Doddie63

You are helping by responding. I was at aqua fit the other day and went into diabetic shock. LOL, I have lost enough weight that the meds are too strong so I have been reduced yet again. However, I am only loosing .85 lbs per week and it seem so slow compared to others and I have been getting down on myself. So the call from the TLBC was great. The doctor is keeping a loose fill - only 5 ccs as I am loosing weight and he doesn't want more fill until I stop loosing weight. With the loose fill, there is less chance of PBing as I am a gulper. When I get that under control then I probably will get more fill. Only PB 3 times in November better than every day when I first had the band. Anyway thanks for the support - really appreciate it. Doddie

Thanks peaches. Just sour grapes on my part because I so envy the personal support you all enjoy. TLBC is trying very hard to assist me (and others out in the boonies). Had a call yesterday and had a one on one consult with the dietician. She really helped me get my head back on straight. Anyway have a great time and have an extra celery stick for me. Doddie

Right on Angie: I went to TO and had a wonderful doctor BUT I am sadly sorry about the support. TLBC is trying but e mails and telephone calls are not the same as one on one. I now go to Dr. W. and gladly pay him the consult fee. I just wish I had chosen him in the first place, but my research indicated to me he was thinking of leaving. That was not the case. It was a poor case of the newspaper getting it wrong. I don't regret using Dr Yau in the least, but I do regret the after care decision I made. Doddie

Yeah great! for TLBC toronto clients. Diddly squat for out of towners but I understand they will be unveiling their support system for us then. Better late than never.

OOPs, hit the wrong button. Having said that, I am grateful to Dr. Woodhead who is taking me under his wing even though he did not do the surgery. He charged me $400 for a consult fee and fill and now charges me $75.00 per fill or visit. On my last visit, although it was my choice, he advised me not to have a fill at this time. This is why my confidence in him has grown. He is genuinely interested. Canadagirl is correct, you can get excellent care in Washington and they have a terrific support system. Everyone must decide what their future holds for them. Me for instance I cannot get travel insurance because of other health issues so the USA or Mexico would be out for me. There is no right or wrong but to choose what is best for you. Doddie

What Canadagirl has to say is correct. It costs me approx. $1,000 to go to Toronto and back just to be told I may or may not need a fill. There is no question they have the best support group for people in Toronto but for out of province people the support is slim. I do know, they are working to correct that problem and understand they may be unveiling their program for long distance patients in December. Having

Sherrylynn: PB is productive burp a polite word for "puke". If you do not chew your food properly or your band is filled to tight, food cannot pass thru to the stomach and you will get pain like you would never believe. That is when you go to the bathroom and purge the food out of your pouch. Some people it occurs naturally others stick their fingers down their throat. It is very dangerous in that the band can erode or slip. If those things happen you will need surgery to remove the band. I think most of us have PB'd a lot at first then as we changed our ways it becomes more infrequent. Whatever take great pride if you can change your ways without PBing. Doddie

Lisa I am going to be brutal here. We are not the ones you should be asking for advice when it comes to PBing every day. You should be talking with the clinic and doctor. PBing every day can cause serious health problems and should not continue. Donna D is correct better to be slightly underfilled and get your PBing undercontrol. Band erosion or slippage from what I have read is not a pleasnt thing to go thru. Doddie

Hmmmmm, good question. I believe it is every 3rd wednesday of the month. In fact I am sure. Pat posts the meeting on the Canadianlapbanders and the BC WLS site. If you are a member of either, just watch for the posting. If you don't find it, feel free to e mail me and I will tell you. I think I gave you my private e mail. Doddie.

Hi: Sorry time is 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm Doddie

Hi: GurlyGirl: We are a small group that was started by Patricia who comes all the wayin from Whister. We meet at the Lions Gate Hospital every third Wednesday (November 21) in conference room C. Directions: Come in the main entrance. The coffee shop is on the left as you come thru the doors. Straight ahead to the Gift Shop turn a sharp right, thru two double doors down corridor and then a right and we meet in the first room on the right. We would love to see you. Patricia has put in a lot of time and effort to set up this room (it is free to us) and we are all hoping other Bandsters in the lower mainland will join us. Please come, and meet us. Doddie.

Hi: buffie I responded privately to you on your e mail. 101 lbs is nothing to sneeze at. You are doing just great. Doddie

I believe it is between 9 - 10 but suggest you contact the doctor who put it in or contact the manufacturer. When I registered my band with the company they were very good at answering any questions posed. What concerns me is the amount you now have and you think you need a tweek. Has anyone checked your band for leakage. I have 5 ccs in my band I can't eat more than 1 cup of food at any one time. I know the average fill is 5 to 8 ccs. Doddie

Hi: If you are from BC there is a support group meeting every third Wednesday at the Lions Gate Hospital. Two of the ladies that attend went to your clinic I believe. They travel to the States to get fills. You are welcome to come to our meeting before and after surgery. I do know the clinic they attended in washington state is apparently very good. Doddie

Buffie: Hi from BC. What does your doctor say. Maybe you have reached what should be the normal weight for a person of your height, bone structure, etc. I used to correspond with a TLBC patient from Saskatoon who worked at the hospital are you that person? Doddie

Hi: Your decision is for you and your health. If support is not forthcoming from your family and friends, remember the bandsters are there to help. We will give you all the support we can muster. Our answers may not always fit your needs, but at least we are hear to listen. Good luck. Doddie

Thanks Peaches. It has been slow and sometimes I get impatient but then I remember, I am changing my way of eating and NOT dieting. I only have 5 ccs but want to keep it loose until I get my chewing thoroughly as second nature. On the 22nd of Nov. I see my Dr. and will follow his recommendation whether or not I should have more fill. My weight loss pales to yours, and my hearty congratulations to you. It just shows the band is a wonderful tool if used correctly. Doddie

a secret is a secret until you tell one person. The band is part of me now and I would no sooner ask someone if they are wearing false teeth than I would about their weight. But it seems socially acceptable to make comments about peoples weight loss. Usually meant as a compliment and I am sure with a little bit of envy. My answer is usally "thank you, I appreciate that you noticed". If the question "how" comes up, my response is "oh the usual way" unless I feel my personal information may benefit someone then I will talk about the band. All my family and friends know of my decision to have the band.

Beats me. I was there only for a short time. The fill is given then you have to sip some water to be sure it goes down and if you have no problems you leave. Guess the time estimate is to allow you to sip slowly and/or there are others at the same time. Doreen

HI JEN: I am young at heart, 64 but there are many young people on the website, especially this one. It was a young girl who started this TLBC patient site. Welcome to bandland and feel free to post any questions, concerns, fear, joys, successes, and failures (yes failures). Because even if you have the band, it is just a tool and everyone experiences their ups and downs. Good luck. Doddie

I alway "make the attempt" to take my shoes off but lately, people have been asking me to leave the shoes on. One friend explained to me that socks or bare feet have skin oil in them and dirty the carpet. Best bet is to take a pair of clean slippers or shoes with you. Can't imagine being all dressed up at a house party and being in stocking feet, can you? LOL

The whole purpose of the band is to learn to eat in a healthy way. Taking diet pills may help in the weight loss area, but what are you learning about proper eating. Also, isn't the reason we spent 16K to get the band was to kick the quick fixes such as diet pills. I note you will not be taking them and good for you but I suppose it boils down to personal choices. Doddie

You are welcome Lizzie. Good luck as you start your journey and remember, we are all here to support you every step of the way. By going to a support group if you can, you will find meeting and seeing people in your situation is very gratifying. The board is very good, but can't replace personal contact. Doddie

well said. I think it would be very rare if there is any bandster out there that has not had a few backwards step and beat themselves up. by posting, we stay in touch with people that have similar emotions and problems. Susan Silver do yourself a favor and us by posting. Don't forget as you are getting support from us, we are getting support from you. You may not realize that by posting how you feel and what you are doing, I for one am looking at your post and saying "I felt that way, I am not alone. I am not different." So give yourself a real big hug and say I am on the road again. Doddie

PS: Hope you came thru the hurricane OK.