so done with it all

Tom usually post them a few weeks in advance. Not sure if he always post them on this board or not but he always does on this yahoo group. If you aren't a member you may want to join as they post coffee nights and dinners/lunches, etc. http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/canadianlapbanders/

Premier ones are really good but unfortunately we don't have a Costco near me so I also buy powder from GNC called Isoflex. It is very good as well.

Lapband is not covered through OHIP. The criteria that you mentioned are the criteria that OHIP uses to cover RNY gastric bypass.

Things have been good, never had a need to rush back to the clinic for anything. Have not encountered any issues with local doctors. I made sure my family doctor understood how it worked so at least he could be in the know. It's completely normal to be scared, it's a huge investment and a big step to take.

Yeah she only does fills for SWLC though so if you go anywhere else, she can't do them. Banded 5 years now.

I haven't heard of anyone having it done there yet. I was banded in Mississauga at SWLC and live near Timmins as well. I get my fills done here by a nurse that SWLC trained. It works out great and no travelling back and forth after the surgery.

The 2011 SWLC Symposium will be held at the Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel & Conference Centre on Saturday, April 30th 2011 at 801 Dixon Road in Toronto. Guests will benefit from information filled lectures and the opportunity to mingle with surgeons and leading experts in the medical field. The anticipated annual event is looked forward to by the SWLC community as it brings all of SWLC patients together throughout Canada. The fee for all attendees is $100 and will include the following: Inspiring and educational speakers Continental Breakfast All program materials and handouts lunch Buffet Cocktail Reception Gift Bags Door Prizes Registration deadline is April 28, 2011. For more info please click here

I don't have Barrett's but know of someone that does. Are you on any meds to control the stomach acid? As for alcohol and being able to eat. If I drink, I tend to be able to eat more than I normally can. Not sure if the alcohol just relaxes us more or what but I have definitely been able to eat more when I drink any alcohol.

Surgical Weight Loss Centre has opened a new clinic in Vancouver. I had mine done there years ago at their Mississauga clinic, would highly recommend them. Their website

Kerry, You are less than one week post op and pureed foods don't normally start until day 8. That could be why you are feeling nauseated. I would eat things that are liquid only for right now. Some people need to stay on fluids longer than others and you may be one of them. Do you have any meditrim left? If so, stick to that and some broth and maybe some jello for a few more days. Fear is normal at this point but life becomes completely normal once you are healed. You are in the WTF did I just do to myself mode. It will pass so don't worry about how you are feeling. You just had surgery and the nausea could still be from the anesthetic you had so if you feel a wave of nausea starting then take some gravol. In a few weeks, you will be over all of these feelings. When I threw up with my band from having a GI bug, it was the same as vomitting pre band. Vomitting with the band if something is stuck is different as there are not stomach acids mixed in. The chewed food just comes right back up. Since you are on liquids, you wouldn't be stuck so chances are if you vomitted at this point, it would be like a regular vomit.

Kerry I believe you were banded at SWLC so you should call the emergency number to discuss the redness from the steri strips. The rest of the stuff is completely normal but I'd not wait to find out about the redness on your skin. They gave you that number for a reason so give them a call and ask what to do. I'm assuming you have already removed that tape with the gauze on it and you mean the actual little strips that are directly over the incisions. That other tape with the gauze made my skin red in just 24 hours but as soon as I removed them as per the instructions, the redness went away. I didn't have any issues with the actual steri strips. You may not want to put any cream too near the incisions as they are still open. I'd call the number and have one of the surgeons call you back to ease your mind.

My clinic only uses non-coring Huber needles and sterile saline. The other needles could damage your port.