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Thanks so much for that Patty - great to talk to someone with the same capacity band - I really hope this fill works out tomorrow and I get some restriction at last!

Excellent post Penni - my french surgeon said pretty much the same thing to me before the surgery - he said the band is only a crutch and I should be having some kind of counselling to help with my "head" issues. I watched that Sandra Bullock movie "28 Days" where she is an alcoholic and sent to rehab - I was crying watching that, trying to cope with all the cravings and no restriction - I wished I could be locked up in a food rehab somewhere, where someone handed fruit and veg, and steamed fish to me three times a day for 28 days - it's just what I need - Like Lisa, I hate food but it's always there, screeching it's nails down a chalkboard, begging to be eaten...Like Vera too, I'm addicted to food - where's our help?

Blacknamaste: I was faithfully going to the gym (the National Aquatic Centre in Blanchardstown) until a mini tornedo ripped the roof off it in those storms after christmas! Ireland ! Tornedo! Mad! So I can't go to the gym until the place is repaired! I'm gutted! (not)

Thanks so much for these comments - really helped me - both practically and mentally. Vera - hubby loved your car/gas analogy! We feel we haven't "used" this band properly yet - and you are right, we ARE all different - it's amazing how many different opinions/experiences I read last night - it's like childbirth!!! Donali (((((((((I miss you!!)))))))))))) - I haven't had the second fill yet - going tomorrow (thurs) and am v anxious to get it right this time - Love the applesauce theory - someone on Spotlight suggested bringing yoghurt so I will definitely bring one of them....would a Twix work ja think??? Alex/Penni - I know the magical elusive unicorn of a "sweet spot" doesn't really exist, and the nature of the band is, if you find it, it may not last for long - I guess I am just worried about being overfilled, and getting frustrated, end up eating icecream and cookies all day long! I was planning to ask the doc to fill me to 5cc - then someone on Spotlight is at 5cc but has very little restriction - whereas a friend of mine in Paris, is filled to 7cc but is not losing any weight as she's too tight to eat healthy proteins etc - After my surgery, I was completely tight "psychologically" - I was focused and motivated but ate too little and loads of my hair fell out - I have tons of one inch growth all over my head now - and I fair so it's really noticable! I want to do this sensibly yet take advantage of my first 2 years being banded....And yeah, I am really trying to cut down on my drinking with meals - It's just I can't finish a muffin without a mug of coffee.....sigh.... Blacknamaste: (what's with the name???) Wow - you are here in little ol' Ireland too? i had no idea - thought you were english!!!! Wa hoo! Where are you living? Who did your surgery? Tell me EVERYTHING!!!! Yup, it's very isolating here with no band docs - my gp actually told me she'd give me some hypodermic needles & saline, if I ever wanted to do a fill for myself! She said "shur it'll be no bother to you" Irish style! I was like okaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay buh bye....!!!! Thanks for the compliment - I am the largest woman in co meath at the moment so dunno about the looker comment! We should meet up - Are you near Dublin or what? Let me know xx And I am delighted with the 70lb loss but I'm bloody still 18 stone and can only shop in Evans!!!

Hi Krissie Welcome to Lapband Talk! I had my surgery about 15 months ago, and for me, it really was quick and easy! I had my op at about 3pm on a tuesday in Paris, France and flew home to Ireland on the thursday - I was out shopping on friday! Very little pain, quick recovery - it's probably one of the easiest surgeries to have - of course that's my experience, many others found it a little more painful/complicated/inconvenient but I think, all in all, it's normally pretty quick and straightforward! Do lots of research and read lots of the old posts here for more info! Best of luck

Hellooooooooooooooo? Anyone????? Nobody at all here with the 11cc band?

Hey Penni - COME ANYTIME! Ireland's open!!! It rains all year round but is the coolest little island in the world! I'd love to put you up and show you around! I'm washing the spare bedlinen right now.....

OH MY GOD! That'll teach me to munch cookies while on the pc.....I may never eat again....I'm actually thinking of putting the close up on my fridge to make me think twice about snacking - you're an angel Penni, for taking such good care of our Lisa - give her my love since she won't be checking out this post! When are you going to adopt me, huh?????

Lisa, so glad you finally got some answers - thinking of you xx

Betty, you look fantastic - well done xx

My surgery in Paris, France cost me close to $8000 and fills (in the UK) cost me £100 ($187) plus flights and car hire and lunch and Ikea shopping......................!

Hi Helen! I'm in Dubin, in Ireland, so we're not too far away from eachother! I was banded about 14 months ago in Paris, and am delighted with the results so far (not so happy with a three month plateau but off for a fill in feb!) Who did your band surgery? I'm having my aftercare/fills done with Michael Van den Bossche in Southampton... Hope to see you here often - it's absolutely the BEST band support forum on the www - everyone is so friendly, helpful and supportive xx

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Donali))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) So missed you and all your great reassurance and advice - selfishly, I wish you were here more but am so thrilled for you that it's for such great reasons - now loving Indiana too for making you so happy love you loads porn lover xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Alex you look wonderful - what a fabulous photo! Well done - what an achievement xxx

oi less of the irish jokes!!!!

hi folks I wondered if anyone has any advice about explaining the lap band procedure to their children? I have two boys, the eldest is almost fourteen and is quite close to me. I have been pretty involved in researching and learning about the surgery and discussing it with my husband (in private, away from the kids). This morning my son came to me and wanted to know what's going on? He said "I know you and dad are discussing something and i heard one of you mention hospital". I didn't know what to say - I haven't a surgery date yet, I'm not even 100% sure (i am 99%!) sure i am going to go ahead with it so don't want to worry my son yet. We have had quite a bit of trauma in our family in the last 18 months and he is quite sensitive to me being preoccupied and/or stressed. So what I'm asking is when and if the time comes to have the surgery, do any of you have any ideas how to explain this to my sons, without worrying them or giving them incorrect ideas about weight gain/loss etc? I'd be grateful to hear of any of your experiences

hey Greg, thanks for the reply but this is a really old post! I posted that over a year ago I think.....! But good to see you're reading all the old info! I did talk to the kids and even now they tell me they are so proud of me for making the decision and going ahead with the surgery - it was definitely the right thing to do thanks xx

Hi folks - I guess I'm looking for some cheerleaders today . I feel pretty depressed and completely unmotivated. I had my long awaited (11 months 2 weeks!) fill last week, and it was not a pleasant event - I was so grateful to eventually find an english speaking lap band surgeon to monitor my progress/do fills etc and was so looking forward to getting my weightloss kick-started again by a fill.... The Doc was a bit of a cold fish, - he is belgian, and also does other wls - duodenal switch, gastric bypass etc.... he asked me why I got a lap band when it only works for about 50% of people in his experience... I was a bit taken aback and unhappy to find myself defending my band while lying on my back with a needle in my side! He scoffed at my request for an annual endoscopy, saying it was unnecessary :eek - he also questioned my belief that I have a 9cc Inamed band - he says there's no such thing - only a 9.75cc or a 10cc Inamed band - I didn't have any card or confirmation from my french surgeon that it is definitely an Inamed band but I remember him giving me documentation from Inamed and showing me an actual band at the time of my consultation but suddenly I was filled with doubt and felt so stupid not knowing exactly. Then I told him my band was filled with 4cc during surgery - he thought this was impossible - I wouldn't have been able to swallow water when I woke up! He removed the liquid from the band and there was only 2cc - I was shocked! He then put in 3cc in total so I bascially don't know where I am! I haven't really much more restriction - I have never thrown up or had a "pb" - and seem to be able to eat a pretty big portion of whatever I like... I make oatmeal in the mornings using one american 1/2 cup measure of oats and three 1/2 cups of milk/water for example... I guess I just feel exhausted from dieting and restricting myself... I was hoping to get a few more pounds off by Christmas and am back to the high protein, low fat DIET - I really thought life with my band would mean that I basically ate what I want, sticking to as healthy a diet a possible, and my band would kick in and stop me overeating. That's really not the case for me - I feel like I have to constantly say "no" to myself, no icecream, no cookies, no popcorn, no chocolate or else I lapse into a sugar/carb binge! I feel so obsessed with food - today I was a "good girl" or today I was "bad". I know this is an emotional issue I need to "get over".... I genuinely feel, here at 245lbs, (ok, actually 247 from this morning!) that I am NEVER going to lose another pound and be stuck here in limbo!!! In europe, most "normal" clothes stores go up to a 20/22 (American 18/20) and the "large" size clothes shops go up to 26/28 (american 24/26) - I am somewhere in between these sizes - just a little too big for the normal sizes and totally sick of the large size clothes, which are unflattering as we all know! So I have nothing to wear which is depressing me even more! Ok - I'm sorry for going on so long with this - I guess a year into banded life, things get a little stale and it's hard to stay motivated....I wonder how all you guys banded a year or more manage to stay focused? Shellyj? Jennye? Alexandra, Babs? Sniffle...miss u guys Any tips? Anyone???? (ok, whining over....)

Michelle that's so funny! My hubby said exactly the same thing! He couldn't believe I have hip bones too - he kept saying "your back is so small now!" Sorry Leatha - is this all too much information!!! Greg - well done you on not being spotted by your mom-in-law.....soon you'll be able to hide behind lamp posts and plants!!!

(((((((((((((((((((Oh Penni)))))))))))))))))))))))) that is dreadful - what a horrible time you have had - I am sending you hugs and love and hope you can come through this soon.

God Alex - what does that mean for you? Can the slight slippage be corrected by the little unfill? That is worrying... I completely agree with you - I have been dreadful for sticking to the "no liquids with meals" rule - I actually became aware today that if I don't have a glass of water or mug of coffee with my meal, then I can't eat ENOUGH! Aaaarrgghh! No wonder I am plateauing... I guess you mean that we should eat the bandster recommended portion and then stop eating - revolutionary! Why didn't some one tell us this before!!!! I definitely eat too fast - god knows what minor damage I'm doing too - well done Alex for being so vigilant - guess you can never be too careful - monitoring is so important

em.....No you mad woman! We just say "phone" - I think you're mixing me up with the queen of england! Have you ever heard Colin Farrell speaking? That's a Dublin accent - Bono has a posh Dublin accent - The Corrs have a country irish accent.... hope that helps! You should rent the movie The Committments! Brilliant film, and totally working class Dublin!

Zoe - count me in! Lisa - We have to have our own website! CrazyBitchMothers.com - my mother went to a psychiatrist for 4 YEARS! He was a well respected doctor in Dublin - my mother's favourite comment to us was: "my psychiatrist says this is all YOUR fault" - the hilarious (but tragic, but funny, but sad....) part was, eventually he told her not to come back - he couldn't help her and then RETIRED from medical practice AND LEFT THE COUNTRY!!! How we laughed...yet cried, yet...... Michelle - you are so right, of course. Unlike some people here, I NEVER lost much weight over the years - and would never ever have moved over 80lbs...I never thought of it like that. I am really confused about the 9cc band and am trying to find out which one I have - I know my friend Sarah, who was banded by the same guy, and has the same band etc - also is supposed to have the Inamed 9cc, filled to 4cc during surgery - and currently is at 7cc after two fills! So I don't know what to think! I'm busily trying to draft a letter in french to my surgeon so hopefully I'll have some answers soon - thanks Michelle - I have printed out your comments and will learn by heart!

***blush*** - exotic eyes! Wow - my devoted husband calls them "battleship grey" - lovely! Well honey, you want to hear the accent (to be sure, begorrah) pm me your phone number and i'll call you for a chat sometime xx Unfortunetly within 4 seconds of speaking to someone with another accent I immediately begin to mimic theirs unconsciously! I did talk to Donali a few times tho, and I think I managed to stay Irish for the few mins !

Lisa you crazy lady - you are obviously the missing fifth sister from my family - we have had one trauma after another, ditto with the mother thing, 'cept she decided to kill herself last year, leaving a vile letter blaming all of us and leaving all her (horrible anyway!) jewelry to my sister's five year old! My dad gave me one of her rings, wanting me to have something of hers, so when I wear it I say "oh this ring, this is the one my mother expressly wished me NOT to have...". People think we're nuts - we laugh and stick one big finger up to the sky - our motto is "Step In The Ring, MoFo..." But I guess, I put all my stock in losing all my weight and being "clean and good" - my mother used to say to me "you're weak, you can't say no to yourself" so I make sure I DO say "no" all the time...which gets exhausting...But anyway...I feel so much better from just listening to all of you - seriously, thank Buddha or whoever for you all xxx