Allcdngirl

OMG... one reason to always travel in groups! Don't go alone, and if you are, make sure you pay the extra money to have the OCC driver chauffer you.

Just a minute Shorty. You said "I just feel like nothing can go right in my life." YOU JUST LOST 48 LBS SINCE SEPT 07.. GIVE YOURSELF A HUGE PAT ON THE BACK!!!! =D> Congratulations!! You are doing awesome. I don't have any comment on the band as I haven't been banded yet, but sounds like you're gotten alot of responses from experienced bandster's. I do suffer from Heartburn right now as I have a Hiatus Hernia (which I understand Dr. Ortiz will repair for me when I get banded, and I can't wait. I found the best thing that works for me is NEXIUM. Good luck and stay positive!!

Wow..... it's amazing to read all these "stories" and how so many of them relate to me. ie... Mom telling everybody... been overweight since grade 5 or 6... and especially the one that's so true.. people who know you are dieting, will ALWAYS watch what you eat, and comment on it. How embarrassing is that! I am being banded on May 15th. I only made this decision about 2 weeks ago, and it's the quickest decision I've made in my life. I have told 3 people. 2 are best friends and very supportive, and one is a friend that had her surgery here in Canada one year ago. I will be telling my sister tomorrow evening, only because I know that if I don't tell her, she'll kill me! (We are like best friends as well) She also may want to go with me, which is why I'm telling her. She's one of those that would say.. you went all by yourself.. why didn't you tell me.. I would have went with you. I have decided not to tell my mom, for the reason stated above, and not to tell any of my co-workers, for the last reason given about. Staff barbeque June 22nd... you KNOW they'll be watching you! I told my 2 boys last night, that starting at the beginning of May I will be starting a really strict diet and eating very little to try to shrink my stomach. My oldest said.. is it healthy? (He's 15) I said.. yes.. I will be taking vitamins, and getting lots of protein, so it will be healthy. They are both excited for me. I think the answer to "What do you tell people" has to be based on "How do you think they will react" and "How they will be around you if they saw you put a small piece of cake in your mouth". If you think they'll only have negative comments, then use your better judgement, and don't tell them.

Wendy.. congrat's on the smoking! =D> Sound's like you're doing awesome! Keep up the good work... sounds like you're over the hurdle and approaching the home stretch. You can see the finish line... it's not far away... and think of the rewards!!!

Did you purposely "forget" the ice-cream?? I am not starting my pre-op for another week or so.. being banded on May 15th, but when I was trying to lose weight before, I did on having an atkins advantage shake for breakfast, lien cuisine or french onion soup for lunch, and a "smaller" somewhat healthier dinner. No snacking. Of course lots of water. This is the hardest part for me, especially during the day, as I have a desk job, and sometimes have 3 back to back 1 hour appt's, so it's very difficult for me to keep running to the bathroom all the time!

I did talk to the MOA there all ready, Redhead. She told me the same thing. The girl that told me about an RN doing it, also told me, that there it takes about one month to get in and see him, so she recommended that I get my paperwork done and my money in as soon as possible. I am hoping too that it is only 2 or 3 fills that we need. I'm being banded on May 15th, so I figure I'll get my paperwork and everything done before my banding, that way when I need my first fill (hopefully 6 wks later) I can make the appt and won't have to wait so long. Let me know if this is where you're going to go as well.

Denise.. Just today I phoned Premium Nutrition, and their product is not available in Canada. I asked if Costco in Bellingham had them yet (shakes) and she said no. Right now mostly only in California. I could order them, and have them shipped to Blaine where I have a post office box. The cost is $35.00 + $8.00 for shipping/handling. It is for 24. I thought it was quite a bit, so I didn't order them. I went down to Bellingham today, and picked up some slimfast shakes, special K protein drinks, and other things.

Just spoke to Canada Revenue. You CAN write off your surgery cost only. Cannot write off airfare, etc. if the surgery is available in Canada. Excellent!!!

Can someone answer this question for me? Are you required to fast 8 hours before pre-op and before surgery? So if I'm scheduled for surgery on a Thursday, but want to fly in on Weds. will I fast the night before for each day? Thanks again!

I was at my dr's office today, and found out the receptionist's sister just had LB in Monterray, CA. She was telling me that if you know an RN, they can do your fills for you. It's just saline. Anybody know anything about this??

Do any of you know why they would bring you to the hospital so early in the morning, and you didn't get banded until 4:30. I wouldn't like that at all. I would much rather relax and soak up the sun until it was my time. Hey.. any chance they could wheel my bed outside?? lol

I'm from Vancouver BC. When you're zipping around the hospital definitely come and find me and say hi!

Do you know her email address MM ??

I emailed Carolyn today, and she replied, however, something's wrong with her computer or ??? and I'm getting the same message from her every 2 minutes. I'm at like 70+ messages now! Has anybody else had this problem today? It's been happening ever since 3:00 pm. I'm assuming she's gone home, as I did email her and tell her, but that wasn't until I got home from work at 6:30 and noticed it. Does anybody know how to contact her??

Hi Caro, I'm being banded on the 15th. Hopefully we will meet up. Where are you from?

Do any of you from Canada know if you can write this off as medical expenses on your income taxes?? Thanks!

Thanks CCB.. it was a pleasure to read your story. I am going by myself on May 14th from Canada, and am feeling more and more comfortable each day I log into the forum. Not one negative comment about the surgery, the stay, anything. Again.. thanks for taking the time to write this for all.

I am both impressed and encouraged by all of you that have done so well pre-op. As a life-time dieter, you know that once your body gets used to the amount of calories you are giving it, or if you reduce the number of calories you give it, you will retain your weight. Your body goes into starvation mode, and starts to store all it's reserves. So my question is... if you lose alot of weight pre-op, could this by why you don't loose anything between surgery and first fill? Personally, I would find this discouraging. Did any of you??

Hi... I'm arriving on the 14th and having surgery on the 15th!!! One month today, and counting! Thanks to all of you who have already contacted me, and Dave, I will definitely be seeing you on the 14th!

If losing weight post op to first fill is a bonus, then how did you manage to lose so much weight in there MichelleMama? Do tell us your secret?

Woooooooohooooooooo!!! You know... I thought it was supposed to include 2 nights at the hotel, so I'm not sure why I was being sent home so quickly. I will for sure ask. Thanks Snowbird. I'm in Vancouver, and am always down in Blaine, Bellingham. We'll have to maybe try and meet up sometime.

Thank you for your replies. They told me that if I arrived Thursday morning, they would do my pre-op that morning, and then my surgery right after, spend the night at the hospital, Friday to the hotel and home Saturday. It seems like such a quick trip. Do you know if they would allow me to stay and go home Sunday? I would feel much better. Also.. one more question. I have read that some of you are talking about excellent mexican food there before your surgery. If you've been restricted to a pre-op diet, is it ok to have a good mexican meal the night before?? Sounds wonderful to me if you can.

Hi Everybody... I am probably going by myself to OCC. I have a tentative appt booked on May 15th. Just have to make sure I can get a few days off work, and will be able to confirm beginning of next week. I was wondering if any of you have gone by yourself? What's it like to stay in the hotel by yourself? Did you feel safe? Were you at all worried about having the surgery and then being alone? Is anyone scheduled for the 15th? Thanks!

Dr. Woodhead is doing them right now. How are you finding eating such little food, having to chew it so much, etc. I know it's quite a lifestyle change. Are you managing okay? Congrat's on the weight loss!

Thank you so much MammaMichelle... the reason I am going to choose Dr. Ortiz is because of all the success that everyone is having. (Of course when I mentioned "Tijuana" to my girlfriend, she cringed", but she hasn't done her homework like I have. I guess my biggest concern, is leaving there, and something going wrong, and not having the dr. there. I did find a dr. here in Delta that will treat LapBand patients that have had their surgery in Mexico, so that does make me feel better. I will keep you all posted on when I've made my decision, and when I'm actually going to do it. AllCdnGirl