maggiec_38

Hi all, I was banded on Friday and I keep getting chest pains off and on. It comes and goes, feels like I have to burp, but I don't. I have been drinking only water. I had some pain yesterday and spent most of the day in bed. This morning I feel better, but this chest pain thing is driving me cRAZY!! Even if I yawn I can feel it. Any suggestions? Thanks, Maggie

Hi there, thanks so much for all your help... and you were all right!!! It was still gas pain, and it also has to do with my hernia repair. today is day 4 and I am feeling much better. chest pain is gone, can only feel a little bit from either the band or the hernia. But I have been drinking my fluids and my 1 pkg of opti. I'm still taking it easy when I can. thanks so much for all your help. It's great hearing from people who have gone through this!! Maggie:) :clap2:

Hi Susie, Thanks for the reply. I think all my "air" that they pump in me is gone, I had that friday night mostly in my shoulders. This is different. If I bend over, it feels like something wants to come up and it can't, and then I can feel the pain move from the middle of my chest all the way up. He also fixed a hernia, do you think that would give me more pain? It's kinda weird, I don't feel like I am having a heart attack or anything, it just kinda comes in a wave. I will move around more today and see if it goes away. I will have to try and drink something other than water also today. A little afraid to try something new, all in my stupid head!! maggie

Hi Everyone, Has anyone put their surgery on their credit card?

Hey All, Did any of you see that Oprah show about the people who had the bypass surgery and then they became addicted to alcohol? Well, it was very interesting, they had that Carlie Wilson ( I think that's her name) on and she talked how when she was young she was addicted to drugs, got off of that and became addicted to food, had the surgery and then became addicted to alcohol... So I told my husband, great I will lose weight and become an alcoholic... LOL.. I never drink, and he drinks beer all the time.. But seriously, it's something that we will all have to watch.. Just like you were all saying, one addiction turns into another if you have underlying issues that have not been resolved, and you might not even know that you have any issues, you have to be careful!! Maggie

Hi, I'm being banded by Dr. Cobourn on April 13th. Susan I extend my:hand: hand to you also, we will go on this adventure together. maggie

Hi Doddie, what you said is exactly right!! I have to experience this for myself before I will get any assurance.. just seems like a long wait, and countdown.. I go for my physical thurs. with my GP and then it's one week before I start the optifast:paranoid . Then no turning back!! Thanks for the encouraging words, Maggie

Hey JBL, Congrats on your date.. I am going threw the same things as you are right now. I start my opti on mar.30th and I am in a panic over everything. One day thinking should I do this, why did I book this, am I going to regret it, is it going to hurt, I won't be able to eat anything anymore, DH putting me through about the cost, my kids saying i'm crazy, ect, ect... I just feel up and down everyday. I have been biting my nails, gained maybe 15lbs with eating everything in site that I will never eat again. Went to the Keg last friday night for my last meal there.. I know exactly what you are going through!!!! But I keep telling myself that I have to do this and it's worth every penny. Even while I am typing this my stomack is in a knot. It's the unknown, and even though we read what everyone has to say on the message board, it's still very scary. The only thing that I keep telling myself is that I can always get it removed, not like bypass, unreversable(even though I know I will never take it out unless I have too). So what you are feeling is very normal and I feel for you!!! I am so looking forward to being thin again and getting back into the clothes that I have waiting for me from 2 years ago.. so here is my:hand: hand, and we will be on this same journey together.. Maggiec_38

Hey, Thanks for all the great replies.. The office told me to get one of those cheque's from the cc company, but when I called the cc they said no problem with putting that much on my cc, but if I got the cash advance cheque it does not go towards airmiles, so why bother then. I have the money, but I was looking forward to that money in airmiles too... and if those who had their surgeries in Feb could put it on theirs, then I should be able to also since they JUST changed their policy....I think I am going to call them tomorrow and let them know that I am not happy since they did say that I could pay with my cc. It's worth the try.. Thanks again everyone, Maggiec_38

Hi Gaffer and JBL, Thanks so much for the response.. I also paid for the initial costs on my MC, I called about 4 wks ago and they said that I could put it on my card but only in person. I was planning on going last week since I only live 1 hr away, the benefit of putting it on my MC was worth the drive. But during my phone consult with them last week, I mentioned that I was coming in to pay it, and they said they no longer will do that.. Boy was I pissed, I made all the arrangements for it to go on my MC and now they say I can't. I really don't think that is fair saying Yes and then changing their minds. If they told me yes I feel they should still honour that and change it for the newbies.. I had my initial consult the beginning of January and they said it was OK.. Do you think I should put up a fuss over this?? It's alot of Air Miles that I wanted. I don't know what to do now.. Thanks for your responses, I see that Gaffer got to use his in Feb. But JBL they let you know because you arern't till May.. I go April 12th.. Maggie_c

Hi all, I am being banded Fri. Apr. 13th... Food for me right now is my best friend.. I am so nervous and am already mourning food.. anyone else feel like this? I can't even imagine trying to diet right now...maggie

Hi, Sorry if I offended anyone, but this is what I was told at my consult. Just giving everyone the chance to make sure they get what they are paying for and to do your research on all aspects of this procedure and what is being implanted in you. The Dr. told me that the other bands are considered Knock off versions of the real thing, maybe they work just as well, I don't know, I'm not the Dr. but that is what I was told for sure. He did not mention what clinic's where using it, but he did say that they are Knock off versions of the original band, and he has opted to stay with the original. I questioned him about other bands, he didn't offer me this info, having been in the medical field I am well aware of different brands from different companies, but I have made the decision to go with an original. That is why I told them to check with this clinic in Toronto that nobody has heard of what type of band they are getting. That is what this board is all about isn't it? sharing info with other's just like everyone else has shared their info? And to remind you, I never once said that Dr. Y or Dr. J are not excellent Doctors, from what I have read, I can see that they are too!!! and I never said that they were implanting the knock off versions, and as I posted, I wasn't sure if he was the first in Canada or not. I was just making sure that they check out this Other clinic that nobody seems to know about!!! We are all just talking amongst friends and giving everyone the chance to see all aspects of things. Maggie:)

Hi again, If you go onto www.obesitysurgery.ca and click onto the Lapband system it tells you about the band that they use, and it gives you the name of it. so when you are checking other Dr's out, make sure you have that info with you to question them about it. Maggie

Hi, They don't tell you it's a knock off version,but if you go onto the website of Dr. Cobourn, it tells you the name of the band he uses and that is the original band that the mississauga offices use. Dr. C was the first Dr. in Ontario (I believe he told me that at the consult appt.) to ever do this type of surgery in Canada and he was trained by the Dr's in the states as well as Europe who first used this band. That gave me enough reason to go with him as I have worked in the medical field and felt very comfortable with his decision to use the original band as opposed to a knock off version. I know that the band he uses has been tested all over the world for many years now and if there are any problems they should have gotten the kinks out of it by now.. I hope this makes sense to you, Maggie:)

Hi again, Maybe I needed to post my message to both Brooke and Jordhana.. sorry.

Hi Jordhana, I am booked for the surgery in April. I checked out the website you posted and they told about the procedure but not about the doctor or what type of band he uses and how many he has done. When I was looking around I made sure that I had someone that has lots of experience in this procedure. I am with the misssissauga clinic, and they don't use a knock off band, which he told me they use in Toronto, yes it costs a little bit more, but I would rather have something that has been tested for a long time, then something that wasn't the real thing. Also I wanted someone who was experienced in doing this and has had the proper training, I'm not going to sacrafice my life and my families for $1000 cheaper. I understand about the cost, I think we all do, this isn't an easy price for anyone to pay unless you are rich. But I wanted the best in the field so paying a bit more is well worth it!! It's like anything, you pay for what you get... Yes these DR's are robbing us blind since they know that OHIP won't pay for it, and they don't want OHIP to pay either that way they can charge high prices, but what are you going to do. My health is worth it I guess, I keep telling myself and my family that since they just can't believe that I would spend that much money on something that small. I had to get a loan for it, if I had to save up it would take me years, because so much else comes up that we "just need to have", so I felt going this route was the best. I've had to wait 3 months for my surgery date, but that's because I am with Dr. Cobourn and I think he is very popular since he is the one training so many other Dr's with this procedure. I hope this helps you a bit more with your quest on Lapband surgery, maggie

As long as you can see that the incision is closed and nothing is open anywhere, you should be able to take the tape off. That's what they told me when I had my gallbadder out..

Hi all, Yoda is right about spadina and taking the gardiner expressway.. but you don't take the 427 north.. You take the QEW to Hurontario St. which I think might be about 5 or 6 exits past the 427.. Don't quote me on the exits, I come from St. Catharines, but I grew up in Toronto till I was 20.. But time is right, about 30 - 40 min. from downtown TO.. And that's where Dr. C's clinic is located, right off the highway... Maggie

Hi neenagh, thanks for your info... I will check it out.. Maggie

:rose: Hi Everyone, I went for my consult with Dr. C yesturday.. So I am booked for Apr. 13th.. He said he wasn't psycio about that day and I said neither was I.. I have a question... Is anyone doing financing through that Medi ins. they offer on their website? Maggie

Hey Astrotoes, I have been lurking around this site for the past week, I have an appt. with Dr. Coburn in 2 wks and want to know alot of stuff before I go in and be prepared with questions. but I agree with you, lots of info on this site and great answers. I am just at the beginning of my journey, a little scared about it all and the cost, but feel it's worth it in the long run. I live in the Niagara area so I don't have too far to go to mississauga. You will have to let me know how it goes and what it's like to be newly banded. Maggie

When you do tell, do they ask you how much it cost you? and do you tell them? I find ppl just want to find out how much you are putting out for things. Maggie

Yoda, that was great.. I eat way to fast, hardly chew my food at all, had a father who hated slow eaters and made us eat fast, that's what I blame it on anyhow.. So I will have to learn to chew better, I will start tomorrow on that. Had steak tonight and thought I wouldn't be having that ever again, but I'm glad to hear that I will, just small amount. I think I will ask for the super duper Gravol shot!! That's great advice.. Do you know how long it takes, and what tests need to be done before they book you for the surgery after your consult? And do you tell people/friends about having this surgery? I have been thinking that I won't tell anyone except maybe my DH since he will need to drive me the day of surgery. Is this normal to think this way?

Thanks JLB and Argon for the info again.. I know, lots of questions, but this message board is great!! I just found it yesterday and can't seem to get off the computer reading.. It's a little scary, but I think alot better than having everything redirected, and you can take it away and be back to normal if you want... but reading some of the horror stories about it by the USA people does make me want to ask lots of questions. It's great to see that Canada is able to take advantage of this board and I can see that there are lots of great people on here with lots of help!! so I think I will be glued to this for a long time. I haven't told my family about it yet, just a little hint to my DH. I know he will freak at the cost, but I paid out enough for the Dr. B diet that I think this is better for the long term since I have almost put back on the 100lbs I lost with him. So, can you eat everything again after a while or are you restricted to eating certain foods?

Okay, figured out what ppl is... Dah!! people right? i'll catch onto this.