JLB

LeslieLee, yes, I did go by myself. I flew out on Tuesday, had surgery on Wednesday and flew home on Friday. The flight back was pretty good, better than I expected. The shoulder pain made it a bit uncomfortable but definitely manageable. Can'r wait for you to be banded too. It's awesome!

Hi everyone, I'm back! All went well!! Loved Dr. C and the new clinic. What a great bunch of people!!! I stayed at Heritage House and met another woman from Edmonton having Lapband surgery the same day as me. It was great to have someone else to visit with who understood, first hand, all the aches and pains associated with this experience. The pain hasn't been too bad except for my left shoulder which is still killing me. I know it's gas pain so I've been trying to walk it off. Gas-X hasn't helped much so I think I'll try some Gaviscon instead. I'm so happy to be on the other side now and look forward to feeling better soon. :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Thank you everyone for your good wishes. I'm feeling pretty good tonight and ready to go. Can't wait to get there and get my band. I'm soooooooooo ready!!!! I'll be off line till next weekend but I'll be sure to check in as soon as I have access to a computer. Talk to you all soon!

My May goals (not unlike Mr. Yoda's except for going a round with the Mrs. and being Master of the universe... hmmm, might have to rethink the last one): 1) Come thru surgery with flying colors 2) Some how gain the strength to get thru the 3 food stages of post-op 3) Learn to work the band and reap the rewards 4) Take time for a holiday this summer Thanks Andrew. Great thread!

I'm almost ready. I fly out on Tuesday morning for Toronto and my surgery is with Dr. Cobourn on Wednesday at noon. I'm getting very nervous but I know this is right for me. Thank you to everyone for your knowledge and support in helping me research the Lapband. This is a great forum with very caring people. I'll see you all on the other side... in bandland.

I'm not fond of this new setup either. Everything is shifted so far to the right. I noticed in one of the other forums that the posts were all cut off on the right side. It's a pain to have to scroll over to read each line. Can't get at all the icons on the right side either. Am I just right side deficient or what? :faint:

Lila, congrats on your success! Thank you so much for your post. I'm about to be banded next week and I'm having a few small panic attacks. Reading your post really helped me refocus and believe that I am doing the right thing. Doesn't it feel nice to be in the 150s! It's a distant soon to be revisited memory for me!!

Congrats Susan, so glad to hear everything went well. I'll be joining you on the other side very soon!

Hi Kimberley, good for you for finding this website and researching the Lapband system. Sounds like you are just at the beginning of the research so take your time and find out everything you want to know. Once you are well informed you may feel different about approaching your husband to tell him about the exciting information you have found. I'm not married so I didn't have to worry about the finance thing with the significant other but I think once he reads all the information you have found and understands what the Lapband is about he may be more supportive than you think. Good luck on your journey and do lots of sleuthing around this site becasue there's tons of info and great people to answer all your questions.

I chose not to tell most peope in my life. Just one friend, my mom and my sister - that's it! I agree with others in saying that this is a personal matter and I also feel that telling more people would make me feel like I was under a microscope. In the last month or so, when I've had lunch or coffee with friends, I've mentioned to them that I am changing my lifestyle and want to be healthier. I have gained all my weight back since I started Low carbing 6 years ago (yes, it slowly crept back again, plus more) and with the health risks that run in my family, I really need to make changes to be healthier. I didn't alaborate about what the changes were just omited some facts. Anyway, as my friends see changes I'm sure they will be happy for me and not so totally hung up on how the changes have happened. At least that's what I hope.

Congrats Amber! The time will fly by. I'm going to Dr. Cobourn on May 9 for my surgery. I'm staying at Heritage House because I'm going alone. I know there are others on this site who have stayed at the Novotel and the Holiday Inn. These two hotels plus the Waterside on the ones recommended by the clinic. Hopefully some others will drop by and give you their opinion on the hotels but I've never seen anything negative said about them. The Waterside looks very nice and I think it is the most expensive of the three. Maybe you can get a good package deal by booking ahead online. Good luck!

Congrats Donna! Sounds like everything went well. Get lots of rest. :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

I'm am on my 4th day of Optifast. It's going pretty good. Had a bad headache to start out with that seems to be subsiding now. I'm getting very excited about the surgery, just want to get it done so I can get on with it. I have read so much about banding that I really, really, really want to live it. I'm sooooooo ready! I've noticed in the last couple of days that I feel released by food. I feel like it no longer has me in it's control. Great feeling!!

Leslie Lee - I have neck problems and have had migranes for years. Just an unfortunate coincidence I guess. Also, I usually take Motrin which takes the edge off but the clinic told me I can't take blood thinners two weeks pre-op so I took a Tylenol 3 instead, didn't do much. Oh well, hopefully it will exit soon. Thanks for your concern. Not sure what you mean by which Optifast. I have chocolate and vanilla flavored optifast.

Donna D my thoughts are with you. I know you will be very successful! Leslie Lee - Yes, I'm doing Optifast. I don't mind the taste but the killer headache is really getting to me.

Donna, I know it's scary but just try and look at the big picture. More energy, healthier living, shopping for clothes in regular stores, buying off the rack and soooooooo much more. I'm new at this too. I start my pre-op tomorrow. What I've read over the months is lots of success stories and many, many people saying they are really not deprived, they can still eat their favorite foods only now they control food - food doesn't control them. I know you will do very well because you believe this is what is right for you. Keep smilin'

Hi Cream, I live in Calgary and started the process through my doctor in January to be referred to both the Calgary Health Region and the Capital Health Region. I'm a student so I can appreciate your point about the financial issue. As far as I know the doctors get funding to do so many surgeries per year. You are right in saying... there are many people waiting. As I understand it, and don't quote me, the wait could be anywhere from 3-5 years. I, personally, was not willing to wait that long so I have arranged to go out of province. Hopefully something will change soon in our healthcare system so that Lapband surgery becomes a priority treatment for obesity in this province. I wish you the best in your journey! :clap2:

This was a great thread! Really enjoyed reading everyone's wants. I could relate to soooooooo may of them. Can't wait for them to come true for me too!!

That's great! What are you doing?

Fauxnaif, I'm sorry that you are experiencing problems, hopefully it can be corrected and you can continue on your journey of weight loss. Thank you for posting this. I'm new to this and won't be banded until May 9. I continue to learn new things everyday. I must say that this dialation thing scars me. If you don't mind could you pls elaborate abit on your story. For instance, did you measure all your food each time you ate right after you got banded and then stopped doing that? I understand that a person should really not eat more than 1/2c to 3/4c of food at one sitting but honestly I didn't realize it was that crucial to be so exact all the time. Hope it all gets better for you soon.

Hence the reason I haven't told anyone yet. I think, for the most part, people are trying to be helpful. This friend obviously cares very much for you and wants/feels like she needs to do everything to help you and make sure you are fully informed. However, I agree with you, it's very frustrating. If people would only do a bit of reseacrh themselves first, then weigh all the information and have a reasonable conversation about pros and cons, it would be helpful. I've read so many posts on this board about people being approached, attacked, insulted, and belittled by friends and family regarding their decision to have lapband surgery. I've also read many posts about people being supported by their loved ones. For me, if someone isn't being malicous (sp?) or hurtful in their intentions, I think I will take the opportunity to inform them. Like I said, I haven't told anyone yet but I will have to within the next two weeks. Thanks for this post, it reminded me to prepare for ignorance.

:whoo: :cheer2: :confused: Congrats! You're doing fabulous!! You are such an inspiration!!!

Wow, you sure are motivated - that's great! Don't forget to give yourself time to heal. I'm not banded yet but I think I read somewhere that you weren't suppose to do any strenuous exercise for the first month or so. I understand that we're all different and have varied experinces with the band, just remember... listen to your body. Sounds like your body is screaming - give me exercise.

Welcome Holly. I have my surgery scheduled with Dr. Cobourn on May 9. The cost of 16k is correct. This is what I have paid so far: Phone Consult with Dr. C - $200 Deposit for surgery date - $500 Optifast (2 wk supply) - $140 (this varies, some people get 3 weeks) Shipping to Calgary - $28.45 The balance of $15,300 is due 2 weeks prior to surgery I didn't know about the $500 deposit ahead of time so it was quite a surprise. I think they have changed their poilices lately as I know from reading previous posts that you didn't have to pay for the surgery until the day of the surgery. Now it's due 2 weeks prior. Anyway, good luck in your decision making. Do lots of research and pick the surgeon and clinic that you feel will best suit your needs. Sounds like you will be going to the surgery clinic for followup, support and fills so make sure you are comforatble with them. I am from out of province so I will not be getting follow up care at the surgery clinic.

Susan, I'm going it alone too. I will be going to Dr. Cobourn's clinic alone in the morning for surgery but they have told me that I MUST have someone pick me up after surgery. I'm staying at Heritage House in Toronto so someone will pick me up and they have 24 hour nursing care. I think it really depends on the individual with regards to recovery. I know you don't want to disrupt your child's schedule but do what your gut tells you that YOU need. Also, have a backup plan in place in case it doesn't all go as you expect. MacDaddy - unlike Yoda I was drinking and reading - big mess to clean up!!! Although I'm not one for confrontations, I think sometimes they are very appropriate. I applaud your wife :clap2: . Hey... when the shoe fits...