Cadence121

Update Hi guys, Defill nurse was on holidays, she's back now and is seeing me today for a defill. Thank goodness. I'm fantasising about drinking a glass of water. I think its really bad form that there's no back up or information even for if the nurse is away. I wasted money on a Dr who prescribed me all kinds of horrible expensive things that didn't work. And telling me to go to Belfast isn't at all helpful when you're incredibly weak and nauseous. There's just no way I would have been physically able to make the journey. For the first time I do regret having had the surgery abroad. I'd be much, much angrier though if Bart and Julie hadn't tried at least to advise me and get me through it. Anyone have similar experience of the band tightening so savagely so far from the last fill? 3 weeks of just right restriction, and now I can't keep liquids down!

Update Hi all, Still feeling absolutely rotten. Defill nurse was on holiday and is going to see me today for a defill. Thank goodness. I wasted money going to a gp, who prescribed me 3 different things, none of which helped. I can't wait for mY defill today - I am fantasizing about drinking a glass of water and keeping it down. Anyone had a similar experience? Of the band suddenly tightening so seriously, even though its a considerable time since last fill?? Believe me when I say I want to do everything in my power to avoid this happening again. I'd be super angry with the team if it wasn't for fact Bart and Julie at least tried to get me through it!

Hi ailbhe, delighted things are working out for you! I see from your last post that you were able to get an xray for 60 euro. I looked up their site and it says you need a referral - did you get an Irish gp to do this? My surgeon is Belgian and I wonder if they'd accept a referral from him...

Hi guys, I'm super annoyed. My last fill was 3 weeks ago, but suddenly this week the band went bananas. I can't keep liquids down, not even melted ice cubes. I followed all instructions to try and get the band to loosen up, but I clearly need a defill. But the defill nurse's phone is turned off. I am completely miserable and really ill. Nausea nausea nausea and pain in my stomach and back. I'm throwing up despite the fact I've had NOTHING today. What's the point in an emergency defill nurse if they aren't available in an emergency?? I have no idea what I'm going to do now.

Hi guys, I'm super annoyed. My last fill was 3 weeks ago, but suddenly this week the band went bananas. I can't keep liquids down, not even melted ice cubes. I followed all instructions to try and get the band to loosen up, but I clearly need a defill. But the defill nurse's phone is turned off. I am completely miserable and really ill. Nausea nausea nausea and pain in my stomach and back. I'm throwing up despite the fact I've had NOTHING today. What's the point in an emergency defill nurse if they aren't available in an emergency?? I have no idea what I'm going to do now.

Hi All, I haven't posted in a while - hope you're all well! After nearly 7 months of feeling no restriction 9and having fills up to 7ml), I am now happy to report that I FINALLY feel something...LOL. Although I didn't feel much restriction after my last fill in March (to 7ml), when it came to my 'time of the month' (sorry fellas), my band suddenly cinched in to the point I could only manage liquids! After a week it relaxed a small bit - but I'm still nice and restricted and am happy to say that at last, it's starting to work for me. My only concern now is that if I go for another fill, what'll happen next time I'm due? Will it end up getting so tight that liquids will even be a problem? I tried emailing Fred but he never got back to me. Anyone else experience similar? Wishing you all well on your journeys! R

Hey all, Sorry for the delay and thanks for your responses. I think I have a 13ml band (but they call it a 7ml because that's apparently where most people get full restriction). I'm confused now over when I should be eating (3 or 6 times a day). I've been exercising more, including cycling in and out of town, walking more etc. I think I've maybe lost a stone since surgery, all through willpower versus restriction. Problem is my willpower has never been great, so when I realise I've no restriction I get all defeatist and eat badly. Am trying really hard not to, but it's a struggle. I think I feel a tiny bit more restriction after this recent fill, but nothing major. Arghh! Congrats to all you guys though, such impressive results! R

Hi all, I'm having a bit of a vent. I was banded October 2011, am at 6.5 fills and just not feeling much restriction. I'm finding it so frustrating and am starting to feel like I've thrown my savings into something that's just not working. arghhhhhhhhhhh. I'm also getting a bit annoyed with conflicting information depending on who is doing the fill - has anyone else experienced this? Eg number of days to stay on liquids after a fill. Also, my handbook says we Should stick to just eating at mealtimes, whereas my last appointment I was told I should be eating 6 small meals a day. I'm so disappointed and frustrated. I've not lost much weight at all. I'm hoping against hope that I haven't developed a pouch, as I simply can't afford to start from scratch. I know this is a big moan, but I'm just going bananas here! Did anyone else experience little restriction at this point? R

Not sure of I count as recent- was banded in October last year. I'm super frustrated at the mo...had my third fill last week and went from 4.5cc to 6cc and feel no difference. so frustrated as I'm out if work right now and totally broke. Fred told me I should feel a real difference this time and it should last me a few months. Arghhhhhh! Apart from that, no complaints, lol. Sorry guys, just frustrated today. I'm sure I'll perk up soon.

Hey Guys, I'm in the same boat. I just had my third fill on Friday, and I'm now at 6cc in a 7cc band (though Dr was telling me that it's actually a 14/15cc band, but they call it 7 because that's when most people feel restriction? I'm so confused). Anyway, he told me I needed to go three days liquids and be very careful as I went from 4.5cc to 6cc and he thoguht I'd be very restricted. I've been really good with following the liquids/mushies before, but this time I just caved. I've just eaten a large amount of solid foods over the past 3 hours and I'm so ashamed and disappointed. Including fresh bread, which I can still manage FINE. I've NO restriction still, and I'm now worried I may have stretched my stomach? I'm just finding it so depressing right now, and I know a lot of it is me. But I'm out of work at the moment, and paid for this op myself...and I just feel like I've thrown away my savings at this and it's just not working. I'm also afraid to get on the scales, but I don't think I've lost much weight at all. Maybe 3/4kg. Feel so deflated. I can't seem to break my unhealthy relationship with food at all.

Hey A, Congrats on making your booking! I was banded in October last year with Chris and the team. I was very lucky and didn't suffer any trouble with trapped wind at all, neither did the girl who was banded at same time as me. The hospital will give you pain meds as well as anti nausea medicine when you leave. I would strongly advise against self medicating- many over the counter meds like aspirin, ibuprofen etc can thin the blood and so shouldn't be taken after surgery. Paracetemol is what hospital give you, and it should be enough - if not, make sure you tell your pharmacist you've had surgery!! The team are great! Couple of things I'd recommend - bring a mug/cup if you can as the hotels only have paper cups...bring some smooth soup for your post op night. Also try and get some smooth yoghurt to have in your hotel room. If you're staying in the campanile hotel, the surrounding area is pretty quiet so you might want to buy bits before arriving. One more slightly weird thing...bring a couple of sanitary towels! This was an idea of the girl who was with me. Before you leave hospital you have to have an x ray, and the fluid they give you causes um, an upset tummy. For your flight it may just give you extra peace of mind. I was fine but my room mate was glad to have them with her. Sorry that sounds a bit grim, but forewarned is fore-armed!! The team are fantastic, they look after you very well and answer all questions. Good luck and congrats again!!!! R

Oh my goodness! I got banded on 18th October, and have found my back pain far, far worse than ever before. I used to get mild - unpleasant back pain coming up to my menstrual cycle, but this time around it's started WAY earlier (pain started mid-cycle) and got absolutely awful for first few days of period. It was so bad I couldn't bend over. If anyone has an explanation, please please let us know!

HAha! Thanks! I'm nowhere near junior guru, I really have been eating junk for the past couple of weeks. Luckily I can already feel the effect of the band- have to chew so carefully...so stone cold food tends to be off-putting. Yay! I will get it back together though and I'm excersisibg more at least!! Thanks for your support, don't know what I'd do without this site!!