:blush:Hello,

I am from Canada and just starting out on my LAP-BAND® journey. I am looking for someone to give me advise, provide me with support and be my buddy.

I am 35 years old and have a BMI of 48. I hope to hear from someone soon. Oh yes, and I am getting my surgery done in Mexico.

Sincerely,

Canadian Girl.

Hi. I'd be happy to be a buddy. I had my band done on 5/12 and have lost 25 pounds in these last 2 weeks. My dr. puts us on a liquid diet for 2 weeks after and now I'm on mushy food (its to keep the pressure of "real" food off the incision site). Mushy for 2 weeks then on to real food again. The most difficult part for me about the whole surgery is that I had to remember I had surgery. After the first few days I was just a little sore at the incision sites so I had to remind myself I had just had surgery and not do too much. But the more you move around the better it is. Good luck and ask anything and I'll try to answer. :cursing:

I am welcome to help you. I am an Oct 09 bandster and have lost around 83 lbs. You can find me on facebook under my email justcallmepatty@gmail.com

:wub:Thanks for replying and being my buddy!!

I just got a phone call from my patient coordinator Michell and she let me now that the date of my surgery is on

July 19th, 2010. I am so trilled!!!

She said that because I live in Canada I will need to take a flight to some where in the states and then get on another plan and come to the airport in San Diego.

She said I am to strt my liquid diet 2 weeks before surgery and I am to have protien shakes, Soups, salads, Water, crystal light, yogurt and creams.

She explained that it would help for the surgery and shrink my liver and it wold prepare me for the post op diet. She also she she would talk to me about my post op diet and how to tell when I needed a fill and were to go.

My husband will be flying down with me and we are staying for 3 days. They will book our flights and hotel and let me know more reciepts for my liquid diet.

How did you find it on the liquid diet? How much weight did you lose during that time?

I am so glad to hear that you felt fine after surgery and the healed with little pain. How much weight have you lost to date and do you feel full with the band? Have you had a fill? Where are you from and where did you get your surgery done?

Sorry with all the questions...lol

Hope to hear from you soon

Canadian Girl

Hey Congrats!! Not sure if you were asking me but I thought Id tell you.

How did you find it on the liquid diet?

I did mine for two weeks and it was hard but I made it through. I did cheat once but it so wasn't worth it I was worried theyd cancel my surgery.

How much weight did you lose during that time?

I lost 18lbs

How much weight have you lost to date and do you feel full with the band? Have you had a fill? Where are you from and where did you get your surgery done?

I had surgery Oct 09 and lost 83 lbs. I feel full much quicker than I used to and am almost at my sweet spot. I had surgery here in Wa where I live. I have had four fills and will have one more probably as I am getting good restriction right now.

Congratulations. I didn't have to do the 2 week liquid diet. They told me that it would help with the liver if I lost weight before the surgery, but mine was scheduled so quickly (less then 2 weeks) that there really wasn't a lot of time. There are a lot of good liquid shakes to make with the protein mixes. The only real issue I think you might have is the airplane seat belts rubbing your incisions. Cause my incisions were tender, not really painful, just tender. I did have to do a 2 week liquid diet afterward. It was hard but I was losing weight, so I focused on the weight loss and that made it easier. I am eating much less than I used to. It has to be chewed really really well or I feel it going down my throat (not painful, just uncomfortable.) I do feel full, but its different kind of full. Not like my stomachs going to explode, but a pressure at the top of my stomach. I was told that if you eat to much, it cane make me throw up and I don't throw up :cursing: soooo, I'm very careful when I feel the pressure I stop eating for a bit. I'm on mushy food for 2 weeks now. I've lost 25 pounds in 2 weeks. I don't have my first fill until the end of June. I did feel hungry (and had hunger pains) the day after surgery which surprised me. But I would sip something and it would fill me. I'm from Williamsburg, VA and had my surgery done in Norfolk, VA. Ask me anything anytime. I think it is totally worth it.

:cursing:Glad to hear from you both! And thanks for the congradulations.:cool:

I have a question for you Chatty what do you mean by "sweet spot" and good "restrictions" with our fill?

Does a persons stomach shrink after not eating so much or will it always be the same size? After losing alot of weight has your skin gone back to normal or is its aggy?

have you been over filled with your band and before goin to get a fill do you eat differently or drink more fluids?

Canadian Girl

Hey keep asking questions I know I had a lot when I started out.

What do you mean by "sweet spot" and good "restrictions" with our fill?

Sweet spot is where you get full easily it varies for most people it means I eat a small amount and get and stay full (my doc said 1/2c) and dont need any more fills. Restriction is what you feel when eating its the since that your full. It changes depending on the time of day or what your eating. You may be at your sweet spot and your restriction will vary.

Does a persons stomach shrink after not eating so much or will it always be the same size?

My doctor tends to think with the weight loss the stomach does change size a bit but unsure if this means shrinking.

After losing alot of weight has your skin gone back to normal or is its aggy?

I have lost 83lbs and was always very solid, sadly I am not any more. I have heard from many once at their goal weight that they dont have severe skin issues. For me I think it's just the fat is breaking down so its not one big mass anymore. I drink lots of Water, eat lots of Protein and lift weights. All those things plus age and genetics help with skin.

have you been over filled with your band and before goin to get a fill do you eat differently or drink more fluids?

I have had 4 fills and before I dont do anything different. In fact I have eaten up to an hour before my fill but after I go back on liquids for 48hrs per my doctor. I havent had any complications getting a fill they find my port easily everytime.

Are you saying that after losing weight, your stomach changes and you are able to eat less freeing satisfied and there for don't need to get fills all the time?

However if you feel ourself gain weight you will get another fill.

What kinds for food do you eat now (favorite food) and what kinds of food do you stay away from?

Is there a food that you use to eat and now you can't or don't for any reason?

It seems klike you have lot a far amount of weight were you always buying new clothes? Do yo think I should do walking on my treadmill to help lose the weight. Were you on medications for health related issues. I am on High Blood pressure pill and cholestoral pills I am hoping to get them reduced or even off the them.

Canadian Girl.:cursing:

Hi Canadian Girl

Sorry I haven't been online. Hope your doing well.

Are you saying that after losing weight, your stomach changes and you are able to eat less freeing satisfied and there for don't need to get fills all the time?

When you get to your sweet spot you dont need to get fills very often it is diff for each person. I do not know about the stomach changes but one lap band site says this about fills and its what i hear from my doctor

When the Lap-Band is placed around your stomach it will be attached with a small tube to a medi-port located just under the skin of your abdomen. The port will not be visible. As you lose weight, the amount of restriction on your band will get looser as your stomach shrinks away. When you return to TLCEdge after surgery you will occasionally have saline injected into the port. The saline will make the band tighter around the top of the stomach once again so you can continue losing weight. The beautiful part of having an adjustable gastric band is that it can be tailored to fit your needs. A fill is a simple office procedure.However if you feel ourself gain weight you will get another fill.

What kinds for food do you eat now (favorite food) and what kinds of food do you stay away from?

Favorite varies I eat a lot of eggs like tonight I made fritatas. I am having turkey chili tomorrow. I really dont eat much bread at all I can do subday six inch if it is toasted but sometimes cannot eat the whole thing. I think with one more fill I wont be able to do any bread. I do crackers no problem.

Is there a food that you use to eat and now you can't or don't for any reason?

Beyond the bread thing I don't do soda. I limit caffeine, I try to stay away from candies even as treats cause they dissolve in my mouth and I can eat a lot without getting fullness. I don't do beer but maybe once in a blue moon.

It seems klike you have lot a far amount of weight were you always buying new clothes?

I have bought a few but I am trying to limit it as I keep loosing.

Do yo think I should do walking on my treadmill to help lose the weight.

Yes any exercise is ideal.

Were you on medications for health related issues.

I was on high blood pressure pills which I am off and a CPAP for sleep apnea.

Feel free to ask anything else!!