Gaffer

I agree, the old place was looking a little "worn out" when I was there. I did see some drawings of the new place and it looks really nice. I think when you are trying to get people to pay the $16K for the operation, they want it to be done in a place that looks decent. Andrew

I had a bed of similar construction when I was in in university, and never found it to be unstable for myself and a partner. If you are concerned, you could always find a concrete block or have DH construct a "leg" to go under the middle. When you think about it, the weight of the bed and the occupants is spread out over the entire frame & slats so it should not be to heavy. Andrew

Check with your clinic or surgeon. I was on Optifast 3 weeks pre-op, with 225 calories of certain veggies like romaine lettuce etc. I did have numerous pickles throughout the day. I had my surgery almost 2 weeks ago and my surgeon told me that my liver was positively small, and that I must have done well in my pre-op. What pre-op plan are you on? Andrew

He is in his pre-op diet so I dont think that he will be eating creamy soups. I can relate to the pre-op liquid hell. I had 3 weeks of Optifast to endure. I was able to eat pickles during mine, and I went through a huge costco jar of them. Just remember that this torture is required to help you with the surgery, and that in the end it is all worth it. Be strong. Andrew

If your partner is over 6 feet I can see a life of foot entaglement. Neat bed though. Andrew

Nice score on the king size. Mrs. Gaffer says that I cant get my big screen until she is sleeping in a king size bed. Oh well. Also check out Costco. They have had some good deals on sheets & towels lately. We bought some awesome towels the other day for about $10 each, and bath sheets were $15. I love new towels. If I become wealthy everyday will be new towel and clean sheets day. Oh and new razor blade day. Now we know how Oprah lives. Andrew

This was a big one for me as well, especially as a man. The way that I looked at it was I would only tell those people who I was sure would be supportive, and that I would tell them in such a way that they would understand I was doing it for the right reasons. In a way I wanted the weight to come off slow, like 2lbs per week so that I could continue to tell the people that dont know that it was from working out & and a strict diet. Having lost 38lbs in 30 days is going to make that tougher. When I saw my boss, who knows, the other day he said to me "You're secret is out" and I said "You told you bastard" and he said, "No but you are way smaller than when you left work 2 weeks ago, people will know what's up" For me, I dont really care what people think, and if they think that WLS is the easy way out, then let them think that. But if you look at the stats and the odds, diet are not in your favor. Something like 90% of people who lose weight on diets gain it all, plus more back. If diets were the answer WLS surgery would not exist. Be proud, and remember what you are doing it for. Not the people at work, or anyone else. Also remember that many people cannot stand to see other people succeed and will do anything to take away from you accomplishments, bit dotn let that stop you. Andrew

I am really looking forward to the mushies stage as this liquids thing is getting a little old. I have a full freezer of these things for my mushies stage. http://www.babygourmetfoods.com/menu.html My wife bought them for the baby, and he wont touch them with a 10 foot pole. So I thought I would eat them up. I also like the Beans with sour cream idea. I will be eating some if that for sure. Andrew

I guess mine will have to be get healed up properly and start back at the gym at least 3 days per week, but try for 4. In terms of weight, I would like to be under 310 by the end of March, but that is strictly a like to be at not a goal. Andrew

I was sure this was the case as well. Although my brain has about the same capacity for more information as my stomach has capacity for food these last few days. The fills for life are not so much of a big deal for those of us who are not close to the clinic as we have to pay for those whereever we are. I guess it is cheaper than flying to Toronto for fills. Andrew

I stand corrected. Thanks, Andrew

Okay, I cant help you with this problem. There is not hope for you there (just kidding from a Flames fan living in Calgary) On the clininc side. I was banded by Dr.Coburn in Missasauga last week, and so far I am very happy with my decision. Now I cant say anything yah or nay about the other clinic in Toronto because I did not look into that closely. What led me to go with Dr.C was that he called out of the blue after I submitted an email request for information. I felt an immediate level of comfort with him and his staff, and was impressed with how accessible he was. I was not sure whether I would use him until after the phone consult, but after that I booked a surgery. I would not worry about them not getting back to you. They are moving the clinic this week, so that may be the reason for the delay in response. I am not sure about fill Dr.s for the Toroto clinic in Calgary, but I know of at least 3 or 4 that will do Dr.C fills in Calgary, so you should have several options there. Feel free to ask me anything about my experience with Dr.C and his clinic. Andrew

I dont think that they use the swedish band in Canada, but I could be wrong. I know from talking to my Dr., who is different from yours that I recieved the "large" Inamed AP band last week. Dr. C told me that it will hold up to 14CC, and the fill regiment is different than the smaller bands. More CC's per fill. Maybe you have a larger band? They have been in use in Canada since November. Andrew

I didnt get a card, all I got was a bunch af scars, bruises and what looks like burn. Still, I am not complaining. Andrew

I would not count on getting a fill 8 days post op. I have never heard of a fill that early. Most Dr.'s will wait at least 4 weeks, and many like mine will not even entertain a fill before 6 weeks. Besides, I am 7 days post op, and the though of someone poking me looking for my port makes me want to pass out. Good luck. Andrew

Actually, it would be really handy to have a band to show people who dont know what you are talking about. When my Dr. showed me the sample in his office I thought I need one of these. It would save so much time explaning. Andrew

I can feel your pain. I am one week post op, and heve not been in my spa for 14 days already (-30C too cold to tub). I am sure that it would do wonders for the gas pain I still have. My Dr. said 2 weeks post op before bath tubs/hottubs. Andrew

Hey Becca, dont focus on the mistakes, but rather look at your victories and what you will accomplish in the long term. One milkshake is not going to undo what you have accomplished, just dont make a lifestyle out of it. We have been through alot, especially in the last week, and if you want a shake as a reward I dont see a problem in that. Andrew

I'm not having any optifast, as all I have left is vanilla and I just cant hack the vanilla anymore. If I had some chocolate left I would probably use it up. Instead I am just using a low carb high protien powder, which is okay, and some protien lemonade to increase my protien intake. The "problem" I am having right now is I never feel hungry, so I need to eat something. Yesterday my blood-sugar got way too low and I felt like crap. Couple of glasses of apple juice solved the problem though. I have been trying to eat about 1000 cal/day spread out into 1/2 to 3/4 cup meals. So far I have been liking the Gardeney Brocolli Parm soups, and this weight watcher potato leak soup my wife makes. I also found those yogurt drinks to be really high in sugar, and a stupid price so I have been adding 1/4 cup of skim milk to a 1/2 cup of raspberry yougurt to make a yougurt drink with tons less sugar. Andew

So I know that there are a bunch of us starting the pre-op diet either today or in the coming days. I thought rather than littering around a bunch of other post that we could use this one to offer words of support, thoughts, trcks & tips and just general support. Anyway, I am off to make my first shake & head to work. Hopefully the blender does not wake up the baby. :hungry: Andrew

I think that I will have to call them on Monday, as I too have been wondering how much at a time, and roughly how many calories a day I should be aimimg for. I dont feel any restriction, which is not too much of a suprise. Dr. C installed the large size AP band in me. Other than that I think that I am doing okay. It is nice to have some regular food again after the 3 weeks of Optifast. Andrew

Hang in there and be glad that you did not have to do 3 weeks like myself and alot of people. What pre-op diet are you doing? If you are on optifast, dont worry, once your body goes into ketosis you should feel much better. Andrew

That is funny, I am here thinking the same thing. Andrew

I am pretty sure you were in lala land. I remember hearing the nurse telling you that you had to brethe. I gotta say that I found all the staff there to be really good, and the Dr. who did the anestesia was excellent. Andrew

Hey Gang, Just checkin in after my surgery. Things are going pretty well, and I am up a walking around, Gas pain has not been too bad, mostly like a muscle ache. Dr. C also had to fix a hernia while he was in there so he said that will contribute to the pain. 3 of the 4 patients he did yesterday had to have heria repairs Becca, I did not get a chance to see you at the clinic yesterday, you were in recovery while i was in being preped. Thanks for the support guys. A