Coco

OH MY GOD! THE JANUARY BLUES HAVE CERTAINLY GOTTEN HOLD OF THIS THREAD....... Hi All, I don't know where to start, everyone sounds so down. AIBHE: You've taken the first step and booked the op. Well done, the best of luck and keep in touch so we can cheer you on and pat you on the back. ELSIE: Good luck with the research, don't forget to check out the aftercare. And thanks for the kind words. SKINNYIRISHBABE: You defo need a fill by the sounds of it. Its not good when you are trying and the band is not helping. Talk to Lu or Dr Jan. sometimes they need to be reminded that untill the band is doing its job we can't lose the weight. It does vary from person to person as to how quickly we find our sweet spot although in Jeromes band it usually kicks in at about 4.5mls/5mls. Good luck and keep going back until you are happy.:wink: ELLEN: Its fab when restriction kicks in. Welcome to the losing side.:cool: KERMIT: Don't be down on your own. Keep posting it helps to get things out there, if you don't want to share with the world feel free to PM me and I'll listen and give my tuppence worth if you want it. :wink: MARGE: I was one of the 2% of people who suffer with a band slip. There is no pain involved, I just couldn't keep anything down. Even liquids. I was defilled slightly straight away, this allowed me to eat and drink again, and I was sent for an xray within 2 days. I saw Jerome three times that week, each time I had another small defill until Jerome decided that I needed to have the band repositioned, and I had that done within 2 weeks of the slip. It was all handled very well and I was very happy with the treatment I recieved.:smile: ALLURE: No Way......... I can't believe you've lost restriction again.:eek: What a complete bummer. I don't know what to advise, on the positive, could it be that because you have lost weight, the band loosened and its just time for another fill? Don't give up, keep having the fills I know you're way up there on the fill level but maybe thats just how its got to be for you. I'm glad that you have the appointment made let us know how you get on. :huggie: ROE: Did you go on liquids for at least 24hrs after your fill? Believe it or not sometimes the fills don't kick in straight away and can take a couple of days. Always do the liquids only for the first 24 to 48hrs. I do and it works for me. On the other hand if there is no change within the week I would make another appointment. You want to get to your sweet spot so that you can start losing regularly. Good luck.:smile: DINI: Great to hear from you. Its terrific that you are doing so well. Some of the girls were telling me that you look fantastic.:cool: I'm so pleased for you. You must try to log on more I know its difficult with your job but you could be such an inspiration to people on here. Sorry you missed our little meeting but Skinny is trying to arrange one on the northside which might suit you. Keep in touch and well done again. :eek: So girls thats all from the house of coco tonight:biggrin::mad: hope you all are feeling more positive soon and remember things can only get better.:biggrin:

Hi All, I don't understand, don't you get aftercare included in the price of your orignal surgery. I mean its not your fault the port never healed, its also not your fault that you need a new one. Its the fault of the surgeon. I had a band slippage and had the repositioning done within 2 weeks of the slip and all of that was included in the orignal price which in Ireland is 10 thousand Euro. As are the fills and follow ups for the life of the band. Its important when choosing a care provider that you check out what their contract with you is. Good luck with your band and I do hope it can be sorted out with out too much grief to you.

Hi There, I had a slip 6mths after I was banded, the symptoms were, I was unable to keep anything down, solid or liquid, I was defilled slightly when I presented with these symptoms and sent off for a BM Swallow. It showed the slip and when further defills didn't sort out the slip, I had to have it repaired, it was a matter of putting it back to the correct position and stiching it into place. My Surgeon said as all the fat on the wall of my stomach had dissapeard as had the stiches the band moved down my stomach. I have had problems with reflux for a few months after the rebanding but a complete defill and slow refills have cured this and am now happily continuing to lose my weight and have had no further problems. I would like people to know that a slip is not always the end of the band more often than not it is a mearly a set back which can be sorted quite quickly.

Hi Skinny, If you had two fills and with what they put in at the op, usually 2mls, by my reckoning you should have 4mls in. Its usually 1ml at each fill to start off with. Anyway, Lu has a point about the ready meals, as they are too easy to go down and don't fill you up for a very long time. If you can eat a boiled egg on brown toast for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch and have a piece of meat or chicken with veg for dinner, without gravy, then you need another fill. If you are surviving on shepherds pie and fish pie and soups and general sloppies then you need to look at your diet. The general rule of thumb is if you can eat a slice of white bread without any problem you need a fill. It is important to work with the band but the band is there to stop us from overeating. If you can still manage a large home cooked meal go back to Lu and speak to her again. Good luck and let us know how you get on. It is worth it once you find your sweet spot the weight will come off every week.

Hi SkinnyIrishBabe, How are you doing, long time since you dropped in. I would defo be up for crossing the M50 to meet up with you girls. Just say when.

Hi Aibhe, It's a huge decision for anyone to have to make so I hope this web site is making your decision easier for you. If you check back on some of the posts on this site you will see that there are some providers thinking of providing aftercare in Dublin. I can't tell you which provider to go to but I will tell you that it is important to find out all about the aftercare services. If you go for the band you will need to see someone every 4-6weeks for an adjustment until you reach your sweet spot. Then you will see someone every 2-3mths until you reach your ideal weight, and then all going well just a yearly check-up. So effectively you are talking about maybe 8 visits or more in the first year. If you are going abroad make sure its somewhere with cheap flights. The difference between the band and a bypass is this:- the band is a device that sits around the top of your stomach which can be tightened or loosened as necessary. By tightening the band it slows down the rate at which food can enter the rest of your stomach. As a result you will feel full with less food for longer periods of time. Side effect.... you lose weight. The bypass on the other hand is where the surgeon cuts away some of your stomach and re plumbs your intestines and as a result you can only tolerate much smaller amounts of food and because of the replumbing you will not absorb as much calories from the food that you do eat. Your body will suffer badly if you eat high fat and sugar foods after a bypass, called dumping, it causes a lot of pain and vomiting. The bypass is also a permanent surgery unlike the lap band which can be removed if necessary. In most cases you will lose weight quicker with the bypass but you will probably be left with a lot of loose skin because you have lost the weight so quickly. I had the band done a year ago and am currently just 2lbs shy of losing 5stone. I think that is an incredible amount for such a short time and I don't have any loose skin. I'm no expert, just a satisfied lap bander, so I hope I have clarified some of your points for you. To my mind the lap band is a far safer method of losing weight. BTW, we were all terrified of the op, in my case right up until I woke up after it. Good luck and keep us posted about your decision.

Hi Girls, Thanks for a great meeting, it was lovely to meet you Elsie and I hope we helped you make the right decision for you. Keep us posted on your progress. Nikki and Ellen, sorry you guys couldn't make it but maybe next time. Allure, I wish you lots of success with your band especially as you are going hell for leather on the exercise if your band supports you as much as the exercise does you'll be size 10 in no time. Let me know how you get on after your fill. Alisha and Terry, you guys are doing so well, it was great to catch up and have a laugh at ourselves as only we bandsters can. Continued success to you both. As for me I'm slowly recovering from this blasted flu but it helps to have the kids back at school. Some well earned me time with just Fern and Phil for company. (What do you mean who's Fern and Phil, am I the only one who watches day time TV?):)

Hi Girls, Allure, you're so sweet, thanks for all the kind words. It looks like there will be a few of us tomorrow, thats great, to any new people, I will be wearing a black dress with a green cardigan, hope that helps to identify me. so 12.00 it is, look forward to seeing you all tomorrow.

Hi Girls, I'm delighted to hear the experiences of those of you who were banded elsewhere. It's also great to see that we might have other providers available in Ireland in the near future. I am also of the opinion that ACS are taking far too much of a bashing from the media. I do hope they can weather the storm and continue to offer the op and the aftercare. I will be up in Bewleys Hotel Sandyford (off the M50) on Saturday 5th at 12.00 so anyone who wants to meet up is welcome. I'll be the one with the 2 kids attached to my hip:) they are not bad really so if anyone else wants to bring kids with them feel free. Bewleys is a great place to meet because there is a large seating area where we can get coffee and still have some privacy. Hope to see a few of you there.

Happy New Year to All. Hi All, Well here we are another year over. I have to say from a weight point of view it's been the best year ever and I'm looking forward to shifting the last 28lbs in 2008. I'll be a year banded on Jan 3rd. and 65lbs lighter. :whoo: Its been great to share stories and problems with all of you particularly, Jean, Juile & Bernie and I look forward to another year of support and friendship. Now how about a meet up on Sat 5th Jan in Bewleys before we all go back to the daily routines of work and school runs and shopping and meeting up for coffees. I think now is a good time to log our current losses and our expectations for the coming year. I love hearing how people are doing :ranger: some might say I've too much time on my hands but hey! So heres wishing you all the very best for 2008 and hope to see a few of you on the 5th.

Hi Kelly, I've been banded since Jan. 3rd 2007 almost a year now and I can tell you its the best thing I have ever done, I have 28lbs to go to get to my target weight and I would do it again in a heartbeat. In fact I did do it again last July when I was one of the 2% of people who suffer from band slippage. I skipped into that theater with a smile on my face for the surgeon to fix it. Everyone I know who has had the band done and most of the posts I've read about people gearing up to have it done have the same concerns as you. We wouldn't be normal not to worry about dying under the op. But I have to say that having the op through keyhole surgery minimises the risks considerably. In my case it was feel the fear and do it anyway. I hope that now you've decided its the op for you, you will go on to have it done and live a long and healthy life. Good luck and know that we are all wishing you well.:cheated:

Hi Ellen, I'm glad I'm not the only one who saw the programme:), although in a way I'm quite glad that it wasn't all over Joe Duffy the next day.:cheated: Lu is the nurse who does the fills and although she can come across as quite aloof and cold she is really quite nice and knows her stuff as regards the band. One thing I know I would do if I had a problem with the band and didn't have ACS to turn to, I would refuse point blank any operation to remove it. I would ask to be put on a drip if I was dehydrated and if they couldn't insert a syringe and remove the fluid from my band I would just hop on a plane to Paris or London and have it seen to. I have heard about a Dr. in Galway who is supposed to be doing the band so if anyone has heard anything please let me know. I think at this point we who have been banded with ACS should be looking at alternative aftercare in the event that the media has its way and closes ACS down. Anyway, hope you are all doing good and if anyone is up for a meet in Bewleys Hotel in Sandyford let me know and I'll see if I can come up with a date that suits us all. Saturday the 5th Jan sounds like a good date to me. Anyone else?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All.Hi Guys Lovely to see so many of us back on the site sharing and talking again. Not surprised to hear about ACS stopping the WLS op's. particularly after the Prime Time show on RTE1 the other night. The thing that pee's me off about all the bad publicity that ACS is getting between the Mail on Sunday and now Prime Time is that it is so unbalanced. They've not had anyone who's has been happy with their ops to give their stories. I'm quite sure that there are hundreds of WLS patients who are very happy and by the law of averages there must be some people who have been happy with their cosmetic surgery. And to see the doctors in Loughlinstown harping on about one consultation, where the bogus patient was sent in to ACS with a hidden camera, saying that WLS should not be performed on this type of patient. What the hell else are we to do, there is nobody else in Ireland to perform this surgery for us except ACS doctors. Why don't they concentrate on changing the laws so that people like us who know nothing about medicine or operations or qualifications surgeons should have so it wont be a game of Russian roulette when we choose to have any sort of procedure done be it cosmetic or WLS. I don't suppose that will happen anytime soon. I'm very concerned that if all this bad publicity forces ACS to close or move out of Ireland where will that leave us. Those of us who are relying on ACS for our aftercare, there is no alternative for us. If we have any complications with our band and don't have ACS to turn to our band will be whipped out of us by some gastric surgeon who knows nothing about us or our band and all our efforts will have been in vain because I know I and many more like me will gain all the weight and more back again if this band is taken out. OK rant over, I'm sorry but I just had to get this off my chest. On a more positive note, I would love to meet up after Christmas. How many of you plan to spend some time in Dundrum Shopping Centre at the sales after Christmas? Would that be a good place to meet? There is a great big restaurant there where we could grab a coffee and a quiet corner to meet up and have a good old chinwag. Or there is always Bewleys Hotel in Sandyford which is great for privacy, or has anyone any other ideas. Let me know and we'll sort something out. In the meantime, I wish you all comfortable restriction, shed loads of weight loss and a really really happy Christmas and a peaceful and productive New Year. Love to All.

Hi Roe, Its great to hear of a new banded person here on the site, it's a while since we had one.:whoo: And its terrific that you have so many nice things to say about Dr Jan. It is very heartening when waiting for the op that you have someone who has been there and done it, to be able to fill in the gaps and tell of their experience. I was banded by Jerome so don't know anything about the band that Dr Jan uses. And don't worry about your posts, we can understand them perfectly and you're right practice does make perfect. Keep in touch and let us know how you're doing and how much weight you're losing. Best of luck with your band.

Hi Ellen, Well done you for taking the brave step and having the surgery. Most of us here have been operated by Jerome and so have the same band in, and can share stories and give advice based on that. It must be difficult not having anyone to discuss it with, so that's what's great about this site. The reason its called Hi from Ireland is to encourage anyone in Ireland regardless of where they've had their band fitted, to talk and share and give advice when able. Not that we would exclude anyone regardless of where they were living. If you are still able to eat white bread/pizza/panine you are not yet at your sweet spot. Maybe you could ask what the fill measure for the majority of people with your band is, in order to feel restriction. With our band it seems in most cases to kick in at between 4.5 and 5.mls. As you are only 4mths in it might be the next one that works.

Hi Ellen, Welcome to the site. Its easy to navigate round once you get to know it. As for your eating probs. Well it could be that you are eating too quickly or not chewing enough. Its best when you're out not to try new foods, do that at home because its less stressful. It is usually difficult for bandsters to eat meat and chicken and white bread. It might be wise to try mince meat/chicken or use sauce to lubricate the meat/chicken to help it go down. Either way, you must take small bites, chew chew and then chew some more. Put the knife and fork down between mouthfuls and take 20/30mins to eat your main meal. Its important to eat normal foods as they fill the pouch quicker and will stay there longer so you won't need to eat as often. Try porridge/cereal for breakfast and a glass of juice, (drink the juice before eating the breakfast). For lunch if you can't tolerate bread, try crackers/ryvita with maybe some egg mayonnaise or cream cheese. Then for dinner eat your protein first then your veg and then your carbs. (Potatoes are carbs.) Remember to drink your fluids between meals but stop half an hour before eating and don't start drinking again for at least an hour after eating. Where did you have your op done? How do you cope with aftercare? Good luck with the food and keep us posted on how you're doing.

Hi roe, Welcome, don't be shy, its as important to post when you're not doing so well as when you have loads to report. That's when we need the support. One thing puzzles me, why is your next appointment for Jan 11th? If you are not losing 1-2lbs a week you don't have restriction. So why is your appointment not in December? If I were you I would ring and make an appointment with Lu for this weekend. She works every Saturday and every second Friday. You are in charge of your band, only you know when you have restriction, it comes at different levels for all of us but it usually kicks in from between 4 - 5mls. You were banded by Jan so I'm not sure what band he uses or how much is the max you can have in it. Maybe you could fill me in (if you pardon the pun). Keep posting.

Hi Dini, Great to hear from you again. Delighted to hear you're doing so well. Size 12 :whoo:well done. You think your friends are a little off with you now, wait till you're a size 10, watch the green eyed monster grow.:biggrin1::biggrin1: Dini your real friends will be proud of you and be happy for you, and any one else, rub it in their face by wearing the most fashionable trendiest clothes around and smile all the time. You've earned it and you're worth it.:clap2::clap2:

:)Hi Girls, How's everyone doing, you're all v quite. I hate when our thread goes off the first page as first timers looking for Irish people may not be able to find us. Allure thanks for passing on the message, as you can see I got the computer back quite quickly. Anyway, my news, I decided as I've lost 4st9lbs that I would go and have a proper fitting for a bra just to see how these puppies have suffered through the weight loss. Prior to the band I measured in at 42E and I had been guessing my size (36DD) and trying on in M&S for the past months. So, off I went to Peaches & Cream in the Westbury Mall for a proper measure and an everyday bra. Well you could have knocked me down with a feather I am now the proud owner of not one but two bras size 34F yes that's an F. I can't believe it. I have to say its the best 120Euro ever spent as I look like I've had a boob job now my boobs are in the right place proper tethered by the bra from heaven. I can highly reccomend it, get the right bra, watch your boobs improve:). So that's all for now talk soon.:biggrin1:

Hey Nikki, Delighted to hear that your friend is doing so well. I didn't know the ops were going ahead at all so I'm pleased that they are back up and running even if it does mean a trip to Paris. Of course the fills would be done here but are they being done in Belfast or Dublin. Also where does that leave Dr Jan? Is he going to be doing them in Dublin or what? Its all a bit confusing. I wonder does Jeromes licence being revoked mean that he can't work in any capacity here in the South? I wish ACS would clarify the situation for us so we knew where we stood.

well thank you,Coco! that is a great and clear explanation(even if it is a bit yuk!!)you're great! I DID phone Kim at ACS here in Cork (patient coordinator v.nice) and she said that Dr Jan is still trying for an operating theatre to work out of.Perhaps the delay is for the best if he gets it more organised.He was talking to me about seeing a Nutritionist and a Phycologist as well as trying to set up support groups-so all that would be very positive. Thanks girls for all your help!! Hi Penny, Your welcome:). I'm impressed that Jan is talking about a Nutritionist and a Psychologist that's terrific will it be included in the 10K or will that be extra? It is no problem to set up a support group if you have the support of ACS. We were looking for their assistance and input when we tried to set up a support group earlier this year but we got the opposite to support from them. That's why its great to have this thread on this site. Keep posting.

Hi Lyn, There is a lot of controversy in Dublin at the moment about ACS doing the band ops in a cosmetic clinic. The General Medical Council have revoked Jerome's licence down here as they feel he was doing a high risk procedure in a clinic as opposed to a big hospital. So until that's sorted out Jerome can't work from Dublin. Jerome is an excellent surgeon and one of the best at keyhole. He has performed 300 operations in Dublin in the past 18mths or so and 3 of his patients needed further treatment in a hospital. That's a damn fine record by anyone's standards. There is always a risk with surgery any surgery no matter how routine it is. Jerome in my opinion and that of quite a few of his bandsters that I know, has a great understanding about obesity and will treat you with respect and dignity. I'm delighted to hear that he is back in Ireland albeit it Northern Ireland and I hope he'll soon be back in Dublin. We miss him. Hope you enjoy the rest of the posts and keep us posted on your progress. Good luck with your journey.

Emerald, FYI Lu works every second Friday and every Saturday morning, make an appointment to see her, she will aspirate your band and tell you how much is in there and she will give you the fill you need based on that. Good luck and don't wait too long.:biggrin1:

Hey Allure, This is great news about your restriction, keep an eye on it because as you lose weight you will also lose restriction so don't be afraid to have another fill. Stick with Lu she knows her stuff. I would like to join you on your weekly 2lb target but you know I'm a lazy cow when it comes to exercising. Let me see how my swimming goes, I'm on my third week of twice weekly swimming already so lets see how that commitment goes! Great you are going to give Jerome your support, the more of us the better and hopefully it will lead to him being back in Dublin to continue our aftercare. Talk soon.

Hi Girls, Well I spent the afternoon with doctors rubbing their fingers up and down my legs. Nice huh! Well the bumpy parts of my legs to check out my varicose veins:biggrin1: and the result is I go in for the op on Jan 23rd but only for my right leg my left leg will have to wait till my right one heals. Seems a straight forward procedure go in in the morning and be home by the same evening. Emerald Get that fill, you need to be sorted before the party season.:biggrin1: Penny2 I've not heard anything about the ops starting up again why don't you phone ACS and ask them. Regarding your question about PB's and Slime, that I can answer, and yes it is disgusting, but here goes, and I won't go into too much detail suffice to say if you eat something that either doesn't suit your band or you eat something quite fast or maybe have a couple of mouthfuls in quick succession this is what happens......... first you get the pain, right between your boobs, then your mouth fills up with saliva (slime) and just when you've rushed to the loo you puke back (PB) the offending item. See, that's why you have to obey the rules. Chew, chew, chew and then chew some more. Put the knife and fork down between mouthfuls well really mouth-quarter-fulls. That way you can eat your meals without any trips to to loo.