Gaffer

Blame it on the burritos. Sounds like things went well. A

Call me young & stupid then, this totally sounds like something we would have done when I was younger. We have expaned in AB, and have a fine selection of malt liquor 40s. In my university days we used to call it (Big)Bear wrestling, since it was such a challenge to get the crap down. I could never handle malt liquor, it is so gross, and gives me the worst drunk ever. A

Accoding to the paperwork they sent no. What if you mixed a spoonful of vanilla Optifast in your coffee? A

Now you can't go saying that and expect us not to speculate. Inquiring minds want to know. A

Good luck to you too. A

Not too much longer. Wish you a speedy recovery. A

Thanks for the butterfly info Yoda. I am really trying to turn this into busines trip so I can write off the flights. Crappy thing is that we getthere at 1:00 on Monday, 12:00 appointment with Dr. C Tuesday, and Surgery Wednesday. I dont think I will feel like going on Thursday, and then home Friday. Drat. It really depends on the surgeon who is doing your band. Many of us here have Dr. Coburn as our surgeon. He prescribes at least a 2 week Optifast diet, 3 week in my case due to high BMI. Welcome Aborad. A

What baby? Just kidding. He is staying with his grandparents in Lethbridge. He has a full schedule of lunch dates, play dates, and grandma time. We will really miss him but are hoping to keep occupied with other stuff. Does anyone know how long it would take to get to Niagra? I really want to go to the butterfly conservatory there. Is there a bus or somthing to get there? A

That is where we are staying as well. We booked online & they had some romance get away deal. I am afraid this will not be the most romantic valentines for my wife. A

I will have to check them out. How were they for carbs? A

I am set to arrive a couple of days before the surgery as well. I have had pretty good luck at work just shaking the optifast in a sport bottle with some ice, so I think that is what I will do. I dont what my luggage taken away after they x ray it and think my blender is a bomb at the airport. What hotel are you staying at? A

Wow Jackal, that is a crazy weight loss, good work. I hope to be in the 210 range 18 mos. post op. To be in the same BMI as you I would have to weigh about 177lbs. I dont think I have weighed that since grade 5. After seeing some of the stat that the guys are putting up, it makes me more hopeful that it will be the case. What ever happened to that males forum that I proposed? Based on the replied from the guys here, I think that would still be a good thing. Andrew

Hula girl is workin' overtime. A

Dpending what you are albe to eat post-op, yo may want to try the nectar protien juices. They are a powder that you mix with Water and they have a whack of flavors. There are also places you can order samples. I am planning on ordering some, just to keep things interesting. I am not a hure breakfast eater and am hoping to use these in the morining. http://www.enjoyhealth.com/nectar.htm Andrew

You are so right. That is alot of what is keeping me going right now. Eventually I will be able to have what I crave, in moderation, once I am banded, healed & back on solid foods. With that said, I dont even know if I will want to go back to any of those foods. I feel really good right now, I sleep better, I dont ache as much, and I generally feel ina better mood. Maybe we can adapt the saying "Pain is temporary, pride is forever" to "Hunger is tempory, pride is forever" Andrew

Benefiber is not so much to keep you fulll as it is to keep the trains moving. A

I know what you mean about the love hate with optifast. I am officially over the one week hump, and it is still going well. I know that alot of my initail loss with it is due to the "water" weight effect, and that it will slow down somewhat, but I really think it is what I needed to kick start my process of being banded. If not, I would still be eating the crap that I was on the farewell tour and feeling like crap. Andrew

I am not worried about this at this point either. Maybe just call them again. When I talked to them the other day they told me that they are moving on Feb 19. I just hope they remember where they packed the lapbands. A

Based on what I am seeing from other Ab. bandsters that appears to be what they are getting back for thier surgeries in Ontario. There is some sort of interprovincial agreement where the Ab will give me back $ for things done in Ontario. They charge a certain rate for Ontario which entitles me to about $1000. Because they dont have the same agreement with Mexico, they give it back to me at the alberta rate, whic would give me about $1700 back according to what others are getting back in AB Really whether it is $1000 or $1700 it is found money as I was not planning on getting anything back when I booked the surgery. Now, for the tax return, that will make a difference to me. I dont know how what % of my income it will allow me to write off, but depending on how that works it could be a nice sum. Are you allowed to write off Mexican surgeries? Andrew

Becca, That just plain sucks. I am sure that Dr. C will get it sorted out for you. I currenlty have high BP & am taking medication for it. When I talked to Dr. C about this during the consult he said it was pretty common. Your BP is not that bad either, so I would not be suprised if it was just a one time thing. Did he take it with you standing, or laying down? (You not the Dr. :biggrin1: ) Andrew

2 words: Filter Intake No really. It could be an option, but could lead to embarrasing situations. We were in in the tub the other night when this guy show up in our back yard & is like we have your pizza. Now I am doing Optifast, so I though this guy was a message from God and that my prayers were answered. Turns out it was a mistake. Now ladies, behave. I am the lone male here. Andrew

15 more sleeps, and 2 more weeks of Optifast. I looked at the calender today, and I could not believe that 2 weeks from tomorrow I will be on the table. Kinda surreal. Dont get me wrong, I am going to Missasauga. I think that I will save Mexico for my vacations. Andrew

Sorry, I meant to say refrain from the bikini wax. I have been thretening the wife that I might have to buy a speedo for the hot tub once I get skinny. Damn board shorts hold too much water & drag it into the house. Maybe I will get the Borat mankini. Anyway, how did this go from Yasmina's fill to me in a speedo?

I think I will refrain from the bikini wax thank you. Andrew

It really has nothing to do with Dr. Coburn's office, or his staff. So far all my interactions with them have been great. My reasons for second guessing are more finacially motivated. Also, the more time I spend here, the more comfortable I feel with a Mexican Dr. This is not to say that my wife, mother, father and family Dr. would disown me for even metioning a mexican Dr. My reasoning is as follows: - Surgery in Mexico (or Dr. K in Colorado) costs about $10K canadian - Ab. Health Care will reimburse ~$2K - Hotel included in price net cost roughly $8K canadian Assuming flights are about the same price. - Dr. C surgery - $16K - Ab health Reimbursment - $1K - Hotels - $500 Net cost is about $15.5K So to have it in Canada it will cost me about an additional $7.5K. I feel better, and my family feels better about me having it in Canada, but is that peace of mind worth $7.5K. I will never know. I am having the surgery in Canada, and really once it is all said & done I am sure it will be worth it no matter what I paid. Hell, I would stil like to have it done for free in Alberta, but I dont want to wait that long. Andrew