AnneElliot

Hi Everyone!!!

I was hoping for some assistance - I am not sure what to do! I am a former TLBC patient of Dr. Yau's - we've been dropped by the clinic and no longer receive support. I am completely done with my lap-band and I have been told that I can have it removed by the nurse at Slimband and have the procedure covered by OHIP.

I was hoping to get some advise from any patients of TLBC or others who had their lap-band removed in Ontario. What steps did you take? Was the procedure covered by OHIP? How long did take for you to have a surgery scheduled?

I appreciate all help!

Thanks

Anne.

Hey

I am so glad your doing better. Total inspiration your doing wonderfully well with your weight loss.

1 - I would love to shop at this botique in Toronto, INDIVA. It has some the most delicate hand-made clothes, I have ever seen.

2- A trip to New York, with friends, doing everything I was afraid of doing last time!

I personally went with TLBC, it was my choice simply for convience. I am happy with my choice, but I have had a different experience altogether. I wasn't required to meet with the doctor until the day of the surgery and Dr. Yau was wonderful so were the coordinator that I dealt with in my first meetings. But at same time like the other poster, I did not recieve daily calls from the post-op nurse to see how I was doing, I wasn't even aware people got that, even though I asked several times what were the post-op care like and they always let me know if I needed help they would be there. Which they are of course. When I call, which is between 10 am and 1pm, I don't get a call back within minutes, its always within an hour or two. I don't mind this personally.

I had alot of great help from the nutritionist, with my preop diet. She stayed on the phone with me while I was shopping for diet shakes and helped get the right ones.

The only grievance I have is that recently I asked to speak with the doctor or a nurse, and was told that my request would be emailed to a nurse and she would call me back. I thought latest by the next day since I called earlier on the day. But I didnt receive a call until 3 days later.

I personally don't need alot of attention, just a question answered here and there. I am not sure if more care is provided to some patients due to thier personal experiences.

I wouldn't go anywhere else. But I just wanted to give you my personal experience with TLBC so far.

I can't eat bananas, even though I mash them up pretty well. I am in my solid stage now and breads, and Pasta is still a problem. Rice and Mashed potatoes are only carb like foods i can eat. Ouh and baked chicken or meats not cooked in a stew are a no go! So I still haven't gotten my restriction but I can't wait, I need that feeling of fullness.

I felt incredibly full, almost so uncomfortable that even when I had nothing to eat, I felt like I was close to throwingup I was like this for about 10-12 days post op.

In the last two days or so I began feeling hungry and started on mushies but the level of uncomfort is almost like I am back to being one day post op. I am thinking its just "head hunger" since my tummy does not growl or am I weak from hunger pains or depreviation ( I know from the feeling, as I use to work 8-10 hours without eating sometimes).

Differetiating the two is so important. Real hunger and Head Hunger, being on full liquids again and puddings and yogurts are lowering the pain levels around my stomach and gas discomfort

So take it easy and stop eating after a couple of spoonfulls and question if you are feeling like eating anymore.

I have my fill the same day as yours, and I dont know if I want it! more discomfort not looking foward.

I was banded on Jan 3rd and started on the mushies today. I am not sure what I am experiencing but, my upper belly area is very warm and I am having alot of gas. I have had gas since the surgery, but today is just crazy. I am really worried something bad may have happened and wondering if anyone has experienced this sort of gas. There is no pain involved...but it is constant nonstop.

That is quite interesting. Something my parents always taught me about doctors. Get a second opinion! Try and find another doctor in your city who does Lapband surgeries and see if he suggests the same thing, without mentioning that you spoke to another doctor. Just to see if he arrives to the same conclusion. If he does not mention it, ask him about the "sleeve" procedure for informational purposes.

At the end of the day you must be comfortable with what you are doing, your doctor's advice is just that advice that you need to weigh.

Personally, I know paying for yourself is a great cost, but the reversible nature of the band gives me peace of mind.

Totally feel for you Panda, I am not experiencing depression, but bad stress and anxiety. it is a stressful period in my life with so many extra changes, just applying to grad school and looking for work and dealing with family. And I can't eat anymore to calm down or relax. I end up crying or going for a walk just release the stress.

Its amazing how much we relied on food to deal with emotional issues.

hey CJV, I know this advice you must heard before. But the only thing that helped with gas was walking and gas x. Its amazing that you loose all notion of hunger and the need to eat. This is the most wonderful thing I experienced from the band so far.

Yesterday was the 10 day anniversary of the surgery date, was wondering if everyone was doing well and on their way to their personal goals. keep us updated!

I was also wondering what these terms were, had the sensation of something being stuck the other day, couldn't resist a small peice of chicken. Drank some pineapple juice and it went very well, other suggested pineapple juice over anything I think if I drank Water it wouldnt have helped . didnt try that again!

Hi everyone, true true this is a nice idea! Thought I would ask a question to begin discussion.

What was everyone's biggest motivation to going through with the Band? ( other than health!)

Mine was simply wanting and needing to be different once I graduated from University.

Waking up wasn't bad at all, I woke up in the recovery room and there was a nurse there. I felt disoriented and had some shoulder pain nothing very bad.

In about an hour and a half, I was able to head home

Glad to have found this thread. So much good information and advice from everyone. I was looking for something to make me feel better about have a small bit of cheese and deli meat, about half the size of your index finger. I am 5 days post op and started on full liquids today.

Recovery has been hard and getting better, but the one WONDERFUL THING is that I am not hungry, my tummy doesn't grumble, am not starving! this is so nice

I have completely lost my apetite and would be happy not to eat if only my brain would let me be free of this obession with food.

Cheating in my opinion is done a daze, I didnt think about what I was doing when I ate the cheese and meat, I kept on telling myself "oh its nothing just a bit of meat" now I am scared bad that I might have done some serious damage.

We are all capable of changing and loosing weight, done it at the pre-op diet and everyone here who cheated alittle or abit more :eek: you can do it, forgive yourself and go to the next step!

I thought I would bring this topic back, since I was looking for information on shoulder pain. I have been having some very bad shoulder pain for the last 3 days after my surgery and the only thing that has helped me is gas-x, moderately and lots of walking.

I really hope it goes away cause I don't think I can have this kind of pain for any longer.

Hey everyone,

the surgery went well, took less than 15 minutes and recovery while in the clinic wasn't bad at all except for the shoulder pain.

I thought the shoulder pain was gone on Saturday second day after my surgery I felt incredibly well. But today its like someone is stabbing me with a knife in my shoulder and right under my neck. I really don't know how long this should be going for its awful.

Are any of you still dealing with shoulder pain or still taking your pain medication?

Hey doddie yes much better my mother made me some chicken broth homemade so its great. Only thing I drink Water everyone one hour as was told but I still have a super dry throat and thirsty all the time not sure what I am missing

Hey Doddie thank you that is so nice of you to remember. I am recovery well, I was even able to make lunch for my younger sibilings today. I have one question actually, I know we are suppose to eat broth, does that count out watered down KNOR Soup like brochili and vegies without any chunks in them? I find it very hard to eat the broth.

Ps. TLBC nurses were the best of the best, so kind and helpful and ofcourse Dr Yau was great my mother couldnt beleive how young he was or looks

Had my surgery on Jan 3rd, yesterday at TLBC in Toronto. I was suppose to be there at 10 with the surgery scheduled at 11, things were delayed a bit. I finally checked in 11:45. Thank god my mother was there with me calming down.

Dr Yau was great came in and spoke to me and my mother, he allowed me to ask questions and showed me where my port was going to be.

In total I lost 16 pounds in the preop too exicted about that.

The nurses were wonderful, making me laugh with jokes that I barely remember now, while the antheslogist put in the IV drip. After putting in the oxgyen mask and literally couple of minutes later I was out.

Next thing I remember is another great nurse standing by me and I am in recovery, very drowsy with some shoulder pain. She told me not to panic if I saw blood on my hands. Supposedly I got pretty active while I was under, yelled and pulled out my IV. I was so embarrsed and there was lots of blood on my dress.

It took sometime but I got out of it in a hour or so and headed home. The shoulder pain subsided by late evening with warm heat packs and the pain medication I got.

The pain medication helps alot one everyone 4 hours. I am still sore today but walking around and that helps.

I can barely believe that I did this finally, the surgery took less than 20 minutes which I am glad about.

Good luck everyone

Getting banded on Jan 3rd as well, I am bit anxious about it all now, wasn't before more worried about keeping it quite and really hoping that my recovery isn't long or complicated. To easy matters, I have decided and began to put myself on a meal plan for the last three days, its quite quite hard! lol I don't know how all of you do it, yesterday was impossible cheated had about 5 morsels of rice..I counted lol, today went much better cheated with a tiny strip of chicken about the quarter of your pinky finger. I am amazed that now with this motivation I am capable of cheating so little and not going overboard. So tomorrow is the last day, havent had time to prepare myself in terms of shopping too many guests and things to do. But will go tomorrow. My appoitment is in the morning and should be out in the afternoon.

I haven't weight myself so my weight loss is a guess. I lost weight enough for people to comment..so I don't know if that is everyone being nice. My family are a great bunch of people. But they would find it very difficult to understand the necessity of spending so much to be skinny, as we never speak of the difference in income between members of the family, this would make matters a bit uncomfortable with everyone thinking we have money to blow when really I feel like a total shit head for burdening my parents and I am already planning on paying them back. So now that is added pressure to be skinny and get that million dollar job! lol

Good luck everyone else and please do update us on how your recovery is

Adding my name to the list! good luck everyone

UPDATED LIST:

Dec 31- Chrisann (honorary member of the Jan 08 bandsters)

Jan 1- HAPPY NEW YEARS! Starting the year off right!

Jan 2- phowell, Megmarie21, Gingerbug(Victoria), jengland, racetrackweary, rainbowme2(Bunny)

Jan 3-WOWOX7, Woodsy,momto3, Mommamare(NJ), nancy52,AnneElliot

Jan 4- KUgirl, steviegene, SuzanneG, Songinmysoul

Jan 5

Jan 6

Jan 7- CallmeJim, comepickmeup, NukeChik, mamato3, kintime, Shell, destined2befree, babedoe4

Jan 8 - Fat&thrifty(and husband Joe), itz me, faa31, crackedpepper, flipbarnett

Jan 9 – Redtulips3, FLMan, TachaBaby505!!!

Jan 10- luvsrocks, Hilary, Jen25bl, jtag10_4, Char1007, citygirl4616

Jan 11- brez1015, Tmusicmaker123, Poopsie, Ready2JustDoIt

Jan 12- jen6740

Jan 13

Jan 14- CoreynVA, acalpn, srbanker(Suzanne), grayl, cnukaya

Jan 15- Travelology (Mexico), Dianego

Jan 16 Kathy-CA. Saleel --Australia, back2reality, Cherry_Blue, Perth, West Aus

Jan 17- SJK, Alfie, L.A., lwood, Kcintx, tweenwaters

Jan 18- RuthE?, shanarene

Jan 19

Jan 20

Jan 21- mo7293 (Maureen)

Jan 22- purplegoddess

Jan 23- min, Ang1982 (Angela) Tigger_Shorty (Rose)

Jan 24- holleyhobby

Jan 25

Jan 26

Jan 27

Jan 28-kawanabear(Kalonda), crystalcml

Jan 29 - diane-south fla

Jan 30 - PortuguesePrincess(Stephanie),Amberwaves(Amber)

Jan 31 SarahT1982, lkgrubb

I think it would change a relationship with a friend if that relationship is built on such things as image. I tried to speak to my very good friend who happens to be also overweight like me about it. I was shocked to hear her put the whole thing down, even though I made it clear that it is the least dangerous of all procedures. I realized later that all her friends other than me are also overweight...I didn't speak of it again. That conversation was one of the main reasons I decided to keep doing the lapband to myself. I am sure that our friendship will suffer once I loose the weight, but I think I will also gain many friendships once I am more approachable with the weight off.

<br /> Hi there mommamare I tend to loose lots weight pretty quickly and then pile it up again. My doctor told me to follow a strict one week meal plan that cut off alot of sugar carbs and fat of my usual eating habits. I haven't had bread Pasta, burgers, fries, pop, chocos, icecream,rice! (my fav) or anything I usually eat for 2 weeks now. So I was bound to loose something, pretty sure most of is Water weight. <br /> Hasn't your doctor spoken to you about the size of your Liver? that is the main purpose of the new meal plan to shrink the size of the liver and make the surgery much easier and less painful.

Getting banded on Jan 3rd 2008 too!