Jnlebean

I was the only one in my family born with the love of overeating gene!! Ha ha ha. In saying that my brothers are both trainers and working out is on there to do list everyday. In tears one night I called my brother to ask him how can i get rid of my wings! I havent even started loosing weight but I know all ready I am scared of having big flaps. He told me this...the skin attaches to your body by hanging on to your muscle, when you gain weight fat stores its self between the muscle and the skin, creating flabby arms or thighs etc. When you loose weight you are removing the fat but the skin then has nothing to attach to. Mainly becasue we loose weight faster than it takes for the skin to find something else to attach to. The best way to tone up and get the skin tight is to work out and build muscle, this will encourage the skin to attach to the muscle as the fat disappears. Its never to late to start to tone up, try lifting weights each day and over time as you loose more weight your skin will thin out and attach to the muscle. Each night as I sit and watch tv I take two large cans of tomatoes and lift them up and down and all around! Free weights! I am hoping by starting now, I too wont need a arm lift when I start to loose all my weight. I hope this helps! Good Luck, Jenelle

I have a few questions for you if you are more than 18 months post op. I find most of the people on here that are posting are newly banded or have been banded for a short time, which makes sense they have the most to ask and talk about! What I would like to know is how are you doing 18+ months post op? Have you kept the weight off? Do you still get PBing? Do you still feel restriction? Do you still get fills? Have you had any problems where you needed to have the band removed? Do you see yourself removing the band in the future? Have you gone back to your old eating habits? Has your "new tummy, pouch" stretched, and if so does getting fills help? If you could do it over again would you, even with all the complications that you may have had? Has your body wanted to reject the band, was it something that you were able to over come? I guess Im asking these questions because I have heard that 10% of people that get the band have had to have it removed around the 18 month mark. Like my aunt just did, she was at the 15th month mark. Now I know that most of the questions are rare and dont happen to most of the people that have been banded. But just thought I would throw the question out there and see what you have to say! Im also going to email the OCC to see if they can help me with these questions, I will let you know what they say. Thanks Guys and Gals, Jenelle

Just an FYI, I phoned Dr. Mitchells office a few minutes ago and he will take patients that have had the band done in Mexico, but the charges $5000 for a 5 year post op care! Thats a little rich for me, Jenelle

OH MY GOD!! You have to be kidding me! I have been on the phone with that doctor for about a month trying to ensure that he will take me as a patient after my surgery in January!! So I guess Im out as well. I totally feel your pain, why are there no doctors in Calgary or even Alberta for that matter that are taking new patients. I live in Calgary and my family doctor is still in Edmonton because I cant find a family doctor here in Calgary. I will be on the look out for a fill doctor here in Alberta and I will let you know what I find. Dont worry there must be someone out there that will fill us!! Jenelle

AmberLam, YOu have done a lot of hard work to get where your at!! Thank you for the advice! I think I will buy the myoplex lite! It seems to be the best so far! Good point on only needing enough for 3 or so weeks. I would have bought way to much! You guys are great! Jenelle

Wow, you guys are great! I just need to learn and get my head wrapped around all the different protein shakes and powders out there! I want to be mean and lean but not so much a body building fighting machine Jenelle

Thanks Kim, thats a good idea to start stocking up now! I know my bill will be lower than it is now but I thought I would throw it out there. I know that protein shakes can be a little on the high side, if im thinking of the right stuff!! Good luck to you and I cant wait to see how you do over the next few weeks Jenelle

I am single and I live on my own, in a very expensive city! So in saying that I am on a budget. Has anyone noticed their grocery bill dincline since being banded, besides the obvious of not being able to eat as much. What I mean is are the protein shakes and vitamins and everything else that is needed afterwards just as expensive as buying food? or do you find that you are still spending about the same? Thanks Jenelle

Stormy, Taz hit the nail on the head. We are attracted to like people. When I was considering surgery, I kept saying but I wouldnt be able to go for drinks with friends or go for dinner, What will I do? Everything I do is around food. Its my entertainment. But I know that in order for this to work for me, I will have to expand my circle of friends to include people who just want to go for a walk or a run! I will keep the friends that I have but I will just have to socialize with them in a different way and if that doesnt work for them then they werent much of a friend to start with. We all lose weight in different ways, no one has ever walked in your shoes to know what your struggles are. Its unfair to compare people we are all different. Stormy I will support you! I am having a hard time letting people know that this is what I am doing. I have only told a very select few, its really no ones business how I choose to lose weight. I have already had one of the select few tell me that this is the lazy way out. I creid for about two days, then I thought good riddens. This is a personal choice and something that I am comfortable with and it doesnt effect them, well maybe when Im looking hotter than she is it will, But I stand strong! I just know that she will not be one of the people I can talk to about my STRUGGLES after surgery! True friends will support you no matter what! Hang in there, besides you have all of us!

Ok so after reading some more, I think what might be happening is that she is having Erosions. I guess this happens to less than 1% of people. I will keep you posted as to what the doctor finds out, after her surgery!

I havent been banded yet, but from all the reading i have done on this site, i would recommend liquids and calling your doctor that did the fill and see if maybe there is to much in there. Try liquids for a few days and see if maybe then you can eat soft foods. Just a suggestion, sorry i cant help more! Jenelle

Im not banded yet but I really enjoy shakes in the morning and have been making them for about a year now. I dont measure anything but i just throw it all together and blend away! Frozen fruit (any that you like) Yogurt Milk and a Banana! That is my base! You can add the benefiber and protein to the shake as well! I like to make tropical shakes or strawberry shakes. It just denpends on the frozen fruit blend and the yogurt flavor you use! Just an idea!

I know I have read something about this on the OCC website but I want to know if any of you know of someone or yourself had a reaction to the band? My aunt had the sergery 14 months ago in Toronto, She is going back today to get the band removed beacuse she is not healing and has developed a reaction to the band. Now im not sure what type (brand name) she has. But the doctor is going to take it out for 6 months and see how she feels and if the reaction and infection clears up. Then if everything is ok and heals she will have it put back on if it is safe to do so, and they know she will not react again. I think they are going to do a lot of tests to make sure that it will be safe to give her the band again! My question to you is, What are the odds that is will happen to me? Will it happen. Does the clinic talk about it when you are down there? Can you get tested before surgery insure that you are not allergic? Im nervous. I getting banded in January, and i want to make sure this is a forever thing and that I would have to have it removed! Any advice!

Good for you! =D> Keep us posted on your success!

Did you start them before or after your surgery?

I am so sorry to hear, that! Try Medicard their number is 1888-689-9876, they approved me in two days! I hope something works out for you! Jenelle

Hi Guys and Gals, I havent had surgery yet, but I have read on here and other websites about shoulder pain? Is this a side effect from surgery or is this something to with over eating once you have the band? How long does it last? Jenelle

What do you mean by gas pains in your shoulder? I noticed that some people have had shoulder pain, but i thought that was to do with the surgery, and not with how much you eat? Jenelle

From the notes and things I have from the clinic, I think you have to call her! Do you mind letting me know what they tell you? I was also wondering about the vitamins and such after the banding! What is needed and what is suggested. Good Luck Shelby, cant wait for Biggest Loser on Tuesday! Jenelle

Thats amazing! I am so pround of all of you! I cant wait to tell you about my NSV, a few more months and I will be! I got all choked up reading this topic, I CANT WAIT!!!

Hey Guys and Gals, I am getting banded on January 16th, I know I have a few months to wait, but I thought I would ask anyways. What is the prep op diet? I have seen many different diets, and I am sure that it depends on the doctor. I will be seeing Dr. Ortiz. Can anyone give me an idea of what I would be eating!! Thank you Jenelle

Way to go girl! I love when I wake up and I feel skinny, makes my day! Just wait until the next two weeks go by just how great you are going to feel and look! All the best, Jenelle

I dont think they do repeat it, i havent seen it anywhere else but that one night. Althouhgh if you catch the very start of the show they will do a recap!

Thanks Chad!

Nope you're not the only one, I do it too! I have my kleenex box right beside me when I watch the show!