susansilver

I think we should all tape a copy and send it to our doctors/friends/family who need a little more understanding and compassion. Susan

Leslielee - please don't get all anxious about this. there are many of Dr. C. patients on this site that have/are successful and have not had any complications. I am sure you will be one of those. Susan

Thank you. I won't say unequivocably that she was not concerned - but there is history there that of course you would not know about. Thank you for weighing in (no pun intended) on the subject! susan

You know what - maybe this is naive, but I have a lot of faith in Dr. Yau and he told me that the older bands (Inamed) because they are rigid have been shown to have more slips etc. In addition, he siad that once I am on the table he will decide which band is best for ME. That is what I want - not what is best for others, but for me. I trust him to do the right thing. He is very honest and straightforward. Two traits that rate very high with me. Susan

Hi Kaitlin, congratulations on taking control of this disease at your age. You have done so well already and I am sure you will continue with this great success. Even though most of us are older - please do post here and get involved, it is a great community and proud to support young people like yourself! Susan

I agree. I do see my obesity as having an addiction component. That being said - I don't think it is a given that I will transfer my addiction to something else. I also don't think People magazine should tbe where the population gets serious medical and mental health information!

Andrew you will love it - it is full of very interesting medical studies etc. What hockey game?

It has to be fluid. I am sure your doc will know that.

The yogurt and cottage cheese diet is very important to shrink your liver in order for the surgery to be more successful. I too am diabetic. How do you control it? I use insulin, so I can take less while I am on this diet. (Starting Monday). If you use oral agents, you may need to speak with your doctor about reducing your dosage. Also, someone else told me that they were allowed egg substitute (because they also hated cottage cheese) - this has little or no fat as well. Did you know that you can buy "dry" cottage cheese? It has the consistency of dry cream cheese, no curds etc. Perhaps that is an option for you. When is your surgery? Susan

Did anyone see this documentary last night on PBS? I missed most of it, but if you check the schedule it is on a number of times in the next couple of weeks. Finally - Doctors who say, this is a disease and is very complex. It's not just about eating less and excersising! Here is a synopsis from the website: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/takeonestep/fat/index.html About the Program Face it: We're fat. With 66 percent of U.S. adults either overweight or obese, our girth is a serious public health issue. Yet many of us still view being overweight as a character flaw, a lack of self-control, or even a moral crime. But does fat really equal failure? FAT: What No One Is Telling You explores the myriad psychological, physiological and environmental factors that can make it so tough to shed pounds and keep them off. In this documentary, Executive producer Naomi Boak and producer/director Tom Spain, both Emmy Award honorees, share new scientific knowledge about hunger, eating, and human metabolic operation. This film also explains our psychological responses to food, and shows how external pressures (such as oversized restaurant portions and the unending barrage of food advertisement) make fighting fat so difficult, both on the personal and national levels. FAT's engaging personal narratives create snapshots of our national struggle with obesity: Meet Rosie Dehli, a Minnesota grandmother, battling to get fit so she can enjoy an active, playful relationship with her grandchild. Meet Mary Dimino, an actress and comedian, in New York, NY, who exemplifies the hard work people must do to lose pounds and stay healthy once they've been obese. Meet America Bracho, a public-health professional in Santa Ana, California, who is educating families about nutrition while encouraging her Latino community's children to move, both in school and at home. Meet Rocky Tayeh, a Brooklyn, New York teenager grappling with the very personal (and highly criticized) solution of undergoing Lap-Band surgery. Meet Dr. Lee Kaplan of Harvard University Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, who is a clinician, researcher and above all an empathetic warrior in the battle against obesity The voices of these and other real Americans tell the story of the biological barriers, cultural habits, and economic realities that contribute to our nation's expanding

:omg: Less than 3 weeks away. Lots of why me.....sick of eating...tired...the dog is waking me up too early....this week is dragging on...Still gaining - I am going to have to change my ticker...

I heard that there is a doctor in Montreal - affiliated with McGill who does the procedure. Sorry I can't be more helpful. Susan

Mac and Biggie - you guys are killing me! Had the best laugh this morning!!! Thanks, Susan

It does not seem to be affecting your weight loss!!

Are we twins separated at birth??

Yoda - I didn't, I just laughed it off, because we have been friends for a very, very long time. AAARGH! I wish I had more :censored:. JLB - I d agree that she was not being malicious, just ignorant but honestly that was just plain stupid. :faint:

Bandiva - my thoughts are with you. Take care of yourself and your mom. Susan

Andrew - every time you post something your ticker has moved down!!! You rock, buddy! Susan

One of the very few people who I have told just called me and said that she read an article in People magazine (the bastian of serious journalism) about addiction transference. She was telling me this like everyone who has gone through WLS will now become addicted to drugs or gambling!!!!! I wanted to scream at her, but instead laughed and said, I never liked drugs, hardly drink and am too broke from paying for this surgery to either gamble or shop!!! She wanted to know if the clinic teaches us about this "side effect" :help: Why are people so ignorant?????

Thank you -well written and well put! Susan

Congrats! That is a great milestone. Susan

Our addiction Yoda. To me it's like the drug addict who is going through withdrawl, they crave it more because they can't have it! Dealing with the "head" stuff is definitely a huge part of this recovery. I find that reading other people's posts make me feel like I am not alone in this disease of obesity. The support here (and I hope to go to the groups at the clinic as well) is tremendous. It's a great community and every bandster should be on here!

I went to my pre-op seminar last night at TLBC. I found that it was very informative and well run. They told you literally every little detail about what would happen to you from the moment you entered the clinic on surgery day until you left and afterwards. We even got a tour of the operating suites, recovery room etc. Daryl the nurse conducted that part and she was great. Oh yeah...except I'm not having mine done at the clinic - but at Scarborough Grace Hospital. No problem! I told them that and they told me the procedure for there. Daryl also gave me the name of the recovery room nurse, told me what meds to ask for etc. Really fabulous service. Afterwards was a discussion on the pre and post op diets. The dietician was sick so Nisrine filled in, but they have also hired a nutritionist who was there last night and she gave her input as well. Nisrine did a really good job because she as you know has been banded herself and so it was very real and honest. The nutritionist will start in 2 weeks and she will help patients with meal planning etc. When you book your fills you can book an appointment with her. Very good added value. I really think that TLBC really cares about your success and I am very glad that I decided to go with them. I have been eating totally out of control and have gained about 7 lbs since I started this process. :hungry: I spoke to Nisrine last night about starting the pre-op diet early because I felt so out of control and needed something rigid to get me on track. She was supportive as long as I felt I could do it. I told her that I might add in some veg for the first week (I am starting a week early) and she was fine with that. So I have decided to start on Monday after my child free weekend with DH. I am feeling very good about that decision. All of a sudden I was so nervous yesterday! :nervous I couldn't think of anything else but food and the surgery! (The food thoughts have been a constant). I even spoke to DH about doing our wills! Crazy talk! I know I will be fine. I know I no longer want to be fat. I know I want to be healthy. I'll be okay.

You certainly have a lot on your plate Green. I too have battled depression and I know how easy it is to slip into it. I don't know you, but I support you. Keep your head up and try to stay above it. Susan

Lots of help Yoda. I totally get what you mean. I do think that I can commit to it 100%. Maybe this first trial week add in veggies and fruit though - kinding of easing into the real thing. I just feel like I need SOMETHING to get me off this binge. Susan p.s. - why can't we eat veggies and fruit on the real thing?