New to this looking for info BJH

i feel like a big dumbass gut what is panni?

I think a panni is basicly a tummy tuck. After the weight loss there is hanging skin that is removed by surgery. I'm sure that Pam or some of the others can explain it much better than me. Terry

is this usually covered by health care like manitoba health?

A panni is the removal of the skin (tummy tuck as Terry said) I know it is covered by Alberta Healthcare but im not sure about Manitoba. You should call them and find out how that works. Pam

Pamela: Just looking into the prospect of getting lapband procedure done .... how long was your wait with Dr. Birch in Edmonton? I live in Red Deer and Dr. Farries only does gastric bypasses ..... I am hearing great things about Dr. Birch's clinic at the Royal Alex. Thanks, Tricia

Has anyone had the Lap Band procedure done in Calgary, Is it as effective as the gastric bypass surgery? Any advice which is better? Thanks

HI I too can't help you with Calgary dr's. I'm from south of Calgary and I had my surgery done in Red Deer by Dr. Ferries. He is wonderful and so is the staff at Red Deer Hospital. Dr. Ferries does Gastric bypass. From start to finish start being May 1, 2005 my dr's office called for the first appointment which was Jan 20, 2006 and my surgery was September 27, 2006 and I'm six weeks post op and I've lost 32lbs. Dr. Ferries does not leave your stomach the size of a walnut/golf ball. I can eat a cup at a time. Also this is my second surgery. I had stapling 16yrs ago. Success lost 125lbs and kept it off for 6 yrs. Stapling is not sucessful long term and so far I like this surgery much better. I think the lap band would be a bandaide the same as the stapling and it is very disheartening to have a surgery and then gain it all back. There is alot of research to be done re: this surgery but I believe you need a dr that believes in it and the reasons as to why to have it and if a family dr. doesn't believe then you need to find another family dr. Good luck and remember it is about life style change. I also believe we need to look at why we are obese and our eating habits prior to surgery.