Great right, just 4 months after surgery, the CIBO Clinic goes into receivership!

Why oh why, do things always turn sour.

I can't believe it....so totally unfair that we are left hanging like this...I got my band last July and I have been trying to contact them for a few days for a fill....the cost of the surgery included lifetime support such BS

Hi there also banded at CIBO very very concerned contact me so we can figure something out 705 -241-9511

I got the email that everyone got and very frustrated I replied and got a response last nite from Nisrine something about the bank went in and locked them out when they arrived at work. The surgeons and staff are working on organizing something on a voluntary basis for aftercare to continue to support patients free of charge.

She said to give them a few days to work things out...

Hi Taylor,

I didn't get an email?

Great to hear though, lets keep each other posted. Appreciate the info.

this is the email contents I got on Wednesday nite

Dear CIBO Patients,

We are very saddened to announce that CIBO Clinic has been forced into receivership. Due to financial difficulties, we are no longer able to operate.

We are in the process of making alternate arrangements to support and service our existing patients.

We will be informing you within the next week regarding the arrangements we make.

We have retained our emergency line. If you are an existing patient with a medical emergency, call: 647 297 8044.

Patients may also contact us at cibopatients@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

CIBO Clinic

I'm not sure if you saw this message I posted on another thread about CIBO.

Hi

I host several coffee groups in the GTA area. I've met several Bandsters from CIBO.

Dr. Chris Cobourn from Surgical Weight Loss Centre (Now Smartshape) contacted me and said his clinic is work on a plan to help CIBO patients.

You can contact the clinic at 905-278-8000 and ask for Teresa or Rita.

Dr. Cobourn will be giving a special presentation at my Mississaga Coffee Group on May 16th. If anyone is intersted in attending please email me. Space is limtied to 30 seats.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

tomander@bell.net

I received the following e-mail from Dr. Cobourn today and he asked me post it on his behalf.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Hi Tom:

We had a meeting at the clinic today and we have come up with the following option for CIBO patients.

We will offer them the opportunity to join our follow up program which includes:

Initial assessment/consultation with Dr. Cobourn either in person or on the phone

Counseling with our team of nurses, coaches and dietitians via email, telephone or in person as necessary

Band adjustments as necessary

Band adjustments can be performed at our facilities in Mississauga or Downtown Toronto, and with our affiliates across the country

Radiologic or endoscopic evaluation as necessary

24/7 access to one of our surgeons if there are concerns or worries after hours

Access to weekly webinars by our nurses and dietitian

Access to Lap Band Connect – an extensive online support forum for Lap Band patients

Access to this comprehensive program is offered to CIBO patients at the cost of $1000 per year and can be renewed annually as the patient wishes. We are not able to offer a fee for individual adjustments because our philosophy of care is that the highest quality Lap Band care is more extensive than simple band adjustments.

There was a great deal of empathy for the situation of these patients that are not able to access a follow up program that they have paid for.

However there needs to be an understanding that there are real costs associated with the delivery of this extensive follow up and we cannot offer this program without additional cost to the patient. We understand that additional costs may be a burden for these patients and have modified or usual access fee for the CIBO patients.

It is important to understand that access to the follow up program does not include the cost of any revision surgery that may be necessary. Revision surgery may include port fixation or placement, as well as band repositioning, replacement or removal. We will develop a schedule of costs for these revision procedures.

Please feel free to post this information on the Message Forums that you have access to. You know the quality of the follow up that we provide and we think this is a fair and reasonable option for these patients. SWLC is well known for the quality of care we provide and all patients who join our program will have full access to the post op care we provide to our patients.

We want to assure the CIBO patients that we are here to help them if they are interested in our program.

Dr. Chris Cobourn | Surgeon and Medical Director

SmartShape™ Weight Loss Centre

Phone: 905.278.8000 | Toll-free: 1.888.278.7952 | Website: smartshape.ca

1413 Hurontario Street Mississauga ON L5G 3H5

I just got this email from Cibo

Dear CIBO Patients,

Over the past few days we have tried to contact CIBO Patients. We are very saddened to announce that CIBO Clinic has been forced into receivership. Due to financial difficulties, we are no longer able to operate.

Due to the unfortunate closure of the clinic a number of former staff members have voluntarily banded together to help provide care for the patients they serviced while employed by the clinic. Staff members are acting on their own accord, apart from previous management, to provide these additional services because they care.

Patients should know that despite CIBO’s closure you are not “Orphaned”

as some of the other clinics have led some of you to believe. Your surgeons are still available and responsible for your medical care. As you will read below, there is support being planned for you.

We appreciate your support and patience while we “set things up” but wanted to provide an outline for your information.

Medical Care

Dr. Dennis Hong and Dr. Nalin Amin are still in charge of your medical care in the event that you experience complications or are in need of band related medical care. The emergency line is still active to support you at 647-297-8044.

Dr. Hong and Dr. Amin operate out of St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton, ON.

Patient Information - Google Docs

We will be setting up a calendar and other materials and resources for your care on Google Docs. You will need a Google Gmail Account and we ask that you set one up and email it to us at ¬¬¬cibopatients@gmail.com.

You will then be added to the group.

Fills

In-Town Patients

Under the direction of Dr. Hong and Dr. Amin, fills will be provided in the short to medium term free of charge. The cost of these fills will initially be covered personally by your doctors. The location(s) will be determined shortly.

We will be posting on the central calendar the location(s) and dates as they are determined. We will also be available onsite to provide guidance for patients requiring advice on fill volume and other band related issues.

Out-of-Town Patients

There will be minimal changes to the protocol for obtaining a fill. We are available to provide guidance for patients requiring advice on fill volume. Please email for direction. Patients will be assuming the cost for these fills.

Post-Operative Care

Patient support will be available and group support meetings are being organized in conjunction with fills.

Nisrine will continue to provide patient care support. You can reach her at cibopatients@gmail.com

Dr. Jennifer Walsh remains available by email if you need support. You can reach her at drjenniferwalsh@gmail.com

Emergency Line – 647-297-8044

At the moment our biggest obstacle is finding appropriate locations. If you have access to a location free of charge please let us know.

I just found out...holy crap, this is so scary....

I also really feel for Nisrine, and all staff who may have just lost their jobs. What a crummy situation for all of us!

Anyone who wants to connect with me to support each other, please feel free!