atimeforchange

Hi Folks, Spoke to ACS the other day. Apparently there is a letter going out to all banded patients in the next few days. Not 100% sure what this letter is detailing but im guessing its to do with the current situation. Should be interesting. Might be an idea to stand ground untill we see what they've gotta say for themselves. Has anyone got theirs yet ?! (post is sooo slow here :smile:) atfc

Hi folks, I too would be happy to attend any meetings to discuss ACS aftercare. I do think there should be a lawyer or legal adviser present to review our contracts advise on what what the next step should be in approching ACS. If we're going to do this, might as well do it right. I think we also need to be cautious about media involvement, even though it could help in highlighting our issue. We all saw the negitive throwback it had for Jerome even though everyone was happy with his service. Just something to consider. atfc

Hi Folks, For those of you that asked - The Weight Management Clinic in Loughlinstown DOES Lap-band surgery as well as by-pass surgery under Dr Justin Geoghegan. I Spoke to two people while i was there who were having their lap-band fitted and they will be receiving their aftercare (fills and reviews ect.) there at St. Columcilles Hospital in Loughlinstown. 3na

Ok Folks, The story so far.. After i posted the above quote I was admitted to Ardkeen hospital in waterford with kidney failure due to sever dehydration. I was put on a drip straight away and thankfully there was no permanent damage done and my kidneys came back to normal. They did an xray in waterford and concluded that I did in fact have band slippage so i was transfered me to ACS (Owenstown) where i was put on more fluids. Carol (who has replaced Tara) explained to me that my surgeon (Jan Makarewicz) would not be in the country untill late March. I was sent to the Becon hospital for my scans. My situtation was obviously urgent and they still have "a duty of care" (as Carol put it) to me so she told me she was refering me to the top Gastric Surgeon in the country - Juston Geageon. (He's the gastric surgeon at the Weight Management Clinic). He's a fantastic surgeon. I was transfered to Vincents hopstial under Dr Geagons care. He explained that he would have to remove the band completely. I was devestated and asked if there was anyway he could re-position it. He transfered me to St. Columcilles Hospital in Loughlinstown to perform the corrective surgery. He managed to re-postion my band and port in the one surgery so now im home and back on my weightloss track. I explained the situation with acs to Dr. Geageon and he was appauled at the standard of aftercare i was recieving. Jan did contact me to follow my progress. He aslo sent an email to Dr Geageon detailing my history and the type of band i had fitted. According to Dr Geageon, Jan explained in the email that he left ACS as he was very unhappy at the level of care patients were recieving and he feared for some patients saftey. My corrective surgery was done in St Columcilles hospital in Loughlinstown. The pre and post care i recived was fantastic - and i wasnt sent home on my merry way the DAY AFTER SURGERY as I was in ACS. I was given plenty of pain relief and plenty of anti-clotting drugs (which i never recieved in acs). According to the nurse this is vital when undergoing weight loss surgery. The dietery advice I have recieved is also fantastic. I spoke to the dietition twice before i was allowed to go home and im definatly more content with the overall care. My advice to all ACS bandsters is demand to be refered to Dr Justin Geageon for all your aftercare. They have a responsibilty to provide a high standard of aftercare. Dont accept anything less. Hope this helps. 3na

Hi Folks, Im worried and a little confused. I was banded in ACS in Oct '07. Ive steadly lost weight which i am thrilled about. I saw my surgeon (Mr Makarewicz) 6wks later and he was happy with my weight loss. He said I didnt need a fill as the band was providing enough restriction itself. In the last 3weeks the amount of food I have been able to consume has slowly decreased (Yes DEcreased!). When i ate i began throwing up so ive just kept reducing my portion sizes (presuming i was doing something wrong like not chewing carefully enough ect) I went to my GP who told me i have "the winter vomiting" bug so i didnt worry too much about little amout food i was consuming. I thought "ah tummy bug.. it'll pass". But i am now at the stage where im eating no food atall. The smallest portion, of even just soup makes me feel over-full and get sick So im Just sipping water. As a result of no food and possible dehydration my blood pressure dropped, i became dizzy and fainted in the shower (no serious injury just a brused back-side mainly). Im really worried that the "over restriction" may be a sign that my band has slipped. I phoned ACS and they've been very vage with me. I told them i need an appointment urgent and ive got lots of stories from different people- (eg... computer systems are down... theres no one there to see me right now.. ) Im starting to panic. I spoke to a nurse in ACS and discribed my symptoms. Waiting for a call back from her today. Im worried that i might have band-slippage and need surgery. Or worse still that they might suggest "removal". I looked up the website and just discovered that they're no longer offering Lap-Band surgery. Is this having an effect on the standard of aftercare im still entitled to ? any onelse having problems ? What should i do ? Im sorry for the long post. Just really fretting now. Thanks 3na

Thanks for that info. :-)

Hi folks, Im banded a week and 2 days. I was advised to start on mushy foods so i gave it a go. Now i have a pain in my chest where my band is. Im dizzy (seeing double) and have alot on nausia. Is this "dumping" ? What did i do wrong ? :Banane30: 3na.

Hi folks, i was banded on wed 3rd of oct. Ive been in agony since i got home. ive only consumed Water but every evening it comes back up. Im having alot chest pain but the gas pains are becoming totally unbareable. im just sipping water - so slow infact that i only get through a glass a day. Is it normal to experience such bad gas without consuming any food and having very little water ? im worried i'll become dehydrated ;i havent had more than 2 or 3 hrs sleep any night and im exhausted and dilerious. Its very painfull to stand, walk, sit or laydown. When i was discharged I was given Solpodine as pain relief (Might as well be taking gelly Beans !) and Diafine as an anti-inflamitory and Augmenten as an antibiotic. To date i have taken only one of all of these tablets. They hurt my tummy so much i cried for 4hrs (im sure my Fiance thought i was having some sort of metal break down I dont mean to moan.. (its crazy to say but im still glad i had the op) i think im just looking for reassurance that this will get better. Otherwise i might just go completely insane. (if i havent already from lack of sleep) any advice would be greatly appricated. Thanks 3na

Thanks so much for the advice folks. I'll try what you suggested and have little bit of mushy food tomorrow and see how i get on. If that doesnt work i think i'll have to haul myself to my doc. Thanks again, 3na

Hi ! :-D How are you ?? Im from Ireland. I going have my first consultation with Jerome Manuceau (Advanced Cosmetic Surgery) in Dublin on 8th of September. How are you getting on since your surgery ? Are you happy ? :-) How is life with your lap-band ? Its great to find someone who has been a patient of Dr Manuceau . Have you found anyone elso who has had Dr Manuceau as their surgeon ? I havent really been able to find any of his past patients to chat to. Would you mind if I ask you a few questions ?? I'd really like to know how you found Dr Manuceau ? And how are you finding the "after-care" at Advanced Cosmetic Surgery ? Thanks and Best of Luck :-)

Hi Everyone. I have a consultation with Dr Jerome Manuceau (Advanced Cosmetic Surgery) in Dublin on 8th of September. Ive done lots of reasearch in to the proceedure itself and I have a big list of questions prepared for my consultation ! I havent really been able to find a lot of info about Dr Manuceau - past patient reviews ect. so its been reassuring to finally find someone elso who is also a patient of his. Has your experience been positive ? How soon after your consultation date were you offered a date to have your surgery done ? Im nervous and excited at the same time !! I currently weight 225lbs and have been over-weight my whole life but it also feels as though i have been dieting my whole life too ! Im getting married in 3years and I would love to feel confident, happy and look great on my big day and for the rest of my life ! I would love to keep in touch with you all and share experiences - Good and bad ! Good Luck to everyone x.x.x 3na.