Doddie63

readytolive. I also freaked out when I thought about never having my favorite foods. I calmed myself by reminding myself that I had paid big dollars to help me control my eating and no way did I want my liver damaged because I had not followed the diet. I was on a cottage cheese and yogurt diet for 30 days. Since I have been banded, I am still able to eat my favorite food just not as much. So don't panic follow the diet for your own health and safety. Doddie

I cashed my retirement fund to get my band. I went thru all the emotions that exists once I made my decision. I felt exhilarated, doubted myself, had sudden thoughts of never being able to eat my favorite food, was I nuts in making this decision right up until I climbedon the op. table. It has now been one year. It took me 3 months to learn to slow down in my eating and not vomit. Now it is only occasionally. I look at what people eat in the restaurants and my mouth doesn't drool with hunger instead I am turned off by the volumes they eat. My eating tastes have definatley changed. If you want my thoughts, after numerous weight loss programmes of losing and then gaining it all back, the band is the only solution (unless you want a bypass). With the band though, it is reversable. Go for it and good luck.

travelgirl are you still active on this site?

Hi teacher: You are doing really great. Are you still keeping up with the exercise?

Just checking in this site to see if it is still active. will there be a May challenge. I would be interested.

Is this forum still active. I am interested to see what others banded in February 07are doing. Doddie

anxious? or excited? If anxious, anything we can tell you. I went thru all the emotions there are. Excited, anxious, regret, fear, self doubt, might miss my old comfort food etc. right up until I got on the surgery table. Now I wonder why. I wouldn't change my life for anything in this world. The band has saved my life. Doddie

jachut: I guess the band is affected by stress. When you eat out, are you stressed you "might" PB? Try ordering an appetizer. I went out for the first time since the band and ordered an an appetizer of 6 jumbo shrimp. Everyone was tucking into their meal and never noticed how slowly I ate. When they finished, I was finished. I set my fork down. My DH as always, raided my plate and finished off the last remaining shrimp. I correspond with a lady who goes out and orders a burger w/o the bun, pasta w/o the pasta, etc. She gets lots of surprised looks but never a waiter/waitress failed to give her the order she requested. In fact, she enjoys making odd orders as well as she never PBs. :rolleyes2:Doddie

When is the surgery date? Would like to send you a "welcome to bandster land". Doddie

Phyll: You are looking great. Have you had any NSV like being able to sit in restaurant booths better. I actually got to cross my legs at he ankles. Yahoo. My WL has been very slow and steady. Aprox. 2 lbs per month with a 5.5 cc fill in a 10 cc band. Do you plan to have anymore fills. Doddie

If you go privately for the band, you don't need a referral. To answer your questions. BC Medical does not cover the band. Two doctors (that I know of) do the band in Vancouver. 1. Dr. Leung 2. Dr. R. Woodhead. Dr. Leung is loved by some and hated by others. He can make some pretty stern remarks and talks down to you. If you are sensitive go to Dr. Woodhead. Dr. Woodhead is young and very sensitive to your needs. He listens. Dr. Leung cracks the whip so it is whichever type of personality you have is the decision maker. Both doctors are great surgeons, but it is the after care that you must take care with. Remember, this surgeon will probably be with your for the rest of your life (providing they don't move away). Dr. Leung is talking retirement and Dr. Woodhead is young. I know of patients that have the band put on by Dr. Woodhead and they really like him. As for me, I went to TLBC before I knew about Dr. Woodhead. He does my fills for me. He charged me $400.00 consult and $80.00 per fill. I have only had two fills and feel I am at my sweet spot at this time 5.5 ccs but he still asks to see me on a regular basis. Hope this information helps. :w00t:

Hi: Ask TLBC for a referral. If there is any fill nurse/doctor near you they will have the name. Also, ask you personal physician if he will do the fills. TLBC has a DVD that the doctor can watch. Doddie

After 14 months, I love the band. How could I hate it when I no longer stuff food in my mouth like there is no tomorrow. When I go to restaurants I see the huge portions people are eating and I my mouth no longer waters. I feel full after eating a meal, a feeling I never experienced before the band. I eat anything I want as long as it never goes over a cup and I chew the food well. All this wonderful time, I am losing two pounds per month with hardly trying. With my new upbeat life, there is no way I can hate my band. Doddie

Hi: Send me a privae message and I will answer any questions you may have. Of course, I can only comment on my personal experiences which have been great. The the pre and post surgery support is second to none. Doddie

No I am not unhappy with my weight loss. I have lost 1/2 lb per week for over a year now. I have 5.5 ccs in a 10 cc band and have great restriction. I still forget to chew my food on occasion and have to barf but that is not more than a few times every few months. I have arthritis in both joints and although I try to exercise, my heart is not in it. That is why the slow weight loss I guess. I have been able to control my head hunger by eating "hard protein" every 4 hours as suggested by my clinic. If I do, I rarely experience hunger of any sort. As for medications, I have had them reduced or eliminated. Sure would recommend the band to anyone reading this site. Doddie

Welcome back Susansilver. You have done extremely well in not gaining back your lost weight. But your second success was coming back to the support site. Sometimes posting when we are successfull is great but it takes courage to say you are in difficulties. The need for support is more major when you are having problems. Sure hope we can give you the support to move forward.

Welcome and keep on postin. Getting the band will give you a super future with your children as you will be healthier, more energy, to do things with your children you can't do now. I couldn't be happier for you.

Heather you don't sound harsh at all. I know what I am doing wrong but I too when stressed am preoccupied with what is on my mind. I think I am chewing, but when the pain starts and I have to empty the pouch by vomiting the chunks are faily large and I am surprised but I am improving. I went two months without vomiting but the last three days have been under stress. I was at Dr. Woodhead's today and we keep a loose band to allow a bit larger food pieces to go thru until I can control my eating. It is not easy changining a lifetime of habits at least for me it is not easy. I was just wondering if I am an odd ball or if others are struggling with the chewing issue. Doddie

Elaine. I suggest you relax and start from square one. Exercise is a great cardio but for weight loss it is only a very small part of the equation. When we are 300 lbs, our joints are at risk and frankly we hurt when we exercise making it not such a pleasant task. I know of someone that is severely disabled and never exercises but lost over 200 lbs just counting calories. If you follow the rules of eating with the band you will lose weight. No one says you have to lose 2-4 lbs per week. It is only suggested. So I suggest square one: 1) eat every four hours which includes at least 2 - 3 oz. of HARD PROTEIN. Plan proper nutrition - no wheat or dairy and at no more than a total of 6-8 oz. 2) start tracking what you eat and be honest when you put something in your mouth. Don't gloss over "that little bitt of whatever" when cooking. 3) Don't exercise - just go for a slow walk at first. As you lose weight your joints will allow you to exercise even more. Take your time. Doddie

Gina. I believe you need counselling. You have the band but it appears you are not eating properly. You puke because a) the band is too tight :thumbup: you are not chewing your food c) you are eating too much. By a defill, you are still thinking you can eat like the old ways. You may be unconsciously eating hi calorie liquid foods. Start by monitoring your eating habits. Take a program like Fitday and honestly record everything. Weigh your food and place it on a small plate. Eat every four hours solid protein and chew the life out of it. In between the four hours sip on water. Just before a meal, sip warm liquid to relax the stomach. Sit at a table and concentrate on eating. If you still find after monitoring yourself then you should talk to a counsellor for eating disorders. Hope these hints help. Doddie

Welcome Roxie. All of us have our reasons for being slow losers. If all the medical options are ruled out such as "hypo thyroid" then I suggest you track everything you put in your mouth. For instance, I cook by tasting. Amazing how many calories go down the tube. Also, try not to equate exercise with losing weight. Exercise is great cardio, muscle building etc. but to lose weight you still have to consume less than you take in. Exercise does consume calories and is part of the equation but not the only one. I can't exercise very much, but still have managed to loose one or two pounds a month. The other thing is to assess your "head hunger". Do you have any? Do you give in to it? What are the rewards you give yourself, is it food or do you try a warm bath, etc. Just a few ideas. Certainly not the complete answer but to get you started back on side. Doddie

Yes Shannon. Please come to our North Vancouver meeting in the Lions Gate Hospital tonight (Wednesday). We are a tiny group but have alot of fun. We can certainly help you with your anxieties. Having the surgery is like a mountain, one minute you are excited then the next minute all the doubts start creeping in. But don't worry, you will be find. Who is doing the surgery, Dr. Leung or Dr. Woodhead. Contact me on my e mail if you wish further information on the meeting. Doddie

Yep, goodnight I think the ending is "let's agree to disagree".

sorry, I don't understand the connection between the courts ruling an overweight person is entitled to a seat as a socialistic ruling. Seems it is more in line with acknowledging overweight people are to be treated with respect and are entitled to the same benefits as "normal" people. What about handicap parking spaces? What about the services given to physically challenged by the airlines. What about the rights of minorities. I don't think the American Courts socialists yet they have made many rulings in favor of minorities. Sounds like what you are saying is that it should be a free for all and may the best win and to hell with the ones that fall thru the cracks. Sorry, I think I will take the socialists view point if I have to watch people suffer.