AlanaH

Good morning all!! Its been ages since I have been to the forum and I'm not used to the "new look". Well for me its a new look - and I'm not sure the proper place to post this would be. If I should post elsewhere - just let me know!

I haven't had a fill in just over two years (a week after my daughter was born was my last fill) and I'm wanting to get a new one. I do have a Dr. here in town but not too fond of his bedside manner and therefore don't care to go back to him. We are heading to Florida in February to be with my parents for a couple of weeks and I thought that while I was down there I would look at getting a fill .....Does anyone know of a Dr. who does fills (Fluoroscopy would be great) in the Naples area? Even if its not Naples but surrounding area -- we are heading up to Tampa as well ... so even there .....

Thanks everyone!!

Alana

Hey all!!!

Its been too long since I've been active on this forum but I need some help and advice! Its been almost 2 years since I've been banded, lost some weight but gained a baby instead! I only gained about 10 pounds (and 5lbs of that was Kate!) while pregnant and while I haven't seen the scale go down lately, my clothes are getting bigger so I know I'm losing inches. I don't want to go for another fill as I feel like its almost too full at the moment - I can get most foods down, others I can't.

What does everyone do when they hit a plateau? I've started to exercise now that the snow has melted so Kate, Beans & I go out for a walk every day. I'm back to work early from Mat Leave and just find I don't have lots of time to exercise like I'd like. Do you decrease your food intake to kind of "jump start" the weight loss again? What I've just started to do is cut out all junk food (but I'm a sucker for a chocolate bar every now and then.... I know, its bad) and keep my calorie intake low but just wondering what people can tell me what to do to get off this plateau! I've also started counting calories on myfitnesspal.com which seems to be helping but I need some extra help and some support.... I've got 80 pounds left that I'd like to lose but would be happy with 60 ..... And I want it all gone before November when I head back to Florida for an early Christmas with the family!

If anyone has any ideas how to get off the plateau I'd love to hear it! Thanks everyone!

Alana

I also got reimbursed by the Province ..... I had OCC email me a copy of the OR Report & the receipt and I completed the Out of Country claim form and sent it all off. I got about $1700 back and then claimed the remainder on my Income Tax - which I got about $7000/$8000 back. I was asked by the Gov't of Canada for my documents (I knew it'd happen) and they reassessed my claim and I had to pay about $100 back to them because they capped the fill amounts. Also, if you can get your doctor to write you up a note stating its medically necessary you should be ok -- I didn't have one but in their letter they made mention of it. Keep your fill receipts! I claimed it in the fall of 2008 and income tax in April 2009 .... I honestly had no issues and the person I was in contact with the Gov't of AB was great to deal with! Oh they wanted a breakdown on the blood work that we had done at OCC but I didn't pursue it further ..... I didn't ask for it and just let it go - I was happy to get the $1700 back! ;0

Good luck! You can always call the Out of Country claims department with the gov't and see what else you need!

Alana

Hey Amber ..... congrats!!!

I was banded almost 2 years (August) ago at the OCC .... its been a slow process for losing weight as that December / January I got pregnant. I wouldn't change the band at all! And I definitely wouldn't change having Kate although in a weird sense, I was upset to find out I was pregnant because I wanted to lose the weight!

1. Did you get an un-fill? If so, was it a total un-fill or just partial? At what point did you refill the band?

I didn't get an un-fill. I had a fill in November and thought about going back to get it un-filled but the restriction wasn't bothering me. I work at a hospital in the Operating Room and I my OBGYN works there too so if I ever had questions, I could just ask him. He wasn't concerned about my restrictions as long as I could still eat foods and get it down. Throughout my entire pregnancy I didn't have much of an appetite though and only gained 10 pounds. I had Kate on September 5th and 10 days after that I was back to the office for another fill -- I wanted to be aggressive! I really think it depends on you and how you are feeling. I definitely would have had a de-fill if I couldn't get foods down!

2. Did you feel that your band in any way hindered you ability to eat enough foods or to breastfeed, to push during labor, etc. (especially if you did NOT have all your fill removed)

I did have some good restriction while pregnant, but I also didn't have much of an appetite -- perhaps it was related? I really don't know. I'm not much of a big eater, just chose the wrong foods to eat! I had tested positive for the Triple Screen test which indicates a possiblity of Spina Bifida in my baby....after being sent to the city for 2 ultrasounds with a Perinatologist it was determined that Kate was ok, but my obgyn was still concerned -- it could be an indication something could happen in labor to me. So he had me induced. And with alot of inductions --- a c-section is the result. So I never had to push ..... I had labor for a few hours but due to Kate's decrease in heart rate -- they did an emergency c-section. So I can't honestly tell you if it would hinder any ability to push while in labor.

3. Did you port give you problems as your belly got bigger with the baby? Did it become something that was visable or uncomfortable as more of your insides were filled up with the baby?

My port started to hurt a bit at the end, but that was only the last couple of weeks .... I honestly had no complications with the band. I used to make my husband feel it all the time cause it would stick out a bit

4. Were you able to find an OBGYN who had experience with an expecting mother who had had the band or did you feel you had to do the educating of your doctor(s)?

My obgyn may or may not have had experience with the band -- we never actually talked about it. Bad, I know .... but he never brought it up after the one conversation we had. In our town of 65,000+ we only have 2 obgyn's (I kid you not!) and I went with the best in town .... if he wasn't worried about my band, then either was I. Now, if I lived in Edmonton, then perhaps i would have found a doctor who had experience with the band.

Kate was the best thing that happened to me - I didn't expect it to happen so quickly after getting banded, but I definitely don't regret the band or Kate! Hard to believe she'll be a year in September already ..... I often think that if it wasn't for the band, I wouldn't have gotten pregnant and stayed pregnant (I had 2 miscarriages before the band)....

Good luck and enjoy every minute of being pregnant!

Alana

I claimed in on my income tax ..... got a nice return and then as expected received a letter in the mail that I was being audited. I knew it was coming, I just hoped that they'd let me keep the money since it had already been spent! ;0 Well while I was in Florida a couple of weeks ago, a letter came and I have to pay about $85 back to them because I didn't include a doctor's note stating it was medically necessary (as if they couldn't tell by my initial weight???) and oh my fills were capped at $200 a year (I pay $75 a fill). I can pay that back, no biggie Good thing I kept everything together in my OCC folder! Hope everyone else gets some money back!!!

Alana

Congrats on the pregnancy! I haven't posted on here in such a long time ... or even come to the website but i thought today I would check in and see how everyone is doing!

I had to put the weight loss on the back burner for 9 months as I too am pregnant. I've had no issues with the band while being pregnant and even though I wanted to wait until I got to my goal weight --- some things you just can't prevent I had two previous miscarriages prior to being banded and so happy this this one was finally able to "stick".

I lost 10 pounds at the beginning and I've only gained about 3 pounds in total .... and I find that I'm still losing inches! I went from wearing an XXL at the Gap to now wearing a Large t-shirt. My jeans, I've lost inches on my hips and butt (hey I'm not complaining!) so it looks like I've got poopy pants. I'm not trying to lose any weight, I just keep eating healthy food... but I think my metabolism is in high gear.

Definitely looking forward to the beast coming out in September though I'm excited to meet her and start this weight loss journey again! I start 24 weeks tomorrow ..... Congrats and all the best!!

Alana

That's awesome Cathy!!!! Way to go!!! :lb13:

Joey was my favorite!!!! I'll be seeing them in November when they come to Edmonton - well worth the sick day I'll be taking from work .... cough cough My husband surprised me with tickets to see them as a "reward" for losing weight after surgery ...... I can't see your pictures right now as I'm at work but when I get home I'll be running to the computer to check them out! Glad you had a great time!!!

Alana

I'm going to vote in half an hour!!!! Not sure if my voice will be heard, but its worth a shot!!!!

Alana

Today is voting day for Prime Minister of Canada....be sure to let your voice be heard!!!

Hey there --- thanks for the post -- my fill went great! Not as bad as I thought and realized that it was just anxiety that made me more scared than what I had to be! I've now got 1cc in my band and go back in two weeks for another .5 ..... hoping to get great restriction to start seeing that scale start to go down again!

October 22nd is my next fill - I'm excited!!! Sorry to hear about your fill -- I wish that everyone had great experiences. Mine almost didn't happen as my doctor has just decided to no longer take Mexican patients (all thanks to a conference that doctors attended and was spoken to by a lawyer and now some doctors have decided to no longer fill us Mexican patients due to liability and the potential for lawsuits). But he told me that he wasn't going to say no to me .... yay!!!

How are you doing now?? Have a good night!!!

Alana

So.... I went for my first fill and everything went good. Except......

He told me that a couple of weeks ago he (and other doctors) were at a conference and they had a lawyer speak to them about doing post-op patient care on those who have been banded in Mexico. I don't know the particulars but if a patient was banded in Toronto, they have an understanding that if the patient gets his/her fill say here in Fort McMurray and the doctor punctures the band or something wrong happens - the patient goes back to Toronto and it is covered by Toronto ..... and not the doctor here. But with patients from Mexico - there has been one cause where one was filled and something wrong happened and they sued the doctor. Since there is no "agreement" with the doctors from Mexico to Canadian doctors to say that if anything goes wrong the Mexican doctor will fix it. And its because of that, that many doctors are now not wanting to fill patients from Mexico.

I'm lucky though -- as he was telling me this my hopes were getting down and I was starting to get quite sad. Here I spent $8000 to get banded and now may not be able to find a doctor to do my fills and have to fly back to Tijuana ..... lots can go on in your mind within a couple of minutes! He gave me the good news though - he said that he's also not going to turn his back on someone who needs care and will continue to fill me. Heck, I'll sign a waiver to say that if he did do damage I wouldn't sue him -- that's really what he is worried about. He was upset though that I didn't get an Operative Report from OCC -- to say exactly where the port was, how big the band was, did the band have anything in it, etc. I'll try my hardest to get that again from them and then he can have it on file. For now though - I'll stick to him....

My first fill I can't complain - he put in 1cc in and I have an appointment for another .5 in two weeks ..... soon I know but he thinks that if I can get myself up to 2.5cc in the band I should be very happy. The needle didn't even hurt... yay!

So I'm not sure if thats the reason why some of the doctors are now not taking on patients who have been banded in Mexico but thats what I was told today.

I hope that you're all able to find fill doctors!!

Have a good night!

Alana

Hey all ..... I have a doctor here in Fort McMurray who is going to be doing my fills .... not sure what he is like as in two hours I'll be going to my first appointment with him. You could always come up here and have it done Not like anyone wants to come here! hahahaha I had been in touch with Dr. Descouteaux's office last month about making an appointment and the girl said he'd definitely take me but the time that I wanted to see him he was actually going to be in the OR that day so it was out. That sucks because we're hoping on moving back down to Calgary and will need a fill doctor!

Google Lapbandtalk forum - there is a Canadian section on there with a list of doctors -- and that should definitely help you as well. And I was wondering - I know the Maples Surgical Center in Winnipeg does the surgery -- I wonder if they do fills? Definiely check out that site -- I have the link at home, but not here at work .....

Good luck!!!

Alana

Tomorrow I go for my first fill with a local doctor here..... I have to admit, I'm nervous and scared even though I shouldn't be. I'm ok with having the fill -- its how they do it This is a doctor whom I've never seen before but do know that there are quite a few people here in town who have gone to him so I'm all for trying it out --- cause if I don't, I really think I'm going to chew down this house with the way that I have been feeling with wanting to eat lately..... Gotta get the stress under control and this fill couldn't come at a better time!!!

Looking forward to that scale starting to drop again after tomorrow --- Hope everyone is having a good night!!!!

Alana :-h

Hey all .... Its Sunday night and I'm panicking because I can't find my OCC information about the type of band and the size of it. I have a fill on Wednesday and I just have to give the doctor that information and of course, any paper work I have..... states nothing! I have my patient id card and that indicates that its a 10cm band but I don't know how much of a fill they can put in. Does anyone have an idea? I sent off an email to Lori last week and didn't hear anything back (I asked for a copy of the OR report so I could have it for another doctor I plan to see in Calgary for my next fill after this one) and so tonight I emailed Dr. Miranda.... and the reason why I did that was because I recall her saying something. To be honest, from the time I arrived at the OCC -- I don't remember too much. It all seems to be a blur to me ....

My question is --- does anyone know off hand the maximum amount they can put in? I certainly don't intend on getting that - but something I can give my doctor when I see him on Wednesday. Nothing like waiting til the last minute for this kind of information eh? I can always postpone the appointment, something I don't want to do -- but hope that I can give him some information when I get there!

The weight loss has become very slow ..... I'm sad about that -- although I know I have lost inches, the scale just hasn't gone down in two weeks. I gained 5 pounds while on vacation (if you can call it that --- it was more stressful than what I was expecting!) but that is now gone so I'm back to my pre-vacation weight. I've been stressed and just not feeling up to snuff..... I finally have gotten my second "aunt flo" after my miscarriage in May and I think that that's why I'm not feeling myself lately. Work is stressful and I even though I'm not stressed - my co-workers are and its driving my nuts. I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving weekend in Lake Louise ..... I have a small goal - 5 pounds - to lose before then. I bought Dance Dance Revolution for Wii and there is a weight loss section that tells you how many calories you've burned ..... I have the coordination of a yak .... its quite funny to watch! But fun. So if I stick to that and lose a few pounds I think things will turn better -- its just been stressful lately. In the end though - I am down 25 pounds that would have taken me years to have gotten rid of so I can't really be too sad.....

So if anyone has any input on the band size - I'd greatly appreciate it. I figure if I don't hear anything from them by tomorrow afternoon, I'll give the Center a call and ask them. I hope everyone has had a great weekend!

Alana

Scott you're doing great!!!! Hard to believe that its been almost a month since we've been banded eh? I'm a little afraid to have real meals yet but have slowly been introducing solids back in. We were away for a week and it was hard trying to get all the water in and eating healthy.... but any choice I made was fairly healthy -- and in very small quantities. I'm just not hungry though, except for the morning.

Keep us updated 'kay?!?!?! How's Vancouver? Hope you have a great weekend!

Alana

Good luck today!!! You will do great and everything will go a-ok!!! Let us know how you are doing afterwards but know you are in the best of hands and they'll take wonderful care of you!

Alana

Its nice to see so many people from Canada! I live in Fort McMurray (for now -- we're here on the "3 year plan") and then will be heading back down to Calgary or Canmore area (September 2010 --- wooohoo!!! hahahaha)

I joined the Calgary Lap group on Yahoo and everyone is great there --- also the Winnipeg one in the odd event that we move back home, but I find that all the information I can get from anywhere is always good.

Haven't been on the site much (just returned from vacation) but hoping to get back into the swing of things!

Alana

Hey Lisa -- thanks so mcuh for the kind words!! I was surprised that for the most part of the post - op diet I wasn't a mega biotch. Surprised my husband too! There might have been a day or two -- or an hour where it was bad, but I've been pretty lucky. I could have gnawed off his arm though tonight - he made a sandwich and I just wanted one bite of it ... but I figure why screw it up now - only a few more days to go!

NS will be fun .... kinda Wish we had more time to do "us" things (such as Cape Breton) but there is always the next trip! We went whale watching last year while in Cape Breton and I had a blast! I'm looking forward to it this year too - I better see a whale jump! I wish I ate seafood ..... maybe this trip will be something different! I'll be taking pictures and will post them later on!

My first fill is scheduled for October 2nd ..... very excited and nervous! We got some McDonald's coupons in the mail the other day -- I took them to work and gave them to the girls. We don't need that place anymore......

Have a good night!

Alana

Great job Alana, that's awesome - you should be very proud of yourself!! I get the hard times, and mood swings but you made it through it! (And so did your husband so give him a big kiss)!!

Have fun in Nova Scotia, I'm out in Halifax often and love it! You'll have fun watching for the whales! (I love the five fishermans but its way too much food for us)!

You made it through the hardest part, now keep strong until you get your first fill! You're going to do great!

Best,

Lisa

Hey Julie!

Thanks so much for your comments! Yeah, I definitely think I have a keeper .... I like rewards! Hopefully the end reward for this will be 130 pounds gone and to gain a baby!!! For now I'll settle with concert tickets!! hahahahaa

And you're right .... and I promise to not let my emotions control my eating! I promise, promise, promise! I don't think I'll have any time to eat while I'm there since I'm doing in-law stuff! But there is always the reality that even though I try and be as strong as I can, I do have my weaknesses. I appreciate the encouragement -- every little bit helps!

I'll be in touch while I'm gone .... I won't be able to weigh myself while I'm gone unless I head to Walmart or Superstore and find a scale to weigh myself but I hope to be down a few pounds when I return! I'll let you know how it goes!

Have a good night!

Alana

Alana what great progress you are making. I think you have a keeper as far as the hubby goes the way he did such a very special thing for you. It's nice to get rewards for good hard work.

Your up coming "vacation" sound like it's a mix of emotional events. Be careful not to let your emotions control your eating. I know you are strong and will do well but just wanted to give you encouragement!

Hey there ..... Congrats on the surgery -- its the best thing that has ever happened to me -- well that and meeting my husband I'm probably not the best person to answer questions but I'll try to answer them the best I can!

My recovery was pretty quick. I had surgery on a Friday and we flew back to Edmonton on the Monday. I walked around Sea World on the Sunday and might have pushed myself a little that day but I couldn't go to San Diego without checking out Sea World or the Zoo! I returned to work on the Tuesday and had only planned on staying for a few hours to do payroll but I some how got suckered into staying the entire day. Those four days at work were tough but I am lucky, I don't have to do any strenous work (I book all of our Operating Rooms at the hospital). Getting out of bed was a little tough as we sleep on an air mattress (long story) but I did good! I don't have any children, but I have Devin Bless his heart he means well all the time but I found that within a few days of being home I was back to doing laundry. I just made sure not to lift heavy things.

I was a little weak from the liquid diet there for a few days. But I just started drinking broth that had a little more salt in it (with no noodles). Drinkable yogurt seems to be my new best friend. I get quite full from it and vanilla is my favorite. I have an Ensure for lunch and find that one can fills me up pretty good. I've had my ups and downs with throwing a tantrum in the kitchen ... but in the end its all for the best! Email me at alanaholmstrom@shaw.ca if you'd like and I can shed some more light on my situation.

Oh yeah .... I've heard it too about Mexico but I just shake my head at those people. I've never once second guessed seeing a doctor in Mexico and i've been going almost every year since I was about 12. I'd see a doctor down there before I see a doctor here in Fort McMurray! Infact I just had a conversation with a friend at work today who told me I just needed to walk a bit more .... or go to the gym. I explained that this was merely a tool to help me lose weight and it wasn't going to do it for me -- I had to do it too. But I find that some of my friends up here aren't .... educated enough (and thats really how I can put it nicely). I figured that this battle wasn't worth trying to fight and just let her think what she needed to. I'm sure there are horror stories about Mexico but I can tell you -- in the years I've been going I have never had an issue ... and I never had an issue at OCC. Its so clean there you could probably eat off the floor. I showed a few of the Youtube videos to people and it really gave them some relief.

And nope - we live in Fort McMurray ..... but hopefully for not too much longer. I'm crossing my fingers we can be gone by the summer of 2010 and back down to Calgary. We left a year ago to be up here to gain some experience and make some money. But I miss the city alot .... its different up here. Lots of money with people who don't know what to do about it and a trailer costs about $500,000 so we won't be in the housing market any time soon here! A house is about $200,000 more than that .... but if you want to gain some experience, this is definitely the place to do it.

Have a good night and email me if you have any questions!

Alana

Hi Alana,

I am new here and having surgery Nov 5th. I am so cuious about so many things and wondering if you would mind answering a few things for me?????

How fast did you recover from the surgery? I have two small children and no help when I return home.

Where you weak from the liquid only diet post-surgery?

Any info you can give me is greatly appreciated.

Also I am getting tons of flack about going to Mexico. Soon as somone hears Mexico they have some horror story for me. Never mind the comments about just walk and eat less etc...

Like I haven't tried everything!

Do you live in Edm? I am in BC, but close to Calgary.

Hahahaha.... too funny! I wish I was able to still fit into that t-shirt I had ..... heheheh.... Devin bought be two cd's on Friday and i couldn't believe how how I still had the lyrics memorized. Devin just rolls his eyes ..... Glad I'm not the only one going to the concert!!

Let me just tell you I will be seeing NKOTB in Nov as well and I can't wait! It is going to be such a blast....great memories!!! My mom's friend even offered to drop us off in her mini van just like the old days! I'll be the DD b/c I will be just a couple weeks out of surgery so no drinks for me. It will still be a blast though!!

Enjoy yourself!!

I'm so excited about Friday --- I finally get to chew something! Will be finished the liquid stage of post-op and can go on to start learning to chew and finally put something more exciting in my stomach than broth and other creamy liquids. I swear, if I never have to drink broth again I will be the happiest person around!

Its been a long trek since August 22nd when I was banded by Dr. Ortiz but I know that definitely what doesn't kill me makes me stronger. I've been able to find the willpower that I never thought I had. I have to admit though, I did have a complete meltdown in the kitchen last night .... tears, punches and all! It was quite pathectic to see a 30 year old have a tantrum like that but I really just wanted food. Mental hunger is deadly! What keeps me going is knowing that since I started my pre-op diet to today ... I've managed to lose 24 pounds. Those 24 pounds would have taken years to get rid of .... but they've been gone in just a short time (a month and a week). I can't wait to get down to my goal... I'm so excited!!

I have a wonderful husband who has been great thru it all. He was worried about mood swings due to lack of food (so was I) and was prepared for the worst. But in all it hasn't been that bad. As a special surprise for me ..... and you can all laugh at me but it means the world to me .... he got me tickets to go and see New Kids on the Block in Edmonton (it was my first concert I ever went to when I was 13) for November. He just wanted to let me know that I'm doing great and as a "reward" he surprised me with these tickets. I haven't told anyone else but the forum yet that I'm going - I know my friends will just laugh at me ... but I'm looking at it as a great time!

We leave tomorrow night for 5 days in Nova Scotia. Looking forward to it --- kinda. Only to the whale watching, a hair appointment, being away from work and I get to eat food. The wedding, funeral and intervention .... not so much I think I'll need a vacation away from this one! hahahahha

I wanted to thank everyone else on the forum -- its all of your help and support that get us thru the tough times and even though I don't post that often .... reading the encouragement that you give helps ALOT! Thanks for all being great friends!!!

Alana

CONGRATS!!! You look amazing!!!

I've still got a long ways to go ---- I'm Arnold & 2 Chihuahua's ...... but I look at the bright side, since I've lost ..... I've gotten rid of one automobile tire Good gosh, in the end I hope to lose a newborn giraffe! I love that list!! Thanks!

Thanks everyone for your input!!!! Surprisingly I'm not craving the food now since I'm no longer at work...... but I think that this weekend or next my husband and I will head out for a cup of soup! I'm going to travel with a straw at all times, but one of those jumbo wide straws!!! kidding!

Have a good night everyone!