Doddie63

Hi: Ask Donna D. She told the Dr. she wanted the port mear the bikini line and the Dr. decided against it and put it in the area that is considered the most comfortable, which is under the breastbone and down a bit. So even if you ask for it, there is no quarantee the port will be placed where you ask. Mine is in the usual place and I feel very comfortable with it being there, but it has turned to an awkward position making fills very difficult. Doddie.

Hi: Welcome to the world of the bandster. You will go thru every emotion there is but in the end, you will have made the right decision. If you feel hungry and start the grazing, immediately go and do something, take a bath, go for a walk, go on the internet, whatever just don't eat. I am sure you have been advised how important it is to shrink the liver as it is a very delicate organ and can be damaged when it is moved aside for the band. The smaller it is the easier for the doctor. Doddie

The fear is a wonderful back up until you are able to get comfortable with small bites, small portions and chewing your food. Believe me you get to forget you have the band until you make a boo boo then it bites. Doddie

It is hard to keep ones spirit up because it still takes as long to loose a pound as it did before the band. Some have advised to never get on the scale unless at your docors office. The weigh scale is the depressent but I still can't help having a peak. I too overeat and I am shocked how I can sabatogue the band if I let myself. Still, I can stop myself easier because of the restriction which I couldn't do before. The head games continue. Doddie

Great article thanks for the link. Doddie

Thanks Puddy. I think I am in the proper proportions. For instance, I had 2 oz of chicken breast, 1/2 cup broccoli and 1 small potatoe. I did not eat the potatoe. Agan I got the pulsating feeling so I stopped. I think it is what you mean by being satisfied. In the past, when I felt the feeling, I continued to eat until I felt the pain. Thanks again. Doddie

Puddy: What is satisfied? Sorry but I know nothing else but eating until "full". Doddie

What do you experience. For me, I get what is a pulsating feeling in my stomach (like a heartbeat) then I feel a tightness. If I continue, I feel pain. Sometimes if I eat really small, I get a feeling like a small pea is logded in my throat. Anyone else like me??? or is there another feeling I should be experiencing???? Doddie :eek:

Hi: I track my daily intake on the Spark website and find I am eating between 1,000 and 1500 calories a day. With exercise that amounts to about 1 lb a week or less which is what I am told I must be accomplishing. Measuring the food 3 0z protein and 1/2 cup carbs or 1 cup protein,veggies in my opinion is more important than counting calories. Doddie

What happens if you loose the key? And would the paramedics know to look there. Sorry, but the only safe way is wearing the medic alert. Plus getting it from the US, your health details would not be registered. The medic alert bracelent,anklet,necklace, carries a serial number that the ER teams can contact for the nitty gritty details. You do not have to carry a yearly subscription with the Canadian Medic alert programme but if you have a rapidly changing health pattern, it is best to have the subscription. Doddie

Hi: Don't go overboard in whatever you do. Over the years with all the weight loss programs I was always "gung ho" lost weight like made then fell back into old routines. Now, I am trying to change one bad habit at a time and as my doc says the weight will fall off as a result. To change a bad habit takes six weeks approx. consistantly doing the correct way. Initially I focussed on eating and not PBing. Now I have that down to one PB every 2 weeks or so now I have started the treadmill. I am told I must do 15 minutes a day to avoid joint problems and as my muscles strengthen then increase to 20 minutes a day. Do you have anyone giving you advice on how to plan an exercise program?

Hi: This is a great topic. Although the problem can be "difficult", the laugh lines are super. I get a good laugh everytime I check into this topic. Doddie

Hi MSRobby: Really happy to hear you are back in the ring and fighting the bad guys. Depression is no easy problem to solve but with the "gang" we can all help each other. Doddie

HI; Because the only person with the initiative to start a support group is from Pemberton and Lions Gate is giving the room free. She will drive down and back the same day. We are hoping the support group will expand into others but it takes time and effort because the few banders there are, are scattered all over.Doddie

If you are on liquids, why do you need any help? There is nothing there to come out. A BM every two or three days is not uncommon and the notion one has to have a BM every day is not necessary. Benefibre is great for when you are on solids. I use it also, but as I am eating less, I don't expect a BM every day. Check with the clinic and see what they recommend.

I tried to send you an e mail but you are listed as not wanting to receive any so if you would contact me, I would be able to give your the e mail of the lady who has started the banders. She could put you on her reminder list. The meetings take place at The Lions Gate Hospital Conference Room C North Vancouver, BC. The meetings will be every third Wednesday between 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm. You can find the room by coming in the main entrance, walk to the gift shop turn right and then left. Walk down a short corridor and turn right. We are the first room on the right. July 24th is the next one. At the moment, four turned up at the first meeting, but we have had interest from more people. We just chatted about anything of interest to us all. Would welcome you. Doddie

ConSaf: LOL after paying $1,000.00 too fly to Toronto for "free fill", I would hate to live around all the private booze joints as I need one after that airplane trip with my fat backside. I live in North Vancouver. Any chance you can make the Lions Gate Banders Meeting every third Wednesday between 7 - 8. Love to see you if you are interested. Doddie

Hi Lapband all the way. It is reversible. Recovery from surgery within a few days. Can adjust the band to allow as much food as you think you need. For instance if you have the flu, you can take out fill, if you are gaining, you can put fluid in. Gastric by pass & stapling have serious side effecs such as vitamin deficiency that can cause paralysis, hair falls out, death, etc. Doddie

Hi Devana. Just checking in. Saw Dr. Woodhead and he could not get a fill in my port. He thought it had flipped and referred me back to Toronto. It was not flipped just at an awkward angle. I see him again July 12. If he can't get the fill in I imagine I will have to fly back to TO for fills. Also, someone posted on the net he is not longer taking another doctor's patients. Quote "he doesn't like fiddling with other doctor's surgery". Don't know if it is true but will ask on July 12th. Doddie

Hi: I have 3 ccs in a Fr. Midband. I think it takes about 10 ccs but i have some restriction now so don't think I will go over 5. Like yourself, Nancy, as long as I am loosing weight and a nice even pace, I don't want to get caught up in the fill and defill routine. My doc out here has not been successful in doing fills so to fly to TO for a fill then have to go back for a defill will put me in the poor house. Doddie

Hey you are just a bit over surgery so don't rush it. Your stitches have to heal and you should still be on full fluids or mushies. Your stomach (pouch)is a muscle. We all know that muscles are stiff and unresponsive when cold but after a warmup they operate much better. Drink a bit of warm liquid before eating and don't forget to go slowly. But above all, don't try solids whenyou are feeling tight. Doddie

Hi Argon. I am from Yorkton, Sask. moved to Vanc. 1970. Miss Sask in many ways and sometimes dram of moving back. Doddie

Hi msrobby73: So glad you have touched base with us again. Depression is a hard thing to combat but hopefully the band remained your friend until you wond the battle. I was banded in Feb as well and have lost very little, but the fact my eating patterns are changing and I find that I rarely look to food to console me I feel I have won half the battle. I am now starting to work on exercise program. Hope you are taking on your battles one at at time. Makes them a bit easier to conquer. Where are you getting your fills. I also have that problem. Doddie

Good morning, it is 8:51 am in Vancouver BC. I noticed that you have approximately the same amount of weight to go as myself. Are you planning on another fill? I go July 12 to the vanc. doctor who last time failed to insert the fill because the port was offon an awkward angle. I flew to Toronto and they filled it immediately. I sure hope I don't have to fly back to TO because of the costs $1,000.00 Pretty expensive for a fill Doddie

Bandito: With all that you have on your mind, you are tremendously successful. To not show a weight gain is awesome. Think of what would be happening if you did not have the band. Emotional eating can get out of hand, but your band is working. Doddie