Ottawa support group

Hi Cindy,

Can you ask Dr. Bishop why he won't fill patients from other surgeons besides Dr. Cobourn?

Sorry, I didn't see your question until after I went this morning. I will ask him next time I see him though.

It was truly a comforting and wonderful experience having my fill this morning. I've been having a rough time lately in many ways and he made me feel so much better. I feel silly now for being so scared to deal with what was going wrong and realize if I had just smartened up, I could have been feeling better sooner.

He did mention in passing that he only does Dr Cobourn and Dr Mumford's patients.

Just wanted to let you guys know that he is a very nice and knowledgeable man.

I just spoke to Nancy at TLBC (The fill nurse there for those who don't know). She told me there is no issue with my getting a tiny defill from Dr. Bishop and that I'd be welcome to get him in touch with her for records and such.

She said they tend to get plastic surgeons to do the fills outside of the clinic... unless I was too tired and misunderstood that... it sounded weird but whatever; I've just heard better things about Bishop over the other guy in Ottawa.

She also explained to me that what I assumed was water or saliva I've had rolling up and drowning me slowly each night is in fact acid. I guess I always assumed that because it had no taste or didn't burn or hurt it was just water hanging around. Live and learn.

And how cool is it she called me on a Saturday! She was really great too, talked to me for a good 15 minutes about that and my lack of weight loss in about a month. I should have known better, last fill I went for she talked me back from frustration... I just had to be insistent!

I'll post what I find out about Dr. Bishop and TLBC bandsters after I call Monday.

Well it's still a no for TLBC patients to see Dr Bishop. It doesn't matter that Nancy at TLBC said it would be fine. Dr Bishop wants reassurance from Dr Yau that there won't be issues and such. It's a good thing that he's so thorough, don't get me wrong, but I'm annoyed just the same cause I'd really like a tiny defill so I can sleep better!!

I just don't want to go all the way to Toronto for it!

Are you suffering from reflux?

I just don't get what the big deal is about giving fills to other doctor's patients. It's a fill - a simple procedure that a nurse could do. It's not rocket science! I don't understand why this simple procedure is not available freely? Does this apply to any other medical procedure?

Yes. It's not too bad as long as I bring the fluid up. I know I'm not supposed to do that but I can't sleep sitting up ALL the time! Just kidding, it's not THAT bad but not the best either. I wasn't having this problem before Christmas, but I started down a bad path during the holidays and haven't been able to get back on track. Mainly, eating too much, too fast, etc... and then not letting my stoma and pouch rest after having an "issue". Well... anyway, I've been doing much better with taking it easy so there's just the reflux to deal with.

I got the impression from Dr. Bishop's receptionist (nurse?) that it's Dr. Bishop being thorough and covering all bases that is causing the delay. Nancy the fill nurse at TLBC said there would be no problem with another doc doing fills nor would it mean anything down the line if there was a problem. Personally, that Dr. Bishop is being so thorough only adds to my confidence in him based on what I've heard about him so far.

I have given the DVD to my family doc who is a general surgeon as well. But having found out what I have about Dr Bishop makes me prefer him to my doc.

If the reflux was worse than it is I'd make the trip to Toronto but I'm willing to wait a bit longer at least... in this weather this week that is. The cost of driving to TLBC for a free fill out weighs my concerns for paying for a local fill so while in principal I agree, why can't the fills be free, I have no issue paying around the same cost as a trip to TO.

See you all Saturday? Reservations are made for 10 (so far) under Bandsters at Chances R.

Hey Everyone , hope everyone is doning good. I have a friend who is going to be banded sometime in Feb. She dosent have compture and she was woundering if someone could call her about the meetings people go to and groups. if someone could write back i can give her number to you . thanks

Well I've been trying something new the past few days and seem to be having some good results.

I've been having relfux in bed pretty much every night for the past month. I did the typical no eating a few hours before bed, stopped drinking water bout an hour before and still I was woken up repeatedly choking, inhaling what I thought was water or saliva then having to bring it up or not sleep.

Anyway, this week I did something new. I had a light snack around 10:30 the other night. I knew I was taking a risk but I flushed it through as my goal was to get something into my main stomach as my theory was that because my stomach was so empty it had nothing to do and thus acid was coming up through the band.

It actually worked! Or at least I think so...

Monday night I fell asleep on my stomach for the first time in a long time. It was awesome! So I repeated this light snack late in the evening then flushing it through. Again, no problem!

I dunno if I'm looking at this in the wrong way but if it keeps working I'm going to keep doing it and not get the tiny defill!

Of course, I've been hungry almost constantly for the past few days so perhaps the band has loosened. But I'm no where near PMS and that could be why....

It's all speculation but I'm pleased with my sleeping!

Glad you found a solution Nan! It's sure easier than going to Toronto for the defill.

I haven't lost a single pound since Christmas. I'm hoping to get some motivation from everyone this Saturday!

Greetings,

Tomorrow at 10:30am there is a get together at the Chances R
restaurant at College Square (baseline and Woodroffe).

Reservations are under "Bandsters" and all are welcome.

Thanks,

Sorry to say I won't be there tomorrow, now. A friend has run into a babysitter prob so I volunteered and will be stuck all day... Will be missing the chance to everyone....

All the best!

Greetings,

I'm just putting this out there and am totally open to suggestions, as always.

How does March 8th sound for the next get together?

Perhaps the second Saturday of each month for the weekend version and third Wednesday for the coffee break (evening get together). That would hopefully give folks enough option for regular meet ups that no one misses out.

I have no thoughts on location as I'm mobile and can get anywhere. So far opinions for the coffee break meet up have kept it at the Second Cup in Bells Corners.

I'm just looking for thoughts...

All the best,

I'll be out of town on March 9th - getting far, far, away from all this snow!

Hi all...I'm a bandster wannabe...getting done March 4th. Would love to meet with others who know the drill and what I'll be going through.

Hello Ottawa bandsters:
When is your next support get-together?
An acquaintance of mine lives in Ottawa and is banded. He does not have e-mail but would like to meet some of you lovely people to share experiences.
I PM the original person who started this thread so hopefully somebody will reply.

Thanks.