Hi there,

I am from the lower mainland here in BC. I just turned 40 in November and I am 5'4" tall and my weight currently fluctuates between 195 and 198. This is the highest I have ever been and I am scared too death that I will get bigger if I don't do something. Getting this surgery is my last resort.

I am considering getting the Lap Band Surgery and was excited to see that there are options in Vancouver with the SWLC group and had my consultation with Dr Coburn over the phone today. He was very nice and patient with my questions. He did say that due to the regulations of the College of Physicans in BC, they will not consider someone with less then a BMI of 35 in their Vancouver clinic. I am at 33 BMI currently.

I laughed because I thought it was funny that they wanted me to be 'more fat'. He agreed and said that it doesn't make sense but did say that I can always go to their clinic in Ontario and the Vancouver clinic can do my after care.

Has anyone had any experiences with the SWLC Ontario clinic or any problems with doing their surgery elsewhere and their after-care in another province?

Also has anyone used the financing option by the clinics? Is it easy?

I have tried WW, Jenny Craig, numerous of other fad diets and the last one I tried was Dr Bernstein. Although I lost weight on Dr B very fast, I gained it right back even faster. I can kick myself for all the money I spent on Dr B and wished I just used the money towards the Lap Band Surgery.

Thank you in advance for any comments, advice and input that can help me with my decision and journey.

I had my surgery yesterday with swlc in Vancouver. Great experience so far. I am also lower on the BMI scale. 5'3 and 198 lbs to start.

For me, my decision to have the surgery was based not only on my physical health as I have high cholesterol and am developing other health issues but also on my emotional health as well with the extra weight. That was equally as important in my decision making process. Good luck in your journey.

Do you mind if I ask what your BMI was? Did Dr MItchell do your surgery? I've been missing Dr. Coburn's phone calls so waiting for him to call back. I would really like to meet with the doctor here in Vancouver at SWLC and talk to someone in person. Please keep us updated on your recovery and weight loss progress. I just got some of my results back and looks like my glucose level is still higher than normal and so is my cholesterol.

Sorry, I haven't replied to you. I only have the numbers for the SWLC in Ontario, but you can call Dr. Mitchells office in Calgary (Dr. Philip Mitchell) if you would like to talk directly. If your BMI is around 35, you are considered obese (anything over 30 hits that criteria), so I would think you are a candidate for surgery...but, again, provincial guidelines rule, unless you pay for surgery yourself. You sound pretty motivated about this surgery and that is half the battle. So give Dr. Mitchell a call and see if he will see you in Vancouver (he is out there a few times a month to do surgery). Let me know how it goes and good luck!

Thank you! I will talk to Dr Coburn and see if I can talk to someone closer to me in person.

I had Dr. Woo for surgery and he was very personable, listened well, and answered all of my questions before hand. I think my BMI was 34.5 before the surgery so i must have squeaked by with the criteria, i didn't know there was that rule in place before i heard of that today. I am 190 today but had lost from the preop diet. Also put on a couple of lbs of fluid since yesterday. My abdomen is swollen. Feel free to message me any time if you want to chat about it.

I had Dr Coburn in Ontario and he is amazing...highly recommend him and his clinic in Ontario.

Running_scared...I was a 33 BMI and this surgery has been amazing for me. I had surgery Dec 2010 and reached goal Jan 2011. I would do it all over again. Ina heartbeat. At bmi of 33 I was classed as obese...i'm glad I didn't wait until I was morbidly obese...

Running_scared...I was a 33 BMI and this surgery has been amazing for me. I had surgery Dec 2010 and reached goal Jan 2011. I would do it all over again. Ina heartbeat. At bmi of 33 I was classed as obese...i'm glad I didn't wait until I was morbidly obese...

It only took you 1 month to reach your goal or did you mean Jan 2012? Good for you! Do we get to see pictures? Congrats!

Lol I wish only 1 month...let me see if I'm brave enough to post i will say...I really think dr Coburn is tops. Jan 2012 was when I reached healthy bmi.

I was banded at False Creek Medical here in Vancouver, BC 1 year ago by Dr Katherine Hse & Dr. Corey Ming-Lum. My BMI was 44.3 (266 lbs) and now BMI is 27.6 (164 lbs). It has saved my life! You might want to look at False Creek too. Good luck!

I just had my band done yesterday March 19th with Dr. Woo thru SWLC but my bmi was 41. You could try looking into False Creek Surgical Centre I hear they have a good surgical weight loss program.

False Creeks program has supported me 100%. I have had amazing support 24/7!

Great to hear Dr. Cobourn feedback at SWLC in Mississauga Ontario. I am scheduled for April 4th with him. Very excited!

Great to hear Dr. Cobourn feedback at SWLC in Mississauga Ontario. I am scheduled for April 4th with him. Very excited!

Enjoy...what a journey it is and you have one of the top banding Drs in Canada as your surgeon. His success Rate with his patients are off the charts.

Hello

Does anyone know if there is a Privet place to go in Edmonton? If I pay myself do I need to go to Vancouver? I am just looking into all of this..It would be nice to have it done close to home..Please let me know where the best place would be to get this done?

Thank you all,

SWLS in Vancouver is the closest surgeon for private-for pay clients. There are also some surgeons doing the lap band through the public system, but the wait time might be long.