I was all set to do this lap band thing when I found out it does not always work (:omg: wondering what my odds r). I was looking at Dr Ortiz in Mexico but then I have no after care like fills sweetspots etc. What r u other Canadians doing on this front if u live in the middle of the country.:faint:

I also felt the same way. Remember, this site is here for support. Everyone who has a dilemma comes here but you don't always here from ones doing good, as a matter of fact, alot of people leave shortly after banding. So, don't get to hung up on the problems, but it's good to research them and know about them. I thought it was neat when you said you knew the band was for you. That is exactly how I felt, and if you feel that way, I'm sure your doing the right thing, try to relax.

As far as PBing I'll answer you in two parts,

the actual PBing is a relief, it's the getting stuck prior to, that hurts. If you've ever taken a huge gulp of something and felt it going all the way down. It's kinda like that, except it stays in one place(where the band is)and can be more or less painful, depending on how big of chunck of food you swallowed. So to PB after that is welcoming, and does not hurt. But should be avoided of course.

Just remember.....Small bites and Chew, Chew, Chew!!!

Hope that helps!!

Thanks Cloe.

It definitely does help! From the way people were talking about it I had these images of projectile vomiting in public places... I have to say that the reality sounds ten times better!

I second that; the actual PB itself is a relief (for me).....as Cloe said...(sometimes she IS right!!) hehe....it is the pain right beforehand that is the killer. I've heard some ppl say it lasts a long time but thankfully for me the longest has been only about 4-5 mins (but that seemed like a lifetime at the time). I've actually only "vomited" (if you can call it that) once....and it totally caught me by surprise...very different though....Poof done! I don't think I'm a frequent PBer....in fact, I just call it sliming...because that is what happens to me when I PB...I just slime for a minute or two and I'm fine. (slime: open mouth and an incredible amount of slime just continuously dribbles out....god knows where the hell it is coming from!!). I do that maybe only about once or twice a week....so not too bad!

Of course once I have my fill tomorrow this could very well change!!! I shall have to be extra cautious and feel it all out again......time will tell!

For me there have definitely been varying degrees of PBing and sliming. Sometimes it just gets stuck for a minute and then seems to pass through. It took me a few times of being stupid to realize that drinking Water DOES NOT help even though you assume it would. I think that once you get used to the band and how it works you can seriously reduce the number of times that you PB.

I also had my surgery in Mexico and have a great Doc here in Calgary that does my fills for 125.00. He has no problem accepting patients who have been banded out of the country....probably because he understands that the 2 year waiting period simply isn't an option for a lot of people.

Just do as much research as you can so you know what to expect.

Does sliming hurt?...What causes it?

I think it's the lube that your stomach creates to move along whatever's stuck... I think. I wouldn't say it hurts.... kinda like: BURP - out slides a crazy big or small blob... usually clear. (that's me, personally)

Ewww deleting that visual Argon..lol...mine just seems like unending drooling but for me it's also pretty uncomfortable....it's so fascinating how we all have the same thing but entirely different experiences.

runny mouth? I get that, but it's like a precursor to a bad 'stuck'. I thought that was sliming until I had a true slime, and it must be a slime, cause it's slimey!!

Oh don't get me wrong mine is definitely slimy....it just seems to come out more in string form rather than a lump...I'm really trying to make a huge effort to not let myself get really hungry before I eat and to chew an obnoxious amount so that I can avoid the PB's and sliming all together...I'll be really proud of myself when I get that part down pat.

Hi guys

i have been thinking about this all day, we have been saving money so i can get the band this year and its getting closer dont know when but this year so i have been thinking what if i pay all that money and i dont lose any weight? what if i am the one person in the world it dont work for??

im scare. Everyone looks so great on before and after picture i hope its going to be me one day.

good morning andrea

The percentage that it will not work for you is slim. To be honest, I really do not understand how it couldnt, but I do not know underlying conditions. If you could lose weight any other weigh, eg: any dieting, then the banding will work. What I mean is if you lose weight when you restrict calories, then it will work. There are some who have medical conditions, that even when they restrict calories weight dosent want to come off, then that could be a problem. So relax, save your $'s, and look forward to a great new you in the future. Keep us informed how your progress goes, we all love to hear!!!

hi, i live in winnipeg and am scheduled for january 24 in puerto vallarta with dr joya. i know of a few people who have been to him and he is excellent. i am talking with my gp here about doing fills but dr joya offers free fills for life, as long as i get down there!!! not too hard to imagine as it is - 48 today!!!!

am doing the two week liquids only and not finding it hard at all but i am really ready for this and i think a mind body spirit connection is what i need to be successful. something just clicked and i know this is right for me.

good luck.

ella

Hey sugarpearl welcome and congrats!!!

Keep in touch and let us know how your doing!!!

I was all set to do this lap band thing when I found out it does not always work (:omg: wondering what my odds r). I was looking at Dr Ortiz in Mexico but then I have no after care like fills sweetspots etc. What r u other Canadians doing on this front if u live in the middle of the country.:faint:

I live in Calgary and went to Dr. Ortiz in Mexico. There are several doctors here in Calgary that will do fills for patients done in other provinces/countries. Dr. Mitchell, Dr. Descoteaux, Dr. Botha are the ones I know will do fills for sure. They charge between $100 and $125 for fills, but I am wondering what if any the SK government will reimburse you for it.

I can't say enough good things about my experience with Dr. Ortiz. He definately has a lot of experience and I could tell when I spoke with other lap band patients done other places as the recovery was much quicker and I did not have any bruising at all. Plus, he is pretty pleasing on the eyes and very fun and easy to talk with. They did find a giant hiatal hernia during my procedure, so they fixed that, no extra cost, even though it took an additional 30 minutes in the OR to fix.

Good luck with your decision. You could join our Calgary Lap Band group if you wanted to find out more specifics about the doctors there and what we are doing.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/calgarylapbanders/

Julie Crawford

Nov 6/06

Dr. Ortiz, Mexico

I have found an RN in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan that has the lap band. She has been trained and she does her own fills and she is willing to provide fills for other people for $50. I have spoken to her and she seems very knowledgable. Send me a private message and I can put you in contact with her if you want.