Doddie63

Hi Miranda: Keep checking in. Sometimes others that have gone thru an experience and solved it can be very helpful. Also, check one of the other threads as there are a number of people preparing for banding and looking for a buddy as well. Doddie

Hi: I will be in Toronto on the 14th &15th. I will be seeing Dr. Yau on the 14th and then surgery on the 15th. My port has flipped. Anyone there that see a "big woman" hope you say hi. Doddie Oh! Donna D. don't be impatient, I have only taken off less than a lb a week without much exercise. Are you exercising?????? Doddie

Just scrolling thru the posts about poor response from TLBC. Maral is on leave for awhile so you may have to call back and ask the operator who is taking her place. Also, the best time I have had in calling is first thing in the morning before all the operations and appointments start. If I don't have a call back in 24 hours I call again. Also, call the number and punch zero. You get a real life operator tell her you are concerned your calls not being returned and to put you directly on to someone in charge. No question the clinic is busy, you just have to be persistant. Hope these hints help. Doddie.

Terranne: Hi: Anyone with a weight problem has failed so many times they were in tears and depressed. This is what caused most of us to make the giant step to acqiring a band. I was 303 lbs when I made my decision, I had the band Feb. 01/07 and yesterday I was told the port had flipped and I needed further corrective surgery. The TLBC has a wonderfull followup program and the fills are free as well as they have a nutritionist and support programs. A conference call is now being put in place for out of towners. I am from North Vancouver BC and I did not do a thorough job of researching the issue of fills. The TLBC referred me to a surgeon close to my home. I don't know for sure, but I believe the surgery correcting the port flip is free of charge. I may have to pay for the anetheseologist (sp?). What I am saying, is I would do it again with no second thoughts, but I would be more careful in finding someone close to home so I wouldn't have the huge costs of flying to Toronto. You are in a tough position having to decide whether your family's spendable money goes on you or your husband but did you know that if your family doctor referred you to Alberta, they have a clinic that assesses people for banding. As the medical system is Federal, they take from anywhere. I belong to a support group and one of the ladies in my group is going to Alberta having been referred by her family doctor and the surgery will be paid for by the medical system. there are other requirements that I am not sure about. You may have to wait, but it would be better than doing nothing. Doddie

Hi: Yes, Donna D is correct. My port has flipped. The only way you know the port is flipped is when the doctor tries to put in the fill. My surgeon tried 8 times from all angles and tried to twist the port but he eventually said the port had flipped. He was trained by Dr. Yau. I have a visit set up for June 14 and 15th at the TLBC. Hopefully when Dr. Yau looks at the problem, he can right the port with a "local". I was aware of the risks and I know the clinic make the problem right. As for travel costs, I don't think they would cover that as out of towners take on that responsiblity when they get the band. Best way I can equate is the Ontario residents don't get reimbursed for travel when they have problems. I don't mind though, as I have been loosing 1/2 lb a week since surgery. Not a great lose, but in my mind a huge victory as I have not gained since Feb and before that I was gaining consistantly for two years until I reached 303 then I called about the band. Will let you all know the results after the 14th.

HI: I didn't see the show, but I do know that only the affected watch these programs. Anyone that does not have a weight problem don't bother to turn it on. I often think "thin" people won't watch these programs because they might find out they have a predjudice against obese people. Health authorities in this province are only now just getting the message about WLS and still will only promote gastric bypass. They stubbornly refuse to acknowledge the band. Seems all they think of is "exercise and control your food intake". It is obvious of their ignorance but what can one do other than continue to praise the band to their doctors. Mine is finally realizing the band is a viable weight control tool . there may be light at the end of the tunnel. Doddie

Does anyone have any idea what "1 cup of food is". One cup of peas is vastly different from one cup of lettuce leafs.:guess

Hi: It would be interesting to know how many others find exercising difficult to get ones head around. How about it out there. What do you do to get yourselves moving??? Doddie

Hi: Wow! under 200. Isn't that a great accomplishment. You are moving guns afire. I am doing OK as far as chewing and portions BUT I did upchuk yesterday because I ate some "broadbeans" and they just didn't like to be eaten. My biggest problem is ongoing and that is to get exercising. I just am not motivated consistantly. I go on a three week aquafit regime then I stop. I haven't exercised this week. Must get moving one way or another. Doddie

Hi No he did not. He has always been conistantly the same weight. He is 74 (I am 63) and supported me when I said I needed an additional tool to help control my weight. Thanks, but right now, I am stuck at the same weight. I take aqua fit 3 times a week and eat around 1500 cals a day so think I might need a tighter fill. Will ask doctor this thursday. I notice you have lost 85 pounds. How did you know when you needed another fill or if you should just up your exercise or reduce calories??? At the moment, I am trying to focus on eating small bits but not too sure where to go from there. Doddie

HI: the more competition the better it is for all of us. Everyone has to think their doctore is the best. Could you let us know the after care your clinic provides. Doddie

Hi: Sorry you had difficulty with TLBC so you certainly should go to another clinic. I am not too sure what the TLBC would have to do with RRSPs but that is another issue. My point was that everyone that has been banded has had their own reasons for saying "their clinic/doctore was the best" and in reality that is true. We have to believe in our doctors in order to go thru such a proceedure. That is why we all say everyone must do their own research. I wish you well as I know the band is a wonderful tool for us. Doddie

HI: Check for a stitch still in the incision. I had pus coming from my scar for weeks and finally went to doctor and he told me it was a stitch caught in the skin. I telephoned the clinic and Nancy said the same thing. So I felt around and sure enough felt a roughness. I got the tweezers and pulled. Put antiseptic on and no problems since. Do call the doctor though and confirm, don't wait incase it is something more serious. Doddie

Hi: When you have the lap band as you start to loose weight, and someone mentions it, the decision you have to make is "how much to tell". All the gory details can be left out. Simply say, yes, I am loosing weight with my doctor's assistance. Then say to yourself "and the band". Unless you want to broadcast how proud you are of the band (which is what I do and have lost contact with my sister because of it), your choice is there to tell as much as you care to tell. Just be aware, not everyone is going to be in your camp cheering if you do decide to tell all.

Hi: Donna D and others. Donna I have had my first fill and I have restrictions. I find I can eat a salad plate full of food. Sometimes 1 cup sometimes 2 cups. I am maintaining but not loosing. That is why I posted I am confused on portions. When I overeat, I do get a strong feeling of soreness and sometimes I chuckup. I go to a bariatric surgeon recommended by the TLBC for my next fill and further followup here in Vancouver. I no longer have to worry about going to Toronto thank goodness. I will still travel to TO once a year for them to check the band as recommended in the DVD by Dr. Joffe. How are you doing?

Hi: Thanks Yoda. Your description is very helpful in more ways than one. Everytime I am tempted to eat, I just h ave to imagine "chewed". God, nuff to turn any stomach including mine. But your suggestions is great thanks. Doddie

Hi: I am having trouble with measuring the "1 cup". 3 oz of protein takes up a lot of the cup or is it 3 oz of protein and one cup. One cup of lettuce leaf is vastly different to 1 cup of peas. Anyone have any idea how to measure????????

Hi: Dr. Yau at the TLBC. They have wonderful support team and he was one of the original pioneers in bringing the band to Canada. Fill nurses, nutritionists, conference call support for out of towners. They are second to none. Doddie

HI: Research the Toronto Laproscopic Band Clinic. The Yau was one of the pioneers along with Dr. Joffe that brought the band to Canada. Research into the after care is absolutely mandatory and I place the TLBC second to none. They also have a nutrionist on staff who will help you free as well as they have a conference call program just starting for out of towners. Something to consider as well is is travel health insurance. Most obese people have high blood pressure and if you should become ill outside the country, insurance companies will not pay for any "related" illness. We all know that high blood pressure is linked to most emergency illnesses. Just a few thoughts. Doddie

Hi: I am from North Vancouver and I chose the TLBC. I didn't do much research on the after care and wish I had, but still on reflection choose the TLBC. Dr. Yau did my surgery and I have had no problems. As I live so far away, to get a fill would have cost me a lot of money travelling. when I attended the TLBC for my first fill, I was given the name of a bariatric surgeon here and the clinic faxed my records to him. Although I will have to pay for the fill, it still is cheaper than going back to TO. Also, the TLBC has a nutrionist and she is available for one on one consults as well as seminars. I met her and she really knows what she is talking about. She read through my meal tracking recors and told me that I was not having enough protein at 3:00 pm and that was probably why I was grazing before supper. She suggested I eat 2 tsps of peanut butter on a few crackers. She was bang on. I haven't been foraging for food since. The TLBC listens to my concerns and I would not hesitate to recommend them highly. Doddie

Hi: It is nobody's business period. To tell or not to tell is entirely up to you. If someone mentions you are loosing weight just say "thank you for noticing" then under your breath "and to the band". Banded Feb. 01/07. I wish I had kept quiet as my sister is no longer speaking to me. She feels I am taking the easy way out while she has to struggle. We can praise the band to all on the website, but again loosing weight is a very private affair where we can be proud of our accomplishments but give no reasons why we are loosing. Doddie.

Hi: Well thought out. Let the weight loss speak for itself. Another funny side will be just think how all those self righteous people will nod and say. I told you so. all you needed was exercise and diet. Who cares if you say under your breath "and the band". Doddie

Hi Watch out for salt. You don't need higher blood pressure as your BP will increase at OR time. Doddie

Cat excellent posting and research. I fully intend to copy your post and read it from time to time. Also to pass it on to others. Doddie

Hi Donna D: Welcome to our side. My fill went well. Experienced bandsters told me whether to stop drinking water or not and that I needed a defill. Started our with 4 ccs and then ended up with 2cc. The exciting part was I met the new nutrionist and I had the pleasure of talking with her while she waited to seen by the staff. She picked apart my menus and gave me terrific hints. She is also banded herself and lost 100 lbs. Also, Maral gave me a doctor contact to go for my fills here in Vancouver. As the clinic referred me, my band is covered I hope. Sorry you are experiencing problems, but every new feeling is going to be scarey for some time. Read my previous posts and how I was freaking out. You may have a tight restriction. Some do. I have. I understand there are many who haven't had a fill for at least one year. So keep calling the clinic and posting for information. Someone somewhere will have answer. Doddie.