Search the Community

Good Day All, Long story short, I'd like to know if anyone has heard of a class action lawsuit that has been started? If you haven't but would like to be, I would like to start a petition of sorts so I can get a ballpark of numbers to give the lawyer. There is a good lawyer in London Ontario that I have contacted previously, but unless there are numbers, there's no point. In Oct 2013 I had the band placed in a rush of fury by their lies and pressure tactics. After 6 months of not being able to drink water without it coming back up, they finally agreed to remove it. Shortly after the removal I found out I was pregnant (not expected I could even get pregnant because of the malnutrition), but because I couldn't keep any nutrients down before and after removal, the baby never stood a chance. I had to have a emergency dilation of my esophagus twice and still can't have thick liquids without it coming up. I also just applied to have correct weight loss surgery, and was denied because they won't touch patients that have previously had a band. Now I've reached my limit and reading all of these other horror stories, something needs to be done. Signing on the dotted line in this case is bullshit. The clinic was shut down it was so bad, so clearly these signatures should be null and void too. I am not asking for extensive information, but if you would like to see how far this could go, please just leave your name and year Slimband screwed you over./ Much thanks, and power to us people ;) Holly M - Waterloo Ontario

Well I have just experienced bandster hell of another kind. I have been sick with a very sore throat and tired then my band tightened so much I was throwing up in my sleep. Horrible. I tried to just ride it out. I tried to eat softer foods and stop eating a couple of hours before bed. Oh, well, I feel better today. I had chills, aches and headache plus a sick, acidy stomach yesterday. The good news is that I have lost a couple more pounds. I am at 162 lbs this morning. I can't believe it. I am sooooo happy. I am aiming for size 12 or 150, not sure which. I'll see when it happens. I never thought I would ever get down to size 14 again and now it's getting loose. I have been buying new clothes and I am thinking about the shame of it when they don't fit and I will have hardly worn them. Oh well, I'll deal with it when it happens. I can actually buy size medium off the rack now and it fits. I am thrilled. Back to my band, I was thinking that my band must have slipped and I was going to call Slimband clinic this morning. My fill nurse, Nancy, told me that the band tightens when you are sick. I believe it. I feel better today and have had a piece of toast and a yogurt so I am fine. Thank goodness. So if I aim for 150 lbs, I have only 12 lbs left to lose. In 2 decades of dieting off and on, I never got to goal on any program before I started gaining again. Life is good!

after researching and reading the pros and cons, and going back and forth on my decision, I have decided I am going to do this! Get the Slimband (canada company) This week I am going to work out the money aspect and then I am moving forward with this decision, I am ready to do the work and I have faith that this is what has been missing over my 25 year battle with my weight!!! I love this forum and it has been my support as I make this decision, My hubby is being quiet on this one. not supportive or discouraging, Just quiet..... anyone else have this experience with their spouse??

thanks for the response! I never thought of his "silence" as his way of letting me make the decision. Of course he is concerned about the whole thing, but he has also watched me do plan and after plan, lose the weight and put it back on. He knows how much of a struggle it is for me. I am working on the money aspect tomorrow and then I think hubby and I need to sit down and talk it out. I hope he follow your hubby's example and gets 100% behind me. I am going to need his support. But I also know that I am confident in my decision and ready to do this and do the work involved. It is such a journey already. It is always on my mind, and I always find myself coming here to read everyone's stories and get an idea of what lies ahead for me. I know most of you are from the US, but any Canada Slimbands or Alberta people out there, love to hear from you!

Hey everyone! My name is Ellie and I've decided to get a lapband. I've been thinking about getting this procedure for over a year now. I don't exactly like the idea of surgery so I tried losing weight through various ways, but I was always left hungry. My mother has the lapband and she has so far had success with it. But here are my questions! I currently live in Ottawa, and I'm not sure where I should look to get my surgery done. My family lives in Toronto, so I have no issues with going to Toronto for fills/defills, but it would be nice to be able to get those done in Ottawa (in case of emergency). Also, Montreal is also a possibility since its much closer to Ottawa than Toronto. Also, as I'm a student (20 years old) and don't exactly have much/any money to my name, I'm wondering if its worth it to go a place that's 16,000 instead of 18,000? Or is there a vast difference between the two. (I'm under the impression that my insurance covers most of it, though) Currently, I'm trying to decide if I should go with SlimBand (they have a place in Ottawa that I can go for fills), SWLC, or even somewhere else! I met with my doctor today and she didn't have any recommendations for me as she hasn't dealt with lapbands with younger patients, so that's why I have some confusion. Any suggestions? Did anyone have an amazing or craptastic experience with any of these? Also, what steps did you have to go through for your insurance and how long did those steps take for you? Thanks in advance guys!

There's no fill Dr's in Barrie, but Slimband is doing Markham fills now, I find that much easier :frown:

Lucy, I am a TLBC patient and have been for 7 years, it is a good clinic. I have had one negative experience with the clinic since it has been open and it was easily solved.. I sent an email, got a solution and that was that. I would advise you to visit both before you make your decision. I know SWLC patients and they all love their clinic too... I think both clinics will do phone consults to save you an initial trip it is only a phone call and they both will pay for long distance. Before going into any clinic there are some questions I would ask knowing what I know now. 1) fills how long are they covered and if not for life why not? 2) complications who pays and how much and why aren't they covered? 3) post op support what do they offer and how this is very important for new patients to understand and distance patients it becomes even more important. And yes Slimband may have a few vocal patients who aren't happy today but there are a few hundred I know personally who are delighted with the clinic and wouldn't go any where else. Most of all I say go with where you are comfy and if you choose to talk to Slimband ask them about the negative comments and what you have read and see what they say Good luck and make the choice you are comfortable with Heather

I am interested in a class action lawsuit as well, banded April 2014 and had it removed October 2016 (by a different Dr in a different province) due to complications that Slimband didn't want to help with. The kicker is... I am still paying the weekly payment for something I dont have and something that never worked properly in the first place

In Ontario, my "fill nurse" does the fill while patients are standing up. She's very good....not matter what position the port is in, she manages to fill it in 1 try. Then we are sent to the waiting room to drink water. If we can't drink a cup in the next 20 minutes or so, she calls you back and de-fills a little bit. By the way, in Toronto, my surgeon, Dr. Yau, who works for Slimband, no longer stitches the port into place. I'm not sure why...I think it has to do with our body changing as we lose lots of weight. So our ports tend to move around....but rarely flip completely. Should it totally flip, the doctor can fix it with a local anesthetic and a local incision. Thanks for telling me about this method....I'll be prepared in case I try to get a fill in the Daytona area while I'm on holiday.

Hi there! I got banded at slimband last month.

Hey there! I was banded at Slimband in August 2010. I live in the Kitchener area currently and get my fills done there when I need them. PM me if you have any questions!

I am personally disappointed with the new website that TLBC has put together. I find it confusing and it lacks basic navigation instructions. Am I missing something - do others like this new site?

I had this done 5 years ago. Took 2 years of work but I got to my goal weight. The Slimband dosen't do the work for you, You have to do it. And yes there are rules to losing weight, just like for everyone else on the planet. What I love is that sense of being full, which I didn't have, I now do have which to me was most of the battle. I still eat out a lot with my friends, but its nice to be full, see a plate of food and take it home to eat for later without feeling hungry or that craving. Its been a learning curve for sure and a lot of trial by error ( don't eat in front of the TV for the first little bit!) But I cannot recommend this enough. If you are willing to roll up your sleeves and work towards your weight goal. Then you are going to succeed. Simple. If you are expecting the Slimband to do all the work and not change at least a few of your eating habits, then forget it.

PS: if you input TLBC in google it defaults to Slimband. If you input TLBC.ca it defaults to the Slimband site with current information and posts with the tag line copyright TLBC 2012. IF this is truly the case then why are we being told that TLBC closed Nov 2008?

Were you banded by Slimband?

Patricia: This doctor has been used by TLBC (Slimband) from the Toronto Lapband Clinic (now Slimband) for their patients in BC. He does fills for their patients. I know of one lady who goes to him and thinks he is very caring. Payment up front of course. Slimband patients go through the clinic fill nurse in Toronto for appointments. I understand they pay up front too and get reimbursed later if their contract calls for free fills. Also, I was told that this Dr. has been trained by Slimband in fills.

Hi Debbie. Yes I go to Dr. Woodhead (referred to by my clinic) and hopefully a few of his patients will respond to your post. I like him very much. Dr. W. does not have a clinic but he does his surgery at the Delta hospital. I find him very supportive. Here is a list of questions prepared by a successful bandster. I had my band in Toronto, but the distance is so far away that I cannot take advantage of the support so I pay for my fills. I get my support from Dr. W. and the Support group that meets at the Lions Gate Hospital and from the Slimband website. These are just a few of the questions that come to mind that are important in helping to make a decision in deciding which band surgeon and/or clinic to go with: · Is there a fee for consultation? · Are any of your staff at the clinic banded? · What other staff are available to patients such as dieticians, nutritionists, psychologists? o Is there a cost for their services? · Does the clinic have a website and a messageboard and or chatroom available for Lap Band potential patients to access? · What percentage of your bariatric clinic is devoted to lap band patients? · What is your medical education? · What experience in term of years and number of procedures do you have in lap band surgeries? · What experience do you have in performing revisions? · If you are a revision, what tests will you need to have done ahead of time to be sure you can have a lap band? · Do you have any statistics regarding your lap band practice and number of patients who have had slippages, band erosions or other complications? · What type of warranty comes with your lap band surgery? · What type of bands do they use and how do they determine the type and size? · Is there a pre-op diet you need to follow? o If so is there a cost involved? How much? · If I don't follow the pre op diet perfectly am I still allowed to get the surgery? · What tests and paperwork do I need to have done prior to being accepted for banding? o Is there any charge? How much? o What is the time span? · Is the surgery performed in the clinic or at the hospital? · In case of an emergency what is the procedure that is followed? · How soon after surgery can I go home? · What type of accreditation does your clinic have? · How do your operating rooms compare to those in a hospital if surgery is performed at the clinic? · Can you give me references from other patients I may talk to, especially those who are a revision from past weight loss surgery? · How long am I required to be in town before my surgery? · Is there a hotel that is recommended? o If so, is there a preferred rate at this hotel? o Is there a shuttle available from this hotel to clinic and back and how much does this cost? · Are my family members allowed to remain in the waiting room while I am in surgery or are they asked to leave until I am in the recovery room? · How long after I wake up can I go home? · What special medications will I need to purchase before hand? o Gas-x? liquid Calcium? chewable multi Vitamins? .... · How long would you recommend I take off work after surgery? · If I have a hernia do you fix this? o Is there an extra cost associated? · How long do I have to have a caregiver with me after surgery? · Is there someone I can hire to be my caregiver if I come alone? · Do you use latex? · Is there a deposit I have to pay to hold my surgery? o How much? o Is it refundable if I change my mind? · How must my final payment be made -- money order/visa/cheque? o Does it have to be in before my surgery or do I bring it with me on my surgery day? · If I have further questions may I contact you or your clinic with them? Even more important is follow up care: · What type of aftercare program does their clinic have? · What is covered in the cost of your surgery in regards to aftercare? · Is there an after hour phone number in case of an emergency or concern you encounter outside of normal business hours? o Is he/she available on call to answer or return your call? o Who responds to calls? · Do you have support groups available locally and in my area? · Is there a fee for any aftercare services? · How soon after surgery is your first fill usually? · What hours am I able to come in for fills and days? · How often between fills are you eligible for your next one? · How are the fills performed and are they with or without fluoroscopy? · Do you have to pay for your fills or are they covered in your surgery fee? o If they are not covered what is the fee? · If you live far away from the band clinic, do they have anyone local or closer to your home who is trained by the clinic to do your fills? o If so do you pay a fee to them and if so how much? · In case of complications post op, if you had a slippage or worse case scenario band erosion is any further surgery to remove the band covered or would you have to pay? · In case of a defective port or leak is the surgery to replace it covered in the lap band surgery cost? · In case of a defective lap band is it replaced at no cost to you the patient? · If you needed a new band for any reason such as the above or band leak, etc., is it replaced free of charge to you? o If not what type of cost would you be responsible for? · At the clinic does the surgeon do your follow up fills or fill nurses? o If nurses, what training do they have and can you meet them before committing to this surgery? · What criteria do they base your needing a fill or defill? · How long does it take when calling to book a fill does it take to get an appointment? · How much time is the fill nurse allotted to spend with you answering any questions or concerns also? · Are any of your staff at the clinic banded? · What other staff are available to help patients, i.e., dieticians, nutritionists, psychologists? o Is there a cost for their services? · Does the clinic have a website and a messageboard and or chatroom available for Lap Band patients to access? Pick out the ones may help you to make a decision.

I was banded at TLBC and I remember freaking out when they changed their name to Slimband. I was banded by Dr. Yau. I was told I am his patient and not slimbands so they will not support me even for pay. What are the TLBC lifer's who now have no support going to do? I am really worried and think I might have a slip. I am afraid to go to the doctor since if they defill the band I might never be able to get it filled again.

I was banded at TLBC in July of 2007. My band slipped in October of 2010 and was replaced more than 18 months later. The second band has not worked correctly from the beginning. There was scar tissue from the first band that was causing problems. I had repeated defills until my band was empty. It has now been completely empty for more than16 months. I still struggle to eat and have been given no explanation as to why. I contacted Slimband to ask about having the band removed. The said I would have to contact Dr. Yau at his private practice. I am not sure I want him to do the surgery so I asked if they could recommended someone else but they refused to do so. I contacted his office and was told that he wouldn't even see me without a referral from my own doctor. I really want nothing to do with him but am exploring my options. Has anyone had their band removed? Steve

Is there anyone interested in organizing a class action lawsuit against TLBC or Dr. Yau? They are not honouring the agreements any longer since they are now Slimband. I have read multiple posts about this but cant reach anyone to see how to co ordinate a group. Anyone interested???

Live in Nova Scotia and banded by Slimband in Toronto Sherry.

Live in Nova Scotia and banded by Slimband in Toronto Sherry.