JLB

Well, today was my doctor appt. I asked my doc to send in the referral for a consultation with the doctor's in Edmonton. I was kind of surprised that my doc didn't know anything about the surgery and as a result I found myself educating her. She said she had one other patient recently asking about surgery but hadn't really checked into it. Oh well... at least she thought it sounded like a good idea for me as a tool to help control portions. I expect the wait will be at least 1.5 yrs for a consult and possibly longer for surgery. I hope some money falls from heaven in the near future so I can go to Toronto to a private clinic. I haven't given up hope. I'm a true believer that if it is meant to be - it will be. Janice

Andrew, you are too funny! I never thought of using one chop stick - I'll have to try it! Janice

Thank you Andrew for your reply. Your reasons are certainly admirable. Your son is a lucky boy - he has a great daddy! I also look at this as an investment, right now an investment without any financial investors. I'm not sure I will even qualify for a loan but I am determine to try and finance this somehow. I feel the same way about Mexico and I also think it would be difficult to get a doctor in Calgary to do fills, etc from surgery performed in Mexico. I understand that Dr. Cobourn has doctors in Calgary that will do fills under his direction, however, you do have to pay for their services over above the cost of the surgery. By the way... do you happen to know what your additional costs will be over and above the $16,000? Thanks for the other suggestions, I'll investigate them as well. Janice

Thanks Sandra. I'll look for some info on Dr. Leung. By the way... are you in Alberta or BC? Does Dr. Leung do your fills as well? The price is much better than the Ontario clinics but are there other costs that I need to consider. Thanks, any help you can offer is great! Janice

Thanks for mentioning the grocery bill thing Edie. I never thought about my grocery bill going down because it just seems to always go up. This is a really good point though, I expect it does go down. :biggrin1: Thanks, Janice

Audree, I just went online and put the book on hold at the library. Thanks for mentioning it. I have a question. You said that Pat Levine had to rewrite her favorite receipes so they are bandster friendly and also that bandsters may need to blend their portions. I'm new to all this. Could you pls explain what you mean by this. Are people really restricted as to what they can eat after Lapband surgery? Thanks, Janice

Andrew, would you mind if I asked what your reasoning was for going to Dr. Cobourn rather than having the surgery in Calgary or Edmonton? I assume it is the wait time but I don't like to just assume. I appreciate any discussion that may help with my journey through this process as well but, of course, I understand that this is your personal journey as well so I would also like to respect your privacy. Cost is a huge factor for me as I am a full-time student in the middle of my degree. However, waiting for the AB Healthcare system to process me is also a huge factor as I am in a high risk category for some medical problems. Very frustrating! Janice

WOW... thank you so much! I really feel a sense of relief after reading these few posts. I'm not alone. I do use food as comfort and I think I just actually realized this! Hmmm.. have to ponder this for awhile. My favorite TV channel is also the food network and my favorite past time is deciding what to cook/eat next. I can imagine that life after the Band changes and as a person loses the weight they find other activities to replace old, unhealthy ones. Sounds like to freedom to me! Happy Holidays Everyone!!! Janice :biggrin1:

Thanks Andrew. I wasn't aware they were doing this surgery in Calgary. I have an appt. with my doc on Jan. 3/07. I would really appreciate any info you could give me about the Calgary surgeon. Janice :girl_hug:

Hi everyone, I'm new to the board and I am researching my different surgery options in Canada. I'm wondering if people would be willing to share their knowledge/opinions/suggestions or any other bit of information with me regarding surgery options in Canada. I have noticed that quite a few people mention Dr. Cobourn at the Surgical Weight Loss Clinic in Mississauga, Ont but I have not seen any mention of the Toronto Laparoscopic Centre with Drs. Joffe & Yau. Are these clinics/doctors good? I live in Calgary so would be traveling out of province for my surgery if I decide to go the fee pay route. I'm abit concerned about not having any support pre & post opt in my city. Does anyone have any experience with this? Thanks, Janice :help:

Hi everyone, I'm new to the board and a wannabe bandster. Since deciding that Lapband surgery was for me, I have found myself thinking about the craziest things. :think I luuuuvvvv to cook but post-surgery I won't be eating the same foods/amounts (thank goodness). However, I'm wondering what this will really mean for me. Will I not want to cook anymore? Will I not enjoying cooking/eating? Will I be depressed about this? What will I feel? :cry :girl_hug: :cry From what I've read in the forums so far - this is a life-changing, albeit wonderful, fantastic life-changing experince but I wonder -- do people actually experience feelings of loss? Can anyone weigh in on this? (pun intended- hehehehe) Happy Holidays! (Holidays = Cooking = Family = Eating :hungry: - see what I mean - food is such a huge part of my life) Janice

Great news Pam! I'm a new wannabe bandster. I have an appt with my doc on Jan. 3/07 to start the referral process. I also heard it was about a 1 1/2 to 2 yr process for Dr. Birch/Dr. Davey. Long wait!!! I'm soooo excited for you!!!!!!! You must be on top of the world!!!!!!!!!! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: I'm saying a prayer for you right now. Janice (Calgary, AB.)

Hi everyone, it's nice to find a place to chat with bandsters. I am a wannabe. I have been researching Lapband surgery and believe it is for me. I have made an appt with my doc for Jan. 3/07 to start the referral process. In my province (Alberta), it takes about 2 years - I'm not sure I can wait that long! There are a couple of clinics in Ontario that perform the surgery for $16k, yikes!! I am currently a university student and struggle to pay my tuition, let alone surgery. I'm hoping for a miracle - maybe I'll get in sooner. Nice to meet everyone. I've enjoyed cruising around for the last few days reading posts. This is a very necessary and information packed site!!! Janice