Brenners

Hi there, I am new to this forum. I have my first consultation with the surgeon next Friday March 30th:) . I am so excited but also nervous. I have been reading through a few posts and it is so good to see that the majority of the feedback is positive. I will be having my surgery done in Dublin and I was wondering if any of you have any advice as to questions I should be asking the surgeon next week. Thanks so much. Brenners x

Hi Loriha So glad your getting sorted, finally. I too often think about the awful conditions and way were treated by ACS, it doesnt bear thinking about if there was an emergency. You wont know yourself now and will be Twiggy by Xmas :thumbup: I met Gerri today and she looks just fantastic! She has been so lucky not to have had any problems! Im just waiting on a date for my bypass. I had a scope done last Friday and I still have a stitch in my stomach from when I got the band done. They couldnt see it when they were removing the band because I had an infection. I kind of knew something wasnt right because at times I still feel like I have a band. But they will remove it when I have bypass done. Hopefully will be having op done in Blackrock clinic, but may have to go to liverpool as its more complicated having revision surgery. Anyway I just cant wait to get it over and done with, its been a long road both physically and emotionally. Best of luck and hope the lbs drop off you!!! Brenners xx

Hi there, just to update you on whats happening since band removal. My stomach is healing and I am now able to eat normally again, which is really scarey:mad:. I had consultation with surgeon in Blackrock Clinic last week and discussed having bypass done. He told me that VHI will probably cover me as I am a revision case! I am so so thrilled. After getting a loan for 10k, which Im still paying back, to have band done, I am so relieved. He has started the ball rolling and I am going to see a consultant counsellor in weight management on Friday and then a dietician the following week. He said it will be late this year or early next year before I will be ready both physically and mentally to have bypass surgery and as Im a revision case I may have to go to Liverpool, where Mr Kerrigan the surgeon who removed my band will do the surgery. I am still emotionally finding it so hard as the weight is creeping back, slowly , but nevertheless is going up! I will keep you all posted as to how my new weight loss journey goes and hope you are all doing well. Brenners xx

Hi I am from Ireland. I had my band inserted 3 years ago. I lost 130lbs in 2 years and then despite several fills lost restriction. I gained 40lbs since last May. The clinic I had the band done with went bust so I was left with no aftercare. I eventually got an appointment for a fantastic private surgeon in Dublin who arranged an OGD and to my devestation he discovered I had almost 100% erosion. I had my band removed in February. My surgeon was able to remove the band through my mouth and my port through a small incision in my abdomen. I have only gained 5lbs since removal but emotionally I am so devestated. I cannot cope with being able to eat normally again and I am so scared about regaining the weight again. I have discussed the posibility of having more wls with my surgeon. He said he does not rule it out but he wants me to see a food counsellor and dietician first. I would love to hear from anyone who has gone through this and what advice they would have. I am very open to having more surgery. I am just so depressed and consumed with gaining the weight again. Thanks Brenners x

Hi everyone. Sorry I havent posted in a while but Im only back this week from Liverpool and my band is gone :cursing:. I flew over Sunday and had my op on Monday and got home Wednesday. It all went really well. It took so much more out of me than I thought as I have severe gas pain in my right side especially my shoulder. The surgeon said I have a large pocket of trapped gas and it may take up to 3 weeks to go. It is agonising at times and unfortunately there is not a lot to do to get rid of pain. Anyway, emotionally Im still not sure how I feel now that my band is gone. As I have said before it was the only way I ever lost weight. Im still 6 stone down from 3 years ago but so nervous about putting any of it back on. Have already put on 3 stone since band started to erode. I cannot afford to pay for any further weight loss surgery so it looks like weight watchers and willpower will have to do! Im so relieved now that it went well and that I can put it all behind me. Hope you are all doing well and despite the fact that I am no longer a lapbander I will still keep in touch through this forum! Brenners xx

Hi, just firstly thanks to all of you for your kind words of support. Its great knowing that there are people who understand what I am going through. I am only really coming to terms with the fact that I have to have my band removed. I had my consultation with the Dr. in gravitas on Wednesday and he wants me to go to Liverpool to have it removed. They have the facilities there to remove the band through my mouth! I know it sounds mad but it means that although I have to have a general anaesthetic I dont have to have open surgery. They literally pass some piece of specialized equipment down my throat and it is able to cut and remove the band through my mouth. I dont have a date yet but it will be in the next 2 weeks. VHI will not cover me so its more money, But as Emerald said thats life. I just want to have this over and done with and get on with my life. Even though I am so scared about the prospects of life without the band. But what can I do. Hope you are all well and again thanks so much for all the support. Will keep you posted when I get a date. Brenners xxx

Hi, well not long back from Blackrock Clinic, having had my endoscopy done and the worst possible outcome, I have erosion and have to have my band removed. I am totally devastated. Cant stop crying. Was really hoping that I would have got some good news but had'nt prepared myself for this outcome. Have to go back to see Dr on Wednesday to see when I have to to in. So down. I know from reading up on erosion that you cannot get another band for at least 6 months after removal of a band from erosion. I dont even know if VHI are going to cover the cost of the operation to remove it. So scared and upset. I honestly dont know if I could ever have another band after this happening. But all I know is that it was the ONLY way I ever lost weight. B xx

Hi girls, Well hope you all had a great weekend. I have had an awfulf tummy bug, have had diaohrea (sp!) since last Monday and today is the first day that it has stopped. Feel totally drained. Anyway I just got my date for my OGD, Friday 29th Jan. Cant wait to get back on track and fingers crossed everything is ok with it. Lil - thinking about you travelling to Brussells. The very best of luck, fingers crossed you will get sorted, it must be so upsetting being in such pain and on antibiotics for so long! My heart goes out to you. I wish you lots of luck Ailbhe - you have done so well!! Your ex is prob sick now that he dumped you, but good riddance!!! You should really try and get that fill. As far as I know there are fill clinics starting in Cork, not sure where you live. You should contact Chris Deprez, if you need his email just let me know. Love Brenners xx

Girls, what a joy to get replies so quickly!! It really helps to know there are others going through problems too and that we are here for each other. Lil - the fee with Gravitas is just the surgeons consultation fee and any fills. It really seems like a huge amount but just to know that I have back up and a surgeon close by is great. The very best of luck on Tues, will be thinking of you. Make sure you keep in touch. Gerri - You have done amazing! Down to a sz 14, Fingers crossed I will be back in my 14's soon! Kila - Jan said she will let me know if there is a patient support meeting at the end of January, maybe I'll see you there. I have heard nothing but good things about Gravitas. And your right In need to be positive and believe that I can get there again. So great to read all the posts. Will defo keep posting now!!! Brenners xxxxx

Hi there, I have not posted here for well over a year!! Where do I start? Well I was banded in April 2007 by ACS. I really had no problems at all for the 1st 2 years and lost 10 stone. Then last March I started losing restriction and having reflux. I got a few 1 ml fills and still had no restriction. At this stage the weight was starting to creep back on, so upseting after getting down to size 14 from size 26. I ended up with 9.75 mls in my 10ml band and still zero restriction. I went to Chris Deprez in Dublin in October and he unfilled me completely. He thought my band may have slipped and suggested I leave it unfilled for a couple of months and see if it goes back into place. Anyway, I have since put on nearly 5 stone and as you can imaging I am so upset and angry as I had little or no aftercare. I decided, after much deliberation, to contact Gravitas in The Blackrock Clinic. The surgeon there took me on at a cost or €2,800 for 2 years. I had my consultation with him on Wednesday and I am so relieved and now see some light at the end of the tunnel!. He is going to do a OGD scope and a barium swallow xray to try to discover whats going on with my band. Luckily VHI will cover the scope but the xray will mean forking out more money! I feel so let down by so many medical professionals, I will not mention names. But I am going to put it behind me and fingers and toes crossed I am on the road to losing the weight again. I think its so important for the girls who were banded by ACS and now have a band that is not working to make contact and help each other out as much as possible. It would be great to have much needed advice readily available. So glad I posted, feel better already!!! Brenners xxx :thumbup:

Hi there to you all and so sorry I have not posted for a while, life has just been so hectic between one thing and another. Anyway I have just read through all your posts and its so great to see newcomers!! Allure, I am looking forward to talking to you tonight, thanks so much for the PM. Lunasa I hope your fill goes ok, you need one by the sounds of it. Do you have to go to the UK to have it done? I had a fill on 21st May and although it gave me slight restriction straight away, the real restriction didnt kick in until a week later!! I know this sounds very strange but apparantly it is very common. I actually thought there was something stuck but I have had great restriction ever since. I am only able to eat small portions and although there are a few foods that cause me problems (pork & bread) I am pretty much able to eat most things. My port is still in the wrong place since it moved but it doesnt cause me much problems, apart from being tender now and again. So sorry to have missed the meeting last Saturday but I had other arrangements, will defo try to make the next one, it would be great to put the face to the name. Anyway, I hope you are all having a good day and I will make sure to keep in touch more often. It is so nice to be able to share our experiences with each other. Brenners xx

Hi to you all. Well I know its been a while but boy have I been through a rough time! As you might remember my port moved and my surgeon said that as a result I would have to have it changed. Anyway, I also got an infection when it moved so he put me on antibiotics for 10 days. I was so sick, I dont think I was ever as sick in my whole life. The antibiotics really drained me. I had temperatures of 103 and was in so much pain. I finished the antibiotics last Thursday and had an appointment to see my surgeon on Monday. The infection was gone and since finishing the antibiotics I was feeling so much better. Anyway the surgeon decided to leave the port where it is as it is not bothering me at all now. I asked for a fill as I was starting to feel hungry and it was 4 weeks since my op. He gave me a 1cc fill and it has made a small difference to my hunger. I am feeling so much better and full of energy and can still say that I have no regrets getting the band. I have started walking for 30 minutes every day and my clothes are starting to hang off me!! Its good to be back in the land of the living again and I look forward to sharing the highs and lows with you all!! Brenners xx

Good morning to you all! Hope you are all doing great. Im feeling a lot better. The antibiotics seem to have taken the edge off the pain, I must have had an infection in the new site where the port has taken up home! The swelling and redness on my abdomen is much less, thank God. I was feeling really hungry by the time I got home from work yesterday but when I went to eat my mushy dinner, I could barely manage 3 tsps. I think the port is pressing against my band or stomach because I have huge restriction. I just stopped eating and felt ok after about 1/2 hour. Im just worried that Im not eating enough. God this is such an alien thing for me to be worried about!! All my life I have been overeating and now Im concerned that Im not eating enough. I think maybe I should start keeping a food diary. Roughly how many calories should I be aiming to have per day? I know I should be aiming for 50-60g protein but Im not sure when it comes to calories. I am using protein shakes for breakfast and for supper so Im not too concerned about my protein intake. Its so nice to put my clothes on and each day for them to feel looser! I havent weighed myself since last Friday and I am only going to weigh myself every 2nd Friday. I hate the scales anyway after years of yo-yo dieting!!! Wishing you all a great day and any advice on the calories would be so greatly appreciated. Brenners x

Hi there to you all. Well I am in trouble. On Friday last my port moved and I have been in terrible pain. I had been suffering with gas pain but that seemed to have eased off. I noticed on Friday evening that the middle of my abdomen was sore and swollen. Then by Sunday it was red. I went to see Jerome yesterday and he as confirmed what I already knew, that the port has moved and needs to be replaced. I am so disappointed. He has put me on antibiotics for 10 days and he will replace the port on May 21st. He can do this under local anaesthetic. I am still in pain especially by the evening as it is pressing against something and the pain is going right through into my back. Allure, I knew you were in yesterday getting banded. I was there at aroung 4pm. I was going to ask could I go in and see you but I was anxious to get back home. So glad you have it over you now. You must be thrilled. Yes the walking definitly helps with the pain. I walked the feet off myself the first few days! Lunasa, thanks so much for you advice about the Andrews Liver Salts. It really works! Im sorry I have not been posting much, Im only just back to work today and my computer at home is playing up. Glad to read that you are all doing great, keep up the good work. Brenners x

Kity, yes he gave me painkillers which I have to take 3 times a day. They are taking the edge off the pain but as I said by the evening I am very sore. Im just concerned that the port is pushing against something it shouldnt be, but the surgeon said that it is not. I am disappointed as I had started walking 30 minutes a day and for the first time in my life actually enjoying excercise! My surgeon said no walks until the port is replaced. I cant wait to get back on track and re-start the walking. Thanks for your thoughts and positive energy! I still have no regrets being banded, and even though its only been 2 weeks I can say, hand on heart, thats it is the best thing I have ever done. I am just going to look forward to having it replaced and getting on with my weight loss! Brenners

Hi there to you all. Well I am in trouble. On Friday last my port moved and I have been in terrible pain. I had been suffering with gas pain but that seemed to have eased off. I noticed on Friday evening that the middle of my abdomen was sore and swollen. Then by Sunday it was red. I went to see my surgeon yesterday and he as confirmed what I already knew, that the port has moved and needs to be replaced. I am so disappointed. He has put me on antibiotics for 10 days and he will replace the port on May 21st. He can do this under local anaesthetic. Has this happened to anyone? I would love to hear from someone who has had this problem. I am still in pain especially by the evening as it is pressing against something and the pain is going right through into my back. I am banded 2 weeks today and apart from bad gas pains have been doing ok. I am only just starting to feel slight hunger the past couple of days, but I have been full of energy and definitly feeling the benefits of my weight loss so far. Anyway I am not going to get myself down over this. I will hopefully be sorted on the 21st May. Glad to read that you are all doing great, keep up the good work. Brenners x

Good morning to everyone, I was banded last Tues 24th and apart from gas pains Im doing ok. The whole procedure went very well with no complications. I am at times find the gas pains really hard to deal with. I get them in my shouldors and around the band area. I have no hunger yet and I find that after I eat something they get quite bad. I am just having smoothies and soups. Im wondering if anyone has any tips how to ease them. I have been going for walks but it doesnt seem to help. How long will this last? I live in Ireland and we dont have GasX strips. From reading your posts these really seem to help a lot. I actually thought I was having a heart attack last night and my DH was really worried about me. Apart from the gas pains I am so excited to be banded. I am having my stitches removed tomorrow and cant wait because my bra is irritating one of my incisions. I had a slight problem with constipation but I had prune juice and that helped a lot!! Anyone any advice would be so good. Brenners x

Well I cant believe that I am almost there! I am being banded tomorrow. I am very nervous but excited. I have a touch of a head cold. Does anyone know if that will be a problem? I got a nasal spray from the chemist and that seems to have cleared it a bit. Anyway, I will be in touch after, when I can. Thanks for all your support, I know I dont post much but I read ALL the posts and have got much support from them. Brenners x

Allure, I too was wondering how Lunasa got on. Fingers crossed she is over it and doing ok. Yes I met with Tara when I went to the clinic to have my bloods done! It must be me she is talking about, Im very flattered!!! Isnt she so nice? Very professional and very easy to talk to. My op was changed from Thursday 26th to next Tuesday 24th!! I am so so excited but of course the usual doubts are in the back of my mind. I KNOW 100% that I am doing the right thing. I am almost 38 and I cant wait to start my new life from next Tuesday. I am so aware from reading all the posts on here that it is not going to be plain sailing all of the time. But hopefully with the support of my fab husband and family I will get through it. I am more or less organised and we told my 6 yr old son last night that I have to have a little operation on my tummy. He was quite sad but said that he would make sure to be extra good when I come home. He is such a joy! Im doing this not just for me but also for him so I will be healthy and happy when he is growing up. Anyway, I will keep you posted how I get on. Brenners x

Hi there, just to let you all know that I was scheduled to have my op on Thursday 26th April. I got a call this morning from the clinic to see if I wanted to have it done 2 days earlier on Tues 24th April, so I agreed! I cant believe that this time next week I will be banded! I am up to ninety! Anyway I hope all of you who have recently been banded are doing great and any last minute tips would be greatly appreciated. Brenners x

Holly123, I cant believe that we might be banded the same day in ACS! I feel so bad for you for what happened about your blood pressure. When I went to the clinic to have my bloods done 2 weeks ago, I asked the nurse to check my blood pressure, because I would have a history of borderline high blood pressure. She said it was a little high but nothing to worry about. Yes I do agree with you that they should have checked your blood pressure before your surgery. They did not do an ECG just blood tests. I am still waiting on the results of the blood tests. Im hoping everything will be ok. I had a full blood test done in February becuase I had to have a D&C after a miscarriage and everything was fine. So fingers crossed. I have a head cold since last week. I felt miserable over the weekend but feel a little bit better since yesterday. Im wondering should I go to my GP and get an anitbiotic to just make sure that I dont have it on the day of surgery. I dont know about you but Im up to ninety at times worrying about it. Worrying about whether Im doing the right thing. I know in my heart I am but the mind plays tricks. Dr Jerome asked me to not eat bread and potatoes and sweet stuff for 2 weeks before the op, Im finding it hard to stick to it, to be honest. Im a carb junkie! Im doing my best and already I feel like Ive lost a few pounds. What kind of a pre op diet are you doing? Im running around at the moment trying to get everything organised for when I come home after surgery. I have a 6 year old son so Im trying to make life as easy as possible for myself for a few days. Any Im sure it will all work out. I just want to get this band and start my new life. God the thoughts of being able to shop for clothes and not have to go near Evans!!! Bring it on!! Let me know how your getting on. Brenners x

Bright, Allure and everyone else, good morning to you! Well I had my pre-op check at the ACS clinic last Thursday morning and pending the results of my blood tests Im all set for April 26th! I cant believe its just over 2 weeks away! I am excited but at times I panic and wonder if Im doing the right thing. I know I am doing the right thing but the mind can play tricks sometimes. I was feeling emotional on Saturday. I had a few glasses of wine and had a bit of a cry, worrying if this lap band was going to finally be the end of my weight struggle. All my life I have been on a diet of one sort or another and while I have lost weight, as we all know I put it on again and some more after each diet. Anyway, I am in a much better frame of mind now and I need to get organised for when I come home from hospital. I got a list from someone on here of suggested things to have at hand for when I come home. Although most of the people on here are from the US I think I should be able to source most of the stuff. The one thing I am concerned about is the Protein shakes. Everyone has recommended that I have these but I dont know what kind to get or where to get them. I went to Holland and Barrett and the girl said they only stock ones that taste awful. Any suggestions? I have started cutting back on carbs as requested by Dr Jerome at ACS. He asked that for at least 2 weeks pre-op I make an effort to cut out bread and potatoes and sugary foods. Its hard, because I am addicted to carbs but Im trying so hard. Hopefully it will kick start some weight loss also. Anyway any suggestions from anyone to make things easier either before or after the op would be so gratefully appreciated. Thanks so much, Brenners x

Hi there, I am scheduled to have my lap band fitted on April 26th! I am so excited but I need to get myself organised for when I get home after my op. Has anyone any suggestions on what I should have stocked in the house. I will have dinners in the freezer for my DH and DS so they will be well looked after but I just would appreciate any advice as to what I should have ready for myself when I get out of hospital. Thanks, Brenners

Hi everyone, hope your all well. I had my pre op blood tests etc and it looks like Im all set for 26th April. Its all pending my blood results, but I had my bloods done in February and everything was normal, so Im hoping things have not changed. I am excited but I have to admit that I had a bad day on Saturday where I was very emotional and wondering if I was doing the right thing. I tend to focus on the negative comments on here and remember those and forget easily all the wonderful comments about how the lap band has changed peoples lives. I had a good long chat with my DH and he reminded me of what the surgeon said at our first consultation. He told me that diets dont work and it is obvious that dieting has made me obese and that while this is not going to happen overnight and without considerable effort from me that diets will be a thing of the past. Anyway another issue that I know I will have to cope with is that I am an extremely impatient person, this is part of my compulsive nature. I need to promise myself that its progress Im after not perfection and that this is new to me and to work with the band and hopefully it will work for me. Its so great to have this site to read and get such wonderful feedback. Love Brenners x

Hi to everyone, I am scheduled to have banding done in Dublin at ACS on 26th April! I had my first consultation with the surgeon last Friday and I have my pre-op tests this Thursday. I am excited but anxious at the same time. I look forward to sharing my experience with you all and Im sure you will be sick of me asking questions!! Talk soon Brenners x