Bandida

Sherilynn, this is the closest I could get..Let me know if this helps!!! Good Luck and keep me posted..I'd love to get one!!! Hello, Let us introduce ourselves: We are Caroline Dumas (a future bandster) and Nancy Teasdale (1 year post-op). We are both young French speaking ladies living in the province of Quebec, Canada. As members of a French Canadian bandster support group, we followed-up on a suggestion to create a silicone band for the lap-band, in a similar fashion to the Live Strong band for cancer or the pink band for breast cancer. The response was amazing! This bracelet exists for several reasons, the first being to represent a symbol that identifies us all to each others as bandsters. For lots of us, it also serves the purpose of encouraging and reminding us, on a constant basis, of how proud we are that we took this great path towards health and a better life, as well as to get the support from those close to us, ones as they wear it too. Ultimately, this bracelet represents an excellent way to raise awareness of the lap-band. About 7 weeks ago, we collected suggestions from members of our forum to find a slogan to write on the bracelet. We then proceeded to a survey with all members to chose which of these slogans would be their favourite. "Renaissance - O - Rebirth" came out as the slogan that represents what the lap-band means to the clear majority of us. "Renaissance" is the French translation to the word "Rebirth" and the circle (- O-) actually represents the lap-band. The colour that was favoured by the majority is midnight-blue, that we feel is sober and of good taste. The picture of the bracelet can be found here: http://scratandboo.com/rebirth%20band.htm) Once all decisions were made as per the aspects of the bracelet, we proceeded to order 100 of them, which are currently sold out. There is now a waiting list for a second order. Since the bracelet is written in both English and French, we think ic could be of interest to bandsters from outside of Quebec. That's why we are offering it to you. The price of the bracelet is $4, plus actual shipping ($1.50 for shipping to US and $1.00 for shipping to Canada). The shipping price remains the same whether you order 1 or 10 bracelets. You can either mail us a cheque to that amount or send us the money via Paypal. We wish to emphasise that we are not a company nor an association. We are not selling this silicone band commercially or to incur a profit. We are simply two bandsters, pre-op and post-op, who responded to a request from our fellow members, nothing more. We are actually offering you this bracelet at cost, considering that we only order small batches of them at a time (which increases the price per bracelet), and that we also have to pay for taxes, brokerage fees, duties, enveloppes, milleage to go to the post office, not withstanding the numerous hours we gladly dedicate to the task of promoting the bracelet, receiving the orders, preparing and mailing them, etc. It's up to you to decide if this silicone band is for you. If so, do not hesitate to e-mail Caroline at nelf000 @ yahoo.ca and to indicate the quantity of bracelets you need and your mailing address. Upon receipt of your e-mail, a confirmation reply will be sent to you, including the mailing address to send your cheque to or the e-mail address to send your Paypal payment to, whichever is your favourite method. We appreciate your trusting us and hope to hear from you! Caroline & Nancy ffice:office" /><O:p></O:p> <O:p></O:p>

Nella :welcomeB: and Hi! I've taken up walking and excercising! I went out and brought myself an excercise ball and some weights for my arms..I' ve noticed that i can even do these things watching tv...I also write, write, wrtie..i have 2 journals, a myspace and my poetry notebooks...keep your spirits high and share your thoughts with people you can trust and are close to you and even here on this site..There is alot of support.....keep up the great work and congratulations on your decision to join us....KEEP US POSTED!!! :confused:

:scared: YYYEEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!!!! Excitement is here!!!!!!!!! Tomorrow I see the surgeon the last time before surgery :biggrin1: . I have many questions, comments and concerns to bring up with him!! I can't wait!! I'm feeling MUCH betther today!! :eek: My headache is almost gone and I can breath now!!!! :clap2: I did my excercises..can't walk cause it's raining and cold out and I don't like to go out in the rain..:think plus my kids are home and they HATE walking.. I will meet up with a friend and walk tomorrow before my appointment . I can't shake this happy feeling (iguess that's a good thing)!!! Well, I'm off to watch CARS with my boys..:hippie:

YYYEEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!!!! Excitement is here!!!!!!!!! Tomorrow I see the surgeon the last time before surgery :biggrin1: . I have many questions, comments and concerns to bring up with him!! I can't wait!! I'm feeling MUCH betther today!! My headache is almost gone and I can breath now!!!! :clap2: I did my excercises..can't walk cause it's raining and cold out and I don't like to go out in the rain..:think plus my kids are home and they HATE walking.. I will meet up with a friend and walk tomorrow before my appointment . I can't shake this happy feeling (iguess that's a good thing)!!! Well, I'm off to watch CARS with my boys..:hippie:

Hi Tracey, I am 11 days away and can't wait!!!! :teeth: Nervous, yes...But EXCITED to know that now I CAN loose the weight AND be HEALTHY!!! It's not just you..I hear it CONSTANTLY, at work, at home, at school, and in my sleep!!! It sucks that people can't understand :doh: that if we COULD do it we WOULD do it without the surgery...For me, this is MY LAST resort..I've tried everything!!! and NOTHING WORKED!!:faint: I've heard the same comments. .I've learned to just let people say what they need to say and walk away. The harder you argue the worse it is. Sometimes I've even gotten down right rude and told them, Please keep your bad vibes and comments as far away from me as possible. They are NOT needed!! I've also realized, during this journey, who my TRUE supporters are. SO, keep your chin up!! Your doing WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU and don't let ANYONE tell you different!!!! You have ALOT OF SUPPORT HERE!!!!!!!:confused: :gluck: on your surgery! Keep me posted!!!

Hi Kaydotrn- THANK YOU!!!! :confused: I hadn't heard about a liquid diet until I started to read the posts here..I guess my MD will tell me tomorrow! Yeah, I think the best thing to do is stay overnight. My thoughts are if they allow it and I don't have to pay for it I might as well take advantage of it. Better to be safe than sorry..I've only had general anesthesia once and THANK GOD there was no reaction...It's good to hear it wasn't that bad...Thanks, I hope it clears up soon too...I'm feeling much better now with the meds the MD gave me...Thanks for the support!!! How are you feeling? How is your progress going? How has your experience been? I'd love to hear your thoughts...

:wave:Chrispy-Thanks for the words of wisdom :clap2: and for the heads up on the dehydration:omg: , they have a hard time getting my veins as it is:eek: , so I WILL DEFINATELY be drinking more water . That's the hardest for me...the water/liquids...I've never been a big water drinker and now that I'm starting to i'm in the bathroom CONSTANTLY...:confused: but I guess it goes witht the territory... I know my insurance covers "23 hours" (unless there are complications) so I will take FULL advantage of those 23 hours...Having 3 kids at home, I think I'll need them to rest up...Thanks for the words of wisdom!!! Loki-I did the same with the 2 support meetings...my reason was no babysitter (my husband travels ALOT)...I hope you get a date soon..are you just waiting for insurance or just a date? Which psych did you use? I had Dr. Tobin.. Keep me posted!!!! My good thoughts and prayers are with you!!!!

loki - that's what I thought. I guess I'll find out tomorrow. I also heard the same about the overnight thing, but I thought I'd ask...I'm hoping to stay, just to the be on the safe side...we'll see what he says...thanks for the answers...and good luck to you...keep me posted!:confused:

Hello MA Bandsters..I'm on my way to be "banded" and would love the support...Keep me posted on new endeavors, I'd love to join...

Hello MA Bandsters!! Just wanted to say hello...It's soo :whoo:good to see there are bandsters from massachusettes...I've posted with many but none from MA. I'm glad to see people here from Dr. Haag/ Dr. Fiallo's office. I will have my final appointment with Dr. Fiallo before surgery on Tuesday 1/16, my pre-op testing is on 1/23 and my surgery is on 1/26.:clap2: ..I'm on anitibiotics for a sinus infection:sick and I'm hoping this won't interfere....I guess we'll see what he says on tuesday. ..:help:Can anyone tell me if Dr. Fiallo puts you on a liquid diet weeks before surgery or not? Has anyone stayed overnight and what was there experience? I'd LLOOVVEEE the input!!!

Lala- it's natural to be scared. I to have been going back and forth with the decision, but I have a HUGE FAITH in God and I know he would not let me get this far if it wasn't meant to be. My journey through the process has been fairly easy compared to others and I know He has a lot to do with it. I am also an only child and mu husband is my only support. Keep your spirits high and your prayers will be answered!! We're with you in thoughts and in prayers:pray2: !!! Keep your chin up and keep us posted!!!!:gluck: tomorrow!!!

:wave:I hyphenate my name because it is a tradition in my home land...I almost dropped my fathers last name and took my mothers maiden (i hold a grudge against him)but my mom wouldn't let me do it...She said it was disrespectful...So i kept my maiden name, added my married name and now my childrens school can't get them straight...Confusing enough...

:sick Well, what can I say...I just got back from the MD and I am officially sick...:faint: I have a mean sinus infection :omg: !!! That was what my headache was from the other day...:eek: I am on Cipro (antibiotic) for 10 days. The good thing was I was weighed and I've maintained my loss!!!!!! I can't wait to hear what the surgeon will tell me on tuesday...:scared: I hope this doesn't change anything!!! And to add to the stress, my husband left today on business and won't be back until thursday the 25th (the day before surgery:dance:) Well, what can I say... I will spend some time with my children, take my antibiotic and prepare for my surgery.

:sick Well, what can I say...I just got back from the MD and I am officially sick...:faint: I have a mean sinus infection :omg: !!! That was what my headache was from the other day... I am on Cipro (antibiotic) for 10 days. The good thing was I was weighed and I've maintained my loss!!!!!! I can't wait to hear what the surgeon will tell me on tuesday...:pray2: I hope this doesn't change anything!!! And to add to the stress, my husband left today on business and won't be back until thursday the 25th (the day before surgery:dance:) Well, what can I say... I will spend some time with my children, take my antibiotic and prepare for my surgery.

wph74-Your welcome. My surgery will be at Baystate Hospital...I'm a little nervous but reading all this information helps a lot. My husband is more nervous then I am..We'll se how it goes... So, how are you feeling? How is your journey going?

GREAT DAY today...My husband was home and we spend some time together during the day! No kids!!! YEAH!! We watched a movie, did the bills, and talked about everything. He is a little anxious regarding the surgery but i told him there is no need to worry. Our jorney has not been in vein and God wouldn't let it get this far for nothing! I am very excited. I have many questions for my MD and I hope to get them all answered on tuesday. I can't wait!!! I'll keep you posted! :scared: :eek: :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

GREAT DAY today...My husband was home and we spend some time together during the day! No kids!!! YEAH!! We watched a movie, did the bills, and talked about everything. He is a little anxious regarding the surgery but i told him there is no need to worry. Our jorney has not been in vein and God wouldn't let it get this far for nothing! I am very excited. I have many questions for my MD and I hope to get them all answered on tuesday. I can't wait!!! I'll keep you posted! :pray2: :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

hey Julie, thanks for the words of encouragement...I'm glad you've had such success. I can't wait fro surgery although I'm a little nervous...Keep up the great work and keep me posted on your success!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! My good thoughts and prayers are with you!!!:clap2: good quesion!!! so far he has not mentioned it, but i do have an appointment on tuesday, so i will deffinately ask...where did you have your surgery?

It's interesting how I keep hearing about pre-op diets and liquid diets before surgery..I was put on a diet for 1 month by my nutritionist and psychologist, to see if I could handle it, I lost 20 pounds when I went to see the nutritionist and she said that was great..but I wasn't told to do a liquid diet before surgery, i wasn't told that the diet had to be followed throughout my process..now my surgery date is 1/26 and reading all these posts, i'm a little worried..i guess i'll just have to ask all my questions reguarding these things on tuesday when I go to see the surgeon for the last time before surgery..I'm so glad i read through all these...any more ideas on what questions I should be asking???? HHEELLPP!!!:help:

Thanks ReneBean...:hug:

Second day of being on this site and feeling good about becoming part of this communtiy.What better day to start a journal than today? I have a massive headache but besides that I'm doing ok.I guess my addiction to the internet (no freaky stuff!!) keeps me from goin to bed. Nervous and a little scared would describe my thoughts regarding surgery...I have my last pre-op appointment with my surgeon on 1/16 and have a few questions to ask...On 1/23 I have my pre-op testing (blood work, xray and ekg) I'm a little upset because my husband (MY ROCK) won't be able to come to these appointments with me due to travel with work...:cry but, the bright side..he'll be home the day before my surgery and will be here to pamper me for the whole week afterwards. I guess that's a plus...Well, I've taken my motrin and am off to :scared: , have some fat free:popcorn:and watch my shows...Ugly Betty is AWESOME!!!!! :clap2:

Second day of being on this site and feeling good about becoming part of this communtiy.What better day to start a journal than today? I have a massive headache but besides that I'm doing ok.I guess my addiction to the internet (no freaky stuff!!) keeps me from goin to bed. Nervous and a little scared would describe my thoughts regarding surgery...I have my last pre-op appointment with my surgeon on 1/16 and have a few questions to ask...On 1/23 I have my pre-op testing (blood work, xray and ekg) I'm a little upset because my husband (MY ROCK) won't be able to come to these appointments with me due to travel with work...:cry but, the bright side..he'll be home the day before my surgery and will be here to pamper me for the whole week afterwards. I guess that's a plus...Well, I've taken my motrin and am off to :pray2: , have some fat free:popcorn:and watch my shows...Ugly Betty is AWESOME!!!!! :clap2:

Gigi8..:huggie: I will definately keep you updated and I would love for you to keep me updated on your voyage...I personally feel that the more support you have the better chance you have at everything going positively..I will keep you in my prayers...Congratulations to you too!!!!!:clap2:

Hello January Bandsters..Just found your thread and decided to say Hello and ask to be added to your list..My surgery date is january 26th:clap2: and i'm very excited but also nervous...I've read many of your postings and have taken a little of each one to prepare myself for what is to come...I know everyones experience is different but having so much support is AWESOME! My surgeon is Dr. Viriato Fiallo in Springfield, MA. It only took 2 WEEKS after all my pre op appointments to get it approved (Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA)..I'm very excited and can't wait to get this show on the road!!! Keep me in your prayers as i will keep you all in mine!!! God Bless:pray2: