doc and I decided together that I'd try an antidepressant for both handing a loss and keeping control of my weight. I have now gained 45 pounds in one year and I swear that little pill helped put it there.

Good luck Buffie. Let us know how you do when you get home.

I dunno? I am one who wouldn't be bothered too much by that. There is a certain procedure, certain placement. As you have said, he has done other surgeries and if he weren't confident that he couldn't do the procedure, 'doing no harm' that he would have a more experienced surgeon present to assist and observe.... eta.......What you could do is ask 3 of his patients to contact you for moral support or referral or guidance. I had contact with a previous patient before I went in for surgery once. I can't remember how we got to contact each other, but I think the doctor asked her to contact me. It was comforting to email back and forth with her.

Kathi, I don't believe for a minute they are getting their wish. Your journey has just begun my dear. Stay on the path and the weight loss will follow. hugs

Well, recently my female obese and middle aged doctor, WHO I JUST LOVED, retired. The man who bought her practise LOOKS 12! No kidding. His wife took me on as a patient and she looks mabye 20 something AND IS SKINNY AS A POLE. My first visit was last week and I had to tell her that I was referred for lapband surgery. I was so embarrassed to tell her, I had butterflies. I told her that previous doctor had referred me for lapband surgery and that unless she had some magic advice that I was going to go ahead with it. I was actually very pleasantly surprised that she fully supported me. I was so relieved. Dont' know why I was so nervous except to have been given a reaction like some of you got. IF MERIDIA, OR WW, OR SOME OTHER GIMMICK WORKED, THERE WOULD BE NO FAT PEOPLE!!!!! I am very lucky to feel support from my doctor, I hope you all find some strength in your decision, even if your primary care doctor doesn't.

Ya, I wish my pants would fall off

Excellent advice. Lisah, we ALL wish there was just one more diet, just one more try and maybe we could find the answer. hugs hugs and good luck with your journey.

Hahahahaha, that made my day, I came in here expecting to hear some bad news. HEY SCOTT! YOUR PANTS ARE TOO BIG...... That is awsome. Cinch in your belt another notch.

I am pre op, but I like those teeny tiny cans of salmon and mayo. Just open and eat. And no, I don't sell the product, I just like them and so do my kids.

Sorry, but I am still laughing at the bottle brush up and down the esophogus analogy..... Ahem, yes, sorry, but with experience in low carbing, you CAN do this. There IS life beyond bread. I think......