Bejeweled

Doddie, you have my sympathy for the loss of your brother.

That's a great start so far, Haizel. Keep it up. Welcome to bandland!

Donna_D, you are doing really well! Good for you. It's been very slow going for me, but I'm off to my 2nd fill tomorrow. Hopefully, I will see some movement (down!) on the scale soon.......

Ha! I feel so redeemed now :-) Thanks, Sybaritic01 !

Hey DonnaD, Mine is in the center of my chest, about four fingers width from the middle of my breasts. It sticks out and I can certainly feel it, but it doesn't interfere with anything. That's too bad that your surgery didn't happen yesterday. What a mix-up. Such a waste of time, but I guess this way you can gather more information and make a decision on where you want your port replaced. I am eating like crazy and cannot wait for Monday for my first fill. Even though I am eating less portions, it feels like I'm eating/grazing more often. I can eat anything, although I haven't had any bread for six weeks. Last night we went out to Carmen's here in Toronto and I had half a steak. It went down fine. I took home the chocolate cake dessert and am looking forward to having some today :-)

Donna_D, How did the replacement site surgery go today? Are you satisfied with where the doctor re-placed your port site? How are you feeling? I hope all is well with you.

Cindy_D, I'm surprised that you cannot get sick days for the band as you are a nurse. Do you not have benefits that cover your sick days? Or short term disability insurance/ income protection as part of your benefits package? I took 7 business days off and talked with HR. At first they weren't sure whether they were going to cover it or not, but when I told them I had high blood pressure and intestinal problems, they covered it under short term income protection as I'm allowed 6 consecutive sicks days. On the 7th day, short term income protection kicks in. I didn't care that much (after the fact) if they didn't cover me, as I would have just used my vacation or personal days. Are you sure you're not covered? I would talk to HR or your nurses union. You know you do not have to tell your employer what the surgery is (even though this is elective). Good luck on your surgery.

Bankrupt, or sad to say, maybe even dead. Yes, we are really lucky to live in this geat country.

DonnaD, you are doing great! Congrats on the first 20 lbs lost. Gone forever!

Thanks, Donna. I'm trying to keep that in mind. I get the first fill on Monday so we'll see how everything goes after that.

I have told no one, except the HR rep at work. I haven't lost enough to have anyone notice yet (it's only 5 weeks out), but I have noticed that it's taking me longer to eat lunch when I go out with my friends and I'm also eating a lot less than I would have pre-band. I can't wait until December when I see my family back home. I want so badly to be done 25-35 pounds by then. That amount should be noticeable on me.

I talked to Dr. Yau about it right before my surgery, too, and he recommended the sternum (breastbone) area. If you really want it in the bikini area, then stick to your guns, but don't be surprised if you wake up and it's not there..... With him doing so many surgeries on that day (usally 6 or 7 in a row), he may not remember or feel that it's best for you.

I saw it the other day. It just reinforces my firm belief that we are really lucky to live in Canada. I feel sorry for the people who cannot afford life insurance. Although our system is not at all perfect, I don't have to worry about being turned away from the emergency room or have to worry about a call to my insurance company before I could get treatment. You can walk into any clinic or hospital and get treated. I felt so bad for that elderly woman who was just dumped on the streets. That could be someone's mother, aunt, sister, etc. Really, really sad. I hope everyone in the US sees that movie and then acts. They can afford universal healthcare and should demand it for everyone, IMHO.

Just letting you know that I picked up the Benefibre. <grin> Thanks all who suggested it. Also, I broke down and finally bought the Magic Bullet blender which I am loving! It makes fantastic Protein and Fruit drinks. This thing is great. I have a full-sized blender but it's a pain to use and clean. I started to use the Magic Bullet in the mornings with AllMax Unflavoured protein (bought it at Nutrition House in TD Center) with some Nesquick chocolate flavouring and some fruit, and it takes great. I picked up some bananas tonight and can't wait to try that out tomorrow with some chocolate syrup and the skim milk. That's another great tip and wish I had bought the Bullet earlier for the pureed stage. Oh, well, live and learn.

Hi DonnaD, I'm doing okay, but am trying not to be too discouraged since I haven't lost any weight since the surgery. I seem to be losing and gaining the same 2-3 pounds, but since it's only been 5 weeks since surgery I'm trying to keep in mind that these weeks are for healing and not for weightloss. I go for my first fill on Monday July 30th and I expect to darn well start loosing weight after that! If I don't, then I'll really have to get serious :-) My port site is on my sternum, about four fingers width down from between my breasts. I don't have any problem with it interfering with anything. Although it does definitely sticks out and I can feel it, particularly since all the bloating from the surgery went away. Not sure what to tell you re: port site. I know yours bothers you and you are planning on getting it moved on Thursday. Just think long and hard about where you want it to go as going through the replacement site surgery will be a pain if you have to do it multiple times. If you are not opting to go for the bikini area, how about on either side or just underneath the belly button ? Or lower than where you have it now but still in the center of your body ?