argon

My arms have potential... too bad the flab isn't moving'. I don't think I could go sleeveless even if they were nice and tight. Stretch marks there, too. Lapband update.doc

oh faith... one second earlier and I would have beat you!

I found these in another post, and I think almost all of them would be good. Hope they help! Questions about surgery About the surgery What is the exact name of the surgery and how is it done? Write down the name if you don't think you will remember it. Why do you need the surgery? Will you be able to go home the same day of the surgery (outpatient surgery)? If so, will you need to have someone take you home after the surgery? Does the surgery require an overnight stay in the hospital (inpatient surgery)? If so, how long will you be in the hospital? What will you need to do to prepare for the surgery? What are the risks and benefits? How often is this surgery successful? What does a successful outcome mean? What can you do to improve the likelihood of success (such as changing your diet or beginning certain exercises)? What is the risk of death or disability? What is the next step if the surgery fails? What is the likelihood that your problem will return after surgery? What kind of anesthesia will be used (local, regional, or general)? How long will the procedure take? What is the cost of the surgery? Is it likely to be covered by medical insurance? About your surgeon What is the surgeon's experience with this procedure? How many procedures has he or she done per year? What is his or her success rate? Does the surgeon have board certification in this area? Will another doctor be assisting your surgeon? Will the surgeon be using a new instrument or piece of equipment during the procedure? Has the surgeon been fully trained in the use of the instrument or equipment? Who will be giving the anesthesia? Discuss the anesthesia options with your surgeon ahead of time. Will anyone be in the operating room other than the doctors and nurses needed to perform the surgery (such as a person involved in training the surgeon on a new piece of equipment)? About your recovery What should you expect during the recovery period? What is normal? What kinds of self-care could you be doing to help your recovery? Will your activities be limited during the recovery period? If so, which activities and for how long? What help might you need while you recover? What symptoms should you call your doctor about? Partnering with your doctor Tell your doctor your preferences for treatment. Are there other options you would like to consider other than surgery? Discuss your biggest concerns about the surgery. Tell your doctor the results you expect to get from the surgery. What outcome would you consider to be a success? What would you consider a failure?

ok, I can't speak for metamucil, because I don't use it. I can see how it thickens ALOT... but... I don't know that it would block anything, especially drank with tons of Water. I agree, that because we are (or are supposed to be) focusing on eating Protein first, there's not always much room for fibrous stuff. That said, I use Benefiber, which is a fiber supplement that is non thickening, tasteless and clear... add it to water or whatever you want. It's fine. Try it, love it. Your bowels will too! *I am Canadian, and speak of Canadian products, so trust that you will be able to find this item anywhere you look!*

(so, tomorrow is 52 weeks since surgery.... my surgery was on March 29, which is thursday. If the scale isn't favorable tomorrow, I have one more day to try!!!)

It's a 2007 Mazda CX-9 .... and I will get it.... hmmm.... just as soon as my ship comes in.

(hehe, oops, no, sorry Doddie... not my car, but ONE day it will be!) thanks!

wait, here's a better one! Who's that snappy dresser?!

just did something a little silly and test drove my new (to be) car.... 'cept mine will be white. I needed pictures to VISUALIZE the day it's mine!

but if I ever need labia reduction or hymen restoration... he's my man!

I've heard of 'em before.... 1) I guess so! 2) It's probably a case of "I had sex before marriage, and if my new husband/family/religious people find out, I'm soooo dead!" .. I don't think the gal would be fooling herself, but the next guy... I guess. Groooosssss.... I don't even want to think about this stuff. UGGGG! Why would you want something reattached so some guy can go and rip it apart again... *GAG*

Welcome, Delphine!! You're doing great so far!

It actually might, though... according to the website, people who've been banded elsewhere, seeking aftercare with Cobourn/Mumford will only be accepted if they have Inamed/Allergen bands, because thats what they use and are trained with/for. So... if they won't do fills on other bands, maaaaybe the fill dr's they've trained, won't either? Who knows, its prob. up to the fill dr's if they want to venture into other bands... its not like the ports are really different.. right?

I'm curious, and would like to know, what could your chosen clinic/doctor have done (or do) that would have made the whole experience better for you? For me: - better follow up, more than one call in the days following surgery would have been nice. (and I hear some people get several ?) - a clinic that really looked like something we're paying to have surgery in (this has since been changed, so yay for the newbies!) Anyone else? (lets please not try to turn it into "Well... MY clinic did THAT, therefore it's better." thing )

I would love to go... but I highly doubt it will happen. Up 'til how soon before can we still register?

Hi Donna, I can't think of anyone I've seen here banded by him. How much is it with Dr. Tin? How many surgeries has he done? How long has he been doing them? Are you paying for the consult? (and no, 4-8 weeks seems reasonable, and typical)

Never heard of him... but if you search elsewhere on the board, I'm sure there's plenty of Americans who've seen him.

I just turn it off sometimes, especially when I post in this thread... just cause it takes up less room, and I don't need to see it myself. Nope Cloe, it's wed.

Thanks guys, I'm doing good now. Thank you Doddie... I'm looking into other job possibilities, but I do like it here. My apartment is great. It's among the most expensive around here, and I'm jealous when I hear of people paying only $400 a month, but it IS nice, and I do love it! The big day is coming up on Wed. I almost just want it to come and go already, so I don't have to worry and feel like I have to have so much done and be at a certain point by my one year bandiversary. I won't feel like there are any upcoming deadlines after it's gone! I'm really hoping my scale will give me a little better of a number on my weigh in day (Wed)... ah... who am I kidding, I'll be weighing tomorrow morning! I'll make sure the right lady is at the gym on wed. and get myself weighed and body fat measured then too. my last body fat meas. was in Oct, so i'll be curious to see what difference 5 months makes. I'll also do the body fat measurement on my home scale. I believe the day I started optifast, it said I was 47 or 48 % fat! I wish I could remember right now what the gym figured me out as in Oct. But I'll let y'all know.

Yeah, I don't even know if i've ever really used that word... it just seemed suiting to this guy.

Hi Mr. Yoda That avatar with the little white beard is too cute! Good luck at the consult, and hopefully we hear your date soon. Mandi

Cloe, that's definitely awesome! Andrew: very cool stuff too!

Who's doing your fills again, Andrew? Congrats anyways! You wouldn't have felt anything without the freezing either... tough it out next time :)

didn't even realize you posted this in "Introductions"... there's a Canadian area to Lapbandtalk... come over and read away, you'll hear all about both of the clinics I mentioned.

I'd say your best choices in TO are the TLBC and The Surgical Weightloss Center www.tlbc.ca and www.lapband.ca I think now they're both the same cost, $16,000.