Gaffer

I dont think that there is enough difference between the 2 TO clinics to justify cancelling one and losing deposits etc and likely getting a later surgery date. Andrew

Does anyone know when it will be on again? Andrew

I would not change at this point. This is the first that I have heard after my own research that there were any concerns with the Inamed bands. I have one, and I am not really worried. As for the AP band there was a thread about them a while back. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/ap-bandits-t24564.html?t=24564 If you are really concerned I would suggest you call the clinic and talk to Dr.C about it. I would really like to see the article that Yoda read that started this whole thing. Andrew

Slipping is a problem that is in the back of all bandsters heads, but it is also a problem that is not as common as it once was. If you are worried about Dr. Coburn and Inamed bands, I would not be. I was banded by Dr. C. They have been using the Inamed AP bands, which according to what I have read and what Dr.C has told me, are less prone to slipping. I cant remember exactly, but when I asked Dr.C how many follow ups he has had to do as a result of slips it was very low, and lower than the stats that were reported by inamed in thier band booklet. Andrew

Which brings me to the recent Obiesity Canada guidelines that were released earilier this week. Great, just what I need is a guideline to tell me that I am fat. Oh wait, I have mirrors in my house. Thinks like this make me crazy, they are such a joke. Andrew

I've been told nothing for 2 hours before. A

Any of them, but more specifically Calgary Detroit series. Andrew

I'll have to look that one up. Better not be on during the hockey game. Andrew

Dont get me going on Oprah. I could rant about her for days. I cant even stand to look at her, she is so full of sh!t she makes me want to puke. I just love how she always knows more than everybody that she has on the show. One minute she is telling how ghetto she is and the next she is telling us how hard it is to lose weight with a professional hand slapper (food cop), trainer, cook, bunion massager, dog walker. AGGGGHHHH. Andrew

Yoda, I am not calling you out here, but I would not mind seeing that research just for my own information. Do you have any links? Thanks, Andrew

Some freaky stuff going on in the Yoda household. Andrew

When you go to have your surgery, ask the clinic for a detailed billing, broken down into how much each part cost. If they have OHIP Billing codes that is great, but not mandatory. Have your surgeon fill out this form, you fill out the rest. http://www.health.gov.ab.ca/ahcip/693.pdf Take your detailed billing, the form, and your final paid invoice and fax it to 1-780-422-1958. I got back $1036 and it took about 4 weeks to get it. Andrew

I am not really into deprivation too much. It is not those little things, but rather what I am eating most of the time. I think that if I were to clean up my diet a little I could be doing better, but I am satisfied with how things are going. Andrew

I am not sure, but what I remember of my grandma was that she was also a big fan of the kit kat. Maybe it is genetic? Really though, maybe that will be my little treat this week. Me and DH will split a small one. Confession time, I have been to DQ once a week since I was banded. Now I will say seven hail Mary's and work out a little harder at lunch. Andrew

Condolensces on your mom, I hope it all work out for the good. Damn the DQ, they have combined my 2 favorite pre-band foods, Kit-kats and Blizzards. It could be my undoing. Andrew

Thanks, hula girl has been doing the 2(lb) step the last couple if weeks which I am happy with, although I was down to 302 on Saturday after I was deathly ill with the skittles that have been going around our house. I cant wait to break into the 200's Andrew

Just tell her it is not WLS, but rather stupid people like her that make you want to drink. My wife watched the Oprah about WLS and addictions, and we were laughing that I was going to become an alcoholic sexoholic. Of course she said how is this any different than before the surgery. :omg: I am reallly wondering if all this crap in the media about WLS is just a way for popular media to get one last chance to kick a fat person when they are down and trying to improve thier lives. WLS saves lives and makes way more positive impacts in peoples live than the few who end up having problems. I honestly think that those people would have been addicted to something irregardless, and that the WLS surgery industry is having to suffer the negative stereotypes due to a handful of people who do not have the courage to challenge thier demons. Andrew

Sadly, I think it is worse. With the number of people that are moving to Calgary each year there just arent the Dr.s to keep up with the demand. Also, in AB many family Dr.s are closing thier practises due to increased costs and no increases in fees paid by the province. I was lucky to get my Dr. who had just moved to our clinic, he is the best Dr. I have ever had, but there are so many people without Dr.s these days that the walkin clinics are insane. Andrew

Yes we have Kelsey's here, although we dont eat there that often. I did just that last night. We ate at Boston pizza and I ordered what I normally ordered, but took half of it home and have it for lunch today. Andrew

Easier said than done these days in Alberta. It is IMPOSSIBLE to get a family Dr. The walk in time at my clinic often exceeds a 7hr wait. Andrew

Cat, I am from Calgary, and recently banded by Dr. Coburn. Just to clarify, if you have your fills done at the clinic they are free for life, but as you are out of town you will need to pay for them. I know there is at least a couple of Dr.s doing fills in Edmonton for Coburn patients. I think the going rate in AB is about $100-$150, that is what I pay in Calgary. I cannot stress to you enough the importance of that follow up care and fills. It is even more important that all the other stuff in my mind. If you do go with Dr. Yau, make sure you have arranged a place to get your fills ahead of time. I am very confident in my family Dr.s ability, but I would not ask him to do my fills, I want someone who is sure they know what they are doing and have done these before. Also, being in Alberta,make sure that you apply to Alberta health care to be reimbursed for part of your surgery. I just got my cheque for $1036 yesterday from them. I can give you the details if you dont already have them. Andrew

They are like the Sonny & Cher of LBT. Glad to hear the floor woes are over. I was losing sleep over it. Andrew

I have not had any problems with red wine since I was banded, other than getting pretty tipsy off one glass of red. It is kinda nice though, I used to have to drink 6+ beers to get the same effect. I have been buying the "splits" or half bottles lately. They are just enough for a glass for me an mrs. I know what you are saying about the meals thing. This is one thing that I think is even harder as a man. We went out with my inlaws and I ordered an 8oz steak and ate about half of it with some veggies an a couple of bites of potato. I am sure the waitress was like "what the hell is wrong with this big pansy, he cant finish an 8oz. steak". I packed it up anyway and took it home. As a large man, I have been conditioned to eat huge meals and expect large portions in a restaurant and that is some thing that I need to recondition myself for. Eating out is one of the harder things I am having to learn. I am thinking about buying some of those collapsable ziploc containers and putting a couple in the diaper bag (we go nowhere without it) and just splitting my meal up as soon as it gets to the table. Andrew

Personally, I did not find the optifast to be that bad now that I look back at it, and I had to do 3 weeks. Honestly, I think the reason why SWLC uses the Optifast is to make it easy on people, and make the program as automated as possible. Let's face it, those of us who have had, or are going to have WLS dont really have the healthiest realtionship with food. That is how many of us got to the point of wanting/needing WLS. I think for many people, if there was more selection on the pre-op diet, it would make it harder on some people as to what to eat and not eat and make them less likey to stick to the program. I am also like the ketosis that is induced by the optifast, it really helps with stopping my food cravings. There is more than one way to skin a cat errr. shrink a liver. Andrew

Oh I will be fine now that all those damn easter treats will be gone from my office/mom's house/every place I turn. Andrew