Tyler883

This is a pretty old thread,but I just wanted to recomend Dr.Mitchel. I've seen him about 4 times now. Both him and his staff are friendly, caring, and attentive to my concerns.

I'm a dork.. And, I'll have you know that dorks have feelings too.

Hi, I'm past the problem.

It came up on its own after about 45 minutes of terrible discomfort and throwing up.

My throw ups were just liquid ( Water, no stomach fluid) from my efforts to wash it through.

Eventually, I threw up for real. When that happened, the blockage was gone.

It's time to really increase my effort to prevent this in the future. I have to learn to chew more, and take smaller bites.

I have my first blockage from a piece of beef in a stir fry.

I feel discomfort in my chest.

And, I'm throwing up any fluids that goes down, ie Water or spit.

Please help, any suggestions what should I do?

tyler

...when 9 lbs in 6 weeks embarasses you, but your doctor is so excited he calls his nurses into the room to share the good news

when someone makes a rude comment about fat people and before you can take offence to it, you say "fat people have feelings, too!"

Hi, I am 4 weeks post-op, feeling good, but I really wanted to update this thread ( with the advantage of hind sight of course)

My surgery was in the morning, I was pretty groggy but cheerful, I rested that afternoon, but went for a short walk to a local shopping mall that night to pick up some groceries.

Second day post op was quite good! I spent the whole day at the shopping mall with my wife. I walked lots, and rested at each bench just to make sure I didn't over do it. I started to break my fast with fruit juces and strain chicken noodle Soup from Tim Hortons. By the end of the day, I was pretty tired.

I felt so good on day 2, We were planning on going to Naigra Falls on Day 3 but my experience the night before was terrible. My stomache had finally woken up from the anestetic ( hindsight) and the gas production in my stomache was in full swing. I was taking gas-x every hour or so, and I was interpreting the stomach cramps as needing to poop. I spend a great deal of time eternally optimistic sitting on the toilet hoping for a bowel movement. Day 3's trip to Niagra Falls was cancelled.

Day 4 - If I thought Day 3 was bad, day 4 was more of the same and worse. By this time, I had stopped taking the codiene because I thought I was constipated. I was into the children's liquid tylenol( sickening sweet, almost gagging), I was taking milk of magnesia, and was also trying to induce a bowel movement with glycerine suppositories. I had also noticed that I had reverted back to an almost a Water fast. Nothing but Water was weakening the heck out of me, yet, I didn't feel like I could handle anything else. Anyways, I started to force down the protien shake. And, I started to feel a bit better.

Day 5 - because I was starting to feel better, we tried our luck at a trip to Niagra Falls. I was pretty much comatose on the drive there, and I don't think my wife realized how miserable I felt. We walked to the falls and spent about 30-40 minutes looking at the falls. She want to check out more attractions but I had to pull the plug on our plans, and asked to go back to the car. My wife was disappointed but understood. On the way home, we stopped at the Tim Hortons, and I was able to has a tiny tiny bowel movement. The first one since the surgery 5 days earlier. There was nothing solid about it , considering that my last meal was a ceasar salad the night before the surgery. I actually started to feel better on our ride back to the hotel room, but I was tired as hell.

When we reached the hotel room, I was able to have another tiny tiny bowel movement, and that made me feel even better. Still tired so I laid down for a nap. Now here's an embarassing moment that I wouldn't be sharing if you knew my full name......I woke up after 45 minutes and went to the washroom to take another dump because I woke up having wet farts. Well, when I got to the toilet, I realized that I had completely soiled my drawers and the bed while I was sleeping. The milk of magnesia has finally unplugged me, and i made one hell of a gross mess. The whole experience was very embarassing. I don't think my wife totally understood what I was going through, but she got some change and laundry detergent and we cleaned the bedding ourselves at the hotel laundry mat. At least, I didn't have to call the cleaning staff in to take care of the mess.

Day 6 and 7 were bad, but not as bad as before, because I was forcing down the protien shakes and my bowel movements were happening again. I lived in fear of diarehea. And, the gas production in my stomach surfaces as my biggest problem. Since day 3, every 2-3 hours I was getting gas pressure so bad it was causing me to hic up. Gas-X would settle it down. But I was taking it twice as often as the box was recommending, and I was begining to think the gas-x wasn't doing anything other than disolve the gas back into my stomache fluids so it could create more intestinal problems for me.

I flew home on Day 7, it was a long 3 1/2 hour flight. I found myself finding a nuetral position that was most comfortable for me, which was an upright position. I was worn out and needed to sleep. I have sleep apnea and I'm unable to sleep well without a CPAP but that day I was able to breath ok by extending my jaw forward before drifting off to sleep. this trick is the first time I've ever tried it, and it probably doesn't work that well but it seemed to work well at least on that plane ride.

Day 8, my first day of softfoods. I really didn't start to recover from my stomach problems until I started to eat soft pureed food. This leads me to beleive that existing on an almost liquid diet just isn't good for the stomache. After, I switched to cottage cheese, and apple sauce, and tuna, and mushed vegies, I felt better.

By end of day 9, I was feeling better, and my hunger has returned.

Today, I'm 2 days before my first fill, and I don't feel any restriction at all. This is discouraging because I find myself eating like I used to, and my weight loss has changed to weight gain.

Anyway, this must be a pretty long rant by now.

Good night, All!

regards

Tyler

Hi, I'm from Calgary and I chose the SWLC clinic in Mississauga because the doctor there ( Dr. Cobourn ) was the doctor that trained the Calgary Doctors. And, so I felt the added connection between SWLC and the Calgary doctors was worth going after even if it is a subtle thing.

As it turns out, but these weren't the reasons for choosing SWLC, the surgery was $2500 cheaper than TLBC in Toronto. And, SWLC has anounced a sister facility to be opened in Calgary headed up by Dr. Mitchell. All SWLC patients will see full complimentary services in Calgary, even if their surgery was in Mississauga.

Some advice if you choose SWLC: The holiday inn was significantly cheaper and we thought we were getting a good deal by reserving a 'suite' so my wife could close the bedroom door whenever I needed rest. My advise, don't go there. The 'suites' will leave you claustrophobic and the windows don't open( ie the only fresh air comes from the air conditioner which never seems to do it for me.)

As a technologist, I understand that some problems can't be solved unless I collect all data honestly and pass it on to the engineers.

A simple approach: collect all data ( and don't lie) and pass it along to your doctor or nutritionist. And, if you don't mind, post it on this forum, too.

Hi, I'm still on Clear liquids.

I think my codiene elixir has constipated me, because Im having painful cramps in my stomache and intestine. Meanwhile, I am experiencing no pain and very little discomfort from the lapband and incisions.

I've been taking gas-x for gas pain. but not convince that it is helping.

My lapband clinic is closed for the weekend, and I'm hoping to avoid theirs emergency service.

Am I experiencing something that is common enough? Can any provide me with some advice?

Thanks

Tyler

Hi

I'm hoping to book my airline tickets this weekend instead of waiting till monday....

If my surgery is thurs, do I see anyone after I'm release from the hospital?

The reason I'm asking is I'm planning on booking a flight that leaves on a Sunday morning, and I'm not sure if I'm going to be asked to stay around until monday.

I was talking to Dr Mumford at the SWLC. He tells me that they have recently gotten full funding from AHC for pre-op and post-op medical care, including the Optifast that you have to take before the surgery.

Hi JJsmiles, thanks for the good advice. I've heard some of it before, but its helping to hear it again.

I'm taking my wife out for dinner and a movie tonight. I think this will help.

Gotto run.

Regards

Tyler

Thanks JJ,

I'm kinda down in the dumps today. Ingle insurance ( referred by the canadian diabetes association) called me today, and told me that they could not find any insurance company that wants to insure me or my wife. I am 370lbs with co-morbidities, and my wife is 270 with no co-morbidities. We are both 'too heavy'.

Next year, I turn 40 which means I will be eligable for one of those 'no questions asked' plans, but the coverage is often very low. I was looking a plan that was only a mere $14,000.

I'd like to have a combined coverage of about $400k-$600k if both my wife and I were to die in a car accident, and my son was left with family.

Also, I'd like to have some term insurance in place for the surgery. Any chance that I might find a bank that is pretty casual about term insurance ?

rgds

Tyler

Wow, I just read your personal progress from the bottom of your messages. It is absolutely inspiring. That is the sort of reason why I want the surgery. I have a 3 1/2 year old son, and I feel that not doing something about my health now, might mean that I won't be around to see him graduate, or raise a family. I started this journey after meeting a woman that had bariatric surgery in the early 70s. It alowed her to treat her type 2 diabetes until 2002 without any medication. I'm getting emotional, so I'll have to say goodnite and thank you while I can.

regards

Tyler

Hi JJ, once again you have provided me with some wonderful answers. Thank you.

I'm planning on going to Dr. Cobourn. So I think I'll call his centre and see who he recommends in Calgary for follow up care. It sounds like Dr. Descoteaux or Dr Mitchell could be the way for me to go. Dr. Descoteaux sounds like a great doctor, but if Dr Mitchell is making steps towards a self-pay association to Dr. Cobourn, then maybe that is a good choice, too.

Moreover, I'm sure the other doctors in Calgary are quite good, too. I'm just trying to hedge my bets by using your referal information.

JJ, I was thinking that even though AHC is not about to refund me for my surgery expenses, it seems a bit unfair - possibly hypocritical - for AHC to deny me healthcare paid fills.

Is it possible for you to find out the billing codes that Dr. Descoteaux uses when his office bills for your fills? I would bet that with those codes and the willingness to fill out a lot of forms, that I might find that I'm eligable for re-imbursement of fills.

Thank you

Tyler

One more thing, I've always assumed that the followup care is done by the surgeon, is that true?

What if I have problems with slippage or erosion would it be the surgeon that I go to when the symptems start,

or are their qualified physicians that could start the investigation then refer me to the lapband surgeon?

Thank you very much. That is wonderful information.

thanks

Tyler

I love, love, love Dr. DesCoteaux. (no really :confused_smile:).

He has done 2 surgeries for me (emergency ileostomy and the lapband). He also got stuck with me being in hosptial for 2 weeks in the fall after I had some complications, so I feel I know him as well as I could know a surgeon.

He has always treated me with the utmost dignity and respect and is really encouraging (in a quiet way). He spends the time you need, and even if he is in a rush, he never projects that. I am sure he doesn't remember everything he is told, but I always feel very important to him. He is the most unsurgeony surgeon I have ever met (and I have had lots of surgery).

He has a very gentle touch - others write how they want to be "numbed" before a fill and I have to say, I don't even feel it when he does one for me, and last time my port had flipped so he had to work to find it!!!

I have also met with Dr. Church once for a second consult before surgery and I really liked him. I am not sure how involved he will continue to be in terms of follow-up, since I had the impression he is not as invested in the program as Dr. DesCoteaux and Dr. Mitchell. I have never actually read anywhere that he does private fills.

I have never met Dr. Mitchell, from what I have read people either really like him or really don't. I don't know anything about Dr. Debru.

The rumors I have been hearing is that Dr. Mitchell is trying to open a private lap band clinic in Calgary that would be associated with one the TO clinics. If it happens and you were banded in TO by that clinic, your fills would be covered here as well. I think it was Dr. Coburn, but I am not sure.

There is also a family doc in Calgary that does fills for one of the TO clinics, but his name escapes me. What I have read about him has been positive. You might want to search historically on this forum, because it would have been here that I read about him.

I believe this might be a complete list of the doctors working out of Calgary.

I've seen good things about Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Descoteaux on this forum. But would love to get some real insight from anyone that knows them.

Peter Lougheed Center

3500 - 26 Ave. N.E. Calgary, Alberta T1Y 6J4

Dr.Philip Mitchell, tel. 403-264-6720

Dr. Estifanos Debru, Tel. 403-291-8555

Dr. Jean Gaston Descoteaux, Tel. 403-220-8598

Dr. Neal Church, Tel. 604-875-4111

Dr. David C. W. Lau (endocrinologist) Tel. 403-220-2261

BTW, please don't Bash any of these doctors. Just compliments for the ones that you would like to compliment.

thank you

Tyler

Hi, I've heard the Alberta Health care will refund $1068 if I have the lapband done in Toronto. Does anyone know the process? or is there a healthcare advocate that would help me?

Also, if AHC is paying for lapband and fills to Albertans that are patient enough, I was considering that I might be able to get my fills for free too....if I know the billing codes, and forms required.

Any help however big or small would be appreciated.

thanks

Tyler

quick update: I'm currently coresponding with an insurance broker that the Canadian Diabetes Association has refered me to. I hope to find out more in the coming weeks.

Hi, I making plans to be banded in Torono by Dr. Cobourn...and would like to arrange for a Calgary Doctor before I have the surgery.

can you guys reccomend the best doctor in Calgary for fills?

Plus, under the assumption that I might have complications, will this doctor be able to keep me alive and healthy? I know this is a funny quesion but these doctors are primarily surgeons, but I'd like to find the one that does an exception job at post surgery care.

It just occured to me that there is no shortage of wisdom on this website. and I mean that as a compliment. if you are reading any insult into this, it was never implied or intend.

If I get dehydrated, my calves cramp up. I've been able to lose about 54 lbs without the happening, by adding bananas to my protien shakes. But the problem is, I've stop eating bananas since I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

IF we are all good at losing the weight, why don't I lose the weight, then get the lap band? it would be much lest risky if I went into surgery at my target weight.