Doddie63

Hi Jim. (my husband's name is Jim too). Whew! glad you are being monitored by the clinic if not your GP. Only time I wish I lived in Toronto, is when I need a fill or want to see Dr. I will be there June 13-17 to see Dr. Yau as my port has flipped. I understand there is a good chance he can correct the problem with a local. Sure would be great. The flipped port was the reason I cautioned you to keep in touch with your GP, you never know. Doddie.

Hi Jim: You are very successfull in your loss, congratulations. Just noticed though that you had not seen your doctor since preop. Just thought I would pass on to you that the surgeon who has taken over my care on fills (because I live in Vancouver, BC and can't get to Toronto frequently) told me I should be seeing my GP at least once a month. As you loose weight, your body changes as well as your need for medications if you are on any. So just a suggestion, go see your family doc. Doddie

HI: Thought I would let everyone know that TLBC conducted its first teleconferencing support meeting for those banders unable to attend in person at the clinic. Although we had a few growing pains and there was just a few of us, it was very enjoyable. I came away with a feeling of belonging and that there was support after the band. Hope more of the TLBC banders take part next month.

My doctor is supportive, but reneged on the fills. I now have a surgeon recommended by TLBC. I will be returning to TO because my port has flipped but for all the right reasons, I would have the band without any reservation whatsoever. I no longer hunger for food, no longer have the crazed out of control feeling. I am loosing about 1/2 lb a week. Not great but at least not a gain. I am a "grazer" and even with the band I can tuck a lot of food away, but with the band, I have help in controlling the out of control times simply because the pouch fills up and hurts if I get too full. Knowing about the band, I would not have gastric by pass unless I had tried the band first. Hope this helps answer a few of the doubts. doddie

Sweats, Ts and loose fitting pants. Don't forget, you can't lift more than 10 lbs so your suitcase should be small. You need one change of clothes at most. But supply your hotel room with bottled water as the hotels charge an arm and a leg. You will be groggy and sleep a lot, but when you are up every hour to walk and cough, you will need fluid. Doddie

Miranda: I am 63 and I don't believe in e mails for such serious topics. Call and keep calling every ten minutes. When you get the operator, tell her you are not happy and want to speak to someone in particular the head nurse. You could also ask for Chris Henderson, Chief Operatin Officer. I was very insistant and was put thru to the head nurse and had my concerns dealt with. Had my appointment date given to me, expressed my concern about anchoring and got my answers. I appears to me that business people are inundated with e mails, text messaging, voice mail, etc. etc. Obviously they are overwhelmed by the deluge of electronic messages. So I rely on the "old persistant" method. Using the telephone until I get a live voice. Green you sure had a wise mom. Doddie

I wish you the best results from the surgery. Do you have a partner that will be there for you? The day of and the next day you are very groggy and there may be prescription medication required. If not, suggest you take along some pain killers, gas X, and bottled water. Good luck in keeping the news from your DH but you will have to tell him eventually because of the incisions and other things. Doddie

LOL: I agree, but I can only look as I am far to old for such a good looking man. But I can dream can't I. ( I did not dream up the flipped port to get an appointment with him,h onest)

Thanks Yoda: TLBC referred me to a surgeon here in Vancouver and he is the one that diagnosed my flipped port. But he can't get OR room in BC unless it is an emergency soooooooooo back to Dr. Yau. Must say I am happier to be going back to Dr. Yau. His placement of the band has been problem free except for the flip. Will find out from him whether or not he will anchor the port or not. The Doc out here wants it anchored so he doesn't puncture the tubing. He doesn't have access to a fluroscope (sp?). Talked to the head nurse, about to anchor or not achor and there are pros and cons to either situation so hopefully Dr. Yau will set me straight on what to do. Doddie

Depends on what the hotel has to offer in the way of microwave. I would suggest that unless you have a partner who can go shopping for you take everything with you need because the day after surgery you will be very groggy and just want to sleep. I took some chicken in the mug and used the tea maker in the room. The Holiday Inn on Bloor street does not have microwaves. Also, take your optifast and put in some bottled water. The hotels charge an arm and a leg for the water. If you have a hot water bottle you may want to take that because sometimes people have gas pains after sugery and a hot water bottle helps. Mainly though, it is the water that is most important. Doddie

rekunah: I think he left at the end of January. Anyway more news from me. I am grateful the clinic is continuing as I have a flipped port and will be in TO to see Dr. Yau on the 14th. Everyone has been very cordial and understanding. They have bent over backwards to ensure my appointment and surgery dates are back to back because I have to fly such a distance. Life after Dr. Joffee continues at the TLBC. BAU (love those initials). Doddie

Hi Marcar: Don't let our experiences scare you. We are only telling so that others can be aware if they start to experience symptons and at least have some knowledge of what is happening and what to do. My port has flipped and I am going to be seen by Dr. Yau on June 14 and sugery on June 15. I live in North Vancouver, so I have the costs of flying to Toronto on uncomfortable planes and may have some large costs associated with the corrective procedure, BUT, know what? I would do it all over again in a shot. There are hundred that have no problems whatsoever. All I know, I am eating proper portions, I am not hungry, I have more energy every day that goes by. I am loosing very slowly on purpose. I am 63 and I want my skin to shrink back as much as possible. I guess my point is, your journey is your own, don't worry about others. Doddie.

Hi guys: Don't want to burst your bubble about the DVD (it is a terrific teaching tool), however, when I enquired about using my DVD at ER hospital, they told me they a) didn't have time they didn't want a virus in their computers. I thought I would be clever and check out the DVD with them, so much for being clever. Doddie

Hi Miranda: Keep checking in. Sometimes others that have gone thru an experience and solved it can be very helpful. Also, check one of the other threads as there are a number of people preparing for banding and looking for a buddy as well. Doddie

Hi: I will be in Toronto on the 14th &15th. I will be seeing Dr. Yau on the 14th and then surgery on the 15th. My port has flipped. Anyone there that see a "big woman" hope you say hi. Doddie Oh! Donna D. don't be impatient, I have only taken off less than a lb a week without much exercise. Are you exercising?????? Doddie

Just scrolling thru the posts about poor response from TLBC. Maral is on leave for awhile so you may have to call back and ask the operator who is taking her place. Also, the best time I have had in calling is first thing in the morning before all the operations and appointments start. If I don't have a call back in 24 hours I call again. Also, call the number and punch zero. You get a real life operator tell her you are concerned your calls not being returned and to put you directly on to someone in charge. No question the clinic is busy, you just have to be persistant. Hope these hints help. Doddie.

Terranne: Hi: Anyone with a weight problem has failed so many times they were in tears and depressed. This is what caused most of us to make the giant step to acqiring a band. I was 303 lbs when I made my decision, I had the band Feb. 01/07 and yesterday I was told the port had flipped and I needed further corrective surgery. The TLBC has a wonderfull followup program and the fills are free as well as they have a nutritionist and support programs. A conference call is now being put in place for out of towners. I am from North Vancouver BC and I did not do a thorough job of researching the issue of fills. The TLBC referred me to a surgeon close to my home. I don't know for sure, but I believe the surgery correcting the port flip is free of charge. I may have to pay for the anetheseologist (sp?). What I am saying, is I would do it again with no second thoughts, but I would be more careful in finding someone close to home so I wouldn't have the huge costs of flying to Toronto. You are in a tough position having to decide whether your family's spendable money goes on you or your husband but did you know that if your family doctor referred you to Alberta, they have a clinic that assesses people for banding. As the medical system is Federal, they take from anywhere. I belong to a support group and one of the ladies in my group is going to Alberta having been referred by her family doctor and the surgery will be paid for by the medical system. there are other requirements that I am not sure about. You may have to wait, but it would be better than doing nothing. Doddie

Hi: Yes, Donna D is correct. My port has flipped. The only way you know the port is flipped is when the doctor tries to put in the fill. My surgeon tried 8 times from all angles and tried to twist the port but he eventually said the port had flipped. He was trained by Dr. Yau. I have a visit set up for June 14 and 15th at the TLBC. Hopefully when Dr. Yau looks at the problem, he can right the port with a "local". I was aware of the risks and I know the clinic make the problem right. As for travel costs, I don't think they would cover that as out of towners take on that responsiblity when they get the band. Best way I can equate is the Ontario residents don't get reimbursed for travel when they have problems. I don't mind though, as I have been loosing 1/2 lb a week since surgery. Not a great lose, but in my mind a huge victory as I have not gained since Feb and before that I was gaining consistantly for two years until I reached 303 then I called about the band. Will let you all know the results after the 14th.

HI: I didn't see the show, but I do know that only the affected watch these programs. Anyone that does not have a weight problem don't bother to turn it on. I often think "thin" people won't watch these programs because they might find out they have a predjudice against obese people. Health authorities in this province are only now just getting the message about WLS and still will only promote gastric bypass. They stubbornly refuse to acknowledge the band. Seems all they think of is "exercise and control your food intake". It is obvious of their ignorance but what can one do other than continue to praise the band to their doctors. Mine is finally realizing the band is a viable weight control tool . there may be light at the end of the tunnel. Doddie

Hi: It would be interesting to know how many others find exercising difficult to get ones head around. How about it out there. What do you do to get yourselves moving??? Doddie

Hi: Wow! under 200. Isn't that a great accomplishment. You are moving guns afire. I am doing OK as far as chewing and portions BUT I did upchuk yesterday because I ate some "broadbeans" and they just didn't like to be eaten. My biggest problem is ongoing and that is to get exercising. I just am not motivated consistantly. I go on a three week aquafit regime then I stop. I haven't exercised this week. Must get moving one way or another. Doddie

Hi No he did not. He has always been conistantly the same weight. He is 74 (I am 63) and supported me when I said I needed an additional tool to help control my weight. Thanks, but right now, I am stuck at the same weight. I take aqua fit 3 times a week and eat around 1500 cals a day so think I might need a tighter fill. Will ask doctor this thursday. I notice you have lost 85 pounds. How did you know when you needed another fill or if you should just up your exercise or reduce calories??? At the moment, I am trying to focus on eating small bits but not too sure where to go from there. Doddie

HI: the more competition the better it is for all of us. Everyone has to think their doctore is the best. Could you let us know the after care your clinic provides. Doddie

Hi: Sorry you had difficulty with TLBC so you certainly should go to another clinic. I am not too sure what the TLBC would have to do with RRSPs but that is another issue. My point was that everyone that has been banded has had their own reasons for saying "their clinic/doctore was the best" and in reality that is true. We have to believe in our doctors in order to go thru such a proceedure. That is why we all say everyone must do their own research. I wish you well as I know the band is a wonderful tool for us. Doddie

HI: Check for a stitch still in the incision. I had pus coming from my scar for weeks and finally went to doctor and he told me it was a stitch caught in the skin. I telephoned the clinic and Nancy said the same thing. So I felt around and sure enough felt a roughness. I got the tweezers and pulled. Put antiseptic on and no problems since. Do call the doctor though and confirm, don't wait incase it is something more serious. Doddie