Doddie63

Thanks Donna D. Two lbs a month sometimes a whopping 3 but it is amazing how it adds up. The turtle will eventually win the race. Waiting to hear when TLBC will have its conference (if any). I am thinking of having my port fixed and attend the conference for support at the same time. I don't want to happen what happened last trip.

What do you mean "Nancy can't do fills anymore?"

marivan. You did an excellent job of explaining to your husband what was happening to you. It is his job to try and understand. Let him "chew on" your explanation for awhile. It will sink in. It did with my DH. Now he is more supportive. Also, after I vomit, I find I must go back on protein drink for 24 hours or so. Because if I eat too soon after, I am nauseaous (sp?) all over again. By giving my stomach a short rest, I am hoping I am lessening any damage I may have caused.

Unfortuantely, she has the clinic's name out in public view and that is all some chose to see. They don't go past the ad and check into other clinics which is dangerous. Did she go into any after care policy? Also, I don't see how someone who has been banded at one clinic has the knowledge to state the clinic they are now affiliated with is the best. We all can choose to say "our hockey team is the best" even though they never make the playoffs, or "my doctor is the best" even though they have never tried another doctor. Those comments are emotional and freedom of speech allows us to say them. What I question is whether a rep. of the business has the knowledge and authoritity to make such a statement. To me it borders of inappropriate advertising.

Devana I would be thrilled if you are right. I do know there is some discussion on family doctors doing fills and defills without proper training. If you hear the College is not opposed to bands and/or fills, please post so that other BCers hoping for surgery don't have to go further away. Doddie

You have to make every effort to get your mind off food. Drink plenty of clear warm broth. The TLBC site has some ideas for post op patients. Exercise will take your mind off hunger. Go for a walk around the block. Exercise has an ability to dim the appetite. Take a warm bath while you soak read. Anything to take your mind off food. You can do it. You had the courage to get the band you have the courage to go without food for a few weeks. You can do it.

Is this from eating solid foods. If so, it is a signal to you that you have eaten enough to fill your pouch. However, if you are still on a liquid diet or mushies you may be experiencing reflux and should contact your doctor.

Hi: This link seems to have stalled and it would be a shame if it disappeared. Anyway, I understand there will be no bash this year but TLBC is putting on some sort of conference in the fall. Any further information on this?

Hi: The banding process is not to well known by local GPs. My family GP took down the information I gave him to pass on. He had never heard about Woodhead or Leung doing banding. The SWL clinic does have a great network of fill nurses/doctors throughout Canada, but frankly I would rather be banded here and have the quick access to my doctor is something went wrong with the band. Although rare, there are problems that can occur such as band slippage (easily repaired), stretching of the pouch, and the most serious band errosion. Improper chewing causing vomiting on is one cause of band erosion. I would like to tell you daughter that the band is not a magic wand. She will still have to work at losing weight. Proper nutrition, exercise and following the the rules of eating. The band is a tool only. It prevents you from overeating and keeps the feeling of fullness longer and it is great for keeping the weight off which is the problem most of us have suffered. We can lose weight easily it is keeping it off that is the problem. I have contacted you via my private e mail. If you wish further information feel free to contact me. Doddie

John Michael:. A fill is given to you to inflate the band over a period of time. You will have to heal after the surgery before having your first fill. That is usually a small amount. You probably won't feel restricton until two or three or even more fills. My suggestion is to you to remember the band is a tool not a miracle worker. You must still eat properly and follow the guidelines on amounts. Take the fills slowly. For instance, I am a fast eater. If I had my band to tight, I would be vomiting up the food in chunks. Until I learn to chew my food to smitherines (pulp) I must keep a loose fill. Others like a tight fill. I am sure your clinic will guide you through this. The effects of not following the rules can cause, band slippage, band erosion (most serious) and other problems. Used properly the band is a wonderful assist to losing weight and keeping it off. Doddie

Hi I am from British Columbia Canada and our health care charges $52 per month. Gastric By Pass is done in BC but there is a 4 year wait list. Our health system is geared to prevent catastrophic illness from bankrupting a family. The cover Drs. visit but not dental or opthomologists or physiothereapists unless referred to by a doctor and then only a limited number of sessions are allowed. There are a whole lot of medical issues that are not covered. The band will not be covered anytime soon as the health authorities don't like the costs of after care. So yes it is great to have public medical care costs covered and no one can be turned down including visitors to Canada for major surgeries. Unfortuantely, the system can't affort to cover everything.

you may not be able to take a magic bullet, but why can't you order something that is pureed. Such as a bowl of soup. Take your time eating it and enjoy the conversation. I would even throw in a glass of wine to drink with the soup.

When you are eating - small bites and chew, chew, chew before swallowing. Larger bites and the body tends to automatically swallow on the 12th chew which could cause a logjam in your pouch causing sever pain and then having to vomit. Most people have posted they feel a pressure like a lump at the top of the stomach. Others sneeze, others feel pain, yet other experience hiccups. I found that I experienced pain and by then it was too late so my doctor told me to measure my food. When I measure I have no problem. You have to learn to listen to your body and stop don't force more food down or you will end up vomiting and in pain 3 oz of hard protein chewed thoroughly and 4-6 oz of veggies. Eat hard protein every 4 hours and you will not feel hungry. And yes, you will enjoy your meals even more as you will taste the food not gulp it down whole like no tomorrow.

readytolive. I also freaked out when I thought about never having my favorite foods. I calmed myself by reminding myself that I had paid big dollars to help me control my eating and no way did I want my liver damaged because I had not followed the diet. I was on a cottage cheese and yogurt diet for 30 days. Since I have been banded, I am still able to eat my favorite food just not as much. So don't panic follow the diet for your own health and safety. Doddie

I cashed my retirement fund to get my band. I went thru all the emotions that exists once I made my decision. I felt exhilarated, doubted myself, had sudden thoughts of never being able to eat my favorite food, was I nuts in making this decision right up until I climbedon the op. table. It has now been one year. It took me 3 months to learn to slow down in my eating and not vomit. Now it is only occasionally. I look at what people eat in the restaurants and my mouth doesn't drool with hunger instead I am turned off by the volumes they eat. My eating tastes have definatley changed. If you want my thoughts, after numerous weight loss programmes of losing and then gaining it all back, the band is the only solution (unless you want a bypass). With the band though, it is reversable. Go for it and good luck.

travelgirl are you still active on this site?

Hi teacher: You are doing really great. Are you still keeping up with the exercise?

Just checking in this site to see if it is still active. will there be a May challenge. I would be interested.

Is this forum still active. I am interested to see what others banded in February 07are doing. Doddie

anxious? or excited? If anxious, anything we can tell you. I went thru all the emotions there are. Excited, anxious, regret, fear, self doubt, might miss my old comfort food etc. right up until I got on the surgery table. Now I wonder why. I wouldn't change my life for anything in this world. The band has saved my life. Doddie

jachut: I guess the band is affected by stress. When you eat out, are you stressed you "might" PB? Try ordering an appetizer. I went out for the first time since the band and ordered an an appetizer of 6 jumbo shrimp. Everyone was tucking into their meal and never noticed how slowly I ate. When they finished, I was finished. I set my fork down. My DH as always, raided my plate and finished off the last remaining shrimp. I correspond with a lady who goes out and orders a burger w/o the bun, pasta w/o the pasta, etc. She gets lots of surprised looks but never a waiter/waitress failed to give her the order she requested. In fact, she enjoys making odd orders as well as she never PBs. :rolleyes2:Doddie

When is the surgery date? Would like to send you a "welcome to bandster land". Doddie

Phyll: You are looking great. Have you had any NSV like being able to sit in restaurant booths better. I actually got to cross my legs at he ankles. Yahoo. My WL has been very slow and steady. Aprox. 2 lbs per month with a 5.5 cc fill in a 10 cc band. Do you plan to have anymore fills. Doddie

If you go privately for the band, you don't need a referral. To answer your questions. BC Medical does not cover the band. Two doctors (that I know of) do the band in Vancouver. 1. Dr. Leung 2. Dr. R. Woodhead. Dr. Leung is loved by some and hated by others. He can make some pretty stern remarks and talks down to you. If you are sensitive go to Dr. Woodhead. Dr. Woodhead is young and very sensitive to your needs. He listens. Dr. Leung cracks the whip so it is whichever type of personality you have is the decision maker. Both doctors are great surgeons, but it is the after care that you must take care with. Remember, this surgeon will probably be with your for the rest of your life (providing they don't move away). Dr. Leung is talking retirement and Dr. Woodhead is young. I know of patients that have the band put on by Dr. Woodhead and they really like him. As for me, I went to TLBC before I knew about Dr. Woodhead. He does my fills for me. He charged me $400.00 consult and $80.00 per fill. I have only had two fills and feel I am at my sweet spot at this time 5.5 ccs but he still asks to see me on a regular basis. Hope this information helps. :w00t:

Hi: Ask TLBC for a referral. If there is any fill nurse/doctor near you they will have the name. Also, ask you personal physician if he will do the fills. TLBC has a DVD that the doctor can watch. Doddie