hi, looking for anyone that has had or is intending to have lap band surgery @ Maples Surgical Centre. I'm hoping for early 09.

Wow, I read your blog adn it's like I was reading my own. Jen called me last week telling me there was an opening Aug.14 if I wanted to book the surgery. I was planning on Sept.15 but still was not 100% sure if I even wanted to do it. I agreed to Aug.14 but backed down because I felt too rushed. After I told her no, I didn't understand why I did that. I want this surgery and want to change my life, but am so hesitant for some reason. I've never had surgery and am also nervous to be put to sleep. So, basically I am in the same boat as you but atleast you have committed to a date!

Hi everyone, I just got a call from Jen, changing my next fill appointment. Apparently they have a nurse practictioner who will be doing the fills from now on.

DIVA & MANDINE; Have either of you had your psychologist appointments? Your fears may be something to discuss there. Perhaps one of the docs would be willing to answer your concerns as well. I would talk to Jen and see what advice she has for you. Good luck to you both.

I'm glad there is someone else out there who feels torn between continuing and stopping. I went to Starbucks, ordered a tea, and drew up a plus minus charts of what was good about committing to the surgery and what was a concern. Then I valued what was most important as a 5 and least important a 1. Believe it or not, the scores were equal. I imagine the night before surgery is a non sleeping night...

Hi everyone, I just got a call from Jen, changing my next fill appointment. Apparently they have a nurse practictioner who will be doing the fills from now on.

The nurse practitioner did my fill last time, under Dr. Andrews' guidance. It was quite a bit more painfull than when Dr. A did it for me. Not too fun.

I hope others have better experiences.

The nurse practitioner did my fill last time, under Dr. Andrews' guidance. It was quite a bit more painfull than when Dr. A did it for me. Not too fun.

I hope others have better experiences.

Oh geez. Great. I was worried about that. How long ago was that? Maybe by the 11th she will have had more practice and be better at it....

Thanks for the advice, maybe I will talk to Jen. I know it's not a quick fix but the eating healthy and excersing is something I think I could just do on my own, but I don't know. I'm so torn. I want the weigth gone! but need to figure out if this is my only option. For the people who have had the surgery... has anyone regretted it and also, has anyone not been happy with the results? Thanks everyone for the support

Hi Manitoba Bandsters and guides,

Now that I have a surgical date, I'm thinking about all the things I need to have on hand before the big day. I have read that you need Liquid Tylenol, liquid Gas X, Liquid Calcium and Liquid Vitamins. Can you get this stuff in Canada or do I need to make a run to the Forks? Did you substitute anything on this list?

Also I have read that if you use papaya enzyme tablets it breaks up blockages. Can we get those here? Anyone used them?

After surgery, can you use another brand of protein drink? I have read that Zero Carb ISOPURE is tasty. What brands have you found tasty? What protein bars are good?

What should I have on hand?

What else do I need to have on hand?

Thanks for the advice, maybe I will talk to Jen. I know it's not a quick fix but the eating healthy and excersing is something I think I could just do on my own, but I don't know. I'm so torn. I want the weigth gone! but need to figure out if this is my only option. For the people who have had the surgery... has anyone regretted it and also, has anyone not been happy with the results? Thanks everyone for the support

Hi Mandine. So far I don't regret it, but I'm not over the moon with the results either. It takes a long time and a few fills to get to a point where the band even starts to work(this is my experience only) and I have noticed that by the evening I can pretty much eat anything I want, and that unfortunately is when I need the most help with over eating.

I'm going to wait to give my verdict, perhaps it's just a matter of waiting for the right level of fill for the band to start working in a manor I assumed it would. I would ask some of the folks who have had it for a year or more and see what they say.

Oh geez. Great. I was worried about that. How long ago was that? Maybe by the 11th she will have had more practice and be better at it....

That was just a couple of weeks ago on July 21.

I too hope that with more practice when I go on the 11th she will have found her niche and it will be as painless as when the docs do it!

Mandine: I don't have any regrets about having the surgery, though I'm still waiting to reach the 'sweet spot' that the docs talk about. Weight loss has been slow but as I've stated previously any downward turn of the scale is a good thing!!

Anyone going for fills on Tuesday? I'll be there at 9:20 a.m. Say "hello!" in the waiting room!

Moonbeam, My appointment is at 10:50, so unless they are really running behind you will be gone before I get there. Let's both hope for painless fills though!

My hubby and I were scheduled for fills at noon on the 11th but are going to have to cancel because his work schedule changed. It's a very long drive from Sask. to not even see a doctor and to just get a nurse to do the fill. We are thinking of trying the nurse in Regina. Has anyone gone to her before? Has anyone talked to the docs about how they feel about getting fills done elsewhere? It sucks because we will have to pay but we are spending that much driving to Winnipeg anyway.