I really want the Lap Band surgery

Hi

So you had a referal for the Weight Wise Clinic at the Royal Alex and it wasn't working for you?

There are a few other doctors in Alberta that do bariatric surgery, but all through our AHC....so the wait is long.

I have been with Weight Wise at the RAH for a year and a half....in that time I learnt so much about nutrician, and counselling towards my goal....surgery!

It was worth the hoops I jumped through...I just looked at it as excercise for my health.

Brenda

Oh -- I forgot to ask -- for anyone who has has the lap banding, Do any of the doctors (Mexico ?)let you do your own fills ?   I am a registered nurse (Or was-- I am in the process of taking the refresher course and I have worked extensively with the pota-caths)  -- Kim

I see so many parallels between you and myself that I just had to answer. I am not sure I can offer any wisdom, but will share my journey.  I too am an R.N., had to do the refresher course a year ago after living in Europe for just over 5 years.  While I was there I had the LAP band procedure which proved very successful for me.  I lost an additional 100 lbs, then worked hard, gym, etc. to get 40 more off.  I was able to maintain that for 3 years and then my band became very restricting.  I was unable to keep down any solids, so needless to say lost an additional 20 lbs or so.  I had to have the band removed in Nov of last year, much to my dismay.  I knew it was the "tool" that was keeping my weight down.  I have now, in a short 6 months, re-gained about 70 lbs!  Imagine my knees, my blood pressure, but most of all, my mental state.  I am working with people who never knew I had problems with obesity, I had never told any of them that I had surgery.  I am waiting to see what the outcome of being involved with Weight Wise will be, needless to say I am not considered obese as my BMI is currently 32.  I was a wonderful 21 last summer.  I own 2 pairs of pants that fit, refuse to spend any money on anything else. 
Anyhow, I guess I am telling you this to let you know that I can relate to your feeling of hopelessness and helplessness.  I have been battling it dailty, sometimes hourly.  I have managed to plateau at this BMI, the initial weight gain was horrific as I was more starved nutritionally than the people on Survivor!  My body was scared I would do that to it again and stored absolutely every calorie as fat.  I have remained within 5 lbs of this weight since early Jan.
I do want others to note that the journey with Weight Wise, or with an experienced therapist or perhaps with self evaluation is a valuable tool as without it, the surgery will not be successful.  I am not sure the journey has to take that long, but as with all elective surgery in Alberta, the wait times are very long.  You may have to consider out of country surgery, but if there is anyway I can be a part of helping you to be successful without surgery, I would love to help.  Perhaps I can get there as well. Take care.

Hey round2--thank you for sharing your journey. I am glad you are accessing the clinic and heard that they are opening up a new section just for revisions. I know some people have had very short journeys through the clinic and other people longer...it depends on the complexity of your situation. Are you taking meds? Are you able to track food and exercise...etc.

I have seen many successful revisions discussed on the VSG board... people with lower bmi's you may want to pop in just to hear others experience.
How incredibly frustration  to have the weight gain...a bit scary too.

Hope you can hang in there...keep posting and letting us know how you are doing. Wishing you a a short journey