Gaffer

Thank you Yoda. I have noticed that the Canadain section is getting more littered with unhelpful posts. We are not trying to have an exclusive club here or anything, but the reason why we have a Canadian section is to discuss things that relate to Canadains who's situation is often radically different from the US. Andrew

I am not too hopeful about it making it out of the "experimental" stages here in Alberta. My fill Dr. is involved with the Weight Management Clinic at the University of Calgary, which is where one has to go into a supervised program prior to being put on the wait list. From what I gathered it does not sound like there are any plans to increase the number of surgeries in the near future. He was somewhat critical of that, and I cant say I blame him. We are a province that is rolling in money right now, $8 billion in surplus. What would it take to shake off a couple of million for lapbands. In the long run it would save the health system way more money. Oh oh, I feel like going on a crusade, who's with me. I have really thought about making a big deal out of this and trying to get help for more people. I dont think that I would have a hard time convincing some of my friends in the media to take up a cause like this. But right now it is all about me getting to where I need to be. Andrew

Just because it is not covered in Ontario, does not mean that applies in Alberta. It is also partially covered in New Brunswick (I think). In Canada health care is the domain if the provinces and they decide what to cover. Alberta does currently cover lapbands, although it is very limited right now. There are 3 surgeons who are each allowed to do 6 per year. I was on that waiting list, but did not want to wait the 3-5 years. Dr. Coburn told me personally that he trained some of the surgeons here in Calgary to do them. By the way, I am never mistaken. Andrew

Wow, that is a great comparison. Congrats on your anniversary. Andrew

They dont want you to take Asprin as it can promote bleeding during suregery. As for the supplements, there are a variety of things that they can promote, like bleeding, and complicate the surgery or your recovery. Cant speak to the BC pill. Andrew

I have been a gym member since I was in University, but not always a gym user. Right now I have been going to the gym pretty faithfully since my surgery, and I have to day that is what makes the difference for me. I have done it all to lose weight, but really my most successful attempts were combined with exercise. It is a neccesary evil for me. I hate going to the gym, I dont like getting all sweaty, but I have to. I also find that I cant work out as well at home. We have an eliptical trainer that was about $1000 when we bought it, but it is just not the same as the industrial stuff at a gym. If you can, sign up for a gym that allows you to go month to month and does not make you sigh up for a contract. Also watch out for those initiation fees, they can be killer. Finally, tell them you want a week pass before you sign up so you can get the flavour of the gym. I have been a member at a few gyms that we terrible, and would not have signed up for had I know what the environment was like. Andrew

I am doing great, and today I am 6 weeks post op, have one fill and am down 51lbs from my pre-op weight (Keep in mind this is including my 3 week pre-op diet which I lost ~30lbs on), and have lost one third of the weight I want to lose. The only problem is that I had to donate all my skinny pants because they are falling off me, and I have no clothes to wear. I have no residual pain from the surgery, and my recovery went really well, even with the hiatal hernia repair which can make the healing a little longer. I am working out like a mad man these days so I figure I am 100%, actually 125% from where I was pre-op. I could not be happier, and I am already noticing such positive changes in myself and how I interact with others. My aftercare & fills are being handled by a Dr. here in Calgary. There are 2 here that can do fills for Dr.Coburn patients, I chose the one that I could get an appointment with. He is also $99 for a fill opposed to the other who is $125. This was all set up by Dr.Coburn's clinic for me, and they make the call as to how much fill etc. I have to stress that your after care is the most important thing to set up. For me it was no problem because Dr.Coburn already had it set up where I live. I have noticed others here have had trouble finding aftercare for fills etc. incertain parts of the country. I dont know what it is like for people in Calgary who have been banded in Mexico or by TLBC in terms of getting fills. Good luck, and no matter which Dr. you decide to use, you have made a wise decision. It sounds like you have the commitment to diet & exercise, now you just need to get the right tool to really get the weight off Andrew

Today is your day hope all goes well for you. See you on the other side. Andre

For me protien drinks/shakes are an automated Breakfast. I have them on weekdays in the car on my way to work. I dont mind them, and since I am not a morning person they are an easy way for me to have decent breakfast. Andrew

I add my benefibre to my morning protien shake. You can add it to anything even Water. Buy it at costco because it is a hell of a lot cheaper there than anywhere I found. Andrew

ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM. I like those vehicles, really nice. Nothing funner than shopping for new cars. Andrew

Leslie, I am from Calgary and went to Dr.Coburn in Toronto to be banded. There is no option in Alberta at this time for people who are wanting to self pay for their bands. If you want a band done in Alberta you have to wait 3-5 years to have it done by Alberta Health Care. You would also have to participate in thier wieght management programs before you are approved, and there is no guarantee you would get a band in the end. The may say RNY for you or you dont need surgery. It all depends on you BMI and comorbidities. My cost was $16,000 which is about the going rate in Canada (not including travel & accomodations), about $8,500 in Mexico. As you are from Alberta, you are able to get some of it back from AHC, about $1036 in my case, and I think about $1700 if you went to Mexico. You are also able to claim it as a medical expense on your income tax so the amount you get back will depend on your income. Your only option really if you want a band is to go somewhere else. Most of the people here have been done by either Dr.Coburn's Clinic in Missasuaga or the Toronto Lap Band Clinic (TLBC). There are some others who had theirs done in BC and some in Mexico. Keep in mind that if you do choose Mexico that you must set up after care for yourself BEFORE you get banded, whereas with the Canadian clinics aftercare is pretty much set up for you by them near your home. Have a read around here, and ask questions as most of us here have jumped though many hoops. Andrew

I have thought about this for a bit, and I agree with the comment about care after surgery. I found the paperwork that they gave me at the clinic was often different from what the nurses told me after my surgery. As an example, the paperwork said liquids for 2 weeks post op, but only mentioned clear fluids. The nurse told me, and my wife, the day of my surgery that full liquids like Gardenney Soups was fine after 24 hours. I was confused, but opted to have the Gardenney soups. I also found the day before appointment to be a waste of time. I could have come in to TO a day later and saved hotels etc. to avoid sitting with Dr.C for 5 minutes and have him ask me if I had any questions. I am a little miffed about fills as well. I dont mind paying for them here, because I dont want to go to TO, but maybe knock $500 off the price for out of province patients who will ahve to pay for fills at home. Lately, I have had trouble getting a call into the clinic. Apparently they are having trouble with thier phone lines. I will chalk that up to the move, but it is frustrating when trying to get through. Finally, booking my fill was a clusterf*ck. I called 3 weeks before I was due for my fill and told them I wanted to book it. They told me that it was too soon, and I told them that is what it is like in AB. I took thier advice and called back a week before I needed it, and they would book it for me. So I call back a week ahead of time, and the other person that I talked to said "Oh, just call the Dr. in Calgary and book a time". Not what I was told was the process, so I call in Calgary, and they say that the clinic has to book it and that they are now booking in to April 20:mad: . I convinced the receptionist in Calgary to hold me a time which was 5 days before I was allowed to have a fill, and then have to phone TO to get them to send the paperwork to my fill Dr. in Calgary. A different nurse tells me this is how not to book a fill, and I told her that the last person I talked to told me to do this. I also expalined that if you want a Dr. appt in Calgary, you better book it AT LEAST a month in advance. She said "oh". Everything worked out fine, and I told them my concern, and they did listen, but I would have been livid if I had missed my forst fill by 3 weeks because I was damn hungry by that point. I dont want to seem like I am griping about the clinic I used, as I have been really happy with my experience, I just think that there needs to be a little more attention given to instrustions and things like that. Also, a list of resource like a dietician would be nice to refer to if I needed. Andrew

I was picking his brain about that while I was there, adn it does not look good of you are waiting. He told me that there are 3 surgeons doing them in the province, and they are allowed to do 6, yes SIX per year each. In terms of wait times he said that the waint list is about 3 years right now, and I am presuming that is after you have had your initial consult with the weight management clinic. Needless to say that I am glad that I did not wait. Andrew

Dr. Botha in Calgary is doing my fills. He is good except I was a little ticked off. My appt was at 12:30, I was about 10 min early. Waited until about 1:00, then the 12:00 appointment came in for a cirumsicion. I am like what the F? I was early, they were late and a circ takes way longer than my fill. The receptionist said "well sometimes the fills can take 10min or 2 hours, 2 hours, come on. So I finally got on the table at 1:30. I picked his brain about the state of banding in Alberta, lets just say I am glad I did not wait. Oh yah, I did not really have an option for the freezing he just gave it to me, and yes for the record I am a wimp. I am liking the new restriction I have, although I am sure it is not full by any amount. Still, I am losing well, and now I dont feel hungry so I will work with it as long as I can. Andrew

I am a craft sale vendor as well. These things can be brutal, and this last Christmas just about killed me at 350lbs. I am looking forward to being a leaner, not so meaner sales machine this Christmas. I had better be since I am doing 8 - 3-4 day shows starting in mid october to early december. Oh yah I promised myself I would not lave building my stock until the last minute this year too. This is my side business for those who are interested www.livingcolours.ca Andrew

I kinda watched. I was lying on my back and had to lift my head up to help him find the port. All I saw was him, moving the end of the syringe around trying to access the port. It felt more weird than anyhting, especially when he poked into the port. My fill Dr. gave me a little freezing at the site so I could not feel him puncture the skin. Thanks for the kind words, I will pass them onto hula girl. I am hoping to lose as much weight as I can right now because I know that there will be times that it will slow down. Andrew

Right on Mr.Yoda. Glad to see you are in here, it is tough keeping all this estrogen in check some times (ladies, I kid). Good luck on you band too, it will be great to have such a vetran with you. Andrew

I cant believe the difference with the fill it is like night and day. Look for hula girl to be working overtime this week. I dont think I will have a problem being in the single 300's next wednedsay. Good luck to all you having your fills next week. Andrew

I am having the pants problem as well. I flew out of my 42's during pre-op. My wife says my 38's look like a pile of laundry. All my weight is coming off my ass, which is non-existant to begin with. My pants have nothing to hang onto, and they are falling off. I guess that would be a "NPV - no pants vistory" I need to get that gut shrunk. Dave, good to see another Canadian male in these parts. Good luck with the surgery. Andrew

Maybe your could talk to the waiter/hostess/whoever and tell them that you are not feeling well, or are on a restricted diet and you really only would like the Soup. Do they also have a menu? If so, problem solved. Andrew

I will let you know. It takes a couple of times for me to get the concept of no through my head. Just ask my wife. Andrew

I have that itemized bill from my Alberta Health Care submission so I will use it. Sorry, I cant help with the spell check Andrew

Very Interesting. At least you got the $3k. Maybe I will submit a Blue Cross claim and fight like hell. I think I have a couple thousand dollars of fight in me. Andrew

I bought the bullet before my surgery, and I think it is okay. It is pretty good for when you are in the mushies, but I have not used it much since. For those of you who have blenders with the "normal" size bottom and screw on blades try this trick for easier clean up. Because we are bandsters and dont need the whole blender jug full, take a wide mouth mason jar, like the one that the classico spaghetti sauce comes in. Put your soon to be blended food in the jar and screw on the blades. Blend and serve. You can even drink out of the jar if you like. Rinse the jar and put it in the dish washer. I have collected a bunch over the years, so I never run out when they are all in the dishwasher. They are also nice because they have measurements on the side. I dont even know where the jug for my blender is. Maybe I should change my name to "Domestic God" Andrew