JLB

Thanks everyone for all the info., there is such a wealth of info on this forum and a great bunch of people who are always willing to share and help us newbies. I really appreciate it. :clap2: I wish I could visit several clinics but finances kind of prevent me from flying to and fro. So I guess I'll just continue reading posts and will eventually probably choose from word of mouth. Sounds like both clinics are a good bet and I couldn't go wrong with either. Argon: I didn't realize Dr. C's office was moving, do you know if he will still be located in Miss.? Yoda: No, I don't know what Fluro means but I will definitely do a search on that right now. Thanks,

Thanks Atir, I'm glad everything has been going well for you. I've read a bit about the PBing also. I think most times people seem to be able to control it better or with trial and error learn which foods are better tolerated than others. I also read that right after fills it can be more irritating so some people go back to liquids for a wekk or so and then reintroduce other foods slowly. Slow but steady is a great way to lose weight and proves to be successful in keeping it off too. Thanks for the info on Dr. J - he is quite impressive. Janice

Hi Atir, good to hear from you. So you were banded at TLBC. What did you think of the pre-op/post-op care, the clinic and staff, etc. I'm interested in hearing more about why you chose TLBC over other clinics. I'm still on the fence and haven't decided for sure where to go so anything you can tell me would be helpful to add to my research. How have you been adjusting to the changes since surgery? Thanks and congrats on your loss so far - you're doing great! Janice

Yoda, I sure wish I knew about this surgery long ago. As I understand it, Lapband was first performed about 6 yrs ago or so by Drs. J/Y in TO. I only heard about Lapband surgery a few months ago - must have had my head in the sand! By the way... congrats on your 61 lb loss. You are doing fabulous! I noticed you were banded in TO. Do you live out there and go to the same clinic for your fills or??? Would you be willing to share any other info regarding your experience at the TO clinic. I am still in the deciding mode so I definitely appreciate any info about different surgeons/clinics. Thanks, Janice :help:

Yoda, you are so right, wouldn't want to sway anyone in either direction. I have personal reasons for my expression of choice ie. gut feeling but also family in the area, etc. Thinking out loud I guess. I know Dr. Joffe /Yau are also good and were the first to perform the surgery. I haven't been on the board for very long but for the postings I've read Dr. C is mentioned way more than Drs J/Y. Anyway, just an observation. I would love to read more about both Drs. Helpful to get everyone's views on thier experiences with different surgeons/clinics. Janice

Soooooooo true Andrew! As you may recall I am currently working on my BSW and I too have found that average weight people fair much better in the world of work. It's a shame that our society can be so shallow and judge people on their outer appearance. Over weight people are often viewed as lazy or stupid - far, far, far from the truth - obviously!!! Anyway... I have two very good reasons for working my a.. off to get a loan and go East for surgery. First, my age, I'm turning 45 this month and my family history of heart disease is overwhelmingly huge. My dad had his first open heart surgery at 49 and his second at 78 which he didn't recover from and died in the ICU at Foothills in 2005. My oldest brother died suddenly at 50 yrs of age from a heart attack in Dec 2004, six months prior to my dad's death. My second oldest brother had open heart surgery at 48 years of age. So I figure, Lapband surgery is something that may help me avoid or at least help reduce my risks for heart problems. Second, I think the risk for infection during surgery in the regular hospital system is much, much higher than in a private clinic. I personally have heard of at least five people in the last few years who have gone in to the hospital for routine surgery and acquired an infection, sometimes life threatening. Going the private clinic route is so much safer and I believe, more efficient - definitely a better bang for your buck! :clap2: Janice

I agree. 2-tier is very positive if you can come up with the money. However, I don't agree if it moves the less fortunate further down the list. It all has to do with doctors and if there are enough to work in both systems. Right now in Alberta we have a shortage of doctors so who knows if it would benfit everyone or not. I hope to be in a position to qualify for a loan in the near future and will be off to TO like the rest of you. By the way Andrew... your surgery date must be getting close. All the best and I can't wait to hear all about your banding experience. If I was to go out East I think I would probably choose Dr Cobourn as well. Don't know why, just a gut feeling. It seems that many more people in this forum talk about Dr. C than they do about Dr. Joffe/Yau. Janice

Andrew, you are too funny! I never thought of using one chop stick - I'll have to try it! Janice

Hi everyone, it's nice to find a place to chat with bandsters. I am a wannabe. I have been researching Lapband surgery and believe it is for me. I have made an appt with my doc for Jan. 3/07 to start the referral process. In my province (Alberta), it takes about 2 years - I'm not sure I can wait that long! There are a couple of clinics in Ontario that perform the surgery for $16k, yikes!! I am currently a university student and struggle to pay my tuition, let alone surgery. I'm hoping for a miracle - maybe I'll get in sooner. Nice to meet everyone. I've enjoyed cruising around for the last few days reading posts. This is a very necessary and information packed site!!! Janice

Thank you Andrew for your reply. Your reasons are certainly admirable. Your son is a lucky boy - he has a great daddy! I also look at this as an investment, right now an investment without any financial investors. I'm not sure I will even qualify for a loan but I am determine to try and finance this somehow. I feel the same way about Mexico and I also think it would be difficult to get a doctor in Calgary to do fills, etc from surgery performed in Mexico. I understand that Dr. Cobourn has doctors in Calgary that will do fills under his direction, however, you do have to pay for their services over above the cost of the surgery. By the way... do you happen to know what your additional costs will be over and above the $16,000? Thanks for the other suggestions, I'll investigate them as well. Janice

Thanks Sandra. I'll look for some info on Dr. Leung. By the way... are you in Alberta or BC? Does Dr. Leung do your fills as well? The price is much better than the Ontario clinics but are there other costs that I need to consider. Thanks, any help you can offer is great! Janice

Hi everyone, I'm new to the board and a wannabe bandster. Since deciding that Lapband surgery was for me, I have found myself thinking about the craziest things. :think I luuuuvvvv to cook but post-surgery I won't be eating the same foods/amounts (thank goodness). However, I'm wondering what this will really mean for me. Will I not want to cook anymore? Will I not enjoying cooking/eating? Will I be depressed about this? What will I feel? :cry :girl_hug: :cry From what I've read in the forums so far - this is a life-changing, albeit wonderful, fantastic life-changing experince but I wonder -- do people actually experience feelings of loss? Can anyone weigh in on this? (pun intended- hehehehe) Happy Holidays! (Holidays = Cooking = Family = Eating :hungry: - see what I mean - food is such a huge part of my life) Janice

Thanks for mentioning the grocery bill thing Edie. I never thought about my grocery bill going down because it just seems to always go up. This is a really good point though, I expect it does go down. :biggrin1: Thanks, Janice

Audree, I just went online and put the book on hold at the library. Thanks for mentioning it. I have a question. You said that Pat Levine had to rewrite her favorite receipes so they are bandster friendly and also that bandsters may need to blend their portions. I'm new to all this. Could you pls explain what you mean by this. Are people really restricted as to what they can eat after Lapband surgery? Thanks, Janice

Andrew, would you mind if I asked what your reasoning was for going to Dr. Cobourn rather than having the surgery in Calgary or Edmonton? I assume it is the wait time but I don't like to just assume. I appreciate any discussion that may help with my journey through this process as well but, of course, I understand that this is your personal journey as well so I would also like to respect your privacy. Cost is a huge factor for me as I am a full-time student in the middle of my degree. However, waiting for the AB Healthcare system to process me is also a huge factor as I am in a high risk category for some medical problems. Very frustrating! Janice

WOW... thank you so much! I really feel a sense of relief after reading these few posts. I'm not alone. I do use food as comfort and I think I just actually realized this! Hmmm.. have to ponder this for awhile. My favorite TV channel is also the food network and my favorite past time is deciding what to cook/eat next. I can imagine that life after the Band changes and as a person loses the weight they find other activities to replace old, unhealthy ones. Sounds like to freedom to me! Happy Holidays Everyone!!! Janice :biggrin1:

Thanks Andrew. I wasn't aware they were doing this surgery in Calgary. I have an appt. with my doc on Jan. 3/07. I would really appreciate any info you could give me about the Calgary surgeon. Janice :girl_hug:

Great news Pam! I'm a new wannabe bandster. I have an appt with my doc on Jan. 3/07 to start the referral process. I also heard it was about a 1 1/2 to 2 yr process for Dr. Birch/Dr. Davey. Long wait!!! I'm soooo excited for you!!!!!!! You must be on top of the world!!!!!!!!!! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: I'm saying a prayer for you right now. Janice (Calgary, AB.)