GC53

I know three weeks isn't long - but I suppose I'm more scared of putting weight back on before I get my fill. Well only a week to go no so must try to be very very careful of what I eat between now and then.

Can someone please explain how having a fill will help with weight loss. I was banded 11th March and have so far lost about 16 lbs. However I have been stuck at the same weight for about three weeks now. I have not been overeating - in fact only went on to full solids last weekend. I have one weetabix with a little soya milk and Water for Breakfast usually with a coffee and a soluble Vitamin so really full after that. Lunchtime been having a bagel or a small sandwich. And for evening meal either small baked potato with tuna or maybe chicken and salad or a weightwatchers meal. I don't usually finish the meal either as full. So I can't see that I would be eating much less once 'filled' so how come I am not losing weight and have plateued. Thanks

Thank you all for your advice. I have just bought a stepper to get in some excercise. Must admit I'm not a fan of excercising, never have been, but I know I must do some. I have had problems up to now because of really painful hip and knee joints [which I must say seem to be subsiding rapidly due to the weight loss] Although 10 minutes on my stepper and my knees are really painful. As for protein - I do take a protein powder and eat eggs, yoghurt,etc. Think I should cut out the bagels, bread and potatoes although not eating vast amounts of them think my diet would be better without them. Will keep you all informed

I am in the UK - I was banded in Manchester. Yes I was self pay. As you can see I was 184 lbs before I had the gastric balloon fitted. I have high blood pressure and problems with joints. I'm only 4ft 11in tall. I regained a lot of the weight lost with the balloon and that is why I decided to have the lapband fitted. I have now lost a total of 37 lbs from the balloon and the band so very happy but just stuck. I think that I am ready for a fill as I don't now feel a great a restriction as there has been. I do get confused when some diet advice is that if you don't eat 'enough' your body can hang on to fat reserves and therefore you won't lose weight.

Sorry - I should have added that I have an appointment for a fill under xray on 8th May. My query is really that I can't imagine eating much less after I have my fill as I don't eat vast amounts now. So how does having a fill make you lose more weight. Sorry maybe I am not explaining myself very well but I suppose what I really mean is - as I am not overeating at the moment or since surgery but I have stuck at the same weight for about 3 weeks so how does a fill change this.

Originally from Hull. Now live near Harrogate North Yorkshire Banded Manchester 11th March 07

Post removed as charges have now been withdrawn. They were charged in error.

Hi Ally I think I have been so as I haven't had any problems with drinking fluids at all. In fact first thing in the morning I have a glass full of Water with my orange soluble Vitamin in it, a protien shake sometimes with the addition of a banana, a large cup of coffee. I drink lots of flavoured water during the day along with endless cups of coffee - would die without my coffee!! Started on the mushies on Saturday [3 weeks on liquid only after surgery] but as I have never felt hungry at all I am having a problem remembering when to eat. I so far have had just a little mashed potato with gravy, some shepherds pie, scrambled egg with tinned tomatoes, yoghurts, tuna, sweetcorn and cottage cheese all of which have tasted fab but I've only had a little. I also put quark in my mash as it is a great source of Protein and Calcium and almost fat free.

Not posted for a while. Had surgery on 11th March so three weeks today. Just gone on to mushies yesterday.. I ended up not getting the easy band as the surgeon decided that it was too big for my stomach and that I might not get the restriction needed. So abide by his rules and his expertise. So far am really happy with the band, have lost 14 lbs and don't feel in the slightest bit hungry. Think my first fill is 8 weeks so hope this continues and I don't start to feel ravenous. Ally you poor thing - Orlistat is gross. Couldn't deal with it myself.

Slimfast shakes, slimfast smoothies, protein powder [from health store] yoghurts, YOP yoghurt drinks, Actimel. Into week 3 of post op liquids + 10 day liquid pre-op. Feeling great - scars all healing well although I get the occasional twinge in one of them [feels like a needle digging at times] Bruising almost gone. Do have little hard lumps just under a couple of the scars though - although I'm sure they will go in time.

I was banded on 11th March and had terrible shoulder/neck pain. I just had to take soluble pain killers as nothing else helped. I am now 2 weeks post op and finally pain subsided about 3 days ago.

No I didn't know anything about it - Dr Ashton came to see me just before I went down and explained that the easyband might be too big for me but they would decide during the operation. So I went under not knowing either way and to be honest didn't care when I came around. Just glad to come around...... that's the one thing that scares me about surgery. Anyway I am a little disappointed as I really fancied this new band but I have to go with Dr Ashton and Dr Favrettis decision. They are the experts. Whatever - it is definitely working. No hunger whatsoever

You will be in good hands. Dr Ashton is great and his staff are very helpful and friendly. You are treated like a Queen in the hospital.

Yes it does suck - I was really looking forward to not having the needles for the fills. But I am a low BMI and only [i say only!] about 2.1/2 stone to lose - only 4ft 11in too - but have blood pressue and joint problems so that is why I had the surgery. The doc will do what he thinks best for you. I was having the band right up until I went down to theatre - two surgeons decided during the surgery that the easyband would be too big for me. So I guess they know best

Welcome to the other side. And good luck lunasa - I was banded at Manchester on the 11th [was going to have the easyband but if you read some of my other posts] I couldn't have it fitted because it would have been too big for my stomach so ended up with the lapband. Doing great now 2 weeks into liquid diet and can't wait for the mushies stage. Swelling and bruising now almost gone and I'm 12lbs down already. By the way anyone thinking of having the lapband - The Hospital Group have a special offer on at the moment - they emailed me yesterday as I had made enquiries there earlier this year -£6950 I think it was!!

Yes sorry - Cheadle - but I just class the whole area as Manchester. You sound as though you are doing really well though. I am now thinking a few little bits is not going to hurt but until I speak to someone I don't want to do anything to hurt my precious band so I guess I will wait for either Helen or Wendy to call me before I progress. I love my milky coffees too but can take them black. In fact I would sooner have them black than with just a little spash of milk.

Hi Babyboomer - I have Pm'd you too in case you didn't want your starting weight made public. I don't have any problems at all so I don't need to call emergency or any other doctors - I was just surprised because on my initial consult Judith told me 'you will get sick of them calling you to see if you are OK' and I only got one call - that said I agree with you and I do think they are very professional. I have lost about 11lbs so I'm thrilled to bits but I am sticking to the liquid with 'no bits' religiously - I've had a few really smooth virtually fat free yoghurts but that's as thick as it gets. I have no hunger at all - I did also stick to the pre-op diet to the letter. Can't you tell I'm really proud of myself - because my diets usually last from first thing Monday morning 'til about elevenses on the same Monday morning!!!!! I am from Harrogate so it's only just over an hour for me to travel to Manchester. I'm surprised you didn't get it done in London. Talking of bills from the hospital - did you get one for having your bloods taken???

Hi I was supposed to be one of those being operated on on Sunday 11th in Manchester and was supposed to be having the Easyband. However during the op Dr. Ashton and Dr Favretti decided that it was too big for the size of my stomach. They thought it qwould not be able to be adjusted enough as it is a large band so wouldn't give me enough restriction. They fitted the lapband instead. Would you mind awfully giving your starting weight as I have lost 10lbs and it would be interesting to see if the easyband helps you to lost more than the lapband. Are you still on a liquid diet and did you do the ten day pre-op? I was so disappointed as I really don't fancy the injections for the fills/unfills. I am also interested in the after care you have received. I have only had one phone call from the dietician the day after I got home and do not have a follow up appointment as yet.

I wasn't aware that there was a battery - but I guess there must be - my doc didn't mention it. It you go to the link on my earlier post you can go to a downloadable document all about the telemetric band.

Hi Southern Girl. Here is a link to the easy band. As I mentioned I was going to have it fitted but during my op the surgeons decided that it was too big for my stomach and that I wouldn't get the restriction from it. I have been told it is a large band. http://www.healthierweight.co.uk/obesity-surgery/easyband-gastric-banding

I agree - worst thing would be to have time on your hands to think about food. I make wedding and celebration cakes and right up until Saturday evening I was busy finishing orders before I went for my surgery on the Sunday

Sara I felt like that too just as the op came near. However I had the gastric balloon fitted in 2005 [this could only stay in for 6months] I lost about 2.5 stone and the way this worked was that I could basically eat whatever I wanted but because there was a balloon taking up most of your stomach space you ate smaller portions. But unfortunately when it was taken out I gradually put a lot of the weight back and was so frightened that I was going to end up back at my starting weight or even higher I decided that something permanent would be better. I know we now can't eat all the lovely food that we've enjoyed before but that is why we are all now in the same position of being overweight - because we've enjoyed the food too much. I am sure once we get back to eating normally after the liquids and the mushies we can eat the foods we like but smaller amounts. I think we have to get our heads around the question.... do we want to eat like we always have or do we want to be slim, fit and healthy.

Hi Sara Where are you having your surgery? I had to do 10 days pre-op on liquids - shakes and soups - provided by the Healthier Weight Centre. I could also have 5 portions of fruit or vegetables each day. I really stuck to it - in fact some days I couldn't fit in all of the shakes and soups. If you are told to stick to a diet then do it - it is for your benefit - your liver will shrink making the op easier for the surgeon. And, from my experience, I think you recover quicker too. I was home, moving around and drinking, shakes, soups, coffee, etc., within 48 hours with no really bad pain at all - just lots of bruising and really swollen - but I do bruise very very easily. I am 10 days post-op and my scars have healed and I don't feel all that hungry - I think the pre-op diet is good for that too - gets you ready for the liquid part of your healing.

I have to agree with you - I saw her on tv the other day and to be honest I didn't think she looked like she had lost much weight. [Has she put it back again??] And she banged on and on about bringing up her kids alone. My God there are hundreds of women bringing up kids alone and they do a great job and don't complain all the time. Anyway I'm onto day 10 after having band fitted and feel great - I have lost about 10 lbs since I started on the liquid diet 1st March, my scars are all healing nicely and I don't feel hungry. My only worry is that I haven't had any contact with the Clinic since the day after I came home. I thought by now I would have had an appointment for my 2 week check up.

I was going to have the Easyband. The doctor has a card rather like a credit card which is kept at the hospital. When you go for an adustment [obvioulsy there is no fill/unfil as there is no saline - it is electronically opened and closed] he places the card into the machine [rather like the machine at the store when you pay by credit card] It has all of your details on it and he can then remotely open/close the band. I was all set to have this band on 11th March but during the op two of the surgeons decided that it was too large a band for my stomach and that it wouldn't give enough restriction. Hope this answers some of your questions