Gaffer

I guess if someone was really worried about the pokes they could talk to thier fill Dr. and see about using an OTC creme to numb the pain. Something like Emla cream would do the job nicely. Basically put it on the skin 30 min prior to the injection. Andrew

I dint think that I am going to change at this point. I feel it is too late, but I think that I should have given Mexico more consideration. I think I will look up Dr. Descoteaux for my fills, as he seems pretty reasonable, and I like that he ahs been working toward getting more bands allowed for people here, even if it is not going to effect me personally. That is good to know about the defills to, as I dont want this to become an issue. Hopefully one day fills will be covered by AHC as they should, no matter where one had their surgery. Andrew

I watched most of this too. WOW. Even if I tried I could not have eaten most of what these people were eating in a day. It was kinda sad that these people all had others who were enabling them to such an extent. I felt really bad for the son of the one lady. It seem like all he muct do is keep the house stocked with the food that his mom is using to kill herself. A

Hey Julie, About Dr.Descoteaux. If I get a fill with him and it is too much & I need a slight unfill, does he charge you twice. I am kinda thinking I should have gone to Mexico (or Dr. K in Colorado) for the fact that it is about half the price, I get twice as much back from AHC, and I have to pay for my fills anyways. Andrew

Sorry, could not live there. Not a homophobe, but man I would get tired of the comments everytime I gave out my adress. My buddies would have a hayday with this. Congrats on the new house though. Andrew

That is great Susannah. I cant agree with you more about testing your mettle with the Optifast. I really think that it is a test of wills and once I get through with it, and the band is in place, that the rest will be easier. The optifast has already made me challenge my current realtionship with food, and my habits towards it. I would rather do this now that in 2 week right after surgery. Andrew

Yah, I have been eating the mushrooms as well. Maybe I will add it to my fillet of cabbage tonight. Last night I added too much pepper to the cabbage so it was a bit spicey. I also have to lay off the salt. I know I over did it as I am bloated, and I know my Dr. is going to give me heck when he checks my BP at pre-op physical this week. It is really amazing what you are able to convince yourself to eat sometimes. If one would have asked me 6 months ago if I could do this plan I would have though them to be crazy. Also, is there not some people who are starting Optifast tommorow? Who are you? Keep it up gang, Andrew

Right on Priscilla. I am on day 6 too. I will have to try your "filet of cabbage". I have been pretty light on the vegis, mostly some spinach and some romaine yesterday. I have been diggin' on the ocasional dill pickle. They are only 3cal per 2 bicks, but they are pretty salty. I think I will have some steamed cabbage tonight with a tone of fresh pepper. Found onion sprouts are an easy way to liven up a bowl of spinach. For the shakes, I like either Davinci SF Chai or raspberry extract in vanilla. I think the chai is a little too sweet but it is okay. I am down about 10lbs, although Wednesdays are my "official" weight days so I will see where I am at there. I keep telling myself that after the preop, living with the band will be easier. Andrew

Also, keep in mind that therer may be people who dont feel comfortable giving out compliments. Weight can be a touchy subject for many people and they may notice, but are not too "free" with the compliments. Andrew

I have been prescribed Optifast 3 week pre-op & I started last Wednesday. The basic plan is you drink 3 shake per day, each of 225 Calories, and then a small meal of low glycemic vegitables like lettuce, spinach, brocoli, bok choy, and avoiding higher carb vegis like carrots, corn & peas. So far it has been okay. I would suggest that you just find a well balanced shake with similiar nutrients to the Optifast. I can post then values later when I get home. This is what I am planning to do when I can post op, as my Dr. suggests you use Optifast during the pre-op as well, but does not manddate it. You may also see here that there are people who do Carnation instant Breakfast type pre-ops as well which is surely cheaper than the optifast plan. Andrew

Thanks Cloe, I am hoping to lose at least 25lbs during the pre-op, but I will take anything I can get. berry, the pre-op diet is up to your surgeon. Many of us here will/have been done by Dr. Coburn. For me, I have a high BMI & was put on 3 weeks of Optifast. Typically if you have a pre-op diet it will be 2-3 weeks. Andrew

Kinda like the mentos in pop thing. Link for refererance. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykwYi3cmXrw]YouTube - mentos pop bottle trick[/ame] Andrew

You see, now he will be relieved all he needs to do is get a new $20 keyboard. Andrew

Okay this is the manliest ticker I could come up with. Lets get that little woman moving. Andrew

Blame it on the dog. If you dont have one, get one before DH gets home. Or a baby, they are pretty good for puking too. Andrew

LOL. I can piture it now. Nurse can I get a hemostat and 150cc or ranch dipping sauce for my hotwings. :hungry: mmmmm...Hotwings (sorry having an optifast moment there. ) and since Argon requested it I better hop to it and get me a ticker. Hopefully they have some more "manly" ones. Andrew

Fois gras, I dont know how people eat that stuff, I would rather have an Optifast any day. As for the taste, I gotta say that I am pretty happy with the chocolate as is. I used to drink protien supplement for the year or two that I was buff, and these are not the worst I've had. I also like the rasperry syrup in the vanilla. I tried the chai, and it was pretty good too, but I think it was too early in the morning. My hunger has pretty much gone away, and I can taste & smell the ketones. Hang in there gang, keep your eye on the prize. It is all worth it in the end. Andrew

Hello All, I have been talking to my family Dr., and he mentioned that I would be a good candidate for Lapband surgery. We have started the referal process in Alberta to have health care pay for it, but it looks like this could be a long wait. I have decided to pay for the surgery myself due to the long wait times. Is there a list of Dr.'s that perform the LapBand surgery in Canada? Does anyone know of any Dr.'s in Alberta that will perforn the surgery on a self pay basis. Thanks, Gaffer

Hey guys, Just another male checking in here. I am going to be banded on 02/14, self payer from Canada. I am 2 days pre-op diet & doing okay. ousooneer, just wanted to let you know that I think it is amazing what you have lost. When I was looking into the band I saw what you were doing and was amazed. Question for the guys, what do you guys drink (assuming you do) after your band instead of beer? I like to have the occasional beverage, but have heard that carbonated drinks are not the best. Andrew

He was wrong about the 10 people in one week. That happened when Dr. Coburn came out to do the training, and that they are alotted for 25 per year currently. This was told to me by Dr. Coburn himself. If you have BP problems, get them taken care of, It can be pretty serious, dont be concerned about taking meds for it. lots of people do. Andrew

I have been adding 2tbs to my morning & dinner shakes. Andrew

I bought my flavoring in Calgary at a store called Diabetic Depot. Look for a local store that caters to diabetic. They had a whole wall of these things. I they were about $12.00 each. I am looking forward to using the raspberry tonight at dinner. I looked all through Walmart, Safeway & Superstore with no luck, until it occured to me that my former diabetic roommate used these. Davinci and Tarini are the more common ones, they are normally used to flavor coffee so you may find them at a coffee place. I mixed my lunch Optifast in a rubbermaid drinking bottle. Seemed to work fine. I think I will pour my future ones into a coffee mug so people cant see what I am drinking and become nosey. Hang tough Andrew

So I went to the Diabetic store to pick up some Davinci syrups. I picked up chai tea and raspberry so I will let you know. Maybe I will have a raspbery vanilla for dinner. Andrew

Alberta Government foot dragging? Andrew

Yah, the first on was not that bad. Mixed mine with 300ml of Water and a handful of ice. I too paid the price for the farwell tour & gained about 8lbs since Xmas. I am off to the diabetic stroe to shop for some calorie free flavor syrups. Andrew