Suzie Q

Calling all of Dr. Leung's patience. I just flew into Vancouver yesterday to get a complete unfill only to find out that Dr. Leung has retired and has left his patience out to dry with no support! Where is everyone going for fills/unfills?

Any advise would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Suzanne

Mine is directly below my xiphoid process... very little space between the two. Its easily felt with the fingers... sometimes it bothers me when I'm in yoga, only one pose though, so I don't go as deeply into the pose as I should.

My drink of choice is red wine.. and yes, I can get buzzed quite quickly. Over the holidays I went to an all inclusive resort and brought along crystal light to have as my mix with vodka, gin, tequilla... was really refreshing and no calories!

Tommy O...

Oh Tommy...women are crazy!! AND I couldn't agree more with you!

Have a Merry F@#!in Christmas... for Christ Sake!

Hi Guys,

I live in Gastown and was banded by Dr. Leung on Feb 17, 2007. I had no idea there was a support group and if possible, I would love to come to the next meeting.

Suzie Q

I believe The Northwest Weight Loss Surgery Centre, based out of Everett, has a Nurse that travels to Bellingham occassionally to perform adjustments. Here is their website. Give them a call and find out... if not, Everett is not that far away for you.

LAP-BAND Surgery, Seattle Washington

Good Luck.

I have the same problem as I've always had.... if I don't take the time to plan my meals etc, I will end up eating in restaurants and making not so great choices ..albeit, smaller portions. But now my body just won't give up the fat... I'm down approx 41 lbs since being banded in Feb/07 but I have been up and down these last 7 lbs for so long that I have to do something about it. I HAVE to get these last 55 lbs off! Sooo, I'm back on Jenny Craig.

I know what you mean though... before I went back on Jenny Craig, I tried to do it myself, I mean, I have the band, this should be easy..right? Not so much! I now know what they were saying when I was looking into the band... "this is a tool and you have to really work at it". The first weight seemed like it fell off.. but now I'm struggling.. up 7lbs(depressed) / down 7 lbs (delighted) and the circle continues! I've realized I need structure..without really thinking about it...hence, Jenny Craig!

Soooo, I am back on Jenny Craig... the portions are small, the food is tasty... I don't really have to think about it... and the best part is I don't have to cook (hate cooking). I'm running every morning with hubby, eating Jenny Craig and wearing my Body Bugg... its all working for me.

I'd say you do what you have to do... probably getting another fill would help greatly... but why not join WW... you've got nothing to loose...except what you want to loose....excess weight!

Good Luck to you.....

Suzie Q

Whoo hooo... I'm approved!!

After going to my Dr. and having him fill out a form and send it back to the insurance company... they have finally approved me for insurance on my mortgages!

If anyone is going through the same thing, it was Canada Life who is the insurance provider.

Thanks for all your concerns and I hope this message can help another bandster fighting for the same thing.

Suzie Q

Whooo hoooo!! I finally got my bodybugg and set everything up last night. It did take a bit to set up, just time consuming, not really difficult. I wore it to bed last night and I just downloaded my calories burned to date and whoa, I was pleasantly surprised! Its not too complicated to use and even now, I forget its there. My hubby calls it my lady bodybugg hump! lol!

FYI - I'm in Vancouver, Canada and I purchased the new system on ebay and set up everything with the trainer last night on the phone. Seems to be working fine and hopefully that continues! I will let you know how it goes.

Suzie Q

Excellent job... keep up the good work...clearly its working!! I can't wait to take the guess work out of loosing weight. I was thinking about it and when I was on Jenny Craig or WW or any other diet program, I wouldn't weight myself all week and at the end of the week it was a total surprise at how much weight I had either gained or lost. I think I'm going to love knowing day by day where I stand calorie wise and not having that surprise at the end of the week.

Thanks for the good advise... I think I'll log my food to be able to see the deficit! *squeel*...can't wait!

Hi All,

I just purchased the body bugg.. now anxiously waiting for its arrival! Please tell me that its that easy in that you don't have to log all your food daily? If you don't log your food daily, is it still as accurate?

Suzie Q

I phoned the receptionist at my Surgeons office and OMG, she was soooo angry! But finally, after two weeks to calm down and trying not think about this, I sent off my objection letter to the insurance company. I explained the surgery and I pointed out that it was not gastric bypass (I understand from the receptionist there can be major complications after gastric bypass). I explained I was healthy before the surgery and healthy after the surgery and that my Doctor's have extensive tests to prove just that! I've asked the insurance company what documentation I would need from my Doctor's to get this insurance. Hopefully I will hear something soon. I will keep you all posted. Thanks for the replies. Suzie Q

Yes, I purchased it at IGA, Garden Market in Richmond, BC. But I'm sure its available at other IGA's as well. When I went there the staff didn't even know they had it, so you might have to look at bit. But it was right there with the bouillion mixes.

AND...its sooooooo delicious! High salt content and it made me retain a bit of Water, but hay, when you are only on liquids, you really appreciate the flavour! Don't think I would have made it through the first month without it. I still enjoy it now!

Hope this help.

Suzie Q

Hi Folks,

My hubby and I just purchased a condo in Vancouver. We said "yes" to the life insurance questions. We got a call from the insurance company and said that because the mortgage is over $300,000 that they needed a medical done by one of their Nurses. The Nurse came to the house.. took blood, urine, BP, weighed us, asked lots of questions etc. etc., Of course I told her about the Lap-Band surgery (That's one of the questions... have you had surgery in the last X # of yrs?)

Now I just get a letter from the insurance company stating that because of my build and that I had weight loss surgery (does not specifically mention Lap-Band) that I did not qualify for mortgage life insurance. (On the brighter side, hubby was approved and if somethng happens to him.... I'm covered! hee hee!)

I am going to fight that decision. I'm going to my Doctor to get a letter to state that although I'm slightly overweight (his words, not mine) that I'm in excellent health and don't have the troubles or even pre-troubles of obesity related problems.

I am hightly offended by this letter. We (as Lap-Banders) do something to

help our health long term and it feels like I'm being denied priviledges that were previously no problem for me!

I'm 36 y/o, 5'3", 213 lbs (was 220 lbs at the time of the Nurse home visit) and wear a size 16. All in all, in what I consider good shape... I'm quite active. What I'm trying to say is that when I walk down the street, I'm not gawked at and I think most of the general public would think I'm of regular size. (or perhaps I'm just fooling myself... nahhhh!) Not exactly how one would think of "size" being a rejection reason for insurance!!

I'm venting here guys. I will take the steps to try and set the record straight with my Doctor etc. I don't want to have the future insurane problem of having to answer "yes" to the "Have you ever been turned down for insurance in the past?" question.

Has anyone else experienced this? If so, please share your experience.....and the outcome.

Suzie Q

Thanks sooo much for your reply, I was beginning to think I was the only one who experienced trouble after yoga. I think I will take your advise next week and eat a couple of hours before and just do the liquids after class.

As an update, I finished the PB'ing around 10 at night and was finally able to fall asleep. The next day I stuck to Clear Liquids and everything is good now.

This band thing is definitely a learning experience.

Suzie Q

Hi All,

I'm, a bit of a newbie at this and would like some advise if you have it......

Breakfast and lunch went down ok today, then afterwork I went to Yoga. Felt great, had 3 pieces (total) of salmon and tuna sashimi (raw fish without the rice) for supper and now I'm feeling incredibly stuck. I have been slimeing all night and PB'ing little mushy bits. I know I chewed well and its sashimi, soft anyway.

My question, has anyone had any troubles with getting stuck on mushy food after doing yoga? Could yoga be the reason the sashimi isn't going down?

Part 2 - Since its sashimi, do you think I am better off to try and stop PB'ing and let the pressure build up and possible push the food through?

Any wisdom would be greatly appreciated!

Suzie Q

Hi Everyone,

Just an update....I made it, I was up until 3 am on Wednesday vomiting up the "egg white" slime substance. I went to see my Dr. yesterday and he did a defill of 1 cc and now everything seems fine. Yippee... I can eat again!

Thanks to all who posted.

Suzie Q

Hi Everyone,

Before lunch I had a fill of 2 cc's for a total of 4 cc's in my 4 cc band. Seems kinda weird, but I was keeping down the Water in the office so the Dr. kept that amount in the band. My problem started about 2 hrs ago after eating 1 pkg of oatmeal for lunch, since then I have been slimming ever since. I'm sure its been about 2 cups of slime that has come out of me so far, no food PB'ing, just slime.

I remember someone mentioning pineapple juice or papaya juice may help with this? Can anyone confirm this?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Suzie Q

Hi Again Everyone,

I was banded yesterday, out of the hospital last night... in some pain and discomfort. More than I thought actually. But I guess it is only 1 day post-op and I'm already online. It will be sooo nice to be able to breath properly again. So much for my dream of going shopping one day after surgery... tee hee! Maybe next week!

For anyone looking into the band or getting banded soon, here is a list of my symptoms so far:

- I am having a lot of gas pain... taking Gas X and using heating pads and trying to walk around.

- taking short breaths because I can't breath in fully due to the pain of the band.

- I feel the band all the time, I feel like I have that "stuck" feeling in the sternum everyone talks about, but I am able to handle liquids, no problem and I'm not nauceauos

- one of my incisions opened in the hospital and there was quite a lot of blood, but they tell me this is normal. I am home now and its continuing to ooze, but I don't think its anything to be concerned about... but will keep an eye on it.

I think thats it for now, I'm thankful that I'm able to move around quite well, but really didn't think the pain would be this intense. Thank god for my hubby... what an awesome, supportive and did I mention good looking man!!!

Suzie Q

I can totally relate... I just got banded yesterday and I'm in a whole lotta pain! I am on Tylenol 3's... but even breathing in seems to hurt. Its like I can feel the band all the time and it hurts. I think I am feeling that "stuck" feeling everyone is talking about, but I am keeping down Clear liquids (strict 30 day clear liquid diet post-op for me) and I'm not nauceous, so I'm thankful for that. Anyway, hold in there... I'm sure it will get better for both of us!

Suzie Q

Hay Everyone.... getting banded tomorrow (16ht) by Dr. Leung in Surrey, BC. 3 months from my 37th B-Day. I can't wait to see the difference 3 months will make. What can I say that you guys haven't already lived through? I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. Tyring not to think about the 30 day clear liquid diet I am going to have to stick to after surgery and most of all trying to keep my mind focused on work... and you can see how well that is going! tee hee! Had a dream last night that I went shopping one day after the surgery... *sigh*... if only!

Thank you to all who post on this site... its been a god send for me!! I will keep you updated on my journey with the lap band.

Crowded House! tee hee!

HI Katgirl,

OMG, I'm sooooo excited that there is a Doctor doing this surgery in the greater Vancouver area. I have been trying to find a Doctor here for a while and I just happened upon this site today! Can you tell me were your Doctor is located? What is the after care like? Any info you can give me would be greatly appreciated!!!

Suzie Q

Hi There, I'm new to the forum. I live in Vancouver and can't find a Doctor that will perform the surgery. I have been to a seminar at the Northwest Weight Loss Surgery Clinic and I'm all for the procedure, but its a little pricey, 17,100 (incl one year of fills and aftercare). If I can't find a Doctor in Vancouver I will get it done there, BUT I would rather spend my money in Canada and perhaps a littel closer to home. Any suggestions??