2bslimsherri

Just claim the surgery under medical expenses and make sure you have a copy of your receipt ready to show CRA. If you are a married claim all medical expenses under the spouse that gets the bigger bang for the buck. One person in a family can claim all medical expenses despite the person the expense is for (eg. spouse, children, other dependents). Hope this helps.

I started working out 3 times per week with a personal trainer. He comes to my house and brings all the equipment with him. I no longer have an excuse. Any aerobic exercise I do on top of this (eg. walking, biking, swimming, eliptical, etc.) is just a bonus. He is really working my abs and even those lower abs that give such a big problem. I really see the difference. My weight loss has been good but the inches I have lost are amazing. I lost 2 inches off my abdominal area in just the first month. I live in the Toronto, Canada area and would be happy to pass his contact info to anyone who wants it. Just message or e-mail me. I'm a lucky lady.

Hi Julie, Firstly I want to say you look amazing. You really are a beautiful woman. Your strength and persistance are an inspiration. As I loose and see my skin begin to sag and hang in spite of intense workouts with a trainer, I think of you and your successes. You give us all hope. Give yourself a big hug since you deserve it.

I was not aware that restaurants will allow you to eat off the childrens menu if you show the lapband card. Is this a common priactice? If so is it a practice in the states or in Canada? I was away this weekend and when asking to order off the childrens menu I found it was different for each establishment.

Wouldn't laser hair removal be a permanet way of dealing with the pubic hair growing high up? Just a suggestion.

I am another stranger who has gotten to "know" you via your eloquent posts. Here I am worrying about someone I have never met.....thoughts are with you and hope you are O.K. Let us know. Sherri

I too love sushi. I find it depends on the day whether I can eat it or not. I also find late in the day (evening) I can eat more than earlier in the day. Shashimi is the easiest to handle and sushi in often just fine. If I am having trouble with the rice i just take the fish off and eat it. The maki rolls are often a problem since you must be able to chew your food well as not get stuck on the rice. Nori does not lend to mushing up when you chew it. I have only had 2 fills and often wonder if I will still be able to eat it when I am more constricted (sweet spot). What I am learning and trying to remember is eat really slowly, take small bites and chew, chew, chew. Believe me, it is not fun if you don't.

Hi HarleyNana I think you are an inspiration and at 46 you show me there is still hope. I am still a newbie to the band (I am your bandiversary buddy) and bandsters like yourself are truly what keeps me inspired. You look fantastic.:thumbup: Your body is better than mine was at 17. Yay for you. sherri

I have thyroid disease. My endocrinologist O.K.'d me missinging my meds the one day of the surgery but I needed to be back on the next day. I had to crush it in water (not suggested) for the first while until I was on solids.

Please give details of how you managed to fight and win this battle. Maybe we can win the same war in Ontario and other provinces.

Having struggled with weight issues since I started to gain weight at age 8 I wish I had the option of gastric banding in my teens. My families solution was to send me to weight watchers at age 11 (I had 20 lbs to loose). this began a lifelong cycle of yo-yo dieting. having gone through 2 years of therapy (my family didn't believe in this) and now getting a band I am truly comfortable in my skin for the first time. Growing up as an overweight teen and then being fat in my 20's, 30's etc. was a challenge. I know now I have not achieved what I could have since I never felt worthwhile because I was fat. It made me think something was wrong with me and I deserved less than others. Even my children have suffered since mom was always too fat for this and that. I feel like the band is the tool I needed to begin living my life to the fullest. Now weight is not in my way and I am learning every day to love myself a little more. maybe 12 is a little young but 15 or 16 surely isn't. I don't feel the same about bypass, but the band is not that risky.

Hi HarleyNana, I just noticed we have the same bandiversary, just a few years apart. I was recently banded in 2007. I'm excited since I have read many of your posts and you are the first person i have seen with my date. Sherri

Hi all, Prior to having my band I did not tell anyone I was having surgery. I did not even tell my siblings or parents. Only my husband and 2 kids knew. I needed to tell my carpool since she has helped me with switching and taking care of my younger son until the older one got home from school to babysit. (I think I love her) and one other friend who I know will never tell anyone (my support system). I told those who needed to know I was having surgery that I had a hiatus hernia repaired and was embarrased to tell anyone (the reason for my secrecy). The hernia surgery turned out to be true since I had a hiatus hernia repaired. The weight loss is pretty slow and gradual and can be explained with diet and exercise. I guess they will all be shocked that I am finally succeeding. I am so glad I didn't blab. I don't think I could stand having every mouthful watched and commented on. However,I know it would have provided great gossip (I think most people would have seen it as that and not a life saving procedure). I know I can guide those seeking help in loosing towards the band without necessarily telling them about mine.

Doddie thank you for the morning chuckle. You always have such a cute and entertaining way of expressing yourself and an upbeat look at life.

Oh Peaches. I am so sorry you are having these complicaitons. I lurked for a couple of months before I felt comfortable enough to post and as a result I kind of feel like I have gotten to know regular posters like yourself. If you are indeed leaking do you need a new band or just a new port? Keep us posted and my thoughts and prayers will be with you. I am glad they are taking care of you.

I usually use a drug called Anaprox (a miracle drug for me) during my TOM. It is an anti-inflamitory & helps me carry on as usual. It also slightly slows down the flow so you don't get so worn out & anemic. The problem is it's a big pill and I am not sure how I can take it. Any advice.

Hi all, I was recently banded at the TLBC on Dec 6, 2007. I am surprised at bandsters who met with the surgeon before they made their decision. I was told Dr. Yau did not meet with patients before surgery and only after insisting on having some of my medical related questions answered did I get a telephone meeting with him. Although the staff is great I found they just poo poo'd my questions and concerns (eg. slipage and erosion, and surgical complications requiring conversion to open surgery) and told me it never happended to their patients. When I spoke with Dr. Yau he had reviewed my chart and did answer any questions I had. I was not unhappy with my decision and I am convinced Dr. Yau is an excellent surgeon and would not hesitate to recommend him. Did other patients banded by Dr. Yau actually meet with him in person first?

To quote stephsanders68 "Are you still losing? It is easy to think that the band is too tight, but in my case it was the opposite. I think that everyone has to experiment a little and see what is right for them. Right after the adjustment I lost 14 more lbs. " I am still loosing although I am loosing slowly (normal for me). My clinic does 3 fills on all new bandsters 2 weeks apart. that was fill 2 and I am scheduled to have my third fill in one more week. After that they leave it up to your discretion as to when you have a fill. I will keep it in mind though. Once again thanks to all for your help. I have been on liquids all day and am already feeling a little better. I think I will stay on liquids at least one more day and then try mushies.

Hi guy's, Thank you for your quick response. It's amazing how accurate the info you get from other bandsers is. :smile: I spoke to the clinic this morning and they confirmed your advice. They said I was probably swollen from getting stuck earlier in the week. They suggested a 24 to 48 hours of liquids followed by carefully adding back solids. Protein shakes are O.K. which should keep me full and nourished. If that does not work they suggested a small defill. They said after throwing up I should go to fluids for one to two days to rest the stoma and esphogus. Funny how I have read that here but didn't listen. Silly me. BTW what is the difference between PBing and sliming? Thanks again.

Hi all, I was banded on December 6, 2007 and had my first fill on January 7th. No problems. I had my second fill on January 25th and was fine at first. I did 24 hours of liquids and was able to eat fine on Saturday. I had sushi for lunch and went out for a really nice fish dinner that evening. Although I filled up really quickly (amazing!) I was able to eat and everything went down as long as I ate slowly and chewed well. By Sunday I was feeling really tight but was able to keep food down. On Monday I was really tight, ate and got stuck. I PB'd and it came up. I was really sore after that (throat) and have had trouble eating since. Yesterday and today I have been throwing up pretty much all solids (I even tried a glass of wine to relax me). Is this normal? Do you think I am just swollen from the fill and am taking a long time to heal or do you think I did something when I PB'd earlier in the week. I am terrified to have a slip. Please help & sorry for the long windedness.

Firstly I want to let each and every one of you know you are an inspiration, I can relate to the comments of you look good, did you cut your hair and a slip up or pig out not being what it used to be (thankfully). Looking at the progress of others I seem to be creeping along on my weight loss and I need to keep looking at my NSV's. I consider it a blessing every time I feel full and have to stop eating. I don't remember feeling full in the last 10 years. I was usually hungry and sometimes sick from eating too much. A big one for me (NSV) is when I fit into a pair of 24 pants and they were not even tight (they were very tight when I bought them). Since I was up to a 28/30 pant before beginning this journey i consider that a big victory. Yay!

I'm not sure how smart it was but I requested a doctors scale for valentines day 2 years ago. Romantic, eh! Other people get diamonds and I get a scale. The life of a fatty. Fortunately or unfortunately I cannot fool myself now and see every loss and gain to the nearest eighth of a pound. I weigh myself naked so I go by this weight and not the weight in the doctors office, clinic office or anywhere else. Actually it was a good investment and it is not really sensitive to different spots on the floor since it is pretty heavy. If you can swing it financially (a lot cheaper than renovating, I think I paid aprox. $500.00) and have a spot to place a conversation piece I would recommend it. my problem was to stop weighing myself everyday. I now only weigh once a week.

Hi Sherrylynn, You should claim your surgery cost under medical expenses. All you need is your receipt from the clinic since even plastic surgery is deductible as a medical expense. Good luck.

Hi Julie, I have been reading about your journey over the past couple of months and you have been a great inspiration to me. You have touched my heart although I have never met you in person. I am also on the short side, (5'2" 3/4) and beginning weight was 305 ,so seeing someone else who began with as much to loose as me succeed has been really encouraging. i am so sorry you are having this complication on your last leg of the journey. I know you have touched the heart of many as you have touched mine and I trully hope this resolves soon without too much more suffering. Although it is hard to keep the spirits up when life seems to beat you down, spoil yourself a little. If well wishes could heal you will be better by tomorrow.:rolleyes2: Sherri

Hope to be there barring unforseen complicaitons. I look forward to meeting other bandsters.