Kittycat

I have a 9cc band, which is the smaller of the two sizes when banded in Canada...I have had 3 fills, total 5.5 cc in my band and I have done very well...when you get a fill, ensure that you get a good one!!

Good Luck!!

That's an amazing story Jann...believe me nothing is more embarrassing than having to ask for a seatbelt extender and being sandwiched between two strange men and my thighs/butt touching each one and there is no way in h*ll I can do anything about it. Not to mention the arm rests only coming down onto my hips, as I did not fit between them. I am hoping by March when I fly to the Bahamas, I won't need a seat belt extender and will fit comfortably between the arm rests.

Thanks again for posting a very important post!!

Congrats on your surgery!! You did it!!!

I would ask your questions to the staff at OCC...I assume you are still there???

Hi there...I know...it's hard to find a really good protein shake...you can make your own...skim milk, fruit and protein powder.

Add protein powder to your liquid yogurt or creamy soup...that's what I did...I didn't touch a shake after pre-op for 5 months...bad memories!! LOL!!

Good Luck!

FAB-U-LOUS!!!! Keep it up girl and you will be driving into ONERLAND very soon!!!!

That really sucks!!! I don't blame you for being angry..that's so unprofessional.

I hope you find a good fill centre!!

Congratulations!!! You did it!!!!

Take it easy, walk and sip and before you know it..the only thing you'll be complaining about is your pants falling off!!!

All the best and safe trip home!!

YUMMMMYY!!! I love baked potatoes any which way...I am definitely trying this one!!!

Thanks Cara!!

SO sorry about your job Stormy! That is very very difficult to have to go through such a huge change. I've been at my job for 21 years also. It's insurance and you know how everyone feels about the insurance industry. I'm lucky to have a job but our company, Guardian Life is very very stable (Mutual company, not stock) and I'm ok there. BUT....I am barely able to make my bills each month. I happen to live in an area called the Lehigh Valley (eastern Pa) and we supposedly have the worst inflation in the country. And I believe it! I haven't been this poor is YEARS! I've been working OT, which I hate just to make ends meet. Gas here is killing us. My heating bill went from $120 a month to $360 a month. Although our gas went down, we are still at $2.20 a gallon. And electric and cable, forget it! It is scary, thats for sure.

I've actually started selling a lot of antique things I have on e-bay and hoping my e-commerce site starts making some money. I'll need that for Christmas this year.

I was going through some old things of my fathers and came upon these fantastic old sports programs from the 40's that I am already getting some high bids on. (By the way, did you know the Yankees used to be a football team?). Seems like I found them just in time to make some extra Christmas money. just kind of bummed that I HAVE to sell them instead of keeping them.

But, I am looking for a better 2009! I figure I'll be eating a whole lot less and that ought to help, LOL!!

I didn't know you worked in insurance...me too!!! What do you do??

Congrats Kimberly and welcome to the other side!!!!

I am so happy everything went well....safe trip home!!!

I think the state of the economy is affecting everyone..even us Canadians. The automotive industry in Canada is huge and is being seriously impacted by what's going on all over the world.

I am sorry to hear that you have more people on welfare than before...that's tough...but the positive thing is..you have your job and are needed there more than ever to help those in need.

My hubby and I are very lucky, we work in essential service industries and no matter how bad things get, we have our jobs.

Good luck to everyone!!!

It's perfectly normal to have doubts and what ifs...when I finally booked my first consult, I ate everything insight, thinking it was the last time.

Honestly...a month or two from now, you will be telling us it was the best decision you and your hubby ever made...I guarantee it!!

If you are committed to the lifestyle change and getting healthy...you will do great!!!

Take care and best of luck!!!

Strangely, Filet of fish is the absolute worst thing you can order at MacDonald's. Who would think fish would be the poor choice in a burger place?

Jann

Really??? It's high in protein, I usually only eat half or take the fish off the bun and scrape off the tartar sauce...I would have thought it would be better than a greasy burger??

You are doing so great, so proud of you!!!

Positive attitude is key to getting through this journey and you have it!!

Good Luck to you!!

My first fill appoint was 4 weeks post op..generally first fill is 5-6 weeks post op...during the first 3 weeks post op your body is still healing from surgery.

Who told you to get a fill then? Your surgeon?

It could be heart burn or gas?? If it continues, call your doctor.

Feel better!!

I just love turkey...but hate dark meat...so I do eat the white meat, it's dry, but I dab a little gravy on it or dip it in bbq sauce and yummy. I cook a turkey roll every weekend and eat the left overs for days...my favourite.

Happy Turkey Day everyone...we had our Thanksgiving here in Canada on October 6th.

You are probably just fine...but a good scare will do you good!!

The post op diet is set out for a reason..your band needs to heal into your stomach and if you start eating solids too soon, you can jeopardize this and risk band slippage in the future.

Get back on track and no solids until you are supposed to!!!

Here's your kick in the butt buttercup!!

That is the best NSV ever!!! Good for you!!!

I didn't realize it got that cold in Florida that you would need a winter coat? We sure do need one here..it's -9c today!!!

Keep up the great work!

FAN-FREAKIN-TASTIC!!! GOOD FOR YOU!!!!

THIS IS A HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENT, WAY TO GO GIRL!!!!

Let us know how you do as you blow through this plateau. I'm confident you will get past this. You have the right mindset to go back to basics and get going again. Try the Mexican Chicken Soup recipe. It's really good.

Taz

Hi Taz, thanks so much...you are great!!! It has passed!! The scale moved down a pound this morning...I was patient and continued on my high protein diet plan, had a filet o' fish for dinner as a treat and boom!!

I have also been adding ACAI to my diet as well. It's an all natural cleansing chewable pill. Seems to work!

Hey everyone I haven't been on in a while- I think I just needed to do my own thing and get through the pre-op diet and stuff on my own. Besides, sometimes reading some stuff people had posted was making me nervous and making me second-guess my decision about getting banded so I just had to take a break from the forum.

SO, enough said about that lol I am 5 days post-op and I am feeling WONDERFUL! I was banded in Ontario, Canada (much the same as my "band-sister" Kitty Kat who you all know well!) and can honestly say this is- so far, the best decision I've ever made for myself! I went in for my surgery on November 13, at 12:30 p.m. and when I woke up, the nurses all laughed at me because I was crying and telling them thank you for not killing me! LOL! They all thought I was crying because I was in pain- which I wasn't AT ALL! It's really crazy, after I got banded I wasn't in any pain at all. My incisions didn't hurt even the slightest and I was only uncomfortable and gassy for the first three days. It's incredible really to feel as though you haven't even HAD surgery! The only thing that hurts is my back because I'm sleeping on it all the time instead of on my side and a little liquid Tylenol cures that in 5 minutes!

I lost 10 pounds before my surgery and was nervous that it wasn't enough but they did the surgery laproscopically so I guess it went over well! Lol! Since my surgery I'm positive I've lost at least 5 pounds, maybe more. I'm hardly eating anything- I don't FEEL like eating which is an absolute FIRST in my life lol. I still make sure to eat as much as I can so I meet the minimum standards and get all the protein and nutrients I need, but I almost have to force myself sometimes lol. I drink tonnes of water though so maybe that's why I'm so full all the time. In any case, I tried on a pair of jeans yesterday that I couldn't even get past my thighs before my pre-op diet and surgery and now they come all the way up and I can almost do them up which is the BEST feeling in the world!

Anyways, I just thought I'd let everyone know I'm doing great and send out some encouraging words to those people considering the Lap-Band procedure. Everyone's different, but so far my experience has been AMAZING! Thank you all for your support and always being here to answer questions and a very special thank you to Cathy who has been a God-send to me. She has helped me and encouraged me and always ends her e-mails with encouraging me to ask her questions which is a huge comfort. It's strange having to get to know your body all over again and it's amazing to have someone there who's been through it and can offer advice and suggestions. So thanks Cathy- you're great!

I'll keep you guys updated and I have an appointment with my doctor on Dec.1 so I'm waiting to get weighed in there so hopefully, the pounds will be melting away!

Hi Jo, I am so happy that all is going well and you are feeling good...you are more than welcome as well. I am so happy that Karen was able to bring us together and we able to go on this journey together.

I look forward to seeing your progress in pictures!!

Take care my friend!!

I took Tara's advice and went to McDonald's for dinner and ate 1/2 filet o' fish and a few fries..I doubt this is going to get me over the plateau, but it was good!!

I am going back on creamy soups for a few days and increase my exercise and see what happens!!

You guys are the best, thanks for your help!!!

I agree with the others and if you are able to eat for the most part and there are certain foods causing problems, they maybe problem foods for you.

I cannot eat corn, I avoid it. I cannot eat anything with a skin on it, such as beans. Everyone has their own group of foods to avoid.

Ensure that you take really small bites and chew well and you will have no problems with extra saliva or sliming.

It's retraining the way you eat and it takes time.

Good Luck!

Thank you Cathy =D>

Have you started your excercise program yet?

I've got to get going, and this list will help.

Great post!

Tara

Yes Tara, I work out 30 minutes per day on gazelle...I guess I need to increase that burn more calories!!