DaveM

Hi all, I just had a consultation with the hypertension clinic here in Calgary, and heard about banding for the first time. I'm 48, with a BMI of 42, drug resistant hypertension, and the added treat of the occasional bout of gout. The jury's still out on sleep apnea, I'll be getting tested for that in the near (I hope) future. I do know I have a history of "forgetting" to breath, going back to childhood. Over the past 30 odd years, I've been yo-yo-ing with diets, loosing 20-30-40 pounds, only to gain it all back, every time, with a little extra (sound familiar to anyone?). To me, jumping on the "band waggon" (a bit of Calgary Stapede humour there) seems like a Godsend. I know banding would be a life changing experience, and I would need to be concious of every bite ... if not, the band will remind me, and not in a pleasant way. I don't have a lot of hope with the Public system ... as of Tuesday, there are apparently only 21 procedures being done in Calgary this year, and I get the impression the waiting list is huge. I have no idea where I'm going to go from here ... or whether my extended health will cover a private banding. At this point, this is all very new to me. It looks like there is an enormous amount of informaition here ... both positive, and negative ... I'm sure I'll be sifting through it for a long time. Anyway, I just popped in to say hi. DaveM

Hi gang, It seems like only a couple of months since I decided to get banded, and now my surgery is a week today. I'm not sure why people don't like Optifast, the chocolate is not that bad ... this is my 8th day. I did cheat (in a good way) by taking just protien shakes, Vitamins and a fibre supplement for a few days before starting the Optifast. This kick-started ketosis, and I've been there since the first day of Opti. I started my ticker at my consultation weight ... I'm down 25 pounds already, and no longer morbidly obese ... just plain old obese, as I'm going into surgery. One week to go ... ack! Dave

If you're not in too much of a rush, and don't mind a short flight, the Surgical Weigh Loss Centre (from Mississauga) will be opening up a Calgary clinic in September.

No luck with Sunlife ... so, looks like self-pay. On the bright side ... I got my date!

A big part of the pre-op diet is to reduce the excess fat in your liver, and shrink it to make the surgery safer. Avacados have quite a high fat content (14% by weight), which is why they're so yummy.

For my answer, you're rght, I really don't know how many fills/defills the entire system can handle. I was just looking at Allergan's published specs for the port: "High-compression septum tested to over 200 punctures with a 20 gauge non-coring needle."

I'm not banded yet, but I have been doing a lot of research. The Lap Band port is designed to handle up to 200 needle punctures. Hope that helps.

... if all inclusives ever have special rates for banded guests :scared2: I'm hoping to be banded at the end of July, and am going to an All Inclusive on the Myan Riverera (first time, ever :thumbup:) in November, for a wedding.

So, I just heard back from Sunlife: "The claims consultant has reviewed the information that you provided, and has advised that the procedure is not covered under your plan. Essentially, the procedure is considered a medical service that falls within the realm of provincial medical care, and isn't an eligible expense under your plan :tt2:" This was after the provincial program was cancelled Oh well ... now the appeals begin.

Thank you Patriciann and LizzieNJ for your encouragement. I met with my family doctor, and then my hypertension doctor today. My family doctor is 1000% behind me getting banded. He also says that adjustments (fills/defills) should be covered by Alberta Health, as they are a visit to a doctor. The only thing you may be charged for is the syringe & saline. My hypertension doctor had some mixed news for me. The Provincial program funded by the Alberta Government has been cancelled, and the waiting list is no more. Everyone on the waiting list will receive a letter. The government's logic was, they have to provide it to everyone, or no one ... with over 200,000 Albertans who could benefit from banding, the answer to that $3.2 billion question was no one ... so, no more program. On the upside, and (maybe) beacuse of this this, banding will be available privately, in Calgary, out of the Peter Lougheed hospital. I can't recall who is running the clinic, but I am getting a referral.... I'll pass the name on when I have it. I've been in touch with Sunlife, and my employer. My employer is completely supportive, and will do whatever they can to help. Sunlife asked for a bit of info, and it's in their court at the moment. DaveM