1 more week.

Well, my time is fast approcahing. This time next week I will be starting the journey to the new me! Today I bought my protien (6 cans ) I think I went over board, Caltrate and pre natal vitamens. My pharmasist recommends them over a multi vit as they have no caffine. I am getting excited and nervous!!

so tammy how are you feeling? I'm booked for July 22nd in Mexico. I guess your glad the big operation is over.

Hi Tammy, good luck on the 22nd I'm having mine the same day in Toronto Best of luck

Tammy, how did it go? I just got a date of the 26th of Sept. and am nervous like you were. Who did the surgery for you?

It has been alittle over 2 months and I feel great! I am down 50 pounds with 50 more to go. I was nervous and cried even in the OR. The dr.s and nurses were really nice. My surgery was done at the RAH, by Dr. Birch. I did not see him before surgery he comes in once you are under. Not a real personable guy , but as long as he does a good job that's all that matters. Good luck, although I was soooo nervous I am thrilled that I did it and the band is really helping drop the weight. When they say it is only a tool it is true, you need to work hard to have the weight come off. I am sure you will do awsome. Keep me posted.

Thanks Tammy for your reply. I am just like you were, scared, nervous and very anxious. I can see myself also crying in the operating room. I have never had surgery of any kind before so that also adds to the anxiety. I am glad that you found the experience a good one. Did you have to do the 2 week liquid diet for pre-op? How long were you in the hospital? How long were you off work? I was on Dr. Birch's list but have now been moved to the new surgeon, Dr. Karmali. I found Dr. Birch to be very informed and yes, perhaps not very friendly, more matter-of-fact. But like you said, who cares as long as you are in good hands. Do you go to the Edmonton Bariatric Support Group that has their meetings at the RAH? Tammy, tell me anything that you think will be important now or for later. I so appreciate your honesty and now that I what I know now will only help me later. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I never had to do a 2 week pre -op diet.Dr.Birch did not require it, does the new dr?I did do the 2 week post-op, I had a really bad cold when I had my surgery it ended up turning into broncitis so I never had a problem with the liqiud diet since I was so sick. I have a low pain tolerence, I am a baby I admitt it! I stayed 1 night in the hospital.I never felt 100% for about 2 weeks after.I had a lot of gas pain and the key is to use gasx and a heating pad,it really helps. Walking is the key, but I did not feel like walking.I have not attended the meeting at the RAH but am going on the 18th, this will be my 1st one. I did not even know they had them.Everyone is so different, a lady next to me and about 15 years older had her surgery right before me. She was in my room that night walking around and doing great. I was sick!! You should log on to the forums under lapband and check out the posts. That is were I hang out. Most are American,but it is intresting to see all the different questions people have. It is so informative !!The truth is if you are not 100% committed to the band you will not lose weight. I can see how people fail. You can eat around it if you chose to. You need to be in the right mind set for sure. I have never been good dieter and the band has been working for me and I for it. I have not had a fill yet, i am scheduled to have on the 18th. My NUT (Sherry) said Dr. Birch may not do one or a very small one as I have no hunger at all. PM me if you have any questions, I am only 2 months out so no expert but so far I am very happy.

I so appreciate reading your messages. I too will be at next week's EBSG meeting. I look forward to meeting you there. You sure have done well since the surgery. I just made my pre-op appt. today and have all of the other appt. made. I hear many similarities between the two of us as I have a low pain tolerance and am also a big baby. I was surprised that I will be in the hospital overnight as I was told it was a day surgery. I suppose they want to be sure that we are alright. How much work did you miss after surgery? I was thinking of booking off for 1 week. Thanks again for everything you have written. I believe the more I know the better off I will be.

I sell real estate and work with a partner who happens to be my dad so I could take as much time as I needed, I was lucky. I really didn't feel like doing much for the first 2 weeks but like I mentioned I am a baby. Have you been to any of these meetings before? Are there people there from all surgerys or just bands? How many have already had surgery? How many people attend? Is there a dr. or nut that attends? Who runs it?

I have a brother and sister who sell real estate. Nice to have that type of job while you were recovering. I am a teacher so that isn't the case for me. I am hoping that I can return to the craziness after 10 days off as my surgery date is a Friday and I won't return until the following Monday. I suppose that could change. No, I have never been to the EBSG meetings. I don't think they are attended by any professional from the WW clinic but just by people like you and I. I am glad that I will know of someone who is going and will keep my eyes out for you. I have also been in contact with a guy who had the surgery about 2 years ago and have been emailing him back and forth to get his perspective. He has been very good to communicate with. I believe he is hoping to come also on Monday. I am trying not to get too far ahead of myself as that is something that I am good at and will probably end up like you in regards to cancelling the surgery date I have. I don't want that to happen. I have never been 'normal' so the changes that come with that are scary. In terms of who attends the meetings, I have heard that it is more gastric bypass patients but people say most of the issues are similar between the two surgeries. We will find out I guess. I am new to this type of forum. Could we communicate with each other without having to go through this process?