Woodys

I may have the discipline....but I didn't say it came easy. Its just as hard for me as it is for any of the other bandsters.....it would go against human nature for me to say that I can exercise discipline and win all the time but I don't...however, I work very hard at being successful with my band because my life depends on it, so.....95% of the time I tough it out. Carol

LOL....of course I have moments of weakness, and of course I have failed from time to time.....but I don't believe that giving support is by saying I screwed up by doing this so its okay for you to do it too.....I would rather give positive constructive productive support and tell them how they can minimize their chances of slipping up. Carol

I am being realistic in every sense of the word, even when banded you still have to be smart and disciplined...the band won't do it ALL for you....so, why not start now! Carol

I love a shot of scotch at the end of the day, but on "not so great days" it ends up being more than just a shot or two......therefore, I resolve to cut out 5 days / week from my evening scotch ritual also, I resolve to stop procrastinating.....I've been terrible at that lately. Carol

It was merely a suggestion since the "professionals" have very valid reasons for designing and instructing the pre and post op diets. And c'mon now.....you are comparing apples to oranges with the ability to exercise discipline for two weeks vs discipline for the long term of a weight loss program. When the Dr. requests that you follow the pre-op diet for two weeks in order to help make the surgery easier and safer......isn't it worth a little self discipline? Carol

Mine is one that no one speaks of but I know that most of us experience. The day that broke me was when I was forced to use a public washroom with a very very tight stall. I couldn't part my legs far enough apart to get enough leverage to reach back to properly wipe myself. I was so ashamed and depressed....I just sat there crying feeling so disgusted with myself. I had seen the commercial for the band on TV a few times but figured that it would take forever to get a surgery date and just pooh poohed the idea until that day.....as soon as I got home I made the phone call for my consultation...there was never a question in my mind that I would do this. I have been faithful to all the lapband rules for pre and post op dieting, I have lost consistently and I will reach goal and stay there. I will never, never go back to that life again. Carol

The biggest reward for me is the constant compliments....It has been a very long time since I have had a compliment on my appearance and once they started to come, with all my hard work, it felt so rewarding. Also, we usually take a vacation in January but can't this new year because of work we have scheduled in the restaurant so instead we are staying at the Four Seasons Yorkville in Toronto for 3 nights over Christmas when we go to visit family and friends.....this is kind of a reward too since it is hugely extravagant on our part....can't wait! Carol

My husband has a 2002 Yamaha Roadstar, its a great bike. I don't drive it but I'm on the back seat every chance I get. Carol

I haven't come across any posts that directly address this situation, perhaps you should direct your question to Dr. C....I'm sure he can help you. Good luck, hope everything works out okay for you. Carol

Mine got much smaller which I'm happy about but they look absolutely horrible...they are covered in stretch marks, hang so low that I could tuck them into my belt and no firmness to them whatsoever. Carol

If you feel that you already have adequate restriction then I would wait. You should be able to eat no more than 1 cup of food 3 times per day. I posted a thread here, use the search tool to find it...I'm not sure how to link it. The title of the thread is - How to tell when you are pefectly adjusted It is full of information that should help you decide what to do. Carol

Good luck chubbola.....I quit cold turkey 14 years ago after smoking 1-1/2 pack / day for over 20 years. It was the best thing I had ever done until the lapband which takes equal praise. I didn't realize until I had been smoke free for quite some time how strong the odor is on your clothes, in your car, in your house. I had a man come into my restaurant today and he just reeked of smoke.....like the strong odor coming from a full dirty ashtray. One lady commented to me that it totally put her off her lovely lunch...I smelled it too but unfortunately I couldn't (and wouldn't) turn him away and had nowhere to seat him except near other customers. Just a thought for you on how the otherside experiences your habit. I am an entirely different person today because of it....no gum, no pills, no Patches.....just woke up one day and decided I didn't want to smoke anylonger and from that day on I have never had so much as a puff. I was violently ill from withdrawl for two weeks and for at least 6 months the urge to light up was very strong...but I toughed it out and did it....therefore, SO CAN YOU! I am a self pay bandster....I like to think that all the money I saved over the last 14 years being smoke free paid for my band. Carol

Kristen...do everything you have listed in your post. I had no pain post-op but I did have some nausea from the Anaesthetic and was very happy when I made it from the clinic to the car and was able to sit down. Even if you find after the fact that you really didn't need the wheelchair....its best to be safe than sorry. Pillows and blankets, make sure you have plenty of them once on the plane. Carol

Happy belated birthday Mark. Like you, I love my band too...I do the happy dance everyday. Carol

I can eat rice no problem, chow mein, chop suey......no breaded stuff and it would be wise to stay away from the deep fried, breaded and sugary sauces like lemon and sweet and sour. I can also eat the wonton Soup, egg drop soup, and hot & sour soup no problem. Carol

I had almost 100 to lose, my MIL was the negative one. I was self pay and she couldn't justify the expense. She is just horrified that I spent that kind of money to better myself when, in her mind, I should been able to just do it myself. She said the same thing that many others here heard..."why don't you just diet and exercise?"....in the meantime she is one of the people who have only had 5 lbs excess to ever deal with....she has no idea what we go through.....and she still wouldn't understand. To her it should be as simple as just following a diet and doing daily exercise.....any obstacles, difficulties, etc would never occur to her. Carol

Had to visit my step son's "chef of the day" at school. He had to invent a restaruant, design the menu, calculate the food cost, organize and manage his crew, cook and present the menu. His Dad and I and a few other guests were invited. I was worried about everything....not paying attention and eating too much too fast and pb-ing....or not being able to eat at all.......or eating way too much.....but, I ended up being able to eat 1/3 of everything (small portions anyways) and no memorable incidents occurred. When no one was watching I passed the leftovers to my SIL's plate...LOL...(pre-planned), didn't want to embarass the poor kid having his step mom not eating his first dinner out of culinary school. Anyhow, so happy that I managed a civilized dinner out. Carol

LOL.....I thought you were serious! And, thinking that you were serious I could see a disaster waiting to happen.....there are some misquided bandsters here and discipline is their main problem.....didn't want to see you off to a bad start. Sorry if I offended you, but I really thought you were serious.....LOL....sucking on a McNugget indeed....yuk! Carol

Stephanie....no offence hon, but - Good lord, why would you want to? I don't know quite what to say. I know,just like most of us, you are craving food,sinful food,while on this pre-op fast....however, this would be a perfect opportunity for you to exercise self discipline in following instructions and making good food choices. There is a huge misconception out there that the band is a miracle instrument that will wipe away the pounds with little effort from yourself....it is a tool which will help you but you still have to be smart and disciplined...now would be a perfect time to start. Carol

Fabulous, I'll be staying in Yorkville...will go there for sure, thanks Green. I know there is a retro store there with lots of collectibles and thought maybe they'd have naughty cards but wasn't sure, glad that Love Craft is still in business and within reach. Carol

I didn't mind the interview too much but was somewhat disappointed as well. I was hoping to hear more discussion on her experience with the band and why she was having it removed. Also, she evaded some of his questions with silly answers that I would have really loved to hear answered honestly. Oh well, she'll be doing the circuit to sell her book so may the answer on the lapband removal will be answered elsewhere. Carol

Scorpio, you need a plan with more specific instructions. The clinic where I had my surgery has a website, you can download and print their nutrition plan for post-op. www.tlbc.ca click on the resources tab, then click on the download menu item. Scroll down and you will see a link for "diet and nutrition plan"....click on this and it will open in acrobat and you will be able to print it. On the same page is a link to FAQ, there is some very good info there too. Hope this helps, Carol

I have a problem with the apron as well, I have 15 lbs to reach goal, my apron is a mess. But, I have lots of sagging skin on my arms, legs-all over, my butt, and my neck. I'm going to need an all over body lift for cripes sake! Better start saving my pennies now. Carol

I was banded in early June. I can ditto everything that Jack said. I eat just about anything in small amounts but I'm careful most times to eat healthy. I average a cup or less of food 3 times per day. Today I had: Breakfast - 1 shredded wheat biscuit with 1/4 cup milk Snack - low fat yoghurt cup - didn't finish it lunch - 1/2 cup of Lipton chicken noodle Soup with 1/2 toasted tomato and cheese sandwich Snack - four salted rice crackers (sometimes with a bit of blue cheese) dinner - one cup of venison stew....last few bites I forced Like Jack says, the band restricts the amount you eat so your attitude, need and desire for large amounts of food really change. My husband is a chef and enjoys eating out, since we do gourmet in our restaurant he opts for fast food sometimes.....we all crave the fast food sometimes. We share a sandwich which I order as fat free as possible and if the fries are the small shoe string type I eat about 10, larger ones I manage about 5. I try not to do this too often, but so far it has not sabotaged my weight loss. I am average 4 - 6 pounds per month and I'm elated about this. Good luck, you will love your band! Carol

Kym.....when I read your post it sounded like my words exactly. Carol