Doddie63

Tyler it was a lady called Heather that wrote the information about going out of country not me. I am Doddie. If you scroll downthe Canadalapband link, you will see a number of links to people in Alberta. Click on any one of them and post. You should be able to read in their posts where the clinics are. On a quick check, I came up with a Dr.Phillip Mitchell in Calgary. I am sure there are one or two others. You could do an Alberta Internet check for lapband surgery private and see what you come up with.Doddie

Hi: You don't have to go out of country nor Toronto if you don't want to. You have doctors that provide the private service in Alberta. We have two here in BC and one in Manitoba. There is a link wherein bandsters had some heated discussion on going to Mexico or out of country. Here is one exerpt. Quote "I have been banded for over 6 years now my Surgeon is Patrick Yau, I can honestly say I have talked to several Mexican patients who had issues and who came back to Canada to have those issues fixed because their Mexican band surgeons didn't want to deal with them. They lost the cost of multiple flights back and forth to Mexico to hear it wasn't a band problem it was their problem, it might be a fill problem etc with NO solutions until they had a CDN surgeon fix them, and it always took surgeries in every case I know of. I know TLBC used to take on outside patients and one of the reasons they stopped was because the main reason the patients were coming to them was to have their bands fixed because a variety of Drs in Mexico deserted them. At one point in time the Mexican Drs were even referring their banded CDN patients to the CDN surgeons because they didn't want to deal with the patients with problems! Personally I have talked to 4-5 of these patients over the years in email, phone conversations and face to face meetings. They felt abandoned over the years by their initial surgeons who could not diagnose or refused to diagnose and fix problems for them. They had to find alternatives after paying the money to Mexico. As of right now in ON you will be hard pressed to find any band surgeon who will take you on if you weren't banded there and why should they you choose to go with someone else. You choose someone else's aftercare etc. All I can say is in life you get what you pay for! And if I was going to Mexico I would want a lot of things in writing and I would want them reviewed by a Mexican and a cdn lawyer to make sure they are legal. I would want it spelled out what I get, what happens for complications, who pays anything etc. And this is coming from someone who has suffered just about every complication there is with a few exceptions. I love my band I would do it over again in a heartbeat even knowing I was going to have 6 band surgeries, but based on the people I have talked to in Canada over the years I would never ever go out of country to Mexico or anywhere else for any surgery that required follow-up whether it was banding or plastic etc. I would take what anyone was saying who worked for a clinic with a huge salt lick and discount it cause they are making the money not you and if your band fails or you need an additional surgery I wonder if they will be there for you then?" Heather This individual has been banded many years. Do you research carefully emphasizing after care as that is what you will require the most before making a decision.

:smile::smile: Special break for out of province. What a novel idea. After all, to get my free service I have to pay roughly 800 to 1000 to get to TO. But I wouldn't change my clinic under any circumstances. TLBC is like a family, I may be disappointed in a service but I would never throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Hang in there and allow yourself to heal properly. You can do it. You have a whole new lifestyle awaiting you. It is vital that you have a protein high diet. One reason is it is the fuel that drives the engine also, it prevent hair loss and other nasties. Carbs give you quick energy but protein stokes you for a long time. Could you be having a bit of depression due to not being able to eat? Keep posting, love to hear how you are getting along in the future.

I have read posts from long time banders that it is better to keep a loose fill than a tight one. I have followed those suggestions and find I can eat anything as long as it is not over a cup of food and have been losing 1/2 lb per week for a little over a year. I have 5.5 ccs in a 10 cc band. Some need greater amounts of fill to find their comfort zone.

Katie: Hi and welcome. I am 64 about to turn 65 and have had the band over a year, loving it more and more. Anyone can lose weight but the keeping it off is another thing. My band is helping me lose steadily and if I "forget" my healthy eating, it brings me up short very quickly. I love this site too.

Not really, but I suspect it was early this year. That is when I started seeing posts on the subject.

LOL Marivan: Good thinks happening all the time, but with the web it is usually the bad times that make the posts. People want answers to their problems which overshadow any nice things. However, nice things for me is consistant weight loss of 1/2 lb per week, reduction in medications, increased activity with joint issues being reduced. I am now able to sit in an airplane seat with the seat belt done up without the aid of an extendor. Great mental outlook give or take a bit of anxiety due to upcoming dental surgery. Boring isn't it. I think I would rather hear peoples problems then I won't feel like I am alone when I experience them. And I know I will as most issues such as vomiting, exercising, slow weight loss, medications etc are experienced by all. As for early collection of bills, I am surprised because I didn't pay up until I arrived on my day of surgery. Guess the policy changed.:confused2:

If you have sleep apnea and can afford a private clinic, why endanger your life by waiting for a government program. A car costs 22,000 plus isn't your life worth more than that? Most of us, I would hazard a guess, had to borrow the money from a bank or friend, etc. Me I cashed in my RRSP to get the band and I haven't looked back. I love my band. It stops me from overeating and keep the weight off when I am having binging thoughts. If I overeat I get a sharp reminder to stop and boy do I stop. Now I may retire a bit poorer, but I will be alive.

Well I get the saliva and feeling I have to vomit. Same feeling I get when I have the stomach flu. When I over eat or don't chew, I have real pain. But eating too soon after vomiting always brings this feeling. As for the post above, I just want to add, you owe no one an explanation. If you are under the weather or feel like you are going to vomit in public all you have to say is "I think I have a bit of the flu coming on". It won't be the first time someone has been ill in public that does not have the band. As for me now, I haven't eaten for 4 days although I am able to get some bariatric drink down. I have known I am going to have dental surgery and I guess the stress has closed my band opening. Let us know Angie when you get a surgical date.

two by two: For me when I went to Toronto, I had the Canadian MSA to cover me. I did not leave the Country. I was never in fear that if something went wrong I would not be looked after.

PS Read you blog. Don't worry about the weight gain. As you record your weight, you will see your body's pattern for weight loss. IE. My weight is less at the start of the month and as the month goes by, I gradually gain weight. Then at the start of the next month, I am down to the original weight plus some. Never fails. I have kept weekly records since pre op days. Seems my body likes to replace the fat with water. Don't know the science of it all, but I think you will find how your body treats weight loss. The secret is to keep upbeat and don't let the scales get you down. I find I have to weigh weekly even though I know I will show a gain. This keeps me trying even harder. Good luck

Yes you claim it under medical expenses. If you go to the CRA websie and type in medical expenses, it will explain which line to claim the surgery and pre and post op expenses. Be sure and document everything. If you get an accountant to do it for you probably will be easier. We are trying to do it on our own so will see what happens this year. There is a clause that states a claimant must justify why they could not get their surgery closest to home. I went to Toronto, so I think the band will be allowed but I am not sure about parking and travel costs. We shall have to wait and see. At the time I got mine, I was not aware of Dr. W or Dr. L and local GP did not know of anyone doing the band but did gastric bypass. We have been advised to appeal if turned down. How are you doing living with the band?

well said marivan. Very good post. As for the topic, feel free to intoduce another if you have one. I would be sad to see this link become obsolete as I like to hear from TLBC patients. As for me, I always take the side of the of the minority as I am one of them. Prior to surgery and shortly after, it is a bewildering world of anxiety, happiness knowing you have control ,and fear when something sticks. These are the individuals that need same day service. Now I have been through a lot with my band I am an experienced old pro and do not get caught up with worry. For instance I haven't eaten for three days because nothing will go down except liquid. I am sure it is stress and I just have to wait it out. Pretty frightening scene for one that is just starting out and lives in the boonies.

bandiva: Did you know you can claim you band on Income Tax? I am from BC and telephoned CRA and was told it is a deduction and where to find it on the tax form.

susie sure glad you haven't had any problems. Very happy for you. Before surgery and initially after some people do have very valid concerns and should be able to get an immediate response. If they go to an ER they stand the risk of having the band removed. I disagree with you that our GP's can't get back to us immediately. My GP and his collegues are on call 24/7. My heart specialist also gave immediate response when called. Also, I like a lot others did not have a formal contract it was verbal. The implication was they would be available immediately if any problems occur. Now you are right, I should have been given a written contract, but I was too naive at the time and frankly I would still take the TLBC at their word.

Oh, I agree with you, but I wondered how others felt about a small fee to help improve support. I have read on the internet that surgeons do the surgery and where else in the medical field do you get life long "free" help in the private sector. I am not sure how much of the intital $16,000 fee was set aside for administration and support. It was good business sense to charge. I was wondering how many others would support a charge. *I don't necessarily agree with it though

I am going to say something that may cause alarm to some and that is "to get better same day service" I would be willing to pay a small fee for the support services. This fee would only be charged like a doctor's office visit but I would expect same day service.

LOL Argon. Thought you had a spell of "can't remember". Seriously, I would be surprised if Nova Scotia or NB have a program to pay for bands. I correspond with a lady from Halifax and she told me there was no one. Be interested to find out for sure.

I am not the only one. A lady in Nova Scotia has been trying to get TLBC to respond to her letter for some time now and there are others that have fallen thru the cracks. I know the TLBC is trying very hard to correct the post surgery support and I am will to give them the support they need. However, for us long distance patients, waiting two or three days for an answer is like waiting two or three weeks. It is ok for Toronto patients because all they have to do is go to the hospital and Dr. Yau will come. However for us long distance patients, our hospitals ERs don't have the knowledge neither do our GPs so if we have a question we need an answer immediately inorder to make flight and hotel arrangements to Toronto. If I had any advice to TLBC is to set up a "hot line" for out of town patients and give that line priority. Then we could feel safe too.

Yes you can have it done privately. two websites to look into are the SWLC in Toronto and the TLBC in Toronto. Both excellent clinics. They are the leading clinics and TLBC Dr. Yau was one of the doctors that introduced the band to Canada. Research the aftercare carefully. That is what should be one of your most diligent research areas.

Oh, I understood you to say Nancy can't do fills.....didn't know you meant outside Ont. Makes sense. Donna D. I too would like to meet up with you. I am hoping to make an appointment with Dr. Yau to correct my flipped port. This time I will make sure the surgery will proceed before I fly out. I was hoping I could kill two birds with one stone and attend the TLBC conference if there is one.

I note Kathy's reply "I always respond". Guess my questions got lost in the mail. It took hiring Jill before I started getting some interest to my questions.

The band is reversible, gastric by pass is not. How committed to following a small food intake are you? I chose the band based on my fear of not succeeding. Knowing the band was reversible has helped me towards my goal. The band is a tool that you can choose to use or discard, the gastric bypass is permanent. As for food getting stuck, I attend a support group for gastric bypass patients and band patients. Gastric bypass patients have improperly chewed food causing problems just like the band patients. They also, have more serious side affects such a loss of hair, (not permanent), severe nutritional deficiencies if they do not follow the guidelines. The band allows a little bit more leniency. Its a personal thing and I would get second opinions before makng a choice.

You can bet your life that I did. Right up until I got on the operating table and even after for a short time. Then the realization of feeling full for the first time in my life, the ability to stop eating after one cup of food. The discipline of the band when I started to waiver in my desire to eat more. The thought of never eating my favorite foods scared the h... out of me. Now after a year, I realize I can eat anything I desire jut not a lot of it. If you keep a super tight fill, you will lose weight quickly but your options of what you eat is smaller, plus you stand the chance of eating high calorie food such as ice cream etc. Stand fast and force your mind to be positive I can't think of very many of us that would get rid of the band. Good luck