Woodys

Wow.....what a CATCH! Could you imagine the type of woman he will end up with....because who would be accepting of that type of personality. He'll either meet his match and live in agony for the rest of his life or he'll grow to be a very lonely old man.....serves him right. It always hurts when you are attacked like that and it may not be the last time you will have to suffer something like this....just remember....you are better than this so get over it and move on! Carol

I'm so lucky....my scars are visible but don't look too bad at all.....my port incision is very thin and still slightly purple. Carol

Hmmmmm......what a "loaded" comment. Christmas means many different things to me and my family and just because we like to spend ridiculously at Christmas doesn't mean that we have forgotten about Christ. C'mon....that was so unfair. Carol

LOL...good one Carlene! I love the "chicken Shit" comment. If published I wouldn't have given OJ or his book a nanosecond of my time. However, I'm interested in knowing if anyone had just a few seconds of curiousity as to what is written on those pages. I confess....I was curious because I just couldn't believe his audacity. (sp) Carol

Sounds like your husband needs to be knocked into the real world. If it was that easy to just go on a diet and exercise to lose then why is there almost 12,000 members at this forum who are already banded or waiting to be. Another reality check....how would he cope with his conscience if his objections stopped you from getting help from lapband surgery and then you die from obesity? Doesn't sound nice at all.....but he needs to think in the real world. Carol

I received the invite too but can't go either....my stepson is in culinary school and that day he is "Chef of the Day". We have been invited to attend his school while he cooks and serves a meal to us and his classmates. Carol

? What did I miss?

I am not hard to please either. I LOVE chandelier type earings...I have a huge collection of turquoise jewelry. I have long hair and enjoy hair jewelry. I work very hard in my restaurant and enjoy stuff to pamper my feet. Carol

I live in Ontario and do not have a problem receiving my fills....however, I visit another forum from time to time and I remember seeing this info...hope it helps you. "there are 2 doctors that I can remember that do the lap band fills in Calgary, Dr. Phillip Mitchell Ph.#264 6720 and Dr. Jean-Gaston Descoteaux Ph#220-2859. Dr. Descoteaux is SUPER NICE. Very soft spoken and caring" Good Luck, Carol

I am going to attempt losing a bit below my goal and then I will have a very small unfill to maintain. Being a bit below goal will give me that comfort zone for fluctuating....this will a create a small zone for me stay within. Carol

WOW...Pudinpie....look how close you have come to goal! Good going! I Just got what I hope is my last fill.....so I'm not sure yet how much I can eat. Before this last fill I could eat most anything, any time of the day....however, somedays I had difficulty eating but most days I could eat 1 or more cups. Carol

Some restaurants do have age restrictions and mainly because they do have to make money so they don't want to set precidence for selling seats for discounted food items. Unless you told them, they would have no idea that you were ordering from these menus because you simply can't eat beyond those portions. When I go to a restaurant I always order the same thing.....a toasted peameal BLT.....no butter, no mayo...and well toasted. I load it up with mustard, salt and pepper for flavour. Instead of fries I pay a bit extra to have a small salad with low fat dressing on the side....if they don't have the low fat option then I use my own (I keep the single portion packs in my purse). I always make a request for a take out container when my meal arrives and I immediately package up what I know I can't eat....then, I don't feel so overwhelmed with what's on my plate. If I'm fine dining I order a light mild fish and ask that it be baked with no added fat. I order extra veg instead of potatoes. I eat half and ask for the rest to be packed up to take home. Or, if they have muscles as an appetizer I will order that as my dinner. Sometimes I order two appetizers and share one with my husband. Carol

Yes....you can totally defeat the purpose of the band by cheating...eating the wrong foods that are easier to get down will sabotage your efforts with the band....like ice cream, cream Soups, alcohol, etc. It isn't wise to drink while eating, having a drink ready in case you get that stuck feeling isn't such a great idea....for most of us, drinking when we get that feeling just makes it even worse. Just follow your Drs instructions on what, and how much you are suppose to be eating and you will be okay.....sooner than later you will reach an adequate level of restriction with your fills and as long as you don't overdo it with high calorie food choices you'll be fine. Carol

I am much older than you but I'm sure there are some younger bandsters at this forum. You said that you weren't sure about the band because you wouldn't be able to control what and how much you eat....isn't that what your problem is now....the fact that you can't control what and how much you eat now, isn't that why you are a size that requires you to think about an alternative like the band? Some of us have difficulties with the band because we sometimes don't follow the guidelines to prevent things from happening like vomiting, etc.......like eating small bites, chewing well, waiting a bit before each bite, not drinking while eating and stopping when we have that satified feeling. You need to think more on what your priorities are here......being able to hang onto your existing eating habits which will kill you by the age of 40, or being banded....losing the weight, being healthy and living a longer life with much more quality to it....while MAYBE suffering a slight a bit of unpleasantness here and there. Its the best thing I have ever done and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Carol

Kim: I'm really not trying to be rude, honestly. However, you could set a good example at this site and start a thread that will help those who haven't been banded yet. It is important that you do your homework before banding. Making a list of pertinent questions such as "what band will I get"......"where and who is going to do my fills"......."how much will the fills cost me"....and many more questions. I have read so many posts where bandsters enter into this procedure without setting themselves up for the "after affects". I was given a folder when I left the clinic that had a booklet on my band identifying exactly what I had, I also had the Drs report on the entire procedure from start to finish BECAUSE I REQUESTED THIS.....other patients should be asking for this too. I live too far from my clinic to visit it on a regular basis for all my fills so I made sure that I had a backup plan in place before I had the surgery...the band is not much good unless you can get your adequate number of fills to reach restriction. Just some suggestions. Carol

I don't mind when asked, its flattering to have my hard work noticed....I usually just say "I'm working very hard at losing and its paying off". Except....I was approached by someone I don't really care that much for ..... he said "wow, look how slim you are.....you almost look NORMAL now"......cripes....he just rubs me the wrong way. I replied "What?????....did you think I was fat and abnormal before?????" He couldn't get away from me fast enough. Carol

Cilantro is also fabulous sprinkled on chicken curry on top of a bed of basmati rice....great combo. Carol

Every year for Christmas we would buy a couple of Hickory Farms Smoked Beef Sticks....something my Mom started a long time ago. They carry approx 200 calories / 60 g serving. I was elated to find that they now have a smoked turkey stick....74 calories / 60 g serving....and you can't tell the difference!!!!! Carol

Exercise is crucial. Increasing the quality of your muscle mass will automatically increase your metabolism. I own a gym similar to Curves. The benefits from a 30 minute circuit workout depends on YOU! The fact that you didn't break out a sweat is because you didn't put enough effort into your routine. If you are not using speed on the equipment then you have no intensity, you also have to get quite aerobic on the recovery stations....most of my members work up a very good sweat because they know that just going through the motions gets you no workout benefits at all. Why not give Curves another try.....but remember, the workout is only as good as you make it. Carol

My port never bothered me. At first I couldn't find it, was afraid to press too hard. But now, since I'm almost at goal, I can see and feel it. Doesn't bother me a bit. Carol

True...it is a problem with some as far as getting stuck. And, since you can't eat that much to begin with why would you want to fill up on empty calories and something that gives your body no nutritional benefit? Stick with food choices that will benefit your body, and eat your Protein first. Carol

Sherri.....they don't have regular Dr's in North Bay? I'm sure they do, why not call a few offices and share your situation with them.....one of them might be willing to help you. Carol

I live in Ontario. I am a 2 hour or more drive from the clinic where I had my surgery. My surgery date was June 8/06, I work 7 days / week during the summer season running our restaurant in cottage / tourist country. There was no possible way I could travel to Toronto for my first few fills. The clinic gave me a DVD of the fill procedure to give to my family Dr. I talked to him about my situation....he had never performed a "fill" procedure before but was willing to help me out. I purchased the Saline Solution from him for $3.00 (some still left after quite a few fills). Since it only took him approx 5 minutes for each of the 3 fills he gave me he didn't bother to worry about billing me since OHIP didn't cover it. He was happy to help me out because I was doing well with the band and he wanted that to continue for me knowing that my health would be in jeopardy otherwise. Maybe you could make the same arrangements with your family Dr. Carol

I'm not sure if you are being advised not to eat carbs because some, like soft bread, cause blockage problems.....or because they believe in the low/no carb eating plans. I do believe, because we can eat so little once we reach proper restriction, that we should eat our Protein first, then work on some carbs from whole grains and vegetables. Here is what I have in my "Health" file concerning carbohydrates: Energy - Some body tissues rely solely on glucose (carbohydrate) for energy. The Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) recommend 130 grams of carbohydrate daily to provide adequate energy for normal body functioning. Brain - PowerGlucose (carbohydrate) is the preferred fuel for the brain. Get smart…eat carbs. Muscle Power - Carbohydrate can produce energy three times faster than fat to support the energy needed for physical activity. Muscles prefer glucose (carbohydrate) for intense activity. Weight Control - Weight loss is achieved by altering the energy balance equation—either decreasing caloric intake or increasing physical activity. Long-term weight management is difficult on a lowcarbohydrate diet because of the limited food choices. In addition, some products are made “low carb” by substituting wheat protein or soy and nut flours. These substitutions are high in protein and fat, resulting in a similar, or even higher, caloric content than their “high carb” counterparts. They also often cost more. Decrease Dehydration and Constipation - Each gram of carbohydrate stored by the body has 3 grams of Water stored with it. The initial rapid weight loss that can occur with low carbohydrate diets is due to this water loss, not fat loss. Continued low carbohydrate consumption leads to continued loss of stored water that can lead to dehydration. Low carbohydrate diets also are low in Fiber. Dehydration plus low fiber intake equals constipation. Decrease Heart Disease Risk - A low-carbohydrate, low-fiber diet is high in animal protein, cholesterol, and saturated fat. This type of diet increases risk of heart disease. Decrease Cancer Risk - Fruits and vegetables, which contain carbohydrates, also contain antioxidants and phytochemicals. These components of fruits and vegetables appear to prevent cancer. Decrease Blood Pressure - Fruits and vegetables contain carbohydrates and minerals—such as potassium, Calcium, and magnesium—which decrease risk for high blood pressure. Calcium Counts - High protein intakes over time can increase the loss of calcium in the urine. Calcium loss can increase the risk of kidney stones and osteoporosis. In addition, many low-carbdiets restrict milk because of its carbohydrate content. Tastes Good! - Carbohydrates, including Cereal, bread, pastas, rice, fruits, and vegetables add variety and flavor! Carol

I'm okay with rice but it took awhile, I can eat just about anything in small amounts but I choose healthy foods......not cheeseburgers....that would totally defeat the purpose of the band, why would you want to eat stuff like that and sabotage your weight loss? Experiment and you will find out what you can tolerate, but make it healthy choices. Carol