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Dr. Amson is awesome! You will love him. I am not sure how his meetings go for lapbabanders. If its like rnyers first visits he will answer any questions you have, what he expects and most likely tell you about the procedure. I know lapbanders are quite a bit different than his other surgeries and since its self pay I am sure its all pretty different. Just wanted to say you are in great hands with him :)

I am one of those not a lapbander type but can tell you about how I prep for an appointment with Dr. Amson.

Before you go:

> make a list of all your questions, better yet make a copy of your list of questions so you can give him a copy and you can have a copy.  Think of everything you are unsure about even if you feel silly or embarassed.  I have asked him lots of dumb and icky questions and he was always generous and kind with is answers – although sometimes the answer was "don't worry about it – it will stop."

> Get a calendar and mark on it every day that you exercise, what you do and how often.  In case no one has mentioned this to you yet – you will not be successful in your surgery unless you exercise a minimum of five hours per week.  Amson would like you to exercise more.

> Get copies from your GP of all your recent blood tests, consulations, and other tests.  If you are getting any new tests done, make sure you ask for a copy to be send to you.  When you are in the doctor's office, he will have trouble finding his copies so you can just show him.

> Prepare a letter that lets him know why you think you are overweight.  Let him know your personal history and what your roadblocks are.

In the office:

> Be prepared to wait.  Its not as bad as it used to be, but you can expect that you will not just walk into the office.  The longest I have waited in the last while was 2.5 hours.  The shortest has been about an hour.  So bring a book, mp3 player, I bring my psp that has movies, games and music on it.

> Bring water, juice or some nutrition for your wait.  The last thing you want to be when you see him is to be dehydrated or hungry.

> Talk to others in the room.  As we just experienced with the WLS Conference – there is a fortune of information that we can get from just talking to each other.

Meeting Dr. Amson:

> He is Tall.

> He is professional.  While he wants to know about your life and lifestyle, he is also a very busy person.  So keep on topic.

> He is very honest and may tell you things you do not want to hear.  The biggest of this is that you will have to increase your exercise.

> He is a nice guy and cares about his patients.

Finally, WLS is a tool.  About 95% of your success will all be about you changing your lifestyle, diet, and exercise.  5% of that change will be your surgery.  So be prepared for a lot of work.

In the states they have ads that say Weight Loss is easy with surgery.   That is because they want to sell you something.  There are some huge educational and social changes that you will face in your life to come.  But it is a lot easier to handle the changes when you know they are coming and you have access to people who have been there before.  That is why it is important to keep up with the forums and on-line groups, as well as participate in sharing what you know with others.

Good luck,

Blake

Hi Susan,

I was banded in January by Dr. Amson.  You won't need to show him a journal with food or exercise written down and you'll likely just need the one appointment with him before surgery: that's the great part about self-pay. 

You also won't need to do a pre-surgery two week diet, except clear liquids 24 hours prior to surgery.  You likely won't have to stay in the hospital overnight either.  They are still gonna want you to have the scope and a meeting with Dr. MacDonald the Internist and whichever anaethetist is on duty the day before your surgery at RJH.  You'll get some pre-op bloodwork done and maybe an x-ray.  The surgery itself takes about 90 minutes, I think. 

That being said: even though you don't have to be accountable to Dr. A for your food and exercise choices now – start exercising if you haven't already!  Cut out sugar and pop and such and you'll be well on your way to a great start for your lapband.

I'm down 40 pounds since the end of January, (with one 3 cc fill), but the Mid Band just made me accountable to myself.  In the end, I think the exercise will be what really makes the difference.

Good luck and excited to see your future posts.  Fiona

I stayed at Chateau Victoria before and after surgery.

Suzanne

Chateau Victoria is always my choice because yes they treat you just like family there, they all knew I was having the surgery cause I told them, and when I went back for follow up with Dr. M few weeks ago I brought my before and after pictures and actually was showing the staff at the front desk and the manager as well.  They were as happy for me as I was, it's the little things they do there that really make you feel welcome.

Ive also stayed at Queen Victoria Hotel and Harbour Towers, Harbour Towers is pretty close to the harbour so a little further away from Royal Jubilee but all downtown hotels are doable to Royal Jubilee Hotel.

Remember ask for the medical rate and tell them you are there for an appt with a specialist.

Keep your receipts for everything when you are there for tax purposes.

Suzanne

You are legally impaired for 24 hrs after an anesthetic!!  Maybe stay an extra day or get someone else to drive you if you can.

Rhonda

Hi Susan,

In answer to your question…On November 4th, 2009, I let Ailsa know that I would like to be scheduled for the Mid Band surgery, didn't hear anything for a month.  On December 3rd I
called
to remind her that I still wanted the surgery and she scheduled me for
Wednesday, January 20th at 11:30 am.

So, it all happened very fast once I chose banding. Congratulations again and you are in excellent hands with DR. A!!!

Fiona