Doddie63

Hi: When people tell me "i have lost 60 lbs (or whatever) the old fashioned way" I give a big weary sigh and say, "been there done that so many times I have lost count. See me in a few years and tell me you have kept it off". Now I have the band that helps me never to feel hungry again so I know with this tool I won't put it back on. The person looks at me and sadly agrees. The statistic prove weight loss is alway put back on and more so.Although I lost my sister when telling her, I still tell anyone that asks. I am so proud of the band and what it is doing for my life, I just want to share it. Most so called judgmental people are simply jealous and are talking about something they know nothing about. So keep it quiet if that is your wish, it is a personal choice and nobody faults you for doing it. I just hope I am helping someone get out of this horrible rut of gain and lose. I wish that on nobody. Doddie

SHORTGAL; Your postings are sooooooooooo right on. I sure hope a lot of people struggling read your messages. We are impatient, no doubt about it. When snacking, I wonder how many look at what they are doing at the time. Are they alone, sitting in front of a TV? Are the choices poor choices. For instance is the snack something you like as a soother that goes down smoothly or is it one you have to chew, chew, chew. Doddie

Can't argue with that, but it seems the Canucks and Oilers are a wee bit from those days. I wonder if anyone on these teams has the band. LOL Doddie

Welcome to bandland Donna. Glad all went well. doddie

:thumbup:Well said Ceradad. To each his own choice is my motto, but I love it when people speak out that obesity can be erradicated if the tools to help the obese are put out in the public eye. I tell anyone that asks about my weight loss. Yes I look them in the eye and tell them that there was something missing in the equation to my dieting and exercising. That was keeping it off. With the band that controls my hunger and the amount I can eat at any one time I am successfully meeting my goals. I am not ashamed of what I am doing. I was horribly ashamed of my huge weight as people looked at me with either disgust or pity. My self esteem was low, now I am proud. I want others in particular medical people to see that there is a way. I recently read a survey, that 1 out of 5 doctors can't look past the weight of the patient as a result many health issues are overlooked. So if my speaking out helps I am happy. Doddie

look under medical expenses. But for an oldster who is not wise in the way of the internet, I telephoned them. Took me a long time pushing buttons and hold please but eventually I got thru to someone who knew something about medical expenses. I love a live voice over eletronic surfing when it comes to money. Doddie

mommy: You can claim your surgery and expenses on your Canadian Income Tax. You need to keep a meticulous record and get a letter from your clinic that the obesity surgery was a requirement for better health. I called the CRA and they confirmed I could claim. Doddie

Go Vancouver Canucks Go

Denise: think of the pouch like a funnel. If you take water and pour it into a funnel the water flows easily into the stomach. Then take some small chunks of food and watch. The food will get stuck in the neck of the funnel. Thus like your pouch, it holding the well chewed food until it slips thru to the stomach but if there are any chunks, the food will not go thru as the food will stick in the small opening between the pouch and the stomach. So that is why we are told to chew, chew, chew until the food is mushie. Hope this helps Doddie

Maybe you can apply to the Sask Gov't for a refund. Doddie

Hi Rose: I wasn't invited into your conversation but I just wanted to say you are one beautiful lady and the fact you held you weight steady thru all your stresses shows how well you and the band are working together. Remember when you didn't have the band and you were understress. Need I say you would turn to food, this time you didn't. Your resolve is strong, now you just have to get moving again. Try my favorite saying (borrowed from AA) "Just for today I will exercise a very short time" and do it. The next day "just for today I will exercise 5 minutes more". I hope this little saying helps you it certainly is my favorite. Doddie

Thanks peaches. By posting the negatives, the prospective bandster can see pros and cons. Everyone likes to post the pros and there are untold stories out on the web about how great the band is and boy do I subscribe to that. BUT, I ran into difficulties because at the time there was very little posting about fills and the difficulties that can be encountered. My other point that seemed to get lost in the fray was you can be perfectly healthy travelling in a foreign country and have a serious incident of health concerning the band. Unless properly covered with insurance, the individual would have to pay up front. My points are well set out now it is up to the individual to read all posts and decide. Thanks for your private email. Doddie.

Ang my last word on this. I direct you and everyone else to the Graduate Bandster written by Jahroni who is considered a very knowledgable person entitled "you may end up an orphan" In it she explains why doctors won't take on other doctors and the complete maintance issue. Very interesting reading. Doddie

UNCLE ALREADY. This was not intended to be a debate on which is better but to point out the downside of going out of country. I have put my best viewpoints out there, now it is up to the individual. Doddie

tmostert: I am for one not anti american. I am pro american in everything even support the US in Iraqu. You are far to sensitive and should reread what I am saying. Going to a foreign country 5, 10, 15, 20 years down the road when you may not be as healthy as you are now could cause problems. I was pointing out the negatives in leaving your Country which has a medical system that at leasts prevents you from encountering huge debts that could bankrupt you. At no time did I make any asperations against Mexican or American doctors. As old shakespeare said "me thinks you protest too much". Which means I think I struck a weakness in your reasoning to go to another land. Doddie

Yes a two hour wait may be a LGH or any other hospital but what if you have serious band issues and have to be hospitalized. the band is for life, you won't always be in good health to travel to the states and don't count on the medical in Canada to help out. They take the position that if you are in a hospital bed in the states, you won't get priority here. But as I don't know your financial stability maybe you can pay $100,000 per day in the states. My choice and recommendation is to stay in Canada where you get health care for life not matter how serious because I don't have the resources to pay my own way. Insurance remember does not pay for related issues or if anything in your health has changed and a fill is a change. Also again, most insurance companies expect you to pay up front then apply for refunds. Too scarey for me to go to a foreign land, good luck to you. Doddie

Hi Ann: 1 lb a week is excellent and yes the heavier you are the faster the weight should come off. However, at a higher weight most of us have joint problems and other physical difficulties so must start exercising with as little joint impact as possible. As you loose weight, you should become more physically fit and increase your exercise. I guess you could say 1 pound is a slow looser, but the general guidelines are 1 - 2 lbs per week. Also, remember 1 lb per week is better than a 1 lb gain. You are doing fabulously well. Give your self some slack and keep up the good work. Doddie

This is what I have from my clinic. 1. Exerecise, 2. Proper nutrition, 3. FOOD EVERY 4 WAKING HOURS Protein is the main nutrient. 6-8 oz of solid food every meal on and bread and butter plate only. 3-4 oz snacks. The amount is a cup. 3 oz of protein the rest in veggies and fruit. Hope this helps. As for the sneeze, it is true but why I don't know. However my signal is a hiccup and if I keep eating, I get a throbbing pain. Doddie

You should soon hear from Donna D. She had her changed. But from what I understand have no fear because it is a simple procedure. More to the point, if you are nervous, contact Dr. Yau and talk to him. Doddie

good heaves, 76 lbs since November. give youself a bit of slack. That is a huge loss. I have been with the band 1 year and I have only lost 59 lbs. You ain't a slow loser in my books. Congratulations.

candy: You are looking at the mother of excuse makers...me. How far is the gym. Simply starting out to walk there 1/2 way and then turn around and come home is a good start. Have stairs in your house --- walk up and down them until you are puffing and sweating. Watching TV....wiggle the toes, stand up walk around the house. I can go on and on forgever. If you want to exercise and put yourself and your health first, you will find a way.I have a friend who e mails me and kicks me in the butt (verbally) if I don't go to exercises. I have heard all the excuses and that is what it is when you don't exercise - excuses. I try to convince myself that I am too busy or will exercise in the afternoon. Amazing how I can find a way out. So no excuses, please let's hear how you find something to do. Doddie

The two clinics should band together (no pun intended). Doddie

Band Chick: Whoopee! well done. One day at a time "just for today do something". Hope to see you post again tomorrow. Before you know it, as you get into the habit, you will miss doing your routine. I feel so happy for you. Doddie

Andrea: I am at my sweet spot at 5ccs we are all different but it you may in fact have a leak in your tubing or band. Good luck. Doddie

I like the after care of Jill the dietician. She calls me long distance every month. I chose once a month she was willing to call every week. Jill also has the band and lost considerable weight so she knows the ups and downs we go thru. Dr. Yau I found was a very approachal doctor but i find I don't need him as much as dietician's information, etc. Doddie