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

If you are interested, the contact I have for the False Creek Surgical Centre is Rhonda Winter, RN, CLNC, Co ordinator for the Lap Band program.

rwinter@nationalsurgery.com.

I suspect vacations is the reason for no reply. Rhonda attended our support group and I found her supportive of our group. Try her if you haven't already.

If you are interested, the contact I have for the False Creek Surgical Centre is Rhonda Winter, RN, CLNC, Co ordinator for the Lap Band program.

rwinter@nationalsurgery.com.

I suspect vacations is the reason for no reply. Rhonda attended our support group and I found her supportive of our group. Try her if you haven't already.

Thanks Doddie. It's been a few weeks since I emailed but I will try again and see if I can get in touch. Their website state they won't be with a BMI less thean 35 but there may be exceptoins. I have heard nothing but good things about Dr. Ortiz too and have two friends happy to accompany me and follow up care with a doctor at St. Pauls so it seems to be coming together:smile:

Sent you an email!!! I missed the last meeting but will be attending the next!

Rhonda

Edited July 27, 200917 yr by VancouverRN
spelling errors!

Thanks Doddie. It's been a few weeks since I emailed but I will try again and see if I can get in touch. Their website state they won't be with a BMI less thean 35 but there may be exceptoins. I have heard nothing but good things about Dr. Ortiz too and have two friends happy to accompany me and follow up care with a doctor at St. Pauls so it seems to be coming together:smile:

I wish you all the best in your journey. The doctor at St. Pauls as I understand is very good.

Hi Everyone :crying:

Doreen...So glad to hear that your appt for the flouro went well and there is no slippage. Such a relief !!! Continue to take it easy and I would think that if/when you feel any irritation, just slack off on the solids for a day or 2 and let things settle down again. I couldn't be happier for you !!!

kbf1 ... I've never actually heard of the type of band that you have, I'd be interested to har more about it. And sorry, I'm sure I've asked before, but who is your surgeon/follow-up Dr.?

As for your fill level, my first question would be has the Dr. doing your fills pulled out all the saline to actually check your level of fill?? It is really not all that uncommon for there to be slamm leaks in either the port or tubing...or even in the band itself. So I would first want to know that there is in fact a full 13cc's. Like Doddie I find it odd that they would over-fill you that much without doing a flouro to ckeck the positioning of your band, so that might certainly want to be something to look into.

Good luck and let us know how it goes !!!

Patricia

I know you had Dr. Leung in Surrey, as I remember, so did I and I also have a 10 cc band but a fill for 12 cc which is apparently quite common with Dr. Leung. Going back is always a battle though, as he simply tells you to stop eating, easier said than done. I am on a long plateau now and weight loss has not happened in a while. Going back to Dr. Leung isn't the answer for me either as he will tell me to stop eating altogether, ha,ha, sure that is what I will do. I would not worry about the over fill as he does that with a few people

I know you had Dr. Leung in Surrey, as I remember, so did I and I also have a 10 cc band but a fill for 12 cc which is apparently quite common with Dr. Leung. Going back is always a battle though, as he simply tells you to stop eating, easier said than done. I am on a long plateau now and weight loss has not happened in a while. Going back to Dr. Leung isn't the answer for me either as he will tell me to stop eating altogether, ha,ha, sure that is what I will do. I would not worry about the over fill as he does that with a few people

I have heard Dr. Leung is not sympathetic to aftercare with his patients and can be quite demeaning. To some this can be devasting. It is a shame that an individual is put down simply because they ask their doctor for a fill. I think the medical profession has a lot of self educating to be done and I guess we are the forerunners for other bandsters to come.

I am still working on our facility doing fills. It is taking so long as everyone is away for the summer!! Keep you all posted!!

Rhonda

I am still working on our facility doing fills. It is taking so long as everyone is away for the summer!! Keep you all posted!!

Rhonda

I hope you are successful. At $100 to $150 a fill, it makes good business sense. While you are lobbying, try to get a fluro machine as well. I paid $250 for one and the sense of relief that all was well made it all worthwhile.

Hi,

sorry i've been away for a bit and haven''t been able to respond, but yes, Dr. Leung and have 13 ccs in a 10 cc band with mid-range restriction, losing.8 lbs per week with tonnes of cardio and good eating habits. i too would like more restriction, but hate the put downs. has anyone had flouroscopic fill? i'm considering it as i think my band is wierd!

I have heard Dr. Leung is not sympathetic to aftercare with his patients and can be quite demeaning. To some this can be devasting. It is a shame that an individual is put down simply because they ask their doctor for a fill. I think the medical profession has a lot of self educating to be done and I guess we are the forerunners for other bandsters to come.

Hi,

sorry i've been away for a bit and haven''t been able to respond, but yes, Dr. Leung and have 13 ccs in a 10 cc band with mid-range restriction, losing.8 lbs per week with tonnes of cardio and good eating habits. i too would like more restriction, but hate the put downs. has anyone had flouroscopic fill? i'm considering it as i think my band is wierd!

I went down to the Northwest Fill Clinic and paid $250 American and was very impressed with the ladies there. You may want to consider going down to Marysville, Washington. The clinic is easy to find.

Good morning Everyone

Just wanted to post here to remind everyone that this week (Wednesday, Aug. 19th) is the monthly meeting in North Vancouver.

As always we will be meeting in Conference Room A at Lion's Gate Hopsital anytime after about 6.30. Please feel free to bring family or friends with you !!

Unfortunately because of some family issues that have arisen I will not be able to attend, however I'm hoping that the rest of you go to support and entertain each other !! I have recieved emails from 2 new people asking about attending so hopefully you will see some new faces.

Have a great meeting, an even better month and I'll see you all in September !!!

Patricia

Meeting went well tonight at Lions Gate Hospital. One new member scheduled for surgery attended and hopefully we were of some help. Although only 9 of us, we had a lively evening and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. I did mention having a bit more structure to future meetings. My reasoning being the group seemed to break down into little groups to the exclusion of a few members. I suggested we start a roll call and let everyone have a bit to say. It was agreed this would be good. Hopefully this would ensure no one would be excluded.

Hope to see everyone next month. Anyone new contemplating the band, or just had the band, please feel free to join us. :biggrin:

hi ladies, just wanted to thank you for the support yesterday at the meeting. it's really made a difference. hopefully i'll get that fill soon and i'll start losing again

No question about it. You will succeed. See you next month.