I've been using Fitbit products for about a year and a half.  Started with the Fitbit Flex, upgraded to the failed and recalled Force, and just got my Charge HR 3 days ago.  I have a lot of friends who use FB and that makes for more fun to compete with/challenge your friends.  It can provide some motivation.

The best tracker really depends on what you want to track.  Any basic tracker will do steps, distance, calories, floors, calorie burn for the most part.  Maybe more.  It when you get into things like sleep patterns, heart rate, call display, music control, GPS, that is where the distinction comes in.  If cycling is your thing, most trackers have poor tracking (unless they have GPS) and you have to add this information in manually. 

I personally wouldn't buy anything other than Fitbit.  I like their products and they are a company that stands behind them and their failures. ie: voluntary recall of the failed Force product in 2013.  They are the #1 tracker product for a reason.  FB just came out with their newest products in the last few months...The Charge, Charge HR, and Surge.

Finally, the best tracker is the one you are going to use everyday!

Out of curiosity, were you not given the option for the surgeon to charge to AHC what they would pay for and then you pay the difference?

This is most interesting to me. Did an Alberta doctor approve you for surgery and put you on a wait list? Is that why you went to Mexico instead?

Hey everyone!  Hope the holidays were good to you!   I'm meeting with my surgeon for the first time on Tuesday.  I was wondering what to expect from this appointment?  Also is there questions you wish you'd asked the surgeon and remembered in the car? ;) I'm trying to come up with a good list of questions.  I'm horrible for not asking any because I do soooo much research in advance.   Let me know!

I was referred in April of 2013.. got contacted by study being done by the Alberta Governement called the Evolution Study.... upon agreeing to take part in their study, I got "bumped" up and went for my orientation in August of 2013.. first Appointment in September.. Approved for surgery mid December 2013.  Surgery for the sleeve was on April 9th, 2014.  My surgeron (Dr. Farries) is the one that has the longest wait list for surgery dates.  hope that also helps you out!  I know for me when I started the process I was very anxious about the timeline as well.  I wasnt that concerned about the actual time .. just wanted to be informed so I knew what to expect really.  Good luck to you!