innotu

Hi there, I have decided to get the band and am looking for doctors - I have looked at both the Surgical Weight Loss Centre in Mississauga Ont. and the NWWLS in Everett Wa. I live near Vancouver and for those of you who live in the same area and have had the suregery I am wondering: if there are any doctors who perform the surgery in or near Vancouver? Your experiences with either clinic and why you chose the clinic you did. Thanks for your help, Innotu

Hi there, I had my surgery with Dr. Woodhead Aug. 6, 2008 - I am very happy with the surgery and with Dr. Woodhead's aftercare - he's patient, attentive and imho a great surgeon. He recently did my gallbladder surgery. I was very nervous about leaving the province let alone the country and feel fortunate to have found a great doctor so close to home. Total costs = $14,400. Good luck with your decision.

Hi Dr. S., I'm a few pounds away from goal and am considering PS. I've successfully had PS before (breast reduction). I'm interested in a thigh, butt and arm lift as well as liposuction. I'm worried about the scarring in particular the thighs and arms. I don't want to trade one problem (flabby arms and thighs) for another (unsightly scars). I'm less likely to go for the arm procedure because I don't see anything that doesn't produce significant scars, however I'm hopeful that the thigh and butt can be done without the visible scars. I don't want scars on my legs and arms (I don't mind scarring in the arm/leg crease area however I don't want to have to worry about scars if I'm wearing shorts or a sleeveless top. Given these preferences, are there effective procedures our there? Thanks for your help Dr. S.!

I'm down 1lb this week.

Hi everyone, I haven't posted in a while as things have been rather quiet on the weightloss/band front. Over the past several weeks, I've had very bad pains in the upper right part of my abdomen - At first I thought it was my lapband, but after some research it became clear that it was probably a gallbladder problem. I have most of the symptoms and so my doctor has ordered a series of tests and has done a physical exam - he says he'll bet his Mercedes (albeit an old one) that I have gallstones. Apparently this is quite common (1 in 4) with people who have lost weight rapidly and/or have had significant weight fluctuations. As I'll most likely need to have my gallbladder removed, I've been looking for information on gallbladder surgery and those who have lapbands...do any of you have any info on this topic? I'm curious as to what happens to my band if I need the surgery? Thankfully my lapband surgeon is local and also does other types of surgeries including gallbladders. I'm relieved he's just 10 minutes away.

I've just heard back from my surgeon (thankfully he also did my lapband!!) that I definitely need my gallbladder out - I'm scheduled for surgery March 18th. Unless something goes drastically wrong, it will done laproscopically - I should be in and out the same day. Until then, I must stay away from foods on the 'bad' list. There may be other damage (pancreas and liver) but that should heal on its own providing I get the gallbladder out soon. Wish me luck.

Heidi, Congrats on the weightloss! and glad to hear you're on the mend - I understand pancreatitis is very painful. Did you have any warning signs prior to your first attack?

Thanks everyone! Sue, Its reassuring to hear from a bandster who's had gallbladder surgery. From your post it sounds like the band doesn't need to be unfilled. I'd prefer leaving the band as is and not having to start back at square one. Thanks again for the information.

Hi Heartfire, I have the same symptoms as Kiz and my pain does radiate to my back (shoulder blade area) - all pain is on my right side. My other symptoms (don't read if you're squeamish) dark (brownish) urine and gray stool, constipation and lack of appetite. The attacks come in the middle of the night but the pain itself lasts for days. My attacks seem to be triggered by 'fatty' foods - (my favourite Indian restaurant is now off limits). Of course I can't eat very much to begin with, but even the little bit I do eat of fatty foods sends me into a full blown attack. I've done the blood tests and have my ultrasound next week - I hope its just gallstones - my Doc says that would be the best case scenario!!! I haven't asked what the worst case scenario would be and will cross that bridge when I get to it. All signs however point to gallstones.

Thanks Jodi, Kiz and FWWAB, Today is a bit better pain wise and I'm starting to get my appetite back - my hope is that the 'attack' is over and that I'll soon be back to normal. My last test (ultrasound) is on Feb. 14th and I see my surgeon the following week. If I do need my gallbladder removed, I hope the surgery is quick and doesn't require an 'unfil'

I've successfully lost the weight from the holidays and am back down to pre-holiday weight - so down 3 lbs!!! YEAH!

I'm up 2.5lbs over the holidays - no fault but my own! Certainly alot less than pre-band though. I've thrown out all of the Christmas goodies and am back to work on Monday - less temptations will be a good thing.

I need something to get me going! I'm in for 1.5lbs per week which is about 10lbs. This is a stretch as I've gained recently and plateaued before that. When I do lose, its been an average of 1 lb per week. Good luck everyone!!:tongue2:

Congratulations on the great losses! I haven't posted much lately and have, as they say, fallen off the wagon, I've gained over the holidays despite having had a fill on Dec. 23rd!. I have made some very bad choices - holiday treats and chocolates have been my downfall - its now time to get back on the wagon and to get serious about the weightloss. This is much harder than I thought! :confused:

Thanks Kristen! It feels great to say I've lost more than I need to lose...if that makes any sense. It's been a long long time since I've seen this number on my scale. YIPEEE!!!

Steady as she goes...another 1 lb loss this week - I'll take it. I've been away delivering a series of conferences and although the food choices weren't great, I was too busy to really eat much of anything...and too afraid something would get stuck. I am at exactly the 1/2 way point...yeah!!!

I'm down 39 lbs so far...I'm almost at the 1/2 way mark!

Down 1 pound this week...seems like so little, but hard work to get it off! I have definitely hit a plateau.

Great job everyone!!! I'm down 1 lb. - not much but I'll take it! I'm averaging about a pound a week... I'm excited that I'm almost 1/2 way to goal!!! That deserves a celebration...I'm thinking about what that will be. ideas? I had my 2nd fill last Friday and must remember to chew...I'm doing alot of travelling for work and forgetting to eat. I then eat when I'm really hungry - and although my choices are ok, I find that its really hard for me to slow down and chew my food...yesterday at lunch I ate some raw veggies too quickly and had to excuse myself - walking and praying helped to keep things in...but last night was a different story, good thing I was alone. Changing old habits is difficult to do....chew, chew, chew, I'm convinced that pre-band I didn't chew anything!

I'm down 2lbs this week! Considering I had a stressful week of work and travel, I'm pleasantly surprised!! I would normally eat my way through/out of the stress, this time was different - what a welcome relief! I go for my 2nd fill today.....

Congrats everyone! Down 1 lbs this week my next fill is on Halloween day (hope that's a good omen). Exercised 4x this week (1 hour brisque walk at lunchtime) my heart rate monitor clocked 360 calories burned for each 1 hour walk!! It pays to go with the fit crowd from the office who consider this a stroll in the park compared to their morning jogs :wink_smile:...To keep me moving and motivated, I've set a goal (with the help of the fit group) to walk the Vancouver Marathon next May. Hope next week treats you well!

Well, I actually gained 1/2 lb this week Not surprising given it was our Thanksgiving here in Canada...I also didn't get much exercise in...so this was obviously a lethal combination and one that I can't repeat.

Well done everyone! I'm down 1.5 lbs this week - I'm slowing down but I'll take what I can get.

Although I'm only down 1/2 lb, I'm happy. I was at a conference this week and had to choose my foods very carefully and no exercise! So I'll take the 1/2 lb. The next 2 months will be conference after conference and then Christmas....I'm hoping the next fill (in two weeks) will help. Good luck everyone!

Down 1.5 lbs this week - I'm ok with this - my goal is 2lbs. I had my first fill last week (Thursday) and for a few days thought that nothing was going to happen. By Tuesday however, I was getting full on a few mouthfuls - I'm happy about this and find that I have to be very careful about remembering to eat well - this poses its own set of challenges. I know this will pass, and hunger will return but for the time being, I'm enjoying the sensation of being 'full' (not sure what else to call it).