Doddie63

I think if you went to your pharmacist you would get an answer. They know all the drugs and what may be available to replace the drug you are now on. Or they will be able to tell you if the drug can be crushed and what you could take with it to cover the taste. Of course there is the old trick my mother taught me. If the drug allows you to, disolve the pill in a bit of juice then hold you nose when swallowing Believe me it works. I had TB and was required to drink the most foulest of liquids. By holding my nose, I couldn't taste the foul stuff. Good luck

NSV. I may be losing slowly - 1/2 lb per week on average but today I got the best news ever. The doctor has taken me off my last diabetic pill - Metformin. Now I control the diabetes strickly by exercise and diet. Anyone thinking of the band or getting discouraged, hang in there. Slow weight loss adds up and the rewards are exhilerating.

Kj. I assume you are talking to Joanne but just in case. I have 5.75 in a 10 cc band.

Ikgrub Well done. You sound like you have the sweet spot for you. One pound a week is substantial. I am only 1/2 lb per week and it is amazing how it adds up. As you know, the secret is not to get down on yourself and accept the small changes rather than wish for the large drop. Again congratulations.

Well, you are a mystery and I hope your doctor can figure it out. No I am not losing more than 2 lbs per month. My weight chart prints out for me my average loss plus projected loss. My idea for less fill obviously is not a solution to you. I guess there comes a time when the professionals are going to have to earn their dollars. The factoring in of junk food is the only way I can control my grazing which once out of control results in vomiting. Knowing I can have something seems to help me. Not for everyone I know but I hoped my suggestions may help. Good luck with the doctors.

I have been losing a steady 2 lbs per month now since banding. I was advised to keep a loose band. Someone I know, was told by her bariatric doctor to take fill out whe she wasn't losing. She is now losing weight. Maybe you are too tight. If you had a defill and then slowly went back up that might work. Is it expensive for you to have defills/fills?

Thanks for the comprehensive information. I will pass it on as I get a number of enquiries for a fill nurse/doctor in BC. Doddie

Correction: No TLBC Fill Nurse for BC TLBC fill nurse visiting BC next month will NOT DO FILLS FOR ANYONE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE TLBC. There was a misunderstanding on the post that indicated for a fee she would do fills. However, the intent was for the Lions Gate Support Group no one else. __________________

Correction: No TLBC Fill Nurse for BC TLBC fill nurse visiting BC next month will NOT DO FILLS FOR ANYONE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE TLBC. There was a misunderstanding on the post that indicated for a fee she would do fills. However, the intent was for the Lions Gate Support Group no one else. __________________

Correction: No TLBC Fill Nurse for BC TLBC fill nurse visiting BC next month will NOT DO FILLS FOR ANYONE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE TLBC. There was a misunderstanding on the post that indicated for a fee she would do fills. However, the intent was for the Lions Gate Support Group no one else thinking we were all TLBC patients. __________________

TLBC fill nurse visiting BC next month will NOT DO FILLS FOR ANYONE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE TLBC. There was a misunderstanding on the post that indicated for a fee she would do fills. However, the intent was for the Lions Gate Support Group no one else.

CORRECTION: The TLBC fill nurse will not be doing fills in BC for any patient that is not from the TLBC. There was a misunderstanding about fills in BC being offered to anyone, but in fact, it was only being offered to Lions Gate Support Group. It was thought the group was all TLBC patients. She had no intention of filling Mexico or others. Sorry for any misunderstanding.

HI I have been informed by Nancy the TLBC nurse, there was a misunderstanding when she was talking with me. She will NOT BE DOING FILLS FOR ANYONE OTHER THAN TLBC PATIENTS. Apparently she was thinking of our support group not generall. Sorry for any problems/hope I gave anyone.

mom2 -no one can advise you. The decision you make must be on a number of factors we are not aware of. First off finances. Can you afford to fly to Mexico for any aftercare involving band erosion, flipped band, etc. Aftercare is vital (in my mind, more vital than the actual surgeon). The warrantee for instance TLBC gives free fills. They of course are not free to me because it costs so much for me to fly to Toronto. Also, Dr. Woodhead is in our area. The CRA sometimes will not approve travel costs if there is a doctor in your area that could have done the surgery. You probably will be allowed credits for the surgery but the advice I have recieved you will have to justify to them why they should pay you the travel costs. Just a few factors to think of. Please check out your aftercare then make your decision.

Lynn I made a typo in the telephone number. Could you edit your post to show the area code as 409 The correct TLbC number is 1-800-409-8151 Ex. 337 The TLBC fill nurse Nancy advised she would be in Victoria next month and would accept bandsters from other clinics for a fee of course.

Hi Joann. You are obviously doing everything right so I would suggest your focus on the area where in you are having problems and that is at night. Number of reasons factor in such as triggers for hunger, watching TV, being alone etc. Many banders do not like having food after dinnertime because of the possibility of a reflux action during sleep. I would suggest you have some skim milk warmed with a bit of chocolate mix. If you factor these calories into your daily usage, a treat such as hot chocolate should be enough to squelch your appetite. Tastes good too.

Sue: All the advice you have received is spot on. The one area that seems to be missing is the frequency of eating. Are you consuming pure hard protein every FOUR waking hours. For instance, a cup of tea, low fat biscuit with almond butter at 3:00 pm. My clinic has told me I can eat anything I want. Small portions of protein is what keeps you from becoming too hungry. Many try to get by the day with 3 squares and that is not always the best way. I find by having the meals a bit smaller, eating five/six times a day is not a hardship. Also, I try to have 3 oz of pure protein each meal.Also, try sipping on some warm liquid when hungry. My favorite is chicken broth. Good luck on your journey, you seem to be well on your way.

The band is wonderful and I wouldn't change my decisioin under any circumstance. Just remeber the band is only a tool. You still have to watch what you eat, exercise and all that wonderful stuff. Only, you do not diet. You can eat most things just smaller amounts. After a short period of time, you will look at a restaurant meal and super huge and marvel and the huge portions people consume. Suggest you try one of two clinics SWLC or the TLBC. Both clinic have excellent after care for Ontario patients you just have to pick the doctor or clinic that fits you as a person. There are course other clinics but these are the only two I recommend. Good luck in your research

I have just been advised that the TLBC will be in Victoria British Columbia next month doing fills for not only their patients but others as well. For a fee of course. Just contact TLBC and enquire as to the fee and arrangements. Hope this helps anyone looking for a fill nurse/doctor.

Any BC resident that has gone to Mexico or any long distant clinic may be interested in knowing that the TLBC from Toronto is sending a fill nurse to Victoria next month (August). I am advised fills will be provided for a fee to anyone. Just contact the clinic and make an appointment for when they are in BC next month. Hope this information will be of assistance to anyone looking for a fill.

Congratulations. Keep posting as you will have questions that we may be able to help. Also, my BD is the 12th, we Leos should stick together LOL

Anyone looking for a fill doctor/nurse could contact the TLBC in Toronto and make enquiries. As I understand it, next month they will be in BC doing fills not only for their patients, but for anyone requiring a fill. There are also 3 doctors interested in doing fills. Hopefully that will come to pass. There is of course a fee for this service, but the key word is ANYONE. Email me privately if you wish the telephone contact but it is also easily obtained from their website tlbc.ca

Yes the band is a wonderful tool. Some think it is a magic wand and they can continue to eat large meals. The thing is you can eat normal just not as much. Better choices are encouraged but the biggest thrill I have had is the feeling I am full. Never in my life have I felt full. If I did, it was for a couple of minutes and I was looking for food again. Being 65, I am not looking for an immediate weight loss because of my skin. I am averaging 2 lbs per month and the skin seems to be slowly shrinking as well. I will need PS but not for some time. I certainly hope you find a reputable clinic to give you the band. The weight loss will be great for your health all round.

Krosmon: Welcome from me to you. There is also a link for people over 70 as well. I can't see why you can't be banded when others in your age group have. Perhaps they will know of a surgeon that will perform the surgery if yours won't. Good luck, as a band is a terrific tool to have.

sunshine I found this information on another link. Hope its helps answer a few questions. Originally Posted by Wendell Edwards This may help you in understanding the restrictive mechanism of a Lap Band. The ALLERGAN protocol for Lap Band fills calls for a six-week delay after surgery, prior to any fills. The purpose for the six-week delay is for the patient’s stomach to heal from the surgery, as well as allowing time for the Lap Band to “Seat” or “Nestle” into the fat pad between the stomach wall and the interior wall of the Lap Band. Prior to receiving an EFFECTIVE fill, it is VERY uncommon to have any restriction from a Lap Band. Some patients will NOT lose weight, or may even GAIN weight until they have received an effective fill in their Lap Band. Normal weight loss with a properly restricted Lap Band is between 1 and 2 pounds per week. The normal cycle of fills, restriction and weight loss is as follows: 1. The patient's Lap Band constricts when the patient receives a fill. Swelling for a few days after receiving a fill is very common. Many doctors require a patient to go on a liquid diet for a day or two after receiving a fill. A fill may have a “Delayed Action” of up to 4 weeks. A “Delayed-Action” means that the fill may not become effective for up to 4 weeks after the fill. That is why the ALLERGAN protocol states that fills should not be performed on patients who will not have access to medical care for at least two weeks after a fill. 2. The patient's stomach capacity is lessened as a result of the restriction caused by the Lap Band. 3. The patient loses weight because they cannot eat as much food. 4. The residual fat-pad between the inside of the Lap Band and the outside of the patient's stomach reduces in size because of the overall weight loss in the patient. 5. The reduction of the residual fat-pad causes the Lap Band to become loose again. 6. At that point, the patient needs another fill, because the Lap Band is loose, and the patient has a loss of restriction, which allows the patient to eat larger amounts of food. 7. The patient receives another fill and the process starts all over again. Most Lap Band patients receive several fills to adjust the Lap Band as their weight loss progresses, and there is less and less residual fat-pad between the inside of the Lap Band and the exterior of the stomach wall. Once a patient has lost all of their residual fat-pad, fills become less common. As the Lap Band patient progresses in their weight loss, the effect of very tiny fills (Less than .2ccs) becomes greater and greater. It is not uncommon for a late-stage Lap Band patient to experience a significant difference in restriction with as little as .05cc of fill.