Woodys

Scorpio, you need a plan with more specific instructions. The clinic where I had my surgery has a website, you can download and print their nutrition plan for post-op. www.tlbc.ca click on the resources tab, then click on the download menu item. Scroll down and you will see a link for "diet and nutrition plan"....click on this and it will open in acrobat and you will be able to print it. On the same page is a link to FAQ, there is some very good info there too. Hope this helps, Carol

I have a problem with the apron as well, I have 15 lbs to reach goal, my apron is a mess. But, I have lots of sagging skin on my arms, legs-all over, my butt, and my neck. I'm going to need an all over body lift for cripes sake! Better start saving my pennies now. Carol

I was banded in early June. I can ditto everything that Jack said. I eat just about anything in small amounts but I'm careful most times to eat healthy. I average a cup or less of food 3 times per day. Today I had: Breakfast - 1 shredded wheat biscuit with 1/4 cup milk Snack - low fat yoghurt cup - didn't finish it lunch - 1/2 cup of Lipton chicken noodle Soup with 1/2 toasted tomato and cheese sandwich Snack - four salted rice crackers (sometimes with a bit of blue cheese) dinner - one cup of venison stew....last few bites I forced Like Jack says, the band restricts the amount you eat so your attitude, need and desire for large amounts of food really change. My husband is a chef and enjoys eating out, since we do gourmet in our restaurant he opts for fast food sometimes.....we all crave the fast food sometimes. We share a sandwich which I order as fat free as possible and if the fries are the small shoe string type I eat about 10, larger ones I manage about 5. I try not to do this too often, but so far it has not sabotaged my weight loss. I am average 4 - 6 pounds per month and I'm elated about this. Good luck, you will love your band! Carol

Kym.....when I read your post it sounded like my words exactly. Carol

LMAO...Tanya...that was so damn funny, I remember those days....I was big for so many years but was always shocked to see so little water left in the tub when I thought I might have drowned if I slipped and knocked myself out...LOL. Carol

Wow....I have had 7 fills by two different Docs....every fill was dead on with the first poke....always painless. I've had such a great experience right along, since the first consultation....I'm sorry to hear that it hasn't been that way for some of you. Good Luck Carol

I couldn't feel my port at first but as I lost weight I could feel it more and more, now...since I'm almost at goal....I can even see my port when I stand with my back straight....doesn't bother me a bit...small price to pay for such happiness with lost weight. Carol

I agree Tootarts.....but we are smarter than the band and must stay in control. I learn something new every week with my band...what I can take and what I can't....and sometimes what use to be easy to eat with the band one week will be a totally different story the next week. But overall....I've maintained a continual losing streak and love it....I wouldn't give up my band for anything and if I had to do it all over again I wouldn't hesitate. Carol

I am surprised, I suppose all Dr.s and clinics are different. During my first consultation the pre-op coordinator showed me the band, she explained the entire fill process, even showed me how the needle entered the port to make the injection and explained about the gradual fill process. She also showed me illustrations of the actual surgical procedure. Because she exposed me to this I had many questions and everything was answered and taken care of before I signed on the dotted line. It seems to me that some Dr.s and clinics could take a very good lesson from my clinic....they were absolutely fabulous....I guess I just got lucky. And I thoroughly agree with you.....be patient and stick with it because the band does work. Carol

WHAT is going on here....what did I miss.....Sounds like "Yoda's Yammerin" is becoming XXX rated! Oh well, what better topic than sex anyways! GREEN! I'm going to be in downtown Toronto on Friday....any idea where I can pick up a naughty Christmas Card....the naughtier the better? I lived in Toronto for 46 years so you don't have to be too specific, I know the downtown core very well, will be staying in Yorkville. Thanks, Carol

Drinking a martini without the bottom of the glass resting on your boobs as if they were a shelf. Carol

Apparently she wants to have the band removed but is fearing what will happen with her weight if she does. Don't know why she wants the band removed though, should find out tomorrow. Carol

My first fill was 4.5 cc which I was told it was going to be, then 6 mor gradual fills and I'm at 9.5 right now and satisfied. with the way I felt after each 1 cc fill there is no way I would have wanted to have more than that put in at a time. Even with 1 cc at a time I went for 24 hours not being able to drink....sometimes the restriction would be with me for more than 2 weeks then the more I lost the looser the band got. AND....even with these gradual fills I have managed to lose 78 pounds since June 8th so its working for me. Carol

I don't understand how come some of you didn't know before surgery that the fills are gradual. I was told right up front that the fills would be gradual.... .5 to 1 cc at a time, at least 2 weeks apart until I reached adequate restriction....did no one tell you this.....did you ask questions and do some research? Carol

There are a lot of members here were quite large (hope I don't offend anyone).....they have done just fine. It is much easier when you reach the level of restriction that works for you. You can still eat but very small amounts...the band with proper restriction prevents overeating. You can sabotage the bands efforts by eating high fat, high calorie foods like ice cream that slip right through....but we all know you are much smarter than that...right! Carol

Good for you! You bounce back very quickly. I too went back to work the next day but just to do a very quiet short run at lunch and dinner in my restaurant....I was just fine......but very tired......no pain at all, at times, in the beginning, just a little queeziness in my tummy. Carol

I use to suffer anxiety attacks so bad in the past.....Christmas had to be perfect in everyway....the tree, the foods, the gifts...just like the crazy lady in that britcom "keeping up appearances". Then, one Christmas I realized that I was only stressed one in my group of family and friends....and that Christmas was going to happen no matter what, and the only thing my family and friends cared about was seeing each other and enjoying themselves. Gifts, a perfectly organized, cooked and served Christmas meal, an impecably clean house....none of that mattered to them....they were just anxious to get together to enjoy each others company. So, I figured....if they don't care about everything that is stressing me out....then what the hell....I might as well relax and enjoy the season too. Also, I quickly learned to start delegating....I am not perfect and someone else's mashed potatoes at dinner would be just as good if not better than mine.....every little bit helps, when the load is lighter I can relax more. Carol

This is why I chose the LB. I have been successful in all my many attempts to lose weight but I couldn't keep it off....the lapband will help me manage maintenance, I have not doubts about this whatsoever. I have read and heard of too many instances where by-pass patients have suffered malnutrition....I can still eat enough food to benefit my body nutritionally and naturally while promoting weight loss. Also, lapband is totally reversible and a relatively non-invasive procedure. I have lost almost 79 lbs since the pre/op diet and I'm feeling f***** fantastic, I feel healthy, normal, and safe.....I'm not so sure I'd be feeling so comfortable with the by-pass. If I had to do it all over again......I would in a heartbeat. Carol

Thanks Smatyas......I was just going to post and ask if anyone knew when the show starts. I can't wait. I love TV but have so little time for it....American Idol is a perfect wind down at the end of a busy day for me.....and I can record it if I have a late night in the restaurant. Carol

Some very good advice here...also keep in mind that a lot of broths are high in sodium, this could be causing Water buildup and retention......it has happened to me. When I was on the liquid phase I was drinking commercial brands of broth....I got concerned also because I felt there should have been at least a slight adjustment on the scale. After 3 days of this type of broth I switched to homemade broth and what a difference....the scale dropped 5 lbs about 3 days later.....and I started to pooh a little more regular and didn't feel bloated when I got up in the morning.....I can attribute all of that to a lower sodium intake. Carol

Mypov....this is ridiculous.....sounds likes they put more value on having a fun Christmas than they do on you. (I'm sure it won't be the last one for many of them) Carol

Good luck Rachel....I love my band, I would do this all over again in a heartbeat. I am in Canada and did not require a referrel. I simply contacted the clinic that performs the procedure and had a face to face consult with their pre/op coordinator, then one of the surgeons called me and we had a 15 minute telephone consultation and that was it. Hope its as easy for you. Carol

I would be interested in knowing why you weren't accepted, please keep us posted. Carol

I have had 7 fills, on the 4th fill I was told that my port was sitting sideways and the nurse was not concerned at all....the nurse had no problem giving me a painless fill. When I went back for my next fill the port had adjusted itself back to its proper position. Carol

I love my band, I have not had a problem that I didn't cause myself because I wasn't following instructions....and nothing was major or anything I couldn't live with. I would definately do it again in a heartbeat. Carol