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Showing results for 'Slimband'.
Found 554 results
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Have you called Smartshape...they do Allergan, but should be skilled enough to fill a Vanguard band. Maybe for a fee, they may help the stranded Slimband paitients????? They are in Mississauga. Can't hurt to try.
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I went to slimband.
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Wow, you went all the way to S.Korea???? Where are you going to get your after care??? I was banded by SLIMBAND ( aka Toronto LapBand Centre) in July 07. I paid $16k self pay. THey do all my followups for life. Great surgeon.
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What do you do?
needamulligan replied to mytime2shine's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I went to bed last night after reading your post. I was so sad and worried for you. I don't know you but I tossed and turned all night thinking about your dilemma. I am so glad to see your father is being supportive even though he is going to worry. I am glad he is researching into what exactly your procedure is. I think we all have the same worries that you do, that something will go wrong. It all seems so drastic and it would be so much easier to just continue life without going to the extremes of going under the knife. But if you didn't do anything and just kept living life as you are now, would you be happy, energetic, live life to the fullest, have self confidence and love yourself just the way you are now. Would you be completely at peace with yourself?! Are you now? And if you bring God into it, think of all you can do and be once you have this (in my case 30 min operation that is 100% reversible) done. I think for those that first hear of slimband or lapband operations they think of it as gastric bi-pass. It's not, this has an escape clause, if it doesn't work for you or you hate it, you can change it, have it removed. BUT... if it works think of all you can be!! My operation is a month away on Dec 1st, I have a beautiful husband and 4 children. It is a huge decision, but I choose it because I want to BE more, I can live this life only once. I want to live it happy, I want to feel peace and be content. I want to feel comfortable in my own skin. I can't wait to be telling my story a year from now telling people in the pre-op stage it's going to be ok, and it's going to be amazing! At first I was feeling exactly as you are, then I found this forum and found such inspiration in people's stories. Hang in there, I wish you peace in your decision and all the best. Teresa -
waste of 16 thousand dollars
mountain replied to Pain and Problems's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
I'm sorry you've had a bad experience. I had the same doctor and found him to be very helpful. During my first week after surgery, I couldn't drink anything at all - a sip of Water came back up looking like white foam (soap suds). So I called the clinic and they told me to get a defill and made the arrangements immediately. Still had problems - Dr Kundhai himself called me at home and gave me his cell number, imploring me to get to an ER and get an upper GI etc. Happily, I didn't need to as the swelling went down and (having had the defills) I was able to start drinking again. But I was impressed that he called me and gave me his cell number so that I could have the ER ring him (Note: I live on the other side of Canada from where the surgery and Slimband is, so I couldn't just go in there.) As far as your refund - I would have agreed to you getting a refund if you had exhausted all of their options and still had problems. But you refused the exploratory surgery they offered (which would have just been a laproscopic procedure) and didn't get another medical opinion either, so I personally believe you acted too hasty in having it removed. Best wishes for the future - I hope you are able to find peace. -
Hey if you google slimband it will take you to a site saying slim and is no longer taking patients and there is a contact email the person will contact you back and make a appt where you want a fill but it will cost you 300$ if you can’t find it let me know I can probally check my email and forward it to you
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Hi everyone , has anyone been in contact or had a fill from slimband that could pass on contact information ? I just found out in the fall when I had something stuck in my band that the office is closed . I went to emergency where they defilled me but now I need a refill !! HELP please !! Not happy gaining weight back !!
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I have discovered that those banded by TLBC (pre - Fall of 2008) are no longer receiving treatment from Slimband who took over the TLBC patients. I signed up for a lifetime program of fills, defills & corrections if necessary but now I have been completely cut off of any and all support. I am looking for any former staff (I spoke to one nurse) who were "let go/fired" by Slimband but can atest to the fact that TLBC did agree to a lifelong support system & that patients such as myself were not informed of any changes to our agreement when Slimband took over. I hope to hear from someone soon. Anna
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looking for people banded with TLBC (now Slimband) our contracts now null and void
Lov2cruz replied to tboyd's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
So I tried to login to the Slimband Website and I was told that my privileges were suspended for and I quote: “Sorry! Your participation privileges were suspended by Community Managers for persistent abusive behavior: Please contact support@slimband.com with any questions or concerns.” Now I admit that I posted what is happening to us TLBC patients on the website but the moderator took it down 24 hours later. However it was there long enough to spark some conversation . That was months ago!! I guess that was when they decided to chastise me and kick me out of the group. They didn't have the courtesy to advise me that I was no longer 'welcome' in their little rah rah club and yet I still get e-mail notifications about recent posts. How stupid is that? I asked for an explanation so we'll see what they have to say. -
looking for people banded with TLBC (now Slimband) our contracts now null and void
tasiapg replied to tboyd's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Just a question Heather! Your last band must be with Slimband and that being the case you should be ok. -
Lap Banding in Canada for Canadians *Vote Yes*
susieq321 replied to CanadianChubbling's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
I have a slightly different perspective.. when I was banded I had US health insurance and could have had a lap RNY in less time and for free.... I couldn't be banded in the US since it was approved until much later in 02 than I was banded... but I could have self paid and gone to Mexico. There were no clinics when I was banded and only two choices of local Toronto surgeons who worked together and both did my banding. So even though I could have had a lap RNY faster I choose to self pay in Canada and a large part of that was the difference in the medical syste,. I didn't trust Mexico at the time (this was over 7 years ago) and now that has been born out with the number of patients I have talked to who have no one to do their fills locally, who have had complications and their Mexican surgeon while very experienced in placing bands since he doesn't see most of his patients again isn't so skilled in complications... and sent them to find a new Dr in Canada. I have heard great things about the hospitals and the skills but crappy things about the follow up. The US I know a little about the US since I work there much of the time... their medical system is a crap shoot.. so I get banded I pay for everything including fills in most cases. If you are fortunate enough to have Health insurance and have a WLS you better hope you keep your job and your carrier because if you switch jobs you new carrier can refuse you covered services because you had surgery under another carrier... even if you stay with the same carrier... and switch jobs they can refuse you coverage because it is a pre existing condition.... I am glad I made the decision I made 7 years ago, I could not have more confidence in my surgeon Dr Yau and my clinic and their support of me... I have had one issue with Slimband and it was resolved as soon as I complained... I agree with Tracey check out all the clinics and make your decision on who you are comfy with this is a long term relationship so you need to like who you are going to have it with. Heather -
Ontario bandsters: Which clinic......?
LessLee replied to Wanna-Be-Healthy's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Slimband because I wasn't aware of Smart Shape at the time. -
I called and talked to the people at Slimband. They talk a good sales pitch. They talked of quick weight loss, and were very sympathetic to my weight struggles. There was very little talk about after care. I did some research and found the after care is almost more important than the surgery itself. I decided to call SWLC in Mississauga. The people there answered my initial questions and sent me info via email and requested that I talk to Dr Cobourn before I make my final decision. Dr. Cobourn told it like it is...no instant weight loss, no miracle cure. He told me about the risks, how things can go wrong if the patient doesn't follow instructions etc. He quizzed me on my health condition and why I wanted the surgery. I had my surgery there in January. The clinic offers many webinars on the band, nutrition, support groups, etc. The team answers emails and phone calls quickly. They are eager to get their patients on the right track. If you are confused, they will set you straight. Understandably, they cannot give medical advise over the phone unless it is directly related to the band, found that out this past week. (thank lawyers for that one). Do your research before any surgery. Medical Tourism can be dangerous. Include your family physician before you go ahead with the surgery-you will need their support too.
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If you are thinking about getting the lap-band, it's a big decision and one you need to think about carefully. I wish I had done more research before I got mine and perhaps I would have gone somewhere other than Slimband. There's so much going on at Slimband that it's scary. It's a company that just wants your money. Once your payments clear, they'll drop you. It's happened to lots of us already. They will actually refer to you as a client because that's all you are to them. They are also very secretive which means you can't have any trust in them in terms of the care you will get post-surgery. If you ask questions you will likely go ignored for a long time. There is absolutely NO TRANSPARENCY! If you run into problems, and I mean serious problems, that are dangerous, they are sometimes not taken seriously. There article below mentions a lawsuit that occurred and trust me when I say, I've heard other horrible and terrifying stories/experiences as well. They fire or force their staff to resign. Last May, pretty much all their staff were let go. Now, with very few staff, there is not a lot of support and people have to pay for treatments that they were told they wouldn't have to. They will cut you off from services with no notice and they will say they are not required to give you such notice. Please consider another company. Slimband has gotten too big. It is a company that wants your money and will do whatever they can to get you signed up for surgery. They will use a sales pitch that is hard to ignore and they have even signed up people who don't qualify for the procedure. If you look at any place online, the lap band should only be given to those who are at least 100 pounds overweight. I know of an individual who was 190lbs and who only had to lost 30 pounds to be at their target weight. Dr. Patrick Yau resigned last week for the mistreatment of patients. He was an absolutely horrible person. And I know that he is no longer apart of Slimband but he was the Chief Surgeon for a long time at Slimband. During his time with them, he was a horrible physician and I question any company who would let such a doctor treat their patients for as long as he did. If I had to go through this all again, I would have likely gotten a gastric bypass. Although more involved, it's free and much more successful in terms of results. There are other places that you can get the lap band from. I'd say go anywhere but Slimband. Do your research.
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So far, slimband clinic has been good to me. I'm preparing myself I guess!
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Day 1 of the start of my new life: So today is day 1 of my pre-op diet... I'm wondering how I will be able to live on yogurt and still stay sane for the next 10 days! I decided to get a slimband, because my mom has a LAP-BAND® and has seen great sucess (I think she has lost about 70Ibs, and has been able to maintain it for the last 3 years), also because I want to be in control of my life, and because of my family's medical history. I keep having these "what am I doing" and "isn't this a little extreme" thoughts, but at the same time I'm really excited about it (I can't wait to be able to control my eating!). I was so excited about it one day that I told 3 of my co-workers, 2 of them were like ok, whatever... and one of them is now watching me like a hawk, great:unsure:. Most people have been supportive, my mom, my husband, a few close friends. So far the journey with slimband has been a fairly smooth one, and the folks there have been awesome. Good Luck to everyone!
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So I'm banded!!! YAY!!! Everything went well... feeling ok (kind of gassy) The folks at slimband were awesome! I'm just taking it easy, and looking forward to the full fluid phase now :scared2:
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I have been banded since 2008 and have done quite well with the band. Recently I have been having some strange symptoms of heartburn and occasional pain. I have tried to call Slimband and no one returns my calls. I heard from one of my friends in Toronto that they fired 15 staff last week including some of the nurses and dieticians. I am coming up to my 5 year mark and am worried about the follow up. Has anyone else had problems? Cindy
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Can I ask if any of the Slimband people on here use the slimband community forums? I cannot post on there and half the forums are locked.
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Hi, I just had my first consultation with Silvanna at slimband. she's very nice but i'm very overwhelmed with all the info and reading so much on the boards. I thought i read last year that the procedure was going to be covered by our health card soon - i'm guessing it still isn't but does anyone know anything about OHIP covering the cost? i did read that they did cover some people if they went to the States to get it doen - seems counterproductive to send the money out of country instead of keeping everything here. i've got a lot of reading to do with all these threads.
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Suggest you google OHHP to see what they are doing. I read out West here that they infact were covering the costs of lapband but when and the criteria is anyones guess. MY suggestion to you is join Canadianlapbanders on Yahoo and obtain meeting times and places. Attend as many meetings as possible and talk to bandsters who have had the band for a long time and some not so long. I understand that Canadianlapbanders is owned by a Slimband employee but SWLC clients also post their meetings. You can go to either clinics sites and obtain meeting time and places. Everyone is welcome. Even if you are out west, come to our meetings and get as must upfront information that you would like. We have Meico, USA and Canadian clinics attending our meeting and I am sure the two eastern clinics do as well. Good luck and take your time researching.
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1st fill now have gas in shoulders
slimmingdown28 replied to Mjck02's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
I have the slimband ( Canadian version) I've never had a fill, had my surg in June and always get pain in my left shoulder if I eat too much. But recently in oct. I also started having nutcracker esophageal spasms, not fun at all but the pain in my shoulder didn't seem to show up I would much prefer the shoulder pain any day. -
After reading this forum I realized that surgeons were calling in people at a post operation check up. Nobody from slimband called to check up to see if i was alive either. It's like the band is in, they have their money now get lost. I mean logically after any type of surgery there is a post op check up, but none with slimband
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Hi, I travelled to Toronto for my surgeries. Had my first surgery Aug 2016 at the age of 46 with Dr. C???? on staff at the Toronto Slimband clinic. Did not have much success during that first year and followed the plan to the letter. Had to return a year later to have the procedure corrected because the port had been installed directly over a rib. Every time I would lay down or bend over at a certain angle it would rub against the rib bone (very painful). Dr. Yul did the corrective surgery himself. Just being brought into the operating room, he spoke to me and said to me very condescendingly that my weight problem was a psychological problem and that was why I wasn't achieving the promised success with my band. I was so shocked and hurt. They took my money, put this thing in me then tell me it isn't even what I needed. He was really heartless. I've since been diagnosed with a food addiction and I've been under the care of a wonderful and caring Dr. in the Ottawa area as well as a great therapist. I'm doing the hard work. I've since lost a fair amount of weight (part of my treatment is to no longer weigh myself so I don't use numbers just the fit of my clothes) and for the past three years I've had peace in my mind that I had not know since I was a young girl of 12 or 13. I just wish the Slimband Clinic had been up front with me and told me that the band wasn't for me and saved me the cost and pain multiple surgeries instead of lining their pockets with no regards to my wellbeing. The silver lining is that I found my wonderful Dr. in Ottawa when I was searching for a physician who would help me with my band. (fills, etc.)
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My daughter and I both have bands by Slimband and would like to join in your lawsuit. We both have issues eating regular foods. I can only tolerate soft foods. Because of the vomiting, I have now a hernia which makes it even more difficult to eat. I have gained more weight then when I started 2012/2014 I would love to hear back from you regarding this matter..... THANK YOU!!!!
