Gaffer

It's not so much that it was a special room that I booked, just a special rate for Valentine's day. Other than that the hotel if fine for what we need it for. A

Good to know about the steak. I was only half serious. I know all about keeping myself in ketosis. I had a ceasar sala last night, and my breath is just as bad as ever. Andrew

Thanks guys. I am just in the hotel waiting to go to my day before appointment with Dr. C. I am sure all will go well. Assuming that this giant storm they are calling for does not shut down the GTA. Andrew

Also a high five goes out to Gerry. I was starting to think that I was the only banded Canadian male in the entire country. Great work on the weight loss and having the resolve to stay on the Optifast for a month. Andrew

I didnt see anywhere about adding lobsters to my Optifast? :biggrin1: How soon before you surgery did you eat said lobster. I think that I might go out with my wife when we get to TO. I figure if I have a steak & ceaser salad I should be able to stay in ketosis. I just dont want to get in heck from the Dr. Andrew

I think for me it was when I came home from the Dr. to get my blood pressure meds increased again (I am only 32). My wife & I had a pretty serious heart to heart, and she asked me to do something for her and our 6 month old son. I knew from my past failures that I needed more than the latest Dr. So-And-So diet, and that my Dr. had already reccomended to me that I be refered for WLS. I also decided that I could not wait another 5 years for it to happen because I did not want to miss important things in my sons life like bike rides, swimming and general good times. I had to do a self pay and get going on this. For so many years I was defiant and told myself that I have never let my weight hold me back from anything, but really it was my weight that was holding me back. Missed promotions, being tired most of the time, focussing on where I was going to get my next meal and depression were all things that I had dealt with as a result of my weight. Andrew

That is why we need a testosterone room here.

It helps to be a compulsive liar. I have no problem lying to people, although I dont make a habit if it, and I am not able to lie to those I love. There is this girl at work who is so nosy, and the biggest gossip in the office. I finally had to tell her that I had a wager with my wife that I could not eat out for a year, and that was the reason why I could not go out for lunch after the 10th time she asked. When she asked what the prize was I told her it was a 50" plasma. She never asked me again. A

I am scheduled for 12:00 and I read in the pre-op some where that they want you an hour early. Anyways, I am just packing and making some last minute arrangements. We fly to TO tommorow. Andrew

It is likely a hietal hernia that he fixed. They scars are in the same position as the lapband. In fact, I have already lied & told someone this is what I am going to be away from work for. A

It's the forbidden fruit. He can't have it so he wants it more than normal. A

I think that they reccomed it to make sure that people are getting enough protien during the post-op. I dont think that I will have sucha hard time with it, but I am sick of the vanilla. I still have a couple of boxes of it. I wonder if they will let trade it in for more chocolate. I also bought some protien juices & powder so I will likely use that during the post op. No biggie here. A

All the best. A

Wow, not too much longer for you. That is great, I cant wait to hear how it went as I am due in 6 days and want to know what it is like. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Andrew

No, infact I was on the sumo-wrestler-anti-diet prior to the optifast. I gained 8lbs in the first 24 days of january. It was a self induced food riot to beat my body into submission and prepare me for what was to come. I am sure much of that 17lbs was water loss, but I am hydrated now, and have maintined it along with losing some more lbs. I'll take 'em where I can get 'em. Hang in there Becca. Remember that this is likely to be the hardest part, and after the healing is done it will all be easier after that. Less than a week to go. That is 17 more shakes for us to go with 46 behind me. You can do it. A

I dont think anyone is bashing other WLS. What I am bashing is this Dr.'s tactics to try and market HIS own specialty by using false information from a lapband failure who was clearly not following the guidelines neccesary for the band to work. We can rest assured that when this patient eats the same way she did to cause the band to fail, her MGB will fail also. No matter what WLS this lady has, and I am not adressing anyone except for the lady in the video, she is bound to fail unless she changes her eating behavior. It is not a case of the tool being faulty but rather the user. A

That guy is a shuckster who is using Youtube to get people tp do his mini-gastric bypass. A

One question. How much Optifast did the clininc send you guys. I had to go get some out of the basement this morning and I have 2 boxes of vanilla and a box of choc. plus the 3 in my office. That shoud make 45 pouches, but according to my calculations I only have 21 left to take. Any thoughts? A

So far it has been pretty good. No 17lbs this week, but I am pretty happy with 6. Kinda hard to look at 6 compared to 17, but I realize that I will not be losing 6lbs per week forever. Optifast has been pretty good, and I can honestly say that I am not having too much trouble, and no real bad cheats, just a spoonful of chilli, about a quater cup of chicken salad, and a single bite of pilichinta (hungarian crepe) over the 2 weeks. The ketosis has been pretty high as I can smell it in my brethe and urine, and my Dr. tested for keytones in my urine and they were high. Really the hardest thing was lastnight at the Flames game. The lady next to me had a subway sandwich, nachos, pizza and a soft icecream. I think she was torturing me. I got my revenge by drooling on her shoes. Now my mind is focused on getting ready for our trip out to Miss., putting up the baseboards in my basement this weekend, and getting junior to Lethbridge to stay with his grandparents. No time to think about food. A

I think that the concern about death is natural for anyone no matter how minor the procedure is. Just remember that the numbers are in our favour. I dont know it will help, but I thik I am mroe likely to die in the cab ride from the airport. Amen to a successful surgery. A

Good Luck. I am interested to hear how things go for you as I will be in your place next week. A

I am in week 2 of 3 and right now I am not seeing any ill effects. Weight loss is pretty good. My mood, sleeping and general feeling have improved after the 2-3 day withdrawl from carbs. Some people notice a slight acetone smell to thier brethe due to being in ketosis, but that is pretty minor. As for diarrea, dont worry about that. Even with the veggies that I eat and the 4tbs of benefober per day, there is not too much in the way fo bowel movements. I have been able to hide it from the people in my office for the last weeks by mixing it in my office in a shake bottle & then transfering it to a big coffee mug with a lid. A

Becca, I can totally realte to the pizza. I have been dying for a slice for the last 12 days, and no matter what I do, I cant get my Optifast to taste like pizza. Hang in there, dont focus on the hot dog & pizza. Dont dwell on that, remember that we are only 10 days from the big day. Andrew

I guess that is a no. A

I wonder what she is doing to help her food addication? This pisses me off too. Why are not more bands covered in Canada. I had a conversation with my mom yesterday that just made me mad. She works with a lady who is having her VGB converted to RNY after she didnt stop eating and ruined it. She is 55, and is does not take care of herself. So here I am, young, healthy, and cant get one surgery paid for, and she is on her second. :angry My mom works with 2 people, soon to be 3 who have had RNY covered, and she says they all eat like pigs and are on their way back to pre-op weights. As a tax payer, I think that people who have thier surgeries covered should be forced in to councilling as well, and have some accountability as to how they are going work with the tool they have been given at OUR cost. Maybe, if they gain the weight back, barring any medical conditions, they should have to pay for the thing. Or make them pay a deducatable they get back after 3 year post op. People wont work with it if is is free. A