Camikat

Quick question for anyone out there... I just found out that I am going to have to be on the road for 3 weeks straight travelling to numerous conferences throughout the states. I'm not travelling with any one person but no one I will be meeting with is aware that I have a band. This past weekend I went camping and became quite sick and didn't really eat at all. I'm worried about this happening when I am travelling. Yes, I will admit that I have been stressed for the past few weeks (don't reno your kitchen when you have a band! ) and I was just getting to my fav time of the month but STILL! Grrrrr.... Does anyone think I should get a temporary unfill while I travel or am I just being wimpy & making myself stressed by overthinking about it? I have flown before but being out of my comfort zone always makes me a tad anxious now that I have the band. Thoughts?? Thanks for your time!!!

Actually, CAITLIN VAN ZANDT from Guiding Light had the procedure done and she had a big article in People Mag talking about it. I don't watch the show but I think her character may have had it written in as well... Guiding Light Star Caitlin Van Zandt's Bathing Suit Shoot – 89 Lbs. Lighter! : Video : People.com

Hi Everyone! Congratulations on all doing so well!!! Just wanted to post an update - as of today, at 279. Thanks!!

So I know that this is going to sound weird but today, at my lowest weight in over 12 yrs, I have felt uglier than I have in ages. I was at the gym working out with my trainer when I caught a look at myself in the mirror. I have been big all my life but seeing myself tonight was a very ugly image in my mind. I am starting to get a large number of loose skin rolls on my body and my weight in my abdomen has lowered and sits very predominantly in my front. Before I was "big" but, oddly enough, I wore the fat suit well. Now I'm just a flappy blob who is disproportional. Yes, I have been really successful with my band but aren't I suppose to feel better after this much weight loss??? I know that this might pass but has anybody else felt like this?

Have an update for you ~ currently at 314. Thanks!

just got second fill. Ate something two hours ago, still throwing up liquid....not sure if ate too much food or if something is stuck...not sure what to do! please help! ps. food was mushroom soup.

thanks for the advice...seems to be getting better. But thank you for your responses! :thumbup:

not really drinking anything. Band felt tighter today than it has other days...so I am not sure if stomach is just irritated from the second fill... I have been careful with food choice so I am not sure what's going on, I didn't have this happen during my first fill (felt tight, but did loosen). Thank you for your quick reply!!

Hi Mimi, Just thought I'd let you know that I was banded at Maples mid November and everyone there is great! I am going for my first fill on Tues but if you have any questions, just let me know. Cheers! Kat

I really think that it all depends on the clinic. I asked my surgeon that question tonight when I had my follow-up and he said that they take into account the person's weight as well as what they prefer (and what works best from experience). With a 2 week method, neither of my surgeons have had to abandon a surgery due to a liver being too large.

2 weeks total

I was on 3 shakes a day with 2 cups of low starch veggies. Along with that I could have as much water, tea and coffee that I wanted as long as I didn't have anything with milk or suger in it (sugar substitutes were permitted). I followed it to a tee and my surgeons said my liver was perfect ~ I have had no real complications or pain from my surgery either!

I was also on Opti-fast for 2 weeks and I lost about 20pds but I had a really tough time drinking it because of the taste - Peppermint extract was my lifesaver!

I'm not sure about where you live but in my province its against labour laws for HR to ask what exactly I am getting done... although I know it is killing the HR Manager permitted my time off! I have thrown her off by wearing faux glasses for a few days (laser surgery) and rubbing my jaw (wisdom teeth removed) a few days later. Its now turned into a bit of a private game to keep her guessing!

Here are my stats: Surgery date - November 18, 2008 Highest Weight - 371 Preop diet starting weight - 371 Surgery weight (Your weight the day of surgery) - 350 Current weight - 346 Goal weight - 170

Hi Everyone! Have a question to pose to you... I live in a small city (about 700,000) and have been approached by a local news station that a close friend works for that they would like to do an ongoing story on me being banded. It is a new procedure for my Canadian city with only about 40 others having been done and many do not know that the option exists - especially that you can do it without travelling to other provinces and countries. I have no problem explaining the process and having myself filmed however I had been planning on keeping the procedure quiet to family and co-workers. Should I help out others by sharing my story or maintain my privacy as initially planned in regards to the lap-band. The station is willing to hold the footage for a few months until I am ready for it to be aired which helps but, it is still going to be putting me out there for all to see. I would love everyones comments on the topic as they would like to film the surgery and I am having it done on Tuesday (18th) so I don't have much time to think it over. Cheers!

Thanks for the positive comments Babe! And, like BC, Manitoba does not cover any of the costs of the surgery and neither does private health insurance. This is one of the real reasons I would like to fight to have it approved. I am fortunate enough to be able to cover the costs but I know many more like me who are not so lucky. Cheers!

Hi Everyone! I was just wondering if anyone has any ideas to spice up the pre-op Optifast diet. Where I am getting my surgery done, they only allow us to have 3 chocolate optifast shakes a day and 2 cups of veggies. I have been trying to drink the shakes for the last week but I am really struggling to finish them due to the taste. Luckily, I haven't cheated at all but I am worried about how I will do in the second week. The only suggestion the clinic could give me was to add coffee to make it like a mocha (not that great). I have also figured out the peppermint covers the smell but its getting old fast. Any help I could get would be great. Cheers!!

Guess you can add one more to the list... Set to be banded on Nov 18th!!! Cheers!