Hi,

I am getting banded June 27th at the Toronto Laparoscopic Band Centre. I am self paying and and have about 65 to 70 pounds to lose. Anyone else go there? Would love to hear from any canadians out there.

Leslie

Hi Leslie, I'm from Toronto, and just got banded on May 26th. My doctor was Dr. Joffe @ Scarborough Grace hospital. As like you I payed or should I say we paid (myself and my husband) for the surgery. WE paid $15,000 for the surgery, I believe when I phoned the TLBC they wanted a little more, but my first choice was Dr. Joffe, anyway, because I had seen him in 2001 for the same reason. How much are you paying?

I have my first fill next Wednesday, so I'm a little excited, as right now I'm still in the healing process and I've been hungry.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask, and it's really exciting isn't it!

Hi,

I am paying 18,000. So yes a bit more lol. How much have you lost so far? Do you have to pay for your fills?

I've lost 19 pounds so far since starting my pre-op diet exactly a month ago.

No, $15,000 covers life-time fills and visits. He actually charges $16000, but my husband was going to get it done as well, before he changed his mind, but he still charged me $15,000. He's an amazing doctor.

ps....I was told my the doctors receptionist that we can get back about 20% of that money back on our income tax. Make sure you get receipts.

Hi ladies, I'm from Canada too, but from Montreal :success1: My surgery is scheduled for June 27th. Right now I'm struggling with sticking to Optifast with so many events happening in that period

I too have about 70 pounds to loose!! :biggrin:

I am also self-paying. Dr. Christou is charging me $17,500 for everything. I believe it only covers the fills for the first year.

What's Optifast? Does it cost money or is it included in the price?

My pre-op diet was for 10 days, and all I could eat was yogurt (with no chunks), milk, cottage cheese and 1 piece of Protein like lean chicken, fish and turkey....I hated it.

I paid $15,000 for my surgery, and it's life long visits. I guess everywhere you go is different.

Sunflower, we sound so much alike! Having our surgeries on the same day with the same amount to lose! I look forward to hearing about your successes!

The 18,000 also covers my life time fills. I am also on pretty much the same pre-op diet as you RPA. Fat free yogurt, fat free cottage cheese, spinach and a small piece of Protein. I only need to do it for a week and I start tomorrow. I think it's going to be really hard! WTG on the 20 lbs lost...that's awesome! It sounds like most lose around 20 lbs in their first month, I wonder if I can expect the same even if I don't have as much to lose? How was your pain after surgery?? I am not from ontario and have never been to toronto before and the hubby and I are planning on staying an additional three days after the surgery. Do you think it's crazy for me to expect to get out and take in some of the sights?

First question I have, are you staying there overnight? I had one overnight stay at the hospital, and I was in alot of pain thank goodness for morphine in the hospital and demerol when I left the next day. I was on demerol for about 5 days, but everyone is different, so you may be able or not be able to see the sights, depending on how you feel.

I have about 85 pounds to loose to get to a normal weight for my height, so I'm looking forward to my first fill, so we can actually put the band in use.

If your not from Ontario, who's going to do your fills?

TLBC sends you home with an instruction sheet and dvd so your family doctors can do your fills for you. I have already spoken to mine and she is fine with this. How long are you having to wait until your first fill? I have had several major surgeries and recovered very quickly from them so I am hoping that this is no different. I am 28 so I am thinking age is on my side. I am not staying over night, they send all there patients home unless there is complications. I was instructed to spend one night in toronto at a nearby hotel. Thanks for all your help so far!

RPA, Optifast is a Protein shake. My doctor wanted me to go on it for 2 weeks before my surgery. Their cost was included in the $17500.

ladybug, we do have a lot in common!! I made a typo though, my surgery is on the 25th and not the 27th. So I'm 2 days ahead of you

I'll keep you posted on how it goes. You too, keep me posted on your progress.

Good luck to you two :biggrin: