Doddie63

well said marivan. Very good post. As for the topic, feel free to intoduce another if you have one. I would be sad to see this link become obsolete as I like to hear from TLBC patients. As for me, I always take the side of the of the minority as I am one of them. Prior to surgery and shortly after, it is a bewildering world of anxiety, happiness knowing you have control ,and fear when something sticks. These are the individuals that need same day service. Now I have been through a lot with my band I am an experienced old pro and do not get caught up with worry. For instance I haven't eaten for three days because nothing will go down except liquid. I am sure it is stress and I just have to wait it out. Pretty frightening scene for one that is just starting out and lives in the boonies.

bandiva: Did you know you can claim you band on Income Tax? I am from BC and telephoned CRA and was told it is a deduction and where to find it on the tax form.

susie sure glad you haven't had any problems. Very happy for you. Before surgery and initially after some people do have very valid concerns and should be able to get an immediate response. If they go to an ER they stand the risk of having the band removed. I disagree with you that our GP's can't get back to us immediately. My GP and his collegues are on call 24/7. My heart specialist also gave immediate response when called. Also, I like a lot others did not have a formal contract it was verbal. The implication was they would be available immediately if any problems occur. Now you are right, I should have been given a written contract, but I was too naive at the time and frankly I would still take the TLBC at their word.

Oh, I agree with you, but I wondered how others felt about a small fee to help improve support. I have read on the internet that surgeons do the surgery and where else in the medical field do you get life long "free" help in the private sector. I am not sure how much of the intital $16,000 fee was set aside for administration and support. It was good business sense to charge. I was wondering how many others would support a charge. *I don't necessarily agree with it though

I am going to say something that may cause alarm to some and that is "to get better same day service" I would be willing to pay a small fee for the support services. This fee would only be charged like a doctor's office visit but I would expect same day service.

LOL Argon. Thought you had a spell of "can't remember". Seriously, I would be surprised if Nova Scotia or NB have a program to pay for bands. I correspond with a lady from Halifax and she told me there was no one. Be interested to find out for sure.

I am not the only one. A lady in Nova Scotia has been trying to get TLBC to respond to her letter for some time now and there are others that have fallen thru the cracks. I know the TLBC is trying very hard to correct the post surgery support and I am will to give them the support they need. However, for us long distance patients, waiting two or three days for an answer is like waiting two or three weeks. It is ok for Toronto patients because all they have to do is go to the hospital and Dr. Yau will come. However for us long distance patients, our hospitals ERs don't have the knowledge neither do our GPs so if we have a question we need an answer immediately inorder to make flight and hotel arrangements to Toronto. If I had any advice to TLBC is to set up a "hot line" for out of town patients and give that line priority. Then we could feel safe too.

Yes you can have it done privately. two websites to look into are the SWLC in Toronto and the TLBC in Toronto. Both excellent clinics. They are the leading clinics and TLBC Dr. Yau was one of the doctors that introduced the band to Canada. Research the aftercare carefully. That is what should be one of your most diligent research areas.

Oh, I understood you to say Nancy can't do fills.....didn't know you meant outside Ont. Makes sense. Donna D. I too would like to meet up with you. I am hoping to make an appointment with Dr. Yau to correct my flipped port. This time I will make sure the surgery will proceed before I fly out. I was hoping I could kill two birds with one stone and attend the TLBC conference if there is one.

I note Kathy's reply "I always respond". Guess my questions got lost in the mail. It took hiring Jill before I started getting some interest to my questions.

The band is reversible, gastric by pass is not. How committed to following a small food intake are you? I chose the band based on my fear of not succeeding. Knowing the band was reversible has helped me towards my goal. The band is a tool that you can choose to use or discard, the gastric bypass is permanent. As for food getting stuck, I attend a support group for gastric bypass patients and band patients. Gastric bypass patients have improperly chewed food causing problems just like the band patients. They also, have more serious side affects such a loss of hair, (not permanent), severe nutritional deficiencies if they do not follow the guidelines. The band allows a little bit more leniency. Its a personal thing and I would get second opinions before makng a choice.

You can bet your life that I did. Right up until I got on the operating table and even after for a short time. Then the realization of feeling full for the first time in my life, the ability to stop eating after one cup of food. The discipline of the band when I started to waiver in my desire to eat more. The thought of never eating my favorite foods scared the h... out of me. Now after a year, I realize I can eat anything I desire jut not a lot of it. If you keep a super tight fill, you will lose weight quickly but your options of what you eat is smaller, plus you stand the chance of eating high calorie food such as ice cream etc. Stand fast and force your mind to be positive I can't think of very many of us that would get rid of the band. Good luck

Thanks Donna D. Two lbs a month sometimes a whopping 3 but it is amazing how it adds up. The turtle will eventually win the race. Waiting to hear when TLBC will have its conference (if any). I am thinking of having my port fixed and attend the conference for support at the same time. I don't want to happen what happened last trip.

What do you mean "Nancy can't do fills anymore?"

marivan. You did an excellent job of explaining to your husband what was happening to you. It is his job to try and understand. Let him "chew on" your explanation for awhile. It will sink in. It did with my DH. Now he is more supportive. Also, after I vomit, I find I must go back on protein drink for 24 hours or so. Because if I eat too soon after, I am nauseaous (sp?) all over again. By giving my stomach a short rest, I am hoping I am lessening any damage I may have caused.

Unfortuantely, she has the clinic's name out in public view and that is all some chose to see. They don't go past the ad and check into other clinics which is dangerous. Did she go into any after care policy? Also, I don't see how someone who has been banded at one clinic has the knowledge to state the clinic they are now affiliated with is the best. We all can choose to say "our hockey team is the best" even though they never make the playoffs, or "my doctor is the best" even though they have never tried another doctor. Those comments are emotional and freedom of speech allows us to say them. What I question is whether a rep. of the business has the knowledge and authoritity to make such a statement. To me it borders of inappropriate advertising.

Devana I would be thrilled if you are right. I do know there is some discussion on family doctors doing fills and defills without proper training. If you hear the College is not opposed to bands and/or fills, please post so that other BCers hoping for surgery don't have to go further away. Doddie

You have to make every effort to get your mind off food. Drink plenty of clear warm broth. The TLBC site has some ideas for post op patients. Exercise will take your mind off hunger. Go for a walk around the block. Exercise has an ability to dim the appetite. Take a warm bath while you soak read. Anything to take your mind off food. You can do it. You had the courage to get the band you have the courage to go without food for a few weeks. You can do it.

Is this from eating solid foods. If so, it is a signal to you that you have eaten enough to fill your pouch. However, if you are still on a liquid diet or mushies you may be experiencing reflux and should contact your doctor.

Hi: This link seems to have stalled and it would be a shame if it disappeared. Anyway, I understand there will be no bash this year but TLBC is putting on some sort of conference in the fall. Any further information on this?

Hi: The banding process is not to well known by local GPs. My family GP took down the information I gave him to pass on. He had never heard about Woodhead or Leung doing banding. The SWL clinic does have a great network of fill nurses/doctors throughout Canada, but frankly I would rather be banded here and have the quick access to my doctor is something went wrong with the band. Although rare, there are problems that can occur such as band slippage (easily repaired), stretching of the pouch, and the most serious band errosion. Improper chewing causing vomiting on is one cause of band erosion. I would like to tell you daughter that the band is not a magic wand. She will still have to work at losing weight. Proper nutrition, exercise and following the the rules of eating. The band is a tool only. It prevents you from overeating and keeps the feeling of fullness longer and it is great for keeping the weight off which is the problem most of us have suffered. We can lose weight easily it is keeping it off that is the problem. I have contacted you via my private e mail. If you wish further information feel free to contact me. Doddie

John Michael:. A fill is given to you to inflate the band over a period of time. You will have to heal after the surgery before having your first fill. That is usually a small amount. You probably won't feel restricton until two or three or even more fills. My suggestion is to you to remember the band is a tool not a miracle worker. You must still eat properly and follow the guidelines on amounts. Take the fills slowly. For instance, I am a fast eater. If I had my band to tight, I would be vomiting up the food in chunks. Until I learn to chew my food to smitherines (pulp) I must keep a loose fill. Others like a tight fill. I am sure your clinic will guide you through this. The effects of not following the rules can cause, band slippage, band erosion (most serious) and other problems. Used properly the band is a wonderful assist to losing weight and keeping it off. Doddie

Hi I am from British Columbia Canada and our health care charges $52 per month. Gastric By Pass is done in BC but there is a 4 year wait list. Our health system is geared to prevent catastrophic illness from bankrupting a family. The cover Drs. visit but not dental or opthomologists or physiothereapists unless referred to by a doctor and then only a limited number of sessions are allowed. There are a whole lot of medical issues that are not covered. The band will not be covered anytime soon as the health authorities don't like the costs of after care. So yes it is great to have public medical care costs covered and no one can be turned down including visitors to Canada for major surgeries. Unfortuantely, the system can't affort to cover everything.

you may not be able to take a magic bullet, but why can't you order something that is pureed. Such as a bowl of soup. Take your time eating it and enjoy the conversation. I would even throw in a glass of wine to drink with the soup.

When you are eating - small bites and chew, chew, chew before swallowing. Larger bites and the body tends to automatically swallow on the 12th chew which could cause a logjam in your pouch causing sever pain and then having to vomit. Most people have posted they feel a pressure like a lump at the top of the stomach. Others sneeze, others feel pain, yet other experience hiccups. I found that I experienced pain and by then it was too late so my doctor told me to measure my food. When I measure I have no problem. You have to learn to listen to your body and stop don't force more food down or you will end up vomiting and in pain 3 oz of hard protein chewed thoroughly and 4-6 oz of veggies. Eat hard protein every 4 hours and you will not feel hungry. And yes, you will enjoy your meals even more as you will taste the food not gulp it down whole like no tomorrow.