Doddie63

Mary you may have to go into your profile and look how you have indicated you want to be notified. For instance, some sites I have ticked no notification, others I have subscribed to and others I have asked for instant notification. How have you been doing lately.

There is a link that you can register you comments to the owner of this website which I will be doing. One of the comments will be that when a post is deleted the poster be notified by e mail as to the monitors objection. The canadianlapbanders website notify you privately if a poster breaks the rules. That way the poster knows what they have done wrong and can be mindfull of their posts in the future. Not being told just leaves the poser angry and frustrated. :confused::thumbup:

Thanks Donna. Now I know it is not a bug but it is unusual that the website has not notified us of this popup. It is not like the use advertising and I really don't like the idea of judging something that I do not know where the information is going to and how it will be used.

Do others have a little icon on the bottom right side of the monitor "give feedback". If so, how do I get rid of it.

Hi: Thanks for the information on the body bug. As for Jill, I wish her all the success in the world. If anyone can be successful she wil be. Having lost a lot of weight, being a chef and dietician/nutrionist she will be a wonderful helpful person. But for me, sorry, I live in British Columbia and I can't drop in. Wish her well for me please.

Thanks I will check it out. It could be a great thing to have when and if Slimband starts their long distance program you suggested.

Hi Don: If it helps you any, I got my band Feb.07 and my maximum weight loss has been 1/2 lb per week. It is very discouraging to see the small numbers, but when I look back I have lost a total of 80 lbs. Simply put, at 66, I am a turtle and no matter how much I exercise the weight does not come off any faster. In fact, I injure my joints to the point I have to take time away from exercise to heal. You are correct, you will have to count calories and the best way to do that is use Fitday or some other free program. Once you have set up your program to the usual food you eat, it only takes seconds to record. Simply put the less food you eat the more weight you lose. Just hang in their and the weight will come. In the meantime, enjoy your new lifestyle of eating small quantities but healthy meals.

Great. where did you order the body bug program from? Love to hear if it works.

Winnipeg has a clinic that does bands and I believe if you scroll through this link, you will find that Saskatoon has a support group that may put you in touch with others in your area. I am originally from Saskatchewan so thought I would chip in as no one seems to have responded.

If you scroll through this site, you will find a Saskatchewan support group in Saskatoon. Also, Dr. Ortiz can be found recommended by many Canadians. For instance, try the Vancouver headings. What you have to is is research not only the doctor and clinic, but what aftercare you get. Aftercare is vital, because you are dealing with fills/defills, band erosion, band slippage, etc. Some clinics give free fills and defills indefinately, some for one year, some for three years, some clinics will replace the band free of charge and other charge. Can you now or in the future afford to fly to your chosen clinic to have any problems sorted out? These are a few aftercare questions. Everyone supports their clinic/doctor as the best, but you have to decide what is the best for you. But I think you can be assured Dr. Ortiz is reputable.

I like the idea, but who would do it. At the moment, I am using Slimband. They had a type of challenge but that ended and there was no accountability in the program such as weight recording, so now I use fitday which works well. I purchased the program and I am able to record my food intake, weight, moods, etc. I also go to a support group which is all important to have people contact. Guess what I am saying, is I would join if someone set up such a program.

Hi: I am such a slow looser, 1 lb per month. I thought by starting a link for turtles we can encourge each other along. I love reading about the huge weight losses of others but sometimes I get a bit down that I am so slow. Don't get me wrong there is no way I am not happy with my loss as they add up to 80 lbs but I thought I would like to hear from people like me. :confused:

Don't forget you can claim on your Income Tax. Just make sure you get a letter that you are a candidate for obesity surgery and keep all receipts. You have to prove to the CRA that you couldn't get surgery in your immediate living area before CRA will pay for mileage. Talk to your accountant to see what type of documents you must have from Mexico

No not too technical. I have printed out our instructions and will give it a try. Thanks

Susieq: Where do you post on myslimband. They don't have an index like this site where one can scroll down the topics. I have difficulty all the time returning to a topic. Yes one or two e mail me, but what I am looking for are posted topics that I can join in the discussion and return to like this site.

Hi Everyone. Sorry I won't be at the February meeting as I will be away on vacation. I sure hope there is a great turnout for our guest speaker. Take care everyone.

Hi: My instructions from my clinic is hard Protein every 3 hours in the prescribed amount of 3oz of protein, with meals limited to 1 cup. What does your clinic suggest? I am a grazer and find the hard protein every three hours filling and takes away my need to graze. Also, when I am fighting head hunder, I try to do something. My usual is to sit at the computer or go for a walk. I have a loose fill because I tend to gulp my food so the protein regime is very helpful.

Hanbe: I am so happy for you and now you can get on with your journey. Stresses you don't need as they can get in the way of a successful outcome. As for Jill, I am so very happy she is moving forward and I know she will be a great success.

I found drinking warm broth or any type of warm drink took the hunger pangs away. So I drank continually very slowly. Also found if I got out of the house and went walking or something to keep my mind away from food helped. You can do it.

Here are some questions that may help you in your research. I copied them from another post in the canadianlapbanders.com by Donna These are just a few of the questions that come to mind that are important in helping to make a decision in deciding which band surgeon and/or clinic to go with: · Is there a fee for consultation? · Are any of your staff at the clinic banded? · What other staff are available to patients such as dieticians, nutritionists, psychologists? o Is there a cost for their services? · Does the clinic have a website and a messageboard and or chatroom available for Lap Band potential patients to access? · What percentage of your bariatric clinic is devoted to lap band patients? · What is your medical education? · What experience in term of years and number of procedures do you have in lap band surgeries? · What experience do you have in performing revisions? · If you are a revision, what tests will you need to have done ahead of time to be sure you can have a lap band? · Do you have any statistics regarding your lap band practice and number of patients who have had slippages, band erosions or other complications? · What type of warranty comes with your lap band surgery? · What type of bands do they use and how do they determine the type and size? · Is there a pre-op diet you need to follow? o If so is there a cost involved? How much? · If I don't follow the pre op diet perfectly am I still allowed to get the surgery? · What tests and paperwork do I need to have done prior to being accepted for banding? o Is there any charge? How much? o What is the time span? · Is the surgery performed in the clinic or at the hospital? · In case of an emergency what is the procedure that is followed? · How soon after surgery can I go home? · What type of accreditation does your clinic have? · How do your operating rooms compare to those in a hospital if surgery is performed at the clinic? · Can you give me references from other patients I may talk to, especially those who are a revision from past weight loss surgery? · How long am I required to be in town before my surgery? · Is there a hotel that is recommended? o If so, is there a preferred rate at this hotel? o Is there a shuttle available from this hotel to clinic and back and how much does this cost? · Are my family members allowed to remain in the waiting room while I am in surgery or are they asked to leave until I am in the recovery room? · How long after I wake up can I go home? · What special medications will I need to purchase before hand? o Gas-x? liquid calcium? chewable multi vitamins? .... · How long would you recommend I take off work after surgery? · If I have a hernia do you fix this? o Is there an extra cost associated? · How long do I have to have a caregiver with me after surgery? · Is there someone I can hire to be my caregiver if I come alone? · Do you use latex? · Is there a deposit I have to pay to hold my surgery? o How much? o Is it refundable if I change my mind? · How must my final payment be made -- money order/visa/cheque? o Does it have to be in before my surgery or do I bring it with me on my surgery day? · If I have further questions may I contact you or your clinic with them? Even more important is follow up care: · What type of aftercare program does their clinic have? · What is covered in the cost of your surgery in regards to aftercare? · Is there an after hour phone number in case of an emergency or concern you encounter outside of normal business hours? o Is he/she available on call to answer or return your call? o Who responds to calls? · Do you have support groups available locally and in my area? · Is there a fee for any aftercare services? · How soon after surgery is your first fill usually? · What hours am I able to come in for fills and days? · How often between fills are you eligible for your next one? · How are the fills performed and are they with or without fluoroscopy? · Do you have to pay for your fills or are they covered in your surgery fee? o If they are not covered what is the fee? · If you live far away from the band clinic, do they have anyone local or closer to your home who is trained by the clinic to do your fills? o If so do you pay a fee to them and if so how much? · In case of complications post op, if you had a slippage or worse case scenario band erosion is any further surgery to remove the band covered or would you have to pay? · In case of a defective port or leak is the surgery to replace it covered in the lap band surgery cost? · In case of a defective lap band is it replaced at no cost to you the patient? · If you needed a new band for any reason such as the above or band leak, etc., is it replaced free of charge to you? o If not what type of cost would you be responsible for? · At the clinic does the surgeon do your follow up fills or fill nurses? o If nurses, what training do they have and can you meet them before committing to this surgery? · What criteria do they base your needing a fill or defill? · How long does it take when calling to book a fill does it take to get an appointment? · How much time is the fill nurse allotted to spend with you answering any questions or concerns also? · Are any of your staff at the clinic banded? · What other staff are available to help patients, i.e., dieticians, nutritionists, psychologists? o Is there a cost for their services? · Does the clinic have a website and a messageboard and or chatroom available for Lap Band patients to access? Hope they help

I would make the decision again in a flash. Best wishes for a succesfull, problem free journey. The majority don't have a great deal of problems and you have picked a great clinic.

Hanbe. I feel your frustration and I wish I could help you. All I can say to you is that Jill now has her own mountains to climb. Susieq is correct, Jodi is very nice, so it might be a good idea to give her another try. Getting a fill is usually not urgent. Could you leave a message saying "I am available Tuesday at 10:00 or Friday at 3:00, etc. Please get back to me confirming the appointment day and time. If you recorded your available times, you might be able to avoid the constant go around. Would that help? But I sense something in your urgency and that is the need for support. I would suggest making an appointment with Dr. Yau, telling him your feelings of lack of support and maybe he can refer you to the clinics psychologist or hook you up with a buddy that has access to all staff. I have a main contact and have had no problems since. I am not trying to convert you to "liking" TLBC, but trying to help you. Yours in support Doddie

Congratulations. I can feel your happiness from here. Under 200 by June 30 th is my goal also. I sure hope I make it.

That was my thoughts exactly, but the fill nurse for SB suggested vomiting could cause the band to slip. I asked if I suffered the pain, would the underchewed food disolve and eventually go down and the reply was yes. So I thought 1) I would chew no matter what so I put a little note infront of me. 2) If I underchew I will suffer he pain and see what happens. Don't know if I like the idea, but a nurse is a nurse.

Believe me, I am not expert on feeling full. That was my problem before the band and the reason I have the band. I have NEVER felt full. Even after a huge turkey dinner before the band, I would continue to eat and graze. Now the only way I can make sure I do not stuff the pouch is to weigh my food each and every meal. Eyeballing does not work for me. The other shortcoming I have is chewing. Do OK for awhile and then bam, I am hungry and I gulp. I did ask my clinic yesterday about which is worse, suffering the pain of the lump in the pouch until it disolves and goes down or helping it come up. I was told to suffer the pain. Vomiting is not a good idea. I am hoping that the pain will enforce upon me the need to chew. The band is a constant learning process.