Yoda

May Goals: 1. Pay attention and make wiser food choices 2. Drink my liquids 3. Work out 5 X per week 4. Lose 4 lbs 5. Support Mr Yoda on his post-op diet

Donna!!! Popcorn?????!!!! You baaaad baaaad grrrl you!!!! *smack* Don't even THINK about it. :pop2: :doh:

You look awesome Mandi!!!!! Well done!

Yeah, the scars really are the least of your worries. For the vast majority of people they will fade to nothing and be barely noticeable. Just be lucky that you aren't a keloid healer like me....I have keloid scars and they are NOT nice to look at.....my scars (one year later) are worse now than the intial incision. Basically it looks like I have a couple of leeches on me (sorry, but best way to describe it!). But, this is something I expected...I already knew that I would have keloid scars from this surgery and it is merely something I expect and accept. I'm extremely fair skinned (the Irish side of me coming out!), I bruise extremely easy, take a long time to heal etc etc. That being said, the cortisone creme I was prescribed for it is helping a wee bit. The only other solution for me would be to have cortisone shots (no thanks) and/or plastic surgery on the scars. But to be honest, I didn't do this for asthetic reasons and it really doesn't bother me....it's a small price to pay for the benefits I gain. To me, having these nasty looking scars on my stomach is no different than the nasty ones on my ankle (previous surgery) and other places. It's just a part of me and who I am. All that to say...be happy with the lil' scars that you do have, as it could be much worse (& they will likely get much better!).

Yasmina....don't forget to thank us all here at the site when you make your Oscar speech!!! And we wanna be thanked at the beginning...not at the end when the music cuts ya off!! :heh:

I would definitely do the soup thing at lunch....and just say (if asked) that you aren't too hungry. Eat slow and sometimes bring the spoon up to your mouth to make it look like you are eating more than you are. Otherwise, people generally don't notice how much you've eaten off your plate (or bowl in this case!). If they do ask...just say you don't have much of an appetite for some reason (if needed...have a mushie at home before you go out to lunch). Then at supper time....you can just say your stomach is "acting up" (if they are some of the same people who were at lunch with you...this will make sense from your lunch "story"). Again...have some mushies at home before you go for dinner (so you aren't starving) and then either just pick at something at dinner (if there is something mushie). If there is nothing "mushie" at dinner....just don't eat and feign an upset stomach from lunchtime (ie. something you ate etc). Believe you me.....people won't think much about it...just have a "story" ready. You can also try the dental thing but then that leads to too many questions and you get into a deeper lie..... Good luck! You can do it!

Yup, I hear ya Doddie and I hope the soon to be banded folks also do!!! THAT was the reason I was able to stick to the pre-op diet....that is what I kept reminding myself of....that it was to shrink the liver to make the surgical procedure easier/safer/more effective etc. For me, it was an actual safety/health issue as opposed to "just another crazy diet". So, whenever I wanted to have a little something and stray off the pre-op, I would remind myself that I was going under the knife and I didn't want to screw it (the procedure) up in any way!!! Worked for me!

Robgoblin....don't worry 'bout it man. Live and learn...right?! Yeah, it doesn't make sense (what does?) but it is likely because you were so strong and resisted your Aunt's food that you caved when you saw the leftover pizza. A teeny slice probably won't have an impact...so don't fret and just learn from your slip up. I also think it is the fact that you weren't eating at all that led you to it!!! Moreso that than the lack of variety of choices....as, in your case, you just weren't eating....tis a recipe for slippin' up, if ya know what I mean! You don't have much time left....just do the Y.CC. and Jello thing and your time will be here in no time. At least if your tummy is "full" on the above, you won't slide that pizza (or whatever) down your mouth...or at least you'll be less likely! YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

awwwwwww Wheezy....ur too sweet/kind!!! Thanks!!! By the way, I'm not so sure who had it tougher...me or Mr Yoda!!! But that's okay....live and learn!!!

Though there are medical "loan" companies, believe me....you will get a much better rate going through your bank. We used our Line of Credit (better rate than the bank etc). As far as not telling your husband....ummmm....the only way that will work is if you live far far far away from each other and you don't plan on seeing him for about a year!!! Seriously though, there is no way you can do this without him finding out/knowing....etc. Plus, don't you want to keep your relationship on an honest keel? I'd think twice about it if I were you and discuss it with him and include him....cause once he does find out (oh, and he will!!!) I can only imagine how he would feel THEN! Have him onboard from the outset.

Cat...don't forget though that the reason the other clinic (Mumford/Coborn) don't allow dairy products on the pre-op diet is because they are using Optifast. To be honest, I was really surprised when I found out (not too long ago) that the optifast pre-op diet also included the green veggies etc....here all along I had thought it was JUST optifast. Anyways, that is why they don't allow the dairy. In a perfect world, TLBC would want their patients doing a pre-op to JUST have the yogurt/cottage cheese...they "allow" the chicken breast and green veggies (for part...not all of the pre-op diet) under special circumstances for pers who really "require" it (based on each individual's case). I know people look for "substitutions"...but really...lets be honest, there is no equal substitution and the best thing is to try and stick to the plan. I personally found it easier being told exactly what to have...if they started to find foods with similar qualities serving the same purpose, it would open up the door way too much (& I don't believe would be as effective as the Y. CC) and pers would start to "stray", if ya know what I mean!!! But YES....Robgoblin: EAT!!!

Yeah, you pretty much described how it felt for me...but if you are at any way concerned about it, give the clinic a call....they will no doubt alleviate any concerns you may have better than we can! (and that is what they are there for!).

It's a normal feeling Donna. Your incision is only a few days old....so it is likely a combo of the incision itself and the "weird" feeling of the port being in there. I had that too. It will go away.

Hmmmmmm, don't know what is with the gobbly gook in my post above....

<p>Hey Donna D....yup....I knew you were banded...YAY YOU!!! That is great that it went super well for you...and yes, "belching" is normal....so are the lovely sounds from the other end!! LOL <img src="http://www.LapBandTalk.com/images/smilies/embarrassed.gif" border="0" alt="" title="" smilieid="56" class="inlineimg" /> </p> <p> </p> <p>Yes, the Mr & I do have a wonderful bond; took a awhile to find him, and went thru a few duds...but it was all worthwhile...he is much better than the prize in the cracker jack box for sure!!!! He's a keeper alright and I appreciate him every damn minute of every day!!! I'm just lucky a snatched him up before someone else did!! LOL</p> <p> </p> <p>I wish you a continued uneventful "recovery".</p>

Loriely and Cloe: ya, but I think the reason I lost weight on "holidays" was because I was so stressed out being with my folks for 8 nights and 9 gruelling days! :ermm Becca: it had been almost 2 yrs since I'd seen them. Surprisingly, they didn't "say" too much about the loss. They know about the band (I had told them AFTER I had it done) and I have sent photos. When they got the photos, they would write back and rave about them etc....so I did get feedback that way. I kinda expected them to say "you look good" or something but they didn't really. So, of course my paranoia kicks in and I start to think maybe it is noticeable in pics but not noticeable in person. Who knows! However, the last day there my mom did tell me she thought that what I did was a "great thing" and thought that the fact Mr Yoda was doing it too was also a great thing etc...... But, no, I didn't actually get a compliment to my face. But, on the other hand, I saw my Aunt/Uncle and cousin (male cousin) who I hadn't seen in 2 yrs and they all raved. So, overall .....tis all good. To be honest, they are all in a no win situation....I don't actually want to "hear" the compliments and yet I do want them....so......lose-lose all around!! LOL. I do recognize that though so that is a good thing! Yeah, I'm a lil' crazy, but I'm sure some of you will know where I'm coming from with that!

Hey Cloe!!!! Glad they're sortin' out the problems with the kidney/bladder and now heartbeat!! From what I understand "irregular heartbeats" aren't that significant....so don't fret too much. All my life, I've had what is termed a "heart echo".....which usually causes some confusion when they listen to my heart...but it's nothing really. Keep us updated on that front. Kudos to your fitness trainer for taking away your scale!! hehe! But, more importantly WAY TO GO for working with one and sticking to it! You are gonna notice some changes, my friend!!!! (re-sculpting!). Keep up the awesome work! Opening a lil' country store sounds like a kewl and fun idea! I'll check it out once you have it up and running (if)...!!! Don't feel bad about not coming here as much....you have a life!!! The only reason I'm here more than usual is because of the "R" thing!! LOL...but that won't last long! Take 'er easy!

Hi...I'm just curious... Does it bother any fellow Canadians that a lot (it seems the majority sometimes) of people who post in the Canada forum are actually non-Canadians and not living in Canada? Don't get me wrong (as I'm sure some people will..but whatcha gonna do?) I'm not saying they shouldn't post or that it even bothers me...I'm just curious if it raises an eyebrow on anyone. I guess I just wonder why some even bother looking (let alone posting) in the Canadian forum when LBT has forums that cover all bases....I'm all for everyone sharing everything regardless of where they are from...but sometimes when I come here looking for Canadian specific things I get answers from Americans (or whoever) who think they know what they are talking about and don't (when it comes to Canadian specific stuff...ie. they don't know what OHIP is etc etc). It can be frustrating at times. I also hope that the Canadian forum never takes on the meaness or negativity that has occurred in the main LBT forums. I'd like to think that we are above that type of bickering and so far so good! yayyy! This is one of the reasons I'm taking a hiatus from the main boards for now....but hope to still come for support (& give back) on the Canadian page! True North Strong and Free!!! Everyone keep up the great work!!!!

Robgoblin: ya better start eating man....as unappetizing as yogurt is to you. Hey, I get it...I refused to eat cottage cheese, but I did eat more yogurt to make up for it. You really HAVE to eat....otherwise you will make yourself sick and you don't want to be sick for your surgery.....or so weak that they can't do it....ya know? So, try and suck it up and eat the yogurt...it IS the lesser of two evils!! You don't want your surgery to be post-poned and you don't want to be so weak you will have post-op problems..... GO EAT SOME YOGURT YOUNG MAN!!!!! :guess :hungry: :paranoid

:wave: Yup, back from visiting the folks in BC. Lets just say I'm VERY glad I'm back!!! I am NOT going on vacation without my better half EVER AGAIN!!! Nosireeeebob! I don't really call it a "vacation" per say...but nonetheless I enjoyed being in BC. On the parent front, I think I stayed too long, a couple of nights would have been sufficient; I just wanted to get my moneys worth what with the flights being so expensive etc....I will know better for next time. I only have so much sanity left....I can't spare much more...and every time I visit my parents, a little more lifeblood is sucked right outta me! Can you spell dysfunctional! (but that is another story and one I won't share here!) LOL:phanvan So, I go away and the whole forum format changes!! Go figure! I actually like it though and change is good! For all of you who have recently joined the banded side: CONGRATS!!! :clap2: Be kind to yourselves for the next little while. For those of you who are agonizing on your pre-op diet: KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!! It is just a means to an end and you can do it!!! Well done! For those new to the board....welcome and congrats on your banded decision if you've recently made it! To all my buds who have been banded for awhile....you are all doing soooo awesome!!!! Be happy and proud! Speaking of proud, I am soooo proud of Mr Yoda...he is doing great on his pre-op (he has lost 10 lbs in 4 days!!!! Yikes!) and he is maintaining his usual jovial mood (unlike I did!!!). Thanks to everyone who has been supporting him on his quest! I did a quick look at some of the threads and it also appears he has been behaving himself!! Good to know! hehe. Take care everyone and all the best on your respective journeys...regardless of whether you are at the beginning or further along!

Wow, this IS an old thread; one I started a year ago!! I must say though that things aren't near as "bad" as they used to be. A year ago, there was only about 6 or 7 of us posting on the Canadian thread....now look at how many there are!! We've come a long way, Baaaaby!!!! Well done Canucks! :canada: :canada: :canada: :canada:

4-3: JenRN - 263/257/223/150 - 40 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/229/165 - 53 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/257.5/150 - 42.5 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/259/165 - 41 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/231/150 - 80 total 4-4: DeltaDawn - 358/184/179 - 174 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/205/150 – 50 total 4-4: Angels - 264/255/235/? - 29 total 4-4: Harpseal Al - 327/295/220 - 34 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/165/132 - 43 total 4-5: siestaqh - 180+/177/117/110 - 63 total--NO MORE BAND :-( 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-7: Guysis - 234/170/134 - 64 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/186/179 - 172 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/143.5/140 - 96.5total 4-11: Fel0816 - 307/284/265/to get under 200 - 42 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 231/230/210/130 - 21 total 4-11: truckinmama - 262/234/160 - 28 total 4-11: waterlily1072 - 354/273/150 - 81 total 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/335/175 - 23 total 4-13: NJgirl - 248/230/188/140 - 60 total 4-13: Miper70 - 217.5/187/145 - 33 total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/192/140 - 50 total 4-17: MelAnne - 245/207/150 - 38 total 4-18: KAYBEE-284/198/180 -86 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/259/150 - 11 total 4-20: TrustUfirst - 210/205/177/135 - 32 total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/179/130 - 41 total 4-20: KimInMD - 288/288/228/156 - 60 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/194/150 - 79 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/237/150 - 73 total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117/95/69 - 27 kgs/66 lbs total 4-24: Ceparano- 255/270.5/201/170 - 69.5 total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/203/165 - 86 total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/200/160 - 62 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/237/145 - 33 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/184/150 - 80 total 4-27: tinaj - 226/221/210/150 - 15 total 4-27: lookingout - 185/178/165/101 - 20 total 4-27: flowergoddesstn - 214/204/190/130 - 24 total 4-27: Dimples0323 - 284/284/241/145 - 43 total 4-28: Susan4794 - 283/228/150 - 55 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/228/150 - 105 total 4-28: Irish Girl - 225/214/150/135 - 75 total 4-29: Momofsixkids - 238/188/140 - 50 total <!-- / message --><!-- sig --><!-- / message -->

Here's my two cents Mandi: I like both dresses....so go with what makes you feel most comfy. Dress # 1: Get rid of that damn red belty thing. Just snip it off....I"m sorry, but it just doesn't seem to "belong". Without that red thing, the dress is killer!!! What is GREAT about that dress is the black band just below your chest is literally at the narrowest part of your body...so it draws the eye directly there....almost like it raises your waist up...where it is all narrow and small! (They talk about that on "What Not to Wear" all the time....it really does wonders!). Dress #2: really nice cut...and no....NOT an old lady pattern or dress!!! (Weirdo!). It also looks like it cinches in a bit beneath the chest....creating the same effect as the black band in the first dress. It's a nice classic cut and I can see why Dan likes it! Either way....have fun....feel confident = looking confident! This is my last post....off to Beautiful BC for 9 days.....!!! Hope your party goes well!!! No worries, my friend...you look beautiful no matter what!

It's like any other organization/company....people are "let go" all the time...Unfortunately it is just "life". I don't know what happend and am not going to speculate; all that matters is that it is business as usual; it has no effect whatsoever on the surgeon's skills. Also, lets face it....when most people are "let go"....they more often than not have an indication it is coming up; very few are surprised....Nisrine likely just didn't feel the need to mention it. Carry on and for those of you being banded at TLBC....the pre-op coord has no effect on the outcome of your surgery!

actually, Mr Yoda's is at 2:00....and there is a fourth person as well...I believe Cat is booked (I think for 10:00)....she can confirm. I believe Mr Yoda is the last one of the day...purposefully so since he needs to stay overnight at the clinic.