Had my band and am home

Hi Alberta.  Well I had my Realize band installed on Wed. the 19 of November and am home doing quite well with the recovery in spite of very little info or support from the Weight wise clinic.
I have been very disapointed there so far and feel their is not enough info or enough time spent with you after surgery to talk about immediate thinks like wound care , what to expect after  e.g. burping and belching., etc.  But I am okay and get a lot of info from the obesity help sites.
Also Dr. Karmali gave me aphone number that I could call if I needed to page himself or Dr. Birch.  Tried it and was told  very rudely that this was the hospital switchboard and they did not page Doctors for any reason.  Told I should go to a walk in clinic or emergerncy.  I tried to explain that this was a specialized surgery that not just any doctor would know how to deal with and  was basically told tough luck.

Was given no instructions on what to do about all my nedications so will try and see my own doc today and see what he thinks I should do.

Oh well , it is done and I will make the best I can of the situation.  I just get so jealous when I hear everyone in the States talking about their great experience and all the gloowup care they have had, the support groups they can go to etc.

Eydie

Hi Eydie, I'm happy to hear you've had your surgery and are home safely. It sounds like they weren't very helpful or supportive there. I went to Mexico for mine and they were available in case I needed them while I was there, and gave me phone numbers in case I had any questions anytime. I wasn't on any meds so I can't give you any advice there. Where will you go for fills? I hope you're doing well,and feel free to send me an email if you want, maybe we can talk and support each other. Take care. 
Betty

Hi Mama!!

Glad to see your doing well, I really wish i could help with advice about getting info and help!  That is just rediculous!  Best wishes!  I'll be thinking about you!

Hi I finally found you fellow Albertans.

Think I recognize you motorhomemama!!

Sorry you are struggling, and I sure hope your own doctor will help you out, but the difference in your BMI already should inspire you.

Thanks for the tip on this website, I have been exploring it quite a bit since I haven't got much info from my doctor yet.

Congrats on getting this far and good luck on your journey and vent to me whenever you need to.

Joann

Well hi-di-ho there Joann...I think I recognize you too!!
I am feeling better everyday and not having too many problems so far except for my blood sugars being really high.  Trying to get in more of my regular meds to see if that will help.

The full fliuds diet is not too bad but I think I only get about 400 cal/day so maybe that has something to do with the sugars too.

My nice bruised belly will be all better before I see you I bet , it is a glorious array of colors at the moment, and nicely accessorized with steri strips all over!!

Have started back at the easy exercise class I was going to, can't do everything but do my best..

I go up to Edmonton again on Dec.2...may stop in.  Iwas 298 surgery morning and was 291.4 today ( one week post op)

Glad you found the Albertans......Eydie

That's really to bad! I agree that the experience in regards to post op thing s like gas etc is limited. Probably do to the sheer volume compared to the USA. I had my band with DR. Birch in June. I have never been happier. I have a 10 cc band and have had 1 fill of 2cc.  I get great follow up from my dietitian and Dr. Birch. Any concern I have had has been dealt with immediately to find the problem. I would never change a thing!! I have been successful and am so grateful for the new found life I have. I hope things change for you, maybe let your surgeon know your concerns and maybe he can correct things. I have read about some pretty nasty surgeons in the US so I don't think it's all glam there.