Less than a day to go. I'm still nervous but am thinking positive and hopeful for a better weight/health-management future.

I wish to thank everyone for sharing their experiences, words of wisdom, and kind support. I truly appreciate it.

My husband and I will be flying off to Toronto this afternoon so I may not be able to access the internet until Sunday when I get back.

To all the May 4th banders, all the very best to you.

To my TLBC buddies, Jannet, Robgoblin, and Mr. Yoda, hopefully, I get a chance to say hi to at least one of you.

Best of luck guys, I am sure that you will all do great.

Andrew

Have a great flight Cat and I am sure you will do just fine. I hope you get to meet a few of the other May 4th banders too. See you when you get back!!

Good luck to all you May 4th banders!

Hi All,

Thank you for the well wishes. I am back in Edmonton. Everything went well. Some discomfort right after surgery but nothing unmanageable. The pain is minor but the more annoying thing is combination of dizziness, slight nausea, and weakness. I have some gas pain but again it was minor.

Like Jurema and Robgblin, I got the midband. To answer Robgoglin's question regarding the difference in bands, Dr. Yau said that one band is larger than the other (presumably between midband and the swedishband) and depending on the size and shape of stomach, he'll decide which to use. He said that he does not want to use a band that is too large/loose nor too small/tight for your stomach. He said the chosen band should be somewhere in the middle, not too large/loose and not too small/tight.

For those that have been banded before me, is it normal to:

1. feel pain on your chest when you burp?

2. feel tightness (like over full) only after having a few sips of liquid?

Andrew,

I got an itemized receipt but it only lists the following items. Is it enough to apply for AHC subsidy?

Gastric band $4500

Clinic Fee $4340

Surgery Fee $3660

Post-operative Fee $2500

Anesthesia Fee $1000

Andrew,

I got an itemized receipt but it only lists the following items. Is it enough to apply for AHC subsidy?

That should be enough, mine was not very detailed either.

You also need to do the following:

Have your surgeon fill out this form, and you complete the rest.

http://www.health.gov.ab.ca/ahcip/693.pdf

Take the forms, your itemized reciept and your invoice and fax it to 1-780-422-1958.

Mine took about 4 weeks to come back, and I got $1036.

Andrew

Thank you, Andrew. I will submit that right away.