Woodys

I think I would rather give the individual the benefit of doubt and assume that they are intelligent enough to know that no matter what the procedure.....it works out different for some than for others. I think we all already know this. So....why scare the poor thing going into her initial consultation with negative stuff.......we need to give her more credit than that. Carol

RELAX....yes, you should get a contract but for heaven's sake.....you are embarking on an adventure that will bring you much happiness. You should be going into this appointment looking forward to what's ahead for you. Believe me, if you follow Dr's instructions and keep up with managing your fills and info from the nutritionist, this will be the best thing that you've ever done for yourself. So....forge on, go into this with excitement and happiness that there will be an end to your obesity. And shame on those who have their 'warnings' and make this a scary venture for you. Good Luck. Carol

It definitely does work. You still have to work hard at it because there are ways to sabotage your efforts and you will either not lose or you'll gain. However.....if you manage your eating, your fills and all other instructions from the clinic the way they are intended, then it will work for you. I'm really sorry......but I've been doing this since June 06 and it makes me so angry when I read some posts at this site...not necessarily this thread, but at this site. I read excuse after excuse and I can tell that this will not work for that individual. Boy oh boy, when are they going to get their heads out of their butts and get serious about making this work. There is no magic wand or magic pill and I can tell that some are still in search of that. I am at goal, 100 lbs lighter. I am a whole new person, I look at life differently and I experience great quality of life because I work at it. I would do this again in the blink of an eye....it saved my life.....actually, it gave me my life back. Carol

That is really too bad that some Drs don't consider a CD training...as such. Because, I watched the cd and there was very little involved in giving a good fill.....I wouldn't call it training, I would call it information. And as for support, I was never denied a quick email response or return telephone call.....all my questions got answered quickly and efficiently and with care and concern. I guess I just got lucky. Carol

Hello: I was banded in June 2006 and reached my goal of 100 lbs off in the first year.....and I have maintained it nicely since. I was banded by Dr. Joffe and Dr. Yau at the TLBC. I live 2 hours north east of Toronto and because of my schedule through self employment I was not able to visit the clinic for my fills for the first 4 months due to my busy season. Dr. Joffe sent me home with an instructional DVD for my GP all about giving fills. I gave it my Dr. and he said that he would gladly help me out. All I had to pay was $3.00 for the bottle of saline. Contrary to what most people say here at this site and what others may think until they have actually had a fill....they really are not that big of a deal for most of us. Some have had legit problems with locating the port, but not all of us have the problem. The fills I experienced were painless and rather simple, hell.....I think I could have even done it myself if allowed. If my Dr. can do this then I really don't understand why other GPs won't, or can't. And what I really don't understand is how come all I had to do was mention the fact that I was from out of town and not able to travel for fills for the first four months and the DVD was handed to me.....I didn't even know that such a thing existed. And I'm not sure I understand your complaint Jorja78.....do you think that maybe their suggestion that you have your fills done in Sudbury was a courtesy response since it may save you some travelling time.....your fills would probably be covered in Sudbury under the TLCB contract, right? So how come you other out-of-town folks were not given the same courtesy...and if my GP can do this, then why can't your's? Confused.

Did anyone have a "last dinner" outside of the fast on their last day before surgery? Carol

EVERYBODY CALLS ME: Carol MY PRIMARY RELATIONSHIPS INCLUDE: Hubby of 8 years, Al (Woody) Next to the band, the best thing I ever did was to marry him. MY NON-HUMAN FAMILY CONSISTS OF: 85 lb shepherd/boxer cross.....5 years old, name is Biggles.....he is as daft as a post. I LIVE IN: Fenelon Falls, Ontario....2 hours n/e of Toronto. OCCUPATION(S): I own / operat a fine dining restaurant and a small ladies fitness centre AND away from the table! AVOCATION(S): Love to sew, watch movies, Coronation Street, and read

Patty....I was a severe yo-yo dieter....I was banded in June of 96, reached goal approximately 1 year later.....to date I have lost 100 lbs and maintained it. I love my band.....if anything, it put my yo-yo dieting habits to bed. Carol

I agree with Terri. Sometimes I find myself focusing too much on food....what to eat, how much, when.....but I quickly remind myself that I can only eat so much anyhow....so much focus is clearly wasted since I can only eat a small portion of anything. I enjoy what I like to eat.....no question about it. The only thing that causes me problems right now is fruits and veg with skin. Most of the time I am careful to eat what is nutritious....since I can't eat much I need to eat what is good for me. But, every once in a while I'll go for a "no no" item...not often...but just to get me over the hump of not being able to eat all the bad stuff I use to. Carol

For all of us who wonder the following: How come I'm not losing How come I'm not losing fast enough How come I'm always hungry Do I need another fill Do I need an unfil Am I eating right I found this information at another site and it pretty much answers most of the questions I have seen at this forum that are either restriction or food related. I think some of us bandsters here could gain from reading this. Carol How to Tell When You Are Perfectly Adjusted: You are losing 1-2 pounds per week. If you are not losing 1-2 pounds per week: A. You may need an eating adjustment 1. Are you eating 60 grams of Protein a day? 2. Are you eating 25 grams of Fiber? 3. Are you avoiding all liquid calories? a. Soup can be sign of soft calorie syndrome b. Alcohol contains a lot of calories 7 calories per gram.(It's also a stomach irritant). c. fruit juice is just sugar Water 4. Are you making healthy food choices from a wide variety of foods? a. Are you avoiding soft foods b. You can't just eat what's easy c. cheese is glorified fat 5. Are you drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day between meals? 6. Are you eating too much junk? a. chips, chocolate, nuts, ice cream, Cookies and other highly processed junk foods are too calorically dense to be regular parts of a healthy diet. But don't avoid them completely to the point where you feel deprived. b. Stay out of fast food places 7. Are you getting in two servings of Calcium daily? 8. Do you always eat the protein first? 9. Then the vegetables or fruits a. Five servings a day b. Potatoes are NOT a vegetable 10. Is your portion size appropriate? a. meat or fish (3 ounces the size of a deck of cards) b. Vegetables (½ cup the size of your fist) c. Starch (If you eat the protein and the vegetables first you don't need much - Avoid: rice, potatoes, pasta) 11. You might try avoiding artificial sweeteners a. Some people think that artificial sweeteners stimulate the appetite b. They are HUNDREDS of times sweeter than sugar c. They teach you to like things too sweet d. There is no evidence that people who use them are any thinner than people who don’t 12. Avoid most diet foods a. Real food usually tastes better b. Real food is more satisfying than low calorie substitutes c. When you are only eating a tiny bit the caloric savings is not that great (Use a teaspoon of real butter instead of a tablespoon of diet margarine. d. The body has no way to break down artificial fats). a. They may go into permanent storage b. Some people think liposuction is the only way to remove hydrolyzed fats from the body B. You may need a behavior adjustment 1. Are you eating only when you are hungry? a. If you're not sure drink 8 ounces of water and wait 2. Are you eating three meals a day? a. With maybe 1 or 2 small Snacks 3. Are you sitting down to eat? 4. Are you eating consciously? a. No distractions, turn off the TV, put the book or newspaper away, pay attention to your food and your companions 5. Are you eating slowly? a. Put the fork down between bites b. Take 20 to 30 minutes to finish a meal c. Taking longer might cause the pouch to begin emptying 6. Are you taking small bites? a. Tiny spoon, chopsticks, cocktail fork 7. Are you chewing well? 8. Are you drinking with your meals or too soon after your meals? a. Practice water loading between meals b. You won't be thirsty if you are well hydrated before the meal 9. Are you stopping at the first sign of fullness? a. Sometimes it's a whisper: not hungry, had enough b. Hard stop versus soft stop 10. Do not eat between meals. Stop grazing. 11. Do not eat when you are not hungry C. You may need an activity adjustment 1. Are you getting in 30 minutes of physical activity at least 3 times a week? a. Over and above what you would do in the usual course of your day b. Could you make it 4 or 5 times a week? c. Could you make it 45 or 60 minutes? 2. Are you taking advantage of opportunities to increase your physical activity? a. Taking the stairs instead of the elevators or escalators b. Walking on the escalators instead of riding c. Parking your car further away from the entrance d. Getting out of the car instead of using the drive through e. Getting off the bus one stop before your destination f. Washing you car by hand instead of the car wash g. Playing with your kids D. You may need an attitude adjustment 1. Are you committed to your weight loss journey? 2. Are you totally honest with yourself about how much you are eating and exercising? a. Log your food and activity on ww.fitday.com for 3 days 3. Are you using food inappropriately to deal with emotional issues? a. Have you identified what the emotions are that drive your eating? b. Can you think of more appropriate ways to deal with those emotions? c. Are you willing to seek help from a qualified counselor? 4. Are you attending and participating in support group meetings? 5. Have you drummed up some support from your family and friends? 6. Have you dealt with saboteurs realistically? 7. Do you have realistic expectations about the weight loss journey? 8. Are you still obsessing about food, weight, dieting, eating? a. Obsessive compulsive thoughts (Obsess about something else) b. Perfectionism (All or none, black and white thinking) c. Patience with the pace of healthy weight loss 9. Are you acknowledging your successes with non-food rewards? 10. Have you learned how to take a compliment? 11. Are you giving up diet mentality? a. Stop weighing yourself several times a day or every day b. Stop dieting c. Stop depriving yourself d. Stop defining food as good and bad e. Stop rewarding and punishing yourself with food 12. How do you feel about all the changes taking place? E. You may need a band adjustment 1. You feel like you are making healthy food choices in appropriate portion sizes but getting hungry between meals? 2. You can still eat white bread, fibrous vegetables and large portions. 3. You are having to struggle to lose 4. You are gaining weight in spite of eating right, exercising and having a good mind set. F. You may need your band loosened 1. There are times when you can’t get fluids down 2. You are vomiting too much a. How much is too much? 3. Do you have frequent reflux or heartburn at night? a. Do not lie flat or bend over soon after eating b. Do not eat late at night or just before bedtime c. Rinse your pouch with a glass or water an hour before bedtime d. Certain foods or drinks are more likely to cause reflux: (1) Rich, spicy, fatty and fried foods (2) Chocolate (3) Caffeine (4) Alcohol (5) Some fruits and vegetables (6) Oranges, lemons, tomatoes, peppers (7) Peppermint (8) Baking soda toothpaste (9) Carbonated drinks e. Eat slowly and do not eat big meals f. If you smoke, quit smoking g. Reduce stress h. Exercise promotes digestion i. Raise the head of your bed j. Wear loose fitting clothing around your waist k. Stress increases reflux l. Take estrogen containing medications in the morning m. Avoid aspirin, Aleve and ibuprofen at bedtime (Tylenol is OK) n. Take an antacid (Pepcid complete) before retiring o. Try other over-the-counter heartburn medications p. See your health care provider 4. See your health care provider immediately (or call 911) if a. You have a squeezing, tightness or heaviness in your chest, especially if the discomfort spreads to your shoulder, arm or jaw or is accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, irregular or fast heartbeat or nausea. These could be symptoms of a heart attack. b. If your symptoms are triggered by exercise. c. If your pain localizes to your right side, especially if you also have nausea or fever d. If you throw up vomit that looks like black sand or coffee grounds. Or if your stool is black, deep red or looks like it has tar in it. These are symptoms of bleeding and need immediate attention. (Note: Pepto-Bismol or other medications with bismuth will turn your stool black. Iron supplements can also make the stool tarry.) e. If your pain is severe

I agree with Mark....even the blondest of blondes would know that solid gold taps/faucets in her spa type bathroom were not affordable on a Minister's salary....c'mon people.....Tammy knew everything! She was putting the hard sell on every week just like Jim for money....and it wasn't just to spread the word of God, it was to keep her in the lavish lifestyle she came to know and love....and she knew just how much that cost and just where the money was coming from....I don't doubt that for one second. Carol

I was banded at TLBC June 8th 2006 and have already reached goal. The best advice I can offer is follow instructions.....Lapbandtalk can offer simple suggestions through experience, however.....when it comes to advice about fills, staying on liquid or other diets, etc...then talk to your Dr....they know best. I have never had an issue with TLBC...they treated me well and professional at all times, I had no complication pre or post surgery. My husband is a chef. I do not like cottage cheese so for the pre-op diet my husband was mixing 1/2 cup low fat yogurt with 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese, 1/2 cup of ice cubes, 1 package of sweetner and liquified it through the blender...every day he would add different flavourings...such as 1 - 2 tablespoons of sugar free jam, or 1 tablespoon of plain cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon of real vanilla, etc. It was like drinking liquid cheesecake! Don't say you can't take the pre-op for 14 days....it will be tough but think of your priorities.....1) not following instructions and compromising your surgery....or 2) weight loss from your surgery which will bring you better quality of a longer life that would otherwise be compromised from your obestiy. I took the second choice and am now enjoying life as I never knew it....I also wear a size 8.....from a 24/26. Good luck Carol

I'm curious, once on solid food, how many calories are you consuming in a day and what kind of foods are you eating to get proper nutrition and enough calories to survive? Carol

I was banded a year ago. My Dr. explained that painkillers such as tylenol and asperin *sp* have a tendancy to thin the blood and they don't want this happen just before surgery. I take extra strength tylenol for severe headaches....he said that would be okay as long as it wasn't a frequent happening....so, like everything else in life, the golden rule he passed onto me was "moderation". So, tell your Dr. about the Baby Asperin and see what he says, it may still be allowed. Never be afraid to contact your Dr's office to get clearification on items.....there is good advice on this board but you can see that it is also conflicting advice which for sure will confuse you....best go back to the source for further info. Carol

steritape, all but on incision were very small, the other was about an ince. They have healed very nicely Carol

I do sometimes even a year after being banded....but they got me into a lot of trouble in the past so the cravings can kiss my butt!.....my skinny little butt! Carol

B- 3/4 C Cheerios 3/4 C light soy milk L- 2 slices Weight Watchers Bread toasted with 2 oz of sliced old cheddar cheese, small dill pickle, and a plain frozen yogurt in a cup as a treat D-steak tips with sauteed onions and peppers with mini roasted potatoes Sounds like a lot but only about 3/4 cup worth of food at a time. Carol

Go for it....afterall,it could be the blond down the street instead but isn't (right?) Carol

I can't believe that they expect us to pay for this. When will we learn!!!!! Every diet pill, aid, gadget I have fallen for that promises dramatic weight loss also states that you MUST follow a calorie restricted eating plan and exercise program. Never has any of these diet aids helped to curb my appetite for more than a few days....its almost as if you grow an immunity to them, and quickly. Save your money people....they are all gimmicks with a capital G. Carol

Its human nature to be nervous bigharleyguy......I was a bit nervous but so looking forward to being banded....I was banded June 8th 2006 and have reached goal now.....I would do this again in a heartbeat, outside of marrying my Al this is certainly the best thing that I have ever done! Carol

I have been banded for a little over a year, I have not had a carbonated drink since then. Last week we went through a heat wave and I was craving a diet coke, so...I had one. I drank it slowly being careful not to build gas....but it did anyways...the pain was excruciating.....I'll not do that again...its ice cold Water for me from now on. Another drink I love in summer are frozen chocolate yogurt shakes. The dairy where I buy these told me that there were 132 calories per yogurt serving, so...I figured that if the shake is part of my lunch meal that I was doing okay.....not doing too much calorie harm. Then, I found out that one shake consists on 2% milk, 4 frozen yogurt puck servings and a good pump of the chocolate syrup!!!!! Cripes, can't imagine how many calories that comes to! So, now if I get one I save half for the next day and include it in the calorie count for my lunch. Carol

I have been banded for over a year now and I only had to crush my pills in the beginning. Pills disolve so I don't see what the problem is if taken with a bit of Water? Carol

I married my best friend in 1977 and stuck with him for 21 years.....all that time we remained just that "best friends" and never had the romantic "man/woman" relationship. We knew shortly after that we had made a mistake and should have left it at being best friends and we did dicuss throughout the years about divorce but things happened to otherwise occupy us separately....for the moment so to speak. But, eventually we realized that time was marching on very quickly and we needed to move on with our lives. I have been married now for 7 years to a wonderful man....we are best friends, lovers, and the romantic element is definately a big part of our success. So....the moral of this story....I don't think marrying just because the person is your best friend always works....if you are going to be life partners romance has to be evident right from the beginning. Carol

I was banded in June 2006 also and have reached my goal weight after losing 93.5 lbs. It can be done. You have to stay on top of your fills...once you recognize that you are able to eat more than you should be then you need to adjust your fill....also, you must be careful not to indulge in foods that will otherwise sabotage your weight loss efforts...such as chips, ice cream, and whatever is high calorie that goes down way too easy. The band is our tool, we are master of the tool and we must use it properly. We still need to be smart with our food choices...this is so important. I hope you get the help you need because I for one know that the band works if you use it properly and exercise good eating habits. Carol

LOL Green....maybe its an online affair and found somewhere else more intimate to chat. Carol