lorena st

Sorry, I haven't replied to you. I only have the numbers for the SWLC in Ontario, but you can call Dr. Mitchells office in Calgary (Dr. Philip Mitchell) if you would like to talk directly. If your BMI is around 35, you are considered obese (anything over 30 hits that criteria), so I would think you are a candidate for surgery...but, again, provincial guidelines rule, unless you pay for surgery yourself. You sound pretty motivated about this surgery and that is half the battle. So give Dr. Mitchell a call and see if he will see you in Vancouver (he is out there a few times a month to do surgery). Let me know how it goes and good luck!

I was sick and tired of how I looked and felt about myself. I look and feel much better now...but I still have a long way to go.

Financially...the surgery cost me about $17,000 CAN plus about $1000 in travelling expenses and about 2 weeks off work. Physically...My blood pressure is now normal (and I won't be needing any meds), my cholesterol is normal (I have been taken off those meds, saving about $100 per month) and I have no risk of diabetes anymore. My knees don't hurt and I am not as tired anymore. I have a lot more energy and walk everywhere. My doctor visits are very pleasant, no more lectures about losing weight and she is very proud of my accomplishments to date. Value...priceless!

Good luck! And congratulations on your pre-surgery weight loss.

Since 95% of people on diets fail to reach goal weight and maintain that loss, what would you suggest we do?

Interesting topic...I find it amazing that in this society you can ridicule, abuse, humilate and discriminate against obese people. And obese people are the only obvious group in society that this is considered socially acceptable behavior. But when obese people try to lose weight (by whatever means), apparently it is acceptable to ridicule, abuse and humilate them for doing that too. Does this ever end? This is so junior high school!

Thanks for the post...I've been banded for almost 4 months now. Other than the first week after surgery, it has been a positive experience. I'm steadily losing weight and the band has helped me stay on course for 4 months! However, this is not everyones experience and the problems that you read about are normal for the lapband. I'm glad this site is here, so that people can come and get some answers or opinions about their issues. I try to offer my opinions, where I feel I can help.

Actually, worry is a good thing. It means you are thinking about this and asking questions. You have come to the right place to get answers about the lapband...so ask away! Your BMI is 50, your health is in jeopardy and you have a family history of obesity related death...so you need to something about your weight. I wish I could say there is a diet out there that works and keeps working (I can't, tried most of them, lost weight and gained it all back) or a pill that kills your appetite (those are illegal) or anything else that would work without having to go the surgical route. The lapband does work, and I think a lot of the complaints you see are about slow weight loss (which is normal) or no weight loss (not normal, but likely due to not following doctors and dieticians advice). All I can say is that if you are prepared to make the lifestyle changes required then the lapband will work for you. Surgery has it's risks and you need to understand what they are and work with your doctor to minimize the risks. After surgery, living with the lapband is not that difficult. I eat pretty much everything I did before surgery, just much smaller amounts of food and I eat more slowly (I am the last to leave the table now). I have been banded for almost 4 months now, and other than the first week after surgery, I have not regretted my decision. Good luck and keep asking questions!

You are doing great! Weight loss varies so much from person to person. Variables such as age, sex, physical activity levels, daily calories, individual metabolism rates, medical issues, etc. have a huge effect on the rate of weight loss. It is impossible to compare yourself to anyone else without taking all of those variables and more into account...so stop comparing yourself to anyone else. This is your journey and we are here to cheer you along (not depress you!). By the way, 1 to 2 pounds per week is fantastic and I think your doctor would approve!

Sorry to hear you are not feeling well. The first week is the worst and then it starts to get better. I had to sleep almost sitting up (lots of pillows), with a heating pad and I took pain killers and gasex almost every 3 hours for the first 4 days after surgery. After day 4, I cut back on the pain killers and took gasex strips when needed. It took me almost a month to feel completely normal again...but each day, does get better and better. Get lots of rest and let yourself heal...you'll feel better soon.

I would unfriend this person or at a minimum block them. With friends like that, you don't need enemies! This is a difficult process without comments like that (She really said that you make her sick and you should get off your azz...Wow!). I wonder what she thinks of people who get pacemakers or insulin meters, or hip replacements, or any other sort of medical implant...are they taking some sort of easy way out? Does she think you should stay fat or follow her approved weight loss plan, before she will grant her seal of approval? Double wow!

I had my surgery done at the SWLC clinic last October by Dr. Mitchell. I've got to say, it was a very good experience. I assume you can have this done in Vancouver, if you are willing to pay for the procedure,. If you are going throught government healthcare, then you will likely be restricted by the regulations in place in that province. I paid for the surgery ($17,000.00 CAN), but it was worth every penny. So, you may have to decide if it is worth it to pay for the procedure or go to another province for the surgery. PS...Dr. Mitchell is great.

Sorry, can't help you. I have the dreaded menopause going on...so i am hot then cold all the time and I assume that this has nothing to do with losing weight. I find that the warmer the weather, the less hot flashes (or whatever they are called). If it helps, it's driving me nuts too!

I would follow your doctor's orders, before and after surgery. You will be giving yourself the best chance of success with no complications. I'm not saying I didn't cheat at all, but I waited until I was on solid food again (3 weeks post surgery) before I experimented with various types of foods and portion sizes. This surgical procedure is risky and it costs a lot of money, so the last thing I wanted was for it to fail, because I couldn't follow the pre-op and post-op guidelines. Try to stick with the diet and remember this is hardly your last meal!

I'm sort of surprised that you wanted solid food the first week after surgery. I felt so horrible at that time, that even water was difficult. What you are likely experiencing is "head hunger". Are you an emotional eater? When you feel bad, do you eat to feel better? Talk to your doctor and be honest about what is going on, but eventually you will have to work with the band and let it help you lose weight. That "head hunger" does diminish with time, but you have to follow the doctors orders and give it time. It took me a couple of months to start to recognize the difference between "head hunger" (eating to feel better but not really hungry) and "real hunger" (eating for nutrition, grumbling stomach, etc). I hope this isn't too rambling/confusing and good luck with your journey.

I can pretty much eat anything...but peanut butter and bread. My only sliming episodes were caused by this combination, so I avoid at all costs!

I had similar issues...I used to consume large volumes of food...that is why I am fat! With the band, I can no longer eat those volumes and the weight comes off. I also have to chew things very thoroughly. Slow down when you eat, cut things into small pieces and chew, chew , chew. When you feel the warning signals of fullness (hiccup, deep breathing, tightness, etc), just stop eating. Sounds easy, but it isn't. It becomes a habit with practice. This isn't a race and you have made great progress so far. Teaching yourself how to approach food differently and listening to your body is a difficult process and takes time.

Wow, how many weeks of liquids? Sounds a bit over the top...I hadn't read of anyone on this site being on a liquid diet for so long. I was on liquids for 2 weeks, first week clear liquids, second week protein shakes and smoothies. Third week soft food and fourth week, normal food. I'd talk to my dietician and doctor about this, just for confirmation.

Please, don't be so hard on yourself! Everyone has good days and bad days. I actually call my bad days, my vacation days. They usually happen when I am on vacation, but it means I go from around 1000 calories per day up to 1600 calories per day (yes, those 2 glasses of wine at dinner do add the calories!). The only thing that happens, is my weight plateaus. The good thing about the band, is it is easy to go back to eating like I need to, to lose weight. So keep track of your calories and realize that there are going to be days where things just don't go as planned. The key is not to let those bad days, become bad weeks or bad months.

Thanks!

Fantastic news and I'm glad you're back! It really helps to hear the success stories! Just a quick couple of questions...when did you start working out and what do you do for a workout? I haven't really done any exercise (other than walking) but I should get on that.

I was banded about 3.5 months ago. I was off work for two weeks, but I had a complication. Without the problem, I could have gone back to work after one week. I have a desk job, so this is very different from what you do. I wouldn't have been ready for a physical job for at least 2 weeks after surgery, without the complications. I am 54 and now feel great and haven't had any further complications since surgery.

I too had bumps after surgery. A big one at the port site and smaller ones at the other 4 incision sites. My doctor said that this was scar tissue and inflamation from surgery and would decrease with time. It took about 2 months for the bumps to disappear. I am 4 months out and there are no bumps, just some faint scars. So this is normal and should decrease with time.

Thanks for your kind comments. I am listening to my husband, because I obviously have no clue what I look like.. He says I am too hard on myself! We were out at a cocktail party on the weekend and I fit into my Size 16 cocktail dress (3 sizes smaller than 4 months ago). He thought I looked really good, I thought I looked, well, pretty much the same as usual. I know the clothes are smaller, I just don't see the difference. I hope this changes with time and more weight loss.

I had this pain too. It lasted for about 3 weeks. Pain in the side, always yawning, difficulty taking deep breaths, sleeping at night was the worst (pain and breathing). It does go away. My doctor said that it was due to the surgery being around the diaphram (breathing) muscles and associated bruising. It gets a little bit better each day and fades with time. Could be gas too (due to the gas they pump into your abdominal cavity during surgery) and this too fades with time and walking can help sort this out.