Yoda

Buffie: just be careful...a lot of the ideas given here are NOT the full Fluid stage, but rather are the "soft food" stage (ie. scrambled eggs etc). Just be cautious not to start the soft food until it is time; stick to the full fluids for the required amount of time! Time2Live: I got my popsicles at Sobeys. I buy "DelMonte Mini Pops" (flavours are rasp-o-licious, mang-o-licious Peach, and Very Cherry). They are 40 cals, 0 fat, & 11 carb. And, oooooh so good. Plus they are only "one fingered" popsicles, if you know what I mean...so makes it easier to suck on and one does me fine! Such a treat! You are both doing well; keep it up!

Hey Buffie...I just basically did the yogurt, pudding, Soup, thick Protein shake thing. Yeah, it got boring...but truly, before I knew it, the time was up for that phase. I think I didn't do too badly because I wasn't that hungry and couldn't eat much anyways. I also had a lot of sugar free popsicles. Don't worry about the losing weight thing....I thought the same thing and everyone told me "not to worry" about it ...that now was the time to heal anyways....they were right (of course!). Don't worry tho, your body will become accustomed to things and will catch up. Good luck...and truly...the phase will be over with before you know it!

Tks everyone. Hey Argon...that is EXACTLY what my husband said....that the clinic can certainly afford to have a fluro machine....I agree, especially now!!! You'll probably be okay Buffie! Cloe...Friday afternoon...summertime....ARE YOU CRAAAAAAZY???!!!! Could you not get it earlier in the day? Maaaaan, if I were you, I'd plan on staying in TO (take in dinner and a movie or shop or something) until about 7:00...then go up north back home. We went from Woodbridge up the 400 to Barrie around 6:30ish last night and it was wicked slow even then...and it wasn't a Friday!!!!! Good luck! and tks again everyone for your encouragement/empathy!!!

Tks for your comments everyone. And...it WAS the first nurse (who got it easy peasy) who did it the first time who was doing it yesterday!!! Like I said, she got everyone else no problem so it is obviously something up with my port. I'm feeling better about it all now and will keep my fingers crossed for next week and hopefully the saga won't continue!!!

Saw Superman Returns yesterday. What made it even more AWESOME is that we saw it on the IMAX screen AND some of the scenes were in 3D... COOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!! Superman flew right AT me!!! lol. I looooved the movie...prob more so being on the Imax!!

NOTE: THIS IS A COPY/PASTE FROM MY POST ON THE CANADA THREAD...thought I'd post it here as well so as to share my experience with "everyone" as opposed to just Canuck Land. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Okay, so as you know, my first fill was an absolute breeeeze. In/Out no problemo. No restriction...so went for a second fill a week later. That was a terrible experience for me. A different nurse was doing it; didn't know if that was the reason or not. So, she tried about 20 times (seriously) to "get it". Prick prick prick prick...over and over and over. NOT fun. OF course it eventually started to get quite painful. By then, the doc. had arrived and so he tried. It still took him 3 tries but he did get it (after he had me stand up for it). Okay, so still no restriction....so 3 weeks later I went for my 3rd fill (which was yesterday). My husband took the day off work (as did I) to go to Toronto: it is a 2 hr drive (one way). I was happy because the nurse who did my first easy peasy fill was going to be doing it. So, I was confident. Two hours later I was still there and she was still trying to get it. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. It wasn't her.......she was doing others as they came in and they were in and out really quick. At least this nurse had a more gentle touch and despite trying about 30 times (yes, 30!) it wasn't as painful as the last time. Plus, she would just leave the needle "in" there most of the time and then try and move it around....rather than pull it completely out and try fresh each time. She was "on the port" with the needle....we could "hear" it tapping it and I could feel it inside (no pain)....but she couldn't actually get the needle in the hole. MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN talk about frustration. For her and of course, for me. We both gave up after 2 hrs of trying on and off (it was starting to hurt). The docs weren't there this week, so I didn't have that option. So, we drove 4 hrs, (wasted gas and time and a day off for both of us) for NOTHING. No fill so therefore still no restriction. I have an appt to go back next Thurs for the doc to give it a try. If he can't do it then I will have to wait for an appt. (I've heard up to a month!!!!) to go to the hospital and have it done under fluoro. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. The nurse said that she thinks my port may have turned sideways....but if so, the doc can prob still get it. But let me tell you....of course now I'm a little (a lot) skittish to even have another go at it next week. But I don't have much of an option. It was soooooo frustrating seeing others go in and out in 2 mins. So, of course I went through the "why me" syndrome and didn't have a good day or night yesterday. I have it in a better perspective this morning but I'm still very frustrated at the whole ordeal. Tks for letting me vent. frickin' frickin' frickin...... Oh, on a gooood note...on the way home from TO we went to see SUPERMAN RETURNS in 3D at the IMAX theatre and it was AMMMMAAAAAZING on the Imax screen (as well as the few 3D scenes they had). Off to work now!!!! Ciao and have a great day!

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Okay, so as you know, my first fill was an absolute breeeeze. In/Out no problemo. No restriction...so went for a second fill a week later. That was a terrible experience for me. A different nurse was doing it; didn't know if that was the reason or not. So, she tried about 20 times (seriously) to "get it". Prick prick prick prick...over and over and over. NOT fun. OF course it eventually started to get quite painful. By then, the doc. had arrived and so he tried. It still took him 3 tries but he did get it (after he had me stand up for it). Okay, so still no restriction....so 3 weeks later I went for my 3rd fill (which was yesterday). My husband took the day off work (as did I) to go to Toronto: it is a 2 hr drive (one way). I was happy because the nurse who did my first easy peasy fill was going to be doing it. So, I was confident. Two hours later I was still there and she was still trying to get it. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. It wasn't her.......she was doing others as they came in and they were in and out really quick. At least this nurse had a more gentle touch and despite trying about 30 times (yes, 30!) it wasn't as painful as the last time. Plus, she would just leave the needle "in" there most of the time and then try and move it around....rather than pull it completely out and try fresh each time. She was "on the port" with the needle....we could "hear" it tapping it and I could feel it inside (no pain)....but she couldn't actually get the needle in the hole. MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN talk about frustration. For her and of course, for me. We both gave up after 2 hrs of trying on and off (it was starting to hurt). The docs weren't there this week, so I didn't have that option. So, we drove 4 hrs, (wasted gas and time and a day off for both of us) for NOTHING. No fill so therefore still no restriction. I have an appt to go back next Thurs for the doc to give it a try. If he can't do it then I will have to wait for an appt. (I've heard up to a month!!!!) to go to the hospital and have it done under fluoro. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. The nurse said that she thinks my port may have turned sideways....but if so, the doc can prob still get it. But let me tell you....of course now I'm a little (a lot) skittish to even have another go at it next week. But I don't have much of an option. It was soooooo frustrating seeing others go in and out in 2 mins. So, of course I went through the "why me" syndrome and didn't have a good day or night yesterday. I have it in a better perspective this morning but I'm still very frustrated at the whole ordeal. Tks for letting me vent. frickin' frickin' frickin...... Oh, on a gooood note...on the way home from TO we went to see SUPERMAN RETURNS in 3D at the IMAX theatre and it was AMMMMAAAAAZING on the Imax screen (as well as the few 3D scenes they had). Off to work now!!!! Ciao and have a great day!

I agree! Absolutely!

My docs don't use it...but check out my my latest thread on my last fill (yesterday)...maybe I should consider it!!!!

By the time you read this, you'll be banded!!! Yayyyyy!!! congrats! :clap2: :clap2: :canada: :canada:

Yup, I've heard the same thing. And for those that think they have enough restriction without a fill....it is actually more willpower doing the work rather than actual restriction. But hey....if they "think" they have restriction and it works for them...all the more power to 'em!!! I can't do it though!!! I'll let ya know how it goes tomorrow!

Ya, I agree....I signed up for it a long time ago (pre-op) and got so FRUSTRATED with it that I don't go there anymore....just here. It had some useful info but OMG....it is soooooo NOT NOT NOT NOT user-friendly AT ALL!!!! In fact, ridiculously non user-friendly!!! My opinion!! (strong one, eh?!!) lol

it will happen soooooooooooo fast you won't even know they've begun!! You won't have time to panic!!!!

That's great!!! You couldn't pay me enough to go on a roller coaster though!!! In the past I've used my size as an excuse to my hubby (who loooooves coasters) and so he goes alone....he better not try to drag me on one now!!! LOL....nOOOooooooooooooo way!!!

No staples are used at TLBC either.

Hiya Neenagh and welcome!!!! I'm a TLBC patient (Drs. Yau & Joffe). The website is www.tlbc.ca I was banded on 21 Apr of this year. So far, so good. I have nothing but good things to say about TLBC and the staff who work there. I'm completely satisfied with my entire experience from pre-op to where I am now post-op. I think either way you will get what you want from either the TLBC or Dr. Coburn's clinic. I can't speak for Dr. Coburn's (cause I don't know) but with TLBC you get free fills for life. So, I would compare things like that and overall price etc (as well as pre-op requirements) before making a decision. And, yup...just walk into each clinic and take a looksie to see what kind of vibe you get from each. I live 2 hrs north of TO, so I can relate to the travel thing. Either way....welcome and GOOD LUCK!!! :canada: :canada:

Hiya Brittu.... Yup, many of the docs vary in their post-op diet regime. And, no doubt, you will receive several replies to your query. But bottom line is that it doesn't really matter what "others" did....you should really listen to YOUR doc and follow his plan of attack. There are reasons for it. Besides...if you find it is more strict (as was mine)...you will only be better off in the long run!

Hiya Time2Live....I was about to tell you about the GNC brand double chocolate Protein powder but then realized you were asking about a "ready-made" shake. I don't do those so I can't really help you there. However, I do sometimes have an Ensure (chocolate) for Breakfast and just add some of my Protein Powder.

Buffie:....hey!!!! *waves* so you mean to tell me the "regular" inseams are too short for you???!!! Go figure, eh?!!! Well, at least we can sympathize with each other even if for the opposite reason!!! haha. Okay, so if some of us (most?) are too short (despite our "normal" height) and others are too tall....WHERE are these so called inbetween gals??!!!! You're like my sister...she is also 5'10" (dunno WHAT happened to me??!) ....mind you she is skiiiiiiiiny!!!!

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Yeeehaaaaaa...that is an awesome NSV Argon!!! Woooot wooooot! And the good deal on top of that!! Now I feel like running do our local Penningtons!!! hahaha. Bummer about the hemming...I KNOW how that feels too....who on EARTH ARE these tall amazon women that they are making the "regular" inseams for anyways??? HUHHHH?????? I am 5'5" and I am "average" height, so why are pants ALWAYS wayyyyyy too long on me!??? Ooops, I digressed.....way to go Argon!! And....the NB speak looks good on ya!! hahahaa. Yous done well! :canada: :canada:

Woodys: no...sorry, I don't know the difference between the two bands at all. You can ask them though and I'm sure they'll explain it. ooops, Hope I didn't put ya off with my previous post on my last fill. Keep in mind that my first one was easy peasy and did not hurt at all!!!! I only felt a lil' prick (like a regular needle) and no....you don't feel the stuff going into the band and filling it up at all. As she pulled the needle out, there was some discomfort...but nothing to write home about! I don't know why they had such a hard time on the 2nd fill...??? and the reason it really started to get painful was due to all the poking and prodding they were doing. By the time I got home, I had about a dozen lil' pin pricks around the area (that I could see) and quite a nasty bruise forming (but then again, I bruise easily). I'm not afraid of any actual "pain" on Wed....just concerned that they won't get it right away again. I'm hoping that was just an abnormal time last time and this 3rd time will be like the first time! Time To Love Me: Thanks for the kind words!!!!

No SIREE BOB!!! I know my limitations!! haha. The first fill was a breeze. The second one....ummmm not so breezy. Very painful in fact. The nurse (who does them) (but different nurse from the first fill) had a VERY difficult time and tried about 8 times with 3 different needles. Needless to say, I was getting realllllllllllllllllly frustrated (& sore). The doc was on his way in so I waited for him and then he tried....and got it but still after 3 tries!!! So I'm a tad worried about Wed but I'm having the first nurse do it...so hopefully all will be well. Because of the difficulty I'm thinking that maybe not all the juice went in...so this time will have them take it all out and measure to be sure....it might explain the "no restriction!". Anyways, all that to say, no I do NOT watch!!

I also got mine at exactly 6 weeks out. My second one was only 1 week later and I go for my 3rd this Wed (3 weeks after the 2nd).

Howdy amourette....yeah, basically I've been loosing weight; though I was stuck at the same weight for 3 weeks. But, "averaged" out I was within my 1-2 lb loss per week...and I know I have to take the average. But I neeeeeeeeeed (& want!) the help that the band, as a tool is supposed to give me. I'm not complaining about the loss....as though some may consider it slow, any loss is good for me, as far as I'm concerned. BUT I know that it is only a matter of time before I slip up big so I'm just hoping to get on track soon and form a partnership with the band. Yes, patience is KEY!!! I think the more patient and calm we are with all of this....the better for us mentally. My post-op care person from the clinic where I had it done has had the band for 6 years now (one of the first in Canada) and she only lost 35 lbs in the first year but in her second year, she lost 80 lbs. So....patience, patience, patience!!!! (so I keep telling myself!). I wanna hold it together and not start panicking and "freaking out" like some people! So, bottom line, as long as I average around 1-2 lbs per week, I'm gonna keep on chuggin' along. Nice to see you! (I didn't go far!). :confused:

I have a "Mid-band" and I have 7 cc's (supposedly!). My first fill was 5 cc's and my second fill was 2 cc's. Nothing....absolutely nothing, restriction wise. So, yup...been doin' it all by willpower...but I know that won't last much longer! Tks for the encouragement everyone!