Yoda

Bit of a rough day for Mr Yoda, despite the great beginning with his chocolate shake concoction. He wasn't feeling too well and coincidentally he had an appt with his GP. I asked his GP to take his BP (we have a monitor at home and I had taken it beforehand and had thought it was pretty low). It was also quite low when the doc took it (101/52). So, the doc re-adjusted Mr Yoda's BP meds. A little later on, at home, I took it again (he reallllly wasn't feeling well and also wasn't sipping/eating) and it was down to 90/48. I called his doc to ask when we should start being REALLY concerned and the doc said if it got down to 85 (top number) to take him to the hospital. I just took it a little while ago and it was 98/51....so at least it seems it is on the rise. However, I will keep an eye. He also just got down 1/2 cup of tomato soup (which made me happy)....and he MUST be feeling better because after he had the soup the said "I WANT TOAST!" hehe. Anyways, the doc said for him to just "be still" and not "do" anything.....(as if he needed an excuse!!) LOL. Watchful Nurse Yoda on the job though.....so no worries!! (no, I'm not really a nurse!).

Hey Susan...even tho you are on "full fluids" be wary of how much you are "eating". If you look at the TLBC info, they are still saying to eat only 1/4 to 3/4 cup of soup (for instance) ...certainly not a whole can! Don't forget to look at the portions they are recommending thru this full Fluid stage. Measure out what you are supposed to have and STICK TO IT!!! I know it is hard, but try (you did the pre-op, afterall, so you can do this too!). Willpower plays a much bigger role until you get proper restriction. Yes, it is normal to start to feel hunger....most people do (I envy those few who don't) Certainly don't worry about weight loss/gain during the first 6 weeks post-op. Even after your first one or two fills, you may not be "on track"....don't forget...it isn't supposed to "work" (the band) until it is properly restricted....so any weight loss prior to that point is just a bonus but shouldn't be "expected". Exercise is a huge part of this equation and yes, it is recommended you exercise...but not until you are able/capable. If you were working out prior to being banded, you can start much sooner than someone who wasn't....but follow your doctor's guidelines.

....I'm not saying it isn't a good option...it DEFINITELY is & god knows I've had my share of that AND icecream)!!! All I'm saying is that I don't think I would push it and use it as an option during the "full fluid" stage. Mushie and beyond....absolutely!!!

LOL Mr Yoda is soooo thrilled; I just handed him my concoction of a yummy chocolate Protein drink....(with added Protein powder and benefibre...little does he know!!!) LOL He gets a whopping 45 g of protein with this drink. He is sooooo loving it right now (to him, chocolate is heaven!). If he's a good boy (LOL) he'll get some tomato Soup later!!! I know THAT will floor him!!! hehe He is doing so well; I'm so proud of him!

You can't live your life by the "what ifs"

Don't be quiet....we value your words and your opinion; you are a great inspiration to most of us here!!!! Really, my response to the question is that if you have to ask, it probably isn't what you would like it to be!!! (ie. not a full fluid)! IMHO!

any "fullness" you may feel now will only be from the swelling of the surgery (ie. around the stomach area etc)....most likely not from the band itself. So, be prepared...once the "swelling" goes down you will become very very very very hungry and will get hungrier as time goes on. It will be a matter of sheer willpower until you have your first fill...which hopefully will curb the hunger somewhat. But even after your first fill, you will most likely still feel hunger (will vary from person to person) until you reach the proper level of restriction FOR YOU> In other words, don't be surprised and don't expect to not have any hunger....you WILL be hungry and at times will be stark raving starving until you have the right restriction.....tis a journey and you have to get through the "bad" to get to the good.

Thanks for the kind comments everyone...it is encouraging! Nope....I don't mind...feel free! I had personal reasons (related to a previous stalker) for replacing the head; I needed some form of anonymity (sp?). I was originally going to just have the head cut off but then, being the smart cookie (mmmmmm coooookies...:hungry: ) he is, Mr Yoda put the Yoda heads on....I thought it was appropriate!! LOL

there are also some other differences but your best bet is to ask the clinic about it and not some "Layman"! (as the answers you get may be "suspect").

Mr Yoda isn't starting "full fluids" until tomorrow (Thus). According to the instructions he got: he was banded on the 4th and the day following surgery (ie. Sat) was to be "water only". Then it was to be followed by 4 days of "clear fluids" (ie. Sun-Wed). So, he isn't starting the full fluid stage until Thurs.

That reallllly sucks....I'm shocked by that (but then, what do I know?) I understand your anger and would definitely puruse it. It is wrong wrong wrong on soooo many levels!

Victoria, You are doing sooooo AMAZING!!! LOOKIT how much you have lost in such a little time!!! You should be very happy & proud. Definitley our thoughts/prayers are with your mom (& your family) during this difficult time. Best of luck on Monday and we will be thinking of you and sending you good vibes. Be positive. Keep us posted. (((HUGS)))

Lookit that teddy bear on your ticker ANGEL BEAR!!!!!! He has nowhere else to go!!!!! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Tres Chic...the only reason I got filled at the hospital (2 times) is because, due to an issue, they had to do it under fluoro. Each time, I had an appt; the first time, I waited about 45 mins (Dr. J was late) and the second time (Dr. Y) I waited about 2 mins! The time after that (I no longer needed it under fluoro) I had my fill done at Dr. Y's office (in Scarborough near the hospital). My last one (a defill) I just had on Fri at TLBC (since Mr Y. was there for his surgery anyways).

Mr Yoda's GP was so interested and supportive, he took all the info down to give to his wife!!!!!

I agree Susan...that is one of the great thing about TLBC...their desire and ability to use the band best suited for each person...whether it be the Inamed, Swedish, Midband etc. I also agree re. Dr Yau...he is SUCH a sweet and caring man (& yes, cute!).

LOL @ Loriely, Mr Loriely, & Susansilver!! Thanks for the chuckle. It's very late and I'm up with Mr Yoda for a pain pill and walk (a good caretaker, am I!) and checked on here briefly. You're all too funny....."ears pinned", "face cream"!!! Hyuck Hyuck!!! When 900 years old you reach, look as good, you will not. -- Yoda

Yup, what Kat said. The studies DO show that the results are equal to gastic bypass (ie. after 5 yrs). Yes, it takes longer but the results are equal and, more importantly the surgery is easier, less invasive, less complications (no actual "cutting") and is adjustable. You really do have to do your own research so you have your own peace of mind. Don't believe what that nurse said. As for our GPs, yes...both ours (mine and Mr Yoda's) were highly supportive. Good luck.

Mandi....I am 5'5". (but I have reallllly short legs!). (freakishly so, but thankfully they reach the ground! - this isn't even a "Yoda" joke...I really do have short legs!) LOL Thanks Lila....yeah, I'm usually a lil' on the funky side...it is my rebellious nature in me coming out!! (Of course it is much more fun dressing "funky" in smaller sizes now). You should SEE the shoes I recently got.....I'll take a photo one day and show 'em!! Lets just say I would completley fit in during TO's annual "Carabana"!!!!

Nooooo, sadly....no family rate!!!! Loriely and Mr Loriely might have gotten one because they booked theirs at the same time (I believe) and only had their surgeries a couple of weeks apart. (Loriely can confirm!). But we had ours (& booked them ) a year apart....so treated differently. We even had to pay more since we each stayed overnight at the clinic!!! (sleep apnea). No matter though...still worth the money. :nervous

LOL ummm, yeah Mandi...I find the biggest difference is in my face too!!! (Smartass!!!)

Thanks Loriely. I am a size 16 in pants though I'm still wearing some of my 18s (it's hard to part with my new "faves"). I have become very good friends with my belts....although Mr Yoda has had to punch several new holes in them and cut off the ends to shorten them - they were wrapping half way around me!. The other day I bought shorts...size "Large" (which freaked me out!). As for tops....it varies....depending sometimes still a 1X...other times an XL or L.... I am now in Men's medium T-shirts though (which also freaked me out!) LOL If I can eventually get to a size 12, I will feel I've "made it" but that may be unrealistic for me and my structure....I honestly think I'll be happy in a size 14. At my heaviest I was in size 26 pants (that were too tight in some instances & probably should have been a 28!). I've come a loooong way baaaaaby!!! (I keep having to remind myself!). So Loriely....when will we see some before/afters of you?? Hmmmmmm????

Her doctor was Dr. Yau!! He works out of the Scarborough-Grace as well as TLBC.

Alrighty then. To celebrate my one year bandiversary (21 Apr 07) and to quell the previous demands for photos, I have relented and here ya'll go (for those who are interested!). :phanvan The "before" was taken around Dec 2004. I may have been about 10-15 lbs heavier at my heaviest but alas, there are very few photos of me around that timeframe and later (gee, I wonder why?!! - I'm sure many of you can relate!). :bandit The "after" was taken the first week of Apr 2007 (about 2 weeks shy of my one year mark). (& yes, that is Mr Yoda in the "before" photo with me....we look like twins, eh??) :paranoid :heh:

Yes, Robgob's mom and I had a nice long chat in the waiting room!