giblert

A year too late in my reply ... but I have the opposite. I had a band put in a few years and ended up with a colostomy in June 2009. Just had it reversed 5 weeks ago. If you wish more info, just let me know. Marie

I tried to claim mine through Pacific Blue Cross but was completely denied. I did successfully claim on my income tax and even passed the audit they threw my way a few months later.

I had my gallbladder removed approx. 6 weeks ago. I think it was a little easier than my lap band but really, neither is terribly painful surgery (in my opinion). I felt pretty darn good a few hours after surgery and was home less than 7 hours after I arrived at the hospital. I took my pain medicine on time and never really had any pain problems afterwards. Didn't even use all of my T3 prescription. Am having my 8 week check-up with my surgery shortly and I'm confident he'll be giving me the all clear to go back to normal (currently avoiding any abdominal stress). Oh, and my gallstones were discovered by accident during an ultrasound. I've never had a single attack - phew!

I guess everybody is different. I have not had any difference in restriction during or after flights. Hmmm.

Yup - me to. And it's been 1-1/2 years since banding. Not sure why :-)

I had mine done in July 2006 by Dr Leung in Surrey, BC. I paid approx. $14,000 and got back a couple of grand on my income tax. If you want more info, let me know.

I had surgery in July 2006 and filed my income tax earlier this year. Unless CRA changes their mind, it went through without any problem. I eFiled and there has been no request to see the receipts thus far. I also tried to claim initially via my private insurance (Pacific Blue Cross) but was swiftly turned down.

I just went in this week for my fifth fill and am now at 3.7 in my 4 cc band. My doctor said quite strongly that I won't be able to get any more fills. It's only been 2 days but so far it feels fine. Had some scrambled egg for breakfast, 1/2 a piece of toast for lunch and am about to go out for dinner (night market with stalls of snack size food - should be good). Had fish & chips for dinner last night and managed a couple of bites of the fish and perhaps 4 fries? I think my issue is I must not let myself eat the soft/easy stuff. I need to make a note and put it in my kitchen - remember to eat protein first, then veggies, then starch. And no Starbucks frap's for me. Am looking forward to finally getting out of the 220's and start heading down again. Been here too long now.

I have almost the exact same stat's as you. I had my surgery in late July 2006 and have lost 53 pounds to date. I started at 283. I'm hoping to get below 150, maybe more. Going in for my 4th fill next week.

Hi all. It's been ages since I posted. Just wanted to see how everybody was doing now that we've passed 6 months? I'm 2 pounds short of 50 pounds lost. My 3rd fill definitely did the trick and is keeping me on track. Marie

I had my surgery done here in the Vancouver area where I live. My surgeon was Dr Leung. If you'd like further information, please just ask and I'd be happy to answer. Marie

I was not required to do anything in particular leading up to my surgery. I too tried to avoid the "last meal" syndrome and my main goal was to not gain any weight from 1st appointment to actual surgery (approx. 6 months). On the other hand, my post-op regime included a VERY strict 30 days of liquids only. Cheers, Marie

Welcome! I think you'll find that there is a wealth of information available here. You'll find lots of information on insurance (and Blue Cross too) in the specific Insurance thread. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/insurance-f8.html Cheers, Marie

Woot! I'm finally having consistent weight loss since my 2nd fill a month ago. I think I could stand to have a teensy bit more of a fill but I'm going to try and wait until the weight loss slows down. I have now lost over 30 pounds and am aiming to be at 250 at my weight-in next week. YAH!!! Paula? You out there? How are you doing? Marie

You need a referral from your family doctor. Although I just went to a drop in clinic as I didn't have a family doctor at that time. I'd also recommend bringing along Dr Leung's address/phone to pass along to your doctor. Cheers, Marie

My doctor just feels for it. Two fills thus far and no issues or concerns with it. He gets it first time, it doesn't really hurt, it's all good. And then I just chug water with the needle in place as he keeps adding or subtracting fill solution. Beats yet another xray!

I was banded in late July and received my first fill approx. 4 weeks later (1.5 cc in a 4cc band). I had absolutely no restriction and actually gained a few pounds. Therefore, I had my 2nd fill last week and that brought me to 2.6 cc. My doctor felt this 2nd fill was very aggressive, and implied that it might be a problem for me. Not so it turns out! When I eat I feel some restriction, atleast I assume so. I feel tightness in my chest and have to eat slowly and chew well. Some foods just seem to be not worth the effort, such as bread or dry chicken. That's all very well and to be expected. But the problem is that I never seem to feel saitiated/full. I haven't really pushed this too far but when I eat 1/2 cup, or more, I never get a feeling that I should stop because of fullness. I feel restriction, but not full. Does that make sense? I'm losing weight but only because I make myself stop eating and not because the band is stopping me. I become hungry quickly after eating so try to fill the void (until my next meal) with Water. So to sum up, I'm wondering if getting another fill will help to increase my feeling of fullness without making me so restricted I can't even swallow my own saliva. Anybody have any experience with this? Thanks, Marie

Hi all. I just looked up my recent stats and I'm surprised to see that I'm averaging about a loss of 2 pounds per week since my 2nd fill. This may sound crazy but I'm still anxious to get a 3rd fill because I feel it's currently 90% me/10% band right now. And I'd rather improve those stats. I'm tired of feeling hungry almost all of the time.

I had surgery on a Friday and went back to work 10 days later (a Monday). It was plenty for me and I could have probably gone back to my desk job after 5 days or so.

Paua: Hmmm, probably too soon to be making judgement calls on this fill but here goes. I'm restricted but only a little. I feel tight in the mornings but by afternoon I'm hungry and by dinner time I'm really hungry. I have not felt any restriction in the evenings so pretty much everything has gone down fine. I'm mostly a coffee drinker in the morning so I can't really test it effectively (a single scrambled egg goes down fine though). I'm trying to keep things under control but it's a willpower thing right now, not the band. I'm down a few pounds since my second fill but I'm going to give this 4 weeks before calling for my 3rd fill. Who knows, maybe things will tighten up in the next few days? Cheers, Marie

Hi all. Long time no talk-to. I had my second fill this morning after having absolutely no restriction with my first. I'm up to 2.6 cc in a 4 cc band. I've only had water, coffee and apple sauce since today's fill so it's too soon to tell if it's going to make any difference. The doctor felt this was a very agressive fill so I'm hopeful. Marie

9 weeks today and still sitting at approx. the same weight. Have been in this range for a long time now :-( Atleast there was no gain during my 9 day cruise. My second fill is scheduled for 2 weeks from now due to the doctor's schedule. Have no restriction so I still feel like I'm in a holding pattern.

I hope I'm allowed to post this invitation. If requested, I'll take it down. I've created a new Yahoo group for those located in Western Canada. It's open to all - pre-op or post-op. We're hoping to share experiences and provide support for those who have had surgery in the western provinces, or receive their after-surgery-care in the western provinces. http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/west_can_lapband/ Cheers, Marie

Definitely on to a new life! Good luck - it'll be over before you know it. Marie

My bra goes exactly over my port area. My port is in the centre of my chest, between my breasts. Definitely have to take my bra off - and then (depressingly) hold my breasts apart and up. LOL It's quite the sight. Needed a third hand to hold the Water bottle. Marie