MadamBroom

The aftercare at Smart Shape is not good - they get your money do the surgery and then not much...disappointing and you pay $3,000 of your fee for support.

HI

I know of a very informative webinar you can watch. Email me at edergm@shaw.ca.

If you have to take pills that are larger than a pencil eraser, there are pill cutters or pill crushers available at drug stores to assist with swallowing larger pills.

Another "suggestion" ~ have you been able to spend time learning how the band really works? How to eat, and how to let the food settle or sit there without drinking to be able to fulfill the satiety gland so you do not feel hungry for the next 4 hours?

I was really amazed to finally truly understand how the band worked and what it was suppose to do and more importantly what I had to do, to make it work. Once I did understand and ate the proper foods, in the proper manner, IT ALL WORKED! It really was amazing and I wasn't hungry and I lost weight.

Good luck!

Hi

What may be normal to some is not normal to others, so please take what everyone says with a good grain of salt!

The best advice was given by MIs who said "Count Your Calories".

Even though you are eating healthy and possibly less than before there is no way you can know if you are eating within the proper caloric bounds or not unless you count your calories. Every calorie. You can think you are eating ok and within the necessary guidelines but cant know for sure unless you count your calories. Any good dietician will tell you to count your calories.

I would be reluctant to stay on the liquid/soft food diet any longer than your doctor or lap band adviser suggests. It's important to slowly add foods to your diet as instructed. But after that time it's time to start to learn how to eat with your band and the sooner you start the sooner you will be able to enjoy the successes you want.

It most likely is fair to say if you are not loosing weight then you are eating more than you should to loose weight, but this is really for a nutritionist or dietician to advise.

Keep a small notebook with you and record everything you eat, even a stick of gum. Learn to eyeball Protein portions or vegetable portions so you can count calories when you are out.

There are many wonderful apps out there like My Fitness Pal who will help you count and keep you on track . It can be accessed on your cell phone as well.

Good luck, take care of yourself but do seek professional advise for your concerns as my suggestions are just that, suggestions

HI

You most likely are still swollen as you are still healing from your surgery and things are bound to feel a bit strange. Be kind to yourself, no strenuous exercise for a bit and if need be place your hand over your incision when getting up if you need extra support. I know I did for a while.

Though do mention it to your doctor the next time you see him .

Hang in there!

Hot Butterfly said it so well ~ I sure do like that ~ Don't expect anything from anyone and be your own cheerleader!!

Hang in there, I did have what sounds like the same pain, that came and went and yes the stitches to the abdominal wall can be a bit tender. So no gymnastics or crazy stuff for you girl for a bit!

Be kind to yourself and do keep moving!!!! Small frequent walks....it's amazing what that does for a speedier, healthier recovery!

take care

Hi

It was an on again off again situation for about a week. In most cases, I felt good, not great but well enough to keep on. I just went slow and didn't expect too much of myself.

Then there were moments when I felt yucky. I had a lot of problems with shoulder pain from gas.

Even though I was not eating much at all, the pain was there.

If I didn't have the shoulder pain I wouldn't have taken any meds after the first 48 hours.

We are all different, so be kind to yourself and realistic at the same time. Make sure you are taking care of yourself, sticking to your fluids, (seriously), getting lots of rest and up and taking frequent small walks. The activity really helps.

take care

What a wonderful and courageous story!

Hang in there and be happy!

Any chance you chew gum?

I find when I chew gum, I have lots of "bad air" and burps.

Hang in there!

Sounds like your biggest decision was not about the beer but rather about the decision to become a healthier person.

Your concern is normal. I was afraid to let go of some of the things I really liked too - like an ice cold beer! Would I still be happy and satisfied without some of these things.

Well once the weight started to come off, it was easy to say no to the bad things because I wanted to loose weight more than I wanted that beer.

So just remember, moderation is key.

I do remember going out one night and ordering a tall cold beer and having to give it up less than 1/3 drank because it was so filling. More filling than a fizzy diet pop. So drat, there went even the occasional beer. But what also was gone was 40 lbs!!!

Congratulations! You give hope and inspiration to so many!!!

Enjoy your new found self!

If you are planning to go to SWLC (or anywhere I suppose) as an out of town patient, there are some things you might want to look at. First, when you initially ask for information, call or email or whatever, please keep in mind that although it's a medical procedure, the people you are talking to are still trying to sell you a product. So you will hear "we have LOTS of patients just like you," "don't worry about support we keep in touch by phone, by email, etc", "you will do just great!!!", "we have vegetarians who have great success with this!" etc etc. Honestly, it has to be a sales pitch because really how can they know how you will do without every having met you?

So you fly in ($$), get a hotel ($$), and unless you can bring a second person with you ($$), you are hiring a stranger to stay in your hotel room for 24 hours ($$). You also need to factor in cabs to and from the airport, and to and from the clinic....(more $$). Meals, Protein drinks....($$).

For me, my surgery was pretty uneventful. I arrived at the clinic ten minutes prior to my surgery, and waited in the waiting room for ages because the woman at the front desk forgot to check me in, or call up, or whatever she was supposed to do. So I was discovered, rushed upstairs, and was given the condensed version of the pre-surgery speech while the nurses struggled to get their computer program running. Then it was into surgery, wake up, drink some Water, walk to the door and out you go. Back to the hotel. I hung out at the hotel for a day then flew home (Alberta).

There is no SWLC where I live, so the set up is that I see my local doctor for fills. But fills only, not advice or treatment...he is told by the SWLC team that I need a fill and how much, and I need to make an appointment at that time. When I had my first consult, it sounded like I was going to have all this other support somewhere, and it didn't occur to me to ask how I was supposed to do this without access to my surgeon or to any of the WLC team. I am pretty sure I was hearing what I wanted to hear too, I had researched the heck out of the procedure and I was very carefully avoiding those nagging questions in the back of my head.

It seems the people here who are very successful have strong support systems in place. Visits to their doctor, contact with their surgical team, support groups, coffee meetings....weigh ins, fills, post op check ups, and so on. This didn't seem nearly as important as it is now proving to be. I have been in contact with my "nurses" about a half dozen times since my surgery. Each time the contact was initiated by me, each time by email. I get (at best) a quick paragraph back. When I first spoke to them about fills and hunger, I got a pdf on satiety that I had already been given, and a note to hang in there and talk to them in a couple of weeks. So I waited a couple of weeks, and contacted them again, and again mentioned that I am experiencing a lot of hunger. I gave them a detailed update including calorie intake, exercise, meals.....and mentioned that felt the lack of support was a problem. I had a specific question for them about Protein sources for a vegetarian. I got another one liner back -- "hang in there, you are in bandster hell......next fill in two weeks we will contact your doctor".

So fills are four weeks apart apparently, I would assume this is an across the board thing not geared individually to each patient. Which is a bit different than the sales pitch "tailored to individual needs" would have a person believe. Also as an out of towner, you need to know that fills cost you money each time you visit a doctor (only SWLC fills are part of the package). So if your surgeon decides to do a lot of small fills over time, this is going to add up. So when you go see your doctor locally for fills, it will cost you at the time and he (or she) will not be able to give you advice or answer your questions. Something else I glossed over in my head.

All in all, I am not sorry that I had this procedure. I just wish I had paid more attention to the emotional consequences of being so far away from the Dr and clinic. I was pretty sure I could tough it out and that I wasn't the type to need my hand held -- it's a bit surprising to me that I am indeed that type

So be aware, SWLC is a professional caring organization, but if you are travelling from another town or province they will just be that clinic somewhere else, they won't be "your" clinic, or "your" doctor. And if that is going to matter to you, make sure you think that part through very carefully.

I have to say that the negative responses above are somewhat self inflicted. SWLC has clinics in Alberta whereby it is the doctor/nurse who does your fills that answers all questions/concerns but can only answer what you ask. We do NOT pay for fills in Alberta if the surgery was done by SWLC. SWLC has frequent and informative webinars on a frequent basis to help understand, motivate and learn from your band. SWLC is not going to be the one to call YOU on regular basis. They do call 2 weeks post op to check up on you.

Getting the band was/is our choice and yes SWLC is a business. Thank goodness they are there. But we have to take responsibility to get the info we need when we need it. SWLC also pays for 3 nights of hotels.

All in all, if this was/is the choice that you choose to make, no it is not for free and dont expect to have it for free. Money for airport transfers, taxi's is all part of being able to pay for the procedure 100%. Save your money, get your flight and rental car on Air Miles, have a friend, spouse family member attend with you. If you cant afford it, then you have to wait provincially for the program. Don't blame SWLC for being a business and then having to pay for extra expenses on top of it.

Reality check...it cost us to get to this point in our life, so it will cost to get us out of this mess and into a new life!

If you go to emerge they have to treat you even if they just take it out. Then if they won't redo it get it done in Mexico. They are great there and here in ab you can get reimbursed for about 70% of the costs for put of country surgeries..

Hi

Alberta will only cover some of the costs. Of the $15,000 I paid Dr. Colburne I rec'd approx $1,800 back from Alberta Health Services.

HI

I found with each fill that it was tightest at the beginning and then would settle down. Do go slow. You are listening to your body.

If I follow the guidelines, it all works. When I rush, gulp, big bites or drink, it can come back up. Sooo...it's the boss and I have to listen!

Hang in there!

Gayle

Hi

Wonderful surgeon, experience, clinic, hotel everything! Dr. C and team were very patient, professional and thorough. He is concerned about every patient. I went from 220 lbs in Feb 2013 to180 lbs Jul 2013 - 30 lbs to go and it hasnt been that hard. Surgery was Feb 2013. What I found was that I had to understand the biological process the band played in your body and work with that. Up until understanding that I wasnt able to utilize the full benefits of the band. The Nutrition webinars put on by SWLC are a must. You may be able to take one now if you want to learn more. Your head has to be in this game 100%. There are many that the band does not work for because they are not ready to commit. I did have alot of shoulder pain after the surgery which is rare and even today if I eat say nuts and maybe dont chew well or crackers, something hard, I can feel it in my shoulder which is quite rare I'm told. (Not sure if that makes me special or strange?!)

I would be more than happy to talk more to help out or answer any questions. Support from peers I have found to be very important and to trade tips, vent or just generally ask questions.

My email is edergm@shaw.ca.

It's the best thing I ever did!

lots of luck

Gayle

HI Courtnin ~

MAybe we can plan the next support group for when you will be town. I would sure love to chat with you about your recovery as I am quite curious especailly with us going out of town.

Please feel free to email me at edergm@shaw.ca as I dont get on this site as often as I could/should!!

thanks

Gayle

Holy wow Maddy - 33lbs that is fantastic and determined on your part! Hope you are proud!

HI

Good to hear your stories, thanks!

I am scheduled for Feb 14th. How soon did folks go back to work? I have a desk job ~

thanks

Gayle

_{Wow! Now it's time for a treat fo ral lyour heard work!}

Hi ~

I am pre-op, surgery is Feb 14th, and my BMI is 35. Doc said I dont have to do pre op diet, (first time anyone told I wasnt heavy enough!!) If it was any higher it was to be Liquid, SlimLine. I still have chosen to incorporate one meal a day with the Slim Line just to get use to it as I know it will be part of my life and diet for the few few weeks after surgery. When blendered with a banana, it's pretty good. I have a Vita Mix blender that blends the "crap" out of everything, a good way to get the healthy stuff in.

My doc explained to me that the pre op diet was a way of ridding the liver of some fat and making it easily to work around during surgery. Slim Band in Toronto, (not my clinic) regardless of BMI doesnt require liquid diet two weeks before, just unlimited chicken, fish and fresh veggies.

Also my doc told me two nights before the surgery to go have the either the biggest hamburger and fries I can find or a tasty Chinese smorg and then the day before have a huge stack of pancakes for breakfast!!!! (Now this is the GP doc in Calgary telling me this, as my surgeon is in Toronto, and my GP doc had the lap band surgery done last September by the same doc and has lost 65 lbs so far)....GP Doc said "Go, Enjoy the food cause you wont be having it for a long time !!!!

Not sure if I will splurge, but it was funny!

Hi Leslie ~

Well it sounds like you separated fact from fiction here so way to go!!!! I dont think, or would like to think, that the decision to proceed to enter into surgery is not taken lightly and we all strive for better health, hence this journey, so these people that criticize after the fact are simply, selfish bonheads and wanting to beak off!

I am heading off to Toronto from Calgary for my surgery on Feb 14, (Happy Heart day to me!) so I am curious how the post op recovery was? I am having the surgery on Friday morning, we are staying in Toronto till Monday then flying back and I was going to go back to work on Tuesday. Did you feel ok enough to return to regular life type stuff after 4 days???

How many days did any of you stay on the clear broth before you went to the thicker stuff? Many quesitons I know...thanks for answering. I bought a Vitamix to help with the slushy drinks! Hleps to mix up the ugly tasting healthy stuff with the better tasting stuff!!

Hi

I am heading to Toronto, to the SWLC to have Dr. Colburne do my banding on Feb 14th! I Am so excited, ready and motivated to make this work. I would like to meet up with or blog with other Calgarians who are going through the banding journey so we may be of support to one another. I am 54 5'6" 220 lbs ~ my goal is 140 lbs. I am lucky in that my GP had the same surgery with Dr. Colbourne so there is in incredible support there.

What I would like to know, is how did folks make out right after the surgery? We are staying for 4 days in Toronto and I was hoping to go out and see the sites after 24 hours, am I dreaming or do you think this is doable?

What diets suggestions do you have? Exercise?

thanks!