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CanGirl

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Everything posted by CanGirl

  1. I don't think that there would be any reason to do both. Choose one or the other. I went with plication because there was nowhere here in Ontario where I could get fills if I had lap-band surgery in Mexico. Having said that, I am two months out and down 17 pounds. I lost 12 pounds in a about 3 weeks and have only lost 5 pounds since. They say that I would have such restriction that you could only consume half a cup of food at a sitting. I have not found that to be true for me. I certainly do eat less but you have to be very committed to making the right choices and not eating mindlessly. I've been stressed with work, moving, and an up-coming law-suit so it has been difficult to stay focused. It is not a magic pill and the OCC doesn't claim it is. From what I've heard, when a lap-band is properly filled, a person can have an easier time preventing themselves from over-eating than with plication. Think about it and make your choice based on your lifestyle and research. I think this can be a great life-changing experience-if you are willing to commit. I am saying this more to myself than to you. I look forward to taking my own advice when my life is a little more settled. Best of luck S
  2. I had a difficult time tolerating anything except gatorade in the beginning weeks. I have not had perfect eating habits but I have discovered greek yogurt and I love it. Very high in protein, low in calories and is great with raspberries (I buy then frozen) and sweetener. I have been having a lot of pain from reflux and I need to have something in my stomach when that happens. The yogurt helps a lot. I like to eat it before I go to bed. It's strange. Today I was struggling with wanting to eat more than my stomach can handle. I had a bit of discomfort. It's a real learning curve to know that perfect amount of food to satisfy my physical hunger and also my emotional hunger. Best of Luck.
  3. Hi Feather, My Mom has loved her Juvederm so far and it has taken years off her appearance. It is temporary but she would love to get it again. It last from about 6-12 months. I am 34 but I had a furrow in brow since my early 20's. I have been getting botox in my forehead for a couple of years now. It takes a little time for the appearance of the furrow to lessen but within 6 months I had a much softer appearance. If you continue to get botox every 5-6 months over time the muscles weaken and the crease smooths out. I would highly recommend it. I love Botox and it's less expensive at the OCC and Ms. Martin and Dr. So do a great job. I am just beginning to get the lines (crow's feet) around my eyes when I smile but I got botox with Dr. So and I have no lines around my eyes when I smile. One of my friends said that "it is like being 12 again". Also, there is a product at the OCC which Linda showed us that you can apply to your eyelashes and they grow in thicker. We saw some pictures and there is a significant difference. My eyelashes are ok so I didn't go for it but there are a lot of people that I think would like it. I am not too sure about some of the other treatments offered there but I am sure there are many. I'm sure that if you reply to the first comment which is from Ms. Martin that she would be happy to let you know about some of the other treatments that they have to offer. Best of luck to you and congrats on having your Plication at the OCC. Everyone there is helpful and kind and all the doctors and staff are great. Take care, Sarah
  4. I am a month out and down 15 pounds. I'm happy so far. I have heard of many people saying that they are eating 500-700 calories a day but I can't do that. I am having 1100-1300 a day. I am losing weight so I can't complain. I don't think the fewer calories is always better. Good luck S
  5. I heard of this complication after I came home from having my plication at the OCC. I know that there was a doctor here in Canada who had a patient with this complication, however, I believe the doctor had very little experience performing the procedure. I know that none of Dr. Ortiz's patients have had this problem and he has performed several hundred plications already. I am not an expert but I believe that Dr. Ortiz's suturing technique is designed to ensure that this complication does not happen. Contact the OCC and I am sure they will be happy to explain it to you. I had my surgery on March 9th and have lost 15 pounds post-surgery. I am quite happy with the results so far. Sarah
  6. I had my plication on March 9th. I did have gas pain but that was pain in my shoulders and I haven't had any gas pain after the first week. I also had gall-bladder issues since I was 14 and had my gall-bladder out 4 years ago at the age of 30. So, gall-bladder pain is often (but not always) triggered by something you ate. Often something fatty. Though when my gall-bladder was at it's worst, before I had it removed, it was chronic and very painful. It usually starts out as a weaker pain behind your right ribs and then intensifies until you think it couldn't get any worse, and then gradually lessens and the attack ends. It often means a trip to the ER because the pain can be so debilitating. It can take 12 hours and the area is often tender to the touch after for a couple of days. I am not sure if this is what you are experiencing or not. Now, I have been having some discomfort since my plication under my right breast area in the same generally area as my gall-bladder. It is worse when my stomach is empty. It is a strange sensation (which I could compare to a 'gas like" feeling). I have had some nausea as well. This morning I had this sensation and also sick to my stomach and had to take a couple of gravol. I have been thinking that the pain might be reflux. I had a similar pain before (though not quite the same) and my doctor said I had GERD and gave me some acid reducers. You should get it checked out but it might be reflux caused by the procedure. This is what I think it is for me but I will talk to my doctor again when I see him. Good luck. So for I have lost 15 pounds in 4 1/2 weeks. I have seen a lot of unhappy people with the plication too. I hope you have a good experience. Sarah
  7. I do indeed like the results. Thanks again Linda. Hope to be back sometime soon. It's 4 weeks since my surgery and I have lost 14 pounds. Not bad so far.
  8. Linda. I just blogged about the fillers and botox. Have a look at my Blog when you have a moment.

  9. In my next Blog entry I will talk about my Plication journey thus far but right now I wanted to mention some other features of the OCC that many people may not be aware of. On March 9th I had my plication surgery. While I was in the operating room my Mother spoke to Linda Martin a wonderful and beautiful nurse who works in the esthetics departments of the OCC. She and Dr.So perform non-invasive cosmetics procedures for family and patients at the OCC. So while I was in surgery my Mother, who is 60, went and had some treatments. Ms. Martin and Dr. So are highly trained and professional. Being a little older, my Mom has lost collagen in her face. She wanted to have some fillers around her cheeks and mouth to plump up those areas again. She also had some botox for the lines and creases around her eyes and brow. Mom loved the results and the next day when I was being discharged we both went back with Dr. So and Ms. Martin and I got some botox and Mom got some more filler. I love the results. I had been getting botox here in Canada for a couple of years because I had a deep furrow in my brow but Dr. So also gave me botox for crows feet and for the little lines in the forehead. The clinic I had gone to here in Canada had tried to do my crow's feet before but with no results. I am loving the results from the OCC. LOVE IT. I didn't have lines around my eyes YET but now I can't even make the crinkles around my eyes. It's great and NO ONE WOULD EVER GUESS unless you told them. I tell everybody because I think it's great. My Mom is also telling everybody about her Juvederm filler. She is loving it. They did such a great job. The filler lasts about 6-12 months so she is thinking about coming back to the OCC for surgery and wants to get more filler at that time. SO WHEN YOU COME TO THE OCC, WHY NOT DO THE ENTIRE PACKAGE AND GET SOME OTHER SPA TREATMENTS WHILE YOU ARE HERE. I highly recommend it. That's all for now. I will talk about the surgery next time...which by the way I am totally happy with so far. Sarah
  10. Thanks Linda. I am down about 13 pounds now since surgery and about 22 pounds in total. I will do some blogging about the fillers and botox. Mom is telling all her friends about the fillers. If she comes back for the surgery herself she wants to get more.

  11. Try not to worry too much. I am only a few weeks out of surgery but I lost 8 pounds for the first week and then didn't lose anymore for almost 2 weeks. Your body is adjusting. I figure I lost a lot of water the first week due to dehydration (I was very dehydrated) and then the next couple of weeks I had more fluids and then the 8 pounds was true weight loss. It has to work so don't fret. In a couple of weeks you will likely see some weight loss again. I am on day 24 and I am down 12 pounds but like I said I didn't lose anything after the first week for almost another 2 weeks. Best of luck Sarah
  12. Congratulations! That is wonderful news. I'm sure the surgery will help you during pregnancy and after when you lose the baby weight. What a blessing. Best of luck. Sarah
  13. I had the plication surgery a few weeks ago and had about 65 pounds to loose but I don't think there is a weight restriction. I saw Dr. Ortiz interview patients who had the procedure who certainly had 100+ pounds to loose. We are now considering it for my brother. He is on the wait list here in Canada for Gastric Bypass and could have the procedure paid by the government in the next year but the Possible complications are daunting. He has well over 150 pounds to loose. Best of luck. I am happy so far and am looking forward to the future. Hope you are too. Take care. Sarah
  14. Yes, totally normal. My stomach was a little angry too for a while.
  15. It could be gas pain from the gasses they pumped your stomach up with for surgery. I had the pain for several days after my surgery.
  16. congrats. I am two weeks out of surgery today and I am so happy to hear the success stories. Can I ask a question. How did you cope with the 3 weeks of liquid diet. Did you have a hard time with dairy. It seems that everything that I am allowed to have makes me want to be sick. I can't do the drinkable yogurt or shakes. I have cheated a little bit because all that I can stomach is gatorade, or sorbet. I can barely eat any of the cream soups. How was it for you. Again, congratulations. I lost 8 pounds before surgery and about 11 since.....so I am looking forward to being down 60 pounds before the end of summer.
  17. CanGirl

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    You are so beautiful and you two are so cute. Mom can't stop talking about how much she's enjoying her juvederm. My botox is good too. No crow's feet anymore 11 day's since surgery and I've lost 12 pounds since surgery and I'm starting to feel good. Thanks. Sarah
  18. Hi, Glad to know that I am not the only one who had some trouble with the initial days of recovery. I had a barium swallow also because I had a lot of pain and difficulty swallowing any liquids. It's now been 11 days since my surgery and I wish that I could say that soups and proteins shakes were working for me but honestly, I can hardly stomach any of it. It all makes me feel like I wanna be sick. Any suggestions. Right now the only thing that sits well is gatorade. Sarah
  19. I have noticed a lot of Canadians going to Mexico too. I hope your procedure goes really well today. I am heading down next month for the Plication. I'm from Stratford Ontario or as some people have started calling it....(Justin)Bieber Town. Let me know how it goes. I would love to know about your experience. I am flying out of T.O. and thankfully have no layovers. You can email me at canoe24@hotmail.com if you have a chance. Take care, Sarah
  20. Thanks Kari, You have made me feel quite a bit better about my decision. I am looking forward to a new beginning.
  21. Hi, I'm Sarah and today I scheduled a Plication surgery for the beginning of March. Now I am really nervous. I need to have my mind set at ease. 1) Is the procedure really reversible? I have heard opposing opinions on the subject. 2) I have about 60 pounds to lose. My BMI is 32. Is this a suitable surgery for me? Is there anyone else out there with a slightly lower BMI who has had the surgery? What were your results?? 3) Can anybody tell me how this process has affected them emotionally? I have this fear that because I have an emotional and physical addiction to food that I will be sad when I can't eat much anymore. I am looking forward to the health benefits of weight loss as I am only 35 and on cholesterol medication. My father first had a heart attack at age 39 and died of a heart attack at 54 and he was a health guru. He put my lifestyle to shame. My Mother and Brother both have diabetes and cardiovascular problems so I want to make this change now....while I still can. I'd love to hear anything anybody who has had the procedure has to say. What was your experience at OCC? Thanks, Sarah
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