Doddie63

Without a doubt. An ounce of prevention is better than an pound of cure. For some reason, the vast body of medical people, insurers, and politicians, etc. can't get it thru their thick skulls that morbid obesity is more than overeating. It is a disease. For some reason they recognize anorexia but not the other end of the spectrum. I went private for my band and I will be paying for it for a long time, but I think often of the souls out there that can't afford the surgery. I would be more than willing to pay more taxes if the authorities would put the band on their list of coverage so medical services could help us. But they won't because overweight people in their minds are responsible for their weight problems. Sad Doddie

Good for you susansilver. Like all of us, you will go thru ups and downs, but you are and will not be alone. I found that before the band, I felt I was the only overweight person in the world. Recently the newspapers have been downright mean in their articles about obesity. Words like eat less and exercise more will solve their weight problems. Tax the hell out of them and make them loose weight. Why would they need medical support when their over eating is their own fault. On and on they go to the point I was becoming very depressed when I accidently heard about the band. The rest is history. I found a whole new world of people with similar issues to me and they are more than willing to help when I get down. Agian welcome to our group. Doddie

Susansilver hi: I have total empathy with you on the solace one gets from food but if it wasn't for the band, I probably would not have stopped and got back to counting calories. I see you are to be banded in May and I know without a doubt you will never look back once you have the band.

Hi the comments about falling back to old habits even with the band holds a great deal of truth. I have had some serious stress lately and the last three days have eaten in excess of 2,000 calories by grazing. I am now:mad: back to writing everything down and thinking hard about everything I want to put into my mouth. As said many time by many others, the band is a tool but if a person wants to, can work around it. Doddie

I understand they are in the process of acquiring another associate but like the rest, Dr. Yau is very good at what he does. I had a telephone consult with Dr. Joffe in January and he was very short with me. I suspect he was on his way out then. Someone that knows him said his calender was overloaded as he had the clinic and also did other specialized surgeries. Could it have been burn out who knows, all I know is the tremendous staff remain. Their followup care is second to none. Doddie

Does anyone in British Columbia know where there might be a fill clinic in the Province. I heard there was a fill nurse in Surrey, but I haven't been able to obtain a clinic phone number or address.

Hi: I live in North Vancouver and was banded by the TLBC in Toronto. My family GP authorized all the tests required and forwarded them on for me. The various blood clinics, X ray clinics would not send results to Toronto. I would not leave Canada personally but many have and they have been very satisfied. My reasons for staying in Canada was for the after care. I can not get travel insurance because of high blood pressure and insurers will not cover "any related illnesses". That takes in a lot of territory. My doctor will do my fill for me when it comes time and the TLBC has sent him a DVD on how to do fills. I would still like to know who else does fills in Vancouver in the event my doctor is not available. Doddie

From what I am told it is great to use. I have been getting by with my blender but it is so huge to clean up. Am considering getting a Magic Bullet

Good for you. I wish I could be like you. I keep thinking I have moved on, but every once in awhile, I get a tinge of regret. Regret my sister reacted so mean but then I shrug and try to move forward again. I only had two days of grazing but realized that I am only hurting myself. So..........went to a support meeting of WLS patients and had a good time. I am amazed at how some members of a family try to control the one with a weight problem. Everyone had something to say about that. Doddie

Hi: Emotions are my downfall. I eat for every reason. When I am upset I graze and even with the band, by eating small amounts of food over the day, enormous calories can be consumed. I find the band my conscience but I still have to fight the emotions. Only having contact with other bandsters do I realize I am not alone. By reading all the posts, I not only learn a lot, but it keeps me out of the frig. Doddie

Hi: I paid for the complete proceedure on VISA at the TLBC. They took the initial downpayment of $3,000 then the remainder on the day of surgery. Prior to submitting my VISA, I called VISA and told them what I was going to do so there would be no chance my credit would be refused. No problem with the clinic or VISA. Is it possible, the Dr. C.'s clinic has had payment on the cards cancelled due to a number of reasons such a low credit limits. I know when travelling to other countries, if you don't tell your card company you are out of country, they won't approve large charges. Doddie

Hi: Someone told me that bandsters are a family because we all are so alike but yet so different. That we have a closeness that outsiders can't understand, no do I think they want to. We have to tell the ones living with us, but anyone else.......no way. You all know the old adage "if you want to keep a secret, don't tell anyone". I did and it hurt big time. If I had a SIL like yours, I too would be shaking with anger. Just don't head for the frig. Doddie

very wise susan: I wish I had your wisdom when I made my decision to tell my sister. The signs were there, I just didn't want to see the "green eyes of jealousy" as I was seeking support. Just like everyone else, I wanted the band but went thru the gaunlet of emotions. Anyway, one learns life lessons in many ways and after coming to the conclusion (with help from the bandsters) that the decision was best for me I have moved on. But I will continue to caution other potential bandsters of the need for careful thought as to whom to reveal your decision to. Doddie

Hi: Thanks JLB. Life is full of surprises, but this is your time and exciting time at that. Keep us posted. Best of results. Doddie

HI: I wish all of you the easiest of times with your banding. You may experience a bit of pain for a short period of time but that will pass. Just have Gas x on hand. Comments of keeping your banding to yourself is a wise decision. Make good and sure who you tell, will support you. Most unfortuantely, I told my sister and she shocked me with her reaction of anger. She said I took the easy way out and that she would have nothing more to do with me. With the support of fellow bandsters on the web I have managed to get myself back into control. I lost it for a few days by grazing everything in sight but I am OK now. Making the decision to have the band "is not the easy way out". The band is a tool to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle, but all the old demons still have to be fought. So not meaning to put a damper on your exciting day, just point out some of the down side, I wish you the best of success. Doddie

Hi Maggiec. What you have said you are going thru is what most of us have gone thru but unless one experiences the emotions all the assurances in the world doesn't seem to put them at rest. I liked you comment about worrying "I can never eat the foods I love". Very real worry, but if eaten in very small bites and chewed really well most foods can be eaten. There are some problem foods such as fresh breads, stringy meat or veggies, but if well cooked in stews you can have those as well. No matter what, even if you can't eat your favorite foods, you are going to love your new image and have the tools to fight the little food devil thoughts that pop up now and again. I know yo will do well. Who is going to be your doctor? Doddie

Thanks for the insite. I like greens and have no problem with them nor have I had any trouble with bread. Haven't had my first fill yet but in the meantime, I try to eat healthy. Doddie

Jac: Prior to my surgery, I went to my local GP and told him what I was doing. After talking with me and finding out I was going ahead with or without him, he told me he was not familiar with the band, just gastric bypass but he would support me in my fills, etc. My worry is, I never discussed his criteria for the fills/defills. I intend to go to TLBC for my first fill to find out the process. I will then be able to discuss with my GP who calls the shots. Him or me. Doddie

Hi: DebLPN: I find it interesting about the lettuce. By mixing the greens, this was one of the ways I was getting nutrients that green produce. However, if your doc says it will stretch my pouch, I am very concerned. Anyone else hear about stretching the pouch with lettuce. I always thought it was the amount food that was eaten. Hope to be corrected. Doddie.

Hi: There are pros and cons to "where to go for the banding". For instance, if you have serious health problems you might not be able to get travel insurance outside Canada. That can prove expensive. The other thing is to consider "fills". A lot of doctors/clinics will not fill anyone other than their patients. You will have to find a fill clinic/nurse close by. As for the decision of the band, you say you can loose weight on your own, so can all of us, but the question is "do you put it back on again". If the answer is yes, you need the band as an aid to help you stay slim. Even with the band you can put the weight back on, but, the band is your conscience. There are clinics in Alberta, and I believe the AB health insurance helps out. Not like most provinces. Will have to be checked out though. Doddie

I found the protein drink I purchased was gross. So I went to the pharmeusuitical (sp?) department and purchased a complete meal replacement called "Glucerna". I purchased the chocolate and it is yummie. It is 250 calories and has all the nutrients for one meal. Just a reminder though, I would stick to the "clear fluids" as ordered, then "full fluids". Glucerna is made specifically for diabetics. Might be worth a try rather than mixing powdered drink. Doddie

Congratulations and good luck. Don't worry if you go through the whole gauntlet of emotions. Right up to the time I had my booties put on and put myself on the operation table I was excited, nervous, scared doubtful. Now, I wonder what the heck was I worried about. Wouldn't change a thing. I know the right decision was made and I love my band as a tool to helping me to a healther weight and lifestyle. Best wishes. Doddie

I keep saying "must exercise". Unfortuantely I am not an exercise person and so far I haven't found anything I enjoy except maybe aquasizes. Even then, I have to go to the gym so I procrastinate. Have recently injured my leg (not seriously) so that is another excuse. What does everyone else out there do. Astrotoes, I sure can relate to measuring becoming old hat. Thank goodness my band is my conscience if I take huge bites or quantities. Doddie

Good luck Dave it is a decision I am sure you won't regret. Doddie

Hi Dame J: I guess we are learning what some of the people who have had the band for a long time has found out. Even with the band, we are subject to our bad habits and have to work at loosing weight. It is one thing to think of the band as a tool and another is to use it as a tool. One hard lesson I am just learning. From the post, I read that Dr. Coburn is a very good support doctor. The only time I met mine was just prior to the operation and then only for a second. Support on the internet is the only means I have just as many others that have been banded far from their homes. Good luck and keep posting. Maybe we can help each other. Doddie