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Wow, for some reason I've stopped being notified when there is a new post on this thread (or site, I'm not sure) but wow, what a lot that has gone on! Thank you Heather for posting that information about the crashed party. I can't believe that people would behave that way! What a cut-throat world lap band is! And perhaps it is time to start to find another place to post that we can say our opinions without the post being removed. I am so glad you guys explained what was happening and then Heather managed to quote some of it again, as I wondered if I was going mad! I have to say that TLBC would have been much better off not saying anything about Jill when asked except a polite "she left to pursue other interests" and left her alone now. This has not done their reputation any good at all, as by their initial silence, and then that nasty comment about her being fired has only made them look bad, not her. I'm sure there is an expression but saying bad things about a person makes the teller look bad, not the subject. Something like that. I'm up for a monthly topic Heather. I replied to you in the Slimband site, but I'm not getting notifications on that either! Oh well. Thanks for all the info ladies! Mary

Just like Doddie63, I'm joining this thread so that I can read about other Slimband-sters. I was banded on Dec 11, 2008. I'm satisfied with my progress. I wish I could lose more, but I'm losing the healthy, recommended amount - and that's o.k. I'm attending two of the Supercharged seminars at the centre, and I find I get something out of each. I didn't know there was a "Slimband" website 'til yesterday. I don't know how I missed it - I had been checking the calendar on the TLBC site. I've had two fills, and have an appointment for another next week. I believe I'll ask for a little bit more, as I don't think I've reached my "sweet spot" yet. Close, but not quite there. Someone here recommended a central place for Slimband/TLBC people to gather. Is there a way to get a forum specific to us, I wonder?

So I'm gathering that it's about a 2-year wait. I can tell you that I am not going to wait that long. Provided we sell our house this spring, I'll be using the profit to have it done in Toronto. I had a phone consulation with Niki from Slimband. It's $16000, or $3000 down and payments of $350 a month for 4 years. The doctor there has done more lap band procedures than all docs combined in Canada. The saline fills can be done by your family doctor, if they are willing, or by other local doctors. My family doctor mentioned someone in F'ton and Slimband said they had someone in Sackville who does the fill. So, you only have to go to Toronto for the procedure. They also have a big support team that you have access to for life.

Hi everyone, I was banded Feb 4 at CIBO...I didn't even get the curtesy of an email! I had someone from slimband email me. I did speak with Nisrrine tonight and she said the same thing she is telling everyone else...they are going to " volunteer" their time to "take care of patience" WHAT!!! I paid them 18k to fufill everything that was agreed to in a contract! If I just wanted SURGERY I could have gone to any other clinic PROMISE...caring surgeons, access to a therapist dealing with weight related issues, a fabulous nutritionist THAT IS WHAT I PAID FOR! I agonized over this decision for 7 long months...I am a single 57 year old woman who's family was soooo against this "should be putting that money into a retirement fund" So no what????? Please... If anyone would like to talk or has any idea what we can do you can call me 705-241-9511

Hi there, My slimband surgery is scheduled for Dec 1, 2011. I am nervous, not so much about the surgery but the after part. The stories are scary I will admit they have me a little freaked out. I'm trying to focus on the positive things I read about which tend to out weigh the odd negative ones. After failing at everything for the past 16 years I'm praying this decision takes me to that place of self love and the land of self confidence.

I had the same issue, but after my research, and reading a lot of threads from different websites.... I even joined the Slimband website...and many of their patients complaints were regarding the "BAD" after care. Dr. Yau is very experienced, however, once they are done, you are basically on your own "according to their patients". But when I did a search on Dr. Cobourn and his clinic, I found mostly positive things were being said across the board, from consult to after care. So to me it seemed like they were more on point and cared more about their patients outcome then Slimband....that is the reason I chose SWLC..... Again do your research (it took me 2yrs to decide)....and make the best choice for you. I felt more comfortable with my choice, because I know after care was a huge deal for me. Good Luck!!!

You just join this forum 7 minutes before posting this, your profile is completely blank, and it's to sing the praises of some no-name band that others are speaking against? I call sock puppet. If anything, your post should be all the proof the original poster needs to know to stay far away from Slimband.

Thoughts? I have had a consult now with both, and both seem equally, ummm, equal I am self pay and travelling a very long distance, so I am worried about getting the most value I can. Things like after care, ever had to come back for anything, fills and defills.... I am doing this in November of this year, I just have to make a commitment to one or the other in the next few days. Would love to hear any experiences and/or words of wisdom. My doctor would be Dr. Yau at Slimband or Dr. Cobourn at SWLC. Thanks!!

Hi Elcee -- thanks for the reply. I probably wasn't very clear in that post. I have an option of two different clinics in TO, Canada. One is the slimband clinic and the other is the SWLC clinic. Different surgeons and some different options. So I am trying to find out as much as I can before I jump firmly on one side of the fence. Congrats on your weight loss by the way, amazing.

Hello, I am 37 from Canada. I am booked for Slimband on the 21st of June. I am a big mix of emotions and anxiety. Would love to chat with newbies and veterans alike. I am only telling 2 people irl.

I had my surgery in Toronto at Slimband a.k.a TLBC, I was told that the Dr. they are going to use in Edmonton for their fills is Dr. Hartman on 28th ave in Towne Center. I'm not sure if he only does Slimband patients. But it doesn't hurt to ask. Good Luck

Heather, I agree that this forum is gotten to be more of a downer. Lots of bitching and disagreeing and I've made a decision to stop looking at forums now and concentrate on my own progress. I also find I often get ignored when I ask a question and end up reading pages and pages of complaints. So I have to agree with you there. As for slimband's site. What section did you post that threat to? That's my issue with the site. Once I've read a threat, I can often not find it again because of all the categories. I design websites for a living but find that life's too short to spend half an hour looking! It would be nice if they had a search option (perhaps they do and I haven't found it yet). Thanks for your help and comments. Mary

My surgery was yesterday and I honestly had a really good experience the surgeon and staff at the slimband clinic were great. I was done at about 2pm and was back at my hotel room @ 5pm. I have no gas pain at all (touch wood). The pain from the surgery itself is very minimal and I only get them when I try to sit or stand. I slept really well only woke up once to take painkillers. So far so good, I pray that the rest of my journey is as easy as this. I have only had water and a glass of apple juice since the surgery and I am noy hungry. In the airport right now on my way home to start a brand new life. Wishing all of you yet to be banded all the best.

Hi: I was banded on January 5, 2006 (on my 46th birthday). I weighed 255 lbs and had problems from the start with the band. I had very little fill the first six months and vomited constantly. I finally hit my sweet spot in 2007 and lost 65 lbs. I looked good but felt terrible. Eventually with this fill, after about 8 months, I started with the reflux at night and it kept me up all night until whatever food had to come up did. I was having marital problems and when I was stressed, my band would tighten up and this helped me lose weight. Not a good way of doing it. I had several fills and defills over the years but could not find my sweet spot again. I went for a barium test, two years ago and the radiologist told me to have a defill. The barium was not going down. Luckily there was a doctor in town that Slimband referred me to and he gave me a small defill. I gained 15 lbs. A year later, with the same fill, I started with the reflux again and had another barium test and again, was sent for a defill. Surprise, I gained another 20 lbs. Slimband then decided that they were no longer going to support the TLBC patients and I lost it. I could not imagine myself without support and having all of these problems. I have nothing good to say about Slimband. They are nice to you and once they have your money, you are just another number. Found a great surgeon in Toronto and just had my lapband removed on September 22, 2014. Surgery went very well. The band left a bit of scarring but nothing serious. I was actually out and walking that night and went to dinner and ate lightly. The only pain that I had was in my shoulders and this lasted for a few days. My Iron count and B12 count have been very low in the last 8 years and I know its from my diet. I have a long road ahead of me and it will be hard. I didn't go crazy and eat a hamburger or hot dog (which I haven't had in 8 years) but I am so happy that I can eat chicken, raw veggies and healthy foods. I don't have to worry about eating out in public and making sure that I can make it to the bathroom in case I have to vomit I feel that I have more energy. I am watching what I eat carefully. I am very upset that I let myself gain back the 35 lbs but when you are deprived and eating only Soups and shakes and then you are defilled, you naturally turn to foods that go down easily and unfortunately are calorie high. You are fortunate that you lost the 80 lbs and you have made the right decision. The band is not for everyone. I know it wasn't for me. It wasn't hard saying bye to it......I am glad that I tried it but look forward to my life being unbanded. Good luck with with your surgery!

I was banded in August 2013. I had my first fill two weeks ago. She put in 1 and told me to wait a res minutes in the waiting area to see if I could get water down. This being my first fill I had no idea what I should be feeling so I was delighted to sip water and feel fine. Fast coward a couple of days and I feel zero restriction. I called and asked if I could get another fill and have heard nothing. I paid a lot of money ( slimbAnd with no insurance) and I feel like I has to fight for a fill. I paid close to 20 I and I know slimbAnd has their hands full with Dr Yau but I am really frustrated. The customer service has been terrible and I would not recommend this company to anyone. I have lost 10 pounds and feeling kind of lost.

hey there, i am so glad i found you guys here! i would like to know more information about how to get slimband removal and how to make lawsuit. I had been suffering so long vomiting and difficult swallowing as well gain weight due this slimband was not helpful a lot. My doctor doesn't know who to referal to me for slimband removal. I am 25 and have no health insurance so i am kinda more debt would have paid removal sugery out of my pocket. my email is falie93@hotmail.com

I will try my best to be on top finding a lawyer for lawsuit action. I will speak my brother who also lawyer in GTA to find out more research for me. However I will get back to you guys as soon i recover faster with my recovery. Raine88 - First, I asked my family doctor to referral me to Dr Hong and then less a week he immediately call me for appointment (due covid 19 situation) later, he schedule me for endoscopy appointment following week and he took my case immediately 5 days later my surgery (last Monday). It's was really fast and quick case he took over. I am glad i wasn't on waitlist for surgery. If i was you, go to him because Hamilton hospital is a lot faster to take patients since it has less population then Toronto. I come from Mississauga to Hamilton and it was all worth to get out asap. I had Slimband for 9 years so i couldn't hold for another year or so. Melissa- How did you cope with your recovery after surgery? I am much in pain after surgery i couldn't lay down and sit properly because it feel heavy on left side. Any tips? But i feel so good eating oatmeal without puking after long time... just healing process hurt.

I am VERY interested is pursuing a lawsuit against Slimband. Both my daughter and I have had nothing but issues with our bands. They are not available for any help. I now have a hernia that make it very difficult to eat correctly.

Hi everyone, my surgery is scheduled for the 7th of April at the slimband clinic in Toronto. I live in Edmonton Alberta.

I am so sorry to hear that you are going through this? What have they said about you only losing 10lbs? Is there another medical team that you can get care with? Im not very familiar with the slimband

Red Bird I am so sorry to hear about your aftercare. I would continue to try to contact the slimBand group and insist on someone responding to you. Not sure what the Dr. Yau issue is, but that shouldn't allow them to treat a paying patient the lack of care that is needed after surgery. You hang in there and vent whenever you like. I am apparently very lucky with my surgeons office they are great people. I have only had my band since 1/16/14 and have one fill of 2 cc's...but am looking forward to my next visit-since I am sure 2 cc's is not enough for me. So I will be on the lookout for a follow-up post saying they finally got you in and are helping you. Take care and prayers!!!

KimMac, just wanted to mention that the dye in your Slimband port is normal. They put it in the fill fluid so that someone doing a fill or defill knows they have accessed the port properly.

Hey freshair, I have recently been banded and I too live in Canada. Yes I made the investment and paid out of pocket. I chose to go with Dr Cobourn in Mississauga Ontario. I looked into slimband but found they were too commercialized. The clinic that I deal with has been nothing but upfront and factual with how the band works. If you have done some research then you should know the general basics of how the band works. Dr Cobourn stated straight to my face that the band is a tool that will help with satiety. You have to follow the diet recommendations and exercise daily. They tell you that the band doesn't stop what you put in your mouth. If you make poor decisions you WILL NOT get the results you want. I have seen the slimband commercials and yes they could be miss leading but I think if you are going to invest $16,000 out of pocket you better be educated about your investment. I have been doing well with the band. I follow the recommendations made by my Dr and I feel amazing. I am down 30 lbs and 2 dress sizes. There is nothing better in the world than feeling good about yourself and knowing that this is a life changing procedure.

No they are the same product just two different clinic names. Dr Lau originally opened it as Toronto Lapband Clinic. Then when he was sued. Him and his partners declared bankruptcy and opened up the same clinic in the same location doing the same procedure which is the Lapband and doing fills and they called it Slimband. Same procedure, same company just two different names. There is only one type of weight loss surgery that they do which is the Lapband.

if you guys do end up finding someone to sue slimband, please let me know. I also got a band in 2011 and i havent lost any weight. it has also made my life miserable and ihavent had a refill as once they filled it soo much that i had to go to emergency. i just recently found out they closed shop. i talked to my doctor about having the band removed but was told unless it caused me some life threatening situation they cannot remove it. so i am stuck to wait until i am close to dying from the band before having it removed these 2 years rules and ohip rules does not take into consideration human rights/humanity