sunflower00

Hi, Sorry for the cross posting but I just realized that there is a section specific Canada, so I'm reposting hoping someone in here can help me with the decision. I'm planning on getting banded and I decided to go for the private route. After doing the research it seems it's between the following people: 1- Dr. Pierre Leclerc at Westmount Square Surgical Center. 2- Dr. Pierre-Yves Garneau at Rockland MD. 3- Dr. Steven Miller at SPA Diva Medical. There is also Dr. Nicholas Christou who seems to be really good. But he's charging close to $18000 while the three others are all around $16000. Any positive/negative experience with any of the above docs? Sharing your experience with me is greatly appreciate as it will help me tremendously in choosing my surgeon. Thanks!

Hi OttawaMan, I went with Dr Christou after all. Actually I didn't meet any of the surgeons I posted above. I'm very happy with my lapband, but disappointed with the service I received from my doctor. The operation went very well and no complications. But I was expecting follow ups from the clinic, something that never happened. I had my operation on June 25th, 2008 and since then I had been in the clinic only once for my fill. They never called to check on me either. I'm pretty much doing it on my own with the help of my awesome lapband of course

I'm planning on getting banded and I'm hoping that those of you who got banded in Montreal can help me choose the best surgeon. So far it seems it's between the following people (I'm going for the private route): 1- Dr. Pierre Leclerc at Westmount Square Surgical Center. 2- Dr. Pierre-Yves Garneau at Rockland MD. 3- Dr. Steven Miller at SPA Diva Medical. There is also Dr. Nicholas Christou who seems to be really good. But he's charging close to $18000 while the three others are all around $16000. Sharing your experience with me is greatly appreciate as it will help me tremendously in choosing my surgeon. Thanks!

Congrats on the band! How are you feeling? I had mine on June 25th with Dr. Christou after all. Frankly, I'm disappointed with the clinic. When you pay $17,750 (with application and consultation fees) you expect better service. Also, I have 5 incisions and he stapled them so they look even larger :thumbup: My sister had the band few years ago and she had only 2 small incisions and a third that is a bit larger (where the port is). But the good thing is that I am loosing weight :thumbup:

I believe Westmount Surgical Center also offer fills. Westmount Square Surgical Center

Hi all, I am banded :biggrin2: I was banded yesterday morning and was discharged from the hospital this morning. If it wasn't for that sharp pain I have in my left shoulder, I would have said I feel GREAT! But that shoulder pain is really killing me. Especially when I breath. I was told this is the gas. Apparently it goes all the way up to the shoulder :blushing: Did any of you discover a way to relieve that pain? Even Tylenol is not working :hurray: The nurse at the hospital said I just have to give it time but it is really painful. I mean REALLY painful :party:

From what I read, hair loss is caused by protein deficiency. if you are sure you are taking all your proteins, then you may want to ask your doctor.

Hi all, just a quick update... I saw my doctor yesterday as the pain was getting way out of control. He is suspecting that it might be a blood clot that went all the way up to the shoulder! He gave me some self-inject anti-clotting injections and some strong pain killer to take every 4-6 hours. I have been taking them every 4 hours and my pain went from 9-10 (on a scale of 1 to 10) to 5-6. He said I should see him again on Wednesday if the pain didn't get better by then. I'm thinking of seeing him anyway to make sure everything is ok. Moral of the story: Go see your doctor if the pain is severe! You never know what could be going wrong.

I am having that severe shoulder pain as well. I am 4 days post surgery. At this point i am willing to try anything. I am curious what is "stick on pain patch"?

Thank you all for the valuable suggestions. I had already tried walking and heating pads but they both didn't seem to have an effect Yesterday I tried Tylenol with Codaiene and that didn't work either greyhoundmom, how long did it take for Papaya Enzimes to kick out in your case? I started them yesterday after reading your post. I hope they will work for me to!

I posted a similar question about a month ago or so. However for me it would have been traveling for work one week after surgery. I got different answers but most of the people said it would be too hard. It seems it is not the flight/drive itself, but more the energy level. But again, I was asking about traveling one week after surgery, while you are wondering about traveling 2 weeks after surgery. So that one week might make a big difference :redface: I ended up postponing my surgery date by one month. The business trip was very important and the dates were not flexible. My surgery is now scheduled for June 25th. Good luck!

RPA, Optifast is a Protein shake. My doctor wanted me to go on it for 2 weeks before my surgery. Their cost was included in the $17500. ladybug, we do have a lot in common!! I made a typo though, my surgery is on the 25th and not the 27th. So I'm 2 days ahead of you I'll keep you posted on how it goes. You too, keep me posted on your progress. Good luck to you two :biggrin:

Hi ladies, I'm from Canada too, but from Montreal :success1: My surgery is scheduled for June 27th. Right now I'm struggling with sticking to Optifast with so many events happening in that period I too have about 70 pounds to loose!! :biggrin: I am also self-paying. Dr. Christou is charging me $17,500 for everything. I believe it only covers the fills for the first year.

Same here .. My surgery is on June 25th and I am REALLY struggling with the preop diet! I'm just not able to do it! Almost everyday I have to cheat as my energy level is so low

:party:Jazzy Junes! :cursing: 2 Deb, Realme, leepizz, LeighDee, BIG T, Mandi Jo, Kitcatnap, Jajeanne, BanTam, Utahgirl :cryin: 3 Huggie Bear, Steveamy0503, elvisfan, nicolerose, YoungNY 4 Sellie, jills_adopting, ebinsc, Hunzi, jlck98, Alleyoppvolley, Anewkim, Snappymonkey18, Terrier Mom, Snakerivermusic :sad: 5 JoannaG, Irish Ladybug, Cadets 71, LMarie_MD2b, jkpenny376 :thumbup: 6 Kristybandy, Cathychatts, eagerbandim, mamamarie, hopefulmom25, Nuali, luigismama, pitter, Peacedove, Shorty184 :thumbup: 9 Bando, gardengrl, flirtyangel :thumbup: 10 Jules, Shaxmom, rearea1222, To Be Free, twinmommie, Anglesphere, acadang, Micountryfarm :thumbup: 11 triser72, Mowree, aalves, jdrocks226, larakathyleen :thumbup: 12 cris3, Angelyco, WannaDance,Susanm, Long2bThin, MissWilde, Jewellj1 :thumbup: 13 BATassbandita :thumbup: 16 babbs 3772, Phoenix :thumbup: 17 TX Diva, Apples2, 19 Imgonnaloosem, KerryConnor, Shome :thumbup: 18 KathyStrick :thumbup: 20 Rhondawood63 :thumbup: 23 Little Debbie, Mariamomof2, brubear, Yesindeed :thumbup: 24 Snuffy65, trtobiassen :thumbup: 25 Tennessee Mom, dj bryan, Hollins2003, Sunflower00 :thumbup: 27 TexGal, nellie ray, Kalaipahoa, Susie70, kpa88 :thumbup: 30 maguirre67, Tai68, MS.MAURA NY, Brian

Each doctor is different so you might want to ask your doctor's secretary about that. For me, all my pre-op testing was on the same day. It was a full day (9 am to 6 pm). I called on sick that day :cry_smile: Then for my consultation I only had to arrive one hour late to work, which is totally fine at where I work. My operation is scheduled for May 27th. I am taking a one week vacation for operation + recovery.

My doctor asked me to be on optifast for 2 weeks before surgery to shrink the liver. However my sister was banded 2 years ago and her surgeon never asked her to do a preop diet. She's doing great! I guess different doctors have different approaches. I would say listen to your doctor. I'm listening to mine although I know that my sister did just fine without a preop diet.

Hello all, My surgery is scheduled for May 27th and it seems I will need to travel for work on June 4th (that is one week after surgery!) I will be traveling to the west coast for about a week. I want to hear from you all, experienced bandsters, if you think this is doable or not. Please share your thoughts. Thanks a lot!!

Thank you all for this valuable feedback. Honestly I am still hesitant on what I should do. Rescheduling the surgery for after the trip is out of the question for me, especially that I had already reschedule it once before. I REALLY want to start my new life ASAP. At the same time this trip is important for my career! I am trying to reschedule the surgery for a week earlier than the original date, as this will give me 2 weeks to recover before traveling. But I highly doubt that I'll be able to. I shall hear back from the surgeon tomorrow on whether I can do the surgery a week earlier or not.

Hi 5, i'm on the 27th as well :frown: Lucky you, only one week on optifast? I have to start my optifast diet on the 13th. I'm getting banded in Montreal, Canada.

Hello all, I was wondering if there are bandsters in here with BMI < 40? All the successful stories I heard about were for people with BMI above 40. What would be a realistic weight loss expectation for someone with BMI below 40?

Thanks for sharing the story! So we usually stay for one night in the hospital? I didn't ask my doctor about that but the info he has on his website says that lapband patients are normally released on the evening of the op. I'm scheduled for May 27th.

I am from Montreal. I'm scheduled for May 27th with Dr. Christou. Cannot wait!

I'm scheduled for May 27th! I'm so anxious, I can't wait!! :wink2: -Shela

Somogyi1, how did your operation go? I'm thinking of getting banded at SPA Dive Medical too and was wondering if you'd like to share your experience with them. Thanks!