Doddie63

Donna D: Great idea. A few years back, on a holiday, I talked to someone who keeps an American Bank account. When he travels if he needs cash he just withdraws from the American Bank that way he isn't troubled by the flucuation of the dollar. Also, as you said American money is accepted anywhere. Strange how some people are down on Americans, but they are quick to accept their money and goods. I have seen some posts on this site that are very rude to Americans while waving the Canadian Flag and I am ashamed. We have jerks in both countries and just because the politicians are jerks is no reason to get down on a people. I have travelled most of the world and all of America and have found the Americans to be very warm wonderful people. Doddie

Hi: Donna D is correct. I am from North Vancouver. I did all my research and the three surgeons in BC are extremely busy and the wait list was long. I researched the two Doctors at TLBC. They are the pioneers who brought the band to Canada and the press on them was very good. The press suggested the local GP could do the fills after viewing a DVD. My GP said he would. So off I went and had the surgery. When the GP reneged, that is when I discovered that there are no fill clinics in BC and most GPs will not do the fill for any one of three reasons 1) not trained 2) exercise and diet the only way to go 3) no time. The TLBC did recommend a surgeon in Delta and he has agreed to take me on as a favor to Dr. Yau who trained him but make sure you have after care guaranteed or you will find yourself flying to Calgary or Toronto. I am assured by TLBC that they are in the process of setting up fill clinics across the country but it takes time. Doddie PS: I would still pick the TLBC as my clinic.

Hi: Donna D is right. My port is on its side and the needle has to go in at a pretty steep angle. The doc out here in Vancouver took 20 minutes of trying and I looked like a black and blue pin cushion and couldn't do it so I flew back to Nancy who did it in two tries. Now I have to go back to my doc with instructions. Reeeeeeeeealy looking forward to that. I think if I can convince by DH, I will be going back to dear Nancy. Doddie

Hi: I am from North Vancouver BC and Dr. Leung is a very good surgeon and the reason I did not choose him was because his wait list was far into the future, plus I was told he was considering retiring. Secondly, I liked the TLBC because the two doctors are known as bringing the lapband to Canada and press on them was very positive. All doctors in BC have huge waiting lists and getting operating time in a BC hospital was dicey. TLBC would do surgery within a month. Unfortunately, I did not really check out the aftercare of fills. The press clips said the GP could do the fill with a DVD as instructions. My GP said he would do them but reneged after I had surgery. That is when I found out that most GP are reluctant to say the least and there are no sponsored TLBC fill nurses in BC. TLBC made arrangements for me to go to a surgeon in Delta but other than that, nothing. I just returned from Toronto and Dr. Yau told me they are setting up clinics throughtout Canada but it takes time. Doddie

Where are you planning to go Donna D.

My retort to rude people that ask "can you eat that" is "sure have you a problem with that". Why should we get used to these comments, I never will and if they are going to be rude to me I will be rude back. Doddie

rachel. From the sounds of it, you had food particles stuck in the neck of your stomach. That is the part separating the pouch from the rest of the stomach to which the band encirles. When you had all the fill out the stuck food moved down to the stomach. Stay on liquids for as long as you can just like you did when you where in the first few days of your recovery from the operation. You probably are badly enflamed. Until the soreness subsides, stay on liquids. Definately try to get an exray to see what the band is doing if you can. Whe you find yourself getting hungry, sip a warm broth until you feel satisfied. Keep those hands and mind busy by walking, going on the internet, whatever. You go girl. You can do it. Doddie

Hi Gaffer: LOL. Since the surgery, I have been back to TO three times at around $1,000 a trip and I have paid the Delta Doctor $400 for the first interview (he couldn't find the port so sent me back to TO for a "flipped port" which wasn't) and now I will be paying $75.00 a visit if he will have me back. If not, I will have to fly to Calgary to a clinic the TLBC recommended if the Delta doc won't have me because of the difficult port. Know what? I may be stupid and I may be frustrated with the fill situation, but I woud do it again in a minute. I have lost slowly but steadily since Feb and I am elated and not gaining for the first time in three years. Sorry you are having a bad patch but hang in there I am sure you know it is worth it. Doddie

Hi: Will someone please tell me why every freakin person who does not have a weight problem think "we are taking the easy way out". How do they know the band is the "easy way". And for that matter what is wrong with taking "the easy way" if one can loose weight and keep it off. Isn't the object of the exercise to loose weight and regains ones health. Doddie

Hi Leslielee: I have read posts, where scrambled eggs can be a bit stringy and could cause problems. Have you considered a poached egg? Doddie

Hi leslielee. You are correct. Tanning is a wonderful medical tool and properly supervised can help a lot of people in your similar situation. I think it is the commercial tanning that is the dangerous practice. None supervises and that is when the danger comes in. There doesn't seem to be much in the way of regulations. Doddie

Hi: Perhaps, you are not chewing your food properly. Take a bite the size of a pea and chew it 30 times. Don't swallow until you have made the 30. After 20 minutes stop eating, (use a timer) whether or not you have finished your food. Under no circumstances do you drink water until at least 20 minutes after your meal. 1 hour is better. Make it your goal to not puke. If you make one day, try for two. I am now up to 2 weeks without puking. Also, how much fill do you have in your band. Have 1/2 of it removed. When you are no longer inflamed and have your eating under control then go for another fill. Doddie

Mid June - is anyone reaching their goal set for the month?

robgoblin. Hate to upset your idea about our money, but Canadian money is just as easy to counterfeit as American. Before the new twenty was out, the low life had already found out how to bypass the security. Ask anyone working in law enforcement. Doddie

hang in there and try to follow the guidelines from one stage to the other. You need to heal and your journey will have few complications if you start off on the right foot. I found spending time on the computer took my mind off my hunger plus exercising will reduce hunger pangs. I dislike exercises so I spent more time on the computer (l0l) Plus someone told me not to worry quantity just quality. I drank/ate the required amounts but more frequently.

Hi: On our news out here a few weeks ago, the story was on tanning sprays where a brand had been recalled because it was dangerous and certain big chain stores were still selling it. The warning came that spray on tanning can be just as dangerous as tanning salons. Doddie

The fill is a fair restriction, I think 4cc s will be my limit. I just find that with the clinic staff they assume too much. There should be a policy that they repeat instructions re fasting, etc each and every time a patient is in their clinic. That would prevent any misunderstandings. Just handing out a peice of paper and assuming all patients received the paper and no verbal followup can produce misunderstandings and resentments. I have tried to be patient by telling myself I should ask, but then I come back with how can I ask if I don't know what to ask. Oh well, I am over the worst - have the band, have the first fill, have the second fill so now I think I know all the rules. Still again, these are little frustrations, I would still do everything all over gain without a second thought. Doddie

<p>Don't take a chance. pack it in your luggage to use in the hotel if you want. Rules are rules but how they are interpreted depend on the guy with the wand. I had one officious jerk who checked me three times with the wand, made a hand search over me (if he had touched my boobs or other area I would have slugged him). I had no metal on me but because I picked up my purse before he nodded OK to do so he played "GOD". I agree with security and travel a lot but every once in awhile, you meet someone who is a jerk. So no don't take your magic wand as carryone. Doddie</p>

What I love about them are fat, skinny or banded, they all have empathy for the overweight. They see us for ouselves and where else can you find that thinking in this world. Doddie

As usual, I am the lone woman out. I couldn't return to TLBC as scheduled by them as I couldn't afford it until six weeks later. I then flew out and had the fill. I did not attend an seminar nor did I get an instruction sheet. As a result on my first fill I had a good breakfast and was unable to take more than 2 ccs. On the second fill, I flew out to TLBC to fix (what I thought) was a flipped port as told by the doc out here. I was given a 1 cc fill and told the port had not flipped just off on an angle. I was not told not to eat anything for 24 hours. I assume the nurse thought I already knew this from the first fill. When I went back the next day just to see about another cc I was told not for two more weeks. I can't seem to win, can I guys. Sad sack if how I feel. Doddie

Welcome back to BC and hope you enjoy yourself.

I had one days rest then flew home the next day with my DH. I had absolutely no problems. No pain, no gas. Almost as if I never had an operation. I have huge hips (270 lbs now) and I find the seats very narrow and I also have the hugest of arms. Almost as large as my legs and they spill over into the next seat so I do my best not to have someone sit beside me. I fully intend to fly back to TO one a year as recommended by the clinic to have them check my band but for fills, I will continue to go to the Delta doctor if he will have me. Doddie

Hi; I flew back April 24th for my first fill as I couldn't come up with the $1,000 before then. I have just come back yesterday from a fill of 1 cc. Actually went thinking I had a flipped port but I don't. I use West Jet and book my own seat precisely 24 hours before flight time. I look for someone who has booked a single seat by the window and I book the aisle. I stand a very good chance the middle seat will not be filled. If it is, the stewardess usually moves the individual to another free seat as I am very large. As you will be travelling by Air Canada on standby, you probably will get a centre seat. If you are large, I don't envy you. There is a Dr. Woodhead here in Delta that takes TLBC patients, but because he has had difficulty with the new procedure of ports not being anchored, I have been told he has stopped taking patients but I would get Dr. Yau or his staff to contact Dr. Wooodhead, he may take you on. Also, TLBC has a doctor in Calgary that does their patients as well and you can get his name and phone number from the fill nurse. It would be even cheaper to fly to Calagary. I have been interviewed by Dr. Woodhead and will be making an appointment to see him tomorrow. If you want to chat, send me an e mail and I will give you my private primary e mail address. Doreen

Rub it in already. If you only knew the anquish of looking for a fill nurse close to home!!! Know what? I would do again in a flash AND I would pick the TLBC over any surgeon here. Only reason I would want BC is because they do fills but if the TLBC is true to their word, they will soon have a fill nurse here. Doddie

Hi: Dr. Joffe and Dr. Yau pioneered the band in Canada. Dr. Joffee has now left the clinic. He banded many idividuals who I am sure would give testimonials as to his work. If you are recently banded by Dr. Yau you know how good he is. Have you seen the nutrionist yet. She is very knowledgeable. Doddie