macpherk

I have been attending the Wharton Weight Management Clinic in Hamilton, Ontario to get some perspective on my weight and what I can about it. My good friend suggested I start there, as weight management is about more than what you put in your mouth - you need to understand some of the whys, and some of the bad habits, you have. It's been a great experience - I am down 25 lbs, feeling very good, sugars are much better. However, with a starting weight of 331, and knowing myself so well, I really was interested in surgery. Dr. Wharton, who is a bariatric specialist and not a surgeon, warned me that my huge(and I mean big big big...)hernia would definitely prevent gastric bypass. I was very disappointed, but at the next visit, he said he would refer me to Dr. Coburn at Toronto Lap Band Clinic. Surprise of surprises, 2 weeks ago, I am sitting at home, watching TV, when I get a phone call from Dr. Coburn! He said that he did not think the hernia was going to be a problem, that I should come see him at his clinic the beginning of Sept, and oh, just to kick start things, we'll book a surgery date for Oct 1. He spent a good 1/2 hour with me on the phone, talking about how much he enjoyed doing the surgery, how it would mean a life change for me, but warning me it was still up to me to make it work. He was very supportive of the work Dr. Wharton is already doing - he sees what he is doing as certainly a great assistance in making this work. In Canada, as you may know, our healthcare is mostly free, but not for things like lap band surgery. However, clinics like Dr. Wharton's, which are few and far between, are typically covered by our provincial medicare systems. It has been a pleasure to go to a clinic where the focus is on weight management, not on weight loss, where they are supportive and helpful, and where you know everyone else has the same problem - plus, even better, no one is making a buck of you(ie, LA Weight Loss, Simply for life, Weight Watchers...all great programs...but trust me, they exist because there is money to be made). But now, to also get the surgery?? I am over the moon optimistic. I will soon have a shot at things I have not done for so long...walking, exercising...even with my limited weight loss, I have seen a reduction in the swelling of my feet(Fred Flintstone could have used my feet as his model). I'm in an incredibly lucky position, because I think I am preparing myself for both before and after surgery. My company is being incredibly supportive as well - they want me healthy. They are providing financial assistance, and that is great. Even more so, some people at work are helping me and my family create the support network I need. So I am so very excited, and so very happy...all I need to do is to go to the clinci next week and then I am on my way. Wish me luck!:smile2:

Hi, Everyone, I work for one of those insurance companies, and for the most part, none of this is covered. Your policy may have some unique features such as "medical devices" listed...though I think most insurance cos are going through their contracts to eliminate anything that vague. So, for the most part, we are out of luck. HOWEVER...I do happen to know that the insurance companies, through the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association, are starting to talk about obesity and how to prevent and treat it. So, I would think, in the not so distant future, there will be some funding - though what that will be, is unknown. For the person who had a Health Spending Account with Alberta Blue Cross, I do know that any treatment/costs that can be claimed on your income tax statement are typically covered by your HSA...thus, the surgery should be eligible to be claimed under that. I would call back and ask them about the limitations of your H.S.A. - I would be surprised if it was not covered.

I was banded at SWLC in Mississauga. They also offer plastic surgery, and seem to specialize in some of the body contouring stuff like Tummy Tucks. Dr Lista, the surgeon, came out to our support group in December, and did a dynamite presentation to all of us banders, showing us before and after picks of many people(no faces, of course!!!). I would recommend checking them out...it's where I would like to have the surgery done once I have lost my weight.

I was banded on Oct 1 at SWLC, very very happy with the procedure and the results, so far. Very professional, and very caring. I even attended a Christmas dinner that the support group organized, and both drs. from the clinic attended and were more than happy to talk to everyone(over 60 people were there). The follow up care is also very good, and the clinic itself in terms of success has amazing statistics. You should be very comfortable going there. All the best to you.

Depending on what you do for work, a week may not be enough recovery time. If you are behind a desk, maybe, but if you are in a profession like nursing, or retail, where you are on your feet a lot...well, it depends on your physical stamina beforehand. In terms of your employer, again, it depends. If you have an employer who is fairly large, they may view this totally as a bonus for them...a less obese employee is a healthier employee. They may support you big time, but would of course keep some of this stuff confidential. For your co-workers, it's up to you. I don't keep it secret, but it is not my main topic of information, either. Some people I work closely with are very aware(and interested) in what I have done(I was banded on Oct 1), but I am not going to go into details with anyone who stops me in the hall to say how good I look. At the same time, if anyone does hear about my surgery, and wants to ask me questions, I am more than happy to answer them. The big thing I hate is when we get into costs...I typically tell them that is something they will have to look into themselves. I have not encountered anyone to my face making comments re how I could have done this just through diet...though I am sure there is behind my back. Those people can pound sand, as far as I am concerned. My employer, a health insurance company, has been very supportive, they understand the benefits this will bring to my health(already off 3 medications that would cost them about 1000.00 per year). Hope this helps, all the best to you.

Before I had my surgery, I started seeing a bariatric specialist who explained how important it was to eat enough and at the right times...that starving yourself is not how you lose weight, but eating the right foods and keeping your metabolism high(by eating Protein, but ensuring you get sufficient carbs and fats, as well). On that diet, I lost 48 pounds in a couple of months. I now have my lapband in, and for the first month and a half it has been fairly slow, but it is starting to work again. I have one fill, and will be going for another one next week. You may want to talk to a nutritionist, just to help you keep up enough calories and eat the right things. I don't really feel I am on a diet right now, as I am seldom hungry. Good luck!

I am 2 weeks post surgery. I used Milk of Magnesia, after 6 days with no BM. Took 2 doses(at night), worked like a charm on the second day. After that, watching my fibre,lots of Water, so far no more problem. And because I was not eating much for the first week, it was not a bad one...I have taken codeine in the past and been so bad I thought I was going to die. But do it soon.

I have probably 160 lbs to lose. At first, it did not seem feasible(due to an extra large hernia I have around my belly button) to have any surgery. I said that's it - I am going to start being healthier. I have worked with a bariatric specialist(essentially, an MD who treats obesity as a disease), and he developed a diet for me - lots of Protein, lots of fibre. Nothing magical...though I have used Protein shakes as a way to simplify the process for me. We don't eat fast food just because it tastes good...it is also easy to get at! Long story short...I just was lapbanded, and I had already lost 48 lbs. I think I came out of the surgery easier, and my pre op diet(Optifast shakes and vegetables ONLY for 3 weeks) was easier than it would have been if I had already not started dieting. I am now down 54 lbs. The fact that I have almost a third of the weight over off already is a real incentive, and the fact that my lap band will prevent it ever coming back on...magical! But it is a change...but a good one. We moved away from restaurants and beef to more chicken, fish, vegetables, just a little carb...still need to have that carb input. My husband lost 20 lbs, my 16 year old daughter lost 10...with enjoying their meals tremendously. I have just started walking...previously, my weight prevented me from doing anything physical. That should help out, too. All the best on your journey!

Hi, I had my surgery on Wed, Oct 1. I meant to come on earlier to post what went on, but with the recovering and the travelling...time did not permit. My husband and I travelled from Moncton, NB, on the east coast of Canada, to Toronto on Sept 30. I travel all the time...I know how airports work...yet would you believe this...I did NOT check the time of our flight, and we missed it!!!Just showed how nervous I was. Luckily, we got on the next flight, and got to Toronto around 7:00 pm. We rented a car,and attached our GPS to show us where our hotel was...well, now our GPS did not work. Here we are, on one of those crazy Toronto highways, with no idea where we were going... Thankfully, my DH, who is a rock, calmly got off the highway and fixed everything. Any other time, he would have killed me...but I was so stressed, he took care of everything. We got booked into our hotel that night. By then, we were both hungry, but I was still on vegetables and Optifast. I ordered some Soup, and some veggies, and it was all good - he had a club sandwich which I did not even want to look at. That night, he slept soundly. For me, my stomach felt like there was a major league ball game being played. I was so sore, so upset...and this was the day before the surgery. We got up early the next day, and I of course could have nothing. I had my shower, packed my bag, my surgery was at 10:40, we had to be there at 9:40. At 9:15, he fills his coffee cup, picks up the paper, and heads to the bathroom for his constitituional...no way. I told him he could wait to be comfortable after he delivered me to the Surgical Weight Loss Clinic. We got to the clinic, they were very busy, came down and got me and we left DH. They took me upstairs, weighed me, took my pressure, got me to change. Dr. Cobourn came in, talked to me, then the anaestheiologist came by and told me what would happen. I then walked into the surgery room, lay down, and was out like a light in 5 minutes. I woke up in the recovery, feeling very good. I was pretty well awake, the doc came in and asked me some questions, and next thing you know I was getting dressed. We were back at our hotel by 1:30. I slept on and off for the rest of the day, talked to friends at suppertime. I took some codeine(they had given me demerol in the hospital), and slept for the rest of the night. The next day, we drove down to Hamilton(1 hour), saw another doctor, then checked inot another hotel and went to sleep. got up the next day and drove to the airport(1 hour), and flew home(2 hours). Pain has not been too bad. It is day 5 today, I am tired, keep dozing, but the pain is hardly there. Good luck to everyone.

Hi, MissBS Sorry I am so late getting back to you, my computer at home is not working right, and I have been back and forth to Toronto several times. I wanted to thank you for your kind words. I went to the Surgical Weight Loss Clinic yesterday, and my surgery is Oct 1!!!! The doctor told me I was exactly in the right place to be successful at this. I am so excited I cannot stop smiling. I just ordered my Optifast, which I have to take for 3 weeks - and since I have already lost 32 pounds, I am hoping to see even more in those 3 weeks. Anyways, good luck on the 12th...us oldies but goodies deserve this as much as anyone, and the rest of our lives will be that much better for this.

Thanks for your quick replies and good wishes. My hernia is majorly huge - I hoped to get it repaired about 10 years ago, but while health care is free in Canada, for surgeries like hernia repair, you can wait years. It has gotten bigger...anyways, I am going to see a top internist and then be referred to Dr Coburn, who is like "the guru" of lapbanding in Canada. So hopefully I will be able to join you all as a true lapbander in the upcoming months!

I am a 48 mother of 1, living on the East Coast of Canada. I am currently at 341 pounds. I am having an opportunity of a lifetime thrown my way. My organization recognizes my value, and wants to help me become healthy. They arranged this week for me to see a bariatric specialist, to start a program for me. I was hoping that some type of surgery would be the key - knowing that I will have to change my eating habits and life regardless. The doctor, who is not a surgeon, looked at the HUGE(his words) hernia I have(belly button from when I was pregnant), and told me not to get my hopes up. Gastric bypass would be out of the question. Lap band possibly. I'm just wondering if anyone had a similar challenge, and was able to over come this hurdle? Can you give me any hope here? I may have to lose a lot of weight first, which, for the first time in my life, I am prepared to do. Thanks for any feedback.