mountain

I'm sorry you've had a bad experience. I had the same doctor and found him to be very helpful. During my first week after surgery, I couldn't drink anything at all - a sip of Water came back up looking like white foam (soap suds). So I called the clinic and they told me to get a defill and made the arrangements immediately. Still had problems - Dr Kundhai himself called me at home and gave me his cell number, imploring me to get to an ER and get an upper GI etc. Happily, I didn't need to as the swelling went down and (having had the defills) I was able to start drinking again. But I was impressed that he called me and gave me his cell number so that I could have the ER ring him (Note: I live on the other side of Canada from where the surgery and Slimband is, so I couldn't just go in there.) As far as your refund - I would have agreed to you getting a refund if you had exhausted all of their options and still had problems. But you refused the exploratory surgery they offered (which would have just been a laproscopic procedure) and didn't get another medical opinion either, so I personally believe you acted too hasty in having it removed. Best wishes for the future - I hope you are able to find peace.

Congratulations! I can't wait to be in your shoes - pain or no pain! Just to have lost so much weight is an accomplishment. You'll look awesome

The way describe it (to the very few people I've told) is that it is like "non-smoking surgery". I have inlaws who have smoked for the past forty years and would give anything to be able to quit. If there were surgery that would turn a smoker into a non-smoker and therefore prevent cancer, wouldn't that be great? Okay - I have an addiction that is putting me at risk for blood pressure, cholestral, diabetes etc. Isn't it great that there is surgery that can help ME quit? But truthfully, I've only told four people total and this is because I know how people can be - it would be great if everyone could just be happy when people try to help themselves make positive life changes.

Not sure if you're having the same issue that I did, but I found that I was constantly spitting up hundreds of bubbles (they looked like foam from a bubble bath). Turns out I needed a de-fill (my surgeon put 2cc in during the operation - Slimband now do partial fills during surgery as part of practice). For days, every time I sipped anything, it would come back up as foam, so they removed 0.5cc - and that didn't help, so they removed another .5cc. So now I only have 1cc in my band and am looking forward to the five week fill, as I have no restriction now that the swelling has gone down! Good luck and remember - the side effects, however nasty, will seem like a distant memory soon

From the time I called Slimband to the time I had surgery was a total of three weeks. I never met a doctor until moments before surgery. In fact - I didn't meet anyone from Slimband at all until I arrived at their medical centre in Toronto an hour before my surgery! I did talk to one of their representatives over the phone, and had a medical questionaire to send them back (after which time, their nurse called to discuss everything). They also sent me a form to get blood tests and an EEG done, as well as instructions for their one-week pre-op diet. So - no psych evaluation, no face-to-face consults, no lengthy waits...it was a very simple process. That said - I'm self-pay (goodbye $16,000!) so maybe that's why it's slightly different. But hey - the surgery went well, and I feel like I'm on the road to a new me, so it's all good Good luck!

Hi Soexcited I had pancreatitis two years ago (throughout my "drinking" life, I have averaged around five drinks per YEAR, so needless to say - I'm not and have never been a drinker!) Mine was caused by gallstones irritating my pancreas. I had the gallbladder removed, and the problem went with it. Now - I wasn't banded at that time, but honestly can't see why you couldn't have the surgery with the lapband in place. It is definitely worth looking into if that could be the cause of his pancreatitis! Good luck - I hope you find answers quickly

I have PCOS as well, and was banded on March 8, 2011. This will ultimately help me, as the more weight you lose, the less symptoms you get from PCOS. I'm still taking my metformin (glucophage) and am crushing it using two spoons, and then adding yoghurt or something smooth to get it down. I really believe that the weight I lose will ultimately make my PCOS symptoms disappear, so I'm glad I've taken this route.

The saline in my band is a dark electric blue colour. (I just had my surgery last week, but needed a defil a few days later as I couldn't even drink water! They put 2cc into my band during the surgery itself). The nurse told me they colour it so that it's easy to ensure you are pulling out the right fluid! Maybe yours was intentionally coloured as well?

Good luck, and welcome! I'm from Australia as well, but currently living in Canada (most of my family live in Perth!) I was just banded on March 8th, and my insurance doesn't cover it at all, so I'm envious you're able to - even if it is a year from now. The time will fly and you'll be feeling great in no time

I have found this thread really inspirational. Thank you everyone I was banded one week ago today, and after reading these posts, feel better than ever about my decision. I went through a brief day of regret last week, when I was having trouble getting Water down (and had to have a defil - my surgeon put in 2 cc's during surgery) but now that the swelling is down, I'm already enjoying the "full fluid" phase with lovely Soups and horrid Protein shakes. My pre-op diet was only one week, and since then - I've lost a total of 24 lbs - which is a quarter of what I want to lose! Wow! Yep, I have no regrets

Wow - that certainly gives me hope! Thank you!

Hi - I'm in Edmonton, and had my surgery last week at Slimband in Toronto. Hope your surgery went well, and good luck fellow Edmontonian kkf1979!

Hi everyone - I was banded yesterday in Toronto, but live in Edmonton