chaya

SWLC in Toronto is 16000.00 all in! Was banded 1wk ago with them, they are fantastic!

Protein shakes are a must......clear liquids for the first day or two, then move to 'full liquids'. It has to be liquid, but doesnt have to be see thru, so yes, protein shakes, low fat/sugar yogurt drinks, low fat soups (completely blended to pure liquid form).......ask your doctor to give you a list of liquids that he deems acceptable.

split pea soup (blended to pure liquid). Makes me feel full! I too was sooooo hungry on day 2, but I am less hungry now(day 5). I guess you get used to liquids......

go get milk of magnesia!! I had my surg. on April 11th and started with the milk of magnesia on day 2.....once I had a bowel movement the gas started to release.

Too true cakelly73!! I am 5 days out and my family ordered pizza last night for dinner.....even tho I had made sure that I had my Protein shake down by the time it came, it was still hard to look and smell the pizza! I knew that I was not hungry per say, but it was my mind that wanted to grab that pizza and shove it in my mouth, not my stomach! We have to deal with the emotional loss of food more that the physical loss and that can be very hard. Talking to someone to get to the bottom of why we eat the way we do may help us to reconcile the 'mind hunger' and the real 'physical hunger'. Good luck to all of us!!

yes, hot showers are a life saver for me!!! I am 4 days out and still getting some gas pain.....let the hot water beat down on your back!!

Hang in there!! I am 4 days post op and it is getting better everyday! My son (7yrs old) asked me today if I was ever going to get off the couch again?? He had tears in his eyes.......I realized then, that a few days on a couch in pain is so worth the years ahead where I will be running and playing with both my kids. I just dont think that we really realized that it would be this painful, as it is an out-patient procedure and Lapriscopic on top of it. It will be worth it in the end!!

I was banded on Wed. I am feelling a bit better everyday, but definatly sleep in an upright position and use the heating pad. Also take your pain meds. Milk of Magnesia was a life saver as it has helped me pass gas and releive that bloated feeling. My stomach is still very distended and the area where the port is, is very sore.......I am hoping that this will be all worth it in the end. Just keep your head up and walk, walk, walk....it really does help!

Thanks everyone! I am feeling only very slightly better than I did last night, but I am trying to get up and walk alot. This gas pain is so bad, my stomach looks like I swallowed a hugh beach ball and its so hard. My shoulder pain is pretty bad too. I am also starving!!!! I was kinda hoping to not have the hunger kick in for at least a few more days........I am not usually this cranky, but this Fluid diet is a killer!!! I want FOOD!!!! I know this will eventually get better, but wow, its alot harder than I thought it would be at this stage........ Thanks again for all your support, as it makes this more managable!

Hey! I was supposed to be on the same day as you but they had an opening earlier and I was happy to take it. They are without doubt the most amazing team at SWLC!! The whole team is so nice and comforting. You will be very happy with your choice in SWLC, and Dr. Cobourn is just the greatest!! I wish you all the luck in the world and I will be thinking of you on Tuesday!!

Thank you, I will get walking cause this pain is terrible!! I feel like someone is putting knives in my chest and shoulder. I thought that codeen makes you constipated......and that is why I didnt think I was getting any gas out. I hear the gas bubbles moving around but I cant get them out........

Its 3am and I had my surgery yesterday at around 11am. The gas pain and shoulder pain is so bad that I think I am going to faint. I have tried the gas ex but its doing nothing. I am afraid to take the liquid codeen for fear that its causing more gas.....what do I do???!!!!!

Can anyone tell me which Protien Meal Replacement shake is good? The one my clinic is sudgesting is really expensive......Slimtime. Is there anyone from Canada who can tell me a good one to buy? Thanks!

Oh that is too funny!! You crack me up!! :D

are you eating matzo? I am getting banded on April 11th and just two days of Passover is killing me......I cant imagine what it would be like with my band in!! Matzo is a killer on even the best eaters!

Thanks for the tips.....Yes I have a lower BMI too, mine is 31 right now and I would like to lose 45-50lb's.......seems like a far way to go as I have heard that lower BMI patients take longer to lose the weight. What Protein powder did you buy?

I am going to be banded by Dr Coburn next week!! I am so happy to hear that there are so many others who have had a good experience with him! I too have felt like I was left hanging at times, but things seem to be moving right along now. I have to go in on Monday to get my "surgery soap" Can anyone tell me what that is?? Also, they have not yet told me what I will have to buy in terms of food (liquids) for post- surg. I didnt have to do any pre-op diet, so I dont know what I am expected to do after being banded..... Iriegirl.....how are you finding your appitite post surgery? How long did it take you to be up and around? My surgery time is schedualed for 12pm, they told me I have to be there for 11am, but what time do you think I will be ready to leave? I am getting nervous, but still excited.

Thanks Amber, I did not get a patient coordinator as of yet. I will start pestering asap! Thanks!

Hi Helmut, I too am going to SWLC.....how long did take from the time you got there till when you were allowed to go home? I am trying to gage how long my husband will be hanging around waiting for me...... Did you have to meet with anyone from the clinic prior to your surgery? I dont have to do the pre-op liquid diet, but I am supposed to be getting the band done April 18th and Faiza (or anyone else) has not called to give me any further instructions......once they received approval for my financing, I have only heard that it will be April 18th and nothing else. I have sent emails to Sema and she has told me that all my inquires have been forwarded onto Faiza. I am not the most patient person, and I dont want to be pestering them either, but is it normal to feel a little up in the air? Thanks for all your advise!

Hi Amber.....I am with Dr. Coburn too. What time is your surgery booked for? I didnt have to do the pre-op diet, so I am just waiting for Faiza or Sema to let me know exactly what I need to do between now and April 18th. How long do you have to stay in T.O for after surg?

Hey AmberH, I am getting banded on April 18th at SWLC in Mississauga as well......small world!! Are you with Dr. Cobourn?

Hi, I was just wondering if there is anyone who has gone to CIBO for their band? I am looking at SWLC and CIBO......any oppinions would greatly help! Thanks

Thank you, you have all been so helpful. I definatly have alot to think about before taking this huge step. I guess it would be wise of me to see if I can give up the sweets before I actually get the band.....it will be interesting to see if I can try and replace the sweets with real food. If I can do that but cant control my portions, well then the band might be the answer at that point. Thank you again for all your advise, this is a great place to come to for support!

Hi, I am new to this forum and I am so confused! I have a bmi of 32 and need to lose about 50-60lbs. My biggest problem is my addiction to sugar. I dont eat a whole lot during the day, but come evening, I sit infront of the T.V and I eat candy.....I will then move to salty Snacks, then back to sugar. I have tried to follow every diet out there and nothing sticks becasue I am the type of person that wants what I am told I cant have. My sister made a good point when she said that I am not the biggest overeater of food, but that my problem is the candy, and you can fit alot of little candies in a cup! I know that I do overeat real food too, but I am scared to do this and then come to realize that it doesnt help with my problem. My husband (who has never had a weight issue in his life) is not very supportive, as he thinks this will just be another thing I try and fail at (and this costs alot, as in Canada it is self-pay for everyone). I lost alot of weight a few years ago, it was spinning that did it for me. I started at 225 and went down to 160. I had to spin 7 days a week to get the weight off, as i wasnt willing to give up my food......I kept the weight off for 1 1/2yrs and thought there was no way that I would ever gain it back. As with everything else, I did wind up gaining most of it back once I cut back on the excersise (the hot spin instructor quit, and that was it for me)!! Also, how long would it realistically take to lose the 60lbs? What are the statistics of long term success? Any help would be great..........