Babe

doddie, what's the url for this BCWLS site? i've seen you and others talk about it before, and would like to take a look.

congrats Vangirl! I'm glad everything went as planned. :grouphug:

i totally relate to this thread. i've recently been asked by my mom how much I weigh, and after telling her it's none of her business, i admitted i have to lose over 100 lbs (160 to be exact, but she doesn't need to know that). anyways, she didn't think i had that much to lose, and said i didn't look that big. it's as though skinny folks see size/weight through a very different set of glasses. once i get banded, i've decided to answer nosy folks with the amount of dress sizes i've lost, rather than pounds - too much humiliation and moronic comments. who needs to go through all that aggravation anyways?

congrats!... but, what did he mean by 'well nourished drink mix'? did he specify a certain Protein shake? i'm curious cause i hope to book my consult soon (still waiting to hear back from them after sending my questionnaire in).

omg, too funny... i was laughing so hard when i read this that i cried! i'm totally with you on the rubberband sex

Doctor Woodhead in Vancouver charges 14K and includes all fills and consult cost. But he's a private doctor. Ontario actually has WLS clinics like TLBC or Credit Valley. While they charge more, the pre op and post op services seem to be more comprehensive. like others said, don't let cost be the deciding factor.

love this thread! i want to: - go shopping for 24hrs straight at all the skinny stores that i've never shopped in - wear skinny jeans - wear a pencil skirt - go swimming wearing a swimsuit without a t-shirt - take a flight without the friggin seat belt extender - be the one all the hot guys lust after - bitch and moan about guy problems instead of being the friend who always listens to friends bitch and moan about guys - wear a sari (indian outfit) with pride and not feel like a clumsy fat idiot - wear my heels again kind of funny how most of these thing have to do with clothes

Sorry if it's a bit TMI for some, but i'm curious... did the band affect you period at all? did your it get heavier/lighter, more/less regular? How about PMS?

just wanted to get more responses, so thought i'd post again.

keep at it hun... i know you can do it! it might be tough, but think of all the good things that are too come.

i don't know about the rest of you, but I've only recently acknowledged how stressful it is to be obese. and i don't just mean physical stress. i'm talking about how being so unhealthy, uncomfortable, and socially unacceptable creates so much mental and emotional turmoil. not only that, but it's bloody expensive being obese - medications, clothes, groceries, medical treatment, etc. especially right now, with the economy so crappy, the economics of being fat just makes me more stressed out. i guess all of the above makes me even more motivated to get the band. i'm not naive enough to believe that all this anxiety will magically disappear with the weight, but I can't imagine feeling any worse. i often wonder if my thinner friends are aware of what is truly involved in being fat. look, i know everyone has problems and concerns (regardless of size), but it feel like 'fat stress' is something that we're just supposed to pretend doesn't exist. it's not like people around us want to hear about what it's like not fitting into restaurant booths, or how i'm scared to sit on my mom's antique chair, or that i can't get health insurance because i'm fat. it's all embarassing and a bit shameful. ok, i think i'm finished ranting now .... thx for listening

not banded yet, but i'm already looking forward to all of the benefits. i can't wait!!! I won't miss: 1.sweating after even the smallest amount of physical activity 2. those judgmental looks thinner people give 3. plus size clothes shopping 4. having tons of health problems that most 30 year olds never think about 5. being the 'fat one' in the family and amongst friends 6. squeezing into plane seats, chairs with armrests, some movie theater seat, restaurant booths, etc. 7. getting no male attention 8. all my goddamned medications 9. always pretending i'm ok being fat 10. not participating in activities because i'm embarrassed about how i look or scared that my body will give out (ie. heavy breathing, joint pain, sweating like a big, go really slow) 11. not being able to wear my heels anymore because my feet are starting to hurt. 12. feeling uncomfortable and inadequate 13. my parents always inquiring whether i'm exercising 14. being to embarrassed to get my bikini waxed or go to the gynecologist 15. avoiding swimming and all Water sports 16. avoiding pictures and cameras 17. wearing really ugly clothes to workout in 18. being told i'm pretty no matter what size i am 19. feeling self conscious when grocery shopping or ordering at a restaurant 20. that people have stopped aksing me if i'm dating anyone

congratulations on you upcoming surgery! telling people is a very personal decision, so I can totally understand your hesitation in getting filmed. i have also planned on not telling anybody about my surgery except my parents and a close friend. that said, as a future bander living in Vancouver, i would love more exposure about the surgery. there's not enough in canada. it frustrates me to no end that gastric bypass is covered by BC's medical plan, but not lapband. i don't know how it is in MB, but i think any positive exposure in Canada might help influence provincial governments to change this. so... selfishly, i would encourage you to allow filming. however, i'd take the station up on holding the footage for a few months. you might find that after you get used to having the band, and you start seeing the results, it will be easier to share. good luck

Congrats Kat! I'm considering going to Woodhead myself. Just out of curiosity, what kind of pre-op diet did he put you on? after reading these boards, it seems like every doctor has different reccomendation.

hi kat, i'm not banded yet, but i would definitely like to support you with this in whatever way i'm able to (even if it's just moral support at this point). i've been seriously thinking of writing to my MP and MLA about this because it just doesn't make sense why LB is not covered. it really p!sses me off (especially since i'm having a devil of a time figuring out how to pay for this!!!). GOOD LUCK and let me know if I can help. babe

hi mom, the meeting is usually the 3rd Wednesday of each month at lions gate hospital. email patricia at canadagirl33_@hotmail.com to confirm details or just scroll through the vancouver bandster thread and you'll get more info there.

i've just finished reading all 22 pages of this thread, and boy can I ever relate! i'm so fed up of the backhanded compliments and snide remarks. and as painful as they are, nothing compares to the awful insulting and judgemental looks some morons give. it like their eyes are saying "you are so disgusting" or some other equally rude thing.

mom4two, congrats on your decision. i've also decided to get the surgery done, but haven't picked a surgeon yet. i'm curious, how long ago did you have your consultation? when I called Dr. W's office they said there was a 3-6mth wait for surgery.

i started lurking a few weeks ago too, and I'm so glad I did. I learned so much about the surgery, both pre-op and post-op. I've now decided to go ahead with the surgery, and thanks to some great people on this site, I was able to figure out which surgeons to focus on. Here's what I recommend: there are support forums here that focus on specific states and countries, go to the forum which is where you live. a lot of you questions about surgeons, cost, and follow up will be answered. and you'll be able ot connect with some great local bandsters read through the FAQs visit www. lapband . com for some great details about the procedure itself (there's pictures and videos) google 'weight loss surgery' and 'lap band' and 'obesity surgery' don't be afraid to post and ask questions. trust me, no question is too stupid; chances are someone else has thought it or asked it at some point here. read the posts from people who say it didn't work out for them, or that they had to have the band removed. this will give you another perspective to help balance things out. good luck

I've got a juicer, and was wondering if I can have freshly made fruit/veggie juices during the liquids-only phase?

i am so sorry this is happened. i have to self pay myself, and I'm probably going to get a loan to do it. have you considered Mexico? I'm hearing a lot of great things on the boards here about Dr. Ortiz at the Obesity Control Center an it's only 8 or 9K.

hi missy... welcome aboard! Where in Canada do you live? I'm in Vancouver and out here there are only 2 surgeons that I know of. So if there's a new clinic, I'd love it to be here. I'm in the process of picking which one to do my consult with. FYI: there is a canadian section on this forum in case you want to meet people in your area.

WOOHOO!!! Congratulations hon! Hopefully that will be me in a year.

I've decided to get the surgery (YAY ME!), but during this whole researching and deciding process I've told no one I know (except my GP and shrink) that I was thinking about it. All my close friends are healthy normal weights and I'm not sure how they'd react or if they'd even understand. It's really difficult not being able to talk to my best friends about something so major in my life. How did other's deal with this?

have you tried taking omega/fish oil supplements? i've been taking them for years and they really help keep my skin supple and healthy. it might help with post-op skin changes (i'm pre-op)