Doddie63

Yes, without any doubt. Would do a better job of research on aftercare.

Hanbe: Don't apologize for posting what you do. The debate on soda has been ongoing for sometime and it is wonderful to read what everyone t hinks and what their clinic recommends. Times change and what I was told 2 years ago may in fact been found to be not necessary. If I have doubts after reading posts I just have to call my clinic but in the meantime it make for fun reading. :sneaky: Sorry hope I haven't created a misconception!

Hi: We meet at the Lions Gate Hospital every 3rd Wednesday of the months (Jan. 21st). Someone is there from around 6:30 pm but we post the time as 7:00. It is not a real formal meeting just a get together to talk about our experiences and have some laughs. Enter from the 15th street (main entrance) entrance. Walk past the coffee stand on the left towards the gift shop. Turn right at the gift shop and go thru two double doors. Walk down a short corridor and turn right. We should be in conference room A. I would suggest you watch this site for the posting or contact Canadagirl33@hotmail.com. She will put you on her notification list. Can't wait to meet you.

How things change. Dr. Yau's instructions were no diet pop or fizzies at any time. When I whined I loved the stuff, he suggested I go 3 weeks without then try a small sip. He said I would be surprised that I no longer liked the stuff. He was right. Also, Donna suggested I try nestea as a substitute and she was right. I don't know why diet pop is the forbidden fruit, but I have enough issues without challenging what I have been told is a no no. Anyone else, has things changed?????

Hi: Try making your own. You know, buy a magic bullet then take a protein drink and add fruit or whatever strikes your fancy. I am not much help because my pre op was cottage cheese and/or yogurt for 30 days. I would also search the web for ideas. There are amazng suggestins available. And....congratulations on your decision. Is the surgeon Leung or Woodhead?

what a wonderful exciting new idea. I will try that tonight. You make excellent sense thanks ever so much

Do we all check in at the end of January to accept the Feb. challenge? or is this challenge meant to be only one month?

Well said Hanbe: Just to reinforce the need for support whether it be the good, the bad, or the ugly I just got back from my doctor and he said that in his experience, he has rarely witnessed the reversal of diabetes and complimented me on getting the band. Although I still have diabetes 2, the readings are that of someone without. This is the same doctor that was not a believer in the band. The medication for diabetes has been discontinued, blood pressure pills halved. As I said above, when I read about other bandsters successes or plight and the rough journey they are having, it gives me a sense of one. I am having a hard time with my failure to chew properly and to consistantly exercise but by helping people as best I can, I am encouraged by them to keep trying myself. The band is in my mind a lifesaver but a tough taskmaster if the rules are not followed. The experience is also a journey into the unnknown and it is great to read about the experiences other that have gone before us. Keep posting everyone, we need each other. Thankyou all for your support and kindness.

sorry you feel this way. But I thought that is what what we are doing. The compliments given to me I find very supportive and the other posts were call for support. Again, I guess it is just perception.:laugh:

Hi: Will be really happy to meet you on the 21st. Keep watching the site as Canadagirl33@hotmail.com posts the date. Also, you could contact her to be put on her e mailing list. That way she is able to send you reminders.

I sincerely hope your consult goes well. It is a thrilling moment for you to finally be on your way. With your attitude, your journey will be very successful. :cursing:

Thankyou all of you. I am truly flattered and it is nice feedback for me. When helping others, I help myself. The lst year is usually the most trying as every emotion, pain, tweak, decision making is new. Most time, everyone (including me) just needs reassurance as the answer is probably known, just needs confirming. Again thank you all :cursing::cursing:

Hi Green: Yes I prefer TLBC over Slimband. I wish they would go back. I have had great success with my band. There was a time (lst years) that I had difficulty with aftercare communications but that was sorted out. Now I am happy on my journey.

Slimband is the name of a company (formerly TLBC) and lapband is the name of the product . There are a number of companies selling different bands. With the Slimband clinic, the surgeon puts on the band that best suits his patients at time of surgery. I am not sure of the bands they carry.

This is true. I have a friend who was banded in July. She orginally had a gastric by pass. That is how I knew the stomach was surgically removed except for a pouch. I did not know sometimes the stomach is left intact. Another reason to do research and make sure as much knowledge as possible can be attained before making a decision.

Ok, this a a bit different. What the heck have you all done about changing bad habits. My NOT chewing never seems to go away. Two years now and I seem to go along fine then bam, I am vomiting. I am getting fed up with myself so thought I would post and ask what you or your clinic has suggested??????????

Hi Heather: I think the discussion going on is healthy but it is getting a little heated and I think we all could cool it and count to ten. Heather if you need support, please say so and I and I am sure others will do everything possible to help. I am so sorry for the death of your loved one. It is an experience I wish on no one. Where are you having difficulties. I know that in the "olden days" when I tried to restart a diet, I seemed to continually fail because I just couldn't get my head around going thru the same of pain of denial. By any chance are you trying the "old ways" and not realizing it or perhaps you could try the 5 day challenge. I haven't tried it but it seems to work according to others.

Ok! Turtle turtle on the wall who will lose the most of all. Not me for sure, but I hope to lose 2 lbs by end of January.

The bypass I am thinking of (I am not a nurse) the stomach is surgically removed except for a small pouch and the intestines reconnected. How do you reverse that?

You have your view point, but I would like to say that Jill was a nutritionist and chef not a psycological doctor. If you have issues with coping skills and emotional eating, you should be making an appointment with the on staff psychologist. As for TLBC posting a very negative comment about Jill without some supporting facts or evidence is very poor judgment. I would imagine this may be a personal fight between the clinic and Jill that will sort itself out in the courts. Until I read a court judgment or a settlement I reserve the right to continue to support Jill.

Welcome and hope your research meets your needs. Be sure and include aftercare in your research (if you haven't already thought of that). As for me, I would have the band put on with no second thoughts.

Hi: Write a list of Pros and Cons for each. ie. Gastric by-pass is not reversible and has serious side affects but is considered the "gold standard" by the medical profession. Weight loss is generally faster. Gastric band is reversible and you determine the rate of weight loss. You still must exercise and control eating. Both allow up to one cup of food per meal. From your research, by making the list you may be able to see what will fit your life style. As for me, I have the Fr. Midband and have lost 79 lbs in 1 year and 11 months. Have lost roughtly 1/2 lb per week steady with only one plateau. I would choose the band again over bypass anytime. Good luck on your research

Yes Heather what you post is absolutely true. We should all be upbeat and have spring in our steps as we journey along. But that is not always the way it is in real life. Real people have their ups and down and sometimes this site is the only place to express their feelings. Try to disuade people that post negative thoughts is not helping them in any way. I am thrilled you have seven years of wonderful progress and I personally like to hear about your journey, but I also want to hear from the souls who are struggling. I try to read into what they are saying and hopefully I can give them a little light at the end of the tunnel. The TLBC (Slimband) is my clinic and I still feel they are the best but they have struggled recently in reorganization. The previous posts were people who were frustrated and needed to vent. Going public with complaints about a company after numerous unsuccessful attempts to solve a problem quite often brings a solution. It did in the most recent post. So I would encourage anyone that is having issues to post your concerns and not stifle them. Getting your feeling out in the open is the only way you can solve them. Keeping your thoughts to yourself will only fester and we all know where that leads us ---to more eating.

I did farily well over the holdays and planned what I was going to have. I had the odd glass of sherry, some nuts, some popcorn, turkey with all the stuff that goes with it EXCEPT I planned the amounts this time. I held even Since my first fill I have lost 63 lbs - 1/2 lb Approx. a week. I keep a loose fill at 5.5. any more and I am vomiting everything I eat. No doubt about it, once the initial weight loss in the first year has been lost, it then starts to get more difficult and more effort has to be put into getting the weight off. Good luck

I don't know of any research to quote, but I do know as a person ages, it becomes more difficult to lose weight. Still the old rule applies, fewer calories and more exercise is the solution. I have been tracking both for 2 years now and find that exercising 40 minutes a day only makes me physically healthier and the exercise does not contribute too much to weight lose. It is the few calories that carry the most punch. I have learned patience and have been concentrating on eating between 1200 and 1400 calories per day. I only lose about 1/4 to 1/2 lb per week but when I look back over the year it totalled 25 lbs. If there is any adivice I can give you is "to follow your doctors directions. Eat healthy and exercise to keep healthy". Good luck in your journey.