Doddie63

Cheer up Rosi: When you have your clear broth, it will taste like the most savory thing you have ever had, then when you go into full fluids, oh the exquisite taste, but wait until the mushies, you will feel you have gone to heaven, it tastes so good. You are just starting a journey will hills and valleys and although I have only been going 6 weeks, it is a journey I am enjoying very much as I know I will no longer be carrying around 300 lbs. Doddie

Hi Heldie. I too am sporting a midband put on Feb 01/07. Watch out for the stitches. I didn't think I had any until one incision started to "pus". After 5 weeks of cleaning and puting antisporim on, I asked my doctor who told me a stitch was probably caught up in the skin and to pull it out if I felt it. I did feel it and I did pull it out. Since then the incisions is healing. Keep those incisions clean and you shouldn't have any problems. Good luck and welcome to the bandster tribe. Doddie

Bandiva: There is a fill nurse in surrey. I had the name but have misplaced it. I will try to find the name. I think she charges $150 per fill. The Doctors that do surgery will not look after patients that they have not done paticularly Dr. Leung. He won't even let others join his website unless they have surgery by him. Try your own GP he might agree to do it. Doddie

IrishMist your success is awesome. There can be no better advice given than from a person so successful. Congratulations. Doddie

Hi - Stayed the same. One of the bandsters pointed out to me that at this early stage, the body thinks it is starving and goes into starvation mode and you won't necessarily lose weight. I had my first run in with the "sliming" and it wasn't any fun. I was making stew, and forgot myself and gulped a chunck of meat. It stuck and after much pain, I brought it up but I continued to slime for 30 minutes. I am alright now, but will go on liquids for 24 hours to let my pouch calm down. Thank goodness for all the bandsters talking about the "downside" to the pouch. I didn't panic, I just rode out the storm and resolved to be more careful. Thanks everyone for not only praising the band but telling the ugly side as well. Doddie

Good on you Heldie. Let us know how you are doing and what type of band. Doddie

You say your are so tired. Is this because of a physical or mental issue. You may have low blood sugar, iron deficiency or you are depressed. I think you must clear these issues up by going to your doctor and eliminating the ones that are not the problem and working on the remainder. Doddie

Hi: For years, I lost huge and gained slowly back. Nothing I tried worked until the Band. Now it is my conscience. When I don't follow the rules it let's me know. I am proud to have the band but I still know it is up to me. If I want to cheat (milkshakes, etc.) it is my choice. I know the band is a tool and I must make use of it. Doddie

Anniegs: I have read a number of postings where people have been emotional right up until they are given the anesthetic. You are taking a step for your future. Hang in there. Doddie

Hi went on to solids yesterday and weighin is Sunday. I think I stayed the same or gained. I will see. I certainly am eating small amounts, but no exercise usually adds up to no loss. How is everyone else doing? Doddie

what type of band have you got. I have a french Mid band. If you are feeling hungry, have some protein. Don't worry about calory counting it is more important to take care of the hunger so you don't binge. I find having a liquid meal replacement (chocolate) for diabetics is very satisfying. It that doesn't work and you are still hunting, try heating up chicken broth. Only 10 calories a cup and slip it slowly. That should do it until you meal. Doddie

Hi: Try not to worry about the unknown. When you think about it, no one knows what will happen in their life next. That is one big unknown. Get as much facts as you can, factor in your lifestyle and how you react to changes and make your decision from knowledge not from fear. Good luck and I am glad you best friend's nickname is Doddie. We are good people (at least I think so). Doddie

Only disciplined by the band. It is tight and the restrictions (even though the band is empty) keep me honest. I started whole food last night and I took a bit too big a bite. 15 minutes later after standing and walking, the morsel went down. God knows what a fill will be like. Doddie

Hi Sherrylynn: Yes I had second, third, forth thoughts. What kept playing on me was my bad habits. I have failed so many other diets, lost the weight and put it back on so many times, I kept thinking of how in the world would I ever manage the restrictions. I worry every day because I haven't yet had the first fill. I am a grazer and I also binge. Dr. Joffe told me the band was not a magic bullet, that everything depended on me doing as I am advised. Most problems are caused by patients not following the rules and I frankly don't trust myself to do that. I must admit I am getting better at it and in time, I am sure my band and I will conquer my brain. So don't let your brain take over, keep reminding yourself this is for the best and "damned the torpedoes". Good luck on your decision. Doddie

Hi: Going to take DVD to Dr. today but no fill. I have an incision problem and will deal with that. By agreement, we felt the first fill should be done by the TLSC fill nurse Nancy and I will also be their for a 2 hr seminar. I will then be able to show my doctor where the port is. This hopefully will make it easier for him. Doddie

Hi: I am from North Vanc. and I agree the MHA belong in the caveman days. They believe all we have to do is exercise more and eat less. They will fund anorexia but do not belive the overweight person mind issues as well. Even when confronted with statistics on people gain the weight back and more after dieting their way. In spite of all the struggles, I would have the band put on again in a minute. Where you decide to go as long as you are confident in your doctor is all that matters. For what it is worth, I prefer a doctor in Canada and I can't praise the two at the TLBC highly enough. Doddie

Hi: I live in North Vanc. BC and have had excellent response both by telephone and e mail. We have had some great laughs though, because the individual that called me always forgot BC is three hours behind Ont so I would recieve calls at 5 and 6 in the morning. Needless to say I wasn't too swift is remembering what I called about. Doddie

Hi Chatterbox: Know what you man by feeling you are all alone. Most banding is to patients in Ontario and they have a very good network. For the rest of us, we have to rely on the internet for support. If you contact the clinic that did the surgery, they may have knowledge of a doctor or nurse that does the fills in Saskatoon. The TLBC sent me a DVD which I will be taking to my family doctor tomorrow. Do you have one? Doddie

I agree I am not ashamed. In fact I am proud of what I have done. I admitted I can't handle food properly so I sought medical help. Who in their right mind could fault me (other than my jealous sister). Doddie

Yes I agree. I even told my GP that if he wanted me to sigh a waiver to any liabilities I would gladly do it because I feel for a professional the procedure is very simple. Doddie

Hi: No. Dr. Yau did me at the TLBC. I have type 2 diabetes but not that far advanced that he couldn't do it as day surgery. I flew to Toronto on the Wed., surgery Thurs, rest Frid and home Sat. West Jet treated me very well. They did not sell the middle seat so I had lots of room. I love the band as it is my conscience, but I must admit the stories on attempts for defills for ER rooms scares the daylights out of me BUT, I would still do it again on a moments notice. Doddie.

Hi: All of the above me too. My sister (18 months older) is in the final stages of diabetes, blind, kidney failure, quadruple by-pass, heart valve leaking and because of diabetes 2. Prompted me to have the band. My husband had two strokes last Feb. but no lasting effects (he is skinny) go figure. When do you go for the band?

Susan: Sorry about your father. What prompted you to make the decision - the airplane ride? Hate airplanes and their narrow seats. Hopefully in time I will able to fit comfortably.

If your profession is cartoons, then Vancouver is the place to be. EB Games and a few successful small ones are going full tilt and desparate for staff. I have been reading the horror stories on the Canadianlapbanders website on fills and I don't mind saying I am scared out of my mind. Seems ERs don't want to defill or fill. Doddie

I was wondering about supplis. I was going to ask my doctor if he had the supplies if not, would he get them in and they could become part of my bill. I think that will happen anyway. Doddie