Doddie63

Sorry, then you are between a rock and a hard place. You must discuss this with your employer and doctor. There is never any guarantee you will not have difficulties. This is a non intrusive surgery but still major nevertheless. Good luck in your decision,keep us posted. Doddie

Farmer E. I have found also that everyone is very supportive or at the very least non judgmental. I don't rush up and wave the flag about the band, but when people notice I am loosing weight I emplain that I had the band. I make no secret of the fact that weight has always been a problem for me and the band is the tool that is making me eat normally and healthy. Lets face it guys. Everyone has noticed how fat we have been and the numeorus weight loss attempts and failures. Now when I decline food, instead of pushing it at me (like they do with all fat people) they discreetly move on to the next person to offer food to. I like being open and the responses I get. And if someone has a problem with my band then it is truly their problem. I am proud of mine. Doddie

Susan Silver where are you. I have read both pages and you have only posted once. Please keep on with the support. We all got the band because of eating disorders of one kind or another. I would say a good majority of us are not perfectl little angles. With the stresses you are going thru give yourself a star for only gaining 8 lbs. You can do get back on track. Try saying to yourself "just for today, I will eat healthy, chew my food", Just for today. When you have yourself back on track in a few days, weeks months, then try exerecising & "just for today". Don't worry, the band is with you for a lifetime and so are we. Doddie :clap2:

Loriely: I think I have something similar. It usually is after not chewing hard protein like pork, or chicken thoroughly enough. When I feel that pain I stop eating immediately. At the next meal, I try to remember to chew thoroughly. When I do, I don't have the pain. Is that what you mean? Doddie

Mitzy you can't go wrong. They are a good group and do try to support the group but there is only so much any clinic can do, most is up to you. For me, the band is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I am not loosing huges gobs of fat at once but very slowly. Works out to .85 lbs per week. But and this is a big But, I am eating normally anything I desire. The quanties are governed by my band. For the first time in my life I feel normal. It took six months for me to chew my food properly and many difficult days of PBing. But now I rarely PB in fact only 3 times last month. I hope that you will practice proper band techniques when you get your band and you don't PB but whatever happens, you will be making the best decision ever. Doddie

Ang. You are making a life altering decision by having the band. Putting off surgery would not be my recommendation. You should be able to travel. I flew from Toronto to Vancouver 2 days after surgery and had no problem. I wonder if the doubts are because you want to be able to "eat" "drink" and be merry like the old you. If you are really serious about your band, you will have a wonderful opportunity to put it to the test. Really it is still fun to vacation without overindulging. You just can't eat as much. Doddie

Wish I could, but live too far away. Have fun Doddie

As long as you telephone on Monday and tell them the problem, I am sure they will be understanding even if they reschedule the surgery. They are dealing with credit all the time and from what I know about the clinic they will come thru. Doddie

<p>You certainly can say anything you want but why do you say "stupid". I don't think it is stupid. By looking at your finances and seeing where the dollars are going is a great thing. Even if you don't quit your job, think of where that money would go if you saved and invested it. Thing of PS as you are now in the 150's, think of trips to warm places, etc. Go Gal Go. doddie</p>

Safari: WL depends entirely on you. If you follow the guidlines strictly and exercise you will loose 1 - 2 lbs per week. There will be times you remain the same. The only difference to remember you are not on a diet as much as you are altering your lifestyle to learn to eat modestly and healthy. Well aboard bandsters land. The band is there to remind you when you have had enough.Doddie

Uh! I just spent 16000 K to get rid of fat. Why would I have some injected into me? I think if I was at the state of PS, I would have the PS. Doddie

good luck 18again will be thinking of you as you start your journey. Doddie

Hi: I was banded at the TLBC and the two doctors that run that clinic introduced the band to Canada and have trained a good deal of the gastric band medical people. TLBC staff all have had the band and have lost huge amounts of weight. IN MY OPINION they are the best. If I did not think so at the time, why would I have entrusted my health to them. No way would I buy what I thought was second best for $16,000 K. Sure hope ALL bandsters felt the same way about their doctor/clinic. Doddie

Well said Patricia. I thought I had a doc lined up but when it fell thru I was in deep doggie do. Dr. W. kindly took me on after a referral from Dr. Yau in To. Tmostert, contact those doctors. I can tell you that Dr. W. charges $400.00 for a consult and $75.00 per fill, but I think someone posted he will not do fills for patients banded in Mexico. Best start making calls now. Doddie

Hi: I am a graduate of the TLBC. Live out in BC. Only concern I had in the past was lack of fill clinics out in BC. That was satisfied by the clinic by referring me to a doctor out here. Now no worries. Would recommend Dr. Yau very quickly. To me it was more important to have the best (in my opinion). Thought I had the fill situations solved but the GP out here backtracked so did have some great concerns at first.

Congratulations bandiva. I concur with you about doctors but at the same time I also try to caution people on leaving the country because the band is for life. Circumstances change over time. Doddie

I travelled from Toronto to BC after my surgery. I guess i was very lucky as I had no problems. Jacklyn I know you don't want to get out of bed but make sure you do. Get up every hour and walk and cough. Glad you are OK and you start your new journey.

<p>Amy: Every 3rd Wednesday night at the Lions Gate Hospital. The time is set for 6:30 to 8:30 but most arrive around 7;00 pm. Go to the main entrance off 15th. Go past the coffee stand towards the gift shop turn right and go thru a set of double doors down corridor. Turn right and the first room on your right.</p> <p>If you can't make it tomorrow, sign up for membership on the BC - WLS website. Patricia posts there every month. Contact me by e mail if you wish. Doddie</p>

We meet every month, third Wednesday of each month. If you join the BC WLS website, they Patricia Posts it. The BC WLS is for gastric bypass and banders. Can't wait to hear from you what Dr. W. has to say. I know you will really like him. Doddie

Hi Marilyn: I live in North Vancouver could I join. LOL Doddie

Hi Jacklyn: Congratulations and sleep tight. Everything will go well and before you know it you will be on the other side. Welcome to bandster land. You won't regret your decision at least I sure don't. Doddie

Way to go Ang. Dr. Woodhead is my doctor. Why don't you join us at the Lions Gate Hospital this Wednesday. Meeting starts at 7:00 - 8:00. There are four of us banders who felt we needed support as a group. The web is great, but actually meeting people and talking about the joys and problems as a group is a lot of fun. You can get a lot of support while you are waiting for your surgery. Again congratulations, you won't regret your decision. Doddie

Argon you got a job out here. Doddie

Hi Amy I am in the Lower Mainland - North Vancouver in fact. Why don't you join us at the Lions Gate Hospital this Wednesday. We would love to have you. there are 4 of us that meet. Doddie.

Wells said Cookielover. I don't know if you read my previous posts, but I too endorse Dr. W. He does my fills as a favor to Dr. Yau in Toronto. He did charge me $400 for a consult fee and $75. for the fill but when i consider the fare to Toronto, $75 is cheap. I am very annoyed with the individual posting such outrageous statements about Dr. W. I found myself responding in Dr. W. defense. I am so glad you chimed in.