Doddie63

No, I never have met with Dr. Yau and as a matter of fact I haven't met with any surgeon nor has my husband in any of our operations. Have met them after the fact but their instructions are short and crisp, then on to the next bloke. It has been the family GP that has answered questions. To me, surgeons are fabulous at what they do but most have the PR skills of a do do bird. Doddie

Where are you from. TLBC has tremendous support for locals but is lacking in long distance programs. I can call for any type of support regarding diet or queries about the band, but to find a fill doctor that is connected with the TLBC out here in BC is difficult. TLBC is connected to one fill doctor here but he has no fluro so if I had a problem, I would have to fly back to Toronto or use a doctor in Calgary. I have no hesitation is recommending the TLBC as Dr. Yau is one of the best. Just wanted to point out a small shortcoming that they are presently working on to improve. Doddie

Hi crazycat. I lost one pound last month. Exercised 3 days a week minimum. But and this is a big But, I succumbed to soft foods that are of course higher in calories. I track every day. But still one pound down in a month is a victory for me. For what my advice may be worth. Continue to work with your wonderful doctor and you will reach goal. He is leading you down the correct path. Don't get impatient you will win the battle. I wish I had such a doctor. My fill doctor (not my surgeon) isn't too good with the encouragement and advice bit. You will do find. Doddie

Well done crazy cat. You lost 30 lbs and the expectation of loosing 30 more this year. You have set a realistic goal based on your lifestyle. Loosing slowly is not such a bad thing. We tend to get impatient because of all the hype surrounding the band. Remember the turtle won the race over the rabbit and I bet you have a lot less saggy skin. Doddie

Hey Guys: The band is not a magic wand. You have to still work at loosing weight . The band is only there to help you with your appetite and the amount of food you consume. You have to decide not to consume fattening stuff, you have to decide to exercise. If you are depressed and not loosing weight and you have had your band checked for defects and all is OK, then you have to look at your head hunger and how it is controlling you. I am a slow looser because I chose to be one. I don't faithfully exercise as I hate it but I don't keep a tight fill. I am afraid of tight fills because of all the problems they cause. The loose allows me to eat most everything but no more than a cup or 3 oz of protein and 1/2 cup of veggies. As a result, I am only loosing .85 lbs per week. My point of all of this is "if you are not loosing weight look to yourself, not the band". Doddie

Before taking insulin, I sure a "h..." would decrease the metformin. It is the drug of first resort but can cause kidney damage. Also, Lipitor could be the culprit for increasing your sugar. Take a good look at the all the side effects of your drugs before going on insulin. By taking a look I mean actually going into a medical book that lists all the side effects. I was put on Lipitor and spent 6 days in hospital before someone (me) read the medical book and found that severe allergic reactions is difficulty in breathing. Just a caution from one that has been there Doddie

Hi: Becareful with Lipitor. It is a very common HB pill but when my doctor put me on it, I spent 6 days in hospital unable to breathe. We found out later that a very rare reaction to Lipitor can cause breathing difficulties. I was taken off he drug and I no longer have a problem. I would certainly check out the drugs you are on in the event you are having an allergic reaction to them. Some forms of rare reactions are not printed in the general handout but are in the medical books.

NJ Low impact is walking. If you have no aqua fit classes near you all doctors recommend walking. Get an IPOD (if you don't have one) put on a good pair of walking shoes and go for a walk. It may be only 5 minutes at first but before you know it, you will be putting on the miles. I read in the paper today that people that use a pedometer find they are more successful than when they didn't use one. Walking is also cheap. Doddie

I guess, the youngest in Canada could be interpreted many ways. One is the youngest in Canada for the TLBC clinic. I suspect each clinic can claim the youngest patient in their care. Doddie

Hi: I have Diabetes II and my pills have been reduced from 5 to 1. I am now seeing low 6's in my blood work. Here is an exerpt from the Financial Post yesterday: Weight-loss surgery using gastric banding can reverse type 2 diabetes in obese people, Australian researchers report. Obese individual who underwent the procedure were more than five times more likely to see their diabetes resolve than people who relied on lifestyle changes alone.............quote.:redface:

Right on Alex R. After care is vital. I know as I live out in BC. No fill nurse or doctor will do fills for other clinic's patients. As a favor to my surgeon, a local surgeon is now taking care of me but I was in a real panic. Also, don't forget there are side affects you could experience such as erosion, slippage, flipped port, stuck food. You need to get to get a fluro or defill quickly. How quick could you get to Mexico? Some Colleges of P&S are dithering on whether or not GPs should do fills as a result, many GPs are declining to do the fills. So think twice no three times before going out of the Country just to save a few "bob". Doddie

Go on line to the CRA website. You can also telephone them and they will tell you how to do it. There is a special form and make sure you have all your receipts for expenses you are climing. My Dr. at my clinic, also sent a letter stating his assessment of me warranted the surgical intervention.

If you would like support I have no problem with that. We could help each other. I have a e mail pal in Texas and also Halifax and I would certainly enjoy corresponding with you for support. Email me privately at doddie63@hotmail.com and we can chat.

NJ I would rather have the band stuck on my ribs than rolls of fat :tt1::rolleyes2:. I am slowly loosing these layers of insulation and the more I loose the more I feel my band. Uplifting or what. Doddie

Hi Angi1982. Congratulations on the upcoming start to the rest of your life. I will be thinking of you. I think your doctor will write you a prescription for pain killers. You shouldn't need tyelnol as well. Just buy a pill crusher and crush your pills. I did that for 30 days and then the clinic allowed me to take the pills whole. Granted the pill powder can be gross but it works. Also, talk to the pharmacist and find out which pills can be crushed. One of my blood pressue pills stated it should not be crushed be cause it was slow acting. I crushed it anyway and had no problems. Doddie

My port lies on its side and it is very difficult to get in a fill. Takes about 20 to 30 minutes. I am told it is a very easy surgical proceedure to turn the port around so people with flipped ports don't worry too much. I find that my port portrudes also but I rub it like a soother. It makes me feel so comforted in tht I have the band doing its job. Sounds weird I know, but I do find comfort in feeling the port. Doddie

:smile:Candy patience, please. The band is a tool that helps you control your appetite nothing more. It is not a magic panacea. You need time to heal before going for fills that will tighten the band. If you loose 1 -2 lbs per week after your THIRD fill then you will be on your way. Your weight was not put on overnight nor will it come off. You still have to work at the way you eat and exercise. Doddie

No your scale is not wrong at home. I doubt there are many scales that read exactly as another one. Pick one scale as your official weight and stick to it. Anyother information should not be included in what you call you weight loss. I use my home scale as the offical one, mainly because I like to weight every day. My doctors scale is for his information not me. When I am asked what my weight is, I always reply which scale. Then I give my home weight. Don't let all the excess information from outside depress you. Doddie

Good Decision NJ. When you are married if you are half as happy and content as I have been, you will be very happy and content. Lots of support. Doddie

Any reputable surgeon in a reputable clinic such as the TLBC will repair the hernia as part and parcel of putting in the band. They will tell you the medical reasons why they repair it. I just know they do. When I had my consult, it was free but once I fixed a date, I had to pay a substantial down payment for them to maintan the day. Don't blame them as they have to pay all the staff whether or not the surgery goes ahead. If you go to the TLBC website, you can find out a lot of information. Check it out. They even have a little video.

You will be fine and beautiful if you decide to marry at any weight. You have had a rough life and getting pregnant can be avoided until you are ready. I agree, you want to be slim when you decide to have another and you can find weblinks that bandsters that are pregnant or become pregnant can give you "tons' of information. No one can make these critical decisions for you but all I can say is don't let the weight issue cloud your judgment. Face your decision head on. Good luck.

Well that bit of information from PsTEVENS9 would be enough to turn me off. The TLBC replaces any defective ports or bands free and doesn't pass off their responsibilities. I would suggest you look to other cllnics and ask them their policy on relacing slipped or erroded bands. Doddi

Where did you go?

I have found them. Yippee! Now I just have to figure how I can see them all as half the smileys are covered by the column of ads and writing.Thanks again.:confused2: Doddie

Go with your gut instincts. There are well established clinics in your area and take your time choosing. Doddie