onikenbai

I have 2.5 feet of scars across my chest from a previous operation and they do fade, although you may have to think of it in terms of years rather than months. They will probably never go away entirely. Vitamin E definitely helps. Don't buy the really expensive cosmetic creams because the concentration is quite low. Get a bottle of the gelcaps from the health food/grocery store and pop them with a needle and apply the oil directly. It's cheaper and more effective. If anybody asks just tell them you got the scars wrestling with bears.

I'm October 19th. I could have been earlier but it's field season and I work outside. Now that I'm stuck waiting I am kicking myself for putting it off, even if there was a really good reason for it. I just want to get it over and done with now that I'm comitted. Plus, all this extra time give you extra time to pack on more weight before the surgery. Luckily the heat makes me sick as a dog and I'm good for about 10lbs every summer of heat sickness weight loss, but it hasn't been that hot this year and I didn't get my first bout of heat tummy until this past weekend.

They're looking to see if you're stark raving mad, are a surgery junkie (yes, those people do exist) or are a closet bulemic, none of whom should have lap band surgery. Even previous history of mental issues isn't a problem unless that previous history includes killing your whole family and the neighbour's puppy dog. Even then you may be cleared for lap band surgery... although you may also end up enjoying padded walls. Assuming you are none of the above, freak not.

I'm doing a minimum of 3 weeks prescribed fluids, but I'll probably start weaning myself from food a week before. Exactly what I'll be consuming is still to be determined as I am allergic to both soy and milk so the shake thing may not sit well with my tummy. Plus side of puking your guts out though is good weight loss! And yes, I realise puking isn't really what I want to be doing right before stomach surgery... as I said, still in the planning stages. I sent my nutritional counsellor scurrying for the nearest medical library because I am an odd duck.

Why are you in so much of a hurry? And why 23? Have a thing for prime numbers or something? September 8 is not that far off and if you've just had surgery it may be unwise to push yourself too hard. You will be more vulnerable to dehydration and heat stroke in the hot weather than you were before because you won't be able to chug a whole bottle of Water at one go, so do be careful. You don't want to comprimise your overall health for the sake of rapid weight loss. I don't want to put a damper on your progress and I completely understand the desire to lose a chunk of weight as soon as possible but on your schedule you've got almost a pound a day, which is a HUGE calorie burn. Don't forget that, even if you don't get out of bed all day, it takes 200 calories just to run your heart and keep you breathing. Some people appear to be lucky and are losing a pound a day with only moderate effort but if you're not one of them, don't kill yourself to make it happen. Voice of experience here... exercising + super low cal = collapsing in public places.

I am suddenly very happy that I live 10 minutes away from my clinic. I've had major surgery before and I woudn't have been that thrilled to hop into the car for an 8 hour ride. I don't know about anybody else, but after my last surgery, the worst were days 3-6 after my surgery when my body got all achey. I would probably been even worse those days for a long travel. But then, I have fibromyalgia, which makes me freakish and weird. Can't you make an extended trip out of it and have your hubby pick you up again the next weekend?

You got a ride into the OR?! My clinic makes its patients walk their butts in and hop on the table themselves. I don't know if it's laziness on their part or letting you have that last chance to dash out the door (although your behind will be hanging out of the gown, which is never a flattering look) :thumbup:

But don't you feel squeaky clean inside?! Come on, there's a bright side! It costs $30 at the pharmacy to get that big tub of evil cherry flavoured goo to drink to get that "ready for a colonoscopy" clean... you're getting it for free! Yeah, I tried...

Oooh, I hope there are no pleats... those things are just so darn unflattering. I want a flattering band :thumbup:

I forgot to ask the surgeon when I met with her, and the patient intake lady didn't know... How do they choose which size band to put in you? I know my clinic uses both the small and the large Allergen bands, and I just wondered what were the determining factors? Stomach size? Amount of weight you need to lose? From the pictures it looks like the small size gets more restriction overall, even though it actually holds less Fluid. Inquiring minds want to know!

Mine comes from the dance done in the small Japanese town where I lived. It means devil sword dance. Considering it's done only in this one small area of Japan, it's pretty unlikely that anybody from the English world has heard of it or has already used it. I usually have a Japanese devil mask avitar to go with it but it's rather off-putting so I went with Domo-kun as he's not quite so scary.

I have been reading other people's blogs and am happy for every single one of you who have posted pictures of you rafting, hiking or cycling yourselves to a new you. I'm also incredibly jealous because that will never be me. The spirit is more than willing, but the body just isn't able. For sure I'm going to be able to do more things than I have been able in years but my success will be more moderate: I will be able to walk to the store two days in a row. I will be able to walk two days in a row. :thumbdown: What I find frustrating is the people at the clinic don't seem to get it. I appear to be a misfit among the misfits of society. I keep being assured that my life will change so much, which I don't doubt, but I wonder if they have any clue of what my life is like? Will the band magically let me hold a pencil long enough to write a letter? Will I be able to play my violin or harp again? The psych lady I met yesterday was all impressed how I seemed to know my body much better than the average person and that learning the rules of the band would be a breeze for me. The truth is that for years, one small lapse in thought and I've popped something in my mouth that will lead to hours of gut wrenching pain or my eyes swelling shut. Push myself too hard and I'm bedridden for days. She seemed really nice and wanting to help while we chatted for our 35 minute hour, but she specialises in anorexia, bulemia and overeating... I wonder if she knows much about people who've grown old before their time. Then again, it was the first session... I'm hoping that a few more sessions will get us all on the same page. I'm really looking forward to working with the chiropractor they have on staff. Ontario's major failing in health care is that if it can't find something specifically wrong, it won't fix it or expend the energy to see what can be done for you. When one of the foremost rhumatologists in Toronto tells you "wow, your life must suck, but there's nothing I can do about it" you tend to lose heart. I've not been able to afford private physiotherapy, massage therapy or the chiropractic care I probably could use, so I've gone without. I didn't want to risk getting addicted to a therapy I couldn't do long term. How dumb is that? So apparently for the next year or so I'm being offered unlimited access to this guy. After me, they may want to revise that policy. Usually I'm not so much of a whiner... I promise I'll be more upbeat next time. In the meantime, keep posting the canoeing pictures. Even though I can't do it myself, that doesn't mean I don't like seeing others have fun.

I have been reading other people's blogs and am happy for every single one of you who have posted pictures of you rafting, hiking or cycling yourselves to a new you. I'm also incredibly jealous because that will never be me. The spirit is more than willing, but the body just isn't able. For sure I'm going to be able to do more things than I have been able in years but my success will be more moderate: I will be able to walk to the store two days in a row. I will be able to walk two days in a row. :biggrin: What I find frustrating is the people at the clinic don't seem to get it. I appear to be a misfit among the misfits of society. I keep being assured that my life will change so much, which I don't doubt, but I wonder if they have any clue of what my life is like? Will the band magically let me hold a pencil long enough to write a letter? Will I be able to play my violin or harp again? The psych lady I met yesterday was all impressed how I seemed to know my body much better than the average person and that learning the rules of the band would be a breeze for me. The truth is that for years, one small lapse in thought and I've popped something in my mouth that will lead to hours of gut wrenching pain or my eyes swelling shut. Push myself too hard and I'm bedridden for days. She seemed really nice and wanting to help while we chatted for our 35 minute hour, but she specialises in anorexia, bulemia and overeating... I wonder if she knows much about people who've grown old before their time. Then again, it was the first session... I'm hoping that a few more sessions will get us all on the same page. I'm really looking forward to working with the chiropractor they have on staff. Ontario's major failing in health care is that if it can't find something specifically wrong, it won't fix it or expend the energy to see what can be done for you. When one of the foremost rhumatologists in Toronto tells you "wow, your life must suck, but there's nothing I can do about it" you tend to lose heart. I've not been able to afford private physiotherapy, massage therapy or the chiropractic care I probably could use, so I've gone without. I didn't want to risk getting addicted to a therapy I couldn't do long term. How dumb is that? So apparently for the next year or so I'm being offered unlimited access to this guy. After me, they may want to revise that policy. Usually I'm not so much of a whiner... I promise I'll be more upbeat next time. In the meantime, keep posting the canoeing pictures. Even though I can't do it myself, that doesn't mean I don't like seeing others have fun.:sad:

Here is another good reason to curb the cola. It's been found to cause muscle weakness as it robs the potassium from the body. Excessive Cola Consumption Can Lead To Super-sized Muscle Problems, Warn Doctors

Aah, the inaugural blog. Feel the freshness. Unlike many, I have no sad stories of being persecuted as a child about my weight, or memorable instances of being treated completely unfairly based on how I look or what I weigh. Of course, I may simply have chosen to ignore the snide remarks from the world as I have been a pudge from the very beginning of life and have always pretty much held to the idea that if you don't like me, well then... that's you... I'll be over here doing my thing. I'm sure there have been nasty comments and unfair treatment, but the only one outright comment about my weight I remember came from my students in Japan who noted that I was round like an apple, and wasn't that just the cutest little thing with the red cheeks to match? Round and cute, I can deal with that. So why put myself through this? I have one of the better incentives out there: if I don't lose weight, I may go blind. How's that for pressure? Pressure really is the problem... the pressure in my brain and spinal column is going up and it's pushing on my eyes, threatening to detatch my retinas, not to mention causing mind crushing headaches. Fun times! To boot, I have fibromyalgia, and all you fibromites out there know that all the painkillers in the world don't do the job. The scientific community can't figure out why people with fibromyalgia are characteristically insensitive to painkillers, but that's the way it goes. In the competition of taking down a horse or me with drugs, the horse will be in la la land long before I. So here's hoping this all pans out and I get to keep my sight.

Aah, the inaugural blog. Feel the freshness. Unlike many, I have no sad stories of being persecuted as a child about my weight, or memorable instances of being treated completely unfairly based on how I look or what I weigh. Of course, I may simply have chosen to ignore the snide remarks from the world as I have been a pudge from the very beginning of life and have always pretty much held to the idea that if you don't like me, well then... that's you... I'll be over here doing my thing. I'm sure there have been nasty comments and unfair treatment, but the only one outright comment about my weight I remember came from my students in Japan who noted that I was round like an apple, and wasn't that just the cutest little thing with the red cheeks to match? Round and cute, I can deal with that. So why put myself through this? I have one of the better incentives out there: if I don't lose weight, I may go blind. How's that for pressure? Pressure really is the problem... the pressure in my brain and spinal column is going up and it's pushing on my eyes, threatening to detatch my retinas, not to mention causing mind crushing headaches. Fun times! To boot, I have fibromyalgia, and all you fibromites out there know that all the painkillers in the world don't do the job. The scientific community can't figure out why people with fibromyalgia are characteristically insensitive to painkillers, but that's the way it goes. In the competition of taking down a horse or me with drugs, the horse will be in la la land long before I. So here's hoping this all pans out and I get to keep my sight.

You can progressively let it sit and go flat more and more each day. There isn't much taste to diet coke once it goes flat and you may lose your liking for it over time.

For tablets, you can buy a pill spliiter at the pharmacy for something like $5. Don't try and split your pills with a knife as it inevitably leads to almost amputating fingers. You can also ask the pharmacist if a smaller pill is available. Sometimes the 50mg pill is smaller than the 100mg pill and you can ask for double the number of 50mgs and take two small ones at a time instead of one big one. Some medications come in liquids or breakable capsules depending on whether you get the brand name or the generic, so you can make a specific request to the pharmacist at the time of submitting your prescription form. It's not unusual for patients to ask for particular brands of a certain medication as each brand has its different non-medicinal ingredients and often people are allergic to some ingredients and not others. Squishy caplets can almost always be punctured and emptied into something, but I can't promise you're going to like the taste! When all else fails, squish the pill between two spoons and throw it into some applesauce. I recommend using the pill spllitter first though or else you'll be reinacting the scene from Pretty Woman with the flying bits across the room. Those pills are tougher than they look.

Bummer.:crying: I'm not set to see the therapist until monday, but I feel your waiting pain. If this person has the power to veto your surgery, it's best to drink the cool aid and hop on the therapy band wagon. Honestly though? It never hurts to have a few therapy sessions, especially if you've never been to therapy before. It's only a month. Yeah, I know we all want to get on with it now that we've started, but in the grand scheme, a month isn't forever. It still sucks though... it's like postponing Christmas to the end of January.

Big downside to having surgery a long way off is that I can't keep my mind on other things! I find myself staring off into space whilst sitting at my cube at work lazily daydreaming about what's to come, and I can't seem to keep my mind focused on what's in front of me. Bad me. Am I overly fixated? Or am I just excited? I don't have that much experience with excited... Maybe I just need a vacation?

Holland Landing... pretty.:crying: I always love driving the 400 through the farms. It's probably the only part of the 400 I like.

Talk to whoever does your taxes. OHIP does not cover this but you can claim a portion of the surgery and the aftercare on your federal taxes as a health care claim. The amount you can claim depends on your income but I will be claiming about $3000 this and next year, which is a nice chunk of change into the overall cost. You will have to look at your current tax return to see if you put in for a medical expense last year because that will determine the time period you can submit next year. It's stupidly complicated.:crying: The clinic you go to should be fairly accommodating in splitting up the receipts so that you can claim as much as possible on your taxes. Go to H&R Block. It will be worth the effort.

Pretty much everybody in my office knows... the other office maybe only one or two people. I had to tell the health & safety person so that I don't get put on a rotation of field work out in the sun for 12hrs a day when I'm doing my pre-op diet. I might as well come clean now and stave off the rumours that I'm dying of cancer and that's why I'm losing weight. The rumour mill must have anwers and, in the absence thereof, will make up whatever sounds good. I've told my friends who I see on a regular basis. I figure for the people who I don't see very often I will get to have the fun of watching them fumble over their words trying to find out what happened. I am sick and twisted and will enjoy it emmensely.

My people want me on at least 3 weeks of pre-op diet of shakes, if not more. How long can a person reasonably go before it starts to get ridiculous? I didn't see a big list of vitamins on those pre-op shakes and I'm a tad concerned about nutritional deficiency.

She definitely hasn't done 700 bandings at CIBO but she also has something going on at Mac, plus she used to practise in California. I do believe that's where most of her work was done. I'm betting that she's including all the patients she only assisted on, not was the main surgeon.