Lindsay

They did ask me specifically what I was doing ... and I told them I went over for 3 days for a medical procedure. They kinda giggled, and that was it. I do believe they asked me the doctors' name & address, and they knew exactly who I was referencing. I did take the OCC van/taxi, as I was going straight to the airport from the hotel/clinic -- Pack LIGHT. You won't need much, except really comfy jogging pants, thick socks/slippers, and maybe a couple tshirts .... I remember getting the sweats the night after my surgery, more because of my anxiety than the surgery, and wished I had packed a fresh tshirt to change into. You surgery incisions are sooo tiny, you'll be shocked! So don't worry too much about not being able to bend over, ect. My discomfort was caused completly by gas post surgery ... they'll blow your tumy up with air, which is the worst of it all! Walking/moving around helps release this extra gas. I also found I had bad acid reflex post surgery, which is something I had never experienced before, so I wasn't sure what was going on.

It's only been 9 days! You need to keep up with the post op diet ... If food choices are a big deal for you, you need to remember that you won't be eating the same way that you did before. This was all explained prior to the surgery, from Dr Miranda. You're exercising right? I can go up and down 6lbs over night due to water retention, so stay OFF THE SCALE, and go with 5 or 6 point body measurements. The scale isn't always going to tell you what you need to know.

I didn't drive over the boarder .. I walked through, and saved A LOT of time! I highly recommend you do the same. Customs will ask you what clinic (name & address) you were at, and they'll know why. You don't need to say why.

just wondering ....

If your eating habits haven't changed, why would another anything make a difference? None of the weight loss success stories have been successful without a huge lifestyle overhaul.

I can't recall, who I've talked to about the Chicago Plastic Surgery clinic .... I know it was a beautiful woman, who I can't recall .. If this is you, please PM. I'd like to chat with you! Thank you!

Yes, I know that dr. He's actually very well known and he's a decent one at that. ... I have a friend who got her band with him, as her mom is a doctor at Credit Valley, as well. That's the standard pricing for foreign lapbander support. It's the same price at CIBO. It's a huge liability for them to take us on as clients -- every doctor as their own way of placing the band, etc. I can only speak about CIBO, but they have an incredible support & education program that all of their banders are encouraged to participate in pre and post surgery, personal training and use of their private gym .... a lot of bonus' for people who otherwise wouldn't have a clue about what to do next. The band doesn't work without those things -- and A LOT of people don't do it, and aren't successful. Ontario doctors are very well aware of the cost, and how much we paid to go over the boarder -- but they offer local support, followup & convenience -- something you can't get otherwise. So it's really a trade off .... Like you said, you might not even get the band, because you can find fills locally.

I completely understand your concern -- I wouldn't do it now, knowing what I know about how things have quickly changed, and how doctors here will NOT TOUCH ME! I do hear a lot about the sleeve on here ... but the weight loss seems drastically slower and far less than what I was seeing with the band. While it's not nearly as difficult to deal with (getting the right fill spot, etc) I don't hear much about success on the forum (as of yet)

EDIT: I yet have to see OHIP cover this surgery. It's like a mythical creature; people talk about it, but it's never actually been seen or done.

Do the 'creams' contain dairy? Stick with broths' until you're feeling a bit better. Sounds like it could be mental .... (not in a bad way!)

I'm wondering how everyone is doing? Past and present! My update: Banded: Tues March 10, 2009 by Dr Martinez , Tijuana Height: 5'9" Starting Weight: 231lbs Currently Maintaining a comfortable weight of 136lbs. And I've never felt better. This was the best decision I've ever made.

I always wear an xsmall shelf-style tank top/cami under my clothes .... it helps keep the extra skin tight against my body. I have quite a few of the Old Navy ones ... and a few of The Gap one -- This is what the Gap one looks like: http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=20197&vid=0&pid=710145 I can tuck them into my pants, so it keeps them nice and tight.

i'm in Toronto!

I have both of these books, too!

I get my fills done at a lapband facility here in Toronto, but they stopped accepting 'outside' patients almost 2 years ago now. There are no other places who do it, as far as I know in Canada. No one will touch me with a ten-foot-pole, knowing I had my lapband done in Tijuana. Something to keep in mind, of course!

Specifically, your diet: without wanting to sound like a total douche bag, diet is 80% of weight loss ........ you can exercise all you want, but if you're taking in more calories than your body is able to burn, weight or fat loss is unachievable. You have to dial in your diet. Start logging every. single. thing. you. eat. weigh & measure your food, and log. You can do this using many fre online services: http://www.fitday.com/, http://www.livestrong.com/thedailyplate/, http://www.sparkpeople.com also, it doesn't sound like your band may not be functioning properly, if you only feel restriction when something is getting stuck. have you been getting blind fills? I'd get a fluoroscopy fill, so they can see exactly how quickly liquid is moving down ... but then again, i've found 'hunger' is mainly mental for me, which was a huge obstacle to overcome. Do you ever feel FULL? It's probably time to look at the psychological aspect. With the amount of exercise you're doing, I would question your diet and/or have you had your thyroid checked. Not sure why you'd want 'diet pills'. An increase of blood pressure won't produce weight loss. And if you're not motivated to change your eating habits, Weight Watcher/Jenny Craig/etc etc is another resource you'll just through money away on. I hope this helps, a bit ... and puts things in perspective.

I remember the OCC telling me 3 months. So that's what I did - waited 3 months, between EACH fill. My fill place here in Toronto, also highly recommended the 3 month wait ... its definitely not a quick process.

You have the lapband? It's empty when you first get it ... you'll need to get a fill in about 3 months, post op.

what are you doing differently, that would cause weight loss?

Not a surprise, based on their poor reputation. Received this email a few days ago:

hm. you will need to workout and eat clean to lose weight, even with the band.

Is it standard to get an epidural for surgery such as this?

I wouldn't go below that .. esp if you're working out regularly. Just need to schedule much smaller meals throughout the day. I'm always snacking, to ensure I'm getting enough in me.

I think Optifast is super expensive for what it is. Not sure why a good whey protein wouldn't do the same thing, with a lot less (artificial) ingredients

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