~c~

The replacement port was covered by Inamed and the rest is covered by OHIP (ontario health insurance program).This is not a private insurance program but everyone in Ontario is covered.We basicaly do not pay for any health care unless it's cosmetic. Chantal

I had to get my port changed as well in October.My surgeon told me that Inamed was aware that the "first batch "of bands were breaking and remodeled the port/tubing.Hesaid he had a few patients who had surgery around the same time as me with broken ports. Chantal

I have an 11 cc band.I have 2.3 cc fill right now. Chantal

Dogs need band, heehee! For me it is still that my belly is full but my mouth and head say"WHAT! NOT YET!!!"I find that putting my plate away and telling myself i can eat it later for dinner or lunch the next day helps and just leaving the table and doing something else.I use a small bread plate and fill that up so it looks like alot. C

Well these days if i do feel like snacking i have to actually plan it because i have so little room.I tried the crispy minis and they were good. We watch the hockey play offs(Senators!!!) and everyone's sitting around munching away...don't want to feel left out but don't want nachos on my hips either(or my belly,arms, legs,chin....... ) Chantal

That's awesome Lill!Loose clothes is the best!!! I love the photo idea...hum were should we meet Hawaii!!! Chantal

Eat to stay healthy and strong and try not to worry about the rest of it,as far as diet goes.You have enough to worry about now.I hear that exercise is a natural stress helper,maybe help you sleep, and would also give you some alone time which is important,just to get away from it all for a bit. My thoughts are with you and your family. Take care, Chantal

Before i had restriction hot dogs and hamburgers were tricky,i had to eat it really slow and chew the heck out of it.Now it's almost imposible to eat those two foods. C

HEE HEE you guys kill me Chantal

I did it! I quit smoking last friday.Today is day five and i feel awesome! I gave myself permission to eat whatever for the first week but you know what? I did not feel the need as in the past! Smoking was an excuse to not exercise as was my weight.Since the weight is coming off I decided to quit.My thinking was how can I exercise if I can't even breath!Why become healthy while killing myself with cigarettes?Now the weight will eventually come off,my lungs will pink up and I WILL BE HEALTHY! Imagine that!me doing all these things:D

I have an 11 cc band as well and just to show how different we all are i have 2.3 cc(had 1 cc but 2cc's more and the barium was totally stuck) and feel as restricted as you (for now). I just got this 1.3 fill last week. I cannot eat bread at all now.Food ok but plain water first thing in the am gets stuck?I believe there is a thread about just water and why it might feel this way. I would say you have awesome restriction and as long as you can eat a little solids without pain then... away you go!! I guess we have to re-learn to eat with every fill! Chantal

Geez Darcy, don't worry about it!You will do it when things are calm again. I REALLY don't understand the food diary thing?!If you would/could eat small protion of only healthy food you would not be overweight ,right?It's like saying ok, quit smoking for two weeks and THEN we will consider putting a patch on!CRAZY! If it were me, i would lie...write out what they want to see and fax away. Following the type of diet they are refering to is alot easier with the band.(again, like quitting with the patch as opposed to without,both doable but less difficult with the tool) Good luck my friend and hang in there,I am thinking of you!! Chantal

Last night i was looking at the dinner plates and i served myself on a small bread plate like I do the kids and the exact same portion.The only difference is the kids each had seconds but i was full:) Chantal

This is exactly what I was thinking.What could they possibly say? Like you, if i tried it maybe i would 'get' it.I mean the ONLY thing i have to do is not eat junk food.Just do.. not.. eat.. it.Should be easy but it is not.Quitting smoking was easy compared to this. If only they made a patch to make you not want junk food!! I will try being nice to me...not easy. You know my Mom loves me,brings me to Montreal for fills without charging me gas (it's 2 hrs away)she is so happy when i lose even 1 pound,but geez she bought me an ice cream maker for my birthday!what the heck!Oh well i will use it once and then put it away:) Thanks for responding.It makes me feel better to know i am not alone! Chantal

Congrats Karen!that's amazing.How are your clothes?Feels good when i put something on and it's all too big. Have a great day!!!! Chantal

Yikes!If i had cigs in the house last night i would have smoked!!but i was too lazy to get dressed and go to the store. What a busy stressful day,when i got in my car i reached for my purse for one and then wondered what i was doing.The biggest motivator was thinking of disappointing you! I ate instead,then felt bad for eating when not hungry and not a good choice like an aplle or cheese.Oh well maybe today will be better! C

Allo Darcy(said very french-like) The non smoking is going EXCELLENT!! I am so proud of us! I took out some blankets to use this w/e and had to wash them first since they smelled PU! It's been over three weeks for me and i think about it a bit but not as much as before.I have no excuse to not exercise now. When a doctor asked me if i smoked i said'nope don't smoke'because not only did i have problems getting proper service because i am fat but a smoker too!geez why would i need medical help?!so i lied. It really does reek doesn't it.When people come and sit in my office i puff puff on the air freashner now.I am happy for my kids too.It's such an awful thing,smoking.I can't beleive that after 15 years of smoking(HOLY COW i'm old,i still FEEL 15)i am finally rid of it! How 'bout you,how u doin' Chantal

I rinse my mouth with water,just swish it around and spit:) This has been one of the hardest things for me but the rinsing seems to work great !! C

HOLY COW! I have restriction finally!Geez it's been so long since my operation but i won't dwell on that.The point is that i finally have restriction and can finally lose this frigin' weight! I am a bit nervous that i am too restricted but i know that there might be swelling.I struggled with water and a yogurt this morning.The doctor put 2 cc and it was closed tight,he took some out,i drank another sip and he said it was still too tight and wanted to take more out.I refused with a promise that if i couldn't eat solids i would call him back for an unfill(ya right;) ) Anyway i am excited and super motivated!!!YIPEE!!!!:Bunny

Darcy, keep strong,how frustrating would it be for you to work this hard and this long only to smoke again!I will find you and kick your butt lady;) It's been three weeks for me and i still think about it on occassion but it gets so much better.The first week is the hardest!Take big deep breaths and tell yourself that yes a smoke would be good but you REFUSE to surrender to the craving.YOU ARE STRONGER than the killers!!! C

I had a fill yesterday and today sipping water is a chore! My DR put 2 cc in(on top of the one I already had) and when i drank that stuff it was closed tight.He took.5 out and i took another sip.He said it was going too slow and wanted to take .2 out but i refused;) I promised that if i could not eat properly i would call him.I crushed two advil and my thyroid med this moring with a sip of water and felt it really sitting there. Yesterday for supper I could eat half my salad and i felt VERY full. So,i think maybe you are not very restricted but totally normal. Chantal ps I have a large band(11)

Darcy, I love you sense of humour.!..you are too funny! Chantal:laugh

I was quite surprised to find out my thyroid level is very low.I have been on medication for about 15 years.I've been having alot of trouble for the past 8 mts getting the proper level.It's no wonder i find it difficult to lose weight!I was feeling like a failure. Now with a bump up of thyroid med (i take the new strenght for 2 mts before another blood test,that's why it takes soooo long) and a new fill tomorrow, maybe i can start losing like all you guys! Chantal

I am pretty sure that losing weight will not improve your thyroid function,maybe you could get another test and see.Even if it's a little off you would feel some symptoms(fatigue,cold all the time dry skin,trouble losing weight)I developed a goiter since i waited so long to see a Dr and that will never go away but if i keep up on the meds and test hopefully it won't grow! Between the thyroid,insulin resistance,family genetics and a love of FOOD i need all the help my lovely band can give me Chantal

Wow 104 that's amazing!I am so happy for you.Keep up to loser work;) C