Taz

Ya. I know its possible to hook both up. I am just an anal guy about my electronics. My entertainment rack is full.. which means the Wii is going to end up on the floor. A small price to pay. Just seems silly to me that they play DVDs for games, but not movies. Oh well. At least I can play Halo AND try some luck at Wii baseball and what not. I love to Kayak, so seeing Jillian's kayak game as a competitive option has some merrits. We will have to see. Taz

Excellent! Glad to hear it. Welcome to the challenge!!! Definitely don't give away the iPod. Find the right kind of music you like, and let it drive your feet. I find when I am listening to the right music, it just naturally gets me to pick up the tempo and move. Taz

That's good to hear. I wouldn't mind having a piece of toast with peanut butter. Kinda worried about it sticking... so not sure how I want to approach that. The horrors I hear about gumming up, I want to be careful in my approach. Taz

15 days? I was on a liquid diet 14 days before the surgery, and now 21 days after. A man can only take so much soup :-) Actually, my biggest cravings have been cheese + apple, and chilli. Not sure why. Guess what I am having for lunch tomorrow? Taz

I bought some WW wraps for tomorrow night. My first solid meal is going to be a pizza using a wrap as the crust (ultra thin crust , replaced with fresh salsa instead of pizza sauce. Hope I don't tire of it ;-) Never even thought about popcorn. Thanks for the reminder. Might be something to try for a treat. Taz

Not really a fan of the malls. But I get your point. Find places indoors. I am actually hoping to get a semi-regular squash game going, and use that to pick up some steps indoors. Trying to convince my daughter to get into the sport. She's a great ball of energy which I would love to harness as a squash buddy. And she's at the right age for it too. Taz

Oh man. That's a bummer. Hope you find it. In the meantime... just tick off every step you do in a notebook, and tally it up tonight. *lol* You can work out your hand then too!!! (Yes I'm kidding) Taz

Interesting question. Can't really answer it except to say they tried a 4cc band in me, and quickly realized I needed a 10cc band due the size of my organs. I would doubt he favors any size. He puts the right one if that meant for you. It costs you the same thing either way. I don't believe weight has anything to do with it. Its about how large your stomach is, and what they will need to wrap around the upper part of it. Taz

My wife will love you guys. She always wants to take me shopping. Personally... I hate the experience since I can rarely find clothes that fit well except at the Big and Tall store. I will have to pick up at least a few pair of jeans... but I don't want to go hog wild... since I don't plan to stay in them very long :-) Taz

The funny thing is... I don't want to yet. I'll buy new clothes, only to have to replace them in a few months. I will have just broken in new jeans only to have another white rapper moment. The belt is kinda funny. I think just for fun I will keep this one and start punching holes in it. Kind of like a "notch on my belt" so to speak. In time, this sucker will wrap around me twice as I lose the weight. (Started with a 55in waist... now at 48-50, depending on the pant). That's kind of a nice measuring stick... .so to speak. Taz

That's for sure. Taz

Ya? Ok, thanks for sharing. I like the idea that it measures your progress. And I am sure my daughter would love yet another gaming console in the house. (We have XBOX and Playstation 2 already). I'll have to head over to Future Shop next week and see about picking one up. Really wish the darn thing played DVDs so I could replace the XBOX in the main entertainment room. I bet this will look really cool on a 50in HDTV. Taz

You can NEVER go wrong with a good greek salad. Love that you included the calorie break down. Thanks for sharing. Taz

OK, I know everyone is very individualized on what they can eat post band... but I wanted to get a sense for what generally happens as it relates to breads. I am not looking for carb highs.. but I want to know what my options are. I know breads can "gum up" and be hard to deal with. Is that the same thought for wraps? What about if bread is toasted? As I move onto the solid phase, I want to understand what "safe" methods exist to allow me to eat "wraps" or "sandwiches". And maybe toast the odd wrap to make a few tortilla chips to dip in freshly homemade salsa if I get those weird nacho cravings. I have also seen mixed results with pasta and rice. With many recipes here using those, I am confused. I was told to avoid those by Dr. Miranda. What gives? Is sushi right out if I chew the heck out of it.. being that its sticky rice? What about fluffy jasmine rice? Man I love that with ahi tuna. Would love to hear people's experiences post-band with such foods. Are you eating breads? If so.. how is it prepared? How about pasta? Rice? Thanks in advance to everyone who responds. Taz

OK, so I guess its time to share. I am losing weight in the WEIRDEST ways. In places I never used to. I always heard that tale how the last weight put on is first to come off... but that just isn't the case for me. It's bad enough that I am losing pockets of fat in areas making me almost have an hour glass shape (not very appealing on a guy wearing a dress shirt). But now my belts don't have enough holes. Seems while walking up the stairs to my office today, I felt a draft. I was mimicing a plumber.... if you know what I mean. As I neared the top of the stairs, you can just imagine my surprise when my "saggy jeans" which are insanely baggy on me now got the comment of "trying to re-live your youth through the white rapper movement?" from someone in the hall. *sigh* Eminem I am not. Just a bandster who needs to go buy new jeans and belts this weekend!! Taz

OK, so a question for the Wii Fit people. I was told by Dr. Ortiz that I can't do any major ab/core work for 3 months after the surgery. If I spring to buy a Wii Fit, are there plenty of exercises I can do that WON'T compromise my abs? If there are lots of core balance work outs, it may not be suitable for newly banded people. Curious to know if it would be a good tool to use when its raining hard outside and I can't get outdoors. Especially the Jillian Michaels program. She is a hard worker; I can only imagine her program on the Wii. Do tell. Should I be waiting a few more months before fretting about this? Taz

Way to go Ramona! 12K is nothing to laugh at. Good job. And ya, I am sorted out on the K thing now. The darn Canadian in me was confusing K=1000 with K=kilometer. Either way.. its still rather impressive! I am still averaging only 6000 steps a day, except on weekends. I gotta bump it up... but this crazy ass rain is making it difficult. So hard and heavy right now in the last few days... its been difficult to get time between down pours. Might need to head the gym for the treadmill. Taz

LOL. Ok, that makes a difference. When someone tells me they walked 13K... I am thinking 8 miles. I couldn't figure how the hell you did 8 miles in an hour WALKING. That would be an amazing RUN!. I haven't lost my pedometer yet. Its so small and clips perfectly on my belt. It has a nice spring clip so its fastened pretty tight. So I haven't had any concerns. (*knock on wood*) Taz

Hey Mike, Thanks for sharing this wisdom. I am happy to hear you finally have the restriction you want. I am sure the next year will show you more positive successes. You are so right that its about portion control. We all have had an unhealthy relationship with food, and we need to realize our body doesn't NEED all that food. I have been so surprised while on the liquid phase after being banded how little food I could eat, and STILL have al the energy I need each day. I now understand what Dr. Ortiz meant when he said that portions should be 1/3 what I was used to. I wish you well my friend. Please keep us posted on your progress. Taz

I think its a very individualized result. Some people have success, but usually have to get at least one more fill. I am told many guys only need one or two fills; women usually 3 or 4. Not sure why gender would make a difference, but apparently it does. There is a good possibility that the fill can give you success. Remember though the band is a tool. NOT the solution. You still gotta make better choices. Eat right. CHEW. CHEW. CHEW. Exercise. Avoid liquid calories that have no positive value to your body. You want the first fill to be successful. Then make sure you give it every opportunity to be! Good luck. Let us know how you do! Taz

AMEN. This forum should be free from all spam. Taz

Yep. Same here. British Columbia MSP would not cover the lapband, but was willing to have me do gastric bypass. I refused. Besides the thought of being carved up... the 3 yr wait list was insane for that particular procedure. For over a year I didn't do the band, as I wasn't sure if spending $10K of my own money was worth it, since it came with the thought of PBing, surgery in a foreign country, and the uncertainty that the doctors in Canada would take care of me if something went wrong. What a DUMB set of hang ups to have. I now realize I DENIED myself a year of freedom of my weight. Had I done it last year, I would be significantly further along!!!! And quite frankly, OCC in Mexico was far nicer, cleaner and more focused on my well being than any hospital I have visited in years. When I consider all the money I spent in the last few years on SureSlim, MediFast, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, NutriSystem, Atkins (OMG, I think I bought everything they sold at least twice)... I quickly came to the realization I was going to be spending that money anyways. Tie on top of that the extra cost for all the travel comforts (I could care less if I fly economy vs business class.... except for the width of the seat)... I finally came to the conclusion that even with my own money it would be worth it. We have no problem investing $10K in a car to drive us a round for a few years. Why the HELL won't we invest in the body that MOVES US EVERYWHERE FOR LIFE!!!! For the non-bandsters thinking about it... you OWE it to yourself to invest in your health. You will be healthier... happier... and wiser. If you can get insurance to cover it... great. If not... find another way. You DESERVE IT!!!! Taz

That's interesting. And I find most non-campells soup watery or salty. Campbells has these "Harvest" and "Gardennay" soup boxes which are to die for. Lots of different intense flavours. Last night I had the "Red Pepper Black Bean" soup. I really liked it. Going to have to try Progresso though. I had that years ago and found it to be very hearty. Only thing is, I will have to wait until I get past the 21 days. Straining something like that probably loses most of its flavour. Taz P.S. If you want to check the Gardennay line of soups, check out http://campbellsoup.ca/en/products/family.asp?fam=9.

Hey Mollysmom, Remember that OCC will pick you up at the airport, drive you to the hotel, and take you to the clinic. The hotel is very safe, and from my recent experience... you will be taken care of. If you are concerned, give OCC a call. I am sure they will work with you to make sure you are comfortable and safe. Taz

OK, so what exactly do B12 strips do for you? I remember you talking about this before, but I never did ask that one question. Taz