Alex R.

I've only ever heard good things about SWLC. It is an excellent clinic. But don't dismiss TLBC/Slimband just yet. Do have a visit. Most people are inclined to post when they have problems and are looking for advice. If all is well, you won't likely hear from them. There are many of us here who have have very positive experiences at TLBC.

What is the message board like at SWLC? Does it follow a similar format to this forum? The slimband one is simply not very good. I think it could be much improved if they just made it function in a manner that is familiar to most users.

Congratulations on your surgery. Don't worry about weight loss as this point. Almost everyone steps on the scale after surgery and is disappointed not to see a loss. Its likely due to the IV fluids and this will change.

I'm happy for you. You have a great attitude and you will do wonderfully. One of the most important things that I believe helped me be successful was to stay connected with other banders, and to learn from their experiences. Although I do come to this forum, because it is local, I also get good support from the lapband forum at obesityhelp. Absolutely, we can keep in touch. I'm happy to pass along any tips I've learned along the way.

oh, meant to add - I have lost 85 lbs. It would be nice to lose another 15, but honestly, if I never lose another pound, I am still happy. I still drop the occasional pound, but I feel that my weightloss is sustainable at this point.

I was banded just over two years ago. BEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE IN MY LIFE! Sorry for shouting, but I am happy every day since getting my life back. I check in with these message boards regularly, just to keep on top of things. I find it helps keep me on track. Where are you getting banded? I was at TLBC (now Slimband) and have had a very positive experience.

Yup - I'm in Toronto.

Wow, this is the first time I've seen someone get insurance to pay. Are you in Ontario? What insurance company do you have?

I was banded at TLBC (now Slimband). From the time of my consult, I could have booked the surgery for 2 weeks later, after doing the pre-op diet. It was due to my schedule that delayed it for a few more weeks after that.

see...this is a good reason why we need to stop using old threads to post new questions. I don't think Heather realized that she was responding to a post from August 2006!! I took HD Gloria's question out and posted it in a new thread for reply. Same thing with the TLBC and Slimband threads. There have been extraneous discussions that aren't specific to tlbc/slimband .....for example one about body buggs, that perhaps could be the subject of a separate thread.

Hi Gloria - I moved your question out of the "lets band together" thread, so you can get a better response to your question.......... (I noticed that the last message was about 4 years old :smile2: you said: "This isn't actually a reply but I don't know how to start a new subject. Anyway, I had my surgery just a year ago and I'm down maybe 10 lbs. I can't eat good food = lean meat, salads, etc. but I can eat crackers, chips, etc. This is very frustrating. I don't know if I need a fill or a defill. Anybody have any ideas?" ----------- I really think that you need a defill. When you can't eat good food, and junk goes down easily...thats a pretty good sign of being too tight. (and to start a new thread - click on the button "New Thread" at the top left, just above the beginning of the forum topics)

I would be interested in some recommendations too - although, I am interested in a cosmetic surgeon. Even though I absolutely need a tummy tuck (oh goodness, also butt lift, everything!)...the thing that I want most is a facelift. The saggy skin on my face, to me, looks worse and makes me look older. I can't put a girdle on my face, and they don't make spanx for chins yet.

Hi Jojo - you asked this in the TLBC thread, but I thought I would separate it out as that thread is getting old and lenghty. you said ...... "I was banded may 2007 and lost 40 pounds over the first year. I have now gained 12 pounds and have noticed that I can eat things I couldn't before ie bread, muffins etc. Has anyone else experienced this and if so could it be that my band has stretched? I am wondering if I need to have a fill which I havent done for over a year. " I was banded around the same time (Apr/07) and have had at least 14 fills since then. As you lose weight, the fat pad around your stomach also shrinks and your band feels looser, even though you felt restriction at one time. I'm pretty sure you just need a fill. Call the clinic and get in there! You will feel so much better.

I'm very cynical about this product, or any alternate food-like substance. TLBC at one time used the Optifast liquid diet, but made the decision to go with the dairy based diet (yogurt and cottage cheese) as it is high in Protein, nutritional, and got the same results for a lot less money. This new move to Metagenics, in my opinion, is another income source.

I'm in Toronto, so I can't offer any advice re Manitoba clinics or financing options - but I just wanted to say congratulations on your decision to get banded. This was the best thing I have ever done for myself. I'm thrilled with the results.

Many thanks!!

I agree, the myslimband website is very very poor. I'm quite proficient with computers so its not a matter of "getting used to it". I found the old tlbc website was easier to navigate. What is really surprising, is that there is no "help" or "contact us" button on the site. It just doesn't function naturally. Does anyone know Jodi's email address? or her last name? I posted a separate thread, and susieq kindly responded with some helpful advice - but I still would like the address if anyone has it.

Does anyone have the email address for Jodi (the new nutritionist) at tlbc/slimband?

This is the best thing I have ever done for myself. I would absolutely do it all over again, and again, and again.

I lost 85 lbs. in about a year and am still losing. I chose the band because it is far safer than RNY. The worst of the complications of the band are in no way as bad as the worst of the complications of other weight loss surgeries. I did not want malabsorption. The best part of banding, for me, are the fills. This is what makes the system adjustable. Once I made the decision to have WLS - I was ready to begin. I was able to get banded almost immediately (self pay) and the wait list for RNY was about 3 years. Best decision I have ever made in my life.

The most important thing you have to do, is make sure you have arranged for local aftercare. Who will be doing your fills?

I would just caution you to get an ironclad arrangement for fills in place before you go to Mexico. We often hear that people who are banded elsewhere have a great deal of difficulty finding aftercare. This is not to discourage you at all from Mexico - as there are excellent surgeons and clinics there - but aftercare is essential. Sometimes if you factor in the cost of travel and expenses for fills, the cost of Mexico isn't viable.

Hi Peaches - yup. Starting weight was 247 Might even have been a bit over 250 a few months prior to that. I've been trying to lose another 15-20 pounds for the past few months. But I find that its not crucial now. I'm so happy that I look relatively normal - still large, but normal. I can eat almost anything I want and don't feel deprived. I can buy clothes in regular stores. I have increased energy and mobility. If I can lose some more, it will be a bonus.

Optifast is VERY expensive and you can't buy it off the shelf - you can only buy it through clinics and doctors. That doesn't mean it's special, its just a marketing device. When I was banded, the clinic had stopped recommending Optifast. They determined that a dairy based diet (yogurt and cottage cheese) was just as nutritious and a lot cheaper. So, I ate nothing but yogurt and cottage cheese for two weeks. Boring......you betcha. But it was doable. I stuck with it and lost 15 pounds.

I was banded a year and a half ago at TLBC and have been extremely happy with everything. Dr. Yau is highly experienced and very skilled at this procedure. Nancy's fills are perfection. Quick, easy and painless. The clinic itself is pristine. I believe that if you have been reading negative comments, it is likely because a great many people here on this board were banded there, and we can all be nit-picky at times about small matters - stuff about their rebranding, the website, personnel, etc. It is a business afterall. Please don't let this deter you from a first rate clinic. My office is about 5 minutes from the clinic and I can't tell you how convenient it is for me to sneak in for a quick fill or a chat. When I read about the experiences that people have with other surgeons and clinics (specifically excluding SWLC which is also very good), I feel grateful that TLBC was available to me.