This thread if for those of us who belong to the wonderful Toronto LaparoscopicBAND Centre or will soon become a part of it!

Here, you can voice any concerns... talk about support group meetings, events or anything that comes to mind.

Indroduce yourself!

www.tlbc.ca

Hi: I am a graduate of the TLBC. Live out in BC. Only concern I had in the past was lack of fill clinics out in BC. That was satisfied by the clinic by referring me to a doctor out here. Now no worries. Would recommend Dr. Yau very quickly. To me it was more important to have the best (in my opinion). Thought I had the fill situations solved but the GP out here backtracked so did have some great concerns at first.

Hi everyone,

I was banded at TLBC on Thursday October 18, 2007 by Dr. Yau and Dr. Tollmeister.... they are so awesome. I was freaking out before the procedure(ok well not overtly) but they made me feel so comfortable, at least as comfortable as they could have made me feel. Although I did follow the pre-op diet, Dr. Yau said that my liver was still a little big so I was kinda bummed about that but he also said everything went well...I love all the staff there.. they are so nice and inviting and comforting. I stayed overnight and that was awesome too! I do not remember at all walking from the recovery room to my bedroom! amazing how powerful anesthetic is! i have so much gas that i am trying to get rid of, but its going slowly.... overall.... my experience was a 10!

Kim

Kimberley,

welcome to the banster life!! The TLBC is the best clinic to have this done at and you've made the right choice. Getting the band was the best possible thing you could have done for yourself, good job.

For now, just relax and take it easy... the gas will soon go away! I know that, that was the most painful thing for me after the surgery- the gas/pressure in the chest. It will go away after a few more days, hang in there.

You won't feel any restriction right now because there is nothing in the band so try to be a good girl with how much you eat. Try your best to maintain your weight from now until your first fill!

Remember, the TLBC and us, your Toronto bandster friends, are here with you along the way... If you ever need any support, advice or have questions we're here to help.

Isabella

I had my surgery on Aug.16.07. I have had two fills and doing good so far. I am satisfied at the moment, best decision of my life.

Isabella:

This board is meant for all patients of all doctors in Canada. Unless you have had specific experience with the other clinics in Canada, you are probably not qualified to say that "TLBC is the best clinic".

Jennifer

This specific thread is only for the patients of the TLBC. Oh and by the way,

"75% of all adjustable gastric band procedures are conducted at TLBC "

=)

Isabella

That is an interesting statistic. Where did you get it from?

Jennifer

Thanks Isabella,

I really appreciate your support! I had the best experience I think I could have at the TLBC! I think you would make a wonderful spokesperson for them! Maybe they're hiring! lol.... im really not all that hungry! i have a protein drink that i really don't like and i am so not crazy about broth... im trying to force stuff in! on a brighter note, since i started my pre-op and until now, i feel so much better than i did and oh my god, my nails are so long and BeeyuTiful! lol ahhaha.... all that calcium paid off in many ways i suppose!

I agree Isabella I think TLBC is awesome. Thx for starting this for us TLBCers.... I was banded on Oct 19 and doing pretty good so far. I have not really taken any pain meds and trying to get Jello and Water down but the chest pain hurts. Especially when I try and laugh.

Talk to you all soon

nancy

Isabella:

This board is meant for all patients of all doctors in Canada. Unless you have had specific experience with the other clinics in Canada, you are probably not qualified to say that "TLBC is the best clinic".

Jennifer

Okay, I only have to jump in here because I can't stand reading the post I quoted. I was NOT banded at TLBC and I do not have an opinion either way, but I have to say to Jenn456789:

What's got you in a lather?

Sheesh, a noob (newbie) and you are already posting kind of mean-spirited stuff. Lay off, would ya? Here's what Isabella wrote "The TLBC is the best clinic to have this done at and you've made the right choice." I don't see where she said TLBC is the best clinic in Canada. I read what she said as she thinks TLBC is the best. Don't you ever say that a certain team is the best, or a certain type of coffee is the best? Does that mean that I can question you about whether you are an official coffee taster or about whether your team has the best stats of any team, ever? It's silly. Let me guess, you're not going to TLBC.

I'm glad that Isabella (and MANY OTHERS-if you take the time and read the ENTIRE forum) have had such wonderful experiences at TLBC. It's good to see someone supporting their MD and in Isabella case, to see someone writing a THREAD inviting other TLBC PATIENTS to come and discuss things about their clinic.

Jenn, you write "This board is meant for all patients of all doctors in Canada." Yup, it sure is. And to that end, in the Canada FORUM she wrote a THREAD about TLBC. She has every right to do that.

Go Issy go!

I guess it doesn't take much to upset some folks - the power of the written word. I fully support everyone's right to their opinion. Saying that one clinic is "the best" does not mean that other clinics are not - Every one of us makes their choice based on what is right for them. I happen to think that the choice I made in my clinic was the best - for me. We are very lucky to have choices and enthusiasm for those choices is a wonderful thing to behold.

Have fun folks, and let's not get into petty arguments.

Cindy

Hi: I was banded at the TLBC and the two doctors that run that clinic introduced the band to Canada and have trained a good deal of the gastric band medical people. TLBC staff all have had the band and have lost huge amounts of weight. IN MY OPINION they are the best. If I did not think so at the time, why would I have entrusted my health to them. No way would I buy what I thought was second best for $16,000 K. Sure hope ALL bandsters felt the same way about their doctor/clinic. Doddie

I was banded at the TLBC on May 17, 2007 and in my opinion they are the best, I experienced no pain what so ever. They were able to refer me to a Doctor here in Ottawa for my fills if I choose to. It was the best decision that I have ever made. So I have lost 88 lbs how can anyone argue with those results.

Love my band and the TLBC for making it happen.

I have just one more thing to say about the TLBC they don't charge for fills, and I understand other clinics do.

My clinic does not either - I believe if you are able to go to the clinic where you were banded all follow-up is free - including problems that happen with the band down the road. The secret of success to this procedure is the follow-up - I am very thankful for the personal attention I have received from my surgeon and his staff and collegues. I do believe that the majority of the Toronto clinics follow the same philosophy - it helps.

Cindy