As requested starting a new thread... feel free to post here the good the great, the not so great, problems, complications compliments etc.

Again this thread is primarily for Slimband patients so if you are reading and not a Slimband clinic patient please do not get upset when we talk about our surgeon and clinic as our best choice and the best choice we see possible.

Heather

Hi everyone,

Is this thread still active?

I just had my first consultation yesterday in Toronto and have some questions but only if this thread is till going.

:smile2::confused:

Hi everyone,

Is this thread still active?

I just had my first consultation yesterday in Toronto and have some questions but only if this thread is till going.

Hi: If you have questions, perhaps you should go to the new site which is slimband.com. If you want to check out other clinics, then I would suggest going to canadianlapbanders : Canadianlapbanders

You can join it is free. Also, check this website by going to home and scrolling down the various post headings.

If I can be of assistance, fee free to ask away and I will do my best to answer.

:smile2:

Hi

Thanks for responding.

I've looked at the slimband site but can't seem to find the forum section. i can only see the blog sections.

I thought i read last year that the band might soon be covered by our health card but can't find anymore info on it. so i'm guessing that it's still not covered - is that right?

what about these ads at the side that say $4200 for the band $5200 for the sleeve.

Is the clinic down town the only place who do it or is it just the best place? i'm wondering why the difference between the $4200 and $16000

how much could i expect to loose once I get the band in?

Hi

Thanks for responding.

I've looked at the slimband site but can't seem to find the forum section. i can only see the blog sections.

I thought i read last year that the band might soon be covered by our health card but can't find anymore info on it. so i'm guessing that it's still not covered - is that right?

what about these ads at the side that say $4200 for the band $5200 for the sleeve.

Is the clinic down town the only place who do it or is it just the best place? i'm wondering why the difference between the $4200 and $16000

how much could i expect to loose once I get the band in?

Hi there; I was banded by TLBC (now Slimband) allmost 3 yrs ago.

Prices of $4200 and $5200 are the clinics in Mexico, that offer the surgerys. I personally know many ladies that have gone to Mexico for their surgery and all went well.

Problem is AFTERCARE, who is going to do your Fills for you in Canada??? CIBO, SWLC, Slimband will NOT do fills for NON patients... so make sure you check out all options.

With the SLEEVE, you'll need no fills after surgery, but you may want to stay in contact with your surgeon for questions and concerns..

Do you live in Toronto? or close by? There is now Lapband offered in Barrie, Ontario from Lakeview Surgery, I visited there and its nice, surgeon very approchable.. Liked them.

you can pm me with questions too if they are of a more private nature.

Hi

Thanks for responding.

I've looked at the slimband site but can't seem to find the forum section. i can only see the blog sections.

I thought i read last year that the band might soon be covered by our health card but can't find anymore info on it. so i'm guessing that it's still not covered - is that right?

what about these ads at the side that say $4200 for the band $5200 for the sleeve.

Is the clinic down town the only place who do it or is it just the best place? i'm wondering why the difference between the $4200 and $16000

how much could i expect to loose once I get the band in?

hi: you have to join slimband's website just as you do most. They have a private members only as well. Go to their home page and follow from there.

Dr. Yau works from the TLBC and Slimband is his support organization. He has only the one clinic but supports long distance patients like myself through webcam meetings with various specialists. He has fill nurses (doctors) throughout Canada but you must be a patient of his. Most clinics go that route. You can find fill doctors through the internet that will do fills for a fee but they are hard to find. The other very reputable clinic is SWLC. Dr. Colbourn (sp?) is very well respected.

Many do go to Mexico which is cheaper, but as advised you should be prepared for hardship in getting fills. I understand the clinic gives good support so they may have started fills doctors in Canada. You shoud check with them.

The sleeve is fairly new and I understand it must be removed after a certain period of time. I admit I am not knowledgable about it. Research is the only way.

You will find gastric bands run around $16000 with the reputable well known clinics as they provide free aftercare for a period of time. For instance Slimband is my clinic and they offer 4 years with fills. However, I continue to receive moral support and am enjoying how the clinic has improved services of the years.

If possible, go personally to the clinics.

Hello-I was banded 6 months ago in November and have lost 60lbs-feel free to message with any questions you have!

Hello-I was banded 6 months ago in November and have lost 60lbs-feel free to message with any questions you have!

Wow, 60 lbs in 6 mos... that is fantastic. Good luck on your journey. How much in total do you want to loose??

Hi Heather - I'm not a Slimband patient - had my surgery in Sarnia two years ago. But I'm interested in people's experiences and challenges. I had the surgery in March 2008 and had problems right from the beginning. The band never did work properly and it took two years before they finally removed it - as I was so dehydrated I was put on IV. I don't know whether to consider it again. the clinic wants another $3500 after I already paid $15000.

I also want to know how the band feels when it's working - what's the full feeling like, same as without?

- what else about the band make sit work? what else do you feel? what else happens?

Thanks to anyone with comments.

Gloria

Hi Hope - my band didn't work and was removed. I want to know what it feels like when it's working? what it does? what's different?

Anything you can tell me would be helpful. I'm trying to decide whether to redo. The clinic wants another $3500 now after I've already paid $15000 and had three surgeries.

Thanks, Gloria

Hi Heather - I'm not a Slimband patient - had my surgery in Sarnia two years ago. But I'm interested in people's experiences and challenges. I had the surgery in March 2008 and had problems right from the beginning. The band never did work properly and it took two years before they finally removed it - as I was so dehydrated I was put on IV. I don't know whether to consider it again. the clinic wants another $3500 after I already paid $15000.

I also want to know how the band feels when it's working - what's the full feeling like, same as without?

- what else about the band make sit work? what else do you feel? what else happens?

Thanks to anyone with comments.

Gloria

Hi GLoria;

so sorry to hear that you`ve had so much trouble...to your questions

when the band is working you can only eat about 1 - 1& 1/2 cups food in total... thats the volume thing...

I eat a pro bar for breaky most days... but some mornings I can only get in 1/2 at a time... then full...

betwwen meals i drink teaéskim milk, coffeeéskim milk, crystal lite.

then lunch 1 slice rye toast, with a slab of ham on it folded over.2.5 or 3 oz of meat... i am then full.

now for dinner I might have 3 oz steak, 1/2 cup corn, 1/2 cup sauteed onion in EVOO...

Popcorn for a snack in the even.

this will all total approx 1000 cals or sometimes less If I have chicken/fish.

Don`t know why your band didn`t work... was it too tight??? How big a band was inserted, and how many fills (how much ) did you have?..

Perhaps gastric sleeve would be a better option for you...

What is your BMI and what is your WL goal?