Paulax

I have been a recipient of donor skin. I was able to have my breasts reconstructed after double mastectomy. So I am very thankful to donors. After being a recipient, I'd love to donate anything useful. hugs

I'd like to start a thread naming surgeons in British Columbia. I googled, I searched, I checked the yellow pages. It isn't easy finding a surgeon in BC. So I'd like a list to help others searching. I am being banded by Leung W M Dr 13798 94A Ave 200, Surrey, BC V3V1N1 (604) 581-2515 Dr. Woodhead Ladner, BC (604) 946 6500. Dr. Amson Victoria BC I can't BELIEVE there aren't any surgeons in the interior of BC, (where I live) So surgery and fills will have to be planned very carefully and travel is necessary. Please list any other BC surgeons. Dr. Leung is near retirement, and I will hvae to find a fill doctor replacement one day.

OK, now I can say there is a surgeon in Kelowna BC who does lapbands. Dr Kluftinger 203-3040 Tutt Street Kelowna, BC V1Y 2H5 - (250) 763-2226

I agree it all depends on your age and skin type. Some people are more lucky than others. I am 46 and have decided that I will never be a nude model. My husband loves me no matter what and I look REALLY good in clothes. I am laughing, but it is true. I could go for a TT, I can afford it and still may. But for now I will enjoy my summer, wearing not so short shorts and think about it. Secretly, I am waiting for the 'skin shrinking machine'. My banded friend laughs at me when I say that. I figure if I start, I might not stop. I could do the inner thighs, I could do the arms, I want some face work in the future, but bah! I think I will just accept myself and remind myself that I would way rather have slightly sagging skin than be fat again. Let us know what you decide. I will do same. Maybe TT for my 50th......:thumbup:

Good advice kagead! Buggie, I chose not to tell many people at all. Those who aren't positive about my decision, I could care less, ESPEICALLY now that I have been at goal for over 2 years. I can finally forgetabout the dieting. I can finally feel active and positive again. I can almost forget about my former fat self. The naysayers, can keep keep talking. I am done. good luck to you my dear Paula<--- at goal and loving it

I must say that I have much, much more energy post surgery than I ever have in a lifetime of battling my weight. Some days I feel high, high on life, I love my body, I love being thin. I am 4 years out. I am at goal. I feel alive and energetic and really extatic that I don't ever have to diet ever again. I have loosened my band in the past year. I can eat more roughage and my weight maintains at goal within 5-10 pounds. I finally feel free. Let us know how your consult goes. Paula

I just read your post and had to respond. I was questioning my own decision and right up until the moment I walked into the OR. I was laying on the table, staring up at the light, and thought of jumping off the table and backing out. I am so glad I never. I am 3 years out, at goal and friggen loving it. Best money I ever spent. It is not easy to get to goal. I had to constantly adjust my eating and work harder at the gym. The lapband made it possible. Maintenance is possible. It was a life changing surgery.

Thank you, I did receive your pm. I am actually asking for a friend. I sent my friend all the info. I didn't check it out in detail, but is there a BMI where they would NOT recommend this surgery. IE; is there a cut off number? Or is since this is plastic and/or elective surgery if there are any guidlines for that. Thanks again,Paula

Did you have this before banding and did it get worst after? Thanks in advance, P{

Ronda, can you tell me who is doing the surgery, how much it costs and if there a waiting l ist? Thanks P

Never before in the history of man, has the stomach ever been divided into two parts for weight loss. Perhaps with our new surgical techniques in weight loss, we needed to offer up new vocabulary for bodily functions, such as productive burping and sliming. By definition a productive burp is different in than vomit contains stomach acid and is involuntary. A productive burb may is caused by not chewing food enough to pass by the lap band, or by filling the stoma to overfull. A half cup will only hold a half cup. Sorry, I just had to throw that out there for discussion.

Yes, it is totally normal. I even thought of jumping off the gurney in the OR before they put me out. But, I am happy to report, that 3+ years later, I am at goal and so very, very glad that I never jumped off that gurney. I know in my heart that if I had, I'd still be 280 pounds and miserable. Correct, the band doesn't change your wants or needs for sugar. I believe sugar is a drug, the more I eat, the more I crave. I had to focus on low carb foods and wean myself off sugar. I try so hard to focus on that foods that will make me feel good and focus hard on the foods that feed my body what it needs. I still have cravings, but I am better able to handle it when my body has sufficient Protein and nutrition. I also create a successful environment by keeping the junk out of my grocery cart and out of my house. I do NOT want my 3 beautiful children to face the same shame I felt being overweight. It is not easy, but it is doable. Good luck my dear, Let us know how you are doing and what you decide. hugs Paula

Was 280, now at goal. I hope you experience what I did one day. In a clothing store, large mirrored wall, didn't recognize myself. Actually said 'excuse me' to my own reflection in the mirror. But later smiled, thinking 'I look pretty guuuud!'. True story! I am 3+ years out now and my brain has udjusted for the most part. Still sometimes I see a photo and am amazed that I am not still 280 pounds.

Hey ladies, I am 3+ years out too, at goal and loving it. I am however about 10 pounds more than I have been at my lowest. I miss that low, but so far not enough to either up my exercise or adjust my daily intake. Fill, I guess if I considered more fill it would have to be a TINY amount as I am probably just perfect now. I was also considering a TT, but at my age 45, maybe good enough is good enough. I don't know! So, I hear you and understand completely. Here are our options: go for more - exercise go for less - food adjustment go for fill - .5 or something might just tweak it. I'll keep watching this to see what we all do. I look great in clothes. I feel awesome. I just have to decide if 10 pounds is worth the effort. BTW, I LOVE MY BAND TOO! Who hoo! hugs Paula

Thank you my dear, I actually went through the chemo without having a defill. When the tightness persisted, I had a slight defill and have been good ever since. I have also been sick with the flu once since getting banded. True nausia with the band is really awful. I don't wish it on anyone......:tongue2:

I agree there is no room for name calling. We are all adults with varying experiences. I am at goal, 3 + years out now. Feeling fantastic, thin and beautiful again. Thank you lapband and Dr Leung! In that 3 years, I have had to work hard physically and mentally to change my eating habits and have had to reboot my physical activity. This last year, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and have undergone the treatment necessary, which included chemotherapy. During my treatment, I got nauseous and my body was compelled to throw up the contents of my stomach, not just my pouch but my stomach. My fill was such that the contents of my stomach did not want to come up and pass my band backwards. Did that make sense? It was a terrible and painful experience. Nothing like the PB or sliming that I experienced from eating too much, too fast or not chewing properly. I believe there is a difference, I have experienced it. Happy to report that I am doing well. I've had a slight unfill, almost never pb, slime or throw up. BTW, I heart you Jack. You have been a tremendous support to me in my journey. I always enjoy reading your posts. You share your experiences and wisdom in a truthful, often humorous way. And Doddie, I love reading your posts too. I hope it becomes true for you as it was for me; that with each and every day, month and year, by changing my eating habits, my brain eventually followed and this 'lifestyle' became easier. If I lived closer, I'd join you in Vancouver for those monthly meetings. I'd love to meet all my local bandsters. hugs and much success to all Paula

Hello, I am over 3 years out now, I am at goal and I do not drink from a straw. But my meals look nothing like they used to. It takes time but I have accepted the fact that my meals are tiny. I can eat most things, but some things I just had to let go, like the idea of a sandwich or plate of pasta. I think the hardest part of being banded is focusing on healthful foods and how best to feed your body nutritionally with such small amounts. It takes time and thought. For now, just focus on the first phase of clear liquids. Make some homemade broths, this will give you something warm and at least 9 grams of protein each cup. Dr Leung isn't always easy, but he has always treated me with respect. Now that I am at goal and maintaining, Dr Leung is one of my life's heros. Good luck my dear. Let us know how you are doing. You will need support in this journey. Go to the support meetings if you can. hugs Paula

Thank you Dawlings! Paula <--------- at goal and loving it.

My second attempt. My computer and/or internet is acting up. Would someone please post the date, time and place of the monthly bandsters meetings please. I am sifting through the 17 pages here, but would appreciate a post. Thanks in advance. Paula

First of all, I am sorry for your loss. That must have been a difficult time for you. As for keeping up your weight loss, I don't really have a menu plan either, but I start my days with my regular 2 cupaccinos. When that all settles I have a whey Protein shake. I might blend in a banana or some Peanut Butter. For lunch I have whatever is left over from the night before, usually some kind of protein. I snack on cashews during the day. I can only eat small portions so I snack frequently, probably too frequently. For dinner, I have whatever I cook for my family, minus the carbs. eg: spaghetti sauce topped with cheese. chicken and some kind of veggie. I too try to stop eating after 7, I try to have a glass of Water to make sure my pouch is empty at bedtime. When I was losing, I had to up my exercise regime every month, or my weight loss would just stop. I had record long plateaus, but all were eventually broken through. By the time I got to my goal, I averaged under 3 pounds per week, so I was not a fast loser by any means. I still lack 'willpower' whatever that is. I still am a food addict, but that has lessened over 3 years now. And most importantly, I have kept up with my fills. I got to goal at a 3.2cc fill in a 4cc band. I hope that helps. This was NO waste. You will make it, but sorry to say it but for me, it took a huge effort. hugs and success, keep us up on how you are doing. Paula

You look absolutely fabulous and way too happy to be in that much pain. Speedy healing, the hard part is over. hugs

I am chuckling at your post as I nose exactly of what you speak. I have a good Italian nose, made more prominent with the loss of over one hundred pounds and much cheek. I don't know of a good plastic surgeon in the US, but FIND A GOOD NOSE GUY/GAL. I imagine that not every plastic surgeon is comfortable or an expert at everything. So find a good face guy/gal. Good luck. Paula

Your post struck a chord with me. Some days I could just cry that in 45 years, I just ruined one good body. But on my good days, I am thankful everything works, my body is healthy and beautiful. I have a wonderful husband and 3 beautiful kids. Again on bad days, I feel like I only look good in clothes. I have horrible stretch marks from childbirth X 3. I would like a TT and may get one one day, but for now, I thank the band for not being obese. BTW, I have been at goal for over a year now and feel fabulous despite the sagging skin. AND I think we are so hard on ourselves. My dh could care less about my sagging this or wrinkling that. He just loves me.

Congratulations! PICTURES, WE WANT PICTURES........AND NOT TINY ONES!!!!

Aw, big hugs and continued speedy healing my dear. Just think that with every day, you will feel better. The worst is over. hugs Paula