Doddie63

Hi: I was banded at the TLBC and the two doctors that run that clinic introduced the band to Canada and have trained a good deal of the gastric band medical people. TLBC staff all have had the band and have lost huge amounts of weight. IN MY OPINION they are the best. If I did not think so at the time, why would I have entrusted my health to them. No way would I buy what I thought was second best for $16,000 K. Sure hope ALL bandsters felt the same way about their doctor/clinic. Doddie

Well said Patricia. I thought I had a doc lined up but when it fell thru I was in deep doggie do. Dr. W. kindly took me on after a referral from Dr. Yau in To. Tmostert, contact those doctors. I can tell you that Dr. W. charges $400.00 for a consult and $75.00 per fill, but I think someone posted he will not do fills for patients banded in Mexico. Best start making calls now. Doddie

Hi: I am a graduate of the TLBC. Live out in BC. Only concern I had in the past was lack of fill clinics out in BC. That was satisfied by the clinic by referring me to a doctor out here. Now no worries. Would recommend Dr. Yau very quickly. To me it was more important to have the best (in my opinion). Thought I had the fill situations solved but the GP out here backtracked so did have some great concerns at first.

Congratulations bandiva. I concur with you about doctors but at the same time I also try to caution people on leaving the country because the band is for life. Circumstances change over time. Doddie

I travelled from Toronto to BC after my surgery. I guess i was very lucky as I had no problems. Jacklyn I know you don't want to get out of bed but make sure you do. Get up every hour and walk and cough. Glad you are OK and you start your new journey.

<p>Amy: Every 3rd Wednesday night at the Lions Gate Hospital. The time is set for 6:30 to 8:30 but most arrive around 7;00 pm. Go to the main entrance off 15th. Go past the coffee stand towards the gift shop turn right and go thru a set of double doors down corridor. Turn right and the first room on your right.</p> <p>If you can't make it tomorrow, sign up for membership on the BC - WLS website. Patricia posts there every month. Contact me by e mail if you wish. Doddie</p>

We meet every month, third Wednesday of each month. If you join the BC WLS website, they Patricia Posts it. The BC WLS is for gastric bypass and banders. Can't wait to hear from you what Dr. W. has to say. I know you will really like him. Doddie

Hi Marilyn: I live in North Vancouver could I join. LOL Doddie

Hi Jacklyn: Congratulations and sleep tight. Everything will go well and before you know it you will be on the other side. Welcome to bandster land. You won't regret your decision at least I sure don't. Doddie

Way to go Ang. Dr. Woodhead is my doctor. Why don't you join us at the Lions Gate Hospital this Wednesday. Meeting starts at 7:00 - 8:00. There are four of us banders who felt we needed support as a group. The web is great, but actually meeting people and talking about the joys and problems as a group is a lot of fun. You can get a lot of support while you are waiting for your surgery. Again congratulations, you won't regret your decision. Doddie

Argon you got a job out here. Doddie

Hi Amy I am in the Lower Mainland - North Vancouver in fact. Why don't you join us at the Lions Gate Hospital this Wednesday. We would love to have you. there are 4 of us that meet. Doddie.

Wells said Cookielover. I don't know if you read my previous posts, but I too endorse Dr. W. He does my fills as a favor to Dr. Yau in Toronto. He did charge me $400 for a consult fee and $75. for the fill but when i consider the fare to Toronto, $75 is cheap. I am very annoyed with the individual posting such outrageous statements about Dr. W. I found myself responding in Dr. W. defense. I am so glad you chimed in.

Wecome to the other side Hope. Sure glad you had no complications. I was the same. Now the work begins to learn how to change your eating habits. Please continue obeying the rules by sticking to the fluids, full fluids, mushies and don't rush the time table. If you give your band lots of time to heal, your success shouldl be assured. Doddie.

Good advice from all but I find a bit of humour in my nauseau. When I think about eating, I feel sick. I am a speed eater and for a long time, I would have the severe pain from chunky food trying to pass thru the band and then PB. Now, whenever I think about eating, I feel sick. Food no long is a #1 in my life. I have a lot of battle to go yet, but I think of the feeling of sick as a good thing. Doddie

1. Let them think what they want. You are a nice muslim girl or your hubby beat you up, does it really matter to anyone other than your family. I had eye surgery and had two black eyes and looked like a racoon. A police officer offered me victims counselling. I burst out laughing and told him I had surgery and we both had a great laugh. Seriously it is nobodies business let them be curious if you don't want to say anything. But when they see the finished product and how beautifully young you are, they will know anyway. Doddie

I think all diets accomplish the same goal and that is to shrink the liver so the docs can move it aside to put the band on the stomach. Each clinic has a diet that they think is the most successful. I was on yogurt and cottage cheese and really didn't mind it at all for the two weeks. Once I was told I could eat all I wanted then I was OK with it. Just kept one thing in mind all the time and that was "shrink the liver to prevent complications". Didn't care what I ate as I was so keen to have the band and I haven't regretted my decision in the least. Doddie.

I never experienced migrain, but a withdrawal from caffeine if not the cause, would certainly increase the intensity of migraine. You should be able to take pain medication as I was allowed to take all mine. After the surgery, I had my medication just had to crush it. Now that is an experience. Blah...Good luck Doddie

coffee has caffeine and that is addictive. Try weaning yourself off it. Too much coffee makes me nauseus also, especially on an empty stomach. Try drinking chicken broth or some sort of protein shake that your diet allows, but cut back on the coffee. Doddie

I would suggest you take the pickle and such on it. Then throw out the pickle. The pickle taste should settle your craving. But I would not break the diet, it is too important and your doctors would not have prescribed the diet if it wasn't important. Do give in you can do it. Think of the benefits to come. Doddie

Thanks Irishmist. I am only loosing 3 lbs a month averages about .75 lbs per week since the band but the side benefits are unbelievable. Now I have BPing fairly undercontrol, I am thinking of getting another 1 cc fill. Little bit scared because I am so close to being at the sweet spot. I feel comfortable eating 1 cup a meal, not hungry after and only BP if I don't chew properly. Still I think I should be loosing 1 - 2 lbs per week. Maybe a 1 cc fill?????

My worst ..When I got on the airplane a jerk looked up at me and said "everyone off, plane overload". I looked at him and said "yes please get off so I can have your aisle seat". My best, the next time I flew after the band, did not need the seat belt extender.

Know what you mean Argon. Until the BC WLS group and the TLBC helped me find Dr. W. Dr. W. is doing it as a favor to Dr. Yau. I was at a loss wondering how doctors can refuse aid because a fill is a medical proceedure NOT a visit to the doctor. I know that doctors can limit their patient list to as many as they like but that is for general care not for a procedure. So why are they getting away with it. Probably becuase no one has complained to their Medical Association. I don't know but so help me, even if I had to go back to Toronto for every fill and defill, I would gladly do it as I am feeling so well. Now off my third BP pill and 4th diabetic pill.

extremely lucky I would say. I have been criticized in the past by some bandsters. They had the audacity to suggest I should have thought about the fills before I had surgery. The fact of the matter is, priority is placed on selecting the best doctors in our own opinions. You can research until the cows come home and feel assured you will have a fill doctor/nurse when you have the surgery but what happens when they leave, etc. . The band is for life and in my case, my fill person reneged. Thanks to TLBC and a WLS support group, I found a bariatric surgeon to do my fills and look after me. But my fear is what if he leaves. Then what. Probably it will mean travelling to Toronto for fills and hoping the ER staff know about defills. Still harship aside, I still am thrilled I have the band. My weight is going down and my health is getting better. Doddie

lizze. Congratulations on finding a fill doctor. I correspond with Marilyn all the time and she is one fantastic friend and supporter if you make the effort to get to know her. Good luck on your journey to a fantastic body and health. Doddie