Doddie63

Just a note to post that Chef Dave was an excellent speaker. It was very rewarding listening to the first bariatric chef who knows the trials and tribulations we go through to be healthy. The cookbook for dummies is excellent. I wish to commend Vicki and Dave and wish them every success.

:thumbup:Very well stated. Every thing you said rings true. I have been with the band since 2007 and my journey has been an uphill battle every step of the way. I love the band because it keeps me steady until I give my head a shake and get back on the bandwagon. It is very easy to consume ice cream milk shakes etc even with the band, but the band does insist that everything goes down slowly. This settles the hunger so all that remains is the head hunger. I too, get down on myself when I am in an funk so go ahead and post if all of you who are down, someone like you will respond with kindness and support.

I have just been catching up with the site and notice your questions. Did anyone contact you. If not, please don't be discouraged. It is not unusual to gain when you are healing from the surgery. I did not loose anything in the first 6 weeks and after that, it was hard work and the weight started to come off. I am not at goal after 3 1/2 years. The pace has been slow and many time frustrating. The band keeps me honest until I give my head and shake and get back on the bandwagon. Please consider coming out to our meeting this month. We would love to hear of your challenges and maybe from our experience we can help. By the way, how are you doing now.

There is another link on this site for Vancouver bandsters. As for time waits for Dr. Woodhead or Dr. Leung, you should contact their offices personally. Wait times depend on hospital time availability and the wait times could be a few days to a few months. Dr. W. is my doctor.

how is he? does he offer after care?

Will be thinking of you. Speedy recovery is wished for you

Going to butt in here with a comment. Having one on one and group conversations about the band and all the ups and downs that go with it is, in my opinion, very satisfying and comforting. Also very party like. I am a long distance band client and although the web is great for filling in the holes, it can not replace friendships that develop from a common issue We have a get together once a month in Vancouver. This group was started by a lady who also felt the web was not meeting all needs. Suggest you give it a try - even start your own coffee group. May surprise you.

Nope - cannot do. Nothing in life is easy and for me personally, loosing weight and changing lifestyle is one battle after another. The band keeps me honest until I can give my head a shake and get back on track. Good luck.... enjoy the ups AND downs of the journey. End results can't wait.

Dr. R. Woodhead also does lapband, and his surgeries are in a hospital. He has a fill program for his patients only.

Yes in fact we have a support group that meets at the Lions Gate Hospital every 3rd Wednesday of the month. Nothing formal just a social chit chat. Come on out

welcome to the journey

my opinion only,but I don't think another fill to compensate for evening eating is going to do the trick. Most people are tight in the morning and as evening approaches, most are able to eat. Eating after the dinner hour is usually caused by boredom, watching TV, etc. During the day your mind is caught up in the daily efforts but when you sit down in the evening to relax - food is the comfort food. I would suggest you track what you are eating, when and how you are feeling at the time. I think you will find that your choices are not of the best choices available to you. Also, eating after the dinner hour invites reflux which can be devastating.I am a slow loser, and the evening are when I cannot eat but I tend to eat more at 3:00 pm. The only way I beat my bad eating habits is to track daily. It is startling to see in black and white what I have eaten and how bad my choices have been. My mind may lie to me, but the tracking does not (if one is honest). Hope my suggestions might help a bit.

for some reason, don't know why, I will get a feeling a nausea and my mouth fills with saliva. I know if I swallow, I will upchuck. So, I just excuse myself, go to the ladies. I find a cubicle and just spit until the feeling leaves me. No one is the wiser. I would suggest though that you go out for lunch with a very close friend and try something like a shrimp appetizer. If you are OK with that, make it the dish you have when out with groups. Eat very slowly and join in the conversation Nobody will know you are not consuming a lot of food.

One of the problems I experienced prior to the band was the social bit. I would always head for the food table and stand near it. Now that I have the band, I am more into talking with others and do not stand near the food table as I can't eat most of the food anyway. We said want to be healthy, we can sabatogue the band if we want. One still has to plan and make use of their professionals. My journey can't be yours. Good luck

can you tell me how to get there and what to do. I have never used Facebook.

Hi and look forward to meeting you. watch this site for the posted monthly meeting because sometimes the conference room is changed from A to B.

Hi: The False Creek clinic offer very good aftercare. Worth checking them out. Their staff attend our montly get togethers at the Lions Gate Hospital. You are welcome to come and talk to bandsters if you like. The band is what you make of it. It is a tool not a magic wand and if I have one bit of advice to you is to check out the aftercare. Dr. Leung I am told is an excellent surgeon but lacks a bedside manner. Dr. Woodhead is the doctor I go to for fills and is very pleasant to deal with. We meet every 3rd Wednesday. Feel free to e mail me if you want any more detailed information. :thumbup::smile:

Yes, the literature on the band promises the "sky" but unfortunately, whether it be gastric bypass or gastric band, the bottom line is we have to use more calories than what we take in. You may be taking in what I call "ghost" calories. For instance, when I am cooking I always taste - those are calories not counted. I suggest you track everything you eat for at least a month and be rigid about it. You will then find out where the calories are coming from. Even with a low metabolism you can still loose weight but the amounts of are less. I have been tracking for 3 1/2 years and when I am not losing, the record charts always show me in the 1600 to 1800 calories a day.It is amazing how our minds play tricks on us by coveniently forgetting that "taste" we had. Enjoy your summer and hope to see in you September.

Uli: Please come to the meetings. Now is the time to come. We are all struggling in one way or another. 50 lbs is a lot less than you were before and if you look forward you will see that the band helps keep you from increasing as rapidly as without it. Is there anything I can do to encourage you. I consider myself a very slow looser and have periods where no matter what I did, I still stayed the same. But the bottom line was the band held me until I could get my head around. Are you tracking? Exercise helps the heart and makes you feel great and will burn calories but you don't have to do strenuous exercise. Start with something simple that you like. Please feel free to e mail me if you think I can be of help

You are never too old. Hold on to the fact that baling hay will become easier when you don't have to carry that weight around as well as the bale of hay. PS I am 67 had the band at 63 and loving every minute of my journey. Best wishes for a great journey.

Hi: Having the band was the best decision I have ever made. Like all surgeries complications can set in but if you follow your instructions it is unlikely you will have problems. As for me, I had no trouble had the band put in and flew home the day after surgery and have had no problems. Todate, I have lost 94 lbs, slow and steady has been my pace but others go faster. Wishing you the best.

Sorry I can't help with your insurance interpretation. I do know yoiu can claim the medical costs on your income tax. There is a member who had her surgery at Norwest and may know.

I don't think I am panicking but more concerned about making the meetings interesting enough that people want to come out. Our group has been as large as 28 but most no longer come out. Some could be too busy, some could be slipping backward and too embarrassed to come out, some could feel excluded as the more popular members carry the conversation, some could just feel the meetings were not providing enough support or simply distance. I know from the net, that coffee meetings are very popular. Perhaps it is time to canvass and find out what people expect from a meeting. Just some thoughts.

super - inspiring me to get moving.

My best wishes to the start of a great new life. up, downs, warts and all the band will be there to help.