dream to be slim

hi bandista , I am hoping to see my dr this week to discuss whats going on , its been suggested today it could be stress related , the trouble is if I have trouble trying to eat I then dread the next meal incase I have problems again . Its so good to be able to get advice from others that have actually had the same operation

hi too much fun , thanks for the reply . I understood that when you had a band, because of where it is placed, a small pouch was formed above the band [ small section of stomach ] and when you eat this fills up making you fill fuller quicker , this then goes through band into bulk of your stomach slowly . Despite several band adjustments since my surgery , when I had my barium xray the radiographer showed me that I did not have a small pouch above band ; he said this only forms once there is sufficient restriction , which at the time he said I had none until he put in a further 1/2 a ml . If I am able to drink a coffee in the morning I then have porridge or slimfast shake for Breakfast , usually 3/4 small crackers with very low fat cream cheese for lunch , evening meal sometimes low fat fish pie / homemade shepherds pie / Soup or bolognase [ minus the Pasta or rice as I cant tolerate these , my portions are very small . If I struggle to have a drink first thing in the morning I usually struggle all day sometimes with drinks and even yoghurt ! My barium xray showed my new fill is now at the right level as I could see the screen whilst the radiographer talked me through it , so I do not know what to think . I exercise also . Its been suggested that stress could be the problem and that it affects a lot of people whether your aware of it or not and can make your band at times feel over tight ; I don't feel hungry between meals and weight is not shifting either , confused .

hi thanks for your response , all ok and as it should be ,big relief I can tell you ! so no physical problem no leak no slip . No restriction either inially or small pouch above band . Apparently small pouch not present unless band tight enough , I now have both and seeing things on screen confirmed this and showed me what is happening . Maybe now after 15 months I might now be at the elusive green zone !!! heres hoping xx

hi folks , I am having this done tomorrow ; I have had several fills since my op my last visit to surgeon just over 4weeks ago , at that point I had documented that I had a 6ml fill in my 10ml band ; but as some hospital paperwork seemed to dispute this I ask for it to be check . 4ml only was present , I got quite distressed and frightened but was assured all seemed fine and had no leak . 1ml was put in so I left with 5ml in ? I am having xray done tomorrow for 2 reasons ; 1st - check all looks ok ; 2nd- check current restriction is correct . Over last 2weeks I have had some days when eating has been very difficult and occasionally drinking ; latter giving feeling of lump feeling in throat . Stress has been an issue and wonder if at times it affects my band ? the last couple of days has been much better , if all physically looks ok tomorrow I guess stress is affecting things . Hope tomorrow will give me the answers I need as this will be costing me £350 , heres hoping . would love your feedback

hi all I am having a barium xray/fill tomorrow morning , I have been plagued with problems with fluid put in later reduced etc . my last visit to my hospital I had documented a 6ml fill in total in 10ml band but when asked to have it removed then put back in was told I only had 4ml in ! this paniced me but was assured I did not have a leak . 1ml was added so apparently I now have 5ml in . I hope tomorrow my mind will put at rest and reassure me all looks ok and restriction is looking correct , I certainly hope so as its costing £350 ; my main reason for having it done is to reassure all looks ok as over last 2 weeks I have had some days where eating has been virtually impossible and sometimes drinking feeling like I have a lump in my throat , last 2 days have been much better so hopefully tomorrow will give me some answers . Stress seems to effect my band also ,

hi when I have had a fill done it normally takes a couple of days before I notice any further restriction , no more but we are all different some fill it straight away others take longer . when eating always try to concentrate on what you are doing , eat slowly a small amount at a time chewing well , it is easy to forget at times especially if in company but your body soon reminds you ; not nice . I am nearly 14 months post op and still learning , good luck with your journey

ah thankyou linda ! I could do with another fill but have a trip to florida soon , first time I have flown since having band , so waiting until I have been and returned home , in the meantime my weight has just stayed put despite really watching what I eat and increasing exercise

Hi all , I started on this forum yesterday and already finding it very helpful ! Does anyone else have a problem eating meat ? if mince or in a Soup ok but otherwise struggle , may manage a couple of teaspoons if that but no more , even that can end up causing me a pain at port sight . I know it is advised you eat Protein first but I struggle big time with meat , fish I can usually manage reasonable amount.

You poor thing , I agree with all the above ask for copies of all your medical records , I have done that myself here in England as a letter I received from a new surgeon after a fill does not add up , and if correct would have overfilled my 10cc band , paperwork received so far does not cover one of my fill appointments at all ! I have yet to receive all my notes from the hospitals own records due to holidays but I have requested everything since my very first pre-op tests up until my last appointment in November ,[ this had to be done in writing so guess you would have to do the same ] this way I can compare original surgeons , new surgeons letters with that of hospitals own . Both my surgeons never removed previous fills before adding etc which I now believe should have been done as insurance and to check for possible leaks , I will certainly ask in future . I also was self pay so I sympathise and wish you all the best , take independent advice before rushing into anything , best wishes

help I have had a 24hr vomiting bug - first time in years , wouldn't normally be over worried except now I have band [ fitted 23/11/2012] , I have now managed to keep liquids down so having slimfast shakes , no pain so hope there will be no ill effects with band ? any experiences of same ?

help I have had a 24hr vomiting bug - first time in years , wouldn't normally be over worried except now I have band [ fitted 23/11/2012] , I have now managed to keep liquids down so having slimfast shakes , no pain so hope there will be no ill effects with band ? any experiences of same ?

take no notice of others negative comments , do this for you and only you ! I have found this sight very helpful and supportive , we all have days where we stuggle and no one will suggest its easy , but nothing is if its worth having , a true friend would support you in your decision not be negative , I wish you well , stay positive and keep in touch with this group

yes thank goodness , lasted 12 hrs , at worst could not even keep boiled water down but fine now , have no interest in food but have been able to take slimfast shakes now

help I have had a 24hr vomiting bug - first time in years , wouldn't normally be over worried except now I have band [ fitted 23/11/2012] , I have now managed to keep liquids down so having slimfast shakes , no pain so hope there will be no ill effects with band ? any experiences of same ?

help I have had a 24hr vomiting bug - first time in years , wouldn't normally be over worried except now I have band [ fitted 23/11/2012] , I have now managed to keep liquids down so having slimfast shakes , no pain so hope there will be no ill effects with band ? any experiences of same ?

I got my lapband for the same reason , years of trying diets and loosing and putting it back on , I also realise it is just a tool but even so some of us will still have times when we struggle , I am doing the same , my dietition told me following surgery I would never need to go on a diet again , that may be true , at mo my weight has stuck and that is frustrating , my personal hell bandster style .

Over the last year I have had times when some of my fill has had to be removed due to stress ; which may seem strange to some but for me has caused problems sometimes making even liquid and soft stuff difficult to swallow ; a few months ago I had to have 1ml removed due to pain in my chest region where my port is located followed by a barium xray to check all was well ; which I am glad to say all seemed to be ok but did not explain pain . It has been not as straight forward as I had hoped but as my cover had now ended thought I would enquire about cost of fills should I need any further to be done as my original surgeon has now left and no-longer does fills ; I may not need any but just wondered how what I had been told compared to elsewhere in uk ? Not sure if I would class myself in the green zone or not , finding it a struggle at mo , the pain I have experienced etc certainly has not helped . I guess the moto is we are all on a journey and everyone of us will be different , this forum certainly reinforces that and not having the support group I was told run at my chosen hospital It has been hard to know whether what I have experienced was normal or just me .

I self funded and included 1 year medical cover and 5 fills, this has now ended and have been told future fills will cost £250 . this seems very expensive , thoughts please x

no they don't , could not get op on nhs , so had to go self funding as desperate , cant do 250 each time just too expensive .

ouch that is a lot , but no good if you cannot eat or drink anything , hope things are easier for you now .

hi everyone I have found this very helpful myself and I am nearly 13 months post op , you never stop learning . I think sometimes we forget to slow down when eating , the discomfort being a stark reminder to slow up , chew well .

thankyou , I am learning so much now, so good to get help from those who really understand ! your doing great another one nearly at goal . have you had any hurdles/problems alond the way ?

hi all , I was banded on 23/11/2012 in uk , I have lost 42lbs and hope to loose the same again to reach my goal , I also struggle some days with exercise and certain foods but determined to succeed ! well done everyone , keep going x

thanks that makes me feel much better thankyou , wasn't sure if it was just me ! I made a stew today with sausage and bar-b-que rib meat , veg and mixed pulses it wasn't a problem I maybe nearly 13 months into my journey but I am still learning ; 3 stone down and hopefully another 3 to go ! You have done great , your goal is in touching distance , well done . Have you had any major hurdles during your journey ? any pain or discomfort with certain foods ?

Hi my name is dream to be slim , After years of struggling with my weight I decided to have a gastric band , something I never thought I would do , but in desperation decided to do . My surgery was done after much research at Nuffield hospital brentwood , Essex, uk on 23/11/2012 . I had a 10cc band fitted , not sure quite what my current fill level is as their is some uncertainty , but believe it is approx. 5.5 / 6 ? I have had various fills and unfills , the times I have had some taken out is due to pain I have had at the sight of my port , [ where bra fits ] sometimes really bad causing me to be sick / feel sick . I have lost 3 stone since my surgery but feel it has been a real slog , I have told very few people except close family , meals out are a big worry infact I dred them and big get togethers , as I have on occasions eaten very little and ended up in loo with pain /being sick , which I do my best to hide but does not make a pleasant experience so do my best to avoid . Does anyone else out there have an experience like mine ? I need some support as It has been getting me down , a barium xray proved band in correct place but at the time with some fill removed showed no restriction , more has been put in since . Any advice/suggestions/help greatly received .