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

My surgery date is 4 days away-Nov 5 with Dr. W. I have been researching WLS since May and finally have a date. I am so excited to get this started. Does anyone have any suggestions on protein shakes and where to buy. My menu guide lists Isopure or Isopro Protein drinks. Where can I buy these and what other brands did you use. I met some of you as I attended one meeting at North Van in the summer with my mother. I am 30 years old and have twins. I want to prevent diabetes and get healthy. Wish me luck.

Hi!

It's Sabrina. I met some of you at the last Lions Gate hospital meeting. I decided to go with Dr. Ortiz and will be having my surgery Dec 2nd!!! I'm wondering when the next meeting at Lions Gate is? I want to make sure I surround myself with lots of outside support since I don't have much at home. I'm willing to travel to other cities in the lower mainland as well if you know of any meetings. Is there a list?

mom2two - congratulations on your life saving decision. Your twins will reap the benefits that is for sure. Protein drink can be purchased at most drugstores or superstore, etc. The trick is to find one you like. Some leave a terrible after taste. You can gussy them up with fruit to change the flavor. Contact Linda and ask her where to purchase Isopro or search it out on the web. I use a protein drink I purchase from the TLBC and is available only to the medical profession. It is called BariatrXEssentials by Metagenics. I love the vanilla taste (they have other flavors). Others I am sure will give you some other brands that they like. Some don't use it at all, but make their own milkshakes blending all sorts of things such a veggies, etc.

One other thought, have you gone to the pharmacist and enquired about your meds being liquid or can they be crushed or diluted in water or juice?

Hi!

It's Sabrina. I met some of you at the last Lions Gate hospital meeting. I decided to go with Dr. Ortiz and will be having my surgery Dec 2nd!!! I'm wondering when the next meeting at Lions Gate is? I want to make sure I surround myself with lots of outside support since I don't have much at home. I'm willing to travel to other cities in the lower mainland as well if you know of any meetings. Is there a list?

Congratulations on your decision. We meet at Lions Gate every third Wednesday of the month. There is someone that is starting a group that will meet on 41st somewhere. If you are interested, contact Canadagirl33@hotmail.com she knows of such a person.

Hi!

It's Sabrina. I met some of you at the last Lions Gate hospital meeting. I decided to go with Dr. Ortiz and will be having my surgery Dec 2nd!!! I'm wondering when the next meeting at Lions Gate is? I want to make sure I surround myself with lots of outside support since I don't have much at home. I'm willing to travel to other cities in the lower mainland as well if you know of any meetings. Is there a list?

Congratulations Sabrina! I decided to go with Dr. Ortiz as well, and my planned surgery date is for November 25. It's slightly tentative in that I need to meet my pre-op weight loss goal in order to have my surgery on that date, but I'm hoping that it will be reached. I'm know we met at the Lions Gate meeting, but I'm really bad with names, so probably will know you by face if we meet again at the next meeting.

Definitely it's important to surround yourself with support and positive energy going into this. I find personally that if I talk to people who are apprehensive, cautionary, and/or nonsupportive, it puts me in the wrong place mentally. Conversely, it helps me when others are positive, hopeful, encouraging, and keep me reminded of all the potential benefits I will experience long-term from this. I'm sure we have all considered all the pros and cons of what we are about to do and are making an educated choice to do something important in our lives. Anyway, congrats, and look forward to seeing you at the next meet!

Vangirl

vangirl. there is no question that upbeat support is far more important than the negatives, cautionary, etc. I too prefer that.

Having made that comment however, when individuals are starting out to do their research they have to know all the ins and outs. Although rare, there have been some individuals that have had bad experiences. In my mind one has to know about those as well to make an informed decision. The band has one wonderful thing going for it and that is it is reversible and most all problems are fixable. Too me that was the selling point but I still needed to know that some individuals have had the band removed because they could not live with it, etc. When I had the band I thought I had all the information I needed. Unfortunately I did not. I did not put enough effort into the aftercare. As a result, I try to bring the importance of aftercare to the attention of the researching person. Hopefully my caution will be of assistance.

mom4two, congrats on your decision. i've also decided to get the surgery done, but haven't picked a surgeon yet. i'm curious, how long ago did you have your consultation? when I called Dr. W's office they said there was a 3-6mth wait for surgery.

I met with him July31

Wow !!!! Look at all our soon-to-be Vancouver Bandsters !!!

Mom2two...I don't think I met you at the meeting !! There was 1 I missed in the summer because of car troubles so that was probably the meeting you were at. Sorry to have missed you and hopefully you'll join us again soon. Congrats on your surgery day !!! I've never personally met Dr. W but from talking to the ones at group meetings, I'm sure you'll be in very capable hands. I'm looking forward to hearing how things go for you...

I didn't do any Protein shakes at all...the clinic I went to doesn't suggest we do them, they feel we can get enough protein, even while on liquids...and because it's such a short duration, there really is no harm if we don't get huge amounts....so I'm of no help on the drinks.

I'm so terrible with names its embarassing !!! Sabrina? Are you the one that had been saving up and was thinking about Dr. K in Colorado? (I'm almost positive I have the right you !!!) I'm glad you decided to move forward with this and that you're seeing Dr. Ortiz. I don't think you'll regret your decision at all....neither with banding or the surgeon. You're timing is good as well....you'll be thru most of it and back into the swing of things for the holiday season. Hopefully you'll make it to the next meeting (Nov. 19th - Lions Gate) and we can answer any last minute questions you might have. Remind me at the meeting and I'll give you my phone # if you want, then if you need to talk about anything before you leave you can give me a call.

~Sigh~ All these monikers drive me crazy !!!! Vangirl ....I'm not sure if I know who you are !!! Altho I'm assuming I met you at the last meeting as well. I swear I need to make a list of names and nicknames and all this stuff !!! I'm so darn blonde some days !!! Congrats on your tentative date. If you are in the right frame of mind and work hard I have no doubt you'll make your pre-op weight goal....so go for it !!!!

The other meeting that Doddie mentioned is being organized by a lady named Geri. She tried having the first meeting last month and didn't have anyone show up. Getting these meetings off the ground is a lot of work and take a ton of patience and perseverance....I don't know how many months we had our meetings at Lion's Gate with just 3 of us !!! So Geri is going to try again and her meeting will be on Saturday Nov. 15th at 11am. I believe it's at her home which is 3339 W41st Ave, Vancouver. I dont personally know this lady so I can't offer any other comments....

Enough babble from me for tonite....I'm missing the hockey game !!!

Again, Congrats to you all and I look forward to seeing you all again soon !!!!!

Patricia

Edited November 3, 200817 yr by canadagirl33
Spelling !!!!

LOL..... no fireworks !! At least not before I ran out the door so that I wouldn't get stuck behind that darned road closure !!! ~Sigh~ It will be so nice when I don't have to worry about it anymore....

As far as Dr. Arseeau....I'm honestly not sure if you need a referal. I recieved a letter from NWWLS 2 weeks ago (snail-mail no less !!!) with all his info on it and all it stressed was that he likes the first contact to be done by email. I think you should just shoot him off a mail and see what happens. richarda@interchange.ubc.ca

As far as the meeting....sorry you couldnt make it, but we had a few newbies !!! Was a lot of fun, especially letting them all grope my port !! I'm glad you ladies decided to join us, I really enjoyed meeting you all !!!

Anyhow.....it's almost Survivor time !! Yup, I'm an addict !!! Have a great nite everyone.

Patricia

Hi Patricia!

I tried contacting this doctor and the email bounced back. Do you have another email or phone number for him?

Sabrina:)

And oh yeah...this is me! IF my photo will upload. It's there if you click on my profile!

Hi Sabrina !!!

I don't have another email addy for Dr Arseneau so you might want to try that again. Ya never know, maybe if he's been away or something and his mail is full it sends them back....I dunno !!!

I do have his phone # on this mail I recieved as well...

604-682-2344 ext. 62554 Maybe give that a try as well.

A big CONGRATS to mom2two !!! Welcome to the land of the Banded !!! :rolleyes2: Hope everything went well for you and that you're feeling better everyday. Don't forget to get in your liquids (I got dehydrated after 3 days and felt like poop!!!) and walk lots...it helps more than you realize !!!

All the best,

Patricia

This is day 5 post op. I had more pain and hunger than expected. I was constipated for the first 2 days, now I had my first protein shake and got diarrhea. Now my stomach is bloated and yucky. There are so many different opinions on when to start full liquids and puree foods. What did you eat afterwards? What do you consider full liquids?

Dr. Arseneau is away from the office until Nov 10.

Thanks for the info Lapbandy !!! That would probably explain the returned mail. So you all might want to wait until after the 10th before trying to contact him again.

I didn't do any Protein shakes and I have read on other boards that they can cause gas etc for some people, sounds like you are one of the unlucky ones in that department.

The clinic I went to had us on 'full liquids' right after surgery and we were to follow that for the first 2 weeks. Full liquids was anything that would 'pass thru a straw' and it had to be strained or blended smooth....no chunkies !!! (Keep in mind the 'straw' part is just a phrase...don't use straws !! They are known to cause more gas!!!) So on full liquids I could have any smooth Soups, broths or creamy....jello, puddings, strained smoothies, yogurt (with NO fruit chunks). It was also stressed during this part that I could eat (drink) as much as I wanted as long as I stayed within the 'texture' guidelines. The focus was on healing, not weight loss, altho I lost a good chunk during the first month.

You should start feeling a little better every day....give yourself time to heal and be gentle with yourself.

Patricia