Hi everyone !!

Just a couple of notes of interest that I wanted to pass along....

For those of you that attended the last North Vancouver meeting, you heard about Dr. Arsneau at St. Pauls Hospital doing fills for Vancouver Bandsters. I have just spoken to another lady that has seen him for a fill and he confirmed to her that he will take patients that were banded by any Dr. This means that if you are in the Vancouver area and are looking to have your surgery in Ontario or Mexico or the USA an finding a fill Dr was your big concern, it looks like he might be your guy !!! :thumbdown: I would probably call ahead just to confirm it for myself but I'm pretty cofident in telling you this news !!!

The sencond bit of news is that it looks like there will be another support group starting up for anyone that is interested. The lady starting it is named Geri and the first meeting will be Saturday, Oct. 11th at 11am at 3339 West 41st. It is open to all of those who are already banded as well as anyone looking into it, regardless of where or who your surgeon is. Her email is geri_webre@yahoo.ca for more info.

Quick add-on.....as usual our North Van support group will be on the 3rd Wednesday of Oct. (the 15th) at Lion's Gate Hosp. I'll post again closer to then to give you all a reminder !!!

All the best to everyone !!!

Patricia

Thanks so much for the reply - my doc just said to ride it out for a while until my weight loss is well on its way. Now to the point of restriction - one fill - no restriction. just trying to limit myself - doing quite well - 1 cup to 1.5 cups of food per meat - if I need to snack having applesauce or something low calorie.

I've called and requested another fill appointment for Wed. We'll see how she goes :Banane01:

When is the next meeting? I basically now I won't be able to go, but I'd love to have a coffee/tea buddy to have casual meet ups in Vancouver - could your group solicit that for me at the next meeting?

I appreciate all the on-line help too - fantastic!!!:purplebananna:

Hi Ports being on the side is not unusual and most times a skilled fill nurse/surgeon can inject any fill. I believe we all can feel our port. However, if your fills are painful and it take many attempts then it is only a minor surgery to have the port corrected. It happened to me. To get a fill it, took at least 3 needles and numerous attempts before success. My surgeon then did the surgery to correct it. Hope this note puts you at ease

You should allow at least 4 weeks between fills. It is natural that you will not have much restriction on the first fill. Relax and take your time.

I am going to quote a 7 year + bandster about fills:

"The usual swelling that is common after a fill occurs in the next few - 24 hours. It takes some fills 1-2 weeks to settle in and we cannot tell how a fill really is until then. This is why at least 4 weeks between fills is very important, and this is addressed by the band manufacturer in the professional literature they provide surgeons". end of quote.

I had 1/2 fill and didn't have any problems until well after the 2nd week. Then I started to vomit as nothing would go down. The doctor took out 1/4 cc and I have been fine since.

So relax enjoy your journey and concentrate on changing your eating patterns and lifestyle. The weight will come off if you work at it. It might help if you research the recommendations of your band manufacuturer to help you make wise decisions on fills.

It's official-my band has slipped-up and at this point will likely need to be removed. I have had the initial operation, port revision, gatrsoscope and my 3rd surgery likely in a few weeks. My dr is going to consult with another surgeon to see if there is anyway we can save it. I throw up if I eat any meals, I eat soup mostly. I have lost 28 lbs since nov b/c I throw up. I am so frustrated beyond words.

It's official-my band has slipped-up and at this point will likely need to be removed. I have had the initial operation, port revision, gatrsoscope and my 3rd surgery likely in a few weeks. My dr is going to consult with another surgeon to see if there is anyway we can save it. I throw up if I eat any meals, I eat soup mostly. I have lost 28 lbs since nov b/c I throw up. I am so frustrated beyond words.

You are experiencing the worst nightmare a bandster could have. We all know of the complications but hope it won't happen to us. Is there anything we can do to support you? Other to say hang in there and hopefully it will all work out for you. Will you be getting another band? or is it too early for that decision. There is a lady from my clinic that has had her band(s) for 7 years and experienced the replacement. Now she is doing OK. My thoughts are with you.

I am been so frustrated, but at this point need it fixed or removed so I can eat. Well see what happens.

Oh man...I'm ~SO~ sorry to hear this has happened to you !! It is the biggest fear for every bandster. Has your Dr. made any suggestions as to why this might have happened? I realize that at this point it's not your main concern but I would be very curious if it was something that could have been prevented or if it was just '1 of those things'. Again, I'm terribly sorry you're having to deal with this !! Please keep us posted whith whatever they decide to do. I hope your are feeling better soon and this is all resolved quickly !!!!

Patricia

I followed the post op diet to the letter. It's just one of those things. I read about the complications before hand but no one expects to have them all happen to them.

Mom2two ~ Haven't heard anything from you lately and am wondering how you're doing and if a decision has been made about removing your band. I am being hopeful that with the consult with the 2nd Dr, maybe they can come up with a way to save it. Please keep us posted...I'm sending good thoughts your way !!!

Also...the North Vancouver meeting is this Wednesday coming, June 17th. As always we will meet in Conf Rm. A at Lions Gate Hospital. Feel free to bring your friends and family, or anyone else you might know that is interested in learning about or sharing thier experiences with the band. Hope to see all of you there !!!

Patricia

I see my surgeon this fri and should have an answer by then. I throw up 99 percent of what I eat unless it's soup or ice cream. Need to be able to eat food again.

is going to Mexico a good option?

I hear Dr. Ortiz is great and the costs are less than in Canada. However you have to deciede if after care is good enough for you.

The False Creek Medical Clinic in Vancouver (not sure of legal name) is starting to do Lapbands in the summer and they will be offering after support such as dieticians, psychologists, and good follow up.They are affiliated with the Winnipeg clinic. Give them a call and check them out and let us know what you think.

You might want to call False Creek Surgical Center and ask. From what I understand, they will not actually be doing the band surgery in Vancouver until sometime in the fall. Until then they will be sending patients to Winnipeg (for surgery) and then doing the fills and aftercare in Van.

Keep watching this board John, there will be a post made either in this thread or on the Canada forum once a firm plan is in place at FCSC and full details will be given then.

As for Mexico, there are a lot of people who chose to travel down there for their banding, I am actually considering it for my plastic surgery altho I was banded in the US. There are some great surgeons down there and I personally know numerous people who have had their bands placed in Mexico. The ~NUMBER 1~ issue with having a band is the aftercare and support. You will need to be able to access fills when you need them so ~please~ do your homework and research before you have surgery. There are certainly options in Vancouver is you chose to have surgery in Mexico but you should have all of your options lined up and figured out beforhand so that there are no surprises after your surgery.

If you have any questions or need any info feel free to post on here or email me personally at canadagirl33@hotmail.com and I will help in any way I can.

Patricia

thank you so much for al the help. But i really dont think you know what your in for when you say feel free to contact me, cause i will, and i have alot of questions. once again, thank you

Well, why don't you come to the support group started by Patricia. We meet every third Wednesday at the Lions Gate Hospital. Patricial posts as well as sends out reminders. Contact her and ask to be put on her e mailing list. We have had as many as 25 + bandsters attend as well as people like yourself researching the band. We are patients from Vancouver, Mexico, Wahington State, Toronto and all will have something to say about how the band is affecting our lives and maybe, we can answer some of your questions.

The band is a major lifestyle change and as Patricia stated, research and then do some more research. You will be welcome I assure you.

Doreen

thanks for the invite to the meetings, but i live in the okanagan, maybe when im there, i can make it to one