Choosing a Clinic

 Hello everyone...I'm new to this forum.

A bit about myself,

My name is Lyds, a 34 yrs old female from Toronto weighing about 190lbs. I have been looking and doing research on lap-band for the past 2yrs and have finally decided to go through with the procedure. However, the biggest issue I have right now is choosing a clinic. I had consultations at 4 different clinics and have narrowed it down to 2 (greeeeaaaaat). But unable to pick between CIBO and SWLC.

I am considering CIBO because they offer life time after care as supposed to the 5yrs after care provided by SWLC and if you need fills or defilss afterwards, there are additional fees. But with SWCL, they have been around longer, and are well known, Dr. Coburn I feel is more out there promoting the topic and so forth (a bit well known and perhaps more experienced). Wheres as at CIBO, I have never heard of those surgeons, and they are reluctant to even name them on their website. When I asked the consultant I met with regarding that, she stated naming the surgeons were against some boards rules...can't remember what board she said.

So I got a package from CIBO and in there they listed their surgeons; and I do plan on doing a bit more research on their backgrounds.....What do you guys think? I have been told that after care is extremely important, based on that, I would love to go with CIBO due to their life time after care. On the other hand ****il I research the surgeons at CIBO) I would also think it is more important to go with the more experienced surgeon who is well known.

please your feed backs wil be appreciated.... what clinics did you guys use, why and which do you recommend? 

 I think an experianced and excellent surgeon is most important for success from the surgery standpoint and knowlege of aftercare. My surgeon had one year unlimited visits and I bought a plan for the second year. I didn't need any more after care than that. I think that is true for most banders, esp at your weight. Today, 7 years out, I am my aftercare, and if I needed a surgeon, I would go back to my original one. If it was an emergency, I would use the local one on my plan. Of course that is me, but feel free to ask me any other questions

Get in writing exactly what their "lifetime care" or "5 years care" consists of. I can almost guarantee you that the only care that would be are the fills/unfills. That is just a fraction of the cost of maintaining a lap-band. Generally after just a few years the complications start. Does their "care" include all the band complications that occur?

Now as far as the option of going with one that has "lifetime care" vs. "5 years care"............well that's really kind of insignificant . Most bandsters don't even make it 5 years out with their bands, so I wouldn't even bother paying extra for "lifetime care" for a band. The lifetime of the band is usually extremely short! Also......some have paid for "lifetime fills/unfills" here in the states only to have the Dr. relocate along with their lifetime fills/unfills. :-(

Hi, Lyds!  I had the Realize Band on 1/22/10 and I have lost 97 lbs.  I had my surgery at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and I am very pleased with the results.  You say you are 190 but you do not say your BMI.  If you are too tall you may not qualify for the band.  I know nothing about the Canadian Health system but I will tell you that my surgery costs and after care is covered by Medicare and Medicaid (that is unless Romney and Ryan get elected and ruin everything).

Sounds like you've done a lot of research so you must qualify.  I recommend the band but some people on the forums have had complications.

Best of luck, Elizabeth

 Thanks Maria for your input, I did not even think about them relocating or possibly going out of business, which helps me a lot in making my decision.

Hi Elizabeth, my BMI is 34.9, “m 5’2 and at 190, I would like to get down to about 135-140. I don’t think I would be qualified by Medicaid to get it done in the states, have to do it out of pocket L …but I feel it will save me a life time of other health issues as I’m diagnosed as having impaired “glucose levels" in other words pre-diabetic and I had gestational diabetes. So who can really put a price on that? Lol…

Lyd, I am 5'8" tall and happy to be just below 170lbs.  At my highest, I was at 267.  Post surgery, I am still diabetic but happy.  I just received a kidney transplant.  If you lost 50-55 lbs with the band I am sure with proper nutrition and exercise you can get your pre-diabetes under control.  I do not know anything about the sleeve but it was not being offered as an option for me in January, '10.

Do as much research as possible.  I always thought that the band was the safer option because it is reversible vs. gastric bypass which is not.

If you are self pay I would very much urge you to consider the sleeve since there is no after care with it. As Maria said there is no guaratee that any group will still be there 10 yrs or even 5 yrs down the road. My insurance was changed on me resulting in all extra cost down the road like fills and unfills falling to me to pay. Just something to think about. Been there, done that, wish I hadn't!