lizzie_07

lol I'm waiting for Dr. Yau's office to call me back. I asked if they could tell me of some doctor's doing fills for their other patients in Halifax. I'll try your technique though if I have to. I also posted a message on a yahoo group for ontario lap band patients in hopes that I'll find out the names of some doctors in Halifax that do fills. It's hard to find people in Halifax with the lap band, surprisingly. I'm starting to think maybe just flying to Toronto where the experts are would be best, although much more expensive. Also, my brother lives in downtown Toronto so I guess I could look at it as extra time with him.

Elizabeth

Can your parents float you a private loan?

I'm not sure what that means. They take out a loan and give me the money? Unfortunately my parents are in enough debt from paying for mine and my brother's tuition. Infact, I have offered for them to use my line of credit if needed in the past. They make a decent income but I'm at one of the most expensive schools in the country.

Elizabeth

Hey Ginger!

Glad to hear your doing well, congrats. Hardest part is over for you, lucky. I bet those mushies are going to taste AMAZING compared to liquids 24/7. I'm dreading that liquid diet. Although I'm dreading the pre-op diet much more. I am only supposed to go on it for 1 week, but I decided to torture myself and go on it for 2. I'm close to the BMI cut off point of 1 week so I figured it can't hurt. Besdies, it'll be nice to quick start my weight loss.

What I meant by not losing weight is more in that initial phase before restriction is reached. I'm an all or nothing person and get discouraged easily if I do not meet the expectations I set for myself. I have heard many say that they didn't lose any weight before restriction was reached, and others who lost a ton. I am worried what not losing weight will do to my psyche and motivation.

My surgery is on a friday, and I'm back to class Monday. Luckily they are the type of courses that I can miss if I'm feeling horrible. I'm a nursing student so right now I only have classes on Mon and Tues, with clinical the rest of the week. I booked my surgery during my 1 month break from clinical so that I will have those days to recover.

I'm just trying to get everything in order at this point. My doctor won't do my fills (see other post) so that makes it a little more stressful right now trying to sort that out.

Keep me updated Ginger, and keep up the good work!

Elizabeth

Dr. Yau is doing my band. I don't think you can call a doctor's clinic and ask if they have any doctors willing to do it, can you? Thats seems a little too easy. I bet most wouldn't even know what a fill is. I had to explain it to mine. I left a message at the TLBC asking if they could tell me any doctors in my area that they know do fills. I doubt they do though because they did not tell me about any when I first brought this up. I know of 1 woman who has the band in Nova Scotia. I don't remember if she lives close but I'll try to contact her and see who she goes to.

Elizabeth

Gaffer,

Thank you so much for the advice.

I currenly have a $30 000 line of credit, $15 000 of which I have used already for living expenses only (my parents are actually paying for my school which has been a big break for me). It's complicated, but basically I will not be going any further into debt over the next 2 yrs, so I decided to put the rest of my line of credit to good use by getting this surgery done now while I'm young and don't have anyone else to worry about but myself.

I will look into a student loan like you said. The reason I haven't is because my parents thought they made too much for me to get one. Now I'm wondering if that even matters...

Also, I am a nursing student and they are offering a surprising amount of money to new graduates, including paying for their tuition, so hopefully I will not have a problem paying off my debt when I graduate. A lower interest rate or, as you said, one that is tax deductable, would be perfect for my situation. I'll look into my options better for sure.

Thanks again,

Elizabeth

I just got back from my doctor's appointment and am a little annoyed and need to vent. I'm getting my surgery done in Toronto, but I live in Halifax. I was told that most people have no problem getting their family doctor to do their fills. Well I guess I lucked out because mine said I was "putting him on the spot", he didn't want to get into legal difficulty, and the clinic was just "passing it off to someone else like they always do." In short, he said no. When I told him I was getting the surgery done he literally had nothing to say. No questions, no positive or negative feedback, nothing. Now I don't know where to go to get my fills done and I'm frustrated. It's looking like I'm going to have to fly to Toronto every time whichis going to be so expensive. Any suggestions? Anyone live in the area that knows someone I can go to? I don't feel like making appointments with a dozen random doctors hoping one will say yes.

Elizabeth

Thanks for the advice!

Ginger, I'm getting excited and nervous at the same time. I'm more worried about not losing weight or something going wrong with the band than the surgery and food restriction itself. How are you doing with your band?

beau, good luck with your surgery!

Wow I found November bandsters! I'm scheduled for Nov 2.

Good luck to all of you =)

Elizabeth

I just recieved my package in the mail from the TLBC which included the tests I need to have done prior to the surgery. I need to have bloodwork done, a chest x-ray, and an ECG. I've never had a chest x-ray or ECG done. My question is, my surgery is Nov 2, will I have enough time to schedule these tests and get the results in time for the surgery? Also, how far in advance do they like you to have the tests done? a month? 2 weeks? Or does it not matter?

Thanks for your help,

Elizabeth

Unless you are a student this wouldn't apply to you, but my plan is to use my student line of credit. I'm not sure if this is my best option though so if anyone could give me some advice as well that would be great. I can't remember the exact percentage but I would be paying approximately $100 a month interest for the $16000 loan. My plan is to worry about that for the next 2 years (until i graduate) and then start paying off the debt itself. Is there a cheaper way to go about this with perhaps less interest each month?

Thanks,

Elizabeth

Thanks faithmd! I am not banded yet but I was never completely sure what the purpose of the liquid diet for so long was, especially when people kept talking about how they could eat solids so soon after. I'm the type of person who needs to know the reasoning behind something to scare the crap out of me and make me follow the rules..and you did it! I'll be sticking to the liquid diet for sure when I'm banded.

Elizabeth

Hey, I tried to PM you but when I click on your name that little bar doesn't drop down with the PM option. I'd like to talk to you for sure. Maybe try private msging me?

Elizabeth

Thanks again. Gee, everyone is amazing on this site. You have no idea how much it means to me.

I have been doing a LOT of research. I find forums like this one especially helpful in seeing what living with the band is like (good and bad) and i've decided the good well outweigh the bad.

I'm scheduled for November 2, so I'll post a little message on here after my surgery.

Thanks, and good luck with your continued weight loss everyone!

Elizabeth

Thanks Ginger! I'll be going to the TLBC. I see you see had your surgery there recently, congrats! How has your journey been so far??

Elizabeth

Thanks for all your support guys. It really means a lot.

To answer the questions asked:

What is your BMI? 38

How much weight do you want to lose? i want to lose about 100-110lbs. My face doesn't show how heavy I am, but trust me, I'm obese.

What is your goal weight? My goal weight is 140-150 (I'm 5'8)

How have you tried to lose weight in the past? I've been trying to lose weight all my life..literally. I've tried all the fad diets, weight watchers, etc. And i've lost weight at times, but always managed to put it back on as I'm sure many can relate. I've learned that I can't even believe myself anymore when I say I'm going to lose weight THIS time.

Have you consulted with your family doctor? I am going to do that very soon, most likely the beginning of next week. Although, I already know that he will not be supportive. He already gave me a long speech about losing weight and how there are no quick fixes. Which I'm aware of. But I think he will look at this as my quick fix. To me it is not, it is a tool to help me.

I was asked if I have tried to educate my family on the surgery. And yes, I have. Unfortunately my father did his own "research", so his arguments consist of only looking at the downsides of the surgery without having a real understanding of it. He points out the death rate (1 in 2000) and the complications and such. Which I am aware of. I'm at the point where I just want to agree to disagree and do this. Why wait until I am an overweight 40 or 50 y/o with major health problems? Right now I have none and I'd like to keep it that way. It's the right time for me.

Sorry for the book lol I needed to vent a little =)

Elizabeth

Hello lapbanders!

I just joined this site officially but have been reading the posts for quite some time now. I'm 21, in university, and have been overweight all my life. I know this surgery is right for me, but whenever I try to discuss it with my family it results in arguments. Today I booked the surgery for Nov. 2 (I have a way to pay for it myself), but I have not told them yet as I know it will result in yet another argument. As if this decision hasn't been hard enough, my lack of support is making this a very lonely process for me. I have the rest of my life ahead of me, and I do not want my weight holding me back anymore.

Has anyone else had this issue? I keep reading about how supportive everyone's families have been, and i'm envious, frankly.

Elizabeth