Jazzer

Wow - you look fantasic, Teri. More importantly you sound great. Can't wait til I reach your present weight!

Thanks Zillyanne for sharing your story. It is heartening to read that restriction really will come...

Winnipeg has a fantastic private surgical clinic: Maples Surgical Clinic. There are two doctors who do the surgeries - Dr. Andrews and Dr. Bracken. State of the art facility, lap-band trained specialists etc. Worth a look...

Hi mymy! What fabulous (and encouraging!) news! Thanks for sharing. I had my 3rd conservative fill and I am very very anxious to have the feeling you describe. It's been a LOT of sheer determination the last2 mos. and although the weight loss has been slow and steady I sure would appreciate more band assistance! Reading your post helps to keep me hopeful! In the meantime you go and have tons of fun and revel in your new great feeling. I'll do an extra lap tomorrow to celebrate for you! :thumbdown:

Hi Cynthia! I just had my first fill last week and it was done and over with so quickly that I'd wondered why the heck I had fretted so much!! My surgeon did not use a numbing agent; he tapped into the port, withdrew some fluid, put it back in with a dose more and voila! Done. I admit I did not look at the needle but I don't look even for blood tests (a sanity policy on my own behalf!). So, just go with the prick (of the needle!) and it'll be done in less than three minutes. Inhale and do a loud exhale - at the least you'll make yourself laugh! Wishing you the best!

Wow Wow Wow - what an amazing achievement!! You're inspirational...

IndioGirl - what a sensitive and real letter. You totally "get it"! I read many of your entries as they are always comforting and very honest. You go, girl...and bravo on your personal accomplishment! Excellent role model for so many of us!

You are going to do great! Before you know it you will be in the recovery room wondering how you managed to lose an hour! You've already got a great start (great list!) and those thoughts alone will keep you smiling pre-surgery. We're all rooting for you!

Dec08 - how are you doing? Jazz

Awww... so sorry you feel so terrible. Just like previous replies all I can say is HANG IN THERE! Take your pain meds, give in to your body to help it heal and try to walk, walk, walk, Even if you only do a few rounds around your dining room table every hour it will help immensely with the gas pains. I wasn't able to get much of anything into me the first 3-4 days although I was so dry/thirsty. One baby step at a time... However, if severe pain persists and the pain meds do not bring any relief it is always best to call your doc or attending nurse. Best of luck - keep us updated!

Hi Bunny! I am only two weeks post-surgery but all is well at my end. Apart from the first few days of healing (restriction) I feel I was lucky to not have any complications at all. When I finally made the decision a few months ago to do the surgery, I felt as though a few elephants left my shoulder and headed off to other pasture! For me, it was as though I turned on a switch and that was that. I could not do it alone anymore, I was becoming frightened about future health prospects and I just knew I needed help. Giving myself permission to accept the help (Band) and deal positively with all that was to come really set the tone for a positive mindset. I know there will be difficult times ahead but so far, 25+ lbs lost and wow, do I ever notice a difference. There are risks associated with either of the choices you make - try and determine what is best for your own sense of peace and what gives you hope for the future. Wishing you the best!

Hi Dec08Lapper! Wow, you are doing so well!! Bravo to you - such great inspiration comes off your writing. Like you, my energy seems to be so good even considering there isn't any solid food going in! More importantly, the energy seems more calm than before - it's a good thing! I anticipate I will get good news when I check the scale at my family physician appt. tomorrow - hope it is as good as yours. Isn't this forum fantastic? So much to be learned from all these courageous folks. Keep up the great work!

Hi Cara! By the sounds of it, you are so mentally prepared to take the leap of faith in yourself. You go, girl! I think that when I made the decision to get the damn band (!) I had already turned a corner psychologically. And, I just gave myself a blanket of permission to "forgive", if you will; whatever the reason for not being at a healthy weight would not deter me from making this huge investment in myself. Somehow, the mental switch turned on and I chose to embrace the future with renewed confidence. All I know is that the elephants left my shoulders one by one and that [weight loss] stress started receding. Quite amazing, I thought! I guess it was a bottom-line thing for me - now or never - I sure did not want to service all the potential health problems that would soon be lurking in my future. My partner and family are so supportive that I could kiss them to death. However, I really did not want them to have to care for me if I became really ill. The thought of losing some independence scared me. Re: the Optifast shakes. I believe they are only available through a doctor - they are essentially a high protein powder that you mix with water. Honestly, I didn't mind them at all, rather they felt like a guilty treat of a milkshake...3x daily! hehe I think the key is to have a lot of protein so that lean muscle mass doesn't deteriorate and the liver lightens somewhat. I see that others on this post have offered a number of options and I'm sure they are all good. I have never joined a "forum" before and you are the only person to whom I have written so please bear with me if I'm not offering the kind of support you need. My intuition tells me that you are going to be an exceptional Lapland citizen (!) and we'll get through all of this together. Go ahead and be excited and confident about your surgery - our new reality will be something we've never experienced before and adventures are a good thing!!