Doddie63

Hi Donna: No question, the restrictions should be posted when people are looking for a doctor. The rights of the public are paramount. However, I think the college should post with the restrictions that the allegations are as yet unproven. To just post the restrictions, leave a lot unsaid. Was there a hearing? or not? By posting there has been no hearing would allow the public to make an informed decision based on all the facts. Doddie.

Hi: I think burping, hiccupping are a result from swallowing air. When we chew we swallow a lot of air. As for the other end, I think that is a result from greens such as salads (ask any cow lol) that causes gas. More protein usually settles that down. Doddie

HI; Yes it is only an allegation and I agree his life is ruined no matter what the outcome. I wished I had never gone to the website though as sometimes no knowledge is a good thing. The court system is supposed to clear a persons name but it never does. In the minds of the public, Not Guilty does not mean Innocent. I worked in the courts for over 20 years, and the stigma always remains. As I said, I wish I hadn't looked. Doddie.

Hi Rekunah: I looked and wished I hadn't. Doddie

Hi: You are right, it is easy to look back at how easy it was to gain weight try as we might not too until we gave up and ate what we liked. I still feel I am in early stages as I haven't yet had my 2nd fill. LOL, you WILL stop at one cup of food, no question, quaranteed. If you don't.....all in unison now........."Puke". Yes our love affair with food is strong, but so is genetics and whacky nerves that travel to brain to tell it we are still hungry five minutes after we have eaton. As yes, you can still have your love affair with the band. You can drink a lot of milkshakes eat a lot of "no no food", if you want to sabatogue(sp?) yourself. Before the band, all we had were the stares and comments that hurt. But the band is a friend that will remind you when to stop and it is nice to have "one cookie" with the cup of tea and not feel guilty. I can go on and on about the band, but even though the port has flipped and I must undergo more surgery to right it, I would never ever change my mind. Doddie

Hi: The words "pig out" should make you stop and think. How many times have you been out socially, pigged out and seen people starring at you. If you have those thoughts, Just think of the stares as you eat even reasonable. The stare almost seems to be saying "why are you eating, you don't need it", holier than thou stare, if you know what I mean. I am so proud when I sit down to a meal and have to stop at 1/2 to 1 cup of food. I am full and I laugh and tell my DH well that was one pig out. I am so proud that I am down from a 5X to a 26. Know what, I don't give a damn about pigging out anymore. I get my jollies from seeing the scale go down. Good luck in your decision whatever it might be. Doddie

Marcar. Congratulations, now your life begins. Doddie

Gaffer: The whole purpose of my comments was to let the individual know that although she could not afford to have surgery if her husband went ahead with his, there were other ways and not to give up. There are options out there, just keep trying. I never intended to get into a discussion on the medical services in Canada. Doddie

Hi: Yes, I was banded at TLBC and the band chosen for me was the French Midband. I too found out after surgery. It seems to be the perfect fit as I have had no problem except the port has flipped. This can be turned back with no problem which I will have done in June. Doddie

Sorry didn't proof read what I wrote. I meant port has flipped. Apparently it is a new practice not to anchor the port. This is thought to prevent the tubing from breaking loose. However, the flip side (pun intended) is the port can flip making it impossible to have a fill. Will find out in june what its all about. Doddie.

Hi Buffy: Glad your family doc has no problems. Is you band "anchored". I have to go back to TO because mine has flipped. Doddie

Hi: I go to the Lions Gate Hospital support group for gastric by pass patients and banding. I will get more information if this lady shows up at the June meeting. Yes I am saying that there is a way to be referred to an AB clinic even if you live outside the Province. The medical system is a Federal system not a provincial. The provinces manage the money but Ottawa funds most of it. The lady that gave the information applied to both AB and the Provincial Government. The BC Gov't has approved her for getting the surgery in Washington state. It was shortly after that, she received word frm the AB clinic they would interview her for surgery. Weight has a lot to do with attending the AB program. She is over 400 and has severe sleep apnea. Anyway will check it out. Doddie

Hi Jim. (my husband's name is Jim too). Whew! glad you are being monitored by the clinic if not your GP. Only time I wish I lived in Toronto, is when I need a fill or want to see Dr. I will be there June 13-17 to see Dr. Yau as my port has flipped. I understand there is a good chance he can correct the problem with a local. Sure would be great. The flipped port was the reason I cautioned you to keep in touch with your GP, you never know. Doddie.

Hi Jim: You are very successfull in your loss, congratulations. Just noticed though that you had not seen your doctor since preop. Just thought I would pass on to you that the surgeon who has taken over my care on fills (because I live in Vancouver, BC and can't get to Toronto frequently) told me I should be seeing my GP at least once a month. As you loose weight, your body changes as well as your need for medications if you are on any. So just a suggestion, go see your family doc. Doddie

HI: Thought I would let everyone know that TLBC conducted its first teleconferencing support meeting for those banders unable to attend in person at the clinic. Although we had a few growing pains and there was just a few of us, it was very enjoyable. I came away with a feeling of belonging and that there was support after the band. Hope more of the TLBC banders take part next month.

My doctor is supportive, but reneged on the fills. I now have a surgeon recommended by TLBC. I will be returning to TO because my port has flipped but for all the right reasons, I would have the band without any reservation whatsoever. I no longer hunger for food, no longer have the crazed out of control feeling. I am loosing about 1/2 lb a week. Not great but at least not a gain. I am a "grazer" and even with the band I can tuck a lot of food away, but with the band, I have help in controlling the out of control times simply because the pouch fills up and hurts if I get too full. Knowing about the band, I would not have gastric by pass unless I had tried the band first. Hope this helps answer a few of the doubts. doddie

Sweats, Ts and loose fitting pants. Don't forget, you can't lift more than 10 lbs so your suitcase should be small. You need one change of clothes at most. But supply your hotel room with bottled water as the hotels charge an arm and a leg. You will be groggy and sleep a lot, but when you are up every hour to walk and cough, you will need fluid. Doddie

Miranda: I am 63 and I don't believe in e mails for such serious topics. Call and keep calling every ten minutes. When you get the operator, tell her you are not happy and want to speak to someone in particular the head nurse. You could also ask for Chris Henderson, Chief Operatin Officer. I was very insistant and was put thru to the head nurse and had my concerns dealt with. Had my appointment date given to me, expressed my concern about anchoring and got my answers. I appears to me that business people are inundated with e mails, text messaging, voice mail, etc. etc. Obviously they are overwhelmed by the deluge of electronic messages. So I rely on the "old persistant" method. Using the telephone until I get a live voice. Green you sure had a wise mom. Doddie

I wish you the best results from the surgery. Do you have a partner that will be there for you? The day of and the next day you are very groggy and there may be prescription medication required. If not, suggest you take along some pain killers, gas X, and bottled water. Good luck in keeping the news from your DH but you will have to tell him eventually because of the incisions and other things. Doddie

LOL: I agree, but I can only look as I am far to old for such a good looking man. But I can dream can't I. ( I did not dream up the flipped port to get an appointment with him,h onest)

Thanks Yoda: TLBC referred me to a surgeon here in Vancouver and he is the one that diagnosed my flipped port. But he can't get OR room in BC unless it is an emergency soooooooooo back to Dr. Yau. Must say I am happier to be going back to Dr. Yau. His placement of the band has been problem free except for the flip. Will find out from him whether or not he will anchor the port or not. The Doc out here wants it anchored so he doesn't puncture the tubing. He doesn't have access to a fluroscope (sp?). Talked to the head nurse, about to anchor or not achor and there are pros and cons to either situation so hopefully Dr. Yau will set me straight on what to do. Doddie

Depends on what the hotel has to offer in the way of microwave. I would suggest that unless you have a partner who can go shopping for you take everything with you need because the day after surgery you will be very groggy and just want to sleep. I took some chicken in the mug and used the tea maker in the room. The Holiday Inn on Bloor street does not have microwaves. Also, take your optifast and put in some bottled water. The hotels charge an arm and a leg for the water. If you have a hot water bottle you may want to take that because sometimes people have gas pains after sugery and a hot water bottle helps. Mainly though, it is the water that is most important. Doddie

rekunah: I think he left at the end of January. Anyway more news from me. I am grateful the clinic is continuing as I have a flipped port and will be in TO to see Dr. Yau on the 14th. Everyone has been very cordial and understanding. They have bent over backwards to ensure my appointment and surgery dates are back to back because I have to fly such a distance. Life after Dr. Joffee continues at the TLBC. BAU (love those initials). Doddie

Hi Marcar: Don't let our experiences scare you. We are only telling so that others can be aware if they start to experience symptons and at least have some knowledge of what is happening and what to do. My port has flipped and I am going to be seen by Dr. Yau on June 14 and sugery on June 15. I live in North Vancouver, so I have the costs of flying to Toronto on uncomfortable planes and may have some large costs associated with the corrective procedure, BUT, know what? I would do it all over again in a shot. There are hundred that have no problems whatsoever. All I know, I am eating proper portions, I am not hungry, I have more energy every day that goes by. I am loosing very slowly on purpose. I am 63 and I want my skin to shrink back as much as possible. I guess my point is, your journey is your own, don't worry about others. Doddie.

Hi guys: Don't want to burst your bubble about the DVD (it is a terrific teaching tool), however, when I enquired about using my DVD at ER hospital, they told me they a) didn't have time they didn't want a virus in their computers. I thought I would be clever and check out the DVD with them, so much for being clever. Doddie