Doddie63

I go to Dr. Woodhead for my fills and I really like him. He is very soft spoken but is very good at giving you information. Doddie

For what it is worth, I would suggest the band is less harmful than stomach stapling. The band is placed around the top of the stomach creating a pouch not like staples. I have heard terrible things about stomach staples being ripped because of overeating. With the band, all you do is upchuck. I am an emotional eater with a fill level of 5.5 ccs out of 10 and I feel I have good restriction. I must weigh my food as I can't tell what is a 3 oz portion or a 6 oz portion. No matter what you try, you will still have to battle head hunger and grazing. All the band does is make you feel full sooner and prevents you from overeating at the moment. You can still eat "bad" calories such as wine, chocolate, ice cream etc. The band is a tool you must make it work for you. The band is not a magic panacea. Doddie

Try fitday.com. I have used both but most people I know use Fitday.com The foods are easier to find and you get a drop down menu with the amounts. You can even change the amounts to fractions. Doddie

Hi: There are two sites: Fitday.com which I use. You enter your starting weight and as you lose you re entre your weight. The site has charts, graphs, and wonderful journal, etc. I found searching for food that I ate a bit difficult. I could only get products they have listed. But they do offer you the availability of setting up your own food items. It takes a bit of time, but once you have them the charting of your food takes no time at all. The other one is: Sparkpeople.com. I like them as well. Try both and see which one you like. Doddie

Just one thought popped into my mind after I posted. A recent study on weight loss was posted in our local paper approx. a month ago and it found the most successful weight loss was the personal contact with people with the same issues. Web support came in very low for consistant weight loss over a period of time. Another thought to ponder. But whatever, good luck you have some great goals. Doddie

Hi Luvinki: I have some thoughts that may help you decide. 1. If there are bandster support groups in your area go to those. They will have similar problems and questions as you do. 2. If there are not, then go to WW. The personal contact with people with weight issues will be great. There are of course downsides to joining a group at work. If they know you have the band, you will have to have a thick skin as the jokes of "having help" or not so funny snide remarks. Also, people are odd. They tend to resent the success of others and if you have to work with them it could be difficult. By going to an outside WW, your personal life is separate and apart from the workplace which I think is good thing to do. Hope this gives you a few of the pros and cons to make a decision.

sphil: The band has been in use in Europe for 20 plus years and in Canada for some time now. Complications are rare. One thing about the band, everything is fixable. I commend you for looking into both the upside and downside of the band but don't let the downside scare you off. Before making such a life style changing decision, it is best you look into the whole picture. Even when you make your decision right up until you climb up on the OR table you may have flashes of doubt. I certainly did, but the outcome of being able to eat normally and lose weight without the fear of puting it back on instantly kept my resolve. Good luck in your decision and if you decide to have the band, which surgeon in Vancouver did you pick. I am from North Vancouver and you are welcome to attend our meeting once a month at Lions Gate Hospital. We are a small group but would be happy to try and answer any questions you may have. Doddie

sorry shortgal. BTW, you stats are looking great. Doddie

Yes cassie: You lost 21 lbs. That is terrific success. As we all know, more than likely without the band it would be a 21 lb gain. Keep on smiling and don't rush the weight loss. As long as the arrow points down be satisfied, give your self a treat like a long bubble bath, facial, etc. It is surprising how the 1/2 lbs add up after a year. Doddie

shortgal: You may need a complete physical exam because the left sided pain my not be caused by the band but by something else. I have severe pain on the right side groin, and I am told that the membrane in the uterus is very thin. On the lighter side, have you had your appendix out? Doddie

Nancy's PR may be a problem to some (me) but I still have unshakeable faith in TLBC. They are trying very hard to set up support for long distance people and I understand with their new CEO, Jill and he CEO will be venturing out to other areas to talk to long distance patients. I have huge respect for Dr. Yau and Jill. Since I put my concerns in writing, Jill has been contacting me monthly to help me sort out any problems. I understand I am not the only long distance patient she telephones. Just the contact with the clinic, keeps me connected to the clinic. I don't think they could do much more for me. Doddie

what's "fica" mean? Doddie

Thanks athinnerdenise. Good to hear from someone that what I am doing is good work. No question in mind mind losing weight is "work" but the outcome is to tintilating. You have done so well to lose 65 lbs. This remaining 5 lbs, does it go up and down or are you at a steady weght. Do you think you may have reached your natural weight. I have read that bone mass on overweight people is usually greater thus we are usually at the higher end of normal weight scales. Doddie

speed racer. You may need a complete defill for a few weeks to allow your pounch to rest. You may have inflamed it in some manner. I would go back to your clinic and see if a defill would help. It is worth a try. Others have had success with defills. Doddie

Thanks athinnerdenses. I have to keep looking at that stat to keep my sanity. Only 1 lb down for all of March (easter bunny was good) now I am busy trying to loose my usual two - three pounds per month.Doddie

Hi Everyone: Just advised by Jill that her new CEO and her will be going out into the wilderness and setting up fill and support people. At long last the long distance patients will soon be getting some contact other than telephone or long flights. Yahoo! Check their website if you are a patient of theirs for the announcement. Doddie

andreerichards: Sorry you misunderstood what I was suggesting. If you contact the manufacturer, you may be able to find out if any stores in Vancouver are their distributors. There are many mail order stores on the internet, but they also supply specialty stores. You may be able to get a name and address to visit. Doddie

I too recommend the TLBC. They are a great clinic for not only the banding but for support as well if you live in Ont. They are working on the support for long distance patients. As for the ER rooms, there is definately some doctors that have less than good PR when it comes to banders. I think the fact they are not trained in the simple procedure of removing saline is the major reason. I believe in our province the band is not recognized by the Medical Authorities so no training is given. In any event, the TLBC is a great choice. Doddie

Kaya I don't blame you what with all the skytrain muggings go on. I ceertainly would not venture out your way. I wish you luck in finding a group. As I said I know the BC WLS groups meet all over Vancouver LM. Doddie

If Ramona messes up again, I would report her to the SWLC. She may need further training and the clinic would want to know that she was representing them properly. As for Dr. Woodhead, his application is lengthy and he does not take on other doctors surgical patients easily. If you decide to go to him and he accepts you, I am sure you will like him. Doddie

North Vancouver group has a total of four. Two from North Van, one from Pemberton and one from LM. Wish we could get more but we don't even get a nibble. Guess people think they can do it on their own, unless of course they attend a mixed gastric bypass & banded group. These groups are great but I found the gastric bypass patients lose weight so rapidly that their needs were different to mine. I sure hope the N.V. group holds up. Doddie

There is one fill nurse in Vancouver Medical and Dental Building that is on SWLC list. Don't know if her name is Ramona, but I know she does them because she turned me down. Doddie

After curves give yourself a treat (not food). ie get your hair done, buy a new bit of clothing, get a manicure, whatever it takes. Doddie

sorry andeerichards. I am not sure of your message and what you are trying to say? Doddie

Exercise is not my strong point either. For years, I look at the piddly amount of calories expended on 30 minutes and got discouraged. Still do actually. There is an article in our local paper about exercise and the harm people are doing to themselves because of over exercising. Joint damage, etc. Now I exercise moderately by walking on a treadmill and view it as a good cardio workout and not a weight loosing workout. I view my 1 cup of food per meal as my weight loss program. So far the distinction is working. Slowly, but working. Doddie