ahubar

It seems that there are getting to be quite a few of us here in Grande Prairie, Alberta. Is anyone interested in getting together for support, coffee, visits etc. Please reply on this thread or else pm me. If you know of anyone else and they aren't into computers maybe you could pass this along and ask if they would like a phone call so we could all meet.

Hi CanadaSunshine Yes we will have to get together. Maybe we are the only 2 from grande prairie. What do you think. Give me a call?

Hi everyone. I am new to this thread. I was banded Dec 15 by Dr. Cobourn in Mississagu, ON. I am doing really good. I am down to 223 from my high of 260. When I started my Optifast 2 weeks before my surgery I weighed 253. So I am now down 30 lbs from that weight. I am feeling great. Like someone said the lapbound is a tool and spark people keeps me on track with my calories. Found out last night that I cannot eat any spicy food. It gets stuck and burns just as much coming up as going down. Lesson learned. I went to an East Indian 25th Anniversary Party. It was a great time, but I guess I can't eat the spicy stuff. Someone was asking for a Breakfast idea. My girlfriend gave me this recipe and it's great. 1/2 c. Kashi Go Lean Crunch - 115 cal 1 tbsp hemp bits or hearts - 56 cal 1 tbsp ground flax seed - 56 cal 1 tbsp slivered almonds - 40 cal 1 tbsp unsweetned/unsalted Peanut Butter - 90 cal 1/2 c. your favorite yogurt. Mix it all together very well. And enjoy. The calorie count on the first 5 ingredients is 356 than just add the calories from your yogurt. It's great. I have tried it without the peanut butter, but that is what makes it so good I think, it's just not the same. It's very filling and helps keep pipes clean. I added the calorie counts on all the ingredients in case you don't want to use the hemp bits or flax seed. Maybe this should be posted to the recipe thread? Is it OK to post here? I just wanted to introduce myself to everyone.

Just though I would start a thread for anyone who saw Dr. Cobourn on Jan 27 in St. Albert. I tried to get everyone's address, I hope I didn't miss anyone. I enjoyed meeting everyone and hearing all the stories. Especially helpful to talk to some of the banders that have been banded for some time. And here about their ups and downs. But mostly I only heard the ups. How is everyone doing. I was really careful right after my fill. But when I got home on Monday, I started having trouble. But I was just eating to fast and not chewing properly (sp). Have finally figured out that I have to slow right down take little bites and chew, chew, chew. I am certainly feeling great. It seems that I feel better every day. If that is possible. Well I just wanted to start this thread. I thought it would be another way to keep up with each other.

Hi Mookie1, It was very busy that day I am trying to place you, were you sitting right beside me? It was great meeting everyone. Just give me a gentle reminder so I can put a face to your name. I think that we should have taken a group picture so that we could remember each other!!!!!! I am doing great I had a fill of 1cc i think that day. I am feeling it but it isn't that uncomfortable. I just have to really slow down when I eat or else I get it stuck and have to burp it back up. But I am getting the hang of it. Take care

I am so excited!!!!!!! I finally have a NSV (that i recognized). I went off my arthritis (sp) medication when I started my optifast and after the first week, which was he....!! I found that i wasn't aching as bad. I was banded Dec 15/06 and I haven't been taking any of my arthritis (sp) medication on even any Tylonel (sp) either. I had been living on both medications for the last 2 years. I am not sure if I was having a hard time because of food allergies. But I am feeling so good and I am glad that I am no longer taking any kind of pain med. I still am taking my blood pressure meds, but the Dr. said that she thinks I will be off it soon.

That's interesting. I have been trying to but noone is there. Like you said it must be having technical issues. Is there someone that we should report it to.

JLB (Janice) I am not sure of the geography there either, but I am sure that if you called Heritage House they would be more than willing to help you out. Maybe you should check with the TLBC clinic and see if they have something similar. It's just a thought. When is your surgery scheduled for again?

Hi JLB and Neenagh Yes, it is a wonderful altnerative to having someone with you post op. And yes Neenagh for cosmetic surgery as well. I am not sure if it is for other clinics. But I had my surgery done by Dr. Chris Cobourn in Mississauga at his clinic. I can't remember the name. They treat you fantastic and the price is affordable. I paid $135/night. Initially I was only going to stay for the first night after my surgery, but when I talked to them, and it makes sense, you can stay for your entire stay. Here is the link to their website http://www.heritagehouseonline.com/ and you can call if you have any questions. They are great trust me. I stayed at the Mississauga one. It is the one close to Dr. Cobourn's clinic and also close to Pearson Airport.

Like Yoda I don't actually remember being hungry for the first few days. Could have been the gravol???? But I really enjoyed my cup of tea I had with another lady that also was banded the same day (Dec. 15/06 by Dr. Cobourn). We both stayed at Heritage House and believe me it was a godsent for those of us that don't live in Ontario and don't have close family or friends that we want to have to put up with us.

I had my surgery Dec 15th in Ontario by Dr. Cobourn. I have survived Christmas. Barely. I was doing great till Christmas day, tried a small portion of mashed potatoes, veggies, stuffing, turkey and gravy. Everything went down fine. No problems (i wish that there had been). I have been fighting with it ever since. I am able to start my pureed diet tomorrow. Help i hope i haven't screwed up my band? Glad I found this site, i find that I do not have enough knowledge on the diet and mostly portion sizes? Any one out there that can help? Thanks everyone for listening.

Hi everyone I just found this thread. I am fairly new to this forum, so i am still bumbling around in it. I had my surgery Dec 15/06 with Dr. C. Cobourn in Ontario, Canada. I am from northern Alberta, so had to fly out to Ontario the day before. But luckily they have arrangements with a retirement home so I was able to book a room there and have care for the first 24 hrs. Everything went great. Christmas was a challenge for me as I was still on fluids, but I did sneak a very very small portion of turkey,potato,yams,carrots & just a little, little bit of stuffing and some cranberries. Everything went down ok, but i ate really slow, because i was really scared i was going to get a blockage. I have been up and down since Christmas, but Hey, 2007 is going to be my year! I still haven't read all the messages here on this thread but i will eventually. Take care

I know it's weird isn't it. I can't even see anyone chatting? Maybe someone out there could help us get on? And what do we have to figure out?

I am wondering if it is working at all. I tried numerous times last nite to initiate conversation, and nothing. Today the same thing. Is there a scheduled time that people get on this chat room??????

Ok everyone I will fess up I didn't get out of bed this morning to go to the gym. My sister phoned me on her lunch hour and I really thought i was going to get a blast. But she asked me if I had missed her, she hadn't gone either. Ok so I think that I will just wander over there on my own. And meet with a trainer. As i haven't been doing anything for so long and my knee is a wreck i will really have to be careful what I do. Also i am wondering if they would have a nutritionist, what are the chances????? Once again i am having trouble getting all my food in. But i did make myself eat some oatmeal (4 tbsp w/2 tbsp of milk). Now i should drink a glass of milk. And maybe make a Protein shake to take with me. Did i hear from someone that it's ok to add egg beaters to the shake to beef up the protein?

Glad to here from everyone. Thanks for the support. I am feeling better today. Tomorrow morning I am to meet my sister at the gym at 7:30 am. This will be a first for me. I haven't been to a gym in at least 3 or 4 years. Obviously. I am back on track with my food. I have cooked some real food, chicken, potato, sweet potato, carrots, and my sister even brought me some baked salmon this afternoon. Anyway I have pureed everything in froze in ice cube trays so I have some variety. I am having trouble eating everything i should be eating. But have decided that I am going to have at least one Protein shake a day until i get a handle on eating all i need to. Well better hit the hay if i plan to get up by 7:00 am to get to the gym for 7:30. I figure if I posted it here I would have to go, or else everyone would know what a slacker i am. Well Good nite Take care

I have been reading your thread. I had my surgery on Dec 15th by Dr. Cobourn in Ontario. You are right about the wait lists. I noticed that you are originally from Grande Prairie. I thought that I would drop you a quick note. I am assuming that it is Grande Prairie, AB. This is where I live. How did your Christmas go. I hope everything went well. I am struggling with eating everything. When I don't than I am grabbing for something I shouldn't have. But will have to address this problem. Up until now I was doing really good. Just have to get back on track again. Take care I hope everything is well with you.

Hi I am new to this site. I am a 52 year old women. Who has finally decided to take the plunge. I am nervous, but very excited. Dr. Cobourn is doing my surgery this Friday. I live in northern Alberta, Canada, therefore will be flying in to Missassauga on Thursday afternoon. Anyone else out there who is having their surgery the same day?