CLOE

Hi Sunshine, Well, lets put it this way, You'll get so hungry that the Opti-fast starts looking really good. I don't mean to depress you, but is only a small part of the complete journey. The first Opt-fast was gross, I think because I smelled it, don't smell it, it taste better then. After that you get use to it. Although, I'm only only day 3 of 21.

Hi Canadian Sunshine! I am also getting banded by Dr. Cobourn. I started my Opti-fast yesterday. 19 more days to go. I know what you mean about telling others. I only told my mom, husband and kids. I figure I can tell everyone else after the surgery, then it dosent matter what they say. I actually decided to tell my hairdresser, because he was out of town and wouldnt tell anyone. He squinted up his face and said "you'r not". At that moment I knew not telling anyone before surgery was the right thing to do! Good Luck and keep in touch!

Sounds like a good idea Mandi. I called OHIP(Ontario Insurance) they said no, and told me to talk to the surgeon. But it has nothing to do with him. So I already sent a letter to my private insurance and I think I'll send one to OHIP too, can't hurt, like you say. I'm not counting on either of them though!

When I told my doctor I wanted the lap band, she didn't know what I was talking about. She wasn't very encouraging, but when she read the surgeons qualifications and read over the brochure she was better, not great, but better. My point is Doctors don't know everything, and there human beings with opinions. I had already decided I was getting the surgery, with or without her blessing. She gave me her blessing...barely. I'm sure she'll be handing out more of my surgeons brochures this year when she sees how great I'm doing. Do what YOU think is best! Take Care:)

Wow, you guys ROCK! I just started my Opt-fast today, my surgery being in 3 weeks, and feeling a little weeny bit grumpy. But not anymore!!!! Listening to my fellow May Bandsters and how well your surgery went, I'm just flying now. I can hardly wait. Congratulations to all of you!

Hey Good Luck May 4th Bandsters!! I'll be thinking of you tommorow. I'ts all very exciting. Hey Kim, were getting banded the same day!:clap2: Take care everyone, and let us know how your all doing.

Hi Mandi, I hope you dont mind, some of my post calls you argon and some mandi. I'm find it a little hard to keep everyone separate. I've met so many people here. I think your right, I'm gonna HATE optifast. I'm on it for 3 weeks, because of my size I think. I'm sooooo dreding it, starting in 4 more days, YUCK! I went out and bought a bunch of scrapbooking stuff, hopefully I can just stay in my room and do that when it gets bad. My family can cook for 3 weeks, it wont kill them, I think:) Take care, and keep us all posted how your doing:)

Hi argon! I was just wondering how you were just a few minutes prior to surgery. I mean, from changing and walking to the OR, lying down, that stuff. Now that I'm counting the days, I find my head racing with fears and anticipation. Dont get me wrong I can hardly wait to get banded, I just wish that it was over. I've never had surgery, and I just can't imagine how I'll react just before. I'm sure I wont believe that I'm really doing it. I'm not even afraid of pain (I've given birth 3 times, no drugs) it's just how I'm going to be before I'm put to sleep, I'm really afraid I'll freak out. I even was shaking a bit before my consultation. Any advice you can give I'd appreciate. I cant believe I'm being such a wuss:nervous

Good one Argon!- I WANT TO CROSS MY LEGS, I cannot remember when I did that last....I think it was the late 80's...lol. I want (will) run! TURN STILES--who invented them!!! I'm excited to think that I won't have an anxiety attack in a line up to a turn stile, thinking I'm gonna get stuck in one, with one of those bars up my butt. I know who invented them...some skinny little b_____d! How bout this one? Hoping for a school reunion. Keep them coming...Its so exciting!

I needed to hear that, thank- you for sharing!! You look amazing!! I'm so excited!!:clap2:

I haven been banded yet so I'm not sure if we can tolerate carbonated stuff, but why not try white wine spritzers. They contain minimal calories, there refreshing, and sometimes I'll even order an extra soda water and dilute it more as I drink it. Just a thought. Good Luck! Your young and single and you should be out enjoying yourself!!:confused:

Hello fellow Canadians! I'm not banded yet but will be in a few weeks. My emotions have been wild, so I decided to make a list of things to get excited about, and to help me focus on the positive. Please add some of your own, so we can make a BIG list.:cool: Whether we are pre-op or post-op or a few years down the road, you can never get to much positive inspirations. 1 - I can't wait to go to my daughters drawer to borrow a shirt.:Banane56: 2- I can hardly wait to go for a bike ride with my children.:cool: 3 - No have to worry where there seating me in a restaurant, I'll fit anywhere.:mad: 4 - Trade in my mini-van for a sportier car and look great in it. 5 - See the look in my friends faces when they havent seen me in a while.:eek: 6 - Throw away any clothes that end in an X (5X).:cool: 7 - Do #!*@? with my husband. :kiss2: ....sorry 8 - Go clothes shopping and buy what I like, not what just fits.:phanvan 9 - Dance:p 10-Knowing I've made a great decision to move on to a more positive, rewarding, exciting life.:clap2:

Hi Mandi!!, How are you doing? Are you on solid food now, and how is that going? I'd love to hear from you. How's it's been so far, and if your in any pain anymore, that kind of stuff! When do you see Dr. Cobourn again?

Wow, what an inspiration you are!! Its great to hear so many success storeys. My surgery is coming up, and I'm so emotional!! I go from absolutley excited to anxiety attacks and even nightmares. It's crazy. I start my pre-op diet in 2 weeks, then I hope it is just excitement. I just want the surgery to be over, so I can get on with it. How did everybody else control there nerves?

You look so beautiful. Congratulations!!! You are such an inspiration!

Thats great news, Jillie. Are you getting banded in Canada? I was also nervous for about the past month, but I have to say that I'm starting to get very, very excited:clap2: , I hope nervous dosent come back. Jack, Thats along time without solids, but I think your right about focusing on something other than food.

I've also seen Dr. Cobourn, my surgery isn't till may. He told me 3 weeks optifast prior, then 2 weeks optifast post surgery. I can't even imagine not eating FOOD for 5 weeks, although I'm gonna find out soon:omg: . I would imagine that your pretty sick of liquids by now, however your in the home stretch! Hold on for just another little bit. Then you can let me know how to do it, without going crazy...lol:)

Congratulations, HAPPY BANDAVERSARY !!

WOW, thats fantastic, I'm sooooo happy for you!!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Thats just awful, I'm so sorry for you! Why do you have to have that procedure anyway, my docter hasnt said anything to me about that!!!

That makes sense. Thanks for the info. I'm not a big sweet eater, more a burger and pizza girl, so hopefully this may work to my advantage. Have a great day!!!

:ban: Okay, I'm quite new around here, and I haven't been banded yet, but I've been reading alot of threads here to get educated. What I don't understand and please pardon my ignorance, but why is it that some people have stopped losing weight or worse, gained weight? How can I(we) eat what I(we) have to get to be overweight, then can only eat 1/2 to 1 cup of food per meal (which I'm sure I saw a chick-a-dee eat more the other day...lol) and NOT lose weight. I don't get it! As a newbie, I think I'm missing something. I'm hoping theres no loophole, cause Im the one who'd find it, when it comes to dieting .:party:

thanks guys, my computer and my computer skills are sooooo slow.:nervous

Can someone help me? About a month ago I read a thread on things to buy to prepare for banding. Ex: liquid tylenol, broths, water bottle etc... stuff they forget to tell u at the docters. For the life of me I cannot find that thread. Can someone help me please.:phanvan Sorry to be a pain!

Im glad I found this thread, I have dial up internet so I'll be lucky to see all the threads in the next year:phanvan . However, Im just starting out, and looking down a loooong road:eek: . My banding date is set for May 26:clap2: , I wish it was sooner. I weighed in a 347 lbs:omg: , with a BMI of 58!!! My goal is 150 lbs. That means I need to lose 197 lbs, Is this even possible:confused:? I havent seen all the threads yet, but is there someone out there, who's done it, I would love to hear from you:ear: .