B.C. Bandsters..

[Paulax 8]

Answers:

1. Dr. Leung in Surrey BC - excellent surgeon, nurses and staff at SMH said the same thing.

2. My first consult was Sept 11/07 and I just had my surgery yesterday (Dec 28)...it was bumped up from January.

3. It is not covered by MSP, however I will fight that once I feel better. Also going to try to get it covered by extended health (Maritime Life).

Good luck:)

I love me some Dr Leung.

Congratulations on your surgery date. Wow, that must be record time. He IS an excellent surgeon and the staff at SMH were angels.

Good luck getting it covered. I hope you win. The best I could do was write it off on my taxes.

Check out my stats. I can hardly believe it, and I haven't gained one pound this holiday season.

:clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2:

Keep us up on your progress Bert.

[Doddie63 6]

Any one out there doing research on gettig the band, make it a priority to know how you will get your fills and after care. It is a major problem. A lady in Halifac has just found out her GP has told her he won't do fills because the College has not approved the proceedure. I am fortuantely in that I go to a briatric surgeon referred to me by TLBC otherwise I would have to go back to Toronto for all fills. By not having someone in your locale if you had an emergency requirement for a defill you could have problems. So my advice to all is to ask the question of fills then confirm you have coverage.

Happy New Year everyone Doddie

[Done 2]

Wow Paulax, you have done really really well! Congrats!!!

[Paulax 8]

Wow Paulax, you have done really really well! Congrats!!!

Thank you Bert! For me, it has been a dream come true. I have battled this weight all my life and I just got fatter every year. This has been my saving grace and Dr Leung is my hero.

[Paulax 8]

Any one out there doing research on gettig the band, make it a priority to know how you will get your fills and after care. It is a major problem. A lady in Halifac has just found out her GP has told her he won't do fills because the College has not approved the proceedure. I am fortuantely in that I go to a briatric surgeon referred to me by TLBC otherwise I would have to go back to Toronto for all fills. By not having someone in your locale if you had an emergency requirement for a defill you could have problems. So my advice to all is to ask the question of fills then confirm you have coverage.

Happy New Year everyone Doddie

Good advice Doddie. We are lucky to have our Dr Leung.

[Ang1982 4]

An update for myself - I have actually chosen to go with Dr.Woodhead in Delta. Self Pay $14,000.00 +initial consult fee of $400.00. Had my consult in November but had to wait to have my surgery as I was recovering from a tonsilectomy. I am scheduled for my band Jan 23. The $14,000.00 fee includes lifetime fill care.

[Doddie63 6]

Ang1982 Congratulations, wise decision. I have marked Jan. 23rd on my calendar and will be cheering for you as you begin your journey. Doddie

[Done 2]

Hey Paulax, how did you find Dr. L when you asked for your fills? I heard sometimes he isn't too open to performing them if he suspects a lack of self-control. I'm actually scared of getting a fill... I am hoping that I can do it without one. (I have read horror stories of people getting overfilled, then unable to swallow, and I am soooo claustrophobic, I would never want that to happen to me).

You have done sooo incredibly well, I saw your pics, wow it looks like you never had a weight problem in your life! *gasp*

[Ang1982 4]

Ang1982 Congratulations, wise decision. I have marked Jan. 23rd on my calendar and will be cheering for you as you begin your journey. Doddie

Thanks Doddie! You've been such a great source of information and support for me! I am really looking forward to being on the other side of the "Band fence" with you in the new year

[Paulax 8]

Ang1982, congratulations on your surgery date with Woodhead. I look forward to hearing of your progress. It still shocks me that there are only 2 surgeons in Vancouver doing lap bands, one of them (Leung) near retirement.

Bert, I pm'd you.

[Doddie63 6]

Hi: It surprises me even more that the government continues to support gastric bypass but won't acknowledge the gastric band. Doctors should have the option of deciding which is best for their patients not what the government wants to fund. I understand that Dr. Leung is training another doctor to take over. Hopefully this is true. As for Dr. W. he is young and very sensitive to a person's eating disorders. He is very unjudgmental. I go and see him every two months whether I need a fill or not (I pay him as I was not his original patient). He is very helpful in helping me decide what I should do next. The last visit, he suggested I not get a fill and I went away very happy. Paying him or weightwatchers, I would rather pay him. Doddie

[Paulax 8]

Hi: It surprises me even more that the government continues to support gastric bypass but won't acknowledge the gastric band. Doctors should have the option of deciding which is best for their patients not what the government wants to fund.

WORD!

I understand that Dr. Leung is training another doctor to take over. Hopefully this is true. As for Dr. W. he is young and very sensitive to a person's eating disorders. He is very unjudgmental. I go and see him every two months whether I need a fill or not (I pay him as I was not his original patient). He is very helpful in helping me decide what I should do next. The last visit, he suggested I not get a fill and I went away very happy. Paying him or weightwatchers, I would rather pay him. Doddie

I have never asked, but I hope Leung is training another doctor.

Good to hear Dr W is a great doctor. I look forward to hearing more of him through ang1982. We NEED good support and good for you for going for your support through him Doddie.

[Ang1982 4]

Ang1982, congratulations on your surgery date with Woodhead. I look forward to hearing of your progress. It still shocks me that there are only 2 surgeons in Vancouver doing lap bands, one of them (Leung) near retirement.

Thanks Paulax! I am sooo very excited. This month has been... fantastic for me... getting my surgery date scheduled, spending an amazing Christmas with my family.... and getting engaged!! At the great year this has been (I'm writing this on New Years eve) I can't even imagine what next year will be like with starting my journey so early into it!

I love Dr.Woodhead.. as Doddie said, he's very non judgemental and very caring. He puts you at ease within moments of meeting him. I cannot wait to update everyone with my journey and experiences with him, so far... I give a glowing review!

HAPPY NEW YEARS AND HERE'S TO BANDLAND IN 2008!! WHOOHOOOO :clap2::scared::whoo::mad:

[Done 2]

Just a few weeks back somebody (I think on the bcbandits yahoogroup) contacted Inamed Health asking about what other surgeons will be doing the procedure in BC. They stated that the False Creek Surgical Center will soon offer the lap-band. I'm not sure if that is the physician that Dr. L is training.

[Doddie63 6]

Hi: That would be terrific news. I called them earlier this year and I was told bluntly that it was a proceedure not going to be done and fills would not be done as they had to open an operating room and have surgical staff available. I told them this was rediculous as any nurse or doctor can do a fill. I was rudely told that I didn't know what I was talking about.

I was told that the BC College would not allow bands but things may have changed. Can't wait to find out. doddie