Hi everyone, I'm new to the board and I am researching my different surgery options in Canada. I'm wondering if people would be willing to share their knowledge/opinions/suggestions or any other bit of information with me regarding surgery options in Canada.

I have noticed that quite a few people mention Dr. Cobourn at the Surgical Weight Loss Clinic in Mississauga, Ont but I have not seen any mention of the Toronto Laparoscopic Centre with Drs. Joffe & Yau.

Are these clinics/doctors good? I live in Calgary so would be traveling out of province for my surgery if I decide to go the fee pay route. I'm abit concerned about not having any support pre & post opt in my city. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks,

Janice

:help:

The surgery was done at Scarborough Grace hospital. I didn't realize he was part of the TLBC, as the first time I saw him was in 2001 he was doing surgery there as well.

RPA - good luck with your first fill. It took me about 3 fills to get where I wanted to be and I've never regretted the decision to be banded.

Thank you....I have to admit I'm really looking forward to my first fill, but I'm a little nervous, I keep thinking what if it doesn't work for me, and we spend all this money?

The first couple of fills provide very little restriction. By the third, you should be well on the way. Don't worry, it WILL work. Best wishes,

TresChic: Seems we were neighbors on Feb. 01/07. Been reading thru the comments and agree the two clinics with their surgeons are great. The only comment I can make is to ensure you have aftercare and a possible backup to the arranged aftercare that you could be comfortable with.

Doddie: I honestly didn't notice who was coming in or out the day of our surgeries, but it's nice to meet you. Your ticker shows you're doing very well. My weight loss has been slow, partially because I started with a lower BMI (I'd lost 50 lbs on Jenny Craig before being banded). I think I'm too restricted right now so I'm eating "bad things" (You know the ones??!!!). I'm planning to get a small defill in the next few weeks so that I can get some control. Do you have somewhere handy in Vancouver to get fills?

After suffering severe panic when my GP pulled out of the arrangements for fills I had to go back to Toronto for two of the fills at a cost of just under $1,000 each trip. Dr. Yau then referred me to a Dr. Woodhead in Delta, approx. 1 hr drive away from my home. He charges $400.00 as a consult then $80.00 per fill. I really like him. He prefers I come in every few months to see how I am managing.

My weight pattern is so funny. I start the month off low then gain throughout the month (water I assume) then at the end of the month or the start of next, I show a weight lower. I continually lose 1/2 pound per week consistantly. No record breaker but I am happy.

Doddie: I'm glad you found someone you like in BC to do the fills. With any luck, you won't have to have many and $80 is certainly easier to swallow (no pun intended) than having to fly back and forth from Toronto.

Thanks Tres Chic. My weight has been slow and steady coming off. A magical amount of 1/2 lb per week on average. You are right, I am at my sweet spot of 5.5 ccs. I can't eat over 1 cup of food. What shocks me is I am more restricted at dinner time and after than I am in the morning. Where I read people are tight in the morning. Guess being left handed I am "a.. backward". LOL Doddie