katrinalud

Ok I was banded by Woodhead Oct 29/08. First Fill in Jan 09 (I live out of lower mainland so travel is costly). To date I have only lost about 50 lbs and have stayed the same for the last two months. I went back 3 weeks ago and had more fill. No change Ironic that I can pretty much eat anything but white bread. The intital eating I have to eat slow - first bite or two - then no problem and I can eat pretty much anything without feeling full. I am very discouraged. I drink Water in the am -- don't usually eat anything until about noon. Then have a chef salad - No drink when eating. at about 5 pm supper: and for a snack milk . Ironic that I have to "diet"

My doc just did the surgery nothing else.

Here my dr. just did the surgery that is about it. I have been navigating my own way . I found that I could not eat much more than the 600-800 for the first 2.5 weeks. I am now introducing regular foods and am up to about 1000 cal.

Hello I had mine in BC - Vancouver, which is about 500 miles from here.

OK it has now been 4 weeks and I have basically lived on the liquid and the mush ... very carefully stayed between 600-800 calories. Why have I not lost anything but 2.5 lbs in the last 2 weeks. Heck if I can not lose on such limited calories how am I going to lose when I am eating?

14,000 Dr. Woodhead plus the flight and hotel

The first step is to submit my request for them to pay .. Once I have exhausted this step the next is the legally challenge based on several principles: 1) Unversal access (some provinces pay for all or everything but the band itself); second challenge is based on constitutional rights; third challenge is based on discrimination. It will be a long fight - in particular as it can potentially set precidence which the government will fight tooth and nail!

I am in Prince George and there is nothing here, Dr. Woodhead does the fills for his patients. From the person who mentioned Quesnel --- I was not aware of this service.

Congratulations! Did woodhead do your surgery? Guess I was lucky had not pain and no gas issues. Did you have to stay in the hospital?

I never had to follow anything.

Thank you --- it is now four weeks and I am finding I can pretty much eat anything but breads

Hello everyone I am planning on challenging the bc gov's policy of not funding the lap surgery. I will be using case studies, fact that other provinces are funding the procedure and the statistical data on health outcomes. I would like to know if anyone has previously challenged? I would also like to know if anyone is interested getting involved? I was banded two weeks ago but wanted to wait until after surgery before I started the process and paper trail. KAT:thumbup:

Well it is done. two weeks ago today with Dr. Woodhead. I am surprised at how quick and easy it was - with no pain. I am now eating mush -- but finding I can eat more than I thought - I am worried about that but I think it is because I don't have a fill yet. I admit I stayed away from posting until after my surgery as I was scared of overwhealming myself. So now what is next - what if it doesn't work??? that is what I am really afraid of.

Well I meet with Dr. Woodhead and found him very casual and comfortable. We talked for about 2 hours. I have had all my blood work and ekg done now and will meet with the anestis. guy on the 4th of april. then surgery. Kat:ohmy:

I think what is important here is that precedence has been set - which gives us a political base to work from. Working with equal access and the medical act demonstrates that there is a dual or tiered system of access to the same treatment. It matters not if you have or will have the surgery - what matters is that it provides a fundamental starting point that can yield future potential. I am having the surgery but am prepared to lodge a legal challenge to the refusal of services. Kat

CBC News Interactive: Obesity Surgery This is all the WLS and insurance coverage report in Canada. I was surprised that some provinces cover the surgery. Kat

toooo cool Gaffer! You look marvelous:laugh:

I in Prince George

Well I have spoken with my doctor (who is very supportive and willing to learn how to do fills) and we think it would be best to explore Dr. Woodhead. The thoughts are that he is a hour plane ride away so if anything does come up access will be easier. My doctor thinks he could handle most issues but he would like to work with Dr. Woodhead just due to proximity. So next step is a visit with Dr. Woodhead :thumbup:

It is a hard decision for me as Mexico is closer and cheaper than toronto (to fly that is).... IT is hard making a decision when finances are such a factor.

Thank you Anne I just checked out the toronto site -- and will connect with them for information. Like you I am pretty low maintanence but I am in BC so I worry about follow up

Hi I am considering all my options as I am from BC - I just heard back from the missasauga clinic and it is 16,000 she did say they have a contact in BC that can do the fills... Between the clinics are they set up for the large size patient? IT is hard to make a out of province decision - I have been considering the US just because they are closer than a trip across Canada. Kat

How did you come to the decision to select Mexico?

I was told that because I am short that it would be more difficult to do surgery - did you experiance this issue?

I am in BC and am considering mexico does anyone have any thoughts or experiances to share?