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Hi Everyone!!! I was hoping for some assistance - I am not sure what to do! I am a former TLBC patient of Dr. Yau's - we've been dropped by the clinic and no longer receive support. I am completely done with my lap-band and I have been told that I can have it removed by the nurse at Slimband and have the procedure covered by OHIP. I was hoping to get some advise from any patients of TLBC or others who had their lap-band removed in Ontario. What steps did you take? Was the procedure covered by OHIP? How long did take for you to have a surgery scheduled? I appreciate all help! Thanks Anne.

I have attempted emailing people with regard to what is happening with slimband /Dr. Yau. No one has responded! Is there really a class action suit against these people. I am in Buffalo , NY and desperately need a fill. I don't know if there are legal actions that can be taken but it seems a lot of people are having similar issues. Please if there is a lawsuit can someone tell me where to sign up? Thank you

I hadn't weighed myself in years. I was scared of any major stomach surgery. When I heard of the slimband, I knew it was for me. The weight loss is slow and steady. My pre op was 297 and I had probably lost some in the previous weeks

Hi: I was banded on January 5, 2006 (on my 46th birthday). I weighed 255 lbs and had problems from the start with the band. I had very little fill the first six months and vomited constantly. I finally hit my sweet spot in 2007 and lost 65 lbs. I looked good but felt terrible. Eventually with this fill, after about 8 months, I started with the reflux at night and it kept me up all night until whatever food had to come up did. I was having marital problems and when I was stressed, my band would tighten up and this helped me lose weight. Not a good way of doing it. I had several fills and defills over the years but could not find my sweet spot again. I went for a barium test, two years ago and the radiologist told me to have a defill. The barium was not going down. Luckily there was a doctor in town that Slimband referred me to and he gave me a small defill. I gained 15 lbs. A year later, with the same fill, I started with the reflux again and had another barium test and again, was sent for a defill. Surprise, I gained another 20 lbs. Slimband then decided that they were no longer going to support the TLBC patients and I lost it. I could not imagine myself without support and having all of these problems. I have nothing good to say about Slimband. They are nice to you and once they have your money, you are just another number. Found a great surgeon in Toronto and just had my lapband removed on September 22, 2014. Surgery went very well. The band left a bit of scarring but nothing serious. I was actually out and walking that night and went to dinner and ate lightly. The only pain that I had was in my shoulders and this lasted for a few days. My Iron count and B12 count have been very low in the last 8 years and I know its from my diet. I have a long road ahead of me and it will be hard. I didn't go crazy and eat a hamburger or hot dog (which I haven't had in 8 years) but I am so happy that I can eat chicken, raw veggies and healthy foods. I don't have to worry about eating out in public and making sure that I can make it to the bathroom in case I have to vomit I feel that I have more energy. I am watching what I eat carefully. I am very upset that I let myself gain back the 35 lbs but when you are deprived and eating only Soups and shakes and then you are defilled, you naturally turn to foods that go down easily and unfortunately are calorie high. You are fortunate that you lost the 80 lbs and you have made the right decision. The band is not for everyone. I know it wasn't for me. It wasn't hard saying bye to it......I am glad that I tried it but look forward to my life being unbanded. Good luck with with your surgery!

I have the College of Physicians and Surgeons looking into Dr. Yau's practice and behaviour towards "grandfathered in patients". They have all emails sent to and from Slimband for the last 6 years. The Board is meeting in a few weeks so it should be interesting what they do with him. They have a ton of information I sent them plus they got information from the nurses who were in the recover room with me last year ... shouldn't be too hard to reprimand the little weasel.

I am looking for anyone banded at TLBC or Slimband that has information on the following; - A contract that outlines what "Lifetime Support" includes -Any documentation which includes Life Time Support or information on Fills and Defills -If you have emails, glossy info or any other information that would helpful. Please send all info to tlbchelp@gmail.com. I can provide you more information. Thank youPK

So I tried to login to the Slimband Website and I was told that my privileges were suspended for and I quote: “Sorry! Your participation privileges were suspended by Community Managers for persistent abusive behavior: Please contact support@slimband.com with any questions or concerns.” Now I admit that I posted what is happening to us TLBC patients on the website but the moderator took it down 24 hours later. However it was there long enough to spark some conversation . That was months ago!! I guess that was when they decided to chastise me and kick me out of the group. They didn't have the courtesy to advise me that I was no longer 'welcome' in their little rah rah club and yet I still get e-mail notifications about recent posts. How stupid is that? I asked for an explanation so we'll see what they have to say.

I got mine at slimband. I am down 30 lbs. I have been vlogging my progress on YouTube (moniquesjourney). That's been a lot of fun. I am adjusting well to eating with the band. Are you excited?. I am excited and very nervous!! My eating is out of control, because I feel I will never be able to have those foods again.....I know this is not rational, but I am still overeating ugh!!!! I thought slim band went out of business?? How expensive was that??

I got mine at slimband. I am down 30 lbs. I have been vlogging my progress on YouTube (moniquesjourney). That's been a lot of fun. I am adjusting well to eating with the band. Are you excited?

Anyone banded by TLBC or Slimband that isn't currently being adequately cared for or entirely dropped. Please contact me directly at Tlbchelp@gmail.com I have been working on a solution for the past several months and looks like I am getting close. I was banded back in 2007 by Tlbc and then totally dropped early 2014 by Slimband. As if they are a different entity? Still don't buy it. Contact me.

Anyone banded by TLBC or Slimband that isn't currently being adequately cared for or entirely dropped. Please contact me directly at Tlbchelp@gmail.com I have been working on a solution for the past several months and looks like I am getting close. I was banded back in 2007 by Tlbc and then totally dropped early 2014 by Slimband. As if they are a different entity? Still don't buy it. Contact me.

Slimband in Toronto. I am 7 days post op and doing great

As a former patient of Dr. Yau's, I am in in the same place as you are. We should try to gather as many former patients as possible & all merge on The Slimbands office. Get the media there. If they won't deal with us individually, maybe a large group would have more impact. The bad publicity may deter some people from considering going to them. What do you think? Is anyone wanting to join me. I don't know what else to do. Send me your feedback.

I was banded at TLBC and I remember freaking out when they changed their name to Slimband. I was banded by Dr. Yau. I was told I am his patient and not slimbands so they will not support me even for pay. What are the TLBC lifer's who now have no support going to do? I am really worried and think I might have a slip. I am afraid to go to the doctor since if they defill the band I might never be able to get it filled again.

Hi all -- I am a self pay and I looked at it as buying a (cheap) car. The payments are affordable even though I'm retired and not making much money. It was financed through Slimband and will take 5 yrs to pay off. Now here's the sad part of the story. I have not lost any weight since having the surgery two years ago. I'm thinking of having the band removed due to ongoing discomfort. Does anyone know what it costs to have the band removed?

PS: if you input TLBC in google it defaults to Slimband. If you input TLBC.ca it defaults to the Slimband site with current information and posts with the tag line copyright TLBC 2012. IF this is truly the case then why are we being told that TLBC closed Nov 2008?

Hi There, I am one of those TLBC/Slimand patients left in the lurch. Are you? When TLBC became Slimband we were told that Slimband assumed the contracts and that care would continue as per the contract that we signed, specifically care for life. I think that there is a breach in contract and that we can prove that we have been getting care from Slimband under the terms and conditions of our TLBC contracts up until the OMA began it's investigation of Dr. Lau and his medical practices. When I signed the agreement it was with the clinic and not with Dr. Lau, so when the contract was assumed by Slimband, it should have been with the clinic not with a specific doctor. Please reply and let's get this going!

Hi There, Were you banded at TLBC and being hassled by Slimband and being refused care? I am in Toronto and would be interested in joining a support group.

II want to seek legal action. Is there a class action started? If you go to TLBC.ca it defaults to Slimband and has current information there. I was told that TLBC became Slimband and the contracts were assumed by Slimband. In law when the contract is assumed, all terms and conditions remain the same. I am in contract with the company and not under the condition that Dr. Lau remained. The contract that I signed with TLBC May 2008, was assumed by Slimband in Nov 2008 so I was told and they also continued to provide care as per the contract of May 2008 including repositioning surgery in Jan 2014. So I think that they may be in breach. The only way to take them on is by a class action. I am in and want to know where to sign up!

Ok. I think we all need to settle down and take a few deep breathes. Attacking each other will not lead to an understanding. But perhaps there will not be an understanding between everyone because everyone's journey is different. Now my initial post has nothing to do with how the band works or doesn't work. I have lost 110lbs with the band, so I'm quite thrilled about this. Others have not had any success. For those who have not had success, I don't think it's fair for anyone to accuse you of not working with the band or sabotaging yourself. I don't know you and am therefore not going to judge you. I'm in this for myself and I have no desire to "pick" on those who haven't had a good experience. So what was my reason for coming on to this forum? Even though I have had success (therefore I'm pleased with the band) I had the sugary done in 2007 and was guaranteed a LIFETIME SUPPORT SYSTEM for $18,000. This included all fills, refills, correction surgeries, etc. And now Slimband is not honouring their agreement with me (and other banded on TLBC). Again, many of us (I've been contacted by 62 TLCBer's) have had great success and therefore we are very please with the band. OUR CONCERN is Slimband as a company. Bottom line, they are not professional. They lie. They don't inform patients of changes. They are condescending. If you make a complaint and call they will hang up on you. Their customer services is a disgrace. A surgeon at Slimband has a tendency to yell at patients post surgery. IN SUMMATION, the band is great (for me at least). Slimband as a company is great for those who are succeeding and don't have complaints but for those who have the opposite experience, it's a horrible experience. So shop around. Other places do the LapBand procedure. Ultimately it's an individual choice. Please stop hurting others with attacks. Talk about your own experience with the understanding that yours is unique and unlike others. It's not the band! It's Slimband!

Don't believe the posts above. they are from new members with only one post each. they are obviously staff of slimband trying to deal with all the bad comments of slimband. slimband takes your money and then does not provide the care they say they wll. with no notice they change the rules as they go along one day you can have a fill the next day you can not. the company is in complete disorganization and I would spend my money at one of the other better clinics in Ontario. slimband has so many bad complaints and especially with the college of physicians. save your money and stress and go somewhere else.

I had this done 2 years ago. It seems like the issues here stem from a lack of success. I'm doing great. Some days are a bit more harder then others, but overall. I'm really happy I did this. My life is much better. I'm more healthier. I have more fun with my kids. And I get to eat the same things they do. I would be happier if it cost me only $50.00. But it is still so much better then any diet out there. I'm also glad I did this with Slimband. I've never had a problem getting a hold of anyone whenever I needed advice. I would highly recommend people do their research, ask a lot of questions but go in with a great attitude.

I had this done 5 years ago. Took 2 years of work but I got to my goal weight. The Slimband dosen't do the work for you, You have to do it. And yes there are rules to losing weight, just like for everyone else on the planet. What I love is that sense of being full, which I didn't have, I now do have which to me was most of the battle. I still eat out a lot with my friends, but its nice to be full, see a plate of food and take it home to eat for later without feeling hungry or that craving. Its been a learning curve for sure and a lot of trial by error ( don't eat in front of the TV for the first little bit!) But I cannot recommend this enough. If you are willing to roll up your sleeves and work towards your weight goal. Then you are going to succeed. Simple. If you are expecting the Slimband to do all the work and not change at least a few of your eating habits, then forget it.

Hi i am wondering what is the word of slimband and dr Yau.if we have a emergency who do we contact .i am having a endoscopy with another doctor who doesn't know much about the lapband.and i am nervous .Has anyone had a endoscopy with another dr.besides the band doctor ,thanks.how much is it to file a civil lawsuit.

Hi Glenn: I am in the same boat and when my band is tight, I am up all night coughing up stuff It is not worth the rest of my life living with this band. I had lost weight but by getting the defills, the weight has crept back on slowly. I would like the band out also. There are two others that are seeing patients. I think they are Dr. Ali Hazrati and Dr. Cryriac. Get a doctor's referral and go see them for a consult. Dr. Yau's office is impossible to get through to. I always get the answering machine. Hopefully, one of these two can help you out/ At TLBC we were promised that we would receive free support when SlimBand took over. Hopefully everything works out for you. Take care,