CanadaSunshine

Thank you so much PinkMary! Seeing your ticker helps so much... I would like to say I am nervous, but I'm not, really. I've kind just been focussed on planning the long trip to Toronto from where I live in Alberta. I leave in 3 days. My surgery is on the 5th. I have a little suspicion that I may do what several ladies before me have done, and be all calm and collected until right before and then fall apart, or perhaps have a mini melt down right after surgery. (Thank you so much to those kind ladies for sharing their experiences, now I know that this might happen and I have warned my DH!) I'm trying to keep my expectations low and not get carried away with visions of bikinis and marathons...but at the same time remain pumped and ready for a new lifestyle and all it's rewards. I have thought of nothing else since I got my date, my every thought has been about this surgery, the costs, the trip, the recovery, my life post op, etc. And yet, I feel no actual emotions ie. nervous, excited, worried... so close to the actual day. Do any of you other July Banders have the same numb feeling as I do? Sunshine

K, I've got an interesting question that I haven't seen mentioned anywhere else... I probably shouldn't even bother mentioning it before asking my Dr. first...but I'm curious. Has anyone ever asked, or heard of using a product like "Emla" during a fill? (Emla is the gel/cream they sometimes use on your hand before putting in your IV to numb the area) There are other brands, but that is the only one I know by name. I've heard alot of people use it when getting tatooed as well. It just seems like it would be fantastic to help with those fills I've heard about where it took more than a few pricks to get it... Has anyone ever heard of it being used, or does anyone know already why it couldn't be? I can't wait to hear what you guys think. Sunshine

Here in Alberta it is kept behind the counter and they asked me what I wanted it for, but you can get it without a prescription. I have no idea how much it costs though, cuz I didn't buy it. At the time I was asking about it for something else.

HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!! Good one! :biggrin1:

I am on Celexa and althought desire is not affected so much...erm...*ahem*....orgasm is nearly impossible.:grouphug: Every once in a while I'll forget a pill or two so hubby and I feel we have to squeeze a little lovin in, cause that's the only time systems are "go" for me. That's just been my experience though.*shrug* I've been on it for 2 years. The men folk seem to have it a little easier in that "O" department though...

Actually, that post inspired this one Yoda. You poor pin cushion...

You just got SEXIER Saul. Atta Boy!!

Check out the thread called "who did you tell?" I saw some really good white lies...like hernia surgery...which would explain the soreness ect, but personally, iIthink gallbladder is the way to go, because that explains why you suddenly have to make changes in your eating habits. Good luck in whatever you decide!

Thanks guys!:dance:

I've heard a few really rough stories from people who aren't as lucky and don't get their fill with one poke. It's really just that situation I'm looking to avoid. Good point though, they shouldn't be painful in the first place(ideally).

Non Scale Victory. And quite an awesome one Julie, GOOD JOB!!

Well kudos to her for being THAT brave in her resolve to change her life and get healthy WITHOUT any support. That's really sad, but oddly inspiring. My DH does not seem interested or excited for me and I have kind of felt lousy about that, and wished he were more "with me" in this. Hearing about this makes me realise I have it pretty good. Sunshine

Hey Neenagh, You and I have really similar current weight and goal weight. I too, lose weight very easily (and gain it back in an instant):phanvan I'm getting banded next week...so maybe you'll be able to see what sort of results you might be able to expect...(to each her own of course, but in general) How's the research into TLBC vs Cobourn going? Are you swaying one way or the other yet? :gluck: Either way, you're in good hands...plus you have us! And what beats that?! lol:grouphug: Sunshine

Wear tons of make-up! When it comes out in black and white it all evens out. I looked like a two bit whore when I went in for my passport pics...I had to assure my son that Mommy was not crazy.LOL My pictures came out looking like cheap glamour shots. HAHA Good luck! I'm sure you'll look way better than you think!

:canada:My date is July 5th, in Ontario, with Dr Cobourn, hey...I just got a flashback of playing Clue...lol I'm on my 2 week pre-op diet of Opticrap shakes. My mouth tastes like rubber...but that means it's almost over! WOOT!:biggrin1: So is everyone remembering to take "before pictures"? I also plan to take pictures of my incisions to show before and afters of how they heal. (I'm thinking it may help if I ever have to explain the surgery to another obese person who wants to know about the surgery in depth) Anyone else? HOORAY FOR JULY!! can't come quick enough...:clap2: Best of luck to all my Compadres! Sunshine

LOL July5th, you should get shoppin girl! Get all you post op stuff ready too! You can still be in denial, just be prepared. Haha And make sure you have a good scale. One that will now be a FRIEND and not FOE. WOOHOO!!!

Neenagh, I'm a Cobourn'er too. I've complained about my treatment on another thread, but don't take that to mean that he's less than wonderful. Best of luck to you, and WELCOME! Sunshine

Finally, I can join the ranks of the July bandsters! I have been waiting for awhile for someone to start a July thread. I am am scheduled for July 5th, In Mississauga, Ontario, (Canada) This thing is costing me an arm and a leg and I've come close to backing out several times...but now I'm starting to think that for me, this journey had to be difficult or it would not have meant so much. I'm on a (disgusting) pre-op diet of "Optifast" shakes prescibed by my doctor. They go down like slimey, salty, chocolate Water with an after taste like rubber. :hungry: NUMMY! ..but I've lost 9 lbs in 6 days so I can't help but forgive the flavour. lol This is such a great forum for support and advice. I am blessed to have found you all. CHEERS! *holding her brown slimy liquid filled cup in the air* To all of us...and our health!! Sunshine

These are fantastic guys...please keep them coming! (and please let us know if you used any scar care products or not) :biggrin1: I can't wait to show you all my shame! (a.k.a. belly)

I am so close to giving up. I feel so sick right now and it's only been 2 days on Opticrap. The aspertame is giving me awful headaches and nausea. I feel like I can't function. I dread every time Kathy at Dr. Cobourn's office calls because she has such a nasty phone manner that I always leave the conversation feeling like a stupid child. I emailed her today to ask for her help with this Optifast issue and she phoned me back to tell me she received my payment and can not take a personal cheque. "WE HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY CLEAR ON THIS" Yes, I'm sure she has told me, probably twice...but I screwed up, and after reading every single email from her office and every form in my package it didn't mention how I could pay or how I couldn't, so I sent a cheque. (Very stupid Mistake, i know) I would have called to check with them first...but I HATE talking to her. She was so incredibly nasty. I've been thinking of forfeiting my deposit and going elsewhere for awhile anyway. ...mind you now it's a matter of $1500 plane tickets and $450 in hotel bills. I was stupid to think I could handle this on my own. I'm confused and frustrated and I can't handled these headaches anymore. I have no idea how I'd get the money there in time now...and I feel so negative about them that I'm not sure I feel comfortable going there. I messed up and now I'm stuck and I don't know what to do anymore. I'm so sorry for the pity party. I really am. I should just stop crying and try to figure something out...and take some Tylenol.:think Sunshine

We got 'er done! It was a brutal scramble and we went through a couple failed attempts and a near car accident..but we managed to get a bank draft in the mail today.:clap2: Cloe I agree 100% about "why don't they just cash the damn cheque" lol ...but hey policy is policy. Not to mention they "WERE VERY CLEAR ON THAT!:angry " LOL Bah! I don't feel bad anymore. I had to make the executive decision to take myself off the Opticrap and use a whey protein blend instead. Since I never did receive a response, I guess I'm kind of on my own with this issue anyway. So EFF 'EM!! I will show up on my date with a shrunken tummy and liver...and hopefully leave with a band. Fact of the matter is, this doesn't need to be a positive experience, even if I had been excited and overjoyed about it. I was so broken hearted that the whole thing was going to make me feel awful and upset just because I dont get along with my patient coordinator... ...I now realise I don't have to. I need to lose the weight and get on with my life, not make friends with icky Kathy or LOVE my trip to Toronto. Kathy can be nasty, and Toronto can even suck if it wants to. I'm coming for my band!!! Thank you Yoda for your suggestions...I am going to send that email with the tracking number. I am also going to request a new support person, (as soon as I'm feeling brave)...(or pissed off enough) lol and Cloe, you're right about Dr. Cobourn's office. It is not a negative place, and Dr. Cobourn is GREAT and so is Marie. I hope I haven't given any newbies a poor impression of him just because of this little issue I've got. Nobody was more surprised than me when things started to go sour. ALL you girls rock. :whoo: Your kindness has made a HUGE impact on my decision to carry on. I cannot thank you enough. :nervous Sunshine

Thanks very much T2L, Oddly enough Dr. kuri was the one I had chosen before my family talked me out of going to Mexico. I spoke with his patient faciltator more than once, but I don't think I had Jessica...I can't remember her name now... I was very impressed with Dr. Kuri's credentials and reputation. It sounds like you're in great hands! I love how all Dr. Kuri's support staff are Bandsters themselves...it really helps you relate, I think. I look forward to hearing about your success...and thanks again. Sunshine

My Goodness!! You guys are the most wonderful friends I've never met... My pity party was pathetic and whiney, but you have held me up when I fell on my face. Thank you so much. Thank you "The best me" (Kathy),Cloe,Jen, and Paulax For the hugs! And every single one of you for some excellent advice. Betty Boop, I don't think I stopped crying until you refered to her as a "rude,abrasive smart ass, self absorbed assistant ". I guess that's low self-esteem talking when you automatically internalize everybody else's lousy behaviour...shame on me for giving up so easy. And Buick Eight...you could not have been more right...if I give up I will be "defeated" again, and this isn't going to ever be easy...I just need to power through. So true. Jen, I also cry when fuming mad so I don't know if I would be capable of complaining about her. I am seriously terrified of confrontation.:rant: I've never torn anyone a new a#%hole but I fantasize about it some times lol. Perhaps after my band...I will take my Calcium supplements as directed and grow myself a spine? Well, I had too much scrambling to do today to take the Optifast so I have tried to stay full on Water and I had a whey Protein shake. it's sweetened with sucralose, which I have an easier time with. (It's way more disgusting, but not painful *whew!*) Now the headaches are within reason. I can handle this amount of pain. I will go back to Optifast tomorrow and hopefully what was said about carb withdrawal is true a little for me too. I've been on several fasts, though, and have never been that sick. Also, I got sick within 10 minutes of having the first shake...before my body was even aware it was carbless I'm sure.:eek: At any rate, I'm going to keep trying to take them. I just thought that it made no sense to take Tylenol with every shake...but if that's what gets me through I'll try. I sent that deperate email to kathy about how sick and miserable I was feeling on Thursday. I never did get a response.:fish: I guess i just have to figure this one out on my own. jerks! I am very screwed when it comes to getting the money to them. I bank with Presidents Choice Financial and they have no tellers. I requested a bank draft and was told it would be sent to my home in 7 to 10 business days.:omg: So I went to my other bank, that I rarely use. (TD) they can have it drawn up on the same day...but here's the rub...effin presidents choice wll only let me take out $1000 per day.*insert sobbing, and blubbering here* so I can't take the money to TD to get a bank draft. Next I tried postal Money orders...tried to get my credit card limit upped...and wracked my brain for other ideas. It does NOT help that I have no information in my documentation as to what options I DO have as far as payment. Effin Effers!!:tsk: Well eventually, when nothing I came up with worked...I did what any 30 year old mother of one would do...lol...I called my mom. She and I are going to try to fandangle something where she transfers funds to my TD account and I buy the bank draft and courier it. I just HOPE, hope, hope there isn't some reason that I can't do THAT. Kathy said I have until Tuesday at the latest or I am cancelled. I know it won't get there Tuesday no matter how I send it, but I will send it anyway. (I am in Alberta, it has to get to Ontario) I will try to exaust all my options...and if it doesn't work out I am going to go to another Dr. At least I will have that stupid bank draft ready in my sweaty little hand and my liver will be good to go. Until then I WILL FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT. Thank you ever so much for the encouragement...the instruction...the kick in the pants. I apologize again for dumping negativity in this happy place...

Time2Live, Do you mind if i ask which Dr. you chose in Mexico? I had originally decided to go there, too, but opted for Toronto for my family's peice of mind. (regretting it a bit at this point) My date is July 5th. (If I keep it) Just curious...

Oh MAN. All I can say is "DER!" That's no good. I will have an answer as to who DOES very soon. ...that, or I will be back here complaining about who DOESN'T. lol Sunshine PS I start my Optifast tomorrow...:hungry: YUMMY!! Wish me luck...or something. :phanvan yuck.