edmontongirl

Thank you all for your condolences. I don't think my weight gain has anything to do with Phycological trouble or things I haven't dealt with. I had a rough first year but now my life is fantastic, I'm back on my feet and loving life again. I think most of my weight was due to not making proper meals and endless snacking cause I didn't have someone there to give me the sideways glance when I go for the huge bowl of ice cream. Or popcorn, coke and bag of candy at the movies. Lol

Even my dog has gained weight cause I now share with her instead of my late hubby.

I really really want the change and currently feel like I'm a young skinny athletic girl trapped in this fat girl body.

I know I hear all the success stores but I just worry with out having someone to be accountable to I will fail myself and the band. I have an amazing surgeon lined up but he's based across the country.

What tricks helped you stay in track and accountable?

I'm also concerned because for the last 12 yrs I've struggled with esophagitis and this causes me to choke on my food and have bad reflex. Is there anyone out there that has dealt with this issue and the band was still successful or the esophagitis got better after the band??

Thanks again!

Ok I'm completely starting to freak out! I'm starting to think I should just bust my butt and work crazy hard to do it on my own. I'm soo worried the lap band will cause more issues and ill feel weak for a long time after surgery.

Is it actually possible to do on our own?

I'm 32 almost 33

I weigh 240 lbs

I gained most of my weight over the last two year after my husband passed away.

I know it's my horrible eating habits and poor exercise schedule. But I can't seem to find the thing that works best for me.

I'm open to any advice as I know this is a decision I need to make on my own but I need some guidance.

Thanks

Wow I got the plication' date=' paid 6500 and got 2700 back... Maybe you could appeal? I received my rebate early this year, when did you get yours? Maybe they changed some of the requirements? Then you can claim your travel on your taxes.[/quote']

Where did you have the plication done? Are you happy with it? How has your journey been?

I'm still trying to decide what the best option is for me

My Fitness Pal ..app --- it is GRAND! In my phone and goes everywhere with me.

(Banded 6.21.13-first fill next Monday) I have found it very easy to order and eat GRILLED or BLACKENED FISH or Chicken' date=' sweet potatoes; generally split the meal or take 1/2 back with you. Also, I haev recently started ordering A GRILLED chicken BREAST ONLY from Wendy's - funny how the cost depends on which one I got to and who is working that day. prices have ranged from .99 - 4.89 for ONE breast. LOL!!!!!!

On occassion I aheva baked potato but make sure I count the calories for butter and sour cream. <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> GOOD LUCK!! <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

I'm now on fitness pal. Yay love it! I'm anggray80

Do any of you have a arm band you would recommend that works with fitness pal?

Or just a body bug you like?

Hello all,

I wanted to start a feed for all of you past or soon to be banded, people that traveled to missisaga to have your surgery done at smart shape by Dr. Coburn. I've heard he's amazing and I had a Skype chat with him this week. But I want to hear about your experiences and any tips for my travels.

Hey ladies! I'm from Edmonton and if your still interested I'd love to meet for coffee or a work out if your up for it. I'm in summerside :-)

Thank you so much for the response ' date=' sometimes I read to many posts and panic I am actually flying in from Alberta for surgery but it would have been nice to join your coffee group :-)[/quote']

How did everything go? I'm booked for aug 28 and I to will fly in from Alberta. Dr. Coburn is my surgeon. I'd love some insight maybe we could meet for a Protein shake lol

Wow' date=' that sounds crazy! It also sounds like what happened at the CIBO CLINIC. I was scheduled for surgery with them and they went bankrupt and closed the doors without giving much notification. Thankfully they did not get any from me. Hopefully this is not the case with Slimband.

Slimband is just another "banding" company. They don't use the "lap band" trademark....

I'm currently in Pre-op diet for my lap band with SMARTSHAPE my procedure is next Friday! Getting nervous now.... I'm trying my best to stick to the diet and have dropped 8-9 pounds this last week! Hopefully my liver will be in great shape.[/quote']

How did you like the smart shape clinic? I'm booked for aug 28th.. I'm really nervous cause I'm traveling from Alberta and will pay them the full amount before I even get out there.

Wow that is awesome! Congratulations on your success so far, I'm so proud of you! And happy birthday to you! 25 is a wonderful age, I was very happy in my 20's :-)

I know there are bad days but hearing how well people are already doing is a huge help.

My biggest problem has always been eating, I've been single for nearly 5 years and living on my own since I was 17, I find if I'm alone I don't care what I eat or how I do it. This month I'm working on not eating bad, starting my work outs and staying hydrated through the day (no more soda) I've cleaned out my pantry, fridge and freezer and only bring good food into the house. I'm hoping I can keep this up and I know my band will help me with size portions and hopefully the crazy carb cravings I currently have lol.

Thanks Hun, lets please keep in touch. Do you have FB?

Trust me' date=' I was nervous until they took me into the OR. You'll do fine, this forum has really helped with any questions I have add. I checked the Pre-Op forums daily for updates and read other people's stories to get an idea of what I should expect. Keep me updated on your progress and I'd love to share my stories throughout the upcoming weeks as well.[/quote']

Are you happy overall that you've done it? What did you weigh in your day of surgery?

I'm currently 237lbs on my own scale. I'm 5'4" and 33 this November. This is my birthday gift to myself.

Hi everyone - I have decided to have my surgery in September in order to get financials in order and prepare myself mentally for this journey. I hope to hear from others - I am located in Southern Ontario' date=' Canada <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

Where are you having your surgery done/what doctor? My date is September 25 and I'm going to smart shape with Dr Coburn

Well congratulations! I'm getting banded aug 25/13. I'm really excited but also really nervous. I'd like to keep in touch. As we will be close to each others steps :-)

Where did you have your band done?

Thank you everyone for the responses.

Hey are you from Calgary? Where did you go to have your band put in?

Can you take fibre supplements?

Sure I'm open to any information. I've heard good things but since I'm travelling across Canada for surgery I won't meet him in person till my surgery date and after I've forked over 16k

Anyone here from Canada , that have had there band done by Dr. Coburn at Smart Shape?

I'm trying to decide if he is the right surgeon for me..

I just stocked my fridge with all of the stuff I need for my pre-op diet tomorrow! I'm not nervous at all and I super excited for my August 12th banding. Getting healthy' date=' I'm soooooooooo excited!!!!![/quote']

What kinds of things did you stock it with? :-)

You all must be from the states cause no insurance company in Canada will pay any part of the 16k dollar price tag. Any Canadians with a different experience?

I guess my biggest concern is currently (4 weeks pre-op) I'm not a over eater normally. I've also been a person that only finishes half my meal but then I go home and snack all night. Will I have less cravings and lose the urge to snack all evening?

I'm worried the band won't work for me, I know it's mostly my own fault and I need to change my habits.

Edmontongirl' date=' same situation here (in fact, I'm typing this at the Calgary airport on my way back to California...)

I usually do fish, because appetizers often are fried (and how often in a week can you eat ahi tuna, which is the usual exception?). Half of the meal ends up in a box...if I'm having a "lose" day, right after it arrives, but normally at the end. I never eat the leftovers and for a while felt guilty about that...but I'd rather the food go to waste than to my waist. I always ask for a fridge (it's part of my Marriott/Hilton profile) and I leave them there...perhaps someone from housekeeping can enjoy them?

For example: The last two days, I ate at Earl's and Cactus Club cafe respectively, so I left behind at the Garden Inn about 3.5 oz of sirloin (medium rare), one crispy mashed potatoes, half of a spinach salad and half a salmon filet :-)

Next week: New Mexico and Texas...those are a little trickier...[/quote']

Yeah I'm the same I hate wasting food but I'd rather waste then let it go to my waist lol. I have stopped and given my leftovers to homeless before as well.

Question for you: how soon after you were banded were you back traveling fully? What do you do for a living? I'm a sales manager for a bunch of cabinet manufactures.

I live in New York City so eating out is the norm here. Stick with easy foods....fish is a great go to meal and it's surprising how delicious the fish can be now that I order that instead of the hi carb/hi fat meals. Pay attention also to the sauces' date=' dressings, etc. There's alot of calories in that stuff so ask for as much on the side as possible so you can control the amount. You can be very successful with the band while eating out...I'm proof of that....6 1/2 months banded and down 78 lbs. Good luck![/quote']

Wow that's awesome, you are an inspiration. I'm in sales and have always been self conscious about my weight. Also fitting in airplane seats are starting to get tough. I look forward to the major life change but hope I can have all your support during this change

It is at first until you get more comfortable with your band. I tend to eat a lot of appetizers because meals are just so large. I've also learned to go ahead and order a Water and just let it sit there as opposed to going through the whole' date=' I don't drink with meals ordeal. I don't drink it...but letting it just sit there assures others that I am okay. Lol. I also do a lot of take home boxes because most meals are big enough for two people. Early on I would order stuff that I knew I could eat fine in front of others likes Soups. I rarely if eve order anything with a bun or in sandwich form and I never get pizza. If I do get stuck with pizza then I either just scrape the toppings off and eat them and explain that I'm doing an Atkins like diet or if it's someone I know I just tell them it's easier for me to eat like that with the lapband.[/quote']

That's great advice. I currently drink tons while I eat cause I've been a choker in the past. I was worried after I was banded I'd have trouble drinking and eating at the same time. This will be a big change for me.

I travel 90% for my job and eat out a lot, including entertaining clients.

Is it difficult to eat out after being banded? And suggestions on what and how to eat?

That's right! I'm sure there are pro and cons of both places but I was happier with the aftercare reputation smart shape offered.