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

I've just sent you a request to join the group. Thanks for setting this up!

Well thank you for joining! There are now three of us plus my cats...explanation:ohmy: for those guys is on the page:lol:

I live in Coquitlam but work in Surrey so would be interested in a Surrey group. I am having my surgery Aug 11th at NWWLS

Congrats on your upcoming surgery Kimmy

I had my surgery at NWWLS almost 4 years ago and think they are all great !!! The support staff and all the office staff are wonderful.

You should probably get a hold of Stephanie, I think she's looking to get a group going in the Surrey-ish area.

Othewise, if you're able, you can of course join us in North Vancouver anytime. This coming Wednesday at Lion's Gate Hosp is our monthly meet-up.

All the best !!!

Patricia

How'd the last support group meeting at Lions Gate go? Sorry to be missing the summer meetings. I'm sure attendance will pick up in the fall.

I was wondering as well how the meeting last Wednesday went. I was out of town (a common occurrence for me). I'll have to switch my travel schedule around to be home on the third Wednesday of the month.

Just wanted to check in and say hi. I've been doing a lot of research on lap bands, and I think this is really the way to go for me.

Given my schedule, December is the best bet for me, because I can take a few weeks off to recuperate, and then curtail my travel until the new year. I think having to deal with hotels and restaurants in the first month, while restricted to liquids, or maybe mushies, or whatever else will be my post-op diet, would be too much of a challenge in the first month.

And right now I'm considering Dr. Ortiz. I've talked to the clinic once, and I'll be calling them again tomorrow with my long list of questions.

Any advice, or words of wisdom as I work towards making my decision, I'd be very grateful. And if you've been to Dr. Ortiz, or considered him and didn't, I'd especially love to hear from you.

Thanks,

Joanne

I was wondering as well how the meeting last Wednesday went. I was out of town (a common occurrence for me). I'll have to switch my travel schedule around to be home on the third Wednesday of the month.

Just wanted to check in and say hi. I've been doing a lot of research on lap bands, and I think this is really the way to go for me.

Given my schedule, December is the best bet for me, because I can take a few weeks off to recuperate, and then curtail my travel until the new year. I think having to deal with hotels and restaurants in the first month, while restricted to liquids, or maybe mushies, or whatever else will be my post-op diet, would be too much of a challenge in the first month.

And right now I'm considering Dr. Ortiz. I've talked to the clinic once, and I'll be calling them again tomorrow with my long list of questions.

Any advice, or words of wisdom as I work towards making my decision, I'd be very grateful. And if you've been to Dr. Ortiz, or considered him and didn't, I'd especially love to hear from you.

Thanks,

Joanne

Hi Joanne,

Good for you in making the decision to make positive changes & doing as much research into the surgery & your doctors as possible. I've heard good & bad things about having it done in Mexico. I'm sure Dr. Ortiz is reputable. I've met others who had their surgery in Ontario, Washington, Mexico, & elsewhere.

There are many factors to consider besides the cost like immediate & long term aftercare. What if there are complications after surgery? Losing weight on the band can take time & requires patience. Finding the right adjustment for you can take several fills. Will you be travelling back & forth for fills & consultations with your doctor & nutritionists?

I did a fair amount of research as well. I decided it would be better to have it done nearby & narrowed it down to NWWL & False Crk, eventually choosing FC where I had my surgery last December.

If you haven't already, I'd recommend attending info sessions for each of these clinics. If anything, it will give you a chance to meet medical staff, give you a chance to have questins answered in person, & help you weigh out the advantages of local or non-local surgery.

Hope to meet you at a support meeting in the fall!

Lyn

Hi Joanne, I had lap band surgery in Mexico a year ago last March. I didn't go with Dr. Ortiz but have met others that have and were happy withhim and their entire experience. I had my surgery in Monterrey Mexico with Dr. Rumbault and he was amazing. The hospital was big and immaculate like nothing you have ever seen here. Spotless, marble floors everywhere, beautifull art and even a door man for the elevator. They gave me a chart that translated english to spanish because as much as the nurses tried to be heplfull their english wasn't very good. However I had acess to my doctor by phone 24 hours a day and access to 2 other english speaking doctor's on call at the hospital.My doctor even came to check on me at my hotel the day after I was discharged from the hospital. Needless to say I couldn't have asked for better care or a safer more modern hospital. I have never had any problem with my band and have found a great local doctor for aftercare and fills.

I am certainly not taking anything away from the local options for this surgery because I have also met others and heard many excellent things about both NWWL and FC, but I also wanted to share my very positive experience in Mexico with you. I wish you the best of luck in making your decision and proceeding towards a happier you.

I was at the NWWLS seminar and there was a patient there from Surrey who had the surgery done. He talked about getting out of country surgery insurance for the two days he was in the US. Does anyone know anything about this and if so, where I can get it?

Any time I travel to the US (or anywhere outside Canada) I generally get a basic travel insurance. Quite honestly in Vancouver I assume you could go anywhere that sells insurance. I live in a little bitty town and there is only 1 insurance office. They are the ICBC outlet for car insurance but also sell travel isurance....so try calling your local ICBC office maybe. If they don't I'm sure they could direct you.

Any time I travel to the US (or anywhere outside Canada) I generally get a basic travel insurance. Quite honestly in Vancouver I assume you could go anywhere that sells insurance. I live in a little bitty town and there is only 1 insurance office. They are the ICBC outlet for car insurance but also sell travel isurance....so try calling your local ICBC office maybe. If they don't I'm sure they could direct you.

This is just regular coverage, which I have. They only cover you if it is emergency surgery. This fellow had gotten specific coverage for having elective surgery out of the country. People who get plastic surgery usually get it or those who are going to have surgery that is not offered in Canada in case of complications. That is what I am looking for but can't find. Thanks

I had my surgery on Aug 17th. I am feeling frustrated. I guess I figured I would bounce back quicker (must be getting old LOL). Also I am impatient to "get on with it" and start losing weight. How much weight did people lose during the 4 weeks of healing? I gained back 6 of the pounds I lost presurgery as soon as I start eating again.

Alright....Time to get the Vancouver Bandsters back in line !!! :smile2:

I have to apologize for not being around much but life has just been crazy for me lately. No excuse I know, but now is the time to start putting myself first again and get back in line...

I want to tell you all about our upcoming meeting, and I know I'm really early, don't worry, I'll post again closer to the time but I want you all to know about it early so that you can make plans to attend. I think that it's going to be a great meeting !!! We will be having a guest speaker attending. I know some of you have heard about Chef Dave Fouts and he will be at our meeting !!! He is a well known bariatric chef and will be ther to talk to us about eating properly after WLS and how to make healthier choices ect. I think it's going to be great !!!

There is a cost for admission.....however I think you can all handle it. Bring a can/box/bag of food for the food bank and you're in !!! :tt2: I think it will be well worth your time to attend.

Hope to see you all there and I will be sending out my reminder email the start of next week so none of you forget !!!

Be safe and healthy,

Patricia

I had my surgery on Aug 17th. I am feeling frustrated. I guess I figured I would bounce back quicker (must be getting old LOL). Also I am impatient to "get on with it" and start losing weight. How much weight did people lose during the 4 weeks of healing? I gained back 6 of the pounds I lost presurgery as soon as I start eating again.

I have just been catching up with the site and notice your questions. Did anyone contact you. If not, please don't be discouraged. It is not unusual to gain when you are healing from the surgery. I did not loose anything in the first 6 weeks and after that, it was hard work and the weight started to come off. I am not at goal after 3 1/2 years. The pace has been slow and many time frustrating. The band keeps me honest until I give my head and shake and get back on the bandwagon.

Please consider coming out to our meeting this month. We would love to hear of your challenges and maybe from our experience we can help. By the way, how are you doing now.

Just a note to post that Chef Dave was an excellent speaker. It was very rewarding listening to the first bariatric chef who knows the trials and tribulations we go through to be healthy. The cookbook for dummies is excellent. I wish to commend Vicki and Dave and wish them every success.

Hello everyone, I am new here and have searched high and low to figure out where and when meetings are held. I can go practically anywhere in the Lower Mainland, except on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and would really like to meet some fellow bandsters. I have not been banded yet but hope to be real soon and would love to meet some local bandster friends. Thanks in advance for any info you can share. BTW this is a great site! :wink2: