Cindy_D

lunch is over and it was a great turn-out. It was so great to meet everyone. Hope to see you again in another couple of months - Take care all Cindy

Where does he work out of Jacklyn? Never heard of his association with SWLC so assume he must have a different practice. Cindy

This is very good advice - two consults - make sure to ask about follow-ups. When I had my consult, I did not know about alternatives - I liked what I heard from Dr. Cobourn and have not regreted it. But I have a background that really helps in determining appropriate health care (for me). I have a master's degree in health studies - and part of the studies involved research, alternative health care delivery, and organizational behaviour - that along with 27 years in the health care field lets me make decisions armed with lots of confidence. This also means I know the value of encouraging everyone to make those decisions for themselves - no one but you can (or should) determine what is best for them - my "rule" for all my nurses, and I remind them of it on a regular basis, is that their job is to find out what their patients want and then devote their energies to supporting that decision - not always easy for them to do - but we work on it. Good luck with your decision. Cindy

Not nosey at all! I'm coming in from Peterborough - I love to drive and this is a great excuse to meet some really wonderful people! My last trip I had Lori along and we ran into some trouble on the 401 - it made for a long trip, but Lori and I talked non-stop - not bad for two people who met in the parking lot. Unfortunately, I think Lori has to work steady weekends, so I'm on my own right now. Cindy

call the clinic and talk to them - it is a very simple process - consult, decision to surgery, pay fee, pre-op checklist completed by family doc, bloodwork and ECG if age > 50, consent forms, order Optifast, surgery. First step would be to order an information package to review and compose your questions. Cindy

Great tips Andrew - thanks - how much Protein is in the IsoXP? I think this is something I might start for morning as I cannot eat before about 1030 and if I miss that time, I am really hungry by noon. Cindy

Tables of 12 sound great - hope they are prepared for lots of laughter and noise - I will be there at 12 and let's hope for no accidents on the 401 or 115. (I was 2.5 hrs late in August due to the 401 being closed). Cindy

Thanks Lori - yes I went back to work on Monday and am really glad I had the time off to just recover. How about yourself? Your consults must be coming up soon. Keep us posted. Cindy

Sweet is it too bad you did not get the job on one hand - money increases are always nice- but, I firmly believe in being sure that what I am going to do will involve my heart, especially when learning a new role. Your time will come, and right now, devoting the extra energy to solidifying your relationship with weight loss and your band is probably where your emphasis will reap the more benefit. Just a thought - hang in there.

Thanks April - and while it must be hard to have to wait - if you can keep your eye on the goal, you should be able to continue to reduce and really get your head around the changes you will need to make after surgery. I think most people know they can lose a certain amount of weight on their own - the challenge comes with keeping it off. This is where the band will help us. November will be here sooner than we think. Cindy

By "Phase 3", I am assuming you are referring to a soft diet. (At least this is what it is for us). Soft diet is just that - soft, tender foods such as fish, Beans (refried are great). eggs are fine - soft poached, boiled etc. I had a pickled egg today - a bit high in sodium, but it was great. I roasted peppers and took the skins off - same with tomatoes - the skins are what could pose a problem, so I'll just avoid them for now. I have been advised to stay away from chicken, beef, and pork this week, just to be sure I avoid the food from getting stuck - that could induce vomitting which is not something we want to have happen at this stage. Hope that helps. Cindy

This is the wonderful part aspect of the band - we are allowed to make choices. I have spent the last 2 years watching what my thin friends eat - it is a heck of a lot less, and of better nutritional quality, that what I was eating. The band is going to allow me to eat the way they do and be satisfied. That's the difference; not being so hungry that I would be ready to eat the arm of the person next to me because I was "dieting". My new lifestyle will see me be able to make good food choices, lose some of the weight and be able to walk/exercise, and occassionally have a drink, or a piece of carrot cake. Big deal - that's what life and living is all about! I for one, intend on enjoying it. Cindy:clap2:

I have the APL 14 cc band - this is the larger of the 2 Inamed bands and Dr. C. told me it was chosen due to the thickness of the stomach. I cannot feel my port, and was told it is sitting against the stomach under about 2 1/2 - 3 inches of flesh (there is also a lot more of me). I think the port is about an inch or so above the large incision (the one that is infected, but clearing nicely). My first fill should happen about a week after I start solids, so I'm thinking about the 21st. I will be quite interested in finding out how easily that happens - thank goodness I am so comfortable with the clinic. Cindy

Essence you really need to think this through again before you do something to jeopardize all your efforts. You have been given post-op instructions for your benefit, no one else's. No one is trying to perpetrate a hoax on anyone. Think about what has been done to your stomach - you now have a band around your stomach and many sutures pulling the stomach up around the band on the top section. If you screw it up by eating too early, you risk your stomach working overtime, you risk nausea, vomiting, and having the band slip necessitating removal through a much bigger operation than the one you just went through - but it is all up to you....

Jad if your port scar is draining get to your doctor and start antibiotics. I am 2 weeks out and had a very small amount of drainage and local reddness. The surgeon was very blunt in reinforcing the concern that if the infection started to move downward to the port and involved the port - the port would have to be removed. I am cleaning the area faithfully with soap and Water, lightly covering it, and taking my antibiotic every 6 hours. Good luck and don't let this go un-attended. Cindy

I was home (2 hour drive) within 8 hours of leaving that morning - 45 minutes after waking up, I was dressed and on my way. A lot of how you feel is going to depend on the type of anaesthetics that are used to put you to sleep - all of mine were very short acting and included a potent anti-nausea medication. Woke up with little grogginess and home to bed. My husband had to stay with me the first 24 hours, but I was up and about later that evening and watched a bit of TV. There are a lot of benefits to being at home - own bed, attentive help, NO BUGS (hospital acquired infections are just too prevalent, no matter how careful everyone is). I am still very surprised why this would be done in a hosptial for people who are relatively healthy. I can certainly understand for those with significant issues - but even sleep apnea can be managed at home if you have your equipment. I guess it depends on your physician's preference - but if a choice and you have home support - go home. Cindy

You are likely looking for Dr. Cobourn or his partners. They work out of the Surgical Weight Loss Clinic and are affiliated with Trillium Hospital. Here is their website. Toronto Weight Loss Obesity Surgery Lap Band Bariatric Surgeon Gastric Bypass

No Diane - I'm not on the pill - I did have heavy periods at one point a couple of years ago and the OBY put me on a lo-dose estrogen to regulate. I didn't tolerate it well and stopped taking it after about 8 months and really did not have a ny problems until this summer. I think this is why I am convinced that the two (period and banding/losing weight) are related. It is simply an inconvenience at this point - I'll just wait and see. C.

I think you need to contact the clinic (Karen or one of the coordinators) and have a frank, non-confrontational discussion of your issues. Generally the feeling seems to be positive for most of us, and I find when someone is displaying the level of dissastisfaction you seem to be feeling, there are communication issues that can be easily resolved with open dialogue. If not resolved, then at least you will both know where you stand. Good luck and you have to take your concerns to the right people. Cindy

Experiment with flavors - I really liked Cinnamon added to the Vanilla - and a few frozen strawberries/raspberries gave the chocolate a nice change. Lots of people add the Crystal Light flavors as well as coffee and use the Magic Bullet to mix it up to a milkshake consistency with ice. Have fun with it and within a couple of days the hunger will go away. Good luck. Cindy

Clara I swear by Cranberry juice (Blueberry Juice also works) for bladder infections - drink as much as you can - it will change the pH of the urine and knock the infection out quickly. The blends work and I always get the light/diet. If the taste is too strong you can mix it with gingerale. It will help meet your liquid requirements too! Good luck. Cindy

Marcy I have read that a lot of people go back to work after 3 days depending on the type of work they do - no heavy lifting for about 4 - 6 weeks - you are on your feet all day and moving so that will be good for the gas pains (gas trapped in abdominal cavity following surgery). I arranged my surgery to coincide with 2 weeks vacation and it is the best thing I could have done. I have felt no pressure to keep at it and could rest when I needed to - the one thing that I am not doing very well is walking. My knee is acting up and that is creating some challenges, but I am doing more around the house at a leisurely rate. Worthwhile looking at if you can afford the time off. Cindy

I sure hope so! I have now had 4 days without my period since July 24th. This is incredibly annoying, but I don't feel anemic despite the changes in diet - my pre-op diet was Optifast and a few low glycemic veggies as a snack - I was on that for 3 weeks and was one of the lucky ones who liked the stuff. I refuse to go back on hormones (did that a few years ago) and if this continues to be a huge issue will look at having another endometrial biopsy and consider D&C. I really think this is a result of the weight change and the release of estrogen from the fat cells - just going to wait and see. Cindy

I know we should keep the carbs to a minimum, but eating a good fibre cereal helps with the plumbing - mixing that cereal (1/4 cup of high fibre type) with yogurt or low fat cottage cheese might be a good option for Breakfast - worth a look at. Cindy

Thanks Shelli - I was hoping you wouldn't mind my jumping in - Gloharmar I should be able to get the low sodium V8 at Loblaws - unfortunately the small grocery store didn't have it and I haven't been out - you are right - the sodium is a big deal for me - likely a bigger issue than cake/sweets. We all have our little weak spots. Cindy