Bandster05

I was banded over a year ago and have not had any issues and I fly quite often!

Good for you! That's great! It will be here before you know it! I'm doing ok - hovering around 65 pounds- need to get moving more - but with the nice weather I'm inspired to get outside and walk! Good days and bad days. Looking forward to the summer more than I have in a lot of years- that's for sure!! Enjoy the weekend!!

I liked that too- it wasn't a high pressure sales pitch!! I would definitely ask for a sample of the optifast -although there really isn't another option - i think it is pretty much mandatory to have -but they give you ideas of how to "spice" it up- it comes in vanilla and chocolate- i know i added some fruit to the vanilla and it was ok. I liked the chocolate. Just gets monotonous after 2 weeks....good luck to you!!!

My first few days I thought the same way- what the heck am I doing? But then I had a serious heart to heart with myself and said "You got yourself into this - you need to get yourself out of it!!" I had pizza dreams and MacDonalds dreams the first few nights and it seemed every time I turned on the TV it was a fast food commercial- your mind is playing tricks on you!! You are stronger than it!! Getting banded was the best thing I ever did! I feel so much better than I did 11 months ago! The support I get from my clinic is great -they are there to help every step of the way. I'm in Canada. My clinic was Thinlife Surgical Weight Loss in Sudbury, ON - -having a strong support system makes a workd of difference!! I'm down 62 pounds and off my blood pressure pills! Stay positive!! All the best!!

Research is key! You want a clinic that will support you and has a good rounded program - not sure where you are located- I went to Thinlife Surgical Weight Loss in Sudbury, ON Canada - you can check them out at www.thinlife.ca Good luck on your journey!!

I went to Thinlife in Sudbury, ON - they require you to be on Optifast for the 2 weeks prior to surgery- -this consists of 4 shakes per day- you are only consuming about 900 calories but they explained that it is to reduce the amount of fat in your liver and help to shrink the liver prior to surgery- it helps put you in better shape before the surgery occurs! I was allowed a few fruits and vegetables daily as well. It wasn't so bad. the first few days as I "detoxed" were tough but they had nutritional support available to me as well. I met with a nutrition counsellor who walked through the stages before and after surgery. I met with her again about a month after surgery, then at 3 months and my last one will be at one year. It has been very useful and helps me to stay on track! Good luck on your journey!

I went for sushi last night- didn't have any rolls but again started with soup and then had sweet shrimp nigiri- so no seaweed / salmon sashimi was also done paper thin so it was very nice and easy to chew!! You must, must , must chew it well and eat slowly!! Easier said then done when you are out and gabbing with other people!!

I'm reading some of the posts and people keep talking about getting banded in the south and having their fills done in Sudbury - -where do you go for that?

I have never had any issues with sushi! I'm going tonight actually! I usually start with a miso soup because it goes down quickly and through the band....I have some edamame- no issues there...salmon sashimi chews well...as do some of the rolls although I try to stick to the ones with more veg and nothing with tempura...I can't eat as much as I used to but I have never had a problem!

The first week was the hardest - -it gets easier from there! I found there was some pulling in the area of the port- went in for my 1 week follow up and thought something was wrong but everything was ok- the steri-strips and stitches just felt tight - once they came out it was all good! That was almost 11 months ago! Do your best to drink the fluids- it is so important- you do not want to get dehydrated! I would keep a glass beside me and just constantly take sips to ensure I got the right amount in...

I haven't tried the Mio yet- I keep hearing about it!! That sounds like a great treat!! Thanks for the tip!

The Costco ones are great! It's like a little drinking box- they travel so well! GNC also has some pre-made ones called Total Lean - -they are good too! Shoppers Drug Mart has started carrying a line called BodyLogix - they are also pre-made

Wow! I can't believe how many people from Northern Ontario have had banding done! I had no idea so many people travelled down south for their procedure. I'm happy Sudbury now has a program - -Thinlife! I was banded last May - -coming up to one year- down 62 pounds and counting! I'm very happy with my decision and with my clinic. They have been so supportive and helpful! I'm still trying to figure out this whole "forum thing" - -I think I am getting the hang of it!

The ready made ones from GNC are great! Costco also has one- I think it is Premier Protein - they are high protein (about 30g) and low carbs /low calories- they come in a case of 18 for about $27 -I like the ready made ones because you can take them with you! Quick and easy!

Oikos has some great flavours and can be found at Walmart and Metro (Canadian store) - -its really good!