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Good Day All, Long story short, I'd like to know if anyone has heard of a class action lawsuit that has been started? If you haven't but would like to be, I would like to start a petition of sorts so I can get a ballpark of numbers to give the lawyer. There is a good lawyer in London Ontario that I have contacted previously, but unless there are numbers, there's no point. In Oct 2013 I had the band placed in a rush of fury by their lies and pressure tactics. After 6 months of not being able to drink water without it coming back up, they finally agreed to remove it. Shortly after the removal I found out I was pregnant (not expected I could even get pregnant because of the malnutrition), but because I couldn't keep any nutrients down before and after removal, the baby never stood a chance. I had to have a emergency dilation of my esophagus twice and still can't have thick liquids without it coming up. I also just applied to have correct weight loss surgery, and was denied because they won't touch patients that have previously had a band. Now I've reached my limit and reading all of these other horror stories, something needs to be done. Signing on the dotted line in this case is bullshit. The clinic was shut down it was so bad, so clearly these signatures should be null and void too. I am not asking for extensive information, but if you would like to see how far this could go, please just leave your name and year Slimband screwed you over./ Much thanks, and power to us people ;) Holly M - Waterloo Ontario

I am personally disappointed with the new website that TLBC has put together. I find it confusing and it lacks basic navigation instructions. Am I missing something - do others like this new site?

Hello, I'm a retired teacher living in rural Ontario. I was first banded in 2002 in Toronto, at Scarborough Grace Hospital by Dr. P. Yau. I received an Inamed lapband. (Inamed was later bought out by Allergan.) Although many had much luck with the Inamed band, some, like me, had disconnection issues -- that it, the connecting tube disconnects from the band itself. I disconnected 4 times in the space of 9 years.....each time my doctor had to re-operate to reconnect me. After my fourth disconnect, my doctor, who now works only for The Slimband Clinic in Toronto, replaced my faulty band with a new Slimband lapband on November 8th, 2011. I have just had my first fill. Before my first disconnect, I lost 76 pounds and managed to barely get below 200 lbs. But with all the disconnections and the waiting times to be re-connected, I gained back 34 lbs of the 76. So I am really excited to be back on my weight loss journey again. I will be in Florida from Jan-mid March...and looking for a fill doctor in the Daytona. area. Thanks. Julie.

No, Dr. Yau, Dr. Cyriac or Dr. Hazrati are the surgeons at the Slimband clinic. I believe Dr. Coburn is with Smart Shape.

I didn't hear about Smart Shape until after my surgery either. I would still have gone with Slimband though as I can get fills locally. I would also be interested in comparing aftercare. Slimband called twice and are pretty quick at getting back to my emails, though I haven't needed much from them The fill nurse in Ottawa is wonderful! I loved her.

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.

see...this is a good reason why we need to stop using old threads to post new questions. I don't think Heather realized that she was responding to a post from August 2006!! I took HD Gloria's question out and posted it in a new thread for reply. Same thing with the TLBC and Slimband threads. There have been extraneous discussions that aren't specific to tlbc/slimband .....for example one about body buggs, that perhaps could be the subject of a separate thread.

Thanks for your responses! Hmmm, the Pacific NW and Vancouver are both much closer to me (I don't really want to go to Toronto). However, although the price you mentioned, morelgirl, sounds quite cheap, I do know that Slimband has a special on, that the Alberta government gives a small rebate, and that I can claim it on my taxes and get a good chunk back. So I guess it would work out to be a similar price. Running_scared, I imagine you researched SWLC and Slimband, then, and decided on the SWLC? What made you go that route? As I said, I'd rather go to Vancouver or somewhere closer, but the Slimband program sounds pretty good to me. I just don't want to pay for it! lol

In Ontario, my "fill nurse" does the fill while patients are standing up. She's very good....not matter what position the port is in, she manages to fill it in 1 try. Then we are sent to the waiting room to drink water. If we can't drink a cup in the next 20 minutes or so, she calls you back and de-fills a little bit. By the way, in Toronto, my surgeon, Dr. Yau, who works for Slimband, no longer stitches the port into place. I'm not sure why...I think it has to do with our body changing as we lose lots of weight. So our ports tend to move around....but rarely flip completely. Should it totally flip, the doctor can fix it with a local anesthetic and a local incision. Thanks for telling me about this method....I'll be prepared in case I try to get a fill in the Daytona area while I'm on holiday.

I cannot say anything negative about Slimband as I feel they saved my life and started me on this journey. most companies go bankrupt and reopen under a different name. Mostly because of a law suit.

Hi there, i live in edmonton alberta. i have my surgery scheduled for the 7th of April at the slimband clinic in Toronto. How did ur surgery go?

I have to pay out of pocket. Actually I'm using my mom's line of credit... that way you can technically pay up front (slimband sometimes has promos which help with the cost of travelling, but you have to pay up front) and then you can take your time paying it off. Lapband suggested looking at what your bank can do for you, I guess if you get financing through the clinic you might end up paying a higher interest rate. Kinda sucks that most provinces won't cover it... Good luck to you.

Hi, I live in Ontario, Niagara Region, where are you located? I'm being banded on June 28 in Toronto (Slimband). I am so ready!! Especially after this two week pre-op... Going to Orlando this weekend so that will get my mind of this diet, and the surgery. Itsn't it strange how so many of us are excited about this surgery and starting their new lives with the BAND! Good luck with your consult tomorrow. Keep in touch.

has anyone used doctor yau of slimband? im supposed to be banded nov 4th

Hi Debbie. Yes I go to Dr. Woodhead (referred to by my clinic) and hopefully a few of his patients will respond to your post. I like him very much. Dr. W. does not have a clinic but he does his surgery at the Delta hospital. I find him very supportive. Here is a list of questions prepared by a successful bandster. I had my band in Toronto, but the distance is so far away that I cannot take advantage of the support so I pay for my fills. I get my support from Dr. W. and the Support group that meets at the Lions Gate Hospital and from the Slimband website. These are just a few of the questions that come to mind that are important in helping to make a decision in deciding which band surgeon and/or clinic to go with: · Is there a fee for consultation? · Are any of your staff at the clinic banded? · What other staff are available to patients such as dieticians, nutritionists, psychologists? o Is there a cost for their services? · Does the clinic have a website and a messageboard and or chatroom available for Lap Band potential patients to access? · What percentage of your bariatric clinic is devoted to lap band patients? · What is your medical education? · What experience in term of years and number of procedures do you have in lap band surgeries? · What experience do you have in performing revisions? · If you are a revision, what tests will you need to have done ahead of time to be sure you can have a lap band? · Do you have any statistics regarding your lap band practice and number of patients who have had slippages, band erosions or other complications? · What type of warranty comes with your lap band surgery? · What type of bands do they use and how do they determine the type and size? · Is there a pre-op diet you need to follow? o If so is there a cost involved? How much? · If I don't follow the pre op diet perfectly am I still allowed to get the surgery? · What tests and paperwork do I need to have done prior to being accepted for banding? o Is there any charge? How much? o What is the time span? · Is the surgery performed in the clinic or at the hospital? · In case of an emergency what is the procedure that is followed? · How soon after surgery can I go home? · What type of accreditation does your clinic have? · How do your operating rooms compare to those in a hospital if surgery is performed at the clinic? · Can you give me references from other patients I may talk to, especially those who are a revision from past weight loss surgery? · How long am I required to be in town before my surgery? · Is there a hotel that is recommended? o If so, is there a preferred rate at this hotel? o Is there a shuttle available from this hotel to clinic and back and how much does this cost? · Are my family members allowed to remain in the waiting room while I am in surgery or are they asked to leave until I am in the recovery room? · How long after I wake up can I go home? · What special medications will I need to purchase before hand? o Gas-x? liquid Calcium? chewable multi Vitamins? .... · How long would you recommend I take off work after surgery? · If I have a hernia do you fix this? o Is there an extra cost associated? · How long do I have to have a caregiver with me after surgery? · Is there someone I can hire to be my caregiver if I come alone? · Do you use latex? · Is there a deposit I have to pay to hold my surgery? o How much? o Is it refundable if I change my mind? · How must my final payment be made -- money order/visa/cheque? o Does it have to be in before my surgery or do I bring it with me on my surgery day? · If I have further questions may I contact you or your clinic with them? Even more important is follow up care: · What type of aftercare program does their clinic have? · What is covered in the cost of your surgery in regards to aftercare? · Is there an after hour phone number in case of an emergency or concern you encounter outside of normal business hours? o Is he/she available on call to answer or return your call? o Who responds to calls? · Do you have support groups available locally and in my area? · Is there a fee for any aftercare services? · How soon after surgery is your first fill usually? · What hours am I able to come in for fills and days? · How often between fills are you eligible for your next one? · How are the fills performed and are they with or without fluoroscopy? · Do you have to pay for your fills or are they covered in your surgery fee? o If they are not covered what is the fee? · If you live far away from the band clinic, do they have anyone local or closer to your home who is trained by the clinic to do your fills? o If so do you pay a fee to them and if so how much? · In case of complications post op, if you had a slippage or worse case scenario band erosion is any further surgery to remove the band covered or would you have to pay? · In case of a defective port or leak is the surgery to replace it covered in the lap band surgery cost? · In case of a defective lap band is it replaced at no cost to you the patient? · If you needed a new band for any reason such as the above or band leak, etc., is it replaced free of charge to you? o If not what type of cost would you be responsible for? · At the clinic does the surgeon do your follow up fills or fill nurses? o If nurses, what training do they have and can you meet them before committing to this surgery? · What criteria do they base your needing a fill or defill? · How long does it take when calling to book a fill does it take to get an appointment? · How much time is the fill nurse allotted to spend with you answering any questions or concerns also? · Are any of your staff at the clinic banded? · What other staff are available to help patients, i.e., dieticians, nutritionists, psychologists? o Is there a cost for their services? · Does the clinic have a website and a messageboard and or chatroom available for Lap Band patients to access? Pick out the ones may help you to make a decision.

Patricia: This doctor has been used by TLBC (Slimband) from the Toronto Lapband Clinic (now Slimband) for their patients in BC. He does fills for their patients. I know of one lady who goes to him and thinks he is very caring. Payment up front of course. Slimband patients go through the clinic fill nurse in Toronto for appointments. I understand they pay up front too and get reimbursed later if their contract calls for free fills. Also, I was told that this Dr. has been trained by Slimband in fills.

Lucy, I am a TLBC patient and have been for 7 years, it is a good clinic. I have had one negative experience with the clinic since it has been open and it was easily solved.. I sent an email, got a solution and that was that. I would advise you to visit both before you make your decision. I know SWLC patients and they all love their clinic too... I think both clinics will do phone consults to save you an initial trip it is only a phone call and they both will pay for long distance. Before going into any clinic there are some questions I would ask knowing what I know now. 1) fills how long are they covered and if not for life why not? 2) complications who pays and how much and why aren't they covered? 3) post op support what do they offer and how this is very important for new patients to understand and distance patients it becomes even more important. And yes Slimband may have a few vocal patients who aren't happy today but there are a few hundred I know personally who are delighted with the clinic and wouldn't go any where else. Most of all I say go with where you are comfy and if you choose to talk to Slimband ask them about the negative comments and what you have read and see what they say Good luck and make the choice you are comfortable with Heather

Don't be fooled. He works at Slimband. See below. I find it really sketchy that when I call Slimband and ask where I can go to get a fill (because they will no longer support me) they say go to Hazati at the GreenStone Health Clinic. So Slimband won't treat me and give me fills and defills but one of their doctor's will?!?!?!? To me, it seems that not only is Slimband not honouring our agreement for a lifelong support system but one of their surgeons is taking even more of our money for fills. Ali Hazrati MD, MSc, FRCSC's Experience Medical Director, Staff Bariatric Surgeon Slimband Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Health, Wellness and Fitness industry January 2013 – Present (1 year 4 months) Toronto, Canada Area Minimally Invasive General & Bariatric Surgeon The Scarborough Hospital & Slimband Clinic Nonprofit; 1001-5000 employees; Hospital & Health Care industry 2011 – Present (3 years)

I just wanted to share my story, I'm sorry you feel that I'm promoting Slimband. I'm simply letting people know that Slimband worked for me, it has changed my life. If I can help anyone else out there who, like me, has struggled with weight all of their life, that is my goal. I wanted to be of help to anyone that had questions regarding Slimband.

Bandjennafar, I'm glad you are happy with the clinic SLIMBAND. I had a friend who was banded by Dr. Yau and he has lost 120lbs! I did not find out until recently:). Continue to post, I didn't fill out my info until recently and I was posting blogs;) My pic is a photo of my pug;))) as for the original post, I choose SWLC and will be banded in November....

I found this on those specific doctors/centers, definitely have a look. It sounds like SWLC is a much better and safer choice: http://www.ratemds.com/doctor-ratings/47736/Dr-Chris-Cobourn-Mississauga-ON.html Plus, it appears Dr. Cobourn uses the proven safe Lap-Band whereas I've never heard of Slimband.

Shasta the difference between a slimband and the realize band?