argon

smart ass

Sorry Puddin, just had to bug you with this. It actually worked? How many 'treatments' did you need? Ahhh.. that would be so nice to have done!

Oh how jealous I am of you people and your damn fills!

Congrats you guys! And Yoda, WOOOOO!

Congrats, bandiva! you're doing awesome! :mad:

Ahh... yes. They're typically reeeeally quick to answer. Just a note, the lady isn't IN Halifax. She's in Pictou, which is apparently 1hr45 away. So, unless you've got a way to get around while in Halifax to go see her, you'd have to hope she'd come to you there. (but then again, your perm. residence isn't Halifax, right? You're just thinking it would be nice to have someone around INCASE you needed a defill while in Halifax (or a fill, I guess, if you couldn't wait.) Keep in mind, I know the Calgary Dr's don't do ONLY Cobourn patients, but the NS lady might. (so, just because you go with someone else, you should still have access to a fill Dr in Calgary.) AND... if it's up your alley, the TLBC has instructional DVD's for long distance patients to give to their family dr's, if the fam. doctor is so inclined to help you out by trying to do your fills. (but don't do that! Just an option! :|)

Oh boy... this is a bad question to ask, but ok! I would say Dr. Cobourn or Mumford (surgical weightloss center), because you're in Calgary, and Dr. Cobourn semi-trained the LapBand Dr's there, as well as those who would be doing your fills (if you chose to have them done in Calgary). Maybe you'd get a discount on fills! (then on the other hand, I'll say for the TLBC's side, they have way more experience/have been doing it longer. I'd say they have a nicer, more proper looking clinic... but I don't know, today's supposed to be the day SWLC move's into their new place! ) hehe.. no, you wouldn't.. really. Now whether you think once you do 300, you're just as good as someone who's done 2000 (not actual numbers, I don't know how many each place has done) is up to you. I chose Dr. Cobourn because I'd heard just as good about him as the TLBC, but his office treated me nicer (or, uhh.. nice at all) than the TLBC did.

I didn't count calories (still don't), or aim for anything specific during the post op diet. I took small portions of whatever it was (which ended up being alot of cottage cheese, which is also very good for protein), and ate (or drank) when I was hungry. If I was still hungry, I'd have a little more. Are you guys actually still having Optifasts even now? If so, you're troopers! I couldn't have more than 1 or 2 after surgery.

Hi Jord. You should post something in the main area where everyone can see. Just go to the Canada Local Lap-Band support area, and click "New Thread", and pretty much repeat what you said here! Personally, my opinion: I think the surgery is great! Best thing I've ever done.

Thanks CLOE, it IS so crazy.... I remember saying "oh yay, only 100lbs to go!" A year ago... geesh... I was freaking out, dreading Optifast... not doing nearly as much 'last supper"ing as I should have. Yes, these 2 weeks will be nice, I think. I have this plan to cook all these meals that I haven't had in so long... and that I will be doing. Nothing crazy, seafood alfredo, BBQ chicken pizza, enchiladas, "Edo"... PB&J sandwiches. I'm excited to try that one! We got our T4's on Friday. I think I'm always the only person who gets so giddy to get my T4! I'm sure it'll change when I stop getting money back... but for now, while I've still got my 'education amounts' to claim (and this year, the lapband), I'm lovin' it. Remember that computer I have been wanting? I should be able to get it!!! WOO! So, I did my taxes (and Dans, hehe, cause I wanted to!) on Friday night... Netfile-d them today, and since I have set up Direct Deposit, I should have some money, then a computer in a couple weeks! Dan's getting way more than me, but oh well

I don't actually know, I hope she'll do weekends, cause if not, that's gonna be very difficult for me! Are you gonna go with her for your first fill then, Astro? Breakfast was great. I am sure I won't have enough time to get used to it, which is probably good. I didn't eat as much as I thought I would this morning, anyways! I realize how I was NEVER stuck, or PBing or anything prior to my first fill... so eating things so effortlessly is so weird! I almost ate all of this fabulous pasta dish tonight.. and it was scary! (I just ate the leftovers... but am happy to know that going to sleep, I won't be waking up choking in the middle of the night... aaaahhhhhhhhhh!)

Yes. and no, don't automatically think you have a slip. Weird things happen. If you are eating less, not PBing, with the same fill you've had for so long, don't complain, it's awesome! I've recently realized not to worry so much until you really have reason to, and even then, it's probably not as bad as you're making it out to be. Every day I could eat more than the last, I thought about a slip, because of what I read on here. You pants are getting too big? Cry me a river. I laugh when I hear myself complain about that. I got a shirt and jacket at Xmas, that I don't think I'll ever wear because they're already too big, and will be worse by the time its warm enough to wear them! Really though... take it. You're not in pain, or anything else. Maybe you'll be someone who weighs 190lbs but wears a size 4.... who cares?! Right!? Enjoy it

I know what you mean, I just mean the people who sincerely want to lose 30lbs, and can't understand how you're doing so well, when they're watching what THEY eat, and going to the gym 5x a week... that's what I find hard.

Hi Sunny. In addition to all the above, I don't think BC kicks anything in. But like everyone else, you can claim it as a medical expense as long as your total expenses exceed $1,884 or 3% of your total income. I just got my T4 on friday, so very excitedly did my taxes on www.ufile.ca last night. It says I'm gonna get a very nice return, BUT... I want to figure it out to see how much of that is because of my student loans.

Hey Jackson's Mom/Donna! You would be surprised by who IS actually supportive, but by all means, I'm keeping mine on the DL too. It does get harder and harder the more weight you lose, though.

Hi Doddy and MsRobby! Welcome! Wow, so many new people every week... I'm already lost from the last rush of new Canadians!

As of right now, I feel probably 99% better. What do you mean what was it?! Nothing crazy: I got sick, puked, irritated matters more, which lead to lovely nighttime water regurgitation, which led to choking/coughing and more irritation, and just made everything swell up, I imagine. That's all. If anyone asked me if I've had any complications, I wouldn't even call this one. So yes... much better! Its amazing how much hungrier you feel though. I *think* it might be because I CAN eat though. This morning, dudes, I'm going for BREAKFAST! It's scary, cause I haven't done breakfast in months! But I think I can, and I WILL! Dr. C said probably only 7-10 days defilled, but it's not like I'd be able to drive somewhere 3-4 hours away during the week, so I'll go 2 weekends from now, I think. Dan's birthday is that weekend also, so I think we'll make the trip that day... I don't think anything says happy birthday more than watching your girlfriend take a huge needle in the belly, right?

Come and talk to us in the Canadian area, you guys!

Just talked to Dr. C - he said probably a week to 10 days only (for the defill), then I can go back up to 1cc to start.

Hey guys, my goal for Feb was 178. Since I'm flyin' solo now, I'm glad I didn't get too ambitious when I made that goal!! *IF* I actually make that sometime soon, I'm holdin' on to it for dear life. I actually think now that it's like this, if I SEE a lower number on the scale, whether its my official weighin day or not, it's going in my 'records' and my ticker!

Thank you gals I was just browsing around, and found the most bizarre thing in the Australian area of LBT. go here : http://www.lapbandtalk.com/aussie-before-and-t29650p2.html to the 2nd page, very bottom.. the post with before/after pics by Sharyn P. The man in both pictures.... EXACTLY the same? Did she cut him out of the first and paste in the 2nd?! I want to ask what the heck is goin' on... but... I don't want to be rude. :omg:

ahhhh... sweet relief. It's amazing how quickly you feel better. I'm just home right now, snarfing down some yogurt, YES, yogurt! I was taking tiny sips all morning, cause I was soooo thirsty, and after the defill, I drank about half a litre of my bottled water. It's insane! Did it with the flouroscope... he was sure it wouldn't work, that it was kinked, and it did LOOK kinked at the end where the tubing comes out of the port. But after a couple tries and flipping me on my side, he saw that it didn't look like he was quite going in. He got a longer needle... a SPINAL tap needle, tried that, flipped me over to see if it looked like it was in the very center of the port, and it was. The second he reattached or tried to reattach the syringe, a bunch of saline spilled out, and then he pulled out about another .5cc... he said about 1cc spilled. I don't care, even if there is a tiny bit left in, I'll find out when I go for my fill, whenever that may be. They froze me, which was really nice, cause I was sore from all the prodding yesterday. Oh how nice it would be to be flouro-ed everytime. I almost asked if he wanted to do my fills, but thought that might be pushing my luck! Anyways, I gotta hurry and get to work. I was feeling dizzy when I woke up this morning, and think I almost passed out in the shower... better now. Full of yogurt and water! Mmmmmm... a big Tim Hortons soup for me for lunch, I think! Talk to you guys later! Mandi

Aww Wheezy, that really sucks. Did he enjoy the dinner at least ? hehe I really feel bad that it's not going smooth for you. Seeing you in the waiting room the morning of your surgery, I only had good things to say... and even now I wouldn't tell anyone not to get banded. What do they have to say about how you're doing? Do they suggest more of a fill... do you think you could take more of one? Good luck to you too. :hug: and thank you Maria and Mrs. Toes. Oh, Maria, you asked earlier... no, I haven't 'really' thrown up since Sunday. And by 'really', I mean really being physically nauseous and HAVING to throw up. Not 'pbing'... cause yeah, that's been happening alot still. Eating? What's that? Today I had high hopes when I started with tea in the morning... it wasn't sitting well, so I moved to just boiled water, had a bit of that, and then tried to sip a little cold water. That felt the best, so I stuck with it. Tiny tiny sips. Had another 'cup' of chick. noodle soup, minus most of the noodles, then a romantic ice cream dinner. I really can't wait for the defill. It's scary, but I am not enjoying this one bit. I'm just worried that for some reason they won't be able to get it out. The Dr. said that if they can't do it by flouro, the tubing must be kinked or something! Is it possible, could they possibly NOT be able to hit the port correctly with flouro? Oh I hope not! I'm going to sleep sitting up...as best I can, on the couch, tonight. Cause even stopping drinking 3 hours before bed last night, I still coughed up water all night = hell. I don't wanna make tomorrow even worse, so.. I'll opt for trying to sleep sitting up. Thank you again guys. I'm really lucky to have you all. :think

Ok, time for me to look at some positives in the form of measurements head - 23 to 22.75 neck - 16 to 13.75 chest - 55 to 42 waist - 48 to 35 hips - 54 to 42 around thighs - 43.5 to 39 around calves - 30 to 25 left arm - 18 to 15 right arm - 18.5 to 15 56.5 inches... that's good.

Hey neenagh, since I am soon to be in your shoes, give me some words of wisdom! How's it going? Are you managing to not gain whilst unfilled? Oooh... or are you on that vacation you were talkin' about!?