JLB

Thanks for the info Andrew. I have a guy that does my taxes for me so I'll mention all this to him. I'm pretty anal about it all. As for how I'm doing... stressed out about covers it!!!! Hectic semester, have 6 weeks left till I graduate, trying to get everything all finalize... well... I'm sure you remember. Anyway, as for the rest... I haven't had good, consistent restriction since end of January but I don't feel like I can handle a fill right now either. I'm pretty stressed and find the restriction does fluctuate depending on the day. However, I do know I need a fill so I'm aiming for the end of practcium in iearly April. Things should be much calmer by then. Thanks for asking. Sounds like you are doing great. Interesting that you would have chosen Mexico if you had to do it over. How come? Would your family agree??

Doesn't it depend on your income though? And what tax bracket you're in? I am a student so don't currrently have much of an income, not sure I'll get much back. Anyone know???

Hey Julie, nice to see you here again. I'm also an email lurker and enjoy all of your discussions via email. I hope to make it to one of your get togethers yet! None of the dates have worked for me so far but I still have hope. Have a great dinner next week and keep chatting 'cause we're watching....

Andrew, you look fabulous darlin' and I'm sure you feel fabulous too! Here's sending you lots of :girl_hug: for your great success!! You have been such an inspiration and unwavering support for so many of us newbies, obviously you had great role models when you began your journey as well. I wish you all the best things that life has to offer and more... you deserve it!!! Take care you hunka hunka burnin' love :wink2: P.S. - might be time to think about a career change... modelling maybe???:thumbup:

I know what you mean. When I was first banded everyone who knew had comments, suggestions, advice and direction for me. I'm sure they were just trying to help but it frustrated me. Comments like, "I can't believe you're not losing more weight, maybe this band thing isn't working". Errrrrrrrrr, how irritating, not to mention insensitive. However, the good news is... it does work, it is just different for each person. It took me about four months to get to a fill level where I honestly felt a difference in my saiety and the quantity of food I could consume. Weight loss has been slow and steady but it is happening. So don't worry. Try your hardest to make good food choices and listen to your body for ANY subtle changes. It sounds like you're exercising which is a very important lifestyle shift so keep up the good work! Patience wins the race

Fun post! I plan to: 1. Go on safari vacation 2. Write a book

All the best and much success to all my fellow bandsters! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!!! :clap2::whoo::confused::biggrin1::clap2::whoo::whoo::whoo:

Hi Mandi, congrats on your success thus far! Wow, size 9, I think I was 3 years old when I last fit into a size 9. Good for you!! Regarding your job, try to wait it out. A good, long Xmas break could make things abit clearer. Nothing to say you can't start looking for another job while you wait. It's hard to say what the other woman's motives are or what she herself is going through in her own life. I know it can be upsetting and feel very cruel but it often takes a bigger person to stand above the rest and show integrity. Please don't do anything you may regret or that may make yourself look bad; instead try taking a step back and taking the higher road. Everyone has thier own issues in life to deal with. If this woman is lashing out, it is likely because of difficulties she is experiencing in her own life. I have lived the wrath of "unhappy, bitchy" people in the workplace whose mission it is to make everyone else's life a living hell. I also know it's hard to not want to knock their lights out but trust me... they are already suffering way more than the person they are inflicting pain on. Take care of yourself first and look for another job if that feels right. You are obviously a very successful and dynamic person that others notice so go for it... get what you want.

I'm doing very well Andrew, thank you for asking! It's end of semester time - final exams and searching for a practicum are keeping me pretty stressed out!! I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel and the trains a comin' pretty fast.

Hi, just to let you know... the Diabetic Depot closed at the store location just off Glenmore and 37 St SW. They moved to their bakery location on 17 Ave and 37 St SW. Everything is now crammed into a much smaller space. Hopefully they will still carry or be able to order most products but the size of the operation is reduced.

Thanks Sue, Yes, I'm sure not looking forward to the withdrawal headaches. I guess I'm a glutton for punishment!:confused:

I have suffered from left shoulder pain most of the 7 months since banding. I have been thinking alot about it lately, trying to figure out possible causes. Yesterday it dawned on me that maybe there is a connection between drinking coffee and left shoulder pain. I have cut my consumption down to one cup a day in the last few years. Some days maybe two but mostly just one cup first thing in the morning. Coffee has always bothered my stomach and gave me IBS type symptoms previous to banding. Now, because I don't eating as much, it seems that it just helps me stay more regular. One thing I've noticed post band is that I have way more gas so now I'm thinking maybe the coffee is contributing to the gas and that's contributing to left shoulder pain. I plan on finding out by quiting coffee for awhile. However, I am a post-secondary student so I think I'll test this theory after finals! I'll let you all know what happens. :girl_hug:

There is another group called Calgary Lapbanders you can reach their site at calgarylapbanders : Calgary Lap Banders

I have tighter days and looser days, can't really explain it although I have noticed that I am much tighter around my period. I just chalk it all up to the band being very finicky. I actually don't mind the fluctuations, it's a good reminder for me to behave!

I'm sure you haven't done anything wrong or messed anything up but do check with your surgeon if it doesn't go away. My expereince with ground beef has not been a good one and I completely avoid it - not worth the bother. I don't know why because I have no problem with other meats. Anyway, be patient and try to relax. It should pass.

I have left shoulder pain on a regular basis. I find it is associated with eating (hungry or over ate) but mostly I have it for no apparent reason. Gets quite bad sometimes. I did speak with my surgeon but he said he doesn't know why it happens and really is not aware that it happens that much post-op. I have participated in several other threads for left shoulder pain and have come to the conclusion that it is quite common. Too bad my surgeon wasn't aware of it. However, he is now!

Well congrats on your fill. Wow 6cc's total and just your first fill. You will be sailing right along very soon. I too had 3 cc's in from surgery, I think most people do. Sorry guess I should have mentioned that but I didn't consider it to be restriction, did nothing for me anyway. Yes, be sure to do those fluids after a fill for at least 24 hours, then gradually go to soft foods, etc. You'll be able to tell what you can tolerate pretty quickly. Just take it slow. I'm glad you're feeling so great. Good comeback! :whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo:

I'm sorry you have to feel the pain of losing a dear friendship of 25 years. I too lost a life-long friend recently (not due to WLS) and it can be devastating. However, you are strong and commited to be a healthier, happier you and I'm sure you will succeed. It's unfortunate that your friend can't share all your success with you. If you do get a chance to speak in person, I hope that some issues can be resolved with time. Best wishes!

I haven't tried them myself yet but I was just shopping two days ago and a saleslady was showing them to me. They feel like very thick pantyhose or supporthose and smooth everything out. I don't think they would be so tight that they would hurt the port area. They seemed quite soft and pliable yet they're suppose work wonders. Go figure! (pun intended :biggrin1:)

Hey JJ, hope all is still going well with you. Thought I would mention a couple of books I read that I found very helpful. Most books are wirtten around bypass surgery but alot of the same principles also apply to us bandsters, especially the emotional eating thing. The first book, which you've probably seen mentioned here alot, is thebook written by Dr. Oz - "You on a Diet". I found it very informative and useful in understanding the psysiological causes for some things in the body and just a better overall understanding of how the body works. The second book was written by Michelle Ritchie called "It ain't over 'til the thin lady sings". Michelle is a bypass patient who has reached goal of over 100 lbs lost and maintained it for several years. She has different exercises and tools to use around emotional eating. I thought the book was very well written and personable, sharing many personal insights into her own journey. Very interesting reading! Both books are available at Amazon.ca if you're interested. I'm not sure if the library has them or not. Anyway, keep smilin' - you're on your way to a better, healthier life! :whoo:

Wow Donna, I'm soooooo happy for you. You are such an inspiration! Thank you for sharing your journey with us. Sometimes at the beginning it can be easy to get dscouraged when the weight loss is slow but reading about your success has given me hope. :whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo:

JJ - It was great talking to you tonight and I'm glad to hear you are feeling better. Take good care of yourself and please keep in touch!

Hi Sherrylynn, give yourself time - you have the rest of your life to be the new thin you. This band is really about the aftercare. The fills make the band work for you and it takes time to reach the proper fill level - "the sweetspot". Don't worry you'll get there. It's different for everyone. I have had five fills and I feel pretty close to what I think is my sweet spot. You'll get to know as time goes on what fill level works for you. Most people aim for about a 1-2lb weight loss a week but of course there are many reasons why this also varies amongst bandsters. Good luck in your journey and be patient - you will get there soon enough. Andrew - if you're knitting these days I could sure use a scarf for Xmas!

Hi Susan, I was so glad to see your post. I know you have the determination to get back on track becasue you posted here willing to share your good times and your bad. It takes alot of courage to say how you are feeling and talk about your personal issues. The emotional part of this journey is a difficult one. Most people with food addictions, eating disorders and obesity related issues have a love/hate relationship with food. We all have in the past or currently continue to use food in unhealthy ways at different times in our lives and for different reasons. The most important thing is that we realize what it means to us personally so that we can make changes in our health behaviors. It sounds like you made an important discovery through all this and feel ready to tackle your emotional eating response. I have no doubt that you will suceed! Keep in touch, a support system during trying times is very crucial. Take care,:confused:

Wow Heather, that must have been very frustrating for you but the good news is... you now have proper after care so the band can help you as it should. I just had my 5th fill. During each of my fills the doc actually fills the syringe first with the fill amount and then once he hits the port, he draws out all the Fluid and refills for the full amount. To me that seems like a good way to make sure the band isn't leaking and it's also a good way to check and recheck the fill amounts. I was chatting with the doc about how he knows when he's hit the port. After my fill he took out a spare port he had in a drawer and a needle and asked my to stick the port myself to see what it feels like. It's kind of a spongy feeling when you stick the needle in but also the needle only goes so far and then it hits the hard back of the port so that's how they know they've hit the port - the needle can't go any further. Plus by drawing out all the fluid they KNOW they've hit it. It was interesting so I thought I would share. Good luck on your (new) journey!:whoo: