need input please

Hi BJ Just wondering how you are doing with looking into the lap banding and how is the weight management course going? Are you taking the one at the old Colonel Belcher? I am scheduled to take the classes in August. I'm like you...I just can't seem to do it myself no matter how good my intentions are. I start out fine in the morning and by supper it's all over. Commitment is the big issue for me too ..I don't know about all those restrictions on eating after!! Good Luck and keep in touch. Edith

Hi Edith, I have looked into both surgeries and have decided on the gastric by pass surgery. The Lap Band seems like to much maintenance for me with the fills and such. Plus it seems to have a big fail rate, that is just in the research that I have seen. So for me it is go big or go home( no pun intended). I too have my weight management course at the Belcher and I start on July 17 for three consequetive tues after that. I think This will really force me too see the picture, and if i get the surgery I will be able to stick too it, if i don't have a choice. I am not really a big eater just a person with poor choices, so the amount of food we are able to eat after won't be a problem( but will miss ice cream and chocolate) Thanks again for chatting and keep in touch.. BJ

Hi Betty I am from Sask. & I am booked with Dr. Kuri on Aug 6th Please let me know how things go for you.. I wish you all the best and am very excited for you.

Hi Penny, Thanks for the good wishes! I'm really excited, also nervous. I'll let you know how everything goes ASAP. Betty

Hi Betty, Did you have to get a referral to Dr. Kuri? How did your process start and what was involved? I'm just gathering information my self to see what I should do. Thanks. :spin:

Hi W Thomas, My whole process started less than a month ago, when I heard that my cousin had had lapband surgery in Mexico. Her experience was so great that I decided to go for it. I'm 55 years old, have no other illnesses and I'm so tired of the diet rollercoaster that I didn't want to wait for a chance to get it done here. It's a very simple process,it is self pay, but I believe it will be worth it to me. I wish you luck with your journey. Betty

Hi Chris, I'm new to the site too. Do you mind telling me who your Dr, is in Edmonton? I'm in need of a second opinion. I really wish you the best of luck and hope everything goes great for you!

How can someone like me ever make a commitment and follow any type of "diet" before OR after surgery if I can't even follow up on a simple post that I started!!! :frustrated: Thanks for your patience and understanding! Anyway, the first thing that needs to happen is your doctor needs to make a referral to Royal Alexander hospital. Their Obesity clinic has two doctors that do the surgery but I can't remember their names off-hand. You may want to view http://www.capitalhealth.ca/ProgramsAndServices/BrowseServicesByTopic/Content.htm?NavType= Topic&IA_ID=1003333&Level_1_ID=74&Level_2_ID=2050&Level_3_ID=0&Level_4_ID=0 It doesn't give much information but it does have a number to call. There is a link on that site that will lead you to http://www.capitalhealth.ca/EspeciallyFor/WeightWise/default.htm Not much help but it is in connection with the 2 mandatory healthy eating classes they send you to before even seeing a specialist. (Don't ask me how they expect 2 evening classes will change people who need the surgery when most of us have studied proper nutrition for years! Just can't seem to follow it...). I inquired about surgery and the process with my GP in April? of 2006. She wanted me to try eating properly before referring me as she felt it was too dangerous to have surgery (she knew someone that died on the table). I read up on the surgery and re-visited my doctor that fall and INSISTED I get referred to the clinic. I was referred in the fall of 2006. I went to the 2 mandatory Weight Wise sessions in Feb. 2007. Called in July 2007 to see how long the wait was and was told I should be able to see a specialist in Nov. 2007. Apparently, there is a near 2 year wait for the actually surgery after this point. Hope this helps someone get the ball rolling for themselves sooner than what I did! After the initial referral your GP submits, you still have 2-3 years to decide if you want the surgery or not!!!! I hate long posts so I will end this one now.

I think it will be ok. You just need to stick with it for it will be worth it in the end. I am still looking in to getting the lapband, I would really like to get it done but am worried about the wait time for I am now at 310lbs. And honestly I am not sure how to get the ball rolling. Can you help me?

Hi I have three appointments next month (July)..two of them are the manditory appointments for the W Wise workshops and the third is the appointment at the Alex with the team. I am assuming it's the team that will determine whether I am a good candidate for surgery or not....the wait time from that visit I am unsure of...when I talked to the appointment secretary, she said the wait time is around 3 - 6 months from the initial decision of surgery. Apparently, you hear stories of waits up to 1 - 2 years...I THINK that wait is before you get the appointment with the team at the Alex...BUT I am not too sure... But get the ball rolling through you family Doctor....the referral has to come from them first. Bren