Woodys

Hi Stephanie...yes, if no complications set in you will be able to work...no heavy lifting or high stretching, but if I judge it by my own experience you'll be just fine. Carol

Good going Buffie! I have a huge bruise from my IV too. It is true that you feel rushed.....I'm not sure what I really think about that because I didn't really have any reason to spend any time with the Drs, I had no more questions for them and just wanted to get on with it...so, for me it worked. I was feeling great by the 5/6th day.....was doing most everything and not suffering too much at all. 7th day took all my steritapes off and inspected my incisions.....I'm 10 days post op now and still sore and tender around the largest incision where I understand the port is....usually hurst when I sleep the wrong way or poke it too much trying to find the port. Glad that it is all working out well for you. Carol

I am 10 days post-op as well....all my incisions are tender to the touch, however....my largest incision and port area hurt as well....but only when I lean on it the wrong way in bed or poke it too much. I'm not sure I can feel the port or scar tissue though. Carol

Puddin Pie...sorry for the delay in replying.....here is the website http://www.tcclinic.com/ We have to pay only GST in Canada for this type of expenditure. Good Luck. Carol

I have a tanita, it measures weight and body fat.....it is right on....the scale never waivers. I have a ladies fitness centre and just to test the accuracy I had 3 members bring in their digital scales and I took mine from home (same model)......only one members scale was out consistently after weighing 5 people. Carol

Wow pfunkem......what HAPPY face....keep smiling. Carol

As long as it doesn't involve cottage cheese then I'm having fun. I get really bored with TV too.....I love to put on my favourite CDs and blast them....then, I'll find something that has been badly neglected and fix it.....like the "junk drawer"......my "panty" drawer...etc. Carol

Hi: When I reached a certain weight I lost all interest in my general appearance....stopped wearing make-up except when going to special functions, didn't really care what colour or style my hair was in which was usually a pony tail, didn't care about clothes just as long as they didn't make me look fatter. My personal hygeine never changed but I stopped doing things like waxing my brows, shaving my legs on a regular basis...did it only when I absolutely had to, etc. I am now 8 days post-op and I noticed this morning that my attitude is starting to change....this morning I got up early to give myself enough time to pay attention to nails, hair, shaving, make-up, jewelery......when I came downstairs my husband made a double-take.....cause its been sooo long. Did this happen to anyone else? Carol

The most important day of my life was the day I met my husband, I have a small butterfly tatoo over my right ankle that displays that date....so....... wear your tatoo proud, I know how you feel. I'm thinking of another when I reach goal.....will the 2nd most important day of my life. Carol

I am my own worst enemy.....my jobs have always been more "all consuming" than they needed to be. I won't deligate....I can't get past the mindset that nobody can do a job as good as me so I better do it myself to make sure it gets done right. Carol

Puddin Pie....its Canadian dollars. This place has a website, when I get back to my other business I will look it up and post it. Carol

I have an unfair advantage.....should I drop out? I was just banded on the 8th so I have had benefit of the pre/post-op fast. Carol

As I write this you will be on your way to the clinic. Please let me know how your experience was. woodys@sympatico.ca Ask any questions for post-op help, we'll help you the best we can. Talk to you lighter :cool: Carol

For me, the embarrassment phase is over, its more anger I have over shear ignorance. To eat is a biological need. Sure, we can control the choices we make on what we eat, but we have to eat to live. Somehow, somewhere, sometime, food has to pass our lips. An alcoholic does not need booze to keep his body alive, nor a drug addict. We have the added burden of necessary temptation because we MUST eat if we want to stay on this earth. Ignorance vs our guilt of non control.....When I think about this I still get so angry, I can't even believe that it really happened. I was banded last Thursday. When in the waiting room there were quite a few other patients either waiting for their consultation, fill, surgery, whatever.....we were all big people. There were two Sisters, one waiting to go to OR for her procedure and the other there for support. When the one left the room for her procedure the other started to speak out in the waiting room. She was "normal" size. She was speaking to whomever would listen to her but loud enough that the entire room could hear her. Her conversations went like this "I hope this helps my Sister, I don't understand why she can't exercise willpower, all it takes is a little willpower......just tell yourself you are not going to eat that and then don't, anyone should be able to do this, its not that difficult, everyone should be able to use their willpower, whenever I have a dress size to lose I just willpower myself to eat only what I can, we all should be able to do that, we should sit and meditate and talk to our fat cells....will them to push the fat out and away"....and it went on and on. No one would speak, anyone's attention she got would just not affirmatively at her.....I couldn't believe what I was witnessing. My anger over ignorance made me speak out....I told her that this was not the place for talking such rubbish, that she was being clearly insensitive and inappropriate, that anyone in this room has the will power to lose one or two dress sizes and that her personal situation does not compare.......I also told her that if this is the kinda of support that she is going to give her Sister then "God Bless her poor Sister". Then I got called to OR.....couldn't wait to get away from her. Carol

maybe we shouldn't have spoiled it for the rest of them...have this thread deleted and then post the website again...see if anyone else can figure it out. Carol

our posts must have crossed paths....I was just about to add....everytime you go back to try again they change the symbols so that you are sure to get a different one on your next answer. Clever.

All series (90's, 80's, 70's, etc) are worked the same. When you choose 88 for instance...add the two...is 16, subtract the 16 from 88 and the answer is 72....87....add the two is 15, subtract is 72...all the 80's answers will be 72....all the 90's will be 81, etc, etc....if you look up those results on the chart the symbols are all the same. Carol

I have to disagree.....surely the professionals have a reason for designing a post-op diet the way they did.....otherwise, what would be the point? We have no idea the real condition of the new and old stomach after the surgery and just what it can handle during the healing process. I would suggest you listen to the professionals and follow their post-op instructions.

My Post op diet is as follows: 1 wk clear fluids, 2 wks full fluids, 2 wks pureed, 6th week we graduate to solids....that is the only phase where actual chewing is finally involved....so, to me.....no matter what plan you are on....the difference from 2nd wk to the 6th wk to be allowed to have food that requires chewing is definately for a reason and the fact that you entered into solids in phase 2 may be harmful. I would check with your Dr before you proceed to eat this way. Carol

I'm not so sure if you would call it cheating, however....according to my post-op eating instructions for phase 2 is full liquids, cream Soups are allowed but must be strained. To me, that means that anything that requires chewing is still not allowed at this point. I believe it has to do with the stomach still being in healing mode. Hope this helps. Carol

Hi: Maybe he needs to be educated on the lapband so that there is no misconceptions of what its purpose, success, and worth is. Try and get him to read relative information and maybe watch the video of the surgery. He may be percieving this as just another "weight loss gimmick"....find info that will dispell that. More importantly....find information that will drive it home to him just what will happen to you if you don't have this procedure........what your life, and his, will be like in the future if you remain obese. Sorry I can't help.....one of the keys to success with this in addition to using the band properly is surrounding yourself with positive support. Hope all works out well. Carol

Congrats on being banded. I was banded June 8th. My understanding of the clear Fluid diet is that it was to reduce the risk of damaging your new, smaller stomach pouch. The full fluid diet I believe is for the same reason. Your stomach is still in healing mode.....not so sure about the chili? Did you hurt your stomach?.......I think that's a question for your Doctor. Good Luck Carol

Buffie: My ride in the car was only a few blocks. My nausea only hit when I stood and tried to balance myself.....I was very groggy trying to wake up. It hit again before I got in the truck and when I got out of the truck. I heaved about 6 times each instance but nothing came up and it didn't hurt. I didn't want gravol.....I don't like taking anything so it was big deal that I was even on demerol. Once I got back to the hotel it never hit again. Also, the recovery nurse gave me wads of paper towels and a stack of barf bags just in case. I'm sure that the clinic will honour your request for your nausea meds.....email Kathy Palermo, Post-op patient care coordinator, kpalermo@tlbc.ca and tell her that you insist on having the med you want administered. Kathy will also have a face to face chat with you when you arrive to sign your consent form so mention it again at that point. The clinic is upscale as far as the entrance and waiting area, Yorkville is the trendiest, wealthiest shopping district in Toronto, that area is the equivalent to Rodeo Drive in Hollywood. The staff are GREAT! Very friendly and compasionate.....Drs too. The clinic area is just like a hospital ward. For sterilization purposes it is bare, all tile, paint, and steel. The OR is small which I found comforting. It is absolutely spotless. The room they put you in to change and wait for the OR nurse and Dr is comfortable with a LCD tv, phone, etc. I don't remember the recovery room much. I remember being in a 3 bed room, just like a hospital room, I was the only one there in a bed in the corner....hell, didn't matter, I was so out of it, I could have been on the moon for all I knew. The Recovery nurse is very sweet, she gently came several times to try and wake me up, rubbed my arms and checked everything she had to check on a regular basis. I know one thing for sure......for what I am going to get out of this long term.....it would definately be worth the vomiting and nausea that will last for just a few short moments. I wouldn't worry about throwing up in the cab.....at least you have a justfyable excuse....I'm sure the cabbies have seen many many many drunks throw up in their cabs.....without barf bags!....especially since they pick up in downtown Toronto. Do you have to stay so far from the clinic? The Howard Johnsons hotel is 2 blocks away and $129.00 / night....is that an option for you? I am here for you if need any other info. Carol

Hi Buffie: Don't worry honey, it really isn't that bad! I was feeling just like you this time last week. I was banded at the same clinic by Dr. Yau on Jun 8th. I had to come in from out of town (2 hours north) so I came in with my husband the day before and booked 2 nights at HoJo's in Yorkville. I didn't check my messages before going to the centre, Kathy was trying to reach me because someone had postponed their surgery due to tonsilitis so she was re-arranging appointments a bit. I ended up waiting a bit longer to "take my turn" but it wasn't really a problem. I can tell you exactly what happens: Carol or Nisrine will greet you, you will be put in the waiting room that you were in when you had your consultation. Kathy will eventually come and get you and you will go to her office...you will sign the form you received during your consultation. She will then take you to a small dressing room, you will be given a locker, a gown, slippers and a terry robe. You will change then an OR nurse will come in and take your blood pressure and ask you a few simple questions about allergies, etc. You will be left in this small room and then the surgeon will come to see you......he will cover the band he will be installing in you....very briefly and quickly so if you have any questions get them out at that point because its pretty much your last chance.....at that point you will sign a release form for the surgery. If you have to tinkle, now is the time to do it. In a few minutes the OR nurse will come and get you and lead you to the OR. Believe me.....it all goes very very very fast from then on. You don't have a moment to think about anything. Within a few seconds your IV will be in while another nurse is giving you oxygen and then "snap" you are asleep. It was absolutely fabulous, there was no time at all to get nervous at that point. I didn't feel a thing until hours later when the Recovery nurse woke me up. She tried a few times with me to wake me up and then when Al arrived she got me to my feet, helped me get dressed, and ushered me out to the car....I went back to the hotel the same day of surgery, didn't have to stay overnight. I did feel nauseated when she got me to my feet and when I was getting into and out of the truck. I heaved a few times each instance but nothing came up....this is to be expected...it wasn't that bad. When I got back to the hotel all I wanted to do was sleep and did so until the next morning. The demoral keep the pain at bay and for 48 hours I was fine. The gas started to set in and it is painful but I hear that this affects everyone differently. I was on my feet and back to work (somewhat) on the Fri night......I don't like taking meds so I cut out my pain meds early and have had some discomfort but that is my fault. All I can manage right now as far as eating is just was they suggest on phase one....I can only get 1/2 cup of tea down but boy does it taste and feel good. Only 1/4 cup of Jello 1/2 of a popsicle. But, that's the name of the game. If there is anything else you need to know just email me..... woodys@sympatico.ca Good luck and congrats! Carol :clap2:

??????????......who is fighting.....I thought this thread was going great.....I also don't detect a debate....let people give what the original question asked. I find it interesting and because its the differences in opinions that help make the world go around......I want to read what people have to say....not debate it....just interested in reading it.