Doddie63

The port is just under the skin. I had a general anesthetic and was under for a very short time. I flew home the next day. Other than the incision healing there has been no further problems.

Doddie to Dodie Please to meet you. I got my nickname from my sister and my first name is Doreen. Will look forward to watching you move toward your goals.

somehow the port got flipped on its side and made for difficult fills. Twenty minutes for the doctor to get the fill in and three needles. After a few of those sessions I asked Dr. Yau to fix the problem and he did.

Hi and Wecome. Will be thinking of you on the 18th. Be sure and post how you are doing. As for posting, just add this to your favorites. Then all you have to do is click on favorites and you will be directed to this link. I use Google, and "favorite" and "add to favorites" are the stars on the far left of the menu bar.

No free protein drink or metagenics but they did fix my port without charge

Hi: I did not feel that the port had flipped. I found out when the fill doctor (a band surgeon himself) could not get the fill in. He used 3 needles and twenty minutes of poking and twisting the needle looking for the port. After flying back to Toronto, Nancy too two needles and 4 tries but did not think the port had flipped. I then went to my surgeon in Vancouver again and he could not get any fill in after 20 minutes. He told me the port was partially flipped. Well I was not about to suffer such pain so asked Dr. Yau to fix it. He did by moving the port down a bit and I haven't had any problems since. :Dancing_sorry:

Mary, I was banded in 07 and told I would have lifetime service. I wondered how anyone could stay in business with the amount of fills and defills everyone seemed to be having. I had my port corrected with no cost to me in June which I think is the important part of the guarantee. From what I understand, there is now a 3 year service contract for fills. Hopefully, you can get get your answer on your next visit.

What a wonderful incentive and a terrific memento. Well done.

You should be seeing your doctor. Posting this type of question only begs the answer for you to see your surgeon. As for the saline, I don't think it is in any way dangerous if saline has leaked. Again when you have a problem with blod and fluid outside the port this issue requires medical attention.

contact your surgeon/clinic in Mexico and ask them if they would send fill instructions to your local doctor. If they do and I suspect the do, then ask your doctor if he would do the fills for a fee. I understand some clinics will train the local doctor. Mine does if the doctor agrees.

Good luck Jorda will be thinking of you. You have chosen one of the best surgeons and will come thru in flying colors.

Really like the new revamped website Alex. Well done:thumbup:

PR seems to be a problem with TLBC lately. The right hand doens't know what the left hand is saying. Hopefully, they will straighten their PR out before it hurts them financially. I have a friend that has gone thru the same thing as the person posting above and is none too happy. Too bad, I really like TLBC and have received great care from then when needed but have to admit I too have run into the odd misinformation from the staff.

vangirl. there is no question that upbeat support is far more important than the negatives, cautionary, etc. I too prefer that. Having made that comment however, when individuals are starting out to do their research they have to know all the ins and outs. Although rare, there have been some individuals that have had bad experiences. In my mind one has to know about those as well to make an informed decision. The band has one wonderful thing going for it and that is it is reversible and most all problems are fixable. Too me that was the selling point but I still needed to know that some individuals have had the band removed because they could not live with it, etc. When I had the band I thought I had all the information I needed. Unfortunately I did not. I did not put enough effort into the aftercare. As a result, I try to bring the importance of aftercare to the attention of the researching person. Hopefully my caution will be of assistance.

Congratulations on your decision. We meet at Lions Gate every third Wednesday of the month. There is someone that is starting a group that will meet on 41st somewhere. If you are interested, contact Canadagirl33@hotmail.com she knows of such a person.

mom2two - congratulations on your life saving decision. Your twins will reap the benefits that is for sure. Protein drink can be purchased at most drugstores or superstore, etc. The trick is to find one you like. Some leave a terrible after taste. You can gussy them up with fruit to change the flavor. Contact Linda and ask her where to purchase Isopro or search it out on the web. I use a protein drink I purchase from the TLBC and is available only to the medical profession. It is called BariatrXEssentials by Metagenics. I love the vanilla taste (they have other flavors). Others I am sure will give you some other brands that they like. Some don't use it at all, but make their own milkshakes blending all sorts of things such a veggies, etc. One other thought, have you gone to the pharmacist and enquired about your meds being liquid or can they be crushed or diluted in water or juice?

Nina: You and Don have taken a major step to ensuring you both will be together for a long time. As the weight goes down, you will have the thrill of seeing him having his various medications reduced and his energy level increasing. The discomfort should not last long just keep looking at the bright new future for you both.

Yes it is very hard but even more so when someone you are living with is reaching their goal faster than you. I know how that hurts even if you know you shouldn't let it. As for more fill because you are eating a bit too much, more fill may be the answer but then maybel less would be the answer. For instance, if the food can't go down to the stomach too quickly the pouch will stretch and allow you to eat more. Some times a smaller fill allows the food to go down a bit quicker, but you get the full feeling sooner as the "unstretched" pouch signals you sooner. Have you tried the five day challenge (I think that is what it is called). You basically go back to the Protein Drink and progress into whole foods over time. This allows the pouch to shrink back. Anyway, if any of these suggestions strike a chord and help you, I would be pleased, but hopefully Dr. Leung with be more helpfull. Take care and good luck

How did you make out with getting a fill? How much and did your doctor give you a "rule of thumb". My understanding is if you reach a plateau and are not losing weight then a fill is required. My problem has been the doctor has tried .25 cc and I found I was vomiting every few days. When he took it out I have been OK and the weight continues to go down albeit slowly. :eek:

Isabrown. Dr. Woodhead usually repairs hernias when he puts in the gastric band. So do most surgeons who specialize in the band. You just have to check with the surgeon.

Chubba, I am sure you have read on the website many have severe restriction in the morning. Hopefully some will post solutions. I have severe restriction at dinner time. I can only get down 4 oz max. I would suggest you look carefully at how you are ingesting your calories. For instance, are you using a bariatric protein drink in the morning. Then solid protein every 3 - 4 hours. Contact your clinic and ask to speak to a nutrionist and have her/him look over what you are eating and the times. Try tracking for a week to get a good picture what is happening then seek the help. I suspect, you are just not getting enough hard protein such as nuts, chicken, fish etc. in a timely fashion. I can't preach exercise, because I have never been conisistant with it. Mentally, it is good for me as well as health wise with blood pressure, diabetes etc. but as for actual calorie use it is pretty small amount. I am a turtle and loose only 1/4 to 1/2 lb per week consistantly. This week is the first week I have stayed the same but because I track I was able to see that my average calorie intake has increased from 1400 to 1800. Try tracking it is very revealing what you think you have eaten and what you actually have eaten. As for fill see your fill nurse for advice. I find keeping a loose fill is more beneficial for me because tight fills encourage me to eat "easy" food. Keep in touch with me by e mail if you wish. I am no nutritonist, but I am a good "listener".

Chubba: Why haven't you lost any weigh since May? Can we help?

Hi: Dr. Yau is a very reputable surgeon that I recommend highly. The TLBC has good support for people from the Toronto area but their PR needs some work for long distance patients. I am from BC and initially, as I was so far away, I felt alone and stranded with no one to help me. Every tweak felt like an emergency. Now that I have the band for almost two years, I am more relaxed about it. I joined a support group out here started by another bandster. At first there was only 3 of us now we are up to 14 +. Aftercare is so very important. Fills and defills are only a small part of the process. Initially you may need reassurance concerning the band fairly frequently. TLBC has been working hard to improve and their Slimband website is a prime example. You are doing the right thing by checking out the clinic on the web, but you are most likely to get a better perspective by attending a group that is sponsored by the TLBC. By attending the meeting, you will get a variety of opinions. For what it is worth, I would select TLBC or the SWLC which to me has great support groups. Hope this helps.