Yoda

no no no....I didn't mean to worry you! But, absolutely, everyone who is banded should be aware that "slipping" is one of several complications with the band that MAY happen. You can't ignore it. But you also can't let that stop you. The incidences of slippage has been greatly reduced over the last few years due to different bands now being available and to the newer method of suturing the band to the stomach (ie. up around the ring...sorry...I don't know the medical mumbo jumbo!). Your doctor (or the release you sign) should have gone over in great detail all the possible complications that can happen. Don't worry...it is like when you take a prescription medication;.....all the possible complications/side-effects are discussed even if the chances of it happening are very slim..... Best to be well informed, for sure.

Gaffer...nope no links...the info I read wasn't online but rather hard copies of a few medical journals that I read; one in TLBC waiting room and two in my dermatologist's office. This really isn't anything new...people in the field of bariatric surgery (specifically lapband) are well aware that some types of bands slip more than others. They are still way better than they were years ago though and likely will be even more improved years from now. I also hold more stock in Health Canada than the US version of the FDA. Canada has ALWAYS been way more stringent in their health (& food, as well) guidelines than the US; sometimes this is to our great advantage; others to our detriment!

Nice photo Angel Bear!! By the way, everyone, she is the one on the right! Where's your before shot...I've seen ya before but these guys haven't! The difference is INCREDIBLE!!! You hottie you!:clap2:

Hmmmm.......freaky stuff alright! If ya only knew!!

That's a really good point Angel Bear....we also tip very well in those situations where deserved when the server goes out of his/her way to accommodate us sharing a meal or whatever...

I wasn't scolding! You would KNOW when I scold, as your butt would be tender! LOL. Yeah, I knew "FDA" was US...I was only using CanMac's words...didn't know you were, in fact, referring to US...so I stand corrected on that point. No, you didn't specifically say you chose Dr. C because of the Inamed but I was also referring to the previous threads that talked about TLBC using "knock-off" bands (silliness!) and so I didn't want any new people to get from your comment that may have insinuated the same (not that you did, but they may take it that way). I just wanted to be clear on that point since it was an issue on the other thread. ...and, I have always stressed that both clinics are equal...I've been very careful about that. Rock on..... *doing a Frankie*

Thank you for posting that and clarifying Cat. I knew that (ie. about more issues with slippage with the inamed and about having no partnership with one company etc) but didn't want to post it because I didn't want to be seen as "dissing" one over another (ie. since I've already been banded). You've gotten lots of input and as I've already said both clinics are fine and you would do well with either one and after your consults, only you can make the decision that is right for you and your personal circumstances. I just find it odd when folks state that Dr. C.'s clinic is the better choice because they "Only use Inamed bands" when it seems only logical to me that it may be better to go to a place that has access to and utilizes all bands and specifically chooses the one for your body once they are literally looking inside. (not to mention the problems you already alluded to with inamed in the first place....this is a real issue and it is readily avail in the recent research, as well). Good luck with your other consult and with your journey!

No Way Maaaaaan, I'M Cher......I got the boobies! :phanvan

I agree Green....ahhhhh HD!!!! :hungry: :hungry: :hungry: Cookie dough and no other!

....ahem...I would like to point out that ALL the bands TLBC uses are FDA approved in Canada. The difference is they use the band that best suits your body type...they aren't limited to just the one brand. I just wanted to clear that up as it sorta makes it sound like TLBC doesn't use approved bands....which, of course, is ridiculous. I'd also like to say that anyone trained in giving fills can (& do) give fills regardless of where you have your surgery done. Maybe one or two don't, but the vast majority do. They don't care where you were banded.

Thanks Maria!

I fully believe not depriving yourself is one of the keys to this journey. You are more entitled to have your treat every once in a while....so don't worry 'bout it! Enjoy. I know I would be doing better/losing quicker if I was depriving myself but then that would open up a whole new can of worms....so I am happy/satisfied with my progress. I hear ya on the kitkat blizzard...Mr Yoda actually subscribes to the DQ site (gawd!!) and they kindly sent him some e-mail a few days ago informing him of this new blizzard concoction. Personally, I am not a Blizzard (or even much of a DQ) fan but a kitkat one I would like a wee taste of; Kitkat is my fave chocolate bar.

YEAH!!! What Green said....I didn't mean you had to be nekkid!!!! LOL... Pssssst Irish....can you plse give my turtle another one of your ass kickin's.....Thanks!! :nervous

Ya Andrew....way to go on the ticker movement! You DO rock (although I am also a bit envious!! LOL). (but happy for you!). You'll break into the 200s in no time!!!!!!

all the best to your mom Bandiva...that is distressing news. Yes, be strong for her...but don't forget to take care of yourself too....otherwise you won't be the best you can be for her. Hang in there....the outcomes are much better these days; I hope they caught it early. I live for the day when nobody knows anybody with cancer.

"Prepare for ignorance" that is a good one, JLB! An absolute MUST!!! Susan...hope you had a good comeback!!!

That IS a great idea Gaffer....and you can easily get away with it what with the diaper bag and all. It will get more fun/exciting after awhile (eating out).....for instance, I love going to Kelseys (do you have that in AB?)....ordering a Pasta meal and then bringing the leftovers home and getting two more meals out of it ....that way I don't feel like I'm blowing my money! I always ensure I tell the server that the food is yummy (if it is) and that I"m just not that hungry or that my "eyes were bigger than my stomach"....etc.

Yeah, I know...same thing in Ontario...it is so ridiculous. I thought it might be a bit better in AB...guess not!! Sucks, eh?

Lol :rofl:

WELCOME BACK HOME TO CANADA LILA!!!!! Hope you had a fabulous time and it doesn't take you too long to adjust being back home!!! ...and CONGRATS on your awesome weight loss!!! :clap2: :clap2:

Yup, you'll be okay Susan! Glad you enjoyed the pre-op seminar. That is something new they have done since I was banded a year ago. That is great that you've decided to start your pre-op diet early and that you feel good about it. Good luck...you'll do great! Re. the "food thoughts being a constant"....I hear ya there. I never used to obsess about food but once I decided on the surgery, I totally obsessed and thought about it alllllll the time. Worse, once I was banded, it was ALL I could think about. It was like, since I could no longer have it (ie. the post-op diet) and it wasn't an option, I was completely obsessed with that fact. Once I started "eating" I thought those obsessions would go away but they only got worse and more intense.....all my waking thoughts were about food (what to have, what can I have, how much, should I have it, angry cause I wanted to eat MORE etc etc)....it was horrible....since I never had those foody thoughts before being banded. I won't say that has completely gone away for me (this is my "head" stuff I deal with) but thankfully it has subsided a great deal. Still working on it. Sometimes I catch myself NOT thinking about food!! LOL. Then again, better I just think about it than act on it!!

seaangel: 7 hrs from TO really isn't that bad (compared to others who are like, 2 days away or more - driving time!). If you would go to TO for fills, you are better off just getting your surgery done in TO.

Wheezy: you luuuuurve everything!!!! LOL (okay, except wasting food!). hehe. Glad u are having a WONDERFUL vacation!

Oh, it suuuuucks alright!! I usually try to go to bed at the same time so we can keep a routine (of course, that means I usually end up getting 4 more hrs sleep than him!). We are generally in bed no later than 9:00 pm (sometimes 8:30). It really is funny lying in bed (we have black out blinds, thank god!!) and still hearing the young un's out playin'!! I always think: "Something is wrong with this picture"! Our friends know not to call us past 8:30 pm!! LOL. The GOOOD news is that he is only on this early shift about 3 -4 times a week; the other times he is on late shift (which means he gets home at 7:15 pm). (So, that really sucks when he is early the next day, as he gets home at 7:15 ad is in bed a little over an hour later!). But, we've been doing this for over 6 yrs now....so we are used to it! The days he is off or on "late" shift, we can stay up till 10:00!!! LOL We really do live very exciting lives! really.....no....really! :kiss

Ahem.....do as I say; not as I do!!!!!! :paranoid (or as in this case, as I don't do!)