MadamBroom

The aftercare at Smart Shape is not good - they get your money do the surgery and then not much...disappointing and you pay $3,000 of your fee for support.

HI I know of a very informative webinar you can watch. Email me at edergm@shaw.ca.

Wow! Way to go! Makes all that hard work so worth it! What a great sister in law too!

If you have to take pills that are larger than a pencil eraser, there are pill cutters or pill crushers available at drug stores to assist with swallowing larger pills.

Another "suggestion" ~ have you been able to spend time learning how the band really works? How to eat, and how to let the food settle or sit there without drinking to be able to fulfill the satiety gland so you do not feel hungry for the next 4 hours? I was really amazed to finally truly understand how the band worked and what it was suppose to do and more importantly what I had to do, to make it work. Once I did understand and ate the proper foods, in the proper manner, IT ALL WORKED! It really was amazing and I wasn't hungry and I lost weight. Good luck!

Hi What may be normal to some is not normal to others, so please take what everyone says with a good grain of salt! The best advice was given by MIs who said "Count Your Calories". Even though you are eating healthy and possibly less than before there is no way you can know if you are eating within the proper caloric bounds or not unless you count your calories. Every calorie. You can think you are eating ok and within the necessary guidelines but cant know for sure unless you count your calories. Any good dietician will tell you to count your calories. I would be reluctant to stay on the liquid/soft food diet any longer than your doctor or lap band adviser suggests. It's important to slowly add foods to your diet as instructed. But after that time it's time to start to learn how to eat with your band and the sooner you start the sooner you will be able to enjoy the successes you want. It most likely is fair to say if you are not loosing weight then you are eating more than you should to loose weight, but this is really for a nutritionist or dietician to advise. Keep a small notebook with you and record everything you eat, even a stick of gum. Learn to eyeball Protein portions or vegetable portions so you can count calories when you are out. There are many wonderful apps out there like My Fitness Pal who will help you count and keep you on track . It can be accessed on your cell phone as well. Good luck, take care of yourself but do seek professional advise for your concerns as my suggestions are just that, suggestions

HI You most likely are still swollen as you are still healing from your surgery and things are bound to feel a bit strange. Be kind to yourself, no strenuous exercise for a bit and if need be place your hand over your incision when getting up if you need extra support. I know I did for a while. Though do mention it to your doctor the next time you see him . Hang in there!

Hot Butterfly said it so well ~ I sure do like that ~ Don't expect anything from anyone and be your own cheerleader!! Hang in there, I did have what sounds like the same pain, that came and went and yes the stitches to the abdominal wall can be a bit tender. So no gymnastics or crazy stuff for you girl for a bit! Be kind to yourself and do keep moving!!!! Small frequent walks....it's amazing what that does for a speedier, healthier recovery! take care

Hi It was an on again off again situation for about a week. In most cases, I felt good, not great but well enough to keep on. I just went slow and didn't expect too much of myself. Then there were moments when I felt yucky. I had a lot of problems with shoulder pain from gas. Even though I was not eating much at all, the pain was there. If I didn't have the shoulder pain I wouldn't have taken any meds after the first 48 hours. We are all different, so be kind to yourself and realistic at the same time. Make sure you are taking care of yourself, sticking to your fluids, (seriously), getting lots of rest and up and taking frequent small walks. The activity really helps. take care

What a wonderful and courageous story! Hang in there and be happy!

Any chance you chew gum? I find when I chew gum, I have lots of "bad air" and burps.

Hang in there! Sounds like your biggest decision was not about the beer but rather about the decision to become a healthier person. Your concern is normal. I was afraid to let go of some of the things I really liked too - like an ice cold beer! Would I still be happy and satisfied without some of these things. Well once the weight started to come off, it was easy to say no to the bad things because I wanted to loose weight more than I wanted that beer. So just remember, moderation is key. I do remember going out one night and ordering a tall cold beer and having to give it up less than 1/3 drank because it was so filling. More filling than a fizzy diet pop. So drat, there went even the occasional beer. But what also was gone was 40 lbs!!!

Congratulations! You give hope and inspiration to so many!!! Enjoy your new found self!

I have to say that the negative responses above are somewhat self inflicted. SWLC has clinics in Alberta whereby it is the doctor/nurse who does your fills that answers all questions/concerns but can only answer what you ask. We do NOT pay for fills in Alberta if the surgery was done by SWLC. SWLC has frequent and informative webinars on a frequent basis to help understand, motivate and learn from your band. SWLC is not going to be the one to call YOU on regular basis. They do call 2 weeks post op to check up on you. Getting the band was/is our choice and yes SWLC is a business. Thank goodness they are there. But we have to take responsibility to get the info we need when we need it. SWLC also pays for 3 nights of hotels. All in all, if this was/is the choice that you choose to make, no it is not for free and dont expect to have it for free. Money for airport transfers, taxi's is all part of being able to pay for the procedure 100%. Save your money, get your flight and rental car on Air Miles, have a friend, spouse family member attend with you. If you cant afford it, then you have to wait provincially for the program. Don't blame SWLC for being a business and then having to pay for extra expenses on top of it. Reality check...it cost us to get to this point in our life, so it will cost to get us out of this mess and into a new life!

Hi Alberta will only cover some of the costs. Of the $15,000 I paid Dr. Colburne I rec'd approx $1,800 back from Alberta Health Services.

Hey so glad to hear of the positive outcome! 12 lbs are 12 lbs that were there the week before and not now, so you are doing the right things. You will hopefully be able before long to eat a meal quicker than 45 minutes but by being cautious you are being respective and I do have a lot of respect for my band!!! Hang in there! Gayle

HI I found with each fill that it was tightest at the beginning and then would settle down. Do go slow. You are listening to your body. If I follow the guidelines, it all works. When I rush, gulp, big bites or drink, it can come back up. Sooo...it's the boss and I have to listen! Hang in there! Gayle

Hi Wonderful surgeon, experience, clinic, hotel everything! Dr. C and team were very patient, professional and thorough. He is concerned about every patient. I went from 220 lbs in Feb 2013 to180 lbs Jul 2013 - 30 lbs to go and it hasnt been that hard. Surgery was Feb 2013. What I found was that I had to understand the biological process the band played in your body and work with that. Up until understanding that I wasnt able to utilize the full benefits of the band. The Nutrition webinars put on by SWLC are a must. You may be able to take one now if you want to learn more. Your head has to be in this game 100%. There are many that the band does not work for because they are not ready to commit. I did have alot of shoulder pain after the surgery which is rare and even today if I eat say nuts and maybe dont chew well or crackers, something hard, I can feel it in my shoulder which is quite rare I'm told. (Not sure if that makes me special or strange?!) I would be more than happy to talk more to help out or answer any questions. Support from peers I have found to be very important and to trade tips, vent or just generally ask questions. My email is edergm@shaw.ca. It's the best thing I ever did! lots of luck Gayle

Hi I am heading to Toronto, to the SWLC to have Dr. Colburne do my banding on Feb 14th! I Am so excited, ready and motivated to make this work. I would like to meet up with or blog with other Calgarians who are going through the banding journey so we may be of support to one another. I am 54 5'6" 220 lbs ~ my goal is 140 lbs. I am lucky in that my GP had the same surgery with Dr. Colbourne so there is in incredible support there. What I would like to know, is how did folks make out right after the surgery? We are staying for 4 days in Toronto and I was hoping to go out and see the sites after 24 hours, am I dreaming or do you think this is doable? What diets suggestions do you have? Exercise? thanks!

HI Courtnin ~ MAybe we can plan the next support group for when you will be town. I would sure love to chat with you about your recovery as I am quite curious especailly with us going out of town. Please feel free to email me at edergm@shaw.ca as I dont get on this site as often as I could/should!! thanks Gayle

CALGARY FIRST SWLC SUPPORT GROUP MEETING SWLC support meeting on Saturday, February 2 from 10 to 12 at the Macleod Trail Co-op. Please contact Carolyn for further information Carolyn Bailey, RN > SWLC Calgary > carolyn@swlc.ca

Holy wow Maddy - 33lbs that is fantastic and determined on your part! Hope you are proud!

HI Good to hear your stories, thanks! I am scheduled for Feb 14th. How soon did folks go back to work? I have a desk job ~ thanks Gayle

Wow! Now it's time for a treat fo ral lyour heard work!

Hi ~ I am pre-op, surgery is Feb 14th, and my BMI is 35. Doc said I dont have to do pre op diet, (first time anyone told I wasnt heavy enough!!) If it was any higher it was to be Liquid, SlimLine. I still have chosen to incorporate one meal a day with the Slim Line just to get use to it as I know it will be part of my life and diet for the few few weeks after surgery. When blendered with a banana, it's pretty good. I have a Vita Mix blender that blends the "crap" out of everything, a good way to get the healthy stuff in. My doc explained to me that the pre op diet was a way of ridding the liver of some fat and making it easily to work around during surgery. Slim Band in Toronto, (not my clinic) regardless of BMI doesnt require liquid diet two weeks before, just unlimited chicken, fish and fresh veggies. Also my doc told me two nights before the surgery to go have the either the biggest hamburger and fries I can find or a tasty Chinese smorg and then the day before have a huge stack of pancakes for breakfast!!!! (Now this is the GP doc in Calgary telling me this, as my surgeon is in Toronto, and my GP doc had the lap band surgery done last September by the same doc and has lost 65 lbs so far)....GP Doc said "Go, Enjoy the food cause you wont be having it for a long time !!!! Not sure if I will splurge, but it was funny!